Saint John the Baptist Church
39 Pleasant Street, Brunswick, Maine  04011

"I assure you, as often as you did it for one of my
least brothers, you did it for me." Matt 25/40

As followers of Christ we are to extend our hand to those around us who are hungry, thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and the prisoner. In doing so, we are reaching out to the Lord. In the phrase above, Jesus reveals to us that he identifies himself with the afflicted and the powerless. To look beyond our personal wants and desires requires a great amount of faith. We should accustom ourselves to see in the faces of these people in need the face of Jesus. This challenge of Jesus is a big one. The natural tendency is to take care of our own needs and to overlook the needs of those who are lacking the essentials in life.

Naturally we can't do everything. We can't take care of all the needs of those around us but at least we can do something. We begin by becoming more aware of the plight of those who have suffered in life. Those in need are in some way connected to us. They are our brothers and sisters. By helping them we are helping ourselves. By reaching out to them in some way we are enriching the community of mankind. By sharing some of what we have in abundance with them we are helping them see that God cares for them. They begin to see in the care shown them that they too have worth and dignity. What we do for the least among us is never lost. It becomes for us a rich treasure that will never be lost. It remains forever in the eternity of God's vision. In accustoming ourselves to see Jesus in the faces of those around us, especially those in dire need, we continue to grow as children of God and we are carrying out God's commandment of love.

St. John's - 8:00am 12:10pm 7:00pm

St. Andrew's: 6:00 pm

As previously announced there are NO Masses of anticipation for the Holy day from now on. All of the Masses for the Solemnity are on the day of the Solemnity. Please note this change.

to Matthew Rich, chairperson for the Bishop's Appeal, for his timely message on the Bishop's Appeal at all the Masses last weekend. His message and witness were most appreciated.

To date, 163 families of our parish have participated. If you have not had the chance to give to the Bishop's Appeal, there are envelopes for this in the pews of the church. Please pray about this and make your donation to the Bishop's Appeal this weekend. The pledge/donation of all parishioners is needed. The life blood of the Diocese and Parish Community is at stake.

As was mentioned, we benefit from the Appeal. The lay teacher's Pension Plan which amounts to $13,560.00 is funded through the Appeal. Also, if we meet our goal the Parish Community receives $10,000.00 as an incentive for the school. This is greatly needed to balance the school budget.

will be Monday, May 28, at 11:30am. We will take some time to honor our deceased relatives and friends.

to Carolyn Ruggles, all of the catechists, aides, office staff and support staff for their dedication and involvement throughout the year in the Faith Formation program. It was deeply appreciated. It was another great year. This was due in great part to the interest of so many of you. Thank you to our young people who came regularly to the program and to their parents who saw to it that their young people participated in it. May what you experienced this past year stay with you throughout your lives.

Superior at St. John's Convent, has received a new assignment. She will be leaving us at the end of June to go to Dedham, MA. We will miss her able and delightful presence. We wish her well in her new post.

Sr. Marcella Savoie, OSU, who is presently at St. John's Convent, will be the new Superior. We congratulate her on being chosen and wish her well.

for the Capital Campaign from an anonymous donor. The Parish Community thanks this person for their generosity and consideration. It is deeply appreciated.

will be the weekend of June 2-3.

Fr. Walter

Golfer's - Mark Your Calendars!!!

It's time to register!

The St. John's School Annual Golf Classic Fundraiser at Bath Country Club will be on Thursday, June 14, 2001. For more information, call John at 725-9739 or Phil at 353-4316.

LOOKING FOR A VOLUNTEER to be an evening receptionist for Thursday evening. It would be to answer the phone and door in the evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.. If interested please call the parish center.

The Third Order of Mary would like to thank those people who donated beautiful baby clothes, blankets, quilts, cute stuffed baby toys and toiletries for babies and their MOMS for their annual Mother's Day collection.

Third Order of Mary is sure that BIRTHLINE-Maine Catholic Charities will greatly appreciate your generosity in helping them in their ministry to new mothers and babies. May the Immaculate Heart of Mary smile upon each of you daily.

Another formal faith formation year has ended except for junior high youth ministry who will close their year with mass, hiking and a picnic at Bradbury Mountain. Thank you all for your support and prayers. Faith formation and enrichment belongs to the whole parish community and would not be able to function without you.

Children’s liturgy of the word during the 9:00 mass will be held during June, when a facilitator is available.

Sunday registrations for the faith formation year, 2001-02 are being accepted as soon as you can get them to us. If you get them in by June 1^st you can take advantage of the "early bird" discount. Please remember to fill out the survey on the back, if you have been a Sunday faith formation family this past year. Registration materials will be placed in the literature shelf and on the tables in the entryways to the church as soon as we can recover from all of the sacrament and end of the year festivities.

Out of the mouths of babes… "At church last week, my brother received his first holy chameleon!"

Your many worthwhile comments on your sacrament surveys didn’t quite refer to it that way, but are very much appreciated. Continue sending them in, if you haven’t done so. All comments and suggestions help in our planning for the future.

Families seeking sacraments for the 2001-2002 season should get registrations in soon so we can begin planning for next year.

Baptismal and sponsor verifications can be sent in at a later date attached to the checklist, which you should and keep until all necessary documents are available.

The Faith Formation Commission will have its final meeting this week on Tuesday, May 22^nd at 6:30 in the parish center. The topics will be assessment and goal setting for next year. All, who are interested, have concerns and/or suggestions are most welcome to join us.

Sacrificial donations, for the Holy Childhood Association are still coming in. God bless you for your many sacrifices. We will post the total amount collected in June after we send the check to the Holy Childhood Association.

As we approach the celebration of our Lord’s Ascension, let us keep our focus on the beginning of exciting things about to happen, rather than the end of the presence of Jesus on earth, of which the Apostles so sadly spoke. We have the advantage of hindsight in knowing the new beginning is just around the corner.

Peace Carolyn

Joyce Sequichie Hifler

ADULT ENRICHMENT

 

Thoughts on the Ascension from "Preparing for Worship", Daniel Donovan.

Luke writes the only two accounts of the ascension in the New Testament in his gospel and the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles. Luke’s repetition of the story underlines its importance for his understanding of the history of salvation. It signals both an end and a beginning…the end of the historical presence of Jesus among us and the beginning of a new period in God’s relationship to humankind; of the church and of the Spirit.

The emphasis of the two stories is different. In the gospel, Jesus tells us his mission is over and it is now up to the disciples to preach the "good news" of how his death and resurrection brought forgiveness and reconciliation. He promises a "power from on high" to help them do this.

In the Acts, the mission of the apostles, is again stressed, along with Jesus' reminder that he has chosen them and they would soon be baptized by the Holy Spirit.

"It is striking that even now the apostles have not fully grasped what Jesus’ life and destiny are about. They ask when he is going to restore the kingdom to Israel." Jesus assures them that all the dates and times are known only to God and they don’t need to know about them, in order to carry out the task he has left them.

"The ascension is but one moment in the single whole of the paschal mystery. In the death, resurrection and glorification of Jesus and in the sending of the Holy Spirit, God has reconciled and renewed the world."

History continues and the fullness of God’s kingdom is not here yet. However in the ascension liturgy we are reminded that Jesus lives as the eternal priest, the good shepherd, who intercedes for us, guides us, shares life with us and draws us into worship. He does all this through us, his church, as we continue to be witnesses, who keep his message alive in this world and reflect in our lives the new life in the Spirit that his death and resurrection have gained for us.

Centering prayer continues on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00 (approx.)

in the parish center chapel. For more information, you may call Carolyn at 729-5966 or Philip at 729-0932. All are welcome.

Book share…Fridays, in the parish center parlor, from 8:45 to 10:15 (approx.) Newcomers are always welcome to offer suggestions about books we might read in the future.

Responding to requests from parishioners,

The Parish/Family Life Commission is forming a support group named "Surviving Loss". Whenever there is a death in a parish family, this group will, at the very least, express the condolences of the parish to the family. Further assistance will then be offered to the family as wanted or needed.

In the near future, we will have a training program for individuals interested in being facilitators for this support group. Anyone interested in joining the support group or being a facilitator, please contact Carolyn Huey at 721-0433.

TheParish/FamilyLife Commission will also be sponsoring a bus (coach) trip to St. Anne de Beaupre in Quebec. Fr. Ed Sheehan will lead this pilgrimage during the fall foliage season on Oct. 5^th, 6^th & 7^th. Complete information in next week's bulletin.

Attention High School Youth…. YM meeting this Sunday, May 20 at St. Mary's - 6:30-8:30pm. We'll be looking back a bit - and ahead to Summer and next Fall.

NOTE TO ALL NEXT Fall's Freshmen….please join us!!!!

Questions about High School Youth Ministry???? Contact Roy: Phone: 442-8441 or e-mail: rtaylor@nqi.net

We will have Youth Ministry for the Jr. High students this Sunday, May 20, 2001.

Please note the change in time. We will meet in the church parking lot at 3:30 SHARP and then proceed to Bradbury Mt. State Park, where we will share the afternoon with each other including Mass, Food and Fun. Please dress accordingly with proper footwear and clothing. (for any type of weather)

Remember to bring your permission slips and $4.00 to cover the cost of food and the entry fee into the Park. Please bring a dessert to share, everything else will be provided. Return home should be around 7:30 at the church parking lot for those being picked up by parents.

Jim Tupper, J.H.Y.M.

8:00AM Wilfred & Eva & Roland Duval by George Duval

5:00PM Allard & Beauchene Families

by M/M Armand Beauchene

8:00AM 1^st Ann. - Blanche Galuza by her family

5:00PM Joseph P. Larochelle by Gerald & Charlene Partridge

8:00AM 1^st Ann. - Freeland Blanchette by his family

5:00PM NO MASS OF ANTICIPATION

8:00AM HOLY DAY

12:00 - 4:00PM Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Parish Center

12:10PM HOLY DAY

7:00 PM HOLY DAY

8:00AM Scholarship Memorial Mass

5:00PM Kevin Thibeault by Carole and Family

8:00AM 1^ST Ann. - Rochel Livernois by the family

1:00PM Wedding - Lisa Lachance and Marc Dube

9:00AM For all parishioners

6:00PM

9:00AM 1^st Anniv. - Rochel Livernois by his wife

SANCTUARY LAMP (Church)

In Memory of Barbara Larrabbe by her husband Bill

SANCTUARY LAMP (Chapel)

In Memory of Bertrand Brassard by his wife Pauline

ST. JOHN’S $8,134.40

FUEL $194.00

TOTAL $8,328.40

ST. ANDREW’S $250.50

The 13^th Annual Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, May 25, 2001 at 8:00am. Memorial donations made to the Scholarship Fund since May of 2000 will be remembered in a special way at this liturgy.