Bishop Gregory Parkes is in Rome for the Holy Father’s Funeral

Bishop Gregory Parkes will attend the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26th where he will join the global community in praying for Pope Francis and paying his respects to the leader of the universal Catholic Church. Bishop Parkes studied in Rome from 1996 to 2000. He studied at the Pontifical North American College (a …

Catholic Diocese of Saint Petersburg Mourns the Passing of Pope Francis

With profound sorrow, the Catholic Diocese of Saint Petersburg is mourning the death of His Holiness Pope Francis. The Catholic community is united in grief and gratitude as we remember the life and legacy of a beloved spiritual leader who dedicated his life to the service of God and humanity. In honor of Pope Francis, …

Local Catholics will Host an Event for the Church’s First Millennial Saint

In honor of the first millennial saint, Carlo Acutis, local Catholics, especially fellow millennials, are preparing to celebrate a historic saint in the Catholic Church. Teens, young adults, and families will gather for a local celebration on April 27th from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., at St. Timothy Catholic Church, in Lutz. This event will …

Significant Catholic Event at Amalie Arena is Expected to be Historic

A grassroots effort to renew the Catholic church is gaining momentum. In less than one month since registration opened, more than 9,000 seats for the Eucharistic Encounter event on September 20, 2025, at the Amalie Arena have been reserved. The dash for tickets shows the hunger people have to discover more about the Catholic faith …

Bishop Gregory Parkes is Challenging the Community to Complete One Million Acts of Mercy in 2025

Over 100,000 Acts of Mercy Have Been Recorded to Date The Catholic Diocese of Saint Petersburg is excited to announce a new initiative challenging the Catholic community and others to collectively complete 1,000,000 Acts of Mercy, in 2025. This ambitious goal is in response to the Jubilee Year proclaimed by Pope Francis. In his document …

Local Christians to Participate in Holy Week and Easter

Holy Week is a Time of Transformation Who:     Approximately 500,000 Catholics in Tampa Bay and West Central Florida What:    Holy Week and Easter Celebrations When:   April 13-20 Where: This year, the Catholic Diocese of Saint Petersburg is making it easier for families to find a Church to celebrate Easter by pointing them to a helpful …

Finding Hope in the Midst of Suffering

A Special Event in St. Petersburg on March 28th with Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Pope’s Representative to the U.S. The Diocese of Saint Petersburg is hosting “Encounter Tampa Bay: Hope in the Midst of Suffering,” with Cardinal Christophe Pierre. (Click to view promotional flyer and promotional graphic.) Who:   Cardinal Christophe Pierre, U.S. Ambassador to the VaticanBishop …

Nativity Food Bank Achieves Major Milestone

Over Two Million Meals Distributed in One YearHopes to Expand to Meet the Rising Demand Nativity Food Bank, an organization dedicated to fighting hunger in our community, is proud to announce a significant milestone in providing food to those in need: the distribution of 2 million meals in 2024. This remarkable achievement marks a nearly …

Fish Fry Fridays Begin on March 7th

The Diocese of Saint Petersburg is excited to announce Fish Fry events are back in the Tampa Bay area. This beloved community tradition, held every Friday during Lent (March 7-April 11), offers a delicious way for residents to observe the season while enjoying great food and fellowship. Additional Information: Fridays during Lent are obligatory days …

Bishop Parkes Invites Catholics to the Holy Door of the Confessional This Lent

March 5th is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of Lent, a six-week period of penance and spiritual preparation for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection at Easter. Bishop Gregory Parkes shares a Lenten message and invitation to all Catholics. The bishop’s message can be shared as a video or text via the links below: …

Prayer Service for Pope Francis

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Dade City to Lead Prayer Service for Pope Francis What: In solidarity with people around the world, Sacred Heart Catholic Church will hold a prayer service today for Pope Francis as he continues to be hospitalized with bilateral pneumonia. When: Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Where: …

Catholic Parishes and Schools to Observe Ash Wednesday on March 5th

Who:                Parishes and Schools of the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg and other Christian communities What:               Observance of Ash Wednesday, the first day of LentWhen:              Wednesday, March 5, 2025    Noteworthy: In 2025, Bishop Gregory Parkes is challenging Catholics to complete 1,000,000 Acts of the Corporal and Spiritual Works of …

Bishop Gregory Parkes to Receive Soaring Eagle Award

What: Soaring Eagle Award DinnerWhen: Thursday, February 6, 2025, 5 p.m.Where: College of Central Florida, 3800 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto BACKGROUND The Withlacoochee District of Scouting America presents the annual Soaring Eagle Award to local leaders for their unwavering support of the community, especially youth. In addition to Bishop Gregory Parkes, Justice John Couriel of Florida’s …

Reflections on My Pilgrimage to Rome for the Jubilee Year

Teresa Peterson, Director of Diocesan Information and Communications, recently participated in a pilgrimage to Rome for the Jubilee Year. She reflects on this experience below. My pilgrimage led me to places of incredible beauty that are sacred and significant I participated in the opening Mass of the Jubilee for Communicators at the Basilica of St. …

Tampa Bay Community to Unite in March for Life: Advocating for the End of Abortion

Media Alert: Contact: Teresa Peterson, tlp@dosp.org, 727-374-0217 Who: The Catholic Diocese of Saint Petersburg is hosting its first-ever Tampa March for Life with young people leading the way. More than 600 people are expected, including people of various cultural and faith backgrounds. What: Half-Mile March for Life and Rally for Life When: Saturday, February 1st …

Teddy Bears and Other Stuffed Animals to be Collected for Children in Crisis in Pinellas County

Approximately five hundred stuffed animals will be collected for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office to provide comfort to children who are present when law enforcement responds to a crisis. These stuffed animals will bring joy and a welcome distraction to children who are experiencing trauma. Video/Photo Opportunities Sunday, January 26, 2025, 11:30 a.m.Blessed Sacrament Catholic …

Local Catholics to Participate in Worldwide Jubilee Year

Special Event on Saturday, January 25th Represents the Local Opening of Jubilee Year All are invited to join Bishop Gregory Parkes for the local opening of the Jubilee Year called for by Pope Francis with the theme, “Pilgrims of Hope.” A Jubilee Year is held every 25 years in the Catholic Church to promote reconciliation …

St. Petersburg Catholic High School Announces a Day of Service on January 31st

Students will Visit 19 Locations to Help Out Local Charities The media are invited to preview and cover this event. St. Petersburg Catholic High School is pleased to announce its third annual Day of Service on Friday, January 31, 2025, in celebration of Catholic Schools Week. Day of Service involves over 450 students in grades …

Catholics and Christians Around the World Prepare for Christmas Celebrations

Christmas is one of the holiest days of the Church year because it is the day that Christians worldwide celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Many people who have been away from Church participate in the celebration of Mass at Christmas and parishes welcome them, preparing for their arrival with additional Mass times. Mass, the …

Catholic Community to Celebrate the Miracle of Mary’s Appearance in Mexico

Churches across the Tampa Bay area invite the public to join in vibrant and joyful events surrounding the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe observed each year on December 12th. This year’s celebrations will be held locally on Wednesday, December 11th, and Thursday, December 12th. Our Lady of Guadalupe is one of the titles …

Bells To Chime for Notre Dame Reopening

Churches across the United States will ring their bells in honor of the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Churches have been invited to ring or peal the bells in unison this Saturday, December 7th at 2 p.m., Eastern Time. This will coincide with the reopening of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, …

Announcements – December 2, 2024

DIOCESAN OFFICES Marriage and Family Life Together in Holiness Marriage ConferenceMarried and engaged couples are invited to the second annual Together in Holiness marriage conference on March 8, 2025 from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm at St. Paul Catholic Church in Tampa, FL. This one-day conference will help you strengthen your relationship with your spouse and discover God’s plan for …

Reverend Richard F. Rosin ~ Update

The Chancellor’s Office was saddened to learn of the death of Reverend Richard Frank Rosin, 62, pastor of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Palm Harbor, on Sunday evening, December 1, 2024, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Father Rosin was recently hospitalized at Mease Countryside Hospital, Clearwater, and was later transferred to Oak Manor …

Diocese of Saint Petersburg to Donate $300,000 to Hurricane Victims

The Diocese of Saint Petersburg Disaster Relief Fund will provide a generous donation to help local residents struggling to recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. A check for $300,000 will be presented to Catholic Charities to provide aid to those who have been impacted by the two hurricanes that hit our area just a few …

St. John Vianney Catholic School is a Casualty of the 2024 Hurricane Season

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 …

Volunteers Needed to Help Hurricane-Damaged Homes in Dade City

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 …

Statement on the Defeat of Amendment 4

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 …

Church in Clearwater Gives Thanks for 100 Years

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 …

Annual Retirement Fund for Religious Collection

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 …

A Call to Conversion Pastoral Letter

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 …

Join Bishop Parkes for an Outdoor Mass Remembering the Faithful Departed on Nov. 2

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 …

Survivors of Hurricane Helene Gather in St. Pete Beach to Celebrate their Faith

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 …

Bishop Gregory Parkes will Present St. Jude Medal Award to 73 Honorees

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. …

Five-Figure Gift is a Blessing for Hurricane Victims in the Tampa Bay Area

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 …

Bishop Parkes Writes Letter to the Faithful Following Hurricane Milton

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 …

Lakeland Community to Provide Hurricane Relief to Tampa

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 …

Bishop Gregory Parkes Will Bless and Consecrate a New Altar at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Beverly Hills

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 …

Getting Ready to Welcome Hurricane Impacted Students in St. Petersburg

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 …

Bishop Gregory Parkes Issues Statement about Hurricane Helene

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” …

Announcements – July 8, 2024

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 …

Mercedes Cedeño-Pitre ~ Update

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 …

Announcements – March 25, 2024

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 …

Announcements – March 18, 2024

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 …

U.S. Bishops’ Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection Releases Annual Report

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 …

Declaración sobre el Rev. Antonio Londoño, un sacerdote que sirvió en la Diócesis de St. Petersburg de 1994 a 2002

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 …

Statement About Reverend Antonio Londono, a Priest who Served in the Diocese of St. Petersburg from 1994-2002

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. …