St. John the Evangelist Parish 915 Route 212, Centerville, Saugerties, NY 12477

Phone: 845-246-9581 • Fax: 845-246-9582 • web: www.sjechurch.org

M A S S S C H E DU L E : Saturday- 5:00 PM, Sunday- 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM

Daily: Monday-Thursday & Saturday - 8:30 AM, Morning Prayer 8:15 AM

Holy Days: Please check bulletin

CONFESSIONS: Saturday– 3:30 to 4:30 PM

ALTAR ROSARY:

President: Donna Anderson (246-9719) Meets the first Wednesday of the month

ALTAR SERVERS: Coordinator Joan Jensen (246-9581)

BAPTISM: Baptism upon request. Preparation required.

Leaders in preparation: Patricia & Gary Moore (246-5164)

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS: Coleman Catholic High School (338-2750),

Kingston Catholic School (331-9318) — St. Joseph Catholic School (339-4390)

COMMUNITY ACTION / FOOD PANTRY: Maria Granda (246-3635)

COUNCIL OF CHURCHES: Marilyn Washer (246-5236), Maureen Rothe 246-0305

DEANERY: Frankie Cullen (853-5557)

LAY TRUSTEES: Bill McKenna (246-6065), Bob Howe (246-8510)

LITURGY COMMITTEE: Robert Howe (246-8510)

MARRIAGES: By appointment. Please make arrangements at least six months prior to

wedding. Preparation is mandatory.

MINISTRY TO HOMEBOUND AND ELDERLY: Eileen Oswald (246-7042)

MUSIC MINISTRY: Kelly Rea (246-0395)

OPERATIONS: Robert Gauvreau (246-3544)

SPIRIT OF LIFE PRAYER GROUP: Fr. Woodruff (246-9581) Meets Tuesdays 7:00 PM & first

Sunday of each month at 12:00 to 1:00 PM (Instructional Prayer Meeting—All are welcome!)

PARISH COUNCIL: President Pat Fitzsimmons (246-4431)

PARISH NURSE: Anne Grunbaum (246-1667)

RCIA: Deacon Robert Cranston (246-3371)

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Coordinator Joan Corton (339-4391)

RESPECT LIFE COMMITTEE: Joseph Defino Sr. (246-6908) , Barbara O’Reilly (246-7810)

SECRETARIES: Joan Jensen (217-7477), Barbara Renner (8:30 AM—8:30 PM Only —246-3424)

ST. JOHN’S CHURCH STORE: Elaine Arvidson (246-4468), Angela Mastrachia (246-3377)

VOCATIONS: Pat Fitzsimmons (246-4431)

FATHER WILLIAM F. WOODRUFF, PASTOR MSGR. WILLIAM E. WILLIAMS, PASTOR EMERITUS DEACON ROBERT CRANSTON

Handicap

Accessible

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST PARISH

Saturday 8:30 Special Intention

5:00 Ralph Mayone Sr. (Birthday Remembrance) - Req. by His Wife, Mary

Sunday 8:30 In Celebration of The 10th Birthday of Wyatt John Renner and the 1st Birthday of Everett John Renner

- Req. by Their Grandparents

10:30 All The People of The Parish

Monday 8:30 In Celebration of Fr. Woodruff’s 35th Anniversary of Ordination to The Priesthood

- Req. by The Religious Education Program

Tuesday 8:30 For The Deceased Members of The Amrhein Family—Req. by Their Family

Wednesday 8:30 Jeannette Clemente—Req. by Kelly & Bruce Utter

Thursday 8:30 Mark “Toby” Tobiassen—Req. by The Saugerties K of C Council #4536

Friday 8:30 Holy Communion Service

Saturday 8:30 Dorothy Till Frankel—Req. by The Renner Family

5:00 Jacob (Jake) Sweeney—Req. by Barbara Sweeney

Sunday 8:30 Heather Hawkins (Anniversary Remembrance) - Req. by Anne & Jim Carey

10:30 All The People of The Parish

SAINTS & SPECIAL OBSERVANCES–

Tue —Our Lady of Guadalupe

Wed —St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr

Thu—St. John of The Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church

20-WEEK CLUB– The 9th winner of $100 in our 20-Week Club

was Tony Montalbano. Just a reminder that 50% of your club

money is now due!

SECOND COLLECTION– There will be a second collection

this weekend for the Annual Appeal for our Retired Religious.

Our retired men and women religious have dedicated their lives to

serving others; nurturing the young, comforting those in need, and

sharing their faith and love with all to whom they ministered.

Thank the Lord, many religious continue to serve the

Archdiocese; yet, our older sisters and brothers are in need of our

assistance in providing for their well-deserved and well-earned

retirement years. We thank you for your support.

RECONCILIATION MONDAY- Is December 18th from 4 to 8

PM. Every parish in the Archdiocese of NY will have at least one

priest hearing confessions during that time period. If that time

period is not good for you, Fr. Woodruff is available at any time

upon request. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will also take

place on Saturday, December 23rd, from 3:00 until 4:30 P.M. in

addition to every Saturday otherwise from 3:30 until 4:30 P.M.

ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE– Will take place at St. Mary

of The Snow Church in Saugerties on Wednesday, December

13th at 7:30 PM.

MEMORY TREE- The Altar Rosary Society will be

sponsoring a Christmas Memorial Tree. Each week

stars will be hung that have been purchased at $1 per

name of those close to our hearts. The Memory Tree

box and envelopes are located near the tree at the rear of

the church. A blessed Advent to all. Proceeds to benefit St.

John’s Fuel Fund.

COMMUNITY BAND AND CHORUS CONCERT– Will take

place at the Reformed Church of Saugerties on December 10th.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION- Will take place next weekend

after the 10:30 Mass and continue until the 8:30 PM Benediction.

Evening prayers will be prayed at 5:30 PM. Sign up sheets are

located at the side entrance of the church.

SCRATCH-OFF LOTTERY TICKETS- Altar Rosary will be

selling chances to win $100 worth of Scratch-Off Lottery Tickets.

Chances are $1 each or 6 for $5. The chances will be sold after

each of the Holy Masses until December 9/10th. The winner will

be drawn on December 10th at the Christmas luncheon. Thank

you advance for your support. God Bless You!

ADVENT PROGRAM– Will take place at the Immaculate

Conception School in Kingston. DVD Lectures—Jesus and the

Jewish Roots of Advent. Lecturer, Dr. Brant Pitre. This will take

place December 5, 12, and 19th from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. FMI, call

Lorraine Krasinski at 834-6030.

ULTREYA- Join your Cursillo Community as we gather for a

special Ultreya (Agape) on December 14th at 7:30 PM. Bring

something for the sharing table. FMI, call Joe at 246-6908.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST SUNDAY- Will take place on

Sunday, December 17th from 8 to 11 AM at the Knights of

Columbus in Barclay Heights. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, biscuits,

bacon, home fries, milk and coffee and more! All you can eat!

Adults $8 – Children under 8 $4.

YOU DID IT FOR ME- If you know of someone

who would enjoy a visit, call or card from their

fellow parishioners, please call the church office (246

-9581) to let us know.

Ronald “Smokey Woods—Lou Honecker—Ten

Broeck Commons, Lake Katrine

Judy Fiero—The Pines—154 Jefferson Heights, Catskill

Fr. Al Pizzuto —The Cardinal Egan Pavilion

5655 Arlington Avenue, Bronx, NY 10471-1221

1-718-581-0070

Msgr. Williams— 131 Rymrock Road #42,

Kingston, NY 12401

845-399-9837

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in the Expectant Savior,

PENANCE SERVICE WITH INDIVIDUAL

CONFESSIONS AT SAINT MARY OF THE SNOW CHURCH

IN SAUGERTIES THIS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13th,

STARTING AT 7:30 P.M. The priests of our area will be

available that evening for the Sacrament of Penance/

Reconciliation. Also, RECONCILIATION MONDAY IS ON

DECEMBER 18th, FROM 4:00 UNTIL 8:00 P.M. Every parish in

the Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Brooklyn will

have at least one priest available for Confessions during that time.

Yours truly will arrive at our Church’s Confessional a little before

4:00 P.M. and I will stay past 8:00 P.M. as needed. Further, I will

have an expanded Confession time on Saturday afternoon,

December 23rd, from 3:00 until 4:30 P.M. Of course, I am

available every Saturday afternoon from 3:30 until 4:30 P.M. and

ANYTIME UPON REQUEST IF I CAN POSSIBLY DO THE

SACRAMENT OF PENANCE/RECONCILIATION FOR ONE.

This Sunday, December 10th, starting at 1:00 P.M. at

Mirabella’s Restaurant, the Altar Rosary Christmas Dinner will

occur. I will be most happy to join them.

This Monday evening, December 11th, the Religious

Education (Faith Formation) Program of the parish will have the

Advent Program starting at 6:05 P.M. Anyone and everyone are

most welcome to join us in watching the children perform the

Christmas story.

ALL DAY ADORATION OF THE MOST BLESSED

SACRAMENT WILL BE NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17th,

FROM THE CONCLUSION OF THE 1o:30 A.M. HOLY MASS

UNTIL THE 8:30 P.M. BENEDICTION. Please do find some

time to come to the Church that day or early evening to adore the

Lord and beg of His mercy.

Cursillo’s Ultreya will feature the annual Agape to which

you are most welcome; it begins at 7:30 P.M. on Thursday,

December 14th, in the Church Hall.

I wanted to give you the good news concerning the care

of souls first since that is more important. However, secondly, I

want to give you the good news that we became the first parish

(just as we have consistently done so each year with the Cardinal’s

Appeal) in the Block 3 parishes (about 70 parishes in all) to

surpass our parish objective or goal in pledges for the Renew +

Rebuild Parish Campaign. As of the writing of this letter, dated

December 4th, we are at 104% of our parish goal from 60 very

generous families: a total of $238,170 in pledges which includes

my own pledge of $5,000 over the next five years from my own

personal money (and I am not a rich man). It is still not too late to

pledge for Renew + Rebuild; feel free to call me and I will help

you to fill out a pledge card.

What is interesting is that the first 100% of payments of

the pledges will be a 74/26 split; the Archdiocese of New York

keeps 26 cents on every dollar paid and our parish will receive

back 74 cents on every dollar paid every three months starting

with the end of April, 2018. So, the rebates are the end of April,

the end of July, the end of October, and the end of January, and so

forth over a five year period.

Any payments over 100% up to 120% of the pledges will

be an 85/15 split and any payments over 120% will be a 100/0

split: we receive every dollar that would be paid over 120% of the

objective or goal. I am deeply grateful to all of you who have, or

are considering, a pledge to Renew + Rebuild. YOU ARE THE

MOST GENEROUS FOLKS THAT I HAVE EVER KNOWN

AND YOU ARE MOST GENEROUS IN A MULTITUDE OF

WAYS AND I THANK GOD FOR YOU. If you have any

questions, please call me and I will be happy to set a meeting time

with you that is mutually convenient.

Please remember that Advent is the season of joyful

expectation of the Two Comings of Christ; I want to extend a

grace-filled and blessed Advent Season to all of you.

Sincerely, with prayers,

Father Bill Woodruff

P.S.: I wish to thank you in advance for your generosity in the

second collection this weekend for the nation’s Retired Religious.

ADVENT PROGRAM– Will take place at Sacred Heart Church

in Esopus. DVD Lectures—Forgiven (The Rite of Confession

Explained). Produced by: Augustine Institute. This will take

place on Dec. 14 & 21 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Study Guide $6 or

copy from formed.org. FMI, call Lorraine at 834-6030.

THE GRIEVING PARENTS– Serving the spiritual needs of

parents whose children of any age have died by any cause — no

matter how long ago. One Day Retreat will take place on

Saturday, January 13th at Capuchin Youth & Family Ministries,

781 Route 9D, Garrison, NY 10524 from 9:30 to 7:30 PM. The

cost is $25 per person and $40 per couple. Fee includes breakfast,

lunch, and dinner. FMI, call 646-794-3191.

QUOTE– Nothing brings happiness like right living. Think of

that gentle voice within you. We all have one. Some call it

conscience. Call it whatever you want to, but we all have it. I

like to think of it as the-best-version-of-myself talking to me,

pleading with me to let Him come to life. You may wish to think

of it as God’s small, still, calm voice guiding you. (Kings 19:12)

Matthew Kelly

.

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA– Saugerties VFW Post 5034

is sponsoring a bus trip to Saratoga National Cemetery to

remember the fallen… by placing wreaths on the gravesites. This

will take place on Dec. 16th. Leave from Greco Sr. Center at

8:30 AM and return around 4:30 PM. Cash lunch stop. The cost

is $15 pp. Additional wreaths—$15. Checks: Saugerties VFW

Post 5034, P.O. Box 152, Saugerties. FMI, Bob Howe 246-8510.

PRAY THE ROSARY– Take the Prayer Challenge — that is to

pray the rosary for the unborn babies—from today, every day

until January 22nd — the anniversary date of the infamous Roe

vs. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. On that

day, thousands of people will protest at the March for Life to

bring an end to abortion. Sign-up sheets will be at both exits of

the church today. Free rosaries/instruction pamphlets available.

JOKE– My mom got mad at my dad the other day so she went

shopping to relieve her irritation. When she returned home she

informed him that she had purchased ten new dresses. “Ten!” he

hollered, “What could any woman want with ten new dresses???”

My mom calmly replied, “Ten new pairs of shoes.”

DECEMBER 10, 2017

PRAYER FOR LIFE

Jesus, Mary and Joseph we love you very much.

Help us spiritually adopt and protect all human life

from preborn to natural death.

Amen.

————————————————

MAKING ALL THINGS NEW

God our Father, through the Gospel and the Eucharist,

You bring us together as Your Church in the

Archdiocese of New York.

Send us Your Holy Spirit, to enlighten our minds and guide our

actions as we plan for the future of parish life in this Archdiocese.

Help us learn new ways to strengthen and revitalize our parish

communities, and to be good stewards of the spiritual and

material gifts that sustain them.

Bless our work, so that our parishes may continue to witness to

the truth of the Gospel, and be a sign of Your love for all people.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

————————————————

FIRST CHRISTMAS FROM HEAVEN

Dedicated to all the loved ones who are

spending their first Christmas in Heaven

with Jesus Christ.

We miss you, but we know that you are fully healed….

I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below

with tiny lights, like Heaven's stars, reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tear,

for I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear,

but the sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring,

for it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart.

but I am not so far away, we really aren't apart.

So be happy for me, dear ones, you know I hold you dear,

and be glad I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I sent you a special gift, from my heavenly home above.

I sent you a memory of my undying love.

After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold.

It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do,

for I can't count the blessing or love He has for each of you.

So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear.

Remember, I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

This poem was written by a 13 year old boy who died of a brain tumor

that he had battled for four years.

He died on December 14, 1997.

He gave this to his mom before he died. His name was Ben.

DECEMBER 10, 2017

“Please Pray For All Bishops, Priests, Deacons & Religious!”

John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of

repentance for the forgiveness of sins. John was clothed in

camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on

locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: "One

mightier than I is coming after me."

- Mk 1:4, 6-7a

STEWARDSHIP CORNER

THE LORD HAS BLESSED US

IN SO MANY WAYS…

Let us return to Him a fair share of

THE MANY GIFTS

He has already given us.

October

Attendance: October 2017 — 1,011

Attendance: October 2016 — 1,255

Current Month Year to Date Collections: $ 11,865.70 $ 21,341.00

Other Income: $ 8,667.35 $ 25,099.50

Total Income: $ 20,533.05 $ 46,440.50

Expenses: $ 14,313.68 $ 32,380.09

Total: $ 6,219.37 $ 14,060.41

PARISHIONERS’ COMMENT– I have prayed and I know

tithing is God’s will. It is the right thing to do, give to God first.

PASTOR’S COMMENT– ‘The true purpose of tithing is to

secure not the tithe, but the tither; not the gift, but the giver, not

your money, but you, for God.’

“Remember St. John’s in Your Will!”

FOOD PANTRY ITEM FOR NEXT WEEK:

SOAP

YOUR PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED FOR: Vincent Saturn, Judy Fiero, Grace Yund, Gene

Woodruff, Jane Fiore, Peter Kandora, Jimmy Paes,

Joan O’Leary, John Lynch, Nancy Dwyer, Claire

Miller, Marion Benz, Joe Dengler, Bernadette Verpent,

Jack Lawler, Tara Ryan, Isabel Martinez, “Smokey” Woods, Zac

Swart, Walt Hackett, Ken Snyder, Chris Wood, Hilda

McDermott, Ann Deacon, Charlie Gambino, Andrea Oswald, and

Frankie Cullen.