It looks as though you are all in luck this weekend. Our Finance Council President (Pat Antonetti) was going to speak at all the Masses this week regarding the Catholic Faith Appeal. Unfortunately, he tore his Achilles tendon this past week and will be unable to do so. This means you get the next best replacement….Me. I look forward to seeing you all and giving a very brief, yet concise, summary of the CFA and its extreme importance. Remember that we have met with success for three years straight and I am optimistically looking forward to a string of four.
Many of you have read about my infatuation with the Osprey that have taken up residence on campus. Yesterday I saw another amazing sight while walking over to the Claussen Center. Both Osprey were heading back to their nest (one with a nice sized fish in its talons) when an American Bald Eagle appeared out of nowhere and began a mid-air battle for the fish. This was truly amazing to see these massive creatures tangling with each other right over our campus. Ultimately, the Osprey dropped the fish (which must have been several pounds) and the two parted ways. Be sure to look up when on campus as it seems that St. John the Evangelist is becoming a wildlife refuge.
After suggesting last week that I would have the artists rendering for the Stations of the Cross and the Prayer Garden on display, I forgot to take them out of the sacristy. Oddly enough, we still sold two of the Stations and one bench. Both of the aforementioned renderings are now prominently displayed in the narthex. Please see below a list of the Stations. Those in red have already been purchased. So I will try this again……
I would like to formally introduce the Deacon Frank and Sandi Paniccia Prayer Garden. The Paniccia’s approached us last year with the idea of a prayer garden at St. John the Evangelist. Fr. John felt this was an outstanding opportunity and commissioned a team to begin design and conceptualization of the garden. Deacon Frank and Sandi have offered up the seed money to get the project rolling. Now we have an opportunity for you. You will see two prominently placed artist’s renderings in the narthex of the church. One is of the garden as a whole. The other is the life sized version of one of the stations of the Cross. This is your opportunity to secure a piece of St. John the Evangelist forever.
With the design and implementation of our new prayer garden underway, we have decided to offer for sale the naming rights for all 14 Stations of the Cross as well as the statue of St. Francis of Assisi to be surrounded by a beautiful water feature. You may also choose to purchase one of several stone benches to be located in the garden. The Stations will be prominently displayed on granite pedestals with the name of the donor beautifully inscribed directly on the granite.
The cost to purchase a stone bench will be $3,000.00
The cost to purchase a Station of the Cross will be $7,500.00
The cost to purchase the St. Francis of Assisi statue will be $15,000.00
If you require creative financing terms, we can work with you to develop a plan that works with your budget. If you would like to purchase a station or bench, we would like you to be able to do so.
Please contact me at 566-1678 to make your reservation. The Stations of the Cross are available on a first come first served basis. If you have a Station that holds a special place in your heart, please do not delay as there is only one of each.
I will publish a list of the Stations (similar to what you see below) which will be placed in the church Narthex listing the Stations that have been sold and those that remain.
I. Jesus is condemned to death
II. Jesus is given his cross
III. Jesus falls the first time
IV. Jesus meets His Mother
V. Simon of Cyrene carries the cross
VI. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
VII. Jesus falls the second time
VIII. Jesus meets the daughters of Jerusalem
IX. Jesus falls the third time
X. Jesus is stripped of His garments
XI. Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross
XII. Jesus dies on the cross
XIII. Jesus’ body is removed from the cross (Deposition or Lamentation)
XIV. Jesus is laid in the tomb and covered in incense.
Thank you so much for supporting St. John the Evangelist.