Reverend Jacob Monteleone was announced as the recipient of the 2019 Fr. Luis Distinguished Priestly Service Award on Tuesday, October 8, during the annual Convocation for Priestly Renewal. This award is given annually to a priest serving in the Diocese of St. Petersburg who best exemplifies selfless and dedicated service to the people of God. The recipient of the award is chosen by his brother priests. 

Father Monteleone was born in New Orleans on January 30, 1945 and was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana, on February 1, 1975. While there, he served as Parochial Vicar of the following parishes:  St. Joseph, Chauvin; Holy Savior, Lockport and Annunziata, Houma. 

Father Monteleone came to the west coast of Florida in April 1990 and was appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish, Tarpon Springs. He was incardinated into the Diocese of St. Petersburg in July 1992. After one year at St. Ignatius, he was assigned as Parochial Vicar of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish, Spring Hill (1991); Corpus Christi Parish, Temple Terrace (1991–1993) and as Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Zephyrhills and St. Anthony Interparochial School, San Antonio (1993- 1999).  In January 1999, he was appointed as Pastor of Light of Christ Parish, Clearwater, where he served for 16 years until his retirement in 2015.

He celebrated his 40^th priesthood anniversary in 2015.

Throughout his priestly ministry, Father Monteleone has also assisted in several diocesan positions.  Among them, he has served as Chaplain for the Clearwater Fire and Rescue Department and for the Knights of Columbus, Vicar Forane of the Upper Pinellas Deanery, Trustee of the Miserere Guild (Cemetery Board) of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, and as a member of the Permanent Diaconate Board. 

Father Monteleone has also served as a mentor to some of our newly ordained priests, and although retired, he remains actively involved in ministry, providing regular assistance to Christ the King Parish, Tampa.

History of the Fr. Luis Distinguished Priestly Service Award

Written by Maria Mertens