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5th Sunday of Lent
Scriptures
Fifth Sunday of Lent 
March 29, 2020
1st: Ezekiel 37:12-14 (34A)
2nd: Romans 8:8-11
Gospel: John 11:1-45
Message from Father Phil
Dear Parishioners,
I spent most of Monday twiddling my thumbs, trying to figure out what I could possibly write about that might be helpful. I don’t need to pile on the pessimistic side of things, or project dire warnings, or make “gloom-and-doom” predictions. On the other hand, I can’t be Pollyanna-ish about matters, either. Nor would it do much good to add my voice to the chorus already decrying hour-long “coronavirus up-dates” that don’t say anything useful but do it over and over and over again in some of the most tortured English language constructions imaginable.
Fr. Phil's Gospel and Reflection for Sunday, March 29, 2020
Rather than take any of these roads, I thought I’d offer one of my favorite Old Testament passages with a two-fold reflection: one on Mary in the context of last Wednesday’s Feast of the Annunciation ( Luke 1:26-38), the other on Martha from this weekend’s Gospel passage about the raising of her brother, Lazarus, from the dead ( John 11:1-45).
Mary, informed by the Archangel Gabriel that she is to conceive and bear a son, asks her incredulous questions and then, in a sublime act of humility, allows the message to settle in and assents to becoming the handmaid of the Lord and allowing herself to be used according to His will ( vs 38). [Here is a Prayer for God's Will!]
Martha, who is relegated by both Luke ( 10:40) and John ( 12:2) to the role of scullery maid, just as amazingly has pieced together from what she has picked up from Jesus’ pronouncements when not totally consumed by her “busyness with the details of hospitality” that He truly is “the Messiah, the Son of God, he who is to come into the world” ( John 11:27). 
The point is: each woman has grasped the profundity of God’s Word by refusing to allow her own “word” to overshadow it or dictate its meaning. Perhaps we can permit them to model for each of us the way to wrestle with the import of that favorite passage to which I alluded earlier:
                                                        
Seek the Lord while He may be found, call to Him while he is still near. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts. For just as from the heavens the rain and the snow come down and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it blossom and bear fruit and give seed for sowing and bread to eat, so shall the word which comes from my mouth prevail: it shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.
                                                                                                                   Isaiah 55:6, 8-11
Fr. Philip D. Reifenberg
Parish Prayer
Parish Prayer Vigil
Although we cannot currently gather together physically, it is more imperative than ever that we raise our hearts together in prayer. Our SJB parish family will be keeping vigil in prayer for the end to the coronavirus pandemic. Thank you to those who are participating in the Prayer Vigil. We hope to have someone from our parish continually praying.
Pray the Rosary with us live on Facebook each
Friday at 4:00 pm while Mass is suspended.
A Facebook account is not necessary to participate.
If a "pop-up" prompts you to log in, just select "not now". Please remember to "Like" our Facebook page to receive posts from St. John the Baptist.
St. John the Baptist Church Remains Open for Individual Prayer  
St. John the Baptist Church will be open Monday - Friday from 9 am–4 pm for personal prayer. There must be no more than 10 people in church at any time and no "planned gatherings". Please respect social distances. Please remain in the designated areas, keep your prayer time in church to 30 minutes and use the disinfectant provided to sanitize your area. Always follow the CDC recommendations for protecting yourself and others.
Mass Intentions
Although public Masses are suspended, Father Phil continues to offer Mass privately for our requested intentions. Please keep our parish weekly Mass Intentions in your daily prayers as well.
The practice of offering Masses for others, living or deceased, is a long standing tradition in the Catholic Church. When we face the death of someone, even a person who is not Catholic, to have a Mass offered for the repose of their soul and to offer our prayers is beneficial and comforting.

If you would like to have a Mass offered for a loved one, please stop by the parish office, or call 892-4006. There is a customary $10 stipend per individual Mass intention.
Sacramental Notices
Sunday and Holy Week Mass Resources
Public celebrations of Mass are suspended indefinitely. In keeping with Archdiocesan directives there will be no services at St. John the Baptist on Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday or Easter Sunday. Father Phil will continue to share the Gospel and reflections via You Tube videos. Masses and Holy Week celebrations will be live-streamed from the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist (Archbishop Listecki will celebrate Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil at the Cathedral).
Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist - Mother Church of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Radio Mass: 9 a.m. Mass is available on Radio 920 AM, WOLF
TV Masses: WVTV, My24 at 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., and WITI Fox 6, at 5:30 a.m.
Live-Streamed Online Mass: 11:00 a.m. - Click Here
Heart of the Nation: Weekly Sunday Mass Videos and other Catholic resources (including free TV Mass prayer and worship guide subscription) - Click Here
EWTN: Global Catholic Television Network has resources for Mass and more. - Click Here
An Act of Spiritual Communion
Although we cannot receive Eucharist during Mass, we can still unite ourselves to the Eucharist through making a spiritual Communion. By making an Act of Spiritual Communion, we express our faith in Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist and ask him to unite himself with us.

SJB School and Family Formation Update
Principal's Message
During this time of closure, the teachers have embraced this new style of teaching with creativity and positivity. From “Fort Night” reading to math lessons using a “virtual” whiteboard, students experience the land of learning remotely in a variety of ways. A shout out to the students and to their parents for their patience and positive attitudes as we transition quickly into the “virtual” world.
This week during Spring Break, many of the teachers will regroup and prepare e-learning lessons and/or learning material for the upcoming week. We are grateful for the many positive and supportive comments coming our way as we continue to transition into this new way of delivering instruction. Continued prayers that everyone in our parish and school family remain healthy!

Amy Nelson, Principal
Family Formation Resources
There are many websites with information about our faith. We thought during this time of concern it might be helpful to provide you with some web links to continue your Lenten journey as a family.
Each week we will provide additional opportunities to grow your faith as a family. Most links are geared towards children.
We bless you and pray that you are well,

Amy Albers, Director of Faith Formation
Amy Nelson, Principal
Keeping Connected
The following resources now available for pick-up outside the Parish Office
  • The WORD Among Us - A monthly magazine offering daily meditations based on Mass readings, inspirational essays, stories of the saints and more ($1 suggested donation). There is also complimentary access the the daily readings and more on The WORD Among Us website.
  • Living Faith - A quarterly booklet of daily reflections on one of the scripture readings from the day's Mass ($1 suggested donation). There is complimentary access to the devotionals on the Living Faith website. Thank you to our SJB Christian Women for making this resource possible.
There are many resources are available from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee

St. John the Baptist Cemetery - Spring Clean-Up Begins April 1
Please remove any decorations or items you would like to keep by April 1. Anything left broken or not in good condition will be disposed of. Please be mindful of the decorating rules posted on our website or at the cemetery. Thank you to Tony Helminger, our cemetery grounds keeper, for his diligence in maintaining the grounds.
Consider Electronic Giving!
Make Easter offerings online during the Easter season! Throughout the year, many of you already support the congregation with your time, talent and financial contributions and we very much appreciate your support. We encourage you to consider our electronic giving program. We accept donations made from your bank account and credit card or debit cards. It takes just a few minutes to set up a recurring giving plan. To begin, simply click on the link below. If you would like to learn more about flexible automatic donations, please contact the parish office at 920-892-4006 or email Julie at sjbparish@sjbplymouth.org Alternatively, parish (envelope) donations can be mailed to the parish or placed in the office drop box (115 Plymouth St.) We thank you for supporting our mission!
The Parish Business Office hours are limited. Please call before stopping in.
We will regularly check email sjbparish@sjbplymouth and phone messages (920-892-4006).