Dear Friends,
The Month of May is almost over. We have been blessed to meditate on Mary and her special place as we crowned the Mother and as we prayed the rosaries. Saint Pope John Paul II highlighted the importance of Mary’s role, saying: “As the month of May draws to a close and the month of June, consecrated to the Heart of Christ, begins, we are even more conscious of how Mary leads us to Christ. She is the shortest path to the Heart of Jesus, from which we can draw the extraordinary gifts of his love and his mercy.”
Our Golf Tournament this year was a huge success. Thanks to all those who made it a success, and that includes all those who volunteered, those who donated or sponsored, those who played, those who bought tickets for either the raffle or the dinner, and those who prayed. Without you getting involved in it, we wouldn’t have had such a great day. Special thanks are in place for Paco Farach and Cheryl Cominski for taking the lead and for David Tomczak and the people of Duran Golf Course for letting us use their facility. Since Cheryl did so well, I have appointed her to be the chairperson for next year’s golf tournament, to be ably assisted by Marie Sanders.
Next, my heart goes out to the Council of Catholic Women of our parish who celebrated the 10th Anniversary of their founding. We are ever-so-grateful to our lovely women of grace who are so much involved in the daily running of the parish with so many of them involved. We had a very special celebration of the Eucharist on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, at 11 a.m. to mark this occasion. During the luncheon, the women who played leadership roles shared their memories and challenges. During this celebration, they also honored Tony Fogarty with the Woman of the Year award. Congratulations dear Tony. Thanks to Maryann Gill, the current president, and her team for their continued enthusiasm and commitment to the growth of our parish. I appeal to all the women of the parish to consider joining this council. This is not a club but a genius way of bringing the women of faith together and build up relationships and also minister to the parish. We are truly blessed with these lovely women of grace.
I also want to congratulate Linda and Al Trucano for receiving the Family of the Month award from the Knights of Columbus on Sunday May 19, 2019. Both of them have been so much a part of our parish’s growth right from the time they joined our parish. Thank you, Linda and Al, for all you have done in our parish. You both have contributed a lot to make it what it is today.
Today, we remember with gratitude all those brave men and women who died serving in the American Armed Forces as we commemorate the Memorial Day Weekend. We salute all those who have served and still serve our country in the different branches of military.
This Sunday, we celebrate the 6th Sunday of Easter. Before ascending to His Father, Jesus imparts comforting words of reassurance and the promise of the Holy Spirit, the advocate who will animate their lives. He insists that “whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to Him and make our dwelling with Him” (John 14: 23). Keeping His word will still continue to be the way to the heart of his Father. Let us make every effort to His word.
On behalf of all of us here at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community, I would like to Congratulate Rev. Fr. Derek Saldanha, who was ordained a priest on Saturday, May 25, 2019, at St. James Cathedral in Orlando by Bishop John Noonan. We are thrilled to have him celebrate his First Holy Eucharist at St. John the Evangelist on Sunday, May 26, at 4.30 p.m. His family has its roots in Goa, India, where St. Francis Xavier evangelized. While studying at the Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, he began considering the priesthood. Prior to coming to the USA, he was a parishioner in one of our Holy Cross parishes in Pune, India. Rightfully claiming some share in his spiritual growth, we delight in his offering of himself in Christ’s Priesthood. May God who has begun this good work in you bring it to completion.
Have a Blessed Week!
With love,
Fr. John