The Chancellor’s Office has received word that Monsignor Frank Messman Mouch, 93, a retired priest of the Diocese of Venice, passed away in the Lord late Thursday afternoon, April 16, 2026. He was under Hospice care at the St. John XXIII Retirement Residence, in Lutz, following a steady decline in health.

Monsignor Mouch was born on July 25, 1932, in Sandusky, Ohio.  He graduated from high school at the Pontifical College Josephinium, in Worthington, Ohio, where he would also complete his undergraduate studies in Philosophy and his graduate studies in Theology, earning a Master of Divinity degree.  He was ordained on June 10, 1958, for the Diocese of St. Augustine.  During his nearly 68 years of priestly ministry, he served on the faculty of the Josephinium and later returned to serve as Rector. He also earned a Master of Education degree from the University of Florida and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the University of St. Thomas Aquinas (“Angelicum”) in Rome.

Upon the establishment of the Diocese of St. Petersburg on June 17, 1968, Monsignor Mouch was incardinated as a priest of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, and in 1984, he was incardinated in the Diocese of Venice, while continuing to reside in our Diocese.  From 1987 to 1996, he served as President of Saint Leo College (now Saint Leo University). From 1999 until his retirement in 2002, Monsignor Mouch served the Diocese of Saint Petersburg as its Secretary for Pastoral Programs, providing guidance and theological consultation to its fledgling Lay Pastoral Ministry Program.  His efforts helped in constructing a firm foundation for the program, from which many excellent lay ministers have graduated.

While in retirement, Monsignor Mouch continued to share his talents with the faithful of our Diocese. He was also among the initial residents and a champion of the St. John XXIII Retirement Residence, encouraging his brother priests to live together in community during their retirement years.

Funeral arrangements are pending at this time but will be shared once available.

Please keep Monsignor Mouch and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

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May his soul and the souls of all the faithful
departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace!