MISSION STATEMENT We The people of the Whiting/Robertsdale Cluster, are a Catholic Faith Community, eth- nically rich, culturally diverse, and one in Faith. Inspired by the unity of the Holy Trinity, we endeavor to share our Faith as disciples of Jesus. ~ A GLORIOUS REVELATION ~ Jesus was born within a Jewish community, who knew of a promised messiah, but who failed to recognize him when he came. Today’s gospel pre- sents some contrasts worth considering. The Gospel begins with reference to two kings: King Herod a tyrannical ruler, obsessed with power and wealth; the infant king, tiny in size with no display of wealth or power. Jesus, the new born king, is not found in a palace but in a humble home in Bethlehem. Matthew further contrasts the gentile Magi with the Jewish chief priests and scribes. The Magi rely on their study of heavenly signs to discover meaning for the earth, conversely, the Jewish schol- ars rely on their scriptures. Sadly they do not under- stand the scripture’s meaning for the present, nor do they make a journey to search for the child. They are set in their ways and unlike the Magi are not searching for anything new. Today’s feast is good news for us gentiles to whom the Messiah has been revealed. Where do I find myself in the Gospel story? Will I look with “fresh eyes” and recognize the glory of God in my midst? Will I try to appreciate how the seemingly foolish Wisdom of God brings truth to our vain, selfish and comfort obsessed world? Mass Schedules: St. Adalbert: St. John the Baptist May 2020 give each of us improved Saturday: 4:30 p.m. Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 a.m. Anticipated Mass Monday—Friday: 7:00 a.m. 2020 vision to see the things Confessions Saturday: Confessions: Weekdays: of God as they really are. 3:30 — 4:00 p.m. Following the 7:00 a.m. Mass Confessions The Thursday before 1st. Friday of each Month ENCOURAGEMENT from Our Holy Father SJB 4:00 — 4:30 p.m. If someone in your family has offended Sacraments: Please Call St. John Church Office you, go out of your way to seek reconcili- ation. Ask to take him/her out for coffee Whiting /Robertsdale or a meal. Reestablish common ground and friendship. Faith Community As Pope Francis says, St. John the Baptist “Dialogue helps people to overcome & misunderstandings. There is great need St. Adalbert for dialogue in our families, and how much more easily issues would be resolved, if we learned to listen to each other!” January 05, 2020 (from Pope Francis: WISDOM ON LOVE, Practical Advice for Families) Whiting/Robertsdale Faith Community SUNDAY, January 5, 2019 EPIPHNY OF THE LORD Page 2 Saint John the Baptist Church ~ 1849 Lincoln Ave. WORSHIP AND SPIRITUALITY MAIN RECTORY NUMBER…….....(219) 659-0023 IN LOVING MEMORY RECTORY FAX NUMBER…………...(219) 473-7551 January 6: Monday ~ St. Andre Bessette, Religious E-Mail: [email protected] 7:00 a.m. † Ksiazek & Sinal Living & Deceased Families by Joette Website: www.mysjb.org Butkus Secretary, Becky Flores…….. General Information January 7: Tuesday ~ St. Raymond of Peñafort, Priest [email protected] 7:00 a.m. † Margaret Abildua by Robert & Kathy Krygier PASTOR………………………………………Rev. Mark Peres, C.PP.S. Ext. 116 January 8: Wednesday ~ Christmas Weeekday DEACONS………………………………………..Leo Barron & Joseph Manchak 9:00 a.m. † Genie Wojdyla by Betty Skvarek & Family HISPANIC MINISTRY/BULLETIN..…….………………Nora Perez Ext. 105 January 9: Thursday ~ Christmas Weekday FAITH FORMATION/YOUTH MINISTRY. …………Jamie Sandona Ext. 106 7:00 a.m. † Irene & George Baran ADULT FAITH ENRICHMENT………….Margaret Saliga (219) 659-4138 8:30 a.m. Paul & Ann Kozak by Jim & Debbie Kozak MARRIAGE PREPARATION……………………….....………..(219) 659-0023 January 10: Friday ~ Christmas Weekday ST. JOHN SCHOOL ~ Main Number………… (219) 659-3042 7:00 a.m. † Paul P. Hric by Family Principal………………………………………………….Jessica Gonzalez Ext. 304 January 11: Saturday ~ Christmas Weekday (SA) 4:30 p.m. † For All Living & Deceased Police Officers School Secretary , Jeanine Jones …………………..General Information January 12: BAPTISM OF THE LORD Banquet and Hall Rental…………………………….Cathy Bryan 659-3041 8:00 a.m. † W/R Catholic Community ST. VINCENT DE PAUL…………………………………………….(219) 659-1073 10:30 a.m. † Anne Marie Gyre by St. John’s Adult Choir BULLETIN ARTICLES: [email protected] COMMUNITY CALENDAR The collection for Sunday, Dec. 29th, & Mon., Jan 6: 3:05 p.m. SJB ~ Bricks 4 Kidz/Cafeteria Jan. 5th, will be published Tues., Jan 7: 9-3:00 p.m. SENIOR CENTER 6:00 p.m. SJB ~ FESTIVAL MEETING/Cafeteria on Sunday, Jan. 12th. Wed., Jan. 8: 10:00 a.m. SJB ~ FCSLA/Founders Rm. 11:00 a.m. LUNCH WITH FRIENDS Thurs., Jan. 9: 9-3:00 p.m. ~ SENIOR CENTER CATHOLIC SERVICES APPEAL CAMPAIGN FOR 2019 6:30 p.m. SJB ~ PASTORAL COUNCIL/Founders Rm. GOAL PLEDGES PAID Balance Due SA $ 8,183.00 $ 3,245.00 $3,245.00 $4,938.00 6:30 p.m. SJB ~ Choir Practice Sat., Jan. 11: 3:30 p.m. ST. AL’S ~ CONFESSIONS SJB $ 60,573.00 $53,411.00 $51,261.00 $7,162.00 Sun., Jan. 12: 9:00 a.m. SJB ~ FAITH FORMATION CLASSES Shop at Strack & Van Til Send your store receipts to SJB! ROSARY SOCIETY NEWS “Thank you” Carol and Marian Vargo and By submitting your Strack’s receipts, you Group 4 for hosting a delicious and most en- can help our students to earn valuable edu- joyable Dec. 8th Christmas luncheon. cational materials& equipment. It’s easy. + + + + + + + + + + + Submit your receipts at the rectory drop The bi-annual Rosary Board Meeting box or in the weekly collection soon. (ends is Monday, Jan. 13, March 2020). 9:30 a.m. , Founders Room. The Rosary Society monthly meeting is Thurs., Jan. 16., 1:00 p.m., Founders Room. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. INSPIRATION from St. M. Teresa of Calcutta “Live simply so others may simply live… spread love everywhere you go. Let us make this year a year of peace; we will try to talk with God and then listen; from the silence of our hearts, we can preach the peace of Christ as he did, by going about doing good to others.” (from Do something Beautiful for God, The Essential Teachings of Mother Teresa) Whiting/Robertsdale Faith Community SUNDAY, January 5, 2019 EPIPHNY OF THE LORD Page 3 W/R CATHOLIC COMMUNITY 2020 WINTER FESTIVAL ~ HOUSE BLESSING 2020 Western Winter Fest This year the feast of the Epipha- February 21-23 ny is celebrated on Sunday, Jan- th Each week, a specialty booth of the annual uary 5 . Blessing kits (which include the blessing prayer, holy Winter Festival will be highlighted. These water, and chalk) are available articles are to inform the parish communi- at the baptismal font at St. John ty of what goes into putting the booth and St. Adalbert churches. They together, the supplies needed, and the specific donations need- may be used when blessing your ed to make each booth a success. home. We hope that our Catho- The Winter Festival started in 1976, and has grown into making lic Community will carry on this St. John a community that comes together to enjoy each other’s custom of house blessing in the New Year. In doing so we continue the ancient custom inspired company. The festival is a time for parents to meet other par- by the visit of the Magi (the Three Kings) May our homes be ents, for students to have fun with their classmates, and for the places of welcome for all who enter them, and may the peace parish to come together and visit. We hope you will all plan to of Christ be shared by all, who dwell therein. put your boots on, and mosey on over to the chuck wagon for food, fun & friends! Reach out with questions to the Festival RESPECT LIFE ~ Save the Date Chairpersons – Kirsten Lund, [email protected], 773-206- March for Life Chicago 2412, or Candi Gard [email protected], 219-201-6287. Saturday, January 11, 2020 Early Bird Raffle Ticket Drawings The March for Life Chicago will take place on Saturday, January 11, Turn your tickets in early for a chance to win! 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington Street. By now the parish & school families should have received their Rally starts at 1:00 p.m. March to follow. The Chicago March for Life “Blue & Gold” Festival raffle ticket. If you did not receive your began so that those who could not travel to the national March in tickets, please reach out to the festival chairpersons. The first of Washington, D.C. could participate locally. For more information, go to http://www.marchforlife-chicago.org/ two early bird raffle drawings will occurred on Friday, December 20th . The second early bird drawing will take place on Tuesday, Janu- ary 21, 2020, and the grand prize drawing on Sunday, February 23, 2020! Tickets can be purchased by calling the school office, 659-3042. SILENT AUCTION A HIGHLIGHT of the Festival. The silent auction brought in $17,000 during the 2019 festival. This year, we’d like to exceed this amount. A large effort is needed to generate interest from ANNUAL RESPECT LIFE PRAYER SERVICE attendees, find sponsors, and coordinate the bidding. The Whiting/Robertsdale Faith Enrichment Committee invites you St. John’s traditional items include classroom themed art pro- and your family and friends to participate in the 2020 Respect Life jects, Day with the Principal, Pierogi Festival Parking, Front pew Prayer Service on Sunday, January19, 2:00 p.m.