The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, June 7, 2026

Dear friends, We did it — the mosaic artwork capturing the essence of our faith is finally accomplished, thanks be to God! Thank you for your continued patience with me these past two years in planning for this dream to become a reality, the result of your dedication and endurance. There were many lessons learned along the way in creating a work of art with such magnitude and proportion, and it is my sincerest hope that you all agree it was worth it — in the end, a small price to pay for such transcendental beauty. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India and renowned scientist, famously said, "Dream is not that which you see while sleeping; it is something that does not let you sleep." This legendary piece of wisdom comes to mind when I think of how this dream kept me awake most nights. Beginning in 2018 when we built the church, I couldn’t help feeling that there should be something more to this beautiful space, that it was meant to hold some design of color that would further enhance it’s contemplative serenity as a place of prayer. Over the past six years or so, I took note of all the churches I visited both in this country and abroad while on pilgrimage. I began asking the price of murals and paintings, and then God providentially put me in touch with artists Giancarlo Biagi and Jill-Burkee Biagi and the idea of a mosaic. The theme I had in mind was certain; I wanted to follow the same idea used in designing the grotto — Mary looking at John. I knew I wanted to depict this iconic moment of Mary and John faithfully standing at the foot of the cross at Golgotha. While the evangelists depict different scenes of the crucifixion, I wanted to reflect what John, our theologian par excellence, describes in his 19th chapter. I first conceived the central panel but was concerned about the placement of Mary and Joseph in their niches where they have not been visible to all. I wanted to have them brought to the forefront; hence, the idea of a triptych was born, further enhancing our worship space. After discussing with Giancarlo Biagi and Jill-Burkee Biagi, we agreed to name this triptych mosaic “Consummatum est in Golgotha.” It is a phrase combining Latin and the place associated with the Crucifixion of Jesus. It captures the triumphant mission accomplished by Jesus as presented in John 19:30 in Golgotha, the “place of the skull” in Hebrew. “Consummatum est in Golgotha” in English translates to, “It is finished at Golgotha.” Again, I thank all who helped make our Thanksgiving Mass in celebration of our jubilee year a grand success. There is not enough space to list the many names; hence, I offer a general THANK YOU to all who helped make the mosaic, the Mass, and the picnic so beautiful. Over time, I will be working on a brochure to explain the details of the artwork. This Sunday, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, one of the deepest mysteries of our faith: one God in three Persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. While the Trinity is beyond our human understanding, it is not so much a puzzle to be solved as it is a relationship to be lived. At the heart of the Trinity is perfect love, communion, and unity. God is never alone but, rather, in eternal relationship. Created in the image of this Triune God, we, too, are made for relationship with God and with one another. In a world often marked by division, isolation, and selfishness, the Trinity reminds us that true life is found in love, self-giving, and unity. The Father creates us in love, the Son redeems us through love, and the Holy Spirit sustains and guides us in love. Every time we make the sign of the cross, we proclaim this great mystery: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” It is both a prayer and a reminder that we belong to God and are called to reflect His love in our homes, our parish, and our community. May this feast renew in us a deeper awareness of God’s presence in our lives and inspire us to become living signs of unity, peace, and love for others. With the completion of the mosaic, we have moved adoration back to our Adoration Chapel . I’d like to thank Jamie Waller for coordinating this process and all the adorers for your commitment to spending time with our Lord. In time, I will be revisiting our plan to expand the hours for adoration. We are blessed to have two postulants, T.J. Dulac and Cannon Van Handel from the Congregation of Holy Cross, here with us until the end of June. They have already begun integrating into our community, and I ask that you please pray for them and greet and welcome them when you see them around. They will enter the novitiate program this fall. Welcome, T.J. and Cannon! Now I have to share with you some bittersweet news, Fr. Martin has been given another assignment, appointed as Parochial Vicar of St. Timothy Catholic Church in The Villages, effective 1 July. Although we will all dearly miss him, we must thank God for allowing him be with us for the past one and a half years. We are planning a farewell meet-and-greet after all the Masses the weekend of 20/21 June. Please make time to stop by the hall and wish him well when the time comes. “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:2). With love and gratitude, Fr. John

Dear friends, A notice displayed at the reception area of a hotel once read: “A little disruption now. Lots of wows later.” The moment I saw that, I immediately thought of our family of St. John’s. Over the past several months, there has certainly been “more than a little disruption” as we journeyed toward the “wow” effect that many of you have now experienced upon entering our church. The day has finally come when we can breathe a great sigh of relief and stand in awe before this extraordinary work of art — the fruit of many gifted hands, hearts, and minds. Throughout history, the Catholic Church has used sacred art as a powerful means of evangelization. Every sacred artwork preaches a silent yet profound homily, as in the words of Pope Benedict XVI from August 2002: “The only really effective apologia for Christianity comes down to two arguments: the saints the Church has produced and the art which has grown in her womb.” Indeed, this masterpiece has been growing in the womb of St. John’s for more than four years. During that time, I increasingly felt that although our church was already beautiful, something was still missing. After visiting many churches and praying deeply about it for months, God, in His divine providence, brought into our lives the remarkable artists Giancarlo Biagi and Jill Burkee-Biagi . I shared with them my vision for a parish in Florida named after St. John the Evangelist and how deeply John and Mary are united through the mystery of Christ’s Crucifixion. That conversation marked the beginning of a beautiful journey, one that has now brought us to this blessed day. And there could not be a more fitting occasion for this than the celebration of the Solemnity of Pentecost . Just as the Easter season culminates in the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we likewise have been building toward this sacred moment — a moment of grace marking the pinnacle of our Silver Jubilee Year. Since the opening Mass on September 11, 2025, we have celebrated many events during this jubilee year, but the dedication of this magnificent mosaic wall depicting the Crucifixion scene from the Gospel of Saint John the Evangelist (John 19) truly stands as the crowning jewel of these celebrations. This sacred depiction of Mary and John standing faithfully at the foot of the Cross — together with Mary, the wife of Clopas, Mary Magdalene, Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, and the Roman soldiers — transforms our sacred space into a living encounter with the mystery of Christ’s love. A mosaic is not merely art; it is theology in color and stone . As Bishop Robert Barron beautifully describes, sacred art is “Heaven in stone and glass.” There is something profoundly transcendent about this work. Each tiny piece so carefully placed reflects how God gathers the broken fragments of humanity and forms them into a unified story of redemption. In this Crucifixion scene, suffering, sacrifice, forgiveness, and hope are held together in one powerful image. The Cross is no longer distant history; it becomes visible, present, and almost tangible before us. Spiritually, this mosaic invites contemplation; we will not simply “look” at it — we will pray with it. The eyes of Christ upon the Cross, the sorrow of Mary, the faithful presence of John, and the sacred stillness of Calvary draw the soul into silence and prayer. There is a quiet yet radiant glory that emanates from this scene of the Crucifixion. It is my sincere hope that amid the busyness of our lives, this mosaic will become a sacred place where we pause, reflect, and enter more deeply into the Passion of Christ, the source of our salvation. This mosaic will also become a silent teacher. Without speaking a word, it proclaims the very heart of the Gospel: that love is strongest when it gives itself completely. Every person who enters our church will hear that message spoken through stone, color, beauty, and light, calling them to remember, to believe, and to live that same sacrificial love. At this moment, I am reminded of the words of Jesus in John 16:21: “When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world.” Today, we experience that joy. I am deeply indebted to our artists, Giancarlo Biagi and Jill Burkee-Biagi, whose remarkable talents and dedication made this dream possible. They have accomplished much throughout their lives, but this may well stand among their crowning achievements. I look forward to sharing more about them next week. I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to Manrico Bertellotti and Nicola Catelli and their family members who brought generations of mosaic craftsmanship and tradition to this sacred project. Many thanks, as well, to Bishop John Noonan , Scott Ferguson , and Debbie Whalen for accompanying us on this journey. My sincere appreciation goes to GCC for their assistance in constructing the wall and to the many others whose hands and hearts helped bring this dream to life. I extend a special thank you to Shamir and Beth for carrying such a significant share of the burden throughout this process. Finally, to all of you — thank you for your patience, understanding, and support through the inconveniences of these past months. Now it is time to rejoice! We warmly welcome Most Reverend Jorge Izaguirre, C.S.C., for making the long journey from Peru to be with us at this important moment in the life of our parish. Thank you for celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation for our teens and adults. I have long awaited this visit with great joy. A special welcome also to Fr. Bill Lies, C.S.C., our Provincial Superior, for making a deliberate effort to join us as we celebrate 25 years of Holy Cross presence in our community. Finally, my deepest gratitude goes to our beloved shepherd and chief pastor, Most Reverend John Noonan. Thank you for believing in this “crazy idea” from the very beginning and for your constant encouragement and support. Your gracious presence among us is a tremendous blessing. To my dear Silver Jubilee Committee Chair, Sandy Samuel, and its members — and to all who worked tirelessly to make our Silver Jubilee celebrations such memorable and grace-filled experiences — thank you. What a blessing you have been! May we continue this journey of grace, faith, and hope with renewed courage and confidence in the everguiding presence of our Triune God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Have a Spirit-filled week! With love and gratitude, Fr, John

Dear friends, This Sunday, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, 40 days after the completion of Christ’s earthly mission and His return to the Father. Traditionally observed on the Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter, most U.S. dioceses have transferred it to the Seventh Sunday of Easter where it remains a holy day of obligation and is celebrated together as a community. The archdioceses and dioceses of Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Omaha, and Philadelphia have retained its celebration on the proper Thursday. The Solemnity of the Ascension reminds us that Jesus did not abandon His disciples but entrusted them with a mission and filled them with hope, opening the way for all of us to share in God’s eternal life. Jesus’ presence among us takes on a new and deeper form through the Holy Spirit and through the life of the Church. In a world often weighed down by fear and uncertainty, the Lord calls us to lift our eyes upward and our hearts outward — upward in faith and outward in mission. Jesus commissions His disciples to baptize in His name, reminding them that He is always present through the Spirit. Having ascended to His Father amid cries of gladness, we are called to be His witnesses, sent like the apostles to be witnesses of hope, love, mercy, and truth in our homes, workplaces, and communities. May this solemnity renew in us the courage to live our faith boldly, knowing that the Risen Lord remains with us always. The Easter season is a joyous, 50-day period from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday which is celebrated 10 days following Christ’s ascension. In our diocese, we will have 7 days to prepare for this solemnity and the coming of the Holy Spirit. During these days, the hymn Veni, Creator Spiritus may be sung and prayed as a way to prepare for this momentous occasion in the Church. Let us join Mother Mary and the apostles who kept vigil and prayed for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. On 3 May, Pope Leo XIV proclaimed, “The month of May has begun: throughout the Church, the joy of gathering in the name of Mary, our Mother, is renewed, especially by praying the Rosary together. We relive the experience of those days between Jesus’ Ascension and Pentecost, when the disciples gathered in the upper room to invoke the Holy Spirit. Mary Most Holy remained in their midst, her heart keeping watch over the fire that animated the prayer of all. I entrust my intentions to you, particularly for communion within the Church and for peace in the world.” The schools in our county are winding down for the year with the last few days of class and exams before summer break. Our high school and college seniors will be celebrating their graduations soon , and we wish to congratulate them all for both their perseverance and their achievements. We thank the parents for their love and support throughout the years, and as we celebrate a Baccalaureate Mass with them on Sunday, May 17th at 4:30 p.m., let us pray that the Lord will continue to inspire them as they begin new chapters in their lives. With the astounding statistic that approximately 79% of young people leave the Church and their faith around this time, might we continue to encourage them and keep them in our prayers. The men of our parish will gather on Monday, May 18th, at 6:30 p.m. for an evening of discipleship . Our own Father Martin Joseph will be the guest speaker. Please consider attending, and I encourage you to invite a friend. Congratulations to Justin, Amanda, Madison, and Reagan Libak, recipients of the Family of the Month Award for May 2026. What a blessing to have them in our parish. The entire family is so gifted and involved in ministries that serve to build our community. Thank you, Libak family, for all you do! Next weekend, we celebrate the pinnacle of our Silver Jubilee celebrations. Bishop John Noonan, Bishop Jorge Izaguirre, C.S.C., and our Provincial, Fr. Bill Lies, will be with us, along with many other friends and family. Let us extend to them our kindest SJE hospitality. Please see schedule below for the weekend of PENTECOST, May 23/24, 2026: Saturday, May 23: Mass at 4:30 p.m., during which we will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for our youth and adults. Sunday, May 24: Mass at 8 a.m., Mass of Thanksgiving at 11 a.m.* & Mass at 4:30 p.m. * During the 11 a.m. Mass, we will welcome Bishop John Noonan of Orlando, Bishop Jorge Izaguirre, C.S.C., of Chosica, Peru, and Fr. Bill Lies, Provincial of the Congregation of Holy Cross, USA, as well as many other guests. We will also have the BIG REVEAL of the mosaic work representing the scene of the Crucifixion of Jesus at Calvary. We have arranged for overflow and a simulcast Mass in the hall. Following Mass and felicitations, we will celebrate with a parish PICNIC . There will be a bounce house and games for the kids, so please plan to attend. Have a blessed week! With Love, Fr. John

Dear friends, The month of May is well underway and promises to be a momentous one with our Mass of Thanksgiving on the 24th to celebrate 25 years as a community of beloved disciples of Jesus. We will also be unveiling the mosaic wall depicting the scene of the Crucifixion of our Lord. Thank you for your generosity in prayerfully helping us achieve this amazing work of art. A special thanks to all the children who participated in the May Crowning ceremony last Sunday and to our Council of Catholic Women (CCW) who accompanied them to our Mother Mary with flowers in hand to place before her. This gesture symbolizes the handing on of our faith from one generation to the next, the lighting of a spark that will hopefully stay with them as they grow in their own faith. May Mary, our Mother, lead them faithfully to her son, Jesus. In crowning our Mother, we recognize that Mary is our Queen — not a queen of power and dominance but one of humility, love, and quiet strength. Her greatness lies in her trust in God. Please join us in praying the Rosary every day this month at the Grotto of our Lady of Lourdes at 6:30 p.m. It is especially fitting that on this Sunday, we honor our earthly mothers — the women God chose to bring us into life. We take this opportunity to thank all of our mothers for the countless ways they have nurtured us: for giving us life, for their love and sacrifices and, above all, for introducing us to a life of faith and our Church. Together with our fathers, they have endured many struggles, made quiet sacrifices, and given so much of themselves to care for our every need. As Sacred Scripture reminds us: “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue” (Proverbs 31:26). How beautifully this reflects the love, strength, and faith of our mothers. Here at St. John’s, we are truly blessed to support and accompany women at every stage of life. Our parish is enriched by so many vibrant ministries: SJE Moms, Walking with Moms in Need, Blessed Is She, Gratia Plena (Women of Grace), W.I.N.G.S., and the Council of Catholic Women. Most, if not all, of these ministries are led by faithful and devoted mothers who continue to inspire our community by their witness. Today, we give thanks for all of you. Happy Mother’s Day, and may God continue to bless you abundantly. As part of our Silver Jubilee, we have planned a one-day pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe in Orlando on Saturday, 16 May . Anjanette is coordinating this event, and we will travel together by bus, leaving the parish at 8 a.m. Seats are going fast; one bus is already sold out. You don’t want to miss the newly-completed Gospel Gardens created by world-renowned sculptor Timothy Schmalz. The readings of the Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year A) gently remind us that love for Christ is not merely spoken — it is lived. Jesus tells His disciples, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments,” inviting us into a relationship where love is expressed through faithful action. This is not a burden but a promise, for He assures us that we are not alone. The gift of the Holy Spirit — the Advocate — abides with us, strengthens us, and guides us in truth. In the first reading, we see the growth of the early Church with Philip effectively spreading the “Good News.” The Samaritans were in awe of the miracles he performed. This reminds us that our faith is not meant to be private or isolated; it is lived in community, nourished by the sacraments, and strengthened through the Church. In the second reading, St. Peter encourages us to be ready to give reason for our hope, always with gentleness and reverence in reflecting the spirit of Christ. As we continue our Easter journey, we are invited to examine how we live out our love for the Lord in our daily lives. Do our words and actions reflect His presence within us? Are we open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit? This week, let us consciously choose to live our faith with courage and kindness, trusting that Christ remains with us in the Holy Spirit who leads us toward greater love and truth. Have a blessed week! With love, Fr. John

Dear friends, I recently received a greeting card that said, “Thinking of you has become one of my favorite things to do.” I could say the same about all of you! You are always in my thoughts and prayers. Today, I’d like l to thank you for celebrating the 15th anniversary of my priestly ordination, for your prayers, well wishes, and gifts. It always gives me profound joy when we come together and celebrate as a parish family. I thank Fr. Martin, and Sandy, Beth, Anjanette, Nimmi and Theju, Chan, Glenn, Ricardo, Heidi and the marvelous choir, Justin and Amanda, Joe, Fran and Gilbert, the many others who planned and worked behind the scenes, photographers, Johnnie, Richard, Mike, Judy, and the kitchen crew who coordinated the day’s events from the beautiful liturgy to the luncheon and entertainment. A special thanks to our Tamil-speaking parishioners who offered a blend of Indian liturgy to our worship of God. Many of you commented on the entrance procession; for most, it must have been altogether new. If you would like to know more about it, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Our God has been good and gracious to this little soul. I echo St. Paul’s sentiments in his letter to the Philippians (1:3-4) where he wrote, “I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you, praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you.” The CCW-sponsored St. Carlo Acutis Youth Service Award was presented to Brolin Cozzolino on Sunday, April 26, at the 4.30 p.m. Mass. I wish to congratulate Brolin and thank him for his exemplary service to our SJE community as lead altar server and an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. In addition, Brolin has shared our faith as a Vacation Bible School group leader and catechist for 5th graders. He continues to volunteer throughout his community and in his school and enjoys helping anyone in any way he can. As he moves on to the University of Alabama later this year, we wish him abundant blessings. A huge thanks to his parents and siblings for their support and encouragement. Please note on Sunday, May 24, we will be combining the 7:15 a.m. and 9 a.m. Masses into one 8 a.m. Mass in order to facilitate parking for the Mass of Thanksgiving which will take place at 11 a.m. on that day. The Medical Ministry team of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community is hosting a CPR class along with basic firstaid training free of charge, courtesy of the Health First Foundation. The training course will take place on Tuesday, May 26, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Holy Cross Hall at St. John’s. With great sadness, we received news of the passing of Socorro Milagros Lumbert, wife of Deacon Steve Lumbert. She was a faithful wife, mother, grandmother, and a woman of great faith. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to Deacon Steve, their daughters Karina and Regina, and the family. The Funeral Mass for Socorro was held on Thursday, April 30, at 11 a.m. in the Holy Cross Hall. May our Mother of Perpetual Help intercede for her. On this Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A, the readings invite us to deepen our trust in Christ and our identity as His Church. In the gospel, Jesus reassures His disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” He reveals Himself as “the way, the truth, and the life,” calling us to place our confidence in Him, especially during times of uncertainty. The disciples, like us, seem not to understand what Jesus is saying. John equates lack of understanding to lack of faith; hence, the disciples are somehow unable to see the truth revealed in Jesus Christ. Jesus invites them to at least believe Him based on His words and His works and what they reveal about the Father. The first reading shows the early Church responding to challenges by appointing deacons, reminding us that the mission of the Church is shared and strengthened through service. In the second reading, Peter describes us as “living stones” built into a spiritual house, chosen and called to proclaim God’s marvelous light. As we continue our Easter journey, may we trust more deeply in Christ, serve generously in our communities, and recognize our dignity as God’s holy people. Have a blessed week! Love, Fr. John

Dear friends, Last Saturday was a classic example of the life of our thriving parish. Our new Welcome Back ministry held its first gathering, the Blessed Is She ministry enjoyed a nice brunch, and Gratia Plena celebrated the season with an Easter luncheon and performance by home-schooled children. In addition, 20 of our women attended an Emmaus retreat led by Joy Ramirez and Joanna Edwards in Titusville. Thanks to these amazing ministries! Here is a brief report from Joy about the retreat: This past weekend, April 17-19, 20 women of the St. John the Evangelist parish attended our inaugural Emmaus retreat. Based on the “Walk to Emmaus” from the Gospel of Luke 24:13-35, the women enjoyed talks, prayer, and spiritual enrichment with Jesus. They were served by a team of 16 women from St. John the Evangelist in Viera and St. John XXIII in Miramar who traveled nearly four hours and spent two years planning together. The retreat, which will now be a staple for our parish, sent our women out with hearts on fire for the presence of the Lord. Of the women who attended, many have already committed to serving in additional ministries, a spiritual renewal that will expand to their families and the St. John’s community. This Fourth Sunday of Easter, often called “Good Shepherd Sunday,” invites us to listen more attentively to the voice of Christ, our Shepherd. Jesus assures us that He knows us personally, calls each of us by name, and leads us to life in abundance. In John’s gospel presented to us today (10:1-10), Jesus proposes two qualities of a good shepherd: 1) Only the shepherd enters the sheepfold through the gate; thieves climb over the fence. The sheep recognize the voice of the shepherd as He calls them by name, and 2) Jesus is the gate to the sheepfold; He keeps the thieves out. Both of these images are unique in that they convey the message that Jesus as the Good Shepherd is always there to protect and nourish us. However, there is action required on our part. In a world filled with many competing voices, the challenge is to recognize His voice and follow with trust. Given this context, we are asked in a special way to pray for vocations, that more men and women might hear the Lord’s call to serve His people as priests, deacons, and religious. Might we open our hearts to His guidance and become shepherds to one another through care, compassion, and faithful witness. We have a wonderful practice of praying for vocations with the Vocations Cup. I ask that you consider signing up to bring the chalice into your home to pray together as a family for vocations. Thank you to those who have already done so. I am grateful to our SJE Moms ministry for hosting the Children’s Adoration Hour on Friday from 4-5 p.m. Thanks to the parents who brought their children to this prayer experience. This is how we inculcate in our children a desire to pray and grow their relationship with Jesus. Remember: A family that prays together stays together. This is how vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life begin — sowing seeds in young hearts to bear good fruits in life. Have a blessed week! With love, Fr. John

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