38 Represent Diocese at Catholic Days at the Capitol
February 17, 2016

February 16 and 17, 2016 – Thirty-eight Catholics represented the Diocese of St. Petersburg at Catholic Days at the Capitol in Tallahassee. See photos from the event here. Catholic Days at the Capitol is a two-day event for Catholics from around the state to gather and discuss human life and dignity issues with elected officials. Participants attend …

2016 Rite of Election
February 17, 2016

February 14, 2016 – The Rite of Election of Catechumens and the Call to Continuing Conversion of Candidates for Full Communion took place during two prayer services, which were held at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg. There were 236 catechumens in attendance at the 1:30 p.m.  service and 196 catechumens in attendance at the 4:00 …

24th World Day of the Sick – An Opportunity to Plan for Advance Care
February 11, 2016

February 11 is the 24th World Day of the Sick. In a special way today we pray for our brothers and sisters who are sick of body, mind, and spirit and for those who provide care for them. This is also an opportunity to plan for end-of-life advance care. The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops has put together …

Dunedin Vice Mayor, Visits Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School
February 9, 2016

On Wednesday, February 3rd, students along with teachers welcomed the Vice Mayor of Dunedin, Heather Gracy in conjunction with Catholic Schools Week! The excitement and anticipation was palpable as the student body, led by National Junior Honor Society members, participated in a prayer service and flag raising ceremony accompanied by several patriotic songs sung by …

St. Cecelia Students Collect Donations for Kimberly Home
February 9, 2016

Students of SCS celebrate Catholic Schools Week by collecting diapers and wipes for the Kimberly Home in a big way! Hundreds of Diapers and wipes were delivered to the Kimberly Home.  (Kimberly Home is a non-profit, pregnancy resource center that offers assistance to women and families in unplanned or troubling pregnancies.) The mission of our …

2016 Lenten Season
February 2, 2016

In his 2016 Lenten message, Pope Francis asks us to reflect upon and put into practice the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Embrace his call to mercy by reaching out to those in need.  Be attentive to the Lenten call to prayer; be generous with your time and treasure. “For all of us, then, the …

Come and See Weekend for Women
February 2, 2016

The Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Hear of Los Angeles are hosting a Come and See Weekend on February 19-21, 2016 in Miami, Florida. Please see the informational flyer Come and See Flyer 2015-16 for details and contact information. The Carmelite Sisters community staffs St. Theresa’s Elementary School in Coral Gables and Archbishop Coleman …

Clergy Appointment ~ February 1, 2016
February 1, 2016

Most Reverend Robert N. Lynch, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy appointment, effective February 1, 2016: APPOINTMENT Upon presentation by Very Reverend Kevin J. Mullen, O.F.M., Provincial Minister, Reverend Michael T. Reyes, O.F.M., as Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart Parish, Tampa.

Obituary ~ February 1, 2016
February 1, 2016

Paul Kenneth Jastrem Mr. Jastrem, age 68, St. Petersburg, formerly of Lawrence, MA, passed away December 29, 2015 at St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Petersburg.  He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1964.  In 1973, Paul moved to St. Petersburg and continued his career as organist at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle and …

Catholic Schools Week 2016
January 29, 2016

From January 31 to February 6, Catholic schools in the Diocese of St. Petersburg will celebrate Catholic Schools Week. This week marks an annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. This year’s theme is “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.” Schools will observe the celebration with Masses and activities for students, …

ST. CECELIA CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS PAY IT FORWARD
January 27, 2016

Each year the second grade students of St. Cecelia Interparochial Catholic School participate in several Pay it Forward projects. Throughout the year, the students learn the importance of prayer, service, and giving. In January, students helped an organization called Food for the Poor and their “We Pledge 100” campaign. Ms. Colossia Butts, the organization’s school …

Obituary ~ Jan 25, 2016
January 25, 2016

We received word that Father Alfonso Pagliara, O.F.M. Cap., 90, passed away in the Lord early Tuesday morning, January 19, 2016.  “Father Al,” as he was known, served as Parochial Vicar of Most Holy Redeemer Parish, Tampa for 23 years, from 1986 to 1995 and again from 1998 until the Capuchins left the parish in …

2016 March for Life
January 22, 2016

200+ pilgrims from our diocese are participating in the March for Life in Washington, D.C. Please keep them in your prayers. Follow the hashtag ?#?DOSPMarch4Life? on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) to see how pilgrims from our diocese are participating in the March for Life. Follow the hashtags ?#?March4Life?,?#?MarchforLife?, ?#?WhyWeMarch? and ?#?iStand4Life? to see how pilgrims …

More than 350 Attended “Rally in Tally 2016”
January 14, 2016

On January 19, more than 350 students, administrators, staff, and parents from the Diocese of St. Petersburg attended the “Rally in Tally 2016.” Rally participants marched to support parental empowerment in education, arguing that an end to the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program would harm Florida’s low-income and minority students. The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program is …

Parish Resources for the 43rd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
January 7, 2016

The following resources have been gathered to help parishes observe the 43rd anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision. We ask parishes to consider printing the statement from the Florida Bishops (available in English or Spanish) and including it in their bulletins. Additional resources to assist parishes are available on the USCCB website. In particular, …

Statement on the 43rd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Decision
January 7, 2016

Saddened by yet another anniversary of the January 22, 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion, the Catholic bishops of Florida recognize in their annual Roe v. Wade statement the courage of lawmakers who this past year sought to reduce abortion in our state. The bishops were deeply moved by the post-abortive women who …

Vocation Awareness Workshop
January 5, 2016

VOCATION AWARENESS WORKSHOP The Office of Vocations would like to invite all who are interested in promoting vocation awareness to a special workshop, Creating a Culture of Vocations By Living a Life of Joy and Fulfillment. Location:    Bethany Center, 18150 Bethany Center Dr., Lutz, FL 33558 Date:            Saturday, January 23, 2016, from 8:00a.m. ? 1:30 …

Clergy Changes ~ December 2015
December 21, 2015

Clergy Appointment   Most Reverend Robert N. Lynch, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy change, effective December 12, 2015:   APPOINTMENT Upon presentation by Very Reverend William Miller, I.C., Provincial Superior, Institute of Charity, Reverend Christopher J. Fuse, I.C. as Parochial Vicar of St. Theresa Parish, Spring Hill.

Congratulations to the 2015 St. Jude Medal Award Recipients
December 11, 2015

During evening prayer at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg on Sunday, November 22, Bishop Lynch recognized the St. Jude Medal recipients from our parishes and missions. Through their generosity and loyal service to their parish and communities, these lay men and women have contributed greatly to spreading the Gospel of …

Giving Tuesday
November 25, 2015

Black Friday, Thanksgiving Madness Sales, Cyber Monday – it all points to a huge amount of money spent with a materialistic shopping focus.  #GivingTuesday, the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, works to combat materialism and get people nationwide to do something for the greater good. #GivingTuesday 2015 kicks off the season of giving on December 1st.  …

Advent 2015
November 25, 2015

Starting the Church’s liturgical year, Advent is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas. This year Advent begins on Sunday, November 29. Advent is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and also to the anniversary …

Celebrating over 2,484 years of Priestly Ministry
November 24, 2015

November 23, 2015 – Our retired priests gathered for Mass and a Thanksgiving luncheon with Bishop Lynch at the Bethany Center in Lutz. We are thankful for over 2,484 years of their priestly ministry! Photos 

2015 St. Jude Medal Awards
November 18, 2015

Congratulations to all of the 2015 recipients of the St. Jude Medal Award! If you cannot attend the ceremony in person at 3:00PM on 11/22 at Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, you can listen live on Spirit FM 90.5 or online at http://www.spiritfm905.com/. Photos will be shared as soon as we receive them from …

Notre Dame Honors Our Law Enforcement Officers
November 4, 2015

Shared from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office‘s October 23 post on Facebook: This morning, Sheriff Nienhuis and Deputy Derek Origon were invited to Notre Dame Catholic School located at 1095 Commercial Way in Spring Hill for a presentati…on. Mrs. Florence Buono, the Principal of the Notre Dame, extended the invitation so the students could offer …

Our Lady of Lourdes Honors Outstanding Students!
November 4, 2015

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School honors outstanding students inducted into the National Junior Honor Society. Congratulations to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School’s National Junior Honor Society Award Recipients, Sophia Picun, Jade Christopher, Haley Groth, Gabriella Fonseca, Cailin Dennis and Terri Moran. The areas of qualification are Character, Service, Leadership, Citizenship and Knowledge. These …

Interreligious Dialogues
November 2, 2015

50 Years of Nostra Aetate, Interreligious Dialogues AFTER NOSTRA AETATE: UNDERSTANDING CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES IN INTERFAITH RELATIONS The Second Vatican Council’s 1965 Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, entitled, Nostra Aetate, called for dialogue and collaboration with the followers of other religions and ushered in a historic era of positive relations between …

Statement on the Release of the Movie “Spotlight”
October 21, 2015

The movie Spotlight, due out on November 6, 2015, focuses on the reporters’ efforts from the Boston Globe in exposing the sexual abuse scandal of the clergy and church personnel of the Catholic Church. If you or someone you know has suffered or is currently suffering from (clergy/church personnel) sexual abuse, we truly want to help …

Ten New Deacons
October 17, 2015

October 17, 2015 – Ten men were ordained to the diaconate at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle by Bishop Robert N. Lynch. Congratulations to Deacon Elix Castro of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Seffner, Deacon Frank DeSanto of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Land O’Lakes, Deacon Steven Girardi of Espiritu …

2015 Red Mass
October 14, 2015

October 14, 2015 – Father Timothy Corcoran celebrated the annual Red Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tampa. We call upon the Holy Spirit to grant light, inspiration, and guidance to lawyers, judges, and all those serving in the Judicial branches of government. See photos from the Red Mass.

2015 Diocesan Hispanic Mass
October 10, 2015

October 10, 2015 -The annual diocesan Hispanic Mass was celebrated at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. The day began by praying the Rosary, followed by the procession of Our Lady of Copacabana, the patroness of Bolivia. A procession of flags from the countries represented at the Mass …

Bishop Lynch Receives Fr. Luis Distinguished Priestly Service Award
October 7, 2015

October 6, 2015 – Most Reverend Robert N. Lynch became the 19th recipient of the Fr. Luis Distinguished Priestly Service Award at the annual Convocation for Priestly Renewal. He was selected by his peers to receive the award in recognition of  his dedicated ministry and service to the faithful and community of the Diocese of …