ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH 632 S. Broad St. Mankato, MN 56001 507-625-3131 stjohnch@stjohnsmankato.net Pastor - Fr. John Kunz Mass Schedule - Saturday Vigil: 5:15 pm Sunday: 8:00 am & 10:00 am Reconciliation - Saturday: 4:30 pm to 5:00 pm December 31, 2017 - The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph - Gospel: Luke 2:22-40
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph December 31, 2017 PARISH CONTACTS PARISH STAFF Pastor Fr. John Kunz 625-3131 frjohn@stjohnsmankato.net Pastoral Care Associate Monica Priebe 625-3131 monicap@stjohnsmankato.net Director of Liturgy/Music Jaci James 625-3131 jaci@stjohnsmankato.net Director of Children/Adult Formation Kelly Huber 625-3131 khuber@stjohnsmankato.net Director of Youth Formation Johnna Harmer 625-3131 jharmer@stjohnsmankato.net Faith Formation Assistant Mary Hudson 625-3131 mhudson@stjohnsmankato.net Administrative Assistant Joan Kellen 625-3131 jkellen@stjohnsmankato.net Accountant/Administrative Assistant Daniel Pietsch 625-3131 dpietsch@stjohnsmankato.net Administrative Assistant Susan Durbala 625-3131 susand@stjohnsmankato.net Building & Grounds Maintenance Jon Fitterer 625-3131 jfitterer@stjohnsmankato.net CATHOLIC SCHOOL Loyola Catholic School 507-388-0600 Website - www.loyolacatholicschool.org LOYOLA AMBASSADORS ST. JOHN S PARISH: Beth Johnson 388-6312 ST. JOHN S ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCILS Pastoral Leadership Team: Monica Priebe Jaci James John Fell Joan Kellen Jennifer Hatkin Christopher Meehan Dan Hansen Finance Council: Kelsie Davis Beth Baker James Loaney Lucas Schaefer Mike Burkhardt Pat Kruger Gerald Hicks Mike Spellacy Faith Formation Advisory and Development Board: Mick Hickok, adult rep Kim Hermer, family rep Alex Oldenburg, youth rep Dan Hansen, young family rep Amy Kloss, family rep Kelly Meehling, family rep Clarissa Meissner, young family rep Parish Trustees: Jim Swanson Najwa Massad From the Pastor s Desk We stand between Christmas and New Years. The Church would traditionally celebrate Christmas for an octave - 8 days. So the Christ event of birth into our world is still happening. Hopefully we have had some moments when we knew the presence of Christ - a family gathering, at Eucharist, a conversation with someone, etc. I am very aware of the way you are Christ to me. Being able to pray with you, be your pastor, interact with you - these bless me. Thank you especially for the ways you reached out to me - by a card, a gift, a word, a prayer. You continue to be one of the loves of my life. Peace, Father John MASS INTENTIONS Monday, January 1-Nm 6:22-27; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21 9:00 AM Parishioners of St. John s Tuesday, January 2-1 Jn 2:22-28; Jn 1:19-28 8:15 am Charles Regenscheid Wednesday, January 3-1 Jn 2:29 3:6; Jn 1:29-34 8:15 am Patricia & Jim Simonett Thursday, January 4-1 Jn 3:7-10; Jn 1:35-42 8:15 am Communion Service Friday, January 5-1 1 Jn 3:11-21; Jn 1:43-51 8:15 am Wayne Southwick, Mark Snaza, Scott & Mary Baynes Saturday, January 6-1 Jn 5:5-13; Mk 1:7-11 5:15 pm Pamela Winch, Debbie McGuire, Jeanne Ross Sunday, January 7 - Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12 8:00 am Rita Kiffe, Paul Brockhaus 10:00 am Hazel Jones, Parishioners of St. John s 2
THE WEEK AHEAD ST. JOHN S NEWS Monday, January 1 PARISH OFFICE CLOSED Holy Day Mass (no obligation) - 9:00 AM - Church Tuesday, January 2 Sunrise AA Meeting 6:30 AM Matthews Hall Hope-Grief Ministry 5:15 PM John Paul II room Wednesday, January 3 Legion of Mary 9:00 AM Marian room Choir for Christ 5:15 PM - Church Thursday, January 4 Simon Ministry 10:30 AM Matthews Hall Laurels Peak 3:00 PM Laurels Peak Bible Study, Untold Blessings 6:30 PM John Paul II rm Friday, January 5 Al-Anon 6:30 AM Parish Library Early Risers AA 6:30 AM - Matthews Hall Saturday, January 6 Sunday, January 7 Faith Formation Grades 1 to 4 9:00 AM Parish Life Ctr Children s Liturgy During 10 AM Mass Matthews Hall FEAST OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY MASSES (Holy Day - abrogated) Monday, January 1, 2018-9:00 AM SUNDAY MASSES - DECEMBER 30/31 Saturday, December 30-5:15 PM Mass Sunday, December 31-8:00 AM Mass Sunday, December 31-10:00 AM Mass ELECTRONIC GIVERS Do you receive envelopes and don t use them? Did you know that you can receive just the special envelopes (Holy Days, $1 Youth, etc.). If you would like to change and get just the specials please email susand@stjohnsmankato.net or call the office at 625-3131. If you would like to give electronically there are yellow information cards on the kiosk or check out www.stjohnscatholicchurch.com. ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM With heating season upon us, Greater Minnesota Gas, Inc. (GMG) would like to remind residential homeowners or renters of the Energy Assistance Program (EAP). This federally funded program helps pay for home heating costs and furnace repairs for income-qualified households. Please contact your location EAP Service Provider to apply. For help finding your local EAP provider, call 1-800-657-3710. Applications must be received or postmarked by May 31, 2018 to be processes for benefits for the 2017-2018 program year. You can find more information on-line at the Minnesota Department of Commerce website at: https:// mn.gov/commerce/consumers/consumer-assistance/energyassistance/. St. John s Prayer Network - To submit a prayer request, please call: Sandy Roberts 387-1372 or Alice DiMeglio 345-5273 or email: Monica Priebe, Pastoral Care Associate at: monicap@stjohnsmankato.net Parish Office Hours: Weekdays 8:30 am-5:00 pm Office Phone: (507) 625-3131 Emergency (after office hours): (507) 388-7239 Web: www.stjohnscatholicchurch.com Check out St. John s on Facebook and Twitter! SJB Catholic Church@SJBCCMN 3
SACRAMENTS SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH Baptism - To prepare your child for Baptism, it is essential that parents participate in Pre-Jordan preparation. Marriage - Contact the parish office 1 year in advance of wedding date. Marriage prep is required. Becoming Catholic - If you or someone you know are interested in becoming Catholic or have questions about the process (Christian Initiation), please contact the parish office. Sacrament of the Sick - Anointing If you have a serious illness, are facing hospitalization and/ or surgery, please contact the parish office to arrange to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. WORLD WIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER Show your spouse how much you appreciate them with some quality time together. A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend makes a great gift for any special occasion. The next available Weekend is February 16-18, 2018 in Windom, MN. Early registration is highly recommended. For more information visit our website at: southmnwwme. org or contact Miki at applications@southmnwwme.org or 507-227-8229. LOYOLA NEWS During this beautiful celebration of Christ s coming as Emmanuel, God-with-us, we thank you for your prayer, concern, and support of Loyola, enabling us to change the world by providing quality education within a circle of grace and faith. Surely the gift of a lifetime! You are leaving your imprint on all we are and do. Loyola Staff and Students Learn about Loyola Catholic School...visit www. loyolacatholicschool.org K-12 has current openings; PS/PK 2018-2019 enrollment is coming soon! Schedule family tours and shadow days at your convenience. Call Angela Casteel at 507-388-0615 or email acasteel@loyolacatholicschool.org Save the Date January 3: classes resume after Christmas break January 26: MSU Honor Band Concert, featuring high school musicians from 35 schools including six musicians from Loyola, 4:30, MSU CSU ballroom January 30: Catholic Schools Week Mass with Bishop Quinn, 10:30, St. Joseph the Worker parish. All are welcome! On January 8, Loyola will welcome seven students from Buenos Aires, Argentina for a five-week stay. The students schedule includes classes, tours, co-curricular activities, service opportunities and fun! If your place of business would welcome these students for a visit or tour please contact Angela Casteel at 507.388.0615 or email acasteel@ loyolacatholicschool.org Did you know? All of our students give service to our parishes and the local community. During the season of Advent, Loyola Preschoolers rang bells for the Salvation Army, students in K-4 gathered baby items for Birthright, and students in grades 5-12 and LCS staff supplied Christmas baskets for 13 area families. Did you know? Loyola has enrolled nine new students in preschool, elementary, junior high and/or high school, since the beginning of the school year. We continue to welcome families who are new to the area or are seeking a change; come and discover Loyola s unique school culture and academic and co-curricular offerings. Your parish support makes all we do, learn, and celebrate at Loyola possible, as we guide students to their full potential, walk with them in faith, and equip them to lead and serve. 4
Thank You for the Christmas Flower Offering Thank You Given by: In Honor/Memory of; Armstong,Donna/Warner Armstong and More Families Bennett, Larry/Maggie Betty & Bill Griffin; Lillian & Archie Bennett; and Dennis Sternke Clements, Thomas/Marion` Eleanor Clements; Wilbur Clements Donahue, Marlene Michael Donahue Duden, Kenneth/Joanne Frank & Irene Scott; Claus & Gladys Duden; George & Irene Noesen Eckert, Eleanore Deceased member of the Gust family Frassel, Mary Ann Tom Frassel; Eugene Frassel; Katherine Frassel; Angie & Rich Hirsch Fredrickson, Carol/Gary Edwin & Marie Wussow; Edward & Gladys Fredrickson Gallagher, Bonnie Kenneth Doering; Lawrence Gallagher Hiniker, Dave/Nancy Our Dads Kreykes, Larry/Donna George and Irene Landsteiner Lindberg, John/Lee Mejias, Patricia Father; Mother; 2 Brothers; Friends; Aunt; Uncle; and Cousins Murphy, Robert/Marsha Donna Murphy; Bob Murphy; Clifford Piper; and Bonnie Murphy Hager, Shari Joe Hager Snaza, Bernard/Marie Mark Snaza Sukalski, Daniel/Rebecca Florence Sukalski; Ray Sukalski Taylor, Janet Corless W Jennings; Nadine W Jennings; Bradley K Scheff; Mr & Mrs. Leroy Taylor Winch, Veronica Living and Deceased Members of the Winch & Stenzel Families TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION There s no more unusual setting to celebrate today s Feast of the Holy Family than Barcelona, Spain and the towering unfinished sandcastle known officially as the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia. In 1882, the plan was hatched to build a vast place of worship in reparation for the revolutionary and liberal leanings of the city. The modern artist Antoni Gaudi dedicated his life to the project, living in the building, attending Mass daily, and giving up his personal wealth. When people pressed him to pick up the pace, he responded, My client is not in a hurry. (Gaudi s cause for beatification is moving along, and he could be the first professional artist and architect to be beatified.) The Spanish Civil War, a disaster for the Catholic Church in which thousands of priests, brothers, and nuns were murdered, halted work in 1935. In the 1950s work began anew, speeded up by computers in the 1980s. Still, the final stage of construction is not due to end until 2026. If the original methods had stayed in place, it would take several hundred more years to complete the plan. So far there are eight towers, with four to go. The highest steeple is three feet shorter than the nearest hill, since the architect didn t want his work to surpass God s artistry. The three faces of the basilica each have three doors, with the faces named Passion, Nativity, and Grace. The interior is crammed with geometric figures that almost seem to spin, crazy-quilt windows, spiral staircases, and jumbles of statues and figures. Although inspired by ancient Gothic cathedrals, the style is called Expressionist, and very little is left unexpressed by the masonry. If you can t afford a visit, Sagrada Familia maintains a web site, and virtual visits are free. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. BEARERS OF THE WORD The Church has placed a number of notable feast days immediately after Christmas. The feasts of Stephen, John the Evangelist, and the Holy Innocents form a summary of the life lived in Christ, the Word made flesh. What do these have to do with the feast of the Holy Family, which crowns the Octave of Christmas? These feasts remind us that suffering will occur in fulfilling the mission of Christ, and that we are all called to be bearers of this Word whose birth we celebrate. We also see this manifested in the lives of Joseph and Mary, both of whom took social and religious risks in obedience to the will of God, and both of whom were open to the word of God sent to them from on high. In these ways they prefigured the life of Jesus himself. Most likely, few of us found ourselves at Mass this past Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, but the essence of these feasts and the essence of the holiness of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus remain central, a holiness we celebrate today. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. 5
6 FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP December 17, 2017 Budget Adult Envelopes/Electronic Giving $ 15,009.00 $16,865.00 Offertory $ 615.65 $ 557.00 $1 Youth Envelopes $ 9.00 Christmas Offering $ 26,662.00 Money Counters: Jan 2 Team 2; Jan 8 Team 3; Jan 15 Team 4 ST. JOHN S PARISH DEBT Balance Balance July 1, 2017 to Date Catholic Ministries Appeal-2016* ($ 43,278) $ 0 Catholic Ministries Appeal-2017 ($ 30,925) ($ 21,848) Total ( $74,203) ($ 21,848) Budget Status: November 2017 Current Fiscal YTD Prior Fiscal YTD Income $397,577.21 $420,546.10 Expenses ($402,565.01 ($408,272.43) ($4,987.80) $ 12,273.67 Thank you for your continued financial support!! Operating Net Profit * Catholic Ministries Appeal shortfall from the 2016 Parish obligation paid to the Catholic Foundation of Southern MN which is a separate entity from the Diocese of Winona. MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT St. Pat s Dinner We celebrate our Irish heritage the first Sunday before St. Patrick s Day with a traditional ham dinner. There are several opportunities to serve: Event Set-Up Set up dishes, centerpieces on tables. Food Prep Help cook/prepare food. Food Server Serve food buffet style. Keep buffet tables filled with food. Event Clean-Up Clear tables of dishes. Wash tables, put away clean dishes, etc. Event Bakers Bake Treats Occasionally bake cookies or cakes for receptions and small events. The Nativity of St. John the Baptist We celebrate our parish community as we remember our patron saint. This celebration takes place the end of June (around June 24) and includes an outdoor Mass and meal,. Event Set-Up (tables, benches, décor) Food prep/service Event clean up For more information, contact the parish office 625-3131 or email: stjohnch@stjohnsmankato.net St. John s Young Stewards Time & Treasure Children s Envelopes $101.77 (Talents from Children s Envelopes) I helped Mom. Singing I helped make cookies. STEWARDSHIP YOU CAN T HAVE A FAMILY WITHOUT DREAMS. The primary purpose of The Feast of the Holy Family is to present the Holy Family as a model for Christian families. In Italy there is a saying, La famiglia é tutto, which means, the family is everything. Our Holy Father Pope Francis has made families one of the focal points of his papacy. He organized a conference on families in 2015. Speaking to the gathered families, he said, You cannot have a family without dreams. I am very fond of dreams in families. For nine months, every mother and father dream about their baby. They dream about what kind of child he or she will be You can t have a family without dreams. Once a family loses the ability to dream, children do not grow, love does not grow, life shrivels up and dies. So I ask you each evening, when you make your examination of conscience, to also ask yourselves this question: Today did I dream about my children s future? Today did I dream about the love of my husband, my wife? Did I dream about my parents and grandparents who have gone before me? All of today s readings have to do with families and family life. The reading from Sirach, our First Reading, emphasized the Fourth Commandment, Honor thy father and mother. We are commanded to respect and love our parents. However, it is a two way street. The Gospel Reading speaks of the development of Jesus, and that should inspire parents to understand that our prayers are the same as the prayers of Joseph and Mary that our children will become strong in spirit and filled with wisdom.
LITURGICAL MINISTERS January 6/7 Musicians 5:15 pm Will be contacted 8:00 am Will be contacted 10:00 am Will be contacted Eucharistic Ministers 5:15 pm Lisa Adams, Lynn Beadell, Mardell Brauer, John Bulcock, Rita Dauw, Karen Dehn, Paul Gaspar, Kathy Wortel 8:00 am Teresa Depuydt, Brian & Jan Hughes, Candy Jenson, Dan Kapsner, Donna Kapsner, Clarissa Meissner, Pat Sullivan 10:00 am JoAnn Alfson, Susan Baker, Kris Barnes, Pamela Steffl, Becki & Gary Stranik, Monica Wagner, Helen Ward Lector 5:15 pm John Bulcock, Kathy Wortel 8:00 am Pat Sullivan, Mary Westby 10:00 am Tami Meehan, Sharon Patterson Sacristan 5:15 pm Jane Jans 8:00 am Courtney Schaefer 10:00 am Becki Stranik Server 5:15 pm Claire & Sam Orcutt, Thomas Soupir 8:00 am Eli & Ella Blace, Ethan Kapaun 10:00 am Olivia Jaqua, Christian & Ciara Keech Ministers of Hospitality 5:15 pm Team 4 8:00 am Team 8 10:00 am - Team 12 Weekly EM (January 1-5) Norma Goodrich Laurel s Peak - (January 4) Mike & Jean Burkhardt MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD Want to make your Catholic voice heard at the Capitol? Register today to join Catholics from across Minnesota for Capitol 101. On February 26th, March 16th, and April 17th, Minnesota Catholics will be gathering at the State Capitol to learn about the issues impacting our faith and daily life. You ll have the chance to hear from and meet with legislators, pray with fellow Catholics, and get a window into the legislative process. These are opportunities for you to share your story and make your voice count. For more information or to register, head to www.mncatholic.org and click on the Capitol 101 banner. Pre-registration is required for this free event and space is limited. A free-will offering will be accepted. AREA NEWS WIDOWED, DIVORCED OR PERMANENTLY SEPARATED Do you know someone who is suffering from the loss of a love relationship due to death, divorce or separation? Someone who seems stuck in the cycle of grief? Beginning Experience of Rochester is an International Ministry offering a program called Coping with Life Alone to help participants move through the experience of grief and loss into a future with hope renewed. These weekly classes are presented by those who have suffered life changing losses themselves and are willing to share their experience. Coping with Life Alone is a ten session class meets weekly beginning on Monday, January 29, 2018 from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm at Bethel Lutheran Church, 810 3rd Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904. The sessions focus on such topics as the grief process, changes in family and other relationships, trust, and coping with life as a single person. Contact Beginning Experience Rochester by calling 507-261-8248 or emailing beminnesota@ gmail.com or visit www. beminnesota. org to start an amazing healing process for yourself or to encourage someone you love to step beyond grief and pain. PRAYER SERVICE FOR LIFE It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish. - St. Theresa of Calcutta Please join Bishop John M. Quinn at the Annual Prayer Service for Life on Sunday, January 28, at 3:00 pm at Ss. Peter & Paul Parish in Blue Earth (214 Holland St). Prayers of reparation and healing will be offered as we mourn the loss of millions of lives because of forty-five years of legalized abortion in America. SUNDAY TV MASS The Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Chapel is recorded each week and is available on the Mankato Public Access Station, KTV. The viewing times are Wednesdays at 3:00 and Fridays at 2:00. KTV can be found on Charter Channel 181 or Consolidated Communications Channel 507. The Mass is also available anytime on the Internet on the KTV website as a live-stream: http://www. accessktv.org/ (Choose the Watch KTV tab and then the Public Access tab.) EWTN TV network also has Sunday Mass on at 11:00am. 7