March 25, 2007

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Sisters and brothers, as repentant sinners, we are gathered together by the Holy Spirit in this place of healing and reconciliation. As Easter begins to draw near, let us open our hearts to the saving action of our God in this celebration. Let us be unafraid to come before the Lord with our sinfulness and ask for forgiveness. We lift heart and voice in praise of our God who offers us this great gift.

MASS SCHEDULE

Mar.    24       4:30PM      Albert & Sadie Adach & Sons…………By Family

                                           Adam Lubrant…………………………..By Family

Mar.    25     10:00AM     Silvio Tremante (months mind)….……..Rick & Gert Johnson

                                           Janis Saulnier………………………………By Family

Mar.    29     12:15PM      Novena to the Miraculous Medal

Mar.    31       4:30PM      Stella Pintavalle……………….Gloria Marshall

Apr.     01     10:00AM     People of St. John’s Parish

                                              

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS                                           

03/24:   A. Lotano & T. Lotano                        03/25:   C. Mastan, D. Duggan & L. Lucas

03/31:   S. Abeel & R. Abeel                            04/01:   M. King, A. Welch & S. Hedman

                                                                               

COMMENTATOR & LECTOR

03/24:   B. Nicolella                                                            03/25:   J. Scheib & C. Greene

03/31:   E. Feuerstein & C. Kiskiel                 04/01:   J. Carosella & W. Chura

               

ACOLYTES

03/25:  Justin and Carli Aragosa                                        04/01:  Palm Sunday - TBD

 

TOWN MEETING – Our next town meeting will be held in the church, on Sunday March 25th following the 10:00 AM mass.  Topics of discussion will include; Called to be Church (Pastoral Planning), changes in our Religious Ed program and Stewardship.  All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

 

TIME, TALENT & TREASURE – Please take a moment to complete the Time, Talent & Treasure form enclosed in your bulletin.  Additional forms can be obtained in the front entrance of the church.  Completed forms may be placed in the offertory baskets or given to one of our ushers.

 

Communal Penance Service:  The word "penance" really means "turning around."  Please gather with your Parish on Tuesday, April 3 at 7 p.m. to celebrate the conversion process you have embraced during this Lent.  We will pray together and listen together for God's Word of reconciliation and healing of all the brokenness in our lives and celebrate God's infinite Mercy and Compassion.  Private confession will be available for all who wish it.

 

PRAYER & WORSHIP - Triduum Music; We have been informed that the Folk Group Music Ministry, unfortunately, has too few members available to provide music for the Easter Vigil.  We will miss their gifted ministry for this greatest of Feasts, but will appreciate their gifts at the other Triduum services.

 

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.

 

 

POT LUCK & PRAYERS - A LENTEN OPPORTUNITY!   WHEN:  March 28TH 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.

 

Spring/Summer Clothing Sale, Saturday, April 28th 9-2. - For this sale we will collect Spring and Summer clothing only. Please do not send in your fall/winter clothing at this time. Clothing can be brought now.   Sorting will begin April 16th.

 

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.  We currently have $17,332!  Your Parish Council is hoping for a GUSH to the GOAL!   Thanks, walt chura, s.f.o.

 

SCHOOL OF RELIGION –Classes are scheduled for March 25th & April 1st.  NO CLASSES April 8th & 15th - Easter/Spring Recess.  

 

MEETING DATES

MONDAY April 9th  Parish Council 6:45PM in the Parish Center

 

OFFERTORY COLLECTION:  The offertory collection for the weekend of 3/18/07 was $1,824.00.    Needed to meet weekly expenses is $2,000.00. “It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35

 

 

 

                           

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

 

5th 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

EASTER SUNDAY    10:00 AM

 

 

LENTEN MEDITATION: Week Five

Perpetual Conversion:  Sacrifice, Openness, Humility and FORGIVENESS.

Christ will not be visible to the world in His Church except in
proportion as Christians seek peace and unity with one another and with all . . .  . But since conflict is inevitable, unity cannot be maintained except in great difficulty, with constantly renewed sacrifice, with lucid honest, openness, humility, the readiness to ask forgiveness and to forgive.  Christian life is a perpetual conversion, a turning to God and to the Church of pardon."
(Thomas Merton, SEASONS OF CELEBRATION, pages 216-217)