Announcements ~ March 20, 2023

DIOCESAN OFFICES Save the Date for “Mary and the Eucharist” on Saturday, May 13, 2023 Bishop Gregory Parkes invites you to the fifth annual Diocese of St. Petersburg Marian Congress! The theme this year is “Mary and the Eucharist.” The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith, and we encounter the risen Christ …

Announcements ~ March 13, 2023

DIOCESAN OFFICES From the Safe Environment Program Office Healing Mass for Survivors of Abuse Once again, a Mass of Healing will be held for those who seek spiritual healing from abuse in all forms, including sexual, physical or emotional, and those who wish to pray for victims/survivors of abuse, their family and friends. The Mass …

Announcements ~ March 6, 2023

DIOCESAN OFFICES Safe Environment Office Did You Know? The Prevalence of Abuse in Society In surveys of adults, one out of five women and one out of ten men reported that they were sexually molested before they were 18 years old. This means that an estimated 40 million adult survivors of child sexual abuse are …

Announcements ~ February 27, 2023

DIOCESAN OFFICES Safe Environment Office Did You Know? The Prevalence of Abuse in Society In surveys of adults, one out of five women and one out of ten men reported that they were sexually molested before they were 18 years old. This means that an estimated 40 million adult survivors of child sexual abuse are …

Clergy Appointments ~ February 21, 2023

Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy appointments: Appointments Reverend Daniel D. Bot [Abuja, Nigeria], to Parochial Vicar of St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish,  Tarpon Springs, effective February 14, 2023. Reverend Raju Chebattina [Chalottetown, PE, Canada], to Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Land O’Lakes, effective February 20, 2023. …

Announcements ~ February 21, 2023

DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry SUMMIT:  Adoration, Confession, Mass for Tampa Bay Young Adults SUMMIT is a monthly gathering of those in their 20’s and 30’s to worship and let their hearts be transformed by our Lord! SUMMIT is held on the second Thursday of the month at Our Lady of …

Mrs. Mary Blakely

The Chancellor’s Office was recently informed by Reverend William Swengros, Pastor of St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish, Tarpon Springs, that his aunt, Ms. Mary Blakely, passed away late last week in Virginia.  A Funeral Mass will be held this Friday, February 17, 2023, at St. Ann Catholic Church, in South Chesterfield, Virginia.  Father Swengros will …

Announcements ~ February 13, 2023

DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry SUMMIT:  Adoration, Confession, Mass for Tampa Bay Young Adults SUMMIT is a monthly gathering of those in their 20’s and 30’s to worship and let their hearts be transformed by our Lord! SUMMIT is held on the second Thursday of the month at Our Lady of …

Announcements ~ February 6, 2023

DIOCESAN OFFICES Receive a Daily Reflection to Help You Be Courageous Join over three thousand other Catholics who receive a daily “Be Courageous” reflection from the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Our mission is to proclaim the Gospel and invite others into a relationship with Jesus Christ. This takes courage! Our daily Scripture reflections written by …

Mrs. Teresa Brown ~ Update

We were saddened to learn that Mrs. Teresa Brown, 100 years old, mother of Ms. Dale Brown, Director of Lay Ministry Formation, passed away on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at Legend Healthcare & Rehabilitation in Greenville, Texas. Teresa married George Brown on July 18, 1953. That marriage, of over 50 years, produced four children– George …

Announcements ~ January 30, 2023

DIOCESAN OFFICES CRS Rice Bowl ~ Prepare to bring Lent to Life! Each Lent, parishes and schools participate in Rice Bowl, the Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) educational program of prayer, fasting, and giving. 75% of the collection is sent to CRS headquarters to fund projects that help to prevent hunger and poverty around the world.  …

Mrs. Colette Welsh and Adam Hall

Word has reached the Chancellor’s Office that Mrs. Colette Welsh, 85, stepmother of Reverend Garry Welsh, Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, San Antonio, passed away on Saturday, January 21, 2023.  She was a resident of Kilrush, County Clare, Ireland.  A Funeral Mass will be held today, Monday, January 23, 2023, at St. Senan’s Church, …

Announcements ~ January 23, 2023

DIOCESAN OFFICES Did You Know? Get Involved in Parish Safety Programs Parents and guardians play a key role in the success of parish programs for young people.  Parents and guardians who are involved in parish programs and events will be in the best position to protect their own children as well as all the children …

Announcements ~ January 17, 2023

DIOCESAN OFFICES Did You Know? Get Involved in Parish Safety Programs Parents and guardians play a key role in the success of parish programs for young people.  Parents and guardians who are involved in parish programs and events will be in the best position to protect their own children as well as all the children …

Clergy Change ~ January 9, 2023

Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following diocesan appointment: APPOINTING Reverend Victor Amorose to Director of the Office of Worship, Diocese of St. Petersburg, effective January 1, 2023, while continuing all other assignments. Father Amorose will oversee the responsibilities formerly handled by Mr. Douglas J. Reatini, who served in the Office …

Announcements ~ January 9, 2023

DIOCESAN OFFICES Parish Announcement for January 15, 2023: Dive Deeper into God’s Word To celebrate “Sunday of the Word of God” on January 22nd, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has prepared a series of videos in English and Spanish by renowned Catholic biblical scholars. The videos will address the Bible’s authorship, the canon of …

Mr. Ronald W. Fleming

Mr. Ronald W. Fleming, 70, husband of Mrs. Laurie Fleming, Hospitality and Support Assistant for the Pastoral Center, St. Petersburg, passed away on Christmas Day, December 25, 2022, at his home in St. Petersburg.  He is survived by his wife, Laurie, along with his daughters and grandchildren.  Funeral arrangements are pending. Expressions of sympathy may …

Clergy Change ~ January 3, 2023

Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following change in clergy appointment: RELIEVING Reverend James B. Johnson from Director of Our Lady of Good Counsel Camp, Floral City, effective January 1, 2023, while continuing all other assignments.  After 26 years of faithful service to the Camp, Father Johnson has been succeeded as …

Announcements ~ January 3, 2023

DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Communications Parish/School Plans for the Death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI How is your parish or school observing the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI? Please let the diocesan Office of Communications know of your plans. Please send details and photos to Keishla Espinal as soon as possible so we may …

Announcements ~ December 19, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES Let the Children Come To Me Pre-k and kindergarten students recently visited with Bishop Gregory Parkes to share their thoughts about Christmas during Take Five with Bishop Parkes. These young children are learning about the true meaning of Christmas and all of the joy that Christmas brings. This five-minute conversation can be seen …

Mr. Robert “Bob” Mahoney

The Chancellor’s Office was informed today that Mr. Robert “Bob” Mahoney, 88, grandfather of Reverend Drew Woodke, Parochial Vicar of St. Timothy Parish, Lutz, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 9, 2022.  A funeral service is scheduled for Monday, December 19, 2022, 2:00 p.m. at New Hope United Methodist Church, 213 N. Knights Avenue, Brandon. …

Announcements ~ December 12, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES Annual Red Mass Tampa Bay Catholic Lawyers Guild’s Annual invites you to their annual Red Mass at Christ the King Catholic Church, 821 S. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33609 on Thursday, January 5, 2023, at 5:30 p.m.  The Mass will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Gregory L. Parkes, Bishop of the …

Rev. Msgr. Austin Mullen

Earlier this morning, the Chancellor’s Office was informed of that Reverend Monsignor Austin Michael Mullen, 81, passed away in the Lord early this morning, Monday, December 12, 2022, at Melech Hospice House, in Temple Terrace.  In late October, he was hospitalized after a fall and was transferred between hospitals and rehab facilities in Tampa before …

Announcements ~ December 5, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES How Can Families Celebrate Advent? Bishop Gregory Parkes speaks with Katie Holland, a local mother of five, about how her family celebrates Advent and he recalls his own family’s Advent/Christmas traditions on Take Five with Bishop Parkes. This five-minute conversation can be seen Tuesday, December 6th at 7:00 p.m. on the bishop’s Facebook …

Announcements ~ November 28, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES Women Needed for Prison Ministry! “For I… was in prison and you visited me.” (Mt 25:36) The Diocese of St. Petersburg’s ministry to incarcerated women in the Hillsborough County Jail is in dire need of volunteers. Our jails often are the warehouses of the poor and neglected in our society, but we as …

Clergy Changes ~ November 21, 2022

Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following changes in clergy changes: RELIEVING Reverend John B. Lipscomb from Parochial Vicar of St. Timothy Parish, Lutz, effective January 1, 2023, and continuing other assignments. Upon notification by Very Reverend Joseph O’Reilly, Provincial Superior, Institute of Charity (Rosminian Fathers), Reverend Bibin Mathew, I.C. from …

Announcements ~ November 21, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES Take Five with Bishop Gregory Parkes Bishop Parkes will be hosting a new video segment called Take Five: Conversations on Faith and Life, premiering on Tuesday, November 29th. The segments are about five minutes in length and are designed to easily fit into people’s busy schedules. New video segments can be seen each …

Sister M. John Francis Coyle, O.S.F.

The Office of the Vicar for Religious informs the passing of Sr. M. John Francis Coyle, O.S.F., 100 years old, on November 7, 2022 in Tampa.  Sister Coyle was stationed at St. Elizabeth Convent, Tampa. Sr.  John Francis entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany on February 2, 1945; was received into the Congregation on August …

Announcements ~ November 14, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES Take Five with Bishop Gregory Parkes Bishop Parkes will be hosting a new video segment called Take Five: Conversations on Faith and Life, premiering on Tuesday, November 29th. The segments are about five minutes in length and are designed to easily fit into people’s busy schedules. New video segments can be seen each …

Announcements ~ November 7, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES from Catholic Scouting for Girls Save the Date:  Girls Retreat The Catholic Scouting for Girls of the Diocese of St. Petersburg invites all the girl scouts for their yearly retreat on April 1, 2023 at Light of Christ Parish, 2176 Marilyn St., Clearwater.   More information to come and in the flyer at this …

Announcements ~ October 31, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops Florida Gubernatorial Candidate Comparison To help Catholics to become informed voters, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops has developed a comparison between the positions of the two major-party candidates for Florida governor on a range of issues. The positions of Ron DeSantis (Republican) and Charlie Crist …

Mr. Thomas P. (Tom) Schroeder

The Chancellor’s Office reports the passing of  Mr. Thomas P. (Tom) Schroeder, former H.R. Director for the Diocese of St. Petersburg, on October 22, 2022, with his wife, Diane, by his side. Born on November 30, 1943, in Bay City, MI, he was the eldest child of Howard and Virginia (Betty) Schroeder. Mr. Schroeder retired …

Announcements ~ October 24, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops Florida Gubernatorial Candidate Comparison To help Catholics to become informed voters, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops has developed a comparison between the positions of the two major-party candidates for Florida governor on a range of issues. The positions of Ron DeSantis (Republican) and Charlie Crist …

Mrs. Winifred (Winnie) Margaret McEvoy

The Chancellor’s Office received word that Mrs. Winifred (Winnie) Margaret McEvoy, 93, mother of Very Reverend John McEvoy, VF, pastor of St. Anne Parish, Ruskin, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2022, in Ireland, with Father McEvoy and his brother, Mark, at her bedside.  A Funeral Mass was held on Friday, October 21, 2022 at Holy …

Mrs. Margaret “Peg” Simpson

The Diaconate Office has received word of the passing of Mrs. Margaret “Peg” Simpson, 87, widow of the late Deacon Robert Simpson from St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Hudson.  She passed yesterday, October 13, 2022. No service information is available at this time. It will be posted here when it becomes available. Expressions of …

Announcements ~ October 17, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES St. Andrew’s Discernment Dinner Young men 16 and older please join us for a casual discernment event hosted by the Office of Vocations.  Dinner and vocation stories with Bishop Parkes, Fr. Chuck, and other priests.  Parents are also invited to join for a parent discussion and a meal.  We will meet on October …

Announcements ~ October 10, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES St. Andrew’s Discernment Dinner Young men 16 and older please join us for a casual discernment event hosted by the Office of Vocations.  Dinner and vocation stories with Bishop Parkes, Fr. Chuck, and other priests.  Parents are also invited to join for a parent discussion and a meal.  We will meet at St. …

Mr. Pacian Z. Kiwale

The Chancellor’s Office has received the sad news that Mr. Pacian Z. Kiwale, brother of Reverend Theobald Weria, A.L.C.P., Parochial Vicar of St. Cecelia Parish, Clearwater, passed away in the Lord on September 30, 2022, after struggling with illness since last year. All funeral services will take place near Mr. Kiwale’s home in Tanzania.  Please …

Sr. Frances Barfield, O.P.

Sister Frances Barfield, formerly known as Sister David Therese, died on Monday, September 19, 2022, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 90 years of age and in the 73rd year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation. Sister Frances was born in Pensacola, Florida, to David C. and Theresa …