Parish Bulletin

I want to thank all of you for welcoming me to St. John. Everyone has been so kind and supportive of me. I’ve never been assigned to a parish of this size and it will take a little while to begin to understand all that goes on here. Maybe by June I will have a good grasp on things, but by then I will be finished this assignment.

Please pray for me as I try to fill in for Msgr. Valenzano and pray for him as he goes on his sabbatical.

PERPETUAL ADORATION UPDATE! The following hours have one scheduled adorer, but we would like to have at least two for each hour: Sundays – 4, 6, 7 & 8 a.m.; and 12,1,3,4,5 & 8 p.m.; Mondays – 1 & 2 a.m.; Tuesdays – 3, 6 & 8 a.m.; and 2, 4 & 11 p.m.; Wednesdays – 1, 2 & 7 a.m.; and 2 p.m.; Thursdays – 12, 1 & 2a.m.; and 12, 4 & 11 p.m.; Fridays – 2, 3, 5 & 9 a.m.; and 2, 6 & 9 p.m.; Saturdays – 12, 2, 3 & 10 a.m.; and 1,2,3,4,5 & 6 p.m. Please call the parish office.

BAPTISMS: Congratulations and welcome to Faith Marie Reisdorf, daughter of Tabitha and Michael D. Reisdorf; Allie A. Taylor; Mary Patricia Moreno, daughter of Lee and Virgil Mareno; Erik Andrew Smist, Jr., son of Virginia and Erik Smist; Coleman Kenneth Love, some of Reilly and Shawn Love and Victoria Rose Taylor, daughter of Nicole and Steven Taylor.

WE PRAY for the REPOSE of Esther Shriver, Ormond George Cunningham, Ronald Massarella, Eleanor Margaret Albaugh, Carol Rapisarda and Christine Ederer and for their families and friends.

Immediately following the 9:30 a.m. Mass and Rosary in the church. All are invited to participate.

At 3:00 p.m. in the church before the Blessed Sacrament and ending with Benediction. All are welcome to attend.

ROSARY PRAYED. . . 2^nd Sunday of each month by the Ladies Sodality after 9:15 a.m. Mass, at the statue of the Blessed Mother in the church. Please join us.

This year’s budget is based on a weekly offering of $30,700.00. Our current weekly average is $28,211.05. Thank you.

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: With God’s grace and through the generosity of priests, staff and parishioners working together, our church and school have continued to grow in service for 150 historic years! Thank you for all your many past gifts to your church – please remember St. John Catholic Church & School among your charitable year-end giving plans.

School Calendar

Jan. 26 PTF General Meeting – 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Cafeteria

Jan. 27 SCHOOL CLOSED – Professional Day

Jan. 28 Catholic Schools Week Liturgy – 5:00 p.m. - Church

Jan. 31 Catholic Schools Week – Open House

Jan. 31 Parents Meeting for 1^st Eucharist – 6:30 p.m. - Portico

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.

PARENTS of students preparing for their First Holy Communion should have received an invitation to the Mass of Recognition on Sat., Feb. 4^th at 5:00 p.m. (St. John School students) and Sat., Feb.11^th at 5:00 p.m. (Tuesday/Thursday Religious Ed Students). If you did not receive this mailing, call the Religious Ed. Office.

in America is coming to St. John for a free one-night show. Join LIFE TEEN for Mass at 6:00 p.m. and see Righteous B after the Sunday Mass in the gym. Do not miss it! Bring some friends and get ready to rock with Righteous! For a copy of our newsletter with all the cool LIFE TEEN events, email Marty at: 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 Mon.,Jan. 23, should sign up with Marty Link in the Religious Ed. Office.

XLT. . .Wed., Jan. 25 – Marty Doman from Steubenville Youth Conference will join us from 7:00-9:00 p.m. for an amazing night of Adoration, music and fun!

Steubenville 2006: Unchanging - This year Life Teen and all the teens in the parish are invited back to Franciscan University of Steubenville for the annual summer youth conference. We have made our initial deposit and still have spots left. We will know the exact dates by the end of January. A $60 deposit will reserve you a spot. 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.

We meet every 2^ndSunday and 4^th Friday from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. in the Cafeteria. This ministry is open to all 7^th & 8^th graders.

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.

Fri., Jan. 27 – THE EDGE Players Night: Deadline for registration was January 20. Return signed permission form with check for $15 to Kate Harris in Religious Ed Office as soon as possible to reserve your spot. Parents drop off children at Players at 6:30 p.m. and pick up at 9:00 p.m. Call Kate for details.

Parents, young people, friends and families of young people are all invited to this EDGE night. Please come and hear from people who know how to recognize and help those who may be suffering from depression.

Fri., Feb. 24 – THE EDGE goes Snow Tubing –100% fun with zero effort! Zoom down the perfectly carved lane and relax on the moving carpet as it brings you back to the top. Fun for everyone. Bring your friends too! Registration packets and money are due by Feb. 17^th.

We meet in the Cafeteria from 7-8:30 p.m. every 1^st and 3^rd Friday. Bring your friends and join the fun! Contact Kate for details.

Fri., Feb. 3 – Games and God. Does it get much better than that? Join us for food, fun, and bring your friends for a great evening!

Fri., Feb. 17^th – This week we will celebrate February birthdays and have a blast. You never know what we have in store for you…

Parent volunteers are needed to help with Youth Alive. The young people of our parish are having lots of fun at Youth Alive and our numbers are growing, but we need a few more adults to help us each week. If you are interested in helping our young people, call Kate in the Religious Ed Office.

Support the teens of St. John and their trip to the Steubenville Youth Conference by purchasing your subs for Super Bowl Sunday from them after Masses beginning this weekend. All subs can then be picked up from Church after Masses on Feb. 4 and 5^th.

All subs are made fresh at a local Subway. Call Marty Link in Religious Ed. if you have any questions.

Join 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. Call Rich Nestor at 410-751-5258, Lou Stachowiak at 410-635-2583 or Tom Dorwart at 410-871-9208.

The March for Life will take place in Washington, DC. Plan on attending this national event, that coincides with the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. We will attend the 7 a.m. Mass (optional), and then meet in the cafeteria for a light breakfast. If you don't attend Mass, plan to arrive at 8:30. Our parish is sponsoring two buses. Buses depart St. John's at 9 a.m. Call Sarah Torbeck at 410-848-0146 to reserve your space!

Ladies: Prepare for the Savior by joining a 6 week Lenten Scripture Study. Filiae Mariae, is sponsoring a free online service provided by the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, developed by Dr. Scott Hahn. Weekly sessions will be held at St. John beginning Jan. 24. Morning or evening sessions available. Call Sarah Ritchey at 410-857-0830 to register.

All parishioners are invited to attend a meeting/reception with Bishop Francis Malooly at 7:30 p.m. at The Portico. Come and learn about the needs and accomplishments of the Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal’s outreach to those in need, and how you can help our parish reach our 2006 goal! Refreshments will be served.

Next meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Center. Jenny Woo is the new chairperson of the group. Call Jenny for info at 410-751-6068.

Better Late than Not at All!! The rescheduled Wisdom Club Christmas Party will be held at Martin’s in Westminster for all members who paid in advance. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. Don’t forget your gift for the gift exchange ($10 max).There is no regular meeting for January. Any questions, call Eleanor at 410-875-3336.

All liturgical ministers and parishioners invited to the Winter Day of Recollection are asked to RSVP to the Parish Center if they have not already done so.

Mass for Renewal of Vows, is Saturday, Jan. 28th at 5:00 p.m. Couples are invited to renew their marriage vows on the 4^th Saturday of each month. Sign up in the Sunday Sacristy or call the parish office.

PORTICO BOOKS + GIFTS - SUPER SALE . . . Jan. 28 & 29

Come celebrate Catholic Schools Week at The Portico Books + Gifts Store! Special Discounts for students and teachers. Come early, free gifts for first 15 customers. Sale dates Jan. 28 and 29.

A Welcoming Session will be held at 10:30 a.m. in The Portico. This is a great opportunity for new parishioners to meet our parish priests, to learn about our various programs, receive coupons for a free Knights of Columbus breakfast, and receive a warm welcome into this large and faith-filled parish. For further information call Fr. Leo in the parish office.

“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. 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. For additional information about this program go to: http://archbalt.org/respect-life/spiritual-adoption/

Fr. Joe, a well known author and radio personality, will give a talk on “Relationships” at The Portico. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and presentation begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10, and are available at Portico Book + Gifts, parish center or call Teresa Richardson at 410-848-4744 ext. 227.

We will offer two Pre-Cana sessions this year. Session 1 will be held February 25, March 3 & 4. Session 2 will be June 3, 9 & 10. Couples who wish to register, should contact Rosalie Seeley via email at: rosalie.seeley@verizon.net

Save the date! 4^thannual event at Westminister High School. Don’t miss this free, fun filled evening! More details later.

Mark your calendars and join us at 7:00 p.m. in The Portico. Proceeds to date have totaled over $32,000 and benefit the Church Building Fund. Prizes will include filled current and retired Longaberger baskets. You can help by sponsoring a door prize or basket to help decrease our expenses and increase profits. Call Anna at 410-876-2652 or the parish office.

Winter is here and the temperatures have dropped. At this time of year we are often asked to help provide warmth and other services to those who might not be able to afford the necessities of life. Please remember the poor boxes at the doors of the church.

Concerned Women for America Prayer Chapter meets at 7:00 p.m. at the Carroll County Public Library. For information call Gerrye Johnston at 410-549-8511.

St. Joseph Catholic Community in Eldersburg will be offering support groups beginning Thursday, Jan. 26 for parents who have lost a child and on Monday, Jan. 30 for adults who have lost a spouse, parent, sibling or friend. To register, call the Family Life Office at 410-552-5402. Registration is required.

Are you feeling helpless because you think your marriage is heading downhill? Don’t despair. There is a Catholic Program that can help. Retrouvaille is a proven and effective program that helps couples rebuild their trust and renew their communication. All calls and inquires are confidential. For more details call 410-647-0350 or visit the website at www.retrouvaille.org.

To be held at Holy Trinity Spiritual Center, 8400 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore. Retreat to be conducted by Fr. Timothy Kulbicki, OFM.Conv., Spiritual Director, Vice Rector and Dir. of Continuing Formation at St. Mary’s Seminary. This retreat is a great opportunity for spiritual reflection and renewal. Retreat includes lodging for 2 nights and all meals. Cost is $278 per couple. Grants are available to attend event.. For details call 410-335-2897. Registration deposits of $50.00 can be mailed to: Kay LaHatte, 612 Oakdean Road, Baltimore, MD 21220.

This is the first of six retreats for Married Couples. Fr. Akers, S.J. will be the Retreat Master. Other weekend retreats are: March 3, March 10, March 24, April 7 and May 5. For details call Elaine at 410-252-5355.

CHANGE, INC. CELL PHONE PROJECT: Change, Inc., a local day program for adults with developmental disabilities has partnered with the ECO-Cell fundraising program to collect used cell phones and send them to ECO-Cell headquarters to receive the value of the phones. Phones are then donated to a human service program (i.e., domestic violence programs or elderly adults for 911) or recycled so harmful toxins do not end up in our landfill. You can drop off your used cell phone to Change, Inc., at 115 Stoner Avenue, Westminster.

Mount Aloysius College is holding 2 open house events this Spring: Mon., February 20^th and Sat., April 8^th. Activities begin at 10 a.m. on both days. Students will have the opportunity to learn about academic programs, financial aid, the admissions process and extra-curricular activities. Tours of the campus will be given and lunch will be provided to all of guests. Students can register or get details by contacting the Admissions Office at 1-888-823-2220 or go to www.mtaloy.edu.

LECTURE on HUMAN CLONING & EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH. . . Friday, Jan. 27.

Attention doctors, nurses, others in the medical profession and interested parishioners. Come and hear Fr. Tad Pacholczyk, Director of Education, National Catholic Bioethics Center, an internationally recognized expert on human cloning and embryonic stem cell research on Friday, January 27 at 7:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in the Parish Center. This is an excellent opportunity to become more informed on this subject, especially since several proponents of this issue have already proposed bills to bring before the Maryland Legislature this year. All in the medical field are encouraged to attend. Contact Fr. Leo at 410-848-4744 X241 for more details.

All married couples are invited to join Bishop Francis Malooly for the special World Marriage Day Mass and Reception at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, February 12, 2006 at 3:00 P.M. Mass will be interpreted for the hearing-impaired. Couples wishing to receive special recognition from the Archdiocese for 25 and 50 years of marriage should contact: Charlie & Joanne Haitmanek, 3 Harlow Ct., Cockeysville, MD 21030 at (410) 683-0288.

A Rachel’s Vineyard weekend retreat for spiritual and emotional healing after abortion will be held in Baltimore. This confidential retreat is for anyone hurting emotionally after abortion. For more information, call Denise or Kathie at 410-354-6900 or 1-800-286-4224, email: Projectrachel@archbalt.org or visit the website at www.rachelsvineyar.org.

BULLETIN DEADLINE: The deadline for submitting notices is 12:00 noon on each Monday for the weekend prior to distribution. 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.

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.

THE ROSARY PRAYED at a FUNERAL HOME for a deceased loved one is a service offered to parishioners of St. John by the Ladies Sodality. Contact the parish office to make request.

Monday, January 23

Thursday, January 26

7:00 a.m. Mrs. Sebeck

Friday, January 27

From the Pastor

All liturgical ministers and parishioners invited to the Winter Day of Recollection are asked to RSVP to the Parish Center if they have not already done so.

PORTICO BOOKS + GIFTS - SUPER SALE . . . Jan. 28 & 29

LECTURE on HUMAN CLONING & EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH. . . Friday, Jan. 27.