DIOCESAN OFFICES From the Office of the Bishop Christmas Video – O Come All Ye Faithful In his 2021 Christmas video, Bishop Gregory Parkes shares Christmas hope and introduces a very special musical presentation. Multicultural choirs of the Diocese of St. Petersburg perform a beautiful rendition of the Christmas carol classic, O Come All Ye …
The Diaconate Office has received word of the unexpected passing of Bob Davis, brother of Susan D’Angelo, wife of Deacon Geoff D’Angelo from St. Stephen Parish in Riverview. All services will take place out of state and are not available at this time. Please keep the D’Angelo family in your thoughts and prayers at this …
Sister Suzanne Hixson (Sister Rita Christine), a Sister of the Holy Names, entered into eternal life on December 7, 2021. Sister Suzanne was a member of the American Association of Teachers of French and taught French at the Academy of Holy Names, Silver Spring, MD, as well as in Tampa, FL. Sister is survived by …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Advent Men’s Discernment Retreat The Office of Vocations will host the Advent Men’s Discernment Retreat at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, 2348 Collier Parkway, Land O’Lakes, on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. This will be a one-day retreat and there is no cost to attend! The theme …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Advent Men’s Discernment Retreat The Office of Vocations will host the Advent Men’s Discernment Retreat at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, 2348 Collier Parkway, Land O’Lakes, on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. This will be a one-day retreat and there is no cost to attend! The theme …
Mr. John Z. Kiwale, brother of Reverend Theobald (“Theo”) Weria, A.L.C.P., Parochial Vicar of St. Cecelia Parish, Clearwater, passed away on Sunday, November 28, 2021, following a brief hospitalization in his home country of Tanzania. Mr. Kiwale had struggled with cancer in the months leading up to his death. Please keep Father Weria, his parents, …
Sr. Josephine Helen Slabinski, age 99, of Tampa, passed peacefully to be with Our Lord Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 25, 2021. Josephine Helen was born on March 14, 1922, in Hudson, Pennsylvania. She entered religious life at age nineteen with the Roman Catholic order of nuns, Little Sisters of the Poor, in Germantown, Pennsylvania. She …
Ms. Patricia A. McCarthy, 72, of Tampa, passed away on Thursday, December 2, 2021. Patricia was born March 10, 1949. She worked as the Music Director for Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Temple Terrace until her retirement in 2019. Obituary at this link. Please keep Ms. McCarthy and her family in your thoughts and prayers. …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Special Collection: Religious Retirement Fund Help Aging Religious Sisters, Priests and Brothers The Diocese of St. Petersburg will hold the Retirement Fund for Religious collection December 11 – 12, 2021. The parish-based appeal is coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) in Washington, D.C. Proceeds help religious communities across the country to …
Thanksgiving Holiday The Pastoral Center Offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday starting on Wednesday, November 24th at 2:00 p.m. through Friday, November 26th. We will reopen on Monday, November 29th, at 8:30 a.m. May you and your loved ones enjoy a blessed and safe holiday!
DIOCESAN OFFICES Special Collection: Religious Retirement Fund Help Aging Religious Sisters, Priests and Brothers The Diocese of St. Petersburg will hold the Retirement Fund for Religious collection December 11 – 12, 2021. The parish-based appeal is coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) in Washington, D.C. Proceeds help religious communities across the country to …
We were saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Peter Abacusy Mganga, 56, brother of Reverend Claudius Mganga, Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Inverness, on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, in Tanzania. Mr. Mganga was the third of Father Mganga’s family members who have died within the past year. His mother, Cecilia …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Parish Resources for Year-End and Beyond To assist parishes working to promote legacy giving, end of year generosity and/or new, creative options for giving with parishioners, the Catholic Foundation has created camera ready, downloadable materials and pre-drafted text for message development. Please visit the Parish Resource Page to download the following materials: bulletin …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Parish Resources for Year-End and Beyond To assist parishes working to promote legacy giving, end of year generosity and/or new, creative options for giving with parishioners, the Catholic Foundation has created camera ready, downloadable materials and pre-drafted text for message development. Please visit the Parish Resource Page to download the following materials: bulletin …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Did You Know? Dangers of Cell Phone Cameras Cell phones with photographic capability are a mixed blessing. Forget your camera? Whip out the cell phone, and your toddler’s first step, friend’s goofy mishap, or fenderbender is captured for posterity. But cell phones are also being used in a sinister way—to silently take pictures …
Reverend Francis Brou, S.J., 92, former faculty member of Jesuit High School, Tampa, passed away on Tuesday afternoon, October 19, 2021, at the infirmary for the Central and Southern Province of the Jesuits, in Grand Coteau, Louisiana. Father Brou entered the Society of Jesus 74 years ago and dedicated the past 60 years of his …
Mr. Nelson Darnell, 69, Sales Manager at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Clearwater, passed away Wednesday afternoon, October 20, 2021, at Morton Plant Hospital, from complications due to COVID-19. Mr. Darnell served at Calvary for over 18 years before falling ill earlier this month. He was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Clearwater, and is …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Synod-It’s a Church Thing The Catholic Church is journeying together to grow in communion, participation and mission as we look towards the future. This process, called for by Pope Francis, is known as the Synod on Synodality. Synod is an ancient word in the Tradition of the Church, whose meaning draws on the …
The Chancellor’s Office has once again received the sad news of the passing of yet another priest. Reverend Roger Labonte, M.Afr., 86, passed away in the Lord on Monday, October 11, 2021, at St. Anthony’s Hospital, St. Petersburg. Since November 2019, Father Labonte was in residence at the Missionaries of Africa Residence, in St. Petersburg, …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Third Annual Diocesan African Mass The African Catholics Ministry invites all to celebrate the third annual Diocesan African Mass. The Mass will be presided by Bishop Gregory L. Parkes on November 7, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, 5815 5th Ave. North, St. Petersburg. Come and experience …
The Chancellor’s Office received word that Mr. Vicente Tomas C. Vera, 56, brother of Reverend Jude Vera, a retired priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, passed away on Monday, October 11, 2021, in the Philippines. No funeral arrangements have been made at this time. Please keep Father Vera and his loved ones in your …
The Chancellor’s Office was informed of the death of Reverend Michael Rock, O. de M., 62, Vicar Provincial of the Mercedarian Friars, U.S.A., on Tuesday, October 5, 2021. Funeral Masses will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, in Philadelphia, where he had been serving as Pastor, and at Our Lady of Mount Carmel …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Mass of the Angels The annual Mass of the Angels for children (born or unborn) who have gone to be with the Lord, will be held on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at 11:00 AM in the St. James Chapel at Bethany Center (18150 Bethany Center Drive Lutz). Families are invited to bring a …
The Diaconate Office received word of the passing of Mrs. Sherry Nash, mother of Deacon Greg Nash, of Espiritu Santo Parish, Safety Harbor, on Thursday, September 30, 2021. The funeral services will take place in Ohio and a memorial will be planned local at a later date. Expressions of sympathy made be sent to Deacon …
The Chancellor’s Office was informed of the passing of Reverend Roger Bisson, M. Afr., 94, a member of the Missionaries of Africa, on Monday, September 27, 2021, at Bon Secours Maria Manor, St. Petersburg. Father Bisson was a native of New Hampshire. He attended high school and college in Worcester, MA, and completed his seminary …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Bishop Gregory Parkes Invites You to the Opening Mass for the “Synod on Synodality” Bishop Gregory Parkes will celebrate an opening Mass for the local phase of a worldwide consultation process in the Catholic Church known as the “Synod on Synodality.” The Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, October 17, 2021 at the …
The Chancellor’s Office received the news that Mrs. Georgina Hernández Serralta, 98, mother of Father Ramón Hernández, a retired priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, passed into the loving arms of God early this morning, Monday, September 27, 2021, while under Hospice care at Costa del Sol Assisted Living Facility, in Tampa. Mrs. Hernández …
The Chancellor’s Office received the news that Raymond Mann, OFM, 89, a professed friar for 68 years and a priest for 62, died on September 23, 2021 at St. Anthony Friary, St. Petersburg, where he had lived for seven years. He had spent his religious life mainly in Massachusetts and Bolivia. Father Mann professed his …
The Chancellor’s Office received the news that Reverend Antonino (Tony) D’Angelo, S.D.B., 98, a retired member of the Salesians of Don Bosco, in residence at the St. Philip Residence at Mary Help of Christians Center, Tampa, passed away in the Lord on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, at James A. Haley V.A. Hospital, Tampa. Father D’Angelo …
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We informed the sad news that Mrs. Linda Day, 77, grandmother of Reverend Connor Penn, Parochial Vicar of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Clearwater, passed away on Thursday, September 23, 2021. No funeral arrangements have been made, but a private family service will take place at a later date. Mrs. Day will be buried next to …
We were saddened to receive the news that Mr. Leonard Joseph Mganga, 54, brother of Reverend Claudius Mganga, Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Inverness, passed away on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, while hospitalized in Tanzania. Mr. Mganga’s death was attributed to pneumonia and COVID-19. Funeral services will take place in Tanzania at …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Bishop Gregory Parkes Invites You to the Opening Mass for the “Synod on Synodality” Bishop Gregory Parkes will celebrate an opening Mass for the local phase of a worldwide consultation process in the Catholic Church known as the “Synod on Synodality.” The Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, October 17, 2021 at the …
DIOCESAN OFFICES One Mother One Family Retreat: Unity in Christ through the Blessed Virgin MaryAll are invited to join Bishop Gregory Parkes for the One Mother One Family Retreat on Friday, October 1, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Anne Catholic Church, 106 11th Avenue N.E., Ruskin. This retreat will be a …
We received the sad news from the Spirit FM Radio Station that Mr. James “Jim” Howes, 75, host of the long-running, Sacred Classics program, passed away on Tuesday, September 14, 2021. Jim was host of Choral Masterpieces and King of Instruments in 1986 in the early days of WBVM Spirit FM. The program morphed into …
DIOCESAN OFFICES One Mother One Family Retreat: Unity in Christ through the Blessed Virgin Mary All are invited to join Bishop Gregory Parkes for the One Mother One Family Retreat on Friday, October 1, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Anne Catholic Church, 106 11th Avenue N.E., Ruskin. This retreat will be …
We received the sad news that Mr. Stanley J. Berke, 91, passed away on Tuesday, September 7, 2021. Mr. Berke was the father of Mr. Chris Berke, Director of Music Ministry of St. Frances X. Cabrini Parish, Spring Hill and Organist/Music Director for our diocesan liturgies. Funeral arrangements are as follows: Friday, September 24, 2021 …
The Office of Catholic Schools and Centers informs that Jeffrey Allen Johnston, 54, passed away in St. Petersburg, on August 25, 2021. He was the husband of Toni Johnston, Administrative Assistant in the Office of Catholic Schools and Centers and the former director of St. Paul’s Children Center, St. Petersburg. Jeffrey was great guy and …
Father Joe Hannon, S.D.B., of the Salesian community at Mary Help of Christians, Tampa, recently informed the Chancellor’s Office of the death of his brother Robert Anthony Hannon, 68, on November 13, 2020, in Bloomington, Indiana, following many years of health struggles. Due to the pandemic, funeral services for Mr. Hannon were delayed, but have …
The Chancellor’s Office was informed of the passing of Mr. Francisco Julio Reyes y Márquez, 97, grandfather of Reverend Dayan Machado, Parochial Vicar of St. Mary Parish, Tampa, on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. A Funeral Mass was held on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Tampa, with Father Machado presiding, followed by …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Did You Know? Know Your Kids’ School Parents and guardians have the primary responsibility for protecting their children from all potential harm. When choosing a nursery, daycare center, or school, parents should inspect the building and grounds to make sure there are no areas where children play or work that are “off limits” …
The Chancellor’s Office has been informed of the death of Reverend Jose Gonzalo González, 93, a retired priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, on Monday, August 23, 2021, at Bardmoor Oaks Health and Rehab Center, Largo, following a recent hospitalization. Father González was born to Jose and Josefa (Rubio) González in Havana, Cuba, on …
The Chancellor’s Office was informed of the passing of Reverend Richard Archambault, 80, a member of the Missionaries of Africa, on Saturday, August 14, 2021, while under Hospice care at Bon Secours Place, St. Petersburg, following a gradual decline in health. “Father Archie,” as he was fondly known by his confreres and friends, was born …
Reverend John Ullrich, OFM, 73, passed away on Friday, August 13, 2021, at St. Anthony’s Hospital, St. Petersburg. Father Ullrich was a resident of St. Anthony Friary for only about a year prior to his death. He was a professed Franciscan Friar for 48 years and dedicated the last 45 years of his life to …
Reverend Kenneth Bonadies, 88, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Hartford, died on Monday, August 16, 2021 in Connecticut. Father Bonadies came to the Diocese of St. Petersburg in 2004 and provided assistance to several parishes while in retirement, including Sacred Heart, Pinellas Park and St. Patrick, Largo. As his health declined in recent …
The Chancellor’s Office was informed that Mrs. Priska Joseph Chikawe, 96, mother of Reverend Hugh Chikawe, Chaplain of Catholic Cemeteries for the Diocese of St. Petersburg, passed away around noon on Sunday, August 8, 2021, in her native Tanzania. Mrs. Chikawe is survived by two daughters and three sons, including Father Chikawe. She was blessed …
The Chancellor’s Office received information that Ms. Aleyama “Elizabeth” Mathai Veliyamkulathel, sister of Fr. Joseph Olikkara, Chaplain at Bay Pines Veterans Hospital, passed away on Sunday, August 15, 2021 in India. Please keep Father Olikkara and his family in your prayers. +++++ May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in …
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The Chancellor’s Office received the news that Mr. Ralph Davis, 57, passed away in Tampa on Thursday, July 29, 2021, due to complications of COVID. Mr. Davis was a former employee at Incarnation Parish, Tampa (September 1989 through December 1999). He is survived by his parents, Franklin (Mickey) and Cathy Davis of Sun City Center, …
The Chancellor’s Office received word that Dr. Barbara J. McConville, 75, former Director of Catholic Formation and Education for the Diocese of St. Petersburg from 1990 to 2003, passed away on Thursday, August 12, 2021, while under Hospice care at her home in Fort Myers, Florida, after a long battle with cancer. A Funeral Mass …
Ms. Terri Reid, 72, former Pastoral Center volunteer, passed away on Sunday, July 11, 2021, while under Hospice care in St. Petersburg, following complications from diabetes. Ms. Reid was survived by two daughters, Melody and Lalena, two brothers, one sister, and several nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. A committal service was held on Wednesday, August …
The Diaconate Office has received word of the sudden passing of Bernard Montayre, 54, son of Mrs. Concepcion and the late Deacon Max Montayre, on Saturday, August 14, 2021 due to complications from Covid-19. Funeral Services are as follows: Wednesday August 25, 2021, Rosary at 9:30 am followed by Funeral Mass at 10:00 am. at St. Paul …
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. …