The Chancellor’s Office received news of the passing of Reverend Jose Cleofe (Joy) Colina, 59, on November 14, 2023, in the Philippines. Father Colina was hospitalized with cancer at the time of his death. Since July 2022, he has been on disability retirement status, due to numerous health issues, after an extended leave of absence was granted to him in 2018.

 

Father Colina, or “Father Joy,” as he was known, was born in Cararayan, Philippines and was ordained to the priesthood on March 11, 1989 for the Diocese of Legazpi.  He served in five parishes in the Legazpi Diocese and was a diocesan youth director for a brief time before coming to the Diocese of St. Petersburg in 2003.  While in our diocese, Father Colina served as Parochial Vicar of the following parishes: St. Paul, Tampa (2003-2011), Our Lady of Lourdes, Dunedin (2011-2012), Corpus Christi, Temple Terrace (2012-2017), and St. John Vianney, St. Pete Beach (2017-2018).  In 2016, Father Colina was incardinated into the Diocese of St. Petersburg.

 

A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, 1:00 p.m. (Philippine time) at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, in Oas, Albay, Philippines. Burial will take place following the Mass.

 

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family of Rev. Jose Colina, c/o Diocese of St. Petersburg, Office of the Chancellor, P.O. Box 40200, St. Petersburg, FL 33743-0200.

 

Please keep Father Colina’s family members and loved ones in your kind thoughts and prayers as they grieve the loss of their brother, uncle, and friend.

 

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