“I was really surprised by the number of extended family members that came,” he remarked. “All of my extended family members are not Catholic, and just the fact that they traveled here to be a part of this was very meaningful. Also, my brother priests showing up was such a gift. I got choked up during the Mass when I was addressing them at the end and recognizing the beauty and the fraternity of the priesthood, especially in our diocese.”

Being installed as pastor is a blessing and honor for Father Stephanz. He recalled the immense amount of trust that has been placed in him.

“The willingness for the bishop to trust me with this parish – to trust me in serving this community, in shepherding this community, that is a great honor for me,” he said. 

“The parish has a right to a pastor; no priest has the right to be a pastor: they are chosen to serve in that capacity. Thanks be to God there was a sense of trust in my abilities, and I've been given that opportunity.”

Bishop Gregory Parkes commented on his abilities during his homily, saying that Father Stephanz “has proved himself to be a very worthy administrator and I am confident that he will be a wonderful pastor and spiritual leader for this community going forward.”

Father Stephanz’s installation coincided with the consecration of a new altar and blessing of a new ambo. These pieces, made of striking marble, stand as impressive new features of the parish sanctuary. St. Mary Catholic Church has been undergoing renovations and additions for the last decade, concluding with the new altar, ambo, and an encasement for the tabernacle that has not been added yet. These new additions were designed to match the baptismal font, carrying elements throughout the rest of the church.

“I think it draws, for me, a deeper understanding that this is truly a parish event. It's a time for us to celebrate – as the Church has given St. Mary a pastor to shepherd the community, also the people of God pouring out their generosity to make such beautiful additions to our church. It’s a beautiful gift,” Father Stephanz added.

Father Stephanz looks ahead with hope and gratitude not only for his continued role as pastor but the future of the parish itself.

“I think the future of this parish is incredibly bright. One thing that we've seen, and we've been seeing it over the last few years, is younger families being a part of this community,” he said. “The need is very different than it was 10 years ago, when we were having more funerals than baptisms. The great shift is here, and a lot of it is just the demographic change of the area that we're benefiting greatly from. Thanks be to God for that.”

His goal is to make St. Mary Parish a place where families can find a second home. He hopes to, add a playground to the campus, continue to work with the Catholic Youth Soccer League, and host a homeschool group at least once a week.

“My goal for the parish is to continue to serve the families and continue to allow this to be a place where families find grace and encounter God on a daily basis,” said Father Stephanz.

Ordained in 2016, Father Stephanz previously held assignments as parochial vicar at St. Paul Parish in St. Petersburg, Holy Family Parish in St. Petersburg, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Dunedin, and St. Raphael Parish in St. Petersburg, as well as a period as Chaplain of Clearwater Central Catholic High School during his time at Holy Family Parish.

“All of the assignments that have led up to my time here at St. Mary have been formative in one way or another – to allow me to grow in various areas which have played out in all the different roles I take on as pastor here,” shared Father Stephanz.

Congratulations to Father Jonathan Stephanz and the St. Mary parish community!

For more information about St. Mary Catholic Church, click here.