About St. Patrick Catholic Church · Tampa, Florida
St. Patrick Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in South Tampa, Florida, founded in 1958 and entrusted to the spiritual leadership of the Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular (T.O.R.) of St. Francis of Penance. Located at 4520 S. Manhattan Avenue in the Hillsborough County deanery of Tampa, the parish serves approximately 1,076 registered families. The parish embraces Christian Stewardship and Discipleship, offering daily and Sunday Masses in both English and Spanish, a robust Faith Formation program for preschool through high school, and outreach through ministries such as OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) and Vacation Bible School. The parish also hosts St. Thomas Aquinas Academy, an independent Catholic classical school for PK3 through 8th grade on its campus.
- Established
- 1958
- Patron
- St. Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. Salvator Stefula, T.O.R.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saint Petersburg
Why belong here
St. Patrick Catholic Church is a welcoming South Tampa parish serving over 1,000 families, led by the Franciscan Friars T.O.R. and grounded in Christian Stewardship and Discipleship. With daily Mass, a Saturday Vigil Mass, five Sunday Masses (including one in Spanish), weekly Adoration and Benediction, and Saturday confessions, the parish offers rich liturgical life for English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics. Its faith formation for preschool through high school, vibrant youth ministry (Life Teen), adult initiation (OCIA), and the on-campus St. Thomas Aquinas Academy make it an ideal spiritual home for families seeking to grow in faith and serve the surrounding community.
Mass times at St. Patrick Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Adoration times
- Tuesday after 8:30 AM daily Mass until 12:00 PM (Benediction at 12:00 PM)
Parish History
St. Patrick was established in 1950 as a mission of Christ the King Parish and canonically founded on November 28, 1958, with Fr. David Cronin as its first pastor. Under early pastors the parish built its church, opened St. Patrick Catholic School, assisted Cuban refugees, and launched the parish Carnival in 1964 — a tradition still celebrated today. In 1987 the parish was entrusted to the Franciscan Friars T.O.R., and in 2018 it celebrated its 60th Anniversary with the installation of Fr. Salvator Stefula, T.O.R., as pastor.
- Founded 1958 (mission from Christ the King established 1950)
- First Mass: Dec 3, 1955, at James Madison Junior High School Auditorium
- St. Patrick Catholic School opened; closed May 2006
- Parish Carnival tradition since 1964
- Entrusted to Franciscan Friars T.O.R. in 1987
- 60th Anniversary celebrated in 2018
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is led by the Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regular (T.O.R.). Fr. Salvator (Sal) Stefula, T.O.R., has served as Pastor since December 9, 2018, and is assisted by Fr. Alberto F. Bueno, T.O.R., Parochial Vicar, who joined the parish in 2020. A lay staff supports faith formation, youth ministry, music, and administration.
- Fr. Sal Stefula, T.O.R. — Pastor
- Fr. Alberto Bueno, T.O.R. — Parochial Vicar
- Mrs. Kerry Mayo — Music Director
- Mrs. Angela Hayes — Director of Faith Formation and Religious Education (ext. 131)
- Angelina Corral — Youth Minister (ext. 304)
- Mrs. Ivelisse Rodriguez — Administration
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation supports parents as the primary religious educators of their children, offering classes from Preschool through High School, Sunday mornings for Pre-K through Grade 8. The program follows Diocese of St. Petersburg Sacramental Preparation Guidelines, which require two years of Catholic Faith Formation prior to the reception of a sacrament.
- Pre-K through Grade 8 classes on Sunday mornings (mid-September through May)
- First Reconciliation and First Communion in 2nd grade (one prior year of formation required)
- Confirmation preparation in 8th grade (two prior years of formation required)
- Christian Family Studies for children whose sacraments were delayed
- Safe Environment Program compliance required for all volunteers
OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
OCIA is the adult and family process of preparation for the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist). The group meets on Monday evenings from September through May, with a flexible, tailored process. A new class typically begins each September; inquiries are welcome year-round.
- Meets Monday evenings, September through May
- Contact Fr. Sal Stefula, T.O.R., ext. 115 or [email protected]
Youth Ministry & Life Teen
The High School Youth Ministry is part of the international Catholic Life Teen movement and meets Sunday nights beginning with the 6:00 PM Mass, followed by Life Nights from 7:00–9:00 PM in the youth room. Teens gather to learn the Catholic faith, discuss current social issues, experience prayer, and have fun, while also taking part in service projects, retreats, and the parish's week-long Vacation Bible School each June. A Core Team of adults (18+) facilitates the program.
- Life Teen for 9th–12th graders (Sunday nights, 6:00 PM Mass then Life Nights 7–9 PM)
- Middle School Youth Ministry
- Vacation Bible School — third week of June
- Youth Minister: Angelina Corral (ext. 304)
- Adult Core Team opportunities available
Sacraments
St. Patrick celebrates the seven sacraments, with preparation programs offered for each. Couples should begin marriage preparation at least six months before the desired wedding date, and the Anointing of the Sick is available to the elderly, the seriously ill, and those facing surgery. In case of emergency illness or accident, call the Parish Office at 813-839-5337.
- Baptism — contact Fr. Sal Stefula, T.O.R., ext. 115
- First Reconciliation and First Communion (2nd grade)
- Confirmation (8th grade)
- Matrimony — minimum six months preparation
- Anointing of the Sick — emergency line available via Parish Office
St. Thomas Aquinas Academy
St. Thomas Aquinas Academy is an independent Catholic classical school located on the campus of St. Patrick Catholic Church, serving PK3 through 8th grade. The school is part of the national renaissance of Catholic classical education, with programs including a Catholic Montessori and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd track for the youngest students, and a Classical Education Program for Grades 1–8 covering language, arithmetic, science, history, Latin, music, fine arts, literature, and theology. The academy opened on the parish campus beginning Fall 2024 through Grade 6, expanding from there.
- Independent Catholic classical school on St. Patrick's campus
- PK3 / PK4 through 8th grade
- Catholic Montessori + Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (youngest students)
- Classical liberal arts curriculum: language, arithmetic, science, history, Latin, music, fine arts, literature, theology
- Opened Fall 2024
Music Ministry
The Music Ministry supports the liturgical life of the parish under the leadership of Music Director Mrs. Kerry Mayo. (The 4:00 PM Saturday Vigil Mass is also live-streamed on the parish YouTube channel for parishioners who cannot attend in person.)
- Music Director: Mrs. Kerry Mayo
- Live-streamed Vigil Mass available on YouTube
Visit, Contact & Office Information
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office at 4518 S. Manhattan Ave, Tampa, FL 33611, by phone at (813) 839-5337, or by emailing Fr. Sal Stefula, T.O.R., at [email protected]. Parish Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM (closed 12:00–12:30 PM); the office is closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Church hours are Monday–Friday 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Saturday 2:00–5:00 PM, and Sunday 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM.
- Phone: (813) 839-5337
- Parish Office: 4518 S. Manhattan Ave, Tampa, FL 33611
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (closed 12:00–12:30 PM)
- Church Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM; Sat 2:00–5:00 PM; Sun 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. David Cronin1958–1959
First pastor of St. Patrick, appointed Nov 28, 1958.
- Fr. John Scully1959–
Appointed Sept 15, 1959; in June 1960 named a Papal Chamberlain with the title Very Reverend Monsignor.
- Msgr. McNulty
Established the first Parish Council in 1970; oversaw sanctuary and church modifications.
- Fr. Thomas Earner
Succeeded Msgr. Scully; during his tenure many physical changes were made to the church.
- Fr. Martin Obert1979–1986
Named Administrator June 1979; appointed Pastor Oct 1980; took a leave of absence in 1986.
- Fr. Greg Andrews1986–1987
Temporary pastor during Fr. Martin's leave; left in Jan 1987.
- Fr. Venard J. Moffitt, T.O.R.1987–1997
Associate pastor, then Priest-in-Charge (Jan 1987) and Pastor (May 1987); under his leadership the parish was entrusted to the Franciscan Friars T.O.R. Passed away Feb 1997.
- Fr. Coleman McGarril, T.O.R.1997–2003
Named Pastor after Fr. Vernard's death; retired June 2003.
- Fr. Angelus Migliore, T.O.R.2003–2012
Named Pastor June 2003; retired in 2012. Later served as Pastor Emeritus under Fr. Jim Angert.
- Fr. Jim Angert, T.O.R.2013–2018
Installed as Pastor on March 17, 2013 (St. Patrick's Day); reassigned to another parish in the province in 2018.
- Fr. Salvator Stefula, T.O.R.2018–present
Installed as Pastor December 9, 2018; the same year the parish celebrated its 60th Anniversary.