Earlier this month, Guardian Angels Catholic School became the first school in Tampa Bay to receive STREAM certification which is issued by the Florida Catholic Conference and the National Council for Private School Accreditation. They are the fifth school statewide to earn this distinction. In 2016, Guardian Angels Catholic School introduced a STREAM curriculum. STREAM …
Continue reading “Guardian Angels is First School in Tampa Bay to Receive STREAM Certification”
On December 7, 2018, the U.S. Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) released a list of names of Jesuits with credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor. They announced that no Jesuit with a credible accusation currently serves in public ministry. Of those Jesuits listed in the report from the …
On December 7, 2018, the U.S. Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) released a list of names of Jesuits with credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor. They announced that no Jesuit with a credible accusation currently serves in public ministry. Of those Jesuits listed in the report from the …
Espiritu Santo Parish in Safety Harbor has started offering Family Counseling as part of their effort to align with the diocesan vision of Courageously Living the Gospel. This counseling is intended to provide spiritual and emotional healing for families experiencing difficulties within family and marital relationships, including the trauma of divorce. The parish is also …
Continue reading “New Program Helps Families at Espiritu Santo Parish”
The sacred purpose of the mission of the Diocese of St. Petersburg calls us to proclaim the Good News and invite all people to encounter the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. One way the Diocese of St. Petersburg is living out that call is through a :30 second Christmas commercial that has been produced …
Continue reading “Christmas Commercial Sends a Message of Welcome”
Thousands of people from across the United States who work with young people gathered for the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry (NCCYM) from December 6 – 8 at the Tampa Convention Center. The conference was planned in part by the Diocese of St. Petersburg Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, headed by Ryan …
Continue reading “National Conference in Tampa Fires Up Youth Ministers”
Guiding Star Tampa is a leader in transforming women’s healthcare. Their holistic and compassionate approach to medicine is also in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church and the center has recently received a letter of support from Bishop Gregory Parkes. The non-profit ministry, located in Tampa, was founded nearly ten years ago by …
Continue reading “Our Diocese has a Pro-Life, Pro-Women’s Healthcare Clinic”
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Sister John Kevin McNulty, O.S.F. Word has been received of the death on December 4, 2018, of Sister John Kevin McNulty, OSF, sister of the late Msgr. John McNulty, at the Motherhouse in Allegany, NY. A native of St. …
What is the “migrant caravan,” and why are people traveling in a “caravan”? The “migrant caravan” originated in San Pedro Sula, Honduras on October 13th. Many of the individuals and families were later joined by others from Guatemala and El Salvador. Many traveling in the caravan are fleeing pervasive violence and persecution in their home …
Continue reading “Migrant Caravan: How you can Learn More and Act in the U.S”
Prior to the Scheduled Execution of Jose Antonio Jimenez Jose Antonio Jimenez is scheduled to be executed by the State of Florida on Thursday, December 13, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. for the murder of Phyllis Minas. Prior to Jimenez’s scheduled execution, Catholic faithful and members of the community plan to gather to pray for the …
Continue reading “Prayer Vigil to End the Death Penalty to be held on December 12 & 13”
WASHINGTON–Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has issued the following statement on the passing of President George Herbert Walker Bush. Cardinal DiNardo’s full statement follows: “We join with people across the nation as we mourn the passing of President George H.W. Bush. We remember with …
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Sr. Patricia (Pat) Haley, S.C.N. Word has been received of the death of Sister Pat Haley, SCN, at her Motherhouse in Nazareth, KY, on November 27, 2018. Sr. Pat ministered here in the Diocese of St. Petersburg in pastoral/social …
The Diocese of St. Petersburg announced on November 28th that Meegan Wright has been appointed to serve as Executive Director of the Catholic Foundation. These new responsibilities will be in addition to Meegan’s current role as Executive Director of the Office of Stewardship and Development, which oversees the Annual Pastoral Appeal and various campaigns and …
Continue reading “Meegan Wright Named New Executive Director of the Catholic Foundation”
ST. LEO, FL – Saint Leo University on December 5 will celebrate its 20th anniversary of offering online education. Launched in December 1998, Saint Leo was one of the first institutions to embrace online education with the creation of the Center for Online Learning. In 1996, the university faced declining enrollments and increasing deficits. Under …
Continue reading “Saint Leo University Celebrating 20th Anniversary of Offering Online Classes”
On Monday, December 10 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, you are invited to take a break from your hectic schedule and rest in the Lord during an evening of Eucharistic Adoration with Bishop Gregory Parkes. This special Advent ADORE event at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle will feature contemporary and traditional Advent …
Corpus Christi Catholic School’s mission is to develop in their students a passion for the Gospel and building a just and compassionate world through service to God and others. Each year, students participate in different service opportunities throughout the community. Eighth grade students volunteered at Metropolitan Ministries, Best Buddies and St. Vincent De Paul, amongst others. Younger …
Continue reading “Corpus Christi Catholic School Students Volunteer in the Community”
ST. LEO, FL – Saint Leo University kicked off the Christmas season at the university’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the main campus on November 27. Father Kyle Smith, university chaplain, read the Christmas story from gospel of Luke: “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should …
Continue reading “Saint Leo University Begins Christmas Season With Blessing of Nativity, Tree”
In anticipation that she was to bear the Son of God, Mary was preserved from the time of her conception from Original Sin. We call this the Immaculate Conception. No sin would touch her, so that she would be a fitting and worthy vessel of the Son of God. The Immaculate Conception does not refer …
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Deacon Albert Tibbetts Deacon Albert “Bert” Tibbetts, Sr., 91, of St. Cecelia Parish, Clearwater, passed away on Saturday, November 17, 2018. He is survived by his wife, Mary of 72 years and children Mary Jean Tibbetts, Albert Tibbetts, Sue Tibbetts …
Nativity scenes have been a popular Advent and Christmas tradition for centuries and are cherished by people of all ages. Now, there is an opportunity to see 500 nativity scenes on display in one room. Saint Clement Catholic Church, in Plant City, is presenting “Nativities Around the World.” These artistic and unique Nativities are from …
Continue reading “More than 500 Nativity Scenes from Around the World are on Display in Plant City”
MonsignorJohn Kennedy will be the 2019 CMC keynote speaker. Monsignor Kennedy is an Irish priest who was appointed by Pope Francis in 2017 to lead the disciplinary section of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He has served on the CDF since 2003. His presentation will provide updates on events relevant to the clergy …
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Ms. Lynn Bartolotta Ms. Lynn Bartolotta, 36, daughter of Father Victor Bartolotta, passed away suddenly on Saturday, November 17, 2018. Father Bartolotta is a retired priest of the Diocese of Rochester, living in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, where he …
Advent Message 2018 from Diocese of St. Petersburg on Vimeo. Starting the Church’s liturgical year, Advent is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas. Advent is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and also …
More than 400 priests, deacons, religious sisters and ministry leaders attended five training sessions facilitated by Catholic Leadership Institute during September and October. They learned about Courageously Living the Gospel and how each person is needed to make the Vision a reality. They also learned about PIE, the acronym for the Vision’s three priorities: Proclaiming – knowing and sharing …
Continue reading “Parishes Start Aligning with Vision and PIE”
Parishes in the southeast part of Hillsborough County are seeking to expand food distribution to families who are in great need. This is one example of how they are Courageously Living the Gospel. “This is the dream for our deanery-wide Catholic Impact Initiative, that we can make a difference in the lives of people in …
Continue reading “Parishes Explore Building a Food Bank in Southeast Hillsborough”
After receiving an abuse complaint against Father Michael P. Juran, a priest of the Diocese of Buffalo, his ordinary, Bishop Richard J. Malone, has placed Father Juran on administrative leave while an investigation continues. Father Juran served as Parochial Vicar of St. Stephen Parish, Riverview from 2006 to 2011. He currently maintains residence in the …
On Tuesday, November 13, the head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ independent lay advisory panel on the protection of children and young people delivered a special report to the body of U.S. bishops regarding the abuse crisis in the Church. In an address to the bishops who have gathered in Baltimore for the …
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops addressed the body of bishops at the opening sessions in Baltimore for the General Assembly taking place in Baltimore. Cardinal DiNardo’s full address follows: “Saint Augustine wrote, ‘In order that weakness might become strong, strength became weak.’ My dear brothers, …
WASHINGTON— Bishop Joe S. Vásquez, of Austin, Texas, Chairman of the U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Migration, Sister Donna Markham, OP, Phd, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, Jeanne Atkinson, Executive Director of Catholic Legal Immigration Network, and Sean Callahan, President and CEO of Catholic Relief Services issued an statement reiterating that …
WASHINGTON— Today, leaders of diverse faiths and religious nonprofits asked Congress to repeal a recent change to the Internal Revenue Code in Section 512(a)(7) that threatens to tax nonprofit organizations—including houses of worship—for the cost of parking and transit benefits provided to their employees. Many have referred to this provision as the “parking lot tax”. …
Continue reading “Ecumenical and Interfaith Leaders Ask Congress to Repeal the “Parking Lot Tax””
February 27, 2019 WASHINGTON–Monday night, the Senate failed to advance the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act—legislation that prohibits infanticide by ensuring that a child born alive following an abortion would receive the same degree of care to preserve her life and health as would be given to any other child born alive at the same …
BALTIMORE— The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) approved today, during its November General Assembly, the formal statement, “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love,” A Pastoral Letter Against Racism. The full body of bishops approved it by a two-thirds majority vote of 241 to 3 with 1 abstention. The USCCB Cultural Diversity …
At their annual fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, MD, the U.S Bishops participated in a consultation on the cause for sainthood of the Servant of God Sr. Thea Bowman, F.S.P.A. Bishop Robert P. Deeley, Chairman of the Committee on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance, and Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, Bishop of Jackson, Mississippi, the petitioner …
On Tuesday, November 13, the head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ independent lay advisory panel on the protection of children and young people delivered a special report to the body of U.S. bishops regarding the abuse crisis in the Church. In an address to the bishops who have gathered in Baltimore for the …
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops addressed the body of bishops at the opening sessions in Baltimore for the General Assembly taking place in Baltimore. Cardinal DiNardo’s full address follows: “Saint Augustine wrote, ‘In order that weakness might become strong, strength became weak.’ My dear brothers, …
The Retirement Fund for Religious collection will be held in most U.S. Catholic parishes on December 8-9. Now in its 31st year, the collection is coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO). Proceeds are distributed to eligible religious communities to help underwrite retirement and health-care expenses for senior members. Some 31,000 elderly Catholic sisters, …
Continue reading “Annual Collection Helps Religious Communities Address Retirement Shortfall”
BALTIMORE — The U.S. bishops overwhelmingly approved a pastoral letter against racism Nov. 14 during their fall general meeting at Baltimore.The document, “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love — A Pastoral Letter Against Racism,” passed 241-3 with one abstention. It required a two-thirds vote by all bishops, or 183 votes, for passage. …
Continue reading “Bishops overwhelmingly approve pastoral letter against Racism”
The students of St. Cecelia Catholic School of Clearwater, Florida gathered by the school’s flagpole where they honored the courageous of our country, the veterans. A prayer service and flag raising to God Bless America was a very touching sight to behold. The students were asked the question, “Who are veterans?” Among the answers that …
Continue reading “St. Cecelia Interparochial Catholic School Celebrates Veterans Day”
Notre Dame Catholic School was proud to host its 2nd annual Field of Honor® ceremony on Friday, November 9, 2018 at 9 am. It was attended by over 200 people, not including the student body. The Field of Honor® flag event payed tribute to our veterans and service men and women with a moving display …
Continue reading “Notre Dame Catholic School hosted its 2nd annual Field of Honor®”
The final rules announced Wednesday by the federal government regarding the HHS mandate “allow people like the Little Sisters of the Poor, faith-based schools, and others to live out their faith in daily life,” according to leaders of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and President …
WASHINGTON—Following the tragic shooting early this morning in Thousand Oaks, California, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement calling for the enactment of reasonable measures to end gun violence. The full statement of Cardinal DiNardo follows: “Many of us learned at dawn today that at …
On Sunday, Nov. 18 at 3:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, Bishop Parkes will present the St. Jude Medal Award to one lay member from each of our parishes for their distinguished and outstanding service. Whether it’s advocating for the life of the unborn, serving as an usher at Mass, or helping …
Continue reading “Congratulations to our 2018 St. Jude Medal Award Recipients”
WASHINGTON—The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will gather for the 2018 Fall General Assembly in Baltimore, November 12-14. The assembly will begin with an address by Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, archbishop of Galveston-Houston and President of the USCCB and also an address by the Papal Nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Christophe Pierre. The body of bishops will then adjourn to an on-site chapel for a full day of spiritual discernment and prayer. This …
ST. LEO, FL – The Saint Leo University community gathered on November 8 at the Saint Leo Abbey Church for Mass in recognition of feast day for Saint Leo the Great. The feast of Saint Leo is usually observed on November 10; however, Abbot Isaac J. Camacho, OSB, (Saint Leo Class of 1995) transferred it …
An allegation of inappropriate physical contact with a minor has been made against Rev. Nicholas McLoughlin, a priest of the Diocese of Venice, who served as pastor of Corpus Christi Parish, Temple Terrace from 1973 to 1982. He previously served as associate pastor of St. John Vianney, St. Pete Beach and pastor of Bishop Barry …
Continue reading “Statement Regarding Father Nicholas McLoughlin”
Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy change, effective November 6, 2018: RELIEVING Upon notification by Very Reverend Thomas R. Bheemareddy, O.C.D., Provincial Superior of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, Reverend Vijaya B. Polamarasetty, O.C.D. from Parochial Vicar of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Palm Harbor. Father Polamarasetty has been …
WASHINGTON—The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will gather for the 2018 Fall General Assembly in Baltimore, November 12-14. The assembly will begin with an address by Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, archbishop of Galveston-Houston and President of the USCCB and also an address by the Papal Nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Christophe Pierre. The body of bishops will then adjourn to an on-site chapel for a full day of spiritual discernment and prayer. This …
Pinellas Hope, a homeless shelter for adults located in Clearwater, is drawing attention to the plight of the homeless of Pinellas County during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week by hosting an Open House on Friday, November 16th. While progress has been made to reduce homelessness both locally and nationally, it is still a serious …
Established 75 years ago as a result of the refugee crisis that unfolded during WWII, Catholic Relief Services, the international relief and development agency of the United States Catholic Church, has since grown into one of the largest humanitarian aid agencies in the world while responding to some of the most devastating modern crises of …
Continue reading “Catholic Aid Agency Looks Back on 75 Years of Service”
November is the Month of All Souls, when we remember and pray for those who have died in a special way. We would like to remember the people who were special to you that have died, especially during the last year, with an online photo album. Please send a photo of this special person with …
After 18 months of planning, the Family Faith Fest was an outpouring of grace and the presence of the Holy Spirit was palpable in the joy of the people, the prayers, the music, and most heartfully in the celebration of the Holy Mass. On this webpage, we will provide coverage of this event so you …
The first-ever Family Faith Fest on Oct. 27 with over 10,000 participants was an opportunity to celebrate the diocesan golden anniversary as one Family of God. It was also a day of great music, games, exhibits and cultural experiences. Most importantly, the Fest was a moment to encounter our Lord Jesus Christ in a powerful …
Continue reading “Family Faith Fest – A Historic Day to Remember”
I am heartbroken and saddened by the horrific shooting that occurred at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Please know that the Catholic community stands in solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters. An attack on one faith community is an attack on all communities of faith. I pray for the victims of this …
Continue reading “Bishop Parkes Issues a Statement on Shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue”
Following the tragic shooting in Pittsburgh that killed 11 members of a Jewish synagogue, The Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies (CCJS) of Saint Leo University invites everyone to a dialogue on antisemitism in the United States today, facilitated by Rabbi Jason Rosenberg, of Congregation Beth Am, Tampa, and Dr. Matthew Tapie, Assistant Professor of Theology, and …
Continue reading “Saint Leo University to Hold a Dialogue on Antisemitism in the U.S.”
This fall, the Diocese of St. Petersburg held a video contest for all the budding teen and college age videographers in our community. The title of the contest was “Why I love my church”, and participants were asked to use their creative juices to include elements of their parish, school, homeschool group, and ministries reflecting …