Mass Intentions

Monday, January 5

      7:00 a.m.               Peyton and Madaline Carr

      8:00 a.m.               Charles McFadden

Tuesday, January 6

      7:00 a.m.               Charles Keiner

      8:00 a.m.               Anna M. Drechsler

Wednesday, January 7

      7:00 a.m.               Marjorie B. Case

      8:00 a.m.               Charles McFadden

Thursday, January 8

      7:00 a.m.               Evelyn Young

      8:00 a.m.               Harcharufka & Mergo Familes

Friday, January 9   

      7:00 a.m.               Thomas Thurgood

      9:30 a.m.               Maureen Brothers

Saturday, January 10

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

        5:00 p.m.               Austin Petenbrink

Sunday, January 11

      7:15 a.m.               James Addison Brown

      9:15 a.m.               Parishioners of St. John Parish

    11:15 a.m.               Gerald T. Jubb, Sr.

      3:15 p.m.               Int. of Margaret Spicer

      6:00 p.m.               Robert Fulton

 

 

From the Pastor

    Please join me in expressing appreciation to all who were involved with the planning, serving and participating in the beautiful liturgies of Christmas. I am particularly grateful to the Liturgy Committee, Music Ministries, Ushers, Lectors, Altar Servers, Extra Ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, the Sanctuary Society, the Sacristans, Seminarians, Deacons, and my brother priests.  Thanks also to the Health Care Ministry who brought Holy Communion to the homebound and provided them with Christmas gifts.

    Thank you also for your prayers, cards and Christmas gifts and treats. Because of your generosity, the rectory and parish center were filled with Christmas cheer. My prayer is that God will bless you and our parish family with His grace and peace as we begin the New Year. 

                May God bless you,

     

 

 

Liturgy & Worship

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 …

WE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE of Shirley Windsor, and for her families and friends.

 

DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET is prayed in the church before the Blessed Sacrament each Thursday beginning at 3:00 p.m. Ending with Benediction.  All are welcome to attend.

 

HAS IT BEEN A WHILE since you prayed the ROSARY? Check the pamphlets available in the church for help. The rosary is prayed daily after 8:00 a.m. Mass.

 

Liturgy of the Word

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS … January 5-11

Mon.:   1 Jn 3:22-4:6;   Ps 2:7-8,10-11;   Mt 4:12-17,23-25

Tues.:  1 Jn 4:7-10;   Ps 72:2-4,7-8;   Mk 6:34-44

Wed.:  1 Jn 4:11-18;   Ps 72:2,10-13;   Mk 6:45-52

Thurs.: 1 Jn 4:19-5:4;   Ps 72:2,14,15,17;   Lk 4:14-22

Fri.:      1 Jn 5:5-13;   Ps 147:12-15,19-20;   Lk 5:12-16

Sat.:      1 Jn 5:14-21;   Ps 149:1-6,9;   Jn 3:22-30

Sun.:     Is 42:1-4,6-7;  Ps 29:1-4,9-10;  Acts 10:34-38;   Lk 3:15-16,21-22

 

Stewardship

WEEKLY OFFERING for Weekend of 28^th will be included in the bulletin of January 11^th.

 

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:    $    6,962,588          Goal:                       $    8,056,600.  

Paid to Date:             5,599,273          Pledged to date:         6,962,588

Balance:               $  1,363,315 Interest Earned:                         549,780.

                                                              Pledges needed:   $       544,232

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.

 

CHILDREN’S OFFERING ENVELOPES are available in the school and parish offices.

 

AT YEAR’S END, SOME PARISHIONERS find that their financial picture is secure enough to be able to include a gift to your favorite charity as a tax deduction. A gift to St. John Church or School can make the difference in meeting our goals and mission for our future. Please remember St. John among your charitable donation plans this year. 

 

School News

 

GROCERY CERTIFICATES Please support the school through purchasing gift cards for Kohl’s, Boscovs, and local grocery stores. There is no additional cost involved but the school makes 5% from all sales. 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

 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES RESUME on Tuesday, January 6^th and Thursday, January 8^th.

 

NOTICE TO 2^nd GRADE PARENTS: Baptismal information forms must be returned to the Religious Education Office as soon as possible.

 

 

ANNUAL BIRTHDAY NIGHT … Sunday, January 4

Immediately after the 6:00 p.m. Mass, Life Teen will have a huge birthday party to celebrate everyone’s birthday. We will have a cake for every month of the year. Want to celebrate your birthday early? Now is the time. If you would like to donate a cake, please call Jordan in the Religious Ed. Office.

 

LIFE NIGHT FYI: There will be no Life Night on Sunday, January 11^th due to the Confirmation Retreat.

 

RISE UP! A Catholic Revolution: It is time to get your money together for Steubenville! We have three possible dates: June 25-27, July 9-11, or July 16-18. As always it is a lottery as to which date we will get. There is an initial deposit of $70 due by January 4, 2004. Deposits must be accompanied by an information form, which may be picked up in the parish center.

 

 

SPRING KICK-OFF … Sunday, January 11

From 7:15 to 9:00 p.m.

 

Outreach

* THE ST. VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY *

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL MEETING … Wed., January 7

At 7:00 p.m. in the parish center. We hope to see all members. If you would like to learn more about the work our organization does, please join us at this meeting or call Patty Terrano at 410-857-1473.

 

CARROLL TRANSIT SYSTEM will provide a bus for those who need transportation to area Sunday church services on the 1^st and 3^rd Sundays each month. Cost is $2 per person each way (within a 5 miles radius). Call 410-875-5555 by Thursday prior.

GABRIEL HOTLINE 1-800-533-0093 is a 24-hour hotline if you’re pregnant & need help. Full range of services include help with clothing, food, shelter, adoption info, continuing education info & help, and legal/medical counseling.

 

activities in Our Parish

AND SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION EVENTS

 

ST. JOHN LADIES’ SODALITY ... Sunday, January 4

Sodality meets for the 9:15 a.m. Mass, followed by the meeting in the parish center. All ladies of the parish are invited. For information, call Deana at 410-876-1007.

 

HEALTH CARE MINISTRY … Wednesday, January 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. 

 

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 info, contact George Hinkel at the parish office ext. 249.

 

OUTREACH COMMITTEE MEETING … Mon., January 5

At 3:30 p.m. in the parish center Room A. New members are welcome! For more information, please call Anne Nevin at 410-876-1027.

 

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.

 

LES MISERABLES … Saturday, April 17

Due to some cancellations, there are still 6 tickets left for the play, Tickets are $73.00 including the bus from St. John’s to the Hippodrome theatre in Baltimore. Also, Fr. Brian will hold a one- hour talk about the play/music sometime in the Spring. Date to be announced. For information, call Mary Masimore at 410 857-0526.

 

150^th 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.

 

150^th ANNIVERSARY BOOK & VIDEO are available for pick-up and sale at the Parish Office, Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To make arrangements for evening pick-up, call Sue Ripper at 410-876-3472 or ext. 217 in the parish office. Books are $20, Videos/DVDs are $15. Buy the set for $30 and save! A limited number are still available.

 

 

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.

 

JUNIOR LEGION OF MARY … Friday afternoon at 3:00

All Catholics under the age of 18 are eligible to join. We make rosaries for missions, assist at Religious Ed., visit nursing homes, and distribute holy cards and medals. If you would like your child to grow closer to Jesus and Mary, come join us. For information, call Patty Spaar at 410-861-8510.

 

MEMORIAL BRICKS: We will have a 3^rd 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.

 

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING 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 Janelynn Moore at 410-848-8741.

 

HOW TO REGISTER at this PARISH: All new parishioners who wish to register at the parish are invited to receive a welcoming packet from 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 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. or 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. 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.

 

RCIA II: If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming Catholic, we will be offering a program on Monday nights beginning in February. Sessions will help prepare those attending, to understand the Catholic Faith, and assist them in making the decision to join our Church. Anyone who has been baptized may join. For more information, please call Paul Gallagher in the Religious Ed. Office.

 

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: 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.

 

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.

 

VOCATION DISCERNMENT … January 9 – 11

Come & See what it is like to be a Sister at a vocation weekend for single women at the Sisters of Bon Secours Provincial House in Marriottsville. For info, go to www.bonsecours.org/vocations. To register, call Sr. Pat Dowling, BCS at 410-442-0267

 

K of C BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER … Sun., January 11

At St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Hall in Taneytown, from 7 a.m. to noon. Menu includes: Eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, potatoes, chipped-beef, toast, orange juice, tea, & coffee. Homemade baked goods available! Cost is $5 for adults & $3 for children 7-10 years.

 

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.

 

MARRIED COUPLES RETREATS will be held at Priestfield Retreat Center, W.VA. On the following dates: ■ January 30, 31 & Feb. 1, ■ Feb. 27-29, ■ March 5-7, ■ March 12-14, ■ March 26-28, ■ April 2-4, ■ April 16-18, ■ May 14-16. For more information call Elaine at 410-252-5355.

 

CATHOLIC ALUMNI CLUB of BALTIMORE is an organization providing fellowship for the single, professional Catholic in a variety of social, religious and cultural settings. Activities include dinners out, movie nights, and dancing. If you want to meet new friends, call the CAC information line at 410-580-1250 or e-mail us at CAC Skipjack@yahoo.com.

 

Vocations/Archdiocese

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.

 

PROJECT RACHEL is a program of counseling, compassion and healing for women and men who have been involved in an abortion. Completely confidential. Directed by priests. Call 1-800-286-4224 for a referral.

 

Reminders

THE DEADLINE for BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS is 12:00 noon on the Monday before the weekend in which the announcement is to appear… All announcements are requested in writing. You may submit bulletin notices via e-mail to bulletin@sjwest.org.

 

OUR 2004 PARISH CALENDARS displaying beautiful Catholic art may be delayed in arrival. They will be distributed, one calendar per family, after the weekend Masses as soon as they arrive. Thank you for your patience.

 

HOLY COMMUNION will be brought to you during Mass if you are unable to come to the altar. Please inform an usher.