Bulletin for the Week of October 4, 2008

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: “The Rosary, especially prayed in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, is a powerful means of spiritual grace. In all of our efforts to promote the sanctity of human life, prayer is our first and strongest resource” Adoration is held throughout the year every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 6 am to 9 pm at St. John’s Church Adoration Chapel, downstairs. Everyone is invited to spend some quiet time with Jesus anytime during these hours. For more information about spending a special hour with Jesus weekly, or becoming a substitute, please call 561-5083 or email us at Sjohnsadoration@aol.com

RESPECT LIFE WEEKEND: This weekend is known as Respect Life Weekend. From abortion to assisted suicide, from the destruction of “spare embryos” to creating life simply to destroy it, our society has regressed to seeing human beings as faceless burdens or “things” to be used. The sanctity of human life and the right to life of every human person are being attacked through legislation that promotes destruction and degradation of human life. Our rights to religious beliefs is once again being undermined in the political arena. Jesus restored, healed and breathed new life into every person who sought his help. Such is the calling of every Catholic who wishes to follow the way of Jesus. Every human being is priceless in the eyes of God. Let us build a world where human life is always loved and defended, every form of violence banished.

27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: Jesus' parable in today's Gospel reading from Matthew tells of a very generous vineyard owner who gave his tenants everything they would ever need to survive. And how did they repay him? By killing not only the servants who went to the field to help, but also the owner's son. Clearly, Jesus was again foretelling of God's gifts to us and our rejection of his love, of his early messengers, and the rejection of his Son. God so loved us that he would give us Jesus Christ; not even our rejection, however, staves off God's love. It is enduring, clear, and for all times. The Catholic Church teaches us that even in the face of the greatest moral evil the rejection, persecution and death of Christ God brought by his grace the greatest of goods: the glorification of Christ and our redemption. Throughout our lives, time and again we will suffer rejection and the pains of unrequited love. To be truly in communion with God, the love in our hearts for each other must never

HURRICANE IKE RELIEF: Catholic Charities USA and the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston are providing humanitarian relief to many people whose lives were devastated by Hurricane Ike. They are also working to rebuild the Church where property was devastated by the storm. Bishop Robert Cunningham has appealed us to make generous contributions to be used in the recovery efforts. Contributions may be made through a check payable to our parish carrying a notation “Hurricane Ike Recovery.” Please place your check in the regular collection as soon as it is convenient. Thank you for your concern

VATICAN DIRECTIVE ON THE USE OF THE NAME OF GOD: The U.S. bishops’ Committee on Divine Worship recently announced a new directive from the Vatican regarding the use of the name of God in the sacred liturgy. Specifically, the word Yahweh may no longer be "used or pronounced" in songs and prayers during liturgical celebrations. The decision was based on long-standing Jewish and Christian traditions of not pronouncing the divine name wherever it occurs in the biblical text. You may notice some small changes to a few songs that are sung during Mass from what is printed in your missals. Unfortunately, at the time the directive was announced, the 2009 editions of these books had already been printed and, in many cases, shipped. The 2010 editions will include revised versions of the songs with updated texts. If you would like more information, please visit www.ocp.org/directive08.

MARRIAGE JUBILEE MASS: The annual Marriage Jubilee Mass to honor those couples in the Diocese of Ogdensburg who are observing significant wedding anniversaries will be held with Bishop Cunningham at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 2:30 PM on November 16th. All married couples are invited to come together with their families for this event. Couples celebrating jubilees and wishing to receive a certificate need to register for this event through their parish before November 1st. This event is co-sponsored by the St. Lawrence Society and the Family Life Office.

CRAFT SHOW: St. Ann’s Church, Mooers Forks, will have a craft show on Saturday, October 18th at St. Joseph Center. 73 Maple Street, Mooers, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Crafters interested in renting a space should call Marge Pombrio at 236-4577.

MARRIAGE TIP: Be alert to the dangers of the workplace. Men and women with similar interests see each other daily, mostly on their best behavior, and with nice clothes and make-up. Inoculate yourself with commitment. Find more Marriage Rx at: www.foryourmarriage.org