Mass Intentions
Monday, February 3
7:00 a.m. Vicky Caulk
8:00 a.m. Int. Greg Semler
Tuesday, February 4
7:00 a.m. Walter Idzik
8:00 a.m. Sydney Renehan
Wednesday, February 5
7:00 a.m. Donald When
8:00 a.m. Ronald DiBlasio
Thursday, February 6
7:00 a.m. Berenice Batterden
8:00 a.m. Int. of the Pitts Family
Friday, February 7 (First Friday)
7:00 a.m. Andrew Drechsler
9:15 a.m. Edward L. O’Connor
Saturday, February 8
8:00 a.m. For an end to Abortion
4:30 p.m. The Parishioners of St. John Parish
6:30 p.m. Ronald Perron
Sunday, February 9
7:15 a.m. Lee Depot
8:45 a.m. C. Edward Drechsler, Sr.
10:30 a.m. Leroy Joseph Ritter
12:00 noon Donald J. Simpon, Jr
6:00 p.m. Margaret Cooney
From the Pastor
I want to thank you for your patience and cooperation with the parking lot and driveway conditions during the construction of our new church building. I have asked that several additional handicap parking spaces be made available near the existing church. Also I encourage you to use only designated parking spaces when using parish facilities including the gym and parish center. Parking in the driveways creates a hazardous condition especially for the children.
Inclement weather has slowed down the work on the new church. Our contractor, F.M. Harvey, is doing an outstanding job despite the cold, snow and rain. they are willing to work on Sundays in effort to get back on schedule. However, I have asked that Sunday remain a day of rest, even when building a house for the Lord. Please keep all who are involved in this project in your prayers.
May God bless you,
Liturgy & Worship
FIRST FRIDAY MORNING MASSES ... February 7
Morning Masses will be at 7:00 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. (attended by St. John School) in the church.
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 … February 3-9
Mon.: Heb 11:32-40; Ps 31:20-24; Mk 5:1-20
Tues.: Heb 12:1-4; Ps 22:26-28,30-32; Mk 5:21-43
Wed.: Heb 12:4-7,11-15; Ps 103:1-2,13-14; Mk 6:1-6
Thurs.: Heb 12:18-19,21-24; Ps 48:2-4,9-11; Mk 6:7-13
Fri.: Heb 13:1-8; Ps 27:1,3,5,8-9; Mk 6:14-29
Sat.: Heb 13:15-17,20-21; Ps 23:1-6; Mk 6:30-34
Sun.: Jb 7:1-4,6-7; Ps 147:1-6; 1 Cor 9:16-19,22-23; Mk 1:29-39
SCRIPTURE STUDY ... Every Wednesday
Job’s cry of hopelessness stands in marked contrast to the hope of those who put their trust in Jesus, who “heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds”. Such are the blessings of the good news. 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 26, 2003:
Envelopes: $17,862.30 Attendance: 3926
Loose: 5,412.17 Poor Box: $1,792.42
TOTAL: $23,274.47
This year’s budget is based on a weekly offering of $23,100.00. Our current weekly average is $21,749.04. Thank you.
VISION 2003 CAMPAIGN UPDATE:
Total Pledged: $ 6,017,911. Goal: $ 8,056,600.
Paid to Date: 4,776,314. Pledged to date: 6,017,911.
Balance: $ 1,241,597. Pledges needed: $ 2,038,689.
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.
THANK YOU for your DONATIONS for the Special Care for Diocesan Priest. Total collected was $7,260.46.
School News
School Calendar
Feb. 3 - 7 Kindergarten Registration for St. John Siblings
Feb. 4/6 Parent Meeting for First Eucharist – 6:45 p.m. Feb. 7 Prospective Kindergarten Open House
Feb. 7 First Friday Liturgy (7th grade) – 9:15 a.m.
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., Feb. 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.
— ADULT FAITH FORMATION —
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 … Monday, February 10
From 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. in the parish center. In celebration of our 150th anniversary, we have begun a monthly Adult Faith Formation Program. Our sessions will meet on the second Monday of each month. February’s presentation, is on “The Art of Prayer.” given by Monsignor Art. In March Fr. Brian will present the topic of Christian Morality and Medical Ethics. Clock Hours will be given for these presentations. For more information, please call Paul in the Religious Ed. Office.
— LIFE TEEN (Grades 9 - 12) —
STEUBENVILLE: We have been selected to attend the High School Youth Conference June 20th – 22nd. 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 8th through 12th grade.
— THE EDGE (Grades 7 - 8) —
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.
THE EDGE NEWSLETTER: If You are in the 7th – 8th 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.
— YOUTH ALIVE (Grades 5 - 6) —
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, come and bring a friend.
Outreach
* THE ST. VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY *
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL MEETING … Wed., February 5
At 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Center. We look forward to seeing all members. If you are interested in learning more about the work that St. Vincent does, please join us at this meeting or call Patty Terrano at 410-857-1473. New members always welcome!
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 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.
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 and Girl’s Basketball.
WELCOMING SESSION & REGISTRATION … Sun. Feb. 2
If you are interested in becoming a member at St. John Parish or just interested in knowing how to get involved in the parish, you are invited to attend a Welcoming Session being held from 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. or 11:30 – 12:00 noon.
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.
LECTOR TRAINING … February 3 or February 11
At 7:30 p.m. in the church. Are you interested in being a Lector – a lay person who reads the Scriptures at Mass? If so, please contact Chuck Minchik at 410-259-5157 or Sue Thornton at 410-857-8573. USHERS are asked to attend a Lector Training Workshop. If you are unable to attend one of these two dates, please call one of the above representatives.
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
ST. JOHN OUTREACH MEETING … Monday, February 10
At 3:30 p.m. in the parish center. For info, call 410-876-1027.
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE IT … Beginning February 27
Together we can make it is a support group that assists people working through the painful issues and processes involved with separation or divorce. The group led by trained facilitators will meet Thursday evenings for ten weeks with specific materials to address the issues involved in the grieving process. The next session will begin on February 27 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. in the parish center. For information or to attend, please contact Karen at 410-871-7247 or Janelyn at 410-848-8741.
WISDOM CLUB Call for New Members … Thurs., Feb. 27
If you are 50 years old, Man or woman and enjoy friendly folks, come join us at our next meeting, at the Ascension Episcopal Church on Court St. No obligation to join, just see for yourself what we have to offer. For further information call Eleanor at 410-875-3336 or Jeune at 410-795-0786.
NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING (NFP) … Beginning Feb. 19
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 with each other. For information, call Christine & Mike Wallace at 410-833-9287.
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.
USHERS are needed to assist at various Masses. Men, Women and older teens who attend a regular weekend Mass are invited to consider assisting the parish in this important ministry. We thank all of our ushers who serve now, but realize we need more (especially for the Saturday Masses and the Sunday 6:00 p.m. Mass). Please consider this invitation and call Fr. Leo at the parish center or Bill Sinnott at 410-848-6982.
USHERS are asked to attend a Lector Training Workshop on February 3 or 11 at 7:30 p.m. in the church. If you are unable to attend one of these two dates, please call Chuck Minchik at 410-259-5157 or Sue Thornton at 410-857-8573.
NEW BEGINNINGS is held in the parish center on the 1st and 3rd 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.
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.
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 Easter Sunday. All parishioners encouraged to share in 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: 150th Anniversary Gala at Martin’s, Westminster, 7:00 p.m. to midnight. Dining, dancing and special presentations. Tables of ten available. $75/person. For tickets, call Debbie Middleton at 410-848-2558. Checks payable to St. John Catholic Church/Gala.
July 20: St. John School Reunion for all alumni. Gather for Mass at 12:00 followed by tour of the school and reception at Martin’s, Westminster. Tickets required. Call Darlene at 410-876-7031.
August 9: Parish Family Picnic at the historic Shriver Homestead in Union Mills from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Bring your own picnic lunch or purchase a boxed lunch, sodas and snacks. Old-fashioned picnic with bingo, hayrides, contests, country bands and more. $2/person or $8/family. For more info, call Sue or Pat at 410-876-3745.
September 5, 6, 7, 12, 13: Musical Production of “Three Marys” presented by St. John parishioners at Winter’s Mill High School. All performances at 7:30 p.m., with exception of Sept. 7 matinee at 2:00 p.m. Fictional script based on the life of Christ. Good for all ages. Tickets required. For more info, call Jeanne at 876-3784.
September 28: New Church Dedication Mass celebrated by Cardinal Keeler. A reception follows in the gym.
October 1: “St. Therese, the Little Flower” presented by Leonardo Defilippis. At 7:30 in the gym. Cost is $4/person at the door. For more information, call the Religious Ed. Office.
November 7-17: Parish Pilgrimage to Italy. Visit Rome, Assisi, Florence and Orvieto. Cost $1700/person. For information, call Fr. Leo in the parish office.
November: 150th 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.
DEDICATION COMMITTEE … Thursday, March 6
At 7:30 p.m. in the parish center.
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.
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, call John Stephens at 410-848-3722 or Dean at 410-848-5579 or Sal at 888-793-9498.
At Other Parishes
MARRIED COUPLES RETREATS at Priestfield Retreat Center, West Virginia. ■ 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 information, call Elaine at 410-252-5355.
CATHOLIC ALUMNI DANCE … Saturday, February 8
At 8:30 p.m. held in Catonsville. The Catholic Alumni club of Baltimore, a social group for single professionals, will host their Valentine’s Day Dance. Contact Maryann at 410-569-5871.
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.
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 featuring David Copperthite. All members of the family are welcome. Proceeds will be donated to the Music Program at St. John School.
Reminders
THE DEADLINE for BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS is 12:00 noon on Monday. All announcements are requested in writing. Send to: bulletin@sjwest.org, drop off or call parish office to fax. All notices need to be in writing. Thank you.
ALTAR FLOWER MEMORIALS: Your name and the intention will be included in the bulletin the weekend your flowers are placed on the altar. Please call the parish office to schedule.
HOLY COMMUNION will be brought to you during Mass, if you are unable to come to the altar. Please inform an usher.
TO HAVE SOMEONE REMEMBERED in the Prayer of the Faithful at weekend Masses, call the parish by Friday morning.
We Pray…
BAPTISMS... Congratulations and welcome to Patrick Thomas Scott, son of Thomas & Chrisann Scott recently baptized at St. John Church.
WE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE of Frederick Rouch, Edward Blizzard, and for their families and friends.
FLOWERS on the ALTAR THIS WEEKEND are in memory of Howard Armstrong, Jr.