To see our online Mass for this weekend,
please visit our Video Liturgies page by clicking HERE.
Our Weekend Mass Schedule (effective June 27, 2020)
Saturdays: 4:00 p.m.
Sundays: 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
Capacity is limited.
Masks are required,
and everyone must maintain appropriate social distance.
Read Fr. Allan's full statement on our weekend reopening HERE.
WELCOME MSGR. CESAR!
My dear parish family,
I am happy that Msgr Cesar Petilla will be presiding at all our Masses this weekend (Saturday, 4:00 p.m., Sunday, 7:00 & 9:00 a.m.). I have known the monsignor for many years, and I am excited that he is now part of the St. Joseph family. He is a wonderful speaker and—because he has served the Church in a variety of important roles over time—his guidance and care will thoroughly enrich our parish life. I look forward to working alongside him for years to come, and I know you will make him feel welcome.
Please remember that we are still limiting attendance at all Masses due to the ongoing pandemic. With this limitation last weekend, our 4:00 Mass was almost full. The same was true of our 9:00. So, if you came last weekend and are willing to wait to hear and welcome Msgr. Cesar, please feel free to stay home. The monsignor will understand, and others may be able to attend Mass inside the church instead of in the parking lot where we are prepared to serve those the church cannot accommodate. Also remember, Bishop Parkes has dispensed all Catholics in our diocese from the obligation to attend Mass. Please consider all of this as you decide whether to attend. Each weekend’s Mass is available online for those who decide to remain home.
Wherever you are this weekend, I ask you to join with Msgr. Cesar and me in prayer. I know it is stressful to hear Florida continually mentioned in the news as a hot zone for infections. Yet, as I wrote a few days ago, Jesus still offers rest for our hearts, and we find that in prayer. If we seek wisdom, patience, and strength, God will hear us and sustain us. This is the blessing of faith.
Alleluia!
You are in my prayers,
Fr. Allan.
I am happy that Msgr Cesar Petilla will be presiding at all our Masses this weekend (Saturday, 4:00 p.m., Sunday, 7:00 & 9:00 a.m.). I have known the monsignor for many years, and I am excited that he is now part of the St. Joseph family. He is a wonderful speaker and—because he has served the Church in a variety of important roles over time—his guidance and care will thoroughly enrich our parish life. I look forward to working alongside him for years to come, and I know you will make him feel welcome.
Please remember that we are still limiting attendance at all Masses due to the ongoing pandemic. With this limitation last weekend, our 4:00 Mass was almost full. The same was true of our 9:00. So, if you came last weekend and are willing to wait to hear and welcome Msgr. Cesar, please feel free to stay home. The monsignor will understand, and others may be able to attend Mass inside the church instead of in the parking lot where we are prepared to serve those the church cannot accommodate. Also remember, Bishop Parkes has dispensed all Catholics in our diocese from the obligation to attend Mass. Please consider all of this as you decide whether to attend. Each weekend’s Mass is available online for those who decide to remain home.
Wherever you are this weekend, I ask you to join with Msgr. Cesar and me in prayer. I know it is stressful to hear Florida continually mentioned in the news as a hot zone for infections. Yet, as I wrote a few days ago, Jesus still offers rest for our hearts, and we find that in prayer. If we seek wisdom, patience, and strength, God will hear us and sustain us. This is the blessing of faith.
Alleluia!
You are in my prayers,
Fr. Allan.
Reopening Our Parish: A Message from Fr. Allan
May 14, 2020
My dear friends,
In Mass, we hear a eucharistic minister or a priest say the words “the Body of Christ” as we bow to receive the consecrated Host. Because we are Catholic, we understand that in Communion we are taking in the true presence of Christ. Yet how often do we think of the eucharistic minister or the priest standing before us as the Body of Christ, if in a different expression? We should, again, because we are Catholic. The Catechism of our Church teaches us that in Mass we are not only “gathered around him,” we are “united in him, in his body.” It tells us that “all members [of the Church] are linked to one another, especially to those who are suffering, to the poor and persecuted” (CCC, 789, 806). When we are conscious of these things, it is impossible to regard any celebration of a Mass as an individual experience. Mass is always fully communal. We receive the Body of Christ as the Body of Christ. Our faith is not fully understood and cannot be fully expressed unless we regard those gathered with us as part of us, and this not as a matter of doctrine, but as a matter of fact.
On Tuesday of this week, I met with a group of staff members and volunteers for the first time since the shutdown began. We met outside, masked and mindful of social distance. We were there to begin making plans to reopen our parish for the public celebration of Mass. I’m writing today to update you on these plans and to assure that mindfulness of our connection in Christ—awareness that we are the Body of Christ—underlies the decisions we are making. This means, as Scriptures teach, that our plans will reflect the idea that all of us must share the burdens of the weakest among us so that the weakest among us may share in our collective strength (1 Corinthians 12:22-26). In practical terms, this means that in our reopening—as it is directed to be throughout our diocese—certain policies will be in place that will allow the most frail and vulnerable among us to be sufficiently assured that they may safely participate in our liturgies. Some parishioners may not feel the need to be masked, but everyone will wear them. Some may not regard social distance as necessary, but everyone will maintain it. The suffering COVID-19 is causing is real, and concern about the possibility of infection is reasonable. So, we trust that our Church’s teaching about our relationship to each other in Christ—that, as a body, one should consider the needs of all and all should consider the needs of one—creates the common ground on which we can again gather to celebrate.
We are developing a measured, expanding plan that will begin with shorter liturgies, likely outside, and move toward a full Mass experience as circumstances in our state and our immediate area allow. We have tentatively set Monday, June 1, as the day we will reopen. We will confirm this date and announce times and other details soon. Until then, I ask for your continued prayers for our staff and the volunteer leaders who are now working out the necessary logistics. May God help us to be prudent, faithful, and wise.
We are concerned as we work, yet we are also excited. It will be good to be together again to hear Scripture and to experience the Eucharist, and it will be wonderful to know that our thoughtfully planned liturgies will be sources of comfort and encouragement, instead of more anxiety, at a time of ongoing global stress.
Thank you for your prayers. Please know that you are always in mine.
Fr. Allan
My dear friends,
In Mass, we hear a eucharistic minister or a priest say the words “the Body of Christ” as we bow to receive the consecrated Host. Because we are Catholic, we understand that in Communion we are taking in the true presence of Christ. Yet how often do we think of the eucharistic minister or the priest standing before us as the Body of Christ, if in a different expression? We should, again, because we are Catholic. The Catechism of our Church teaches us that in Mass we are not only “gathered around him,” we are “united in him, in his body.” It tells us that “all members [of the Church] are linked to one another, especially to those who are suffering, to the poor and persecuted” (CCC, 789, 806). When we are conscious of these things, it is impossible to regard any celebration of a Mass as an individual experience. Mass is always fully communal. We receive the Body of Christ as the Body of Christ. Our faith is not fully understood and cannot be fully expressed unless we regard those gathered with us as part of us, and this not as a matter of doctrine, but as a matter of fact.
On Tuesday of this week, I met with a group of staff members and volunteers for the first time since the shutdown began. We met outside, masked and mindful of social distance. We were there to begin making plans to reopen our parish for the public celebration of Mass. I’m writing today to update you on these plans and to assure that mindfulness of our connection in Christ—awareness that we are the Body of Christ—underlies the decisions we are making. This means, as Scriptures teach, that our plans will reflect the idea that all of us must share the burdens of the weakest among us so that the weakest among us may share in our collective strength (1 Corinthians 12:22-26). In practical terms, this means that in our reopening—as it is directed to be throughout our diocese—certain policies will be in place that will allow the most frail and vulnerable among us to be sufficiently assured that they may safely participate in our liturgies. Some parishioners may not feel the need to be masked, but everyone will wear them. Some may not regard social distance as necessary, but everyone will maintain it. The suffering COVID-19 is causing is real, and concern about the possibility of infection is reasonable. So, we trust that our Church’s teaching about our relationship to each other in Christ—that, as a body, one should consider the needs of all and all should consider the needs of one—creates the common ground on which we can again gather to celebrate.
We are developing a measured, expanding plan that will begin with shorter liturgies, likely outside, and move toward a full Mass experience as circumstances in our state and our immediate area allow. We have tentatively set Monday, June 1, as the day we will reopen. We will confirm this date and announce times and other details soon. Until then, I ask for your continued prayers for our staff and the volunteer leaders who are now working out the necessary logistics. May God help us to be prudent, faithful, and wise.
We are concerned as we work, yet we are also excited. It will be good to be together again to hear Scripture and to experience the Eucharist, and it will be wonderful to know that our thoughtfully planned liturgies will be sources of comfort and encouragement, instead of more anxiety, at a time of ongoing global stress.
Thank you for your prayers. Please know that you are always in mine.
Fr. Allan
Returning to Mass: A Message from Fr. Allan
May 6, 2020
My dear parish family,
Many of you have likely heard that Bishop Parkes has decided to reopen the churches of our diocese. You can watch his full statement by clicking HERE. His directive allows pastors to adjust schedules and work through other considerations in ways that reflect the needs of their communities, and I’m writing today to begin letting you know how we in the St. Joseph community will return to the public celebration of the sacraments.
Please understand that, as your pastor, the concern for the well-being of parishioners that caused our diocese to suspend Masses is foremost in my mind as we now move to reinstate them. The pandemic has not ended, and the broader resumption of business and social activity that is now underway may cause a spike in new infections and new cases of COVID-19. Mindful of this and mindful of the elderly and frail in our community, our steps toward public liturgies are going to be measured and deliberate. I am working now with our staff and volunteers to develop a schedule and procedures for our Masses, and I will bring those details to you soon. For now, please note that, while our bishop will allow parishes to offer daily Masses starting this coming Monday, May 11, St. Joseph will not reopen on that date. We will reopen soon, and I thank you for your understanding, patience, and prayers as we work now to help ensure your safety then.
It is poetic and comforting to me that, as my mind fills with questions and concerns about reopening, I am spending time with this weekend’s gospel reading. In it, Jesus reassures his disciples that, though he will soon be absent from among them, he is leaving to prepare a place for them. These words have created peace for me. They have created space in my mind to plan during this extended time of absence. They have even inspired me to make sure everything is ready for us to pray again within sight of each other. How beautiful that moment will be. Even with the distance that will remain necessary, we will again be gathered as the body of Christ sharing the body of Christ and filled with God’s love. We will again be the Church within our church, and I am thankful.
I am in prayer with you.
More soon.
Fr. Allan.
My dear parish family,
Many of you have likely heard that Bishop Parkes has decided to reopen the churches of our diocese. You can watch his full statement by clicking HERE. His directive allows pastors to adjust schedules and work through other considerations in ways that reflect the needs of their communities, and I’m writing today to begin letting you know how we in the St. Joseph community will return to the public celebration of the sacraments.
Please understand that, as your pastor, the concern for the well-being of parishioners that caused our diocese to suspend Masses is foremost in my mind as we now move to reinstate them. The pandemic has not ended, and the broader resumption of business and social activity that is now underway may cause a spike in new infections and new cases of COVID-19. Mindful of this and mindful of the elderly and frail in our community, our steps toward public liturgies are going to be measured and deliberate. I am working now with our staff and volunteers to develop a schedule and procedures for our Masses, and I will bring those details to you soon. For now, please note that, while our bishop will allow parishes to offer daily Masses starting this coming Monday, May 11, St. Joseph will not reopen on that date. We will reopen soon, and I thank you for your understanding, patience, and prayers as we work now to help ensure your safety then.
It is poetic and comforting to me that, as my mind fills with questions and concerns about reopening, I am spending time with this weekend’s gospel reading. In it, Jesus reassures his disciples that, though he will soon be absent from among them, he is leaving to prepare a place for them. These words have created peace for me. They have created space in my mind to plan during this extended time of absence. They have even inspired me to make sure everything is ready for us to pray again within sight of each other. How beautiful that moment will be. Even with the distance that will remain necessary, we will again be gathered as the body of Christ sharing the body of Christ and filled with God’s love. We will again be the Church within our church, and I am thankful.
I am in prayer with you.
More soon.
Fr. Allan.
A Message from Fr. Allan
April 26, 2020
My dear parish family,
The gospel for this weekend is the story of two disciples traveling to Emmaus who met someone along the way, a person who explained scripture to them and who broke bread with them. And, as you know, in the breaking of the bread that day, these disciples saw that they were with Jesus Christ himself.
This story is a fitting backdrop for news that I must bring to you now, news that gives me a heavy heart: After 12 years of faithful, loving ministry to our parish, Fr. Mathew will be leaving us on July 1 to return to service and life with his religious community in India.
Yes, I know. It seems this shouldn’t be possible, not now at least when so much of parish life is already so different. Stability is important in these months. We need constancy, not change. This is how I felt last week when the diocese brought me the news. I was—I am—so sad, and I'm aware that if I feel this way after just two years of knowing Fr. Mathew, you who have known him for over a decade now feel an even deeper sense of loss.
Yet this turn-of-events would have been difficult even if our world were not as stressed as it is. Transitions are never easy, even though our faith provides the comfort of knowing that God is by our side as he leads us. We humans are not usually far-sighted, and it is difficult for us to accept a new direction when we can only see a little way down the road. Change is uncomfortable because it asks us to rely on God—that is to say, on our faith—more completely. It forces us to become more deliberate in trusting that “Man proposes, God disposes.” Thankfully, change can also enable us over time to discover anew that following God’s purpose is life-giving, and this is how we must reconcile ourselves to Fr. Mathew’s departure. We must see how this development is good for him. He will be doing important work, and he will be closer to his family. I’m sure each of us understands how reassuring this will be, given what the world is confronting.
We are sad that our part of Fr. Mathew’s story is ending, but I know that you will join me in wishing him all the best as he moves on to the next chapter of his priestly ministry. As circumstances allow, we will plan a farewell get-together to express our appreciation collectively. Yet starting now, let’s all find our own way to tell Fr. Mathew that we recognize him as the Christ-like person we met along the way. Let’s thank him for being someone who week after week explained scripture to us and showed us Jesus in the breaking of the bread. Even in the short time I’ve known him, I’ve seen that Fr. Mathew is a good priest because he is a good person, and I know that we are all better people for the years we’ve shared.
As Fr. Mathew moves on to a new pastoral service, I am pleased to announce that Bishop Parkes has appointed Msgr. Cesar Petilla as our Parochial Vicar, effective July 1. I know you will join me in welcoming Msrg. Petilla with the warmth that is at the heart of the St. Joseph community.
Blessings and prayers,
Fr. Allan
My dear parish family,
The gospel for this weekend is the story of two disciples traveling to Emmaus who met someone along the way, a person who explained scripture to them and who broke bread with them. And, as you know, in the breaking of the bread that day, these disciples saw that they were with Jesus Christ himself.
This story is a fitting backdrop for news that I must bring to you now, news that gives me a heavy heart: After 12 years of faithful, loving ministry to our parish, Fr. Mathew will be leaving us on July 1 to return to service and life with his religious community in India.
Yes, I know. It seems this shouldn’t be possible, not now at least when so much of parish life is already so different. Stability is important in these months. We need constancy, not change. This is how I felt last week when the diocese brought me the news. I was—I am—so sad, and I'm aware that if I feel this way after just two years of knowing Fr. Mathew, you who have known him for over a decade now feel an even deeper sense of loss.
Yet this turn-of-events would have been difficult even if our world were not as stressed as it is. Transitions are never easy, even though our faith provides the comfort of knowing that God is by our side as he leads us. We humans are not usually far-sighted, and it is difficult for us to accept a new direction when we can only see a little way down the road. Change is uncomfortable because it asks us to rely on God—that is to say, on our faith—more completely. It forces us to become more deliberate in trusting that “Man proposes, God disposes.” Thankfully, change can also enable us over time to discover anew that following God’s purpose is life-giving, and this is how we must reconcile ourselves to Fr. Mathew’s departure. We must see how this development is good for him. He will be doing important work, and he will be closer to his family. I’m sure each of us understands how reassuring this will be, given what the world is confronting.
We are sad that our part of Fr. Mathew’s story is ending, but I know that you will join me in wishing him all the best as he moves on to the next chapter of his priestly ministry. As circumstances allow, we will plan a farewell get-together to express our appreciation collectively. Yet starting now, let’s all find our own way to tell Fr. Mathew that we recognize him as the Christ-like person we met along the way. Let’s thank him for being someone who week after week explained scripture to us and showed us Jesus in the breaking of the bread. Even in the short time I’ve known him, I’ve seen that Fr. Mathew is a good priest because he is a good person, and I know that we are all better people for the years we’ve shared.
As Fr. Mathew moves on to a new pastoral service, I am pleased to announce that Bishop Parkes has appointed Msgr. Cesar Petilla as our Parochial Vicar, effective July 1. I know you will join me in welcoming Msrg. Petilla with the warmth that is at the heart of the St. Joseph community.
Blessings and prayers,
Fr. Allan
A Message from the Pastor
March 18, 2020
My Dear Friends:
I’m writing to update you on actions that we as a parish community are taking in coordination with our diocese to help contain the spread of the coronavirus in our area. Your safety and health are my primary concerns as we confront the sobering and unsettling realities of this pandemic. I ask that you carefully read this letter and the letter from our bishop that follows, and I hope you will contact me through the church office if you have any questions at all. It is true that we are experiencing vast changes to the ways we live our lives, but it is equally certain that our entire church staff and I remain committed to provide whatever spiritual support we can to each of you for as long as this crisis endures.
In this spirit, I must now inform you that all Masses (daily and weekend) in all churches within the Diocese of St. Petersburg have been suspended until further notice. So that you may continue to offer prayer and adoration before the Tabernacle, our church will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every day. If you come to pray, I ask you to remain mindful of the guidance our civil authorities are providing: Please do not come if you are ill, and please always maintain appropriate social distance within the church.
In addition to your continued prayers, our parish needs your continuing financial support during this time to cover basic expenses and to preserve our staff so that we are prepared to resume public celebrations when the situation allows. I encourage you to mail in your offering or to give online. If you would like to set up a secure online giving account, please call the church office and we will assist you. The process is simple and, again, completely secure.
We will keep this website and our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/stjoezhills/) up-to-date with the latest information on our parish, and we will notify you when Masses resume. If you have not yet registered with Flocknote, please do so. It takes just a moment, and it will help ensure that our community stays connected (https://stjoezhills.flocknote.com/).
This severe moment that is unfolding throughout the world enables us to see the profound truth underlying the season of Lent: Life is fragile, and our flesh is weak. Yet scripture assures us in Psalm 46 that God is “an ever-present help in time of distress.” Let us then turn our hearts toward trust and faith in God and spend this Lent in prayer, fasting, and abstinence with deep awareness of all those suffering because of this virus. To help in this, we are adding a Lenten Meditations page to this website that can help you focus your reflection and intentions (click the tab above or click HERE to be directed to it). As we join our hearts in hope, I trust that we will be able to gather again soon to experience together God’s mercy, grace, and presence.
Yours in Christ’s Service,
Fr. Allan Tupa
My Dear Friends:
I’m writing to update you on actions that we as a parish community are taking in coordination with our diocese to help contain the spread of the coronavirus in our area. Your safety and health are my primary concerns as we confront the sobering and unsettling realities of this pandemic. I ask that you carefully read this letter and the letter from our bishop that follows, and I hope you will contact me through the church office if you have any questions at all. It is true that we are experiencing vast changes to the ways we live our lives, but it is equally certain that our entire church staff and I remain committed to provide whatever spiritual support we can to each of you for as long as this crisis endures.
In this spirit, I must now inform you that all Masses (daily and weekend) in all churches within the Diocese of St. Petersburg have been suspended until further notice. So that you may continue to offer prayer and adoration before the Tabernacle, our church will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every day. If you come to pray, I ask you to remain mindful of the guidance our civil authorities are providing: Please do not come if you are ill, and please always maintain appropriate social distance within the church.
In addition to your continued prayers, our parish needs your continuing financial support during this time to cover basic expenses and to preserve our staff so that we are prepared to resume public celebrations when the situation allows. I encourage you to mail in your offering or to give online. If you would like to set up a secure online giving account, please call the church office and we will assist you. The process is simple and, again, completely secure.
We will keep this website and our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/stjoezhills/) up-to-date with the latest information on our parish, and we will notify you when Masses resume. If you have not yet registered with Flocknote, please do so. It takes just a moment, and it will help ensure that our community stays connected (https://stjoezhills.flocknote.com/).
This severe moment that is unfolding throughout the world enables us to see the profound truth underlying the season of Lent: Life is fragile, and our flesh is weak. Yet scripture assures us in Psalm 46 that God is “an ever-present help in time of distress.” Let us then turn our hearts toward trust and faith in God and spend this Lent in prayer, fasting, and abstinence with deep awareness of all those suffering because of this virus. To help in this, we are adding a Lenten Meditations page to this website that can help you focus your reflection and intentions (click the tab above or click HERE to be directed to it). As we join our hearts in hope, I trust that we will be able to gather again soon to experience together God’s mercy, grace, and presence.
Yours in Christ’s Service,
Fr. Allan Tupa
An Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus,
I believe that you are present in the most holy Sacrament.
I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you in my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,
come spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already there,
and I unite myself wholly to you.
Never permit me to be separated from you.
Amen.
I believe that you are present in the most holy Sacrament.
I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you in my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,
come spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already there,
and I unite myself wholly to you.
Never permit me to be separated from you.
Amen.
To learn how to watch or listen to the Mass online, click here:
https://www.dosp.org/chancellor/directory/radio-and-tv-broadcast-masses/
https://www.dosp.org/chancellor/directory/radio-and-tv-broadcast-masses/
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Physical Church Address: 38710 5th Ave
Zephyrhills, FL 33542
Office Address: 5316 11th Street
Zephyrhills, FL - 33542
Phone - (813) 782-2813 Fax - (813) 788-1036
Mass Times
Weekday:
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 8:00 a.m.
Weekend:
Saturdays, 4:00 p.m.
Sundays, 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
Masks are required for every person in every service.
Please maintain proper social distance at all times.
Office Hours
Monday - 1:00 p.m. -4:00 p.m.
Wednesday - 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Closed for Lunch 12pm - 1pm
We allow one person at a time in our office lobby, and everyone must wear a mask.
If you are unwilling or unable to wear a mask, please do not enter our office building. Call us instead,
and we will assist you.
For information regarding any of our parish ministries or activities, please email our parish office at info@stjosephzephyrhills.org
Physical Church Address: 38710 5th Ave
Zephyrhills, FL 33542
Office Address: 5316 11th Street
Zephyrhills, FL - 33542
Phone - (813) 782-2813 Fax - (813) 788-1036
Mass Times
Weekday:
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 8:00 a.m.
Weekend:
Saturdays, 4:00 p.m.
Sundays, 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
Masks are required for every person in every service.
Please maintain proper social distance at all times.
Office Hours
Monday - 1:00 p.m. -4:00 p.m.
Wednesday - 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Closed for Lunch 12pm - 1pm
We allow one person at a time in our office lobby, and everyone must wear a mask.
If you are unwilling or unable to wear a mask, please do not enter our office building. Call us instead,
and we will assist you.
For information regarding any of our parish ministries or activities, please email our parish office at info@stjosephzephyrhills.org
Are you new to the parish?
Click on the link below to download a registration form. You can drop it in the collection at Mass, or bring it to the parish office.
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ONLINE GIVING
St. Joseph Catholic Church now offers Online Giving! Convenient. Easy. Secure. Sign up today. Click on the picture to learn more about this exciting way to give to God and His Church. |
