Announcements ~ December 5, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES How Can Families Celebrate Advent? Bishop Gregory Parkes speaks with Katie Holland, a local mother of five, about how her family celebrates Advent and he recalls his own family’s Advent/Christmas traditions on Take Five with Bishop Parkes. This five-minute conversation can be seen Tuesday, December 6th at 7:00 p.m. on the bishop’s Facebook …

Announcements ~ November 28, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES Women Needed for Prison Ministry! “For I… was in prison and you visited me.” (Mt 25:36) The Diocese of St. Petersburg’s ministry to incarcerated women in the Hillsborough County Jail is in dire need of volunteers. Our jails often are the warehouses of the poor and neglected in our society, but we as …

Clergy Changes ~ November 21, 2022

Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following changes in clergy changes: RELIEVING Reverend John B. Lipscomb from Parochial Vicar of St. Timothy Parish, Lutz, effective January 1, 2023, and continuing other assignments. Upon notification by Very Reverend Joseph O’Reilly, Provincial Superior, Institute of Charity (Rosminian Fathers), Reverend Bibin Mathew, I.C. from …

Announcements ~ November 21, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES Take Five with Bishop Gregory Parkes Bishop Parkes will be hosting a new video segment called Take Five: Conversations on Faith and Life, premiering on Tuesday, November 29th. The segments are about five minutes in length and are designed to easily fit into people’s busy schedules. New video segments can be seen each …

Sister M. John Francis Coyle, O.S.F.

The Office of the Vicar for Religious informs the passing of Sr. M. John Francis Coyle, O.S.F., 100 years old, on November 7, 2022 in Tampa.  Sister Coyle was stationed at St. Elizabeth Convent, Tampa. Sr.  John Francis entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany on February 2, 1945; was received into the Congregation on August …

Announcements ~ November 14, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES Take Five with Bishop Gregory Parkes Bishop Parkes will be hosting a new video segment called Take Five: Conversations on Faith and Life, premiering on Tuesday, November 29th. The segments are about five minutes in length and are designed to easily fit into people’s busy schedules. New video segments can be seen each …

Announcements ~ November 7, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES from Catholic Scouting for Girls Save the Date:  Girls Retreat The Catholic Scouting for Girls of the Diocese of St. Petersburg invites all the girl scouts for their yearly retreat on April 1, 2023 at Light of Christ Parish, 2176 Marilyn St., Clearwater.   More information to come and in the flyer at this …

Announcements ~ October 31, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops Florida Gubernatorial Candidate Comparison To help Catholics to become informed voters, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops has developed a comparison between the positions of the two major-party candidates for Florida governor on a range of issues. The positions of Ron DeSantis (Republican) and Charlie Crist …

Mr. Thomas P. (Tom) Schroeder

The Chancellor’s Office reports the passing of  Mr. Thomas P. (Tom) Schroeder, former H.R. Director for the Diocese of St. Petersburg, on October 22, 2022, with his wife, Diane, by his side. Born on November 30, 1943, in Bay City, MI, he was the eldest child of Howard and Virginia (Betty) Schroeder. Mr. Schroeder retired …

Announcements ~ October 24, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops Florida Gubernatorial Candidate Comparison To help Catholics to become informed voters, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops has developed a comparison between the positions of the two major-party candidates for Florida governor on a range of issues. The positions of Ron DeSantis (Republican) and Charlie Crist …

Mrs. Winifred (Winnie) Margaret McEvoy

The Chancellor’s Office received word that Mrs. Winifred (Winnie) Margaret McEvoy, 93, mother of Very Reverend John McEvoy, VF, pastor of St. Anne Parish, Ruskin, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2022, in Ireland, with Father McEvoy and his brother, Mark, at her bedside.  A Funeral Mass was held on Friday, October 21, 2022 at Holy …

Mrs. Margaret “Peg” Simpson

The Diaconate Office has received word of the passing of Mrs. Margaret “Peg” Simpson, 87, widow of the late Deacon Robert Simpson from St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Hudson.  She passed yesterday, October 13, 2022. No service information is available at this time. It will be posted here when it becomes available. Expressions of …

Announcements ~ October 17, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES St. Andrew’s Discernment Dinner Young men 16 and older please join us for a casual discernment event hosted by the Office of Vocations.  Dinner and vocation stories with Bishop Parkes, Fr. Chuck, and other priests.  Parents are also invited to join for a parent discussion and a meal.  We will meet on October …

Announcements ~ October 10, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES St. Andrew’s Discernment Dinner Young men 16 and older please join us for a casual discernment event hosted by the Office of Vocations.  Dinner and vocation stories with Bishop Parkes, Fr. Chuck, and other priests.  Parents are also invited to join for a parent discussion and a meal.  We will meet at St. …

Mr. Pacian Z. Kiwale

The Chancellor’s Office has received the sad news that Mr. Pacian Z. Kiwale, brother of Reverend Theobald Weria, A.L.C.P., Parochial Vicar of St. Cecelia Parish, Clearwater, passed away in the Lord on September 30, 2022, after struggling with illness since last year. All funeral services will take place near Mr. Kiwale’s home in Tanzania.  Please …

Sr. Frances Barfield, O.P.

Sister Frances Barfield, formerly known as Sister David Therese, died on Monday, September 19, 2022, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 90 years of age and in the 73rd year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation. Sister Frances was born in Pensacola, Florida, to David C. and Theresa …

Announcements ~ October 3, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES Did You Know? Assistance Ministry Helps Abuse Victims Did you know that outreach to victims of sexual abuse is one of the ministries offered by the Diocese of St. Petersburg? The diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator provides assistance towards healing by means of therapy, spiritual direction, and mutual support groups. If now, or at …

Mrs. Gloria DiVito

The Chancellor’s Office was informed of the peaceful passing of Mrs. Gloria DiVito, 95, mother of diocesan attorney Joseph DiVito, on Saturday, September 24, 2022.  Mrs. Divito was preceded in death by her son, Phillip; husband, John; and daughter, Helen. She is survived by sons; Joseph (Theresa), Nicholas (Lynda), Paul (Vicky), and Allyn (Tracy), grandchildren; Brian …

Sister Joseph Eilese Hukle, O.P.

Sister Joseph Eilese Hukle died Friday, 9/9/2022, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 90 years of age and in the 71st year of her religious profession.  Sister Hukle formerly worked at Holy Family Catholic School and at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle Catholic School.  She also served as Director of …

Announcements ~ September 26, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES Did You Know? Assistance Ministry Helps Abuse Victims Did you know that outreach to victims of sexual abuse is one of the ministries offered by the Diocese of St. Petersburg? The diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator provides assistance towards healing by means of therapy, spiritual direction, and mutual support groups. If now, or at …

Mrs. Yolanda Mangiaracina

The Office of the Chancellor for Canonical Affairs informs the passing of  Mrs. Yolanda Mangiaracina,  mother of Rev. George Mangiaracina, OCD, on August 26, 2022.  For the past two years, Father Mangiaracina has provided assistance to the parish communities of St. Jerome, St. Patrick, and St. Justin, Martyr, while caring for his mother. Mrs. Mangiaracina’s Funeral Mass …

Announcements ~ September 19, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Life, Justice & Advocacy 40 Days for Life ~ Join us from September 28 through November 6, 2022! 40 Days for Life will have vigils throughout the country, including our 40 Days for Life locations in Tampa, Clearwater and St. Petersburg. Visit https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/ to learn more and to sign up.  Clearwater, Women’s OBGYN …

Clergy Appointments ~ September 12, 2022

  Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy appointments:   Monsignor Michael G. Muhr from Parochial Administrator pro tempore of St. Lawrence Parish, Tampa and Director of Ministry to Priests for the Diocese of St. Petersburg to Pastor of St. Lawrence Parish, Tampa, effective September 7, 2022.   Reverend Ralph F. …

Announcements ~ September 12, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES National Eucharistic Revival All Are Invited to a Virtual Conference September 22-24, 2022 The national revival team is hosting a free virtual conference with a focus on living as Eucharistic People. There are four individual tracks to choose from Enculturated Reverence, Integral Eucharistic Formation, Eucharistic Worship for the Life of the World and …

Mr. Mark Dufva – Update

Word reached the Pastoral Center that Mr. Mark Dufva died on September 6, 2022, after a short but highly debilitating illness.  Mark was the Executive Director of Catholic Charities from 2014-2018.  He had a great passion for helping others and serving God through everything he did, especially through our work at Catholic Charities. A Funeral …

Announcements ~ September 6, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Marriage and Family Life September is Suicide Prevention Month Nearly 2% of all deaths are from suicide.  This has resulted in the tragic loss of many lives among our faithful and in our communities.  It has also resulted in devastating grief for the loved ones mourning those losses.  For helpful resources …

Mr. Philip Greco

The Chancellor’s Office informs the passing of Mr. Philip (Phil) Greco,  74, of Seffner, husband of Mrs. Kathy Greco, long-time secretary at Corpus Christi Catholic School, on August 10, 2022.  Funeral arrangements took place at Corpus Christi Parish, Temple Terrace on August 15, 2022 followed by interment at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell. Expressions of sympathy …

Mr. Vincente Tejada

The Chancellor’s Office has been notified of the death of Mr. Vincente Tejada, 63, brother of Reverend Jose (Jojo) Tejada, Parochial Vicar of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish, Spring Hill, on Friday, August 5, 2022.  Mr. Tejada died while in the hospital after a long illness, near his hometown of Virac, Catanduanes, Philippines.  All funeral …

Announcements ~ August 22, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES From the Life, Justice and Advocacy OfficeStatewide Culture of Life Conference October 14-15, 2022Bethany Retreat Center, 18150 Bethany Center, LutzYou are invited to attend the 2022 Florida Culture of Life Conference hosted by the Diocese of St. Petersburg and the Florida Catholic Conference. The conference will provide an in-depth look at how Christ …

Sr. Jeanne Williams, O.S.F.

The Office of the Vicar for Religious informs that Sister Jeanne Williams, O.S.F., passed away on Saturday, August 6, 2022. Sister Williams, a native from Providence, Rhode Island, has been active in our Diocese for many years, serving at St. Anthony Hospital and the Franciscan Center. Complete obituary at this link. Please keep Sister Williams …

Announcements ~ August 8, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES Did You Know? Safety Rules Bear Repeating Research reminds us that teaching children how to resist the overtures of a potential molester requires repetition and reinforcement. Children and young people need to know the rules, and they need to hear them over and over and over again so that the rules become part of a thought …

Mrs. Barbara Elizabeth (Coleman) Malley

The Chancellor’s Office was recently informed that Mrs. Barbara Elizabeth (Coleman) Malley, 79, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, while under Hospice care in St. Petersburg. She is the mother of Reverend Kenneth Malley, priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg and Spiritual Director for the Pontifical North American College, Rome. Mrs. Malley …

Deacon Cesar “Fred” Quinones

The Diaconate Office has received word of the passing of Deacon Cesar Fernando “Fred” Quinones, 78, who was in retired status from Light of Christ Parish in Clearwater,  passed away on July 17, 2022. The Mass of Christian Burial for Deacon Quinones will take place at Light of Christ Parish, 2176 Marilyn Street, Clearwater, FL …

Sister Grace Dougherty, O.P.

We received word that Sister Grace Dougherty, baptized Mary Elizabeth, died on Friday, June 10, 2022, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 84 years of age and in the 65th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation. Sister Grace ministered over 14 years in elementary education in Detroit, …

Announcements ~ July 25, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES An Invitation from the Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute (LPMI) The LPMI program, in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church; equips Catholics with knowledge and skills to carry out ministry competently, collaboratively, and professionally.  Through an integrated process of education and ongoing faith formation, we provide an opportunity for Catholics across the …

Announcements ~ July 11, 2022

PARISHES AND ORGANIZATIONS Friends of the Seminary GalaOctober 21, 2022Please mark your calendars to participate in our Friends of the Seminary Gala, in person or via our on-line experience! You will find information at www.svdp.edu/friends2022 and this page will continue to update as we get closer to the event. This event is our largest fundraiser …

Reverend Carl J. Melchior, Jr.

The Chancellor’s Office received the devastating news that Reverend Carl Joseph Melchior, Jr., 59, Master of Ceremonies for Bishop Parkes and Chaplain of St. Petersburg Catholic High School, died suddenly on Thursday, June 30, 2022 of cardiac arrest after boarding a flight in Philadelphia, preparing to fly to Greece for a pilgrimage. The youngest of three …

Deacon Augustin “Augie” Ortiz

Our office has received word of the passing of Deacon Augustin “Augie” Ortiz, 87, from Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Land O’Lakes. He passed on Wednesday, July 6, 2022. The services for Deacon Augie Ortiz will take place at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, 2348 Collier Parkway, Land O’Lakes, FL 34639: Visitation …

Mrs. Maria Julia Rodriguez

The Chancellor’s Office received word that Mrs. Maria Julia Rodriguez, 95, mother of Father Francisco Hernandez, Parochial Vicar of Most Holy Redeemer Parish, Tampa, passed away on Sunday, June 26, 2022, from respiratory complications due to COVID-19.  At the time of her death, Mrs. Rodriguez lived in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic.  Please keep …