Mass Intentions

 Monday, April 25

      7:00 a.m.       Alyce Borane

      8:00 a.m.       Stephanie Budosh

Tuesday, April 26

      7:00 a.m.       Patricia Gallagher

      8:00 a.m.       Int. of Alfred Perfett

Wednesday, April 27

      7:00 a.m.       Dorothy Gluden

      8:00 a.m.       Int. of Marie Hattrup

Thursday, April 28

      7:00 a.m.       Donald Curtinan

      8:00 a.m.       Katie O’Brien

Friday, April 29

      7:00 a.m.       Carol Tippett

      9:30 a.m.       Arthur R. Cuscuna

Saturday, April 30

      8:00 a.m.       Anton Rieser

      5:00 p.m.       Vitolo Juiseppina

Sunday, May 1

      7:15 a.m.       Charles & Evelyn Young

      9:15 a.m.       Antonio & Antonia Zito

    11:15 a.m.       Parishioners of St. John Parish

      3:15 p.m.       William Haddeman

      6:00 p.m.       Katherine Ryan

 

From the Pastor

    Thank you for your continued and faithful prayers for vocations for priests, deacons and men and women religious. There is much good news to share concerning vocations from our parish. Tyson Wood will be ordained a deacon on Thursday, May 5^th at 2:30 p.m. in St. Alphonsus Church, 114 W. Saratoga St. in Baltimore. He hopes to be ordained to the priesthood this June. Jim Sorra, having spent his Pastoral Year and Third Year placements with us, will be ordained a deacon on May 7^th at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral. Jim hopes to be ordained a priest next June. Joseph Cinquino, from our parish, will be among eleven men ordained as deacons on Saturday, May 21^st at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral.  Joe will receive his assignment as a permanent deacon this spring. Please join me in prayerful thanksgiving for the newly ordained and continued prayers as they begin their new ministry in the Church. 

    I also recommend to your prayers the two young men from our parish who have been accepted as college candidates for formation for the priesthood for the Archdiocese: Christopher Little and John Hollis. Your continued support for vocations is a tremendous source of blessing for our parish.

 

                May God bless you, 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

Of Special Note

NATIVITY…Tribute to St. Bern: During the year the parish has been praying for Sr. Bern, we have been asked how to thank her for her 25 yrs. of dedicated service to our parish and the Health Care Ministry. It has been suggested that a new Nativity Set be purchased in tribute. The set we are considering is absolutely exquisite! It is of hand-carved wood, created by the same Peruvian artisans who created the Crucifixion scene above the sanctuary of our church. We plan to display the set over the ramp near the Baptismal Font. Total cost for the 30+ pieces, crating, shipping and set-up the first time is $17,500. Pictures can be viewed in the narthex of the church the weekends of April 24 & May 1. Envelopes will be available for any contribution toward this tribute. If you wish information about purchase of a particular figure, please contact Pat Mueller at 410-876-2596. Thank 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 …

MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA ... Thursday Mornings

Immediately following the 8:00 a.m. Mass and Rosary.

 

DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET … Thursday afternoons

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

BAPTISMS... Congratulations and welcome to the following children recently baptized at St. John Church: Lillian Jeanne and Shane Mitchell Carr, children of Angela & Hugh Carr, III; Nicole Ann Foreman, daughter of Craig & Jennifer Foreman; Alicia Margaret Heard, daughter of Christopher & Kendra Heard; Emily Kathryn Jeffrey, daughter of Joshua & Patricia Jeffrey; Caitlyn Erin and Sydney Paige O’Connor, children of Robert & Kimberly O’Connor; Julia Victoria Sipes, daughter of Melanie & John Sipes, II; and Jeffrey Michael and Anna Elizabeth Sheubrooks, children of Eric & Christina Sheubrooks.

 

WE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE of Frank Hartman, Jr., David Ford, and for their family and friends.

 

Liturgy of the Word

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS … April 25 – May 1

Mon.:   1 Pt 5:5-14;   Ps 89:2-3,6-7,16-17;   Mk 16:15-20

Tues.:  Acts 14:19-28;   Ps 145:10-13,21;   Jn 14:27-31

Wed.:  Acts 15:1-6;    Ps 122:1-5;   Jn 15:1-8

Thurs.: Acts 15:7-21;   Ps 96:1-3,10;   Jn 15:9-11

Fri.:      Acts 15:22-31;   Ps 57:8-10,12;   Jn 15:12-17

Sat.:      Acts 16:1-10;   Ps 100:1-3,5;   Jn 15:18-21

Sun.:     Acts 8:5-8,14-17;  Ps 66:1-7,16,20;  1 Pt 3:15-18;   Jn 14:15-21

 

Stewardship

WEEKLY OFFERING: Weekend of April 17, 2005:

Envelopes:       $21,720.23                               Attendance:  3726

Loose:                   6,677.16                               Poor Box:   $1,895.18

TOTAL:         $28,397.39

 

This year’s budget is based on a weekly offering of $26,500.00. Our current weekly average is $27,789.83. 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.

 

Outreach

* THE ST. VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY *

BLESSING CLOSET – St. Vincent de Paul is asking for your help to assist us in supporting the Shepherd’s Staff Blessing Closet. Each weekend during the month of May (beginning next weekend), please bring in the following items and put them in the white buckets near the doors of the church: most needed – Laundry detergent, disposable diapers, bath tissue, shampoo, deodorant, soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes. They also need paper towels, napkins, tissues, all – purpose cleaners, trash bags, feminine supplies, baby care items, light bulbs, and liquid food supplements. These items will be delivered to Shepherd’s Staff to be distributed to needy families in the Westminster area.

 

 

 

 

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 REHEARSAL REMINDER: Rehearsal for your child’s First Communion Mass will be as follows:

April 30^th 10 a.m. Mass ~ Rehearsal, Mon., April 25 at 6:30 p.m.

May 14^th  10 a.m. Mass ~ Rehearsal, Mon., May 9^th at 6:30 p.m.

May 14^th 12:30 p.m. Mass ~ Rehearsal, Wed., May 11^th at 6:30 p.m.

 

All rehearsals are in the church. You child must attend this practice.

 

HOME STUDY LAST SESSION … Wednesday, May 4

At 6:45 p.m.

 

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.

 

 

ALL TEENS AND THEIR FAMILIES: Saturday, April 30, 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 final payment is $75 and due by May 1^st.

 

 

 

 

THE EDGE  … Every 2^nd Sunday & 4^th Friday

From 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. in the gym. All 7^th & 8^th graders are welcome. Bring a friend. 

 

 

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

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.

 

CATHOLIC HOME SCHOOL MEETING ...Thurs., April 28

At 7:30 p.m. in the parish center. All interested are invited to attend. For more information, call Donna Brown at 410-848-0905.

 

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.

 

WELCOMING SESSION & REGISTRATION … Sun. May 1

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.

 

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

Tickets are now available! Games begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Portico, to benefit the Church Building Fund. 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 hosting a Eucharistic Procession. Beginning at the St. John Cemetery and walking along Main Street, turn onto Pennsylvania Avenue, turn into Dutterrer's Park, and making our way along Monroe St. 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 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. 

 

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. Contact, Deana at 410-876-1007 for info.

 

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.

 

PILGRIM VIRGIN STATUE of OUR LADY of FATIMA, may be placed in your home for a one-week stay. Contact 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, 2005 @ 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.

 

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.