DIOCESAN OFFICES Spirit FM’s Hopesgiving Fundraiser: Hope Leads the Way|Every trail needs a guide. Every traveler needs hope. For 40 years, Spirit FM 90.5 has helped the Listening Family find their footing through God’s Word and uplifting music. Because of faithful partners, a light shines on the path for families across the Diocese of Saint Petersburg. All are invited to …
The Chancellor’s Office received word that Monsignor James “Aiden” Foynes, 90, a retired priest of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, passed away in the Lord on Thursday afternoon, August 20, 2026, at Mease Countryside Hospital, Clearwater, following a recent decline in health, which occurred briefly after his return from a trip to his native Ireland, …
The Chancellor’s Office recently learned of the sudden passing of Mr. Timothy Carter, 46, nephew of Reverend Michael Smith, Pastor of Nativity Parish, Brandon, on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, in Clearwater. Mr. Carter’s surviving family members include his parents Melody and Bill Carter, his sister Madison Carter, his daughter Elizabeth Carter, his uncle Father Smith, and …
The Chancellor’s Office announces the passing of Mrs. Henri Plourde, 91, on Saturday, August 1, 2026. She is the mother of Peter and John (deceased 2020) Plourde, former priests of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, and of Joy Stephen, wife of Deacon Bill Stephen, St. Paul Parish, Tampa. A Funeral Mass for Mrs. Plourde was …
Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of Saint Petersburg, announces the following clergy changes: APPOINTMENT Upon presentation by Very Reverend Augustine (Gus) Wall, S.V.D., Provincial Superior, Society of the Divine Word, Southern Province of St. Augustine, Reverend Michael Long Vu, S.V.D., to Parochial Vicar of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Clearwater, effective September 1, 2026. RELIEVING …
The Chancellor’s Office recently learned of the death of Mrs. Felicitas Gutierrez, 95, mother of Reverend Cristobal Padilla, M. Afr., a priest in residence with the Missionaries of Africa in St. Petersburg. Mrs. Gutierrez passed away on Thursday evening, August 6, 2026, in Mexico. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Rev. Cristobal Padilla, M.Afr., Missionaries …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Healing Mass for Survivors of Abuse The sixth annual Mass of Healing will be held for those who seek spiritual healing from abuse in all forms, including sexual, physical, or emotional, and for those who wish to pray for victims/survivors of abuse, their family, and friends. The Mass will be held on Saturday, September …
The Chancellor’s Office was informed that Dr. Kevin B. Waters, M.D., 76, passed away early this morning, Monday, August 3, 2026. Dr. Waters is the brother of Very Reverend Joseph Waters, J.C.L., Pastor of St. John Vianney Parish, St. Pete Beach, and Vicar General and Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg. His death occurred …
Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of Saint Petersburg, announces the following clergy changes, effective July 1, 2026: APPOINTMENTS The following members of the Presbyteral Council of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg have been appointed as members of the College of Consultors for a term of five (5) years, while continuing their current assignments: Rev. Msgr. Robert …
The Chancellor’s Office informs that Ms. Maria Garvey, 51, sister of Father Joseph T. Eddy, O. de M., Parochial Vicar of St. John Vianney Parish, St. Pete Beach, passed away early Saturday afternoon, July 18, 2026, in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, following a lengthy battle with significant health issues. She is survived by her three children, Anthony, …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Bible on the Beach Join Spirit FM for Bible on the Beach on Wednesday, August 5, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Sand Key Park in Clearwater. Celebrate Spirit FM’s 40th Anniversary with an evening of Scripture, small group discussion, Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Israel “Izzie” Hernandez, Eucharistic Adoration, prayer, and fellowship along the …
The Chancellor’s Office was informed that Mr. Domingos Sebastiao Simoes, 59, passed away Sunday morning, June 28, 2026, in India, following a lengthy illness. Mr. Simoes is the brother of Father Pedro Camilo Simoes, S.A.C., Pastor of Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Gulfport. Mr. Simoes is survived by his wife and two sons, ages …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Disaster ReliefIn the wake of the recent earthquakes in Venezuela, the Pastoral Center has received several inquiries regarding a special collection for those impacted by this unfortunate disaster. While a special collection for the earthquake victims is not being requested from our parishes, Bishop Parkes has approved a donation from our diocesan Disaster …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Marriage and Family Life MDS – Matrimony, Dialogue & SupportGive your marriage the gift of a blessed renewal! MDS is thrilled to host its next English-speaking retreat on July 17-19. The mission of MDS is to strengthen couples’ relationships through a weekend retreat and weekly gatherings, where couples share their experiences …
Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of Saint Petersburg, announces the following clergy changes, effective July 1, 2026 unless otherwise noted: APPOINTMENTS Reverend Jali Marivalan Asirvatham [Diocese of Sivagangai, India] to Parochial Vicar of St. Scholastica Parish, Lecanto, with part-time assistance to Our Lady of Grace Parish, Beverly Hills. Reverend William Santhouse, from Parochial Vicar of …
We recently learned that Ms. Heather Suzette Hillis, 52, mother of Mr. Geovanny Hillis, Media Creator for the Ministry Advancement Office and Producer at Spirit FM 90.5, unexpectedly passed away on Thursday, June 4, 2026, in Tampa. Ms. Hillis was a member of St. Paul Parish, in Tampa. Funeral Mass for Heather will be held …
The Chancellor’s Office has just learned of the unexpected passing of Mr. Leoncio Vasquez, father of Reverend Amaro Vasquez Ortiz, Parochial Vicar of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Clearwater, on Friday, May 29, 2026, in Peru. No additional details have been provided but will be shared once they are available. Please keep Father Amaro and …
The Diaconate Office informed that Deacon Dominic (Dom) Friscia, 88, passed away on Thursday evening, May 28, 2026. Deacon Friscia was retired from Espiritu Santo Parish, Safety Harbor. He was a resident of Clearwater, along with his wife, Victoria (Vicky). The Friscias have been long-time members of Espiritu Santo Parish, where Deacon Dom served since …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Marriage and Family Life MDS – Matrimony, Dialogue & Support Give your marriage the gift of a blessed renewal! MDS is thrilled to host its next English-speaking retreat on July 17-19. The mission of MDS is to strengthen couples’ relationships through a weekend retreat and weekly gatherings, where couples share their …
PARISHES/ORGANIZATIONS Vacation Bible School Corpus Christi Parish, 9715 N 56th St. Temple Terrace For June 1 – 5, 2026; 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. $30.00 per Child Come to the Table Come to the Table is a one-week Vacation Bible School (VBS) curriculum that explores five stories about Jesus from the Gospels of Luke and …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Marriage and Family Life Worldwide Marriage Encounter Successful marriages don’t work on automatic pilot – at least not for long. Like a garden, they require constant attention: fertilizing, watering, and weeding. Healthy marriages, like gardens, don’t die suddenly. More often they fade away from a gradual lack of attentiveness, letting things …
The Chancellor’s Office received the news of the passing of Mr. Joseph Kibbedhi, 48, brother of Father Anthony Kakaire, Parochial Vicar of St. Cecelia Parish, Clearwater, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. According to Father Kakaire, Mr. Kibbedhi resided in his native Uganda and had battled cancer over the past year. Funeral services took place on …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Marriage and Family Life Worldwide Marriage Encounter Successful marriages don’t work on automatic pilot – at least not for long. Like a garden, they require constant attention: fertilizing, watering, and weeding. Healthy marriages, like gardens, don’t die suddenly. More often they fade away from a gradual lack of attentiveness, letting things …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Misa Bilingüe de Sanación para los Sobrevivientes de Abuso (inglés/español) El viernes, 22 de mayo de 2026 se celebrará una Misa bilingüe de Sanación para sobrevivientes de abuso a las 6:30 PM. La misa tendrá lugar en la iglesia de St. Rita, 14404 14th Street, Dade City. El Padre Carlos Rojas, párroco, será …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Oficinas de Ambiente Seguro y Ministerios Interculturales Misa de Sanación para los Sobrevivientes de Abuso El viernes, 6 de mayo de 2026 se celebrará una Misa de Sanación en español para sobrevivientes de abuso a las 6:30 PM. La misa tendrá lugar en St. Rita Catholic Church, 14404 14th Street, Dade City. El …
Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of Saint Petersburg, announces the following clergy changes, effective July 1, 2026: APPOINTMENTS Parochial Vicars Upon presentation by Very Reverend Matthew H. Phelan, O. de M., Vicar Provincial Superior, Order of the BVM of Mercy, United States Vicariate, Reverend Joseph Eddy, O. de M., to Parochial Vicar of St. John Vianney …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Oficinas de Ambiente Seguro y Ministerios Interculturales Misa de Sanación para los Sobrevivientes de Abuso El viernes, 6 de mayo de 2026 se celebrará una Misa de Sanación en español para sobrevivientes de abuso a las 6:30 PM. La misa tendrá lugar en St. Rita Catholic Church, 14404 14th Street, Dade City. El …
The Chancellor’s Office has learned of the passing of Monsignor Frank Messmann Mouch, 93, into eternal life on Thursday, April 16, 2026, while under Hospice care at the St. John XXIII Retirement Residence, in Lutz, following a steady decline in health in recent months. Monsignor Mouch was born on July 25, 1932, in Sandusky, Ohio. …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Marian Congress 2026, “Mary, the Bridge to All Cultures” The Diocese of Saint Petersburg invites you to the 8th Annual Marian Congress on Saturday, May 16th, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg from 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow in holiness and deepen …
Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of Saint Petersburg, announces the following clergy changes, effective July 1, 2026, unless otherwise indicated: RETIREMENT STATUS Reverend John S. Hays, from Pastor of St. Anne Parish, Ridge Manor, granted retirement status. Reverend John B. Lipscomb, from Spiritual Director, Bethany Center, Lutz, granted retirement status. APPOINTMENTS Pastors Reverend Erwin C. Belgica, …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Marriage and Family Life Divorce Minister Training & Formation If your parish has ever said, “”We want to help divorced Catholic…but we don’t know how”—this is your next step. Join us on April 25-26, 2026 for a 2-Day Catholic Divorce Ministry Training, Hosted by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, on Zoom. Can’t attend …
The Diaconate Office informs that Mr. Charles Vesely, 74, passed away suddenly on March 29, 2026. Mr. Vesely is the brother-in-law of Deacon Jim Grevenites, Director of Deacon Personnel/Prison & Pastoral Care Ministry. Funeral services will take place on April 2, 2026 at Fredrich-Jones Funeral home in Illinois. Please keep Deacon Grevenites and his family …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Intercultural Ministries Marian Congress 2026, “Mary, the Bridge to All Cultures” The Diocese of Saint Petersburg invites you to the 8th Annual Marian Congress on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, 5815 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. Don’t miss …
The Chancellor’s Office has been informed that Rev. Msgr. Colman M. Cooke, S.P.S., 86, passed away in the Lord on March 3, 2026, in the retirement home of the St. Patrick’s Missionary Society, in Kiltegan, County Wicklow, Ireland. He was a priest of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg for over 30 years before once again …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Intercultural Ministries Marian Congress 2026, “Mary, the Bridge to All Cultures” The Diocese of Saint Petersburg invites you to the 8th Annual Marian Congress on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, 5815 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. Don’t miss …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Miriam Dinner Inviting all single women in our Diocese between the ages of 18 and 35! The Miriam Dinner is an opportunity for women discerning religious life to come and learn more about what religious life is like while enjoying food and conversation with some religious sisters from around the Diocese. This is a …
The Diaconate Office has announced the passing of Deacon Patrick Frye, 81, a retired deacon of St. Anne Parish, Ruskin, on Sunday, March 8, 2026, following a recent stroke. Deacon Frye was ordained for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee on June 9, 1984 and later relocated to the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, where he has served …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Miriam Dinner Inviting all single women in our Diocese between the ages of 18 and 35! The Miriam Dinner is an opportunity for women discerning religious life to come and learn more about what religious life is like while enjoying food and conversation with some religious sisters from around the Diocese. This is a …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Ministries of Missionary Discipleship 2026 CRS Rice Bowl Local Grant Awardees The Office of Ministries of Missionary Discipleship is thrilled to announce the recipients of this year’s local CRS Rice Bowl grants. These grants of up to $1,000 are made possible by 25% of local CRS Rice Bowl contributions retained for …
We sadly report the recent passing of Mrs. Marjorie Alice (Long) Munden, 85, on February 24, 2026 in Colorado. She was the grandmother of Allison Munden, Director of Communications and Information of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Also, Mr. Charles Willard Munden III, her husband and Allison’s grandfather, passed away on January 30 at the …
The Diaconate Office informs of the passing of Mr. Robert G. Genung, 96, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 after having suffered a massive stroke on January 31st. Mr. Genung was the father of Pam Nagle, wife of retired Deacon Richard Nagle. Funeral Mass was celebrated in private and burial will take place at a later …
PARISHES/ORGANIZATIONS Concert with Tony Melendez Award-winning vocalist and songwriter, Tony Melendez, visits St. Cecelia Catholic Church, 820 Jasmine Way, Clearwater, from February 27 through March 1, 2026. All are welcome to this free event! Free will offerings accepted. For more information please contact Kim P. at 727-447-3494 ext. 124. Promotional flyer at this link: https://shorturl.at/qwaRL. …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Marriage and Family Life Together in Holiness Marriage ConferenceMarried and engaged couples are invited to the third annual Together in Holiness marriage conference on March 14, 2026, from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 17512 Lakeshore Road, Lutz. This one-day conference will help you strengthen your relationship with your spouse …
The Office of the Chancellor received news about the passing of Mr. VirgiIio Cotto, 84, on Monday, February 16, 2026. Mr. Cotto was the grandfather of Jasmine Pujol, Administrative Assistant of the Diocesan Office of Vocations. He was preceded in death by his parents, Margarita Colón and Virgilio Cotto; his sister, Judith Cotto; his brother, …
The Chancellor’s Office has learned of the passing of Rev. Msgr. Joseph R. Sobiesiak, 80, into eternal life on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, while under Hospice care following a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. Monsignor Sobiesiak was a retired priest of the Diocese of Allentown, who relocated to the Diocese of Saint Petersburg in 2016, …
The Diaconate Office informs with great sadness that Deacon Greg Kovalesky passed away on January 26, 2026. Deacon Kovalesky was ordained for the Diocese of St. Petersburg in June of 1997. He ministered at St. Paul Parish in Tampa and he and his wife, Jay, were very involved in our Diaconate Formation Program. They eventually …
The Chancellor’s Office received news of the passing of Sister Mary Deborah Carlin, SND, on February 6, 2026. Sister Carlin served in the St. Petersburg Diocese for 28 years at: 1984-1991 at Clearwater Central Catholic High School, teaching Religion; 1991-2000 at Our Lady of Lourdes School as Director of Catechetical Ministry; and 2000-2012 at Guardian …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Marriage and Family Life Together in Holiness Marriage Conference Married and engaged couples are invited to the third annual Together in Holiness marriage conference on March 14, 2026, from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 17512 Lakeshore Road, Lutz. This one-day conference will help you strengthen your …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Marriage and Family Life Together in Holiness Marriage Conference Married and engaged couples are invited to the third annual Together in Holiness marriage conference on March 14, 2026, from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 17512 Lakeshore Road, Lutz. This one-day conference will help you strengthen your …
Word reached the Chancellor’s Office of the passing of Mr. Michael (Mike) A. Dee on January 7, 2026. Mr. Dee worked for Spirit FM in the late 1990’s into early 2000’s where he served as announcer and producer. Mike’s wife Maggie, who preceded him in death in 2012, served at St. Patrick Catholic School in …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Marriage and Family Life National Marriage Week Join in celebrating National Marriage Week, February 7 to 14, with World Marriage Sunday being celebrated on February 8th. National Marriage Week is a special time to reflect on the beautiful gift of the sacrament of matrimony. This year’s theme from the USCCB, Man and …
The Chancellor’s Office received the news of the passing of Mrs. Migdalia “Maggie” Delpin on Monday, January 19, 2026, after a very brief and courageous battle with cancer over the last month. Mrs. Delpin was a World Language teacher and Extended Day assistant at Nativity Catholic School, Brandon. Mrs. Delpin was a cherished …
Word reached the Chancellor’s Office of the passing of Dr. Robert Paul “Bob” Iler on January 16, 2026, one day short of his 95th birthday, at his home surrounded by loved ones. Dr. Iler was the husband of Mrs. Sharon Iler, former director of the Diocesan Respect Life Office. Born and raised in St. Petersburg, …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Marriage and Family Life National Marriage Week Join in celebrating National Marriage Week, February 7 to 14, with World Marriage Sunday being celebrated on February 8th. National Marriage Week is a special time to reflect on the beautiful gift of the sacrament of matrimony. This year’s theme from the USCCB, Man and …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Annual Red Mass Please join us at the Catholic Lawyers Guild’s Annual Red Mass Date: February 4, 2026, 5:15 PM, reception to follow. Location: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 509 N Florida Ave, Tampa. The Mass will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg. Attorneys will …
