St. John Neumann
Catholic Church

A few days ago, I met with the Pastoral Council of SJN and discussed one of the issues involved in transitioning to the new worship space, the issue of a new Mass schedule.
    
The new schedule for daily Masses at SJN is set. We will maintain the “commuter” early bird Mass at 6:30 am (Monday through Friday). After consulting with the leaders at our regional SJN School, the weekday morning school Mass at 8:30 am will become a 9:00 am morning Mass, Monday through Saturday. The Saturday morning celebration of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation will change times as well. Confessions will be available each Saturday, from 8:00 to 8:45 am. These daily Mass times will take effect on the 4th of June, the day after the great Dedication Mass of the new church and lower level meeting rooms, set for the 3rd of June. Mark your calendars and blackberries for 7:00 pm, 3 June 2010.
    
The new Sunday Mass schedule for the new worship space will affect us all. As I have mentioned previously, we will reduce the number of Sunday Masses celebrated at SJN. The current schedule of seven Masses each Sunday has been necessary, due to the seating capacity of the current church (535). The new church has a “code” seating capacity of 850, with a probable capacity of 1000 persons, packed in for the solemnities of the liturgical year. With a seating capacity almost double the current church, we will need fewer Masses. But why change what we’re used to, what we’re comfortable with?

One of the tools of the Holy Spirit, in attracting our hearts to the Way of the Lord, is the beauty of the Divine Liturgy, holy Mass. The spiritual renewal of SJN must involve our liturgical prayer. Having fewer Masses will consolidate the energies and talents of the liturgical ministries (music, proclamation, and service at the Altar). Filling up the new worship space will allow us to strengthen one another, with our congregational singing, with a full and active participation of every person in the prayer of the Lord and his body. Sunday liturgy is not private prayer. Holy Mass is not meant to serve our private devotions. Sunday Mass is the prayer of Christ Jesus and his Body, the Church. We pray together as a community, in Christ and through his Spirit, to our Father in Heaven. Holy Mass is meant to be our prayer... the prayer of this community of faith, centered on the Lord. Holy Mass is meant to strengthen us as a body, each and every one of us, as the redeemed family... the Church of St. John Neumann.
    
Reducing the number of Masses will bring more of us together, and this will allow us to grow in fellowship, in the Christ-centered love of one another. This is the will of God, to break down the barriers that separate us, barriers that divide us, barriers that isolate us one from another. Once we have completed work on the new Parish Hall (Phase Two of our BLF project), we will have a chance to sit down in our Parish Hall, and truly get to know and respect one another.
    
During the month of May, I will introduce the new Sunday Mass schedule of SJN. I have discussed this with our deacons, with the staff of SJN, with the members of the Liturgical Planning Committee, and with the members of the Pastoral Council. I believe that the new schedule of Sunday Masses at SJN will advance the renewal of heart each of us seeks.

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On this 3rd Sunday of Easter, I hope you will take the time to stop by the Knights of Columbus table in the Narthex, to thank them for their witness to the Lord and their support of our parish family. This fellowship of Catholic men supports us through their charitable contributions. They offer our parish the tradition of the Lenten fish fry. The Knights have been involved in various aspects of the BLF project. The Knights are always ready to pitch in with whatever needs doing. This weekend, our Knights of Columbus Council hopes to invite many of the men of the parish to become a member. The Knights also invite all to consider the SJN & Knights of Columbus Annual Golf Tournament, to be held on the 25th of April. Proceeds from the tournament will be given to the work of the Missionaries of the Poor, as well as our own BLF project. A putting contest begins at noon, and the shotgun start kicks off at 12:30 pm. The day ends with a 5:30 pm dinner. Please contact brother Knight Fred Olsen at 770-978-8568 ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) for more information. Tee it up with the Knights, for charity and tons of fun!

One aspect of the spiritual life of the Knights of Columbus is in the strength of the Knight’s respect for the sacredness of life. They will be strong supporters of the upcoming Respect Life Ministry’s May Baby Shower. Next weekend, the members of SJN’s Respect Life Ministry will hand out grocery bags to all. The plan will be for us to bring baby shower gifts throughout May, to support Birthright, a crisis pregnancy counseling center in Tucker. I would ask every member of SJN to assist in this effort to support the work of Birthright. For more information, please call Respect Life member Mary Bucklen (770-985-5425, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ).

On this 3rd Sunday of Easter, we rededicate our hearts to a new Way of being human: in prayer, in fellowship, in recreation and in service. And we do this for the greater glory of God.... and for our joy!

AMDG

Msgr. David Talley