December 9, 2007

Second Sunday of Advent

We have been summoned by the Holy Spirit to this sacred place. As this holy season continues to unfold, we wait in joy and in hope for the coming of the Lord Jesus in word and sacrament. John the Baptist invites us today to prepare a way for the Lord. With joyful praise we begin this Mass with our eyes fixed on the coming of the Lord.

MASS SCHEDULE

Dec.   08        4:30PM        Amadeo Volpe…………….……By Wife

                                            Elizabeth Delafano………Betty, Mike & Michael

Dec.   09      10:00AM       John & Raffaela DeMatteo...................By Family

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

Dec.   13      12:15PM        Novena to the Miraculous Medal

Dec.   15        4:30PM        Josephine Okinsky……………By Sister Gloria

Dec.   16      10:00AM        Mamie Formichelli................The Formichelli Family

 

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS                                           

12/08:   R. Abeel, S. Abeel & C. Kiszkiel                      12/09:    R. White & B. White & C. Greene

12/15:   B. Cummings, G. Glover & C. Glover              12/16:    L. Zautner & A. Welch & J. Rey

               

COMMENTATOR & LECTOR

12/08:   E. Feuerstein & M. Burger                                12/09:   J. Scheib & W. Chura

12/15:   L. Lucas & C. Green                                           12/16:   D. Holodak & Youth

               

ACOLYTES

12/09:  Mark DiCerbo, Emi Carosella & Maca                                12/16:  Rachel, Christine & Michael Natalie

 

Holiday Mass Schedule

Christmas Eve                        4:00 PM     Carols

Christmas Eve Liturgy           4:30 PM    

Christmas Day Liturgy          10:00 AM   

 

MEMORIAL DONATIONS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON –We are now accepting memorial donations for the Holiday Season. Envelopes are located in the front entrance of the church.  If you would like to make a contribution in memory of a loved one, please print this information clearly on the envelope. Completed envelopes may be placed in the offertory baskets or mailed to the rectory.  Please submit all envelopes by December 18th for inclusion in our Christmas Memorial.   All donations will be used for altar decorations for the Advent/Christmas Season. 

 

PANCAKE BREAKFAST - THIS Sunday December 9th!   We will be having a Pancake Breakfast for the SICM Food Pantry at the Ancient Order of Hibernians, State St., Schenectady.  Serving will begin at 10AM.  We will be accepting non-perishable foods and monetary donations in lieu of a set charge.  All proceeds will go to the SICM Food Pantry.  Please join us!

 

ACOLYTE MEETING – Sunday December 16th following the 10 AM mass in the church.

We welcome anyone who is interested in becoming an acolyte as well as our current acolytes.  We will be covering the following items:

1.      Check out robe sizes / order new ones if needed
2. Chance for new prospects to find out what the program is about
3. Go over expectations at Mass
4. Solidify schedule going into end of Jan and through Lenten season.

Hope all of you will be able to attend and remember, bring an interested friend!

 

ANNUAL COOKIE WALK – Please plan on joining us on December 15th from 10AM to 12PM and/or Sunday December 16th following the 10AM mass.  Purchase a container for $3.00 and fill it with your choice of cookies and browse through an assortment of lovely hand crafted items.   We will also be doing a raffle.  The drawing will be held on Sunday December 16th.  Bakers and helpers are needed!  A sign up sheet is located near the front entrance of the church.  Baked goods may be dropped off at the parish center on Thursday December 13th from 12PM – 2PM or Sat. December 15th from 8AM-9AM. 

 

MAKE A WISH – ADOPT AN ANGEL CAMPAIGN -The most important members of the team of MAKE A WISH Foundation is the supporters.  It would not be possible to grant wishes without YOU.    Your help allows MAKE A WISH to give a sick child a healthy outlook for the hope and promise of his or her future.  Angels will be sold after Masses beginning in December for $3.00 for adults and $1.00 for children. 

 

Giving Hearts Program for Catholic Charities of Schenectady:  Tags are located at the front entrance of the church.  Please return the gifts no later than December 16th.  Questions:  contact Donna or Frederick Simone (346-2097) or email:  dasimone@aol.com.

 

SCHOOL OF RELIGION –Classes are scheduled for Dec. 9th & 16th.  NO CLASS Dec. 23rd & Dec. 30th (Christmas Recess) Class resumes January 6th.  In case of inclement weather and the possibility of cancellation exists, please tune in to your local radio/TV station.  We are listed as St. John the Baptist, Schenectady.

 

Regional Food Bank - 6th grade and up youth and their families are invited to volunteer at the Regional Food Bank Thursday January 10th 6:30 to 8:00 PM.  The food bank is located at 965 Albany Shaker Road, Latham.  To sign up, contact Donna Simone.  Visit www.regionalfoodbank.net for more information on the Food Bank.

 

2008 CALENDARS - will be distributed this weekend compliments of Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home.

MEETING DATES

MONDAY December 10th  Parish Council 6:30PM (closed meeting)

THURSDAY December 13th Bible Study 11:00 AM in the Parish Center

SUNDAY December 16th Acolyte Mtg. following 10AM Mass in the Church

THURSDAY January 10th Liturgy Committee 6:30PM in the Parish Center

 

OFFERTORY COLLECTION:  The offertory collection for the weekend of 12/02/07 was $2,370.00.    Needed to meet weekly expenses is $2,000.00.   "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what will you eat or what will you drink, or about your body, what will you wear.  Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?"  Matthew 6:25

                                      MEDITATION:  SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
This Sunday's Gospel stars our own patron, St. John the Baptist.  John was, like all prophets, politically incorrect.  He was a social misfit.  He lived in solitude, though some think he may have spent time with the community who wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls.  He practiced “downward mobility," abandoning the social status of his Priestly family, eating sparsely, dressing shabbily, and speaking truth to power bluntly.  He focused his attention on the vocation announced by his father at his circumcision:  "You, my son, shall be called 'prophet of the Most High,' for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give God's people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.  In the tender compassion of our God, the Dawn from on High shall break upon us, to shine on those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to GUIDE OUR FEET INTO THE WAY OF PEACE."   Shall we let John give us a "kick up side the head" today, to awaken us to our call?  Or would that be losing our head? Pax eT Bonum, bro.joe,s.f.o.

 

 

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