Announcements ~ November 22, 2021

DIOCESAN OFFICES Special Collection: Religious Retirement Fund Help Aging Religious Sisters, Priests and Brothers The Diocese of St. Petersburg will hold the Retirement Fund for Religious collection December 11 – 12, 2021. The parish-based appeal is coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) in Washington, D.C.  Proceeds help religious communities across the country to …

Announcements ~ November 15, 2021

DIOCESAN OFFICES Parish Resources for Year-End and Beyond To assist parishes working to promote legacy giving, end of year generosity and/or new, creative options for giving with parishioners, the Catholic Foundation has created camera ready, downloadable materials and pre-drafted text for message development. Please visit the Parish Resource Page to download the following materials: bulletin …

Announcements ~ November 8, 2021

DIOCESAN OFFICES Parish Resources for Year-End and Beyond To assist parishes working to promote legacy giving, end of year generosity and/or new, creative options for giving with parishioners, the Catholic Foundation has created camera ready, downloadable materials and pre-drafted text for message development. Please visit the Parish Resource Page to download the following materials: bulletin …

Announcements ~ November 1, 2021

DIOCESAN OFFICES Did You Know? Dangers of Cell Phone Cameras Cell phones with photographic capability are a mixed blessing. Forget your camera? Whip out the cell phone, and your toddler’s first step, friend’s goofy mishap, or fenderbender is captured for posterity. But cell phones are also being used in a sinister way—to silently take pictures …

Announcements ~ October 25, 2021

DIOCESAN OFFICES Synod-It’s a Church Thing The Catholic Church is journeying together to grow in communion, participation and mission as we look towards the future. This process, called for by Pope Francis, is known as the Synod on Synodality. Synod is an ancient word in the Tradition of the Church, whose meaning draws on the …

Reverend Roger Labonte, M.Afr.

The Chancellor’s Office has once again received the sad news of the passing of yet another priest.  Reverend Roger Labonte, M.Afr., 86, passed away in the Lord on Monday, October 11, 2021, at St. Anthony’s Hospital, St. Petersburg. Since November 2019, Father Labonte was in residence at the Missionaries of Africa Residence, in St. Petersburg, …

Announcements ~ October 18, 2021

DIOCESAN OFFICES Third Annual Diocesan African Mass The African Catholics Ministry invites all to celebrate the third annual Diocesan African Mass. The Mass will be presided by Bishop Gregory L. Parkes on November 7, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, 5815 5th Ave. North, St. Petersburg.  Come and experience …

Reverend Roger L. Bisson, M. Afr.

The Chancellor’s Office was informed of the passing of Reverend Roger Bisson, M. Afr., 94, a member of the Missionaries of Africa, on Monday, September 27, 2021, at Bon Secours Maria Manor, St. Petersburg. Father Bisson was a native of New Hampshire.  He attended high school and college in Worcester, MA, and completed his seminary …

Announcements ~ October 4, 2021

DIOCESAN OFFICES Bishop Gregory Parkes Invites You to the Opening Mass for the “Synod on Synodality” Bishop Gregory Parkes will celebrate an opening Mass for the local phase of a worldwide consultation process in the Catholic Church known as the “Synod on Synodality.” The Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, October 17, 2021 at the …

Mrs. Georgina Hernández Serralta

The Chancellor’s Office received the news that Mrs. Georgina Hernández Serralta, 98, mother of Father Ramón Hernández, a retired priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, passed into the loving arms of God early this morning, Monday, September 27, 2021, while under Hospice care at Costa del Sol Assisted Living Facility, in Tampa.  Mrs. Hernández …

Reverend Raymond Mann, O.F.M.

The Chancellor’s Office received the news that Raymond Mann, OFM, 89, a professed friar for 68 years and a priest for 62, died on September 23, 2021  at St. Anthony Friary, St. Petersburg, where he had lived for seven years. He had spent his religious life mainly in Massachusetts and Bolivia. Father Mann professed his …

Reverend Antonino (Tony) D’Angelo, S.D.B.

The Chancellor’s Office received the news that Reverend Antonino (Tony) D’Angelo, S.D.B., 98, a retired member of the Salesians of Don Bosco, in residence at the St. Philip Residence at Mary Help of Christians Center, Tampa, passed away in the Lord on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, at James A. Haley V.A. Hospital, Tampa.  Father D’Angelo …

Mr. Leonard J. Mganga

We were saddened to receive the news that Mr. Leonard Joseph Mganga, 54, brother of Reverend Claudius Mganga, Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Inverness, passed away on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, while hospitalized in Tanzania.  Mr. Mganga’s death was attributed to pneumonia and COVID-19.  Funeral services will take place in Tanzania at …

Announcements ~ September 27, 2021

DIOCESAN OFFICES Bishop Gregory Parkes Invites You to the Opening Mass for the “Synod on Synodality” Bishop Gregory Parkes will celebrate an opening Mass for the local phase of a worldwide consultation process in the Catholic Church known as the “Synod on Synodality.” The Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, October 17, 2021 at the …

Announcements ~ September 20, 2021

DIOCESAN OFFICES One Mother One Family Retreat: Unity in Christ through the Blessed Virgin MaryAll are invited to join Bishop Gregory Parkes for the One Mother One Family Retreat on Friday, October 1, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Anne Catholic Church, 106 11th Avenue N.E., Ruskin. This retreat will be a …

Announcements ~ September 13, 2021

DIOCESAN OFFICES One Mother One Family Retreat: Unity in Christ through the Blessed Virgin Mary All are invited to join Bishop Gregory Parkes for the One Mother One Family Retreat on Friday, October 1, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Anne Catholic Church, 106 11th Avenue N.E., Ruskin. This retreat will be …

Mr. Stanley J. Berke

We received the sad news that Mr. Stanley J. Berke, 91,  passed away on Tuesday, September 7, 2021.  Mr. Berke was the father of Mr. Chris Berke, Director of Music Ministry of St. Frances X. Cabrini Parish, Spring Hill and Organist/Music Director for our diocesan liturgies. Funeral arrangements are as follows: Friday, September 24, 2021 …

Mr. Jeffrey A. Johnston

The Office of Catholic Schools and Centers informs that Jeffrey Allen Johnston, 54, passed away in St. Petersburg, on August 25, 2021.  He was the husband of Toni Johnston, Administrative Assistant in the Office of Catholic Schools and Centers and the former director of St. Paul’s Children Center, St. Petersburg. Jeffrey was great guy and …

Mr. Robert Anthony Hannon

Father Joe Hannon, S.D.B., of the Salesian community at Mary Help of Christians, Tampa, recently informed the Chancellor’s Office of the death of his brother Robert Anthony Hannon, 68, on November 13, 2020, in Bloomington, Indiana, following many years of health struggles. Due to the pandemic, funeral services for Mr. Hannon were delayed, but have …

Mr. Francisco Julio Reyes y Márquez

The Chancellor’s Office was informed of the passing of Mr. Francisco Julio Reyes y Márquez, 97, grandfather of Reverend Dayan Machado, Parochial Vicar of St. Mary Parish, Tampa, on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. A Funeral Mass was held on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Tampa, with Father Machado presiding, followed by …

Announcements ~ September 7, 2021

DIOCESAN OFFICES Did You Know?  Know Your Kids’ School Parents and guardians have the primary responsibility for protecting their children from all potential harm. When choosing a nursery, daycare center, or school, parents should inspect the building and grounds to make sure there are no areas where children play or work that are “off limits” …

Reverend Jose G. Gonzalez

The Chancellor’s Office has been informed of the death of Reverend Jose Gonzalo González, 93, a retired priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, on Monday, August 23, 2021, at Bardmoor Oaks Health and Rehab Center, Largo, following a recent hospitalization. Father González was born to Jose and Josefa (Rubio) González in Havana, Cuba, on …

Reverend Richard Archambault, M. Afr.

The Chancellor’s Office was informed of the passing of Reverend Richard Archambault, 80, a member of the Missionaries of Africa, on Saturday, August 14, 2021, while under Hospice care at Bon Secours Place, St. Petersburg, following a gradual decline in health. “Father Archie,” as he was fondly known by his confreres and friends, was born …

Reverend Kenneth Bonadies

Reverend Kenneth Bonadies, 88, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Hartford, died on Monday, August 16, 2021 in Connecticut.  Father Bonadies came to the Diocese of St. Petersburg in 2004 and provided assistance to several parishes while in retirement, including Sacred Heart, Pinellas Park and St. Patrick, Largo.  As his health declined in recent …

Mrs. Priska Joseph Chikawe

The Chancellor’s Office was informed that Mrs. Priska Joseph Chikawe, 96, mother of Reverend Hugh Chikawe, Chaplain of Catholic Cemeteries for the Diocese of St. Petersburg, passed away around noon on Sunday, August 8, 2021, in her native Tanzania. Mrs. Chikawe is survived by two daughters and three sons, including Father Chikawe. She was blessed …

Ms. Aleyama “Elizabeth” Mathai Veliyamkulathel 

The Chancellor’s Office received information that Ms.  Aleyama “Elizabeth” Mathai Veliyamkulathel,  sister of Fr. Joseph Olikkara, Chaplain at Bay Pines Veterans Hospital, passed away on Sunday, August 15, 2021 in India. Please keep Father Olikkara and his family in your prayers. +++++ May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in …

Dr. Barbara J. McConville

The Chancellor’s Office received word that Dr. Barbara J. McConville, 75, former Director of Catholic Formation and Education for the Diocese of St. Petersburg from 1990 to 2003, passed away on Thursday, August 12, 2021, while under Hospice care at her home in Fort Myers, Florida, after a long battle with cancer.  A Funeral Mass …

Ms. Terri Reid

Ms. Terri Reid, 72, former Pastoral Center volunteer, passed away on Sunday, July 11, 2021, while under Hospice care in St. Petersburg, following complications from diabetes. Ms. Reid was survived by two daughters, Melody and Lalena, two brothers, one sister, and several nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. A committal service was held on Wednesday, August …

Announcements ~ August 23, 2021

DIOCESAN OFFICES Diocesan Hispanic Mass Bishop Gregory Parkes invites you to the annual Diocesan Hispanic Mass in honor of Our Lady of the Presentation of Quinche, patroness of Ecuador. The Mass will take place on Saturday, October 9, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, 5815 5th Avenue N., St. Petersburg. Prior to the Mass, …

Announcements ~ August 9, 2021

DIOCESAN OFFICES Safe Environment Office Did You Know?Summertime, Safe TimeAll teachers, staff, and volunteers in the Diocese of St. Petersburg who work with children must undergo fingerprinting and criminal background checks. (Arch)diocesan guidelines and abuse prevention training programs currently in use emphasize the importance of parents’ knowing who has access to their children at school …

Announcements ~ July 26, 2021

DIOCESAN OFFICES Safe Environment Office Did You Know?Summertime, Safe TimeAll teachers, staff, and volunteers in the Diocese of St. Petersburg who work with children must undergo fingerprinting and criminal background checks. (Arch)diocesan guidelines and abuse prevention training programs currently in use emphasize the importance of parents’ knowing who has access to their children at school and …

Announcements ~ June 28, 2021

DIOCESAN OFFICES Safe Environment Program With summer now in full swing, this announcement is very appropriate with children at home. Did You Know? Teach Kids to Protect Themselves at Home We consider our homes to be safe places for our children. But being home alone can pose risks for children. Here are a few tips …

Clergy Changes

 Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy appointments, effective July 1, 2021: APPOINTMENTS Reverend Monsignor Robert F. Morris, V.G. to President of Catholic Charities, Diocese of St. Petersburg, continuing other assignments. Reverend John Lipscomb to Director of Diaconal Formation, Diocese of St. Petersburg, continuing other assignments. Deacon James Grevenites from …