Mercedes Cedeño-Pitre ~ Update

The Chancellor’s Office has learned that Mrs. Mercedes Cedeño, 65, passed away in the Lord on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Mercedes worked at Transfiguration Parish as the Director of Religious Education from 2013 to 2019. In 2019, she was hired as the Administrative Assistant for Intercultural Ministries of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. She completed …

Announcements – March 25, 2024

Diocesan Offices Parish Content April The Office of Communications has created a webpage for parishes in the Diocese of St. Petersburg to find free and shareable content that helps to evangelize, inspire, and unite our community.  Click here to view parish content for April. Resurrection Cemetery Grand Opening April 26th The grand opening of the …

Announcements – March 18, 2024

Diocesan Offices Resurrection Cemetery Grand Opening April 26th The grand opening of the newest diocesan cemetery, Resurrection Cemetery will take place on Friday, April 26th at 10 a.m. at 10668 E. Sligh Avenue, Seffner.  Bishop Gregory Parkes invites you to attend this historic event to witness the blessing and to see the beautiful and sacred …

U.S. Bishops’ Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection Releases Annual Report

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection has released the 2022 Annual Report – Findings and Recommendations on the Implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The report is based on the audit findings of StoneBridge Business Partners, a specialty consulting firm headquartered in …

Declaración sobre el Rev. Antonio Londoño, un sacerdote que sirvió en la Diócesis de St. Petersburg de 1994 a 2002

Se ha presentado una acusación de mala conducta contra una persona menor de 18 años contra el Rev. Antonio Londoño. La conducta delictiva presuntamente tuvo lugar en el 1999. El padre Londoño fue ordenado para la Diócesis de St. Petersburg en el 1994 y sirvió en cuatro parroquias de la Diócesis hasta dejar el ministerio …

Statement About Reverend Antonio Londono, a Priest who Served in the Diocese of St. Petersburg from 1994-2002

An allegation of misconduct with a person under the age of 18 years has been made against Reverend Antonio Londono. The offending conduct allegedly took place in 1999. Father Londono was ordained for the Diocese of St. Petersburg in 1994 and served in four parishes of the Diocese until leaving active ministry permanently in 2002. …

Mr. Frank Oliver

The Chancellor’s Office learned that Frank Michael Oliver, 82, husband of Mary Sue Oliver, Notary for our diocesan Tribunal Office, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, July 19, 2022.  The funeral arrangements for Mr. Oliver are as follows: Visitation will be held on Friday, August 5, 2022, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Serenity Funeral Home, 13401 Indian …

U.S. Bishops Continue to Offer Child Protection and Safe Environment Resources to Assist Dioceses

This June marks twenty years since the U.S. bishops gathered in Dallas, Texas to address the issue of clergy sexual abuse. At their 2002 meeting, the bishops drafted and passed the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr., of Kansas City-St. Joseph, chairman of the United States Conference …

Lay Leadership Commissioning

In an evening prayer service at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle on June 21, 2022 at 7:00 p.m., Bishop Emeritus Robert N. Lynch presented 11 individuals with a Certificate in Lay Leadership Ministry. Bishop Lynch, substituting for Bishop Gregory Parkes, formally commissioned these students to serve in ministry leadership in parishes throughout the …

Statement of USCCB President on Twenty Years Since Passage of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People

This June marks twenty years since the Catholic bishops of the United States gathered in Dallas, Texas to draft and pass the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in their commitment to address the issue of clergy sexual abuse. Marking this moment, Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the …

Prayers Needed in Response to Leak of Draft Supreme Court Opinion

In response to the leak of a draft opinion in the Supreme Court case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities issued the following call to prayer: “The leak related to the U.S. Supreme Court case …

Learning to Listen Across the Division

Online Event- Monday, May 9th at 7:00 P.M. Can we learn to communicate with compassion and justice, even when we disagree? Dr. Lori Puterbaugh will explore listening skills, communication techniques and reflective exercises that will help us to open our hearts and minds to richer and more compassionate dialogue.  Register to receive Zoom link.  http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=p8pcb9dab&oeidk=a07ej5ywuxpd1fc0a48 …

Bishop Gregory Parkes and the Catholic Bishops of Florida Praise Governor’s Approval of 15-Week Abortion Ban

For Immediate Release April 14, 2022 Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law HB 5 that limits abortions in Florida to the first 15 weeks of pregnancy. The new law also includes provisions to improve infant health and analyze and reduce fetal and infant mortality. In support of the governor’s action, the Florida Conference of …

2022 Holy Week Liturgies with Bishop Parkes

What: Holy Week and Easter Celebrations When: April 10-April 16 Where: Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, 5815 Fifth Avenue, St. Petersburg Watch: www.dosp.org/livestream, www.facebook.com/DioStPete and www.youtube.com/dioceseofstpete Listen: Spirit FM 90.5 Schedule of Holy Week Celebrations with Bishop Parkes: Sunday, April 10, 2022, Palm Sunday Mass, 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 12, 2022, Chrism Mass, 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 14, 2022, Mass of the …

Announcements – March 14, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES Healing Mass for Survivors of Abuse, Saturday, April 23, 2022Bishop Parkes will celebrate a Mass of Healing 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 will be held on …

Reverend Sidney J. Figlia, S.D.B.

The Chancellor’s Office was informed of the passing of Reverend Sidney J. Figlia, S.D.B., 91, a member of the Salesians of Saint John Bosco, on Sunday, March 6, 2022, in St. Philip Residence at Mary Help of Christians Center, Tampa.  “Father Sid” was a native of Brooklyn, New York. Following graduation from high school, he …

Prayers for Ukraine

LOCAL CONNECTION: Our local Epiphany of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church hosted an ecumenical prayer vigil for the people of Ukraine on March 2nd. This coincided with Pope Francis’ call for prayer and fasting for Ukraine on Ash Wednesday. Click here to read the article. (This webpage was updated on March 3, 2022.) FROM CNS: …

What’s Mentionable is Manageable

In the book, “Mr. Rogers Talks with Parents,” the famed TV host wrote that “much of what is on TV is at best, a waste of time and at worst, downright destructive.” His book encouraged parents to closely monitor the programs their children watch and to discuss sensitive or difficult topics that their children encounter …

Five Tips for Media-Obsessed Families

If your family is obsessed with media, you’re not alone. My family probably resembles yours in that we struggle to break free of screens and smart speakers that seem ubiquitous at times. Yet, we know that the screens can be harmful to our health, our relationships and our spiritual life. So here are five healthy …

Journey with CRS Rice Bowl for Lent

CRS Rice Bowl Mini-Grant Applications Each Lent, parishes, schools and campus ministries of the Diocese of St. Petersburg participate in Rice Bowl, the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) educational program of prayer, fasting, learning and giving. CRS Rice Bowl is Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten program for families and faith communities in the United States who want …

New Ministry Seeks to Show Foster Families Love and Support

Marcie Lipscomb has a heart for children in foster care and through a ministry she started in 2019, she is able to support foster children and foster parents in a unique way. The ministry is called “Hands Lifting Hearts” and she started it at St. Timothy Parish in Lutz. “I felt that I was being …

U.S. Bishops’ Migration Committee Chairman Expresses Disappointment that Low Refugee Admissions Goal Remains

The Biden Administration announced Friday afternoon that it will not increase the historically low number of refugees who can be resettled in the United States for the current fiscal year. However, it will restore the long-time practice of allocating refugees from every region of the world, thus opening resettlement to some who were not included …

Situation on the U.S.-Mexico Border

The bishops along the border of the United States and Northern Mexico have issued a joint statement on the situation at the border of the two countries.  Their joint statement follows: As U.S. and Mexican bishops along the border, we witness daily the dilemma that our migrant sisters and brothers face. For most, the decision …

Racial Justice Dialogue Recording from March 24, 2021

Can America be Multi-Lingual and United? A discussion on how conversion,  Gospel values and intentional evangelization can facilitate more unity in the Catholic community. Presented by Fr. Raphael Capo, Vice President for Mission and Ministry and Dean of Theology at St. Thomas University. ¿Pueden los Estados Unidos ser una nación multilingüe y unida? Diálogo sobre …

Promotional Materials for Consecration to St. Joseph on May 1

Promotional Graphics for May 1st Event Square: English | Spanish Rectangle: English | Spanish Horizontal: English | Spanish No Text Consecration Definition Promotional Text for May 1st EventBishop Gregory Parkes will Consecrate the Diocese of St. Petersburg to St. Joseph on May 1stYou are invited to join Bishop Parkes for the Diocesan St. Joseph Consecration …

U.S. Bishop Chairman Welcomes Repeal of Death Penalty in Virginia

Following passage of legislation to repeal the death penalty in the Commonwealth of Virginia, 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: “I welcome Virginia’s repeal of the death penalty as a bold step towards a culture …

U.S. Bishop Chairmen Say Equality Act Would Discriminate Against People of Faith and Threaten Unborn Life

Five committee chairmen of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) wrote a letter to members of Congress opposing the recent reintroduction of the Equality Act (H.R. 5), which is scheduled to be voted on by the U.S. House of Representatives this week. The bishops warned of the threats posed by the proposed legislation to …

Stained Glass Window is Revealed after Hidden for Nearly Half a Century

When parishioners of Most Holy Redeemer Parish in Tampa walk into the church on Easter morning, they will be celebrating the Risen Christ in more ways than one. Parishioners will see an unobstructed floor-to-ceiling stained glass window of the Risen Christ welcoming all who enter. For years this window went largely unnoticed, partially hidden by …

February Conversations about Race Recording

In this recording of the monthly “Conversation about Race” online discussion on February 24, 2021, the speaker was Dr. Ansel Augustine, Executive Director of Cultural Diversity and Outreach for the Archdiocese of Washington, DC. He talked about “Black History Month – Why It’s Important” and what we can do in observance of it in February …

Proclaiming the Good News in a Digital World

A Free Event for Parish Communication Leaders – We will be following CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Lunch, Formation, Fellowship and Faith Thursday, April 29, 2021, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Bethany Retreat Center18150 Bethany Center Dr, Lutz 9:30 a.m. Registration & Networking 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Program Click here to …

Responding to the Challenge of Abortion in Florida on the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Life: A Statement of the Catholic Bishops of Florida

The Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling usurped the proper role of legislators and imposed an extreme abortion regime that has contributed to the polarization that has divided us as a nation and further wounded our society by ending over 61 million lives. Its trauma affects the web of social relationships that form families …

January is Poverty Awareness Month

For the last five decades, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), the U.S. Bishop’s anti-poverty program, has empowered communities to tackle the many dimensions and complexities of poverty in the United States. As we begin a new year and Poverty Awareness Month, we invite you to participate in this vitally important work, especially as …

January Communications Roundtable

Advance Registration is Required. Click here to register. Thursday, January 21, 2021 | 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. What is the most important thing you learned in 2020 that will help you in 2021? The Diocesan Office of Communications invites you …

Cities for Life Virtual Prayer Vigil Recording

The Diocese of St. Petersburg joined cities and dioceses around the world on November 30, for the International day of Cities for Life against the Death Penalty. On this date, cities across the globe mobilize to renounce the death penalty and work for a more civil form of justice. Speakers included Bishop Gregory Parkes, Rev. Robert Schneider, and …

November Conversations about Race Recording

In this recording of the “Monthly Conversation about Race” discussion on November 19, 2020, the speaker was Dr. Moneque Walker-Pickett, professor at St. Leo University. She talked about “The Result of No Action: Why We Need to Work Together for Justice.” The next Conversations about Race will be held in January – stay tuned to …

National Collection Assists Elderly Sisters, Brothers, Priests in Religious Orders

The Diocese of St. Petersburg will hold the Retirement Fund for Religious collection Dec. 12-13. The National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) coordinates this annual appeal and distributes the proceeds to assist eligible U.S. religious communities with their retirement needs. Nearly 30,000 senior sisters, brothers and religious order priests benefit. Last year, the Diocese of St. …

President of U.S. Bishops’ Conference Issues Statement on 2020 Presidential Election

WASHINGTON – Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued the following statement on the 2020 presidential election:  We thank God for the blessings of liberty. The American people have spoken in this election. Now is the time for our leaders to come together in …