Mr. Bill Freehan, 79, brother-in-law of Father Michael T. O’Brien, Pastor of St. Clement Parish, Plant City, passed away on August 19, 2021 at his home in Walloon Lake, Michigan, while under Hospice care following a long battle with dementia. Mr. Freehan was a native of Detroit, and was best known for his 15 years …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Diocesan Hispanic Mass Bishop Gregory Parkes invites you to the annual Diocesan Hispanic Mass in honor of Our Lady of the Presentation of Quinche, patroness of Ecuador. The Mass will take place on Saturday, October 9, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, 5815 5th Avenue N., St. Petersburg. Prior to the Mass, …
The Diaconate Office received word of the passing of Dolph Santello, 83, brother of Deacon Dick Santello from St. John Vianney Parish in St. Pete Beach, on July 25, 2021 in Connecticut. All services took place in Connecticut. Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to St. John Vianney Parish, ATTN: Deacon Dick & Angela Santello, …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Safe Environment Office Did You Know?Summertime, Safe TimeAll teachers, staff, and volunteers in the Diocese of St. Petersburg who work with children must undergo fingerprinting and criminal background checks. (Arch)diocesan guidelines and abuse prevention training programs currently in use emphasize the importance of parents’ knowing who has access to their children at school …
The Chancellor’s Office has been made aware of the death of Mr. Vincent J. Garofolo, 69, a former employee in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, on Sunday, July 11, 2021. Mr. Garofolo served as Director of Support Services at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Hudson, from 2000 to 2010, and as Business Manager at St. …
The Diaconate Office has received word of the passing of Mr. Paul Vincent Koppie, 93, on July 17, 2021. Mr. Koppie is the father of Deacon Paul Koppie, from St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Clearwater. The information on services is not available at this time. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Deacon Paul Koppie …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Safe Environment Office Did You Know?Summertime, Safe TimeAll teachers, staff, and volunteers in the Diocese of St. Petersburg who work with children must undergo fingerprinting and criminal background checks. (Arch)diocesan guidelines and abuse prevention training programs currently in use emphasize the importance of parents’ knowing who has access to their children at school and …
Reverend Jeremiah Joseph Reen, a Salesian priest in the Catholic religious Order of Saint John Bosco, went home to the Lord on July 10, 2021 in Seasons Hospice in Largo, FL . Fr. Jeremiah was a professed Salesian for more than 61 years, and a priest for more than 50 years. Fr. Jeremiah was a …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Safe Environment Program With summer now in full swing, this announcement is very appropriate with children at home. Did You Know? Teach Kids to Protect Themselves at Home We consider our homes to be safe places for our children. But being home alone can pose risks for children. Here are a few tips …
The Chancellor’s Office was recently informed that Mrs. Veronica Fukes, 91, mother of Father Gary Fukes, Chaplain at James A. Haley V.A. Hospital, Tampa, passed away in the Lord on Sunday, June 27, 2021, at her home in Bridgeport, New York. Obituary information and funeral service details can be found on the following link. Expressions …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Safe Environment Program With summer now in full swing, this announcement is very appropriate with children at home. Did You Know? Teach Kids to Protect Themselves at Home We consider our homes to be safe places for our children. But being home alone can pose risks for children. Here are a few tips …
Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy appointments, effective July 1, 2021: APPOINTMENTS Reverend Monsignor Robert F. Morris, V.G. to President of Catholic Charities, Diocese of St. Petersburg, continuing other assignments. Reverend John Lipscomb to Director of Diaconal Formation, Diocese of St. Petersburg, continuing other assignments. Deacon James Grevenites from …
Cathryn June Bondar peacefully entered eternal life on June 5, 2021 with her devoted husband by her side. Cathi was born November 30, 1955 in Hanover, New Hampshire to the late John and June Schweitzer. She moved to Florida after graduating college and accepted a position at St. Patrick Church in Largo, Florida, during which …
DIOCESAN OFFICES 40 Sessions Announced for Stewardship Conference in September Interested in gathering, learning and networking with hundreds of Catholics from across the country to explore building active, vibrant parish communities? This year’s 3 day International Catholic Stewardship Conference (ICSC), scheduled for September 12 – 15, 2021 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando Hotel, is packed …
Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy appointment, effective July 1, 2021: APPOINTMENT Pastor Upon presentation by Very Reverend Michael Somers, S.V.D., Provincial Superior, Society of the Divine Word, Southern Province of St. Augustine, Reverend Agustinus Seran, S.V.D. as Pastor of St. Peter Claver Parish, Tampa.
The Diaconate Office has received word of the passing of Mrs. Theresa DeSanto, mother of Deacon Frank DeSanto from Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Land O’Lakes, on Thursday, May 27, 2021. The information on services is not available at this time. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Deacon Frank and Kathy DeSanto …
Word has reached the Chancellor’s Office that Reverend John P. Kane, 83, passed away on Saturday, May 15, 2021 from natural causes. Father Kane was a retired priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, residing in Phoenix, Arizona. Father Kane was born in Boston, Massachusetts on December 6, 1937 to Patrick and Mary (Ridge) Kane. …
DIOCESAN OFFICES SCAM PREVENTION It has come to the Diocese of St. Petersburg’s attention that parishioners have been receiving text messages, emails or direct messages asking for money and gift cards from people pretending to be Bishop Parkes. The bishop or priests might occasionally send an email notifying people about a fundraising campaign and request …
DIOCESAN OFFICES SCAM PREVENTION It has come to the Diocese of St. Petersburg’s attention that parishioners have been receiving text messages, emails or direct messages asking for money and gift cards from people pretending to be Bishop Parkes. The bishop or priests might occasionally send an email notifying people about a fundraising campaign and request …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Memorial Day Mass Join us on May 31, 2021 at 10:00 AM for the Memorial Mass at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 11801 US Highway 19 North, Clearwater. Monsignor Robert F. Morris, Vicar General of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, will be the main celebrant. Please join us for this special Mass, as we remember …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Did You Know?How Old Does a Child Need to Be in Order to Stay Alone?Don’t assume that when your child understands what you’re saying, he’s ready to walk out the door by himself. Besides the fact that many states have laws against leaving children of certain ages alone (for example, younger than 12), …
Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy appointments, effective July 1, 2021: APPOINTMENTSPastorsReverend Victor Amorose from Parochial Administrator to Pastor of St. John Vianney Parish, St. Pete Beach.Reverend Curtis Carro from Parochial Administrator to Pastor of St. Raphael Parish, St. Petersburg.Reverend Thomas Anastasia to Pastor of Guardian Angels School, Clearwater, …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Diocese of St. Petersburg Annual Courage & Encourage Day of Recollection Saturday, June 5, 2021 A day of spiritual renewal for Catholic men and women who experience same-sex attraction and desire to live a chaste life. Parents and family members of people who experience same sex attraction are welcome. Enjoy time for reflection in …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Ordination to the Priesthood The Diocese of St. Petersburg joyfully announces the upcoming Ordination to the Priesthood of: Reverend Mr. Israel Antonio Hernández. The candidate will be ordained by Most Reverend Gregory L. Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, on Saturday, May 15, 2021, 11:00 a.m., at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, …
As a result of the pending establishment of St. Joseph Vietnamese Parish, Tampa, Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy appointment, effective May 9, 2021: APPOINTMENT Pastor Upon presentation by the Very Reverend Rev. Michael Somers, S.V.D., Provincial Superior, Society of the Divine Word, Southern Province of St. Augustine, Reverend …
The Chancellor’s Office has been informed that Monsignor William W. DuBois, 98, a retired priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, passed away in the Lord on Thursday afternoon, April 15, 2021, while under Hospice care at Regal Palms Assisted Living Facility, in Largo. William Wehle DuBois was born on April 4, 1923 in Irondequoit, …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Ordination to the Priesthood The Diocese of St. Petersburg joyfully announces the upcoming Ordination to the Priesthood of: Reverend Mr. Israel Antonio Hernández. The candidate will be ordained by Most Reverend Gregory L. Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, on Saturday, May 15, 2021, 11:00 a.m., at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Safe Environment Office Teach Children to Say, “Stop It” Child safety tip: Teach children to say, “Stop it,” to instructions that might encourage them to do things they really do not want to do. Reinforce the rule that children should say, “Stop it,” to requests or demands that make them uncomfortable, even if …
The Diaconate Office received word of the passing of Joan Miller, mother of Deacon Mike Miller from St. Mary Parish in Tampa, on Thursday, April 8, 2021. All services will take place in Pennsylvania, with the Funeral Mass on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Deacon Mike and Suzanne Miller …
Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy appointments, effective May 1, 2021: APPOINTMENT Reverend Tamil Selvam [Sivagangai, India] to Parochial Vicar of St. Paul Parish, Tampa. RELIEVING Upon conferral with Very Reverend Thomas Reddy, O.C.D., Provincial Superior of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, Telangana, India Province, Reverend Ambrose Kadambukatt, O.C.D., …
Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy changes, effective July 1, 2021 unless otherwise indicated: RETIREMENT STATUS Monsignor Ronald B. Aubin, J.C.L., from Pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Land O’ Lakes, granted retirement status.Reverend C. Timothy Corcoran, III, from Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Tampa and Vicar …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Bishop Parkes will Consecrate the Diocese of St. Petersburg to St. Joseph on May 1st Bishop Gregory Parkes will consecrate parishes, schools, ministries and the people of the Diocese of St. Petersburg to St. Joseph on Saturday, May 1st, the Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker, at the Cathedral of St. Jude the …
Dec 23, 1941 – Mar 22, 2021 Sister Maureen Michael, SSND (Catherine Paula Byrne) a servant of our Lord entered into eternal life March 22, 2021. Sister Maureen was a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame with over fifty three years of service to her community. She started her career as a teacher …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Easter Message from Bishop Parkes We are providing QR Code bulletin graphics (square and rectangle sized in English and Spanish). Parishioners can point their cell phone camera at the QR code and a link to access the webpage with the bishop’s message will appear. Graphisc at these links: Square (English) – https://bit.ly/3rcs5og Square …
The Chancellor’s Office was informed by the Salesian community of the recent death of Reverend John Grinsell, S.D.B., 79, who served as local superior of the Salesians serving at St. Petersburg Catholic High School from 2002 to 2008. He also served the school as a guidance counselor during his six years in our diocese. Father …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Get Ready for Holy Week with Bishop Parkes Join Bishop Gregory Parkes for his podcasts, Proclaim, Invite and Encounter and An Invitation to Worship. In the coming days, Bishop Parkes reflects on the start of Holy Week with beauty of the Chrism Mass, the significance of servant leadership at the Last Supper, and …
The Chancellor’s Office was informed that Mrs. Antonietta (Annette) Lamp, 100, mother of Reverend Edward Lamp, a retired priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, passed away early Tuesday, March 9, 2021, while under Hospice care in Father Lamp’s home in Tampa. Funeral services were celebrated on Saturday, March 13th at St. Mark the Evangelist …
The Chancellor’s Office was informed of the passing of Mrs. Ines Mateus Furtado, 91, mother of Reverend Jose Furtado, Chaplain at St. Anthony’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, on Monday, March 1, 2021, while under Hospice care in Humboldt County, California. A private funeral service was held on Friday, March 5, 2021, in California. Her complete obituary …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Join Bishop Gregory Parkes for the Chrism Mass Livestream or Radio Broadcast on March 30th at 11:30 a.m.| During the Chrism Mass, Bishop Parkes will consecrate the Sacred Chrism Oil that will be used during thousands of Baptisms and Confirmations throughout the coming year in local parishes. The bishop will also bless the …
Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy change, effective March 10, 2021: APPOINTMENT Upon presentation by the Very Reverend Valerian Charles Fernandes, S.A.C., Provincial Superior, Society of the Catholic Apostolate, Assumption of the B.V.M. Province, Reverend Pedro Camilo Simoes, S.A.C. as Parochial Vicar of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Palm …
The Chancellor’s Office has been informed that Monsignor Anton Clemens Dechering, 82, a retired priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, passed away in the Lord on Friday morning, March 5, 2021, while under Hospice care at Bayfront Hospital, St. Petersburg, following a lengthy illness. Anton Clemens Dechering was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on June …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Communications Join Bishop Gregory Parkes for the Chrism Mass Livestream or Radio Broadcast on March 30th at 11:30 a.m.| During the Chrism Mass, Bishop Parkes will consecrate the Sacred Chrism Oil that will be used during thousands of Baptisms and Confirmations throughout the coming year in local parishes. The bishop will …
We were saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Mrs. Cecilia Shija Mganga, 77, mother of Reverend Claudius Mpuya Mganga, Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Inverness. Father Claudius received word of his mother’s death in her native Tanzania, shortly after midnight today, February 23, 2021. While Mrs. Mganga was in relatively …
Word reached our office about the passing of Sr. Dorothy Frances S. Dwyer, OSF, 87, on January 1, 2021 in Olean General Hospital, NY. Sr. Dorothy entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany on August 15, 1987, was received into the Congregation on August 9, 1988, and professed her final vows on September 1, 1996. She …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Communications Listen to Bishop Gregory Parkes via Podcast On Proclaim, Invite and Encounter, Bishop Parkes speaks about God’s grace and mercy, stewardship, forgiveness and more. Click here to listen. Catholic Campus Ministry ~ USF Catholic Bulls New Talk Show Episode On a new episode of Catholic Bulls Late Night, a spin …
The Diaconate Office received word of the passing of Mr. Matthew Shirina Sr., age 91, father of Deacon Matt Shirina from Incarnation Parish in Tampa, on Friday February 26, 2021. All services will take place in Tennessee, with the Funeral Mass on March 7, 2021. Deacon Matt, his wife Nancy, and their family will be …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Altar Server Appreciation Mass The Youth Altar Server Appreciation Mass will be on Sunday, March 21, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, 5815 5th Avenue N., St. Petersburg. While we realize many parishes have not been using altar servers on a regular basis since last year, we …
DIOCESAN OFFICES What Is “Relational Bullying”? Relational bullying is unwarranted, persistent, unwelcome behavior in the form of criticism, isolation, or fabricated allegations that can damage relationships. Examples include social exclusion (“You can’t be with us”), spreading rumors (“Did you hear . . . ?”), and withholding friendship (“I won’t be your friend if you . …
DIOCESAN OFFICES What Is “Relational Bullying”? Relational bullying is unwarranted, persistent, unwelcome behavior in the form of criticism, isolation, or fabricated allegations that can damage relationships. Examples include social exclusion (“You can’t be with us”), spreading rumors (“Did you hear . . . ?”), and withholding friendship (“I won’t be your friend if you . …
We were saddened to learn that Reverend Edward “Crispin” Keating, O.F.M., 93, a retired priest of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor, Ireland Province, passed away in the Lord on Monday afternoon, February 1, 2021, while under Hospice care, following a lengthy battle with throat cancer. Father Keating was born on June 2, 1927 to …
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DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Communications New Podcast/Radio Series: Proclaim, Invite and Encounter Bishop Gregory Parkes is offering a new series on Spirit FM 90.5 and on your favorite podcast app that provides inspiration and insights for living our Catholic faith. Proclaim, Invite and Encounter is a daily reflection and commentary on Courageously Living the Gospel …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Zoom Chat with SeminariansMen, ages 15-35 are invited to attend our next discernment opportunity, Zoom Chat with Seminarians, on Monday, February 8, 2021 at 7 pm. Fr. Chuck will be the host and each month includes vocation stories from different seminarians. Please see the flyer at this link: https://bit.ly/3ocG38p for more information and …
The Chancellor’s Office has been informed that Monsignor John F. Neff, 87, a retired priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, passed away in the Lord on Wednesday afternoon, January 20, 2021, at St. Anthony’s Hospital, St. Petersburg. John Francis Neff was born in Cairo, Illinois on May 21, 1933, to Herbert and Cecelia Neff. …
The Diaconate Office sadly informs the passing of Deacon Gerald McGory, 89, retired, from Transfiguration Parish, St. Petersburg. Most recently, he attended the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, St. Petersburg. He passed away in the Lord on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. Funeral Services on Monday, January 25th at the Cathedral of St. Jude the …