Announcements ~ April 29, 2024

DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Life, Justice and Advocacy Ministry CourageCourage is a group of Catholics who experience same-sex attractions and who are committed to helping one another to live chaste lives marked by prayer, fellowship and mutual support.  To see our Goals please visit this link: https://www.dosp.org/life/courage-ministry/. This confidential support ministry is sponsored by our …

Announcements ~ April 22, 2024

DIOCESAN OFFICES Spring 2024 Stewardship Workshop Series: “Calling Youth to Stewardship” Our diocesan Office of Stewardship and Development will offer a workshop on Thursday, May 23, 2024, from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m., at St. Paul Catholic Church, 12708 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. This FREE event is sponsored in part by Our Sunday Visitor (OSV) …

Clergy Changes ~ Spring 2024

Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy changes, effective July 1, 2024, unless otherwise indicated: RETIREMENT STATUS Reverend Paul Kochu, from Pastor of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Palm Harbor, granted retirement status. Reverend Eric G. Peters, from Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, New Port Richey, granted retirement status. …

Announcements ~ April 15, 2024

DIOCESAN OFFICES Youth Minister-Meet UpThe Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry invites all those acting as youth ministers to a Youth Minister Meet-Up on April 23rd at 2:00 p.m. at St. Catherine of Sienna Youth Room,  1955 S. Belcher Rd., Clearwater.   This event will consist of a short reflection on planning for effective youth ministry …

Announcements ~ April 8, 2024

  DIOCESAN OFFICES Did You Know? April is Child Abuse Prevention MonthApril is national Child Abuse Prevention Month. It is most appropriate that Child Abuse Prevention Month is held during the Easter season. There is no better season than Easter to celebrate the protection of our most valuable gift from God—our children. For information on how you …

Announcements ~ April 2, 2024

DIOCESAN OFFICES Did You Know? April is Child Abuse Prevention MonthApril is national Child Abuse Prevention Month. It is most appropriate that Child Abuse Prevention Month is held during the Easter season. There is no better season than Easter to celebrate the protection of our most valuable gift from God—our children. For information on how …

Reverend Oliver “Gene” Wells

We are sad to inform you that Rev. Oliver “Gene” Wells, 88, father of Deacon Rick Wells, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at his home near Cincinnati, Ohio, following a recent hospitalization.  “Pastor Gene,” as he was known to many, was a retired minister of the United Methodist Church, having served the …

Announcements ~ March 11, 2024

DIOCESAN OFFICES 6th Annual Marian CongressSaturday, May 11, 2024 – A Day to be RenewedGive yourself and your family a day of rest and the time to be renewed! Join us for the Diocese of St. Petersburg’s 6th Annual Marian Congress. This year’s theme is Mary, Joseph, and the Eucharist: Forming a Holy Family. Make plans …

Announcements ~ March 4, 2024

DIOCESAN OFFICES 6th Annual Marian Congress Saturday, May 11, 2024 – A Day to be Renewed Give yourself and your family a day of rest and the time to be renewed! Join us for the Diocese of St. Petersburg’s 6th Annual Marian Congress. This year’s theme is Mary, Joseph, and the Eucharist: Forming a Holy Family. …

Reverend Mario Vizcaino, Sch. P.

Reverend Mario Vizcaíno, Sch. P., 89, founder and director of the Southeast Pastoral Institute (SEPI), passed away on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at the Piarist community of St. Joseph Calasanz, in Hialeah, while under the care of Catholic Hospice. He had been a member of the Piarist order for more than 60 years. A Funeral Mass will take …

Announcements ~ February 26, 2024

PARISHES/ORGANIZATIONS Walk-4-Water 5k and Walk-A-Thon March 23, 2024 James Brian Thomas StadiumClearwater Central Catholic High School, 2750 Haines Bayshore Rd., ClearwaterSimulating the journey taken by millions around the world  who walk for hours each day in search of water, “Walk 4 Water” is your opportunity to assist the non-profit organization Water 4 Mercy in raising funds to …

Announcements ~ February 20, 2024

DIOCESAN OFFICES Synod Listening SessionBishop Gregory Parkes cordially invites you to a Synod Listening Session focusing on church structures and our pastoral vision.  This event will be at St. Timothy Parish, 17512 Lakeshore Rd., Lutz, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and it is open to all parish ministry leaders, including directors/coordinators of faith formation, religious education, …

Announcements ~ February 12, 2024

DIOCESAN OFFICES Synod Listening SessionBishop Gregory Parkes cordially invites you to a Synod Listening Session focusing on church structures and our pastoral vision.  This event will be at St. Timothy Parish, 17512 Lakeshore Rd., Lutz, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and it is open to all parish ministry leaders, including directors/coordinators of faith formation, …

Mr. Ralph D’Angelo

The Diaconate Office sadly informs that Mr. Ralph D’Angelo, 74, father of Deacon Geoff D’Angelo, of St. Stephen Parish in Riverview, died peacefully on Tuesday, January 23, in Jacksonville, Florida. He was in hospice care after being diagnosed with cancer last month. Ralph is survived by his wife, Yoko; his three children from a previous …

Announcements ~ February 5, 2024

DIOCESAN OFFICES Did You Know? Prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse Child sexual abuse is a great deal more prevalent than many imagine. In fact, studies tell us that one in ten adult men and one in five adult women say that they were molested before the age of 18. That means that, directly or indirectly, child sexual abuse will …

Announcements ~ January 29, 2024

DIOCESAN OFFICES Divine Renovation Unlocked:   St. PetersburgPriests and active parishioners across the Diocese of St. Petersburg want to see their parishes come alive. The problem is that changing the way we “do church” can be intimidating. We get it-prioritizing mission over maintenance can feel scary. This is why you’re invited to DR Unlocked: St. Petersburg …

Announcements ~ January 22, 2024

DIOCESAN OFFICES New Documentary to Premiere: For the Sake of the GospelMore than twenty years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts, a group of Franciscan missionaries left their homes in Spain to evangelize and minister to the indigenous people of the south Georgia coast.  Between September 14 and September 17, 1597, all but one …

Sister Frances Mary Fitzpatrick, O.P.

Sister Frances Mary Fitzpatrick, formerly known as Sister John Denise, died on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 88 years of age and in the 68th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation. Sister Frances Mary was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Thomas and Mary (Farrell) …

Announcements ~ January 16, 2024

DIOCESAN OFFICES National Eucharistic CongressA limited number of free tickets are available to attend the National Eucharistic Congress. Catholics in the Diocese of St. Petersburg have the opportunity to receive a free “full pass” ticket to the National Eucharistic Congress from July 17-21, 2024, in Indianapolis. The limited number of free tickets were purchased by Bishop …

Mrs. Beverly Ann Tenten

The Chancellor’s Office received word that Mrs. Beverly Ann (Mucerino) Tenten, age 87, of Seminole FL, mother of Mrs. Michele Williams, Parish Business Manager of Holy Cross Parish, St. Petersburg, peacefully entered into eternal rest on December 30th 2023, at Saint Anthony’s Hospital in Saint Petersburg FL.  Beverly’s life was a testament to love, kindness, …

Announcements ~ January 8, 2024

DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Young Adult Ministry Wonder, 6th Annual Tampa Bay Young Adult RetreatJoin us on February 10, 2024 as we seek a deeper sense of Wonder in the infinite and everlasting God. The retreat will be hosted at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 1376 Snell Isle Blvd N.E. in St. Pete. It will include morning …

Mrs. Patricia N. Licata-Amantia

Word reached the Pastoral Center of the passing of Mrs. Patricia N. Licata-Amantia on December 16, 2023.  Mrs. Licata-Amantia was the mother of Reverend Damian Amantia, T.O.R., Pastor of St. Mary Our Lady of Grace Parish, St. Petersburg. She rejoins in heaven her beloved parents Felix and Elizabeth Colecchi Licata; a brother and five sisters, …

Announcements ~ December 18, 2023

DIOCESAN OFFICES Did You Know? Internet Filter Software Is No Substitute for Parental Monitoring There is a lot of material on the Internet that is inappropriate for children. Parents can use filtering software to protect children from that material, but filters do not guarantee that children will not be exposed; a filter will never be a …

Announcements ~ December 11, 2023

DIOCESAN OFFICES Did You Know?Internet Filter Software Is No Substitute for Parental MonitoringThere is a lot of material on the Internet that is inappropriate for children. Parents can use filtering software to protect children from that material, but filters do not guarantee that children will not be exposed; a filter will never be a substitute for …

Sr. Janet Finley, O.S.F.

Word has reached the Chancellor’s Office of the passing of Sr.  Janet Finley, O.S.F., 89 years old, on December 4, 2023.  Sister Finley served as principal of St. Paul Catholic School, St. Petersburg, from 1978 to 1990. Sister Finley was received into the Congregation on August 15, 1956 and professed her final vows on August …

Announcements ~ December 4, 2023

DIOCESAN OFFICES “Unwrap the Spirit” with Bishop ParkesBishop Parkes invites all to participate in “Unwrap the Spirit” in preparation for the greatest gift of all time: the birth of Christ. “Unwrap the Spirit” involves a commitment of prayer, penance and sacrifice, and can be done individually, with a group of friends, with the whole family …

Reverend Fracilus Petit-Homme, SMM ~ Update

The Chancellor’s Office was recently informed of the death of Reverend Fracilus Petit-Homme, S.M.M., 81, a priest of the Montfort Missionaries and former Administrator of the Immaculate Conception Haitian Mission, Tampa from 2004 to 2007.  Father Petit-Homme passed away in Miami, Florida, on Friday, December 1, 2023, following a battle with prostate cancer. After leaving …

Announcements ~ November 27, 2023

  DIOCESAN OFFICES Annual Retirement Fund for Religious Collection: December 9-10, 2023The National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) is announcing the annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection, scheduled in parishes throughout the Diocese of St. Petersburg on the weekend of December 9-10, 2023. In 2022, parishioners from the Diocese of St. Petersburg contributed $220,671.12 to the …

Rev. David Engbarth ~ Update

The Chancellor’s Office was notified of the unexpected death of Reverend David R. Engbarth, 75, a retired priest of the Diocese of Rockford, Illinois, who resided in the Diocese of St. Petersburg since his retirement in 2014. His death was discovered on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at his home in Largo. Father Engbarth was a …

Announcements ~ November 20, 2023

DIOCESAN OFFICES A New Way to Pray this Advent!Prepare for the birth of Jesus by reflecting on your faith journey with short inspirational messages sent to you each day via email or text! These messages are written by local Catholics who are eager to share their faith with you!  To sign up, visit BeCourageousEachDay.org or …

Reverend Jose Cleofe (Joy) Colina

  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 …

Mr. Donatus Amadi

The Chancellor’s Office informs that Mr. Donatus Amadi, father of Reverend Cosmas Amadi, Parochial Vicar of St. Mark the Evangelist Parish, Tampa, passed away on the Commemoration of All Souls, November 2, 2023, in Nigeria.  Funeral arrangements for Mr. Amadi are pending, and all services will take place in Nigeria. Expressions of sympathy may be …

Announcements ~ November 13, 2023

DIOCESAN OFFICES A New Way to Pray this Advent!Prepare for the birth of Jesus by reflecting on your faith journey with short inspirational messages sent to you each day via email or text! These messages are written by local Catholics who are eager to share their faith with you!  To sign up, visit BeCourageousEachDay.org or …

Announcements ~ November 6, 2023

DIOCESAN OFFICES Did You Know? Five Steps to Safer Environments The Diocese of St. Petersburg mandates that all people who work with children and youth in our parishes and schools must undergo child abuse prevention training through our diocesan Safe Environment Program. The training details five steps to prevent child sexual abuse: Know the warning …