Parish Staff

Fr. John Britto Antony C.S.C truly believes in God’s hand leading him through his life. Hailing from India he has been a member of the Congregation of Holy Cross since 1985 and has truly experienced the joy of letting God lead his life for “God does not ration his gift of the Spirit” (John 3:34). Fr. John said that his life has been enriched in inexplicable ways when he began to let God take over his life. He has had varied experiences in Holy Cross such as being a Formator, Teacher, Administrator and now at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Florida doing what he enjoys most: bringing people to God and God to people.

Fr. John recently became a U.S. Citizen. Please read the article below from the Viera Voice on January 30, 2021:

The Rev. John Britto Antony, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community in Viera, has become a United States citizen.

Father Antony officially became a U.S. citizen Jan. 5. The pastor signed his citizenship document before the congregation at the end of the 11 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Jan. 10.

“I thought having U.S. citizenship was important because of the nature of my work,” Antony said. “I am very serious in my devotion to serve the people, and I thought becoming one of them was a good idea.”

Born in India, Antony was baptized Catholic on Dec. 17, 1963. He has been pursuing his vocation in service to the Catholic Church for more than 20 years. He professed his final vows, becoming a religious brother Dec. 8, 1990, and was ordained to the priesthood April 30, 2011.

Antony has a master’s degree in theology from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree in philosophy, education and English from Loyola College and other educational institutions in Tamil Nadu, India.

A religious member of the Congregation of Holy Cross since 1985, Antony began his U.S. service in 2010, where he first served as deacon and later as associate pastor at the Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales Parish in Bennington, Vermont.

In 2013, Antony became associate pastor at St. John the Evangelist Church. In 2018, he was named the Viera church’s pastor.

Five years after receiving his Green Card (officially known as a Permanent Resident Card that allows you to live and work permanently in the U.S.), Antony filed his U.S. citizenship application in June 2019.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic and computer issues, the process was delayed and a formal swearing-in ceremony in Orlando was canceled. Instead, the pastor attended a brief five-minute oath ceremony in January, where he swore his allegiance to the United States and received his naturalization certificate. Once he receives this certificate, Antony can apply for a U.S. passport and vote in national, state and local elections.

The pastor also received an American flag and a letter from the White House signed by President Donald Trump.

One of the drawbacks of becoming a U.S. citizen, Antony had to renounce his native country of India. Dual citizenship is not allowed between India and the U.S. India only allows dual citizenship with Great Britain and France.

Antony said some of his family members and friends in India have mixed reactions to his decision.

“They think that I will be away from them, but I will visit once this COVID-19 pandemic is over,” he said. “I’m proud of my Indian heritage, and I’m proud to be an Indian-American.”

The pastor said he will soon file an Overseas Citizenship of India application. The application allows permanent residency available to people of Indian origin and their spouses to visit, live and work in India indefinitely. Despite the name, OCI status is not citizenship and does not grant the right to vote in Indian elections or hold public office.

Photo of Rev. John Britto Antony, C.S.C.

Kelli and her husband recently relocated to Central Florida from San Diego, California. She is a convert to the Catholic faith. She embraced her faith by teaching at the local Catholic schools and teaching Religious Education. She was the Director of Catechetical Ministries in her parish in California for the past 10 years. She learned a long time ago that God will lead her where she is needed. He led her to St. John the Evangelist and Kelli looks forward to meeting all the wonderful families here. She enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Schonda grew up in a small town in rural Missouri. After earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology, she moved to Cape Canaveral, Florida to work for NASA at the Kennedy Space Center. While working for NASA, Schonda earned her Master’s Degree in Space Systems from Florida Tech.

Through NASA, Schonda met her husband, Ronnie. After their first child was born, Schonda retired from KSC to be a stay home mom. The Rodriguez family now consists of Ronnie, Schonda, Rebekah (Becky), Joseph (Joey), and Nicolas (Nico).

Schonda’s children attended St. Mary’s Catholic School, which lead to her volunteering in multiple school activities. After years of helping in classes as a volunteer, Schonda became a substitute teacher at St. Mary’s. It was during this time teaching middle school students that Schonda grew to appreciate youth ministry.

In addition to working with the middle school and high school teens, Schonda serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and a Minister of the Word.

Heidi has spent the majority of her life playing the piano and teaching music. She has a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Florida, and over 35 years experience as an accompanist for school and university choral programs, churches, instrumental and vocal solos, and musical theatre. She has taught music in schools, both private (PreK-8th) and public (high school chorus and orchestra; music appreciation), and has taught private piano lessons over the last 30 years. Several of her students have also earned music degrees and continue as music educators and/or performers.

She is passionate about both traditional and contemporary sacred music and its use in Catholic liturgy. She has been the music director for the Sunday 4:30pm (LifeTeen) mass at St. John the Evangelist since May 2013. She has attended LifeTeen Training Conferences in Mesa, AZ and San Antonio, TX, as well as several LifeTeen summer conferences for youth as a CORE member/chaperone. Previously, she was the choir director and accompanist for the weekly children's masses at St. Mary Catholic School in Rockledge from 2005-2009.

She truly seeks to foster reverent, “full, conscious, active participation” at the mass and other liturgies, and welcomes anyone interested in offering their musical or technological ability to serve the parish through the music ministry.

Please contact her at hpranzoni@stjohnviera.org, or simply talk to her after a mass!