Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 30, 2026
Dear friends,
We extend a warm and hearty welcome to Sr. Concepta Najjemba, IHMR, from Uganda who is visiting us as part of the Diocesan Mission Co-op. Sr. Concepta belongs to the Congregation of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Reparatrix–Ggogonya. She will be speaking at all Masses this weekend. Please welcome her and prayerfully support the sisters in their missionary efforts.
Did you know that we have a library? Well, sort of. Since we do not have the luxury of a dedicated library space, we have been storing our books in Room 5. For the past several years, this room has served many purposes — as a classroom, a meeting space, a prayer room, and, yes, a library! Now, thanks to the generosity and hard work of our CRHP members and their service project (especially the women and men of Team 32), Room 5 has received a wonderful transformation. I offer my heartfelt thanks to the 23+ volunteers, including Margarita Duffy and Deacon Steven Prebeck, who worked so painstakingly throughout the past month. Their dedication, generosity, and service have truly made a difference in giving the room a refreshingly new look!
I invite you to stop by, explore the collection, and make good use of this wonderful resource. A good book can open our minds, deepen our faith, inspire our prayer, and sometimes even change our lives.
Because Room 5 continues to serve as a multipurpose space, I kindly ask everyone who uses it to be especially considerate in helping us keep it clean and ready for the next group. No food or beverages, please. Most importantly, let us nurture this space as one that supports prayer, learning, community, and the mission of our parish, reminding us that when people generously offer their time, talents, and energy, even an ordinary room can become something truly special.
Congratulations to the Flora family, our Family of the Month for August 2026. Joe, Christy, Gabbie, and Joey have all been actively involved in various ministries and activities in our parish. Families like the Floras who generously share their time, talents, and love with our community make us who we are at St. John the Evangelist. Thank you, Floras, for all that you do!
I am also extremely grateful to Erich Reiman who has led our Usher Ministry for many years. For many years, Erich has traveled approximately one hour and twenty minutes each way every Sunday and on major feast days to be here with us. That commitment speaks volumes about his love for this community. Erich is now stepping down from his leadership role and he will continue to be part of our parish family in spirit and friendship. Thank you, Erich, for your years of faithful service and for the love you have shown to St. John’s. Rick Lacey will be assuming the leadership role, having faithfully served as an usher for several years. Thank you, Rick, for your willingness to accept this responsibility.
A little lift — and a LOT of gratitude. Praise the Lord! We now have a second-hand lift that can assist us in emergencies and with certain practical needs around our facilities. A special thanks to Richard Krassowsky for sharing his amazing expertise and for his willingness to help us with our electrical and maintenance needs. We are blessed to have people who generously share their knowledge and skills for the good of our parish.
Next weekend, we will have the great joy of welcoming two Holy Cross priests, Fr. Kevin Russeau, C.S.C., and Fr. Jack Ryan, C.S.C., to our parish. After each Mass, we will have an opportunity to meet them and spend some time together in fellowship. I look forward to having these two wonderful men of God with us, and I hope you will take the opportunity to welcome them warmly to St. John the Evangelist.
We have now reached the conclusion of our Silver Jubilee Year, which officially ends on September 8. We will celebrate the closing of this special year next weekend with a special emphasis at the 11:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, September 6. Let us continue to praise and thank God for His many blessings. May this journey of grace, faith, and hope inspire us to build up our SJE community with renewed faith, joy, and fervor.
Last weekend, Peter boldly proclaimed Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Yet this weekend, in Matthew 16:21–27, we encounter a very different Peter. When Jesus speaks of His coming suffering, death, and resurrection, Peter cannot imagine a Messiah who would walk the road of the Cross. Jesus rebukes him because, although Peter recognized who Jesus was, he had not yet understood what it meant to follow Him. Perhaps we sometimes do the same. We gladly welcome Jesus in times of comfort and blessing, but what happens when following Him requires sacrifice, forgiveness, patience, or carrying a cross we did not choose?
Jesus reminds us that the Christian life is not simply about believing in Him, but following Him: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” Yet the Cross is not the end of the story. Beyond the Cross is Resurrection; beyond surrender is new life. May we have the grace to recognize Jesus as our Lord and faithfully follow Him, even when the way leads through the Cross.
Have a blessed week!
With love,
Fr. John
Dear friends, Many of you have been asking if help is coming …I can finally say YES, and not one but TWO priests are on their way to St. John’s. The Congregation of Holy Cross is sending Fr. Kevin Russeau, C.S.C., and Fr. Jack Ryan, C.S.C., to be part of our amazing parish. I ask you to prepare yourselves to extend a hearty welcome to both of our new priests as they join our parish community. Fr. Kevin and Fr. Jack are both expected to arrive during the first week of September and we will officially celebrate their arrival as a parish community during the weekend of September 5/6. I am grateful to all the men who attended the Men’s Discipleship event on Monday, August 17th. It was good to see so many men committed to following Christ and taking responsibility for being guardians and protectors of their families. Fr. Pinto Paul inspired our men with his presentation on the theme, “When a Man Prays.” Amazing things can happen when men pray for their spouses and children each day. Let us pray for them on our pilgrimage to become saints. Several recent earthquakes have shattered cities, homes, and lives in the last month in Venezuela and Colombia, most recently in Indonesia. Although we have already taken a collection to support the Venezuelan disaster, the extent of the damage in Colombia is unimaginable. Hence, the diocese has asked for support toward the rebuilding efforts in Colombia. Instead of a second collection, I ask that you please extend your generosity by writing a check and notating on it Disaster Relief 2026. Next weekend, we will welcome Sr. Concepta Najjemba, IHMR, from Uganda to make her appeal as part of the Diocesan Mission Co-op. She belongs to the Congregation of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Reparatrix-Ggogonya. Please come prepared to listen to how these sisters spread the gospel in Uganda and elsewhere. During the past few weekends, we have learned from various characters in the gospel readings who believed in Jesus’ power to save during times of trial and when they cried out with emergency prayers, “Lord, Save me” and “Lord, help me.” On the 21st Sunday in Year A, we are given yet another glimpse into the divine nature of Christ. This Sunday’s Gospel from Matthew brings us to one of the most important questions Jesus ever asks his disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answers with courage and faith: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Peter’s confession is followed by the mission with which Jesus entrusts him: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.” Peter is not perfect—far from it. He will make mistakes, misunderstand Jesus, and even deny Him. Yet Jesus sees something in Peter that Peter himself may not yet see. Grace does not wait for perfect people. God builds His Church through imperfect people who are willing to say “yes.” That is good news for all of us! We may sometimes feel inadequate, unworthy, or unsure of our ability to serve, but Jesus continues to ask each of us: “Who do you say that I am?” And then He invites us to become part of His mission. Perhaps the most important question this week is not what others say about Jesus but what I say about Him — through my words, my choices, my forgiveness, my generosity, my prayer, and the way I treat others. May our lives become a daily answer to Peter’s confession: “Jesus, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. You are my Lord, and I want to build my life on You.” Have a blessed week! With love, Fr. John
Dear friends, It is so good to see our children returning to the rhythm of life, with academics and extracurricular activities well underway. Faith formation classes will begin soon, and I’d like to thank all of our parents for prioritizing the spiritual growth of their children. Remember that you are their primary catechists. They learn from you. They watch you. They see your faith in the way you live, pray, forgive, serve, and come to worship the Lord. Your children may not remember every lesson they learn in a classroom, but they will remember the faith they saw lived in their home. Please continue to keep Christ at the center of your family life. May our children grow in faith by seeing your commitment to the Lord. Thank you for all the sacrifices you make to pass on the faith to the next generation. On Monday, August 17, Fr. Pinto Paul, C.S.C., International Director of Family Ministries, will offer a presentation to our men. I invite you to come and experience the great work the Lord is doing in our own lives and in those of our families. My thanks to Jonathan Ross and his team for their dedication in organizing this wonderful event. Our SJE4Seniors ministry will officially begin on August 21 at 2 p.m. in the Parish Hall. I invite you to come and discover how your presence, friendship, faith, and even your smile can continue be a great blessing to our parish community. This Sunday, the Church invites us to reflect on the nature of God’s house — the church — as a house of prayer. In the first reading, the Prophet Isaiah gives us this beautiful promise from God: “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” Last Sunday, I invited us to be especially mindful of reverence in our church because we believe that Jesus is truly present among us in the Blessed Sacrament. The church is not simply a building or gathering space. It is a place of prayer, a place where we come to encounter Christ. I have noticed that many people stop by our church throughout the day and spend a few quiet moments in prayer. It is deeply edifying to see people taking time from their busy lives to visit the Lord and find a little peace in His presence. Why do they come? Because they know that Jesus is here. I renew my request that we continue to keep our church a true house of prayer and not just another place for socializing or casual conversation. People who come here longing for a quiet and intimate conversation with Jesus. Let us respect their prayers and help one another preserve the sacred silence of this holy place. Thank you for responding so favorably to this request and for helping make our church a place where people can truly encounter the Lord! This Sunday’s gospel reading gives us another beautiful example of faith and prayer in the Canaanite woman. She comes to Jesus with a desperate request for her daughter: “Lord, help me.” At first, Jesus does not answer her, yet she refuses to walk away. She continues to ask. She continues to trust. She continues to believe that Jesus can help her daughter. Her persistence is not a lack of faith. Her persistence is faith. Last weekend, we reflected on Peter's emergency prayer when he was sinking: “Lord, save me!” Today, we hear another simple but powerful prayer: “Lord, help me.” There is something beautiful about these prayers because they do not need many words. They come from hearts that know where to turn. Perhaps there are moments when we do not know what to say. Perhaps we are frightened, overwhelmed, discouraged, or worried about someone we love. At these moments, we can simply say, “Lord, save me,” or “Lord, help me,” and then keep praying. The Canaanite woman teaches us that faith does not always mean receiving an immediate answer. Sometimes faith means staying with Jesus when the answer seems delayed. She keeps knocking. She keeps trusting. She keeps believing. And Jesus finally says to her: “O woman, great is your faith.” May we have that same faith — not a faith that disappears when life becomes difficult, but a faith that keeps knocking, keeps praying, and keeps trusting. May our church always be a house of prayer. May our families always be schools of faith. And may our hearts always know where to turn when we need help: “Lord, save me.” “Lord, help me.” 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, It is time for our teachers and families with children to return to school, and we look forward to welcoming our children back to faith formation programming soon. Thanks in advance to our parents and catechists who take great care in ensuring the importance of their children’s faith journey alongside the demands of their academics and extracurriculars. As we begin this school year, let us pray for God’s wisdom and understanding, that we may discern what is true and right and do what is pleasing to the Lord. We also pray for all teachers, aides, support staff, and all who work in school administration for our county and state, that the Lord will watch over and protect them. We are launching SJE4Seniors , a ministry dedicated to our senior parishioners. Thank you to Sue Schmid for generously agreeing to coordinate this ministry. Our first gathering will take place on Friday, August 21, from 2:00–3:30 p.m. in the Holy Cross Hall. We hope many of our seniors will join us. Another ministry we hope to begin is a fellowship and support program for parishioners living with dementia or Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers. Anyone who has cared for a loved one with Alzheimer's understands the physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges involved. We hope this ministry will provide encouragement, companionship, and much-needed support for both those who struggle with this disease and their caregivers. I warmly invite you to an informational meeting on Thursday, August 13, at 6:00 p.m. in the Holy Cross Hall. I have invited Dr. Visalakshi Srinivasan, Medical Director of Health First Aging Institute, to speak about the importance of caring for our Alzheimer family members. Thank you to Kathleen Rufino for helping us launch this important initiative. It was delightful to have Bishop Lumen Monteiro, C.S.C., with us last weekend. He has asked me to thank you for your generosity. He wishes all of us congratulations on our silver jubilee, and I promised him our prayers for him and his diocese as they celebrate their 30th anniversary. On this 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, the Church presents us with a scenario where Peter initially demonstrates great courage but then becomes fearful through doubt. The disciples are in a boat and suddenly find themselves battered by wind and waves in the middle of the night. In the midst of this storm, Jesus comes to them walking on the water and speaks words that continue to bring hope to every generation: “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter says to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” When Jesus says, “Come,” Peter jumps in without hesitation and walks on the water. We can only imagine how amazing it must have felt to do so, but then comes the tragedy. Peter begins to sink, and fear grips his soul. He yells out for help, and Jesus reaches to lift him up. Fear has a way of finding all of us. The Christian life is not about never facing storms or never experiencing fear; rather, it is about keeping our eyes fixed on Christ, trusting that He is always near, even when the waves of life seem stronger than our faith. When we struggle and stumble, Jesus does not abandon us. He extends His hand with mercy, strength, and love. Let us step out in faith. His grace will always be sufficient. Please remember that we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Mother on Saturday, August 15. We will have a special Mass at 10 a.m. with the Rosary before Mass. We will also pray the Rosary at the Grotto at 6:30 p.m. in honor of our Mother Mary. We 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, Fr. Monk Malloy, President Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame, blessed us with his presence last week, inviting us to cultivate our friendship with Jesus as the pearl of great price. I am so grateful to Carrie Seringer and Marie DeLuca for their assistance in planning his visit and the wonderful luncheon on Sunday. Thank you, Fr. Monk, for your prayers and blessings during this year of our parish’s Silver Jubilee celebration. (See page 10 for photo highlights) This weekend, we are privileged to welcome Most Rev. Lumen Monteiro, C.S.C., Bishop of the Diocese of Agartala in northeast India. He will speak at all Masses, celebrating the 30th year of his episcopacy and the 30th year of the founding of the Diocese of Agartala. I remember well that day — May 26,1996, Pentecost Sunday — one of immense joy to all in the Congregation of Holy Cross as we celebrated one of our own called to serve as bishop. I have known Bishop Lumen since 1985 when I was professed in the Congregation of Holy Cross, and I was fortunate to represent the brothers for his celebration in the city of Agartala. He has visited us many times and will be sharing an update about the challenges his diocese faces — shortages of both personnel and financial resources. Please welcome Bishop Lumen, the jubilarian! I am grateful to Tom Dougherty and our SJE4Veterans ministry for providing cell phones for our veterans. A heartfelt thanks to those who have given so much in the faithful service of our nation. The SJE4Veterans ministry team will be available after all Masses to assist with this program. On this 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, I am moved by the words of Jesus when he says in the Gospel of Matthew, “Bring them here to me.” People have been following Jesus on foot. They are tired and hungry, and Jesus’ heart is moved with pity for them. When He calls on his disciples to feed them, they respond with doubt over the scarcity of resources, saying, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here." Jesus sees in the crowd an opportunity for God's abundance and, hence, orders them to “bring them here to me.” This paves the way for Jesus to perform the great miracle of feeding the 5000. So many of us approach life in the same way as the disciples in this account, tending to focus on what we lack in life — time, strength, money, energy, or ability. Jesus asks each of us the same question today: “What do you have?" When we entrust our little to Him, He transforms it into more than enough. As a parish family, we are called to bring our gifts, however ordinary they may seem — a smile, a prayer, an hour of volunteer service, a generous donation, a visit to someone who is lonely — and allow God to multiply every act of love. Miracles can still happen when we place what we have into the hands of Christ. May we never underestimate what God can do through generous hearts. 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, We heartily welcome Fr. Edward “Monk” Malloy, C.S.C., 16th President of the University of Notre Dame who served 18 years with exceptional leadership. A professor of theology and faculty member since 1974, Father Malloy was a rarity among university presidents. He continued to teach a first-year seminar class and lived among the students, making his home in a small room in Sorin Hall, the oldest residence hall on campus. As president emeritus, Father Malloy continues to teach, live, celebrate Mass in Sorin Hall, and write extensively. His books include “People First: Reflections on Leadership,” “Monk’s Notre Dame,” “Christian Ethics,” “Monk’s Musings,” and “Monk’s Travels.” His three-volume memoir, “Monk’s Tale,” was published by the University of Notre Dame Press between 2009 and 2016. Next weekend, we will have the privilege of hosting Most Rev. Lumen Monteiro, C.S.C., Bishop of the Diocese of Agartala in northeast India. He will speak at all Masses, and his visit this year is even more special as he celebrates the 30th year of his episcopacy and the 30th year of the founding of the Diocese of Agartala. This weekend, as we continue with the Gospel of Matthew and Jesus’ teaching through parables, we are treated to three short comparisons of the kingdom of God: a treasure buried in a field, a merchant in search of fine pearls, and a net thrown into the sea. These should prompt us to ask the question, “What is the greatest treasure in my life, and what am I willing to do to attain it?” We know from experience that some things are simply worth more than anything else. Such are the things of the kingdom of heaven. If heaven is our goal, then we should do anything to reach it! As we journey through our silver jubilee year, may we ask God for the wisdom of Solomon — to recognize what truly matters and the courage to place Christ above all else. When Jesus becomes our greatest treasure, everything else in life finds its proper place. We continue our journey through the first encyclical written by Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity). I invite you to reflect on this monumentally important topic for today. With love, Fr. John
Dear friends, Our Silver Jubilee photo directories have finally arrived, and I am ever grateful to Mike and Kathy Mos for working to make this a reality. Their expert coordination of all photo appointments for the second time in our parish history helped to create a treasure that is the faces and names of those who embody our St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community. What a blessing, and I thank God for this precious gift. A Marian pilgrimage to Fatima, Lourdes, Montserrat, Madrid, and Barcelona has been scheduled for April 2027. Stay tuned for more details. Next weekend, we will have the privilege of a visit with Fr. Edward “Monk” Malloy, the 16th President of the University of Notre Dame. He will celebrate the 11 a.m. Mass and offer a reflection afterwards in the Holy Cross Hall for the Notre Dame Club. Although it is a free event, tickets for non-club members are required to ensure enough food and drink for those in attendance. Tickets will be available outside after all Masses this weekend July 18-19. On this 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are given a beautiful parable of the wheat and the weeds, offering us comfort in knowing that even as evil exists alongside good, God is infinitely patient. While we often want quick judgments and immediate solutions, God allows us time to repent, grow, and change. Rather than becoming discouraged, we are invited to keep choosing what is good. As we continue our journey together through this jubilee year, may we become a community where the good wheat of faith, hope, charity, and kindness continue to grow. Let us entrust the weeds of resentment, impatience, and division to the Lord, confident that His grace is always at work. Last weekend, I had the privilege of introducing to you 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 relaxed summer! With love, Fr. John
Dear friends, Our 250th anniversary celebration in honor of the founding of this great nation on Saturday, the 4th of July, was filled with prayer, festive food, fireworks, and fun. I’d like to offer my sincerest thanks to Justin and Amanda Libak for coordinating the day’s events and to the many volunteers who helped to make it a grand celebration. Our amazing kitchen crew deserves a special thank you for serving over 1,000 parishioners and guests! As we conclude our year-long celebration of the silver jubilee of our parish’s founding, our hearts overflow with thanks and gratitude to God for the graces poured out on this community. Congratulations to Ron and Barbara Yanko, recipients of the Family of the Month award for July 2026. Ron and Barbara have been longtime parishioners engaged in various ministries, most notably “Coffee and Donuts.” Thank you, Ron and Barbara, for enlivening our community with your active presence. This weekend, we celebrate the 15th Sunday in Year A, and Scripture invites us to reflect on the power of God’s Word. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus speaks of a farmer who generously scatters seed on every kind of ground; the sower does not hold back. In fact, he is extravagant in his generosity. This is an image of our God who loves us abundantly and offers His Word to all. The questions we should ask ourselves are: What kind of soil are we? Are our hearts hardened and closed to God's Word? Do worries, distractions, or worldly concerns choke its growth within us? Or are we like the fertile soil that receives the seed, allows it to take root, and bears abundant fruit? During these remaining summer weekends, I’d like to introduce you to the first encyclical written by Pope Leo XIV: MAGNIFICA HUMANITAS (Magnificent Humanity: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence). In this encyclical, Pope Leo focuses on the digital revolution with its promises as well as its inherent dangers. He calls for the disarming of AI, urging “clarity about responsibilities and accountability at every stage of the development process, focusing on adequate AI policies and legal frameworks, independent oversight, and user education.” Let us take a look at this monumentally important encyclical. Have a restful and relaxing week! With love, Fr. John
Dear friends, Fr. Martin made it safely to his new parish, St. Timothy Catholic Church in Lady Lake (The Villages) on Tuesday, 30 June, and began his new assignment as parochial vicar on July 1st. The year and a half he spent with us was sheer gift and an amazing grace for all of us. Let us keep him in our prayers. We also thank seminarians Cannon Van Handle and T. J. Dulac who, through their service and shared experiences in the life of our parish, were touched by the strong sense of community that continues to grow here at St. John’s. Thanks to all of you for making them feel at home. With 49 families in attendance, our first Community Baby Shower far exceeded expectations! Parents were thrilled at the selection of so many useful items available for them to take home. I thank Karina, Jamie, Jennie, Ciara, and the many others who volunteered to help with this amazing event. We praise God for these mothers and their openness to life. The tragedy suffered by the people of Venezuela is beyond imagination. The successive earthquakes that shook the country have wreaked great havoc on the lives of people there. At last count, more than 1700 people have died, many have lost their homes, and the number of wounded continues to grow. Let us pray that the rescue operations engaged by so many may bear fruit. At this time of great humanitarian need, we not only offer our prayers for all those affected but also active participation in solidarity with the Disaster Relief 2026 collection during the weekend of July 4/5 at all Masses. Please make your checks out to St. John the Evangelist and write in the memo, Disaster Relief 2026 . Bishop John Noonan states: “The funds collected in this special appeal will be used to support the efforts of the official relief agencies of the U.S. Catholic Church, Catholic Charities USA and/or Catholic Relief Services, as they and their local agencies respond to immediate emergency needs for such necessities as water, food, shelter, and medical care, and aid in long-term rebuilding and recovery efforts.” Thank you, as always, for your generosity. This weekend is of great significance to us — the celebration of 25 years as a parish community! Let us give thanks to our gracious God and Father for the many blessings we’ve received! It is also a significant year in the life of our country as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of its founding. Let us continue to thank God for calling our parish forth as a guiding light, and let us continue to pray for our country, that it might fulfill the purpose for which it was founded — to be a light for all. Summertime allows for rest, relaxation, and travel, a “break” from the exhausting lives we often lead. Many carry burdens that are not visible to others: worries about family, concerns over health, financial struggles, loneliness, grief, disappointments, and the constant pressure to keep up with life's demands. We smile on the outside while carrying heavy loads within. Of this reality, Jesus speaks one of the most comforting invitations in all of Scripture: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Notice that Jesus does not say, "Come to me when you have solved all your problems." He simply says, "Come." He welcomes us as we are — tired, anxious, wounded, and searching. His heart is always open. The rest Jesus offers is more than physical relaxation; it is the deep peace that comes from knowing we are loved by God, forgiven of our sins, and never alone. His presence does not always remove our crosses, but it gives us the strength to carry them with hope. Jesus also says, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart." At first, this seems surprising. Why would He invite us to take up a yoke if we are already burdened? Because His yoke is different. In biblical times, a yoke joined two animals together so they could pull a load. When we take on Christ's yoke, we are no longer pulling life's burdens by ourselves. We walk with Him, and He bears the greater weight. The Eucharist is where this invitation becomes real. Each Sunday, Christ gathers us around His table to strengthen our hearts, renew our spirits, and remind us that His grace is always sufficient. We come with our burdens, and we leave carrying His peace. As we begin another week, let us accept the Lord's invitation. Spend a few quiet moments with Him in prayer. Bring Him your worries, your fears, your hopes, and your dreams. Trust that the gentle and humble Heart of Jesus will give you the rest for which your soul longs. May our parish always be a place where the weary find welcome, the broken discover hope, and everyone encounters the loving embrace of Christ. God bless America! God bless our parish community! Have an amazingly relaxing week! With Love, Fr. John
Dear friends, Many thanks to all of you for giving Fr. Martin such a wonderful farewell. Thank you for welcoming him into our parish family and for the kindness, love, and generosity you have shown him. The time we shared with him was truly a blessing. We are filled with gratitude to God for leading him to our parish community. I would especially like to thank Beth, our liturgical ministries, the Kitchen Crew, members of the EMHC, CRHP, Gratia Plena, CCW, and Young Adult ministries for their efforts in setting up and cleaning the hall for the farewell refreshments after every Mass. We are truly blessed with so many generous and dedicated ministries. Please continue to keep Fr. Martin in your prayers, that he may shine the light of Christ wherever he goes. We will all look forward with joy to seeing him when he visits on his days off. I am also deeply grateful to our seminarians, Cannon Van Handel and T. J. Dulac, whose presence among us during the past six weeks has been a tremendous blessing both for them and for our parish. During their stay, they experienced firsthand the life of a vibrant parish community. They joined us in our liturgies, observed many ministries in action, and were a tremendous help during Vacation Bible School. Apart from learning so many things during their time with us, we're certain they also spent some time honing their dance skills! Thank you, Cannon and T. J., for sharing your time, energy, and faith with us. Please keep them in your prayers, along with the eight other Holy Cross seminarians who are entering their novitiate year. May the Lord guide their lives and open their hearts ever more fully to His call to serve in His vineyard. May our Blessed Mother wrap them in the mantle of her loving protection. Please remember that this year's Fourth of July celebration will be our biggest ever and one of the concluding events of our Silver Jubilee year. Justin and Amanda are once again coordinating the preparations. Please sign up through SignUp Genius to let us know how many will be attending the dinner and, if able, consider volunteering to help make this event a great success. There will be fireworks, games, food, and fellowship for all to enjoy for this special celebration of the 250th year of the founding of our nation! Let us come together as a parish family and celebrate God's abundant blessings upon our community. In today's Gospel, Jesus speaks words that may sound demanding: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me." These words can make us uncomfortable, but Jesus is not asking us to love our families less; He is inviting us to love Him first so that we can love everyone else better. When Christ occupies the first place in our hearts, all other relationships find their proper meaning and strength. Our love becomes more generous, our service more selfless, and our commitment more faithful. I personally see this lived out in our parish community as I witness the countless hours so many of you dedicate to the building up of our family here at St. John's. Let us continue to remind ourselves that discipleship is not merely a matter of words but a daily choice to place Jesus at the center of our lives. Jesus also highlights the importance of hospitality and kindness. Even the simple act of offering "a cup of cold water" to someone in need does not go unnoticed by God. Small acts of charity, encouragement, and compassion have great value in the Kingdom of God. It is often through these ordinary gestures that Christ's love becomes visible in our world. As we continue our journey of grace, faith, and hope during this jubilee year, may we renew our commitment to follow Christ wholeheartedly. Let us welcome Him into our homes, our workplaces, our parish community, and our hearts. In doing so, we will discover the joy, peace, and purpose that come from being His faithful disciples. May God bless you and your families abundantly! With Love, Fr. John
Dear friends, Today is Father’s Day, a special occasion set aside to honor our fathers, thank them for their sacrifices, and pray for them with gratitude and love. It is both our privilege and joy to reflect on the many ways fathers enrich our lives and shape our families. Fathers … protect their families with courage and vigilance. … provide food for our tables and the necessities of life. … profess their faith by living exemplary and God-centered lives. … promote the noble values they themselves received from their fathers. … promise an enduring presence, offering guidance and support through every season of life. … prefer the well-being of their children over many of their own desires and ambitions. … persevere through difficulties and challenges without giving up. … practice patience when teaching, correcting, and encouraging us. … pray faithfully for their children and families. … prepare us for life's responsibilities and opportunities. … pardon our mistakes and teach us the beauty of forgiveness. … pursue what is good, true, and honorable for the sake of their families. … plant seeds of faith, hope, and love that continue to bear fruit for generations. … participate actively in the joys and struggles of family life. … prioritize the needs of their loved ones above their own comfort. … preserve family traditions, memories, and values. … point us toward Christ by their example and witness. … praise and encourage us, helping us discover our God-given gifts. … promote unity and peace within the family. … pour themselves out generously in countless seen and unseen acts of love. Today, we gratefully acknowledge the role our fathers have played — and continue to play — in our lives. Most fathers carry burdens that are often unseen and unspoken. What can we offer them in return? Perhaps the greatest and most meaningful gift we can give is our gratitude, our love, and our prayers. Let us remember with thanksgiving those fathers who have gone before us and pray for those who are still with us, that this Holy Sacrifice of the Mass may bring them strength, consolation, and abundant blessings. The readings for this Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time remind us of the most loving Father we have, our Heavenly Father. Jesus assures us that we are precious in His sight and invites us not to be afraid: “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” Every earthly father is called to reflect something of that reassuring presence and faithful love of God. The Lord's message to all of us today is simple and powerful: “Fear no one.” May St. Joseph, Patron of Fathers, guide, protect, and intercede for all fathers. Happy Father’s Day! Today, we also turn our attention to Fr. Martin Joseph who has been a beloved spiritual father to our parish family for the past eighteen months. His presence among us has truly been one of God's providential gifts. Humanly speaking, it seemed unlikely that a Salesian priest would serve in a parish administered by the Congregation of Holy Cross, yet God’s ways are often surprising and beautiful. At a time when I was serving alone and without the immediate availability of a Holy Cross priest, the Lord opened a path. We are deeply grateful to Bishop John Noonan for his kindness in sending Fr. Martin to assist us, even more so that he allowed him to remain beyond the original one-year arrangement. How often do an uncle and nephew have the blessing of serving together in the same parish? God's providence has been evident every step of the way. Personally, these past eighteen months have been among the most peaceful and profoundly impactful of my time here. I thank God for bringing Fr. Martin to the United States, especially for bringing him to St. John the Evangelist. His kindness, generosity, priestly zeal, and joyful spirit have touched many lives. Though it is difficult to see him leave, we know it would be selfish to hold onto him when God is calling him forward. As he continues his journey toward serving the Diocese of Orlando, we send him forth with our prayers, gratitude, and best wishes as he begins his new assignment at St. Timothy Catholic Church, The Villages, only a couple of hours away. Thank you, Fr. Martin, for all you have done for us and for the love you have shown our parish family. May God, our provident and loving Father, watch over you and bless you abundantly! With love and gratitude, Fr. John