St. John Neumann Catholic Church

MAY - MARY'S MONTH:  COME PRAY THE ROSARY on Saturdays and Wednesdays
Every Saturday there are two opportunities for SJN parishioners to pray one mystery of the Rosary together: in the morning, after the 8:00 am Mass, or late afternoon, at 5:30 pm, right before the 6 pm Mass.  During this month of May, there will be a weekly gathering to pray the Rosary in the SJN Rosary Garden located behind the school.  We will pray the Glorious Mysteries at 6:45 pm, after the 6:00 pm Mass.  The first Wednesday will be May 7.  Hope to see you there!

CLICK Baby Bottle Drive to get details regarding next Sunday's activities in support of the Pregnancy Help Center

PENTECOST NOVENA - from 5/2 to 5/11
About a hundred years ago, Pope Leo XIII was inspired to call every Catholic Church in the world to pray nine days for the coming of the Spirit.  We pray this novena from the feast of the Ascension to Pentecost each year.  "I prayed this novena in 1975, and it was one of the greatest events of my life...I have compiled these Bible-based prayers for a new Pentecost.  If we pray these prayers sincerely, we will see the Spirit do more than we have ever asked or imagined (Eph 3:20)." Testimony by Fr. Al Lauer (entered eternal life October 13, 2007)

To be prayed for nine days, beginning Friday, May 2 for Pentecost Sunday - May 11

KNOXVILLE CATHOLIC SINGLES

• May 5, Monday:  Cinco de Mayo - A party that celebrates freedom and liberty since the 5th of May, 1862.  Join us for dinner at Jalisco Mexican Restaurant & Cantina at 6:00 pm.  It is located off Cedar Bluff Road at Sherrill Road were the old Food Lion Shopping Center is or behind Wendy's, Burger King & Kentucky Fried Chicken on Cedar Bluff Road.  Please RSVP so we can save enough seats for everyone, since it should be busy that night.  Please call Nancy C at 588-5591 by Sunday, May 4.
• May 10, Saturday:  Tour Historic Norris Homes - Meet our host, Kathy C. at 2:00 pm in downtown Norris for this historic open house.  Fee for open house is $15. After the tour, the group will decide a place to have a late lunch or early dinner.  If there is enough interest, Kathy will also set up a Knoxville location for carpooling.  Call or e-mail Kathy to RSVP by May 9 (494-8790) or e-mail
• May 12, Monday:  Service Project - Items needed for "Italian" basket for the All Saints Adult Social/Fundraiser silent auction.  Please have your donation to Donna by May 12.   For more information call 531-3839 or e-mail
• Thursdays in May:  Line Dance Lessons - Linda and Friends will teach line dance lessons at Concord UMC on Thursday nights. As always, lessons are free and no registration is needed.  Lessons are from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, but doors open at 6:30 for those who want to come early and socialize. The church is at 11020 Roane Drive in Farragut.  For more information e-mail .

LADIES OF CHARITY MEETING - 5/9
The Ladies of Charity monthly meeting will be May 9.  It will begin at Holy Ghost Church with a rosary at 9:30 am and Mass at 10 am.  Following Mass, we will carpool to UT Gardens for a tour and our meeting.  Bring a sack lunch.  Drinks and dessert will be provided.  All women of the parish are welcome.

HAITI RUN FOR HEALTH - 5/10
The Haiti Run for Health is a 4-mile competitive race and 2½-mile walk being held May 10.  Its purpose is to raise needed funds for local medical teams to purchase and dispense medications to the people of the St. Louis du Nord region of Haiti.  For more information contact: Dennis Miller:  , or Dean Waters:  , or Cathy Lowden:  .  Registration forms are available for download at http://www.epivox.com/ortc/.

FAITH ALIVE: LIVING GOD'S WORD - 5/10
9:00 - 10:15 am, Saturday, May 10 - This Scripture Mini-Workshop opens with a continental breakfast in the school cafeteria, then the workshop follows in the library.  Bibles provided (or bring your own).

RESPECT LIFE OPPORTUNITY - 5/10
On Saturday, May 10 at 11:00 am, a Procession of Healing will be held in Downtown Knoxville.  The cooperative effort of different churches in East Tennessee, the Procession is meant to be a public expression of grief for the loss of 4100 lives due to abortion in Knox County last year as well as to sympathize with and pray for the healing of each and every mother who has experienced this trauma.  The city of Knoxville has issued a parade permit for the procession of cars which will assemble at 9:30 am at the Knoxville Coliseum Garage "B" (2nd garage building across from the Coliseum... signs will be posted).  The procession will follow the Knoxville Downtown Parade Route from the Coliseum down Church St to Gay St and Depot St.  Please go to http://www.myspace.com/PROCESSIONOFHEALING for more details and plan to participate in this powerful event!

MAY CROWNING - 5/11
On Mother's Day, Sunday, May 11, the May Crowning will take place between the 9:30 and 11:00 am Masses.

FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP

FORMING GOOD STEWARDS
"I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work you gave me to do" - John 17:4.  Jesus spoke these words as part of his prayer to the Father for his disciples at the Last Supper just before he went to the Garden of Gethsemane.  What was the work the Father had given Jesus to accomplish on earth to glorify Him?  Part of that work was to be a living, breathing, walking, talking example and model to show us how we can accomplish the work the Father has given to each of us to accomplish on this earth.  For each of us that work is different.  Each of us has received from God a vast array of talents, abilities and gifts that are unique; we each have a unique life experience.  It is precisely because we are unique that we must identify, accept, develop and be all that God creates us to be.  And we must share what God has given to us with others.  When we meet God face to face, will we be able to say, "I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work you gave me to do?"

CATHOLIC CHARITIES CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELING SERVICES
Catholic Charities offers credentialed and confidential counseling services across the Diocese on an income-based sliding fee scale.  Services are available to anyone in the community, and Spanish-speaking counselors are available in some areas.  Call your local Catholic Charities offices (Chattanooga 423-267-1297; Jonesborough 423-753-3001; Knoxville 865-524-9896) or go to http://www.ccetn.org/ to contact a counselor in your area.

SJN WOMEN ON THE MOVE & MARTHA'S KITCHEN
When life throws you a curveball, (ex: surgery, extended illness, new baby, etc.) we are here to help!  Martha's Kitchen is a ministry that will provide you or your family meals short term to ease the stress and help get you back on your feet.  If you or another parishioner is in need of this wonderful service, please contact Pam Pereira @ 776-2258 or email

FIRST COMMUNION CROSSES
CCD student First Communion crosses are available in the parish office.

BIRTHDAY BOXES THANKS!
The SJN CCD 10th graders would like to thank the parishioners for their support in helping with their Birthday Boxes service project.  The students, their families and the church helped to gather enough birthday party items to make 16 (8 girl/8 boy) birthday boxes, as well as extra cake mixes and party items. The students made up the boxes on their last night of CCD.  The boxes, along with a $140.00 Wal-Mart gift card (for birthday presents) were delivered to Catholic Charities offices for use in the Columbus Home shelter.  Thanks to everyone who contributed.

THANKSGIVING FOR FATHER DAVID ENGO, OFM CAP
St. John Neumann Parish was greatly blessed with a mission/retreat given the evenings of April 14-16 by Fr. David Engo, OFM Cap.  Fr. David is a priest filled with God's love, including an immense zeal and ability to radiate it.  We are thankful for him, and all those who attended or helped in any way.  The good news is that there will be a return visit planned!  The talks given by Fr. Engo are being made available at no charge in either MP3 or on a CD.  If you were unable to make the retreat, missed one of the days or just want to be able to listen to a talk again, this is your chance.  There will be sign-up sheets in the Narthax for the next couple of weekends.  Please indicate which format and how many of each talk you would like.

CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP every Sunday
The Holy Family charismatic prayer group meets downstairs in the Youth House every Sunday from 7:30 to 9:00 pm.  Come and join us in Praise and Worship to the Lord.  For more information contact Crystal at 584-1746.

PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Come to Me...I will refresh you." - Mt. 11:28.  Packets explaining Eucharistic Adoration are available.  If you would like to sign up for a weekly hour, or need further information, please call the church office.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL UPDATE - RAINFOREST ADVENTURE - Register 5/17 and 18

• The next planning meeting will be on Tuesday, May 6 at 12:30 pm in the parish office.  Newcomers welcome!
• Youth and adult volunteer sign-ups begin next Sunday, May 11 after all Masses.  Volunteers are needed for:  food, crafts, storytelling, music, games, science, and teaching.  Busy working parents: This is a short-term volunteer opportunity that will make a lasting difference in a child's life. Children of VBS staff attend free!  HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: EARN YOUR VOLUNTEER HOURS DURING VBS-IT'S FUN! 
• VBS Registration after Sunday Masses the weekend of May 17 and 18.  Fees are $20 for one child, $35 for 2, and $40 for 3 or more.
• VBS dates are Monday, June 9 - Friday, June 13. We will meet in the evenings. To help or for more information, please contact Dana in the CCD office, 777-0077, X 113 or e-mail at

MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH every Monday
The Youth House is open every Monday night from 5:30 - 7:30 pm unless noted otherwise.

SENIOR HIGH YOUTH
Karen Byrne is Coordinator of High School Youth Ministries.  Call me with questions, concerns or a desire to be a part of Youth Ministry.  .

BASKETBALL CAMP - NEW DATES - 5/27 to 29 at KCHS
Due to a change in gym availability, the dates for the 20^th Annual Knoxville Basketball Camp will be held May 27, 28 & 29 at Knoxville Catholic High School.  Ages 8 thru 10 will be from 9:00 - 11:30 am each day.  Ages 11 thru 8^th grade will be from 12:30 - 3:00 pm each day.  Call Mike Hutchens at 865-560-0514 (day) or 865-621-1845 (evenings).  Family pricing is available.

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER - 5/30 to 6/1
Come and recharge your marriage/holy orders.  The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend is May 30 to June 1.  Contact John or Manuela Ptacek at 865-531-1719 or at for more information.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

• Ladies Of Charity Thrift Shop part time position available.  Please contact Jo Seymour at 524-0538 for information.
• SJNCS is currently accepting applications from qualified applicants to fill the following positions for the 2008-2009 school year. Applicants must be certified in the State of Tennessee or working towards certification. Please call the school at (865) 777-0077 for an application. Mail your completed application and resume to Mrs. D. Morris, Principal, 625 St. John Court, Knoxville, TN 37934.
• Classroom Teachers (Grades K thru 8)
• Music/theatre (K thru 8)
• Technology (K thru 8)

SUMMER CHILD CARE AVAILABLE
I am Rachel Mohan, a stay at home mother, and willing to watch children from newborn to 5^th grade for the summer starting June 9.  Snacks included, for ages 2 years and up.  References available.  Please contact me at 865-405-0886.