OUR HISTORY
On February 1, 1978, the parish of St. John Neumann was
officially established by Archbishop, Joseph Bernardin, with
Rev. Jesse Lonsway as pastor.
In l980, St. Bartholomew, Corpus Christi and St. John Neumann
parishes joined to form St. Bartholomew Consolidated School,
to meet the educational needs of the children of the
parishes.
In January, 1981, Rev. Patrick Duffy became the second pastor
of Saint John Neumann.
Worshipping in space leased in the Woodfox Center, the
community started actively planning to construct a church
building in March, 1983, and in September of that year, the
“Building a Home for Our Church” fund drive campaign was
begun. In July, 1984, groundbreaking ceremonies were held.
The dedication of our new "home" took place on May 17, 1985,
with Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk, presiding. Rather than
an ending, this was a new beginning for “one of God's great
churches in the making.”
We entered a new chapter in our history when Father Rob
Waller became the third pastor of our community of faith on
May 1, 1989.
In 1998, the “Focus on the Future” capital campaign was begun to raise funds to" Build, Restore, and Complete" our parish facilities which had not seen the same growth as our parish ministries and programs. A new parish pastoral center with a large youth room, music rehearsal room, offices for the parish staff, and a lower level for future growth, was constructed and blessed in February, 2000.
The parish house was renovated to serve as a home for our pastor. The nave of our church was renovated in November, 2000, with new chairs, carpeting, lighting and sound systems to provide seating on all sides of the altar, and with the altar, ambo and assembly all on the same level. The church atrium was renovated and a Baptismal font suitable for immersion of adults and infants was constructed one and half years earlier.
We now begin a new century and millennium as we continue “Making the name of the Lord known in this place.”
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OUR LOGO
As time goes on, our logo
will become more and more familiar. It is
our wordless testimony of who we are and what
our work for the Lord is all about. The
following is an explanation of the symbols
which comprise the logo:
The cone-shaped background represents a leaf
for the greenbelt area which surrounds the
geographic area; a bishop's mitre,
indicating our unity with the local church under our
Archbishop and St. John Neumann, Bishop of Philadelphia.
The cross is a statement of our faith: salvation comes to us
through Jesus Christ; we are called to make Christ's cross
known in this place; St. John Neumann was a missionary who
carried the cross to early America. The book is
representative of a community founded on the Scriptures:
God's word lives among us. St. John Neumann was one of the
founders of Catholic education in this country. The people
figures symbolize our Eucharistic community, as we live with
other communities as brothers and sisters. Perhaps you can
find other meaning for the symbols to add to these?
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OUR MISSION STATEMENT
As members of Saint John Neumann Catholic Church
we share in the mission of Jesus: to bring about God's
kingdom. As individuals we give witness to our faith in
practical and ordinary ways. As a community we give
our attention to the Word, to Worship and to Service,
and we invest our energy and our resources accordingly.
We focus on the Word of God.
We listen to and learn about the Gospel.
We teach and proclaim the message of Christ.
We praise, thank and worship God
in the celebration of the sacraments,
fully aware that the celebration of Eucharist
is the most important thing we do.
We give help, share wealth and promote justice.
We take care of each other in our parish.
We reach out to others in our city.
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OUR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
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Parish Goal: | That we be an evangelizing community. |
Objectives: | - To understand our personal need for ongoing conversion.
- To prepare ourselves to become evangelizers.
- To form ourselves for mission an ministry.
- To reach out to alienated and inactive Catholics.
- To invite the unchurched to be with us.
- To welcome newcomers, guests and neighbors.
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| Parish Goal: | That we be an inclusive community. |
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Objectives: | - To celebrate cultural and racial diversity.
- To advocate for the marginalized and vulnerable.
- To use inclusive language.
- To reflect the diversity of our parish in our gatherings.
- To be sensitive to those unable to join us at the Lord's table.
- To respect the dignity and to seek out the gifts of each person.
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OUR OUTREACH
Each week five percent of our Sunday offering is set aside to
reach out to those with financial need in our parish
community and also to reach out to those in need outside our
parish boundaries. An Outreach to the Needy Committee was
formed to establish guidelines for our giving, evaluate
requests for donations and to make recommendations. This
committee meets every other month. |
OUR COMMUNICATIONS
The weekly Sunday bulletin has a Tuesday, 9:00 a.m.
deadline. Items for the bulletin should be submitted in
writing to the parish office one week prior to publication.
Items are published on a “space-available” basis.
The monthly Neumann News, our newsletter, is mailed to the
home of every family who has formally registered. If you
have an article for the newsletter, please submit it to the
parish office by 12 Noon, on the 10th of the month. The
newsletter is published ten times a year, every month except
July and August.
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OUR ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Pastoral Parish Council
The Pastoral Parish Council shares with the pastor and the parish
staff the responsibility of maintaining the quality of life
in this parish community. It is the primary responsibility
of the Pastoral Parish Council to offer guidance and counsel, and to
establish the goals, objectives and priorities of the parish.
This is accomplished through evaluating present programs,
determining parish needs and responsibilities, and developing
recommendations for the pastor and staff.
Parish-wide elections are held in the fall of each year.
Each “member-at-large” serves a three-year term. Pastoral Parish
Council meets the last Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in
the auditorium.
Facilities Committee
The Facilities Committee provides for the care and upkeep of
the parish buildings and grounds.
Festival Committee
Our first parish festival was held over Labor Day weekend,
1986.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee reviews the finances of this community
and provides advice and counsel to the pastor, staff, and
parish council regarding the annual budget, and to monitor
actual performance against the budget. Members are appointed
by the pastor with input from the committee.
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Social Justice Network
The SJN acts as a guiding force for our community to bring
about awareness, prayer, education and action in addressing
local and global social justice issues. The Network is not
presently meeting regularly.
Worship Commission
This commission cares for, promotes and evaluates the prayer
and spiritual life of the parish community. The Worship
Commission meets on the third Tuesday of each month in the
auditorium at 7:30 p.m.
Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Ushers, Greeters, Servers,
Sacristans, Liturgical Planners and Decorators, and all our
Music Ministers contribute to our total Eucharistic
celebration and experience.
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Bereavement
Helps with the immediate needs of a family at the time
of death. Help includes liturgy planning, preparing
and serving food after the funeral, baby-sitting,
transportation, etc.
Casserole Committee
Under the umbrella of the Women's Organization, this
committee provides meals on a short term basis to
families in times of crisis such as serious illness or
injury. Volunteers are always needed to prepare an
occasional meal.
Fellowship
Coffee and donuts are scheduled after 9:30am and 11:30am Masses most Sundays from October to May. (They take a vacation in the summertime.)
Financial Counseling
Includes advice on family budgeting and financial
information to assist those experiencing serious debt
problems.
Food & Financial Assistance Committee
Provides temporary assistance of money and food to those in crisis situations.
Handyperson Committee
Helps with minor repairs for parish members who can't
get help otherwise. Will advise when professional
help is needed. Materials are paid by the
person needing help.
Prayer Support
A group of parishioners willing to stand in prayer for
those in need. Prayer requests are called in to the
parish office and the members of the prayer support
group are notified.
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OUR WORSHIP
Music Ministry
The music ministries are under the direction of Cetta Romer.
Liturgy of the Word with Children:
Liturgy of the Word with Children is a worship experience for children from the age of four until the time of First Eucharist. During Ordinary Time, this special Liturgy is celebrated on the first Sunday of the month at the 5:00 vigil Mass on Saturday evening and the 9:30 Sunday morning Mass. During the Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter seasons, this Liturgy is celebrated at every 5: 00 vigil Mass on Saturday evening and 9:30 Sunday morning Mass. The children are sent forth from the Nave to Our Lady's Chapel where they hear the Scripture proclaimed from the Lectionary for Masses with Children and a reflection given by a lay presider.
Cantors
A cantor is a "prayer leader who sings." This singer
leads the psalm response and guides the assembly in
song during Mass. Male and female voices provide a
variety of sounds. Training and support are gladly
provided!
Adult Choir
Anyone high school age and older is welcome to join our
Adult Choir which rehearses on Thursday evenings at
7:30 p.m. and sings on the second and fourth Sundays
at the 11:30 a.m. liturgies.
Children's Choir
Children between the ages of six to fourteen are most
welcome to join this group. Rehearsals are a mixture
of singing, moving to the music and laughing. They
learn traditional hymns of the church along with more
contemporary and expressive songs. Family commitment
and support are essential.
Ensembles
We have five dedicated music groups who play for the
Saturday and Sunday liturgies once or twice a month.
Rehearsals vary with each group. These groups welcome
vocalists, keyboardists, percussionists, guitarists,
pianists, etc.
Baby-sitting During Mass
Baby-sitting is available at Sunday 9:30 a.m. Mass in the nursery.
This gives parents of young children a chance to enjoy a peaceful liturgy.
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OUR ADULT FORMATION
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
Each year our parish brings several persons (candidates) to
full membership in the Catholic faith. The RCIA is a process
whereby the inviting, welcoming and forming of persons in the
Catholic faith comes to pass. This process has many
ministries:
Hospitality persons serve in a variety of ways as a
welcoming presence, serving refreshments and being
sensitive to the inclusion in various parish groups.
Prayer persons commit themselves to pray for a
particular candidate by name and to offer words of
encouragement through notes, cards and an occasional
call.
Catechetical Team is a group of parishioners who
prepare for and share in the instructional sessions
for candidates.
Sponsors serve as a personal connection between the
candidate and the parish community. They provide
support and encouragement, answer questions, and are
available to listen and to share.
Our Youth Ministry
L.I.F.E. (Living in Faith Experience)
L.I.F.E. is a youth group for all 9th-12th graders and their friends. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month to discuss topics of interest to teens. It is a great chance to get to know other teens from the parish and to grow in one's understanding of how God fits into our everyday lives. High school youth are always welcome to drop in at a L.I.F.E. meeting. You've just got to experience it!
L.I.F.E. Core team
This dedicated group of youth and adults meet monthly to plan LIFE meetings and to support one another on our faith journeys. This group also advises the director of youth ministry about the types of other activities we could be doing in high school youth ministry. High school youth from the core team actually lead all LIFE meetings, with adults serving as a ministry of presence with our youth. Adults or youth interested in being a part of the Core team should contact Ruthie Barnes in the Parish office.
High School Youth Ministry
There are lots of other activities that happen in High school youth ministry, such as seasonal faith sharing groups, social activities, service projects, and justice activities. These other events and programs are scheduled throughout the year, so find out what is happening next in High school youth ministry.
CAPS (Consistent Adult Presence)
Youth ministry does not happen in a vacuum. It happens as adults and youth join together in ministry. CAPS are adults who serve as drivers and chaperones at events. They are also involved in LIFE meetings as another adult to get to know and share with our youth. CAPS have a chance to be a witness of their faith by serving as a role model, by building relationships with teens, and by sharing in prayer with our youth.
High School Confirmation
Preparation for high school youth who would like to be Confirmed is provided by youth ministry. Confirmation candidates are then confirmed with the eighth grade confirmation candidates or at Pentecost.
Jr. High Nights!
Jr. High Nights are the once a month youth group for all seventh and eighth grade students. We meet on Friday nights from 7-8:30 to talk about teen issues in the light of faith, always with lots of activities, dynamic talks, and lively discussion and social time. A group of adults also help lead these meetings. They commit to helping just two hours each month.
Jr. High Youth Ministry
This is a mixture of all of our other programs for Jr. High youth. Activities include social activities (Jr. high night out, lock-ins), spiritual activities (retreats, prayer services), and various service activities. We even have a summer trip for our jr. high youth-Faith Horse Ranch. Different activities are scheduled each month, with at least one thing happening each month besides the Jr. High Nights program.
Jr. High Planning Team
This group of seventh and eighth grade students and adults meet once a month to make comprehensive youth ministry a reality. This group plans activities and events for jr. high youth, and they plan the Jr. High Nights meetings. They evaluate how we are doing in Jr. High Youth Ministry and look for ways in which we can grow.
Ad Altare Dei
This Boy Scouts Religious Emblem program is offered annually to Boy Scouts in our parish through the office of youth ministry. Boys in seventh grade and older are invited to work on earning this emblem. The program involves taking a deeper look at the sacraments and how they can enrich our daily lives. It is a chance to grow in ones own faith and in connection with our parish faith community.
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Our Sacramental Preparation for Children
RCIA (Children): Children age 7 or above who have not been baptized, or who have been baptized in another Christian tradition, are prepared for Initiation into the Catholic Church through the process of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Through this process the children are prepared for Baptism (if not already baptized), Confirmation, and their first celebration of Eucharist.
First Eucharist: Children baptized in the Catholic faith receive immediate preparation for their first reception of Eucharist during their second grade year at St. Bartholomew Consolidated School or in religious education classes held on Monday evenings for public school children. Additional preparatory activities take place here at the parish for those children preparing for First Eucharist, regardless of their school of attendance.
First Reconciliation: Children in grade three receive First Reconciliation instruction during religion classes at both St. Bartholomew Consolidated School and RES. Students celebrate their First Reconciliation during a Communal Reconciliation Service.
Confirmation: Young people who have been baptized in the Catholic faith and participate in the Eucharist are given immediate preparation for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation during their 8th grade year at St. Bartholomew Consolidated School or in religious education classes held on Monday evenings for public school children. Additional preparatory activities take place here at the parish for all young people preparing for Confirmation, regardless of their school of attendance.
Adult Catechetical Team (ACT)
The Adult Catechetical Team consists of adult parishioners
who have an interest in helping to schedule and assist with
provision of religious education programming for the adults
of the parish. The ACT generally meets on the third Tuesday
of each month at 7:30 p.m. and plans a minimum of four events
each year for adults.
Adult Confirmation
Each January, a group of adults preparing for Confirmation begins
to gather. Depending upon the needs of the group, themes for
preparation are addressed. Adult Confirmation is usually celebrated on
Pentecost of each year.
Infant Baptism Program
First time parents are expected and experienced parents are
most welcome to attend a preparation session before
presenting a baby for baptism. Sessions are usually held on
the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in Our Lady's Chapel.
Ministry to Engaged Couples
Designed to help engaged couples prepare for marriage by
encouraging them to talk to each other about their concerns
and expectations. An experienced married couple meets in the
privacy of their home with the engaged couple for a
minimum of three sessions.
Parish Based Unemployment Network
A network and support group for unemployed parishioners
ordinarily meets when needed. This parish network is also part of an Interfaith
Career Council Network which consists of nine area churches.
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OUR SCHOOLS
St. Bartholomew Consolidated School (SBCS)
Established in 1980 in an effort to provide quality Catholic
education for our children, SBCS is an important element in
our parish community. Members of St. John Neumann parish
having children enrolled in the Consolidated School program,
or who are planning to enroll children in the future, are
asked to take note of the following policies:
1. Our policy requires that you have registered as a
member of the parish at least a year prior to the
date of school registration, unless you have just
recently settled in the area.
2. It is the expectation of the parish that families who
use the Consolidated School program:
- attend Sunday Mass with us here at Saint John
Neumann
- faithfully use their Sunday collection
envelopes, according to their means
- are involved in one other parish ministry or activity.
- agree to pay at least the amount of tuition that
is established by our Parish Council, unless it
is necessary for them to make temporary or even
permanent arrangements due to their particular
circumstances
- agree to cooperate with the parish's pre-paid
tuition program
- attend the mandatory annual meeting of school
parents which is usually held in April of each
year.
Should waiting lists be necessary, those who most fully satisfy
the expectations for parish sponsorship (as listed under #2) will
be given priority for admission into the school. All things being
equal and if further criteria is needed, those who have been
registered members of the parish since the time they took up
residence in this area will be given priority.
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SJN Religious Education School (RES)
We offer religious education classes for children attending
public schools at the following times:
RES ELEMENTARY classes (Grades 1-6) meet at Welch
Elementary every other Monday (7:00 - 8:00 p.m.).
REAL LIFE (Grades 7-8) meet in Daniel Hall and the
SJN Education Center every other Monday (6:45 - 8:15 p.m.).
Parochial High School Attendance
Recent changes in attendance policies by the Archdiocese have
caused some confusion regarding who may attend which Catholic
high school and still retain their sports eligibility.
If you live in Hamilton County AND/OR attend St.
Bartholomew Consolidated School, AND LIVE WITHIN THE
SJN PARISH BOUNDARIES, you may attend Roger Bacon High
School.
If you live in Butler County, you may attend Badin
High School.
If you live in Butler County and ATTEND St.
Bartholomew Consolidated School, AND LIVE WITHIN THE
SJN PARISH BOUNDARIES, you may choose either Roger
Bacon or Badin.
While you MAY attend other Catholic High Schools in
Cincinnati, you may not be eligible to play on a sports team.
Private schools such as St. Xavier High School and Ursuline
Academy, do not have "parish boundaries" and employ other
methods of acceptance standards. Choosing to attend one of
these schools does not affect sports eligibility.
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The official geographical boundaries of St. John Neumann
Parish are as follows:
North -- Resor and Hunter Roads
East --- Gilmore Road
South -- I-275 to Crest, over approximately to Buell Road
West --- "air line" from Buell Road north to the end of
Hunter Road
Questions arise concerning who may attend which Catholic High
School and still retain their sports eligibility.
If you live in Hamilton County and live within SJN parish
boundaries, you may attend Roger Bacon High School, whether
or not you have attended Saint Bartholomew Consolidated
School.
If you live in Butler County and have attended Saint
Bartholomew Consolidated School and live within SJN parish
boundaries you may attend Roger Bacon High School or Badin
High School. Please note, however, that at the present time
there are complications in transportation provided if you
attend Roger Bacon High School.
If you live in Butler County and if you have not attended
Saint Bartholomew Consolidated School you may attend Badin
High School.
While you may attend other Catholic Schools in Cincinnati,
you may not be eligible to play on a sports team. Private
schools such as St. Xavier and Ursuline Academy do not have
parish boundaries and employ other methods of acceptance
standards. Choosing one of these private schools does not
affect sports eligibility.
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OUR ORGANIZATIONS
SJN Men's Society
The Men's Society supports the general welfare of the parish
through numerous social and fund-raising events and
encourages Christian virtue by example for the men of the
community. All men of the parish age 19 and over are
encouraged to join. Annual dues are only $15. Following a
7:00 p.m. Mass, meetings are held the second Wednesday of every
month at 7:30 p.m. in Daniel Hall.
Scouting
A parish sponsored Cub Scout Pack meets monthly on the third Wednesday
at 7:00 p.m. in Daniel Hall, in addition to their Den
meetings held in members homes.
SJN does not sponsor Brownies, Girl Scouts, or Boy Scout programs.
A number of programs are sponsored at nearly all the schools in our area.
Seniors (50+)
A group of people over fifty years of age who gather to enjoy
each others company and offer mutual support and friendship.
They evidence a broad variety of backgrounds; single,
couples, working and retired. They meet on the last
Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. in Daniel Hall.
SJN Women's Organization (SJNWO)
This organization's purpose is to minister to each other,
create a sense of community and promote self-development and
spiritual growth among the women of the parish. All women
of the parish are encouraged to join. The annual dues are
only $10 and include copies of the newsletter "Heartline".
Meetings are the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m.
in Daniel Hall, following 7 p.m. Mass.
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