About Espiritu Santo · Safety Harbor, Florida
Espiritu Santo Catholic Church is a large, family-oriented Roman Catholic parish located at 2405 Philippe Parkway in Safety Harbor, Florida, in the Diocese of Saint Petersburg. Founded in 1960, the parish serves more than 4,100 registered families drawn from Safety Harbor, Clearwater, Oldsmar and Westchase, and is pastored by Father Leonard (Len) Piotrowski, V.F., with parochial vicar Father Theobald (Theo) Weria. Its current church, seating about 900, was dedicated in 1987, and on its campus sits Espiritu Santo Catholic School (PreK–8), which was named a U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School in 2019. The parish's name and ministry continue a story that began on Pentecost Sunday 1539 when Hernando DeSoto arrived on the shores of what he named Bahia Espiritu Santo — the Bay of the Holy Spirit.
- Established
- 1960
- Patron
- Espiritu Santo (Holy Spirit)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Leonard (Len) Piotrowski, V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saint Petersburg
Why belong here
Espiritu Santo is a large (over 4,100 registered families) but welcoming Pinellas County parish where newcomers, seasonal residents and longtime Catholics pray side by side. It offers one of the area's most generous liturgical schedules — six Sunday Masses plus daily Mass and a livestream — together with Saturday confessions, perpetual weekday adoration, an active OCIA/RCIA process for adults, youth ministry (YES), parish-life groups for men, women and seniors, and the nationally recognized Espiritu Santo Catholic School for PreK–8. The parish describes itself as 'a lively parish inviting all to worship, to celebrate and to spread the Joy of the Gospel,' and Fr. Len invites new faces to introduce themselves to him after Mass.
Mass times at Espiritu Santo
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM (in church)
- By appointment through the parish office (727-726-8477)
Adoration times
- Weekdays (Monday–Friday) 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM — Church open for prayer
Welcome from the Pastor
On the parish's welcome page, Father Len Piotrowski, pastor, and Father Theo, parochial vicar, greet visitors, seasonal parishioners and full-time members. Father Len describes Espiritu Santo as 'a lively parish inviting all to worship, to celebrate and to spread' the Joy of the Gospel, and invites newcomers to introduce themselves to him and the deacons after Mass. More than 4,100 registered families from Safety Harbor, Clearwater, Oldsmar and Westchase make up the community.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Leonard (Len) Piotrowski, V.F.
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Theobald (Theo) Weria, A.L.C.P.
- Parish School: Espiritu Santo Catholic School (PreK 3–8th grade)
Our History
Espiritu Santo tells its story as the fruit of a Catholic mission that began on Pentecost Sunday 1539, when Hernando DeSoto's expedition landed at what is now Tampa Bay and named the waters Bahia Espiritu Santo in honor of the feast day. Dominican Friar Luis Cancer arrived in 1549 and was martyred nearby — he is honored in the stained glass over the church's main doors. The first blockhouse mission at the springs was built in 1567 by Pedro Menendez.
- 1539 — Hernando DeSoto discovers Bahia Espiritu Santo
- 1549 — Fra. Luis de Cancer arrives and is soon martyred
- 1567 — Pedro Menendez de Aviles establishes a mission at Espiritu Santo Springs
- 1960 — The mission church of Espiritu Santo is established in Safety Harbor by Msgr. John McNulty, V.G.
- 1964 — First Mass celebrated in the original Espiritu Santo Catholic Church on Christmas Eve
- 1987 — First Mass celebrated in the present church (seats ~900)
- 2001 — Espiritu Santo Catholic School dedicated
Faith Formation and OCIA/RCIA
Espiritu Santo uses the phrase 'Faith Formation for All' — an ongoing, lifelong journey. Adults interested in becoming Catholic, baptized Catholics seeking Confirmation/Eucharist, or Christians entering full communion join the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA/RCIA) on Sundays after the 10:30 AM Mass for Breaking Open the Word and catechesis in the Gathering Room. Sue Sferra is the parish's Religious Education Director (ext. 1312, [email protected]).
- OCIA/RCIA Inquiry sessions — Sundays after the 10:30 AM Mass
- Religious Education — for school-age catechesis
- Bible Study & Adult Faith Formation program
Youth Ministry — YES
YES — Youth of Espiritu Santo — is the parish's youth ministry built around three pillars: Faith, Friendship and Service. The program gathers middle and high school students for formation, small groups, retreats, and service opportunities connected to the parish's outreach work.
- Pillar 1: Faith
- Pillar 2: Friendship
- Pillar 3: Service
Parish Life Ministries
Adult life at the parish is shaped by several lay-led groups that meet for fellowship, formation and service. Men of Espiritu Santo (MOES), Women of Espiritu Santo, and Seniors Plus (parishioners age 55 and older, under the direction of Deacon Dominic Friscia) all foster the parish's community life, and a Parish Gift Shop in the Parish Center offers devotional and sacramental items.
- Men of Espiritu Santo (MOES)
- Women of Espiritu Santo
- Seniors Plus (55+) — Deacon Dominic P. Friscia
- Parish Gift Shop — devotional and sacramental items
Outreach, Sick and Homebound
Two of the parish's deacons specifically lead the Outreach Ministry and the Sick & Homebound Ministry, supporting parishioners in need and those who cannot attend Mass in person. Additional deacons assist the parish in liturgical and pastoral roles.
- Deacon Vincent P. Alterio — Outreach Ministry
- Deacon John Alvarez — Sick & Homebound Ministry
- Deacon Greg Nash, Deacon Andrew Williams — assisting
Espiritu Santo Catholic School
Espiritu Santo Catholic School, dedicated in 2001 on the parish campus, serves students from PreK 3 through eighth grade and enrolls more than 400 students. In 2019 the U.S. Department of Education named the school a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence — one of a small number of Catholic schools in the nation so recognized. The school's philosophy centers on kindness, community, leadership and respect, nurturing body, mind and spirit. Tours are arranged through the School Office at 727-812-4650, and the school's own website is www.espirituschool.org.
- 2019 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
- PreK 3 through 8th grade
- 400+ students
- School Office: 727.812.4650
- School website: www.espirituschool.org
Clergy and Staff
The parish is pastored by Very Rev. Leonard (Len) Piotrowski, V.F., with Rev. Theobald (Theo) Weria, A.L.C.P., serving as parochial vicar. Five deacons — Vincent P. Alterio (Outreach), John Alvarez (Sick & Homebound), Dominic P. Friscia (Seniors Plus), Greg Nash, and Andrew Williams — assist throughout the parish. Sue Sferra serves as Religious Education Director.
- Pastor: Fr. Leonard (Len) Piotrowski, V.F.
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Theo Weria, A.L.C.P.
- Religious Education Director: Sue Sferra (ext. 1312, [email protected])
Visit, Connect and Contact
The parish invites visitors and newcomers to introduce themselves to Fr. Len and the deacons after Mass. The main office can be reached at (727) 726-8477 (fax 727-799-2062), and the parish maintains an active Facebook presence.
- Address: 2405 Philippe Parkway, Safety Harbor, FL 34695
- Phone: (727) 726-8477
- Diocese: Diocese of Saint Petersburg, North Pinellas Deanery
- Founded: 1960
- Facebook: /EspirituSantoCatholicChurch