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BIOGRAPHY Father Hector was born in Mexico City on May 7, 1952 – the oldest of nine siblings. He attended Catholic schools in that city until he was 18. He entered the Marist Fathers’ seminary in 1970 and was ordained a priest on July 16, 1977, in Mexico City. Right after his ordination he was […]

On Sunday, February 26th we celebrated the Rite of Sending for those who will be Baptized, Confirmed, and receive the Eucharist at the Easter Vigil! May God bless and strengthen the Elect as they continue their spiritual journey. El domingo 26 de febrero celebramos el Rito de Envío para aquellos que serán Bautizados, Confirmados yrecibirán […]

Everyone is invited as the Filipino community of Tampa Bay celebrates Simbang Gabi (Christmas Novena Mass) at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 7:00 PM. This will be the third of nine-day novena masses to be hosted by eight Catholic churches in the Tampa Bay Area and at […]

TAMPA – The campus of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Ybor City used to be loud and busy. During the week in the from the late-1800s through 1960s, hundreds of students attended the church’s kindergarten through 12th grade school, helmed by nuns who lived in a campus convent. The church bell rung at noon […]

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and the Sto. Niño del Mundo Prayer Group will celebrate the Feast of Sto. Nino del Mundo at the 10:00 AM mass on Sunday, October 30, 2022. The mass will be presided by Fr. Hector Cruz, SM. The veneration of Sto. Niño (the Holy Child) has been closely […]

While Hurricane Ian changed paths and the Tampa Bay area was spared direct impact, several areas of our diocese have experienced damage. Generous donors are invited to join together for those within our five-county area, helping parishes and people in our home diocese as we did in 2019 for those affected by COVID-19 and in […]

As the Tampa Bay area prepares for what could be a direct hit from a major hurricane, Bishop Gregory Parkes is calling everyone to prayer. In a newly released video, Bishop Parkes calmly recites a prayer for protection in the midst of a storm. Prayer for Protection during Hurricane Season O God, Master of this […]

Updated – August 2021 Below is a listing of the communities within our diocese, listed by county, which contain the name “Catholic,” but are not in union with the Roman Pontiff or the Diocese of St. Petersburg. PLEASE NOTE: This is by no means a complete list, as there could be other churches which belong […]

Luz María, Jose Luis and their 4 children (Mayra, Luis, Jesús and Vanessa) moved to Florida approximately 17 years ago from California to be closer to the rest of their family. They began to attend Our Lady of Perpetual Help because their relatives were parishioners here. Most of their children have also done their sacraments […]

Last Sunday, March 6, 2022 at 10:00 am, Fr. Héctor Cruz, SM celebrated a Mass where catechumens Julissa Martínez and Víctor Antonio Jiménez were sent to the Cathedral to send the Candidates to the Cathedral. On the same day at 3:30pm, at Saint Jude Cathedral, Bishop Gregory Parkes celebrated the Rite of the Elect. Along […]

When Christopher Columbus, commissioned by the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, arrived in the Western Hemisphere in 1492, a long history of Spanish exploration and settlement in what is now the southern states of the United States began.  Early trips to the Western Hemisphere were greatly motivated by Spain’s desire to find new riches to finance […]

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Change is all around us. We all experience it in our day-to-day life. We also see it within the life of our Church. It is when the world is changing we most need to place our trust in God who is our strength and our stronghold (Jeremiah 16:19). You […]

Like the symbol of our new appeal, the dove, your generosity through the Catholic Ministry Appeal will bring hope, peace and joy to countless people. Our goal is $7.1 million to support the critical ministries making a difference every day by: nurturing spiritual life and offering opportunities for people to encounter Christ embracing God’s call […]

You can make a secure, online gift today through one of these three options: Visit givetoministry.dosp.org Scan Text Send“2022appeal”to727-888-5125 Cómo dar a la Campaña de los Ministerios Católicos Además, puede hacer una donación segura en línea a través de una de estas tres opciones: Visite givetoministry.dosp.org Escanee el código QR que aparece abajo Texto Envíe […]

Bishop Parkes, diocesan leadership, and a task force studied the Annual Pastoral Appeal (APA), and the process by which the Diocesan Pastoral Center funds its expenses. After much consultation and review, the task force voted unanimously to implement a new financial structure for parishes, donors, and the Diocese. It lessens the financial burden on parishes, […]

The first day of Simbang Gabi held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 was a success. Many thanks to our parishioners and the Filipino-American community who have shown support for the event. The mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Jonathan Loverita from Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Simbang Gabi […]

Bishop Parkes, diocesan leadership, and a task force studied the Annual Pastoral Appeal (APA), and the process by which the Diocesan Pastoral Center funds its expenses. After much consultation and review, the task force voted unanimously to implement a new financial structure for parishes, donors, and the Diocese. It lessens the financial burden on parishes, […]

1. What are the changes being made? We are changing the way the Diocese funds ministries and shared expenses. Starting in 2022, diocesan leadership provided through the Office of the Bishop, Chancellor and Vicar General necessary for shepherding our local church will be funded by a Cathedraticum tax equal to 2% of parish offertory and […]

Everyone is invited as the Filipino community of Tampa Bay celebrates Simbang Gabi (Christmas Novena Mass) at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at 7:00 PM. This will be the first of nine-day novena masses to be hosted by eight Catholic churches in the Tampa Bay Area and at […]

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and the Sto. Nino del Mundo Prayer Group announces the celebration of the Feast of Sto. Nino del Mundo at the 10:00 AM mass on Sunday, October 24, 2021. The mass will be presided by Fr. Hector Cruz, SM. The veneration of Sto. Nino (the Holy Child) has […]

Join us for the celebration of our Patroness Our Lady of Perpetual Help Sunday June 27, at 10:00 AM

Morning Star Catholic School, in Tampa has an opening for a special education teacher for the 2021-2022 school year. Morning Star School is a school for students with learning disabilities and related challenges. Applicants should have a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (special education is preferred) and have or be willing to obtain a valid Florida […]