Farewell to Father Tom
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There will be an open house on Friday, May 19, 2023 in the Parish Center from 6:00PM - 9:00PM as we bid farewell to Fr. Tom and wish him well as the new Rector of St. Jude the Apostle Cathedral and parochial administrator of St. Joseph Parish in St. Petersburg. We will also be celebrating 39 years of his ordination to the priesthood.
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Dear Brothers and Sisters:
I received a call on Wednesday April 12, 2023, at 10:46am from Bishop Gregory Parkes. I was asked by Bishop Parkes to accept his call to serve as rector of St. Jude Cathedral in St. Petersburg.
It is my belief that when your bishop asks you to accept a new assignment, a Diocesan Priest must always be ready to do so. My new assignment will begin on July 1, 2023. In addition, Bishop Parkes has appointed Fr. John Blum to serve as the 5th pastor of our parish of St. Jerome. Fr. Blum currently serves as pastor of St. Timothy in Lutz.
I will be away on vacation during the month of June so my last day at the parish will be May 31, 2023. I request your prayers for our parish during this time of transition and for Fr. John Blum and myself.
I will always be grateful to our Lord for giving me the opportunity to serve once again at St. Jerome. I am grateful for the gift of serving with the priests that the Lord sent us and to work together with you, our faithful parishioners, in building the kingdom of God.
I want to thank you for your prayers and support during the three years that my sister was ill in the nursing home and the support you gave me when she passed away. Please know that you will always be on my prayer list.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Tom Morgan
I received a call on Wednesday April 12, 2023, at 10:46am from Bishop Gregory Parkes. I was asked by Bishop Parkes to accept his call to serve as rector of St. Jude Cathedral in St. Petersburg.
It is my belief that when your bishop asks you to accept a new assignment, a Diocesan Priest must always be ready to do so. My new assignment will begin on July 1, 2023. In addition, Bishop Parkes has appointed Fr. John Blum to serve as the 5th pastor of our parish of St. Jerome. Fr. Blum currently serves as pastor of St. Timothy in Lutz.
I will be away on vacation during the month of June so my last day at the parish will be May 31, 2023. I request your prayers for our parish during this time of transition and for Fr. John Blum and myself.
I will always be grateful to our Lord for giving me the opportunity to serve once again at St. Jerome. I am grateful for the gift of serving with the priests that the Lord sent us and to work together with you, our faithful parishioners, in building the kingdom of God.
I want to thank you for your prayers and support during the three years that my sister was ill in the nursing home and the support you gave me when she passed away. Please know that you will always be on my prayer list.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Tom Morgan
Important:
Our Church building will be closed starting on Monday, May 1, 2023 (new date) for 6-8 weeks in order to repair the red terrazzo floor which is severely damaged in our church and gathering space.
During this time, daily Mass will be in the Holy Family Chapel and our weekend Masses will be in the Parish Center.
We apologize for the inconvenience that this will cause. We thank you for your patience and understanding as we complete much- needed maintenance in our church so it can be safe and feel like home for all.
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Drive-through Confessions
There will be no "Drive-through Confessions" during the month of April, 2023. The next scheduled "Drive-through Confessions," will take place on Saturday, May 27, 2023, from 9:30am to 10:00am at the northern entrance of the church. |
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PLEASE NOTE:
Daily Mass at St. Jerome has returned to the Holy Family Chapel
Daily Mass at St. Jerome has returned to the Holy Family Chapel
Second Sunday of Easter - Sunday of Divine Mercy
Divine Mercy Sunday, April 16, 2023
- All Sunday Masses
- 3:00PM - Divine Mercy Holy Hour- Church
UPCOMING LENTEN ACTIVITIES
HOME STATIONS OF THE CROSS
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We will be having our final "Home Stations of the Cross" in the following area:
Tuesday, April 4, 2023 10:00 a.m. 14524 Neptune Road, Seminole (Imperial Point Stations) |
Here are our results to far -
(through February 6, 2023) (Click to reveal)
(through February 6, 2023) (Click to reveal)
Attention: Please do not respond to a text or an email request for gift cards or donations from anyone representing themselves as one of our priests or a member of our staff. Please call the parish office at (727) 595-4610 to alert us of such requests.
FRED BELZEL
Born in Irvington, NJ. Graduated from Seton Hall University with BS Degree in Business Administration CPA
Worked for A large CPA Firm in New York City until going on Active Duty in the Navy.
Moved to Florida after navy active duty. Worked for Sears in various positions. (Store Controller, accounting Group Controller, Internal Auditor, Financial Trainer. Worked for the City of Clearwater as Department Controller, Acting Department Director, contracted in a auditing and training position. Currently retired except for part time tax return preparation.
Born in Irvington, NJ. Graduated from Seton Hall University with BS Degree in Business Administration CPA
Worked for A large CPA Firm in New York City until going on Active Duty in the Navy.
Moved to Florida after navy active duty. Worked for Sears in various positions. (Store Controller, accounting Group Controller, Internal Auditor, Financial Trainer. Worked for the City of Clearwater as Department Controller, Acting Department Director, contracted in a auditing and training position. Currently retired except for part time tax return preparation.
Special Christmas Bulletin
Each year, St. Jerome provides a Special Christmas Bulletin. In that bulletin you will find a message from our pastor, Fr. Tom Morgan, Mass times for Christmas and the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, other Christmas articles, and a prayer service called Illuminatio, an 8-day devotion designed to give Jesus gifts of service on Christmas and for the seven days following, in gratitude and acknowledgement that He is the light of the world which we are called to share with others. That bulletin may be downloaded here.
We Remember...
Msgr. Dacian Dee left this world to return to the Heavenly Father at 4:15am on Saturday, May 21, 2022.
We give thanks to the Dee family for Msgr. Dee’s vocation and his service in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Msgr. Dee served as the Judicial Vicar for our Diocese. He also served God’s people at Light of Christ Catholic Church in Clearwater, as pastor of St. Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church in Tarpon Springs, and at St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Clearwater. Msgr. Dee also assisted us at St. Jerome Catholic Church for many years and has lived in residence at our parish until his death.
We give thanks to the Dee family for Msgr. Dee’s vocation and his service in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Msgr. Dee served as the Judicial Vicar for our Diocese. He also served God’s people at Light of Christ Catholic Church in Clearwater, as pastor of St. Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church in Tarpon Springs, and at St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Clearwater. Msgr. Dee also assisted us at St. Jerome Catholic Church for many years and has lived in residence at our parish until his death.
Just three months after doctors performed a below-the-knee amputation on Bishop Gregory Parkes, he is once again walking on his own. The surgery took place on June 9, 2022, and the past few months have involved resting, healing, and learning how to walk with a prosthetic. In the video below, Bishop Parkes shares a health update and a message of gratitude. Plus, he shares his advice for others who are experiencing health challenges
Please continue to keep Bishop Parkes in your prayers. For ideas on how you can provide prayerful support for our local shepherd, please click here.
Please continue to keep Bishop Parkes in your prayers. For ideas on how you can provide prayerful support for our local shepherd, please click here.
Update and prayer from Bishop Parkes
We thank the Lord for His protection during Hurricane Ian and pray for those most affected by the storm.
Our campus endured Ian well and we will celebrate with a full weekend of activities, including:
Saturday, October 1st
8:45am Novena-chapel
9:00am Saturday Daily Mass-chapel
9:30am-10:30am Exposition/Benediction-chapel
10:00am Blessing of Animals-north side of church
3:00pm Confessions-chapel
4:00pm Saturday Vigil-church
5:30pm Saturday Vigil-church
Sunday, October 2nd Masses
7:30am, 9:00am, 10:45am, 12:30pm, and 5:00pm - all in church
Our campus endured Ian well and we will celebrate with a full weekend of activities, including:
Saturday, October 1st
8:45am Novena-chapel
9:00am Saturday Daily Mass-chapel
9:30am-10:30am Exposition/Benediction-chapel
10:00am Blessing of Animals-north side of church
3:00pm Confessions-chapel
4:00pm Saturday Vigil-church
5:30pm Saturday Vigil-church
Sunday, October 2nd Masses
7:30am, 9:00am, 10:45am, 12:30pm, and 5:00pm - all in church
HURRICANE UPDATES HERE
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As we come to the closing of the hurricane season this year, we may experince an increase in storm activity.
We will post any Mass schedule changes or cancellations in this location of our website. We will also post any office or Early Childhood Center closures here as well. Please pray that God will continue to protect all of us during the end of this hurricane season. |
St. Jerome Catholic Church events, cancellations, and Hurricane Ian information,
as of 3:00pm September 29, 2022
The celebration of 7:00am and 9:00am Daily Masses will resume on Friday September 30, 2022
The Holy Family chapel where Daily Mass is celebrated will be opened on Friday morning September 30th
prior to the 7:00am Daily Mass and will remain open as normal
The parish office will reopen on Friday, September 30, 2022, at 9:30pm
All Bethlehem Center activities have been canceled through Friday 09/30/22
St. Jerome Early Childhood Center is closed now but will reopen on Monday October 3, 2022
The blessing of pets will take place on Saturday, October 1, 2022
at 10:00am on the north side of the of the church
as of 3:00pm September 29, 2022
The celebration of 7:00am and 9:00am Daily Masses will resume on Friday September 30, 2022
The Holy Family chapel where Daily Mass is celebrated will be opened on Friday morning September 30th
prior to the 7:00am Daily Mass and will remain open as normal
The parish office will reopen on Friday, September 30, 2022, at 9:30pm
All Bethlehem Center activities have been canceled through Friday 09/30/22
St. Jerome Early Childhood Center is closed now but will reopen on Monday October 3, 2022
The blessing of pets will take place on Saturday, October 1, 2022
at 10:00am on the north side of the of the church
St. Jerome Catholic Church has officially exceeded its goal for the Catholic Ministry Appeal! Thank you all!
This would not have been possible without each and every contribution. We appreciate your participation and your prayers!
This would not have been possible without each and every contribution. We appreciate your participation and your prayers!
A committee has been established for creating a Young Adult website for the diocese! A one-stop shop to find all the information on what is happening surrounding Young Adults! But we need your help! Please click here to learn more!
Happy Anniversary Msgr. Muldoon!
We would like to wish a very Happy Anniversary to Msgr. Brendan Muldoon. Msgr. celebrated his 58th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood on Tuesday, June 21st.
May God continue to bless his priestly ministry!
We would like to wish a very Happy Anniversary to Msgr. Brendan Muldoon. Msgr. celebrated his 58th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood on Tuesday, June 21st.
May God continue to bless his priestly ministry!
Apologies: Due to a mechanical problem with the church air conditioning system, all Sunday Masses for June 26, 2022 will be celebrated in the “Parish Center.”
St. Jerome Catholic Church will participate in the launch of the "National Eucharistic Revival," with a Holy Hour on Sunday, June 19, 2022, at 3:00pm in our church. We join with our brothers and sisters throughout the United States in giving thanks for Jesus' gift of the Holy Eucharist and for His Holy Presence: Soul, Body, Blood, and Divinity.
Hamlin Boulevard is undergoing construction for a sewer utility project and a section of the roadway is closed near Walsingham Rd. through the end of April. Please plan to add a few minutes to your drive to church for Easter and Easter Week services to allow for this detour.
To reach St. Jerome from the Indian Rocks Beach/Gulf Blvd. area, take Walsingham Road to the East (away from the beach), drive past Hamlin Blvd. and take a right at the next traffic light on Oakhurst Road, continue to 102nd Avenue and make a right; then turn right onto Hamlin Boulevard and the church will be on the right.
To reach St. Jerome from the Indian Rocks Road area, take Indian Rocks Rd. (south towards Walsingham Rd.), go past Walsingham Rd. and Indian Rocks Rd. will become Oakhurst Rd. Continue on Oakhurst Rd. to 102nd Avenue and make a right; then turn right onto Hamlin Boulevard and the church will be on the right.
To reach St. Jerome from the Largo Mall area, take Ulmerton Rd. toward Indian Rocks Beach (west), Ulmerton becomes Walsingham, turn left onto Oakhurst Rd., continue to 102nd Avenue and make a right; then turn right onto Hamlin Boulevard and the church will be on the right.
To reach St. Jerome from the Pinellas Park area, take Bryan Dairy Rd. to the west (toward the beach), this will become 102nd Ave. Continue on 102nd Ave., then turn right onto Hamlin Boulevard and the church will be on the right.
To reach St. Jerome from the Indian Rocks Beach/Gulf Blvd. area, take Walsingham Road to the East (away from the beach), drive past Hamlin Blvd. and take a right at the next traffic light on Oakhurst Road, continue to 102nd Avenue and make a right; then turn right onto Hamlin Boulevard and the church will be on the right.
To reach St. Jerome from the Indian Rocks Road area, take Indian Rocks Rd. (south towards Walsingham Rd.), go past Walsingham Rd. and Indian Rocks Rd. will become Oakhurst Rd. Continue on Oakhurst Rd. to 102nd Avenue and make a right; then turn right onto Hamlin Boulevard and the church will be on the right.
To reach St. Jerome from the Largo Mall area, take Ulmerton Rd. toward Indian Rocks Beach (west), Ulmerton becomes Walsingham, turn left onto Oakhurst Rd., continue to 102nd Avenue and make a right; then turn right onto Hamlin Boulevard and the church will be on the right.
To reach St. Jerome from the Pinellas Park area, take Bryan Dairy Rd. to the west (toward the beach), this will become 102nd Ave. Continue on 102nd Ave., then turn right onto Hamlin Boulevard and the church will be on the right.
Hamlin Blvd Traffic/Construction Alert!
Please return your rice bowls to the Gathering Space before or after weekend Masses or to the Parish Office during the week so we may collect all funds and send our parish donation to Catholic Relief Services.
Thank you for your generosity to our brothers and sisters in need.
Thank you for your generosity to our brothers and sisters in need.
Beware of Text Message, Email and Social Media Scams
Many of our parishioners have responded to the survey in support of Pope Francis' initiative for a Synod on a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission. This Synod will encourage us to be a Church that listens to the Holy Spirit and to each other.
If you wish to review the report St. Jerome has sent to Bishop Parkes regarding the Synod, please click on the image to the left or click here.
If you wish to review the report St. Jerome has sent to Bishop Parkes regarding the Synod, please click on the image to the left or click here.
ROGER SWAINE
I have been a resident of Pinellas County since 1965. Before moving to Florida, I lived with my family in various parts of the United States and the Panama Canal Zone. I am a graduate of USF and Florida Bankers Trust School and was a trust officer with Pinellas Central Bank. I am a Certified Financial Planner and recently retired from Raymond James. I am happy to be involved in our faith-filled community. Parish and Diocese: Landscaping, Maintenance, Legacy Society, Coffee and Donuts and the Finance Council. Tracey is involved in Music Ministry and volunteers in the parish office. In addition to my St. Jerome involvement, I am on the Catholic Foundation’s Board of Trustees for the Diocese of St. Petersburg.
I have been a resident of Pinellas County since 1965. Before moving to Florida, I lived with my family in various parts of the United States and the Panama Canal Zone. I am a graduate of USF and Florida Bankers Trust School and was a trust officer with Pinellas Central Bank. I am a Certified Financial Planner and recently retired from Raymond James. I am happy to be involved in our faith-filled community. Parish and Diocese: Landscaping, Maintenance, Legacy Society, Coffee and Donuts and the Finance Council. Tracey is involved in Music Ministry and volunteers in the parish office. In addition to my St. Jerome involvement, I am on the Catholic Foundation’s Board of Trustees for the Diocese of St. Petersburg.
CLICK HERE FOR THE VATICAN'S RESPONSE ON THE MORALITY OF USING SOME ANTI-COVID-19 VACCINES.
CLICK HERE FOR THE STATEMENT FROM THE USCCB REGARDING MORAL CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING THE NEW COVID-19 VACCINES
Mass inside church safety instructions (Updated April, 2021)- Click here
From Bishop Gregory Parkes:
Dear Faithful in Christ,
Greetings and Peace in our Lord Jesus Christ. As Easter approaches, I hereby announce that the general dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days for Catholics in the Diocese of St. Petersburg will expire on the Vigil of Pentecost, Saturday, May 22, 2021. Instead, I will issue some particular dispensations for the faithful who may find themselves in specific circumstances. Details about these particular dispensations can be found on the diocesan website, (www.dosp.org/coronavirus) and diocesan social media sites. By announcing the change in dispensations now, parishes will have time to make the necessary adaptations to welcome more members of the faithful to the Sunday Masses.
This announcement is also an opportunity to congratulate and thank the clergy and faithful of the diocese. They have done a heroic job ensuring that our churches and other public gathering spaces have been safe. Parishes have been very attentive to having safety protocols in place since we began to welcome parishioners to in-person worship in May 2020. I am deeply appreciative of the creative and innovative ways that our parishes have kept in contact with parishioners and provided access to the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation in novel ways. Thankfully, there have been no outbreaks of COVID-19 attributed to in-person worship in the Diocese of St. Petersburg because of our prudence in following public health guidance.
Many have been or will be vaccinated; and since June 2020, Floridians have safely gone about other activities such as shopping, eating out at restaurants, and reconnecting with family and friends in social gatherings. Therefore, it seems reasonable to strive for the faithful's full and active participation once again in the Sacred Liturgy. Parishes will have to make individual decisions about safely accommodating an increased number of attendees at Mass (for example, adding additional Masses or identifying a section of pews for those who are comfortable with less restrictive distancing between persons). The use of face coverings and social-distancing should be continued until public health guidance suggests otherwise.
Public health officials have learned much about the sources of contagion. It appears that close contact with infected persons poses the most significant risk. Contagion from other sources has proven negligible and is preventable by good personal hygiene, social distancing, and face coverings. Parishes can make prudent decisions about reintroducing worship aids such as missalettes or hymnals and making holy water available.
I encourage the faithful to continue to cooperate with parish guidelines during this time of transition. The diocese has provided to parishes resources for welcoming those returning to Sunday Mass. Let us “welcome one another, then as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Romans 15:7). We must never forget that the spiritual fruits of regular and devout participation in the Sacred Mysteries are infinite. The graces received at the Holy Eucharist sustain Catholics as we courageously live the Gospel.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Gregory Parkes
Bishop of St. Petersburg
PARTICULAR DISPENSATION INFORMATION
The general obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation (including the Vigil Mass at 4:00 pm or later on the previous day) is to be reinstated in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, effective Saturday, May 22, 2021.
Considering the necessity of being physically present with our brothers and sisters at Mass on Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation for the Eucharist, Bishop Gregory Parkes asks Catholics to make a sincere judgment about whether or not these circumstances apply. If there is doubt or confusion, consult your parish pastor for clarity. While the general dispensation is removed, there are specific instances where the dispensation will continue. One does not have an obligation to attend Mass on Sunday in the following circumstances:
1. You are ill, or your health condition would be significantly compromised if you were to contract an infectious illness (i.e., you have underlying conditions or are in a high-risk category). Please use the dispensation and do not attend Mass.
2. You exhibit flu-like symptoms. Please use the dispensation and do not attend Mass.
3. You have good reason to think you might be asymptomatic of a contagious illness (e.g., you were in recent contact with someone who tested positive for a contagious illness such as COVID or influenza). Please use the dispensation and do not attend Mass.
4. You care for the sick, homebound, or infirmed.
5. You are pregnant.
6. Those 65 years of age or older (per the CDC's recommendation of high-risk individuals).
7. You cannot attend Mass through no fault of your own (e.g., no Mass is offered, you are infirmed, or, while wanting to go, you are prevented for some reason you cannot control (e.g., your ride did not show up, the church was at capacity).
8. If you have significant and reasonable fear or anxiety of becoming ill by being at Mass. These categories will be reviewed in due course and revised as needed. Those who do not attend Mass must still observe the Lord’s Day and are encouraged to spend time in prayer on Sunday, meditating on the Lord’s passion, death, and resurrection; an excellent way to do this is through participating in a broadcast/live stream of the Sunday Mass.