This week is Catholic Schools Week. In the midst of the pandemic, our Catholic Schools, like all schools, have been deeply affected. I am grateful for the dedicated work of Mr. Kyle Kubik, a Monroe native, who is the executive principal of Monroe Catholic Elementary Schools. MCES was formed in 2012 from the three parish schools of St. Mary, St. Michael, and St. John the Baptist, and uses all three campuses for the range of childcare through 8 th grade. MCES also has a growing working relationship with St. Mary Catholic Central, located next to the middle school campus. We pray that the families who choose to send their children to Catholic school find that it is worth their investment, even though Catholic schools don’t have the full range of services of public schools. We are proud to continue to support Catholic education in Monroe that has its foundations in the early 19 th century. This weekend, Kyle will be speaking at one of the masses at each parish, giving an update on MCES. You may also learn more about the life of our schools at www.mcesmonroe.com and www.smccmonroe.com. In these winter days of pandemic, may we all strive to reach out to those who are alone or disconnected from others. This includes our Catholic brothers and sisters who are not able to join us for mass. A phone call or the sending of a note or card can mean a lot to someone. Some things never lose their meaning, even if they are “low tech” or “old fashioned”. Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time · January 31, 2021 ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH 511 South Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48161 734-241-8910 Office Hours: Monday 9am-4pm (Closed for Lunch Noon-1pm); Tuesday 9am-3pm; Thursday 9am-3pm Closed Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday www.stjohnmonroe.com Mission Statement “St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Community is a growing and welcoming parish family. We proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ by embracing the Word, sacraments and commitment to service.” Rev. Fr. David Burgard, Pastor
Transcript
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Page 1 St. John the Baptist Parish, Monroe, Michigan
This week is Catholic Schools Week. In the midst of
the pandemic, our Catholic Schools, like all schools,
have been deeply affected. I am grateful for the
dedicated work of Mr. Kyle Kubik, a Monroe
native, who is the executive principal of Monroe
Catholic Elementary Schools. MCES was formed in 2012 from the three parish schools of
St. Mary, St. Michael, and St. John the Baptist, and uses all three campuses for the range of
childcare through 8th grade. MCES also has a growing working relationship with St. Mary
Catholic Central, located next to the middle
school campus. We pray that the families who
choose to send their children to Catholic school
find that it is worth their investment, even
though Catholic schools don’t have the full range
of services of public schools.
We are proud to continue to support Catholic
education in Monroe that has its foundations in
the early 19th century. This weekend, Kyle will be
speaking at one of the masses at each parish,
giving an update on MCES. You may also learn
more about the life of our schools at
www.mcesmonroe.com and
www.smccmonroe.com.
In these winter days of pandemic, may we all
strive to reach out to those who are alone or
disconnected from others. This includes our
Catholic brothers and sisters who are not able to
join us for mass. A phone call or the sending of a
note or card can mean a lot to someone. Some
things never lose their meaning, even if they are
“low tech” or “old fashioned”.
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time · January 31, 2021
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH 511 South Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48161 734-241-8910
Leslee Smith, Director of Faith Formation [email protected] 734-241-6097
Monroe Catholic Elementary Schools
www.mcesmonroe.com 734-241-6335
Kyle Kubik, Executive Principal
Karol Applin, St. John Campus Assistant Principal Melody Setzler, St. Michael Campus Assistant Principal
Amber Scudder, St. Mary Campus Assistant Principal
(RCIA) Rite of Initiation for Adults: Anyone interested in inquiring about the Catholic faith, or in becoming a member of our Catholic Community, is invited to contact the parish office at [email protected].
Sacrament of Baptism: Call the parish office to make for baptism dates at least one month in advance.
Sacrament of Marriage: By arrangement with the pastor at least six months prior to planned date.
St. John Finance Council
Fr. David Burgard Don Lieto Peter Fales Peg Mueller Steve Goodman Matt Zwack
St. John Parish Council
Fr. David Burgard Ralph Carducci Eric Kuehnlein Pam Mushung Ray Hartman Angela Venier
Music Notes from a Loft
I'd like to thank all of our singers and musicians who sang or played at our seven Christmas Masses. (Pictures of all were published in last week’s bulletin.) We weren't able to have full choirs, but we were able to put together some small ensembles with beautiful results to celebrate Christmas.
THANK YOU to Sarah Nash, Maggie Nash, and Evelyn Nash, mother and daughters who sang at 4:00 on Christmas Eve with several uplifting preludes, some children's songs solos by the girls, and hymns lead by Sarah with very pretty descants (high harmonies) by Maggie throughout the Mass.
THANK YOU to Jennifer Couturier and Abby Hamilton, another mother and daughter team who sang beautifully at 6:30 on Christmas Eve. Abby once again treated us to several beautiful heartfelt solos before Mass. They sang a glorious "Gloria Canon" in harmony for Offertory and "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly" in two-part harmony a capella for Communion, and both were amazing!
THANK YOU to Sue Coseo, Andrea Songalsewski, and Steven Thornton who sang at the Midnight Mass. They performed many diverse choir pieces including "Do You Hear What I Hear," "Gloria Canon" and "Praise Ye the Lord of Hosts" with three-part harmony before Mass. Steve performed an original song, and Sue and Andrea sang a beautiful modern lullaby, "Christmas Child" at Communion. They learned and rehearsed all new music that was rearranged for three people, with wonderful results. It was great to have a mini choir back in the balcony! Sue and Andrea came back to cover the 11:30 Sunday Christmas Mass as well.
THANK YOU to the Bass Family, Randy, LeeAnn and Laney, for brightening our Christmas morning at 11:00 Mass for the third year. With Randy on guitar, Laney in vocal lead, and LeeAnn adding alto harmony, we were treated to some very spirited music. Laney sang Adeste Fidelis and O Holy Night, and the trio put together a wonderful upbeat rendition of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen."
THANK YOU to Janet Simon and Chris Antonelli who teamed up to sing at the Saturday 5:30 Christmas Mass. Their first time singing together, it went so well that they have become a regular duet now on weekends! Chris was able to add low and high harmony to Janet's lead, and their voices blended perfectly.
THANK YOU to Betsy Rios, our faithful 9:00 Sunday morning cantor, who sang everything solo and put us in the Christmas spirit by leading us so beautifully and prayerfully in our favorite Christmas hymns.
THANK YOU to Doug Stewart who played flute at 6:00 and Midnight Mass and to Darin Puruleski who played trumpet at the three weekend Masses. Their instrumental accompaniments added a lot of depth and vibrancy to the hymns, Gloria, and choir pieces. We were very fortunate to have them join us!
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Page 3 St. John the Baptist Parish, Monroe, Michigan
For the Weekend of February 6/7
5:30 pm 9:00 am 11:30 am Beth Pattie Don Lieto Dean Cousino
Weekly Mass Schedule
Monday 8:15am St. Michael Church Tuesday 8:15am St. John Church 6:00pm St. Mary Church Wednesday 8:15am St. Mary Church Thursday 8:15am St. John Church 12:15pm St. Mary Church Friday 8:15am St. Michael Church 1st Saturday 8:30am St. Mary Church
Weekend Mass Schedule Saturday 4:30pm St. Mary Church 5:00pm St. Michael Church 5:30pm St. John Church Sunday 7:30am St. Mary Church 8:00am St. Michael Church 9:00am St. John Church 10:00am St. Mary Church 10:30am St. Michael Church 11:30am St. John Church Spanish 2:00pm St. Mary Church
Saturday, January 30 G 5:30pm † Joseph A. Costello, Sr. by Mr. & Mrs. Dale Close † Nancy Strong (2nd anniversary) by Terry & Karen McLaughlin † Jay Simmons (13th anniversary) by Jan Simmons & Family † William L. Barron by Mr. & Mrs. Michael Miller † Mr. & Mrs. Frank Worthen & Family by Mr. & Mrs. Michael Miller
Sunday, January 31 D 9:00am † Joseph A. Costello, Sr. by Mr. & Mrs. Dominic Patania † Agnes Vandevelde (13th anniversary) by Dean & Irene Bond
G 11:30am † Ron Thomas by Thomas & Bass Family † William L. Barron by Mr. & Mrs. Michael Miller † Mr. & Mrs. Frank Worthen & Family by Mr. & Mrs. Michael Miller
Tuesday, February 2 D 8:15am People of the Parish
Thursday, February 4 G 8:15am † Mary Sue & Cecilia Terrasi by Bill Terrasi
Saturday, February 6 D 5:30pm † Joseph A. Costello, Sr. by Mr. & Mrs. Dale Close † Mary Lou Ewert by Ron Ewert
Sunday, February 7 G 9:00am † Julius & Muriel LaRoy by LaRoy Family † Jim Kitchen by Mark & Carol Templin † Ben & Josie Pollzzie by Family † Michael Roberts (birthday) by Coralee Zdeb
D 11:30am † Joseph A. Costello, Sr. by Dan Didario † John Burroughs by Mary Cooley † Chester Calhoun by Rita Calhoun † Ann Clark (10th anniversary) Mary Ann & Joseph Hess (SI for 67th anniversary)
D - Fr. David Burgard V G - Fr. Giancarlo Ghezzi V K - Fr. Kishore Battu V A - Fr. Allen Zobler
They were astonished. Even though we need our human prophets we can also be somewhat prophetic ourselves by putting integrity and conviction behind our em-brace of the Gospel. Perhaps much to our surprise, we all have the power to be a credible witness. Are you willing to give it a try?
W I N N E R
Janet Niemann
January 25th
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Page 4 January 31, 2021
St. John's Prayers St. John’s Prayer List exists for the purpose of remembering in our prayers all our parish family and friends who suffer physically, emotionally, or spiritually, especially:
PRAY FOR OUR MILITARY Almighty and eternal God, Protect these soldiers as they discharge their duties. May the power of your love enable them to return home in safety, that with all who love them, they may ever praise you for your loving care. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
2d Lt Alexander L. Compean, USAF/USA
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, January 31 Catholic Schools Week Dt 18:15-20; Ps 95:1-2, 6-9; 1 Cor 7:32-35; Mk 1:21-28 Monday, February 1 Heb 11:32-40; Ps 31:20-24; Mk 5:1-20 Tuesday, February 2 The Presentation of the Lord; World Day for Consecrated Life Mal 3:1-4; Ps 24:7-10; Heb 2:14-18; Lk 2:22-40 Wednesday, February 3 St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr; St. Ansgar, Bishop Heb 12:4-7, 11-15; Ps 103:1-2, 13-14, 17-18; Mk 6:1-6 Thursday, February 4 Heb 12:18-19, 21-24; Ps 48:2-4, 9-11; Mk 6:7-13 Friday, February 5 St. Agatha, Virgin and Martyr Heb 13:1-8; Ps 27:1, 3, 5, 8-9; Mk 6:14-29 Saturday, February 6 St. Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs Heb 13:15-17, 20-21; Ps 23:1-6; Mk 6:30-34 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 7 Jb 7:1-4, 6-7; Ps 147:1-6; 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23; Mk 1:29-39
We need our Parish Faith Community to help us. We will be collecting the following items in the coming months. We also gladly accept monetary donations made out to: St. John Food Pantry
February: Ramen Noodles March: Jelly or Jam
We accept non-perishable food at any time. Please be sure items are not out of date. There are baskets for drop-off in the church vestibule or bring items to the Parish Office. Thanks you For further information about Christian Service or Food Pantry, contact
Allor Family Elso & Mary Bracciano Bernard Burger Charles Burke Mr./Mrs. Jack Cacioppo Gary Chapman Richard & Violet Chesney Alfred & Rose DeBuck Grace Depon Harold & Hilda Duffey Duffey Family Kenneth & Wilma Dusseau Michael Dusseau Sally Fairbairn Larry & Elaine Gargol Celestino & Sulema
Hernandez
Gary Knee Sandy Koehler Robert & Antoinette
Kraljevich Harold & Olive Kumpf Irving & Catherine Kurtz Jennifer (Martin) Layhew James & Kathryn Layhew Richard Morrison Bernadette E. Patania Christine Phillips June Radovan Alice Reaume Laford & Michael Roberts Roberts Family Reaume Family Staci Lynn Rugila
Christmas Flower Memorials The following names were not included in the list of memoirals that was included in last week’s bulletin. We apologize for this error.
Theisen Family Freed & Rita Turnwald Walsh Family Jammie Walters Lorenz & Barbara
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Page 5 St. John the Baptist Parish, Monroe, Michigan
St. John Food Pantry Statics
Monroe Knights of Columbus Council #1266
Our Councils "Goodfellows Club" just completed the 106th consecutive Christmas food program for the needy of Monroe County. 2020 was definitely a year of need due to the pandemic and the many people out of work.
The Goodfellows food program started in 1914 functioning through the world wars and even during our countries great depression. In fact, in 1933 the Christmas food program fed over 500 families. We are coupled with the Salvation Army, area churches, and federal low income housing authorities to find those in need. Money for this program comes to us from the Goodfellows Paper sale, member donations, and local donations.
If you bought a paper THANK YOU! Any and All donations help to make this program the success it has been throughout the years. We would also like to thank the SMCC Brother Brad Flint Mission Club and other students that manned multiple sites to help sell Goodfellow Papers.
The Knights of Columbus were founded by Fr. Michael McGivney in 1882, with the organizations prime mission being CHARITY! The needle on our compass always points to Charity.
The Knights Of Columbus is the worlds largest Catholic Fraternal Service Organization, Charity is our foremost Principle.
To learn more about us, go to http://www.kofcmonroe1266.com
We do not need to do what they did or even mirror their relationship with God. Each one of us is God’s special crea-tion, with a purpose and soul known only to us. We need to learn how to open up and bring, without compromise, our soul-ness to life. We know when someone is authentic and centered be-cause they always point to truth, even though they struggle and sin them-selves, and they embody an unspoken timeless wisdom that just sounds and feels right. Jesus taught with this same type of authority and it astonished many who listened. We do not need to move mountains, advance a cause, write books or become notable. All we have to do is become credible witnesses of the faith we profess. Moses people can teach us how to do this.
St. Oscar Romero was an amazing man and a Moses figure for sure. He saw God in the burning bush and brought the flame of Gospel faith to the poorest of the poor, challenging the evils of the society in which he lived. He was tire-less and persistent. He must have got-ten very close to the problem because it cost him his life. He suspected it would. St. Romero said, “When we leave Mass, we ought to go out the way Moses de-scended Mt Sinai: with his face shining, with his heart brave and strong to face the world’s difficulties.” We can learn from this wisdom. If we allow the power of the Mass to truly transform us, we will leave that holy encounter changed. Our face will shine, and we will have cour-age. We can then bring what we have received to life’s challenges. That sounds doable, doesn’t it? Because of the example of our simple holiness, people will be amazed.
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Page 6 January 31, 2021
Like most of you, I’m anxiously awaiting my turn to receive the vaccine. Since min-istry doesn’t always afford me the luxury of properly social distancing, at least to the extent we’re encouraged to do so, I’m even more on edge. Patience, unfortu-nately, is not my greatest gift, though I’ve learned the hard way that impatience usually just breeds more impatience.
As I lifted all this before God this week, it occurred to me that my impatience usu-ally comes from a place of unrealistic expectations. What does that mean? Well, in the case of the vaccine, before it ever became a reality, I had no expectations ex-cept to trust that eventually some incredibly smart and motivated people would eventually create it. However, since I had no way of knowing whether it would be next week or next year, my expectations were tempered. In short, I didn’t know what I didn’t know. My expectations were only peaked when the vaccines became a sudden reality, and even more so with the awareness that they were actually being delivered to our town. As we would soon discover though, getting them into people’s arms was as challenging, perhaps even more so, than creating them in the first place. Once again, I and many others are left with the reality that we don’t know what we don’t know. My impatience won’t change that reality.
St. Paul wrote several epistles while a prisoner in Rome. He had no idea whether he would ever be released, and yet he wrote extensively about patience as a ‘fruit of the Spirit’. Why would he say that? Maybe it’s because patience challenges us to surrender what we can’t know or we can’t control to the only One who can.
Hmmmmm … until they stab us in the arm with a needle full of precious protec-tion .. whenever that might be .. let’s you and I pray about that.
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience … Colossians 3:12
