March 4, 2007

Second Sunday of Lent

Sisters and brothers, the Holy Spirit calls us today to the holy mountain of the Transfiguration. The light of the Transfiguration shines forth as a beacon, drawing us ever deeper into the conversion journey of Lent. This day gives us hope in the promise of resurrected glory with Christ

at the end of time. As this holy season continues to unfold, let us keep our eyes fixed on the Lord as he is transfigured before the eyes of Peter, James, and John.

MASS SCHEDULE

Mar. 03 4:30PM Amadeo Volpe……………………By Wife

Mar. 04 10:00AM Silvio Tremante……………….Carm Loffredo

John & Raffaela DeMatteo……By Family

Mar. 08 12:15PM Novena to the Miraculous Medal

Mar. 10 4:30PM People of St. John’s Parish

Mar. 11 10:00AM Martin & Grace Maddelone….Betty, Mike & Michael

Angie Brucher…………………Betty, Mike & Michael

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

03/03:   A. Lotano & T. Lotano 03/04:   M. Sieder, C. Mastan & D. Alvarado

03/10:   S. Abeel & B. Abeel 03/11:   C. Rogowicz, C. Rogowicz & J. Rey

COMMENTATOR & LECTOR

03/03:   L. Lucas & C. Kiskiel 03/04:   C. Greene & D. Holodak

03/10:   E. Feuerstein & B. Nicolella 03/11:   Youth

ACOLYTES

03/04: Brittany Mazur and Mikayla Thomas 03/11: Vitas and Mattias Carosella

REST IN PEACE – Please pray for Silvio Tremante and his family. Silvio went to his eternal rest on February 23^rd. His funeral was held in our church on February 27^th.

LENT

COMMUNAL PENANCE SERVICE (with private confession for those who wish) will be held on TUESDAY APRIL 3^RD AT 7:00PM

LENTEN SERIES “LAND AND WORD” –will be presented following the 10AM mass in the Parish Center, on three Sundays in March (4^th, 11^th, &18^th). We will reflect deeply on the meaning of the term, “to follow Jesus, “Son of Man,” who lived and died as a human being. His ministry was first of all to the Jews. Walk with us through the Holy Land, listen to stories of God’s interaction with his people and see Jesus in a new way. Our first week will cover “Ancient Paths.” Presented by our own Catherine Greene.

POT LUCK & PRAYERS - A LENTEN OPPORTUNITY! WHEN: 3/7, 14, 21 & maybe 3/28 6:00PM to 7:30PM in the Parish Center. WHAT: A pot luck supper followed by a short Lenten prayer and meditation and/or sharing. HOW TO PARTICIPATE: Bring something to share, homemade, purchased at a deli or grocery. NO DESSERTS PLEASE. Table settings and beverages will be provided. Questions? Call Lynn Lucas @ 372-7798.

SEDER MEAL - Save the date! We invite all of you to join us to celebrate our traditional family Seder. It will be on Palm Sunday April 1st, at 4:00PM at the Ancient Order of Hibernians, State St., Schdy. A meal will be provided with a choice of Roast Lamb, Turkey Breast or a Vegetarian dish. Cost of the meal will be $8.00 per person. Sign up sheets are near the front entrance of the church. Volunteers are needed to bake desserts, please indicate that on the sheet when you sign up for your meal.

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.

ROOF SLIDE -   Contributions toward our debt repayment to the Diocese have fallen off!.  But we still owe the Diocese almost $4,000.  You have generously brought us four-fifths (4/5), that is 80% of the way!  Please be as generous as you can so our parish can slide out from under that last 1/5 of our debt. walt chura, s.f.o.

FOLK GROUP – The practice schedule for the month of March is as follows: March 4, 11 & 18^th. – Regular practice at 9:15AM in the church. Please note that practices will begin promptly at 9:15AM. Sign up sheets for Palm Sunday/Holy Week/Easter will be posted this Sunday. Please be sure to indicate on the sheets whether or not you will be in attendance on the given dates. Thank you.

Spring/Summer Clothing Sale - We will accept winter Jackets/Coats at this time and will save it for the fall sale. Please do not send in soiled clothing, be sure they are cleaned and labeled (women’s, men’s, boys, or girls).  You can drop them off in the Rectory Mon-Thurs. 8:30 to 2:30.  Spring/Summer clothing drop off begins April 1^st. Volunteers are needed to help sort and work the day of the sale.    Donna Lessard

June 16tH Rummage, BBQ and Bake SALE - Start cleaning out your attics and cellars – Our rummage sale will be here before you know it.  Please be sure your rummage is in good condition, clean, if electronic – in working order etc…  Label your boxes whenever possible. If you’d like to put a price on your items – please do so using masking tape. You can drop off Rummage Sale items anytime Mon-Thurs. 8:30 to 2:30.  For larger items that need to be picked up, call and leave a message at the rectory 374-9148 anytime.  We need a lot of sorters, bakers, and day of sale volunteers!  Be sure to get involved and have some fun. 

Donna Lessard & Fred Simone

SCHOOL OF RELIGION –Classes resume March 4^th and are scheduled for March 11^th, 18^th & 25^th. In case of inclement weather, please tune in to your local radio or TV station to see if class has been cancelled. We are listed as “St. John the Baptist, Schdy.”

SPRING FORWARD – Remember next Sunday March 11^th begins daylight savings time!

HOLY HOUR FOR LIFE – Sunday March 4^th from 3-4PM with Fr. John Medwid at St. Anthony’s Church. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, pro-life scriptural meditation, Holy Rosary and Benediction. Sponsored by the Ava Maria Pro-Life Network. All are welcome. Call Carol 346-6721.

ST. CLARE’S HOSPITAL – is hosting a blood drive on Tues. March 13^th from 8AM- 1PM. Appointments scheduled every 15 minutes. Please contact the Volunteer Office to schedule your appointment or Kleonard@stclares.org.

MEETING DATES

MONDAY March 12^th Parish Council 6:45PM in the Parish Center

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: The offertory collection for the weekend of 2/25/07 was $1,902.00. Needed to meet weekly expenses is $2,000.00.

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

March 4, 2007

St. John the Baptist Mission Statement

Dedicated to Celebrating Christ’s Love in

Worship, Works of Charity and Fellowship

Masses: Saturday 4:30 PM and Sunday 10:00 AM Thursday 12:15 PM Novena to the Miraculous Medal

Sacrament of Reconciliation: by Appointment

Sacrament of Anointing: by Appointment

SEDER MEAL

Our Passover Meal will be Sunday April 1st at 4:00PM in the Ancient Order of Hibernian Hall. The Seder in an ancient ritual meal, a time of family gathering as the story of Passover is retold through the reading of the “Haggadah”. Both the Passover Seder and our Christian Eucharist are steeped in long held traditions and customs. Both are ritual meals with blessings, prayers and set procedures. The unleavened bread and wine we use at Mass, as well as the Psalms we sing were used at Passover meals in Jesus’ day and are used by Jews today. We invite you to join us as we follow this symbolic ritual and discover the Jewish roots of the Eucharist.

A meal will be provided with a choice of Roast Lamb, Turkey Breast or a vegetarian dish. Volunteers are needed to bake desserts. If you wish to bake, please indicate this on the sign up sheet.

We hope to have you join us as we celebrate this feast of freedom. A sign up sheet is in the back of church. Workers welcomed!

LENTEN MEDITATION WEEK TWO:

"Security in the biblical worldview, is an outcome of pursuing [a] more comprehensive vision of shalom. When shalom is established through the pursuit of justice, then true security is found…

Security is a state of being that flows from the inclusion of all in the bounty of the earth."

- Bryan Massingale, from the document, "Fasting from Violence," issued by a group of Catholic religious orders, including the Franciscans of the Holy Name Province (Siena).