Parish Bulletin

I was fortunate to see Msgr. Art this past week. I had not seen him since he left in the winter. He has visited here twice now. He looks better than I imagined. He seems to have gotten some strength back. Of course, he must still take it easy and rest. He is still waiting for test results, which will tell the doctors the next course of action needed.

Schools are winding down and many are graduating. Our 8^th grade has graduated and I wish them, as well as all graduates, the best. This is a wonderful time in their lives. May God bless them and go with them when they begin attending new schools at the end of the summer. May God also bless college graduates with employment!

The carnival has come and gone. I want to thank Jenny Scott and the entire Carnival Committee, and all who volunteered their time. They deserve our appreciation. A lot of work went into the carnival. I believe that everyone who attended had a good time. I enjoyed the whole thing, although I did not go on any of the rides for survival purposes. They did look fun, however.

Summer is just about here. As vacations begin, may God give you some relaxation, some fun and peace.

PERPETUAL ADORATION UPDATE! The following hours have one scheduled adorer, but we would like to have at least two for each hour: Sundays – 2, 4, 6, & 8 a.m.; and 12,1,3,4,6,7 & 8 p.m.; Mondays – 1, 2 & 6 a.m.; 4 & 6 p.m.; Tuesdays – 3, 6, 8 & 11a.m.; and 4 & 5 p.m.; Wednesdays – 1, 2, 7 & 11 a.m.; and 12, 2 & 3 p.m.; Thursdays – 12, 1, 2,5, 6 & 9 a.m.; and 12,3,4 & 11 p.m.; Fridays – 2, 3, 5 & 9 a.m.; and 12,2,3,4,5 & 6 p.m. Saturday-1,3 & 6 a.m., 2,3,4,5,6 & 9 p.m. Please call the parish office.

Effective July 10^th, the weekday Mass schedule will change. The new schedule will be as follows:

The schedule is changing for the following reasons: (1) to permit our priests to attend funerals in other parishes for brother priests, (2) to reduce scheduling problems for funerals in our parish and (3) to allow health care ministers to attend Mass before visiting the sick and (4) reduce scheduling problems for the school.

The Ladies Sodality prays 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.

FATHER’S DAY SPIRITUAL BOUQUETS are available at the doors of the Church and at the Parish Center.

BAPTISMS: Congratulations and welcome to Nicholas Leo Pierce, son of Terri and John Pierce; Jordan Elizabeth Mattingly, daughter of Christie and Brian Mattingly; Morgan Cecilia Tolle and Charles Wesley Tolle, III, daughter and son of Tanya and Charles Tolle, Jr.

WE PRAY for the REPOSE of Cindy Knoll, Roger Shipley, Deacon Michael Zusi, and Florence Woods, Louise Y. Reiter and Kimberly Caple 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 $29,453.01. 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.

APPEALing OPPORTUNITY! YOU can make a difference and help us to reach our Lenten Appeal Goal. IT’S NOT TOO LATE!! We are 82% of the way toward reaching our goal–every donation counts! Send donation to Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal, 320 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD 21201-4421.Be sure to indicate St. John Church-Westminster on the memo line, so that we receive proper credit for your donation.

THE MSGR. HUGH J. MONAGHAN POST of the CATHOLIC WAR VETERANS thanks the parishioners of St. John for their support in our recent Cross of Peace Campaign. Your charity and generosity are very much appreciated.

School Calendar

For information regarding the school go to www.sjwest.org

Congratulations to Kasey Planthold and Joanna Poole from St. John School, who received The Ancient Order of Hibernians, York County, Division # 1 Catholic Schools Scholarship award to Delone Catholic High for 2006-2007. Well done graduates! For more information on this organization’s scholarship program write: AOH, Box 1508, Hanover, PA 17331.

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: We are still looking for Facilitators for the upcoming Why Catholic Program. If you are interested contact Paul Gallagher. Training will be provided.

Mark you calendar now! Noted author and lecturer will be back and give three talks. Tickets go on sale July 17^th. Watch the bulletin for more details.

PLEASE NOTE: The summer schedule for the Religious Ed. Office is Monday-Friday from 8:30-4:30. Our office is located in the Parish Center.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL registration forms are at the doors of the Church. We are still IN NEED of one teacher.

REMINDER TO PARENTS: Any parents who still wish to register their child(ren) for the human sexuality classes may still do so. Choose which week works best for your family (June 19-23 OR July 17-21). Sessions will run from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon.

REGISTRATION FORMS: You should have received your form for Religious Ed for this coming year. If you did not, call the office as soon as possible. Anyone who is new to our parish and needs to register their child for Religious Education, please call the office.

— 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.

TRIP TO ITALY in 2007 – Anyone planning to join us on the Italy trip next summer should have their initial deposit in by now. Call Kenn de Moll or Paul Gallagher to register.

LECTORS/USHERS: As some of our seniors get ready to graduate, we are looking for any teen who has been confirmed to help at the 6:00 p.m. Mass as a Lector or Usher. Training will be provided. If you are interested, please email Kdemoll@sjwest.org.

— 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., June 11 – Summer Kick Off Celebration: Tonight, we will be congratulating our 8^th graders who will be moving on to Life Teen in September and welcoming in the new EDGErs that are joining us this year (that’s YOU 6^th graders!!! You are invited!!). Join us for raffles, prizes, games, great food and fun. Bring your friends! Food donations and parent volunteers are greatly appreciated. Call Kate if you can help in any way–like grilling hot dogs, umpiring sports, set-up, clean-up or serving food.

Fri., June 23 – White Water Rafting Day Trip: The EDGE is going rafting! Call Kate for more details.

Sun., July 9 – Family Dinner and Mass (4-7 p.m.) 6^th, 7^th and 8^th graders are invited to bring their families to the cafeteria at 4 pm for a dinner full of family favorites hosted by The EDGE. After dinner, we will join Life Teen at the 6 p.m. Mass. Parents, this is a great opportunity to spend time together without having to stress about anything! The EDGE will take care of everything. Just bring the family! See you there.

— YOUTH ALIVE (Grades 5 & 6) —

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 16 – End of School Year Party – Bring all your friends to the Youth Alive night. We will congratulate our 6^th graders who will be moving on to The EDGE in September and welcoming in our new Youth Alivers (that’s YOU 4^th graders!! You are invited too!!). This summer, all 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th graders are welcome to attend ALL EVENTS! Let’s make the summer fantastic!

Fri., July 7 – PLAYERS Night – That’s right, as promised! Youth Alive is going to Players Family Amusement Center. Cost is $15 per person and includes unlimited use of bumper cars, arcade, batting cages, one game of laser tag and ten tokens for the arcade. Liability forms are due by June 30^th and are available in the Parish Center outside of the Youth Ministry office. Call Kate for more information.

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

THANK YOU: The Carnival Committee would like to extend a great big “Thank You” to all the carnival volunteers. We had a great turnout of volunteers and we really appreciate all the support and dedication during the week of the carnival. Thanks again!

Sodality will meet for their regular monthly meeting in the Parish Center following the 9:15 a.m. Mass. All ladies in the parish are invited. For information, call Mary Jo Judge at 410-857-5655.

Fr. Joe returns to The Portico to discuss “Forgiveness: How can we live with it; How can we live without it; How can we use it.” Doors open 6:30 p.m. for book signings and refreshments. Lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or in advance at The Portico Book Store, the parish office or call Teresa Richardson at 410-848-4744 x 227.

Please note change of date from June 27^th. Come join the Wisdom Club and Fr. Kevin Mueller as we tour four of the historic churches of Baltimore City: St. Ignatius, St. Alphonsus, St. Leo and St. Casimir. The bus will leave St. John at 9:30 a.m. Call Irene at 410-848-0489 to sign-up and for any questions.

RECEPTION FOR FR. KEVIN…Sunday, June 25

A light reception for Fr. Kevin will be held after the 11:15 a.m. Mass in The Portico to wish him well in his new assignment in Hagerstown.

Everyone is welcome to attend the 6:00 p.m. Mass as Fr. Tyson Wood celebrates his first anniversary Mass.

A meeting will be held at the Parish Center in Room A at 7:30 p.m. For details call Frank Tontala 410-848-9195.

The next blood drive is to be held at The Portico from 2-8 p.m. We need phone callers and canteen help. The blood supply is very critical this time of year. Call Ted Cook at 410-876-2107 if you can help or to make an appointment. Give the gift of life-donate!

Becky Martin will be holding her annual evening camp for girls attending grades 5-9 at St. John’s on July 10, 11, 13, 17, 18 and 20^th. Becky will also run a separate one day shooting clinic for girls attending grades 6-12^th at McDaniel College on Saturday, July 29^th from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. For more information call Becky at 410-857-2577 or contact the Parish Center.

Please accept my heartfelt thanks for the parish send-off luncheon. Your generosity and wonderful expressions of appreciation will be embedded in my heart forever. I thank God for the years He allowed me to spend with you as a Deacon and friend. I pray for the parish every day and I am honored to have belonged to this wonderful family of Christ. May the Lord bless you and keep you in the palm of His hands.

A statue has been donated to St. John by the Legion of Mary and may be placed in y our home for a one-week stay by contacting Pat Morris at 410-374-3105.

MEMORIAL BRICKS are available for purchase on a continual basis. Delivery will be approximately 4 weeks after order. Forms are available at the Parish Center or call Kathy Duex at 410-848-4469. Cost: $75 for a 4x8 brick and $150 for a 8x8 brick.

There will be no meeting in June. We will meet again in September. Enjoy the summer!

Please continue to minister to the poor in Carroll County by remembering that next weekend (3^rd weekend of the month) is Food Sunday. Please bring your donation of non-perishable food to church and place in the baskets by the doors of the church. We especially need donations of canned meats, stews, spaghetti sauce, canned pasta meals, jelly, peanut butter, powdered milk, canned fruit and bottled juices. We also need paper goods, such as toilet paper, baby diapers, paper towels, etc. Thanks for your generosity.

Young men and women (ages 15-35) interested in exploring vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life are encouraged to participate in the 24/7 Ministry Day. Participants will be given an opportunity to see what priests and sisters do during the week. Lunch and dinner will be provided. There is no cost. Call Andrew Veveiros, Associate Director of Vocations, at 410-547-5426 or aveveiros@archbalt.org.

SUMMERTIME WITH THE SSND: The School Sisters of Notre Dame area in Baltimore, invite Catholic women, ages 18-35, to spend some time living and volunteering with them this summer during any of the dates of: June 19-24, July 5-11 and July 19-26. Stay for a few days or the entire week. Contact Sister Kathy Jager, at 410-377-5179.

PROJECT RACHEL is a program of counseling, compassion and healing for women and men who have been involved in an abortion. Completely confidential, and directed by priests. Call 1-800-286-4224 for a referral.

Father Benedict Groeschel, CFR, will celebrate Mass and conduct a spiritual conference entitled “Living Spiritually in the Modern World” at the Grotto of Lourdes in Emmitsburg. Fr. Groeschel founded and is on the staff of Trinity Retreat, a center for prayer and study. He has taught at Fordham University, Iona College, and Maryknoll Seminary. He has authored many books and tapes on spirituality and pastor counseling. For details, call 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.

The National Association of Catholic Homes and Educators (NACHE) is holding its annual conference at the Baltimore Convention Center July 6-9. The Expo presents an opportunity for people from all walks of life to learn more about the Catholic Church, and what they can do to strengthen themselves, their friends and families. More than 50 speakers and more than 100 exhibitors and vendors will be on hand. Visit www.nache.org for more information. The Division of Evangelization and Catechesis of the Archdiocese of Baltimore will grant clock hours for various workshops at the Catholic Family Expo that will be approved for catechist formation. A list will be issued of the talks, seminars, and workshops that will satisfy the requirement for archdiocesan credit. You will receive – upon request—this list at the registration desk.

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.

APPROPRIATE ATTIRE at MASS: During the warm summer months, shorts, tank-tops, bare-midriff tops or other revealing articles of clothing, and beach-style attire are not appropriate dress for celebrations of the Liturgy. Please observe these guidelines out of respect or the Lord’s presence and out of consideration for fellow worshipers.

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. Please contact the parish office to make this request.

PORTICO BOOKS + GIFTS: New inventory arriving weekly. All Holy Bears on SALE!

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

Monday, June 12

Wednesday, June 14

Thursday, June 15

Friday, June 16

Saturday, June 17

From the Pastor

Activities in Our Parish

RECEPTION FOR FR. KEVIN…Sunday, June 25