Dear Parish Family, Christmas is coming! For many, that will entail getting the extended family together. I encourage you to be sure and invite them to your spiritual home of St. John as well. This is the time of year when nominal Catholics, non-Catholics, and even the non-Christian are most open to going to church. … Continued
Dear Parish Family, With Pope Francis’ opening of the Holy Doors on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy has commenced! What all of this entails will be explained throughout the year in homilies, bulletin articles and faith formation events. What is our Holy Father Francis’ hope for … Continued
Dear Parish Family, Some of the scenes from Black Friday were pretty crazy! Don’t let consumerism take over this holy Advent season of preparation. Relax and take time to focus on the Prince of Peace. Our “O Come, Let Us Adore Him!” event this Friday is the perfect time to do that, as our church … Continued
Dear Parish Family, We appreciate things more when we get a chance to properly prepare for them. This goes for celebrating Christmas, and the Church has an entire liturgical season just for this preparation. The season of Advent, however, is not only meant as a preparation for Christmas, but also for the final and definitive … Continued
Dear Parish Family, The Church’s liturgical year comes to an end this Saturday, and a new one begins Nov. 29 with the first Sunday of Advent! On Nov. 9, I was walking in a mall and already there was a Santa booth. We were still nearly three weeks from the season of Advent, and our … Continued