February 24, 2008

Third Sunday of Lent

Sisters and brothers, today the Church draws us to the Lord Jesus, the wellspring of living water. And today throughout the world the Church celebrates the first scrutiny with those who are preparing for baptism at Easter. A scrutiny is a special rite that uncovers and heals all that is sinful, and brings out and strengthens all that is good. All of us, whether we are preparing for baptism or have been a baptized Catholic for many years, are in need of healing and reconciliation. Like the Samaritan woman at the well, we thirst for the life-giving waters that only our Lord Jesus can provide.

MASS SCHEDULE

Feb.    23       4:30PM         Sonny Tremante (1st Anniv.)..By Wife Barbara, Patsy & Patty

Feb.    24     10:00AM        People of St. John’s Parish

Feb.    28      12:15PM        Novena to the Miraculous Medal

Mar.   01       4:30PM         Agnes Piotrowski……………..Betty Beranek

Mar.   02     10:00AM        People of St. John’s Parish

 

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS                                  

02/23: S. Abeel, B. Abeel & M. Burger                    02/24:  L. Lucas, D. Duggan & L. Zautner

03/01: B. Cummings, C. Kiszkiel & E. Feuerstein   03/02:  M. Perrella, C. Mastan & S. Hedman

           

COMMENTATOR & LECTOR

02/23:   M. Burger & B. Nicolella                 02/24:   D. Holodak & G. Holodak

03/01:   C. Kiskiel                                          03/02:   T. Burke & W. Chura

 

ACOLYTES

02/24:  Mattias & Vitas Carosella                 03/02:  Mikayla Thomas

 

COUNTERS

02/24:  Formichelli & Adams                         03/02:  Welch & Maye

 

GET WELL SOON – Last Tuesday Fr. Mike fell and broke his leg in two places, which required surgery.  It is estimated Fr. Mike will need about 8 weeks to recover.  Get well wishes may be sent to:  Fr. Michael Schmitt, C/O St. Paul’s Rectory, 2777 Albany St., Schdy, NY 12304

WELCOME BACK – Fr. Alan Jupin will be covering our parish while Fr. Mike is recovering.  Fr. Jupin was Pastor at St. John’s for many years.  Please extend a warm welcome back to him!

 

SEDER MEAL – You are invited to celebrate our Traditional Family Seder on Sunday March 16th at 4PM in the Hibernian Hall on upper State St.  A meal will  be served with a choice of Roast Lamb, Turkey Breast or a Vegetarian dish.  Adults $8.00, children (under 10) $3.00.   There is a sign up sheet at the front entrance of the church.    We hope many of you will join us as we trace The Night of the Passover.

 

EASTER FLOWER MEMORIALS –We are now accepting memorial donations for the Palm Sunday/Holy Week/Easter Season. Envelopes are located in the front entrance of the church.  If you would like to make a contribution in memory of a loved one, please print this information clearly on the envelope. Completed envelopes may be placed in the offertory baskets or mailed to the rectory.  Please submit all envelopes by March 16th for inclusion in our Easter Memorial.   All donations will be used for altar decorations for the Lenten/Easter Season. 

 

SCHEDULES FOR COMMENTATORS, LECTORS AND EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS - is being finalized for the months of April, May and June.  IF THERE ARE ANY DATES DURING THIS PERIOD WHEN YOU DO NOT WISH TO BE SCHEDULED, NOTIFY MAUREEN BURGER ASAP.  ABSOLUTE DEADLINE FOR NOTIFYING MAUREEN IS FEBRUARY 28.  IF YOU DO NOT NOTIFY MAUREEN BY THEN AND ARE SCHEDULED, YOU MUST GET YOUR OWN SUBSTITUTE.

 

HOLY WEEK MINISTERS NEEDED:
1) People willing to have their feet washed AT HOLY THURSDAY LITURGY.  Sign up in back of Church.  Young adults welcome.
2) Passion Readers for Palm Sunday weekend, Sat. and Sun.  See Walt Chura or e-mail waltchura_sfo@yahoo.com.
3) People (preferable two at a time) willing to keep Vigil for 30 min. to 1 hour before the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday night between the end of the liturgy and 10:p.m.  Young adults, with parental consent and an accompanying mature adult, is especially welcome.   Sign up in back of Church.

 

ACOLYTES – We need acolytes to serve for the following: Holy Thursday (March 20th) @ 7PM, Good Friday (March 21st) @ 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.

OPERATION RICE BOWL –Rice Bowls can be found at both entrances of the church. Operation Rice Bowl is the official Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services, and calls Catholics in the United States to reach out in solidarity with the poor around the world through the traditional Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, learning, and giving. By participating in these four activities, we come to understand our call to be a part of one global community.

                                    

SCHOOL OF RELIGION – NO CLASSES February 24th (Winter Recess).  Class resumes March 2nd and continues March 9th, and 16th.  NO CLASS March 23rd (Easter Sunday).

 

The Women’s Commission of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany will be sponsoring their 6th Annual Prayer Service “Women Saying Yes to God” on Sat. April 12th 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 4th.

 

CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES COLLECTION – will be taken up next Sunday.  This collection makes possible the mission of the Catholic Church to combat poverty, provide relief and development, and advocate for justice and peace in situations of conflict and neglect of basic human rights throughout the world.  Please help by giving to the Collection next Sunday.

MEETING DATES

THURSDAY February 28th Bible Study 11:00 AM in the Parish Center

MONDAY March 10th Parish Council 6:45PM in the Parish Center

 

OFFERTORY COLLECTION:    The offertory collection for the weekend of 02/17/08 was $1,372.00. Needed to meet weekly expenses is $2,000.00. “The sacrificial giver will face the challenge of taking risks.”

 

                          MEDITATION: THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
                                              Worship in Spirit and in Truth
"The most important, the most real, and lasting work of ... Christian[s] is
accomplished in the depths of [their] own soul[s].  It cannot be seen by
anyone, even by [oneself]. It is known only to God.  This work is not so
much a matter of fidelity to visible and general standards, . . .  [as by]
the interior, anguished, almost desperately solitary act by which we
affirm our total subjection to God by grasping his word and his
revelation of his will in the inmost depths of our being, as well as in
obedience to the authority constituted by him."
Tom Merton, LIFE AND HOLINESS,  page 56)

 

 

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