Bishop Gregory Parkes has appointed Lois Locey as Executive Director of Operations for the Diocese of St. Petersburg, effective June 21, 2021. In this role, she will serve on the Bishop’s Executive Leadership Team and supervise various ministries of the Diocese, including Catholic Schools and Centers, Stewardship and Development, Construction, Real Estate, Calvary Catholic Cemetery …
Each year, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) observes Religious Freedom Week. Beginning with the feast day of Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher, and including the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, the week-long commemoration ends with the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. Religious Freedom Week will be observed this year from …
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Photo Above: The class of 2021 for the Deacon Formation Program of the Diocese of St. Petersburg who were admitted to the Rite of Candidacy for Holy Orders on October 19th at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle; Frank Averill, Guillermo Caceres, Geoff D’Angelo, and James Riveiro. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) …
They juggled masks, Zoom backgrounds, social distancing, and online and hybrid classes during the academic year, but on May 21 and May 22, Saint Leo University students gathered with family and friends to celebrate their graduation. This year, Saint Leo celebrated the graduates at three in-person ceremonies at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. See …
Mary Perez has faced many challenges in her life. She is a cancer survivor, disabled and requires the assistance of a mobility scooter because she is unable to walk. She has also been homeless. Despite these and other difficulties, she never lost faith in God. “I always trusted in God,” said Perez. Her life changed …
The general dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days for Catholics in the Diocese of St. Petersburg will expire on the Vigil of Pentecost, Saturday, May 22, 2021. To invite and welcome all people who have been away from Mass, the Diocese of St. Petersburg has produced videos and podcasts …
St. Paul Parish in Tampa serves as a hub for the Filipino community in the Diocese of St. Petersburg and the parish recently hosted a special Mass to mark the anniversary of the establishment of Christianity in the Philippines. Ed Bilbao and his wife, Susan, helped to organize much of the festivities. “It was a …
Continue reading “Local Filipino Community Celebrates 500 years of Christianity in their Homeland”
In collaboration with the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Suncoast Catholic Ministries and Resurrection Catholic Church, the Third Annual Hispanic Conference for Men was successfully held on April 10, 2021. The theme of the conference was “Trust in the Lord”. (Click here to view photos from the event.) Among the participants of the conference was the …
Continue reading “Third Annual Hispanic Men’s Conference Encourages Renewal”
We have good news for families to assist them with Catholic school scholarships. In Florida, there are scholarships available to qualified students that can be used to attend Catholic schools and these scholarships are managed by Step Up For Students. The Florida Tax Credit and Family Empowerment scholarships are just a few of the options …
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To receive help for healing after an abortion, contact Catholic Charities at 813-924-4173 or via email to projectrachel@ccdosp.org. All calls are confidential and non-judgmental. A St. Petersburg man openly discusses the devastating effects of abortion and how Rachel’s Vineyard retreats for post-abortive healing brought him peace and the experience of God’s infinite mercy and love. “There …
Continue reading “Project Rachel: A Lifesaver for Men and Women Traumatized by Abortion”
One of Several in the Works Related to Courageously Living the Gospel Bishop Gregory Parkes joined Catholic Charities, as well as city and county leaders on April 28th to bless the construction site of the future Mercy Oaks Apartments, an affordable housing initiative of Courageously Living the Gospel. “We believe as a church that this …
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When Deacon Israel “Izzie” Hernandez is ordained on May 15, the pews at the Cathedral will be filled with his mother, father, two sisters, and family from Puerto Rico, with even more across the country able to watch via livestream. Their support and prayers have meant so much to Deacon Izzie during the past seven …
What: 4th Annual Blue Mass When: Wednesday, May 12, 2021, 11:00 AM Where: St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 2281 State Road 580, Clearwater Who: Fr. Ted Costello, Chaplain to the Clearwater Police Department and Associate Pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish will be the celebrant of the Blue Mass. Additional Info: The Blue …
Following the verdict in the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis, Minnesota today, Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of Houma-Thibodaux, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, and Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development issued …
Continue reading “Statement of U.S. Bishop Chairmen on Verdict in Trial of Derek Chauvin”
Bishop Parkes will celebrate a Mass of Healing for those in need of spiritual healing because of 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 community is invited to participate. The Mass will held on Saturday, April 24, 2021 …
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General Dispensation is Currently in Place due to Health Concerns from COVID-19 Surrounded by priests, deacons and leadership staff from the Pastoral Center of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Bishop Gregory Parkes announced that the obligation for Catholics to attend Mass on Sunday will resume on May 22, 2021, the vigil of Pentecost. This announcement …
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Monseñor Gregory Parkes consagrará las parroquias, las escuelas, los ministerios y el pueblo de la Diócesis de St. Petersburg a san José, el padre terrenal de Jesucristo. Esto tendrá lugar en la Catedral de St. Jude the Apostle en St. Petersburg a las 12 del mediodía del sábado 1° de mayo, la memoria litúrgica de …
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All are invited to join virtually for a livestream Mass with Bishop Gregory Parkes as he renews our diocesan consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. from the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. Making a consecration is an act of love …
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Bishop Gregory Parkes will consecrate parishes, schools, ministries and the people of the Diocese of St. Petersburg to St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ. This will take place at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, in St. Petersburg at 12 noon on Saturday, May 1st, the Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker. …
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Following a mass shooting at a supermarket in Boulder, CO, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development issued the following statement: “As we are still reeling from the loss of life in the mass shootings in Atlanta, it is heartbreaking …
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In spite of many obstacles caused by COVID-19, there are hundreds of individuals in the Diocese of St Petersburg who have been moved by the Holy Spirit to say “Yes” to becoming Catholic this year. Everyone has a unique faith story, including Adam Finley. The 21-year-old was baptized, confirmed and received first Holy Communion on …
Continue reading “Young Adult Becomes Catholic Before Leaving for Military Service”
Caption: Jessica signs the Book of the Elect during the Rite of Election in Nativity’s Chapel on the First Sunday of Lent signifying her readiness to be fully initiated into the Body of Christ this Easter Vigil. Up until a year and a half ago, Jessica Spencer says the last place she thought she would …
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Caption: Joshua, 30, signs the Book of the Elect during the Rite of Election on the 1st Sunday of Lent. With him David Devore, RCIA Coordinator, St, Mark the Evangelist Parish. Joshua Jeffries says he remembers the exact moment he encountered Christ on a chapel floor in Kentucky while participating in a program meant to …
Sharvil Verma was born in India to a Hindu family and as a child he started to have doubts about his faith and about the existence of God. From the age of 10 until he was 22, Verma said he became aggressive towards God and sought to prove He was not there. “I didn’t feel …
Continue reading “Becoming Catholic: A USF Student’s Conversion Story”
As is the custom of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, the Chrism Mass (or the Mass of the Holy Oils) is celebrated on the Tuesday of Holy Week at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg. For 2021, that will be Tuesday, March 30th starting at 11:30 a.m. Due to the coronavirus …
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You are invited to join Bishop Gregory Parkes for Holy Week Liturgies to celebrate the Easter Triduum! To reach our homebound community, the Masses of Holy Week will be livestreamed on our website, Facebook page and YouTube channel as well as broadcast on Spirit FM 90.5. Sunday, March 28, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord …
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New home to hottest sport includes 12 state-of-the-art gaming stations for team, students Saint Leo University unveiled its newest amenity, a 12-station Esports Arena, on Wednesday, March 10, in Apartment Building 5 at the university’s residential campus in Pasco County. The new arena will serve as the home to the university’s new esports team, and …
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The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Administrative Committee has issued the following message today on the global COVID-19 pandemic. The USCCB’s Administrative Committee is led by the president of the Conference, and is made up of all the chairmen of the Conference’s committees and a representative from each Episcopal Region of the United States …
In recognition of Pope Francis declaring 2021 as the Year of St. Joseph, teens from St. Jerome Parish in Largo are preparing for consecration to St. Joseph. But just as St. Joseph was part of the Holy Family, this consecration is also focused on the family, with parents and children reading, praying, and discussing together. …
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Avery Thayer, a 21-year-old college student, is organizing a collection to help fill up Easter baskets for children of the San Jose Mission in Dover and your help is needed! “We are hoping to give joy to these families who have struggled through the pandemic. We want these families to feel loved and cared for. …
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Cheryl Jane Miller is an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion at St. Matthew Parish in Largo. She brings communion to the local nursing homes and she is a Bible study small group leader with SEASONS (Sisters Encouraging And Sharing ON Scriptures). But she wasn’t always so active in ministry and for many years she let …
COVID-19 has been a challenging time for so many people mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Among the most vulnerable are seniors and those living in nursing homes and Assisted Living Facilities. Despite the challenges, St. Raphael Catholic Church has adapted during the pandemic to continue its long-time ministry to nursing home residents and seniors over …
Continue reading “Ministry Adapts to COVID-19 with Operation Smile and Birthday Splash”
As a member of the Holy Family, St. Joseph is a powerful intercessor when it comes to marriage, children and family life. And while many parishes are offering opportunities to learn more about this incredible saint during the Year of St. Joseph, the community at St. Joseph Parish in Tampa is quite literally inviting him …
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WASHINGTON– On March 2, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Doctrine, and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued a statement on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine recently approved for use in …
The Office of Communications has developed an initiative to welcome people back to Mass. Welcoming You invites each person to encounter the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. A priority for Courageously Living the Gospel is to welcome and accompany others like Jesus. As Catholics, we are called to reach out to those not …
Bishop Gregory Parkes has approved a prayer for the Tampa Bay Community in honor of Sunday’s “Big Game.” We thank You, God, for the beauty, hospitality and spirit of our Tampa Bay community.We thank You for the fire within us to be our best.We thank You for the gift of sport that brings us together.We …
The Catholic Church will hold its annual celebration of the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life on February 2, 2021 and in parishes over the weekend of February 6-7. This event is a special time for individual parishes and the greater Church to celebrate the gift of consecrated life and pray for men and women discerning a consecrated …
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In his message for the 55th World Communications Day, Pope Francis says Jesus’ invitation to “Come and see” is the way by which the Christian faith is communicated. “The call to ‘come and see’… is the method for every authentic human communication,” says Pope Francis in his Message for the the 55th World Communications Day. The …
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From: Most Reverend José H. Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles, President, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, January 20, 2021 My prayers are with our new President and his family today. I am praying that God grant him wisdom and courage to lead this great nation and that God help him to meet the tests …
Students, faculty, families and supporters gathered on January 14, 2021 for the blessing of St. Petersburg Catholic High School’s newly remodeled, Learning Commons. This major renovation project advances the school’s mission to foster a 21st century teaching and learning environment, with state-of-the-art technology and teaching resources. The project was an extensive remodel of the preexisting …
Saint Leo University is presenting a free webinar series, “Courageous Conversations,” a six-part series examining social justice issues from different perspectives across multiple disciplines. The public is invited, and it is not necessary to attend all sessions, but everyone is invited to do so. The series is focusing on social justice issues and topics included …
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When the pain of past hurts is weighing a person down, the Church invites the faithful to give their burdens to Christ and to experience true freedom. The ministry of Unbound provides a pathway for this type of healing. St. Lawrence Parish in Tampa is offering Unbound for the first time ever this month. Amy …
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Bishop Gregory Parkes will celebrate the first-ever Diocesan Mass for Life with youth from around the Diocese of St. Petersburg on Friday, January 22 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, St. Petersburg. January 22nd is the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in the U.S. Our youth will not …
“What I found through Alpha is what my purpose is for my life,” said Kitty Whitehurst. “And I believe that for those who are open, that is what is revealed.” Although she had left the Church as a young adult, Kitty was a faithful, practicing Catholic when she heard about the Alpha ministry at St. …
Throughout almost 50 years of nursing, Robyn Kremer had the desire to combine her work with her faith, to care for the body and the soul. Now she can live out this calling at her parish, Blessed Sacrament in Seminole with the launch of a new ministry, Faith Community Nursing. After her retirement two years …
Continue reading “Healing Ministry Seeks to Meet Emotional, Physical and Spiritual Needs”
WASHINGTON —Following the violence at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, and reports of an FBI bulletin warning of “armed protests” in state capitals and Washington, DC, in the coming week, including groups urging participants to “storm” state capitols and other government buildings and threatening “a huge uprising,” as well as reports of threats against …
The Diocese of St. Petersburg has partnered with the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to encourage all parishes and Catholic schools to raise awareness about the dangers of human trafficking by becoming “Trafficking-Free Zones.” The goal is to end modern-day slavery and protect children and youth. Participating …
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We have received word of the death of Sister Barbara Rose Arduengo, SNJM, 89, in Tampa, on December 17, 2020. Please keep Sister Barbara Rose and the members of her community in your prayers. May Sister Barbara Rose and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Communications New Video: Year in Review The Diocese of Petersburg invites you to take a look back at this unforgettable year and thank God for the grace to stand firm in the faith, courageous and strong. We’ve produced a video with some of the most compelling photos of 2020. To view …
ST. LEO, FL – The word “catholic” with a lowercase C means “universal” or “inclusive.” And that is part of the goals of the Rev. Randall Meissen, university chaplain, for Saint Leo University: to be open and welcoming to all. Meissen recently joined the university and leads the University Ministry team. “As the university …
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The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a statement on the new COVID-19 vaccines. Do these new vaccines align or conflict with the Church’s teaching on life? Were they developed using aborted fetal cells? It’s a complicated issue but this statement provides guidance for the faithful. The statement in part reads: “The Congregation …
December 10, 2020 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, On Tuesday, as our Church celebrated the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a communication was sent from the USCCB announcing that Pope Francis has granted a plenary indulgence to anyone who celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at home, …
In 2021, Bishop Emeritus Robert N. Lynch will celebrate the silver anniversary of his episcopal ordination, which was held on January 26, 1996 at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, in St. Petersburg. Providing help and hope to those in need was a hallmark of Bishop Lynch’s episcopacy. One such project was the establishment …
Continue reading “Celebrate Bishop Lynch’s 25th Anniversary with a Gift of Hope”
As 2020 comes to a close, the Diocese of St. Petersburg is taking a look back at this tumultuous year and thanking God for the grace to stand firm in the faith, courageous and strong. Click on video box above or here to view the video. Do you recognize the photos in the video? The …
Continue reading “2020 Highlight Video Captures Memorable Year”
The Catholic Vietnamese community in Tampa celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving on November 25, 2020, in gratitude for their new church, located at 5601 Hanley Road, in Tampa. Previously, St. Joseph Vietnamese Mission shared space with Epiphany of Our Lord Parish in Tampa, but it now has a church home all its own. Despite being …
