Parish Bulletin

For many of you, most of this announcement is redundant from last weekend’s altar announcements but I thought it best to inform you in writing as well. There are several clergy personnel changes here at St. John Parish this summer.

Fr. Leo Patalinghug who has been an associate here at St. John Parish for 5 years has been invited by Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and University to serve as the Director of Field Education for the seminarians. His direct job would be to place seminarians in the various parish and institutional assignments so that they gain experience on how to be pastoral ministers. Fr. Leo will be succeeded by Fr. Patrick Peach. Fr. Peach who was ordained in 2006 has completed his studies at the North American College in Rome this past month and has been appointed by the Cardinal to serve here as his first pastoral priestly assignment. The transition of these two men will happen over the next several weeks. The parish is hoping to bid farewell to Fr. Patalinghug at the 11:15 am mass on Sunday, July 22, 2007, followed by a reception. Please take this opportunity to show your appreciation to him. More details will be announced, as they are known.

Msgr. Art Valenzano feels better and desires to return to full time pastoral ministry as Pastor beginning next weekend, July 7/8, 2007. At that time, I will be transferring from St. John Parish to another assignment, which the diocese is working out for me. As of this writing (June 26), I do not know where. The staff and I are very appreciative to you, the parishioners, for the cooperation and commitment you have shown during these months with two administrators while Msgr. Art was on sabbatical and on medical leave. I appreciate the support you gave to me and to the staff as we continued the ministries of the parish.

PRAYERS FOR THE MILITARY… This Sunday is Hospitality Sunday and we invite you to stop by the Portico for coffee, donuts and fellowship after the 7:15, 9:15 or 11:15 a.m. Masses. If you have family members or friends serving in the military we invite you to write their names in the books provided and to pray for our troops who are presently serving our country around the world in the continuing fight for our freedom.

The parish offices and the school will be closed on Wednesday, July 4^thfor the holiday.

PERPETUAL ADORATION UPDATE…The following afternoon and evening hours has only one scheduled Adorer. Please call the parish office if you are willing to come for Adoration during one of these hours:

Masses are 7:00 & 9:30 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Confessions: 8:45 – 9:15 a.m. & 6:15 – 6:45 p.m.

WE ASK YOUR PRAYERS for all who are homebound or in nursing homes and for all the sick, especially…Julia Ford, Marie Isaac, James Ramsey, Matt O’Donnell, Treva Stull, Mary Carland, Baby Nathan Boner and James Miller.

WE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE of John M. Kane, Louis Miller and John Peter Marsiglia and for their families and friends.

BAPTISMS: Congratulations and welcome to Nicolas Marco Talbot, son of Christina and Brian Talbot and Kaitlyn Marie O’Connor, daughter of Rochelle and Keith O’Connor.

Stewardship

This year’s budget is based on a weekly offering of $30,700.00. Our current weekly average is $29,907.88. This is one of the lowest collections for the entire fiscal year, which ended yesterday. Please know that the parish expenses continue consistently during the summer. Electronic Debiting helps to maintain consistency.

STATUS of MORTGAGE:

Beginning Balance: 6/01/07: $1,989,324

Paid: Interest $12,018

Principal 14,544 -26,562

Interest Charged 12,018

Ending Balance 7/1/07.................................................... $1,974,780

NOTICE: The “5^th Sunday” envelope offerings are used to reduce the mortgage.

The second collection is for the annual Archdiocesan Mission Cooperative Plan. Money raised will help the Archdiocese honor requests from various mission societies, Bishops and congregations of religious men and women seeking aid for their work.

LENTEN APPEAL OPPORTUNITY! Congratulations St. John Parishioners!! – we have jumped 2 percentage points to 72% of the way toward reaching our Lenten Appeal parish goal of $124,400! We have reached almost $90,000! Help us come even closer to our goal by prayerfully considering a gift to the Lenten Appeal. today! With your support, we are inching steadily toward our goal and your family can make it happen!!

Confirmation students: Parents of all incoming 8th graders should have received a letter regarding our parish's Confirmation Program. If you have a student who will be in the 8th grade this fall and didn't receive this important letter, call Barbara Maranto in the Religious Ed. Office, 410-848-8443.

The school will also be conducting STAND training for any one involved in any of St. John ministries on the following dates:

Tuesday, March 11, 2008 – St. Matthew Rm. 7-9 pm

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 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 . Call Darlene at 410-876-7031.

ST. JOHN GIFT CARD PROGRAM: Thank you for your support of the grocery and department store gift card program. Since the beginning of the school year $213,000 in gift cards have been purchased, for a profit of $10,650. We hope the momentum will continue throughout the summer. During the summer gift cards are available for purchase every Wednesday in the school office, the 1^st and 3^rd “hospitality” Sundays at the Portico or by calling the parish office.

ARE ALL YOUR CHILDREN REGISTERED at ST. JOHN? If you have young children who were baptized at a parish other than St. John since registering here, or have a child baptized at another location in the future, please be certain they are represented within your family records at St. John by notifying the parish office. This information will be important as they grow up in the parish, and in their enrollment in St. John School or in Religious Education classes.

REGISTRATION FORMS for 2007/2008 school years were due June 30^th. If you have not yet registered your child/children and need a registration form, please call the Religious Ed office.

SPECIAL ED TEACHER NEEDED for Religious Ed classes held on Thursdays from 4:30-5:15 p.m. beginning in Sept. If you are able to volunteer for this special needs class, call our office.

Parent meeting for Human Sexuality classes for students will be held at 7 p.m. in the St. Therese Room of the parish center. Classes to be held for students in K-8^th grade on July 23 thru July 25 from 9a.m-12 p.m. Call the Religious Ed office for registration form.

Religious Ed will be conducting STAND training for any person involved with any of St. John ministries. The following dates have been confirmed for training:

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!

missed the Steubenville parent meeting? If you missed our Steubenville parent meetings, please get in touch with Kenn ASAP at 410-848-8443.

Sun., July 8 – Laser Tag Party: Normally to play laser tag, you have to go to Players. But, this time, we’re bringing laser tag to us! Join us after the 6:00 p.m. Mass as we play laser tag in our own back yard! There will be food, friends and fun! No charge!

Life Teen is headed to Hershey Park for the day! Ride your old favorites plus, check out the newest section of the park entitled “The Boardwalk.” The cost of the trip is $30. Seating is limited—so call Kenn to sign up today!

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., July 8 – Tag Party! We are bringing Laser Tag to you! Join us from 3:30-5:30 pm for laser tag, music, food and it’s free!

Friday, July 27 – 4 Seasons Golf and POOL Party! Sign up for a great time. We will have an open pool and mini golf party from 6-8 p.m. Only $12 for this event! Call for more info.

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 Paul for details.

Sun., July 8–Tag Party – Join us from 1-3 for food, fun, laser tag, music and more! Don’t miss this blow out event! It’s free!

Fri., July 20 – H2Olympics – Is the summer heat getting to you yet? Join us as we cool off the Youth Alive way!

Fri., Aug 3 – 4 Seasons Golf and POOL Party! Sign up for a great time. We will have an open pool and mini golf party from 6-8 p.m. Only $12 for this event! Call for more information.

The Sodality will meet for the 9:15 a.m. Mass, followed by the Rosary. For further information, please call Carolyn Keiner at 410-848-4563.

This spiritually based ministry is for those grieving the loss of a loved one. We meet in the Parish Center from 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Continental breakfast. No registration required. For more information call Janet Tenney at 410-833-1542.

The next blood drive will be from 2- 8 p.m. at The Portico. We will be entering our 33^rd year! We need phone callers. To help call Ted Cook at 410-876-2107. Give the gift of life—DONATE!!

Becky Martin will be offering her fundamental skills basketball clinic for girls entering grades 5 thru 9. The clinic will be held July 9, 10, & 12 from 7:00-9:00PM each evening at the St. John School Gym. The pre-clinic registration cost for St. John parishioners is $30 for the 3 evening sessions. For more information contact Coach Becky Martin @ 410-857-2577 or pick-up a registration form at the Parish Center Office.

Annual Golf Tournament to be held at 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 needed. For details call John Stephens 410-848-3722 or Dean Ditman 410-875-4221.

LECTURE BY BISHOP MALOOLY…Thursday, August 16

Bishop Francis Malooly will host a lecture/dialogue in the Portico entitled “Why we are called to lead a Eucharistic Life; Why the celebration of Mass is important to us.” Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Lecture begins at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free, but tickets are required. Must be 18 and older to attend. Beer on tap and beef sandwiches will be on sale prior and during the lecture. For tickets or more information, call Teresa Richardson at 410-848-4744 x 227.

ANNUAL PARISH PICNIC…Saturday, August 18

The annual parish picnic will be held again this year at St. John. Mark the date on your calendar! More details forthcoming. We are looking for some new faces and counting on our return volunteers to help on the committee, volunteer at a wheel or bake cakes for the cake wheel. Call Tom or Theresa Greene at 410-876-9578.

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.

ST. JOHN YOUTH CHOIR…The newly renamed Youth Choir that sings at the 5:00 p.m. Saturday Mass needs some additional singers (5^th grade and up). The commitment is 6 hours per month – rehearsal Monday nights from 7-8 p.m. and then Liturgy on the 1^st and 3^rd Saturdays of each month. Consider joining just for the summer! For more details call Jane Schmidt 410-848-5365.

ST. JOHN COOKBOOK… St. John Roses 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. Deadline to submit recipes is July 16^th.

Blanket of Love…St. John Parish Respect Life Committee invites you to create a square for a Blanket of Love to remember your child who died prior to birth, either through miscarriage, stillbirth or abortion. The Blanket of Love is a loving memorial to pre-born children. The Blanket of Love reaches out to grieving mothers and fathers, bringing restoration and healing. Information and confidential request forms are in the narthex of the church.

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

The members of St. Vincent DePaul Society wish all St. John parishioners a safe and relaxing 4^th of July. Please remember the poor boxes as you leave church this weekend.

Westminster Ridge invites you to come and help celebrate their first anniversary from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at 505-507 High Acre Drive, Westminster. RSVP by July 5 to 410-871-2225.

Join us for a good old fashion Conewago Chapel Picnic on Saturday, July 21 in Hanover, PA-9:30 a.m. chicken corn soup (carry-out); 11 a.m. lunch only (soup & sandwich); 12 noon picnic officially begins, 3 p.m. fried chicken dinners served $8.00 (adults) $4.00 (children). Live music by Hat Creek Country from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Call Nancy Fahnestock at 717-259-6624 for more details.

Single Adult Catholics are invited to spend an evening with the Catholic Alumni Club at Oregon Ridge at 7 p.m. for a concert with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Contact Mary at 410-979-7556 by Wednesday, July 25^th if you plan on attending.

MISSION OF MERCY of CARROLL COUNTY SEEKS DENTISTS: Mission of Mercy's mobile medical clinics seek to restore dignity to the sick, poor, and homeless by providing basic healthcare and "healing through Love." They are currently seeking dentists to volunteer in this endeavor. For further information contact KLyons@aMission of Mercy.org. or call 301-682-5683.

Rev. Jack Lombardi will conduct a retreat at Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg. Retreat topics include: Finding peace amidst a stressful world; Choosing stresses or spirit in daily life; practicing peace through meditation. The retreat includes: Masses and confessions, healing service, meditation periods, literature, five spiritual conferences, holy hours, room and meals. The cost is $170. For more information, call 301-447-5318.

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. Next retreat dates during 2007 are: Aug 10-12; Sept 14-16; Nov 9-11; Dec 7-9. For info or to register for a weekend, visit our website at www.mdcee.org or call 410-439-4217.

A Rachel’s Vineyard weekend retreat for spiritual and emotional healing after abortion will be held in Maryland August 3-5 and November 16-18. The confidential, supportive retreat is for anyone hurting inside due to abortion trauma. For more information, call 410-354-6900 or email: projectrachel@archbalt.org., local website is www.project-rachel.net.

July1- Mass in memory of Sr. Marie Bernadette Fields

August 6 – STAND training – Parish Center

August 18 – Parish Picnic – St. John grounds

The Portico Books + Gifts: Now carrying the Magnificat & Magnifikid Monthly Magazines! Starting with the August Issue. Reserve your copy today! Magnificat Magazine is a monthly missalette that contains all the Masses, morning and night prayers for the entire month in a convenient, easy-to-use format. The missal also contains spiritual readings, hymns and information about the saints. Magnifikid Magazine reaches children from 6 to 12, the child will discover a booklet of 16 color pages for each Sunday, and also special issues for all major feast days (Christmas, Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, Ascension, Assumption, All Saints day.)

Word Up! CD available at Portico Bookstore: Word Up! is a new music group made up of Fr. Leo's adorable and talented nieces and nephews. They recently released their original, inspirational and family friendly hip-hop and pop music CD. These kids entertained at the Men In Black half time show. Their music is a big hit with families with children who want to hear modern music but with a positive message! The price is $10.00!!

HOLY COMMUNION will be brought to you during Mass, if you are unable to come to the altar. Please inform an usher.

THE ROSARY PRAYED at a FUNERAL HOME for a deceased love one is a service offered to parishioners of St. John by the Ladies Sodality. Contact the parish office to make a request.

TRAVELERS LOOKING for MASS TIMES: While on vacation to look for Mass times and church locations in the USA, call 1-410-676-6000 or go to www.MassTimes.org