Saint John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church

1282 Yardville - Allentown Road Allentown, N.J. 08501

March 2, 2014
Parish Staff Rev. Brian P. Woodrow, Pastor Deacon Joseph Hepp, Parish Deacon Mrs. Dorothy Conway, Business Manager Mrs. Donna Millar, Religious Education Coordinator Mr. Frank Koslowski, Parish Custodian Mrs. Donna Miele, Parish Administrative Assistant Mrs. Judy Stern, Parish Music Director Parish Office Telephone (609) 259-3391 Religious Education Telephone (609) 259-3586 Website: www.StJohnRomanCatholic.org Schedule Sunday Masses Saturday Vigil: 5:15 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM (Ordinary Form) 12:30 PM (Extraordinary Form, Latin) Holy Day Masses Vigil: 7:00 PM Holy Day: 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM Weekly Mass (Ordinary Form) Monday: 7:00 PM
(followed by Novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal)
ONE HEART , UNDIVIDED God alone can free us from worry about earthly things; what we really need to worry about are the things of heaven. Faith in God frees us from the former so we might seek the latter. INSIDE THE READINGS The Old Testament frequently recounts the struggles and doubts of Israel. In todays first reading from the book of Isaiah, God, speaking through the prophet, acknowledges the peoples fear of being forsaken. Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you. Gods providential care endures despite Israels episodes of unfaithfulness and disobedience. Paul is often called to defend his ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles, since he had not known the historical Jesus. as he notes in todays reading, he is a trustworthy steward. But the judgment of his trustworthiness is not left up to human courts of law. Rather, when the Lord comes (Jesus parousia or second coming), he will shine a penetrating light that reveals ones true motives. Todays Gospel is part of a larger section (Matthew 6:19 7:11) of instructions to the community, and seems to be loosely related to the Lords Prayer (Matthew 6:913). The passage we hear today shares a theme of anxious concern about ones welfare. In the Lords Prayer, Jesus taught his disciples to ask for their daily bread, and todays reading is a further explanation of that concept. The astute believer reads scripture aware of two lenses of interpretation. The first recognizes that the narrative comes from the life of Jesus in which Jesus addresses those around him. The second understands that the evangelist is shaping his sources so that they speak to his specific community, which is situated temporally, geographically, and sometimes culturally distant from the actual event. Through these dual lenses, the reader can hear Jesus reminding his disciples that they have chosen to join his charismatic itinerant preaching ministry. Their radical obedience requires that they allow God to provide what they need, and be satisfied with their daily bread. But the reader is also aware that Matthew is addressing the concerns of his somewhat affluent community, which may be overly concerned about the things of this life and miss the point of Gods providential care. Likely we are hearing Matthews editorial voice when Jesus chides, O you of little faith, a phrase frequently found in Matthew (8:26, 14:31, 16:8) that challenges the church to deepen its faith. THOUGHTS FOR ACTION Generous God, free us from the worry that would hold us back from seeking your kingdom, and give us confidence in your love and care for us. Amen. Excerpted and edited from LIVING THE WORD for the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Tuesday - Thursday: 8:00 AM Saturday: 8:00 AM Weekly Mass (Extraordinary Form, Latin) Friday: 8:00 AM Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday at 4:30 PM and by appointment St. Johns Parish Serving the Catholic Community Since July 26, 1878

Eighth Sunday In Ordinary Time

March 2, 2014
Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forgot, I will never forget you. Isaiah 49:15
5:15 PM Robert Edward Bittner R/O The Truhan Family 9:00 AM Eleanor Maurer R/O Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Bellanca 11:00 AM Stephanie Castles R/O Joe, Anthony and Anne Borek 12:30 PM Lena Conway R/O Jeanne and Joseph Hepp Monday March 3 Tuesday March 4 Wednesday March 5 7:00 PM Carl E. Stoffers, Sr. R/O Kurtis Hoffman and Family 8:00 AM Barbara Fama R/O The Lauinavicius Family 7:00 AM Prayer Service 8:00 AM Christine OConnor Raynor R/O Leigh Ann Pellini 5:00 PM Prayer Service 7:00 PM People of the Parish Thursday March 6 Friday March 7 Saturday March 8 8:00 AM Frances Duffy R/O Jeanne and Joe Hepp 8:00 AM Adrian Taraba (living) R/O The Taraba Family 8:00 AM Nicole Surace R/O Bob and Ro Mangini 5:15 PM Anthony Toto R/O Neil and Susan Bencivengo Sunday March 9 9:00 AM Eleanor Maurer R/O Myra Ilijic 11:00 AM William and Mary Robb R/O The Robb Family 12:30 PM Intentions for the Living Members of the Stanford Families R/O Marge Standford Parish Office Information Office Phone: 609-259-3391 Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm For an emergency requiring a priest outside of regular business hours please call (609) 538-4126
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION Saturday, March 8 5:15 pm Bob & Jennifer Diszler, Doug & Diane Raynor, Joe Hepp Sunday, March 9 9 am Ron Vernon, Robert & Donna Graham, John & Gabrielle Toman 11 am Barbara Suchorksy, Bob & Maria Phillips, Dot & Dick Kober NEXT WEEKS SCHEDULE MASS SERVERS: Saturday, March 8 5:15 pm Sarah & Emily Diszler Sunday, March 9 9 am Katie Cantagallo, Christopher Fake 11am Gregory Laurinavicius LECTORS Ash Wednesday, March 5 7:00 am Robert DeLuca 7:00pm Pat Gruca Saturday, March 8 5:15 pm Pat Gruca Sunday, March 9 9 am Robert DeLuca 11 am Dan Morgan

We Remember at Mass Saturday March 1 Sunday March 2

Electronic Giving is Here!

We are very happy to announce another opportunity for the parishioners of Saint John the Baptist Church: Electronic Giving! It will now be possible for your weekly offering to be automatically deducted from your checking or savings account. Its a simple and secure way to ensure that your contribution is made on a regular basis throughout the year. Best of all, there are absolutely no fees to you or to the Parish! Only one simple form is required to enroll. Please visit the Parish Office or contact Dorothy Conway at sjbbusiness@optimum.net if you would like further information. Thank you to all those who asked that we offer this opportunity to the Parish!

Saint John the Baptist Church Weekly Collections: February 22-23: $8,580 We are grateful to our Knights of Columbus for their assistance in coordinating our weekly collections. Your continued financial support of our growing Parish is sincerely appreciated. The 2014 Offering Envelopes are available If you have not done so already, please visit the Parish Hall after Mass to pick up your 2014 weekly offering envelopes. Envelope boxes are labeled with the family names, and a 2014 envelope box has been provided for every registered Parish family. New families can visit the Parish Office during business hours to obtain a 2014 envelope box.

Lent, 2014
Please take a copy of our new Season of Lent pamphlet home with you this weekend! All of the Catholic fast and abstinence guidelines, as well as the Saint John the Baptist Lenten Masses, Liturgies, events and activities are presented.

A Note from Our Bishop

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ: As Catholics, our faith is an important part of our lives. Deepening and growing in our faith, however, is not an easy task especially in a world that doesnt always put a high value on faith. The busyness of our daily lives and our own responsibilities, at times, can even make it difficult for us to give our faith the priority it deserves. In our faith, God takes the initiative. Faith is Gods gift. To grow in faith, however, requires a conscious decision on our part to believe ... and to put our faith into action. The Lord Jesus Christ and his Church ask people of faith to give witness to what we believe in our daily lives. And so we convert our faith into real, visible, tangible expressions of Christs own love by what we do and how we live. This is our mission as Catholics in the parishes of the Diocese of Trenton and this mission is brought to life through our Annual Catholic Appeal. This year, our annual appeal has a new name: the Annual Catholic Appeal. Formerly the Bishops Appeal, the campaigns new name presents a clearer picture of what the appeal is about and what it is meant to accomplish. As your bishop, I still make this request, but it is really the appeal of the Catholic community across the Diocese. My dear friends, it is important to remember that moving forward in faith is not something that we do once in our lives and expect it to carry us through. Our act of faith needs to be made each day, and given life through the works of love to which we commit ourselves. I ask you to consider a generous gift to the Annual Catholic Appeal, and I invite you to pray with me that together we can make a real and lasting difference in the lives of our brothers and sisters throughout Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Yours in Christ, Most Reverend David M. OConnell, C.M. Bishop of Trenton The Saint John the Baptist Parish Lenten Retreat

ASH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5 (Ashes will be distributed at all ) 7:00am Prayer Service 8:00am Mass 5:00pm Prayer Service 7:00pm Mass

A SPECIAL INVITATION FOR ALL OUR CATECHISTS! Our wonderful catechists and their families are invited to a special LENTEN FRIDAY FISH FRY! Friday, March 7, 2014 5:30pm - 7:00pm Parish Hall We appreciate all of your work with the children in our great Religious Education program throughout the year. Please join us! We are very grateful for all that you do!

Saint John the Baptist Parish Opportunities for Outreach

Our Holy Father Pope Francis is visibly supportive of the poor and the hungry of the world. In response to this great example, we at the Church of Saint John the Baptist are offering opportunities for outreach to others. Local Food Bank Donations We continue the regular monthly food collection on the second weekend of each month for our local food banks. The next collection weekend will be next weekend, March 8-9. There are many local families relying on your donations. We thank you for your generosity. Please contact Fred Kniesler at 259-7476 with any questions.

Monday, March 31, 2014 7:00pm Mass Fatima Today Fr. Andrew Apostoli, Franciscan Friars of the Renewal Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at 7:00pm Individual Confessions Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at 7:00pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Lenten Reflections Rev. Msgr. Raymond J. Kupke, Ph.D.
Adjunct Professor of Church History, School of Theology Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ

Religious Education News 2014 Confirmation Retreat The Confirmation Retreat is scheduled for Thursday, March 6 at St. Vincent De Paul Church. All students should check in your folders for the time. We are requesting desert donations. If you are able to help, pleas e c all 259-3586 or email stjohnsre@optonline.net with your dessert donation information.

www.StJohnRomanCatholic.org
Our Parish website has all of the latest news about our many upcoming events as well as photos, audio and video links, forms and downloadable current and past weekly bulletins. You can also connect to our popular Saint John the Baptist Facebook Page right from the front page of our website!

Saint John the Baptist Knights of Columbus Council 7333 News and Updates

IGNITE YOUTH GROUP Catchafire for God

Next Meeting: Sunday, March 2, 2014 6:45 PM - 8:15 PM in the Church Hall All 6th - 12th Graders welcome! For more information, please contact Andrea Reynolds at: andreareynolds@optonline.net

Please join us in the Parish Hall weekly after the 9:00AM and 11:00AM Sunday Masses for Coffee and Donuts, featuring Dunkin Donuts coffee and donuts. Mark your calendars now for the March 23 Smell the Bacon Monthly breakfast! More information is included below. Please contact AllentownKnights@gmail.com for more information about all of the above upcoming events.

Saint John the Baptist Choir Information Phone: 609-462-6823 Email: judy.stjohnmusic@gmail.com MARCH CHOIR INFORMATION Please note change to March 5th choir practices, (due to Ash Wednesday)

Saint John the Baptist Knights of Columbus Council 7333 Sponsoring A Youth Essay Contest All students in grades 6 thru 12 are invited to participate in our 2014 Knights of Columbus Youth Essay Contest. Students are encouraged to write an essay containing up to 500 words on the following theme: Our new Holy Father, Pope Francis, has inspired us to follow Jesus in serving the poor. What does it means to serve the poor and how can todays youth make it happen? Entries will be judged in two groups; Grades 6 thru 8 and Grades 9-12. Prizes will be awarded for each group. Entries must be submitted by March 9 via email to FcasniR@gmail.com or can be mailed to the Church of Saint John the Baptist Attention K of C Essay Contest. Join our Knights of Columbus Council for our Monthly Breakfast!

NO Cherubs Youth Choir will start at 6pm and finish promptly at 6:45pm, prior to 7pm Mass Parish Choir will start after Mass at 7:45pm

Practice Schedule Tuesdays Canticle Choir To be scheduled Wednesdays Cherub Choir - 5:30-6:25pm March 12th and 19th Youth Choir - 6:30-7:25pm March 12th, 19th , NO March 26th Parish Choir 7:30-9pm All Wednesdays Mass Schedule Canticle Choir - March 2nd 9am Mass Youth Choir - March 8th 5:15pm Mass - March 23rd 9am Mass Parish Choir - all Sundays, 11am MassAs we enter the season the Lent and prepare for Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter Liturgies, LET YOUR LOVE OF MUSIC Bring you to Choir and Sing our beloved traditional and new hymns. OR GIVE UP TV and come to CHOIR~ YOU will Enrich your Lenten Journey! BECOME A MEMBER! Call or email Judy Stern for further information.

"SMELL THE BACON" Buffet Breakfast Sunday March 23, 8:00 to 11:00 AM
ALL PROCEEDS will benefit the LIONS VETERANS HOSPITAL Breakfast Tickets are on sale each weekend after each Mass downstairs in the Parish Hall! Adults: $7.00 (All you can eat) Children 6-11: $4.00 Children under 6 FREE with Parent

Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church

Please join us as we honor Our Lord and give thanks for His Divine Mercy!

News from our Altar Rosary Society The Saint John the Baptist Altar Rosary Society will meet on SUNDAY, MARCH 9TH at 3:00PM in the Knights of Columbus Hall (basement of the Parish Office). The meeting will last about one hour. All members please attend.

First Friday Divine Mercy Service Friday, March 7, 2014 at 3:00pm in the Church We will honor Our Lord by praying the Chaplet of Mercy during the hour of Divine Mercy. All are welcome! Divine Mercy Evenings of Reflection Tuesday, March 11 and Tuesday, March 18 7:00pm in the Church Please join us on these special evenings for the Holy Rosary, Stations of the Cross (according to the Diary of Saint Faustina), time for Reflection, and Exposition and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. There will also be an opportunity for Confession.

Please join us for the Saint Patricks Day Celebration of the

The Saint John the Baptist 50+ Club!

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014 1:00PM in the CHURCH HALL Kindly RSVP if you are able to attend by calling Deacon Joe Hepp at 609-448-6737. All are invited!

CELEBRATE SAINT PATRICKS DAY AT A SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST DANCE!

DINNER AND DANCING

Music by DJ Mike

SATURDAY, MARCH 15 7:00PM TO 11:00PM $30.00 per person

B.Y.O.B. (mixers provided)

UNLIMITED COFFEE
For you to add your favorite beverage!
For reservations, please call Pat Gruca at 259-2653 or Joe Gendron at 298-5265

SAINT PATRICKS DAY DINNER DANCE Name: ____________________________________________ Address:_____________________________________________ Phone: _____________________________________________ # of Tickets: _________________ Total enclosed:
Place in Collection Basket or drop off at Parish Office. Make checks payable to St. Johns Altar Rosary Society or K of C Council 7333.