St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community

Weekday Masses
Monday - Friday: 8:00 am

Celebration of Sunday Eucharist
Saturday: 9:00am (1st Sat of Month) & 4:30pm (Vigil)
Sunday: 7:15am, 9:00am, 11:00am, and 4:30pm.
(11:00am is Live Streamed on our website & YouTube Channel.)

Reconciliation
Saturday: 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Wednesday: 8:30am - 9:00am
or by appointment.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel is open:
Monday-Friday: 8:30am to 4:00pm
Saturday: 3pm to 5:30pm

Dear friends,

Greetings from St. John the Evangelist!

A little over a year ago, on 19 March 2020, we closed the doors to our beautiful church due to the pandemic.  It was a time of unspeakable sadness for the Church.  Our worship, family lives, work, school learning, social interactions, travel and leisure, and health practices were all impacted and turned completely upside down.  During these unprecedented times of mandatory physical distancing, the Church around the world maintained its sense of “community” by all manner of media, “attending” the Mass through Zoom, TV, church websites, and other internet platforms.  Sitting in the comfort of our homes, some of us maintained a prayerful and reverent demeanor while “participating” in the Mass, while others chose a more casual approach and joined in at their convenience.

By the grace of God, our Diocese of Orlando re-opened the doors of our churches on Pentecost weekend, 30/31 May 2020.  Churches in many other states, however, remained closed for several months longer.  Beginning with the celebration of THIS year’s Pentecost on the weekend of 22/23 May 2021, we will resume all things normal, to include the ministries that have been suspended for so long.

HENCE, I WELCOME YOU BACK TO THE CHURCH!

Because so many of you have received the vaccine, we feel it safe enough to return to church. However, as per Bishop John Noonan’s recommendation, we encourage you to continue to wear a mask while in the church and as ministries resume until further notice.

It is time to wean ourselves from the habit of simply watching the Mass, since the virtual experience can never replace communal participation as the Body of Christ, the people, in offering joyful praise and thanksgiving to Our Lord and God.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church makes it amply clear in #2182: “Participation in the communal celebration of the Sunday Eucharist is a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and to his Church.  The faithful give witness by this to their communion in faith and charity.  Together they testify to God’s holiness and their hope of salvation. They strengthen one another under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.”

Why is it important to return to church for the Masses?

You are Catholic.

Your physical presence gives testimony to belonging and being faithful to Christ and to his Church.

Your presence is a testimony to others of God’s importance in your life and your dependence upon his grace for our salvation.

Your presence helps strengthen others.

We miss you, and each of you is an integral part of our parish.

Many others have already returned.

And last, but MOST IMPORTANTLY, you should be here for the Eucharist, the source and summit of our Christian life. 

Active participation at the table of the Eucharist is absolutely vital for our spiritual nourishment, that which no other can satisfy.  Our Catholic celebration of the Eucharist consists of two tables:  the table of the Word and the table of the Eucharist.  While the table of the Word may be satisfied by listening to the TV, the table of the Eucharist absolutely cannot.  The Eucharist needs to be celebrated in communion with the community.  Pope Francis emphasized this fact on February 16, 2021 when he said, "Mass cannot simply be ‘listened to’:  it is also an incorrect expression, ‘I am going to listen to Mass.’  Mass cannot merely be listened to, as if we were just spectators of something that slips away without our involvement. Mass is always celebrated, and not only by the priest who presides it, but by all Christians who experience it.  And the center is Christ!  All of us, in the diversity of gifts and ministries, join in His action, because He, Christ, is the Protagonist of the liturgy."

Hence, for all these reasons, I urge you to strongly consider a return to worship in the church.

To be clear, if your health is fragile, if you are ill, homebound, or bedridden, know that we are praying for you and are genuinely concerned about your well-being.  Please let us know your situation, and we will be most happy to schedule a visit from one of our Ministers to the Sick to offer the Eucharist in your home to fortify you with its nourishment.  No Catholic in a state of grace should ever be deprived of the Eucharist.  Additionally, should you need anointing, please do not hesitate to call us.  We will be honored to visit with you and pray for you.

Since each one of us is commissioned by Christ to bring the glad tidings to others, you can also make an effort to tell your family and friends to come back to Celebrate the Eucharist in person.

Thank you for your patience and, most importantly, for your cooperation during these trying times.  We are an extraordinary parish, one truly blessed and filled with the Holy Spirit, and we thank God for each and every one of YOU.

Be Blessed!

With love,

Fr. John

Please donate to Our Catholic Appeal 2021 to support the ministries of the Diocese.

Thank you for your generosity. If you would like to donate online please go to: https://www.cfocf.org/oca/give/

Please do not forget to enter the name of the parish: St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.