Pastoral Ministry&
STILL NEEDED:  A long-time parishioner is still in need of a ride to Mass--4:30 p.m. Saturday or 11:30 Sunday--even if you could provide this ministry once in a while, she would be so appreciative.  Call Anne Marie (651-633-8333) if you can help.

BEFRIENDERS PROVIDE ONE-TO-ONE LISTENING AND CARING& If you or someone you know needs a befriender please call Anne Marie.  This is a very special ministry of one-to-one listening and caring.  Some times people need Befriender ministry for a short while during a transition or sometimes the relationship is more long term. 

THANK YOU!  A special thanks to Judy Quayle who organized and orchestrated our ANGEL TREE!  This was a very big job and one where lots of behind the scenes work happened.  Thanks Judy!

Prayer Vigil&
VIGIL COMMITTEE MEETING DECEMBER 27
The St. John's Eucharistic Adoration Committee will meet Wednesday, December 27, at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Harvey and Sally Heurung, 2141 Inca Lane, New Brighton.  Phone: 651-633-5200.  Interested?  Come and help plan for the time when our new Adoration Chapel is completed!

Bulletin Board&
BACKPACKING ADVENTURE! 
To the proud outdoorsmen, who thrive on backcountry, wilderness camping . . . and hiking through scenic, rugged mountain passes, I extend this invitation.  I will be leading an eight day backpacking excursion to the Canadian Rockies next summer.  Any male from the ages of roughly 14 years and on up is welcome.  The dates for the trip are: leaving 9:30 a.m. Sunday August 5th, and  returning 8:00 p.m. Tuesday August 14th.  Party is  probably limited to about 20 men.  If you are interested please contact me (Fr. Michael) at the parish office.  An information meeting is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. , Sunday, January 28th, in the parish office.  The cost will be cheap, but the experience rich! 

Stewardship&

CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUSTS

     A more sophisticated way of making gifts to your   parish is through a vehicle called a charitable remainder trust.  In its simplest form, this involves transferring income-producing property, such as stocks, to a trust of which you are the primary beneficiary and St. John's is the secondary (or "remainder") beneficiary.  The trust provides that, upon your death, the property passes to the parish.  The tax law allows you to claim a charitable deduction in the year you create the trust even though you will continue to receive the income from the property and the church won't actually receive the property for several years.  The amount of the deduction is based on present value tables and your life expectancy.
     To illustrate, assume you establish a charitable remainder trust with stock valued at $30,000.  Assume further that your life expectancy is 20 years.  The present value tables would ascribe a value of $8,703 to the charitable remainder.  Therefore, although you would continue to receive all of the income from the property during your lifetime, you would be able to claim an      immediate tax deduction of $8,703.  Then, when you die St. John's would receive the stock.  The stock would be effectively excluded from your estate for estate tax      purposes too because your estate would quality for an estate tax charitable deduction equal to the full value of the property on the date of your death.
There are several varieties of charitable remainder trusts, involving various degrees of complexity.  You'll need an attorney to draft the appropriate documents.  And, as   always, you should consult your tax advisor to determine whether this idea fits your own circumstances.

PRAYER LINE
Call one of these numbers with your prayer requests. 
All requests are confidential.
651-633-1618
612-784-5254
651-636-5251

PLEASE PRAY FOR

Those in our community who are ill:
Jeanne Des Lauriers, Georgianne Myers, Bernice Hopkins, Dan Sebesta, Benjamin Ruebbelke, Joe Fellner, James Lenzmeier, Sr., Kevin Keenan, Linda Zappa, Ann Czech, John Battmer, Louis Czech, Wanda Swanson, Rupert Meyer, Henry Horbatuck, Lenore Dougherty, Donna Murphy, Ed Smith, Mel Cardinal, Leonard Blees, Bernadette Hearn, Irene Mitchell, Mildred Werner, Marcella Boomer, Mary Heurkinds, Vernon Lind, Richard St. Germain Sr., Mary Shea, Frances Vonacek, Bob Sorem, Melvin Schuchart, Don Rozen, Roy Greiman, Jane Massie.
The families and souls of those who recently have died:
Bert Schutta.

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