1
O. T. XXVI SUNDAY (October 1)
,
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Phone: 251-865-6902 P. O. Box 417, Grand Bay, AL 3641 Fax: 251-865-1412
Email: [email protected] Parish website: www.StJohnGrandBay.org Pastor:
Fr. Anthony Kadavil ([email protected]) Secretary:
Rev. Deacon Billy Graham
Parish Council Chair Person: Mr. Bill Schaffer
Finance Council President:
Mrs. Paula Dyess
Sunday School Coordinator: Mrs. Tiffany Teofilo
Youth Director: Mrs. Karen Day
2
Respect Life, choose life Rosary parade: Our Youth Group
and Ladies Sodality are organizing a rosary prayer parade in
front of the church on October ist Sunday at 2 pm, with the
active participation of the Golden Group and the Ladies
Auxiliary, and Knight of Columbus, publicly pledging their
support for the ant-abortion, pro-life activities of our
archdiocese. All our parishioners are requested to come and
participate.
Baby Shower: Immediately following the rosary there will be a
baby shower, given by the Altar Sodality, to provide items
needed by the Save-A-Live organization. You can bring items
before if you will not be able to attend the shower.
Second Collection this weekend is for the church “Maintenance
Fund.”
Confirmation Class for this month is this Wednesday, October
4th, at 7 pm.
Televised Holy Mass in our church for shut-in's will be filmed
at St John's on Tuesday, October 3rd, at 9 am. If you are
available please come and join in the Mass and help make this a
joyful celebration for the homebound.
3
\
The Golden Group is planning a pilgrimage to attend the 9:00 am Mass at St.
Joseph's, in downtown Mobile on Sunday October 8th. St. Joseph's is closing
in January 2018 after 160 years as a parish in Mobile. St. Joseph's is a beautiful
facility rich in sacred treasures. This will be our October meeting, we plan to
have brunch at Spot of Tea on Dauphin Street after Mass. If you are
interested in joining our journey or want to carpool to St. Joseph's, please call
Wesey Dixon at (251) 865-3325, before October 8th, we need to get a headcount
to reserve space for our group at Spot of Tea for brunch. We look forward to
seeing everyone at St. Joseph's for the Mass, as we say good bye to this
historical facility.
Deacon Graham will be out of the office beginning October 7th and returning
October 20th as he travels to visit his sisters and his old mother in Georgia and
Tennessee.
Volunteer Signup Sheets will be in the vestibule after Masses for the next
two weeks. Volunteers of all skill levels and ages are needed for some of the
items on our maintenance list. If you can lift fifteen pounds, clean, operate
basic tools, provide drinks, cook, or even make sandwiches you have skill
enough to help. Everyone’s time and skills are greatly appreciated. Within
the next two weeks the dates of when the projects will be started will be
announced. Again, thank you very much for help!
Fatima centenary adoration: As a part of the 100th year celebration of
Fatima apparitions in all parishes of our archdiocese, we will have a One
Hour Public Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in our church on the 13th of
October (Friday) from 6-7 pm.
4
Ministers of the Mass schedule for October is on the table in the church
hall. Please take a copy
Prayer for speedy healing requested: Your fervent prayers are requested
for the post-surgery healing of Sara Thornton, Terry Roberts, Virginia Gable,
Joe Gable, and Tiffany Fontenot.
Sunday school classes & Youth program started in September:
Pre-K thru 12th Grade CRE classes for the 2017-2018 began on Sunday,
September 10th from 8:45-9:45 am, In the Education Building.
Registration forms will be available in the church hall this Sunday,
August 20th. Please contact Tiffany Teofilo at 251-583-8381 or by email
at [email protected] if you have any questions or would like to
consider volunteer opportunities.
Special thanks to Avis Garret and
Jack Wright for trimming the hedges at the Boswell House, a second day and
Jerome Kenny & Joan Kenny for cleaning the house and the garage.
.
5
Birthdays this week: 1st: Dylan Day, 4th: Billy Dixon,
5th: Steve Sema, Jr. No Known Anniversaries: 5th: Kerry and Michael
Ladnier
Sept 30- Oct 6
30th: --------------------------------- For the eternal repose of the souls of deceased
parish members
1st: --------------------------- For the intentions of all members of the parish
2nd & 3rd: -------------------- For the Benefactors of the Catholic Extension
Society
4th, 5th & 6th: ---------------- For the eternal repose of the soul of Robert
Broussard by Pam Bosarge
6
Extraordinary Minister Schedule for Oct. 7 & 8, 2017
Mass
Altar
Servers
(Green
Cincture)
EMCH
Lectors Ushers
Saturday Volunteers Volunteers Ann Jackson Al Hurd, Wayne Jackson
ALTAR CARE- OCTOBER
Ruth Pigorsch
CHURCH CLEANING – OCTOBER 7
Shirley Rasmussen & Ann Jackson
7
Oct. 7, 2017
5:00 pm
Colleen
Gray
Paul Pigorsch, Eugene Poiroux
Sunday
Oct. 8, 2017
10:00 am
Volunteers
Maria
Switzer
Matt
Johnson
Aaron
Poiroux
John
McBride
Daryl Kirchoff, Ruth Riddick
Mike Courtney, Avis Garrett
Please take your responsibility seriously. If you are interested in
serving as an Altar Server, Eucharistic Minister, and Lector or as an
Usher, please let Fr. Tony or the Office know of your willingness to
serve. We especially need Usher/Greeters for the Saturday Mass.
Videos of the week
1) Video reflections on daily gospel: http://www.usccb.org/bible/reflections/
2) Catholic doctrines in short videos: http://thatcatholicshow.sqpn.com/
Remember the sick brothers and sisters in
your prayers: Aubreigh Nichols, Kimberly Oswalt, Stacy Moore, Ann
Vick, Catherine Kostyk, Richard Voss, Susan Moran, Wayne Seymour,
Frances Walley, H. Sanders, Cora Grigsby, Patricia Davis, Maurine
Habley, Phillip Scott, Ray Thornton, Alice Skutack, Joe Whitson, Terry
Roberts, Cory Moncrief, Carolyn Collier, Bruce Dyess, Joe Gable,
Vicenta Obsenares, Rachel Vallas, Rick Joseph, Virginia Gable,
Harrand Broussard, Edgar Gunter, Victoria Porter, James Cauley, Betty
Cauley, Jonathan Cruz, Gennie Garret, Becky Thompson, Bob
8
Echement, Pat Bourne, Lilly Breaux, John Stein, James Wink, Mike
Wilson, Johnnie Tate, Carol Tate, Roger Young, Leyah White.
Pray for the deceased dear ones of the parish: Pray for the eternal
repose of the deceased members of the parish: Joe Penton, Richard
Boswell, Marian Poirier, Louis Poiroux, Louise Marchand, Carolyn
Bidlingmaer, Kenny Kirchoff, Voncille Hulcher, Mary Nicholas
Rambo, Paul Delmas, Cody Driskell, Evelyn Robison, Jean Mitchell,
Veretta Tulos, Jim Kimble, Lynn Poirier, Phillip Marchand, Sue
Kirchoff, Mary Sanders, Margaret Jackson, Catherine Schnadelbach,
Darlene Alexander, Patrick Marchand, Steve Sema, Sr., Mary
Marchand and Sis Marchand. Close relatives of our parishioners:
Judy Courtney, Regina La Force, Ronnie Moran. Russell Gray, Gerald
John Brannan, Emilee Voss, Former pastors: Rev. Monsignor Hugh
Maguire and Fr. Strejeski. Other priests and deacons and Sisters: Rev.
Msg. Joseph Jennings, Rev. Andrew J. Stauter, Rev. Walter Menig, Rev.
William Gorman, Deacon John Cretaro, Deacon Holscomb Pryor,
Deacon Marvin Johns, Sr. Maria Bernarda Kadavil and other deceased
relatives and friends. Pray for our former parishioners serving in the
Armed Forces: Travis Wilson, SPC Jackson Triston, Jr., Captain Will
Hurd, Bryant Bailey & Zachery Bailey.
To schedule a meeting or event using parish facilities you must
check the calendar or contact the office to be sure the date and room is
available. You must have approval from the office for any scheduled
events.
Items for Soldiers’ needs: Please don’t forget to bring items for
soldiers’ needs: Shaving cream, disposable razors, solid deodorant,
9
bars of soap/body wash, anti-bacteria cleaner, shampoo, tooth paste,
dental floss, personal handy-wipes, personal hygiene items for
women, foot powder, insect repellent, flea collars (they put them
around their ankles), chopstick, athlete’s foot powder/spray, sun block
lotion, sun shades, protective safety dust masks, socks, sweat
headbands, batteries (AAA, AA, C), DVD movies, cards, writing
tablets, paper, pens, envelopes, reading materials, snacks: cookies,
gum, crest, life-savers, mints, pudding, crackers, sardines, chicken,
tuna, salmon, jerky, peppermints, kool-aid, gatorade, tea/coffee. Put
items in the designated box in the Parish Hall
Help us to keep flowers at the altar: The
slotted wooden box on the glass table in the Parish Hall will receive donations for flowers. If you wish to give flowers for a specific remembrance or thanksgiving, there is a sign-up flower chart on the wall to the left of the front doors.
Bishop Barron’s homily: https://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/in-the-form-of-
god/5599/
Fr. Bill Grimm: https://youtu.be/oefH0e2F7Nsg
10
Synopsis: OT XXVI [A] Sunday (Oct 1) Homily on Mt 21: 28-32:
Introduction: Today’s Scripture passages warn us that it is our final
decision for or against God, that is, our choosing to obey Him
gracefully by doing His will or our choosing to go against His will,
which will decide our eternal reward or eternal punishment. As free
beings, it is we who choose our eternal destiny.
Scripture lessons: In the first reading, the Lord God, through His
prophet, Ezekiel, corrects the Jewish beliefs that children inherit the
guilt of their ancestors and are punished for it and that God is more
strict than merciful. God explains that His mercy overrules strict justice
and that He will punish us only for our sins, not for the sins of our
ancestors. Today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 25) appeals to God’s
compassion and mercy, begging Him to wipe away our sins and
extend mercy to us. The second reading, Paul’s Letter to the
Philippians, also affirms the truth that the final choice for God, made
by perfect obedience to Him, will be rewarded. Paul emphasizes the
fact that it is because of Christ’s obedience to God’s will by emptying
himself, taking human form and humbling himself by accepting death on
a cross that God the Father exalted Christ, bestowed on him the Name
above every other name, and made Jesus the recipient of universal
adoration. In the parable in today’s Gospel, a man with two sons tells
both to go out to work in the vineyard. The first son says he won’t go,
11
but later regrets it and works. The second son says he will go but does
not. In each case, it is the final decision that is more important. Jesus
teaches through this short parable that repentant tax-collectors and
prostitutes, represented by the first son who initially refused to go, will
make their way into the Kingdom of God before the chief priests and
the elders, represented by the second son in the parable. By their pride
and their refusal to obey God's call to repentance, the scribes and the
Pharisees are excluding themselves, while the tax-collectors and
sinners whom they despised are repenting of their sins and will be
accepted into God's Kingdom.
Life messages: (1) We need to do God’s will every day: Each one of
us is responsible to God for every one of our actions, and the just God
will punish or reward each individual according to our actions. Since
we are not sure about the moment of our death, our only guarantee of
dying in God's friendship is to live in that friendship always, saying
“Yes,” to God by doing His will.
2) It is never too late for us to repent, be converted and allow the
Holy Spirit to renew our life: If we have been disobedient to God in
our past life, we need to knock at the door of God’s mercy. God can,
and will, do for us what, in his mercy, He, did for the repentant tax-
collectors and harlots in the parable and in real life. Hence, every night
we need to repent of our sins and ask God’s pardon. If we are in
serious sin we also to be reconciled with God, the Church and our
brothers and sisters through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, in order
to be able to receive Jesus Holy Communion. Let us remember that it
is never too late for us to turn back to God.
12
Why do we observe Respect Life or
Sanctity of Life Sunday? We observe it to demonstrate that ending
human life by abortion, euthanasia, suicide, homicide, stem cell
research using embryo, genocide, unjust war, and acts of terrorism is
evil and sinful. Why? 1) The Bible teaches that life is a gift of God and
hence we have to respect it from womb to tomb. Based on the word of
God, the Church teaches that an unborn child from the moment of its
conception in its mother’s womb is precious because it carries an
immortal soul. 2) It is God’s commandment that we shall not kill.
(Exodus 20: 13: “You shall not kill.”). The circumstances of how the baby
was conceived do not change the evil of abortion: it is still a baby who
is killed. 3) International Law forbids the killing of innocent,
defenseless people. Abortion is the killing of a defenseless child in its
safest abode by its own mother, mostly for selfish motives. 4) Abortion
harms women physically, emotionally, psychologically, socially and
spiritually. Ninety-three percent of all abortions in America are
performed because of selfishness, just because someone doesn't want a
child! 5) Advocates of pro-choice follow a dangerous principle of far-
reaching consequences in the society. If it is justifiable to kill unwanted
children by abortion, then the old, the sick, the handicapped, the
mentally ill, and the retarded can also be killed.
Pope Francis tweets: If we are faithful to Christ and do good works,
we can spread the light of God’s hope. The Gospel invites us, first of
all, to answer to God, who loves us and saves us, and to recognize Him
in our neighbor. I appeal for peace and disarmament: in this world
13
wounded by violence, we need fraternity among peoples. Hope is the
virtue of a heart that does not close itself in darkness or remain locked
in the past, but looks towards the future. Let us work together to find
concrete solutions to help the poor, refugees, victims of modern forms
of slavery, in order to promote peace Let us find the courage to purify
our hearts by removing the rocks and thorns which choke the Word of
God. The more Jesus occupies the center of our lives, the more He
allows us to come out of ourselves and brings us closer to others.
Global action is needed in order to reduce pollution and at the same
time promote development in poorer countries. The Lord does not
leave us orphans: we have a Mother, the same one as Jesus. Mary takes
care of us and always defends us. In the Cross, our hope is reborn.
Hope born of the Cross is different from that of the world, because it is
born of the love of Jesus. War is the negation of all rights. Let us pray
for those who have the responsibility to avoid war between peoples. I
encourage world leaders to set aside partisan and ideological interests
and seek together the common good of all humanity. To “take the first
step” is, above all, to go out and meet others with Christ the Lord.
Charity helps us to know the truth and truth calls for acts of kindness.
Our contagious joy must be our first testimony to the closeness and
love of God. Today there are many who hunger for God, who hunger
for dignity. As Christians, we must help them to be satiated by God.
Truth is an inseparable companion of justice and mercy. Reconciliation
is consolidated by the contribution of all. It enables us to build the
future and makes hope grow. Dear young people, do not be afraid of
the future! Dare to dream big! Keep joy alive, a sign of a young heart
that has encountered the Lord. If you pay attention to the heart, you
will find you are close to the Lord and to others. The Gospel invites us
14
to answer, first and foremost, to God who loves us and saves us,
recognizing Him in our neighbor. “You made us unto Yourself, and
our heart is restless until it rests in you”. (St Augustine’s
“Confessions”). Today how many mothers shed tears, like St Monica,
so that their children will return to Christ!
The Pope's Intention for October 2017: Workers and the Unemployed: That all workers may receive respect and protection of their rights, and that the unemployed may receive the opportunity to contribute to the common good.
http://stjohngrandbay.org/ for Sunday Homilies, 194 - Questions & Answers and 56 - Faith Formation Lessons, introduction to all Bible books.
As parishioners at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church,
we are committed to know Christ better and make Him better
known.
To k-n-o-w, we are committed to
Keep connected to our parish community
Nurture the development of faith and knowledge of Christ
Offer to share the Holy Spirit’s gifts of time, talent and treasure
Worship through prayer, Mass and the Sacraments
In carrying out this mission, we will demonstrate the love that we have for God, by the community we create with each other and our response to the needs of our neighbor.
15
Parish prayer: Almighty Father, we humbly acknowledge that the
Body of Christ, the Church, is made up of people who believe in your
Son, Jesus Christ, and saved through his suffering, death and
resurrection. We ask for your paternal blessing to be Your visible life in
our world. Here in our parish church, we unite in worship, proclaim
your Word, celebrate the Eucharist and are sent forth to share Your love
and make disciples. Enable us to grow in faith, hope, love and service
that we may build a welcoming, friendly faith community. A
community that witnesses your Son’s life and mission after the life
example of Mary, the Mother of God, through the power of the Holy
Spirit. Amen.
to St. John’s with open hearts, open minds and
open doors.
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Grand Bay celebrates God’s
presence, grows in God’s grace, welcomes all people and reaches out
with God’s love. We try to be to be a vibrant community of faith where
all people feel they belong.
No matter what your present status in the Catholic Church, No matter
what your current family or marital situation, No matter what your
past or present religious situation, No matter your personal history,
age, background, race, etc., No matter what your own self-image or
esteem, you are invited, welcomed, accepted, loved and respected at
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Grand Bay!
16
We come together as a parish family to draw our life from the
Eucharist and other sacraments.
As believers, we participate fully, consciously and actively in the
liturgy of the Church and seek to spread the Good News of Jesus
Christ in word and action.
We commit ourselves to worship, education, stewardship and service
as we extend our hand to others in need and to those who wish to join
the church.
By the grace of God, after the example of Jesus Christ, and the
guidance of the Holy Spirit, we dedicate ourselves to accomplish our
mission within and beyond our community.
17
The New Church blessed and consecrated by Bishop May on June 18, 1972
Consecration of the first St. John the Baptist Catholic church in Grand Bay on November 16, 1924
By Bishop Allen
18
Photos of the great pastors who guided the destiny of our parish
are given above
Please visit St. John the Baptist Catholic parish website:
http://stjohngrandbay.org/ for the full text of the
Sunday homilies, Sunday bulletin, 56 Adult Faith Formation and RCIA Lessons &
introduction to all books of the Bible and 194 Question & Answer of the Week.