St. John the Baptist Catholic Church A Franciscan Community

All are Welcome Parishioners, New Members, Visitors and Guests: Thank you for joining our worshipping community. Please stop by our parish office to register and let us know if we can be of assistance. Daily Mass Saturday Vigil Mass Sacrament of Reconciliation Monday - Saturday 5:30pm 4:00-5:00 Sat. or by appointment 8:30am Sunday Mass Adoration Chapel English: 7:30am,10:00am, 6:30pm Open 24 hours for prayer Spanish: 12:00 noon Call the office for the code

October 2, 2016 ~ 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

10955 SE 25th Avenue * Milwaukie, Oregon 97222 * 503-654-5449 * www.sjbcatholicchurch.org*Fax 503-653-9567

Iglesia Católica San Juan Bautista Una Comunidad Franciscana

Misa Diario Misa deVigilia Lunes a Sábado Inglés: 5:30pm Inglés: 8:30am Misa el Domingo Inglés: 7:30am, 10:00am, 6:30pm; Español: 12:00pm

Confesiones Sábado 4:00-5:00pm o por cita

Capilla de Adoración Abierto los 24 horas para oración

Llame para la clave

2 De Octubre de 2016- X XV II Domingo Ordinario

Parish Staff Pastor Rev. Jorge Hernandez, OFM email: frjorge@sjbcatholicchurch.org Parochial Vicar Rev. Richard Juzix, OFM email: rjuzix@sjbcatholicchurch.org Parish Office 503-654-5449 Administrative Assistant……........... Mary Jenck Tues.-Friday 9am - 5pm email: parishoffice@sjbcatholicchurch.org School Office 503-654-0200 Mon. - Fri. 7:30am-4pm www.sjbcatholicschool.org Principal—Dr. Angela Gomez drgomez@sjbcatholicschool.org Administrative Assistant—Lucero Silva lsilva@sjbcatholicschool.org If you are interested in what is happening at the school check out our website -- www.sjbcatholicschool.org Pastoral Associate Pat Raschio 503-654-5449 email: pat.raschio@gmail.com Business Manager.....................Barbara Downey bdowney@sjbcatholicchurch.org 503-654-5449 Deacon.......................................................Jim Hix hixes@comcast.net 503-652-2430 Care Ministry Coordinator..........Barbara Dunlap bdunlap@sjbcatholicchurch.org 503-654-5449 Youth Ministry…………………………....Tim Kluge tkluge@sjbcatholicchurch.org 503-659-2760 Religious Education Coordinator Jessica Crenshaw............................503-659-2760 jcrenshaw@sjbcatholicchurch.org Music Ministry Coordinator...............John Payne makebeautifulmusic@gmail.com 503-707-5903 Bookkeeper.......................................Debbie Clark 503-654-5449 Development Director........................Libbie Allen lallen@sjbcatholicchurch.org 503-654-5449 Hispanic Ministry Coordinator..Amparo Piedrahita apiedrahita@sjbcatholicchurch.org 503-654-5449

Pre-School Director ..........................Julie Beardall 503-654-0200 Maintenance.......................................Randy Miller rmiller@sjbcatholicchurch.org 503-654-5449

Calendar for the Week Calendario de la Semana

Lunes, Monday, Oct. 3 Mass 8:30am Church Angelus Choir 3:30pm Church English RE 5:30pm School Alanon/Beginners 6:30pm Saalfeld Alateen 7:00pm Jordan AA 7:00pm Cafeteria Transitus Prayer 7:00pm Church Martes, Tuesday, Oct. 4 Mass 8:30am Church Legion of Mary 9:30am Jordan Good Grief Group 10:00am Jordan Grief Support 1:30pm Saalfeld After School Care 3:15pm Daycare Rm St. Vincent de Paul 7:00pm Church RCIA 7:00pm Saalfeld/Café Confirmation 7:00pm Cafeteria Miercoles, Wendesday, Oct. 5 School Pictures 7:30am Jordan Mass 8:30am Church Staff Meeting 9:30am Parish Office Bible Study 10:00am Saalfeld Pinochle 1:00pm Saalfeld After School Care 2:15pm Daycare Rm Spanish RE 5:30pm Parish Center Jueves, Thursday, Oct. 6 Mass 8:30am Church After School Care 3:15pm Daycare Rm Bible Study 7:00pm Saalfeld Spanish Bible Study 7:00pm Cafeteria Parish Choir 7:00pm Church Pastoral Council 7:00pm Jordan Viernes, Friday, Oct. 7 Mass 8:30am Church School Jog-a-Thon 9:00am Milw HS Track After School Care 3:15pm Daycare Rm Spanish Choir 7:00pm Church Pastorela 7:00pm Saalfeld Encuentro Mat 7:00pm Jordan Sabado, Saturday, Oct. 8 Men’s Group 7:00am Jordan Red Cross Blood Drive 8:00am Cafeteria Mass 8:30am Church Confessions 4:00pm Church Vigil Mass 5:30pm Church Rosary Procession after Mass through neighborhood Refreshments after in the Saalfeld Room Domingo, Sunday, Oct. 9 Liturgy of the Word 10:00am Jordan Pre-School RE 10:00am Daycare Rm Sacramental Prep 11:30am Saalfeld Boy Scouts 5:00pm Cafeteria Fatima Prayer Group 7:00pm Saalfeld Coffee & Donuts hosted by Knights of Columbus

2 October 2, 2016 / 2 De Octubre de 2016

Funeral Information To plan or schedule a funeral, please contact the Care Ministry Coordinator, Barbara Dunlap, in the parish office at 503-654-5449. If you can’t reach her at the office, please call her anytime on her cell phone

#503-964-0057, even on the weekends.

Información sobre Funeral Para planificar o programar un funeral, por favor, pónga-se en contacto con la Coordinadora de este Ministerio: Barbara Dunlap, en la oficina parroquial al # 503-654-5449. O también puede llamar a su celular # 503-964-0057, a cualquier hora incluso en los fines de semana.

Advertiser of the Week Anuncio de la Semana

Milwaukie Wellness Center 5111 SE Lake Rd., Milwaukie

503-659-5900

(See Back of Bulletin for full details) (ver parte posterior del boletín para más información)

Intenciones de la Misa Weekly Mass Intentions

Lunes, Monday, Oct. 3

8:30:+Elizabeth Haglund from Herb Haglund Martes, Tuesday, Oct. 4

8:30:St. Francis Guild Members from St. Francis Guild

Miercoles, Wed., Oct. 5 8:30:+Rob Williams from Dennis Sullivan

Jueves, Thursday, Oct. 6 8:30: Jerika Bolen from Dennis Sullivan

Viernes, Friday, Oct. 7 8:30:+Romeo Padua from Hall Family

Sabado, Saturday, Oct. 8 8:30:YLI Members from Young Ladies Institute

5:30:+Nguyen Thi Rong from Phuong Nguyen Fam Domingo, Sunday, Oct. 9

7:30:+Al Raisl from Raisl Family 10:00: For the People of the Parish from the Pastor

12:00:Poor Souls from Anonymous 6:30:+Paul Steigleder from Don & Kathleen Adams

Lecturas Diarias Daily Scripture Readings

Lunes, Monday, Oct. 3

Gal. 1:6-12; Ps. 111:1-10; Luke 10:25-37 Martes, Tuesday, Oct. 4

Gal. 1:13-24; Ps. 139:1-15; Luke 10:38-42 Miercoles, Wed., Oct. 5

Gal. 2:1-14; Ps. 117:1-2; Luke 11:1-4 Jueves, Thursday, Oct. 6

Gal. 3:1-5; Luke 1:69-75; Luke 11:5-13 Viernes, Friday, Oct. 7

Gal. 3:7-14; Ps. 111:1-6; Luke 11:15-26 Sabado, Saturday, Oct. 8

Gal. 3:22-29; Ps. 105:2-7; Luke 11:27-28 Domingo, Sunday, Oct. 9

2 Kings 5:14-17; Ps. 98:1-4; 2 Timothy 2:8-13; Luke 17:11-19

3 October 2, 2016 / 2 De Octubre de 2016

Sacrament of Baptism The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated the first Sunday of the Month directly following the 10 am Mass. One baptismal preparation class is required. The preparation class seeks to help parents understand the Rite of Baptism and to prepare and support parents in the on-going faith formation of their child. Please call the parish office to schedule an appointment for the baptism class. El Sacramento del Bautismo Son todos los Primeros sábados de cada mes. (En diciembre no tendremos bautismos) Por favor tenga en cuenta la siguiente: • pasar por la oficina para inscribirse. • Traer el acta de nacimiento del nini (a ) • Recibir la clase Pre-Bautismal, el tercer sábado

de cada mes de 10 am a 2:pm. Oct. 15, proxima clase.

Prayer Concerns for Octobter

Please call the office if you would like to be on the October Prayer List

Por favor llame a la oficina si desea

como al estar en la lista de oración octubre

Serving is the way that mission is carried out, the only way to be a

disciple of Jesus.

Servir es la manera en que la misión se lleva a cabo, la única manera para ser un discípulo de Jesús.

Liturgia: compiled by Pat Raschio (sources Formed, At Home With The Word, Scott Hahn and Loyola Press, Sourcebook)

En el Evangelio de hoy escuchamos a Jesús que enseña sobre la fe y el servicio a Dios. El contexto es un continuo diálogo entre Jesús y sus seguidores acerca de lo que significa ser un discípulo de Jesús. Jesús acaba de terminar una instrucción sobre el peca-do y el perdón. Hay dos enseñanzas relacionadas que Jesús ofrece a sus discípulos cuando claman por un aumento en la fe. El primero es el recordatorio familiar que la fe, aunque sea poca, permitirá a los seguidores de Jesús hacer cosas maravillosas. Pero esta enseñanza edificante e inspiradora es seguida rápidamente por la enseñanza de una segunda, una advertencia acerca de co-nocer el lugar de uno de los planes de Dios. Los discípulos de Jesús han de entenderse a sí mismos para servir a Dios y sus pla-nes. Aun cuando Dios hace maravillas a través de nosotros, con nuestra fe del tamaño de una semilla mostaza, no hay que buscar la alabanza. Nuestra participación en los planes de Dios es la gracia de Dios para nosotros, nada más y nada menos. Cuando esta-mos agraciados suficiente para cooperar con Dios, el trabajo que hacemos no es más que nuestra obligación para con Dios como fieles mayordomos. Y, sin embargo, nuestra fe nos permite creer que lo que hemos ofrecido a Dios, es solo como sus servidores, y se puede hacer para producir el ciento por uno.

Octubre es el mes dedicado al Rosario. En el Rosario, con su secuencia de oraciones y misterios, contemplamos el Evangelio en compañía de María, nuestra Madre. Como escribió San Juan Pablo II "Con el rosario el pueblo cristiano encuentra la escuela de María y que nos llevaron a contemplar la belleza del rostro de Cristo ya experimentar la profundidad de su amor. Me-diante el Rosario, el creyente obtiene abundantes gracias’’. "Si el rosario no es una devoción que ha adoptado usted puede tratar de rezar este mes. A veces creemos que va a tomar mucho tiempo, pero si evaluamos nuestro día a menudo tienen el tiempo que to-mará. Puede orar, mientras viaja al trabajo que no es necesario que tenga el rosario, Dios nos dio 10 dedos para el Ave María. Se podía rezar mientras que "trabajar" o mientras están esperando para una cita o en línea. Descubre lo creativo que puede ser decir un rosario. Además, el 4 de octubre se celebra la fiesta de San Francisco de Asís. El hijo de un rico comerciante. San Francisco estaba desti-nado para cosas grandes. Después de una experiencia de conversión renunció a las trampas de este mundo para servir a los lepro-sos y predicad el hambre espiritual. Al leer su historia de fe conecta bien con el Evangelio que hemos estado escuchando estas últimas semanas. Al rezar a San Francisco podemos pedir su ayuda en la vida de Dios en lugar de las riquezas de este mundo.

Misericordiosos como el Padre: He leído el artículo siguiente y quiero compartir algunas de sus partes con usted. Los invito a todos a reflexionar sobre la forma en que recibimos y damos misericordia. "Este Año de la Misericordia nos ha dado la oportunidad de reflexionar sobre lo que realmente significa la Misericordia; aún más, el Papa Francisco nos mostró su Misericordia, cuando comenzó su pontificado con el lavado de los pies, el Jueves Santo, de las mujeres encarceladas.. ¿Qué significa ser una Iglesia de la Misericordia? Hemos sido sobre todo una Iglesia que ha visto las cosas desde el punto de vista de la justicia. Había una manera de hacer las cosas. Si no se siguió esa manera, a continuación, abra una mala consecuencia como resultado. débenos de considerar el pecado principalmente como una causa de la pena, a ver la vida desde dentro del Código de Derecho Canónico, los católicos han tratado de encontrar una regla, una lógica, una ecuación con el que medir y evaluar las cosas. En un momento dado que en realidad hablamos fácilmente sobre la pena temporal debida por los pecados. Pero las fuerzas de la misericordia es algo antes de la aplicación de reglas y ecuaciones. Se ve en el dolor, quebrantamiento, y la vergüenza y quiere responder a estos, desde el principio, con el

amor y la gracia. Misericordia, en este sentido, ha sido un camino para nosotros reconocer el dominio de la gracia sobre cualquier otro enfoque en nuestro pensamiento religioso. Primera pregunta: ¿cómo puedo tomar la iniciativa para llevar la curación, el perdón, y el cariño? Al tomar la primera iniciativa, antes de cualquier cosa que hagamos, que modifica el propio marco en el que se ve algo. De esta manera, antes de cualquier otra acción que una persona puede tomar en respuesta al pecado, Dios ya ha tomado la iniciativa, el perdón que ya ofrece, ya dado a su Hijo como un signo definitivo del amor. El objetivo cristiano, entonces, es no hacer algo de "compensar" de alguna manera por el pecado; más bien, el objetivo principal del Cristiano es recibir el amor que Dios ya ha ofrecido, el camino del amor de Jesús ya ha "formado por" los pecados y para para recibir éstos como regalos. Y, como resultado de recibir este amor iniciando como un regalo, para ser cambiado como resultado. No se cambia para que Dios me ame y perdone; más bien, el amor y el perdón de Dios, son el poder para provocar el cambio y la transformación. Debido a que hemos recibido el amor y el perdón, llevamos a esas cargas de una manera radical en nuestras propias vidas. Tenemos que vivir por el amor y la misericordia de nosotros mismos. Hay que echar un vistazo a las ecuaciones y medir a través como nos acercamos a la realidad, y comenzar cada relación con un compromiso de iniciación del amor. No podemos llevar las cargas, de la amargura, el resentimiento por la que tan a menudo construimos en nuestras vidas (que organizan nuestra ira); más bien, va primero, poner a un lado y estos malos sentimientos y adoptar, y adoptar mejores sentimientos. Desafiante verdad?

4 Octubre 2, 2016

Liturgy Corner: compiled by Pat Raschio (sources Formed, At Home With The Word, Scott Hahn and Loyola Press, Sourcebook) In today's Gospel we hear Jesus teach about faith and service to God. The context is a continuing dialogue between Jesus and his followers about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Jesus has just finished an instruction on sin and forgiveness. There are two related teachings that Jesus offers to his disciples when they cry out for an increase in faith. The first is the familiar reminder that faith, even just a little, will enable the followers of Jesus to do wondrous things. But this uplifting and inspiring teaching is quickly followed by the second teaching, a caution about knowing one's place in God's plans. The disciples of Jesus are to understand themselves as servants to God and his plans. Even when God works wonders through us, with our mustard seed-sized faith, we must not seek praise. Our participation in God's plans is God's grace to us—nothing more, nothing less. When we are graced enough to cooperate with God, the work we do is nothing more than our obligation to God as faithful stewards. And yet, our faith enables us to believe that what we have offered in service to God, as his servants, can be made to produce a hundredfold. October is the month dedicated to the Rosary. In the Rosary, with its sequence of prayers and mysteries, we contemplate the Gospel in company of Mary, our Mother. As St John Paul II wrote “With the Rosary the Christian peo-ple sits at the school of Mary and is led to contemplate the beauty on the face of Christ and to experience the depths of his love. Through the Rosary the faithful receive abundant grace.” If the rosary is not a devotion you have adopted you might try praying it this month. Sometimes we think it will take too much time but if we evaluate our day we often have the time it will take. You can pray while commuting to work you do not need beads as God gave us 10 fingers for the Hail Mary’s. You could pray while “working out” or waiting for appointments or in line. See how creative you can be to say a rosary. Also, on October 4th we celebrate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. The son of a wealthy merchant St. Francis was destined for grand things. After a conversion experience he relinquished the trappings of this world to minister to lepers and preach to the spiritually hungry. Reading his faith story connects well with the Gospel’s we have been hear-ing these past weeks. As we pray to St. Francis we can ask for his assistance in living for God rather than the riches of this world.

Merciful like the Father: I read the following article and want to share parts of it with you. I invite all to reflect on how we receive and give mercy. “This Year of Mercy has given us an opportunity to reflect on what Mercy really means; even more, this Pope of Mercy, Francis, who began his pontificate washing the feet, on Holy Thursday, of imprisoned women, has pushed the notion to the forefront. What does it mean to be a Church of Mercy? We have been primarily a Church that has viewed things from the point of view of justice. There was a way to do things, a way things should be. If that way was not followed, then a bad consequence resulted. From looking at sin primarily as a cause of punishment, on to viewing life from within the Code of Can-

on Law, we Catholics have tried to find a rule, a logic, an equation by which to measure and assess things. At one point we actually talked readily about temporary punishment due to sin. But mercy forces something before the application of rules and equations. It looks at the pain, brokenness, and shame and wants to respond to these, right from the be-ginning, with love and grace. Mercy, in this sense, has been a way for us to acknowledge the dominion of grace over any other approach in our religious thinking. Mercy first asks: how can I take the initiative in bringing healing, for-giveness, and esteem? In taking the first initiative, before anything we do, it changes the very framework in which something is seen. In this way, before any other action a person might take in response to sin, God has already taken the initiative, already offered forgiveness, already given his Son as a definitive sign of love. The Christian goal, then, is not to do something to somehow “make up” for the sin; rather, the Christian’s primary goal is to receive the love that God has already offered, the way Jesus’ love has already “made up” for sins and for Sin—to receive these as gifts. And, as a result of receiving this initiating love as a gift, to be changed as a result. One doesn’t change to get God to love and forgive; rather, love and forgiveness from God, are the power to bring about change and transformation. Be-cause we have received love and forgiveness, we carry those burdens in a radical way in our own lives. We have to live by love and mercy ourselves. We have to throw out the equations and measuring cups through which we approach reality, and begin every relationship with an initiating commitment of love. We cannot carry around the grudges, the bitterness, the resentment by which we so often organize our lives (and organize our anger); rather, going first, we lay these aside and have to embrace, ahead of time, those toward which we might justly feel the most resentment.” Chal-lenging isn’t it?

5 October 2, 2016 / 2 De Octubre de 2016

6 October 2, 2016 / 2 De Octubre de 2016

Attention Middle School and High School Students!

Youth Groups kick-off TODAY, October 2nd in the Teen Room!

Middle School meets 5-6:30pm and High School meets 7-8:30pm.

This first meeting is all about fun, friends, and food! We’ll provide pizza and drinks, and teens are invited

to bring a side dish or dessert to share with the group.

Three common reasons that many students hesitate to attend a Youth Group are that a) they don’t know what to expect, b) they expect it to be boring or dis-appointing, or c) they’re afraid they won’t know any-

one and they’ll feel alone. All of these concerns have simple answers though: a) students can expect Youth Group at SJB to be a

relaxed and friendly place to experience what it means to be an important part of the Catholic Church

and how to live as a Christian; b) they can expect Youth Group to be sometimes very silly and some-times quite serious, but never boring or disappoint-

ing; and c) if your child is afraid he or she won’t know anyone, tell them to bring a friend! EASY!

For questions about Youth Ministry, or to volun-teer your time with our youth, please call Tim at

(503) 659-2760 or email tkluge@sjbcatholicchurch.org

The All Saints Festival!

Is Sunday October 30th at 11:00 AM!

Mark your Calendar! Come dressed as your favorite Saint

and play carnival-style games! Fun for the whole family!

We are looking for FAMILIES, PARISIONERS,

groups, classes, Middle School and High School students, and groups

to create and/or run a saint-themed game! Bring your ideas to

Jessica Crenshaw 503-659-2760. jcrenshaw@sjbcatholicchurch.org.

Atención escuela media y estudiantes de la escuela! Grupos de jóvenes los esperamos próximo domingo,

2 ª octubre! Grupo de jóvenes de secundaria será de 5 pm hasta

las 6:30 pm en la sala de adolescentes. Grupo de jóvenes de secundaria será de 7 pm hasta

las 8:30 pm en la sala de adolescentes. Las tres razones más comunes para que muchos

estudiantes dudan en asistir a un grupo de jóvenes que son a) no saben qué esperar, b) Creen que es aburrido o decepcionante, o c) tienen miedo de no

conocer a nadie y se sentirá solo. Todas estas preocupaciones tienen solución.

a) Los estudiantes pueden esperar el grupo de jó-venes en SJB es un lugar tranquilo y agradable para experimentar lo que significa ser una parte importante de la Iglesia Católica y la manera de vivir como cristiano. b) pueden parecer que es-tar en un grupo juvenil es para tontos, no es así,

nunca es aburrido o decepcionantes. c) Si su hijo tiene miedo de que él o ella no conoce a na-

die, diles que traigan a un amigo! ¡FÁCIL! b) Para preguntas acerca de la Pastoral Juvenil, o

para ser voluntario decon nuestra juventud, por favor llame a

Tim at (503) 659-2760 or email tkluge@sjbcatholicchurch.org

El Festival de Todos los Santos! ! Marque su calendario! El domingo 30 de octubre a las 11 a.m.¡Venga vesti-do como su santo preferido, tendremos juegos de carnaval! ¡Diversión para toda la familia! Buscamos para las familias, FELIGRESES, grupos de la Escuela secundaria y preparatoria, estudiantes y grupos para crear y / o ejecutar un jue-go. ¡Temática santo! Traiga sus ideas “Al Festival de Todos los Santos”

7 October 2, 2016 / 2 De Octubre de 2016

Contact Jessica Crenshaw 503-659-2760 jcrenshaw@sjbcatholicchurch.org

Preschool/PreK Ministry: Sundays 9:55 AM Sacramental Preparation

First Communion and First Reconciliation Second Sundays, 11:30

Religious Education— RE/CCD K-5th, Mondays 6 PM All Saints Festival!

Sunday October 30th 11AM Children’s Liturgy of the Word

Most Sundays, 10 AM Mass

Márquelo en su calen-dario!

Es el domingo 30 de octubre en 11 a.m.! Venga vestido como su santo preferido Y a jugar juegos de carnaval! ¡Diversión para toda la familia! Vengan Ayudar! O si desea puede donar premios! Hable con Jessica Crenshaw 503-659-2760 jcrenshaw@sjbcatholicchurch.org. O con Amparo 503--654-5449

Outside News

A Lifeline for Marriage – Retrouvaille helps cou-ples through difficult times in their marriages. It is designed to provide the tools to help get your mar-riage back on track. It will give you the opportunity to rediscover each other and examine your lives together in a new and positive way. This program has helped 10’s of 1000’s of couples experiencing marital difficulty at all levels including disillusion-ment and deep misery. For confidential infor-mation about or to register for the program begin-ning with a weekend on October 14-16, please call 1-503-225-9191 or visit www.helpourmarriage.org

Coro infantil, Ángeles Papas, sus hijos les gusta cantar? Piense en el coro Infantil Ángeles. Este nuevo proyecto será una bendi-ción para nuestra familia de fe en St. Johns y disfrutar de ser una parte importante en la liturgia. El Coro Án-geles será para niños que estén en los grados del 2 al 8. Cantamos para la misa Familiar a las 10 a.m. El primer domingo de cada mes (por lo general) y en oca-siones especiales, tales como la víspera de Navidad, Domingo de Ramos, y la Primera Comunión. Los ensa-yos son los lunes, 3: 30-4: 40pm en la iglesia. ¡Únete a nosotros! Puedes escribir un correo electrónico make-beautifulmusic@gmail.com o llamar a John Pay-ne, 503-707-5903.

Rosary Procession by Candlelight! Join us for a rosary procession through the neighborhood around our church by candle-

light on Saturday, Oct.8th beginning at 7:00pm—8:15. All are welcome to come and pray for world peace and peace in our own city of Milwaukie. There will be a social in the parish center afterwards. Acompáñenos en una procesión rezando el rosario por el barrio en torno a la iglesia con la luz de las velas. El sábado, Oct.8th partir de las 7:00pm 8:15pm Todos son bienvenidos a venir y orar por la paz mundial y la paz en nuestra propia ciudad de Milwaukie. Después habrá un centro parroquia un convivio.

Angelus (Children’s) Choir Parents, do your children love to sing? Consider the Angelus Choir. They will be a blessing to our faith fami-ly at St. John and enjoy being a vital part of the liturgy. The Angelus (Children’s) Choir is for children grades 2-8. We sing for the 10:00AM Family Mass, the first Sun-day of each month (usually) and on special occasions such as Christmas Eve, Palm Sunday, and First Holy Communion. Rehearsals are Mondays, 3:30 – 4:40PM in the church. Join us! Email or call John Payne, makebeautifulmusic@gmail.com, 503-707-5903.

WHY IS OFFERTORY GIVING SO

IMPORTANT? (Part two; continued from

last week, taken from Archdiocese of Kansas

City, stewardship) Why does the Church often refer to tithing as “giving back?” Throughout sacred scripture God tells us that everything belongs to God. He made the world and all that is in it. He made us and blessed us with absolutely every gift we have. Our lives, our families, our health, our educa-tion, our unique talents and skills, our job and our in-come are all blessings from God, entrusted into our care for the good of all peoples. Thus, when we tithe we are really only giving back 10% of something that ultimately belongs to God anyway. The amazing thing is that our God is a generous and abundant God who lets us keep and enjoy 90% of all His blessings. “The Lord’s are the earth and its fullness: the world and those who dwell in it.” - Psalm 24:1 Why can’t my parish just ask for my sup-port when it has special needs? Many parishes do function in this way. Inevitably this leads to endless fundraising activities and still there is more that every parish needs and wants to do. There is never an end to the ministry that a parish could do, if it had the funds. Parishes that have successfully paid their own bills and maintained their own property can reach out to other communities in need and offer their assis-tance. However, without a constant flow of income through tithes given freely in the Offertory a parish must appeal for funding for every activity or ministry it wishes to undertake. Parishioners get tired of the constant talk about money and the demands on their time that this kind of approach takes. Our Lord warned about this kind of fundraising approach and yelled, “Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace.” Yet this is often what we have done when we resort to constant sales and fundraising activities rather than simply asking pa-rishioners to bring their tithe to God’s altar first. “He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables and to those who sold doves he said, ‘Take these out of here and stop making my Father’s house a mar-ketplace.’” - John 2:15-16 Is anyone exempt from the tithe? Our Lord exempted no one from giving. In the story of the “Widow’s Mite” it is important to note that He did not reach into the Offering box and give the widow back her

8 October 2, 2016 / 2 De Octubre de 2016 two small coins. When He multiplied the Loaves and Fishes He asked for all the food that anyone had. Even the Levites or priests of the Old Testament were not exempt from the tithe. Today, although many parishioners are unaware of it, priests are still usually most generous in giving back a per-centage of their own small salaries to the parishes in which they serve. "Give the Levites these instructions: When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I have assigned you from them as your heritage, you are to make a contribution from them to the Lord, a tithe of the the tithes…” - Numbers 18:26 Tithing is such a great sacrifice? Are there any real benefits? In addition to the fact that you are following God’s will and providing your Church with the resources it needs to carry out the work of Jesus Christ here on earth, those who em-brace tithing report that this approach has numerous bene-fits. The satisfaction that comes from gratefully sharing your blessings is tremendous. • When you take a hard look at your spending and plan to make God first in your budget you quickly begin to realize the difference between what you need and what you want. • You begin to eliminate the endless clutter of material wants from your life and start to more fully appreciate the many blessings that you already have. • You realize that commercialism works to convince us that we never have enough of the right things, even though God has already blessed you with all that you need. • You stop being “consumed by consumerism” and “possessed by your possessions” and begin to slow down and prioritize not only how you spend your money but also how you spend your time. Once you stop trying to satisfy yourself with material posses-sions and spending, you may even find that you enjoy simple pleasures more fully – especially time to deepen your rela-tionships with God, with loved ones and with your communi-ty. Ultimately, those who tithe often feel that the practice brings more joy, more peace, more contentment and more balance to their lives. “Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return to measured out to you.” - Luke 6:38 The above was taken from the Stewardship Awareness program at the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Here at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, we have made every effort to communicate the importance of supporting the parish through the Offertory. This year we are asking those who have not yet made a financial pledge to do so now. It matters less how much than that we see in-creased participation in this important effort. Electronic bill pay is an easy way to support your parish, and you control how much and when the charges go through. If you would like more information, please contact Barbara Downey or Libbie Allen in the parish office.