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Pope sends video to NCYC Conference

11/29/2019

From the Church

Pope Francis expressed his hope that the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) may be "an opportunity to strengthen and increase faith an communion" for all the young people attending.
The Conference took place from 21 to 23 November in Indianapolis and discusses the theme "Blessed, Broken, Given".

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Happy Thanksgiving!

11/28/2019

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Wishing you and your families a very “Blessed Thanksgiving” as you give thanks for all God has given you. Father Jim * Father Barry * Deacon Jeff and the staff of St. John the Baptist Parish!

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Romans Bible Study

11/26/2019

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Romans Bible Study St. John’s will offer Romans (The Gospel of Salvation) beginning January 8th and running through February 23rd. As other Great Adventure Bible Studies, Jeff Cavins along with Thomas Smith and Andrew Swafford will bring a greater understanding of this book. More information will be coming for registration. Questions? Contact Judy Garfield

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From the Desk of Fr. Jim - November 24, 2019

11/26/2019

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SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING
A Kingship that bears witness to the Truth

While governments may crumble, Christ's Kingdom, unlike the kingdoms of this world, will last forever. Each year at the conclusion of the liturgical year, we fittingly celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. As the Apostle St. Paul teaches us, "In Jesus Christ every thing in heaven and earth was created... and continues in being" (Col 1:16-17). He is the 'Alpha and Omega'; the 'Beginning and End'; the 'Way, Truth, and Llfe'. Indeed, Christ promises to His faithful friends the gift of salvation, the pledge of everlasting life through His Resurrection. Therefore, faithfulness to Christ, our King, opens the door to our eternal happiness.

Origin of the Feast

In 1925, Pope Pius XI instituted the Feast of Christ the King in the encyclical Quas Primas (from Latin, "In the First") to respond to secular ism-the adoration of 'idols' of the earthly world, such as money and fame, above God. Pope Pius XI recognized that secularism would breed hostility against the Church. In fact, during the 20th century, governments in Mexico, Russia, and Europe, infiltrated by secularism, threatened not only the Catholic Church but also civilization itself. Quas Primas gave Catholics the hope that while governments may crumble, Christ's Kingdom, unlike the kingdoms of this world, would last forever.

Christ's Kingship

Although Quas Primas was written almost 95 years ago, it continues to ring true today. For instance, secularism and socialism continue to separate people from God, as evidenced by the rejection of Church teachings and the denial of God Himself. In addition, recent Pew Research Center data shows the worldwide increase of religious hostilities. Now more than ever, we must celebrate that Jesus Christ is King of the Universe, including in the following ways:

In Christ, we must preserve our fundamental rights. Jesus Christ reveals the fulfillment of the truths of creation found in the book of Genesis: "God saw every thing that He had made, and behold, it was very good" (Gen 1:31). Therefore, "made in [His] image and likeness," each of us possesses an immeasurable goodness (Gen 1:26). And, this goodness from Christ, given to the heart of man, calls us to fight for what is justly ours: the right to life, freedom of conscience and religious freedom.

In Christ, we must evangelize in love. Christ, both meek and humble of heart, is the perfect servant of God: Through His teaching and His life, Jesus intended to confirm, not to coerce, others in faith (Dignitatis Humanae, no. 11). Through our daily action, let us follow Christ's loving example of showing the truth to others.

In Christ, we must proclaim the truth. Christ's Kingship "bear[s] witness to the truth" John 18:37). In bearing this witness, Christ acknowledges government authority, "rendering to Caesar the things that are Caesar's" (Matthew 22:21). Nonetheless, we are asked to speak out "against governing powers which oppose the holy will of God" (Dignitatis Humanae, no. 11).

Bearing witness to the truth in this age can be difficult. But Christ has shown us that 'kingship' must always be at the service of the good of mankind. Therefore, with His grace and in hope of His gift of salvation, let us bear witness to the truth, even when it is unpopular or costly to do so. In this way, we become faithful servants of Christ, preparing the way for His Kingdom, both on earth and in heaven.

Have a Blessed Feast Fr Jim

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USCCB elect new president

11/22/2019

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From the Church

Archbishop Jose Gomez, 67, was elected president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for a three-year term. He was already serving as vice president, under Houston’s Cardinal Daniel DiNardo.

The native of Mexico, who is a member of Opus Dei and was ordained a priest in Spain, will be the first Latino and the first immigrant to lead the episcopal conference.

Archbishop Gomez began serving as a bishop in 2001, when he was named auxiliary for the Archdiocese of Denver. From there, he went on to lead the Archdiocese of San Antonio, until being named Coadjutor and then Archbishop of Los Angeles in 2010 and 2011.

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Youth Group and new email address

11/21/2019

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David Alcott has a new email address, my new email is teachdisciples@gmail.com, please update your contact lists. Thanks!
Youth Group is back in action on Wednesdays from 7:45pm to 9pm in the St. Francis Room. All youth in grades 8 to 12 are invited. The purpose of youth group is help young people become disciples of Jesus, and to teach them to make other disciples. To get reminders and cancellation notices, please join the "St. John’s Marshfield Youth Ministry" group within Flocknote, or contact David Alcott at teachdisciples@gmail.com

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From the Desk of Fr. Jim - November 17, 2019

11/20/2019

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PURGATORY
During this month of November, a month dedicated to
saints in heaven and souls in purgatory, let’s take advantage of this time and reflect on one of the more mis-understood teachings of the Church, which is Purgatory. It is not a second- chance hell, or even hell-lite as some claim it to be, but a teaching and a place that reflects the beauty of our Creator. Some things to consider:

Taught by the Fathers of the Church: This is not something that was made-up during the middle ages, but has been part of the doctrine of the Church from the earliest days. While it is true that the term ‘purgatory’ may not have been used, the teaching or idea is not new. In The City of God Augustine states, “But of those who suffer temporary punishments after death, all are not doomed to those everlasting pains which are to follow that judgment; for to some, as we have already said, what is not remitted in this world is remitted in the next, that is, they are not punished with the eternal punishment of the world to come.”
Souls in purgatory will know their fate. One wonders, if a faithful Christian dies and finds himself suffering in the afterlife, will he be able to tell the difference between hell and purgatory? Will he know that he is heaven-bound? On this issue, the answer seems a decisive yes. The ancient Liturgies and the inscriptions of the catacombs speak of a ‘sleep of peace,’ which would be impossible if there was any doubt of ultimate salvation.”
We pray for souls in purgatory, but it is good to ask them for prayers as well. We may not know the effectiveness of these prayers until we leave this world, but as souls closer to God than us, this makes them powerful intercessors.
As part of the Church Suffering, the poor souls are united with Christ, and remain a part of the Mystical Body of Christ. Although the poor souls do not yet enjoy the Beatific Vision, they are not in a completely separated state, but are in union with Christ and other poor souls serving God’s purpose.
St. Catherine of Genoa, author of a treatise on purgatory, says that once the soul sees what is in store in heaven, it immediately casts itself into purgatory. She also states that there is more to purgatory than the sense of pain and suffering that we tend to focus on. In fact, she sees it as a state of great happiness: ‘I believe no happiness can be found worthy to be compared with that of a soul in purgatory except the saints in Paradise’.
Purgatory makes saints: Catholic teaching states that those souls that have reached a state of sanctity that they do not need the purifying fires of purgatory go straight to heaven. These we call saints. Those that have not yet reached this state of sanctification go through a period of purification. Simply put, only saints get into heaven, purgatory makes saints out of all who enter.
Prayer of St Gertrude: Eternal Father, I offer You the most Precious Blood of Your Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for all sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal Church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O’ Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them

God Bless, Fr. Jim

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2019 GIVING TREE

11/19/2019

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2019 GIVING TREE
Sponsored by the St. John Baptist Social Justice Committee
GIVING TREE provides an opportunity for parishioners to purchase gifts for children at Christmas! This year, GIVING TREE gifts will be supporting families within our community as well as partnering with St. Vincent de Paul.
It is easy to become a GIVING TREE participant and bring joy to a child at Christmas!
Simply: Sign up to purchase a gift--Purchase the gift--Return the unwrapped gift to church.

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Pope's Prayer Intention for November

11/15/2019

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From the Pope

In The Pope Video for the month of November presenting Pope Francis’ monthly prayer intention, the Holy Father focuses on the communities that live side by side in the Middle East, asking all Catholics to pray for there to be authentic dialogue among them.

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Jars for Life 2019

11/14/2019

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Jars for Life Youth will be fundraising for the Pilgrimage for Life in Washington D.C. by selling hand-crafted jar mixes. Watch the bulletin for details, and thank you for your generous support!

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MASS SCHEDULE
Monday - Friday: 7:00 AM
Saturday: 8:00 AM
Saturday: 4:30 PM
Sunday: 7:00, 9:00 & 11:00 AM

CONFESSION SCHEDULE
Tuesday–Friday: 6:30 - 6:50 AM
First Friday: 6:00-7:00 PM
Saturday:3:45 -4:15 PM & 6:15 -6:45 PM

ADORATION

PERPETUAL ADORATION: The Marshfield Deanery has the John Paul II Adoration Chapel located in the basement of St. John the Baptist Parish, at 201 W. Blodgett St. The chapel is accessible from the rear parking lot. For more information or to sign up:
contact Jean Kaiser 715-503-0118. Click on the image below for more information.

Stay Connected with Our Parish

Welcome From Our Pastor

Welcome to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church! Ever since 1877 this parish has been assisting souls in their quest for deeper union with God. Pope John Paul II called the parish a “school of prayer” and St. John’s is committed to promoting growth in holiness in every state in life. Each of us is called... Read More

Pope sends video to NCYC Conference

Happy Thanksgiving!

Romans Bible Study

From the Desk of Fr. Jim - November 24, 2019

USCCB elect new president

Youth Group and new email address

From the Desk of Fr. Jim - November 17, 2019

2019 GIVING TREE

Pope's Prayer Intention for November

Jars for Life 2019

Stay Connected with Our Parish

Safe Environment Program

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