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 Diocese of Brooklyn and from 1997 to 2001 in the Diocese of Rockville Centre.  In 2006, he and his wife, Merlene, moved to Trinidad for two years, where he assisted with the establishment of the Permanent Diaconate program for the Diocese of Port of Spain.  The Roberts family came to the Diocese of St. Petersburg in 1984 and quickly made Blessed Trinity Parish their home.   Lionel is well known throughout our Diocese, and throughout the city of St. Petersburg.

In addition to his parish duties, Deacon Lionel served as Director of the Office of Black Catholic Ministries from 1987 to 1991 and Assistant Director of the Diaconate Office from 2002 to 2006.  He also worked for a time in our diocesan Real Estate Office. Additional biographical information may be found on the Brett Funeral Home website at this link.

All funeral services will take place at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 1600 54^th Avenue S., St. Petersburg and are as follows:

Visitation: Sunday, February 11, 2024, 5:00-7:00 p.m. The vigil will begin with Evening Prayer for the Deceased at 5:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass: Monday, February 12 ,2024, 10:30 a.m. Bishop Parkes will be the principal celebrant. Father Wayne Genereux, Pastor of Blessed Trinity Parish, will be the homilist.

Burial will follow immediately at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 5233 118th Ave. N., Clearwater.

Priests wishing to concelebrate are asked to bring an alb and white stole.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Blessed Trinity for the “Renewal of the Interior of the Church/Restoring the Sacred.”

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to: Mrs. Merlene Roberts & Family c/o Blessed Trinity Parish, 1600 54th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712.

Please keep Merlene and the entire Roberts family in your kind thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

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May his soul and the souls of all the faitful departed
by the mercy of God, rest in peace!