Mass Intentions
Monday, March 10
7:00 a.m. Peyton & Madaline Carr
8:00 a.m. C. Edward Drechsler
Tuesday, March 11
7:00 a.m. Mr. & Mrs. C. Edward Cootes
8:00 a.m. Peter & Grace Mincieli
Wednesday, March 12
7:00 a.m. Int. of Brian Cox
8:00 a.m. Edward Conbeer
Thursday, March 13
7:00 a.m. Int. Of Cheryl McFadden
8:00 a.m. Russell Palaia
Friday, March 14
7:00 a.m. David Elser
9:00 a.m. Richard Reggie, Jr.
Saturday, March 15
8:00 a.m. Harcharufka & Mergo Families
4:30 p.m. Mary & Raymond Garner, Sr.
6:30 p.m. William L. Mansfield
Sunday, March 16
7:15 a.m. Robert A. Richter
8:45 a.m. Linda DeFeo
10:30 a.m. Fingar Murphy
12:00 noon Parishioners of St. John Parish
6:00 p.m. Ernest Patrick Lardieri
From the Pastor
The snow, freezing temperatures and high winds have added an additional challenge to the construction work on our new church. I can’t say enough about the work that F. M. Harvey Construction Company continues to do in the midst of these less than ideal conditions. Although we are currently several weeks behind schedule, there is hope that with improved weather and the coming of spring, we will make up some of the lost time. Please continue to keep the workers in your prayers.
I am especially thankful to Al Wilder and our snow removal contractor for their wonderful work on our parking lots, roadways and sidewalks. Thank you for parking only in designated parking areas. Your continued cooperation is appreciated. The added expense of heavy equipment to remove the snow, ice to treat the roadways, and the low Mass attendance during the snowstorms has impacted our budget. I encourage to you to prayerfully consider making a “snow storm” addition to your weekly offering to help fund this expense.
May God bless you,
Liturgy & Worship
PENITENTIAL FAST and ABSTINENCE All persons who have reached their 14th birthday are bound by the law of abstinence. All adults are bound by the law of fast up to their 60th birthday. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of abstinence from meat and also days of fast. The Fridays of the season of Lent are days of abstinence from meat.
DAILY MASSES DURING LENT will be at 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. 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 daily Mass.
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.
PARISH LENTEN MISSION … March 30 – April 3
Each evening, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the church. The Mission will be led by Fr. John Murray and continue for five evenings offered to inspire our daily lives and fill us with grace as we prepare to celebrate our Savior’s resurrection.
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. and 12 midnight. 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 10-16
Mon.: Lv 19:1-2,11-18; Ps 19:8-10,15; Mt 25:31-46
Tues.: Is 55:10-11; Ps 34:4-7,16-19; Mt 6:7-15
Wed.: Jon 3:1-10; Ps 51:3-4,12-13,18-19; Lk 11:29-32
Thurs.: Est C:12,14-16,23-25; Ps 138:1-3,7-8; Mt 7:7-12
Fri.: Ez 18:21-28; Ps 130:1-8; Mt 5:20-26
Sat.: Dt 26:16-19; Ps 119:1-2,4-5,7-8; Mt 5:43-48
Sun.: Gn 22:1-2,9,10-13,15-18; Rom 8:31-34; Mk 9:2-10
SCRIPTURE STUDY ... Every Wednesday
Abraham offers the ultimate sacrifice of thanksgiving, the gift of his very son. This sacrifice prefigures the sacrifice of Jesus who died for us all. In His transfiguration, Jesus discloses a suffering Messiahship. All are invited to the parish center at 7:15 p.m. to review, Sunday’s scripture.
Stewardship
WEEKLY OFFERING: Weekend of March 2, 2003:
Envelopes: $22,360.59 Attendance: 3373
Loose: 4,470.79 Poor Box: $1,552.79
TOTAL: $26,831.38
This year’s budget is based on a weekly offering of $23,100.00. Our current weekly average is $21,819.62. Thank you.
VISION 2003 CAMPAIGN UPDATE:
Total Pledged: $ 6,107,778. Goal: $ 8,056,600.
Paid to Date: 4,808,391. Pledged to date: 6,107,778.
Balance: $ 1,299,387. Pledges needed: $ 1,948,822.
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.
ELECTRONIC CONTRIBUTIONS: Have you been contemplating a more faithful stewardship practice? Why not try our new St. John Electronic Contributions Method and free your mind from the hassle of pens, checks and endless calculations. With this new method, one phone call to George Hinkel in the Parish Center initiates an electronic deduction of the exact amount you specify for your weekly offertory contribution to St. John Church. Questions? Call George at 410-876-2248 ext 249 today!
School News
School Calendar
Mar. 10-14 Grade 6 at Hashawha
Mar. 10 Report Cards Distributed
Mar. 11 Gr. 2 Parent Eucharist Mtg. – 6:45 p.m.
Mar. 14 School Closed – Professional Day
Mar. 15 Gr. 2 Banner Workshop – 9 to 12 noon
Mar. 1 St. Patrick’s Dance at Gamber Fire Hall
GROCERY CERTIFICATES: Bring your checkbooks next Sunday, March 16th. Kohl’s gift cards and grocery certificates will be sold before and after Sunday morning Masses. There is no additional cost to you and the school makes 5% on the total sales. Please support our parish school by supporting this program.
Religious Ed./Youth Activities
Religious Education Office: (410) 848-8443
BANNER WORKSHOP for 2nd GRADERS … Sat., March 15
From 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in the school cafeteria. If you have not registered and would like your child to attend, please call Ruth in the Religious Ed. Office.
PARENT EUCHARIST MEETING will take place on either Tues., March 11th or Thurs., March 20th at 6:45 p.m. in church.
CATECHIST CERTIFICATION: Anyone seeking Catechist Certification must submit the completed application to the Religious Education Office immediately. Any application submitted after Wednesday, March 12th well be returned. If you have any questions, please call Paul.
CONFIRMATION STUDENTS are reminded that their letter to Bishop Malooly is now past due. Please bring you completed letter to class this week. If you have any questions, see your teacher.
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 —
ADULT EDUCATION SESSION … Monday, March 10
From 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. in the parish center. Fr. Brian will be speaking on “questions about Medical Ethics: When faith and science meet…and collide.” The adult education program will explore issues including: the beginning of human life and the soul, cloning, living wills, and “end-of-life care.”
— LIFE TEEN (Grades 9 - 12) —
SUMMIT LAKE LENTEN RETREAT … March 14 – 16
There are a few more openings for next weekend. “Trading My Sorrows.” If you would like to join us, please call Paul immediately.
A SPECIAL THANKS to all those who attended our annual Shrove Tuesday dinner. It was a big success!
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.
— YOUTH ALIVE (Grades 5 - 6) —
NEXT ACTIVITY NIGHT ... Friday, March 21
From 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. In the School cafeteria. All 5 – 6th graders are welcome. No need to sign up. Bring a friend.
Outreach
* THE ST. VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY *
Please continue to help minister to the poor in Carroll County by remembering that next Sunday, the third weekend of the month, we observe Food Sunday. Please bring your donations of non-perishable food to church and place in the white buckets by the door. We especially need donations of canned meats, stews, spaghetti sauce, canned pasta meals, jelly, powdered milk, canned fruit and bottled juices. We also need paper goods, such as toilet tissue, baby diapers, paper towels, etc. Thank you so much for your continued help and generosity!
Activities in Our Parish
WISDOM CLUB MEETING … Thursday, March 20
Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 noon in the hall of the Ascension Episcopal Church, followed by our luncheon. Due to the snow cancellation, we will combine our theme of “Hearts and Flowers” with our annual St. Patrick’s Day Pot Luck Lunch. Listen for your telephone to ring… no brown bag this month. Note, if Carroll County schools are delayed or closed, the meeting will be canceled.
LONGABERGER® BASKET BINGO … Saturday, March 22
At 7:00 p.m. in the school cafeteria (doors open at 5:30 p.m.) $10.00 Advance tickets now available for in the parish and school offices. Tickets are $12.00 at the door. Prizes will be filled current and retired baskets. YOU CAN HELP by sponsoring a basket, door prize, 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.
WANTED…MARRIED COUPLES wishing to share their love of marriage with those preparing for marriage. We have recently revived the Pre-Cana program in our parish and are seeking couples to work with our new team. Limited time commitment…sessions run only twice a year. Topics presented at the sessions include: communication, prayer for couples, intimacy/sexuality, money matters, and ecclesiology of family. If you have been married 5 or more years and would like to become part of our team to offer insights to engaged couples on any of these topics, please contact Fr. Leo at the parish center.
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. 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 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. For info, call Karen F. at 410-871-7247.
GIRL’S INTRAMURAL BASKETBALL: All 5th & 6th grade girls interested in playing basketball this spring are asked to contact Greg Trapani at 410-751-7554
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.
LENTEN EVENINGS of DISCERNMENT for juniors in high school to 35 year old, men and women to ask questions about Priesthood and Consecrated Life. Held at The Cathedral of Mary Our Queen Parish Center from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
§ March 13 – “Spiritual Direction: What is it? How do I find one?
§ March 17 –“I love it! The witness of Priest, Deacons and Sisters”
§ March 20 – “Celibacy, Sexuality and Friendship”
Presented by the Vocations Office of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. For more info, contact Fr. Kevin at 410-547-5426.
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.
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: 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.
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.
At Other Parishes
REUNION of ST. THOMAS AQUINAS SCHOOL … Sat., Mar. 22
At Martin’s East. For more information, call 410-889-4618.
HOLY FAMILY CHURCH BUS TRIP … April 29 – May 4
Visit Mother Angelica’s EWTN in Birmingham, Alabama. Visit her temple, The Shrine of the Most Beloved Blessed Sacrament, for Mass. Then travel to Nashville, Tennessee for a tour, dinner shows and the Grand Ole Opry. Then to Louisville Kentucky to the Abbey of Gethsemani and the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral with Mass, Then a dinner cruise. For information, contact Mary Lou Darrell at 410-922-2666.
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
LARGE‑PRINT MISSALETTE are available for use at weekend Masses. Please see an usher before Mass to pick up a copy.
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.
THANK YOU: Through the kindness of the sponsors that appear, this bulletin is furnished to the parish without charge. We feel the sponsors get good coverage with their ads, and at a relatively low cost and we urge you to patronize them. We hope our present sponsors renew their ads. Also, if others are interested, please contact the parish office.
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.
We Pray…
BAPTISMS... Congratulations and welcome to Ian Patrick Mullen, son of Timothy & Sharon Mullen recently baptized at St. John Church.
WE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE of Harriett Summers, James Pavuk, Catherine Leitschuh, Mary Margaret Maggard, and for their families and friends.
MORNING PRAYER from the Liturgy of the Hours is recited each weekday morning prior to the 8:00 a.m. Mass. Five decades of the Rosary are prayed immediately after Mass.