About Saint John the Evangelist · Naples, Florida
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in North Naples, Florida, within the Diocese of Venice. Founded in 1988 and formally dedicated on March 14, 1993, the parish lives by the vision: "To Know, To Love, and To Serve God in His Church and Our Community." It serves the community through extensive Mass schedules with livestreamed services, a robust faith formation program for children and adults, the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) process, and dozens of ministries including St. Vincent de Paul, Ladies of Charity, Knights of Columbus, Jamaica Outreach, music ministry, and Respect Life. The parish campus includes the church, the Pulte Family Life Center (dedicated 2019 in memory of builder Bill Pulte), and a new rectory blessed in 2025.
- Established
- 1988
- Patron
- St. John the Evangelist
- Rector
- Rev. Tomasz (Tom) Zalewski
- Diocese
- Diocese of Venice in Florida
Why belong here
St. John the Evangelist offers a thriving Catholic community with five Sunday Masses, daily Mass, year-round Eucharistic Adoration, and a welcoming parish family that spans every age and stage of life. Its extensive ministries—St. Vincent de Paul home visits, Ladies of Charity service to the poor and homebound, Jamaica Outreach missions, Knights of Columbus fraternal life, women's Bible study, marriage and grief support, Respect Life, and a vibrant music ministry—give every parishioner a way to serve. The parish also runs a complete Faith Formation program for Pre-K through 12th grade (with First Communion and Confirmation preparation), Adult Faith Formation, and the OCIA process for those exploring Catholicism, all centered on its vision: "To Know, To Love, and To Serve God."
Mass times at Saint John the Evangelist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:00 am (or by appointment)
- Saturday 2:00–2:45 pm (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- First Fridays 6:00 pm in the Church, ending with Benediction
- First Saturdays 8:30 am in the Church
About St. John the Evangelist Parish
St. John the Evangelist is a Roman Catholic parish in North Naples, Florida, established in 1988 and dedicated in 1993. It belongs to the Diocese of Venice in Florida and is located in the Southern Deanery. The parish's vision is "To Know, To Love, and To Serve God in His Church and Our Community," and it welcomes the entire community to hear, pray, and live the beauty, goodness, and truth of the Gospel.
History & Growth
The parish was established October 3, 1988, with the church formally dedicated March 14, 1993. Over the years the campus has grown to include a Parish Activity Center (Claussen Center), the Pulte Family Life Center (2019), and a new rectory blessed in November 2025.
- 1988 – Parish established in the Diocese of Venice
- 1993 – Parish church dedicated (March 14)
- 2008–2018 – Fr. John J. Ludden serves as pastor for nearly ten years
- October 8, 2018 – Fr. Tomasz Zalewski appointed pastor
- March 16, 2019 – Pulte Family Life Center dedicated and blessed by Bishop Dewane
- November 23, 2025 – New on-campus rectory blessed by Bishop Dewane
Clergy & Pastoral Staff
The parish is currently led by Pastor Rev. Tomasz (Tom) Zalewski, with two parochial vicars and a team of deacons serving the faithful. Fr. Zalewski previously served as a parochial vicar at St. Agnes in Naples and St. Francis Xavier in Fort Myers before becoming pastor of St. Joseph in Bradenton and then St. John the Evangelist.
- Rev. Tomasz Zalewski – Pastor
- Rev. Antony Lukka – Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Jacob Gwynn – Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Hal Brenner
- Deacon Rob Chalhoub
- Deacon Frank Paniccia
- Deacon Forrest Wallace
- Deacon Al Groh (Senior Status)
Faith Formation
The parish Faith Formation program runs from September through May and welcomes children in Pre-K through 12th grade, with sessions on Sundays and Wednesdays. Sacramental preparation requires two consecutive years of religious instruction: First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are typically received in 2nd grade (age 7+), and Confirmation in 10th grade. Registration for the 2026–2027 year opened May 1, 2026.
- Pre-K through Grade 8 — Sundays 9:30–10:45 am and Wednesdays 5:00–6:15 pm
- Confirmation preparation (two years, 10th grade)
- First Holy Communion preparation
- Contact: Natalie Campbell, [email protected], 239-566-8740 ext. 3909
Adult Faith Formation & OCIA
Adult Faith Formation helps adult Catholics continue growing in their faith beyond childhood religious education. The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) process welcomes adults who are unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. The OCIA team meets every Thursday from September through May.
- Adult Faith Enrichment program
- OCIA – meets Thursdays, September through May
- Faith Chat – Bible study series
Music Ministry
The Music Ministry includes the Director of Music, the adult choir, youth and children's choirs, and cantors. Members of the adult choir sing at either the 9:00 am or 11:00 am Sunday Masses, supporting the liturgical life of the parish.
- Adult choir
- Youth choir
- Children's choir
- Cantors
- Director of Music – Edward Pers
Outreach & Charity
St. John the Evangelist parishioners serve the local Naples community and beyond through several organized charitable ministries. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides one-on-one assistance to neighbors in zip codes 34108, 34109, and 34110, while the Ladies of Charity serves the poor, sick, and marginalized in Immokalee and local nursing homes. The Jamaica Outreach Program supports the poor in Jamaica with goods, food, medical-vision-dental services, and education.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Bob Westenberg ([email protected])
- St. Vincent de Paul Assistance Center – 4451 Mercantile Avenue, Naples, FL 34104, (239) 775-1667
- Ladies of Charity – Karen Kaspar ([email protected], 216-496-7414)
- Jamaica Outreach Program – Jeanne Stamant (239-248-3248, [email protected])
- Respect Life – Mary Thompson ([email protected])
- Sewing Ministry – Phyllis Crivelli & Barbara Arthur
- Knitting & Crocheting – Sharon Camp
Parish Groups & Fraternal Organizations
The parish is home to a wide variety of fellowship, prayer, and support groups for every age and stage of life—from men's and women's fraternal organizations to bereavement, divorce, marriage, and grief support.
- Knights of Columbus – St. John Council 11281 (Grand Knight Joseph Hemrick)
- Knights of Columbus – Arthur J. Corr Assembly 3308 (4th Degree; Faithful Navigator Paul McPherson)
- Marriage Ministry – Together Forever (Rachel Baier)
- Divorced and Separated Support Group (Lhara Echeverria, Beth Lucci)
- Grief Support Ministry (Geralyn Poletti)
- Arimatheans – funeral Mass support (Anne Petrillo)
- Companion Driving Ministry (Beth Lucci)
- Women of the Word (WoW) – Nancy Bouchard ([email protected])
- Faith Chat – Lee Pinto
- Vocations Ministry – Kyle VanDuser ([email protected])
- Social Ministry – JD DeSousa & Millie Lucanegro
Pulte Family Life Center
The Pulte Family Life Center was dedicated and blessed by Bishop Frank J. Dewane on March 16, 2019, in memory of builder Bill Pulte (d. 2018). The 29,277-square-foot facility was designed by Studio+ Architects and constructed by Gates Construction, and it serves as the hub for parish sports, wellness, education, faith formation seminars, and social events for the entire family. Its front lobby displays a quote from St. Ignatius of Loyola: "Teach us to give and not count the cost." It is also home to the Catholic Youth Organization and Catholic Adult Organization.
- Café
- Two fitness rooms
- Gym with basketball and volleyball courts
- Community room (subdividable)
- Offices and maintenance areas
- Playground and two bocce ball courts
- Home of Catholic Youth Organization and Catholic Adult Organization
Religious Gift Shop
The St. John's Religious Gift Shop (Divine Gift Boutique) is located inside the church and offers Catholic devotional items, gifts, and books for parishioners and visitors.
- Hours: Wednesdays 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
- Saturdays 2:00–5:00 pm (some sources note 1:15–6:15 pm)
- Sundays 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
- Volunteers welcome – contact Holly at [email protected]
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, email, or in person at the campus on 111th Avenue North in Naples.
- Address: 625 111th Avenue North, Naples, FL 34108
- Phone: (239) 566-8740
- Fax: (239) 566-9117
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: sjecc.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John J. LuddenApproximately 2008 – September 27, 2018
Served as pastor of St. John the Evangelist for nearly 10 years. Resigned in September 2018 and subsequently left the priesthood after 21 years in ministry; previously served as pastor of St. Charles Borromeo.
- Rev. Tomasz (Tom) ZalewskiOctober 8, 2018 – present
Appointed from St. Joseph Parish in Bradenton; previously served as parochial vicar at St. Agnes (Naples) and St. Francis Xavier (Fort Myers). Led the dedication of the Pulte Family Life Center in 2019 and the new on-campus rectory blessed in 2025.