John Paul II Catholic School community was blessed to welcome Father Michael Joly, pastor of Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Yorktown, Virginia, for our weekly celebration of Mass. Fr. Mike is visiting the Lowcountry as part of Saint Gregory the Great's Lenten Mission. With the heart of a servant, the spirit of a missionary, and the soul of a musician, Father Mike engaged students in a powerful, faith-filled experience they will not soon forget.

In alignment with today’s Gospel from the Book of Deuteronomy (Dt 4:1, 5–9), attributed to Moses, JPII students were urged to “hear the statutes and decrees” of the Lord and to not only follow them but to live them out with bold faith and humble hearts. Fr. Mike reminded the student body that Moses is speaking directly to the Israelites, urging them to listen to God's commandments, live them out faithfully, and pass them down to future generations: “Take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children's children.”

Though Father Mike lost his physical sight at the age of five due to a brain tumor, he shared that his spiritual vision has never been clearer. “I may be blind, but I see Christ. It is no big deal! Just because you have eyes does not mean you see. Just because you have ears doesn’t mean you hear,” he said.

His message was one of hope, humility, and holy boldness—inviting students to speak their faith aloud, to live it with intention, and to serve others as humble disciples of Christ. With great energy and joy, Father Mike included the students in his homily, prompting them to reflect and respond. His interaction brought Scripture to life, having the congregation engage in a “sound of rain” exercise, planting seeds of wisdom and wonder in their hearts. He even walked over to the school’s keyboard and sang his own rendition of Hallelujah.

“Today’s visit was a beautiful reminder to our school community that even in challenges God’s grace shines brightest,” remarked JPII President David Lima. “As our Lenten journey continues, may we, like Father Mike, strive to see with the eyes of Christ, hear with the ears of faith, and pass on the truth of the Gospel with courage and love.”

In addition to his priestly ministry, Father Mike is a talented musician and contemporary Christian singer-songwriter. Before his ordination in 1994, Father Mike studied business administration at Providence College in Rhode Island and completed his seminary formation at Saint Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland.

Part of Fr. Mike’s Hallelujah Song

Refrain: Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

He hung His head and prepared to die, then lifted His face up to the sky

He said: I am coming now Father to you

A reed which held His final sip was gently lifted to His lips

He drank His last and gave His soul to glory

Refrain: Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah