Mass Intentions

Monday, March 3

      7:00 a.m.                     John Overholtzer

      8:00 a.m.                     Rose Huber

Tuesday, March 4

      7:00 a.m.                     Mary McLaren

      8:00 a.m.                     Int. of Randy Rager

Wednesday, March 5

      7:00 a.m.                     Michael Larson

      9:15 a.m.                     Mary Agnes Norcio

    12 :00 p.m.                    Molly & Roger Donoghue

      5 :30 p.m.                    Int. of John D’Epagnier

      7 :30 p.m.                    Edward J. Heine

Thursday, March 6

      7:00 a.m.                     Mary Carroll

      8:00 a.m.                     Mae Gramlich

Friday, March 7

      7:00 a.m.                     Gerald R. Gavin

      9:15 a.m.                     Gerald Emge, Jr.

Saturday, March 8

      8:00 a.m.                     For an end to abortion 

        4:30 p.m.                     Parishioners of St. John Parish

        6:30 p.m.                     Harry Veit

Sunday, March 9

      7:15 a.m.                     Ismael & Frances Cruz

      8:45 a.m.                     Neil Lettiere

    10:30 a.m.                     Nicholas M. Baccala, Sr.

    12:00 noon                   Berenice Batterden

      6:00 p.m.                     Int. of Bohlman Family Unity

 

From the Pastor

  Welcome to Lent. Spring cannot get here soon enough for many of us, and the season of Lent is a sure sign of spring.  Beginning this Wednesday and continuing through Holy Week, leading us to Easter, the season of lent is characterized by prayer, fasting and alms giving. Opportunities for prayer include: daily Mass, rosary following the 8 a.m. Mass, Stations of the Cross, Adoration and Bible study. The guidelines for fasting and abstinence are included in this week’s bulletin.  Alms giving by means of the Poor Box supports the work of our St. Vincent de Paul Society. Participating in the Cardinal’s Annual Lenten Appeal will support outreach to the poor throughout the Archdiocese and specifically for our parish, donations will go the our sister diocese in Haiti and to the tuition assistance program for St. Michael’s school in Frostburg.

 

May God bless you,

 

Liturgy & Worship

ASH WEDNESDAY … March 5

Masses and imposition of ashes will take place at 7:00 and 9:15 a.m. 12:00 noon, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Masses will be in the church. This is a day of fast and abstinence.

 

FIRST FRIDAY MORNING MASSES ... March 7

Morning Masses will be at 7:00 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. (attended by St. John School) in the church.

 

STATIONS of the CROSS … Friday’s of Lent

9:15 a.m. (children format), and 7:30 p.m. in the Church except on First Friday, Stations are only at 7:30 p.m. Due to Mass.

 

PLEASE NOTE THAT DURING LENT the 7:00 a.m. Mass will be in the church..

 

PARISH PENANCE SERVICE … Tuesday, March 25

In this time of preparation for the resurrection of our Savior, let us take advantage of this sacrament in order to purify our hearts.

 

PERPETUAL ADORATION of the BLESSED SACRAMENT:  We need your help with the following hours: Sundays – 1, 4, 5, p.m.; Tuesdays – 1 a.m.; Wednesdays – 1 a.m.; Thursdays – 4 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 … March 3 - 9

Mon.:   Sir 17:19-27;   Ps 32:1-2,5-7;   Mk 10:17-27

Tues.:  Sir 35:1-12;   Ps 50:5-8,14,23;   Mk 10:28-31

Wed.:  JI 2:12-18;   Ps 51:3-6,12-14,17;   Mt 6:1-6,16-18

Thurs.: Dt 30:15-20;   Ps 1:1-4,6;   Lk 9:22-25

Fri.:      Is 58:1-9;   Ps 51:3-6,18-19;  Mk 9:14-15

Sat.:      Is 58:9-14;   Ps 86:1-6;   Lk 5:27-32

Sun.:     Gn 9:8-15;   1 Pt 3:18-21;   Mk 1:12-15

 

SCRIPTURE STUDY ... Every Wednesday

Mindful of His covenant, the Lord promises never to destroy creation again by flood waters. The waters of baptism bring salvation and forgiveness through the death of Christ. After fasting forty days and being put to the test, Jesus begins His public ministry. All are invited to the parish center at 7:15 p.m. to review, Sunday’s scripture.

 

Stewardship

WEEKLY OFFERING: Weekend of February 16, 2003:

Envelopes:       $13,933.27                               Attendance:  1540

Loose:                   2,189.88                               Poor Box:   $1,044.96

TOTAL:         $16,123.15

 

WEEKLY OFFERING: Weekend of February 23, 2003:

Envelopes:       $18,992.69                               Attendance:  2545

Loose:                   4,162.95                               Poor Box:   $1,525.09

TOTAL:         $23,155.64

 

This year’s budget is based on a weekly offering of $23,100.00. Our current weekly average is $21,672.21. Thank you.

VISION 2003 CAMPAIGN UPDATE:

Total Pledged:    $    6,052,104.         Goal:                       $    8,056,600.  

Paid to Date:             4,800,723.         Pledged to date:         6,052,104.

Balance:               $  1,251,381.     Pledges needed:         $    2,004,496.

 

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 COLLECTION on ASH WEDNESDAY is the annual collection for Eastern Europe. Thank you for your generosity.

 

THANK YOU for your DONATIONS for Catholic Relief Services. Total collected was $3,112.19.  

 

School News

 

ST. PATRICK’S DAY DANCE & SILENT AUCTION tickets are being sold before and after all Sunday morning Masses this weekend. Com enjoy the fun on March 15… includes appetizers, desserts, drinks, live band and lots of great auction items. Proceeds benefit St. John School.

 

Religious Ed./Youth Activities

Religious Education Office: (410) 848-8443

 

HOME STUDY CLASSES … Wednesday March 5

At 6:45 p.m. for students. Please note there will be no meeting for parents.

 

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 EDUCATION SESSION … Monday, March 10

From 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. in the parish center. This session will focus on Christian Morality and Medical Ethics. Fr. Brian will be the presenter. Clock hours will be given. For more information, please call Paul in the Religious Ed. Office.

 

 

LENTEN RETREAT … March 14 – 16

At Summit Lake. The theme for our annual Lenten Retreat is “Trading My Sorrows.” The cost will be $85.00 and we have a limited number of spots, so please register now! Registration forms may be picked up after the Sunday, 6:00 p.m. Mass or in the Religious Ed. Office.

 

STEUBENVILLE: Everyone signed up to go to the High School youth Conference at Franciscan University June 20 –22 should have received a letter last week detailing the trip. If you signed up and made an initial deposit but did not receive a letter, please call Paul as soon as possible.

 

 

NEXT ACTIVITY NIGHT ... Friday, March 7

From 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. In the School cafeteria. All 5 – 6^th graders are welcome. No need to sign up. Bring a friend.

 

Outreach

* THE ST. VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY *

The next meeting of the St. Vincent de Paul Society will take place on Tuesday March 4 at 7:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing all members. If you are interested in learning more about the work that this organization does, please join us at this meeting or call Patty Terrano at 410-857-1473. New members welcome!

 

   Activities in Our Parish

GROCERY CERTIFICATES and Kohl’s gift cards will be sold after Sunday morning Masses this weekend. There is no additional cost to you and the school makes 5% from all sales. Thank you for supporting our parish school.

 

WELCOMING SESSION/ REGISTRATION … Sun. March 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.

 

K of C PANCAKE BREAKFAST … Sunday, March 2

From 8:00 – 12:00 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Pancakes, French toast, Eggs and more. Adults – $4 and children – $2. Proceeds to benefit St. John, Girl’s Basketball League.

 

ST. JOHN LADIES’ SODALITY ... Sunday, March 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.

 

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION … March 3 – 7

From 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. each day in the school office. Bring your child’s birth and baptism certificates, and registration fee.

 

MEN’S FELLOWSHIP GROUP … Sunday, March 5

At. 7:30 p.m. in the St. Luke Room of the school. March topic is a study of the Scott Hahn series on “Answering Common Objections of Non-Catholics to Catholic Doctrine”. For more information, call Lawrence Solarczyk at 410-751-6477.

 

PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING ... Monday, March 3

At 7:30 p.m. in the parish center. The Council welcomes your attendance and invites you to bring your concerns or comments to its attention by calling the parish office and leaving your name and phone number. A Council member will return your call.

  

THE NEXT BLOODMOBILE … Monday, March 3

From 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the school building. We collected 93 pints in December, thanks to all donors. Additional phone callers are needed. To make an appointment or to help with phone calls, please call Ted Cook at 410-876-2107.

 

HEALTH CARE MINISTRY … Wednesday, March 5

The next monthly meeting will begin with quiet prayer in the Chapel at 1:00 p.m., followed by a meeting in the parish center. All parishioners are invited to join us. 

 

ST. JOHN’S 8^th BASKET BINGO … Saturday, March 22

At 7:00 p.m. in the school cafeteria to benefit the Church Building Fund. Proceeds have totaled over $20,000! Prizes will be filled Longaberger baskets. YOU CAN HELP by sponsoring a door prize, basket, or fill a basket to decrease our expenses and increase the profits. Please call Anna at 410-876-2652 if you can help.

 

WOMEN’S CONFERENCE … May 30 – June 1

At Steubenville, Ohio. Women interested in attending this conference may call Teresa Richardson at 410-840-4265.

 

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.

 

PASTORAL COUNCIL NOMINATIONS:  The nominating committee is now accepting nominations for the Pastoral Council elections to be held the second and third weekends in May. Nominees must be registered parishioners 16 years of age and older. Please contact the parish office on or before Saturday, March 15, with the name and number of the prospective nominees.

 

ST. JOHN SPONSORED LOAVES & FISHES Soup Kitchen at Ascension Episcopal Church is updating schedules and listings for the period April through September 2003. If anyone new would like information about participating or any current volunteers will be unable to participate, please call Mike Radov at 410-857-9528.

 

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 with each other. For information, 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. For info, call Karen F. at 410-871-7247.

 

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.

 

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: 150^th 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.

 

June 6: K. C. Charity Golf Tournament at The Links at Gettysburg. 1:30 p.m. Registration is $95/person until 5/3, and  $105/person until 5/23. All proceeds to St. John Youth Ministry. Many prizes, food & beverages. For information, call John at 410-848-3722 or Dean at 410-848-5579.

 

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 $1874/person. For information, call Fr. Leo in the parish 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.

 

COMMEMORATIVE/MEMORIAL BRICK forms for the 4 x 8 bricks ($75) are available at the parish center. To request forms, for the 8 x 8 bricks ($150) call Kathy Duex at 410-848-4469. Proceeds will be used for furnishings in the new church. Deadline for all bricks will be Tuesday, April 1.

 

DEDICATION COMMITTEE … Thursday, March 6

At 7:30 p.m. in the parish center.

 

At Other Parishes

PILGRIMAGE to OUR LADY of GUADALUPE … Apr. 21 – 27 For more information call Annette McFadden at 410-876-2560.

 

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 May 30 – June 1, To receive more information, please call 410-647-0350.

 

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.