Ordinary Time Xxixsunday

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Ordinary Time XXIXSunday

Sunday school classes (CRE)and Youth programfor the year 2015-16 began on August 16th at 8-45 am. Please send your children and the youth to the programs.

Glider chair raffle tickets for the Lady’s Sodality Fund raising: Kindly take your tickets enclosed in the envelope bearing your name, when you leave the church after the Mass. Please bring to the church or rectory all the items you plan to donate for the November Yard Sale.

Mission Sunday Second Collectionnext week will be sent from our archdiocesan office to the head office of the “Propagation of the Faith” in Rome to help worldwide missionary work.

Remember in your prayers: Mr. Wayne Williamswhom we used to administer the sacraments, died in the Grand Bay Convalescent Home. Please pray for the eternal repose of his soul and for God’s blessings on his family members.

Special thanks to Mr. Jack Wright for bush hogging the church field and cutting the grass around the church.

October head-count of Sunday Mass participants:All our parishes are requested by the archbishop to submit the number of participants in the Saturday Vigil Mass and Sunday Mass in October. This is to plan the pastoral assignments in our parishes and to assess the liturgical life of our parishioners.

Ministers of the Massschedule for October 2015 is on the glass table.

The 44thannual Little Sisters of the Poor Lawn Partywill be held at Sacred Heart Residence (1655 McGill Ave.) onnext Sunday, Oct. 18 from10 am – 4 pm. It is going to be an Irish October at the Little Sisters with the Maccrossan School of Irish Dance performing at 12:30 pm followed by local Irish musicians, Mithril, playing at 1:00 pm. All of this entertainment will be coupled with the fabulous food, fun, and games that the Lawn Party is famous for. This is a great Lawn Party not to be missed.

RCIA program:began on Oct first Sunday at 8-45 am. If any of your non-Catholic friends or relatives is interested in joining the RCIA course, please contact the parish office @ 251-865-6902, or contact Fr. Tony or Deacon Graham directly

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish 14th Annual Benefit Night (previously Draw-Down) will be held on November 14th, 2015 starting at 6:30 pm. This years’ theme is “Cowboys and Cowgirls” and the tickets are $100.00 each. There will be five drawings for $1000.00 each starting at 8:30 with the final drawing at 10:00 pm for the grand reward of $5,000.00. Please see the information sheets on the glass table in the church hall.

A Box of Joy: The purpose of A Box of Joy project is to give a gift to a child who would otherwise not receive one at Christmas. This year, the children in Guatemala and Haiti will be the recipients. The link below will provide you more information about this program.

A letter was sent to your Parish Catechetical Leader informing them of the project. In our letter, your PCL was asked to meet with you concerning the implementation of this program in your parish. We need to hear back from each parish by September 21 so that materials can be ordered.

America Needs Fatimainvites everyone to join us for the annual A.N.F. Rosary Rally Saturday October 10th, 12 noon to 1 pm at the Visitation Monastery, 2300 Springhill Avenue. Prayer intentions are for the family and marriage, the sanctity of human life, peace, and religious freedom. For more information, contact Sister Mary Anthony (Rally captain), 473-2321, or Toni Sweet, 709-3350.

Pro-life Mass at St. Mary’s Home: Please join us for Mass at St. Mary's Home, 4350 Moffett Road, Mobile, AL 36618, at 10 am every Friday, beginning Friday, September 25th, to pray for our pro-life activities, to pray for our children at St. Mary's Home, and to pray in thanksgiving for St. Mary's Home in our Mobile Archdiocese. After Mass, approximately at 11am, at the abortion mill, Planned Parenthood, 717 Downtowner Loop West, the Holy Rosary will be prayed together for an end to abortion and for the increased awareness of the dignity of every human life. For more info: Mae and Chris Rehm, 251-554-2032.The Holy Rosary is also prayed together at Planned Parenthood on Saturdays at 9am for an end to abortion and for the increased awareness of the dignity of every human life. Please join us.

Visit Catholic America:With the support of Archbishop Rodi and priests of our archdiocese, Catholic in America is working to expand its viewership in our area. It’s a weekly, high quality, locally-produced half-hour television broadcast that explains the Catholic Faith, welcoming people and introducing them to the local Catholic parishes in our archdiocese. An outstanding feature is the live Call Center: Catholic in America actually puts people in direct contact with a local priest. Please support Catholic in America by visiting See the Catholic In America Program on UTV 44 - WJTC TV, Sundays at 11 a.m.

Search Retreat for teens by teenswill be held November 13 to 15, 2015. For more information go to archmobyouth.org/search.

"Be Prepared"- the apologetics series of the Archdiocese of Mobile - for all adults of the archdiocese sponsored by the Office of Religious Education is available to all persons in the Archdiocese of Mobile. Go to the Archdiocese website, select “Ministries & Office,” then “Department of Education” then “Office of Religious Education” to find out dates, times and locations of classes.

Prayer request for post- surgery recovery:Our parishioners James Cauley, Andrew Sprinkle, Marion Poirier, Carol Roberts, Nina Bohl, Michelle Cook, Linda Graham, Jay Graham, and Andrea Graham are recovering at home after surgery. Please keep them in your prayers.

Get your home blessed:The best thing you can do in this Year of the Family is to invite your pastor to bless your home and consecrate its residents to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, if your home was not blessed in the last four years. It takes only 10 minutes. Please inform me when is the convenient date and time. Fr. Tony

K&C Food Drive to help "Christ-N-Us" ministry:Knights of Columbus Council #15490 of St. John’s has received a request and agreed to support the "Christ-N-Us" ministry, located at the corner Potter Tract and Sager Rd. They house and feed up to twelve souls each night and they are in need to any food donations we can provide. Please donate items which can be cooked and served and show appreciation for the blessings that God has given you by helping to feed the hungry.

Birthdays this week:Oct.17th: Virginia Gable: 19th: Jackie Price: 21st: Terry Roberts: 23rd: Michael Cook.Wedding anniversaries this week: Nil.

Holy Mass intentions of the week: Oct 17-23

Sat. the 17th: ------For the eternal repose of the souls of deceased parishioners

Sun the 18th: ------For the repose of the soul of Sis Marchand by Jimmy Marchand

The 19th & 20th: ------For the eternal repose of the soul of Steve Sema, Sr. by Deborah Sema

The 21st: ------For the eternal repose of the soul of Stephan Weber by Maria Switzer

The 22nd & 23rd: ------For the eternal repose of the soul of Steve Sema, Sr. by Deborah Sema

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.

Items for Soldiers’ 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 to 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

October 11:Regular:$2279.00

Volunteers

Altar Care-October

Linda & Deacon Billy Graham

Church Cleaning– October 24

Kathy & Steve Sema

Absentees: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, and 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 brothers and sisters in your prayers:Mary Helen Allen, Mildred Smith, Mike Middleton, James Cauley, Susas Halliday, Carla Felps Kyser, Tina Rascoe, Mary Thornton, Andrew Sprinkle, Kenny Kirchoff, Mickey Poirier, Coraif Brasell, Addie Thompson; Carolyn Willard, Judy Courtney, Wendi Guidry, Gabby DeGeer, Dana Ferrell, Nonie Crow Reed, Charlee May Knowles, Nina Bohl, , Fritz Porter, Linda Graham, Michelle Cook, James Albritton, Andrea Graham, Gloria White, Jay Graham, Joe Smith, , Kayla Perry, Victoria Fontenot, Tiffany Fontenot, Helen Powers, Frances Bosarge, Mary Lou Ledford, Gavin Middleton, Laurie Middleton, 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, Joe Ecker, B. J. Broussard, Clair Waite, Avery Collier, Julia Raleigh, Steven Butler, Sarah Butler, Chris Sassano, Tammy Asch, Delaine Pigorsch, Joel Rivera, Alice Bedwell, Susan Taylor, Wayne Seymour, 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, Dave Matern, Virginia Gable, Andrew Taylor, Diane Watts, Daniel Dorriety, 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.

Pray for the deceased dear onesof the parish:Pray for the eternal repose of the deceased members of the parish:Voncille Hulcher, Mary Nicholas Rambo, Paul Delmas, Cody Driskell, Evelyn Robison, 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. Former pastors: Rev. Monsignor Hugh Maguire and Fr. Strejeski. Other priests and deacons and Sisters: Rev. Msg. Joseph Jennings, Rev. Andrew J. Stauter, Rev. Walter Menig, Rev. William Gorman, Deacon John Cretaro, Deacon Holscomb Pryor, Sr. Maria Bernarda Kadavil and other deceased relatives and friends. Pray for our former parishioners serving in the Armed Forces:Travis Wilson, SPC Jackson Triston, Jr., Captain Will Hurd, Bryant Bailey & Zachery Bailey and Athena Ladnier undergoing training in the U. S. Navy.

SYNOPSIS OF O.T. XXIXSUNDAY (Oct 18th) HOMILY–Mk 10: 35-45

Video homily by Fr. Bill Grimm:

Introduction:Today’s Scripture readings describe leadership as the sacrificial service done for others and offer Jesus as the best example. They also explain the servant leadership of Jesus, pinpointing service and sacrifice as the criteria of greatness in Christ’s Kingdom.

Scripture lessons:The first reading is a Messianic prophecy taken from the Fourth Servant Songinthe second part of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. It tells how the promised Messiah would save mankind by sacrificing himself as the atonement for our sins. Jesus did this sacrificial service of love for us as the Suffering Servant by offering his life on the cross as an offering for sin, interceding for us and taking our punishment on himself. The second reading, taken from the letter to the Hebrews, tells us that, as a God-man and mediator-High Priest, Jesus offered a fitting sacrifice to God his Father by offering himself as ransom to liberate us from the slavery of sin. In the time of Jesus, ransom was the price paid to free someone from slavery. Sometimes the ransomer offered himself as a substitute for the slave, as Jesus did. The reading also speaks of a high priest who is able to sympathize with us in our weakness because he has been tested in every way, though sinless, and so we can “confidently” hope for God’s mercy.Today’s Gospel explains how Jesusaccomplished his mission of saving mankind from the slavery of sin by becoming the “Suffering Servant.” Here, Jesus challenges his followers to become great by serving others with sacrificial agape love: “Whoever wishes to be great must be a servant." Jesus commands us to liberate others as he freed all of us, by rendering them loving and humble service.

Life Messages: 1) We are challenged to give our lives in loving service to others. As Christians, we are all invited to serve others – and to serve with a smile! We are challenged to drink the cup of Jesus by laying down our lives in humble, sacrificial service for others, just as Jesus did.The best place tobeginthe process of service by “self-giving,"is our own homes andworkplaces. When parents sacrifice their time, talents, health and blessings for the welfare of others in the family, they are serving God. Service always involves suffering, because we can’t help another without some sacrifice on our part. We are rendering great service to others also when we present them and their needs before God daily in our prayers.

2) We are invited to servant leadership:In order to become an effective Christian community, we need lay leaders with the courage of Christian convictions to fight for social justice. We need spiritual leaders who can break open the word for us, lead us in our prayer, offer us on the altar, and draw us together as sacrament.

Why do we observe World Mission Sunday in October?This annual observance was instituted 87 years ago in 1926 by a Papal decree issued by Pope Pius XI. On World Mission Sunday, Catholics gather to celebrate the Eucharist and to contribute to a collection for the work of evangelization around the world. It reminds us that we are one with the Church around the world and that we are all committed to carrying on the mission given by Christ: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..” (Mt 28:19). Pope Francis, in his first World Mission Sunday message, challenges us to proclaim courageously and in every situation the Gospel of Christ, a message of hope, reconciliation, communion, and proclamation of God's closeness, his mercy, his salvation. How should we evangelize the world? By exemplary and transparent Christian life, by prayer and by financial support.The most powerful means of preaching Christ isby living a truly Christian life -- a life filled with love, mercy, kindness, compassion and a spirit of forgiveness and service. Prayer is the second means of missionary work. Jesus said: “Without me you can do nothing.” Therefore,prayer is necessary for anyonewho wishes to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. All missionary efforts also require financial supportbecause the love of God can often be explained to the poor only by providing them with food, medicine and means of livelihood. Hence, on this mission Sunday, let us learn to appreciate our missionary obligation and support the Church’s missionary activities by leading transparent Christian lives, by fervent prayers, and by generous donations.