As 1 Peter 4:10 says, “As you have received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” In using our blessings, we are putting our faith into action to love and serve as Christ does.  

Generosity is at the heart of our stewardship, whether that means offering our time to help someone else, hands to assist in some way, material items to bring another person comfort, or financial gifts and donations to support outreach and service to another. Everyone can do something, from a young child to a retired senior.  

Throughout 2024, this was consistently demonstrated over and over through the generosity of faithful parishioners as well as those assisting from afar. As we enter a new year, we must recognize generosity freely offered and celebrate the incredible ministries brought to life through these contributions: 

Making Ministry Possible 

Thanks to more than 21,000 donors, our larger ministry leaders successfully initiated youth and young adult programs, kept our children and vulnerable adults safe, offered faith formation for deacons, and much, much more! 

Gifts to the Catholic Ministry Appeal fund the outreach, ministry, and programs that one parish could not fund alone. In 2024 we surpassed the goal, raising more than $9.8 million, with 42 of our parishes exceeding their individual goals. 

“The Lord calls us to proclaim his goodness, to invite people back to himself, and to encounter him in a loving way. This is what the Missionary Discipleship ministries strive to do,” shared Dr. Armando Chavarria, Executive Director of Missionary Discipleship. “But we recognize our most successful programs like KNOWN for young adults, attending the National Eucharistic Congress, Roar of the Rosary, the Eucharistic Encounter, programs and events that have touched thousands, are only possible because the people of our diocese enthusiastically support the appeal.” 

Supporting our appeal is not just about a donation. It is a specific call to participate in the vision to courageously live the Gospel.  

The 2025 Catholic Ministry Appeal has now kicked off in parishes across the Diocese. Click here to learn more or to make a donation today. 

When Disaster Strikes 

The Disaster Relief Fund received $1.27 million in donations from a total of 1,051 donors, providing support in the wake of disasters such as hurricanes Helene and Milton. These funds supported Catholic Charities as they ministered to the community after the hurricanes and will be utilized to assist our parishes and schools as they rebuild.  

While many donations contributing to assistance for after the hurricanes came from within the diocese, generous contributions came flooding in from out of state as well. We received almost 300 contributions came from outside the Diocese of Saint Petersburg including gifts from 235 individuals, as well as 35 dioceses, parishes, schools, and larger ministries. 

Our communities also received item donations from other areas, such as the shipment from the Geiger family who led a supply drive in Pennsylvania before driving a full trailer to St. Petersburg to deliver. 

“This is where you’ve got to come together and you have to just unite,” remarked Colleen Geiger about her contribution. “This is our portion of letting everybody know we are still all one and can be brought together.”  

Click here to read about the Geiger family’s donations.

Ministries of Mercy 

In 2024, in addition to individual gifts, grants, and agency partnerships, our local Catholic Charities also received monetary donations from 56 parishes and 9 schools, as well as meal and in-kind donations from 49 parishes and 8 schools. These contributions directly affected Catholic Charities’ outreach to individuals in need within our five counties.  

St. Catherine of Siena Parish exemplifies generous stewardship in their contributions to Pinellas Hope, one of Catholic Charities’ programs for those experiencing homelessness. “Serving residents is close to the heart of the parishioners because it is close to the mission of Christ,” said Monsignor Robert Morris, Pastor of St. Catherine of Siena. “It is a way for us to witness Christ to the community and spread out our generosity.” 

Parishioners provide Pinellas Hope with food on a monthly basis. In the aftermath of the hurricanes in October, they also housed Pinellas Hope residents in their parish hall for two weeks, prioritizing the comfort of those displaced. 

Click here to learn more about Catholic Charities.

Creating Impact at the Local Level 

The Community Impact Grant provides awards to parish, school, and local ministry programs which courageously live the Gospel by serving those in need, supporting and growing our Young Church, and bringing others to Christ. In 2024, 29 grants totaling $123,000 were distributed to 29 different parishes, schools, and outreach efforts. 

One of the recipients, the Exceptional Adults Ministry at Christ the King Catholic Church in Tampa, was able to use their grant to bring inclusion, faith, enrichment, fellowship, and service to adults with differing intellectual and developmental abilities. 

Click here to read more about the Exceptional Adults Ministry. 

Click here to learn more about the Community Impact Grant Program.

Catholic Schools 

Service is a key component of Catholic education. Many Catholic Schools held food and supply drives or honored members of the community who demonstrated lives of service. 

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School showed a clear example as they honored veterans in November. One of the veterans shared, “the warmth and gratitude from the students and school community finally made me feel appreciated for my sacrifices after all these years.”  

Click here to read more about Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School’s ceremony.

Click here to read more about holiday giving at Catholic high schools.

Those who serve in ministry throughout our diocese offer thanks to all who take part in putting our faith into action.