Parish Bulletin

The parish is blessed each week to have a Mass celebrated in Spanish at 3:15 pm by Father Hilario Avendano. There are as many as 250 parishioners attending Mass at 3:15 pm. The parish tries to embrace the Spanish speaking parishioners, many who are recent immigrants, in as many ways as possible (e.g. religious education, outreach) given the language challenge that does exist between us. The Hispanic community has a bulletin they publish periodically. This Spanish language bulletin will be inserted in the English weekly bulletin now and then. Though, the majority of the parish cannot read it, the information in the Spanish language bulletin often echoes those items already in the English bulletin (parish, school information, religious education registration, youth group highlights etc- all of which is in the May bulletin) as well as items specific to the Spanish community (e.g. English classes at CCC). Seeing the Spanish language bulletin periodically in the English bulletin is a constant reminder to the whole community of our Hispanic brothers and sisters in Christ who are our neighbors. The Spanish bulletin is also an evangelization tool as it is distributed at Carroll County Hospital and to clients who access the Mission of Mercy Medical outreach as well as other places around the county.

Please keep the Hispanic community in prayer as they nourish themselves at the table of Lord to which we all are welcome.

PERPETUAL ADORATION UPDATE… At the end of May we will need someone for the following hours of Adoration: Wednesday from 2:00-3:00 p.m. hour, and Thursday from 12-1:00 p.m. Anyone willing to come for Adoration at these times please call the parish office.

The Solemnity, Ascension of the Lord on Thursday, May 17^th, will be celebrated this year by the churches of our Diocese at all Masses on Sunday, May 20^th. Thursday, May 17^th, is therefore not a Holy Day of Obligation.

WE ASK YOUR PRAYERS for all who are homebound or in nursing homes and for all the sick, especially…Baby William Connor Coyne, Baby Nathan Robert Boner, Jan Radtke, Gilbert Hale, Cecelia Hinkel, Regina Streithof, Bob Bolesta, Grace Fischer, Gertrude Witte, Richard Milligan, Mary Chubb, Andy Scheper, Charles Fischer, Joseph Giordiano, Jessie Waters, Phyllis Kordon, Yurgan Rebling, Minde Machande, Anna Leister, Hazel Ethridge, Robert Knust, Viola Guiaguinto, David Bartell, Joseph Sosnowsky, Grace Fischer, Raymond Rolle, Lillian Putman and Erin Street.

WE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE of Fran Daigle, Sister Mary Aquin O’Feefe, SSJ, Fr. John A. Delclos and Tony Gasper.and for their families and friends.

BAPTISMS: Congratulations and welcome to Tyler Anthony Chin, son of Jennifer and Anthony Chin and Anthony Joseph Guerriero, son of Myong Marcey and John Guerriero.

FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR THIS WEEKEND were donated by Margie Conner and Mary Elizabeth Fiorino in loving memory of their mother, Helen Margaret Whiteley.

Stewardship

Amount collected in April from the 5^th Sunday of the month

Envelope Program for reduction of church mortgage…$8,581.93.

CARDINAL’S LENTEN APPEAL-THERE'S STILL TIME!!!

To date, we have received $83,823 toward our $124,400 goal! Thank you to all who have already donated. Please know that although Lent is over, we can still accept donations toward the $40,577 still needed to reach our parish goal, which is set by the Cardinal! You can still help us make it by placing your check made out to the Cardinal's Lenten Appeal and place it into the collection basket. Just be sure to mark ("St. John Church, Westminster, #3303 in the memo line of your check, so that we can be assured credit when we send it down to the Archdiocese.

THANK YOU to all who contributed to the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl program. The total amount collected was $4,907.16.

May 14 – Spring & Band Program – 6:30 pm.- gym

May 16 – Academic Team Meeting – 3:15-4 p.m. – Rm. 8B

May 17 – School Board Meeting – 7:30p.m.- Parish Center

May 18 – All School Liturgy – 9:30 a.m. - Church

SIGN UP TO SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL…Get on the bus with Box tops. and win 10,000 bonus Box Tops for our school. Go to www.boxtops4education.com/bus

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

CONGRATULATIONS to our students who made their First Holy Communion last weekend. We pray these students and their families will always receive the Risen Lord and spread His love among all people.

REMINDER; The make-up class for Home Study will be Wednesday, May 23 at 6:45 p.m. The last class for weekly sessions will be Tuesday, May 15^th and Thursday, May 17^t^h.

It’s that time of year again! Vacation Bible School begins June 25 and runs through June 29 from 9-12:00 p.m. We are in need of at least 5 more teachers and helpers in all areas. If you can help please, call 410-848-8443.

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., May 27 – Family Movie Night and Cookout: Celebrate Memorial Day Life Teen style: a big screen movie and food! Here’s the deal, you bring the blanket/lawn chair and your family. We bring the movie and the food! Why pay $10 to go to the movies when you can go for free!

STEUBENVILLE PARENT MEETING CHANGED: Due to a scheduling error, the May 20^th parents meeting has been moved to June 24^th. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

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.

Fri., May 25 – Twin Kiss Night – We will meet at the cafeteria at 7:30 p.m. and walk down the hill to Twin Kiss for ice cream! Start Memorial Day weekend off right by relaxing with your friends and laughing over a sundae, snowball, or even a milkshake! It’s your call, just be there! Parents are welcome to join us for ice cream too!

Sun., June 10^th – Family Night at the Orioles Game – That’s right, we are going to Baltimore! We have a whole section reserved for THE EDGE for the 1:35 p.m. game. We will meet at St. John’s at noon and take a bus to the stadium. Tickets will be on sale through Kate in the Religious Ed Office for $12.00 (includes transportation).We only have 50 tickets so get them while you can!

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., May 18^th- Mystery Fun Night- Come and see what Youth Alive is all about… HAVING FUN!

Fri., June 15 – Twin Kiss Night – Meet in the cafeteria at 7:00 p.m. and then we will walk down the hill to Twin Kiss. Parents are welcome to join us if you like! Let’s enjoy some great summer treats together!

PASTORAL COUNCIL ELECTION ... May 12/13 & 19/20
All registered parishioners, aged 16 and older, are encouraged to complete one of the ballots in the bulletin this week during either weekend, and place it in one of the ballot boxes at the entry areas of the church by the conclusion of the 6:00 Mass on Sunday, May 20. We ask you to prayerfully consider the following candidates: Ralph Arnold, Dave Geiman, Jerry Hynson, Jack Lusby, Becky Martin, Jim O’Donnell, Demian Seeley, Lou Stachowiak and Christy Tenney. More detailed information on each candidate is posted in the entry areas of the church. Thank you.

The Sodality meets for the 9:15 a.m. Mass, followed by the Rosary and a meeting in the parish center. All ladies of the parish over 18 years of age are invited to attend. For more information, call Carolyn Keiner at 410-848-4563.

The regular meeting has been rescheduled for 1:00 p.m. in the St. Therese Room at the Parish Center.

The Carroll County Health department will be in the Portico to offer free blood pressure screenings from 10-12:30 p.m.

This newly formed, spiritually based ministry is for those grieving the loss of a loved one. Meeting in the Parish Center from 10:30– 12 noon. A continental breakfast is served. For more information call Janet Tenney 410-833-1542. No registration required.

Join us for Mass at noon, followed by lunch in the Portico. Our speaker for this month is Carol Ravenhorst of Carroll Community College, who will give a slide show on the “Glaciers of Alaska.” Bring your brown bag lunch. Desserts and beverages provided. New members are always welcome. Call Eleanor – 410-875-3336 or Bonnie – 410-795-0786.

With the recent violence at Virginia Tech and throughout the world, Fr. Joe will talk about “Where God is Today in our Society”and why bad things happen to good people. The talk begins at 7:00 p.m. at The Portico. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door or in advance. Light refreshments will be served. For tickets or more information, call Teresa @ 410-848-4744 x227.

Dime Pitch & Duck Pond Games: New/slightly used small toys (McDonald meal toys. Etc.) New stuffed animals – sm., med., lg. Glasses and glassware-wrapped well. Donations for all of the above may be dropped off at the Parish Center.

RAFFLE: Tickets are being sold at the Parish Center. Top prize $2000! Tickets are $2 for one or 3 for $5.

DISCOUNT ADVANCED SALE RIDE BRACELETS AND TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE: You can now purchase your advanced sale ride bracelets and tickets in the car rider line from Clare Hoerl every afternoon , or in front of the school on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30-9:00 a.m. Bracelets are $8 and good for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. Single tickets are 20 tickets for $5.00 – good for the entire week. Advanced sale tickets must be purchased before May 27! For more information call Teresa O’Brien 410-526-7205 or Clare Hoerl 410-526-3804.

Join St. John Roses for a leisurely afternoon of tea, scones, and more at the Portico. A certified plant designer will discuss how to design and plant a perennial garden. Cost: $15 per person. Time: 2-4 p.m. Tickets are limited. For reservations call Cathy Hoffman 410-840-3659 or Linda Nester 410-751-5258. Proceeds to benefit Head Start. Come “Bloom and Grow” with us.

Join the Wisdom Club for a trip to Charlestown Slots for a fun day! Cost is $36 and includes the bus and buffet. Deadline for payment is May 24^th. The bus leaves St. John parking lot (across from the church) at 9 a.m., returning at approximately 5 p.m. For more info contact Maureen Fugate at 410-840-4676.

Mark your calendar now for St. John’s Annual Golf Tournament to be held at the much-improved Bear Creek Golf Club in Westminster. Cost per golfer is $80.00 ($100 after July 22) and includes all fees, food, beverages and trophies. Shot gun start at 1:00 p.m. Hole sponsors and door prizes are needed. For details call John Stephens 410-848-3722 or Dean Ditman 410-875-4221.

ST. JOHN COOKBOOK- St. John Roses (Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights) is collecting favorite recipes for a cookbook to be published in October. Submit no more than 3 of your favorite recipes by going to www.fundcraft.com (Enter Web ID: 23995-06DJ) or print/type on forms available in the narthex of the church or at the parish center and mail to Christine Mort, 357 Winged Foot Dr.,Westminster,MD 21158. Only one recipe per form.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Giant, Millers, Safeway and Panera for their on-going donations of food products to our Wednesday Soup Kitchen served at the Ascension Episcopal Church. Their generosity assists our efforts to help feed the hungry of our community.

BLESSINGS CLOSET … During the month of May, St. Vincent de Paul is asking for your help to assist us in supporting the Shepherd’s Staff Blessing Closet for the needy in our area. The following items are needed and can be dropped in the baskets at the doors of the church: bath tissue, shampoo, deodorant, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, paper towels, napkins, tissues, all purpose cleaners, trash bags, feminine supplies, baby care items, light bulbs and liquid food supplements. Thank you for caring.

If your relationship has grown cold and distant, if you are separated or thinking about separation or divorce, Retrouvaille can help. Retrouvaille is a Catholic program designed to help hurting couples mend and heal their brokenness. Call 410-647-0350 or visit our web site: www.retrouvaille.org. All calls are confidential.

The CAC is holding their annual Memorial Day picnic at Centennial Park in the Overlook Pavilion in Columbia from 10:00- 8:00 p.m. Cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. The CAC, is a social organization for single adult Catholics who are professionals and free to marry in the church. For information, call Paul at pmka729@yahoo.com or the CAC info line at 410-580-1250.

The Annual Henny Noel tournament is at Cedar Ridge Golf Course in Gettysburg and the cost, which includes greens fees, golf cart and a buffet lunch is $60 per golfer. Shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. For more information or to register call 717-637-5969.

DELONE CLASS OF 1982 REUNION…We are planning our 25^th class reunion this year and are updating our class directory and are asking anyone who has not yet been contacted by a class member to contact Kim Dubs-Kenworthy at bnkken@earthlink.net

DOES SOMEONE YOU LOVE NEED HELP WITH PRESCRIPTION COSTS? Social Security and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are working together to get Medicare beneficiaries extra help with their prescription drug costs You can apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov. To apply by phone or get an application, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for the Application for help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs (SSA-1020).To learn more about the Medicare prescription drug plans, call 1-800 MZEDICARE (1-800-633-4227 (TTY 1-877-486-2048) or visit www.medicare.gov.

RESPECT LIFE CORNER

Mother’s Day Prayer: God our Creator, we pray; for new mothers, coming to terms with new responsibility; for expectant mothers, wondering and waiting; for those who are tired, stressed or depressed; for those who struggle to balance the tasks of work and family; for those who are unable to feed their children due to poverty; for those whose children have physical, mental or emotional disabilities; for those who have children they do not want; for those who raise children on their own; for those who have lost a child; for those who care for the children of others; for those whose children have left home; and for those whose desire to be a mother has not been fulfilled. Bless all mothers, that their love may be deep and tender, and that they may lead their children to know and do what is good; living not for themselves alone, but for

God and for others. Amen

This retreat offers a beautiful opportunity for healing to any woman or man who has struggled with the emotional or spiritual pain of an abortion. Register now for this retreat by contacting Denise Douglas, R.N. at 410-354-6900 or 1-800-286-4224 or e-mail projectrachel@archbalt.org.

Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA will celebrate Mass at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Ave., NE, Washington, D.C. at 4:30 p.m. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available from 3:00-3:45 p.m. followed by the recitation of the Rosary. No tickets are necessary , but if you plan to attend, please arrive by 4:20 p.m. If you are unable to attend, this Mass will be televised on EWTN several times over the Memorial Day weekend. Check your local listings.

The College of Notre Dame of Maryland is accepting registrations for day classes for the summer session that starts Monday, June 4. The Institute offers beginning through advanced classes including writing and grammar, reading and discussion, listening and speaking, vocabulary, pronunciation, American culture and a preparation course for TOEFL. For information, call 410-532-5566 or go to www.ndm.edu>institutes>eli.

The Sisters of Bon Secours are having a “Come and See Vocation Hospitality Weekend” at their Provincial House in Marriottsville. During that weekend, women are invited to explore the possibility of religious life by spending time with the sisters and other interested women in group discussions, share prayer and community. An optional tour is also available on Friday, June 22 from 1-4 pm. Register online at www.bonsecoursvocations.org

Calvert Hall will once again offer a coeducational summer school program that includes enrichment courses for students in the 7^th through 9^th grades in Reading, Study Skills, Composition, Math, English Review and Intro to Algebra. Remedial courses for students completing grades 9 through 12 are also offered. Additionally, camps in baseball, basketball and water polo are offered. For a brochure or more info, call 410-825-4266 or visit on line at www.calverthall.com

May 28- June 3 – Parish Carnival

June 9, 15 & 16 – Pre-Cana – Session 2

June 10 - Garden Tea Party – 2-4 p.m. – Portico

THE PORTICO BOOKS + GIFTS… Great Mother's Day gifts available. Many new products...angels, garden statuary, Italian statues, jewelry and lots more. Check out the Amazing Grace for Mothers Book. Amazing Grace is a series of stories concerning Faith, Hope, Healing, Inspiration and Humor. These are real stories that will strengthen your spirit and nourish your soul. Thanks for supporting your Parish Store.