At a meeting with impacted parents on November 13, 2024, it was announced that St. John Vianney Catholic School in St. Pete Beach will permanently close at the end of this school year due to extensive damage caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The school building has been closed to students since Hurricane Helene brought …
Continue reading “St. John Vianney Catholic School is a Casualty of the 2024 Hurricane Season”
Help is on the Way for Homeowners Father Carlos Rojas, pastor of St. Rita Catholic Church, has already spent several days going door-to-door with a team of volunteers trimming fallen trees and removing debris. Now he is organizing an event to bring even more relief to people in need in Pasco County. Just in time …
Continue reading “Volunteers Needed to Help Hurricane-Damaged Homes in Dade City”
Today, I rejoice with all people of goodwill in Florida with the news that Amendment 4 was defeated on Tuesday, November 5th. This deceptive and dangerous amendment would have enshrined unregulated abortion into our state constitution. This is an affront to the right to life upon which our nation was founded. Our nation’s Declaration of …
As We Approach Thanksgiving There is Much to Be Grateful For What: 100th Anniversary of St. Cecelia Catholic Church, in ClearwaterWhen: Several Celebrations Planned in NovemberWhere: St. Cecelia Parish, 820 Jasmine Way, Clearwater One hundred years since its founding, the community of St. Cecelia Parish is giving thanks for the faith and the perseverance that …
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The National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) is announcing the annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection, scheduled in parishes throughout the Diocese of Saint Petersburg the weekend of Dec. 7-8. In 2023, parishioners contributed $203,675.16 to the collection. From this collection, the Sisters of St. Clare received a total of $31,875.03 in financial support made possible …
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On October 28, 2024, Bishop Gregory Parkes launched a new Pastoral Plan for the Diocese of Saint Petersburg called, “A Call to Conversion.” The following is his letter to the faithful about the plan that will guide our diocese for the next five years. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, In my prayer, I contemplate …
News Release All are welcome at this Mass to be celebrated on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 10 a.m., at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 5233 118th Ave N, Clearwater. Catholics around the world take part in the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day) on November 2nd. This is a time for the faithful …
A Tent is their Worship Space after Church Building was Severely Damaged Hurricane Helene brought record amounts of storm surge to so many communities around Tampa Bay. St. John Vianney Catholic Church and School in St. Pete Beach were among the hardest hit, with widespread water intrusion and devastation of buildings. Many members of the …
Continue reading “Survivors of Hurricane Helene Gather in St. Pete Beach to Celebrate their Faith”
Honorees Include Retired Assistant Principal, Mrs. Virginia Blenke (Photo caption: Mrs. Virginia Blenke is pictured with Principal, Robert Hernandez and Pastor, Fr. Victor Amorose at St. John Vianney Catholic School.) The St. John Vianney Catholic School community will have something to celebrate this Sunday, as one of their own is presented with the prestigious St. …
Continue reading “Bishop Gregory Parkes will Present St. Jude Medal Award to 73 Honorees”
Bishop Gregory Parkes announced that the Andrew P. Caneza Family Foundation has donated $50,000 to the Diocese of Saint Petersburg Disaster Relief Fund to assist in post-hurricane recovery efforts. Andrew Caneza was a man of faith and family. He and his wife Ann belonged to Annunciation Parish, in the Diocese of Orlando, for 40 years. They …
Continue reading “Five-Figure Gift is a Blessing for Hurricane Victims in the Tampa Bay Area”
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I pray you and your loved ones are safe. Now that Milton has passed and assessments are coming in from across our diocese, we know that millions experienced long-term power and water outages and the stress of fuel shortages, while hundreds of thousands of families have experienced damage and …
Continue reading “Bishop Parkes Writes Letter to the Faithful Following Hurricane Milton”
Students, faculty and families of St. Anthony Catholic School, in Lakeland are donating items to Tampa Hope to benefit people in our community who have suffered losses during Hurricane Helene and Milton. *News Release* When: Friday, October 18, 2024Time: 9:30 a.m.Location: Tampa Hope 3704 E. 3rd Avenue, TampaContact: Lou Ricardo, lricardo@ccdosp.org | (727) 270- 0318 Visuals/Elements:Teacher …
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According to Catholic teaching, a new altar is not to be used until it has been consecrated by a bishop. Location:Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church6 Roosevelt Blvd., Beverly HillsDate: Sunday, October 20, 2024Time: 10:30 a.m. Bishop Gregory Parkes will dedicate and bless a newly constructed altar at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. To …
UPDATE FROM THE OFFICE OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO. UPDATE FROM THE OFFICE OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
SCHOOL UPDATE PASTORAL CENTER / PARISHES UPDATE CATHOLIC CHARITIES UPDATE Everyone is urged to monitor updates from county and state emergency management officials and follow all evacuation orders. We are praying for the safety of all in the storm’s path.
Conference Room to Become a Classroom for Hurricane Impacted Students in St. Petersburg The effort to relocate hundreds of students in only one week since the storm has been an amazing demonstration of collaboration, compassion, and faith! What: A large conference room at the offices of Bishop Gregory Parkes and the Diocese of Saint Petersburg …
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In light of great loss and a long road for recovery, Bishop Parkes has written a message about how our Diocese was impacted by Hurricane Helene and how we can find hope and provide help in the aftermath. October 2, 2024“Our help is in the name of the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth” …
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DIOCESAN OFFICES Atrévete Retreat for Spanish-speaking Young Adults Pastoral Juvenil Hispana of the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, is offering the Atrévete Retreat in Spanish for Hispanic young adults between 18-35 years old. The retreat will be held at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 10110 N. Central Avenue, Tampa, from October 25 …
The Chancellor’s Office has learned that Mrs. Mercedes Cedeño, 65, passed away in the Lord on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Mercedes worked at Transfiguration Parish as the Director of Religious Education from 2013 to 2019. In 2019, she was hired as the Administrative Assistant for Intercultural Ministries of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. She completed …
Diocesan Offices Parish Content April The Office of Communications has created a webpage for parishes in the Diocese of St. Petersburg to find free and shareable content that helps to evangelize, inspire, and unite our community. Click here to view parish content for April. Resurrection Cemetery Grand Opening April 26th The grand opening of the …
Diocesan Offices Resurrection Cemetery Grand Opening April 26th The grand opening of the newest diocesan cemetery, Resurrection Cemetery will take place on Friday, April 26th at 10 a.m. at 10668 E. Sligh Avenue, Seffner. Bishop Gregory Parkes invites you to attend this historic event to witness the blessing and to see the beautiful and sacred …
Word reached the Chancellor’s Office that Sr. Rosa Ulloa, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception from Honduras, passed away in the Lord on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Sr. Rosa worked at La Clinica Guadalupana in Clearwater for 10 years. She also served at St. Cecilia Parish as an Extraordinary Minister of …
This Lent, sign up for a daily Gospel reflection delivered to your email or sent via text. In the Diocese of St. Petersburg, our mission is to proclaim the Gospel, invite others into the life of the Church and encounter Jesus. This takes courage! Our daily Scripture reflections help you live this mission. The reflections …
Thank You Sunday To Be Celebrated in Gratitude For God’s Protection from Hurricane Idalia A few days ago, Hurricane Idalia was headed straight for the five counties that comprise the Diocese of St. Petersburg. But, thanks be to God, the storm veered slightly west causing it to make landfall on a largely unpopulated stretch of …
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection has released the 2022 Annual Report – Findings and Recommendations on the Implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The report is based on the audit findings of StoneBridge Business Partners, a specialty consulting firm headquartered in …
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Se ha presentado una acusación de mala conducta contra una persona menor de 18 años contra el Rev. Antonio Londoño. La conducta delictiva presuntamente tuvo lugar en el 1999. El padre Londoño fue ordenado para la Diócesis de St. Petersburg en el 1994 y sirvió en cuatro parroquias de la Diócesis hasta dejar el ministerio …
An allegation of misconduct with a person under the age of 18 years has been made against Reverend Antonio Londono. The offending conduct allegedly took place in 1999. Father Londono was ordained for the Diocese of St. Petersburg in 1994 and served in four parishes of the Diocese until leaving active ministry permanently in 2002. …
Please watch local news for updates about Hurricane Ian. We will post the latest updates affecting the Diocese of St. Petersburg on this webpage. We will also share updates via Facebook and Instagram @DioStPete. Disaster Relief Special Collection The Diocese of St. Petersburg is helping people affected by Hurricane Ian. Bishop Gregory Parkes is asking …
Mrs. Maria Luisa (Ita) Romero, 96, grandmother of Mrs. Katie Camario, Digital Communications Manager for the Diocese of St. Petersburg, passed away on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, in Conroe, Texas. Additional details may be found at this link. Please keep Katie and her family in your kind thoughts and prayers during this time.
The Chancellor’s Office learned that Frank Michael Oliver, 82, husband of Mary Sue Oliver, Notary for our diocesan Tribunal Office, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, July 19, 2022. The funeral arrangements for Mr. Oliver are as follows: Visitation will be held on Friday, August 5, 2022, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Serenity Funeral Home, 13401 Indian …
This June marks twenty years since the U.S. bishops gathered in Dallas, Texas to address the issue of clergy sexual abuse. At their 2002 meeting, the bishops drafted and passed the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr., of Kansas City-St. Joseph, chairman of the United States Conference …
In an evening prayer service at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle on June 21, 2022 at 7:00 p.m., Bishop Emeritus Robert N. Lynch presented 11 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 …
This June marks twenty years since the Catholic bishops of the United States gathered in Dallas, Texas to draft and pass the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in their commitment to address the issue of clergy sexual abuse. Marking this moment, Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the …
In response to the leak of a draft opinion in the Supreme Court case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities issued the following call to prayer: “The leak related to the U.S. Supreme Court case …
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Online Event- Monday, May 9th at 7:00 P.M. Can we learn to communicate with compassion and justice, even when we disagree? Dr. Lori Puterbaugh will explore listening skills, communication techniques and reflective exercises that will help us to open our hearts and minds to richer and more compassionate dialogue. Register to receive Zoom link. http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=p8pcb9dab&oeidk=a07ej5ywuxpd1fc0a48 …
Have you tried fasting from social media? Streaming? Apps? Have you noticed any changes in yourself after fasting from digital? Or– have you noticed changes in your children or your spouse or friends? Here’s what I discovered after I fasted from digital each Friday during Lent. I discovered that I became more aware of the …
For Immediate Release April 14, 2022 Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law HB 5 that limits abortions in Florida to the first 15 weeks of pregnancy. The new law also includes provisions to improve infant health and analyze and reduce fetal and infant mortality. In support of the governor’s action, the Florida Conference of …
What: Holy Week and Easter Celebrations When: April 10-April 16 Where: Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, 5815 Fifth Avenue, St. Petersburg Watch: www.dosp.org/livestream, www.facebook.com/DioStPete and www.youtube.com/dioceseofstpete Listen: Spirit FM 90.5 Schedule of Holy Week Celebrations with Bishop Parkes: Sunday, April 10, 2022, Palm Sunday Mass, 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 12, 2022, Chrism Mass, 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 14, 2022, Mass of the …
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Do you remember what life was like before drive through restaurants? Believe it or not – there was a time when you were required to park your car, walk into a building and speak with a human being in order to expect food, a meal or a drink. Now, in addition to drive through, some …
One time I was baking banana bread with my daughter when she was around nine years old, and the recipe called for a cup of sugar. Without paying much attention, I grabbed a jar from the pantry and poured the white substance into the mixing bowl. It wasn’t until the bread had finished baking that …
A very popular diet fad is intermittent fasting. But fasting for spiritual reasons is a practice that goes back centuries and is grounded in biblical truths. In fact, St. Augustine, who lived in the fifth century said, “Fasting cleanses the soul.” During the Lenten Season, Fasting is one of three areas of concentration for Catholics …
Bishop Gregory Parkes Will Join the Holy Father in the Consecration of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary All are invited to join Bishop Gregory Parkes for a prayer service in union with Pope Francis as he seeks to bring peace to Ukraine through prayers and spiritual devotion. When: Friday, March 25, …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Healing Mass for Survivors of Abuse, Saturday, April 23, 2022Bishop Parkes will celebrate a Mass of Healing for those who seek spiritual healing from abuse in all forms, including sexual, physical or emotional, and those who wish to pray for victims/survivors of abuse, their family and friends. The Mass will be held on …
The Chancellor’s Office was informed of the passing of Mary Sidney Twachtmann (Stansfield) 88, on March 3, 2022. Born in Wauchula, Florida, October, 20 1933, to Mary Nelson Stansfield and Sidney “Captain Sid” Stansfield, she was a graduate of Plant High School, Stephens College and Florida State University where she was a member of Pi …
The Chancellor’s Office was informed of the passing of Reverend Sidney J. Figlia, S.D.B., 91, a member of the Salesians of Saint John Bosco, on Sunday, March 6, 2022, in St. Philip Residence at Mary Help of Christians Center, Tampa. “Father Sid” was a native of Brooklyn, New York. Following graduation from high school, he …
When I was growing up, we had a few major rules that our parents enforced. They probably sound familiar to you. Never lie. Never steal. Obey your parents. Respect one another, especially your elders. And never – ever miss Sunday Mass. These rules to live by provided order to our home which was greatly needed! …
When I was young, my parents made a strong effort to pass on the Catholic faith to me and my siblings. We were enrolled in Catholic school, even though my dad worked two jobs to afford tuition. We also attended Mass each Sunday. At home, a large portrait of the Sacred Heart of Jesus adorned …
LOCAL CONNECTION: Our local Epiphany of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church hosted an ecumenical prayer vigil for the people of Ukraine on March 2nd. This coincided with Pope Francis’ call for prayer and fasting for Ukraine on Ash Wednesday. Click here to read the article. (This webpage was updated on March 3, 2022.) FROM CNS: …
Did you know the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under two have *no* screen time and children under six should have an hour or less of screen time per day. When my children were young, I had no idea what the experts recommended. I did, however, know that Teletubbies on TV mesmerized my …
In the book, “Mr. Rogers Talks with Parents,” the famed TV host wrote that “much of what is on TV is at best, a waste of time and at worst, downright destructive.” His book encouraged parents to closely monitor the programs their children watch and to discuss sensitive or difficult topics that their children encounter …
If your family is obsessed with media, you’re not alone. My family probably resembles yours in that we struggle to break free of screens and smart speakers that seem ubiquitous at times. Yet, we know that the screens can be harmful to our health, our relationships and our spiritual life. So here are five healthy …
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When I was young, my favorite show was Gillian’s Island. It was a show about seven castaways stranded on a deserted island. The show stopped production in 1967 but the reruns aired during my childhood and I would watch them all, again and again. Each character had their own quirky personality, and I grew to …
