Obituary ~ February 27, 2017
February 27, 2017

Mr. Eulogio Sevilla Tupa Word has reached the Chancellor’s Office that Mr. Eulogio Tupa, father of Reverend Allan Tupa, Pastor of Most Holy Redeemer Parish, Tampa, passed away on Monday, February 20, 2017 in the Philippines following a long battle with cancer.  He is survived by his beloved wife, Loreta, and two sons, in addition …

Send in Your Lenten Photos
February 27, 2017

We are looking for photos that show how you and your parish are journeying through the Lenten season. Possible photos to submit might be from your parish’s mission, Stations of the Cross, fish fry, or other Lenten events. Photos of no-meat meals on Friday are welcome as well! We will be adding these photos to …

Clergy Changes ~ February 27, 2017
February 27, 2017

Most Reverend Gregory L. Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy change, effective February 9, 2017: Appointment Upon presentation by Very Reverend Johnson Kuruppassery, O.C.D., Provincial Superior, Reverend Vijaya B. Polamarasetty, O.C.D.,  as Parochial Vicar, St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish, Tarpon Springs.

Clergy Changes ~ February 21, 2017
February 21, 2017

Most Reverend Gregory L. Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy changes, effective February 26, 2017: Appointment Upon presentation by Very Reverend Paul Frechette, S.M., Provincial Superior, Reverend Hector Cruz, S.M.,  as Pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Tampa. Relieve Reverend Roland Lajoie, S.M. as Pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Tampa. Reverend …

Come and See Weekend at St. John Vianney College Seminary
February 21, 2017

Held at St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami twice a year, these weekends serve to provide opportunities for male high school juniors and older to get a first-hand experience of seminary life and the opportunity to interact with other young men who are discerning a vocation. The Diocese will provide transportation and there is …

2017 Catholic Schools Week
February 7, 2017

Catholic Schools Week 2017 was January 29 through February 4. See how our Catholic Schools and Centers celebrated in the photos below. If you have photos from your school that you would like to be added to the album, please email them to socialmedia@dosp.org. Photos will be added as they are received. Please note that in order …

Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School a Finalist for Catholic Education (ICE) Award
February 3, 2017

Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School’s STREAM Club students have been applying the knowledge and skills learned in their classroom curriculum to assist others with service-based projects designed to meet the needs of their local community. With the use of 3D printing, the students at BMCHS have been designing, modifying, and developing new ways to fulfill …

Focus 11 2017
February 1, 2017

Our annual Focus 11 Vocations Rally for 6th graders will be on February 15-16, 2017 at St. Lawrence Parish, Higgins Hall.  Focus 11 is open to all 6th graders in the diocese whether you attend a Catholic School, public school or are homeschooled.  Forms are available for an excused absence if your child wants to …

ACTION ALERT: Urge Congress to Support Refugees and Protect DACA Youth
January 26, 2017

President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to issue Executive Orders that could that could have devastating impacts on refugee resettlement in the United States and harm Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) youth. According to drafts we have seen, the Executive Order would: Halt the entire refugee admissions program for 120 days to determine additional …

ACTION ALERT: Urge Congress to Support the BRIDGE Act to Support Our Immigrant Brothers and Sisters
January 25, 2017

Urge Congress to support the BRIDGE (Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy) Act. It is a bipartisan effort to provide temporary relief from deportation and to sustain employment eligibility for immigrant youth through the DACA (Department of Homeland Security’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program. Urge Congress to support this legislation …

ACTION ALERT: Urge Congress to Support No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act
January 24, 2017

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 …

Statement on the 44th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Decision
January 17, 2017

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 …

Bishop Gregory Parkes Installed as Fifth Bishop of St. Petersburg
January 9, 2017

Bishop Gregory Parkes was installed as the fifth Bishop of St. Petersburg at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle on Wednesday, January 4, 2017. Bishop Parkes’ Homily (PDF) Photos Installation Mass Video Part 1 Installation Mass Video Part 2 Vespers Prayer Service (Tuesday, January 3, 2017) Video

Obituary ~ January 3, 2017
January 3, 2017

Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers: Mr. Michael Kosiba Mr. Michael Kosiba, 66, former diocesan chair of the Committee on Catholic Scouting, passed away in the Lord on Wednesday, December 14, 2016, while at Tampa General Hospital.  Mike and his wife, Judy were parishioners of Christ …

Obituary ~ December 19, 2016
December 19, 2016

  Mr. Ronald J. Pacana Mr. Ronald J. Pacana, 65, husband of Mrs. Kim Pacana, Secretary at the Tribunal Office, passed away on December 6, 2016.   Mr. Pacana is survived by wife, Kim; children, Nicole (Ron), Heather (Steve), Eric (Katie); three grandchildren; loving siblings. Funeral Mass was celebrated on December 16 at Light of Christ …

December Edition of Cast Your Nets Newsletter!
December 9, 2016

The December Edition of the Cast Your Nets newsletter is now published and ready to view by clicking here If you would like to be included on the email list for the newsletter please let Heidi Varley, Assistant Director, know by emailing her at hlv@dosp.org

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School Packs Turkey Dinners for 161 Families
December 8, 2016

The students of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School sorted and bagged supplies for the St. Vincent de Paul Thanksgiving Food Drive once again due the the generosity of our school and parish families. This enabled us to provide a turkey dinner to 161 families in our community.  We were also able to restock our …

Obituary ~ December 5, 2016
December 5, 2016

Reverend Elmer McDonald (1924 – 2016) We recently learned of the passing of Reverend Elmer McDonald, 92, a retired priest of the Diocese of Rochester, on Sunday, December 4, 2016.  Father McDonald spent most of his retirement years in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, providing assistance to St. John Vianney Parish, St. Pete Beach and serving as …

Pope Francis Appoints Bishop Gregory L. Parkes as Next Bishop of St. Petersburg
November 28, 2016

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. …

Annual Collection Supports Eldercare Needs of Religious Communities
November 27, 2016

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 …

Clergy Changes ~ November 21, 2016
November 21, 2016

  Most Reverend Robert N. Lynch, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy appointment, effective November 20, 2016: APPOINTMENT Upon presentation by Very Reverend Richard L. Davis, T.O.R., Minister Provincial , Reverend David J. Tickerhoof, T.O.R., as Parochial Vicar of St. Mary Our Lady of Grace Parish, St. Petersburg.

Memorial Mass for Father Michael Morris
November 16, 2016

A memorial Mass for Reverend Michael Morris will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 22, 2016, at Espiritu Santo Catholic Church (2405 Philippe Parkway, Safety Harbor).  Priests and deacons wishing to vest, please bring your alb and stole.  Father Morris passed away on October 23, 2016. More information can be found at this link.

Obituaries ~ October 17, 2016
October 17, 2016

Mrs. Carolyn Lanier We received word that Mrs. Carolyn Lanier, mother of Father Fred McGuire (deceased), passed away peacefully October 14, at a nursing home in Cincinnati, OH. Her funeral is Tuesday, October 18, at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Trenton, OH where the family has worshiped for many years. Condolences to Carolyn’s …

Saint Leo University Honored for Community Service
October 12, 2016

Saint Leo University recently was named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for 2015 for measurable acts of community service by students, faculty, and staff. The honor roll is part of the Corporation for National and Community Service’s strategic commitment to engage millions of college students in service and celebrate the critical …

EVENT CANCELLED: Statewide Death Penalty Tour featuring Sr. Helen Prejean
October 12, 2016

The Statewide Death Penalty Tour featuring Sister Helen Prejean that was scheduled to be held on Sunday, October 16 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church has been cancelled due to the illness of Sr. Prejean’s sister. We hope to schedule another event talking about the death penalty soon. Please share this notice and keep Sr. Prejean …