My Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ!
Hope this finds you and your families well. I wanted all of you to know that I recently received a letter that I am being transferred (as of June 1st, 2026) to Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Celebration, as their new pastor. Fr. Richard Trout is retiring, and I was selected to succeed him. You can only imagine all that is going on inside of me at this time. Over the past almost 7 years, now, we have traveled together on a beautiful spiritual road, in establishing the birth of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church – the newest Church in the Diocese of Orlando (Ministering to Lake Nona and the Surrounding Area). What a beautiful difference we have been making together, in extending the ‘Welcome!‘; ‘Hospitality!‘; and ‘Customer Service!‘ of Christ to all who come to Saint Cabrini! This has become a consistent part of the ‘essence‘ of our rapidly growing Faith Community, and I know that it will continue as time moves forward. Together we have been setting the foundation of what is to come. I am so very grateful and appreciative for all of your prayers, support, help, and commitment that you have made to me, and to your fellow parishioners, over the past several years, and I know that you will do the same for my successor, Fr. Derek Saldanha (the Pastor of Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Saint Cloud). As he continues as pastor of Saint Thomas Aquinas, he has also been appointed the Canonical Administrator of Saint Cabrini Parish in Lake Nona (basically as our pastor), as of June 1st, 2026. I wish him all the best, as he brings his own gifts & talents (and shoes) to Saint Cabrini – as I take my shoes with me. Remember, we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us, marked with the sign of faith. The next exciting chapter will be beginning soon for Saint Cabrini, and for me. As I continue to keep all of you in prayer, and in my heart, I ask that you do the same for me – and for Fr. Derek. Just as an F.Y.I. – prescheduled Baptisms and Mass Intentions are already in the Saint Cabrini Church Calendar, proceeding as planned, and any marriage or annulment paperwork, already in progress, will continue, under the incoming administration. Again, ‘Thanks’ for all that you have done for me, as your founding pastor.
All the Best!
Blessings,
Fr. Charles
