The Blessing of the Animals

Saturday October 8

11:00 a.m. in the courtyard

Welcome to the Word & Life Series. In this series, Fr. John Ludden will take the Sacred Scriptures offered at Mass each Sunday and apply them to our everyday lives. As you read Fr. John’s reflection, open your hearts and minds in new ways to God’s Holy Word. St. Paul says “The Word of God is living effective“. So as we journey together in the Word & Life, let us allow the wisdom of God to transform our relationship and our outlook on life, inspiring us to love one another as He has loved us. You are now invited to reflect on the Word of God which is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! Welcome again to the Word & Life!

August 28, 2011

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

Jeremiah 20:7-9
Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
Romans 12:1-2
Matthew 16:21-27

The Challenge of the Cross

As we listen to the gospel today, we continue to the episode that took place in Caesarea Philippi. One can almost feel the beating of the heart in Peter’s chest; afterall,Christ has just given him heavenly authority. The mood quickly changes, however, as Jesus begins to spell out to his disciples what he will have to endure for the message that he was handing on to his friends. Jesus was no stranger to the deception that was taking place among the leaders. He foresaw what was going to happen, knowing that he would shed his blood for his message. Peter’s heart skips a beat as he listens and his humanity spurs him onto rebuking Jesus, telling him that no such thing shall ever happen. Little did this new leader know that one day it would also happen to him –– he too would be crucified for the sake of the gospel.

Jesus in turn rebukes Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” How must have Peter felt at that moment? One minute he is acclaimed as leader, the next Satan! Jesus invites Peter, along with his disciples, to move beyond the limitations of their human understanding. He reminds Peter and he reminds us that we cannot put obstacles ahead of God’s will. He invites Peter and the disciples to take up the cross. The cross was the sign of humiliation for the Jews. Jesus is challenging his followers to forego humiliation and rejection for the sake of his teachings and his name. Jesus was offering his followers a radical challenge. Jesus tells them that he will take up that cross and invites them to do the same for the sake of the kingdom, finding their reward in heaven.

The challenge of the gospel calls us to move beyond worldly desires and it involves sacrifice. For Jesus and the early Church, this sacrifice involved their very lives. For us, however, this sacrifice involves something different. As St. Paul says in today’s second reading to the Romans: “Do not conform yourselves to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” The sacrifice involved in following Christ today is that of foregoing popularity for the sake of the kingdom. We will not be popular when we stand up against the realities of abortion, euthanasia, or experimentation with embryos, which are the beginnings of life. We will not be popular if we tell the economists of our world that bigger is not always better if it involves the oppression of the poor and the elimination of family owned businesses. We will feel the weight of such a cross if we stand up to individual injustice and confront individuals with their sin. The weight of the cross is the weight of truth. If we remain steadfast to the truth, then it will truly set us free. In the shadow of the cross, this is our fundamental option –– to direct our lives and choices to the ultimate goal of goodness and peace for all.

Prayer

We pray for all those who bear the name of Christian, encourage us to accept and bear the cross of discipleship. Help us to embrace the truth that you have given. Whenever we are challenged by the sin of this age, give us the words and the strength to make your will known. In our witness to your truth, may we encourage others to embrace the life of the kingdom. Amen

Reflection Questions

Why is Jesus so harsh in responding to Simon Peter?

Why did Jesus have to suffer at the hands of the religious leaders?

What are the problems of the present age which contradict God’s will?

What is God’s will for you?

How do you see the cross of discipleship in dealing with the obstacles that stand between you and God?

How far are you willing to go to follow Christ?

The Feminine Genius

“…It was human love that helped me to understand divine love. Human love at its best, unselfish, glowing, illuminating our days, gives us a glimpse of the love of God for man. Love is the best thing we can know in this life, but it must be sustained by an effort of the will. It must lie still and quiet, dull and smoldering, for periods. It grows through suffering and patience and compassion. We must suffer for those we love, we must endure their trials and their suffering, we must even take upon ourselves the penalties due their sins. Thus we learn to understand the love of God for His creatures. Thus we understand the Crucifixion.”

— Dorothy Day

Union Square to Rome

Published by The Preservation of the Faith Press, January 1938

August 21, 2011

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

Isaiah 22:19-23
Psalm 138:1-2,2-3,6-8
Romans 11:33-36
Matthew 16:13-20

WHO Do You Say That I Am?

The story of Caesarea Philippi is familiar to all Catholics. It is the moment when Simon Peter clearly defines who Jesus is as the Anointed One (Christ).  It is also the moment when Simon Peter is named the rock on which Christ will build the Church and is given the keys of the kingdom to have authority both in heaven and on earth.  Jesus enjoins this privilege and authority upon Peter to continue his mission on earth. Peter passes on this same authority to his successors –– right up to the present leader of the Church in the person of the Holy Father in Rome.

Today’s encounter reminds us that once we experience the call of the Lord to lead, we are also given responsibilities to live out that call.  None of us dares imagine that we will ever know fully the mind of God, but we can certainly discern his presence in our world today.  Jesus’ question to Peter could be asked of us today: Who do you say that I am? The greatest challenge for the Church today is to find its Christological heart. We must not consider Christ as a personal possession exclusively keeping our relationship in solitary confinement. Jesus Christ is the Anointed One who challenges us to live the gospel he proclaimed. If we feel comfortable in our faith and have abandoned ourselves to our obligation, it probably means that we have yet to encounter the Jesus of the gospel.  Jesus Christ disturbed people out of their complacency and challenged them to move beyond boundaries.  At the beginning of his ministry Christ announced that he was anointed to bring Good News to the poor and liberty to those held captive.  Christ’s example changed human history forever by moving hearts and transforming lives. Christ also reminded his disciples if they neglect others, they also neglect him. Jesus wanted people to concentrate on what would change the heart and move people to transform their lives. Christ tells us that he is to be found in the needs that surround us.

Who do you say that I am? Christ is in the gift of the poor calling us to reach out beyond boundaries so that his love and generosity may be experienced through us.  Christ is in the lonely old and the lonely young. He lives amidst the rich and the poor, calling us to unity and love.  Christ is present in the sanctuary of our churches as we listen to his Word and as we receive his Food from Heaven. Christ dwells in the gathering of the people who sit in the pews waiting for the Sunday Mass to begin. Christ is present in the stranger –– Christ lives in our prisons –– he walks with those who struggle with existence and the meaning of their lives. As we recognize him in all these people and situations, he commissions us to look after one another and recognize that we are truly brothers and sisters.  The way in which we treat one another, ultimately reflects the way in which we treat Jesus Christ. To love someone is to love Christ –– to hurt someone is to hurt Christ.  Vast is the call of Jesus who asks us to recognize his true identity.  Thankfully, he gifts us with the treasure of the Church’s wisdom to remind us always of our call to recognize and follow him.

Prayer

You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. You are our healing and strength ~ the calm in our storm ~ the tenderness of our lives. Open us to the challenge to see you in all people, even those we would rather forget about. May we glorify you in all that we say and do in your holy name. May the aroma of your presence which was given to us through the anointing of baptism and confirmation be experienced through what we do and say. Amen.

Reflection Questions

Why does Jesus pose the question: “Who do you say that I am,” to his disciples?

Why is Simon Peter’s confession so powerful?

What is Peter granted in today’s gospel and how is that passed onto the Church today?

What is the significance of naming Jesus as “The Christ, the Son of the living God”?

Where do you experience the anointing of Christ in your life and in the life of the Church?

How are you anointed to be Christ for others?

Wisdom of the Fathers

“Who do you say that I am?” Jesus asks his disciples this question near Caesarea Philippi. Simon Peter answers: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Mt 16:16). The Master then turns to him with the surprising words: “Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you; but my Father who is in heaven” (Mt 16:17).

What is the meaning of this dialogue? Why does Jesus want to know what people think about him? Why does he want to know what his disciples think about him?

Jesus wants his disciples to become aware of what is hidden in their own minds and hearts and to give voice to their conviction. At the same time, however, he knows that the judgment they will express will not be theirs alone. Because it will reveal what God has poured into their hearts by the grace of faith.

— Blessed John Paul II (World Youth Day 2000, August 19th, Prayer Vigil)

August 14, 2011

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
Isaiah 56:1,6-7
Psalm 67:2-3,5,6,8
Romans 11:13-15,29-32
Matthew 15:21-28

The God of All Faith

Today’s gospel presents a theology of profound significance and consequence.  On the surface it appears that Jesus is having a bad day!  Here we find a Canaanite woman begging Jesus to bring peace and healing to her daughter’s life.  Who could refuse such a request?  Jesus’ response is both harsh and rude.  He tells the woman that he was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and virtually refers to her as subservient by using an image of a dog.  Why would Jesus do such a thing?  Jesus was responding as a Jew to this Canaanite woman.  The Canaanites had been the public enemies of the Jews for 1000 years – there was a lot of animosity between them.  However, this woman’s persistence and faith triumphs over this tragic estrangement.  Jesus’ heart is moved with compassion at the sight of this woman’s faith.  The gift of faith transcends the exclusive nature of Jesus mission.

The mission of Jesus is redefined in this encounter.  Jesus brings healing to the world of the non-Jew.  This act opens the world to the economy of salvation.  Jesus recognizes that faith can be relevant others.  The compassion that Jesus has for this troubled child and her mother moves him beyond the boundaries of an institutionalized faith and starts to tear down the walls of indifference and discrimination.  Up to this moment, Jesus brought the message of the gospel to Israel, but now he realizes that faith could exist outside of Judaism.  The people of Israel had always been known in the realm of faith and monotheism as the “chosen people” or “elect” of God.  It was to Israel that God revealed himself and sent the patriarchs and prophets to establish covenants and relationship with Him.  Israel was promised the Messiah who would lead them out of bondage into freedom.  Jesus the Christ, as Messiah, comes into the world and offers radical freedom –– freedom from sin and world oppression by believing in his name.  Although his message is delivered to the House of Israel, in today’s gospel we discover Jesus’ message could not be contained to Israel any longer because the whole world had begun to cry out for Him.

The message of the gospel frees us from discrimination and encourages us to respect people from every walk of life.  The event of the Canaanite woman reminds us that we cannot box God in, but that we must recognize that God is at work in the world in many remarkable ways.  Even though our Church contains within its history and tradition the fullness of truth, this in no way is meant to exclude others.  Indeed, every Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, etc., is not excluded from the kingdom.  Rather, all Christian denominations and other faith traditions possess something of the spirit of truth which demands a respect and dignity from all of us.  As the prophet Isaiah said, “Observe what is right and do what is just…for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”

Prayer

Lord, let us clearly see people of other faiths as a gift to be embraced.  May we be united one day around one table, sharing the one bread and the one cup. Let us work together for the common good of humanity.  May those who are estranged learn to let go of earthly pride to join hands in friendship. Encourage our Mother, the Church, to lead and show us the way so that discrimination and hatred will be no more.  Amen.

Reflection Questions

How is Jesus shaped by the world in which he was raised?

What does the encounter with the Canaanite woman teach you about God’s initiative of salvation?

How has institutionalized faith been abused in the past?

In what way does this gospel challenge people’s approach of making absolute the truths about a particular faith?

How do you allow the gospel to shape your life?

Name the ways in which the institution of the Church reflects the gospel and shapes your life?

How are you being called to reach out to those who live outside your faith experience?

Wisdom of the Fathers

“Throughout history, to the present day, there is found among different peoples a certain awareness of a hidden power, which lies behind the course of nature and the events of human life. At times, there is present even a recognition of a supreme being, or still more of a Father. This awareness and recognition results in a way of life that is imbued with a deep religious sense….. So, too, other religions which are found throughout the world attempt in different ways to overcome the restlessness of people’s hearts by outlining a program of life covering doctrine, moral precepts and sacred rites.

The Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in these religions…..”

- Nostra Aetate, paragraph 2 (Pope Paul VI)

August 7, 2011

Ninteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a
Psalm 85: 9, 10, 11-12, 13-14
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:22-33

A Gentle God

The world of faith contains endless possibilities.  For thousands of years, humanity has grappled with faith’s complexity. Even today, countless millions continue to fill our churches, synagogues, temples, shrines, and assembly halls, desiring to be transformed by the world of transcendence. People sometimes go to extraordinary means to find God or meaning for their lives.  The answer is not always what we think –– sometimes it is staring us in the face.  In order to find God and the purpose for our lives, we must listen to the teachings of scripture and the wisdom of the Church, and then look deep within ourselves.

In our first reading from the Book of Kings, Elijah was told by the Lord to go outside the cave because the Lord would be passing by.  Elijah was probably expecting the Lord’s presence to be part of a mighty encounter.  On the contrary, Elijah experienced the Lord in an unexpected way –– in the whispering of the wind.  God came to Elijah in a gentle way.  Likewise, Jesus comes to the disciples in the midst of a stormy sea offering them gentle reassurance.  In the gospel, Jesus comes to his followers in an unexpected way. He defies science and its laws of gravity and physics by walking on the water.  Not only were these people frightened because of the storm, they were also frightened by the sight of Jesus walking on the water.  Jesus tells them not to be afraid. Caught up in this transcendental moment, we find Peter wanting to be one with Jesus in the whole experience, but he does not have the faith or the power within him to walk on the water. Why? Peter is distracted by the strong wind and the dangerous waters around him and lacks faith.  Jesus recognizes Peter’s weakness and stretches out his hand to save Peter, bringing him to safety.

God makes himself known to each of us in unexpected ways. He is very much a God of surprises. We do not necessarily have to go to places of pilgrimage, holy shrines, churches, mountain tops or beaches to find him present (even though God is always in those places).  God is present in the vulnerability of love that exists between spouses and is found in the struggles of family life.  Wherever people actively engage in works of charity and mercy, God is also there.  God can be found in the midst of the poor, the sick, imprisoned, and the lonely. The Lord is always present to us in the “storms” of our lives always with an outstretched arm, ready to save us. Even though we may lack faith when we are faced with hardships, God is always ready to redeem and save us.  Jesus’ words to the disciples are words that should resonate with us when we struggle: “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid.” In short, the Lord is a God of all seasons who can be found in every time and place. It is up to each one of us to discern His presence and follow His will.

Prayer

Lord, you are present to us in the whispers of the wind, calling us forth to follow your will. When the storm clouds of life cast their shadow upon us, we humbly ask that you protect us with an outstretched arm. O Lord, be in all things, through all things and above all things. May you transform our world with your tender love and mercy.

Amen.

Reflection Questions

What surprises you about the encounters with God in the readings today?

What is significant about Jesus walking on the water?

How does Jesus quell the fears of the disciples?

How do you relate to Elijah’s experience of God?

Name the ways in which you have encountered God in the “storms” or turmoil of your personal experience.

How does Jesus offer you courage?

Wisdom of the Fathers

“In our times a special obligation binds us to make ourselves the neighbor of every person without exception and of actively helping him when he comes across our path, whether he be an old person abandoned by all, a foreign laborer unjustly looked down upon, a refugee, a child born of an unlawful union and wrongly suffering for a sin he did not commit, or a hungry person who disturbs our conscience by recalling the voice of the Lord, ‘As long as you did it for one of these the least of my brethren, you did it for me’ (Matt. 25:40).”

Gaudium et Spes (Church in the Modern World) paragraph 27.

We have made great strides during the past several years to enhance the buildings and grounds here at St. John the Evangelist.  As I mentioned several weeks ago, the last remaining major project is the lighting in the church.

I will begin with a little history:  The church is now nearly 19 years old with the first Mass being celebrated on Christmas Eve in 1992.  The original lighting is still in place and the problems are now mounting at an exponential rate.  First and foremost, the original lighting was designed and installed for more of a residential application and certainly not a commercial application.  In order to change any of the bulbs in the ceiling or on the clerestory windows, a lift must be rented and the front doors removed.  This isn’t your basic scissor lift but instead a 45’ boom lift which will allow the operator to reach the 55’ ceiling.  The lift must be carefully navigated down the center aisle as to not damage the pews.  There is a clearance of ½ inch on either side.  There is obviously very little room for error.  Just to change the bulbs in the sanctuary, we spend several thousand dollars in lift rental, bulbs and labor.  The bulbs in the sanctuary ceiling are a combination of metal halide and par lamp spotlights.  The fixtures are controlled by an archaic Lutron dimmer pack system.  Even after replacing all of the bulbs in the ceiling, many burn out in as little as six months after replacement.  The lighting over the altar is mounted on a track system and consists of the same par lamp spotlights.  We replaced every single light and a few of the fixtures following the renovation last September.  As you can see, nearly half of these bulbs have burned out in less than a year.  Many burned out after only six months.  The lighting over the altar is also controlled by the dimmer packs.  The dimmer packs have reached the end of their useful life.  We have replaced a few and the problems still persist.  Due to the malfunction of the dimmer packs, much of the lighting has been rerouted, bypassing the dimmer packs.  As for the rest of the church, the lighting is very poor at best.  The Narthex is very gloomy and dark.  The back wings are also very dark even after removing the old wood ceiling two years ago.  The lectors and the celebrant often have a very difficult time reading the word of God from the Ambo.  We have made numerous patches over the years but the problem seems to worsen as time goes by.

We have met with a commercial lighting professional to address our problems.  They have come up with a solution which will illuminate the church while solving the problems of maintenance.  With this new proposal, we will be able to lower the lights over the altar for easy access.  We will replace the fixtures in the sanctuary ceiling to new energy efficient fixtures and bulbs with a life over ten times what is currently in place.  We will also illuminate the Narthex and back wings by installing very tasteful chandeliers and adding ancillary fixtures.  The entire system may be controlled by an Ipad from anywhere inside the church.  There are 999 different scenes which may be programmed and accessed simply by the push of a button.  The stage lighting proposed above the altar may be manipulated in a plethora of different variations, even including the addition of color.  Imagine being able to flood the back walls of the Altar with green or purple to coincide with the particular color of the liturgical season.  The technological advances made over the past 19 years with regards to lighting have been numerous.  We would like to take advantage of these advances and install a new lighting system which will bring our church into the 21st century.  I am aware that many of you have a difficult time reading your missal due to the abysmal lighting in the sanctuary.  I apologize for the delay in addressing the lighting, however we made a decision that temporary patches would no longer be acceptable.  The church lighting needs a total overhaul.

Our parishioners have shown their extreme generosity on numerous occasions in the past.  From the church renovation to the Prayer Garden, your outpouring of support has been key in allowing us to complete projects which would have otherwise not been possible.  Such is the case with our lighting project.  This lighting renovation obviously comes at a price and we knew that it would not be cheap.  The proposal to complete the job is approximately $70,000.00.  There is an error of +/- $5,000.00 based on the fixtures chosen for the chandeliers and ancillary fixtures.  We are looking for a donor or several donors that see the extreme benefit of this much needed project to step forward and help bring us from darkness into light.  By making a gift or donation to this project, you are benefitting every single parishioner that walks into the church.  If you are interested in creating a beautiful, well lit environment in the church, please contact me at 566.1678 to discuss.

We have partnered with Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse to offer our parishioners a great deal through the end of November.  Simply mention St. John the Evangelist when dining at Fleming’s from October 1 through November 30 and 15% of your bill will be given directly to St. John’s to be used for the Catholic Faith Appeal.  This is truly a win-win situation.  You get to enjoy a great meal at an outstanding establishment and we receive a donation to the CFA.  Please consider using this outstanding opportunity to help us reach our CFA goal for 2011.

Please don’t forget that the Visiting Nurses Association will be offering Flu Shots in the PLC Ballroom this coming Thursday, October 6th from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.  In addition to the regular Flu Shot, they will also be offering preservative free and high dose Flu Shots as well as Pneumonia, Tetanus Booster and Pertussis.  I will be the first in line so I hope to see you on Thursday in the ballroom.  Personally I would much rather receive my shot in the friendly confines of St. John the Evangelist versus a retail outlet.  If you require further information, please call 239.337.4848 or 866.521.4848.

Everyone remembers the wildly successful Lenten project (Mission Backpack) which provided backpacks and school supplies to very deserving children in St. Lucia.  The Mission office has procured a container which will be shipped to Corpus Christi Day Nursery & Preschool in Castries, St. Lucia free of charge.  We are looking for donations to fill this container.  Included in the bulletin is a Wish List of items that representatives from the Preschool have requested.  Any item on the list may be “gently  used” or new.  I can only imagine how many of our parishioners have old digital cameras which are still viable and play toys that your children have outgrown.  You may drop off your donations in the parish office during business hours.  You will be given an acknowledgement of your gift for tax purposes.  Thank you in advance for your consideration.

In His work together,

Scott Schlossberg, MBA
General Manager

Fall officially began on Friday at 5:05 a.m. with the arrival of the autumnal equinox. We experienced approximately 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness, hence the term “equinox” derived from the Latin word meaning “equal night.” For those of us in Southwest Florida, fall arrived with very little fanfare. It will be status quo with temperatures in the 90’s and afternoon thunderstorms.  For those up north, it is a much different story. The leaves are beginning to change and the temperatures are beginning to retreat signaling that it is time to begin heading south. I spotted my first car carrier of the season this past week on Goodlette Road. For those who are returning to “paradise,” we hope you will find the buildings and grounds more pleasing than ever. We have spent countless hours this summer working to beautify the campus. Welcome back to those who have been away for the summer!

Many of our parishioners appreciate the convenience of picking up the Sunday paper immediately following Mass. We have been providing this service since 2004 or for the past seven years. The program was initially begun by Leonard Sbrocco who saw an opportunity to not only provide convenience for our parishioners, but also to benefit Habitat for Humanity. A portion of the sale of every Sunday paper goes to Habitat for Humanity to provide the dream of home ownership to deserving Collier County residents. After Leonard was no longer able to continue the program, several parishioners stepped up and took over. We are now looking for a few new parishioners to step up and take over the program. If there is no response, the Sunday newspaper program will be discontinued by the end of the year. The dwindling group of parishioners currently in place simply cannot continue. This program has generated over $70,000.00 for Habitat for Humanity since its inception. Would you like to step up and volunteer your time and talent to keep the program going? If you are interested, please contact Joan Scariati at 594.0994. I would truly hate to see the demise of the Sunday paper program. I am overly confident that several parishioners will see the need and make the decision to take a leadership role so that we may continue to support Habitat for Humanity.

The granite for the benches and Stations of the Cross arrived from Georgia this past Monday. I must say that the “butterfly blue” color is simply gorgeous. The engraving on the benches is etched with a silver lithograph and compliments the benches beautifully. The benches are currently being moved to their respective locations in the memorial garden and prayer garden. Optimistically, we may have some of the benches assembled by this weekend so that you may see the finished product. Marty Gauthier has finished fabricating the roofs for the Stations of the Cross. They are each constructed out of cypress wood with a copper sheathing. There will be a light installed inside to illuminate the Stations at night. Last week I spoke to Julie Kwiatkowski (mosaic artist) and she is well underway with regards to fabrication of the 9’ x 5’ mosaic of Assisi, which will be located on the north end of the prayer garden. We are planning the dedication of the Paniccia Prayer Garden in December, however, we will have the grand opening as soon as everything is completed.

It is hard to believe but it’s that time of year again.  The Knights of Columbus will be selling their “Keep Christ in Christmas” cards again this season with profits going to the Jamaica Outreach Program and the Youth Ministry department. There will be a large assortment of cards available after each Mass in front of the church. Buy yours early to get the best selection! The sale of cards will begin on October 8 and continue until December 4.

The carillon is now fully operational and I must say that I have missed the beautiful sound of the bells. Thanks again to Jim Follese and Scott Schwarz for getting the carillon back up and running.

The miniature statues of St. John the Evangelist, the crucifix and the Blessed Mother will not arrive in the month of September as planned. The sculptor’s representative tells us that the process has taken much longer than expected. We are at least another month out on delivery. Once we have firm dates from Timothy Schmalz, I will make an announcement in the bulletin. We sincerely apologize for the lengthy delay.

As promised, please see the flyer in this week’s bulletin regarding the Paul Todd dinner concert on November 7 at St. Ann’s Jubilee Center. This will be a patriotic themed dinner concert to benefit Catholic Charities of Collier County Mental Health Counseling Program Scholarships for Low Income Families.  Even though the flyer suggests otherwise, St. John the Evangelist parishioners may make their reservations in the parish office.

In His work together,

Scott Schlossberg, MBA
General Manager

If you were unable to attend the 9/11 remembrance Mass this past Sunday at 9:00 a.m., there is an outstanding recap with numerous pictures on the Naples Daily News website.  Here is the link.

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/sep/11/naples-pays-tribute-911-fallen-worship-services/

The Mass was completely full with over 1,200 in attendance to recognize the ten-year anniversary of this very sad moment in history.

Ask and you shall receive! My request last week for a gently used refrigerator resulted in the donation of a very nice six-year old unit.  Conveniently, the donor was upgrading to a stainless steel model and was more than happy to donate the old one. Thanks James and Loretta Slattery for your very generous donation.

Work began this past week to install a new audio visual system in the ballroom of the Parish Life Center.  This new system will feature four ceiling-mounted LCD projectors and four 12 foot screens located throughout the ballroom with a touch screen operations panel.  Regardless of your seat, a good view will be had by all.  With this new system, we will be able to host seminars with Power Point presentations, live streaming and just about anything else you can imagine.  The installation is being performed by Pro Audio Services, and I can assure you that their work is impeccable. As I mentioned several weeks ago, this new AV system is being installed at no cost to the parish.  It is being donated by a local anonymous organization.  The cost for the new system is $55,000.00.

What would Scott’s Corner be without a plug for the Catholic Faith Appeal. As you can see from our CFA analysis, we are well below our goal for the 2011 appeal and sadly, time is running out, and I am now more than a bit nervous.  We need another $154,000.00 in pledges and/or contributions by the end of the year in order to reach our goal.  Obviously, the ultimate objective is to exceed our goal, however, at this point in time I would be ecstatic simply to meet our goal.  Remember that you have numerous options in order to help us reach our goal. You may drop a check in the collection made payable to the Catholic Faith Appeal, fill out a pledge card and send directly to the Diocese of Venice, or you may go to the Diocesan website and make a credit card contribution.  If we fail to reach our goal, the end result will be extremely detrimental to the 2011/2012 operating budget. If you are able, please help us reach our goal for the 2011 Catholic Faith Appeal.

We have opened a new section in the memorial garden for Knights of Columbus. The current section is virtually at capacity and only a few random single spots remain.  The new section is located adjacent to one of the new granite benches which was donated by our very own Knights of Columbus Council 11281.  If you are a Brother Knight (or spouse) and would like to take advantage of your “pick of the litter” with regards to this new section, please contact me to make arrangements.  The all inclusive price is $1,200.00 and includes the opening, closing urn, headstone and plaque.  If you are not a Knight and would like to purchase a similar space in another area of the memorial garden, please contact me to make arrangements.

Have you noticed anything missing outside of the church for the past several months?  It is not a tangible item that has been missing but rather the beautiful sound of the carillon.  The bell tower received a direct lightning strike several months ago.  A representative from Schulmerich Bells came out and replaced the destroyed circuit board, however, the wiring from the carillon to the bell tower was also damaged and had to be replaced. The conduit which houses the wire was also destroyed making it impossible to “fish” a new feed between the two locations. After much research, Jim Follese (parishioner and licensed electrician) has found a solution and assures me that we will once again hear the beautiful sounds of the carillon as early as this weekend. Thanks, Jim, for your diligence in ensuring that the carillon is operational.

Paul Todd will host his first concert of the season on Monday, November 7^t, at the St. Ann’s Jubilee Center. This will be a patriotic themed dinner concert to benefit Catholic Charities of Collier County Mental Health Counseling Program Scholarships for Low Income Families.  Please see the informational flyer in upcoming bulletins for further information.

In His work together,

Scott Schlossberg, MBA
General Manager