St. Therese Byzantine Catholic Church
4265 13th Ave. North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33713 + 727 323-4022
St. Petersburg, Florida
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Prayerfully remember your offerings to the parish. All we possess has been given to us by our gracious God. You can give online one-time or set up a recurring weekly or monthly donation. Even if you make online donations, you may still use paper offering envelopes at any time. 

 

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Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

Welcome to St. Therese of Lisieux Byzantine Catholic Church! We are located in beautiful St. Petersburg, Florida. We are a parish of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic.  

We welcome all new members and visitors to our parish family. We hope you will become an active part of our parish community by participating in our spiritual and social life. We are delighted to welcome you here.

Please be sure and stay for our coffee social each week after the Divine Liturgy to meet new friends!

Father Bob Evancho

 

We are a Byzantine Catholic Church; a part of the Eastern tradition of the Catholic Church. We are under the leadership of our Holy Father, the Pope. The Sunday Obligation is fulfilled when worshiping with us.

 

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Parish History

 

Saint Therese Church was a hope and a dream for a group of Byzantine Catholics in St. Petersburg. For some time they worshiped in other places, but finally their prayers were answered. On December 20, 1964, they sang the first Divine Liturgy as a parish with their own home. At first they worshipped in what became the parish house; Father John Puskar was the first priest. Over a period of time, the parish grew and another building was constructed in 1973 which served as the church. Father Robert Ference was the priest at that time and the parish drew in new members. 

In 1982 the large Branthoover Center was built-a hall for meetings, classes, celebrations, and other events. Later, two Sisters from the Order of St. Basil the Great brought their dedication and skills to St. Therese Church.

In 1992, the present church of St. Therese was dedicated. This very beautiful jewel is a gift to God thanking Him for His mercies and goodness. It is also a tribute to the many devoted parishioners who worked so hard to bring this to pass.

Father Edward Cimbala was the priest who followed Father Ference. Presently, we are blessed to have Father Robert Evancho (and his beloved Samoyeds) with us. Our beloved Sisters of St. Basil the Great have all returned to the Monastery in Uniontown, PA. We thank them for their many years of service to St. Therese.

Our Patroness: When asked how the Western saint, St. Therese, came to be our parish patroness, it was explained that when a church was being planned in this area, there were no Byzantine Catholic Churches south of New Jersey. This was considered "mission territory!" St. Therese, being the patroness of missions, was chosen to watch over the new parish.

 

What People Say about St. Therese:

St. Therese has been a very special place for me. I first visited for a Moleben (prayer) Service for a pro-life group which was to have prayers and a procession.  Father Ed was the priest at that time and he welcomed our group. He celebrated the Liturgy for us and encouraged our efforts when few did. I was deeply moved by the sense of holiness and majesty of the Liturgy.

I came to St. Therese for a "learn about the Eastern Rite" weekend and was fascinated by the classes on icons, the Divine Liturgy, various customs, & the warmth of everyone in the parish.

This parish has felt like a family to me; it is small and warm.The Divine Liturgy surrounds one with a sense of stability and the nearness of the love of God. The Liturgy is celebrated with great seriousness. The voice of the cantor, John Magulick, lifts one away from earthly concerns to contemplation of the eternal. Thank you St. Therese!

-a parishioner

O Lord I believe and profess that You are truly Christ the Son of the Living God who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. Accept me todayas a partaker of Your mystical supper, O Son of God, for I will not reveal Your mystery to Your enemies nor will I  give you a kiss as did Judas, but like the thief I confess to You:

Remember me, O Lord, when You shall come into Your kingdom.

Remember me, O Master, when You shall come into Your kingdom.

Remember me, O Holy One, when You shall come into Your kingdom.

May the partaking of Your Holy mysteries, O Lord, be not for my judgement or condemnation, but for the healing of soul and body.

O Lord, I also believe and profess, that this, which I am about to receive,  is truly Your most precious body and Your life giving blood, which, I pray, make me worthy to receive for the remission of all my sins and for life everlasting. Amen.

O God, have mercy on me a sinner.

O God, cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me.

O Lord, forgive me for I have sinned without number.

Francis, Pope of Rome
Metropolitan William Skurla
Bishop Kurt Burnette
Our Lady of Perpetual Help

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