Offertory 5/31 - $15,636.00 You can have a continuing influence on the lives of families in our Parish. Please consider including a bequest for our Parish in your will.

Alcoholics Anonymous.....562-1114 Columbiettes (Christine Richard)moc.liamg@drahcirgenitsirhc..... Knights of Columbus (Marc Richard).....772-532-7599 Pilgrim Statue (Suzanne Kekich).....563-8875 Women's Guild (Mary Ellen Weiss)moc.liamg@dlgsnemowwem.... Contact the Parish Office at 563-0057 for the following: Altar Servers, Altar Society, Catholic Charities, Divine Will, Extra-Ordinary Ministers, Finance Council, Lectors, Legion of Mary, Music Ministry, OCIA, Personalized Grief Support, Rachel's Vineyard, Religious Education, Respect Life, Seven Sisters Apostolate, Scripture Studies, Ushers. The Knights of Columbus have wheelchairs and walkers available for anyone in need. Contact Gerry Koziel at 772-766-3496 or Gary Giarrusso at 603-502-2304.

Baptisms - Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons and daughters of God; we become members of Christ and are incorporated into the Church. To schedule a Baptism please make arrangements by contacting the Parish Office at 563-0057. Confessions - Confessions are held on Saturday 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm, and also by appointment. Weddings - For as God made himself present to His people in the Old Testament, so now Christ "Comes into the lives of married Christians through the Sacrament of Matrimony." (Second Vatican Council) To be married in the Church arrangements must be made 6 months in advance. Those wishing to be a sponsor for Baptism, Confirmation, or OCIA need to be a registered parishioner and active member of St. John of the Cross Parish. Being a sponsor involves practicing your faith and being a role model as evidenced by weekly Mass attendance for at least 3 months. Those seeking sacraments for themselves, or their children need to show evidence of regular Mass attendance by signing into our Religious Education book in the Parish Vestibule.

Reading 1 Dt 8:2-3, 14b-16a Moses said to the people: "Remember how for forty years now the LORD, your God, has directed all your journeying in the desert, so as to test you by affliction and find out whether or not it was your intention to keep his commandments. He therefore let you be afflicted with hunger, and then fed you with manna, a food unknown to you and your fathers, in order to show you that not by bread alone does one live, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of the LORD. "Do not forget the LORD, your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery; who guided you through the vast and terrible desert with its saraph serpents and scorpions, its parched and waterless ground; who brought forth water for you from the flinty rock and fed you in the desert with manna, a food unknown to your fathers." Reading 2 1 Cor 10:16-17 Brothers and sisters: The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. Gospel Jn 6:51-58 Jesus said to the Jewish crowds: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever."

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, historically known by its Latin name, Corpus Christi, celebrates the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. The feast dates to the Middle Ages and originated with a visionary nun and a Eucharistic miracle. In 1263 a German priest, Fr. Peter of Prague, made a pilgrimage to Rome. He stopped in Bolsena, Italy, to celebrate Mass. At the time he was having doubts about Jesus being truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. He was affected by the growing debate among certain theologians who began introducing doubts about the Body and Blood of Christ being actually present in the consecrated bread and wine. In response to his doubt, when he recited the prayer of concecration, blood started seeping from the consecrated host and onto the altar and corporal. Fr. Peter reported this miracle to Pope Urban IV. The pope sent delegates to investigate and ordered that the host and blood-stained corporal be brought to Orvieto. The relics were then placed in the Cathedral of Orvieto, where they remain today. This Eucharistic Miracle confirmed the visions given to St. Juliana in Belgium who had a series of visions in which she was instructed by Our Lord to work to establish a liturgical feast for the Holy Eucharist. After many years, she finally convinced Pope Urban IV, to create this special feast in honor of the Blessed Sacrament. Soon after her death, Pope Urban instituted Corpus Christi for the Universal Church and celebrated it for the first time in Orvieto in 1264.

Last week, we explored the many benefits of singing for adults. Today, let us look at how singing and music can help foster the spiritual, emotional, and intellectual growth of our youth and children. Again, the Psalmist proclaims: "Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful. Let Israel rejoice in its Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King. Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and lyre." — Psalm 149:1–3 Academic & Cognitive Benefits of Music Music education provides children with far more than musical ability. Studies continue to show that children involved in music develop stronger academic and cognitive skills. Language and Reading Development Musical training enhances auditory perception, helping children improve language development, reading ability, and even second-language pronunciation. Mathematics and Reasoning Skills Students who study music often demonstrate stronger algebraic thinking and spatial-temporal reasoning, both essential for understanding mathematical concepts. Memory and Focus Learning music requires children to process patterns, rhythms, and sequences, strengthening working memory and improving concentration. Improved Academic Performance Research indicates that students participating in quality music programs often score significantly higher on standardized tests in subjects such as English and mathematics. Brain Development Music study strengthens the corpus callosum — the part of the brain connecting the two hemispheres — improving communication between them and enhancing overall brain function. Sense of Belonging Being part of a choir fosters community, teamwork, friendship, and a shared sense of purpose. Emotional Well-Being Group singing helps reduce stress, improve mood, and provide a healthy emotional outlet. Discipline and Commitment Regular rehearsals teach dedication, patience, responsibility, and the value of working toward a common goal. Stronger Study Habits The discipline required in music often carries over into schoolwork and helps children develop better learning habits overall. Social and Leadership Skills Participation in choirs and ensembles encourages communication, teamwork, cooperation, and leadership. Emotional Expression and Regulation Music provides children with a creative outlet for expressing emotions and managing stress, especially beneficial for children with learning differences or autism. Many studies suggest that these benefits become even more pronounced after 18 months to 2½ years of consistent musical instruction. Spiritual Benefits of Singing for Children Singing sacred music helps children grow not only intellectually, but spiritually as well. - A greater appreciation for the history and heritage of the Catholic Church and its music - A deeper understanding of the liturgy and the Mass - Learning biblical stories and truths through song - Becoming active participants in worship rather than passive observers - Developing a deeper awareness of God's presence through prayer and music - Helping pass on the traditions of the Church to future generations - Preparing children to become future leaders within the Church - Bringing a joyful and uplifting spirit to the congregation through the beauty of children's voices Choir Opportunities for Children and Youth at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church The Kantorei Choristers Ages: Rising 3rd Grade through 6th Grade Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM The Adult Choir (Sings for the 11:00AM Mass) Ages: 7th Grade through Adult Rehearsals: Thursdays, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM The Schola (Traditional Latin Mass Choir) Ages: 7th Grade through Adult Rehearsals: Thursdays, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM The Cherub Choir Ages: Kindergarten through 2nd Grade Beginning this Fall! Please prayerfully consider whether God may be calling your child or teen to grow in faith, friendship, and joy through the gift of music and singing. For more information, please contact: Ryan Kasten Director of Music 772-584-9744 [email protected] And remember: "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!"

Called to fight for his country as a Nazi soldier, Franz Jägerstätter eventually refused, and this husband and father of three daughters—Rosalie, Marie and Aloisia—was executed because of it. Born in St. Radegund in Upper Austria, Franz Jägerstätter lost his father during World War I and was adopted after Heinrich Jaegerstaetter married Rosalia Huber. As a young man, he loved to ride his motorcycle and was the natural leader of a gang whose members were arrested in 1934 for brawling. For three years he worked in the mines in another city and then returned to St. Radegund, where he became a farmer, married Franziska and lived his faith with quiet but intense conviction. In 1938, he publicly opposed the German Anschluss–annexation–of Austria. The next year he was drafted into the Austrian army, trained for seven months and then received a deferment. In 1940, Franz was called up again but allowed to return home at the request of the town's mayor. He was in active service between October 1940 and April 1941, but was again deferred. His pastor, other priests, and the bishop of Linz urged him not to refuse to serve if drafted. In February 1943, Franz was called up again and reported to army officials in Enns, Austria. When he refused to take the oath of loyalty to Hitler, he was imprisoned in Linz. Later he volunteered to serve in the medical corps but was not assigned there.

Circle one: Mr. Mrs. Ms. Dr. Mr. Mrs. Ms. Dr. Name Spouse Birthdate Spouse Birthdate Address City State Zip Alternate/Mailing Address City State Zip Emergency # Phone # Spouse # Email Spouse Email Children in the House: Y N If you answered above question: Child's Name Birthdate School Grade Child's Name Birthdate School Grade Child's Name Birthdate School Grade Please list any additional children and their information