Parish Bulletin

I can’t believe that it is almost Lent already. Even though it starts late this year, it seems like it came up so fast. I would imagine that everyone is trying to figure out what they are going to do or give up for Lent. Some give up sweets or desserts. Others try to do things like add a few minutes each day to their prayer time. A few times I gave up soda. I love my sugar. Everybody said that I would lose weight if I gave up sugar sodas. When Easter arrived I got on the scale and found that I had lost nothing! The last time I gave up Coca Cola I started to get headaches. I continued to not drink the dreaded vermin. It was a great hardship. I wondered if I could get through Lent. Still, I trudged on. In the midst of great suffering I was able to stay away from Coke all the way up to the evening of Ash Wednesday at which point I had a Coke for medicinal purposes. Oh well. This year I’ll have to try again. Does this mean that I can have Pepsi? How about Royal Crown Cola? What ever we give up or do for Lent, let us use the inconvenience or suffering to remind us in a small way of the great sacrifice our Lord made for us. May His Holy Name be praised.

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.

AS WE APPROACH LENT people ask for clarifications about individual obligations for Lenten Spiritual Practices, especially about fasting. Below are some traditional guidelines to help you enter more deeply into the spirit of Lent.

PENITENTIAL FAST and ABSTINENCE

All persons who have reached their 14^th birthday and up to their 60^th birthday are bound by the law of abstinence. Good Friday is a day of abstinence from meat and also a day of fast; that is limited to a single full meal. The current canonical discipline of penance for the United States, in addition to the general character of the Lenten season, may be summed up by:

a) Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of abstinence from meat and also days of fast; that is limited to a single full meal.

c) The Fridays of the year outside Lent remain days of penance but each individual may substitute for the traditional abstinence from meat by some other practice of voluntary self-denial or personal penance: this may be physical mortification or temperance or acts of religion, charity or Christian witness.

Masses and imposition of ashes will be at 7:00 and 9:30 a.m., 12:00 noon, 5:00, 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. (Spanish Mass). This is a day of Fast and Abstinence.

Masses are 7:00 a.m. & 9:30 a.m. (attended by St. John School), & 7:00 p.m. Confessions: 8:45 – 9:15 a.m. & 6:15 – 6:45 p.m. Stations will following the 7:00 p.m. Mass.

2:00 p.m. (children’s format) and 7:00 p.m. On First Fridays stations will follow the 7:00 p.m. Mass.

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 this devotion is welcome to join in prayer.

The Franciscan Friars of the Primitive Order will lead our Mission each evening at 7:00 p.m. in the church. Reconciliation will be available Monday-Wednesday throughout the day and evening.

BAPTISMS: Congratulations and welcome to Perpetua Grace Sanda, daughter of Erin and John Sanda, Joshua Thomas Lindenstruth, son of Jeanine and Gregory Lindenstruth, and Samantha Mae Smith, daughter of Julie and Dale Smith.

WE PRAY for the REPOSE of Anna V. Potter, Paul Ott and Jean Schulz 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.

School Calendar

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

March 1 – Ash Wednesday – All school Liturgy – 9:30 a.m.

March 2 – Exec. Committee – School Board – 7:30 p.m.

March 3 – First Friday All School Liturgy - 9:30 a.m.

March 3 – No kindergarten (parent conferences)

March 3 - Stations of the Cross – 2:00 p.m.

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.

FIRST COMMUNION ATTIRE: If any parent is in need of a dress, suit, blazer or pants for their child’s First Communion, please call the Religious Ed. Office. We have some clothing for both girls and boys.

PARENTS OF FIRST COMMUNICANTS should have or will be receiving a letter inviting them to the 2^nd Parent Eucharist meeting. Along with this letter is also an Invitation to the Banner Workshop. If you did not receive this mailing, please call the Religious Ed. Office.

HELP NEEDED: Vacation Bible School is scheduled for the week of June 26-June 30. If you can help, please call the Religious Ed. Office. We need teachers, assistants, crafts, snacks, music and babysitting. We will also need help in decorating the school and help on the 30^th to take the decorations down.

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.

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.

Dr. Robert Miller, well known Scripture Scholar from The Mount will be offering a presentation on the Triduum and Easter Sunday Readings on March 14^th 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.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper . . . Tues., Feb. 28

Join us on “Fat Tuesday” for an all-you-can-eat stack of delectable pancakes from 4-8 in the Portico. We still need volunteers to help for this event and you can get service hours too!

We are going to be going to Blue Ridge Summit for this retreat. The cost is $85 and there are still spots available, so don’t miss out! Call or email Marty for details Mlink@sjwest.org.

“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 to keep informed on what’s happening!

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.

More information on the rescheduling of our speaker from our February 12^th meeting is still to come.

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.

Fri., March 24 – Fear Factor Kick Off – Come and see if Fear is a Factor for you. Teams will battle it out in exciting competitions to prove that Fear is not a Factor. Bring your friends and be ready to show your bravery.

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.

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.

Life Teen will host their 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 still need some volunteers. Call or email Marty if you can help. Mlink@sjwest.org

Join the Knights of Columbus at The Portico for a great breakfast from 8-11:30 a.m. Adults - $5, Children - $3. All proceeds from the breakfast are used for the benefit of St. John Parish.

Join us for Mass at 1:00 p.m. as St. John hosts the 60^th Annual Archdiocesan Scout Mass. Bishop Malooly will recognize all scouts from the Archdiocese who have earned Catholic Religious Awards during the preceding year. A reception will be held in The Portico after Mass. Donations of baked goods and cheese trays for the reception would be appreciated. Contact Sharon or John Bryan at 410-876-0586.

The annual Maryland March for Life will be held at 6:30 p.m. We will meet with other Maryland pro-lifers and walk through downtown Annapolis to the Statehouse. A photo ID will be necessary, to enter the legislative buildings. Call Sarah Torbeck at 410-848-0146 if you are interested in attending.

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 at The Portico for another talk 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.

Change in meeting date due to Ash Wednesday. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, March 8^th at 7:00 in Room A of the Parish Center. We hope to see all of our members there. If you would like to learn more about our organization and the work we do, please come to this meeting. You may also call Patty Terrano at 410-857-1473 for more details St. Vincent de Paul.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR HEAD START: Catholic Charities Head Start Program of Carroll County needs volunteers as receptionists and classroom helpers. If you can give 1 morning or afternoon a week, please contact Sr. Nancy or Lisa at 410-871-2450. Head Start is a federally funded program serving low-income 3 and 4 year old children and their families. Consider volunteering a couple hours a week to assist with this program.

CLEANING OUT YOUR CLOSET? The Franciscan Center needs used men’s clothing for their mid-winter clothing drive for homeless men. Items needed are: used men’s clothes, shoes, boots, new men’s under garments, new men’s hygiene products, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, shaving cream, shampoo and conditioner. Drop off items at the Franciscan Center, 101 W. 23^rd Street in Baltimore, Mon.-Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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.

This is the 2nd of six retreats for Married Couples. Other weekend retreats are: 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. Email: tcerulo@hotmail.com for details or call 410-486-5171.

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

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.

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.

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 27

9:00 p.m. Patricia Duncan

Thursday, March 2