In the year 1975, at the age of 24, I became a part of the world-wide Catholic Church. In a very real way, I divide my life into "before" and "after" periods, with this date of my entrance into full communion as a Roman Catholic central to who I am in this year of our Lord (A.D.) 2008. The discipleship I was invited to accept within this ancient, ever-new Catholic Church continues to define me.I would think that there might be many non-Catholics attending our Sunday liturgies (maybe even reading this column). Most of these are a part of SJN already, in support of their spouse's faith. A few might be drawn to the Catholic Church without really knowing why. Do you know anyone that might want to know a bit more about what we believe as Catholics? Might your non-Catholic spouse want to know what we are all about, how we understand the revelation of God, seen in Christ Jesus? Do you have a neighbor or friend that might accept an invitation to come and see the joy of the Roman Catholic Church?
In September, our parish will hold a series of Inquiry Classes, small get-togethers with our catechists and those interested in learning about our faith. Deacon Greg Ollick is coordinating these classes, to be held on Tuesday evenings. If you know someone that might want to come and see what we Roman Catholics believe, please watch the bulletin and website for more information on these Inquiry Classes. In 1975, after going to these kinds of Inquiry classes, I became part of this world-wide Body. I hope and pray that everyone reading this column invite your non-Catholic spouse, invite a close non-Catholic friend to come and see the life we live at SJN. These classes are not focused on debating different "beliefs". Instead, these classes offer all an invitation... into a new Way of living life! Please contact Deacon Greg ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) with any questions.
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Attention, all of our families with children ages 4 to 2nd grade: If all goes as planned, SJN will begin a Children's Liturgy of the Word ("CLW") on the 14th of September, at the 9:30 AM Mass. A new parishioner of SJN, Ms. Theresa Giarrusso ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) will serve in coordinating the new liturgical ministry; and Lisa Gordon ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) will serve as CLW's chief catechist and musician. Theresa and Lisa are building a strong team of volunteer-ministers to assist in this new initiative. Essentially, this CLW offers our young children a "user-friendly" liturgy of the proclaimed Word. The children taking part in the CLW will be "dismissed" as a group from the 9:30 AM Mass just after the opening prayer. They will be brought back to the assembly during the offertory and the preparation of the gifts. Our hope is to offer our children (your young children) a child-friendly liturgy of hearing God's Word on their level... hoping that they will fall in love with the Word of love. Please watch our bulletin and web-page for more information; and, contact either Theresa or Lisa, if you have any question about our CLW or want to offer your services.
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One of the keys of the spiritual renewal we are seeking, is in the fellowship of love and service that we hope to build. I hope and pray that we create a new tradition at SJN with a regularly scheduled pot-luck suppers. This table of fellowship will bring us closer together as a parish family. PLEASE, mark your calendars or palm-blackberry instruments for a SJN get-together, on Saturday evening, the 23rd of August, from 6:30 to 9 PM, in Donnellan Hall. One and all will be asked to bring a scrumptious dish to share with one and all (see bulletin for details). Then, after the Vigil Mass on Saturday, we come together and share our food and our families and our fellowship. Come and see!
The Inquiry classes... the new Children's Liturgy of the Word... our BLF project... this new table of fellowship... all are sure signs that the Lord is present to us at SJN, imploring us to seek in every facet of pastoral life the Kingdom promised in and through the Lord Jesus. We are to live this new Way of life with great joy!
AMDG
Msgr. David Talley
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