From The Associate...

THE INSPIRING ST. MATTHIAS

     Saint who?  For those of us who don't immediately recognize the name, Matthias was the person who took the place of Judas as one of the Twelve Apostles.  Here is St. Peter's description of the necessary qualifications for the job: "One of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us - one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection."  (Acts 1:21-2 )  So two men were put forward: one was a certain Joseph, called Barsabbas, and the other was this saint whose feast we have recently celebrated: Matthias.
     The inspiring thing about Matthias is that we know absolutely nothing about him.
     If this sounds silly, consider:  Here we get a glimpse of something we would not have expected.  The Gospels tell us of certain people whose names have become familiar to us: Mary and Joseph, Mary Magdelene, Peter, James, John, Judas, many others.  We think we pretty much know who the "important" people in the life of Jesus were, for good or ill.  We are then surprised to find out that there were these others, disciples who were with Jesus the whole time from his baptism by John all the way to the very end, about whom we have heard nothing.  This Joseph Barsabbas for instance.  Who was he?  Where did he come from?  How did he spend the rest of his life after living so intimately with Jesus?  We have no idea.  He has been lost to us.  Lost to us, but alive to the only one who matters, to the only one whose remembering means anything: alive to God. 
     Yet more impressive is Matthias.  He was chosen to join the Twelve.  He is, along with the other apostles, a foundation stone of the Church.  He sits upon one of the Twelve Thrones and will judge the Twelve Tribes of Israel (according to Jesus himself).  He was no doubt engaged in long years of active and successful missionary labor.  How many must he have brought to Christ!  How many were strengthened by his witness to the resurrection!  How much strength has he imparted to the Church over the centuries by his intercession!   Many and much, no doubt.  But we simply don't know.  We know nothing about him.  He appears in the pages of the Sacred Text, and then he disappears from view.  Yet he is honored by God and the angels, and when all of human history is truly told and rightly remembered, his life and work and witness will shine forth for all to see.
      St. Matthias is given to us as one of the great Hidden Saints.  He speaks to all who follow and serve Christ in   obedient obscurity.  He is a source of hope to all those who have courageously been faithful and have gotten no thanks for it, who have fought desperate battles in the dark that no one knew of, whose lives have passed by the pages of  history and been forgotten.  He is a reminder that such    people have not been forgotten; that the Christian is not   concerned with the passing affirmation and acclamation of this fleeting age, but rather with eternity; that the Gospel has little to do with publicity and public relations, but proceeds

secretly in hidden ways; that God remembers every thought and word, and on the Day of Truth, a day that is surely coming, he will tell all stories, and give honor (and dishonor) where they are justly deserved.
     St. Matthias, whoever you are, thanks for your silent witness.  May we all find the grace to one day enter that Kingdom where your story will be fully told.
School News…
     There are no classes Monday, May 26 because of Memorial Holiday.
      Please continue to save the following items over the summer.  Thank you for your support.
General Mills Box Tops for Education  Clip Box Tops for Education from General Mills products.  These product include General Mills Cereals, Pillsbury, Green Giant,  Totino, Progresso, Old El Paso and Gold Medal products.
Campbell's Labels for Education    Remove labels from all Campbell soup cans, Pepperidge Farm, Swanson, Franco-American, V-8,  Prego and Pace Picante products.
Kemp's Give 'em Five-    But your favorite Kemp's milk products and save the specially marked caps or proof-of-purchase symbols. 
Target Guest Card Use your Target Guest Card when making purchases at any Target Store Nationwide.  One percent of purchases is returned to St. John's.  This benefit is not limited to St. John's Students and Families.          Relatives can designate St. John's as their school of choice.
Faith Formation Facts…
ATTENTION ALL PARENTS:  The deadline for registering for Faith Formation classes which includes Sunday School, Elementary Faith Formation, Junior High, and Confirmation was May 15th.  If you have not had a chance to drop off your registration form,  please do so as soon as possible.  Faith Formation is already in the process of planning for classes in September. If you need a registration form, please call Faith Formation at 651-633-1540.  Thank you for your cooperation!!!
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL -Don't miss out on a fun week of Bible stories, games, music, crafts, food, fun and friends.  The Theme is "Son Harvest" we will be nurturing fruits of the Holy Spirit.  Children ages 3 to those completing grade five are invited to attend Vacation Bible School, June 16-20th,  9:00-12 noon.  Volunteers still needed.  Registration forms can be picked up in the main parish office or call Faith Formation at 651-633-1540.Youth Newz…
CAMP TNT  Parents of  jr. high students registered for Camp TNT will be  receiving camp  schedules in the mail. Please check the schedules to be sure that your student will be able to attend their scheduled sessions.  Service site coordinators need the information to schedule service sites appropriately. Call Rick Craig (763-754-7666) if your plans have changed.
BROWSING THE "WEB"? Be sure to check out www.theyouthroom.com for photos of youth activities,  news of upcoming events, permission slips and more! 
http://www.theyouthroom.com