Vol. 39: No. 16 ~ April 22, 2024

Official Announcement

Office of the Bishop


Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, Bishop of St. Petersburg, announces the following clergy changes, effective July 1, 2024, unless otherwise indicated:


RETIREMENT STATUS

Reverend Paul Kochu, from Pastor of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Palm Harbor, granted retirement status.


Reverend Eric G. Peters, from Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, New Port Richey, granted retirement status.


RELIEVING

Reverend Jonathan I. Loverita [Diocese of Catarman, Philippines], from Parochial Vicar of Corpus Christi Parish, Temple Terrace, effective April 22, 2024. Father Loverita is seeking an assignment outside the Diocese of St. Petersburg.


Upon notification by Very Reverend Joseph Hindelang, S.M. Provincial Superior of the Society of Mary, U.S. Province, Reverend Hector J. Cruz Lesbros, S.M., from Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Tampa. The Society of Mary (Marists) will be leaving the Diocese of St. Petersburg after 38 years of service to the parish.


Upon notification by Very Reverend Joseph O’Reilly, I.C., Provincial Superior of the Institute of Charity, Irish American Province, Reverend Bruce King, I.C., from Pastor of St.Theresa Parish, Spring Hill. Father King will be providing service outside the Diocese of St. Petersburg.


APPOINTMENTS

Pastors


Very Reverend Krzysztof Gazdowicz, V.F., from Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Dade City and Vicar Forane of the East Central Deanery to Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, New Port Richey.


Reverend Bradley C. Reed, from Parochial Administrator to Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Pinellas Park.


Reverend Richard Rosin, from Parochial Vicar of Espiritu Santo Parish, Safety Harbor to Pastor of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Palm Harbor.


Reverend Kyle D. Smith, from Pastor of St. Mary Parish, Tampa to Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Tampa.


Reverend Anthony J. Ustick, from Parochial Administrator to Pastor of St. Timothy Parish, Lutz.


Upon presentation by Very Reverend Joseph O’Reilly, I.C., Provincial Superior of the Institute of Charity, Irish American Province, Reverend Edison Bernavas, I.C., from Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Seffner to Pastor of St. Theresa Parish, Spring Hill.


Upon presentation by Very Reverend Joseph O’Reilly, I.C., Provincial Superior of the Institute of Charity, Irish American Province, Reverend Paul A. Stiene, I.C., from Parochial Vicar of St. Theresa Parish, Spring Hill to Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Seffner.


Parochial Administrators



Reverend Robert G. Romaine, from Parochial Vicar of Holy Family Parish, St. Petersburg to Parochial Administrator of Sacred Heart Parish, Dade City.


Reverend Jonathan E. Stephanz, from Parochial Vicar of St. Raphael Parish, St. Petersburg to Parochial Administrator of St. Mary Parish, Tampa.


Parochial Vicars


Reverend Augustine Adjen, [Archdiocese of Kumasi, Ghana] to Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart Parish, Pinellas Park.


Reverend Andrew T. Burns [Diocese of Paterson], from Parochial Vicar of Christ the King Parish, Tampa to Parochial Vicar of the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, St. Petersburg.


Reverend Monsignor Michael Carruthers, from Parochial Vicar of the Cathedral of

St. Jude the Apostle, St. Petersburg to Parochial Vicar of Espiritu Santo Parish, Safety Harbor.


Reverend Dayan Machado, from Parochial Vicar of St. Mary Parish, Tampa to Parochial Vicar of Corpus Christi Parish, Temple Terrace.


Reverend Claudius M. Mganga [Archdiocese of Mwanza, Tanzania], from Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Inverness to Parochial Vicar of St. Raphael Parish,

St. Petersburg.


Reverend Peter Okojie [Archdiocese of Abuja, Nigeria], from Parochial Vicar of St. Paul Parish, Tampa to Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Inverness.


Reverend Connor D. Penn, from Parochial Vicar of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Clearwater to Parochial Vicar of St. Timothy Parish, Lutz.


Reverend Marc W. Reszel, [Archdiocese of Chicago] to Parochial Vicar of Holy Family Parish, St. Petersburg.


Reverend Belisario Riveros [Diocese of Engativa, Colombia], from Parochial Vicar of Nativity Parish, Brandon to Parochial Vicar of St. Mary Parish, Tampa.


Reverend Louis G. Turcotte, from Parochial Vicar of St. Stephen Parish, Riverview to Parochial Vicar of Christ the King Parish, Tampa.


Reverend Amaro Vásquez Ortiz [Diocese of Chimbote, Peru], from Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart Parish, Pinellas Park to Parochial Vicar of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Clearwater.


Reverend Primus Weria, [Diocese of Moshi, Tanzania] to Parochial Vicar of St. Stephen Parish, Riverview.


Reverend Mark A. (Drew) Woodke, from Parochial Vicar of St. Timothy Parish, Lutz to Parochial Vicar of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Clearwater.


Upon presentation by Very Reverend Joseph O’Reilly, I.C., Provincial Superior of the Institute of Charity, Irish American Province, Reverend Diomedi L. Nitunga, I.C., to Parochial Vicar of St. Theresa Parish, Spring Hill.


Upon presentation by Very Reverend Joseph O’Reilly, I.C., Provincial Superior of the Institute of Charity, Irish American Province, Reverend Binu A. Palakapally, I.C., to Parochial Vicar of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Seminole.


Reverend George A. Gyasi [Archdiocese of Kumasi, Ghana], continuing as Parochial Vicar of Resurrection Parish, Riverview with residence at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Tampa, and assisting part-time with the parish’s Spanish Ministry. Relieved from part-time assistance to Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission, Wimauma


This list is also published under Clergy Changes in the Pastoral Bulletin page at this link

Ministries Updates

Office of Stewardship and Development


Spring 2024 Stewardship Workshop Series: “Calling Youth to Stewardship”

Our diocesan Office of Stewardship and Development will offer a workshop on Thursday, May 23, 2024, from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m., at St. Paul Catholic Church, 12708 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. This FREE event is sponsored in part by Our Sunday Visitor (OSV) and is open to pastors, other parish clergy, staff, and lay leaders looking to continue their stewardship journey.


For information and registration, please click here or call the Stewardship and Development Office at 727-344-1611, ext. 5302. 

Office of Marriage and Family Life


Infertility Awareness Week – April 21-27, 2024

Did you know that 1 in 5 women struggle with infertility? (More information at CDC Infertility Resource page.) Couples carrying the cross of infertility are in our families, among our friends, and in our pews. They need to know that they have many gifts to bring to our parish, that their marriages are life-giving in many beautiful ways, and that God has not abandoned them—and neither have we. If you know someone struggling with infertility or pregnancy loss, show these couples your support by listening to them, praying for them, reminding them that God is with them, and that they are not alone. For resources and support, visit www.springsinthedesert.org and www.dosp.org/marriage-and-family/infertility-resources/.

Bulletin Announcements

View current information that can be included in parish bulletins here.



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Rev. Msgr. Robert F. Morris
Vicar General
Diocese of St. Petersburg
727-344-1611 
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