Here is an overview of the Holy Week celebrations that will be held here and around the World. Find a parish near you by clicking here. Click here to see photos of how our parishes and schools are journeying through Holy Week. HOLY THURSDAY – March 29, 2018 The Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper …
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Families, youth and young adults are invited to participate in a special event that will help you draw closer to Jesus and strengthen you on your faith journey. The Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary invite you to their Third International Congress in honor of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, June …
Close to 15,000 pounds of plastic donated for Caps of Love Project to provide wheelchairs SAINT LEO – Saint Leo University is focused on helping others and saving the planet—one plastic cap at a time. On Thursday, March 22, the university shipped about 15,000 pounds of bottle caps for recycling. The university again collected plastic …
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Students Could Save $6,000 throughout Course of Program Saint Leo University (www.saintleo.edu), a pioneer in online learning, is offering an academic scholarship opportunity for some special students: those who are intent on starting an MBA program this summer, who have the undergraduate grades to prove they can do serious work, and the commitment and discipline …
Edward Sieh of Safety Harbor, a student at St. Cecelia Catholic School has been honored for his exemplary volunteer service with a President’s Volunteer Service Award. The award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of time to serve their communities and their country, was granted by the Prudential Spirit of …
Bishop Parkes is taking to the airwaves to share the Good News via a segment that began airing on Spirit FM 90.5 on March 23, 2018. The segment is a short reflection on the upcoming Sunday Gospel that will be proclaimed during Mass in Catholic churches around Tampa Bay and around the world. The …
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For many years, the USCCB has supported a federal ban on assault weapons, limitations on civilian access to high-capacity weapons and ammunition magazines, further criminalizing gun trafficking, certain limitations on the purchase of handguns, and safety measures such as locks that prevent children and anyone other than the owner from using guns without permission. In the aftermath …
Continue reading “U.S. Bishops Urge National Leaders to Address Scourge of Gun Violence”
Since 2014 National Catholic Sisters Week has been celebrated from March 8-14. NCSW is a dedicated celebration of Catholic Sisters intended to raise awareness of their vital contributions, both past and present. National Catholic Sisters Week is intended to broaden awareness of Catholic sisters, whose lives and ministries often remain behind the scenes. The hope …
Are you (or someone you know) seeking a life of Prayer & Community? Maybe it’s a call from God. The Benedictine Sisters at Holy Name Monastery in St. Leo, FL offer a TIME FOR SEEKERS –single, Catholic, women in good health, ages of 20 – 50 something, considering a call to religious life. This Time …
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: — Reverend Michael Chubirko, S.D.B. Please follow this link for more information. Deacon Tom Shiel, 84, from St. Peter the Apostle, Trinity, passed away in the Lord on Friday March 2, 2018. He is pre-deceased by his wife of 59 …
Gathered in Miami for three days of intense reflection, 300 Catholics, mostly Hispanic, pondered problems and offered solutions to challenges faced by people in their communities. The Diocese of St. Petersburg had 34 delegates representing 20 parishes at the Regional V (fifth) Encuentro, which was the second largest contingency of participants. Bishop Gregory Parkes and …
Come and See Weekends are held at St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami twice a year. These weekends serve to provide opportunities for male high school juniors and older to get a first-hand experience of seminary life and the opportunity to interact with other young men who are discerning a vocation. Our next Come …
Before you share a story on social media, what impact does the story have on our community and our world? Could you be spreading fake news or as Pope Francis describes it: “false information based on nonexistent or distorted data meant to deceive and manipulate the reader.” Pope Francis warns about the dangers of fake …
As with many jubilee years, Pope Francis has instructed that a special plenary indulgence be available for the faithful throughout 2018 for the 50th Anniversary of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. The faithful who commit to a complete detachment of sin may follow the steps below to receive this indulgence. For Able-Bodied Catholics Devoutly make a …
As with many jubilee years, Pope Francis has instructed that a special plenary indulgence be available for the faithful throughout 2018 (January 1, 2018- December 31, 2018) for the 50th Anniversary of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. The faithful who commit to a complete detachment of sin may follow the steps below to receive this indulgence. …
Bishop Robert Lynch received the Roy G. Harrell, Jr. Leadership Award on Feb. 22, 2018 at the St. Anthony Hospital Foundation Legacy Dinner. This award is presented to someone who demonstrates leadership through community service and is described through their work with attributes such as vision, courage, initiative, motivation, selflessness, commitment, dependability and accomplishment. There …
Bon Secours Health System has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute, a global leader in advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as one of the 2018 World’s Most Ethical Companies. Bon Secours is one of only eight honorees in the health care industry and the only Catholic hospital ministry, underscoring the organization’s commitment to …
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As with many jubilee years, Pope Francis has instructed that a special plenary indulgence be available for the faithful throughout 2018 for the 50th Anniversary of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. The faithful who commit to a complete detachment of sin may follow the steps below to receive this indulgence. For Able-Bodied Catholics Devoutly make …
Adults and children (over the age of 8) across the Diocese of St. Petersburg are currently preparing to become Catholic during the Easter Vigil Mass on March 31. They have been on a journey of faith that started many months ago with a call from God to live as His disciples. When they first began …
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The Catholic Church believes that life in prison without parole provides a non-lethal alternative to the death penalty and is the more just solution since the Church believes that all Human life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God. That is why Michael Sheedy, executive director of the Florida Conference of …
Continue reading “Floridians Pray for an End to the Death Penalty as Execution Date Approaches”
Over 250 couples from over 60 parishes from the Diocese of St. Petersburg celebrating 25, 50 or more years of marriage participated in the Marriage Jubilee Mass on Feb. 11 at the Cathedral of St Jude the Apostle. One couple was celebrating 75 years of marriage. “You were here last year, right?” said Bishop Parkes …
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Bishop Parkes has received questions regarding whether a dispensation from the discipline of fasting and abstinence will be granted on Ash Wednesday as it coincides with Valentine’s Day. He is not inclined to grant a dispensation from this discipline for two main reasons: Ash Wednesday is one of the only two days on the liturgical …
Continue reading “Statement from Bishop Parkes Concerning Ash Wednesday, February 14, 2018”
Uninsured migrant workers in the Dade City area will receive much-needed dental care thanks to an $11,000 grant from the National Council of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul. “Our goal is to assist 115 uninsured residents of Dade City and surrounding migrant camps in obtaining basic dental care,” said Raymond Pawlicki, of …
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Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Reverend Colman McGarril, T.O.R. Father McGarril, T.O.R., 91, a priest of the Third Order Regular Franciscans of the Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, passed away on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at Garvey Manor Nursing Home, in Hollidaysburg, …
February 7-14 marks the annual celebration of National Marriage Week USA and Feb. 11 marks World Marriage Day. There are resources available that teach about the importance of sacramental marriage as a lifelong union of one man and one woman: ForYourMarriage.org, PorTuMatrimonio.org, and MarriageUniqueForAReason.org. Additional resources specifically for the celebration of National Marriage Week, including a homily …
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In an effort to lead all people closer to the Heart of Jesus, Bishop Gregory Parkes has announced that he will consecrate the parishes, schools, charities, ministries and all people who live in the five counties of the Diocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. To consecrate means to dedicate or set aside for a …
In an effort to lead all people closer to the Heart of Jesus, Bishop Gregory Parkes has announced that he will consecrate the parishes, schools, charities, ministries and all people who live in the five counties of the Diocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. To consecrate means to dedicate or set aside for a …
On Friday, January 26, 2018, the Cathedral School of St. Jude held their first Trike-A-Thon to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The EC2, EC3, EC4, and K students rode their bikes, trikes, and scooters around the school track and raised over $7000. The Trike-A-Thon was organized and run by a student committee …
The community of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Dunedin will gather on Sunday, Feb. 4 at 11:30 a.m. to celebrate three significant events: Visit of Bishop Gregory Parkes for Confirmation Mass. Bishop Parkes has served as the spiritual leader of the Diocese of St. Petersburg for one year. 60th Anniversary of the establishment of …
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World Day for Consecrated Life will be Celebrated Friday, February 2 in the Universal Church and in Local parishes on the Weekend of Feb. 3-4 Commenting on the World Day for Consecrated Life, Cardinal Joseph Tobin, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Newark and Chair of the USCCB’s Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations states: “For …
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More than 600 people will gather at the Hilton Downtown Tampa on Feb. 3 for the Catholic Foundation Gala. Participants representing parishes and businesses are coming together in support of Catholic education and tuition assistance programs. The support has been so strong that tickets for the event have sold out! The event, made possible in …
Continue reading “Celebrating 50 Years of Exceptional Catholic Education”
In their annual statement marking the January 22 anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade, the bishops of Florida lament that a mother’s womb has become a place of vulnerability for the developing child rather than a place of safety and security. The bishops confirm that all life issues are interconnected. …
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The Season of Lent is observed this year from Feb. 14 – March 29. During this time, Catholics can reflect more deeply on the sacrificial love of Jesus that led to his dying on the Cross on Good Friday for the forgiveness of sins. (To view the Diocese of St. Petersburg’s Office of Worship Lent …
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A new partnership is making it possible for parishes to receive a discounted subscription to the groundbreaking digital platform for evangelization and faith formation known as FORMED.org. “If someone were looking for a Catholic version of Netflix, it would be FORMED,” said Brian Lemoi, Executive Director of Evangelization & Lifelong Faith Formation, Diocese of St. …
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WASHINGTON— The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, has issued the following statement in relation to the observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Cardinal DiNardo’s full statement follows: “In recent years—including last summer in Charlottesville—we have glimpsed an appalling truth that lurks beneath the surface of our …
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As a parent, do you know how to speak to your children about the dangers of pornography? What is the right age to speak to your child? How do you encourage conversation about this critical issue? The Diocese of St. Petersburg is helping parents to navigate these issues and more during a free workshop that …
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More than 400 people from the Tampa Bay area, mostly students, will be taking part in the National March for Life in Washington D.C. on January 19. Ryan Phelan, Associate Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of St. Petersburg, will be leading a contingency of 250 marchers. He booked flights on …
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The 16 members of the Visioning Team of the Diocese of St. Petersburg met on Jan. 4 and Jan. 5 for half-day sessions to continue the process of discerning a Mutually Shared Vision and develop a plan of priorities and goals that will guide the Diocese of St. Petersburg into the future with purpose, focus, …
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Please join us on Saturday, February 3, 2018 for the Annual Vocation Promotion and Awareness Workshop at the Bethany Center in Lutz. The day will begin with mass at 9:00 am in the St. James Chapel, followed by check-in. The day will conclude at 2:00 pm. Our theme this year is “Celebrating 50 Years of Vocations”. …
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Catholic Charities is helping to resettle refugees in our community. When refugees families and individuals arrive in the United States, they have very few possessions to their name. That is when Catholic Charities, Diocese of St. Petersburg steps in. From the moment refugees arrive at the airport, Catholic Charities is there to guide them toward becoming …
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Calling All Men – want to be inspired, reinvigorated, and uplifted? Does your faith life need a boost? Join over a thousand other Catholic men, at all levels of faith, from parishes throughout the diocese as they gather to revitalize their spirits at the Suncoast Catholic Ministries’ 8th Annual Tampa Bay Men’s Conference on February 10, 2018! The …
The next meeting of the John 21 Discernment group is Saturday, January 13, 2018 beginning with mass at 8:30 am. This group meets at St. Lawrence Parish in Tampa (5225 N. Himes Avenue, Tampa, FL 33614). John 21 is a discernment group for young men who are reflecting on God’s call in their lives and are considering …
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On January 4, 2018, Bishop Gregory Parkes celebrated the one year anniversary of being installed as the fifth Bishop of St. Petersburg. We invite you to send well wishes to Bishop Parkes on any of his social media accounts – Facebook, Twitter or Instagram or via email to communicate@dosp.org. This video has highlights from his first year and …
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Each January, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the U.S. Bishop’s anti-poverty program, provides resources to help Catholics live in solidarity with the poor. Liturgical and practical resources in both English and Spanish can be found here. These include bulletin announcements, prayers of the faithful, ideas for parish activities, reflections on the readings, and a calendar …
Christmas is one of the most holy days of the Church year, because it is the day that Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Many believers participate in the celebration of Mass at Christmas and parishes welcome them, preparing for their arrival with additional Mass times. In some parishes, Mass is …
Because Catholics participate in Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, some are wondering whether a Sunday evening Mass on Christmas Eve would fulfill both the obligation for a Sunday Mass and the obligation for a Christmas Day Mass. The U.S. Bishop’s Committee on Divine Worship has said the faithful should participate in two …
Monday, January 1, 2018, is the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. Since it falls on a Monday, it is not a holy day of obligation. If you would still like to honor the Blessed Mother, we invite you to attend a daily Mass at your parish on Monday. Check with …
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December 15, 2017 – Following the USCCB General Assembly in November 2017, a group of ecumenical and interfaith partners gathered with bishops of the Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage to discuss gender ideology. As a result of this discussion, faith leaders today issued an open letter entitled “Created Male and Female”. Archbishop Charles …
There is much work to be done between now and Christmas to protect Dreamers and help ensure humane treatment for all immigrants and refugees. Please consider participating in some important actions during the season of Advent: Our Lady of Guadalupe – December 12, 2017 On December 12, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast Day of …
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The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is Friday, December 8, 2017. It is a holy day of obligation. Please check with your parish for Mass times (you can search for parishes around the diocese here). On this day, we commemorate that from the moment of her conception, the Blessed Virgin Mary was …
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Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Mrs. Joan Farrell We recently learned of the death of Mrs. Joan Farrell, 94, sister of Monsignor George Cummings, on Wednesday, November 29, 2017. Mrs. Farrell was predeceased by her husband, Robert Farrell. She is survived by her two sons, Greg …