From the Associate&

     There is only a one-letter difference between the words fast and feast.  The first, we have done for forty days, and now we get to do the other for eight days straight, and even then, we're still in a celebrative mood until Pentecost.  This year, I received my Girl Scout cookies late (one box of each--Thin Mints and Tagalongs), so instead of eating them right away, I just saved them up for Easter.  I'm looking forward to enjoying the sweetness of Easter. 
     Sweet is a word used to describe food, which is   pleasing to the taste, such as sugar.  We also, by analogy, use it to describe events, which please us, for example, I remember baseball players saying, "sweet," when a team member his a double, bringing in the go ahead run.  We often use this word in reference to persons:  such as all those romantic males in the parish, calling their wives, "Sweetheart"; or Chicago Bears' fans calling their great running back, Walter Payton, "Sweetness"; or Christians praying the "Hail Holy Queen,"  addressing their spiritual Mother, "O Clement, O Loving, O 'Sweet' ('Dulcis' in Latin) Virgin Mary."
     It seems fitting, then, to describe our celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ using this same word!  How sweet it is, to taste victory over sin after long battle.  How sweet it is, that evil is defeated, and that death has no more power over us.  How sweet it is to taste the Holy Spirit, indwelling the Christian soul.  How sweet is divine love, inflaming the heart, and offered through  intimate friends.  How sweet is the Eucharist and healing grace, for wounded soldiers.  How sweet is Easter Sunday, a foretaste of eternal joy.
     Fr. Michael   

Music Notes&

We welcome to our liturgies today, and this past week, the Northshore Brass, led by trumpeter Ralph Schwartz.
The 9:30 choir anthems today were the hymn "At the Lamb's High Feast," Mozart's "Laudate Dominum" and Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus."
Our 11:30 schola sang, "Easter Fanfare" by Paul Fetler and two Renaissance pieces, "Laudate Dominum," by   Pitoni and "Come, Let Us Join Our Cheerful Songs," by English composer John Dowland.
Thanks today to our parish musicians.  Your extra time and effort has helped make our Triduum full of power and meaning.
IN TWO WEEKS (April 28 ) & COMING TO THE SATURDAY 4:30 p.m. MASS... The Mounds View Alumni Choir.  Come early--music will begin at  4:10 p.m.

Faith Formation&
REGISTRATION  Faith Formation has NEW registration forms for this coming year!!! Families will be able to sign up for ALL programs for their children on ONE form!!!
Sunday School
Celebrate the Word for Children
Tuesday/Wednesday Faith Formation
Jr. High Odyssey
First Reconciliation/First Eucharist
Confirmation
CIC
Registration materials will be sent--watch your mail!   Return before May 31 for a $10 discount per child on tuition!

FIRST EUCHARIST Please sign up for your choice of when First Eucharist celebration will take place for your child.
Group First Eucharist-- (Practice) Thurs. April 19 @ 6:00
   (Mass) Sun. April 22 @1:30 p.m.
Family First Eucharist--(Practice) Thurs. April 19@7:30
Family First Eucharist Children will receive First Eucharist with their family at weekend Mass on Saturday, April 21 or Sunday, April 22 at the 4:30 p.m. Mass or the 7:30, 9:30 or 11:30 a.m. Masses. (20 per Mass)
All children should be registered for their First Eucharist time. If you have not given us your time, please call the Faith Formation Office immediately (651-633-1540).

THANK YOU--RCIA/CIC TEAM
Thank you for all your hard work and enthusiasm.  We initiated 43 people at the Easter Vigil Saturday night.  We could not have done this without your help. 
RCIA Team              CIC Team
Tom Pomeroy         Deb Andrews
Jeff Sjobeck              Cynthia Zubrzycki
Mike Burke               Laura Sheehan
Corinna Moncada
Your ministry is truly a special gift.      Mary Ann Zervas

Youth Newz&
JR. HIGH LOCKOUT & MYSTERY TOUR
Friday, April 20, 7:00 p.m. to Saturday, April 21, 8:00 a.m.
Open to registered 7-8th graders only and their registered friends. Participants should be at St. John's gym entrance between 7:00--7:!5 p.m. on Friday.  Participants should be picked up between 7:30--8:00 a.m. on Saturday morning.  Come prepared to have a blast!  You will need a sleeping bag (sleeping time available), and gym clothes.  Rollerblades are optional.  You may want to bring extra money for snacks or video games.  Some of the things you can expect to do:  bowling, pool hall, eat pizza and much more (that is the MYSTERY part) some parts of the party will be at St. John's.  Some parts will not be at St. John's (That's part of the mystery too!)  Contact Rick with questions, (763) 754-7666.