April 6, 2020 Update: 

Upcoming Special Collections
The Diocese of St. Augustine has already delayed the annual collection for the Holy Land on Good Friday until the fall. I am also waiving special collections for May 3 for Catholic Home Missions, as well as the June 21st collection for Peter's Pence. 

Letter from Bishop Estevez

 To the Faithful of the Diocese of St. Augustine,

      Just a few weeks ago - more than 500 people gathered with me at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine for the Rites of Election. These catechumens and candidates accompanied by many of their pastors and deacons have been preparing for the final leg of their journey of faith when they will receive the sacraments of initiation.

     On Holy Saturday, at the Easter Vigil, men, women and children are initiated into the Church celebrating their baptism, confirmation, and the first reception of the Holy Eucharist with us. And celebrating with them that evening, and throughout the day on Easter Sunday, all of us renew our baptismal promises

    This year because of the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the corona virus pandemic, we will not be able to gather in our churches. Nevertheless, there is a reason for hope. 

      When God chose Moses and directed him to go to the Pharoah - he paused and asked God - who am I to do this? God assures Moses - to not fear: I will be with you. When Gabriel visits Mary to tell her she will have the child Jesus - the message from God is the same: Do not be afraid - you have found favor with God. And when the disciples seemed doomed by a terrible storm - they hear Jesus speak the same words: Do not be afraid, it is I.

       In the liturgy for the Easter Vigil, there is a powerful prayer: "May this day inflame us with new hope. May be Light of Christ dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds." Indeed, this year we need to hear the words: "May the Light of Christ dispel darkness. Do not be afraid."

       The scripture readings for the Easter Vigil are remarkable - they trace the entire sacred story of salvation - from the moment of creation through the birth of Christ and the marvel of God' s beloved Son's passion, death and resurrection. We learn in the history of our salvation, the delight that God takes in us that he rescues and saves us, that we can call upon him, that he remains near to us, and that he continually creates anew our hearts. 

       This Easter is so different for all of us - affecting all generations. But the message is the same: Do not be afraid.

       On Easter morning, one of the beautiful Gospels is when Mary of Magdalen discovers the empty tomb - and Peter and the beloved disciple, John, rush to find him. May we continue our search for him in our lives - indeed, rush to find him in new and unique ways.  

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 April 2, 2020 

Dear St. John the Baptist Parishioners, 

As you are well aware the Bishop has indefinitely suspended all Church Services and Activities, because of this I want to invite you to Actively Participate in all our Holy Week Celebrations Online. 

Below is Detailed Activities for the coming Holy Week. We will keep the time of the celebrations the same so that our experience will be as close as possible as to when we are in the Church. 

Rest assured that you are always in my prayers. 

Please continue to patronize our Daily and Sunday Masses on our Facebook Page www.facebook.com/stJohn.atlanticbeach/ As of this moment I am working on downloading our Masses on our website https://saintjohnsatlanticbeach.org 

I want to thank our Parish Staff for helping me serve you effectively in this time of crisis. I want to commend our Emergency Assistance Ministry Program for their continued service to our parishioners and non-parishioners as well and our Finance Council for making it sure that we are fiscally healthy even though we don’t have normal monetary collections. Please know that you can contact me directly by email: paengosj@gmail.com   

Lastly, my heartfelt gratitude for your continued financial support. If you want to donate through our online giving, attached is the step by step process to do so. Attached as well is the detailed schedule and how to participate in our Facebook Online Masses. 

Let’s continue to pray for each other. May St. John the Baptist our patron continues to intercede for us.  

 Stay Healthy & God Bless You and Your Family. 

REV. RAFAEL S. LAVILLA Parish Administrator 

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HOLY WEEK ACTIVITIES 

April 5, 2020 Sunday: Palm Sunday (Palms will be distributed after the stay-at-home order lifted) 10:00 AM Online Mass  

April 6-8, 2020 Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Visit our Facebook Page www.facebook.com/stJohn.atlanticbeach/ for  Activity Announcements. 

April 9, 2020: Holy Thursday

 7:00 PM Online Mass of the Lord’s Passion

 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Online 

April 10, 2020: Good Friday

 3:00 PM Online Celebration of the Lord’s Passion

 7:00 PM Online Way of the Cross 

April 11, 2020: Holy Saturday

 8:30 PM Online Celebration of the Easter Vigil Mass

 April 12, 2020: Easter Sunday 

10:00 AM Online Celebration Easter Sunday Mass

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Fr Rafael is celebrating daily Mass from the rectory everyday live on our Facebook Page

 Day & Times:

Mon-Fri 6:oo pm

Saturday 9:00 am

Sunday 10:00 am

Mass can be viewed by going to facebook.com/stjohn.atlanticbeach.  You do not need a facebook account to view the Mass.  Click on the link, scroll down when it appears until you see Fr. Rafael talking.

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All Masses, both Sunday and daily Masses, at St. John's are cancelled indefinitely.

In the event of an emergency, call Father Rafael's emergency number (904)-496-2539.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus,

I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.

Never permit me to be separated from You.  Amen

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The Emergency Assistance Ministry Food Give-a-Ways will continue as scheduled,   

there will be limited food distributions, DRIVE THRU ONLY on Tuesdays between 3-4pm, and Saturday  April 4th(limited food distribution)  & Saturday, April 18th. Financial aid will resume after Corona virus quarantine ends. 

All other meetings, classes, and gatherings  have been cancelled until further notice.

Changes to any of this information will be posted in this space as it becomes available.