MASSES FOR THE WEEK OF

DECEMBER 15–DECEMBER 21

 

MON.       15         8:30 AM                Good Health for Ed & Peg McDonald (Chris & Tim

                                                          Furlong)

TUES.        16       8:30 AM                James Steinke (Steinke Family)

WED.          17      8:30 AM                Mel McKitrick (Joy Blaul)

THURS.     18       8:30AM                 Ann Palotas (Mary Palotas)

FRI.             19      8:30 AM                Communion Service

SAT.            20      5:00 PM                                Edris Zimmer (Callan Reich)

SUN.            21      8:00 AM                Joseph Sailer (Sailer Family)

                             10:30 AM                For the Parish

Just a note to let you know when you request a mass intention the schedule may change according to Father’s commitments.

 

USHERS

SAT.       20           5:00 PM                                Greg & Ginny Kiener, Gerry & Viv Wyen

SUN.       21           8:00 AM                Russ Haley, John Heitkamp, Alan Leingang, Rick

                                                          Monnier

                           10:30 AM  Dennis & Pat McNulty, Dwight & Ginny Miller

 

ALTAR SERVERS

SAT.       20           5:00 PM                                Lauren Brackman, Drew & Samantha Farling,

SUN.       21           8:00 AM                Kristy & Ryan Kagy, Kyle Phillips

                           10:30 AM  Caroline Lawson, Hannah Krebs, Nathan Kueterman

 

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

SAT.       20           5:00 PM                                7 volunteers needed

SUN.       21           8:00 AM                Marion King, 6 volunteers needed

                            10:30 AM                 Ray Fleming, 6 volunteers needed

 

LECTORS

SAT.     20             5:00 PM                                Eileen Rousseau, George Lovett

SUN.     21             8:00 AM                Scott Vagedes

                            10:30 AM                 Steve Goubeaux,

 

CHILDREN’S LITURGY

SAT.      20            5:00 PM                                Volunteer Needed

SUN.     21        10:3 0 AM Irene Crawford

 

GREETERS

Volunteers are needed for all masses

                                                                               

NEXT WEEK’S READINGS

First Reading ………………………………………… 2 Samuel 7: 1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16

Second Reading ……………………………………… Romans 16: 25-27

Gospel …………………………………………………Luke 1: 26-38 (11)

 

PARISH OFFICE CLOSED TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16 FROM 1:00-3:00 PM

 

HOME EUCHARIST

If you are unable to attend mass this week and would like to receive the Eucharist, call the Parish Office at 667-3419 before 3:30 on Friday or call Ann Fallert @ 667-3416 on Saturday and arrangements will be made for home communion.

 

Our thoughts and prayers remain with those serving our country at this time and with their loved ones at home.  We pray for a safe homecoming and that the world may one day be at peace.

 

BLESSING FOR EXPECTING PARENTS

We will have a special blessing for all expecting parents, including those parents adopting a child, during all the weekend Masses on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 20-21.

 

PARISH ADVENT COMMUNAL PENANCE SERVICE

Monday, December 15, at 6:30 pm.  Seven priests will be available for Confession.  Our Second Grade parishioners are invited to receive the Sacrament for the first time.

 

MINISTRY OF CARE

If you are home from the hospital and could use a meal brought in---call us.

If you could use a ride to the doctor or dentist---call us.

If you need a prescription picked up and you can't get it --- call us.

We are CARE GIVERS for St. John's parish. Let us be God's right hand by helping you.

Call 667-3419 or 667-6336

     Since the spring of 2007, the Ministry of Care with over 70 volunteers, has assisted 52 parishioners with visits to the doctor, rides to therapy, personal visits, hair appointments, meals for homebound, rides to mass and general errands.  Thanks to all for assisting with this very important ministry.

 

ST. JOHN’S E.C.P. REGISTRATION

St. John’s Early Childhood Program is a developmental preschool for children ages three to five. We provide a nurturing Christian environment with caring teachers who carry out our planned curriculum.   Morning sessions are from 8:40-11:15 while afternoon sessions are from 12:25-3:00.  The younger children come two days a week, the older children attend three days and the pre-K class meets four days. REGISTRATION FOR THE 2009-2010 SCHOOL YEAR WILL BEGIN ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, AT 8:45 A.M. FOR PARISHIONERS AND FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN IN THE PROGRAM.   Even if you have called to inquire about the program previously or have put your name on the waiting list, you still need to register on January 7. You, or someone you designate, may come to room 101 in the center to put your child’s name on the appropriate class list and pick up a registration packet which must be filled out and returned within a week. It is advisable to register as early in the day as possible on that date since some sessions fill up quickly. You may also call and leave a detailed message.  However, spaces are filled on a first come, first served basis.  For more information, please call Sally Minnich at 667-2629.

 

Religious give thanks. “As our retirement expenses seem unending and ever increasing, reminding myself of the generosity of the people who make this (assistance) possible softens my concern,” writes the president of a religious community in Dubuque. Please be generous in your support of today’s appeal for the Retirement Fund for Religious.
www.retiredreligious.org

RCIA: This week the RCIA group went to the Mass for the feast of the Immaculate Conception. They then met to discuss and learn about “The Role of Mary in Catholic Life and Practice.” Next week they will be meeting with St. Christopher’s RCIA group at St. Christopher.

 

Confirmation 2008: The candidates and parents will meet on Sunday, Dec. 14 to explore the history of St. John the Baptist and tour the Church with an explanation of the various elements of our Church building. Parishioners please remember them in your prayers.

 

First Reconciliation: Saturday, Dec. 13 the children preparing for First Reconciliation gather for Peace Day to prepare for their first celebration of the Sacrament with the Parish at the Reconciliation Service, Dec. 15.

 

Wanted:  Instrumentalists for Christmas Midnight Mass

Anyone who plays an instrument, including high school students, who would like to be a part of the music program for Midnight Mass, is invited to join us in a rehearsal on Tuesday, Dec. 23, from 6:00 to 7:00 pm in the Church.  Please see Jim Wolf at the organ after Mass, or call 667-4034.  I will have music ready for you.

 

CD's Available for Christmas Gifts

A CD of the Choirs of St. John's commemorating the Sesquicentennial Anniversary will be available after all the Masses next weekend.  A suggested donation of $10 is being asked for each CD.  This would be a nice Christmas present and it would also support the efforts of the choirs.

 

"CARD MINISTRY" - Have you dabbled in card making, stamping or scrapbooking? How about sharing your "talent" to benefit your parish and fellow parishioners? In response to input from the ISPD Town Hall Meeting, the Evangelization and Outreach Implementation Team would like to oversee the development of a Card Ministry. We are looking for individuals with some experience in card making, stamping or scrapbooking who would like to help organize and/or participate in this ministry. Please contact Lara Limbert @339-6599 or lhoman002@woh.rr.com.

 

YOUTH SCHEDULE:                                                                                                                       

December 14                        6:30 pm Jr. High St. Nicholas & Candy Cane Night!

December 15                        Young Neighbors Mission Trip Registrations Due!

December 21-January 4     NO YOUTH GROUP ACTIVITIES!  Enjoy your family and

                                            Christmas Vacation!

Storytellers:  Youth Ministry through Drama is producing an all youth presentation of “Robert Fulghum’s, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” the musical.  Performances will be the weekends of Feb 27 and Mar. 6 in various churches throughout Dayton.  Singing and non-singing roles are available.  All High School age youth (classes ’09-‘12) are invited to be a part of this incredible experience as actors, singers, musicians and crew.  All who audition are cast.  Auditions for actors, singers and musicians are at Holy Angels Parish (1322 Brown St. in Dayton, 45409) on Dec. 14 at 1:00pm or at St. Christopher Parish (435 E. National Rd. Vandalia, 45377) on Dec. 15 at 7:30 pm.   Anyone interested in being on the crew should email Elise Wahle at ewahle@catholicweb.com no later than Jan. 6, 2009.   If you have any questions please contact Teri Iverson (teriiverson@woh.rr.com or 667-3419.  STORYTELLERS WILL BE PERFORMING HERE AT ST. JOHN’S ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28!  MARK YOUR CALENDARS TO ATTEND!

YOUNG NEIGHBORS MISSION TRIP!  Join us this summer as we venture to a city far away to participate in a week-long service learning experience in which we learn about our Catholic call to work for justice while connecting to meaningful service opportunities!  Some of the things we may do are  yard work, neighborhood cleanup, home repairs, painting, construction, working in a daycare, serving meals in a soup kitchen, and/or much more!  We’ll spend our evenings being entertained and learning more about Catholic Social teaching in a fun way!  You don’t want to miss out on this week-long event!  Cost is $349 and includes everything for the week except transportation (which we will fund-raise).  Want more info?  Grab a registration packet (by the youth news board in the narthex) and check it out!  You can also look up youngneighbors.com!  Registration and deposit is due by December 15th! 

ST. NICK AND CANDY CANE NIGHT!  Join us on December 14 at 6:30 pm for a night of holiday fun as we explore the legends of St. Nick and the Candy cane!  We’ll watch a movie clip, decorate (and eat) a cookie,  make an ornament and find out what all of this has to do with Advent!  Advent?  What is advent?  You’d better show up and find out!!!  Jr. Highers, grab your friends and we’ll see ya’ there!

 

TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT - Feel a “tug” that you can contribute something to our parish community?  Please consider giving the gift of yourself as a Home Communion Minister.  A small investment of your time and a willingness to share that time with others is all that’s required.  Please call Bill McGrath, 667-4932, or Ann Fallert, 667-3416.

 

"SHOWER FOR BABY JESUS"

In preparation for the birth of Our Lord, the Respect Life Committee invites everyone in the parish to participate in the "Shower for Baby Jesus" in which we collect baby items for those in need. Items needed range from baby wipes to baby clothes to baby beds. Good, clean, used items are welcome. No donation is too small. Diapers are the greatest need. All donations go to the Center for Life (Miami County Right to Life) and area families in need. There will be a bassinet in the Gathering Area and boxes in the hallways by the classrooms where items may be dropped off during Advent and through the Christmas Season. For further information call Betty Voisard (339-3941) or Jennifer Weir (667-0282). All donations are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

St. John's MOM's Group - The St. John’s Mom’s Group would like to invite all mothers of young children to attend our meetings and/or events.  The group meets twice a month on Thursday mornings from 9:15 to 11:00 a.m.

in the Parish Banquet Hall with the exception of the summer months.  Babysitting is provided in room # 108

January 8 – Meeting

January 10 – Hobby/Craft night – 6:00-11:00 p.m. – Banquet Hall

January 13 –6:30 pm– Mom’s Night Out

January 22 - Meeting

 

COME JOIN US - Mexico celebrates the holidays with a strong tradition known as a Posada. These celebrations commemorate Mary and Joseph's cold and difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of shelter. "Posada" in Spanish, simply means lodging or shelter. Nowadays, the Posada has evolved into a religious and social celebration, paying a festive homage to the journey.

     Please join in this celebration in search of a wonderful experience. Celebration will begin after the 7 o’clock mass Saturday, December 20, 2008.

There will be plenty if authentic Mexican Food.

 

TIPP CITY SCHOOLS BOXTOP COLLECTION – Please save Boxtops for Education, Campbell’s soup label UPS’s and Tyson Project A Plus Frozen Chicken end flaps for our children in the Tipp City Schools.  Boxtops are found on many General Mills cereals and products. Pillsbury products, Kleenex, and Glad Ziploc Bags.  You may drop them in the collection basket any time.  Call Paulette Kolakowski 667-4751 if you have questions.

 

JUBILEE SINGERS from Dayton Ohio will perform an Advent Evensong

Sunday, December 14, 2008 Sacred Heart of Jesus Church McCartyville

The concert will begin at 4PM. A free will offering will be accepted.

Sponsored by the Sacred Heart Education Commission

THE CATHOLIC TELEGRAPH – There is not a successful entity that happens without preparation.  Even celebrating Christmas, we prepare by making list, and yes, checking them twice!  We also need to prepare our hearts with the wonderful miracle of Christmas.  Quiet time is almost impossible in the weeks leading to that sacred celebration, yet it’s key to prepare in knowledge and reflection.  The bible, Catholic teachings, stories from our relatives and friends: they all make up the fabric of our call to be leaders of the church The Catholic Telegraph is a great source for your journey in learning about our faith.  As the archdiocesan newspaper you’ll receive information about the church on a local, national, and international basis, a way to become better informed about the church.  For just $24 per year, you’ll receive 51 issues of this great newspaper.  That’s less than 50 cents per issue.  Support your parishes Adult Faith Formation and subscribe to The Catholic Telegraph today!

 

LAST WEEK’S COLLECTION

Adult (137 envelopes)        $8176.00

Loose                                     $1188.00

Total                                      $9364.00

St. Vincent outreach           $410.00

Immaculate Conception    $819.50

Phase II Building                 $1698.83

Total Collected Bell Fund  $42,380.73

 

TOTAL OUTSTANDING BUILDING DEBT     $438,100.00

 

ST. CHRISTOPHER, 435 E. National Road, Vandalia, OH 45377

Mass Schedule

Saturday: 5:00 p.m. - Sunday: 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Holy Day vigil: 7:00 p.m. - Holy Day: 9:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.

(Collection envelopes will be forwarded to the proper parish)