Richard Peete had a family and a successful, middle-class life and he dreamed of a bright future. But things changed drastically in 1998 when his 28-year-old wife and four-year-old child died in a car accident. While still suffering from that trauma and pain, he lost his job because of the recession and housing market collapse. …
Continue reading “Stories of Hope Shared at Breakfast of Mercy with Catholic Charities”
The voices of the faithful have resonated loudly and clearly at the Visioning Team meetings organized by Bishop Gregory Parkes. These voices include parishioners from across the Diocese of St. Petersburg who attended listening sessions and completed online surveys and the voices of priests, religious sisters, staff and ministry leaders who have spoken to the …
Continue reading “The Visioning Team Sharpens its Focus on a Diocesan Vision to Enliven the Faith”
Hundreds of men, women and children will join the Walk for Life 2018 – On the Bay, along the Courtney Campbell Causeway Trail at Ben T. Davis Beach along 1-mile, 2-mile, or 5K courses, on Saturday, April 14. The event creates awareness and helps raise funds for four Foundations of Life Pregnancy Centers (Tampa, St. …
Continue reading “Hundreds to Walk for Life on the Causeway on April 14”
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and is a reminder to all Catholics that the ultimate responsibility of any adult is to ensure that abuse does not occur. Therefore, we should always be vigilant and aware. In an effort to promote education and to help parishes and families to make child safety and prevention of …
Here is an overview of the Holy Week celebrations that will be held here and around the World. Find a parish near you by clicking here. Click here to see photos of how our parishes and schools are journeying through Holy Week. HOLY THURSDAY – March 29, 2018 The Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper …
Continue reading “Catholics Observe Holiest Week of the Year”
Families, youth and young adults are invited to participate in a special event that will help you draw closer to Jesus and strengthen you on your faith journey. The Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary invite you to their Third International Congress in honor of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, June …
Bishop Parkes is taking to the airwaves to share the Good News via a segment that began airing on Spirit FM 90.5 on March 23, 2018. The segment is a short reflection on the upcoming Sunday Gospel that will be proclaimed during Mass in Catholic churches around Tampa Bay and around the world. The …
Continue reading “Invitation to Worship: Bishop Gregory Parkes Offers Weekly Gospel Reflection”
For many years, the USCCB has supported a federal ban on assault weapons, limitations on civilian access to high-capacity weapons and ammunition magazines, further criminalizing gun trafficking, certain limitations on the purchase of handguns, and safety measures such as locks that prevent children and anyone other than the owner from using guns without permission. In the aftermath …
Continue reading “U.S. Bishops Urge National Leaders to Address Scourge of Gun Violence”
Gathered in Miami for three days of intense reflection, 300 Catholics, mostly Hispanic, pondered problems and offered solutions to challenges faced by people in their communities. The Diocese of St. Petersburg had 34 delegates representing 20 parishes at the Regional V (fifth) Encuentro, which was the second largest contingency of participants. Bishop Gregory Parkes and …
Before you share a story on social media, what impact does the story have on our community and our world? Could you be spreading fake news or as Pope Francis describes it: “false information based on nonexistent or distorted data meant to deceive and manipulate the reader.” Pope Francis warns about the dangers of fake …
As with many jubilee years, Pope Francis has instructed that a special plenary indulgence be available for the faithful throughout 2018 for the 50th Anniversary of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. The faithful who commit to a complete detachment of sin may follow the steps below to receive this indulgence. For Able-Bodied Catholics Devoutly make a …
As with many jubilee years, Pope Francis has instructed that a special plenary indulgence be available for the faithful throughout 2018 (January 1, 2018- December 31, 2018) for the 50th Anniversary of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. The faithful who commit to a complete detachment of sin may follow the steps below to receive this indulgence. …
Bishop Robert Lynch received the Roy G. Harrell, Jr. Leadership Award on Feb. 22, 2018 at the St. Anthony Hospital Foundation Legacy Dinner. This award is presented to someone who demonstrates leadership through community service and is described through their work with attributes such as vision, courage, initiative, motivation, selflessness, commitment, dependability and accomplishment. There …
Bon Secours Health System has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute, a global leader in advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as one of the 2018 World’s Most Ethical Companies. Bon Secours is one of only eight honorees in the health care industry and the only Catholic hospital ministry, underscoring the organization’s commitment to …
Continue reading “Bon Secours Named One of the Most Ethical Companies”
As with many jubilee years, Pope Francis has instructed that a special plenary indulgence be available for the faithful throughout 2018 for the 50th Anniversary of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. The faithful who commit to a complete detachment of sin may follow the steps below to receive this indulgence. For Able-Bodied Catholics Devoutly make …
The 16 members of the Diocese of St. Petersburg Visioning Team gathered on February 13, 2018 to continue the task of discerning a mutually shared vision to unite the diocese. Bishop Parkes reminded the group why this new vision is so essential to our future. “As a Diocese, we need to be certain that our …
Continue reading “Visioning Team Continues Listening to the Holy Spirit and Focuses on “Encounter””
Adults and children (over the age of 8) across the Diocese of St. Petersburg are currently preparing to become Catholic during the Easter Vigil Mass on March 31. They have been on a journey of faith that started many months ago with a call from God to live as His disciples. When they first began …
Continue reading “Soon-to-be Catholics Respond to A Call from Christ”
The Catholic Church believes that life in prison without parole provides a non-lethal alternative to the death penalty and is the more just solution since the Church believes that all Human life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God. That is why Michael Sheedy, executive director of the Florida Conference of …
Continue reading “Floridians Pray for an End to the Death Penalty as Execution Date Approaches”
Uninsured migrant workers in the Dade City area will receive much-needed dental care thanks to an $11,000 grant from the National Council of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul. “Our goal is to assist 115 uninsured residents of Dade City and surrounding migrant camps in obtaining basic dental care,” said Raymond Pawlicki, of …
Continue reading “Society of St. Vincent de Paul Grant will Brighten the Smiles of Many”
February 7-14 marks the annual celebration of National Marriage Week USA and Feb. 11 marks World Marriage Day. There are resources available that teach about the importance of sacramental marriage as a lifelong union of one man and one woman: ForYourMarriage.org, PorTuMatrimonio.org, and MarriageUniqueForAReason.org. Additional resources specifically for the celebration of National Marriage Week, including a homily …
Continue reading “National Marriage Week Feb. 7-14 Promotes Gift Of Marriage As Sacrament”
In an effort to lead all people closer to the Heart of Jesus, Bishop Gregory Parkes has announced that he will consecrate the parishes, schools, charities, ministries and all people who live in the five counties of the Diocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. To consecrate means to dedicate or set aside for a …
The community of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Dunedin will gather on Sunday, Feb. 4 at 11:30 a.m. to celebrate three significant events: Visit of Bishop Gregory Parkes for Confirmation Mass. Bishop Parkes has served as the spiritual leader of the Diocese of St. Petersburg for one year. 60th Anniversary of the establishment of …
Continue reading “Past and Present Will Converge at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Dunedin on Feb. 4”
World Day for Consecrated Life will be Celebrated Friday, February 2 in the Universal Church and in Local parishes on the Weekend of Feb. 3-4 Commenting on the World Day for Consecrated Life, Cardinal Joseph Tobin, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Newark and Chair of the USCCB’s Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations states: “For …
Continue reading “Thank God for the Gift of Consecrated Life”
More than 600 people will gather at the Hilton Downtown Tampa on Feb. 3 for the Catholic Foundation Gala. Participants representing parishes and businesses are coming together in support of Catholic education and tuition assistance programs. The support has been so strong that tickets for the event have sold out! The event, made possible in …
Continue reading “Celebrating 50 Years of Exceptional Catholic Education”
The Season of Lent is observed this year from Feb. 14 – March 29. During this time, Catholics can reflect more deeply on the sacrificial love of Jesus that led to his dying on the Cross on Good Friday for the forgiveness of sins. (To view the Diocese of St. Petersburg’s Office of Worship Lent …
Continue reading “Remembering The Sacrificial Love of Jesus”
A new partnership is making it possible for parishes to receive a discounted subscription to the groundbreaking digital platform for evangelization and faith formation known as FORMED.org. “If someone were looking for a Catholic version of Netflix, it would be FORMED,” said Brian Lemoi, Executive Director of Evangelization & Lifelong Faith Formation, Diocese of St. …
Continue reading “Diocese of St. Petersburg Develops New Partnership with Formed.org”
As a parent, do you know how to speak to your children about the dangers of pornography? What is the right age to speak to your child? How do you encourage conversation about this critical issue? The Diocese of St. Petersburg is helping parents to navigate these issues and more during a free workshop that …
Continue reading “Internet Pornography: Equipping Parents for an Ongoing Conversation”
More than 400 people from the Tampa Bay area, mostly students, will be taking part in the National March for Life in Washington D.C. on January 19. Ryan Phelan, Associate Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of St. Petersburg, will be leading a contingency of 250 marchers. He booked flights on …
Continue reading “Tampa Bay Youth and Young Adults Will March for Life”
The 16 members of the Visioning Team of the Diocese of St. Petersburg met on Jan. 4 and Jan. 5 for half-day sessions to continue the process of discerning a Mutually Shared Vision and develop a plan of priorities and goals that will guide the Diocese of St. Petersburg into the future with purpose, focus, …
Continue reading “Bishop Parkes and the Visioning Team Continue the Discernment Process”
Each January, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the U.S. Bishop’s anti-poverty program, provides resources to help Catholics live in solidarity with the poor. Liturgical and practical resources in both English and Spanish can be found here. These include bulletin announcements, prayers of the faithful, ideas for parish activities, reflections on the readings, and a calendar …
As a Church we are living the Advent Season and preparing for the coming of Jesus Christ. In the Diocese of St. Petersburg, we are also preparing for the future of the Catholic Church in West Central Florida. December 6 was day one of the Visioning Process that Bishop Gregory Parkes has initiated to develop …
Continue reading “Visioning Team Reviews Catholic Data and Demographics”
Subscribe to our Email List – Click here. To stay informed of news and information about the Diocese of St. Petersburg’s Visioning Process, we invite you to subscribe to our email distribution list. We will send you information the sessions that are held with the visioning team and send you the results of the Visioning …
Nativity scenes have been a popular Advent and Christmas decoration for centuries and are cherished by people of all ages. Now, there is an opportunity to see 300 nativity scenes on display in one room. Saint Clement Catholic Church (1104 North Alexander Street, Plant City) is presenting “Nativities Around the World.” These artistic and unique …
Continue reading “More than 300 Nativity Scenes from Around the World on Display in Plant City”
Men: Take Your Faith Life to the Next Level Women: Give a Faith Filled Christmas Gift to the Men in Your Life Whether you are married or single, a retiree or a high school student, a faith warrior or just starting your faith journey – the Tampa Bay Men’s Conference is your opportunity to take …
Continue reading “Save the Date for the Catholic Men’s Conference”
Bishop Gregory Parkes has announced that a Visioning Process for the Diocese of St. Petersburg will begin in December to develop a mutually shared vision for the Diocese of St. Petersburg that includes priorities that will be addressed over the next three years. He has assembled a team (click here to see list of members) …
Bios of Visioning Team Members can be Found on These Pages: (click to view: Last Names A-O) Father Justin Paskert, Campus Minister, University of S. Florida/Parochial Vicar Corpus Christi Parish (Tempe Terrace) Father Justin Peter Paskert was ordained a priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg on May 18th, 2013 at the age of 32. He …
Bios of Visioning Team Members can be Found on These Pages: (click to view: Last Names P-Z) Sue Brett, Parishioner, Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle Sue has worked in the legal, medical, airline and insurance professions and over the years, she has volunteered with many non-profit organizations and also taken the time to care for …
PINELLAS HOPE CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF HELPING THE HOMELESS Bishop Gregory Parkes invites the community to the 10th-anniversary celebration of Pinellas Hope on Friday, Dec. 1 from 4 pm to 5:30 pm. The shelter camp for up to 300 Pinellas County homeless adults opened on December 1, 2007 on 10 acres of land provided by …
To stay informed of news and information about the Diocese of St. Petersburg’s 50th Anniversary, we invite you to subscribe to our email distribution list. We will send you information about upcoming events, historical lessons and resources, volunteer opportunities and many more details. (To sign up for emails you must be over the age of …
The Catholic faith has been a part of West Central Florida since Spanish missionaries arrived in the 16th century. With great courage, the missionaries risked and sometimes lost their lives for the sake of the Kingdom of God. They planted the seeds of the Catholic faith and those seeds scattered from place to place and …
Continue reading “Why celebrate the diocesan 50th anniversary?”
Catholics in the Diocese of St. Petersburg will have the opportunity to “give to those who have given a lifetime” as part of the collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious, to be held in parishes Dec. 9-10. Coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) in Washington, D.C., the annual appeal benefits 32,000 elderly …
On Oct. 24, the Florida Hospital Association recognized Baycare with a Community Benefit Achievement Award for their Medical Respite Program located at Pinellas Hope. If a homeless patient is ready to be discharged from one of four BayCare hospitals, but still needs medical assistance, the patient can stay at the Medical Respite Center of Pinellas …
More than 900 people from over 18 parishes gathered at St. Jude the Apostle Cathedral on October 14 for the closing celebration of the V Diocesan Encuentro. The word Encuentro is Spanish for encounter and it refers to the process of meeting people in a friendly way to learn about their struggles and accompany them …
On Thursday, November 2 at 10:00 a.m., Bishop Gregory Parkes will celebrate Mass in observance of All Souls’ Day at Calvary Catholic Cemetery (5233 118th Avenue N. Clearwater). Catholics around the world take part in the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day), a time to pause, reflect and pray for our dearly …
Continue reading “Join Bishop Parkes in Praying for the Faithful Departed”
Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Tampa Bay area on September 10, 2017 as a category 1 storm. While this area was spared a direct hit, residents here have experienced loss and financial struggles because of the fierce winds and torrential rains that battered homes and businesses. Residents are also dealing with the difficulties resulting …
The Diocese of St. Augustine invites you to a Memorial Mass on October 30 to celebrate the life of Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley, the sixth bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine. The Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine (38 Cathedral Place) beginning with a 5:00 p.m. talk by Archbishop Thomas …
Continue reading “Memorial Mass to Celebrate the Life of Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley”
By joining the Florida Catholic Advocacy Network (FLCAN) you can help promote laws that are consistent with Catholic teachings on respect for life, concern for the environment and social justice. Here’s what you need to know! What is the Florida Catholic Advocacy Network? An online community that exists to connect, educate, and mobilize Catholics …
Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Motivated by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, their mission is to cherish, preserve and uphold the sacredness and dignity of all human life, foster charity and justice, and embody Catholic social and moral teaching. …
Continue reading “Catholic Relief Services Responds to Natural Disasters Abroad”
To prepare for next year’s international Synod on “Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment,” the Holy Father wants online feedback from all youth and young adults, ages 16 to 29, from around the world, regardless of how active they are in the practice of the faith. Youth and young adults, ages 16 to 29, …
Continue reading “Are you between the ages of 16-29? The pope wants to hear from you!”
You Are Invited to Celebrate with Religious Jubilarians On Sunday, October 29, 2017, the Diocese of St. Petersburg will celebrate the religious Jubilees of fourteen men and women who have reached milestones in their commitment to the Church and to their Congregations. Representing a total of 910 years of consecrated service to the Church and the …
Continue reading “Diocesan Religious Jubilee Celebration Oct. 29”
An emergency relief effort for Puerto Rico is underway and your help is needed! The devastation by Hurricane Maria has left many families without a home, food, water and basic supplies. Donations should be dropped off at: Location: Homeland Intelligence Technologies, 4916 S Lois Ave., Tampa Items: Batteries, baby wipes, flashlights, lanterns, first aid supplies, …
Local Catholic Churches to Hold a Special Collection to Help with Disaster Relief and Rebuilding after Hurricane Harvey Bishop Gregory Parkes is asking all 81 parishes and missions in the Diocese of St. Petersburg to hold a special collection the weekend of September 2-3 or September 9-10 for the needs of people affected by natural …
