Parish Bulletin

A parish this size has many activities, fundraisers and programs. We know that no one person can support them all or be involved in them all, but hopefully the variety of activities allows more people to feel that there is something for them. As you look at the Fall calendar, the following events are happening at St. John Parish: this weekend’s play of The Three Mary’s where many of our own parishioners are involved; in November the Filiae Maria have their Communion Breakfast with a speaker. Regarding fundraisers, the Religious Education Departments has Yankee candles, Girl Scouts has cookies, the school has its teddy bears, the Knights has Christmas Cards and the parish is sponsoring the Bull Roast on November 11 and the Christmas Bazaar on December 2.

We appreciate anything you can do to support any one of these activities knowing that you cannot support them all.

SPECIAL NOTE: During the week beginning October 30^th, we will be installing a new ramp for the handicapped at the front entrance to the Parish Center. In order to keep the building open for meetings and Adoration, the front door will not be used during the time of construction. Please watch the bulletin for updates regarding accessibility or call the office for more details.

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 have only one scheduled adorer, but we would like to have at least two for each hour:

Sundays – 2, 4, 6, & 8 a.m.; and 12,1,2,3,4,5,7,8 & 11 p.m.; Mondays – 1, 2 & 6 a.m.; and 12, 4, 6,10 & 11 p.m.

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

BAPTISMS: Congratulations and welcome to Jacey Kiara Duncan, daughter of Kelly and Scott Duncan; Benjamin Tyler Grubb, son of Jill and Matthew Grubb; Ronan Michael Kehs, son of Jennifer and Michael Kehs; Thomas Patrick Nikel, son of Suzanne and Gregory Nikel; and Minh Finegan Ton, son of Mary Ton and Tai Can.

FLOWERS on the ALTAR this WEEKEND are in memory of Kimberly Pettis and were donated by her loving family.

WE PRAY for the REPOSE of Charles Meyd, Betty Hanna, Fr. Bernard Quinn, Francis Dietzenbach and Joseph Hussel 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 $27,866.47.

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.

SECOND COLLECTION this weekend is for the Propagation of the Faith. Thank you for your generosity.

School Calendar

Oct. 23- 27 – Make up testing for 8^th graders

Oct. 25 - Academic Team Mtg. 8B – 3:15-4:00 p.m.

Oct. 27 – Liturgy Grades 1-8 @ 9:30 a.m.

Middle School Dance – 7-10 p.m. – gym

Oct. 28-29 - The EDGE Fall Retreat weekend

Oct. 28 – Mass of Recognition Grade 2 at 5 p.m.

Oct. 29 – Day Light Savings Time Ends

The school is now also participating in the grocery bonus programs for Giant, Martin’s and Safeway. Forms for this program are located at the entrances of the church. Please take a flyer for the appropriate store and fill out the information requested. You can place the forms in the collection basket or drop them off at school during the week. Call Darlene at 410-876-7031 or 410-848-1508.

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.

GROCERY CERTIFICATES PROGRAMS: 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 as well as the Portico Book + Gifts Store.

RCIA: Although RCIA has begun, we still have room for more! If you or someone you know is interested in joining the Catholic Church, call Paul in the Religious Ed. Office. RCIA meets weekly each Sunday morning from 9:30-11:30 a.m. until Easter.

REMINDER: PARENTS of students preparing for Reconciliation and Eucharist, if you were not able to attend the Mass of Recognition on Saturday, Oct. 21, you are welcome to attend Saturday, October 28^th at 5:00 p.m. There will not be assigned seating. The children will sit with their families.

NOTICE: Religious Education classes are cancelled for Tuesday, October 31^st.

CONFIRMATION: Everyone who has registered in our Confirmation Program should have received a letter outlining our upcoming parent meetings. If you did not receive a letter, contact the Religious Ed Office. Parent meetings will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14 and Thursday, Nov.16. Both meetings will be held in The Portico. Confirmation classes begin Dec. 5^th and 7^th.

RELIGIOUS ED FUNDRAISER… Oct. 10-26

We are having a Yankee Candle fundraiser. Do your Christmas shopping early--great selection of gifts for you or others–select from the brochure. Call Religious Ed for more information.

— LIFE TEEN (Grades 9 -12) —

Sunday, October 22: Dis-stress - Feeling stressed out? Who isn’t at this time of year? When ships are under stress on the open ocean, they let out a distress signal to get help. When we’re under stress in our lives, we need to dis-stress ourselves to get help. Join us this evening as we look at ways to minimize our stress and play some really fun games to relieve any stress we have built up.

Sunday, October 29th: Filthy Rich - What does it mean to be poor? We have all read the statistics, reports and seen pictures on the news. But, what does it really mean to be poor? Join us this evening as we not only learn how the poor live, but experience it ourselves. The night will end with a simple, yet powerful project to help those who need so much. Chances are, if you liked or heard about the Uganda night, you will love this night!

Life Teen is heading back to the Big Apple and everyone’s invited! The bus will leave St. John at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9^th and arrive in Manhattan around 10:00 a.m. The day is yours to do what you want. We leave for Westminster around 6:00 p.m. and arrive back around 10 p.m. The cost is $55.00 per person. To sign up call Paul at 410-848-8443. This trip ALWAYS sells out, so get your money in as soon as you can.

SAVE YOUR OLD CELL PHONES FOR LIFE TEEN: We will be collecting old cell phones the 1^st & 2^nd weekends in November at the doors of the Church as a project to help fund our trip to Italy next year.

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 6^th , 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!

NOTICE: The Collect All Four Extravaganza has begun! Come to all four EDGE events (noted with an *) and win a Blockbuster gift card instantly!! Everyone who attends all four events (*) will also be entered in a drawing for an IPOD Shuffle! You don’t want to miss this opportunity! Bring all of your friends!!

*Oct. 28-29 – Fall Retreat – “A Game Plan for Life”- Deadline for registration was October 20^th. Registration fee is $45 and requires a liability form. Call Kate for more details.

Fri., Nov. 24 – Jesus and Giving Thanks – Grab it, buy it, bag it, bring it (non-perishables that is) to our Fall Food Drive.

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., Nov. 17 – Thanksgiving Food Drive – We sure do have a lot to be thankful for don’t we? There are many people who go without food to eat everyday. Come bring your food donations and learn a little bit about what we can do to serve God’s community.

Fri., Dec. 1- Cookie Bake Off – I sure hope you all can cook! Bring your friends to this cookie dough-making extravaganza. You’ll have a ball (of dough to take home that is…)!

Activities in Our Parish

THANK YOU TO SCOUT TROOP #420 for holding a Clean Up the St John Parish Property Day. Last weekend the scouts spent their day, walking this property of 31+ acres, picking up debris and trash especially along the wooded edge and within the shrubs and plants. They filled the dumpsters with all that they collected. The parish is very appreciative to them for their service to the Church.

We have begun our gift-wrapping project for shut-ins on Mondays and will continue each Monday from 9-12 p.m. until Christmas. If you can help out, join us on any Monday.

Donations of the following items are needed for our communion call shut-ins: band aids, Kleenex (boxes & pocket size), dish detergent (small) dish cloths, dish towels, pot holders, scotch tape, post-it-notes, hand cream, wet wipes, shampoo, socks, napkins, Vaseline, disinfectant hand soap, Chap stick, pens and paper towels. Please drop off donations at the Parish Center.

AWARD GIVEN IN APPRECIATION: As part of The Shepherd's Staff's 15th anniversary, Msgr. Art was awarded "The Shirt Off Your Back" award to honor The Spirit of Giving. Fr. Art had provided, over the years, the St. John's School Cafeteria facilities to host Shepherd's Staff's annual Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless and poor of the region. Fr. John, acting as parish representative, accepted Fr. Art's award, presented at a multi-denominational celebration held on October 1, 2006.

Join us for Mass at noon then our “Welcome Home” potluck luncheon. Fr. Patrick will be there to celebrate Mass and join us for friendship and good food. See you there.

From 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. in the Portico. If you are interested in becoming a member of St. John Parish, or just interested in knowing how to get involved in the parish, please attend.

Sunday, October 29: As our nine months of prayer for our spiritually adopted unborn babies comes to an end, it's time to celebrate their birthdays! All parishioners are invited to celebrate with desserts, drinks and games in The Portico on Sunday, October 29, following the 9:15 and 11:15 Masses. You are welcome to bring a gift for a newborn baby and/or make a monetary donation to assist the St. John Gabriel Project. Checks may be made payable to St. John Church/Gabriel Project. Thank you for your prayers for God's precious children! Call 410-848-9391 for more information.

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta once said that abortion could be eliminated from our country if enough families gathered once a week at their parish for a holy hour of prayer. In this Respect Life month, we invite your whole family to a "Be Not Afraid Family Hour". It will include a video with Francis Cardinal Arinze and a dramatized rosary. We will meet at 4:30 p.m. on Sundays beginning October 29th in the Marian Room in the Parish Center. Come help make Mother Teresa's vision a reality!

Join us at The Portico from 4-8 p.m. for a delicious meal and wonderful desserts. The cost at the door is $28 per family (immediate family only), $9 per adult, $5 for children (ages 4-12) and children under 3 are admitted free. For more information or to volunteer, contact Carolyn Drumgoole at 410-833-7207 or email: drum2000@adelphia.net.

PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING…Mon., Nov. 6

The next meeting of St. John Pastoral Council will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Emmaus Room of the Parish Center. Feel free to come to the meeting and bring your concerns. Call Jeannie Carbo at 410-840-8205 or email at loves2sing514@hotmail.com

Tickets are $40 per person and are available at the Parish Center and at the Portico Bookstore. Proceeds benefit St. John Church. For more information call the Parish Center at 410-848-4744 or Anna at 410-876-2652.

CAKE DONATIONS NEEDED FOR BULL ROAST: If you can help out by baking a cake for our cake wheel, contact Marge Matulonis at 410-848-9143.

For those who have suffered the loss of a child, a candlelight mass will be celebrated in their memory at 7:00 p.m. A light reception will follow in The Portico. Since the mass is personalized with the names of the children, registration is necessary. To register, please call Beverly Backof at 410-876-6275 (evenings) or email to bbackof@hotmail.com. Please leave a message and your call will be returned promptly.

FALL MEN & WOMEN’S COMMUNION BREAKFAST: Filiae Mariae is sponsoring a fall breakfast on Sunday, Nov. 19^th in The Portico, immediately following the 9:15a.m. Mass. Our guest speaker Raymond De Souza will be speaking on Jesus: The Real Presence in the Eucharist. Tickets are $15.00 and are available in The Portico Bookstore and Parish Center. This is a wonderful opportunity for our ENTIRE parish family to come together in prayer and fellowship in honor of our Eucharistic Lord. For details call Theresa Greene 410-876-9578 or Dawn Walsh 410-876-0250.

We are taking our annual trip to Allenberry Dinner Theater for their great Christmas show. We will leave St. John Church by bus at 9:30 a.m. and return about 6:00 p.m. The cost of the trip is $66.00 and includes bus transportation, buffet luncheon and the show. Call Maureen at 410-840-4676 to make reservations. Money is needed by October 26^th. Come with us and join the fun!

50/50 RAFFLE – MINIMUM $2,000: Each family will be receiving 6 tickets in the mail the last week of October for our 50/50 raffle. Drawing to be held at the Bazaar on Sat., Dec. 2. Return envelopes will be included with the mailing. PLEASE HELP US AND SUPPORT THE RAFFLE. Monetary donations can also be sent with the return envelope.

STUFFED ANIMALS: We need new or clean used stuffed animals, dolls, doll clothes and other stuffed toys. Any questions, please call Cathy Hoos at 410-876-2442.

STITCHIN’ NOOK BOOTH NEEDS VOLUNTEERS: If anyone would like to donate their time and talent by sewing for the stitching booth, donate craft items or volunteer to work the day of the bazaar, please call Jeanne Gill at 410-596-6280.

RELIGIOUS ARTICLES: 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.

THE MARKET PLACE is now accepting useable donations of small furniture, lamps, pictures, linens, toys, games, household items (NO CLOTHES OR SHOES) on Tuesday and Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the school basement until November 21. Call Regina Sell at 410-876-6170.

ANGELS MINI MALLS – Adult & youth volunteers needed. Service hours awarded. We need donations of new or slightly used trinkets, knick-knacks, gadgets, small gift items, jewelry, jewelry boxes, soaps, scented candles, lotions, books, small toys, just about anything (especially gifts for men). Please mark your donation. Your generosity provides our “Little Angels” (children 12 & under) the thrill of purchasing the gift of their choice for their loved ones. NO ADULTS ARE ALLOWED INSIDE THE MINI MALL. Call Christine Myers to volunteer or if you have any questions 410-876-5627.

St. Vincent de Paul - Adopt A Family Program - Even though it is still autumn, our thoughts are turning to the Lord’s Birthday and the Adopt A Family Program. We would like to identify persons who wish to adopt an entire family in order to provide them with more time for budgeting and shopping for the families’ gifts. If you are interested in helping an entire family, please call the St. Vincent de Paul office at 410-848-8693, leave your name and number and you will be contacted about the next step.

A retreat will be held at St. Joseph’s Sykesville on October 28^th beginning at 9:00 a.m. and ending with Mass at 4:00 p.m. There will be at $10.00 fee, which includes lunch. All current members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and anyone who wishes to learn more about our work are encouraged to attend. Contact Angie Gerald at 410-751-1664 to register.

Do you know which is safest, a Living Will or Healthcare Power of Attorney? If your out-of state college student has a medical emergency, who will make the decisions? Do your older teens and young adult children have medical directives? What is appropriate healthcare for the sick, disabled, elderly or dying person? What about euthanasia and assisted suicide: should you worry? Rita Marker, JD, nationally renowned expert and author of the critically acclaimed book, Deadly Compassion, will address these concerns and more, at the following locations:

Tues., Oct. 24 at 2:00 p.m.– Charlestown Retirement Community Tues., Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. – St. Louis, Clarksville

Wed., Oct. 25 at 2:30 p.m.– Mercy Ridge Retirement Community Wed., Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. – Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Parish Center. Cost is free and sponsored by the Respect Life Office of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. For more information call 410-547-5537.