Mass Intentions

 Monday, August 9

      7:00 a.m.       Int. of Fr. Gerard

      8:00 a.m.       John McLaughlin

Tuesday, August 10

      7:00 a.m.       Kathy Focht

      8:00 a.m.       Fr. Joseph Kaiser

Wednesday, August 11

      7:00 a.m.       Patricia Sprankle

      8:00 a.m.       Scott Conover

Thursday, August 12

      7:00 a.m.       John Lafferty

      8:00 a.m.       Richard Strong

Friday, August 13

      7:00 a.m.       Ron Frederick

      9:30 a.m.       Charles & Evelyn Young

Saturday, August 14

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

  5:00 p.m.       Mary Garner

Sunday, August 15

      7:15 a.m.       Marie Hamburg

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

    11:15 a.m.       Ted Hollenbaugh    

      3:15 p.m.       Joseph Cinquino

      6:00 p.m.       Nanda Fulton

 

From the Pastor

    One of the challenges of being a large parish is the possibility of “getting lost in the crowd.” Among the blessings of being a large parish are the numerous opportunities for fellowship and ministry.  I would like to invite and encourage all parishioners to step out of the crowd and get to know one another. Two events have been planned for the weekend of August 20^th and 21^st. Several openings remain for the Annual Knights of Columbus Golf Outing on Friday. Last year’s tournament was a fun-filled experience for everyone. There is always room for you at our Parish Picnic. The Picnic was reinstated last year as part of our 150^th Anniversary celebration. It was so successful that we hope to make it an annual event.  You are most welcome to join us for the fun and fellowship and volunteers are appreciated. More details on both of these events are in the bulletin.  I hope to see you there.

    With Bishop Bennett’s appointment as the Bishop of Mandeville, Jamaica, comes the challenge of dealing with some of the world’s most extreme poverty. A Special Collection will be taken up next weekend (Aug. 14^th and 15^th) to assist the bishop as he begins his ministry. Thank you for your generosity.

 

May God bless you,

 

 

Liturgy & Worship

PERPETUAL ADORATION!! – YOUR OPPORTUNITY to SPEND TIME with the LORD. The following hours have one scheduled adorer, but we would like to have at least one more for each hour: Sundays – 12, 1, 3, 7 & 8 a.m.; and 12 noon 6, 8 & 9 p.m.; Mondays – 1, 2 & 11 a.m.; Tuesdays – 3 & 6 a.m. and 9 & 11 p.m.; Wednesdays – 1, 2, 3, 4 & 7 a.m. and 12 noon; Thursdays – 2, 3 & 5 a.m. and 4 p.m.; Fridays – 12, 2, 3 & 9 a.m., and 12 noon; Saturdays – 1, 2, 3 & 8 a.m.; and 12 noon, 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 10  & 11 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: Lauren Kylie Wunder, child of Amy & George Wunder, III; Brandon Joseph Miller, son of Theresa Miller & Joseph Smith; and Taylor Alexa Shank, daughter of Melissa & Wade Shank.

 

WE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE of Mary Miller and for her family and friends.

 

FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR THIS WEEKEND were donated by Casey and Jackie Gresey in loving memory of their nephew, Stephen Michael Prost

 

WE PRAY to Mother Teresa, who is to be beatified on October 19^th to intercede to Jesus for Sr. Marie Bernadette’s full recovery.

 

DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET … Thursday Afternoons

Beginning at 3:00 p.m. in the church. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed before the Blessed Sacrament, ending with Benediction.

 

MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA ... Thursday Mornings

Immediately following the 8:00 a.m. Mass and Rosary in the church. All are invited to participate.

 

Liturgy of the Word

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS … August 9-15

Mon.:   Ez 1:2-5,24-28;   Ps 148:1-2,11-14;   Mt 17:22-27

Tues.:  2 Cor 9:6-10;   Ps 112:1-2,5-9;  Jn 12:24-26

Wed.:  Ez 9:1-7;10:18-22;   Ps 113:1-6;   Mt 18:15-20

Thurs.: Ez 12:1-12;   Ps 78:56-59,61-62;   Mt 18:21-19:1

Fri.:      Ez 16:1-15,60,63;   (Ps) Is 12:2-6;   Mt 19:3-12

Sat.:      Ez 18:1-10,13,30-32;   Ps 51:12-15,18-19;   Mt 19:13-15

Sun.:     Rv 11:19;12:1-6,10;   1 Cor 15:20-27;   Lk 1:39-56

 

Stewardship

WEEKLY OFFERING: Weekend of August 1, 2004:

Envelopes:       $21,938.15                               Attendance:  3390

Loose:                   5,223.11                               Poor Box:   $1,697.05

TOTAL:         $27,161.26

 

This year’s budget is based on a weekly offering of $25,500.00. Our current weekly average is $24,466.93 Thank you.

 

VISION 2003 CAMPAIGN UPDATE:

Total Pledged:    $    7,143,817          Goal:                       $    8,056,600.  

Paid to Date:             5,913,955          Pledged to date:         7,143,817.

Balance:               $  1,229,862 Interest Earned:                         549,780.

                                                              Pledges needed:   $       363,003

 

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 Catholic Communications Campaign and Catholic University of America. Thank you for your generosity.

 

 

ESTATE PLANNING: If you are interested in receiving a brochure outlining how you can plan for both your family and your parish through estate planning (formulating your will), just call the parish office at 410-848-4744.

 

ELECTRONIC CONTRIBUTIONS: If you are interested in trying our St. John Electronic Contributions Option, whereby the exact amount you specify is automatically deducted from your checking account each week, call George Hinkel, in the Parish Center at 410-848-4744 ext. 249 for information. 

 

School News

INNISBROOK SCHOOL SUPPLIES: Students who ordered school supplies in the spring through the Innisbrook program will receive their orders on the first day of school in their classroom.

 

NO PACKET PICKUP this summer. Information will be sent home on the first day of school and posted on the web site.

 

GROCERY CERTIFICATES & GIFT CARDS may be purchased in the parish office during the summer months on Monday – Friday, from 9 – 12:00 noon.

 

YEARBOOK PICTURES: Anyone who placed an ad with pictures may pick up their pictures at school on Wednesdays between 9 a.m. and 12 Noon.

 

 Religious Ed./Youth Activities

Religious Education Office: (410) 848-8443

BEGINNING of the YEAR TEACHER & ASSISTANT MEETING. Please attend one of the following meetings: Monday August 9, from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. OR Saturday, August 21, from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. in the cafeteria.

 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION BEGINNING of the YEAR PARENT MEETINGS will be held as follows:

Home Study ~ Wednesday, August 25 at 6:45 p.m.

Tuesday Students  ~ Tuesday, August 31 at 4:30 and 6:45 p.m. Thursday Students ~ Thursday, September 2 at 4:30 and 6:45 p.m. All meetings will begin in the Parish Hall (old church) and will last approximately 1 hour. Please come to the session you requested on your registration form or your second choice if you were notified by the Religious Ed Office of that change.

 

OFFICE ASSISTANT NEEDED: The Religious Ed. Office has a part-time, paid position available. The person hired will work Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 – 8:15 p.m. and will be responsible for answering phones, documenting attendance, and general office duties throughout the school year. If you are interested in applying, please call Paul in the Religious Ed. Office.

 

CONFIRMATION CLASSES: If you are planning on registering your 8^th or 9^th grader for Confirmation classes, you must do so now. The registration deadline was June 24^th, and several classes are already full. Please stop by the Religious Ed. Office in the Parish Center to complete the enrollment forms.

 

 

TEACHERS & ASSISTANTS are NEEDED for NEXT YEAR: The program cannot exist without the help of many volunteers! We want to keep our class sizes to a minimum. Maybe God is calling you to share your Catholic faith with the young people of our parish and to grow in your faith experience. Please call the Religious Ed. Office to find out how easy it is.

 

REGISTRATION FOR 2004/2005: Registration forms have been mailed to all families in the program. For those who are not already in the program, call the Religious Ed Office to register.

 

 

 

VIDEO SCAVENGER HUNT … Sunday, August 8

We will be leaving the campus for this event to drive around Westminster doing silly stunts for the camera. The funniest video wins!!! If there are parents willing to help us drive, please email Jordan at jtippet@sjwest.org.

 

CROSSROADS PRO-LIFE NIGHT … Sunday, August 15

We will be joined by a group called Crossroads who have just walked from Ohio to Maryland preaching the pro-life message. There will be testimonies, skits, music and more.

 

NO LIFE NIGHT on Sunday, August 22

 

HOLY HOUR …  Sunday, August 29

We will have a holy hour to pray for the upcoming school year. Join us immediately after the 6:00 p.m. Mass in the cafeteria. Parents can pick their teens up at the Church at 9:00 p.m.

 

PARISH PICNIC NEEDS HELP! Hey all you teens out there we need your help on August 21^st to run some of the concession stands at the parish picnic, from 12 – 6 p.m. contact Jordan to help.

 

Outreach

* THE ST. VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY *

“THANK YOU” These two words seem inadequate, but they do convey our appreciation for your constant support of the needy in our area. Without your help, many people would be uncared for and hungry. St. Vincent de Paul Society again says “Thank You”

 

activities in Our Parish

FILIAE MARIA MINI-WORKSHOP … Sat., August 14

Join us at the 8:00 a.m. Mass. We will begin in the cafeteria at 9:00 a.m. with coffee and danish. Fr. Brian will join us for 2 talks– “Marriage” and “The Vocation of being a Wife and Mother.” Come away for a few hours and go home with some concrete ways to strengthen your marriage and grow in grace as a mother. To register call Theresa Greene at 410-876-9578.

 

K of C ANNUAL GOLF OUTING … Friday, August 20

At the Links at Gettysburg. Fee per player is $100 before July 22 and $125 after. Registration closes August 6. All proceeds go to St. John Youth Ministry. Hole in One prizes include a seven-day cruise, $5,000 cash and more. Register early! This was a sell-out last year. Door prizes and hole sponsors are needed. For information and reservations call John Stephens at 410-848-3722 or Dean Ditman at 410-848-5579 or Sal Coco at 410-346-6612.

ST. JOHN PARISH PICNIC … Saturday, August 21

From 1 – 6 p.m. at Shriver Homestead in Union Mills. Bring your picnic lunch or pit beef, hamburgers and hotdogs will be available for sale. Enjoy games of chance and games for children of all ages. Enter the pie eating contest or chili cook-off. Spend the day listening to music by local musicians. Tickets are on sale after Masses and at the parish office for $2.00 per person or $8.00 per family. Cake Donations are needed for the cake wheel – please call Kim at 410-875-4275. Chili Cook Off Contestants, please call Craig Lyons at 410-751-2945. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to work a one-hour shift during the picnic. Please call Betty Belk at 410-876-9032 to sign-up.

 

FILIAE MARIAE BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION … Tues., Aug. 31

At 7:00 p.m. in the parish center. The new books are: “Courage to be Catholic” by George Weigel, “A light in the darkness, the life of Elizabeth Leseur”; and “Decoding Davinci” by Amy Welborn. Please choose one book to read. Although registration is requested, it is not required. If you have any questions, please contact Dawn Walsh at 410-876-0250.

 

MARRIAGE INVESTMENT COURSE … Saturday, Sept. 25

Kickoff at 7:00 p.m. with the opening talk, Wine and Cheese. Sponsored by Filiae Mariae. Mark your calendars now for you and your husband to attend this Parish-wide 6-week event. More information to come regarding registration.

 

150^th ANNIVERSARY CERAMIC TILE & BOOK/VIDEO:  Are available for purchase in the parish office Monday – Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call the parish office for more information.

 

THE BAPTISM MINISTRY is in need of volunteers to assist once a month at the weekly Baptisms held each Saturday at 10:30 a.m. It is a rewarding experience to participate in this beautiful Sacrament. For information, call Mary Allen at 410-857-3703.

 

THE EVANGELIST NEEDS YOUR HELP! If you know the Publisher Program and are willing to help set up the Evangelist Newsletter, Please call Anne Nevin at 410-876-1027.

 

PRO LIFE: Connect with the St. John Pro-Life group. If you want to be informed of parish, community, national events and legislative issues, send your email address to Joanne at stjohnprolife@aol.com or call 876-7984 for further information.

 

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults): Are you interested in learning more about the Catholic Church? Are you unbaptized, but recognize the need for spirituality in your life? Have you been baptized Catholic or baptized into another religion but never received any formal religious education, or the other Sacraments of Initiation? Are you married to a Catholic and attend Mass, but just don't know what the next step is to become one of the Catholic faithful? Then, RCIA might be for you! RCIA is the process by which adults become Catholic.  For more information, please call Paul in the Religious Ed. Office at 410-848-8443. Classes for the fall session begin Sunday, August 22. The Spring session which takes place on Monday nights begins in March.

 

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.

In our Community

CHILDREN’S CONSIGNMENT SALE … Sat., August 28

From 8 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Reisterstown United Methodist Church. Baby Equipment, Maternity Clothes, Toys and more. For more information or to consign, call Kim at 410-840-9874 or Lani at 410-526-6967.

 

THE MUSIC MAN presented by September Song, Community Theater at Westminster High School. September 17, 18, 24, and 25 at 8:00 p.m. Proceeds will go to Change, Inc. and the Carroll County Therapeutic Recreation Council. For tickets or information, call Kris Froehlich at 410-876-2179.

 

LADY GOLFERS: Come play 9 holes with us at Francis Scott Key Golf Course (formerly River Downs) Thursday nights. Tee off between 5:30 – 6:00. Cost is $8.25 for carts and green fees (wow)! For information, call Lee Moreno at 410-374-3315.

 

LEARN ENGLISH! Register for ESOL Classes. Classes are forming in Westminster, Sykesville, and Manchester and are offered at all levels…Beginning, Intermediate & Advanced. For more information, call Becki Maurio at 410-386-8021.

 

MISSION of MERCY, a non-profit community-based organization is looking for dentists and nurses to volunteer one Wednesday per month at their Westminster site or one Tuesday per month in Reisterstown. Mission of Mercy’s mission is to restore dignity to the sick, poor, homeless and uninsured by providing free medical and dental care. This mission is accomplished through a mobile clinic that is operated by a team of volunteer, healthcare workers. To volunteer, please call 717-642-9062.

 

BACK-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAM: Help The Shepherd’s Staff provide new shoes and backpacks to the local youth. A $10 donation will provide a new pair of school shoes and/or a backpack. For information all 410-857-5944.

 

At Other Parishes

CRAB FEAST and PIG ROAST … Sunday, September 12

From 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. at St Joseph’s Provincial House in Emmitsburg. To benefit the Support Fund for the Elderly & Infirm Sisters. Tickets are $35.00 per person. For info, call 301-447-7080.

 

BOAT RIDE down the POTOMAC … Friday, September 17

St. Peter’s in Libertytown invites you for a Boat ride on Odyssey down the Potomac; the cost is $52 and includes bus and the boat, lunch and a visit to FDR memorial. For information, call Margaret at 410-635-8301 or Frances at 410-876-6411.

 

THE GREAT BIBLE ADVENTURE SEMINAR … Sept. 10-11

At St. Louis Church, in Clarksville. Developed by renowned Bible teacher and Catholic television personality Jeff Cavins this seminar will help you understand the “big picture” of God’s plan and see how the people, places, and events of the Bible fit into it. Registration is $40 and includes seminar workbook, Bible Timeline chart, memory aids and lunch. Register online at www.stlouisbibleseminar.org or by calling 301-604-1393.

 

 

PILGRIMAGE to LOURDES … September 19 – 28

Spend eight days in Lourdes, including a day trip to St. Jean de Luz. Spiritual events are scheduled through the week. For information, contact U.S. National Lourdes Pilgrimage Office at 301-530-8963 or catholictravel@erols.com.

 

Vocations/Archdiocese

CATHOLIC CHARITIES’ ANSWERS for the AGING is a free and confidential information and referral service for older adults, their families, and caregivers. Referral specialists listen to questions and concerns and can help to identify the specific types of services needed, and provide referrals. Call Answers for the Aging at 410-646-0100 or 1-800-502-7587.

 

TRAVELING CHALICE PROGRAM: Each week a St. John family receives the chalice and the commission at Mass to pray for vocations. To sign up, call Mrs. Hopkins at 410-857-5487.

 

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

 

Reminders

TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS ILL REMEMBERED during the Prayer of the Faithful at weekend Masses, please call the parish office by Friday morning.