Mass Intentions
Monday, December 15
7:00 a.m. Int. of Jean & Clark Brumbley
8:00 a.m. Eudora D. Nageotte
Tuesday, December 16
7:00 a.m. Edward & Lillian Swinderman
8:00 a.m. David Weidner
Wednesday, December 17
7:00 a.m. Charles McFadden
8:00 a.m. Barbara Werner
Thursday, December 18
7:00 a.m. Guy Nageotte
8:00 a.m. Int. of Helen Margaret Whiteley
Friday, December 19
7:00 a.m. Antoinette Marie Kaskiel Rowe
9:30 a.m. Philip Vaio
Saturday, December 20
8:00 a.m. Int. of Clotilde C. Drechsler
5:00 p.m. Mary and Raymond Garner
Sunday, December 21
7:15 a.m. Antonio & Antina Zito
9:15 a.m. Edward Dempsey
11:15 a.m. Parishioners of St. John Parish
3:15 p.m. Int. of Robert Holmes
6:00 p.m. Henry Giersch
From the Pastor
Once again the spirit of community and generosity that characterizes our parish has manifested itself at our annual Christmas Bazaar. Despite the snow and ice over the weekend, so many of our parishioners volunteered and participated that the Bazaar was a success. Thanks again for your outstanding efforts.
The holy season of Advent provides us with opportunities to invite family, friends and neighbors to, “Come Home for Christmas.” I encourage all of our parish families to invite someone to join us for this holy season. Take advantage of the evening prayer services, and the tours of our new church, (note details in this week’s bulletin). May the season of Advent enable us to prepare to welcome the Lord more deeply into our lives.
May God bless you,
Liturgy & Worship
ADVENT PARISH PENANCE SERVICE … Thurs., Dec. 18
At 7:00 p.m. in the church. Opening prayer, Gospel, introduction of visiting priest, and individual confessions. All are encouraged to attend this beautiful service in preparation for the coming of the Lord.
CHRISTMAS FLOWER MEMORIAL envelopes are available at the doors of the church. Please include (print or type) the names of the loved ones you wish remembered, your donation and envelope number. You may place your envelopes in the collection baskets or bring it to the parish office. Donations should be received by Monday, December 15th.
CHRISTMAS SPIRITUAL BOUQUETS are available at the doors of the church. Offering envelopes may be placed in the collection basket or brought to the parish office.
CHRISTMAS WAFERS (Oplatek) are available in the parish office. A $3.00 donation is requested.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY COMMITTEE is looking for children interested in participating in the Christmas Eve Liturgy. For information, please call Jeannie Carbo at 410-840-8205.
PERPETUAL ADORATION of the BLESSED SACRAMENT: We need your help with the following hours: Sundays – 2 & 9 a.m. and 3, 4, 5 & 6 p.m.; Mondays – 1 & 2 a.m.; Tuesdays – 12, 1, 3, & 8 a.m.; Wednesdays – 2, 3 & 7 a.m.; Thursdays – 2 & 3 a.m.; Fridays – 1, 2, 3 a.m. and 12 & 1 p.m.; and Saturdays – 12, 1, 2, & 3, a.m. and 12, 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9 & 10 p.m. Please call the parish office if you can fill one hour.
We Pray …
BAPTISMS... Congratulations and welcome to the following children recently baptized at St. John Church: Alexander Michael Wainwright, son of Andrew & Melissa Wainwright; and William Paul Werner, son of Keith & Patricia Werner.
WE PRAY for the REPOSE of Dante DiBlasio, Arthur Cosgrove, Jonathan Luna, Irwin Lowe, and for their family and friends.
MASS INTENTIONS are of such high volume that it occasionally becomes necessary to send them to missions who can respond to them in a timely fashion. The following intentions have recently been sent: Joseph Ebering, James Grainson, Peyton & Madaline Carr, Zita Lindsay, Raphael Marconi, Ray Marconi, Mr. & Mrs. C. Edward Cootes (5 Masses), Ruth Mary Noone, Catherine Smith, Michael Krooner, Satvatore Donato, Gladys Beaver, Thelma Boley, Judith Ann Denniston, William Heckert, Paula Busch, Sarah Jones, Bruno Mitchell, Donald Morgan, Paul Geraghty, Sr. Margaret Geraghty, Jack Mac Laughlin, Joshua Cherry, Catherine Smith, Paul Schwarumann, Rosario Maranto, Catherine Baummer, Lumen Norris, and John Keoseian.
Liturgy of the Word
DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS … December 15-21
Mon.: Nm 24:2-7,15-17; Ps 25:4-9; Mt 21:23-27
Tues.: Zep 3:1-2,9-13; Ps 34:2-3,6-7,17-19,23; Mt 21:28-32
Wed.: Gn 49:2,8-10; Ps 72:1-4,7-8,17; Mt 1:1-17
Thurs.: Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72:1-2,12-13,18-19; Mt 1:18-25
Fri.: Jgs 13:2-7,24-25; Ps 71:3-6,16-17; Lk 1:5-25
Sat.: Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-6; Lk 1:26-38
Sun.: Mi 5:1-4; Ps 80:2-3,15-16,18-19; Heb 10:5-10; Lk 1:39-45
Stewardship
WEEKLY OFFERING: Weekend of December 7, 2003:
Envelopes: $20,546.65 Attendance: 2715
Loose: 5,034.16 Poor Box: $1,509.76
TOTAL: $25,580.81
WEEKLY OFFERING: Weekend of November 23, 2003:
Envelopes: $19,258.41 Attendance: 3810
Loose: 6,888.42 Poor Box: $1,447.11
TOTAL: $26,146.83
This year’s budget is based on a weekly offering of $24,500.00. Our current weekly average is $24,251.55. Thank you.
VISION 2003 CAMPAIGN UPDATE:
Total Pledged: $ 6,933,243 Goal: $ 8,056,600.
Paid to Date: 5,576,966 Pledged to date: 6,933,243
Balance: $ 1,356,277 Interest Earned: 549,780.
Pledges needed: $ 573,577
Thank you to all parishioners who have made a pledge. 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 Retired Religious. Thank you for your generosity.
THANK YOU for your DONATIONS to the special collection to the Campaign for Human Development. Total collected was $5,066.23.
CHILDREN’S OFFERING ENVELOPES are available in the school and parish offices.
School News
School Calendar
Dec. 15 Christmas Program in the old church – 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 17 Snow Date for Christmas Program in the old church
Dec. 17 Academic Team – 3:20 – 4:20 p.m.
Dec. 18 Parish Penance Service in church – 7:00 p.m.
Dec. 19 School Liturgy, grades 7& 8 – 9:30 a.m.
GROCERY CERTIFICATES Please support the school through purchasing gift cards for Kohl’s, Boscovs, and local grocery stores. They are available through the school office and before school.
PTF DANCE & SILENT AUCTION … Friday, April 23
Mark your calendars for this St. John PTF Annual event. Donations to the silent auction are needed including: time-shares, antiques, crafts, services, sports items or tickets, etc. Proceeds benefit the School and donations are tax deductible. For donations or info, contact Sheri at 410-833-6197 or Mary at 410-552-6689.
Religious Ed./Youth Activities
Religious Education Office: (410) 848-8443
CONFIRMATION MASS of INITIATION … Sun., Dec. 14
At either the 11:15 a.m. or the 6:00 p.m. Mass. Confirmation students must attend one of the above Masses.
CLASS REMINDER to PARENTS: The last Religious Education classes for Christmas break are Tuesday, December 16th and Thursday, December 18th. Classes resume Tuesday, January 6th and Thursday, January 8th .
ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS: Please return any books that have not been sold to the Religious Ed. Office. We must finalize our sales.
— THE EDGE (grades 7 & 8) —
THE ANNUAL EDGE CHRISTMAS PARTY … Sun., Dec. 14
From 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. in the St. John School cafeteria. All 7th and 8th graders are invited to the biggest party of the year.
OPEN GYM NIGHT … Friday, December 26
For information, contact slink@sjwest.org or call the Religious Education Office.
— YOUTH ALIVE (Grades 5 - 6) —
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY ... Friday, December 19
From 7:00 – 8:45 p.m. in the cafeteria. All 5th and 6th graders are invited to the Christmas party blowout. There will be games, contests, and music. NEW for January: Youth Alive will once again meet every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month.
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!
LOST: A car key was found in a bag of canned goods collected on Thanksgiving Day. Please call the parish office.
CARROLL TRANSIT SYSTEM will provide a bus for those who need transportation to area Sunday church services on the 1st and 3rd Sundays each month. Cost is $2 per person each way (within a 5 miles radius). Call 410-875-5555 by Thursday prior.
activities in Our Parish
AND SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION EVENTS
BOY SCOUT CHRISTMAS TREE SALE … Now until Dec. 23
St. John’s Boy Scout Troop is selling freshly cut, locally grown Christmas trees. The hours are: Weekdays, 5-9 p.m. and Weekends, from 9:00 am. – 9:00 p.m. The scouts greatly appreciate your support!
POINSETTIA SALE … Sunday, December 14
After all Sunday morning Masses in the school cafeteria. Stop in after Mass for a selection of beautiful poinsettias for Christmas. All proceeds go to the Church building fund.
150th ANNIVERSARY BOOK & VIDEO are available for pick-up and sale after all Masses this weekend. If you have pre-ordered your copies please bring your receipt with you to redeem your copies. You may also pick them up in the parish office, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. To make arrangements for evening pick-up, please call Sue Ripper at 410-876-3472 or the parish office, ext. 217.
YOUNG ADULT CHRISTMAS CAROLING … Sun., Dec. 14
Immediately following the 6:00 p.m. Mass, we will meet outside church. We will be Christmas caroling in the local neighborhoods followed by Hot Chocolate and Cookies. All are invited!
EVENING VESPERS & TOUR of the CHURCH … Dec. 16 & 23
Join us Tuesdays from 7:00 – 7:30 p.m. during Advent to pray evening Vespers followed by tours of the church. Do you know someone who would like to see our new church? Would you like to have a guided tour telling more of the history of the beautiful pieces of art and the history of the parts of the church? Invite your family and friends to “Come Away, Pray and See the New Church”
CATHOLIC HOME SCHOOL MEETING ...Thurs., Dec. 18
At 7:30 p.m. in the parish center. All interested are invited to attend. For more information, call Donna Brown at 410-848-0905.
RENEWAL of MARRIAGE VOWS ... Saturday, December 27
Couples married in November are invited to renew their marriage vows at the 5:00 p.m. Mass. If you wish to participate, please sign up in the Sunday Sacristy or the parish office.
MARRIED COUPLE’S DATE NIGHT OUT … Sat., Dec. 27
From 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. in the St. Theresa Room in the parish center.
SESQUICENTENNIAL YEAR CLOSING MASS… Sat., Dec. 27
On the Feast Day of our patron Saint. Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Malooly at 5:00 p.m. A reception to follow in the gym.
STAND VOLUNTEER PRESENTATION … Mon., January 5
From 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. in the old church. All parish volunteers who have not been to a STAND presentation must attend this session. For additional information, contact George Hinkel at the parish office ext. 249.
LITURGICAL MINISTERS RETREAT … Saturday, Jan. 17
At Carroll Community College, registration at 8:00 a.m. The retreat will begin with Mass at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at approximately 2:30 p.m. Please reserve this date on your calendar (snow date will be January 24). The following Liturgical Ministers should attend: ·Lectors ·Ushers ·Eucharistic Ministers ·Music Ministers ·Children’s Liturgy ·Children’s Liturgy of the Word ·Art & Environment ·Liturgy Committee Members.
150th ANNIVERSARY KEEPSAKES AVAILABLE to benefit our Church Building Fund! ■ The Wine Glass bears a satin-etched image of our Sesquicentennial logo, costs $5. ■ The 6” square Ceramic Tile shows a gold metallic representation of our Sesquicentennial logo and detailed images of the three churches. Cost is $10. Both may be purchased in the parish office, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, while supplies last.
150th ANNIVERSARY SWEATSHIRTS: Sizes available: youth small through adult 3x. For information, contact Jean at 410-848-8654 or Mary Agnes at 410-876-1307.
ALTAR SOCIETY of ST. JOHN is in need of several more people willing to donate some of their time on Fridays to help clean the church. For more information, please contact Pat Mueller at 410-876-2596.
THE HISPANIC MINISTRY is looking for Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, and parishioners to assist in other ways for the 3:15 p.m. Spanish Mass, and with the Spanish-speaking community. You need not be fluent in Spanish. For more information, call Denise Diegel at 410-876-0860.
MEMORIAL BRICKS: We will have a 3rd opportunity to purchase a memorial brick. 4 x 8 brick forms are available in the parish office. A limited number of 8 x 8 bricks will be available, call Kathy Duex for an 8 x 8 form at 410-848-4469. Bricks are $75 for 4 x 8 and $150 for an 8 x 8.
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 Janelynn Moore at 410-848-8741.
TOGETHER we can MAKE IT is an 8-10 week support group with a limited number of participants for those recently separated or divorced. For Info, call Janelynn Moore at 410-848-8741.
THREE MARY'S AUDIO CD'S: In time for Christmas! Excellent quality. A limited number are available. The cost is $14. For information, call Jeanne 410-751-6106.
SUNDAY NURSERY for 1-5 year olds will be held in the St. Matthew room of the school during the 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. Masses. For info, contact Peggy Rager at 410-848-0790.
Christmas Bazaar Report 2003
Bake Table .................................................................................... 928.25
Basket Boutique......................................................................... 1,915.50
Bingo.............................................................................................. 159.85
Cookies........................................................................................ 1,000.20
Grand Raffle................................................................................ 2,791.00
Homemade Candy...................................................................... 2,415.50
Jewelry Boutique.......................................................................... 853.05
Luncheon.................................................................................... 3,306.25
Market Place............................................................................... 2,897.20
Toys................................................................................................ 503.40
Plants/Posies.............................................................................. 1,764.77
Religious Articles...................................................................... 1,642.63
Stitchin’ Nook............................................................................... 627.15
Bazaar Shirts.................................................................................. 657.15
At Other Parishes
CHRISTMAS CONCERT … Sunday, January 4
At Knott Auditorium, Mount Saint Mary’s College in Emmitsburg. Featuring International Irish Tenor Mark Forrest, sponsored by Our Father’s Divine Work. Tickets are $25.00 per person. For information, call 410-239-7847.
DELONE HIGH PLACEMENT TEST … Sat., January 17
For eighth graders who do not attend PA area schools. If you are interested in pursuing an education at Delone Catholic as a ninth grader, you must take the placement test. Call Sister Maria at 717-637-5969 to register. Registration packets will be distributed that day, and there is no fee.
ST. AGNES CLASS OF 1984 REUNION: Please contact Anna D. at 410-491-8869 or Patty W. at atent42@erols.com. If intested.
Vocations/Archdiocese
ADVENT EVENINGS of DISCERNMENT … Tuesdays
From 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Parish Center. Presented by the Vocations Office of the Archdiocese of Baltimore for men and women, college-aged to young adults, discerning the priesthood or religious life. Remaining dates and topics of discussion are: Dec. 16: “I Love it”–Witness of Newly Ordained. Information/sign-up sheets are located on the bulletin boards at the back of the church or contact Seminarian Jim.
TRAVELING CHALICE PROGRAM: Each week a St. John family receives the chalice and the commission at Mass to pray for an increase in the priestly and religious vocations during that week. Sign up now to have your family receive the chalice. For information, call Ms. Hopkins at 410-857-5487.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES ANSWERS for the AGING is a free and confidential information and referral service for older adults, their families and/or caregivers. When you call, a referral counselor/specialist will listen to your questions or concerns and can help identify options and make referrals to appropriate agencies. If you are feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of trying to find the right service, call 410-646-0100 or 1-888-507-7587.
Reminders
HOLIDAY DEADLINES for UPCOMING BULLETINS:
Bulletin Dated Deadline to the Parish Office
December 21 December 15 at 9:00 a.m.
December 28 December 16 at 9:00 a.m.
January 4 December 19 at 9:00 a.m.
You may submit bulletin notices via e-mail to bulletin@sjwest.org.
HOLY COMMUNION will be brought to you during Mass if you are unable to come to the altar. Please inform an usher.
LARGE‑PRINT MISSALETTES are available for use at weekend Masses. Please see an usher before Mass.