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LENT V SUNDAY
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Phone: 251-865-6902P. O. Box 417, Grand Bay, AL 3641 Fax: 251-865-1412
Email: Parish website:
Pastor:
Fr. Anthony Kadavil ()
Secretary:
Rev.Deacon Billy Graham
Parish Council President:
Mr. Steve Sema Jr. ()
Finance Council President:
Mrs. Paula Rials
CCD Coordinator: Mrs. Tiffany Teofilo
Youth Director:Mrs. Karen Day
CCD classes & Youth programat 8-45 a.m. & 11 a. m. on Sundays. Christian doctrines are taught to our youth using the big TV & DVD player in the church lobby immediately after the 10 am. Mass
Our Holy Week Parish Missionwill begin during the Masses next weekend, Palm Sunday weekend, and will continue through Wednesday of Holy Week, April 1st. Remember that we will close our Mission on Wednesday night with a “Parish Reconciliation” service. Fr. Thomas Weiss, retired from PhoenixCity parish will be the preacher. He along with Fr. Tony will administer the sacrament of reconciliation to the sick and homebound and anoint them and all those in nursing homes on Monday & Tuesday of the Holy Week. Fr. Weiss would like our parishioners to have the experience of a “Seder meal” after Palm Sunday Holy Mass at 11 a.m.
Spring cleaning of church surroundings:In preparation for the Holy Week we need to clean the surroundings of the church including the weeding of the gardens. Please bring your gloves, trimmers and spades to keep the church and Sunday school garden clean and beautiful.
The lastFish fry & Stations of the Cross: Knights of Columbuswill be serving fish fry dinner every Friday of the Lent. You are invited for the Stations of the Cross at 5-30 on all Fridays of the Lent.
“Light is on for you”is the arrangement in our parish for the parishioners to receive the sacrament of reconciliation during the Wednesdays of the Lent. Fr. Tony will be present in the confessional on Wednesdays from 6 to 7 pm to hear confessions.
The Holy Week Schedule for Ministers of the Massis on the glass table. Please sign up to assist at Mass on nights you plan to attend during Holy Week and for the Mass you plan to attend on Easter weekend.
Living Stations of the Cross procession: The Office of Youth Ministry presents the Living Stations of the Cross procession through downtown Mobile on Good Friday, April 3 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at SpanishPlaza. Teen volunteers from the parishes are needed for readers and carriers of the Cross. The Stations will be led by the youth of the Archdiocese. This is a rain or shine event! We will end our Stations at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Please join us for this powerful, public witness of our faith. For more information, please contact the Office of Youth Ministry at or 251-433-4138.
66th Annual Blessing of the Fleet Court Signup:Any 6th or 7th graders who are interested and wish to sign up to participate, please contact Missy Perry @ 251-605-7339
To schedule a meeting or event using parish facilitiesyou must check the calendar or contact the office to be sure the date and room is available. You must have approval from the office for any scheduled events.
Confirmation Preparation classes:All students entering into the 9th, 10th or 11th grade and who have not received confirmation are requested to be present for the Confirmation Preparation class by Deacon Graham at 8-45 am every third Sunday in the Education Building.
The Catholic Youth Organization of the Archdiocese of Mobileinvites any of our CCD students who are interested in participating in sports to join the CYO. They offer many sports for students in grades 2 through 8. In the fall they offer football, soccer, volleyball, cheer leading, & tennis. Students will be placed on teams that are convenient to the GrandBay area. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Paul Knapstein, Director for the CYO for our area.
Birthdays of this Week:22nd; Darrel Wright: 24th; Johnnie Tate: 25th; David Schmierer, Maribeth ThompsonKnown Wedding Anniversaries:Nil
Mass Intentions of this week: March 21-27
Sat. the 21st: ------For the eternal repose of the souls of deceased parishioners
Sun. the 27th: ------For the Parish Community
23rd, 24th, 25th, & 26th: --- For the eternal repose of the souls of relatives/friends of Tom Thornton
27th: ------For the eternal repose of the souls of relatives/friends of Carol & Terry Roberts
Our Food Bank is really running low on food. The Knights of Columbus is sponsoring a year round food drive to help feed those in need. Catholic Charities requests your generous food contributions. Besides, Fr Tony always has request from people in need for food. We request everyone to bring in food items that can be turned into a meal for up to 4 people. If you prefer to give money you can just leave it in an envelope in the collection basket with “For Food Bank” written on it and we will know that it is meant for our parish food bank.
Items for Soldier’s Needs: Please don’t forget to bring items for soldiers’ needs: Shaving cream, disposable razors, solid deodorant, bars of soap/body wash, anti-bacteria cleaner, shampoo, tooth paste, dental floss, personal handy-wipes, personal hygiene items for women, foot powder, insect repellent, flea collars (they put them around their ankles), chopstick, athlete’s foot powder/spray, sun block lotion, sun shades, protective safety dust masks, socks, sweat headbands, batteries (AAA, AA, C), DVD movies, cards, writing tablets, paper, pens, envelopes, reading materials, snacks: cookies, gum, crest, life-savers, mints, pudding, crackers, sardines, chicken, tuna, salmon, jerky, peppermints, kool-aid, gatorade, tea/coffee. Put items in the designated box in the Parish Hall.
Help us keep flowers at the altar
The slotted wooden box on the glass table in the Parish Hall will receive donations for flowers. If you wish to give flowers for a specific remembrance or thanksgiving there is a sign-up flower chart on the wall to the left of the front doors.
New CDs
There are new CDs in the CD stack. Each CD costs $ 3. You can have 9 CDs for $ 25. CD on the revised Mass is now available.
Mach 15: Regular $2,725.00 / Flower Fund $465.00 / CRS $230.00
Volunteers
Altar Care- March
Martha Delmas & Ruth Pigorsch
Church Cleaning:March 28, 29
Ruth Pigorsch
Saturday –March 28, 2015, 5:00PM
Altar Server EMHC Lector Usher / Greeter
James Graham, Greg Jay Graham Jackie Price Steve Cauley, Chuck Pierce
Keffer. Sam Clark Andrea Graham Steve Sema, Jr Eugene Poiroux, Paul Pigorsch
Sunday –March 29, 2015, 10:00AM
Ty & Hayden Teofilo, John McBride Carol Voss Tom Thornton, Ruth Riddick
& Lyman Ramsay Carol Roberts Mark Voss Andrew & Matthew VanCleave
If you are scheduled to serve at Mass and find that you cannot serve, it is NECESSARY that you arrange for a substitute.Please take your responsibility seriously. If you are interested in serving as an Altar Server, Eucharistic Minister, Lector or as an Usher, please let Fr. Tony or the Office know of your willingness to serve. We especially need Usher/Greeters for the Saturday Mass.
Remember the sick in your Prayers our sick brothers and sisters:Father James Havens, Kenny Kirchoff, Raymond Lyons, Paul DelmasMila Vaughn, Eugenia Cruz, Deacon Ross,Frances Bosarge, Rev. Msg. Joseph Jennings, Father Matthew Venuti, Jerry Wayne Davis, Amanda, Ida Clark, Joyce Rudberg, Jennifer Patronas, Connie Stringfellow, Josh Ellis, Beth Gibson, Father Russell Biven, Cheryl Humphrey Thompson, Jay Stallone, Emma Barber, Ali Ray, Caryn Sutoff, Gerald Brannan, Hanner Gassaway, Rylyn Kuntz, Addie Thompson, Voncille Hulcher, Joe Ecker, Cody Driskell, B. J. Broussard, Clair Waite, Avery Collier, Julia Raleigh, Evelyn Robison, Father Andrew Stauter, Steven Butler, Sarah Butler, Chris Sassano, Tammy Asch, Mary Rambo, Delaine Pigorsch, Joel Rivera, Alice Bedwell, Susan Taylor, Wayne Seymour, James Cauley, Miss Pink Pridgen, Kim Pridgen, Clyde Shores, Glen Haab, Haley Holder, Lakeshia Johnson, Gary Sherman, Elizabeth Schmidt, John Atchison, Johnny Hill, Jared Hoken, Diana Abrams, Hinleigh Hall, Ryan Keith Malone, Linda Graham, Dave Matern, Virginia Gable, Andrew Taylor, Diane Watts, Daniel Dorriety, Tiffany Fontenot, Harrand Broussard, Katie Nielsen, Richard Arnold, Louis Poiroux, Homer Campbell, Jimmy Marchand, Arlene Wissman, Becky Thompson, Sally Thompson, Peggie Huber, Dale Thompson, Jane Thompson, Andy Thompson, Callie Massey, Angela Heardon, Rita George, Edgar Broussard, Lillian Broussard, Robert Broussard, Jerry Blair, Michael Stairs, Amanda Illingsworth, Ray Bribsey, Dorothy Barnes, Jared Horn and for all those serving in the Armed Forces.
Pray for the deceased dear onesof the parish:Jean Mitchell, Veretta Tulos, Jim Kimble, Lynn Poirier, Phillip Marchand, Sue Kirchoff, Mary Sanders, Margaret Jackson, Catherine Schnadelbach, Darlene Alexander, Patrick Marchand, Steve Sema, Sr., Mary Marchand and Sis Marchand. Also pray for the eternal repose of the souls of former pastors Rev. Monsignor Hugh Maguire and Fr. Strejeski. .Pray for the special intentions of other sick and deceased relatives and friends.
Pray for those serving in the Armed Forces: Travis Wilson, SPC Jackson Triston, Jr., Captain Will Hurd, Bryant Bailey & Zachery Bailey.
Pray for the deceased priests, friends & relatives of the parishioners: Rev. Msgr. Cusack former Vicar for priests and Rev. Msgr. Robert Fulton, Fr. Gorman, Fr, Andrew Stauter, Fr. Walter Menig, Deacon John Cretaro, and Sister Maria Bernarda Kadavil.
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Pray for the special intentionsof other sick and deceased relatives and friends.
Pray for our former parishioners who are now serving in the Armed ForcesTravis Wilson, SPC Jackson Triston, Jr., and Captain Will Hurd.
Synopsis of Homily for Lent IVJohn 12: 20-33
Video homily by Fr. Bill Grimm:
Introduction: Today’s readings focus on the approaching death of Jesus which Paul considers a priestly sacrifice and John considers the moment of Jesus’ "exaltation" and "glorification." The readings offer us a challenge. Just as Jesus became the “Promised Messiah of Glory” and the “Conquering Son of Man” by offering his life for others, we,too, must possessHeaven by dying to self and by spending ourlives in self-giving, sacrificial service.
Scripture lessons:The first reading, taken from the book of the Prophet Jeremiah, explains how God replaced the Old Covenant of Judgment with a New Covenant of Forgiveness of sins. This New or Renewed Covenant prophesied by Jeremiah was fulfilled, at least in part, through Jesus’ life, death and Resurrection. In the second reading, St. Paul tells the Hebrews that it is by Jesus’ suffering and death, in obedience to his Father’s will, that Jesus established the New Covenant. Usingmetaphors of the “sown wheat grain” and the “spent life” in today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches the same lessons St. Paul does. The Gospel hints at the inner struggle of Jesus in accepting the cup of suffering to inaugurate the New and everlasting Covenant. However, Jesus accepts the cross as his “hour,” meaning the stepping stone to his passion, death, resurrection and exaltation. He also considers his “hour” as the way of glorifying his Heavenly Father and of being glorified by his Father. In addition, it is the way by which he draws all people into the saving action of God. Finally, the “lifting up” of Jesus on the cross and later into Heavenly glory by Resurrection and Ascension is the assurance of our own exaltation and glorification, provided we accept our crosses.
Life messages:1) Today’s Gospel teaches us that new life and eternal life are possible only by the death of the self throughsuffering and service. Saltgives its taste by dissolvingin water. Acandle gives light by burning its wick and melting its wax. Theoyster produces a priceless pearlby transforming a grain of sand through a long and painful process. Loving parentssacrifice themselvesso that their children can enjoy a better life than they themselves had. Let us pray that we may acquire this self-sacrificial spirit, especially during Lent.
2) Only a life spent for others will be glorified here in this world and in Heaven. We know that the world owes everything to people who have spent their time and talents for God and for their fellow human beings. Mother Teresa, for instance, gave up her comfortable teaching career, and with just 17 cents in her pocket began her challenging life for the “poorest of the poor” in the crowded streets of Calcutta. We see similar cases in the history of great saints, scientists and benefactorsof mankind in all walks of life. They chose to burn out rather than to rust out.Examples are the Rockefeller Foundation for scientific progress and the Bill Gates Foundation for AIDS Research. Let us, too, spend ourselves for others.
Why do we have a parish mission in Lent? Every parish deserves and needs a parish mission once in a while. Lent is primarily the time of intense spiritual preparation for conquering our temptations using the means Jesus used. It is also the time for renewing our lives for the celebration of Easter with our Risen Lord who conquered sin and death by his suffering, death and resurrection. A fruitful parish mission during Lent will increase bonding among parishioners. The renewal, enthusiasm and shot in the arm from this type of event invigorate even the best of communities. It renews their faith, commitment and attachment to the Body of Christ present in their faith community. By its very nature, a parish mission has in its DNA a conversion mode. The mission is a preaching event. God’s Word is proclaimed through the Bible and Catholic doctrine. In times past parish missions were often seen as a time to “scare the hell” out of people, putting the fear of the Lord into them. Its main emphasis is centered upon how much the loving Lord desires to encounter and save each one of us. A parish mission is also a time of grace, a time for repentance, for change, for becoming a renewed person. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is an essential part of a good mission. St. Alphonsus used to say that the thermometer for a successful mission was judged by how many people used the confessional.
Visit our website: forSunday Homilies, 159 - Questions & Answers and 56 - Faith Formation Lessons, introduction to Bible books.
All are welcome to St. John’swith open hearts, open minds and open doors.
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Grand Bay celebrates God’s presence,grows in God’s grace,welcomes all people andreachesout with God’s love.We try to be to be a vibrant community of faithwhere all people feel they belong.No matter what your present status in the Catholic Church, No matter what your current family or marital situation, No matter what your past or present religious situation, No matter your personal history, age, background, race, etc., No matter what your own self-image or esteem, you are invited, welcomed, accepted, loved and respected at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Grand Bay!
We come together as a parish family to draw our life from the Eucharist and other sacraments.
As believers we participate fully, consciously and actively in the liturgy of the Church and seek to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in word and action.
We commit ourselves to worship, education, stewardship and service as we extend our hand to others in need and to those who wish to join the church.
By the grace of God, after the example of Jesus Christ, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we dedicate ourselves to accomplish our mission within and beyond our community.
Photos of the great pastors who guided the destiny of our parish
Please visit St. John the Baptist Catholic parish website:
the full text of the
Sunday homily, Sunday bulletin, 56 Adult Faith Formation Lessons and Question of the Week (1-159).