P. O. Box 417, Grand Bay, al 3641 Fax: 251-865-1412

K&C Food Drive to help "Christ-N-Us" ministry: Knights of Columbus Council #15490 of St. John’s has received a request and agreed to support the "Christ-N-Us" ministry, located at the corner Potter Tract and Sager Rd. They house and feed up to twelve souls each night and they are in need to any food donations we can provide. Please donate items which can be cooked and served and show appreciation for the blessings that God has given you by helping to feed the hungry.

Sat. the 31^st: ------------------------------ For the eternal repose of the souls of deceased parishioners

Sun the 1^st: ------------------------------- For the Parish Community

The 2^nd: ------------------------------------ For the eternal repose of the soul of Alphonso Cruz by Mila Vaughn

The 3^rd: ------------------------------------ For the eternal repose of the soul of David Ferguson by Steve and Roxanna Cockerham

The 4^th & 5^th: ----------------------------- For the eternal repose of the soul of Alphonso Cruz by Mila Vaughn

The 6^th: ------------------------------------ For the eternal repose of the soul of David Ferguson by Steve and Roxanna Cockerham

To schedule a meeting or event using parish facilities you must check the calendar or contact the office to be sure the date and room is available. You must have approval from the office for any scheduled events.

  Help us to keep flowers at the altar: The slotted wooden box on the glass table in the Parish Hall will receive donations for flowers. If you wish to give flowers for a specific remembrance or thanksgiving there is a sign-up flower chart on the wall to the left of the front doors.

New CDs: There are new CDs in the CD stack. Each CD costs $ 3. You can have 9 CDs for $ 25. CD on the revised Mass is now available

October 25: Regular: $1679.00

Volunteers

Marth Delmas & Ruth Pigorsch

Adele Logan & Tiffany Teofilo

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Why do we pray for the dead relatives? 1) People of all religions have believed in the immortality of the soul, and have prayed for the dead. 2) Prayer for the souls of the departed is retained by Orthodox Jews today, who recite a prayer known as the Mourner’s Kaddish for eleven months after the death of a loved one so that he/she may be purified. 3) II Maccabees,12: 46 is the main Biblical text incorporating the Jewish belief in the necessity of prayer and sacrifice for the dead. The passage (II Maccabees 12: 39-46), describes how Judas, the military commander, “took up a collection from all his men, totaling about four pounds of silver and sent it to Jerusalem to provide for a sin offering” (II Macc. 12: 43). The narrator continues, "If he had not believed that the dead would be raised, it would have been foolish and useless to pray for them.” 4) Jesus and the apostles shared this belief and passed it on to the early Church. “Remember us who have gone before you, in your prayers,” is a petition often found inscribed on the walls of the Roman catacombs. 5) The Church's official teaching is that there is a place or state of purification called Purgatory, where souls undergoing purification can be helped by the prayers of the faithful (Council of Trent). . According to Revelation: 21:27: “nothing unclean shall enter heaven.” Holy Scripture (Proverbs 24: 16) also teaches that even "the just sin seven times a day.” 6) The early Fathers of the Church encouraged this practice and the synods of Nicaea, Florence and Trent encouraged the offering of prayers for the dead. The fire of Purgatory is an intense, transforming encounter with Jesus Christ and his fire of love. God can foresee the prayers we offer for our departed dear ones even years following their death and apply it the holy souls as they undergo purification

(Visit our parish website: http://stjohngrandbay.org/ for the full text of the homily).

Pope’s new encyclical: “Our Common Home:” https://laudatosi.com/watch

Pope Francis tweets: Parents, can you “waste time” with your children? It is one of the most important things that you can do each day. Let us ask the help of Saint Michael the Archangel to defend us from the snares of the devil. Economic development needs to have a human face, so that no one will be excluded. I ask you to ensure that humanity is served by wealth & not ruled by it. The worst person, the worst blasphemer is loved by God with a fatherly tenderness. When we refuse God's love, break his laws, he doesn't condemn; he weeps. That's his weakness: his eternal love despite it all

No matter what your present status in the Catholic Church, No matter what your current family or marital situation, No matter what your past or present religious situation, No matter your personal history, age, background, race, etc., No matter what your own self-image or esteem, you are invited, welcomed, accepted, loved and respected at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Grand Bay!

We come together as a parish family to draw our life from the Eucharist and other sacraments.

As believers we participate fully, consciously and actively in the liturgy of the Church and seek to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in word and action.

We commit ourselves to worship, education, stewardship and service as we extend our hand to others in need and to those who wish to join the church.

By the grace of God, after the example of Jesus Christ, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we dedicate ourselves to accomplish our mission within and beyond our community.

Photos of the great pastors who guided the destiny of our parish