The Health Ministry Team is dedicated to continuing the healing ministry of Jesus by promoting wholeness of body, mind, and spirit for the enhancement of the health and well-being of our parish and community. Volunteer team members consist of health professionals and non-professionals. You do not need to be in the health care field to join, and all are welcome to participate. Some of our areas of involvement include: Prayer Shawl Ministry, checking blood pressures after Mass four times per month, blessing of the hands twice a year, obtaining and maintaining first aid kits and A E D for our parish & school.

We are also a visible and educational presence during the summer festival providing first aid, checking blood pressures and blood sugars, as well as other educational information. Come and join us! Contact the team leader, Kathy Meyer at themeyer10@gmail.com.

The purpose of the Parish Life Team is to create a strong, participating faith community and help it flourish by engaging parishioners in fellowship opportunities for all ages, which nurture relationships. Check out the Facebook & Twitter pages.

Parish Life: Activities- Mission Statement - Positions - Contact List

This committee is comprised of volunteer adult men and women who respond in a variety of ways when someone in the parish community passes away. A meal is offered to the grieving family and friends, cards are sent and a line of communication is established for ongoing support. Volunteer Funeral Choir Members are also needed. Call The Office of Adult Ministry at, 513-367-9086 ext. 221, to learn more about how you might serve in this valuable ministry.

In your May stewardship envelope packet there is an envelope for the St. John’s Ladies Sodality. We provide a luncheon for families after the funeral services of a loved one.  Since April of last year we have had the privilege of serving 27 families. Your donation, and the donations received from these families, have allowed us to continue to provide this ministry to all St. John’s Families.

In addition to financial support, if you would like to donate a salad or dessert for any of the luncheons, please put your name and telephone number on the Ladies Sodality envelope. The Parish Office will forward this information to me, Ruth Walter and you will be contacted when food is needed. If you have any questions you can call at 513-367-1198 or Karen Kane at 513-367-9086 ext. 221.

The Daughters of Isabella is an international organization for Catholic women, sixteen years of age and over. It was originally formed for women who wanted to assist the Knights of Columbus, but in 1897 became it’s own organization with it’s own charter. 
The D of I is named after Queen Isabella, who funded the adventures of Christopher Columbus and his voyage to the New World. Isabella, a very brave and virtuous woman, was crowned Queen of Castile at the age of 23.

The main objectives of the D of I members are to become better acquainted, to extend their circle of friends, to aid their intellectual growth, to combine their resources and energies for mutual assistance, and to be a greater strength of influence for promoting good in society. They attempt to live out their motto, “Unity, Friendship, Charity, and Sanctity.” Very importantly, there are many valuable spiritual benefits for all D of I members. St. Mary Circle #214 was established in July of 1922, and is the local circle of the D of I in Harrison, Ohio. Our main focus is the support and maintenance of St. John the Baptist School Library, but includes support to parish functions: St. Vincent DePaul Society, Reach Out Pregnancy Center, the Harrison Cancer Relay for Life and various civic activities. The members sponsor fundraising activities to provide the resources and means to promote their charitable causes through annual events such as: bake sales, Fawn Easter Candy sale, product surveys, etc.Social events include: annual Mother & Daughter banquet for all members of the circle and parish, and an annual Anniversary Dinner to celebrate the many years of their legacy and success.

The contact persons are: Peggy Schmeltzer, Regent, 513-367-0511, Mary Scheurer, Vice Regent, 513-367-2132 ; Michelle Lepper, Treasurer, 812-637-3681

The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic men’s fraternal organization, founded in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGiveny in New Haven, Connecticut, to meet the needs of Catholic families whose breadwinner was deceased. From this humble beginning the K of C has grown to more than 1.8 million members, in 14,000 local councils, in 13 countries. The K of C insurance program has paid out millions of dollars in death benefits to the families of deceased members.

The K of C is often referred to as “The Strong Right Arm of the Church.” This is due to many church related activities supported by the K of C. In 2009, the K of C raised and distributed nearly $150 million and contributed over 70 million volunteer hours of service to church, community, youth and fellow man. They created the $25 million “Knights of Columbus Vicarius Cnristi” fund that generates 1.6 – 1.8 million dollars a year for the Pope’s good works. They also pay the uplink cost for the televising of Papal ceremonies, especially at Christmas and during Holy Week. They have contributed nearly $10 million to the U S Bishop’s Pro Life educational fund. The Knights have also contributed over 44 million dollars for seminarians and vocations. There are many other state & national programs sponsored by the K of C.
 

Locally, Harrison Council #2633 which was founded in 1927 sponsors Boy Scout Troop #408. They also sponsor events for St. John’s PTC, St. John’s Athletic Association, St. Vincent DePaul Society, Harrison Mayors Fund, Reach Out Pregnancy Center, Cincinnati Right to Life, mentally handicapped programs at local schools, Radio Rosary, T V Mass, Girl Scouts, as well as St. John’s Parish.

The Harrison Council has many family oriented functions throughout the year. These include a Christmas party, Easter Egg hunt, awards banquet, volunteers banquet, and an active camper’s group. For information contact Joel Beck, 513-680-2058.

Marriage Encounter is a special weekend for married couples designed to enhance their marital relationship. It is not a retreat, nor a marriage clinic, or group sensitivity. It is a unique approach aimed at revitalizing Christian Marriages. It is designed to deepen and enrich the joys a couple shares together, whether they have been married for a short time or many years. It is a Catholic oriented weekend and is expressed in the tradition and understanding of the Catholic Church. It is however open to all denominations.

The emphasis of Marriage Encounter is on communication between husband and wife, who spend a weekend together away from the distractions and tensions of everyday life, to concentrate on each other. It is a very private weekend – just for the two of you! There is no required group sharing. This is a time to rediscover each other and focus on your relationship.

The weekend teaches a communication technique which permits each couple to explore important areas of their relationship. Marriage Encounter weekends are held regularly and registration is required. If you have questions or wish to register for a weekend please call, John & Patty Dean 513-447-1130, or visit the website at www.wwme.org. 

This ministry is a telephone chain for immediate confidential prayer requests. Calls are made to team leaders, and then notification of request is then forwarded to other members on the Prayer Chain. Please call the Parish Office at 513-367-9086 with prayer requests. You can also be a part of our Prayer Chain by receiving immediate confidential prayer requests via email. Simply send your email address to Carol at caa4peace@fuse.net to be a part of our Prayer Chain.