Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 13, 2023
Dear Friends,
We are back on track to the Ordinary Times after a break to accommodate the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, which took precedence over the 18th Sunday. Today we celebrate the 19th Sunday and we are treated to another amazing passage where Jesus walks on water and Peter does it too albeit briefly. Please do not forget that the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, Tuesday—August 15th, is a Holy Day of Obligation and we will offer 3 Masses: 8 a.m.; 12.05 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Let us continue to read together the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Benedict XVI entitled: Sacramentum Caritatis. This exercise of reading this beautiful exhortation of Pope Benedict XVI in easy digestible portions is intended to help us to gratefully appreciate anew the gift of the Eucharist!
Have a Blessed Week!
With Love
Fr. John
W e e k 7 — SA C R A M E N T U M C A R I T A T I S ( T H E SA C R A M E N T O F C H A R I T Y : T H E E U C H A R I ST )
CONTINUATION OF THE POST-SYNODAL APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION SACRAMENTUM CARITATIS
OF THE HOLY FATHER BENEDICT XVI TO THE BISHOPS, CLERGY, CONSECRATED PERSONS AND THE LAY FAITHFUL
ON THE EUCHARIST AS THE SOURCE AND SUMMIT OF THE CHURCH'S LIFE AND MISSION
P A R T O N E : T H E E U C H A R I ST — A M Y ST E R Y T O B E B E L I E V E D ( c on t i n u e d )
“This is the work of God: that you believe in whom he has sent.” (Jn 6:29)
THE EUCHARIST AND THE SACRAMENTS —THE SACRAMENTALITYOF THE CHURCH
- The Second Vatican Council recalled that "all the sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are directed towards it. For in the most blessed Eucharist is contained the entire spiritual wealth of the Church, namely Christ himself our Pasch and our living bread, who gives life to humanity through his flesh – that flesh which is given life and gives life by the Holy Spirit. Thus men and women are invited and led to offer themselves, their works and all creation in union with Christ." (41) This close relationship of the Eucharist with the other sacraments and the Christian life can be most fully understood when we contemplate the mystery of the Church herself as a sacrament. (42) The Council in this regard stated that "the Church, in Christ, is a sacrament – a sign and instrument – of communion with God and of the unity of the entire human race." (43) To quote Saint Cyprian, as "a people made one by the unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit," (44) she is the sacrament of trinitarian
The fact that the Church is the "universal sacrament of salvation" (45) shows how the sacramental economy ultimately determines the way that Christ, the one Savior, through the Spirit, reaches our lives in all their particularity. The Church receives and at the same time expresses what she herself is in the seven sacraments, thanks to which God's grace concretely influences the lives of the faithful, so that their whole existence, redeemed by Christ, can become an act of worship pleasing to God. From this perspective, I would like here to draw attention to some elements brought up by the Synod Fathers which may help us to grasp the relationship of each of the sacraments to the eucharistic mystery.
THE EUCHARIST AND CHRISTIAN INITIATION
THE EUCHARIST, THE FULLNESS OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION
- If the Eucharist is truly the source and summit of the Church's life and mission, it follows that the process of Christian initiation must constantly be directed to the reception of this sacrament. As the Synod Fathers said, we need to ask ourselves whether in our Christian communities the close link between Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist is sufficiently recognized. (46) It must never be forgotten that our reception of Baptism and Confirmation is ordered to the Eucharist. Accordingly, our pastoral practice should reflect a more unitary understanding of the process of Christian initiation. The sacrament of Baptism, by which we were conformed to Christ,(47) incorporated in the Church and made children of God, is the portal to all the It makes us part of the one Body of Christ (cf. 1 Cor 12:13), a priestly people. Still, it is our participation in the Eucharistic sacrifice which perfects within us the gifts given to us at Baptism. The gifts of the Spirit are given for the building up of Christ's Body (1 Cor 12) and for ever greater witness to the Gospel in the world. (48) The Holy Eucharist, then, brings Christian initiation to completion and represents the centre and goal of all sacramental life. (49)
THE ORDER OF THE SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION
- In this regard, attention needs to be paid to the order of the sacraments of initiation. Different traditions exist within the Church. There is a clear variation between, on the one hand, the ecclesial customs of the East (50) and the practice of the West regarding the initiation of adults, (51) and, on the other hand, the procedure adopted for (52) Yet these variations are not properly of the dogmatic order, but are pastoral in character. Concretely, it needs to be seen which practice better enables the faithful to put the sacrament of the Eucharist at the centre, as the goal of the whole process of initiation. In close collaboration with the competent offices of the Roman Curia, Bishops' Conferences should examine the effectiveness of current approaches to Christian initiation, so that the faithful can be helped both to mature through the formation received in our communities and to give their lives an authentically eucharistic direction, so that they can offer a reason for the hope within them in a way suited to our times (cf. 1 Pet 3:15).
INITIATION, THE ECCLESIAL COMMUNITY AND THE FAMILY
- It should be kept in mind that the whole of Christian initiation is a process of conversion undertaken with God's help and with constant reference to the ecclesial community, both when an adult is seeking entry into the Church, as happens in places of first evangelization and in many secularized regions, and when parents request the sacraments for their children. In this regard, I would like to call particular attention to the relationship between Christian initiation and the family. In pastoral work it is always important to make Christian families part of the process of initiation. Receiving Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion are key moments not only for the individual receiving them but also for the entire family, which should be supported in its educational role by the various elements of the ecclesial (53) Here I would emphasize the importance of First Holy Communion. For many of the faithful, this day continues to be memorable as the moment when, even if in a rudimentary way, they first came to understand the importance of a personal encounter with Jesus. Parish pastoral programmes should make the most of this highly significant moment.
(41) Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests Presbyterorum Ordinis,
(42) Propositio 14.
(43) Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium,
(44) De Orat. Dom., 23: PL 4, 553.
(45) Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium, 48, ibid., 9.
(46) Propositio 13.
(47) Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium, 7.
(48) ibid., 11; Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Decree on the Church's Missionary Activity Ad Gentes, 9, 13.
(49) John Paul II, Apostolic Letter Dominicae Cenae (24 February 1980), 7: AAS 72 (1980), 124-127; Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests Presbyterorum Ordinis, 5.
(50) Code of Canons ofthe Eastern Churches, can. 710.
(51) Rite of the Christian Initiation of Adults, General Introduction, 34-36.
(52) Rite of Baptism for Children, Introduction, 18-19.
(53) Propositio 15
Dear friends, Our pilgrimage to Italy was a remarkably enriching experience, celebrating Masses at some of the most beautiful and ancient churches and visiting so many holy sites. We remembered each of you during this sacred year of our silver jubilee. Among the many highlights was viewing the display of the mortal remains of St. Francis of Assisi in commemoration of the 800 years since his passing. What a blessing to be there and to pray for the intercession of this humble giant of a saint. Our visit to the place of Padre Pio reminded me of the 40 Hours Adoration we hosted at SJE from 19 to 21 March. Padre Pio’s love for Eucharistic Adoration was profound, famously stating that "a thousand years of enjoying human glory is not worth even an hour spent sweetly communing with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.” He urged the faithful to "run to the feet of Jesus" to find peace. Thank you to all who regularly spend time with Jesus in adoration. Congratulations to Denise and Jim Uram, recipients of the Family of the Month award for March 2026. Their unassuming manner of doing so much for our community is remarkable. Thank you, Jim and Denise, for your active participation in making our community a family. Our Lenten Reconciliation Service will be held on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Many priests from our deanery will be available for us to experience the mercy of God in this sacrament. Please make time for this wonderful opportunity. I’d like to thank Bishop John Noonan for his ministry to the Diocese of Orlando and communicate to you that he has offered his resignation, as is expected of all bishops upon reaching the age of 75. Here is an excerpt of what he wrote on 26 February, his birthday: “Today is my 75th birthday, and according to Canon 401 §1, I wrote a letter to our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, offering my retirement. I have served you, God’s holy people, as bishop of the Diocese of Orlando since December 2010, and as auxiliary in Miami since 2005. I pray rejoicing to God for my priestly ministry since the Sacrament of Holy Orders was conferred upon me in 1983, and I ask always for His blessing to lead His people that the bond of heaven flourish upon this earth. Even though I have sent my letter to our Holy Father as prescribed by Canon Law, the appointment of a successor may take time. In the Province of Miami, there are two other bishops last year who submitted their letters of retirement, and they also await word from the Holy See… Jesus asks us to pray for one another unceasingly. This is what I would ask of each one of you. Pray for one another. Pray for me, God’s humble servant, as I pray for you. Pray for our Holy Father as he discerns who will be appointed the next bishop of the Diocese of Orlando. Do not ponder what the next bishop can do for you; rather, ponder how you can serve God and assist the bishop and all clergy in their ministry. None of us are present on this earth to only get something from someone. We are invited, through the Sacrament of Baptism, and our partaking in receiving Jesus the Eucharist, to serve one another; not to expect to be served… Each one has been chosen, called, and sent as servants of the faith. During this season of Lent, as we prepare our heart to suffer the Cross with Jesus, may we come to know the gift of healing through His forgiveness that we are given eternal life. Through prayer, word and deed, may we forgive one another that His love flourishes the land. May a clean heart be the path of our pilgrimage to heaven.” We will keep him in our prayers until a successor is appointed. As we journey deeper into Lent, the readings for this Fifth Sunday (Year A) speak of death and rising, of graves and new land, and of weeping and rejoicing. In the story of raising Lazarus from the tomb, John unveils God's triumphant power over death, inviting us to trust in Christ's promise: "I am the resurrection and the life." Through Ezekiel's vision, Paul's exhortation, and John's account of Lazarus, we hear God's call to rise from the "graves" of sin and despair. The responsorial psalm echoes our Lenten plea as the psalmist cries out: "Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice!" Might we, like Lazarus, keep our eyes, our ears, and our hearts open to Jesus’ call to come out of our “graves.” Let us reflect with the Elect as they celebrate the Scrutinies during these weeks of Lent on these questions: Do we believe Jesus can unbind our graves of doubt, addiction, or grief? Can we "come out" of our self-imposed prisons and graves through confession, prayer, and fasting, preparing for Easter’s Paschal Mystery? Our Lord has the power to set us free just as he did for Lazarus when he proclaimed, “Untie him, and let him go." Have a joyful Lent! With love, Fr. John
Dear friends, In my March monthly update, I wrote something that I would like to share again with all: The season of Lent has begun, and the entire month of March is going to lead us further into its mysteries. I can already see beautiful things happening in both our families and our parish. We are more loving toward one another, there is less complaining, we are thirsting more for God, and have even grown to embrace fasting, prayer, and almsgiving like the people of Nineveh. If you meet someone who does not fit the description of that which is happening in our parish. be patient and enduringly kind. You may be their only encounter with someone who has shown them the love of Christ. For our Tuesdays of Lent series, we have planned a movie night at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, 17 March. “David” is an animated movie and will be appropriate for all ages. There will be crafts, and we will be serving hotdogs and popcorn. Thanks to Justin and Amanda Libak for organizing this event, a perfect way to celebrate St. Patrick’s day as a family at St. John’s. We will honor and celebrate the feast of St. Joseph on 19 March with Mass at 5:30 p.m. Immediately following, we will begin a second 40 Hours Adoration at 6 p.m. and end at 10 a.m. on Saturday, 21 March, with a Mass. I urge all of you to try to make one hour during any of these 40 hours, a uniquely powerful privilege for Catholics to experience heaven on earth before the Blessed Sacrament. St. Peter Julian Eymard said this about the importance of Adoration of the Holy Eucharist: “Look upon the hour of adoration assigned to you as an hour in paradise. Go to your adoration as one would to heaven, to the divine banquet. You will then long for that hour and hail it with joy. Take delight in fostering a longing for it in your heart. Tell yourself, ‘In four hours, in two hours, in one hour, our Lord will give me an audience of grace and love. He has invited me; he is waiting for me; he is longing for me.’” These 40 hours will be a great way to pray for an end to war, for the safety of our military personnel, and for the well-being of people everywhere, especially in the Middle East. Archbishop Paul Coakley, President of the USCCB, invites us to spend on hour in Adoration praying for peace and for the healing of society. He says, “Many people today feel powerless in the face of violence, injustice, and social unrest. To those who feel this way, I wish to say clearly: your faithfulness matters. Your prayers matter. Your acts of love and works of justice matter.” For some time now, I have been thinking of our Catholic brothers and sisters who have left the Church for whatever reasons. My heart aches for them, and yours should, too, I have formed a team with Shamir Patel as its lead to serve this new ministry that will begin to invite those who have left the Church to come back. More details to follow. On this Fourth Sunday of Lent, also known as “Laetare Sunday,” we are called to REJOICE midway through our Lenten journey! The Church invites us to lift our hearts with joy, symbolized by the rose-colored vestments we wear. As the liturgies remind us, Lent prepares us for Easter's radiant Paschal Mystery, calling us to conversion and light. In the gospel, we are treated to another long passage about the healing of the man blind from birth, following which Jesus declares, "While I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (Jn 9:5). This miracle reveals God's work in human suffering, not as punishment but for divine glory. The once blind man progresses from physical sight to faith, boldly proclaiming, "I do believe, Lord," and then he worshipped Jesus (Jn 9:38). Yet, the Pharisees, self-assured in their "vision," remain spiritually blind: "Your sin remains" (Jn 9:41). Let this Laetare joy call us to regain our sight to see in Jesus our Savior. Let us shed spiritual blindness, embrace mercy, and walk in Christ's light toward Easter. Have a joyful Lent With love, Fr. John
Dear friends, Our Lenten Mission this year reminded us to trust God in all things and to always give him due honor. Fr. Jim powerfully emphasized that the Eucharist is the foundation of our Catholic faith. When we come to church to worship him, we should come with utmost reverence, especially when receiving the Eucharist. He shared that while distributing Communion during one of our weekend Masses, someone came up to receive the Holy Eucharist with chewing gum in the mouth. This is certainly most disrespectful and unbecoming of who we are. I thought I would take this occasion to reflect together about what is expected of us. Do you remember the practice of fasting before receiving the Eucharist? The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1387) teaches that to prepare for the Eucharist, the faithful should observe the required fast, which Canon Law defines as abstaining from food and drink (except water and medicine) for at least one hour before Holy Communion. This practice prepares the heart and demonstrates reverence. Are there exceptions to this rule? Of course, especially when you are ill or aged. Interestingly, there is a concession given to priests who have to celebrate more than one Mass. In Canon No. 919, Canon Law states: "1. One who is to receive the Most Holy Eucharist is to abstain from any food or drink, with the exception only of water and medicine, for at least the period of one hour before Holy Communion. "2. A priest who celebrates the Most Holy Eucharist two or three times on the same day may take something before the second or third celebration even if the period of one hour does not intervene. "3. Those who are advanced in age or who suffer from any infirmity, as well as those who take care of them, can receive the Most Holy Eucharist even if they have taken something during the previous hour." I thank you in advance for doing your best to honor the sacredness of this space. Please do not chew anything during Mass or bring any drinks into the church, barring some water if absolutely necessary. You can always walk to the fountain in the narthex if you need to drink. In just one weekend, our women’s Emmaus Retreat filled to capacity, with several on a waitlist. Let us pray for both the presenters and those who will be attending, for the change it will bring to the life of our parish family. The Third Sunday of Lent draws our attention to one of the most fascinating encounters of Jesus when he meets the Samaritan woman at the well. We see how John constructs that story so beautifully to capture the heart of our Good Shepherd who goes in search of this woman. John builds up expectations as Jesus enters into deeper conversation with the individual he encounters in an attempt to lead her to discover the truth of his divinity. There is a perfect unfolding of who Jesus is and who the woman becomes. The Samaritan woman grows in her understanding of Jesus from being just a stranger asking for water to ultimately believing in him as the Messiah, even bringing other people to believe in him. Let us try to be more like the Samaritan who goes and proclaims the truth about Jesus Christ and wins them over to him. Please keep me and those going with me to Italy on our pilgrimage in your prayers. Among the holy sites we will be visiting is St. Francis’ mortal remains. This is the first time in 800 years that they will be on display for viewing. Some of us will also have an opportunity to see the mosaic work that is being done there. Stations of the Cross are held every day at 6 p.m. in the Grotto. On Fridays during Lent, we will host a special Stations of the Cross led by our various ministry teams, following which there will be soup supper in the parish hall. On Tuesday of this week at 7 p.m., we will host a Taize prayer service. Please join us for an amazing evening of meditation and chant. Have a joyful Lent! With love, Fr. John
Dear friends, The men and women of our parish who recently attended the Christ Renews His Parish retreats enjoyed time to not only grow close to one another but also to more fully understand the significance of the Holy Eucharist as our source and summit. I am immensely grateful to those who responded to our invitation as well as to those who hosted it and all who labored in love behind the scenes. This year, we are blessed to accompany our many catechumens and candidates. It is our responsibility to pray for them and encourage them on their journey. Last Saturday, 18 catechumens celebrated the Rite of Sending during the 4:30 p.m. Mass. On Sunday, they attended the Rite of Election at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe in Orlando and were formally accepted by Bishop John Noonan. Let us remember to accompany through prayer our catechumens and candidates who are preparing to embrace the Catholic faith during the Easter Vigil. This weekend, we will have the opportunity to welcome Fr. Jim Sichko, who is a Missionary of Mercy from the Diocese of Lexington, KY. He offered our Advent Mission in 2024 and is now here to offer our Lenten Mission in 2026. Please plan to attend each evening at 7 p.m., March 1 through 3 (Sunday through Tuesday). Stations of the Cross are held every day at 6 p.m. in the Grotto. On Fridays during Lent, we will host a special Stations of the Cross led by our various ministry teams, following which there will be soup supper in the parish hall. I am grateful to Lulu Farrell for so eloquently presenting her life’s journey last weekend and how she discovered St. John’s, now in the process of becoming Catholic. She reminded us of the many ways in which our participation in Our Catholic Appeal (OCA) 2026 enables the Diocese of Orlando to serve both the many ministries within the diocese as well as those in need. I am profoundly grateful to the many who have already responded, and I urge those who have not yet pledged or contributed to please consider doing so to support our diocesan efforts. Your gifts directly impact our parish and its continued growth. On this Second Sunday of Lent, the readings invite us to embrace God's transformative call — much like Abraham's obedient departure from the familiar — culminating in the radiant glory of Christ's Transfiguration. This is a season to trust in divine faithfulness amid trials, drawing strength from the Gospel's promise of eternal life. During Lent, we fast, pray, and give alms not by our strength but conformed to Christ's gaze of mercy, turning from harmful pleasures to celebrate His Passion. Like Abraham, let us readily respond to God's whisper: leave distractions, ascend in prayer, and listen to my Beloved Son. As we journey through Lent, let us pray that we might learn from Abraham's faith and the disciples' awe and, thus, be delivered from fear and shine with Jesus’ glory. Have a joyful Lent! With love, Fr. John
Dear friends, This weekend, we celebrate the First Sunday of Lent. It is the time in our liturgical year when we make a special effort to draw closer to God and all his purposes. It is a sacred time when we are called to discard or eliminate from our lives those things that hold us back from a deeper and more intimate relationship with God, a time to embrace the promise of conversion and a change of heart through the time-honored practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Lent is a time for transformation, helping us become the saints we are all called to be. We meet Christ in the desert, a time of deprivation in seeking total communion with the Father. Many holy men and women have embraced his fast of 40 days and 40 nights in an act of solidarity, reminded by Mother Church of our need for repentance and renewal as we recall Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection. St. Ignatius of Antioch, captures fasting's transformative power: "My love has been crucified and there is no longer in me the flame that desires material things." Written on his way to martyrdom, these words from Ignatius's Letter to the Romans (VII, 2) reveal fasting as a crucifixion of self-love and a kindling of love for Christ alone. Ignatius urges us to embrace our sojourn in the desert not as deprivation but as a forge for spiritual freedom. There will be many challenges to our faith, but we are called to be people with persevering hope. During this sacred time, it is also appropriate that we remember to accompany through prayer our catechumens and candidates who are preparing to embrace the Catholic faith during the Easter Vigil. On the First Sunday of Lent, we celebrate the Rite of Sending during which our catechumens will sign the Book of Elect at the Saturday 4:30 p.m. Mass. This act marks the final approval from our community of these, our brothers and sisters, who are now deemed ready to meet the bishop for the Rite of Election. Please remember to keep free every Tuesday of Lent for a special event that will aid us in our Lenten observance. This coming Tuesday, 24 February, we will offer Behold the Lamb of God, spending an hour in praise and worship of our Lord from 7 to 8 p.m. Every Friday of Lent is special with Stations of the Cross at the Grotto at 6 p.m., a soup supper served by our various ministries. Our Lenten Mission will be presented by Fr. Jim Sichko on 1-3 March (Sunday through Tuesday) at 7 p.m. Our Catholic Appeal (OCA) 2026: Last weekend, we launched Our Catholic Appeal, joining Bishop Noonan with his reflection on the theme, "Inspired by the Spirit," in which he invited us to reflect on how the Holy Spirit empowers us to be God’s light in Central Florida: “Our Catholic Appeal offers a visible occasion to present the heart of God to His people. The ministries supported by Our Catholic Appeal keep us steady on our pebbled path, that we might ignore the distractions blinding us to God. These ministries infuse us with the fire of the Holy Spirit to be God’s light where His light is unknown or hidden from view.” I am profoundly grateful to the many who have already responded, and I urge those who have not yet pledged or contributed to please consider doing so to support our diocese in its efforts to serve so many ministries and parishes. St. John’s has received much support from the diocese throughout our incredible growth. Your gifts directly impact our parish by providing clergy and leadership support, professional services such as fiscal management, human resources, and facility maintenance expertise that ensure our parish remains a safe and well-run home for all, faith formation (resources for our catechists and lay leaders to better form our children and adults in the faith), and protection for the vulnerable (specialized training for Safe Environment protocols that protect our children and vulnerable adults during every parish event). Have a joyful Lent! With love, Fr. John
Dear friends, Lent is here! We begin this holy season with Ash Wednesday on 18 February. To help everyone participate — especially those heading to school or work — we will celebrate four Masses to better accommodate your schedules: 7:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 12:05 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. Lent is a sacred, forty−day journey of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving modeled after Jesus’ time in the desert. It is a season given to us by the Church to slow down, refocus, and prepare our hearts for the joy and victory of the Resurrection at Easter. On Ash Wednesday, the imposition of ashes in the form of a cross marks the beginning of that journey. The ashes are a visible sign of repentance and humility, and they remind us of our human frailty as we hear the solemn words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” The ashes are not a sign of despair but, rather, a sign of hope; the cross traced on our foreheads reminds us that we belong to Christ and that, through repentance and renewal, we walk toward Easter with confidence and joy. Let us begin this Lenten journey together. The Sixth Sunday readings invite us to embrace our freedom to choose life and our fidelity to God's law. Sirach reminds us, "Before each person are life and death, and whichever one chooses will be given" (Sir 15:17), while the psalmist prays for a heart steadfast in God's statutes. St. Paul reveals God's hidden wisdom through the Spirit, and Jesus fulfills the law, calling us to a righteousness surpassing externals, guarding our hearts from anger, lust, and false oaths: “Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’" (Mt 5:37). May we live this deeper holiness in our daily choices. Congratulations to the recipients of the Family of the Month Award — Jesse, Sonia and Rey Santiago — for your amazing service to our parish family. May you continue your selfless commitment to the family of St. John’s! Our Catholic Appeal 2026: This weekend, our parish will join with the entire Diocese of Orlando to launch the annual Our Catholic Appeal (OCA). This year’s theme, "Inspired by the Spirit," calls us to reflect on how the Holy Spirit empowers us to be God’s light in Central Florida. While we often see the vibrancy of life within our own community, many of our vital ministries are made possible through the collective support of the diocese. Your gifts to OCA directly impact our parish by providing clergy and leadership support, professional services such as fiscal management, human resources, and facility maintenance expertise that ensure our parish remains a safe and well−run home for all, faith formation (resources for our catechists and lay leaders to better form our children and adults in the faith), and protection for the vulnerable (specialized training for Safe Environment protocols that protect our children and vulnerable adults during every parish event). Beyond our parish borders, your generosity fuels Catholic Charities of Central Florida, providing food, medical care, and housing to our neighbors in need as well as support for our Sister Diocese in San Juan de la Maguana. We invite you to prayerfully consider your gift during the Masses this weekend when making your pledge or contributing online through the Diocese of Orlando Giving Portal. Whether through a single gift or a monthly pledge, your participation will help us reach our parish goal for this year ($453,269) and continue the work of Christ in our community. “Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (Mt 5:16). Have a blessed week! With love, Fr. John
Dear friends, God must surely have a wonderful sense of humor. Last Sunday’s frigid weather — so unusual for us Floridians — turned out to be an unexpected blessing for our International Festival. In the Gospel, we were given a prescription for blessedness: to be poor in spirit. The poor in spirit are those who know their need for God, and we lived that truth so beautifully that day. As we began the festival, there was a prayer on our lips: “Lord, we have done all we can. The rest is in your hands. We need you.” And God responded. What unfolded was a joyful, grace−filled celebration. I am immensely grateful to you, my dear families of St. John’s, for your warmth, generosity, commitment, and love for God and for our community. Thank you for the sacrifices you made to showcase how, in God’s mercy, people from different continents and cultures have come together as one. Our parish truly reflects the Gospel preached to the ends of the earth. This year’s Silver Jubilee International Festival was centered on a beautiful theme: “United in Christ, Webbed in Love.” Everything we experienced gave life to that theme — the reverent liturgy, the sharing of delicious food, and the stunning performances that revealed the richness of our many talents and traditions. I am deeply grateful to Janet Owens who chaired the festival committee with remarkable dedication and vision. Beginning over a year ago, she planned every detail with care and perseverance, guiding the entire effort to a wonderful finish. My sincere thanks also go to all of our committee chairs and the many volunteers who worked tirelessly across so many areas: liturgy, banners, food, entertainment, kitchen crew, media/video, baskets, logistics and traffic, information and administration, photography, bar, Boy Scouts, and all our liturgical ministries. Each of you is truly a blessing to our parish. I am especially grateful to Beth Lowry, our Business Manager, who graciously coordinated with all the committees to ensure everything moved seamlessly. Many of you gave long hours, personal resources, and your God−given talents with generous hearts living out, almost recklessly, what it means to be one in Christ, webbed in love. At the end of the festival, the beauty of what we shared was captured perfectly in a single, heartfelt observation. Helen Buchanan, one of our beloved octogenarians, said, “If only our world could have a slice of what we experienced today.” Indeed, for a moment, we glimpsed the kingdom of God among us. Thank you for braving the cold to come and worship the Lord — no small sacrifice for Floridians! For the first time, I had to dig out my long coat from my days at Notre Dame and Vermont, never imagining I would need it here. And for the first time since moving into our church in 2018, we turned on the heat! Blessed indeed are the people chosen to be God’s own. Next weekend, we will have the opportunity to hear from our beloved Bishop John Noonan as he shares how the diocese continues to be a blessing to so many. You will also have the opportunity to respond to his appeal through this year’s Our Catholic Appeal (OCA). Thank you, as always, for your generous support of our diocese. This weekend, we also enter more deeply into Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. He tells his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth … You are the light of the world.” Our faith is not meant to be hidden or kept private. Like salt, we are called to bring flavor, preserve goodness, and inspire hope. Like light, we are meant to shine not for our own glory but so that others may see God’s love through us. May our kindness, honesty, and compassion this week give glory to our Father in heaven. Have a blessed week. With love, Fr. John
Dear friends, Reflecting on our jubilee year and recent parish events, I wonder if we, a growing community of faith−filled people, realize how truly blessed we are. Do we allow ourselves to pause now and again to appreciate what we do, how we do, for whom we do, and why we do? In the busy−ness of our lives, it’s easy to take for granted the beauty of our Catholic faith, the wisdom of our Church, and the diversity of the people who embody it. I often feel that many of us simply go through the motions but miss the beauty of our liturgies. Ever grateful to be part of this thriving and vibrant parish, I am always amazed by what our many visitors experience and their heartfelt appreciation and gratitude. As an example, I wish to share with you something written by one of our visitors at last Sunday’s Mass, the 3rd Sunday, celebrated as Sunday of the Word. Her name is Kelly, and this is what she wrote: “Father John: I attended Mass this past Sunday with my dear friend, Gina Campbell, in memory of her mother, Arlene Harrington. Gina and Kevin were so kind to host me for a few days while I was here visiting. As I told you when I left Mass, I was so encouraged that the message that day was to read the Bible. I don’t think that was a coincidence. As a Christian I believe everything is divinely planned. I had not attended Catholic Church for many years even thought I was raised in a devoutly Catholic home and both my parents not only brought us to Church every Sunday but they modeled their faith daily. It has just been in the past four years I joined a church near my home that focuses on bible study. After hearing your service, I’m looking forward to going back to the Catholic Mass. Unfortunately, my church (St. Catherine) was closed and all three consolidated into one church in downtown Portsmouth…. Thank you, Father. Kelly.” I pass along her thanks to all of you for living out your faith. Fr. Martin and I are extremely grateful to be part of this family of St. John’s. During phase 1 of our Mosaic construction project (begun on 21 January), we will be nomads. Daily Masses are held in the Fr. Patrick Peyton Room at 8 a.m., with adoration in Room 9 of the parish center, same hours as before. Weekend Masses will continue to be held in the church. Thank you for enduring this inconvenience until just before Palm Sunday. On this 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, we hear from Matthew’s gospel, chapter 5, which begins with Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount. In the Beatitudes, Jesus enumerates a series of fundamental principles/attitudes that bring forth blessedness and offer the way to a good life. The Beatitudes are considered the "New Law" that fulfills and completes the promises of the Old Testament; they depict the character of Jesus, emphasizing simplicity and humility, meekness and spiritual poverty as essential attitudes of a blessed person. The Beatitudes serve as a “road map” for living as disciples of Jesus, challenging the believer to embrace values opposite to worldly successes. Pope Benedict XVI described the Beatitudes (Matthew 5) as a "veiled interior biography of Jesus," representing a "new program of life" that translates the Cross and Resurrection into daily discipleship. He viewed them as a countercultural path to true happiness that frees people from the world's false values. Let us pray that we, as people of St. John’s, might embrace the gentleness of Jesus as we live out our blessedness. On 1 February, we celebrate our biannual International Festival, a beautiful expression of Jesus’ parting command to his disciples to carry the Good News of the Gospel to all corners of the earth. This weekend, you will see a lived reality of this vision — people from all corners of the earth professing our one, catholic, and apostolic faith. Though our forecast predicts cold weather, we can bring warmth and love by gathering to celebrate with the theme, “United in Christ, Webbed in Love.” So, plan to pull out the warm clothes you rarely have the opportunity to wear in Florida, and bring your family and friends to celebrate our brotherhood and sisterhood in Christ. The team has worked for over a year to make this happen, and there will be much joy on that day, first to be shared at the Eucharistic Table and then with bountiful food from so many different cultures. We will also enjoy lively song and dance. What a blessing it will be to rejoice together as an amazing community of believers. In honor of St. Blaise, we shall have a Blessing of the Throats after every Mass! Have a blessed week! With love, Fr. John
Dear friends, “Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.” How true is this portion of the psalm we have been praying during this Silver Jubilee Year at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community, and what a week! We thank God for sparing us from the dreadful weather that was forecast for last Sunday during the blessing of our rectory. I am filled with gratitude to God for blessing us with a new rectory for the priests who minister to our family and to all who worked to make this dream come true: our beloved Bishop John Noonan, for his gracious presence, his blessing of the rectory, and for presiding over the liturgy; Dr. Chris Haug who came all the way from South Bend, IN to represent the U.S. Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross; for Catherine McCarthy and her team who helped to ensure the successful coordination of the day’s event; for our amazing kitchen ministry team who took care of feeding so many of us; for Mr. Ed Fleis and Monarch Homes of Brevard, LLC and all the subcontractors; and for all of you and your continued generosity. In a few days, when we receive the Certificate of Occupancy, Fr. Martin and I will begin to move in. This marks another era and proud accomplishment for our parish community. Truly blessed are we, the people the Lord has chosen to be his own! On Tuesday, 20 January, we celebrated the Feast of Blessed Moreau and the anniversary of the dedication of our church. Thanks to Dr. Chris Haug who engaged the staff in an in−service program from 11 to 2 p.m. He also delivered a beautiful presentation on Holy Cross and St. John the Evangelist as a force for good in the worldwide community of Holy Cross, how we can be makers of hope, bringers of hope, shapers of hope, and how each of us can stoke the dying embers with a renewed and burning desire to make God known, loved, and served as did Blessed Moreau. Thanks to Joe Maurin and our CRHP men who helped empty the sanctuary on Tuesday evening to enable the work of building the wall for the mosaic project. Remember, Phase 1 will run from Wednesday, 21 January through Friday, 27 March. We will take a break for Easter and then begin Phase 2 on the Monday after Divine Mercy Sunday, 13 April, when the mosaic design will be applied. The final reveal with Thanksgiving Mass for the Jubilee Year will be held on Sunday, 24 May. For our snowbirds who will be returning home, please make sure you stay until the 24th of May. Pope Francis, in his motu proprio of 30 September 2019, “Aperuit Illis” (8), declared that “the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is to be devoted to the celebration of, study, and dissemination of the word of God. This Sunday of the Word of God will thus be a fitting part of that time of year when we are encouraged to strengthen our bonds with the Jewish people and to pray for Christian unity … This Sunday therefore, gives us opportunity to renew our resolve to grow in the knowledge and love of the Scriptures and of the risen Lord, who continues to speak his word and to break bread in the community of believers.” We will take time to honor the Word of God in the Scriptures and find ways to regularly read the Bible. Many of our parishioners have already followed the Bible in a Year podcast by Fr. Mike Schmitz. If you have not, I strongly suggest you do so this year. I’d like to thank our lectors who faithfully and conscientiously prepare each day and each week to proclaim the Word of God to us. Thank you for your love of the Word and for proclaiming it so beautifully. Might we all hear afresh and be in awe of the fact that God speaks to us through the proclamation of the Word at each Mass. Jeremy Priest, reflecting about this Sunday says, “In the prologue to his gospel, Saint John helps us see that speaking is not merely something God does: not only does God speak in the beginning; not only was the Word ‘with God’ in the beginning … ‘the Word was God’ (1:1)! In this vein, the Catholic novelist, Walker Percy, famously called God Deus Loquens, the ‘speaking God.’ Indeed, the God who speaks the Word.” Let us attune ourselves to this speaking God and his way of speaking. In the Gospel of Matthew 4: 12−23, we hear both of those who did not hear Jesus’ words and of those who heard and answered his call like Simon, Andrew, James, and John. The gospel points out that “He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.” Are you accustomed to hearing the Lord speak? Have a blessed week! With love, Fr, John Servant of God Bishop Vincent McCauley The oldest of six children, Bishop Vincent McCauley, was born on March 8, 1906, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. His parish school, St. Francis Xavier, first awakened in him a desire for missionary work and evangelization. Inspired by Holy Cross priests who preached a mission at his parish in the fall of 1924, McCauley left Creighton University and entered the Congregation of Holy Cross Seminary at the University of Notre Dame. McCauley took final vows with Holy Cross on July 2, 1929. After ordination in Washington, D.C. on June 24, 1934, his mission to East Bengal (now Bangladesh and part of India) was postponed for two years due to Great Depression funding issues, and he departed in October 1936. McCauley’s work among the neglected Kuki Christians in Agartala (a distinct minority in the overwhelmingly Muslim country) confirmed his calling as a missionary. Unfortunately, illness forced him back to the United States in May 1944. He spent nearly a year in recovery before joining the formation staff at the Foreign Mission Seminary in Washington. The next 13 years of his life would be devoted to seminarian formation and mission procuration, a role in which McCauley made famous the mission appeal slogan – “Wanted to build a better world: Few architects, more bricklayers.” In 1958, McCauley was sent to lead the congregation’s new mission to Uganda. As had been the case in East Bengal, the congregation’s work in western Uganda focused on building up the local Church through the establishment, renovation, and strengthening of parish churches and schools. When Rome split western Uganda into two dioceses, McCauley was appointed bishop of the newly−created Diocese of Fort Portal. As Bishop, McCauley built the diocese from the ground up, founding numerous parishes and diocesan structures, along with St. Mary’s Minor Seminary for local priestly formation. Remembered for his compassion and leadership, Bishop McCauley guided the Church in aiding countless refugees, widows, orphans, and migrants in the region during the political turmoil of the 1960’s and 70’s. His leadership in the establishment of both an East African seminary and the Catholic University of Eastern Africa remains one of his distinctly Holy Cross legacies to a region in which global Catholicism finds one of its modern centers of gravity. In August 2006, the cause for canonization of McCauley was introduced in the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. As Servant of God, Bishop McCauley’s cause undergoes review by the Diocese of Fort Portal, Uganda. Holy Cross seeks to emulate his faith, talent, energy, and joy – gifts by which he made God known, loved, and served.
Dear friends, I am filled such immense gratitude for our Lord’s abundant graces and sing with the psalmist, “I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done” (9:1). The rectory for our priests to live in on the campus of St. John’s is a dream come true. I am grateful to so many for their guidance, encouragement, expertise, and support: our beloved bishop, John Noonan, Rev. Bill Lies, C.S.C., Provincial of the U.S. Province, and Scott Fergerson and Debbie Whalen from the Department of Ecclesiastical Property. In addition, I thank Beth Lowry, our Business Manager, for her attention to all of the details involved with such an undertaking, and our parish and finance councils and building committee for their support. A huge thanks to Ed Flies and the Monarch Homes of Brevard, LLC for the design and build of this beautiful residence. Finally, thanks to you, my beloved family of St. John’s, for your amazing generosity. You never cease to amaze me, as I recall George Bowdren’s offer of a check some five years ago to begin the work of building a rectory. I wish to name our rectory “Saint John’s House” after our patron. May the Lord bless and watch over the priests who will stay there, and may they always be ready to serve the people of God with love and enthusiasm. I extend a warm welcome to Most Reverend John Noonan, Bishop of the Diocese of Orlando, Reverend Bill Lies, C.S.C., Provincial of the U.S. Province, Mr. Chris Haug, Director of Apostolic Missions of the U.S. Province, and my community members from Cocoa Beach for their presence at this memorable occasion. Feast of Blessed Moreau and the Anniversary of the Dedication of Our Church — Eight years have passed since we were blessed with the new church building, and we gratefully remember that day when we first entered the house of the Lord to worship, Saturday, January 20, 2018, the Feast of Blessed Moreau. We will, therefore, celebrate this day with Mass at 8 a.m. in the church. We will gather in the hall at 5 p.m. for its rededication and name it officially as the Holy Cross Hall. Dr. Chris Haug will offer a presentation on how St. John the Evangelist is an expression of Fr. Moreau’s vision to extend Christ’s reach to the world. The day will conclude with a holy hour, “Behold the Lamb of God.” Construction of the wall behind the altar in the sanctuary will begin on Wednesday, 21 January. This will not affect our weekend Masses; however, daily Mass and funeral/wedding Masses will be held in the former daily Mass chapel, the Fr. Patrick Peyton Room. The adoration chapel will remain closed for the duration of the construction and will be moved to room 9 with hours staying the same. Thank you for your cooperation. Congratulations to Hank Poletto, recipient of the Family of the Month Award for January 2026. Hank and his late wife Carol have been a huge part of our developing parish from the beginning. Congratulations to our amazing Team SJE for holding on to first place in this year’s Children’s Hunger Project 5K held on Saturday, 10 January. Thanks to Dawn and Mike Hurley for coordinating the event and to Fr. John Patrick Riley, C.S.C., who came all the way from Phoenix, AZ to take part. This was our largest team to date with 62 members, our five fastest runners assuring the victory: Michael Girard, Phil Piotrowksi, Quinn Pasanen, David Schill, and Christine Rodriguez. The Spirit of Holy Cross Award instituted by the Province of the Priests and Brothers of Holy Cross recognizes and celebrates lay collaborators who strive to enhance the spirit and the charism of the Congregation of Holy Cross. The Spirit of Holy Cross Award acknowledges the critical importance lay collaborators play in living out the vision and mission of Holy Cross founder, Blessed Basil Moreau, “to make God known, loved, and served through education, parish and mission settings.” I am deeply honored to announce that the recipient of the Spirit of Holy Cross Award 2026 is Carrie Seringer. We congratulate her and her family for their extraordinary love for the Congregation of Holy Cross. Today, we celebrate the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A. We continue the theme of last Sunday, focusing on John the Baptist and his mission as the precursor to Jesus, announcing his identity as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. How blessed we are to have a Savior in Jesus. Have a blessed week! With love, Fr. John Blessed Basil Moreau Blessed Basil Moreau, the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, was born in Laigné− en−Belin, in the Diocese of Le Mans, France, on Feb. 11, 1799. In 1821, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of LeMans. He later became a seminary professor, teaching philosophy and theology while enthusiastically continuing to engage in pastoral work. He was known not only as an inspiring professor but also a man of God who faithfully sought to grow in the image of Christ through prayer, personal asceticism, and service. Blessed Basil Moreau is commemorated on January 20. Blessed Basil Moreau demonstrated steadfastness throughout his life, enduring adversity, temptations, and setbacks while relying on Divine Providence and maintaining trust in God. He expressed complete trust in God: “My God, I consent to this provided the Congregation be saved and that You be glorified.” His sense of urgency was reflected in his awareness of God’s presence and love, shaping his vocation as a priest and founder. He responded to God's call with devotion, expressing the desire to live solely for God's glory. He had a deep realization of the presence of God, of God’s love, and of God’s call to him personally. Moreau expressed love and gratitude, as he demonstrated in a sermon, “He alone merits the homage of my mind and the affection of my heart. I want to live but for Him and to breathe but for His glory.” Basil Moreau was a man of untiring effort. It was in service that he lived and struggled. In his meditation on the workers sent into the vineyard, he wrote, “If today you hear the voice of the Lord to the care of His vineyard – harden not your hearts – but go at once.” Moreau constantly tried to cooperate with the grace of his calling. He wrote, “Each one will try his best, with the help of grace, to augment his love until it fills his whole mind, his whole heart, until it exhausts his strength.” Basil Moreau was a dedicated spiritual leader and educator who emphasized patience, gentleness, faith, and forgiveness. He saw Jesus as the educator of his disciples, the model educator, and advised combining firmness with wise restraint. Moreau was passionate about his mission, addressing the Church's needs, such as shortages of priests, educators, and aid for the poor. Moreau grew up amidst the turmoil of the French Revolution, and as a young priest he felt compelled to revitalize a Church devastated by years of civil war. With nearly two−thirds of France’s clergy and religious exiled or killed, Moreau organized a group of Auxiliary Priests to preach, teach, and bring the message of Christ to those in neglected towns and villages and founded religious communities at Holy Cross. Confident in God's guidance, he established Holy Cross as a recognized body within the Church and developed its statutes and rules over twenty years, focusing on broad evangelization through education. In 1957, Basil Moreau was declared a Servant of God. On April 12, 2003, Pope John Paul II proclaimed him Venerable. Basil Moreau was beatified in Le Mans by Pope Benedict XVI on September 15, 2007, the feast day of Our Lady of Sorrows and the feast day of the Congregation of Holy Cross. For canonization, another miracle is needed for both “blessed” martyrs and “blessed” who lived a virtuous life, attributed to the intercession of the “blessed,” and having occurred after his or her beatification. Canonization allows for the public veneration of the saint by the Universal Church. With canonization, the blessed acquires the title of saint. Today, we pray for the canonization of Blessed Basil Moreau.