April 7, 2025
April 7, 2025

Clergy Appointments Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of Saint Petersburg, announces the following clergy appointments, effective May 1, 2025: APPOINTMENTS Reverend Brian C. Fabiszewski, from Pastor of Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Gulfport to Parochial Vicar of Prince of Peace Parish, Sun City Center. Very Reverend Joseph L. Waters, J.C.L., as Parochial Administrator pro tempore …

Announcements ~ April 7, 2025
April 7, 2025

DIOCESAN OFFICES Easter Letter from Bishop Gregory Parkes Bishop Parkes is sharing a letter with an Easter message for the Catholic community on “Five Ways to Celebrate Easter.” Please consider publishing this in your parish bulletins on April 13th or April 20th. The letter is available in English  and Spanish. Don’t Miss Out – RSVP …

Announcements ~ March 31, 2025
March 31, 2025

DIOCESAN OFFICES Easter Letter from Bishop Gregory Parkes Bishop Parkes is sharing a letter with an Easter message for the Catholic community on “Five Ways to Celebrate Easter.” Please consider publishing this in your parish bulletins on April 13th or April 20th. The letter is available in English  and Spanish. Marian Congress 2025, Journeying in Hope …

Reverend Matteo Rizzo
March 24, 2025

The Chancellor’s Office was recently informed that Reverend Matteo (Matt) Rizzo, 78, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, passed away on Thursday, March 20, 2025, after being removed from life support following a heart attack. Father Rizzo was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 1973, serving for nearly 52 years before his death. …

Sr. Joan H. Dawson, OSF
March 24, 2025

Word reached the Chancellor’s Office of the passing of Sister Joan Helen Dawson, OSF, on March 16, 2025, in St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY.  Sister Dawson served for many years as the Superintendent of Schools in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. She entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany on September 8, 1959, was received into …

Announcements ~ March 24, 2025
March 24, 2025

DIOCESAN OFFICES Reservations needed – RSVP for the 2025 Eucharistic Encounter today! You are invited to encounter the Eucharist and experience the hope at the 2025 Eucharistic Encounter on Saturday, September 20th at Amalie Arena in Tampa! Don’t miss this free event featuring Mass, Adoration, and an inspiring line-up of nationally recognized speakers and musicians, all …

March 24, 2025
March 19, 2025

Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of Saint Petersburg, announces the following clergy changes, effective July 1, 2025: APPOINTMENTSRev. Msgr. Michael G. Muhr, from Pastor of St. Lawrence Parish, Tampa, to Director of Ministry to Priests for the Diocese of Saint Petersburg. Monsignor Muhr previously served in this capacity from 2018 to 2022. He was recently …

Mr. Manuel Morales
March 17, 2025

We sadly inform the passing of Mr.  Manuel Morales, on March 11, 2025.  Mr.  Morales was the father of Madelyn Morales, interim Faith Formation Coordinator for the Diocese of St. Petersburg and former Administrative Assistant to Dr. Lois Locey, Chancellor for Administration / Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Morales died during a medical procedure. Additional details …

Mr. Edward Andrade
March 10, 2025

Word reached the Chancellor’s Office of the passing of Mr. Edward Andrade, 71, on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, during a recent hospitalization while awaiting a medical procedure. Mr. Andrade previously served as Principal of St. Patrick Catholic School, Largo, and later worked as a Case Manager for Catholic Charities and as a part-time counselor at …

Reverend Demetrio Lorden
March 10, 2025

The Chancellor’s Office has learned that Reverend Demetrio Lorden, 78, passed away peacefully while in a nursing facility near Madrid, Spain, on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at approximately 9:30 p.m. local time (3:30 p.m. Eastern). Father Lorden has been receiving assistance from various health care facilities and family members since suffering a serious injury while …

Announcements ~ March 10, 2025
March 10, 2025

DIOCESAN OFFICES 2025 Eucharistic Encounter: Reserve your seat today! This Jubilee Year, discover the reason for our hope as 16,000 believers gather for a powerful day of faith, worship, and transformation. The 2025 Eucharistic Encounter is set to ignite hearts on Saturday, September 20th, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida with dynamic speakers, Spirit-filled musicians, …

Reverend William “Bill” Kelly
March 10, 2025

Word reached the Chancellor’s Office of the passing of Reverend William “Bill” Kelly, 90, a long-time priest of the Diocese of St. Augustine, on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, in Jacksonville, Florida. During his 65 years of ministry, he served in assignments throughout Florida, including as Assistant Pastor (Parochial Vicar) of St. Paul and Immaculate Conception …

Announcements ~ March 3, 2025
March 3, 2025

DIOCESAN OFFICES Social Media Alert Someone is impersonating Bishop Gregory Parkes on Facebook. Please be sure you are following the REAL Bishop Gregory Parkes accounts on Facebook and Instagram. Stay vigilant! Here are the REAL and OFFICIAL accounts for Bishop Gregory Parkes: www.facebook.com/bishopparkes and www.instagram.com/bishopparkes.  Bishop Parkes will never send you a friend request, send you …

Announcements ~ February 24, 2025
February 24, 2025

DIOCESAN OFFICES Social Media Alert Someone is impersonating Bishop Gregory Parkes on Facebook. Please be sure you are following the REAL Bishop Gregory Parkes accounts on Facebook and Instagram. Stay vigilant! Here are the REAL and OFFICIAL accounts for Bishop Gregory Parkes: www.facebook.com/bishopparkes and www.instagram.com/bishopparkes.  Bishop Parkes will never send you a friend request, send you …

Announcements ~ February 10, 2025
February 10, 2025

DIOCESAN OFFICES 2024/25 CRS Rice Bowl Mini-Grant Recipients The Office of Life, Justice, and Advocacy is pleased to announce the 2024/25 Diocesan CRS Rice Bowl Mini Grant recipients. These grants of up to $1,000 are made possible by 25% of local CRS Rice Bowl contributions retained for diocesan use, over $90,000 has been distributed to outreach ministries in the Diocese …

Rev. Msgr. Joseph F. McCahon
February 6, 2025

The Chancellor’s Office learned of the passing of Monsignor Joseph Francis Xavier McCahon, 81, retired priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg and retired U.S. Air Force Chaplain, on Monday, February 3, 2025, at his home in Tampa, Florida. Monsignor McCahon was born to Joseph and Martha (McNichol) McCahon on August 8, 1943, in Philadelphia, …

Clergy Change ~ January 27, 2025
February 3, 2025

Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy change, effective February 1, 2025: RELIEVING Rev. Msgr. Michael G. Carruthers from Parochial Vicar of Espiritu Santo Parish, Safety Harbor, to the Pastoral Center with residence at St. Stephen Parish, Riverview.

Announcements ~ February 3, 2025
February 3, 2025

DIOCESAN OFFICES Office of Marriage and Family Life Together in Holiness Marriage ConferenceMarried and engaged couples are invited to the second annual Together in Holiness marriage conference on March 8, 2025, from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., at St. Paul Catholic Church, 12708 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. This one-day conference will help you strengthen your relationship …

Mrs. Therese Tylus
January 21, 2025

Word reached the Chancellor’s Office that Mrs. Therese Tylus, 97, mother of Dr. Lois T. Locey, D.Min., Chancellor for Administration and Chief Operating Officer of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, died peacefully in her sleep in Chicago, Illinois, on Monday, January 20, 2025, surrounded by her daughters.  Mrs. Tylus began her service in the church in …

Reverend John R. Peterson
January 21, 2025

The Chancellor’s Office received the news that Rev.  John R. Peterson, 88, of Tampa, FL, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2025.  Father Peterson was a priest from the Episcopal Church and the Father-in-Law of Mrs. Teresa Peterson, Director of Diocesan Information and Communications. Fr.  John Peterson is predeceased by his parents John and Marjorie …

Deacon Raymond Dever
January 13, 2025

The Diaconate sadly informs the passing of Deacon Raymond Dever, 74, on Thursday, January 9, 2025, while under Hospice care in Tampa.  Deacon Dever was ordained for the Diocese of St. Petersburg on October 3, 2009 and served at St. Paul Parish, Tampa until 2022.  He was subsequently incardinated into the Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky in …

Mrs. Jeanne Woodke
January 6, 2025

The Chancellor’s Office has learned that Mrs. Jeanne Woodke, grandmother of Father Drew Woodke, Parochial Vicar of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Clearwater, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 19, 2024, while under Hospice care. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at Nativity Catholic Church, 705 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, on Friday, January …

Mrs. Joyce Morgan
January 6, 2025

Word reached the Chancellor’s Office to the passing of Mrs. Joyce Morgan, 85, on January 3, 2025, following a recent illness.  She is the mother of Father Thomas Morgan, Rector of the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, St. Petersburg, and Administrator of St. Joseph Parish, St. Petersburg.  She is also the mother of Mrs. …

Announcements – December 2, 2024
December 2, 2024

DIOCESAN OFFICES Marriage and Family Life Together in Holiness Marriage ConferenceMarried and engaged couples are invited to the second annual Together in Holiness marriage conference on March 8, 2025 from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm at St. Paul Catholic Church in Tampa, FL. This one-day conference will help you strengthen your relationship with your spouse and discover God’s plan for …

Announcements ~ November 12, 2024
November 12, 2024

DIOCESAN OFFICES Retirement Fund for Religious Collection December 7-8, 2024 Donations to this collection, will provide for the essential care, medicine, and daily needs of senior sisters, brothers, and religious order priests who have served for decades—usually for little to no pay.  Show your appreciation by supporting those who have given a lifetime. Donate to …

Clergy Changes ~ November 4, 2024
November 4, 2024

Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy appointments: APPOINTMENTS Reverend Peter Okojie, Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Inverness, as Chaplain for the African and Black Catholic Community in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, effective October 29, 2024, while continuing all other assignments. Deacon John Carter, from the …

Mr. Daniel T. Wright
October 28, 2024

We received word that Mr. Daniel T. Wright, of Gerald, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, after a long battle with liver disease and cancer. He is the brother of Mr. David Wright, Planning and Research Consultant for the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Daniel is survived by his wife of 39 years, Sharon, …

Mr. Jairo Restrepo
October 21, 2024

The Chancellor’s Office has recently learned of the death of Mr. Jairo Restrepo, on October 16, 2024, in Medellin, Colombia.  Mr. Restrepo is the brother of Reverend Nelson Restrepo, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Tampa. Funeral services took place on, October 17, 2024, in Colombia. Please keep Father Restrepo in your prayers as he travels …

Announcements ~ October 15, 2024
October 15, 2024

DIOCESAN OFFICES Disaster Relief Financial Contributions The Diocese of Saint Petersburg Disaster Relief Fund is an ongoing fund offering assistance to people impacted by natural disasters as they occur: hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, etc. Since 2017, this fund has provided nearly $2 million dollars in disaster relief. Disasters occur quickly and unexpectedly, and our fund allows …

Announcements ~ October 7, 2024
October 4, 2024

DIOCESAN OFFICES FCCB General Election Resources A series of helpful election materials and guidelines from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) may be found at this link.: https://flaccb.org/election-materials-and-guidelines.  Voter Guides in English and Spanish are included on the link. To view a voter guidance video from Bishop Parkes, please click here: https://shorturl.at/tD8s6. A Gulf …

Mrs. Evelyne Cheslock
September 30, 2024

The Chancellor’s Office was informed that Mrs. Evelyne Cheslock, 82, passed away on Monday, September 23, 2024.  Mrs. Cheslock is the mother of Sue Huertas, former Administrative Coordinator for the Offices of the Diaconate and Prison Ministry, and mother-in-law of Deacon Wil Huertas, Business Administrator of St. Cecelia Parish. Funeral arrangements for Mrs. Cheslock are …

Deacon Stephen F. Sablone
September 30, 2024

The Diaconate Office received word that Deacon Stephen F. Sablone, 79, a retired deacon of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, passed away in the Lord in Monday, September 23, 2024, while under Hospice care in Myerstown, Pennsylvania. Deacon Sablone was ordained to the Diaconate for the Diocese of St. Petersburg on June 28, 1997 and …

Sr. Pam Nolan, CSC
September 30, 2024

The Chancellor’s Office received the news that Sr. Pam Nolan, CSC, 69, retired, long-time Catholic Charities employee, passed away on Thursday, September 27, 2024.  Sr. Pam was the long-time leader of our Elderly Housing program and opened Mercy House (transitional housing for HIV/AIDS positive women) in 1997. Locally,  there will be a Mass of Resurrection, on …