St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church

Transcription

1 St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church 2414 Seventeenth Street, Gulfport, Mississippi Telephone (228) Fax (228) Staff: Rev. Joseph Uko, Pastor Deacon David Allen, Pastoral Associate Sr. Mary Kealy, PBVM, Pastoral Associate Teri Patton, Parish Secretary Masses: Saturday Vigil: 5:00 p.m. First Saturday Devotion: 9:00 a.m. Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 a.m., 6:00 p.m. Daily Mass: Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m. Spanish Mass: Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Holy Days: 6:00 p.m., Vigil, 7:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. Confession: Saturday 4:00 4:45 p.m. and anytime on request January 11, The Baptism of the Lord FRIEND OR FOE? Water is a rich and potent symbol. We all know that no life on earth would be possible without it. We use it for our sustenance, our cleansing, our relaxation; it touches nearly every facet of human life, and its absence is soon noted. Without it, the grain, wine, milk, and other "rich fare" from Isaiah would not be possible. The messianic age is characterized as a time of abundance and fertility, not attainable without water. It was a precious commodity in Jesus' world. Water has its dark, dangerous side as well-the chaos of the dawn of creation was symbolized by water, the earth was destroyed (and still knows destruction) by the waters of the flood. Israel risked it all in the waters of the Red Sea as they fled Egypt and entered the desert. In similar fashion, today Jesus risks it all in his calling as Son of God and, like the Israel whose son he also was, he will enter the desert in the next few verses of Mark's Gospel. THICKER THAN WATER Another powerful life symbol is blood. Like water, it is essential. John's letter today tells us that three things testify to Jesus as the Son of God: water, blood, and the Spirit. Today's feast forms a hinge of sorts between the two great "water and blood" moments in the life of Jesus. It is the culmination of the season of the Nativity, the time when we remember and celebrate that Jesus came into the world as a fully human being, in water and blood. It is also the day on which he begins his public ministry of calling Israel to repentance by proclaiming the reign of God, a ministry that will ultimately end in water and blood as he is crucified. But hovering over all of this is the Holy Spirit. It is by the Spirit that Jesus was conceived in the womb of Mary; it is the Spirit who guides his entire ministry from Jordan to Calvary; and it will be the Spirit who brings his resurrected life back to the world, who continues it to this very day in the waters of baptism and the blood of disciples, by which his Body, the Church, is still proclaiming the reign of God to the world. Copyright (c) 2005, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

2 The Baptism of the Lord January 11, 2015 All you who are thirsty, come to the water! Isaiah 55:1 C.C.D. (Grades K-12)... Sundays, 9:00-10:15 A.M. Knights of Columbus... 1st & 3rd Wednesday, 7:00 P.M. K C Ladies Auxiliary... 3rd Tuesday, 6:30 P.M. R.C.I.A...Tuesdays, 6:30 P.M. St. Vincent de Paul... 2nd Wednesday, 9:00 A.M. Young At Heart... 4th Thursday, 12 Noon THE WATERS OF BAPTISM When new sod is put in, it needs constant saturation with water. Landscapers say that this knits the sod to the soil. The same when a branch is grafted onto a tree: the poultice that joins them at the splice must be kept wet at all times. Water is the stuff that binds the very cells of our bodies together. No wonder religions throughout all times and cultures have used it so prominently. When Jesus stepped into the Jordan for baptism, he knit himself to what had come before him. By going to the Jordan, he made himself one with the people of Israel who had crossed it into their Promised Land. With John the Baptist, Christ wove himself into the prophetic tradition that heralded the coming reign of God. He had become fully human in the waters of Mary s womb, and by partaking in the rite of the baptism of repentance, Jesus identified himself with our sinful, frail humanity. It is through the waters of baptism that Christ continues to graft new members onto his Body, the Church; through these waters we are cleansed from sin and filled with the promise of grace, given our destiny for eternal life. For us, as for Jesus, it is also the waters of baptism that inaugurate our mission to proclaim the Good News. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. Happy birthday wishes to: Tom Hewes celebrated Jan. 4; George Burkhardt Jr celebrates Jan. 11; Ruby Morton, Janet Papania & Ellen Bosarge celebrate Jan. 12; Donna Holcomb celebrates Jan. 13; Ruth Matthews celebrates Jan. 15; Peter Shea celebrates Jan. 16. May God Bless them with many more Happy Birthdays! Congratulations to Kevin & Sherri Killegrew on the anniversary of their wedding! Kevin & Sherri celebrate their 33rd anniversary on January 11. May God bless them with many more happy years together! Welcome to St. John the Evangelist Church! If you are new to the parish and have not yet registered, please call AN ANCIENT BAPTISTERY One of the most ancient and enduring sites for baptism in Rome is the church of San Giovanni in Fonte. This church is in fact a baptistery, and houses the font for the Lateran Basilica, the cathedral of Rome. The Emperor Constantine sponsored its construction in the year 315, and it is therefore the oldest baptistery in the world. It is the model for nearly all later baptisteries, including perhaps the font in your own parish church. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. January 30th marks the first anniversary of Fr. Peter Mockler's passing. Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church will be having a Mass in honor of Fr. Peter Mockler on January 30th at 6:00 PM. There will be a reception afterwards. All are invited to attend. The Popes Intentions for January GENERAL Peace That those from diverse religious traditions and all people of good will may work together for peace. MISSION Consecrated Life That in this year dedicated to consecrated life, religious men and women may rediscover the joy of following Christ and strive to serve the poor with zeal.

3 TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION In the 1560s, the Council of Trent attempted to standardize the widely variant customs for the pastoral care of the sick and dying. We had inherited a practice called extreme unction, from the Latin words meaning anointing at the point of death. The deeper tradition, however, is about the prayer of faith that will heal and restore the sick person, and is straight from the Letter of James. The Fathers went back to the beginning, and while not discarding the extreme unction name, made a plea for the proper use of this sacrament. As soon as a person is in danger of death from sickness or old age, they reasoned, the time for the sacrament had already arrived. As a result of this desire, the next ritual text for anointing contained an innovation: a rite for visiting the sick that included readings from scripture, psalms, and prayers. Old customs fade slowly, however, and the quality of pastoral care languished for centuries while people delayed the celebration of a consoling and effective sacrament, sometimes missing the opportunity completely. A priest ministering to a dying and unconscious patient alone in a room has never been the desire of the Church. Our tradition is far too rich for this sacrament to be celebrated in such a diminished and ungenerous manner. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. The Catholic bishops of the United States have designated January 22 as a special day of prayer and penance in reparation for the massive killing that has resulted from Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision (handed down January 22, 1973) which permitted abortion throughout pregnancy. Prepare spiritually for that day by joining a Novena that starts January 14 and concludes on the 22 nd. Prayer of Reparation God and Father of Life, You have created every human person, And have opened the way for each to have eternal life. We live in the shadow of death. Tens of millions of your children have been killed because of the Roe vs. Wade decision legalizing abortion. Father, have mercy on us. Heal our land And accept our offering of prayer and penance. In your love for us, Turn back the scourge of abortion. May each of us exult in hearts full of hope And hands full of mercy And work together to build a culture of life. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen. The beautiful flowers on the altar this weekend were donated by Carl and Mary Ann Necaise in loving memory of Mary Ann s parents Mary Ann and Wesley Ranson to commemorate their birthdays and wedding anniversary. Thank You! St. Michael Parish Mission January 12-14, :00 am and 6:00 pm Looking for a boost in your faith? Something to awaken your life and recharge your spirit? Join us for our Parish Mission. It s a chance to slow down a bit and to reconnect yourself to God s Presence in your life. To find a deeper sense of purpose and joy. It s not your typical church event. Through story and spiritual guidance our speaker, Fr. Bill Rinehart will lead our spiritual awakening. Mission is for everyone - kids and adults. For more info. call Arts Under the Dome-First United Methodist Church 15th St., Downtown Gulfport Season Tickets $44/ Per Concert-$15 adults, $10 students Concerts are in the Sanctuary Building across from city hall. The building is wheelchair accessible via elevator on the 15th St. side. Concerts are open seating. Tickets are sold at the door for each concert, at the website by mail, or from the church office. Call for more info. Saturday, January 10, 7pm -Town Mountain Sunday, February8, 7pm - Vivace Friday, March 6, 7pm - Diego Figueiredo Friday, March 27, 7pm Brad Richter & Viktor Uzur The Gulf Coast Italian American Cultural Society will sponsor its 2nd annual Italian/English Mass followed by a homemade Italian lunch on Sunday, January 11, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Long Beach. The Mass begins at 11:30 am. The Offertory collection will benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVDP) Pharmacy and the St. Thomas the Apostle SVDP. Following Mass, a homemade lunch (ziti, meatballs, salads, desserts, beverages) will be held in the St. Thomas Community Center, 12:30 2:30 pm. The price is $12 for adults and $6 for children. Reservations can be made by phone to GCIACS president David Biagini ( ), gulfcoastitalians@gmail.com, or via Facebook. Reservations are confirmed with checks payable to "GCIACS" which can be mailed to: GCIACS, PO Box 6201, Gulfport, MS

4 Leigh Adamson Curt Arleth Katie E. Bailey Theresa Barlow Lisa Bass Christopher Allen Baugh Mary Anne Bishop Addison Blackmon Ingrid Blackmon Ann Bobinger Mary Borzik Ruby Bouchard Harriett Bowles Tien (Tina) Bui Pablo Cabasa Carol Campbell Danny Carlisle Kevin Crane Gerald Cuevas Moriah Dearmon Deanne Fasold Lynn Foster Valerie Frost Jennifer Garriga Sandra Gary Nicole Gilbert Carol Giuffria Jal Giuffria Peter Giuffria Dan & Lorraine Goad Betty Godo Please Remember in Your Prayers Mary Dauro Hansen Jessi Hebert Celeste Hewes Pearl Hitchcock Annie Hosli Destiny Hughes Lorena Hussey Klaus Jeschke Mary Kealy Kemberly Lacap Gary Lacy Cliff Ladner Diane Ladner Eddie Ladner Elton Ladner Diane Lefkowitz Herman Lefkowitz Joann Liner Anthony Loftin Carol Loftin Patty Loftin Walter Lolley Celeste McInnis S. J. Marengo Nikki Mihalik Rhonda Mires Luz Monzon Karen Nelson Tillie Nettles David Nilges Ben North Melvin Olive Kent Olsen Trey Patterson Angie Pendergrass Jane Pendergrass Gary Reeves Chris Richards Randy Richardson Glenda Rockwell Sharon Rogers Skip Ryland Ken Saxon Don Seymour Wanda Stephens Emerson Stringer Kenneth Taylor Tracy Taylor Lori Taylor Lisa Thompson Bennye Turner Becky Truxillo Felecia Vann Kathleen Walker Jim Wetzel, III Icy Wilkerson Winky Williams Addie Wittmann Ginger Worth Prayer is the door through which all God s Graces comes to us -St. Theresa of Avila Reminder, if you or anyone in your family is ill at home or in the hospital and would like us to visit you-please call the parish office at TODAY S READINGS First Reading Behold my servant with whom I am pleased; he shall bring forth justice to the nations (Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7) or Isaiah 55:1-11. Psalm The Lord will bless his people with peace (Psalm 29) or Isaiah 12:2-6. Second Reading God anointed him with the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:34-38) or 1 John 5:1-9. Gospel You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased (Mark 1:7-11). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from the Lectionary for Mass 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Heb 1:1-6; Ps 97:1, 2b, 6, 7c, 9; Mk 1:14-20 Tuesday: Heb 2:5-12; Ps 8:2ab, 5, 6-9; Mk 1:21-28 Wednesday: Heb 2:14-18; Ps 105:1-4, 6-9; Mk 1:29-39 Thursday: Heb 3:7-14; Ps 95:6-11; Mk 1:40-45 Friday: Heb 4:1-5, 11; Ps 78:3, 4bc, 6c-8; Mk 2:1-12 Saturday: Heb 4:12-16; Ps 19:8-10, 15; Mk 2:13-17 Sunday: 1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19; Ps 40:2, 4, 7-10; 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20; Jn 1:35-42 SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: The Baptism of the Lord Monday: First Week in Ordinary Time begins Tuesday: St. Hilary Saturday: St. Anthony Collections New Years: $898 Jan. 3-4 Identifiable: $3748 Unidentifiable: $2558ACH: $1520 Aged & Infirm: $648 Maintenance: $238 Thank you for your generosity! MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK Saturday: +Libby Milner Roland Sunday: 8:00am +Dr. Edmund Crane; +Vincent & Helen Dauro; +Matthew & Thelma Serpa 10:30am +John McWaters; For the Holy Souls 6:00pm People of the Parish Monday: +Dorothy Jenner Tuesday: +Doris Marie Necaise; Special Int. of Dorothy Mulligan Wednesday: +Mackie Fayard Thursday: +Annie Jane Sawyer Friday: +Joey Jussely

5 A Prayer for Vocations Heavenly Father, bless your Church with an abundance of holy and zealous priests, deacons, brothers and sisters. Give those you have called to the married state and those you have chosen to live as single persons in the world, the special graces that their lives require. Form us all in the likeness of your Son so that in Him, with Him and through Him we may love you more deeply and serve you more faithfully always and everywhere. With Mary, we ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen. The Young at Heart will gather for lunch and fellowship on Thursday, January 22 at 12 noon in Presentation Hall. The main dish will be provided. Please bring your favorite vegetable, salad or dessert dish to compliment the meal. Please plan to come enjoy some delicious food, good company and exciting games of bingo. Ultreya Announcement: The West Harrison County Ultreya will be held at St. James Church in Gulfport on Monday, January 19 beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Thad Rhodes will be the Lay Speaker and Father Ryan McCoy will be the Spiritual Speaker. Any Cursillistas and anyone wanting to learn more about Cursillo are welcome to attend! St James Ultreya point of contact is Holly Ford, Calendar of Events Jan 22 Young at Heart, Presentation Hall-Noon Jan 31 First Reconciliation, 9:00am Feb 1 Feast of St. Blaise, Blessing of Throats Feb 4 World Marriage Day Feb 18 Ash Wednesday - Mass 7am, 12 Noon, 6pm Feb 26 Young at Heart, Presentation Hall-Noon Mar 10 Anointing of the Sick, Noon Mar 17 Seder Meal, Presentation Hall, 6pm Mar 23 Lenten Penance Service, 6pm Mar 26 Young at Heart, Presentation Hall-Noon Mar 29 Palm Sunday - Apr 2 Holy Thursday - Mass of the Lord s Supper, 7pm Apr 3 Good Friday - Live Stations of the Cross at 3pm Good Friday Services at 7pm Apr 4 Easter Vigil at 7pm CYO will resume meeting Sunday, Jan 11 at 7:00 pm. We are making plans for We encourage all parents to attend this meeting. We need and want your input. See you Sunday. Please support our Bulletin Advertisers! Take a bulletin home with you and look at all our advertisers. We appreciate their generosity and support of our parish. When you patronize them, thank them for their support of our parish.

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