Dispensation for Sunday Mass Obligation

September 8, 2017 – 11:30am In response to questions regarding weekend Mass attendance, Most Rev. Gregory Parkes has granted dispensation from obligation to attend Masses this weekend, September 9-10, 2017. Click here to download the PDF of the announcement. For more safety announcements including closings, hurricane preparedness and insurance documents for after the storm, click here. …

Check Here for Hurricane Irma Safety Announcements

September 6, 2017 – Hurricane Irma continues to move toward Florida, bringing a potentially large impact to our area. Most Rev. Gregory Parkes and Diocese of St. Petersburg officials will continue to monitor the storm’s progress and post updated safety announcements on the diocesan website. These announcements include: closures preparedness instructions/recommendations insurance guidelines and instructions …

Pope Francis’ New Apostolic Exhortation

Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love) Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation on the family, Amoris Laetitia, was released to the public today, April 8, 2016.  According to a news release by the Vatican News Service, this  Apostolic Exhortation harvests the fruits of the two Synods on the family held in Rome in 2014 and 2015.  …

18 Received Papal Honors

We are pleased to announce the recipients of the papal honors of Chaplain to His Holiness, Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, and Benerementi. The recipients were honored during a private ceremony in April 2016 at the Bethany Center. The following priests have been named Chaplains to His Holiness:  Rev. Monsignor Ronald Aubin Rev. Monsignor Dennis Hughes Rev. Monsignor Joseph Pellegrino …

Christmas blessings! ~ Pastoral Center Offices

Merry Christmas! For centuries, prophets had foretold the coming of the messiah and the people of Israel heard the message. We are here today because we know the events in the life of Jesus-His birth, baptism by John, teachings, miracles, suffering, death and resurrection. As disciples, may we join the shepherds who went “glorifying and …

For the Faithful Departed ~ December 14, 2015

  Reverend Paul Bedard, S.D.B. We received word that Fr. Bedard, 89, passed away in the Lord on Monday, December 7, 2015, while at Carrollwood Care Center in Tampa.  He resided at Mary Help of Christians Center, Tampa, since his retirement in 2010.  A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on December 10th at Mary …

Special Collection

Special Collection: Retirement Fund for Religious December 12-13, 2015 Aging religious need your help. In the United States today, there are more than 33,000 senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests. These religious worked tirelessly in Catholic schools, hospitals, and agencies, usually for little to no pay. As a result, many religious communities lack …

For the Faithful Departed ~ Dec. 7, 2015

Please keep the souls and the families of our faithful departed in your prayers: Mrs. Isabelle Daly, mother of Nancy Ridenour, Chair of the Diocesan Finance Council, and mother-in-law of David Ridenour, Director of the Diocesan Tribunal Mrs. Daly passed away, Saturday, December 5th up in Illinois. Please keep Nancy, David and their relatives in …

For the Faithful Departed ~ November 30, 2015

  Sister Regina Peltz, SNJM Please remember Sister Regina Peltz, SNJM, who passed away on Saturday, November 28, 2015. Sister Regina served as principal of Holy Family Catholic School for many years. Mrs. Linda Patterson Mrs. Patterson, age 71, of Tampa, passed away November 25, 2015. She served her parish, Church of the Incarnation, Tampa, …

Happy Thanksgiving!

  Pastoral Center Office ~ Thanksgiving Holiday The Pastoral Center Offices will be closed Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 28 for the Thanksgiving Holiday. May you have a blessed and safe holiday! Thanksgiving Prayer Lord, we thank you for the goodness of our people and for the spirit of justice that fills this nation. …

For the Faithful Departed ~ November 23, 2015

Rev. Inocencio Estibalez      Father Estibalez, 88, a retired priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, passed away in the Lord on Saturday, November 14, 2015. Since his retirement, Father Estibalez has resided in Vitoria, Spain.   A Funeral Mass was held on Monday, November 16 in the parish church of San Miguel Arcángel, …

CCHD Special Collection

November 21 and 22, 2015 The collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) provides funding for groups that make lasting change and uplift the poor in the United States. CCHD’s grants improve education, support economic development, and create affordable housing in low-income neighborhoods. Help us continue to defend human dignity and build communities …

For the Faithful Departed ~ October 26, 2015

Mr. Raymond Cormier Mr. Raymond Cormier, age 84, father of Rev. Michael Cormier, went home to the Lord Thursday, October 22, 2015, at St. Joseph Hospital in Tampa following a long and courageous battle with cancer. Mr. Cormier was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Pauline.  He is survived by his son, Reverend Michael …

For the Faithful Departed ~ October 19, 2015

Sister Mary Dorothy Neuhofer, O.S.B., a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida, passed into her eternal life on Wednesday, October 14, 2015. Born to Joseph and Helen (Barthle) Neuhofer on June 19, 1931, Sister was raised in St. Joseph, FL, the second of eleven children. One of her siblings, Sister Mary Clare, is also …

For the Faithful Departed ~ October 12, 2015

Sr. Maureen Dorr, O.S.F. Sr. Maureen passed away on October 1, 2015. Sister Maureen faithfully lived the mission of the Franciscan Sisters for 66 years, first as an educator for 40 years and then as a volunteer serving the poor and the marginalized at both Trinity Cafe and the jail, Hillsborough County.   She was an …

For the Faithful Departed ~ September 21, 2015

Reverend Paul Hervey 3/5/1938 – 9/ 21/ 2015 The Chancellor’s Office has received word of the sudden passing of Father Paul Hervey, age 77, on Monday, September 21, 2015 at his home. A widower and late vocation, Father Hervey was ordained for the Diocese of St. Petersburg on May 20, 1995 at the Cathedral of St. Jude …

For the Faithful Departed ~ September 14, 2015

Reverend Hugh J. Mullin Father Mullin, 93, of Seminole, passed away on Monday, September 7, 2015. He was a native of Kansas City, MO, and was ordained to the priesthood in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Kansas City, MO, on December 21, 1946. He was Associated Pastor at St. James, St. Mary, St. Peter, Cathedral of …

For the Faithful Departed ~ Sept 8, 2015

Mrs. Hazel Knox, wife of Deacon Terry Knox, from St. Scholastica Parish, Lecanto, passed away in the Lord on Monday, August 31, 2015, following a recent cancer diagnosis.  Deacon Terry and Hazel have provided a consistent, faithful presence to the community of St. Scholastica for many years. Funeral arrangements are as follows: Visitation and Wake …

For the Faithful Departed ~ August 24, 2015

  Mrs.  Carolyn Rebel Mrs. Carolyn Rebel, 84, mother of Reverend Patrick Rebel, pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish, Spring Hill, passed away August 23, 2015. Please follow this link for more information. Please keep Father Rebel, his brothers and all family members in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.   Rev. …

For the Faithful Departed ~ July 27, 2015

Reverend Roy M. Gasnick, O.F.M. (Nov 26, 1933 ~ July 24, 2015) We sadly report the passing of Reverend Roy M. Gasnick, O.F.M. on July 24, 2015 at Bayfront Medical Center, St. Petersburg. Father Gasnick was a professed Franciscan friar for 60 years and a priest for 55 years. He was residing at St. Anthony …

For the Faithful Departed ~ July 13, 2015

Reverend Joseph Frederick (Fred) McGuire We sadly report the passing of Reverend Joseph Frederick (Fred) McGuire, 63, Parochial  Vicar of Holy Family Parish and a priest of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, on June 30, 2015 at St. Anthony’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, following a brief illness. Father came to our Diocese in 2000, when he moved …

Obituary ~ May 18, 2015

Reverend Raymond O’Neill We are saddened to announce that Father Raymond O’Neill passed away Wednesday, May 13, 2015, at Brooksville Regional Hospital. He is survived by his brother, Dr. William O’Neill, Ireland. Father O’Neill was ordained July 3, 1966, in the Archdiocese ofDublin for the Congregation of the Holy Spirit. In 1992, he was incardinated …

Obituaries ~ April 20, 2015

Mr. Fintan Muldoon November 7, 1944 – April 14, 2015 We received word that Mr. Fintan Muldoon, 70, brother of Monsignor Brendan Muldoon, Pastor of St. Jerome Parish, Indian Rocks Beach, passed away in the Lord on April 14, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina, after a lengthy battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (commonly known as ALS …

Obituaries ~ March 30, 2015 (updated)

Karl Stevens, J.D. The Chancellor’s Office received word that Mr. Karl Stevens passed away on Saturday, March 28.  Mr. Stevens served on the board of Spirit FM and was the president of the Tampa Bay Catholic Lawyers Guild and was involved with the St. Michael Legal Center for Women and Children.  He has also helped …

Special Collection or “Freewill Offering”

From the Office of the Chancellor – Special Collections Our Diocesan Directives for many years have included this provision: “No priest of the Diocese or visiting missionary is to take up any collection personally during a liturgical celebration. No special collection by visiting priests, sisters, brothers, or representatives of Catholic projects may be taken up without …

Obituaries ~ March 16, 2015

  Florence Kolhoff, mother of Rick Kolhoff, Executive Director of the Construction Office Please keep the Kolhoff family in your thoughts and prayers upon the death of Rick’s mother, Florence.  She was 91 years old. Funeral arrangements are as follows: Mass – Saturday 3/28, at 10:30am Espiritu Santo Catholic Church 2405 Philippe Parkway Safety Harbor, …

A Message from Pope Francis to the Diocese

Bishop Lynch had the opportunity to share words of gratitude with Pope Francis on behalf of everyone in the Diocese of St. Petersburg when he visited Rome in October 2013. Pope Francis’ response to Bishop Lynch was, “Please pray for me, I have only just begun and I need prayers.” We have created a poster …