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October 28, 2011
It looks as though my comments from last week regarding the end of the rainy season may have been a bit premature. Although the computer models do not agree, there is an outside chance that while you are reading my column, we could be experiencing tropical conditions due to Hurricane/Tropical Storm Rina. Depending on the strength of the system and the timing of an approaching cold front, Southwest Florida could be in for a very rainy weekend. Currently, this system is eerily similar to hurricane Wilma which made a direct hit on Southwest Florida in 2005. As of Tuesday afternoon, Rina was virtually stationary but expected to begin moving northwest towards the Yucatan Peninsula and then make a sharp turn to the east. Let us pray for a positive outcome.
Thank you so much to everyone that gave so very generously to the second collection last weekend for World Missions. The collection totaled $6,079.00. Offerings from Catholics in the United States, on World Mission Sunday and throughout the year, are combined with offerings to the Propagation of the Faith from Catholics worldwide. Mission dioceses – about 1,000 at this time – receive regular annual assistance from the funds collected. In addition, these mission dioceses submit requests to the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples for assistance, among other needs, for catechetical programs, seminaries, the work of Religious Communities, for communication and transportation needs, and for the building of chapels and churches. These needs are matched with the funds gathered in each year. The world’s national directors of the Propagation of the Faith vote on these requests, matching the funds available with the greatest needs. These funds are then distributed to Mission (Arch) Dioceses throughout the world. This General Fund of support is then distributed in its entirety each year.
Veterans Day is a day to remember, honor and thank all who served in the United States Military. In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill into law proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day and called upon all Americans to rededicate themselves to the cause of peace. On Thursday, November 10 (the day before Veterans Day), the Knights of Columbus is sponsoring the 9:00 a.m. Mass honoring our Veterans, especially our WW II heroes with Fr. John as the celebrant. The Marine Corps League of Naples will present and post the colors and fire a rifle salute, honoring those who have fallen in service to our country. Please join us on this special occasion to thank our veterans who have preserved our freedom. Complimentary refreshments will be served in the PLC following Mass, while we enjoy entertainment by the Harp & Thistle Band.
This coming Friday, November 4, will be the third Anniversary of Fr. John’s arrival as our pastor. On behalf of our entire parish family, I would like to say “Happy Anniversary.” Fr. John has brought a renewed sense of spirituality to our parish. Under his brilliant leadership, St. John the Evangelist has flourished and will continue to grow and develop into the future.
On November 10, the Knights of Columbus will honor Fr. Len for his vocation by hosting their Annual Seminarian Dinner in the Ballroom of the Parish Life Center. This is a great opportunity for our parishioners to congratulate Fr. Len on the completion of his first year and a half as our Associate pastor and to say thank you for his vocation and all he has done for our parish. Tickets for this event may be purchased in the parish office.
Bob Claussen (Stewardship Council President) and myself attended the International Catholic Stewardship Conference in Orlando on October 23-26. As a result, we have gained a better understanding of stewardship as a way of life with Christ in the Church! The ICSC Stewardship Conference is an exciting gathering of bishops, pastors, parish leaders, diocesan stewardship and development directors and religious congregation leaders from all over the world. Conference registrants learn both the spiritual foundation and the hands-on details for bringing stewardship as a way of life into their parishes, dioceses, congregations and organizations.
Work began this past Tuesday to repair the benches in the Memorial Garden and Prayer Garden. We are scoring the backs of the benches and using a different adhesive, which we have been told is guaranteed to solve our problems. We are optimistic that by this weekend, our parishioners will be able to utilize these beautiful benches.
Lighting Update
The contributions continue to trickle in. This past week we received several more gifts of $500.00 and $1,000.00 towards our lighting project. We now have received $13,500.00 and are nearly 20% of the way to a new lighting system. If you would like to contribute, please drop a check in the offertory or better yet, stop by and see me in the office. Together, we can meet with success. Thank you very much to those that have made a contribution.
In His work together,
Scott Schlossberg, MBA
General Manager
October 22, 2011
The rainy season sure went out with a bang. As of this past Tuesday morning, we had received over three inches of rainfall and totals were expected to be in the five to six inch range before all is said and done. This moisture was associated with a broad area of low pressure center just north of the Yucatan Peninsula. The area of low pressure was forecast to move to the east northeast and eventually be picked up by our first true cold front of the season. This weather pattern was a true win-win for everyone in Southwest Florida as we picked up more than our share of much needed rainfall and as a result, enjoyed temperatures in the 70’s during the day and 50’s at night. Did you know that we have not seen a high temperature of 90 degrees since September? This statistic is very rare, however, I am sure that no one is complaining. It looks as though we will have smooth sailing for the rest of season with comfortable daytime temperatures and cool evenings. I, for one, welcome the cooler weather and look forward to the return of our seasonal residents and visitors. For those that have been away, we once again welcome you back to paradise.
We have added another Mass to the nursery schedule. Currently, there are nursery services available for the Saturday 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Masses and Sunday for the 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Masses. Please note that the times change on November 6 to 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. for Sunday Mass. Our new Mass with nursery services will be the 5:00 p.m. Mass. The nursery is staffed in the Parish Life Center classroom #5. The nursery attendant is an employee of the church, has been fingerprinted and has attended Safe Environment Training which is mandated by the Diocese of Venice. If you have children 1-5 years of age (or a special circumstance), please feel free to drop your child off in the nursery. This service is complimentary. If you have questions or require further assistance, please call Kellymarie Heslin at 514.2937.
The response to my recent comments regarding the memorial garden has been amazing. I believe we set a record for sales this past week. On Friday alone, I sold six spaces in the memorial garden. If you are interested in making our beautiful memorial garden your final resting place, please contact me at 566.1678 to schedule an appointment. There is plenty of space available, however, the prime spots are filling up quickly.
Lighting Update
It seems that my more concise explanation last week regarding our lighting project may have enticed some of our parishioners to get on board. I explained that we were not necessarily looking for a donation of $70,000 or even two donations at $35,000 (although that would certainly be nice). Instead, we could pool our resources and eventually reach the goal of $70,000.00 in order to fix our lighting issues for good. This past week I received several gifts of $1,000.00 towards our lighting project. We now have received $10,000.00 and are nearly 15% of the way to a new lighting system. If you would like to contribute, please drop a check in the offertory or better yet, stop by and see me in the office. Together, we can meet with success. Thank you very much to those that have made a contribution.
Triplet Update
It has been a while since I updated you on the status of our dynamic trio. The triplets are now 4 2/3 months old and thriving. Nate is over 13 pounds and has surpassed his once bigger sister Mia (12.5 pounds) by a half pound. Ella is bringing up the rear at 11.5 pounds. It is hard to believe that they came into this world at less than four pounds. They are now eating newborn formula and once or twice a day are being spoon fed a rice mixture. It is amazing the personalities that they have developed. Ella is extremely high maintenance and very demanding. Mia is extremely laid back, and Nate can go either way. The girls have developed a bond with one another, while Nate prefers that they do not bother him. Up until last week they were still sleeping in the same crib, however, there is no more room for the three of them. They are now officially sleeping in their own cribs. They are rolling over and have all realized that they have appendages called hands which they frequently use to knock the bottles out of their mouths. They frequently communicate via whatever language it is that they are speaking at 4 2/3 months. Ella’s speech can switch from happy shrills to an
gry screams at the drop of a hat. Believe it or not they are now sleeping through the night, which as far as I am concerned is the biggest development thus far. As a matter of fact, I am getting more sleep now than before they were born. Many of you (including myself) felt that these three beautiful little babies were going to be more than we could handle. Oddly enough, it is a wonderful experience and they are great babies. We keep them on a tight schedule and they have responded well. We are truly blessed! Attached is a picture of Mia, Ella and Nate in their gear preparing for the Alabama football game. Their Mom is an Alabama grad and the Seminoles had a bye week. Thanks again to everyone for your continue thoughts and prayers.
In His work together,
Scott Schlossberg, MBA
General Manager
October 16, 2011
Weekday Mass Times Revert to Winter Schedule October 31
Weekday Mass times will revert to the winter schedule Monday, October 31. We will return to the 8:00 and 9:00 Mass times Monday through Friday. Saturday Mass will remain at 8:00 a.m. with confessions immediately after.
Sunday Mass Times Revert to Winter Schedule November 6
The winter Sunday Mass schedule will go into effect Sunday. November 6. We will return to 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Mass. The 7:00 and 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Masses will stay the same, as will the 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. vigil Masses.
We will follow the winter Mass schedule until May, 2012.
Tuesday, November 1
Holy Day of Obligation
All Saints Day is Tuesday, November 1 and is a holy day of obligation. Mass times will be 8:00 and 10:00 a.m., Noon, 5:00 and 7:00 p.m.
October 15, 2011
October 13, 2011
At Mass this past week, there was a second collection for St. Vincent De Paul. This second collection was actually supposed to have been a “special collection” and not a “second collection.” There are generally only six second collections taken annually. These second collections consist of “four” for the Jamaica Outreach Program (November, February, March and May), one for World Mission Sunday (October) and one for the Seminarians/Vocations (January.) A special collection is one that is included in the regular collection. These special collections are for Catholic University, Black and Indian Missions, Peter’s Pence and many others. The envelopes for these special collections are included in your packet which is mailed to your home bi-monthly. The special collections are generally preceded by a letter in the bulletin from the Bishop asking that you generously support the particular cause. Rather than take a second collection for St. Vincent De Paul, we allocate the entire collection on Thanksgiving and St. Patrick’s Day to this great organization. Although this second collection last weekend was taken in error, the proceeds will be used to assist needy families in our community. As a reminder, there will be a second collection on October 22 and 23 for World Mission Sunday. We apologize for the error and thank you for your continued generosity.
I included the following narrative regarding the lighting in the church two weeks ago. There has been $6,000.00 donated to the lighting fund thus far so I am running it once again. Could it be that the proposed price tag scared off many of my readers? If we pool our resources, I am confident that we can bring this project to fruition. I am aware that this lighting project is not as glamorous as purchasing a bench or a Station of the Cross, but the need is great and the end result will benefit everyone. Please consider making a donation so that we can solve our lighting problems once and for all.
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 a half 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.
In His work together,
Scott Schlossberg, MBA
General Manager
