“Arise and Eat, Else the Journey Will Be Too Great for You.” (I Kings 19:7)

Mass Intentions Week of February 4

Sat.        Feb. 3          5:00 pm      †Pat Maxwell

Sun.       Feb. 4         10:00 am      †Joe Hoffmann

Hispanic                  2:30 pm      People of the Community

                                6:00 pm      People of the Parish

Tues.     Feb. 6          5:30 pm     †Fr. Roger Hermes

Wed.     Feb. 7         10:00 am     †Lucille Speeter

Thurs.    Feb. 8          5:30 pm      †Marian Ess

Fri.        Feb. 9          8:00 am      †Souls in Purgatory

Sat.        Feb. 10         8:00 am      †Jeanette Hebert

                                5:00 pm      Clarence Steman Jr.

Sun.       Feb. 11       10:00 am      †John Albert Pierro

Hispanic                  2:30 pm      People of the Community

                                6:00 pm      People of the Parish

 

Readings for the Week

Monday:       Gn 1:1-19; Mk 6:53-56

Tuesday:       Gn 1:20 — 2:4a; Mk 7:1-13

Wednesday:  Gn 2:4b-9, 15-17; Mk 7:14-23

Thursday:      Gn 2:18-25; Mk 7:24-30

Friday:          Gn 3:1-8; Mk 7:31-37

Saturday:       Gn 3:9-24; Mk 8:1-10

Sunday:         Jer 17:5-8; Ps 1; 1 Cor 15:12, 16-20;

                     Lk 6:17, 20-26

GREETINGS AND WELCOME TO ALL

In this Sunday's Gospel, we hear the powerful story of the call by Jesus of his Apostles, Peter, James and John.  The story is familiar: Jesus encourages them to "Cast your nets into deep

water", and they reluctantly obey—after all, they had done so all night with no results whatever!  But now, by listening to Jesus, they haul in a very abundant catch.  The lesson is clear for them and for us: we are aware of how little we can do by ourselves, on our own; our sinfulness and weakness make us aware of our unworthiness, but when we allow Jesus to guide us and inspire us, we know new strength and ability in doing the right and good thing.  So we too, listen ("do not be afraid") and follow Him.

In the midst of this long, slow and boring winter, St. John's is a hub of activity.  The parish is in the process of

interviewing for a new school principal and for a part-time liturgist.  We are also busy planning for the important and holy seasons of Lent and Easter.  It is time NOW to mark your calendars for the Lenten Soup Suppers,

presentations by notable speakers, and Stations of the Cross. 

On the Fridays of Lent, a soup supper at 6 p.m. will bring us together; included in the evening will be 25-minute

presentations that cannot fail to meet the needs and interests of every one of us.  Each evening will feature a speaker around the topic of "What we should know as Catholics about. . ."   Presenters include:

Chuck Ceronsky (Pastoral Care Director for the Fairview-University Health Care Hospitals);

Lori Glynn (Director of the Catholic Education and Formation Office of the Archdiocese);

Father Paul Feela (pastor, Most Holy Trinity parish in St. Louis Park, chaplain at Benilde-St. Margaret High School, and degreed in Liturgical Studies);

Sister Fran Donnelly (Director of Parish Life Office of the Archdiocese);

Father Michael Byron (pastor, St. Cecilia parish and professor of theology at St. Paul Seminary);

and my lowly self. 

Their specific topics will be announced soon.  These presentations will be a valuable adult education experience and feed our spiritual Lenten journey.  The supper and presentations will be followed by Stations of the Cross at 7:15 p.m. each Friday evening. 

 

Help the Liturgy Committee plan for Lent and Easter.

Next Sunday, February 11, after the 10 AM Mass, meet in the School Meeting Room

(directions will be posted). Your ideas and help are important.

                                                                                                                                               —Father Ralph

Annual Catholic Appeal

Next weekend marks the beginning of the 2007 Annual Catholic Appeal.  The Appeal supports forty-five ministries and programs that help the spiritual, educational, and social needs of the Archdiocesan community.  Please look for your letter from Archbishop Flynn and prayerfully consider a gift to the Appeal.

 

 

God doesn’t call the qualified,

He qualifies the called.