Father Tom Had No Announcements at Mass!

Sneak preview: We have SO MUCH going on at Saint John's right now and coming up this fall, that Father Tom is giving us all a break at Masses this weekend. Because of this, the information in this email is even more important! Read on for exciting news about the Synod Small Groups here at Saint John's, the Fall Festival and other important Calendar updates leading into the fall.

 

Synod Small Groups at Saint John's

We are excited to announce our Saint John’s Synod Small Groups for 2021. We will have open sessions following every Mass beginning October 2 and going through November 14 (we will take a break the weekend of October 30-31). Additionally, we will host an open Small Group session Tuesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. beginning October 5. While attendance at each of the six sessions is encouraged, it is better to attend some than none at all, so please check these out.

To ensure the best possible experience, we are asking for an RSVP: See www.sjolc.org/synod-small-groups to register for free!

Archbishop Hebda and Bishop Cozzens have personally appealed to every single one of the faithful to get involved in some way. (See the Video Link above.) If one of these Open Sessions does not work for you, or you’d like to have your current committee or parish group participate in their own Small Group, please contact your committee chairperson and Joe Block as soon as possible, so we can help facilitate.
 

Fall Festival Updates

Our Fall Festival raffle tickets are on sale now! Bring cash or check to the Gathering Space after all Masses now through September 19. Tickets are just $25, and you have the chance to win up to $2,500. Thank you to the generosity of our sponsors, the Frattalone and WIatros families. Be sure to check out our Fall Festival page on the website (click here) regularly for updates and exciting news about both the festival and the School Marathon/kick-off to Discipleship Sunday.
 

Discipleship Sunday Returns with Padre Pio Relics!

Discipleship in the Catholic sense is the process of helping someone become like Christ. To be a disciple of Christ is to become like Christ in everything. As such, Saint John's continues its monthly series of events that launched in Fall 2020 dedicated to providing socially safe avenues for everyone to develop in our Faith, wherever we are at.

Each month, there will be free childcare for ages 0-5, age-appropriate activities for school-aged children, and engaging speakers or presentations for adults, along with delicious food, juice and coffee. The first in this year's series is a doozy: first-class relics on display from Saint Padre Pio. Join us for this display anytime during the Fall Festival on September 25, then come and hear all about it at 9:30 A.M. September 26.

In addition, we are adding some "ala carte" items, for those who are hungry for more or different offerings each month. Check out www.sjolc.org/discipleship-sunday for more information.
 

The Return of Ad Orientem

After a summer of discernment and listening to the feedback from a number of our parishioners, I’m excited to announce we’ll be continuing Mass celebrated ad orientem on the First Friday of each month indefinitely. Thank you to all who have been able to experience Mass in this way, and if you have not yet, please consider attending one of our next ad orientem Masses (September 3 and October 1). 

Want to know more? Check out Deacon Eric's article: https://sjolc.org/news/ad-orientem-to-the-east
 

No New Bulletins This Week

Just a note that last week’s bulletin was a double-bulletin, meaning there are no new bulletins this week. Find the current bulletin here: www.sjolc.org/bulletins.

Slight Correction

We have a correction to Father’s priest announcements from last weekend: Ruby and Sophia Doucot will be receiving their First Holy Communion at 8:30 A.M. Mass on Sunday, August 29, not the 10:30 A.M. Mass. Please keep them in your prayers as they complete preparation for this very special sacrament.

Mark Your Calendars

• Our parish office will be closed Tuesday, August 31, as we participate in an all-staff retreat. 
• Just a reminder that Labor Day weekend is Food Collection for the Poor. The Franciscan Brothers again are encouraging school supplies along with the regular food and personal hygiene items. Thank you for all who are able to give!
• We welcome Father Neil Pezzulo, a missionary priest, the weekend of Labor Day. Father Tom will be on vacation, but all of the regular weekend Masses (First Saturday confessions and Mass, Lay Carmelite Meeting, etc.) will remain the same. Please join us in offering Father Pezzulo a warm Saint John's welcome.

And Lastly ...

We do have a couple of Finance Council spots and one new Pastoral Council spot available. Please contact Father Tom directly if you or someone you know might be called to this very important ministry for our parish.

Please continue to pray for all of those suffering in Afghanistan, Haiti, and throughout the world. God bless you all!