Mass Intentions

Monday, March 15

      7:00 a.m.           Marjorie B. Case

      8:00 a.m.           Harcharufka & Mergo Families

Tuesday, March 16

      7:00 a.m.           Elizabeth Long

      8:00 a.m.           Ronald Jones

Wednesday, March 17

      7:00 a.m.           Harriet Summers

      8:00 a.m.           Gordon H. Mallonee

Thursday, March 18

      7:00 a.m.           Linda DeFeo

      8:00 a.m.           John C. Smith

Friday, March 19

      7:00 a.m.           Joseph Schmid

      9:30 a.m.           Maureen Brothers               

Saturday, March 20

        8:00 a.m.           Charles Young

        5:00 p.m.           Vincenzo & Lucia Maranto               

Sunday, March 21

      7:15 a.m.           Teresa Trainor

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

    11:15 a.m.           Antonio & Antionia Zito

      3:15 p.m.           Michalea Murphy

      6:00 p.m.           Mr. & Mrs. C. Edward Cootes

       

From the Pastor

    As you know, the threefold focus of the Lenten season is, prayer, penance and almsgiving. I want to affirm and encourage your continued participation in our parish-sponsored opportunities for prayer. Along with daily Mass, Adoration and Stations of the Cross, this Tuesday evening at 7 we will have our parish Penance Service. Several visiting priests will be available to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation for us. Next weekend, Deacon Rodrigue Mortel, M.D., will speak at all of our Masses. Deacon Mortel is the Archdiocesan Director of the office for the Propagation of the Faith. As a native of Haiti, he will address the significance of our parish participation in the Lenten Appeal. I pray with you that this holy season will be a time of blessing as we prepare ourselves through prayer, penance and almsgiving, to celebrate the mystery of Easter.

                May God bless you,

   

 

 

Liturgy & Worship

PERPETUAL ADORATION of the BLESSED SACRAMENT:  We need your help with the following hours: Sundays – Midnight, 2,3,7,8, & 11 a.m.; and 12 noon, 6, & 7 p.m.; Mondays – 1 & 2 a.m.; Tuesdays – 1 & 7 a.m. and 1 & 11 p.m.; Wednesdays – 1,2 & 3 a.m. and 3 p.m.; Thursdays – 2 & 3 a.m. and 12:00 noon 1 & 3 p.m.; Fridays – 12 midnight, 1,2,3, & 5 a.m., and 12 noon & 1 p.m.; Saturdays – 1,2 & 3 a.m.; and 1,2,3 & 9 p.m. Please call the parish office if you can fill one hour.

 

STATIONS of the CROSS … Fridays of Lent

2:00 p.m. (children’s format) and 7:00 p.m. (On First Friday, stations will follow the 7:00 p.m. Mass).

 

PARISH PENANCE SERVICE … Tuesday, March 16

At 7:00 p.m. in the church.

 

EASTER FLOWER MEMORIALS should be returned to the parish office no later than Monday, April 5 at 12:00 noon. Flower offering envelopes are available at the doors of the church and in the parish office. Please print the names of each loved one you wish remembered, your donation, and envelope number. You may place your envelope in the collection basket or bring them to the parish office.

 

We Pray …

BAPTISMS... Congratulations and welcome to the following children recently baptized at St. John Church: Mason Edward Amelung, son of Craig & Karen Amelung; Olivia Morgan Chamberlin, daughter of Brian & Nicole Chamberlin; and Christopher Bailey Jordan, son of Mark & Melissa Jordan.

 

WE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE of Freda L. Wehn, Ted Kotula, Deacon Joseph Neale, Charles Bode, Dorothy Farr, Cody Clifton, and for their family and friends.

 

DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET is prayed each Thursday at 3:00 p.m., ending with Benediction. All are welcome.

 

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: Eleanor Serio, Nora Perron (9), George Kessell (2), Martha Uttermohlen (9), Raymond Hyza, Joseph Cinquino (5), Leslie Wilcox (2), Anna B. Rettman, Harry Starrett, Thomas Sulinski, Dolores Hand, Charles Wiest, Marquerite Hunt, Jack McGinley, Thomas White, Josephine Anderson (6), Valeriano Fugoso, Jr., Int. of Norma Perron, Int. of Ray and Mary Ann Stetz, Int. of Volunteers of St. John, Int. of Peggy Spicer, Int. of Dorothy Kellar, George Eckard, Norman H. Meyeres, Sr., Anthony T. Carozza, Diarleane Brammer (2), Edward Nicholson, Jack Scott, Thomas Lamana (2), Christina Dayrit, Int. of Joe and Connie Cinquino, and Int. of Sesquicentennial Volunteers.

 

Liturgy of the Word

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS … March 15-21

Mon.:   2 Kgs 5:1-15;   Pss 42:2-3;43:3-4;   Lk 4:24-30

Tues.:  Dn 3:25,34-43;   Ps 25:4-9;   Mt 18:21-35

Wed.:  Dt 4:1,5-9;   Ps 147:12-13,15-16,19-20;   Mt 5:17-19

Thurs.: Jer 7:23-28;   Ps 95:1-2,6-9;   Lk 11:14-23

Fri.:      2 Sm 7:4-5,12-14,16;   Rom 4:13,16-18,22;   Mt 1:16,18-21,24

Sat.:      Hos 6:1-6;   Ps 51:3-4,18-21;   Lk 18:9-14

Sun.:     Jos 5:9-12;   Ps 34:2-7;   2 Cor 5:17-21;   Lk 15:1-3,11-32

 

Stewardship

WEEKLY OFFERING: Weekend of March 7, 2004

Envelopes:       $24,570.98                               Attendance:  3906

Loose:                   5,724.89                               Poor Box:   $1,946.12

TOTAL:         $30,295.87

 

This year’s budget is based on a weekly offering of $24,500.00. Our current weekly average is $24,784.48 Thank you.

 

VISION 2003 CAMPAIGN UPDATE:

Total Pledged:    $    7,082,179          Goal:                       $    8,056,600.  

Paid to Date:             5,770,407          Pledged to date:         7,082,179

Balance:               $  1,311,772 Interest Earned:                         549,780.

                                                              Pledges needed:   $       424,641

 

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.

 

THROUGH THE CARDINALS LENTEN APPEAL you have the opportunity to join with others in our parish and every parish of our Archdiocese to serve those in need. Lent is a time of almsgiving and the Appeal makes a crucial difference in many different lives. Please help us reach our goal this year by being generous! Thank you for prayerfully considering a donation to this worthy cause.

 

School News

 

GROCERY CERTIFICATES, Kohl's/Boscov’s Cards are available in the front of school each morning and in the school office. The school makes 10% of the sales. Thank you for your support.

 

ST. JOHN SCHOOL DANCE & SILENT AUCTION …

Friday, April 23 From 8 – 12 midnight at historic Roop’s Mill on Rt. 140. Tickets are now available! Tickets are $25/$40 per couple and includes; desserts, munchies, beer, wine, soda, DJ and dancing, live and silent auction, raffles and more! Tickets are available in the school office or call Sheri at 410-833-6197 or Mary at 410-552-6689. Donations are still being accepted for the auction. Thank you for your support.

 

Religious Ed./Youth Activities

Religious Education Office: (410) 848-8443

ADULT CONFIRMATION … Beginning Tues., Mar. 23

At. 7:00 p.m. We will be offering classes to prepare adults to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Classes will be held every other Tuesday until the Feast of Pentecost on Sunday, May 10^th. The candidates will be confirmed at the Cathedral of Mary our Queen, by His Eminence, William Cardinal Keeler. If you, or anyone you know is a Catholic adult who has not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation, and is interested in being Confirmed, please contact Seminarian Jim Sorra in the Parish Office.

 

SECOND GRADE BANNER WORKSHOP … Sat., March 27

From 9:00 a.m. to 12:00, noon in the school cafeteria. Students should have received their banner kits last week in class.

 

FIRST EUCHARIST, 2^nd PARENT MEETING …

Tuesday, March 30 or Thursday, April 1

At 6:45 p.m. in the Hall (old church). Please note this is a change from the new church to the old church.  

URGENT NEED for a SIXTH GRADE TEACHER beginning March 23 for the Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. session. If you can help, please call the Religious Education Office immediately.

 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL will be the week of June 21. If you can help as a teacher, assistant, or with crafts, snack, and babysitting, please call the Religious Ed. Office.

 

 

 

STEUBENVILLE EAST … July 9-11th  

Our Steubenville Trip is full. However, we will start a waiting list. If you are interested, please call Jordan in the Religious Ed. Office.

 

TENEBRAE SERVICE … Wednesday, April 7

St. John is recruiting all teens that are high school aged to come out and be a part of the TENEBRAE Service for the parish. We will be reenacting the Passion of Christ, and we need actors! Please call Jeanne Link if you are interested at 410-876-3784.

 

 

SIGNS NIGHT … Sunday, March 14

From 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. All 7^th and 8^th graders are invited. Come out for fun, food, and faith!

 

EDGE BOWLING NIGHT … Friday, March 26

From 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. at Lanes in Taneytown. Check out the Edge Newsletter or next week’s bulletin for more details.

 

 

ACTIVITY NIGHTS ... Every 1^st & 3^rd Friday

From 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. We meet in the cafeteria. All 5^th & 6^th graders are welcome. Parents please drop and pick your children up on time! For info, contact Scott in the Religious Ed. Office.  

 

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!

 

SPIRITUAL EASTER BASKETS: In an effort to provide children with an Easter that reflects the true meaning of the Resurrection, St. Vincent de Paul is collecting items to fill” Spiritual Easter Baskets”, to be given to Shepherd’s Staff for area children. Some ideas would be; christian coloring books, story books, puzzles, prayer books, small toys, school supplies, non- candy snacks, socks, personal care items. Please leave these items in the food baskets by the doors of the church no later than March 21. If you would like to assemble a finished Easter Basket, you are asked to bring it directly to Shepherd’s Staff by March 22. Thank you for your generosity.

SVDP SPIRITUAL RETREAT … Saturday, March 27

At Bon Secours Spiritual Center in Marriottsville. The St. John conference of St. Vincent de Paul is having a spiritual retreat. Anyone who would like to learn more about the work of St. Vincent de Paul, is encouraged to attend. For info, reservations, or members not signed up yet, call Larry McBee at 410-875-0883.

 

activities in Our Parish

PASSION TALK REVIEW SESSION … Monday, March 15

From 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the old church. You are invited to participate in a brief presentation and group discussion about the biblical, theological, spiritual, artistic depictions of the movie, The Passion of the Christ. For more information, contact Fr. Leo at the Parish Office.

 

WISDOM CLUB MEETING … Thursday, March 18

In the hall of Ascension Episcopal Church on Court St. Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 noon, followed by our annual “St. Patrick’s Day Pot Luck Luncheon” Dust off those recipes and celebrate the “Wearing of the Green” If you did not sign up for the item you will bring, contact Eleanor at 410-875-3336 or Mary Agnes at 410-876-1307. Members and non-members are urged to attend this festive occasion. Remember NO brown bag this month.

 

LONGABERGER® BASKET BINGO … Saturday, March 20

At 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.), in the St. John School Cafeteria. Tickets now available in the school or parish offices! Prizes will be filled retired Longaberger® baskets. Mark your calendars now! WE NEED YOUR HELP to make this bingo a success by sponsoring a basket, or items to fill a basket. Please call Anna at 410-876-2652 if you can help.

 

THE SPIRITUALITY OF LES MISERABLES … Mon., Mar. 22

At 7:30 p.m. in the parish center, Fr. Brian will lead a reflection on the Christian themes in Victor Hugo’s novel, Les Miserables. Among other themes, we will reflect on repentance, forgiveness, and self-sacrifice. This reflection is highly encouraged for those going to see the play in April, but all are welcome!   

 

“THE MIBS” ARE BACK … Friday, April 16

At 7:00 p.m. at Westminster High School, The “Men-in Black” Basketball Team, priests and seminarians of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, are coming back to St. John’s! Join us for this exciting Family Night Out! 

 

“CATS” at TOBY’S DINNER THEATER … Sunday, April 25

All are welcome to join the Wisdom Club on this trip. The price is $45 and includes show, dinner and bus. The bus leaves St. John at 9:30 a.m. and will return approximately at 4:00 p.m. Money is due by March 15. For more info, call Rosemary at 410-795-8491.

 

150^th ANNIVERSARY CERAMIC TILE:  The 6” square tile shows a gold metallic representation of our Sesquicentennial logo and detailed images of the three churches. Cost is $10, and may be purchased in the parish office, Mon. – Fri., from 9 a.m.– 4 p.m.

 

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 Norma in the parish office (ext. 217).

ALTAR SOCIETY of ST. JOHN is in need of people to donate their time on Fridays at 10:15 a.m. or 6:00 p.m. to help clean the church. For information, contact Pat Mueller at 410-876-2596.

 

THE HISPANIC MINISTRY is looking for musicians and vocalists for their choir. You need not be fluent in Spanish! If interested, please call Denise Diegel at 410-876-0860.

 

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 Friday, April 2 with the name and number of the prospective nominees. For further info or questions, contact Mike Rodgers at 410-857-5891.

 

PROSPECTIVE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS: The St. John School Board is searching for interested people to serve on the School Board beginning with the 2004-05 school year. If you have a genuine commitment to Catholic School education and desire to further its mission, please call Tess Hupfeld at 410-876-2961 for an application. Grandparents and non-parents are welcome to apply.

 

ST. JOHN SPONSORED LOAVES & FISHES SOUP KITCHEN

At the Ascension Episcopal Church is updating the general mailing list and scheduling for the period of April 1 – September 30, 2004. If you will not be participating, please leave a message between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. for Mike Radov at 410-857-9528.

 

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.

 

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.

 

THE MSGR. O’DWYER RETREAT HOUSE is currently accepting reservations for company picnics, youth groups, graduation parties, family reunion, etc. The facility has many amenities including a large pool, picnic tables, grills, lifeguards, volleyball and basketball courts. Located at 15523 York Road in Sparks. For information or reservations, please call 410-666-2400.

 

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

 

At Other Parishes

LENTEN DINNERS at ST. PETER’S in LIBERTYTOWN: Every Friday, through April 2, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Prices for adults are $6.00 and children under 12 are $3.00. For more information, contact St. Peter’s parish office at 301-898-5111.

 

 

FISH FRY at ST. JOSEPH EMMITSBURG … Fri., April 2

From 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Cost is $10 for adults and $3 for children ages 6-9. Sponsored by St. Joseph’s Holy Name Society.

 

SPRING CERAMIC SALE and BAZAAR … Sat., April 3

From 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Little Sisters of the Poor, St. Martin’s Home in Catonsville. For info call, 410-744-9367.

 

MARRIED COUPLES RETREATS will be held at Priestfield Retreat Center, W.VA. On the following dates: ■ April 2-4, ■ April 16-18, ■ May 14-16. For info, call Elaine at 410-252-5355.

 

In our Community

DRUG/ALCOHOL/TOBACCO AWARENESS … Sun., Mar. 28

From 1:30 – 4:00 p.m. at St. Joseph, Eldersburg in their gym. The entire community is welcome to come for this awareness program geared towards our youth. For info, call Jim at 410-795-4335.

 

2004 BAKER-YINGLING-SCHOLARSHIP AWARD: The Community Foundation of Carroll County is accepting applications for the 2004 Baker-Yingling Scholarship. The scholarship was established in 2002 to honor Larry Baker and Donald “Bo” Yingling for thirty years of service to the children of St. John Roman Catholic Community. The purpose of the scholarship is to provide for children in St. John’s basketball programs to attend sport camps to develop their capacities and capabilities. It may also support academic scholarships to elementary school, high school, or college for this same class of beneficiaries. Applications are available in the Parish Center.