January 2009
My dear sisters and brothers,
May God’s peace be with you and those you love. And with gratitude to God for many blessings, I welcome you to the family of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.
We are a community of the baptized, a parish of approximately 835 households in the southeastern corner of Augusta County. We are a people who seek to hear God’s Word and strive to do God’s will at all times. You may have come from out of state or from out of town. Perhaps you have been in the area a time, and now decided to join “officially.” Whatever your story, take the time to look around and see what this parish is all about. And when you make the choice to call us yours, we will be glad to return the favor and call you our own.
I invite you to come right in and join in this great adventure of parish life with us. Our parishioners and families, young and old, and everyone in between, are engaged in various ministries to one another and to the larger community, in the study of Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the church, in learning the faith and teaching it to others, in outreach and service to the local poor, in prayer for the needs of our community and the universal church, and in our worship each weekend at the table of the Lord’s Word and Sacrament.
We offer you the love and friendship of a people rooted in the Christian faith and Catholic tradition. Yes, we have flaws. Sometimes we get cranky. At times we even forget to say “please” and “thank you.” But we are a very generous, compassionate and loving people. We care for our own. Yet we are not shy about challenging one another to a more authentic Christian discipleship.
If there is anything we can do to help, if there is anything at all we can do to ease your transition into the Shenandoah Valley or the Catholic Christian community, please do not hesitate to ask. Each of us is a vital member of the Body of Christ, and we believe God calls us where we are now to proclaim his love and serve one another, here in the Shenandoah Valley, among this flawed, sometimes cranky and imperfect people.
Once again, welcome. I hope this will be a joyful, uplifting and enriching stop along your journey.
Your brother in Christ Jesus,
Rev. Rolo B. Castillo
Pastor