About Sacred Heart Catholic Church · Pinellas Park, Florida
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg serving the Pinellas Park community in Pinellas County, Florida. Founded in 1955 and canonically established in 1956, the parish has grown from 114 founding families into a vibrant community that celebrates daily and weekend Masses, offers the Sacraments, runs an accompanying Catholic elementary school, and supports a wide network of liturgical, outreach, and youth ministries. The parish describes itself as graced by the Love of Christ and seeks to comfort the Sacred Heart in return through prayer, love, and kindness to neighbors.
- Established
- 1956
- Patron
- Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Bradley C. Reed
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saint Petersburg
Why belong here
Sacred Heart welcomes newcomers with daily and weekend Masses in English, weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays, a Saturday Reconciliation schedule, and a parish school on the same campus. The parish runs a deep bench of lay ministries — from the Knights of Columbus and Columbiettes to a Legion of Mary praesidium, a Funeral Consolation group, a Prison Ministry, and the parish-run His Heart Society food and clothing pantry — so anyone looking to put faith into action can find a place to serve. Its faith formation program walks children and adults together from baptism through Confirmation, including an active RCIA for those inquiring into the Catholic faith.
Mass times at Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 2:45pm – 3:45pm (English, also by appointment)
Adoration times
- Friday: 8:30am – 9:30am
- Private prayer in the Chapel: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm; Wednesday 9:30am – 5:00pm
Parish History
Sacred Heart Parish grew out of an earlier Pinellas Park mission that had been discontinued when St. Paul Catholic Church was dedicated in St. Petersburg in 1929. Mass resumed in 1951 at the Royal Palms Trailer Park, celebrated by Father Leo Paul Manning of St. Jude's, with retired Father Walter Mack and Father John P. Griffin serving the mission. By 1952 the congregation had grown enough to justify reestablishing Sacred Heart. Thirty acres of largely palmetto and pine swamp were acquired along 46th Way/46th Street North between 78th and 82nd Avenues, and Monsignor James J. Meehan broke ground on August 19, 1955. Father Griffin celebrated the first Mass on Christmas Eve 1955 in what is now the Parish Center (capacity 300). The parish was canonically established on September 29, 1956 with Father John F. Scully as first pastor and 114 families. A 600-seat addition was completed in 1959, and the parish school opened on September 1 of that same year.
Mass and Worship Schedule
Sacred Heart offers daily weekday Masses (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday at 8:00am; Wednesday at 8:15am), a Saturday Vigil Mass at 4:00pm, and three Sunday Masses at 8:00am, 9:30am (livestreamed), and 11:30am. A First Saturday Mass at 8:00am is also offered, followed by the Rosary. The parish invites those returning to the practice of the faith or seeking to grow in discipleship to join a weekend Mass.
Sacred Heart Catholic School
Sacred Heart Catholic School opened September 1, 1959 with 50 students in three grades and is now a Notre Dame ACE Academy within the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, serving roughly 175 students in Pre-K through 8th grade with a 20:1 student-teacher ratio. The school is located at 7951 46th Way North, Pinellas Park, FL 33781 (campus address) and can be reached at (727) 544-1106. The school's stated mission is 'putting students on the path to College and Heaven,' with core beliefs that 'God is good, Jesus is the center, and spirit of excellence.' A 'Saint for a Day' shadow program is available during the academic year for prospective K–8 students, and scholarships/financial aid are available.
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith Formation is led by Lisa Gunnin, the parish's Faith Formation Coordinator, and supports the sacramental life of children, youth and adults. Programs include Faith Formation K through 8, a Middle School Youth group, a High School Youth group, First Communion and Confirmation preparation, and adult formation via the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Volunteers are always welcome — the parish says prior teaching experience is not required and provides group and individual training, resources and a supportive staff.
- Faith Formation K to 8
- Middle School Youth
- High School Youth
- First Communion preparation
- Sacrament of Confirmation preparation
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Adult faith formation opportunities
RCIA — Becoming Catholic
The parish's RCIA program welcomes unbaptized adults, baptized Catholics seeking Confirmation, non-Catholics attending Mass with a Catholic spouse, and anyone interested in deepening their relationship with Christ in the Catholic Church. Inquirers are invited to contact Lisa Gunnin, Faith Formation Coordinator, at (727) 541-4447 or [email protected]; the parish emphasizes that an initial conversation does not commit anyone to anything.
Baptism
Baptisms for children under 7 are scheduled after parents complete the required paperwork and attend a Baptism Preparation Class, generally offered the first Saturday of each month at 9:30am in the Retreat House. Godparents must also attend a separate preparation class. For children over 7 and adults, Canon Law requires that baptism be celebrated together with First Communion and Confirmation, and the parish works with individual situations to plan proper preparation. There is no fee for the baptism, though an offering to support the parish's ministries is appreciated. Contacts: Deacon Peter Andre ([email protected]) for class registration, or Lisa Gunnin at [email protected].
- Baptism Preparation Class — first Saturday of each month at 9:30am in the Retreat House
- Godparent Preparation Class — same schedule
- Christian Witness Form required for non-Catholic godparent
- Birth certificate and completed registration form required
Catholic Wedding
Sacred Heart welcomes couples preparing for the Sacrament of Matrimony and provides a Marriage Book with parish guidelines and a preparation checklist. While the parish hopes engaged couples are or will become registered parishioners, formal registration is not required to be married at Sacred Heart. The Diocese of Saint Petersburg requires that the wedding date be set at least six months from the priest's first meeting with the couple. Initial contact is through the parish wedding coordinator at (727) 541-4447.
Outreach Ministries
Sacred Heart's outreach ministries live out Jesus' command to 'whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me' (Mt 25:40). The parish helps the needy through its on-site His Heart Society food and clothing pantry, visits the homebound and those in hospitals and nursing homes with Holy Communion, walks alongside the bereaved through the Funeral Consolation Ministry, supports local prisoners through a diocesan Prison Ministry, and sustains Catholic fraternal and Marian communities through the Knights of Columbus, Columbiettes and Legion of Mary.
- His Heart Society — food and clothing pantry, Tuesday & Thursday 9:00–11:00am (small red buildings on west side of main parking lot)
- Ministers to the Sick & Homebound — weekly Eucharist visits (Safe Environment training required)
- Consolation Ministry — rosary, funeral hospitality and follow-up support
- Prison Ministry — visits with diocesan team
- Legion of Mary — meets Monday mornings
- Knights of Columbus, Council 16929
- Columbiettes — women's parallel organization
Liturgical, Hospitality and Service Ministries
Beyond its outreach, Sacred Heart organizes Liturgical Ministries (serving at the altar and in the worship space), Hospitality Ministries (welcoming parishioners and visitors), Service to the Parish (volunteer roles that keep the parish running), and Small Groups for ongoing faith formation. Administrative Councils help steer parish life. The parish invites new volunteers to discover how their time and talent can support the mission.
Clergy and Parish Staff
The parish is pastored by Rev. Bradley C. 'Brad' Reed (ordained May 21, 2016), who serves as Pastor of both Sacred Heart Parish and Sacred Heart Catholic School, with Rev. Fr. Augustine Adjen assisting as Parochial Vicar. Three deacons — Deacon Peter Andre, Deacon Chris Jensen, and Deacon John Ustick — minister alongside them (the diocese lists Deacon John Ustick as retired). Lay staff includes Parish Administrator Tony Mazzelli, Receptionist Sr. Phyllis Shaughnessy, Property Technician Michael Scavelli, and Faith Formation Coordinator Lisa Gunnin. The parish office email is [email protected].
Visit, Contact and Parish Life
First-time visitors are warmly welcomed: the parish's homepage invites newcomers to plan a first visit and to join them for Mass. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00am to noon, with staff available by appointment at other times. Phone: (727) 541-4447. The mailing address is 7809 46th Way North, Pinellas Park, FL 33781. The church itself sits at 4661 82nd Avenue North, Pinellas Park, FL 33781, in the Central Pinellas Deanery of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John F. Scully1956 (founding pastor)
First pastor when the parish was canonically established on September 29, 1956 with 114 families. Launched the school building fund in early 1958 and oversaw construction of three classrooms and a convent, with the school opening September 1, 1959.