Sacred Heart Church. Dedicated to the Greater Glory of God. A Franciscan Parish serving parishioners, visitors, and the local business community.
A Word from Fr. Michael P. Jones, OFM, pastor of Sacred Heart Church…
On behalf of the friars and our entire Sacred Heart family, I’d like to extend a very warm welcome to you. We’re so glad you chose to join our historic, dynamic, and thriving Catholic community here in downtown Tampa. Whether you’re new to the Tampa area, returning to the Church, or seeking a deeper relationship with God, know that you are already an important member of our Body of Christ.
For those that are new to the area, you may be surprised to hear that our parish has been in existence since the 1850s, first as St. Louis Parish and then, beginning in 1905 as Sacred Heart, when our current church building was dedicated. During that time (more than century!), Sacred Heart has stood as a place where hearts are formed, families are strengthened, and Christ’s presence is felt in the quiet, the joyful, and the sacred moments we share.
Through engaged parishioners like you, we seek to cultivate a vibrant community of faith by creating meaningful connections with both God and each other. And through those meaningful connections, our vision is to be the faith-filled heartbeat of Tampa, welcoming one another, supporting each other, and modeling Christ’s love to all those we meet.
We invite you to explore the many ways you can get involved here at Sacred Heart, whether that’s through attending Mass, joining a ministry, volunteering through our outreach programs, or simply connecting with your fellow parishioners at one of our many events and activities. All of this information (and more) can be found on our website. Feel free to explore our site or reach out to any of our staff members or ministry leaders for more information. They are all eager to help you on your faith journey.
We hope your experience with us here at Sacred Heart is a fulfilling and joyful one. Thank you again for joining us and helping us carry forward the traditions that make Sacred Heart a home (and family) for so many.
Pax et bonum*,
Father Michael P. Jones, OFM
Pastor of Sacred Heart
*”Pax et bonum” is a Latin phrase meaning “Peace and All Good,” famously used by St. Francis of Assisi as a greeting, a farewell, and a cornerstone of Franciscan spirituality.