St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church

www.xavierbrunswick.org, 912-265-3249

June 24, 2018

John the Baptist

In the Scriptures, St. John the Baptist bursts onto the scene. John does not ease into our journey, he explodes into it and grabs our attention. There were no prophets for 400 years before John the Baptist (Barclay). There was only silence. What is the message he has for us as we continue our walk? John's message is simple and clear, "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths." John has come to point to the light.

John had known Jesus for 30 years. Remember when Mary finds she is pregnant and she goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth? Elizabeth's baby jumps in the womb on encountering Jesus. Even in the womb John could sense the Divine presence of Jesus. Ever since that moment John's destiny would be to prepare the way of the Lord. He knew who the light was. His job was to lead people to the light.

To live in the light is not always easy. Some people prefer to stay in darkness. Remember when you were a kid and your dad would come early in the morning and turn on your bedroom light? You would shield your eyes and per-haps pull the covers over your head. Sometimes he would use a loud voice and you would cover your ears. He wanted you to get up and seize the day. You wanted to stay in the comfort of that dark room. So too some people want to stay in their lives of sin. It is dark where they live but they are comfortable in the dark.

John came to call people of darkness and into the light. And like your dad with the bedroom light, he was not always popular. Imagine the booming voice of John, "Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand!" Many people proba-bly wanted to pull the covers over their head.

THE SIMPLE LIFE

Perhaps one way we can follow John’s example is by simplifying our lives. We note how John was clothed in camel skins and ate locust and honey (the original organic diet); the fineries of the day were not a concern for him. What matter was studying the Word of God and living it.

I think we would all like simpler lives. Perhaps this would be a good thing to pray about this week. What can I do to simplify my life and the life of my family? How can we be more focused on the will of God and less on distrac-tions? Fire can be used to burn out impurities. Sometimes a forest fire can be a good thing as it clears out years of un-dergrowth. We were baptized with the fire of the Holy Spirit. May that spirit purify our lives!

TURNING FROM DARKNESS

John was preparing the way for Jesus by getting people to turn from their sins. In order for them to embrace the light they had to choose to leave the darkness. “Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

Is it a bad thing to be called out of sin? No! Being called out of a life of sin means being called into the freedom and light of God. Remember when your dad would call you out of bed? You didn't want to go but then you got up and went down and there was a good breakfast and there was the newspaper. There was a hot shower and then the phone would ring. Your friend was calling with an adventure for the day. You were out and experiencing life and glad to be alive. You were glad you didn't spend all day in bed.

This is the call of John the Baptist for us even today. Repent of your sins. Go out and live. Experience the life God has for you. Don't stay under the covers! There is too much of life to be lived.

This is the call of John the Baptist. Prepare the way of the Lord! Repent of your sins. It means getting our lives right with God. One of my favorite images for confession is the old backyard grill. You use that grill and you scrub it reg-ularly but one day you look at it and it is just filthy. You don't remember making any big messes but there it is. You get out the wire brush and the soap and you scrub that thing down. After about 20 minutes it looks beautiful. The stainless steel gleams. You are proud of that grill and it is ready for service. That is an analogy for confession. We look at our lives and think, "I haven't done anything too bad." But somehow our souls are weighed down with sins. We sit down, exam-ine our consciences, go to confession and come out with shiny souls.

Light or darkness? The choice lies before us. We are not a people walking in darkness but we are people who have seen a great light. Let us choose to walk in the light of Jesus!

Fr Timothy McKeown

Mass Schedule

Saturday

5:00 p.m. SFX

7:00 p.m. (on

Jekyll)

Sunday (SFX)

8:30 a.m.

11:00 a.m.

6:00 p.m. in Spanish

Weekday Masses

St. Joseph Chapel

Mon. - Noon

Tues. Thurs. Fri.

7:00 a.m.

Wednesday

8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.

Reconciliation:

Church

Saturdays

4:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Sun-day

7:45 - 8:15 a.m.

(Or by appointment)

St. Joseph Chapel

(Please go to the main office for code)

Monday - Friday

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

St Joseph Chapel

First Friday

Adoration

2:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Holy Hour

7:00- 8:00 p.m.

First Saturday

8:45 a.m.

The SFX Community extends their prayers and condolences to the family of Anna Hardwick. May she rest in the peace of Christ.

Please join us in Xavier Hall after the

Sunday 11:00 Mass on June 24th for

reception for

Fr Christopher Ortega.

Just a friendly reminder concerning

Pew Housekeeping!

Please return the missals binder side up and

place them in the book holder also please take

your bulletin with you as you leave or if you are

finished with the bulletin please place it on the

table as you leave. We appreciate your help leav-

ing the pews clean and ready for the next Mass.

The Priest Ordinations will be Saturday June 30

at 10:00 a.m. in the Cathedral of St. John the Bap-

tist in Savannah. All are invited! How exciting that

we can see Deacon Chris Hassel who is coming to

serve us be ordained. If you need help with car

pooling or need a ride please contact Ann at the

office. Please send us holy priests and religious!

The Knights of Columbus will host a blood drive on

Sunday, July 22 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. in Xavier

Hall. Please consider giving a pint of your pre-

cious gift of life to others. Your donation will re-

main in the local community. Scheduling an appointment will

ensure your time is respected. The Knights of Columbus will

provide the volunteers needed for service. For questions,

please call Bill Schuster 912-266-6779.

Collections for:

June 16 & 17

$ 8,525.73

BAA Total 2018

$ 36,923.00

Readings for the Week of June 24, 2018

Sunday The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

Is 49:1-6; Ps 139:1b-3, 13-14ab, 14c-15;

Acts 13:22-26; Lk 1:57-66, 80

Monday 2 Kgs 17:5-8, 13-15a, 18; Ps 60:3, 4-5, 12-13; Mt 7:1-5

Tuesday 2 Kgs 19:9b-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36; Ps 48:2-3ab, 3cd-4, 10-11; Mt 7:6, 12-14

Wednesday Saint Cyril of Alexan-dria, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

2 Kgs 22:8-13; 23:1-3; Ps 119:33, 34, 36, 37, 40; Mt 7:15-20

Thursday Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr

2 Kgs 24:8-17; Ps 79:1b-2, 3-5, 8, 9; Mt 7:21-29 Vigil: Acts 3:1-10; Ps 19:2-3, 4-5; Gal 1:11-20; Jn 21:15-19

Friday Saint Peter and Paul, Apostles

Acts 12: 1-11; Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9;

2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18; Mt 16: 13-19

Saturday The First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church / BVM

Lam 2:2, 10-14, 18-19; Ps 74:1b-2, 3-5, 6-7, 20-21; Mt 8:5-17

Sunday Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Wis 1:13-15; 2:23-24; Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13; 2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15; Mk 5:21-43 or 5:21-24, 35b-43

St. Francis Xavier Catholic School is looking for a part-time school counselor and art teacher. If you are interested, please send your resume to tmermann@sfxcs.org or call the school office at 265-3249. Once again, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School is participating in the Friends of Da-vis Love Foundation Car Raffle. Tickets are only $20.00 and all ticket sales are given back to our school. Please support this great fundraiser by purchasing tickets at the church or school office!

VIRTUS classes are scheduled throughout the

Diocese. This training is required for Safe Envi-

ronment Compliance for any adult who will

come into contact with youth as part of their

ministry (a listing of those ministries can be

found at http://bit.ly/1yU4Yk6), and must be

completed before they begin ministry. To reg-

ister, go to www.diosav.org, and find the train-

ing listed on the Upcoming Events Calendar.

Local Training: July 26th at 6 p.m. in Xavier Hall

Linda Mock Forsyth

Richard Brunegraff

Vera Borkowski

Savannah Jones

Shelby Jones

Jason Runyon

Roman Shaefer

Paul Shaefer

Bill Schellman

Wyatt Kersey

Michael Rafolski

Jane Rafolski

Andrew Robson Jr.

Georgia Burgess-Erwin

Niko Cousins

Jerry Hayward

Kevin Cloonan

Gertrude Roberts

Peggie Cash

Sr. Kathleen J. McMenamin

Sr. Mary A. Curran

Betty Jean Murray

Evelyn Harper

Duke Wilson

Joy Hall

Suzette Allen

Tanner Posey

William Waddell

Patricia Clark

Phillip Hand

Marion Lenz

Lydia Gorman

Betty Blouin

Les Wall

Susan Layman

Jerry Ehlman

Joyce McPhee

Thomas Clarke

Timothy Tindall

David Higbee

Michael Mleko

Jackie Maassen

Bradley Huffman

Frances & David Nohrden

Kathy Poliwka

Daisy Rodriguez

Lucille Nichols

Judy Perry Majka

Steven Gentzle

Tanner Posey

Kevin Nicklay

Margo Harper

Jim & Phyllis Nase

Jennifer Myers

Helen Berry

Jane Allen

Margaret Young

Emory Young

Terry Cox

Arlene McDowell Dixon

Pam Gallagher

Sam Benton

Brandon Cleghorn

David Bailey

Wanda Hand

John & Jan Mistisshen

Charles Krauthammer

Let us pray for all those in the mili-

tary and police force both active

and retired.

Mass Intentions

Saturday, June 23

5:00 p.m. t Maria Phan Thi Huong

7 p.m. t Eleanor Daniel

(At Jekyll United Methodist Church)

Sunday, June 24

8:30 a.m. t Mary, Effie & Preston Blanchard

11a.m. t Attilio Tozzi/James Powell

6:00 p.m. t Maria Phan Thi Huong

Monday, June 25

Noon t Maria Phan Thi Huong

Tuesday, June 26

7:00 a.m. t Maria Phan Thi Huong

Wednesday, June 27

No morning Mass until August

7:00 p.m. t Shirley Wall

Thursday, June 28

7:00 a.m. t Dorothy Heinecke

Friday, June 29

7:00 a.m. Alejandro Cruz Lopez (intentions)

Saturday, June 30

5:00 p.m. t Manuela Rocha

7 p.m. t Eleanor Daniel

(At Jekyll United Methodist Church)

Sunday, July 1

8:30 a.m. SFX 150th Anniversary

11a.m. Nelia Lopez (intentions)

6:00 p.m. t Fr Amatulli

June 24, 2018

Nativity of St John the Baptist

Fr. Tim will lead a trip to the Holy Land

from March 6-15. If you are interested in

going please take a flyer from the back ta-

ble. The cost of the trip will be $3,899 from

Atlanta and will include time in Jerusalem

and time around the Sea of Galilee.

“O God, hear our prayer and let our cry come

unto You.

Bless our Diocese of Savannah with many vocations to the

priesthood, diaconate, and religious life.

Give the men and women You call the light to

understand Your gift and the love to follow always in the footsteps of Your

priestly Son. Amen.”

How do we attract inquirers each year who

consider becoming Catholic?

Each of us has the responsibility to call others to the Faith. Jesus said, “Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptize them in the name of Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the com-mands I gave you.” (Matt 28:19) There are some in our midst who are interested in Ca-tholicism but have not been invited. You can answer Jesus’ call by inviting a family member, a co-worker, a friend or a neighbor. The ques-tion to ask yourself is not, “Does Jesus really want me to invite someone to RCIA Inquiry Classes?” The question is: “Who will I invite?”

“Go out into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

INQUIRY CLASS FOR NON-CATHOLICS

Do you go to Church with your spouse and

are interested in learning more about the

Catholic Faith? Do you have questions

about what Catholics believe? Is the Cath-

olic Church a right fit for you and your fam-

ily? Consider joining us for RCIA Inquiry Clas-

ses beginning Monday, September 10. We

will meet weekly on Mondays from 7 - 8:30pm

in the St Anne Room of our Parish Hall. Con-

tact Deacon Larry, 265-3249 ext. 14, to regis-

ter. There is no pressure to join, just an open fo-

rum to discuss God, Jesus, the Church, and

more.

PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION (PSR): We had a

great catechetical year and are now on summer

break. We will begin the 2018-19 year on Aug

19th. Registrations will begin next month, so please

watch the bulletin. PSR meets Sunday Mornings during

the academic school year, 9:30 – 10:40am, for children

Pre-K - 8thGrade. We could use a few teachers and sub-

stitutes. You need not be a theologian, just someone

practicing the Faith and willing to share that Faith. Come

join us in spreading the Good News of Jesus to our

young people. Call Deacon Larry-DRE-265-3249, X14

Sacramental Requirements

Baptism: Parishioners wishing to have a child baptized should be registered in the parish and should contact a member of the clergy as early as three months before the birth of their child.

First Eucharist: Normally received in the 2nd Grade. Parents should contact the Director of Religious Education. Enrollment in Catholic School, qualifying home school, or Parish School of Religion (PSR) is required for at least 2 years leading up to the reception of the sacraments.

Confirmation: Normally received in the 8th Grade. Par-ents should contact Director of Religious Education. En-rollment in Catholic School, qualifying home school, or Parish School of Religion (PSR) is required for at least 2 years leading up to the reception of the sacrament.

RCIA/Adult Confirmation: Adults interested in becoming Catholic or in need of the sacrament of Confirmation should contact a priest or deacon.

Matrimony: A minimum of 6 months preparation is re-quired. Contact a priest or deacon to set up an appoint-ment regarding scheduling and preparation.

Anointing of the Sick: Please contact the pastor or

church office to schedule.

Parish Activity Contacts

Adult Bible Study, Joe & Linda Kirby…………….267-9359

Altar and Environmental Care, Diane Lott……….223-1261

Bereavement, Ann Buebel………………………..265-3249

CCW, Cate Gooch-Coolidge………………………266-0100

Culture of Life, Rose Lodise…………….…….…...264-4121

Greeters, Ginger Dorcas…………..……………....275-8492

Knights of Columbus, Bill Schuster……………….266-6779

Religious Ed., Larry Guyer ……………………..…265-3249 ext. 14

Religious Articles Shop, Rose Lodise……..……...264-4121

St. Monica Society, Peggie Cash…………….…....264-5458

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store…………...….…....262-6027

Parish Council, RoseMary Jones

at rosemarysjones@hotmail.com

Most Rev. Gregory John Hartmayer, OFM Conv.

Bishop of Savannah

M embership

To be a registered member of the parish is to

have a sense of belonging to a family. Newcom-

ers are requested to register at the church office

soon after arrival to meet the staff and learn

about your new parish. In the time of family sick-

ness, death or special need, parishioners are

asked to notify the Church office. If requested,

Holy Communion will e brought o anyone desiring

to receive the Eucharist but are unable to attend

Mass for serious reasons.

Church Office

405 Howe St.,

Brunswick, GA 31520

912-265-3249