From our Pastor's Desk
Today is a special day! Forty days after Easter, we celebrate Jesus going up into heaven – what we call the Ascension. Sometimes, this day can feel a bit sad, like a farewell. Jesus, our beloved teacher and Lord, is taken away from our sight. But the liturgical readings for today tell us something much deeper: the Ascension is not an ending. It is actually a glorious new beginning, a special job given to us, and a huge reason for our hope.
In our first reading today, we see Jesus with his followers. They are still thinking about earthly things, asking, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus gently guides them away from thoughts of worldly power. He says, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
This is so important. The Ascension is not Jesus leaving us for good. Instead, it is Him taking His rightful place in heaven, full of glory. And at the same time, It is Him giving His Church the power for a mission. He does not leave us alone. He promises the Holy Spirit, who will give us the strength to keep His work going, to be His witnesses. The cloud that takes Him from their sight is not a sign of absence, but a sign of God’s presence and glory. He is not “gone” in a way that means He is not in our lives; instead, He is present in a new, universal way, no longer limited by time and place.
Our second reading, speaks about Christ’s high position. God raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in heaven, far above all rulers, authorities, powers, and any name that can be named, not just in this life but in the life to come. And He put everything under His feet and made Him the head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of the one who fills everything in every way. This is our hope! Christ’s Ascension is our own uplifting. Where the Head (Jesus) has gone, the Body (us) is called to follow. Our human nature, made glorious in Christ, is now seated at the right hand of God the Father. This gives us immense dignity and a deep sense of purpose.
Seventh Sunday of Easter | Bulletin of May 17, 2026
- From our Pastor's Desk
- The Pope Video
- Saint John I
- Participation in Liturgical Ministries
- AI: Your Co-Pilot in Your Job Search
- Opportunity - Networking event
- Join our CBNSFL Talk & Networking Event
- Young Adults Bible Study
- YAG - From Dating to Vocation
- YAG - Mini Golf Social
- Graduation Mass - Class of 2026
- Women of Grace - One day conference
- Thirteenth Annual Gala Dinner
- Renewal of Sacramental Marriage Vows
Participation in Liturgical Ministries
Participation in liturgical ministries is a wonderful way to serve God and the parish community, allowing the celebration of the Eucharist to be more solemn and participatory. Through Baptism, we are all called to take an active part in the liturgy.
The liturgical ministries of our parish are:
- Altar Servers
- Decoration
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Sacristans
- Homebound and sick
- Masters of Ceremony
- Music
- Ushers
We invite you to consider participating in one of these ministries. If you feel that God is calling you to participate, please contact Father Omar Ayubi.
Father Omar Ayubi
(954) 389-5003 Ext 215
frayubi@skdrexel.org
Opportunity - Networking event
Wednesday, May 27th, 2026 - 9:00am
Business owners - Entrepreneurs
What will you find?
- Strategic connections
- New referrals
- New opportunities
- Inspiration and energy
Free event
St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Parish
2501 South Post Rd. Weston, FL 33327@opportunityweston
Young Adults Bible Study
Every 3 rd Sunday of the Month - 8:00pm - 9:30pm
Portable: St. Peter & St PaulGet to learn more about the holy scriptures with Fr. Omar
Where we learn how history, tradition and the Word of God converge.
YAG - Mini Golf Social
Saturday, May 30, 2026 - 11:00am
For all high school and college graduates.
Congrats to all graduates!
St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Parish
Women of Grace - One day conference
Saturday, May 30, 2026 - 8:00am - 4:00pm
Healing the wounds of the heart: Journey to joy
Led by Johnnette Williams
Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Renewal of Sacramental Marriage Vows
Tuesday, June 9th, 2026 - 7:00pm
Marriage & Family Ministry SKD
Celebrate your wedding anniversary!
Second Tuesday of each month.
A contribution from the Schoenstatt Families Branch - Florida.
(954) 531-8047 | skdpastoral@gmail.com
St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Parish
Saint John I
A Mission No One Wanted
Saint John I served as Pope from 523 to 526 during a time of political tension and religious division in the early Church. He lived under the rule of the Ostrogothic King Theodoric, who followed Arianism—a belief that denied the full divinity of Jesus Christ and was opposed to the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Despite these tensions, Pope John I was known as a man of peace, humility, and deep faith. Late in his life, he was sent by King Theodoric on a difficult and delicate mission to Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul). The king ordered him to persuade the Eastern Emperor to ease restrictions placed on Arians. Though this request put him in a morally complex situation, Pope John went out of obedience and a desire to preserve peace.
While in Constantinople, he was received with great honor—the first pope ever to visit the Eastern capital. He celebrated the liturgy with solemnity and upheld the true teachings of the Church, even under pressure. His presence was a powerful witness to the unity and authority of the Catholic faith.
However, when Pope John returned to Italy, King Theodoric suspected that he had failed—or even betrayed—the mission. As a result, the Pope was arrested and imprisoned in Ravenna. Already elderly and weakened by travel, he suffered greatly in harsh conditions. Denied proper care, he eventually died in prison in the year 526.
Because he remained faithful to Christ and to the truth of the Church, even in the face of political pressure and personal suffering, Saint John I is honored as a martyr.
Why He Matters Today
Saint John I speaks powerfully to our own time:
- Faith under pressure: He reminds us that living the truth of our faith may not always be easy or popular.
- Unity in the Church: His mission to Constantinople reflects the Church’s ongoing call to unity amid division.
- Courage in leadership: True leadership means standing firm in what is right, even when misunderstood.
- Trust in God’s plan: Even when events seemed unjust, he remained faithful until the end.
Prayer
Lord God, You strengthened Saint John I to remain faithful in the
face of hardship and injustice. Grant us the courage to stand firm in our faith,
to seek unity in Your Church, and to trust in You in all things.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.His Feast day is May 18th.
AI: Your Co-Pilot in Your Job Search
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 - 8:00pm
In-person talk
AI: Your copilot in the job search
Free event
Speaker: Rafael A. Fermin
AI Solutions Strategic Sales | Enterprise Sales Leader | New Business & Revenue Growth | CybersecuritySt. Katharine Drexel Catholic Parish
2501 South Post Rd. Weston, FL 33327@opportunityweston
Join our CBNSFL Talk & Networking Event
Wednesday, May 27
6:30pm to 9:00pmGuest Speaker:
Juan Carlos Castaneda
President & Founder – TelOnlinePresenting:
Living Your Catholic Faith in Your BusinessFree entry – all are welcome
Freedom Center
13801 NW 14 Street, Sunrise, Florida 33323Catholics doing business together, in faith
Juan Carlos is an active parishioner of Saint Bonaventure and a seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of extensive experience in the technology and telecommunications sector. Through this journey, he has developed a deep understanding of the industry’s dynamics and evolving needs.
He is passionate about the continuous pursuit of innovation and excellence, especially in areas such as telecommunications, VoIP, Internet of Things (IoT), cloud solutions, artificial intelligence, and financial technology.
In 2005, he founded TelOnline, an advanced telecommunications and software development company that delivers innovative, scalable, and cost-effective technology solutions for businesses. In 2008, he also founded RingVoz LLC, a leading telecommunications company, particularly within the Hispanic market.
Together, these businesses provide meaningful employment to more than 30 partners across the United States and Latin America.
Guided by his Catholic values, Juan Carlos has not only grown successful businesses but has also inspired his teams to pursue excellence.
He is also the volunteer President of Amigos of Radio Maria in Florida and Vice President of the Legatus Catholic business group in Fort Lauderdale. He graduated from the Miami Herbert School of Business and lives in the Davie area with his family.
Aligned with the mission of the Catholic Business Network of South Florida, Juan Carlos will share how he has successfully built and sustained his businesses for over 20 years while fully living out his Catholic faith throughout the process.
Our mission is to connect, promote, and educate catholic business owners and professionals in South Florida, to better live their faith in their workplace.
Accepting New Members
Please visit www.cbnsfl.orgPlease support our local Catholic businesses by using our online business directory at:
cbnsfl.org/business-directory
YAG - From Dating to Vocation
Sunday, May 24, 2026 - 8:00pm
Join us for an inspiring talk on relationships, dating, and marriage from a Catholic perspective. Don't miss it!
With Teresa & Brandon Vanek
St. Peter & St. Paul Room
St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Parish
Graduation Mass - Class of 2026
Saturday, May 30th - 11:00am
St. Katharine Drexel Catholic ParishFor all high school and college graduates
Congrats to all graduates!
Thirteenth Annual Gala Dinner
Sunday, May 31st at 6:00pm
OUR HONOREES
- Mr. Jim Towey
Former president of Ave Maria University & Cabinet Member during the bush administration - Dr. Leoncio G. Sanchez
Seminarians’ Physician
If you are interested to participate in the event or to support the seminarians of the archdiocese, you can find more information at:
www.rmmiami.org
Or writing to: seminary@rmmiami.org4400 NW 87th Avenue - Miami, FL 33178
- Mr. Jim Towey
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