Schools Closed Through Tuesday
September 9, 2017

September 9, 2017 – 9pm – The Office of Catholic Schools, in consultation with Most Rev. Gregory Parkes, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, announce all diocesan Catholic schools will be closed through Tuesday, September 12, 2017. All Catholic school families are encouraged to check back on this site for further information after the storm …

Dispensation for Sunday Mass Obligation
September 8, 2017

September 8, 2017 – 11:30am In response to questions regarding weekend Mass attendance, Most Rev. Gregory Parkes has granted dispensation from obligation to attend Masses this weekend, September 9-10, 2017. Click here to download the PDF of the announcement. For more safety announcements including closings, hurricane preparedness and insurance documents for after the storm, click here. …

Check Here for Hurricane Irma Safety Announcements
September 8, 2017

September 6, 2017 – Hurricane Irma continues to move toward Florida, bringing a potentially large impact to our area. Most Rev. Gregory Parkes and Diocese of St. Petersburg officials will continue to monitor the storm’s progress and post updated safety announcements on the diocesan website. These announcements include: closures preparedness instructions/recommendations insurance guidelines and instructions …

Obituaries ~ August 28, 2017
August 28, 2017

Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Mr. Christopher Parkes It is with sadness that we report the passing of Mr. Christopher J. Parkes, 55, brother of Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, on Friday evening, August 25, 2017, after suffering from complications due to a …

First Execution in over a Year Scheduled for August 24, 2017
August 22, 2017

After eighteen months with no executions in our state, Mark Asay is scheduled to be executed on Thursday, August 24, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. The inconsistent and arbitrary application of the death penalty has only become more apparent since Florida’s most recent execution in January 2016. Defendants whose death sentences were finalized after June 2002 …

Come and See For Women
August 18, 2017

INVITE for WOMEN 50 SOMETHING Tucked away in the lovely rolling hills of St. Leo, Florida, you will find the Benedictine Sisters of Florida. We are consecrated religious women and are hosting a very special event for Women 50 Something.  Please see flyer attached here If you are free to consider a religious vocation, be …

Back to School
August 14, 2017

  August 9 was the first day of the 2017-2018 school year in our Catholic schools and Centers. See how some of our schools and centers celebrated the first day and week back at school in the photos below. If you have back to school photos that you would like to be included in the …

U.S. Bishops Call for Peace and Unity after Violence and Protests in Charlottesville
August 13, 2017

“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 …

Pray for Peace as Tensions Rise with North Korea
August 11, 2017

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 …

Nationally Known Chef, Author, TV Host and Priest to Showcase Tampa Bay Food and Faith
August 10, 2017

Father Leo Patalinghug of Baltimore has been blogging about food since 2007. He is a celebrated chef, faith-filled priest and TV personality. In 2010, he published his first book, “Grace Before Meals.” Now, he is bringing his international TV program, “Savoring Our Faith” to Tampa Bay to break bread with local chefs, churchgoers, clergy and Bishop …

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Visits Twin Parish in Haiti
August 3, 2017

Members of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Dunedin visited Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Acul des Pins, their twin parish, during June. They distributed 350 pairs of ‘The Shoe That Grows’ to our twin School (courtesy of the generosity of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School family). Members also visited the Mission Chapel built by the …

Saint Leo University and Community Partners Donate Wheelchair to Woodland Student through Caps of Love Program
July 27, 2017

Saint Leo University’s core values of community and responsible stewardship were on full display on July 13, 2017, as the university presented a new wheelchair to Michael Ledford, a rising fourth-grader at Woodland Elementary School in Zephyrhills, FL. Michael’s wheelchair was purchased using funds raised by Saint Leo and its many community partners through the …

Msgr. Toups Helps Review Seminarian Handbook in Rome
July 20, 2017

Monsignor David Toups, currently the rector of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, joined more than one hundred seminary rectors in Rome at the end of June. They discussed revisions to a handbook of best practices for the formation of seminarians. Listen to an interview he did with Vatican Radio about the meeting by clicking …

Healing Service for the Divorced, Separated or Remarried on October 8, 2017
July 19, 2017

Join others who may be experiencing the pain of a divorce or separation for a free mini-retreat at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, 2016, at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg.  Find the path to healing, answers to some tough questions, and practical ways to move forward. This event is free and …

Obituaries ~ July 5, 2017
July 5, 2017

Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Rev. Msgr. Janusz Burzawa We were saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Monsignor Janusz Burzawa, Administrator of Mercy of God Polish Mission since 1998.  Additional biographical and funeral information can be accessed by clicking on the link below. Announcement (pdf) …

Clergy Changes ~ May 8, 2017 (Updated)
July 5, 2017

Most Reverend Gregory L. Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy changes, effective July 1, 2017, unless otherwise indicated: RETIREMENT STATUS Rev. John D’Antonio, from Pastor of Holy Cross, St. Petersburg, granted retirement status. Rev. Michael Lydon, from Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas, New Port Richey, granted retirement status. Upon notification by Very …

The Convocation of Catholic Leaders: The Joy of the Gospel in America
July 5, 2017

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 …

Ordination to the Priesthood
June 26, 2017

Congratulations to Reverend Elixavier “Xavy” Castro who was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Gregory Parks on Saturday, May 20, 2017. Fr. Castro will begin his first priestly assignment for the Diocese of St. Petersburg as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Land O’Lakes, Florida. Please continue to keep Fr. Xavy …

Obituaries ~ June 19, 2017
June 19, 2017

Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Reverend Arthur M. Villemaire Father Arthur M. Villemaire, 91, a retired priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, on Saturday, June 10, 2017, while under Hospice care in Sun City Center. (Click here for the obituary.) Oglor D. (Dionne) Lemoi Mrs. …

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School Donates 300 Pairs of Shoes for Children in Haiti
June 7, 2017

The students of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School along with faculty, staff, and families raised $4,544 and purchased 300 pairs of shoes for their sister parish, Le Sacre Coeur, Acul des Pins, Haiti. Click here to see photos. “I am very proud of our school community in their support of providing these 300 shoes …

Bishop Larkin Class of 2017
June 5, 2017

Congratulations to all the eighth grade students from the Class of 2017.  Many will be attending Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School next year. Click here to see photos from the graduation celebration.

Groundbreaking for New Multi-Purpose Building at Bishop Larkin Catholic School
June 5, 2017

A groundbreaking ceremony for a new multi-purpose building at Bishop Larkin Catholic School in Port Richey was held on May 25, 2017. Bishop Parkes, many of the school’s Parish Pastors,  Superintendent Chris Pastura, Dr. Mark Majewski, Dr. Ann Davis, Dr. Michael Tkacik, Mr. Mike Messano, State Representative Amber Mariano, Mr. Mike Fasano, many principals, other distinguished guests, and …

Guardian Angels Catholic School Student Wins TurfMutt Contest
June 4, 2017

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s Education and Research Foundation announced today the winners of TurfMutt’s national “Be a Backyard Superhero” contest. The grand prize winner’s school, Guardian Angels Catholic School in Clearwater, Fla., will receive a $10,000 grant to improve a green space on school grounds. The grand …

Fourth Grade Students Visit Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
June 2, 2017

Fourth grade students from Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School and St. Cecelia Catholic School were able to visit Florida’s Sixth Judicial Circuit Court in Clearwater last week and witness the judicial process firsthand at Gold E. Lock’s Mock Trial sponsored by the Clearwater Bar Association. Click here to see photos. “In a mock trial that took …

New Priest for Our Diocese
May 24, 2017

Bishop Parkes ordained Reverend Elixavier “Xavy” Castro to the priesthood on Saturday, May 20, 2017, at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. Praise be to God! Photos (more will be posted in the coming week, so please continue to check back). If your parish would like free digital copies of any of the photos, please contact …

Obituary ~ May 22, 2017
May 22, 2017

Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Reverend Robert Goodwin We recently learned of the death of Father Robert Goodwin, on his 90th birthday, May 15, 2017.  Father Goodwin was a priest of the Diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire for nearly 60 years, where he served in parishes and …

2017 Ordination to the Priesthood
May 16, 2017

Bishop Parkes will ordain Deacon Elixavier “Xavy” Castro to the priesthood at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2017, at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. All are invited to attend. The ordination will be live video streamed and broadcast on Spirit FM 90.5 (listen online at http://www.spiritfm905.com/ ). 

Obituary ~ May 15, 2017
May 15, 2017

Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Deacon L. Roger Cartier We received word that Deacon Roger Cartier, 90, passed away in the Lord early Sunday, May 14, 2017, while at home under Hospice care. Deacon Cartier was ordained to the diaconate on June 20, 1986, for …

Obituaries ~ May 1, 2017
May 1, 2017

Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Mrs. Betty Hearne Mrs. Hearne, sister of Father Michael O’Neill, Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Seffner, passed away suddenly on Monday, April 24, 2017 in Ireland. All services were held in Mrs. Hearne’s home parish in County Tipperary, …

Pope Francis Gives TED Talk
April 28, 2017

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 …

Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School’s Science Department Wins Catholic Education (ICE) Award
April 26, 2017

Congratulations to Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School’s Science Department, winner in the Technology Integration category of the Innovation in Catholic Education (ICE) Awards! The Science Department was selected due to the faculty’s and students’ hard work creating custom-designed 3D printed products for the community.  Full story: http://s.dosp.org/2q6DXtE | Photos

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School Serves Meals at Pinellas Hope
April 18, 2017

April 12, 2017 – Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School collected food, cooked, packaged and served lunches for 120 people who are residents at Pinellas Hope. The Student Council assisted in the transportation and distribution of the lunches. They also delivered the donations of clothes, toiletries, and items collected. Click here to see photos.

Obituaries ~ April 17, 2017
April 17, 2017

Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Monsignor Francis X. Barrett Monsignor Barrett, 91, a retired priest of the Diocese of Allentown, passed away in the Lord on Friday, April 7, 2017, following nearly 62 years of priestly ministry.  He served in the U.S. Navy during World War …

Transitional Diaconate Ordinations
April 5, 2017

Congratulations to our seminarians, Lou Turcotte, Tim Williford and Kyle Bell, who were ordained transitional deacons on April 1, 2017 by Bishop Parkes. God willing, these three men will be ordained priests for the diocese on May 19, 2018 at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle.

2017 Chrism Mass
April 5, 2017

The Chrism Mass was held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. The Mass of Chrism usually takes place on Holy Thursday, but since the Diocese of St. Petersburg is so large and the priests and other people have to travel so far, it is held on Tuesday in …

Saint Leo University Makes Difference With Bottle Caps
March 30, 2017

More Than 12,000 Pounds Recycled to Purchase Wheelchairs for Children Giving back to the community is a central part of life at Saint Leo University, and a recent project not only helped others, but also protected the environment. Students, faculty, staff, and community organizations and businesses collected bottle caps for Caps of Love, a Florida-based …

Rev. Roy Campbell Appointed Auxiliary Bishop, Washington, DC
March 28, 2017

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 …

The Catholic Identity of Saint Leo University
March 9, 2017

Did you know that Saint Leo University is the oldest Catholic university in Florida and is the fourth largest Catholic university in the United States? Founded in 1889, Saint Leo University is a leading Catholic teaching institution that enrolls almost 15,000 students across our traditional Florida campus, more than 40 education center and office locations, …

2017 Lenten Season
February 27, 2017

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 …