St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community

Dear friends,

Greetings from Fr. John!

August is a blessed month, for we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the 15^th.  This month also brings us back from our vacations and travels, as we prepare our children for a return to school.  I hope that you had time to relax and visit with family and friends and are happy to be home, ready to return to the routines of life.  The children might wish to have their vacation linger a little longer, but most can’t wait to go back to school and be reunited with their friends and teachers.  At any rate, I am most glad to see you back at St. John’s.  We have missed you!

Let me briefly catch up with the latest at St. John the Evangelist:

Faith Formation:  Running parallel to the school year is our Faith Formation programming for students in grades kindergarten through 12.  I urge parents to take Faith Formation classes just as seriously as you take school and extracurricular activities.  Faith Formation for our children is indispensable in bolstering the opportunity to encounter the Living Christ, the strength and the light needed for our lifelong spiritual journey with others on this pilgrimage. Remember, we walk together, and we are never alone in this.  I take this occasion to thank our parish faith formation staff and the committed team of catechists who are prepared to receive your children for this school year.  I thank the parents for committing to the very important responsibility of ensuring your children’s eternal salvation.  Parents are the first catechists of their children. What a blessing to have so many dedicated families in our parish who prioritize their children’s continued formation in our Catholic faith.  Registration for grades K – 5th (SJE Kids), EDGE (grades 6 – 8), and High School Youth Ministry (9 – 12) is open via the link on our parish website, www.stjohnviera.org, the QR code in our weekly bulletin, or paper form in the parish office, cash or check only.

Sacramental Preparation:  It is time to register for First Communion and Confirmation.  We prepare our children in second grade for the reception of their First Holy Communion.  If your child has missed the opportunity to receive his/her First Communion in grade 2, please contact us for more information and guidance with the registration process.  Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is during 9^th grade.  We take this sacrament very seriously and FORM our teens to know their faith well and receive the grace to live it joyfully.  If your child is older than 9^th grade and has not yet received his/her Confirmation, please contact Schonda Rodriguez in the office for assistance.  Remember, the Sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for marriage and other important moments of your life, to include ordination to the priesthood or diaconate. 

Phase 1 of Our Building Project Is Complete:  We are filled with joy knowing that all of the details have finally been taken care of, and that the completed portion of our project was blessed on Independence Day weekend.  Praise be to God!  The building is now complete, along with the road project.  I see many of our parishioners using it both to enter and safely exit our campus.  This brings me to this most important note:  Thank you all for your generosity in making this dream come true!

Pledging for GHOD 2.0:  God’s Heart Our Dream 2.0 is the name of our current campaign.  There are two phases to it, and we have just completed the 1^st which included the covered walkway, covered drop-off area, the two frontal pavilions, and the road connecting our property to Andrew’s Drive.  A huge thanks to all those who have generously pledged.  We would not have been able to accomplish what we have during these past 8 months without your continued support.  I urge those who have not yet pledged to consider joining us, and I invite our new parishioners to please consider doing the same, as the total project is yet to be completed.  I will be sending you a letter of request with a suggested donation amount.  Remember, it is a 3-year pledge.  If we ALL participate, we WILL REALIZE OUR DREAM.

Phase 2:  Phase 2 of Our GHOD 2.0 Campaign Is the Grotto.  We have submitted the plans to the county, and it looks like it may take a few more weeks.  Once I get the approval, I will then go to the Diocesan Finance Council for their approval.  Then the work can begin.  We are still dealing with many of the issues that have plagued our initial construction efforts:  unavailability of materials, truck drivers to bring the materials, market supply prices, etc.  But with Mother Mary’s protection and guidance, we will move ahead with faith that construction will begin soon.

Mark your Calendars for Sunday, 2 October 2022:  It’s going to be a day of celebration!  Bishop John Noonan will join us for the 11 a.m. Mass and will lead the Eucharistic procession around our campus.  We will then celebrate with a parish-wide picnic.  The picnic team is already hard at work to make it a festive event for all to enjoy.

Flourish Our Faith:  We have been blessed with so many parishioners whose faith is on fire, and we are grateful to God for those who give of themselves in service to our parish.  Mary Adams, Joyce Weber, and Bernie Yandura are but a few who continue to facilitate courses/programming to benefit the faith life our community.  But they have been doing it without a name for their ministry; hence, we have come up with the Flourish Our Faith ministry.  The avowed mission statement of this ministry is “To provide spiritual growth programs that will stimulate the parishioners’ desire to learn more about their Catholic faith, to strengthen their ability to nurture their faith, to share the joy of their faith with others, and to be evangelizers.”  These programs are mostly video-based and are very easy to follow.  I take this opportunity to thank them for their tireless effort in flourishing our faith.

Healing Service by Alan Ames:  Please mark your calendar for Thursday, 8 September, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, when Alan Ames will be with us for a healing service.  Alan is an internationally-recognized evangelist and visionary and has been gifted with healing powers.  He hails from Perth, Australia and has come to our parish in the past with many relics of saints.  The service will begin with a Mass at 6 p.m.

Know that you are in my prayers this month.

Have a blessed August!

May the Lord bless you and yours abundantly!

With love,

Fr. John

Weekly Offertory

Thank you for your continued support of our Parish. Without your help we wouldn't be up and running. If you have not made your weekly donation you have the following options:

1. Online at stjohnviera.weshareonline.org 

2. Offertory can be sent by mail.

3. Offertory can be dropped off at the Parish.

Thank you to those who have already made their donation. You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Office Hours

Monday - Friday
8:30am - 5:00pm

Church Address

5655 Stadium Parkway

Viera, FL  32940

Contact Us

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (321) 637 9650
Fax: (321) 637 9651