MISSION:   We Joyfully, Prayerfully and Lovingly welcome all St. John’s Parishioners to join our social activities, that we may grow together as God’s Family, celebrating each other’s lives and promote Christ’s love through outreach to the Community and the World.

INFORMATION

Looking to be involved and make new friends? Then the SJB Parish Life Team is just what you are looking for. We would love to have more members – men or women. The focus of this team is to help grow and enrich our parish and our community by promoting fellowship through various events and activities. We are always looking for new faces and new ideas.

Parish Life Team meetings are generally the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are held in the St. John the Baptist School Campus (Harrison Avenue building) in the Adult Enrichment Room from 6:30p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

If you have a talent or an idea you would like to share or questions you want answered, please come to one of our team meetings. You may simply attend and listen to any gathering. If you would like to address the team, please contact Patty Dean.

If you are interested in joining an existing activity, please call that activity leader as listed in the Parish Life contact tab on this website.

Additional information may be found on the following internet sites:

• Weekly Church Bulletin www.stjb.net
• Parish Website – “Our Parish” tab, then “Organizations” www.stjb.net

Parish Life: Positions - Contact List

Our parish provides masses and prayer services at Shawnee Springs and Harrison Trails.  If you have a loved one in the facility, talk to the event planner for details about or visits.  If you are interested in this ministry, contact Sylvia Ruthven for more information.

This committee is comprised of volunteer adult men and women who respond in a variety of ways when someone in the parish community passes away. A meal is offered to the grieving family and friends, cards are sent and a line of communication is established for ongoing support. Volunteer Funeral Choir Members are also needed. Call The Office of Adult Ministry at, 513-367-9086 ext. 218, to learn more about how you might serve in this valuable ministry.

In your May stewardship envelope packet there is an envelope for the St. John’s Ladies Sodality. We provide a luncheon for families after the funeral services of a loved one. Your donation, and the donations received from these families, have allowed us to continue to provide this ministry to all St. John’s Families.

In addition to financial support, if you would like to donate a salad or dessert for any of the luncheons, please put your name and telephone number on the Ladies Sodality envelope. The Parish Office will forward this information to me, Ruth Walter and you will be contacted when food is needed. If you have any questions you can call at 513-367-1198 or Teresa Palmer at 513-367-9086 ext. 218.

The Daughters of Isabella is an international organization for Catholic women, sixteen years of age and over. It was originally formed for women who wanted to assist the Knights of Columbus, but in 1897 became it’s own organization with it’s own charter. 
The D of I is named after Queen Isabella, who funded the adventures of Christopher Columbus and his voyage to the New World. Isabella, a very brave and virtuous woman, was crowned Queen of Castile at the age of 23.

The main objectives of the D of I members are to become better acquainted, to extend their circle of friends, to aid their intellectual growth, to combine their resources and energies for mutual assistance, and to be a greater strength of influence for promoting good in society. They attempt to live out their motto, “Unity, Friendship, Charity, and Sanctity.” Very importantly, there are many valuable spiritual benefits for all D of I members. St. Mary Circle #214 was established in July of 1922, and is the local circle of the D of I in Harrison, Ohio. Our main focus is the support and maintenance of St. John the Baptist School Library, but includes support to parish functions: St. Vincent DePaul Society, Reach Out Pregnancy Center, the Harrison Cancer Relay for Life and various civic activities. The members sponsor fundraising activities to provide the resources and means to promote their charitable causes through annual events such as: bake sales, Fawn Easter Candy sale, product surveys, etc.Social events include: annual Mother & Daughter banquet for all members of the circle and parish, and an annual Anniversary Dinner to celebrate the many years of their legacy and success.

The contact persons are: Mary Scheurer, 513-367-2132 ; Michelle Lepper, 812-637-3681

Our Ladies Sodality currently is a small group of women who meet only a few times a year. They help with funeral luncheons, and send cards to the homebound and residents of nursing homes. For more information about the Ladies Sodality, call Ruth Walter at, 513-367-1198, or Alma Lewe at 513-367-4663.

The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic men’s fraternal organization, founded in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGiveny in New Haven, Connecticut, to meet the needs of Catholic families whose breadwinner was deceased. From this humble beginning the K of C has grown to more than 1.8 million members, in 14,000 local councils, in 13 countries. The K of C insurance program has paid out millions of dollars in death benefits to the families of deceased members.

The K of C is often referred to as “The Strong Right Arm of the Church.” This is due to many church related activities supported by the K of C. In 2009, the K of C raised and distributed nearly $150 million and contributed over 70 million volunteer hours of service to church, community, youth and fellow man. They created the $25 million “Knights of Columbus Vicarius Cnristi” fund that generates 1.6 – 1.8 million dollars a year for the Pope’s good works. They also pay the uplink cost for the televising of Papal ceremonies, especially at Christmas and during Holy Week. They have contributed nearly $10 million to the U S Bishop’s Pro Life educational fund. The Knights have also contributed over 44 million dollars for seminarians and vocations. There are many other state & national programs sponsored by the K of C.
 

Locally, Harrison Council #2633 which was founded in 1927 sponsors Boy Scout Troop #408. They also sponsor events for St. John’s PTC, St. John’s Athletic Association, St. Vincent DePaul Society, Harrison Mayors Fund, Reach Out Pregnancy Center, Cincinnati Right to Life, mentally handicapped programs at local schools, Radio Rosary, T V Mass, Girl Scouts, as well as St. John’s Parish.

The Harrison Council has many family oriented functions throughout the year. These include a Christmas party, Easter Egg hunt, awards banquet, volunteers banquet, and an active camper’s group. For information contact Joel Beck, 513-680-2058 or jabco65@yahoo.com.

Marriage Encounter is a special weekend for married couples designed to enhance their marital relationship. It is not a retreat, nor a marriage clinic, or group sensitivity. It is a unique approach aimed at revitalizing Christian Marriages. It is designed to deepen and enrich the joys a couple shares together, whether they have been married for a short time or many years. It is a Catholic oriented weekend and is expressed in the tradition and understanding of the Catholic Church. It is however open to all denominations.

The emphasis of Marriage Encounter is on communication between husband and wife, who spend a weekend together away from the distractions and tensions of everyday life, to concentrate on each other. It is a very private weekend – just for the two of you! There is no required group sharing. This is a time to rediscover each other and focus on your relationship.

The weekend teaches a communication technique which permits each couple to explore important areas of their relationship. Marriage Encounter weekends are held regularly and registration is required. If you have questions or wish to register for a weekend please call, John & Patty Dean 513-882-2512, or visit the website at www.wwme.org. 

This ministry is a telephone chain for immediate confidential prayer requests. Calls are made to team leaders, and then notification of request is then forwarded to other members on the Prayer Chain. Please call the Parish Office at 513-367-9086 with prayer requests. You can also be a part of our Prayer Chain by receiving immediate confidential prayer requests via email. Simply send your email address to Teresa at tpalmer@stjb.net to be a part of our Prayer Chain.

Our St. Vincent DePaul Society addresses the material and spiritual needs of people primarily in the Harrison area. We offer tangible goods and food and financial assistance to the needy. We serve by accepting donations from parishioners and outside sources and distributing them to people in need. We have a second collection every 5th Sunday of the month devoted to the St. Vincent DePaul Society. If you would like to support us in any way, or if you need assistance, please call 513-300-7492.