St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church 2414 Seventeenth Street, Gulfport, Mississippi 39501

Telephone (228) 864-2272 Fax (228) 864-2273 Email: stjohnthee@cableone.net Website: stjohngulfport.org

Staff: Rev. Ryan McCoy, Pastor Deacon David Allen, Pastoral Associate Sr. Mary Kealy, PBVM, Pastoral Associate Teri Patton, Parish Secretary Masses: Saturday Vigil: 5:00 p.m. First Saturday Devotion: 9:00 a.m. Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 a.m., 6:00 p.m. Daily Mass: Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m. Spanish Mass: Sunday, 2:00p.m. Holy Days: 6:00 p.m., Vigil, 7:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. Confession: Before and after every Mass; and anytime on request

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time July 31, 2016

EASY WORDS, HARSH WORDS "If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above," we hear today (Colossians 3:1). "Think of what is above" as well. Easy to comprehend. Good advice. Only common sense. But the ability to seek and think of what is above, Paul tells us, comes only at a price. In order to have truly died so that our life of glory is with Christ in heaven, we must put to death--as Christ was put to death on a cross--all those things about our life "below" that impede our living for Christ and with Christ as our all in all. We cannot really seek and think about things above while we maintain the worst of our human passions, perpetuate our deceitfulness, and emphasize our differences. In this way we not only continue the lying to one another, but still lie to ourselves, and imagine that we can deceive God. Only in the stopping of this can we truly show forth our baptis-mal image: that of Christ, who is the image of the unseen God. Only then can we take off that old self and be that new creation, the image of our Creator fully restored in Christ. HARSH WORDS, HEAVENLY WORDS There are all sorts of reverberations of these themes throughout today's scriptures. Qoheleth (the "Preacher") instructs us that, ultimately, everything of our life on earth is but an empty vanity when we are called from this life. Jesus shows us our true selves in the example of the man who expends all his energy to store his harvest to ensure the luxury of his future. Qo-heleth, Paul, and Jesus are all of a like mind on this issue. We have been made in the image of our Creator, we believe that God's creation is graced and good, but we need to keep this in perspective. For all creation and all creatures--humans in-cluded--will have naught for a destiny unless that destiny is joined to that of Christ. He preaches that we can be, indeed we must be, rich with treasure--but only the kind of treasure that truly matters to God. Copyright (c) 2006, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time July 31, 2016

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.

— Psalm 90:12

HITTING IT BIG It seems to be commonly accepted nowadays that everyone wants to win the lottery, hit the slots big at the casino, or be a millionaire. This attitude is akin to what the first hearers of the parable of the successful farmer would have thought: Why, of course he’d want to find a way to preserve his good fortune for the future, to secure for himself a life of leisure, eating, drinking, and merri-ment. It’s exactly the kind of life that the right ticket, hand of cards, or quiz show answer might bring us today. Being surrounded by this “common wisdom” makes the words of Qoheleth, the psalmist, Paul, and Jesus all that much harder to hear today. Perhaps good fortune will be ours, perhaps it will not be. But if we make that fortune or the quest for it the heart, the very center, of our lives, then we will live to regret it. We will not achieve the fu-ture security we pursue, and we will lose the present mo-ment in the chase. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Welcome to St. John the Evangelist Parish!

If you are new to the parish and have not yet registered, please fill out one of the registration forms on the back table or go to our website, stjohngulfport.org and click on the “New Parishioner” tab. Please call the parish office for more information at 864-2272.

C.C.D. (Grades K-12) ................ Sundays, 9:00-10:15 A.M. Knights of Columbus...... 1st & 3rd Wednesday, 7:00 P.M. K C Ladies Auxiliary..................... 3rd Tuesday, 6:30 P.M. R.C.I.A. .................................................Tuesdays, 6:30 P.M. St. Vincent de Paul................... 2nd Wednesday, 9:00 A.M. Young At Heart............................... 4th Thursday, 12 Noon

Happy birthday wishes to: Thu Ha celebrates Aug. 1; Billy Campbell celebrates Aug. 2; Gra-ham Mattina celebrates Aug. 3; Mary Frontz & Helen Younghans celebrate Aug. 4; Sr. Mary Kealy celebrates Aug. 5.

May God Bless them with many more Happy Birthdays!

First Friday Adoration, August 5. Adoration, 8:00am until 5:00pm, ending with Benediction. The sign up sheet is on the center table. We would like to see at least 2 peo-ple per hour. Please sign up to spend an hour with Jesus. First Saturday Devotion, August 6. The schedule is 8:30am Confession; 9:00am Mass, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary, Meditation and Benediction.

Jubilee Year of Mercy July 31, 2016 ~ Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you” (Luke 12:20). Hardly sounds like mercy! Unlike some contemporary rich folks, there is no indication of lying, stealing, or cheating in Jesus’ parable. The rich man made a living, not a killing. Why does Jesus name him “fool”? First, because of presumption. Five times in nine verses, the rich man declares, “I shall.” God’s not in charge here, I am! Second, selfishness—four times, “my/myself.” No God, no neighbor; he talks to himself, about himself: my possessions, my productivity, my plans! So, instead of chasing “treasure for ourselves,” Jesus and Pope Francis’ Jubilee Year of Mercy bid us grow “rich in what matters to God” (12:21), namely, the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Give food, drink, clothing, and healing; visit the imprisoned; bury the dead. Heal with Jesus’ own gentleness the doubt, ignorance, and sins of others; comfort, forgive, be patient; and pray for the living and dead. —Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

Congratulations to the following parishioners

Celebrating Wedding Anniversaries this week!

Dan & Lorraine Goad celebrate their 64th on Aug 2. Harry & Mary Ann Bishop celebrate their 52nd on Aug 2. Ronnie & Patti Cuevas celebrate their 41st on Aug 2. Tim & Terri Goad celebrate their 30th on Aug 2. Bernard & Estelle Papania celebrate their 55th on Aug 5. Alex & Leslie North celebrate their 27th on Aug 5.

May God Bless them all with many more happy years together!

Pope Francis’ Prayer Intentions for August Universal: Sports That sports may be an opportunity for friendly encounters between peoples and may contribute to peace in the world. Evangelization: Living the Gospel That Christians may live the Gospel, giving witness to faith, honesty, and love of neighbor.

The beautiful flowers on the altar were donated by Ronnie & Patti Cuevas

in celebration of their 41st Wedding Anniversary on August 2.

May God bless them with many more happy years together!

The Annual Parish Drawdown and Silent Auction is scheduled for Saturday, November 12 in Presentation Hall. The doors will open at 6pm and the drawdown will start at 6:30pm. There will be delicious food and drink available for everyone. The tickets are $100 and will ad-mit 4 people. Tickets are NOW available in the Parish Office. The office is open Monday-Friday from 10am—5pm. If there is particular # that has meaning to you please call 864-2272 and we will set it aside for you.

Hurricane Prayer O Heavenly Father, all the elements of nature obey your command. Calm the storms that threaten us and turn our fear into praise of your goodness. Protect us from hurri-canes and disasters of nature. We pray through Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

How does one become Catholic? There are several ways. The Catholic Church warmly welcomes new members and tries to provide appropriate spiritual formation according to each person’s needs.

The 2016-2017 RCIA Faith Journey will begin in Tues-day, September 6. Be an evangelizer for the Lord. Now is the time to invite your non-Catholic or fallen away Catho-lic relatives and friends, especially those who have never been Confirmed to consider joining us in St. John the Evangelist Parish. For more information, please call the parish office, 864-2272.

Follow Me: Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John Being Catholic takes more than simply believing in God or doing what he asks of us. Jesus wants you to be more than just a believer—he wants you to be his disciple and friend. To help you answer this call to deeper friendship with Christ, St. John Parish will begin Follow Me: Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John on Monday, Sept. 19 at 1pm and on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 6pm. You will not only benefit personally from being part of this study; you will also help us to grow in fellowship as a parish as we grow closer to Christ together. The cost of the class is $25. There is a sign up sheet on the back table. Call the parish office for more information, 228 864-2272.

Islam with a Catholic Perspective Edwina Conason will be offering an introductory class on Islam with a Catholic perspective September 12, 19 & 26 at 7pm in Presentation Hall. More details will be provided in the future.

A Prayer for Life Father and maker of all, you adorn all creation

with splendor and beauty, and fashion human lives

in your image and likeness. Awaken in every heart

reverence for the work of your hands, and renew among your people

a readiness to nurture and sustain your precious gift of life.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God forever and ever. Amen

CCD Registration CCD registration for the current school year will be held through August 21. The registration form can be found on the tables in the back of the church or can be downloaded from our website (www.stjohngulfport.org) and can be returned to the Parish Office or be placed in the envelope in the Memorial Room. It is important to register your child to ensure that books and supplies are properly ordered and on hand for the beginning of class. As a reminder, if your child does not attend Catho-lic school, he/she should be registered in our CCD Pro-gram. Classes will be held on Sunday mornings from 9:00 – 10:15 and will resume on September 11. Sacrament of Confirmation If your child is in the eleventh or twelfth grade and wants to be confirmed in the Spring of 2017, he/she must be registered in the CCD Program, regardless of whether he/she attends Catholic school. The Sacrament of Confirma-tion is celebrated in the parish; and as such, the candidates are prepared in our Confirmation Class held on Sunday mornings from 9:00 – 10:15. Classes will begin on Sep-tember 11. CCD Program Volunteers If you would be willing to serve as a CCD teacher or sub-stitute teacher for the upcoming school year, please con-tact the Rectory at 864-2272 or Linda Hebert at 832-7551. Please note that in order to help protect our youth, all individuals who work with minors undergo an official background check by the Diocese of Biloxi.

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK Saturday: +Mary & Ludovic Lee Sunday: 8:00am- +Daniel Adore; +Mike Pickich; +Johnny & Betty Fayard; +William Vernon Smith 10:30am– +Dr. Else Tracy; +Benjamin North 6:00pm– People of the Parish Monday: +Margaret Dubuisson Tuesday: +Matthew & Thelma Serpa Wednesday: +Mackie Fayard Thursday +Dewey Atwood Friday: +Doris Burrus

Gil Bailey Katherine E. Bailey Mary Ann Bishop Carol Campbell James Doles Betty Ferguson JonViolet Flickinger Dan & Lorraine Goad Anne & Oren Had-dock

Patrick Holley Loyce & Nick Hyre Margaret Jowers Percy Kaigler Mary Kealy Florence Keppner Norbert Keppner S J Marengo Jace Mathews Celeste McInnis

Cherie Mennis Linda Mitchell Ed Panter Roland Riel Stanley Tiner Felecia Vann Rosemary White James Williams Ginger Worth

Please Remember in Your Prayers

Prayer is the door through which all God’s Graces comes to us -St. Theresa of Avila

If you or anyone in your family is ill at home or in the hospital and would like us to visit you-please call the parish office at 864-2272.

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — Do not spend your life toiling for mate-rial gain (Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23). Psalm — If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts (Psalm 90). Second Reading — Christ has raised you to new life, so seek now what is above (Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11). Gospel — Be on guard against all greed, for your life does not consist of earthly possessions, but of the riches of the reign of God (Luke 12:13-21). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, Interna-tional Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: Jer 28:1-17; Ps 119:29, 43, 79, 80, 95, 102; Mt 14:13-21 Tuesday: Jer 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22; Ps 102:16-21, 29, 22-23; Mt 14:22-36 or Mt 15:1-2, 10-14 Wednesday: Jer 31:1-7; Jer 31:10, 11-12ab, 13; Mt 15:21-28 Thursday: Jer 31:31-34; Ps 51:12-15, 18-19; Mt 16:13-23 Friday: Na 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7; Dt 32:35cd-36ab, 39abcd, 41; Mt 16:24-28 Saturday: Dn 7:9-10, 13-14; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 9; 2 Pt 1:16-19; Lk 9:28b-36 Sunday: Wis 18:6-9; Ps 33:1, 12, 18-22; Hb 11:1-2, 8-19 [1-2, 8-12]; Lk 12:32-48 [35-40]

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Monday: St. Alphonsus Liguori Tuesday: St. Eusebius of Vercelli; St. Peter Julian Eymard Thursday: St. John Vianney Friday: Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major; First Friday Saturday: The Transfiguration of the Lord; First Saturday

The second collection at all Masses this weekend is for the 5th Sunday collection for St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry. The second collection next weekend is for the Extension Society.

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Sometimes the treasures of art can provide us with clues about traditions. Take, for example, the miter, the conical hat with lappets, or back-flaps that fall to the shoulders. This cap is worn by bishops in the Catholic West. Eastern Catholics favor a crown, but we have this curious headpiece. In Greek, the word means “turban.” Old paintings and mosaics provide clues about headgear for bishops, and there is very little artistic evidence for the miter before the year 1000. Before then, some kind of head covering might have been worn to offset the damp and chill of unheated churches. The pope, as far back as the seventh century, often wore a cap called a camelau-cum. Around that time, artists painting St. Peter began to portray their subject wearing this hat. By the year 1000 or so, the pope began to grant similar helmet-shaped head-gear as gifts to visiting abbots and bishops. They returned home with these new chapeaus, and before long every-body wanted one! Today, miters are granted not only to bishops, but to certain favored abbots and occasionally abbesses. Pope Benedict XVI set aside the tradition of the papal tiara in favor of the miter, even on his coat of arms. Pope Paul VI was the last pope to have a coronation. As recently as the 1960s, miters were towering skyscrapers of jewels and rich silks, but now a simplicity of style is favored by bish-ops. Miters are here to stay, and experienced altar servers know how to await the bishop’s removing of the miter, since he does not wear it when he is saying the presiden-tial prayers or the Eucharistic Prayer. —Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Collections July 23-24 Identifiable: $2538 Unidentifiable: $1028 ACH: $ 20 Children’s Collection: $17 Hospitality: $356

Thank you for your generosity!

Calendar of Events Aug 2 XLT Adoration, 7pm 5 First Friday Adoration 6 First Saturday Devotion 15 Solemnity of the Assumption, Mass 7am & Noon 23 Anointing of the Sick, @ 11:15 Sept 25 Parish Picnic Oct 2 Mary’s Day Celebration, 10:30am Mass 19 Ministry Appreciation Dinner, Presentation Hall 6pm 31 All Saints Vigil Mass 6pm Nov 1 All Saints, Mass 7am & Noon 2 All Souls, Commemoration of all the faithful departed, Mass 7am 2 Mass for Deceased Parishioners, 6pm 12 Drawdown, Presentation Hall 6pm

We really appreciate those who donate toward the flowers for our church. Sometimes dona-tions are made in honor of an event (anniversary, birthday, etc.) or in memory of a loved one. If you would like to have flowers

placed in church, please contact the parish office at 228 864-2272.

We have a prayer group that meets every Thursday af-ternoon from 5:15-6:15pm. Everyone is invited to join us. For more information call the Parish office, 864-2272.

Weekly prayer group Thursday’s at 10:00am. Call An-nette Seymour 326-0851.

Prayer Groups