Welcome to St Frances Xavier Cabrini

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I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. I wanted to tell you not only a little about my life, but also about some foundational elements of my vision of ministry, which will, of course, serve as the basis for all that I do here at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish.

A Little Bit About Me 

I was born and raised right here in Spring Hill, on the other side of town, with St. Theresa being my home parish. I attended Notre Dame Catholic School for a good part of my elementary education. During the 4th grade, I transferred to Spring Hill Christian Academy, where I stayed until 10th grade. (It was at “SHCA” that I learned and developed a deep respect for all Christians. And I will be forever thankful for their passionate witness and example of sincerely loving Christ.) After 9th grade, I changed schools, attending the then-new Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, eventually graduating in 2007 as part of their first-ever graduating class. Later that Fall, I enrolled at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, pursuing a degree in philosophy.

Early on in my second year of university, I decided to inquire about the priesthood and seminary, and, a few months later, I became a seminarian. I was sent to St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami for 3 years in order to complete my philosophical studies. I was then sent to the North American College in Rome, Italy, for 5 years in order to pursue my theological and canonical studies. I was ordained to the priesthood on May 21, 2016, at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle in St. Petersburg. During my priesthood, I have been blessed to have had so many great assignments and experiences: Parochial Vicar of the Cathedral of St. Jude (2017-2020, 2023-2025) and of Christ the King, Tampa (2020-2021); Professor and Formator at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach (2021-2023); and priest responsible for Pastoral and Sacramental Care of St. Joseph Parish, St. Petersburg (2023-2025).

Pastoral Ministry 

My time in Rome afforded me many profoundly formational opportunities which shaped me and my priesthood in ways that I could never have imagined or expected. A few moments stand out above the others, and I would like to share them with you. “I’m a priest, I like it.” These words, spoken by Pope Francis in an interview with Italy’s preeminent newspaper, Corriere della Sera, didn’t get as much attention as they should have. This was, really, an offhand remark given at the end of a response to a question. However, such a simple phrase revealed such a deep, profound reality, and one that I would like to echo here: I am a priest, and I like it. And, more specifically: I am your priest, and I love it! Thank you for letting me be your priest and your pastor! “Smell like the sheep.” I’ll never forget the moment when I heard these words with my own ears during a homily given by Pope Francis in the Basilica of St. Peter. I can still feel the chills run through my body. They struck me then, and still do to this very day. I want to “smell like the sheep.” I want to be with you, the people. I want to be as much a part of your lives as you’ll let me. I want to bring Christ to you, and, dare I say, even be Christ for you. Encounter and “being ‘in cammino.’” For me, everything in ministry—everything in life, really—is centered on personal encounter, on being “on the way” or “on the journey.” Christ seeks to encounter us, to meet us where we are at, and to walk with us along the way of life and lead us toward salvation. Indeed, that is the specific call of the priest and pastor, as well: I want to meet you where you are at in order to bring you to where you want to go; I want to walk with you along the journey of life in order to help guide you towards eternal life. I hope and pray that we can all walk this journey together!

Spring Hill and the “City of Seven Hills” 

I proudly understand myself as being both a “Son of Spring Hill” and a “Son of Rome.” Spring Hill, because I was born and raised here; Rome, because my time there was so deeply and uniquely formative and transformative, life-changing in so many ways. In my heart, I consider both places to be my “home,” and I have always, and will always, proudly refer to both as such. (I’ll never forget the time when, while in a small American-owned bakery in Rome, I was so excited to find “Spring Hill” labeled quite prominently on a U.S. map which hung upon their wall.) Since returning to America in 2017, I have held these two places, these two parts of me and my life, within my heart in equal measure, grateful to God for the great gift of both. I went to Rome wide-eyed and wondering how in the world a young man from Spring Hill could end up in the “City of Seven Hills,” the Caput Mundi (“Capital of the World”), the great Eternal City. The reason, of course, was Jesus Christ, for I sought to follow Him wherever He led me, even though it meant leaving my family and my home. And now He has led me back home, back to you, to the people and place that I love with all of my heart. I may have left here wide-eyed and wondering all those years ago, but I now return focused on the mission of building up the Kingdom of God here in Spring Hill, intent on ministering to you and bringing God’s love to you, and, quite simply, excited to be your priest and pastor!

In Christ, Fr. Padilla

Welcome to our Parish!  

PLEASE JOIN OUR PARISH FAMILY!

We’ve just made it easier to become a parishioner!

New parishioner registration forms are now available in the Parish Office, at the Information Desk in the Narthex (lobby) of the church, at coffee and donuts after the 7:30am and 9:30am Sunday Masses or by filing out the form belowl.

Once completed, please return them to the Parish Office during our regular business hours, or to the Information Desk, or even return them by mail – whichever is easiest for you!

Peace,

Father Alex Padilla, 

Pastor