Fr. John Britto's Weekly Message

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,