Parish Bulletin

FR. ART IS HOME! PRAISE JESUS! Our beloved pastor is back in Baltimore. The Archdiocese of Baltimore made all arrangements for his safe return and ongoing treatment. While we realize that everyone will want to communicate with him, the doctors, the Archdiocese and Msgr. himself has asked that everyone trust that he is in the best hands possible, and to respect that what he needs most at this time is privacy and time to heal. Please make NO attempt to visit him or contact him. It would not be good for him to have visitors yet. Some will say that they are not like everybody else and Msgr. would really want to see them so they must go to him. There are to be no exceptions at this time. We really must let him have his privacy while he recuperates. When he is ready for visitors, we will let you know. Please feel free to continue to send him notes and cards addressed to him here at St. John’s and we will see that his mail gets to him.

Msgr. Art has said that he can feel the prayers we have been praying for him. Let’s continue to pray for him. Even though he won’t be back with us just yet, he appreciates your consideration and concern as he continues to recover. It is a blessing to have him home and know that his family and friends are so close while he is recovering until he can return to St. John.

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.

WE PRAY for the REPOSE of Blanche Honig, Jennifer Morelock, Kevin O’Leary, John Oleksik, J. Paul Hering, Leonard Schilz, Jerry Scott and Ann Louise Regan and for their families and friends.

FLOWERS on the ALTAR this WEEKEND are donated in memory of Helen Margaret Whiteley by Margie A. Conner and Mary E. Fiorino.

This year’s budget is based on a weekly offering of $30,700.00. Our current weekly average is $29,711.16. 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.

LENT MAY BE OVER…but the LENTEN APPEAL is NOT!!

Please make your donation to the Lenten Appeal - there is STILL time for your donation to count toward our goal! We are $27,000 from our goal - your gift can help to get us there! Checks may be made out to the "Cardinal's Lenten Appeal" indicating "St John Church-Westminster" in the memo line so our parish can get credit for your donation. The address is: Cardinal's Lenten Appeal, 320 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD 21201-4421. Thank for your help and support! Your gift makes a difference for those in need!

School Calendar

May 15 - Spring & Band Performance – 6:30 p.m. in the Gym

May 16 - 7A & 7B Field Trip – Gettysburg 9:00 am. – 3:00 p.m.

May 18 - Gr. K-5 Fund Day Rain Date

Academic Team Mtg. – 6^th, 7^th, & 8^th – Rm. 8B

School Board Meeting – 7:30 p.m. – Parish Center

May 19 – Gr. 6-8 Fun Day Rain Date

OPENINGS FOR SCHOOL FOR THIS FALL: Limited number of openings for kindergarten for this fall and also in some classes. Please call the school office at 410-848-7455 for details.

GROCERY CERTIFICATES PROGRAM: Please support the 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.

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: Thanks to all who have already volunteered to be a Facilitator for the “Why Catholic?” program. We still need many additional people to help, so if you are interested, please email Paul Gallagher at pgallagher@sjwest.org. There will be a facilitator orientation session led by the Archdiocese on Monday, June 12, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in The Portico.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL registration forms are at the doors of the church. We still need one teacher and a few more assistants. Call the Religious Ed office for more details.

CONGRATULATIONS to our young people who made their First Holy Communion this past weekend. We pray you will always stay close to Jesus in the Eucharist.

REMINDER: The last classes for Religious Education will be on Tuesday, May 16 and Thursday, May 18. We will close with a Prayer Service in The Portico. Please take your student to class and they should be picked up from class.

REMINDER TO PARENTS: For those parents who still wish to register their child(ren) for the human sexuality classes you may choose which week will work best for your family (June 19-23 OR July 17-21). The sessions will run from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. Call the Religious Ed Office by June 2^nd to register.

REGISTRATION FORMS for this coming year of Religious Education were mailed out this week.

— LIFE TEEN (Grades 9 -12) —

STEUBENVILLE PAYMENTS: The final payment is now overdue! We still have several spots open, so if you haven’t signed up yet but want to go, please email Paul Gallagher.

TRIP TO ITALY in 2007 – Anyone planning to join us on the Italy trip next summer should get their initial deposit and registration to Paul Gallagher by June 4^th.

— 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.

Sun., May 14- Mother’s Day–We will NOT meet for our regular EDGE night. Spend time with the special women in your life.

Fri., May 26 – There’s Just Something About Mary: If you have ever been told or heard that Catholics “worship Mary like a god,” you definitely want to come to this EDGE night, taking the opportunity during the month of May to pay special attention to Mary as we talk about common misconceptions about our devotion to her. We will be making rosaries and figuring out just what that “Something About Mary” really is. You don’t want to miss it!

FYI: We will try to have Karaoke at our Summer Kick-Off in June. If you would like to sign up to show us what you’ve got, please contact Kate in the Religious Ed. Office. We will most likely also have sign up on May 26^th at The EDGE. We need at least 10 people to sign up as soon as possible to make this happen!

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 to any and all EDGE nights. The EDGE welcomes everyone! The more friends you bring to The EDGE, the bigger and better we can make it.

ATTENTION MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENTS: Please feel free to close the night in prayer with us. Just come on in and grab a seat and pray with us. Prayer is a very powerful thing, especially when we pray together!

Special thanks to all who support our middle school ministry with prayers and volunteering. We couldn’t do it without you!

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.

May 19 – Domino Effect – How high can you go? Come on out and show us what you’ve got! Bring your friends to compete in a tower building competition.

June 2 – Details to come – Plan on bringing your friends to this end of the school year event! See you there!

ATTENTION 5^th and 6^th GRADERS: Please feel free to bring your friends to any Youth Alive nights. The more people we have, the more fun stuff we can do. We welcome everyone!

Activities in Our Parish

If you are in the 5^th grade or above and would like to join the choir, we rehearse Monday evenings in the church from 7-8 p.m. and sing twice a month at the 5 p.m. Saturday Liturgy. Contact Jane Schmidt for details at 410-840-8616.

Sodality meets for the 9:15 a.m. Mass and Rosary. There will be no meeting in May. For Info, call Mary Jo Judge at 410-857-5655.

The Knights will be giving a marigold plant to each mother after Masses on Mother’s Day. If children are present, they would like the youngest child to present the flower on behalf of all the children.

A meeting of the St. John School Board will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Emmaus Room of the Parish Center.

All registered parishioners, aged 16 and older, are encouraged to complete one of the ballots in the pews at all Masses this weekend or next weekend, and place it in one of the ballot boxes at the entry areas of the church by the conclusion of the 6:00 Mass on Sunday, May 21. We ask you to prayerfully consider the following candidates: Bobbi Sandusky; Dean Ditman; Debbie Middleton; Janet Tenney; Jay Zeminski; Jim O’Donnell; John Bryan, Rebecca Maurio; Tim Watkins; and Vickie Stark. Detailed information on each candidate is posted in the entry areas of the church.

Join Fr. John and fellow parishioners for a morning of reflection for married couples in Emmitsburg. The theme of this year’s retreat is “The Domestic Church-What Am I Building My House On?” We will conclude with Mass in the Glass Chapel at The Grotto at 12 noon. Cost is $10 per couple. For reservations, call Anne Brown at 410-840-8287.

Have you been discerning a call to ministry here at St. John? Have you been thinking about getting involved and are just not sure which ministry is right for you? Stop by The Portico after all Masses and talk with current ministers…12 ministries will be represented. For more info, call Jeannie at 410-840-8205.

St. John Carnival, May 29-June 3. Mon. & Sat. Kid's Matinees 12-4(5), Mon-Thur 6-10 and Fri-Sat 6-11. Get your $7 ride bracelets for Tue., Wed or Thur. Discount tickets available until May 26. Tickets to be sold at this weekend's masses. Help needed for pit beef crew. For more information call Jenny Scott at 410-239-6179.

The Wisdom Club is sponsoring a trip to the “Midway Slots.” The cost is $20. Each person gets back a $15 cash voucher! For information and to sign up, please call Maureen at 410-840-4676.

Save the date! At the Francis Scott Key Golf Course, sponsored by the Knights. $80 fee covers green fees, cart, pit beef and chicken lunch. Trophies and prizes to be awarded. Contact Brian Crowley at 410- 795-5147 or Rich Nestor at 410- 751-5258.

IT’S SPRING CLEANING TIME! Look ahead to the 2006 Christmas Bazaar! Check attics, basements, closets, etc. for new & used religious items. For info, call Nina at 410-635-6422.

THANK YOU to everyone who helped make the Basket Bingo a success. Thanks also to the Keidel Family for sponsoring a basket.

BLESSINGS CLOSET: During May, St. Vincent de Paul is asking your help in supporting the Shepherd’s Staff Blessings Closet. Please place the following items in the baskets at the doors of the church: Bath tissue, shampoo, deodorant, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, paper towels, napkins, tissues, all-purpose cleaners, trash bags, feminine supplies, baby care items, light bulbs and liquid food supplements. Items to go to needy families in the area.

Silent weekend retreat for men & women, laity & religious, at Seton Retreat Center,Emmitsburg. Dr. Thelma Steiger, PhD, explores the profound call of every baptized person to “image the Christ.” $150/weekend (day hop option available). Call 301-447-7051.

Weekend retreat for spiritual and emotional healing after abortion . Confidential and emotionally safe environment for those struggling after abortion. Contact Denis or Deacon Frank at 1-800-286-4224 or email: projectrachel@archbalt.org

Come and join our monthly 2nd Tuesday tea at 2 p.m. Caritas house is run by Catholic Charities, but welcomes all faiths. Located at 3308 Benson Ave., (behind St. Agnes Hospital). Call 410-646-800 to reserve your place for this free event.

La Oficina de Ministerio Hispano de la Arquidióesis invita a toda la Comunidad Hispana a participar de 9:00 a.m. a 5:00 p.m. en en la Casa de Retiros Shrine of St. Anthony, Ellicott City. El Costo es de $15 (almuerzo incluido). El cupo es limitado. No habrá inscripciones en la entrada. Ultimo día para inscribirse: 15 de Mayo. Regístrese llamando a 410-547-5423.

Savor cuisines from 11 different countries and enjoy ethnic entertainment throughout the day at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Hanover, PA from noon to 6 p.m. (rain or shine).Take-out available.

If you are considering adoption, Catholic Charities of Baltimore has both domestic and international adoption programs. The next informational meeting to explain the various options and discuss our programs will be held on Saturday, June 10 from 8:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. For more information, call 410-659-4050 or visit our website at cc-md.org/adoptions/adoptions.html.

The National Association of Catholic Homes and Educators will hold an expo at the Baltimore Convention Center. This is an opportunity for people to learn more about the Catholic Church and what they can do to strengthen themselves, their friends and families in faith. More than 50 speakers and 100 exhibitors will be on hand. Visit www.nache,org for more information.

At Carroll Community College. Actors, singers, dancers and musicians needed. Rehearsals begin Aug. 21. Cast needs: Adults (14+): 8 females, 12 males; 8 children (aged 5-13). Open-cast auditions in St. John School gym July 14 (7-9:30 p.m.) & July 15 (10 a.m.–2 p.m.). Call backs: July 15 (7-8:30 p.m.). Musical auditions to be determined. Call Jeanne Link (443-324-8487) or JLLMickey@aol.com.

GROTTO AT LOURDES EVENTS: The National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes at St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg has a full calendar of events for the coming months. For information call 301-447-5318 or email grotto@msmary.edu.

TRAVELERS LOOKING for MASS TIMES: To look for Mass times and church locations in the USA, call 1-410-676-6000 or go to www.MassTimes.org

ATTN: PARISHIONERS ON MEDICARE: Medicare Part D Prescription coverage is available to all parishioners on Medicare through Catholic Golden Age. Call 1-800-706-1268 or 1-800-836-5699 for more information.

BULLETIN DEADLINE: The deadline for submitting notices is 12:00 noon on each Monday prior to the weekend of distribution. Please send articles via email to bulletin@sjwest.org or you may fax articles 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.

TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS ILL REMEMBERED during the Prayer of the Faithful at Masses, please call the parish office.

THE ROSARY PRAYED at a FUNERAL HOME for a deceased loved one is a service offered to parishioners of St. John by the Ladies Sodality. Contact the parish office to make request.

Monday, May 15

Thursday, May 18

9:30 a.m. Mother’s Day Intentions

Friday, May 19

Saturday, May 20

From the Pastor

LENT MAY BE OVER…but the LENTEN APPEAL is NOT!!

Activities in Our Parish