St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church 2414 Seventeenth Street, Gulfport, Mississippi 39501

Telephone (228) 864-2272 Fax (228) 864-2273 Email: stjohnthee@cableone.net

Staff: Rev. Joseph Uko, Pastor Deacon David Allen, Pastoral Associate Sr. Mary Kealy, PBVM, Pastoral Associate Teri Patton, Parish Secretary Masses: Saturday Vigil: 5:00 p.m. First Saturday Devotion: 9:00 a.m. Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 a.m., 6:00 p.m. Daily Mass: Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m. Spanish Mass: Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Holy Days: 6:00 p.m., Vigil, 7:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. Confession: Saturday 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. and anytime on request

March 15, 2015 ~ Fourth Sunday of Lent

"FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD" Today's Gospel contains the best known and most often quoted passage in the New Testament. Who has not seen John 3:16 at a televised sporting event? Who has not heard and read the familiar and comforting words? "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life." Like an old song or a soft blanket, the words comfort us.

THE REST OF THE STORY But the rest of the Gospel verses are not so familiar-or so comforting: "Whoever does not believe has already been condemned" (John 3:18). Do my doubts condemn me? Just how strong is my faith? "People preferred darkness to light because their works were evil" (John 3:19). Can I justify my lifestyle when the world's children are starving? "For every-one who does wicked things hates the light" (John 3:20). What have I done that I don't want others to know about? Why do I look the other way when people or governments act unethically or immorally? The image of Moses holding up the bronze serpent is a stark reminder of the purpose of the Crucifixion. The Son of Man will be "lifted up"-but first he will suffer a painful death on the cross. We are saved through his suffering love-if we will let him love us. "Whoever lives the truth comes to the light" (John 3:21). To "live the truth" is to accept ourselves as we are-good, bad, and ugly. Love can only enter when our defenses are down. Jesus does not condemn; we condemn ourselves by our non-belief in our own essential goodness. It's an internal condemnation removed only by his gift-the gift of love. Jesus is love. We are saved by love. We save others through love. Love is the only thing worth living-or dy-ing-for. Copyright (c) 2005, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

Fourth Sunday of Lent March 15, 2015

God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

— John 3:17

Welcome to St. John the Evangelist Church!

If you are new to the parish and have not yet registered, please call 864-2272.

C.C.D. (Grades K-12) ................ Sundays, 9:00-10:15 A.M. Knights of Columbus...... 1st & 3rd Wednesday, 7:00 P.M. K C Ladies Auxiliary..................... 3rd Tuesday, 6:30 P.M. R.C.I.A. .................................................Tuesdays, 6:30 P.M. St. Vincent de Paul................... 2nd Wednesday, 9:00 A.M. Young At Heart............................... 4th Thursday, 12 Noon

Happy birthday wishes to: Ed Martin cele-brates Mar. 14; Evans Ndalama celebrates Mar. 17; Corey Lombard Sr & Rico Daughtrey celebrate Mar. 18; Bennett Pa-pania & Megan Guthrie celebrate Mar. 19.

May God Bless them with many more Happy Birthdays!

Our Seder Meal celebration is this Tues-day, March 17 at 6:00 p.m. in Presentation Hall. Every year we tell the story of our faith which culminated in the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, and we

explain Biblical truths about Jesus, and what happened on the last day of his life. All that is required to attend is a covered dish to help us complete the meal. Please call the parish office if you plan to attend and have not signed up yet. Thank You!

The second collection at all Masses this weekend is for Catholic Relief Services The second collection at all Masses next weekend is for Easter flowers for the church.

Fund Raising Committee- We will have a meeting of the fund raising committee on Wednesday, March 25 at 6:00pm in the parish office building. Everyone on the committee, PLEASE attend. If you are not on the committee and would like to join and help us in any capacity...you are welcome. You can call the parish office with any questions. Thank you!

The Feast Day of St. Patrick is March 17. GOD UPHOLDS ME I take for my sureties: The power of God to guide me, the might of God to uphold me, the wisdom of God to teach me, the eye of

God to watch over me, the ear of God to hear me, the word of God to give me speech, the hand of God to pro-tect me, the way of God to go before me, the shield of God to shelter me. —St. Patrick

The Bible Study of Matthew ended this past week. If you missed any of the classes and want to come in and watch the DVD, please come by the parish office this week. We will take a short break and then we will do the Acts of Apostles.

Our Parish family will celebrate the Sacrament of Rec-onciliation on Monday, March 23 at 6:00pm. There will be several neighboring priests available to assist us with confession. This Lenten Penance Service is very impor-tant. All practicing Catholics are encouraged to go to Confession and receive the Eucharist at Easter. Please plan to attend and celebrate this Sacrament of God’s love, healing and forgiveness.

Lenten Schedule Daily Mass: Monday-Friday 7:00am, 12:00noon Stations of the Cross: Fridays of Lent, 6:00pm Seder Meal: March 17 Presentation Hall at 6:00pm Lenten Penance Service: March 23 6:00pm Live Way of the Cross by the Youth-March 27- Presen-tation Hall-3:00pm

Abstinence and Fasting: The Fridays in Lent are days of abstinence from meat. Abstinence is to be observed by those 14 years and older on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays during Lent. Days of Fasting are on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday for those over 18 and under 59 years of age. Fast means one full meal and two ligh ones, not equaling one meal.

RAISED UP BY THE MESSIAH Last week, when Jesus referred to the destruction of the temple, the account from today’s first reading is what would have come to the minds of his listeners. But, as Je-sus was speaking on a deeper level, so does today’s first reading. In the first paragraph we hear that Israel had, in effect, “fallen” already through its infidelity to the cove-nant. Lest we get too cozy, this account reminds us that God, though just, loving, and merciful, is capable of pun-ishing sin when that sin is unrepentant. But we are also reminded that God, rich in mercy, anoints individuals to be vessels of salvation as well (in Hebrew, King Cyrus of Persia is called “messiah”). In the Gospel reading, we hear of another Messiah being “lifted up” for our salvation in one of the best‑known passages from the New Testament. As Lent concludes and we enter Holy Week, we need to keep our gaze steadfast upon the cross of Christ, the Son of God who came into the world to raise us who had fallen. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

GOD’S WORD TODAY Such rich fare is offered to us this day from the table of God’s word. The first reading chronicles both the pun-ishment and the great mercy shown by God to the peo-ple who “added infidelity to infidelity.” Saint Paul calls this God one “who is rich in mercy.” The greatest merciful act shown by our God is beautifully pro-claimed in today’s Gospel: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.” As the word of God is proclaimed today, let us be thankful to God for the gift of the Lord Jesus, who came into this world not to condemn, but to save. From Saint Margaret Sunday Missal, copyright © J. S. Paluch Company

The Catholic Sharing Appeal- The love of Christ is brought to others through our gen-erosity. We can share the love of Jesus by supporting the Catholic Sharing Appeal. Help us meet our goal of $30,465, this year. Brochures are mailed to all parishioners by the Dio-cese. Attached to the brochure, is a pledge card along with an envelope to mail your pledge directly to the Diocesan CSA office. If you did not receive your enve-lopes, you will find some on the back tables.

WEST HARRISON COUNTY ULTREYA March 16 @ 7:00 pm St. Joseph Parish Hall, 12290 Depew Rd. Gulfport Lay Speaker: Karen Henderson, St. Joseph, Gulfport Spiritual Speaker: Fr. Jacob Matthew Smith, St. John, Gulfport (et.al.) If you would like to bring drinks or food to share feel free to do so, but it is not necessary. Just come and fellowship with other Cursillistas.

Altar Server Training Training Classes for new Altar Servers will begin soon. The Requirements to join classes are: -Must be a member of the parish -Must attend Mass weekly -Must be in at least-Third Grade and have made First Holy Communion -Must attend all classes Adults are also welcome. Applications are on the tables in the back of the church. Please complete and return to the parish office. Dates of classes will be announced soon.

Travel with Fr. Martin J. Gillespie, pastor of Holy Trin-ity Catholic Church in Columbia, MS, on our pilgrimage to Italy! We will travel to Rome, Tuscany, Florence, As-sisi, and Venice. The trip dates are August 8-16, 2015, and the cost is $2899.00, airfare and ALL-included. To register, please contact (855) 842-8001 or (508) 340-9370. You can also register online at www.proximotravel.com Click on "Low Season Trips" under "Choose Your Trip", and then "Italy Regular". Please consider taking this once in a life-time pilgrimage.

The Young at Heart will gather for lunch and fellowship on Thursday, March 26 at 12:30pm (after the Noon Mass)in Presentation Hall. The main dish will be provided. Please bring your favorite vegetable, salad or dessert dish to compliment the meal. Please plan to come enjoy some delicious food, good company and exciting games of bingo.

We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Father Gerard Cleary, a long-time priest of the Diocese of Biloxi and a former much loved priest of St. John the Evangelist Parish. Fr. Cleary died

at Memorial Hospital last Monday. A large crowd gathered for a Mass of Christian Burial Celebrating the Life of Fr. Cleary at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Friday. He will be laid to rest in his home Parish of St. Mary’s in Ballygar, County Galway, Ireland. May Fr. Cleary’s soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace, Amen.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Jessie & Suzanne Shifalo in the loss of Suzanne’s mother Kathleen Boat-man. May God reward Kathleen with Eternal Rest, Light and Peace and may He comfort her family in their sorrow.

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK Saturday: +Alita Enriquez Sunday: 8:00am–People of the Parish 10:30am–+Edna & Marion Garrett 6:00pm– +Fr. Gerard Cleary Monday: +Gloria White Tuesday: +Matthew & Thelma Serpa Wednesday: +Mackie Fayard Thursday: +Ben North Friday: +Gloria White

Collections: March 7-8 Identifiable: $3749 Unidentifiable: $726 ACH: $200 Maintenance: $670 Thank you for your generosity!

William Allen Theresa Barlow Lisa Bass Mary Anne Bishop Ruby Bouchard Harriett Bowles Pablo Cabasa Carol Campbell Danny Carlisle Buddy Cospelich Rhonda Cospelich Kevin Crane Gerald Cuevas Linda Eschler Deanne Fasold Lynn Foster Felecia Galle Nicole Gilbert Jal Giuffria Peter Giuffria Betty Godo Tom Goode Anna Grice Jessi Hebert

Hazel Herrington Klaus Jeschke Mary Kealy Kemberly Lacap Gary Lacy Elton Ladner Diane Lefkowitz Herman Lefkowitz Joann Liner Patty Loftin Walter Lolley Celeste McInnis S. J. Marengo Dot Miller Rhonda Mires Luz Monzon Karen Nelson Tillie Nettles Melvin Olive Kent Olsen Trey Patterson Jane Pendergrass Gary Reeves Chris Richards

Randy Richardson Glenda Rockwell Sharon Rogers Ken Saxon Joseph Schultz Don Seymour Gary Seymour Marie Stanbro Norman Stanbro Wanda Stephens Emerson Stringer Tracy Taylor Lisa Thompson Bennye Turner Becky Truxillo Felecia Vann Kathleen Walker Jim Wetzel, III Rosemary White Addie Wittmann Ginger Worth

Please Remember in Your Prayers

Prayer is the door through which all God’s Graces comes to us -St. Theresa of Avila

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — The wrath and the mercy of the Lord are revealed in the exile and liberation of the chosen peo-ple (2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23) or 1 Samuel 16: 1b, 6-7, 10-13a. Psalm — Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you! (Psalm 137) or Psalm 23. Second Reading — By grace you have been saved (Ephesians 2:4-10) or Ephesians 5:8-14. Gospel — The Son was sent by God so that the world might be saved through him (John 3:14-21) or John 9:1-41 [1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38]. The English translation of the Psalm Responses from the Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, Inter-national Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 65:17-21; Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-13b; Jn 4:43-54 Tuesday: Ez 47:1-9, 12; Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9; Jn 5:1-16 Wednesday: Is 49:8-15; Ps 145:8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18; Jn 5:17-30 Thursday: 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Rm 4:13:16-18, 22; Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Lk 2:41-51a Friday: Wis 2:1a, 12-22; Ps 34:17-21, 23; Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 Saturday: Jer 11:18-20; Ps 7:2-3, 9bc-12; Jn 7:40-53 Sunday: Jer 31:31-34; Ps 51:3-4, 12-15; Heb 5:7-9; Jn 12:20-33 Alternate readings (Year A): Ez 37:12-14; Ps 130:1-8; Rom 8:8-11; Jn 11:1-45 [3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45]

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Fourth Sunday of Lent; Second Scrutiny Tuesday: St. Patrick Wednesday: St. Cyril of Jerusalem Thursday: St. Joseph Friday: Abstinence; Spring begins

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION With the dissipation of the catechumenate’s energy since almost everyone was born into the Church, Lent began to be seen more as a preparation to follow the Passion of Christ with devotion. In the city of Rome, creative spirits settled on “stational churches” as a way of keeping the energy flowing. Everyone would be directed to a certain “station” each day, and the name of that church provided a theme for the liturgy. So, for example, on certain Saturdays in Lent, everything cen-tered on the church of St. Vitale. Now, this poor fellow had been thrown into a hole and covered in stones at his martyrdom, so the readings recalled Joseph thrown down the well by his brothers, and the wicked servants killing the son of the owner of the vineyard. Gradually, travelers to Rome noted the celebration and worked it into liturgical schedules back home. Eventually, calen-dars everywhere bore the curious footnote on a Lenten Saturday: “Station S. Vitale.” This served the priority of getting ready to hear the Passion fairly well, but was hardly satisfactory for Lent’s baptismal character. Now, at last, our liturgy is reorganized to serve the deepest level of our tradition exceedingly well. Lent, once again, is all about baptism. —Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Please support our Bulletin Advertisers! Take a bulletin home with you and look at all our advertisers. We appreci-ate their generosity and support of our parish. When you patronize them, thank them for their support of our parish.

Reminder, if you or anyone in your family is ill at home or in the hospital and would like us to visit you-please call the parish office at 864-2272.

Calendar of Events Mar 17 Seder Meal, Presentation Hall, 6pm Mar 23 Lenten Penance Service, 6pm Mar 26 Young at Heart, Presentation Hall-12:30pm Mar 29 Palm Sunday - Apr 2 Holy Thursday-Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7pm Apr 3 Good Friday - Live Stations of the Cross at 3pm Good Friday Services at 7pm Apr 4 Easter Vigil at 7pm Apr 23 Young at Heart, Presentation Hall-Noon May 3 First Holy Communion, 10:30 Mass May 9 Confirmation at 5:00pm Mass May 10 Mothers Day May 13 Pastoral Council Meetin May 17 Recognition of Seniors at 10:30 Mass May 24 International Festival & Raffle, After 10:30 Mass

Annual Lenten Friday Fish Plate Fund Raiser St. Therese Catholic Church Hall, Dine in or take out

Every Friday during Lent beginning February 20th,,11:00am-1:00pm

Includes Fried Catfish, potato salad, peas, bread, cake $9.00 per plate; $1.00extra sides (drinks not included)

Delivery on orders of 10 or more; delivery starts at 10am To place orders call 228 863-7719

Thank you for your support!