DIOCESAN OFFICES Did You Know? From the Diocesan Safe Environment Office: Listen to Your Children Summer is just around the corner! When your children are out of school and on different schedules, meeting new people and going to new places, make sure that you talk to them often about their experiences and the people they’ve …
We received news of the passing of Mrs. Ruth Stentz, 97, grandmother of Brittany DeHaan, Communications Coordinator, Diocesan Office of Communications, on June 17, 2024. She lived a long life as a faithful Catholic. She was preceded in death by her husband Milton and is survived by her two children (Jane and MaryAnne), three of …
The Diaconate Office informs the passing of Mrs. Mary Blaney, wife of the late Deacon Jim Blaney, St. Luke the Evangelist, on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at age 95. She was a long-time member of Our Holy Redeemer Parish, New York, where she worked in the school for many years, and of St. Luke’s, Palm …
DIOCESAN OFFICES A Special Celebration for Bishop Gregory Parkes All are invited to join us in celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Bishop Parkes’ 25th ordination to the priesthood. The Anniversary Mass will be held on Wednesday, June 26, 11:00 a.m., at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, 5815 5th Avenue N., St. Petersburg. If …
Pastoral Bulletin Summer Schedule Beginning on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 and throughout the summer months, the Pastoral Bulletin will be published every two weeks. The summer schedule is as follows: June 10 and 24; July 8 and 22; August 5 and 19. The weekly schedule will resume on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. May you have …
DIOCESAN OFFICES New Parish Resources Available for Effort to Defeat Amendment Four A new video from Bishop Gregory Parkes titled, “Four Reasons to Vote No on Amendment 4” and other resources to educate Catholics about Amendment 4 are now available on the Diocese of St. Petersburg website. Visit, www.dosp.org/voteno to view these materials and to …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Bishop’s BBQWe invite all men in High School and older, to join us for a casual discernment event. The Bishop’s BBQ will take place at Bethany Center in Lutz on June 5th from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Get to know Bishop Parkes, Fr. Chuck, and our seminarians. There will be games, prayer, food, …
The Chancellor’s Office has just learned of the sudden death of Mrs. Emilia Amadi, mother of Reverend Cosmas Amadi, Parochial Vicar of St. Mark the Evangelist Parish, Tampa. Mrs. Amadi passed away on Thursday, May 9, 2024, in Nigeria. Funeral arrangements are pending at this time. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Rev. Cosmas …
The Chancellor’s Office received word from Reverend Garry Welsh, Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua, San Antonio, that his brother, Mr. John Welsh, 61, passed away on Thursday, May 9, 2024, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Mr. Welsh resided in Tamworth, Staffordshire, United Kingdom and is survived by his wife, Carol, and their four …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Bishop’s BBQWe invite all men in High School and older, to join us for a casual discernment event. The Bishop’s BBQ will take place at Bethany Center in Lutz on June 5th from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Get to know Bishop Parkes, Fr. Chuck, and our seminarians. There will be games, prayer, …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Life, Justice and Advocacy Ministry CourageCourage is a group of Catholics who experience same-sex attractions and who are committed to helping one another to live chaste lives marked by prayer, fellowship and mutual support. To see our Goals please visit this link: https://www.dosp.org/life/courage-ministry/. This confidential support ministry is sponsored by our …
The Chancellor’s Office received word of the passing of Dr. John O’Brien, brother of Reverend Michael T. O’Brien, retired priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, earlier this morning, May 6, 2024, following a lengthy illness. Mr. O’Brien did not live locally. Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, May 17, 2024 at St. Thomas …
The Chancellor’s Office received word of the passing of Mrs. Nina Rosin,, 85, mother of Reverend Richard Rosin, Parochial Vicar of Espiritu Santo Parish, Safety Harbor, on Sunday, May 5, 2024, in New York, after a prolonged illness. Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Massapequa Park, New York, on …
The Chancellor’s Office received word that Mr. Herbert G. (Herb) Brown, 100, passed away in the Lord on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, while at home. Herb was the husband of Mrs. Diane Brown, founder of Our Lady of Divine Providence House of Prayer©, in Clearwater, as well as the Marian Servants of Divine Providence©. Mr. …
The Chancellor’s Office was recently informed of the passing of Ms. Patricia Anne Landry on April 13, 2024 at the age of 79. Patricia was first and foremost an educator and life-long learner. She earned masters degrees in Religious Studies and Educational Leadership. Patricia became a sister in the Adorers of the Blood of Christ …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Life, Justice and Advocacy Ministry CourageCourage is a group of Catholics who experience same-sex attractions and who are committed to helping one another to live chaste lives marked by prayer, fellowship and mutual support. To see our Goals please visit this link: https://www.dosp.org/life/courage-ministry/. This confidential support ministry is sponsored by our …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Spring 2024 Stewardship Workshop Series: “Calling Youth to Stewardship” Our diocesan Office of Stewardship and Development will offer a workshop on Thursday, May 23, 2024, from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m., at St. Paul Catholic Church, 12708 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. This FREE event is sponsored in part by Our Sunday Visitor (OSV) …
Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy changes, effective July 1, 2024, unless otherwise indicated: RETIREMENT STATUS Reverend Paul Kochu, from Pastor of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Palm Harbor, granted retirement status. Reverend Eric G. Peters, from Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, New Port Richey, granted retirement status. …
The Chancellor’s Office received word that Reverend Thomas Lind, S.C.J., 92, passed away on Friday, April 12, 2024. Father Lind was a member of the Priests of the Sacred Heart since professing his first vows in 1951. He was ordained for the order in 1958. Since 2016, Father Lind resided with the Sacred Heart Fathers’ …
We received word from our Vocations Office that Mr. Thomas C. Washburn, 82, of Port Richey, passed away on Friday evening, April 12, 2024. Mr. Washburn is the father of Mr. Vincent Washburn, a seminarian for the Diocese of St. Petersburg, currently enrolled at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach. He is also …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Youth Minister-Meet UpThe Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry invites all those acting as youth ministers to a Youth Minister Meet-Up on April 23rd at 2:00 p.m. at St. Catherine of Sienna Youth Room, 1955 S. Belcher Rd., Clearwater. This event will consist of a short reflection on planning for effective youth ministry …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Did You Know? April is Child Abuse Prevention MonthApril is national Child Abuse Prevention Month. It is most appropriate that Child Abuse Prevention Month is held during the Easter season. There is no better season than Easter to celebrate the protection of our most valuable gift from God—our children. For information on how you …
The Chancellor’s Office was informed of the passing of Mrs. Alice Flanagan, 96, on March 27, 2024. Mrs. Flanagan is the mother of Ms. Sheila Osorio, Receptionist and Bulletin Editor at St. Brendan Catholic Church, Clearwater Beach and of Ms. Kathleen Flanagan, teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, Dunedin. The Funeral Mass will …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Did You Know? April is Child Abuse Prevention MonthApril is national Child Abuse Prevention Month. It is most appropriate that Child Abuse Prevention Month is held during the Easter season. There is no better season than Easter to celebrate the protection of our most valuable gift from God—our children. For information on how …
The Chancellor’s Office was informed of the passing of Miss Patricia A. Vigue, on March 20, 2024. In 2001, Pat prepared a sample obituary for herself. Much of the obituary below was penned by her own hand and heart. Patricia Vigue, long known as Miss Pat to her students and colleagues, passed away on March …
We are sad to inform you that Rev. Oliver “Gene” Wells, 88, father of Deacon Rick Wells, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at his home near Cincinnati, Ohio, following a recent hospitalization. “Pastor Gene,” as he was known to many, was a retired minister of the United Methodist Church, having served the …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Word reached the Chancellor’s Office that Sr. Rosa Ulloa, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception from Honduras, passed away in the Lord on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Sr. Rosa worked at La Clinica Guadalupana in Clearwater for 10 years. She also served at St. Cecilia Parish as an Extraordinary Minister of …
DIOCESAN OFFICES 6th Annual Marian CongressSaturday, May 11, 2024 – A Day to be RenewedGive yourself and your family a day of rest and the time to be renewed! Join us for the Diocese of St. Petersburg’s 6th Annual Marian Congress. This year’s theme is Mary, Joseph, and the Eucharist: Forming a Holy Family. Make plans …
The diocesan Vocations Office has shared with our office that Mr. Norman Paul Dusseault, Sr., 93, passed away in the Lord on Monday, February 26, 2024. Mr. Dusseault was a strong supporter of vocations to the priesthood and was a founding member of the Serra Club in the Diocese of St. Petersburg (Note: The organization …
DIOCESAN OFFICES 6th Annual Marian Congress Saturday, May 11, 2024 – A Day to be Renewed Give yourself and your family a day of rest and the time to be renewed! Join us for the Diocese of St. Petersburg’s 6th Annual Marian Congress. This year’s theme is Mary, Joseph, and the Eucharist: Forming a Holy Family. …
Word reached the Chancellor’s Office of the passing of Mr. Joseph Gangolu, 88, on February 26, 2024 in India. Mr. Gangolu is the father of Reverend Robert Romaine, Parochial Vicar of Holy Family Parish, St. Petersburg. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Parish, 200 78th Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, on March 16, …
The Chancellor’s Office received news of the passing of Mrs. Katherine Hibbs, 95, in Jacksonville, on Friday, February 16, 2024. Mrs. Hibbs is the maternal grandmother of Reverend Ryan C. Boyle, J.C.L. She will be inurned in Arlington National Cemetery at a later time. Please keep Father Boyle and his family in your thoughts and …
Reverend Mario Vizcaíno, Sch. P., 89, founder and director of the Southeast Pastoral Institute (SEPI), passed away on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at the Piarist community of St. Joseph Calasanz, in Hialeah, while under the care of Catholic Hospice. He had been a member of the Piarist order for more than 60 years. A Funeral Mass will take …
PARISHES/ORGANIZATIONS Walk-4-Water 5k and Walk-A-Thon March 23, 2024 James Brian Thomas StadiumClearwater Central Catholic High School, 2750 Haines Bayshore Rd., ClearwaterSimulating the journey taken by millions around the world who walk for hours each day in search of water, “Walk 4 Water” is your opportunity to assist the non-profit organization Water 4 Mercy in raising funds to …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Synod Listening SessionBishop Gregory Parkes cordially invites you to a Synod Listening Session focusing on church structures and our pastoral vision. This event will be at St. Timothy Parish, 17512 Lakeshore Rd., Lutz, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and it is open to all parish ministry leaders, including directors/coordinators of faith formation, religious education, …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Synod Listening SessionBishop Gregory Parkes cordially invites you to a Synod Listening Session focusing on church structures and our pastoral vision. This event will be at St. Timothy Parish, 17512 Lakeshore Rd., Lutz, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and it is open to all parish ministry leaders, including directors/coordinators of faith formation, …
The Diaconate Office sadly informs that Mr. Ralph D’Angelo, 74, father of Deacon Geoff D’Angelo, of St. Stephen Parish in Riverview, died peacefully on Tuesday, January 23, in Jacksonville, Florida. He was in hospice care after being diagnosed with cancer last month. Ralph is survived by his wife, Yoko; his three children from a previous …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Did You Know? Prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse Child sexual abuse is a great deal more prevalent than many imagine. In fact, studies tell us that one in ten adult men and one in five adult women say that they were molested before the age of 18. That means that, directly or indirectly, child sexual abuse will …
The Diaconate Offices sadly informs the passing of Deacon Lionel Roberts, 97, of Blessed Trinity Parish, St. Petersburg, on January 31, 2024. “Deacon Lionel,” as he is known, was ordained to the diaconate in 1977 for the Diocese of Brooklyn. During his 47 years of diaconal ministry, he served from 1977 to 1984 in the …
The Chancellor’s Office informs of the passing of James (Jim) A. Sebesta, 88, of St. Petersburg, on January 29, 2024, after a brief battle with dementia. Jim was a former employee of the Pastoral Center. He was born in Pontiac, Illinois and attended Loyola University for his undergraduate degree and then earned an MBA from …
The Diaconate Office has received word of the passing of Mrs. Julie Alvarez, 77, on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. She is the wife of Deacon John Alvarez, of Espiritu Santo Parish, Safety Harbor, and former Director of the Diaconate. Her funeral was held on January 18, 2024 at Espiritu Santo Parish. Mrs. Alvarez was born …
Word reached the Chancellor’s Office of the passing of Mr. Virgilio Diaz, Sr., father of Reverend J. Glenn Diaz, Pastor, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Homosassa Springs, on January 26, 2024 in the Philippines, following a lengthy battle with kidney cancer. He was 89 years old. Mr. Diaz is survived by his wife, Clotilde, his six …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Divine Renovation Unlocked: St. PetersburgPriests and active parishioners across the Diocese of St. Petersburg want to see their parishes come alive. The problem is that changing the way we “do church” can be intimidating. We get it-prioritizing mission over maintenance can feel scary. This is why you’re invited to DR Unlocked: St. Petersburg …
DIOCESAN OFFICES New Documentary to Premiere: For the Sake of the GospelMore than twenty years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts, a group of Franciscan missionaries left their homes in Spain to evangelize and minister to the indigenous people of the south Georgia coast. Between September 14 and September 17, 1597, all but one …
Sister Frances Mary Fitzpatrick, formerly known as Sister John Denise, died on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 88 years of age and in the 68th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation. Sister Frances Mary was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Thomas and Mary (Farrell) …
DIOCESAN OFFICES National Eucharistic CongressA limited number of free tickets are available to attend the National Eucharistic Congress. Catholics in the Diocese of St. Petersburg have the opportunity to receive a free “full pass” ticket to the National Eucharistic Congress from July 17-21, 2024, in Indianapolis. The limited number of free tickets were purchased by Bishop …
The Chancellor’s Office received word that Mrs. Beverly Ann (Mucerino) Tenten, age 87, of Seminole FL, mother of Mrs. Michele Williams, Parish Business Manager of Holy Cross Parish, St. Petersburg, peacefully entered into eternal rest on December 30th 2023, at Saint Anthony’s Hospital in Saint Petersburg FL. Beverly’s life was a testament to love, kindness, …
Word reached the Chancellor’s Office on the unexpected passing of Lynn Ann Lydon, M.D., 70, sister of Reverend Michael Lydon, retired priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, on Friday, December 22, 2023, at her home in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Dr. Lydon served in the medical profession for many years, having worked in Stuart, …
Word has reached the Chancellor’s Office that Mrs. Carole Reitzel, 83, passed away on Wednesday, December 19, 2023. Mrs. Reitzel is the sister of Reverend Brian McColl, a retired priest of the Diocese of Peterborough, Ontario, with seasonal residence in Prince of Peace Parish, Sun City Center. A Funeral Mass was held on December 28, …
DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Young Adult Ministry Wonder, 6th Annual Tampa Bay Young Adult RetreatJoin us on February 10, 2024 as we seek a deeper sense of Wonder in the infinite and everlasting God. The retreat will be hosted at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 1376 Snell Isle Blvd N.E. in St. Pete. It will include morning …
Word reached the Pastoral Center of the passing of Mrs. Patricia N. Licata-Amantia on December 16, 2023. Mrs. Licata-Amantia was the mother of Reverend Damian Amantia, T.O.R., Pastor of St. Mary Our Lady of Grace Parish, St. Petersburg. She rejoins in heaven her beloved parents Felix and Elizabeth Colecchi Licata; a brother and five sisters, …
It is with deep sadness that we notify you of the unexpected passing of Mrs. Fran Gibson, wife of Deacon Jim Gibson, ordained for the Diocese of St. Petersburg in 2009. Before moving to the Archdiocese of Atlanta in 2019, Jim served at Light of Christ Parish, Clearwater, and later at St. Brendan Parish in …