St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church 2414 Seventeenth Street, Gulfport, Mississippi 39501

Telephone (228) 864-2272 Fax (228) 864-2273 Email: stjohnthee@cableone.net Website: stjohngulfport.org

Staff: Rev. Ryan McCoy, Pastor Deacon David Allen, Pastoral Associate Deacon Rick Conason, Pastoral Associate Sr. Mary Kealy, PBVM, Pastoral Associate Teri Patton, Parish Secretary Masses: Saturday Vigil: 5:00 p.m. First Saturday Devotion: 9:00 a.m. Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 a.m., 6:00 p.m. Daily Mass: Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m. Spanish Mass: Sunday, 2:00p.m. Holy Days: 6:00 p.m., Vigil, 7:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. Confession: Before and after every Mass; and anytime on request

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time September 4, 2016

ALL IN THE FAMILY The term "family" gets used quite often today to describe a series of close bonds that are (or ought to be) present among various groups. Parishes, schools, scout troops, work groups, many different kinds of organizations commonly refer to themselves as "family" members with each other. How shocking it will be for us today, in our nuclear families or parish families, to learn from the lips of Jesus himself that it is in the renouncing of family relationships and the rending of family ties, even the despising of our own God-given life, that we will come to know and understand what it means to be a disci-ple, a follower of Jesus Christ. Is all of this to be taken literally? Yes and no. The Gospel today is telling us that in order to progress as a disciple, to follow Christ more closely, it is Christ and his gospel that alone can be the heart and center of our lives. Will most of us be called upon literally to leave our family members? Most likely not. But if we are disciples, we must be ready to do so. A FAMILY GUIDED BY PERFECT WISDOM The first reading from Wisdom states, in its own way, this very same principle. All that we know of this life, all that we hold dearest, that we love and cherish most, all of this is still not of the unsearchable and unknowable riches of divine wis-dom. Jesus' extreme description of what we must reject establishes the same sort of chasm between God's ways and our ways as the author of the Wisdom passage does. But both teachers also instruct us that God can and God does, through the spirit of grace from on high, come to us and reveal to us the ways of heaven. We do not or cannot search them out for our-selves in our earthly things or human relationships. But we can, with God's help, set aside our own limited natures and come closer in the loving bond God has for us and is prepared to spread among us. Copyright (c) 2006, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time September 4, 2016

Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.

— Psalm 90:14

INVITED The Good News is that we have all been invited—invited to the Kingdom, invited to be disciples. It’s a life-changing invitation, and like so many other such invita-tions, it requires a great deal of deliberation and discern-ment. Whether we choose marriage, ordination, single life, or community life, we know the serious planning and consideration that accompany these profound decisions. Like the tower-builder in the Gospel, we have weighed both the monetary and emotional cost. We have pondered and planned our lives in the direction to which we believe God has called us. And while we pray for guidance and acceptance of God’s will, we often fail to understand so much. Like Solomon, we turn to God for wisdom and counsel in our life-changing decisions. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Welcome to St. John the Evangelist Parish!

If you are new to the parish and have not yet registered, please fill out one of the registration forms on the back table or go to our website,

stjohngulfport.org and click on the “New Parishioner” tab.

C.C.D. (Grades K-12) ................ Sundays, 9:00-10:15 A.M. Knights of Columbus...... 1st & 3rd Wednesday, 7:00 P.M. K C Ladies Auxiliary..................... 3rd Tuesday, 6:30 P.M. R.C.I.A. .................................................Tuesdays, 6:30 P.M. St. Vincent de Paul................... 2nd Wednesday, 9:00 A.M. Young At Heart............................... 4th Thursday, 12 Noon

Happy birthday wishes to: Rachel Ray cele-brates Sept. 3; Aria Bui celebrates Sept. 4; Linda Carruth, Larry Dedeaux, Penny Dedeaux & Eleanor Mize celebrate Sept. 5; Frank DeNicola celebrates Sept. 8; Julie Pucheu celebrates Sept. 9.

May God Bless them with many more Happy Birthdays!

Our Parish Picnic is scheduled for Sun-day, Sept. 25, after the 10:30am Mass. This is an occasion to meet parishioners who attend other Masses. It is also an opportunity for fellowship, a shared

meal, games and fun! It is a Parish Family Day. We en-courage every parishioner to plan on attending this year’s picnic. Fr. Ryan would like to taste our parishioners cooking, so we are asking you to bring a covered dish. Please bring a dish to share based on your last name. A-G: Vegetables; H-L: Salad; M-P: Meat; Q-Z: Dessert. There is a sign up sheet on the round table at the back of the church to sign up your family and let us know how many people will be attending and what you will bring. Thank you!

Our Hispanic Community is selling tacos after each Mass this weekend , Sept. 3 & 4 to help raise money for their ministry.

Father Ryan, Deacon Allen, Deacon Conason, Sister Mary and Teri Patton would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Labor Day weekend.

The parish office will be closed on Monday, Sept. 5, in observance of Labor Day. We will reopen Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 10am.

Father George Murphy cordially invites you to celebrate his 50th anniversary of ordination at a Mass of Thanks-giving on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at 6pm at St. Jo-seph Catholic Church, 12290 DePew Rd, Gulfport, Mis-sissippi. A reception will follow in the parish hall.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta When Pope Francis canonizes Mother Teresa of Cal-cutta this month, he will be adding his voice to those of the millions around the world who already regard her as a saint. A symbol of goodness for people everywhere, she was the recipient of many awards, including the 1979 No-bel Peace Prize. When she died on September 5, 1997, her congregation, the Missionaries of Charity, encom-passed 594 homes in 123 countries. She lift behind her more than 3,800 sisters, nearly 380 brothers, thirteen priests, and countless coworkers, all committed to living in her sprit throughout the world. “We have been created with a purpose; to love and to be loved.” -Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Correction!! The beautiful flowers on the altar last weekend

were donated in loving memory of Genevieve Verin Grandis

by her family to commemorate her birthday on August 30.

Thank you!

REMINDER!!! The 2016-2017 RCIA Faith Journey will begin on Monday, September 12 at 6:30pm. Be an evangelizer for the Lord. Now is the time to invite your non-Catholic or fallen away Catholic relatives and friends, especially those who have never been Confirmed to consider joining us in St. John the Evangelist Parish. For more information, please call the parish office, 864-2272.

Introduction to Islam: A Catholic Prospective Edwina Conason is offering a class that will introduce the theology and practices of Islam. Events on the news and internet have spurred discussion on Islam, but very few people actually know what Muslims believe. It will be 3 nights with power point, handouts, and open floor discus-sions. You will come away with more information on the attacks of 9/11, beheading of the French priest in Nor-mandy, France, and many other events that are connected to Islam. Monday, September 12th, 19th & 26th from 7:00-8:30pm. The classes will begin promptly at 7pm.

The Annual Parish Drawdown and Silent Auction Is Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.

in Presentation Hall. The doors will open at 6pm and the drawdown will start at 6:30pm. There will be delicious food and drink avail-able for everyone. The tickets are $100 and will admit 4 people. This drawdown is to assist our parish with the rising cost of insurance and maintenance of our buildings and other parish projects. The success of the drawdown and silent auction depends on everyone’s participation. Tickets are $100 for a chance to win $10,000. If you are unable to purchase a whole ticket, you may share with someone for $50 or three people for $25. We encourage every adult parishioner to actively participate by purchasing a draw-down ticket and donating items for the silent auction. Silent auction items can be dropped off at the parish office. Tickets are available in the Parish office Monday-Friday from 10am-5pm.

Your help is needed and appreciated!!! The Hospitality Committee calendar is prepared and ready for the coming year 2016/2017. We will offer re-freshments once a month. This is a most rewarding minis-try that requires just a little of your time to host making coffee and serving refreshments after 10:30 a.m. mass. Our parish has a budget to pay for the purchased items served, just bring your receipt to Teri and she will reim-burse you for the refreshments. Please call the parish of-fice at 864-2272 or e-mail us at stjohnthee@cableone.net to give us your name and phone number if you would like to participate.

Salute VIP Cards are back! We have the Salute 2 for 1 cards available in the parish office. With the card if you buy 1 entrée you get 1 entrée free, up to $15. The cards are $20.

REMINDER! The 2016-2017 CCD classes will resume on Sunday, September 11. Classes are held in the par-ish office building from 9:00-10:15am. If your child does not attend Catholic school, he/she should be regis-tered in our CCD Program. Registration forms are on the tables in the back of church.

St. Patrick High School Save The Date: Saturday, September 24th

Our Alumni Mass will start at 6pm with a social to follow including food, beer/wine and SEC football! All Alumni from St. Patrick Catholic High School, St. John High School, Mercy Cross High School, Sacred Heart High School, and Notre Dame High School are invited. An alumni membership is not required to participate in this event and Bishop Morin has granted special permis-sion for this Mass to count as our Sunday obligation. The mass and kick-off party will both be held at St. Pat-rick Catholic High School: 18300 St. Patrick Road | Bi-loxi, MS 39532.

St. James Adoration Chapel “God is the friend of silence. We need to find God and He cannot be found in noise and restlessness. See how nature, the trees, the flowers, the grasses grow in perfect silence … see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence. The more we receive in silent prayer, the more we can give in our active life.” - Mother Teresa of Calcutta You have a special hour of silence waiting for you. Call Ralph at 539-2434.

The pope’s intentions for September UNIVERSAL Centrality of the Human Person That each may contribute to the common good and to the building of a society that places the human person at the center. EVANGELIZATION Mission to Evangelize That by participating in the Sacraments and meditating on Scripture, Christians may become more aware of their mission to evangelize.

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK Saturday: +Anthony Davis Sunday: 8:00am- +Danny Spreitler; +Vincent & Helen Dauro +Johnny & Betty Fayard 10:30am– +Tyler Phillips; +Evan Smith 6:00- People of the Parish Monday: +Jenny Lizana Tuesday: +Anne Haddock Wednesday: +Mackie Fayard Thursday +Matthew & Thelma Serpa Friday: +Patrick Holley

Gil Bailey Katherine E. Bailey David Bell Jr. Mary Ann Bishop Melissa Bowles Carol Campbell Nunzio Caranna Nanette Carpenter Buddy Cospelich James Doles Betty Ferguson JonViolet Flickinger Mary Kay Gaspard Dan & Lorraine Goad Oren Haddock

Jordan Hoang Loyce & Nick Hyre Roy Jones Margaret Jowers Percy Kaigler Mary Kealy Florence Keppner Norbert Keppner Les Knighton Gary Lacy Joann Liner S J Marengo Jace Mathews Celeste McInnis Cherie Mennis

Linda Mitchell Sophia Nuchereno Ed Panter Jay & Sheila Poolson Roland Riel Gaynelle Saucier Wayne Saucier Austin Seymour Felecia Vann Rosemary White James Williams Ginger Worth Doan The Xinh

Please Remember in Your Prayers

Prayer is the door through which all God’s Graces comes to us -St. Theresa of Avila

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — Who can ever know God’s counsel unless God gives wisdom and sends the Holy Spirit from on high? (Wisdom 9:13-18b). Psalm — In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge (Psalm 90). Second Reading — Paul asks Philemon to accept back his slave Onesimus, not as a slave but as a brother (Philemon 9-10, 12-17). Gospel — To be a disciple of Jesus one must carry one’s own cross and renounce all possessions (Luke 14:25-33). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, Interna-tional Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: 1 Cor 5:1-8; Ps 5:5-7, 12; Lk 6:6-11, or, for Labor Day, any readings from the Mass “For the Blessings of Human Labor,” nos. 907-911 Tuesday: 1 Cor 6:1-11; Ps 149:1b-6a, 9b; Lk 6:12-19 Wednesday: 1 Cor 7:25-31; Ps 45:11-12, 14-17; Lk 6:20-26 Thursday: Mi 5:1-4a or Rom 8:28-30; Ps 13:6; Mt 1:1-16, 18-23 [18-23] Friday: 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22b-27; Ps 84:3-6, 12; Lk 6:39-42 Saturday: 1 Cor 10:14-22; Ps 116:12-13, 17-18; Lk 6:43-49 Sunday: Ex 32:7-11, 13-14; Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 19; 1 Tm 1:12-17; Lk 15:1-32 [1-10]

The second collection at all Masses this weekend is for the Catholic University. The second collection next weekend is for Church Mainte-nance.

Hurricane Prayer O Heavenly Father, all the elements of nature obey your command. Calm the storms that threaten us and turn our fear into praise of your goodness. Pro-tect us from hurricanes and disasters of nature. We pray through Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Collections August 27-28 Identifiable: $4782 Unidentifiable: $803 ACH: $20 Louisiana Flood Relief: $3991 Children’s Collection: $30

Thank you for your generosity!

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Sometimes, this “Treasures” column can seem to be a species of crib-notes for Catholic Jeopardy. Indeed, you may never know when knowledge of our particular vo-cabulary may come in handy. Such is the case with papal bulls, which conjure up all sorts of images, but are actu-ally not what you might expect. A bull is a papal letter on a matter of great consequence, such as a decision about a crisis in the Church, the declaration of a doctrine, the summoning of a council, or the canonization of a saint. It has a more solemn intention than a mere letter or even an encyclical, a teaching letter circulated through the whole Church. Its odd name comes from the Latin bulla, which is the stamp used to apply a signatorial design to the hot lead, or even molten silver or gold, that seals the decree. The format for the bull is the name of the pope in Latin, followed by the title “servant of the servants of God,” also in Latin, and then the text. The title of the bull is always the first two words of the text. Some famous papal bulls are Exsurge Domine (Arise, O Lord), written against Martin Luther’s Ninety-five Theses in 1520; Mu-nificentissimus Deus (The Most Bountiful God), the promulgation of the dogma of the Assumption in 1950 by Pope Pius XII; or Humanae Salutis (Human Salvation), by which Pope John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council in 1962. —Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

If you or anyone in your family is ill at home or in the hospital and would like us to visit you-please call the parish office at 864-2272.

Calendar of Events Sept 6 XLT Adoration, 7pm 25 Parish Picnic Oct 2 Mary’s Day Celebration, 10:30am Mass 19 Ministry Appreciation Dinner, Presentation Hall 6pm 31 All Saints Vigil Mass 6pm Nov 1 All Saints, Mass 7am & Noon 2 All Souls, Commemoration of all the faithful departed, Mass 7am 2 Mass for Deceased Parishioners, 6pm 12 Drawdown, Presentation Hall 6pm 22 Anointing of the Sick, 11:15am 24 Thanksgiving Day, Mass 7am Dec 7 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception,

We really appreciate those who donate toward the flowers for our church. We don't have any flowers scheduled for September and only 1 weekend in October. If you would like to have flowers placed in church, please contact the par-

ish office at 228 864-2272. We have a prayer group that meets every Thursday af-ternoon from 5:15-6:15pm. Everyone is invited to join us. For more information call the Parish office, 864-2272.

Weekly prayer group Thursday’s at 10:00am. Call An-nette Seymour 326-0851.

Prayer Groups

Bethesda Free Clinic has moved! We now share a building with the Jackson County Tax Assessor/Collector in the office that formerly housed. the Jackson County Health Dept. Just across the parking lot from the Sheriffs department and our previous location. Our new physical address is: 6912B N. Washington, Ocean Springs Our days and hours remain the same: Mon. thru Thur., 9 am to noon, to 1:30pm to 4 pm Free medical, limited dental and lifestyle coaching to all. Check out our website: www.bfbcd.com