FROM THE PASTOR Dear Parishioners, Rain began to fall on a small crowd gathered at the gravesite. The forlorn widower watched as his wife’s casket was lowered into the grave. The minister raced through the final prayers to beat the storm. As he finished a flash of lightning struck, and the widower sighed with relief and said, “Well, she’s alive.” After sending the new disciples off on their first mission of evangelization, Jesus may well have wondered how they were doing. Perhaps some distant lightning may have assured him that the disciples were doing just fine!

Yours in Christ, Father Dave

======================================== MASS INTENTIONS

Monday – July 13 – 9:00 a.m. WILLIAM & KATHRYN ROSENBERGER

Tuesday – July 14 – 9:00 a.m. FRANCIS & MARY BURNS

Wednesday – July 15 – 9:00 a.m. JERRY & GERRY FREILER

Thursday - July 16 – 9:00 a.m. HENRY UCKELE (Sara Blackwell)

Friday, July 17 – 9:00 a.m. JOSEPH & JESSIE RITZEL (Joan Ritzel) Saturday – July 18 – 4:00 p.m. – (TIME CHANGE) SPECIAL INTENTION (Joanne & John Mestishen)

Sunday – July 19 – 8:15 a.m. JOHN & GRETCHEN LIEBERMAN (Lieberman Family)

Sunday – July 19 – 10:30 a.m. CLAIR & MARGARET FRY (Ann Marie Ludlow) ========================================

CANDLE INTENTIONS BVM – Living & Deceased of Smith Family by Mary Ann Holley St. Joseph - Living & Deceased of Holley Family by Mary Ann Holley Tabernacle - IMO Jimmy Florida by Joan Florida Sanctuary 1.Special Intention 2. IMO Ramon Grapsy by Joan Grapsy Family 3&4. Special Intention by Clara Becker Guardian Angels 1&2. IMO Anthony Hoffman by Mary Ann Holley ========================================

BANNS OF MARRIAGE II – Holly Norkus of St.John’s & Justin Turinski III – Dan Hedeman & Amy Schaeffer both of St. John’s ========================================

SCHEDULE 16 TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

4:00 p.m. – Saturday – July 18th Reader: Patti O’Neill Euch.Min.: Bill Gianfagna, Molly Zwiebel Servers: Brooke Siket, Cooper Chiplonia, Alyssa Sheriff Cantor: Mary Bound 8:15 a.m. – Sunday – July 19th Reader: Dave Smith Euch.Min.: Gerry Schwartz, Joyce Gerace Servers: Brent Gauntlett, Evelyn & Adrian Datte Cantor: Tina Seiger 10:30 a.m. – Sunday – July 19th Reader: Tyler Cooper Euch.Min.: Joe Rehnert, Carol Lasco Servers: Anna & Livia Lieberman, Josh Cooper Cantor: Ensemble ======================================== PRAY FOR OUR SICK / DECEASED

We remember in prayer those who are ill. We commend to our Divine Lord all of our aged people and those residing in nursing homes. Sick: Margie Glunz, Paul Connors, Martha

Golden, Theresa & Joseph Tuite, Cathy Kostick, Carol Rehnert, George Smith ========================================

FLOWER DONATIONS PLEASE NOTE: If anyone wishes to memorialize flowers in the sanctuary for the weekend Masses for a living or deceased intention, please call the rectory 622-5470. ========================================

2015 BISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL Dear Schuylkill County Parishioner: If you have given to the 2015 BAA, thank you! And, if you have not given yet, prayerfully consider donating to the most worthy cause of the 2015 BAA. Any donation is gratefully appreciated. Remember, God can never be outdone in generosity!

Greg & Aleece Hanlon 2015 Sch. Co. BAA Chairpersons

======================================== WEEKLY COLLECTION

July 4/5: $ 5,135.66; Dues: $1,578.00 We thank our parishioners for their sacrificial giving. ======================================== MISPLACED YOUR BULLETIN

??? We encourage you to visit our parish website:

http://www.saintjohnpottsville.org for the latest information.

Click the bulletin tab for any information you might have missed.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK How do your possessions help your discipleship?

Hinder it? ========================================

Next Week’s Readings

16 TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (July 18/19) Reading I: Jeremiah 23:1-6

Reading II: Ephesians 2:13-18 Gospel: Mark 6:30-34

======================================== R. C. I. A.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults RCIA is for anyone who is interested in becoming Catholic or in updating and deepening their understanding of the Catholic Faith. Are you interested in deepening your own faith? Or do you know anyone who has expressed an interest in becoming Catholic? Please invite them to join us. Have them call St. John’s Rectory, 622-5470, to register for the RCIA sessions. All are welcome to attend any or all of the sessions! ========================================

CCD Registration Now is the time to register your child for next year's CCD class. If you have not received a form in the mail, please call the rectory or pick one up in church. The forms are at the entrances of the Church. The longer form is for new students and new first graders. The shorter form is for students who are presently attending class.

Registration Fee: $60.00 First Child All Other Children: $55.00 per Child

========================================    FAMILY MATTERS

Families with Children with Disabilities. Often those children with disabilities in our families give to us the gifts of great love and warmth. We ask you Lord to shower your blessings on these children of our parish and on their families.

You pray for my family and I’ll pray for yours. =======================================

COLLECTION FOR CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE

Next week we will take up this collection which supports Catholic organizations that provide affordable shelter and train seminarians in a region that still struggles from the effects of Soviet rule. By providing pastoral care, catechesis, and funding for building renovations, your donations help to restore the Church and build the future in the region. Please give generously to the collection next week. Visit www.usccb.org (search “Church in Central and Eastern Europe”) to learn more. ========================================

ST. JOHN’S CATHOLIC WOMEN’S UNION Women of all ages are invited to join

the Catholic Women’s Union. Learn how you can become involved with the Catholic Women’s Union by joining us on Wednesday, July 15th at 6:00 p.m. in Longinus Hall. Meet the members and learn how you can be part of this unique organization. Our group meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in Longinus Hall. We share ideas and light refreshments are served. We work to raise money for our parish and have fun doing it. We also share in fellowship by sharing in a Spring and Fall Auction, Christmas Party, and the Spring Covered Dish Party. Your ideas, friendship and membership are welcomed. For more information call: Karla Garland at 622-3776 or St. John’s Rectory: 622-5470. ========================================

St. John’s Parish Family Treasured Recipes Volume II Cookbook

Books are available at the Rectory during the week or by calling Sandy at 570-739-1630.

======================================== ST. JOSEPH CENTER FOR SPECIAL

LEARNING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CLEANING PERSON Seeking an individual to work independently five hours per week cleaning a one story school building. Flexible evening/weekend schedule. Commercial cleaning experience preferred, but not required. Please apply via email at stjosephcenter@comcast.net ========================================

ASSUMPTION BVM SCHOOL GIFT CERTIFICATES

No gift is more valuable than the gift of education. Gift certificates for tuition at Assumption BVM Catholic School are available in the school office. They can be purchased for any student currently enrolled or who will be enrolled for the 2015-2016 school year. Please call Mrs. Bahm for more details at 622-0106. Thank you for your support! Call us for a tour or for more information at 570-622-0106 or visit us at www.assumptionbvmschool.net. ======================================== Give thanks to the Lord who is good, whose love endures forever. … Psalm 107:1 ========================================

FESTIVAL PATRONS

CYO SPORTS – SIGN-UPS Registration forms for all St. John's CYO sports are available at the Rectory during the

week; please call 622-5470 ext. 3. The fee is $40.00 per family. CYO sports are open to all children – grades 2nd to 8th -- enrolled in a Catholic school or public school. Participants in public school must be registered for CCD in order to play CYO sports. ========================================

NEIGHBORING EVENTS HEALING SERVICE on Wednesday, July 15th at 6 p.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, 114 S. Chestnut St. in Shenandoah. For more information, please call the Rectory 462-0809 or e-mail smichaelsukrainian@verizon.net

=======================================

MAJOR SPONSORS Laurita Buehler

Hahner Bros. Inc. Murphy Jewelers

The Quandel Group Ed & Carole Quirin

Rosenberger Plumbing & Heating Verna Sauers

Joe & Nancy Schlitzer George & Alicia

MISC. SPONSORS Coke Sponsor $100.00 Pizza Sponsor $ 50.00 Clown Sponsor $ 50.00 Bleenie Mix Sponsor $ 40.00 Ice Cream Sponsor $ 25.00

Derbes Family Pizza (1) Paul & Mary Ann Filiac Ice Cream (1) Joey Kurtek Bleenies (1)

======================================== NATIVITY BVM HIGH SCHOOL NEWS …. HOST FAMILIES NEEDED for international exchange students for the 2015-2016 school year. Families provide a bedroom, desk or work area, and meals. Students come with their own insurance and spending money. Their tuition is paid, and they can ride the bus. A monthly stipend is provided to offset food costs. Share your traditions, and learn about another culture without leaving the country! It’s a great experience for empty-nesters and for families with children of all ages. For more information, please contact Maureen Challenger at mchallenger@nativitybvm.net

FULL AND PART TIME POSITIONS Nativity BVM High School is accepting application for the positions of a Full-Time and a Part-Time English Teacher as well as the positions of a Head Boys and a Head Girls Soccer Coaches for the 2015-16 school year. Interested candidates should send résumé, certifications, and all clearances by June 24th to Nativity BVM High School, Attn: Mrs. Lynn Sabol, Principal, One Lawton’s Hill, Pottsville, Pa. 17901 =======================================

NEIGHBORING EVENTS VETERAN’S TRIP TO WASHINGTON sponsored by Schuylkill County Veteran’s Trip Organization on Saturday, October 3rd. Any Schuylkill County veteran is eligible to participate. This trip is free for veterans and $50 for a companion. Information please call 570-622-0730.

=======================================

DIOCESAN NEWS & EVENTS

ENCOURAGE  Does a member of you family have Same-Sex Attraction? Are you having difficulty dealing the issue? ENCOURAGE is a ministry of the Catholic Church giving faithful witness to Catholic teaching with compassion. Group meetings are held monthly in the Allentown Diocese. For more information call 610-334-9147 or www.couragerc.org.

COMMISSION FOR WOMEN SEEKING NEW

MEMBERS is an advisory body to the Bishop of Allentown on issues of concern to women and the Church. To serve on the Commission, you must be a Catholic laywoman in good standing with the Church and her teaching. Members serve a three-year term and represent all geographic areas of the diocese. The Commission for Women meets four times a year.

There are openings for new members from Schuylkill, Lehigh and Berks Counties, but applications from all interested candidates are being considered. If you would like to be considered for membership on the Commission for Women, please send a cover letter of intent, your resume and a letter of recommendation from your pastor by July 18, 2015 to: Commission for Women, 900 South Woodward Street, Allentown, PA 18103. For more information, please contact Mary Fran Hartigan 610-289-8900 ext. 226 or e-mail mhartigan@allentowndiocese.org. ========================================

FROM OUR PARISH NURSE … Janet Daubert Another reason to kick the habit: Smoking increases the risk that back pain will become chronic, in part by affecting the way the brain responds to pain, according to a new study from Northwestern University in Chicago in the journal Human Brain Mapping. It found that people with back pain lasting 4 to 12 weeks were three times more likely to continue to have back pain a year later if they smoked, compared to nonsmokers. It’s well known that smoking can directly harm the back by increasing inflammation and decreasing blood flow (and therefore nutrient distribution) to spinal discs. In addition, the new study found, via special MRI scans, that circuitry in the brain related to tobacco addiction is also related to the transition from acute to chronic pain. On the basis of this, the researchers suggested that “smoking cessation may be a viable option to diminish propensity to transition to chronic pain.” ========================================

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

We appreciate advertisers who support St. John’s by advertising in our bulletin. Please patronize their business and let them know you saw their ad in our bulletin.

Why Advertise In A Church Bulletin? * It’s inexpensive Advertising * It’s Effective in Catching New Neighbors’ Attention * It’s Advertising Concentrated in Your Own Neighborhood * It Develops Good Community Relationships * It’s Good For Developing Loyal Customers ======================================== OUTREACH MINISTRY: REACH OUT and TOUCH SOMEONE. St. John’s OutReach Ministry can help with light housekeeping, grocery shopping, transportation, meals, etc.

Volunteers are always needed. Call Margie Glunz at 622-3067 anytime with your needs and concerns. ========================================

FOOD COLLECTION Thank you for doing the small things, like feeding your neighbors, with great love. God bless. Items Needed: Stuffing Mix Canned Fruit Broth Macaroni & Cheese Coffee/Tea (instant) Hot Chocolate Hot Cereal packages Apple Sauce Cereal – boxed Vegetable - Canned Beef Stew Spaghetti Soups Spaghetti Sauce Peanut Butter Jelly Canned Gravy Canned Sweet Potatoes

PLEASE – NO OUTDATED ITEMS Please Do Not donate any nutritional drinks (Ensure, etc.) Kindly place your donations in the basket at the 10th Street entrance at the bottom of the steps. Thank you. ========================================

Friday & Saturday, July 17 & 18 -- 2015

5 – 9:30 p.m. each night

DEDICATED WORKERS NEEDED Your help is needed for the big job of set-up on Wednesday and Thursday evenings before the Festival, Friday morning to prepare the grounds for the festivities, and Sunday for clean-up. Your help in these areas is essential. If you can help, please add your name to the sign-up sheets in the back of Church or call the

Rectory at 622-5470 or simply show up on Wednesday at 6 p.m., Thursday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m. Thank you!

FESTIVAL DESSERTS Cakes - Pies- Cupcakes - Cookies - etc. - etc. - etc. -

If you are interested in making your favorite dessert for the Festival --- just drop it off at the Russell Building on July 17th & July 18th.

POT LUCK STAND We need prizes, lots and lots of prizes!!! NO USED ITEMS PLEASE. Donations of NEW items such as small appliances, household articles, toys, games, books, etc. as well as monetary donations will be greatly appreciated. Prizes can be left at the rectory and donations can be placed in the collection basket or at the rectory -- marked "POT LUCK". For more information, please contact Pat Zaharis 544-5266, Maureen Kurtek 581-8307, Kathy Vicic 622-2326 or Judy Meseravage 622-2643.

FESTIVAL SPONSORS NEEDED

Coke Sponsor - $ 100.00 each Bleenie Mix - $ 40.00 a bucket Pizza Sponsor - $ 50.00 each Ice Cream - $ 25.00 each Clown Sponsor - $ 50.00 each

FESTIVAL WISH LIST Sour Cream

(A container will be in the back of church ………. Perishable items can be dropped off at the Rectory)