St. John's Church at 414 3rd Street, Carrollton, IL 62016-1319 US - Home
Welcome to St. John’s The Evangelist Church in Carrollton, Illinois website. Our home away from home. We also administer to two other Parishes, which are: St. Michael’s in Greenfield and All Saints in White Hall. You will be able to find our Mass schedule for all three parishes listed under hours button on the left. Of course you can find our bulletins on the left and follow the instructions. Anything else that may be happening in our parishes in the future will be put on the right buttons. Thank you for visiting our site and come back again.
From The Pastor's Sandal Path Feb. 12, 2012
As my Sandals continue their journey down
This week we celebrate St Valentine’s Day! Many will send or receive lovely bouquets of red roses; boxes of delicious chocolate candy and beautiful valentines to express their love. More people, however, will express their love in ways less tangible as they reach out to others in need; open their hearts and share God’s love.
My life is a gift of love from my parents in cooperation with God. Like a healthy Redbud tree, deeply rooted in rich soil, my faith, nurtured on the love of Jesus under the careful guidance of my parents, has enveloped me with heart-shaped “leaves” of love.
The love and guidance of our parents is a major factor in the formation of our “tree”; the shaping of our lives. Under their conscientious leadership, we develop healthy “roots” that empower us to withstand the most rigorous spiritual storms. They prune away those weak and infected “branches” of sin and by prayer and good example empower us to raise our “branches”; our hearts, minds and spirits heavenward, to Christ.
Rooted in faith and healthy in grace, God covers us with Redbud “heart-shaped” leaves. He clothes us in love; makes us a thing of beauty and empowers us to “bloom”; attract others to share His love.
Every time we reach out to someone in need or hurting; lonely or sick, a new “heart” is attached to our “tree” as we continue to put on Christ.
Valentine Day is a wonderful time to show and share our love, but for a healthy tree to grow, it needs moisture and food all year or it withers and looses much of its beauty.
Love shaped “leaves” are popping up all around us as we see so many wonderful people offering helping hands and caring for others.
God in His wisdom made each of us a part of a family where we have many opportunities to share love. God blessed me not only with loving parents, but also with a wonderful family who love, support and pray for me.
To be a part of a healthy, holy and Spirit filled family is one of the greatest blessings we can receive from God. Our family is a life giving, and living Valentine through which we experience the love of Jesus in countless ways all throughout our life.
Along with God and our parents, our family covers our “tree”; life with “heart-shaped leaves” of love and happiness. As a loving, caring and faith-filled family we are like branches on a well formed tree. Together, we encourage one another; pray for each other and nurture that faith which forms us into the beautiful person we were created to be.
We, like the Redbud tree, continue to grow. We become involved in our community and our parish where we receive many “Valentines”; expressions of God’s love, and are given opportunities to share love; “Valentines” with others.
The more the Redbud tree grows, the greater the possibility of being damaged by storm winds, winter ice and snow or some diseases. When that happens, it must be reshaped and nurtured back to health, so new “heart-shaped” leaves may embellish it again.
The same is true when our relationships expand, we may encounter spiritual “storm” as people hurt us; then we need to reshape our lives. With the grace of God and help of family and others, we can clothe ourselves with new heart-shaped “leaves”; God’s love.
Happy Valentine Day! Give the greatest Valentine possible; the love of Jesus!