TAMPA, Fla. — What happens when the people of Tampa Bay commit to kindness, compassion, and service? In 2025, it resulted in nearly two million Acts of Mercy.

The Catholic Diocese of Saint Petersburg celebrates the outstanding parishes, schools, and diocesan ministries that went above and beyond in service to others as part of the 1,000,000 Acts of Mercy Challenge, a diocesan-wide initiative inspired by the Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope.

The challenge invited Catholics across the diocese to intentionally live out the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy and record their acts of service on Mercy2025.org, with the collective goal of reaching one million Acts of Mercy in one year.

That goal was surpassed ahead of schedule. In September 2025, three months early, Bishop Gregory Parkes announced during a live broadcast on WBVM Spirit FM 90.5 that the diocese had reached one million Acts of Mercy. By the close of the Jubilee Year on January 6, the total had grown to nearly two million acts of service.

“My heart is full of gratitude for all who have worked together to achieve this remarkable milestone that reflects our call to love as God loves and serve as Christ serves,” said Bishop Parkes.

During the Challenge, participants focused on 14 categories of service recognized by the Catholic Church as the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.

The Corporal Works of Mercy: feed the hungry; give drink to the thirsty; clothe the naked; shelter the homeless; visit the sick and imprisoned; bury the dead.

The Spiritual Works of Mercy: teach the faith; counsel the doubtful; encourage reconciliation; bear wrongs patiently; forgive offenses willingly; comfort the afflicted; pray for the living and the dead.

Examples of Acts of Mercy recorded during the year included helping flood victims clean out their homes, bringing flowers to those who are ill, feeding the hungry, donating clothing to those in need, praying for those who are suffering, thanking veterans for their service, and cleaning up gravesites.

The Diocese recognizes the following schools, parishes, and ministries as top contributors:

Top Elementary Schools

Cathedral School of Saint Jude — 16,829 Acts of Mercy

Guardian Angels Catholic School — 14,687 Acts of Mercy

Top High School

St. Petersburg Catholic High School — 21,125 Acts of Mercy

Parish with Top Youth Participation

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church — 50,726 Acts of Mercy

Top Diocesan Entity

WBVM Spirit FM 90.5 — 74,902 Acts of Mercy

Top “Small” Parishes

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church — 59,556 Acts of Mercy

St. Patrick Catholic Church (Largo) — 36,176 Acts of Mercy

Top “Medium” Parishes

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church — 345,954 Acts of Mercy

St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church — 309,201 Acts of Mercy

Top “Large” Parishes

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church — 305,954 Acts of Mercy

St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church — 181,296 Acts of Mercy

Top Overall Parish

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church — 345,954 Acts of Mercy

This week, staff and representatives from the top schools and parishes were honored at a luncheon with Bishop Parkes in celebration of their commitment to service. The Diocese applauds all schools, parishes, ministries and individuals who courageously answered the call to serve others throughout the 1,000,000 Acts of Mercy Challenge.