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One Pastor Retires; Another Arrives

Prince of Peace Catholic Church

The Rev. Joel M. Kovanis became pastor of Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Sun City Center on July 1.

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By BARBARA ROUTEN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 23, 2008

SUN CITY CENTER - Monsignor Harold B. Bumpus of Prince of Peace Catholic Church retired July 1, the day the Rev. Joel M. Kovanis arrived to become pastor in his stead.

Kovanis came from Sacred Heart Church in Tampa. He has been parochial vicar at Holy Cross Catholic Church, St. Raphael Catholic Church and the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg, and at St. Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church in Tarpon Springs. He also taught at St. Petersburg Catholic High School and St. Petersburg College.

Bumpus served as pastor at the 4,500-member Prince of Peace since 1998. He celebrated the 45th anniversary of his ordination in June.

A Massachusetts native, Bumpus earned a doctorate in theology at the University of Tuebingen in Germany where he was taught by Joseph Ratzinger, who is now Pope Benedict XVI. Bumpus holds four master's degrees.

He moved to Sarasota in 1973 to take care of his parents. Once in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, he founded the diocesan library and the Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute. He was director of clergy education, diocesan theologian and vicar for religious. He became pastor of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Spring Hill, began the St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Church in Spring Hill, directed religious studies at Saint Leo University and served at the Catholic Student Center at the University of South Florida.

Shortly after he came to Prince of Peace, he donated a pipe organ to the church. He upgraded it in 2003 to a three-manual organ with 56 stops. His passion for and knowledge about organs earned him a seat on the board of the Tampa Oratorio Society and membership in the American Guild of Organists. He also is an organ consultant for the diocese.

Since his arrival in Sun City Center he has reroofed and renovated the church, computerized the offices and begun celebrating a weekly Latin Mass. Although he said his final Mass as pastor June 28, he will continue to preside over the Sunday Latin Masses.

During his retirement, Bumpus will conduct an online theology course for a college in Texas. He will continue to serve as an organ consultant for the diocese. Bishop Robert Lynch appointed him Censor Liborum, the ecclesiastical authority who can grant the nihil obstat, which, when affixed to a published work, means that statements within the work do not contradict the teachings of the Catholic church.

"I will make myself available to all parishes throughout the diocese," Bumpus said. "There is a shortage of priests, and if I am able to be of assistance I will not hesitate to answer the call. I look forward to retiring and taking it easy, but I will surely miss the wonderful people at Prince of Peace and Sun City Center."

Stories and Salads Book Club Pours Tea

LITHIA - The Stories and Salads Book Club began Aug. 30 in FishHawk Ranch.

The group meets each month at Debbie Cook's home "to read and discuss books with broad appeal," said June Miller, club member. Members are mostly concerned, she said, with the general theme of the books they read, be they classics, fantasy or current bestsellers.

To give every member a chance to comment or debate during "what is usually a very lively discussion," said Miller, the group is kept small. "It is very important that everyone feel that they have been heard, whether they agree with the majority or not."

In addition, every month they choose a different salad recipe, for which each member brings an ingredient. February's theme was strawberries - they ate strawberry salad, bread, tea and dessert; March, Irish coffee; April, the "1905" salad from the Ybor City Columbia Restaurant's Web site.

In May they dressed up in boas and floppy hats for a proper afternoon tea. Another FishHawk resident, Joa Harpster of Lah-Tea-Dah, an in-home tea-party provider, brought them a British tea ceremony with a variety of small sandwiches, sweets and teas. Among those in attendance were Donna DeCrosta, Sharon West, Marilyn Nencetti, June Miller, Jan Sulick and Janet Flower.

Although they take their book reading seriously, Miller said, the food and laughter they share after the discussion are a fun, lighthearted way to visit with friends and neighbors.

Shop Till You Drop At Thrift Shop Sale

RUSKIN - The Mary and Martha House thrift store's first Shop Till You Drop sale will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 1009 First St. S.W.

All furniture, household items and appliances will be discounted 50 percent. New clothes for people of all ages will be on sale. Refreshments will be available.

The Mary and Martha House's two emergency shelters and transitional housing harbors Hillsborough County women and children in crisis.

For information, call Jan Falcione, (813) 645-7874.

'Power Lab' Bible School For Kids 3 To 10

RUSKIN - St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, 705 Ninth Ave. S.W., will hold a free "Power Lab" vacation Bible school from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 4-8 for children 3 to 10.

Each evening will start with a light dinner, followed by Bible learning, songs, games, skits and science experiments.

For information or to register, call the church office, (813) 645-1521.

Church Awards 10 Scholarships

June 1 was Scholarship Sunday at United Community Church.

During the worship service, returning-recipient and graduate Lonnie Mozingo thanked the scholarship committee and church members for the four-year scholarship, which helped him through college.

The scholarship committee included: Chairwoman Jo Prater, Jeff Austin, Vicki Elsberry, the Rev. Michael Evans, Gwen Haegert, Dick Herrmann, Hazel Martin and Rip Ripley.

Scholarship winners were: new awardee Rachel Robinson of Ruskin, who will study physical therapy at the University of South Florida in Tampa; and continuing recipients Crystal Bissada of Gibsonton, music education at USF, Tampa; Jared Hodge of Ruskin, computer science at USF, Tampa; Derek Hughes of Ruskin, business finance at USF, Tampa; Tracy Langford of Tampa, pediatric nursing at USF, Tampa; Jericha Lopez of Riverview, biology at USF, Tampa; Miguel Miron of Ruskin, pharmacy at Florida A&M, Tallahassee; Eugenia Paszek of Riverview, veterinary medicine at Hillsborough Community College, Tampa; Apolonia Reza of Ruskin, dietetics at Florida State University, Tallahassee; and Nicholas Ruiz of Apollo Beach, business management at Drexel University, Philadelphia.

Woman's Club Announces New Officers

The Sun City Center Woman's Club recently installed new officers for the 2008-09 "Everything's Coming up Roses" year.

Officiating the installation was Phyllis Elsberry, past director of District 8 and current treasurer of the Ruskin Woman's Club.

Guest speaker Steve Stancil, dean of student services at Hillsborough Community College's SouthShore campus in Ruskin, thanked the club for a scholarship donation.

The new officers are Jean Rideout, president; Hazel Martin, first vice president and president elect; Mary Louise Baker, second vice president, programs; Monica McPhillips, third vice president, publicity; Anne Bohachek and Helen Cooper, co-chairwomen, hospitality; Nell Elliott, recording secretary; Nancy Russell, corresponding secretary; Jan Bassett, treasurer; Bonnie Harton, membership co-chairwoman; Jan Lander, membership co-chairwoman; Mary Culliton, director parliamentarian; and Janet Grove, director.

The club provides financial assistance to many organizations, including Sun City Center Ride of Samaritan Services, the Samaritan Alzheimer's Auxiliary, Operation Helping Hand, Fisher House and the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital and nursing home.

VFW Auxiliary Names Officers

RIVERVIEW - The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8108's auxiliary recently installed its officers for the 2008-09.

They are: Priscilla Reisinger, president; Anne Schmidt, senior vice president; Joan Keaton, junior vice president; Pam Bain, treasurer; Geri Van Ness, secretary; Pat Skelding, assistant secretary; Martha Dupont, chaplain; Clogene Schons, trustee No. 1; Cleigh Chase, trustee No. 2 and patriotic instructor; Betty Tanner, trustee No. 3; Laura Schular, guard; Sue Spillman, conductress; and Elsie Amos, historian.

The auxiliary meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday monthly at 7504 Riverview Drive. To join, call (813) 621-1218 or (813) 672-7708.

Silverliners Meet

TAMPA - The Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, Eastern Air Lines Silverliners, will meet at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Bahama Breeze Restaurant, 3045 Rock Point Road N.

All former Eastern Air Lines flight attendants are welcome.

For information, call Barbara Reed of Brandon, (813) 671-3078, or Adrienne Love of Tampa, (813) 677-2909.

Free Movies Offered By Church

Movies with Meaning will present "Joe Somebody" from 1 to 3 p.m. today at United Community Church, 1501 La Jolla Ave. Complimentary refreshments will be provided at the free event. After the movie, a discussion will be led by the Rev. Ruth Richardson. For information, call the church office, (813) 634-1304.

The movie "Time Changer" will be shown for free at 6 p.m. Friday in Creason Hall at the United Methodist Church of Sun City Center, 1210 W. Del Webb Blvd. Light refreshments and popcorn will be served. For information, call (813) 634-2539.

Pancake Dinner Funds Scholarships

The Rotary Club of South Shore will play host to an all-you-can-eat pancake dinner from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Friday at the Plaza Club at Freedom Plaza, 3932 Upper Creek Drive. The cost is $5 for pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice. Proceeds benefit the club's scholarship fund for local students.

For information, call Melissa Morgan, (813) 634-0496.

Send news and photos of community interest to Barbara Routen at The Tampa Tribune, 505 W. Robertson St., Brandon FL 33511, call (813) 657-4531 or e-mail neighbors@tampabay.rr.com.

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