About St. John XXIII · Fort Myers, Florida
St. John XXIII Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Fort Myers, Florida, canonically erected on March 1, 2002 by Bishop John J. Nevins of the Diocese of Venice in Florida. The parish serves a fast-growing area of south Fort Myers and is known for its multicultural worship — celebrating Mass in English, Spanish and Vietnamese — and a strong outreach tradition. Its mission statement commits to actively engaging all who desire to live out the message of Christ, welcoming people of every background. The parish sits on 40 acres on Palomino Lane and includes a 1,350-seat worship nave, a chapel, and a Parish Life Center.
- Established
- 2002
- Patron
- Saint John XXIII (Blessed Pope John XXIII, born Angelo Roncalli)
- Rector
- Rev. Jayabalan (Jay) Raju
- Diocese
- Diocese of Venice in Florida (Central Deanery)
Why belong here
St. John XXIII is a young, growing, and notably outreach-oriented parish. It celebrates Mass in English, Spanish and Vietnamese, runs a thriving Thrift Store whose proceeds support Catholic education and local charities, and fields dozens of ministries — from Eucharistic Outreach and Respect Life to a Rosary Ministry, Craftie Ladies, Together in Holiness marriage formation, and a St. Vincent de Paul-style food pantry. With daily Mass, multiple Sunday options, a perpetual Adoration Chapel, and active youth and young adult groups, newcomers can find a community that is at once rooted in tradition and warmly welcoming to newcomers of every background.
Mass times at St. John XXIII
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM
- Tuesday: 5:15 PM – 5:45 PM
- Saturday: 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM (also after the 8 AM Mass per bulletin)
- Saturday: 8:30 AM (Diocese listing)
Adoration times
- St. Luke Adoration Chapel — Monday–Friday: 8:30 AM – 3:45 PM
- Saturday: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
- Sunday: Closed
- First Fridays: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Friday Overnight Adoration: 4:00 PM – 6:00 AM (code required after 4 PM)
- Tuesday Evening Adoration & Benediction: 6:00 PM (Chapel)
Parish History
St. John XXIII Catholic Church was conceived by Bishop John J. Nevins in the fall of 2001 and canonically erected on March 1, 2002, with Father Charles Sullivan as founding pastor. The parish's first Mass was celebrated at the Noonan Academy on January 12, 2002 before about 350 parishioners. Demographic studies at founding predicted 5,000–6,000 new Catholic families would move into the area within a decade, driving a build-out to 1,350 seats plus 300 in the chapel. After a major Pledge Fund Drive featuring former Notre Dame head football coach Gerry Faust, the $7 million worship and office complex on Palomino Lane broke ground on April 27, 2003. Christmas Day 2004 Mass was held in a tent on the construction site, the Certificate of Occupancy arrived on Holy Thursday 2005, and Bishop Nevins formally dedicated the church on April 9, 2005.
- Founded 2002, Diocese of Venice in Florida
- Founding pastor: Rev. Charles Sullivan
- Initial worship site: Noonan Academy gymnasium
- Groundbreaking: April 27, 2003
- Dedication: April 9, 2005 by Bishop John J. Nevins
- 40-acre site; 1,350 seats + 300 in chapel
Faith Formation & Sacraments
Faith Formation and Sacrament Preparation are led by Frannie Cerniglia, Director of Faith Formation, with Paula Froio as Faith Formation Assistant. The office coordinates preparation for Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage and the Anointing of the Sick, along with the parish's RCIA process. Faith & Wine, Walking with Purpose, Opening the Word, Gospel Encounter and Men's Gospel Forum are among the ongoing adult formation offerings.
- Director of Faith Formation: Frannie Cerniglia ([email protected], 239-561-7499)
- Sacrament Preparation for Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation
- Marriage preparation
- Quarterly Anointing of the Sick
- Walking with Purpose (women's Bible study)
- Faith & Wine evenings
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
Led by Kelly Evers, Coordinator of Youth & Young Adult Ministries, the parish runs a Middle School Youth Group (Wednesday evenings at 6 PM), a High School Social Sessions program (Sunday evenings 5:00–6:30 PM with social time, topical discussion, small groups and adoration), and Rooted — a social and faith group for ages 18–39 that meets the first Thursday of each month from 7:00–9:00 PM.
- Middle School Youth Group — Wednesdays 6 PM
- High School Social Sessions — Sundays 5:00–6:30 PM
- Rooted (ages 18–39) — first Thursdays 7–9 PM
- Coordinator: Kelly Evers ([email protected], 239-561-3022)
Music & Liturgy
Music and liturgical ministries at St. John XXIII are led by Music Director John Renfroe and Liturgy Coordinator Bethany Myers. The Adult Choir rehearses Thursday evenings, the Bell Choir rehearses Thursdays at 5:30 PM, and the Vietnamese Choir rehearses Friday evenings at 8:00 PM. Low-gluten hosts are available; parishioners may ask a Sacristan before Mass to receive one.
- Music Director: John Renfroe
- Liturgy Coordinator: Bethany Myers
- Adult Choir — Thursdays 6:30 PM
- Bell Choir — Thursdays 5:30 PM
- Vietnamese Choir — Fridays 8:00 PM
- Low-gluten hosts available
Outreach & Social Justice
St. John XXIII describes itself as 'one of the most progressive, outreach-oriented parishes in town.' The Eucharistic Outreach Ministry feeds and clothes the poor, provides school supplies to children in need, supports mothers who choose life, and shines light on human trafficking. The parish has rebuilt homes of Hurricane Katrina victims in Biloxi, supports Catholic Charities, and maintains food pantries at St. John XXIII Villas and the St. Martin de Porres Community Outreach Center. The parish Thrift Store (15200 S. Tamiami Trail #110) sells donated goods to fund Catholic education and local outreach.
- Eucharistic Outreach Ministry
- Respect Life Ministry
- Food Pantry at St. John XXIII Villas & St. Martin de Porres
- St. John XXIII Thrift Store
- Craftie Ladies (quilts, rosaries, prayer shawls)
- Support of Catholic Charities & hurricane relief
Compassionate Services
The parish's Compassionate Services ministry reaches the homebound, hospitalized, sick, dying, and bereaved. A team of Faith Community Nurses (Helen Tuffy, Toni Granchi, Judy Balyeat, Joann Andrews) provides a healing presence in hospitals, nursing homes, rehab centers and homes, serving as a link between the healthcare system and parish families. The Bereavement & Beyond group meets Tuesday afternoons, and the Funeral Planning Ministry helps families prepare the readings, prayers and music for funeral liturgies.
- Faith Community Nursing
- Bereavement & Beyond — Tuesdays 1–3 PM
- Funeral Planning Ministry
- Journey to Hope Mental Health Ministry (National Catholic Mental Health Campaign)
Pastoral Team & Staff
The parish is led by Fr. Jayabalan (Jay) Raju as Pastor, with Fr. Jimmy Pham CRM and Fr. Thomas Gregory Dougherty serving as Parochial Vicars. Three deacons — John Foucault, John Gaulin and Richard Klish — assist at Mass and with ministries. The lay staff includes a Business Manager, Facilities Director, Faith Formation team, Music Director, Liturgy Coordinator, Youth Minister, Thrift Store Manager, Bookkeeper, Receptionist, Administrative Assistant, Bulletin Editor and PLC Coordinator.
- Pastor: Fr. Jayabalan (Jay) Raju
- Parochial Vicars: Fr. Jimmy Pham CRM, Fr. Thomas Gregory Dougherty
- Deacons: John Foucault, John Gaulin, Richard Klish
- Business Manager: Holly Atkins
- Facilities Director: Jason Goss
- Faith Formation: Frannie Cerniglia
- Music Director: John Renfroe
- Liturgy Coordinator: Bethany Myers
- Youth Ministry: Kelly Evers
- Thrift Store Manager: Clayton Goodridge
Visiting & Contact
The parish office is open Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – noon and 1:00 – 4:00 PM. Visitors coming from US 41 take Cypress Lake Drive/Daniels Parkway east 4.2 miles, turn left on Palomino Lane and continue north 0.4 miles. From I-75, take Exit 131 (Daniels Pkwy) west toward the beaches, continue 0.5 miles, take the 3rd right onto Palomino Lane and continue 0.4 miles — destination is on the left. The parish also provides free access to FORMED (parish code 1823ee) for online Catholic study, family devotions and faith-formation content.
- Office: Mon–Fri 8 AM – Noon & 1–4 PM
- Address: 13060 Palomino Lane, Fort Myers, FL 33912
- Phone: (239) 561-2245 | Fax: (239) 561-3713
- Email: [email protected]
- Free FORMED access (parish code 1823ee)
- Text-to-Give: 239-356-6529
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Charles Sullivan2001–founding pastor
Appointed by Bishop John Nevins in fall 2001 to lead the new parish community; celebrated the first Mass at Noonan Academy on January 12, 2002.