Mass Intentions
Monday, November 18
7:00 a.m. Int. of Poor Box Contributors
8:00 a.m. Ron DiBlasio
Tuesday, November 19
7:00 a.m. Nimrod Walker
8:00 a.m. Marjorie Moss
Wednesday, November 20
7:00 a.m. Peyton and Madaline Carr
8:00 a.m. William A. Clements
Thursday, November 21
7:00 a.m. Sr. Margaret Geraghty
8:00 a.m. Benedetta & Ronald DiBlasio
Friday, November 22
7:00 a.m. Daniel Salkeld
8:00 a.m. Edward & Lillian Swinderman
Saturday, November 23
8:00 a.m. Edward L. O’Connor
4:30 p.m. Int. of Susan Lakomy
6:30 p.m. Simonne Garceau
Sunday, November 24
7:15 a.m. Mary Picco
8:45 a.m. Francis Benesh
10:30 a.m. Philip Buckleman
12:00 noon Madaline Carr
6:00 p.m. Parishioners of St. John Parish
From the Pastor
Thanks to a tremendous amount of work, cooperation and prayer, the PTF (Parents, Teachers and Friends) can celebrate another successful Spaghetti Dinner. I want to thank all who worked, donated and participated; it was a wonderful evening, and the pasta was great! The Knights of Columbus (Westminster Council) have donated a lawn tractor as one of the prizes for the
Grand Raffle at this year’s Christmas Bazaar. Many other prizes have also been donated. Tickets are now available, and the drawing will take place at the Bazaar on December 7th. Thank you for your support and participation in our parish events and activities.
May God bless you,
Liturgy & Worship
MASS for DECEASED CHILDREN … Sunday, November 24
Mass will be celebrated at 3:00 p.m. in the church. This Mass is personalized with the names of these beloved children. Please call with these names by Wednesday, November 20, to Mary at 410-876-7033 or Bev (evenings) at 410-876-6275.
IMPORTANT LITURGY UPDATES: Beginning the 1st week of Advent, our parish (and the Archdiocese) will be going through some liturgical updates. Don’t worry! These are simple and helpful in making our Mass more focused and prayerful. More information will follow. But for now, all Liturgical Ministers are asked to review the letter sent to them. If you have not received a letter, contact your ministry group leader. Copies of this update are available in the back of the church.
LITURGICAL MINISTERS MINI-RETREAT and REVIEW: Please reserve Saturday, January 18 (snow date January 25), for a Mini-Retreat and Review. All Liturgical Ministers (Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers, Music Ministers, Lectors, Children’s Liturgy of the Word, Children’s Liturgy and Art & Environment) are urged to attend. If you cannot, please let your coordinator know. This important and necessary event will focus on prayer and ministry, and also help us organize ourselves as we prepare for the transition to the new church. The keynote address will be given by Msgr. Valenzano. This event will be a unique opportunity for you to grow in faith and be more effective in ministry. At Carroll Community College from 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. All Liturgical Ministers will receive a personal invitation in December. Please assist us in our preparation, and RSVP at that time.
Liturgy of the Word
DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS … November 18-24
Mon.: Rv 1:1-4;2:1-5; Ps 1:1-4,6; Lk 18:35-43
Tues.: Rv 3:1-6,14-22; Ps 15:2-5; Lk 19:1-10
Wed.: Rv 4:1-11; Ps 150:1-6; Lk 19:11-28
Thurs.: Rv 5:1-10; Ps 149:1-6,9; Lk 19:41-44
Fri.: Rv 10:8-11; Ps 119:14,24,72,103.111,131; Lk 19:45-48
Sat.: Rv 11:4-12; 144:1-2,9-10; Lk 20:27-40
Sun.: Ez 34:11-12,15-17; 1Cor 15:20-26,28; Mt 25:31-46
SCRIPTURE STUDY ... Every Wednesday
The Lord Jesus is our shepherd. At the end, at His coming, he will hand over the kingdom to His Father. He will “judge between one sheep and another, between rams and goats,” between those who have lived their lives for others, and those who have lived for themselves. All are invited at 7:15 p.m. to review, in advance, Sunday’s scripture.
Stewardship
WEEKLY OFFERING: Weekend of November 10, 2002:
Envelopes: $17,439.98 Attendance: 3402
Loose: 4,461.88 Poor Box: $1,482.17
TOTAL: $21,901.86
This year’s budget is based on a weekly offering of $23,100.00. Our current weekly average is $20,944.74. Thank you.
VISION 2003 CAMPAIGN UPDATE:
Total Pledged: $ 5,752,691. VISION 2003
Paid to Date: 4,588,037. Goal: $ 8,056,600.
Balance: $ 1,164,654. Pledged to date: 5,752,691.
Pledges Needed: $2,303,909.
Thank you to all parishioners who have made a pledge. Many more are needed. Memorial opportunities are still available. Please call the parish office to make, renew or extend your pledge.
THE SPECIAL COLLECTION this weekend is the annual collection for the Campaign for Human Development. Thank you for your generosity.
School News
School Calendar
Nov. 21 School Board Meeting – 7:30 p.m.
GROCERY CERTIFICATES and KOHL’S gift cards are available after Sunday morning Masses.
Religious Ed./Youth Activities
Religious Education Office: (410) 848-8443
ADULT CONFIRMATION: Introductory session on Monday, November 18, from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. in the parish center. If you need more information, please contact Seminarian Michael.
CONGRATULATIONS to all the young people who received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time on Saturday. We pray that you will stay close to Jesus by receiving His loving mercy in reconciliation.
Activities in Our Parish
CO-OP NURSERY … Beginning, November 17
Childcare will be provided for ages 1-5 during the 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. Masses in the St. Matthew Room of the school building. For information, contact Peggy Rager at 410-848-0790 or Ann Mussina at 410-751-9844.
NEW BEGINNINGS – SOCIAL NIGHT … Thurs., Nov. 21
From 7–9 p.m., to provide separated or divorced people a forum to exchange experiences and ideas. For information, call Karen F. at 410-871-7247 or 410-857-1010.
WISDOM CLUB MEETING … Thurs., Nov. 21
Mass will be celebrated in the hall of the Ascension Episcopal Church at 12 noon. For information, call Eleanor at 410-876-3336.
WISDOM CLUB 24th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY will be Thursday, December 12 at Martin’s Westminster from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The cost is $20.00 for members and $22.00 for non-members (all are welcome). Included is a delicious buffet, installation of officers, door prizes and entertainment. For additional information, call Mary Agnes at 410-876-1307 or Frances at 410-876-6411.
Reminders
SHORTENED BULLETIN DEADLINE for the December 1st bulletin will be at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 20. All announcements are requested in writing, via fax, e-mail (bulletin@sjwest.org), or may be brought to the parish office.
We Pray…
WE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE of Mary Frances D’Anthony, Rita Chadwick, Monroe Barton, Charles McFadden, Mary Lynn Barrie, and for their families and friends.
FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR THIS WEEKEND are in loving memory of Daniel Salkeld, donated by Sherri Kelbaugh.
ALTAR FLOWER MEMORIALS: If you wish to memorialize a deceased loved one, etc. Your name and the intention will be included in the bulletin the weekend your flowers are placed on the altar. To schedule, please call the parish office.
St. Vincent de Paul Society Newsletter
CHRISTMAS 2002
St. John, Westminster Conference ● St. Vincent de Paul Society
Many thanks to the parishioners of St. John for their cooperation and generosity, which have enabled the St. Vincent de Paul Society to assist in providing gifts and food for many needy families at Christmastime. This assistance has included the following:
■ A New Toy for each Child ■ Food Certificates for each Family
■ A New Item of Clothing for each Child ■ A Gift for each Adult
With your help we hope to aid many needy families again this year.
IF YOU WANT TO HELP. . . HERE'S HOW!
1. If you or your group care to sponsor, i.e., buy all the gifts and all the food (or food gift certificates) for an ENTIRE FAMILY, please call Ed at 848-8693, leave a message if necessary, and Santa’s helper will get back to you promptly with all the information needed about a specific family and what is entailed in adopting an entire family. (Please see back of this sheet*for specifics!)
2. If you care to help with FOOD, we are encouraging donations of FOOD GIFT CERTIFICATES, especially those that can be bought through St. Johns Parents, Teachers & Friends program. These Food Gift Certificates will be sold after the Sunday morning Masses beginning November 24, 2002 through December 8, 2002, and will also be available at the school office on weekdays. These Gift Certificates may be dropped off at the Parish Center anytime, or be brought up at the Offertory on December 7thand 8h. Please do not wrap the Food Gift Certificates!
3. If you wish to participate by buying GIFTS for one or more needy individuals, the St. John Tree of Caring & Sharing will be in the Narthex of the Church from November 16th until December lst. Please take as many gift tags as you are able to respond to. These tags represent and describe individuals and their wish lists. These wrapped gifts can then be presented at the Offertory of the
Masses on the weekend of December 7th and 8th, or be brought to the garage behind the new parish center (former Rectory) on Monday, December 9th, between 9:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M.
IMPORTANT. Please securely attach the Gift Tags from the tree to the gifts you purchase.
►PLEASE! All Gifts Must be in by MONDAY, DECEMBER 9th!◄
Otherwise, gifts must be purchased by the St. Vincent de Paul Society
CHRISTMAS ADOPT-A-FAMILY PROGRAM- 2002
The Deadline for Adoptions is December 1, 2002
Guidelines For Adopting An Entire Family
The following are guidelines for what we would like to provide for each household that we help at Christmas. Should you have any questions, please call the St. Vincent de Paul Office (410-848-8693), and Santa’s helper will get back to you as soon as possible.
Please Read Carefully!
A. Food for Christmas Meal: 5 lbs. potatoes or box of instant, 1 box stuffing, 2 cans green beans, 1 can cranberry sauce, 1 can sauerkraut, 2 cans sweet potatoes, 1 can pumpkin, 1 can evaporated milk, 1 box pie crust mix, gift certificates from area stores for dinner meat.
B. One Week’s Supply of Food: Staples to cover basic needs-1 can Spam, 2 cans tuna, 2 cans vegetables, 2 cans fruit or fresh fruit, 2 cans soup, I box macaroni and cheese, 1 bag rice, 1 or more boxes of jello or pudding, 2 cans pork and beans, 1 box cereal, 1 jar peanut butter, 1 jar jelly, 1 box powdered milk, 1 bag flour, 1 can juice, 1 can coffee, tea bags or cocoa, 1 bag sugar, dish and laundry detergents, toilet tissue, soap. (Optional: shampoo, toothpaste, and light bulbs.)
C. Christmas Gifts: One new item of clothing and one new toy for each child. One small gift for each teen, parent, adult**. Stocking stuffers, such as candy, crayons, toys, etc.
* Food Gift Certificates may be substituted for “A" and "B".
If you prefer to use Food Gift Certificates, we ask that the amount be equal to $ 1 0.00 (or more) per person in the family.
** Gifts for Adults, age 18 or over, are optional
Most are very happy with the food we give, but a gift is a joy at Christmastime.
IMPORTANT:
■ Please do not bring perishable food, as we cannot store it.
■ Gifts should be wrapped. Food gift certificates should not be wrapped, but must be in an envelope marked with the family number, and be handed directly to Santa's helper when all the items are delivered to the garage behind the new Parish Center (former Rectory).
■ For your privacy, if you wish to include a card, please use your first names only.
■ All food and gifts must be delivered to the garage behind the St. John Parish Center (formerly the Rectory) by Monday, December 9, between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., at the latest.
Be Creative and Have a Great Time!
Thank you for having the
True Caring & Sharing Spirit of Christmas!