IMMORAL RESEARCH! The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is taking public comments through Wednesday, December 27, on whether they should use cells from aborted babies for the development of various vaccines. To register and file electronically with the FDA, go to www.cogforlife.org/fdaalert.htm. Or, call toll free for more information, 1-877-488-5433. The teaching of the Church is clear; this alternative is immoral and unacceptable.

FEAST OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS: The Knights of Columbus welcome all people of faith and goodwill to participate in a peaceful, Rosary for Life prayer service outside the Planned Parenthood Abortion Clinic in St. Paul at 1965 Ford Parkway on the Feast of the Holy Innocents, Thursday, December 28, at 12:00 noon. Call Maury Prater for details, (651) 633-8333, ext. 1224.

UP STREAM GIRL: Pure Classic Fashions for Pure Girls is now open in Roseville at 1864 Eldridge Avenue West. A portion of each sale goes to pro-life organizations. To preview fashions online, visit www.upstreamgirl.com. Call (651) 485-0307 with any questions.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES provides adoption support services to women encountering unplanned pregnancies. A full range of services is available, including counseling, prenatal, delivery, and various approaches to adoption. Brochures are in the St. Paul Plaza kiosks, or call (651) 641-1180 for more information.

THE ARCHDIOCESE is offering the Sacrament of Confirmation to loved ones with disabilities on Sunday, September 9, 2007, at the Archbishop's Annual Mass for Persons with Disabilities. Do you know anyone with special needs, mental or physical, who is 16 years or older and has not received this sacrament? If so, call Fr. Shaji Joseph at (651) 291-4543 before Thursday, February 8!

CATHOLIC ANSWERS TO END-OF-LIFE ISSUES: The Archdiocese has a Commission on Biomedical Ethics with Father Peter Laird as the Director to answer all your sensitive questions. Please visit the Archdiocese's website at www.archspm.org, and click on Commission on Biomedical Ethics on the homepage. Or, call (651) 291-4488.

AN ANGEL TREE THANK YOU: Many children had smiles on their faces when they received your gifts, which were given to Holy Rosary, Blessed Kateri, and the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf. Thank you to all who bought gifts and those who helped collect and deliver the presents.

NO CLASSES: Friday, December 22 - Monday, January 1.

ST. JOHN'S STUDENTS competed in Knowledge Bowl as four 8^th graders represented us at the 14^th Annual Catholic Grade School Knowledge Bowl on Mon., December 11. Elizabeth Beck, Matthew Boris, Jack Tousignant, and Adam Braun joined students from 48 Twin Cities' Catholic grade schools at the University of St. Thomas. Congratulations to our students who came in 7^th place! We are proud of your academic excellence.

KINDERGARTEN ROUND UP is on Wednesday, January 24, at 6:30 p.m. in St. Joseph Hall. We invite all interested parents to join us to discover the exciting opportunities offered at St. John's Kindergarten.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK is Sunday, January 28 - Friday, February 2.  Our theme is "The Good News In Education." Join us for Mass on Sunday, January 28, at 11:15 a.m., followed by an Open House in the school until 1:30 p.m. There is also a spaghetti dinner in St. Joseph Hall. We will accept registrations for next school year during  Open House. Include the following items with your registration forms: student's birth certificate; baptismal certificate (unless baptized at St. John's); and a fee of $100 for students in Grades 1 - 8 and $300 for Kindergarten.

THE HALLELUJAH CHORUS & HOSANNA TEEN CHOIR (soon to be known as "Pueri Cantores") will proudly wear their new, bright red cassocks on Christmas Eve. We owe a huge debt of thanks to wonderful donors for their  generous contributions in purchasing our new vestments: Mr. Tim Taylor of Methven-Taylor Funeral Homes; Mr. William McReavy, Jr. of Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapels & Services; Mr. & Mrs. Rich Purcell of Holcomb-Henry-Boom Funeral Home; and Mr. Richard Hunt of Billman-Hunt Funeral Chapel. As we move forward with our Youth Music Program, these vestments will add such a beautiful touch to St. John's liturgies. God bless you.

A HUGE THANK YOU to all the Choirs and Musicians for all your hard work and dedication these past few months! We appreciate you. God's Blessings,

Jay Hunstiger and Mary Anne Bennek