Rick Brown - September 2025
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community and the Knights of Columbus Council #6125 are proud to announce that Rick Brown is the Family of the Month for September 2025.
Rick and his wife, Pat, became members of St. John’s over 14 years ago. Rick grew up in New York and attended the University of Vermont; after graduation, he fulfilled his military obligation as an officer in the Army’s Medical Service Corps and served in the Vietnam War. He later earned a master’s degree in Health-Care Management at George Washington University. Rick started working in a hospital at the age of 16 and never stopped; his health-care career spanned more than 50 years. Pat, who also grew up in New York, was a critical-care nurse. She received her nursing degrees from St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing and Pace University, both in New York City. Prior to settling in Melbourne, Rick and Pat’s health-care careers took them from New York to Washington, D.C., then Massachusetts, and finally to south Florida. Pat was a very strong Catholic who went to Catholic grade school, high school, and nursing school. At St. John’s, she was involved with the Council of Catholic Women and the Small Christian Community ministry. She attended every one of Deacon Mike’s Bible studies. In fact, she “nudged” Fr. Brad to have Mike start the Bible study program right after he came to St. John’s – she knew this would be a wonderful ministry because she had taken all his classes when he was at Ascension. Sadly, Pat passed away last year. The couple had been together for over 50 years. Rick served as a member of St. John’s Finance Council, where he led the move to clean up environmental issues in the Parish Life Center and the rectory. He chaired the golf tournament committee in the past and has been working with our Business Manager to get better control over the HVAC systems in both the Parish Life Center and the church. More recently, he is working with others on a plan to clear up drainage issues around the Parish Life Center. Rick has only one problem with St. John’s . . . he can’t say no to Fr. John. (Join the Club, Rick!)
Thank you, Rick, for your commitment to Serve. You are a blessing to the parish. We applaud you for your dedication to our community.
The Fiandaca Family - August 2025
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community and the Knights of Columbus Council #6125 are proud to announce that Judy and Jim Fiandaca are the Family of the Month for August 2025. Making this award is bittersweet, as Jim Fiandaca died before we were able to presemt this award. His funeral was held here at St. John’s this past Wednesday, August 13. Because of their service and commitment to St. John’s, we are making this award to Jim’s wonderful wife, Judy, and posthumously to Jim. Jim loved people and enjoyed doing whatever he could to help them. This was a hallmark of his ministries at St. John's. He facilitated a Bible Study group, was a member of Live4More, and a devoted member of Christ Renews His Parish, to which he gave many, many weekends over the years. He loved to help out in any could, whether it was in a decision- making role, parking cars, or carrying luggage for the women's retreats. Jim also was a board member of the Space Coast Alliance of Small Christian Communities in Brevard County. Judy also has been devoted to ministry, serving on the Kitchen Crew and as an active participant with CRHP, Bible study programs, and the Space Coast Alliance of Small Christian Communities. Thank you, Judy, for your and Jim’s commitment to service. We applaud you for your dedication. You are a blessing to our parish.
Susan Answay - July 2025
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community and the Knights of Columbus Council #6125 are proud to announce that Susan Answay is the Family of the Month for July 2025.
Susan Answay came to St. John’s from Ascension Catholic Church when our parish first opened in September 2001. Initially, she served as a lector, and in 2002, she began serving also as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC). In 2018, Fr. John asked Susan to serve as coordinator for the lead EMHCs as well as for the SJE EMHC Ministry. Susan also serves as a sacristan at weekend and special Masses as well as for funerals.
In 2018, Susan became the point of contact for the Christmas Giving Tree Ministry which provides Christmas gifts for adults and children served by five charities in Brevard County and the Holy Cross Missions in Peru. Under her direction and assistance, a crew of dedicated volunteers produces over 500 handmade ornaments that contain gift suggestions for the individuals who will receive them through this ministry. These are hung on Christmas trees in the Church narthex and the Parish Life Center lobby during Advent, where parishioners select them and purchase the gifts for distribution at Christmastime. In addition, she coordinates the collection and storage of these gifts and their distribution to the local charities.
Since 2019, Susan has served as one of the administrators for the Ministry Scheduler Pro (MSP) software program that St. John’s uses to schedule liturgical volunteers (lectors, EMHCs, etc.). Susan joined the Offertory Accounting Ministry in 2024, helping to count and record the parish’s weekly offertory and special collections.
Thank you, Susan, for your commitment to living a life of service and for your contributions to St. John’s. You are a blessing to the parish, and we applaud you for your dedication.
The Zimmerman Family - June 2025
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community and the Knights of Columbus Council # 6125 are proud to announce that Mark and Roma Zimmerman are the Family of the Month for June 2025.
Mark grew up in central Maryland, while Roma grew up in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. They met on December 31, 1999, while working together at their community hospital in south central PA. Roma says, “I will never forget it. We met while working the critical midnight shift that was covering the Y2K transition of our hospital equipment into the millennial year 2000!” They married in 2003 and moved to Viera in July 2014, which is when they began attending St. John’s.
Mark works full-time as a prototype validation engineer for Embraer Aerospace’s Executive Jet sector. He came into the Catholic Church in April 2022 through RCIA (now OCIA) here at St. John’s. A gifted woodworker, Mark has used his craftsmanship to enrich our sacred spaces. He built St. John’s paschal candle stand and has repaired and restored a number of items both within the sanctuary and those used in liturgical celebrations. He serves as a cook and member of Feed My Flock outreach ministry and is a member of the Guardians of the Grotto and the Men’s Discipleship Group. When it comes time to relax, you’ll find him on the beach enjoying his favorite hobby—fishing.
Roma retired from L3Harris Technologies in 2021. She is one of two wedding coordinators at St. John’s responsible for helping couples prepare for a beautiful and reverent Catholic wedding ceremony. In addition, she serves as an EMHC and is a member of the Feed My Flock ministry, Gratia Plena, CCW, and the Spiritus Sanctus Lay Dominican Group here at St. John’s. Roma has sponsored several OCIA candidates during their yearlong preparation to become Catholic. She maintains close bonds with her CRHP sisters and treasures time spent with their families, especially attending their children’s school events. She is also active in planning several upcoming events for the church’s Silver Jubilee. When she is not busy volunteering, you are likely to find her curled up with a good book and her four small dogs.
Adding to their many roles, Mark and Roma delight our children as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus during the Christmas season. Roma extends the festive spirit into the spring through her role as the Easter Bunny for the celebration of Easter.
Thank you, Mark and Roma, for the way you witness your faith through ministry and service. We give God thanks and praise for your faithful participation here at St. John’s.
The Russo Family - May 2025
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community and the Knights of Columbus Council # 6125 are proud to announce that Holly and John Russo are the Family of the Month for May 2025.
Holly and John married in 2006. As newlyweds, they went to Alabama for school, returning to Florida, and later moving to Colorado. In 2013, they returned to Florida. Holly is a Nurse Anesthetist; she has been practicing nursing for 20 years. John is an attorney with his own law firm here Brevard County.
The couple has three boys: Maximilian (13), Alexander (10), and Leo (8), who attend St. Mary’s Catholic School in Rockledge, where they participate in several Catholic Youth Sports. Max plans to attend MCC High School. Alex dreams of becoming a pilot. Leo received his First Holy Communion this month: his parents are so proud.
A member of St John’s since 2015, the couple has made many parish friends and deepened their faith and commitment to Christ. Holly serves as an EMHC and participates in the WINGS women's ministry. They are FOCCUS facilitators for couples preparing for a Catholic marriage, a ministry that grew from their gratitude for the marriage preparation help they received. Holly says, “We love helping other couples start their journey on a strong foundation.
All the Russos have participated in the Children’s Hunger Project packing events, and the boys have attended VBS each summer, for which Max will be a teenage volunteer this year. He also has volunteered at the International Festival and cared for younger children during his WINGS meetings.
The couple is also heavily involved at their children’s school: John coaches flag football for 4th and 5th graders, and Holly chaperones field trips and assists with various school events.
Thank you, Holly and John, for the way you and your children witness your faith. We give God thanks and praise for your faithful service and participation here at St. John’s
The Chambers Family - April 2025
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community and the Knights of Columbus Council #6125 are proud to announce that George and Martha Chambers are the Family of the Month for April 2025.
George and Martha joined St. John’s in 2005 before the Parish Life Center was built. George worked for Aerojet for 45 years as a Senior Engineer Specialist on the Titan Program (I-IV). This work took them to California, Washington, South Dakota, Idaho, Colorado and, finally, Florida. Martha, meanwhile, had a very successful, 21+- year career in real estate.
The couple has always volunteered their time all the parishes to which they belonged as well as in the parishes of their three children. Over the years, they have been involved in a variety of ministries, including as leaders for the youth group in Colorado and the lunch program and bingo fundraisers at Ascension. At St. John’s, both currently serve as ushers; Martha also serves in the offertory accounting ministry.
Within the larger community here, Martha has volunteered at Wuesthoff Memorial Hospital in Rockledge; currently, she is a member of the Garden Club and Spade and Trowel, which raise funds for some very important organizations: Horse Whisperers, Candlelighters, Sharing Center, and Sam’s House, to mention just a few.
George joined the Knights of Columbus in 1960 and served as Financial Secretary, Treasurer, and Grand Knight for Council 3340. He was also the State Program Chairman and State Treasurer in Colorado. Currently, George is an honorary member of the Knight’s Council 6125 here at St. John’s. Martha was a very active member of the Knight’s Ladies Auxiliary.
George and Martha will celebrate 67 years of married life this year. They enjoy spending time with their family which, in addition to their three children, includes eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Thank you, George and Martha, for your commitment to service. We applaud you for your dedication to the community, both ours and the surrounding one. You are a blessing to our parish.
The Samuel Family - March, 2025
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community and the Knights of Columbus Council #6125 are proud to announce that Sandy and Hardi Samuel are the Family of the Month for March 2025.
Sandy and Hardi joined St. John the Evangelist Parish in 2016. They both had careers at Lockheed Martin, where they worked on many varied and fulfilling programs. Together, they traveled to and lived in multiple countries, including England, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Sandy started her volunteer work at St. John’s with the Open Table Ministry, for which she served as a leader and trainer. Currently, she participates in a variety of parish ministries that include the Reception Ministry, which she manages, the Morning Prayer Ministry, and Feed My Flock. She assists Deacon Michael with his Bible Study and also serves the parish as an usher and a catechist. Sandy’s latest challenge is managing the parish’s Silver Jubilee Year celebration, which begins this September. And she is blessed to be a member of the Spiritus Sanctus Lay Dominican Group. Outside of the parish, Sandy has been a Guardian ad Litem for Brevard County foster children since 2018, work that she finds very fulfilling.
Hardi assisted the Crosswinds organization during the period when it worked with the Open Table program, and he volunteers at the Health First Hospital in Viera. He also takes care of most of the household duties while Sandy is busy with her various volunteer activities.
The couple enjoys traveling and spending time with their three adult children and four (soon to be five) grandchildren, three of whom live in Italy.
Thank you, Hardi and Sandi, for your commitment to living a life of service and for your contributions to St. John’s. You are a blessing to the parish, and we applaud you for your dedication.