The Chancellor’s Office was informed that Mr. Domingos Sebastiao Simoes, 59, passed away Sunday morning, June 28, 2026, in India, following a lengthy illness. Mr. Simoes is the brother of Father Pedro Camilo Simoes, S.A.C., Pastor of Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Gulfport. Mr. Simoes is survived by his wife and two sons, ages …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Disaster ReliefIn the wake of the recent earthquakes in Venezuela, the Pastoral Center has received several inquiries regarding a special collection for those impacted by this unfortunate disaster. While a special collection for the earthquake victims is not being requested from our parishes, Bishop Parkes has approved a donation from our diocesan Disaster …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Marriage and Family Life MDS – Matrimony, Dialogue & SupportGive your marriage the gift of a blessed renewal! MDS is thrilled to host its next English-speaking retreat on July 17-19. The mission of MDS is to strengthen couples’ relationships through a weekend retreat and weekly gatherings, where couples share their experiences …
Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of Saint Petersburg, announces the following clergy changes, effective July 1, 2026 unless otherwise noted: APPOINTMENTS Reverend Jali Marivalan Asirvatham [Diocese of Sivagangai, India] to Parochial Vicar of St. Scholastica Parish, Lecanto, with part-time assistance to Our Lady of Grace Parish, Beverly Hills. Reverend William Santhouse, from Parochial Vicar of …
We recently learned that Ms. Heather Suzette Hillis, 52, mother of Mr. Geovanny Hillis, Media Creator for the Ministry Advancement Office and Producer at Spirit FM 90.5, unexpectedly passed away on Thursday, June 4, 2026, in Tampa. Ms. Hillis was a member of St. Paul Parish, in Tampa. Funeral Mass for Heather will be held …
The Chancellor’s Office has just learned of the unexpected passing of Mr. Leoncio Vasquez, father of Reverend Amaro Vasquez Ortiz, Parochial Vicar of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Clearwater, on Friday, May 29, 2026, in Peru. No additional details have been provided but will be shared once they are available. Please keep Father Amaro and …
The Diaconate Office informed that Deacon Dominic (Dom) Friscia, 88, passed away on Thursday evening, May 28, 2026. Deacon Friscia was retired from Espiritu Santo Parish, Safety Harbor. He was a resident of Clearwater, along with his wife, Victoria (Vicky). The Friscias have been long-time members of Espiritu Santo Parish, where Deacon Dom served since …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Marriage and Family Life MDS – Matrimony, Dialogue & Support Give your marriage the gift of a blessed renewal! MDS is thrilled to host its next English-speaking retreat on July 17-19. The mission of MDS is to strengthen couples’ relationships through a weekend retreat and weekly gatherings, where couples share their …
PARISHES/ORGANIZATIONS Vacation Bible School Corpus Christi Parish, 9715 N 56th St. Temple Terrace For June 1 – 5, 2026; 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. $30.00 per Child Come to the Table Come to the Table is a one-week Vacation Bible School (VBS) curriculum that explores five stories about Jesus from the Gospels of Luke and …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Marriage and Family Life Worldwide Marriage Encounter Successful marriages don’t work on automatic pilot – at least not for long. Like a garden, they require constant attention: fertilizing, watering, and weeding. Healthy marriages, like gardens, don’t die suddenly. More often they fade away from a gradual lack of attentiveness, letting things …
The Chancellor’s Office received the news of the passing of Mr. Joseph Kibbedhi, 48, brother of Father Anthony Kakaire, Parochial Vicar of St. Cecelia Parish, Clearwater, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. According to Father Kakaire, Mr. Kibbedhi resided in his native Uganda and had battled cancer over the past year. Funeral services took place on …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Marriage and Family Life Worldwide Marriage Encounter Successful marriages don’t work on automatic pilot – at least not for long. Like a garden, they require constant attention: fertilizing, watering, and weeding. Healthy marriages, like gardens, don’t die suddenly. More often they fade away from a gradual lack of attentiveness, letting things …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Misa Bilingüe de Sanación para los Sobrevivientes de Abuso (inglés/español) El viernes, 22 de mayo de 2026 se celebrará una Misa bilingüe de Sanación para sobrevivientes de abuso a las 6:30 PM. La misa tendrá lugar en la iglesia de St. Rita, 14404 14th Street, Dade City. El Padre Carlos Rojas, párroco, será …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Oficinas de Ambiente Seguro y Ministerios Interculturales Misa de Sanación para los Sobrevivientes de Abuso El viernes, 6 de mayo de 2026 se celebrará una Misa de Sanación en español para sobrevivientes de abuso a las 6:30 PM. La misa tendrá lugar en St. Rita Catholic Church, 14404 14th Street, Dade City. El …
Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of Saint Petersburg, announces the following clergy changes, effective July 1, 2026: APPOINTMENTS Parochial Vicars Upon presentation by Very Reverend Matthew H. Phelan, O. de M., Vicar Provincial Superior, Order of the BVM of Mercy, United States Vicariate, Reverend Joseph Eddy, O. de M., to Parochial Vicar of St. John Vianney …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Oficinas de Ambiente Seguro y Ministerios Interculturales Misa de Sanación para los Sobrevivientes de Abuso El viernes, 6 de mayo de 2026 se celebrará una Misa de Sanación en español para sobrevivientes de abuso a las 6:30 PM. La misa tendrá lugar en St. Rita Catholic Church, 14404 14th Street, Dade City. El …
The Chancellor’s Office has learned of the passing of Monsignor Frank Messmann Mouch, 93, into eternal life on Thursday, April 16, 2026, while under Hospice care at the St. John XXIII Retirement Residence, in Lutz, following a steady decline in health in recent months. Monsignor Mouch was born on July 25, 1932, in Sandusky, Ohio. …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Marian Congress 2026, “Mary, the Bridge to All Cultures” The Diocese of Saint Petersburg invites you to the 8th Annual Marian Congress on Saturday, May 16th, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg from 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow in holiness and deepen …
Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of Saint Petersburg, announces the following clergy changes, effective July 1, 2026, unless otherwise indicated: RETIREMENT STATUS Reverend John S. Hays, from Pastor of St. Anne Parish, Ridge Manor, granted retirement status. Reverend John B. Lipscomb, from Spiritual Director, Bethany Center, Lutz, granted retirement status. APPOINTMENTS Pastors Reverend Erwin C. Belgica, …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Marriage and Family Life Divorce Minister Training & Formation If your parish has ever said, “”We want to help divorced Catholic…but we don’t know how”—this is your next step. Join us on April 25-26, 2026 for a 2-Day Catholic Divorce Ministry Training, Hosted by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, on Zoom. Can’t attend …
The Diaconate Office informs that Mr. Charles Vesely, 74, passed away suddenly on March 29, 2026. Mr. Vesely is the brother-in-law of Deacon Jim Grevenites, Director of Deacon Personnel/Prison & Pastoral Care Ministry. Funeral services will take place on April 2, 2026 at Fredrich-Jones Funeral home in Illinois. Please keep Deacon Grevenites and his family …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Intercultural Ministries Marian Congress 2026, “Mary, the Bridge to All Cultures” The Diocese of Saint Petersburg invites you to the 8th Annual Marian Congress on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, 5815 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. Don’t miss …
The Chancellor’s Office has been informed that Rev. Msgr. Colman M. Cooke, S.P.S., 86, passed away in the Lord on March 3, 2026, in the retirement home of the St. Patrick’s Missionary Society, in Kiltegan, County Wicklow, Ireland. He was a priest of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg for over 30 years before once again …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Intercultural Ministries Marian Congress 2026, “Mary, the Bridge to All Cultures” The Diocese of Saint Petersburg invites you to the 8th Annual Marian Congress on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, 5815 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. Don’t miss …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Miriam Dinner Inviting all single women in our Diocese between the ages of 18 and 35! The Miriam Dinner is an opportunity for women discerning religious life to come and learn more about what religious life is like while enjoying food and conversation with some religious sisters from around the Diocese. This is a …
The Diaconate Office has announced the passing of Deacon Patrick Frye, 81, a retired deacon of St. Anne Parish, Ruskin, on Sunday, March 8, 2026, following a recent stroke. Deacon Frye was ordained for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee on June 9, 1984 and later relocated to the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, where he has served …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Miriam Dinner Inviting all single women in our Diocese between the ages of 18 and 35! The Miriam Dinner is an opportunity for women discerning religious life to come and learn more about what religious life is like while enjoying food and conversation with some religious sisters from around the Diocese. This is a …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Ministries of Missionary Discipleship 2026 CRS Rice Bowl Local Grant Awardees The Office of Ministries of Missionary Discipleship is thrilled to announce the recipients of this year’s local CRS Rice Bowl grants. These grants of up to $1,000 are made possible by 25% of local CRS Rice Bowl contributions retained for …
We sadly report the recent passing of Mrs. Marjorie Alice (Long) Munden, 85, on February 24, 2026 in Colorado. She was the grandmother of Allison Munden, Director of Communications and Information of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Also, Mr. Charles Willard Munden III, her husband and Allison’s grandfather, passed away on January 30 at the …
The Diaconate Office informs of the passing of Mr. Robert G. Genung, 96, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 after having suffered a massive stroke on January 31st. Mr. Genung was the father of Pam Nagle, wife of retired Deacon Richard Nagle. Funeral Mass was celebrated in private and burial will take place at a later …
PARISHES/ORGANIZATIONS Concert with Tony Melendez Award-winning vocalist and songwriter, Tony Melendez, visits St. Cecelia Catholic Church, 820 Jasmine Way, Clearwater, from February 27 through March 1, 2026. All are welcome to this free event! Free will offerings accepted. For more information please contact Kim P. at 727-447-3494 ext. 124. Promotional flyer at this link: https://shorturl.at/qwaRL. …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Marriage and Family Life Together in Holiness Marriage ConferenceMarried and engaged couples are invited to the third annual Together in Holiness marriage conference on March 14, 2026, from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 17512 Lakeshore Road, Lutz. This one-day conference will help you strengthen your relationship with your spouse …
The Office of the Chancellor received news about the passing of Mr. VirgiIio Cotto, 84, on Monday, February 16, 2026. Mr. Cotto was the grandfather of Jasmine Pujol, Administrative Assistant of the Diocesan Office of Vocations. He was preceded in death by his parents, Margarita Colón and Virgilio Cotto; his sister, Judith Cotto; his brother, …
The Chancellor’s Office has learned of the passing of Rev. Msgr. Joseph R. Sobiesiak, 80, into eternal life on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, while under Hospice care following a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. Monsignor Sobiesiak was a retired priest of the Diocese of Allentown, who relocated to the Diocese of Saint Petersburg in 2016, …
The Diaconate Office informs with great sadness that Deacon Greg Kovalesky passed away on January 26, 2026. Deacon Kovalesky was ordained for the Diocese of St. Petersburg in June of 1997. He ministered at St. Paul Parish in Tampa and he and his wife, Jay, were very involved in our Diaconate Formation Program. They eventually …
The Chancellor’s Office received news of the passing of Sister Mary Deborah Carlin, SND, on February 6, 2026. Sister Carlin served in the St. Petersburg Diocese for 28 years at: 1984-1991 at Clearwater Central Catholic High School, teaching Religion; 1991-2000 at Our Lady of Lourdes School as Director of Catechetical Ministry; and 2000-2012 at Guardian …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Marriage and Family Life Together in Holiness Marriage Conference Married and engaged couples are invited to the third annual Together in Holiness marriage conference on March 14, 2026, from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 17512 Lakeshore Road, Lutz. This one-day conference will help you strengthen your …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Marriage and Family Life Together in Holiness Marriage Conference Married and engaged couples are invited to the third annual Together in Holiness marriage conference on March 14, 2026, from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 17512 Lakeshore Road, Lutz. This one-day conference will help you strengthen your …
Word reached the Chancellor’s Office of the passing of Mr. Michael (Mike) A. Dee on January 7, 2026. Mr. Dee worked for Spirit FM in the late 1990’s into early 2000’s where he served as announcer and producer. Mike’s wife Maggie, who preceded him in death in 2012, served at St. Patrick Catholic School in …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Marriage and Family Life National Marriage Week Join in celebrating National Marriage Week, February 7 to 14, with World Marriage Sunday being celebrated on February 8th. National Marriage Week is a special time to reflect on the beautiful gift of the sacrament of matrimony. This year’s theme from the USCCB, Man and …
The Chancellor’s Office received the news of the passing of Mrs. Migdalia “Maggie” Delpin on Monday, January 19, 2026, after a very brief and courageous battle with cancer over the last month. Mrs. Delpin was a World Language teacher and Extended Day assistant at Nativity Catholic School, Brandon. Mrs. Delpin was a cherished …
Word reached the Chancellor’s Office of the passing of Dr. Robert Paul “Bob” Iler on January 16, 2026, one day short of his 95th birthday, at his home surrounded by loved ones. Dr. Iler was the husband of Mrs. Sharon Iler, former director of the Diocesan Respect Life Office. Born and raised in St. Petersburg, …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Marriage and Family Life National Marriage Week Join in celebrating National Marriage Week, February 7 to 14, with World Marriage Sunday being celebrated on February 8th. National Marriage Week is a special time to reflect on the beautiful gift of the sacrament of matrimony. This year’s theme from the USCCB, Man and …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Annual Red Mass Please join us at the Catholic Lawyers Guild’s Annual Red Mass Date: February 4, 2026, 5:15 PM, reception to follow. Location: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 509 N Florida Ave, Tampa. The Mass will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg. Attorneys will …
Sister Mary Clare Neuhofer OSB, a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida, died peacefully on December 22, 2025 at the age of 87 after a period of declining health. Baptized Sophia Neuhohfer, she was the sixth child of Helen (Barthle) and Joseph P. Neuhofer. She grew up in a family of 11 children in …
Word reached the Chancellor’s Office of the passing of Ms. Susan Thomas on December 19, 2025 after a brief illness. Born May 28, 1951, in Tampa Florida, Susan was a graduate of the Academy of the Holy Names. She furthered her education at Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York, graduating with a BA in English. …
The Chancellor’s Office received word of the passing of Mrs. Daisy David Vazhappilly, 80, mother of Sister Sherly Vazhappilly, FSSE, on Saturday, January 3, 2026, in India, following a brief hospitalization and rapid decline in health. Sister Sherly is the Vicar for Religious of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Sister Sherly will travel to India …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Oficinas de Ambiente Seguro y Ministerios Interculturales Misa de Sanación para los Sobrevivientes de Abuso El viernes, 6 de febrero de 2026 se celebrará una Misa de Sanación en español para sobrevivientes de abuso a las 7:00 PM. La misa tendrá lugar en Nativity Catholic Church, 705 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon. El Padre …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend SPEND A WEEKEND EXPLORING a communication technique that could change your good marriage into a GREAT marriage. Apply today to attend the Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend Experience to be held at the Franciscan Center in Tampa, February 6-8, 2026. Learn about love that isn’t a chance, but a CHOICE—live your best …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Save the Date: World Youth Day Seoul 2027 Pilgrimage Save the date and start planning for the World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, Korea, from July 31 through August 9, 2027. Cost: $5,099 per person. Deposit is due January 15, 2026. For more information and to register, please visit this link: https://shorturl.at/PiOYI. Promotional flyer …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Save the Date: World Youth Day Seoul 2027 Pilgrimage Save the date and start planning for the World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, Korea, from July 31 through August 9, 2027. Cost: $5,099 per person. Deposit is due January 15, 2026. For more information and to register, please visit this link: https://shorturl.at/PiOYI. Promotional …
The Vicar for Religious Office informs of the passing of Sr. Mary Rinaldi, FMA, on November 30, 2025, at St. Joseph Provincial Center in Haledon, NJ, surrounded by her Sisters. She was a Daughter of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sister of St. John Bosco) for 61 years. Sr. Mary was born to Augustus and …
The Chancellor’s Office just received word of the peaceful passing of Monsignor John A. Cippel, 92, a retired priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, this afternoon, Monday, December 1, 2025. He was under Hospice care at the St. John XXIII Retirement Residence, in Lutz, following a battle with leukemia. Monsignor Cippel was born in …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Catholic Days at the Capitol Catholic Days at the Capitol is scheduled for February 10-11, 2026. Each year during the Florida legislative session, Catholics from across the state gather in Tallahassee to bring the light of faith to the public square and live out Church teaching through civic engagement. United with the bishops, Catholic …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Disaster Relief Collection Bishop Parkes has asked that a special collection be taken in all parishes of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg on or before the weekend of December 6-7, 2025, for the support of those dioceses impacted by natural disasters, including those adversely affected by this year’s hurricanes. The Diocese of Saint …