We are both encouraged and warned to stay connected to Jesus and to actually "remain" in him. He is the source and strength of our life in this world and he especially is the only way to resurrection and eternal life. Why would I not want to be close to my loving God who created me and wishes my true happiness? This world has plenty of problems and Jesus wishes to carry our burdens as we trust in him.
    Jesus tells us in Sunday's Gospel from John 15:1-8 "Remain in me as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on it's own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing". We all know from gardening or yardwork, that if a branch breaks off a tree it dies. If a flower is separated it will eventually die, even if we water it, because it is separated from its source of life and nutrients. The same is true with us if we go away from Jesus, who is "The way, the truth and the life".
    God's love is a gift to us, to give us abundant life. That doesn't mean life will be easy. Most things of value in life involve giving and sacrifice. But we usually find joy in helping and giving of ourselves to someone in need. We also hear in the letter of 1John 3:18-24 "And his commanment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us. Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them, and the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit he gave us". So, believing in Jesus, remaining in him, and keeping his commandment to love one another are all connected and supported by the Holy Spirit we have been given in Baptism.

It has been almost a year since the period when we could not have any public Masses. Following that, we had Mass with very limited numbers of people allowed and the Sunday Mass obligation was suspended and remains so today. This was all done by our Bishops and dioceses out of health concerns over the Covid-19 virus, as we are all very aware. From the beginning of the suspension of the Sunday Mass obligation, we were always to keep holy the Lord's Day. Only the manner of how to do this was changed. We were always to focus on God and Jesus' saving action even though we were not attending Mass. We were not to observe Sunday as a day off from God and prayer. One of the most clear ways was to view Mass online and prayerfully participate in my home through one of the many Masses offered on T.V. or online. Praying a prayer of Spiritual Communion is also important when we cannot actually receive Jesus in the Eucharist. So, if I am carrying on with my everyday life's activities, it might be time for me to come to back to Mass, where masks are being worn and  social distancing is done. If I am staying home out of concern for my health, Lent is a perfect time to not neglect Mass online, but to participate with an active prayer life.

The parish office is closed to the public, but you are always welcome to call if you have a need.
218-387-1409. Fr. Steve checks the phone and Bridget checks e-mail frequently. Please leave a message.   stjohns@boreal.org

Saturdays at 4:00 - 4:30 p.m. or call the office to arrange a time. We are able to celebrate this Sacrament safely, so please come if you are in need of the Lord's Grace and Mercy.
See special Christmas times in center column.

If you are in need of help with groceries or anything else, please contact the office at 218-387-1409. If you simply want to talk or need prayer, please call Fr. Steve. If no answer, please leave a message and phone number.

Thank you to those who have mailed, dropped off in Rectory mailbox and sent your contributions electronically. They are greatly appreciated!
You can mail in your contributions or submit them electronically at the following link.

https://www.dioceseduluth.org/parishoffertory

The Diocese is collecting online contributions which will be forwarded to St. John's and Holy Rosary Parishes. We are in the process of setting up our own online giving. This will be something we can use, not only during the pandemic, but also going forward in the future. This will be a personal option for those who would like to give electronically rather than write a check. Look for future updates regarding this project. Thank you very much for helping us to pay our bills, even as we realize you may be struggling financially too. Anything you can do is GREATLY APPRECIATED. If anyone is in need of help, please call the parish office.



 

Exciting News

We now have a parish subscription to FORMED, https://formed.org.signup
If you are not familiar with it, it is a Catholic website, app that you can access on
your phone, tablet, smart tv, etc. It has many movies about Saints, teaching,
study materials and many ways to learn about and enhance your faith.
It is for everyone. You can watch at home and there are many adult videos and books,
as well as children's material. Simple go to formed.org and follow the sign-in
instructions.  Click on sign-up as a parishioner. The easiest way is to just type in 55604
and St. John's should pop up, click on that and then enter your email address.
Once you register, you can stay logged in.

Free Until March 31!

In honor of National Marriage Week (Feb. 7-14) and as a Lenten resource, the Marriage in Christ At Home seminar is free for couples who sign up by March 31, 2021. Once registered, access is free through May 31, 2021.

This free access is made possible by a grant from Communication Center, the nation's largest distributor of Catholic religious education materials.

Invite God Into Your Marriage

 Every couple needs the Lord to love them as a couple. Only in Christ and with the grace of the Holy Spirit can we live a married life full of the Love of God.

Make your marriage stronger in five week  
https://marriageinchrist.com/?utm_source=Religious+Education&utm_campaign=084bc9b171-2021-02-04-MIC-Parish&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_13e243cbe2-084bc9b171-85821570&goal=0_13e243cbe2-084bc9b171-85821570&mc_cid=084bc9b171&mc_eid=3e4fb6a003

www.facebook.com St. Johns/ Holy Rosary
You should see the 2 pictures of our churches below, to tell you that you have OUR church page. Contact church office if you need help finding.

Our church Facebook page will appear. You can ignore the sign-in box at bottom of facebook page. Click not now or no, if asked to join.
2. Scroll down the page until you see the picture of the interior of the church with altar
3.Wait until the scheduled Mass time, then refresh the page...Click on the refesh button on the top left on toolbar( it is a circular arrow).
4.Livestream icon should appear and Mass will begin playing.
5. If you click on center of video it will increase in size.

--Masses are recorded, so you can also click on interior church picture to watch at other times.