Dear Friends,
We are now back in the Liturgical Season called Ordinary Time, and this Sunday we move into the 8th Week.
We have had the privilege of celebrating some “biggie” Sunday solemnities over the past almost two months: Divine Mercy, the Ascension and Pentecost. This week is yet another: the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. The Trinity is the most essential mystery of the Christian faith, one that makes our faith unique.
Most non-Christians might find it hard to take in this aspect of our faith. Someone outside of our faith might think that our belief in the Trinity means that we believe in three Gods. For them it is a logical contradiction to say ONE GOD but THREE PERSONS. But for us, the Trinity is at the heart of our faith, its essence. We believe that “the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God.” As the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) explains, “Christians are baptized ‘in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’” and when a person receives this sacrament, they (or their parents on their behalf) are asked to confess their belief by answering a three-part question: Do you believe in the Father? Do you believe in the Son? Do you believe in the Holy Spirit? A solemn answer is given to each question: “I do.” The CCC concludes, "The faith of all Christians rests on the Trinity." (CCC # 232)
Each time you make the Sign of the Cross, do not do it haphazardly. Make it an act of faith. Take your time, and say to yourself: “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” The Trinity is the source of our salvation. This is the central mystery of our faith. “It is the mystery of God in himself. It is therefore the source of all the other mysteries of faith, the light that enlightens them. It is the most fundamental and essential teaching in the ‘hierarchy of the truths of faith.’ The whole history of salvation is identical with the history of the way and the means by which the one true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, reveals himself to men ‘and reconciles and unites with himself those who turn away from sin.’’’ (CCC # 234)
I would like to thank Shamir Patel for all that he does for our community here at St. John’s. He has had a tremendous and positive impact on the way we do things in the office and in the management of all our activities. In recognition of his talents and his passion to serve our parish, he is now appointed as our Business Manager. This does not signal as much of a change as what has happened over the past three years. He began here as a part-time Bookkeeper, then advanced to Office Manager, then Operations Manager, and now, as of 1 June 2024, to Business Manager. In reality, he has already been doing all that a Business Manager should do. However, the title of Business Manager suits him well and sounds good, right? Thank you, Shamir, for your outstanding dedication and service.
I am also so happy to share with you the good news that our own Deacon Rick Broderick has landed the Chaplain’s job at Viera Hospital. This is phenomenal news! It is so exciting to have a Catholic Deacon as the Chaplain at this Health First facility. You will now have a familiar face to bring you comfort and solace, should you be obliged to spend time at Viera Hospital. Deacon Rick has already done an amazing job as the coordinator of our Ministry to the Sick. In his capacity as Chaplain at Viera Hospital, he will be more available to us locally.
With Deacon Rick on board at Viera, our parish will shortly have two of our Deacons serving as hospital chaplains. Deacon-soon-to-be Tom Buddington is already the Chaplain at Cape Canaveral Hospital. He has done an amazing job there and has changed the culture of chaplaincy at the Health First chain of hospitals. Wow! Congratulations to both of our men! We pray that God will help them persevere in their dedication to all those who in pain and suffering must go into hospitals. May all these find in our men a source of solace, comfort and the healing of Jesus Christ.
I would like to congratulate Deacon Hoa Nguyen, Father of Fr. Vincent, who was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese of Savannah, Georgia, by Most Reverend Stephen Parks, on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica St. John the Baptist, Savannah, Georgia. He has been assigned to serve at his home parish of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Warner Robins, GA. We wish Deacon Hoa an abundance of God’s blessings as he serves his community with the special dedication of a deacon. We offer his wife, children, and his whole family our love and prayers as they embrace this new calling.
Congratulations to our Teens and Adults who were confirmed on Saturday, May 25, 2024. What a blessing it is to see our St. John’s family being strengthened by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit through the Sacrament of Confirmation. Thanks to Schonda and Ronnie Rodriguez, Kelli Salceda and their dedicated team of catechists for preparing our children and adults to receive this glorious Sacrament.
A huge welcome and thanks to our beloved Most Reverend Bill Wack, C.S.C., Bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola and Tallahassee, for gifting us with his precious time to confirm our children and adults in their Catholic Faith this weekend. We are so delighted to again welcome him to St. John’s! Bishop Wack, be assured of our prayers for your ministry of shepherding the people of God.
Have a Blessed Week! With love,
Fr. John