GREETINGS TO YOU ALL ST. JOHN'S FAITH FAMILY,
Here are the times of great beginnings and continuity that see me come to you, to make a Faith journey with you all with Hope in Love and Truth. It is a Faith journey meant to make us grow in Love, Fellowship and Humility before God. Dear Family of God Let us Make this walk with trust in God.
I come to you not for myself but for you in service; as witness and servant of the Gospel. Let's make this journey together be a living Good News.
You are all the beloved of God, who deserve the best from God so you can give the best to one another. I therefore invite you to work together to grow our Faith Family in Love. Let us draw in and retain as many gifts as we can for the greater future of our Faith Family.
Let us joyously welcome the newbrorn to the new world of Hope and opportunites in Christ. Our youths and young adults need all of us, let us be there for them for support and guidance. Young families walk together for a joyfoul witness of Convenantal Love. Senior parishoners and families witness to the Joy of those treasured experiences you have gone through for our spiritual edification.
To all of you dear parishioners, may God's abundant mercies rest on each one of you in great measure and the same God of Love, Light and Truth be with you.
Thank you for welcoming me.
Fr. Francis Xavier Musolooza / 4 August 2022
Fr. Rolo B. Castillo / 16th Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church
TIME TO SAY GOODBYE. I’ve probably said goodbye more times than I can remember … whenever I come home from visiting my parents out east, after hanging out with friends for an evening, after church each weekend. I know it’s not the same. Because each time there’s always some unspoken understanding we’ll be doing this again soon.
But we’ve gotten so accustomed to the word goodbye, we almost don’t think of where it comes from and what it means. Goodbye is the shortened form of “God be with ye” as farewell is of “Fare thee well.” So, when we say goodbye, we are simply wishing others well … until the time we see them again, whenever that might be.
Goodbye then, people of St. John the Evangelist Church at Sheppard Court. Of course, I know many of you by name but I don’t have enough room to mention everyone. 16 years is a big chunk of our lives you and me, of praying together and partying together, of mourning together and celebrating life events together, of all kinds of mind-numbing meetings and all kinds of scripture and religious studies, of youth group and ministry training, of sacramental prep and funeral prep, of tackling challenges and dreaming and arguing and forgiving and figuring out what comes next.
So, I hope I leave you with good memories. I have many I take with me. And I give thanks to God for each of you and the time we had together. I ask your pardon for the challenges and disappointments I may have caused. And I hope we take the opportunity to extend kindness and compassion to the next person we meet if only to make up for what we didn’t do well the first time. Life is an ongoing invitation to do better and be better. While we have time and a willing spirit, we can improve. Holiness is simply not giving up in the quest to be more like Christ.
I hit the road Monday morning. But I’m not that far away, still in the same time zone anyway. And if you ever find yourself my way, give me a holler. I should know a few good lunch/dinner spots by then.
Your brother in Christ Jesus,
Fr. Rolo B. Castillo / 30 July 2022
168 Roger Street, Abingdon VA 24210-3949
email: rbcastillo@ctk-abingdon.org
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I AM MOST GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT over the years that I have been among you here at St. John. Our gathering last Sunday especially was wonderfully put together with the help of many talented and generous individuals. Thank you for your joy.
I have many fond memories of my time among you. And I am glad to have served as pastor at St. John the last 16 years. Time flies when you're having fun. And there were days when I couldn't have said that with conviction. But a lot comes clearer in hindsight.
And I go with peace in my heart that I have accomplished with God's help what even I would never have imagined. If the Holy Spirit has more miracles up the pipeline, I also ask for strength and courage because I'm going to need it, and lots of it.
I am reminded of that passage in scripture where Jesus tells his disciples, "When you have done all you have been commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do." I go where I am sent to do what is asked of me.
I know that might not be to everyone's liking. But whether I like it or not is not important. I am grateful to be given the opportunity to serve the mission of Jesus Christ and God's people. Everything else is icing on the cake.
I know you will welcome Fr. Francis when he comes. St. John has always been a welcoming community. But people can also be very demanding. I hope and pray he will be more patient and compassionate than I have been. But he will need your help.
So I ask you to pray for me in the next chapter of my journey. The road ahead will have its twists and turns. And if the past 16 years can provide any consolation, I know God will not leave me to face my perils alone.
Until next time,
Fr. Rolo / 10 June 2022
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NEW BEGINNINGS. Bishop Barry Knestout has appointed me pastor at Christ the King Catholic Church in Abingdon VA and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Marion VA effective 1 August 2022. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the mission of Jesus Christ and God’s people in the Diocese of Richmond. Shepherding the people of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Waynesboro has been an awesome privilege these past 16 years. You have graciously accompanied me through years of visioning and planning and building our new church at Sheppard Court, and navigating the challenges and trials together. I am deeply grateful to my parish staff and the leaders of our parish ministries, volunteers, parents, youth, and fellow ecumenical pastors and their people in Waynesboro and East Augusta County. I ask that you accompany me with your prayers as I begin a new chapter of priestly ministry. I ask also that you pray for your new pastor when he arrives, that you extend him the same courtesy and kindness you have shown me. And know that you are all in my prayers. Until then we keep on keeping on. Faithfully. Courageously. Joyfully.
Your brother in Christ Jesus,
Fr. Rolo B. Castillo / Pastor / 22 May 2022
Fr. Francis Xavier Musolooza / 17th pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church