Bishop Gregory Parkes is asking all 79 parishes and missions in the Diocese of St. Petersburg to hold a special collection during the month of October for the needs of people affected by natural disasters, including Hurricane Ian that has caused damage and devastation in its wake.

“Our hearts are moved with compassion for all those who have suffered damage and destruction due to Hurricane Ian, especially our brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Venice,” said Bishop Gregory Parkes in a September 30th letter to all parishes in the Diocese of St. Petersburg.

“This collection will benefit our brothers and sisters in Christ who are impacted by natural disasters, particularly the residents of Southwest Florida,” he added.

To donate to the Diocese of St. Petersburg Disaster Relief Fund, visit www.dosp.org/disasterrelief.  

One hundred percent of the disaster relief funds will benefit people and the Church affected by natural disasters, including those impacted by Hurricane Ian in our own diocese. Since 2017, the Diocese of St. Petersburg has donated over $1 million for disaster relief thanks to the generosity of our parishioners, as outlined below: 

• $100,000 for tornado relief in the Diocese of Owensboro (2021)
• $100,000 for Hurricane Ida Relief in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana (2021)
• $75,000 for Hurricane Grace Relief in the Dioceses of Jeremie, Les Cayes and Hinche, Haiti (2021)
• $50,000 for Hurricane Laura Relief in the Diocese of Lake Charles, Louisiana (2020)
• $50,000 for Hurricane Laura Relief in the Diocese of Beaumont, Texas (2020)
• $100,000 for COVID-19 Relief in the Diocese of St. Petersburg (2019)
• $250,000 for Hurricane Dorian Relief in the Archdiocese of Nassau, Bahamas (2019)
• $300,000 for Hurricane Michael Relief in the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee (2018)
• $155,000 for Hurricane Harvey Relief in Texas (2017)
• $200,000 for Hurricane Maria Relief in Puerto Rico (2017)
• $165,000 for Hurricane Irma Relief (2017)

About the Diocese of St. Petersburg

The Diocese of St. Petersburg is comprised of nearly 500,000 Catholics, more than 300,000 of whom are registered, within the five counties of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus. It includes 75 parishes, 4 missions, 46 schools and early childhood centers, and a variety of social service, health care, housing, and pastoral ministries. Mass is celebrated regularly in 13 languages, and we are led by Most Reverend Gregory Parkes, who was installed as the fifth bishop of the Diocese on January 4, 2017