Summer is here and our thoughts are focused on barbeques, the beach, and baseball.  Fun thoughts without a doubt, but planning to attend a local church is your most important event.  Find the church near your vacation location on the OCA.org  website. 

Prayer Before a Journey: O Lord Jesus Christ our God, the true and living way, be Thou, O Master, our companion, guide and guardian during our journey; deliver and protect us from all danger, misfortune and temptation; that being so defended by Thy divine power, we may have a peaceful and successful trip and arrive safely at our destination. For in Thee we put our trust and hope and to Thee, together with Thy Eternal Father and the All-Holy Spirit, we ascribe all praise, honor and glory: now and ever, and unto ages of ages . Amen.    May you all have a safe and blessed summer!  

This year we were honored by the presence of our Archbishop Michael for an Hierarchal Divine Liturgy on Friday, June 24, 2022 for the celebration of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.  This was a very appreciated visit to our parish on the name’s day of our church.  It was wonderful to see Archbishop Michael and we thank him for joining us on this day.  The Church observes St. John’s birth as a feast day, an honor only shared by the Holy Virgin Mary whose birth is celebrated on September 8.  And we here at St. John the Baptist R.O. Church, celebrated its name day.  Christ Himself said that St. John is greatest “among those that are born of women…”   He prepared the way for the coming of the Lord and, at the Jordan River, Baptized Christ.  He is also a Martyr and Prophet, telling us all, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  In his icon, he is portrayed with the wings of an Angel, not only because he was the unique messenger of God preparing the way for Christ, but also because of the sanctity of his life. 

Happy Birthday to all those celebrating their birthday in July. Among those are: Maryann Stagen on July 4; Kathy Cahayla, July 10; Peggy Kovalycsik , July 11; Helen Baron, July 22; Kathy Petrow, July 24; Brielle Hope Anderson, July 25; Austin Christopher Anderson, July 27; and Betty Ann Fechisin on July 29. A very happy birthday to everyone celebrating their birthday in July and May God grant you all Many Years!

St. John’s said good bye on June 29 to long time parishioner Mary Bakaletz.  Mary fell asleep in the lord on June 26 at the age of 91. Beloved wife of the late Michael Bakaletz  who passed away in 2019, she was the devoted mother of Michael and his wife Karen of Glen Gardner, Steven and his wife Amy of Norris, TN, Andrew of Clifton,  Peter and his wife Dolly of Hillsborough and Paul and his wife Suzanne of Mountainside.  She was the loving grandmother of 12 and great-grandmother of 3. May   her Memory be Eternal and may the Lord our God establish her soul in a place of brightness, a place of refreshment, a place of rest, where all the Righteous dwell.

Remember our needy neighbors. The Food Pantry is always in need of food items. Please keep those less fortunate in mind and help us to feed those in need. A  basket is in the vestibule of the church for your convenience. May God bless you abundantly for your generosity.

The current news is all about babies,  not about how they enrich the lives of their families and are a gift from God but how they are a hindrance to our lives!     Do not be misled about when life begins.    In Jeremiah 1:4-5 we are told:     “Now the word of the LORD came to me saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you;”