January 20, 2008

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today we begin Ordinary Time, a rather short three-Sunday stretch that will bring us to the threshold of another Lenten season. Our Gospel picks up where last week’s left off. In a real way, today is a continuation of Epiphany; for once again we have testimony about the manifestation of Jesus as Lord. John the Baptist announces that Jesus is the Lamb of God. Gathered together as people redeemed through the blood of the Lamb, we are filled with praise and gratitude.

 

MASS SCHEDULE

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

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

Jan.    24      12:15PM        Novena to the Miraculous Medal

Jan.    26       4:30PM         Elizabeth Delafano……………….Betty, Mike & Michael

Jan.    27     10:00AM        People of St. John’s Parish

                                             

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS                                  

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

01/26:   L. Lucas, C. Glover & G. Glover                 01/27:    B. White, S. Hedman & R. White

           

COMMENTATOR & LECTOR

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

01/26:   B. Nicolella & B. Nicolella                01/27:   T. Burke & W. Chura

           

ACOLYTES

01/20:  Mattias & Vitas Carosella                             01/27:  Mikayla Thomas & Catherine Hadcock

 

COUNTERS

01/20:  Bellinger & Lucas                                          01/27:  Formichelli & Adams

 

 

ASH WEDNESDAY - FEBRUARY 6TH     5:30 PM Liturgy w/distribution of Ashes

 

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. 

 

THE PARISH OFFICE – will be closed on Monday January 21st in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

 

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 –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. 

 

 

ELLIS HOSPITAL – is in need of volunteers to support their “Heart Pillow Program.” These pillows help post surgical patients by supporting the surgical site and reduce pain.  All supplies to make the pillows are provided by Ellis Hospital.  For more information contact

Chris at 243-4009.

 

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

THURSDAY January 24th Bible Study 11:00 AM in the Parish Center

MONDAY February 11th Parish Council 6:45PM in the Parish Center

 

OFFERTORY COLLECTION:  The offertory collection for the weekend of 01/13/08 was $2,231.00.   Needed to meet weekly expenses is $2,000.00.   By sharing our money with others, rather than hoarding it and holding it with clenched fists, we acknowledge that what we have really belongs to God.

 

            MEDITATION:  SECOND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME
"To you who have been sanctified in Christ, called to be holy . . ." (from today's Epistle)
 "Our glory and our hope--We are the Body of Christ. Christ loves us and espouses us as His own flesh. Isn't that enough for us? But we do not really believe it. No! Be content, be content. We are the Body of Christ. We have found Him, He has found us. We are in Him, He is in us. There is nothing further to look for except for the deepening of this life we already possess. Be content."
Thomas Merton. A Search for Solitude. Edited by Lawrence S. Cunningham (San Francisco, HarperSanFrancisco, 1996): 70

 

 

 

   

 

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