What: Annual Chrism Mass

When: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 11:00 am

Where: Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, 5815 5th Ave, St. Petersburg, FL  

Watch: www.dosp.org/livestream or www.facebook.com/DioStPete  

Listen: Spirit FM 90.5, listen on the radio or online here.

At the annual Chrism Mass on Tuesday, March 31, Bishop Parkes will consecrate Sacred Chrism, a mixture of oil and balsam, that will be used for anointing during thousands of Baptisms and Confirmations throughout the coming year in local parishes.

Bishop Parkes will also bless the Oil of Catechumens, reserved for adults preparing to be baptized at the Easter Vigil, and the Oil of the Sick, reserved for anointing those who are seriously ill.

After the Mass, leaders from local parishes and missions receive vessels of these Holy Oils to take back to their places of worship.

During the Chrism Mass, priests renew the promises they made at their ordinations and resolve to unite themselves closer to Christ. The presence of the clergy, gathered in union with their bishop, along with the participation of the laity, is a wonderful example of unity in the Diocese of Saint Petersburg. This is one of only a few Masses of the year when all the priests of the Diocese are encouraged to participate in union with the Bishop. The assembly also honors priests celebrating milestone anniversaries of their ordination.

In 2026, 24 priests will be honored. Our jubilarians are as follows:

25th Anniversary

Fr. Michael P. Jones, OFM

Father Jones grew up in Allegany, New York and was educated by the Franciscan Friars and the Allegany Franciscan Sisters. He received a B.A. degree in Business Administration from St. Bonaventure University. After discerning a vocation with the Franciscans and completing his Master of Divinity degree from Washington Theological Union, he was ordained for the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor on May 19, 2001 at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, in Manhattan. He has served in parishes in South Carolina, New Jersey, and Connecticut. In September 2020, he was assigned as Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart Parish, Tampa, and was appointed pastor of the same parish in 2022. Since 2024, he has also served as Spiritual Advisor for the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women.

Fr. Stephen Kluge, OFM

Born in Kearny, New Jersey, Father Kluge was ordained, along with Father Michael Jones, O.F.M., for the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor on May 19, 2001. During his years of priestly ministry, he has served as parochial vicar and pastor of parishes in New Jersey, North Carolina, and South Carolina. In June 2022, he was appointed Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart Parish, Tampa, where he continues to serve.

Fr. Craig R. Morley

Father Morley is a native of Brandon, Florida and is the third of four children. His parents were founding members of Nativity Parish, Brandon. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a helicopter pilot for six years. Following his honorable discharge, he entered the seminary, attending the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio and later St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach, Florida. Father Morley was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 2001. He served as a parochial vicar of the following parishes: St. Mary, Tampa; the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, St. Petersburg; and St. Luke the Evangelist, Palm Harbor. In 2008, he was assigned as pastor of St. Anthony the Abbot Parish, Brooksville, and later as pastor of Holy Family Parish, St. Petersburg. Since 2022, he has served as pastor of St. Paul Parish, Tampa on July 1, 2022.

Fr. Nelson Restrepo

Originally from Medellín, Colombia, Father Restrepo attended the University Pontificia Bolivariana where he received his degree in philosophy, and the Teresianum University in Rome, where he earned his degree in theology. He was ordained in Medellin on August 17, 2001 for the Order of Discalced Carmelites. After ordination, he served as Associate Pastor in three different parishes in Colombia. He moved to Louisiana in 2005, where he was assigned as Director of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. In 2009, Father Restrepo came to the Diocese of Saint Petersburg and was incardinated as a priest of our diocese in May 2012. He has served as parochial vicar of St. Anne Parish, Ruskin; and Nativity Parish, Brandon. Since 2017, he has served as administrator, and later, as pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Tampa.

Fr. Saji Thengumkudiyil, CP

Father Joseph was ordained May 8, 2001 for the Congregation of the Passion (Passionists), in India. He came to U.S. as a priest in training with the Voluntas Dei Institute in Connecticut. Since July 2022, he has served as Chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital, North Campus, in Lutz.

Fr. Garry A. Welsh

Born in Birmingham, England, Father Welsh was 12 years old when his family moved to Ireland, where he attended seminary. After a break from his studies to further discern his vocation to the priesthood, he went to Omaha, Nebraska, where he completed his studies and was ordained for the Archdiocese of Omaha on June 2, 2001. For the next 12 years, he worked in several parishes before moving to the Diocese of Saint Petersburg in 2013. He was incardinated for our diocese in July 2016 and has served as parochial vicar of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Land O’ Lakes, and at St. John Vianney Parish, St. Pete Beach. Since 2015, Father Welsh has served as Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, San Antonio, guiding the parish through significant growth.

40th Anniversary

Fr. Alberto Bueno, TOR

Born in Havana, Cuba, Father Bueno was ordained for the Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular on June 7, 1986. He first came to the Diocese of Saint Petersburg in 1996, where he served as parochial vicar of St. Lawrence Parish, Tampa for two years, after which he was transferred to the Diocese of Venice, where he worked in Campus Ministry, as a chaplain to students from Manatee Junior College and USF New College, in Sarasota. His later assignments took him to Texas, where he served in both Fort Worth and Arlington. Returning to our Diocese in August 2020, Father Bueno has since served as Parochial Vicar of St. Patrick Parish, Tampa.

Fr. Sebastian Earthedath, MST

Father Earthedath was born in Kerala, India and was ordained on January 1, 1986 for the Missionary Society of St. Thomas the Apostle. After ordination, he served as an administrator and pastor of several parishes and as a principal of a secondary school, in addition to his work in the diocesan offices of Ujjain, India. Since arriving in our diocese in July 2005, he has served as parochial vicar of St. Benedict Parish, Crystal River; Prince of Peace Parish, Sun City Center; and St. Timothy Parish, Lutz. In 2009, he was appointed pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, New Port Richey, where he has faithfully served for the past 17 years.

Fr. Vincent Morton  

Born in New Jersey, Father Morton later moved to St. Leo, Florida, where he was ordained for the Order of St. Benedict (Benedictines) on March 21, 1986 by Bishop W. Thomas Larkin. He was incardinated into the Diocese of Saint Petersburg on July 1, 1998. During his years of active ministry, he provided priestly service to the following parishes: Our Lady of Grace, Beverly Hills; Our Lady Queen of Peace, New Port Richey; St. Patrick, Largo; and Our Lady of Fatima, Inverness. In 1999, he was appointed pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Crystal River, where he served until his retirement in July 2005. 

Fr. Michael Suszynski      

Chicago, Illinois is the birthplace of Father Suszynski. On May 24, 1986, he was ordained to the priesthood for the Capuchin Franciscans in Albany, New York. He previously came to our diocese, then later served in Detroit, returning to the Diocese of Saint Petersburg in 1999, where he was incardinated in 2003. He has served as parochial vicar of Nativity Parish, Brandon and St. James the Apostle Parish, Port Richey. In 2005, Father Suszynski was appointed pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Crystal River, and later and pastor of Incarnation Parish, Tampa, and St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Trinity. In July 2022, Bishop Parkes appointed him as Pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Inverness. In addition to his parish duties, he has also served as Chaplain of Bishop McLaughlin High School, Spring Hill, and Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus, and the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, as well as Dean for the Citrus and South Central Deaneries. 

50th Anniversary

Fr. Gregory Andrews    

Father Andrews was born in Toledo, Ohio. As a teenager, he moved with his family to St. Petersburg, where he graduated from Bishop Barry High School, after which he was accepted as a seminarian, completing his studies at St. John Vianney College Seminary, Miami, and St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach. He was ordained for the Diocese of Saint Petersburg on May 8, 1976, after which he was assigned as parochial vicar of St. Cecelia Parish, Clearwater. He subsequently served as parochial vicar of the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, St. Petersburg; St. Patrick, Tampa; St. Catherine of Siena, Clearwater; and St. Raphael, St. Petersburg. He was also appointed parochial administrator of St. Patrick Parish, Tampa, for a brief period, and later became the founding pastor of All Saints Parish, Clearwater, where he served the community for 16 years. After two short assignments as temporary administrator of St. James the Apostle, Port Richey and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Citrus Springs, Father Andrews was granted retirement status on July 1, 2016. He continues to assist parishes in Citrus County.

Fr. Juan Diphe            

Father Diphe was born in Panama City, Panama and was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Helena, Montana, on April 29, 1976, where he served until August 1983, after which he was released for work as a chaplain with the Archdiocese for the Military Services, U.S.A., serving on various bases throughout the world. Father Diphe came to our diocese in August 2005 as Chaplain at MacDill Air Force Base, in Tampa. He was granted retirement status in 2017 and continues to reside in Tampa. Has assisted local parishes with Masses in both English and Spanish.

Fr. John Hannigan  

Ordained in 1976 for the Archdiocese of Chicago, Father Hannigan served at parishes including St. Mary in Riverdale, St. James in Sauk Village and St. Jude in South Holland, after which he provided chaplaincy services to U.S. soldiers, sailors, and Marines, serving in Iraq as a Marine chaplain. In 2023, he came to our diocese and has provided seasonal ministry since that time, primarily to St. Brendan Parish, in Clearwater Beach.

Fr. Dennis J. Kaelin  

Father Kaelin was ordained May 29, 1976 for the Archdiocese of Newark. After 42 years of service to the Archdiocese, he was granted retirement status in February 2018, after which he relocated to Spring Hill, to live with his father. For the past eight years, he has regularly assisted parishes in Hernando County.

Fr. John F. McEvoy  

Father McEvoy was born in Monaghan, Ireland and was ordained for the Holy Ghost Fathers on June 6, 1976. He provided summer supply ministry in our diocese during the 1980s and 1990s. In 1999, he began full-time ministry here and was incardinated as a priest of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg in 2003. Upon his arrival 27 years ago, he served as parochial vicar of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Hudson, after which he was appointed pastor of St. Anne Parish, Ruskin, where he shepherded the community for 20 years until his retirement on July 1, 2023. He remains active in ministry, serving as chaplain of Tampa Catholic High School and the Benedictine Sisters of Saint Leo, along with his regular travels and ministry with the North American Lourdes Volunteers.

Fr. Leon Olszamowski, SM

Father Olszamowski is a seasonal resident of Pinellas County and was ordained to the priesthood for the Society of Mary (Marist Fathers) on April 24, 1976. He received an M.A. degree from Notre Dame University, Indiana, with studies in Religious Education and Liturgy. He later earned a Ph.D. in Catechetical Theology from the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. Over his 50 years of work in education, Father Olszamowski served as principal of Notre Dame High School, Harper Woods, Michigan, and in 1994, he co-founded Notre Dame Preparatory School in Pontiac, Michigan, where he remains as president of the school corporation. 

Fr. Gregory M. Speck, SCJ

Born in Philadelphia and ordained on November 13, 1976 for the Priests of the Sacred Heart, Father Speck is fluent in Spanish and spent many years serving in parishes in Brownsville, and Raymondville, Texas. He also was a part of his province’s parish team, serving in northern Mississippi, where he again put his Spanish skills to use ministering to the growing Hispanic population in the area. Father Speck also served as a provincial Director of Vocations and Formation and then as Director of Personnel. He resided in the Sacred Heart Fathers’ retirement residence in Pinellas Park from 2009 to 2012, and later as the Local Superior from 2015 to 2018, after which he has remained in residence while in retirement.

60th Anniversary

Fr. William Curran, M.Afr.

Father Curran was born in Nebraska and was ordained on July 2, 1966 for the Missionaries of Africa. Prior to entering religious life in 1960, he earned degrees in electrical engineering and in law. He also served in the U.S. Army for two years. After ordination to the priesthood, he served in three parishes in northern Ghana over a period of 49 years and was also a formator for a community of religious sisters. In the U.S., he served in Chicago, New Jersey, and in Washington, D.C., where he engaged in promotion of vocations and assisted with formation. Father Curran also obtained an M.A. degree in Counseling Psychology from Loyola University Chicago. At age 92, he is among the senior priests of the community’s residence in St. Petersburg. 

Msgr. Desmond Daly    

Born in Dublin, Ireland, and educated by the Irish Christian Brothers, Monsignor Daly was ordained for the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales on March 5, 1966. He served in parishes in France, England, and in Atlanta and Norcross, Georgia. In 1973, he came to the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, where he was assigned as parochial vicar of Christ the King Parish, Tampa, on two occasions and at St. Lawrence, Tampa. He was incardinated into our diocese in 1976. He later served as administrator or pastor of the following parishes: Prince of Peace, Sun City Center; St. Peter Claver, Tampa; St. Mary Our Lady of Sorrows, Masaryktown; St. Anne, Ridge Manor; and St. Michael the Archangel, Hudson. In 2001, he returned to Christ the King, serving as pastor of the community until his retirement in 2010. A current resident of the St. John XXIII Retirement Residence, in Lutz, Monsignor Daly still assists by offering occasional Masses for the community. 

Fr. Joseph M. Hertel, OFM

Following his retirement in 2011, Father Hertel was transferred to St. Anthony Friary, St. Petersburg, where he has resided for nearly 15 years. During his time in our Diocese, he has assisted parishes in Pinellas County, offering Masses in English and Spanish. Before retiring, he was director of St. Anthony Guild, East Rutherford, New Jersey for 12 years and served three years as pastor of St. Joseph Parish, in East Rutherford. Last fall, Father Hertel celebrated his 65th anniversary of profession with the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor. He was ordained to the priesthood for the order on March 5, 1966.

Fr. James L. Lambert, SJ

In 1952, Father Lambert entered the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and was ordained for the order in 1966, at Sacred Heart Church, in Tampa. He was born in Sanford, Florida and later attended school in Tampa, graduating from Jesuit High School, where he now resides with the local Jesuit community. His academic background includes a Doctorate in Organic Chemistry. Over his 60 years of priestly ministry, Father Lambert has served on the faculty of Spring Hill College, in Mobile, Alabama and in parishes in Texas, Louisiana, and most recently, as Parochial Vicar of Gesu Parish, in Miami, until returning to Tampa last year.

65th Anniversary

Fr. Luis Aineto, SDB

Father Aineto lives with the Salesian community at Mary Help of Christians, in Tampa. He was born in Huesca, Spain, where he made his first profession with the Salesians of Don Bosco in 1951 and was ordained for the Order on June 30, 1961. Prior to his retirement in 2021, he was pastor of St. John Bosco Parish, in Chicago.

Msgr. Aiden Foynes

Monsignor Foynes is a product of Ireland, the seventh of eight children. He was ordained in Kilkenny, Ireland, on June 4, 1961, for the Diocese of St. Augustine. He became a priest of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg after its establishment in 1968. His priestly ministry has included service as parochial vicar of St. Cecelia, Clearwater; Incarnation, Sarasota; and Our Lady of Lourdes, Dunedin. He later served as pastor of Espiritu Santo, Safety Harbor, and Our Lady Queen of Peace, New Port Richey, before returning to St. Cecelia as pastor in 1993, where he served until his retirement in 2005. During his years of priestly ministry, Monsignor Foynes also taught at Cardinal Mooney High School, Sarasota, and later at Clearwater Central Catholic, where he was also president. He served on numerous diocesan boards and committees during his 44 years of active ministry. In August 1999, he was appointed as Prelate of Honor of His Holiness, by Pope John Paul II.  In 2014, his brother priests honored him with the Father Luis de Cancer Award for Distinguished Priestly Service. He will celebrate his 90th birthday on May 1, 2026.

70th Anniversary

Msgr. Anthony J. Giannamore 

Born in 1928, Monsignor Giannamore is a product of Steubenville, Ohio, where he attended Catholic schools and undergraduate studies. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Steubenville on May 26, 1956, where he taught and provided spiritual direction to seminarians of the Diocese and served as administrator and pastor of six different parishes throughout the state until his retirement in 2004. Later that year, he escaped the harsh winters of Ohio, moving to Sun City Center, where he provided assistance to Prince of Peace Parish and Our Lady of Guadalupe for over 15 years until “retiring again” in 2020.