While at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Naples for a Mass to commemorate the 2025 Jubilee Year, Bishop Frank J. Dewane blessed the newly constructed rectory on Nov. 23, 2025.
As part of the Rite of Blessing, Bishop Dewane prayed: “We have gathered here to bless a house where the love of Christ will bring together those who in charity, celibacy, poverty and obedience desire to follow him as shepherds to the people of God… We pray that those who live here will conform their way of life to what they promised. We ask that with Jesus they will seek the Father’s glory in all things. We ask that, led by the Spirit they will continue to fulfill their vocation so that Christ will dwell among us.”
Bishop Dewane then blessed each home with Holy Water. Father Tomasz Zalewski, Pastor of St. John the Evangelist, and Parochial Vicars Fathers Mark Harris and Jacob Gwynn, each blessed the exterior of their respective homes.
Father Zalewski said the project was several years from planning to completion and was made possible thanks to the generosity of the Parish faithful. Construction on the rectory began in the spring of 2025 and was completed in little more than six months. The rectory, located at the rear of the Parish property, is divided into four townhomes, with individual garages, and a shared backyard. Prior to the construction, priests of the Parish were living in off-site housing owned by the Parish, some several miles away.
“Now we will be able to walk to Mass and be here to serve the people of St. John the Evangelist,” Father Zalewski said. “We thank you all for your contribution into making this rectory a reality.”
A reception followed in the Pulte Center.
