Two University of South Florida students, Elizabeth Cottle and Amelia Becerra, spent five weeks of their summer in Saint Paul’s Outreach (SPO) Leader Internship program in Minnesota. The Leader Internship program is a one-month immersion experience to equip students for lifelong mission on campus and beyond. After the program, participants are ready and equipped to …
Participate in a Free Virtual Conference August 12-15 The Diocese of St. Petersburg is blessed to be joining forces with dioceses across the Southeast U.S. for an inspiring four-day virtual event that is absolutely free! Topics are designed to help us learn best practices for evangelization and passing on the faith within our homes, churches, …
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By Christina Lee Knauss Catholic News Service Teresa Rojo Tsosie’s Catholic faith is one of the most important parts of her life, but she has often felt that as a Native American Catholic, her voice wasn’t being considered or heard by the church as a whole. Tsosie, who works for St. Jude Catholic Church in …
Continue reading “Journeying Together Seen as Opportunity to be Heard, Respected by Church”
Over 70 children and their families attended a free event at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Seminole recently that included a picnic and a backpack giveaway. The event was organized by members of the Knights of Columbus and the Institute of Charity who have been collecting school supplies and filling the backpacks for weeks. “We felt …
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A Time for Small Acts of Kindness (CNS) — Try a little tenderness. That’s basically how Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, 73, summarized Pope Francis’ vision for what older people, their grandchildren and friends should do to change the world after the COVID-19 pandemic. The cardinal, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life, …
Continue reading “How to Observe World Day for Grandparents and Elderly”
For two years, Jose Posada has relied on services provided by Catholic Charities at the La Esperanza Free Medical Clinic in Wimauma. Without this assistance, he would have had to face his medical condition alone and his health would likely have deteriorated. “My medical condition has been very difficult, but I have hope. Catholic Charities …
Continue reading “Ribbon-Cutting Celebrates More Access to Healthcare in Southeast Hillsborough”
Mary Perez has faced many challenges in her life. She is a cancer survivor, disabled and requires the assistance of a mobility scooter because she is unable to walk. She has also been homeless. Despite these and other difficulties, she never lost faith in God. “I always trusted in God,” said Perez. Her life changed …
One of Several in the Works Related to Courageously Living the Gospel Bishop Gregory Parkes joined Catholic Charities, as well as city and county leaders on April 28th to bless the construction site of the future Mercy Oaks Apartments, an affordable housing initiative of Courageously Living the Gospel. “We believe as a church that this …
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When Deacon Israel “Izzie” Hernandez is ordained on May 15, the pews at the Cathedral will be filled with his mother, father, two sisters, and family from Puerto Rico, with even more across the country able to watch via livestream. Their support and prayers have meant so much to Deacon Izzie during the past seven …
In spite of many obstacles caused by COVID-19, there are hundreds of individuals in the Diocese of St Petersburg who have been moved by the Holy Spirit to say “Yes” to becoming Catholic this year. Everyone has a unique faith story, including Adam Finley. The 21-year-old was baptized, confirmed and received first Holy Communion on …
Continue reading “Young Adult Becomes Catholic Before Leaving for Military Service”
Caption: Jessica signs the Book of the Elect during the Rite of Election in Nativity’s Chapel on the First Sunday of Lent signifying her readiness to be fully initiated into the Body of Christ this Easter Vigil. Up until a year and a half ago, Jessica Spencer says the last place she thought she would …
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Caption: Joshua, 30, signs the Book of the Elect during the Rite of Election on the 1st Sunday of Lent. With him David Devore, RCIA Coordinator, St, Mark the Evangelist Parish. Joshua Jeffries says he remembers the exact moment he encountered Christ on a chapel floor in Kentucky while participating in a program meant to …
Sharvil Verma was born in India to a Hindu family and as a child he started to have doubts about his faith and about the existence of God. From the age of 10 until he was 22, Verma said he became aggressive towards God and sought to prove He was not there. “I didn’t feel …
Continue reading “Becoming Catholic: A USF Student’s Conversion Story”
Marking the fifth anniversary of the Apostolic Exhortation, Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love), Pope Francis has asked the Church to celebrate the family. The “Year of Amoris Laetitia Family” is meant to be an opportunity for reflection on the important role of families, which has been highlighted during the COVID pandemic. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ …
Cheryl Jane Miller is an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion at St. Matthew Parish in Largo. She brings communion to the local nursing homes and she is a Bible study small group leader with SEASONS (Sisters Encouraging And Sharing ON Scriptures). But she wasn’t always so active in ministry and for many years she let …
As a member of the Holy Family, St. Joseph is a powerful intercessor when it comes to marriage, children and family life. And while many parishes are offering opportunities to learn more about this incredible saint during the Year of St. Joseph, the community at St. Joseph Parish in Tampa is quite literally inviting him …
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The Office of Communications has developed an initiative to welcome people back to Mass. Welcoming You invites each person to encounter the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. A priority for Courageously Living the Gospel is to welcome and accompany others like Jesus. As Catholics, we are called to reach out to those not …
Saint Leo University is presenting a free webinar series, “Courageous Conversations,” a six-part series examining social justice issues from different perspectives across multiple disciplines. The public is invited, and it is not necessary to attend all sessions, but everyone is invited to do so. The series is focusing on social justice issues and topics included …
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When the pain of past hurts is weighing a person down, the Church invites the faithful to give their burdens to Christ and to experience true freedom. The ministry of Unbound provides a pathway for this type of healing. St. Lawrence Parish in Tampa is offering Unbound for the first time ever this month. Amy …
Continue reading “Ministry Points the Way to Peace and Healing”
Bishop Gregory Parkes will celebrate the first-ever Diocesan Mass for Life with youth from around the Diocese of St. Petersburg on Friday, January 22 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, St. Petersburg. January 22nd is the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in the U.S. Our youth will not …
“What I found through Alpha is what my purpose is for my life,” said Kitty Whitehurst. “And I believe that for those who are open, that is what is revealed.” Although she had left the Church as a young adult, Kitty was a faithful, practicing Catholic when she heard about the Alpha ministry at St. …
Throughout almost 50 years of nursing, Robyn Kremer had the desire to combine her work with her faith, to care for the body and the soul. Now she can live out this calling at her parish, Blessed Sacrament in Seminole with the launch of a new ministry, Faith Community Nursing. After her retirement two years …
Continue reading “Healing Ministry Seeks to Meet Emotional, Physical and Spiritual Needs”
As 2020 comes to a close, the Diocese of St. Petersburg is taking a look back at this tumultuous year and thanking God for the grace to stand firm in the faith, courageous and strong. Click on video box above or here to view the video. Do you recognize the photos in the video? The …
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Dave and Lucy Snyder of Nativity Parish have been married 53 years and they have a large and loving family. But they still face challenges in this modern, fast-paced world that is plagued by a pandemic, culture-clashes and division. Recently, they joined more than 30 other participants for a national training on Family Ministry to …
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Lily Hughson feels at home at Corpus Christi Parish in Temple Terrace and is working hard so that local teenagers feel at home too. “I am far away from my family in Colombia, but I have found a family here,” said Lily who joined the parish in 1989 and soon after became a volunteer catechist. …
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Thanks to the dedication of the people at St. Vincent de Paul CARES, U.S. veteran Ed Merrick will have a home for the holidays. Merrick is one of the first residents of Ozanam Village II, an affordable housing community in New Port Richey for people who are homeless and in need of ongoing support and …
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Brande Sanders looks forward to her monthly ‘Girls’ Night’ when she meets with friends, enjoys a glass of wine, shares stories of life and moments of laughter, worry, joy and prayer. What makes this monthly gathering unique is that it takes place around the fire pit at St. Anthony the Abbot Parish in Brooksville …
Continue reading “Community, Faith and Family are Celebrated Around the Fire”
(Photo above shows Father Mike Smith of Corpus Christi Parish in the protective gear that priests wear when ministering to the ill during COVID-19.) Being admitted to the hospital for an illness, surgery or procedure can be traumatic, especially during a pandemic when loved ones are prevented or restricted from visiting hospitals and recovery centers. …
Continue reading “Priests Minister to the Sick During Pandemic and Offer the Healing Love of Christ”
Toni Martin was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago and one year later she founded the St. Mark the Evangelist Cancer Support Ministry. She has gone through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation and she is still on medication to treat her illness. The 70-year-old was determined not to let cancer control her life but instead, …
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Each morning, Jenny Noalsco wakes up, prepares for the day, and brings her coffee to a corner of her house where she sits before an image of the Blessed Mother, says her prayers, and consecrates her day. She writes down her joys, accomplishments, struggles and concerns and makes them an offering to Mary. Even now …
Continue reading “Marian Home Shrines Inspire a Life of Holiness and Prayer”
By the time Yvonne Nellum listens to the Gospel during Mass, it’s the third time she has heard it that week. Yvonne first reads the Gospel on Wednesday, then reads and discusses it during Thursday night Bible Study organized by her parish, St. Peter Claver in Tampa. Finally, she hears the Gospel proclaimed by the …
On October 20th, Bishop Gregory Parkes blessed a new medical facility that helps homeless men and women on the road to recovery. The BayCare Medical Respite Program located at Pinellas Hope of Catholic Charities, provides housing, medications and other health care services to support patients in need of medical care. After being discharged from one …
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Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Petersburg recently received a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant of $2 million dollars to increase its rapid rehousing program assistance offered through Pathways, a lifeline for families and individuals who are either recently homeless or on the verge of homelessness. The program is designed to …
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On July 9, after attending Mass faithfully for the past twenty years, Dustin Johnson was received into Full Communion with the Catholic Church at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Trinity. During this celebration, he gave a profession of faith, received the Sacrament of Confirmation, and then received Holy Communion for the first time. His …
Continue reading “A Unique Approach Encourages Missionary Disciples”
Christ the King Parish in Tampa is leading men “Into the Breach.” That’s the name of a formational program developed by the Knights of Columbus that urges Catholic men to wholeheartedly embrace masculine virtues in a world in crisis. The program is based on an Apostolic Exhortation written by Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix who …
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To a newcomer, it would be easy to feel lost in the crowd in a parish as large as St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in Spring Hill. That is even more true today, with masks hiding welcoming smiles and social distancing keeping friendly gestures at arm’s length. But for Father David DeJulio, pastor, the parish is …
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Isabella Jacus is entering her senior year at Saint Leo University. In addition to carrying a full course load as a double major in biology and religion, she is also working 12 hours a week as a science tutor and has leadership roles in the Pre-Med Club, the National Leadership Honor Society and the Biology …
Shortly after Bishop Gregory Parkes was installed as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg on January 4, 2017, people began to ask about his vision for the Diocese. Bishop Parkes set out to learn from the priests, religious, deacons, employees, and parishioners about their hopes and concerns. Through listening sessions, gatherings and …
Continue reading “A Journey of Courage and Faith: Two-Year Update From Bishop Gregory Parkes”
The ability to livestream at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Land O’ Lakes was no small feat. Prior to the shut-down, they didn’t even own the necessary equipment. It was thanks to a team of dedicated parishioners, the “Stream Team,” that in just over two weeks the parish was unveiling their new YouTube …
On Saturday, July 25, Rosie Burton and two other individuals received the Sacraments of Initiation, (Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion) at St. Raphael Parish and became Catholic. It was a joyous event, although the celebration looked different than what was expected. Their special day had been postponed from the Easter Vigil due to the …
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In 2019, parishes in the Diocese of St. Petersburg took the Disciple Maker Index survey and utilized the information they received to develop pastoral plans in union with the diocesan vision, Courageously Living the Gospel. Recently, I checked back with two of the parishes to see how they are doing today. I was not surprised …
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Due to COVID-19, Catholic Charities has expanded its ability to help people in need of rent and utility assistance. Approximately 500 more people will be assisted so they can keep on their lights and air conditioning and stay in their homes. “Our Pathways Program provides rent and utilities assistance. We have various funding sources that …
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Faced with homelessness after a house fire, Catholic Charities’ homeless shelter in Tampa became a saving grace for Kishada. After living in her car for months, Kishada came to the shelter feeling anxious, but her experience there led her down a positive and restorative path. The 60-day emergency shelter dubbed “Hillsborough Hope” provided housing to …
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While the world has been practicing social distancing over the past several months, students at St. Joan of Arc high school youth group have been growing closer than ever. This is partly due to the creativity and adaptability of youth minister Nancy Lovelock who has taken to social media and virtual meetings to keep the …
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In the past year, the Sunday Faith Formation program at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish was adding one to two new families each week and nearly 100 women signed up for the Walking with Purpose Bible Study – more than three times the attendance of previous years. There is a growing number of men joining …
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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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“Just give it a year.” These are the words that Israel “Izzie” Hernandez clearly heard the Lord speak to him during Eucharistic Adoration the summer after he graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing. “Before I started thinking about priesthood, all I wanted was to find a good …
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 …
Continue reading “Drive-thru Confession Offers Mercy and Peace to Parishioners”
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 …
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Mary Andrysiak has been at Sacred Heart Parish for five years and her notion of church has always revolved around her own parish community, until now. She has broadened her understanding of church by serving on a committee for Courageously Living the Gospel. “It’s not just within our own parish that we are called to …
Continue reading “Parishes Join Efforts for Community Education Project”
More than 1,000 people gathered at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle on March 1 to support friends, family and loved ones who have made the life-changing decision to become Catholic during a 90-minute prayer service known as the Rite of Election. The Church formally recognizes individuals who have been preparing for the Sacraments …
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Every Friday, young adults from around Tampa Bay gather for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament to spend time with the Lord. These faith-filled Catholics are members of Apostles of the Eucharist, a ministry based out of St. Paul Catholic Church in Tampa. They also gather weekly for snacks, faith sharing, fellowship and formation. Most of …
Continue reading “Nourished by the Eucharist, Young Adults Thrive in Faith”
Mary Palamar has been a champion for anti-human trafficking efforts for over 15 years. Her passion for spreading awareness about the topic, coupled with her courageous faith, drove her to get involved with the Peace and Justice Committee at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in New Port Richey. The ministry developed because of a …
Continue reading “Local Women Step Out in Faith To Combat Human Trafficking”