Lay Leaders Complete Formation
June 23, 2023

In an evening prayer service at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle on June 20, 2023 at 7:00 p.m., Bishop Emeritus Robert N. Lynch presented eight 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 …

National Black Catholic Men’s Conference
August 23, 2022

19th Annual National Black Catholic Men’s Conference 2022- Indianapolis, Indiana October 13th-16th, 2022 Theme: “We Were Made for More Joshua 1:9” REGISTRATION FEE: Adult $150.00 Adult Early Bird (Deadline September 1, 2022) $100.00 Youth and High School $65.00 The conference registration fee includes lunch on Saturday Room Reservations contact: Spring Hill Suites by Marriott Room …

National Black Catholic Congress XIII – “Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive
August 23, 2022

The National Black Catholic Congress announces the date and theme for Congress XIII. Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive After much prayerful consideration, the theme for Congress XIII is “Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive.” The theme is based on Habakkuk 2:2-4, “Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write down the …

Equipped for the Job
March 24, 2021

An integral part of our diocesan vision to courageously live the Gospel is to equip our people as Missionary Disciples inspired to invite and accompany others in their journey to Christ. The question is, in times when we are encouraged to maintain distance, how do you accomplish this? The Office of Evangelization & Missionary Discipleship …

Young Adult Becomes Catholic Before Leaving for Military Service
March 22, 2021

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 …

“I Needed a Savior”
March 18, 2021

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 …

Celebrate the Year of the Family
March 18, 2021

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’ …

Hope in the Lord
February 3, 2021

The theme for the 2021 Annual Pastoral Appeal is “Hope in the Lord”, inspired by Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Through hope, we find strength, …

Saint Leo University Partners with Sacred Heart Parish to Make Youth Ministry a Priority
September 16, 2020

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 …

Being A Good Samaritan
August 4, 2020

“This is one of my favorite weeks of the year.”  That’s what one of the students, Mikayla Croissant, said after experiencing a week long local mission trip that 20 students from St. Timothy Youth Ministry attend in June 2020.  We joined other students from all over the Diocese in a program called the Good Samaritan …

New Young Adult Ministry in St. Petersburg Mixes Faith and Friendship
February 5, 2020

A new group in St. Petersburg is providing opportunities for local young adults to stay connected to the Church and each other. In the past few months, they have hosted an All Saint’s Day bonfire, an Advent Young Adult Mission, Meals After Mass, and other monthly events where young people gather in fellowship and prayer. …

Good Samaritan Project
January 15, 2019

  Summer of Service – Over 300 Catholic Teens Make a Difference More than 300 teens representing 19 schools and parishes in Tampa Bay chose to spend part of their summer vacation serving others as part of the Good Samaritan Project organized by the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg Youth and Young Adult Ministry Office. The students volunteered June …

Local Pilgrims to See the Pope in Panama for World Youth Day
January 11, 2019

Youth and young adults from the Tampa Bay area are about to experience a life-changing event: World Youth Day in Panama, January 22-27. This encounter with the pope, Jesus and thousands of other Catholics is a time of deep and spiritual renewal. More than 200,000 participants from 155 countries are expected at this year’s World …

Youth and Young Adult Ministry Office Seeks to Align with Courageously Living the Gospel
January 3, 2019

A major focus of our mutually-shared vision is to accompany youth and young adults to help them be courageous in their faith. Ryan Phelan, the Diocesan Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry is tasked with helping parishes understand this process of accompaniment that is highlighted in the Vision. Pope Francis has often spoken about …

National Youth Ministers’ Conference to be Held in Tampa – Priests Attend for Free
September 17, 2018

The Diocese of St. Petersburg is hosting the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry for the first time ever. The conference is organized by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry and is held every two years to form, inspire and strengthen youth ministers and all who seek to accompany young people as they encounter …

Teens Make a Difference During Week One of the Good Samaritan Project
July 2, 2018

Teens from around Tampa Bay have chosen to spend part of their summer vacation serving others as part of the Good Samaritan Project (GSP), a week-long service retreat located in our diocese. During GSP, middle and high school teens from around the Diocese work, pray, and have fun together for the betterment of the community and …