MESSAGE: “Please co-sponsor the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179, S. 1467). This measure ensures that the rights of conscience of all participants in our nation’s health care system will be respected.”-NCHLA

WHEN:  Now is the time to build cosponsors. Please act today! Visit Our Catholic Action News Page for full text message from Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan and link to take action today.   Or go directly to:  http://www.nchla.org/actiondisplay.asp?ID=292 

Click on the link and send a pre-written, editable email to Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and your congressional representative urging support for this bill. This attack on the First Amendment guarantee of religious liberty must not stand. Please send your email today!

Refresher training & for new Altar Servers.   Please visit our Altar Server Schedule page for details.

On Tuesday evenings of Lent, Fr. Joseph Komonchak will give a series of talks on Vatican II at St. John’s. After talking about the dramatic history of the Council, he will review some of its most important texts and the impact they have had on the Catholic Church. There will be a time for questions & discussion. Fr. Komonchak taught courses on Vatican II for three decades at Catholic University& is the editor of the English-language edition of the “Histrory of Vatican II”.

Last Sunday was Fr. Ray’s last Sunday here. We thank him for his years of service at St. John’s. We wish him God-speed in the future.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF OUR DECEASED REV. ROBERT G. HILIFIKER, PASTOR OF ST. JOSEPH’S IN NEW WINDSOR.  Please remember to pray for an increase in vocation to the Priesthood and religious life.

Pray for the safe and speedy return of our men and women serving overseas.

WAR OR PEACE SERVICE

Both male and female, Catholic War Veterans want YOU! For information call Jim Bruno @ 294-9158 or Bill Walling @ 294-1476. 

Monday, Feb. 27th at 2 pm, Mary’s Prayer Group will meet.  New parishioners are invited to attend. Kindly call Fran Warren, @ 294-6891 for any information.

Every night from 6-9 pm please come and spend some time with the Blessed Sacrament. Call Margaret @ 294-1506, if you can cover any of the above time periods.  Thank you

The primary role of our volunteer is to provide companionship and or caregiver relief. We also offer other areas of volunteering within our organization. Once the prospective volunteer has graduated from the training they could provide support in the geographic location in which they reside. Training will begin on Wednesdays from 9:30-4:30 starting on April 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th & May 2nd at: Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties –Adm. Bldg. 800 Stony Brook Court Newburgh, N.Y. 12550  Interested persons can contact Debra Epstein at:  845-565-4845.

Thursday, February 23rd, in McCaffrey Hall with doors opening at 5:45 pm and games starting at 6:45 pm. Team #2

     Visit our Catholic Action News page for important messages from Pope Benedict XVI

“CELEBRATION OF CHARITY”-   on March 20th, 6 pm, Anthony’s Pier 9. The tickets are $75 per person – Reception, Silent Auction & Dinner. Honorees: John Luedke - WEL Foundation – St. John’s Parishioner Fr. Dan O’Hare, Nadia Allen, Sr. Joanne Dress. For tickets, please contact: Sheila Toohey Sheila.Toohey@archny.org   or 294-5124, x308.

Income tax information and assistance courtesy of AARP at North Gate Manor will be on Wednesdays. Call Cynthia for an appointment @ 294-1106. Any questions please call: Al Stipak @ 294-7759.

The next Pre Baptism class for parents are: 

English Speaking:  February 23rd @ 7:30 pm Rectory Meeting Room

Spanish Speaking: March 6th  @ 7:00 pm Rectory Meeting Room

 YOU MUST CALL AHEAD TO REGISTER AT THE PARISH OFFICE---845-294-5328

The Spring Semester at Fordham will sponsor a Jewish-Christian dialogue each Monday from 4-5:50pm.  Rabbi Daniel Polish serves as spiritual leader of Congregation Shir Chadash of the Hudson Valley in Poughkeepsie and Rev. Patrick J. Ryan; S.J. is the McGinley Professor of Religion & Society at Fordham University.  To register:  www.fordham.edu/gre.  Also, A THEOLOGY & PRACTICE on Feb. 24^th, Mar. 2^nd, 9^th, 23^rd & 30^th at 10am-4pm.  MISSION & MINISTRY on Apr. 13^th, 20^th, May 4^th & 11^th at 10am-4pm.  Visit the website www.fordham.edu/gre to apply or for more information. 

The new Orange Regional Hospital is in need of more Ministers to assist the Priests. All Eucharistic Ministers are welcome, please call: Deacon Trapani @333-1014.

Please call the Parish Office to confirm usage of the rooms here at St. John’s each Year. If meetings are canceled please call so others may use the rooms. Thank you!!

  Feast Day, February 22nd

Yet even now—oracle of the LORD— return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.  Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God, For he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting in punishment. Perhaps he will again relent and leave behind a blessing, Grain offering and libation for the LORD, your God.-Joel 2:12-14 usccb.org

You will be receiving a letter from Cardinal Dolan asking for your support of the vital ministries, programs and services provided through the Appeal each year.  When you receive your letter, please fill out your pledge and send it in. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

 Watch His Eminence, Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan share some inspiring examples of how your generosity benefits our Catholic community.

To make your commitment online, please visit http://www.stewardshipappeal.org/
GOD BLESS, & THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUING GENEROSITY!

  "Would you pray for me that I might do as I am asked? That I will be a courageous preacher of the Gospel, and defender of human dignity, the Church and our cherished religious freedom? I need more than your prayers though. I need your joyful witness, your solidarity. Just as the whole community shares in this honor, so too do we all share in the responsibility. If all this only means that I now dress up in a red cassock and red hat, we will have missed the whole point."- Cardinal Timothy Dolan

In Puerto Rico, a town called Aguada, is building a new chapel and they need our help.  Please consider sending a donation to:
Capilla Virgen Del Carmen
PO Box 9
Aguada, PR 00602
You can send donations by check or money order.   Make sure you put account #52059 in the for section of the check or money order.   For more information please visit CapillaVirgenDelCarmen.org 
Thank you in advance for your continued support & generosity.

                                
Images property of Comite Pro Mejoras Capilla Virgen Del Carmen.  Used with permission.

St. John's Columbian Squires Circle # 5132 are gearing up for their 3rd Open Mic Night on April 21, 2012 @ 6:00pm @ McCaffrey Hall

In preparation for this event the Squires will be holding their 4th Annual 50/50 Fund Raiser Raffle.  Raffles will be sold before and after Sunday masses.  The drawing will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at the Open Mic Night.  Winner need not be present to win.  For more information please visit the Parish Group page.

Thank you for your generous support of the essential work of the Holy Father and his charitable acts through the Peter’s Pence Collection. Our contributions will be combined with those of our brothers and sisters around the world to help Pope Benedict reach out to those in need. Your generosity will help to cast Christ’s peace upon the world.

 St. John’s Annual Knights of Columbus “Pastas & Follies Nite”, on February 25th after the 5 pm Mass in McCaffrey Hall. Tickets will be will sold after Masses.

Enjoy a weekend designed for those who wish to let go of the painful past and create a more peace-filled future. At Mt. Alvernia Retreat Center, Wappinger Falls, NY, on March 30th to Apr. 1st. experience a weekend , for all faiths, of learning and enjoyment. The Beginning Experience is presented by people “who have been there” and offer their support. Space is limited so pre-registration is necessary.  Call Beth 845-373-8202 or Denise 845-639-3189. Email us  at: ny.hudson.valley@beginningexperience.org or go to our website at www.beginningexperience.org/hudsonvalley.

 There is no scheduled Religion Classes for February 22nd, due to ASH WEDNESDAY.

Come join us as we begin our Anniversary year with a Mass at 12 noon celebrated by Bishop Logonegro on March 18^th with a Communion Breakfast to follow in McCaffrey Hall.  This will be a social event with a minimum program. To enable us to prepare the right amt. of food, tickets must be purchased before the event. Ticket price will be a modest $5 for all and are available at the Parish Office. They will also be available following Masses in the future.

To celebrate this event, culminating in a Mass on Sept. 15th, celebrated by our soon to be Cardinal, and Fr. Tom and a committee are planning a series of events. They will start with a Communion breakfast in March, and include a Teen Dance, a poster contest, possibly a combined Goshen Churches choir recital, movies and lecture presentations. More information will follow as plans are finalized. If you have any suggestions, or would like to help, please call the Parish office at 294-5328.

The Parish was established in 1837, one hundred seventy-five years ago, making St. John’s the oldest Catholic parish in Orange County. Prior to that time, in 1820-just 13 years after the creation of the Archdiocese of New York- St. John’s had been a mission church of St. Peter’s on Barclay St. in Manhattan, the oldest parish in NYC. In fact, our parish’s records form 1820-1849, are kept at St. Peter’s. Our first pastor was Rev. Stephen Ward, 1849-1851.

Parish Fact:  In the year, 1852 there were 191 baptisms and 77 marriages in the parish. By comparison, during our last church year we had 190 baptisms and 25 marriages.

Each month there will be a bulletin announcement available online for all to visit at www.catholiccharitiesNY/ConnectToCatholicCharities.  The website can be a source of valuable resources and information.

 Just a reminder the office of Catholic Charities can help with housing, clothing, case managers for Social Services, and Immigration.  Please call: Ali Curtis @ 294-5124 x 303.

ATTENTION ALL PARENTS:  This is a reminder to all parents of youngsters who wish to use the restroom during Mass.  Parents, please encourage your children to use the facilities before Mass, or wait until Mass is over.  If your child needs to use the restroom during Mass, by all means do so. However, they should Not go alone. Parents must supervise children (teenagers, too!) who need to visit the facilities.  That is go-with them and wait there so you can return to your seats together. Please leave by way of entrance to Church and go to restroom by side of the Church. Please parents! We are trying to ensure a safe-environment for our children

Please Remember that the Parish Office is closed for business on Monday mornings until 1:00pm.  We do not answer the phones or the door during these hours.  Thank you.