Tuesday, February 19
Professor Jeff Bloechl on the Catholic Philosopher Charles Taylor
St. John the Evangelist Parish, Social Hall, 7:00pm
The Adult Faith Formation Commission is delighted to announce that Jeff Bloechl, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Boston College specializing in contemporary philosophy, philosophy of religion, and Christian philosophy, will speak on the Catholic philosopher Charles Taylor. As Father Michael Gallagher comments in his work Faith Maps: In 1960 when Charles Taylor was a graduate student at Oxford, he published an article entitled “Clericalism”, critical of the marginal role given to lay people in the Catholic Church. This showed, he argued, a defensive Church isolated from modern culture… His critique is now directed against a different form of academic clericalism, whereby philosophers, sociologists, and historians find it normal to ignore the spiritual dimensions of life. Such intellectuals, he holds, have not only forgotten the answers to the great questions of life, they have forgotten the questions. Connecting to the legacy of the Church’s great intervening event, Vatican II, Professor Bloechl, who recently returned from a seminar with Professor Taylor, has described him as “… a true Vatican II thinker, in the best sense.” Please join us for what promises to be a thoughtful and exciting evening. (Rescheduled from January 30 – please note 7pm start time.)
Wednesday, February 20
A Panel Discussion:
Future of Catholic Periodicals: Finances, Faith and the Digital Age
Editors Panel: Matt Malone, S.J. (America); Paul Baumann (Commonweal) and Meinrad Sherer-Edmunds (U.S. Catholic)
Boston College, Gasson Hall, Room 100, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 26
Father Robert Imbelli on the Christ–Centered Theology of Hans Urs von Balthasar
St. John the Evangelist Parish, Social Hall, 7:30pm
Hans Urs von Balthasar was one of the giants of 20th century Catholic Theology. His massive production of books and articles fills a whole bookcase, and the architectural mass of his work resembles a great cathedral. But its basic lines are clear and straightforward. Fr. Imbelli’s presentation will seek to illuminate the basic patterns and perspectives of von Balthasar’s thought, mindful that for von Balthasar, theology is at the service of Christian living. He speaks of his theology as a “praying theology:” one that derives from prayer and leads to prayer. Fr. Imbelli, a priest of the Archdiocese of New York, teaches theology at Boston College. He recently edited the Boston College Church in the 21st Century publication The Catholic Intellectual Tradition.
For more information, please contact the Adult Faith Formation Commission
Hans Urs von Balthasar was one of the giants of 20th century Catholic Theology. His massive production of books and articles fills a whole bookcase, and the architectural mass of his work resembles a great cathedral. But its basic lines are clear and straightforward. 
This Week: No Classes.
St John’s Parish will again show its solidarity with those in need by collecting funds for a Lenten Gift. This year’s gift will be: Rebuilding in Faith – Supporting St. Margaret Mary’s Parish, Staten Island, NY after Hurricane Sandy’s Devastation. Throughout Lent, the plight of this coastal parish community serving the Midland Beach area and its “grass roots” effort to rebuild peoples’ homes and lives will be shared with you in our weekly parish bulletins and on the parish website.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is suspended for the month of February. An announcement will be posted to let you know when Adoration will resume.
Morning and evening St. John’s Religious Ed classes are canceled for Sunday, February 10th. The Confirmation Retreat scheduled for Sunday, February 10th is postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date. The Grade 2 Parent Meeting for Sunday, February 10th is rescheduled for Sunday, March 3rd at 10:15 am in Philbin Hall. A Grade 2 Parent Meeting is also scheduled for Wednesday, February 13th at 3:45 pm in Philbin Hall. Grade 2 parents are invited to attend the meeting of their choice.
We invite all parishioners to a showing of the movie “Of Gods and Men,” 
The Catholic faithful are reminded to exercise prudence this weekend as they seek to fulfill their Sunday Mass obligation. Weather forecasts predict a significant amount of snowfall on Friday and Saturday, and Archdiocesan officials have already been in contact with parish staffs about the steps that can be taken to prevent building damage and accidents during the storm. The Office of Divine Worship urges all Catholics to heed the travel advisories of their cities and towns, and to stay off the roads during the peak hours of the storm and plow operation. The faithful are encouraged to use good judgment when planning to travel to Mass. Hopefully the storm will have passed on Saturday, and roadways will be clear for travel on Sunday. In the event that roadways are not clear for travel on Sunday, the faithful are reminded that the obligation to attend Sunday Mass does not apply when there is grave difficulty in fulfilling this obligation. (See Code of Canon Law, Canon 1248 §2)
Wednesday, February 20
