


On July 27, 2020, an online discussion took place called: Why Do They March? Answering the Questions that Divide Us so that Understanding and Love Can Unite Us. A panel of five Tampa Bay area Catholics responded to some challenging questions regarding racism. This was the first in a series of online discussions aimed at promoting greater […]

The horrific killing of George Floyd has reminded us that racism is a contemporary problem–on the streets, in our workplaces, in our schools, and in our churches. Though peaceful protests are often a necessary means to social change, coming together to build consensus and a clear path forward is also crucial. In order to assist […]

More than 300 people participated in a Holy Hour at the Cathedral of St Jude the Apostle on Sunday, June 7, 2020, to pray for peace, healing and change following the brutal death of George Floyd and the national protests that have erupted. Bishop Gregory Parkes led the solemn prayer service inside, and a group […]

“Dear brothers and sisters in the United States, I have witnessed with great concern the disturbing social unrest in your nation in these past days, following the tragic death of Mr. George Floyd. My friends, we cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend […]

The manner in which George Floyd died is an atrocity to the humanity and dignity that each person has as a child of God. As a Church, we stand in solidarity with peaceful protesters who demand justice and respect for black individuals who have suffered the effects of racism for generations. As is stated in […]

The Josephites look with horror and disbelief at the killing once more of a black man by the police in Minneapolis this week. This is but another tragic and sad reminder of the legacy of America’s original sin of slavery and its aftermath, the continued violence against people of color. The words of the Lord […]

Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has issued a statement on George Floyd and the protests in American cities that have taken place over the last several days. This follows the Friday statement from seven U.S. bishop chairmen of committees within the USCCB. Archbishop Gomez’s full […]
El arzobispo José H. Gomez, de Los Ángeles, presidente de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Estados Unidos (USCCB) emitió un comunicado sobre George Floyd y las protestas que han sucedido en ciudades de Estados Unidos en los últimos días. Este pronunciamiento sigue a la declaración del viernes 29 de siete presidentes de comités de obispos de […]

Seven U.S. bishop chairmen of committees within the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have issued a statement in the wake of the death of Mr. George Floyd and the protests which have broken out in Minneapolis and in other cities in the United States. Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of Houma-Thibodaux, chairman of the Ad Hoc […]
On Sunday, November 17, 2019, an article about the Diocese of St. Petersburg African Catholic Ministry and local observances for National Black Catholic History Month appeared in the Tampa Bay Times. To read the article, click here. (You might be required to subscribe in order to read the article.)

All are invited to join us for a day of prayer and reflection on the lives of the six persons of color from the United States who have been presented for sainthood. Many of the saints who came before us courageously lived the Gospel and they can inspire us to do the same! Come and […]

The Black Catholic Ministry held its quarterly meeting on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Tampa. One of the main topics on the agenda was an update on the diocesan initiative to confront racism, including the recent listening session on racism with Bishop Gregory Parkes of the Diocese of St. Petersburg and […]

Our parishes are called to equip parishioners as missionary disciples and in order to do this, leaders need insight into how the Catholic faith and identity are connected to culture. That’s why the Diocese of St. Petersburg has introduced an initiative to help parishes improve how they welcome, receive, and encourage diverse cultures and invite […]

Recently Rev. Stephan Brown, Pastor of St. Joseph parish in St. Petersburg, Florida, came by the Pastoral Center to show off their new parish van. The van, completely wrapped, displays the parish name and motto. It also displays on the front hood and back window, the diocesan vision theme, “Courageously Living the Gospel”.

Please join us for our next Black Catholic Assembly meeting at Blessed Sacrament parish, located at 7001 12th Ave South Tampa FL 33619 (corner of 12th Ave & 70th St, in Clair Mel). The meeting will be from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. All are welcomed to attend. We need your participation. Please invite or bring […]

Saint Joseph parish in St. Petersburg is hosting “Les Moineaux” French Boy’s choir for a free concert. It is a true honor to host the boys choir ‘Les Moineaux’, which means “the sparrows”. We join in solidarity with the church of France. The world was devastated at the loss of Notre Dame Cathedral during Holy […]

At their November 2018 meetings, the U.S. Bishops were presented information on the petition for the cause for canonization of Sr. Thea Bowman. The Bishops voted on favor of the advancement cause at the local diocesan level. Click on the LINK to read the story and to learn about Sr. Thea Bowman.


The African Catholics Ministry of the Diocese of St. Petersburg is hosting it’s first Diocesan African Mass on Sunday, November 4, 2018 at 2:30 pm. The Mass will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 7851 54th Ave. N in St. Petersburg For more information, contact Celina Okpaleke, 941-730-9765

The St. Joseph, St. Petersburg community is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination of Rev. Stephan Brown, SVD, and his installation as Pastor. Scheduled events are as follows: Gospel Musical Program Friday, June 22, 2018 7:00 PM 2101 22nd Avenue South St. Petersburg, FL 33712 Installation Service Saturday, June 23, 2018 5:00 PM 2101 […]

Our quarterly Black Catholic Assembly meeting will be on Saturday, July 21, 2018. We will meet at St. Mark the Evangelist parish in Tampa from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. St. Mark parish is located at 9724 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa, FL 33647. For information, contact Dale Brown at dpb@dosp.org, 727-344-1611, ext. 5458

St. Peter Claver Parish in Tampa is among the oldest in the diocese. In 2018 the historic parish and school will be celebrating 125 years of existence. The parish will be marking this achievement by activities throughout the year. Please check the parish’s webpage (http://spclavertampa.wixsite.com/spcchurch) for information on its history, photos from the past and […]

Please join us for a prayer service to mark the birthday of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 15, 2018 at St. Peter Claver parish in Tampa. The prayer service will be at 6:30 pm followed by a social gathering in O’Keefe Hall. The prayer service is sponsored by the […]

The National Black Congress XII is coming to Florida. The Congress is held every five years and the next one will be in Orlando, Florida from July 6 to July 9, 2017. If you have never been to the Congress before, this is a great opportunity. Our local Day of Reflection, held on July 16, […]

Click on the links here to read about the recent conference on African Christian Theology. The gathering, entitled “African Christian Theology: Memories and Mission for the 21st Century”, was organized by Notre Dame’s Center for Culture and Ethics, and took place in Rome on March 22-25, 2017. The conference included bishops, priests, deacons, professors, theologians, students, […]

The Rev. Roy Edward Campbell Jr. was recently appointed by Pope Francis to serve as auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Washington, DC. He will be one of three bishops in the archdiocese assisting Cardinal Donald Wuerl. As bishop, Rev. Campbell will replace Bishop Martin D. Holley, who served 12 years as auxiliary bishop in Washington […]

NABCA Press Release – July 18, 2016 Birmingham, AL, July 18, 2016– The National Association of Black Catholic Administrators (NABCA) strongly condemns the continuing disproportionate use of excessive and deadly force against Black men and women by law enforcement and any attacks on law enforcement officers in the United States. Racial bias in law enforcement […]

Baltimore, 13 July 2016: The National Black Catholic Congress (NBCC) joins the nation in mourning over the tragedies in Baton Rouge, the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area, and Dallas last week. As we commend to the Lord those who have died, we pray for the consolation of all who are grieving. It is important for Black Catholics […]

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Please join us at our next diocesan Assembly meeting on Saturday, July 16, 2016 in the McLoughlin Center at Christ the King parish in Tampa, FL. The meeting will be from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM. The Black Catholic Assembly, Diocese of St. Petersburg will host a Day of Reflection in […]

February 7, 2016 is the National Day of Prayer for the African American and African Family 2016. This year’s theme is “God’s Mercy Pulls Us Through.” As we prepare to celebrate the Jubilee Year of Mercy, we are grateful to God to present to you the 27th Annual National Day of Prayer, celebrated on the first Sunday […]

You are invited to attend a Memorial Mass for Rev. Callist Nyambo on Friday, January 22, 2016. The Mass will begin at 7:00 PM at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church located at 1203 N. Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33602. Reverend Callist Nauli Nyambo, 76, a retired priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, died on Sunday, January […]

It was an eventful and momentous day for our parish, Church and city. The recently named and first ever Haitian Cardinal, Chibly Langlois, celebrated his first Mass in this country for the feast day of the Immaculate Conception Haitian Mission, led by Fr. Pierre Dorvil, at St. Peter Claver parish in Tampa. Cardinal Langlois was […]


Congratulations to Bishop Fernand J. Cheri, III on his Episcopal Ordination as Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans was filled to the rafters for the ordination on Monday, March 23, 2015. The ordination Mass was live streamed on the archdiocese’s website, and broadcast on a local […]

A meeting was held on Saturday, October 25 for Black Catholic Ministry representatives from the dioceses of Florida. The group, known as the Florida Conference of Offices for Black Catholic Ministry, was established as a Conference to help the various diocesan offices connect, share information and resources, plan events and support one another. Due to […]