From Fr. Joe:

I will in these coming weeks take the opportunity of the relative quiet of summer to describe in gratitude those who have served in this parish and have for many years.

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8/16/26 Counters

Who among us, in the circle of faithful and dedicated parishioners, will be selected as one or more who goes beyond mere dedication and commits with love and service to our parish? This week we select those who, behind the scenes, volunteer to count your generous donations which must be then deposited into our accounts.

Without them the work of our paid workers would be much more time-consuming. Their work is unseen but has a great impact and is seldom acknowledged for its goodness! Thanks for their dedication and weekly willingness.

8/9/26 Musicians

Our turn in gratitude this week is offered toward those who provide us with beautiful and holy music. Allyson Cahill, our regular organist and pianist, is not only skilled but dedicated and offers addition to our liturgical environment which enhances and encourages our celebration of Masses. Jeffrey Howard, our regular cantor, provides a voice which leads us in both prayer and song, and we are grateful for both. In addition, we thank those who fill in from time to time when needed.

8/2/26 Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors

This week we offer up with thanksgiving to those in our parish who serve as Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors at Mass. We are thankful for their willingness to serve in such a way and with such effort. We need more of them and look forward to your volunteering for such work. Perhaps you will call the office and ask how you can be of help!

7/26/26 Rudolph family

Continuing our appreciation of parishioners and staff who embody the values which Jesus promotes, we offer a family which is always ready to offer  their gifts and talents whenever the parish has need. We give you the Rudolph family who are ever ready to prepare and cook food for our enjoyment at the Christmas Fair or at other celebrations such as our Summer and Fall picnics, hot dog and hamburger days and other celebrations. We are grateful to them for their talent and readiness to serve so that we can celebrate and enjoy one another’s company. Without them and their sacrifice we would be hard pressed to have such days of joy and fundraising. Thank you to the Rudolph’s!

7/19/26 Ronnie Levesque

We have during these summer months been mentioning people in our parish who, with quiet effort and consistent goodness, encourage our community of faith to grow in impact. This week we hold up our maintenance and building engineer Ronnie Levesque. Ronnie has worked for St. John’s with tirelessness and loyalty for many years and continues to commit to serve in the Name of Jesus here. He, because of his acumen and knowledge, has saved our parish thousands and thousands of dollars over the years and has been available at the drop of a hat to come and address any problem. We are indebted to him and thank him with this brief paean. Thank him if you see him.

7/12/26 Sandy Colucci

We began last week to describe some of the blessings with which we are provided by the good and faithful people of St. John’s, starting with Bill Kisich. This week we focus on a fine and faithful woman by the name of Sandy Colucci, a parish angel who has done so much to make possible the fun, enjoyment and benefit of our Christmas Fair. Each year Sandy and her friends work behind the scenes to prepare a wonderful celebration which is great fun and helps our parish. This year Sandy is stepping back a little, not a lot, due to some health concerns, but she, her friends and her loving husband Werner will still work to make sure all is a success. In addition, Sandy washes and dries the albs of the priests for liturgical presentation. If you see her, thank her, and if you do not know her, make sure it is a priority. Thanks Sandy!!!

7/5/2026 Bill Kisich

 The first is, appropriately a man who has been active in this parish since the 1950’s and still today holds down the fort as head sacristan, general custodian and sometimes rabbit tamer. His name, known to all of you, is Bill Kisich. If you help at all at Mass or are even just a casual observer here, you know him as the invaluable member of staff and parish who will take on any task or responsibility, understanding even the smallest as important to the life and growth of St. John’s. Bill saw the church burn in 1956 and has remained as an integral cog in the work of development, evangelization, welcome and service who bears the Name of Christ with humility and eagerness as we move forward as a parish in this Archdiocese. The tasks which he undertakes happily are too numerous to mention and yet here are just a few: Funeral server, general head sacristan, groundskeeper, Collection manager, head ostiarius, (look it up), trash manager, overseer of hall and other rentals and so much more. He silently and faithfully fulfills his mission of service in the Name of God and continues this work now in his early 80’s! If you see him this weekend or at any other time, say hi, thank you, and thanks for the example! Thanks Bill!!