Parish Bulletin

As many of you saw recently, I have managed to find my way into some poison ivy. I thought that it was not potent during the winter, but I was wrong. Oh well. Other than that, things are going along smoothly here at the parish.

I was invited to talk to the Religious Ed. 4^th graders about the vocation of a priest. I guess they figured that since I know a couple of priests that I might know something about it. Kids always have great questions and the 4^th grade was no exception. I had a great time speaking to them, and other than the stool that collapsed under me in the classroom, I managed to answer their questions as best I could. They ask questions about the black clothes we wear. They wanted to know if we could have girlfriends. I told them that it was cheaper without them. (Then I told them the real reason.) They asked about priests getting married (again, it’s cheaper this way), and on and on they went with questions. They thought it was cool that a priest can trace his authority back through the bishops all the way to the apostles.

Young people’s minds are amazing. We must thank the Lord for them. They are our future.

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.

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.

PARISH PENANCE SERVICE. . . Tues., April 4

Parish Penance Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Confessions will be heard by resident and visiting priests after the Penance Service.

EASTER FLOWER MEMORIALS: Flower offering envelopes are available at the doors of the church and at the parish office. Please print the names of each loved one you wish remembered, your donation, and envelope number and place the envelope in the collection basket or bring to the parish office. Please return envelopes to the parish office by noon on Monday, April 10^th to meet the bulletin insert deadline.

EASTER SPIRITUAL BOUQUETS are available at the back of the church or at the parish center. Offering envelopes may be placed in the collection basket or returned to the parish office.

BAPTISMS: Congratulations and welcome to Brandon Joseph Cross, son of Lisa and Michael Cross; Caleb Benjamin Jellum and Gabriel Thomas Jellum, sons of Rebecca and Nathan Jellum; John Michael Manley, son of Christina and Michael Manley; Ava Paige Mullaney, daughter of Constantina and Michael Mullaney; and Scott Joseph Fitz, son of Lisa and Steven Fitz.

WE PRAY for the REPOSE of Robert Wild, Fr. Paul Iaia, Deacon George W. Martin 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 $28,251.14. 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.

THE CARDINAL’S LENTEN APPEAL: The goal for this year’s Lenten Appeal is $6 million, which will enable the Archdiocese of Baltimore to meet vital needs in three crucial areas:

(1) Educating children and youth – especially those living in economically disadvantaged communities; (2) Ministering to the temporal and spiritual needs of low-income families, seniors and people with special needs; and (3) Strengthening parishes through evangelization and liturgical programs and social ministries. St. John Parish goal is $119,000 – please join in and help us reach our goal for this year! Almsgiving blesses both the recipient and the donor! Thank you.

School Calendar

March 20 – Progress Reports Distributed

March 21 – 5A & 5B Field Trip – 8:45 a.m. –2:00 p.m.

2^nd Parent Eucharistic Mtg. – 6:45 p.m. at Portico

March 23 – 2^nd Parent Eucharistic Mtg. – 6:45 p.m. at Portico

March 24 – Stations of the Cross – 2:00 p.m. - Church

March 27-29 – Parish Mission - 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. - Church

March 29 – School Penance - 10:30 a.m. - Church

March 31 – Stations of the Cross - Church

April 18 – Internet Safety and Cyberbullying – 7:00 p.m. Cafeteria

OPENINGS FOR KINDERGARTEN FOR THIS FALL: There are still a few openings for kindergarten for this fall. If you or anyone you know is interested, please call the school office at 410-848-7455.

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.

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 received a letter providing them with information regarding First Communion pictures. If you did not receive this information, please call the Religious Ed Office.

REMINDER: 2^nd Parent Eucharist meeting will be held on either Tuesday, March 21^st at 6:45 p.m. OR Thursday, March 23^rd at 6:45 p.m. in The Portico.

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.

BANNER KITS for 2^nd graders were given out in class this past week. Please call the Religious Ed. Office if your child did not receive his/hers.

CONFIRMATION STUDENTS: All paperwork should have been completed and turned into the Religious Ed. Office. If you have any questions or need to verify this, please call the office.

Scott Hahn Returns to St. John. Mark your calendars for Dr. Scott Hahn’s return on Saturday, Sept. 23 at The Portico. More details will follow about topic and ticket price.

XLT: Special Guest Fr. Jerry Francik: Wed., March 22

This month the XLT has been moved to Wednesday, March 22, so we can host the Diocesan Vocations Director and the incredibly funny and holy Fr. Jerry Francik. Let’s join together as a family to adore the Lord in song and in the Eucharist. Be in The Portico from 7:30-9:00 p.m. and rock with the band, with Fr. Jerry, with friends, but most importantly, with JESUS! See you there!

Life Teen has signed up to be a part of the Cardinal’s Lenten Pilgrimage. We will walk through the streets of (traffic-free) Baltimore with at least a thousand other teens, the Cardinal and a large wooden cross. We will also get the chance to hear a special and secret musical guest. The price is $10, which guarantees you a spot among the limited group. Price includes a bandana, tickets to the concert, transportation and dinner (not lunch). Email Marty now to sign up for this great experience. 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.

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. Round 1: Team Rescue Challenge, Round 2: Food Challenge, Round 3: Strength Competition. See you there!

Sun., April 9 – Holy Week-est Link - Want to show off what you know? Ready to find out who IS the Holy Week-est Link? Come out to The EDGE and compete with your friends to see who should strut their stuff and who should be eliminated. Start brushing up on your Holy Week facts and we will battle it out, that’s right, PALM SUNDAY!!! We will be joined by Fr. Jerry Francik who will talk and play with us on this very special night.

ATTENTION ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH MINISTRY VOLUNTEERS: There will be a training day on April 1^st here at St. John. Mark your calendars and plan on attending. More details to come. I would love to see all of you there!

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., April 7 – Jelly Bean Joy – Come on out and have a great time with your friends!

Fri., April 21 – Men in Black – There is no need to feel torn between coming to Youth Alive and going to see the Men in Black basketball game, because we will not have our usual Youth Alive night. I encourage all to go to the game with your families and I can’t wait to see you there!! Please watch the bulletin for details.

Activities in Our Parish

Join the Lenten series sponsored by Filiae Mariae, featuring Mary Ann Budnik’s workbook “How to Become a Saint.” This beautiful series starts March 21^st(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.

St. Paddy’s Day Pot Luck. We will begin with Mass at noon in the church with luncheon to follow in The Portico. Members M-Z remember what you are to bring.

Join us at The Portico from 4-8:00 p.m. for our next Fish Fry. Tickets are $7.50 for adults, children (5-10) $3.50 and children under 5 free. Tickets are available at the Parish Center or Portico bookstore. Call Terese for details at 410-848-4744 x 227.

Cardinal Keeler has asked Catholics in the Archdiocese of Baltimore to get involved in learning about the Franklin Graham Praise Festival (the son of Billy Graham) which will take place at Camden Yards from July 7-9. To learn more about how and why Catholics are asked to become involved, please attend this meeting from 7:30-9:00 p.m. in the St. Therese Room at the Parish Center or call Fr. Leo for more details.

The Knights of Columbus are holding their annual dinner/dance featuring a seafood dinner and live music by the Daryl Davis Band from 7 to midnight at The Portico. Tickets are $40 per person in advance. Contact Rich Nestor at 410-751-5258 or Lou Stachowiak at 410-635-2583 for tickets and information.

This meeting is for St. John parents and parishioners and is for ADULTS ONLY. You cannot afford to miss this presentation! The more knowledgeable you are about the internet and cyberbullying, the safer your children will be. Sgt. Patrick McCrory with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force of the Maryland State Police will talk with parents about the internet and children’s safety. The presentation will be accompanied by a power point presentation and is interactive and includes a question & answer period. The time is 7:00 p.m. in the Cafeteria.

4^th Annual Event at 7:00 p.m. at Westminster High School. Come enjoy an exciting game and watch our Archdiocesan priests and seminarians play against St. John parishioners. Don’t miss the special half-time show! Anyone high school-aged through young adults interested in playing in the game should contact Betty Belk at 410-848-9391 to be placed in a random drawing.

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 Men in Black game. Deadline for poster contest is March 31. Call Betty Belk at 410-848-9391 for more details.

If you are looking for an authentic Catholic spiritual retreat, consider participating in the Cursillo Movement of Baltimore. Grow in discipleship to Christ Jesus by attending a weekend experience. Men’s weekend is April 27-30. Women’s weekend is May 4-7. For more information contact Fr. Leo in the Parish Center or Doris Graybeal at 410-848-2891.

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. Tickets are available at the Parish Center, school office and The Portico Bookstore. Call Anna at 410-876-2652 for information or to help.

Join the 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 details.

Bring your moms, sisters and friends together for a special day as we join our wonderful guest speaker, Mary Ann Budnik. Mary Ann is the author of the book series, “How to become a Saint.” Tickets are $15.00 and will be sold after Masses by Filiae Mariae the weekends of April 1^st and 22^nd and are also available at The Portico Bookstore. Reserve your table now by contacting Theresa Greene at 410-876-9578 or treegreene@msn.com

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE IT is now forming another support group for the spring. The group will meet for 8-10 weeks, has two trained facilitators and covers material suitable for newly separated/divorced adults. For more details and to register, contact Myra at 410-302-0754 or email singleagaincouncil@yahoo.com

SPIRITUAL RETREAT for members of the St. John chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society on Saturday, April 8^th in the St. Therese Room of the Parish Center. Plan on attending the 8:00 a.m. Mass, if possible, and the retreat will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at Noon. Please call Dave Laurence at 410-374-0432 to let him know if you can attend.

In an effort to provide children with an Easter message that reflects the true meaning of the Resurrection, we are collecting the following items so that Shepherd’s Staff can assemble “Spiritual Easter Baskets.” These baskets will be distributed to area children during Holy Week, to families who use the services of Shepherds Staff. Items requested are: Christian coloring books, story books or bookmarks, crayons, puzzles, prayer books, prayer cards, small toys, bubbles, play dough, school supplies, non-candy snacks, socks, and personal care items. Please leave these items in the Food Baskets by the doors of the church no later than April 2^nd. If you choose to assemble a finished basket, please deliver it directly to Shepherd’s Staff between April 3 and 6^th. Thank you.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR HEAD START: Catholic Charities Head Start of Carroll County needs volunteers as receptionists and classroom helpers. If you can give 1 morning or afternoon a week, call Sr. Nancy or Lisa at 410-871-2450.

GABRIEL PROJECT COORDINATOR NEEDED: The Gabriel Project, a pregnancy support network of churches, volunteers and maternity homes, is 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

The Seton Retreat & Conference Center in Emmitsburg next Lenten Day Retreat is from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Last Retreat Day is April 12. Fee is $25 each day (includes retreat program, lunch and 1:30 Mass). The retreats are directed by Dr. Thelma Steiger,PhD. Call 301-447-3121 or email: dsauvageau@doc.org.

This is the 4th of six retreats for Married Couples. Other retreats are: April 7 and May 5. For details call Elaine at 410-252-5355.

Check out this national conference on faith in the field of communication that’s coming to Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg. Screenwriters, journalists, editors, and professors will contemplate how faith and vocation shape the field of communication. For more details or to register go to www.msmary.edu/callings

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 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 (rain or shine). For information call 410-876-2124

The Sisters of Bon Secours are hosting a “Come and See Vocation Hospitality Weekend for single Catholic women interested in exploring religious life beginning on Friday, April 21 to Sunday, April 23 at their Provincial House in Marriottsville. You can register on-line at www.bonsecours.org/vocations. Deadline is April 13^th.

NO PARKING AT PORTICO LOADING DOCK: Please observe the signs for “Caterers Parking Only” in the area immediately adjacent to The Portico. This limited space is for use by the caterers only for functions being held at The Portico. Parking your car in this space could result in damage by delivery vehicles. We would appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

PORTICO BOOKS + GIFTS: Be sure to stop by our gift shop and place your orders for First Communion & Confirmation gifts. Just arrived -stop in and see our new Peruvian statues! We will be closed Easter Sunday but open Easter Monday.

Monday, March 20

Thursday, March 23

Friday, March 24

From the Pastor

PARISH PENANCE SERVICE. . . Tues., April 4

XLT: Special Guest Fr. Jerry Francik: Wed., March 22

Activities in Our Parish