Bishop Frank J. Dewane installed Father Jaybalan Raju as Pastor of St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers on Jan. 26, 2025, in the context of the Mass.
“We are all called to go forth, responding every more faithfully to the Lord,” Bishop Dewane said. “That is why I have asked Father to be here – to lead all of you in that spiritual life, to lead each of you in your individual response to the Lord. For this reason, Holy Mother Church calls for a Pastor to accomplish that in each Parish. Father has to be many things to many different people and I ask that you continue to support him and pray for your Pastor and your priests as they serve all of you.”
St. John XXIII Parish was established in 2002, and the first Masses were held in a gymnasium of the Noonan Academy. A new church, which seats 1,350 in the main sanctuary and 350 additional in the Chapel, was dedicated on April 9, 2005, on 40 acres, just north of Daniels Parkway, where there is now a church, Parish Center, rectory and Adoration Chapel. Masses are celebrated each week in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. The Parish has more than 3,700 families. Father Raju is the third Pastor of St. John XXIII Parish.
Bishop Dewane initiated the installation process by calling Father Raju to the ambo following the homily. Father then recited an Oath of Fidelity in which he promises to “adhere to the teachings, which either the Roman Pontiff or the college of bishops enunciate when they exercise authentic magisterium.” Father Raju then recited, along with the faithful, the profession of faith, including additional parts solely for him. The installation also included prayers to provide the new Pastor the wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit to lead the Parish.
The Bishop then presented Father Raju as the new Pastor to the faithful gathered. Documents were then signed by the Bishop, the new Pastor, and two official witnesses of the Parish Community, who serve as official witnesses on behalf of all of the parishioners. Copies of these documents are put in the Diocesan files for the Parish and Father, while a copy is kept at the Parish.
After Mass, Father Raju first thanked Bishop Dewane for the honor of appointing him and trusting him to lead St. John XXIII Parish, as well as the faithful for being so supportive since his appointment in 2023.
“I am full of gratitude from the Lord, as this is a special year for me and for all of us,” Father Raju said. “This is a Jubilee Year and this is the year I celebrate 25 years of my priesthood. This is the best gift God has given me… I am really blessed.”
A reception followed in the Parish Hall.
