Mass Intentions

Monday, January 27

      7:00 a.m.                     Mr. & Mrs. C. Edward Cootes

      8:00 a.m.                     Luisa Ramirez

Tuesday, January 28

      7:00 a.m.                     Peter Foley

      8:00 a.m.                     Ronald DiBlasio

Wednesday, January 29

      7:00 a.m.                     Int. of Randy Rager

      8:00 a.m.                     Mae Gramlich

Thursday, January 30

      7:00 a.m.                     Edward & Lillian Swinderman

      8:00 a.m.                     Joseph L. Mathias, Jr.

Friday, January 31

      7:00 a.m.                     Peyton & Madaline Carr

      8:00 a.m.                     Marjorie B. Case

Saturday, February 1

      8:00 a.m.                     Int. of Poor Box Contributors 

        4:30 p.m.                     Hellen Cronauer

        6:30 p.m.                     Int. of Randy Rager

Sunday, February 2

      7:15 a.m.                     Eleanor Rock

      8:45 a.m.                     Eudora Burgoon Zirbe

    10:30 a.m.                     Parishioners of St. John Parish

    12:00 noon                   Elaine Homan

      6:00 p.m.                     Theresa Malta

 

 

 

From the Pastor

    Hopefully many of your have noticed the recently renovated main entrance to our parish school building. The new entrance platform, steps and sidewalk were long overdue. Thanks to the generosity of the Schuster Concrete Company of Owings Mills our school entrance is now better than ever. I want to personally and publicly thank Mr. Schuster, his company and workman. Despite the bad weather, cold temperatures and the necessity of keeping the entrance functional throughout the project, all of the workers were courteous and the quality of the workmanship was excellent.  Please know that this generous gift to our parish school is deeply appreciated.

 

May God bless you,

 

Liturgy & Worship

CHILDREN’S LITURGY ... Saturday, February 4

The 4:30 p.m. Mass will be a children’s liturgy

 

PERPETUAL ADORATION of the BLESSED SACRAMENT:  We need your help with the following hours: Sundays – 1, 4, 5, 7 p.m.; Tuesdays – 1 a.m.; Wednesdays – 1 a.m.; Thursdays – 5 p.m.; and Saturdays – 12, 1, 6 p.m. If you are willing to spend 1 hour or ½ hour each week with the Lord, please call the parish center to give us your name, phone number and the day and time that we may schedule you for Adoration.

 

Liturgy of the Word

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS … January 27- February 2

Mon.:   Heb 9:15,24-28;   Ps 98:1-6;   Mk 3:22-30

Tues.:  Heb 10:1-10;   Ps 40:2,4,7-8,10-11;   Mk 3:31-35

Wed.:  Heb 10:11-18;   Ps 110:1-4;   Mk 4:1-20

Thurs.: Heb 10:19-25;   Ps 24:1-4,5-6;   Mk 4:21-25

Fri.:      Heb 10:32-39;   Ps 37:3-6,23-24,39-40;  Mk 4:26-34

Sat.:      Heb 11:1-2,8-19;   (Ps) Lk 1:69-75;   Mk 4:35-41

Sun.:     Mal 3:1-4;   Ps 24:7-10;   Heb 2:14-18;   Lk 2:22-40

 

SCRIPTURE STUDY ... Every Wednesday

Jesus, the King of Glory, yet like us in all things, comes to His temple to be a light for all the nations. This feast originating in 4^th c. Jerusalem, came to be celebrated in Rome by the middle of the 5^th c. under its Greek title, “Feast of the Meeting”; known also as Candlemas Day. All are invited to the parish center at 7:15 p.m. to review, in advance, Sunday’s scripture.

 

Stewardship

WEEKLY OFFERING: Weekend of January 19, 2003:

Envelopes:       $17,289.20                               Attendance:  3255

Loose:                   3,724.37                               Poor Box:   $1,303.89

TOTAL:         $21,013.57

 

This year’s budget is based on a weekly offering of $23,100.00. Our current weekly average is $21,696.44. Thank you.

 

VISION 2003 CAMPAIGN UPDATE:

Total Pledged:    $    6,004,141.         Goal:                       $    8,056,600.  

Paid to Date:             4,760,288.         Pledged to date:         6,004,141.

Balance:               $  1,243,853.     Pledges needed:         $    2,052,459.

 

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.

 

School News

 

GROCERY CERTIFICATES are available each school morning in front of the school and in the school office during the day.

 

Religious Ed./Youth Activities

Religious Education Office: (410) 848-8443

 

FIRST EUCHARIST MEETING for parents of children preparing for the First Holy Communion should attend one of the following meetings being held in the school cafeteria at 6:45 p.m.   

 

♦ Tuesday, February 4   or   ♦ Thursday, February 6

 

FIRST EUCHARIST MASS of INITIATION … Sat., Feb. 8

All students preparing to receive First Holy Communion this spring are asked the attend this special Mass of Initiation at 4:30 p.m. for St. John School Students or at 6:30 p.m. for Religious Education students.

CONFIRMATION SPONSOR SESSION … Sun., February 16 From 3:30 – 4:45 p.m. in the Church. All sponsors and candidates are expected to attend this important and required session. Snow date will be Sunday, February 23. Please, be on time! 

 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: If you would like to volunteer as a teacher, classroom assistant or a helper for snacks, crafts, music, babysitting or planning, please call the Religious Education Office as soon as possible. This year VBS will be the week of June 16 or June 23 depending on school dismissal for summer break.

 

 

RCIA II: Because of the growing need to help people enter the Catholic Church, we are planning to begin a new RCIA program that will run from late February to the Feast of Christ the King this November. We will meet on Monday nights from 7-9 p.m. in the parish center. This program will be open to any baptized person who, for whatever reason, never received the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. Our regular RCIA will continue to run from September to the Easter Vigil. For info, please call Paul in the Religious Ed. Office. Also, if you know of anyone who might like to attend, please pass on this information.

 

ADULT EDUCATION SESSIONS: In celebration of our 150^th anniversary, we have begun a monthly Adult Faith Formation Program. Our sessions will meet on the second Monday of each month, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. in the St. Theresa Room at the parish center. February’s presentation, February 10^th is on “The Art of Prayer.” Monsignor Art will be leading the session. March’s presentation, March 10^th will be on Christian Morality and Medical Ethics and will be led by Fr. Brian. Clock Hours will be given for these presentations. For more information, please call Paul in the Religious Ed. Office.

 

 

SUB SALE REMINDER to pick up your order after Sunday Masses (8:45, 10:30 and 12:00 noon). Thank you for your support. 

 

FR. STAN FORTUNA … Friday, January 31

Life Teen will be traveling to St. Joseph’s Church in York to spend an evening with Fr. Stan Fortuna as he shares God’s love through words, song, worship and prayer. If you’ve never heard of Fr. Stan, he’s a rapping, Franciscan priest from New York City. If enough people sign up, we will get a bus. Please call Paul for more details.

 

STEUBENVILLE: We have been selected to attend the High School Youth Conference June 20^th – 22^nd. There are still a few spots left, so, if you haven’t already signed up and want to come, please call Paul in the Religious Ed. Office. The cost of the trip is $195.00, but financial assistance is available. Just a reminder, this awesome weekend is open to anyone presently in 8^th through 12^th grade.

 

 

NEXT EDGE NIGHT … Sunday, February 9

From 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. in the Art Room of the school. “God is Soooo Good!” Find out just how good!

EDGE SKI TRIP … Friday, February 28

The Edge would like to go on a Family ski Trip, if there is enough interest. If you would like to come, please email Ms. Andrea Brown at abrown@sjwest.org. 

 

FR. STAN FORTUNA: Anyone in the Edge interested in joining Life Teen to see Fr. Stan Fortuna, the awesome rapping Franciscan priest on Friday, January 31 should email Ms Andrea Brown at abrown@sjwest.org. If enough people sign up, we will be getting a school bus.

 

THE EDGE NEWSLETTER: If You are in the 7^th – 8^th grade and did not receive the Edge newsletter in the past few weeks, please let us know so we can get you on the mailing list. Email to: abrown@sjwest.org.

 

 

NEXT ACTIVITY NIGHT ... Friday, February 7

From 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. in the Cafeteria of the school. All 5 – 6 graders are welcome. No need to sign up, just come and bring a friend.

 

Outreach

* THE ST. VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY *

Have you ever been hungry and know that you have no food? There are people who actually have nothing to eat and no place to get food. Thank you for supporting St. Vincent DePaul so that we can help people that have no place to go for food. 

 

THE GABRIEL PROJECT of ST. JOHN is in need of daytime drivers to help girls get to doctor appointments, as well as other needs. We are also in need of housing for girls that are pregnant or have just had a baby. If you are interested in helping, please call 410-871-1181. Time in your home can be from 2 weeks to 6 months or longer. Training is available.

 

   Activities in Our Parish

ST. JOHN’S BOYS BASKETBALL DANCE … Sat., Feb. 1

For ticket information, call Tammy Bowers at 410-848-8397 or Donna Arnold at 410-857-5678.

 

K of C PANCAKE BREAKFAST … Sunday, February 2

From 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Join the Knights of Columbus for a great breakfast including, Pancakes, French Toast, Eggs and more. Adults only $4 and $2 for children. Proceeds to benefit the St. John Community.

 

ST. JOHN LADIES’ SODALITY ... Sunday, February 2

Sodality meets for the 8:45 a.m. Mass, followed by the meeting in the Emmaus Room in the parish center. Ladies aged 16 and older are welcome. If you need a ride, call Deana at 410-876-1007.

 

MEN’S FELLOWSHIP GROUP … Sunday, February 2

At 7:30 p.m. in the St. Luke Room. Encourage and strengthen Catholic men in faith and spirit through prayer, sharing and support. Start the first meeting of the New Year with prayer, thanksgiving and planning topics. For more information, please call Lawrence Solarczyk at 410-751-6477.

ST. JOHN OUTREACH MEETING … Monday, February 3

At 3:30 p.m. in Room A of the parish center. For more information, please call 410-876-1027.

 

FRASSATI SOCIETY SNOW TUBING … Saturday, Feb. 8

The Frassati Society (young adults) will be going snow tubing at Ski Liberty. We will meet at 12 noon at the parish center to carpool. The cost is $13 for 2 hours of tubing

 

KNIGHT’S GOLF TOURNAMENT … Friday, June 6

Held at The Links at Gettysburg. A 1:30 p.m. shotgun start. Many prizes, including the chance of winning a Chrysler or Ford vehicle for a hole in one. Food and beverages are included. Save with early registration. For more information, contact John Stephens at 410-848-3722 or Dean Ditman at 410-848-5579.

 

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING (NFP): This Catholic approach to planning a family is important for engaged couples, newlyweds, and already married couples. NFP does NOT rely on artificial forms of contraception, which is physically and emotionally harmful, not always effective and potentially destructive to married life, communication, and the spouses’ understanding of physical love. Instead, NFP is a safe, healthy, natural and effective way to plan your family according to God’s will. This has also been proven to help couples communicate and improve their sense of love and intimacy with each other. The course begins Sunday, February 19. For information, and registration call Christine & Mike Wallace at 410-833-9287.

 

NEW BEGINNINGS is held in the parish center on the 1^st and 3^rd Thursdays each month from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. to provide separated or divorced people a forum to exchange experiences, ideas and opinions on subjects of interest to singles. For information, call Karen F. at 410-871-7247 or 410-857-1010.

 

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS NEEDED: With your help we can improve the music program with better resources, instruments and equipment for St. John  students. Please contact David Copperthite at 410-209-4805 if you have donations of musical instruments.

 

HOW TO REGISTER at this PARISH: All new parishioners who wish to register at the parish are invited to receive a welcoming packet form either the Parish Office, Ushers, School, Religious Education, or Baptism Preparation Class. The welcoming packet will invite you to a “Welcoming and Registration Sunday” which will be held every 1^st Sunday of the month, from 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. or 11:30 – 12:00 noon. At that time, interested parishioners can meet some of our parish priests and parishioners, hear about various programs, receive coupons for free Knights of Columbus breakfasts, and receive a more personal welcome into this very large and faith-filled parish. If you are interested in registering or becoming involved with this process, contact Fr. Leo in the parish office.

 

From the Archdiocese

DO YOU KNOW WHERE GOD IS CALLING YOU? If you have any questions about discerning a vocation to the priesthood or women’s religious life, contact Fr. Gerard Francik, the Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, at 410-547-5354.

 

MARRIAGE – A VOCATION TO HOLINESS: Married couples experiencing some difficulties in the marriage, but willing to put their best effort into living their vows, are encouraged to participate in a retreat called “Retrouvaille” on February 7 – 9 or May 30 – June 1, 2003. To receive more information, please call 410-647-0350.

 

WORLD MARRIAGE DAY … Sunday, February 9

All couples are invited to participate in a special Mass at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore, at 3:00 p.m. A reception will follow. Couples wishing to receive special recognition from the Archdiocese for 25 and 50 years of marriage should contact, Charlie & Joanne Haitmanek at 410-683-0288.

 

Our Sesquicentennial

SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION CALENDAR

It is hoped that all parishioners will join in the festivities at these events celebrating our parish and our new church.

 

March: 30 – Apr. 3: Parish Lenten Mission in the church prepares us for the celebration of our Savior’s resurrection on Easter Sunday. All parishioners are encouraged to share this experience.

 

April 12: “Passion According to St. Luke” presented by Leonardo Defilippis. At 8:00 p.m. in the church. Cost is $4/person at the door. For more information, call the Religious Ed. Office.

 

May 3: 150^th Anniversary Gala at Martin’s, Westminster, from 7:00 p.m. to midnight. Dining, dancing and special presentations. Tickets required. Call Karen at 410-857-1010.

 

July 20: St. John School Reunion for all alumni. Tickets required for reception at Martin’s, Westminster. Call Darlene at 410-876-7031.

 

August 9: Parish Family Picnic at the historic Shriver Homestead in Union Mills. For information, call Sue or Pat at 410-876-3745.

 

September 28: New Church Dedication Mass celebrated by Cardinal Keeler. A reception follows in the gym.

 

September 5, 6, 7, 12, 13: Musical Production of “Three Marys” presented by St. John parishioners at Winter’s Mill High School. Sept. 7 is a matinee performance. Tickets required. For more information, call Jeanne at 876-3784.

 

October. 1: “St. Therese, the Little Flower” presented by Leonardo Defilippis. At 7:30 in the gym. For information, call the Religious Ed. Office.

 

November: 150^th Anniversary Book & Video detailing the history of St. John parish scheduled for release. Available to all parishioners.

 

December 27: Sesquicentennial Year Closing Mass, on the feast day of our patron saint. At 6:30 p.m., celebrated by Bishop Malooly. A reception follows in the gym.

 

MEMORIAL BRICK PAVERS: Thank you to those who purchased bricks already. Forms for the 4 x 8 bricks are available at the parish center. To request forms, for the 8 x 8 bricks call Kathy Duex at 410-848-4469. Forms and payments may be dropped off at the parish center or mailed to the address on the form. All proceeds from the memorial bricks will be used for furnishings in the new church. Deadline for all bricks will be, Tuesday, April 1. Cost for 4 x 8 are $75 and 8 x 8 are $150.

At Other Parishes

MARRIED COUPLES RETREATS at Priestfield Retreat Center, West Virginia. ■ January 31 – Feb. 1,2 ■ February 21,22,23 ■ Feb. 28 – March 1,2 ■ March 7,8,9 ■ March 14,15,16 ■ March 28,29,30 ■ April 4,5,6. For more information, call Elaine at 410-252-5355.

 

CATHOLIC MEN’S CONFERENCE … June 6 – 8

At Steubenville, Ohio. Men’s Fellowship Group will again attend this conference. For information, call Paul Forst at 410-857-3542.

 

In the Community

SPRING 2003 LACROSSE in WESTMINSTER: Boys and girls ages 5 – 14, experienced or beginners. For boys call Stew Love at 410-876-5066, for girls call Beth Nave at 410-857-9363.

 

BASEBALL/SOFTBALL REGISTRATION for Charles Carroll Recreation Council – boys and girls ages 5 – 18 will be held Saturday, January 18, 25 and February 1 at Charles Carroll Elementary School. For more info, call Rick at 410-848-5308.

 

COFFEE HOUSE BENEFIT … Sunday, February 2

From 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at “Pour House Café” on Main St. A free concert will feature the acoustic and electric music of David Copperthite. All members of the family are welcome. Proceeds will be donated to the Music Program at St. John School.