Parish Bulletin

Please join me in welcoming the newly appointed Archbishop of Baltimore. Archbishop Edwin O’Brien will be formally installed on October 1^st, at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. As we congratulate Archbishop O’Brien, and assure him of our continued prayers, it is important that we extend our appreciation to Cardinal Keeler. Although many will applaud the Cardinal for his leadership during some difficult times for the Church in Baltimore, and for his work in the restoration of the Basilica, much of his pastoral work was done quietly and beyond the spotlight of the media.

Cardinal Keeler gave priority to the development of vocation work especially for the priesthood, the religious life and for permanent deacons. Under his leadership we have witnessed an increase of men and women responding to the call of the Lord. From the very beginning of his tenure he both challenged and encouraged the priests of our Archdiocese to devote themselves to prayer and to work together in prayer groups. It is important that we keep these two holy shepherds in prayer as they lead and guide our Archdiocese.

PERPETUAL ADORATION UPDATE…The following hours of adoration are currently being covered by volunteers. We need at least one (preferably two people) to commit to adoration during these time periods: Tuesday from 3:00 to 4:00 a.m., Wednesday 1:00 to 2:00 a.m. and Friday 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Also starting mid-August, the person currently scheduled for adoration on Sunday from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. will no longer be able to continue. Therefore, we need one or more people to cover that hour.

Please call the parish center if you are willing to sign up for adoration for these or any other hours.

WE ASK YOUR PRAYERS for all who are homebound or in nursing homes and for all the sick, especially…Cathy Porter, Mary Carland, Rose Hill Family, Julia Ford, Baby Nathan Boner Kristina Blye, Donna Kempt Family, Helen Deleise, Phyllis Speelman, Cindy Ellis, David Holt, Justin Hook, Thomas Corneleius, Richard Milligan, Marion & Stanley Cooper, Mollie Myers, Joyce Strickland.

BAPTISMS: Congratulations and welcome to Julia Morgan Adkins, daughter of Tracy and Louis Adkins; Coghan Brady Jones, son of Janet and Sean Jones; Courtney Anne Lepore, daughter of Jamie Croker and Aaron Lepore; and Bridget Rosalind Mayhew, daughter of Erika and Donald Mayhew.

WE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE of Treva Stull and Michael Thomas Shelah and for their families and friends.

FLOWERS on the ALTAR this WEEKEND were donated in memory of Msgr. Joseph Antoszewski, by the families of Peg Murphy and Julia Ford.

Stewardship

ELECTRONIC DEBITING CONTRIBUTIONS:

Total July 2007 electronic contributions: $7,016.42

WHAT IS A VACATION?

A vacation is a succession of 2’s. It consists of 2 weeks, which may be 2 short. Afterwards, you are 2 tired 2 return 2 work, but 2 broke not 2. Therefore, be sure 2 bring or mail 2 the church 2 weeks’ offering before you leave. If not, we will be 2 far behind 2 do all the things for the Lord that He wants us 2 do.

SUMMER BENEFIT: Summer benefit envelopes are at the doors of the church or in the parish office, or mail your contribution to St. John Church, attention “Summer Benefit.” Thank you for your generosity.

LENTEN APPEAL UPDATE: Keep up the good work, St. John Parishioners! We have moved up to 74% of the way toward reaching our Lenten Appeal goal! We have reached $92,165! Thank you sincerely to all who have donated to date! You can still make a donation by check or cash - just mark an envelope "Lenten Appeal" and place # 3303 on your check so that we can receive credit for your gift! Place the envelope in the collection and feel good about supporting this worthy cause! Thank you for helping those in need.

THANK YOU to all who contributed to the collection for the Archdiocesan Mission Cooperative Plan for 2007. The amount collected was $5,123.89. Your generosity is appreciated.

TEST SCORES AVAILABLE…Students who were in grades 3-7 in the 2006-07 school year took standardized test in April. These test scores have arrived, and parent reports of scores may be picked up in the school office on any Wednesday morning from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

REMINDER: The fees for school families for next year are now due. The amount is $250.00 for 1^st through 8^th grades. The fee for Kindergarten is $225.00. If you have any questions, please call the school office 410-848-7455.

The school will also be conducting STAND training for anyone 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.

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.

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:

HOMESCHOOL PARENTS: If you have a child who will be preparing for a Reconciliation and Eucharist this year, please call the Religious Education Office for a registration form. Your child will not have to come to classes, but you MUST be part of our Immediate Catechesis Program (attend parent meetings, special Mass, etc). You will be given an information sheet when all the details for Immediate Catechesis have been finalized. If you have any questions, please call Ruth in the Religious Education Office.

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 p.m. Newcomers are welcome!

Join us for a night of hanging out as we walk down the hill to Twin Kiss! Make sure you bring $5 for Ice Cream!

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!

6 PM Mass Lectors Needed: If you have a desire to serve your Church by reading at Mass call Kenn at 410-848-8443!

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.

We will meet at 4 Season Sports Complex in Hampstead for pool and mini golf fun. The cost is $12/person due on July 23^rd in the Religious Ed Office. You MUST have an updated liability form in order to participate. (available at www.sjwest.org under “Youth.”)

We will be traveling with well experienced guides on an amazing, wet and wild trip where the Shenandoah meets the Potomac River!! The cost is $48 (includes a bagged lunch). Money and liability form due no later than August 1st. For more info grab a flyer in the back of church or call Jordan at 410-848-8443 x 235.

The cost is $40 per person. You arrive on Friday evening and will be picked up on Saturday afternoon. This weekend will ROCK with cool meals, awesome games, fun, and friends. Invite a new friend and get $5.00 off your retreat cost! Sign up NOW!! Money and liability/release form due in Religious Ed Office no later than September 21st!!

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.

Fri., Aug 3 – 4 Seasons Golf and Pool Party 6-8 p.m.! We will meet at 4 Seasons Sports Complex in Hampstead for pool and mini golf fun. The cost is $12.00/person and is due to Religious Ed Office on July 27. You MUST have an updated liability form to participate (available at www.sjwest.org under “Youth.).

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.

A Welcoming Session will be held at 10:30 a.m. in The Portico. This is a great opportunity for new parishioners to meet our parish priests, to learn about our various programs, receive coupons for a free Knights of Columbus breakfast, and receive a warm welcome into this large and faith-filled parish. For further information call the parish office.

Don’t forget to sign up for 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 will 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. Tap beer 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! The time is from 4-8:00 p.m. 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.

LANDFILL PERMITS: Carroll County residents receiving their Carroll County property tax bill also receive two landfill-use coupons. If you have no use for your coupons, your donations of those coupons to St. John Church would be greatly appreciated. Please drop them in the collection basket, drop them off at the parish center or mail to the parish center. Many thanks.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD VOLUNTEERS NEEDED… If you can help one Sunday a month call Nancy at 410-876-2173 for details.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent blood drive. We apologize for the delays and inconvenience caused due to computer problems, but in spite of those problems, 102 pints were donated. Thanks again for your patience and for giving the gift of life.

Since we are all trying to put the Gospel into action in our own lives, we need to remember the poor boxes every Sunday. The St. Vincent de Paul Society thanks you for your continued help.

The Center for Grief & Loss at Stella Maris Hospice in Timonium is offering grief support groups for kids, teens and parents on Thursday evenings from 6:30 – 8 p.m. and also a Saturday Day Camp on July 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration is required. Call 410-252-4500, Ext. 7291 for more details.

Join the Westminster portion of the Defend Life Face the Truth Tour from 3:45PM to 5PM, rain or shine, meeting in the Longwell Ave. Municipal Parking Lot and proceeding to intersection of Westminster's Main Street and Route 27 (Railroad Ave.) This is a peaceful, prayerful demonstration. For more information, please call Maria DeCesare, 410-848-0716.

A MASS OF RECONCILIATION…Thurs., August 2

A mass of reconciliation will be celebrated by Fr. Bart A. Karwacki, OFM Conv. in honor of the Solemnity of Our Lady of the Angels of the Portiuncula at 7:30 p.m. at the Shrine of St. Anthony, 12290 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City, MD. Refreshments will be served in the Shrine Dining Room immediately after Mass. For information call 410-531-2800 ext. 0.

LECTURE BY AUSTIN RUSE…Wed., Aug. 8

“The Future Depends on Love” Tour & The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal invite you to a lecture “No Finer Time to be a Faithful Catholic!” from 7:30 p.m.– 8:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Church, 105 Church Lane, Cockeysville, MD. Refreshments and fellowship will follow talk. Austin Ruse is currently the President of Catholic Family & Human Rights Institute. For more information contact Cookie Harris at 410-666-9411.

Join the Franciscans in honoring Clare of Assisi, her life, spirit, and spirituality. Eucharist at 12 noon, Celebrant: Fr. Noel Danielewicz, OFM, Conv., Concelebrated Eucharist at 7:30 p.m., reception to follow. For more information visit Shrine of St. Anthony website at www.companionsofstanthony.org or call 410-531-2800.

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. National Rachel’s Vineyard contact is 1-877-HOPE-4-ME or www.rachelsvineyard.,org.

Our Lady of the Chesapeake in Pasadena, Maryland will be hosting an Adoption Fair for families from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. For women in crisis, couples desiring to parent, children in need of homes--adoption can be God's grace and mercy to them in their time of need. Adoption is an option that has received little attention in the right to life movement. As children of God we believe it can make a profound difference in the spiritual and physical lives of families. We want to reach out to couples and families in the community by highlighting the blessing of adoption. The fair is sponsored jointly by the Respect Life Ministry, the Elizabeth Ministry and the Wellness Ministry of Our Lady of the Chesapeake Parish. There will be many representatives from the community, including Catholic Charities and other domestic and international adoption agencies. For more information email Wellness@olchesapeake.org or visit the parish web site at www.olchesapeake.org

THE GABRIEL NETWORK IS GROWING! We are looking for men and women who seek to live their faith through service to women and families facing unexpected pregnancies. Those with interest, skills or experience related to volunteer management, social work and development are strongly encouraged to inquire about current openings. You, or someone you know, can submit your resume via email to office@garbielnetwork.org., by fax to 301-262-5389, or via mail to P. O. Box 2116, Bowie, MD 20718.

Reminders

July 21-22 – SVD clothing truck on campus for donations

August 6 – STAND training – Parish Center

August 18 – Parish Picnic – St. John grounds

The Portico Books + Gifts: Reserve your copy of Magnificat & Magnifikid Monthly Magazines 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, in a booklet of 16 color pages for each Sunday and special issues for all major feast days.

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 the parish 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! Price is $10.00.