Second Hour will be starting at the end of the month. If you are a family with children, you should have received a mailing that has all the information needed to register your saint(s) in the making. If you are a family with children, please take a copy of the mailing available at the church entrances, as well as updating your information with the parish. We are still looking for additional catechists to volunteer their time and give back to our Catholic community. Whether you are available every Wednesday night, or only a couple of Wednesdays a month, we would love to have you with us.

At all the Masses this weekend, we will be celebrating the 125^th anniversary of the dedication of St. John’s Church with a reception following in the Parish Life Center. Hope to see you there.

Thank you for your witness to the Sacrament of Marriage. The Diocese of Toledo will honor you and other couples celebrating 25, 40, 50, 60 and 60-plus years of marriage at a Mass celebrated by Bishop Daniel E. Thomas on Sunday, October 24, at 3:00 pm, at Rosary Cathedral, 2535 Collingwood Blvd, Toledo. To register, visit www.toledoanniversarymass.org. Every registering couple is guaranteed an anniversary certificate. Questions? Please contact Alice Jacobs at 419-214-4978 or ajacobs@toledodiocese.org.

Deadline is October 8.

The next Baptism class is scheduled for September 12 at 11:30 am in the St. Luke room. Parents who have not had a child baptized at St. John’s and plan to do so, need to attend this class. We also encourage expectant parents to attend before your child is born. Call the Parish office at 419-782-7121 to register. The third Sunday of the month is Baptism Sunday at 11:30 am. Contact the Parish office to make arrangements.

Our next meeting of the Fest-For-All is Thursday, Aug. 26 at 7:15 pm in the St. Luke Room. Everyone is welcome to attend and volunteer your time.

Please join us for our 5^th Sunday Rosary on August 29 at 3:00 pm at St. John’s.  Anyone is welcome to join in this praying of the rosary for families.  In fact, with students headed back to school and college this would be a great time to offer this rosary up for students and staff to have a safe and productive school year. Any questions call Mike Boff at 419-782-2405.

The first social gathering will be in the St. Luke Room on Thursday, Aug. 12 at 10:00 am with Fr. Dave in attendance.

If you are interested please call Doreen Mohr 419-785-5936 or Freda Stritt 419-395-1840 so that we will know how to plan for our first get together.

The next Fest-For-All meeting will be on August 5 at 7:15 pm in the St. Luke Room. Hope to see you there.

Number of pledges/gifts: 168

Parish Target Amount 2021: $36, 138

Total  amount given: $36,292.50

Percent to Target: 100.43

Thank you to all who have taken the time to pledge money to the Annual Catholic Appeal. WE HAVE MET OUR GOAL! Your generosity is a blessing.

The St. John the Evangelist and St. Mary Catholic Churches in Defiance, Ohio are welcoming communities of worship and service, dedicated to the faith formation of all its members.  The two parishes share their Religious Education program and are seeking a full-time Coordinator of Religious Education/High School Youth Minister.  As a member of both staffs the applicant must desire to work in a model of collaborative leadership and provide direction for an active Religious Education Program.  The applicant must have some training, education, or experience as a catechist or youth minister.  The applicant must also have a love of the Catholic faith and a love of youth.  Position open immediately.  Ministry Description and Responsibilities available on request.  Send Resume and three references by July 30 to:

Rev. Randy Giesige

Address:  715 Jefferson Avenue, Defiance, OH 43512

Phone:  419-782-2776

Fax:  419-782-1958

Email:  rpgiesige@gmail.com