March 31, 2020
Dear Parishioners,

Do your kids have questions for Fr. Little? Are they confused about world events and want an opportunity to get your questions answered with a Catholic perspective? Or maybe they just have general questions about being Catholic that they've always wanted to ask? Tune in on Wednesday at 5PM for a live Q & A session with Fr. Little where he will try to help answer questions from kids. We're calling it Root Beer Theology and it's an opportunity for kids to learn and grow in their knowledge of the Catholic faith. SJB families are encouraged to tune in and learn together. Log on tomorrow night (4/1) at 5PM HERE , no foolin'! ;)
DON'T FORGET! PALM PICK UP!

Fr. Barsness and Father Little will be blessing palms for you to have in your homes for Palm Sunday. These will be available for parishioner pick-up on Saturday, April 4 from 12-6PM.

Please use the church drive through located between doors 10 and 11 on 125th Street. There will be several bunches set out. Please make your pick-up quick and continue to practice social distancing guidelines.
*please note daily updates will be published each afternoon M-F by 5PM; if you know someone not receiving the email please send a note to communications @stjohns-savage with their name and email address to be added to the list.

**our website will continue to host the most up-to-date information for your easy reference.
RESOURCES FOR ENTERING HOLY WEEK
The week-long retreat–planned and organized by Bishop Andrew Cozzens–begins Palm Sunday (April 5) with Mass from the Saint Paul Seminary and culminates with the Easter Vigil Mass from the Cathedral of Saint Paul April 11. Each day has two parts: Mass or prayer at 9AM followed by directed Lectio Divina. The evening session will begin at 7PM and consist of conferences from Archbishop Bernard Hebda, Bishop Cozzens, Father Charles Lachowitzer and Father John Ubel. All of the events will be live streamed or recorded and available on the Archdiocese’s website for all who would like to participate.
EASTER FLOWERS
Once again, this year you have the opportunity to contribute donations for flowers in honor of a loved one. These names will be printed in our Easter bulletin on April 12 (and posted on our website). In order to have the name of your loved one printed, we must receive your donation by Monday, April 6 . Please use the link below to easily donate and submit names for Easter flowers or use an envelope to mail them to:

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
c/o Easter Flowers
4625 West 125th Street
Savage, MN 55378
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER
Given the Stay at HomeMN order, please note the following:
 
  • The parish office REMAINS CLOSED. Messages left on the parish office voicemail will be checked but email communication will be answered quickest. Staff listing found HERE. The parish office email is welcome@stjohns-savage.org
  • Door #11 is open daily from 9AM-6PM Monday-Saturday and noon-6PM on Sunday to allow entrance for those wishing to pray only. Please continue to follow the CDC and MDH guidelines, see below.
  • The school office/building IS CLOSED.
  • The church atrium is CLOSED.
  • Adoration is CLOSED.
  • Please contact Beth Prendi (bprendi@stjohns-savage.org) with regard to funerals.
  • There are no baptisms at this time.
  • Confessions will be offered (as indicated above through door #11).
  • Next opportunity for confessions is Wednesday, April 1 at 6:30PM.
  • All events previously scheduled through April 30, per the national order, will not occur as scheduled. Events that have the potential of being rescheduled will have details communicated at a later date or as information becomes clear.

CDC and MDH guidelines:
No more than 10 people in the church at anyone time; please be mindful of this
Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from other people
Do not leave anything in the pews
Wash your hands and cover your cough
If you are in a high-risk group, please stay home
If you are ill or exhibiting symptoms of cold or flu, please stay home
If you have cared for or have been exposed to someone who is sick, please stay home
SELF CARE
Taking care of your mental health during this time is just as important as caring for others. Here are some links to valuable resources for your prayer life and spiritual well-being during these challenging times.

LTP

We need your help! Is there something you'd like to see in the Daily Update? Do you have an inspirational story regarding the pandemic? Do you have a Catholic resource you love? Use this link below to share. By completing the form you are giving us permission to share the information provided. THANK YOU!
HOLY WEEK & EASTER MASS SCHEDULE
Holy Week and Easter Masses 

April 5/Palm Sunday: 10AM
April 9/Holy Thursday: 7PM
April 10/Good Friday: 3PM
April 11/Easter Vigil: 8:30PM
April 12/Easter: 10AM
INSPIRATION
This week, with the first week of distance learning upon us, we offer a special word of thanks to the parents helping to implement eLearning for your children at home. We are grateful to have terrific instructors providing wonderful materials, but we realize this is a role you may not have intended to play.

Pope Francis reflects on the family being the place where parents are the first teachers of faith. Let us pray that amid all of the challenges, learning curves, struggles, and triumphs, that Jesus will remain the center and rock of your family fortress.
DAILY MASS
We are pleased to be able to bring St. John's daily Mass into your homes. Each day our viewership is increasing, so feel free to share the link and invite others to join us for Mass. Shown here was todays daily Mass (3/31).

 We've also linked the Sunday Mass (3/29) below for your reference as well. If you watched one of these Masses and have a moment to complete a short survey, please do so HERE .
WAYS TO GIVE
Envelopes:  
If you currently use envelopes provided by St. John’s, those can be mailed to the church. Contributions can be mailed in any manner even if you do not have the envelopes we provide.
On-line giving:  
A special thank you to all who currently give electronically. eGiving is faster, more secure and provides much needed donation consistency. If you’d like to register to give in this manner (either with an on-going contribution or one time gift), or make a change to your existing gift, please click   here .
Text to give:  
Electronic and traditional givers accustomed to texting can now give through text giving as well. Make one-time or recurring offerings by simply texting the amount you wish to give to our secure account at 833-351-0063. It's a convenient solution when you can't attend services or don't have cash or checks with you. *A minimum $5.00 donation is needed.