Advent & Christmas Schedule

Safety Guidelines

Please note: As we continue to monitor changes in our area regarding COVID-19 and the omicron variant, Sacred Heart will have the following items/protocols in place for the 2021 Christmas Season:

• Sanitizing stations will be available at every entrance/exit of the church.
• Protective masks are recommended while inside the church building, North Campus, or any area where crowds have the potential to gather, except when receiving Communion.
  • Masks will be available for those who would like them in the back of the church.
• Communion will be distributed in the hand only.

Bishop Parkes has removed the General Dispensation from attending Mass beginning May 22-23, 2021.
To read his letter, click here.

Christmas Eve and Day Parking 2021 Update:

717 Parking has graciously donated the use of their two lots adjacent to our church for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2021:

• 717 Parking L17 (421 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33602)
• 717 Parking L18 (500 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33602)

We would like to thank our friends at 717 Parking for their gift of convenience and accessibility for our parishioners and visitors this Christmas.

Normal use of these lots will resume on Sunday Dec. 26,  requiring payment of the posted parking fee.

Live Streaming

Three Masses will be streamed live for those who are unable to join us in-person this Christmas.

Click Here for the 2021 Christmas Live Stream Page

Both the 4 p.m. Family – and – 11 p.m. Night Mass will be streamed on Christmas Eve. These broadcasts will begin 30 minutes prior to each Mass, to include festive offerings from our musicians and choirs. On Christmas Day, our 9 a.m. Mass will be streamed.

If you can’t join at these specific times, the livestream videos will be available to view 15-30 minutes following the conclusion of each Mass.

Support Sacred Heart During the Season of Giving

Advent is upon us, and so too is the proverbial Season of Giving, where many of us look for opportunities to emulate God’s gift to the world though the birth of Christ with our own charitable efforts. Sacred Heart has a number of ministries that already benefit from the time, talent, and generosity of its parishioners, and will continue to rely on that spirit of Christmas this Advent. This Christmas, we encourage those who are able to consider giving toward the parish’s current 2021 Annual Pastoral Appeal shortfall.

How to give toward Sacred Heart’s 2021 APA Assessment:

– APA Envelopes: You can pick one up in the back of the church and drop into the collection basket at Mass.

– Online Giving: Simply select the option of “Ongoing Diocesan Support (APA)” and enter your contribution amount.

– PayPal: Click on or scan this QR code with your device.

Poinsettias: A Sacred Heart Christmas Tradition Continues

Remember a loved one during the Christmas season with a poinsettia used to decorate our sanctuary. A long-standing Sacred Heart tradition, each plant that you see has been given in remembrance or honor of loved ones whose names will be memorialized online.

Historic Christmas Tour of Sacred Heart Church | 12/27/21 | 3 p.m.

Join the Docents of Sacred Heart on Monday, Dec. 27 at 3pm for an historic Christmas tour of our Church. Decorated splendidly for the Christmas season, including the historic “creche”, the tour of the church will include multiple stations featuring our docents, in period dress, and special guests explaining extraordinary features of the church including:

— the motivation behind the significant donation of the altar and altar rail
— unique architecture and design elements
— original relics that were obtained for the dedication of the church in 1905
— memorial stained glass windows
— renovations to improve and sustain our church

Learn about these and so many more interesting aspects of this ecclesiastical jewel of downtown Tampa. As always, docent-led lecture and tours are free, and open to the public. Donations are gratefully accepted and used to continue the renovation and restoration of the church.