Parish News

Parish News .....
SJN and Diocesan news taken from sections of this week's Parish Bulletin. Click here for the current posted bulletin.
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This page was last updated Sunday, October 02, 2005.

WELCOME, NEW PARISHIONERS !!! We are so happy to have you join St. John Neumann Parish. Please take the time to fill out a Parish Registration form, located in the Gathering Area. Forms also are available from the Parish Office, during normal office hours. The completed form may be brought to the Parish office or put in the collection basket. If you have any special needs or questions, please do not hesitate to call the Parish Office, (704) 536-6520 or e-mail sjncc@bellsouth.net.

Stewardship is an opportunity to explore the gift of time and our perception of the importance of prayer in our lives, Staying focused on finding time to pray, although challenging, is possible. A commitment of prayer enables us to make it a priority over all the busyness that clutters our lives. Is prayer high enough on our list to spend the time? The time we spend in prayer should be nourishment for our soul and emotional health. We pray to praise, to thank, to ask for help and forgiveness. Prayer provides guidance and solace. When prayer becomes our daily priority, the problems we face in our families, jobs and personal relationships are put into perspective.

Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you. –Luke 11:9

Looking for an outlet to express your faith and make a difference? Consider joining the Stewardship Commission. We are looking for a few volunteers who believe in the principles of Stewardship and would be willing to share their gifts for the sake of our parish community. For information on what is involved and what we are looking for, please call Chris, (704) 566-8818.

TIME CHANGE FOR 11 A.M. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION SESSIONS — The time for the 11 a.m. Religious Education sessions has been changed to 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Sundays. The adjustment was made because the 10 a.m. Mass frequently is longer than an hour; thus, many students are in class for as little as 30 minutes. Hopefully, the extra 15 minutes will allow the full hour required for class time. Thanks for your understanding and cooperation.

WEDNESDAYS WITH DEACON JOHN — Would you like to grow in your faith and get to know fellow parishioners? Join Deacon John’s group for study and discussion about varied topics, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoons in Austin Hall. Baby sitting is available in the Nursery, in the Parish Hall.

Reconciliation/First Eucharist Required Parents’ Meeting -- There is a required meeting for PARENTS of students preparing for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. This meeting is required by the Diocese of Charlotte and St. John Neumann Church. The meeting will be from 1-2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16th, in the Parish Hall. Cathy Gilligan, an expert on sacraments and canon law, will present the theological update, and Connie will cover the Second-Grade calendar, requirements, expectations, etc.

"SPIRITUAL ADOPTION" ... The members of our St. john Neumann parish family will have the opportunity on Oct. 1st & 2nd to “spiritually adopt” a newly conceived child and the child’s parents. This is part of the annual Respect Life Sunday observance. Almost 4,500 babies lose their lives to abortion each day. It is these babies and their parents that you are being asked to “adopt.” You will be asked to pray for your spiritually adopted unborn child and for all unborn children and their parents. Monthly posters describing your baby’s development will be displayed on a table in front of the Knights of Columbus bulletin board in the Gathering Area. There are millions of unborn babies and their parents desperately in need of your prayers. Won’t you please “spiritually adopt” one child and share the love for life that God has given you?

Life Chain Sunday The annual Life Chain will be held from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2nd, in front of the church. Please join the Respect Life Committee in a silent prayerful vigil. For any who wish to display signs, they will be provided — or you may make and bring your own. Pro-Life wristbands will be available after Mass on Oct. 1 and 2, at a table in the Gathering Area. Donation: $2, to cover cost.

LECTOR TRAINING WORKSHOP for SJN Lector's will be held after Sun, Oct. 2nd after Mass. All lectors should make plans to attend. We will cover the changes implemented during the spring. A makeup session is planned for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19. For questions of information, contact Lance Burnette, at (704) 382-8623.

THE WOMEN’S GUILD would like to thank the ladies of the parish who attended the Welcome Tea. We hope to see you at the next meeting from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 2nd) in the Parish Hall. We will be working on baskets for the bake sale. Please remember to bring two bottles of wine for the baskets. All ladies of the parish are welcome.

It's DEEEEEEEEELICIOUS ! Our Cub Scout Pack 12 will be selling Trails End Popcorn again this after all Masses the weekend of October 8th - 9th. Please stop by and support our 1st - 5th grade Cub Scouts. You can contact Christie Silvestri regarding our Popcorn Campaign at 704-844-6720 or you can visit the Pack website at http://pack12.msdnplanet.com for more information about activities. Thank you in advance for your support !

The Women’s Guild annual Bake Sale and Basket Raffle is coming! The Bake Sale will be held on the weekend of Oct. 15-16th, after each Mass. As in the past, there will be several adult wine baskets, as well as several children’s fun baskets to be raffled off. Raffle tickets will be available after each Mass — for $1 each or $5 for six tickets for the wine baskets; and 50 cents each for the children’s baskets. All proceeds will go toward the Church Preservation Fund. For information, contact any of these members: Mary, (704) 545-0420; Diane, (704) 536-7809; or Jo, (704) 545-1621.

Are you registered for Religious Ed classes for the 2005-2006 school year ? Click here for details.

Reconciliation/First Eucharist Required Parents’ Meeting -- There is a required meeting for PARENTS of students preparing for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. This meeting is required by the Diocese of Charlotte and St. John Neumann Church. The meeting will be from 1-2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16th, in the Parish Hall. Cathy Gilligan, an expert on sacraments and canon law, will present the theological update, and Connie will cover the Second-Grade calendar, requirements, expectations, etc.

IT’S BOWLING TIME! The season has begun for the St. John Neumann Adult Bowling League. This is a mixed adult league that bowls every other Sunday for 18 weeks, with bowling at 6:45 p.m. at Carolina Lanes in Matthews. The next bowling night is Sunday (Sept. 25th). You’re welcome to join the group this evening. Questions? Call Christi, (704) 545-2002.

It’s Time to Register For Youth Basketball Signups for the St. John Neumann Youth Basketball program will be today (Sunday) and next Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside the Church’s Gathering Area. Registration fee is $100 for all players (second grade and up), and $50 for participants in the popular Lil’ Dribblers program for beginners. Contact Ted Sardinia, (704-573-9023) or Joe Menzer, (704-572-7253) for information.

Honoring Our Military Members Please check out the framed display on the brick wall, just inside the front door of our church. There, we are highlighting brave soldiers from our parish. We ask you to keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Also, if you have a family member serving in our armed forces overseas, we’d like to include them in our display. You’ll see a red-white-and-blue basket on the table in the Gathering Area. We ask that you please drop off two pictures of him or her — one, in uniform; the other, with your family — in the basket. Be sure to include all the pertinent information about their deployment, and a telephone number where we can reach you.
Also, it has been a while since our last published list of SJN members and friends who are serving our country in the military. Click here for SJN's current list of military personnel on this webste and please take the time to pray for these people, many of whom are serving in the Middle East. Thank you and God bless!

ROSARIES FOR SOLDIERS — Do you know a soldier who is serving our country? A parishioner has made Rosaries especially for the brave men and women who give so much for our country. Please come by or contact the SJN Religious Education Office (704- 535-4197), and we’ll give you a Rosary to send to your family member or friend.

SJN Youth Group Is Under Way The Youth Group of St. John Neumann has started its meetings on Sunday nights — at 7 p.m. in the Parish Hall. All rising ninth to 12th-graders are invited to attend. Come check out all the great things planned for you by our Teen Board. See Matt Tarney, Rebecca Reiher, Alexis Fisher, Tim Wagner or Leanne Wahl for details. Come on — we need you to make this our best year ever!

ST. JOHN NEUMANN’S RAIN TEAM has been helping individuals with HIV/AIDS for many years. “Won’t you join us”? The CareTeam at SJN needs a few more members to keep this ministry going. If you would like to know more about what is involved, contact Debbie Kidd at the Regional AIDS Information Network (RAIN), (704) 372-7246, ext. 111, or at d.kidd@carolinarain.org.

Take A Chance On Our Youth SOON there will be an opportunity for you to show your support for the youth of SJN and win some valuable $$$$ for yourself! Deacon John will be conducting a fundraiser, for the purposes of giving the youth of our parish opportunities they might not be able to afford. By donating $20, you will receive 20 chances to win. The prizes: $40 (20 winners), $20 (20 winners), $10 (20 winners), and $100 (1 winner). Only 200 chances will be available; you are NOT limiting to winning only one time. ...more details will be forthcoming.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES BEGAN this past Sunday— Classes for SJN Religious Education begin this weekend. Class placements were mailed earlier this month. Please contact the office with questions 704-535-4197.

CATECHIST ENRICHMENT DAY — The Southern Region of the Diocese of Charlotte will conduct an enrichment day for those who teach or assist in our programs and Bible Studies. The program is scheduled for Sat, Oct 1st at 9AM at St. Matthew Church near Ballantyne. A number of workshops will be offered, including Hispanic workshops. All are welcome. The cost is $10, which includes Mass (celebrated by Bishop Jugis), a keynote address by Dr. Carol Eipers, workshops, refreshments and lunch. SJN Religious Education will sponsor current SJN teachers. Call (704) 535-4197 if you plan to attend.

SJN's Evangelization Commission Looking for Help ESL CLASSES … The Evangelization Commission is looking for people interested in helping create English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. These classes will begin in September on Thursday evenings. At this time, we are creating an ESL Committee and need people who would like to help establish this ministry. Please call Nancy Hasty, (704) 545-2103, or Donna Rayle, (704) 545-8916.

The Charlotte Diocese is presenting two special programs on
“End-of-Life Ethics” When does life end? Click here for details.

Help Is Needed With Our Children’s Liturgy
We have a big need for adults and students (in 8th grade and older) who are interested in teaching or assisting with the Children’s Liturgy program for the 2005- 2006 school year. The program runs from September through April.
Children from kindergarten through fourth grade are taken to the Council Room during the Saturday 5:30 p.m. and the Sunday noon and 6 p.m. Masses.
They listen to the Gospel, pray, sing, act out stories, and engage in other activities that help them follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. After the Liturgy, the children return to Mass before the gifts are taken to the altar. If you might be interested, contact Joan Edwards, (704) 531-0166 or joanyedwards@earthlink.net.

RCIA — If you or someone you know wants to inquire about Catholicism, please come to the Church Library at 7 p.m. on any first or third Wednesday of the month. Or you can call Donna Rayle, (704) 545-8916.

AS A MINISTRY to the hearing-impaired, Vanessa Pappas will sign the Liturgy of the Word at the 10am Mass on October 30th. For more information, call the church office, (704) 536-6520 or contact Cindy Satink, (704) 573-5143 or csatink@aol.com.

Open Arms Preschool is taking applications for students ... St. John Neumann’s Open Arms Preschool is dedicated to enriching the spiritual, academic and social growth and development of children, has limited openings for children in the 2-year-old weekday preschool class.. The program is for children ages 2, 3 and 4, on or before Oct. 16, 2005. Classes meet from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the school year. A non-refundable $60 registration fee is due with applications.

THE EVANGELIZATION COMMISSION’S next monthly Peace and Justice Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, in the Chapel. Everyone is welcome. EN ESPANOL … El Santo Rosario con nosotros cada mes en el iltimo miercoloes del nes en la Capilla a las 7 p.m.

New Group, Same Mission People of Faith, Generations Learning Together. It’s a new name with the same ideas as CFM, Wednesday evening’s Family Faith Formation program, and the Lenten Soup-and-Salad program. The Evangelization Commission is in the process of putting a team together to coordinate this program. If you are interested, call Nancy Hasty, (704) 545-2103, or Donna Rayle, (704) 545-8916.

THE PRAYER CHAIN, sponsored by the Evangelization Commission, is up and running. If you have an urgent prayer need, please call Kristi, (704) 442-1201. You also may call with less-urgent needs, and the Prayer Group will include those in the prayers.

DINNER GROUPS? Would you like to meet new people from SJN, in a small-group setting (four couples per group). Groups will meet monthly on a rotating basis at one another’s homes for dinner. Responsibility for cooking is shared by all. Details: Kristi, (704) 442-1201.

THE SJN PRAYER CHAIN, sponsored by the Evangelization Commission, is up and running. If you have an urgent prayer need, please call Kristi, (704) 442-1201. You also may call with less-urgent needs, and the Prayer Group will include those in the prayers.

Mr. John Glover, a professional photographer, will be visiting and photographing every church in the Diocese of Charlotte over the next few weeks. Mr. Glover is working with the diocese on a commemorative book that will be available in late 2006. Essays and poems from the clergy, the religious and the faithful are being sought for this book. You can visit the following web page for details >>> www.charlottediocese.org/bookproject.html.

Your contributions .... essays and poems from the clergy, the religious and the faithful are being sought for this book.

DO YOU HAVE special health, financial, emotional or spiritual concerns? WOULD YOU LIKE the Prayer Group to pray over you? Why not come and pray with the Prayer Group on Tuesday nights, from 7:30-9 p.m. in the Library?
PARA NUESTROS FELIGRESES ESPANOLES … El grupo de oracion se junta cada Martes a las 7:30 p.m. en la biblioteca de las iglesia I Todos son bienvenidos, queremos orar en todas las idiomas!

FREE BABYSITTING is available at the 10 a.m. Sunday Mass for children 3 and younger. All you need do is take a turn babysitting, every four to six weeks. Details: Moya, (704) 321-2786; or drop by the Babysitting Room in the Parish Hall before Mass.

WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE in your community? Come join a Habitat for Humanity project. Please contact Ann Marie Borsuk at (704) 882-4554 to reserve a future volunteer space.

SJN WELCOMES ALL OF GOD’S CHILDREN — St. John Neumann Religious Education welcomes all children and teens into our programs. Sue Rebich, a Special Needs professional and catechist, works with parents and children to incorporate persons with disabilities into Faith Formation programs best-suited to individual needs. Please call Sue, at (704) 545-0242, or the Religious Ed office, (704) 535-4197, to inquire about how to register your child.

Hospitality Ministry — Hospitality, the quality of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way. We need your help at the Mass of your choice — 20 minutes before Mass begins. If you feel the Holy Spirit nudging you to participate, please call Donna Rayle, at (704) 545-8916.

BAPTISM SCHEDULING — Baptisms without a Mass will take place at 1:30 p.m. on the second Sunday of every month. Baptisms at Mass will be on the third Sunday monthly. Advance appointments are required. Please contact the Parish Office at (704) 536-6520 to register for the class and schedule the Baptism..

The 50+ Club of St. John Neumann Parish is sponsoring a 4-day -4-night trip to Daytona Beach from Oct. 24-28th. If interested, please call Ellie or Walt Lesko, at (704) 535-7723.

RCIA — If you or someone you know is interested in knowing more about Catholicism, come to an inquiry meeting any 1st or 3rd Wednesday of the month in the Church Library, or call Donna Rayle, (704) 545-8916.
Dismissal Catechists are needed. Commitment: once monthly. Rewards: unending. Share your faith with others, as they journey the initiation process of RCIA.
If you or someone you know is interested in knowing more about Catholicism, come to an Inquiry meeting, any first or third Wednesday of the month, at 7 p.m. in the church Library — or call Donna Rayle, (704) 545-8916.

Catholic Resources Online ... Looking for some good Catholic resources ? Try our Web links.

MINISTER SCHEDULES ARE POSTED ONLINE -- A reminder to all ministries serving Mass....
Current schedules for Extraordonary Ministers of the Eucharistic, Lectors, and Altar Servers are posted on the "Schedules/Calendar" page ... just click here.

Seasonal Choir Commitment? Can’t make the year-round commitment to join a choir? How about joining for the season of Lent/Easter? Your commitment would only be six weeks! This gives you an opportunity to share your talent and meet new people in your parish. For information about each choir, please visit the Music Ministry page - or speak with any member of the Music Staff.

A NOTE ABOUT SCHEDULING PARISH FACILITIES -- Please remember that all groups needing space in any SJN parish facilities must submit their requests to the Parish Office. Bulletin announcements do not automatically reserve a room. Also, please notify the office of any cancellation of space. Thank you for your cooperation. >>> Links to SJN's Facility Request Form in Acrobat format.

“Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks your for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence … “ (1 Pet 3:15-16)

THE PILGRIM MARY MINISTRY was created for the purpose of encouraging prayer in the homes of our parishioners. There has never been a better time to pray! Would you like to invite the Pilgrim Mary to your home? The Pilgrim Mary is a 3-foot statue of Our Lady of Fatima. While she is in your home, you are encouraged to gather as a family and pray the Rosary. There are no limits as to the number of visits you can schedule. For information, contact Sandy Major, (704) 573-9054.

"Protecting God’s Children"
The Diocese of Charlotte requires all volunteers 18 years and older who work with children, teens and/or the elderly to attend “Protecting God’s Children,” a workshop on prevention of sexual abuse. This includes all Vacation Bible School volunteers, coaches, scout leaders who meet in a church setting, catechists (teachers), assistant catechists, and office volunteers, nursery wo0rkers, Co-Op parents, and those who visit the hospital.

For more information, please contact Terri at the Human Resources Office of the Diocese of Charlotte, (704) 370-3338. Due to the sensitivity of the subject, children should NOT attend, and there is NO child care provided. If you have not attended a workshop, please do so, as soon as possible. The workshop is excellent for anyone who works with children and teens, or is a parent. Advance registration is required.

You can register in any of three ways:
>> Contact the host parish.
>> Register online at www.virtus.org and click “Registration”.
>> Contact the Diocese of Charlotte’s Human Resource Dept at (704) 370-3338, or visit the diocesan Website www.charlottediocese.org.

Those available in the Charlotte area are:
     Sept. 28 — St. Mark Church, Stumptown Road, Huntersville 7-10 p.m.
             Nov. 2 — St. Luke Church, Lawyers Road, Mint Hill; 6:30-9:30 p.m.
                   Jan. 21 — St. Mark Church; 9 a.m.-noon.

Your Help Is Needed With Our Children’s Liturgy
We have a big need for adults and students (in 8th grade and older) who are interested in teaching or assistant with — or even coordinating — the Children’s Liturgy program for the 2005-2006 school year.
>> The program runs from this September through April 2006.
>> Children from kindergarten through fourth grade are taken to the Council Room during the Saturday 5:30 p.m. and the Sunday noon and 6 p.m. Masses. They listen to the Gospel, pray, sing, act out stories, and engage in other activities that help them follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. After the Liturgy, the children return to Mass before the gifts are taken to the altar. If you might be interested, contact Joan Edwards, (704) 531-0166 or at joanyedwards@ earthlink.net.

WANT TO HELP? If you are in the eighth grade or above and are interested in becoming a Junior Lector or to help as a leader or assistant with the Children’s Liturgy, please contact Joan Edwards, (704) 531-0166, or e-mail her at joanyedwards@earthlink.net.

Please Be Advised.......with the enactment of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (H.I.P.P.A.) there are now much stricter rules about the information that can be shared with anyone, including places of worship, clergy and religious. If you are hospitalized, SJN is no longer notified by the facility or institution, unless you sign a release form allowing the hospital to contact us. Please be sure to call the Church office if you are hospitalized, or please sign the release form at the facility.

Attention all active military families and personnel.... Layer James H. Carter will draft and execute "Last Will & Testament" and "Power of Attorney" legal documents for any active military personnel. Please call 704-844-8926 for an appointment. No fees are charged for the visit, the documents, or processing.