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Sunday, January 11, 2015
“To Preserve The Flame”
SAINT JOHN’S CHURCH
44 Temple St. Worcester, MA 01604
Phone: 508-756-7165
Ascension Campus Phone: 774-243-6351
MASS SCHEDULE
Lord’s Day Masses
Saturday Vigil: 4:15 & 7:15
pm
Sunday: 8 am, 10:15 am,
12:15 pm & 7:15 pm
Weekdays
Monday-Friday 6:15 pm
SUNDAY’S READINGS
Is 42:1-4, 6-7
Acts 10:34-38
Mk 1:7-11
Worship Hymnal #1024
Mass Intentions
Saturday, January 10, 2015
4:15 PM Isabel Slavinskas and Louise Dacri (Month’s
Mind), r eq. by Family
7:15 PM Henry Kozlowski, req. by Family
Sunday, January 11, 2015
8 AM Bob and Nancy Nelson, req. by Family; Robert
and Dorothy Vaicilionis, r eq. by Daughter
10:15 AM Frank V. Wright, req. by Family
12:15 PM Deacon Paul F. Pizzarella, req. by Shirley
and Jay Houle; Margaret T. “Peg” McKenna and Joan
Looney, r eq. by Family
7:15 PM Scott Gow, req. by Family; Christopher
Evers (9th Anniv.), r eq. by Family
Monday, January 12, 2015
6:15 PM Daniel Martel, req. by Family
Tuesday, January 13 2015
6:15 PM Terese Juska, req. by Olga Kersis
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
6:15 PM Joseph Comeau, req. by Friends
Thursday, January 15, 2015
6:15 PM Edward Kowalik, req. by Family
Friday, January 16, 2015
6:15 PM James Snow (5th Anniv.), req. by Family
Saturday, January 17, 2015
4:15 PM William Lavery Parker (15th Anniv.), req. by
Jean Parker and Family; Catherine Gallagher (22nd
Anniv.), r eq. by Family
7:15 PM Deceased Members of the Mahoney Family
Sunday, January 18, 2015
8 AM Joseph Mastrovito, req. by Family; John
O’Neil, r eq. by Family
10:15 AM Chandler Creedon, Esther and Barbara
Sheehan, John and Agnes Bartelson, Joyce Farley,
Roger Gonsalves, Sr. Dorothy Mara and Gillian
Berry, r eq. by Family
12:15 PM John and Helen Rosseel, req. by Shirley
Family; Francesco Luca (56th Anniv.), req. by Family
7:15 PM Francesca Grimaldi (5th Anniv.) req. by
Family
The Rosary is prayed each weekday beginning with
the Angelus at 5:50 p.m.
Dear Friends in the Lord,
Some months ago, our Catholic Book Club read Cardinal Avery Dulles’ classic Models of the Church. Let me interrupt this thought by saying what a nice group has developed in
the Book Club. We have a true communal experience each
month. Still, we would love to see this particular community,
and all communities, grow. This month’s selection is Mortal
Blessings by Angela Alaimo O’Donnell. She shares the experience of her mother’s final days and passing in terms of the sacramental nature of life. Which is to say, she relates how she
found the real presence of God throughout the difficult process
of her mother’s illness and death. It is, of course, an experience
that all of us have or will experience. O’Donnell’s ability to see
that “God is with us” in every moment of our lives, especially
the difficult moments, is uplifting. You would benefit from the
book and, even, coming to discuss it with the book club.
Back to Cardinal Dulles, his book is a study of the different aspects – or models – of the Church. For example, Church
as Servant, as Herald, as Sacrament, as Mystical Communion.
During our discussion, people were surprised to hear that I
thought the most important model was Church as Institution.
Who likes the institution?! Clearly, it is the aspect of the Church
that receives the most criticism – and not without reason.
Still, Peter Steinfels once wrote, “I don’t know what a
non-institutional Church looks like.” This is my point exactly.
Cardinal Dulles points out that it is the Church as Institution
which provides Her identity. Without the institution, followers
of Jesus would be a scattered, disembodied group with each of
us going our own way.
Today we end the Christmas Season with the celebration
of the Baptism of the Lord. In so doing, of course, we recall our
own baptism. It is at baptism that we are first identified as a
Christian. This is not merely an individual reality. We are baptized into a mystical communion, joined with others as servants
and heralds of the sacramental truth that “God is with us.”
In Baptism each of us becomes something more than
Irish or Filipino, Lithuanian or Kenyan; something more than
Democrat or Republican, Communist or Socialist; something
more than liberal or conservative; progressive or libertarian. In
baptism, the institution that claims our primary allegiance is the
Church.
Which is to say, as our patron John reminds us in the
second reading, others will know our identity as Christians by
our love.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. John Madden
THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
THIS WEEKEND’S HYMNS
Op.: # 457 To Jordan Jesus Humbly Came
Prep: # 456 When Jesus Came to Jordan
Eucharistic Accs.: #353, 356, 355, 311
Sunday 7:15: 371, 372, 373, 311
Comm.: # TBA
Cl.: # 458 When John Baptized by Jordan’s River
ONGOING EVENTS AT ST. JOHN’S
January 13– Bible Study, 7 PM in the r ector y.
January 16– Contemplative Prayer Group, 7 PM, in the
rectory
January 17- Chr istian Coffee House, 7 PM, Ascension
Campus.
January 22– Separated and Divorced Support Group
from 7 - 8:30 PM . All are welcome. Those interested may
contact Diane at ddlaurie31@msn.com and place "Peer
Ministry" in the subject line.
INTERESTED IN PERFORMING WITH THE THREE
PRIESTS? Any female sopr ano 15 year s old or older
that is interested in performing with the famous trio is encouraged to come to an audition at the Hanover Theater on
February 1 from 1-3 PM. To register or for more details
please contact Melanie Donegan at 508-755-8322 or mdonegan16@gmail.com. The deadline to register is January 15.
HAM AND BEAN SUPPER AND TALENT SHOW will
be held on Saturday, January 17 after the 4:15 PM Mass in
the Xavier Center. Tickets will be on sale after the masses
this weekend.
THE ST RAFQA PRAYER SHAWL KNITTING MINISTRY will be meeting on Wednesday January 14 at 9:3011:00 am in the lower chapel. All knitters and crocheters are
welcome! If you would like a prayer shawl or you know
someone who needs one, please call Connie at 508-7555172.
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A DEACON? Find out
everything you want to know about the Diaconate program
for the Diocese of Worcester. If you are a male, college
graduate (or equivalent) and are between the ages of 31 and
60 now is your time to get some answers. Spouses are welcome and encouraged to attend. The meeting will be on
Saturday, January 31 at 9 AM at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel/
St. Ann, 28 Mulberry St., Worcester. For more information
please contact the office of the Diaconate at 508-929-4335.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES
Grades 1-8– Sunday, January 18, 9 AM in the
Church Hall.
Confirmation I and II - Sunday, January 18, 11 AM
in the Church Hall
FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST EUCHARIST CLASSES will continue this Sunday,
January 11 at 9:00 AM in the St. Francis Xavier Center. Registration forms and class schedules are in the
back of the church, and are available for download
on the parish website. Anyone who has not signed
up, please do so before the start of class. Any questions, please contact Donna at mastrovito21@charter.net.
RCIA - The next meeting will be held this Monday,
January 12 at 7 PM in the rectory. Anyone interested
in joining the RCIA program can call the rectory.
THE FILIPINO CHOIR will be at the 4:15 PM
Mass Saturday, January 31. A reception will follow
the Mass in the church hall. All are welcome to attend.
THE DOMINICAN SISTERS BAKE SALE will
take place at all the masses next weekend, January 17
and 18. They will be selling baked goods made according to the Dominican Sisters recipes. The proceeds will be used to buy medical supplies for their
mission to support the lepers.
EUCHARISIC MINISTER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES– UMass Medical Center is looking
for Eucharistic Ministers to give communion to Catholic patients during their hospital stays. Volunteers
commitment is one day per week for 2-3 hours.
Days available are Monday - Sunday with flexible
hours between 9 AM and 4 PM. Please contact
UMass Memorial Volunteer Services at 508-3346308 during the office house of 8 AM to 4 PM if you
are interested.
EILEEN GEORGE will host a teaching and healing service at St. John’s on Sunday, January 25 at 3
PM in the lower church. All are welcome to attend.
In Our Catholic Community...
THE CATHOLIC BOOK CLUB’S next meeting
will be on Monday, January 26 at 7 PM in the rectory.
The selection for January is “Mortal Blessings” by
Angela Alaimo O’Donnell
A MASS FOR HEALING will be held Tuesday,
January 20 at 6:15 PM. After the Mass the Sacrament
of the Sick will be administered. Anyone seeking the
healing touch of God’s love and mercy is welcome.
ASSUMPTION SCHOOL, PREK THROUGH
GRADE 8, is holding an Open House on Sunday,
January 25, from 12:00 to 3:00 PM. We are located at
17 Grove Street, Millbury. Please visit
www.assumption-cs.org or call the office for more
information on what Assumption School offers.
VENERINI ACADEMY will host a winter open
house for families of perspective students on Sunday,
January 25 from 12:15-3 PM, at 27 Edwards Street in
Worcester. Please call the school at 508-753-3210 or
visit www.veneriniacademy.us for more information.
PRO-LIFE MASS AND MARCH FOR LIFE- All
are invited to attend the Pro-Life Mass with Bishop
McManus on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 7:30 PM at St.
Paul Cathedral, 19 Chatham St., Worcester. Please
join us as we remember the 42nd tragic anniversary of
Roe v. Wade and pray for an end to abortion and the
conversion of our nation. We will also pray in a special way for all those who will be travelling to Washington, DC for the March for Life.
DAILY MASS ON TV AND THE INTERNET Tune in on Monday through Friday on Charter TV3 at
9 AM for the local Daily Mass on cable celebrated by
various priests from around our diocese. Also airs at
4:30 pm in Shrewsbury on Ch. 28, and 5 pm in Clinton area on Ch. 8.
Financial Report
Last weekend we received $6463.39. We have also received:
Restoration- $455.00
Candles- $260.00
Parking- $605.00
Haitian Apostolate- $130.00
FFTP- $22,489.20
Monthly- $2026.00
Stipends– $775.00
New Years- $3741.50
After School- $100.00
Rent- $75.00
Total- $37,120.09; Unrestricted– $14,175.89; Restricted
$22,944.20
FOOD FOR THE POOR: $245 IMO Richar d LiBuda;
$250 IMO Justine Brennan and Jackie Walsh; $200 IHO
Paul and Francine Ryan; $25 IMO James Salmon; $1000
IMO Richard Bafaro; $100 IMO Ted Coughlin; $1000
from a friend; $500 from a friend; $50 from a friend; $50
from a friend; $100 from a friend; $500 from a friend; $50
from a friend; $25 from a friend; $225 IMO Alan Jarvela;
$51.79 IMO Louise Dacri and Isabel Slavinskas; $25
IMO Bryan Beardsley; $25 IMO Edward Connors; $50 in
Thanksgiving; $25 Imo Clara G. Merola; $50 IMO Ben,
Stella and Gayle Sabonaitis
Expenses– $8716.48
Household (113.13) Ascension Alarm (93.03) Rectory
Plumbing (393.90) Christmas Flowers (1015.00) Church
Railings (171.87) Funerals (458.40) Schola (832.60) Administration (1665.80) Haitian Apostolate (532.00) Food
for the Poor (3440.75)
Our Parish Community
...Welcomes Alan Dallessandro, III
who has entered the catholic
community through the
waters of Baptism.
Word of Life
“Don’t forget that He whom the whole universe cannot contain, was ‘hidden’ in the womb of
the Holy Virgin for nine months. Once you realize this, you will be awe-filled for the double
mystery that God has confided to you: to conceive a human being made to God’s image and
likeness, and to give birth to him…”
— Alice von Hildebrand