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ADVENT III SUNDAY (Dec 17)
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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
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Televised Mass for the Homebound and Shut-Ins: We will be filming
Masses for the shut-ins on Tuesday, December 19th, at 9:00 am in the church.
We ask anyone that is available at that time to come join us in celebrating the
4th Sunday of Advent and the Sunday of “The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and
Joseph” with the homebound of the Archdiocese of Mobile.
Special Prayers requested for Isabel Rel with Pneumonia and Dr. Reggie
Stewart who is preparing to undergo surgery for a fractured bone in the foot.
Live Nativity: (Christmas program by children): This Saturday and on
Christmas Eve, the Youth of Saint Johns will be hosting a Live Nativity for
the parish and community. It will start at 4:30pm this Saturday, and resume
after mass at 6pm. Please send your kids for rehearsal at 8-45 am this
Sunday.
Advent Reconciliation Service: Advent reconciliation service
(Confession) will be conducted in our church on next Wednesday
at 7 pm. Three priests will be in the confessionals. Please
participate in it and receive the sacrament of Reconciliation to
cleanse and prepare our hearts and lives for Jesus to be reborn in
us during Christmas this year.
Church roofing: Please pray for the successful completion of the
replacement of our 45-year-old sheets on the church roof with brand new
sheets. The replacement began on Dec 14th and will continue as soon as the
weather permits.
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Make Advent season fruitful by participating in the
weekday Masses from 7-45am in the rectory chapel and spending half an
hour of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesdays starting
at 7-30 am
Congratulations and special thanks to Ambre Cauley for being
recognized by Ingalls Shipbuilding as an employee in support of the
Shipbuilding Political Action Committee. In appreciation and thanks for
her commitment to the committee, Ingalls had donated $500.00 to St. John
the Baptist Catholic Church in her name. We appreciate the gift and
again say thanks and well done.
Prayer for speedy healing requested: Your fervent prayers are
requested for the post-surgery healing of Sarah Thornton, Terry Roberts,
Virginia Gable, Joe Gable, and Tiffany Fontenot.
Birthdays this week: Dec. 16th: Carol Voss, 17th: Lynda
Jones, 21st: Sylvia Gray, Known Wedding Anniversaries: 21st: Carol and
Terry Roberts
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ALTAR CARE: DECEMBER
Ruth Pigorsch
CHURCH CLEANING – DEC 23, 24
Ruth Pigorsch
Dec 16-22
16th: --------------------------- For the eternal repose of the souls of deceased
parishioners
17th: --------------------------- For the intentions of all members of the parish
18th, 19th, 20, 21st & 22nd: ----- For the eternal repose of the souls of deceased
relatives/friends of Gloria & Charles Krause
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Extraordinary Minister Schedule for December 23 & 24, 2017
Mass
Altar
Servers
(Green
Cincture)
EMCH
Lectors Ushers
Saturday
Dec. 23,
2017 5:00
pm
Volunteers
Kathie
Sema
Steve
Sema, Jr.
Andre
Grah
am
Jay
Grah
am
Paul Pigorsch, Wayne Jackson
Eugene Poiroux, Al Hurd
Sunday
Dec. 24,
2017 10:00
am
Volunteers
Maria
Switzer
Daryl
Kirchoff
John
McBride
Tiffany
Teofilo
Ruth Riddick
Tom Thornton, 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.
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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/
3) Video catechism for the youth: http://vcat.org/
4) Mathew Kelly videos: https://youtu.be/2MV-
ORHc0oo?list=PLZisXcLIZva7pP_zkApX1c6D67PuRuQON
Remember the sick brothers and sisters in
your prayers: Grant Jones, Cindy Smith, Holly Raymond, Bo
Roderick, Bo Roderick, Glenn Boney, Charlena Hetrick, Ty Teofilo,
Chris Brown, Aubreigh Nichols, Stacy Moore, Ann Vick, Catherine
Kostyk, Richard Voss, 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 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
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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,
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,
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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.
1) Bishop Barron’s homily (Advent III): https://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/rejoice-pray-
give-thanks/5668/
2) Fr. Bill Grimm homily (Advent III):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=64&v=KoDAQh0hOUk
3)St. Paul Media (Advent III): https://youtu.be/hdbaziT56wA
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Synopsis of Advent III Gaudete Sunday (Dec 17) John 1:6-8, 19-28 :
Introduction: The third Sunday of Advent is called “Gaudete Sunday”
because the Mass for today (in its original Latin text), begins with the
opening antiphon: “Gaudete in Domino semper” --“Rejoice in the Lord
always.” To remind ourselves that we are preparing for the very joyful
occasion of the birth of Jesus, we light the rose candle, and the priest
may wear rose vestments. The common theme of the day’s Scripture
readings is one of joy and encouragement. The readings urge us to
make the preparations required of us as we await the rebirth of Jesus
in our hearts and lives. Holy Scripture reminds us that the coming of
Jesus, past, present and future, is the reason for our rejoicing.
Scripture lessons: The Prophet Isaiah, in the first reading,
encourages the Jewish exiles returning from Babylon to rejoice because
their God, Yahweh, is their strong Guide, Provider and Protector. In
today’s Responsorial Psalm (Luke 1:46 ff.) Mary rejoices in the great
blessing given to her by exclaiming: "My soul glorifies the Lord, my
spirit finds joy in God my Savior." St. Paul, in the second reading,
advises the Thessalonian Christians to “rejoice always” by leading
blameless, holy and thankful lives guided by the Holy Spirit, because
Christ’s second coming is near, and he is faithful in his promise to
reward them. Today’s Gospel tells us that John the Baptist came to
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bear witness to Jesus as the Light of the world. The Baptizer wants all
the Jews to rejoice because the long-expected Messiah, as the light of
the world, will remove the darkness of sin from the world. We rejoice
at the humility of John the Baptizer who tells the Sanhedrin members
challenging him that he is unworthy even to become the slave of Jesus
the Messiah. We also rejoice in the sincerity and commitment of John
who spent himself completely in preparing people for the long-
awaited messiah. We have an additional reason to rejoice because, like
John the Baptizer, we, too, are chosen to bear witness to Christ Jesus,
the Light of the world.
Life message 1) We need to bear witness to Christ the Light. Our
mission as brothers and sisters of Christ and members of his Church is
to reflect Christ’s Light to others, just as the moon reflects the light of
the sun. It is especially important during the Advent season that we
reflect Christ’s sharing love and his unconditional forgiveness. There
are too many people who live in darkness and poverty, and who lack
real freedom because of their evil addictions and bad choices. There
are others who are deafened and blinded by the cheap attractions of
the world. Many others feel lonely, unwanted, rejected, and
marginalized. Let us bring the true Light of Christ to illumine the lives
of all these brothers and sisters during this Advent season through our
sharing love, overflowing mercy, unconditional forgiveness and
humble service. We will be able to accomplish this witnessing mission
of radiating Christ’s Light only by repenting of our sins, asking God’s
pardon every day and renewing our lives by our daily prayers, by
frequenting the Sacrament of Reconciliation, by attending and taking
part in the Eucharistic celebration, by reading the Bible daily in
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meditative, prayerful fashion and by performing the corporal and
spiritual works of mercy where we see these are needed.
Question of the week: Was Jesus born on Dec 25th, AD 1 or Jan
6th, 4th BC? The Bible does not specify a date or month or year. The
traditional belief is that Jesus was born on January 6th, 4 BC shortly
before the death of Herod the Great in 4 BC. The four earliest Christian
writers who report the date of Jesus' birth are Irenaeus (late second
century), Clement of Alexandria (about AD 200), Tertullian (early third
century), and Africanus (early third century). Africanus specifies the
date in terms that can be understood as BC 2 or 3. Luke 3:1 and Luke
3:23 suggest that Jesus turned age thirty in the fifteenth year of
Tiberius (AD 29). Hence, many early Christians deduced by calculation
that Jesus was born in 2 BC. Month and date: Several considerations
strengthen the probability that 6th January was the actual birthday of
Christ. Clement of Alexandria’s testimony proves that the association
of Christ's birth with 6 January was a tradition rooted century earlier,
perhaps in the early church itself, perhaps even in historical fact.
Before the church as a whole fixed the date of the Nativity as 25th
December, the generally accepted date in the Eastern church and
possibly also in the Western church was 6 January. In fact, no tradition
linking Christmas to 25 December can be traced back beyond the time
of Constantine. In 336 the church at Rome officially observed the "birth
day of Christ" on Dec. 25th. The most important reason to fix Jesus’
birth on Dec 25th was that it was the Roman feast of the Sun god
celebrated in the pagan Roman Empire. Replacing the pagan feast
with Christmas was also a ploy to make Christianity, the newly official
religion of the Roman Empire, more palatable to Roman soldiers,
many of whom had been devotees of the Roman virility god Mithra
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whose birthday was also celebrated on Dec 25th. Besides, the first day
of Hanukka (the Jewish festival of light) was on December 25th. Hence
it is a theologically sound date for Jesus' birth when we consider that
every other major event in the unfolding of His redeeming work also
fell on a feast day. He died on Passover, He rose again on the Feast of
First fruits, and He created the church on Pentecost (Acts 2).
Pope Francis tweets: We become holy when we work for others.
When we do so, we continue the creative action of God in history.
Even if there were no one else left to remember us, Jesus would always
be there at our side. I encourage all of you to live the joy of your
mission by witnessing to the Gospel wherever you are called to live
and work. Christians are called to work concretely in the realities of
this world, illuminating them with the light that comes from God.
Thank you for following @Pontifex which turns five years old today.
May social media always be spaces that are rich in humanity! We ask
for the grace to make our faith more and more operative through acts
of charity. Political activity must truly be conducted at the service of
the human person, with respect for creation and for the common good.
We must fight corruption with determination. It is an evil based on the
worship of money and it offends human dignity. May the Virgin Mary
always be our refuge, our consolation, and the way that leads to
Christ. The most holy name of God can never be invoked to justify
hatred and violence against other human beings. The love of Christ is
like a “spiritual GPS” that guides us unerringly towards God and
towards the heart of our neighbor. I want my visit to embrace all the
people of Myanmar and to encourage the building of an inclusive
society. Let us look to Jesus today and say to Him in our hearts:
"Remember me, Lord, now that you are in your Kingdom!" As I
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prepare to visit Myanmar and Bangladesh, I wish to send a message of
greeting and friendship to everyone. I can't wait to meet you! There is
also hope for those who have done wrong. Jesus came for this: it is
possible to be reconciled with God and begin a new life. At the end of
time, when the Lord comes to meet us, our joy will be immense. We
live in anticipation of this encounter! When we encounter others, do
we bring them the warmth of charity or do we stay closed up and
warm only ourselves before our fireplace? May Mary's pure and
simple smile be a source of joy for each one of us as we face life’s
difficulties. Let us work together to ensure that children continue to
smile: their faces serene, filled with joy and hope. On this day, I invite
the entire Church to keep its gaze fixed on those who hold out their
hands asking for our solidarity. We need to encounter the poor and
learn how to share so that it becomes a way of life. Poverty is not an
accident. It has causes that must be recognized and removed for the
good of so many of our brothers and sisters. Faith is a great life
companion, allowing us to feel the presence of a Father who never
leaves His creatures alone. Nothing and nobody can block the light
that Christ puts in our hearts and on the face of His friends. A
Christian can never be a pessimist! We cannot change the world alone,
but together we can spread the joy of the Gospel by staying close to
those most in need. Let us remember in our prayers all those who,
with dedication and spirit of sacrifice, care for those who are ill.
Science expresses its full dignity when it serves the integral
development of the person and the human family. May a culture of
encounter always be promoted that is able to bring down the walls
which still divide the world. Only faith can transform the end of our
earthly life into the beginning of eternal life.
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The Pope's Intention for December 2017: The Elderly: That the elderly, sustained by families and Christian communities, may apply their wisdom and experience to spreading the faith and forming the new generations.
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.
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
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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!
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.
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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.
The New Church blessed and consecrated by Bishop May on June 18, 1972
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Consecration of the first St. John the Baptist Catholic church in Grand Bay on November 16, 1924
By Bishop Allen
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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.