Mr. Ronald W. Fleming
January 3, 2023

Mr. Ronald W. Fleming, 70, husband of Mrs. Laurie Fleming, Hospitality and Support Assistant for the Pastoral Center, St. Petersburg, passed away on Christmas Day, December 25, 2022, at his home in St. Petersburg.  He is survived by his wife, Laurie, along with his daughters and grandchildren.  Funeral arrangements are pending. Expressions of sympathy may …

Clergy Change ~ January 3, 2023
January 3, 2023

Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following change in clergy appointment: RELIEVING Reverend James B. Johnson from Director of Our Lady of Good Counsel Camp, Floral City, effective January 1, 2023, while continuing all other assignments.  After 26 years of faithful service to the Camp, Father Johnson has been succeeded as …

Mr. Robert “Bob” Mahoney
December 19, 2022

The Chancellor’s Office was informed today that Mr. Robert “Bob” Mahoney, 88, grandfather of Reverend Drew Woodke, Parochial Vicar of St. Timothy Parish, Lutz, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 9, 2022.  A funeral service is scheduled for Monday, December 19, 2022, 2:00 p.m. at New Hope United Methodist Church, 213 N. Knights Avenue, Brandon. …

Rev. Msgr. Austin Mullen
December 12, 2022

Earlier this morning, the Chancellor’s Office was informed of that Reverend Monsignor Austin Michael Mullen, 81, passed away in the Lord early this morning, Monday, December 12, 2022, at Melech Hospice House, in Temple Terrace.  In late October, he was hospitalized after a fall and was transferred between hospitals and rehab facilities in Tampa before …

Mr. Manuel Camacho
December 12, 2022

The Chancellor’s Office has learned of the passing of Mr. Manuel Camacho, 85, father of Right Reverend Isaac Camacho, O.S.B., Abbot of the Monks of Saint Leo Abbey.  Mr. Camacho passed away earlier today, Friday, December 9, 2022, near his home in Mexico City, Mexico.  He is predeceased by his wife and is survived by …

Announcements ~ December 5, 2022
December 5, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES How Can Families Celebrate Advent? Bishop Gregory Parkes speaks with Katie Holland, a local mother of five, about how her family celebrates Advent and he recalls his own family’s Advent/Christmas traditions on Take Five with Bishop Parkes. This five-minute conversation can be seen Tuesday, December 6th at 7:00 p.m. on the bishop’s Facebook …

Mrs. Anne Genevieve Hays
November 21, 2022

The Chancellor’s Office sadly informs that Mrs. Anne Genevieve Hays, 85, mother of Reverend John S. Hays, Pastor of St. Anne Parish, Ridge Manor, passed away on Friday, November 11, 2022.  Mrs. Hays was born in St. Joe, Florida (near Dade City) and was a decades-long member of Sacred Heart Parish, Dade City.  She is …

Clergy Changes ~ November 21, 2022
November 21, 2022

Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following changes in clergy changes: RELIEVING Reverend John B. Lipscomb from Parochial Vicar of St. Timothy Parish, Lutz, effective January 1, 2023, and continuing other assignments. Upon notification by Very Reverend Joseph O’Reilly, Provincial Superior, Institute of Charity (Rosminian Fathers), Reverend Bibin Mathew, I.C. from …

Mrs. Elaine Sydejko
November 14, 2022

The Diaconate Office has informed us of the passing of Mrs. Elaine Sydejko, age 98,  on November 12, 2022 in Wisconsin.  Mrs. Sydejko is the mother of Mrs. Josephine Manko, wife of Deacon Mark Manko, from St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Homosassa.  A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, in Altoona, …

Announcements ~ October 31, 2022
October 30, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops Florida Gubernatorial Candidate Comparison To help Catholics to become informed voters, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops has developed a comparison between the positions of the two major-party candidates for Florida governor on a range of issues. The positions of Ron DeSantis (Republican) and Charlie Crist …

Mrs. Diane Grant
October 24, 2022

The Vocations Office informs the sad news that Mrs. Diane Grant, mother of former seminarian Spencer Grant, died suddenly on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 in the presence of her family. A Funeral Mass will be held for Mrs. Grant on Thursday, November 3, 2022 at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 17512 Lakeshore Road, Lutz.  Expressions of …

Announcements ~ October 24, 2022
October 24, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops Florida Gubernatorial Candidate Comparison To help Catholics to become informed voters, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops has developed a comparison between the positions of the two major-party candidates for Florida governor on a range of issues. The positions of Ron DeSantis (Republican) and Charlie Crist …

Mrs. Denise Roach -Update
October 17, 2022

We sadly report the passing of Mrs. Denise Roach, 65, on Monday, October 17, 2022, at Woodside Hospice, in Pinellas Park.  Mrs. Roach was the Director of St. Jerome Early Childhood Center for 26 years before her retirement in 2019. Denise was predeceased by her husband, Scott Roach, and father, Thomas Connors, and is survived …

Mr. Pacian Z. Kiwale
October 3, 2022

The Chancellor’s Office has received the sad news that Mr. Pacian Z. Kiwale, brother of Reverend Theobald Weria, A.L.C.P., Parochial Vicar of St. Cecelia Parish, Clearwater, passed away in the Lord on September 30, 2022, after struggling with illness since last year. All funeral services will take place near Mr. Kiwale’s home in Tanzania.  Please …

Sr. Frances Barfield, O.P.
October 3, 2022

Sister Frances Barfield, formerly known as Sister David Therese, died on Monday, September 19, 2022, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 90 years of age and in the 73rd year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation. Sister Frances was born in Pensacola, Florida, to David C. and Theresa …

Announcements ~ October 3, 2022
October 3, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES Did You Know? Assistance Ministry Helps Abuse Victims Did you know that outreach to victims of sexual abuse is one of the ministries offered by the Diocese of St. Petersburg? The diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator provides assistance towards healing by means of therapy, spiritual direction, and mutual support groups. If now, or at …

Mrs. Gloria DiVito
September 26, 2022

The Chancellor’s Office was informed of the peaceful passing of Mrs. Gloria DiVito, 95, mother of diocesan attorney Joseph DiVito, on Saturday, September 24, 2022.  Mrs. Divito was preceded in death by her son, Phillip; husband, John; and daughter, Helen. She is survived by sons; Joseph (Theresa), Nicholas (Lynda), Paul (Vicky), and Allyn (Tracy), grandchildren; Brian …

Deacon Frank Longo
September 26, 2022

The Diaconate Office received word of the passing of Deacon Frank Longo, 92, in retired status from St. Vincent DePaul Parish, Holiday, on September 1, 2022. He is preceded in death by his wife Lucy.  Deacon Frank was recently spending most of his time with his family in New York; all services took place there …

Mrs. Yolanda Mangiaracina
September 19, 2022

The Office of the Chancellor for Canonical Affairs informs the passing of  Mrs. Yolanda Mangiaracina,  mother of Rev. George Mangiaracina, OCD, on August 26, 2022.  For the past two years, Father Mangiaracina has provided assistance to the parish communities of St. Jerome, St. Patrick, and St. Justin, Martyr, while caring for his mother. Mrs. Mangiaracina’s Funeral Mass …

Clergy Appointments ~ September 12, 2022
September 12, 2022

  Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy appointments:   Monsignor Michael G. Muhr from Parochial Administrator pro tempore of St. Lawrence Parish, Tampa and Director of Ministry to Priests for the Diocese of St. Petersburg to Pastor of St. Lawrence Parish, Tampa, effective September 7, 2022.   Reverend Ralph F. …

Deacon Melvin Dunphy
September 6, 2022

Word reached the Pastoral Center that Deacon Melvin Dunphy, 91, from St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, New Port Richey, passed away in the Lord early Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at his residence in New Port Richey.  “Deacon Mel,” as he is known, was born and raised in Vermont.  He began his career in education as an …

Mr. Mark Dufva – Update
September 6, 2022

Word reached the Pastoral Center that Mr. Mark Dufva died on September 6, 2022, after a short but highly debilitating illness.  Mark was the Executive Director of Catholic Charities from 2014-2018.  He had a great passion for helping others and serving God through everything he did, especially through our work at Catholic Charities. A Funeral …

Mrs. Theresa Gerstner
September 6, 2022

We sadly inform the passing of Mrs. Theresa (Terri) Gerstner, 75, on August 21, 2022.  Terri was the Office Manager of St. Brendan Parish, Clearwater.  She had been struggling with health issues for the last couple of months, but her condition quickly turned worse the week of her passing. Funeral Mass will be on Friday, …

Mrs. Cecilia Pujol
August 22, 2022

The Chancellor’s Office received the news that Mrs. Cecilia Pujol, 69, grandmother of Ms. Jasmine Pujol, Secretary of the Office of Vocations, passed away on Saturday, August 6, 2022. Funeral services took place at St. Theresa Parish in Spring Hill. Please keep Jasmine and her family in your prayers during this difficult time. Expressions of …

Mrs. DeLois Brown
August 22, 2022

The Diaconate Office has received word of the passing of Mrs. DeLois Brown, 89, widow of the Late Deacon Joseph Brown from St. Stephen Parish in Riverview. She passed on Monday August 8, 2022. The Funeral Mass took place on August 17, 2022, at St. Stephen Parish. Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to the …

Mr. Philip Greco
August 22, 2022

The Chancellor’s Office informs the passing of Mr. Philip (Phil) Greco,  74, of Seffner, husband of Mrs. Kathy Greco, long-time secretary at Corpus Christi Catholic School, on August 10, 2022.  Funeral arrangements took place at Corpus Christi Parish, Temple Terrace on August 15, 2022 followed by interment at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell. Expressions of sympathy …

Mrs. Mary Jane Moody
August 22, 2022

The Chancellor’s Office informs the passing of Mrs. Mary Jane Moody, 98, who passed away in June 24, 2022 and whose funeral took place on August 13, 2022.  She was a long-time employee of St. Patrick’s, Largo. Please see obituary at this link:  https://shorturl.at/tKSV6. ++++ May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed …

Mr. Vincente Tejada
August 22, 2022

The Chancellor’s Office has been notified of the death of Mr. Vincente Tejada, 63, brother of Reverend Jose (Jojo) Tejada, Parochial Vicar of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish, Spring Hill, on Friday, August 5, 2022.  Mr. Tejada died while in the hospital after a long illness, near his hometown of Virac, Catanduanes, Philippines.  All funeral …

Announcements ~ August 22, 2022
August 22, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES From the Life, Justice and Advocacy OfficeStatewide Culture of Life Conference October 14-15, 2022Bethany Retreat Center, 18150 Bethany Center, LutzYou are invited to attend the 2022 Florida Culture of Life Conference hosted by the Diocese of St. Petersburg and the Florida Catholic Conference. The conference will provide an in-depth look at how Christ …

Mr. Leo Brown
August 8, 2022

Word reached our office that Mr. Leo Brown, brother of Ms. Dale Brown, Director of the Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute/SEPI, passed away on Saturday, August 6, 2022. No other information is available at this time.  We will post more information here at it becomes available. Expressions of sympathy can be sent to Ms. Dale Brown, …

Sr. Jeanne Williams, O.S.F.
August 8, 2022

The Office of the Vicar for Religious informs that Sister Jeanne Williams, O.S.F., passed away on Saturday, August 6, 2022. Sister Williams, a native from Providence, Rhode Island, has been active in our Diocese for many years, serving at St. Anthony Hospital and the Franciscan Center. Complete obituary at this link. Please keep Sister Williams …

Announcements ~ August 8, 2022
August 8, 2022

DIOCESAN OFFICES Did You Know? Safety Rules Bear Repeating Research reminds us that teaching children how to resist the overtures of a potential molester requires repetition and reinforcement. Children and young people need to know the rules, and they need to hear them over and over and over again so that the rules become part of a thought …

Mrs. Maria Luisa Romero
July 25, 2022

Mrs. Maria Luisa (Ita) Romero, 96, grandmother of Mrs. Katie Camario, Digital Communications Manager for the Diocese of St. Petersburg, passed away on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, in Conroe, Texas.  Additional details may be found at this link. Please keep Katie and her family in your kind thoughts and prayers during this time.

Mr. Frank Oliver
July 25, 2022

The Chancellor’s Office learned that Frank Michael Oliver, 82, husband of Mary Sue Oliver, Notary for our diocesan Tribunal Office, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, July 19, 2022.  The funeral arrangements for Mr. Oliver are as follows: Visitation will be held on Friday, August 5, 2022, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Serenity Funeral Home, 13401 Indian …