Dear Parishioners of St. John,

My name is Fr. Rafael Ghattas, though most simply call me Fr. Rafa. I’ve always had a deep devotion to St. John the Apostle, and when I received the call from the bishop informing me that I would be assigned to St. John Church, my heart was filled with joy. It truly felt like a gift from the Beloved Disciple himself — whom I love dearly — and I am proud to have him as my intercessor, alongside the Holy Family.

A little about me: I was born to an Egyptian father and a French mother, and I am the eldest of five siblings. Among my siblings, two are married, one is a priest, and one is a cloistered nun. I completed my Master of Theology at St. Mary Seminary in Houston, TX. Before becoming a priest, I worked as a mechanical engineer in both France and South Carolina.

For the past four years, I served at St. Gregory the Great in Bluffton — one of the largest Catholic parishes in South Carolina. We had two mission churches and two schools, but what I loved most there were the people. I’ve already heard so much about the love and dedication of the parishioners at St. John, and it makes me all the more excited to join you.

Since receiving the bishop’s call two months ago, I’ve been praying for you all. I truly look forward to meeting each of you and becoming a part of this beautiful community.

Please keep me in your prayers as I begin this new mission — that God may teach me how to be a good shepherd after His own heart.

God bless you all,

Fr. Rafael Ghattas