About St. Francis of Assisi · Seffner, Florida
St. Francis of Assisi is a Christ-centered, multicultural Roman Catholic parish in Seffner, Florida, in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Founded in 1987 by Fr. Christopher R. Fitzgerald, I.C., and since its inception served by the Institute of Charity (Rosminian) priests, the parish has grown to more than 800 registered families on a 20-acre wooded campus in the Seffner-Mango area of Hillsborough County. It is home to a vibrant Hispanic community along with English-speaking parishioners and seasonal visitors, offering daily Mass in English, a Spanish Mass weekly, perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, a food pantry and dinner ministry for the needy, faith formation for children, and an active youth ministry and Knights of Columbus council.
- Established
- 1987
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Rev. Paul Stiene, I.C.
- Diocese
- Diocese of St. Petersburg
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi welcomes parishioners and visitors into a multi-cultural community that worships in vibrant, spirit-filled liturgies and grows together through shared ministries. Daily Mass (English), a Saturday Spanish Mass, and a 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration Chapel offer rich opportunities for sacramental and devotional life. Beyond the church, the parish feeds its neighbors through a weekly hot dinner ministry and food pantry, forms children through K–8 faith formation, walks with high-school teens in youth ministry, and supports service through the Knights of Columbus, altar servers, extraordinary ministers, and home-bound ministry.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM
- By appointment during the week (call the parish office)
Adoration times
- Weekdays 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
- 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, open daily adjoining the sanctuary
Parish History
St. Francis of Assisi was established November 10, 1987 by Bishop W. Thomas Larkin of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, who appointed Fr. Christopher R. Fitzgerald, I.C. — a priest of the Institute of Charity (Rosminians) — as founding pastor. The first Mass was offered December 5, 1987 in a local shopping center storefront. The current church was designed for staged growth, with construction beginning in 1989 and additions completed between 1996 and 2014. Rosminian priests have shepherded the parish every year since its founding.
- Founded November 10, 1987 by Bishop W. Thomas Larkin
- First Mass December 5, 1987 (storefront); ~200 attended; 600+ at Christmas
- Ground broken for church/parish center March 12, 1989
- Staged additions from 1996 through 2014 (offices, classrooms, kitchen, social spaces)
- Three Rosminian pastors in succession: Fr. Fitzgerald, Fr. O'Neill, Fr. Bernavas; Fr. Paul Stiene is the current pastor
Our Campus & Grounds
St. Francis of Assisi sits on a tranquil, treed, 20-acre property in the Seffner-Mango area of Hillsborough County. Beyond the sanctuary, the parish maintains a 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration Chapel and, since 2019, Our Lady's outdoor Rosary Garden, an oasis for solitary and communal prayer.
- 20-acre treed property in the Seffner-Mango area of Hillsborough County
- 'Planned for growth' church and parish center (1989; additions through 2014)
- Adjoining 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration Chapel
- Our Lady's Rosary Garden (built 2019)
Mass & Worship Schedule
Daily Mass is offered in English Monday through Friday at 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM, with an additional 6:30 PM Spanish Mass on Thursday. Weekend Masses include Saturday Vigil at 4:30 PM (English) and 6:30 PM (Spanish), and three English Sunday Masses at 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, and 4:30 PM.
- Weekday Mass (English): Mon–Fri 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM
- Spanish Mass: Thursdays 6:30 PM
- Saturday Vigil: 4:30 PM (English) and 6:30 PM (Spanish)
- Sunday Mass (English only): 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 4:30 PM
Devotions & Other Services
Daily Rosary is prayed after the 8:00 AM Mass, and during Lent the parish offers the Stations of the Cross at 6:00 PM in English and 7:00 PM in Spanish. The parish also operates its two signature outreach ministries — the Wednesday Feed the Needy dinner and the on-site Food Pantry.
- Rosary after 8:00 AM daily Mass
- Stations of the Cross (Lent): English 6:00 PM; Spanish 7:00 PM
- Feed the Needy Dinner: Wed. 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
- Food Pantry: Mon/Wed/Fri 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Francis of Assisi is offered for children from kindergarten through 8th grade, with bilingual sessions: English Sundays during the school year from 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM, and Spanish on Saturdays 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM. K–1 uses a Pflaum liturgically-based program; grades 2–8 use the 'Blest Are We' series from RCL Benziger. Both are in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. First Communion is typically a two-year preparation starting in first grade; Confirmation is celebrated every other year, with immediate preparation for 8th grade and older. Adults preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, or First Communion are invited to contact the parish about RCIA.
- Faith Formation: K–8, Sundays (English) and Saturdays (Spanish)
- Curricula: Pflaum (K–1) and 'Blest Are We' RCL Benziger (2–8)
- First Communion: two-year process beginning in first grade
- Confirmation: every other year (next per parish: 2020; ongoing)
- RCIA for adults — [email protected]
Youth Ministry
The Youth Group is a ministry designed to minister to high-school teens, with the purpose of leading them closer to Christ. The parish also runs an annual Car and Talent Show, which raises funds for parish needs and projects and brings the wider community together on parish grounds.
- High school Youth Group
- Annual Car and Talent Show (parish fundraiser)
Liturgical Ministries
St. Francis of Assisi invites parishioners to assist at Mass and serve the home-bound as altar servers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and liturgical volunteers. The Music Ministry is led by Music Director Ramon Martos.
- Altar Servers
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (including visits to the home-bound)
- Music Ministry (Director: Ramon Martos)
- Liturgy Ministries — 'Being involved in liturgy is vital for the health and wellness of the St. Francis community'
Outreach: Feeding the Needy & Food Pantry
Outreach to neighbors in need is a signature expression of parish life at St. Francis of Assisi. The Wednesday Feed the Needy Dinner is open to parishioners of any age together with their families, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances, and runs weekly from 4:30 to 5:30 PM. The Food Pantry distributes assistance on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1:00 to 3:00 PM.
- Feed the Needy Dinner — Wed. 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
- Food Pantry — Mon, Wed, Fri 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Tender Care ministry
Knights of Columbus
St. Francis of Assisi hosts a council of the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic fraternal service organization. The council's chaplain is Fr. Edison Bernavas, I.C., with John Wilbur serving as Lecturer and the structure of Grand Knight and Trustees helping organize service to parish and community.
- Knights of Columbus council at the parish
- Chaplain: Fr. Edison Bernavas, I.C.
- Lecturer: John Wilbur
Parish Staff
Beyond the priests and deacon, the parish team includes administrative, formation, music, youth, communications, and facilities staff. The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Rev. Paul Stiene, I.C. — Pastor
- Fr. Alfred Kimaryo, I.C. — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Dai V. Mai — Priest in Residence
- Deacon Sam Puleo
- Cynthia McElhatten — Administrative Assistant
- Juanita Vega — Spanish Liaison
- Ramon Martos — Music Director
- Nancy Chee — Faith Formation Director
- Brian Pastore — Youth Ministry Director
- Janna Ahmed — Communications
- Carmen Claypoole — Facebook Administrator
- Donnie Amoroso — Facility Manager
Casa di Francesco — Senior Housing
Adjacent to the parish, the Casa di Francesco affordable housing community — a 140-unit development for residents aged 55 and older — was created in partnership between the parish, the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Catholic Charities, and Blue Sky Communities. The vision was originally inspired by the late founding pastor Fr. Chris Fitzgerald, who hoped to use church land to serve an aging population, and was brought to fruition during Fr. Edison Bernavas's tenure (2017–2024).
- 140-unit affordable housing for seniors 55+ on land adjacent to the parish
- Public-private partnership with Diocese of St. Petersburg, Catholic Charities, and Blue Sky Communities
- Vision of founding pastor Fr. Fitzgerald; realized under Fr. Edison Bernavas
- Official ribbon-cutting celebrated by Bishop Gregory Parkes
Visit, Contact, and Getting Involved
Parishioners and newcomers are warmly welcomed. Newcomers can register by completing and printing the Parish Registration Form on the parish website. The parish office is open Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM and can be reached by phone, fax, or email.
- Address: 4450 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584
- Mailing: PO Box 1218, Seffner, FL 33583
- Phone: (813) 681-9115 | Fax: (813) 689-4148
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
- Newcomer: complete Parish Registration Form on the website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Christopher R. Fitzgerald, I.C.1987–2011
Founding pastor; celebrated the first Mass on December 5, 1987 in a local shopping center storefront; broke ground for the current church on March 12, 1989; retired in 2011. Originally envisioned senior affordable housing on parish land, which would become Casa di Francesco.
- Fr. Michael O'Neill, I.C.2011–2017
Succeeded Fr. Fitzgerald; retired in 2017.
- Fr. Edison Bernavas, I.C.2017–2024
Third pastor; led the parish's partnership with Catholic Charities and Blue Sky Communities to develop Casa di Francesco, a 140-unit affordable senior housing community adjacent to the parish.
- Fr. Paul Stiene, I.C.2024–present
Current pastor per the parish staff page and Diocese of St. Petersburg parish listing.