saint john the baptist · 2/14/2021 · carlos contreras (parishioners) 9:00 - george daniello...
TRANSCRIPT
Next week’s readings - Lent: 1st Sunday Genesis 9:8-15 Psalm 25 1 Peter 3:18-22 Mark 1:12-15
Sunday, February 14, 2021 Ordinary Time: Sixth Sunday This week’s readings: Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46 Psalm 32 1 Corinthian 10:31–11:1 Mark 1:40-45
Schedule of Masses (February 20/21) Saturday 5:00 p.m. - Fr. Willis
Dcn. McCormack Sunday 7:30 a.m. - Fr. Rodriguez
Dcn. McCormack 9:30 a.m. - Fr. Brault 11:30 a.m. - Fr. Kozubek
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Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church
12319 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20904
Many lessons can be taken from Jesus’ encounter with the leper that’s recounted in today’s gospel. 1) Jesus is willing to touch one deemed “unclean” by society. (Are there people we shun today?) 2) The man doesn’t ask if Jesus can heal him, he assumes that, just asks that he do it, if he wishes. (Do we have such faith and trust when the answer to our prayer is not what we expect?) 3) Jesus shows respect for the faith of his community by telling the
man to go show himself to the priest. (Do we try to understand the traditions of our faith and how they shape us today?)
Lent begins on Wednesday. When the pandemic began at the beginning of the season last year, we had no idea what was in store for us. Now we know. The question is: How will we make the coming six weeks different from the usual “keeping” of Lent?
Daily Mass: Monday-Friday 7:30 & 9:00 a.m. Saturday - 9:00 a.m. Baptism: Parishioners are asked to call the
Parish Office for the times of the monthly liturgical celebrations and to arrange for classes.
Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturday: 4:00-4:45 p.m. or call 301-622-1122 to arrange a confession with one of our priests.
Marriage: Parishioners requesting a marriage date must have been registered in the parish for six months.
Phone Numbers: Parish Office & Rectory: 301-622-1122 Fax: 301-625-9266
School: 301-622-3076 Website: www.sjbssparish.org Facebook: facebook.com/sjbcc
Ash Wednesday, February 17, Schedule of Masses 7:30 a.m. - Fr. Brault 9:00 a.m. - Fr. Brault 12 Noon - Fr. Kozubek
Sign up is required for Ash Wednesday Masses. For more information please see page three of this bulletin.
Mass Intentions (February 15 – February 21)
page two February 14, 2021
Send Bulletin announcements to [email protected]
Send Website announcements to [email protected]
Parish Directory Father Brault [email protected]
Father Kozubek [email protected]
Parish Office [email protected]
Finance Office [email protected]
Faith Formation [email protected]
Youth Ministry [email protected]
Liturgy & Music [email protected]
Social Concerns [email protected]
Athletic Ministry www.sjbathletics.org
Parochial School [email protected]
Bulletin [email protected]
Parish Website www.sjbssparish.org
School Website www.sjbsilverspring.org
**Bulletin Deadline** February 28, Bulletin & Website deadline
Thursday, February 18, at 9:00 a.m
Parish Clergy Rev. Y. David Brault Pastor Rev. Cezary Kozubek Associate Pastor Rev. Glen Willis Weekend Associate Rev. Nicolás Rodriguez Weekend Associate Deacon James Gorman Permanent Deacon Deacon Ed McCormack Permanent Deacon
Monday 9:00 - Dennis Chang (Family) Tuesday 7:30 - Margaret G. MacLeod –L- (J. MacLeod) 9:00 - Logan Peters –L- (N. & J. Peters) Wednesday 7:30 - Eleanor & Robert Metzger (M. Johns) 9:00 - Louise Malanoski (Asdorian Family) 12:00 - Msgr. Francis Kazista (J. & L. Sherman) Thursday 7:30 - Dcn. Carlos Contreras (Parishioners) 9:00 - George Daniello (Family) Friday 7:30 - Peter, Paul & John Mai –L- (N. Nguyen) 9:00 - Deceased Family Members - Souls in Purgatory (Parishioner) Saturday 9:00 - Mary Cermak (A. Eskin) 5:00 - Maureen Zuech (S. & M. A. Dulski) Sunday 7:30 - Christina & Pasqual MacLeod-Montero –L- (J. MacLeod) 9:30 - Parishioners 11:30 - All Souls (R., J., & R. Gomes) No evening Mass
SJB Mass is being Live Streamed If you cannot attend Mass, you can view the 9:30 a.m. Sunday Mass in the Church which is live streamed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sjbcc. The 9:00 a.m. Weekday Mass will also be live streamed on Facebook.
SJB Exposition Live Streamed
The Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will be live streamed on Facebook, Fridays from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. when our priests are available and the schedule permits.
Reconciliation/Confession Saturdays, 4:00-4:45 p.m. in the Church before Mass, or a Confession can be arranged with one of our priests by calling the Parish Office, 301-622-1122.
Parish Office Hours
For Church related matters like requesting a Mass Intention, please come to the front doors of the Parish Office which will be open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Parish Office is closed on Fridays. The side doors of the Parish Office are open only to access the elevator.
SJB Men’s Group Attention men over 18 years old. Join us Saturday mornings to connect with the Word and your brothers in Christ. Deacon Ed McCormack facilitates as we unpack scripture in an atmosphere of fellowship and community. The ZOOM room opens at 7:15 a.m. and we get under way at 7:30 a.m. Guys say it’s the most fruitful one hour they experience all day. To join us with video & audio just go to:
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/873867511. Meeting ID: 873 867 511 For audio only by phone, dial: 301-715-8592 Meeting ID: 873 867 511.
For more information, please contact Dave Michaels at [email protected].
How to Keep Informed of SJB Parish News Flocknotes: Visit our SJB website, www.sjbssparish.org, and on the first page enter an email address to receive Flocknotes through email. Bulletin: Visit our website bulletin page at https://www.sjbssparish.org/bulletins to access the latest SJB bulletin. To have a link to the latest SJB bulletin sent directly to your email from our bulletin printer (FATA), visit https://www.fataonline.com/bulletins/StJohntheBaptistSilverSpring and enter your email address. Previous Bulletins: Previous bulletins can be viewed by visiting https://www.sjbssparish.org/bulletins and selecting a bulletin date.
Weekly Stewardship Report
February 14, 2021 page three
Personal Health Evaluation
1. In the last two weeks, did you care for or have close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19?
2. Do you have any of the following: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat?
If you or someone in your family can answer yes to either of these two questions, please refrain from signing up for Mass. Thank you for keeping everyone safe and healthy.
Sign up for Weekend Mass
on our website,
www.sjbssparish.org
Please sign up all members of your family individually, so we can count each person attending Mass to maintain the required social distancing. In you don’t have internet access, please call the Parish Office, 301-622-1122. More information on page four.
Offertory Sunday, February 7 $8,789.00
Please note monies given via Faith Direct are not included in the Offertory above.
Remember in Prayer those who have died: Joseph Kaiser, husband of Louise Kaiser; father of Joe and Tom Kaiser, and Kathy Evans.
Year-End Statement
If you would like a year-end statement from St. John the Baptist Parish, please call our office, 301-622-1122. Faith Direct will be sending statements directly to participants.
Faith Direct Annual Mailing
Faith Direct will send out their annual renewal for 2021. Please review and make changes if you wish. Also note that this year there is a line for “Indonesian Donation” which is only for use by our Indonesian Catholic Community. Thank you for your continued support through Faith Direct!
Pax Christi Mtg – Date Change Our next meeting has been changed to Monday, February 15, 2021, 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. on Zoom. You are invited to join us; we welcome new members and onetime visitors. Our meetings follow a prayer-study-action format. Pax Christi – St. John the Baptist is part of Pax Christi USA, the national Catholic peace movement.
For more information or for the Zoom link, contact Ronnie Fellerath-Lowell, [email protected].
Ash Wednesday Mass Signup
on our website,
www.sjbssparish.org
This year we will have signups for our Ash Wednesday Masses from Monday, February 1, at 12:00 Noon until Tuesday, February 16, at 12 Noon. Please visit our website, www.sjbssparish.org, and select “Ash Wednesday Mass Signup” to signup for the Mass you wish to attend. Please enter names individually in-order to count each person attending Mass so we can meet the social distancing requirement. We will have limited seating for all Masses. If you do not have internet access, please call our Parish Office, 301-622-1122. Our February 17 Ash Wednesday Mass schedule is as follows:
Ash Wednesday Masses: 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m. & 12 Noon
The 9:00 a.m. Ash Wednesday Mass will be live-streamed.
If you sign up for a Ash Wednesday Mass and your plans change, please call the Parish Office, 301-622-1122, and let us know so we can adjust the signup.
Lent Begins Wednesday, February 17 Masses for Ash Wednesday, February 17, will be: 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m. and 12 Noon. Due to the Coronavirus regulations, ashes will be sprinkled on a recipient’s head/hair this year.
Presidents Day Holiday The Parish Office will be closed tomorrow, February 15, for the Presidents Day Holiday and will reopen Tuesday, February 16, at 9 a.m. There will be only one Mass held on Presidents Day at 9:00 a.m.
2021 Annual Appeal Thank you to all who responded by
mail or during the appeal at Mass last
weekend. This year’s theme is
Seeking Christ to remind us, in this
time of hardship and need, that Christ
is the source of the healing, unity, and love that we all
seek. Through our collective support of the Annual
Appeal, we strengthen the Body of Christ that is our local
Church, and we sustain her many charitable works that
serve the spiritual and other needs of all those within and
beyond our parish boundaries. Please consider a
commitment to the 2021 Annual Appeal this weekend at
home or in-person. Your gift will be credited toward our
parish goal. Learn more about the Annual Appeal at
appeal.adw.org.
Sign-up Weekly for Weekend Masses
Due to COVID-19, there are many precautions we must take for the health and safety of all as we have public celebrations of the Mass. To insure proper social distancing between people we need to limit the number of seats available at each of the four Weekend Masses:
Saturday 5 p.m. Sunday 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. (no evening Mass)
Weekly sign-up is needed for every individual member of your family who wants to attend one of the Weekend Masses. Sign-up will open each week starting on Mondays at 12 noon and ending on Thursdays at 12 noon immediately preceding the upcoming Weekend Masses.
To sign-up to attend a Weekend Mass, please visit our website at www.sjbssparish.org. If you do not have internet access, please call the Parish Office, 301-622-1122. Sign up is not required for Daily Mass. Please arrive early for all Masses.
Please know that when you come to attend Mass: - A mask or facial covering must be worn. - Entry will be through the main, front, wrought iron doors—only. - Ushers will direct you to a seat.
Note from Cardinal Wuerl Dear Father Brault, Thank you and the parish of St. John the Baptist for your kind words on the death of my brother, Dennis, and for Mass celebrated that God grant him a place in the Kingdom of Eternal Love. I am truly grateful. Merci! In Christ, Donald Cardinal Wuerl
A Mass will be said for Dennis Wuerl on April 11 at 7:30 a.m.
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The Season of Lent
† Confessions are available Saturdays, 4:00-4:45 p.m. in the Church before Mass, or a Confession can be arranged with one of our priests by calling the Parish Office, 301-622-1122. † Lent is marked by prayer, fasting, and alms-giving. † Prayer is a very individual thing. There’s daily Mass, weekly Stations of the Cross, increased reading and reflection on the Bible, devotions like the Rosary, centered prayer, etc. There is no one way. † Fasting means:
• on Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent, we eat no meat (for those ages 14 and up.)
• on Ash Wednesday & Good Friday, the faithful between the ages of 18 & 59 eat one main meal or two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal and nothing in between.
• at other times, it is common, though not required, to place other restrictions on ourselves as a means of “keeping” Lent.
† Alms-giving: Even though times may be difficult for us, donations are greatly appreciated.
Station of the Cross to be Live Streamed
Stations of the Cross will be live streamed Fridays of Lent at 3:00 p.m. on Facebook at facebook.com/sjbcc. A copy of “The Way of the Cross” booklet will be available online by going to our website, www.sjbssparish.org, and clicking on “The Way of the Cross Booklet.”
Given the adverse circumstances in regard to the current global pandemic, the booklet publisher, Barton Cotton, is allowing us to use the booklets for the duration of the Catholic church closings and the restrictions on group meetings. The booklets may be used for online Way of the Cross group meetings so that parishioners can follow along with the Stations.
Three to Get Married Marriage Prep Feb. 18-21 (In-Person Only) Mar. 11-14 (In-Person Only) / Apr. 22-25 (Virtual Only) The Three to Get Married Marriage Preparation Program is a Catholic Pre-Cana program for seriously dating and engaged couples. This marriage preparation course is an intensive preparation experience true to the teachings of the Catholic Church. Convenient one-weekend schedule. FOCCUS administration is included. $315 per couple. Space will be limited and these weekends fill up quickly, so reserve your spot today! Find more information on the website https://ourladyofbethesda.org/programs/marriage/virtual-marriage-prep. Our Lady of Bethesda Retreat Center, Bethesda, MD.
Our Lady of Bethesda Personal Retreat Days Need Some Time Away? Sometimes you just need a little personal time away from the world. Or, maybe a weekend retreat just won't fit your schedule. Well, we have the perfect thing for you! Upcoming Personal Retreat Days February 19, March 12, April 23, May 7, and June 11 For more information and to register, visit Upcoming Programs at OLB | Our Lady Of Bethesda Retreat Center. Our Lady of Bethesda Retreat Center, 7007 Bradley Boulevard, Bethesda, Maryland 20817, 301-365-0612.
Social Concerns Cynthia Norris, 301-622-1122, [email protected]
St. John the Baptist Catholic Community - 2021 Zoom Lenten Reflection Series
Join us each Friday during Lent for a Zoom presentation. Each night begins at 7:00 p.m. with a
presentation followed by opportunities for dialogue and sharing. Our theme this year is:
"Creating a Culture of Care. Healing our less perfect unions & finding Christ in all.”
Our goal this year is to help participants identify ways to: - Recognize that each one of us is a beloved child of God. - Interact with others with a tone and posture which affirms that we honor the dignity of others and invite others to do the same. - Make room in our hearts for those with whom we disagree. - Presume others’ best intentions and listen to their stories with empathy. - Strive to understand before seeking to be understood.
2/19 Deacon Ed McCormack: “Politics, Religion and Preaching: Insights from the NT and CST”
Many Catholics have mixed feelings about the place of political issues in preaching. To understand the relationship between our
Christian faith and political issues in preaching we turn to Jesus ministry of bringing the kingdom of God into our world and
Catholic Social Teaching. There we will find a fresh view of the relationship between Christian faith and today's dominant issues
and perhaps a much broader and deeper view of what our faith has to say to our world.
Deacon Ed McCormack is a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Washington and has been teaching theology for thirty years
and training men and women for ministry in the church at both the masters and doctoral levels for fifteen years. Currently, he is a
member of the formation faculty at Theological College where he serves as a formation advisor and Director of the Pastoral
Formation Program and also teaches in the Spirituality Department at the Catholic University of America.
Lenten Supper Talks Schedule
2/26 Johnny Zokovitch: “A Culture of Care Begins with Listening.”
3/5 Dr. Lynn Bufka: “Healing in a Time of Conflict.”
3/12 Fr. David Jones: ”A Pastoral approach to healing.” 3/19 Stephen Schneck: “A Lenten Reflection on Poverty and Social Justice: Repenting Structural Sin.”
3/26 L.J. Milone: “Civility as Agape.”
Pre-registration is preferred. For more information, please contact Cynthia Norris, at [email protected].
February 14, 2021 page five
Haiti Sister Parish Update This past week I spoke with Fr. Noemi, the pastor at St. Pierre, to find out how things were progressing. He told me that school was in session and the students are hard at work. He was pleased to report that 100% of the 9th and 12th grade students passed the national exam from the prior school year 2020. He told me that the students celebrated a special Mass in honor of St. John the Baptist on January 31. They send their greetings, prayers, love and appreciation for all that we do on their behalf.
Thanks to your generous donations, the Fall Funding Raiser for the General Fund was outstanding
raising over $48,000. This is a record amount especially considering the current pandemic. The budget request we
received from Fr. Noemi for this school year was $152,400 US dollars. We were able to approve $75,000 of the request.
This number is an improvement over last year’s approved budget. We learned in October that there is a new currency
exchange in Haiti, depreciating the US dollar from $1.05 to $.70 cents per Haitian dollar. Despite the depreciation of the
US dollar in Haiti, Fr. Noemi has managed to continue paying teacher salaries, providing lunch for the students, and
milk for the kindergarten students. Fr. Noemi sent pictures and a video of the new school addition at the rectory. We
will put them on the website so that all can see. Our Secondary School fund drive will begin during Lent as always.
More information will be available in upcoming bulletins.
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Faith Formation Ministry L.J. Milone, Director, 301-622-1122,
Lenten Retreat Consider the Lilies of the Field: Released from all Worry and Fear Saturday, February 27, via Zoom 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
The Living the Gospel: Contemplation and Action program This Adult Faith Formation program is a partnership of St. Camillus, St. Patrick’s, St. John the Baptist and neighboring Catholic parishes
In this morning of retreat, we will encounter the goodness of God in Jesus’ preaching about the birds of the air and the lilies of the field and other transformative passages in the Gospels. With the state of our world, we can easily be consumed by worry and fear. Jesus offers us liberation, a way to be released from the burdens of anxiety. Come experience this Gospel path. There will be prayer over Gospel readings, silent meditation, spiritual conferences, small group sharing. Led by L.J. Milone
Register in advance for this meeting: Meeting Registration - Zoom
Meister Eckhart’s Book of Secrets Join a small group reading and reflecting on a book of poetic renderings of the teachings of Meister Eckhart. Led by L.J. Milone
—5 Monday’s in March: March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 —lunchtime: 12 p.m.-1 p.m. —discussion of 1 chapter per session
Register in advance for this meeting: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUkcumvrjwiGNYBjfwjR4ea7DiyxNcCsU7B
Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Meister-Eckharts-Book-Secrets-Meditations/dp/1571748474/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1612212346&sr=1-1 An elegant rendering of the great mystic's thoughts on the mysteries of the authentic life – This is a little book about soul freedom. It is a book about discovering the secret to all the things we most desire: contentment, meaning, peace of mind, and true freedom. This skillfully edited translation of selections from the writings of Meister Eckhart provides a roadmap to the spiritual life for contemporary seekers. Eckhart takes us on a journey of discovery; a journey in which we learn to let go, relinquish our need to know everything, and lose those things that we think are important for a life of worth. And in the end he shows us that the true secret is this: to find yourself, you must lose yourself.
Joy of Gospel Poverty At the beginning of Lent, a recording will be sent out offering a challenge: to live the joy of Gospel poverty. The recording, made by L.J. Milone, will describe the way of Gospel poverty and offer suggested practices for Lent. Then…there will be a discussion of how the practices are going on Wednesday, March 31, 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. via Zoom.
Mystical Meditations Every day of Lent 2021 all registered with Flocknote will receive an email with a mystical insight to encourage spiritual deepening. Visit www.sjbssparish.org to sign up to receive Flocknotes.
If you ever have any comments regarding Mystical Word, you are most welcome to contact L. J. Milone.
Mystical Word
written by L.J. Milone, Director of Faith Formation, [email protected]
Prayer is not a once-in-a-while inconvenience or even a regular habit done only at specific times. Rather, prayer should permeate all life and it should be characterized by happy nothingness. John does not treat it as one more thing to do. There is vehement energy, an all-consuming passion behind his teaching on prayer because it is one’s whole life in love with God. John is talking about prayer as a way of life, unceasing and universal, but centered in the practice of happy nothingness.
John’s happy nothingness is a spiritual state in which we are not thinking, are empty of inordinate desires, and are utterly and purely silent in the Silence, nothing in the Nothing. The soul is at rest in God within, without thinking and without paying attention to one’s attachments, but through faith, hope, and love. The methods of approach to prayer as happy nothingness are many. There is Centering Prayer, the Jesus Prayer, the Rosary, and Lectio Divina. But truth be told one does not necessarily need these methods. They all wind up in the same spiritual place: happy nothingness.
Prayer is the practice. Happy nothingness is a dynamic state of prayer that we cultivate in contemplative practices then bring into the world as we are faced with people and situations we do not like or like too much. Every moment we can be empty for God. Instead of a moral obligation, this is what happens when we are consumed with love for the Absolute. Everything else becomes relative.
We pray in nothingness because of the sweetness and glory of divine love within us. The prayer that is happy nothingness rests on the truth of the divine indwelling. John chides us: “What more do you want, O soul! And what else do you search for outside, when within yourself you possess your riches, delights, satisfaction, fullness, and kingdom - your Beloved whom you desire and seek? Be joyful and gladdened in your interior recollection with him, for you have him so close to you. Desire him there, adore him there. Do not go in pursuit of him outside yourself. You will only become distracted and wearied thereby, and you shall not find him, or enjoy him more securely, or sooner, or more intimately than by seeking him within you.” John wants us to go to our hearts. The soul’s interior is a
significant reason why we can pray anywhere. Through our hearts, we can access God anywhere, any-when.
Furthermore, when an inordinate desire appears within, that is the time to pray. Instead of giving in to the attachment’s demand to be satisfied, we settle into the divine silence of prayer. Here is an example: wanting to tell someone off because of their opinion. The urge rises as the other person spouts off about something you know is false. Someone has got to put this guy in his place, you might think. Be aware of the desire to prove that he is wrong. Be aware of the desire to assert mental dominance by expressing your opinion or argument. Now, instead of fulfilling that desire, redirect your heart to God and pray. And we act from this happy nothingness. Not only when an inordinate desire enters our minds but also when we experience any trouble at all, it is time for prayer. “In all our needs, struggles and difficulties, we shall find no better, no surer way forward than
prayer...When means fail us and we see no way of dealing with our difficulties, it only remains for us to lift our eyes to You.” Any problem, for John, only needs to be presented to God though while abiding in happy nothingness. Then, God will do what is best for us.
The way of nothing, nothing, nothing that graces the center of John’s sketch of Mount Carmel is the way of prayer. Indeed, every seemingly harsh counsel from endeavoring to choose the least to self-contempt are about transferring the prayer of happy nothingness into our actions and choices. John’s spiritual practice helps us break free from our attachments.
Happy nothingness is prayer in which the soul enjoys God alone in a silence beyond thinking, an emptiness beyond inordinate desires. John instructs a Carmelite brother: “Never give up prayer, and should you find dryness and difficulty, persevere in it for this very reason. God often desires to see what love your soul has, and love is not tried by ease and satisfaction.” The same is true for us today. Prayer and life need to be integrated, so we never leave the Mystery of God: “You should consequently strive to be incessant in prayer…Whether you eat, or drink, or speak, or converse…or do anything else, you should always do so with desire for God and with your heart fixed on him.”
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Saint Josephine Bakhita’s Story - (c. 1869 – February 8, 1947) For many years, Josephine Bakhita was a slave but her spirit was always free and
eventually that spirit prevailed. Born in Olgossa in the Darfur region of southern Sudan, Josephine was kidnapped at
the age of 7, sold into slavery and given the name Bakhita, which means fortunate. She was resold several times, finally in 1883 to Callisto Legnani, Italian consul in Khartoum, Sudan.
Two years later, he took Josephine to Italy and gave her to his friend Augusto Michieli. Bakhita became babysitter to Mimmina Michieli, whom she accompanied to Venice’s Institute of the Catechumens, run by the Canossian Sisters. While Mimmina was being instructed, Josephine felt drawn to the Catholic Church. She was baptized and confirmed in 1890, taking the name Josephine.
When the Michielis returned from Africa and wanted to take Mimmina and Josephine back with them, the future saint refused to go. During the ensuing court case, the Canossian Sisters and the patriarch of Venice intervened on Josephine’s behalf. The judge concluded that since slavery was illegal in Italy, she had actually been free since 1885.
Josephine entered the Institute of St. Magdalene of Canossa in 1893 and made her profession three years later. In 1902, she was transferred to the city of Schio (northeast of Verona), where she assisted her religious community through cooking, sewing, embroidery, and welcoming visitors at the door. She soon became well loved by the children attending the sisters’ school and the local citizens. She once said, “Be good, love the Lord, pray for those who do not know Him. What a great grace it is to know God!”
The first steps toward her beatification began in 1959. She was beatified in 1992 and canonized eight years later. Source: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-josephine-bakhita
SJB Food Drive - Courtesy of the SJB Knights The SJB Parish Food Drive will be on the first and third Saturday morning of each month from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Please drive to the table in front of the Lyon Center and as you stay safe in your car, just pop your trunk or tailgate and your donation will be unloaded. Dry goods are preferred. Food donations will be distributed to the St. Camillus Food Bank. Thank you for your generosity. If you have a question or need more information, please email Brian Murphy at [email protected].
Knights of Columbus Car Raffle The 51st Annual Knights of Columbus Maryland State Council car raffle has been extended due to the pandemic. Proceeds from the raffle are used to fund the State Council's various programs including Box of Joy, Seminarian Support, Sox for Souls, Coats for Kids, and more. SJB Council will retain sixty cents out of every ticket sold. Last year we raised over $1,000 to fund our programs.
Three prizes will be awarded. The grand prize is a 2021 Ford Mustang or $18,000 cash option. Second prize is an Apple I-Pad and third prize is a $200 gift card. The drawing will take place at the Maryland State Council Annual Convention on Saturday, May 1, at the Princess Royale Hotel in Ocean City, MD. You are encouraged to attend the convention but, do not have to present to win.
Since we are not having the parish breakfast due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they will have to be obtained in person. The Knights help with the parish food drive the first and third Saturday of each month on the parish parking lot between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Therefore, you may pick up your tickets on one of those days which are February 20, March 3 and 20 and April 3 and 17. When you pick up your tickets, please ask for a return address envelope. Mail ticket stubs in the return envelope along with a check made payable to SJB K of C Council for the amount of tickets sold. Make sure that the number of ticket stubs equals the amount of your check. Do not mail any unsold tickets. All receipts must be received no later than Sunday, April 25, 2021.
If you have any questions, please call Stu Sklamm at 301-384-0784 or at [email protected]. Thank you.
Pray for Our Seminarians This year the Seminarian Vocations Tree will be a Virtual Vocations Tree. Please go to www.saintjohnneumann.org/vocations-tree and download the card of the seminarian of your choice for printing at home. Make it a beautiful offering to the Lord this Lent to pray for those whom He calls to give their lives in service of His Church in our archdiocese.
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