Storm Updates and Closures

Parish News

*This page will be updated as additional information is received.

Thursday, October 17 Update | Following the passing of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Friars and staff made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Fall Festival, out of respect for the time and availability of our volunteers and donors. We appreciate your understanding.

A special fall-themed Coffee & Donuts session will take its place, available in St. Francis Hall after all morning Masses on Sunday, October 27. Details can be viewed here.

October’s Giving from the Heart drive-through donation drive supporting families under the care of the USF Health Pediatric Infectious Disease unit and postponed from its original date of Saturday, October 12 will be held on February 8, 2025. The Wishlist remains available for this drive, and can be accessed by clicking here.

Saturday, October 12 Update | Bulletins for the Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time may not be delivered in time for weekend Masses. To view this week’s bulletin online, click here.

Friday, October 11 Update | A reminder that all ministry activities are currently paused until power is restored to the North Campus. Our standard Mass and Reconciliation schedule has resumed following the passing of the storm, including all weekend Masses for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Our OneBlood Big Red Bus visit on Sunday, October 13, will also move forward as planned.

Please click here to view a video update from Fr. Mike Jones, OFM.

Thursday, October 10 Update | Following a cursory inspection by our pastor, Fr. Mike Jones, OFM, of the church, friary, parish office, and neighboring gift store, Sacred Heart Catholic Church’s downtown campus is safe following the passing of Hurricane Milton. Minor leaks were observed within the church and parish office, but no structural damage is visible at this time, and power remains available. The scaffold in place along the front façade of the church for ongoing preservation projects remains intact.

  • The church will remain closed to the public today, Thursday, October 10, 2024.
  • The daily Mass and confession schedule will resume on Friday, October 11, 2024. Masses will be celebrated at 7 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. Reconciliation will be held at 11:30 a.m.
  • Weekend Masses will begin with the 5:30 p.m. Vigil on Saturday, October 12, 2024. Reconciliation will be held from 4:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday evening.
  • Sunday Masses for October 13, 2024, will be celebrated along the standard schedule, at 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., Noon, and 5:30 p.m.

Caretakers for Sacred Heart’s North Campus (formerly Sacred Heart Academy, 3515 N. Florida Avenue), observed windowpanes broken or missing along the northern and eastern walls of the kitchen and auditorium, as well as the second story of the former convent. It is also assumed the auditorium, kitchen, and library air conditioning units have sustained minor damage.

  • The campus is currently without power, and unable to host ministry activities.
    • The North Campus kitchen is home to Sacred Heart’s Hands of Hope homeless outreach, which provides weekly meals and supply kits to the unhoused in Downtown Tampa. The former convent is home to Bikes from the Heart, our parish ministry dedicated to refurbishing used and broken bicycles to donate to those with transportation needs.

Additional updates will be posted as they become available.

The friars of Sacred Heart are keeping all neighbors, both within their parish community and across the region, in their prayers as the process of recovery and healing begins.

Tuesday, October 8 Update | Following the 7 a.m. Mass on Tuesday, October 8, our church, North Campus, parish office, and the S.H. Gift & Book Store WILL BE CLOSED due to weather impacts related to Hurricane Milton. All parish activities, including daily Mass, confessions, and parish group meetings have been cancelled or adjusted through the evening of Thursday, October 10.

The following parish activities have been adjusted or cancelled due to potential impacts from Hurricane Milton. This includes:

  • Daily Mass | Tuesday at 12:10 p.m., Wednesday & Thursday at 7 a.m., 12:10 p.m. | Cancelled
  • Confessions | Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday at 11:30 a.m. | Cancelled
  • Sacramental Preparation Workshop | Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. | Cancelled
  • Choir Rehearsal | Tuesday at 7 p.m. | Cancelled
  • A.A. | Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. | Cancelled
  • Women’s Prayer Group | Wednesday at 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. | Cancelled
  • Family Faith Formation | Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. | Cancelled
  • R.C.I.A. Inquiry | Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. | Cancelled
  • SVdP Meeting | Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. | Cancelled
  • KOC Regular Meeting | Thursday at 6:30 p.m. | Cancelled
  • Men’s Prayer Group | Friday at 7:30 a.m. | Cancelled
  • Giving from the Heart | Saturday, October 12, from 9 to 11 a.m. | Postponed to February 2025
  • Open Doors | Sunday, October 13, at 6:30 p.m. | Cancelled
  • Fall Festival | Sunday, October 27 | Cancelled | Details on Special FF Coffee & Donuts

*Additional events, groups, and ministries may appear on this list at the situation develops.

Information about Catholic Schools and Diocesan Closures can be found here.

  • The Diocese of Saint Petersburg Pastoral Center will be closed until it can be deemed safe to reopen. The building sustained damage as high winds caused windows to shatter. There is also no power and no utilities. The area surrounding the offices also suffered damage such as home and business flooding, trees down, and property damage. 
  • All DOSP Catholic Schools and Early Childhood Centers will be closed on through at least Friday, October 11.

Additional Resources:

Prayer against Storms | from the Pieta Prayer Book
Make the sign of the cross when you see the (+) symbol.

Jesus Christ a King of Glory has come in Peace. + God became man, + and the Word was made flesh. + Christ was born of a virgin. + Christ suffered. + Christ was crucified. + Christ died. + Christ rose from the dead. + Christ ascended into Heaven. + Christ conquers. + Christ reigns. + Christ orders. + May Christ protect us from all storms and lightning. + Christ went through their midst in Peace, + and the Word was made Flesh. + Christ is with us with Mary. + Flee you enemy spirits because the Lion of the Generation of Juda, the Root of David, was won. + Holy God! + Holy Powerful God ! + Holy Immortal God! + Have mercy on us.

Amen!

Friday, September 27 Update (Helene | The church and North Campus sustained no visible damage during Hurricane Helene. The church, parish office, and the S.H. Gift & Book Store are open. Masses for this weekend (26th Sunday in Ordinary Time) will move forward as scheduled.

Those who are looking to assist in the local recovery are encouraged to consider a donation to the diocesan Disaster Relief Fund. For more information about how you can assist, click here.

For an update from the Pastoral Center regarding recovery and the status of our neighboring diocesan churches, click here.