January 13, 2008

The Baptism of the Lord

Sisters and brothers, today the Christmas season draws to a close. Our eyes are once again focused on the one sent to redeem us, Jesus the beloved Son of God. As this Mass begins, let us recognize that, through the sacrament of baptism, we have been united to Christ, in whom is all our hope.

MASS SCHEDULE

Jan.    12        4:30PM        Christopher Nicholas………………….By Family

Jan.    13      10:00AM        Josephine Volpe…………………….…By Family

Jan.    17      12:15PM        Novena to the Miraculous Medal

Jan.    19       4:30PM         Agnes Piotrowski……………….Jim & Linda Plotnik

Jan.    20      10:00AM        People of St. John’s Parish

                                            

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS                                           

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

01/19:   S. Abeel, C. Kiszkiel & B. Abeel                      01/20:    D. Duggan, J. Rey & M. Seider

               

COMMENTATOR & LECTOR

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

01/19:   L. Lucas & M. Burger                                        01/20:   J. Carosella & M. Perrella

               

ACOLYTES

01/13:  Rachel, Christine & Michael Natalie                   01/20:  Mattias & Vitas Carosella

 

REST IN PEACE - Please pray for Agnes Piotrowski and her family.  Agnes went to her eternal rest on January 6th.  Her funeral was held in our church on January 10th.

 

ACOLYTE MEETING –We have rescheduled the Acolyte meeting for this 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. 

 

ALTAR FLOWERS – As we close the Christmas Season, we invite all parishioners to take one of the Poinsettia plants that are in the front entrance.

 

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:

* 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.

Additional copies of the Evangelist containing the entry form are located in the front entrance of the church.

 

OFFERTORY ENVELOPE USERS – If you are an envelope user and need a statement of your 2007 contributions for tax purposes, please complete a request form.  Forms are located in the front entrance of the church.  Contribution statements are being done here and not by the company that had done them in previous years. 

 

SICM and Sacred Heart/St. Columba FOOD PANTRY - is having their annual fund drive, SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY.   Donations may be placed in the cans near the front entrance of the church.  The monies raised in this drive are used by the pantries to help the needy of Schenectady County.     

 

                                                 

SCHOOL OF RELIGION –Classes are scheduled for January 13th.  NO CLASS on Jan. 20th (Martin Luther King holiday). Class resumes January 27th.   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.

 

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. 

 

HOLY HOUR FOR LIFE – Sunday Jan. 20th at St. Anthony’s Church from 2PM to 3PM. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the Holy Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Meditation.  All are welcome.  For more information call Carol 346-6721 or Jan 377-9702.

 

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land – Fr. Tony Childs, Associate Pastor at St. Ambrose Church, Latham, NY and Christopher Cross, KHS are planning a 10 day  pilgrimage to the Holy Land March 2-13, 2008.  Total price $2,390.  This includes round trip air from JFK, hotel, breakfast, lunch, and dinner and entrance fees. Visit all the holy sites and celebrate Mass daily as we visit Jerusalem, Nazareth, Bethlehem, Sea of Galilee, Jordan River, Cana, Mt. Tabor and much more. Think about being in the Holy Land during Lent.   Call Christopher Cross, KHS at 888-727-5881 for a registration form or visit the web site www.catholicholyland.com for a detailed itinerary and/or a registration form.  You will get a chance to walk where Jesus walked.  There are still a few seats left.

MEETING DATES

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 Bible Study 11:00 AM in the Parish Center

 

OFFERTORY COLLECTION:  The offertory collection for the weekend of 01/06/08 was $1,818.00.   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:  THE FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
". . . and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon Him."

"I need to be 'confirmed' [like Jesus] in my vocation by the Spirit... This ordains me to be the person I am and to have the particular place and function I have [as a son or daughter of God], to be myself in the sense of choosing to tend toward what God wants me to be, and to orient my whole life to being the person He loves.
Thomas Merton. Dancing in the Water of Life. Journals, Volume 5. Robert E. Daggy, editor. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1997: 334

 

         

 

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