August 19, 2007

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

God summons us to this holy place to be formed in discipleship. We know that being a disciple is often a difficult task. As we begin the celebration of this Mass, let us ask for the strength to renew our commit to follow Christ, no matter the cost.

MASS SCHEDULE

Aug.    18        4:30PM      Deceased members of the Glover & Kuczynski Families...By Family

Aug.    19      10:00AM      Anna Mae Woods..............Mary Pidgeon & Betty Beranek

Aug.    23      12:15PM      Novena to the Miraculous Medal

Aug.    25        4:30PM      Jack Cummings…………....John and Barbara Cummings

Aug.    26      10:00AM      Angeline Bright..............The Bright Family

                                          

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS                                           

08/18:   C. Greene, C. Kiszkiel & A. Lotano                 08/19:   D. Duggan & D. Lessard & M. Seider

08/25:   C. Glover, C. Glover & R. Abeel                       08/26:   S. Hedman & R. White & B. White

               

COMMENTATOR & LECTOR

08/18:   M. Burger & W. Chura                                     08/19:   D. Holodak & G. Holodak

08/25:   L. Lucas & M. Burger                                       08/26:   J. Scheib & C. Greene

               

ACOLYTES

08/19:  Vitas & Mattias Carosella                                      08/26:  Justin & Carli Aragosa

 

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM – This Sunday, August 19th we will welcome into our parish family Gianangelo Lanza.  Gianangelo’s parents are John Lanza and Kerstin King.  Gianangelo’s Grandmother is Martha King.

 

LITURGY PLANNING MEETING  - The next meeting of all those who direct or facilitate any liturgical ministries will be held on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4 BEGINNING AT 6:15 P.M. IN THE RECTORY.  We will be planning for the entire LENTEN AND PASCAL SEASON (Ash Wednesday through Pentecost).  PLEASE PLAN AHEAD TO BE THERE.  All participants in liturgical ministries are welcome, as are any interested parishioners.

 

PARISH PICNIC – Our Parish Picnic will be held on Sunday September 16th following the 10AM liturgy (Religious Ed Opening Liturgy).  Volunteers are needed in various areas.  Sign up sheets will be located near the front entrance of the church.  Questions – contact Mark DiCerbo Sr. (Chairman) at 356-2024.

 

INFORMATIONAL SOURCE – Using our Parish website sjb@albany.net, we hope to better communicate Parish announcements and information. You will be able to obtain announcements by clicking on a link on our website.  This is the vehicle for committee chairs and lead ministers to obtain the most updated information.   We hope to have this service up and running by September 1st. 

 

Local Planning Group 4 Picnic – Sunday September 9th.  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.  Informational flyers are located in the front entrance of the church.  Sign up sheets are located on the easel near the front entrance of the church.

 

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.

 

SCHOOL OF RELIGION – Classes will begin on September 16thfrom 9 to 9:45.  The opening liturgy will be at St. John’s. We will be in need of Lectors, Ushers and Acolytes.  If interested contact Donna Simone 346-2097 or dasimone@aol.com.  Registration forms for the 2007-2008 school year are located in the entrances of the church. 

 

NEWSLETTER – Please have all submissions for our next newsletter to Eileen in the parish center no later than September 11th.  Digital photos of recent events (i.e.; rummage sale, Feast of St. John etc.) would be most appreciated.  Please email one photo at a time to:  sjb@albany.net. 

 

 

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

 

My Dear Sisters and Brothers,

 I would just like to reiterate my thanks to you for inviting me to celebrate a farewell Mass in your beautiful and welcoming church; St. John the Baptist on July 29th.  I was overwhelmed with an indescribable joy.  The fact that you were numerous to attend that Mass means a lot for me, it means that I have become one of you.  Thank you so much for allowing me to be with you that day, for your love, your friendship, for your hospitality, for your support and your help. Thank you for the food we enjoyed after mass.  People like you make the world a brighter place.  I will greatly miss your lively liturgy and congregation.  I will miss every one of you.  May God bless you now and always.  For those who would like to keep in touch with me, here are my email addresses:  Fkleopold@aol.com  and Leopold.kamundu@gmail.com

Fr. Leopold Kamundu

MEETING DATES

THURSDAY August 23rd Bible Study 11:00 AM in the Parish Center

MONDAY September 10th  Parish Council 6:45PM in the Parish Center

 

OFFERTORY COLLECTION:  The offertory collection for the weekend of 08/12/07 was $1,359.00.    Needed to meet weekly expenses is $2,000.00.  "Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty."  Proverbs 3:9-10

 

MEDITATION: 20TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME:

 "Here is the reality of what it means to be the suffering servant.  Jesus embodied the servant in his willingness to suffer violence and death though he himself was guiltless.  Thus, if we are to make shalom [Hebrew for harmonious peace with justice], following Christ, it cannot be at the level of lowest risk.  It will require becoming vulnerable to the pain of the world." 

 B. Birch and L. Rasmussen, The Predicament of the Prosperous, p.158.

 

 

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