Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary time, November 15, 2026

Dear friends, This 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time gives us a beautiful passage from the Gospel of Matthew (25:1–13), where Jesus tells the parable of the ten virgins who went out to meet the bridegroom. Five were wise and brought extra oil for their lamps, while five were foolish and unprepared. When the bridegroom arrived, only those who were ready could enter the wedding feast. The message is simple but profound — we cannot borrow someone else…s faith; we must nurture our own relationship with God. Faith is not something we practice only when life becomes difficult or when we need God…s help. It is a daily commitment, sustained through prayer, the Eucharist, God…s Word, and acts of love and kindness. The oil in our lamps represents the spiritual life we build day by day. Every prayer, every act of forgiveness, every moment of generosity, and every effort to love as Christ loves adds oil to our lamps. We do not know the day or the hour when the Lord will come, but we can make sure that our hearts are always ready to welcome Him. As we journey through life, may we never allow the flame of faith to grow dim. May our lamps be filled with the oil of prayer, hope, and love, so that whenever the Bridegroom comes, we may joyfully welcome Him and enter into the eternal wedding feast. Be vigilant. Pursue that which is spoken of in the first reading, Wisdom 6:12: “Resplendent and unfading is wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her.” Speaking of vigilance, I would like to bring to your attention again to the numerous attempts to scam you. They come in various guises, and the most pitiable are those that seemingly come from priests asking for money. There is an epidemic of fraud in this nation. You would be shocked to know how many innocent, gullible people are being scammed every day. I have spoken to you about it on numerous occasions, I have written about it, and I have invited guest speakers to address this issue, all in an attempt to better prepare you for the fraudsters who knock at our doors via email or text messages. I was shocked to gather some information from a podcast by Bishop Barron on this topic: It is said that, as a nation, we lose between 233 and 521 billion dollars per year to fraud. A significant portion of that figure is money lost to fraudulent healthcare billing and federal Medicaid and Medicare programs. How did we get here? Well, it can be any numbers of things, but chief of all is the moral drift, moral relativism, and a loss of a sense of the sacred. It will only get worse as more and more people numb their consciences. So, please call or meet in person if someone asks you for something. It breaks my heart to know that so many people — out of the goodness of their hearts — easily believe the scammers who have no sense of morality. This leads us to the topic that Monsignor Stephen Rossetti will speak about on Friday, November 13, at 5:45 p.m. — Overcoming Darkness: The Ordinary Armor of the Faithful.” Please plan to attend. Be ready: Let us keep the lamp of faith burning brightly. Have a blessed week! With love, Fr. John

Dear friends, Can you believe November is already here? As we enter this beautiful month, daylight saving time comes to an end, and our clocks fall back one hour on Sunday, November 1. We return to standard time, which means earlier sunrises and earlier sunsets.  For Catholics, November is especially poignant, inviting us to remember our beloved dead, pray for the souls in purgatory, celebrate the saints who have gone before us, and renew our hope in the resurrection. As the liturgical year draws to a close with the Solemnity of Christ the King, November also turns our hearts toward the final things: death, judgment, heaven, and the fulfillment of God…s Kingdom. At the heart of this month is a beautiful truth: love does not end with death. The communion of saints unites us in Christ, and our ultimate hope is eternal life with Him. Of course, Thanksgiving Day gives us another wonderful opportunity to thank God for His abundant providence and blessings. This weekend, the Solemnity of All Saints falls on a Sunday. On November 1, we celebrate all the saints in heaven — both those officially canonized by the Church and the countless holy men and women whose names are known only to God. All Saints… Day reminds us that holiness is not reserved for a select few. Every Christian is called to become a saint through ordinary acts of faithfulness, forgiveness, kindness, sacrifice, and love. What a blessing it is to realize that you and I are called to be saints, a mind-boggling concept but one that is true! With God…s grace, sainthood is possible and begins right where we are — in the ordinary circumstances of our everyday lives. On Monday, November 2, we celebrate All Souls' Day when the Church remembers and prays for all the faithful departed, particularly those undergoing purification in purgatory before entering the fullness of God…s presence. What a beautiful expression of our faith to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for our departed loved ones! We will have three opportunities to celebrate Mass on that day: 8:00 a.m., 12:05 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. Please join us, write down the names of your loved ones, and offer them in prayer at the altar. We will continue to remember our beloved dead throughout the month of November. May our prayers be a source of comfort for us and a loving offering for those who have gone before us. On Saturday, November 7, we will honor those who have died this past year with an annual Remembrance Mass at 10 a.m. I am grateful to our Funeral Ministry team who, along with the funeral sacristans, accompany those grieving the loss of their dear ones. Let me now take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the many ways you continue to make St. John the Evangelist a vibrant and caring parish family: First, a big thank you to Justin and Amanda Libak for coordinating this year's Trunk or Treat event on Friday, October 23. I was delighted to see so many children arrive with their parents and friends to enjoy the evening. I am grateful to everyone who decorated their trunks so creatively and shared so generously their time, talents, and, of course, candy! Thanks also to the many volunteers whose hard work made the event such a success. Over 1,000 children joined us this year for a truly festive family event. With so many saints walking among us, it was quite the sight! We thank God for the delightful weather that made the evening even more enjoyable. Next, my sincere thanks to our entire SJE family for your generous donations of breakfast items to support the guests of Matthew's Hope. I am especially grateful to Janet Owens and her Feed My Flock volunteers - along with our amazing kitchen crew - for preparing and serving a hot breakfast on Tuesday, October 27. Matthew…s Hope shared this wonderful message on Facebook: “A huge THANK YOU to St. John the Evangelist Church Feed My Flock Ministry for your amazing, and much needed, donation to our Food Pantry! This group brought in 5 SUV‟s full of food. Nonperishable Single Serve Items to help restock our food pantry along with fresh fruit, pastries, oatmeal, egg casserole…s, milk, orange juice, and apple juice for breakfast.” What a tremendous expression of generosity! What the abundance of food, what touched my heart most was the joy on the faces of the guests. We also had the privilege of speaking with Merissa, the chef at Matthew…s Hope, who expressed her gratitude for our generosity. Her words captured the heart of Christian service beautifully: “How could we not be happy to see these people happy when we serve them?” When we share what we have with those in need, we do more than provide a meal; we communicate dignity, compassion, and the love of Christ. Thank you for being such a blessing to our neighbors, reminding us that the gospel comes alive whenever love is put into action. Finally, congratulations to Chris and Kathy Bosch, recipients of the Family of the Month Award for October 2026. Thank you, Chris and Kathy, for your joyful presence and for all you do through various parish ministries. Your generosity and faithful service are wonderful expressions of how the Holy Spirit works in and through our lives. May God continue to bless you! As we enter November, may the saints inspire us, may our prayers unite us with our beloved dead, and may gratitude fill our hearts as we count our many blessings. Let us continue to be a parish family that prays together, serves together, and grows together in holiness. Have a blessed week! With love, Fr. John

Dear friends, Some exciting and spiritually enriching opportunities are coming our way — every good gift is from the Lord! We have the opportunity to an early access screen of Episode 1 of Season 6 of THE CHOSEN this Friday, 30 October, at 6:00 p.m. in the parish hall . For those not familiar with the series, it represents a significant innovation in how biblical stories can be told through modern media. By focusing on character development, historical context, and high production values, Dallas Jenkins has created a new template for faith-based entertainment that resonates with diverse audiences worldwide. It is said that the sixth season will take the world to the foot of the cross to see the love of the Father through the selflessness of the Son. It‟s going to change lives. How do we know? Because the telling of this story — His story — has been changing lives for over two thousand years. We have the privilege of launching it before it comes to theaters, so please j oin us for this first episode of Season 6 on Friday, October 30, at 6 p.m. Popcorn will be available. We also have the privilege of hosting Monsignor Stephen Joseph Rossetti , an American Catholic priest, licensed psychologist and exorcist, author, and educator, best known for his work with the St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal and his public ministry in deliverance and exorcism. Msgr. Rossetti will be here on Friday, November 13, at 6 p.m. for “Spiritual Combat: An Evening of Formation and Prayer, ” featuring his talk, “Overcoming Darkness: The Ordinary Armor of the Faithful.” See bulletin ad for details. Election time is here, the opportunity to exercise our right to determine who is best suited to lead at various levels of governance. Each election cycle, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) offers several resources to help the faithful with the obligation to make informed voting decisions. The bishops neither support nor oppose particular candidates. The responsibility to make political choices rests with each individual in light of a properly f ormed conscience. Please visit this website to find several resources useful to consider before you vote: https://flaccb.org/election-materials-and-guidelines This weekend, I have the privilege of presenting the State of the Parish 2026 . As always, thank you for your generosity in making our parish a vibrant, faith-filled, and welcoming community . I feel very humbled and honored to serve you. The annual budget of our parish is more than a statement of income and expenditure; it is a statement of our faith, our priorities, and our hopes for the future. Every dollar entrusted to us represents your sacrifice, generosity, and love for this community. My responsibility and passion have always been to ensure that these gifts are used wisely, prudently, transparently, and faithfully in the service of our community. I thank Beth Lowry, our business manager, Nhora Bonilla, our bookkeeper, and the members of our finance and parish councils for the prudent advice they offer whenever I need them . We are blessed to have you, our beloved parishioners, amazing in your display of trust and generosity. A healthy parish budget is not an end to itself; it is a means of building a vibrant community of faith, hope, and charity. Thank you, again, from the bottom of my heart. Always remember that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:7). In this Sunday…s Gospel (Matthew 22:34–40), Jesus reminds us that the entire law rests on two great commandments: to love God with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. These two commandments are inseparable. Our love for God becomes visible in the way we treat the people around us, especially those who are lonely, forgotten, hurting, or difficult to love. Sometimes, loving God seems easier than loving our neighbor! We can pray beautifully in church yet struggle to be patient at home, forgiving at work, or compassionate toward someone who disagrees with us. Jesus invites us to bridge that gap between our worship and our daily lives. Every act of kindness, every word of encouragement, every sincere forgiveness, and every gesture of compassion becomes an expression of our love for God. As we celebrate the Eucharist, let us ask ourselves: Can others recognize God…s love through the way I love them? May we never separate the God we worship at the altar from the neighbor we encounter on our journey. After all, the surest way to love God is to let His love flow through us to others. Have a blessed week! With love, Fr. John

Dear friends, Our beloved Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, announced last Sunday that he would undergo surgery at Rome‟s Gemelli hospital on 13 October to remove a suspicious growth on his right lung that was detected during medical tests. Surgeons removed the lower lobe of the lung after confirming a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma. Doctors said the surgery was successful, and there were no complications. Please keep him and his teams of doctors and nurses in your prayers as he recovers. Today, more than one billion Catholics around the world celebrate World Mission Sunday. Established in 1926 by Pope Pius XI, the annual observance marks its 100th anniversary this year. Each October, the Church sets aside a special time to pray for missionaries and reflect on the Church‟s evangelizing mission. On World Mission Sunday, Catholics unite in the celebration of the Eucharist and contribute to a special collection that supports evangelization and missionary work throughout the world. This celebration reminds us that mission is at the heart of the Church‟s life and identity. Though we may live in different countries and face different challenges, we belong to one universal Church and share the same calling: to continue Christ‟s mission by proclaiming the Gospel and bringing His love and hope to all people. In the Diocese of Orlando, World Mission Sunday holds special significance as we support our Sister Diocese of San Juan de la Maguana in the Dominican Republic. Today, we will hear from Nicolas Arrubla and watch a video that highlights the difference our support has made in the lives of our brothers and sisters in these communities. Thank you for your generosity and compassion in helping ease their hardships and providing for their basic needs. Through your contributions, you bring hope and make a tangible difference by supporting essential educational, medical, pastoral, and humanitarian services for families living in the mountainous regions of the Dominican Republic. Your generosity is a beautiful expression of our Christian solidarity and reminds us that, though separated by distance, we are united in faith, love, and our shared mission to serve Christ in one another. In this Sunday‟s Gospel (Matthew 22:15–21), Jesus tells the Pharisees, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” We are invited to reflect on a profound truth: the coin bears Caesar‟s image, but every human person bears the image of God — Imago Dei (Genesis 1:27). If the coin belongs to Caesar because it bears his image, then we belong to God because we bear His image. This truth reminds us of our inherent dignity, the sacredness of every human life, and our responsibility to treat one another with respect, compassion, and love. Giving to God what belongs to Him means offering Him our whole selves — our hearts, our choices, and our daily lives. As we fulfill our responsibilities to our families, communities, and nation, may we never forget whose image we bear. Let our lives reflect the goodness of our Creator, so that through our words and actions, others may encounter the face of Christ in us. We will continue our journey through the first encyclical written by Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanita s (Magnificent Humanity). I invite you to continue to reflect on this monumentally important topic for today. Have a blessed week! With love, Fr. John 

Dear friends, Our pilgrimage to three countries (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) took us to little-known places of significance to our Catholic faith, popular in those parts of the world. I was particularly amazed at the three Marian shrines we visited and would like to share some information about them with you: 1) The Black Madonna of Einsiedeln — known as “Our Lady of the Hermits” — is a revered 15th-century Gothic wooden statue of the Virgin Mary and Christ Child housed inside the Chapel of Grace at Einsiedeln Benedictine Abbey in Switzerland. 2) Schoenstatt Sanctuary is a small, sacred chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title “Mother Thrice Admirable,” modeled after the original shrine founded in Vallendar, Germany, in 1914. Schoenstatt has now become a movement founded by Fr. Joseph Kentenich. Approximately 200 shrines have been built in 35 countries on all continents, all exact replicas of the original shrine. 3) Mariazell Basilica – is a Marian shrine considered the most important pilgrimage destination in Austria, attracting over a million pilgrims each year. Our Mother Mary is honored there as “Magnus Mater Austriae,” Latin for “Great Mother of Austria.” National Clergy Appreciation Day is celebrated annually on the second Sunday of October. I wish to thank the members of our Silver Jubilee team who worked with great dedication to produce a video that recognizes the pastors, associates, and deacons who have served our community — Charles Miller, John Vitagliano, and Rita Agustynowicz. Thank you for your continued prayers and support! On this 28th Sunday, Year A, the Church invites us to reflect on the parable of the wedding of a prince. Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a king who prepares a magnificent wedding banquet for his son. The invitations go out but, surprisingly, many of the invited guests refuse to come. Some ignore the invitation; others are simply too busy with their own affairs. The story is a reminder that God is constantly inviting us to His banquet of grace. His invitation is not something we earn; it is a gift. Every day, God invites us into a deeper relationship with Him through prayer, the Eucharist, His Word, and the people He places in our lives. But there is another part of the gospel that should make us pause. When the king enters the banquet hall, he notices a man who is not wearing a wedding garment. What does this mean? The wedding garment represents a heart that is prepared to receive the gift of God. It is not enough simply to accept the invitation; we are called to allow God…s grace to change us. We come to Mass every Sunday because we have accepted God…s invitation. But the question is: “What happens to us after we leave?” Does the Eucharist change the way we speak to our spouse, treat our children, respond to a difficult person, forgive someone who has hurt us, or care for someone who is lonely? The banquet is not simply about getting into the church; it is about allowing Christ to get into our hearts. Perhaps the most important question this Sunday is not, “Am I invited?” We already know the answer: Yes! God has invited each one of us. The deeper question is, “Am I ready to respond?” The world gives us countless invitations every day — an invitation to worry, to anger, to resentment, to self-centeredness, to busyness. God gives us another invitation: Come to the banquet. Come and receive my love. Come and be changed by my grace. As we come to the altar this Sunday, let us remember that the Eucharist is a foretaste of the eternal banquet. We are not merely attending Mass; we are accepting an invitation from the King. May we come with grateful hearts clothed in faith, hope, love, and mercy, and may the grace we receive at the Lord…s table become visible in the way we live our lives. The invitation has been extended. The banquet is ready. The question is: “Will we come?” We will continue our journey through the first encyclical written by Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity). I invite you to continue to reflect on this monumentally important topic for today. Have a blessed week!  With love, Fr. John

Dear friends, For Catholics, October is traditionally dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary, significant as a month of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a beautiful opportunity for the Church to rediscover Mary not simply as someone we honor but as the mother who leads us to Jesus. The connection between October and the rosary is particularly associated with the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7. Last year on that day, we processed with Our Lady as we prayed the rosary on our way to the Grotto where we celebrated Mass. This year, we shall do the same. We will gather in the Holy Cross Hall and process with our Mother at 5.30 p.m. Fran and Peter Behrens will lead the rosary, followed by the celebration of Mass. In addition, each day in October we will pray the rosary at the Grotto at 6 p.m. Once again, we are reminded of Fr. Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., who spearheaded this massive movement saying, “The family that prays together stays together.” Congratulations to Joyce Weber, recipient of the Family of the Month for September 2026. Thank you, Joyce, for radiating the JOY of the Lord. In just 5 short years, you have immersed yourself in our community, serving us through your involvement in so many ministries. What a blessing you are!  Rosary in Motion: Janet Fovargue is the coordinator of this new ministry, and her aim is to keep people moving with grace according to their abilities. All you need is a mat to perform the stretches. We will meet every Tuesday in the Fr. Patrick Peyton Room from 6-7 p.m. beginning on 6 October. Thank you, Janet, for leading this restorative new ministry as we praise our Lord Jesus along with Mary our Mother. Men and women age 16 and up are welcome as well as children ages 8+ with an accompanying adult. Alzheimer’s disease is a serious challenge for many in our parish community who are faced with the struggle to provide care. Under the leadership of Kathleen Rufino and her core team, we are founding the Remember Me Ministry, a reflection on the state of our memory and God’s promise: “I will never forget you” (Isaiah 49: 15) as well as the good thief’s prayer on the cross: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23: 42). The objective of this ministry is to remember: “When memory fades, love remains. When our memory fails, God never forgets.” We pray through the intercession of Saint Dymphna, patron saint of Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and other mental or nervous illnesses. Our first meeting will be on Thursday, October 15, at 10 a.m. in rooms 1 & 2. The 27th Sunday’s gospel message presents us with the parable of the wicked tenants who forget that the vineyard belongs to the landowner. They take what has been entrusted to them and begin to act as though it belongs entirely to them. Jesus invites us to see ourselves in this story. Our lives, our families, our parish, our gifts, and even our faith are not possessions to be controlled but, rather, blessings entrusted to our care. The vineyard is God’s. The question is: What kind of fruit are we producing? St. Paul encourages us to fill our hearts with whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8). When we live with gratitude rather than entitlement, generosity rather than selfishness, and love rather than resentment, our lives begin to bear the fruits God desires. As we gather around the Lord’s table this Sunday, may we remember that we are not merely recipients of God’s gifts. We are also stewards of His vineyard, called to cultivate it faithfully and share its fruits generously with others. On that note, I am grateful to God for sparing us from the dangers of major storms, even as we are in the height of the hurricane season. We have been extremely blessed with good weather. I urge you to pray that we may be spared this hurricane season. Prayer for Protection from Hurricanes: God our Father, Creator of the Universe and Lord over all creation, we humbly stand before you as your children in thanksgiving for your loving care and protection. We ask that you keep us safe from all dangerous storms and hurricanes that may threaten us in the coming seasons. Protect us from all fear and anxiety of storms, and give us an ardent trust and hope in your love and mercy. You alone have the power to command the sea, the wind, and the rain. You alone bring peace, calm, and safety. Father, we thank you in advance, for you are our only Refuge. We ask this through Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen. We will continue our journey through the first encyclical written by Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity). I invite you to continue to reflect on this monumentally important topic for today. Have a blessed week! With love, Fr. John

Dear friends, In the coming week, we bridge two of the four “ber” months, bringing September to a close and beginning the month of October. We will have several beautiful opportunities to pray and celebrate together: On September 29, we celebrate the Feast of the Archangels — Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. This is also a wonderful occasion to remember in prayer our first responders, firefighters, and public safety officers who serve and protect our communities. We will celebrate a special noon Mass to pray for them and their safety and well-being. On October 2, we celebrate the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels. It is a good day to return to that beautiful prayer many of us learned as children: Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day, be at my side, to light and guard, rule and guide. Amen. And in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, we will have the “Blessing of Animals” on Saturday, October 3, at noon. Please bring your beloved pets to the covered drop-off area of the church to give thanks for the gift of creation and ask God‟s blessing upon our pets. This Sunday‟s gospel gives us a simple but searching question: What does our “yes” to God really mean? Jesus tells the story of two sons asked by their father to go out and work in the vineyard. One initially says “no” but later changes his mind and goes out to work. The other says “yes” but never goes. Jesus reminds us that God is less interested in our words than in the direction of our lives. We all have moments in our lives when we have said “no” to God — through selfishness, hesitation, fear, weakness, or sin. But the beautiful message of the gospel is that a “no” does not have to be our final answer. There is always the grace to turn around, change our minds, and say “yes.” Jesus even points to the tax collectors and prostitutes as examples of those who initially said “no” but ultimately responded to God‟s call. Their lives remind us that God is patiently waiting for our conversion and transformation. This is precisely what St. Paul invites us to embrace in his Letter to the Philippians: “Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus.” Perhaps the most important prayer we can make this week is a simple one: “Lord, I may not always get it right, but I want to say yes to you today.” Our faith is not measured merely by what we promise but by what we are willing to do. The vineyard is waiting, and there is still work for each of us to do. May our “yes” to God become not merely a word on our lips but a way of life. On 8 September, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Mother, we concluded our Silver Jubilee year. Today, I want to express my deepest and most sincere gratitude to everyone who helped make this extraordinary year possible. It took nearly 8 months just to prepare for the jubilee. Someone asked me, “Fr. John, why do you want to take on so much hard work? Just celebrate a Mass and be done with it. After all, who really cares?” Well, this is simply me. While I am here, let me do what I know best: Serve the Lord with JOY. For twenty-five years, God has been writing the story of our parish. Our theme, “A Journey of Grace, Faith, and Hope,” has truly captured the spirit of this jubilee. The year has been a beautiful opportunity to remember God‟s faithfulness, celebrate His blessings, and look forward with renewed hope. I offer a special word of gratitude to Sandy Samuel, our Silver Jubilee Coordinator. Thank you for your extraordinary leadership, dedication, organization, creativity, and professionalism. You carried this responsibility with grace and excellence, often working quietly behind the scenes to bring countless details together. Your service has been invaluable, and I am deeply grateful. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to all the committee leaders, volunteers, ministry leaders, and parishioners. Your generosity of time, talents, energy, and resources made this jubilee truly special. From planning and preparing to welcoming, serving, decorating, celebrating, and cleaning up, every contribution mattered. Most especially, I am grateful for the participation and enthusiasm of our parish family. You came together in faith, fellowship, and joy, reminding us that the church is not simply a building — it is a family walking together toward Christ My deepest desire is that we might carry our jubilee blessings into the future. May our faith deepen, our hope grow, and our love for one another continue to flourish. Thank you for making this “Journey of Grace, Faith, and Hope” a beautiful chapter in the story of St. John the Evangelist. We will continue our journey through the first encyclical written by Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity). I invite you to continue to reflect on this monumentally important topic for today. With love, Fr. John

Dear friends,  Last weekend, we had the privilege of honoring and praying for our grandparents and the vital role they play in imparting their faith to younger generations. Once again, thank you, and may the fire of your love for the Lord continue to burn within you and your families. On September 24th (after a delay of six years), Venerable Fulton J. Sheen will be beatified at 2 p.m. at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri, a historic day for Catholics in the U.S. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, pro-prefect for the Dicastery for Evangelization, will preside. The archbishop was undeniably one of the 20th century’s greatest evangelists, offering his life, his vocation, and his talents to making Jesus known and loved more deeply. Often called “God’s microphone,” he reached millions through radio, television, and print, most notably through his Emmy Award winning program, “Life Is Worth Living.” Msgr. Jason Gray, Executive Director of the Archbishop Fulton John Sheen Foundation, said that his impact was rooted not merely in his communication skills but also in the genuine humility of his spiritual life. Msgr. Gray further noted that Sheen really understood the common man. His ability to connect faith with everyday life became a hallmark of his preaching. Because of his ability to draw from current events of his day, philosophy, and culture, he effectively held the “Bible in one hand, and the local paper in another hand.” One of the remarkable spiritual practices of Venerable Sheen that can be attributed to the success of his reach was his determination to spend one HOLY HOUR every day before the Blessed Sacrament. As we strive to reach our goal of 24/7 adoration at St. John the Evangelist, may he intercede for us. “Pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament,” he said in regard to pursuing a holy life. “That actually is probably the most important thing that you can do.” Gratitude to our Altar Guild: I am extremely grateful to Joanne Fusco who has faithfully led our Altar Guild Ministry for many years. Joanne and her team have quietly and consistently cared for the linens and vestments used at the altar as well as the candles and holy water fonts. This is a ministry that works behind the scenes, but its service is essential to the beauty and dignity of our liturgical celebrations. Joanne will be taking a well-deserved break, and we thank her for her many years of dedicated service. I am also grateful to Kathy Meldrum who has graciously accepted the responsibility of leading the Altar Guild. Thank you, Kathy, for your willingness to take on this important ministry. Please keep both Joanne and Kathy in your prayers. Our children have now begun to actively participate at the 9 a.m. liturgy. Thank you, parents, for your support and encouragement toward ensuring your children’s growth in practice of our Catholic faith and love of our Lord. This Monday, I am setting out on a pilgrimage to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland with a number of our parishioners. Please keep us in your prayers, and be assured of ours for all of you. This weekend, we celebrate the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time and, once again, Matthew gives us a thought-provoking parable, one that may even disturb our understanding of justice and mercy. Jesus tells of a landowner who goes out at different hours of the day to hire workers for his vineyard. Some begin working early in the morning; others are hired at noon, in the afternoon, and even at the final hour. Yet, when the day ends, the landowner gives everyone the same wage. Those who worked for only one hour receive the same as those who labored the entire day. Doesn't our sense of justice get rattled a little? We may find ourselves thinking, “That doesn't seem fair!” And, perhaps, that is exactly what Jesus wants us to consider. We tend to measure everything by comparison: I worked longer, I sacrificed more, I deserve more. But God does not operate according to our calculations. The prophet Isaiah reminds us: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8–9). Jesus invites us to look at life not through the eyes of comparison but, rather, through the eyes of gratitude. God does not love us according to how much we have accomplished, how long we have served, or how much we think we deserve. His love is freely given, abundant, and undeserved. The question is not, “Why did someone else receive so much?” but, rather, “Why has God been so generous to me?” May we never measure God’s goodness by our calculations. Instead, may we rejoice in His generosity, give thanks for His blessings, and allow His generosity to make us more generous toward others. Have a blessed week! With love, Fr. John

Dear friends, Thanks to all of you for your warm welcome to Fr. Kevin and Fr. Jack. I pray that their presence among us will draw us closer to Christ and to heaven. This week, the Church will celebrate two related feasts that have profound significance to our community: the Exaltation of the Cross (14 September) and Our Lady of Sorrows (15 September). Today, as always, the triumph of Christ over the cross anchors our lives, and Mary remains as close to us through our trials as she was to her Son during his Passion on Calvary. May we find strength in her consoling presence in our lives. On this 24th Sunday in Year A, the Church invites us to reflect on the quintessential weakness that holds us captive — unforgiveness. In today‟s gospel, Peter asks Jesus, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive?” Jesus responds, “Not seven times but seventy-seven times.” In other words, forgiveness is not something we count; it is something we continually choose. We forgive not because the hurt was insignificant but because God has forgiven us so generously. The servant in Jesus‟ parable received mercy yet refused to extend that same mercy to another. His failure reminds us how easily we can forget the grace we ourselves have received. As we celebrate the Eucharist, let us ask for the grace to release the hurts we carry, to seek reconciliation where possible, and to forgive as we have been forgiven. Forgiveness does not erase the past; it frees our hearts to live in God‟s grace today. It is truly a gift that sets us free. Permit me to share with you my reflections on the conclusion of our Silver Jubilee year, commemorated on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8, 2026): Today, we celebrate something that, at first glance, may seem rather simple: the birthday of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. We celebrate her birth not because the gospel tells us what happened on that day — in fact, the Bible says very little about Mary‟s childhood — but, rather, because the Church has always understood that the birth of Mary was part of God‟s beautiful plan of salvation. Today, we celebrate the beginning of a life that would become one of the most extraordinary journeys in human history, and this is particularly meaningful for the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community as we celebrate the conclusion of our Silver Jubilee year. We have walked together under the theme, “A Journey of Grace, Faith, and Hope.” Twenty-five years of our parish history has been a journey. There were numerous beginnings and endings, celebrations and challenges, moments of growth, and moments when we wondered what the future would bring. But when we look back, we can say with gratitude that it has been “a journey of grace, faith, and hope.” Today, on the birthday of Mary, we discover that our parish journey mirrors Mary…s journey, one that began with grace. Mary…s story begins with something she did not earn; an angel would greet her with the remarkable words: “Hail, full of grace,” implying that before she did anything, before she said anything, before she understood all that God was asking of her, He had already given her grace. That is important for us to remember. Our journey as a parish also began with grace. Twenty-five years ago, St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community was not simply the result of human planning, hard work, buildings, programs, committees, or ministries. Behind all of it was God…s grace. And, perhaps, when we look back over these twenty-five years, we can recognize moments when we thought, “How did we get through that?” The simple answer is grace. God placed special people in the life of our parish at exactly the right moment — priests who gave of themselves so generously. I would like to remember my predecessors, Fr. Larry and Fr. Brad, who are no longer with us. May their souls rest in the peace of Christ! There were deacons, religious, staff members, volunteers, ministry leaders, families, young people and seniors who quietly gave their time, their talents, their treasures and, most importantly, their faith. Grace was working through them, and Mary reminds us that every great journey with God begins with grace. But grace must become faith. Mary received God…s grace, but she still had to make a decision. When the angel announced God…s plan, Mary did not have all the answers. She did not know everything that would happen. She did not know how difficult the road would become. She did not know that one day she would stand beneath a cross and watch her Son suffer. She simply trusted God. “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” That is faith. Faith doesn‟t mean having all the answers. Faith is saying, “God, I don…t know exactly where this journey is going, but I trust you enough to take the next step.” And hasn…t that also been our parish journey? Twenty-five years ago, no one could have imagined everything that St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community would become. There were plans, dreams, and hopes, but there were also uncertainties. And generation after generation, parishioners simply took the next step. They taught children. They formed families. They served the poor. They prayed. They celebrated the Eucharist. They welcomed strangers. They buried their loved ones. They celebrated baptisms, First Communions, confirmations, and weddings. They came back after difficult seasons. They kept the faith. That is our parish story. Grace became faith, and faith kept us moving. Faith, in turn, has lead us to hope. Mary's journey did not become easier because she believed. In many ways, it became more difficult. She gave birth in poverty. She fled with Jesus into Egypt. She searched for Him when He was lost. She watched Him begin His public ministry. And, finally, she stood beneath the cross. Try to imagine that moment. Everything Mary had hoped for seemed to be collapsing around her and, yet, Mary remained. She did not run away. She did not abandon Jesus. She stood there. Why? Because hope does not mean believing that everything will always turn out the way we want. Hope means believing that God is still at work, even when we cannot see how. Mary teaches us that hope can stand at the foot of a cross. Eventually, Mary experienced the joy of the Resurrection. Her journey through suffering did not have the final word — God did. Our Silver Jubilee is not an ending and, perhaps, that is the most important message for us today. We call this the conclusion of our Silver Jubilee year, but in the life of faith, a conclusion is often a new beginning. Mary…s birth was a beginning. Her fiat was a beginning. Bethlehem was a beginning. Calvary appeared to be an ending, but it became the doorway to the Resurrection. Today, as we conclude twenty-five years, perhaps God is saying to us: “You have come this far. Now continue the journey.” Our Silver Jubilee has reminded us where we have been, but it also asks us where are we going. What will the next twenty-five years look like? What kind of parish will we become? Will we remain a community of grace? Will we continue to be a people of faith? Will we endure as a people of hope? Mary gives us the answer: Begin with grace, recognize that everything we have is gift, live with faith, trust God even when we cannot see the entire road ahead, continue onward with hope, and believe that God is not finished with us yet. My dear brothers and sisters, today on Mary's birthday, perhaps we can imagine Mary standing among us and saying: “Do not be afraid of the journey.” There will be beautiful days. There will be difficult days. There will be moments when you will see clearly where God is leading you. There will be other moments when you will have to walk by faith. But remember: Grace has brought you here, faith will carry you forward, and hope will lead you home. Twenty-five years ago, St. John the Evangelist parish community began a journey. Today, we celebrate how far God…s grace has brought us. Tomorrow, we begin again. As we close this Silver Jubilee year, let us place the next chapter of our parish into the hands of Mary: Mary, whose life began with grace; Mary, whose life was sustained by faith; Mary, whose heart remained filled with hope. May she teach us to say as she did: “Let it be done to me according to your word.” May the next chapter of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community be even more deeply rooted in grace, strengthened by faith, and overflowing with hope. And when another generation looks back twenty-five years from now, may they be able to say: “Look what God has done.” Ultimately, this is not simply our story. It is God's story with us, a journey of grace, faith, and hope … and the journey continues. Amen. Have a blessed week! With Love, Fr. John