Please watch local news for updates about Hurricane Ian. We will post the latest updates affecting the Diocese of St. Petersburg on this webpage. We will also share updates via Facebook and Instagram @DioStPete. Disaster Relief Special Collection The Diocese of St. Petersburg is helping people affected by Hurricane Ian. Bishop Gregory Parkes is asking …
Bishop Gregory Parkes Will Join the Holy Father in the Consecration of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary All are invited to join Bishop Gregory Parkes for a prayer service in union with Pope Francis as he seeks to bring peace to Ukraine through prayers and spiritual devotion. When: Friday, March 25, …
Bishop Gregory Parkes has announced the launch of GulfCoastCatholic.org, a news and lifestyle website created by the Diocese of St. Petersburg that officially debuts on August 14, 2021, the feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe. Bishop Parkes chose the name of the site and serves as publisher. “All of us in Tampa Bay, the Suncoast and …
Continue reading “New Website Seeks to Unite, Inform and Inspire Local Catholic Community”
As we continue to learn more about the Delta variant of the Coronavirus, let us demonstrate charity for the people around us and do what we can for the health and welfare of all. On May 22, 2021, updated guidelines were announced by Bishop Gregory Parkes for the prevention of COVID-19. These guidelines are still …
Continue reading “Protocols for Safety Continue in Catholic Churches”
(CNS) — The mere act of lifting the dispensation from the Sunday Mass obligation as the coronavirus pandemic eases won’t be enough to get Catholics to come back to church, and the Diocese of St. Petersburg is actively working to bring people back. “Just opening our doors and waiting for folks to come is a …
Continue reading “Catholics Need to Hear Welcoming Messages to Return to Mass”
The Office of Stewardship and Development is sponsoring three (3) scholarships for the International Catholic Stewardship Conference (ICSC) being held in Orlando, Florida September 12-15, 2021. The scholarship is open to Parish Leaders from all 79 parishes and missions of the Diocese of St. Petersburg who are looking to participate in the conference for the …
Continue reading “Scholarships Available for Stewardship Conference in September!”
Bishop Gregory Parkes welcomed Father Daniel Kayajan as a permanent priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg on July 1, 2021. “Father Dan,” as he likes to be called, began serving here in 2008 as a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, U.S. Province. He first sensed God’s call to the priesthood while working …
Continue reading “Welcome to the Family- Father Daniel Kayajan”
As a priest for 36 years, Father Ted Costello wears a collar as part of his priestly ministry. But some days you can see Father Ted dressed in blue, not black. It’s those days that he serves as a volunteer chaplain, ministering to men and women in law enforcement who put their lives on the …
Bishop Gregory Parkes said it was “a day of joy” as three men who were ordained outside of the Diocese of St. Petersburg were welcomed as permanent priests of this local Church community. (View Photos Here) “Today marks a new chapter in the history of our Diocese and also in your priesthood and we thank …
Continue reading “A Day of Joy as Three Priests are Welcomed into the Diocese of St. Petersburg”
Bishop Gregory Parkes has appointed Lois Locey as Executive Director of Operations for the Diocese of St. Petersburg, effective June 21, 2021. In this role, she will serve on the Bishop’s Executive Leadership Team and supervise various ministries of the Diocese, including Catholic Schools and Centers, Stewardship and Development, Construction, Real Estate, Calvary Catholic Cemetery …
St. Paul Parish in Tampa serves as a hub for the Filipino community in the Diocese of St. Petersburg and the parish recently hosted a special Mass to mark the anniversary of the establishment of Christianity in the Philippines. Ed Bilbao and his wife, Susan, helped to organize much of the festivities. “It was a …
Continue reading “Local Filipino Community Celebrates 500 years of Christianity in their Homeland”
In collaboration with the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Suncoast Catholic Ministries and Resurrection Catholic Church, the Third Annual Hispanic Conference for Men was successfully held on April 10, 2021. The theme of the conference was “Trust in the Lord”. (Click here to view photos from the event.) Among the participants of the conference was the …
Continue reading “Third Annual Hispanic Men’s Conference Encourages Renewal”
Marcie Lipscomb has a heart for children in foster care and through a ministry she started in 2019, she is able to support foster children and foster parents in a unique way. The ministry is called “Hands Lifting Hearts” and she started it at St. Timothy Parish in Lutz. “I felt that I was being …
Continue reading “New Ministry Seeks to Show Foster Families Love and Support”
To receive help for healing after an abortion, contact Catholic Charities at 813-924-4173 or via email to projectrachel@ccdosp.org. All calls are confidential and non-judgmental. A St. Petersburg man openly discusses the devastating effects of abortion and how Rachel’s Vineyard retreats for post-abortive healing brought him peace and the experience of God’s infinite mercy and love. “There …
Continue reading “Project Rachel: A Lifesaver for Men and Women Traumatized by Abortion”
Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy changes, effective July 1, 2021 unless otherwise indicated: RETIREMENT STATUS Monsignor Ronald B. Aubin, J.C.L., from Pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Land O’ Lakes, granted retirement status.Reverend C. Timothy Corcoran, III, from Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Tampa and Vicar …
General Dispensation is Currently in Place due to Health Concerns from COVID-19 Surrounded by priests, deacons and leadership staff from the Pastoral Center of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Bishop Gregory Parkes announced that the obligation for Catholics to attend Mass on Sunday will resume on May 22, 2021, the vigil of Pentecost. This announcement …
Continue reading “Bishop Gregory Parkes Announces Catholic Mass Obligation To Resume May 22nd”
Congratulations to all of our priests who are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year! Rev. Msgr. Dacian Dee is one of the 21 who will be recognized at the Chrism Mass on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at 11:30 a.m. The Chrism Mass is not open to the public due to social distancing requirements, but will be …
Continue reading “Msgr. Dee Celebrates 65 Years of Priestly Ministry”
Congratulations to all of our priests who are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year! Rev. Msgr. James Aiden Foynes is one of the 21 who will be recognized at the Chrism Mass on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at 11:30 a.m. The Chrism Mass is not open to the public due to social distancing requirements, but will …
Continue reading “Msgr. Foynes Celebrates 60 Years of Priestly Ministry”
Congratulations to all of our priests who are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year! These nine priests are amongst the 21 who will be recognized at the Chrism Mass on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at 11:30 a.m. The Chrism Mass is not open to the public due to social distancing requirements, but will be available to …
Continue reading “Nine Priests Celebrate 50 Years of Priestly Ministry”
Congratulations to all of our priests who are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year! These six priests are amongst the 21 who will be recognized at the Chrism Mass on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at 11:30 a.m. The Chrism Mass is not open to the public due to social distancing requirements, but will be available to …
Continue reading “Six Priests Celebrate 40 Years of Priestly Ministry”
Congratulations to all of our priests who are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year! These four priests are amongst the 21 who will be recognized at the Chrism Mass on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at 11:30 a.m. The Chrism Mass is not open to the public due to social distancing requirements, but will be available to …
Continue reading “Four Priests Celebrate 25 Years of Ministry”
In recognition of Pope Francis declaring 2021 as the Year of St. Joseph, teens from St. Jerome Parish in Largo are preparing for consecration to St. Joseph. But just as St. Joseph was part of the Holy Family, this consecration is also focused on the family, with parents and children reading, praying, and discussing together. …
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When parishioners of Most Holy Redeemer Parish in Tampa walk into the church on Easter morning, they will be celebrating the Risen Christ in more ways than one. Parishioners will see an unobstructed floor-to-ceiling stained glass window of the Risen Christ welcoming all who enter. For years this window went largely unnoticed, partially hidden by …
Continue reading “Stained Glass Window is Revealed after Hidden for Nearly Half a Century”
Avery Thayer, a 21-year-old college student, is organizing a collection to help fill up Easter baskets for children of the San Jose Mission in Dover and your help is needed! “We are hoping to give joy to these families who have struggled through the pandemic. We want these families to feel loved and cared for. …
Continue reading “Local Student Organizes Easter Collection for Children in Need”
COVID-19 has been a challenging time for so many people mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Among the most vulnerable are seniors and those living in nursing homes and Assisted Living Facilities. Despite the challenges, St. Raphael Catholic Church has adapted during the pandemic to continue its long-time ministry to nursing home residents and seniors over …
Continue reading “Ministry Adapts to COVID-19 with Operation Smile and Birthday Splash”
A giving society is established by organizations to give thanks to those who make it possible for them to fulfill their mission. While this is usually done through in-person events, the Diocese of St. Petersburg courageously jumped into the unknown last November to launch their Mater Dei Giving Society virtually. “For the last couple of …
Continue reading “Behind the Scenes of a Live Stream Event with Bishop Parkes”
The purpose of endowed and long-term investments is to provide support to beneficiaries now and into the future. The Catholic Foundation is proud to be entrusted with more than 70 managed and endowed funds from committed donors. As stewards of the legacy gifts so generously given, the Catholic Foundation is committed to transparency and accountability. …
As with many large gatherings in the past year, the popular Catholic Foundation Life Planning Workshops for parishes were put on hold. However, questions surrounding legacy planning, legal matters and financial planning issues were flooding in. To assist and provide a new resource for parishes and their parishioners, the Catholic Foundation has launched the new …
Continue reading “Catholic Foundation Legacy Planning Video Series”
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, …
Bishop Gregory Parkes has approved a prayer for the Tampa Bay Community in honor of Sunday’s “Big Game.” We thank You, God, for the beauty, hospitality and spirit of our Tampa Bay community.We thank You for the fire within us to be our best.We thank You for the gift of sport that brings us together.We …
Even through difficulties and challenges, our more than 24,000 generous donors provided more than $10 million in support of our 50+ diocesan ministries and services through the 2020 Annual Pastoral Appeal. Gifts were also made to support special projects through the Forward in Faith Campaign, and Bishop Gregory Parkes launched our new Mater Dei Giving …
Students, faculty, families and supporters gathered on January 14, 2021 for the blessing of St. Petersburg Catholic High School’s newly remodeled, Learning Commons. This major renovation project advances the school’s mission to foster a 21st century teaching and learning environment, with state-of-the-art technology and teaching resources. The project was an extensive remodel of the preexisting …
The Diocese of St. Petersburg has partnered with the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to encourage all parishes and Catholic schools to raise awareness about the dangers of human trafficking by becoming “Trafficking-Free Zones.” The goal is to end modern-day slavery and protect children and youth. Participating …
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December 10, 2020 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, On Tuesday, as our Church celebrated the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a communication was sent from the USCCB announcing that Pope Francis has granted a plenary indulgence to anyone who celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at home, …
In 2021, Bishop Emeritus Robert N. Lynch will celebrate the silver anniversary of his episcopal ordination, which was held on January 26, 1996 at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, in St. Petersburg. Providing help and hope to those in need was a hallmark of Bishop Lynch’s episcopacy. One such project was the establishment …
Continue reading “Celebrate Bishop Lynch’s 25th Anniversary with a Gift of Hope”
The Catholic Vietnamese community in Tampa celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving on November 25, 2020, in gratitude for their new church, located at 5601 Hanley Road, in Tampa. Previously, St. Joseph Vietnamese Mission shared space with Epiphany of Our Lord Parish in Tampa, but it now has a church home all its own. Despite being …
We know that many of our parishioners actively search for ways to invest in their parishes, the greater Catholic Church as well as other organizations that align with our Catholic Values. They look to support good deeds through their generous giving. Because of this, we are proud and excited to announce the launch of the …
Continue reading “New Donor-Advised Fund is Introduced in the Diocese of St. Petersburg”
Recently ordained priest Father Connor Penn is hosting a new YouTube series to help younger Catholics fit faith into their crazy busy lives. Would you share this with a YouTuber in your life? In the series, Catholic Planner, Father Penn brings a fresh perspective to the Catholic Church’s comprehensive calendar of celebrations, solemnities, saints’ feast days …
Continue reading “New YouTube Series is Directed at Young Adults and Families”
The Diocese of St. Petersburg will hold the Retirement Fund for Religious collection Dec. 12-13. The National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) coordinates this annual appeal and distributes the proceeds to assist eligible U.S. religious communities with their retirement needs. Nearly 30,000 senior sisters, brothers and religious order priests benefit. Last year, the Diocese of St. …
In October 2018, the former Florida Attorney General announced an investigation of the State’s seven Catholic Dioceses to determine how allegations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy have been handled. We welcomed the State’s investigation and we cooperated fully with the process instituted to research past cases of abuse allegations, dating back prior to …
In addition to voting on Election Day, Catholics will be praying. We believe in the power of prayer for peace, healing and hope for our future. We pray that God will enlighten all voters and grant peace in our nation and that the virtue of the saints will inspire the actions of those elected to …
Like the greater Tampa Bay community, Father Tom Anastasia is thrilled that the Rays are in the World Series for the first time since 2008, and only for the second time in the history of the organization. However, he has a special interest in the competition since he has served as the team chaplain since …
Continue reading “Tampa Bay Rays Chaplain Prays with and for the Team”
Rosaries from the St. Scholastica Rosary Makers have found their way to schools, hospitals, nursing homes, homeless ministries, army bases, and foreign missions around the world. The ministry, which began nine years ago, hit a major milestone at the beginning of 2020 with the completion of its 55,000th rosary. Ministry founder Ann Downer says that …
What: Spirit Service Week to Collect Food and Hygiene Items for Local Organizations Why: To Help the Hungry and Homeless When: Monday, October 26- Friday, October 30, 2020, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Each Day Where: Five Locations Listed Below Oct 26th – Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, 5815 5th Ave …
A small crowd recently gathered for the kickoff to 40 Days for Life at the Knights Women’s Center, a pro-life crisis pregnancy center on Fletcher Avenue in Tampa. The September 24th event brought together those committed to advocating for life and praying for unborn children whose lives are tragically ended by legal abortion that takes …
Continue reading “Catholics Unite to Pray for Life Next to Abortion Facility”
Monsignor Dennis Hughes was announced as the recipient of the 2020 Fr. Luis Distinguished Priestly Service Award on Tuesday, October 6. This award is given annually to a priest serving in the Diocese of St. Petersburg who best exemplifies selfless and dedicated service to the people of God. The recipient of the award is chosen by his brother priests. This year, the award …
An independent firm that specializes in investigatory and analytical consulting has found that the Diocese of St. Petersburg is in compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Stonebridge Business Partners of Rochester, New York conducted an audit of the Diocese’s Safe Environment policies and procedures on September 8-9, 2020. Based …
Pope Francis released his third encyclical, “Fratelli Tutti, On Fraternity and Social Friendship” on Saturday, October 3, 2020, in Assisi, Italy. An “encyclical” is a letter that is a teaching document by the Holy Father. This letter is addressed to all people who will accept it and reflect on the invitation to dialogue. Click here …
Continue reading “Pope Francis Proposes New Ways to Foster Compassion in Third Encyclical”
To help our diocesan family of clergy, religious, staff, parishioners and the entire community stay up-to-date with news and information about our bishop, our faith and our activities, please refer to the Diocese of St. Petersburg’s official communication channels listed below. We encourage you to subscribe, follow and stay connected. There are some groups who …
Thanks to generous donors of the Diocese of St. Petersburg Disaster Relief Fund, Bishop Gregory Parkes is helping victims of Hurricane Laura, a Category 4 hurricane that made landfall in Louisiana on August 27, 2020 and killed at least 34 people. In early September, Bishop Parkes issued a check in the amount of $50,000 to …
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There are several non-Church affiliated, political advocacy groups (such as CatholicVote, Priests for Life, Catholics United, My Faith Votes, League of Women Voters, etc.), which seek to mobilize and educate Catholic voters. These non-Church affiliated groups may endorse (or oppose) candidates for elective office, as well as provide candidates with direct financial support, which does …
The Diocese of St. Petersburg is remembering the legacy of Monsignor George W. Cummings who passed away in the Lord on August 8, 2020 at the Sturgill Hospice House in Brooksville at the age of 102. He was a retired priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, and Pastor Emeritus of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton …
When Deacon Connor Penn was trying to decide if God was calling him to the priesthood, he asked for a sign. Later that day, a friend told him, “Have you ever thought about becoming a priest, because I think you’d make a great priest.” At that moment and other times throughout his life, Deacon Penn …
When Deacon Drew Woodke was a third-grader at St. Thomas More Catholic School in Decatur, Georgia, one of the nuns asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. Deacon Drew recalls answering, “I want to be a priest when I grow up because girls are gross!” Well, fourth grade arrived and girls …
Continue reading “Deacon Drew Woodke Has Thought About Priesthood Since Third Grade”
Becoming a priest might have been the last thing on Deacon Joshua Bertrand’s mind if you had asked him about it in middle or high school. The only son of Robert and Marguerite Bertrand, Deacon Bertrand attended Catholic school at an early age but most of his education took place in public schools. He was …
Continue reading “Path to Priesthood has Been a “Long Slow Road” for Deacon Joshua Bertrand”