St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community

Dear friends,

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year is a song that comes to mind as we enter into this most grace-filled season of the liturgical year ADVENT.  It is a four-week period of waiting with eager anticipation for the Messiah who will usher in peace, joy, and love.

It is a season of hope, one in which we will find the fulfillment of all that has been promised to us by the Messiah.  It invites us to remember the past when Christ became one among us through his incarnation, and it is also a call to look for the return of Christ as our just judge.  Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI), in his 1986 book, Seek That Which Is Above, states that Advent's intention is to awaken the most profound and basic emotional memory within us, namely, the memory of the God who became a child. This is a healing memory; it brings hope. The purpose of the Church's year is continually to rehearse her great history of memories, to awaken the heart's memory so that it can discern the star of hope. These four weeks are a God-given time to check our hearts for distractions, entanglements, and preoccupations that cloud our minds and siphon our energy away from growth in faith, hope, and love the only preparation that will enable us to 'stand before the Son of Man' when, once again, He comes to a people who long to see His face.  Just as Israel waited many centuries for the first Advent of Jesus, the Messiah, we are now waiting for His second Advent.  The Church gives us a whole season to ponder this.  He wants our hearts to be unencumbered. Have a blessed Advent and savor the sweetness of the season. Later this month, we will see the promise fulfilled in the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, at Christmas.  We have been blessed to know the history of Jesus' promise of salvation, that which he continues to offer even today.  Let us enter into this time of celebration with gratitude in our hearts, bringing much-needed joy to our world.

Please review the following details of the most happening month of the year:

7 December, Tuesday:  Advent Reconciliation Service at 7 p.m.  A number of priests will be in attendance to hear confessions.

8 December, Wednesday:  Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation  Masses at 8a.m.,12:05 p.m., and 7 p.m.

To conclude the Year of St. Joseph, we will offer Eucharistic Adoration from 5 to 7 p.m. in honor of the Patron of the Universal Church and end with a solemn celebration of the Mass at 7 p.m.

14 December, Tuesday:  Vespers at 7 p.m.

16 December, Thursday:  Luncheon with the handicapped and our less fortunate brothers and sisters at 11.30 a.m.

21 December, Tuesday:  The Stations of the Crib at 7 p.m.

24 December, Friday:  Christmas Eve Masses 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m., and midnight

25 December, Saturday:  Christmas Day Mass at 10 a.m. There will be NO Vigil Mass on Saturday, Christmas Day, at 4.30 p.m.

26 December, Sunday:  The Feast of the Holy Family regular weekend Masses

31 December, Friday:  Vigil Mass of the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God at 5:00 p.m.

1 & 2 January 2022:  Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord regular weekend Masses

Have a fabulous month of December the most wonderful time of the year! But remember:  JESUS is the reason for the season!  Do not be ashamed to speak of Him or to wish those you meet a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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.

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE SYNOD

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