St. Anthony The Abbot Catholic Church

08/28/2026

08/26/2026

The American Priest Who Chose to Stay—and Died for His Flock

He could have escaped.

He was warned that his name was on a death list.

Instead of fleeing to safety, he returned to the people he loved.

The Church now honors him as Blessed Stanley Francis Rother, a priest and martyr who gave his life for Christ and his flock.

Born on March 27, 1935, in Okarche, Oklahoma, Stanley Rother grew up on a farming family. Though he struggled in seminary studies, he persevered through humility, hard work, and deep trust in God. He was ordained a priest in 1963 for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.

A few years later, Father Rother volunteered to serve as a missionary in the remote highlands of Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala, where he ministered to the indigenous Tz'utujil people.

He embraced their way of life completely.

He learned their difficult language, translated the New Testament and parts of the liturgy into Tz'utujil, celebrated the sacraments, taught the faith, cared for the sick, and helped improve the lives of the poor. To the people, he became more than a missionary—he became their spiritual father.

But Guatemala was descending into civil war.

Priests, catechists, and faithful Catholics were being persecuted and murdered for defending the dignity of the poor and remaining faithful to the Gospel. Father Rother knew his own life was in danger.

At the request of his superiors, he temporarily returned to Oklahoma.

Yet his heart remained with his people.

He famously said:

> "The shepherd cannot run at the first sign of danger."

Knowing full well that returning could cost him his life, Father Rother went back to Guatemala to continue serving his parish.

On the night of July 28, 1981, armed men broke into the rectory.

Father Rother resisted, protecting the Blessed Sacrament and defending himself as long as he could. During the struggle, he was shot and killed.

He was 46 years old.

The people of Santiago Atitlán mourned him as their beloved pastor. According to his wishes, his body was returned to Oklahoma for burial, while his heart was buried beneath the altar of his parish church in Guatemala, symbolizing that his heart would forever remain with the people he loved.

Recognizing that he was killed in hatred of the faith and his pastoral ministry, Pope Francis approved his martyrdom. On September 23, 2017, Father Stanley Rother was beatified, becoming the first U.S.-born priest recognized as a martyr by the Catholic Church.

Blessed Stanley Rother reminds us that a true shepherd does not abandon his flock when danger comes. He teaches us that faithful love sometimes requires the ultimate sacrifice and that Christ's servants are called to lay down their lives for others.

Blessed Stanley Francis Rother, priest and martyr, pray for us. 🙏✝️

08/24/2026

Calling all single women ages 18-30!

Are you seeking to grow deeper in prayer, discover your unique identity as a woman, and learn more about God’s plan for your life? You’re invited to the upcoming Fiat Ministries Discernment Retreat at Saint Leo Abbey!

Led by Team Fiat, this retreat brings together young women and consecrated religious sisters from various communities for a weekend of prayer, fellowship, small group discussions and joyful witness.

Come encounter Christ and spend time discerning where God may be calling you.

📍 Saint Leo Abbey | Saint Leo, FL
💲 Cost: $50
✨Open to single women ages 18-30

Register today by clicking here: https://fiatministries.org/retreat-petersburg/

08/22/2026

We are deeply saddened by the news that Msgr. Aiden Foynes, Pastor Emeritus of St. Cecelia, passed away on August 20, 2026, after suffering several strokes while in the hospital. His faithful service and kindness will stay in our hearts forever.

Msgr. Aiden is a product of Ireland, the seventh of eight children. He was ordained in Kilkenny, Ireland on June 4, 1961, for the Diocese of St. Augustine. He became a priest of the Diocese of St. Petersburg after its establishment in 1968. His priestly ministry includes parochial vicar at St. Cecelia, Our Lady of Lourdes in Dunedin and Incarnation in Sarasota, and he later served as pastor of Espiritu Santo, Safety Harbor and Our Lady Queen of Peace, New Port Richey, before returning to St. Cecelia in 1993, where he served until his retirement in 2005. Monsignor Foynes also taught at Cardinal Mooney High School, Sarasota, and later at Clearwater Central Catholic, where he was also president, and served on numerous diocesan boards and committees during his 44 years of active ministry. In August 1999, he was appointed as Prelate of Honor of His Holiness, by Pope John Paul II. In 2014, his brother priests honored him with the Father Luis de Cancer Award for Distinguished Priestly Service. Most recently, we celebrated here with Msgr. Aiden on his 65th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination.

The late Pope Francis said: “Praying for the dead is, first and foremost, a sign of appreciation for the witness they have left us and the good that they have done. It is giving thanks to the Lord for having given them to us and for their love and their friendship.”

Let us always remember Msgr. Aiden in prayer. He brought God's love to so many, and we will all miss him dearly. "Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. Amen."

08/14/2026

In 1942, in a cold cell on death row in Mississippi, a 19-year-old young man named Claude Newman was awaiting ex*****on. He had no religious background whatsoever — no church, no prayers, no faith. His life had been rough, and now it seemed it would end in darkness and despair.

But God had other plans.

One night, a beautiful lady suddenly appeared in his prison cell. She spoke to him with great love and told him to immediately send for a Catholic priest. Confused but moved, Claude obeyed.

When the priest arrived, something miraculous happened. Claude, who had never opened a Bible or received any religious instruction in his life, began speaking knowledgeably about deep Catholic teachings. He spoke about the Eucharist, mortal sin, confession, and other sacred truths with remarkable clarity and understanding — as if he had been studying the faith for years.

The priest was stunned. This was impossible by natural means.

On the day of his ex*****on, Claude Newman was completely transformed. Instead of walking to the electric chair in fear or bitterness, he walked with radiant joy and peace. His face glowed with happiness. Before his death, he looked at his ex*****oners and fully forgave them from his heart.

Many believe the “beautiful lady” who visited Claude that night was the Blessed Virgin Mary herself — a mother who came to rescue a lost soul in his darkest hour.
Claude’s story is a powerful testimony that no one is beyond God’s mercy. No matter how far gone we think we are — no matter our past, our sins, or our situation — Mary can lead us to her Son, Jesus Christ, who offers complete forgiveness and transformation.

Even on death row, a soul can be saved.

This true story continues to touch hearts decades later. It reminds us that heaven is fighting for every single soul.

Have you ever experienced God’s mercy in a powerful way? Feel free to share in the comments. 🙏

07/29/2026

07/27/2026

Deo Gratias dear sisters

07/16/2026

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Ora pro nobis