Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 16, 2023

By adminFrom The Pastor's Desk

Do you have a daily prayer routine? I often ask people who come to confession if they pray each day. Most people tell me that they have a daily prayer routine. For many, it is the rosary. The rosary is a prayer directed to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and it is a form of meditation on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. It is a Christ centered meditation. 

I also recommend reading the New Testament, especially the four Gospels. Jesus is the Word made flesh, God among us. To know Jesus is to know God, and the Gospels are the ONLY way to know who Jesus is and what he asks of us. 

Saint John’s lower church is open Monday to Saturday for quiet prayer and people come to spend time with Jesus. Perhaps you can find time to pray before the Blessed Sacrament, the real presence of Jesus. 

The pace of life is slower during the summer and many people take time for vacation. If you are relaxing at a beach or in a country place, it is a good time for spiritual reading and prayer. Vacation is often family time, but it can also be God time. Read the Gospels during your vacation. Pray the rosary while walking the beach. 

Saint John’s Debt Collection
Saint John Church still has an $800,000 debt from several years ago. We have not yet finalized our 2022-23 fiscal year report to determine how much we can pay on the debt at this time. However, we do need to keep paying down the debt. Please be generous to the second collection this weekend, July 15-16.

Donation can also be made electronically on our website.

 

Capuchin Province of Saint Augustine 150th anniversary
In 1873, three Capuchin friars came from Bavaria to found a new Capuchin community in Pittsburgh. This venture became the Capuchin Province of Saint Augustine and in 1991 the Province came to Saint John Church in Philadelphia. The friars plan to celebrate this anniversary at Saint John’s on Sunday August 6 at the 12:30 Mass. Those served by Capuchins at Holy Redeemer and in Frankford will also be invited. A social will follow in the parish center. Mark your calendar!

 

Light the City
Our young adults and our entire parish are invited to participate in a night time street evangelization event on Saturday, August 26. Mark your calendars and plan to spend the evening evangelizing those who pass by Saint John’s on that Saturday evening.

 

Catholic Charities Collection
Catholic Charities is not just “another second collection”. It is the major annual fundraising program of the Archdiocese and most of the money is directed towards the Church’s charitable work in our Archdiocese. Even though we have had a second collection, it is still possible to make your annual donation. Please bring or mail a generous contribution. There are envelopes in the back of the church.

 

Summer picnic
I was very encouraged by our parish picnic which was last Sunday, July 9. I am grateful to our volunteers who worked hard buying food, preparing side dishes, setting up the space and more. I am happy that so many people came to the picnic. I have been pastor for less than one year and our picnic reinforced for me the unique spirit of Saint John's. Our parish is different. We serve Center City residents and visitors. Many people not from Center City choose to make Saint John's their church. And we are blessed to have many young adults, especially graduate students, including lots of medical students. I am glad that people from all of these categories joined our picnic. I love this parish!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Historical Preservation Endowment Fund

$559,679.00

Father Tom

Details of today article is available here on our bulletin.