Parish Weekly Bulletin - and other parish information

this page last updated on March 04, 2010

The March 14th Bulletin will be posted a couple of days late.
Sorry for the inconvenience.

FOR A COMPLETE LIST of parish events and meetings please view our

WEB CALENDAR

Current Parish

Bulletin Information

3rd Sunday in Lent

Year C

March 7, 2010

My eyes are fixed on the Lord, for he releases my feet from the snare.

O look at me and be merciful, for I am wretched and alone.

(Psalm 25.15-16)
 

Mass Intentions
Special intentions (s.i.) Deceased (d.)
Mon. Mar. 8:
Tues. Mar. 9:
Wed. Mar 10 Giovanni Novielli (d.)
Thurs. Mar 11: No Mass
Fri. Mar. 12: No Mass
Sat. Mar. 13: Bernard Mascarenhas (d.)

 

Weekly Collection
Last week’s collection $7,160.25 +
Pre-Authorized Giving (PAG) $2,349.90 = $9,510.15; Capital Campaign $185.00;
St. Vincent de Paul $182.25; Lenten Mission $1,235.

 

Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross will be held each Friday evening at 7:00 pm during the season of Lent. Please join us in this devotion and prayerfully reflect on our Lord Jesus’ loving sacrifice for our salvation and the mystery of the Resurrection.


 

A Surf and Turf Feast
Another community event is being presented by St. John Chrysostom Parish. Join us for an Eastern Canadian Surf and Turf Feast on Saturday, June 5, 2010.

Cocktails will be served at 6:00 pm followed by dinner (lobster or steak) at 6:30 pm. There will be a live fiddling band and door prizes (TV, CD players, etc.)Tickets are $35 per person and a limited number will go on sale starting April 25, 2010.

 

Catholic Women’s League News
General Meeting: Tuesday, March 16 in the Parish Centre following the 7:00 pm Mass. Our guest speaker will be Scott Birchill who is one of our parishioners and a seminarian at St. Augustine’s Seminary. Our CWL is currently working on a resolution regarding migrant workers and as Scott has been very involved in this area he will be speaking to us on this topic. We look forward to seeing you all there.
 

Membership: Membership renewals for 2010 are due. You can renew your membership at the general meeting or pick up an envelope at the back of the church and either place it in the collection or drop it off at the office. If you have any questions please contact Sue Lubowitz at (905) 898-7372.
New members are always welcome.


 

Candle-Lighting Remembrance
The Candle-Lighting Remembrance has been rescheduled to Tuesday, March 23 following the 7:00 pm Mass.  Come to light a candle and say a prayer to remember a deceased relative or friend.

 

Spring Cleanup
It’s time to clean up the pews in the church. Volunteers, both men and women, are needed to help on Monday, March 29 at 9:00 am. If you are available, come out to the church with your buckets and wash cloths. Remember that many hands make light work!



 

Faith Embodied
St. John’s Parish is excited to present a new inter-generational education semi-annual event in which we will learn how Christian faith has been expressed artistically in various cultures and in various times in history. Then, we will have a chance to make our own Christian art.

The next session which involves making Ukrainian Pysanky eggs and learning about the traditions of Easter, will take place on Monday, March 29, 6:30 - 9 or Saturday, April 3, 9:30 - 12. Anyone aged 14 or up is welcome as are those 9 to13 if accompanied by an adult. The cost is $20 and pre-registration is required. Please call (905-898-4137) or email (cway@neptune.on.ca) to register. Spaces are filling up so don’t wait too long to register.

View the PDF poster HERE

Rose of Sharon 1985-2010
Rose of Sharon will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary with a Mass and luncheon with His Grace Archbishop Thomas Collins.
The event will be taking place on April 25, 2010 at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church. His Grace, Archbishop Thomas Collins will be presiding over the 11:00 am Mass and then making a special presentation in honour of young mothers and their children at the luncheon.
Additional presentations will be taking place along with entertainment and a raffle. Luncheon tickets are $25.00 per person and also available in tables of ten.
Please contact the Rose of Sharon at 905-853-5514 to purchase your Anniversary Luncheon Tickets. We hope you will able to join us for this very special celebration!

 

ShareLife
The Wonder of Family…
Personal well-being and family stability are constantly challenged as we go through life. These challenges are amplified during periods of economic instability when job losses and financial stress can lead to low self-esteem, family breakdown, poverty, addictions and violence. ShareLife’s network of Catholic Family Services offices collectively served more than 110,000 people in 2008 through a myriad of services and programs, working wonders to ensure that no one has to face a crisis alone.

ShareLife Sunday is March 21, 2010.


 

Sunday Bulletin ends here

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announcements from previous weeks

Family Movie Night
Come on out and enjoy a movie night with the family on Friday, March 19 at
7 pm in the Parish Hall. Doors open at 6:30 pm. The movie is Planet 51.
Admission is free. Popcorn & drinks will be provided. Please feel free to bring a blanket and pillow to cuddle. You may also bring a lawn chair. To reserve seats call: Carole at 905-235-0364 or
Alfie at 905-895-6275.
All are welcome.


 

Library Volunteer Needed
A volunteer is needed to assist with the day to day organization and maintenance of the Parish Library in the Stained Glass room. This Library has been successful beyond all expectations with many books and DVDs signed out each month. The volunteer should have a love of books and an interest in library and computer-type activities. He or she will be involved in labeling books and DVDs to be added to the library and the ongoing development of a computer inventory. The position will also include calling or emailing reminders to parishioners to return overdue materials and tidying up the Library after a Sunday liturgy. Interested? Call the parish office for further details.



 

Would you like to learn more about your faith?

Are you a budding artist? This is the class for you!

Faith Embodied - Christian Faith expressed in Art

St. John’s Parish is excited to present a new inter-generational education semi-annual
event in which we will learn how Christian faith has been expressed artistically in various cultures and in various times in history. Then, we will have a chance to make our own Christian art.

What: Make Ukrainian Pysanky eggs and learn about the traditions of Easter.
When: Monday, March 29th from 6:30 pm - 9 pm. or Saturday, April 3rd from 9:30 am - 12 noon (Easter Saturday)

View the PDF poster HERE

Liturgy Conference
The Office of Formation for Discipleship, Archdiocese of Toronto, has organized the 9th Simcoe Liturgy Conference entitled “Sunday Eucharist: Fully Lived!”. It is open to everyone interested in deepening his or her understanding and appreciation of the Sunday Eucharist. The conference will take place on April 23 & 24 at St. Mary’s Parish in Barrie. To register or for more information please contact Catherine Ecker, at (705) 726-2153. Registration forms are also available at the back of the church.
 

What is Ordinary Time?
We are now in our third week in Ordinary time. What does that mean? Actually the word “ordinary” does not mean routine but “counted” or “ordinal” time. We enter into these 2nd, 3rd, 4th Sundays ... all counted one after another.  Winter Ordinary Time is just a few short weeks until we enter into the season of Lent. Summer and Fall Ordinary Time comprises the longest portion of the Liturgical Year, covering as much as six months of the Calendar. Ordinary Time challenges us with the demands of building the Kingdom. We listen to the Word of God which keeps reminding us of our call as Christians to internalize the teachings of the Lord and to live out what we proclaim. The miracles and the parables of Jesus are, for the most part, the subject of the Gospel readings. The task that we are given is the same task Jesus had—to proclaim the reign of God in our midst—so this is hardly an ordinary mission. The prayers of the Mass ask for the gifts necessary to accomplish this task and they carry the same message: “Bring forth the Kingdom!”

 

some past announcements worth repeating

Parish Life in Pictures
There have been many events in the life of St. John's parish since September. Pictures were taken at most of these events and are now posted on the parish website. Have a look at the following photo albums:

Thanksgiving Weekend,

Mass of Remembrance,

Bible Presentation to Grade 4 children,

CWL Christmas Bazaar,

Faith Embodied Pottery class,

Giving Tree Sunday,

Volunteer Appreciation Party.
 

Volunteer Opportunity
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides year-round emergency food voucher assistance and also operates the Christmas Basket program providing food and gifts for hundreds of families and individuals in our area. We need men and especially women to assists in our work, particularly home visiting. We also need persons, including young people, to help with poor box collections on Sundays. Membership commitment involves one meeting a month (2nd Monday) and participation on an emergency food team every three weeks. Christ said, “Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for Me.” For more information contact the parish office.

Backpack Program

The CWL will be collecting items for the Backpack Program year round and ask that you drop off items at the back of the church the first weekend of each month alongside your donation of food items for the food bank. Please keep in mind that new items are required such as backpacks, binders, duo-tang, dividers, scientific calculators, crayons, math or geometry sets, coloured pencil crayons, pens, pencils, and lined paper. We thank you for your generosity to the needs of the children.
 

St. John’s Cemetery
As a result of the increased acceptance of cremation in the Catholic community and to provide a greater range of choice to the families in the parishes served by our cemetery, the St. John Cemetery Board has recently installed a 72 niche columbarium at St. John Cemetery in Newmarket.

The columbarium provides a dignified and economic option as a final resting place for the cremated remains of our loved ones and also makes efficient use of the limited land resources available for the cemetery.

A picture of this impressive structure is on the right, and at the back of the church. For further information please either refer to the web site or contact the St. John Chrysostom parish office at 905-898-4137 Ext. 226.
 

Parish Fall Financial Report
As committed in our 2008 financial summary presented this past spring, the Parish Finance Committee would like to update everyone on our position as of September 30, 2009.

While 2009 has been a challenging year for everyone financially; we would like to thank you for being as generous as possible. The expenses of the church are for the most part fixed and that presents a challenge anytime revenue decreases. We are pleased that as of the end of September offertory revenue is just slightly lower than it was in 2008. In fact most of the difference occurred early in the year and since April we are on track with our 2008 income. That said, the highest revenue months for the church are October through December. We are planning based on the same revenue experienced in those months last year and are confident the parishioners of St. Johns will continue to be supportive. If we can maintain our projected revenue we will be able to cover expected expenses.

Our second fund, the Capital Campaign is equally as important to the parish. The buildings and property that make up St. Johns are very extensive and require financial expenditures to maintain their integrity. The Finance Committee has been operating with the view that expenditures will be limited to those that are essential. At this time our Capital Fund has been able to meet the needs of our buildings, however a single major donation to this fund has allowed us to be in this position and as such we would ask you to remember the Capital Campaign each month.

In summary, while 2009 continues to be a challenging economic time for everyone, we are confident the financial obligations of St. Johns will continue to be met by it’s parishioners. We would like to thank everyone for their generosity to date and we look forward to presenting a positive financial report at the end of the year.

Catholic Children’s Aid Society
“Let a Child Have Faith in You – Foster Home Campaign”
Each Year in the Catholic community there are hundreds of children that need to leave their family home and be placed in foster care. At any given time, there are more than 1,100 children and youth unable to live with their parents due to parental illness, abandonment, child abuse or neglect. The Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto depends on living foster families to provide safe and nurturing homes for these vulnerable children and youth.

Sadly there are not enough foster homes to accommodate these children. In the words of Archbishop Thomas Collins: “I Strongly believe that more Catholic families would be open to caring for foster children if they were aware of this urgent need for foster homes. I am inviting you to seriously consider fostering, and reflect on the benefits the experience can bring to your family and vulnerable children in the community.”

If you would like more information about making a difference please contact the Catholic Children’s Aid Society at 416 395-1590 or visit www.ccas.toronto.on.ca

St. John’s Visiting Ministry
The Visiting Ministry of our Parish needs many new volunteers in all departments to take care of the increase of our sick and handicapped, e.g.- Southlake Regional Health Centre, which has increased in size and departments – to take Holy Communion and visit sick and suffering patients of our Region.
 

Our Nursing Homes & Senior Residences -to help conduct Communion Services and visit the sick and lonely who are unable to attend these services, bringing Holy Communion to them in their rooms.
Home Visitations – to take Holy Communion to all of our Parishioners who are shut-ins, sick, lonely, handicapped and aged.

Please respond to this vital and very necessary need for new Visiting Ministers – it may only take 1 or 2 hours of your time per week or month. Call the church office at 905 898-4137 and leave your name and contact information.
Thank you.
 

Parish Email List

All Parishioners who would be interested in receiving regular email updates from the parish are requested to print their email on their donation envelope.

We introduced music from the Mass of Glory into our liturgies in September of 2007. We'll be singing a couple of new songs in the coming months. Want to hear excerpts of the mass including the new songs? click here

The Collection
It is a familiar routine. A collection is taken up for a baby gift, a departing colleague or a local event. With varying degrees of willingness, we put our money in the basket and feel that we have done our duty.

That same invitation is made to us in an entirely different context every Sunday as we gather to offer God thanks and praise. During the liturgy of the word, we listen to the voice of God in the scriptures, proclaim our belief in the creed and offer prayers for the needs of the church and the world. Then a collection is taken up.

It is commonly understood that the money given during the collection will be used to support the ongoing work of the church. This includes setting aside a portion of those funds to be used directly for those in need. But in this age of credit cards and automatic fund transfers, isn’t there a more efficient way to do this?

If it were only a matter of paying the bills, yes, there are probably simpler ways to collect money. But our monetary contributions are more than just financial transactions; they symbolize our willingness to place our lives at God’s disposal and to be ourselves transformed into the body and blood of Christ. The act of bringing our hard-earned money (in cash or cheque or pre-authorized giving card, in an envelope or not) and placing it in the basket together is a ritual sign of the real offering that will happen when the priest invites us, “Lift up your hearts,” and we respond, “We have lifted them up to the Lord.”

Clearly, such a vision is beyond the realm of simple accounting. The pooling of our resources is a preparation for the pooling of our lives in loving service to one another and to the poor.

Copyright © 1997 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago IL 60622-1101; 1-800-933-1800. Text by Kathy Luty. Art by Luba Lukova.

Rose of Sharon Services for Young Mothers

is a not-for-profit, charitable organization providing support and educational services to pregnant and parenting young women under the age of 25 across York Region. Since 1985, we have given young mothers the opportunity to work towards their goals in a supportive, learning-centered environment while parenting their young children.
If you are a community minded individual, passionate about the importance of supporting young mothers, and willing to take on a leadership role, consider serving on our Board of Directors and Committees. We are currently recruiting individuals with backgrounds in human services, healthcare, business or finance, who live in York Region and can embrace our mission. For further information visit our website at www.therose.ca. To request an information package, please contact Anna Pavan, Executive Director or Rita Proctor, Business Manager at 905-853-5514.

Finding Our Place
Why do we fill up the seats in church from the back to the front? Maybe it’s piety: We sit in the back because, aware of our many failings, we don’t feel worthy to draw near. Maybe it’s culture: We sit in the back because our mothers taught us never to claim the best seats or make ourselves the center of attention. Maybe it’s selfish: We want to be able to skip out early. Whatever the reason, it causes a practical problem: The front seats are always empty, creating a gulf between the Lord’s table and the Lord’s people. And latecomers stand in the back rather than march up to the front where everyone can see that they’re late.

Let’s show some hospitality here! Let’s fill the church up from the front to the back, leaving the back rows for those who come later or late. And let’s fill each row from the center: If you’re the first one in a row, don’t hug the end (unless you’re a minister and will need to get in and out). Move into the middle so that others may come and sit beside you.
Filling in the front seats first isn’t proud or arrogant. It’s part of the ministry of hospitality that all of us who are baptized are called to exercise. It’s a simple act of kindness that helps the church to gather better around its Lord, so that we may give God thanks and praise.

Copyright © 1997 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago IL 60622-1101; 1-800-933-1800. Text by David Philippart. Art by Annika Nelson.

Picture: the back pews of St. John.

Liturgy of the Word for Children

Have you ever wondered exactly what is happening when the children leave the main assembly and go into the gathering room during mass? They are doing the same thing as we who remain in our seats are doing ... celebrating the Liturgy of the Word.  We know that the church desires "full, conscious and active participation" in the liturgy on the part of "all the faithful."  However, we realize that the ordinary manner of celebrating the Liturgy of the Word, is usually not suitable for children.  The language is too difficult.  The content, incomprehensible.  So we provide an alternate version of the liturgy of the Word which is simplified for the developmental needs of children between the ages of 3-8 years.  It is not Bible study, Catechism class, craft time or a babysitting service to keep the Church quiet so the rest of the assembly can hear the Word. We celebrate the Liturgy of the Word with children so that they, also can fully encounter God's love and presence in their lives through the proclamation of the Word who dwells among us.  The men, women and young adults who lead the liturgy have been trained and fully screened through our volunteer screening programme.
 
Who can attend?  Anyone who wants to attend may attend.  Usually children under 3 are not quite old enough, but there is no particular "upper limit" of age. 
 

Do I need to sign up?  No, just join the group when they are called forth from the assembly.
May I go in with my child until they are comfortable?  Absolutely. 
 

How come Children's Liturgy doesn't seem to be offered consistently at every mass?  Simple answer... we need more volunteers.   We cannot ask the same people to lead every week, so if we have no one available, we cannot offer the liturgy. 
 

Can I help?  Definitely!  We try to offer Children's Liturgy at every mass, but are limited by the number of volunteers we have.  So please consider helping out if you can.

 
What is the time commitment?  We ask that you volunteer about once a month. Preparation takes about an hour per session.  You need to arrive about 20 minutes before mass to set up and, of course, leading the session.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Christine Way Skinner at the parish centre.

St. John's Parish Band
The band is looking for any of the following musicians and instruments: saxophone, flute, oboe, clarinet, recorder, trumpet, bass guitar. Get the word out! See David after mass if you are interested in trying out for the band. Come and be part of our "making a joyful noise".

- see the poster - click the picture thumbnail

Newmarket Food Pantry
Give Big or a little, and then go home happy knowing you did something good!

A long standing tradition here at St. John’s is to bring food to the church on the first Sunday of the month. Our caretaker then takes the groceries to the Newmarket Food Pantry who distributes to the needy of our community on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

In the spirit of Oprah’s Big Give, imagine if each person who attended church brought one item to church next week. How much food could we collect?

Children’s Liturgy
Thanks to all the volunteers who help to make the Children’s Liturgy such a great success. However, we are always in need of more people to volunteer as leaders and assistants. This is a great way for the students in high school to do their community service hours. Training will be provided. If you can assist us in this Ministry, even once per month, please call Mary Antonio at 905-868-9406. This is a wonderful way to serve your community which requires only a small time commitment.
 

Canadian Catholic Organization for

Development and Peace
The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace was launched in 1967 by Canada’s Catholic Bishops. It is the official Canadian Catholic overseas development organization, with a twofold purpose: to educate Canadians about North-South issues, and to support initiatives by people in the developing countries of the South.

Development and Peace has helped improve living and working conditions in 70 countries around the globe. They also help channel emergency relief abroad for natural disasters and other human tragedies. For more information about Development & Peace and ShareLife’s other 33 agencies, visit the ShareLife website at: www.sharelife.org

 

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ADDITIONAL PARISH INFORMATION
visit St. John's CCSYR webpage	Catholic Community Services of York Region The parish has Settlement Workers working out of the parish office Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Immigrant programs and services as well as settlement and counselling services are offered. All services are confidential and free; there is a sliding scale fee for counselling. However donations are welcome. For more information please contact Zully Zambrano or Boonnhong Dara at 905-898-4137 ext 229. Toll Free 1800-263-2075 Ext. 224 or 223. For Counselling services you can contact Doug Loweth at Toll Free: 1800-263-2075 Ext. 230
One of our younger parishioners has started a facebook group for St. John's Parish. Check it out! www.facebook.com
	2009 Donation Envelopes There are over 200 donation envelopes still not assigned at the parish office. If you wish to start using envelopes please stop by the office 9 am – 8:30 pm during the week and we will assign you a box.
	Support St. John's Parish ... with our Pre-Authorized Giving Plan: it makes giving easier and more convenient, reduces office paper work, no envelopes if you choose, continual parish support when you are away. You may click the button below to open the form. To save it on your computer, right click the button, and choose "save target/link as". Fill out the form and drop it in the collection basket or mail it to the parish office. Thank you for your support!
	St. John's Parish Band The band is looking for any of the following musicians and instruments: drummer, saxophone, flute, oboe, clarinet, recorder, trumpet, guitar, and bass guitar.   See David after mass if you are interested in trying out for the band. Come and be part of our "making a joyful noise".   - see the band poster - click the picture thumbnail on the left
	Newmarket Food Pantry: is always in need of your food donations. We remind parishioners that  you can drop off food in the bins at your favourite grocery store. The Newmarket Food Pantry is located at 460 Botsford St. (old Town Hall rear entrance across from the Newmarket public library)   Hours: Monday 9:30am - 11:30am, Wednesday 9:00 - 11:00am, Friday 9:30am - 11:30am   Please remember the parish monthly food drive is on the first Sunday of the month.
	Companion Servers & Hospital Communion Visitors: We invite all adults of the parish to share the Eucharist with the elderly and sick of our parish by taking communion to the hospital, retirement homes and shut-ins. Training and guidance are provided. Your commitment would be weekly, monthly, or fill in when others are unavailable. Please call Father Miro to volunteer
	Celebrating Sunday Mass Each Sunday our God calls us together. God invites us to listen to the word as it is spoken to us; to give praise and thanks to the one who saves us; to be nourished with the eucharistic food; and to go back to our daily life with new strength and love. The Canadian Bishops have produced and online leaflet about celebrating the Sunday Mass. Many ways of taking part in the Mass are described in this leaflet. By doing them well each Sunday we can increase our full and active participation. You will find links to this information on the parish website, on the Mass Schedule page and Site Map.

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