Parish Bulletin

Lent is usually a time when a lot of people try to get to reconciliation. Still, there are many who are scared of confession. There are many reasons. Some are afraid of what the priest might think of them. Others are embarrassed about what they need to confess. Well, I’m here to tell you - don’t worry about it. Reconciliation is a great way to be forgiven for your sins and to feel good about yourself. If you worry about what the priest might think about you –DON’T. You are not going to confess anything to me or just about any other priest that we haven’t done ourselves. Join the club. We are all sinners. The Lord gives us absolution to help us move on from our sins. Get rid of all the old junk that bogs down your soul. Come on in to reconciliation and let God take all that old nasty stuff away. Enjoy it. It is true refreshment.

The Saturday 2 a.m. – 3:00 a.m. hour of Perpetual Adoration now has a scheduled adorer for only the first Saturday of each month. The remaining weeks of the month are now being covered by substitutes. If you or someone you know is willing to commit to this hour, please call Agnes Geraghty at the Parish Center 410-876-2248 or at home 410-876-9383.

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 ENTER INTO THE LENTEN SEASON 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.

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

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 Marianne Ekpereamaka Chukwunenye, daughter of Edith and John Chukwunenye; Madisyn Marguerite Holmes, daughter of Christina and Jacob Holmes, IV; Emma Grace Langlois, daughter of Rebecca Langlois and John Langlois; Tucker Vincent Spriggs, son of Laureen and Charles Spriggs; and Matthew James Szedlock, son of Patricia and Scott Szedlock.

WE PRAY for the REPOSE of Nancy L. Clingan, Jean Schulz, Rae Taylor, Lucy Hilton, Robert Wetzel and Rev. James Henry Brennan, S.S., 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 $28,038.83. 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 DONATIONS to the Catholic Relief Services. The total collected was $8,777.10.

School Calendar

March 9 – 3A & 3B Field Trip to Port Discovery 8:50 am–1:30 pm

March 10 – Vision & Hearing – K, 4, 8 & new students

March 10 – Stations of the Cross at 2:00 p.m.

March 13-14 Vision & Hearing Testing

March 15 – Early dismissal at 12:14 p.m. (entire county)

PM Kindergarten attends school

March 16 – Daffodil Days - School Board Mtg. at 7:30 p.m.

March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day Stations of the Cross at 2:00 p.m.

March 18 – PTF Dinner & Auction at The Portico – 6:30 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.

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.

Our retreat at Blue Ridge Summit is almost here! The last day to sign up is Sunday, March 6^th and the cost is $85. 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: March 15^th is the deadline to sign up! Everyone must turn in their registration form by March 15^th- We will be heading to Steubenville July 7-9 for this retreat and the total cost is $220. Registration forms are available in the back of the church.

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 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.

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

St. John will host the 60^th Annual Archdiocesan Scout Mass at 1:00 p.m. 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 would be appreciated. Contact Sharon or John Bryan at 410-876-0586.

Give the gift of life! The next blood drive will be from 2-8 p.m. in The Portico. Call Ted Cook at 410-876-2107 for an appointment.

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.

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 presentation begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.00 and are available at Portico Books, Parish Center or call Teresa at 410-848-4744 ext. 227. Clock hours 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. Tickets available at the Parish Center and Portico Books + Gifts.

Join the Ladies Sodality to pray the Rosary after the 9:15 a.m. Mass, at the statue of the Blessed Mother in the church. Everyone is welcome.

Jennette Ellis, from Carroll Hospice will be our speaker at this meeting to be held at 1:00 p.m. in the St. Therese room of the Parish Center. All Health Care Ministers are encouraged to attend.

Join the Lenten series sponsored by Filiae Mariae, featuring Mary Ann Budnik’s workbook “How to Become a Saint.” This beautiful series begins March 14 (skipping March 28^th due to Parish Mission) and concludes in time for Easter. Mary Ann will visit for our Communion Breakfast on April 30^th. Session choices are Tuesday a.m. or p.m. Call Dawn Walsh at 410-876-0250 or email dwalsh33@juno.com to register so we have enough workbooks.

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. Donations of all kinds needed. For tickets, donations or questions, call Michele Kirk at 410-795-9632 or kirkfamilymd@netzero.com or Joelle at 410-848-3671.

Something new this year--a poster contest! Create a 11x17 poster to encourage religious vocations using crayons, colored pencil or paint. This year’s theme is “Fishers of Men” from Matthew 4:18-19. “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Winners will be announced and prizes awarded at the game. Deadline for poster contest is March 31. Call Betty Belk at 410-848-9391 for more details.

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. We still need sponsors for door prizes and baskets to help decrease our expenses and increase profits. Call Anna at 410-876-2652 or the parish office.

Join St. John Wisdom Club for dinner and a show “Thoroughly Modern Millie” at Toby’s Dinner Theater. The Cost is $49.00 and includes, show, dinner and the bus. The bus leaves St. John at 9:30 a.m. and returns at approximately 4:00 p.m. Money is due by March 23. Everyone is welcome. Call Rosemary at 410-795-8491 for reservations and details.

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.

LOAVES AND FISHES SOUP KITCHEN is updating its volunteer and contributor listings for the period April 1, 2006 through September 30, 2006. If you will NOT be participating, please leave a message with Mike Radov at 410-857-9528.

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 & 4 year old children and their families.

GABRIEL PROJECT COORDINATOR NEEDED: The Gabriel Project is a pregnancy support network of churches, volunteers and maternity homes that provide friendship, mentoring and ongoing assistance to women and families facing crisis pregnancies. We are now in need of a new Program Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator. Men or women eligible. Work from home about 1-2 hours per week to set-up and maintain the program and manage a small group of motivated volunteers. Excellent training & network support provided. Contact Gabriel Project at 410-741-1228 or director@gabrielproject.org

Father Tad Pacholczyk, the Director of Education for the National Catholic Bioethics Center will speak on Thursday, March 9^th at 7:30 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church, 13717 Cuba Road, Hunt Valley, MD and on Friday, March 10^th at 7:30 p.m. at Rosensteel Knights of Columbus Council, 9707 Rosensteel Ave., Silver Spring, Md. Each talk is entitled “A Layman’s Guide to Embryonic Stem Cell Research” and will outline myths associated with such research as well as discuss real cures from adult stem cell research. Contact Jack Ames at 410-337-3721 for more details.

This is the 3rd of six retreats for Married Couples. Other weekend retreats are: March 24, April 7 and May 5. For details call Elaine at 410-252-5355.

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 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. Next dates are March 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.

The annual Good Friday Walk sponsored by the Westminster Ministerium starts at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church and ends with a noon special Taize worship service at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ. Everyone is welcome to join in at the beginning of the walk, along the way, or for the noon service.

BULLETIN DEADLINE: Deadline for submitting notices is 12:00 noon on each Monday for the weekend prior to distribution. Send articles to bulletin@sjwest.org or fax 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.

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, March 6

Thursday, March 9