Parish Bulletin

There are two groups of senior citizens that we visit here in the parish. One is at the Westminster Nursing Home and the other is at Carroll Lutheran Village. The residents gather for Mass at both homes. I enjoy being with the people at each place. They are so appreciative of our visits. It is amazing when you think of all the experiences and stories that these people have to tell. They have seen so much in their lives. I wish there was a way for young people to tap into the gold mine of knowledge and experience that the residents of both places have. Unfortunately, our society places so much emphasis on the young that we miss out on the treasure that we have in so many other people. I marvel at the residents at these two places when I think about some of the things they have done and seen. God bless all those folks who have raised us, taught us, fought for our freedom, suffered for us, and handed our heritage to us. May we always treat them with respect and dignity as we follow in their footsteps.

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 Scott Alan Myers, son of Shannon and Alan Myers.

WE PRAY for the REPOSE of Mary Jane James, and Betty Reazin 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: If you have not yet had an opportunity to make a gift or a pledge to the Lenten Appeal, please do so. Next weekend, we will have Lenten Appeal envelopes in the pews for your convenience. Please participate--we ask everyone’s support to help those in need!

School Calendar

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 & Cyber bullying – 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.

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.

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.

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.

why catholic? For the last several weeks, articles have been appearing in The Catholic Review about an exciting adult faith formation program entitled “Why Catholic?” Using the four parts of the Catechism, small groups will meet regularly in 6-week sessions to draw on this rich resource. Cardinal Keeler has asked every parish in the Archdiocese to implement the program, and our parish plans to begin the first session in January of 2007. Watch for future bulletin updates with more specifics about the program.

FACILITATORS NEEDED: When we begin “Why Catholic?” in January 2007,many trained facilitators will be needed. Training will be provided by the Archdiocese and will take place here at St. John beginning this June. If anyone is interested in being a facilitator, call Paul Gallagher in the Religious Ed. Office or email him at pgallagher@sjwest.org

— LIFE TEEN (Grades 9 -12) —

That’s right Life Teen is heading back to Italy in the summer of 2007 for a 10 day pilgrimage! We’ll be visiting Florence, Assisi and Rome, with several other towns in between. We’ll leave June 26 and return July 5. One of the highlights will be a papal audience on the 4^th of July! The cost of the trip, assuming 40 participants, will be $2,495. To learn more, and to discuss fundraising opportunities, please come to a meeting at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 2^nd in the St. Therese Room at the Parish Center. If you cannot make this meeting, call Paul in the Religious Ed. Office

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 at Mlink@sjwest.org. to sign up for this great experience.

— 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.

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!

Sat., April 1 - There will be a Core Member Lenten Day of Reflection at The Portico from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Fr. Leo and Lisa Epperson, the Eastern Regional Director for Life Teen will join us. As Core members, we will walk away from the day with a renewed sense of what the Lord is calling us to do. There will be breakout sessions for those who have been doing Life Teen/The EDGE for some time, and those who are new in the ministry. Please mark your calendar and call Kate to let her know you will be attending so that we may plan to have lunch for you!

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.

Fri., April 28 – Movie Night – We all love going to the movies don’t we? But what if we could go to the movies with our friends and not have to worry about the sticky floor! The long lines! The terrible ticket prices! The person behind you who keeps kicking your chair! WE CAN!! The EDGE is having a movie night complete with popcorn and candy. Bring your friends!

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.

Of Special Interest

On behalf of the family of LCpl. Matthew Snyder, we would like to thank the entire parish for the many thoughts, prayers, Mass Cards, and other expressions of condolence extended to us. We thank Fr. Leo both for his professional and personal involvement in helping us through this very difficult time. We thank the school children for their beautiful tributes to our dear Matt as we left the church. To all involved in planning and participating in the Mass, we thank you for a lovely service. We wish we could thank each of you personally. Please know that every expression of sympathy has been so very much appreciated. We as a family are blessed to be part of such a loving and caring parish.

Activities in Our Parish

The Knights of Columbus will be available after all Masses this weekend for anyone interested in learning more about the organization. Please stop by our display after Mass to learn more about the Knights and our many charitable activities.

THANK YOU to all the donors that came out to our March blood drive. We received 109 pints of blood. We still need phone callers and canteen help. If you can help, please call Ted Cook at 410-876-2107.

BAKER-YINGLING SCHOLARSHIPS: Scholarships are awarded to students who have been participants in a St. John Youth Athletic Program for a minimum of two years and may be used for either college tuition, or for private high school tuition assistance. Applications are available at the Parish Center. Completed applications must be received by Friday, May 5, 2006 for consideration. Please call Bo at 410-876-1162 if you need further information.

Join us at The Portico from 4-8:00 p.m. for our last 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, Portico Bookstore or at the door! Call Teresa for details at 410-848-4744.

Please join the Knights of Columbus at St. John’s Portico for a great breakfast from 8:00-11:30 a.m. Menu includes French toast, pancakes, eggs, sausage and more. Adults - $5, children - $3. The Knights of Columbus appreciate your support. All proceeds from the breakfast are used for the benefit of the parish.

Cardinal Keeler has asked Catholics in the Archdiocese 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, attend this meeting from 7:30-9:00 p.m. in the St. Therese Room at the Parish Center or call Fr. Leo.

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 cyber bullying, 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. Join us at 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! Any 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 an 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 is March 31. Call Betty Belk at 410-848-9391 for info.

Grow in discipleship to Christ Jesus by attending a Cursillo weekend spiritual retreat. Men’s weekend is April 27-30. Women’s weekend is May 4-7. For details contact Fr. Leo or Doris Graybeal at 410-848-2891.

Join us at 7:00 p.m. in The Portico. Proceeds benefit the Church Building Fund. Great prizes including 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 and to help.

Join us for 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 by Filiae Mariae after Masses on weekends of April 1^st and 22^nd. and at The Portico Bookstore. Reserve your table now! Contact Theresa Greene at 410-876-9578 or treegreene@msn.com

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.

spiritual ADOPTION UPDATE : Month two – Your baby is making progress developing all of his/her external features and internal organs. His /her brain is functioning at 40 days. His/her mother can hear his/her heartbeat now on an ultrasonic stethoscope. Baby-teeth buds are present at 6 ½ weeks. It has been reported that a 2-month-old baby can suck its thumb. From this moment, your spiritually adopted baby grows and refines his/her body. Everything he/she needs to survive after birth is already present by the end of the eighth week.

THANK YOU NOTE: Keep praying for me! I am 2 months old now and about 2 inches long. Look-you can see my eyes, nose and mouth. I hope I can use these to experience God’s world after I am born! Check our new Spiritual Adoption web page to track your baby’s progress at: www.stjohnprolife.homestead.com/sap.html. or check the bulletin board in the narthex for news each month.

Next meeting of the St. Vincent de Paul Society is on Wednesday, April 5^th at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Center.

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.

Shepherd’s Staff is collecting items for “Spiritual Easter Baskets.” For 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.

Urgent Pro-Life Action Alert: Sadly, both the Maryland Senate and House of Delegates have preliminarily approved legislation to fund the destruction of human embryos in science experiments. “Maryland Stem Cell Research Act of 2006,” House Bill 1/Senate Bill 144, will fund embryonic stem cell research. Embryonic stem cells cannot be obtained without killing a young human life, the life of a human embryo that was conceived in the image and likeness of God. And embryonic stem cell research is far less promising than adult stem cell research, which is already treating patients and has no ethical barriers. Please contact your legislators, urging them to vote “NO” on final passage of House Bill 1/Senate Bill 144. Please also contact Governor Ehrlich, convey your opposition to the legislation, and should the legislation win General Assembly approval, urge him to veto it. Visit the website of the Maryland Catholic Conference, www.mdcathcon.org, for information about the bill and how to contact your legislators.

This is the 5th of six retreats for Married Couples. Next retreat date is 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

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.

Monday, March 27

Thursday, March 30

Friday, March 31

From the Pastor

PARISH PENANCE SERVICE. . . Tues., April 4

Of Special Interest

Activities in Our Parish