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

Prayer Corner

Please remember the sick of our parish in your prayers:  Roland Bangsund, Jan Blod, Marion Caylor, Elise Christianson, Jim Dawson, Dennis Faulkner, Debbie Griggs, Elizabeth Hanley, Rose Hennen, Rose Holland, Donna Johanns, Dorene Johnson, Renee Lubbers, Joseph Mannelly, John McGowan, Deacon Jim Murphy, Gen Sheats, Irene Turmes, Bob and Barb Velner, and Jim Walker.

 

WELCOME AS WE CONTINUE THE EASTER CELEBRATION

YOU ARE INVITED TO COME TO MASS EARLY NEXT SUNDAY!!!  Please join me, and some of the significant people who have been updating our school building and church entrances.  GATHER at 9:30 a.m. next Sunday, outside, around the parking lot entrance on Preston.  JOIN IN  a prayer of blessing and dedication, and a couple of acknowledgements to those who have made these wonderful projects possible.  CELEBRATE the 10 a.m. Mass together; and then enjoy a coffee-donut RECEPTION in the Community Room after Mass.  (Of course, the brief ceremony at 9:30 a.m. will be indoors if the weather doesn’t cooperate.)

It is a cliché, but it is true:  things change.  There has been very little "turn-over" here with the staff at St. John's.  That continuity is healthy and helpful, but so is change.  CAROLE KEEHN, whom everyone knows as our parish Business Administrator, has served the parish for 21 years.  She will retire from that position the first week of August.  Carole has been a stabilizing influence through many changes and some turmoil in our parish.  Her commitment to the parish and to her faith is beyond admirable.  I have often joked with her that the Archbishop never gives me a parish without an administrator because I have difficulty balancing my check book and have never pounded a nail in straight in my life.  I have depended on her, and she has fulfilled every expectation I have had of a parish Business Administrator.  Those of you who have worked with her know her to be competent and caring about our parishioners and our parish.  She has been an excellent steward of the material and financial areas of parish life.  Please extend your thanks to her in the coming weeks as you have the opportunity; as a parish and as a staff, we will be honoring her officially as well.

The position of parish Faith Formation Director is a key position in a parish as well.  LOLA HIGGINS has served us in that position for five years and will be leaving us as of June 15 to take a similar position nearer to her home.  Those of you who know Lola and have worked with her know her to be a woman of faith, energy and creativity.  She has led us as parish in supporting and helping the parent role of faith formation of our youth, as director of the Wednesday evening classes for public grade school children, the nursery, Sunday School program, Confirmation program for 9th and 10th graders, Bible study opportunities and adult on-going faith formation programs.  That is quite a plateful for a half-time position, and Lola has given full attention to these areas.  I am and we are grateful to her for such faithful service.  As with Carole, we will be honoring her and invite you to wish her well in person, by greetings and prayers.

I value greatly working with the staff we have at St. John's.  They, like the Councils of the parish, are the primary advisors to me as pastor.  Let us be grateful for the quality of people that make up these bodies, and pray that such faith and abilities identify the staff and leadership always.

These two positions are listed on the Archdiocesan website for people seeking church positions.  A search and interview committee is being set up for each position representing the staff, the area of ministry and the parish, to help advise me in hiring for these positions.                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                             —Father Ralph

 

Mass Intentions Week of May 28

Sat.        May 27        5:00 pm      †Mack Millerbernd

Sun.       May 28       10:00 am      †Deceased Members of                                                       the Bell Family

             Hispanic      2:30 pm      People of the Community

                                6:00 pm      People of the Parish

Memorial Day

Mon.     May 29        9:00 am      Deacon Jim & Char Murphy

Tues.     May 30       5:30 pm        Don Kleiner

Wed.     May 31       10:00 am     †John Galvin

Thurs.    June 1           5:30 pm     †Clarence McDonald

Fri.        June 2          8:00 am      †Anne Tautin

Sat.        June 3          8:00 am      †Child Victims of the                                                          Tsumani

                                5:00 pm      People of the Parish

Sun.       June 4        10:00 am      †Marcelyn Wright

             Hispanic      2:30 pm      People of the Community

6:00 pm †Patricia Maxwell