Neumann News-Weekly Bulletin
June 28, 2009 --
Saving the world at Dunkin Donuts . . .
A true story, recounted in the weekly “Metropolitan Diary” column of The New York Times, March 2, 2009:
In Dunkin Donuts this morning an old lady wearing a tattered cap started speaking to no one in particular. “I can’t sleep at night. I have pains in my chest all the time. My leg hurts and my children do not love me.”
People waiting in line hid in their cell phones, looked away or stared straight ahead.
“I don’t know what to do. I don’t know where to turn. My husband died two years ago on the 27th.”
Everyone pretended she wasn’t there. The girls behind the counter took the next customers. The line inched forward. At a side table, a beautiful young woman with matching purple scarf and hat looked at the old woman and said simply, “Honey, please sit down with me and tell me your story.” It’s possible, you see, for one person to save the world.
Life can be so much easier and peaceful when we have nothing to do with others. Don’t get involved, walk away, mind your own business, are much safer approaches to life. But in today’s Gospel, Jesus is not afraid to wade into the messiness of life in order to transform, heal and restore. In the two miracles we hear today, Jesus ignores custom and taboo in a way that modern readers may miss: In taking the dead girl by the hand, in allowing the sick woman to touch him, Jesus became ceremoniously unclean and not permitted to enter the synagogue or temple.
But to respond compassionately to the plight of these families becomes more important, more sacred, than the “safety” of convention and tradition. May we imitate that same compassion of the healing Christ, risking our own sense of safety and satisfaction in order to bring that love into the lives of others.
Please be assured of my prayers for you and your families. May you all know Jesus’ healing presence in your lives. Please keep me and our staff in your prayers.
Peace,
Fr. Steve
 We offer our sympathy to the family of parishioner Norbert Kraus who passed away this past week. He is the father of parishioner Sam Meyer. We would also like to offer our sympathy to the family of parishioner Ginny Beacock who passed away this week and to the family of Ron Lesch who is the brother of parishioner Herm Lesch. Please remember the Kraus, Meyer, Beacock, and Lesch families in your prayers.
Peter’s Pence
Today we recall the apostolic journey of Pope Benedict XVI to the United States and his call to us to cast the light of Christ upon the world. We can show our solidarity with the Holy Father and our suffering brothers and sisters abroad through our support of this collection. These funds allow him to provide emergency assistance to victims of war, disaster, oppression, and disease. Please be generous in today’s Peter’s Pence Collection. An envelope for the collection was mailed to our homes.
RCIA
Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults and Children is a process by which we welcome people into the Catholic community. RCIA is for anyone over the age of seven years old who has not been baptized or who has been baptized and then has been away from the church and not received the sacraments of Eucharist or Confirmation. If you or someone you love would be interested in becoming a Catholic Christian please contact Michael Montgomery at 742-0953 or mmontgomery@isoc.net.
Sick, Homebound, or Soon to be Hospitalized?
Here at SJN we want to minister to our parish family to the best of our ability. One of our greatest challenges exists with hospital ministry. HIPPA regulations dictate that hospitals no longer notify us when one of our parishioners is hospitalized. If you know you are going to be hospitalized and would like to be anointed in advance or would like to be visited, please let us know by calling the parish office at 742-0953. Also, if you know of someone who is sick or homebound and you think they would like to be visited or might like to receive our mailings, please check with them and have them contact us. Thanks.
Top of Page
We have printed memorial envelopes available for those who might wish to remember St. John Neumann Parish. We have put some of the envelopes in the Gathering Space of church. We have some at the parish office. Presently we are suggesting that gifts be made to the parish general fund. We will acknowledge each of these memorial gifts in a card or note to the family and in our NEUMANN NEWS. Perhaps you will find this kind of memorial to be a fitting way to remember the people you love: the person who has died and the parish with which you worship.
Please remember St. John Neumann Catholic Church in your will.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
Parents need a boost too, so Catholic Charities is offering a four session “Parent Camp.” People will learn about setting boundaries with their children, how to nurture without overdoing, the importance of saying ‘no’, and parenting with values. The sessions will be held in the chapel at St. Ursula Villa from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. on July 7 and 9; and 9:15 to 10:45 on July 13 & 15. The fee is $15 per person for each session.
LITURGICAL LIFE
Tuesday, June 30
8:30 a.m. + Dorothy Knapp
Wednesday, July 1
8:30 a.m. + Lina Mazurek
Thursday, July 2
8:30 a.m. + Treva Landi
Friday, July 3
8:30 a.m. + Angelina Belanger
Saturday, July 4
5:00 p.m. Peace
Sunday, July 5
9:00 a.m. Thanksgiving
11:00 a.m. For the Parish
Readings for July 4 & 5
First Reading: Ez 2:2-5
Psalm: 123:1-4
Second Reading: Cor 12:7-10
Gospel: Mark 6:1-6a
Top of Page
A THOUGHT FOR ALL TEENS:
Ten Reasons to be Catholic
1. We are the community members that remember Jesus. 2. Catholicism has universality. 3. Catholicism makes bold claims. 4. The Church is a family. 5. We have splendid heroes and heroines. 6. Catholics always have something to celebrate. 7. We draw on a rich spirituality. 8. We take staunch stands on peace and justice. 9. The Church can contain tensions. 10. (What would you add?_______________)
WILL YOU BECOME COMPANIONS IN SERVICE?
Please consider becoming Companions in Service for Young Neighbors in Action mission trip to St. Louis. Young Neighbors in Action is a week-long service program for youth and adults. On July 12th, 12 people from our parish will take part in a Young Neighbors week in St. Louis working to help children and families in need. The teens, who are going on this mission trip, will be asking for people to help financially sponsor their trip and become Companions in Service with them. They will be in the back of Church after the June 27-28th weekend Masses.
Attention all high school students!
We have created a SJN Youth Ministry group on Facebook.
This group is for posting information, events, and any updates for High School Youth Ministry. We thought it would be another good way of getting information out to the youth of our church. We have the group set up in such a way that it only allows Elizabeth access to add new people to the SJN group. If you would like to become a member, go to SJN YOUTH MINISTRY in the group section on Facebook and request to be added, or email Elizabeth at emontgomery@isoc.net.
SJN Ladies Bridge Group is looking for more players and subs. Play is on the third Tuesday evening of each month, September through May, except December. For more information call Vickie B.
ST JOHN NEUMANN PASTORAL COUNCIL 2008-2009
Have a Question? Ask a council person.
The next meeting of Pastoral Council is this Tuesday, June 30.
Grateful to God for many blessings.
Eager to care for our parish
Aware of our responsibilities to needy neighbors everywhere.
OUR SUNDAY OFFERING
OUTREACH TO THE NEEDY
(5% of every Sunday collection)
FOCUS ON THE FUTURE
THANK GOD AND THANK YOU!
Top of Page
Our parish has loans totaling $232,068. Our Focus on the Future
payments will be used to pay on these loans and the current interest accrued until we have paid the principal in full. The blue Focus on the Future payment envelopes will continue to be mailed to our homes in the envelope packets
BUDGET BIT: Church Building Mortgage Payment: On June 24, we made our monthly payment of $7,200 on our loan principal. The balance on parish loans from the Archdiocese is $232,068. .
Catholic Ministries Appeal
Our appreciation goes out to all parishioners who have made a gift to the 2009 Catholic Ministries Appeal. If you have not yet made your gift, please consider making a pledge. To date, we have received $13,412 from 149 households, reaching 54% of our parish goal of $24,694. We ask every family to participate – every gift matters. You can pick up a pledge information packet with pledge form in the back of the church. Please return your competed pledge/gift through the mail in the envelope provided in the information packet. For more information please visit www.CatholicAppeal.info. Every gift matters. Thank you!
WEEKLY CALENDAR
Tuesday, June 30
5:00 p.m. Tender Mercies
7:00 p.m. Pastoral Council - YR
Wednesday, July 1
7:00 p.m. Music Ensemble
Thursday, July 2
1:30 p.m. Pastoral Area Staff Mtg
6:00 p.m. Benediction & Holy Hour – OLC
Friday, July 3
Independence Holiday
Office Closed
Saturday, July 4
3:00 p.m. Music Ministry - Nave
4:00 p.m. Reconciliation
Sunday, July 5
9:00 a.m. LoWwC - OLC
Top of Page
FESTIVAL GRAND PRIZE!
Tickets are now for sale for the $10,000 Grand Prize Raffle - there will only be 500 sold so don't wait. Please contact the church office for official rules and entry form
Get Involved! Several volunteer super-receptionists needed to answer phones and perform light office work. Data entry and running errands would be a plus. If you would like to be one of the team of Gal or (Guy) Fridays for the West End Center, contact Mike or John at Catholic Charities RSVP program. Phone (513) 241-7745 or email
The Little Sisters – invite you to our 2nd Annual “BBQ Cook-Off and Family Night” on Saturday, July 18th from 6 to 10 p.m. here at our Home (476 Riddle Rd in Clifton).
Time for a mid-year resolution?
The year is half over. Would you like to make the second half of even more fulfilling than the first half? Schedule a weekend away to make your marriage closer than you ever imagined. Make a good marriage a GREAT one with a Marriage Encounter Weekend! The next Marriage Encounter weekends in this area are July 17-19 at the Comfort Inn in Erlanger, Ky. Weekends fill up quickly, so a prompt response is encouraged to avoid the waiting list.
Life is fragile – handle with prayer.
A CATHOLIC WINDOW ON THE WORLD
Spring is often a time of renewal. As the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, The Catholic Telegraph is a great way to get a glimpse at the church throughout the year. But, more than ever, Catholics need to know one another. We need to be inspired by learning of the marvelous sacrifices other Catholics make as they follow Jesus’ commandments to love God and love their neighbor. We need to have role models to emulate as we strive to deepen our personal spiritual life. Learn about your neighbors in the Catholic Telegraph. Whether the news is local, national or international, The Catholic Telegraph keeps you informed. For just 50 cents an issue, the Catholic Telegraph is $24 for 51 issues. For your Catholic Window on the world, subscribe to The Catholic Telegraph.
AHA! - Something old is new again and happening at SJN!!!!
We are beginning our own Prayer Shawl Ministry, "Threads of Comfort" here at SJN!!! Jackie Hibberd and I, Cetta Romer, are heading up this very unique, self-rewarding ministry.
The purpose of the ministry is to supply shut-ins, nursing homes, hospitals, hospices, etc. with beautifully hand-crafted, warm prayer shawls for their patients.
If you knit or crochet we'd love to have you with us. If you do not knit or crochet presently and would like to learn how we will be happy to work with you at no charge during the summer. Just call either of us - phone numbers at the end of this article. We will need lots of help - donations of yarn, large knitting needles and crochet hooks.
Our meetings will be once a month, on Saturday mornings, beginning September 19. There will be flyers out in the future and a brochure will be available in the Gathering Space of church which will give you a very detailed idea of our mission.
If you'd like to join with us you can e-mail or call either of us.
Jackie H, email or Cetta Romer, email.
Please join us!
Directions
Top of Page
| 
