Why do we pray, fast and give alms for Lent? The true focus of Lent is conversion and repentance. If we are distant from God, we pray to grow closer. We are called to be merciful, so we give alms […]

On February 10-11, we had our monthly second collection for Saint John’s debt reduction. The collection was $626. However, our debt is $646,036. This is a substantial reduction from the original debt. In fiscal year 2021-22 we paid $100,000; in […]

Last year was the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis’ creation of the first Nativity scene at Greccio in 1223. In December, our Saint John’s Secular Franciscan fraternity marked the Greccio anniversary with a prayer ceremony in our lower church. In […]

Remember that Lent begins this week on Ash Wednesday. Resolve now to make a good Lent. Each year the Church holds a 40 day spiritual retreat. We are asked to examine our lives and to change what needs changing. The […]

Saint Blaise throat blessing: February 3 is the feast of Saint Blaise. On this day, Catholics bless throats and pray for good health. About 400 years after the death of Saint Blaise in 316 AD, his life story was written […]

Since 1992 the Capuchin Province of Saint Augustine has sponsored a volunteer program for young people. We call it CapCorps, and participants, typically in their early 20s, spend one to three years, usually after college, helping the poor and living […]

  Recently I told someone that “Saint John’s is a poor parish”. The person I was speaking with was surprised and said that she thought that Saint John’s was a rich parish because the church is so beautiful and so […]

On Monday, January 15, our nation observes the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King. This commemoration is a national holiday. Banks, offices, schools and post offices will be closed. We celebrate the life of a great man and we also […]

Since Christmas the Church has celebrated the feast of two Saint Johns, both of whom are important for us at Saint John the Evangelist Church. On December 27, we celebrated our patronal feast of Saint John the Evangelist. This feast […]

It will soon be 2024. What will the new year bring? When 2000 turned to 2001, who would have imagined that there would be a horrific attack on the United States that would plunge the United States into a bloody […]