MASSES FOR THE WEEK OF

FEBRUARY 9– FEBRUARY 15

MON. 9 8:30 AM Ann Palotas (Jerry & Mary Thobe)

TUES. 10 8:30 AM Communion Service

WED. 11 8:30 AM Rodney Wint (Wint Family)

THURS. 12 8:30 AM Jim Haley’s Birthday (Mike Haley Family)

FRI. 13 8:30 AM Communion Service

SAT. 14 5:00 PM Rose Kiser (Mr. & Mrs. Michael Vucelich)

SUN. 15 8:00 AM For the Parish

10:30 AM Stanley Mescher (Phyllis Imwalle)

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

USHERS

SAT. 14 5:00 PM Brad Gross, Jan & Jim Miller, Todd Rook

SUN. 15 8:00 AM Scott Vagedes, Dale Voisard, Dwight & Ginny Miller

10:30 AM Tom Enders, Dave Franke, Richard Heberling, Douglas

Slagel

ALTAR SERVERS

SAT. 14 5:00 PM Cecilia Alverez, Spencer Brackman, Ryan Farling

SUN. 15 8:00 AM Megan McLaughlin, Zach Salyer, Kristen Wolters

10:30 AM Chris Bruening, Hannah Krebs, Caroline Lawson

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

SAT. 14 5:00 PM 7 volunteers needed

SUN. 15 8:00 AM Betty Voisard, 6 volunteers needed

10:30 AM Ray Fleming, 6 volunteers needed

LECTORS

SAT. 14 5:00 PM Eileen Rousseau, George Lovett

SUN. 15 8:00 AM Scott Vagedes, Josh Miller

10:30 AM Steve Goubeaux, Adam Andrejcio

CHILDREN’S LITURGY

SAT 14 5:00 PM Volunteer Needed

SUN. 15 10:30 AM Irene Crawford

GREETERS

Volunteers are needed for all masses

NEXT WEEK’S READINGS

First Reading …………………………………………Leviticus 13: 1-2, 44-46

Second Reading ………………………………………1 Corinthians 10: 311-1:-1

Gospel …………………………………………………Mark 1: 40-45 (77)

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 or Lavonne Fleming @ 667-7313 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.

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

RESIDENCE TELEPHONE-FR. MARC

Fr. Marc Sherlock now has a new residence telephone number. To save the parish 50% on the monthly bill his residence number is now a cell phone 937-216-4306. If you need him for sacramental emergencies you can always try this number evenings and weekends.

GOLDEN WEDDING anniversary mass for 2009 will be held at St. Christopher on Saturday, April 18^th at 2:00 p.m. Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr will be the principal celebrant. Couples celebrating their Golden or Silver Wedding Anniversary during 2009 should notify the parish office by February 20^th.

THANK YOU – The Archdiocesan Financial Services wishes to that St. John’s parish for their generous donation of $3,785.00 to the Retirement Fund for Religious. You do Share in the Care.

PSR NEED YOUR HELP!– PSR needs a 1^st grade catechist for Wednesday classes, 6:45-8:00 p.m. ASAP. It is a small class of 5. Call Sandie Hoy at 667-5779 or email dhoy3@woh.rr.com.

MARK THIS DATE – February 20^th. @ 6:30 p.m. – The parish staff is hosting an Appreciation Dinner for anyone who has volunteered for anything at the parish during 2008. You should receive an invitation in the mail this week. This is just a little way to let you know that the staff at St. John’s does appreciate your time and talents.

YOUTH SCHEDULE:

February 8 6:30 pm PSR; grades 9-12

6:30 pm Jr. High Youth Group

February 15 NO PSR OR YOUTH GROUP

February 22 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm Operation Ricebowl Family Event

February 29 Dinner and a Show Event!

25 PEOPLE WILL ATTEND YOUNG NEIGHBORS MISSION TRIP IN SAN FRANCISCO!!! Whew! Within a few days, we had an influx of people who registered for our mission trip and will now be venturing out to San Francisco for a week of service, learning, and faith sharing! Please keep this group in your prayers and watch for opportunities to share financially in this trip!

OPERATION RICEBOWL INTERGENERATIONAL EVENT! Join your St. John’s parish family (people of all ages are invited) on Sunday, February 22 for this amazing, inspiring kick-off to our Operation Ricebowl Campaign! A hunger banquet, prayer, activities are some of the things you’ll do during this evening. Joe Weber from the diocesesan social action office will be present to speak to us on his recent African experience. We’ll pass out operation ricebowl containers and learn lots about how we can help!! You won’t want to miss this inspiring, exciting evening…special treat awarded to all those who can drag their entire family out for the evening! LET US KNOW YOU’RE COMING BY FEBRUARY 15^TH! COST IS FREE so there’s no reason not to attend…see you and your family there!

SURVIVING IN THE REAL WORLD!  Do you know how to do that?!  Join us March 14-15 for the Sophomore retreat to discover just how!  You’ll venture to the Son Center for 2 jam-packed days of fun activities and prayerful insights as we explore the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.  The retreat will be led by our Jr. and Sr. Small Faith Group and should prove to be the “adventure” you won’t soon forget!   The retreat is required for all Confirmation students and will include mass.  Cost for the retreat is $35 and covers all meals, lodging and supplies for the retreat.  Parents are asked to help with transportation.  Registration deadline is March 1 so get your form in today! 

New Eucharistic Minister Training is scheduled for Sunday, February 15^th after the 10:30 AM mass at the Hyatt Street Church room # 107.  This training is also open to any youth (7th Grade and up) and other adults that might be interested in this ministry.  All newly trained Eucharistic Ministers will be commissioned into this ministry that Sunday, after which you may start signing up for mass dates.  New Eucharistic Ministers must attend the training before being commissioned.   If you will be attending the training, please contact Nat Phillips at 335-5835 or by e-mailing to nat.phillips@verizon.net.

HELP NEEDED! – We need a few volunteers to help clean the church on Saturdays. It only takes about and hour and you have help. We need someone for February, September, October and November. Give Flo Miller a call at 667-6823 to volunteer your time.

Confirmation 2008-09: Congratulations to the Confirmation candidates who celebrated their readiness for the sacrament of Confirmation last weekend at the 10:30 Mass. Please remember them in your prayers. There next large group session is Sunday, Feb. 8 for a presentation on “Faith and Prayer” by Fr. Mike Lisbeth, S.M. and Bro Mike O’Grady, S.M.

RCIA: The candidates and catechumens continue to meet each Monday to learn about the Catholic Church. This past Monday we discussed Jesus as prophet, teacher, Lord.

They are preparing for the Rite of Election coming up 7:30 pm March 1 at Immaculate Conception Church. They will continue with Dismissal each Sunday through Lent. Please keep them in your prayers.

On Monday, Feb. 16 St. Christopher's RCIA people will be coming to St. John. They have been serving us wonderful snacks when we visited them these last few months and we would like to do the same. We need three volunteers each month to make a snack and drop it off at the Office sometime Monday. Please call Dan Thomas if you wish to do this ministry for the RCIA.

Liturgical Bits & Bytes:

BAPTISM - JOURNEY

Every baptism is a new beginning. It is the first formal step on the journey to being a full and complete Christian. Is that journey ever complete? Probably not. We continue Sunday after Sunday to be molded into the Body of Christ. Actually, the season of Lent has as its purpose the renewal of our baptism commitment. The more we understand this approach to the sacrament of baptism, the more we will appreciate the importance of our weekly experience of a faith community. That's what connects us and supports our spiritual growth. 

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

12^th Thurs. 9:15 – 11:00 am – Kids Valentine’s Day Party

14^th Sat. - 6:00 pm – Craft/Hobby night in banquet hall

19^th Thurs. – 6:30 pm – Mom’s Night Out @ El Sombrero in Troy

26^th Thurs. – 9:15 – 11:30 am – Meeting
28^th Sat. 6:00 pm – Couples Night Out @ Shari’s house.  It will be a potluck/progressive dinner.   I will send out sign-ups in a separate e-mail.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS #5129 IN COOPERATION WITH THE RIVERSIDE SPECIAL OLYMPIC PROGRAM PRESENTS THE 2009 BASKETBALL SKILLS EVENT

On February 22nd at 1:00 p.m. @ the Troy-Sidney Facility on 1625 N. Troy-Sidney Rd., Troy

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We’re in need of Volunteers, high school age and up, to make this event a success, as in years past.  Your time commitment will be from 12:30 to about 5:00 p.m. To sign up as a volunteer contact Steve Barno at 667-6329 or e-mail: sbarno@verizon.net

BABY BOTTLE PROJECT - The baby bottles that were passed out at all the Masses last November are to collect loose change/cash/checks for the Under Five Feeding Program in Nairobi that our Parish has committed to support. Please consider keeping the bottles and using them as a "bank" to save your donations. When the bottle is full, it can be emptied in the Nairobi basket by the Baptismal Font. Keep the bottle and refill it. If you have turned in your bottle, please consider taking another one. There are extra bottles in the basket in the Gathering Area. This is an ongoing program and St. Johns is the main outside source of income for it. Without our donations many children would  be underfed or not fed at all. Your support is needed and greatly appreciated. Thank you.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS NEWS - Valentine’s Dinner Dance

Come join the Knights of Columbus as we honor our significant partners on this Valentines’ Day.

All parishioners from St. John’s the Baptist Catholic Church and guests of the Councils Knight’s are invited to come and participate.

Troy Country Club—February 14^th --$75.00 per couple

All inclusive: Wine—Salad—Buffet Dinner—Desert—Coffee/Tea—Dancing

Reservations are required by February 9^th—Call Tom or Sandi Pohlman at 667-1493 or

E-Mail Thomas.Pohlman@tjpohlman.com

The Power of Your Change: How Your Everyday Purchases Change the World is the focus of a conference Saturday, Feb. 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kennedy Union at the University of Dayton. This conference comes at a time when Americans are taking a much more studied look at how they are spending their money locally and globally. The Catholic Social Action Commission of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati is sponsoring the conference in partnership with the University of Dayton. The conference will look at financial choices inspired by the Gospel. Jacqueline DeCarlo, the Senior Program Advisor for Fair Trade for Catholic Relief Services, is the keynote speaker. Other speakers include Sue Vogt, a speaker and author on simple living in marriage and parenting; Tom Allio, one of the leaders in the state of the successful reform of PayDay Lending, and six others speakers on free trade, socially responsible spending, fasting from consumerism, buying local food and a voice for the voiceless. The $25 cost includes lunch; $5 for students. Only pre-paid registrations accepted. Contact the Catholic Social Action Office, 937-224-3026.

MARRIAGE MOMENTS - As Valentines' Day approaches why not dig out the readings you used at your wedding.  In a quiet moment read them to each other again and ponder what they mean to you now. If you can't find them try 1 Corinthians 13: 4-13.

PARENTING POINTERS - Are you friends with your teen? Facebook or MySpace friends I mean. Regardless of whether or not you are into these social networking sites, it doesn't hurt to sign up. If for no other reason, parents need to be aware of how they work. It's also a handy way to stay connected with your young adult children.

"LET THE SON SHINE IN!" - The fifth amazing Eucharistic event in the Cincinnati tri-state area will occur on Friday, February 13, 2009, from 7:30-9:30 pm at Saint Gertrude Parish in Madeira, Ohio!  The Tri-State Eucharistic Festivals of Praise are for people of ALL ages with the purpose of drawing Catholics into a deeper personal relationship with our Eucharistic Lord, deepening their desire to receive Him frequently in Holy Communion at Mass, and setting people's hearts on fire for God and His Church so as to better be His hands and feet in this world.  There will be opportunities for confession, and fellowship will follow.  Our Lord is not far away, but among us truly present in the Eucharist and wants to spend time with us and wants us to know His love.  Let us rejoice!  Please visit our website at www.EucharisticFOP.org for more information!

Natural Family Planning Classes: Natural Family Planning (NFP) is healthy, safe, and effective; NFP is NOT the rhythm method. Come learn an effective and inexpensive way of postponing or achieving pregnancy. You will be amazed at the way you can be in control of your fertility. In addition, social science has found that natural methods of family planning enhance the interpersonal communication of married couples in a number of ways.  St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Troy will hold classes this Spring to teach the Ovulation Method of NFP.  The classes will meet on Saturdays, February 28, March 28 and April 18 from 1:30pm to 4:00pm in Rooms 1, 2, 3 in the Parish Center. The cost is $35 per couple. Contact Scott & Laura Schulze at 937-339-5851 for registration.

COLLEGE DAY

On Monday, February 16, 2009, the Pontifical College Josephinum is hosting their annual ‘College Day,’ which provides high school men who are interested in pursuing the priesthood as a college seminarian an opportunity to visit the seminary program, meet current seminarians, and have their questions answered about college seminary programs. To register online, visit: http://cincinnativocations.org/frm021609.php, or call the Vocation Office at 513-421-3131, x2890.

LAST WEEK’S COLLECTION

Adult (180 envelopes) $6270.00

Loose Checks $445.00

Loose Cash $371.00

Total $7086.00

St. Vincent outreach $515.17

Phase II Building $2714.59

Total Collected Bell Fund $44,135.25

TOTAL OUTSTANDING BUILDING DEBT $423,100.00

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)