Parish Bulletin

This coming week is one full of fun, remembrance and celebration. Throughout the week the parish and local community gathers for the parish’s annual Carnival. It is such a symbol of summer that the long daylight hours and the time for family relaxing are here. Make it a point to come at least one evening this week to socialize and relax.

Monday is a day of remembrance. We look back on the sacrifices that the generations during the Revolutionary War and Civil War made to assure that we live independently and free. These wars were fought on our land and here in the Maryland area there is much to remind us of that. Other wars where our relatives sacrificed themselves were fought to help peoples experience the freedom we enjoy. As our country is presently at war, though not fought on our own land, we should not take lightly the sacrifices that many are making to protect this freedom won for us. Let us remember those who gave themselves fully while supporting those who continue the battle. We must pray for our enemies as well and for their families whose lives are affected each day as the war is fought on their land. Please see the prayer below to honor those who have died.

Next Sunday, the parish celebrates with our 52 eighth graders as they end one chapter and begin another in their life. As in every year, many of our students leave us with scholarships to local Catholic high schools, attesting to the fine education they received here at St. John. No matter what they learned academically, Ms. Brink, the principal, states that this class leaves us with ‘strong bonds of friendships, great leadership skills and potential and a well anchored faith.’ As they disperse to over a dozen different high schools, these 32 young men and 20 young women take with them these pillars of friendships, leadership and faith upon which they can build the rest of their lives. May God bless their journey.

prayer for our troops

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. and Thursday from 12-1:00 p.m. Anyone willing to come for Adoration at these times please call the parish office.

Masses are 7:00 a.m. & 9:30 a.m. (attended by St. John School), & 7:00 p.m. Confessions: 8:45 – 9:15 a.m. & 6:15 – 6:45 p.m.

Following the 8:00 a.m. Mass and Rosary. Please pick up a folder with the prayers and come to the front pews. Everyone interested in the devotion is welcome to join in prayer.

WE ASK YOUR PRAYERS for all who are homebound or in nursing homes and for all the sick, especially…Robert Knust, Viola Guiaguinto, David Bartell, Joseph Sosnowsky, Grace Fischer, Raymond Rolle, Lillian Putman, Erin Street, Fred Samuels, Kristina Blye, Cecilia Hinkel, Baby Karl Mack, Linda Carger, Joe Giordano, Ellwood Johnson, Dorothy Baranauskas, Mike Stitcher, Wendell Vollmer, Marilynn Rawland, Dana Stango, Jeannette Goldston, Richard Flynn, Barbara Dyson, Margaret Davidson & Phyllis Speelman,

WE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE of Louis Valenzano, and Carla Sullivan and for their families and friends.

BAPTISMS: Congratulations and welcome to Ava Lynn Herrera, daughter of Rebecca and Charles Herrera; Brendan Michael Moran, son of Jennifer and Sean Moran; Dante Flipper Isaac Tapia Pujals, son of Deborah Pujals and Luis Tapia Cancel; and Johnathan George Blanton, son of Emma and Corey Blanton.

FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR THIS WEEKEND are for a special intention of Dr. and Mrs. Sherrill Cheeks.

Stewardship

ELECTRONIC DEBITING CONTRIBUTIONS:

Total May, 2007 electronic contributions: $6,461.00

CARDINAL’S LENTEN APPEAL-It is not too late to make your donation! We are at $85,000! Thank you to all who have contributed so generously to this date. Please note that we are still not at our goal of $124,400 designated by the archdiocese! You can still help us make it by making your check payable to Cardinal's Lenten Appeal and place it in 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.

On behalf of the Catholic War Veterans of the Msgr. Hugh J Monaghan post, we extend a most sincere THANK YOU to the parishioners for their most generous financial support during this past weekend’s Cross of Peace campaign.

May 28 - School Closed – Memorial Day

May 31 – 8^th Gr. Pictures – 6:30 pm. & Award Ceremony at 7 pm

June 1 - 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.

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.

We are in need of at least three teachers for Vacation Bible School. Please call the office if you can help. VBS will be held from 9-12.

REGISTRATION FORMS for 2007/2008 were sent bulk mail on Friday, May 11^th. If you do not receive your registration form, please call the Religious Ed office. If you are new to our program, stop by the Parish Center to pick up a registration form.

— 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., 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!

Sun., June 3 – Pick ‘em Up! Friends rock don’t they? They’re always there to help you out. Friends rock so much, we’re doing a night all about them! Be sure you’re there to see the hysterical skit!

STEUBENVILLE PARENT MEETING CHANGED…New date is June 24^th after the 6 p.m. Mass in The Portico.^.

— 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., 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!

Fri., June 22 – White Water Rafting day trip! More information to come…

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., 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 for this summer treat!

St. Vincent de Paul Society will have a truck on campus the 4^th weekend of each month. The truck will be here on Saturday afternoon (noon to Sunday afternoon). Only donations of clothes, outerwear and shoes will be accepted.

parish breakfast…sunday, June 3

Join the Knights at the Portico for a breakfast of pancakes, French toast, eggs and more from 8:00-11:30 a.m. Adults - $5, children -$3. Your support for our breakfasts has been tremendous. This is the last one for this summer. See you on September 9!

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.

New altar servers must attend 2 of the 3 training sessions and the

active altar servers must attend 1 of the 3 sessions. Renewal information sheets need to be brought to the meetings. If you have any questions, call Jim Diggs at 410-346-6757.

The next blood drive will be from 2- 8 p.m. at The Portico. We will be entering our 33^rd year! We are in need of phone callers, due to moving, personal issues, etc. If you can help call Ted Cook at 410-876-2107. Please give the gift of life—DONATE!!

The Wisdom Club is having a trip to the Basilica. The cost is $35.00 and includes the bus and lunch at Sabatinos. The bus leaves St. John parking lot at 9:30 a.m. A guide will take the group on tour at 11 a.m. For details call Irene Wheeler at 410-848-0489.

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 KoC) 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 parish center. Mail to Christine Mort, 357 Winged Foot Drive, Westminster, MD 21158. One recipe per form, please.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD VOLUNTEERS NEEDED…Adults and older teens are welcome to join this ministry. Service hours can be given to teen volunteers. If you can help one Sunday a month call Nancy at 410-876-2173 for details.

The Legion of Mary will conduct the ceremony of enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary in the homes of St. John parishioners. To enthrone a home is an act of adoration that publicly declares Him as Lord of the Household. Call Bob Kehler at 410-857-1782 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Student artworks will be on display for the next several weeks in the community gallery of the Carroll County Arts Center on West Main Street. Call 410-871-9590 for more information.

JOIN THE PRE-CANA TEAM…We are looking for couples who have been married for a minimum of 5 years and have the desire to share their love and experience with those who are preparing for marriage. Contact Rosalie.seeley@verizon.net if you are interested in joining this ministry.

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.

Timber Ridge Residences invites you to an ice cream social from 2-4 p.m. at 101 Timber Ridge Dr., Westminster. The Westminster Municipal Band will perform. Bring a chair!

The Good News Jail and Prison Ministry of Carroll County invites you to play in its annual tournament from 1-7 p.m. at Challedon Golf Course, in Mt. Airy, beginning with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Cost is $115 per golfer and includes green fees, cart, lunch, snacks, water, sodas, dinner and a chance to win $50,000 in a hole-in-one shootout. This ministry provides Christian Chaplains to jails and prisons around the world, breaking the cycle of crime, one life at a time. Call Bruce Otto at 410-299-1910 for more details.

An information/training session to assist homebound residents by providing services such as visits, daily telephone reassurance or household care will be held from 7-9 p.m. at the parish center. We need your help. For information/register, contact Mike Rodgers at 410-857-5891.

Listed below are dates, times and places for upcoming STAND training in the Carroll, Frederick and Washington County areas:

Call 301-695-8845

Catholic Engaged Encounter is an international program committed to preparing couples for the sacrament of marriage. Engaged couples attend a weekend retreat that fosters openness and communication through a series of presentations, private reflection and dialog time. Catholic Engaged Encounter is an approved marriage preparation program within the Baltimore Archdiocese. Below is a list of upcoming retreat dates during 2007. June 1-3; July 20-22; Aug 10-12; Sept 14-16; Nov 9-11; Dec 7-9. For more information or to register for a weekend, please visit our website at www.mdcee.org or call 410-439-4217.

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY NATIONAL HOME SCHOOL AND PARENT CONFERENCE…June 8-9

This conference will be held at the Dulles EXPO Center from 9-9 on Friday and from 9-4:30 on Saturday. Free Admission and free parking. Many Catholic vendors and curriculum providers. For information: www.ihmconference.org or 540-636-1946.

All are invited to a Memorial Mass for Father John Delclos, with many of his family in attendance, to be celebrated at St. Bernardine Roman Catholic Church, 3812 Edmondson Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21229 at 11:30 a.m. There will be food and fellowship in the hall after Mass. All are welcome. For additional information please contact: St. Bernardine's at 410-362-8664.

A day of reflection entitled “Next level of fitness for our marriages” will be held from 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth School, 801 Argonne Dr., Baltimore. The cost is $10 per couple and includes lunch. Call Kay at 410-335-2897 for details.

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 also offered. Camps in baseball, basketball and water polo also offered. For more info call 410-825-4266 or visit on line at www.calverthall.com

This summer, Mount de Sales will offer camps for girls of all ages. Camps include: basketball, dance, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, strength and conditioning and volleyball. For specific dates and times contact Janet McKinnon, Assistant. Athletic Director at: jmckinnon@mountdesales.org or call 410-744-8498-x152.

May 28 – Memorial Day – Parish Offices/School Closed

May 28- June 2 – Parish Carnival

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

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

THE PORTICO BOOKS + GIFTS… Check out our Catholic books and find books on topics such as Catechist Faith Formation books, Prayer Books, Catholic Bibles, Saints Books, Books on Church History, Catholic Family Books to help your family grow in the Catholic faith, Catholic Books for Teenagers, Children's books and much more! Save 10% on all purchases over $95.00 through June 3.

prayer for our troops

Stewardship

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!

parish breakfast…sunday, June 3

Join the Knights at the Portico for a breakfast of pancakes, French toast, eggs and more from 8:00-11:30 a.m. Adults - $5, children -$3. Your support for our breakfasts has been tremendous. This is the last one for this summer. See you on September 9!

CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD VOLUNTEERS NEEDED…Adults and older teens are welcome to join this ministry. Service hours can be given to teen volunteers. If you can help one Sunday a month call Nancy at 410-876-2173 for details.

Call 301-695-8845

May 28 – Memorial Day – Parish Offices/School Closed

May 28- June 2 – Parish Carnival

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

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