Family of the Month
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.