We can only do all we do with your help...

November 20, 2018

“The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.”  John 1:9 is one of our Gospel readings on Christmas Day, and it is what we celebrate every year as we enter the seasons of Advent and Christmas: Jesus being born and bringing light to the world!  This is also what we strive to do at Holy Rosary-St. John: we follow Jesus’ lead and work to bring light to the world in our own way.  We serve God and our neighbors every day.  

We offer spiritual works of mercy through Mass and our Gospel Choir.  We offer fellowship through programs like Sunday’s Kids, Youth Group, our Senior Wisdom group, Women’s Group and more.  

We offer corporal works of mercy through the St. John Food Pantry, the St. John Learning Center, Community Gardens, and our Christmas and School Supplies Giveaways.  The St. John Learning Center, our adult education program, will also be offering small business workshops next year, so we are constantly adding to the ways we serve and empower our neighbors. 

Parish programs like the pantry and learning center are based in our former school, which is now called the St. John Community Center. Neighborhood groups and other nonprofits, such as the Community Kitchen and the Order of Malta Center of Care, also provide services and have meetings in the St. John Community Center. 

Yet, to keep all of this going, we need your help.  We have to draw on the wider community for support in order to keep the church, the community center, and all of our outreach viable.  We cannot do it alone.  How can you support us?  

1. Pray for us.  We believe in the power of prayer.  We need and welcome your prayers.  Please keep us and those we serve on your prayer list throughout the year. 

2. Stay in touch. You can sign up for our email newsletter at hrsjchurch.org/newsletter – and we will not overwhelm you with emails.  It is generally sent out once per month (twice at most).  You can also follow us online. Our blog is at hrsjchurch.wordpress.com and has links to all of our programs and our social media. 

3.  Donate.  Yes, we very much need your donations.  We could not continue to do what we do without your support.  The year-end donations we receive make such a difference to us.  I cannot emphasize that enough.  They play a major role in keeping our church and programs running.  Here is how you can donate to Holy Rosary-St. John Church:

- To donate by check, simply return a check made out to “Holy Rosary-St. John” to: Holy Rosary-St. John, P.O. Box 83572, Columbus, OH 43203-0572;
- To donate online, go to hrsjchurch.org/donate for information about how to donate through our secure online donation service or through PayPal.

​We also have a “related organization” that grew out of the church and is now a separate nonprofit, the Community Kitchen. To donate to Community Kitchen, please call (614) 252-6428. 

Thank you for all you do.  Your support makes such a difference.  If you have any questions, please email holy.rosary.st.john@gmail.com or call (614) 252-5926, ext. 7.  

In one of our Advent readings this year, we hear, "I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you, praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the gospel from the first day until now (Philippians 1:3-5)." I give thanks every day for your work with us as we share the faith and serve our neighbors at Holy Rosary-St. John.  Please pray for us, stay in touch with us, and consider a gift this year. 

In Christ, 

Fr. Joshua Wagner 
Pastor