The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on March 2, 2022. This forty day season is a time when Christians prepare their hearts and reflect more deeply on their baptismal call to continuing conversion through the disciplines of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Masses throughout the season of Lent emphasize the baptismal and penitential aspects […]
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 […]
WASHINGTON— El 2 de marzo, el obispo Kevin C. Rhoades de Fort Wayne-South Bend, presidente del Comité de Doctrina y el arzobispo Joseph F. Naumann de Kansas City en Kansas, presidente del Comité de Actividades Pro-Vida de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Estados Unidos (USCCB), emitieron una declaración sobre la vacuna Johnson & Johnson […]
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 […]
Businesses are navigating the re-opening of the economy following shutdowns prompted by the COVID-19 pandemics. To assist those facing challenges and looking for new opportunities, Saint Leo University will a free, four-part webinar series, Business Reimagined: Insights for Small Businesses in the COVID-19 Landscape, for Tampa-area businesses beginning at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 20. The […]
Initial Plans are to Start with Daily Mass After prayerful and careful consideration of the guidelines and recommendations put forth by local government and health officials, Bishop Gregory Parkes has announced that the public celebration of Mass will resume in the Diocese of St. Petersburg starting on Monday, May 11, 2020. Initially, parishes are permitted […]
A Message from Bishop Parkes (PDF available in English and Spanish) In light of the governor’s recent announcement to begin the process of reopening Florida, I wanted to share with you an update on when we might gather together again for Mass. Please know that I would like nothing more than to resume gathering publicly […]
For Joshua, who is unemployed and homeless, Catholic Charities represents the difference between hope and despair. “I feel safe here,” says Joshua, 23, who is a resident of the newly established Catholic Charities Hillsborough Hope homeless shelter, located in Tampa. Before arriving at the shelter, that some call a tent city, Joshua had been living […]
On May 6, 2018, when Bishop Gregory Parkes consecrated the Diocese of St. Petersburg to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Cathedral of St. Jude was standing room only, full of the faithful who gathered and joined their voices in prayer. This year, when Bishop Parkes celebrates the Consecration Renewal Mass, the Cathedral pews may […]
It’s possible that the Catholic Student Union at USF has never been more grateful for technology. When the coronavirus pandemic began to affect the U.S., face-to-face ministry was no longer an option. The CSU had to go virtual, shifting the entirety of their ministry to an online format. As with all that God has his […]
When asked if she had ever livestreamed before, Mary Chapman, Director of Faith Formation at St. Theresa in Spring Hill, answered with a humble and direct “no.” In recent weeks, churches everywhere have had to learn how to livestream Masses, prayers, and other events. Although she had no previous experience, Mary and her colleague, Bruce […]
If Barb Caleca closes her eyes during the Prince of Peace livestreamed Mass and hears the familiar voices of the priests and cantor, she says she can almost imagine being present in the church, in the same pew where she and her husband have sat every week for the last six years. Though grateful for the […]
Susana Caruso has been a parishioner at Our Lady of the Rosary in Land O’ Lakes for 11 years. Since she and her family are unable to physically go to church because of the pandemic, she has embraced the call to nurture the domestic church. What is the domestic church? In a 1995 homily, Pope […]
All are invited to attend Rediscovering Fortitude: Courage for Uncertain Times, a Ministry of Mercy online retreat on Saturday, April 25, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.. The retreat will be led by Dr. Mary Carter, a pastoral theologian and dedicated teacher. Registration is free and a secure Zoom link will be sent to […]
In keeping with the directives and guidelines from our government and public health authorities, Bishop Gregory Parkes has directed that all Catholic School and Early Childhood centers will be closed to students through the end of the 2019-20 academic year. All schools will conduct online/virtual learning for the remainder of the academic year. Currently, diocesan […]
Find the latest information from Catholic Charities on their website. For the time being (at least through April 30), Catholic Charities has closed its offices – see below for details on individual appointments Catholic Charities offices hours – All offices are now closed in compliance with Federal, State and Local requirements to maintain social distance and […]
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We are living through a difficult time. Many of you have concerns about health, finances, family and even your faith. I know, from the depths of my heart, how difficult it is for you to be separated from the Holy Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith. That’s […]
Normally Full Churches will be Empty as Public Gatherings are Restricted to Stop the Spread of COVID-19 Holy Week and Easter celebrations with Bishop Gregory Parkes can be viewed via Livestream, Sunday, April 5 – Saturday, April 12, 2020. These celebrations will be streamed from the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg […]
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St.Petersburg, in partnership with the City of Tampa, opened a shelter (Hillsborough Hope) for homeless residents of Tampa on vacant land owned by Catholic Charities on March 30, 2020. Due to the risk posed by the coronavirus, city officials decided to relocate homeless residents in order to provide the […]
One of the most heartbreaking realities for Christians during the COVID – 19 Coronavirus pandemic is the suspension of the public celebration of the Liturgies of Holy Week. This reality will certainly bring a void; however, it does not mean that, we as Christians, cannot participate in a meaningful way. Below are some suggestions for […]
At the Angelus on Sunday, March 22nd, Pope Francis announced that this coming Friday, March 27th, at 6:00 pm Rome time (1:00 p.m local time), the Pope will preside over a moment of prayer on the sagrata of Saint Peter’s Basilica, before the empty square. He invites everyone to participate spiritually through the means of communication. There […]
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I realize that for many of you, Saturday evening and Sunday are times when you would normally go to your local parish for Mass. Unfortunately, as we know, these days are anything but normal. However, as your bishop, I want to assure you of a few things. First, even […]
March 18, 2020 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As you are aware, because of the fluid and unprecedented nature of the Coronavirus crisis, our response to the threat posed by the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States has been to closely monitor the guidance of government leaders and public health officials, and to make […]
Florida Commencement Ceremonies Postponed, Rescheduled for June 1 ST. LEO, FL – Saint Leo University officials have decided to extend the university’s online course delivery for the remainder of the spring terms and will postpone Florida commencement ceremonies. After hearing the recommendation of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to the state universities, Saint Leo has followed suit. […]
We are continuing to follow the guidance from the CDC and public health organizations as we make decisions about how best to move forward with regard to the coronavirus (Covid-19). This memo amends the earlier one sent on Friday, March 13 by extending the closure of Catholic Schools through March 27. After prayerful consideration, Bishop […]
Dear Friends of Catholic Charities: I am reaching out to our clients, our supporters (funders, donors, volunteers), vendors, colleagues and board members, community and government partners, parishioners, and members of the broader community, to share what Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg is doing in response to unprecedented health risk posed by the Corona Virus […]
In an abundance of caution for students, employees and vulnerable populations Bishop Gregory Parkes has directed that all Catholic school and Early Childhood center buildings will be closed to students from Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20, 2020. March 16-17 had previously been scheduled as days off for students. Virtual learning will be conducted […]
In general, as a rule of thumb, if the Public Schools are closed, parish Faith Formation programs should be closed as well, but that has always been for weather emergencies; this is a whole new situation without precedent. In the next day or so the Office of Evangelization, Formation, Youth & Family Life will be recommending […]
Below is a letter distributed by Bishop Gregory Parkes on March 13, 2020, regarding a dispensation for Catholics in the Diocese of St. Petersburg from Universal Ecclesiastical Laws. Click here to view the letter as a PDF. (View Spanish PDF here.) Dear Faithful of the Diocese of St. Petersburg As your Bishop, in collaboration […]
“[Pope Francis] offered a prayer to the Virgin Mary on Wednesday, [March 11, 2020], in a video message to mark the Diocese of Rome’s day of prayer and fasting for the coronavirus emergency. The video was broadcast at the opening of a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, the diocesan vicar, at the Sanctuary […]
Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has issued the following regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19): “With the worldwide outbreak of the coronavirus, we are confronted once more with the fragility of our lives, and again we are reminded of our common humanity; that the peoples of this world […]
Residential Students are to Remain Home, and Classes Resume Online March 23; Education Centers Move to Online-Only Classes on March 16 ST. LEO, FL – Saint Leo University has decided to make adjustments to university operations and move to online classes. The university is following guidance issued to the state universities in Florida regarding the coronavirus. Saint Leo’s students at […]
On March 11, 2020, Bishop Larkin Catholic School in Port Richey was notified that a parent of a student had tested positive for Coronavirus. The parent is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials. The child has not been present at school since last Friday, March 6. The family […]
In light of new concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus and because of our Church’s fervent respect for the dignity and value of human life, Bishop Gregory Parkes has issued three new directives to protect the health and safety of churchgoers in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. (Spanish documents are available in Word or PDF.) Effective […]
In response to recent concerns over the spread of Coronavirus, the Diocese of St. Petersburg has prepared guidelines for parishes, schools and families to help our communities to take the necessary steps for the safety of all. Our response is focused on prevention, precautions and prayer. Many of these guidelines are based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention […]