Parish Bulletin

I had a chance to give a tour of the church to the Religious Ed. 1^st graders. If you ever get a chance to do anything like this you should do it. The kids are so curious about everything in the church. They had a lot of questions and were very excited to be able to see things up close. I must tell you that the thing that they were most impressed with was the ladder that goes up to the organ pipe chambers.

I’ve also enjoyed visiting the school. The 8^th grade is studying World War I. I brought in an ancient gramophone and played some 1918 records for them. I guarantee that we have the only 8^th graders in Carroll County who know the song, “How Ya Going to Keep ‘Em Down on the Farm After They’ve Seen Paree.”

The vibrancy of the young people of St. John is a blessing for the whole parish.

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.

BAPTISMS: Congratulations and welcome to Jack Millar Westlake, son of Mary and Peter Westlake.

WE PRAY for the REPOSE of James W. Dayhoff, William Edwin O’Grady, Elizabeth Louise Mechalske, Mary Elizabeth Keseling and David Smith 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 $27,910.26. 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.

SPECIAL COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND is for Catholic Relief Services. Thank you for your generosity.

School Calendar

Feb. 20 SCHOOL CLOSED – President’s Day

Feb. 21 SCHOOL CLOSED – Professional Day

Feb. 23 PTF General Meeting – 7-9 p.m. - cafeteria

Feb. 27-March 3 - Kindergarten Registration for New Parents

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.

REMINDER: There will be no Religious Ed classes on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Our teachers will be having an In-Service. Additional information will be sent to our teachers regarding the In-Service.

NO CONFIRMATION CLASSES on Tues., Feb. 21 and Thurs., Feb. 23. There will be Religious Ed. classes for Pre thru 8^th grade.

NOTE: Any parent who has not turned in the Baptismal Information sheet for your child’s First Holy Communion preparation MUST have the form turned into the Religious Ed Office as soon as possible.

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.

Scripture Study: Dr. Robert Miller, well known Scripture Scholar from The Mount will be offering a presentation on the Triduum and Easter Sunday Readings on Tuesday, March 14 from 7-9 p.m. in the St. Therese Room. Using the book “The Triduum and Easter Sunday” by John Pilch, Dr. Miller will help the participants gain a deeper understanding of the powerful and thought-provoking scripture passages used during these Holy Days. Everyone planning to attend is asked to purchase and bring a copy of the book, which is available at Portico Books + Gifts. This is an excellent way to prepare yourself for Holy Week and Easter.

Scott Hahn Returns to St. John. Mark your calendars for Dr. Scott Hahn’s return on Saturday, Sept. 23. More details, including presentation topics and ticket availability, will be available in June.

— LIFE TEEN (Grades 9 -12) —

“What If” Spring 2006: We have sent out the newsletters. If you did not receive one, pick one up in the Life Teen box in the back of the Church. We will have another amazing Life Night this Sun., Feb.19 after the 6:00 p.m. Mass. Come by for a great night! On Mon., Feb. 20^th (President’s Day) we will be going to 9:30 a.m. Mass and then to Baughers for breakfast. Join us for Mass and bring some money for breakfast, if you want to hang out!

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.

— THE EDGE (Grades 7 & 8) —

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.

Sorry about last week’s cancellation folks! We will reschedule our guest speaker for parents. Stay tuned for more information.

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

Deadline was the 17^th, but there are a few more spots left. I will accept registrations until Monday at 5 p.m. Parents are responsible for dropping off your child at Ski Liberty at 7 p.m. and pick up at Ski Liberty at 9 p.m. Information packets, including directions and what to wear are available in the Parish Center outside of the Youth Ministry Office.

Sun., March 12 – St. Patrick’s Day Dinner – Join us for an assortment of interesting foods, including GREEN spaghetti and bread, Jell-o and much more. There will be something for everyone! Wear your green and bring your friends. Contributions to our dinner are greatly appreciated. Call Kate for more info.

ATTENTION 7^th and 8^th GRADERS: What 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., March 3 – Competition and laughter continues this week at Youth Alive. Bring your friends and join us this week for sure!! We will celebrate March birthdays!

Fri., March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day Party – Bring your favorite holiday snack or drink to share and don’t forget to wear your GREEN!

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.

Meeting will be at 8:00 p.m. in The Portico. Representatives from the Maryland School for the Blind will discuss their work as well as the school’s recent acquisition of The Westminster Inn. All are welcome to attend.

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

WISDOM CLUB . . . Thurs., Feb. 23

Mass will be celebrated at 12 Noon in the Church. The meeting will be held after Mass at The Portico. Since this is the 1^st meeting of 2006, our Treasurer will be collecting dues for 2006 at this meeting. February is “Heart Health Month” and the topic will be presented by our 1^st Vice President. Remember to bring your brown-bag lunch. Dessert and beverages will be provided. New members are always welcome.

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

This weekend after all Masses you will have another chance to spiritually adopt a pre-born baby. Now is a great time to start praying for a child, as their moms are one month along and just discovering they are pregnant. You can name your baby, but only God will know who your baby is. Pick up information on this program in the narthex of the church.

Seminarian Dave will present an overview of the Second Vatican Council from 7-9 p.m. in the St. Therese Room of the Parish Center. He will focus on the reasons Pope John XXIII called the council, the documents issued, and the impact that the council still has on our Church today. Clock hours will be given.

Life Teen will host it’s annual “Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper” from 4-8 p.m. in The Portico. Give Mom a break this year and come enjoy this free “Fat Tuesday Meal” (not fat free)!! Donations are accepted, but not required. We also need volunteers--the more the merrier! Call Marty or email him at Mlink@SJWest.org

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.

Fr. Joe, well-known author and radio personality, is back for another talk at The Portico, entitled “When Life Doesn’t Make Sense.” Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and his presentation begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.00 and are available at Portico Books + Gifts, Parish Center or call Teresa at 410-848-4744 ext. 227. Clock hours will be given.

Beginning March 10^th we will have a fish fry at The Portico from 4-8:00 p.m. on Fridays in March. Tickets are $7.50 for adults, children (5-10) $3.50 and children under 5 free. For details contact Teresa Richardson at 410-848-4744 Ext. 227.

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.

Give us this day our daily bread! When we pray the Our Father, we ask God to provide our food. The majority of us receive sufficient food. Others have very little. Your contributions to the poor boxes help the St. Vincent DePaul Society keep food on hand for emergency situations. Without your generosity, many people would be uncared for, cold and hungry.

The Carmelite Sisters of Baltimore will be hosting a “Come & See Weekend” for women ages 18 to 25 at 1318 Dulaney Valley Road, Baltimore. 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. Financial aid seminars will also be held for parents and students to get help filling out the FAFSA forms. Dates of these sessions are: Feb. 22, March 23 and April 11 from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

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.

Washington Theological Union’s Associate Professor of Moral Theology, Kevin O’Neil, CSsR, will speak on “Evaluating Stem Cell Research within the Catholic Tradition” on Wed., Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m. This talk will offer the context within which the Roman Catholic Tradition examines questions of biomedical ethics before moving to a description and an ethical evaluation of the various types of stem cell research in light of that tradition. The Union is located at 6896 Laurel St., NW, Washington,D.C. 20012 – 3 blocks from the Takoma Metro Station. See www.wtu.edu

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.

Bring your used eyeglasses for recycling by the Deer Park Lions Club for distribution to those in need in developing countries. Look for the Lions Recycle for Sight boxes near the doors of the church on the 4^th weekend of each month.

The Seton Retreat & Conference Center in Emmitsburg is offering a series of four Wednesday-Day Retreats in Lent from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. beginning March 1, 15, 29 and April 12. Fee is $25 each day (includes retreat program, lunch and 1:30 Mass). The retreats will be directed by Dr. Thelma Steiger, PhD. For details call 301-447-3121 or email: dsauvageau@doc.org.

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. Email: tcerulo@hotmail.com for details or call 410-486-5171.

The Daughters of Charity are sponsoring a Lenten Vocation Discernment Retreat beginning Friday evening March 3 at 8 p.m. through Sunday, March 5 ending at 1 p.m. at The Seton Retreat Center, St. Joseph Provincial House, 333 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, MD. Single catholic women interested in spending time in prayer, service and reflection to discern God’s call in their lives are encouraged to attend. Cost is $60.00 and retreat scholarships are available. Contact: Sr. Mary Catherine Warehime, DC at 410-646-2074 or email at devoc@doc.org

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.

If you are interested in pursuing an education at Delone as a 9^th 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. There is no fee charged. Registration packets will be distributed on the day of testing.

CATHOLIC CAMPUS MINISTRY at MCDANIEL is in need of furniture for their new meeting space. Any good condition, used tables, chairs, sofas, televisions or bookcases would be most helpful. Call Mary Ann Friday at 410-857-2223 or send an email to:mfriday@mcdaniel.edu We will provide pick up for items.

The Archdiocese of Baltimore has learned that recently circulated statements have caused some confusion among area Catholics as to whether the Holy See released any communication regarding the alleged “visions” of Dr. Gianna Talone-Sullivan. In fact, a letter dated Feb. 15, 2003 and signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the then-Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, supports the 2003 decree of Cardinal William H. Keeler, Archbishop of Baltimore, which concluded that the alleged apparitions are not supernatural. A copy of this letter and the decree can be found in the Feb. 23 issue of The Catholic Review and on the following web site: www.archbalt.org/news/decree.cfm

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.

PORTICO BOOKS + GIFTS: Be sure to stop by our gift shop and place your orders for First Communion & Confirmation gifts 10% discounts on all confirmation and communion gifts until March 15!

Monday, February 20

Thursday, February 23

Friday, February 24

From the Pastor

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

Fri., March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day Party – Bring your favorite holiday snack or drink to share and don’t forget to wear your GREEN!

WISDOM CLUB . . . Thurs., Feb. 23