From the Associate&

     Today we continue our celebration of Easter,            commemorating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  We also celebrate a devotion to the Divine Mercy, which began through the inspiration of Blessed Faustina of Poland, to whom the Lord appeared in the 1930's.
     Blessed Maria Faustina, a red head with many freckles, was named Helen at birth.  She was the third of ten children.  In fact, her parents had prayed for ten years to have a child, before God blessed them with ten children.  Sister Faustina revealed her desire to enter the convent at the age of 16, but her parents deterred her from this choice on two occasions, before she finally entered the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in 1925.  She received many spiritual gifts from God, including (1) bi-location and (2) the invisible stigmata (the wounds of Christ in the hands, feet and side), but her greatest gift was (3) a deep thirst to help save souls.  She lived a very austere life,   before suffering and dying with tuberculosis at the age of 33, on October 5^th, 1938.  She is buried in Krakow, Poland, the same place where Pope John Paul II was once bishop.  He beatified her on April 18^th, 1993.
     On February 22, 1931, Jesus appeared to Blessed Faustina, as the Resurrected Christ, wearing a white    garment, with His right hand raised in blessing, and His left touching the garment near His heart.  Pale and red rays shine forth from Him, symbolizing the water and blood, which flowed from His side at the crucifixion.  The pale color, symbolizing water, would signify the  sacraments of baptism and reconciliation, while the red symbolizes His blood, received in the Eucharist.  There are several ways to practice devotion to the Divine Mercy: (1) venerate the Divine Mercy Image (the picture), (2) celebrate this Feast of Divine Mercy Sunday (always the first Sunday after Easter), and (3) pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.  Some members of the parish will be doing all of these, as Deacon Rod Palmer blesses a newly acquired image of the Divine Mercy, at 5:00 p.m. in the church.  All are welcome to join. 
     Fr. Michael   

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!
Confirmation Registration for the 2001/2002 will be sent only in the mail. 

FAITH FORMATION BOARD MEETING
Thursday, April 26 in the parish center living room.  7:00--8:30 p.m.

Little Lights Preschool&

(According to the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC) )
#9 Curriculum is adapted for those who are ahead as well as those who need additional help.  Teachers recognize that children's different background and experiences mean that they do not learn the same things at the same time in the same way.
At St. John's Little Lights Preschool..&
Our curriculum is very open ended.  The child that needs more time will not be frustrated thinking they are not doing it well enough or fast enough and the child that is ahead will be  challenged to take it to the next level, possibly even helping out someone who needs a little extra help that day.
St. John's new preschool program is striving for  excellence and expected to open this coming October.  Many have already registered, but we still have openings.  Please call Mary Walus at 651-633-8333 for info./registration materials or on the web at www.stjohnnb.com/LittleLightsPreschool

SilverTones&
TURTLE LAKE CASINO TRIP
LAST CALL!  Tuesday, April 24.  Those ages 21 to 100 are invited! Cost:  $6 ($5 back upon arrival at Casino).   Registration forms in the seniors racks on the bulletin boards in the back of church, or at the parish center.