St. John The Baptist Roman Catholic Church

08/29/2026

It is with great joy that on this liturgical Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist - our heavenly patron - we welcome Mr. Donald Caputo as our new staff member and our new Director of Lifelong Faith Formation, effective September 1, 2026. In this new and vital role for our community's future and for the personal spiritual growth of each of our parishioners - from our precious newborns to those blessed elderly brothers and sisters who are preparing to meet and eternally embrace our loving God - the new Director of Lifelong Faith Formation will be our catechetical leader responsible - in close collaboration with the Pastor - for developing, coordinating and implementing a comprehensive lifelong Catholic faith formation within our parish, while assisting our wonderful Saint John's Academy in the same mission. He will oversee catechesis for children, youth, and adults, sacramental preparation and other initiatives that foster evangelization, discipleship and active participation in the Sunday Liturgies and the life of the Church. In addition to his daily collaboration with the Pastor, the new Director will collaborate with other clergy serving in the parish, parish staff, catechists, and ministry leaders to nurture a vibrant, mission driven parish culture rooted in the Gospel.

Please join me in extending our warm St. John’s welcome to Donald as he begins his important mission and ministry among us! May our Heavenly Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Saint John the Baptist continue to intercede for Donald and his new "Spiritual Home" - our Saint John the Baptist Parish Community.

With prayers and gratitude for all your dedication and support,

Msgr. Peter Smutelovic
Pastor

For a complete text of this joyful announcement, please visit www.stjohnhillsdale.org

08/29/2026

As on this blessed day the entire Catholic Church remembers the life, courage and beheading of Saint John the Baptist, our heavenly patron, let us pray for the Lord's blessings for us, all our loved ones and for our dear Parish, as well as for the God's gifts of faith, courage and perseverance in all trials of life.

“O God, who willed that Saint John the Baptist should go ahead of your Son both in his birth and in his death, grant that, as he died a Martyr for truth and justice, we, too, may fight hard for the confession of what you teach. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.”

Saint John the Baptist, pray for us!

Welcome! Whether you’re new to the parish, visiting for the first time, or have been worshiping with us for years, we’re glad you’re here. We hope you feel welcomed, supported, and encouraged as we grow together in faith and community.

08/10/2026

A Verse for Your Week 👀

As we begin this new week, we are reminded of the incredible dignity and worth God has given every person.

"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." — Genesis 1:27

May these words stay with you throughout the days ahead. Have a blessed week! 🙏🏼

08/05/2026

Today the Church celebrates the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major, the oldest church in the West dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

For more than 16 centuries, this sacred basilica has stood as a witness to the Church's love for Our Lady, and as a place of prayer for pilgrims from around the world.

May Mary, Mother of God, lead us ever closer to her Son. 🤍 🙏🏼

07/27/2026

May this Scripture be a gentle reminder to extend grace, offer encouragement, and reflect God’s love in our homes, our parish, and our community.

May God bless you and your family today. 💙

07/04/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸

As we celebrate the blessings of our nation, let us also give thanks to God—the source of every good gift and the true author of our freedom.

Today we remember those who have courageously served and sacrificed so that we may live in liberty. We pray for our country, for our leaders, for our military and first responders, and for peace in every community.

May we never take for granted the freedoms we enjoy, especially the freedom to gather, worship, and share the love of Christ.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” — Psalm 33:12

May God bless you, your family, and our nation.
Happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇸🙏

06/21/2026

Today we give thanks for all fathers, grandfathers, godfathers, and father figures whose love, sacrifice, guidance, and faith help shape our families and communities.

As we celebrate Father's Day, we ask for the intercession of St. Joseph — the faithful protector of the Holy Family and a model of strength, humility, and devotion. May God bless all fathers with wisdom, patience, good health, and abundant grace as they lead and care for those entrusted to them.

Happy Father's Day from our St. John the Baptist Parish Family!

05/25/2026

As we gather with family and friends this Memorial Day, we pause in remembrance of the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. We pray for those who made the ultimate sacrifice, for their loved ones who carry that loss, and for all who continue to serve with courage and faith. 🙏🏻 🇺🇸

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” — John 15:13

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day 🙏
Today we give thanks for the gift of motherhood and the women who guide us in faith, love, and compassion.

May the Blessed Mother watch over you and may God continue to bless you abundantly. 💐

04/09/2026

Thank you very much for our blessed, faith-filled and prayerful Easter. Over 2,400 of us gathered at St. John the Baptist Parish to thank the Risen Lord for the gift of our salvation and HIS countless graces and blessings, and to pray together with the brothers and sisters of our Parish Family.

Thank you - in a special way - to all our young families, children and young people for making our Easter 2026 “so young” and filled with hope for our community and our Catholic Church’s future. We also thank all our elderly, homebound and infirmed parishioners who during these blessed Easter days shared with us - in so many different ways - their deep faith, dedication, generosity and commitment to the parish and church which we all love.

May the Season of Easter - in which we will live, pray and praise God until the Solemnity of Pentecost, May 24, 2026 – be filled for all of us with the renewed and strengthened faith, hope and commitment to the Risen Lord, and our Saint John the Baptist Parish.