March 11, 2007

Third Sunday of Lent

Sisters and brothers, we gather in this holy place beneath the mantle of God’s kindness and mercy. Our Lenten journey of conversion continues as we are fed at the tables of the word and Eucharist. With repentant hearts we lift our voices in prayer and praise.

MASS SCHEDULE

Mar.    10       4:30PM      Chris Nicholas……………..Friend

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

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

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

Mar.    17       4:30PM      Lewis MacNeil…………..By Wife Susan

Mar.    18     10:00AM     Silvio Tremante…….……..Joseph & Vivian Zingoni

                                             

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS                                           

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

03/17:   E. Feuerstein & C. Kiskiel                 03/18:   L. Zautner, C. Greene & D. Lessard

                                                                               

COMMENTATOR & LECTOR

03/10:   E. Feuerstein & B. Nicolella                              03/11:   R. Natalie & B. Mazur

03/17:   C. Kiskiel                                                              03/18:   M. Perrella & C. Hajjar

               

ACOLYTES

03/11:  Vitas and Mattias Carosella                                   03/18:  Emi Carosella & Catherine Hadcock

 

 

EASTER MEMORIALS –All donations will be used for altar adornments during the Palm Sunday/Holy Week/Easter season.  Envelopes are located in the front entrance of the church

 

LENTEN FOOD DRIVE–we are collecting donations of non-perishable food items for the Food Pantry at Sacred Heart/St. Columba.  Baskets are located near the baptismal font for your donations.  Your generosity is appreciated.

 

HOLY THURSDAY--AT LEAST 12 HELPERS NEEDED – FROM AMONG EVERY MINISTRY (PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS, LECTORS, ACOLYTES, MUSICIANS ETC) for Holy Thursday to have their feet washed during the Liturgy.  We also    need PARISHIONERS WILLING to remain for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the church after mass.  PLEASE sign up for ONE OR BOTH ON THE SHEETS PROVIDED AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE church. 

 

PALM BRAIDING – We will be offering Palm Braiding on Palm Sunday April 1, following the 10 AM liturgy from 11 AM-12 PM in the Parish Center.

 

EASTER EGG HUNT – we will have our traditional Easter Egg hunt after the 10AM Liturgy on Easter Sunday.  Donations of wrapped candy would be appreciated.  Baskets are located in the front entrance of the church.

 

LENTEN SERIES “LAND AND WORD” –will be presented following the 10AM mass in the Parish Center, the next two Sundays, March 11th, & 18th.  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 second week will cover “The Faith of Jesus.”   Presented by our own Catherine Greene.

 

POT LUCK & PRAYERS - A LENTEN OPPORTUNITY!   WHEN:  March 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.

DRIP . . . DRIP . . .DRIP:  Our "RAISE THE ROOF" collections have slowed to slightly less than a trickle.  This is not a whine, not a complaint, not a scolding.  We have all done too well in our efforts for that.  BUT we haven't yet reached our $20k goal.  Your Parish Council is hoping for a GUSH to the GOAL!  Do all you can,  a “Raise the Roof” envelope has been provided for this purpose.    Thanks, walt chura, s.f.o.

 

FOLK GROUP – The practice schedule for the month of March is as follows:  March  11th  & 18th. – 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.

 

SCHOOL OF RELIGION –Classes are scheduled for March 11th, 18th & 25th.  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.”

 

STATIONS OF THE CROSS, THROUGH MARY’S EYES – This beautiful and moving Stations of the Cross will be held on Fri. March 23rd at 7PM in St. Josephs Church, 1st Street, Scotia.

 

ANNUAL TAG SALE – The Schenectady Business and Professional Women’s Club will have their annual tag sale on Sat. March 31 from 9-2PM.  The sale will be held at the Schenectady Veterans of WWII – Korea and Vietnam Club at 718 Union St (just before Gleason’s Funeral Home).   Clothing, household goods, fresh baked goods, etc. will be for sale.

 

MEETING DATES

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

 

OFFERTORY COLLECTION:  The offertory collection for the weekend of 3/04/07 was $2,280.00.    Needed to meet weekly expenses is $2,000.00. “The sacrificial giver will take the risks but reap the greatest benefits.”

 

 

                           

 

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 11, 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
 
 

 

 

 

 

 


3rd Sunday of Lent

SEDER MEAL

 

The Passover Seder Meal and the Christian Eucharist are both memorial celebrations.  At the Passover meal, Jewish families tell the story of being freed from bondage, and liberated from Egypt.  As Christians we remember that it was at a Passover meal that Jesus gave us the Eucharist and spoke the words, “Do this in memory of me.”  In both rituals Eucharist and Passover – we “remember” and experience God’s ongoing love.  I hope you will join us on Sunday April 1st at 4:00PM at the Ancient Order of Hibernians for this memorial celebration meal.

 

A meal will be provided with a choice of Roast Lamb, Turkey Breast or a vegetarian dish. Please sign up as soon as possible.  Thank you for your favorable response thus far.

Volunteers are needed to bake desserts.  If you wish to bake, please indicate this on the sign up sheet.

 

PALM SUNDAY/HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

STATIONS OF THE CROSS Friday March 30th 7:00 PM

PALM SUNDAY         10:00AM  Mass will be preceded by Blessing of        the Palms

COMMUNAL PENANCE SERVICE Tuesday April 3rd 7:00 PM

HOLY THURSDAY    7:00 PM

GOOD FRIDAY                   7:00 PM

EASTER VIGIL           8:00 PM

 

 

LENTEN MEDITATION: WEEK THREE

Resistance against the Axis of Evil:  Weapons of the Spirit

"It is certainly true that all through the Bible we find what we might
call the groundwork of a theology of liberation and resistance, even in
the historical situation of the Jews and of the first Christians.  The
'People of God' to whom the message of liberty is directed is, in fact,
a small nation or a minority in exile, constantly called upon to resist
the massive power of invaders and oppressors, but to do so in a special
way:  trusting not in alliances with the big political powers but in
hidden, seemingly hazardous, but really firm promises of God."

(Thomas Merton, OPENING THE BIBLE, page 50)