About Holy Cross · Saint Petersburg, Florida
Holy Cross Catholic Church is a bilingual (English and Spanish) Roman Catholic parish in northwest St. Petersburg, Florida, within the Diocese of Saint Petersburg. The parish was canonically erected on February 15, 1965 from territory taken from St. Jude Cathedral and Sacred Heart in Pinellas Park, beginning with 238 registered families and meeting in the Dixie Hollins High School auditorium until its own church was dedicated in 1971. Today the parish serves the Pinellas County community from its campus at 7851 54th Avenue North with a full weekend and weekday Mass schedule, perpetual adoration, a robust youth ministry, OCIA/OCIC formation, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Knights of Columbus council and Columbiettes auxiliary, and ongoing outreach including a partnership with the Metropolitan Ministries Culinary Arts Program.
- Established
- 1965
- Patron
- Holy Cross
- Rector
- Very Rev. Emery N. Longanga, Ph.D., V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saint Petersburg (Deanery: Central Pinellas)
Why belong here
Holy Cross is a bilingual, neighborhood parish where daily Mass, perpetual adoration, and a strong sacramental life are woven into ordinary parish rhythm. Active members will find formation for every age — Kindle (elementary), CrossWalk (middle school) and Called to Greatness (high school), plus OCIA and OCIC for adults and children — alongside service through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Knights of Columbus and the Columbiettes, and a parish-partnered Metropolitan Ministries Culinary Arts program that trains students while feeding 600 Pinellas County families. The parish describes itself as 'Disciples of Christ, Welcoming, Accepting, Accountable, Growth-Focused, Humble and Community Oriented,' with a stated Discipleship Path (STARS) of Serve, Transform, Accept, Reach Out, and Share.
Mass times at Holy Cross
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday — 3:00 pm
- Wednesday — 6:00 pm (Bilingual English/Spanish)
Adoration times
- Wednesday — 8:30 am to 7:00 pm (followed by Solemn Benediction)
- First Friday — 8:30 am to 11:30 am (followed by Solemn Benediction)
- Chapel open for adoration and private prayer every day — 8:00 am to 5:30 pm
Parish Identity & Mission
Holy Cross Catholic Church describes itself as 'dedicated to building a community of disciples' and 'a church of living stones nurtured by the Eucharist,' with a vision to foster discipleship through small groups for sharing and growing in the love of Christ and neighbor. The parish lists its core values as being Disciples of Christ, Welcoming, Accepting, Accountable, Growth-Focused, Humble and Community Oriented.
- Stated values: Disciples of Christ, Welcoming, Accepting, Accountable, Growth-Focused, Humble, Community-Oriented
- Discipleship Path (STARS): Serve, Transform, Accept, Reach Out, Share
- Commitment areas: Weekend Liturgy Experience, Hospitality Ministries, Outreach, Music, Presentation of Christ's Message
- Parish Prayer: 'Lord Jesus Christ, You call us to build your Church, not of brick and mortar, but of living stones…'
History of Holy Cross
The parish was canonically erected on February 15, 1965 from territory taken from St. Jude Cathedral and Sacred Heart in Pinellas Park, beginning with 238 families on ten acres at 54th Avenue North and 79th Street North. For its first six years the community worshipped in the Dixie Hollins High School auditorium; the present church was dedicated by Bishop Charles McLaughlin on April 18, 1971 after a groundbreaking on February 15, 1970.
- Oct 1964 — Fr. John P. Lawler appointed Administrator of the Mission of Holy Cross
- Feb 15, 1965 — Parish canonically erected by Archbishop Joseph Hurley (Diocese of St. Augustine)
- March 7, 1965 — First Mass at Dixie Hollins High School; CCD grades 2–12 held there
- Feb 15, 1970 — Groundbreaking for new church (Bishop Charles McLaughlin)
- April 3, 1971 — First Mass in the new church (Fr. Michael Madden)
- April 18, 1971 — Dedication of the church (Bishop McLaughlin)
- Sept 18, 1981 — Groundbreaking for the parish center on the parish's feast day (Bishop W. Thomas Larkin)
- 1986 — Parish boundaries trimmed; St. Matthew parish founded
Clergy & Staff
Holy Cross is served by a pastor, three assigned/permanent deacons, and a parish staff of coordinators for faith formation, baptisms, music, altar servers, finance, and administration/communications. The pastor holds the additional title V.F. (Vicar Forane), indicating his role as dean within the diocese.
- Very Rev. Emery N. Longanga, Ph.D., V.F. — Pastor (10th pastor)
- Deacon Carlos Martinez — Assigned
- Deacon William (Bill) DeLiberis — Assigned
- Deacon Mike Waters — Pastoral Associate & Permanent Deacon
- Mr. Guillermo Lopez — Parish Business Manager
- Mrs. Blanca Velazquez — Coordinator of Faith Formation
- Ms. Marie Meza — Coordinator of Baptisms
- Mrs. Michele Williams — Administration & Communications
- Mr. Matt Sisco — Finance
- Clara McCarthy — Music (English)
- Vincente Vazquez — Music (Spanish)
- Isabella Carrera — Altar Servers
- Milagros Haylock — Baptism Preparation
- Larry LaPointe — Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Faith Formation
Faith Formation at Holy Cross covers the full sacramental journey from childhood through adulthood. Children begin in Sunday School and move through sacramental preparation for First Holy Communion and Confirmation; adults and older children enter the Church through OCIA and OCIC.
- Sunday School — foundational Catholic teaching for children
- First Holy Communion preparation
- Confirmation preparation (with sponsor eligibility / sponsor requirements forms)
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (for unbaptized, baptized Christians, and uncatechized Catholic adults)
- OCIC — Order of Christian Initiation of Children
- Coordinator: Blanca Velazquez ([email protected])
Youth Ministry — Kindle, CrossWalk & Called to Greatness
The youth ministry serves as a continuation of faith formation after Confirmation, framed by the parish belief that 'the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is not the endpoint but the beginning of a lifelong journey.' Programs are tiered by age, with service projects woven throughout the year so young people can tangibly express their faith.
- Kindle — interactive foundational program for elementary students
- CrossWalk — in-depth exploration for middle school students
- Called to Greatness — space for profound reflection and engagement for high school students
- Year-round service projects for youth
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
Holy Cross welcomes adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. The parish serves the unbaptized (catechumens), Christians baptized in another tradition (candidates for full communion), and baptized-but-uncatechized Catholic adults, with formation typically culminating at the Easter Vigil.
- Stage 1 — Precatechumenate (period of inquiry)
- Stage 2 — Catechumenate, marked by the Rite of Acceptance / Rite of Welcoming
- Stage 3 — Purification & Enlightenment during Lent, marked by scrutinies and the Rite of Election
- Stage 4 — Mystagogy (post-baptismal catechesis, through the Easter season and beyond)
- Contact: Blanca Velazquez ([email protected])
Sacraments
The parish prepares members for the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage, and offers regular opportunities for Confession and the Anointing of the Sick. OCIA and OCIC provide initiation for adults and children entering the Church.
- Baptism — interview session and family preparation; Coordinator: Ms. Marie Meza
- First Holy Communion & Confirmation — through Faith Formation
- Confession — Sat 3:00 pm; Wed 6:00 pm (bilingual)
- Anointing of the Sick — First Friday Masses at 12:00 pm (English) and 7:00 pm (Spanish)
- Marriage — contact the parish office
Outreach & Service
Service is one of the five commitments of the parish and one of the five marks of its STARS discipleship path. The flagship outreach is the parish's partnership with the Metropolitan Ministries Culinary Arts Program, which trains students out of the Parish Center Kitchen while preparing meals for 600 Pinellas County families.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul — one-on-one service to those in need; contact Larry LaPointe ([email protected])
- Metropolitan Ministries Culinary Arts Program — hosted at the Parish Center Kitchen
- Knights of Columbus Council — formed 2009 by Fr. Paul Kochu with Randolph Dolce, PGK
- Columbiettes — auxiliary organization established in 2010 under Fr. John D'Antonio
- Youth service projects throughout the year
Worship (Music) Ministry
The music ministry supports both English and Spanish liturgical celebrations, reflecting the parish's bilingual character. The parish has posted a part-time Director of Music position with the diocese, signaling ongoing investment in liturgical music.
- English choir / music contact — Clara McCarthy ([email protected])
- Spanish choir / music contact — Vincente Vazquez ([email protected])
- Role: unite the congregation in sung prayer and uphold liturgical guidelines
Altar Servers
Open to boys and girls from third grade through high school, as well as young adults and seniors, the altar server ministry assists the priest and deacon at the altar at Mass and other sacraments. Training is provided and registration opens each fall and spring.
- Eligibility: 3rd grade through high school, plus young adults and seniors
- Training provided
- Contact: Isabella Carrera ([email protected])
Parish Life & Community Events
Beyond Mass and formation, Holy Cross runs a regular cadence of community-building events that bring parishioners together, including the Monthly Family Mass, Coffee & Donuts fellowship, the monthly Building Fund collection, and the long-running Monday night BINGO fundraiser in the air-conditioned, handicapped-accessible parish center.
- Monthly Family Mass — first Sunday at 10:00 am (October–May)
- Coffee & Donuts
- Building Fund — 2nd Sunday of each month
- BINGO Mondays — doors open 4:00 pm, games 5:30 pm; 47 prizes; $12 minimum; snacks for sale
Facilities & Campus
The 10-acre campus at 54th Avenue North and 79th Street North includes the 1971-dedicated church, a parish center (groundbreaking on the parish's feast day, September 18, 1981), a Parish Center Kitchen that now hosts the Metropolitan Ministries Culinary Arts Program, and the Divine Mercy Chapel — a former children's chapel renovated into a full chapel under Fr. Emery Longanga.
- Main church — dedicated April 18, 1971
- Parish Center — groundbreaking September 18, 1981 (feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross)
- Divine Mercy Chapel — renovated under Fr. Emery Longanga; used for daily Mass, Wednesday exposition, and private adoration
- Handicapped-accessible, air-conditioned Parish Center
Visit & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach the office by phone, email, or in person during posted office hours. The parish is in Pinellas County in the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, located in the northwest section of St. Petersburg near Pinellas Park.
- Address: 7851 54th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33709-2398
- Phone: (727) 546-3315
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 am–3:30 pm; Fri 8:30 am–12:00 pm; Sat/Sun closed
- Diocese: Diocese of Saint Petersburg (Deanery: Central Pinellas)
- Pastor email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Father John P. LawlerOct 1964 – Feb 1965 (Administrator)
Appointed Administrator of the Mission of Holy Cross before it was canonically erected.
- Rev. Father Michael Madden1970 – c.1973 (pastor)
Celebrated the first Mass in the newly built church on April 3, 1971.
- Rev. Father Frank MouchMarch 1973 – March 1974
Third pastor; developed religious education during a turbulent time in the early 1970s.
- Rev. Father Bernard CaverlyMarch 1974 – June 1976
Fourth pastor; began construction of the parish office in autumn 1974. Later became rector of the cathedral.
- Rev. Father Patrick IrwinJune 1976 – c.1991
Fifth pastor; ten-year tenure during which the parish grew to about 2,600 families. Parish center groundbreaking held on his watch in 1981.
- Rev. Father Robert L. SchaeufeleJune 1991 – c.2001
Sixth pastor; led the parish through the 1986 boundary trimming that created St. Matthew parish.
- Rev. Father Thomas J. AnastasiaJuly 2001 – c.2007
Seventh pastor; oversaw renovation that added a children's chapel and a new St. Vincent de Paul food pantry.
- Rev. Father Paul KochuJune 2007 – c.2010
Eighth pastor; a former associate under Father Schaeufele. Painted parish center, new floors, landscaping; began Knights of Columbus council in 2009.
- Rev. Father John D'AntonioJuly 2010 – c.2017 (installed Sept 25, 2010)
Ninth pastor. Columbiettes established in 2010.
- Rev. Father Emery N. Longanga, Ph.D., V.F.Parochial Vicar July 1, 2017; Administrator April 2017; Pastor installed October 2018 – present
Tenth pastor. Led renovation of the children's chapel into the Divine Mercy Chapel.