Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 26, 2026

Dear friends, I wish to thank those of you who invited your Catholic friends who have stepped away from the Church to the Welcome Back initiative on Saturday, 11 April. A special thanks to Shamir Patel for leading this ministry. The core team members are filled with amazing stories of how they themselves strayed away but eventually found their way back home. They now enjoy all the grace offered them through the sacraments. I am grateful to those who responded to our invitation. We truly hope they feel welcome and that they will find in each of us in the pews a concrete example of Christ’s love. Congratulations to Beverly Evans, recipient of the Family of the Month award for April 2026. Affectionately known as Bev, she is a gracious presence among us. She does so much for our community from behind the scenes. Thank you, Bev, for all that you do to make Christ’s presence visible among us. At last, phase 1 of our project to build the wall behind the sanctuary is completed. I expect phase 2 of the mosaic work to begin this week. Please pray for the artists who will be assembling this inspiring work of art. Our SJE Silver Jubilee Committee is offering the opportunity to write prayer petitions that will be carried to Lourdes in France by Jason and Yleem Poblete, members of the Sovereign Order of Malta. They will place our petitions at Our Lady’s Grotto during the Order’s annual pilgrimage. Forms to write your petitions are available in the narthex. Thank you, Jason and Yleem. Having completed the Octave of Easter, we now continue with the Easter season which lasts for 50 days. These are important in that we not only rejoice at the great feast of the Resurrection but also prepare for the great advocate, the Holy Spirit, to come among us at Pentecost. St. Athanasius in Epistulafestalis: PG 26, 1366 points out the importance of these days thus: “The fifty days from the Sunday of the Resurrection to Pentecost Sunday are celebrated in joy and exultation as one feast day, indeed as one ‘great Sunday.’ These are the days above all others in which the Alleluia is sung.” On this Third Sunday of Easter, the first reading continues to contemplate the transformation of the apostles as they begin to preach boldly about the Risen Christ. The gospel, on the other hand, would have us ponder and linger on the activities of the Risen Lord as he appears to different people at different times. Today’s gospel from Luke (24:13-35) invites us to journey with two discouraged disciples of Jesus who meet the Lord on their way to the village of Emmaus after his resurrection and recognize him in the breaking of the bread (Luke 24:13–35). This account reminds us that the Risen Lord often comes to us in the ordinary and the unexpected. Knowing of their disappointment, Jesus journeys with them even though they do not recognize him. Patiently, he opens the Scriptures and rekindles the hope in their hearts. Finally, in the breaking of the bread, their eyes are opened. This is our story, too. In moments of confusion, doubt, or weariness, Christ walks beside us, speaks to us through his Word, and reveals himself in the Eucharist. May we, like the disciples, allow our hearts to be set on fire, recognize him in our midst, and return with renewed joy to share the Good News. We had planned an Emmaus retreat for women as part of our Silver Jubilee celebration. I’d like to thank Joy Ramirez and Joanne Molina for taking the lead in organizing this important initiative which I hope will greatly assist our women in building a personal relationship with Jesus. It is exclusively for women of our parish and is held at Park Avenue Retreat Center in Titusville. The Emmaus retreat is an experience where women are ministered to by other women. How fitting it is that we should begin it on this weekend when the Gospel of Luke (24:13-35) is being contemplated by the entire Church. At full capacity, it is my sincere hope that these women will make new friendships and return both to our parish community and to their homes and workplaces refreshed and renewed. May the Risen Lord be manifested in all that we do. Have a refreshingly intentional week! With love, Fr. John

Dear friends, We live in uncertain times with restlessness and calamity all around us. Amid the brokenness of our world, the news of Jesus' resurrection provides us with hope that love can win, that barriers of hatred can be broken down, and that peace is possible. Today marks the 8th Day of the Octave of Easter, the time during which we celebrate the joy of Christ’s resurrection. His promise is still fresh in our hearts, and I invite you to rest in the peace that our Risen Lord offers. On this Octave Day of Easter — now celebrated as Divine Mercy Sunday — Mother Church invites us to encounter our Risen Lord as he appears to his disciples. They have been agitated, seized with fear, and behind locked doors during the tumultuous post-resurrection days, uncertain about what is in store for them. It is here that Jesus appears to them offering his peace. Oh how we, too, long for that peace! A week later, Jesus appears to the disciples again. This time, he approaches Thomas who desperately wants to believe but needs to touch Jesus’ wounds in order to do so. In this encounter with Jesus, Thomas makes one of the most revealing and touching confessions of all times: “My Lord and my God.” This is Divine Mercy in action: God meets us where we are, not where we should be. Because of the importance of this encounter with Jesus’ offer of peace and forgiveness, this Sunday was designated as Divine Mercy Sunday by Pope John Paul II in the year 2000. The feast highlights a message the world needs to hear now more than ever: Mercy is not weakness. It is God’s greatest strength. Let us turn to our merciful Lord and pray, Jesus, I trust in you. At the Easter Vigil, we were blessed to have many of our catechumens (now called neophytes) embrace our Catholic faith. We are grateful to God for working in and through the lives of our neophytes to add strength to our parish family. They are now able to join us at the table of the Eucharistic banquet, waiting and longing to participate with us. In a homily to newly initiated Christians during the Easter Octave, Cyril of Jerusalem said that by receiving the body and blood of Christ, the neophytes have become “Christophoroi” (literally, “Christ-bearers”) just like us. Please continue to pray for them, that their lives will be filled with the Spirit of the Lord. I am very grateful to Fr. Martin, Kelly and her team of catechists, and Aaron and the sponsors for accompanying these wonderful people. They all put in a lot of hard work but did it with great grace. The first phase of building the wall behind the sanctuary is nearing completion. It was delayed for nearly a month due to lack of material needed for the work. Please pray that the second phase (when the artists work on the mosaic itself) will begin soon. Our SJE Silver Jubilee Committee is offering an opportunity to write prayer petitions that will be carried to Lourdes in France by Jason and Yleem Poblete, members of the Sovereign Order of Malta. They will place our petitions at Our Lady’s Grotto during the Order’s annual pilgrimage. Forms to write your petitions are available in the narthex. Thank you, Jason and Yleem. I wish to thank Brian Kelly who has helped us with the bulletin for the last year or so. He has now moved on to another job, and we wish him many blessings. I am happy to welcome Jamie Waller who will now take on the role as communications and bulletin coordinator. She is already involved in the Mom’s Ministry and Adoration, and I thank her for accepting the responsibility to help keep us informed. In tune with the feast of Divine Mercy, I am pleased to launch another new initiative in our attempt to provide resources to pregnant women and those who have given birth. It is called Walking with Moms in Need (WWMIN) and is part of a nationwide effort undertaken by the USCCB. This ministry will also direct women and couples who are facing difficult pregnancies to numerous resources. I am grateful to Karina Lightner and her core team members who will coordinate this ministry. The vision for Walking with Moms in Need is to ensure that any woman who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant or who may be parenting under difficult circumstances can turn to St. John’s and be connected with the resources she needs. Everyone in the parish community should know where to refer a pregnant woman in need. We want moms of Brevard to know that St. John’s in a safe place for them, one that offers community. What a blessing it is for us to reflect the mercy of God in some concrete ways. Be bearer of God’s mercy this week! With love, Fr. John

Dear Friends, We have journeyed together through the holy season of Lent, having followed Christ throughout Holy Week and the Triduum, where we experienced the unwavering love of Jesus. It is my sincerest hope that the events of these most holy days have helped us to realize the immensity of the Father’s love as he painfully allowed his Son to be sacrificed for our sins. On Holy Thursday, Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist, giving us himself. On Good Friday, he endured excruciating pain and the ultimate shame of being crucified on a cross, paying an unimaginable price for our salvation. Then, on Holy Saturday, he lay dormant in the tomb to show that nothing is impossible for God. We thought hope was put to death, the hope of a people who long for a God to vindicate our toils and sufferings. But then God, our Father, raised His Son from the dead. This is the joyful news of the RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ that we are called to share on this Easter Sunday. Our songs of “Hosanna” are now transformed into “Alleluias,” and with great joy we now proclaim what an amazing God we have in Jesus Christ, He who has defeated even death. The Resurrection of Jesus brings the promise of eternal life, the undeniable message that hope is alive. As Catholic Christians, we are called to live that hope. Easter Sunday is often called the "Feast of Fresh Flowers," symbolizing the birth of our eternal hope. But beyond the Easter lilies and the beautiful, sacred music, today is a call to action. In Acts 10:34-43, the early disciples realize that the "message spread" because they couldn't keep the Good News to themselves. The Resurrection isn't just a miracle to observe; it’s an invitation to participate in God’s ongoing work of restoration. Because Jesus lives, forgiveness is possible where there once was bitterness. Purpose is found where there once was wandering. Community is built where there once was isolation. Today, we don't just celebrate the completion of a story; we celebrate a new beginning. We are the "Easter people” called to carry the light of the Resurrection into every corner of our world. As we celebrate 25 years of our parish’s existence, I wish for us to remember our theme: A journey of Grace, Faith, and Hope. Let us be grateful to God for willing us into existence as a community, let us continue to live the light of the Resurrection, and let us never give up the hope that, with God, we will bear much fruit in sharing the Good News of the Resurrection to all around us. Christ is Risen Indeed! I wish to thank each and every one of you for being part of this family blessed to be chosen as His own. Thank you for your unwavering support of our growth. St. John’s community is known for its incredible generosity. Thank you for your love and dedication to serving the Lord and each other. I am grateful to Fr. Martin for his continued presence among us, to our deacons and their wives who minister to our community in so many ways, to our staff for supporting the day-to-day activities of our parish, to all who involve yourselves in the myriad of ministries offered here, to those who have been faithful members of our parish throughout its 25-year history, and to those who have joined us along the way. I warmly extend my open arms to all who may be waiting to join us. You are precious, and we welcome you! On behalf of Fr. Martin, Bro. Thomas, the deacons, and the staff, I wish you all a very blessed and joy-filled Easter. With love, Fr. John

Dear friends, We enter the holiest week in the liturgical calendar of the Church. This is the week when we celebrate and relive the central Mystery of our salvaꢀon. The days of Holy Week from Monday to Thursday have precedence over all other celebraꢀons. It is a sacred ꢀme during which we enter into a profound union with Christ, the one who leads us from triumph, through suffering, and into the glory of new life. During these momentous days, we are invited not simply to remember these life-altering events but to live them. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord. It is a day mixed with joy and paradox. We wave palms and proclaim Christ as King yet, as we parꢀcipate in the Passion narraꢀve, we learn how quickly human hearts can change when we, the people of Jerusalem, move instantly from our praise and singing of “Hosanna” to shouts of “Crucify Him.” It is a day to examine our own fidelity to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. From there, we move into the heart of our faith, the Sacred Triduum, three holy days that comprise one continuous celebration. On Holy Thursday, we gather for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7 p.m. Here, Jesus gives us two priceless giſts: the Eucharist and the priesthood. He also kneels to wash the feet of His disciples, teaching us that love is expressed in humble service. We are invited to stay with Him in prayer, just as He asked His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. Soon aſter the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, we will process to the Holy Cross hall where we will keep company with Jesus. The parish hall will be open for prayer and Adoration until midnight. Good Friday brings us to the foot of the Cross. The solemn celebraꢀon of the Lord’s Passion will be held at 3 p.m. during which we will read the Passion Narraꢀve according to John who helps us contemplate the depth of Christ’s love, a love willing to suffer and die for each one of us. Moved by this greatest sacrifice of Jesus, we will then venerate the Holy Cross. In the Cross we do not see defeat but, rather, the very instrument of our salvation. Our teens will reenact the Stations of the Cross at 7 p.m. in the church. Then comes the stillness of Holy Saturday, a day of waiting, silence, and hope. It reminds us that even in moments when God seems absent, He is at work in ways we cannot yet see. Finally, we arrive at the great celebraꢀon of the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. Darkness gives way to light, death to life. Christ is risen! This is not just an event of the past; it is the living truth that transforms our lives today. The Resurrection assures us that no suffering, no sin, no darkness has the final word. As a parish family, I invite you to fully enter into these sacred days. Come and pray. Come and walk with Christ. Allow these liturgies to renew your faith, rekindle your hope, and deepen your love. Wishing you a blessed and grace-filled Holy Week! With love, Fr. John

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