What Does the Bible Say About Giving From the Desk of Father Peter…………………….…2

Well Done Good and Faithful Servant Rest in Peace Nick Lippa…………….……………... 3

32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time Readings for November 7...……………….….…...... 4

Parish Council Meeting Minutes From October 18 Meeting………………………...… 5

Qualified Charitable Distributions as a Way to Donate to St. John’s Parish…………..…6

National Vocation Awareness Week Please Pray for Vocations………….….……….…….. 7

Celebration of the Eucharist

Saturday Evening: 4:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM Holy Days: As announced in bulletin Weekdays: Monday–Wednesday & Friday 8:15 AM

Confessions By Appointment Only. Please contact the Parish Office 225-8980.

Baptisms For parishioners requesting Baptism for their child, we encourage you to please contact the Parish Office at (585) 225-8980 before the birth of your child to prepare for the Sacrament of Baptism .

Marriage Arrangements for the Sacrament of Marriage must be made at least SIX MONTHS in advance. Call the Parish Office at 225-8980.

Prayer Line When prayers are needed for yourself or others contact Nick Lippa 227-0549.

2400 West Ridge Road Rochester, New York 14626

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL MISSION STATEMENT As disciples of Jesus Christ serving on the Parish Pastoral Council, we collaborate with the Pastor and Staff inviting the people of St. John the Evangelist Church to joyfully celebrate the Eucharist, faithfully teach Catholic tradition, and fervently form Catholic spirituality, so that together we may go forth in love to serve the Lord and each other.

St. John the Evangelist Greece November 7, 2021

Parish Office hours: Monday-Wednesday & Friday: 9-Noon and 1:30-5 PM; Thursday: 9-Noon

Fax: 585-723-9825 E-mail: gstjohnt@dor.org

St John the Evangelist Church of Greece

@StJohnGreece Visit www.StJohnGreece.org Follow us on

Senior Assistant Priest:

Rev. Stephen Kraus Pastoral Minister:

Tod Simone– 225-8980

Faith Formation Coordinator:

Cristyn Simone - 261-0831 Secretary:

Marcia Parsons - 225-8980 Business Office:

Joe Spurrier - 225-8980 Finance Director:

Daniel Leitten - 225-8980

Pastor: Rev. Peter Enyan-Boadu - 225–8980 Deacon, Senior Status:

Robert Burke - 732-3080 Deacon:

Elmer Smith - 230-3074 Director, Music Ministry:

Dawn Chmiel - 225-8980 Director, Choir Ministry:

Consuelo De Los Santos 225-8980

Parish Pastoral Council Chair: Bob Gotham 470-9757

Daily Scripture Readings

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

2 St. John the Evangelist Church, Greece, New York November 7, 2021

Welcome! If you are new in the parish, we invite you to become a member of our faith community where we come together to worship the Lord and celebrate the Eucharist. We want to get to know you and recognize there are some challenges in doing so during Covid-19, however, if you can introduce yourself after Mass, we will be grateful. Please know that your prayers, your presence, and support of our beloved St. John’s Church are appreciated. Please call or e-mail the Parish Office for registration assistance. You will find contact information on the front cover of the bulletin.

What does the Bible Say About Giving? The Widow’s Offering

There are at least three im-portant things about giving in this story of the widow’s offering:

God values our offerings differently than man does. In God’s eyes, the value of the offering is not determined by the amount of the offering. The text says that the wealthy gave large amounts, but the widow’s offering was of much higher value because she gave all that she had. It was a costly sacrifice. Note that Jesus did not say she put in more than any of the others; he said she put in more than all the others.

Our attitude in giving is important to God. The text says Jesus “watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury.” Jesus observed the people as they gave their offerings, and he watches today as we give. If we give to be

seen by men or with a stingy heart toward God, our offering loses its value. Jesus is more interested and impressed by how we give than what we give. We see this same principle in the

story of Cain and Abel. God evaluated Cain and Abel’s offerings. Abel’s offering was pleasing in God’s eyes, but he rejected Cain’s. Rather than giving to God out of thankfulness and worship, Cain may have presented his offering with evil or selfish intent. Maybe he had hoped to receive special recognition. Regardless, Cain knew the right thing to do, but he didn’t do it. God even gave Cain an opportunity to make things right, but he chose not to.

This illustrates again that God watches what and how we give. God not only cares about the quality of our gifts to him, but also the attitude in our hearts as we offer them.

by Mary Fairchild, Christianity Expert, www.about.com/religion/

With sincere gratitude for your sacrifice and service, we salute our Veterans!

Peace to all and may God bless you.

Fr. Peter and the Faith Community of St. John’s The Parish Office will be closed on Thursday, November 11 in observance of Veteran’s Day.

A Prayer for Veterans

Heavenly Father, King and Lord, You instill in all of Your creation an order and value.

You call Your children “very good.” We surrender to You the conflicts that tear your family apart.

We pray for an end to blindness that places pride, greed, power, and selfishness above human dignity and brotherly love.

We pray in gratitude for all of those who have defended peace, virtue, and justice with honor.

We pray especially for those who have suffered in mind and body from the ravages of war.

Let Your Kingdom come!

May Your peace that surpasses all understanding reign in our hearts and in our world.

Amen.

The Diocesan Catholic Ministries Appeal Continues. The goal for St. John’s is $81,886.

As of Tuesday, November 2, 171 households have pledged $29,880, taking us to 36.49% of our goal.

* NOTE: When paying by check, be sure to make it payable to CMA and in the memo section of your check please write 039 St. John’s, Greece.

To Our Contributors and Those from Whom We are Waiting to Hear

As indicated by the above numbers, there has been a fair amount of activity with our parish CMA donations and we are grateful to those who have given generously. For those who have not yet contributed, we hope for your continued level of support. To our newest parish members, it is our hope that you will discern your appropriate level of support now that our goal is lowered. We need everyone’s support.

Let each of us consider a way in which to approach our level of giving. The first step is to really PRAY about it and then stop and take a moment to reflect on what you gave last year. Ask yourself if there’s any way you could increase that amount. We recognize some households have more challenges than others but more often than not, we will find it is possible to offer an increased donation.

We remind you that your total pledge amount is due at the end of May, 2022—appx 6½ months from now. This means you can offer your total pledge amount and then break that down into 6 equal payments. The idea is for this 6 month option to be a little easier for households to absorb into their finances. Consider for a moment where we spend our money for the smaller things such as our favorite cup of coffee. If we were to forego our daily/weekly/monthly “simple pleasures”, we might be surprised how the savings add up allowing for that increased giving this year.

The deeper issue is not really about the money, but our faith and the participation that flows from it. So, you are invited to consider ways you can respond with a grateful heart. In living this way we move —“Forward in Faith.”

November 7, 2021 St. John the Evangelist Church, Greece, New York 3

Wills/Bequests/Memorials— Please Remember St. John the Evangelist Parish

This Week’s Schedule

SUNDAY, November 7 11:00 AM First Reconciliation Class in Church

MONDAY, November 8 9:00 AM Bible Study in Parish Center 5:30 PM Liturgy Meeting in Parish Center 7:00 PM Parish Pastoral Council in Parish Center

THURSDAY, November 11 Veteran’s Day Parish Office CLOSED

SUNDAY, November 14 8:30 AM Faith Formation in Parish Center 11:00 AM Confirmation Class in Parish Center

Masses for the Week—November 8—14

MONDAY, November 8 Weekday 8:15 AM + Joyce Resch by Madeline Resch & Family

TUESDAY, Nov 9 Dedication of Lateran Basilica 8:15 AM + Anthony DePetres by Wife & Family

WEDNESDAY, November 10 St Leo the Great 8:15 AM + Nick Lippa by Katherine & John Cummings

THURSDAY, November 11 St Martin of Tours

FRIDAY, November 12 St Josaphat 8:15 AM + Ruth Walker by St. John’s Women’s Guild

SATURDAY, Nov13 St Frances Xavier Cabrini 4:00 PM + For the People

SUNDAY, Nov 14 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time 8:00 AM + Deceased Members of Tedesco & Yax Families by Family

10:00 AM + Joseph G. Incardone by Robert & Nikki MacDonald

Well Done Good and Faithful Servant

It was a sad day indeed on October 26, 2021, when we received the news of the passing of our faithful and much-loved parishioner, Nick Lippa. In addition to weekend Mass, Nick was a fixture at every morning Mass and

when we saw him on Monday, the 25th, little did we know that would be our last time with him here. When he was not at Mass on Tuesday morning, I said, who is going to lead the St. Michael Prayer at the end of Mass today? Well, that torch is now being passed on as the tradition of reciting this Prayer will go on with Nick in our hearts each time we pray it. I also ask, who will oversee the Prayer Line? When it came to prayers, Nick was at the top of the mountain as a prayer warrior. He has overseen the Prayer Line for so many years. I first encountered him, by name, when I was at Holy Cross in 1996. I was dealing with some health concerns and was told about this man named Nick Lippa and I could be assured he and others would be praying for me.

Everyone who knows Nick knows of his great devotion to The Sacred Heart of Jesus, The Immaculate Heart of Mary and many Saints. Nick ALWAYS carried a special bag with him filled with many blessed articles whether they be prayer cards or medals; you name it, he had it. He was always

Continued on page 4

4 St. John the Evangelist Church, Greece, New York November 7, 2021

Sunday, November 7 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

First Reading 1 Kgs 17:10-16

In those days, Elijah the prophet went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the entrance of the city, a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her, “Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink.” She left to get it, and he called out after her, “Please bring along a bit of bread.” She answered, “As the LORD, your God, lives, I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar and a little oil in my jug. Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die.” Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid. Go and do as you propose. But first make me a little cake and bring it to me. Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son. For the LORD, the God of Israel, says, ‘The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.’” She left and did as Elijah had said. She was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well; the jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, as the LORD had foretold through Elijah.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 146:7, 8-9, 9-10

R. Praise the Lord, my soul!

The LORD keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets captives free.

R. Praise the Lord, my soul!

The LORD gives sight to the blind. The LORD raises up those who were bowed down; the LORD loves the just. The LORD protects strangers.

R. Praise the Lord, my soul!

The fatherless and the widow he sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts. The LORD shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.

R. Praise the Lord, my soul!

Second Reading Heb 9:24-28

Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands, a copy of the true one, but heaven itself, that he might now appear before God on our behalf. Not that he might offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary with blood that is not his own; if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly from the foundation of the world. But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sin by his sacrifice. Just as it is appointed that human beings die once, and after this the judgment, so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.

An Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen.

Alleluia Mt 5:3

R. Alleluia, Alleluia.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

R. Alleluia, Alleluia.

Gospel Mk 12:41-44

Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”

NICK LIPPA Continued from page 3

asking me to bless these articles for him so he could share them with others; many of us have been recipients. He sincerely wanted everyone to draw closer to Christ—his family, his fellow parishioners, and people he didn’t even know. He wanted the best for everyone and always found something good in everyone. He was an evangelizer in his own very special way. His love for Jesus was profound and it radiated from him! He always had a smile and at least a few good words to say, if not more. You never left his presence without feeling better and realizing what a holy man he was; a gift to us indeed!

We take great comfort in believing Nick is at peace in his heavenly abode. He worked tirelessly all these years to gain his final reward and since the passing of his wife, Joyce, he looked forward to reuniting with her. May they rest in perfect peace and now let us keep their family in our prayers.

God bless,

Fr. Peter

I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.

From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day,

and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.

2 Timothy 4:7-8

November 7, 2021 St. John the Evangelist Church, Greece, New York 5

Opening Prayer: Paul Parkman

Attendance: Present: Father Peter Enyan-Boadu, Nick Verdino, Bob Gotham, Jill Bailey, Pam Tofany-Kern, Rick Paoletti, Kathy Christodaro, Tod Simone, Karen Cooper, Nick Sassano, Paul Parkman, Sharon Miller, Patty Hoag. Excused: Deacon Bob Burke, Father Steve Kraus, Deacon Elmer Smith, Alan Christodaro, Christine Paoletti, Rick Ryan, Melissa Ryan, Gary Kern. Absent: Consuelo De Los Santos. Visitors: Marcia Parsons, Mary Sper (Finance Committee).

Approval of Agenda: 1st – Patti Hoag, 2nd – Karen Cooper

Approval of Meeting Minutes – September 13, 2020 meeting: 1st – Kathy Christodaro, 2nd – Nick Verdino

Chairperson’s Comments (Bob Gotham) • CMA – 2021 thru 2022: This year’s CMA campaign

started on October 4, 2021 and continues thru May 31, 2022. Our goal this year is $81,886. Fortunately, our goal has been lowered from previous years from $87,757. We had 370 donors last year when we reached our goal. That averages out to be $237 per donor.

• Angel Tree: The Angel Tree project will be handled the same as last year due to issues related to the pandemic (limited inventory in stores, etc.). Checks can be written to support one of the various charities represented in the project. Patti Hoag has volunteered to be a contact per-son to work with the Liturgy Committee to create the an-gels to place on the trees.

• Bob and Gary Kern will discuss the possibility of allowing donations via Venmo (online donation mechanism) in addition to traditional envelope giving and online donations during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.

• Bob thanks Nick Verdino for volunteering to be an usher at the 4:00pm Saturday Masses and for helping be a recruiter as well.

Update from Father Peter: Father thanks everyone for what we all contribute to the Parish. He often receives a lot of positive feedback from visitors to our Parish about how welcoming it is. He also notes the strong spirit of volunteerism at our Parish and expresses his gratitude for all we do.

Liturgy Committee (Tod Simone) • November 1: All Saints Masses held at 9:00 AM & 12:05 PM • November 2: All Souls Mass at 8:15 AM • November 6: Memorial Mass at 10:00 AM • Thanksgiving: Mass at 9:00 AM • Tod recommends adding back the announcement

regarding collection boxes before Mass. Some parishioners have asked why there are no more collection baskets passed around.

Pastoral Ministry/Homebound (Tod Simone) Reminds us that all Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers and Ushers are required to do the safety training according to the Diocese.

Parish Council Meeting Minutes—October 18, 2021

Knights of Columbus (Rick Paoletti) • Christopher Columbus Dinner was held Oct 10 & the

Knights presented a $1,000 donation check to Margaret Home.

• C&B ticket sales are ongoing, thanks everyone for their support.

• Council Memorial Mass to be scheduled in early November. • Day 27 of the 40 Days for Life Campaign - estimates one

save so far.

Outreach - Social Media/Communications Committee Update (Gary Kern, Christine Paoletti, Paul Parkman) Website: No updates; Facebook: No updates; Faith Stories: Re-tweeting scripture. Paul reminds us that our faith is a gift from God, that we can ask God for more faith and not to set limits on our faith.

Outreach - Social Activities Committee (Melissa Ryan) - No updates

Safety and Security (Rick Ryan, Nick Sassano) - No Updates

Open Forum (All) • Nick Verdino asks on behalf of a parishioner if General

Absolution will be offered in place of individual confessions. Father Peter tells us General Absolution is currently not encouraged in the Rochester Diocese per Bishop Matano.

• Nick Verdino presents a CMA donation idea around required distributions. Nick will write up documentation and send it to Marcia Parsons to place in the bulletin.

• Marcia Parsons: Told us about the October Rosary Rallies that took place. She encourages us all to pray the Rosary every day for peace.

• Patty Hoag asks the following questions on behalf of parishioners: • If St. Johns would consider keeping the church open

during the day. Father cites safety concerns about leaving the church open without anyone present, so it will remain closed outside of Mass.

• Why do we have singing at the 8:00 AM Mass? Father expresses the importance of song during Mass, that sing-ing allows us to pray twice.

• Since there are no hymnals available for reference, can we project the lyrics on the walls somehow? Father answers it would be difficult given the size and shape of our church to project lyrics on the wall and would be difficult for many people to see. A lot of the music used during Mass is in the Missals which parishioners can use to sing along.

Next Meeting: November 8, 2021. Opening/Closing prayer: Karen Cooper

Closing Prayer: Rick Paoletti

**Respectfully submitted by Jill Bailey**

6 St. John the Evangelist Church, Greece, New York November 7, 2021

Tabernacle I Joseph Oliveri

Tabernacle II The Holy Souls in Purgatory

Marian I David Jon Pencola

Marian II Living & Deceased Benefactors of St. John’s

This Week’s Sanctuary Candles burn for

Nick Lippa Father of Alan Lippa

BLESSINGS OF FINANCIAL

October 30/31 ATTENDANCE…..406

BUDGETED Sunday Offering……………... $ 9,706.00

SUNDAY Offering………………………….$ 7,051.44

ONLINE Giving…………………………..... $ 2,095.00

TOTAL Sunday Offering…………………...$ 9,146.44

SHORTAGE for SUNDAY OFFERING…($ 559.56)

Fiscal Year 2021-22 as October 31, 2021

YEARLY BUDGET ………………….….…$ 495,000.00

BUDGETED TO-DATE…………………….$ 174,708.00

ACTUAL COLLECTED……………….…...$ 177,638.88

OVERAGE TO DATE………………………$ 2,930.88

With sincere gratitude, Fr. Peter thanks all who continue with their financial assistance in support of the many needs in our parish.

Online Giving You can make your weekly, monthly, annual, and one-time donations from your checking or savings account, or by using a credit or debit card, electronically, from your own computer. It is easy, safe and secure! A link to Online Giving can be found at our Parish Home Page www.stjohngreece.org. Contact the Parish Office, 225-8980 for details or assistance with Online Giving.

On October 30, 2021, we welcomed Yuqi (Katya) Wen as a member of our beloved St. John the Evangelist faith community, having been baptized by Fr. Peter Enyan-Boadu. May God continue to bless Katya as she grows in her love for Jesus and may she always have in her life the strong witness of our Catholic Faith through her family, godparents and the faith community here at St. John’s.

Reminder on Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) (sometimes referred to as “IRA Charitable Rollovers) as a Way to Donate to St. John’s Parish

In December, 2015, the IRA QCD Legislation was signed into law permanently.

Under the legislation, donors aged 70½ or older can contribute up to $100,000 from their IRA’s directly to qualified charities without having to pay income taxes on the money.

Here is a quick recap of the IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution rules. Gifts qualify under the law if: • The donor is age 70 ½ or older on the day of the gift. • The donor transfer up to $100,000 directly from their

IRA to one or more qualified charities. This opportunity applies only to IRA’s and no other types of retirement plans.

• The donor does not receive any goods or services in return for the rollover gift in order to qualify for tax-fee treatment.

• The gift/check must be dated on or before Dec., 31, 2021 to qualify this year.

• The gift needs to be sent directly to the charitable organization which also has to be the payee for the gift.

• The official name and address to use for the receiver of the donation is: St. John the Evangelist Church

2400 W Ridge Road Rochester, NY 14626

If you have questions regarding this matter, please contact your financial advisor. If you have other questions, please call or email Joe Spurrier: Business Office at St. John’s, at 585-225-8980, or joseph.spurrier@dor.org

Please remember to use your Boiler Fund envelopes found in your 2021 October and November Offering envelope packets. When you see them, please be generous and help us reduce our shortage.

The collection for the Boiler Fund takes place NEXT Weekend, November 13/14.

November 7, 2021 St. John the Evangelist Church, Greece, New York 7

National Vocation Awareness Week, celebrated November 7-13, 2021, is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations.

NVAW began in 1976 when the U.S. bishops designated the 28th Sunday of the year for NVAW. In 1997, this celebration was moved to coincide with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which fell on January 13 in 2013. Beginning in 2014, NVAW was moved to the first full week of November.

God our Father,

We thank you for calling

men and women to serve in

your Son’s Kingdom as

priests, deacons, and consecrated persons.

Send your Holy Spirit to help others to respond

generously and courageously to your call.

May our community of faith support vocations of

sacrificial love in our youth and young adults.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives

and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God forever and ever.

Amen