Sabrina Burton Schultz, director of the Diocese of St. Petersburg Life, Justice and Advocacy Ministry, has been selected by Catholic Relief Services as the recipient of the 2019 National CRS Diocesan Director Award for CRS Rice Bowl! The award is given to a well deserving and hardworking leader who exemplifies the work of solidarity by promoting …
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Ms. Ann Veronica Coppola Ms. Ann Veronica Coppola, 59, sister of Reverend Anthony Coppola, Pastor, Most Holy Redeemer Parish, Tampa, passed away in the Lord on Friday, October 19, 2018, following a struggle with melanoma cancer. Ms. Coppola leaves behind …
Padre Pio Relics will be Accessible to the Public at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle on November 2 St. Pio, better known as Padro Pio, is a modern-day saint, who is beloved for his kindness, gentleness and compassion. In honor of the 50th anniversary of his death, his relics will be on display …
The Catholic Church in the United States will celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week, November 4-10. This annual event is a special time for parishes in the U.S. to foster a culture of vocations for the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life. Pope Francis, in his message for the 2018 World Day of Vocations, emphasized that it …
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Reverend Edward Wal We are saddened to inform of the passing of Reverend Edward Wal, 64, on Sunday, October 21, 2018 at Northside Hospital. He most recently served as Pastor of Transfiguration Parish, St. Petersburg until July 2018 when he …
“So many people have lost everything: homes, property and even their livelihood. The scenes of destruction are heart-wrenching, knowing that when we see a place where there once was a house, a family used to live there and are now homeless,” said Bishop William A. Wack of Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee in an Oct. 12 letter to his …
Continue reading “Hurricane Michael Relief Efforts around the Diocese”
The Diocese of St. Petersburg is aware of a lawsuit that has been filed alleging sexual abuse of a minor by Robert D. Huneke. This former priest originally served in the Diocese of Rockville Center and was transferred to the Diocese of St. Petersburg in 1979 with a letter of recommendation from his bishop and …
Continue reading “Diocese of St. Petersburg Statement Regarding Lawsuit”
The Diocese of St. Petersburg is aware of a lawsuit that has been filed alleging sexual abuse of a minor by Robert D. Huneke. This former priest originally served in the Diocese of Rockville Center and was transferred to the Diocese of St. Petersburg in 1979 with a letter of recommendation from his bishop and …
Continue reading “Diocese of St. Petersburg Statement Regarding Lawsuit”
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Mr. Arthur W. (“Bill”) Gibbons The Chancellor’s Office was recently informed of the passing of Mr. Arthur W. Gibbons, 76, brother of Monsignor Robert Gibbons, Pastor of St. Paul Parish, St. Petersburg. Please click here for a full obituary. Please …
Casting your vote responsibly requires you to be informed. That’s why each election cycle, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) conducts the Candidate Questionnaire Project in an effort to assist Catholics and the broader community with the obligation to become informed voters. The FCCB invites all 2018 U.S. Congressional, Florida gubernatorial and Florida legislative …
Continue reading “Do you know where the candidates stand? Be Informed!”
On October 8, the Feast Day of Blessed John Henry Newman, patron of Catholic Campus Ministry in the United States, the USCCB Secretariat of Catholic Education issued a report highlighting the key findings from the National Study on Catholic Campus Ministry. The Secretariat commissioned the study seeking to advance Catholic identity in higher education and to …
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Sister Winifred Solomon, SNJM Word has been received of the death of Sister Winifred Solomon, SNJM, on Thursday, October 4, 2018. Funeral services for Sister Winifred will take place on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, at the Academy of the Holy …
Pope Francis has invited all Catholics to pray a rosary daily during the month of October “to join in communion and in penitence, as the people of God, in asking the Holy Mother of God and Saint Michael Archangel to protect the Church from the devil, who always seeks to separate us from God and …
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: Today, as a result of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report, the Florida Attorney General announced an investigation into how the Catholic dioceses of Florida have handled allegations of sexual abuse of minors in the past. I welcome this investigation and want to assure the public that the Diocese of …
October 4, 2018 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: Today, as a result of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report, the Florida Attorney General announced an investigation into how the Catholic dioceses of Florida have handled allegations of sexual abuse of minors in the past. I welcome this investigation and want to assure the public that …
God made all creatures, great and small! Parishioners throughout the Diocese of St. Petersburg were invited to send in their pet’s name and a photo to be included in a special photo album with a prayer for animals in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures. See the album below. If you’d like …
Continue reading “Blessing of the Animals in Honor of Feast of St. Francis of Assisi”
A retired priest with 56 years of dedicated service was honored with the 2018 Father Luis Distinguished Priestly Service Award on October 2, 2018. He is the 22nd priest in the Diocese of St. Petersburg to be honored with this award. In addition to serving as a priest and pastor, Monsignor Dechering has also ministered …
The Weekend Before World Mission Sunday (October 14, 2018) NEXT WEEKEND, we will celebrate World Mission Sunday. Pope Francis invites the entire Church to support the mission dioceses in Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and parts of Latin America and Europe, where priests, religious and lay leaders serve the world’s most vulnerable communities. Please keep …
Continue reading “World Mission Sunday 2018 – Bulletin Announcements”
Twenty-four delegates from the Diocese of St. Petersburg participated in the Fifth National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry on September 20-23, at Grapevine, Texas. Together with 3,000 delegates, leaders, religious brothers and sisters, deacons, priests and bishops of the United States, our delegates worked to identify strategies to serve the growing Hispanic/Latino community so that the Church can …
Twenty-four delegates from the Diocese of St. Petersburg participated in the Fifth National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry on September 20-23, at Grapevine, Texas. Together with 3,000 delegates, leaders, religious brothers and sisters, deacons, priests and bishops of the United States, our delegates worked to identify strategies to serve the growing Hispanic/Latino community so that the Church can …
Continue reading “Delegates Encounter Christ and Seek to Share Christ”
Our seminarian Ralph D’Elia was ordained a deacon on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. He is called a transitional deacon, meaning that he will be ordained a priest, God-willing, in May of 2019. Deacon Ralph is from St. Timothy Parish in Lutz. He is a fourth generation Tampa native. After experiencing …
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BALTIMORE, MD, September 30, 2018 — A Catholic Relief Services (CRS) emergency response team is en-route to Palu, the city most affected by the tsunami that struck Indonesia on Friday, following a 7.5 earthquake, and has killed at least 800 people and toppled buildings, shopping malls and mosques. Infrastructure has also been badly damaged, and …
Pope Francis’ invitation The Holy Father has decided to invite all the faithful, of all the world, to pray the Holy Rosary every day, during the entire Marian month of October, and thus to join in communion and in penitence, as the people of God, in asking the Holy Mother of God and Saint Michael …
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September 27, 2018 WASHINGTON— Cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan, Archbishop of New York and Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued a statement today applauding initial steps taken by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to terminate a Food and Drug Administration contract to purchase aborted baby parts …
From September 26 through November 4 , 2018, our community will unite with many others from coast to coast – and internationally – for a major simultaneous pro-life mobilization – the 40 Days for Life campaign. Faithful believers are praying that these efforts will mark the beginning of the end of abortion. Vision and Mission …
Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy changes effective October 1, 2018 unles otherwise noted: APPOINTMENTS Upon presentation by Very Reverend Michael Rock, O. de M., Vicar Provincial of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy: Reverend Justin Freeman, O. de M. to Parochial Vicar of St. John …
The annual Respect Life Program is a year-round, nationwide effort to help Catholics understand, value, and become engaged with building a culture that cherishes every human life. Although sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Respect Life Program is essentially comprised of the efforts of leaders throughout the Church like you—parish priests, staff, …
Support individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Florence. Catholic Charities USA forwards 100 percent of funds raised to Catholic Charities agencies that serve affected communities. Catholic Charities is working with local partner agencies to address the immediate and long-term needs of families affected by Hurricane Florence. Text CCUSADISASTER to 71777, call 1-800-919-9338 or visit www.catholiccharitiesusa.org …
Sister Helen Lange, a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida in Saint Leo, Florida, celebrates her 105th Birthday on Friday, September 28, 2018. She came to our community from Rowena, Texas in 1930 with cousins who would also join us – Sister Pauline and Sister Irma in 1930. Throughout her life here, Sister Helen …
Continue reading “Sr. Helen Lange Continues to Be a Gift on her 105th Birthday”
In order to foster new paths of collaboration that can create a stronger, more relevant and connected Church, Courageously Living the Gospel calls for nine Catholic Impact Initiatives that will change lives in our communities. These new initiatives are a goal of the new mutually shared vision that will be led by the nine vicars …
Continue reading “Deans Start Dreaming of a Catholic Impact Initiative”
The first of five parish training days for the implementation of Courageously Living the Gospel was held on Sept. 15 at St. Stephen Parish in Riverview. “It is you who will bring this vision to life in our diocese,” Bishop Gregory Parkes told the 50 parish leaders and clergy who attended during opening remarks. “You’re …
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More than 100 students and staff of Morning Star Catholic School in Tampa surprised Bishop Gregory Parkes with a strong show of support for the new diocesan vision, Courageously Living Gospel. On September 19, Bishop Parkes arrived at the school to celebrate their 60th anniversary Mass and found them all wearing matching blue t-shirts with a call to …
September 19, 2018 WASHINGTON–The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Administrative Committee has issued the following statement today in response to the recent sex abuse scandals. In the statement, the bishops say they pledge to “heal and protect with every bit of the strength God provides us.” Turning to the Lord “When each of us …
September 19, 2018 WASHINGTON–The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Administrative Committee has issued the following statement today in response to the recent sex abuse scandals. In the statement, the bishops say they pledge to “heal and protect with every bit of the strength God provides us.” Turning to the Lord “When each of us …
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: John Marino Word has been received of the sudden and unexpected death of John Marino, the brother of Sister Florence Marino, IHM, on Sunday, September 9, 2018. Funeral services were held on Thursday, September 13 in Chapel Hill, NC. Please …
The Diocese of St. Petersburg is hosting the National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry for the first time ever. The conference is organized by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry and is held every two years to form, inspire and strengthen youth ministers and all who seek to accompany young people as they encounter …
More than 5,000 people have registered to attend the Diocese of St. Petersburg’s Family Faith Fest on Saturday, Oct. 27! Have you? (Click here to register.) In about one month the Family Faith Fest will be here! It’s expected to be the biggest event in our diocesan history and we are hoping for a huge outpouring of …
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the death of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, better known as Padre Pio, his relics are being displayed in dioceses across the U.S. The relics of this modern-day saint, who is beloved around the world, will be at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, St. Petersburg, for one …
Continue reading “St. Pio Relics to Visit the Diocese of St. Petersburg on Friday, November 2”
Renewed and sustained by the Spirit of God, representatives from 16 parishes in the Diocese of St. Petersburg will join Bishop Gregory Parkes for a national gathering in Grapevine, Texas from September 20 -23 that is hoped to assist with rebuilding the Church. Dioceses from across the country will also participate in the V National …
Continue reading “Gathering Seeks to Move Church into Permanent Missionary Mode”
In his letter to the People of God regarding sexual abuse and ecclesial coverup of abuse, Pope Francis stated, “Looking back to the past, no effort to beg pardon and to seek to repair the harm done will ever be sufficient. Looking ahead to the future, no effort must be spared to create a culture …
Continue reading “Bishop Parkes’ Statement on Diocesan Wide Prayer and Reparation”
In his letter to the People of God regarding sexual abuse and ecclesial coverup of abuse, Pope Francis stated, “Looking back to the past, no effort to beg pardon and to seek to repair the harm done will ever be sufficient. Looking ahead to the future, no effort must be spared to create a culture …
Continue reading “Bishop Parkes’ Statement on Diocesan Wide Prayer and Reparation”
September 13, 2018 WASHINGTON—Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Michael Bransfield from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia. Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop William E. Lori as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. He will remain Archbishop of Baltimore. The Holy Father has additionally instructed Archbishop Lori to …
September 13, 2018 WASHINGTON—Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Michael Bransfield from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia. Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop William E. Lori as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. He will remain Archbishop of Baltimore. The Holy Father has additionally instructed Archbishop Lori to …
September 12, 2018: – Good News! Book Fair launched its inaugural book fair in the Diocese of St. Petersburg in partnership with Notre Dame Catholic School in Spring Hill. “Bringing the Good News! Book Fair to our community at Notre Dame was an honor!” said Mrs. Florence Buono, school principal. “It was extremely refreshing to …
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New Episode of “A View from the Top” is Available In his regular podcast about current events, Bishop Gregory Parkes speaks about the ongoing crisis of clergy abuse, how our faith can help us through these struggles, the importance of prayer during this time, the diocesan listening sessions on racism, and St. Peter Claver Church’s …
Continue reading “Bishop Parkes Records Podcast Regarding Clergy Sex Abuse Crisis”
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Mrs. Helga Torres We have received word of the passing of Mrs. Helga Torres, wife of Deacon Eusebio “Papo” Torres from St. Cecelia Parish in Clearwater on Wednesday, September 5, 2018, she was 72. The visitation will take place on …
Prospective Students Invited to Learn More about Academics, Organizations, Financial Aid ST. LEO – Saint Leo University will host two open houses this fall. Students of all ages are welcome to attend with their families and friends from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, September 29. A second open house is planned for November 10. …
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September is Suicide Prevention Month A rapid increase in suicide in our time is cause for alarm among pastoral workers and, of course, family members and other survivors of this tragedy. The depths of depression can rob a person of his or her desire to live. Over 90% of all deaths by suicide are a result of …
Continue reading “Pastoral Resources for Suicide Prevention Month”
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Mrs. Gloria Crahan We were informed that Mrs. Gloria Crahan, sister of Rev. Msgr. George Cummings, retired priest of our Diocese, passed away on Monday, August 27, 2018 in St. Louis, MO. Click here for obituary. Mrs. Joan Gerardo We …
In addition to music and entertainment, the Family Faith Fest will provide an opportunity for each of us to encounter the living Christ in the Eucharist and the prayers of the people who participate. “It will essentially be a festive encounter with our Lord,” said Bishop Gregory Parkes. “Similar to a World Youth Day experience, …
Continue reading “Family Faith Fest is Hoped to be an Outpouring of Prayer and Grace”
September 3, 2018 WASHINGTON—In his 2018 Labor Day statement, Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, calls for all persons to work together for just wages, which are necessary for families to flourish. A just wage is one that “not only provides for …
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August 28, 2018 WASHINGTON—The National Review Board (NRB) has issued the following in response to the release of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury report and recent allegations against Archbishop McCarrick. In the statement, the NRB calls for a lay-lead investigation into all allegations of sexual misconduct within the Church as well as strengthening the Charter for …
WASHINGTON—The National Review Board (NRB) has issued the following in response to the release of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury report and recent allegations against Archbishop McCarrick. In the statement, the NRB calls for a lay-lead investigation into all allegations of sexual misconduct within the Church as well as strengthening the Charter for the Protection of …
Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Ms. Teresa Nakibule Ms. Teresa Nakibule, grandmother of Reverend Francis M. Lubowa, Parochial Administrator of Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Gulfport, passed away suddenly on Friday, August 10, 2018, in Uganda. A Funeral Service was held for Ms. Nakibule …