Gathered near the graves of some of the priests who have served the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Most Reverend Gregory L. Parkes, concelebrating priests, deacons and altar servers prepare for Mass on All Souls’ Day at Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

With the Master of Ceremonies, Father Carl Melchior, leading the way, Bishop Parkes and Deacons Joe and Paul process to the outdoor altar.

Deacon Paul Haber proclaims the Gospel, “Everyone who believes in the Son will have eternal life and I shall raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:37-40)

The Mass is the most powerful prayer we can lift up for our loved ones who have passed on, Bishop Parkes told the faithful in his homily. “Someday we will pass on and we will rely on the prayers of those here.” The bishop elected to deliver his homily seated due to recent surgery of his foot.

Some of the faithful at Mass elected to worship from beneath the large legacy oaks at Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Altar servers Chris Haffner, Harrison Stone and Andrew Takas take part in the Mass.Huffier and Stone are in the seventh grade at St. Jude School and Takas is a senior at St. Petersburg Catholic High School.

Bishop Parkes turns a page in the missal as Father Charles Leke recites the Eucharistic Prayer. Father Leke is the Chaplain at Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

From the back of a cart, Bishop Parkes greets some of the faithful who approached during the recessional. Walking and standing were difficult for the bishop due to recent surgery on his foot.