March 2013 Newsletter - St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish

Transcription

Vol. 19, No. 1 March 2013
Inside
2 MATURE ADULTS INVITE YOU TO
JOIN
3 LENT: THE ANCIENT CALL TO CARE
4 BAPTISMS/WELCOME NEW
FAMILIES
5 UPCOMING EVENTS/
STEWARDSHIP NOTABLES
6 SCHOOL EVENTS
7 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
SPIRITUAL FORMATION NEWS
8 EASTER CELEBRATION SCHEDULE
A NE
C AT H O L I C C H U R C H
E BAPTIST
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CPC Underway: Parish Goal $300,000
The annual Catholic Parishes Campaign is
underway and the goal for our parish this year
is just shy of $300,000. This is an attainable
goal with everyone’s help!
The CPC is the annual diocesan appeal to
help support the programs and offices of the
Diocese of Evansville. Each parish is assessed
based on the number of $50 contributors
through the Stewardship/collection envelopes,
and parishes are then asked to give back a
certain amount to help defray the costs of the
many diocese plans and programs.
holds.
All parishioners should have received a letter in the mail the
first week of March. If you did not, please contact the parish
office at 490-1000. Regardless of whether or not you can give,
please fill out the enclosed pledge card and return it to the
parish office or drop it in the collection basket as soon as you
can. Please do this even if you are unable to give, as it saves the
parish the time and money needed to track down cards.
Thank you for prayerfully considering giving to the CPC. More
information about all the good ways the CPC money is used can
be found on our website, www.sjbnewburgh.org.
Does CPC money come back to you? YES!
Among other things, the money helps pay
for workshops, retreats and seminars at the
Catholic Center; Catholic Formation and
Catechesis (Religious Education, Catholic
Schools religion); training for RCIA; stipends
for Scouting activities; assistance for TEC
and other youth activities; ministries for the
poor like Catholic Charities and the Christian
Sharing Fund; the Hispanic Ministry; and caring for those who serve our Diocese, such as
priests, deacons and the religious community.
The CPC is the only “fundraiser” the diocese
625 Frame Road
N ewburgh, IN 47630-1604
812-490-1000
www.sjbnewburgh.org
MATURE ADULTS INVITE YOU TO JOIN!
A
re you a mature parishioner
looking for spiritual guidance,
companionship and an occasional
fun outing? Then look no further
than our own Mature Adults
Group here at St. John the Baptist
Parish. The Mature Adults meet
weekly in the Lower Level for
prayer, discussion and fellowship.
They invite and encourage new
members!
“At our meetings, we pray, talk,
support, share, care, love, laugh,
eat, drink, read, look, see, hear and
pray,” she said.
Longtime member Evangeline Herr
presided at the meetings for a number of years before turning it over
to Maggie in the fall. Evangeline
prepares the agenda, prayers of the
faithful and intercessions for each
meeting, while Jean Samples serves
Current leader Magdalena
as treasurer. At the meetings, mem“Maggie” Hennel said the group
bers pray, discuss important topics
was established in 1988 by former
and take turns bringing a snack or
associate pastor Henry Kuykendall
treat to share. The Mature Adults
and Sister Bernice Kuper for
also frequently invite presenters to
De Sales bible study. The group
their meetings. In the past, topics
evolved throughout the years to
have included “angels,” “history of
include activities such as outings,
the rosary,” lost books of the bible,”
volunteering, movies, presentations and more. Every week there is a
and more. But the weekly sharing
different topic and agenda. Magmeetings remain the focus of the
gie said the group also occasionally
group.
goes out for dinner, plans the
annual Christmas dinner for the
parish volunteers who decorate
the church, and holds a “May carryin dinner” to close out the season.
During summer months (JuneSeptember), the group meets once
monthly.
Membership is free but a donation
of $2 per week is asked - $1 for the
Food Pantry and $1 to help pay for
trips and expenses. The Mature
Adults have donated close to $4,000
to date – as well as food and necessary items - to the Newburgh Food
Pantry.
There is no age requirement for
Mature Adults. Maggie stresses that
all are welcome and invited to join.
Call in advance – or just show up.
The meeting times and locations
are in the calendar of events in the
bulletin. For more information, call
Evangeline at 853-8546 or Maggie
at 853-3589.
Christmas decoration
volunteers joined the
Mature Adults in
December for lunch.
The Mature Adults
coordinate a special
meal every year for
the volunteers.
Lent: The Ancient Call To Care
Among the things I love most about the Catholic
Church are her practices that have roots all the
way back in the ancient Church. There’s just
something comforting about knowing that we are
still connected with “the way things were” even
after 2,000 years.
Lent is one of those ancient practices. In 325 A.D.,
the writings of the Council of Nicea (from which
we received the Nicene Creed) made reference
to a regional synod that was to be convened each
year “before the 40 days of Lent.” St. Cyril of Jerusalem and several other Fathers of the Church also
wrote of this period set aside for penance before
Easter. Even as far back as the late second century, St. Irenaeus spoke of a 40-day period of prayer
and fasting that preceded the celebration of
Easter. In referring to that period, he wrote: “the
observance did not originate in our own day, but
very much earlier, in the time of our forefathers.”
The expression “our forefathers” was almost
always a reference to the apostles themselves. So,
it’s entirely possible that our observance of Lent
goes all the way back to the apostolic era.
Of course, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving – “the
three pillars of Lent” – were practices that predate the apostles. Moses spent 40 days and 40
nights with the Lord on Mt. Sinai “without eating
any food or drinking any water.” (Exodus 34:28)
And, we read in Matthew’s Gospel that Jesus spent
the same period in the wilderness fasting and
praying following his baptism in the Jordan. (Matthew 4:2) In both cases, Moses and Jesus were
preparing for something – in Moses’ case, for the
Ten Commandments; in Jesus’ case, for his public
ministry. In the case of the early catechumens,
it was a preparation for Baptism. In our case, we
prepare for the annual memorial of the Paschal
Mystery.
But, Lent is not only about preparing for something. If observed well, it is a period that can have
great value in-and-of-itself. Losing a few pounds
leaps to mind. But, beyond that, “the pillars” of
Lent are a call to care. Fasting has a purpose. Our
hunger pangs remind us of a deeper hunger for
Deacon Vince Bernardin
God in our lives. It also puts us in direct touch
with the millions of people who experience hunger or other forms of deprivation as a way of life.
Isaiah insists that the only kind of fasting that is
pleasing to God is one that connects us to the less
fortunate. In the first reading on Friday following Ash Wednesday, we hear: “This, rather, is the
fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly,
untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the
oppressed, breaking every yoke; sharing your
bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed
and the homeless; clothing the naked when you
see them, and not turning your back on your
own.” (Isaiah 58:6-7)
When we practice abstinence, we are making the
same connection. In earlier days, the poor could
rarely afford meat. So, abstaining from meat was
viewed as an act of solidarity with those who have
to live without. And, here’s where the third pillar
– almsgiving – comes in. If “doing without” something simply translates into more of something
else, all we have is a kind of economic transaction.
But, if “doing without” translates into giving away
that which was saved, our fasting and abstinence
has great value.
Lent is an ancient call to care; a call to prayer,
fasting, and almsgiving. To help make that connection, we at St. John have been encouraging
the donation of alms at all the weekend masses
during Lent. The proceeds – over $6,000 to date
– go to the St. John Sharing Fund, which serve the
emergency needs of the poor right in our own
backyard. There is a huge, but largely invisible
need. Know that as you give away the little bit
you save from fasting chocolate, wine, or whatever else, you are joining with saints who have done
the same over 2,000 years. Thank you for caring
for others this Lent.
Baptisms
Margaret Jane Cramer,
daughter of Nicholas & Ashley Cramer,
baptized Nov. 3, 2012
Chase Michael Niehaus,
son of Robert & Megan Niehaus,
baptized Dec. 15, 2012
Emmett Robert Aull,
son of Seth & Shelly Aull,
baptized January 26, 2013
Emery Charlotte Borders,
daughter of Thomas & Tonya Borders,
Nathan Dyrl Henry,
son of Matthew & Bethany Henry,
McKenna Payge Zollman,
daughter of Christopher & Kelli Zollman,
baptized February 2, 2013
Caleb Michael Beach,
son of Nicholas & Melissa Beach,
Sophia Grace Dela-llana,
daughter of Alexander & Tara Dela-llana,
Aiden Patrick Schnur,
son of Nathan & Katlyn Schnur,
Natalie Lynn Epley,
daughter of Aaron & Sarah Epley,
Anna Grace Hartings,
daughter of Ross & Andrea Hartings,
Caroline Michelle Davis,
daughter of Nicholas & Michelle Davis,
Kenzlie Paige Niehaus,
daughter of Daniel & Angela Niehaus,
Anderson Elise Brown,
daughter of Jeremy & Melissa Brown,
Daniel Savio Fernandes,
son of Dominic & Sandra Fernandes,
Terez Nicole Niehaus,
daughter of Michael & Ashley Niehaus,
Brevin William Rogers,
son of Thomas & Pamela Rogers,
Charlotte Sophia Niehaus,
daughter of Robert & Megan Niehaus,
Evan Michael Day,
son of Jonathan & Shaunna Day,
Welcome New Families
November
Joshua Norris
444 Lant Lane
Evansville, IN 47715
Andrew & Janice Richardson
3633 Aberdeen Court
Evansville, IN 47725
December
Garrett & Michelle Granacher
4155 Trinity Drive
Newburgh, IN 47630
Matthew & Bethany Harris
1799 Waters Ridge
Newburgh, IN 47630
Thomas & Pam Rogers
4755 Brumley Road
Newburgh, IN 47630
Cain & Melissa Wilson
10688 Willow Creek Road
Newburgh, IN 47630
January
Matthew & Michelle Buckenmeyer
3755 Elizabeth Court
Newburgh, IN 47630
Jonathan & Shaunna Day
7433 Castle Hills Drive
Newburgh, IN 47630
Tracie Lamey
500 Autumn Ridge Drive
Newburgh, IN 47630
Upcoming Events
StJB EGG HUNT MARCH 23; CANDY
RIGHT TO LIFE SPRING BANQUET
HELD APRIL 18; TICKETS AVAILABLE DONATIONS WELCOME
AT PARISH OFFICE
Mother to Mother invites parish
St. John the Baptist Parish has again children to participate in the St.
John the Baptist Parish Egg Hunt
reserved tables at the Right to
on Saturday, March 23 at 3 p.m.
Life of Southwest Indiana’s Spring
Children ages infant-third grade
Banquet. This year’s banquet will
be held on Thursday, April, 18,
may participate. In case of rain, the
event will move to Sunday, March
2013 at The Centre in Evansville.
24 at 3 p.m. Mother to Mother
St. John has secured 2 tables for
Ministry is seeking donations of inparishioners and guests, and each
dividually wrapped, non-chocolate
table seats 10. Tickets are $40.
candies for the event. Please leave
Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner
your donation in the marked box in
is at 6 p.m. The keynote speaker is
Senator Rick Santorum, with special the Elizabeth Room.
guest Sammy L. Davis. Singer Steve
NEHEMIAH ACTION APRIL 11;
Amerson will emcee. To reserve
BRING YOUR FRIENDS!
a seat, please contact the Parish
Office at 490-1000. Ticket money
The Congregations Acting for Justice
must be received by Wednesday,
& Empowerment (CAJE) Social
March 27. For more information,
contact Cindy Shoulders at the par- Justice Ministry encourages all to
attend the 2013 Nehemiah Action
ish office.
on Thursday April 11 at 6:30 p.m.
at Crossroads Christian Church in
Evansville. The Nehemiah Action
is the most important of all the
CAJE events, so all who can attend
are asked to please invite three
other family members, neighbors or
friends. At the Nehemiah Action, local leaders who have the capability
to implement the requested actions
are asked to publicly commit to doing so. It is very powerful to have
as many people in attendance as
possible, and that has significantly
influenced community leaders toward a “yes” answer in prior years.
Our goal is to have 160 people who
are members of or connected to
St. John. As a reminder, this year’s
research committees have been
working on the topics of Housing/
Homelessness and Re-entry/Recidivism. For more information – or if
you need to request a ride to the
event - contact Jim or Mary Ann
Wilsbacher at wilsbacher1@gmail.
com or 812-490-6015.
Stewardship Notables
THANK YOU to all those who helped with set up and decorating of the church for Christmas, including Gary
Folz, Myles Towne, Dave and Diane Wendholt, Mike Heim, Pat Spahn, Herman Titzer, Dave Sutton, Steve Heim,
Harold Gries, Pat Krack, Jim and Mary Ann Wilsbacher, Eldon Hopkins, Dennis Seib, Jim Shoultz, Joseph Hirsch,
Gene Welte, Chad Bennett, David Shields and Mike Rodenberg. Special thanks to the Mature Adults for preparing a meal for those who volunteered.
Thank you to our Cleaning Angels past and present, including: Group 1 - John Pike, Laticia Merlin, Martha
Thomas, Lori Perkins, Judy Lopez, Patty Harvey; Group 2: Kathy Tretter, Beverly Hames, Patty Eble, Susie & Leon
Corressell, Bob & Mary McMillen; Group 3: Margaret & Donald Vaal, Minnie & Chuck Baumhoer, Pat Krack,
Patty Long, Diane and David Wendholt, Barrie Hughes; Group 4: Carol Wedding, Billy Garrison, Mike & Sheila
Cecil, Dorothy Biggs, Donna Conrad, Janet Schmitt; and Group 5: The Scott & Chris Schulte Family, The Carl &
Cindy Ulrich Family, and The Dugan Family. Also special thanks to coordinator Patty Harvey.
Thank you to Tom Goelzhauser for using his artistic talent to create the new parish and school logo.
School News
StJB SEAPERCH ROBOTICS TEAM CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
HEADED TO STATE!
CELEBRATED
Congratulations to the Middle School
Team from St. John the Baptist School
for capturing 1st place in the obstacle
course at the 2013 U.S.I. Regional SeaPerch Challenge held on February 2. The
underwater R.O.V. (remotely operated
vehicle) the students built and guided
through the course finished ahead of 44
other Middle School Teams to qualify
St. John for the State SeaPerch Challenge in April.
Staff and students at St. John the Baptist Catholic School celebrated Catholic
Schools Week January 27-February 2.
The celebration started and ended with
a prayer service and Mass. In between,
the staff and school children were
treated to a week full of fun events and
activities, including pep assemblies,
morning praise, free dress days, a skate
night at SkateWorld and more. Principal
Elizabeth Flatt thanked the parish of St.
John the Baptist for continued support
SeaPerch is an innovative underwater
and encouragement: “What a blessing
robotics program that trains students to it is to have the ability to offer such a
build an underwater Remotely Opervibrant, faith-based education to our
ated Vehicle (ROV) in an in-school or
students! Thank you to our community
out-of-school setting. Students build
for your support.”
the ROV from a kit comprised of lowcost, easily accessible parts, following a curriculum that teaches basic
engineering and science concepts with
a marine engineering theme. Students
learn important engineering and design
skills and are exposed to all the exciting
careers that are possible in naval architecture and naval, ocean, and marine
engineering. This is the school’s second
time to compete in the SeaPerch comFriday was a day full of school spirit at St.
petition.
John as the 8th grade students took on the
faculty in a volleyball tournament to end
the Catholic Schools Week festivities. Some
of the faculty decided to go all out in their
“uniforms” for the big game. Pictured are
(kneeling): student teacher Alex Diekhoff,
Principal Elizabeth Flatt, Rhonda Hoover;
(back row): Christy Schulz, Mary Rogers,
Katie Whetstine, Jennie Schmitt, and Matt
Wagner
SeaPerch Team Members - Front Row (l to
r): Jarod Rudisill, Brett Weyer, Jed Mijares, Nolan Durcholz; Back Row (l to r):
Coach Angie Anderson, David Thompson,
Armando Naar, Michael Francis, Coach
Theresa Weyer
Kindergartners Marilyn Cox, Kierstyn Lake,
and Makenzie Orange squeeze each other in
a bear hug as they celebrate Spirit Day.
8th graders triumphantly pose after defeating the teachers in the annual 8th Graders
vs. Teachers Volleyball Game.
EMILY TH0MPSON RECEIVES
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD
This year during Catholic Schools Week,
St. John the Baptist School honored a
former StJB graduate with its first annual “Distinguished Alumni Award.” This
year’s recipient was Mrs. Emily Thompson, Class of 1950. Said Principal
Elizabeth Flatt: “Emily is a dedicated
supporter of Catholic Education. She
continues to be a wonderful example
of servant leadership to our parish and
school with all of the many ways she
humbly serves.” After attending St. John
the Baptist from 1942-1950, all ten of
Emily’s children attended the school,
and ten of her grandchildren either
graduated from or are currently attending our school.
Pictured are Emily Thompson (front, black
shirt), with family members (from left: son
Ted Thompson and wife Karen, grandchildren Sophia, David, Sam, Abby, and Isabella
Thompson), daughter Beth Brown, husband
Jack and son Chris.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION/SPIRITUAL FORMATION NEWS
WILLIAMS, BORIS RECEIVE
GORETTI AWARD
StJB parishioners Marisa Boris and
Sarah Williams received the St. Maria Goretti Youth Distinction from
Bishop Thompson at a special Mass
held Sunday, March 3 at St. Benedict Cathedral. This great honor
was conferred to them and other
high school youth from across the
diocese who actively live out their
Catholic faith. Sarah and Marissa,
both high school seniors, have been
active in Sunday Preschool, VBS,
Youth Ministry and Girls Scouts,
among other things.
Team, consisted of song, scripture,
music, and an extended period of silence for meditation. A second Taizé
Prayer Service will be held as part
of Good Friday Services from 12-3
p.m. All are invited and encouraged
to participate.
for the weekend walk and rally. The
2013 March for Life drew hundreds
of thousands to the National Mall
and Capitol Hill in D.C. to support
life. It was the 40th anniversary of
Roe v Wade, the Supreme Court
decision that legalized abortion.
From left are Jenna Bittner, Abigail Barton,
Bryan Nelson, Sean Nelson, David Shields,
Jessica Schulte, Fr. Attila, Julia Dayton,
Jessica Titzer, Megan Cassidy and Tori
Obermeier
RCIA LENTEN OUTREACH
PROJECT UNDERWAY
Pictured are Sarah Williams (left) and
Marisa Boris (right) with StJB Religious Ed
Director (Preschool/Jr. High/High) Cindy
Shoulders.
TAIZE PRAYER SERVICE HELD
FEBRUARY 28; SECOND SERVICE
SET FOR GOOD FRIDAY
“But I have prayed that your own
faith may not fail.” Luke 22:32
A special Taizé Prayer Service was
held at St. John the Baptist Church
on Thursday, February 28. This
service, sponsored by the St. John
the Baptist Adult Faith Formation
The Taize Prayer Service, held at StJB Parish
on February 28, featured candles, music
and various readings. Taize is a time for
reflection and peace and helps set the mood
for many parishioners during this Lenten
season. A second Taize Prayer Service will be
held on Good Friday (March 29).
TEENS PARTICIPATE IN
PILGRIMAGE FOR LIFE
A group of teens and chaperones
from St. John the Baptist Parish
headed to Washington, D.C. this
January to show their support for
life. The group met up with others
from the diocese for a special Mass
in Ferdinand (with a blessing from
the Bishop), before leaving for D.C.
As a Lenten outreach project, our
St. John the Baptist RCIA group is
donating items for the United Caring Shelter during Lent. The RCIA
candidates are each bringing on a
weekly basis these items: deodorant (stick style for both men and
women); laundry detergent, (liquid
is preferred any size); liquid hand
soap, refill containers; napkins/
paper towels (any quantity); and
toilet paper (any quantity). They will
also donate #10 cans of fruit for the
Salvation Army Outreach Kitchen. If
you would like to join with them in
any way, please bring your items to
the parish office to the attention of
Bev Okey.
Postage
N THE
S T. J O H
CHURCH
C AT H O L I C
BAPTIST
625 Frame Road
Newburgh, IN 47630-1604
PAID
Permit # 3007
Evansville, IN
Change Service Requested
Mass Times:
Saturday
5:00 p.m.
Sunday
7:00 a.m., 8:45 a.m.,
11:00 a.m., 5:30 p.m.
Join us for Easter at St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish!
Holy Week Services:
Holy Thursday—March 28, 2013: Mass at 7 p.m.
Good Friday—March 29, 2013: Service at 7 p.m.,
plus: 12-2 p.m.: ”But I have prayed that your own
faith may not fail” (Passion of
Christ) Extended time for music,
silent prayer, and readings.
2-3 p.m.: Taize Prayer Service
(song, scripture, music, meditation)
Easter Vigil—March 30, 2013: Mass at 8 p.m.
PLEASE SCAN THIS
QR CODE WITH
YOUR SMART PHONE
TO ACCESS OUR
WEBSITE.
Easter Sunday—March 31, 2013: Mass at 7 a.m.,
8:45 a.m., 11 a.m. (no 5:30 p.m. Mass)
625 Frame Road
N ewburgh, IN 47630-1604
812-490-1000
www.sjbnewburgh.org

March 2013 Newsletter - St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish

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