May 27, 2007

Pentecost

Sisters and brothers, it has been ninety days since we were marked with ashes as a sign of repentance. After our Lenten journey of conversion, we recalled our baptismal promises at Easter. For the last fifty days we have reveled in the mystery of Christ’s saving death and resurrection. Today, we celebrate God’s enduring presence. The Holy Spirit gathers us together to give God thanks and praise for the marvels of salvation.

MASS SCHEDULE

May 26 4:30PM Robert Shayne……………..…Bob & Maureen Burger

Edward Hogan…………..Margaret Hogan

May 27 10:00AM Hedwig Tunke…………….…The Bright Family

Lowell Hanson………………..The Darrel Family

May 31 12:15PM Novena to the Miraculous Medal

June 02 4:30PM Lou & Helen Contempasis………..Marie Walsh

Joseph & Yolanda DiCocco (65^th Wed. Anniv)..By Children

June 03 10:00AM Silvio Tremante……………..…….Mary Pidgeon

The Valentino Family…………By Daughters

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

05/26:   C. Glover & G. Glover & M. Burger 05/27:   M. King, C. Greene & W. Chura

06/02:   E. Feuerstein & A. Lotano & T. Lotano 06/03:   D. Alvarado, D. Duggan & D. Lessard

COMMENTATOR & LECTOR

05/26: B. Nicolella & C. Kiszkiel 05/27: C. Greene & B. White

06/02:  C. Kiszkiel & M. Burger  06/03:   D. Holodak & W. Chura

ACOLYTES

05/27: Justin & Carli Aragosa 06/03: Catherine Hadcock & Cecilia Holodak

WE DID IT! –WE HAVE RAISED THE ROOF! We have reached our goal of $20,000 for the roof!!! Thanks! Great job!

WELCOME TO OUR PARISH COMMUNITY! – Please join us immediately after the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass in the Parish center for a Welcoming Reception for Lorene Huntley.

MEMORIAL DAY MASS – A mass will be held on Monday May 28^th @ 9:00AM @ St. John the Baptist Cemetery, located on Brandywine Ave., weather permitting.

PETITION BOX- There is a box in the vestibule of the church with slips of paper beside it on which the faithful, YOU, can write intentions to be considered for the Prayers of the Faithful at Masses in the coming weeks.  The Prayers of the Faithful traditionally include prayers for the Church, for our civil community (local, national, (international) for the sick and suffering, as well as for our own personal and family needs.  Your petitions may concern any of these.  HOWEVER, keep them brief, simple (no details necessary) and write legibly.  Though not all prayers may be able to be offered aloud at Mass, all intentions placed in the Prayers of the Faithful box will be collectively, if not individually, offered in the prayers at Mass.  You may also send prayers by e-mail or post to the rectory or by e-mail to me.  Walt Chura, s.f.o. V.P. for Prayer, Worship and Adult Faith Formation. wwchura@yahoo.com.

THE PARISH OFFICE – will be closed on Monday May 28^th in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.

NEED HELP TO HEAR??? - Two wireless hearing aids are now available from the Ushers. We hope you will make use of them.

Rummage & Bake SALE, Saturday, June 16, 2007.  - 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!  Sign up sheets are located in the church.  Be sure to get involved and have some fun! Donna Lessard & Fred Simone

NEWSLETTER – The deadline for our June (Feast of St. John the Baptist) newsletter is Monday June 4^th. Please have all submissions to Eileen in the parish center no later than June 4^th. Submissions may be emailed to: sjb@albany.net.

CROP WALK – Our crop walk was a tremendous success! Many thanks to all who walked or donated!

Relay for LIFE – at the Scotia/Glenville High School track on June 15^th and 16^th. The evening begins at 7PM with the cancer survivor walk and continues until 7AM. We encourage all parishioners to stop by even if only for a short while. Our team is still taking donations – canisters are located in the front entrance of the church.

CUSTODIAN WANTED - St. Anthony’s Early Childhood Center (formerly St. Anthony’s School) is in need of a full time maintenance person. If interested, please call Fr. Medwid at 374-4591.

MEETING DATES

THURSDAY May 31st Bible Study 11:00 AM in the Parish Center

MONDAY June 11th Parish Council 6:45PM in the Parish Center

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: The offertory collection for the weekend of 5/20/07 was $1,203.00. Needed to meet weekly expenses is $2,000.00 "And the crowds asked him, 'What than shall we do?' In reply he said to them, 'Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.' “Luke 3:10-11

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

MEDITATION:  PENTECOST SUNDAY

and

THE SPIRIT OF HOLINESS

Do you remember when you were given your first set of ice skates?  First skateboard? First cell phone?  Great gifts, but you had to learn to use them.  Then, practice, practice, practice!  Do you remember being told that you would receive the Gifts of the Spirit when you were Confirmed?  Do you remember the Gifts of the Spirit?  There are seven (the "perfect" number!) according to the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (11:2-3).  [St. Paul has his own list in 1 Cor. 12:8-10, but the Church traditionally speaks of Isaiah's 7]:  WISDOM, UNDERSTANDING, COUNSEL (meaning good judgment), FORTITUDE (sticking with the right thing, even when it's hard), KNOWLEDGE (being able to understand the truths of Faith), PIETY (NOT being proudly holy, but having a deep reverence for God, other people and all of God's Creation, and FEAR OF THE LORD (NOT scared of God, more like a sense of the greatness--the awesomeness--of God, who is nearer to you than you are to yourself.)  Ordinary Time after Pentecost is a time to "unpack" these Gifts of the Spirit, to practice, practice, practice the Holy Spirit--that is "the Spirit of Holiness"--which Christ has sent to us. 

BISHOP’S APPEAL REPORT

May 27^th 2007

5-6-07 44 Families $10,976

5-13-07 11 Families $ 2,011

5-20-07 2 Families 505

Total 57 Families $13,492

We still hope to hear from the rest of you. Envelopes will be in the pews through the month of May.

Again – thank you.

Lynn Lucas