September 9, 2017 – As of 11am today, the Pastoral Center of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, located on 9th Avenue North in St. Petersburg, Florida, will be on lock down in preparation for the storm. Power will be shut down to take the center off the power grid, and the building will be closed until …
September 8, 2017 – 11:30am In response to questions regarding weekend Mass attendance, Most Rev. Gregory Parkes has granted dispensation from obligation to attend Masses this weekend, September 9-10, 2017. Click here to download the PDF of the announcement. For more safety announcements including closings, hurricane preparedness and insurance documents for after the storm, click here. …
September 6, 2017 – Hurricane Irma continues to move toward Florida, bringing a potentially large impact to our area. Most Rev. Gregory Parkes and Diocese of St. Petersburg officials will continue to monitor the storm’s progress and post updated safety announcements on the diocesan website. These announcements include: closures preparedness instructions/recommendations insurance guidelines and instructions …
Continue reading “Check Here for Hurricane Irma Safety Announcements”
Local Catholic Churches to Hold a Special Collection to Help with Disaster Relief and Rebuilding after Hurricane Harvey Bishop Gregory Parkes is asking all 81 parishes and missions in the Diocese of St. Petersburg to hold a special collection the weekend of September 2-3 or September 9-10 for the needs of people affected by natural …
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Mr. Christopher Parkes It is with sadness that we report the passing of Mr. Christopher J. Parkes, 55, brother of Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, on Friday evening, August 25, 2017, after suffering from complications due to a …
After eighteen months with no executions in our state, Mark Asay is scheduled to be executed on Thursday, August 24, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. The inconsistent and arbitrary application of the death penalty has only become more apparent since Florida’s most recent execution in January 2016. Defendants whose death sentences were finalized after June 2002 …
Continue reading “First Execution in over a Year Scheduled for August 24, 2017”
INVITE for WOMEN 50 SOMETHING Tucked away in the lovely rolling hills of St. Leo, Florida, you will find the Benedictine Sisters of Florida. We are consecrated religious women and are hosting a very special event for Women 50 Something. Please see flyer attached here If you are free to consider a religious vocation, be …
“The abhorrent acts of hatred on display in Charlottesville are an attack on the unity of our nation and therefore summon us all to fervent prayer and peaceful action,” said Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, of Galveston-Houston, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Read the full statements from the U.S. Bishops in response to …
The U.S. bishops and the Korean bishops’ conference are calling for talks to secure the peaceful future of the Korean Peninsula. Bishop Oscar Cantu of Las Cruces, New Mexico, the chairman of the bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace, said that diplomacy and political engagement is necessary to resolve the differences between the United …
Continue reading “Pray for Peace as Tensions Rise with North Korea”
Father Leo Patalinghug of Baltimore has been blogging about food since 2007. He is a celebrated chef, faith-filled priest and TV personality. In 2010, he published his first book, “Grace Before Meals.” Now, he is bringing his international TV program, “Savoring Our Faith” to Tampa Bay to break bread with local chefs, churchgoers, clergy and Bishop …
The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary falls on Tuesday, August 15 in 2017. On this holy day of obligation, we commemorate when Mary’s body and soul were assumed into heaven and she passed into eternal life. In the mystery of her Assumption, Mary experiences immediately what we all will experience eventually, a …
Continue reading “Celebrating the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary”
Members of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Dunedin visited Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Acul des Pins, their twin parish, during June. They distributed 350 pairs of ‘The Shoe That Grows’ to our twin School (courtesy of the generosity of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School family). Members also visited the Mission Chapel built by the …
Continue reading “Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Visits Twin Parish in Haiti”
Saint Leo University’s core values of community and responsible stewardship were on full display on July 13, 2017, as the university presented a new wheelchair to Michael Ledford, a rising fourth-grader at Woodland Elementary School in Zephyrhills, FL. Michael’s wheelchair was purchased using funds raised by Saint Leo and its many community partners through the …
Monsignor David Toups, currently the rector of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, joined more than one hundred seminary rectors in Rome at the end of June. They discussed revisions to a handbook of best practices for the formation of seminarians. Listen to an interview he did with Vatican Radio about the meeting by clicking …
Continue reading “Msgr. Toups Helps Review Seminarian Handbook in Rome”
Join others who may be experiencing the pain of a divorce or separation for a free mini-retreat at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, 2016, at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg. Find the path to healing, answers to some tough questions, and practical ways to move forward. This event is free and …
Continue reading “Healing Service for the Divorced, Separated or Remarried on October 8, 2017”
Saint Leo University welcomed the Most Reverend Gregory L. Parkes, bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, FL, as its newest member of the university’s board of trustees, effective July 1. Members of the volunteer board exemplify the university’s six core values and give of their time and expertise to ensure Saint Leo students receive …
Continue reading “Bishop Parkes Named Saint Leo University Trustee”
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Rev. Msgr. Janusz Burzawa We were saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Monsignor Janusz Burzawa, Administrator of Mercy of God Polish Mission since 1998. Additional biographical and funeral information can be accessed by clicking on the link below. Announcement (pdf) …
Most Reverend Gregory L. Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy changes, effective July 1, 2017, unless otherwise indicated: RETIREMENT STATUS Rev. John D’Antonio, from Pastor of Holy Cross, St. Petersburg, granted retirement status. Rev. Michael Lydon, from Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas, New Port Richey, granted retirement status. Upon notification by Very …
This summer, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops convened an unprecedented gathering of key leaders from dioceses and Catholic organizations from all across the country in order to assess the challenges and opportunities of our time, particularly in the context of the Church in the United States. This has been an ongoing initiative of the Bishops’ Working Group on the …
Continue reading “The Convocation of Catholic Leaders: The Joy of the Gospel in America”
Congratulations to Reverend Elixavier “Xavy” Castro who was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Gregory Parks on Saturday, May 20, 2017. Fr. Castro will begin his first priestly assignment for the Diocese of St. Petersburg as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Land O’Lakes, Florida. Please continue to keep Fr. Xavy …
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Reverend Arthur M. Villemaire Father Arthur M. Villemaire, 91, a retired priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, on Saturday, June 10, 2017, while under Hospice care in Sun City Center. (Click here for the obituary.) Oglor D. (Dionne) Lemoi Mrs. …
The students of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School along with faculty, staff, and families raised $4,544 and purchased 300 pairs of shoes for their sister parish, Le Sacre Coeur, Acul des Pins, Haiti. Click here to see photos. “I am very proud of our school community in their support of providing these 300 shoes …
A groundbreaking ceremony for a new multi-purpose building at Bishop Larkin Catholic School in Port Richey was held on May 25, 2017. Bishop Parkes, many of the school’s Parish Pastors, Superintendent Chris Pastura, Dr. Mark Majewski, Dr. Ann Davis, Dr. Michael Tkacik, Mr. Mike Messano, State Representative Amber Mariano, Mr. Mike Fasano, many principals, other distinguished guests, and …
Continue reading “Groundbreaking for New Multi-Purpose Building at Bishop Larkin Catholic School”
ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s Education and Research Foundation announced today the winners of TurfMutt’s national “Be a Backyard Superhero” contest. The grand prize winner’s school, Guardian Angels Catholic School in Clearwater, Fla., will receive a $10,000 grant to improve a green space on school grounds. The grand …
Continue reading “Guardian Angels Catholic School Student Wins TurfMutt Contest”
Fourth grade students from Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School and St. Cecelia Catholic School were able to visit Florida’s Sixth Judicial Circuit Court in Clearwater last week and witness the judicial process firsthand at Gold E. Lock’s Mock Trial sponsored by the Clearwater Bar Association. Click here to see photos. “In a mock trial that took …
Continue reading “Fourth Grade Students Visit Sixth Judicial Circuit Court”
Students from OLL and Morning Star School participated in field day events to promote understanding, kindness and respect on May 5, 2017 for the fourth year. Click here to see photos. “This was the 4th Annual Respect Rally for the students at OLL and Morning Star School. Our goal is to interact will each other …
Continue reading “Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School Hosts 4th Annual Respect Rally”
Bishop Parkes ordained Reverend Elixavier “Xavy” Castro to the priesthood on Saturday, May 20, 2017, at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. Praise be to God! Photos (more will be posted in the coming week, so please continue to check back). If your parish would like free digital copies of any of the photos, please contact …
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Reverend Robert Goodwin We recently learned of the death of Father Robert Goodwin, on his 90th birthday, May 15, 2017. Father Goodwin was a priest of the Diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire for nearly 60 years, where he served in parishes and …
Bishop Parkes will ordain Deacon Elixavier “Xavy” Castro to the priesthood at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2017, at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. All are invited to attend. The ordination will be live video streamed and broadcast on Spirit FM 90.5 (listen online at http://www.spiritfm905.com/ ).
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Deacon L. Roger Cartier We received word that Deacon Roger Cartier, 90, passed away in the Lord early Sunday, May 14, 2017, while at home under Hospice care. Deacon Cartier was ordained to the diaconate on June 20, 1986, for …
Thursday, May 25, is the 40th day after Easter, when the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord – when Jesus ascended bodily into heaven in the sight of the apostles. Since the year 2000 in our diocese and the province of Florida, this holy day of obligation is transferred to the …
Continue reading “2017 Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord”
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Mrs. Betty Hearne Mrs. Hearne, sister of Father Michael O’Neill, Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Seffner, passed away suddenly on Monday, April 24, 2017 in Ireland. All services were held in Mrs. Hearne’s home parish in County Tipperary, …
Pope Francis recently gave a TED Talk, urging people to make real connections with each other. “Good intentions and conventional formulas, so often used to appease our conscience, are not enough,” Pope Francis said. “Let us help each other, all together, to remember that the other is not a statistic or a number. The other has …
Congratulations to Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School’s Science Department, winner in the Technology Integration category of the Innovation in Catholic Education (ICE) Awards! The Science Department was selected due to the faculty’s and students’ hard work creating custom-designed 3D printed products for the community. Full story: http://s.dosp.org/2q6DXtE | Photos
Have you ever considered participating in a pilgrimage with other young adults and Pope Francis to a World Youth Day? World Youth Day (WYD) is a gathering of young people from around the world to celebrate the love of Christ for humanity. WYD is a powerful opportunity to gather with over 1 million young people from around …
This year we celebrate World Day of Prayer for Vocations on May 7, 2017. The theme for this year is Led by the Spirit for Mission. The purpose of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations is to publically fulfill the Lord’s instruction to, “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his …
On Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 11:00 am Bishop Gregory Parkes will ordain Elixavier “Xavy” Castro to the Priesthood. The ordination will take place at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle (5815 5th Avenue North, St. Petersburg) and is open to the public. Following the ordination there will be a reception in the Parish …
April 12, 2017 – Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School collected food, cooked, packaged and served lunches for 120 people who are residents at Pinellas Hope. The Student Council assisted in the transportation and distribution of the lunches. They also delivered the donations of clothes, toiletries, and items collected. Click here to see photos.
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Monsignor Francis X. Barrett Monsignor Barrett, 91, a retired priest of the Diocese of Allentown, passed away in the Lord on Friday, April 7, 2017, following nearly 62 years of priestly ministry. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War …
The Chrism Mass was held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. The Mass of Chrism usually takes place on Holy Thursday, but since the Diocese of St. Petersburg is so large and the priests and other people have to travel so far, it is held on Tuesday in …
As he settles into his new position as fifth Bishop of St. Petersburg, Bishop Parkes would like to hear the input and opinions of the faithful. He will be holding nine listening sessions across the Diocese over the next several months to hear the answers to the following three questions. What are we doing well as …
Continue reading “Survey & Listening Sessions with Bishop Parkes”
More Than 12,000 Pounds Recycled to Purchase Wheelchairs for Children Giving back to the community is a central part of life at Saint Leo University, and a recent project not only helped others, but also protected the environment. Students, faculty, staff, and community organizations and businesses collected bottle caps for Caps of Love, a Florida-based …
Continue reading “Saint Leo University Makes Difference With Bottle Caps”
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 …
Continue reading “Rev. Roy Campbell Appointed Auxiliary Bishop, Washington, DC”
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Reverend James Maurice Cottrell Reverend James Maurice Cottrell was born in Cadillac, MI on March 4, 1931 to Cecil and Emma Cottrell. He died at home on Sunday, March 19, 2017 at the age of 86 after a long battle …
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Reverend Guy Morgan, OFM May 31, 1926 – March 10, 2017 Father Guy Morgan, O.F.M., 91, passed away in the Lord on Friday, March 10, 2017. Since 1997, he has resided at St. Anthony Friary, St. Petersburg. Father Morgan …
Did you know that Saint Leo University is the oldest Catholic university in Florida and is the fourth largest Catholic university in the United States? Founded in 1889, Saint Leo University is a leading Catholic teaching institution that enrolls almost 15,000 students across our traditional Florida campus, more than 40 education center and office locations, …
Continue reading “The Catholic Identity of Saint Leo University”
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Reverend Francis Oman, I.C. Father Francis Mary Oman, IC, 87, died on Saturday, February 25, 2017, at Rosmini House in West Peoria. Father Oman was born on May 15, 1929, in Dublin, Ireland. He served as Parochial Vicar of St. …
March 1 was Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. See how some of our Catholic schools and centers spent Ash Wednesday. If you have photos from Ash Wednesday at your school that you would like to be included in the photo album, please email them to socialmedia@dosp.org. We also encourage you to send in …
Continue reading “Ash Wednesday 2017 in Our Schools and Centers”
With St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Friday (March 17, 2017) during the Lenten Season, Bishop Gregory Parkes is granting to the faithful of the Diocese of St. Petersburg a dispensation from abstaining from meat on that Friday alone. The faithful are encouraged to choose another day in the same week or as soon as …
During Lent, we are encouraged to raise up the needs of the world in prayer, to sacrifice or fast by giving up food or material wants, and to offer our time, talent, and treasure as good stewards of the gifts God has given us. Pope Francis’ 2017 Lenten message USCCB Lenten Resources Parish Lenten/Easter Guidelines – English / Spanish See …
Mr. Eulogio Sevilla Tupa Word has reached the Chancellor’s Office that Mr. Eulogio Tupa, father of Reverend Allan Tupa, Pastor of Most Holy Redeemer Parish, Tampa, passed away on Monday, February 20, 2017 in the Philippines following a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his beloved wife, Loreta, and two sons, in addition …