Apply Now for 2020 CRS Rice Bowl Mini Grants
September 16, 2019

The Office of Life, Justice and Advocacy is pleased to announce the beginning of our annual grant process for funding hunger and poverty alleviation efforts in the Diocese.  Ministries from parishes, schools, and other diocesan entities can apply for up to $1,000.00 to assist with programming and advocacy efforts to eradicate hunger. Twenty-five percent of …

Parishes Gather for Ministries of Mercy Annual Event
August 23, 2019

Representatives from various Ministries of Mercy initiatives and programs around the Diocese of St. Petersburg gathered on August 17, 2019 for the annual Ministries of Mercy Mass and Luncheon at the Bethany Center in Lutz. The purpose of the event is to thank these leaders for their faithful service, update them on diocesan initiatives and …

Foundations of Life Brings Hope & Healing to Women while Honoring the Sacredness of Life
August 23, 2019

In what seemed a crushing blow to the pro-life movement, earlier this year states began to pass laws that permit unrestricted access to abortion. But according to Rose Llauget, there is still reason for hope. “These laws are accelerating the end to abortion because even the staunchest pro-abortion supporter realizes that this is too far,” …

U.S. Bishops Release Statement on the Federal Government’s Decision to Resume the Use of the Death Penalty
July 30, 2019

Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of the Diocese of Venice and Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development has issued a statement on the federal government’s decision to resume the use of the death penalty. The full statement follows: “In his address to Congress during his 2015 Apostolic visit to the …

Save the Date and Save a Life: Attend the Foundations of Life Gala on November 16th
July 25, 2019

Join Bishop Gregory Parkes and pro-life supporters from across the Diocese of St. Petersburg for the Foundations of Life Gala & Silent Auction on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at the beautiful Higgins Hall (5225 North Himes Avenue, Tampa). This extraordinary evening of hope will feature guest speaker Melissa Ohden, an abortion survivor …

A Statement from Bishop Parkes on the Immigration Crisis in the U.S.
July 18, 2019

 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,  The Catholic Church recognizes the right of sovereign nations to control its borders and our Church also teaches that the basic human rights of each person should never be violated. That is why the images we have seen and the stories we have heard recently about immigrants arriving in …

USCCB President Condemns Threat of Widespread Enforcement Actions and New Rule Drastically Limiting Asylum
July 16, 2019

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, made the following statement in response to the climate of fear created by the Department of Homeland Security’s announced immigration enforcement actions and the Administration’s new Interim Final Rule to drastically limit asylum, which was published today: (Click here to download a PDF of …

Catholic Bishops Urge Governor DeSantis to Spare the Life of Death Row Inmate
July 9, 2019

Floridians Pray for an End to the Use of the Death Penalty Robert Joseph “Bobby Joe” Long is scheduled to be executed on Thursday, May 23 at 6:00 p.m. for the 1984 murder of Michelle Sims. Long additionally pled guilty to, and received life sentences for, seven other murders. In a May 20 letter to …

Creating on the Margins Art Contest Is Accepting Submissions
July 9, 2019

Each year, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops offers a Creating on the Margins contest to help schools and parishes engage youth in learning about the root causes of poverty and the Church’s response. The theme of this year’s contest, “A Time to Heal Racism,” invites Catholic youth in grades 7-12 to respond to racism …

USCCB Migration Chairman Endorses Proposed Senate Legislation That Gives Permanent Legal Protection to Dreamers and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Holders
April 11, 2019

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Migration endorsed the “Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors” (DREAM) Act of 2019, S. 874 and the “Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression & Emergency” (SECURE) Act of 2019, S. 879. The DREAM Act of 2019 would provide permanent legal protection and a pathway …

Chairman of US Bishops Pro Life Committee Issues Statement on Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
April 8, 2019

On April 2, U.S. Representative Steve Scalise filed a discharge petition to force a vote on Representative Ann Wagner’s bill, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. If the petition receives 218 signatures, House members will vote on legislation ensuring that any child born alive following an abortion attempt receives the same degree of care as …

Pro-life Movie UNPLANNED in Movie Theaters Now
April 2, 2019

The pro-life movie Unplanned is now out in movie theaters! The movie is a dramatization of Abby Johnson’s life – following her as she becomes the youngest clinic director in the history of Planned Parenthood, then through the life-changing experience that turns her into an anti-abortion activist. View the trailer below and learn more about the movie …

U.S. Bishops’ Chairmen Offer Prayers and Solidarity for Recovery After Deadly Cyclone Hits Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe
March 27, 2019

After historic devastation and loss of life brought on by Cyclone Idai to Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark and Chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Subcommittee on the Church in Africa, and Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services and Chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on …

Movie Screenings for the Pro-life Movie UNPLANNED
March 15, 2019

Special screenings for the soon-to-be release movie UNPLANNED are coming to our area. The movie is a dramatization of Abby Johnson’s life – following her as she becomes the youngest clinic director in the history of Planned Parenthood, then through the life-changing experience that turns her into an anti-abortion activist. NOTE: Content of this movie is …

Creating on the Margins Art Contest Is Accepting Submissions
March 6, 2019

Each year, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops offers a Creating on the Margins contest to help schools and parishes engage youth in learning about the root causes of poverty and the Church’s response. The theme of this year’s contest, “A Time to Heal Racism,” invites Catholic youth in grades 7-12 to respond to racism …

Catholic Bishops’ Pro-Life Chairman Says Senate Rejection of Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act should horrify and anger the American people
February 27, 2019

WASHINGTON–Monday night, the Senate failed to advance the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act—legislation that prohibits infanticide by ensuring that a child born alive following an abortion would receive the same degree of care to preserve her life and health as would be given to any other child born alive at the same gestational age.  The …

Faith In Action: Participate in Operation Rice Bowl this Lent
February 22, 2019

Following the lead of Pope Francis, Catholic Relief Services invites Catholics across the country to take part in the second year of Share the Journey, a global campaign launched by the pope to raise awareness and inspire action on behalf of migrants and refugees worldwide. This Lent, the Operation Rice Bowl Program has been formatted to …

Florida Bishops Unite to Rally Pro-Life Floridians
February 8, 2019

The bishops of Florida join with Catholics and others of goodwill in reacting in horror and disgust to the recently passed law in New York State that legalizes abortion essentially for any reason through all nine months of pregnancy?and removes any protection for children born alive after abortion.?Sadly, similar bills were proposed in Virginia and …

Bishop Parkes Writes Letter to the Faithful about Protecting Human Rights of Unborn Children
February 4, 2019

  Click here to view the English PDF. Spanish PDF Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Like many of you, I have been sickened at the legislation that was recently passed in New York, and proposed legislation debated in Virginia.  In New York State, The Reproductive Health Act, as it is called, makes it legal …

Diocese of St. Petersburg Receives National Award from Catholic Relief Services
February 4, 2019

Sabrina Burton Schultz, Catholic Relief Services’ Diocesan Director for the Diocese of St. Petersburg in Florida is the recipient of the 2019 CRS Rice Bowl award. Schultz is being recognized for her efforts to increase local involvement and generate new funds through CRS Rice Bowl. “This award is actually for the Diocesan Office of Life, …

Florida Catholic Conference Celebrates 50 Years as a Consistent Voice for Life, Dignity and the Common Good
February 4, 2019

The Florida Catholic Conference (FCC) was established on February 1, 1969, as an agency of the Catholic bishops of Florida. The five founding bishops served the four dioceses comprising the Province of Miami at the time: Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll of Miami; Bishop Paul F. Tanner of St. Augustine; Bishop William D. Borders of Orlando; …

Catholic Days at the Capitol
January 15, 2019

March 26-27, 2019 Make the Trip to the Capitol and Make a Difference. I hope that you will consider joining us  in Tallahassee to participate in Catholic Days at the Capitol. This two-day event provides the opportunity to put into action our faith’s call to political responsibility and allows us to strengthen the presence of …

Creating on the margins
January 15, 2019

Each year, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops offers a Creating on the Margins contest to help schools and parishes engage youth in learning about the root causes of poverty and the Church’s response. The theme of this year’s contest, “A Time to Heal Racism,” invites Catholic youth in grades 7-12 to respond to racism …

CatholicBishops’ Pro-Life Chairman Says Senate Rejection of Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act should horrify and anger the American people
November 15, 2018

February 27, 2019 WASHINGTON–Monday night, the Senate failed to advance the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act—legislation that prohibits infanticide by ensuring that a child born alive following an abortion would receive the same degree of care to preserve her life and health as would be given to any other child born alive at the same …

Bishops overwhelmingly approve pastoral letter against Racism
November 13, 2018

BALTIMORE — The U.S. bishops overwhelmingly approved a pastoral letter against racism Nov. 14 during their fall general meeting at Baltimore.The document, “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love — A Pastoral Letter Against Racism,” passed 241-3 with one abstention. It required a two-thirds vote by all bishops, or 183 votes, for passage. …

Catholic Aid Agency Looks Back on 75 Years of Service
November 5, 2018

Established 75 years ago as a result of the refugee crisis that unfolded during WWII, Catholic Relief Services,  the international relief and development agency of the United States Catholic Church, has since grown into one of the largest humanitarian aid agencies in the world while responding to some of the most devastating modern crises of …

Local Diocesan Director to Receive National Recognition from Catholic Relief Services
October 29, 2018

Sabrina Burton Schultz, director of the Diocese of St. Petersburg Life, Justice and Advocacy Ministry,  has been selected by Catholic Relief Services as the recipient of the 2019 National CRS Diocesan Director Award for CRS Rice Bowl! The award is given to a well deserving and hardworking leader who exemplifies the work of solidarity by promoting …

Catholic Relief Services Teams Deployed to Indonesia Tsunami Response; Assist Local Partners
October 1, 2018

BALTIMORE, MD, September 30, 2018 — A Catholic Relief Services (CRS) emergency response team is en-route to Palu, the city most affected by the tsunami that struck Indonesia on Friday, following a 7.5 earthquake, and has killed at least 800 people and toppled buildings, shopping malls and mosques. Infrastructure has also been badly damaged, and …

President of Catholic Relief Services Responds to the Border Crisis
July 2, 2018

Sean Callahan, the President and CEO of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), wrote the following in response to the family separation happening at the US/Mexico border. Included in his reflection are ways that you can help. “In Mexico last week, I sat with a mother who explained the suffering she and her sons faced as they …