Let us keep the souls and the families of the faithful departed in our prayers:

Mrs. Ellen Anastasia
We received word that Mrs. Ellen Anastasia, 90, mother of Very Reverend Thomas (Tom) Anastasia, V.F., Pastor of St. Matthew Parish, Largo, passed away in the Lord on Sunday, May 12, 2019, nearly one month after celebrating her 90th birthday. Mrs. Anastasia was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph C. Anastasia and is survived by her brother, Jack Sweeney and children, Eileen and Father Tom Anastasia.

All services will be held at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 9111 90th Avenue N., Largo and are as follows:

Visitation: Thursday, May 16, 2019, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., concluding with Vigil Service.

Funeral Mass: Friday, May 17, 2019, 10:00 a.m.
Clergy wishing to vest should bring an alb and a white stole.

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

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Very Rev. Thomas Anastasia, V.F., c/o St. Matthew Catholic Church, at the above-mentioned address.

Deacon Robert Smith
Deacon Robert Smith, 81 years old, passed away on Monday, May 6, 2019. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lenora.  Deacon Smith was ordained for the Archdiocese of Atlanta on June 24, 1989. He moved to the Diocese of St. Petersburg in May of 2007. He became active in diaconal ministry in 2010 and was assigned to St. Scholastica in Lecanto where he served until October of 2018 when he retired from ministry.

The visitation for Deacon Smith will be held on Monday, May 13, 2019 at Brown Funeral Home located at 5430 W. Gulf to Lake Hwy, Lecanto, FL 34461 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 10:00 am at St. Scholastica, 4301 W. Homosassa Trail, Lecanto, FL 34461. Expressions of sympathy for the Smith family may be sent to the parish.

Deacons who are able to vest should bring their white and gold dalmatic.

Please keep Lenora and the Smith family close in thought and prayer at this most difficult time.