About St. Catherine of Siena · Clearwater, Florida
St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Clearwater, Florida, belonging to the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Founded in 1975 (with the founding pastor installed in 1976) to serve the growing Catholic population in the East Largo / High Point area of central Pinellas County, it has grown from a mission celebrated at the Largo Recreation Center to a parish of more than 4,000 registered individuals across 1,825 active families. The parish offers daily and weekend Mass in both English and Spanish, a full sacramental life, faith formation for children and adults, youth and young adult ministries, and a wide array of parish organizations including the Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, the Sisters of St. Joseph, and Hispanic Ministry.
- Established
- 1975
- Patron
- St. Catherine of Siena (14th-century Italian mystic, Doctor of the Church)
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. Robert F. Morris, Vicar General
- Diocese
- Diocese of St. Petersburg (North Pinellas Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Catherine of Siena welcomes all — long-time residents, newcomers, and visitors — to encounter Christ through the beauty of the Mass and the Sacraments. The parish offers a rich sacramental life with Mass in both English and Spanish, daily confession opportunities, perpetual adoration, and a thriving OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) program for adults entering the Church. With more than 40 active ministries — including faith formation, IGNITE youth ministry, 10:24 Young Adults, the Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, Hispanic Ministry, Siena House outreach, the Men's and Women's Emmaus communities, and Our Fiat women's scripture study — there are deep ways to grow in faith and serve neighbors in High Point and beyond.
Mass times at St. Catherine of Siena
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 3:50 PM
- Monday: 11:30 AM – 11:50 AM
- Tuesday: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Spanish/English confessions)
- Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 11:50 AM
- Saturday (1st Saturday of the month): 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
- Wednesday (per parish schedule): 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration is offered (per Diocese of St. Petersburg parish schedule)
Parish History & 50th Anniversary
St. Catherine of Siena was created in 1975 by Bishop Charles McLaughlin to serve the growing Catholic population of central Pinellas County. Originally identified as the East Largo Mission, the parish was named for the 14th-century Italian Doctor of the Church. Msgr. John Scully was installed as founding pastor in 1976, and after early Masses at the Largo Recreation Center, the first church was dedicated in January 1979. The parish is now preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025–2026, with an Anniversary Mass with the Bishop scheduled for April 19, 2026, at 11:00 AM.
- Founded 1975; founding pastor Msgr. John Scully installed 1976
- Original church dedicated January 1979 on Belcher Road
- 50th Anniversary Mass with the Bishop — April 19, 2026, 11:00 AM
- 50th Anniversary Reception to follow in the parish center
Architecture & Campus
The original 1979 church was renowned for its dramatic vaulted cedar-beam ceiling and a massive mosaic of the risen Christ created by artisans in Italy, with additional mosaics of the Five Joyful Mysteries and a statue of St. Catherine at the entrance. After decades of growth, a new sanctuary was built; groundbreaking took place April 27, 2008 and the new church was dedicated April 17, 2010. The original church was then converted into the Father Michael Finnegan Family Life Center, honoring the pastor who served from 1983 to 2005.
- Original 1979 sanctuary: vaulted ceiling, Italian-made mosaic of the risen Christ
- New sanctuary dedicated April 17, 2010
- Father Michael Finnegan Family Life Center in the original church building
- Nine-acre Belcher Road campus
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently shepherded by Rev. Msgr. Robert F. Morris, Vicar General of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. He is assisted by three parochial vicars and three assigned deacons, with the ongoing collaboration of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
- Rev. Msgr. Robert F. Morris — Pastor, Vicar General
- Rev. Pedro Zapata — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Andrew A. Pius Macha — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Mark (Drew) Woodke — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Eric Wells
- Deacon Francis (Frank) Averill
- Deacon Joe Zucchero
- Sisters of St. Joseph serving the parish
Pastoral Succession
Over five decades, St. Catherine of Siena has been served by a faithful succession of priests. Msgr. John Scully founded the parish in 1976 and led it until 1981; Most Rev. J. Keith Symons succeeded him briefly before becoming Bishop; Father Michael Finnegan served from 1983 until his death in August 2005; Father Kenneth J. Malley was appointed in January 2006 and led the building of the new sanctuary until June 2011; and Rev. Msgr. Robert F. Morris continues that legacy today.
- Msgr. John Scully (1976–1981)
- Most Rev. J. Keith Symons (1981–1983)
- Father Michael Finnegan (1983–2005)
- Father Kenneth J. Malley (2006–2011)
- Rev. Msgr. Robert F. Morris (2011–present)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Catherine of Siena serves children preparing for the sacraments of Baptism, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. The parish also offers a rich OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) program for un-baptized adults, baptized Christians of other faiths, and Catholics seeking the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation. Adult formation extends through Bible Study, Centering Prayer, the FIAT women's Lectio Divina program, and Men's and Women's Emmaus retreats.
- Faith Formation — Toni Hudock, [email protected]
- OCIA — Deacon Joe Zucchero, [email protected]
- Adult Bible Study — Sr. Kathleen Beatty, SSJ
- Centering Prayer — Susann Garcia
- Our FIAT women's scripture program — Karen Bosso
- Men's & Women's Emmaus
Youth, Young Adult & Family Ministries
Youth and family life are central to parish life. IGNITE High School Ministry meets on Sundays during the school year and hosts summer events for teens. 10:24 Young Adult is a community for adults in their 20s and 30s inspired by Hebrews 10:24. Family-related ministries include Baptism Preparation, Marriage Enrichment, and Sophia's Women of Wisdom.
- IGNITE High School Youth Ministry (Sunday gatherings)
- 10:24 Young Adult Ministry (ages ~21–39) — Ana Gutierrez
- Marriage Enrichment
- Baptism Preparation — Toni Hudock
- Sophia's Women of Wisdom — Cindi Chase
Hispanic Ministry / Ministerio Hispano
Hispanic Ministry is a vibrant part of parish life, with a regular Sunday 2:30 PM Spanish Mass and a Tuesday 7:00 PM Spanish Mass, plus bilingual (Spanish/English) confessions on Tuesday evenings from 6:00–7:00 PM. Fr. Amaro leads the ministry, supported by parish staff and Spanish-speaking volunteers.
- Sunday 2:30 PM Mass in Spanish
- Tuesday 7:00 PM Mass in Spanish
- Tuesday 6:00–7:00 PM bilingual confessions
- Hispanic Ministry leadership — Fr. Amaro, [email protected]
Outreach & Charity
Outreach is rooted in the parish's call to serve the High Point neighborhood and broader Pinellas County. Siena House, St. Vincent de Paul, and Pinellas Hope form the backbone of the parish's charitable work, supplemented by ESL classes offered in partnership with the Literacy Council of Upper Pinellas, Bereavement support, the Nurse Ministry, Warmth, and the Knights of Columbus.
- Siena House / Outreach — Sr. Rosamunda Massawe, CDNK
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — Greg Wayland (727-314-4968)
- Pinellas Hope
- ESL classes with the Literacy Council of Upper Pinellas
- Bereavement Ministry — Connie Cozzini
- Nurse Ministry — Cathy Kolinski
- Knights of Columbus — Bob Gibbia
Liturgical & Music Ministries
The Liturgy Committee, supported by Music Director Emily Shelburne, coordinates the celebration of Mass, including Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Sacristans, Altar Servers, Ushers, Hospitality/Greeters, Audio/Visual, and Quiet Angels (church cleaning). The parish also trains new liturgical ministers and supports a Liturgy Committee led by Deacon Rick Wells.
- Music Ministry — Emily Shelburne, [email protected]
- Liturgy Committee — Deacon Rick Wells
- Lectors — Aggie Palsha
- Altar Servers, Sacristans — Lora Wagner
- Ushers — Kevin Hoobin
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — Sr. Kathleen Beatty, SSJ
- Audio/Visual — Emily Shelburne
- Hospitality/Greeters — JoAnn Lalle
Parish Life, Councils & Fellowship
St. Catherine of Siena is governed by a Pastoral Council (Karen Delio) and supported by a Finance Council (Vincent Tenaglia, Leslie D'Elia). Parishioners gather around Coffee & Donuts, Legacy Society giving, and a wide network of small faith communities. A Parish Action Plan guides the parish through 2027 with goals in evangelization, sacramental life, and discipleship.
- Pastoral Council — Karen Delio
- Finance Council — Vincent Tenaglia & Leslie D'Elia
- Coffee & Donuts — Sr. Kathleen Beatty, SSJ
- Legacy Society — Leslie D'Elia
- Parish Action Plan with goals through 2027
Communications & Getting Involved
Parish communications are led by Mandy Westrich, Director of Communication & Parish Engagement ([email protected], ext. 101). QR codes installed in the pews link to a parish LinkTree with quick access to the bulletin, online giving, Mass readings, news, and more. The parish is also active on Facebook and Instagram.
- Director of Communication & Parish Engagement — Mandy Westrich
- QR codes in every pew linking to the parish LinkTree
- Online giving, weekly bulletin, and Flocknote communication
- Facebook: StCatherineofSienaCatholicChurch
- Instagram: @scos_parish_
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. John Scully1976–1981
Founding pastor; installed 1976. Oversaw the early mission years, construction, and the January 1979 dedication of the original church.
- Most Rev. J. Keith Symons1981–1983
Succeeded Msgr. Scully as pastor before becoming Bishop.
- Father Michael Finnegan1983–2005
Long and faithful tenure ended by his untimely death in August 2005. The original church was later renamed in his honor as the Father Michael Finnegan Family Life Center.
- Father Kenneth J. Malley2006–2011
Spearheaded the building of the new sanctuary; groundbreaking April 27, 2008; new church dedicated April 17, 2010.
- Rev. Msgr. Robert F. Morris2011–present
Current pastor and Vicar General of the Diocese of St. Petersburg; recipient of the 2010 Fr. Luis de Cancer Distinguished Priestly Service Award.