FROM THE PASTOR Dear Parishioners, In this Sunday’s gospel Jesus heads for Jerusalem where death awaits Him. Some who walk with Him do not understand who Jesus really was. They left Him because of what true discipleship required. Civil war-era clergyman, Henry Ward Beecher, famously said, “It is not what we take up, but what we give up that makes us rich.” Remember the rich man who was unwilling to sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor? So Jesus asks Peter, “Who do people say that I am?” Jesus tells them that if they are willing to lose their lives for His sake and for the sake of the gospel, they will thereby save their present lives – and receive the gift of life everlasting. The twelve had already given up their former lives and abandoning their boats in the harbor. Peter speaks for them declaring to Jesus, “You are the Christ.” There really was no other place to go.

Yours in Christ, Father Dave

======================================== MASS INTENTIONS

Monday – September 14 – 9:00 a.m. MARGARET PUDDU (Ron & Pat Lombel)

Tuesday – September 15 – 9:00 a.m. CATHERINE SCHWEIKERT (Bill Schweikert)

Wednesday, September 16 – 9:00 a.m. FRANK HOCK

Thursday, September 17 – 9:00 a.m. JOHN & LORRAINE TASSO

Friday, September 18 – 9:00 a.m. RAMON GRAPSY (Joan Grapsy & Family)

Saturday – September 19 – 5:00 p.m. LORRAINE & JOHN TASSO (Kathleen Williams)

Sunday – September 20 – 8:15 a.m. MICHAEL & ANNA FEDOCK (Jim & Donna Pugh & Family)

Sunday – September 20 – 10:30 a.m. JOSEPHINE PARSICK (Joanne Schultz & Dorothy Parsick) ======================================== PRAY FOR OUR SICK / DECEASED

We remember in prayer those who are ill. We commend to our Divine Lord all of our aged people and those residing in nursing homes. Sick: Margie Glunz, Martha Golden, Theresa

& Joseph Tuite, Fred Maskerines, Margaret Pfluger, Bob Post, Al Hauptly, Amanda Nastasi, Carl Bartholomew ========================================

BANNS OF MARRIAGE I – Scott Forney & Ashley Felker

III – Kendal Cooper & Codey Bailer

CANDLE INTENTIONS BVM – IMO Robert Sr. & Ellen Boran by Thomas & Kay Boran St. Joseph - IMO Joseph Boran by Thomas & Kay Boran Tabernacle - IMO James & Florence Boran by Thomas & Kay Boran Sanctuary 1.IMO Valentine & Nellie Reisig by Thomas & Kay Boran 2.Living & Deceased Boran Family Members by Thomas & Kay Boran 3.IMO Thomas J. Burns by Peggy Smith 4.Special Intention by Jule Quandel Guardian Angels 1&2. Special Intention by Jule Quandel ========================================

SCHEDULE 25 TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

5:00 p.m. – Saturday – September 19th Reader: Patty O’Neill Euch.Min.: Sharon Snyder, Ray Petrilla Servers: Logan & Joseph Palko, Andrew Viduszynski Cantor: Lucilla Kochol 8:15 a.m. – Sunday – September 20th Reader: Frank Murphy Euch.Min.: Carol Forster, Mary Modesto Servers: Ryan Seiger, Nicholas & Gabriella Quinn Cantor: Tina Seiger 10:30 a.m. – Sunday – September 20th Reader: Tyler Cooper Euch.Min.: Joe Rehnert, Bobbi Murray Servers: Anna & Livia Lieberman, Josh Cooper Cantor: Ensemble ========================================

BAPTIZED IN CHRIST We celebrated last weekend the glorious baptism day of Jace Michael Smith, son of Stephen & Jessica Smith. He became a new creation in Christ in the waters of Holy Baptism and is now joined to us by the gifts of faith, hope and charity. We warmly welcome him into our parish family. ========================================

R. C. I. A. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

RCIA is for anyone who is interested in becoming Catholic or in updating and deepening their understanding of the Catholic Faith. Are you interested in deepening your own faith? Or do you know anyone who has expressed an interest in becoming Catholic? Please invite them to join us. Have them call St. John’s Rectory, 622-5470, to register for the RCIA sessions. All are welcome to attend any or all of the sessions! ========================================

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THE WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES OFFICIAL PRAYER

God and Father of us all, in Jesus, your Son and our Savior,

You have made us your sons and daughters in the family of the Church. May your grace and love help our families in

every part of the world be united to one another in fidelity to the

Gospel. May the example of the Holy Family, with the aid of

your Holy Spirit, guide all families, especially those most troubled, to be homes of communion and prayer

and to always seek your truth and live your love, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us! ========================================

QUESTION OF THE WEEK How does your parish help children

to come closer to Jesus? ========================================

Next Week’s Readings

25 TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (September 19/20)

Reading I: Wisdom 2:12, 17-20 Reading II: James 3:16—4:3; Gospel: Mark 9:30-37

======================================== FAMILY MATTERS

Religious Woman and Men. We give thanks to God for the families of religious women and men in our parishes. They helped to nourish their vocations to religious life. May God continue to support and encourage our religious as they minister in our parish communities.

You pray for my family, and I’ll pray for yours. PERPETUAL ADORATION

Open Hours with Jesus

"Where your treasure is, there is your heart...." "Could you not watch one hour with Me?" (Mt 6:21; 26:40)

The following are the times which need coverage.

Mondays 3 a.m. Tuesday 8 p.m. Wednesday 2 a.m. & 3 a.m. Saturday 12 a.m. & 4 p.m.

If you can help, please call: Albert 573-0036 or Aleece 449-7678

Prayer for the Spread of Perpetual Adoration Heavenly Father, increase our faith in, and union with, the Real Presence of Your Son Jesus Christ Truly present in the Most Holy Eucharist. We are obliged to adore Him, to give Him thanks and to make reparation for sins. We need your peace and healing in our hearts, in our families, and among nations. We need conversion from our sins and the Mercy of Your forgiveness. May we obtain this through prayer and our union with our Eucharistic Lord. Please send down the Holy Spirit upon all peoples to give them the love, courage, strength and willingness to respond to the invitation to Eucharistic Adoration. We beseech You to spread Perpetual Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament in parishes around the world and to call more adorers. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen. Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, help us to spread the glory of Your Son through Perpetual Adoration. ========================================

ASSUMPTION BVM SCHOOL GIFT CERTIFICATES

No gift is more valuable than the gift of education. Gift certificates for tuition at Assumption BVM Catholic School are available in the school office. They can be purchased for any student currently enrolled or who will be enrolled for the 2015-2016 school year. Please call Mrs. Bahm for more details at 622-0106. Thank you for your support! Call us for a tour or for more information at 570-622-0106 or visit us at www.assumptionbvmschool.net. ========================================

FLOWER DONATIONS PLEASE NOTE: If anyone wishes to memorialize flowers in the sanctuary for the weekend Masses for a living or deceased intention, please call the rectory 622-5470. ========================================

St. John’s Parish Family Treasured Recipes Volume II Cookbook

Books are available at the Rectory during the week or by calling Sandy at 570-739-1630.

Come See Pope Francis on the large screen at

Steel Stacks in Bethlehem Sunday, September 27th

12 noon until 8 p.m. Join our Diocesan family in celebration of Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia

• 12:00 Noon – Outdoor Diocesan Mass at the Levitt Pavilion

• Music, food, and fun for all ages • 4:00 p.m. live streaming of Papal Mass from

Philadelphia on three jumbotron screens In case of inclement weather, this event in its entirety will be held indoors. (Please note that viewing the Papal Mass on the jumbo screens at Steel Stacks does not fulfill one’s Sunday obligation to attend Mass.)

======================================== CCD PROGRAM

We thank the following parishioners for accepting the challenge of spreading the "Good News" to our parish children: CCD

Heidi Gorski, Lori Reedy Grade 1 Albert & Kathleen Nastasi Grade 2 Lucilla Kochol & Judy Piel Grade 3 Jill Prestileo Grade 4 Beth & Rick Smith Grade 5 Jennifer Hower Grade 6 Robert DeColli Grade 7 Robert Hahner, Josette Peckman Grade 8

Substitute: Melissa Scheetz Office/Attendance: Farrah Benart

Pre-School: Anne Grabowski & Jackie Szeliga Children’s Liturgy: Lucilla Kochol ========================================

Catechist’s  Prayer  

Gracious and all-loving Father, out of love for all people you spoke your Word who became flesh for our salvation. May your Word transform me so that the message of your Son, our Lord, may be echoed through my teaching. Allow me to guide the hearts of those whom I teach in such a way that they will enter more deeply into your way of truth and salvation. Grant me the insight needed to lead them to know, love, and serve you. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may they become hearers and followers of your Word, so that they might help transform the world to follow the way of life to which your Son has called us all, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

======================================== SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

We appreciate advertisers who support St. John’s by advertising in our bulletin. Please patronize their business and let them know you saw their ad in our bulletin.

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ST. JOHN’S CATHOLIC WOMEN’S UNION Women of all ages are invited to join

the Catholic Women’s Union. Learn how you can become involved with the Catholic Women’s Union by joining us on Wednesday, September 16th at 7 p.m. in Longinus Hall. Meet the members and learn how you can be part of this unique organization. We share ideas and light refreshments are served. We work to raise money for our parish and have fun doing it. We also share in fellowship by sharing in a Spring and Fall Auctions, Christmas Party, and the Spring Covered Dish Party. Your ideas, friendship and membership are welcomed. For more information call: Karla Garland 622-3776 or any CWU member, or call St. John’s Rectory at 622-5470.

St. John’s Catholic Women’s Union Kauffman’s Chicken Barbeque

Tickets: $8.00 --- includes ½ Chicken, Baked Potato, Applesauce and Roll. Date: Saturday, September 19th Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Place: Former Pizza Hut Parking Lot, Yorkville Pre-Sale: after all Masses on September 12/13

Please contact any Catholic Women’s Union member or call Sharon Miller 622-0516 or Joan Deiter 622-1381.

PLEASE RETURN UNSOLD TICKETS AS

WELL AS SOLD TICKETS WITH PAYMENT

BY TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH.

FRIENDS HELPING FRIENDS BOSCOV’S is helping out St. John’s by giving us Shopping Passes to sell for $5 each: these proceeds benefit the church. Boscov’s HELPING YOU and ME

• By bringing that shopping pass to Boscov’s on Tuesday, October 20th to receive 25% off on most purchases.

• Deposit registration form on your Pass in the ballot box to win prizes.

• Receive free food and fellowship. • Shopping Passes are good towards LAY-A-

WAY Purchases too, so great for early Christmas shopping!

PASSES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE RECTORY OFFICE

PRE-SALE for St. John’s will also be available at Boscov’s on September 18, 24, October 2, 17 … OR by contacting Sandy @570-739-1630 or see me after Mass!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Friends Helping Friends! Let us help you! Won’t you help us?

Our Annual Christmas Bazaar will take place … Saturday and Sunday, November 14 & 15

‘View & Drop’ Preview weekend is November 7th & 8th .

We are asking families to donate a Theme Basket with a suggested value of at least $25.00 in merchandise or gift certificates. If you would like to donate the items, we would be happy to put a basket together and wrap it for you. Be creative and come up with your own unique idea!

Homemade craft items are also very welcome.

So many families donated baskets last year --- it was wonderful to see the spirit of St. John’s shine through.

Baskets should be dropped off before October 25th.

Our ‘Lottery Baskets & Frames’ are always a huge success. If you would like to donate lottery tickets (any amount), please drop tickets off at the rectory or place in the collection basket at Mass.

As always, monetary donations and Gift Certificates are greatly appreciated and helping hands at the Bazaar are always welcome. If you can help or you have questions, please call the Rectory 622-5470 ext. 3

In addition to our many various THEME BASKETS, there will be beautiful CRAFTS, many of which are handmade, SPECIALS, and of course, FOOD including Roast Turkey Platters, Hamburgers, Barbecue, Hot Dogs, Sauerkraut, Soups, etc., and our delicious BAKED GOODS.

PICTURES WITH SANTA will be available as well.

This is a great way to get involved in a fun fundraiser for the parish and to meet other people. Join us !!!

========================================

Items Needed for the

Christmas Bazaar: We are looking for donations of large baskets, and various new gift items for baskets. For questions or more information, please call the Rectory 570-622-5470 x 3 or email…. stjbparish@comcast.net. ========================================

WINE / CHEESE / SNACK BASKETS If you would like to donate Wine, Cheese, or Snacks for our Wine/Snack Baskets for this year's Christmas Bazaar, please drop your donation off at the rectory during the week. ========================================

DIOCESAN NEWS & EVENTS

HEALING MASS All are invited, especially those individuals who have experienced trauma, to join in prayer with Bishop John O. Barres as Celebrant and Msgr. Walter Scheaffer as homilist on Wednesday, October 14th at 6:30 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Parish, 243 Lafayette Avenue, Palmerton. Following Mass there will be a Holy Hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and the opportunity for confession. The evening will conclude with Benediction at 8:30p.m.

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER Your love as husband and wife is a gift to one another as well as a gift from God. Attend a WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND to rediscover your marriage to make the most of this precious gift. The next Allentown area weekend is November 6-8. For information call 1-732-904-9636 or visit www.aweekendforyourmarriage.org.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE MINISTRY If a Prenatal Diagnosis is Poor…You are not alone. There is help. The Diocese of Allentown has a network of concerned parents and professionals who have experienced or worked closely with issues surrounding poor prenatal diagnosis. For support, contact: Sr. Janice Marie Johnson, jjohnson@allentowndiocese.org or 610-289-8900 x 245.

COURAGE Struggling with Same-Sex Attraction? In order to help individuals gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the Catholic Church’s teachings, especially in the area of chastity, COURAGE invites such persons to find the peace and grace to grow in Christian maturity. Group meetings are held monthly in the Allentown Diocese. For more information call 610-334-9147 or www.couragerc.org. ========================================

FOOD COLLECTION Thank you for doing the small things, like feeding your neighbors, with great love. God bless. Items Needed: Stuffing Mix Canned Fruit Broth Macaroni & Cheese Coffee/Tea (instant) Hot Chocolate Hot Cereal packages Apple Sauce Cereal – boxed Vegetable - Canned Beef Stew Spaghetti Canned Gravy Spaghetti Sauce Peanut Butter Jelly

Canned Sweet Potatoes

PLEASE – NO OUTDATED ITEMS NEEDED - “Soups”

Please Do Not donate any nutritional drinks (Ensure, etc.) Kindly place your donations in the basket at the 10th Street entrance at the bottom of the steps. Thank you.

BULLETIN BOOSTERS September 2015

Carl Bartholomew IMO Rita Klitsch IMO Harold Bartholomew Mr.&Mrs.James Loeper IMO Robert Berger IMO Felix & Agnes Narog IMO Edward Christ IMO Carol Nygren Fr. Don Henry IMO Jeanne Rehnert IMO M/M Herbert Henry IMO Eugene & Rita Rehnert Joanne Hepler IMO Dorothy Rosenberger Clare & Linda Houser Marcie Schnerring IMO Sophia Kapsha John & Juleanne Steffan IMO Francis King IMO Margaret Zelinsky Living & Deceased of St. John’s CYO Program

What is a Bulletin Booster?? Some of our newer parishioners have asked what it means to be a Bulletin Booster. We have a wonderful bulletin – it is timely and keeps us informed of what is going on within our parish family and its surroundings. Paper and supplies are needed on a weekly basis to continue this family tradition. So, if you'd like to donate toward the supplies. $1.00 and up … you too can be a … Bulletin Booster ======================================== OUTREACH MINISTRY: REACH OUT and TOUCH SOMEONE. St. John’s OutReach Ministry can help with light housekeeping, grocery shopping, transportation, meals, etc. Volunteers are always needed. Call Margie Glunz at 622-3067 anytime with your needs and concerns.

======================================== FROM OUR PARISH NURSE … Janet Daubert Vitamin D may help reduce age-related muscle loss. In a clinical trial recently in Osteoporosis International, 160 healthy post-menopausal Brazilian women, ages 50 to 65, took vitamin D capsules (1,000 IU a day) or a placebo. After nine months those taking the vitamin experienced a significant increase in leg muscle strength compared to the placebo group and lost less lean body mass (muscle and bone). The women had relatively low initial blood levels of vitamin D. Most people lose muscle after age 50, typically 1 to 2 percent a year. ======================================== BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS will be available in Longinus Hall after all Masses next weekend, September 19 & 20.

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NEIGHBORING EVENTS

PADRE PIO HEALING MASS Padre Pio Healing Ministry Healing Mass with Padre Pio’s relic on Friday, September 18th at 7 p.m. at Divine Mercy Church, Shenandoah. The celebrant and homilist will be Rev.Fr.David Kozak. Following the Mass, the celebrant will bless the faithful with the relic. Priests will be available for confession from 6:15p.m. to 6:45p.m.

WILDWOOD SEAFOOD FEAST BUS TRIP sponsored by St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish in Minersville, September 21 – 24; for more information please contact 570-544-5231 or 570-628-5413.

VETERAN’S TRIP TO WASHINGTON sponsored by Schuylkill County Veteran’s Trip Organization on Saturday, October 3rd. Any Schuylkill County veteran is eligible to participate. This trip is free for veterans and $50 for a companion. Information please call 570-622-0730.

SHOWER OF ROSES FESTIVAL on Sunday, October 4th at St. Francis of Assisi Parish at the Shrine of St. Therese, 15 E. Garibaldi Ave. In Nesquehoning. Mass 1 p.m. with Rev.Msgr. Alfred Schlert as Celebrant. Procession 3 p.m.; recital of the Rosary; Benediction at 4 p.m.; Shower of Blessings from Heaven at 5 p.m. For more information contact 570-669-6075 or straussrv@hotmail.com or littleflowerassociation@gmail.com or visit the website at www.shrineofsainttherese.com ======================================== MOVING ? RELOCATING ? LET US KNOW! Have you moved, changed your phone or email address? If so, would you please contact the Rectory Office at 622-5470 ext. 3. Help us update records! ========================================

WEEKLY COLLECTION September 5/6: $ 4,858.56; Dues: $1,461.00

We thank our parishioners for their sacrificial giving. ======================================== PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS AROUND THE WORLD

"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for

the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior."

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