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 Easter Sunday April 5, 2015 HOPE RESTORED Today Christians around the world gather to celebrate the centrality of their faith-that the Lord Jesus suffered, died, and rose from the dead to bring new life to all who believe. What difference can Easter really make in our lives? Any difference that Easter can bring can be summed up in one word: hope. Picture yourself as one of the followers of Jesus of Nazareth. The one for whom you had given up everything, the one in whom you had placed all your trust, the one who seemed to be the way to freedom from fear-this one had been put to death in the most horrifying way. He was nailed to a cross, and on that cross it seemed that hope itself breathed its last. Have you ever felt that way-that hope had breathed its last? For many who lose a cherished job, a spouse to death or divorce, a child to drug abuse or disease, there just doesn't seem to be any hope remaining. This was the kind of despair that Peter, John, and Mary of Magdala must have been feeling on that first day of the week. EASTER: OUR OWN STORY The Gospel story today is, in a nutshell, the story of our very own lives. It is a story of restored hope. Like those disciples, we must always, when in despair, see and believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. When we place our belief in the power of God to raise Jesus from the dead, we also place our belief in the power of God to deliver us from the death of despair, malaise, and hopelessness. This is at the heart of why we come to church this day. We look to the empty tomb to find hope that was lost. It is for this that we raise heart and voice in an endless "Alleluia!" Copyright (c) 2005, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

2 Easter Sunday April 5, 2015 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. Psalm 118:17 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 Welcome to St. John the Evangelist Church! If you are new to the parish and have not yet registered, please call SEEKING Easter Sunday is a day all about seeking. The early Christian communities gathered around the Apostles, seeking more about the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus. Saint Paul told the baptized Colossians to seek what is above. Mary of Magdala went to the tomb, seeking to find the Lord s body so that she could anoint it. We come to church on Easter Sunday seeking many things. For some of us, this is a once a - year journey, when we seek connection with the foundations of the Christian faith. For others, this day is the culmination of a long journey of Lenten repentance. For the newly baptized, this is the first day of a new life filled with promise and expectation. Whatever it is that we seek, let us be inspired by the disciple whom Jesus loved who, when he saw the wrappings of cloth inside the empty tomb, saw and believed. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. Happy birthday wishes to: Haleigh Pucheu & Lorraine Goad celebrate Apr. 6; Erin Langworthy celebrates Apr. 7; Ben Robinson celebrates Apr. 8; Bradley Underwood celebrates Nov. 9. May God Bless them with many more Happy Birthdays! The second collection this weekend is for Operation Rice Bowl. Operation Rice Bowl provides funding for Catholic Relief Services food security projects which support agriculture, nutrition, education, and selfsufficiency in communities around the world. The second collection at all Masses next weekend is for your church hospitality. Father Uko, Sister Mary, Deacon Allen and Teri Patton wish all our parishioners a very Happy and Blessed Easter! The parish office will be closed Easter Monday. We will reopen Tuesday, April 7 at 10:00am. Diocesan Priest Retreat this week! Fr. Uko will be joining the priests of our diocese for their annual retreat. We will not have morning Mass here Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Neighboring Parish Mass times are: St. Therese: Tuesday & Thursday -7am St. Thomas: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday - 8:30am St. James: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday-7am Monday-Friday -8:30am Raffle Ticket Update Every year you have been very generous to help us sell or purchase tickets for a $1.000 raffle drawing that will be held this year at the International Festival on May 24. The tickets are ready with your name on them, and in the back of church for you to pick up. Please help us save postage so that we do not have to mail you the tickets. This money generates income to help pay for the various improvements not budgeted that we must make to our church and facilities every year. We appreciate your help in this worthy endeavor. We extend our deepest sympathy to Patty Sinopoli and the Sinopoli family in the death of Debbie Sinopoli Regan. May God reward Debbie with Eternal Rest, Light and Peace and may He comfort her family in their sorrow. The Pope s intentions for April GENERAL Creation That people may learn to respect creation and care for it as a gift of God. MISSION Persecuted Christians That persecuted Christians may feel the consoling presence of the risen Lord and the solidarity of all the Church.

3 Divine Mercy Sunday is on April 12- We will pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet-30 minutes before each Mass-this weekend. We invite you to lead this prayer. There is a sign up sheet on the center table. Our Lord told St. Faustina that he would provide His mercy if we asked Him. A special Plenary Indulgence can be earned on this day by attending Mass, receiving Holy Communion, going to Confession, reciting the Chaplet and performing acts of mercy. BAY ST. LOUIS Our Lady of the Gulf Parish, 228 South Beach Blvd, will host a Divine Mercy Sunday celebration on April 12 with confessions from 2 to 3pm, followed by Mass and blessing of the Divine Mercy image at 3 pm. Father Michael O'Connor will be the celebrant and homilist BILOXI Our Lady of Fatima Parish, 2090 Pass Rd, will celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday on April 12 with confessions at 2 pm and Mass at 3 pm. New Lectors - We will have the commissioning of our new Lectors on Sunday, April 12th at the 10:30 am Mass. The new lectors are: David Comstock, Patti Cuevas, Sarah Larkin, Lynn Lofton, Leslie North & Mac Rouse. GOD S WORD TODAY The first Easter Sunday must have been very difficult for the apostles. They had given up three years of their lives to follow the man they believed to be the Messiah, only to watch him be crucified and buried. All seemed lost. By fixating on the events of Good Friday, they had great difficulty understanding the message of resurrection at first. But their eyes and hearts were opened when Jesus spoke their names, ate with them, and breathed on them his gift of peace. From this moment, they were empowered and infused with a new courage and enthusiasm. With the gift of the Holy Spirit, they became powerful witnesses to the message of hope and new life. As we rejoice in the glory and power of the Resurrection, we come to realize that the victory of Christ over sin and death can likewise be ours. Let us live this Easter Day with faith and conviction, and then we will share forever in the fullness of Christ's resurrection. From Saint Margaret Sunday Missal, copyright J. S. Paluch Company Catholic Sharing Appeal: May the risen Lord be recognized by each family in our parish, through a generous donation to the Catholic Sharing Appeal. If you have not get given to this most valuable program in our Diocese, please consider making a contribution during this week. God will bless you for your generosity and support of the ministries of the Diocese, and for caring for the less fortunate. Our goal this year is $30,465. We have 354 registered families and to date, $23,389. has been pledged by 73 families. Thank you! TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Our tradition has a way of honoring age-old customs, and is patient with how practices unfold in different places. The name of today s feast illustrates this well. English is a Germanic language, and our word Easter, or German Oester, points back to the pagan goddess Eoestre, the star of the vernal equinox feast. The Greek title Pasch reaches back in a more helpful manner to the Hebrew Pesach, or Passover. Paschal Triduum may be slow to replace Easter in our vocabulary, but it is clearer about the mystery we celebrate today, the culmination of three days laden with mystery and meaning. You can hear the older term, and the resistance to English influence, in the Irish Casca and Scottish Pask. Romance languages stay close to the deep paschal tradition, with the French Pâques, Spanish Pascua and Italian Pasqua. Memories of our pagan past with Oester will not soon fade away: even Japanese Christians are under her spell, for today s feast is called I-suta. Swahili, a young language, takes the more traditional route with Pasaka. Each language yields a rich insight into the feast. Spanish includes a sense that today is a big Sunday by adding the designation Pascua to the greatest feasts, such as Pascua de la Natividad (Christmas). Once Christ is risen, every step of life s journey is illuminated by the light of the Pasch! Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. EASTER PEOPLE We are Easter people and Alleluia is our song! St. Augustine 2016 European Shrines Tour with Father Joseph Uko Come join our group for a once in a lifetime pilgrimage experience in some of Europe s awe inspiring Shrines and Cathedrals. Dates: April 25-May 7, 2016 Places and Shrines to see: Lisbon, Alcobaca, Fatima, Braga (Porugal), Santiago de Compostela, Burgos, San Ignacio de Loyola, Barcelona (Spain), Lourdes, Carcassonne (France) Cost: $2, per person Includes:1.Daily breakfast, 6 dinners, lunch on your own) 2. Round trip airfare from Gulfport 3. Cost of land tour 4. Airport transfer to hotel in Lisbon and hotel to airport in Barcelona. How to Book: Call Rose Morrissey at (except July 23-August 9, 2015). Book by September 15, 2015 with a $25o non-refundable deposit and receive a $100 early booking discount. Trip Insurance: Available for $ per person For More Information, please contact: Cynthia Dominguez at or Cynthia.d1973@yahoo.com

4 William Allen Theresa Barlow Lisa Bass David Bell Mary Anne Bishop Ruby Bouchard Harriett Bowles Pablo Cabasa Carol Campbell Danny Carlisle Buddy Cospelich Rhonda Cospelich Kevin Crane Gerald Cuevas Linda Eschler Deanne Fasold Lynn Foster Felecia Galle Nicole Gilbert Jal Giuffria Peter Giuffria Betty Godo Tom Goode Anna Grice Jessi Hebert Hazel Herrington Please Remember in Your Prayers Klaus Jeschke Mary Kealy Kemberly Lacap Gary Lacy Elton Ladner Diane Lefkowitz Herman Lefkowitz Churck Lepowsky Joann Liner Jenny Lizana Patty Loftin Walter Lolley Celeste McInnis S. J. Marengo Dot Miller Rhonda Mires Luz Monzon Karen Nelson Tillie Nettles Melvin Olive Kent Olsen Trey Patterson Jane Pendergrass Mike Price Gary Reeves Chris Richards Randy Richardson Glenda Rockwell Sharon Rogers Ken Saxon Joseph Schultz Don Seymour Gary Seymour Marie Stanbro Norman Stanbro Wanda Stephens Emerson Stringer Tracy Taylor Lisa Thompson Bennye Turner Becky Truxillo Felecia Vann Ronald Wade Kathleen Walker Jim Wetzel, III Rosemary White Addie Wittmann Ginger Worth Prayer is the door through which all God s Graces comes to us -St. Theresa of Avila TODAY S READINGS First Reading Peter is an eyewitness: The Lord is risen (Acts 10:34a, 37-43). Psalm This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad (Psalm 118). (1) Second Reading All who are baptized, set your hearts in heaven (Colossians 3:1-4) or (2) Second Reading Christ our Passover is sacri-ficed; therefore let us celebrate (1 Corinthians 5:6b-8). Gospel Three witnesses, Mary, Peter, and John; each responds to the empty tomb (John 20:1-9) or Mark 16:1-7 (or, at an afternoon or evening Mass, Luke 24:13-35). 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: Acts 2:14, 22-33; Ps 16:1-2a, 5, 7-11; Mt 28:8-15 Tuesday: Acts 2:36-41; Ps 33:4-5, 18-20, 22; Jn 20:11-18 Wednesday: Acts 3:1-10; Ps 105:1-4, 6-9; Lk 24:13-35 Thursday: Acts 3:11-26; Ps 8:2ab, 5-9; Lk 24:35-48 Friday: Acts 4:1-12; Ps 118:1-2, 4, 22-27a; Jn 21:1-14 Saturday: Acts 4:13-21; Ps 118:1, 14-15ab, 16-21; Mk 16:9-15 Sunday: Acts 4:32-35; Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24; 1 Jn 5:1-6; Jn 20:19-31 We really appreciate those who donate toward the flowers for our church. Sometimes donations are made in honor of an event (anniversary, birthday, etc.) or in memory of a loved one. If you would like to have flowers placed in church, please contact the parish office at Bishop Roger Morin has nominated Bragg Moore, director of the Diocese of Biloxi's Office of Youth Ministry, for Catholic Extension's Lumen Christi Award. Modeling faith in action, Catholics from Alaska to the Gulf Coast are reaching out to make a difference in their communities. Since 1978, Catholic Extension has been honoring these faithful servants with the Lumen Christi Award. Accompanied by a $50,000 grant ($25,000 for the honoree and $25,000 for the nominating diocese), the Lumen Christi Award is presented to a priest, woman religious, lay person or group of people who have demonstrated how the power of faith can transform lives and society. To vote for Bragg Moore, visit SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord; Julian Calendar Palm Sunday Monday: Monday within the Octave of Easter Tuesday: Tuesday within the Octave of Easter Wednesday: Wednesday within the Octave of Easter Thursday: Thursday within the Octave of Easter Friday: Friday in the Octave of Easter; Julian Calendar Good Friday Saturday: Saturday in the Octave of Easter Collections: March Identifiable: $3474 Unidentifiable: $739 ACH: $200 St. Vincent de Paul: $983 Thank you for your generosity! MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK Saturday: +Debbie & Joey Haydel Sunday: 8:00am +Vincent & Helen Dauro; +Matthew & Thelmas Serpa 10:30am +Fr. Gerard Cleary; +Anthony Davis 6:00pm People of the Parish Monday: +Rita White Tuesday: Intention of Donor Wednesday: +Mackie Fayard Thursday: Intention of Donor Friday: +Irene Shifalo

5 Apr 23 May 3 May 9 May 10 May 13 May 17 May 24 Calendar of Events Young at Heart, Presentation Hall-Noon First Holy Communion, 10:30 Mass Confirmation at 5:00pm Mass Mothers Day Pastoral Council Meeting Recognition of Seniors at 10:30 Mass International Festival & Raffle, After 10:30 Mass Choir practice is every Friday at 6:00pm in the Church. New voices are always welcome to help elevate our praises to God. Please consider being a part of this very important and beautiful ministry. The Gulf Coast Messiah Chorus (GCMC) announces their Spring, 2015 season with matinee concerts - April 12th, 3:00 p.m., St. Augustine Seminary Chapel, 199 Seminary Dr., Bay St. Louis, MS These concerts are free and open to the public! The Gulf Coast Messiah Chorus is honored to be supported in part by The Bacot-McCarty Foundation and The Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. For more details please contact Ed Cake at or ed.cake@yahoo.com. Just a reminder, Our prayer group meets every Thursday afternoon from 5:15-6:15pm. Everyone is invited to join us. For more information call the Parish office, 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 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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