Christmas Angel Tree

This annual program provides Christmas gifts to needy children. This year the program will be directly focused on providing gifts not only to the children of St. John’s parish families but we are happy to announce that we are adding several families from Holy Angels parish to the Angel Tree program. We are happy to be able to return in a small way the kindness of Holy Angels parishioners who were so generous to us in providing their school for our use until our new school was completed. The Angel Tree will be in the lobby of the Monsignor Harris Center on November 19^th. Tags with numbers representing each child and the gift requested will be placed on the Tree. Names will be kept confidential and will not appear on the Angel Tree. Those wanting to provide gifts can take a tag from the tree and bring the gift to the lobby of the Monsignor Harris Center before or after Masses. We are also seeking donations of Christmas wrapping paper and bows which can be placed in the basket near the tree. We are blessed to have so many parishioners who have always been extremely generous in providing Christmas gifts to the children of our community through the Angel Tree program. Without your charitable giving the program could not be the success it has been over the past years. May God bless you all for your continuing acts of charity.

Daily Mass Change/Communion Service

On Wednesday and Thursday mornings, one of our Deacons will be offering a Communion Service instead of our regularly scheduled 8am Mass.

Since the early days of the Church, the Eucharistic Bread has been reserved in order that the faithful who are sick and those who are unable to be present for the celebration of the Eucharist might be able to share in the fruit of the Eucharistic meal. Since Vatican Council II, we have been given a rite for "Communion outside Mass" which does not specify "sickness" or "inability to attend Mass" but includes the needs of the faithful when there is not, or cannot be a celebration of Mass.

Tuesday and Wednesdays is a good example of such an occasion, since all priests of the Archdiocese have been called to a Convocation at the Eastern Shore of Maryland in Cambridge for three days. the host that will be used were consecrated at Mass on Tuesday morning in the Communion Service. We will listen to the Word of God, and share this Eucharistic Bread as food for our faith journey. We partake of the Bread of Life so that as God's holy people, we might become more and more the Body of Christ in our time and place.

All Saint's Day - Holy Day of Obligation

Tuesday, November 1st is All Saint's Day - A holy day of obligation.

Masses on that day will be at:

7am

9am (with St. John's School children)

7pm

Coming in Advent 2011

Beginning the first Sunday of Advent, Nov. 27, 2011, the changes to the Mass affected by the Third Edition of the Roman Missal will be implemented across the world. Please review the bulletin inserts each week to help you understand those changes and the reasons for them. The United States Catholic Conferences of Bishops (USCCB) website is a great resource for information as well.

Weekend Events

Family Night

Saturday, October 15th, after 5pm Mass

The evening will be extremely flexible, but we’ll start off with a potluck dinner; so bring a dish, your children and any games you enjoy. Get to know your fellow parishioners while the children have fun wearing themselves out with games, activities and movies. All are welcome (children not required). Please pass the word and feel free to contact the parish office with any questions. Hope to see you there.

Helping Hands Food Pantry

Saturday, October 15th and Sunday, October 16th

We will be collecting for our local food pantry: Helping Hands. Non-perishable food items and personal hygiene items are needed. Cash or food certificates are also acceptable.

Donut Social

Sunday, October 16th, after 9am Mass

Come enjoy donuts and other baked goods with fellow parishioners!

2011 Finance Annual Report

The St. John's 2011 Annual Report is available on the Finance Council page.

Animal Blessing

October 4th is the Feast of St. Francis. We will have a blessing of the animals on this day at 5pm in front of the Monsignor Harris Center. All animals, as long as they are properly protected or restrained by harness, leash, carrier cage or aquarium are welcome.