MASSES FOR THE WEEK OF

DECEMBER 8–DECEMBER 14

MON. 8 8:30 AM For the parish

7:00 PM Ann Palotas (Jim & Janice Sommer

TUES. 9 8:30 AM Mel McKitrick (Denny & Elaine Great)

WED. 10 8:30 AM Jean Beebower (Family)

THURS. 11 8:30AM John Florea (Rebeca Shafer & Judy Rizzo)

FRI. 12 8:30 AM Communion Service

SAT. 13 5:00 PM Rodney Wint (Wint Family)

SUN. 14 8:00 AM For the Parish

10:30 AM Joseph Sailer (Sailer Family)

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

USHERS

SAT. 13 5:00 PM Greg & Ginny Kiener, Gerry & Viv Wyen

SUN. 14 8:00 AM Russ Haley, John Heitkamp, Alan Leingang, Rick

Monnier

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

ALTAR SERVERS

SAT. 13 5:00 PM John McCrillis, Cecilia Alverez, Samantha Eastman

SUN. 14 8:00 AM Kevin Clark, Jacob & Zach Salyer

10:30 AM Anna Barhorst, Chris Bruening, Joe Henson

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

SAT. 13 5:00 PM 7 volunteers needed

SUN. 14 8:00 AM 7 volunteers needed

10:30 AM 7 volunteers needed

LECTORS

SAT. 13 5:00 PM Steve McCrillis

SUN. 14 8:00 AM Mike & Tina Droesch

10:30 AM Jeanne Koch, Doug Black

CHILDREN’S LITURGY

SAT. 13 5:00 PM Laura Rook

SUN. 14 10:3 0 AM Debbie McCormick

GREETERS

Volunteers are needed for all masses

NEXT WEEK’S READINGS

First Reading ………………………………………… Isaiah 61: 1-2a, 10-11

Second Reading ……………………………………… 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24

Gospel …………………………………………………John 1: 6-8, 19-28 (8)

PARISH OFFICE CLOSED MONDAY, DECEMBER 8^TH

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.

NOTICE – We will not be taking intentions for daily or Sunday mass until further notice. We have had an unusual number of deaths this year and the mass intentions are more than Father can fulfill this year. We will only take mass intentions for members of the parish that have passed away recently.

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.

WELCOME ARCHBISHOP SCHNURR!

We officially welcome Archbishop Dennis. M. Schnurr as the Coadjutor Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati this afternoon at a special Mass in St. Peter in Chains Cathedral in Cincinnati.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to Matthew Parker Dorn and Jessica Jamie Grafton who were married here at St. John the Baptist Church on November 29, 2008. May the Lord bless them as they begin their married life!

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.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION-HOLY DAY

Monday, December 8, is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation to participate in Mass. It is also the Patronal Feast of the United States of America. Because this Holy Day falls on Monday we have a special Mass schedule: 8:30 am & 7:00 pm.

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. “When my eyes came to the enclosed check, I immediately prayed a “Glory Be” and was practically moved to tears,” wrote an abbot at an Oklahoma monastery for benefits received from the Retirement Fund for Religious. Please give generously to next week’s second collection, which benefits the many deserving religious who served our diocese, past and present, and who now need our help meeting the overwhelming costs of elder care.
www.retiredreligious.org

THE CLOTHESLINE will be closing after Saturday, December 20, for the holiday season.  It will reopen on Friday, January 2.  There's a nice selection of holiday attire for the Christmas season and lots of warm gear--coats, scarves, gloves, hats--for the cold weather.  Shop is open Wednesday 2-8, Thursday and Saturday 10-4, and Friday 10-8.  Clothing from infant and up, boys & girls, men & women, shoes, boots, belts, bags, and bedding donations are always needed, so please consider dropping them off if you're cleaning out your closets.  All donations are tax deductible.  THE CLOTHESLINE  is one of St. John's many ministries, supported by 45+ clerks who serve each month.  Call the parish office ( 667-3419), Barb Batty (667-6655, 698-7155) or Jan Haley (667-1189) if you feel called to help support this ministry

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.

BAPTISM PREP CLASSES - The next BAPTISMAL PREPARATION PROGRAM will be Sunday, December 7, 2008 in Room # 100 at 1:00 p.m. This class is required prior to scheduling a Baptism. Call the Parish Office (667-3419) to register.

"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 6-7 4:30 pm to 6:30 am Holiday Lock-in!

December 7 NO YOUTH GROUP! Recover from the lock-in!

December 13 4:00 pm Bake Sale items due at church!

5:45 pm Holiday Bake sale after mass

December 14 7:30 am to 12:00 pm Holiday Bake Sale!

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!

HOLDAY BAKE SALE IS ON THE WAY! We’ve decided to hold a bake sale to help out with our youth ministry expenses. The bake sale will be on December 13-14 following all of the masses. Each student will be asked to bring a certain amount of baked goods to the parish by 4:00 pm on the 13^th. Watch your mail for more information soon!!!

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 15^th!

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.

RCIA: This week the RCIA group discussed the Church and its four marks: one, holy, catholic and apostolic.

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.

2009 Catholic Religious Vocation Guide: One of the ways we Catholic Christians live out our faith is through religious life as Jesuits, Marianists, Benedictines, Sister of Charity, Sisters of Notre Dame and many more. Every year Vision magazine is published by the National Religious Vocation Conference. This magazine has articles and advertisements about the various religious orders in the United States. There is a copy in the magazine rack in the Gathering Space if you are interested in learning about the vocation to religious life.

"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

December 10^th –6:30 pm– Mom’s Night Out – Christmas dinner @ Melting Pot-

Dayton(ornament exchange)

December 13^th -6:00 p.m. Craft/Hobby night – Banquet Hall

COFFEE, DONUTS AND BAGELS is this Sunday December 7^th in the Banquet Hall. Men’s Shared Prayer will host this month.

A BIG THANK YOU to all the volunteers that cleaned the church for the month of November. You are great.

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

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to tutor individuals on a one to one basis. Requirements are patience, a desire to make a difference in someone’s life, completion of a twelve hour course, a six month commitment of 1-2 hours a week. This program is sponsored by the Troy Literacy Council, Inc. For more information call 660-3170.

NOVEMBER 23rd COLLECTION NOVEMBER 30th COLLECTION

Adult (165 envelopes) $5281.00 Adult (162 envelopes) $4896.00

Loose $590.00 Loose $3378.00

Total $5871.00 Total $8274.00

St. Vincent outreach $249.00 St. Vincent Outreach $90.00

Nairobi $599.23 Nairobi $116.00

Phase II Building $860.00 Phase II Building $1675.00

Total Collected Bell Fund $42,235.73 Total Collected Bell Fund$42,285.73

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)