Before I Forget…

     You will meet new people who are different.  Respect others and affirm them.  Avoid being critical of others who are different.  Open your mind, be a good listener, and be flexible.  Be sensitive to all that is human and divine.  Watch your language; avoid mean and hateful words.
     Be open to the beliefs of others, and ask them to be open to your beliefs and values. 
     Be honest with others, no matter how difficult.  There will always be conflict in our lives, people who  upset us, or we upset them.  Try to find peaceful solutions to conflicts.  Forgive others and be big enough to apologize if you hurt someone.  And, don't hold grudges…it's a real waste of time. 
     Celebrate life and have fun, lots of fun.  Does that mean everything is acceptable behavior?  Obviously,  no.  Make good value judgments for yourself as a disciple of Jesus.  As you have fun, don't hurt others and don't hurt yourself. 
     Have the courage to stand with those who are being treated unfairly or are being ridiculed for being different from the "crowd." Everyone has dignity as a child of God and deserves to be respected.  Challenge people who belittle or disrespect others.  Being a Christian, doing the right thing, is not always easy; it's not just about feeling good.
     Be a gentle person.  The world needs more gentlemen and gentlewomen.  Be gentle with yourself and others.  Don't beat yourself if you experience failure.  At times we learn a lot from failure, but nothing from being mediocre.  All of creation should be treated with respect and gentleness.
     Be open to surprises.  Our God is a God of surprises.  Use your God-given imagination and creative gifts wisely.  Be a seeker of God.  Stay close to God.  Be a peacemaker, always.  Appreciate the gift of yourself. 
     Life is a great gift.  We are visitors on this earth.  The "big picture" reminds us that we are on a journey to eternal life with God.  Don't settle for the "little snapshots" that others think life is all about.
     Always, Go With God!

Fr. Bill

     In a few weeks, many of our younger members will be going off to college or to a technical school; maybe some will be entering the military, while others take a year off to work and think about their future.  This column is for our young adults who have called St. John's their parish.  Many of you were baptized here, made your First Communion here, were confirmed as freshman at the  Cathedral, and now it's time for new changes in your lives.
     No matter where you are going or what you do, I promise to hold you in prayer to our loving God.  I ask all parishioners to pray for you because you are important to us, you belong to our parish; you are part of our community.  When you have a rough day, maybe a little "homesickness," remember that there are people back at St. John's praying for you.  Go with God as you leave and begin "an exciting new time in your life". 
     If you are leaving for the first time or for your second, third or fourth year, here are a few thoughts from your pastor who remembers starting college forty years ago in 1963. 
     Respect yourself, always.  With new independence, don't do anything that will be self-destructive.  Be true to yourself, no matter what others think.  Be faithful to your spiritual beliefs, to the values you've learned that are very important to your identity as a Christian.  Make healthy decisions with courage. It is more than okay to say "No" to people when you know that "No" is the right response. 
     Make every effort to keep Jesus Christ as the center of your life.  Pray daily.  Attend Mass on Sunday.  Find time to be of service to others.  A true follower of Jesus imitates the Master who was a Servant.  Don't be so absorbed in yourself, your studies, or your job that you forget others.  Think about volunteering in a shelter for children at risk, or a nursing home, a shelter for the homeless, or a "soup kitchen" for the poor. Some of your greatest learning will take place in places like these.     Being with the poor and the elderly will teach you what is really important in life!  Your Master, Jesus Christ, expects you to be a servant. 

Friday: Timeless Hollywood, a Gala Dinner Event. Casino for the high rollers! 
Music by Wild Honey & the Locusts. Relive the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Saturday: Street Dance featuring The Rockin' Hollywoods

Sunday: Booya!,  Games for all ages, Raffle, Entertainment Stage, Food, Beer and Lots of Fun.

Volunteers needed for many areas and Sponsorship & Donation Opportunities are available.