Abundance Holy Hour for Vocations via Live Stream!

The Lord works by means of Abundance. He promises life in abundance to His followers and provides work in Abundance for them. Please join Fr. Chuck Dornquast, the Director of Vocations, on Wednesday April 22 at 7pm via live stream as he celebrates a Holy Hour for Vocations from the Cathedral of St. Jude the …

New Date for 2020 Ordinations to the Priesthood

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, and after consulting with Deacons Joshua Bertrand, Connor Penn and Drew Woodke, Bishop Parkes has decided to reschedule the date of their Ordination to the Priesthood, which was scheduled to take place on May 16, 2020. The new date will be Saturday, August 15, 2020, the Solemnity of the Assumption …

ABUNDANCE, Holy Hour for Vocations, Cancelled

The Holy Hour for Vocations scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, 2020 has been cancelled. Our next ABUNDANCE Holy Hour is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2020. We hope to resume then, but please check the Vocations website for updates. A copy of the ABUNDANCE flyer can be found here. Please continue to pray for our …

Catholic Sisters Week, March 8-14, 2020

We celebrate Catholic Sisters Week, Communities of Spirit, Hearts for Ministry, from March 8-14, 2020. We are blessed to have religious sisters in our diocese from several different religious orders. Let us all take a moment to pray for these women, their missions, their ministry, their dedication and their love for the Lord and all …

Altar Server Appreciation Mass, March 29, 2020

Our Annual Altar Server Appreciation Mass will be held on Sunday, March 29, 2020 at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle at 3:00 pm.  A light reception will follow in the Parish Center.  All parishes throughout the Diocese of St. Petersburg are invited to attend. All information will be submitted online for your Altar …

Holy Hour for Vocations – December 18, 2019

Our next Holy Hour for Vocations will be on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at 7:00 pm in the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. Fr. Chuck Dornquast, Director of Vocations, will preside. The January Holy Hour is on Wednesday, January 22, 2020. Thank you to the Serra Club for continuing to host our monthly Holy …

Advent Discernment Retreat – December 21, 2019

How does one become a Father? Unmarried men of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, between the ages of 15-35, are invited to a one day retreat hosted by the Office of Vocations. The Advent Discernment Retreat is for any man seeking to grow in his identity before the Father and discernment of God’s call. The …

National Vocation Awareness Week

The Office of Vocations invites you to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life during National Vocation Awareness Week, November 3-8, 2019. The theme for this year is Family: The Foundation for Vocations. Vocation Awareness Week is an opportunity to promote a culture of vocations across the Diocese. We would like to designate …

Chosen by Him – A Day of Reflection & Discernment for Women

The Office of Vocations will host Chosen by Him – A Day of Reflection & Discernment for Women on Saturday, October 26, 2019 from 10am until 2pm at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg. Hear the stories of the women religious who have courageously served in the Diocese of St. Petersburg! …

Brother Lucius Amarillas, O.S.B., to Profess Solemn Vows on July 14

Brother Lucius Amarillas, O.S.B., a junior Benedictine monk of Saint Leo Abbey, will profess solemn vows during Mass at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 14, 2019, at Saint Leo Abbey.  Professing solemn vows will bind Brother Lucius to the monastery and the Benedictine order for the remainder of his life. All are invited to attend …

Three New Priests Are Ordained for the Diocese of St. Petersburg

After many years of preparation through prayer, study and discernment, Anthony Astrab, Ralph D’Elia and Joshua Hare were ordained to the Catholic priesthood on May 18, 2019 at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in front of nearly 1,000 friends, family and supporters. All three were born in the Tampa Bay area. (Click here …

Ordinations to the Priesthood on Saturday, May 18

Bishop Parkes will ordain Deacon Anthony Astrab, Deacon Ralph D’Elia and Deacon Joshua Hare to the priesthood on Saturday, May 18, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. All are invited to attend this joyous occasion! Scroll to the bottom of this page to see videos of the three deacons …

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

World Day of Prayer for Vocations is recognized on Sunday, May 12, 2019.  The message for the 2019 World Day of Prayer for Vocations is entitled “The Courage to Take a Risk for God’s Promise”  To read Pope Francis’ message, in its entirety,  in English, please click here and in Spanish please click here The purpose of the …

Transitional Deacon Ordinations

On Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 11:00 am, Connor Penn and Drew Woodke will be ordained transitional deacons for the Diocese of St. Petersburg.  The ordination will take place at 11:00 am in Boca Raton!  All are invited to participate by watching the live video stream here. Please keep Connor and Drew in your prayers!

Celebrating Women Religious During National Catholic Sisters Week

National Catholic Sisters Week (NCSW) is an annual celebration that takes place from March 8 through March 14. Created to honor women religious, it is a week to bring greater focus and attention to the lives of these incredible women and to recognize all they have done for their communities, the world, and the Church.  …

900 Students Learn About Vocations at Fun, Focus 11 Event

Over 900 sixth graders from Catholic schools across the five counties of the Diocese of St. Petersburg participated in the annual Focus 11 program February 12 -13 at St. Lawrence Parish in Tampa. A major part of this vocations awareness retreat is hearing from men and women who have said yes to God’s call to …

Annual Vocations Workshop (Date Has Changed!)

We have postponed the Vocations Workshop that was scheduled for Saturday, January 19, 2019.  The new date is Saturday, February 23, 2019!  The workshop will be at the Bethany Center in Lutz.  The day will begin with mass at 9:00 am in the St. James Chapel, followed by check-in.  The day will conclude at 2:00 pm. Our theme this …

National Vocation Awareness Week

National Vocation Awareness Week is November 4-10, 2018. The theme for this year is Building a Vocation Culture in Today’s Church. Here are some resources for parishes to use, more are available online (see link below). Prayers of the Faithful: For young people in our community that they may respond generously with open hearts and willing …

John 21 Discernment Group, November 24, 2018

The next meeting of the John 21 Discernment group is Saturday, November 24, 2018 beginning with mass at 8:30 am. This group meets at St. Lawrence Parish in Tampa (5225 N. Himes Avenue, Tampa, FL 33614). John 21 is a discernment group for young men who are reflecting on God’s call in their lives and are considering the …

National Vocation Awareness Week Encourages Young People to Encounter Christ’s Call

The Catholic Church in the United States will celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week, November 4-10. This annual event is a special time for parishes in the U.S. to foster a culture of vocations for the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life. Pope Francis, in his message for the 2018 World Day of Vocations, emphasized that it …

Family Faith Fest

Mark your calendar! Join Bishop Parkes to celebrate our 50th Anniversary at the Family Faith Fest at Al Lopez Park in Tampa on October 27, 2018! This FREE event will have live music, fun activities for kids and adults alike, opportunities for worship (Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, Mass) and fellowship! Visit http://www.familyfaithfest.org to plan your day and …

Seminarian Ralph D’Elia Ordained a Deacon

Our seminarian Ralph D’Elia was ordained a deacon on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. He is called a transitional deacon, meaning that he will be ordained a priest, God-willing, in May of 2019. Deacon Ralph is from St. Timothy Parish in Lutz. He is a fourth generation Tampa native. After experiencing …

Congratulations Deacon Ralph D’Elia

Congratulations to our seminarian, Ralph D’Elia, who was ordained a transitional deacon on Thursday, September 27, 2018 in Rome. Bishop Gregory Parkes, Fr. Carl Melchior, Director of Vocations, Fr. Ken Malley, Pastor, St. Timothy Parish (Ralph’s home parish) were present for the ordination, as well as Ralph’s family and several priests from the Diocese of St. …

Sr. Helen Lange Continues to Be a Gift on her 105th Birthday

Sister Helen Lange, a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida in Saint Leo, Florida,  celebrates her 105th Birthday on Friday, September 28, 2018. She came to our community from Rowena, Texas in 1930 with cousins who would also join us – Sister Pauline and Sister Irma in 1930.  Throughout her life here, Sister Helen …

U.S. Bishop Delegates Approved for Upcoming Synod on Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment

Pope Francis has ratified the members elected by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to represent the United States at the upcoming XV Ordinary General Assembly: Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment.  The Synod will take place October 3-28. The delegates are: Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, President of the United …

The Diocese of St. Petersburg Establishes the Nazareth House of Formation

This summer, the Diocese of St. Petersburg is introducing the Nazareth House, a new summer residence for seminarians to grow in faith and community while serving others. The house is named after the town where Jesus lived during his youth and young adult years. “Nazareth is where our Lord grew and was formed for public …

Collection on Dec. 9-10 Helps Aging Sisters, Brothers and Priests in Religious Orders

Catholics in the Diocese of St. Petersburg will have the opportunity to “give to those who have given a lifetime” as part of the collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious, to be held in parishes Dec. 9-10. Coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) in Washington, D.C., the annual appeal benefits 32,000 elderly …

You Are Invited to Celebrate with Religious Jubilarians

On Sunday, October 29, 2017, the Diocese of St. Petersburg will celebrate the religious Jubilees of fourteen men and women who have reached milestones in their commitment to the Church and to their Congregations. Representing a total of 910 years of consecrated service to the Church and the people of God, the religious will renew their …

Adrian Dominican Sisters Who Served in St. Petersburg Celebrate Jubilees

Adrian Dominican Sisters from throughout the United States came home to their Motherhouse in Adrian, Michigan, for a special week this summer to mark their Jubilees, their years of service and dedication to their Church and the Congregation. The 2016 Jubilee Class includes nine Sisters serving 75 years; 22 celebrating 70 years; 41 celebrating 60 …

Brother Lucius Amarillas Professes Simple Vow at Saint Leo Abbey Church

Brother Lucius Amarillas made his first monastic profession of simple vows at Saint Leo Abbey Church on July 11. The Right Reverend Abbot Isaac Camacho, OSB, celebrated the Mass and the Benedictine rite of Simple Profession. He was welcomed by his family, friends, members of the Benedictine Monks of Saint Leo Abbey, and the Saint …

Vocation Awareness Workshop

VOCATION AWARENESS WORKSHOP The Office of Vocations would like to invite all who are interested in promoting vocation awareness to a special workshop, Creating a Culture of Vocations By Living a Life of Joy and Fulfillment. Location:    Bethany Center, 18150 Bethany Center Dr., Lutz, FL 33558 Date:            Saturday, January 23, 2016, from 8:00a.m. ? 1:30 …

Retirement Fund for Religious Benefits 33,000 Sisters, Brothers, Priests in Religious Orders

The annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection will be held Dec. 12-13 in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Now in its 28th year, the appeal is coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) and offers support for senior Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests whose communities lack sufficient retirement funding. Some 33,000 women …

Monk Ordained as Catholic Priest During Feast of Saint Leo Mass

ST. LEO, FL — The annual Feast of Saint Leo Mass included a special component this year for the Saint Leo University community as one of the Benedictine Monks of Saint Leo Abbey was ordained. The Most Reverend Robert Lynch celebrated the Mass on November 10 at the Abbey Church along with concelebrant Abbot Isaac …

Sister Elizabeth Mathai, O.S.B., Made Her Perpetual Monastic Profession

Sister Elizabeth Mathai, O.S.B., made her perpetual monastic commitment on April 11, 2015. The solemn ceremony took place at Holy Name Monastery with Mass celebrated by Abbot Isaac J. Camacho, OSB. Sister’s celebration began with the entrance procession and the ancient monastic tradition of statio which provides a moment of silence and recollection to center …