From the Pastor&
  Last week in my column I mentioned how important the parish is in 1999.  We're all very familiar with the African proverb that "it takes a village to raise a child."  A child's character and values are the result of much more than the influence of the family.  Children are sent off to preschool and kindergarten at a young age.  They are already meeting other children who are going to influence them.  Some of these children come from home without discipline, values, supervision, healthy parenting.  As I look at the families of St. John the Baptist, I believe that our parish can help for character and values in our young, probably better than any other place. 
     We believe that all of life is sacred and of value.  We believe that the Church has a mission in the new millennium:  to preach the Good news; to teach the truth about peace, justice and the dignity of the individual; to heal the person and society.  For 2000 years the Catholic Church has captured the minds and hearts of Catholic youth.  Would you rather have your son or daughter embrace a lifestyle that is going to make a real difference, or a lifestyle created by Hollywood and corporate America?  Does the culture teach our young that violence, guns, drugs and sex are all just part of life?  What does the gospel of Jesus Christ say about violence, anger, greed and self-centeredness? 
     What do we need to do to be "successful" as a parish.

  1. Always, good Sunday liturgy, that involves young and old, with music that we can sing and respectable preaching.
  2. Parish leadership that includes our Bishop, Pastor and staff; that works together with all parishioners for the common good of the baptized who are seeking God and serving one another.
  3. Opportunities to grow in our faith from preschool to our "golden" years.  Religion is more a literacy test; it's about sharing our faith in this community.  We need to keep breaking open the Word of God and how to live it in our times.
  4. Youth Ministry that deals with the spiritual, social, emotional and intellectual needs of our kids.
  5. We belong to this parish.  Our (every last one of us) job description is evangelization (announcing the good news) and stewardship (sharing ALL that God has given ALL of us for the greater good.)
  6. We need to keep building community that is rich in opportunities for all ages to participate, both in service and social activities.
  7. Pastoral Care of not only the sick and homebound but also of newcomers, the lonely, and of the whole family of St. John's.
  8. Conversion:  we are seeking God together, we are disciples of Jesus Christ and his gospel; we are either COMMITTED or not.
     Are we, are YOU, committed to being and doing our best as a faith community?  Can the young take us seriously?  Do we do what we say?  Are we role models?
     If we try to do #1-8 the best we can, we will form character and values in the young, just as the parishes of the 40s and 50s did successfully.

Pastoral Ministry&
BEFRIENDER MINISTRY
MEETING:  Wednesday, November 3, 7:00pm, Parish Center
CANDIDATES: Training Topics:  Grief Process & Eucharistic Ministry
BEFRIENDERS: Ministry Reflection small groups
Please call if you will not be attending the meeting.

GROWING THROUGH LOSS GRIEF SUPPORT
Tuesday, November 2, 7pm, St. Odilia Catholic Church,      Shoreview.  "WHERE IS GOD IN MY SUFFERING?" Questioning God can often happen while experiencing loss and grief.  In our sixth session, Jack Flood, Deacon at St. Odilia's responds to this issue as he shares some possible answers to some hard questions.  You are invited to attend one or all three remaining sessions in our Fall series.  For more information call the Pastoral Ministry office or check the church bulletin boards.

Celebrate the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

PLEASE NOTE
CORRECT DATE
Tuesday, November 9, 1999
2:00pm Mass in the Church

Anyone living with short or  long-term illness, facing surgery or the declining effect of aging or disability is encouraged to attend.

PLEASE PRAY FOR

Those in our community who are ill:
Bea Kayser, John McAlpine, Irene Mitchell, Clarence Thole, Geraldine Shea,  Mary Ann DeMars, Linda Zappa, Kevin Keenan, Chris Fodness, Elvira Jacobson, LaVonne Hruby, Lois Leary, Walter Slatoski, Jerod Hawley, Bernadette Hearn. Henry Widmer, Donald Farnsworh, Irene DeBruzzi, Joe Koch, Ann Griffin, Ann Czech, Dan Sebesta, Beverly Stamfle, Lois Alberg, Mary Kay Utecht, Anne Neubauer, Sandra Zauner, Michael Kavanagh, Richard St. Germain, David Moser,        Bernard Bentler, Diane Ryan, John Battmer, Bill Miske, Dan McEvoy, Jacquie Evans, LeRoy Zamor, Mary Shea, Henry Horbatuck, Sr. Lois Wasielewski, James and Frances Vonasek, Marjorie Peterson, Infinity Duncan, Marlene Wresh, Marie Macho, Ruth White, Frank Gajeski, Phyllis Rech.

The families and souls of those who recently have died:
 Dan McEvoy, Vernon Fredeen(father of Jacquie Bilski)
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