The Chancellor’s Office received the news of the passing of Sister Mary Jerome Leavy, O.S.B., (Dr. Mary Leavy) on September 2, 2025, at the age of 86. She was born in the Bronx, New York, on October 21, 1939 to Virginia and Harold Leavy and moved later to Miami, Florida. She entered the Benedictine Sisters of …
The Chancellor’s Office recently learned that Reverend Raymond Arthur Lettre, 95, a retired priest of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, passed away in the Lord late Friday evening, August 29, 2025, at Sturgill Hospice Care Center, in Brooksville, following a steady decline in health in recent months. Father Lettre was born to Emile and Georgiana …
The Chancellor’s Office received word that Mrs. Elizabeth Zacharia Weria Kiwale, 102, passed away in the Lord earlier today, August 28, 2025, in her home city of Moshi, Tanzania. Mrs. Weria is the mother of Reverend Theobald (Theo) Weria, A.L.C.P., Parochial Vicar of Espiritu Santo Parish, Safety Harbor. She was preceded in death by her …
The Chancellor’s Office has been informed of the passing of Reverend John James Gordon, I.C., 82, on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at the Vineyard Inn Assisted Living Facility, in Seminole. Father Gordon was a retired priest of the Institute of Charity (Rosminians) and a long-time pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish and School, Seminole. His death …
Word reached the Chancellor’s Office of the passing of Br. Michael Madden, OFM, 91, on August 4, 2025 in St. Petersburg, Florida. For 62 years as a Franciscan friar, he worked as a cook, maintained facilities and cared for sick and elderly friars along the East Coast. Br. Michael was born on Dec. 13, 1933, …
Word reached the Chancellor’s Office of the passing of Mrs. Maria Nwando Agbata, 92, on Thursday, August 7, 2025 in Nigeria. Mrs. Agbata is the mother of Reverend Alexander Agbata, Chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital, Tampa. Father Agbata is known to several of the Tampa-area priests for having provided weekend assistance in their parishes. Funeral …
Word reached the Chancellor’s Office of the passing of Mr. Anthony Pandolfo, 91, maternal grandfather of Reverend Anthony Astrab, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Tampa, on Thursday, August 7, 2025. Mr. Pandolfo was born in Sant’Arsenio, Italy, on January 4, 1934. He resided in Palm Harbor upon his passing and is survived …
The Chancellor’s Office has recently learned that Mrs. Diane Brown, 90, founder of the Marian Servants of Divine Providence®, passed away in the Lord on Saturday, August 2, 2025, following a gradual decline in health. Diane and her late husband of 71 years, Herbert (Herb), were long-time residents of Clearwater. Mrs. Brown was born and …
The Chancellor’s Office received notice of the passing of Reverend Julio Rivero, T.O.R., 96 years old, a member of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis for 56 years, on July 11, 2025. He was in hospice care at Saint Francis Friary, Loretto, PA. Father Julio served in our Diocese as Parochial Vicar of St. …
The Chancellor’s Office has learned that Reverend James McAteer, I.C., 89 years old, a member of the Institute of Charity for 61 years, passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025 in Dublin, Ireland, where he was currently living. Father McAteer served in our Diocese as Pastor of St. Theresa Parish, Spring Hill, from August 1999 …
The Office of the Diaconate informs the passing of Mr. Hector Rios Casillas in Mexico on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Mr. Rios is the father of Deacon Hector Rios of St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in Tampa, No further information is available at the moment. Expressions of sympathy can be sent to Deacon Hector Rios …
The Chancellor’s Office has been informed of the passing of Mrs. Marykutty Abraham, 83, on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in India. Mrs. Abraham is the sister of Reverend Paul Kochu, a retired priest of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg and former pastor of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Palm Harbor. A Funeral Mass was held …
The Chancellor’s Office informs that Mr. David Vazhappilly, 90, father of Sister Sherly Vazhappilly, F.S.S.E., Vicar for Religious and Associate Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, passed away on June 12, 2025, at his home in India, following a recent illness. Sister Sherly recently traveled to her father’s home and was able …
The Chancellor’s Office received the news that Sister Barbara Jean Rosswurm, CSA, former Faith Formation Director at St. Paul Parish, Tampa, passed away on June 5, 2025, at her congregation’s motherhouse, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Barbara Jean was born August 2, 1937, in New Haven, Indiana, the daughter of Glenn and Lucille Krick Rosswurm. …
The Chancellor’s Office has learned of the passing of Mrs. Anna Ankrah Adwoa Serwaa Senya, 81, biological mother of Reverend George Gyasi, Parochial Vicar of Resurrection Parish, Riverview. Mrs. Senya passed away on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at Poku Transport Memorial Hospital- Asokwa, Kumasi, Ghana. Father Gyasi also suffered the loss of his adoptive mother, …
The Chancellor’s Office has learned of the passing of Reverend Oscar Zacarias Kozyra, O. de M., 79, a member of the Order of Our Lady of Mercy (Mercedarians), residing in the St. Peter Nolasco Residence, in St. Petersburg, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, due to complications caused by pneumonia. Father Kozyra was born in Buenos …
We have learned from the Vocations Office that Mr. Dale Smith, father of seminarian Austin Smith, passed away on Friday, May 2, 2025 at Tampa General Hospital, following a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Mr. Smith is also survived by his wife, Vicki. Austin is currently in formation at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, …
The Chancellor’s Office received word that Mr. Raul Camacho, brother of Abbot Isaac Camacho, O.S.B., of Saint Leo Abbey, passed away on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, following a brief illness. No additional details are available at this time. Please keep Abbot Camacho and his family members in your kind thoughts and prayers during this difficult …
The Chancellor’s Office received the news of the passing of Mary “Anne” (née Mouch) Hoscheidt on Sunday, March 30, 2025 in Bloomington, Illinois. She was the sister of Monsignor Frank Mouch, retired priest of the Diocese of Venice, residing in our diocese. She was born on July 6, 1929, in Sandusky, Ohio to Charles and …
The Chancellor’s Office received news of the passing of Reverend Harold Brown, C.PP.S, of Celina, Ohio, on March 22, 2025 at Carthagena, Ohio, from heart and kidney failure. Father Harold was born December 29, 1931, in Glynnwood, Ohio, the son of Roy and Alodia [Oen] Brown, who proceeded him in death. Father Harold was ordained …
Word reached the Chancellor’s Office of the passing of Sister Marilyn Francoeur, formerly known as Sister Therese Noel Francoeur, on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 88 years of age and in the 70th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation. Sister was born …
The Chancellor’s Office received word of the passing of Reverend Paul John Mangiafico, 81, on Saturday evening, April 5, 2025, at Bayfront Hospital, St. Petersburg, following a serious car accident late last week. Father Mangiafico was born on September 1, 1943, in New Britain, Connecticut and was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Hartford, …
The Chancellor’s Office was recently informed that Reverend Matteo (Matt) Rizzo, 78, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, passed away on Thursday, March 20, 2025, after being removed from life support following a heart attack. Father Rizzo was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 1973, serving for nearly 52 years before his death. …
Word reached the Chancellor’s Office of the passing of Sister Joan Helen Dawson, OSF, on March 16, 2025, in St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY. Sister Dawson served for many years as the Superintendent of Schools in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. She entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany on September 8, 1959, was received into …
We sadly inform the passing of Mr. Manuel Morales, on March 11, 2025. Mr. Morales was the father of Madelyn Morales, interim Faith Formation Coordinator for the Diocese of St. Petersburg and former Administrative Assistant to Dr. Lois Locey, Chancellor for Administration / Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Morales died during a medical procedure. Additional details …
Word reached the Chancellor’s Office of the passing of Mr. Edward Andrade, 71, on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, during a recent hospitalization while awaiting a medical procedure. Mr. Andrade previously served as Principal of St. Patrick Catholic School, Largo, and later worked as a Case Manager for Catholic Charities and as a part-time counselor at …
The Chancellor’s Office has learned that Reverend Demetrio Lorden, 78, passed away peacefully while in a nursing facility near Madrid, Spain, on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at approximately 9:30 p.m. local time (3:30 p.m. Eastern). Father Lorden has been receiving assistance from various health care facilities and family members since suffering a serious injury while …
Word reached the Chancellor’s Office of the passing of Reverend Ruskin S. Piedra, C.Ss.R., 90, on December 22, 2024, at St. John Neumann Residence, in Timonium, Maryland. Father Piedra was ordained to the priesthood for the Redemptorist Fathers on June 19, 1960. During his 64 years of priestly ministry, Father Piedra had a local connection …
Word reached the Chancellor’s Office of the passing of Reverend William “Bill” Kelly, 90, a long-time priest of the Diocese of St. Augustine, on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, in Jacksonville, Florida. During his 65 years of ministry, he served in assignments throughout Florida, including as Assistant Pastor (Parochial Vicar) of St. Paul and Immaculate Conception …
Word has reached the Chancellor’s Office that Sister Mary Loyola Mathia, S.C., 103, passed away in the Lord on Monday, February 17, 2025, while in nursing care in Cincinnati, Ohio. “Sister Loyola,” as she was commonly known, was a member of the Sisters of Charity for over 80 years, spending nearly 50 years in the …
The Chancellor’s Office received word of the passing of Sister Yvonne Arcand, CSC (Sister M. Judith Clare) on February 4, 2025, at Saint Mary’s Convent, Notre Dame, Indiana. Sister Arcand entered the Sisters of the Holy Cross from Brookline, Massachusetts, on August 1, 1953 and made her initial Profession of Vows on August 15, 1956. …
Continue reading “Sister Yvonne Arcand, CSC (Sister M. Judith Clare)”
The Chancellor’s Office learned of the passing of Monsignor Joseph Francis Xavier McCahon, 81, retired priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg and retired U.S. Air Force Chaplain, on Monday, February 3, 2025, at his home in Tampa, Florida. Monsignor McCahon was born to Joseph and Martha (McNichol) McCahon on August 8, 1943, in Philadelphia, …
Word reached the Chancellor’s Office that Mrs. Therese Tylus, 97, mother of Dr. Lois T. Locey, D.Min., Chancellor for Administration and Chief Operating Officer of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, died peacefully in her sleep in Chicago, Illinois, on Monday, January 20, 2025, surrounded by her daughters. Mrs. Tylus began her service in the church in …
The Chancellor’s Office received the news that Rev. John R. Peterson, 88, of Tampa, FL, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2025. Father Peterson was a priest from the Episcopal Church and the Father-in-Law of Mrs. Teresa Peterson, Director of Diocesan Information and Communications. Fr. John Peterson is predeceased by his parents John and Marjorie …
The Diaconate sadly informs the passing of Deacon Raymond Dever, 74, on Thursday, January 9, 2025, while under Hospice care in Tampa. Deacon Dever was ordained for the Diocese of St. Petersburg on October 3, 2009 and served at St. Paul Parish, Tampa until 2022. He was subsequently incardinated into the Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky in …
The Chancellor’s Office has learned that Mrs. Jeanne Woodke, grandmother of Father Drew Woodke, Parochial Vicar of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Clearwater, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 19, 2024, while under Hospice care. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at Nativity Catholic Church, 705 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, on Friday, January …
Word reached the Chancellor’s Office to the passing of Mrs. Joyce Morgan, 85, on January 3, 2025, following a recent illness. She is the mother of Father Thomas Morgan, Rector of the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, St. Petersburg, and Administrator of St. Joseph Parish, St. Petersburg. She is also the mother of Mrs. …
The Chancellor’s Office was saddened to learn of the death of Reverend Richard Frank Rosin, 62, pastor of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Palm Harbor, on Sunday evening, December 1, 2024, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Father Rosin was recently hospitalized at Mease Countryside Hospital, Clearwater, and was later transferred to Oak Manor …
We received word that Mr. Daniel T. Wright, of Gerald, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, after a long battle with liver disease and cancer. He is the brother of Mr. David Wright, Planning and Research Consultant for the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Daniel is survived by his wife of 39 years, Sharon, …
Word reach our office that Sister Margaret O’Brien ( also known as Sister Rose Teresita) a Sister of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary for 73 years, died on Saturday, October 19, 2024 under Hospice Care in Tampa. Born in Fort Pierce, FL, she was a graduate of the Academy of the Holy Names …
Continue reading “Sr. Margaret O’Brien (Sr. Rose Teresita), SNJM”
The Chancellor’s Office has recently learned of the death of Mr. Jairo Restrepo, on October 16, 2024, in Medellin, Colombia. Mr. Restrepo is the brother of Reverend Nelson Restrepo, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Tampa. Funeral services took place on, October 17, 2024, in Colombia. Please keep Father Restrepo in your prayers as he travels …
The Chancellor’s Office was informed that Mrs. Evelyne Cheslock, 82, passed away on Monday, September 23, 2024. Mrs. Cheslock is the mother of Sue Huertas, former Administrative Coordinator for the Offices of the Diaconate and Prison Ministry, and mother-in-law of Deacon Wil Huertas, Business Administrator of St. Cecelia Parish. Funeral arrangements for Mrs. Cheslock are …
The Diaconate Office received word that Deacon Stephen F. Sablone, 79, a retired deacon of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, passed away in the Lord in Monday, September 23, 2024, while under Hospice care in Myerstown, Pennsylvania. Deacon Sablone was ordained to the Diaconate for the Diocese of St. Petersburg on June 28, 1997 and …
The Chancellor’s Office received the news that Sr. Pam Nolan, CSC, 69, retired, long-time Catholic Charities employee, passed away on Thursday, September 27, 2024. Sr. Pam was the long-time leader of our Elderly Housing program and opened Mercy House (transitional housing for HIV/AIDS positive women) in 1997. Locally, there will be a Mass of Resurrection, on …
The Chancellor’s Office received the news of the passing of Reverend Michael J. Arkins, S.S.S., 79, on September 27, 2024 at Hillcrest Hospital after a week-long stay and health complications. He served in our Diocese as Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Holiday, from 2009 ~ 2013. Father Arkins professed religious vows on August …
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Mr. Jose Attias, 75, on September 16, 2024, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He was the father of Mrs. Elena Attias, Administrative Assistant for Finance and Human Resources Offices at the Pastoral Center. Mr. Attias was an Accountant and Lawyer in the Dominican Republic. The funeral …
The Chancellor’s Office received word of the passing of Mr. Raymond Eugene Bassett, age 80, on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. A master photographer, he was well known and trusted by families and companies in the Tampa Bay Area for more than 60 years. Ray photographed bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings, business portraits, passport photos, …
Word reached the Chancellor’s Office of the passing of Reverend Thomas G. Sarnecki, age 92, retired priest of the Diocese of Scranton, PA, on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Bay Pines V.A. Hospital. He served as Chaplain at Bay Pines VA Hospital from 2008 – 2014, when he retired at age 82, and remained in …
The Chancellor’s Office received word of the passing of Mrs. Rita M. Conlin, 61, on Sunday, September 15, 2024 after a battle with cancer. She served as secretary at St. Rita Catholic Church, Dade City for many years. Mrs. Conlin is survived by her husband, David, and other family members. All funeral services will take …
The Diaconate Office informs the passing of Deacon Michael Joseph Solomon, 86, on September 3, 2024. He was ordained for the Diocese of St. Petersburg on June 28, 1997 and served at Christ the King Catholic Church, Tampa, from 1997 to 2008. He was incardinated into the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, LA, in January of 2010. …
The Chancellor’s Office received word that Mr. Zacharia Weria Kiwale, 102, passed away in the Lord on August 28, 2024, while hospitalized in his native Moshi, Tanzania. Mr. Kiwale is the father of Reverend Theobald (Theo) Weria, A.L.C.P., Parochial Vicar of St. Cecelia Parish, Clearwater. He is survived by his wife of 78 years, Elizabeth (101 …
Word has reached the Chancellor’s Office of the passing of Dr. George L. Bondar, D.O., 70, husband of the late Cathryn (Cathi) Bondar (d. 6/5/2021), long-time employee of St. Patrick Parish, Largo and bookkeeper/financial consultant to many parishes throughout the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Dr. Bondar died suddenly on Thursday, August 15, 2024. He was …
Word has reached the Chancellor’s Office of the passing of Mr. Ephraim E. Nyong, father of Reverend Anthony Nyong, C.M., Chaplain at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg and in residence at St. John Vianney Parish, St. Petersburg. Mr. Nyong passed away in the Lord on Monday, August 26, 2024 in Nigeria. Funeral arrangements have …
The Chancellor’s Office was saddened to learn of the passing of Reverend Rafael Eduardo Martos Nimer, 64, Administrator of San Juan Diego Mission, Dover, on Friday, August 16, 2024, at Advent Health Hospital, Tampa, following a months-long battle with cancer. Father Martos was born in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba and was ordained to the priesthood …
We have received word that Mrs. Norma Signore, 106, mother of Pastoral Center’s retired employee Phil Signore, passed away on July 31 2024. She was a life-long Roman Catholic, a member of Light of Christ Parish, Clearwater, for 42 years, and a member of St. Michael The Archangel Parish, Clearwater, since 2023. She was an …