Mass Intentions
Monday, April 2 - Is 42:1-7; Ps 27; Jn 12:1-11
7:00 a.m. Special Intention
8:00 a.m. Intention of Clotilde C. Drechsler
Tuesday, April 3 - Is 49:1-6; Ps 71; Jn 13:21-33, 36-38
7:00 a.m. Randy E. Rager
8:00 a.m. Intention of Cecelia Hinkel
Wednesday, April 4 - Is 50:4-9a; Ps 69; Mt 26:14-25
7:00 a.m. Intention of Bob and Cheryl Piazza
8:00 a.m. Reverend John Kelmartin
Thursday, April 5 - Is 61:1-9;Ps 89; Rv 1:5-8; Lk 4:16-21
9:30 a.m. Morning Prayers
7:00 p.m. Charles Lewis, Jr.
Saturday, April 7 – Gn 1:1-2:2; Ps 104; Ex 14:15-15:1;
7:00 p.m. Parishioners of St. John
Sunday, April 8- Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Ps 118; Col 3:1-4;Jn 20:1-9;
7:15 a.m. Special Intentions of Easter Spiritual Bouquets
9:15 a.m. Katie O’Brien (Church)
9:30 a.m. Madeline Weller Morgan (Portico)
11:15 a.m. John H. Fisher, Jr. (Church)
11:30 a.m. Kimberly Pettis (Portico)
3:15 p.m. Mary Licado
From the Administrator
We are entering the most solemn of weeks today. Look at your calendar and see what you are able to attend, in regards to Church services. The central services are on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday celebrating the Last Supper, Passion and Resurrection, respectively. All the liturgies are at 7 pm. You may have a family member who only comes on Easter and Christmas or maybe not even then. I ask you to encourage them to come on Easter Sunday. They are unconditionally welcome at St. John Parish. We would love them to celebrate with us.
Besides the other liturgical offerings (see listings on next column) you may also wish to consider the Chrism Mass on Monday evening at 7:30 pm at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. It is a time when the priests and the people of the Archdiocese celebrate with the Cardinal renewing their commitments to one another. The oils of the Church used for anointing the sick, baptisms and confirmation are blessed, and these new oils are brought back to St. John. If you have never attended it is worth attending once.
Please use Holy Week as a reflective week. If you are unable to attend any extra liturgical offerings in the Church, carve out some time to be silent with God. Read one of the Gospel accounts for the Last Supper, Passion and Resurrection of Christ if you need something to focus your thoughts.
Peace,
NOTICE: The parish offices will close at noon on Good Friday, April 6, 2007 for the Easter Holiday. A receptionist will be on duty from 9-6 on Saturday only. The parish offices will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 10, 2007.
UPDATE ON FR. HARMAN: Fr. Harman wanted to relay to the parish his regrets that the Parish Mission had to be cancelled due to his becoming ill. Last Sunday morning Fr. Harman went to the emergency room at Carroll County Hospital and was later admitted into the hospital. He stayed there a few days as the medical staff took tests to discover the cause of the pain and swelling on the right side of his face. As of Tuesday evening he has just been released. Fr. Harman is appreciative of the parish’s understanding, prayers and the inquiries into his health. We may be able to see if his schedule and the parish schedule are able to accommodate his return to preach the Masses for an upcoming weekend.
Liturgy & Worship
PERPETUAL ADORATION UPDATE… The evening division has only one scheduled adorer for each of the following hours:
Sunday 6 & 8 p.m.; Monday 6 & 10 p.m.; Tuesday 6, a.m., 2, 6 & 11 p.m.; Thursday 11 p.m.; Friday 6 & 8 p.m.; and Saturday 6, 8 & 9 p.m. We would like to have two or more scheduled adorers for each hour in order to be certain that the Lord will never be left alone. If you are willing to commit to one of the above hours, please call Agnes at the parish center.
RECONCILIATION SCHEDULES:
Please note there are no confessions prior to masses on Sunday of Palm Sunday weekend or the Easter Vigil or Easter Sunday due to the length and /or additional masses. Please use the Parish Reconciliation.
~ HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE ~
Monday: April 2
Tuesday: April 3
Morning Mass 7:00 & 8:00 a.m.
Reconciliation 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer & Rosary 7:00 p.m. (Church)
Wednesday: April 4
Morning Mass 7:00 & 8:00 a.m.
Reconciliation 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Tenebrae Service 7:30 p.m. (Church)
~ Triduum Schedule ~
Thursday: April 5
Morning Prayer 9:30 a.m. Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7:00 p.m.
Adoration in Church 8:00 p.m. – midnight
Good Friday: April 6
Morning Prayer 9:30 a.m. Stations of the Cross 3:00 p.m. Reconciliation 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Celebration of the Lord’s Passion 7:00 p.m.
(Liturgy of the Word, Veneration of the Cross & Holy Communion)
Holy Saturday: April 7
Morning Prayers 9:30 a.m.
Church ....... 7:15 a.m.; 9:15 a.m.; 11:15 a.m. & 3:15 p.m. (Spanish)
The Portico.................................................... 9:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.
There will be no 6:00 p.m. Mass on Easter Sunday
We Pray …
WE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE of Rocco Delgrosso. Theodore A. Powell and Mary Hemler and for their families and friends.
BAPTISMS: Congratulations and welcome to Mary Elaine DiFatta, daughter of Mary and Frank DiFatta; Matthew Cullen Foran, son of Jennifer and John Foran; Ariel Denay Sykes, daughter of Tosha Nusbaum and Timothy Sykes and John Wayne Pangborn, son of Gabriel Zimmer.
THE WEEKLY OFFERING: Weekend of March 25, 2007
Envelopes: $24,643.53 Attendance: 3,620
Loose: 6,144.15 Poor Box: $2,810.08
TOTAL: $30,787.68
This year’s budget is based on a weekly offering of $30,700.00.
Our current weekly average is $29,029.27.
Amount collected in March from the 5th Sunday of the month
Envelope Program for reduction of church mortgage…$7,311.00.
EASTER COLLECTION: Parishioners have been so generous in their response to sacrificial stewardship in these last months. The weekly offering has been averaging almost $30,000 and the ‘5th Sunday’ endeavor to care for the mortgage has had a great start. Parish budgets rely on the Easter and Christmas collections, which are the anchors to the budget. The Easter collection, though generous, is typically smaller that the Christmas collection. Please consider matching your Christmas offering for Easter. The parish has had some larger than expected expenses this year (heating and AC repairs and utilities bills, to name a few). Whatever you are able to offer next weekend is most appreciated.
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: Please consider having your contributions debited electronically from your bank account. Call George Hinkel at 410-848-4744 x249 to initiate this process OR Electronic Debiting Envelopes are available in the narthex of the church. We appreciate your generosity.
OPERATION RICE BOWL: Palm Sunday…The Passion.
The story of the passion includes Jesus’ last instructions to his disciples before he completes his mission through suffering and death. He directs them to share the bread and wine as a sharing in his life and new covenant. We also are called to follow Jesus in his mission that we may all be one, We are nourished through our faith and our communion with one another to live out a covenant of love, both here in the U.S. and in the far corners of the globe.
More than 37 million people are living in poverty here in the U.S. While 75% of our gifts to Operation Rice Bowl support Catholic Relief Services’ overseas programs, 25% of our contributions remain in our diocese to support local programs that address hunger and poverty. The gifts of your prayers, fasting, learning and almsgiving make a significant difference in the lives of people in our community and in communities around the world.
RICE BOWLS: With the ending of Lent, the Rice Bowl is nearing completion. You are asked to bring your offering AFTER Easter (April 14/15), as it would be easier for the parish to manage all the contributions. There will be an obvious basket in the main foyer of the Church in which to place your offering. If anyone wishes to have their offering tabulated for tax purposes, please count the monies in your bowl and write a check for that amount, indicating your parish envelope number on the check. The check should be placed in the same basket in the foyer. Thanks for your generosity.
School News
April 2 – Living Stations at 7 p.m. - Gym
April 3 – 4B Field Trip – 9:30-12:30 p.m.
Student Council Mtg. 3:30-4:15 pm.
April 4 – 4A Field Trip – 9:30 –12:30 p.m.
April 5 – 12:15 Countywide Dismissal – AM Kindergarten only
The school participates in the grocery bonus programs for Giant, Martin’s and Safeway. Forms for this program are located at the entrances of the Church. Take a flyer for the appropriate store and fill out the information requested. Forms can be placed in the collection basket or dropped 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.
adult faith formation
WHY CATHOLIC: Small Group Leaders… Monday, April 16
All those who assisted Why Catholic as Small Group Leaders are invited to an Archdiocesan Gathering from 7-9 p.m. The gathering will provide an opportunity to reflect on the first session. The event will be held in the St. John Portico. RSVP to Paul Gallagher in the Religious Ed. Office.
ADULT CONFIRMATION: Thursday, April 26
Any adult who is interested in completing their Sacraments of Initiation are invited to participate in our Adult Confirmation Classes. The classes meet on five consecutive Thursdays beginning April 26th, and are held in the St. Therese Room of the Parish Center from 7-9:00 pm. All those who complete the classes are Confirmed by Cardinal Keeler at the Cathedral on Sunday, May 27th, the Feast of Pentecost. To register for these classes, please contact Paul Gallagher.
WHY CATHOLIC…Wednesday, May 2
St. John will host an Archdiocesan Evening of Reflection for all those who participated in our first session of Why Catholic. The theme is "Discovering God in Ordinary Life" and will take place in the Portico from 7:00-9:30 pm. Please RSVP to Paul Gallagher.
Religious Ed./Youth Activities
Religious Education Office: (410) 848-8443
REMINDER: There will be no Religious Ed classes on Tuesday, April 3 or Thursday, April 5th because of Holy Week.
HOME STUDY classes for Religious Ed will meet on Wed., April 11 at 6:45 p.m. not on April 4th, which is Holy Week.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: VBS is the week of June 25-June 29th from 9-12 noon. We will need volunteers for the following: teachers, classroom assistants, babysitting, snack, crafts, and music. If you can help with any of the above, please call the Religious Education Office at 410-848-8443.
— 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., April 15: Tarzan Ball – You’ve heard of kickball right? Well Tarzan ball is just like kickball with a little extra twist. This is going to be one great night of fun and fellowship. Check us out!
Sun., April 22 - 2007- 2008 Young Apostles Info Session: Calling all 10th and 11th graders! Have you ever wanted to learn more about how to be a leader in your community? Do you want to serve the Church in a deeper way? Do you feel God is calling you to be a witness to your peers? If so, this day is for you! Life Teen is going to be sponsoring an information session for our Young Apostles group on April 22 .For details call or e-mail Kenn.
— THE EDGE (grades 7 & 8) —
We meet every 2nd Sunday and 4th Friday from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. in the Cafeteria. This ministry is open to all 6th, 7th & 8th graders.
Fri., April 27 – Game Night – You never know what The EDGE will do next. You do NOT want to miss this FUN night of games, food and good times with your friends. Everyone is welcome!
Sun., May 13 – NO EDGE – Mother’s Day.
— YOUTH ALIVE (Grades 5 - 6) —
We meet in the Cafeteria from 7-8:30 p.m. every 1st and 3rd Friday. Bring your friends and join the fun! Contact Kate for details.
Fri., April 6 – No Youth Alive – Good Friday.
Fri., April 20–Men in Black Game - Youth Alive encourages you to go to the Men in Black Basketball game. Hope to see you there!
activities in Our Parish
Ladies Sodality … Sunday, April 1
The Sodality will meet for 9:15 am. Mass . There will be no rosary after Mass this month. A meeting follows in the Parish Center. For details call Carolyn Keiner at 410-848-4563.
HEALTH CARE MEETING…Tues., April 10
Join us for our meeting at 1:00 p.m. in the St. Therese Room at the Parish Center. Our guest speaker will be Sharon Baker, an experienced social worker in the field of Alzheimer disease.
Annual Teachers Banquet…Sunday, April 15
Knights of Columbus are hosting the Annual Teachers Banquet at the Portico. Call Lou Stachowiak at 410-635-2583, for tickets.
MEN IN BLACK BASKETBALL GAME… Friday, April 20
5th Annual Event at 7:00 p.m. at Westminster High School. Come enjoy an exciting game and watch our Archdiocesan priests and seminarians play against St. John parishioners. Don’t miss the special half-time show! Any high school-aged through young adults interested in playing in the game should call Betty Belk at 410-848-9391 for details.
Come celebrate our 98th year. Place: The Portico from 7-12 p.m. Music by Clockwork. Buffet dinner, cash bar - $40.00 per person. Tickets in advance only. Tables of 10 available. For tickets call Lou Stachowiak-410-635-2583 or Rich Nester – 410-751-5228.
WISDOM CLUB TRIP/SHOW…Sunday, April 22
The Wisdom Club is sponsoring a trip to Toby’s Dinner theatre to see “George M. Cohan.” The cost is $54.00 (includes brunch). Bus leaves from entrance to St. John’s School at 9:30 a.m. For reservations call Maureen Fugate at 410-840-4676.
CATHOLIC FAMILY FOUNDATION…Tues., April 24
All parishioners are invited to attend an information session about wills, estate planning, endowments, charitable gift annuities and other financial planning vehicles to assist both your family and your parish. The presentations will begin at 7 p.m. in the Portico.
11th Annual Basket Bingo… Friday, April 27
Tickets are now available at parish center, school and Portico Bookstore. Price is $12.00. This year Longaberger baskets as well as Vera Bradley handbags. Anyone interested in sponsoring a basket or handbag call the parish center or Anna at 410-876-2652.
CLOTHing TRUCK pickup… April 28-29
St. Vincent de Paul Society will have a truck on campus the 4th weekend of each month. The truck will be here on Saturday afternoon (12:00 p.m. to Sunday afternoon). Only donations of clothes, outerwear and shoes will be accepted.
"Italian Pilgrimage" MEETING…Sunday, April 29
The passenger list is now full. Those who are registered passengers are asked to come to an information planning meeting with Fr. Leo on April 29th at 12:30 p.m. in the St. Therese Room of the Parish Center.
2007 BAKER-YINGLING SCHOLARSHIP...Deadline Apr. 30
Scholarship Applications are available at the parish center and the school office. Any girl or boy who has participated in a St. John’s athletic program for two or more years and is entering a private school or college may apply. Call Bo Yingling at 410-876-1162.
ANNUAL MAY PROCESSION…Sunday, May 6
The Sodality invites ALL PARISHIONERS to the Annual May procession and Benediction at 1:00 p.m. Children are invited to take part in the procession honoring our Blessed Mother. First Communicants are asked to wear their First Communion attire. Children should meet in The Portico at 12:45 p.m. Refreshments will be served at the Portico immediately following the ceremony. For more details call Carolyn Keiner at 410-848-4563.
ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE to the GROTTO…Thurs., May 10
Join the Wisdom Club for Mass celebrated by Fr. Patrick Carrion at the Grotto Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Following Mass we will have lunch at the Cozy Restaurant. The cost is $15. Money is due by Thurs., April 26. Reservations required. Call Irene: 410-848-0489.
2007 PARISH CARNIVAL NEEDS YOUR HELP: If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity to use your talents and meet lots of fun people – then the Carnival Committee is for you! Call Bob Detrow at 410-840-0307 for more details.
Outreach
* THE ST. VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY *
The next meeting of the St. Vincent de Paul Society will be on Wednesday, April 11th at 7:00 p.m. in the Portico. If you are interested in learning more about our work, please join us at this meeting or call Patty Terrano at 410-857-1473. We’d love to see you there!
In Our Community
CATHOLIC CAMPUS MINISTRIES at McDaniel College, in collaboration with Fr. John and St. John Church, made a trip to help Msgr. Beiting's Appalachian Mission Service in Louisa, KY during McDaniel College's spring break. Photos of the work they accomplished can be seen on the following web site: http://student.mcdaniel.edu/%7eccm/Scrapbook/SB2007Main.html
GOOD FRIDAY WALK…Friday, April 6
The Westminster Ministerium is hosting their annual walk starting
at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Westminster and ending with a noon service at Ascension Episcopal Church. All are welcome to join at the beginning of the walk, along the way or for the noon service.
Vocations/Archdiocese
V.I.P. DAY…Monday, April 2
“Vocations in Progress” Day is a vocation awareness event sponsored by the Archdiocese of Baltimore Vocation Office for young men in high school and college. Those attending will engage in prayer; tour Mount St. Mary’s Seminary (Emmitsburg), St. Mary’s Seminary and University (Roland Park), and the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen; attend the Chrism Mass, and have the opportunity to personally greet Cardinal Keeler following the Mass. To register contact the Vocation Office at 410-547-5426.
Reminders
UPCOMING PARISH EVENTS: HOLD THESE DATES:
April 22 – First Communion Mass at 1:15 p.m. - Church
April 28 - First Communion Mass at 12:00 p.m. - Church
April 29 - First Communion Mass at 1:15 p.m. - Church
August 3 – Kof C Golf Tournament – Bear Creek Golf Club
(For information on any of these events, call the Parish Center)
EASTER FLOWER MEMORIAL envelopes are available at the doors of the church and in the parish office. Please print the names of those you wish to remember on the envelope and return to the parish office by April 4 to be included in the Bulletin.