School News&

The Marathon is coming soon.  Our parish school students, teachers, families and friends will join with other schools for the annual Marathon for Nonpublic Education at Central Park in Roseville.  If you have not been contacted and would like to donate, please call the school office (651) 633-1522.  The Marathon is Saturday, October 7 at Central Park at 8:00 a.m. beginning with prayer and closing at 12:00 p.m.

Sowers of Justice&

CANDIDATES NIGHT ON WORK-FORCE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 AT 7:00 P.M.
Learn about the issues and why the faith community needs to be involved.  Hear from candidates (Senate & House districts 52 & 53).  This event is being planned by representatives from at least six local congregations in Mounds View and New Brighton.  For more information (Deacon Joe Kenney) or for child care (Mary Walus) contact the parish office, 651-633-8333.

Liturgy News&
THANK YOU MARY SHEEHAN & CORINNA MONCADA
For the past several years, the Intercessions prayed at our weekend Masses have been faithfully written by Mary Sheehan, Mary has now moved on to serve on the Parish Council.  Thanks Mary, for your years of prayerful service.  Corinna Moncada has generously volunteered to carry on the writing of Intercessions.  Thanks to you, Corinna for your good work.

THE ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS AND THE PONY'S
In honor of St. Francis of Assisi, we invite you & your pets, your neighbors and friends to the annual Blessing of Animals, Sunday Oct. 1 at 2:00 p.m.  Please gather at the west entrance of church for the procession.  If your pet has died in the past year, you are invited to come and receive a blessing and give thanks to God for your loved one.  Hospitality will follow for all God's creatures!  The Hosanna Choir rehearsal scheduled in the church will be in the school choir room.

Bulletin Board&
A contest is being held to write a sermon of 600-700 words to bring a message of hope to families who face an ongoing struggle to overcome violence in their everyday lives.  There is a $1,000 first prize, $500 second prize, $200 third prize or airline tickets.  Manuscripts must be submitted by October 1 to Initiative for Violence Free Families.  Some of the elements to be included in the sermon are the issue of power & control in relationships, distinguishing anger from abuse, interpreting religious texts on domination & submission, and physical, emotional, verbal, financial & sexual forms of abuse.  For further information pick up a flyer in the racks in the back of church.
THANK YOU!
North Side Life Care Center thanks the parishioners of St. John the Baptist Church for the "fruits" of your "Baby Bush" campaign!  We feel blessed by your generosity!  Every item will be a blessing for a mother and her baby. 

CALLING ALL QUILTERS!

Have you ever used a rotary cutter?  Can you sew a straight seam?  Are you interested in helping supply warm quilts to kids who need them?  Do you like to spend time with others who enjoy sharing ideas and skills?  If you   answered yes to any of these questions,  the  St. John's Quilters Group is for you!  Won't you join us on Tuesday evening, September 26 at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Center basement?  All are welcome whatever your level of        experience.  Questions?  Call Margaret at  (763) 784-5094.

From the American Bishops' Statement: 
"Living the Gospel of Life"  Nov. 1998

     "Every act of responsible citizenship is an exercise of significant individual power.  We must exercise that power in ways that defend human life, especially those who are unborn, disabled or otherwise vulnerable. 
     Thus we urge our fellow citizens to see beyond part politics, to analyze campaign rhetoric critically and to choose their political leaders according to principle, not party
affiliation or mere self-interest." (Sec. 34)

Thank you for your support!