75. St. John the Martyr (CLOSED)

NOTE: In 2015 this church closed down and was merged into the churches of St. John Nepomucene and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (Roosevelt Island) as part of the Archdiocese of New York's great closings & mergers of 2015. Only St. John Nepomucene and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini will remain open for regular Masses and other events. This combined parish of East River Catholic churches is called the Church of St. John Nepomucene, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini & St. John the Martyr. (PS - I'm sad this church closed as I thought it was really beautiful and it was a very comfortable and safe sanctuary against the sometimes ugliness of the city. If, in fact, this church isn't closed, or you know more about whether it remains open or not, please leave a note in the comments section below.)

(church info last updated 04/08/2016)
Address: 250 E. 72nd St. (@ 2nd Ave.)
Phone: 212.744.4880
Church Constructed: 1888
Links:
"When was it built and who designed it?"
Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist

SATURDAY DAILY MASS

I'm so distracted lately. I feel in the past that I visited these churches with zeal and intensity, and as of today, not as much. I think I just have a lot on my mind - basically all the job/employment hogwash I've been bitching about. It's as if I cannot really enjoy all the parts of my life, because one main part of my life, my job, isn't what I want. I was telling my friend last night that I've realized I'm not the type of person that tends to drink when sad or depressed, but actually only enjoys drinking when things are going mostly overall well - more of a celebratory drunk. So, as of now, I'm not enjoying any extracurricular activities as much recently because that other part of my life (employment!) just doesn't feel right any more, doesn't feel good, I'm not settled, not happy with it. I've got to become more focused on my job search, and thus my life.

All that being said, this church, St. John the Martyr on the east side, is an absolutely awesome little church, and it was a great church to attend Mass in - comfortable, cozy and just a good feeling. I think I was too caught up in the stupid business of my mind to enjoy it at the time, but looking back on the experience and these pictures it was great to be there. The building was constructed as the chapel of part of a larger Presbyterian church in 1888 and was taken over by a Catholic parish in 1904. There are some nice little artistic details to be found on the exterior, above the altar, on the door and other little places you look.


A thought, real quick, something my friend in L.A. asked me recently when we were discussing a a sick family member and all the many prayers being offered for their healing: "What about the people out there in the world who have no one to pray for them? Does God watch over them, does God help them, or are they destined to suffer because they either know no one or those they know do not pray?"

Perhaps someone out there can help offer a better response than I did, which was basically: God and the saints reserve a special place for these folks in their thoughts, gifts and graces since those people are, in a prayerful sense, alone down here. I also offered that there are whole congregations and holy orders that say special intentions for those that have no one to pray for them. And also that I, and we as spiritual people, should offer up prayers to those who have no one to pray for them.

I meant to work more on my resume and job search today than I have, but I eventually became too consumed in all the many escapes of life. It seems like this always happens to me. Distractions and disruptions and then I'm back to where I've begun.

63. St. John the Baptist (New Parish Name TBD)

NOTE: In 2015 this church merged with Church of the Holy Cross as part of the Archdiocese of New York's great closings & mergers of 2015. Both churches will remain open for regular Masses and other events. This new combined parish name is currently TBD.

(mass times & church info last updated 03/22/2016)
Address: 210 W. 31st St. (@ 7th Ave.)
Phone: 212.564.9070
Weekend Mass Times: 
Sat: 4pm
Sun: 9am, 10:30am, 12pm, 5:15pm
Weekday Mass Times: 
Mon-Fri: 6:45am, 7:45am, 12:15pm, 5:15pm
Sat: 12:15pm
Confession:
Sat: 11:30am-12:30pm, 3pm-4pm
Mon-Fri: 7:15am-7:45am, 11:45am-12:15pm
Rosary:
Mon-Fri: 11:55am, 4:55pm
Sat: 12pm
Exposition: M-F: after the 12:15pm Mass
Benediction: M-F: 5:05pm
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena Mass: Wed: 6:30pm
All Night Vigil (Our Lady of Fatima):
The Friday before the First Saturday: 9pm-6am
Blessing With the Relic of the True Cross:
Fridays following the 12:15pm and 5:15pm masses
Church Constructed: 1872

Links:
Official Website
The Padre Pio Shrine at the church
Prayer Garden at the church
About the Organ
Yelp reviews
About St. John the Baptist

I am an incredible imbecile; a child requiring constant guidance, prone to distraction, destruction and desperation; in need of God, holding and leading me. Without God I am nothing, capable of so much horror; and with God, I am somehow kept safe from myself.

Single again, I am the inevitable failure: incapable of maintaining relationships because of my own issues or theirs.  I walk these streets alone again, in darkness towards light, turning towards God, praying to be lead me down the right path, toward some kind of ultimate end, towards salvation.

For what have I here without God? Empty streets, broken bottles, Radiohead?

Early on I committed one or two mistakes but for the most part, on the whole, I was decent - better than normal.  I was good and did all things accordingly. Yet, for whatever reasons, this time once again, it's not happening. There are many things I have to offer, but those qualities of mine, which some may find so attractive, do not offer her a house, provide for her or make her feel secure. Loser is too strong (and silly) a word. Inept waste, perhaps?

Such was my mood when I attended St. John the Baptist this morning...

It's a really wonderful church, actually - complete with meditation garden in the middle of midtown Manhattan. I know many Catholics that work in this area often attend daily mass at this church, or try to catch a breather from the world - this is the place to do just that.

Ironically, all the readings today focused on love. Love of the Father for us, we for the Father and one another. The priest giving the homily, Father Salvatore, even quoted Bacharach's little song: "What the world needs now, is love sweet love, not just for some, but for everyone." It was one of the best sermons I've heard in a while - but I believe part this was in part to the fact I was really listening. Loving each other is truly so easy - then why in practice is it so difficult?

I thanked Salvatore for his words and then enjoyed the benefits of the meditation garden. I also prayed to Padre Pio - there is a shrine to Pio here. My brother, back home now in the town I group up in, divorced and unemployed, has recently come back to the church in large part due to his admiration of Pio.


The sky outside, fittingly, is grey today, and my mood, brightened momentarily by my encounter with St. John the Baptist church this morning, dims again. Things for me had seemed okay, and now, once again I'm unsure. She was a good, beautiful, thoughtful, Catholic, and I even got along well with her family.

Also - I loved her.

"Can't get the stink off, he's been hanging round for days, comes like a comet, suckered you but not your friends, one day he'll get to you and teach you how to be a holy cow, you do it to yourself, you do and that's what really hurts, is that you do it to yourself, just you, you and no one else, you do it to yourself...Don't get my sympathy, hanging out the fifteenth floor, you've changed the locks three times, he still comes reeling through the door, one day I'll get to you, and teach you how to get to purest hell..."

9. St. Jean Baptiste

(mass times & church info last updated 04/06/2016)
Address: Lexington at 76th St.
Phone: 212.288.5082
Weekend Mass Times:
Sat: 5:30pm (English)
Sun: 9am, 11am (Choral), 5:30pm, 7:30pm (all English)
Weekday Mass Times:
Mon-Fri: 7:30am, 12:15pm (both English)
Sat: 12:15pm (English)
Confession:
Sat: 11:45am-12:10pm; 5pm-5:30pm
Sun: 7pm-7:30pm
Mon-Fri: 11:45am-12:10pm
Holyday Mass Times: 7:30am, 12:15pm, 7pm (all English)
Christmas Eve:
5:30pm, 11:30pm (Carols), 12am
Christmas Day:
9am, 11am
New Year's Eve:
5:30pm (Vigil Mass), 11pm (Exposition), 11:30pm (Mass)
New Year's Day:
9am, 11am
Ash Wednesday:
7:30am, 12:15pm, 7pm
Ashes distributed from 7am-7pm
Stations of the Cross:
Lenten Fridays following the 12:15pm Mass
Palm Sunday:
9am, 11am, 5:30pm, 7:30pm
Holy Thursday:
7:30pm, followed by Adoration until 11pm
Good Friday:
12pm (Stations of the Cross)
3pm (Choral Liturgy of the Passion)
7:30pm (Tenebrae)
Holy Saturday:
9am (Tenebrae)
7:30pm (Great Vigil of Easter) 
Easter Sunday:
9am, 11am, 5:30pm
Liturgy of the Hours:M-F: 8am, 5pm
Sun: 5pm
Exposition: Daily
Nocturnal Adoration:
First Friday: Begins with Mass at 5:30pm, continues with Adoration, and concludes with Vespers at 8:30pm
Annual Novena to St. Anne:
Conducted from July 17 through July 26
(It includes two Eucharistic Liturgies daily and procession of the Blessed Sacrament at the 7:30 pm Liturgy. The relic of St. Anne is applied to the sick and presented for veneration at these Liturgies. The Novena includes a Communal Anointing of the Sick and the Blessing of Children.)
Charismatic Prayer Group:
Every Thursday in Parish House: 7:30pm-9pm
Rosary:
contact the church to find out more info
St. Anne Novena & Devotion:
contact the church to find out more info
St. Peter Julian Eymard Novena & Devotion:
contact the church to find out more info
Links:
Official Website
Architecture
Wikipedia: John the Baptist
Wikipedia: Advent
Wikipedia: Advent Wreath


SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

For some reason so tired today, almost feel as though I'm trapped within a grey slumber. The weather changed again and it's still cold but it's strange out there. A lot of moody people around.

St. Jean Baptiste is the sister church of St. Andrew church which I went to a couple weeks ago. Another beautiful Upper East side church and much like the service at St. Andrew, the priest this morning gave a really great talk, again on the subject of Advent and preparation.

John lived on the margins of society and readied those who would hear him for something great. Here, in the city, I am trying to move away from the fringes and fit into something trivial and worldly.

When will I awake?

This church has a lovely shrine devoted to St. Anne, the Blessed Mother's own mother. Yesterday was the Feast of the Immaculate Conception which celebrates the conception of Mary within Anne. There is, of course as with most saints, a special prayer to Anne...

"O, glorious St. Anne you are filled with compassion for those who invoke you and with love for those who suffer. Heavily burdened with the weight of my troubles, I cast myself at your feet and humbly beg of you to take the present intention which I recommend to you in your special care.

Please recommend it to your daughter, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and place it before the throne of Jesus, so that He may bring it to a happy issue. Continue to intercede for me until my request is granted. But, above all, obtain for me the grace one day to see God face to face, and wih you and Mary and all the saints to praise and bless Him for all eternity. Amen."




(01/05/2011)
Additional Photos...