St. John the Baptist Parish Second Sunday of Lent March 17, 2019 Dear Parishioners: I think I m ready to retire... I mean, I m old enough to remember a time when my parish s total operational expenses for a month was less than what we paid for February s snow plowing/ salting at SJB: $17,951.50! The service was on-site 20 out of the month s 28 days! I suppose the saving grace is that this isn t quite as bad as it gets in the U.P. Rumor is they have had so much snow up there this year that they don t know where to put it anymore, and parking lots are so snowpacked that residents can t get to the dumpsters to empty their trash which is probably a wash since, one presumes, trucks can t get to the dumpsters to empty them, anyway. Our two pastoral councils had a wonderful belated Christmas party/ joint meeting at STA on Mardi Gras (March 5th) with Karene Boos, who brought us up-to-date on ZeruZeru, Inc. and developments at the Mary Mother of God Center in Lamadi, Tanzania. It is all really exciting, and we re looking forward to the up-coming Solidarity Meal with the Boos Family (Karene and Eric and at least the younger two of their children, Meredith and Zeke) on Tuesday, March 26th, at STA from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., followed by Stations of the Cross. There s no cost and no reservations needed. Just show up! (Because our two parishes are in a twinning relationship with ZeruZeru, Inc., they will be our Missionary Cooperation Plan speakers again this Summer yes, Summer is coming!!! on the weekend of July 13-14. Two years ago, Eric spoke; last year, it was Karene. I wonder what they ll have in store for us this time around...) (Oh, only two more weeks to get your nomination form for Trustee-Treasurer filled out and submitted! They re due by Monday, April 1.) (As long as I m doing parenthetical statements, I might as well fess up: I m just joshing about retirement. I saw my doctor last week, and my blood pressure came in at 118/72; pulse 62. I m too healthy to retire!) (Father Phil ) In Loving Memory Our parish family extends its sympathy to the family of Margaret Peggy Bartlett ZeruZeru Solidarity Meal The Boos and Zeru Zeru Inc want to say thank you this Lenten season. Come join the Boos family Tuesday, March 26 from 5-6:30 PM for dinner at STA, prior to Stations of the Cross. It will be a Solidarity Meal in which we will enjoy a typical, local, Tanzanian meal of rice and beans, a perfect complement to the Lenten practice of fasting. The first 80 people to arrive will receive a Tanzanian wooden bowl to take home. Thank you for your continued support and investment in the twinning partnership between Zeru Zeru Inc and STA/SJB parishes. We look forward to breaking rice together on March 26th! *NO RSVP *NO COST May Peggy, with God s Blessing, rest in peace. In Memory of Virginia Halloran St. John the Baptist Parish gratefully acknowledges a bequest from Virginia Halloran to the Angel fund. In addition, St. John the Baptist received a memorial gift, in memory of Virginia, which will be used for furnishings in the new Gathering Place. May Virginia with God s Blessing, rest in peace.
In last week s Gospel, we followed Jesus into the desert where He fasted and prayed. This week, He leads us up a mountain to witness His Transfiguration. Why both of these experiences? He is preparing us to go with Him in a few short weeks to a hilltop Golgatha where He will lay down His life for our sake, and then finally to take us to an empty cave where He triumphed over sin and death once and for all. Jesus perfectly understands our humanity. He knows we need desert experiences times of self-denial and testing in order to arrive at mountain-top moments when we see and feel His glorious presence in our lives. The purpose of these two types of experiences is summed up in the description of the Apostles who were with Jesus at that mountain-top experience in today s Gospel: Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory. The reason for all of our fasting and prayer and almsgiving during lent is to be reawakened to all God has done for humanity, and to all that He has done for each of us personally. It is all too easy to get lulled into complacency in our daily routines, to sleepwalk through life, getting up and getting ourselves out the door, going to work, returning home for dinner and dishes, meetings or sports activities, and finally flopping on the couch to watch TV until bedtime. While there is nothing inherently sinful in this routine, as Christian stewards, we are called to so much more! This lent, let us train ourselves, or more precisely, allow Him to train us to say Yes to His will and to offer our lives back to Him in gratitude. In so doing, we, too, will become transfigured. This is what it means to live fully awake; this is a stewardship way of life and it is glorious indeed. 2019 LENT AND HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE Communal Penance Services (with Private Confession) St. John the Baptist: Monday, April 1 / 6:30 pm Stations of the Cross Fridays at 2:00 pm - March 8, 15, 22 and April 5 and 12 Wednesdays at 6:30 pm March 27, April 3 and 10 Living Way of the Cross Sunday, April 14 during 6:00 pm Mass Wednesday, April 17 at 6:30 pm Holy Thursday Mass April 18 7:00 pm (no 8 am) Good Friday Service April 19 12:30 pm Easter Vigil Mass April 20 8:00 pm (no 4:00 pm Mass) Easter Sunday Masses April 21 8:00 am & 10:00 am Looking to be inspired? Desire to get that fire burning again? New Evangelization Summit is coming to Sheboygan County SAVE the DATE: Saturday, May 4 at SJB We are looking for 2-3 representatives to join the county-wide NES planning committee. If you are interested or even just curious, come join the first committee meeting on Monday, March 18 at 6:15 pm at St Dominic's (Sheboygan North). Questions or interest in carpooling... please contact Paige Katzfey at pkatzfey@sjbplymouth.org or call the parish office 892-4006
Parish Trustee Selection - Election Share your Gifts with St. John the Baptist Parish by Serving as a Trustee. Nominations are Now Being Accepted! Is the Spirit Calling You? Please pray for one another so that as a faith community we call for the leaders who will best serve our parish. We are looking for parishioners who have a desire for spiritual growth in themselves and their parish, an enthusiasm about the future direction of the parish, a willingness to listen and to speak honestly, and have flexibility and openness with people and ideas. Nomination forms are available in the back of church and must be returned to the parish office no later than April 1. The rules governing election of parish trustees come from Wisconsin State Statute 187.9 that stipulates: Trustees are to be elected from and by the congregation. Directives regarding election of trustees are contained in the Parish Corporate Bylaws. Summary of Bylaws Regarding Election of Parish Trustees The Pastor and current trustees determine the date for holding the election. The Pastor gives notice of the upcoming trustee election and opens nominations. Nominees must be practicing parish members and at least 25 years old. The pastor may nominate one candidate per trustee position open. Additional candidates must be nominated in writing by 10 or more parish members. The election must be held by written ballot at any parish-wide meeting or before and after a designated weekend Mass. Parish Members 18 years and older are eligible to vote for the trustees. Election Committee tabulates the vote and reports results to the pastor. Pastor sends request for approval to the chancery. The parish trustee election is scheduled before and after all Masses the weekend of April 27-28, 2019 Nomination forms are available in the back of church, and at the parish office. Please return nomination forms to the parish office by Monday, April 1. Pastoral Council and School Board Committee Selection - Discernment Discernment of pastoral council and school board committee membership is a process of prayer, formation, and the deepening of people s relationship with the Lord as individuals and as a community of believers. The selection of parish leaders is not a race or a contest, but a call the traditional meaning of election in the Church. Discernment gathers the community in prayer, lifting its needs to God, asking for an openness to God s will for us, and God s presence in our midst and ministry. The actual discernment of new pastoral council and school board committee members occurs in the context of a meeting or gathering and involves prayer, the naming of gifts that an individual brings to the parish community, and a sense of the parish community s needs. Finally, discernment involves those who have an interest in serving on the pastoral council or school board committee and the current members. The current members participate fully in the discernment of new members, through prayer and their wisdom of experience to help them select people who will join. All parish members are invited to express their interest in joining the pastoral council or school board committee by attending the respective discernment meetings. Pastoral Council Discernment Meeting: Wednesday, May 8 7:00 pm in the Library School Board Committee Discernment Meeting: Wednesday, June 5 6:30 pm in the School Conference Room If you are interested and cannot attend the meeting, please provide a letter to the pastoral council or school board committee prior to the meeting summarizing why you would like to join and what value and talents you can bring. If you have questions regarding Pastoral Council or School Board Committee please contact any of the current members or visit the website at www.sjbplymouth.org.
School News St. John the Baptist Catholic School - 3K-Grade 8 A Message from the Principal During Lent, St. John the Baptist School s students are involved in hands-on experiences of repentance, forgiveness, community, sadness and joy through attending weekly Mass, weekly Lenten Prayer services, attending Stations of the Cross and through service projects. Often, we focus on what we can give up during the Lenten season, and not what we can give. This Lent the teachers and staff share how we should model ourselves after Jesus example by showing kindness to our classmates and toward others. Simple acts of kindness bring great joy to others and fill our own hearts with joy. This Lent we come to together to share acts of kindness. We will give of ourselves and will share time, talent and skills. We come together as a school family to have a conversation with God through learning about different kinds of prayer and the impact that prayer has in our lives. We will serve others in many ways this Lenten season. I ask for your prayers as we continue this Lenten journey together. In Faith, Mrs. Amy Nelson Faith Formation News Adults, Young and Youth Faith Formation Mission Trip Update: Thank you to everyone who supported our trip through the Ash Wednesday collection. We collected $948 towards our trip. Kudos to those who supported us through the first SJB Lenten Fish Fry. We greatly appreciate the support of our parish and community. First Communion Retreat: Our First Communicants spent the last Saturday in retreat. They made chalices, took a tour of the church and spent time in prayer as they prepare for First Holy Communion. They also shared a loaf of bread with a parishioner at the 4:00 pm Mass. All are welcome to join us for Stations of the Cross with SJB School Students Fridays at 2:00 pm March 8, 15, 22 and April 5 &12 BAPTISM Do you have a wee one that you d like to welcome to the Catholic community some day? Interested in meeting other new parents? Could you use some TLC for a night? Come join us for a Baptism Preparation Class. Class is held from 6-8 pm in the Church Meeting Rm. The next class is Monday, March 25, 2019. Come to prepare for your child s Baptism and have some food and fellowship in the meantime! Please call or email Paige Katzfey to sign up (892-4006 X118 or pkatzfey@sjbplymouth.org). Prayer and Worship Committee Update The Prayer and Worship Committee is always centered on the faith and prayer life of our parish. During his 2017 Lenten Message, Pope Francis reminded us that Lent is a favorable season for renewing our encounter with Jesus Christ. From his very first encyclical to the present day, by his words and actions, the Holy Father has shown us that the hearts of those who truly encounter Jesus Christ are filled with the joy of the Gospel. Our lives, Church, nation, and world need this joy. During these 40 days we are encouraged to renew our encounter with Christ Jesus, the Lord, through the means of sanctification offered us by the Church Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. The prophet Joel instructs us to return to God with your whole heart (2:12), and so we use these practices to draw closer to Christ, detach ourselves from the false idols of this world, and accompany more closely those in our midst who are poor, suffering, and vulnerable. This Lenten Season we have so many opportunities to come together as a family of faith to pray together. Weekend Liturgies * The Way of the Cross Stations * Personal Prayer time after morning Mass * Eucharistic Adoration During this Lenten Season, let us pray for one another and ourselves as we deepen our love for Christ and his Church. May the Holy Spirit lead us on a true journey of Conversion of Heart so that through the grace of God, we will be led to a renewed encounter with Christ and a deepened awareness of the gospels and come to share in his resurrection this Easter.
Mass Schedule and Intentions Saturday, March 16 4:00pm Eunice Friederichs 4:00pm Martin and Michael Hetzel 5:30pm Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Sunday, March 17 9:30am Mel Proctor 9:30am Jerome and Irene Trimberger Monday, March 18 8:00am Norma Seefeldt Tuesday, March 19 8:00am Gilbert Rammer 8:00am Deceased Members of the Ziegler Family Wednesday, March 20 Thursday, March 21 8:00am Hernandez and Reyes Families Friday, March 22 Saturday, March 23 4:00pm For the People of St. John the Baptist and St. Thomas Aquinas 5:30pm Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Sunday, March 24 9:30am The Deceased Members of St. John the Baptist Parish Family 6:00pm For the Youth of St. John the Baptist The Week at St. John the Baptist March 17-23, 2019 Monday... March 18 3:30pm... Eucharistic Adoration/Church Tuesday... March 19 9:00am... Walking W/Purpose Bible Study/Church Hall Wednesday... March 20 6:00pm... FF Gr 1-8/School 6:15pm...FF Gr 9-10/School 6:30pm... RCIA Mtg/Church Mtg Rm 7:00pm... Adult Volleyball/Gym Thursday... March 21 8:30am... Mission Quilters/Parish Office 6:00pm... Classic Choir Rehearsal/Church 6:00pm... Walking W/Purpose Bible Study/Church Hall Friday... March 22 2:00pm... Stations of the Cross/Church 4:00pm... Fish Fry/Church Hall Saturday... March 23 9:30am... Private Confession/Reconciliation Rm Genuine G.I. Breakfast Sunday, March 17, 2019 8:00 a.m. Noon / $8 per person 40 Stafford Street / Plymouth Scrambled Eggs, toast, pancakes, French toast, sausage, Creamed Biscuit Gravy, Coffee, Juice and Milk Scriptures Second Sunday of Lent - March 17, 2019 1st: Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18 (27C) 2nd: Philippians 3:17-4:1 or 3:20-4:1 Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36 Third Sunday of Lent - March 24, 2019 1st: Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15 (30C) 2nd: 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12 Gospel: Luke 13:1-9 2019 Sheboygan County Ash Wednesday and Lenten Masses, Services & Programs schedule is now available in the church gathering space.
St. John the Baptist Parish Information Sacramental Celebrations Eucharistic Liturgies: See the front cover of Bulletin. Baptism: Contact the Parish Office Reconciliation: 2nd and 4th Saturday from 9:30-10:00am in the Reconciliation Room. Marriage: Contact the pastor no later than six months prior to day of the wedding. Very Reverend Philip D. Reifenberg Shared Pastor Parishes of St. John the Baptist and St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Trustees Bill Barbieur Treasurer Tom Paul..Secretary Pastoral Council Chair : Adam Schneider Members: Michael Hartke, Bill Marklein, Tony Mischo, Cheryl Nicholson, Keith Ott, Joel Pierce, Tony Glenboski, Isabel Roy Finance Council Chair : Jim Birenbaum Members: Bill Barbieur, Mark Gumm, Tom Paul, Joel Pierce St. John the Baptist School - 893-5961 Amy Nelson..Principal Ann Penkwitz...School Secretary Joel Pierce. School Board Chair St. John the Baptist Faith Formation - 892-6015 Amy Albers Director of Faith Formation Nancy Kultgen.Faith Formation Assistant Contacts Cemetery..Parish Office - 892-4006 Prayer Needs.Kate - 893-0937 St. Vincent de Paul...892-4913 sjbplymouth.org Parish Membership We welcome you to the St. John the Baptist Parish Family. To receive a registration form or to notify us of an address change, please complete the form below. Place the completed form in the collection basket, or return it to the Parish Office (115 Plymouth Street, Plymouth 53073). Name Address: Phone: New Parishioner Address Change Bulletin Deadline Please submit announcements to the parish office by 8:00 am Monday. bulletin@sjbplymouth.org Parish Office Contact Information Hours: 8:30am-Noon and 1:00-4:00pm Phone..892-4006 Website... www.sjbplymouth.org E-mail...sjbparish@sjbplymouth.org Lisa Schoneman.....Director of Administrative Services Paige Katzfey...Pastoral Associate Katie Kleiber.....Communications Coordinator Julie Krueger.Parish Secretary Scott Dedlow...Building Maint./Dir. Of Music &Liturgy INCLEMENT WEATHER St. John the Baptist follows the Plymouth Joint School District with regard to closings and delays (late starts). You can visit the www.plymouth.k12.wi.us/schools/dis/cancel.html for notifications. There may be occasions when a decision to close the facility is made independently of the district. Check the parish website, call the office at 892-4006 or check local broadcasters WHBL 1330 AM, Channel 12 WISN, Channel 4 WTMJ and, Channel 2 WBAY for closing information. Every attempt will be made to have decisions made by 7:00 a.m. for morning activities and 3:00 p.m. for evening activities. View complete Inclement Weather Policy on our website www.sjbplymouth.org St. John the Baptist Bulletin Advertiser of the Week Sartori