Palm Sunday 3/24/2024

Dear friends, Our pilgrimage to three countries (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) took us to little-known places of significance to our Catholic faith, popular in those parts of the world. I was particularly amazed at the three Marian shrines we visited and would like to share some information about them with you: 1) The Black Madonna of Einsiedeln — known as “Our Lady of the Hermits” — is a revered 15th-century Gothic wooden statue of the Virgin Mary and Christ Child housed inside the Chapel of Grace at Einsiedeln Benedictine Abbey in Switzerland. 2) Schoenstatt Sanctuary is a small, sacred chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title “Mother Thrice Admirable,” modeled after the original shrine founded in Vallendar, Germany, in 1914. Schoenstatt has now become a movement founded by Fr. Joseph Kentenich. Approximately 200 shrines have been built in 35 countries on all continents, all exact replicas of the original shrine. 3) Mariazell Basilica – is a Marian shrine considered the most important pilgrimage destination in Austria, attracting over a million pilgrims each year. Our Mother Mary is honored there as “Magnus Mater Austriae,” Latin for “Great Mother of Austria.” National Clergy Appreciation Day is celebrated annually on the second Sunday of October. I wish to thank the members of our Silver Jubilee team who worked with great dedication to produce a video that recognizes the pastors, associates, and deacons who have served our community — Charles Miller, John Vitagliano, and Rita Agustynowicz. Thank you for your continued prayers and support! On this 28th Sunday, Year A, the Church invites us to reflect on the parable of the wedding of a prince. Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a king who prepares a magnificent wedding banquet for his son. The invitations go out but, surprisingly, many of the invited guests refuse to come. Some ignore the invitation; others are simply too busy with their own affairs. The story is a reminder that God is constantly inviting us to His banquet of grace. His invitation is not something we earn; it is a gift. Every day, God invites us into a deeper relationship with Him through prayer, the Eucharist, His Word, and the people He places in our lives. But there is another part of the gospel that should make us pause. When the king enters the banquet hall, he notices a man who is not wearing a wedding garment. What does this mean? The wedding garment represents a heart that is prepared to receive the gift of God. It is not enough simply to accept the invitation; we are called to allow God…s grace to change us. We come to Mass every Sunday because we have accepted God…s invitation. But the question is: “What happens to us after we leave?” Does the Eucharist change the way we speak to our spouse, treat our children, respond to a difficult person, forgive someone who has hurt us, or care for someone who is lonely? The banquet is not simply about getting into the church; it is about allowing Christ to get into our hearts. Perhaps the most important question this Sunday is not, “Am I invited?” We already know the answer: Yes! God has invited each one of us. The deeper question is, “Am I ready to respond?” The world gives us countless invitations every day — an invitation to worry, to anger, to resentment, to self-centeredness, to busyness. God gives us another invitation: Come to the banquet. Come and receive my love. Come and be changed by my grace. As we come to the altar this Sunday, let us remember that the Eucharist is a foretaste of the eternal banquet. We are not merely attending Mass; we are accepting an invitation from the King. May we come with grateful hearts clothed in faith, hope, love, and mercy, and may the grace we receive at the Lord…s table become visible in the way we live our lives. The invitation has been extended. The banquet is ready. The question is: “Will we come?” We will continue our journey through the first encyclical written by Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity). I invite you to continue to reflect on this monumentally important topic for today. Have a blessed week!  With love, Fr. John

Dear friends, For Catholics, October is traditionally dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary, significant as a month of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a beautiful opportunity for the Church to rediscover Mary not simply as someone we honor but as the mother who leads us to Jesus. The connection between October and the rosary is particularly associated with the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7. Last year on that day, we processed with Our Lady as we prayed the rosary on our way to the Grotto where we celebrated Mass. This year, we shall do the same. We will gather in the Holy Cross Hall and process with our Mother at 5.30 p.m. Fran and Peter Behrens will lead the rosary, followed by the celebration of Mass. In addition, each day in October we will pray the rosary at the Grotto at 6 p.m. Once again, we are reminded of Fr. Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., who spearheaded this massive movement saying, “The family that prays together stays together.” Congratulations to Joyce Weber, recipient of the Family of the Month for September 2026. Thank you, Joyce, for radiating the JOY of the Lord. In just 5 short years, you have immersed yourself in our community, serving us through your involvement in so many ministries. What a blessing you are!  Rosary in Motion: Janet Fovargue is the coordinator of this new ministry, and her aim is to keep people moving with grace according to their abilities. All you need is a mat to perform the stretches. We will meet every Tuesday in the Fr. Patrick Peyton Room from 6-7 p.m. beginning on 6 October. Thank you, Janet, for leading this restorative new ministry as we praise our Lord Jesus along with Mary our Mother. Men and women age 16 and up are welcome as well as children ages 8+ with an accompanying adult. Alzheimer’s disease is a serious challenge for many in our parish community who are faced with the struggle to provide care. Under the leadership of Kathleen Rufino and her core team, we are founding the Remember Me Ministry, a reflection on the state of our memory and God’s promise: “I will never forget you” (Isaiah 49: 15) as well as the good thief’s prayer on the cross: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23: 42). The objective of this ministry is to remember: “When memory fades, love remains. When our memory fails, God never forgets.” We pray through the intercession of Saint Dymphna, patron saint of Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and other mental or nervous illnesses. Our first meeting will be on Thursday, October 15, at 10 a.m. in rooms 1 & 2. The 27th Sunday’s gospel message presents us with the parable of the wicked tenants who forget that the vineyard belongs to the landowner. They take what has been entrusted to them and begin to act as though it belongs entirely to them. Jesus invites us to see ourselves in this story. Our lives, our families, our parish, our gifts, and even our faith are not possessions to be controlled but, rather, blessings entrusted to our care. The vineyard is God’s. The question is: What kind of fruit are we producing? St. Paul encourages us to fill our hearts with whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8). When we live with gratitude rather than entitlement, generosity rather than selfishness, and love rather than resentment, our lives begin to bear the fruits God desires. As we gather around the Lord’s table this Sunday, may we remember that we are not merely recipients of God’s gifts. We are also stewards of His vineyard, called to cultivate it faithfully and share its fruits generously with others. On that note, I am grateful to God for sparing us from the dangers of major storms, even as we are in the height of the hurricane season. We have been extremely blessed with good weather. I urge you to pray that we may be spared this hurricane season. Prayer for Protection from Hurricanes: God our Father, Creator of the Universe and Lord over all creation, we humbly stand before you as your children in thanksgiving for your loving care and protection. We ask that you keep us safe from all dangerous storms and hurricanes that may threaten us in the coming seasons. Protect us from all fear and anxiety of storms, and give us an ardent trust and hope in your love and mercy. You alone have the power to command the sea, the wind, and the rain. You alone bring peace, calm, and safety. Father, we thank you in advance, for you are our only Refuge. We ask this through Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen. We will continue our journey through the first encyclical written by Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity). I invite you to continue to reflect on this monumentally important topic for today. Have a blessed week! With love, Fr. John

Dear friends, In the coming week, we bridge two of the four “ber” months, bringing September to a close and beginning the month of October. We will have several beautiful opportunities to pray and celebrate together: On September 29, we celebrate the Feast of the Archangels — Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. This is also a wonderful occasion to remember in prayer our first responders, firefighters, and public safety officers who serve and protect our communities. We will celebrate a special noon Mass to pray for them and their safety and well-being. On October 2, we celebrate the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels. It is a good day to return to that beautiful prayer many of us learned as children: Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day, be at my side, to light and guard, rule and guide. Amen. And in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, we will have the “Blessing of Animals” on Saturday, October 3, at noon. Please bring your beloved pets to the covered drop-off area of the church to give thanks for the gift of creation and ask God‟s blessing upon our pets. This Sunday‟s gospel gives us a simple but searching question: What does our “yes” to God really mean? Jesus tells the story of two sons asked by their father to go out and work in the vineyard. One initially says “no” but later changes his mind and goes out to work. The other says “yes” but never goes. Jesus reminds us that God is less interested in our words than in the direction of our lives. We all have moments in our lives when we have said “no” to God — through selfishness, hesitation, fear, weakness, or sin. But the beautiful message of the gospel is that a “no” does not have to be our final answer. There is always the grace to turn around, change our minds, and say “yes.” Jesus even points to the tax collectors and prostitutes as examples of those who initially said “no” but ultimately responded to God‟s call. Their lives remind us that God is patiently waiting for our conversion and transformation. This is precisely what St. Paul invites us to embrace in his Letter to the Philippians: “Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus.” Perhaps the most important prayer we can make this week is a simple one: “Lord, I may not always get it right, but I want to say yes to you today.” Our faith is not measured merely by what we promise but by what we are willing to do. The vineyard is waiting, and there is still work for each of us to do. May our “yes” to God become not merely a word on our lips but a way of life. On 8 September, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Mother, we concluded our Silver Jubilee year. Today, I want to express my deepest and most sincere gratitude to everyone who helped make this extraordinary year possible. It took nearly 8 months just to prepare for the jubilee. Someone asked me, “Fr. John, why do you want to take on so much hard work? Just celebrate a Mass and be done with it. After all, who really cares?” Well, this is simply me. While I am here, let me do what I know best: Serve the Lord with JOY. For twenty-five years, God has been writing the story of our parish. Our theme, “A Journey of Grace, Faith, and Hope,” has truly captured the spirit of this jubilee. The year has been a beautiful opportunity to remember God‟s faithfulness, celebrate His blessings, and look forward with renewed hope. I offer a special word of gratitude to Sandy Samuel, our Silver Jubilee Coordinator. Thank you for your extraordinary leadership, dedication, organization, creativity, and professionalism. You carried this responsibility with grace and excellence, often working quietly behind the scenes to bring countless details together. Your service has been invaluable, and I am deeply grateful. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to all the committee leaders, volunteers, ministry leaders, and parishioners. Your generosity of time, talents, energy, and resources made this jubilee truly special. From planning and preparing to welcoming, serving, decorating, celebrating, and cleaning up, every contribution mattered. Most especially, I am grateful for the participation and enthusiasm of our parish family. You came together in faith, fellowship, and joy, reminding us that the church is not simply a building — it is a family walking together toward Christ My deepest desire is that we might carry our jubilee blessings into the future. May our faith deepen, our hope grow, and our love for one another continue to flourish. Thank you for making this “Journey of Grace, Faith, and Hope” a beautiful chapter in the story of St. John the Evangelist. We will continue our journey through the first encyclical written by Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity). I invite you to continue to reflect on this monumentally important topic for today. With love, Fr. John

Dear friends,  Last weekend, we had the privilege of honoring and praying for our grandparents and the vital role they play in imparting their faith to younger generations. Once again, thank you, and may the fire of your love for the Lord continue to burn within you and your families. On September 24th (after a delay of six years), Venerable Fulton J. Sheen will be beatified at 2 p.m. at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri, a historic day for Catholics in the U.S. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, pro-prefect for the Dicastery for Evangelization, will preside. The archbishop was undeniably one of the 20th century’s greatest evangelists, offering his life, his vocation, and his talents to making Jesus known and loved more deeply. Often called “God’s microphone,” he reached millions through radio, television, and print, most notably through his Emmy Award winning program, “Life Is Worth Living.” Msgr. Jason Gray, Executive Director of the Archbishop Fulton John Sheen Foundation, said that his impact was rooted not merely in his communication skills but also in the genuine humility of his spiritual life. Msgr. Gray further noted that Sheen really understood the common man. His ability to connect faith with everyday life became a hallmark of his preaching. Because of his ability to draw from current events of his day, philosophy, and culture, he effectively held the “Bible in one hand, and the local paper in another hand.” One of the remarkable spiritual practices of Venerable Sheen that can be attributed to the success of his reach was his determination to spend one HOLY HOUR every day before the Blessed Sacrament. As we strive to reach our goal of 24/7 adoration at St. John the Evangelist, may he intercede for us. “Pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament,” he said in regard to pursuing a holy life. “That actually is probably the most important thing that you can do.” Gratitude to our Altar Guild: I am extremely grateful to Joanne Fusco who has faithfully led our Altar Guild Ministry for many years. Joanne and her team have quietly and consistently cared for the linens and vestments used at the altar as well as the candles and holy water fonts. This is a ministry that works behind the scenes, but its service is essential to the beauty and dignity of our liturgical celebrations. Joanne will be taking a well-deserved break, and we thank her for her many years of dedicated service. I am also grateful to Kathy Meldrum who has graciously accepted the responsibility of leading the Altar Guild. Thank you, Kathy, for your willingness to take on this important ministry. Please keep both Joanne and Kathy in your prayers. Our children have now begun to actively participate at the 9 a.m. liturgy. Thank you, parents, for your support and encouragement toward ensuring your children’s growth in practice of our Catholic faith and love of our Lord. This Monday, I am setting out on a pilgrimage to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland with a number of our parishioners. Please keep us in your prayers, and be assured of ours for all of you. This weekend, we celebrate the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time and, once again, Matthew gives us a thought-provoking parable, one that may even disturb our understanding of justice and mercy. Jesus tells of a landowner who goes out at different hours of the day to hire workers for his vineyard. Some begin working early in the morning; others are hired at noon, in the afternoon, and even at the final hour. Yet, when the day ends, the landowner gives everyone the same wage. Those who worked for only one hour receive the same as those who labored the entire day. Doesn't our sense of justice get rattled a little? We may find ourselves thinking, “That doesn't seem fair!” And, perhaps, that is exactly what Jesus wants us to consider. We tend to measure everything by comparison: I worked longer, I sacrificed more, I deserve more. But God does not operate according to our calculations. The prophet Isaiah reminds us: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8–9). Jesus invites us to look at life not through the eyes of comparison but, rather, through the eyes of gratitude. God does not love us according to how much we have accomplished, how long we have served, or how much we think we deserve. His love is freely given, abundant, and undeserved. The question is not, “Why did someone else receive so much?” but, rather, “Why has God been so generous to me?” May we never measure God’s goodness by our calculations. Instead, may we rejoice in His generosity, give thanks for His blessings, and allow His generosity to make us more generous toward others. Have a blessed week! With love, Fr. John

Dear friends, Thanks to all of you for your warm welcome to Fr. Kevin and Fr. Jack. I pray that their presence among us will draw us closer to Christ and to heaven. This week, the Church will celebrate two related feasts that have profound significance to our community: the Exaltation of the Cross (14 September) and Our Lady of Sorrows (15 September). Today, as always, the triumph of Christ over the cross anchors our lives, and Mary remains as close to us through our trials as she was to her Son during his Passion on Calvary. May we find strength in her consoling presence in our lives. On this 24th Sunday in Year A, the Church invites us to reflect on the quintessential weakness that holds us captive — unforgiveness. In today‟s gospel, Peter asks Jesus, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive?” Jesus responds, “Not seven times but seventy-seven times.” In other words, forgiveness is not something we count; it is something we continually choose. We forgive not because the hurt was insignificant but because God has forgiven us so generously. The servant in Jesus‟ parable received mercy yet refused to extend that same mercy to another. His failure reminds us how easily we can forget the grace we ourselves have received. As we celebrate the Eucharist, let us ask for the grace to release the hurts we carry, to seek reconciliation where possible, and to forgive as we have been forgiven. Forgiveness does not erase the past; it frees our hearts to live in God‟s grace today. It is truly a gift that sets us free. Permit me to share with you my reflections on the conclusion of our Silver Jubilee year, commemorated on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8, 2026): Today, we celebrate something that, at first glance, may seem rather simple: the birthday of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. We celebrate her birth not because the gospel tells us what happened on that day — in fact, the Bible says very little about Mary‟s childhood — but, rather, because the Church has always understood that the birth of Mary was part of God‟s beautiful plan of salvation. Today, we celebrate the beginning of a life that would become one of the most extraordinary journeys in human history, and this is particularly meaningful for the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community as we celebrate the conclusion of our Silver Jubilee year. We have walked together under the theme, “A Journey of Grace, Faith, and Hope.” Twenty-five years of our parish history has been a journey. There were numerous beginnings and endings, celebrations and challenges, moments of growth, and moments when we wondered what the future would bring. But when we look back, we can say with gratitude that it has been “a journey of grace, faith, and hope.” Today, on the birthday of Mary, we discover that our parish journey mirrors Mary…s journey, one that began with grace. Mary…s story begins with something she did not earn; an angel would greet her with the remarkable words: “Hail, full of grace,” implying that before she did anything, before she said anything, before she understood all that God was asking of her, He had already given her grace. That is important for us to remember. Our journey as a parish also began with grace. Twenty-five years ago, St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community was not simply the result of human planning, hard work, buildings, programs, committees, or ministries. Behind all of it was God…s grace. And, perhaps, when we look back over these twenty-five years, we can recognize moments when we thought, “How did we get through that?” The simple answer is grace. God placed special people in the life of our parish at exactly the right moment — priests who gave of themselves so generously. I would like to remember my predecessors, Fr. Larry and Fr. Brad, who are no longer with us. May their souls rest in the peace of Christ! There were deacons, religious, staff members, volunteers, ministry leaders, families, young people and seniors who quietly gave their time, their talents, their treasures and, most importantly, their faith. Grace was working through them, and Mary reminds us that every great journey with God begins with grace. But grace must become faith. Mary received God…s grace, but she still had to make a decision. When the angel announced God…s plan, Mary did not have all the answers. She did not know everything that would happen. She did not know how difficult the road would become. She did not know that one day she would stand beneath a cross and watch her Son suffer. She simply trusted God. “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” That is faith. Faith doesn‟t mean having all the answers. Faith is saying, “God, I don…t know exactly where this journey is going, but I trust you enough to take the next step.” And hasn…t that also been our parish journey? Twenty-five years ago, no one could have imagined everything that St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community would become. There were plans, dreams, and hopes, but there were also uncertainties. And generation after generation, parishioners simply took the next step. They taught children. They formed families. They served the poor. They prayed. They celebrated the Eucharist. They welcomed strangers. They buried their loved ones. They celebrated baptisms, First Communions, confirmations, and weddings. They came back after difficult seasons. They kept the faith. That is our parish story. Grace became faith, and faith kept us moving. Faith, in turn, has lead us to hope. Mary's journey did not become easier because she believed. In many ways, it became more difficult. She gave birth in poverty. She fled with Jesus into Egypt. She searched for Him when He was lost. She watched Him begin His public ministry. And, finally, she stood beneath the cross. Try to imagine that moment. Everything Mary had hoped for seemed to be collapsing around her and, yet, Mary remained. She did not run away. She did not abandon Jesus. She stood there. Why? Because hope does not mean believing that everything will always turn out the way we want. Hope means believing that God is still at work, even when we cannot see how. Mary teaches us that hope can stand at the foot of a cross. Eventually, Mary experienced the joy of the Resurrection. Her journey through suffering did not have the final word — God did. Our Silver Jubilee is not an ending and, perhaps, that is the most important message for us today. We call this the conclusion of our Silver Jubilee year, but in the life of faith, a conclusion is often a new beginning. Mary…s birth was a beginning. Her fiat was a beginning. Bethlehem was a beginning. Calvary appeared to be an ending, but it became the doorway to the Resurrection. Today, as we conclude twenty-five years, perhaps God is saying to us: “You have come this far. Now continue the journey.” Our Silver Jubilee has reminded us where we have been, but it also asks us where are we going. What will the next twenty-five years look like? What kind of parish will we become? Will we remain a community of grace? Will we continue to be a people of faith? Will we endure as a people of hope? Mary gives us the answer: Begin with grace, recognize that everything we have is gift, live with faith, trust God even when we cannot see the entire road ahead, continue onward with hope, and believe that God is not finished with us yet. My dear brothers and sisters, today on Mary's birthday, perhaps we can imagine Mary standing among us and saying: “Do not be afraid of the journey.” There will be beautiful days. There will be difficult days. There will be moments when you will see clearly where God is leading you. There will be other moments when you will have to walk by faith. But remember: Grace has brought you here, faith will carry you forward, and hope will lead you home. Twenty-five years ago, St. John the Evangelist parish community began a journey. Today, we celebrate how far God…s grace has brought us. Tomorrow, we begin again. As we close this Silver Jubilee year, let us place the next chapter of our parish into the hands of Mary: Mary, whose life began with grace; Mary, whose life was sustained by faith; Mary, whose heart remained filled with hope. May she teach us to say as she did: “Let it be done to me according to your word.” May the next chapter of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community be even more deeply rooted in grace, strengthened by faith, and overflowing with hope. And when another generation looks back twenty-five years from now, may they be able to say: “Look what God has done.” Ultimately, this is not simply our story. It is God's story with us, a journey of grace, faith, and hope … and the journey continues. Amen. Have a blessed week! With Love, Fr. John

Dear friends,  This weekend will certainly be remembered in the history of our parish, as we bring to a close our year long celebration of the Silver Jubilee of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community. On September 14, 2025, we began with the beautiful theme: “A Journey of Grace, Faith, and Hope. It has been a year filled with so many blessings and graces, and I am most grateful to God for calling me to be a just a small speck in the grand design He has for this vibrant parish community. I am equally grateful to you, my beloved SJE family, for being such a vital part of our faith journey. Each of you has helped to build this community in ways both seen and unseen. As we bring this chapter to a close, let us continue to trust in the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit who will lead us forward into the next 25 years. Forty hours with Jesus: In gratitude to God for this amazing gesture of kindness and grace toward our parish, let us spend 40 continuous hours in adoration, placing the Eucharistic Lord at the center of our lives. We will begin on Sunday, September 6, at 3:00 p.m. and conclude on Tuesday, September 8, at 10:00 a.m. On that day, we will celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the birthday of our heavenly Mother, and the official closing of our Silver Jubilee celebration. It has been our desire that, at the conclusion of our Jubilee Year, we would take the next step toward 24/7 Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. While we are not quite ready to make that transition, as additional security enhancements are still needed, I am very happy to announce that beginning September 8, our Adoration Chapel hours will expand to 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., seven days a week! This is an exciting step forward as we continue working toward the goal of perpetual Adoration. Please note that the Adoration Chapel itself will be closed during our 40 Hours devotion, as Adoration will take place in the Church. Once again, I extend my deepest gratitude to Sandy Samuel and all the leaders and members of the various Silver Jubilee committees for their tireless work and dedication in making this year such a memorable celebration. And to all of you, I offer my heartfelt thanks for your unwavering support, generosity, and ineffable commitment to growing and flourishing our parish family. This jubilee year stands as a reminder of what can happen when a community comes together in faith, hope, and love. Welcome, Fr. Kevin and Fr. Jack! Please join me in extending a very warm SJE welcome to Fr. Kevin Russeau, C.S.C., and Fr. Jack Ryan, C.S.C., two wonderful men of God who will serve as our new parochial vicars. Fr. Kevin grew up in the small town of LaSalle, Michigan, south of Detroit. He is the oldest of four children. Throughout his 25 years of priestly ministry, he has served the Church and the Congregation of Holy Cross in a variety of ministries and capacities. His priestly ministry began at St. John Vianney Parish in Goodyear, Arizona. He later served in vocations and formation for the Congregation of Holy Cross, directing the undergraduate seminary and novitiate. He subsequently served as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in South Bend and later ministered at Sacred Heart, Francis de Sales, and St. John the Baptist parishes in Vermont. It is especially fitting that Fr. Kevin is celebrating his Silver Jubilee of priestly ordination this year. Congratulations, Fr. Kevin, on 25 years of faithful priestly service! And there is another wonderful coincidence: September 6 is also Fr. Kevin’s birthday! Happy Birthday, and may God bless you with many more joyful and grace-filled years. Fr. Jack is a native of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He has served as a member of the King’s Business faculty since 1994 and led the McGowan School of Business for seven years. He subsequently served as the ninth president of King’s College in Wilkes-Barre. After his retirement from King’s College, he was appointed General Steward of the Congregation of Holy Cross in Rome. His presence among us will be a tremendous blessing. This will be his first parish-based ministry, and he comes to us with a wealth of wisdom, experience, and a deep love for the Congregation and the Church. Welcome home, Fr. Kevin and Fr. Jack! We are blessed to have you with us. Remembering Fr. Emmanuel: Amid the joy of this weekend, my heart is also filled with profound grief over the sudden and untimely death of Fr. Emmanuel Kallarackal, C.S.C., Vicar General of the Congregation of Holy Cross, who died unexpectedly on August 29, 2026. Fr. Emmanuel was in Ireland at the Patrick Peyton Retreat Center making his personal retreat. After its completion, he took a train to visit his niece who works in Ireland. station, he collapsed and died from a sudden cardiac arrest. It is a tremendous loss for all who knew and loved him. Fr. Emmanuel was a man on fire with missionary zeal and had visited us here at SJE several times, most recently last year for the opening Mass of our Silver Jubilee on September 14, 2025. Many of you will recognize him from our 2026 SJE calendar. Please keep in your prayers the members of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Fr. Emmanuel's family, and all those who mourn his passing. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. On this 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, the gospel presents us with a unique and challenging teaching from Jesus: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.” Jesus reminds us that Christian love is not simply about being nice. Sometimes, Christian love requires us to care enough to speak the truth, but always with humility, compassion, and love. It is easy to criticize someone. It is even easier to talk about another person's faults with everyone except the person who needs to hear it. Jesus gives us a better way. He tells us to go directly to our brother or sister, privately and respectfully, with a heart that seeks reconciliation rather than revenge, healing rather than humiliation, and restoration rather than condemnation. May we be a people who speak the truth in love. May we forgive generously, and may we never give up on one another. God has entrusted us with the care of our brothers and sisters. Our words have power. They can wound, or they can heal. They can divide, or they can bring people together. May our words and actions always help one another come closer to Christ. As we conclude our Silver Jubilee, may we recommit ourselves to being a parish where people encounter Christ, experience mercy, find healing, and know that they truly belong. May the Holy Spirit guide us into the next 25 years, and may the Eucharistic Lord always remain at the heart of our parish family. Have a fabulous week! With love, Fr. John

Dear friends, We extend a warm and hearty welcome to Sr. Concepta Najjemba, IHMR, from Uganda who is visiting us as part of the Diocesan Mission Co-op. Sr. Concepta belongs to the Congregation of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Reparatrix–Ggogonya. She will be speaking at all Masses this weekend. Please welcome her and prayerfully support the sisters in their missionary efforts. Did you know that we have a library? Well, sort of. Since we do not have the luxury of a dedicated library space, we have been storing our books in Room 5. For the past several years, this room has served many purposes — as a classroom, a meeting space, a prayer room, and, yes, a library! Now, thanks to the generosity and hard work of our CRHP members and their service project (especially the women and men of Team 32), Room 5 has received a wonderful transformation. I offer my heartfelt thanks to the 23+ volunteers, including Margarita Duffy and Deacon Steven Prebeck, who worked so painstakingly throughout the past month. Their dedication, generosity, and service have truly made a difference in giving the room a refreshingly new look! I invite you to stop by, explore the collection, and make good use of this wonderful resource. A good book can open our minds, deepen our faith, inspire our prayer, and sometimes even change our lives. Because Room 5 continues to serve as a multipurpose space, I kindly ask everyone who uses it to be especially considerate in helping us keep it clean and ready for the next group. No food or beverages, please. Most importantly, let us nurture this space as one that supports prayer, learning, community, and the mission of our parish, reminding us that when people generously offer their time, talents, and energy, even an ordinary room can become something truly special. Congratulations to the Flora family, our Family of the Month for August 2026. Joe, Christy, Gabbie, and Joey have all been actively involved in various ministries and activities in our parish. Families like the Floras who generously share their time, talents, and love with our community make us who we are at St. John the Evangelist. Thank you, Floras, for all that you do! I am also extremely grateful to Erich Reiman who has led our Usher Ministry for many years. For many years, Erich has traveled approximately one hour and twenty minutes each way every Sunday and on major feast days to be here with us. That commitment speaks volumes about his love for this community. Erich is now stepping down from his leadership role and he will continue to be part of our parish family in spirit and friendship. Thank you, Erich, for your years of faithful service and for the love you have shown to St. John’s. Rick Lacey will be assuming the leadership role, having faithfully served as an usher for several years. Thank you, Rick, for your willingness to accept this responsibility. A little lift — and a LOT of gratitude. Praise the Lord! We now have a second-hand lift that can assist us in emergencies and with certain practical needs around our facilities. A special thanks to Richard Krassowsky for sharing his amazing expertise and for his willingness to help us with our electrical and maintenance needs. We are blessed to have people who generously share their knowledge and skills for the good of our parish. Next weekend, we will have the great joy of welcoming two Holy Cross priests, Fr. Kevin Russeau, C.S.C., and Fr. Jack Ryan, C.S.C., to our parish. After each Mass, we will have an opportunity to meet them and spend some time together in fellowship. I look forward to having these two wonderful men of God with us, and I hope you will take the opportunity to welcome them warmly to St. John the Evangelist. We have now reached the conclusion of our Silver Jubilee Year, which officially ends on September 8. We will celebrate the closing of this special year next weekend with a special emphasis at the 11:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, September 6. Let us continue to praise and thank God for His many blessings. May this journey of grace, faith, and hope inspire us to build up our SJE community with renewed faith, joy, and fervor. Last weekend, Peter boldly proclaimed Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Yet this weekend, in Matthew 16:21–27, we encounter a very different Peter. When Jesus speaks of His coming suffering, death, and resurrection, Peter cannot imagine a Messiah who would walk the road of the Cross. Jesus rebukes him because, although Peter recognized who Jesus was, he had not yet understood what it meant to follow Him. Perhaps we sometimes do the same. We gladly welcome Jesus in times of comfort and blessing, but what happens when following Him requires sacrifice, forgiveness, patience, or carrying a cross we did not choose? Jesus reminds us that the Christian life is not simply about believing in Him, but following Him: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” Yet the Cross is not the end of the story. Beyond the Cross is Resurrection; beyond surrender is new life. May we have the grace to recognize Jesus as our Lord and faithfully follow Him, even when the way leads through the Cross. Have a blessed week! With love, Fr. John

Dear friends, Many of you have been asking if help is coming …I can finally say YES, and not one but TWO priests are on their way to St. John’s. The Congregation of Holy Cross is sending Fr. Kevin Russeau, C.S.C., and Fr. Jack Ryan, C.S.C., to be part of our amazing parish. I ask you to prepare yourselves to extend a hearty welcome to both of our new priests as they join our parish community. Fr. Kevin and Fr. Jack are both expected to arrive during the first week of September and we will officially celebrate their arrival as a parish community during the weekend of September 5/6. I am grateful to all the men who attended the Men’s Discipleship event on Monday, August 17th. It was good to see so many men committed to following Christ and taking responsibility for being guardians and protectors of their families. Fr. Pinto Paul inspired our men with his presentation on the theme, “When a Man Prays.” Amazing things can happen when men pray for their spouses and children each day. Let us pray for them on our pilgrimage to become saints. Several recent earthquakes have shattered cities, homes, and lives in the last month in Venezuela and Colombia, most recently in Indonesia. Although we have already taken a collection to support the Venezuelan disaster, the extent of the damage in Colombia is unimaginable. Hence, the diocese has asked for support toward the rebuilding efforts in Colombia. Instead of a second collection, I ask that you please extend your generosity by writing a check and notating on it Disaster Relief 2026. Next weekend, we will welcome Sr. Concepta Najjemba, IHMR, from Uganda to make her appeal as part of the Diocesan Mission Co-op. She belongs to the Congregation of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Reparatrix-Ggogonya. Please come prepared to listen to how these sisters spread the gospel in Uganda and elsewhere. During the past few weekends, we have learned from various characters in the gospel readings who believed in Jesus’ power to save during times of trial and when they cried out with emergency prayers, “Lord, Save me” and “Lord, help me.” On the 21st Sunday in Year A, we are given yet another glimpse into the divine nature of Christ. This Sunday’s Gospel from Matthew brings us to one of the most important questions Jesus ever asks his disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answers with courage and faith: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Peter’s confession is followed by the mission with which Jesus entrusts him: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.” Peter is not perfect—far from it. He will make mistakes, misunderstand Jesus, and even deny Him. Yet Jesus sees something in Peter that Peter himself may not yet see. Grace does not wait for perfect people. God builds His Church through imperfect people who are willing to say “yes.” That is good news for all of us! We may sometimes feel inadequate, unworthy, or unsure of our ability to serve, but Jesus continues to ask each of us: “Who do you say that I am?” And then He invites us to become part of His mission. Perhaps the most important question this week is not what others say about Jesus but what I say about Him — through my words, my choices, my forgiveness, my generosity, my prayer, and the way I treat others. May our lives become a daily answer to Peter’s confession: “Jesus, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. You are my Lord, and I want to build my life on You.” Have a blessed week!  With love, Fr. John

Dear friends, It is so good to see our children returning to the rhythm of life, with academics and extracurricular activities well underway. Faith formation classes will begin soon, and I’d like to thank all of our parents for prioritizing the spiritual growth of their children. Remember that you are their primary catechists. They learn from you. They watch you. They see your faith in the way you live, pray, forgive, serve, and come to worship the Lord. Your children may not remember every lesson they learn in a classroom, but they will remember the faith they saw lived in their home. Please continue to keep Christ at the center of your family life. May our children grow in faith by seeing your commitment to the Lord. Thank you for all the sacrifices you make to pass on the faith to the next generation. On Monday, August 17, Fr. Pinto Paul, C.S.C., International Director of Family Ministries, will offer a presentation to our men. I invite you to come and experience the great work the Lord is doing in our own lives and in those of our families. My thanks to Jonathan Ross and his team for their dedication in organizing this wonderful event. Our SJE4Seniors ministry will officially begin on August 21 at 2 p.m. in the Parish Hall. I invite you to come and discover how your presence, friendship, faith, and even your smile can continue be a great blessing to our parish community. This Sunday, the Church invites us to reflect on the nature of God’s house — the church — as a house of prayer. In the first reading, the Prophet Isaiah gives us this beautiful promise from God: “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” Last Sunday, I invited us to be especially mindful of reverence in our church because we believe that Jesus is truly present among us in the Blessed Sacrament. The church is not simply a building or gathering space. It is a place of prayer, a place where we come to encounter Christ. I have noticed that many people stop by our church throughout the day and spend a few quiet moments in prayer. It is deeply edifying to see people taking time from their busy lives to visit the Lord and find a little peace in His presence. Why do they come? Because they know that Jesus is here. I renew my request that we continue to keep our church a true house of prayer and not just another place for socializing or casual conversation. People who come here longing for a quiet and intimate conversation with Jesus. Let us respect their prayers and help one another preserve the sacred silence of this holy place. Thank you for responding so favorably to this request and for helping make our church a place where people can truly encounter the Lord! This Sunday’s gospel reading gives us another beautiful example of faith and prayer in the Canaanite woman. She comes to Jesus with a desperate request for her daughter: “Lord, help me.” At first, Jesus does not answer her, yet she refuses to walk away. She continues to ask. She continues to trust. She continues to believe that Jesus can help her daughter. Her persistence is not a lack of faith. Her persistence is faith. Last weekend, we reflected on Peter's emergency prayer when he was sinking: “Lord, save me!” Today, we hear another simple but powerful prayer: “Lord, help me.” There is something beautiful about these prayers because they do not need many words. They come from hearts that know where to turn. Perhaps there are moments when we do not know what to say. Perhaps we are frightened, overwhelmed, discouraged, or worried about someone we love. At these moments, we can simply say, “Lord, save me,” or “Lord, help me,” and then keep praying. The Canaanite woman teaches us that faith does not always mean receiving an immediate answer. Sometimes faith means staying with Jesus when the answer seems delayed. She keeps knocking. She keeps trusting. She keeps believing. And Jesus finally says to her: “O woman, great is your faith.” May we have that same faith — not a faith that disappears when life becomes difficult, but a faith that keeps knocking, keeps praying, and keeps trusting. May our church always be a house of prayer. May our families always be schools of faith. And may our hearts always know where to turn when we need help: “Lord, save me.” “Lord, help me.” We will continue our journey through the first encyclical written by Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity). I invite you to continue to reflect on this monumentally important topic for today. Have a blessed week! With love, Fr. John