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St. John is a Stewardship Parish *********************************************
August 30, 2009
Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saturday, August 29
4:00 – Dennis Rando – Memorial
Sunday, August 30
8:00 – Parishioners of St. John
10:30 – Nancy Saya – 8th Anniversary
Saturday, September 5
4:00 – Richard Venesky – 2nd Anniversary
Sunday, September 6
8:00 – Parishioners of St. John
10:30 – Addison Bree Barrett – 1st Anniversary
Mark your calendars!
On Sunday, September 13th ,we will be returning to our regular Sunday Mass schedule of 8:00, 9:30 & 11:30.
Important Dates
Wed. 9/09 – Teachers meeting at 7:00
Thu. 9/10 – Baptism Instruction at 7:15
Sun. 9/13 – Gr. 9 Parent & Student meeting at 6:00
Sun. 9/13 – Gr. 10 Parent & Student meeting at 7:15
Mon. 9/14 – Teachers meeting at 7:00
Tue. 9/15 – Gr. 1-8 Parent Meeting at 7:00
Wed. 9/16 – Gr. 1-8 Parent Meeting at 7:00
Thu. 9/17 – Gr. 1-8 Parent Meeting at 7:00
Sat. 9/19 – First CCD Class for Gr. 1-6 at 9:00am
CCD News
CCD classes will be starting on Saturday 9/19 for Grades 1 – 6. Registrations will close on Tuesday, September 1st. Many classes are already full.
All parents MUST attend one of the meetings scheduled for Tuesday 9/15, Wednesday 9/16 or Thursday 9/17 at 7:00 to get your child’s class assignment and materials.
We still need 10 Teachers and Aides. Please consider sharing your faith and knowledge with our children. We rely on our parents and parishioners to help teach the children about our Catholic faith. We will train anyone who would like to be a part of our Religious Education program.
If you can teach or help out in any way, please call Lorraine or Nancy at 508-378-1521.
Our Shared Treasure
August 23, 2009 Collection: $ 3,899.
Collection for Home Missions: $ 872.
Thank you for your continued generosity.
There will be a second collection next weekend for Rectory Maintenance.
St. Vincent de Paul
The pantry is very low on many items. We would appreciate spaghetti sauce, mac and cheese, canned fruit and vegetables, tuna, assorted cereal, and ketchup, mustard or mayo. Toilet paper and paper towels are always welcome too!
We also appreciate cash donations or checks made out to the “Society of St. Vincent de Paul”. Donations may be placed in the collection boxes at the doors of the church.
The families and individuals we all serve thank you for your generosity! Without your help, we would be unable to provide this service to the town!
Children’s Choir News
Children’s Choir rehearsals will resume on Monday, September 21st from 6-7 pm. They will meet near the piano in the church. All former members and young people who have received their First Communion are invited to join. The choir will be singing at the 9:30 Mass beginning September 20th. Instrumentalists are also welcome! For more information contact Paul at 617-610-2255.
Parish Pictorial Directory
Olan Mills has begun making phone calls on behalf of St. John Parish in order to schedule portrait appointments. The caller ID number will begin with a 423 area code and read "Church Directory." You may call Olan Mills to schedule/make additions to/ or change your appointment at 1-800-866-2263.
Other questions may be directed to Missy Schrader at 508-350-0017 or .
Please be a part of the St. John Parish Directory and schedule an appointment! It won't be complete without you.
Archbishop Williams High School Fair
AWHS is hosting a high school fair for 8th graders and parents on Sunday, September 20th from 11:00 to 1:00 at the school gymnasium. There will be a gathering of many different schools – both Catholic and private. For more information call 781-843-3636.
Labor Day Picnic
The Sisters of Jesus Crucified are pleased to announce the revival of the Labor Day Picnic on the Convent grounds at 261 Thatcher St. in Brockton (across from Massasoit College). The time is from 11:00 – 7:00 and the fee is $4.00 per car. The picnic features all the familiar foods items plus traditional Lithuanian foods. There will be pony rides, live bands, arts & crafts sale, face painting, games of chance, dancing, antique car display, white elephant sale, and much more.
If you wish to learn more, attend, volunteer, call 508-587-1936. All are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, tables & blankets.
Cardinal O’Malley Statement
on the passing of Senator Edward M. Kennedy
“Today we mourn the passing of Senator Edward M. Kennedy and we extend our heartfelt prayers and sincere condolences to his wife Victoria and their children, Kara, Edward, Patrick, Curran and Caroline. Senator Kennedy was blessed with a dedicated and loving family who stood by his side, particularly during the past year as he faced his illness with courage, dignity and strength.
We join his colleagues in Congress and the people of Massachusetts in reflecting on his life and his commitment to public service. For nearly half a century, Senator Kennedy was often a champion for the poor, less fortunate and those seeking a better life. Across Massachusetts and the nation, his legacy will be carried on through the lives of those he served.
We pray for the repose of his soul and that his family finds comfort and consolation in this difficult time.”
A NOTE FROM OUR PASTOR
Dear Friends,
It is hard to believe but the summer is just about over. The children and young adults will be back to school soon and some of our college students are already on campus. In many respects, the Church Year coincides with the School Year. In a few short weeks, the Religious Education program will be in full operation. In this regard I want you to know that we are still in need of more than 10 teachers and aides. I want to remind everyone that it is your privilege and your responsibility to pass on the faith to our children and young people. Please give it some serious thought and hopefully you will find a way to help us out and to help our young people.
Each year the summer months bring us fewer people and fewer dollars. This year has been the worst year in this regard, especially in terms of the dollars. The collection last weekend was $3,899 which is the lowest amount collected in the past five years. As of this writing, the parish savings and check account have $9,000 in total. Although there are only a few weeks left to the summer, I must tell you that I will not be able to pay our venders and meet the payroll during the next month unless the income increases. Had there not been a staff reduction on July 1st, this situation would have been much worse.
The income that we receive through the offertory collection has declined during the past year and I am sure that the economic situation that we all find ourselves in is to blame. The decline has been about $800 per week. Unfortunately, the cost of running the parish has not declined.
What can we do? First, if you are one of those families who have been away on vacation, please contribute the funds that you would have contributed had you been here. Second, please let all of the families that you may come into contact with know of this financial situation so that they can do the same. I am sure that if you lost 8-10 weeks of income, you would have a real difficulty trying to survive and the Church is no different. Third, if you are able to make a onene-time contribution to the neparish in the next 2 weeks it would be very helpful.
The Fund-Raising Committee has been working very hard on the Golf Tournament. We thought that it was a “go”, but with the tournament one month away and only 8 golfers paid to play, it will unfortunately have to be cancelled. I was counting on this event to raise $10,000 for the parish. So, as you can see, we have a crisis on our hands.
I am sure that we will get through this situation as a family; it’s just that this year it is a little more scary.
God Bless,
Fr. Wally