St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Did you know...in various regions of Italy, certain fish are traditional staples of the Christmas Eve "Feast of the Seven Fishes." In Naples, Capitone (eel) is a must on every table on Dec. 24th. Capitone refers to the much longer and larger female eel. Anguilla (smaller male eel) comes from the Latin word for snake, while capitone from the Latin word for head. Naples developed a Christmas obsession with it because this tradition brings together Italy’s Judeo-Christia...n tradition with pagan cults and practices of pre-Christian times. We all know that, in the Bible, the snake embodies temptation, sin and the Devil. It was a snake that seduced Eve in the Garden of Eden and centuries later, tried to do the same with another woman, the Virgin Mary who, this time, didn’t succumb to its enticements and crushed its head under her foot, killing it. It was a powerful and symbolic gesture, one that foreshadowed the final victory of Good over Evil, and that repeats itself allegorically every year, on Christmas Eve, with the tradition of the capitone. In the past, women were in charge of killing and cooking this fish, embodiment of the serpent of Evil, to recreate the seduction of Eve and Mary’s opposition and final victory over the Devil. Then, the fish was consumed on the night of the 24th of December, while awaiting the birth of Jesus Christ, the ultimate moment of Good winning over Evil. The connection between snakes, capitoni and the Bible runs even deeper, though. If we read the Book of Exodus we find that Moses turns his rod, known as Aaron’s rod, into a snake and then back into a rod to prove to the Pharaoh the word of God was right. Buon Natale tutti voi!

The Light of God’s Face https://hubs.ly/H0CZ2Qq0

Farewell to a Friend.... Dick Lessard was an early and generous friend of the Academy, as well a part of our family. He deeply loved music and was the inspirati...on for new music room in the school. It was named in his honor. He passed into eternal life last night. Please pray for the repose of his soul, and the consolation of all who loved him. His funeral mass is set for Wednesday, December 30, 10:00am at St. John the Baptist Church in Ottsville, PA. Eternal Rest grant to him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

Feast of the Annunciation By pronouncing her "fiat" at the Annunciation and giving her consent to the Incarnation, Mary was already collaborating with the whole work her Son was to accomplish. She is mother wherever he is Savior and head of the Mystical Body" (Catechism of the Catholic Church # 973). I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be to me according to your Word" (Luke 1:38). This is Mary's "Fiat", her "Yes" to the Lord. It was spoken from a heart filled with pure lo...ve for God. In a Biblical context, "heart" is a word that means much more than the fleshy organ at the center of our chest cavity. It refers to our center, the core of each of us, the place where our deepest identity is rooted, and from which our fundamental choices about life are made. The Annunciation reveals the meaning of the Christian vocation. The Virgin of Nazareth teaches us how to live our real lives in a real world, by saying Yes to the One who created the world and is recreating it through His Son. When the Angel of the Lord appeared, bearing the message and calling her to a special mission, she said "YES." We are invited to say "Yes" as well and believe that "nothing is impossible with God." Let's consider her response to the message: "I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be to me according to your Word." It is in these words that we discover the vocation of every Christian.

Our Gospel today is from the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke, which is thoroughly drenched in Davidic themes from the Old Testament. The first thing we hear about Zechariah is that he serves as priest in the Jerusalem temple; and David’s dream was to build the temple in which Zechariah serves. While in the sanctuary, Zechariah is visited by the angel Gabriel; and the temple locale and the announcement of the birth of a child against all expectations brings us back to Hann...ah’s pregnancy, which resulted in the birth of the forerunner to David. Indeed, Elizabeth’s words upon conceivingSo has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before otherspowerfully evoke Hannah’s frame of mind when she, after many tears and much prayer, finally became pregnant. What does this have to do with the life of Jesus? From beginning to end of his preaching career, Jesus’ central theme was the arrival of the kingdom of God, which was understood to mean the ingathering of the scattered tribes of Israel. And what becomes eminently clear in all of the Gospels is that this coming together would happen in and through Jesus himself, much as the knitting together of ancient Israel happened in the person of David. Jesus definitively fulfills what David himself left incomplete and unfinished. Reflect: In his wisdom and power, God arranged for certain people to aid in the mission of his Son (e.g., the birth of John the Baptist from a barren mother and the sinlessness of Jesus’ mother, Mary). Who has God put in your life to help you fulfill the mission he has entrusted to you?

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO STAY AFTER OUR 10:30am MASS on SUNDAY TO HELP DECORATE OUR CHURCH!

#lighttheworld When a friend asked David to narrate their live nativity I asked him to read these verses twice in the morning and twice at night. A few weeks l...ater I realized he no longer needed the paper. Starting and ending our day with this beautiful story has brought the spirit of Christmas into our home and reminded us of the true meaning of Christmas. For those who have asked: He is 4 1/2 years old. Yes, please feel free to share! The video is visible to anyone with or without a Facebook account via the following link: https://www.facebook.com/748080934/videos/10158543169035935/

SNOW STORM of Dec. 16-17, 2020 Thursday's 9am Mass will be held in our main church instead of at old St. John's. Use caution if venturing out. Our Parish office is closing at 1pm today, Wed. Dec. 16th, and will remain closed on Thurs. Dec. 17th. We will reopen at 9am on Friday, Dec. 18th.

Due to the predicted snowfall, Thursday's 9am Mass will NOT be held at old St. John's.

ADVENT PARISH PENANCE SERVICE TONIGHT at 6:30 PM PREP students in grades 2 - 7 expected to attend.