Shortly after Bishop Gregory Parkes was installed as 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 online …
This summer, the Diocese of St. Petersburg is introducing the Nazareth House, a new summer residence for seminarians to grow in faith and community while serving others. The house is named after the town where Jesus lived during his youth and young adult years. “Nazareth is where our Lord grew and was formed for public …
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Six Florida bishops and the papal nuncio (the pope’s ambassador to the U.S.) gathered with clergy, religious and nearly one thousand faith-filled Catholics for a Mass of Thanksgiving on June 16, 2018, at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in honor of the Diocese of St. Petersburg’s golden jubilee. “Today is a day of …
“Families are the foundational element of our society and they must be able to stay together.” – Cardinal Daniel DiNardo Read Cardinal DiNardo’s full statement here. Ask Congress to protect immigrant children and families who are seeking safety and shelter from violence by keeping them together. Send a message to your lawmakers here.
The Pinellas County Commission has announced that June 17, 2018 will be known as “Diocese of St. Petersburg” Day in honor of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese. On June 17, 1968, a Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle to establish the Diocese of St. Petersburg and …
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During his general address on Sunday, June 10, 2018, Pope Francis prayed for the Korean people. The Holy Father also prayed that the upcoming summit between the leaders of the United States and North Korea “may contribute to the development of a positive path to assure a future of peace on the Korean peninsula and …
The Diocese of St. Petersburg has become aware that at least one person was contacted by someone using Facebook Messenger pretending to be Bishop Gregory Parkes. Bishop Parkes does not contact individuals on social media using Facebook Messenger. Please report any suspicious activity to Facebook and do not respond. When internet fraudsters mimic a legitimate …
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The Diocese of St. Petersburg’s 50th Anniversary Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle (5816 5th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33710). Due to limited seating, the Anniversary Mass will be a ticketed event and will not be open to the public. However, …
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Father Rajeev Philip was ordained to the priesthood for the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese at St. Paul Catholic Church in Tampa on Saturday, June 2, 2018! He grew up in the Tampa area and graduated from Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School. Read more in this article from the Florida Catholic. Photo credit: Babu Thomas
Volcan de Fuego–Fire Volcano–erupted Sunday, June 3, 2018, in Guatemala, burying one whole community in ash and blocking roads with a deadly flow of rocks, ash and hot gas. Roads, bridges and houses have been destroyed, families have evacuated the area and at least 33 people have been killed. Catholic Relief Services’ local partner Caritas …
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“I get all my Ninja powers from Jesus.” – Father Stephen Gadberry, aka “Father Flex” Check out how Father Stephen, a priest of the Diocese of Little Rock, Arkansas, is evangelizing and spreading the Good News through fitness and competing on American Ninja Warrior! Read more: https://s.dosp.org/2sEOFde.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has announced Religious Freedom Week 2018 will take place from June 22 to 29. The theme of the week is: “Serving Others in God’s Love.” The Week begins with the Feast of Sts. John Fisher and St. Thomas More, and ends with the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, …
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50 Years of Caring for the Community On June 17, 2018, the Diocese of St. Petersburg will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its establishment. Bishop Gregory Parkes has chosen the theme of “Gratitude, Joy and Hope” for the Diocese’s golden jubilee. He is asking all Catholics to remember the past with gratitude, celebrate the present …
Continue reading “Diocese Documents 50 Year Impact on the Community”
The National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) has named Morning Star School in Tampa as a 2018-2019 School of Excellence. This honor is bestowed upon private special education schools throughout the United States that meet rigorous professional criteria and have demonstrated truly exceptional dedication, commitment and achievement in the field of special education. “We …
Congratulations to the valedictorians and salutatorians for the 2017/2018 school year from the seven Catholic high schools in our diocese! Note: The first year that Cristo Rey High School will have a class of seniors is 2020. Academy of the Holy Names Valedictorian Salutatorian Emma Gibbs Heston Evelyn Nicole Martinez Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High …
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Famed “Miracle Hunter” Michael O’Neill’s original EWTN series “They Might Be Saints” will air a special one-hour episode on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at 10:00 p.m. EDT featuring the proposed Martyrs of la Florida. The cause for the Martyrs of la Florida was formally opened on October 12, 2015 in Tallahassee and is currently being …
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June 1 marks the start of the Hurricane Season. Everyone needs to be prepared for the unexpected in the event of a storm in our area. Now is the time to plan ahead. Mass Attendance: All parishioners are urged to use good judgement when planning to travel to and from Mass. In the event that …
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Mr. George Muhr Late last week, the Chancellor’s Office was informed of the death of Mr. George Muhr, 85, father of Monsignor Michael Muhr, Pastor of St. Lawrence Parish, Tampa, on Wednesday evening, May 23, 2018, following a brief illness. Mr. Muhr had been admitted to Legacy House, a Hospice facility in Ocala, shortly …
DADE CITY, Fla. ? People in need and re-entering citizens in the Dade City area will receive much-needed assistance thanks to a $5,000 grant from the National Council of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The money is part of SVdP’s Friends of the Poor® Grant Program and will be disbursed by the …
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Deacon Rajeev Philip grew up in our diocese and will be ordained a priest for the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago on Saturday, June 2, 2018, at St. Paul Catholic Church in Tampa. All are invited to attend! If you are unable to attend the ordination, you can watch it live on Shalom America …
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Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy changes, effective July 1, 2018 unless otherwise indicated: APPOINTMENTS Reverend George Gyasi [Kumasi, Ghana], from Parochial Vicar of St. Anne Parish, Ruskin to Parochial Vicar of St. Paul Parish, Tampa. Upon presentation by Reverend Michael R. Rock, O. de M., Vicar Provincial of …
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Mrs. Joanne C. Brown The Chancellor’s Office has been informed of the death of Mrs. Joanne C. Brown, 59, sister of Father Dominic Corona, Pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Largo, on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, following a battle with cancer. …
Three men. Three different paths. A Seminole, a Gator and a Bull all received the same call to serve God and his people as priests. On May 19, Bishop Gregory Parkes ordained the three to the priesthood before nearly 1,000 people at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. (Link to the video here.) The …
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Timothy Burke Lynch Bishop Lynch has informed us of the death of his brother, Timothy Burke (Tim) Lynch, 75, who resided for a number of years in Hollywood, Florida. Mr. Lynch died at home on Sunday night, May 6, 2018, …
Congratulations to our newly ordained priests! Fr. Kyle Bell will begin his first priestly assignment as Parochial Vicar at St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish in Tarpon Springs. Fr. Lou Turcotte will begin his first priestly assignment as Parochial Vicar at St. Timothy Parish in Lutz. Fr. Tim Williford will begin his first priestly assignment as …
Bishop Gregory Parkes will ordain Deacon Kyle Bell, Deacon Lou Turcotte, and Deacon Tim Williford to the priesthood on Saturday, May 19 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg. Learn more about the upcoming ordination here. Watch the videos below to learn about Deacon Kyle’s, Deacon Lou’s, and …
Bishop Gregory Parkes will ordain Deacon Kyle Bell, Deacon Lou Turcotte, and Deacon Tim Williford to the priesthood on Saturday, May 19 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg. All are invited to attend this joyous celebration! If you cannot join us in person, you are invited to …
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Over 1,300 people gathered at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle on Sunday, May 6, 2018 to pray during a Holy Hour as Bishop Parkes consecrated the Diocese of St. Petersburg to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. “It brings great joy to my heart as your bishop to gather with you here this afternoon …
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Looking for a family-friendly event to celebrate Cinco de Mayo on Saturday? Catholic Charities’ Cinco de Mayo Fiesta is the answer! Join Catholic Charities at the Lake House (1202 Kenlake Ave., Spring Hill, FL 34606) on Saturday, May 5, 2018, from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. for family fun, including water slide and bounce house …
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St. Petersburg Catholic High School has been approved as a candidate school* for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The school is now pursuing authorization as an IB World School. IB World Schools share a common philosophy – a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education, which St. Petersburg Catholic believes is important for its students. “The …
Wonder what a Marian Consecration is about? Watch this video from Father Rojas to find out ahead of Bishop Parkes consecrating the Diocese of St. Petersburg to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Sunday, May 6! All are invited to attend the consecration at 3:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. Unable …
The 3rd Annual Blue Mass was celebrated at St. Timothy Parish in Lutz on Wednesday, May 2, 2018. Bishop Gregory Parkes was the main celebrant. The Blue Mass is a celebration of law enforcement and first responders. The very first Blue Mass was celebrated by Rev. Thomas Dade as part of his duties with the …
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When Bishop Gregory Parkes decided that a music and faith festival on a large, open field would be a good way to celebrate the Diocese of St. Petersburg’s golden anniversary, he didn’t have to imagine what it would be like. He already knew about other dioceses that had successfully gathered thousands of families together for …
Continue reading “Family Faith Fest on Oct. 27 is Modeled after other Successful Events”
“Pope Francis-A Man of His Word” will open in theatres nationwide on May 18, 2018. This film is intended to be a personal journey with Pope Francis, rather than a biographical documentary about him. Pope Francis made himself available for hours of interviews and taping. The result is a personal and intimate visit with the …
Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy changes, effective July 1, 2018, unless otherwise indicated: APPOINTMENTS Reverend Frans Berkhout [Allentown, PA], from Parochial Vicar of St. Jerome Parish, Largo to Parochial Vicar of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish, Spring Hill. Reverend Rafael Martos [Santiago de Cuba], from Pastoral Center …
The Diocese of St. Petersburg was established on June 17, 1968, and Bishop Gregory Parkes has announced that a large-scale music and faith festival will be held to celebrate the momentous occasion of our 50th anniversary. “Our golden jubilee is a time to celebrate,” said Bishop Parkes. “Like many families who gather for family celebrations, …
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As you consider career paths, have you thought about participating in a life-altering year of full-time service that will bring you many new opportunities? Catholic Volunteers in Florida has multiple volunteer positions open for the 2018-19 service year, which begins in August. Apply now if you are ready for a year that will change your …
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Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Reverend Jerome P. Laubacker, O. de M. We recently learned that Reverend Jerome P. Laubacker, O. de M., 74, a retired member of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy (Mercedarian Order), passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April …
Richard Peete had a family and a successful, middle-class life and he dreamed of a bright future. But things changed drastically in 1998 when his 28-year-old wife and four-year-old child died in a car accident. While still suffering from that trauma and pain, he lost his job because of the recession and housing market collapse. …
Continue reading “Stories of Hope Shared at Breakfast of Mercy with Catholic Charities”
On April 11, 2018, ground was officially broken for the new field house and football locker room facility at Clearwater Central Catholic High School. The building will be completed about halfway through the 2018-19 Marauder football season, with an estimated completion date of October 2018. The new structure will be alongside the current football field and …
On Saturday, April 14, 2018, our seminarians Anthony Astrab and Joshua Hare will be ordained transitional deacons at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Boca Raton! All are invited to participate by watching the live video stream here. Read the bios for the men below. Anthony Astrab’s bio Joshua Hare’s bio Please …
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Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Mr. Manuel Martos, father of Rev. Rafael Martos, St. Francis of Assisi Parish (Obituary pdf) We received word this morning, April 9, 2018, of the passing of Mr. Manuel Martos, 98, father of Rev. Rafael Martos, a priest assigned …
PASTORAL BULLETIN — VOL. 33: NO. 14 ~ April 9, 2018 Announcements for Parish Bulletins DIOCESAN OFFICES ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD Bishop Gregory Parkes will ordain Deacons Kyle Bell, Louis Turcotte and Timothy Williford to the priesthood on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, St. Petersburg. …
Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy changes, effective July 1, 2018, unless otherwise indicated: APPOINTMENTS Pastors Reverend Anthony Coppola, from Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Pinellas Park to Pastor of Most Holy Redeemer Parish, Tampa. Reverend Arthur J. Proulx, from Faculty of St. Vincent De Paul Regional Seminary, …
New document from Pope Francis! Read the full text of our Holy Father’s new apostolic exhortation, “Guadete Et Exsultate”, which means “Rejoice and Be Glad” in Latin, here. This document is about holiness in everyday life. Check out top five take aways from the new document as presented by Father James Martin, SJ and America The Jesuit Review …
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Three of our Catholic schools made the Tampa Bay Times’ Top 100 Workplaces in Tampa Bay list. Guardian Angels Catholic School was the top employer in the small category (minimum of 50 local employees). On the list of the top 50 small employers, Clearwater Central Catholic High School was number 42 and St. Cecelia Interparochial …
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Three of our Catholic schools made the Tampa Bay Times’ Top 100 Workplaces in Tampa Bay list. Guardian Angels Catholic School was the top employer in the small category. (minimum of 50 local employees). On the list of the top 50 small employers, Clearwater Central Catholic High School was number 42 and St. Cecelia Interparochial …
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Hundreds of men, women and children will join the Walk for Life 2018 – On the Bay, along the Courtney Campbell Causeway Trail at Ben T. Davis Beach along 1-mile, 2-mile, or 5K courses, on Saturday, April 14. The event creates awareness and helps raise funds for four Foundations of Life Pregnancy Centers (Tampa, St. …
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See some photos of how Easter was celebrated around the diocese below. To submit your photos to the album, post them on social media publicly with the hashtag #DOSPEaster or email them to socialmedia@dosp.org. Please note that we must have release forms signed to include any photos of minors. Click on the album below to …
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PASTORAL BULLETIN — VOL. 33: NO. 13 ~ April 2, 2018 Announcements for Parish Bulletins DIOCESAN OFFICES Vocations Office ALTAR SERVER APPRECIATION MASS On Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. the Office of Vocations will host the annual Altar Server Appreciation Mass at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, 5815 Fifth Ave. N., …
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and is a reminder to all Catholics that the ultimate responsibility of any adult is to ensure that abuse does not occur. Therefore, we should always be vigilant and aware. In an effort to promote education and to help parishes and families to make child safety and prevention of …
At 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, Bishop Gregory L. Parkes will preside at the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. All are invited to attend. During this Mass, the priests of our diocese, along with Bishop Parkes, will renew their commitment to priestly service and the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of …