Parish Bulletin

After being here for almost three months, I knew that something challenging would eventually happen that would put me to the test. I wondered what it would be. Would I have to make some major decision regarding the life of our parish? Would it have to do with the liturgy, with religious education, with our many programs, etc? Well, now it has happened and I have finally had to make my first command decision. It has to do with splinters. It seems that the bleachers in the gym have given some people splinters. They are old and worn and like to bite people. My decision had to be to close up the bleachers and put out folding chairs for people to sit on. We can’t let people get splinters and the budget won’t allow for the replacement of the bleachers for now. So, there is the first great challenge that I have had and my response to it. I don’t know when or if funds will be made available to help the old boards. Folding chairs will have to suffice for now. Anybody have any spare bleachers stashed around the house that we could use?

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.

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 the devotion is welcome to join in prayer.

PARISH PENANCE SERVICE. . . Tuesday, 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.

Masses are 7:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. (attended by St. John School) and 7:00 p.m. Confessions will be at 6:15-6:45 p.m.

EASTER FLOWER MEMORIALS: Flower offering envelopes are available at the doors of the church and at the parish office. Envelopes must be returned to the parish office by noon on Monday, April 10^thto be included in the bulletin insert.

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 Charles David Dick, son of Teresa and Timothy Dick; Natalie Paige Duvall, daughter of Rebecca and Charles Duvall; Hailey Elizabeth Leonard, daughter of Carrie and William Leonard; Noah Patrick Stautzenbach, son of Sherry and Luke Stautzenbach; Delaney Joan Wellman, daughter of Patricia and Jeffrey Wellman; Mara Jeanne Bernhardt, daughter of Julie and Gregory Bernhardt and Derrick Craig Day, son of Christine and Douglas Day.

WE PRAY for the REPOSE of Cynthia Gore, Sheila McCarty and Anna Latvanas 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 $28,359.12. 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: This weekend, Lenten Appeal Brochures/Envelopes were made available in the pews for all those who have not yet made a pledge or donation to the Lenten Appeal and who have not received information through the mail. Our Parish goal is $119,900 and to date we have collected $40,000. We need everybody's commitment and donation to reach our goal this year! Please prayerfully consider a gift to the Lenten Appeal this year!

School Calendar

April 1 – Eucharist Banner Meeting – 9-12 in the Cafeteria

April 2 – Daylight Savings Time Begins - Set clocks ahead!

April 4 – Living Stations at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the gym

4A Field Trip to Lafarge Medford Quarry

April 5 – 4B Field Trip to Lafarge Medford Quarry

April 7 – All School Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. – Church

Living Stations at 2:00 p.m. in the gym

OPENINGS FOR SCHOOL FOR THIS FALL: There are still a few openings for kindergarten for this fall as well as a limited number of openings in some classes. 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.

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.

OPERATION RICE BOWL is due into the Religious Ed Office the first week of April.

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 begin this June here at St. John. If anyone is interested in being a facilitator, email Paul Gallagher at pgallagher@sjwest.org or call Religious Ed. Office.

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.

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., 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, pray and play with the group.

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!

ATTENTION 7^th & 8^th GRADERS: What do you want to do this year with The EDGE? Please write down your ideas and give them to Kate. Remember—The EDGE is what you make of it, so bring your ideas and your friends. The EDGE welcomes everyone!

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! Jellybeans come in all the right colors to tell of God’s love. We will have cupcakes and an Easter egg hunt. We will also be making Easter egg presents to give away to our friends and family. You don’t want to miss this night! Join us.

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!! Watch the bulletin for details.

Activities in Our Parish

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.

Please join the Knights of Columbus at St. John’s Portico for our monthly Parish Breakfast from 8:00-11:30 a.m. Menu includes French toast, pancakes, eggs, sausage and more. Adults - $5, children - $3. All proceeds 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.

There will be a meeting of the Outreach Committee at 7:30 p.m. in Room B of the Parish Center. All are invited to attend. For more information, contact Frank Tontala at 410-848-9195.

The Sodality meets for the 9:15 a.m. Mass followed by a meeting in the Parish Center. All ladies of the parish are invited. There will be no Rosary recited after Mass on April 9. For information, call Mary Jo Judge at 410-857-5655.

We will not meet in April because our usual meeting date is during Holy Week. Our Movie Lunch Bunch will resume on May 10. Call Lois at 410-840-0451or Stella at 410-876-2833 for 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 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 Game 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! Volunteers are needed—if you can help before or during the game call Betty Belk at 410-848-9391.

There will be a Divine Mercy Devotion after the 6:00 p.m. Mass on Sunday, April 23rd (7:30p.m.) lead by Deacon Jack Coster.

DEACON JACK UPDATE/RECEPTION. . . Sunday, April 23 As you may know, Deacon Jack will be moving to Charlestown Retirement Community to help care for his wife Ann. Deacon Jack will say a few words to the parish at all the Masses on the weekend of April 22-23. A reception for him is planned at The Portico after the 11:15 a.m. Mass. Please come to wish him well. Should you wish to offer him a token of your thanks for his many years of service, you may use one of the pre-printed envelopes that will be available at the doors of the church beginning this weekend.

Together We Can Make It ...first session Wed. April 26th at 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. The group will meet 8-10 weeks on Wednesday evenings, with 2 trained facilitators and covers material suitable for newly separated/divorced adults. For more information and to register, please contact Myra at 410-302-0754 or email singleagaincouncil@yahoo.com .

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 was due by March 23. Everyone is welcome. Call Rosemary at 410-795-8491 for details.

ALTAR SERVERS HERSHEY TRIP: Tentative plans are being made to have a trip to Hershey Park on Wednesday, June 28th, 2006 as a thank you for their services to the parish. The parish needs a response from all the altar servers by APRIL 17 to reserve your spot. Also, Fr. Leo is looking for parent chaperones that have a van and have had the STAND training for a possible car pool. Also, would you like to help sponsor this trip by offering a donation to offset the cost? To RSVP, help or donate toward the cost of the trip, please call Fr. Leo at 410-876-2248.

PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES: Several of our parishioners will be going on a prayerful pilgrimage to Lourdes at the end of April. If you have any intentions you would like them to take to Lourdes please write them in the book located in the narthex of the church.

The 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. RSVP to Dave Laurence at 410-374-0432.

Young men in high school are invited to take a day away from school on Monday, April 10,2006 to visit the different seminaries and learn more about the priestly vocation. The day ends with a dinner, special seats at the Chrism Mass, and a chance to personally meet Cardinal Keeler. An official "religious absence" letter can be obtained from your school. Call the vocation office 410.547.5426 or Fr. Leo at the parish office by April 5^th for details.

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.

This is an all day conference presented by the Catholic Single Again Council of Baltimore for those who are separated, divorced, widowed or remarried and will be held at Loyola College Graduate Center in Columbia, MD. This year’s conference theme is “Accept the Challenge – Capture Today” and features 23 workshops covering grief recovery, spirituality, relationships, intimacy, communication skills and a special workshop for men only, on how men deal with their loss during separation, divorce and widowhood. For details about the conference visit our website at www.ConferenceInColumbia.itgo.com or call 410-485-8313.

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. We have lots of new items coming in daily, so stop by and see our wonderful selection of cards and gifts!

Monday, April 3

Thursday, April 6

Friday, April 7

From the Pastor

PARISH PENANCE SERVICE. . . Tuesday, April 4

EASTER FLOWER MEMORIALS: Flower offering envelopes are available at the doors of the church and at the parish office. Envelopes must be returned to the parish office by noon on Monday, April 10^thto be included in the bulletin insert.

Activities in Our Parish

Monday, April 3

Thursday, April 6

Friday, April 7

From the Pastor

PARISH PENANCE SERVICE. . . Tuesday, April 4

EASTER FLOWER MEMORIALS: Flower offering envelopes are available at the doors of the church and at the parish office. Envelopes must be returned to the parish office by noon on Monday, April 10th to be included in the bulletin insert.

Activities in Our Parish

EASTER FLOWER MEMORIALS: Flower offering envelopes are available at the doors of the church and at the parish office. Envelopes must be returned to the parish office by noon on Monday, April 10^thto be included in the bulletin insert.