Meet the Staff
St. John Paul II Catholic Church is blessed to have a group of guiding individuals committed to providing parishioners a wide range of opportunities to explore and grow their Catholic faith.
To request an appointment with Fr. Rafael Lavilla, please complete and submit the online form.
Father Rafael Lavilla
Father Rafael Lavilla was born and raised in Pineda, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines, on September 13, 1976. His journey in the Catholic Priesthood began when he entered the Oblates of St. Joseph Minor Seminary on June 7, 1990, embarking on a 15-year priestly formation process. On November 25, 2005, he was ordained to the Sacred Order of Presbyterate at Santuario De San Jose Church in Manila, Philippines.
In August 2008, Father Rafael Lavilla arrived at San Francisco International Airport to serve as a missionary priest in California. Five years later, on February 14, 2013, he moved to Jacksonville, Florida, to join the Diocese of St. Augustine. Then, on December 17, 2019, he incardinated to the Diocese of St. Augustine as a priest in good standing.
In the Diocese of St. Augustine, he served as Parochial Vicar at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Orange Park, St. Paul Catholic Church in Jacksonville Beach, and Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in Jacksonville. From 2019 to 2024, he was the Pastor of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on Mayport Rd. Atlantic Beach, FL, navigating the difficulties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Currently, Father Rafael Lavilla serves as the Pastor at St. John Paul II Catholic Church in Ponte Vedra, Florida. He tirelessly continues his priestly vocation in persona Christi, serving and pastoring the Catholic community of Nocatee, FL.
Phone: (904) 330.0153 ext. #101
Email: pastor@nocateecatholic.com
Deacon Anthony Colichio
Deacon Tony Colichio was ordained as a permanent Deacon in 2011 by Bishop Felipe Estévez and assigned to St. John Paul II in 2015. Deacon Tony holds a certification in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University and is a certified life coach. He has been a catechist for religious education, and has directed RCIA adult confirmation and preparation for marriage and baptism. He also serves as chaplain at nursing homes and to Catholic hospital patients and assists our pastor in the pastoral care of the families of Saint John Paul II. Deacon Tony and his wife, Carmela, have three children and three grandchildren.
Email: deacontony@nocateecatholic.com
Dominic Salamida, Family Life Coordinator
Dominic grew up in Rochester, New York, and at age 16, made a life-changing pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina that ultimately guided his journey in the Church and transformed his relationship with God.
He earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Theology at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio and a Masters degree in Theology from Gannon University in Erie, PA. He has held many positions involving faith formation at different parishes, and at St. John Paul II supervises youth ministry, sacramental preparation and RCIA. Additionally, Dominic also organizes teen masses, volunteer opportunities and social activities. He and his wife, Ginger, have eight children, which has him well-suited to lead the parish’s family faith initiatives.
Phone: (904) 330.0153 ext. #104
Email: flc@nocateecatholic.com
Joseph Iannotti, Finance Manager
Joe Iannotti is currently Finance Manager, after initially serving in a volunteer capacity at the church and then assuming part-time financially-related duties. Joe is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Accounting from Sacred Heart University and a Master’s of Finance from Fairfield University. Previously, he was with Web.com as Vice President Financial Reporting for two years and Rayonier Inc. as Vice President Corporate Controller for 15 years, both in Jacksonville. He and his wife, Kitty, have lived in the Jacksonville area sinc 2002, and the couple has two children and four grandchildren. Joe’s mother, Tina also lives in Ponte Vedra and attends SJPII.
Phone: (904) 330.0153 ext. #115
Email: bookkeeper@nocateecatholic.com
Sharon Bohres, Parish Coordinator
Sharon attended Barry University for her degrees in the fields of Sports Medicine and Biomechanics. However, once she and her husband, Paul, had their family, Mia and identical twins, Evan and Luke, she put her career aside. Over time, Sharon felt a strong pull to serve in some capacity at church. Parishioners at SJPII since 2016, Sharon joined the staff in August 2022. Her responsibilities include guiding and developing our many ministries, coordinating events & facilities, and managing the purchasing for our parish groups & activities. It has become her belief, that in the building of the community that we bring Jesus close, to ourselves and to others.
Phone: (904) 330.0153 ext. #110
Email: coordinator@nocateecatholic.com
Gus Carlson, Maintenance Coordinator
Gus is a retired law enforcement officer, spending 33 years with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office working in several areas such as patrol, community policing, school resource, crime prevention, domestic abuse and police academy. After retiring as a Sergeant he worked at the University of North Florida Police Department for ten years.
Gus has worked in many different volunteer capacities at St. John Paul II, including his current role overseeing maintenance at all parish facilities.
Gus was married for 31 years to his wife, the late Jackie Carlson, and the couple had two children. He is a fourth degree member of the St. John Paul II Knights of Columbus, and serves as an usher and Eucharistic minister.
Lenten Penance Service