About St. Mark the Evangelist · Tampa, Florida
St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church is a large, multicultural Roman Catholic parish in the New Tampa area of Tampa, Florida, founded in 1996 in the Diocese of St. Petersburg. The parish serves more than 3,800 registered families and worships in a striking 35,000-square-foot sanctuary dedicated in 2015 that seats 1,325 and features an imported 13-foot crucifix, Italian artwork, and a step-down baptismal font. It offers a full sacramental life including daily and Sunday Mass (with a Spanish Mass each Sunday), perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the Miraculous Medal Novena, faith formation for every age, an active youth ministry (BEACON and Lighthouse 2:42), and an affiliated on-site Catholic school recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for 2024–2027.
- Established
- 1996
- Patron
- St. Mark the Evangelist
- Rector
- Rev. Richard Jankowski
- Diocese
- Diocese of St. Petersburg
Why belong here
St. Mark the Evangelist is a large, multicultural, multi-generational parish that warmly welcomes newcomers at every Mass — parishioners and former pastor Father DeJulio alike describe being greeted by four or five people before reaching the pew. Beyond Sunday obligation, the parish runs daily Mass, a weekly Spanish Mass, perpetual-style adoration of the Blessed Sacrament several days a week, a Thursday-evening Miraculous Medal Novena in the chapel, and an active OCIA (RCIA) process for adults exploring the faith. With dozens of ministries — youth programs (BEACON middle school, Lighthouse 2:42 high school, YDisciple small groups), a Catholic school recognized as an Apple Distinguished School, a nursing-home ministry, a Stewardship Commission that hosts an annual International Festival, and a converted Family Life Center now serving as a community banquet hall — there are genuine, concrete ways to plug in regardless of age or language.
Mass times at St. Mark the Evangelist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:00 PM - until the last penitent is heard (ends about 3:45 PM; or by appointment)
- Sunday 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM (in Spanish)
- Sundays and weekdays: by appointment
- Parish Lenten Night of Reconciliation (annually, in the evening)
Adoration times
- Sunday: 7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
- Monday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 8:30 PM (1st Wed of month 9 AM - 7 PM with Night Prayer & Benediction at 7:30 PM; 3rd Wed of month 4 PM - 8 PM with Benediction at 8 PM)
- Thursday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Saturday: 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
- Daily Chapel accessible 24 hours a day (with 225-seat overflow accessible by removable glass partition)
About St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Parish
St. Mark the Evangelist is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of St. Petersburg that serves more than 3,000-3,800 families in the New Tampa / Tampa Palms area of Hillsborough County. The parish combines daily Mass, a Sunday Spanish Mass, perpetual-style adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, a Catholic school, and a large multicultural parish life in the same New Tampa campus on Cross Creek Boulevard.
- Roman Catholic parish, Diocese of St. Petersburg
- Established 1996 (founding pastor: Msgr. Austin Mullen)
- More than 3,800 registered families
- Located in New Tampa, Hillsborough County, FL
- On-site Catholic elementary school (Apple Distinguished School)
History & Founding
From a 50-person storefront Mass in the City Plaza shopping center off Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in 1996 to a sanctuary of nearly 1,550 seats in 2015, St. Mark has grown hand-in-hand with the development of New Tampa. The diocese purchased the property in January 1993; that same year money from the land deal funded a bridge over the creek that allowed Cross Creek Boulevard to be extended. The parish's sanctuary was dedicated June 6, 2015 by Bishop Robert Lynch.
- Jan 1993: Diocese closes on the Cross Creek Blvd land; bridge built.
- 1996: Parish officially established; Msgr. Austin Mullen named founding pastor.
- 1996-97: First Masses in Tampa Palms City Plaza storefront.
- Mar 28-30, 1997: Good Friday and Easter Mass held in a tent on the parish property.
- May 19, 1997: First First Communions.
- Apr 11, 1998: First Sacrament of Confirmation.
- Mar 5, 2000: Family Life Center groundbreaking.
- Dec 23, 2000: Family Life Center dedicated by Bishop Lynch.
- 2003-2019: Father David DeJulio serves as second pastor; parish grows from ~2,100 to 3,500+ families.
- Mar 2009: Family Life Center building debt retired.
- Jun 6, 2015: New sanctuary ($10.1 million, 35,000 sq. ft.) dedicated by Bishop Lynch.
- Jul 1, 2019: Father Richard Jankowski arrives as the third pastor.
Pastoral Leadership
The parish has had three pastors in its 30-year history: founding pastor Msgr. Austin Mullen (1996-2003), Father David DeJulio (2003-2019), and current pastor Father Richard Jankowski (2019-present), with Deacon Frank Cavaliere shepherding the parish in 2002-2003 between Msgr. Mullen and Father DeJulio. The pastoral team also includes a parochial vicar, a priest in residence, five assigned/retired deacons, and lay staff (Pastoral Associate, Director of Faith Formation, Director of Evangelization, Music Director, Office Manager).
- Pastor: Rev. Richard Jankowski
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Cosmas O. Amadi
- In Residence: Rev. Jose George
- Deacon Hector Rios (Assigned; also coordinator of Youth Ministry)
- Deacon Scott Paine (Assigned; Director of Evangelization; Sacramental Preparation)
- Deacon Jose Moronta (Assigned; ordained 2009 from the parish)
- Deacon Michael Kopczynski (Assigned)
- Deacon Moises Gutierrez (Retired)
Mass & Liturgical Schedule
The parish celebrates four English weekend Masses, one Spanish Mass, daily Mass Monday through Friday, and a full program of Liturgy of the Hours, Rosary, and Chaplet of Divine Mercy. The new daily chapel seats 225 and is open 24 hours a day for personal prayer before the tabernacle.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:30 AM (English), 10:30 AM (English), 12:30 PM (Spanish), 5:30 PM (English, Contemporary/Youth)
- Monday: 12:00 PM (moves to 8:30 AM on civic holidays)
- Tuesday: 8:30 AM
- Wednesday: 8:30 AM
- Thursday: 12:00 PM
- Friday: 8:30 AM
- Liturgy of the Hours & Rosary Tue/Wed/Fri 8:00 AM; Mon/Thu 11:30 AM
- Chaplet of Divine Mercy after each weekday Mass
- Miraculous Medal Novena & Rosary Thu 7:00 PM in the Chapel
Sacraments & Sacramental Preparation
The parish prepares the faithful for every sacrament of the Roman Catholic Church, including English and Spanish baptisms, First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick. Sacramental preparation is coordinated through the parish's Director of Evangelization (Deacon Scott Paine) and the Sacrament Preparation office.
- Baptism of infants/children up to 6: English 1st Saturday 10:00 AM; Spanish 2nd Saturday 10:00 AM; parent baptism class required
- Baptism of older children (7+) and adults through OCIA
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist: typically 2nd grade
- Confirmation: youth and adult tracks (Adult Faith Formation)
- Marriage preparation (Diocesan and parish-based)
- Anointing of the Sick on request
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults / RCIA) and OCIA Sponsor program
Faith Formation for Children & Youth
Faith formation at St. Mark begins with a Montessori-style Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium for the youngest disciples (Pre-K-3 through Kindergarten) and continues through 5th grade with three parallel tracks — classroom, family sessions, and a home-based program — chosen by parents. Middle-school and high-school youth gather midweek under the parish's dynamic youth ministry. The on-campus Catholic school is recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for 2024-2027.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (atrium) for Pre-K-3 to Kindergarten (Montessori-based)
- 1st-5th grade Classroom-based Faith Formation (Sundays 9:00-10:15 AM)
- Family Faith Sessions Monday evenings 6:15-8:30 PM (Nov - April)
- Home-based Family Faith for K-5th
- BEACON: middle-school youth ministry (Wednesday evenings 6:30-8:00 PM)
- Lighthouse 2:42: high-school youth ministry (Wednesday evenings 6:30-8:00 PM)
- YDisciple small groups (weekly during the school year)
- St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic School (on campus; Apple Distinguished School 2024-2027)
- Adult Faith Formation (including Adult Confirmation)
Outreach, Service & Stewardship
Following a now two-decade-old stewardship model introduced by Pastor David DeJulio, the parish holds annual Time & Talent Fairs and an International Festival, runs a dedicated Nursing Home Ministry visiting two local care facilities, and partners with the broader diocese on charity and formation. Deacon Hector Rios oversees the parish youth ministry and its service opportunities.
- Stewardship Commission (since 2006; International Stewardship Conference participant since 2005)
- Annual Time & Talent Fair (begun October 2008)
- Annual International Festival (begun September 2011)
- Nursing Home Ministry: Mondays 1:30 PM at Legacy at Highwoods Preserve (Rosary + Chaplet)
- Nursing Home Ministry: Saturdays 11:30 AM at Memory Lane Cottage (Bible readings & fellowship)
- Youth service opportunities through BEACON, Lighthouse 2:42, YDisciple
- Catholic-school family partnership (tuition subsidy for registered, active parishioner families)
- Seasonal parish outreach (Giving Tree, Lenten service projects)
Music & Liturgical Arts
Liturgical music at St. Mark reflects both the parish's multicultural community and its range of worship styles — from the Sunday choirs at the four English Masses to a dedicated contemporary/youth ensemble for the 5:30 PM Sunday Mass, and liturgical Spanish music for the Domingo en Español Mass.
- Sunday 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM English choirs
- 12:30 PM Spanish-language liturgical music
- 5:30 PM Contemporary/Youth ensemble
- Italian-imported liturgical art: 13-ft Crucifixion, 'Prodigal Son,' 'Burning Bush'
- Step-down baptismal font with annual immersion baptism day
- Seasonal liturgical environment (incense used at major feasts and Easter Vigil)
Facilities & Visiting
The St. Mark campus includes the new sanctuary (dedicated 2015), the repurposed Family Life Center (now a banquet/community center capable of holding ~500 guests), the 24-hour daily chapel inside the new sanctuary, baptismal font, classroom atrium for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and a fully built-out school wing. Adoration extends into the chapel seven days a week.
- New sanctuary: $10.1M, 35,000 sq. ft., dedicated June 6, 2015 (Bishop Robert Lynch)
- Main worship space seating capacity: 1,325 (1,550 with overflow chapel)
- 225-seat daily chapel open 24 hours a day
- Removable glass partition opens chapel onto sanctuary for major feasts
- Original Family Life Center repurposed as community center & banquet hall (~500-table capacity)
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium for early-childhood faith formation
- On-site school wing: St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic School
- Free on-site parking at 9724 Cross Creek Blvd.
Getting Involved
The parish publishes a Ministry Directory online and invites newcomers to use its Ministry Match tool to find a place to serve. Volunteer options span liturgy, formation, outreach, school support, hospitality, and the parish's signature International Festival and Time & Talent Fair.
- Online Ministry Directory & Ministry Match (stmarktampa.org/ministries-directory)
- Liturgical ministries (music, lectors, ushers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, youth ushers)
- Formation ministries (catechists, OCIA sponsors, Youth Ministry team, Adult Faith Formation)
- Outreach ministries (Nursing Home Ministry, St. Vincent de Paul, food ministries)
- Hospitality (Welcome / greeter ministry, parish festivals)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Austin M. Mullen1996 - 2003
Founding pastor. Previously pastor of St. Paul, Tampa for 23 years (1973-1996). Ordained June 20, 1965 for the Diocese of St. Augustine; incardinated into the Diocese of St. Petersburg upon its creation in 1968. Led the parish from a 50-person storefront in Tampa Palms through construction and dedication of the Family Life Center on Dec. 23, 2000. Left in May 2003 for a sabbatical, later served Our Lady of Grace, Beverly Hills, retired July 1, 2011, and died Dec. 12, 2022 at age 81.
- Rev. David T. DeJulio2003 - 2019
Second pastor (16 years). Born in Albany, NY, twin brother Frank; moved to Florida in 1978, finance degree from USF, ordained May 19, 1990 by Bishop Favalora at the Cathedral of St. Jude. Prior assignments: St. Paul's, St. Petersburg (1990-93); St. Jerome, Indian Rocks Beach (administrator 1993-96); Rector, Cathedral of St. Jude (1996-2003). Grew parish from ~2,100 families to 3,500+, paid off the FLC debt in 2009, and oversaw the design, fundraising, and 2015 dedication of the $10.1-million new sanctuary. Reassigned July 1, 2019 to St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Spring Hill.
- Rev. Richard Jankowski2019 - present
Third pastor. Born in Poland; philosophy/theology (M.A.) at the Papal Theological Faculty, University of Poznan; studied English at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary, Orchard Lake, MI. Ordained December 5, 1992 by Bishop John C. Favalora for the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Served as parochial vicar at Espiritu Santo (Safety Harbor), Holy Cross (St. Petersburg), and Our Lady Queen of Peace (Port Richey); first pastor assignment at St. Scholastica, Lecanto (2000-2006); then pastor of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Spring Hill (2006-2019). Reassigned to St. Mark July 1, 2019; also serves as Dean of the West Central Deanery.
- Deacon Frank M. Cavaliere2002 - 2003
Attended to parish needs during the founding-pastor transition between Msgr. Mullen's sabbatical and Fr. DeJulio's installation.
- Rev. Eric Peters
Assisting priest during Fr. DeJulio's pastorate.
- Rev. Dan Greene
Assisting priest during Fr. DeJulio's pastorate.
- Rev. John D'Antonio
Assisting priest during Fr. DeJulio's pastorate.
- Abbott Isaac Camacho
Assisting priest during Fr. DeJulio's pastorate.
- Rev. Ed Lamp
Assisting priest during Fr. DeJulio's pastorate.
- Rev. Carl Last
Assisting priest during Fr. DeJulio's pastorate.