Parish Bulletin

As we celebrate on this last weekend of the Christmas Season, on the Feast of Epiphany, it is fitting I acknowledge many gifted moments be it time, talent or financial resources. The last few weeks to assure that all is ready for Christmas celebrations demand a lot on the staff and volunteers. Without the full cooperation and people giving of themselves beyond the call of duty these celebrations would not happen in the splendor they did. In particular, I want to acknowledge the liturgical ministers (music, ushers, readers, servers, EM, children’s liturgy, sacristans) who did double and triple time over the 4^th Sunday of Advent and Christmas masses. Additionally, it is obvious that many hours were given to decorate not just the Church but also the Portico. The staff, too, worked extra hours to assure that extra songbooks were reproduced, the special Christmas bulletin was printed in time, the Church and the Portico were ready for the masses of people. These commitments by all make these holydays so blessed.

I am very thankful for the generosity that was shown to the parish by so many for the donations made to the parish for Christmas as well as the capital campaign. With that I need to acknowledge the parish money counters who even counted the Christmas collection on Christmas to assure that your generosity was secure in the bank by midday. Without these donations, it would be difficult to maintain many of the great ministries here at St. John Parish.

I hope that this New Year 2007 brings many blessings to you and good health to the parish family especially, Msgr. Valenzano.

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.

We need someone to sign up for the Wednesday morning 1-2 a.m. Adoration Hour as soon as possible. The current adorer’s work schedule will not allow him to continue filling that hour. Please call Agnes in the Parish Center if you are willing to cover this time slot.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY. . . Sunday, January 7

WE WILL HAVE an INTERPRETER at MASS: Beginning Sunday, January 7, at the 9:15 a.m. Mass, services of an interpreter will be available weekly for the deaf and hearing impaired. Anyone desiring to utilize this service will be seated in the angled pews near the Baptism Font. To be notified of events of particular interest to persons having a hearing deficit or of last minute unavailability of the interpreter, or if you have questions about services to the deaf community, call Fr. Leo in the parish office.

MASS OFFERINGS: The parish tries to accommodate the many intentions we receive. There are two types of mass intentions. The perpetual mass cards are offered through the Priests of the Sacred Heart and the parish submits the intentions and the free will $15 offering to that community. These intentions are part of a great number, which are remembered by the Priest of the Sacred Heart. The mass intentions, which are published in the bulletin, are assigned to a particular date. It is one intention per mass. The free will offering for this intention is $10. Mass cards and intentions are handled through the parish office.

WE PRAY for the REPOSE of John Polinsky, Teresa Snyder and Ethel Hathaway and their families and friends.

BAPTISMS: Congratulations and welcome to Chloe Isabella Koger, daughter of Gina and Benjamin Koger; Kyle Francis Kues, son of Audrey and Taymen Kues; and John Christopher Trumbauer, son of Mary and Christopher Trumbauer.

TOTAL: $25,666.62

The last several weeks the weekly offering has topped $30,000. Thank you for your contributions and sacrifice for our many commitments to fulfill our mission.

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.

ELECTRONIC DONATIONS: Start the New Year by having your contributions debited electronically from your bank account. Please contact George Hinkel at 410-848-4744 x 249 to initiate this process.

School Calendar

Jan. 12 – All School Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. &

Family Fun Night – 7-9 p.m.

Jan. 15 - School Closed

Jan. 18 – School Board Mtg. at 7:30 pm

Jan. 19 – All School Liturgy at 9:30 a.m.

Jan. 22– Prospective Kindergarten Parent Mtg.at 7 p.m. - Cafeteria

INNISBROOK ON-GOING FUNDRAISER: Check out the website for gift giving ideas. The school receives 50% of all sales.

The school is 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.

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.

WHY CATHOLIC? Our first session of “Why Catholic?” is set to begin the week of January 28^th. This exciting six week adult faith formation program focuses on the first book of the Catechism, and is open to all. Registration forms are now available in the rear of the Church. Although there is no fee to participate, everyone will need a copy of the participant’s book available at Portico Books. Participants are also encouraged to have a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. For more information, contact Paul Gallagher in the Religious Ed Office.

REMINDER: Religious Ed classes resume on Tuesday, Jan. 9^th and Thursday, Jan. 11^th.

— LIFE TEEN (Grades 9 - 12) —

Life Teen is a High School Youth Ministry that meets every 1st, 2nd and 4th Sunday at 7:15 p.m. in the Cafeteria. On the 3rd Sunday of each month we meet in the Portico at 7:15. Newcomers are welcome!

Sun., Jan. 7 – Hey guys, tonight we're going to do an amazing night on spiritual meditation and relics. If you're looking for a deep night with Life Teen, this is the night you have been waiting for!

Sat., Jan. 20 – John Flynn Concert at 8 p.m. in the school gym. Check out his music at www.johnflynnband.com

Mon., Jan. 22 – March For Life. If you are interested in joining us for this daylong event in Washington, D.C. contact or email Kenn at Kdemoll@sjwest.org.

LIFE TEEN NEEDS YOU! Over the last several months, our Life Teen program has lost several long-serving Core Members. Two have moved away, and one entered the seminary in the fall. Because adult help is vital to the success of this important ministry, we are asking you to consider helping. We are looking for volunteers of all ages to help with various aspect of the ministry. If this is something you feel the Lord may be calling you to do, please email our youth minister, Kenn, at Kdemoll@sjwest.org. or call him at 410-848-8443. As we begin this New Year, we ask that everyone pray for the success of all our youth ministry programs, and that many new people would step forward and assist us.

STEUBENVILLE 2007: Looking for something fun to do this summer? Check out the flyer in the Life Teen box in the back of the Church about our annual trip to Franciscan University in Steubenville. For information, call Paul or Kenn at 410-848-8443.

STEUBENVILLE SPONSORS NEEDED: Each year, many teens need financial assistance to attend the summer conference at Franciscan University. The cost for the trip this year is $220, and if you can either fully or partially sponsor a teen, please give your donation, payable to St. John Church, to Kenn de Moll in the Youth Ministry Office. Thank you for your consideration.

Be sure to visit us on the web at www.sjwest.org and click the “youth” tab and then the “Life Teen” link!

— THE EDGE (Grades 6, 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 6^th, 7^th & 8^th graders.

Sun., Jan. 14 – Jesus and Me – Kick off the New Year with The EDGE as we dive deeper into our relationship with Jesus. Jesus will never let you down. You don’t want to miss this! EVERYONE is welcome.

Fri., Jan. 26 – Snow tubing trip at Ski Liberty from 6 -8 p.m. Bring all your friends! Cost is $20 and payment must be received by the 19^th. No late registrations will be accepted. Call Kate for details.

Sun., Feb. 11 – Archdiocese of Baltimore Middle School Event Day Trip! Cost is $35 and payment is due by January 29^th. Parents are needed to chaperone and provide transportation.

Middle School Youth Ministry needs VOLUNTEERS!! Please contact Kate if you are interested in serving the young people of our parish in this very special way. This is a great opportunity to teach children by helping and setting the example of service. We will provide all necessary training. Please prayerfully consider making this commitment to serve the wonderful middle school youth of our parish. They need strong leaders like you!

— 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., Jan. 19 – Outsiders & New Laws: Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr. Come and show us what you know about Martin Luther King, Jr. as Youth Alive honors a very special man in history.

Fri., Feb. 2 – Winter Family Dinner from 6:30 –8:00 p.m. Bring your whole family to this event. Youth Alive will provide dinner, all you have to do is RSVP by Monday the 29^th.

Fri., Feb. 16 – Agape Party – Who was St. Valentine? And who is going to decorate all of these cookies!??? Bring all your friends.

ESSAY/POSTER CONTEST for all 7th & 8^th Graders ...This year's theme is Life...the greatest gift of all! , "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" John 10:10. First place winners receive an Ipod Shuffle. Deadline is January 16. For more details, look under Outreach, Pro-life Ministry on the St. John website or e-mail pspaar@wvdsl.net. Sponsored by St. John Respect Life Committee.

Join the Knights of Columbus at The Portico from 8-11:30 for a great breakfast of pancakes, French toast, eggs and more. Adults - $5, children $3. Your support of our monthly parish breakfasts has been tremendous. The Knights appreciate your continued support.

HEALTH CARE MINISTRY… will not have a meeting on January 9^th.

Sodality meets for the 9:15 a.m. Mass, (2^nd Sunday of each month), followed by a meeting in the Parish Center. All ladies of the parish are invited. For information, call Carolyn Keiner at 410-848-4563.

St. John parish is again joining the International Orthodox Christian Charities & Habitat for Humanity to build homes in the Gulf Coast. The next trip is January 14-20. If you are over 18 years of age and are interested, contact Fran Rock at 410-876-1795. You may have to pay all or part of your travel expenses.

FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY. . . Sun., Jan. 21 Starting at 2 PM at the Portico. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. All are welcome to join us for great food and fraternity! Huge screen TV, unlimited buffet, beer, soda, $20 per person. Limited seating. Call for tickets: Lou Stachowiak - 410-635-2583, Rich Nestor -410-751-5258, Tom Dorwart - 410-871-9208.

Mark your calendars! The March for Life will take place in Washington, D.C. and our parish will sponsor two buses. Join us for this national event that marks the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.

For many people, the process of marriage annulment is often approached with fear and anxiety. Sadly, people avoid going through the process because of misconceptions as to what an annulment really is. Fr. Gil Seitz, an Archdiocesan expert on annulments, will be offering a session to explain the process and the spiritual and emotional healing that can occur through it. We will meet on Monday, January 29th from 7-9 pm in the St. Therese Room of the Parish Center. All are welcome to join us.

Join us from 8-12 p.m. at the Pleasant Valley Fire Hall for our annual dance sponsored by the St. John’s Boys Basketball Program.

Basket raffles, 50/50’s and door prizes, music by DJ Dennis Stem. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased from Debbie Neal, 443-789-4159, Larry Baker, 410-876-1657 or Bo Yingling, 410-876-1162.

knights of columbus SPRING DANCE…sat., April 21

Come celebrate our 98^th year at the Portico from 7-12 p.m. Featuring music by Clockwork. Buffet dinner, cash bar - $40.00 per person. Now taking reservations. For tickets call Lou Stachowiak-410-635-2583, Rich Nestor – 410-751-5258 or Tom Dorwart – 410-871-9208.

Very Limited Number of available spaces due to pre-booked passengers who could not come on the trip 2 year's ago! Pick up a brochure from the Information Rack, Parish Office, or call Fr. Leo for details. FYI: Due to the energetic itinerary, passengers must be free from any medical concerns that pose walking restrictions. This trip is a sell out and loads of faith, inspiration and fun! Do not delay if you wish to come!

We appreciate all who helped make the Adopt-A-Family Program such a bright and cheerful Christmas for so many needy families. A report detailing the number of families that were helped will be forthcoming next week. You are always invited to give directly to the St. Vincent De Paul Society works for outreach to the community. Checks may be payable to St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Are you feeling helpless because you think your marriage is heading downhill? Retrouvaille is a proven and effective Catholic program that helps couples rebuild their trust and renew their communication. All calls and inquires are confidential. For details call 410-647-0350 or visit the website at www.retrouvaille.org.

Join other Christian remarried couples for a weekend of quality time, spiritual reflection with your spouse, your God and other remarried couples at the Holy Trinity Spiritual Center, 8400 Park Heights Avenue. The retreat master will be Fr. Timothy Kulbecki O.F.M. Conv. Vice Rector of St. Mary’s Seminary. The cost is $292.00 per couple and financial assistance is a possibility. For details or to register call Kay at 410-335-2897

This mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen at 3:00 p.m., followed by a reception in the parish center. We will be honoring the Longest Married Couples from each parish, along with couples who are celebrating 50 and 25 years and all married couples and marriage preparation leaders. The Mass will be bilingual in English and Spanish and interpreted for the deaf. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Please see the Vocation Poster on the Church bulletin board picturing the seminarians studying for the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. St. John Parish presently has 3 young men who are parishioners in formation.

Joseph Langan- 3^rd year of College Seminary, St. Andrew Hall, Seton Hall University Ordination Class of 2013.

Christoher Little – 2^nd year of College Seminary, Our Lady of Providence College Seminary, Providence College Ordination Class of 2014.

Jonathan Gibbons (not pictured as he was recently accepted) Mount St. Mary’s University, 1^st year College Candidate Ordination Class of 2017.

We encourage you to keep these men in prayer. If you have ever considered the priesthood, contact one of the priests at St. John or call Fr. Jerry Francik in the Vocation Office at 410-547-5354.

Michael Fehle has been in formation for the diaconate for several years and is approaching his final year as he anticipates being ordained in the spring, 2008. Michael and his wife, Stacey, and their children are parishioners of St. John. Michael studies theology at St. Mary’s Seminary and University about 2 Saturdays per month with about 12 other men preparing for ordination. Additionally, Michael and the other men have a pastoral internship. Please keep Michael in your prayers as he continues his formation.

If interested in finding out more about the diaconate, call Fr. Patrick Carrion, who directs the Deacon Formation Program, at 410-876-2248.

Feb. 1 – Teacher Appreciation Day Tea

Feb. 24 – Parish Fish Fry

March 2 – Parish Fish Fry

March 9 - Parish Fish Fry

March 16 – Parish Fish Fry

March 23- Parish Fish Fry

March 29- Parish Fish Fry

BULLETIN DEADLINE: The deadline for submitting notices is 12:00 noon on each Monday for the weekend prior to 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.

From the Administrator