1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

To Discover, Equip, and Live Out
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Pastoral Team
Pastor
Rev. John P. Bergstadt – Phone Ext. 211
Deacons
Manny Torres & Nicholas Williams
Business Administrator
Deacon Manny Torres – Phone Ext. 213
Pastoral Associate
Sister Kathy Lange, SCSC - Phone Ext. 214
Pastoral Minister
Ruth Holloway – Phone Ext. 209
Coordinator of Liturgy and Music
Karen Bernsteen – Phone Ext. 232
Director of Faith Formation
Sister Gretchen Krueger, O.P. – Phone Ext. 204
Faith Formation Facilitator Grades 1-6
Susan Casleton – Phone Ext. 205
Coordinator of HS Faith Formation/Confirmation
Amy Koehler – Phone Ext. 212
Coordinator of Youth Ministry
Jody Engebos – Phone Ext. 215
School Principal
Vicki Marotz – Phone Ext. 223
Parish Trustees
Gary Lockstein
Bob Buss
Councils & Committee Chairpersons
Pastoral Council- Jeff Taylor
Meets first Thursday of the month
Finance Council- John Style
Meets third Monday of the month
Social Concerns- Lori Janowski
Site Advisory Council- Kelly Williams
Board of Faith Formation- Dave Wojcik
Stewardship- Roseann Mader
Welcoming - Vern Ruhland
Building & Grounds – Mark Heinzen
Councils & Committee Meetings are
open to all parishioners.
Parish Office 434-2145 Faith Formation Office 434-2417 School Office 434-3822
Parish Office fax# (920) 434-5015
School Office fax# (920) 434-5016
Welcome to Saint John the Baptist Catholic Parish – Howard, Wisconsin
This Week at St. John’s
O God, Hear Our Prayer
Saturday, April 11
4:30pm
Sue Mier
Ralph Barlament
Sunday, April 12
8:00am People of the Parish
10:00am Ione Bukoski
Tuesday, April 14
8:30am
Liturgy of the Word
Wednesday, April 15
8:30am
People of the Parish
Thursday, April 16
8:30am
Edward Madigan Family
Friday, April 17
8:30am
Catholic Women/Christian
Mothers
Saturday, April 18
4:30pm
Mary L. Meyer
Sunday, April 19
8:00am People of the Parish
10:00am William Compton
Scripture Readings
April 19 - Third Sunday of Easter
Reading I Acts of the Apostles 3:13-15, 17-19
Reading II 1 John 2:1-5a
Gospel Luke 24:35-48
Stewardship of Treasure
From the week of April 5, 2015
Weekly Contribution Budget
Weekly Envelopes
Automatic Withdrawals
Loose Collection
Total
Holy Thursday
Good Friday
Easter
$22,800
$15,745.64
11,813.50
+2,571.64
$30,130.78
$3,132.31
$3,417.46
$13,197.00
Children’s Stewardship
Here are just a few of the many “offerings” to God from the
youth at St. John the Baptist.
*I gave my money from the Easter Bunny to Church.
*I passed out palms on Palm Sunday.
*I went over to a 1st graders house and helped her get
over her sadness.
*I helped do chores at Grandma’s House.
*I shared my Easter candy with my sister.
*I helped Grandpa feed his kitties.
***Spelling taken directly from the envelopes!
*45 youth envelopes were turned in for April 5……..$60.35
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Coffee & Donuts after the morning Masses
Hosted by the Auction Committee
Blood Pressure Screening – before & after the morning Masses
Catechist Appreciation Brunch – 11:00am in the commons
Confirmation – 7:00pm, School
Mom’s Group – 5:00pm, Conference Room
Monday, April 13, 2015
Faith Formation Gr. 1- 8 – 6:00pm, School
1st Eucharist Rehearsal – 6:00pm, Church
Building & Grounds – 6:30pm, Conference Room
Catholics Returning Home – 7:00pm, Sacristy
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Men’s Choir – 6:00pm, Church
Living Waters – 7:15pm, Church
Men’s Bible Study – 6:30pm, Conference Room
Men’s CRHP – 7:30pm, Fireplace Room
KC Meeting – 7:30pm, Commons
AA – 8:00pm, Corner Room
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Breaking Open the Sunday Readings – 6:30am & 6pm, Narthex
Senior Citizen Card Party – 12:00pm, Commons
SJB School SAC Meeting – 5:30pm, Teachers Lounge
Faith Formation Gr. 1- 8 – 6:00pm, School
1st Eucharist Rehearsal – 6:00pm, Church
Faith Formation High School- 7:30pm, School
RCIA – 6:30pm, Commons
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Women’s Bible Study – 9:00am, Fireplace Room
Bereavement Group – 1:30pm, Fireplace Room
Faith Formation Advisory Board – 5:45pm, Conference Room
Catholic Women/Christian Mothers – 6:00pm, Commons
Stewardship Committee – 6:30pm, Fireplace Room
St. John’s Prayer Group – 7:00pm, Sacristy
Friday, April 17, 2014
Run-4-It (School Fundraiser) 11:00am – 3:00pm, Parking Lot
Saturday, April 18, 2015
1st Eucharist will be celebrated at the 4:30pm Mass
Sunday, April 19, 2015
1st Eucharist will be celebrated at the 10:00am Mass
Pick up your Fair Trade Coffee Order Today!
Mom’s Group – 5:00pm, Conference Room
Boy Scout Troop 1113 – 6:30pm, Ministry Center
Schedule of Worship
Eucharist
Tuesday
8:30am - Liturgy of the Word with Communion
Wednesday thru Friday 8:30am – Mass
Saturday
4:30pm – Mass
Sunday
8:00am & 10:00am – Masses
Holy Days As Announced
Reconciliation
Saturday
Stewardship Corner
April 12, 2015 - 2nd Sunday of Easter
“The community of believers was of one heart and mind and no one claimed
that any of his possessions was his own.” - Acts 4:32
All that we are and all that we have is a gift from God! Think of your
family, your friends, your talents and abilities – these are all gifts from
God. We aren’t really owners of anything, we are merely “stewards”
of the gifts God has blessed us with.
9:30am – 10:30am (Or by appointment)
Baptism
Baptism Class is held the last Thursday of each month.
Please call the Parish Office Center at 434-2145 to register.
Baptism will be celebrated on Baptism Sunday at any Mass.
Marriage
By arrangement with Fr. John or Deacon Manny eight months in
advance.
Sacrament of the Sick
Individually, by appointment – Communally, as announced.
April 12, 2015
Second Sunday of Easter
Cemetery Clean-up
The clean up at the cemetery started this week. The Christmas
decorations have been removed and are located by the garage.
Please pick up by April 24th. After that date they will be disposed
of. Thank you!
**********
Current Food Pantry Needs
Due to your generous response to our Lenten Giving Tree and the
Holy Thursday collection, we are well-stocked with food.
Because they go fast, a few items we could still use are: jelly,
frosting, mayonnaise, pancake mix, syrup, canned fruit, dish soap,
liquid hand soap, and laundry soap, Thanks for your continued
generosity.
**********
A Note from St. John’s Gardening Group
We are trying to turn the school forest, across from the Church,
into a Botanical Walk Way, as a teaching tool for the school and
as a nature walk.
The gardening committee is looking for
donations of: Ferns-Maiden & Cinnamon, Climbing & Bush
Roses, Red & Yellow Barberries , Large Leave Hostas, Karl
Foresters, Indian Grass, Drop Seed & Little Blue Stem. If you
would like to make a donation from our chosen plants or money,
please call 434-0240.
**********
Scrip News
We will not be selling SCRIP next weekend. Please purchase
your SCRIP today.
Volunteers for: Apr 18 & 19 1st Eucharist – NO SCRIP
Apr 25 & 26 Kellie Ahonen & Tina Kerscher
May 2 & 3
Cheryl Yursis & Vicki Marotz
**********
Paul's Pantry is in need of volunteers to check-in and
interview/qualify clients from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm Mon., Tue.,
Wed. and Fri. Compassion, patience and understanding along
with very basic computer skills are required. We are also looking
for volunteer truck drivers for early morning scheduled pick-ups.
No CDL required. Please call Craig at 435-4040 ext. 106, or
email us at info@paulspantry.org
Before you leave Church today…
Stop in the Sunday Office to purchase SCRIP.
Join us for Coffee & Donuts on Sunday Morning – Hosted by
SJB Auction Committee
Have your Blood Pressure checked before and after Masses
Saturday & Sunday
NEW PARISHIONERS MARCH
NICHOLAS BOND & KAITLYN REDDICK
LILLIE
FRED FISCHER
TOM KRAUSE
CHAD & STEPHANIE KLEMAN, CALEB
BRIAN & KIM LANGAN, PAIGE
Catholic Women/Christian Mothers
Spring Get–A-Way
Can you hear the birds singing, the warmth of spring creeping up
ever so softly. The Catholic Women/Christian Mother's know
that this time of year there is one thing that occupies our minds
and time. Our annual Spring Get Away. We are looking for
items to use in the baskets for the Silent Auction. Call Sandy
Baranczyk for more information (434-2373). The Mini Boutique
is looking for small decorative household/handmade items,
jewelry, pictures, books, and knitted items. The oral auction is
also searching out for some homemade items made of wood,
quilts, or any other master pieces that will raise the bids to make
this year's event the best ever. If you are able to help out in any
way your items may be dropped off at the parish office. Please
label "Mini Boutique" "Oral Auction" "Silent Auction". Any
questions, call Sally Ronsman at 497-2235.
GREEN BAY DIOCESAN COUNCIL OF
CATHOLIC WOMEN
All Catholic women are invited to attend the 2015 convention on
Saturday, April 18, at Nativity Catholic Church, 2270 Oneida
Street in Green Bay. Registration and continental breakfast begin
at 8:15am. Mass, business meeting and presentations from
Tommy Nelson, director of Campus Ministry at Silver Lake
College and Mother Mary Catherine, community superior and
founder of Missionaries of the Word complete the day. Lunch
provided. For more information or to register, please contact Pat
Gureski at 920-743-4274.
**********
May Crowning & Living Rosary
Wednesday, April 29 - 6:00pm
All parish members are invited to take part in
the Living Rosary – Families, Individuals,
School Children, First Communicants, etc.
We need about 70 people to sign up to lead
one of the Prayers of the Rosary – Our
Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, etc. You will receive a copy of the
prayer you are to lead for reference if needed and a candle to
turn on after you have read your prayer. The candles will be kept
in storage for the next time needed. After you read your prayer,
you will pass the microphone on to the next person. We will line
up in the Narthex at 5:40pm. Refreshments will be served by the
Catholic Women/Christian Mothers in the Narthex at the
conclusion of the service. Please call Patsy Beers at 530-7932 or
Marilyn Johnson at 434-0332 to sign up and honor our Blessed
Mother with your presence.
April 12, 2015
Second Sunday of Easter
School News
SJB Youth Group
Jody Engebos 920-737-7357
@stjohn_youth@GreenBayLuvsGodFB:
Want to help?
SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2015
St. John the Baptist School
Pre-Registration by 4/22 $15
At Door Registration $20.
Raffle Tickets - each $20 or 6 pack $100.
FUN TO BE HAD $PRICELESS
Doors Open 5:00pm
Fun Games & Prizes
Huge Silent & Live Auction
Light Dinner & Dessert Buffet
Cash Bar
Do not pass go. Go directly to St. John’s.
**********
'Save the Date' of June 18th for
St. John’s Annual
Golf Outing.
**********
TRANSFER STUDENTS
RECEIVE $1,000 SCHOLARSHIPS
GRACE students perform above the national average in math,
reading and science. All GRACE schools are now offering an
immediate $1,000 Student Transfer Scholarship for students
transferring into grades 2-7 for 2015-2016 and $500 for 20162017. The GRACE Catholic Schools are committed to providing
a learning environment that fosters academic excellence, faith
formation, critical thinking and problem-solving. Transfer your
child(ren)
into
a
GRACE
school
today!
Visit
www.gracesystem.org/transfer for additional information.
**********
GRACE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR 2015-2016
Families who intend to apply for GRACE financial assistance for
the 2015-2016 school year may do so online. This can be done at
the same time you enroll your child(ren) for the 2015-2016 school
year.
Application
directions
are
available
at
www.gracesystem.org. For additional assistance, call Donna
Sommers at 499-7330, ext. 303. The deadline for application is
April 15, 2015.
I have a parishioner that needs some
help with spring cleaning her yard.
Please text me if you are interested in
helping me help her.
I will sign your slip for service hours!
NDA….SJB….BP….YSL… HOP to it
There will be food and fun!
_____________________________________
Youth Ministry is in need of a donated COLOR ink jet
copier with the ink cartridges. Any brand that works
with a desk top computer would be fine!
Need not be new! 
_____________________________
Spring Cleaning?
Please consider donating any tools or painting supplies to
Youth Ministry This will help defray needing to buy new
things for the next mission trip! We’ll also take any old
towels or car wash supplies for our car washes.
(almost anything that has any life left in it!) Thank you!!!
Going to College? Know someone who is?
Do you know someone who is heading off to college this fall?
Would you like to help them connect with people of faith when
they get there? A new website sponsored by the Serra Club can
help. At www.newmanconnection.com , click “Get Connected”
and your students coming to campus can sign up to receive
information about campus ministry at prospective schools across
the nation, as well as an invitation to get involved. The college
years can be an important time for faith development. Don’t miss
out on the opportunities to meet great people and experience the
prayer, service, and social events that campus ministry offers. If
you know someone going to college, make sure they visit
www.newmanconnection.com!
FIRST EUCHARIST BANNERS
Beautiful First Eucharist banners created by our children will
greet you and be on display in the Narthex April 11 th and April
12th. It is evident that the children along with their families have
put much thought into their banners and have expressed their
understanding of the sacrament they will soon receive. Please
continue to support and hold these children in your prayers. All
parishioners, family, and friends are welcome to attend and
celebrate in the First Eucharist Masses on Saturday, April 18th,
4:30 pm Mass or Sunday, April 19th at the 10:00 am Mass.
FIRST EUCHARIST REHEARSAL REMINDER
Monday, April 13th, 6:00 pm, in church, for
Saturday, April 18th 4:30 pm Mass
Wednesday, April 15th, 6:00 pm, in church,
for Sunday, April 19th 10:00 am Mass
April 12, 2015
Area Happenings
Feast of Divine Mercy Celebration - Sunday, April 12, 2015
St. Agnes Church – 1484 Ninth St., Green Bay
Sacrament of Reconciliation 1:30-3:00 p.m.
Chaplet of Divine Mercy 3:00 p.m.
Mass 3:30 p.m. - Fr. Patrick Beno, Celebrant
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament before and following Mass
For more information contact Val Bessert, 920-866-9988
**********
Looking for a weekend away, for just the two of you?
A Marriage Encounter Weekend offers you this experience. It's
a time to renew your relationship, away from the everyday
distraction of life. It’s an opportunity to strengthen your
communication and promote greater intimacy in your life
together. You don't need a Marriage Encounter Weekend, but
you DESERVE one. “Discover Each Other Again”, more deeply,
honestly and warmly.
The weekend retreat options are:
April 17-19 at the Norbertine Center for Spirituality in De Pere,
May 16-17 at the Norbertine Center for Spirituality in De Pere.
For more information, contact Sue & Dennis Amtmann (920-5445166 / RegistrationCouple@GBME.org) or visit www.gbme.org
**********
Paper Drive Fundraiser
St. Jude, 1420 Division St., GB
Please use the designated dumpster in the east parking lot at your
convenience through April 19. Acceptable paper includes any
clean paper you would normally put in a city recycling
bin. Proceeds to benefit St. Jude’s new organ fund.
**********
7th ANNUAL TASTE OF THE VILLAGES and AUCTION
Thursday, April 30th
5:30 to 9:00pm
1951 West
This event is the primary fundraiser for The Howard-Suamico
School District Giving Tree.
Using proceeds from this event, we are able to provide more than
600 HSSD students and their families with items and services,
such as…
- School supplies and field trip fees - Monthly grocery basics
- In-home reading program supplies - Holiday assistance
- Summer school fee and transportation
- Emergency personal care items
Thank you for your consideration of this worthy cause. Please
direct any questions to the phone or email listed below and an
Auction Committee Member will be glad to assist you.
The Giving Tree Advisory Committee
Howard-Suamico School District Giving Tree Pantry
1217 Cardinal Lane, Green Bay, WI 54313
(920) 662-7873 givingtree@hssd.k12.wi.us
www.hssd.k12.wi.us/GivingTree
**********
The Green Bay West Lions Club is having a carryout booyah
sale on Sunday, April 19th at Kimps Hardware on Glendale Ave
from 9:00am until sold out.
**********
Card Party, Sunday, April 19, 1:00 pm
Annunciation Parish, 401 Gray Street, Green Bay
The Mission Society invites everyone to an afternoon of cards,
prizes & refreshments. Elevator access, use door #5 via the west
parking lot. Card Party & Board Games
Second Sunday of Easter
Breaking Open the Sunday Readings
Breaking Open the Sunday Readings is very informal. We talk
about the history of the reading, what was going on at that time
and then we bring it forward to our lives, what does it mean to us
today.
If you are curious, but not sure this is for you, just test the water.
If it feels good, come again, if not, that is Okay. There is no
prerequisite; you only need to bring your curiosity and faith. We
would love to see you there, all are welcome. If you have a bible,
please bring it along, but it isn’t required. No need to sign up,
just stop in. You can start anytime, this is a good week to give it
a try!
We meet on Wednesdays; the
morning sessions are from 6:307:30 a.m. in the Fireplace Room
or Narthex, the evening sessions
are from 6 – 7:00 p.m. in the
Narthex, Fireplace Room or
Family Room (Whichever is open
that night).
For more information, feel free to
call Jerry Berg, 327-0515.
Welcome Newly Registered
St. John’s Parishioners!!
If you registered between September
2014-present, this is for you!
***********************************
Watch for an invitation to a special event on the
evening of:
When: Sunday, May 3, 2015 5:00-7:30 pm.
Where: School Commons
Dinner will be served!
Babysitting available – Virtus Trained.
Menu options for children.
Mark your calendars now!
***********************************
We want to officially welcome you!
Hosted by the Welcome Committee
Why Give to the Bishop’s Appeal?
April 12, 2015
Second Sunday of Easter
Welcoming New Catholics
This Easter Season is a wonderful time to celebrate our faith and
the Resurrection of our Lord. For those
newly initiated into the Catholic Church, this
spring also marks a milestone on their faith
journey. With help from parish-directed
programs called the Rite of Christian
Initiation of Adults (RCIA), candidates
received the resources, support, and knowledge they needed to
take the next step in their journey of faith. Phil Lawson, who
leads the RCIA program for the Diocese of Green Bay, helps
parishes enhance their RCIA programs by providing them with
new ways to create a warm and welcoming place to find God.
With a gift to the Bishop’s Appeal, you can join Phil in helping
parishes enhance their RCIA programs and welcome future,
newly formed Catholics. To make a gift to the Bishop’s Appeal
contact your parish, visit the Bishop’s Appeal website at
www.catholicfoundationgb.org/give, or call Debbie toll-free at
877-500-3580, ext. 8184.
Holy Week and Easter Vigil
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for making
Holy Week and Easter Vigil liturgies such beautiful celebrations.
 Fr. John, Deacons Manny & Nick, pastoral and parish staff
 Lay leaders of prayer
 Karen and all the musicians for the beautiful music
 All those who helped decorate the church
 Lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, ushers and
greeters
 Those who took care of the Easter fire
 The RCIA team—Sr. Celine, Len Rizzo, Steve Pamperin,
Vicki Torres, Katie Drust, Patty Dow, Josh Richards
 All who helped with the Easter Vigil reception—
decorations, cake, etc.
 Jean, Jon, Kristi, Dakota, Paige, Ethan and their
godparent/sponsors
 All those who attended our liturgies and participated in
any way.
If I have forgotten anyone, I thank you, too!
Please continue to pray for our newest members of St. John the
Baptist parish. They will continue to meet with the RCIA team
and their sponsors for several weeks and will conclude their
sessions with a potluck dinner before Pentecost. I am grateful for
their faithfulness to the process and for the commitment of the
RCIA team members and sponsors who have so faithfully walked
with them these past months. --Sr. Kathy
**********
Why buy Fair Trade Products?
Every time you purchase a fair trade product
you are helping a small scale farmer support
his family in dignity, educate his children and
develop his own human potential and isn’t that
a wonderful thought. Shouldn’t the real question be, “Why not
buy Fair Trade?” Our next fair trade order will be placed on
April 12th at 6:00pm, with delivery the following weekend.
Please take the time to look at the St John the Baptist website for
information on coffee & tea currently available and consider
making a purchase. If you have any questions, please send them
to SJBFairTrade@yahoo.com or call Diane at 715-351-0056.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault
Awareness month. These are two topics that are not easy to talk
about but are in our midst, even in our parishes. According to
statistics for the State of WI, on the average 1 in 6 males is
sexually abused before he becomes an adult. The number for
females is 1 in 4. These are pretty alarming statistics. I think it is
fair to say, that many people in your parish have been sexually
abused.
Bishop Ricken recognizes that sexual abuse has affected all of us
– if not directly, than as Church, the Body of Christ. That is why
he is offering two Prayer Services of Healing in April. One is
here in Green Bay at St. Matthew Parish on Tuesday, April 14
@6:30 pm. This is not a Mass. This is not an anointing
service. It is a Prayer Service for Healing for all those in need
of healing from the Church, especially those affected by sexual
abuse.
**********
A letter to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Dear Fr. John and Parishioners,
On behalf of the Executive Board and Members of the Greater
Green Bay Labor Council, thank you all very, very much for your
help in the collection of blankets for the Council’s 2015
Blanketing Brown County Drive.
With your help we were able to collect just over two thousand
four hundred blankets and sleeping bags that have been given to
32 Homeless Shelters, Human Service Agencies and School
Board Social Workers for distribution to the needy.
With your collection, sleeping bags and blankets were provided
for homeless school children. These homeless children had to go
from home to home that did not have beds for them to sleep on.
They had to sleep on hard cold floors. With the sleeping bags and
blankets they have warmth and a feeling of security.
Again, thank you very much for your contribution to help out
with the needs of the homeless and low-income families in our
communities.
In Solidarity,
Tony Vanderbloemen, President
April 12, 2015
Second Sunday of Easter
Liturgical Ministries
The complete schedule is online at www.sjbh.org/parishcal.html
Saturday
April 18
4:30pm
Sunday
April 19
8:00am
Sunday
April 19
10:00am
Eucharistic Minister
Brian McKean
Eileen Breitrick
Heidi Colleran
Lynn McKean
Mary Sylla
Sally Ronsman
Sr. Gretchen Krueger
Vicki Marotz
Bob Buss
Claudene Tomlinson
David Schlegal
David Tomlinson
Diane Stepien
Gary Lockstein
Matt Utech
Pat Femling
Cheryl Nelson
Craig Gezella
Eileen Breitrick
Keri Steffens
Lori Gezella
Mary Sylla
Ruth Holloway
Sr. Gretchen Krueger
Terry Nelson
Victoria Torres
Lector
1-Mark Warden
Greeter
Carol Mikulich
Jim Mikulich
Lois O’Neil
Lois Terry
Pat Lane
Altar Servers
Elliot McGinnity-Schneider
Madison Moreau
Lector
1-Mary Larson
2-Ann Hammes
Dianne Lockstein
Gary Lockstein
Jack Weronka
Jo Schuessler
Mary Ann Doucha
Altar Servers
Usher
Bill Hendricks, Jr.
Christopher Carnell
Dede Rife
Jack Colleran
John O’Connor
Marilyn Bardwell
Sue O’Connor
Vern Ruhland - Head
Gregory Jossart
Hal Tust – Head
Joe Kimps
Jonas Wells
Joseph Jossart
Pat Klapatch
Musicians
Kim
Christine
Paul
Karen
Michael
Christopher
Olivia
Alexis
Katie
Olivia
Anna Grzelak
Katelyn Grzelak
Lector
1-Laura Nelson
Altar Servers
Adelyn Tooley
Cheryl Nelson
Kristin Barnhart
Paige Beyer
Terry Nelson
Tom Barnhart
Ben Rathburn
Chuck Johnson
Doris Smits
George Smits
Jack Rathburn
Randall Wietor
Samuel Rathburn
Vern Ruhland - Head
Karen
&
Group
(open to all)
Notes from the Health & Wellness Committee
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
Do you or someone you know talk or text while driving? Did you know that distracted driving causes many accidents each year? In
2012, over 3,300 people died and 421,000 persons were injured in car crashes involving distracted drivers in the US. Here are ten tips
to be a safer driver:
1. Turn off your cell or put it on silent before driving
2. Toss your cell in the trunk, back seat or glove box to avoid temptation
3. Pre-set your navigation and music before driving
4. Schedule planned stops to check voice mails, emails and texts.
5. Set special ringtones for important incoming calls and pull off to a safe place to take them
6. Tell family and friends not to call or text when they know that you are driving
7. Start all conference calls by asking if anyone is driving and have then call back when stopped.
8. Install a phone app that disables the phone while the vehicle is in motion
9. Ask a passenger to take a message and that you will call back when not driving
10. Change your voicemail message greeting to tell people that you are driving and will call back when safely to do so.
Eighty percent of American drivers believe hands-free devices are safer than using a handheld phone. But that is just not the case.
More than 30 studies show hands-free devices are no safer because the brain remains distracted by the conversation. When talking on
a cell phone, drivers can miss seeing up to half of what's around them, such as traffic lights, stop signs and pedestrians.
Take this pledge to save lives!
I pledge to:
 Protect lives by never texting or talking on the phone while driving.
 Be a good passenger and speak out if the driver in my car is distracted.
 Encourage my friends and family to drive phone-free.
National Safety Council
Health & Wellness Committee Sponsors - Blood Pressure Screening in the Family Room
Saturday, April 11th, from: 4:00-4:30 and 5:30-6:00pm
Sunday, April 12th, from: 9-10:00am and 11-11:30am