Parish Bulletin

We are so glad to know that Msgr. Art is back in Maryland with family. It must be a great relief for him to be back in the United States. He still needs some private time for recuperation before he can see any of us. I understand that some people have been calling hospitals in the Baltimore area to try to find him. Again, I ask that we not do that. Msgr. needs time away from visitors as he builds his strength. We can serve him best through prayer.

This past week was a fun time here as we watched the school have “Fun Day”. This was actually two days for the kids to participate in a variety of outdoor games. Fr. Leo and I both spent time getting water dumped on us as the kids tried to hit a target that would unleash the H2O. They seemed to enjoy getting us wet. We managed to throw some water back at them too.

School will be winding down soon and the campus will go into a quiet hiatus before you know it. However, before that happens, the carnival will arrive. That sounds like a lot of fun. I can’t wait to see everyone here. I hope that you can come one or more days to the carnival. Plan to have some fun and fellowship.

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.

ASCENSION THURSDAY will be celebrated next Sunday, May 28^th throughout the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

BAPTISMS: Congratulations and welcome to Mason Alexander Traber, son of Linda and Ray Traber, Jr.; Emily Morgan Carl, daughter of Kelly and William Carl; Sergio Ivan Castillo, Jr., son of Monique and Sergio Castillo; Lance Joseph Chapman, son of Kieran and George Chapman, III; Matthew John Thompson, son of Deborah and John Thompson; Christopher Cimenga Tshibaka, son of Gina and Cimenga Tshibaka; and Gavin W Rodgers, son of Erin and Kevin Rodgers.

WE PRAY for the REPOSE of Rita Kolb, LaMotte Eckenrode, John McGettigan, Ann Louise Regan, Joseph Manger, Jr., Eunice U. Broxton Hynson and Andrew J. Bozzelli and for their families and friends.

FLOWERS on the ALTAR this WEEKEND are donated by Dr. and Mrs. Sherrill Cheeks in loving memory of Sophia Curtis.

MASS INTENTIONS are of such high volume that it occasionally becomes necessary to send them to missions who can respond to them in a timely fashion. The following intentions have been sent: Donald Banter (2), Elizabeth Demski, Harold Theiles, Mary Weber, Int. of Kameron Beglan Family, Urban A. Wright, II (2), Int. of Darlen Johnson, Int. of Donna Brown, Int. of Jenny Woo, Int. of Barbara Schnell, Int. of the Greene Family, Int. of the Walsh Family, Int. of Msgr. Arthur F. Valenzano, Robert Harry, Int. of the Parsons Family, Jane Parsons (2), Int. of Margaret and Charles Fisher, John Meehan, Michael Herrara, Int. of Frank Murphy, Lambert Durbin, Int. of the RCIA team, Peggy Grogan, James Bailey, Mary Janico, Herbert Smith, Anthony Smith, Anita Jane Parsons, Mary Mangin, Dolores Parker, Antwon Torain, Lois Cellitto, Helen Windsor, Frank Plank, Int. of Steve Budosh, Int. of Dorothy Corbin, Edgar Stem, Joann McGuire (3), Jenny Sarah, Sue Roelandt, Carl Phillips, Winnie Clemens, George Smutz, John Shaw, Rita Pruschniewski, Int. of Ceceila Hinkel (3), Bud Casserly, Jim Kane, Marjorie Case (7) Richard Manion, Paul Ott (5), Int. of John Hanson, Elizabeth Hanson, Rae Taylor (4), Curt Schmid, Patrick Vitek, Patrick Nilsen (2) and Joseph Edward Keelan.

This year’s budget is based on a weekly offering of $30,700.00. Our current weekly average is $29,696.30. 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 annual collection for the education of our Seminarians. The total collected was $9,210.94.

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

There is STILL time for your donation to count toward our goal! We are $27,000 from our goal - your gift can help us get 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 22 - Sweet Dreams Kindergarten Program – gym

May 24 - 8^th Grade Hershey Park Trip – 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

May 26 – Kindergarten Field Trip to Grotto – 9:15 –2:45 p.m.

May 29 – School Closed – Memorial Day

May 29- June 3 – Carnival

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? You have probably seen articles 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: There will be a facilitator orientation session led by the Archdiocese on Monday, June 12, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in The Portico. Thanks to all who have already volunteered to be a Facilitator for the “Why Catholic?” program.

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.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION classes have ended for this year. We thank all of our volunteers and wish them, along with our students and their families a very restful, safe and blessed summer. Registration forms for next year were mailed last week.

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.

— LIFE TEEN (Grades 9 -12) —

STEUBENVILLE: PAYMENTS: Everyone attending the Steubenville Conference on July 7-9 must attend one of our teen/parent meetings, which will be held after the 6:00 p.m. Mass on June 11^th and June 25^th in the cafeteria. You only need to attend one of these meetings. New this year--You will not get a Steubenville CD if you don’t attend one of the sessions.

Sun., May 21: Come join us after the 6:00 p.m. Mass as we get to know the Blessed Mother better.

Sun., May 28: Memorial Day Weekend: There will be no Life Night this weekend. Enjoy the time with your family!

Sun., June 4: Life Night WATER OLYMPICS! That’s right, it’s time to have some outdoor fun, and this is our annual summer kickoff! We’re asking everyone to dress appropriately for Mass and bring a change of clothes for the Life Night activities.

MISSION TRIP: Over Memorial Day weekend, Life Teen will be taking a small group to Guerrero, Mexico on a Mission trip. Our plan is to learn about the area and the people’s needs, so that we can begin planning to take a much larger group next summer. Please keep us in your prayers.

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.

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!

Sun., June 11 – Summer Kick Off Celebration: This one you don’t want to miss. At this EDGE night, we will be congratulating and sending off our 8^th graders who will be moving on to Life Teen and welcoming in the new EDGErs that are joining us this year (that’s YOU 6^th graders!!!). There will be raffles and prizes, games and great food, fun, and all your friends are welcome. Food donations and parent volunteers are greatly appreciated. Please call Kate if you can help in any way –like grilling hot dogs, umpiring sports, set-up, clean-up and serving food. Join us for this night!

Fri., June 23 – White Water Rafting Day Trip: The EDGE is going rafting! Registration packets are available in the Youth Ministry Office at the Parish Center. Prices are discounted for the first people to register—so act fast! Call Kate for more details. Parents will be needed to help and provide transportation, so please consider spending the day with your middle schoolers and going rafting with us!

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.

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.

Fri., June 2 – St. John Carnival – we will not have our regular Youth Alive night on the 2^nd. Please go to the Carnival with your friends and family. I will see you there!

Fri., June 16 – End of School Year Party – Bring all your friends to the Youth Alive night. We will send off our 6^th graders who will be moving on to The EDGE next year and welcoming in our new Youth Alivers (that’s YOU 4^th graders!!). Please don’t miss this Summer Kick Off!!!

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.

All registered parishioners, aged 16 and older, are encouraged to complete one of the ballots in the pews at all Masses this weekend and place it in one of the ballot boxes at the entry areas of the church by the conclusion of the 6:00 p.m. Mass on Sun., 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.

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.

The Catholic War Veterans will be conducting their annual Cross of Peace Campaign after all Masses this weekend. The donations help them to aid veterans and their families, to carry on their work in military and veterans’ hospitals, and to promote and carry on parish youth activities. This year they are also aiding in the education of two seminarians. Please support this campaign.

Mass will be celebrated at 12 Noon in the Church and the meeting will be held afterward in The Portico. Our guest speaker will be our parishioner, Jayne Dattilio, who will talk about her work with the “Heirloom Garden” at the Carroll County Farm Museum. Bring your brown bag lunch. Desserts and beverages will be provided. New members are always welcome. Call Eleanor at 410-875-3336.

A Welcoming Session will be held at 10:30 a.m. in The Portico. This is a great opportunity for new parishioners to meet our parish priests, to learn about our various programs, receive coupons for a free Knights of Columbus breakfast, and receive a warm welcome into this large and faith-filled parish. Call Fr. Leo for more info.

St. John Carnival is here May 29-June 3! 50% off tickets and ride bracelets are now available at the school and The Portico Bookstore until Sunday, May 28^th. Volunteer sign-up and ticket sales will be held after all Masses this weekend. To volunteer at food and game booths, call Tina Leimbach at 410-848-7271.

Training sessions for new and current altar servers will begin on Tuesday, June 6^th and June 7^th from 3:30-5:30 p.m. and on Saturday, June 10 from 8:30-10 a.m. in the Church. Sign up and renewal information sheets are available at the Parish Center. All new servers are required to attend two days of training sessions. Current servers who wish to continue to serve must also complete the form and attend only one day of training. Contact Fr. Leo if you have any questions. 410-848-4744 x241.

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.

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.

There will be a Mass and Healing Service at St. Joseph’s Church in Eldersburg on Tuesday, at 7:30 p.m. Come and experience the Lord’s healing love. There will be an opportunity for you to have a two-person prayer team pray with you for your specific needs. For details, contact Fr. Pat Tonry at 410-795-7838.

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.

A Silent Retreat entitled “On Loving Detachment: God Heals our Minds and Memories”, will be directed by Rev. John Lombardi, Chaplain at the Grotto of our Lady of Lourdes on June 23-25. For details contact Rose Grimes at rosegrimescarmel@aol.com or call the Grotto Office at 301-447-5318.

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

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 17 (7-8:30 p.m.). Musical auditions to be determined. Call Jeanne Link (443-324-8487) or JLLMickey@aol.com.

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.

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 a request.

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

Monday, May 22

Thursday, May 25

9:30 a.m. Easter Spiritual Bouquet Intentions

Friday, May 26

Saturday, May 27

From the Pastor

THANK YOU for your DONATIONS to the annual collection for the education of our Seminarians. The total collected was $9,210.94.

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

Activities in Our Parish