MISSION STATEMENT
The vision of Santa María Mission of St Mary Catholic Church is to make present the Church to the most dispossessed people, which for economic or geographic reasons lack the possibilities to come to her. It is to bring the Church, the mystical body and the mission of Christ to the community. A Church that announces the message of salvation; a Church that shows the love of Jesus through her pastoral care, fulfilling the people's social and religious needs.
HISTORY OF SANTA MARIA MISSION
Founded in 2001, by St. Mary Catholic Church, the Santa María Mission was formed to aid the Hispanic immigrants settled in the North Tampa-USF area. Our first Eucharistic Celebration was on December 23 of 2001, making reality the vision of Father Bob Morris, Pastor of St. Mary, who scouted the area also known as "Suitcase City" and realized that most of the population was Hispanic with a strong catholic tradition and with no means of transportation to attend a catholic church. He decided then that instead of transporting them in small groups, the Church should be brought to them. St. Mary Parish through the Santa María Mission has provided health screening, flu shots, vaccinations and school supplies for children, Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets, etc., and created partnerships with among others: the Sheriff's Department, Foot Print Ministries, Catholic Charities, and the Nativity Outreach Program, providing aid in the way of donated food, clothing, toys, cookware, furniture, medical attention, etc, to hard working families that earn less than minimum wage. It has provided outdoor church service every Sunday, rain or shine. At this moment the Sunday services are provided in the St Mary's family center while waiting for the construction of the Temple. Our Mass celebration have been at times more than 400 participants. The project has been so intense that the permanent staff of St Mary has increased, including now a Parish Nurse and a Mission Coordinator. And empty acre of ground on North 15th Street and a 142nd Avenue was donated for the mission. Currently, it contains one small shed and a portable toilet. Donations of usable items are received at this location and also at St Mary Parish which are given to the needy people of the community, regardless of their religious affiliation, origin or race. A multi-purpose building is planned for the site and most of the money has already been donated by parishioners of St Mary for the construction of this building. Despite of the lack of a permanent structure, the generosity of many has helped this community in a very dignified way. Best of all, it has taught them that people do care for others and there is always a willingness to make a difference.
