St. John the Baptist Parish Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time November 16, 2014 Mission Statement of St. John’s Parish Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit the community of St. John’s Parish works to spread the Gospel message through a ministry of compassion, education, and stewardship. Our life as believers is centered in the Eucharist, which encourages and fosters a deep sense of identity in Christ Jesus and the mission the Lord Jesus calls us to embrace.CHEDULED MASS We welcome all who have come to worship in our parish community. If you are new to our parish, please introduce yourself to any of the priests or deacon. May we experience together the love of Jesus Christ. Liturgical Celebrations Saturday: Sunday: 4:00 p.m. (Vigil Mass) 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Weekdays: 8:00 a.m. Monday - Saturday Latin Mass: 7:00 a.m. (lower chapel) 1st & 3rd Wednesday Holy Days and Holidays: as announced Rev. Robert J. Cullen, Administrator Rev. Michael K. Harvey, Parochial Vicar Rev. William C. Palladino, In Residence Dn. Paul A. Lewis, Financial Administrator, 617-773-1021 Dn. William R. Proulx Donna Niosi, Administrative Assistant, 617-773-1021, and Secretary of Religious Education, 617-877-5014 Joanne Curry, Religious Education Director, K-9, 617-877-5014 Paul Kelly, Music Director Edward Philie, Director of Maintenance, 617-921-1026 St. John’s Food Pantry, 617-472-4908 Sacrament of Matrimony: Congratulations! In order for the priest or deacon to spiritually work with the couple, arrangements must be made at least six months before the wedding date. Infant Baptism: Celebrated third Sunday of the month at 1:00 p.m. Call a Parish Priest or Deacon at least one month in advance. Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession): Lower chapel, Wednesdays, 8:30-9:00 a.m.; Saturdays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. or by appointment at the rectory. Confirmation and Holy Orders: Call a Parish Priest or Deacon. Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick: Before you enter the hospital for tests or surgery, we encourage you to celebrate the Anointing of the Sick at one of our Eucharistic celebrations. Priests are not available at the hospital as they once were to anoint patients. We strongly advise you to clearly inform the admissions staff at the hospital that you are Catholic and desire to be visited by one of the Catholic Pastoral Care Ministers. Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Saturday, November 15 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. 9th Anniversary Angelita Gomez Sunday, November 16 7:30 a.m. Mass for the People 9:00 a.m. 1st Anniversary Alexander “Sandy” Vespaziani 11:00 a.m. Memorial Thomas J. & James B. McDonough 5:30 p.m. Memorial Alma & Maurice Battista Monday, November 17 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 18 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 19 8:00 a.m. Thursday, November 20 8:00 a.m. Friday, November 21 8:00 a.m. Month’s Mind Dorothy Giuliano Saturday, November 22 8:00 a.m. 15th Anniversary Richard McKeen 4:00 p.m. 13th Anniversary Albino Peruzzi Sunday, November 23 7:30 a.m. Mass for the People 9:00 a.m. 3rd Anniversary Helena Keene 11:00 a.m. 3rd Anniversary Bruce Hapgood 5:30 p.m. 7th Anniversary Dorothy Manning Your Prayers are Requested for: Richard DiSalvio and all our parishioners who have died recently, and for all our deceased relatives and friends. Also, please remember all those who are ill and pray for the intentions of all our parishioners. Donations For the week of November 16, the Bread & Wine have been donated in Memory of Dominic Lomanno and Domenic & Nancy Cicerone. If you would like to make a memorial donation for the altar bread and/or the altar wine in memory of a loved one or for a special intention, please call the rectory at 617-773-1021. The donation for the altar bread or the altar wine is $30 each for one week ($60 for both). The Spirituality of Stewardship Receiving God’s Gifts gratefully; Nurturing God’s Gifts responsibly; Sharing God’s Gifts in love and justice; Returning God’s Gifts generously. Weekend of November 8/9 Church Collections On-Line Giving Total Sacrificial Offering by Parishioners $7,992.26 (unavailable) $7,992.26 Second Collection - Campaign for Human Development Total Sacrificial Offering by Parishioners $1,930.07 This weekend November 15/16 there will be one collection. Next weekend, November 22/23 there will be two collections. A Moment of Thanks for a Lifetime of Service On the weekend of November 22/23, the second collection is for our Retired Sisters. This annual collection helps to meet the basic needs of some 2,000 Retired Sisters who collectively have served the parishes, schools, hospitals, and local ministries of our Archdiocese for more than 54,000 years. Next week, please consider making a generous gift to the Sisters who have served us so generously over the years. Thank you for your generosity! St. John’s Food Pantry Thanksgiving & Christmas Help If you or someone you know from St. John’s Parish is in need of assistance with Thanksgiving dinner or with Christmas gifts for families with young children, please contact St. John’s Food Pantry at 617-472-4908. The Pantry’s office hours are from 6:30-7:30 p.m. each Wednesday evening in the convent garage. Volunteers will be filling out information forms at that time. Cut off time for Thanksgiving is Wednesday, November 19th. The last date to sign up for Christmas is Monday, December 1st. A picture ID and proof of address must be shown. For those who are so generous to the important work of St. John’s, please send donations directly to the rectory or use the blue envelope marked SJFP and drop into the regular parish collection. For further information, please call 617-472-4908. Our pantry is sustained through the generous donations of our parishioners. Thank you for all your support! III Eric J. Nicolas & Alison K. Falotico Mass of Thanksgiving November 16, 2014 Saint Francis of Assisi Open House The holiday season is quickly approaching. Thankgiving Day is a little less then two weeks away. Please save the date an plan on joining us at our Mass of Thanksgiving. The Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday evening November 26, 2014 (Thanksgiving Eve), at 7:00 p.m. in the Upper Church. Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect, appreciate and give thanks and praise to our Lord who has given so many blessings to us. We know everyone is busy, but what a wonderful way to start preparing for Thanksgiving Day. Our great choir will be enhancing our celebration. We encourage you to attend and bring family and friends with you. St. Joseph Retreat Center St. Joseph Retreat Center, 339 Jerusalem Road, Cohasset invites you to the following programs and retreat opportunities. Visit our website, www.csjretreatcenter.org or call 781-383-6024 for more programs and details. Directed/Private Retreats: Nov. 17-20, Dec. 28-Jan.1, Jan. 2-4, Jan.9-11 Quiet Advent Weekend: Dec. 4-7 Morning of Prayer: Dec. 2: Receiving the Love of God and Then Going Forth. Arrival and light refreshments 9:00-9:30 a.m., reflective input 9:30 a.m. followed by private time for prayer, closing communal experience, departure by 12:15 p.m. A FAIR FOR ALL SEASONS The Holy Trinity Parish of Quincy will host A FAIR FOR ALL SEASONS, on Saturday, November 22nd from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at St. Thomas Acquinas Hall, Darrow Street, Quincy. Quality handmade crafts by south shore artisans, raffles, kitchen baked goods, kids corner, knitted items and holiday gifts. Admission is a non-perishable food/toiletry item. For more information contact Eileen at 617-479-4107 or 617-481-9153. A Mass and Healing Service A Mass and Healing Service will be held at The Church of the Blessed Sacrament, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole, MA 02081, on Sunday, November 23, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. with Fr. Joseph P. McDermott. All those who have physical illnesses, as well as those burdened, or suffering emotionally, mentally, spiritually, psychologically or financially are cordially invited to come and pray with us. You may pray for your own needs or the needs of others. Divine Mercy Holy Hour St. John’s offers a Divine Mercy Holy Hour every third Tuesday of the month. This Tuesday, November 18th is the next Holy Hour. It is held at 7:00 p.m. in the Upper Church. Everyone is welcome to attend. Saint Francis of Assisi School (SFA), a pre-kindergarten through grade 8 Catholic elementary school is hosting a Fall Open House for prospective new families with students in our early childhood grades-starting at 2.9 years through kindergarten on Sunday, November 16th from 11:30 a.m.1:00 p.m. Come learn more about our school; meet key people and tour our school. In the event you cannot make it on this date and are interested in arranging a personalized visit/tour with our principal, please contact us at 781-848-0842x12 or email Mr. Brian M. Cote at bcote@sfab.org. We look forward to possibly serving your family in the spiritual, academic, and social development of your child. Saint Francis of Assisi School is located at 850 Washington Street, Braintree, MA. For more information contact us at 781-848-0842 or visit our website at www.sfab.org. Cardinal Spellman High School Cardinal Spellman High School, Brockton, will hold its annual OPEN HOUSE on Sunday, November 23, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. Please join us in the auditorium for an opening presentation with tours to follow. Visit www.spellman.com for more details! Cardinal Spellman is located at 738 Court Street, Brockton, MA 02302. Any questions please call 508583-6161. “Untold Blessing - Three Paths to Holiness” Deacon Paul will run a six-week program using Fr. Robert Barron’s DVD. The program is titled “Untold Blessing-Three Paths to Holiness”. The program will begin Thursday, November 20th and will be completed on Thursday, January 8, 2015. All the sessions will be held on Thursday mornings following the 8:00 a.m. Mass and will be held in the lower Church Hall. Light refreshments will be served. The program is intended to assist us in our Advent Journey and into the Epiphany which is our call to be a Saint. Our Ultimate path to holiness is full of untold blessing. Boston College High School 2014-2015 Admission Information and Dates High School Information Nights (Grade 9 Entry) Tuesday, December 9, 2014, 6:00-7:45 p.m. Arrupe Division Information Nights (Grade 7 Entry) Thursday, November 20, 2014, 6:00-7:45 p.m. Wednesday, January 7, 2015 6:00-7:45 p.m. All Information Nights begin at 6:00 p.m. with a family social followed by a speaking program. To reserve seats for your family, please visit www.bchigh.edu/admissions to set up your online Eagle Admission Account, and then click on “Create Eagle Admissions Account” in the left navigation bar. Space is limited. If you have questions about this process, please contact Donna Simonelli in Admissions: 617-474-5010, or dsimonelli@bchigh.edu. St. John the Baptist Parish 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time “A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.” In today’s Gospel parable, this man represents God, and the servants represent us. The story makes a clear point about the importance of putting the gifts God has given us to good use. Unlike the first two servants, the third servant chose not to make a return on his “talent.” Thus we can understand the frustration of the master. He trusted this servant, and the fellow let him down. Remember, this all began with an act of trust when the master handed over care of his things. The fact is that the third servant did not take good care of what he was given. What have we been given? Some gifts from God we all share in common: life and salvation. But others differ from person to person. We each have our own set of “talents”: our personal skills, our material blessings, our education, family background, and so on. Some have more, and some have fewer. But the point is that we are called to make the most of what we have, whatever that may be. Perhaps the starting point for making a return on God’s investment in us is to recognize that what we have is really his! In a sense, our gifts and skills, even our lives, are all “on loan” from God. He is generous in sharing his life and his blessings with us. And, like the parable’s master, he is quick to praise and reward our efforts. But when we choose to be “wicked, lazy” servants, taking everything for granted and not using our gifts for God’s glory, then “even what [we have] will be taken away.” What we bury underground is as good as gone. So let’s bring our gifts into the light of day by sharing them with others and making the best possible use of all we’ve received. 2014 Liturgical Publications Inc Calendar of St. John’s Upcoming Dates & Events Saturday, November 15 2:30-3:30 p.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation Lower Chapel 7:00 p.m. Baptismal Instructions Upper Church Sunday, November 16 10:00-10:50 a.m. Religious Ed Classes Grades 1 and 2 1:00 p.m. Baptisms Church Hall Upper Church 1:00-8:00 p.m. Confirmation Students - La Salette Retreat Monday, November 17 6:00-6:50 p.m. Classes Grades 6 & 7 Church Hall 7:00-8:00 p.m. Classes Grades 8 & 9 Church Hall Tuesday, November 18 7:00 p.m. Divine Mercy Holy Hour Upper Church Wednesday, November 19 8:30-9:00 a.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation Lower Chapel 6:30-7:30 p.m. St. John’s Food Pantry Convent Garage Friday, November 21 8:30 4:00 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration Lower Chapel Saturday, November 22 2:30-3:30 p.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation Lower Chapel Sunday, November 23 10:00-10:50 a.m. Religious Ed Classes Church Hall Grades 3, 4 & 5 1:00 p.m. Filipino Mass Upper Church followed by Reception Church Hall Saint John’s Seminary Lessons and Carols Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend “Lessons & Carols” featuring the Saint John’s Seminary Schola and special guests under the direction of Dr. Janet Hunt will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 7, 2014 at 3:oo p.m. There is no admission fee for this event. Saint john’s Seminary is located at 127 Lake St., Brighton, MA 02135. Any questions call 617-746-5423. “When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls. Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize.” Do we value the prize we have in our spouse enough to take time to enjoy it? The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends are December 5-7, 2014 and January 23-25, 2015. For more information call Jim and Elaine Richard at 1-800710-WWME or visit www.wwme.org. Welcome to St. John’s! We encourage all our parishioners who worship with us to register. Our registry is a vital source of information that we use when we need to contact parishioners. Please call the rectory, 617-773-1021, or return this form to the rectory by the collection basket, mail, or in person. Would you like to have the bulletin emailed to you? If you would, please give us your email address:_____________________________________________________ Name:____________________________________________________Tel. #___________________________ Address:___________________________________City____________________________ZIP____________ Check if address change: Moving out of parish: Would you like envelopes? (Please circle) YES NO