January 6, 2008

The Epiphany of the Lord

Brothers and sisters, we have been summoned by the Holy Spirit to this holy place where the glory of the Lord shines upon us. Today we celebrate the manifestation of Christ to all the world. With wonder and awe at so great a gift, we begin this Mass with hearts filled with praise and thanksgiving.

MASS SCHEDULE

Jan.    05        4:30PM        Bill Marshall………….……By Wife Gloria

Jan.    06      10:00AM        George T. Bright……..…....By Son George & Family

                                             John & Rafaella DeMatteo…….By Family

Jan.    10      12:15PM        Novena to the Miraculous Medal

Jan.    12        4:30PM        Deceased Parishioners of St. John’s

Jan.    13      10:00AM        People of St. John’s Parish

                                            

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS                                           

01/05:   M. Burger, T. Lotano & A. Lotano    01/06:    C. Rogowicz, T. Burke & C. Rogowicz

01/12:   B. Cummings, C. Greene & E. Feuerstein      01/13:    A. Welch, D. Alvarado & L. Zautner

               

COMMENTATOR & LECTOR

01/05:   B. Nicolella & C. Greene                                    01/06:   C. Hajjar & J. Scheib

01/12:   M. Burger & C. Kiszkiel                                   01/13:   D. Holodak & G. Holodak

               

ACOLYTES

01/06:  Mark DiCerbo & Emi Carosella & Maca

 

ACOLYTE MEETING –We have rescheduled the Acolyte meeting for Sunday January 13th following the 10 AM mass in the church.  We welcome anyone who is interested in becoming an acolyte as well as our current acolytes. 

 

LITURGY PLANNING MEETING - The next meeting of the Liturgy Planning Ministry will be held on Thursday, January 10, from 6:30-8:00n p.m. in the Parish Center.  Anyone who directs a Liturgical Ministry is required to attend. All liturgical ministers are encouraged to attend.  All parishioners are welcome to attend.  Agenda items should be e-mailed to wwchura@yahoo.com.  Light refreshments will be served as we celebrate the close of the Season of Christmas.

 

PAPAL VISIT - Pope Benedict XVI is coming to New York City next April and will celebrate Mass in Yankee Stadium on April 20. Bishop Hubbard has asked The Evangelist to oversee the distribution of the very limited number of tickets that will be available to the Albany Diocese (estimate: 400-500). The details provided so far by the Archdiocese of New York are:

* The Mass will be in the afternoon;

* Buses will be arranged through the Archdiocese;

* All those in attendance will be required to provide photo IDs and pass background checks;

* Tickets will be non-transferable due to security concerns (WARNING: tickets being sold on-line or through brokers are bogus.)

When we know more, we will print details in The Evangelist. But we do know this much:

* In an upcoming issue, The Evangelist will print an entry form for a random drawing for tickets to the Mass;

* The deadline for return of the forms will be strictly adhered to due to the tight schedule necessitated by the security checks;

* A random drawing will be held to determine who will receive tickets to the Mass.

* Tickets to the Mass are free; there will be costs associated with transportation etc.

Watch for more details in future issues of The Evangelist.

 

SCHOOL OF RELIGION –Classes are scheduled for January 6thand 13th.  NO CLASS on Jan. 20th (Martin Luther King holiday).  In case of inclement weather and the possibility of cancellation exists, please tune in to your local radio/TV station.  We are listed as St. John the Baptist, Schenectady.

 

ST. CLARE’S BLOOD DRIVE – will be held on Weds. Jan. 9th from 9AM to 3PM.  Please contact the volunteer services office at 347-5123 to schedule an appointment.

 

 

ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING JR CELEBRATION- will be held on Sunday January 20th beginning at 2PM with a march in Veterans Park followed by the Annual Program at 2:30PM at First United Methodist Church. 

 

CHRISTMAS AT ST. JOHN'S - Thank you to all who made our Christmas celebration special. Thanks to Mark & Anita DiCerbo, Mark DiCerbo, Jr., Fred Simone and Mark Perrella who made our altar look just beautiful.  Christmas Eve liturgy at 4:30 was a full house.  Thanks to St. Paul the Apostle Folk Group who provided us with wonderful uplifting music at our 4:30 liturgy and our St John the Baptist folk group who provided joyous music at the  Christmas Day liturgy.  Thank you also to ushers, acolytes, commentators, lectors and Eucharistic Ministers.  We are most fortunate to have such faithful people in our parish life

 

COOKIE WALK – Many thanks to all the bakers, helpers and youth that decorated the coffee cans!  The raffle winners were:  $300.00 Margaret Ostrom, $200.00 Joe Duffy,

& $100.00 C. Rogowicz.  Our total proceeds from raffle tickets, baked goods and crafts was $1,834.00.

MEETING DATES

THURSDAY January 10th Bible Study 11:00 AM in the Parish Center

THURSDAY January 10th Liturgy Committee 6:30PM in the Parish Center

SUNDAY January 13th Acolyte Mtg. 11:00AM in the Church (Rescheduled date)

MONDAY January 14th Parish Council 6:45PM in the Parish Center

THURSDAY January 17th LPG4 6:30PM in the Parish Center

 

OFFERTORY COLLECTION:  The offertory collection for the masses of 12/24 &12/25 was $2,368.00. The offertory collection for the weekend of 12/30/07 was $2,221.00.   Needed to meet weekly expenses is $2,000.00.   Giving out of your abundance is an act of thanksgiving, but giving out of your need is an act of faith.

 

                                              MEDITATION:  EPIPHANY
"This feast is about "manifestation," revelation, unveiling.  Though we spread them out to three separate Sundays now, the liturgical meaning of this feast is a celebration of Divine Manifestation itself:  Not only of the manifestation of the Christ to the Gentiles (Magi), but also to those Jews who witness Jesus' Baptism by John in the Jordan, when the voice of God and the Spirit of Holiness, in the form of a descending dove, manifest Jesus’ Divine Sonship and his Messiahship (that is, his vocation as the Anointed One).   The final manifestation of the Feast is in Jesus' first Sign, as John's Gospel calls it, at the wedding feast at Cana.   

 

              

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Schenectady’s Historic Church   

Over 175 Years of Worship and Service

 

 

Rev. Michael T. Schmitt – Sacramental Minister

 Administrative Assistant –Eileen Mazur

Parish Office Hours 8:30AM-2:30PM Monday through Thursday 374-9148 Closed Friday

Parish Center Email: sjb@albany.net Web Site:  www.albany.net/~sjb/

Saturday Mass taped for Channel 16 – Shown: Sunday 2 PM & Monday 2 PM

           

St. John the Baptist Mission Statement

Dedicated to Celebrating Christ’s Love in

Worship, Works of Charity and Fellowship