Parish Bulletin

Thank you to our local Council of the Knights of Columbus for all they do for our parish. I am especially grateful for this month’s golf tournament. I want to thank the coordinators of the annual event, all the volunteers, the participants and the generous sponsors. All proceeds from the tournament will go to support the Youth Ministries programs of our parish. Needless to say, the tournament provides me with another excuse to be on the golf course. Some have suggested that additional practice would be helpful too!

I also want to thank all who were responsible for coordinating our annual parish picnic. Thanks to their work and dedication, we have an opportunity to enjoy the afternoon and build parish fellowship. Your continued support of parish events and activities is deeply appreciated.

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. Call the parish office if you can help with these hours.

WE ASK YOUR PRAYERS for all who are homebound or in nursing homes and for all the sick, especially… Pat Davis, Kristina Blye, James R. Brown, Phyllis Speelman, Lori Sizemore and Stacy Wallace.

CAMPAIGN UPDATE:

Total Pledged: $ 7,478,807

Paid to Date: 6,857,484

Balance $ 621,323

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.

School Calendar

Check the St. John web page www.sjwest.org for details regarding the school calendar, supply list, class lists, etc. The supply lists can also be found in the local stores. The school office will be open from 9-3 on Wednesdays during the summer for purchasing necessary items. There will be NO packet pickup day in August. Be sure to fill out the pink emergency card and send it back to us ASAP. If you do not have one for each child, stop by the school office.

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:

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

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. 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.

If you or someone you know is interested in joining the Catholic Church, our RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) classes are set to begin September 16. Our weekly classes meet on Sunday mornings from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in the Parish Center. Babysitting is available with advance notice. For more information, please contact Paul Gallagher in the Parish Center.

Small groups will begin meeting again to complete the second part of “The Profession of Faith.” The groups will meet for 6 weeks, finishing the week of November 11^th. Anyone can participate, even if you didn’t participate last spring. More information will be available the end of August.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: The Archdiocesan policy is that your child must have completed first grade Religious Education before going into the second grade and being prepared for Reconciliation and Eucharist. Please make sure that you have registered your 1st grader for Religious Ed this coming year.

NEW TEACHER/ASSISTANT TRAINING will take place on Tuesday, August 21^st from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the Parish Center.

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:

Religious Education Teachers and Assistants needed!!! Please prayerfully consider serving our parish by teaching or assisting in Religious Ed.! We must comply with the archdiocesan policy to have a teacher and assistant in every class. If we do not have these teachers by September 8^th, we may be unable to give every student his/her first choice. Our teachers receive free tuition and assistants get half off! We have the following openings:

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.

— YOUTH ALIVE (Grades 4-5) —

YOUTH ALIVE UPDATE: We’ve decided to take some time off to give our current members some rest and give our new Youth Minister, Mandy Komar, time to get acclimated to this ministry in order to serve the Youth Alive/EDGE groups of our parish better. Look for both groups to start back up again in SEPTEMBER. Be sure to watch the bulletin for details!

— THE EDGE (Grades 6, 7 & 8) —

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

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. New- comers are welcome!

We’re sorry to say that school is right around the bend. While that may not be fun, going back to school means you can go to Life Teen’s “Back to School” adoration! Make sure you join us at 7:00 PM in the Church. We’ll be done by 8:15 pm. PLEASE NOTE: This is a SATURDAY! This is going to be some great prayer time and we all hope you can make it!

LIFE NIGHT UPDATE: We’ve decided to take some time off to give our current core members some rest and give our new core members training in order to serve the teens of our parish better. Look for the Life Nights to start back up again in SEPTEMBER.

MASS/RECEPTION for FR. PATRICK Sunday., Aug. 19 Fr. Patrick Carrion will celebrate Mass at 11:15 a.m. followed by a reception in the Portico. We hope you will join us to say thank you to Fr. Patrick for his work and support as Administrator during the past year.

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

ALTAR SERVERS PICNIC…Wednesday, August 22 Reminder to please return your waiver form and information sheet to the Parish Center before August 17^th for the picnic to be held from 12- 6:00 p.m. at Cascade Lake. If you did not receive a form in the mail, call Jim Diggs at 410-346-6576.

ST. JOHN HOMESCHOOL GROUP…Thurs, August 23 The next meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Center. All are welcome. For information contact Dawn Walsh at 410-876-0250

WISDOM CLUB EXECUTIVE MEETING…Thurs., Aug. 23 Executive Committee members will meet at 10:30 a.m. at Baughers for lunch and meeting.

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

A spiritually based 9-week program will be offered for those grieving the loss of a loved one. It will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 4 from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Parish Center and will be led by 4 trained facilitators. Registration is required. To register 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 still need phone callers. To help call Ted Cook at 410-876-2107. Give the gift of life—DONATE!!

If you or someone you know is considering prison ministry, know that there will be a Prison Ministry Retreat for Volunteers and potential volunteers from 9:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. here at St. John Church .If interested, please contact Sister Dolores, Coordinator of Prison Outreach for St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore, at 443-263-1931 or DChepiga@vincentbaltimore. Further information will be sent to those who register. No charge.

The Westminster Council Knights of Columbus is sponsoring a bus trip to the Basilica, leaving St. John at 9:45 a.m., tour at 11 a.m., Mass at noon then on to Holy Rosary Church (home to the Shrine of Divine Mercy) for a visit and lunch, arriving back here at 4:00 p.m. Cost of the trip including lunch is $35.00. To sign up and for more details contact Dennis Ford at 410-840-0266 or Pat Hogan at 410-840-3407.

Knights of Columbus Council 1393 are looking for vendors for their 3rd annual event being held on St. John parking lot from 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. No rain date. For details contact Michael Dvorak at mak@dvorak.net, or Frederick Dvorak at 410-876-1292. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Carroll Hospice Courage Lion Program.

RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY is now accepting donations of household items, small furniture, lamps, pictures, toys, games, etc.

(NO CLOTHES OR SHOES) for their white elephant booth at the KofC flea market. Clean out your attic, basement and closets before school starts and call Donna Brown at 410-848-0905 to arrange pick-up or drop-off of items.

The spirit of St. Vincent de Paul is alive and well because of your generosity. Thank you for your continued support.

Family style fried chicken and ham dinner from noon-5:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Thurmont – adults -$10.00, children 6-12- $5.00, 5 and under – free. Live music, air conditioned dining room, bingo, white elephant sale, bake sale & more. For info contact Sr. Culhane at 301-447-2367.

Church of the Ascension of Westminster is holding their art show & auction. Preview 7-8 p.m. auction at 8 p.m. Tickets $20 pp, $35 per couple or $50 for a 1 in 50 chance to win $500. Refreshments & door prizes too. For tickets call 410-848-3251

5^th Annual Longaberger Basket Bingo- doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets $15.00, includes 21 regular games. Additional specials, raffles, door prizes. Refreshments/dinner available. All proceeds benefit Junction, Inc. For more info/tickets call 410-876-1788 or 410-848-6100.

Join the Westminster Road Runners Club for the fun run for families, kids, adults in support of Voices for Children, the local CASA program working with the Court to speak for the best interest of Carroll County children who have suffered abuse and/or neglect and are in need of a safe, permanent home. Race precedes the Fallfest Annual Parade--register at 6:00 p.m.,race at 7:00 p.m.

2^ND ANNUAL SERENDIPITOUS SOULFUL SLUMBER PARTY FOR WOMEN …Sat., Sept. 8 –Sun., Sept. 9

Bring your best girlfriend – 2 for $250 or 1 for $150, includes all activities, goodie bag, massages, yoga, aerobics, wine tasting, slipper parade, all meals and CHOCOLATE at the Msgr. O’Dwyer Retreat House, 15523 York Road, Sparks, MD!!! Contact Bernadette Moyer, Director of Development at 410-666-2400 x 12

Our Lady of the Chesapeake in Pasadena, Maryland will be hosting an Adoption Fair for families from 1:00-4:00 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 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

CATHOLIC ENGAGED ENCOUNTER…Sept. 14-16

Catholic Engaged Encounter is an approved marriage preparation program with the Baltimore Archdiocese. Engaged couples attend a weekend retreat that fosters openness and communication through a series of presentations, private reflections and dialog time. For information or to register, visit our website at: www.mdcee.org or call 410-439-4217.

ARCHDIOCESAN EVANGELIZATION INSTITUTE…

"Peace Be With You”: Extending Christ's Peace to Others", will be the theme of this year's institute. It will be held in the Parish Center at St. Joseph's, Cockeysville, on Saturday, November 3, from 9 am - noon. Doors will open at 8:30.Workshops will include: Assisting Parents to Reach Out to Inactive Adult Children: Getting Started in Evangelization; Sharing Christ’s Peace in the Business World: and more. Evangelization materials and refreshments provided. Call Dr. Jack Buchner (410-683-0600) by Oct. 29. There is no registration fee.

MARYLAND UNITES FOR LIFE CONF…Saturday, Nov. 3

Save the date and join the Maryland Pro-Life Community for a day of education, inspiration and fellowship at Trinity School, 4985 Ilchester Road, Ellicott City. Cost: $20 includes breakfast and lunch, students and clergy $5.00. Reserve early, limited seating. For more information or to register, email lbrenegan@archbalt.org. or call Cookie at 410-666-9411.

WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF A SAINT…The Mother Seton House on 600 N. Paca Street in Baltimore, former home and school of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton from 1808-1809, needs your help as a tour guide. The Mother Seton House is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-3 p.m. and other times by appointment. A docent usually volunteers two hours a month and is partnered with a mentor. Training and parking are provided. Sign up today to be a tour guide/docent. Be part of our ministry promoting the legacy of the United States’ first native-born Catholic Saint by calling 410-523-3443 or email coordinator@mothersetonhouse.org.

PASTORAL SPANISH COURSES AT COLLEGE OF NOTRE DAME OF MARYLAND…classes are open to parish professionals and volunteers. Classes are held at the College’s North Baltimore campus. For more information contact Linda Stilling, SSND, at 410-532-5306 or email lstilling@ndm.edu or visit our website www.ndm.edu>institutes at NDM>Pastoral Spanish.

10% discount on purchases over $95 through September 2nd. Plus, many individual items on sale. Thanks for supporting your Parish Store.

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.

From the pastor

CATHOLIC ENGAGED ENCOUNTER…Sept. 14-16

ARCHDIOCESAN EVANGELIZATION INSTITUTE…

MARYLAND UNITES FOR LIFE CONF…Saturday, Nov. 3