2302 W. CHURCH ST. | JOHNSBURG, IL 60051 | (815) 385 -1477

Fax (815) 363 -3333 | www.s t johns johnsburg.org | f ind us on mypar ish app

A diocesan parish served by the Congregation of the Resurrection

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

March 29nd, 2020 † Fifth Sunday of Lent

Saturday: 4:00 pm Sunday: 7:00 am,

9:00 am, 11:00am

WEEKEND MASSES

HOLY DAY OBLIGATION

Eve of Holy Day: 7:00 pm Holy Day Masses:

9:00 am and 7:00pm

Saturdays: 3:00—3:45 pm and by appointment

Communal Penance celebrated during

Advent and Lent

SACRAMENT OF

RECONCILATION

WEEKDAY MASSES

Monday: 8:00 am Tuesday: 8:00 am

Wednesday: 8:00 am Thursday: 8:00 am

Friday: 9:00 am (school mass)

Weekdays before Mass

ROSARY

5th Sunday of Lent Even though we say that we believe, there is a part of us that doesn’t. There are many times in our lives when we experi-ence death, whether it be the physical death of someone we love, a failed relationship, the loss of a job, or a broken dream. As we are going through these death experiences, we can easily find ourselves reaching out to God to make it better and fix it! We think that the proper order of life is to maintain the things of this world, especially those things that are essential to our sense of well-being and security. We do not like change. The grieving that comes from our death ex-periences can keep us stuck and in despair. If we have lost something or someone of great value, the very meaning and essence of life is lost with them. We need gentle companions to lift us from despair and that is precisely who God desires to be in our life as well. God calls us out of our tombs, where we have been closed up in fear and despair, and shouts, “Come out!” He desperately wants to show us the path to hope and the new life that is possible after loss and death. But our faith can be weak, and we still prefer to cling to the memory of what we had rather than the joyful possibilities of tomorrow. We sometimes live as if God is not real and that the transformative power of His resurrected presence is a story found in the Bible rather than a narrative unfolding in our lives. God is the God of surprises, not our demise. God opens new possibilities, begins new chapters, creates new verses, and brings us to new heights! We spend so much time and energy ruminating over what we left behind yesterday that we are far too tired to see what can unfold tomorrow. Loving some-one new doesn’t negate our past loves. Embracing the love of a person, God, or life itself tomorrow doesn’t diminish the love of yesterday. Each of our loves is different, and one can-not be replaced by another. They don’t cancel each other out. God truly has tended to every detail of our lives, and if we listen to each detail, we find that they all lead us back to Him. Jesus wants us to come out of our closed-up tombs. Are we going to listen this time?

Gospel meditation

BAPTISMS: Parents must be registered parishioners. Parishioners call Fr. Jacek Junak, CR at (815) 385-1477, EXT. 202 for information, requirements, and scheduling for baptism preparation classes.

RCIA: Adults seeking baptism and/or entry into the Catholic Church are invited to participate in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Program. Please call Fr. Jacek Junak, CR for more information.

CEMETERY: Please call Annie in the parish office at (815) 385-1477, EXT. 203 to purchase cemetery plots and niches in columbarium.

MARRIAGES: Please call Fr. Jacek Junak, CR at (815) 385-1477, EXT. 202 for appointment, requirements, and a desired wedding date of at least 6 months in advance.

PRAYER LIST: Please call Anna Rose in the parish office at (815) 385-1477, EXT. 223 to be placed on the bulletin prayer list.

REGISTRATION: Please call Annie in the parish office (815) 385-1477, EXT. 203 to register as a parishioner.

Monday– Thursday: 8:30am– 4:30pm Friday: 8:30am– Noon

Pastor: Rev. Jacek Junak, CR, EXT. 202 Deacon: Mr. Jerry Giessinger Deacon: Mr. Dave Gillespie

CLERGY

Secretary: Annie Muich EXT. 203 stjohnjohnsburgsecretary@gmail.com Reception: Christine Marulewski EXT. 200 sjtbrecept@gmail.com Business Manager: Kasia Placek EXT. 204 stjohnbusinessmanager@gmail.com Religious Ed. Director: Stephanie Eldridge EXT. 201 stjohnreyouth@gmail.com Bulletin Editor: Anna Rose Zakrzewski EXT. 223 stjohnbulletin2302@gmail.com Music Ministry: Mary Jo Schwontkowski EXT. 200 mjschwontkowski@sbcglobal.net

PARISH STAFF

Principal: Mrs. Brenda Baldassano

2304 W. Church Street Johnsburg, IL 60051 (815) 385-3959 www.stjohnschool.com

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL

PA

RISH

PA

ST

OR

AL

CEN

TER

OFFIC

E

2 Welcome to St. John the Baptist, Johnsburg, IL

PARISH INFORMATION

BUSINESS HOURS

Sunday: Ez 37:12-14/Ps 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 [7]/Rom 8:8-11/Jn 11:1-45 or 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45 Monday: Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62/Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 [4ab]/Jn 8:1-11 Tuesday: Nm 21:4-9/Ps 102:2-3, 16-18, 19-21/Jn 8:21- 30 Wednesday: Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95/Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56/ Jn 8:31-42 Thursday: Gn 17:3-9/Ps 105:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 [8a]/Jn 8:51-59 Friday: Jer 20:10-13/Ps 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7 [cf. 7]/Jn 10:31-42 Saturday: Ez 37:21-28/Jer 31:10, 11-12abcd, 13 [cf. 10d]/ Jn 11:45-56 Next Sunday: Mt 21:1-11/Is 50:4-7/Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24 [2a]/Phil 2:6-11/Mt 26:14—27:66 or 27:11-54

Weekly Readings - Year A

March 29, 2020 † Fifth Sunday of Lent 3

Prayer Requests Mass Intentions

We will keep names on the list for eight weeks, and then remove. If you would like the name of your loved one to be on the list for

longer than eight weeks, please call to renew. Thank you for your understanding.

“One thing only I ask you, that you remember me at the altar of the Lord.” - St. Monica

Jakey Baldassano Ted Bierchen

Jim Blaney John & Kathy Braun Valerie Brunkhorst

Harriet Buerer Noelle Hoeh-Butski Carmelita Caifano

Jeanne Caifano Leonard Caifano

Serenity Carf Sabrina Cavanaugh

Shirley Cermak Mary Chambers

Georgianne Chromczak

Mike & Sharon Coyle

Dennis Decman John DeLay

Michele Dubois Paulette Elsey John Ferraro

Tina Fosnacht Shirley Freeland

Harold Gabel Terrance Galvin

Debbie Glen

Carol Golemba Patti Hoeh

Michael Jonas Greg Jurczynski

Jerome Kehl Judy King

Don & Barb Klapperich Darrell Kondritz

Scot Kurek Aaron Lafontaine

Richard Laskowski Dean & Sandra Lenard

Darren Leonardi Ron Marulewski, Jr. Barbara & Nick

Mastillo Teegan Mazuer

Jeremiah McCauley Bob McPartlin

Sr. Carol Mecko Marge Moeller Jeanne Monaco

John Morris Irene Murphy

Charles Nielson Bruce Novak

Annette Orlos Charlotte Paoletti

Constanza Paredes Maury Pera

Cathrine Philbin Theresa Pigoni Tina Quintero

Sr. Rosemary Reier Wayne Rendak Valerie Robbins Nancy Roberts Sal & Roz Ruiz Mary Schoiber

Marie Scopa Dolores Sklodowski

Marge Stabla Arleene Thiel Carmen Tosto Cade Winters

Maureen Wehrs John Wolf

Kathleen Wurth Alice Zabawski

Diane Zyskowski

Our Beloved Deceased:

Dr. John Brunkhorst Susan Kuhn

Saturday, Mar. 28th 4:00 PM † Jeffery Karnacki (Cami & Bob Kelsey) Sunday, Mar. 29th, 5th Sunday of Lent 7:00 AM † John Lenzen (Family) 9:00 AM † Len Golyzniak (Dan & Rosemary Kondritz) 11:00 AM Parishioners, Friends, & Benefactors of St. John the Baptist (Fr. Jacek, CR) Monday, Mar. 30th 8:00 AM † Mary Donald (Gena Beck) Tuesday, Mar. 31st 8:00 AM † Elfriede Steffens (Barbara Short) Wednesday, Apr. 1st 8:00 AM † Ana Gubernat (Drezek Family) Thursday, Apr. 2nd 8:00 AM † Mary Donald (Carol Haskell) Friday, Apr. 3rd 9:00 AM † Deceased Members of the Joseph Frett Family (Family) Saturday, Apr. 4th, St. Isidore 4:00 PM Parishioners, Friends, & Benefactors of St. John the Baptist (Fr. Jacek, CR) Sunday, Apr. 5th Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord 7:00 AM † Carolyn Campbell, Anniversary (Family) 9:00 AM † Harold & Marian Hunt (Hunt Family) 11:00 AM † Rose Chinnow (Anna Eberle)

4 St. John the Baptist, Johnsburg, IL

A STATEMENT from bishop david malloy regarding indulgences

March 26, 2020

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we continue to respond to the spread and the danger of the coronavirus, I write once more to offer a word of encouragement. Many exceptional steps have been taken both in the Church and in the wider socie-ty, in an effort to protect individuals from exposure to the virus or from becoming a carrier that might ex-pose others.

As Catholics, we recognize a particular obligation to see Christ in every moment of our lives, both the good and the challenging. Every sacrifice that we make is another step on our way to choosing for Christ, and therefore for eternal life in heaven itself.

We are a people of hope and trust in the Lord. Jesus has told us that His true followers are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. That means that we have received not only the gift of faith, but also the re-sponsibility that comes with that gift. The current moment challenges us to live as those who truly believe that Jesus has not left us alone, but is with us even more closely when difficulties arise. Others, especially those who are fearful, ill, lonely or without faith, need to have our witness, especially now.

As the coronavirus problem is projected to intensify in the coming days, I write to convey to you some further dispositions to address the projected spike in cases and the longer timeframe that appears to be an-ticipated for protective measures. To that end:

1) Through Easter Sunday (up until and including Easter Sunday), all Masses are to continue to be celebrated privately without the presence of the faithful.

2) I also take this opportunity to extend the dispensation given to all the faithful from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass through Easter Sunday.

3) All adoration chapels are now to be closed in order to increase our response to protect the faithful from the spread of the coronavirus.

Given the continuing unavailability of the sacraments to the faithful except in grave circumstances, there is a widespread feeling of longing to be with Christ and with the Church. It is important that we continue to recognize the ability of Jesus to be close to us even in such an exceptional time.

I have asked Father Jonathan Bakkelund, Director of the Office of Divine Worship of the Diocese of Rock-ford, to prepare some thoughts on the Plenary Indulgences that the Vatican has made available at this time, as well as means for a spiritual communion when Eucharistic communion is not available, and likewise the richness of making a perfect act of contrition when sacramental reconciliation cannot be accessed. His very helpful comments are attached. (See next page)

Please know of my prayers for all of you during this unprecedented time. I ask for your prayers as well.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend David J. Malloy Bishop of Rockford

5 March 29, 2020 † Fifth Sunday of Lent

Father Johnathan Bakkelund on plenary indulgences

Plenary Indulgences The Holy See recently granted a plenary indulgence to the faithful suffering from Coronavirus, who are subject to quarantine by order of the health authority in hospitals or in their own homes if, with a spirit detached from any sin, they unite spiritually through the media to the celebration of Holy Mass, the recitation of the Holy Rosary, to the pious practice of the Way of the Cross or other forms of devotion, or if at least they will recite the Creed, the Lord's Prayer and a pious invocation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, offering this trial in a spirit of faith in God and charity towards their brothers and sisters, with the will to fulfil the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer according to the Holy Father's intentions), as soon as possible. As well as to Health care workers, family members and all those who, following the example of the Good Samaritan, exposing themselves to the risk of contagion, care for the sick of Coronavirus according to the words of the divine Redeemer: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15:13), will obtain the same gift of the Plenary Indulgence under the same conditions. And to those faithful who offer a visit to the Blessed Sacrament, Eucharistic adoration or reading the Holy Scriptures for at least half an hour, or the recitation of the Holy Rosary, or the pious exercise of the Way of the Cross, or the recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, to implore from Almighty God the end of the epidemic, relief for those who are afflicted and eternal salvation for those whom the Lord has called to Himself. The Holy Father, Pope Francis, also announced after the Angelus prayer on Sunday, March 22, that this coming Friday, March 27, at 6:00 pm, he will preside over a moment of prayer on the sagrata of Saint Peter’s Basilica, before the empty square. He invites everyone to participate spiritually through the means of communication. We will listen to the Word of God, we will lift up our supplication, we will adore the Blessed Sacrament, with which at the end, he will give the Urbi et Orbi blessing, to which will be connected the possibility of receiving the plenary indulgence. A plenary indulgence validly obtained, grants the remission of all temporal punishment due to sin. A plenary indulgence is obtained by: -carrying out one of the external acts listed above -sacramental confession (as soon as possible) -receiving Holy Communion (as soon as possible) -praying for the Holy Father’s intentions

Perfect Contrition Where the individual faithful find themselves in the painful impossibility of receiving sacramental absolution, it should be re-membered that perfect contrition, coming from the love of God, beloved above all things, expressed by a sincere request for for-giveness (that which the penitent is at present able to express) and accompanied by votum confessionis, that is, by the firm reso-lution to have recourse, as soon as possible, to sacramental confession, obtains forgiveness of sins, even mortal ones (cf. CCC, no. 1452). Perfect contrition means a sorrow for sin out of love for God. It does not mean being “perfectly sorry.” Perfect contrition is sorrow for sin out of love for God and His goodness, whereas imperfect contrition (while still a gift of God) is sorrow for sin due to a fear of hell, judgment and punishment (CCC 1452-1453).

Act of Spiritual Communion It is a beautiful and praiseworthy tradition to recite an act of spiritual communion when one is unable, for whatever reason, to receive Holy Communion. Below is an act of spiritual communion composed by Saint Alphonsus Ligouri.

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

6 St. John the Baptist, Johnsburg, IL

FOR OUR MILITARY

We pray for those who serve our country, fight for our freedom, and await to be back home

in the presence of their loved ones, especially:

CPL William F. Ducett USMC SPC Theodore Hoeh, US Army

CAPT Christopher LaBud PVT Mark Mercado, US Army

CAPT David Moehling, US Army PVT Anthony Moore, USMC

A1C Lauren Moore, USAF LCPL Samantha Mulvihill, USMC

Almighty and eternal God, those who take refuge in you will be glad

and forever will shout for joy. Protect these soldiers as they

discharge their duties. Protect them with the shield of your strength

and keep them safe from all evil and harm. May the power of your love enable them to

return home in safety, that with all who love them,

they may ever praise you for your loving care. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Everyday stewardship

I remember Jim Valvano, Jimmy V to many, saying the iconic words, “Don’t give up; you can never give up.” The former coach of the NC State men’s basket-ball team was dying of cancer, yet he refused to throw in the towel and give in to his disease. His words exemplified the best of the human spirit we all share. Sometimes, living out those words seem much more difficult than saying them. These words are also important for our faith life. The life Jesus calls us to is not easy. When working toward a life of greater generosity and surrender of all to God, we are prone to fall flat on our face many times. We are not called to this life only when we are strong. It is how we respond when times are the most difficult that truly defines us as disciples and stewards. The world may think we are down for the count, but rising again gives testimony that in Christ we are stronger. Commitment takes a willingness to do the things needed to get stronger and build our spiritual mus-cles. We cannot expect to find success in the spir-itual life unless we continue to work on our resolve and grow in our knowledge of the faith. A marathon runner would never be able to make it to the finish line unless they have trained and prepared in ad-vance. We must work hard to stay the course and prepare for the race at hand. No matter what this life may have in store for us, we are called to not give up. God will never give up on us. -Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS

Stewardship OF TREASURE Online Contributions……….…..………….….$ 1,350.00

Diocesan stewardship 2019

2019 Diocesan Stewardship Goal _ _ $82,921.00 Pledged to Date …..…….………………..…..…..$ 75,840.00 Paid to Date .…………...………………..………...$ 71,741.71 Difference between goal and payments $11,179.29

267 Families Contributed Out of 699 Registered Families

For pledging & payment: www.rockforddiocese.org/donate

See if your employer participates in a “Matching Gift Program” to double your gift.

Please remember St. John’s in your will. Thank you for your generous giving!

Church Finances

7 March 29, 2020 † Fifth Sunday of Lent

Responses to suffer by Gary jansen

Ministry news and events

Until further notice, all church, school, ministry events and meetings have been cancelled or postponed.

For up-to-date Parish information and announcements, please visit the St. John the Baptist Church website at

https://stjohnsjohnsburg.org

or download the free MyParish App on your Smart Phone and enter 60051 or St. John the Baptist under Find a Parish.

Many years ago, a noted psychologist asked an audience, “If I squeeze an orange, what comes out of it?” After a few seconds, someone shouted back, “Orange juice!” The psychologist smiled. “Yes,” he said, “orange juice. Why?” A few moments followed, and another audience member answered, “Because that’s what’s inside the or-ange.” The psychologist smiled again. “Yes, you don’t squeeze an orange and get apple juice. You squeeze an orange and you get orange juice, because that’s what’s inside it. We could say the juice is the orange’s essence.”

The psychologist then looked at the audience and asked another question: “So what comes out of you when someone puts the squeeze on you? When someone is mean or disappoints you or slanders you?” Silence. No one answered. At least, not out loud.

So, what comes out when someone puts the squeeze on us or treats us bad-ly? What comes out of us when we’re under stress? When things don’t go as planned? When we’re stuck in traffic? When we make a mistake at work? When our spouse, child, friend, or coworker disappoints us? When we’re betrayed? When we could have sworn there was more money in the checking account, yet the check bounced? What comes out? Anger? Vitriol? Sadness? Depression? Frustration? Fear? Re-venge? I’ve experienced just about all those emotions, during disappointing and uncertain times. Goodness, what does that say about me, about what’s inside of me?

Here’s another question: What came out of Jesus when the world put the squeeze on him, when he was mocked, beaten, and crucified? There were tears, blood, and water. But there was also strength, heroism, compassion, sorrow, resilience, gratitude, love, and forgiveness. There was peace and ac-ceptance. Just as we can learn what is in an orange when it is squeezed, and just as we can learn more about who we are when we examine how we react to the challenges we face, we can learn more about Jesus by reflecting on what came out of him during the most in-tense period of his life.

Though Jesus seems passive through-out his Passion—he never lifts a finger against anyone and he barely speaks—his acceptance, forgiveness, and non-violence are nonetheless revolutionary, providing first-century countercultural insight on how to live justly in the twenty-first-century world. We can see this in how he reacts throughout his Passion in the Scriptural Stations of the Cross. Here are just a few examples:

Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsema-ne. He prays. Jesus is condemned by the Sanhed-rin. He is steadfast. Jesus is denied by Peter. He accepts others’ weaknesses. Jesus meets the women of Jerusa-lem. He thinks of others. Jesus promises his kingdom to the good thief. He forgives. Jesus speaks to his mother and the disciple. He watches over his family.

As Jesus responds to his sorrow, he is expressing to us the best of what it means to be human. There are no mira-cles here. No sudden healings. No cast-ing out of demons. No parables. Some-one coming to the story of Jesus’ Pas-sion for the first time, not knowing an-ything else of the Gospels, would think that this is just an ordinary person, someone who experienced loneliness, heartache, pain, exhaustion, and ulti-mately death. He’s no different from any of us.

Yet, there is something extraordinary here, and we can see that in how Jesus responds when the world puts the squeeze on him. He doesn’t freak out, whine, or feel sorry for himself. No, instead he counters the blows, torture, and mockery with elegance, love, and forgiveness.

He shows us what it means to be truly human.

https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/liturgical-year/lent/stations-of-the-cross/responses-to-suffering?p=1