Mass Intentions

 Monday, April 18

      7:00 a.m.       Dorothy Glowack

      8:00 a.m.       Madaline & Peyton Carr

Tuesday, April 19

      7:00 a.m.       Jimmy Knighton

      8:00 a.m.       Int. of Dolores Pummery

Wednesday, April 20

      7:00 a.m.       Richard J. Fisher

      8:00 a.m.       Katie O’Brien

Thursday, April 21

      7:00 a.m.       Int. of Paul Gallagher

      8:00 a.m.       Katie O’Brien

Friday, April 22

      7:00 a.m.       Norman Lange

      8:00 a.m.       Int. of the Cross Family

Saturday, April 23

      8:00 a.m.       Vera Schwessinger

      5:00 p.m.       Int. of Nancy Buell

Sunday, April 24

      7:15 a.m.       R. Cromwell Allnutt

      9:15 a.m.       Joseph E. Lynch

    11:15 a.m.       Mary Murphy

      3:15 p.m.       Katie O’Brien

      6:00 p.m.       Parishioners of St. John Parish

 

 

From the Pastor

    I join with Father Brian and Father Leo to invite you to set aside Monday, April 18^th as a day of prayer and fasting for our Archbishop, Cardinal Keeler and all the Cardinals who will gather in prayer and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit choose the new Pope. The day following the announcement of the election our new Pope, we will celebrate a Mass for the Holy Father at 7:00 in the evening.  Your participation is encouraged and appreciated.

 

                May God bless you, 

 

   

 

Liturgy Updates

OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS, the music ministry will be taking some visible steps to foster a greater sense of parish unity within liturgy. These steps will include selecting and singing standardized musical settings for the Gloria, the Responsorial Psalm, the Mass parts (Holy, Holy, Holy; Memorial Acclamation; Great Amen; and Lamb of God), and a Communion Antiphon that will be sung as the Priest and Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist receive The Blessed Sacrament. The various settings will be selected by music group leaders, with consideration for ease of singing, the integrity of the prayer text, and appreciation for the various music styles that bring prayerful diversity to our parish worship. And while we’re speaking about music ministry, if you have musical or vocal gifts and would like to inquire about becoming a music minister, new members are always welcome. For more information, please contact Regina McCurdy at 410-876-3850 or rmccurdy@arccarroll.com

 

EUCHARIST UNDER BOTH SPECIES DECISION: After reviewing the results of the study, offering some teaching, hearing the discussion and lots of praying, the parish priests have decided to continue the current practice of distributing Communion under both forms. However, the conversation revealed a serious need to better teach parishioners on a deeper and a more theologically correct understanding of the Eucharist - under both Forms. We discovered a lot of misconceptions and confusion between personal feelings and the facts of the faith about the Eucharist. For that reason, the parish priests and staff will make concerted efforts to better educate and monitor the roles of those who distribute Communion, as well as try to offer more teachings on the Eucharist to all parishioners. More teaching opportunities and a review of the EMC's will be coming soon. We wish to thank those who have offered comments and participated in the discussion. We pray this parish wide discussion helps us better understand and practice our faith in the Eucharist.

 

We Pray …

BAPTISMS... Congratulations and welcome to the following children recently baptized at St. John Church: Andrew Wesley Baran, son of David & Stacy Baran; Bradley Robert Bucklen, son of Dale & Patricia Bucklen; Anthony Joseph Cook, son of Gina Bear & William Cook, Sr.; Caroline McKenzie Foran, daughter of John & Jennifer Foran; Brady Lee Geho, son of Jeffrey & Kimberly Geho; Grace Marie Hinton, daughter of Paul & Anne Hinton; and Auriana Lee and Jaden Malik Noonan, children of Jahmar Malik Ralph & Anna L. Noonan.

 

DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET … Thursday afternoons

At 3:00 p.m. in the church before the Blessed Sacrament.

 

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 two for each hour: Sundays – 4, 8 & 9 a.m.; and 12 & 1 p.m.; Mondays – 1 & 2 a.m.; Tuesdays – 3 a.m.; Wednesdays – 1 & 2 a.m.; Thursdays – 2 a.m.; Fridays – 2 & 3 a.m., and 12 noon; Saturdays – 3 a.m.; and 12, 1, 3 & 10 p.m. Please call the parish office to fill one hour.

 

Liturgy of the Word

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS … April 18-24

Mon.:   Acts 11:1-18;   Pss 42:2-3;43:3-4;   Jn 10:11-18

Tues.:  Acts 11:19-26;   Ps 87:1-7;   Jn 10:22-30

Wed.:  Acts 12:24-13:5;    Ps 67:2-3,5-6,8;   Jn 12:44-50

Thurs.: Acts 13:13-25;   Ps 89:2-3,21-22,25,27;   Jn 13:16-20

Fri.:      Acts 13:26-33;   Ps 2:6-11;   Jn 14:1-6

Sat.:      Acts 13:44-52;   Ps 98:1-4;   Jn 14:7-14

Sun.:     Acts 6:1-7;   Ps 33:1-2,4-5,18-19;   1 Pt 2:4-9;   Jn 14:1-12

 

Stewardship

WEEKLY OFFERING: Weekend of April 10, 2005:

Envelopes:       $23,932.09                               Attendance:  4830

Loose:                   7,643.52                               Poor Box:   $1,204.04

TOTAL:         $31,575.61

 

This year’s budget is based on a weekly offering of $26,500.00. Our current weekly average is $27,775.02. Thank you.

 

VISION 2003 CAMPAIGN UPDATE:

Total Pledged:    $    7,256,687          Goal:                       $    8,056,600.  

Paid to Date:             6,187,058          Pledged to date:         7,256,687.

Balance:               $  1,069,629 Interest Earned:                         549,780.

                                                              Pledges needed:   $       250,133

 

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 CATHOLIC WAR VETS … This weekend April 16 & 17

Members of the Catholic War Veterans will be conducting the annual “Cross of Peace” campaign after all Masses this weekend. Thank you for your generosity and hospitality. 

 

Outreach

TRANSPORTATION NEEDED to MASS: A parishioner living on New Bachman Valley Road needs a ride to the Saturday 5 p.m. Mass or a Sunday Mass. If you can help at least one weekend a month, please call Anne Nevin at 410-876-1027. 

 

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% of the total sales.

 

 Religious Ed./Youth Activities

Religious Education Office: (410) 848-8443

 

HOLY COMMUNION PRACTICE REMINDER: Practice for the Saturday morning First Communion Mass at 10:00 a.m. will be on Monday, April 25^th at 6:30 in the church. Your child must attend this practice. 

 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL … June 20-24

From 9 a.m.  – 12 noon. We are in need of 3 more teachers! If you can help, please call the Religious Ed. Office.

 

THE RELIGIOUS ED. STUDENTS raised $1,186.18 for Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl Lenten Program. Great Job! Thank you.

 

 

ALL TEENS AND THEIR FAMILIES: Saturday, April 30, 2005 is the Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine. It’s going to be an awesome day in Washington D.C. and the trip is free. Please RSVP with Scott Link ASAP. For more details see the announcement under “Activities in our Parish”

 

“EXPERIENCE” the GLORY Steubenville Conference 2005: The 2^nd payment of $80 is now due! The final payment is $75 and due by May 1^st.

 

 

 

 

 

EDGE BOWLING at THUNDERHEAD … Friday, April 22

From 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. We will meet there. The cost is $6 per person. Please RSVP to Scott by April 20^th at slink@sjwest.org.

 

 

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 information, contact Scott in the Religious Ed. Office.

 

activities in Our Parish

PRO-LIFE MEETING ...Wednesday, April 20

From 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the parish center. All are invited to a pro-life informational and planning meeting. If you would like to learn about us, share your ideas about activities, or see what we have planned throughout the year, please plan to attend or call Joanne Bohli for information. Pope John Paul II called us all to defend life. Come see how you can participate. 

 

RENEWAL of MARRIAGE VOWS ... Saturday, April 23

Couples married in April 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 in advance of the weekend.

 

BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY MEETING … Sat., April 23

At 10:00 a.m. in the parish center, there will be an organizational meeting to begin a bereavement ministry group in our parish. Part of the group's activity is to offer luncheons for families after a funeral. This is a wonderful way to extend our love and care to those in our parish family who are grieving the loss of a loved one. For more information, please call Janet Tenney at 410-833-1542.

 

CARNIVAL PLANNING MEETING … Tuesday, April 26

At 7:00 p.m. in the parish center.

 

WISDOM CLUB MONTHLY MEETING … Thurs., April 28

The meeting will be held at Ascension Episcopal Church on Court Street. Mass will be celebrated by Msgr. Art at 12:00 noon followed by our lunch and meeting. This month’s speaker will be Stan Prouser, who will speak on Identity Theft, a topic we should all be aware of or we could become targets. Please remember to bring your brown-bag lunch, dessert and beverage will be provided. For more information, call Eleanor at 410-875-3336.

 

ARCHDIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE … Saturday April 30

Join our parish for a special day of pilgrimage with Cardinal Keeler and Catholics from parishes all over the Archdiocese of Baltimore as we celebrate the Year of the Eucharist. Our pilgrimage will take us to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. This day of prayer includes Mass with Cardinal Keeler, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, tours of the Shrine, opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and time for personal prayer. The theme of this year’s pilgrimage is Mary: Icon of the Eucharist. Bus transportation, will be provided by the parish but you must be registered! Call the parish office to sign up. Space is limited.

ST. JOHN ANNUAL MAY PROCESSION … Sunday, May 1

At 1:00 p.m. in the church. The St. John Ladies Sodality invites all parishioners, children and adults on this special day as our parish honors our Blessed Mother. First Communicants are asked to wear their First Communion attire. Children should meet in the Portico at 12:45 p.m. to line up. All are invited for refreshments immediately following in the cafeteria. For info, call Mary Jo Judge at 410-857-5655 or Martha Murphy at 410-875-2579.

 

PORTICO OPEN HOUSE … Weekend of May 7^th and 8^th

All are invited to the Portico open house after Mass that weekend.

 

BOY SCOUT SPAGHETTI DINNER … Saturday, May 7

From 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Join Boy Scout Troop #420 for their annual Spaghetti Dinner & Silent Auction. Tickets are $6 per person, children under 7 are free. For advance tickets, call Junella Spencer at 410-876-3298.

 

WISDOM CLUB PILGRIMAGE … Thursday, May 12

Join the Wisdom Club for its annual Pilgrimage to the Grotto in Emmitsburg, MD. Msgr. Art will celebrate Mass in the Grotto Chapel at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch at the Cozy Restaurant. The cost is $17 per person and due at the April 28^th meeting. Transportation is on your own. For reservations and details, call Irene at 410-848-0489.

 

ST. JOHN 9^th ANNUAL BASKET BINGO … Friday, May 13

At 7:00 p.m. in the Portico, to benefit the Church Building Fund. Tickets are now available! Prizes will be filled current and retired Longaberger baskets. You can help by sponsoring a door prize or basket, or fill a basket to decrease our expenses and increase the profits. Tickets are available in the parish and school offices or by calling Anna at 410-876-2652.

 

CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION … Sunday, May 29

From 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. As part of the parish's celebration of the Eucharistic Year, we are going to host a Eucharistic Procession. We will promptly begin the procession at the St. John Cemetery, walk along Main Street, turn onto Pennsylvania Avenue, turn into Dutterrer's Park, and finally make our way along Monroe Street to the Church. We will provide bus transportation from St. John Church to the Cemetery, as well as provide assistance for those who may have some difficulty walking, but wish to participate in the procession. We hope to have a big (HUGE) turnout so that all of Westminster will know that Jesus, present in the Eucharist, walks with us in our daily life. We need to track numbers, so please call the parish center and let us know if you plan to join us for this historic Eucharistic Procession! Also, volunteers are needed with 15-passenger vehicles who are willing to help transport, and also drivers who have a CDL with passenger endorsement to drive buses. If you can help, please call Rich Weadon at 410-795-2294.  Thank You!

 

1^st ANNUAL ST. JOHN CARNIVAL … May 30 – June 4

Join the parish with rides, games, wheels, and great food. Proceeds go to St. John School, Religious Education, and Youth Ministry. To volunteer in various areas of the carnival, contact Jenny Scott at 410-239-6179 or jencare1@cs.com for more information. If your business would like to be an ad sponsor for the carnival, call Jim Kramer at 410-876-7073. Sponsor packets are to be returned to the carnival committee by Friday, May 6.

LADIES SODALITY PILGRIMAGE … Saturday, June 11

To the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, in Doylestown, PA. A charter coach will leave St. John at 7:00 a.m. and return at 7:30 p.m. There will be a $25 cost to cover the bus and gratuity. Meals are not included. Pilgrims may bring or buy lunch at the Shrine. Please contact, Deana at 410-876-1007 for more information.

 

DEFENDING the FAITH CONFERENCE … July 29-31

At Franciscan University at Steubenville, hosted by the Sunday Evening Men’s Group. Speakers include: Dr. Scott Hahn and Mrs. Kimberly Hahn, Fr. Benedict Groeschel, Fr. Michael Scanlan, and Archbishop Sean O’Malley of Boston. For registration information, contact Paul Forst at docforst@aol.com or John Bryan at scout381@aol.com or 410-876-0586.

 

SCOTT HAHN at ST. JOHN … Saturday, September 17

Mark your calendar now! Noted author, Scott Hahn will visit our parish and give three talks. Check the bulletin for information.

 

11-DAY PILGRIMAGE for MARRIED COUPLES … Nov. 7 - 17

The tour is currently full for this wonderful marriage renewal pilgrimage opportunity to Rome, Assisi, Orvieto, Florence and Venice! . If you’d like to be put on an alternate list, please email mlhullett@qdelphia.net Cost is $2048 per person, which includes the air, first class/select hotels, most meals, and professional tour escort.

 

ALTAR SOCIETY: We are in need of two or three volunteers to help with the church cleaning on the third Friday of the month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. If you can help, please contact Pat Mueller at 410-876-2596.

 

THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA is the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. If your son is between the ages of 11 and 18 and wants to experience the fun of Scouting year round and grow physically and spiritually, contact Hank Reinhart, Scoutmaster of Troop 420 at 410-876-2937. Troop 420 has been serving and supporting the youth of St John’s and Carroll County for 38 years. If you are already a Scout and want to begin work on the Ad Altare Dei Religious Medal for Catholic Scouts, please contact Jack Lusby at 410-876-3633. A new group will be forming shortly.

 

PILGRIM VIRGIN STATUE of OUR LADY of FATIMA, donated to St. John’s by the Legion of Mary, may be placed in your home for a one-week stay by contacting Mary Pat Kavanagh at 410-840-9413 or Patti Schilz at 410-848-0844.

 

PRE-CANA: Couples needing to complete marriage preparation may attend the June Pre-Cana sessions at St. John. For more info or registration, contact Rosalie Seeley at 410-848-2884.

 

INCREDIBLE PRO-LIFE NEWS! Vitae Caring Foundation produces excellent and effective pro-life commercials. Come to a free banquet dinner to see video samples of these commercials, listen to Jennifer O'Neill speak, and share your enthusiasm for the cause for LIFE. Dinner is on Thursday, May 19, 2006 @ 6:30 at the Hillendale Country Club. Call Fr. Leo by May 7th if you are interested in joining him for this wonderful Pro-Life opportunity.

 

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 information, contact Peggy Rager at 410-848-0790.

 

At Other Parishes

COORDINATOR for CHILDREN’S LITURGY at St. Joseph, Eldersburg needed effective July 1. A stipend position. Person must be available Sept. – Pentecost for the 8:30 & 10:15 a.m. Masses. If interested and would like to share your faith, are computer literate and possess organizational skills, contact Maria Klicpera at 410-552-5402 or mklicpera@stjosepheldersburg.org.

 

ATLANTIC CITY BUS TRIP … Saturday, April 30

Sponsored by Archbishop Fulton Sheen Council #7612 of the Knights of Columbus. Buses leave St. Joseph in Eldersburg at 7 a.m. and return at 9 p.m. The cost is $25 and pre-registration is required. For information, call Bob Koleszar at 410-795-1370.

 

Vocations/Archdiocese

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! Directed by priests. Call 1-800-286-4224 for a referral.