Parish Bulletin

This past week Bishop Malooly visited the parish and spoke to us about the Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal. Monsignor Art was here for that event, although technically he is not here. Monsignor and I also attended the Wisdom Club lunch, (which was their slightly delayed Christmas luncheon). A few testimonials were made to say goodbye to Monsignor and then Christmas presents were handed out to everyone.

Fr. Leo and I visited Deacon Jack Coster and his wife Ann last week. Deacon Jack has served St. John’s for many years, as you already know. Due to some family health issues he is going to have to take a leave of absence. It was with a heavy heart that Deacon Jack had to make this decision, since he loves his ministry so much. We will announce a farewell for him shortly. He is welcome to come back at anytime to serve at the altar when he is available. Please keep Jack and Ann in your prayers.

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.

Join with the Ladies Sodality to pray the Rosary on the 2^nd Sunday of each month after the 9:15 a.m. Mass, at the statue of the Blessed Mother in the church. Everyone is welcome.

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.

WE PRAY for the REPOSE of John Frock, Sr. and Joseph A. D’Alfonzo and for their families and friends.

This year’s budget is based on a weekly offering of $30,700.00. Our current weekly average is $28,241.02. 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.

Collection................. $ 829,877. Facilities Cost................ $145,416.

School Calendar

Feb. 4 Mass of Recognition –1^st Eucharist – 5:00 p.m.

Feb. 10 Kindergarten Parents Open House

Feb. 10 PTF Family Fun Bingo Night –7:00 pm.–Cafeteria

Feb. 11 Middle School Academic Tourn. at Cardinal Gibbons

Feb. 16 School Board Meeting – 7:30 p.m. – Parish Center

Feb. 17 High School letters of acceptance mailed

Feb. 17 Middle School Dance – 7-10 p.m. - gym

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.

RCIA: The Monday Session of RCIA begins on March 13 with orientation. The group will meet weekly from 7-9 p.m. in the St. Therese Room at the parish center. Anyone interested in joining this session should contact Paul Gallagher in Religious Ed. Office.

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. The dates for the conference are July 7-9. A $60 deposit will reserve your 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.

Special Thanks to all those who have answered their call to service. THE EDGE appreciates all you do for us!

CLARIFICATION!!! Parents are invited to the Teacher’s Lounge to hear Joan McInerney speak about how to recognize teen depression and how you can help teens that are suffering. The regular EDGE night will be held in the cafeteria from 7:30-9 p.m. We will enjoy food, friends, games and raffles! Bring your friends.

Fri., Feb. 24 - THE EDGE goes Snow Tubing!!!

REGISTRATION PACKETS WENT OUT THIS WEEK!!!

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. Registration packets and money are due by February 17^th.

ATTENTION 7^th and 8^th GRADERS: What activities do you want to do this year with THE EDGE? Please write down your ideas and give them to Kate at the next EDGE meeting.

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. 17 – This week we will celebrate February birthdays and have a blast. You never know what we have in store for you…until you join us, of course!

Parent volunteers are still 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.

MINISTRY for the DEAF: We are in the process of forming a ministry to serve the needs of the deaf in our community. If you know of anyone who could use these services to actively participate in Mass or other events here at St. John, please contact Fr. Leo at the parish center. We also encourage anyone who has interpreting skills and could help with this ministry to also contact Fr. Leo at 410-848- 4744 x 241.

SPIRITUAL ADOPTION PROGRAM: Thank you to the parishioners and the students of St. John School who have promised to pray daily for an unborn baby. Watch the bulletin for monthly updates on the development of your spiritually adopted baby, as well as monthly thank you notes. If have haven’t yet filled out a prayer pledge card, pick one up (pink or blue) in the narthex of the church. Please leave the cards in the basket in front of the statue of Our Blessed Mother. Pro-Life Group will post monthly updates depicting the development of a growing unborn baby, along with a copy of thank you notes. Month 1 update – Feb. 26.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY is seeking adults and older teen volunteers to help one Sunday a month with this ministry for the children. For details call Nancy Merrill at 410-876-2173.

Support the teens of St. John and their trip to the Steubenville Youth Conference by purchasing your subs for Super Bowl Sunday after Masses this weekend. All subs can 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. for details.

The Knights of Columbus breakfast will be held from 7:30 –11:30 a.m. in The Portico. Join us for a delicious breakfast of pancakes, eggs, French toast and more and meet the ladies of the new St. John Roses Ladies’ Auxiliary who will be selling scrumptious baked goodies. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Catholic Campus Ministries at McDaniel College.

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 his 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.

Join us at 1:30-3:00 p.m. at The Portico for a talk by Mary Ann Kuharski, a nationally known author, speaker and mother of 13, six of whom are adopted and of mixed races, most with special needs. She is the author of several books on raising Catholic children. Come enjoy her humor, insight and excellent message to parents! Adults only - no charge to attend. RSVP to 410-848-9391.

Sodality meets for the 9:15 am. Mass (2^nd Sunday of each month), followed by a meeting in the Parish Center. All ladies of the parish are invited. For information, call Mary Jo Judge at 410-857-5655.

Next meeting is at 1:00 p.m. in the St. Therese Room at the Parish Center. All Health Care Ministers are encouraged to attend.

PTF will meet from 7-9:00 p.m. in The Portico. Child care will be available in the cafeteria for the meeting.

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

Give the gift of life! The next blood drive will be from 2-8 p.m. in The Portico. We need phone callers and canteen help. Call Ted Cook at 410-876-2107 to help or to make an appointment.

Beginning March 10^th we will have a fish fry at The Portico from 4-8:00 p.m. during Fridays of Lent. More details next week.

Join the PTF at The Portico from 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $40.00 per person and include hor’doeuvres, buffet style dinner, dessert, open bar and silent auction. We are looking for donations of all kinds. For tickets, donations or questions, contact Michele Kirk at kirkfamilymd@netzero.com or at 410-795-9632; Joelle Connor at 410-848-3671 or Caroline Quinn at 410-374-0262.

4^th annual 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 a

basket to help decrease our expenses and increase profits. Call Anna at 410-876-2652 or the parish office.

THANK YOU – Your constant support through donations to the Poor Box are very much appreciated. The St. Vincent de Paul Society uses this money to help the needy in our area and we can’t do it without you.

FAITH IN ACTION: Carroll County Neighbors Helping Neighbors. Assist homebound residents in our community by providing volunteer services such as: Daily Telephone/E-mail Reassurance-Friendly Visits–Household Care – Transportation–Link Services. A neighbor’s independence depends on you. A one-hour training session will be held on February 4. For details, contact Mike Rodgers at 410-857-5891.

Are you feeling helpless because you think your marriage is heading downhill? Retrouvaille is a proven and effective Catholic program that helps couples rebuild their trust and renew their communication. All calls and inquires are confidential. For details call 410-647-0350 or visit the website at www.retrouvaille.org.

This retreat will be held at Holy Trinity Spiritual Center, 8400 Park Heights Ave., Baltimore and conducted by Fr. Timothy Kulbicki, OFM.Conv., Spiritual Director, Vice Rector and Dir. of Continuing Formation at St. Mary’s Seminary. It is a great opportunity for spiritual reflection and renewal. For further details call 410-335-2897.

The Carmelite Sisters of Baltimore will be hosting a “Come & See Weekend” for women ages 18 to 25 at 1318 Dulaney Valley Road, Baltimore. The weekend offers an opportunity for praying with the community, silent prayer and personal reflection, interaction with the nuns and other participants, presentations on prayer, Carmelite life and history and a tour of archives, monastery and grounds. For more details call Sr. Judy Murray, at 410-823-7415 or visit the website at www.baltimorecarmel.org.

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.

Parishioners are invited to join other Catholics from around the State at the Maryland Catholic Conference’s 22^nd Annual Lobby Night in Annapolis. Registration begins at 2:45 p.m. at St. Mary’s High School. To register, contact Chris Santo at 410-269-1155 or 301-261-1979 or register online at www.mdcathcon.org.

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.

Holy Trinity Spiritual Center is offering a Lenten Program entitled “Into your Hands I Commend my Spirit - Surrender to Conversion from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The cost is $45 and includes lunch. For reservations and details, call 410-486-5171 or 410-984-4464 or email tcerulo@hotmail.com. All are welcome.

The Catholic Men’s Fellowship of Maryland will hold its 9^th Annual Catholic Men’s Conference at Archbishop Curley High School from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Speakers include: Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio, Fr. Gerard Francik and Lt. Gov. Michael Steele. Sacrament of Reconciliation is available. Holy Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski at 4:00 p.m. The $30 admission includes continental breakfast and lunch. Call Gil Hoffman at 410-252-5737 or Tom Weigand at 410-836-9638.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE: The Polish Heritage Assn. of Maryland announces it will award six (6) grants of various amounts to full time students for the academic year 2006-07 at any accredited college or university in the United States. To be eligible for a grant the applicant must be of Polish descent (i.e., have at least two Polish grandparents, any generation), must be a resident of the State of Maryland and attending an accredited high school as a senior or college or university in the U.S. and pursuing studies leading to a baccalaureate degree. Applications must be completed and postmarked by March 31, 2006. For details contact: Thomas Hollowak at 410-837-4268 or via email at thollowak@ubalt.edu.

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. 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.

LARGE PRINT MISSALETTES are available at weekend Masses. Please see an usher before Mass to pick up a copy.

TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS ILL REMEMBERED during the Prayer of the Faithful at Masses, please call the parish office.

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.

PORTICO BOOKS + GIFTS: Be sure to stop by our gift shop and place your orders for First Communion & Confirmation gifts Special discounts for orders placed by February 28!

Monday, February 6

Thursday, February 9

Friday, February 10

From the Pastor

Fri., Feb. 24 - THE EDGE goes Snow Tubing!!!

REGISTRATION PACKETS WENT OUT THIS WEEK!!!