October 28, 2007

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sisters and brothers, today’s first reading reminds us that our God is a God of justice, who hears the cry of the oppressed. We are gathered together today in God’s name to cry out for mercy, forgiveness, and healing both for this community and for all who suffer in any way. Aware of these needs we begin this Mass, seeking strength and hope as we continue our Christian journey as God’s beloved family.

MASS SCHEDULE

Oct. 27 4:30PM Carol Murphy……………Bob & Maureen Burger

Oct. 28 10:00AM Gregory Cannata (1^st Anniv.)..........By Nola

Nov. 01 12:15PM Novena to the Miraculous Medal

Nov. 03 4:30PM Lawrence Hebert………….Margaret Hebert

Marguerite Ciarmiello……By Daughters

Nov. 04 10:00AM John & Raffaela DeMatteo..........By Family

Paul Tunke………………….The Bright Family

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

10/27:  R. Abeel, S. Abeel & C. Glover 10/28:   L. Zautner & D. Duggan & L. Lucas

11/03:  L. Lucas, T. Lotano & A. Lotano 11/04:   C. Mastan & D. Alvarado & J. Rey

COMMENTATOR & LECTOR

10/27:   R. Nicolella & E. Feuerstein 10/28:   Youth

11/03:   B. Cummings & W. Chura 11/04:   C. Hajjar & C. Greene

ACOLYTES

10/28: Courtney Schaeffer & Mikayla Thomas 11/04: Mark DiCerbo Jr.

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 1^ST – ALL SAINTS DAY

MASS WILL BE AT 12:15PM AT ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

This is one of the church’s HOLY DAYS on which all Catholics are expected to attend mass.

ANNUAL FALL/WINTER CLOTHING SALE – The date is set for Saturday November 3^rd. We are in need of clean fall and winter clothing, boots, hats, gloves, coats etc…in good condition. Please no summer clothing. We also need boxes, bags and coat hangers Please bring in your items before or after mass or during the week Mon.-Thurs. 8:30AM – 2:30PM. Daytime sorting will begin on October 22^nd, Mon.-Thurs 8:30AM-2:30PM. Evening sorting will be Tues. Oct. 30 from 6PM-7:30PM. If you would like to help with the evening sorting, please contact Donna Lessard (346-2290) to confirm.

Your Digital Photos of Parish Events Needed ASAP! - Please forward your best digital photos of what we as a community are grateful for which took place during this past year to Mark Perrella [mperrell@nycap.rr.com].  Mark will select photos for a post-Communion visual meditation at our Thanksgiving Day 9 a.m. Mass.

SALVATION ARMY SOUP KITCHEN – Our next date to serve is Nov. 30^th. We will be serving Cranberry Chicken. We are in need of Stove Top stuffing, dry Onion Soup mix, cash donations and as always helping hands.

THE SALVATION ARMY – is looking for volunteers for several upcoming Holiday Social Service programs. A complete listing of programs is located on the bulletin board.

ANNUAL COOKIE WALK – will be held on December 15^th & 16^th. We are in need of small clean coffee cans (plastic or aluminum).

SCHOOL OF RELIGION – Classes are scheduled for Oct. 28^th & Nov. 4^th.

NO CLASS Nov. 11^th – Veteran’s Day. Classes scheduled for Nov. 18^th. NO CLASS Nov. 25^th (Thanksgiving Recess).

FRIENDS OF FR LEOPOLD – You may contact him by mail at: Rev. Leopold Kamundu, C/O Rev. Abbot Marcel Lasters, Abdij Postel, Abdijlaan 16, 2400 Mol, Belgium.

Email: kamunduleopold@yahoo.fr

HOLY HOUR FOR LIFE – will be held at St. Anthony’s Church on Oct. 28^th at 2PM. Sponsored by the Ava Maria Pro-Life Network. For more information call Carol 346-6721 or Jan 377-9702.

ELECTION DAY ZITI DINNER – will be held on Tuesday Nov. 6^th from 4:00 – 8:00PM at St. Joseph’s Church, Schenectady in the church hall. Cost is $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for children under 12 and includes ziti and meatballs, salad, bread, dessert and coffee or tea. Takeout is also available upon request by calling 381-6088 after 3PM on Nov. 6^th.

Notre Dame – Bishop Gibbons School, Schenectady -presents the musical “42^nd Street.” Free matinee performance Wednesday, October 31^st 12:30 pm till 3:30pm. Refreshments will be served at intermission. If you would like to bring a group, please contact Mrs. Sozek at 393-3131 Ext. 126

THANK YOU - Thanks to ALL who worked, came & enjoyed, and those who donated to the Annual Pasta Dinner. Preliminary results indicate that we realized over $500.00 for everyone's efforts last Wednesday. The winners of the 50/50 were Jim Boughton, Bob Wagner, Darlene Duggan and Dave Rey. Dave Rey, Chairman

MEETING DATES

THURSDAY November 1st Bible Study 11:00 AM in the Parish Center

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

OFFERTORY COLLECTION: The offertory collection for the weekend of 10/21/07 was $1,553.00. Needed to meet weekly expenses is $2,000.00. And keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive."  Acts 20:35

MEDITATION:  30TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
O God be merciful to . . . us Believers!

The religious problem of the twentieth [and twenty-first] century is not understandable if we regard it only as a problem of Unbelievers and of atheists. It is also and perhaps chiefly a problem of Believers. The faith that has grown cold is not only the faith that the Unbeliever has lost but the faith that the Believer has kept. This faith has too often become rigid, or complex, sentimental, foolish, or impertinent. It has lost itself in imaginings and unrealities, dispersed itself in pontifical and organizational routines, or evaporated in activism and loose talk.

Thomas Merton. "Apologies to an Unbeliever" in Faith and Violence. South Bend, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 1968: 213-214.

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