Three Months Ahead of Deadline

The Catholic Diocese of Saint Petersburg has met and exceeded its ambitious goal of completing 1,000,000 Acts of Mercy (kindness) in 2025. Remarkably, this is three months early since the deadline to complete the 1,000,000 Acts of Mercy Challenge is December 15^th. 

Bishop Gregory Parkes announced that the goal had been reached during a radio broadcast this morning on 90.5 Spirit FM. Today is also the day the Catholic Church celebrates the Patron Saint of Mercy, Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

The Challenge encouraged Catholics to go above and beyond traditional efforts to show kindness and compassion. Participants were asked to record all acts of service on the diocesan website (Mercy 2025.org) with the hopes that they could collectively perform one million Acts of Mercy in one year, which they have done.

Statement from Bishop Parkes:

“My heart is full of gratitude for all who have worked together to achieve this remarkable milestone that reflects our call to love as God loves and serve as Christ serves,” said Bishop Parkes, who established the Mercy Challenge in response to the Jubilee Year of Hope that was launched by the late Pope Francis.

Interview with Bishop Parkes:

What are Acts of Mercy:

During this past year, participants were challenged to focus on 14 categories of service that the Catholic Church describes as Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. These categories range from Visiting the Sick and Sheltering the Homeless to Comforting the Afflicted. Examples include:

• Helping flood victims clean out their homes
• Bringing flowers to those who are ill
• Showing gratitude to veterans for their sacrifices
• Feeding the hungry
• Donating clothes to people in need
• Praying for people who are suffering
• Cleaning up gravesites

1,000,000 Acts of Mercy Challenge by the Numbers:

• 73 parishes participated
• 35 schools participated
• 2 mission churches participated
• 7 diocesan ministries participated
• Top contributing parishes and schools so far: St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, New Port Richey, St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Trinity, St. Petersburg Catholic High School

Additional Information

The 1,000,000 Acts of Mercy Challenge is a response to the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year of Hope. The goal is to be a sign of hope for our neighbors who experience hardships. No act is too large or too small, especially when done with great love.

The list of Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy recognized by the Catholic Church are:

Corporal Works of Mercy:

• Feed the hungry
• Give drink to the thirsty
• Clothe the naked
• Shelter the homeless,
• Visit the sick
• Visit the imprisoned
• Bury the dead

Spiritual Works of Mercy:

• Teach others about God and the Faith
• Counsel the doubtful
• Encourage reconciliation with God and others
• Bear wrongs patiently
• Forgive offenses willingly
• Comfort the afflicted
• Pray for the living and the dead

About the Diocese of St. Petersburg

The Diocese of St. Petersburg is comprised of nearly 500,000 Catholics within the five counties of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus. It includes 74 parishes, five missions, one shrine, 46 schools and early childhood centers, and a variety of social services, health care, housing, and pastoral ministries. Mass is celebrated regularly in 14 languages, and we are led by Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, who was installed as the fifth bishop of the Diocese on January 4, 2017.