Church Services Weekend Liturgy: Saturday Vigil Mass of Anticipation: 5:45 PM Holy Rosary Sunday Masses: 10:30 AM Holy Rosary (Children's Liturgy of the Word takes place during the 10:30 AM Mass for children ages 4-10.) Weekday Mass: Mon. 8:00 AM - Mass Intention -Holy Rosary Tue. 8:00 AM - Mass intention - Holy Rosary Wed. 8:00 AM - Mass At St. Johns Thu. 8:00 AM - Mass intention -Holy Rosary Fri. 8:00 AM - Mass at St. Johns   Sacrament of Reconciliation: at St. John the Baptist Saturday 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM and by appointment   Holy Hour in the Mother's Chapel: Every Friday at 8:45 AM   Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Every 1st Friday of the Month from 8:00 AM until 1:00 PM Communion for the home bound: call Joe 459-1326

Next weekend, we'll be showing a video and taking up a collection. This is our first chance to experience Catholics Come Home and to help make it a rousing success.

We all know people (too well) who have left the practice of our Catholic faith. Why? There are many reasons people have walked – some in disgust over the scandals, some be- cause they were personally hurt by a priest or other leader, and some because the Church doesn't see things the way they do. Most people have just slowly drifted away due to “disconnect” with Sunday worship.

It could be due to absorption of the cultural values of individualism, hedonism, or minimalism which are the opposite of Jesus' own values. He didn't come to satisfy himself, or to seek the most pleasurable experiences, or to do the least required. In fact, he came to love and save others, to make others' lives eminently more livable, and to give himself totally (not just 10%, but 100%). (See Matthew Kelly's book, Rediscovering Catholicism [2002]).Whatever the reason, we know that Jesus Christ is the sole way we receive salvation – and the faith community that embodies him – makes His presence Real – seeks to make this happen for everyone. By acts of healing, education, worship, and fellowship – by service to all in need. It is this reality we experience when we are part of Church – the People of God, the Body of Christ, the Herald, the Servant of all, the Sacrament and more.

We need a concerted effort to reach out, welcome, and embrace every person on this planet. When we do it well, we'll attract our nominal members back. Mohandas Gandhi read the New Testament every day, but when asked by a reporter why he had never become a Christian, he replied, “If I had ever met one, I would have become one.”

When 70% of Catholics in America don't regularly go to Church on Sunday, isn't it time somebody did something? Catholics Come Home is a multi-pronged response. The Diocese has planned some media spots for TV and radio and we are asking everyone to contribute to make this happen. The more money is received, the more visibility this outreach can obtain.

If you'd like more information, just surf on over to www.catholicscomehome.org and check out the program – enacted in other dioceses across the country and coming to one near you in Lent.

There are envelopes available at the doors this weekend. You should make out your check to “Catholics Come Home,” and it is tax deductible.

 

Fr. John

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