When Deacon Connor Penn was trying to decide if God was calling him to the priesthood, he asked for a sign. Later that day, a friend told him, “Have you ever thought about becoming a priest, because I think you’d make a great priest.” At that moment and other times throughout his life, Deacon Penn …
When Deacon Drew Woodke was a third-grader at St. Thomas More Catholic School in Decatur, Georgia, one of the nuns asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. Deacon Drew recalls answering, “I want to be a priest when I grow up because girls are gross!” Well, fourth grade arrived and girls …
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Becoming a priest might have been the last thing on Deacon Joshua Bertrand’s mind if you had asked him about it in middle or high school. The only son of Robert and Marguerite Bertrand, Deacon Bertrand attended Catholic school at an early age but most of his education took place in public schools. He was …
Continue reading “Path to Priesthood has Been a “Long Slow Road” for Deacon Joshua Bertrand”
As of July 1, Relevant Radio En Español is broadcasting on 1380 AM in Tampa. The network produces and broadcasts its own original Spanish-language programming 24/7, covering current events and news, marriage and family, faith, and more! Click here for a programming schedule. The network began in 2019 with stations in Texas and has expanded …
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With another election cycle in full swing, we are faced with the difficult question of what it means to love our neighbors in the midst of such a divisive climate. We are called to bring the best of ourselves and our faith to the public square—and yet today, many shy away from such involvement because …
Father Kyle Bell of St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish in Tarpon Springs said he saw Mass-goers “in tears” as they received Holy Communion on Monday, May 11, 2020. This was the first time they were able to receive Jesus in the Eucharist since parishes ceased public Masses because of the coronavirus pandemic. Parishioners have keenly …
Continue reading “First Chance to Receive Eucharist at Mass in Months Leaves Some in Tears”
With millions of Americans out of work due to the coronavirus pandemic, Job Search Ministries at parishes in the Diocese of St. Petersburg are providing important resources and support. “Churches, in particular, have the opportunity and the obligation to help the unemployed because work is so important to the nature of humanity that when the …
Following the pre-dawn announcement of Bishop Elect David Toups as the 6th bishop of the Diocese of Beaumont on June 9, 2020, reaction from his home Diocese of St Petersburg included both elation and sadness. The 49-year-old Bishop-Elect will be the youngest non-auxiliary, diocesan bishop in the United States. Parishioners, seminarians and co-workers alike have …
Continue reading “Community Reacts with Joy and Tears to the News about Bishop-Elect David Toups”
“My life has been completely transformed, 180 degrees. I can’t begin to tell you.” This is what Celina Okpaleke had to say when asked about the Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute. LPMI, which has been a pillar in the Diocese of St. Petersburg since 1998, was created to help people who are involved in parish ministry …
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Four new members have been appointed to serve on the National Review Board (NRB) by Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The NRB advises the bishops’ Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People and was established as part of the Charter for Protection …
On June 9, 2020, Pope Francis announced that Monsignor David Toups, 49, has been appointed a bishop and his first assignment will be bishop of the Diocese of Beaumont, Texas. He currently serves as Rector of the St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida, a position he’s held since 2012. There will …
Continue reading “Pope Francis Appoints a Clearwater Priest to Serve as Bishop of Beaumont, Texas”
Businesses are navigating the re-opening of the economy following shutdowns prompted by the COVID-19 pandemics. To assist those facing challenges and looking for new opportunities, Saint Leo University will a free, four-part webinar series, Business Reimagined: Insights for Small Businesses in the COVID-19 Landscape, for Tampa-area businesses beginning at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 20. The …
On May 20, 2020, Bishop Gregory Parkes announced that parishes could once again resume Sunday Mass with a congregation present starting the weekend of May 30-31, 2020. “We are called to be good stewards of our health and to take practical steps to avoid spreading illness. Therefore, restrictions will be in place since we are …
Screenshot courtesy of In Solidarity. On May 13, 2020, the Diocese of St. Petersburg Office of Life, Justice and Advocacy hosted an ecumenical online forum to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the publication of the papal encyclical, Laudato Si, translated “Praise be to you,” subtitled, “On Care for our Common Home.” The dialogue featured a …
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Initial Plans are to Start with Daily Mass After prayerful and careful consideration of the guidelines and recommendations put forth by local government and health officials, Bishop Gregory Parkes has announced that the public celebration of Mass will resume in the Diocese of St. Petersburg starting on Monday, May 11, 2020. Initially, parishes are permitted …
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A Message from Bishop Parkes (PDF available in English and Spanish) In light of the governor’s recent announcement to begin the process of reopening Florida, I wanted to share with you an update on when we might gather together again for Mass. Please know that I would like nothing more than to resume gathering publicly …
Continue reading “Bishop Parkes Hopes to Resume Public Masses During the Month of May”
On May 6, 2018, when Bishop Gregory Parkes consecrated the Diocese of St. Petersburg to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Cathedral of St. Jude was standing room only, full of the faithful who gathered and joined their voices in prayer. This year, when Bishop Parkes celebrates the Consecration Renewal Mass, the Cathedral pews may …
Continue reading “Pandemic Moves Marian Congress Online and Highlights Need for Prayer”
In the Diocese of St. Petersburg, the Safe Environment Program Office, which was established in 2003, oversees a comprehensive program of child abuse prevention that is focused on background checks and training of all adults entrusted with the care, responsibility and/or supervision of minors or vulnerable adults. The office was established in compliance with the …
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During the Covid-19 crisis, many of us are asked to stay home, avoiding large gatherings and crowds, in order to help stop the spread of the virus. Having this time provides an opportunity for you to dive deeper into discernment. Fr. Chuck Dornquast, Director of Vocations, would like to invite you to a unique, weekly …
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, and after consulting with Deacons Joshua Bertrand, Connor Penn and Drew Woodke, Bishop Parkes has decided to reschedule the date of their Ordination to the Priesthood, which was scheduled to take place on May 16, 2020. The new date will be Saturday, August 15, 2020, the Solemnity of the Assumption …
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We are living through a difficult time. Many of you have concerns about health, finances, family and even your faith. I know, from the depths of my heart, how difficult it is for you to be separated from the Holy Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith. That’s …
Normally Full Churches will be Empty as Public Gatherings are Restricted to Stop the Spread of COVID-19 Holy Week and Easter celebrations with Bishop Gregory Parkes can be viewed via Livestream, Sunday, April 5 – Saturday, April 12, 2020. These celebrations will be streamed from the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg …
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Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St.Petersburg, in partnership with the City of Tampa, opened a shelter (Hillsborough Hope) for homeless residents of Tampa on vacant land owned by Catholic Charities on March 30, 2020. Due to the risk posed by the coronavirus, city officials decided to relocate homeless residents in order to provide the …
The Holy Hour for Vocations scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, 2020 has been cancelled. Our next ABUNDANCE Holy Hour is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2020. We hope to resume then, but please check the Vocations website for updates. A copy of the ABUNDANCE flyer can be found here. Please continue to pray for our …
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At the Angelus on Sunday, March 22nd, Pope Francis announced that this coming Friday, March 27th, at 6:00 pm Rome time (1:00 p.m local time), the Pope will preside over a moment of prayer on the sagrata of Saint Peter’s Basilica, before the empty square. He invites everyone to participate spiritually through the means of communication. There …
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I realize that for many of you, Saturday evening and Sunday are times when you would normally go to your local parish for Mass. Unfortunately, as we know, these days are anything but normal. However, as your bishop, I want to assure you of a few things. First, even …
With the suspension of public Masses and social distancing in place to support community efforts to slow the spread of illness, a reality our parishes face is that basic operational expenses are addressed through active participation in offertory giving. The intent is for our parishes to continue ministering and serving our communities through this time, …
March 18, 2020 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As you are aware, because of the fluid and unprecedented nature of the Coronavirus crisis, our response to the threat posed by the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States has been to closely monitor the guidance of government leaders and public health officials, and to make …
Continue reading “Public Masses are Temporarily Suspended in the Diocese of St. Petersburg”
We are continuing to follow the guidance from the CDC and public health organizations as we make decisions about how best to move forward with regard to the coronavirus (Covid-19). This memo amends the earlier one sent on Friday, March 13 by extending the closure of Catholic Schools through March 27. After prayerful consideration, Bishop …
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Dear Friends of Catholic Charities: I am reaching out to our clients, our supporters (funders, donors, volunteers), vendors, colleagues and board members, community and government partners, parishioners, and members of the broader community, to share what Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg is doing in response to unprecedented health risk posed by the Corona Virus …
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In an abundance of caution for students, employees and vulnerable populations Bishop Gregory Parkes has directed that all Catholic school and Early Childhood center buildings will be closed to students from Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20, 2020. March 16-17 had previously been scheduled as days off for students. Virtual learning will be conducted …
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In general, as a rule of thumb, if the Public Schools are closed, parish Faith Formation programs should be closed as well, but that has always been for weather emergencies; this is a whole new situation without precedent. In the next day or so the Office of Evangelization, Formation, Youth & Family Life will be recommending …
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Below is a letter distributed by Bishop Gregory Parkes on March 13, 2020, regarding a dispensation for Catholics in the Diocese of St. Petersburg from Universal Ecclesiastical Laws. Click here to view the letter as a PDF. (View Spanish PDF here.) Dear Faithful of the Diocese of St. Petersburg As your Bishop, in collaboration …
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“[Pope Francis] offered a prayer to the Virgin Mary on Wednesday, [March 11, 2020], in a video message to mark the Diocese of Rome’s day of prayer and fasting for the coronavirus emergency. The video was broadcast at the opening of a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, the diocesan vicar, at the Sanctuary …
Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has issued the following regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19): “With the worldwide outbreak of the coronavirus, we are confronted once more with the fragility of our lives, and again we are reminded of our common humanity; that the peoples of this world …
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Residential Students are to Remain Home, and Classes Resume Online March 23; Education Centers Move to Online-Only Classes on March 16 ST. LEO, FL – Saint Leo University has decided to make adjustments to university operations and move to online classes. The university is following guidance issued to the state universities in Florida regarding the coronavirus. Saint Leo’s students at …
On March 11, 2020, Bishop Larkin Catholic School in Port Richey was notified that a parent of a student had tested positive for Coronavirus. The parent is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials. The child has not been present at school since last Friday, March 6. The family …
In light of new concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus and because of our Church’s fervent respect for the dignity and value of human life, Bishop Gregory Parkes has issued three new directives to protect the health and safety of churchgoers in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. (Spanish documents are available in Word or PDF.) Effective …
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We celebrate Catholic Sisters Week, Communities of Spirit, Hearts for Ministry, from March 8-14, 2020. We are blessed to have religious sisters in our diocese from several different religious orders. Let us all take a moment to pray for these women, their missions, their ministry, their dedication and their love for the Lord and all …
The 10th Annual Tampa Bay Men’s Conference on Feb 22, 2020 in Higgins Hall at St. Lawrence Catholic Church was attended by almost 600 men, including quite a few fathers and sons. The men were inspired by talks from speakers Dr. Tim Gray and Peter Herbeck, as well as by a member of the conference …
The purpose of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations is to publicly fulfill the Lord’s instruction to, “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest” (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). As a climax to a prayer that is continually offered throughout the Church, it affirms the primacy of faith and grace …
In response to recent concerns over the spread of Coronavirus, the Diocese of St. Petersburg has prepared guidelines for parishes, schools and families to help our communities to take the necessary steps for the safety of all. Our response is focused on prevention, precautions and prayer. Many of these guidelines are based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention …
Is the Lord inviting you to take a step toward him? The Office of Vocations is offering you the opportunity to visit the minor seminary to experience the life of our seminarians. The weekend will take place March 13-15, 2020. Transportation is provided and there is no cost to you. To register to attend please …
The 2020 Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday, February 26, and ends with Easter Sunday on April 12. During Lent, we are encouraged to raise up the needs of the world in prayer, to sacrifice or fast by giving up food or material wants, and to offer our time, talent, and treasure as good stewards of the gifts God has given …
Continue reading “Reminded to be Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World this Lenten season”
On February 13, 2020, Bishop Gregory Parkes participated in a meeting with Pope Francis, Successor of St. Peter, at the Vatican. The meeting was part of a regularly scheduled Ad Limina visit to provide the Holy Father an update on the Diocese of St. Petersburg and to connect on a personal level. “He was very, …
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The Office of Stewardship and Development is hosting three FREE ½ day workshops this spring open to anyone looking to make stewardship a way of life in their parish or school. Our focus is “hospitality”, one of the key elements of our diocesan mission, Courageously Living the Gospel, and one of the seven pillars of …
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(Photo above shows Bishop Gregory Parkes greeting Pope Francis in May of 2014 after the Holy Father’s General Audience in St. Peter’s Square. Bishop Parkes was in Rome with seminary classmates to celebrate the 15th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.) During the week of February 9-15, 2020, Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of …
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WASHINGTON – Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has appointed Mrs. Suzanne Healy, the former Victims Assistance Coordinator for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles as the next chair of the National Review Board (NRB). Mrs. Healy succeeds Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D., who concludes his term …
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Helen Aguirre Ferré was honored today by the Catholic bishops of Florida with the Thomas A. Horkan, Jr. Distinguished Catholic Leader Award. The Distinguished Catholic Leader Award is presented to a Catholic Floridian whose life and work has deepened respect for life and increased appreciation for the human dignity of the people of Florida. The …
The Diocese of St. Petersburg Office of Communications has produced a video series to help local churches equip individuals as missionary disciples, one of the goals of Courageously Living the Gospel. The video series begins with an introduction by Bishop Gregory Parkes sharing information on evangelization. All Catholics are called by their baptism to be …
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The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry of the Diocese of St. Petersburg is leading a pilgrimage of nearly 300 participants to the National March for Life on Friday, January 24th at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. There are 13 schools and parishes represented in this contingency. The National March for Life is …
Starting the Church’s liturgical year, Advent is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas. This year, Advent begins on Sunday, November 29, 2020. Advent is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and also to …
The mission of the Catholic Church is very different from the mission of political parties. The Church guards the deposit of faith and makes the truth of the Gospel shine forth to lead all people to seek and receive Christ’s love. There is no political party that is aligned to this mission and as a …
Join a thousand other Catholic men from parishes around West Central Florida for a day of prayer, reconciliation, learning and fellowship! This conference will feature two dynamic, nationally-known speakers: DR. TIM GRAY: President of the Augustine Institute, plus, PETER HERBECK: TV/radio host, author and vice president of Renewal Ministries. Seize the opportunity to learn more …
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