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 …
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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 …
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 …
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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 …
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 …
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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 …
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: …
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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: …
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 …
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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 …
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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. …
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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 …
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 …
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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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, …
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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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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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 …
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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. …
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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 …
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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 …
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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The Diocese of Saint Petersburg is committed to accountability. Some ways we demonstrate this to our 125,000 registered households and 24,000+ donors are: In addition, the Diocese and the Foundation prepare annual reports to share how gifts are being utilized to impact lives for Christ. A printed version of the 2023 Annual Report and the …
Each year, the Diocese of St. Petersburg is blessed with gifts of time, talent and treasure from our faith family across the five counties that make up our diocese. As Bishop Parkes explains in his introductory note, “The generosity that you have shown through your support of our ministry and services here in the Diocese …
Parish leaders have spent months planning and diligently working to complete recommended activities and run a successful and positive Catholic Ministry Appeal active phase. And now, the first parish has officially exceeded its goal for our new Catholic Ministry Appeal. Congratulations St. Brendan Parish Family for surpassing goal in record time! “This accomplishment has little …
Throughout January, parishes and missions began sharing information about the new Catholic Ministry Appeal through the bulletin, from the pulpit, on their websites and via social media channels. In addition, parishioners received a mailing from Bishop Parkes and a follow-up communication from their pastor. All of this laid the groundwork for pastors to ask parishioners …
The Diocese of St. Petersburg Office of Communications has launched a new blog and radio series that helps families to become vibrant and healthy by breaking free of technology’s constant pull and digital distraction. The series is called Making Space for Grace and it’s hosted by Teresa Peterson, Executive Director of Communications for the Diocese …
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The Office of Stewardship and Development is sponsoring three (3) scholarships for the International Catholic Stewardship Conference (ICSC) being held in Orlando, Florida September 12-15, 2021. The scholarship is open to Parish Leaders from all 79 parishes and missions of the Diocese of St. Petersburg who are looking to participate in the conference for the …
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The general dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days for Catholics in the Diocese of St. Petersburg will expire on the Vigil of Pentecost, Saturday, May 22, 2021. To invite and welcome all people who have been away from Mass, the Diocese of St. Petersburg has produced videos and podcasts …
The Office of Communications has developed an initiative to welcome people back to Mass. Welcoming You invites each person to encounter the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. A priority for Courageously Living the Gospel is to welcome and accompany others like Jesus. As Catholics, we are called to reach out to those not …
A Free Event for Parish Communication Leaders – We will be following CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Lunch, Formation, Fellowship and Faith Thursday, April 29, 2021, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Bethany Retreat Center18150 Bethany Center Dr, Lutz 9:30 a.m. Registration & Networking 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Program Click here to …
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In his message for the 55th World Communications Day, Pope Francis says Jesus’ invitation to “Come and see” is the way by which the Christian faith is communicated. “The call to ‘come and see’… is the method for every authentic human communication,” says Pope Francis in his Message for the the 55th World Communications Day. The …
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Advance Registration is Required. Click here to register. Thursday, January 21, 2021 | 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. What is the most important thing you learned in 2020 that will help you in 2021? The Diocesan Office of Communications invites you …
“So that you can tell your son and grandson.” Life creates history. This is the theme chosen by Pope Francis for the 54th World Day of Social Communications, which will be celebrated on May 24, 2020, the Sunday before Pentecost. The message will be published on January 24, 2020 (memorial of St. Francis of Sales). …
It has come to the attention of the Diocese of St. Petersburg that parishioners have been receiving text messages, emails or direct messages asking for gift cards from people pretending to be our priests or sisters or even Bishop Parkes. Our priests, religious and staff do not contact individuals via text message or social media …
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Essentials for Social Media Success Marie Thornsberry & Mary McCoy of Saint Leo University discuss the history and demographics of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and how that impacts usage, how to develop a content strategy and voice for each platform, content engagement ideas and cool tools. Teresa Peterson discusses the new Social Communications Policy for …
Catholic communicators are invited to attend the Catholic Media Conference at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront Hotel June 18-21, 2019. The theme is Navigating Communications and the sessions are designed to provide a roadmap for our rapidly changing media culture. “How people communicate is changing and in order to fulfill the mission of the Church, we …
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by Ana Rodriguez-Soto Journalism seemed a lot easier back when newspapers came out only in print. You went out, covered the story, got back to the office, wrote it, and handed it to an editor. Perhaps those of us in the Catholic press also shot the photos; and once desktop publishing came into being, we helped …
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You’ve heard about Courageously Living the Gospel, a challenge to more boldly live our faith. This mutually shared vision calls us to proclaim the Good News, welcome and accompany others as Jesus did and grow in relationship with Jesus and others. This requires effective communication! That’s why we’re introducing Courageous Communications – a resource to …
MonsignorJohn Kennedy will be the 2019 CMC keynote speaker. Monsignor Kennedy is an Irish priest who was appointed by Pope Francis in 2017 to lead the disciplinary section of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He has served on the CDF since 2003. His presentation will provide updates on events relevant to the clergy …
Master Camps are a four-hour, intensive learning opportunity offered at the Catholic Media Conference. These camps will be held on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at the Bayfront Hilton in St. Pete, FL. The camps provide participants with the opportunity to dig deeper on a relevant topic and obtain new skills, concepts and perspectives. Here is the …
These are the best of times and the worst of times. The media landscape is constantly changing but new opportunities await. Social media, the Internet and technology have revolutionized how people interact, communicate, shop and even date. As journalists, producers, communicators, we are challenged to navigate these turbulent waters and keep our media entities relevant, …
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Before you share a story on social media, what impact does the story have on our community and our world? Could you be spreading fake news or as Pope Francis describes it: “false information based on nonexistent or distorted data meant to deceive and manipulate the reader.” Pope Francis warns about the dangers of fake …