Mass Schedule�Weekday: Monday�Thursday 8:00am & First Friday�Weekend: Saturday 4:30pm�

Sunday 8:00am & 10:00am�

�

Sacrament of Reconciliation �Saturday at 3:30pm and following 4:30pm Mass��

Parish House�1321 Whittemore Rd., Middlebury, CT 06762�Tel.: 203�758�2659�Fax: 203�577�6464�Hours: Monday � Thursday � �

� 9:00am�12:30pm and 1:00pm�3:30pm�

� �

Email: st.john@snet.net�Website: stjohnofthecrosschurch.org��

Pastor�Rev. Lawrence Symolon�Email: pastor@stjohnofthecrosschurch.org��

Religious Education Staff�Hours Monday �Thursday: 9:00am�1:00pm�

Tel: 203�758�1346��

Mrs. Annette Williams�Coordinator of Grades 1�8�Email: annette@stjohnofthecrosschurch.org��

Mrs. Jacqueline Beauvais�Coordinator of Grades 9�12�Email: jackiebeauvais@stjohnofthecrosschurch.org��

Parish Staff�Mrs. Donna Ryan, Parish Secretary�Mrs. Helen Kramer, Pastor’s Assistant��

Music�Mr. Allan Dabkowski, Director of Music��

Head Ushers�Mr. Robert C. Desmarais, Sr.�Mr. Paul Babarik��

Parish Trustees�Ronald Vitarelli�Lori Zionkowski�

Mission Statement�We, the parish family of St. John of the Cross, are a Catholic Christian Community dedicated to sharing our faith and deepening our love of the Lord Jesus Christ. Proclaiming God’s Word through the celebration of Mass and the Sacraments is central to our identity. We strive through the ministries of the Church and the gifts of the Holy Spirit to nurture our faith in prayer, religious education and serving other needs within and outside our parish family.��

The Rite of Christian �Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.)�

The process which welcomes adults into the Roman Catholic Church and brings uncatechized Catholics into full Communion with the Church. Anyone interested in learning more about R.C.I.A., please feel free to contact Father Symolon.��

Baptisms�Couples requesting Baptism for their children must be registered in the parish and attend one Baptism preparation session. Baptisms are scheduled at 11:15am on the first Sunday of each month.��

Marriage�According to Canon Law, marriages are to be celebrated in the parish Church of the bride or groom. Arrangements are to be made at least six months in advance. Please contact Father Symolon at the Parish House.�

Not registered? Visit our Parish House dur-ing office hours and become an important addition to our parish family and part of a warm and supportive community of faith.

Welcome!

St. John of the Cross is a Catholic Christian

Community, dedicated to sharing our faith

and deepening our love of the Lord Jesus Christ.

St. John of the Cross Parish Roman Catholic Church

LOVE GOD, LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS, MAKE DISCIPLES�

�

PASTOR: Rev. Lawrence Symolon � Deacon Michael J. Walsh � Deacon Stephen L. Savarese�

S�. J��� � �� C�� C�����, M��������, CT�

SATURDAY, April 14�4:30PM� Edith Covino (7th Anniversary)�� Req. by her family��

SUNDAY, April 15�8:00AM � Raymond Petrucci�� Req. by the ushers��

10:00AM � Elias Noujaim�

� Req. by his family��

MONDAY, April 16�8:00AM� Rev. Daniel J. Karpiey�� Req. by Koichi & Carolyn� �

�

TUESDAY, April 17�8:00AM � Daniel Carnese�� Req. by his wife Jean��

WEDNESDAY, April 18�8:00AM � Gerry Perrella�� Req. by Kay Flisher & Evelyn Slason��

THURSDAY, April 19�8:00AM� Jennie Poveromo�� Req. by Andy & Gerry Perrella� �

�

FRIDAY, April 20�

8:00AM � NO MASS��

SATURDAY, April 21�4:30PM� Geraldine Perrella�� Req. by her family��

SUNDAY, April 22�8:00AM � Michael Francis Simms & Joan Simms�� Req. by Ron & Marie Vitarelli��

10:00AM� Alan H. Dederick (17th Anniversary)�� Bill Daniels�� Req. by the Harold Dederick Family�

Mass Intentions

G@ABC BD GDE FGE BHI PFJ@CH��

Needed in Weekly Offertory:� � $ 8,183.00� �

April 8 Offertory:�� � � $ 4,454.97�April 8 Online Offertory:� � � $ 1,368.00�Peter’s Pence� � � � $ 1,280.00�Week of April 1 Candles:� � � $ 57.45��

QUESTION OF THE WEEK � ��

The resurrected Christ charges the disciples to be "witnesses" to the world of his suffering, death, and resur-rection. Who in your life models for you this divine com-mand? �

This Week at St. John of the Cross���

Wednesday, April 18�� Quilters, 9:00am�12:00pm, FFH*�� Women’s Group Meeting, 7:00pm, FFH*��

Thursday, April 19�� Rosary for Vocations, 8:30am, Church�� �

Saturday, April 21�� Confession, 3:30�4:00pm, Church�.��

Sandwich Team 7�

The Women’s Group will be collecting “Box Tops” found on grocery packages. They will be donated to Blessed Sacrament School in Waterbury. Please leave your donations in the container in the back of the Church on the side table. M��� � D!""�#�$%�!�

Family members for whom the Mass is being offered are invited to bring up the Offertory Gifts. If you choose to do so, please notify one of the ushers as you enter Church.�

�

The Women’s Group will meet on Wednesday, April 18th at 7:00pm in FFH. A “Quarter Auction” is planned for the evening. All are welcome!�

�

�

The flowers decorating the Sanctuary of the Lord were placed there in memory of Raymond Petrucci by the Father Loftus Council of the Knights of Columbus, of which, until his death, was a member for 35 years.�

The Little Sisters of the Poor will visit this weekend. There will be a collection for their Ministry. They serve the elderly poor in over 30 countries world wide and here in Enfield, CT. They appreciate your generosity!�

Annual Parish Tag Sale

Time to Clean out Your Attics, Basements, and Closets: Annual Parish Tag Sale Scheduled for June 9

We will be accepting donations at the Parish House during the month of May. Donations can be left in the garage between the hours of 8 and 5 Mondays through Saturdays and until 8 pm on Sundays.

Please no upholstered furniture, electronics or books. These items do not sell, but the transfer station will take them. If there are any ques-tions, please call Ellen Buckley at 203.598.0797 or email ellen-buc@msn.com

SACRED HEART ACADEMY TO HOST “EXPLORE SACRED HEART ACADEMY”

SUNDAY, APRIL 29, FROM 1:00 P.M. TO 2:30 P.M.

Hamden-Sacred Heart Academy, an independent Catholic college preparatory school for young women in grades 9-12 will host “Explore Sacred Heart Academy” on Sunday, April 29, from 1:00 P.M. to 2:30 P.M. at the school, 265 Benham St., Hamden.

Teachers, counselors, students, coaches, and admissions staff will be available to answer questions about the curriculum, the fine arts and athletic programs, co-curricular activities and guidance. Those inter-ested may visit the school any time between 1:00 P.M. and 2:30 P.M. Refreshments will be served.

T���� S����� � E� ���

Religious Education

Liturgy of the Word for Children�April 15�� 10:00am Mass� Grade 3��

First Communion Rehearsal�Wednesday, April 25th (4:00�5:30pm)��

Grade 7 & 8 Parent/Student Meeting�Sunday, April 29th (11:15 am at the Church)���

First Communion�Saturday, May 5th (10:00 am at the Church)

Youth Ministry News

Youth Ministry News (con’t)

�

Organ Fund Update: As of April 1, �Total donated to the Organ Fund! �

$ 22,731.00�Thank you for your�

generosity & support!�

Scholarship Applications�The applications for the Adam and Lillian Bozzuto Family Scholarship and the Knights of Columbus Scholarship can be found in the back of the church. All graduating seniors may apply for both scholarships. All applications must be submitted via US Mail, postmarked by �May 22nd. No applications �will be accepted after this �deadline. �

Parish News

Used Clothing Drive�Please consider helping out Mission Trip 2018�

�

We are collecting the following:�♦ Gently used clothing

♦ Linens (i.e. comforters, tablecloths, drapes, towels)

♦ Toys (including stuffed animals)

♦ Accessories (i.e. shoes, hats, boots, belts) �

They will not accept the following:�♦ electronics, CDS, DVDs, appliances, books, board games

St. John of the Cross Mission Trip team will�receive money for every pound we collect.�

Please put all items you are donating into tightly�tied plastic bags. Heavier toys can be put in boxes.�

Drop off in the parish house garage during the month of April. Last day to drop off is April 27th.�

Drop Off: ��

Monday � Friday 8:00am � 5:00 pm�

Saturday and Sunday 8:00am � 12:00 pm�

�

~~ Thank You ~~

Parish News

Catholic Quotes:��

Aspire not to have more, but to be more.��

�Oscar Romero �

Parish Council Nominations will take place over the next two weekends. There are nomination forms in each pew and pencils are provided for your convenience. Take a moment and think about the people in your life or maybe the people you know from this parish that really make a difference with the support they lend to various parish activities. Nominate up to four of them. Each nominee will be contacted and asked about their willingness to run for a three year term. Hand your completed forms to an usher or place in the collection basket. Elections will take place May 12/13.�

2018�2019 Religious Education Registration��

It is time to register for the 2018�2019 Religious Ed classes and our high school Confirmation Program. Registration is as follows:�� �

� At the Parish House (during the month of May)�� Monday thru Thursday 10:00 am � 12:30 pm�

� Additionally, May 7th from 6:00 pm � 7:00 pm�

�

� Father Fanning Hall�� After all Masses on May 19th and 20th��

*If your child is entering first grade or you are a new family registering for the first time, a copy of your child’s Baptism and First Holy Communion certificate is needed.�

Candy Drive � Youth Fundraiser��

Mission Trip 2018 will be holding a candy drive�Outside of Dinova’s Four Corners and�The Middlebury Transfer Station on�

Saturday, April 28�(rain date: Saturday, May 5)�

8:00 am � 12:00 pm�

Please support our youth!�

A���� 15, 2018�

Readings for the

�“everything

written about me in

the law of Moses and

in the prophets

and psalms must be

fulfilled ”�

Respect Life

Live the Liturgy � Inspiration for the Week��

Why are you troubled? Life can easily get the best of us. Anxiety, worry, doubt, and uneasiness are just some of the things that can trouble our hearts. Often we are troubled about temporal things. Sometimes our faith troubles us and we wonder where God may be. If we allow Jesus to open our minds so we can understand the Scriptures and the significance of his passion, death, and resur-rection, we can begin to trust that God's plan includes something much more than the current concern of our minds. Jesus can then become a light of revelation who helps us keep our lives in per-spective and persevere.

April 15, 2018�

Around the Archdiocese

Pray For . . .

REMEMBER THOSE WHO ARE SERVING…�

God, keep special watch over these men and women serving in the Navy, National Guard, Army, Marine Corps., Air Force, Coast Guard: R. Jay C., Alicia C., Scott D., Patrick D. E., �

Miles G., Jeremy G., Michael I., Patrick P., �Brandon S., Julian S., Matthew Wynne�

Middlebury Food Bank�Suggestions for next week: �

Coffee & Sugar�Thank You. God Bless!�

Sunday: Acts 3:13�15, 17�19/Ps 4:2, 4, 7�8, 9 [7a]/1 Jn 2:1�5a/Lk 24:35�48��

Monday: Acts 6:8�15/Ps 119:23�24, 26�27, 29�30 [1ab]/Jn 6:22�29��

Tuesday: Acts 7:51�8:1a/Ps 31:3cd�4, 6 and 7b and 8a, 17 and 21ab [6a]/Jn 6:30�35��

Wednesday: Acts 8:1b�8/Ps 66:1�3a, 4�5, 6�7a [1]/Jn 6:35�40��

Thursday: Acts 8:26�40/Ps 66:8�9, 16�17, 20 [1]/Jn 6:44�51��

Friday: Acts 9:1�20/Ps 117:1bc, 2 [Mk 16:15]/Jn 6:52�59��

Saturday: Acts 9:31�42/Ps 116:12�13, 14�15, 16�17 [12]/Jn 6:60�69��

Next Sunday: Acts 4:8�12/Ps 118:1, 8�9, 21�23, 26, 28, 29 [22]/1 Jn 3:1�2/Jn 10:11�18 �

Please pray for our sick at home, in hospitals and convales-cent homes, especially: Peter Abate, Mary Arpaia, Paul Ba-barik, Carolyn Barbieri, Ellen Barrett, Al Berardelli, Anna Berardelli, Michael Berardelli, Jenn Bona, Mary Brezak, Jewel Brice, Judy Bridges, Frank Calabro, Anna M. Carrano, Virginia Cartiglia, Louise Cassella, Mark Cavallero, Patti DeLandro, An-nie DeLeonibus, Dr. Bart DePetrillo, Betsy Desmarais, Liam Dwyer, Kristen Fedor, Andre Frey�Thomas, Claire Fulham, Mi-chael Gargoni, Jean Pierre Girard, Bernadette Greatorex, Cora Guerin, Juanito Josef, Art Johnson, Violet Kelly, Jacqueline Kliese, John & Regina Kotchian, John Krejci, Msgr. David Lip-tak, Michael Lombardi, Thomas MacDonald, Joseph Martino, Dick Mascoli, Thomas Monteleone, Lynn Musto, Leigh O’Brien, Donna Orsatti, Lou Orsini. Alicia Ostar, Samantha O’Sullivan, Marilyn Perin, Barbara Phelan, Greg Phelan, Evelyn Poremba, Rosa Maria Santos, Robert Swift, Anthony Sylvester, Ana Valle, Christine Walz, Don & Patricia Watterworth & John Weyant.��

Please call the Parish House at 203�758�2659 or email st.john@snet.net with names of the sick for inclusion in the weekly bulletin or if someone on this list may be removed.�

2018 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal��

The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal changes life through service. In addition to assisting the underserved of our communities, your gift help those discerning a vocation to the priesthood. Your gift to the Appeal is an investment in the future of our Church and our faith.�Thank you to the parish families who have made a gift or pledge to the 2018 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. If you have not yet participated, please prayerfully consider a gift today. Please know that every dollar of your gift will have a positive impact in someone’s life.�

As we continue to celebrate our Lord’s glorious Resurrection during the Easter Season, we are invited to renew ourselves spiritually, to reflect on God’s immense love for us, and to reconcile with a loving Father who longs for greater involvement in our lives. The demands on our time can be so burdensome in today’s culture that we often find it difficult to find time for God. As followers of Jesus Christ, each of us has been called to do our part to transform the world into a better place. The world would be a better place if each of us worked to end abortion.

Lourdes in Litchfield April Events

♦ April 12-15th/Semi-annual Tag Sale Stop by the Pilgrim Hall and select from the great deals you can find in their twice yearly tag sale. More info at www.shrinect.org

♦ April 29/Monthly celebration of the Sacrament of the Sick after Mass. This is the last Sunday of the winter schedule. After this Sunday, the schedule of Sunday Mass is 11:30AM in the Grotto.�

Please pray for the homeless…�

“I used to pray that God would feed the hungry , or do this or that, but now I pray that He will guide me to do�

what I’m supposed to do, what I can do. I used to pray for �answers, but now I’m praying for strength. I used to �

believe that prayer changes things but now I know �that prayers changes us and we change things���

Mother Teresa��

A note from Donna Finneran (Brian O’Connell Project)�“Thank you so much for your contribution to make Brian Bags. With so many worthy organizations out there the fact that you selected us to support is fantastic. Thank you and we appreciate what you have done to help us.�

God Bless, Donna Finneran�