Mass Intentions

Monday, April 5

      7:00 a.m.           William Bland

      8:00 a.m.           Peyton & Madaline Carr

Tuesday, April 6

      7:00 a.m.           William M. Cook

      8:00 a.m.           Int. of Clotilde C. Drechsler

Wednesday, April 7

      7:00 a.m.           Madeline Morgan

      8:00 a.m.           Helen Minchik

Thursday, April 8

      7:00 p.m.           Edward L. O’Connor

Saturday, April 10

  7:00 p.m.           Antoinette Rowe (Easter Vigil)              

Sunday, April 11

      7:15 a.m.           Harcharufka & Mergo Families (Church)

      7:30 a.m.           Agnes & Nick Bordes (Hall)

      9:15 a.m.           Benedetta & Ronald DiBlasio (Church)

      9:30 a.m.            James McNamara (Hall)

    11:15 a.m.           Ron Frederick (Church)

    11:30 a.m.            Marge Hamburg (Hall)

 

 

From the Pastor

As we begin Holy Week, recalling and celebrating the mystery of our salvation, I invite and encourage your participation. These liturgies not only remember the historical events of the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ, they enable us to enter and experience the love of God that transcends time and transforms lives. This holy season brings a unique focus to our prayer and worship: the worldwide Church, the family of nations, along with those to be baptized and those who will be received into full communion with the Church, indeed the entire Mystical Body of Christ unites to give witness to the reality and mystery of the Resurrection. I, along with my brother priests and our pastoral staff, look forward to celebrating the Liturgies of Holy Week and Easter Sunday with you. 

 

                May God bless you,

 

 

Liturgy & Worship

PENITENTIAL FAST and ABSTINENCE

All persons are bound to the law of abstinence. Persons who have reached their 14^th birthday and up to their 60^th birthday are bound by the law of fasting. Good Friday is a day of abstinence from meat and a day of fast; that is limited to a single full meal.

 

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY …  April 18

The 11:15 a.m. Mass will conclude with The Divine Mercy Chaplet and Benediction. Join us for this beautiful devotion on the day chosen by our Lord to commemorate His Merciful Love for the whole world. NOVENA to the DIVINE MERCY: Our Lord revealed to St. Maria Faustina, that the Chaplet be recited as a Novena on the nine days prior to Divine Mercy Sunday. Novena pamphlets are available in the racks at the doors of the church. The novena begins on Good Friday.

 

 

 

 

   

PERPETUAL ADORATION of the BLESSED SACRAMENT:  We need your help with the following hours: Sundays – Midnight, 2,3, & 8 a.m.; and 12 noon, 6, & 7 p.m.; Mondays – 1, 2 & 9 a.m.; Tuesdays – 3 & 7 a.m. and 1 & 11 p.m.; Wednesdays – 1,2 & 3 a.m. and 3 p.m.; Thursdays – 2 a.m. and 12:00 noon, 1 & 3 p.m.; Fridays – 12 midnight, 2&3 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.

 

EASTER FLOWER MEMORIALS envelopes are located at the doors of the church. Please return them to the parish office by this Monday, April 5 at 12:00 noon.

THERE WILL BE NO DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET on Holy Thursday, April 8^th, but will resume on Thursday, April 15.

 

We Pray …

WE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE of Mildred Darnall, Francis O’Brien, Beverly Truhe, and for their family and friends.

 

BAPTISMS... Congratulations and welcome to the following children recently baptized at St. John Church: Alexander Glenn Carr and Nicholas Hugh Carr, children of Hugh & Angela Carr, III; Sarah Byers Hutsell, daughter of Gregory & Penny Hutsell; Amelia Florence Lambertson, daughter of John & Mary Lamertson; Bridget Catherine Sheehy, daughter of Daniel & Amy Sheehy; Nicholas Kyle Tanzola, son of Jeffrey & Carole Tanzola.

 

Liturgy of the Word

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS … April 5 - 11

Mon.:   Is 43:1-7;   Ps 27:1-3,13-14;   Jn 12:1-11

Tues.:  Is 49:1-6;   Ps 71:1-6,15,17;   Jn 13:21-33,36-38

Wed.:  Is 50:4-9;   Ps 69:8-10,21-22,31,33-34;   Mt 26:14-25

Thurs.: Ex 12:1-8,11-14;   1 Cor 11:23-26;   Jn 13:1-15

Fri.:      Is 52:13-53:12;   Heb 4:14-16;5:7-9;   Jn 18:1-19:42

Sat.:      To Be Announced at Mass

Sun.:     Acts 10:34,37-43;   Col 3:1-4;   Jn 20

 

Stewardship

WEEKLY OFFERING: Weekend of March 28, 2004

Envelopes:       $20,464.46                               Attendance:  2828

Loose:                   5,911.61                               Poor Box:   $1,924.40

TOTAL:         $26,376.07

 

This year’s budget is based on a weekly offering of $24,500.00. Our current weekly average is $24,935.10 Thank you.

 

VISION 2003 CAMPAIGN UPDATE:

Total Pledged:    $    7,097,740          Goal:                       $    8,056,600.  

Paid to Date:             5,796,448          Pledged to date:         7,097,740

Balance:               $  1,301,292 Interest Earned:                         549,780.

                                                              Pledges needed:   $       409,080

 

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 COLLECTION on GOOD FRIDAY is for the Holy Land Shrines. Thank you for your generosity.

 

THANK YOU TO ALL BASKET BINGO sponsors, volunteers and participants! Thanks to your help we had another successful Basket Bingo. Proceeds were $4,400 donated to the building fund.

 

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!  Thank you to all who have given to the Lenten Appeal! So far, we have collected $41,196 from 326 gifts – but we still have a long way to go to make our parish goal! Your donation CAN make a difference! This Lenten Season give the gift that helps those who truly need it! Don’t wait – place your donation in an envelope marked “Lenten Appeal” and place it in the collection basket; bring it to the parish center; or send checks to: Lenten Appeal; Catholic Center, 320 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 & mark “St John, Westminster” in the memo line of the check. Thank you!

School News

 

REMINDER: Grocery Certificates, Kohl's & Boscov’s Gift Cards are available in the front of school each morning and in the school office. The school makes 5% off the total sales.

 

ST. JOHN SCHOOL DANCE & SILENT AUCTION …

Friday, April 23 From 8 – 12 midnight at Historic Roop’s Mill. Tickets are now available! Tickets are $25/$40 per couple and include; desserts, munchies, beer, wine, soda, DJ and dancing, and over 100 live and silent auction items. Tickets will be available after Masses on April 17 & 18 or in the school office. For other arrangements please call, Sheri at 410-833-6197 or Mary at 410-552-6689. Thank you for your support.

 

PTF SPRING PLANT SALE … Pre-Orders April 1 – 14

Pre-order forms are due by Wednesday, April 14^th and are available at the school and parish offices, and in the pamphlet rack at the doors of the church. Let St. John PTF help you with your landscaping needs! Items available include: Trees, shrubs, hanging baskets and flowers. Delivery is Friday, April 30 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the school parking lot. Additional plants will be available, Saturday, May 1, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon at the Carroll Plaza Shopping Center. For information, call Diane at 410-876-8239 or Joy at 410-848-2690. 

 

Religious Ed./Youth Activities

Religious Education Office: (410) 848-8443

THERE WILL BE NO RELIGIOUS EDUCATION classes on Tues., April 6 and Thurs., April 8. Families are encouraged to participate in the holy week events.

 

HOME STUDY CLASSES … Wednesday, April 7

At 6:45 p.m. in the school.

 

CONFIRMATION PRACTICE … Thursday, April 15

At the parish hall (old church) at the following times:

 

Tuesday Students  ~ 6:30 p.m. & Thursday Students ~ 7:30 p.m.

 

All candidates and sponsors must attend. If you have previously talked to Jordan about switching days, you must come to the rehearsal for that day.

 

CONFIRMATION CEREMONY: All Tuesday students will be Confirmed on Saturday, April 17 at 2:00 p.m. All Thursday, students will be Confirmed on Sunday, April 18 at 2:00 p.m. Please be at the parish hall (old church) by 1:15 p.m.

 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION would like to congratulate the following Catechists in our program for receiving their Catechist Certification from the Archdiocese: Preliminary Certificate: Marilyn Young; Catechist: Dianne McPhillips; and Advanced Certificates: Augusto Cruz, Robert Piazza, and Teresa Richardson; They will receive certificates at a recognition celebration in May.

THANK YOU TO ALL FAMILIES who participated in the Pampered Chef Fundraiser. We raised approximately $700.00.

 

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.

 

 

 

NO LIFE NIGHT Sunday, April 4, due to the Cardinal’s Pilgrimage on Saturday. 

NO LIFE NIGHT Easter Sunday, April 11 

VOCATION AWARENESS NIGHT … Sunday, May 2

Fr. Gerry Francik, Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese, will celebrate the 6:00 p.m. Mass and stay for the Life Night. Several men and women Religious will join Fr. Gerry, so this Life Night is for everyone. 

 

NOTE: There will be no Edge night on Easter Sunday, April 11.

 

AMC BOWLING NIGHT … Friday, April 23

From 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. at Thunderhead Bowling Lanes in Taneytown. Grab your friends and call Scott to sign up for a lane. Parents drop off and pick up at Thunderhead. For more information, call Scott in the Religious Ed. Office.

 

 

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

From 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. We meet in the cafeteria. Parents please drop and pick your children up on time! For info, contact Scott in the Religious Ed. Office. 

 

THERE WILL BE NO YOUTH ALIVE on April 16^th due to the Men in Black basketball game. We hope to see everyone there!

 

Outreach

* THE ST. VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY *

DURING HOLY WEEK, as you consider Our Lord’s great love and sacrifice for us, consider making your sacrificial offering to the poor boxes at the doors of the church. Help us remind those in need of His love for them. 

 

activities in Our Parish

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BREAKFAST … Sun., April 4

From 8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Join the Knights in the school cafeteria for a great breakfast including; pancakes, French-toast, eggs and more. Adults are $4 and children are $2.

 

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

 

 

WELCOMING SESSION & REGISTRATION … Sun. April 4

From 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. in the St. Luke room in the school. If you are interested in becoming a member of St. John Parish or just interested in knowing how to get involved in the parish. Please come!

 

HOME SCHOOL ~ PASSION PLAY … Monday, April 5

At 7:00 p.m. in the old church. All are welcome to join the Homeschool Group as they re-enact the Passion of Our Lord.

 

TENEBRAE … Wednesday, April 7

At 7:00 p.m. in the parish hall (old church). Everyone is invited to come see this re-enactment of the Passion of Christ with Stations in song and actions by Life Teen.

 

“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!  MIB GAME:  Do you want a chance to play basketball against the Men-in-Black? If you are a high school teenager or a young adult (up to age 30) contact Seminarian Jim to enter your name for the random drawing for the St. John’s Home Court Team. Contact him by e-mail at jsorra@sjwest.org or call 410-848-4744 x254. The drawing will be on Easter Monday and you will be notified if your name was drawn.  

 

NEW YORK CITY BUS TRIP … Saturday, May 1

We depart St. John at 6:00 a.m. and return approximately 10:00 p.m. The cost is $49 per person, which covers the bus, and light snacks for the ride up. Come join us for an exciting day to the Big Apple! For reservations, call Paul in the Religious Ed. Office.

 

ANNUAL MAY PROCESSION … Sunday, May 2

Procession will begin at 1:00 p.m. from the school cafeteria. St. John Ladies Sodality invited all parishioners to participate in this special day to honor our Blessed Mother Mary as we crown her Queen of Heaven and Earth. First Communicants may wear their First Communion attire. All participants should meet in the cafeteria at 12:45 p.m. for the procession. Refreshments will be served immediately following in the cafeteria. For information, call Martha Murphy at 410-875-2579.

 

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).

 

FILIAE MARIAE BOOK CLUB … Tuesday, April 27

Discussion will be at 7:00 p.m. in the parish center. Sign-up by email at: filiaemariae@sjwest.org or call Dawn Walsh at 410-876-0250. The book selections are; “Practice of the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence, “Finding God’s Will for You” by St. Frances de Sales, and “Surprised by Trust” edited by Patrick Madrid. Books may be purchased at Little Rose of Sharon, Catholic Book Store.

MEMORIAL BRICKS can be purchased from April 2 through June 12. You can honor a person or family member or memorialize a loved one. The costs of the bricks are: $75 for 4 x 8 and a limited number of 8 x 8 for $150. 4 x 8 forms are available at the parish office; please call Kathy Duex at 410-84-4469 for an 8 x 8 form. The bricks from the last campaign will be installed this spring. All proceeds go toward furnishing the church.

 

PARISH MUSICIANS interested in playing and/or singing at First Holy Communion on Saturday, May 1 at 10:00 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.; and/or Saturday, May 8 at 10:00 a.m., are asked to contact Jane Schmidt at 410-840-8616 by April 10. There will be a mandatory rehearsal on Monday, April 26 and Monday, May 3 from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.

 

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. Call Tess Hupfeld at 410-876-2961 for an application.

 

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

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