The 2025 Citizens With Disabilities Campaign kicked off on the weekend of May 17-18 at Publix in the Nocatee Center. This photo, taken by Brother Tom Costello who also manned the table, shows (from left to right) Brother Joe Revellese, Brother Tim Lyons, and Tim’s wife, Laraine. The drive continues through the end of the month at Our Lady Star of the Sea and SJPII. Money from the drive goes to agencies serving those with developmental disabilities.
Thank you to all who participated. There were many announcements and people to recognize for their achievements, charity, and leadership.
ALTAR SERVER OF THE QUARTER
Congratulations to Patrick Wilson who is being recognized as the Altar Server Award for the Second Quarter of 2025. Patrick has lived in the area since January 2020 where he currently attends The Broach School Ponte Vedra. In addition to his altar server duties, Patrick is also part of the Youth Ministry and performs in the Living Stations every year. He likes to attend SJP II retreats for youth and families alike and volunteers for setup / cleanup for multiple events at Church.
Patrick (or Paddy as his family calls him) is always willing to mentor the new or younger altar servers. He consistently shows up for his scheduled masses but routinely fills in for other masses when the need arises. One day, he served all three Sunday masses and has assisted in funeral masses as well. Patrick has also been elevated to a Junior MC.
Thank you, Patrick, for your greatest gift of service to this parish and congratulations on earning this accolade of being named Altar Server of the Second Quarter of 2025.
FAMILY OF THE MONTH – MAY 2025
Congratulations to Jeff, Jessica, Ayla, Katie Rose, Emmeline and Kellan Barzyk whom all have been recognized as the St. John Paul II Family of the Month for May 2025.
The Barzyk family has been members of SJPII since 2021. The parents, Jeff and Jessica, both graduated from Bishop Kenny High School and were married at Our Lady Star of the Sea in 2008. As a young family, they traveled around the southeastern United States but eventually returned to Jacksonville and settled in Nocatee in March of 2020.
Jeff works as a periodontal dental specialist for a group practice in Jacksonville, while Jessica is a school parent volunteer for Palm Valley Academy. The girls are involved in competitive gymnastics and dance, while Kellan is an usher at SJPII for Sunday noon Masses.
The Barzyk family is very involved in the SJPII Family of Faith activities. Their involvement in the many activities and their involvement with the parish strengthen their faith and fellowship with other parishioners. The Barzyk’s said they feel at home at SJPII and are rooted in their Catholic faith. They enjoy raising their children with the same faith and values through the Family of Faith Formation and through regular Mass attendance at SJPII.
It is a great honor to recognize this wonderful family as the Family of the Month for May 2025.
KNIGHT OF THE MONTH – MARCH 2025
Congratulations to Sir Knight Michael Cervellera for being named the Knight of the Month for March 2025. In addition to the many other activities with which Mike is involved, he has spearheaded the Patriotic Rosary gathering. His continuous effort in getting the project started, scheduled, and repeated is noteworthy and earned him the honor of being the Knight of the Month for March 2025.
CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE AWARDED TO JOHN ESSEGIAN
Brother John Essegian was presented with a Certificate of Excellence award from Grand Knight Pete Falcone for leading two Pickleball tournaments after taking over from Brother Tony Cutright who began and nurtured this fundraising event. Overall, John executed seven of the tournaments which provided the largest percentage of Council 16492’s donations to worthy charities over the years. Thank you, John, for your service and leadership in the Knight’s foremost fundraising endeavor.
The 2025 KofC Council 16492 Spring Golf Outing was a huge success with more than $100,000 raised for the St. John Paul II Building Fund campaign. With the help of a $50,000 match from an anonymous donor, the Council plans to present a $100,000 check to Father Rafael once all the bank details are closed. Thanks to all those who volunteered, purchased sponsorships, or enjoyed a wonderful day of golf and comradery.
The annual Knights of Columbus Tootsie Pop Donations for Citizens With Disabilities raised more than $8,000 again this year.
SJPII Council 16492 donated the money to three local organizations and the K of C wheelchair program. Each year Council 16492 members don the familiar yellow vests and solicit money to give to area organizations serving the citizens who need our help.
This year, we gave $2,000 to each of: L’Arche; Camp I Am Special; and Bit of Faith Ranch – three organizations who focus their attention on assisting with a variety of services throughout the area including folks from our parish.
Each year we strive to raise money by asking parish members from SJPII and Our Lady Star of The Sea to drop their money into our containers.
More than 25 Knights and family members participated in the Special Olympics Swim Meet for the St. Johns County SO swim team July 20 in St. Augustine. Members, wives and children of Knights kept time, welcomed the athletes and cheered them on to the finish. Look for more in the Oct. 1 issue of the Council 16492 Newsletter.
Father Rafael, a 4th Degree Knight, accepted his white hat from Brother Tony Cutright at the July 9 meeting. Father officially transferred his membership to Council 16492 and will be our official Chaplain while Deacon Tony will assist.
Father Rafael prayed over the proposed site of the new church recently and promised the Knights would have a dedicated room on the new campus.
Brother Rich Delgado, right, is presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for his work while Deputy Grand Knight last fraternal year. Brother Rich filled in admirably while GK Pete Falcone was incapacitated. Thanks Rich.
Father Rafael accepted the $45,000 check from the Knights’ Golf Outing proceeds to go toward the building fund.
Left to right, GK Pete Falcone, Father Rafael and Outing Director Mike Spigelmire. Council 16492 has contributed $105,000 in three years for the new church. The check was presented at the July 9 Council meeting.
In keeping with our mission of Charity, the SJPII Council 16492 annually gives money to Port In The Storm Homeless Youth Center. This year, we were able to give $2,000 to help the organization assist teenagers who need shelter and training. Grand Knight Pete Falcone is pictured with staff members, left to right, Emma Hanson, Carmen Otero, Lindy Deyto and Brett Harwood.
Habitat for Humanity of St. Johns County received a $1,000 donation from Council 16492 for their work in building homes for the needy. They have invited our Council to tour their new project at Volusia Woods which will be made up of 36 homes when it is completed. From left to right are, Tom Torretta, Development Director; Pete Falcone, Grand Knight; and Malinda Everson, Executive Director.
The SJPII Knights of Columbus support Food For Families with their monthly Food Drive collected at masses the first weekend of the month. In addition, Council 16492 also contributes $2,000 to the Food Pantry in St. Augustine. In the past 12 months, more than $13,000 worth of food has been donated through parishioners’ kindness. Thank you to all those who helped. Left to right are Pete Falcone, Council 16492 Grand Knight; Will Bennett, Catholic Charities Administrative Manager and Tara Provini, CC Regional Director.
All in the Church … are called to holiness... It is necessary to rediscover the full practical significance of … the universal call to holiness.
Pope John Paul II
Pray for Pope Leo XIV
"On behalf of our 2.1 million members around the world, I pledge our loyalty to Pope Leo XIV — as well as our prayers today and every day of his pontificate,” said Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly.
