Before I forget&

   
God!  How do we define God, the undefinable, or put words around God?  We have to try.  St. Bonaventure, an early follower of St. Francis, did better than most by describing God as "goodness-in-motion" or "thick-spread goodness."  God is goodness everywhere.  As I reflect of Bonaventure's words/description of God, I see it as a goal for all of us--made in the image and likeness of God--we should be "goodness-in-motion."  As we celebrate Mother's Day, isn't that a good description of mothers-"goodness-in-motion."
     Next month our parish will begin a yearlong celebration of our centennial as an organized parish.  In 1902, a priest started coming to New Brighton to celebrate Mass and the sacraments for the Polish speaking Catholics in this area.  For one hundred years, the parish has been "goodness-in-motion."  It has been a hundred years of people caring about one another, caring for the sick and the poor, caring for youth, caring about the hurting,  all because of a deep faith in God who has been constantly "goodness-in-motion" in the lives of thousands of baptized disciples of God's son, Jesus Christ.
     The theme of our centennial is Building On A Century of Faith.  We need to celebrate the goodness of God and what the parish means to us--our spiritual home.  Every month we will have a special celebration as a parish.  You will receive notices throughout the year through the bulletin and the mail.  This week I would like to highlight the monthly events.
· June 22, Saturday 4:30 Mass- Grand Celebration to close the 50^th Anniversary of our parish day school.
· June 23, Sunday 9:30 Mass- Bishop Campbell will begin our centennial year by celebrating Mass for us.  A     special reception will follow. NO 11:30 Mass on June 23!!!
· July 28, Sunday 11:30 Mass and picnic at Long Lake Regional Park.
· August-Float and Booth representing St. John's at New Brighton Stockyard Days
· September 20-22- Fall Festival Weekend-Friday nights Gala evening in our new building, Saturday events,   Sunday Booya and Festival.
· October 25-27 Festival of Arts-Parishioners will display their artwork.
· November 3-47^th Annual Turkey Dinner
· December 6- An Old Fashioned Christmas
· January 26, 2003- Catholic Schools Week
· February 8, 2003- A Very Special Cana Dinner
· March 9, 2003- 100 Years of Music
· April 19, 2003-Traditional Polish Blessing of Easter Food
· May 12, 2003- Special Speaker on Mary our Mother
· May 26, 2003- Memorial Day Mass at Parish Cemetery
· June 22, 2003- Feast of Saint John the Baptist Wrap-up Celebration

During the month of May we are asking you to dig through your attic for old photos, newspaper clippings, etc. (particularly photos from 1902--1983).  The history committee is busy rebuilding the parish archives and wants your help!  Dig out those pictures--they will be collecting them in early June to scan for our archives.
We've grown in many ways since those first few families began meeting for Mass with a visiting priest from    St. Adalbert's in St. Paul.  The Church is called to be a sign.  It doesn't exist for itself but for God.  As we begin a second century as a parish, we remember and give thanks that we belong to Goodness-in-Motion and we will continue to be "goodness-in-motion" in whatever ways God calls us to be and to do.
Deo Gratias!

Fr. Bill

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL APPLICATIONS INVITED

The St. John's Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) is a prayerful visionary group of parishioners responsible for identifying the needs and wants of our Faith Community and providing leadership for action programs.  We advise our Pastor and work in collaboration with all parish committees and staff.
Some terms expire this summer so we are seeking replacements from persons with a willingness to prayerfully and energetically provide leadership to our Faith Community.  The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) normally meets once a month as a large group, and sub-committee meetings are scheduled as needed.  PPC members are assigned as liaison to parish committees and will attend those meetings as well.
If you are interested we invite you to call the Parish Center and ask for an application.  Please consider whether you are called to help lead us in our collective faith journey.