Mass Intentions

 Monday, May 9

      7:00 a.m.       Mother’s Day Intentions

      8:00 a.m.       Marian Carr              

Tuesday, May 10

      7:00 a.m.       Mother’s Day Intentions

      8:00 a.m.       William Deming

Wednesday, May 11

      7:00 a.m.       Mother’s Day Intentions

      8:00 a.m.       Helen Cronauer

Thursday, May 12

      7:00 a.m.       Mother’s Day Intentions

      8:00 a.m.       Sr. Mary Bernadette Forney

Friday, May 13

      7:00 a.m.       Int. of Nathan, Rachel & Griffin Seibel

      9:30 a.m.       Mother’s Day Intentions

Saturday, May 14

      8:00 a.m.       Mother’s Day Intentions

      5:00 p.m.       Mary Diane Reusing

Sunday, May 15

      7:15 a.m.       DeRosa Rosa

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

    11:15 a.m.       Francis Lambert

      3:15 p.m.       Mother’s Day Intentions

      6:00 p.m.       Int. of Rita & Dave O’Brien

 

From the Pastor

    Happy Mother’s Day! Thanks again to our Westminster Council of the Knights of Columbus who have provided flowers for all the mothers who attended the Masses at St. John’s this weekend. I join with my brother priests to assure you of our continued prayers for all those who have been honored with the noble blessing of motherhood. I am deeply grateful for their love and witness.

    This weekend, if all goes well and all appropriate permits are issued, we will be able to visit and tour our newly renovated parish hall, The Portico of St. John. Cardinal Keeler will celebrate the 11:15 Mass on Sunday, June the 19^th and bless and dedicate our beautiful new facility. I hope that you will be able to join us. The Portico will provide us with space to celebrate parish and family events. Our new parish bookstore, located near the entrance of the Portico will open soon. Guidelines and procedures for the use of the Portico are in the process of being developed. Thank you for your continued cooperation.

                May God bless you, 

 

 

Liturgy & Worship

MOTHER’S DAY SPIRITUAL BOUQUETS are available at the doors of the church and your loved ones will be remembered in a novena of Masses beginning today. Please place your envelope in the collection basket or bring it to the parish office by May 8^th.

 

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.

Eucharistic Teachings & Practice: In this year of the Eucharist, the parish priests take this opportunity to offer gentle firm reminders and helpful teaching tips about important issues concerning the Most Holy Eucharist:

    Preparations for Mass:  Be prepared by coming to Mass early – habitual lateness is a sign of disrespect; Give your best to God and dress appropriately especially during the summer months – it’s God’s house, not the beach; Do not leave until after the Final Blessing and Closing Song – leaving early is a disturbing sign of a person who “rushes through prayers”; Confess grave or mortal sins  - it’s necessary to first be in spiritual communion before receiving Communion; Keep the 1 hour fast before Mass – parents should also refrain from bringing solid food for their children as it takes away from the Eucharist as “The Food,” it impolitely creates a mess, and it also sends a mixed message to children that breakfast and Mass can happen at the same time.

    Proper ways to receive Holy Communion:  Be sure to consume the entire Host Immediately (keeping the Host without Priests’ permission is an act of desecration- a grave sin. Parents should remind children to consume the host entirely and immediately); If you receive Communion in your hands, hands should be washed clean; Do not “grab” Communion, but place one hand over the other as if to make a throne for God; If you are using a cane or carrying children, it would be more appropriate to receive Communion on your tongue, so as to prevent the possibility of dropping the Host;  If you are one of the last people receiving the Precious Blood from the Chalice, you may be asked by the Priest, Deacon or Extraordinary Ministry of Communion to consume a large or remaining portion of the Consecrated Wine so that transporting and purifying the chalices can be done without an incident of spilling the Precious Blood

    Remember WHO it is you are receiving: Pick up a copy of the pamphlet, “Do This In Memory of Me” for more information about the Eucharist; Sign up for some prayer time before the Blessed Sacrament in our 24 hour Adoration Chapel; See the Catechism for Eucharistic Teachings and the Scriptures for spiritual reflection about the Eucharist.

    Show your Faith – Jesus Walks with Us – Eucharistic Procession:  Participate in our Eucharistic Procession on May 29, 2005 @ 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Park your car at St. John lot and ride the bus transport to the St. John Cemetery for the start of the this 1 mile walk!  To help us prepare, call the parish center to let us know if you’re coming.  For more information, call Jean & Rich Weadon for details 410-795-2294.

 

We Pray …

NATIVITY…Tribute to Sr. Bern: To thank her for her 25 yrs. of dedicated service to our parish and the Health Care Ministry. A new Nativity Set will be purchased in tribute. It is of hand-carved wood, created by the same Peruvian artisans who created the Crucifixion scene above the sanctuary. Pictures can be viewed in the narthex of the church. 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.

 

WE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE of John Vincent Tortorello, Thomas Schussler, Jr., Francis Scott, Allen Parson, Joseph McClernan, Frederick Horman, Alice Kacinski, Paul Utz, and for their families and friends.

FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR THIS WEEKEND are donated by Walter Hackett, Jr. in memory of Anna E. Hackett. 

 

DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET is prayed in the church before the Blessed Sacrament each Thursday beginning at 3:00 p.m.

 

AS WE HONOR OUR BLESSED MOTHER with our prayers during her month of May, let us also honor her by appropriate and modest dress, especially when receiving her Divine Son in the Eucharist. Let us not offend our King and His Queen Mother by wearing immodest clothing.

 

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: Katie O’Brien (4), Int. of Don Hickey, Beatrice Braunschweiger, Katherine Ryan (3), Kathy Houndshell, Mary Noark, Int. of Paula McDermott, Chuck Jacobs, Loretta Bull (2), Tom Perjol (2), Frank Remesch, Van William Zimmerman (2), Frank Anusqewski, Rose Comando, Jack Carroll, Mary Paula Loan, Frieda Fox, Greg Evans, A. Zator, and Int. of Diane Heckenhorn.

 

Liturgy of the Word

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS … May 9-15

Mon.:   Acts 19:1-8;   Ps 68:2-7;   Jn 16:29-33

Tues.:  Acts 2017-27;   Ps 68:10-11,20-21;   Jn 17:1-11

Wed.:  Acts 20:28-38;    Ps 68:29-30,33-36;   Jn 17:11-19

Thurs.: Acts 22:30;23:6-11;   Ps 16:1-2,5,7-11;   Jn 17:20-26

Fri.:      Acts 25:13-21;   Ps 103:1-2,11-12,19-20;   Jn 21:15-19

Sat.:      Acts 1:15-17,20-26;   Ps 113:1-8;   Jn 15:9-17

Sun.:     Acts 2:1-11;   1 Cor 12:3-7,12-13;  Jn 20:19-23

 

Stewardship

WEEKLY OFFERING: Weekend of May 1, 2005:

Envelopes:       $22,386.45                               Attendance:  3922

Loose:                   5,427.45                               Poor Box:   $2,221.66

TOTAL:         $30,813.90

 

This year’s budget is based on a weekly offering of $26,500.00. Our current weekly average is $27,877.98. 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.

 

THERE will be a SPECIAL COLLECTION this weekend for the support of seminarians of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Thank you for your generous support to vocations.

 

THE MSGR. HUGH J. MONAGHAN POST of the CATHOLIC WAR VETERANS thank the parishioners of St. John for their support in our recent Cross of Peace Campaign. Your charity and generosity deserve recognition and a hearty thank you. The funds collected will be used to support our work in veterans charities.

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 please bring in the following items and put them in the baskets 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.

 

School News

 

SCHOOL SPIRIT WEEK … Tues., May 10 – Fri., May 13

Team Tuesday; Wacky Wednesday; Fun Day Thursday, grades K-5; and Fun-in-the-Sun Friday for grades 6-8.

 

 Religious Ed./Youth Activities

Religious Education Office: (410) 848-8443

 

REMAINING REHEARSALS for HOLY COMMUNION:

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.

 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL … June 20-24

Registration forms are at the doors of the Church. We still need four teachers and a craft person to help. Please call the Religious Ed. Office if you can help.

 

LAST DAY for RELIGIOUS ED CLASSES are: Tuesday, May 17^th and Thursday, May 19^th.

 

CONGRATULATIONS to the young people who made their First Holy Communion last weekend. We pray that they will continue to be close to Jesus in the Eucharist.

 

 

ANNUAL SIX FLAGS TRIP … Tuesday, June 28

For Teens and their families. Register early by May 8^th and the tickets for the park and bus are only $28, after that they are $34.

 

PARISH CARNIVAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Youth Ministry/Religious Ed. is responsible for a booth carnival week and need volunteers. There are two shifts, from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. and 8 – 10:30 p.m.  A part of the proceeds from the carnival will go to youth ministry. So please consider taking a shift. Contact Scott to sign-up at slink@sjwest.org.

 

 

SIX FLAGS TRIP  … Tuesday, June 28

Kick-off the summer with an awesome trip to Six Flags! See info under Life Teen. Edge members must have a chaperone. 

 

 

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

From 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. We meet in the cafeteria. For information, contact Scott in the Religious Ed. Office.

 

activities in Our Parish

MOTHER’S DAY MARIGOLD … Sunday, May 8

The Knights of Columbus would like to give each mother a Mother’s Day Marigold next weekend. Please allow the youngest child to present the marigold on behalf of all the entire family. 

 

PORTICO OPEN HOUSE … This weekend May 7^th and 8^th

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

 

ST. JOHN LADIES’ SODALITY ... Sunday, May 8

Sodality meets for the 9:15 a.m. Mass, followed by the meeting in the parish center. For info, call Mary Jo Judge at 410-857-5655.

 

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. For reservations and information, call Irene at 410-848-0489.

 

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

Get your tickets now, this event sells out in advance! 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. Food available! STILL NEEDED: Basket sponsors, items to fill baskets and door prizes. Tickets are available in the parish and school offices or by calling Anna at 410-876-2652.

 

BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY MEETING  … Sat., May 14

At 8:30 a.m. in the cafeteria. Now named Mary Martha Ministry, the name chosen for the group who will provide luncheons for families after funerals. At this time over 90 people have expressed an interest in this ministry. The hope is to have 150 volunteers to organize 8 teams. All who attended the first meeting as well as any new members interested are requested to attend.   

 

PRO-LIFE INFO & PLANNING MEETING … Tues., May 17

At 7:00 p.m. in the parish center. If you would like to learn about Pro-Life at St. John and share your ideas about activities, and see what is planned throughout the year, attend this meeting or call Joanne Bohli for more information. Pope John Paul II called us all to defend life!

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Day at the Track … Sun., May 21

See the 130^th running of the Preakness at Pimlico. Ushers are needed for the Grandstand area. Anyone over the age of 18 is invited. Transportation, lunch, and a golf shirt will be provided. A $50 donation to the Building Fund will be given to parishioners attending. For information, call Rich at 410-751-5258.

 

ST. JOHN CARNIVAL 2005 … May 30 – June 4

Come see us! Monday matinee 12-5 p.m.; Monday – Thursday, 6 – 10 p.m.; Friday 6-11 p.m.; Saturday, 7 – 11 p.m. Presale Ride tickets/bracelets are now available! Call Jenny Scott at 410-239-6179 to help or for tickets. To volunteer at the Parish Ministry Booth, call Teresa O’Brien at 410-526-7205. This is a new event to participate in with parishioners and ministry helping hand-in-hand, as well as enjoying time with family and friends. Check our parish website for areas needing help.

 

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.

 

GIRL’S BASKETBALL CLINIC … July 12,13,14 & 19,20,21

From 7 – 9 p.m. in the school gym. Coach Becky Martin will hold her annual clinic for girls in grades 5-9. This clinic is designed to help girls improve their basketball skills as individuals and team players through individual instruction, drills, and team play. Registration forms are available in the parish office. For additional info call Becky Martin at 410-857-2577.

 

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.

 

ALTAR SERVER TRAINING for new or current servers: If you are in the 4^th grade or older and wish to become an altar server, please attend the following training sessions:

 

Session 1: Mon., May 23 & Tues., May 24, from 4 – 5:30 p.m.

Session 2: Wed., May 25 & Thurs., May 26, from 4 –5:30 p.m.

Session 3: make-up session; Sat., June 4, from 9 – 11 a.m.

 

All new servers are required to attend 2 days of the training session. If you are already an altar server and wish to continue, you must attend ONE day of the training days. New and current servers are asked to pick up an information/sign-up/renewal form at the parish center and return by Sunday, June 5. If you have any questions, please contact Fr. Leo Patalinghug in the parish office.

 

BAKER/YINGLING SCHOLARSHIPS are being accepting until June 7^th 2005 for any boy or girl who has participated in a St. John basketball program for 2 years or more and is entering high school or college this fall. Forms must be returned by June 7, 2005. For more information, call 410-876-1657 or 410-935-4964.

 

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR DONATIONS will not be accepted until September 1^st due to construction in the basement. Please watch the bulletin this fall for donation information.

 

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.

 

SPRING CLEANING? Check your closets, attics, basements, and drawers for religious articles. Bibles, Rosaries, Medals, Prayer cards, and statues are needed for the Christmas Bazaar. For information, call Nina at 410-635-6422.

 

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.

 

TOPS HALF PRICE MEMBERSHIP: TOPS (Take off Pounds Sensibly) is offering ½ off the annual membership when a husband and wife join together. The first partner is $20 the second is only $10. Weekly dues are just $1. Meetings are at 6:45 p.m. in the school. There is still time to lose weight before summer.

 

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, and directed by priests. Call 1-800-286-4224 for a referral.