Fr. Chas Canoy, Pastor | St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church | Jackson, Michigan
Discover pastoral reflections and homilies from Fr. Chas Canoy, Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Jackson, MI. Stay rooted in faith and parish life.
-
Watch: A Glorious Restoration | Saint John the Evangelist in Jackson
WATCH: A HEAVENLY RESTORATION | SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST, JACKSON: Constructed in 1857, Saint John the Evangelist in Jackson is the oldest church building in the Diocese of Lansing. Watch this short film as pastor, Father Chas Canoy, explains the parish’s desire to return their beloved building to its former glory by commissioning local artist, Joseph…
-
Sharing Our Faith Stories, OCIA 2025
from Tim, Pat, Ryan Grace, and Nathan Ehlert Tim, Pam, Ryan Grace, and Nathan Ehlert made their decision to convert to Catholicism as a family. Our journey began with Pam’s health crisis in 2021. Pam had a cardiac event; the family wasn’t sure if Pam would survive and, if she did, what her quality of…
-
From the Desk of Shayne Slough, Director of Parish Life, 6/15/25
As we launched into “Ordinary Time” and concluded the Easter Season right after last Sunday’s celebration of Pentecost, our Sunday celebrations continue to be anything but “ordinary” this month of June! This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity, next weekend is the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, and as we wrap up the…
-
From the Desk of Fr. Chas Canoy, Pastor – 4/20/25
Christ’s Resurrection Raises Saints! Dear Parish Family, The power of Jesus’ Resurrection gives us all the calling and capacity to become all that God desired for us to be: SAINTS. The power of Jesus’ Resurrection makes God’s command to us possible: “Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy.” The power of Jesus’…
-
From the Desk of Genevieve Soltis, Administrative Assistant & Communication Coordinator – 2/16/25
EXTRA Ordinary Time When we look at the Catholic liturgical calendar, Ordinary Time takes over a majority of the year. Green seems to take over the whole calendar, with only bits of pink, purple, and gold thrown in. Sometimes red, too! Seasons of Advent, Lent, Easter, or Christmas all seem to stand out more than…
-
From the Desk of Fr. Chas Canoy, Pastor – 12/22/24
SIGNS OF HOPE IN THIS JUBILEE YEAR OF HOPE 2025! Dear Parish Family, “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it!” (Jn 1:5). The Light of the World, Jesus the Christ, first shone in the darkness in the bleakest of circumstances, in the backwoods of Bethlehem, in a cave where…
-
From the Desk of Fr. Chas Canoy, Pastor – 11/17/24
State of the Parish – “God’s Co-Workers in Unifying the Human Family” Dear Parish Family, The bitter division and demonization of one another this past year have caused so much stress and broken the hearts of countless people in our country. Such entrenched conflict begins with the insecurity and bitter conflict within our own hearts. …
-
Parish Pilgrimage to Rome & Assisi – May 2025, Jubilee Year
JOIN US as we travel to Assisi and Rome in the Jubilee Year of 2025! Check out the itinerary below! CLICK HERE to find out more and to register at Corporate Travel! Update: Fr. Steve Mattson will not be able to join Fr. Chas on this pilgrimage, after all.
-
From the Desks of Shayne & Todd – 11/03/24
Walk With One… and more! Our core purpose statement for St. John the Evangelist is “To fulfill the Great Commission and form a community of missionary disciples in Jackson, Michigan”. This is our parish CULTURE, our environment and ecosystem. It’s who we are as a parish. We have been immersed in the basic training of…
-
From the Desk of Todd Gale, Discipleship Coordinator & Spiritual Director – 10/13/24
Go! Go! Go! JOSEPH! Throughout the Bible there is hardly any character as rich and inspiring as Joseph. I don’t mean Joseph of the Holy Family; yes, the foster father of Jesus is very inspiring. But for this article, I’m thinking of the Old Testament man that Joseph the carpenter of Nazareth was probably named…
-
From the Desk of Tara Brady, Principal, 9/15/25
St. John School Our Mission: The mission of Jackson Catholic Schools is to joyfully cultivate God’s goodness, beauty, and truth. Through our Catholic faith, we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, grow in virtue and intellect, and form our students to lead and serve our communities as saints. The 2024/2025 school year is off to…
-
From the Desk of Todd Gale, Discipleship Coordinator and Spiritual Director, 9/15/24
FALL START-UPS, TUNE-UPS, AND LAUNCHES Even though most adults are not tied to an academic school year calendar, we seem to maintain that pattern of start-ups in the fall. In just a week or so we will kick off this year’s Catholicism 101. A gathering of folks who are thinking about becoming Catholic, exploring the…
-
From the Desk of Shayne Slough, Director of Parish Life – 7/28/24
I’m hungry. When my kids used to say those words, I’d quickly think of some way to satisfy their hunger, whether it was time for a meal or maybe just a snack. Aren’t we all, typically, quick to find solution when our stomachs growl? When we have a feeling of emptiness or lack of energy?…
-
From the Desk of Angel Koerkel, 7/21/24
Go Deeper, Grow Closer Before reading on, I ask you to please pray this prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, you give us your flesh and blood for the life of the world, and you desire that all people come to the Supper of the Sacrifice of the Lamb. Renew in your Church the truth, beauty, and…
-
From the Desk of Fr. Chas Canoy – June 2, 2024
SUMMER IS UPON US! PLEASE DRESS FOR WORSHIP! Dear Parish Family, During this time of the National Eucharistic Revival, there is a greater emphasis on celebrating and honoring the Real Presence of Jesus our Lord in the Eucharist. So especially if you’ve never attended an outdoor Eucharistic procession, this is the year! TODAY (Sunday, 6/2…
-
From the Desk of Shayne Slough, Director of Parish Life – 5/19/24
Have you ever heard of “Holy Spirit tears” or the gift of tears? It’s more than “happy tears” or crying because you’re relieved or overjoyed. True “Holy Spirit tears” are actually a charismatic gift…from, as the name implies, the Holy Spirit. I hadn’t heard of this gift until a few years ago, but when it…
-
From the Desk of Fr. Chas Canoy, Pastor – 3/31/24
Humanity’s Two Enemies Conquered! On April 3rd of last year, Fr. Jim Shaver had passed away. Later this next week, we will be celebrating the first anniversary of his passing. Many of you witnessed for the first time the funeral of a priest, over which our bishop presides and many brother priests from around the…
-
From the Desk of Todd Gale, Discipleship Coordinator & Spiritual Director – 3/17/24
TWO PATHS In praying about our responsibility to each other in life, I’d like to share true stories about two women from the 1900’s who walked very opposite paths. One was born in 1879. Another girl, halfway around the world, was born in 1910. The first was the middle child of 11. The second was…