Parish Bulletin

Last weekend the parish was so blessed to have Msgr. Art Valenzano join us for Mass and a reception. I am very grateful to all those who played a part to assure that all went so well. The music ministers choose some of Msgr. Valenzano’s favorites, the Knights of Columbus came to assist with crowd organization, and many ushers did double duty by attending their usual Mass plus the 11:15 am. celebration. Those who catered the reception did an excellent job providing for the hundreds who came to The Portico to greet him. I appreciate everyone’s patience to wait in line to greet him knowing that all you could do is basically say ‘hello’ in order to give him a chance to greet all within the hour.

Father Art stated he is very grateful for the prayers he received from the parish while in Rome and since his return. Paraphrasing, he stated our prayers were like water surrounding a fish knowing without water the fish would die. We promised him that we would continue to immerse him in prayers in the coming weeks when he begins his second round of chemotherapy beginning the week of September 10^th as a prelude to the bone marrow transplant the week of September 19, 2006. His brother, Francis, has been chosen at this point to be the donor. Please keep Msgr. Valenzano and his brother in prayer in the coming weeks. Don’t forget the Bone Marrow Drive in honor of Msgr. Valenzano on September 9, 2006 here at St. John Parish, at The Portico.

MSGR. ART’S ADDRESS: If you would like to send a card or note to Msgr. Art, the address is: St. Rose of Lima Rectory, 3803 4^th Street, Baltimore, MD 21225.

PERPETUAL ADORATION UPDATE! The following hours are being filled by substitutes until we can get scheduled adorers:

Please call Agnes at the parish center if you are willing to commit to one of these hours.

Immediately following the 8:00 a.m. Mass and Rosary in the church. All are invited to participate.

BAPTISMS: Congratulations and welcome to Mary-Elizabeth Ruth Codner, daughter of Nancy and Glenn Codner; Thomas Christian Hinton, son of Anne and Paul Hinton; Charles William Kirschensteiner, son of Paula and William Kirschensteiner; William Harris Mace, Jr., son of Susan and William Mace; Liam Murdoch Mac Lellan, son of Susan and William Mac Lellan; Maeghan Irene Montero, daughter of Chelsea and Robert Montero; and Owen David Pollard, son of Laura and Brian Pollard.

WE PRAY for the REPOSE of Norma Nevin and Thomas Pallan 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 $27,788.89.

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.

School Calendar

Sept. 4 – SCHOOL CLOSED – LABOR DAY

Sept. 5 – Kindergarten begins for first half of class

Sept. 6 – Kindergarten begins for second half of class

Sept. 7 – First Day for Entire Kindergarten Class

Sept. 8 - Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. - Church

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% on all sales. Cards are for sale in the school office only.

Tickets can still be purchased for Scott Hahn’s visit. Tickets are $20 per person & are being sold at the Religious Ed Office in the Parish Center and at The Portico Bookstore during regular business hours. A box lunch can be purchased at The Portico. Proceeds will benefit the Adult Faith Formation Program.

Bible Study: Shortly after Dr. Scott Hahn’s visit to our parish on September 23^rd, we will begin a parish-wide, seven week Bible study using his “From Genesis to Jesus” study. Everyone in the parish is invited to join a group. More information will be found in future bulletins, with registrations taking place in September.

Bible Study Facilitators Needed: Our Parish-Wide Bible Study, "From Genesis to Jesus" is set to begin in October, and facilitators are needed. Training will be provided. If you are willing to facilitate for this exciting seven-week session, please contact Paul Gallagher as soon as possible.

RCIA: If you or someone you know is interested in joining the Catholic Church, our fall session of RCIA (Rite Of Christian Initiation of Adults) is set to begin Sunday, October 1st. RCIA will meet weekly each Sunday morning from 9-12 until Easter. To learn more, or to receive a sign up packet, call Paul Gallagher.

“Welcome Home” Committee Forming: Anyone interested in helping with our annual “Welcome Home” gathering on Thursday, December 28^th from 7:00-9:00 p.m., please email Paul Gallagher at pgallagher@sjwest.org. This gathering is held right after the Christmas Liturgies as a way to reach out to anyone who is no longer practicing their Catholic faith or is interested in becoming a Catholic.

HOME STUDY PARENTS: Home Study classes will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 6^th at 6:45 p.m. If anyone missed the Parent Meeting, call the Religious Ed Office prior to Wednesday’s class.

TEACHER/ASSISTANT MEETING: The beginning of the year Teacher/Assistant meeting will be held on Saturday, Sept. 9^th from 9-11 am. in the cafeteria. All teachers/assistants are expected to attend this meeting.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PARENT MEETINGS will be held on Tuesday, September 12^th at both 4:30 & 6:45 and Thursday, September 14^th at both 4:30 & 6:45. If anyone misses the Parent Meetings, call the Religious Ed Office prior to the beginning of classes. Religious Ed classes begin on Tuesday, September 19 and Thursday, September 21.

RELIGIOUS ED TEACHERS NEEDED: We are still in need of 5 teachers and 8 assistants. Please prayerfully consider sharing your faith with the young people of the parish. Call the Religious Ed Office for more details.

Do you want to be a Lector? If you signed up to be a lector and were wondering why no one has contacted you--it’s because we had some problems with our email--so we are asking you to sign up AGAIN if you want to be a lector. Contact kdemoll@sjwest.org

Labor Day Cook-Out … Sunday, Sept. 3

We will be celebrating Labor Day in the old American tradition: fire, friends and fun! Join us this evening as we fry up some great food and then head to Twin Kiss to cap off the night.

What’s wrong with this ad??? If you can figure it out by September 10^th and be the first person to report it at the life night then you will win a really cool prize Oh and what are we doing at life teen on that evening chances are if you like guessing games you will love this night Be sure to come and check us out

That’s right, it’s time to start talking about next summer’s trip! We’ll be having a meeting at 4:00 p.m. in the St. Therese Room. We’ll be talking about fundraising ideas!

Lend a Helping Hand: We’re looking for a few teens that would be interested in doing some service work for those in and around Westminster in the next couple of weeks. If this sounds interesting to you, send Kenn an e-mail at kdemoll@sjwest.org.

Fall Kick Off Help: Life Teen is preparing for their annual fall kick off! The night promises to be so big that we are looking for additional help to make it happen. If you can help, call Kenn at 410-848-8443 or e-mail at kdemoll@sjwest.org.

Life Teen Talent Show: The date is Sept. 17^th! A talent show? You better believe it! Whatever your talent may be--magician, musician or just some kind of wacky talent, this Life Night is for you! Come for the fun as we find out just how cool that guy sitting next to you at church really is! E-mail Kenn to sign up your act!

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.

FYI: The EDGE welcomes everyone! The more friends you bring to The EDGE, the bigger and better we can make it!

Sunday, Sept. 10 – Fall Kick Off-Let’s Kick Off the fall semester EDGE STYLE! Bring all of your friends to this awesome Kick Off. There will be a bonfire (weather permitting) and we will make S’mores and have a blast. You don’t want to miss it!

Friday, Sept. 22 – Movie Night – That’s right, movies, popcorn, candy and all of your friends. What more could you ask for? Weather permitting this will be an outdoor movie so bring a blanket and a folding chair if you have one. More details later.

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., Sept. 15 – Fall Kick Off – Do you like having fun with your friends? Well then this is the event for you. Bring all of your friends to Kick Off the fall semester night! We will have games, food and lots of fun. You will want to be there, trust me!

Activities in Our Parish

The school is holding a fundraiser in connection with Innisbrook and will earn 50% profit from each item sold during this time period. You can help support this effort by ordering online at www.innisbrook.com or through a catalog in the school office. The school ID # is 122169. Please support this effort.

There will be a meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Center for all boys ages 10-18 interested in learning more about the KofC Squires. The Squires are the youth group of the Knights. Join us for a short presentation and learn how the Squires can help you deepen your Catholic faith and have fun at the same time. Contact John Bryan at 410-848-7126 if you can attend.

A meeting of the committee will be held at 6:45 p.m. in the Parish Center. Call Deacon Joe Cinquino at the Parish Center for details.

We will be offering a 9 week spiritually based program for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Our trained facilitators will be using the book “A New Day.” We will meet at the Parish Center from 7:15-9:00 p.m. on Thursdays. Registration is required. Call Janet Tenney at 410-833-1542 to register.

Registration for the 2006-07 season will be held in the school gym the following dates: Saturday, Sept. 9 from 3-7 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 10 from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.and Saturday, Sept. 16 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. A registration fee of $35 a child and $50 for 2 or more boys will be charged. For additional information call:

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. For information call Mary Jo Judge at 410-857-5655.

If you missed the recent bulletin insert containing information about the upcoming bone marrow drive on behalf of Msgr. Art and all persons facing the need of a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, the parish is hosting a drive at The Portico from 9:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 9. Please prayerfully consider this gift of life. Copies of the bulletin insert to be a donor or sponsor are available at the parish center or in the church.

The next blood drive is from 2-8 p.m. at The Portico. We could still use some phone callers or to make an appointment call Ted Cook at 410-876-2107. Give the gift of love—DONATE!!

Our next meeting will be held at 1:00 pm in the St. Therese Room of the Parish Center. All Health Care Ministers are encouraged to attend, and anyone interested in this ministry is invited.

There will be a meeting for the committee chairs and any interested volunteers at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Center. It is only necessary to attend ONE of the meetings. Call Jim Diggs for more details at 410-346-6576.

Fr. Joe returns to The Portico to discuss this month’s topic: Coping with the Loss of a Loved One.” 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.

Any basketball players in Grades 4-8 interested in representing St. John Eagles throughout the Baltimore Archdiocese, can come to tryouts in the gym at St. John School. There is an opening for a 4^th grade coach in this league. For info call Lisa Hurley at 443-277-3983 or email lwhurley@hurleyir.com

There will be a meeting of the committee at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Center. All members are asked to attend this first meeting of the year so that all liturgical ministries will be represented. A reminder that all members should be sure to get their tickets for the Scott Hahn presentation on Sept. 23.

Got Scout Spirit? If not, come and get some at our recruiting open house starting at 6:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Join your friends and have some fun. Call Carey Scott at 410-239-6179. It’s never to late to join scouts!

New for this year…a program prepared exclusively for St. John by Art Bennett, marriage and family therapist, who integrates the best of psychology and the Catholic faith. All St. John married couples are welcome to take part in this five evening course (begins Sept. 30 and ends in Nov.) to strengthen your marriage, your family and your faith. Contact Betty Belk at ebelk@verizon.net for details or to register or call 410-848-9391.

Knights of Columbus Council 1393 is looking for vendors for this 2^nd annual event being held on St. John parking lot from 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. No rain date. For details contact Michael Dvorak at mak@dvorak.net, or Frederick Dvorak at 410-876-1292. Proceeds benefit St. John Catholic Church organizations.

This production is a work of fiction based on the Bible’s reference to the two thieves crucified along side Jesus and the mothers who loved them. This original musical showcases the talents of local writers, composers, musicians and actors. Tickets for the Three Marys will be available September 1^st; order forms will be in the back of the church and at The Portico. For more information contact JLLMickey@aol.com

STITCHIN’ NOOK BOOTH NEEDS VOLUNTEERS: If you can do some knitting or sewing during the next few months for the Christmas Bazaar, call the Parish Center and leave your name and phone number. We will pay for the materials, or if you have any knitting or sewing materials you would like to donate, call the office. Christmas items, stockings, scarves, crochet items, baby items and other items that would be attractive for sale at the booth would be appreciated.

DONATION CONNECTION: The Gabriel Project is in need of furniture, clothing, children’s items, etc., on an as needed basis for families in need. We are setting up a church network that will allow anyone interested to simply receive an email when an urgent need arises for a specific item (example: we currently need a dresser). If you or anyone you know has the item to donate, we will make arrangements to pick it up. If you have a truck that could be made available for an occasional transport of items, we need your help. We have some space available to store some things immediately. Please call Lynn Pavlock at 410-871-0813 if you can help.

FALL CLEANING TIME: Check your attics, basements, closets, etc. for used and new religious articles/rosaries, pictures, bibles, statues, medals, prayer cards, etc. for our 2007 Christmas Bazaar. For information call Nina at 410-635.6422.

LOAVES AND FISHES SOUP KITCHEN is updating its volunteer and contributor listings for the period October 1, 2006 through March 31, 2007. If you will not be participating, please leave a message with Mike Radov at 410-857-9528.

PORTICO BOOKS + GIFTS: Cat's Meows have arrived! New products arriving weekly.

Reminder! The next meeting of the St. Vincent de Paul Society will be on Wednesday, September 6^th at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Center. We look forward to seeing all of our members at this meeting. Since this is the first meeting of the Fall, it is a good time to learn more about our work. If you are interested in helping the poor, please join us at this meeting or call Patty Terrano at 410-857-1473. We’d love to see you there!

A rally will take place in the National Mall at 7^th Street between Constitution Ave., and Independence Ave., and from there a march to the White in solidarity for the rights of immigrants and undocumented, asking for a just path to legalization. A prayer service by Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski will take place at St. Patrick Church , 321 S. Broadway, Baltimore at 12 noon and buses will leave from St. Patrick, Baltimore, St. Joseph, Cockeysville, Our Lady of Pompeii, Baltimore and Casa Maryland. To participate, call Casa Maryland Liz 443-802-2933 or Calendaria 443-629-8342.