Local Christians to Participate in Holy Week and Easter

Holy Week is a Time of Transformation Who:     Approximately 500,000 Catholics in Tampa Bay and West Central Florida What:    Holy Week and Easter Celebrations When:   April 13-20 Where: This year, the Catholic Diocese of Saint Petersburg is making it easier for families to find a Church to celebrate Easter by pointing them to a helpful …

Announcements ~ March 31, 2025

DIOCESAN OFFICES Easter Letter from Bishop Gregory Parkes Bishop Parkes is sharing a letter with an Easter message for the Catholic community on “Five Ways to Celebrate Easter.” Please consider publishing this in your parish bulletins on April 13th or April 20th. The letter is available in English  and Spanish. Marian Congress 2025, Journeying in Hope …

Reverend Matteo Rizzo

The Chancellor’s Office was recently informed that Reverend Matteo (Matt) Rizzo, 78, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, passed away on Thursday, March 20, 2025, after being removed from life support following a heart attack. Father Rizzo was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 1973, serving for nearly 52 years before his death. …

Sr. Joan H. Dawson, OSF

Word reached the Chancellor’s Office of the passing of Sister Joan Helen Dawson, OSF, on March 16, 2025, in St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY.  Sister Dawson served for many years as the Superintendent of Schools in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. She entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany on September 8, 1959, was received into …

Announcements ~ March 24, 2025

DIOCESAN OFFICES Reservations needed – RSVP for the 2025 Eucharistic Encounter today! You are invited to encounter the Eucharist and experience the hope at the 2025 Eucharistic Encounter on Saturday, September 20th at Amalie Arena in Tampa! Don’t miss this free event featuring Mass, Adoration, and an inspiring line-up of nationally recognized speakers and musicians, all …

March 24, 2025

Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of Saint Petersburg, announces the following clergy changes, effective July 1, 2025: APPOINTMENTSRev. Msgr. Michael G. Muhr, from Pastor of St. Lawrence Parish, Tampa, to Director of Ministry to Priests for the Diocese of Saint Petersburg. Monsignor Muhr previously served in this capacity from 2018 to 2022. He was recently …

Mr. Manuel Morales

We sadly inform the passing of Mr.  Manuel Morales, on March 11, 2025.  Mr.  Morales was the father of Madelyn Morales, interim Faith Formation Coordinator for the Diocese of St. Petersburg and former Administrative Assistant to Dr. Lois Locey, Chancellor for Administration / Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Morales died during a medical procedure. Additional details …

Announcements ~ March 17, 2025

DIOCESAN OFFICES Encounter Tampa Bay His Eminence Christophe Cardinal Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the U.S., will be the guest moderator for the upcoming Encounter Tampa Bay event, to be held on Friday, March 28, 2025, 7:00-9:00 p.m. at St. Petersburg Catholic High School.  The topic of the event is “Hope in the Midst of Suffering.” …

Finding Hope in the Midst of Suffering

A Special Event in St. Petersburg on March 28th with Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Pope’s Representative to the U.S. The Diocese of Saint Petersburg is hosting “Encounter Tampa Bay: Hope in the Midst of Suffering,” with Cardinal Christophe Pierre. (Click to view promotional flyer and promotional graphic.) Who:   Cardinal Christophe Pierre, U.S. Ambassador to the VaticanBishop …

Reverend Demetrio Lorden

The Chancellor’s Office has learned that Reverend Demetrio Lorden, 78, passed away peacefully while in a nursing facility near Madrid, Spain, on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at approximately 9:30 p.m. local time (3:30 p.m. Eastern). Father Lorden has been receiving assistance from various health care facilities and family members since suffering a serious injury while …

Announcements ~ March 10, 2025

DIOCESAN OFFICES 2025 Eucharistic Encounter: Reserve your seat today! This Jubilee Year, discover the reason for our hope as 16,000 believers gather for a powerful day of faith, worship, and transformation. The 2025 Eucharistic Encounter is set to ignite hearts on Saturday, September 20th, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida with dynamic speakers, Spirit-filled musicians, …

Reverend Ruskin S. Piedra, C.Ss.R.

Word reached the Chancellor’s Office of the passing of Reverend Ruskin S. Piedra, C.Ss.R., 90, on December 22, 2024, at St. John Neumann Residence, in Timonium, Maryland. Father Piedra was ordained to the priesthood for the Redemptorist Fathers on June 19, 1960.  During his 64 years of priestly ministry, Father Piedra had a local connection …

Reverend William “Bill” Kelly

Word reached the Chancellor’s Office of the passing of Reverend William “Bill” Kelly, 90, a long-time priest of the Diocese of St. Augustine, on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, in Jacksonville, Florida. During his 65 years of ministry, he served in assignments throughout Florida, including as Assistant Pastor (Parochial Vicar) of St. Paul and Immaculate Conception …

Nativity Food Bank Achieves Major Milestone

Over Two Million Meals Distributed in One YearHopes to Expand to Meet the Rising Demand Nativity Food Bank, an organization dedicated to fighting hunger in our community, is proud to announce a significant milestone in providing food to those in need: the distribution of 2 million meals in 2024. This remarkable achievement marks a nearly …

Fish Fry Fridays Begin on March 7th

The Diocese of Saint Petersburg is excited to announce Fish Fry events are back in the Tampa Bay area. This beloved community tradition, held every Friday during Lent (March 7-April 11), offers a delicious way for residents to observe the season while enjoying great food and fellowship. Additional Information: Fridays during Lent are obligatory days …

Announcements ~ March 3, 2025

DIOCESAN OFFICES Social Media Alert Someone is impersonating Bishop Gregory Parkes on Facebook. Please be sure you are following the REAL Bishop Gregory Parkes accounts on Facebook and Instagram. Stay vigilant! Here are the REAL and OFFICIAL accounts for Bishop Gregory Parkes: www.facebook.com/bishopparkes and www.instagram.com/bishopparkes.  Bishop Parkes will never send you a friend request, send you …