WE WELCOME YOU A gracious welcome to all parishioners, guests, and visitors! It is a pleasure to welcome you to our Parish to share a life of faith in Jesus Christ, Our Savior. This is the House of the Lord.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
This year's theme, "Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed." encompasses the core products and values that can be found in Catholic schools across the country.

UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES
The Religious Education program begins on Sundays with our 9:00am family mass followed by an hour of classroom instruction.

• February 1st: Senior Confirmation Retreat from 11:00am to 6:00pm in the Parish Hall
• February 9th: The 2nd Grade will Host the 9:00am Family Mass
• February 9th: Annual Family Picnic
• February 16th: No Class for President’s Day Weekend

GENERAL MEETING
The Men's Club invites you to join them for an evening of fellowship, enrichment, and refreshments on Tuesday, January 28th, at 7:00pm in the Parish Hall.

BLESSING OF THE THROATS
In honor of the Feast of St. Blaise, and to invoke protection from illness, the Blessing of Throats will take place after all Masses this coming weekend of February 1st & 2nd.

The Annual Religious Education Family Picnic!
 • Bayview Park Pavilion
 • Sunday, February 9th
 • Starting at 11:00am
 • Good Food, Music, and Fun!

Please join us for daily mass. The Rosary is shared at 8:20 AM before the 8:45 AM Mass. All are welcome to join with us in prayer and celebration of the Mass.

Our Novena and Benediction service is every Monday after the 8:45 AM Mass.

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Welcome to the Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church parish family. This website is designed to help you get to know our parish and to become part of our community. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to stop in at the parish office or talk with us after mass.

We continue to deepen in the strengths of the parish: prayer, worship, and education of our members in the ways of God. The power of prayer is directed to all the individuals of the parish. Our worship deepens our contact and relationship with God: our creator, rescuer, sustainer. Our young are taught the ways of faith by the example and stories of our lives with God.

We welcome you. We hope and pray that you will grow with us as we journey on our life's road to the Lord.

GO FORTH AND BRING THE FAITH

All institutions have, or ought to have, a clear "Mission Statement." Such a statement very briefly clarifies what the purpose of the agency is. Whether it is a service program, an education institution, a for-profit entity, a competitive corporation, a family or an individual, it needs to reflect what its primary goal is and how that goal can be achieved. All involved in the undertaking, project, task or work need to be aware of the specific mission statement under which they operate so that they can reflect it and support it in their various endeavors.

A church or a parish also needs to clarify its purpose in case anyone does not understand how it approaches its ideal. Here at St. John the Baptist our mission statement reflects that we are a community of faith in which both as individuals and as a group we strive by prayer, worship, community, study and service to reflect the ideals of Jesus Christ as we assist each other on the journey of life to attain everlasting salvation. Evangelization (i.e. reflecting the Gospel message) is our primary thrust then in which we seek to help our parishioners and visitors secure the salvation of their souls. All our efforts as a parish, no matter how diverse, must somehow contribute to assisting the fulfillment of this mission statement.

In today's Gospel, Jesus left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea where He began to preach and send disciples out with a purpose (mission) to invite and challenge all people "for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." He went around proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and brought faith and the method of achieving eternal salvation to people everywhere.

What is your mission statement in life? What are your family's objectives? What are your goals as a professional as in your business? Undoubtedly, you will include preparing yourself and your family for all the demands you will likely face, securing the resources for a meaningful life for your loved ones, developing skills and capacities for a productive career, providing a service to others in the community in your area of interest and so on. But there is a vital area which must be included! The steps you ought to take to secure your eternal salvation should be a primary focus of your personal mission statement as well as for your family and friends. Otherwise, your whole life's endeavor could be in jeopardy. Unless you make your eternal goal a daily part of your plan, you miss the opportunity of an eternity. Can you review your personal mission statement for life and assure proper emphasis on achieving eternal salvation? It will mean a lot someday!

SCHOLARSHIP FUND LUNCHEON & AUCTION

Miami Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women Invites you to the 21st Annual Scholarship Fund Luncheon and Auction on Saturday, February 22nd at 11:30 am.

Scholarships are for 8th Grade Girls who want to attend a Catholic High School. Donation: $50 per person by February 14th, 2020, $55 after February 14th. For Reservation Information: Contact Suzanne Auer at keyskitten@aol.com

PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Prayer for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Almighty ever-living God, direct our action according to your good pleasure, that in the name of your beloved Son we may abound in good works. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.