April 23, 2023
Parish Consultative Bodies
When people tell me that they think being a pastor must be difficult, I like to remind them that the job of the laity is much more challenging. All I have to do is take care of a parish. You, the laity, have to transform the world! Even though I think I have the easier job, I still need a lot of help. Councils and Commissions help me, and the parish staff care for the parish community and live out the mission Christ entrusted to us.
The Archdiocese recommends people serve in councils and commissions for a specific term, usually three years, renewable once. One should only serve on one council or commission at a time. This means there is a constant rotation of new people on the various consultative bodies. Therefore, there is ample opportunity to serve.
The process for selection of new members begins with nominations. Suggestions for candidates are surfaced from existing commission members, from the parish staff and – at times – from the parish at large. Sometimes a commission needs a certain expertise. Sometimes it needs new members to help it better reflect the make-up of the parish.
During April and May, we will have a nomination process. I am asking you to nominate people who think would benefit the various councils and commissions. Maybe your spouse needs an evening away from the house once a month. Maybe one of your parish friends has a particular talent or interest that the parish needs. You could even nominate yourself.
Those who are nominated will be invited to an evening of discernment, to look at the role and purpose of the consultative bodies and to see if their gifts and talents match what the councils and commissions need.
Please be thinking of people you could nominate. If nominated, please consider serving. The consultative bodies of our parish are: The Parish Leadership Team (Pastoral Council), the Finance Council, Life, Justice and Peace Commission, The Faith Formation Commission, the Facility & Grounds Commission, the (new) Liturgy Commission, and the Stewardship and Evangelization Commission.
April 9, 2023
Welcome To St. John the Baptist!
What Sunday is to the week, Easter is to the year. It is our most important liturgy, celebrating Jesus’ victory over sin and death. And not only is Jesus now alive, Jesus is life itself, and this life he shares with us.
This is the Life that animates St. John the Baptist Catholic Community. We gather to worship in gratitude for all God has done for us and trusting in the promise of eternity. We grow in our discipleship. Each one of us is on a particular journey of faith. Each one of us has another step to take. We accompany each other, wherever we may be on this journey, and we go in service. We have Good News to share, doing so with acts of love and compassion, caring for all God’s people, caring for God’s creation.
Easter Sunday is a day we welcome many people. There are those who are here every Sunday, for whom Mass is the highlight of the week and a source of strength for the coming week. We welcome family members and relatives who are visiting for the holiday. We welcome those of other faith traditions, who join their family members and friends today. COVID has kept many people away from in-person gatherings. We welcome those who are now are transitioning back to in-person worship. There may be other things that have kept folks away. If you are one of those joining us today, we are so glad you are here with us today. We hope that whatever has kept you away can be resolved, healed, or forgiven. If you are one of our neighbors without a faith community to call your own, welcome!
Wherever you are at on this journey of faith, the St. John the Baptist Catholic Community is here to walk with you. Together, may we discover the presence of the Risen Lord, who has promised to remain with us forever.
You can find more information about our faith community on our web page at sjtbcc.org. You can also call the parish office and chat with myself or any of our staff at 253 630-0701.
April 2, 2023
Holy Thursday Feet Washing
When COVID first hit, I celebrated the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday with only five people in the church. Public liturgies were not possible. In my homily in that empty church I said:
“John’s gospel is unique. Unlike Matthew, Mark, Luke and even Paul, John mentions no bread and wine at Jesus’ Last Supper. John’s focus is on something else: a humble act of service in washing the feet of his disciples. During this extraordinary time, when we must stay home and stay safe, we have no bread and wine to share with our parishioners gathered in homes throughout the area and participating in this Holy Thursday liturgy through social media. It is ironic that today we celebrate the gift of the Eucharist, but cannot share in receiving Holy Communion. How much more important it is this year to grasp and hold on tightly to that conviction that Jesus continues his humble service to each one of us.”
The following year, still in a time of social distancing, we had a public Mass for Holy Thursday with a limited number of people, but no foot washing. Last year, my first year with you here at St. John’s, we had a full church and the traditional foot washing done by the priest but not in accord with the custom here at St. John’s, when the assembly is invited to have their feet washed and to wash the feet of another.
This year, when we gather for the beginning of the Sacred Triduum, we will celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper with the washing of feet as is the custom here at St. John’s. All who wish will be invited forward to have his or her foot washed, and then wash another parishioner’s foot. Of course, one may choose to simply remain in the Assembly and witness this ritual, rather than directly participate in it. Humble service: it is the key to understanding the Eucharist and understanding our call to be disciples of the Lord.
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