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Rev. Tom Kunnel, C.O., Administrator Deacon Robert Pang MASSES: Saturday: 4:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM 1:00 PM (Spanish)

Weekdays: 8:00 AM Saturday: 9:00 AM

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Dear Parish Family, The Sunday after Ascension Day. The Sun-day before Pentecost. Behind us is the life of Jesus, his death, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension. In front of us is the un-

known, the very new thing that God will do among his people. Living in the ‘threshold of uncertainty’ is very challenging! All of us are liv-ing through such times only difference is the intensity. How do the disciples feel in this sort of no-man’s land in time?

They don’t know how long they’re going to be there in the upper room where they were told to go . All they know is that in his physical form Jesus seems to have finally left them – taken up in the brilliance of the light of heaven – and that he has told them to wait in Jerusalem where God will come to them in a new way. What did they talk about? The revelation that the Mother of God was with them might give us an in-sight into an expectation.

The disciples were ordinary folk from the surrounding villages around a small town called Capernaum, some fishermen who were engaged in a lucrative but challenging job. Then Jesus, told them to follow him and they did – they just did. They followed and saw and heard and experienced things they sometimes can still hardly believe. And they loved him, they still do. All of them at some point or another they all said they’d be willing to die for him yet all of them failed him, some more spectacularly than others.

They lived through the tension, the mounting danger and the terrible execution that ended the life of their Lord in Jerusalem. They’ve lived with that terrible sense of loss and grief when life had no meaning or purpose, and their hearts were heavy, dreading the bleak future ahead of them. Then the light of resurrection exploded around them. Jesus was alive again, talking with them, eating with them, teaching them. His appearances were unpredictable and sometimes very brief but after the initial shock none of them doubted the reality of his resur-rection. But his appearance and disappearance trained them to expect a time of another parting.

Two things we can learn from them as they waited anxiously for the future. Both these are explained to us in the Gospel narrative taken from what the scholars call the ‘high priestly prayer of Christ’. During the Holy Mass there is a prayer before we sing the Holy, Holy which is called the Preface. This prayer Jesus prayed is very similar in character as what follows is very central for coming to earth – to die on the cross to save mankind. He calls this ‘the glory’ because through this act of surrender to the Father’s grace flows into every believer, just like the rays pierce through the clouds and we say it is glorious, as the sun is shining and we can look at the light!

Again the disciples together with Mary were engaged in prayer. In anxious moments we need to bow in prayer not in doubt, not in fear but in faith. It is only in this track of expectation and prayer that we can experience the day of Pentecost, whenever that ‘immersed with grace’ event comes to us.

Fr. Tom Kunnel C.O.

THE SANCTUARY LAMP Is Being Offered this week

Joyce Morris Requested by Connie Lynch

Please remember in your prayers the Sick and/or Homebound of our Parish Family. Anna Hick-ey, Larry Goswick, Ismaela Sanabria Maldonado, mother of Marleni, Edith & Ana, Anne O’Connor, Gino Galante, Helen Koza, Virginia McCauley Cook, Kristen Lynn, Helen Bark, Nijole Paronetto, Mary Lynch Donaldson sister of Peter Lynch, Johanna Krumm, Tim Armstrong, Eileen Moson, Michael McCormack, Joe Dennerlein

As a Parish Family, let us remember in our prayers all our beloved departed members of our Parish Community Theresa Mayernik, sister of Fran Loftus, Maureen Diana, Marion Hinchcliff, mother of Una McHugh, Jessica Lee, Mary O’Rourke mother of Chris O’Rourke, Fr. John Dwyer, Cecilia Harlan, Eileen Wozniak Phil Kohlbrenner, Cathy Kohlbrenner—father & sister of Andy Kohlbrenner, Madlen Moson, Ralph Pilla PLEASE ADVISE THE RECTORY (359-0078) WHENEVER A PARISHION-ER BECOMES HOMEBOUND, ILL, OR HOSPITALIZED SO ARRANGE-MENTS CAN BE MADE FOR A PRIEST, DEACON OR EUCHARISTIC MINISTER TO VISIT AND BRING COMMUNION TO THEM.

Sun 24-May 10:30 PM Michael & Mary Valentino By Michael & Maryann Beckerich

Mon 25-May 10:30 AM Magnolia Velez By Diana Gensel

Tue 26-May 10:30 AM Maggie Lynn ( Healing) By Carmel O'Sullivan

Wed 27-May 10:30 AM Anna Troy By Carmel O'Sullivan

Thu 28-May 10:30 AM Kevin Harlan By Br. Michael Harlan

Fri 29-May 10:30 AM Chris Kelly By Therese O'Dowd

Sat 30-May 10:30 AM James & Elizabeth Armstrong By Armstrong Family

Sun 31-May 10:30 AM Mary Iorio By Lee McGarvey

Sadly we have completed our classes for the current year. It has been a strange challenge for our children as well as our Catechists, but everyone has done their best. We thank our parents who have worked with their youngsters on the assignments from Religious Ed. as well as all of their work from school. We salute you for stretching your time and talents to keep your kids up to date. Hopefully, in the not too distant future, we will all be able to resume a much more normal life. Just know that God is watching us.

Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us!

Webcast Schedule:

Daily Masses: Monday—Saturday: 10:30 AM

Sunday Mass:

English—10:30 AM

Domingo Misa: Espanol—1:00 PM

Readings No. 842A

7th Sunday of Easter

Sun May 24 10:30 AM Webcast English Mass

1:00 PM Webcast Espanol Misa

Mon May 25 10:30 AM Webcast Daily Mass

Tues May 26 10:30 AM Webcast Daily Mass

Wed May 27 10:30 AM Webcast Daily Mass

Thu May 28 10:30 AM Webcast Daily Mass

Fri May 29 10:30 AM Webcast Daily Mass

Sat May 30 10:30 AM Webcast Daily Mass

On ‘Roku’ Select “Box Cast” Channel “St John the Baptist

See you all at our Virtual Mass

Today’s Readings First Reading — The people of Samaria accepted the word of God preached by Philip; they received the Holy Spir-it (Acts 8:5-8, 14-17). Psalm — Let all the earth cry out to God with joy (Psalm 66) Second Reading — Act with gentleness and reverence to-ward all, so that when you are maligned those who defame you will be the ones put to shame (1 Peter 3:15-18) or 1 Peter 4:13-16. Gospel — I will not leave you orphans, but will come to you (John 14:15-21) or Jn 17:1-11a.

DEVOTED TO PRAYER Today, as we await Pentecost, we come to the end of the baptismal homily from Peter that we have heard over the past few weeks. This homily was written by a realist who knew the joy and the glory of a Resurrection faith, but also knew that the strength of that faith would be put to the test and tried in suffering. Earlier this year we heard Jesus preach, “Blessed are you when they insult you . . . because of me” (Matthew 5:11) and this is echoed today by Peter. These words are also formed in the image of Christ who prays to the Father in heaven today, a prayer that is placed in John’s Gospel right before Jesus endures his suffering and death. Our awaiting the Spirit, awaiting our mission for Christ means that we are, most likely, awaiting some sort of trial and suffering. We don’t endure the same degree of persecu-tion that Peter and John knew, but each of us has our faith put to the test eventually. And it is for this reason that we, like Jesus and like those faithful followers gathered in the upper room, devote ourselves to prayer.

5/10 Collection $3724

Please continue to send your offer-ings to support the church either by mail or through online payment: https://stjohnspiermont.churchgiving.com Thank you for your support and gen-erosity to St. John’s.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Acts 19:1-8; Ps 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab; Jn 16:29-33 Tuesday: Acts 20:17-27; Ps 68:10-11, 20-21; Jn 17:1-11a Wednesday: Acts 20:28-38; Ps 68:29-30, 33-36ab; Jn 17:11b-19 Thursday: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11; Ps 16:1-2a, 5, 7-11; Jn 17:20-26 Friday: Acts 25:13b-21; Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab; Jn 21:15-19 Saturday: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31; Ps 11:4, 5, 7; Jn 21:20-25 Sunday: Vigil: Gn 11:1-9 or Ex 19:3-8a, 16-20b or Ez 37:1-14 or Jl 3:1-5; Ps 104:1-2, 24, 35, 27-28, 29-30; Rom 8:22-27; Jn 7:37-39 Day: Acts 2:1-11; Ps 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34; 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13; Jn 20:19-23

For the brave men and women, that protected our freedom, and did not return to be with us today. Our hearts go out to their families and friends on this day, our Memorial Day. A grateful nation re-members ...

In the parish where I work, we often receive newsletters or mailings from non-profit or-ganizations that sometimes include a “wish list.” The wish list varies, depending on the needs of the group. If it is a shelter for the homeless, the wish list could include clothing items or toiletries. Wish lists for other organizations might include of-fice equipment or supplies. Whatever the group or organiza-tion, suggestions on a wish list reveal something of the organ-izations hopes, needs or desires. I suppose as individuals, fam-ilies, civic or religious organizations, we all have our own wish lists.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus shares something of his wish list as he prepares to face his own suffering and death and his return to the Father. Perhaps we could more accurately describe Je-sus’ wish list as a prayer list. In the presence of his disciples, Jesus prays what is known as his High Priestly Prayer. This prayer becomes the conclusion of Jesus’ farewell discourse. His prayer is that all may be one, as he and the Father are one. The oneness he shares with the Father he wishes for his disci-ples and for us. Further, he prays for all who will come to be-lieve in him through the word and witness of his disciples. “I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24). Through his words, Jesus reminds the disciples and us that the unity he shares with the Father is not meant to be exclusive for the two of them. His prayer is that all people may be drawn into this uniting love that he, the Father and the Spirit share.

That for which Jesus prayed reveals what was important to him and also gives us a focus for living our lives. Each of us through our baptism is linked to that line of witnesses and be-lievers for whom Jesus prayed. On this Seventh Sunday of Easter and as we prepare in another week to conclude the Easter season with the Feast of Pentecost, it is good for each of us to ponder the consistency of our witness to faith in the risen Lord. How do we strive to witness each day to the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit within us? How do we de-scribe the quality of our love for each other? It is witness to and from others that encourages, gives hope, invites conver-sion of heart and mind and deepens faith. In the celebration of the Eucharist today, let us pray for the grace to be faithful wit-nesses of the message of the Gospel. May Jesus’ prayer that we be one in-spire and challenge us to work for unity and harmony in the church and in all the relationships that are part of our lives.

James D. McBurney, O.S.A.

LECTURAS DE HOY Primera lectura —Todos ellos perseveraban en la oración (Hechos 1:12-14). Salmo — Yo creo en que veré las cosas buenas del Señor en la tierra de los vivos. (Salmo 26). Segunda lectura — Alégrense de participar en los sufrimientos de Cristo (1 Pedro 4:13-16). Evangelio — Pues, ésta es la vida eterna: conocerte a ti, único Dios verdadero (Juan 17:1-11a).

DEDICADOS A LA ORACIÓN Hoy, mientras esperamos Pentecostés, llegamos al final de la homilía bautismal de Pedro que hemos estado escuchando en las últimas sema-nas. Esta homilía fue escrita por un realista que conoció el gozo y la gloria de una fe de resurrec-ción, pero que también supo que el temple de esa fe sería probado en el sufrimiento. Varios domin-gos atrás oímos a Jesús predicar: “Dichosos cu-ando los injurien,. . . por causa mía” (Mateo 5:11) y eso encuentra eco hoy en Pedro. Estas palabras se forman en la imagen de Cristo que reza al Pa-dre del Cielo hoy, una oración colocada en el Evangelio de Juan justo antes de que Jesús pasara por su sufrimiento y muerte. Esperar al Espíritu, esperar nuestra misión por Cristo sig-nifica que, probablemente, aguardamos algún tipo de prueba y sufrimiento. No soportamos el mismo grado de persecución que Pedro y Juan pasaron, pero la fe de cada uno de nosotros even-tualmente será probada. Y es por esta razón que nosotros, al igual que Jesús y aquellos fieles discípulos que se reunieron en la habitación su-perior, nos dedicamos a la oración.

LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Lunes: Hch 19:1-8; Sal 67:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab; Jn 16:29-33 Martes: Hch 20:17-27; Sal 67:10-11, 20-21; Jn 17:1-11a Miércoles: Hch 20:28-38; Sal 67:29-30, 33-36ab; Jn 17:11b-19 Jueves: Hch 22:30; 23:6-11; Sal 15:1-2a, 5, 7-11; Jn 17:20-26 Viernes: Hch 25:13b-21; Sal 102:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab; Jn 21:15-19 Sábado: Hch 28:16-20, 30-31; Sal 10:4, 5, 7; Jn 21:20-25 Domingo: Vigilia: Gn 11:1-9 o Ex 19:3-8a, 16-20b o Ez 37:1-14 o Jl 3:1-5; Sal 103:1-2, 24, 35, 27-28, 29-30; Rom 8:22-27; Jn 7:37-39 Día: Hch 2:1-11; Sal 103:1, 24, 29-31, 34; 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13; Jn 20:19-23

SAN FELIPE NERI (1515-1595) 26 de mayo San Felipe tenía dos libros favori-tos: el Nuevo Tes-tamento y uno de chistes, sin duda que es el santo del buen humor. Su padre quiso que fuera comer-ciante, pero una visita a las cata-cumbas de los mártires transformó su vida. Estando en la universidad decidió educar a los jóvenes y vender todos sus libros para dar el dinero a los pobres, pues “sólo amar” es lo que

cuenta. Se entregó en cuerpo y alma al aposto-lado juvenil atrayendo jóvenes ricos y pobres al cuidado de los enfermos, servicio en hospitales y vida de oración. Su intimidad con Dios fue tan notable en su sabio consejo que éste fue buscado por obispos y papas; de hecho, fue director espir-itual de grandes santos como Ignacio de Loyola y Carlos Borromeo. Fue ordenado sacerdote en 1551 y fundó un oratorio designado a la instruc-ción espiritual, al canto y a la caridad. Debido a su santidad y calidad de vida, uno de los papas quiso nombrarle cardenal y le dejó un sombrero cardenalicio en su cuarto, pero san Felipe lo uti-lizó para atrapar la pelota.

P A R I S H M I N I S T R I E S & C H A I R Buildings & Grounds Pat Miele, Alex Aguilar Eucharistic Adoration Dcn Robert Pang Health Mary Loftus Hispanic Community Michaelina Maldonado Ministerios Marianos Luis y Aida Cachichabla Hospitality Robin Miller Men’s Club Bill Loftus. Ralph Olsen Ushers Jake Miraglia Music Elise Espinosa, Chris & Carolyn Yates, Ann Quattrocchi & Eileen Petersen Spanish Choir Carlos Cerna, William Martinez Outreach Maria Nest Parish Council Ralph Olsen Parish Worship Dcn Rob Pang Religious Education Kathleen Dunn RCIA Dcn Robert Pang, Nelson Zamora Catholic Daughters Marge Olsen Right to Life Scott Giblin Social May Pang Spiritual Life Johanna Krumm St. Vincent De Paul Fr. Tom Kunnel

P A R I S H C O U N C I L Alex Aguilar, Kathleen Dunn, Jonathan/Dominika Fanning, Lucia/Sal Caruana, Marleni Lemus, Ray/Beverly Sambrotto,

Irma Vasquez T R U S T E E S

Phil McCartin James Pontone

Our Sacramental Life

Baptism: Please call the Rectory well in advance of the expected day of Bap-tism to arrange an appointment for an interview. Pre-baptismal meeting for parents is required. Godparents must be confirmed, practicing Catholics. Gener-ally Baptisms are celebrated the third Sunday of each month at 12:00 pm.

Reconciliation: Confessions are heard from 4:30-5:00 pm on Saturday. You may also make an appointment with Fr. Tom. Spanish confessions is available from 12:30–1:00 PM on Sundays.

Marriage: Marriages should be arranged at least six months in advance. Partici-pation in Pre-Cana is essential. Please call the Rectory to schedule an appoint-ment with Fr. Tom.

Anointing of the Sick: Before you enter the hospital for elective surgery or other serious treatment, and for those who have need of spiritual healing. In an emergency, please call Fr. Tom’s mobile 845 608 9358.

Holy Orders: Any gentleman interested in exploring the question of vocation to the priesthood or the permanent diaconate should contact Fr. Tom Kunnel. We would also be happy to direct anyone interested in living their lives as Religious Sisters or Brothers.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults: For instruction for Baptism, Confirma-tion and Eucharist for adults and to learn about Catholic Faith. If interested please contact Dcn Robert Pang.

For more details and forms—www.stjohnspiermont.org

Parish Registration: All adults (over age 21) should register in the parish themselves and should use envelopes or parishpay.com. Tithing is 5% of income. This registration is our only means of certifying anyone as a member of the parish, especially for Baptism and Confirmation sponsorship letters and for scheduling Baptisms and Weddings.

6th Sunday of Easter Find Words:

UpperRoom Prayer KeptYourWord EternalLife MineIsYours CameFromYou Olivet

Authority Jerusalem Revealed OverAll TrulyUnderstood Glorify