On behalf of the clergy and staff of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year.  2011 was a year of many changes and many great accomplishments!  2012 looks to be even better.  Are you glad the holidays are over?  Although the Christmas Season recognizes a very important occurrence in the birth of Jesus Christ, it is difficult to maintain any type of normalcy during this time with all of the extracurricular activities taking place.  For those who have been traveling (and possibly stranded) over this hectic period and for those who may be arriving in Naples for the first time this season, welcome back.  We look forward to an incredibly fun and spiritual filled 2012 at St. John the Evangelist.

What do you think of the appearance of the church for the Christmas season?  Once again the Arts and Liturgical Environment team outdid themselves in creating a magnificent atmosphere to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Have you taken a trip to the “Horse Races” at Gulfstream Park with our parish?  Bob Valentine (parishioner and horse racing aficionado) has been coordinating these outings for the past three years.  This is a great way to spend the day away from home and an even better chance to win a buck or two hundred.  This is also a great opportunity to meet and socialize with your fellow parishioners.  The first trip of the season will take place on January 26.  The bus leaves the Parish Life Center promptly at 10:30 a.m., and Bob asks that you be onsite by 10:00 a.m.  After you enjoy juice and snacks on the trip over, you will be treated to a full buffet in the clubhouse, a complimentary program and a $2 betting voucher.  The last race is approximately 5:00 p.m., which should put you back at St. John at approximately 7:30 p.m.  Kathy Valentine will serve cocktails on the return trip while Bob assists in tending bar.  The cost for this magnificent day out at the races is only $78 per person.  The maximum number of seats available on the bus is 50.  Please see the advertisement in next week’s bulletin for further details.  Please contact Melanie by January 13 if you would like to attend.

In the next few weeks you will notice that the grass areas immediately outside the east entrance near the organ will be turning a very dark shade of brown.  Our landscaper is going to kill the grass currently in place and replace with new St. Augustine Floratam sod.  Due to our proximity to the baseball field next door, the grass has become infested with “common Bermuda.” The seeds from the Bermuda grass on the baseball field have blown over and taken over our St. Augustine grass.  There are also several other nuisance grasses that have taken a stronghold.  The current appearance of the grass is not at all aesthetically pleasing.  After replacing the sod, we will maintain a tight regimen with regards to quarterly treatments to ensure that a similar problem does not arise in the future

On Sunday, February 5, we will host our 14th Annual Super Bowl Party in the ballroom of the Parish Life Center.  This party has received much acclaim over its 13 year run and this year will be no different.  Tickets will be available in the parish office on Tuesday, January 3 for $25 each.  We will sell a maximum of 300 tickets, and due to the increasing popularity of this annual event, I strongly suggest buying yours early.  This year we will be using our new audio visual system for the game.  Rather than having one large screen to watch the game, we will have four large screens providing for an amazing viewing experience.  We hope to see you there.  Please see the flyer in this bulletin for further details.

This is my last opportunity to stress the importance of the Catholic Faith Appeal before we are out of time for 2011. As of December 21 we were still about $55,000.00 shy of reaching our goal.  Please remember that if we have your contribution by  January 2, it can still be included in the 2011 appeal.  With that said, unless something miraculous takes place, we will not reach our goal.  But it is not for a lack of effort.  In the midst of a very tumultuous economic environment, we made a great run at meeting our lofty goal.  So although our streak may end at three years, there is always next year to begin a new streak.  As a continual reminder, if you are a seasonal resident or visitor, please make your check payable to the Catholic Faith Appeal with St. John the Evangelist in the memo line.  Thank you once again for your continued support of the Catholic Faith Appeal.

Due to numerous requests, I have included a recent picture of the triplets waiting for their dinner.  They are now seven months old and thriving.  They are eating apple sauce, pears and bananas in addition to their bottles.  Nate is beginning to crawl, and I am sure the others will follow suit after watching the efforts of their big brother.  Thanks for your continued kind words and prayers for the health and prosperity of our little ones.

In His work together,

Scott Schlossberg, MBA
General Manager

Have you finished your Christmas shopping?  As you read my column, at best only seven shopping days remain.  I had a visit from a long time parishioner this past week asking if I knew of a family within our parish that had a child who could use a new bicycle for Christmas.  She had purchased bicycles for deserving children in Christmases past and wanted to do the same this year.  I explained that there were several families that came to mind.  After considerable thought, I further explained that there was a family in dire need but they had several children and one bicycle would most likely not suffice.  I set up a meeting with the mother of the children and this benevolent parishioner.  After talking for a short time, the parishioner offered to take the mother of these children on a shopping spree to purchase toys for her children for Christmas.  I was very touched by this incredible act of kindness, so much so that I plan to emulate her efforts with my family during the Christmas season.  This is yet another example of the amazing parishioners we have at St. John the Evangelist. While you are finishing up your last minute shopping, please do not forget those who may not be as fortunate this Christmas.

Another parishioner gave me the following story on the candy cane and its relevance to the Trinity.  Although there is no historical evidence to support the claim, I feel it is very fitting at this time of year.

The Story of the Candy Maker who loved Jesus

There was a man who loved Jesus so much that he decided to do something special for Jesus’ birthday.  Since he was a candy maker, he decided to use his talents to make a special candy to honor Jesus; so he designed the first candy cane.

If the candy cane is held upright, it is in the shape of a shepherd’s staff, which the shepherd uses as he watches over his sheep.  Jesus is our shepherd.  If the candy cane is turned upside-down it becomes the letter “J” for Jesus.

The scriptures tell us that by Jesus’ stripes we are healed.  Jesus was beaten and stripes were put upon his back when he was crucified in payment for our sins.  So the candy cane was made with red and white stripes to represent the blood of Jesus which washes away our sins and makes us pure and white as snow.  One bold stripe represents our belief in one God who is Father to us all.  The three fine stripes represent the Trinity:  one God who has revealed Himself to us in three ways; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

There are a lot of candy canes in the stores today made with different colors, but they are not TRUE candy canes unless they are red and white and have one bold stripe and three fine stripes.

So when you see a candy cane this Christmas season, let it remind you of our Savior and the reason for His birth.  For it is true, “with His stripes we are healed.” – Author unknown

As an active member of the Stewardship Council since its inception, I truly understand the importance of becoming involved in parish life.  The goal of our Stewardship Council at St. John the Evangelist is to attain 100% participation by our parishioners in some sort of ministry.  Many of you may be thinking that our goal is simply unattainable.  I was of the same belief until attending numerous Stewardship conferences and hearing stories from catholic parishes nationwide that have attained this goal.  We have over 50 active ministries within our parish, and I can guarantee that there is a place for you.  Why do we not have 100% participation thus far?  There is not one answer to this question, but I would bet that the overwhelming answer would be that those not participating in a parish ministry have not been asked or invited to do so.  On January 28 and 29 we are hosting our second annual ministry fair in the ballroom of the Parish Life Center.  The fair will be preceded by another ministry parade prior to each Mass.  This will give you an opportunity to see all of the ministries prominently displayed before heading down to the fair following Mass.  On behalf of the Clergy and Stewardship Council, I am cordially inviting you to attend the Ministry Fair.  You will have the opportunity to visit booths for all of our ministries and choose one that fits your talents.  Stewardship encompasses your gifts of Time, Talent and Treasure.  Many, when hearing the term Stewardship, automatically think of the treasure component.  While treasure is an integral component in the operation of the church, it is not the focus of Stewardship.  It is, however, the result of your financial gifts which allows us to provide these many ministries within the parish.  Without your gifts of treasure, the ministries would cease to exist.  Thank you to all of our parishioners for your generous support.

And now for an awkward segway to the CFA……We are in the final home stretch with regards to the 2011 Catholic Faith Appeal.  As you can see from the statistics, we are approximately $75,000.00 shy of our goal.  We have less than one month from this weekend to exceed our goal for the year.  We need your help to keep our streak alive.  This will mark the fourth year straight that we have exceeded our goal after going nine years without doing so.  Remember that stock donations may be made to the Diocese of Venice for the CFA by calling the development office at 941-484-9543.  Many of you choose to make your annual gift at year’s end, whether it is in the form of stock or simply by check.  As I have reiterated on numerous occasions, the CFA is the single most important component of our annual budget and by exceeding our goal, we relieve a lot of pressure with regards to operating “in the black” for the fiscal year.  Thank you for your consideration in helping us exceed our goal.

In His work together,

Scott Schlossberg, MBA
General Manager

Christmas Spectacular

One Starry Night In Bethlehem!

5:30 PM in the PLC Ballroom

• Bring your whole family to an experience of the Holy Land, right here at St. John the Evangelist!

• The Marketplace will be open from 5:30 to 7 PM. There you will be able to bake some bread, or make a crown in Herod’s Palace, or make other fun crafts!

• Since hungry travelers will be coming from far away, please bring a covered dish to share, and the Marketplace will provide delicious turkey and drinks for all!

• After having eaten and walked through town, we’ll go over to the church to witness the Journey to the Manger firsthand! (Details on Christmas Concert below)

• After the concert, join us for a birthday celebration for Jesus, with cake and goodie bags right outside the church for all to enjoy! Santa will also be visiting us!!!

• Admission to One Starry Night is FREE ~  suggested donation is $5.00 per adult.

For more information — or to help with this event! — please contact Charlene Youngs at 566-8740 or email Charlene@SaintJohnTheEvangelist.com

Then at 7 PM in the Church

The Christmas Story!

The St. John the Evangelist Music Department has an early Christmas gift for the parish: an original presentation of the Nativity of our Lord, told in story & song by our combined choirs (Adult, Children, & Contemporary), several talented soloists, and many of our amazing young people in the first annual production of our new Christmas tradition!  Come witness the concert, sing along with your favorite hymns, and join us for a reception afterwards!

• 7 PM in the Church
• Admission free
• No ticket required

The recent weather pattern feels more like early October rather than early December.  I am aware that the majority of our seasonal residents and visitors are ecstatic with the warmer than usual weather, however, I would like some cooler weather indicative of late fall.  The winter solstice is less than two weeks away (December 22) marking the first day of winter.  As the song says, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas,” however, it is not at all beginning to feel a lot like Christmas with high temperatures in the 80s.  If the forecast holds, it will have cooled a few degrees by this weekend but far short of where we should be for this time of year.  As a year round resident, I feel that my dues are paid sweating it out during the summer months.  The ultimate reward is cool weather during the late fall and winter.  My apologies if I offended anyone with my wishes for cooler or seasonable weather for the holidays.

The ribbon cutting of the Paniccia Prayer Garden took place this past Sunday following the 9:00 a.m. Mass.  Several hundred parishioners processed to the Prayer Garden to take part in the ribbon cutting.  After saying a few words and sprinkling Holy Water on the garden, Fr. John gave the scissors to Sandi Paniccia who welcomed everyone into the Prayer Garden for the first time. Everyone raved about the transformation of a virtually “dead” space in our courtyard to a truly spiritual space which will be enjoyed by all who choose to visit.

Have you walked through the Memorial Garden recently?  We have “beefed up” the landscaping yet again and added more flowering bushes and plants with a new darker colored mulch creating a beautiful contrast.  Although biased, I must say that the memorial garden looks better than ever.  Would you like to join hundreds of your fellow parishioners and make our memorial garden your final resting place?  The all inclusive price to do so is only $1,200.00 and includes the opening, closing, urn, headstone and plaque.  This price is literally a fraction of what you would pay at any other cemetery, and at St. John the Evangelist your remains will be buried in consecrated grounds.  In order to purchase space in our garden, you must be a registered parishioner of St. John the Evangelist or a family member of a parishioner.  If you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity, please contact me at 566.1678 to schedule an appointment.

We now have less than one month remaining in our 2011 Catholic Faith Appeal and we are still approximately $80,000 shy of our goal.  It is going to take a miracle for us to meet with success by the end of the year; however, stranger things have happened.  If you are able to make a late year gift to the CFA, we would certainly appreciate the contribution.  As you are aware, if we fail to meet our goal, the shortfall will have to be recognized out of operating income.  We have come a long way in the past three years and have been operating “in the black” for the past two years.  Missing our goal will be very detrimental for our current 2011-2012 fiscal year.  You may contribute to the CFA with gifts of stock, via credit card through the Diocese of Venice website or simply by dropping a check in the offertory.  Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Please mark your calendars for the Second Annual Ministry Fair to be held January 28 and 29 of this coming year.  This will be an ideal opportunity for those of you wishing to become involved in a parish ministry to do so.  All of our ministries will be represented in the fair which will be held in the ballroom of the Parish Life Center.  There will be giveaways at the fair as well as snacks and beverages tailored to the time of day you choose to attend.  Please see upcoming bulletins for further details on the Ministry Fair.

Beginning this weekend you will see special envelopes with a red poinsettia in the narthex. Your donation will furnish the Sanctuary with flowers during the Christmas season and your loved ones will be remembered in the Christmas Spiritual Bouquet during the Christmas Masses.  Your intentions will also be published in the parish bulletin.  A duplicate of the envelope will be published in the bulletin for those that are unable to locate an envelope.

After the first of the year, we are going to begin an additional bench campaign for those who were unable to take advantage of the initial campaign earlier this year.  After seeing the finished product, many parishioners have approached me regarding the purchase of additional granite benches.  Once the locations are finalized, we will publish a map in the bulletin indicating the placement of the additional benches.  The price for a bench will remain at $3,000.00 which includes the engraving.  Some of the benches will be located around the perimeter of the church and others will be located in the courtyard.  Please see upcoming bulletins for further details.

In His work together,

Scott Schlossberg, MBA

General Manager