Franciscan Center Black History Month Events
February 6, 2024

The Franciscan Center in Tampa is sponsoring two events in celebration of Black History Month. These will both be on-line events and require registration to participate.  Celebrating a Feast for our Souls Through Poetry as we observe 2024 Black History Month (Zoom) Friday, February 16, 2024 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. With: Debra Fuller Ellis                           2 CEU …

Events promotional graphics ~ Feb 5, 2024
February 5, 2024

Relics, St. Paul and Cathedral Relics, St. Paul and Cathedral Lenten Mission, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Letter size Lenten Mission, Our Lady of Lourdes Poster size Lenten Mission, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Social Media

Registration Now Open for Diocesan Marriage Conference to be Held on March 16th
December 8, 2023

The Diocese of St. Petersburg is partnering with the St. John Paul II Foundation to sponsor a special event for married couples titled, Together in Holiness. This conference is designed to strengthen marriages and includes dynamic presentations, childcare, Mass, Adoration, Reconciliation, and more.  Couples will learn the Seven Habits of a Healthy Marriage. This event …

Diocesan African Mass
October 20, 2023

Fifth Annual Diocesan African Mass The African Catholics Ministry invites all to the Fifth Annual Diocesan African Mass to be celebrated at St. Paul Catholic Church, 12708 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. Tampa, FL 33618, on October 28, 2023, at 12:00 noon. The presider of the Mass will be Fr. Oscar Unakalamba, parochial vicar at St. …

Lay Leaders Complete Formation
June 23, 2023

In an evening prayer service at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle on June 20, 2023 at 7:00 p.m., Bishop Emeritus Robert N. Lynch presented eight individuals with a Certificate in Lay Leadership Ministry. Bishop Lynch, substituting for Bishop Gregory Parkes, formally commissioned these students to serve in ministry leadership in parishes throughout the …

Reflexión de Adviento
November 21, 2022

La Asamblea Hispana Diocesana te invita a una Reflexión de Adviento con el P. Francisco Hernández, Ed. D., vicario parroquial de la parroquia Most Holy Redeemer. Este evento tendrá lugar el sábado 3 de diciembre de 2022 de 8:00 a.m. a 2:00 p.m. en la parroquia Our Lady Queen of Peace, 5340 High Street, New …

Parish Resources for Year-End and Beyond
October 28, 2022

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 inserts and articles text for article, pulpit and …

National Black Catholic Congress XIII – Day of Reflection
October 3, 2022

The Black Catholic Ministry, Diocese of St. Petersburg, will host a Day of Reflection in preparation for the National Black Catholic Congress XIII.  From July 20 to July 23, 2023 Congress XIII will take place in National Harbor, Maryland. The Congress is held every five years. If you have never been to a Congress before, this is …

National Black Catholic Men’s Conference
August 23, 2022

19th Annual National Black Catholic Men’s Conference 2022- Indianapolis, Indiana October 13th-16th, 2022 Theme: “We Were Made for More Joshua 1:9” REGISTRATION FEE: Adult $150.00 Adult Early Bird (Deadline September 1, 2022) $100.00 Youth and High School $65.00 The conference registration fee includes lunch on Saturday Room Reservations contact: Spring Hill Suites by Marriott Room …

National Black Catholic Congress XIII – “Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive
August 23, 2022

The National Black Catholic Congress announces the date and theme for Congress XIII. Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive After much prayerful consideration, the theme for Congress XIII is “Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive.” The theme is based on Habakkuk 2:2-4, “Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write down the …

Know Thy Neighbor
November 5, 2021

When I was young, my favorite show was Gillian’s Island. It was a show about seven castaways stranded on a deserted island. The show stopped production in 1967 but the reruns aired during my childhood and I would watch them all, again and again. Each character had their own quirky personality, and I grew to …

Announcements ~ May 24, 2021
May 24, 2021

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 …

Promotional Materials for Consecration to St. Joseph on May 1
March 26, 2021

Promotional Graphics for May 1st Event Square: English | Spanish Rectangle: English | Spanish Horizontal: English | Spanish No Text Consecration Definition Promotional Text for May 1st EventBishop Gregory Parkes will Consecrate the Diocese of St. Petersburg to St. Joseph on May 1stYou are invited to join Bishop Parkes for the Diocesan St. Joseph Consecration …

2021 Easter Message
March 16, 2021

From Bishop Gregory Parkes Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Jesus Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!  Easter is a defining moment because the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ bestows upon us the grace that transforms our lives. The gift of eternal life, the gift of forgiveness, and the gift of hope …

Stained Glass Window is Revealed after Hidden for Nearly Half a Century
March 8, 2021

When parishioners of Most Holy Redeemer Parish in Tampa walk into the church on Easter morning, they will be celebrating the Risen Christ in more ways than one. Parishioners will see an unobstructed floor-to-ceiling stained glass window of the Risen Christ welcoming all who enter. For years this window went largely unnoticed, partially hidden by …

March for Life 2021
December 15, 2020

 The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry made the difficult decision to cancel our annual pilgrimage to Washington, DC for the March for Life. In the case that you were planning to attend the March for Life separate from the Youth and Young Adult Ministry Office, we would invite you to reconsider your plans. …

Lucille M. LaRose
December 7, 2020

Word reached our office that Mrs. Lucille M. LaRose, mother of Deacon Ed LaRose from St. Timothy Parish in Lutz, passed away on Friday, December 4, 2020. She was 92. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, December 21, 2020 at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 17512 Lakeshore Road, Lutz, FL 33558. Expressions …

National Collection Assists Elderly Sisters, Brothers, Priests in Religious Orders
November 17, 2020

The Diocese of St. Petersburg will hold the Retirement Fund for Religious collection Dec. 12-13. The National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) coordinates this annual appeal and distributes the proceeds to assist eligible U.S. religious communities with their retirement needs. Nearly 30,000 senior sisters, brothers and religious order priests benefit. Last year, the Diocese of St. …

Open, Broken & Full
October 4, 2019

Open, broken, and full – that’s my heart before, during and after, when I am graced to journey with my incarcerated sisters and brothers in California state prisons. About a year ago a good friend of mine asked me if I would be willing to think about teaching in California prisons in place of her. …

Red Tent Altar Linen
April 18, 2018

This lovingly made altar linen will be used at our newest Prison Ministry Catholic service at the South St. Pete. Westcare Substance Abuse Treatment Center.  Chris R. and Team (pictured below at left) conduct a communion service for men and women court ordered into substance abuse treatment after incarceration at the Pinellas County Jail.  This …

More than 567 Bibles Donated to Prison Ministries
March 22, 2017

Over 567 Bibles have been donated to Prison Ministries thanks to a Community Partner Challenge from Angels Senior Living Center and Datalink Software during Spirit FM 90.5?’s 2017 Spread the Word campaign! We are so grateful to Spirit FM’s listeners for taking up the challenge and ensuring that those imprisoned have access to the reason for …

The “Reaching Out” Quilt
February 3, 2015

The “Reaching Out” Quilt  shows the outline of the hands of juveniles incarcerated at the Orient Road Jail in Tampa. Their achievements include receiving their General Education Diplomas, mentoring in math, writing, science, reading. The Diocesan Prison Ministry Success & Empowerment Program, (brainchild of volunteer Elena Zerfas), goes far beyond the regular educational system by providing life skills, …