Patrick Hannon is scheduled to be executed Wednesday, November 8, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. for the 1991 murders of Brandon Snider and Robert Carter. In a November 6 letter on behalf of the bishops of Florida, Michael Sheedy, executive director, appealed to Governor Scott to commute Hannon’s death sentence to a life sentence without parole. “The victims, …
WASHINGTON—Cardinal Daniel N DiNardo, of Galveston-Houston, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has issued the following statement in response to today’s mass shooting during a church service in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Cardinal DiNardo’s full statement follows: “Earlier today, we heard of the mass shooting at the Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, …
October 31, 2017 WASHINGTON—Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has issued the following statement in response to this afternoon’s deadly attack on innocent people in Manhattan that has left at least eight people dead. Cardinal DiNardo’s full statement follows: “This afternoon we heard of what …
More than 900 people from over 18 parishes gathered at St. Jude the Apostle Cathedral on October 14 for the closing celebration of the V Diocesan Encuentro. The word Encuentro is Spanish for encounter and it refers to the process of meeting people in a friendly way to learn about their struggles and accompany them …
By joining the Florida Catholic Advocacy Network (FLCAN) you can help promote laws that are consistent with Catholic teachings on respect for life, concern for the environment and social justice. Here’s what you need to know! What is the Florida Catholic Advocacy Network? An online community that exists to connect, educate, and mobilize Catholics …
To prepare for next year’s international Synod on “Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment,” the Holy Father wants online feedback from all youth and young adults, ages 16 to 29, from around the world, regardless of how active they are in the practice of the faith. Youth and young adults, ages 16 to 29, …
Continue reading “Are you between the ages of 16-29? The pope wants to hear from you!”
October 3, 2017 – Rev. Msgr. Joseph Pellegrino became the 21st recipient of the Fr. Luis Distinguished Priestly Service Award at the annual Convocation for Priestly Renewal. He was selected by his peers to receive the award in recognition of his dedicated ministry and service to the faithful and community of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Msgr. Joseph Pellegrino …
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A global campaign to be in solidarity with immigrants and refugees is now underway and support for this campaign comes from all the way at the top. Speaking to the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the weekly General Audience on Sept. 27, Pope Francis urged governments and all men and women of goodwill …
“The abhorrent acts of hatred on display in Charlottesville are an attack on the unity of our nation and therefore summon us all to fervent prayer and peaceful action,” said Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, of Galveston-Houston, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Read the full statements from the U.S. Bishops in response to …
The U.S. bishops and the Korean bishops’ conference are calling for talks to secure the peaceful future of the Korean Peninsula. Bishop Oscar Cantu of Las Cruces, New Mexico, the chairman of the bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace, said that diplomacy and political engagement is necessary to resolve the differences between the United …
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Saint Leo University welcomed the Most Reverend Gregory L. Parkes, bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, FL, as its newest member of the university’s board of trustees, effective July 1. Members of the volunteer board exemplify the university’s six core values and give of their time and expertise to ensure Saint Leo students receive …
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This summer, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops convened an unprecedented gathering of key leaders from dioceses and Catholic organizations from all across the country in order to assess the challenges and opportunities of our time, particularly in the context of the Church in the United States. This has been an ongoing initiative of the Bishops’ Working Group on the …
Continue reading “The Convocation of Catholic Leaders: The Joy of the Gospel in America”
Pope Francis recently gave a TED Talk, urging people to make real connections with each other. “Good intentions and conventional formulas, so often used to appease our conscience, are not enough,” Pope Francis said. “Let us help each other, all together, to remember that the other is not a statistic or a number. The other has …
Have you ever considered participating in a pilgrimage with other young adults and Pope Francis to a World Youth Day? World Youth Day (WYD) is a gathering of young people from around the world to celebrate the love of Christ for humanity. WYD is a powerful opportunity to gather with over 1 million young people from around …
This year we celebrate World Day of Prayer for Vocations on May 7, 2017. The theme for this year is Led by the Spirit for Mission. The purpose of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations is to publically fulfill the Lord’s instruction to, “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his …
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 …
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During Lent, we are encouraged to raise up the needs of the world in prayer, to sacrifice or fast by giving up food or material wants, and to offer our time, talent, and treasure as good stewards of the gifts God has given us. Pope Francis’ 2017 Lenten message USCCB Lenten Resources Parish Lenten/Easter Guidelines – English / Spanish See …
On January 3, 2017, H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. This important pro-life legislation will place in permanent law a consistent federal policy restricting the funding and promotion of abortion. Since 1976 federal restrictions on abortion funding has enjoyed bi-partisan support and has been embodied …
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Saddened by yet another anniversary of the January 22, 1973, U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion, the Catholic bishops of Florida remain steadfast in their commitment to promote the sanctity of life and dignity of the human person in state policy. The bishops reflected upon 2016, noting that they supported the passage of legislation …
Continue reading “Statement on the 44th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Decision”
With great joy we announce that His Holiness, Pope Francis, has appointed Most Reverend Bishop Gregory L. Parkes, Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Florida, as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Florida. Bishop Parkes succeeds the retiring Bishop Robert N. Lynch, who has served as Bishop of St. Petersburg since his installation in 1996. …
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The annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection will be held Dec. 10-11, 2016, in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO), the parish-based appeal benefits nearly 33,000 senior Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests whose communities lack retirement savings. The Diocese of St. Petersburg contributed $215,558.25 to the …
Continue reading “Annual Collection Supports Eldercare Needs of Religious Communities”
September 4, 2016 – Sister Regina Ozuzu, H.H.C.J., principal of Bishop Larkin Catholic School in Port Richey, proudly represented the Bishop Larkin Catholic School family and our diocese in Rome as Pope Francis declared Mother Teresa of Kolkata a saint. Sister Regina joined an estimated 120,000 people from around the world in St. Peter’s Square for the Canonization …
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May 27 was Bishop Lynch’s seventy-fifth birthday. On that day, he signed and sent a letter to the Holy Father asking to retire after having reached the mandatory “age limit” for bishops. Our diocese is now in a waiting period to hear from the Vatican who our new bishop will be. Bishop Lynch will still be in office until we …
“Some of you said: this system can no longer be endured. We must change it; we must put human dignity again at the center and on that pillar build the alternative social structures we need. It must be done with courage, but also with intelligence, with tenacity but without fanaticism, with passion but without violence. …
More than 70 pilgrims from our diocese attended the 2016 World Youth Day in Poland. Some of the participating parishes include St. Timothy Parish, St. Peter the Apostle Parish, St. Joseph Parish in Zephyrhills, Mary Help of Christians Parish, Nativity Parish, Resurrection Parish, and Sacred Heart Parish in Pinellas Park. WORLD YOUTH DAY PHOTOS Our pilgrims shared photos from …
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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 …
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The June 21, 2016 ruling by the HHS Office of Civil Rights, which allowed California to continue forcing health plans to cover abortions, has prompted the U.S. Catholic Bishops to call for an immediate federal remedy. That remedy is the Conscience Protection Act of 2016 (CPA) which will protect healthcare providers from being forced to …
Two members of the Diocesan religious community fulfilled the seemingly unusual request recently of serving as guest speakers for a Saint Leo University class on the history of the Vietnam War. Rev. Timothy Corcoran of St. Mary Parish in Tampa, and Sister Annie Dougherty, president and chief executive of The Franciscan Center in Tampa, visited …
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Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love) Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation on the family, Amoris Laetitia, was released to the public today, April 8, 2016. According to a news release by the Vatican News Service, this Apostolic Exhortation harvests the fruits of the two Synods on the family held in Rome in 2014 and 2015. …
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the papal honors of Chaplain to His Holiness, Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, and Benerementi. The recipients were honored during a private ceremony in April 2016 at the Bethany Center. The following priests have been named Chaplains to His Holiness: Rev. Monsignor Ronald Aubin Rev. Monsignor Dennis Hughes Rev. Monsignor Joseph Pellegrino …
February 19, 2016 – We are pleased to announce the recipients of the papal honors of Chaplain to His Holiness, Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, and Benerementi. The recipients will be honored during a private ceremony in April at the Bethany Center. The following priests have been named Chaplains to His Holiness: Rev. Monsignor Ronald Aubin Rev. Monsignor …
Bishop Lynch will be leading eleven communal penance services around the diocese during Lent. The dates and locations are listed below. For more information about receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, please read the brochure “A Short Guide to the Sacrament of Reconciliation” in English or Spanish. 10 Reasons to Go to Confession – USCCB blog post “My Side …
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In his 2016 Lenten message, Pope Francis asks us to reflect upon and put into practice the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Embrace his call to mercy by reaching out to those in need. Be attentive to the Lenten call to prayer; be generous with your time and treasure. “For all of us, then, the …
Saddened by yet another anniversary of the January 22, 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion, the Catholic bishops of Florida recognize in their annual Roe v. Wade statement the courage of lawmakers who this past year sought to reduce abortion in our state. The bishops were deeply moved by the post-abortive women who …
Continue reading “Statement on the 43rd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Decision”
The annual Retirement Fund for Religious collection will be held Dec. 12-13 in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Now in its 28th year, the appeal is coordinated by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) and offers support for senior Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests whose communities lack sufficient retirement funding. Some 33,000 women …
Sister Regina Peltz, SNJM Please remember Sister Regina Peltz, SNJM, who passed away on Saturday, November 28, 2015. Sister Regina served as principal of Holy Family Catholic School for many years. Mrs. Linda Patterson Mrs. Patterson, age 71, of Tampa, passed away November 25, 2015. She served her parish, Church of the Incarnation, Tampa, …
Continue reading “For the Faithful Departed ~ November 30, 2015”
Jerry Correll is scheduled for execution at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 29 for the 1985 murders of Susan Correll, Tuesday Correll, Mary Lou Hines and Marybeth Jones. Mr. Correll deserves punishment for his crimes, but imposing a sentence of death as a consequence of killing only perpetuates a cycle of violence. In echoing Pope …
Pope Francis visited the United States from September 22 through September 27, 2015. He visited Washington, D.C., New York City, and Philadelphia, where he participated in the closing of the 2015 World Meeting of Families. Immediately prior to his visit to the United States, Pope Francis visited Cuba. Read Bishop’s Lynch’s reflections on his visit here and here. …
“By now, most of you have heard that Pope Francis has “made annulment of marriages cheaper and easier,” as one news source hastily reported. This report has resulted in many questions concerning what was actually stated in the Pontiff’s Apostolic Letter issued motu proprio (of his own initiative), which was released on, September 8th, although …
Pope Francis is visiting the United States from September 22 through September 27. He will be visiting Washington, D.C., New York City, and Philadelphia, where he will be joining the 2015 World Meeting of Families. Schedule for the Holy Father’s Visit United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)’s Full Coverage Website Catechetical/Teaching Resources How You …
“By now, most of you have heard that Pope Francis has “made annulment of marriages cheaper and easier,” as one news source hastily reported. This report has resulted in many questions concerning what was actually stated in the Pontiff’s Apostolic Letter issued motu proprio (of his own initiative), which was released on, September 8th, although …
Students respond the Pope Francis’ call to prayer and action living the mission of Christ The students of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School celebrated World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on Tuesday, September 1st, in a school-wide morning assembly. Father Gary, students, faculty, and parents of the school community listened to …
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Pope Francis will be visiting the United States from September 22 – 27! We will be sharing how our the faithful in our diocese participate in this historic visit, whether it’s photos from diocesan pilgrims at one of the events in Washington, D.C., New York City, or Philadelphia, or via Flat Francis selfies, watch party …
Continue reading “Papal Visit around the Diocese Photo Album”
Pope Francis made a surprise visit to the United States via video teleconference. The Holy Father spoke with students at Christo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago, with immigrants along the border at a parish in McAllen, Texas, and with a group of homeless on the streets of Los Angeles. The virtual audience aired on …
Pope Francis made a surprise visit to the United States via video teleconference. The Holy Father spoke with students at Christo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago, with immigrants along the border at a parish in McAllen, Texas, and with a group of homeless on the streets of Los Angeles. Full video is scheduled to …
Continue reading “Pope Francis on Upcoming Broadcast of ABC’s “20/20””
The Church teaches that creation is a gift from God, and that we show respect for our Creator by taking care of the environment. Building on a long tradition of Church teaching, Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si, Praised Be in English explores our unique relationship with the earth, the devastating impacts of climate change on the most …
In his 2015 Lenten message, Pope Francis asks us to “make our hearts firm” (Jas 5:8) and to be “merciful, attentive and generous.” Embrace his call to mercy by reaching out to those in need. Be attentive to the Lenten call to prayer; be generous with your time and treasure. “Through prayer, charity and humility before …
Bishop Lynch had the opportunity to share words of gratitude with Pope Francis on behalf of everyone in the Diocese of St. Petersburg when he visited Rome in October 2013. Pope Francis’ response to Bishop Lynch was, “Please pray for me, I have only just begun and I need prayers.” We have created a poster …
Continue reading “A Message from Pope Francis to the Diocese”
Bishop Lynch had the opportunity to share words of gratitude with Pope Francis on behalf of everyone in the Diocese of St. Petersburg when he visited Rome in October 2013. Pope Francis’ response to Bishop Lynch was, “Please pray for me, I have only just begun and I need prayers.” We have created a poster …