August 5, 2007

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Brothers and sisters, today God gathers us together and speaks a word not easy to hear. A culture that values the amassing of material possessions above all else is unlikely to take kindly to today’s word of God. We often are deluded into thinking that the more we have the happier we will be. Deep down we know this is simply not true. Let us be open and vulnerable to the challenges today’s Mass issues for each of us and for this community of faith.

MASS SCHEDULE

Aug. 04 4:30PM Amadeo Volpe…………………By Wife

Silvio Tremante…………Skip & Marie Johnson

Aug. 05 10:00AM Silvio Tremante..................The Adinolfi Family

Aug. 09 12:15PM Novena to the Miraculous Medal

Aug. 11 4:30PM Francis Whitbeck……..……Marie Walsh

Aug. 12 10:00AM John & Raffaela DeMatteo..............By Family

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

08/04:   L. Lucas, A. Lotano & T. Lotano 08/05:   C. Mastan & D. Alvarado & W. Chura

08/11:   S. Abeel, B. Abeel & M. Burger 08/12:   C. Rogowicz & C. Rogowicz & A. Welch

COMMENTATOR & LECTOR

08/04:  E. Feuerstein & W. Chura 08/05:   C. Hajjar & J. Scheib

08/11:  C. Kiszkiel & L. Lucas 08/12:   J. Carosella

ACOLYTES

08/05: Mark DiCerbo Jr. 08/12: Christine & Michael Natalie

REST IN PEACE - Please pray for Gertrude (Sully) Sullivan and her family. Sully went to her eternal rest on July 25th. Her funeral was held in our church on August 1st.

WANTED:  Communion Bread Bakers:  e-mail: waltchura_sfo@yahoo.com or phone: 456-3201 No pay.  Heavenly benefits.

FOLK GROUP – The Folk Group is recruiting new members! We need to have a bigger group so we are assured of having a Folk Group at all times. Guitarists and keyboard players are welcome as are, additional vocalists. If you are interested contact Rick Johnson via the Parish Center at 374-9148 or sjb@albany.net

FAMILY/FAREWELL PICNIC – Sacred Heart/St. Columba is planning a picnic for Fr. Leo on Sunday August 12^th in the Central Park Pavilion. A bilingual Mass will be at noon followed by a potluck picnic. Sign up sheets are located near the front entrance of the church.

SAVE THE DATE! – Sunday September 9^th. Our “Called to be Church” local planning group (St. Mary’s, St. John the Evangelist & St. Anthony’s) is having a picnic in the Central Park Pavilion. Mass will be at noon followed by a picnic. More details will be forthcoming.

ST. JOHN’S THURSDAY BIBLE GROUP – will be taking Fr. Leopold on a luncheon cruise on the Lac Du Saint Sacrament, Lake George on Wednesday August 22. All are welcome to join in. Tel. Lake George Steamboat Co. 1-800-553-2628.

SALVATION ARMY SOUP KITCHEN – MARK YOUR CALENDAR! - We have received our serving dates for 2007/2008. 2007: August 24^th & November 30^th. 2008: January 18^th, February 22^nd, March 28^th, May 9^th & June 13^th.

REGISTRATIONS NEEDED! – Registration forms for the 2007-2008 school year are located in the entrances of the church. Early registration enables us to properly plan for the upcoming school year. Please register as soon as possible.

PARISH OFFICE – I will be out of the office August 9^th & August 13^th. Please have all bulletin submissions to the parish office no later than Tues. Aug. 7^th. Thank you – Eileen Mazur

35^TH ANNUAL DIOCESAN MARRIAGE JUBILEE CELEBRATION – will be held on Saturday October 13^th, 1:00PM at St. Clare’s Church, Colonie. Couples celebrating their 25^th, 40^th etc. are invited to attend this celebration. To register, call the parish center 374-9148. Registration deadline is September 21^st.

SPECIAL THANKS - to Renee LeBois, Director of the St, Paul the Apostle Folk group and all of its talented members who graciously provided the beautiful music for Father Leopold's final liturgy here at St. John's.  A very special thanks to Sheila Long of our own St, John Folk group who put together such a powerful and moving solo meditation song for Father Leo and to Hazel Lewis and Chris Vermilyea of St. John's folk group who joined the vocal ensemble.  The celebration continued after mass with a lovely luncheon in the Parish Center hosted by Lynn Lucas. What a day of memories for Father Leopold to carry with him. Thank you all.  Maureen Burger, Prayer & Worship Committee

I feel so blessed to be a member of St. John’s. Fr. Leo’s party was so easy to do because of the generosity of our parishioners. I never had to ask for food donations – people approached me. I never had to ask for help, before during or after the party – helpers just magically appeared! So many people made the celebration so great, both liturgically and socially, that I am reluctant to name names lest I forget someone. You know who you are and you are appreciated. God bless. Lynn Lucas

MEETING DATES

THURSDAY August 9th Bible Study 11:00 AM in the Parish Center

MONDAY August 13th Parish Council 6:45PM in the Parish Center

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: The offertory collection for the weekend of 07/29/07 was $1,425.00. Needed to meet weekly expenses is $2,000.00. "And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good works."  2 Corinthians 9:8

Meditation for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time:

"Allah gives and forgives.  We get and forget."  Islamic proverb.

REMEMBRANCES THIS WEEK:  Let us pray . . .

This week, on Tuesday, August 6, we celebrate the great Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, remembering how Jesus briefly manifested his Divinity on the mountain top to Peter, James and John by the blinding radiance of his face as he spoke with Moses and Elijah about his coming life-giving Passion.  Ironically, the same day marks the date of the blinding light unleashed on the people of Hiroshima, bringing to them the unique passion of the atomic age.  On Thursday, August 9, we remember the same horror unleashed on the people of Nagasaki, the most Catholic city in Japan.  In yet another wrenching irony, "ground zero" was the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Nagasaki.  Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi, miserere nobis . . dona nobis pacem--Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us . . . give us peace.

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