Franciscan Center Black History Month Events

The Franciscan Center in Tampa is sponsoring two events in celebration of Black History Month. These will both be on-line events and require registration to participate.  Celebrating a Feast for our Souls Through Poetry as we observe 2024 Black History Month (Zoom) Friday, February 16, 2024 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. With: Debra Fuller Ellis                           2 CEU …

Lay Leaders Complete Formation

In an evening prayer service at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle on June 20, 2023 at 7:00 p.m., Bishop Emeritus Robert N. Lynch presented eight individuals with a Certificate in Lay Leadership Ministry. Bishop Lynch, substituting for Bishop Gregory Parkes, formally commissioned these students to serve in ministry leadership in parishes throughout the …

National Black Catholic Congress XIII – Day of Reflection

The Black Catholic Ministry, Diocese of St. Petersburg, will host a Day of Reflection in preparation for the National Black Catholic Congress XIII.  From July 20 to July 23, 2023 Congress XIII will take place in National Harbor, Maryland. The Congress is held every five years. If you have never been to a Congress before, this is …

National Black Catholic Men’s Conference

19th Annual National Black Catholic Men’s Conference 2022- Indianapolis, Indiana October 13th-16th, 2022 Theme: “We Were Made for More Joshua 1:9” REGISTRATION FEE: Adult $150.00 Adult Early Bird (Deadline September 1, 2022) $100.00 Youth and High School $65.00 The conference registration fee includes lunch on Saturday Room Reservations contact: Spring Hill Suites by Marriott Room …

National Black Catholic Congress XIII – “Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive

The National Black Catholic Congress announces the date and theme for Congress XIII. Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive After much prayerful consideration, the theme for Congress XIII is “Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive.” The theme is based on Habakkuk 2:2-4, “Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write down the …

Congratulations LPMI Class of 2021

June 23, 2021 – Bishop Gregory Parkes presented 13 people with a Certificate in Lay Leadership Ministry at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle.  In an evening prayer service the Bishop congratulated and commissioned these students to serve in ministry leadership throughout the diocese. The Bishop remarked on their courageous commitment not only to …

Sainthood Candidates Day of Reflection

All are invited to join us for a day of prayer and reflection on the lives of the six persons of color from the United States who have been presented for sainthood. Many of the saints who came before us courageously lived the Gospel and they can inspire us to do the same! Come and …

Black Catholic Ministry Seeks to Unite

The Black Catholic Ministry held its quarterly meeting on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Tampa. One of the main topics on the agenda was an update on the diocesan initiative to confront racism, including the recent listening session on racism with Bishop Gregory Parkes of the Diocese of St. Petersburg and …

Black Catholic Ministry Seeks to Unite

The Black Catholic Ministry held its quarterly meeting on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Tampa. One of the main topics on the agenda was an update on the diocesan initiative to confront racism, including the recent listening session on racism with Bishop Gregory Parkes of the Diocese of St. Petersburg and …

U.S. Bishops Conduct Canonical Consultation on Cause for Canonization of Sr. Thea Bowman, F.S.P.A.

At their November 2018 meetings, the U.S. Bishops were presented information on the petition for the cause for canonization of Sr. Thea Bowman. The Bishops voted on favor of the advancement cause at the local diocesan level. Click on the LINK to read the story and to learn about Sr. Thea Bowman.

Diocesan African Mass

The African Catholics Ministry of the Diocese of St. Petersburg is hosting it’s first Diocesan African Mass on Sunday, November 4, 2018 at 2:30 pm. The Mass will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 7851 54th Ave. N in St. Petersburg For more information, contact Celina Okpaleke, 941-730-9765

Celebrating 25 Years of Ordination – Rev. Stephan Brown, SVD

The St. Joseph, St. Petersburg community is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination of Rev. Stephan Brown, SVD, and his installation as Pastor. Scheduled events are as follows: Gospel Musical Program Friday, June 22, 2018 7:00 PM 2101 22nd Avenue South St. Petersburg, FL 33712 Installation Service Saturday, June 23, 2018 5:00 PM 2101 …

St. Peter Claver Celebrating 125 Years

St. Peter Claver Parish in Tampa is among the oldest in the diocese. In 2018 the historic parish and school  will be celebrating 125 years of existence. The parish will be marking this achievement by activities throughout the year. Please check the parish’s webpage (http://spclavertampa.wixsite.com/spcchurch) for information on its history, photos from the past and …

National Black Catholic Congress XII – Orlando, Florida

The National Black Congress XII is coming to Florida. The Congress is held every five years and the next one will be in Orlando, Florida from July 6 to July 9, 2017. If you have never been to the Congress before, this is a great opportunity. Our local Day of Reflection, held on July 16, …

Gathering on African Christian Theology

Click on the links here to read about the recent  conference on African Christian Theology. The gathering, entitled  “African Christian Theology: Memories and Mission for the 21st Century”, was organized by Notre Dame’s Center for Culture and Ethics, and took place in Rome on March 22-25, 2017. The conference included bishops, priests, deacons, professors, theologians, students, …

Rev. Roy Campbell Appointed Auxiliary Bishop, Washington, DC

The Rev. Roy Edward Campbell Jr. was recently appointed by Pope Francis to serve as auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Washington, DC. He will be one of three bishops in the archdiocese assisting Cardinal Donald Wuerl. As bishop, Rev. Campbell will replace Bishop Martin D. Holley, who served 12 years as auxiliary bishop in Washington …

Congratulations Fr. Viet!

On October 20th, 2016 during a beautiful Mass and celebration Father Viet Nguyen was honored  by the Vietnamese community and his brother priests for his new assignment as administrator of The Holy Martyrs of Vietnam Mission in Largo. Visiting from Vietnam and presiding was Bishop Pierre Nguyen Van Knam of My Tho Province. Please see the photos …

Statement by the National Association of Black Catholic Administrators

NABCA Press Release – July 18, 2016 Birmingham, AL, July 18, 2016– The National Association of Black Catholic Administrators (NABCA) strongly condemns the continuing disproportionate use of excessive and deadly force against Black men and women by law enforcement and any attacks on law enforcement officers in the United States. Racial bias in law enforcement …

Statement by the National Black Catholic Congress (NBCC): A Call to Prayer and Action

Baltimore, 13 July 2016:  The National Black Catholic Congress (NBCC) joins the nation in mourning over the tragedies in Baton Rouge, the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area, and Dallas last week. As we commend to the Lord those who have died, we pray for the consolation of all who are grieving. It is important for Black Catholics …

Day of Reflection in Preparation for National Black Catholic Congress 2017

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Please join us at our next diocesan Assembly meeting on Saturday, July 16, 2016 in the McLoughlin Center at Christ the King parish in Tampa, FL. The meeting will be from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM. The Black Catholic Assembly, Diocese of St. Petersburg will host a Day of Reflection in …

Filipino Community Will Welcome Renown Speakers!

HOLY YEAR OF MERCY – SAVE THE DATE! The Filipino Community invites the faithful of the Diocese to participate in the 19th National Convention of the Alliance of Filipino Catholic Charismatic Prayer Communities (AFCCPC). “Be Merciful, just as your Father is Merciful”  Lk 6:36  2016_AFCCPC_Convention Flyer The conference will be hosted by the Filipino Catholic Prayer (Groups) Communities …

Day of Prayer for the African American and African Family

February 7, 2016 is the National Day of Prayer for the African American and African Family 2016. This year’s theme is “God’s Mercy Pulls Us Through.” As we prepare to celebrate the Jubilee Year of Mercy, we are grateful to God to present to you the 27th Annual National Day of Prayer, celebrated on the first Sunday …

Martyrs of La Florida Missions

New Cause for the Saints: Martyrs of La Florida Missions On Monday October 12, 2015, Maureen Biebrich, and Marilyn Cisek, representatives from our Native American Ministry attended the Official Opening of the Cause for Canonization of the Martyrs of La Florida Mission.  As stated by Maureen, “The Mass and official ceremonies were filled with a serene …

Simbang Gabi (or Misa de Gallo) All Invited!

The Phillipino Community invites the faithful of the Diocese to celebrate with them Simbang Gabi. “Simbang Gabi” literally means “Masses of the Night”. Fillipinos attend mass for nine days before the birth fo Christ. The Masses are also known as Misa de Gallo or “Rooster’s Mass” as they are celebrated at dawn. Advent starts earlier …

Rev. Carmelo O. Diola from Cebu, Philippines

What a Blessing! Our Chancellor, Mrs. Joan Morgan, and Vivi Iglesias, met today with Rev. Carmelo O. Diola from the Episcopal Conference of the Philippines, and Mr. Ed and Susan Bilbao from the Philippine Community of St. Paul, Tampa! Father Carmelo is visiting the USA, among other countries in the world to help promote and encourage the …

First Haitian Cardinal Visits Diocese

It was an eventful and momentous day for our parish, Church and city. The recently named and first ever Haitian Cardinal, Chibly Langlois, celebrated his first Mass in this country for the feast day of the Immaculate Conception Haitian Mission, led by Fr. Pierre Dorvil, at St. Peter Claver parish in Tampa. Cardinal Langlois was …

Guadalupe is at Home at St. Justin Martyr!

A large image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, La Virgen Morena as it is also known by our Hispanic faithful, finds home at St. Justin Martyr Parish, in Largo.  The image depicts the true colors from the original and it stands almost six feet tall. Father Gerald Hendry, Parochial Administrator, began his assignment at St. Justin,  July 1st. Masses at the parish are celebrated in …

Evening of Tribute to Deacon Lionel Roberts

Blessed Trinity Church in St. Petersburg, invites you to a Testimonial Dinner and Celebration honoring Deacon Lionel Roberts in appreciation of his many local, national, and international contributions in service to his Church, his community and the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Deacon Lionel was ordained for the Diocese of Brooklyn in 1977.  He and his family moved to St. …

Strawberry Festival and Naming Ceremony with the Many Nations Circle!

Pictured from Left to right: “She who Stands with the Wind in Her Face,” “Two Feathers,” “Swan Woman,” Vivi Iglesias, and “Smiling Eyes.” The First Native American Strawberry Festival was celebrated at St. Anne in Ruskin on Saturday, April 18, 2015 by the Many Nations Kateri Circle – our Diocesan Native American Ministry. Gail Rando, …

Who are The Knights of Peter Claver?

The Knights of Peter Claver, Inc. is the largest historically African-American Catholic lay organization in the United States. In 2006, a unit was established in San Andres, Colombia, South America. The Order was founded in Mobile, Alabama and is presently headquartered in New Orleans.   To learn more about the Local Knights of St. Peter …

Congratulations Bishop Fernand J. Cheri, III

Congratulations to Bishop Fernand J. Cheri, III on his Episcopal Ordination as Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans was filled to the rafters for the ordination on Monday, March 23, 2015.  The ordination Mass was live streamed on the archdiocese’s website, and broadcast on a local …

Florida Conference Meeting

A meeting was held on Saturday, October 25 for Black Catholic Ministry representatives from the dioceses of Florida. The group, known as the Florida Conference of Offices for Black Catholic Ministry, was established as a Conference to help the various diocesan offices connect, share information and resources, plan events and support one another. Due to …