Summer Projects
This past week, another one of our summer projects was completed; that is the taking down of the two chimneys on the top of the church. The chimneys were taken down first, because they were no longer used, and secondly, because they were crumbling and causing leaks in the church proper.
I am pleased to say that the project was completed with a number of parish volunteers including Rob Kasulke, Bob Stemo, Jeff Kaminski, and Dan Mejac, under the direction of Tony Tomaszewski. There were also some volunteered resources including a Scissors Lift donated by Mike Roubik, and a dump truck donated by parishioner Gino Villani of Villani Landshapers. The entire process was completed safely and rather quickly.
As has been announced, the church was closed the latter part of this past week during the day so that the wiring for the new speakers and projectors could be installed. We were able to lessen the cost as the wiring was done by one of our parishioners, Giulio Leonardelli. It is our hope that by the end of June, the work on the sound system will be completed.
The sound system, new choir chairs, and the equipment to Live-Stream Mass has been the most expensive summer project. The work was possible through the generosity of three gifts given to the parish. The largest gift was from the estate of Helen Blenker deHaas. In addition to that large gift, we had been previously gifted by the Peters family for the new sound system as well as a memorial in memory of Al Braun.
Thank you to the generous donors of time, talent, and treasure. And thank you for the patience of our parishioners during the time of construction and implementation of these summer projects.
Because of the reconfiguration of the choir loft and live streaming equipment, there is no longer any congregational seating in the choir loft. Perhaps in the future, all overflow crowds will be directed to the church hall to view Mass on the large screen.
Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ
As part of my homily for this past weekend, I quoted a prayer I found in a book called “
In Sinu Jesu,”
which is Latin for, “On the Chest of Christ
.”
I believe this prayer was given by Jesus to the unnamed priest and author of the book. A couple of people asked for a copy of the prayer and here it is. It is a wonderful prayer to pray as part of your post-Communion meditation.
O My beloved Jesus, unite me to Yourself,
My body to Your Body,
My blood to Your Blood,
My soul to Your Soul,
My heart to Your Heart,
All that I am to all that You are;
So as to make me one with Yourself, O Jesus,
One priest and one victim,
Offered to the glory of Your Father,
Out of love for Your spouse, the church,
For the sanctification of your priest, the conversion of sinners,
The intentions of the Pope, and in sorrowful Reparation. Amen.
Welcome Back to Mass - Phase 1 Adjustments (Continued)
On Thursday, June 11, the Archbishop held a third conference call with over 200 pastors, and parish leaders. One of the biggest changes is that under certain circumstances, with precautions and for devotional reason, people may begin receiving Holy Communion on the tongue beginning this past weekend on the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ.
Given the Archbishop’s directive, it was decided we could begin distribution on the tongue here at St. Johns. Those people who will receive Communion on the tongue will be asked to go the narthex. When I am finished distributing Communion in the hand to the parishioners in the pews, I will then go to those in the back of church and distribute Holy Communion to those who receive on the tongue.
Weekday Public Masses
The upcoming weekday Masses will be on Monday, June 22 and Wednesday, June 24, both at 8:00 a.m. The following week’s public Masses will be held on Monday, June 29 and Friday, July 3, both at 8:00 a.m
.
St. Francis Shrine
With beautiful weather, the children, especially after Mass, find themselves attracted to this area.
I ask that parents prevent their children from climbing on the statue and shrine area so they will not get hurt and the plants may thrive.
