Mass Intentions
Tuesday, December 27
9:30 a.m. Mr. And Mrs. Vincenzo Maranto
Wednesday, December 28
9:30 a.m. Jane Spika
7:00 a.m. T. R. O’Farrell, III and Gertrude O’Farrell
9:30 a.m. LeRoy Moore
9:30 a.m. Grace Buell
Saturday, December 31
8:00 a.m. Jean Mayhew
5:00 p.m. Antonia Zito
Sunday, January 1
7:15 a.m. Catherine Cole
9:15 a.m. Parishioners of St. John
11:15 a.m. Intention of Joe Hattrup
It is my privilege to join with Father Leo, Father John, our Deacons, the Pastoral Staff and the Staff and faculty of our parish school to wish you and your families all the blessings and grace of Christmas. I am particularly grateful to all who assisted with the liturgies of Advent and Christmas: art & environment, the ushers, sacristans, music ministry, altar servers, lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, and our facilities workers. Also a special thanks to all who helped with the coordination and set-up for the Christmas Eve Masses at Westminster High School and The Portico.
Father Leo, Father John and I are also deeply grateful for all your prayers, cards, gifts and Christmas cookies, cakes and goodies. Your generosity and thoughtfulness are deeply appreciated.
May God bless you,
Of Special Note
THE PARISH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED, Monday, Dec. 26th and Monday, Jan. 2nd for the Christmas and New Year Holidays.
ARTS & ENVIRONMENT COORDINATOR NEEDED:
The parish is looking for a coordinator to help keep the church beautiful and festively decorated throughout the year. If you are interested in this ministry, please contact Fr. Leo for more details.
We wish to thank Pat Mueller for her services during the past years, as we endeavor to continue the quality of ministry that she has shown so well and so faithfully.
Liturgy & Worship
PERPETUAL ADORATION UPDATE! We need volunteers for SWAT (Severe Weather Adoration Team) so we will be able to maintain Perpetual Adoration during inclement weather. These should be people who are either within walking distance of the parish center or have four-wheel drive vehicles. We also need someone who is willing to organize and coordinate this team. Please call the parish center if you can assist with this effort.
Sat., December 31st 5:00 p.m. (vigil)
Note: There will be no 3:15 or 6:00 p.m. Masses on Jan. 1st.
The 9:15 a.m. Mass will be a children’s liturgy.
FIRST FRIDAY MASSES . . . January 6
Masses are 7:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. (attended by St. John School), and
7:00 p.m. Confessions: 8:45 –9:15 a.m. & 6:15 – 6:45 p.m.
First Friday Devotion . . . A traditional day to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to ask His mercy especially through the sacrament of confession. This devotion began with a private revelation from Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the 1600s.
Following the 8:00 a.m. Mass and Rosary. Please pick up a folder with the prayers and come to the front pews. Everyone interested in the devotion is welcome to join in prayer.
We Pray …
BAPTISMS: Congratulations and welcome to Sydney Gabrielle Cushen, daughter of Shannon Tracey & Joseph Cushen; Ethan Charles Holm, son of Karen & David Holm; Gabrielle Nicole Kapfer, daughter of Diana & Daniel Kapfer; and Benjamin William Tokarski, son of Carole & Wayne Tokarski.
WE PRAY for the REPOSE of Joshua Snyder, Douglas Rawlings, Mary Stickel, and Daniel Young and for their families and friends.
MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA ... Thursday Mornings
Immediately following the 9:30 a.m. Mass and Rosary in the church. All are invited to participate.
DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET … Thursday afternoons
At 3:00 p.m. in the church before the Blessed Sacrament and ending with Benediction. All are welcome to attend.
Liturgy of the Word
DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS … Dec. 26 – Jan. 1
Mon. Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31; Mt 10:17-22
Tues. 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97; Jn 20:1a, 2-8
Wed. 1 Jn 1:5—2:2; Ps 124; Mt 2:13-18
Thur. 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96; Lk 2:22-35
Fri. Sir 3:2-7, 12-14; Ps 128; Col 3:12-21; Lk 2:22-40
Sat. 1 Jn 2:18-21; Ps 96; Jn 1:1-18
Sun. Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21
WEEKLY OFFERING for Weekend of December 18, 2005:
Envelopes: $27,333.30 Attendance: 4245
Loose: 6,551.26 Poor Box: $2,196.35
TOTAL: $33,884.56
This year’s budget is based on a weekly offering of $30,700.00. Our current weekly average is $28,017.41. Thank you.
VISION 2003 CAMPAIGN UPDATE:
Total Pledged: $ 7,331,949 Goal: $ 10,590,693
Paid to Date: 6,425,408 Pledged to date: 6,425,409
Balance: $ 906,541 Interest Earned: 549,780
Cash needed: $ 3,615,504
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.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR STEWARDSHIP: For many parishioners, volunteering our time and supporting our church are gifts we share as a natural part of our daily and weekly lives. Our efforts are almost as rewarding to us as they are to our parish. During the Christmas Season, the parish staff remembers our dedicated volunteers with thanks and prayers in our hearts! If you have not had an opportunity to volunteer yet, please make this the year you commit some of your time and talent to our parish! Also, you can help to make our St. John Church and School community stronger by a simple monetary gift to help us meet our vision and mission. However you choose to support our parish throughout the year, we thank you and we need you!
The collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious totaled $10,699.64. Thank you for your generosity.
School News
School Calendar
Jan. 3 School reopens for classes
Jan. 4 Academic Team Meeting, Rm. 8B
Jan. 6 First Friday- whole school Mass @ 9:30 a.m.
Jan. 9 National Geography Bee – Mrs. Chilcoat’s Rm.
Jan. 9 Prospective Kindergarten Meeting in Cafeteria – 7 p.m
Jan.13 Family Fun Night Winter Carnival
GROCERY CERTIFICATES PROGRAM: Please support the
school by purchasing gift cards for Kohl’s, Boscov’s, and local grocery stores. There is no additional cost involved, but the school makes 5% from all sales. Cards are available in the school office.
INNISBROOK ON-GOING FUNDRAISER: Check out the website for gift giving ideas. The school receives 50% of all sales. Shop at www.innisbrook.com. Our school ID is # 122169.
Religious Ed./Youth Activities
Religious Education Office: (410) 848-8443
SERVICE PROJECTS: Anyone who needs to sign up for a Confirmation Service Project should call the Religious Ed. Office and speak to a member of our staff. We will do our best to match you with the project you want.
PARENTS of 2nd GRADERS: Please be sure you have turned in the form requesting your child’s baptismal information.
REMINDER: No Religious Ed. classes on Tuesday, Dec. 27 and Thursday, Dec. 29. Classes resume Tuesday, Jan. 3 and Thursday, Jan. 5.
The Religious Ed. Staff would like to wish all of our teachers, assistants, students and their parents a very blessed Christmas and New Year.
— LIFE TEEN (Grades 9 -12) —
Wed., Dec. 28 – Regional XLT: Are you already bored with Christmas Break? Looking for something to do? This Wed., Dec. 28, Life Teen will hold its monthly XLT. We’ll be meeting in The Portico at 7:00 p.m. and end in Church at 9 p.m. Fr. Leo will be leading this awesome time of fellowship, praise and adoration. If you are in high school, and have never done anything with Life Teen before, give this a try. You won’t be disappointed!
Sun., Jan. 8 - The next Life Teen Event. If you want a newsletter, please email Marty @ Mlink@sjwest.org
Mon., Jan. 23 - Any high school youth who would like to travel with Life Teen to the Youth Rally/March for Life on Monday, Jan 23, should sign up with Marty Link in the Religious Ed. Office.
Steubenville 2006 Sponsors Needed: We are looking for parishioners to sponsor a teen for our annual Steubenville retreat. If you can be a full or partial sponsor, please make your check payable to St. John and call or email Marty at mlink@sjwest.org.
— THE EDGE (Grades 7 & 8) —
We meet every 2nd Sunday and 4th Friday from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. in the Cafeteria. This ministry is open to all 7th & 8th graders.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO THE EDGE!
Sun., Jan. 8 - Extreme Spiritual Makeover. . .bring your friends!
Fri., Jan. 27 - Players Family Amusement Center
Packets for registration will go out this week. Deadline for registration is Jan. 20th. Cost of $16 includes the unlimited package of 10 tokens per person. Contact Kate for more information.
The EDGE is still looking for Core members to facilitate the coming semesters of The EDGE. Contact Kate if you can help to serve the young people of our parish in this ministry.
— YOUTH ALIVE (Grades 5 & 6) —
We meet in the Cafeteria from 7-8:30 p.m. every 1st and 3rd Friday. Bring your friends and join the fun! Contact Kate for details.
Fri., Jan. 20 – Good times for young people – bring your friends!
Activities in Our Parish
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD is seeking volunteers. Adults and older teens are welcome to join this valuable ministry for the children of St. John parish. If you can help one Sunday a month or would like more details, call Nancy Merrill at 410-876-2173.
NEW YEARS EVE CELEBRATION . . . Saturday, Dec. 31
Welcome the New Year with adult friends at St. John Portico from 9-1. Call Mary or John Coakley at 410-876-7033 for more details.
BAPTISMAL CLASSES. . . No class in January
There will be no Baptismal class on Sunday, Jan. 1st. The next regularly scheduled class will be on Sunday, Feb. 5th at 12:45 p.m.
PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING. . . Mon., Jan. 2
The Pastoral Council will meet on at 7:30 p.m in Emmaus Room of the Parish Center.
NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING MEETING. . . Sat., Jan. 7
Attention married and engaged couples . . . Learn about natural family planning. This is a sympto-thermal method that is safe, effective, and its philosophy is in full accord with Catholic teaching. Contact Christine Wallace at 410-833-8287 to sign up.
ST. JOHN SCHOOL BOARD MEETING. . . Thurs., Jan. 19
There will be a meeting of St. John School Board at 7:30 p.m. in the Emmaus Room of the Parish Center.
RENEWAL OF MARRIAGE VOWS . . . Sat., Jan. 22
The next scheduled Mass for Renewal of Vows, will be Saturday, Jan., 22nd. Couples are invited to renew their marriage vows at the 5:00 p.m. Mass on the 4th Saturday of each month. If you wish to participate, please sign up in the Sunday Sacristy or the parish office prior to Jan. 22.
FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY. . . Sun., Jan. 22
Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, at The Portico from 12 noon until ?? Great food, large Cinema type screen, table games, refreshments and unparalled fraternity. $20 per person. Tickets are limited. Contact Rich Nestor at 410-751-5258, Lou Stachowiak at 410-635-2583, Tom Dorwart at 410-871-9208 or George Snyder at 410-857-4290.
ANNUAL MARCH FOR LIFE. . . Mon., Jan. 23
Mark your calendars! The March for Life will
take place in
Washington, DC. Our parish will sponsor two buses. Details to
follow. Please plan on attending this national event, that
coincides with the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that
legalized abortion.
WINTER DAY OF RECOLLECTION. . . Sat., Jan. 28
All Liturgical Ministers, Health Care Ministers, Altar Servers, Masters of Ceremony and Prison Ministers are encouraged to attend this annual day of recollection at Carroll Community College from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This is a unique opportunity to grow in your faith and ministry. The topic for the day is: “The Sacraments of Initiation.” Fr. Rick Hilgartner will be the presenter and will help us deepen our understanding of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. There will also be time for small group discussions, individual ministry meetings, and a continental breakfast & lunch. A postcard with RSVP details will be sent out in early January.
WELCOMING COMMITTEE... Sun., Jan. 29
The next scheduled Welcoming Session will be on Sunday, Jan. 29 in The Portico at 10:30 a.m., due to the Christmas holiday. Any one interested in registering with the parish should attend.
PRO-LIFE COMMITTEE. . . Beginning Sun., Jan. 29
“Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.” Mt. 21-22. The St. John Pro-Life Committee will be sponsoring a parish-wide Spiritual Adoption Program. This is a nine-month, pro-life initiative developed by the Archdiocese of Baltimore for the purposes of praying for the unborn, providing education about prenatal development and helping mothers in need. Parishioners will be asked to pray daily for one unborn child. Each month, a thank-you note from the unborn baby will be posted, along with an appropriate poster that depicts the developmental progress of the unborn child. At the end of nine months, a birthday party or baby shower will be given in honor of all the babies. Parishioners will be invited to bring in gifts, which will be donated to the local pregnancy center. Additional information about the Spiritual Adoption Program may be viewed at http://archbalt.org/respect-life/spiritual-adoption/
THANK YOU to all the blood donors that came out in spite of the inclement weather. We received 88 pints of blood. We still need phone callers. Please call Ted Cook at 410-876-2107.
Outreach
* THE ST. VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY *
The members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society would like to send the church community our warmest wishes for a Blessed Christmas and a Happy and Holy New Year. Thanks for the support you give us throughout the year. All of you make it possible for our organization to help needy families and individuals throughout Carroll County.
In Our Community
LIONS CLUB EYEGLASS RECYCLING. . . Dec. 24 & 25
The Deer Park Lions Club is collecting used eyeglasses for recycling in developing countries on the 4th weekend of each month. Eyeglasses can be dropped in the boxes at the doors of the church the weekend of Dec. 24 and 25.
HIGH SCHOOL PLACEMENT TEST for DELONE. . . Sat., Jan. 7
If you are interested in pursuing an education at Delone Catholic High, as a ninth grader, you must take the placement test as part of the admissions process. Call Sister Maria or Mrs. Groft at 717-637-5969 to register for the test. Registration packets will be distributed the day of testing.
THE GABRIEL PROJECT offers pregnancy assistance in difficult pregnancy situations. Our 24 hr. Hotline connects callers with a full range of confidential services: crisis counseling; emotional support; emergency needs; medical, legal and adoption information; shelter; help to continue education (college transfers, high school support services, job training); transportation; practical needs; baby and women’s items; post abortion counseling/healing. For information, contact The Gabriel Project at 800-533-0093 or The Pregnancy Center at 800-521-5530.
From the Archdiocese
VOCATION AWARENESS & HOSPITALITY WEEKEND… Jan. 6 - 8
The Sisters of Bon Secours are having a Vocation Awareness & Hospitality weekend at their Provincial House in Marriottsville for single Catholic women interested in exploring religious life. Come and learn about a life of serving God and the Church as a sister. Register at www.bonsecours.org/vocations or call 410-442-0267.
THINKING ABOUT THE PRIESTHOOD?. . .Sat., Jan. 14
There will be a dinner on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 6:30 p.m. with Father Jerry Francik at St. Timothy parish rectory (200 Glade Blvd., Walkersville) for men in the central Maryland region, college age and older, interested in talking with others about the priesthood. For details, contact Fr. Jerry at 410-547-5426 or by email: gfrancik@archbalt.org. RSVP to Fr. Andy Aaron at 301-845-8028 by Jan. 11, if you plan to attend.
All married couples are cordially invited to join Bishop Francis Malooly for the special World Marriage Day Mass and Reception at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, at 3:00 p.m.
LONGEST MARRIED COUPLE in the ARCHDIOCESE:
Our parish is participating in Worldwide Marriage Encounter’s search for the longest married couple in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. One nominee from each parish will be honored during a special Mass celebrated by Bishop Malooly. Please call or send your name or names of your candidates, married 50 years or more, to the parish secretary no later than January 20, 2006. Please include their names, address, phone number and wedding date.
Reminders
BULLETIN DEADLINE: The deadline for submitting notices is 12:00 noon on Monday. Please send articles via email to bulletin@sjwest.org or you may fax articles to 410-857-1519.
SUNDAY NURSERY for 1-5 year olds will be held in Classroom 2A of the school during the 9:15 and 11:15 a.m. Masses. For information, contact Peggy Rager at 410-848-0790.
HOLY COMMUNION will be brought to you during Mass, if you are unable to come to the altar. Please inform an usher.
TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS ILL REMEMBERED during the Prayer of the Faithful at Masses, please call the parish office.
LARGE–PRINT MISSALETTES are available for use at weekend Masses. Please see an usher before Mass.
MEMORIAL BRICKS: We are selling memorial bricks until January 15. The cost of the bricks is $75 for a 4x8 and $150 for an 8x8. Forms can be picked up at the Parish Center. For information, call Kathy Duex at 410-848-4469.
ALTAR FLOWER MEMORIAL: Our parish invites memorial donations for altar flowers. You may wish to memorialize a deceased loved one, commemorate an anniversary, etc. Your name and the intention will be included in the bulletin the weekend your flowers are placed on the altar. Call the parish office to schedule.