May 4, 2008

Seventh Sunday of Easter

Sisters and brothers in the risen Christ, the Holy Spirit forges a bond of charity among us and draws us together as a community of faith. Like the disciples in the early years of the church, we gather in this place to share our faith and to be fed by our generous God. Let us ask God to open our hearts and minds to the power that this Mass holds for each of us. As we look forward to next week’s festival of Pentecost, let us rejoice and be glad, for this is the day that the Lord has made.

MASS SCHEDULE

May 03 4:30PM Joseph Delafano………………….Betty, Mike & Michael

May 04 10:00AM Anthony & Concetta Valentino………By Daughter Mary

John & Rafaella DeMatteo……..…….By Family

May 08 12:15PM Novena to the Miraculous Medal

May 10 4:30PM Lawrence Hebert…………………..By Wife Margaret

Marguerite Ciarmiello…………….By Daughters

May 11 10:00AM Alvah P. & Dorothy McCoy……Nancy Adams & Family &

G. Robert Formichelli

Elizabeth Delafano……..…….….Betty, Mike & Michael

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

05/03: C. Kiskiel & B. Cummings 05/04:  L. Lucas, M. Perrella & A. Welch

05/10: A. Lotano & T. Lotano 05/11:  R. White, B. White & D. Duggan

COMMENTATOR & LECTOR

05/03:   M. Burger 05/04:   T. Burke & C. Greene

05/10:   B. Nicolella 05/11:   D. Holodak & G. Holodak

ACOLYTES

05/04: Mark DiCerbo Jr. 5/11: Pentecost - All

COUNTERS

05/04: B & M Maddelone 05/11: Lucas, Bellinger & Aigner

COUNTERS – The new counters schedule covering the next several months can be picked up in the finance office or copies are also in the usher’s closet.

PARISH MEETING – IMPORTANT! Tuesday May 6^th at 6:30PM in the church. We will be discussing the final reconfiguration of St. John the Baptist in our local planning group. WE NEED YOUR INPUT! All are encouraged to attend or send a representative from your family.

BISHOP’S APPEAL CONTINUES –Thanks to those who have responded. We hope and pray that we will see a big response this weekend. A 1^st report will be submitted May 10^th/11^th. I have a list of companies that will do matching gifts posted on the front glass doors. Check and see if your company participates. Lynn Lucas, Chair

ST JOHN THE BAPTIST – THE FUTURE! – Our next Town Meeting will be held Sat. May 3^rd and Sun. May 4^th following the 4:30PM and 10:00AM masses. The topic of the Town Meetings will be the future of St. John the Baptist. We strongly encourage you to attend either one of these important meetings.

WEAR RED FOR PENTECOST! - The parish Liturgy Planning Committee is hoping you will wear something *boldly red, *symbolizing the fire of the Holy Spirit, for THE SOLEMNITY OF PENTECOST, SATURDAY (VIGIL MASS), MAY 10/SUNDAY, MAY 11.

MOTHER’S DAY, SUNDAY MAY 11^TH – We will be honoring ALL FEMALES in the various stages of motherhood (child, teen, adult and grandmother) at both the Saturday and Sunday masses.

MAY CROWNING - SUNDAY, MAY 4 - before the 10 AM. Mass.  Taylor Barber, who will receive her FIRST HOLY COMMUNION on FATHERS' DAY, JUNE 15, will crown the statue of Our Lady in the grotto in front of the Church (weather permitting).  

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS NEEDED - Do you have a deep devotion to Christ,
"the Bread of Life," present in the Eucharist?  Please consider accepting this call from your parish to become part of this ministry (i.e. service) to your fellow parishioners.  The Lord KNOWS you are not "worthy."  No one is.  But the Lord also KNOWS YOU ARE NEEDED. Call the Parish Office to accept our call for you to serve!  All liturgical ministers will be *commissioned on Sat. /Sun.  May 24-25*, the SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST.

SALVATION ARMY SOUP KITCHEN – Our next date to serve is May 9^th. We will be serving Pizza Casserole. We are in need of cash donations and as always helping hands!

SCHOOL OF RELIGION –Classes are scheduled for: May 4^th, 11^th & 18^th (last class) and closing liturgy at St. Joseph’s.

MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE AT THE CEMETERY -   We are in need of someone to take charge of this annual event, including organizing, planning and executing.  We must presume that we will NOT have a priest available, which necessitates a Eucharistic Minister to preside over a Communion Service or someone to lead a Service of the Word.  TO VOLUNTEER TO TAKE CHARGE OF THIS EVENT, CALL THE PARISH OFFICE: 374-9148.

saturday, MAY 31^ST Rummage SALE We are looking for many people to get involved this year to help make our Rummage Sale a success. Sign up information is located in the back of the church.  We'll need at least 30 people to work the day of the sale and many others to help with sorting and helping getting things ready.  We will NOT collect any clothing.  (save it for fall) Also, be sure your rummage is clean and in working order.  Please help us by labeling your boxes and bags - it saves us a lot of time.  We will have our BBQ, Bake Sale, and Fried Dough as in the past - we are in need of cookers!!! Please call Fred Simone if you have large items that need to be picked up - 346-2097.  Call Donna Lessard to with any questions @ 346-2290. Sorting will begin in May..... look for the signs. 

SPRING ENRICHMENT - May 12-15, at the College of St. Rose.  Because we are Called to BE Church, we must be a literate laity, spiritually formed, theologically informed and pastorally trained.   Pick up a flier in the vestibule.

Relay for LIFE – The bake sale originally scheduled for Sunday April 27^th has been postponed until Sunday May 11^th following the 10AM mass. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! We are in need of bakers, and people to help at the bake sale. We will also be selling luminaries you may purchase in memory of a loved one and plants suitable for Mothers Day giving. All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society. The Relay for Life will take place at Scotia/Glenville High School on June 13^th (begins @ 7PM) and 14^th. This is a community gathering where everyone can participate in the fight against cancer. Relays are an overnight event (because Cancer never sleeps) but it is not required to stay overnight.

MEETING DATES

THURSDAY May 8^th Bible Study 11:00 AM in the Parish Center

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

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: The offertory collection for the weekend of 04/27/08 was $1,450.00. Needed to meet weekly expenses is $2,000.00. "Test me in this says the Lord Almighty and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of Heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have enough room for it." Malachi 3:10

MEDITATION:  SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Today’s responsorial psalm reminds us that the Lord is our light and our salvation. The Lord’s light emanates from the sacred scriptures proclaimed today. Let us listen attentively and let any darkness caused by sin be diminished as the Lord of light is manifested through his sacred word. May today’s Gospel—the Lord’s final prayer for his followers— touch our hearts and fill us with love and hope.

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Schenectady’s Historic Church

Over 175 Years of Worship and Service

427 Franklin St. Schdy., NY 12305

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