Father Leo Patalinghug of Baltimore has been blogging about food since 2007. He is a celebrated chef, faith-filled priest and TV personality. In 2010, he published his first book, “Grace Before Meals.” Now, he is bringing his international TV program, “Savoring Our Faith” to Tampa Bay to break bread with local chefs, churchgoers, clergy and Bishop …
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary falls on Tuesday, August 15 in 2017. On this holy day of obligation, we commemorate when Mary’s body and soul were assumed into heaven and she passed into eternal life. In the mystery of her Assumption, Mary experiences immediately what we all will experience eventually, a …
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Members of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Dunedin visited Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Acul des Pins, their twin parish, during June. They distributed 350 pairs of ‘The Shoe That Grows’ to our twin School (courtesy of the generosity of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School family). Members also visited the Mission Chapel built by the …
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Monsignor David Toups, currently the rector of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, joined more than one hundred seminary rectors in Rome at the end of June. They discussed revisions to a handbook of best practices for the formation of seminarians. Listen to an interview he did with Vatican Radio about the meeting by clicking …
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Join others who may be experiencing the pain of a divorce or separation for a free mini-retreat at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, 2016, at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg. Find the path to healing, answers to some tough questions, and practical ways to move forward. This event is free and …
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This summer, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops convened an unprecedented gathering of key leaders from dioceses and Catholic organizations from all across the country in order to assess the challenges and opportunities of our time, particularly in the context of the Church in the United States. This has been an ongoing initiative of the Bishops’ Working Group on the …
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Bishop Gregory Parkes‘ interview on Shalom World aired on Sunday, June 18, 2017. Watch the episode below.
Bishop Parkes ordained Reverend Elixavier “Xavy” Castro to the priesthood on Saturday, May 20, 2017, at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. Praise be to God! Photos (more will be posted in the coming week, so please continue to check back). If your parish would like free digital copies of any of the photos, please contact …
Bishop Parkes will ordain Deacon Elixavier “Xavy” Castro to the priesthood at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2017, at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. All are invited to attend. The ordination will be live video streamed and broadcast on Spirit FM 90.5 (listen online at http://www.spiritfm905.com/ ).
Thursday, May 25, is the 40th day after Easter, when the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord – when Jesus ascended bodily into heaven in the sight of the apostles. Since the year 2000 in our diocese and the province of Florida, this holy day of obligation is transferred to the …
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Pope Francis recently gave a TED Talk, urging people to make real connections with each other. “Good intentions and conventional formulas, so often used to appease our conscience, are not enough,” Pope Francis said. “Let us help each other, all together, to remember that the other is not a statistic or a number. The other has …
The Chrism Mass was held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. The Mass of Chrism usually takes place on Holy Thursday, but since the Diocese of St. Petersburg is so large and the priests and other people have to travel so far, it is held on Tuesday in …
As he settles into his new position as fifth Bishop of St. Petersburg, Bishop Parkes would like to hear the input and opinions of the faithful. He will be holding nine listening sessions across the Diocese over the next several months to hear the answers to the following three questions. What are we doing well as …
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More Than 12,000 Pounds Recycled to Purchase Wheelchairs for Children Giving back to the community is a central part of life at Saint Leo University, and a recent project not only helped others, but also protected the environment. Students, faculty, staff, and community organizations and businesses collected bottle caps for Caps of Love, a Florida-based …
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Over 567 Bibles have been donated to Prison Ministries thanks to a Community Partner Challenge from Angels Senior Living Center and Datalink Software during Spirit FM 90.5?’s 2017 Spread the Word campaign! We are so grateful to Spirit FM’s listeners for taking up the challenge and ensuring that those imprisoned have access to the reason for …
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Did you know that Saint Leo University is the oldest Catholic university in Florida and is the fourth largest Catholic university in the United States? Founded in 1889, Saint Leo University is a leading Catholic teaching institution that enrolls almost 15,000 students across our traditional Florida campus, more than 40 education center and office locations, …
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With St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Friday (March 17, 2017) during the Lenten Season, Bishop Gregory Parkes is granting to the faithful of the Diocese of St. Petersburg a dispensation from abstaining from meat on that Friday alone. The faithful are encouraged to choose another day in the same week or as soon as …
During Lent, we are encouraged to raise up the needs of the world in prayer, to sacrifice or fast by giving up food or material wants, and to offer our time, talent, and treasure as good stewards of the gifts God has given us. Pope Francis’ 2017 Lenten message USCCB Lenten Resources Parish Lenten/Easter Guidelines – English / Spanish See …
We are looking for photos that show how you and your parish are journeying through the Lenten season. Possible photos to submit might be from your parish’s mission, Stations of the Cross, fish fry, or other Lenten events. Photos of no-meat meals on Friday are welcome as well! We will be adding these photos to …
Married couples of all ages are invited to attend a one-day workshop entitled Married and in Love Most of the Time. The workshop will be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 18 at the Bishop Larkin Pastoral Center in St. Petersburg. The cost is $35 per couple and includes continental breakfast, lunch, …
Bishop Gregory Parkes led a Prayer Vigil for Migrants and Refugees on February 1, 2017, at Nativity Parish in Brandon. The prayer vigil was held to show support for our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters who live, work, and make their homes in our community. Bilingual Event Flyer / Prayers and Resources for Parishes and …
President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to issue Executive Orders that could that could have devastating impacts on refugee resettlement in the United States and harm Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) youth. According to drafts we have seen, the Executive Order would: Halt the entire refugee admissions program for 120 days to determine additional …
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Urge Congress to support the BRIDGE (Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy) Act. It is a bipartisan effort to provide temporary relief from deportation and to sustain employment eligibility for immigrant youth through the DACA (Department of Homeland Security’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program. Urge Congress to support this legislation …
On January 3, 2017, H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. This important pro-life legislation will place in permanent law a consistent federal policy restricting the funding and promotion of abortion. Since 1976 federal restrictions on abortion funding has enjoyed bi-partisan support and has been embodied …
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Saddened by yet another anniversary of the January 22, 1973, U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion, the Catholic bishops of Florida remain steadfast in their commitment to promote the sanctity of life and dignity of the human person in state policy. The bishops reflected upon 2016, noting that they supported the passage of legislation …
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We are saddened to announce the death of Mrs. Mary Jo Murphy, long-time diocesan Communications Office employee and Spirit FM 90.5 radio personality, on Friday, January 13, 2017. Mary Jo was also the sister of Father Michael O’Brien, pastor of St. Clement Parish in Plant City. Mary Jo recorded more than 5,600 programs for Spirit …
Bishop Gregory Parkes was installed as the fifth Bishop of St. Petersburg at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle on Wednesday, January 4, 2017. Bishop Parkes’ Homily (PDF) Photos Installation Mass Video Part 1 Installation Mass Video Part 2 Vespers Prayer Service (Tuesday, January 3, 2017) Video
Curious to learn more about an installation of a new bishop? Check out the frequently asked questions below. Bishop Gregory L. Parkes was installed as the fifth bishop of St. Petersburg on January 4, 2017. Click here to learn more. The Installation Mass was not open to the public and attendance was by invitation only due to limited seating. …
Bishop Gregory L. Parkes will be installed as the fifth Bishop of St. Petersburg at 2:00 p.m. on January 4, 2017, at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. The Installation Mass is not open to the public and attendance is by invitation only due to limited seating. See how you can still participate in the …
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With great joy we announce that His Holiness, Pope Francis, has appointed Most Reverend Bishop Gregory L. Parkes, Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Florida, as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Florida. Bishop Parkes succeeds the retiring Bishop Robert N. Lynch, who has served as Bishop of St. Petersburg since his installation in 1996. …
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The annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection will be held Dec. 10-11, 2016, in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO), the parish-based appeal benefits nearly 33,000 senior Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests whose communities lack retirement savings. The Diocese of St. Petersburg contributed $215,558.25 to the …
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Join us in praying for an end to the use of the death penalty in a special interfaith prayer service. The Interfaith Prayer Service for an End to the Use of the Death Penalty will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 30, 2016, at Joe Chillura Courthouse Square Park (400-498 E Twiggs St., Tampa, …
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A memorial Mass for Reverend Michael Morris will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 22, 2016, at Espiritu Santo Catholic Church (2405 Philippe Parkway, Safety Harbor). Priests and deacons wishing to vest, please bring your alb and stole. Father Morris passed away on October 23, 2016. More information can be found at this link.
Did you know there is a cause for the Canonization of the Florida Martyrs including several that died in the Tampa Bay area? All men are invited to learn about these remarkable witnesses of the faith by attending the next Faith & Ale at Christ the King from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, November …
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There will be a seminar on annulments at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 16, 2016, in the Parish Center at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg. This seminar is a follow up to the “Healing Service for the Divorced, Separated, or Remarried” that was held in September at the Cathedral. Father …
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The UNITED 40 Days for Life Bus Tour is coming to St. Petersburg and Tampa on Thursday, November 3, 2016. Join pro-lifers from around the state to pray, fast, and stand up for life. David Bereit, co-founder of 40 Days for Life, will be speaking at the rally in Tampa. VIGIL STOP: 3:15 p.m. at the Public …
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Wednesday, November 2, 2016, is the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (All Souls). Many parishes have special Masses scheduled. Please check with your parish for Mass times. You can find a list of parishes in our diocese, searchable by city and zip code, by clicking here. In addition, there are two special All Souls’ Day …
St. Jude is the patron saint of desperate cases, lost causes, and of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. He is the patron of impossible causes because of his Apostolic ministry in the early Church. By visiting and encouraging early Christian communities who endured tremendous hardship, he accomplished the improbable. While early communities despaired and perhaps …
Saint Leo University recently was named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for 2015 for measurable acts of community service by students, faculty, and staff. The honor roll is part of the Corporation for National and Community Service’s strategic commitment to engage millions of college students in service and celebrate the critical …
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The Statewide Death Penalty Tour featuring Sister Helen Prejean that was scheduled to be held on Sunday, October 16 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church has been cancelled due to the illness of Sr. Prejean’s sister. We hope to schedule another event talking about the death penalty soon. Please share this notice and keep Sr. Prejean …
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Bishop Lynch has advanced $250,000 dollars to assist Catholic Relief Services (CRS) with relief efforts in Haiti and other parts of the Caribbean. Many of our pastors have volunteered to ask their parishioners for relief funds in special collections over the next few weeks. Any funds collected in addition to the $250,000 will be used …
All are invited to attend the annual diocesan Hispanic Mass at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle (5815 5th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33710). The day will begin by praying the Rosary at 10:00 a.m. , followed by the procession of Our Lady of Aparecida, the …
October 6, 2016 – Rev. Msgr. Austin Mullen became the 20th recipient of the Fr. Luis Distinguished Priestly Service Award at the annual Convocation for Priestly Renewal. He was selected by his peers to receive the award in recognition of his dedicated ministry and service to the faithful and community of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. …
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Parishioners throughout the Diocese of St. Petersburg were invited to send in their pet’s name and a photo to be included in a special photo album with a prayer for animals in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures. See the photos. See a listing of pet blessings around the diocese on our …
From September 17 to September 24, the Catholic schools and centers of our diocese partnered with Somebody Cares Tampa Bay for Carefest 2016. Students joined thousands of volunteers across Pinellas, Hillsborough, Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco counties to help the local community during this week of service. Photos
Do you have a dog, cat, fish, hamster or horse? We are putting together a photo album of your pets to post on the diocesan website & social media along with a special prayer for animals for the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4. Please email a photo of your pet, living …
Divorced? Remarried? Got questions? The Church is here for you. Christ extends his abundant and generous mercy to you through his Church in ways you may never have expected! Join others who may be experiencing the pain of a divorce or separation for a free mini-retreat at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 18, 2016, at the Cathedral of St. …
Continue reading “Healing Service for the Divorced, Separated or Remarried on 9/18/16”
Saint Leo University was named as one of the best regional universities and best values in higher education in the 2017 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges, which was released on Tuesday, September 13, 2016. Saint Leo ranked 62nd among regional universities in the South, which marks a rise from its previous ranking of …
We received word of the passing of Sister Marie Celeste Sullivan, OSF, 87, on Wednesday, September 7, 2016, while receiving care at the motherhouse of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, New York. Sister Sullivan enjoyed a long history in hospital administration, having served as CEO of St. Joseph Hospital, Tampa. Her story is detailed in …
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September 4, 2016 – Sister Regina Ozuzu, H.H.C.J., principal of Bishop Larkin Catholic School in Port Richey, proudly represented the Bishop Larkin Catholic School family and our diocese in Rome as Pope Francis declared Mother Teresa of Kolkata a saint. Sister Regina joined an estimated 120,000 people from around the world in St. Peter’s Square for the Canonization …
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May 27 was Bishop Lynch’s seventy-fifth birthday. On that day, he signed and sent a letter to the Holy Father asking to retire after having reached the mandatory “age limit” for bishops. Our diocese is now in a waiting period to hear from the Vatican who our new bishop will be. Bishop Lynch will still be in office until we …
“Some of you said: this system can no longer be endured. We must change it; we must put human dignity again at the center and on that pillar build the alternative social structures we need. It must be done with courage, but also with intelligence, with tenacity but without fanaticism, with passion but without violence. …
Bishop Lynch has determined that the Diocese of St. Petersburg will send a check in the amount of $50,000.00 to the Diocese of Baton Rouge, specifically for assistance to victims of the recent floods in that area. If you wish to donate in addition to what our diocese has given, please visit the website for Catholic Charities …
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We sadly report the passing of Monsignor Laurence E. Higgins at his rectory home under hospice care, Wednesday, August 24th, 2016, approaching his 88th birthday. Monsignor Higgins was born September 3, 1928 in Magherafelt, County Derry, Northern Ireland to John and Philomena Higgins. He was the third oldest of eight children – Eoin, Mary, Ruaidhri, …
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The St. Jude the Apostle Medal is awarded to a lay member of a parish for distinguished and outstanding service to their parish and community. Congratulations to the 2016 recipients! List of 2016 Recipients The St. Jude Medal Award Ceremony took place on Sunday, November 20, 2016, at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. …
