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. Ryan McCoy, 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

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time January 24, 2016

"DO NOT BE SAD, AND DO NOT WEEP" "Do not be sad," Nehemiah said, "and do not weep" (9:9). Our days are holy when they are lived in the presence of God. So why do we weep? Not because God is not present to us. That's impossible. We weep because we are not present to God. We lose ourselves in our fears and our wishes that things would be different than they are. The people of Nazareth sat down to listen. Jesus sat with them, and opened up the book of Isaiah. And what passage did he turn to? A message of consolation, the promise of "glad tidings to the poor . . . liberty to captives . . . recovery of sight to the blind" and freedom for the oppressed. Then when all eyes were fixed on him, he declared, "Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing" (Luke 4:18, 21). When is that "today"? Is it yet to come? If so, then Jesus was mistaken. Is it already past? If so, then it is not today. "Today" is now, always now. WE PLAY OUR PART . . . TODAY Paul tells us that we are "Christ's body." He explains that in the church there are apostles, prophets, and teachers, as well as gifts of mighty deeds, "healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:28). In other words, a lot of different gifts, a lot of different jobs. In God's work--work like setting captives free and giving sight to the blind--we have our part to play. Our part is not to fall down on our faces and weep because we haven't done more. Our part is to recognize and acknowledge what we have done, see what else we might do, and then walk out into today and do it. God has made this year a "year acceptable to the Lord" and this day a "holy day." God is present to us and we need to be present to God and to God's world. We each have our part to play, our contribution to make. Each of us can make God's world more peaceful, more joyful, healthier, and freer. This year! Today! Copyright (c) 2006, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time January 24, 2016

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.

— Luke 4:18a

LIVING AS THE BODY OF CHRIST Some of Saint Paul’s best known and most beloved imagery is contained in the passages from First Corinthians that we have heard last week and this week: the many gifts granted by the one same Spirit and the

many members making up the one Body of Christ. Few passages from sacred scripture more accurately sum up how Christian vocations work together. Unlike some of Paul’s other writings, which are a product of the social and religious conventions of his time, these enable us to look at our own lives and the lives of those around us to discern what gifts, what voca-tions the Holy Spirit has given for the good of all. We can likewise know the joys and sorrows of the other members of the Body and share in them for the strengthening of the whole Body of Christ. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Welcome to St. John the Evangelist Catholic 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– Mary Ann Smith celebrates Jan 24; Bridgette Bermond celebrates Jan 25; Brianna Adams, Sharon Foltin, Nicholas Ray & Megan Vitteck cele-brate Jan 26; Robert Flagg, Edward Peckin-paugh & Christina Peterson celebrate Jan 27;

George Burkhardt Sr, Kaleb Fredericks, Johnny Nguyen & Bo Roberson celebrate Jan 29. May God Bless them with many more Happy Birthdays!

The second collection at all Masses this weekend is for the Saltillo Mission The second collection at Masses next weekend is for the 5th Sunday Collection for our St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry.

We warmly welcome our new Pastor, Fr. Ryan McCoy, to St. John the Evangelist Parish this week-end. We thank God for the gift of Fr. Ryan’s voca-tion, his priestly ministry, and his appointment to our parish. We offer him our love and support as he shep-herds us on our faith journey. We hope that he will find us, the people of St. John, a welcoming, loving and faith filled people. Welcome Fr. Ryan!

Please stop by the Memorial Room after Mass to meet and greet Fr. Ryan and to enjoy light refreshments.

Fr. Ryan will be installed as our new Pastor on Sun-day, January 31 at 10:30am,. Bishop Morin will be here for the Installation Mass. Lunch will be provided after Mass. Everyone is invited!

The Young at Heart will gather for lunch and fellowship on Thursday, January 28 at 12 noon in Presentation Hall. The main dish will be provided. Please bring your favor-ite vegetable, salad or dessert dish to compliment the meal. Please plan to come enjoy some delicious food, good company and exciting games of bingo.

First Friday Adoration - February 5- Adoration is 8:00am until 5:00pm, ending with Benediction. The sign up sheet is on the center table. We would like to see at least 2 people per hour. Please sign up to spend an hour with Jesus. First Saturday Devotion –February 6- The schedule is 8:30am Confession; 9:00am Mass, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary, Meditation and Benediction.

Thanks to all who helped set up and deco-rate Presentation Hall for Fr. Uko’s fare-well celebration. Thanks also to all who brought food, creating a fantastic display of delectable dishes. Thanks for your pres-

ence and outpouring of gratitude and love. It was a great celebration!

Congratulations to Patrick and Sharon Foltin on the anniversary of their wedding on January 26! May God bless them with many more happy years together!

St. Patrick Catholic High School is now enrolling for the 2016-2017 school year. St. Patrick proudly claims the following: • Daily religious instruction and weekly Mass. • Rigorous college preparatory curriculum with ad-vanced placement courses. • ACT scores above state and national averages. • More than 98% of St. Patrick graduates attend col-lege immediately upon graduation. • Average of $8,000,000 college scholarships awarded to each graduating class. • Bus transportation available from D’Iberville, Gulf-port, and Ocean Springs. • State of the art facilities equipped with the latest technology. • 29 MHSAA athletic state championships. • 25 co-curricular clubs and activities including mem-bership in four national STEM programs. Call today to schedule your tour at 228-702-0500, or learn more about the St. Patrick experience at www.stpatrickhighschool.net.

Jubilee Year of Mercy January 24, 2016

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time When he announced this Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis highlighted today’s Gospel episode, in which Je-sus proclaims in his hometown synagogue his Spirit-anointed mission to fulfill the promises of the prophet Isaiah. Jesus’ mission then, says Pope Francis, is our mis-sion now as Jesus’ disciples this Jubilee Year of Mercy: to bring glad tidings to the poor, liberty to captives, recovery of sight to the blind, freedom to the oppressed, and to pro-claim a year acceptable to the Lord, a year of God’s mercy. Pope Francis challenges us to translate Jesus’ mis-sion to contemporary needs: to console by word and deed those materially or spiritually poor, to liberate those bound by modern society’s new forms of slavery, to open the eyes of those blinded by their own self-interest, and to restore human dignity to all those from whom it has been stolen. To act with mercy in a spirit of joy! —Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Meets each Tuesday evening at 6:30pm. They have moved into the period of Catechumenate. Along with the parish community they will cele-brate the Liturgy each Sunday and will continue to study the scriptures and teachings of the

Church. Through prayer, learning and coming to know other Catholic Christians, they will discover the love and power of God in their lives and in the Church.

St. Stanislaus Open House- All boys in grades 4 - 11 and their families are invited to join the Saint Stanislaus family for an Open House on our campus (304 S. Beach Boulevard, Bay St. Louis, MS) on Wednesday, Feb. 3, from 5 PM - 7PM, with the final tour beginning at 6:30 PM. Please join us to learn about our Catholic identity, outstanding academics, extracurricular activities, athletics, and financial assistance program. If you would like to attend the Open House or would like additional information, please contact Richard Gleber in the Admissions Office at admissions@ststan.com or 228-467-9057, ext. 249.

St. James Catholic School Spring Fundraiser March 19, 2016 7:00pm

Bayou Bluff Tennis Club

Entertainment from Myles Sharp Band featuring Rebecca Powers - Bingo -Delicious Food - Raffle Drawings for Fabulous Prizes Throughout the Evening—Must be 21 to attend and to purchase a raffle ticket

Raffle Ticket Prizes: • 2016 Mazda CX-5 Donated by Larry Clark and Butch Oustalet • 1 Year Free Tuition for One Student (includes all fees) • 3 Night Condo Package at Turquoise Place in Orange Beach, AL (subject to availability, excludes all holidays) • $1,000.00 Cash Prize • Wagon of Wine

*Winning ticket will be removed from further drawings. You do not need to be present to win. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to make capital improvements throughout St. James Catholic School

We extend our deepest sympathy to Cliff and Theresa D’Angelo and family in the death of Theresa’s father Richard Shields. May God reward Richard with Eternal Rest, Light and Peace and may He comfort his family in their sorrow.

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK Saturday: +Pietro Verin & Teresa Delle Vedove Sunday: 8:00am– +Matthew & Thelma Serpa; +Johnny & Betty Fayard 10:30am– +Edna & Marion Garrett; +Verda Lee Seymour 6:00pm–People of the Parish Monday: +Sr. Delores Coleman Tuesday: +Jack Pickich Wednesday: +Mackie Fayrd Thursday +Alma Wirth Friday: +Ellis Salloum

Collections Jan 16-17 Identifiable: $4336 Unidentifiable: $1043 ACH: $1500 Hospitality: $594

Thank you for your generosity!

Judy Allen William Allen Brian Bacuzzi Peter Bacuzzi Theresa Barlow Charlie Barnes David Bell Jr. Mary Anne Bishop Ashley Blair Melissa Bowles Pablo Cabasa Carol Campbell Buddy Cospelich Rhonda Cospelich Socorro Crabbe Kevin Crane Jennifer Davis Susanne Davis Linda Elford Don Enroth Joe Felts Lynda Felts Elizabeth Flanders Nicole Gilbert Mark Guiffria

Dan Goad Lorraine Goad Bobby Gordon Vickie Grice Oren Haddock Annie Hosli Darron Johnson Bethanie Jones Roy Jones Margaret Jowers Mary Kealy Jerry Keyhea Lizzie Keyhea Les Knighten Kimberly Lacap Gary Lacy Charlene Langley JoAnn Liner Faye Lizana Kathy Lizana Walter Lolley S. J. Marengo Patricia McGoey Celeste McInnis Rhonda Mires

Margaret Moran Angel Nichols Edward Panter Linda Papania Trey Patterson Rhonda Piltcher Doris Ransom Gary Reeves Ken Saxon Austin Seymour John Simmons Rick Stinnett Joye Travis Becky Truxillo Felecia Vann Jack Vincent Vanessa Vincent George & Evelena Watson Melanie White Rosemary White Bianca Williams Addie Wittmann Margaret Woods Ginger Worth

Please Remember in Your Prayers

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

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.

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — Ezra read from the book of the law of God to the assembled people. They understood and ac-cepted the law (Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10). Psalm — Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life (Psalm 19). Second Reading — As the body with its many parts is still one body, so it is with Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-30 [12-14, 27]). Gospel — While attending worship in the Nazarean syna-gogue, Jesus reads from the prophet Isaiah and declares himself to be the fulfillment of the prophecy (Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21). 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: Acts 22:3-16 or 9:1-22; Ps 117:1bc, 2; Mk 16:15-18 Tuesday: 2 Tm 1:1-18 or 9:1-22; Ps 24:7-10; Mk 3:31-35 Wednesday: 2 Sm 7:4-17; Ps 89:4-5, 27-30; Mk 4:1-20 Thursday: 2 Sm 7:18-19, 24-29; Ps 132:1-5, 11-14; Mk 4:21-25 Friday: 2 Sm 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17; Ps 51:3-7, 10-11; Mk 4:26-34 Saturday: 2 Sm 12:1-7a, 10-17; Ps 51:12-17; Mk 4:35-41 Sunday: Jer 1:4-5, 17-19; Ps 71:1-6, 15, 17; 1 Cor 12:31 — 13:13 [13:4-13]; Lk 4:21-30

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES

Sunday: Third Sunday in Ordinary Time; Catholic Schools Week Monday: The Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle; Week of Prayer for Christian Unity ends Tuesday: Ss. Timothy and Titus Wednesday: St. Angela Merici Thursday: St. Thomas Aquinas Saturday: Blessed Virgin Mary

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION As Roman Catholics, our marriage practices have their pedigree in ancient Rome. One of the major players in shaping our practices was the warfare involved in building an empire. Soldiers vanished and sometimes never returned. Women began to manage their lives and to make decisions. The old family values were replaced by patriotic ones, and religion was more attuned to the gore and glory of battle, a religion of the state, not of the family. Weddings were still family celebrations, but had a public face. The bride wore a white toga and a red veil and walked to her new home. There, she and her husband joined their right hands and gave consent to each other, not relying on her father to give consent for her. Religion was optional: a pagan priest might be invited or not, and even without the ceremony, society agreed by common law that a year of living together equaled marriage con-sent. By the same token, marriage by consent also meant divorce was on the same legal footing, and did not require the courts or civil declarations. This is the world-view the first Christians inherited, and it was up to them to deter-mine what was good and to hold marriage up to the light of the gospel. —Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Calendar of Events Jan 28 Young at Heart, Presentation Hall at Noon 30 First Reconciliation, 9:00am 31 Fr. Ryan’s Installation Mass Feb 10 Ash Wednesday, Masses 7am, Noon, 6pm 13/14 World Marriage Day Celebration 16 Anointing of the Sick, Noon Mar 16 Seder Meal, Presentation Hall, 6pm 19/20 Palm Sunday 22 Chrism Mass at Cathedral (No Noon Mass) 24 Holy Thursday, Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7pm 25 Good Friday, Live Stations of the Cross at 3pm Good Friday Services at 7pm 26 Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil at 7pm 27 Easter Sunday Masses 8am, 10:30am, 6pm

We really appreciate those who donate toward the flowers for our church. Sometimes dona-tions are made in honor of an event (anniversary, birthday, etc.) or in memory of a loved one. If you would like to have flowers

placed in church, please contact the parish office at 228 864-2272.

We have a prayer group that meets every Thursday afternoon from 5:15-6:15pm. Everyone is invited to join us. For more information call the Parish office, 864-2272.

Tired of writing checks? Electronic giving forms are on the tables in the back of the church. All parishioners are encouraged to consider electronic giving. Please fill out the form and return it to the parish office. You can al-ways increase, decrease or cancel your giving by calling the church office.

The Gulf Coast Messiah Chorus (GCMC) announces the rehearsal schedule for the Spring 2016 season. Rehearsals will be held every Monday evening from Feb. 8th through Mar.7th. Chorus rehearsals are at 7p.m. in the Music Building of MGCCC-Jeff Davis campus in Gulf-port, MS. New singers are welcome and no audition is required. For more information please contact Dr. Ed Cake, at 228-324-9292 or ed.cake@yahoo.com.

Weekly prayer group Thursday’s at 10:00am. Call An-nette Seymour 326-0851.