If you cannot attend Mass, you can view the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass in the Church which is live streamed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sjbcc. The 9:00 a.m. Weekday Mass will also be live streamed on Facebook.
In our Social Justice Outreach we hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. We journey together when attending Sunday Masses and when parish ministries persevere in carrying out activities despite COVID-19 hindrance. The Knights of Columbus continue with the Food Drive for those hard hit during this pandemic, and the Men's Group has grown into a community of parishioners Walking with the Word...
Join us each Friday during Lent for a Zoom presentation. Each night begins at 7:00 p.m. with a presentation followed by opportunities for dialogue and sharing. Our theme this year is: “Open Wide Your Hearts – The Enduring Call to Love” Our goal is to help participants identify ways to: ➢ recognize that each one of us is a beloved child of God with unique gifts and talents ➢ genuinely welcome those who are different from ourselves ➢ move towards a new vision of what our community could be ➢ actively listen and respond to the challenges Jesus presents us each day
St. John the Baptist Parish will participate in the Synod by hosting a Listening Session to reflect on our faith experience in the light of the Synod’s theme of Communion, Participation, and Mission. We will begin with prayer and allow time for sharing in small groups, and in the large group, as we listen to the Spirit together. Our parish session will be held on Sunday, February 20, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. beginning in the Church then in the School. If you wish to participate, please be at the Church by 2 p.m. Sunday, February 20. Thank you for your participation.
This year St. John the Baptist School closings for weekday weather related cancellations/delays will be determined by Montgomery County. The Parish Office follows the Federal Government for cancellations and delays. Despite the weather and related closures, Mass will always be celebrated.
Your Christmas parties may have already begun, but the Church is still keeping the season of Advent. One of the traditional themes of Advent is The Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Hell, and Heaven. Sobering stuff! But rather like a sharp winter wind that makes you all the more ready to gather around the creche at Christmas. Immediately after the 9 a.m. Saturday Mass on December 18 the Eucharist will be exposed for adoration. The reflection will be followed by opportunity for confession, and we will conclude with Benediction at 10:35 a.m
There will be one Mass on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25, at 9:00 a.m. The Collection will be for the Community Fund. The Parish will be closed Thursday, November 25 and will reopen Monday, November 29, at 9:00 a.m.. The clergy and staff of St. John’s wish all a Thanksgiving filled with many blessings.
The Catholic communities across the Archdiocese of Washington are participating in #iGiveCatholic, a national movement to celebrate and support Catholic ministries on #GivingTuesday, November 30! Through #iGiveCatholic, you will be able to give to a variety of Catholic causes across our Archdiocese – including your own parish! Visit this website https://washington.igivecatholic.org/ now through November 30, to search https://washington.igivecatholic.org/search for – and donate to – the Catholic ministry or parish of your choice as part of your giving during this Season of Gratitude!
Our Advent Reconciliation Service is scheduled for Monday, December 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the Church. There will be additional priests available to hear confessions. Please note, it will not be lengthy.
The Bereavement Ministry is inviting Saint John the Baptist parishioners to attend a special Vigil Mass on the Feast of All Souls, November 2, to pray for those people who died during the past two years. It will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Church. Please contact Ruth Anne McCormick at 301-622-0664 if you have any questions or require any further information.
Fr. Noemi has reported that he has begun the process of repairing the rectory and the secondary school, CSJB. He sent blue prints and a detailed estimate for the repair of the rectory, see photos of the second floor of the rectory and blue prints of the reconstruction, which totals $20,660.00. Our collection will be held October 9 and 10, 2021. This is the time the pastor normally visits SJB and tells us about the accomplishments and the needs of our brothers and sisters there. Of course, he cannot come this year, but we know how great the need is: over 2500 houses destroyed, more than 2000 families without homes, the clinic damaged, the schools destroyed, people living out of doors, 100’s dead and many injured… the list goes on. In his place, members of the Sister Parish Committee will share his message during each mass. Remember, 100% of your donation goes directly to Baradères!
You might know by now that a 7.2 earthquake has hit Haiti and the epicenter is on the edge of the Grande Anse, between Baradères and Les Cayes. There is news of widespread destruction in Baradères and other towns further east of Léon. Sr. Denise (in PAP) reports deaths and other damage, including to the health center and the old convent. (Click Title to Read More)
Statement of the Bishops of the Province of Baltimore and the Archdiocese of Washington regarding lifting the General Dispensation from the Obligation to Attend Mass:
Please note that the St. John the Baptist Parish Food Drive will be the 1st & 3rd Saturday mornings each month 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Drop off will be at the Lyon Center parking lot behind the church where you may safely drop bags or boxes (canned or boxed dry foods only, please.) Donations will be transported to the St. Camillus Food Bank. Cash or check donations (payable to SJB Church with “Food Drive” in the memo) are also welcome! If you have a question or need more information, please email Cynthia Norris, cnorris@sjbssparish.org.
