ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST 833 Main Street Agawam, MA 01001

www.stjohnagawam.com [email protected] Office Phone: 413-786-8105 | Fax: 413-455-3100

Welcome! No matter what your present status in the , No matter what your family or marital situation, No matter what your past or present religious affiliation, No matter what your personal history, background, race or other, No matter what your own self-image or esteem, You are invited, welcomed, accepted, loved and respected here at St. John’s.

EUCHARIST: Lord’s Day : Saturday 4:00 pm, Sunday 8:00 am, 10:30 am Weekday Mass: Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday at 8:00 am & Wednesday at 6:00 pm | Adoration: Wed. 12:00 - 6:00 pm

CONFESSION: Saturday 2:45 to 3:45 pm, Wednesday 4:30 to 5:30 pm, or by Appointment. BAPTISM: Please call the parish office to schedule. MARRIAGE: To be arranged at least one year in advance. Please call the parish office. ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Is available in the Confessional every Saturday or see Father after Mass. If you or a loved one needs Father to come to you, please call the parish office. CONFIRMATION: Takes place in 11th Grade, please contact the Director of Religious Education to enroll in classes. If you are an adult and need to make your Confirmation, please contact the same office and ask about the RCIA program. HOLY ORDERS: Are you thinking about a vocation to the priesthood or religious life? Please call Fr. Pierz at the parish office, or call the Office of Vocations at (413) 452-0811. PARISH MISSION STATEMENT: We are a Roman Catholic community inspired by the Holy Spirit to follow the example of our Lord and Savior Christ by sharing, growing and spreading God the Father’s love through our parish ministries, and by coming together as a community in meaningful prayer and worship to celebrate that love.

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time—August 29, 2021 22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Thoughts from from the the Rectory Rectory … …

Through observance of the Lord’s commands, we Dear Friends of St. John the Evangelist, shall experience the fullness of life. Living in “Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you conformity with God’s will frees us from all casuistry and is able to save your souls. Be doers of the word and about good and evil. We are called to welcome God’s word and to let it take root in our hearts. not hearers only, deluding yourselves” (Jm 1:21-22). While our second reading at Mass is most often taken from the Epistles of St. Paul, who exhorts and challenges

PARISH OFFICE HOURS us frequently and boldly, this week’s apostolic letter Monday-Thursday - 9:00 am - 3:00 pm comes from another Apostle and follower of the Lord. Friday - Closed St. James found himself among the original Twelve and privileged to hear the words of eternal life as they were Pastor: Fr. Michael Pierz first spoken. He walked with our Savior and, after the [email protected] events of Our Lord’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection, would go out to proclaim salvation in His name until his Parochial Vicar: Fr. John Hurley own martyrdom. He was a doer of the word and not a [email protected] hearer only. Deacon: Deacon Dave Picard [email protected] Through the witness of first apostles and disciples, the Priest in Retirement: Fr. John Lis teaching of Jesus and His salvific mission reaches to our own lands and our own times. It is the very lives and Office Manager: Andreana Perkins voices of those who profess themselves Christians and [email protected] are united to the Mystical Body of Christ in word and Parish Secretary: Debbie Whitehead deed that we too may become sharers in divine life and Reception Volunteers: Mary Talarico, witnesses ourselves. Patricia Brown, Shirley Cusluski Four weeks from today we will have the chance to Pastoral Ministry to Sick & Homebound: gather for a proud day and memorable encounter. We Francesca Brandt celebrate the dedication of our parish church and the 75 [email protected] years that the life and truth of Christ has been faithfully Director of Religious Education: Claire Riberdy preached here on Main Street! [email protected] Bishop Thomas Mary O’Leary, a priest of Manchester, Director of “In the Beginning” New Hampshire appointed and installed as Bishop of Pre-School Ministry: Claire Riberdy (Interim) Springfield a hundred years ago this year, would offer [email protected] the ritual Mass for the dedication of the altar and church in his 25th year of episcopal ministry on September 29th, Pre-School Teachers: Isabel Dunn 1946. That day, a Sunday, was the Solemnity of the Director of Music Ministry: Isabella Manning Archangel Michael (today joined by Gabriel and [email protected] Raphael as well), who happens to be the patron of our Maintenance Supervisor: Beth Thomas diocese here in Western Massachusetts. [email protected] This year we will gather on the nearest Sunday, which Child Advocate: Mary Beth Swindell happens to be September 26th. We will have the honor of Private Line: (860) 386-6009 hosting Bishop William Byrne, our current Bishop of Finance Council: Springfield, as principal celebrant. As the men, women, David Ross (Chair) Dale Marie Breault and children of Agawam today, we will join together as Cecile Fragoso Suzanne Lamkins the contemporary witnesses to Jesus Christ, inheritors of Ted Muszynski His divine message, and descendants of our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents who established Pastoral Council: this Main Street community. Following Mass we will Cecile Fragoso (Acting Chair) Megan Baillargeon continue the celebration with our parish picnic and Luke Hollwedel Jeffrey Kraus further rejoicing. Join me now in praying for a beautiful Dorota Maliszewska Leo Marinak Jessica Pokora Jane Seaver day and preparing to remember the joys of faith and Jane Trevethan Cara Waterman practice over the past 75 years! Welcome one and all as we welcome the word that is able to save our souls! Bulletin Submissions are due 9 days prior to print St. John the Evangelist, pray for us! Email: [email protected] Fr. Pierz 22nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Saturday, August 28th SANCTUARY LAMP August 29-September 4 4:00 pm—Jack Bodurtha  Will Be Lit in Memory of Requested by His Wife & Children Sunday, August 29th Muriel I. Thies Requested by 8:00 am—Deceased Members of the Chartier Family  The Breault family If you would like to request the Sanctuary Candle to Requested Cecile Fragoso be lit in honor of or in memory of someone, 10:30 am—FOR THE PEOPLE please contact the parish office.

Monday, August 30th 8:00 am—Emile Cote  Requested by Friends of Agawam Senior Center Please remember in your prayers: Tuesday, August 31st Please pray for the sick and dying of 8:00 am—Kay Monahan  our parish. Remember all who are in Requested by Catholic Women’s Club hospitals, nursing homes and homebound. Pray for the hungry, the Wednesday, September 1st unemployed and under-employed. 6:00 pm—Una Dobek  Pray for an end to abortion and a true Requested by The Muscus Family respect for all life, from conception to Thursday, September 2nd natural death. Pray for peace. In a concrete way we pray for all those who have died 8:00 am—Angelo Stack, St.  and all the deceased members of our parish and Requested by The Family diocese, especially Gloria Wojcik, Charles Lobik and Friday, September 3rd—Saint Gregory the Great Florence Lobik. 8:00 am—Reginald A. Poirier  Requested by his wife Mildred grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. Saturday, September 4th May they rest in peace. Amen. 8:00 am—Maria Waterman  May their souls and the souls of all the faithful Requested by a Friend of the Family departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. 23rd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Saturday, September 4th If you would like to include someone who has recently passed away, please call the parish office 4:00 pm—Maria & Stanislaw Romanowski  or email: [email protected]. Requested by the Family Sunday, September 5th IN MY MOTHER’S ARMS 8:00 am—Marie Sibilia  PRAYER LINE: Requested Husband Jerry & Family 10:30 am—James & Bella Manning If you have a serious intention that you need prayers for: Requested by The Seaver Family surgery, sufferings, medical, illness, cancer treatment, a sick child, or anything like that, please give Pat (786-3023) or Mary (786-9671) a call and you will have countless and prayers. If anyone else is interested in being a prayer partner, please call Pat or Mary. Parish Renewal Prayer

Coffee, Fellowship Father, in the beginning and Q&A you created heaven and earth with Father Pierz and in the fullness of time you restored all things September 2nd through your son, Jesus Christ. After the 8:00 am Daily Mass In the Father Joyce Room You formed us

Join us for fellowship, and bring your and blew into us the Breath of Life. Questions on Faith, Doctrine, and Send your Holy Spirit Liturgy, Life, and all things Catholic into our parish of St. John the Evangelist for this Q & A session! that He may give new life to our community. Soften our hearts.

Draw us deeper into the mystery of faith so as to reflect the light of your love in the hope that others will be drawn into our parish family.

Help us work together with you to foster vocations to Holy Orders, Sacramental Marriage, and Consecrated Life. Grant to the deceased of our parish the joys of love in the Heavenly Kingdom.

This we ask you, Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ your Son, who lives with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

CCC Part II, Chapter Two, Article 4 The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

1440: Sin is before all else an offense against God, a rupture of communion with him. At the same time it damages communion with the Church. For this reason conversion entails both God’s forgiveness and reconciliation with the Church, which are expressed and accomplished liturgically by the sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. Want to learn more? You can read the remainder of section 1 by:  searching “CCC 1440” online  purchasing a Catechism of the Catholic Church, available online, or for a $10 offering from the Parish Office while supplies last.

PASTORAL CONSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH IN THE MODERN WORLD GAUDIUM ET SPES PROMULGATED BY HIS HOLINESS PAUL VI ON DECEMBER 7, 1965

PART I: THE CHURCH AND MAN’S CALLING CHAPTER IV: THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH IN THE MODERN WORLD 45. While helping the world and receiving many benefits from it, the Church has a single intention: that God's kingdom may come, and that the salvation of the whole human race may come to pass. For every benefit which the People of God during its earthly pilgrimage can offer to the human family stems from the fact that the Church is "the universal sacrament of salvation", simultaneously manifesting and exercising the mystery of God's love. For God's Word, by whom all things were made, was Himself made flesh so that as perfect man He might save all men and sum up all things in Himself. The Lord is the goal of human history, the focal point of the longings of history and of civilization, the center of the human race, the joy of every heart and the answer to all its yearnings. He it is Whom the Father raised from the dead, lifted on high and stationed at His right hand, making Him judge of the living and the dead. Enlivened and united in His Spirit, we journey toward the consummation of human history, one which fully accords with the counsel of God's love: "To reestablish all things in Christ, both those in the heavens and those on the earth" (Eph. 11:10). The Lord Himself speaks: "Behold I come quickly! And my reward is with me, to render to each one according to his works. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end (Rev. 22:12-13). PART II: SOME PROBLEMS OF SPECIAL URGENCY 46. This council has set forth the dignity of the human person, and the work which men have been destined to undertake throughout the world both as individuals and as members of society. There are a number of particularly urgent needs characterizing the present age, needs which go to the roots of the human race. To a consideration of these in the light of the Gospel and of human experience, the council would now direct the attention of all. Of the many subjects arousing universal concern today, it may be helpful to concentrate on these: marriage and the family, human progress, life in its economic, social and political dimensions, the bonds between the family of nations, and peace. On each of these may there shine the radiant ideals proclaimed by Christ. By these ideals may Christians be led, and all mankind enlightened, as they search for answers to questions of such complexity. CHAPTER I: FOSTERING THE NOBILITY OF MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY 47. The well-being of the individual person and of human and Christian society is intimately linked with the healthy condition of that community produced by marriage and family. Hence Christians and all men who hold this community in high esteem sincerely rejoice in the various ways by which men today find help in fostering this community of love and perfecting its life, and by which parents are assisted in their lofty calling. Those who rejoice in such aids look for additional benefits from them and labor to bring them about. Yet the excellence of this institution is not everywhere reflected with equal brilliance, since polygamy, the plague of divorce, so-called free love and other disfigurements have an obscuring effect. In addition, married love is too often profaned by excessive self-love, the worship of pleasure and illicit practices against human generation. Moreover, serious disturbances are caused in families by modern economic conditions, by influences at once social and psychological, and by the demands of civil society. Finally, in certain parts of the world problems resulting from population growth are generating concern. All these situations have produced anxiety of consciences. Yet, the power and strength of the institution of marriage and family can also be seen in the fact that time and again, despite the difficulties produced, the profound changes in modern society reveal the true character of this institution in one way or another. Therefore, by presenting certain key points of Church doctrine in a clearer light, this sacred synod wishes to offer guidance and support to those Christians and other men who are trying to preserve the holiness and to foster the natural dignity of the married state and its superlative value. (. GAUDIUM ET SPES. Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 7 December 1965, 45-47) Welcome to Our Newly Baptized Child of God RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS and Son of St. John’s Registration is open for Fall 2021 enrollment at St. John the Evangelist Church’s CCD Program! A parent meeting will be planned for late September, and classes will begin early October.

Download a registration from our website, www.stjohnagawam.com

Baby Brooks Rowe, (click About Us, Downloadable Forms)

son of Evan and Kelly Rowe, Mail in your completed form with a check to cover recently received the the registration fee, or drop off to the Parish Office. Sacrament of Baptism, $55 per child, $100 for two or more children. a gateway into the Life of the Spirit. If you are interested in volunteering your time as a catechist, please reach out to:

Claire Riberdy, Director of Religious Education [email protected] or 413-786-8105, ext. 103

What’s Happening around the Diocese and beyond…

MASS FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS Western Mass Young Adults September 5, 10:00 am, Forest Park Bishop William D. Byrne will celebrate Mass for essential Young Adults are encouraged to workers at the Forest Park amphitheater, adjacent to the monitor the online upcoming events Barney Estate, Sunday, Sept. 5 at 10 a.m. The Mass, calendar, and to get involved: Visit which will be broadcast live on “Chalice of Salvation,” on http://diospringfield.org/Ministries/ WWLP-22 News, will recognize and lift up in prayer office-of-young-adult-ministry/ healthcare workers, first responders, employees of grocery stores, gas stations, and other businesses considered essential during to the state of emergency in 2020. Contact: Joe Austin, Bishop Byrne will also recognize the teachers and staff of [email protected] Catholic schools in the Springfield Diocese, which welcomed students back for in-person learning in the fall “Verso l’alto!” (“To the Heights!”) of 2020, when most communities were still remote or – Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati hybrid. The televised Mass will be sponsored by Big Y Supermarkets; Mercy Medical Center in Springfield; the Knights of Columbus Massachusetts State Council; Knights of Columbus Archbishop Williams Assembly, Sacred Heart Parish Fourth Degree; and the 446 Mountain Rd, Suffield, CT Knights of Columbus Fairview Council 4044. ALL NIGHT PRAYER VIGIL People are encouraged to Friday, September 3, 2021 bring their own chairs or 8:00 PM—5:30 AM blankets for seating. Entrance and parking are free. First Friday All Night Vigil To Console the Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary

In the Beginning Preschool News COMING UP AT ST. JOHN’S Daily Mass Times: 8 am (M, T, Th, F) 6 pm (W) Recently, our preschoolers shared gifts (painted rocks!) with the Confession Times: Wed. 4:30 pm, Sat., 2:45 pm Visitation Nuns in Tyringham, Wednesday, September 1st who handmade and gave each of 10:00 am Knitting Club (FJR) the children devotional badges of 7:00 pm Pastoral Council (FJR) the Sacred Heart, , and more! Thursday, September 2nd Even though they’re cloistered, 8:45 am Coffee Hour (FJR) the Visitation Sisters helped our Sunday, September 5th children to better understand 8:00 am Take and Eat (Kitchen, FJR) consecrated life and the lives of 6:30 pm Scouts (PC3) these incredible women religious!

Marian Did you know? … After daily Mass each day, our wonderful community sings in veneration of Mary. Often we Immaculate, her praises we sing! Holy Mother Church celebrates songs of St. Mary, especially throughout the various liturgical seasons. To grow more familiar with the rich treasury of Christian hymnody, we will soon begin singing some of these Marian Antiphons after the 6:00 pm Wednesday Masses. Each liturgical season has its proper Marian hymn! Late Ordinary Time: “” (“Hail, Holy Queen”) Advent & Christmas: “Alma ” (“Kindly Mother of the Redeemer”) Hot Dog Donations needed Early Ordinary Time & Lent Please bring hot dog donations to the Parish Office “Ave Regina caelorum” (“Hail, ”) Monday through Thursday, 9 am—3 pm. Easter: “, laetare” (“Queen of Heaven, Thank you for helping feed the homeless Rejoice”) through our “Loaves & Fishes” Ministry! Song sheets will be made available at the church entrance. In preparation, you can learn the tune and Weekend of August 15th view lyrics at youtube.com (search: “Salve Regina simple tone”). “Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father” Weekly: $3,127 Maintenance: $531 Fuel: $271 Loose: $439 Loan Repayment: $387 Online Giving: $1,353.30 Total: $6,108.30 “May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of His name, for our good and “Salve Regina” the good of all His holy Church.” Sung from Pentecost to Christ the King