Over the last few weeks, we’ve brought you our version of a “Rapid Friar Challenge,” where our friars try and answer as many questions as possible in 60 seconds. Who do you think will win? Watch below to find out.
Friar Henry
Fr. Ron
Fr. Mike
Fr. Zack
Fr. Stephen
Over the last several months, we’ve brought our Sunday Mass into your homes through Facebook Live, but we’ve been busy upgrading our cameras, our sound equipment, and the technology we use to bring you the very best viewing experience possible.
Now you can see our Masses through our Vimeo platform. Simply click here to view previous Masses or visit our Online Mass page to see our new Mass each week. We hope you continue to participate digitally with us at our new home, and if you have questions, visit our Vimeo FAQs for more information.
You may have seen some new faces here at Sacred Heart over the last few weeks! We are excited to announce our four new friars – Fr. Stephen, Br. Henry, Fr. Ron, and Fr. Mike. Watch their videos below to learn more about them, and make sure you welcome them the next time you see them at Mass.
Fr. Stephen Mimnaugh, OFM
Fr. Stephen is the youngest of four children of whom two brothers survive. Born in New Canaan, Conn., to the late John and Patricia Mimnaugh, the family settled in Simsbury, Conn., when Stephen was in second grade. Fr. Stephen earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and economics at the University of Vermont. After graduation, he completed a commercial-banking management-training program serving small and large commercial clients. Three years later he entered the diocesan seminary but later discerned that God was not calling him to the diocesan priesthood. Stephen transitioned into real estate finance and relocated to his adopted home of Philadelphia, where he remained until joining the Franciscans. He holds master’s degrees in urban policy from the University of Pennsylvania, theology and pastoral ministry from the Washington Theological Union, and social welfare from the City University of New York. His academic research focused on homelessness, supportive housing, public policy, and the role of community in poverty interventions.
Br. Henry Fulmer, OFM
I was born January 30, 1962, in Aiken, S.C. I was one of six children, born to the late Dorothy Lopez Ramos and Isadore Hartley and the proud grandchild of Henderson and Archie Mae Fulmer. I was baptized at St. Gerard’s Roman Catholic Church as a child, where I decided to answer God’s call to serve the church and God’s people. Though I was born in South Carolina, my family moved to Far Rockaway on Long Island in New York. I was raised there by my mother and consider Far Rockaway my home.
Fr. Ron Gliatta, OFM
Fr. Ron was born in New York City on Feb. 7, 1950. At a young age, he and his family moved to New Jersey where he lived for most of his childhood. Fr. Ron has a sister, Lorraine, who resides in Saddlebrook, N.J. As a child, Ron would fish with his father and grew to love deep-sea and fresh-water fishing. He is an avid animal lover, especially dogs. He enjoys theater , especially opera. However, it’s Fr. Ron’s passion and love for travel that has taken him all over the world. Among his favorite places are Rome, Australia, and Lourdes, France. As St. Francis said “The world is my cloister.”
Fr. Mike Jones, OFM
I grew up in Allegany, NY, which is home to St. Bonaventure University. My family came to Allegany in 1855, around the same time the Franciscan Friars came to establish the university. My family lived across the street from St. Bonaventure Church and the mother house of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany. The Franciscan sisters also run the Franciscan Center in Tampa.
I first went to St. Bonaventure Elementary School, then to Archbishop Walsh High School and graduated in 1983 from St. Bonaventure University with a BBA majoring in Management. I was fortunate to be educated by the Franciscan Friars and the Allegany Sisters.
At various times in my twenties I contemplated my vocation to be a Franciscan friar. In the Summer of 1994 I started as an affiliate in the Bronx, NY. In 1995 I went to the novitiate in Providence, RI. My novice master was Fr. Andrew Reitz, OFM who was here in Tampa many years ago. After novitiate I went to Silver Springs, MD where I studied at the Washington Theological Union (WTU). In 2001 I graduated from WTU with my Masters in Divinity. The same year I was also ordained in NYC.
For the past six years I have been at our parish in Anderson, SC. It is a small diverse parish with many wonderful parishioners. One of our main missions was to service the poor. We had a food pantry, we were active with the local soup kitchen, and also helped to create Clean Start, a place for homeless people to have a shower, wash their cloths, make phone calls, and receive their mail.
Over many years I have lived in NY, RI, CT, NY, MD, NC, and SC. Each place has offered many new growing experiences and ministries. It also has been wonderful living with various friars and meeting many new people. I look forward to my time in Tampa.
Saying goodbye is never easy, especially to one of our friars who has been with us here at Sacred Heart for over 13 years. But say goodbye we must, even during a pandemic.
SAVE THE DATE
We hope you’ll join us on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the North Campus Auditorium, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. for a social-distancing open house to honor Fr. George. Refreshments and light snacks will be provided, and we will limit the amount of parishioners in the auditorium at any given time. So drop by, say farewell, share a memory or two, and wish our beloved pastor all the best. We will certainly miss him!
SHARE A MESSAGE
Please join our Sacred Heart community in thanking Fr. George for his service, dedication, and friendship to our parish. We’re collecting notes, letters, photos, and videos at our Kudoboard below. Say farewell, share your favorite memory or two, and wish Fr. George all the best. We will certainly miss him!
A MESSAGE FROM FR. GEORGE
May the grace and peace of Christ be with you. It is hard to believe that it has been 13 years since I arrived here at Sacred Heart in Tampa. Back in 2007 I was expecting to be assigned to our Franciscan parish in Raleigh, NC. Tampa and Sacred Heart was not on my radar at all. Although perhaps it should have been! Afterall I was baptized at a Sacred Heart and in Kenya served for several years at Parokia Moyo Mtakatiu (Sacred Heart). They say good things come in threes, so perhaps I should have expected the assignment. What a blessing it turned out to be in my life, my life as a friar, and my life as a priest. Continue reading Saying Thanks and Farewell to Fr. George
Our Sacred Heart Business Manager, Larry Cabrera, walks us through some of the major projects and renovations we are undertaking during this period of quarantine.
Thank you for participating in Sacred Heart’s August 9th Online Mass, which we are streaming live during the Covid-19 pandemic. On this page you can find the Readings for the Sunday celebration as well as the Music for Mass.
Stay connected with us. Keep updated on parish news.
Thank you for participating in Sacred Heart’s August 2nd Online Mass, which we are streaming live during the Covid-19 pandemic. On this page you can find the Readings for the Sunday celebration as well as the Music for Mass.
This Sunday both Fr. Zack and Fr. George gave homilies that addressed race, prejudice and white privilege. Both have received emails of support and push back – as expected. Continue reading Racial Justice
Saturday Vigil Mass to Resume June 6th
Beginning this weekend, Sacred Heart will resume the celebration of public Mass on a modified schedule. Masses will be celebrated at the following times:
– 5:30 pm (Saturday Vigil)
– 7:30 am
– 9:30 am (and via livestream here)
– 11:30 am
– 5:30 pm
*The dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass also remains in effect.
Our Safety Measures in Place
Why the change in Mass times? The modified schedule is to allow ample time for the cleaning and sanitizing of the church after each Mass. The church will be open 15 minutes prior to each Mass and we ask that parishioners do not linger after Mass has ended to give us time to prepare for the next celebration.
Seating may be limited due to the configuration of our church pews and aisles. We are asking everyone to follow the ushers’ instructions, filling in the church from the front, and making room for as many as we safely can.
Please be advised that we are asking all parishioners to follow the below safety guidelines if you plan to come in person:
– Use the Florida Avenue main doors for entering and exiting the church, unless special assistance is needed via the Twiggs Street ramp.
– Sanitize your hands upon entering (and leaving) the church.
– Wear a protective mask/covering while inside the church building, except during the reception of communion.
– Follow the ushers’ directions regarding seating.
– Respect the 6-ft social distancing space between you and those not in your immediate household.
Please note that the communion routes will be significantly different, so be attentive to the announcements and instructions from our ushers. Also the bathrooms will not be available at any time during or outside of Mass and childcare will not be provided.
Visit our Latest News & Updates page for more information.
