February 3, 2008

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Holy Spirit has gathered us together to listen to holy words that have the power to transform even the hardest of hearts. Today we are called to be poor in spirit, merciful, and bearers of God’s peace and justice. As we begin the celebration of this Mass, let us remember that what we do here can never remain here. We must go forth from this place to bring the Good News to a hungry world. And for this we ask God for strength and sustenance.

.MASS SCHEDULE

Feb. 02 4:30PM People of St. John’s Parish

Feb. 03 10:00AM John & Rafaella DeMatteo……………..By Family

Guy DiCerbo…………………..Mark, Anita & Mark Paul

Feb. 07 12:15PM Novena to the Miraculous Medal

Feb. 09 4:30PM Michael Marshall…………….Aunt Gloria

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

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

02/02:   M. Burger, S. Abeel & B. Abeel 02/03:  C. Mastan, D. Alvarado & J. Rey

02/09:   B. Cummings, C. Kiszkiel & E. Feuerstein 02/10:  M. Perrella, M. King & M. Sieder

COMMENTATOR & LECTOR

02/02:   B. Cummings & M. Burger 02/03:   J. Carosella & M. Perrella

02/09:   B. Nicolella & M. Burger 02/10:   J. Scheib & YOUTH

ACOLYTES

02/03: Mark DiCerbo, Emi Carosella & Maca 02/10: Justin & Carli Aragosa

COUNTERS

02/03: Welch & Maye 02/10: B & M Maddelone

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

TOWN MEETING – Our next Town Meeting is scheduled for this Sunday February 3rd from 11AM-12PM in the church. A light lunch will be provided. We will be discussing the current status of the “Called to be Church” planning process. WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK! All are encouraged to attend.

ACOLYTES – We need acolytes to serve for the following: Ash Weds. (Feb. 6^th) @ 5:30PM, Holy Thursday (March 20^th) @ 7PM, Good Friday (March 21^st) @ 7PM and Easter Vigil (March 22) @ 7:30PM. If you are available for any of these services, please contact Mark DiCerbo or Mark Perrella as soon as possible.

PARISH OFFICE – I will be out of the office Feb. 4^TH through Feb. 12^th. Eileen Mazur

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 February 3^rd & 10^th. NO CLASSES February 17^th & 24^th (Winter Recess). Class resumes March 2^nd. 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.

SALVATION ARMY SOUP KITCHEN – On January 18^th we served 130 meals! Our next date to serve is February 22^nd.

The Women’ Commission of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany will be sponsoring their 6^th Annual Prayer Service “Women Saying Yes to God” on Sat. April 12^th from 2-4PM at St. Stanislaus Church, Amsterdam. This service will acknowledge the women who have served their community as they have been called and been able. If you would like to have a woman from St. John’s acknowledged, please indicate this on the form located in the front entrance of the church. Please nominate before March 4^th.

THE SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF MARTYRS – has posted two upcoming events. Sat. Feb 16^th from 10AM – 2:30PM a Mini-Retreat “Make Your Own Kind of Music: Renewal of the Spirit through Poetry and Music.” Sat. March 1^st from 6:30-9PM “An Evening of Praise & Worship.” For more information on either of these events call 853-3033 ext. 233.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES – is in need of used cars for their “Wheels for Work Program.” The donated cars must be less than 11 years old, have less than 150,000 miles and be able to pass NYS inspection (for less than $1,000.00 of repairs). Contact the Wheels for Work office at 346-3861 for more information.

MEETING DATES

THURSDAY February 7^th 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 01/27/08 was $1,358.00. Needed to meet weekly expenses is $2,000.00. "The sacrificial giver will be asked to honor God when it is irrational" Job 1.20-22

MEDITATION: 4TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
BEATITUDE
 As significant as the Ten Commandments are, Jesus, or at least Matthew and Luke, put emphasis on a different list.   In Matthew's account of the Gospel, Jesus is portrayed as a new "Moses."  In the Sermon on the Mount we have the essence of the New Law, the law of love.  In the Beatitudes, we have Jesus' "priority list," his "nine promises."  The Beatitudes are not a list of "thou shalts" and "shalt nots."  Instead, Jesus gives us a picture of those who ARE BLESSED, those, by implication, who  will be filled with Divine Life, and therefore, will be HAPPY:  Those who would just as soon be poor; those who bear the grief of loss; those Paul calls the (seemingly) weak of the world (who shame the strong); those who yearn in their deepest heart to be true to God's good will for all; those whose hearts are clear of distractions from God's Holy Presence in all; those who not only desire peace but who, embracing the grace of God, risk making manifest the SHALOM (tranquility, serenity, harmony and justice) of God; and, finally those who, in the Name of Jesus the Christ, do not shrink from living and proclaiming the merciful, loving, universal Divine Will in the face of persecution.
By Faith, that is by trust, in the Divine Giver of Life, in the Divine Word Incarnate and in the power of the Divine Spirit of  Holiness will we "rejoice and be glad" in this life and confident that our "reward will be great in heaven."   

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