Parish Bulletin

Welcome back to school. Depending on your perspective, this is a wonderful time of the year. As we welcome our students to a new school year, I invite you to join me in keeping our children, staff, faculty, parents and benefactors in prayer. I encourage everyone, especially during school days, to be particularly careful and attentive while driving through our parish campus. Your cooperation is important and necessary especially in the morning while students are arriving and in the afternoon during dismissal. Please also be attentive to areas of the parking lot that have been designated for playground use during various hours of the school day. Thank you for your continued cooperation.

I want to thank all who worked on the wonderful appreciation reception for Father Patrick Carrion last Sunday. A beautiful set of Mass Vestments was presented to him at the 11:15 Mass as an expression from the parish of our deep appreciation of his ministry during the past year. Please keep Father Carrion in your prayers. He will celebrate his 25^th anniversary of ordination this fall.

NOTE: The parish offices will be closed Monday, September 3, 2007 for the Labor Day Holiday.

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: Wednesday 1:00 to 2:00 a.m., and Sunday from 6:00 to 7:00 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.

I am very grateful for the outpouring of affection shown to me last Sunday. I am appreciative to Msgr. Art for inviting me back to express my gratitude to you for your support of me and the entire parish last year while administrating the parish. I am very touched by the gift of chasuble from Holy Rood Guild not only for my time with you but as gift to me upon my 25^thpriesthood anniversary coming up this fall. It will be a great remembrance of St. John Parish throughout the years. I am well aware that the efforts that go into a reception like last week’s does not happen overnight. Thanks to Fran Rock who coordinated the reception and the countless volunteers who served, baked, set and cleaned up.

Please keep me in your prayers as I continue my ministry at St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish in Frederick County. I will continuously cherish my time with you.

FIRST SATURDAY DEVOTION . . . Saturday, Sept. 1

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.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY. . . Sunday, September 2

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… Edna Vincent, Cindy King, Albert Jones, Kristina Blye, Sis Martochio, James Henry, Jim R. Brown, Charles Dincher, Patricia Kowalski, Dwight Killion, Jacqueline Breakiron, Phyllis Speelman, Anastasia Ferrie, Grace Theresa Fischer, Henry Seibel, Albert Jones, Marie McCurdy, Russell Bullock, Cynthia Brandel, Michael Rumsford, Jackie Secoura, Michael Tennesee and Deacon Bob Malinowski.

WE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE of Marie Jacobs, Virginia White, John Bentz, James Miller, Hazel Drowsky, Carolyn Drury, Lena Nee, David Leonard and Margaret Sebeck and for their families and friends.

FLOWERS on the ALTAR this WEEKEND were donated in memory of Anna A. Beard by her children.

ELECTRONIC DEBITING CONTRIBUTIONS:

Total August 2007 electronic contributions: $6,461.00

SECOND COLLECTION next weekend September 2-3, 2007 for Peter’s Pence Collection.

School Calendar

Aug. 27 – First Day of School – grades 1-8

Aug. 27-31 – First grade dismissal at 1:00 p.m.

Aug. 27-30 – Kindergarten Conferences

Sept. 3 – School closed for Labor Day Holiday

Sept. 6 – School Board Exec. Committee Mtg. At 7:30 p.m.

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.

Religious Education Assistants needed!!! We are still in need of assistants for our Religious Education Program. Please contact Religious Ed at 410-8443 if you can help!

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.

NOTE: We are pleased to announce that on Thursday at both 4:30 and 6:45 p.m. we will have a class for our young people with special needs. Please call the Religious Ed Office or stop in for the registration form.

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

TEACHER/ASSISTANT MEETING…Saturday, September 8

There will be a beginning of the year teacher/assistant meeting in the Portico from 9-11 a.m.

Parent meetings for those who are registered in our weekly religious education classes are:

— YOUTH ALIVE (Grades 4-5) —

Sept. 7 – SPORTS NIGHT – Join us for kick-ball, wiffel ball, prizes and much more. You do not have to be good at sports to join the fun!

Sept. 21 – FALL KICK OFF – bring a friend and be entered in a drawing for a free T-shirt!

— THE EDGE (Grades 6, 7 & 8) —

Sept. 9 – FALL KICK-OFF – bring a friend and you will be entered in a drawing for a free pass to the Fall Retreat!

The cost is $40 per person. Parent drop off at 4 p.m. – parent pick up Saturday at 1 p.m. 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!

LIFE NIGHTS REBOOTED: A reboot is where something comes back on line bigger and better than before. We’ll be kicking off the new version of Life Teen on September 23^rd with a Luau! Oh man! Come for the fun, food and prizes! More details to come…

thanks from the knights of columbus…Our heartfelt thanks to the golfers, hole sponsors, door prize donors and volunteers who supported St. John’s 15^th Annual Charity Golf Tournament. As a result of this tremendous effort proceeds of $6,000 will be presented to St. John Youth Ministry.

The St. John cookbooks will be in about October 20^th. To pre-order yours get forms in the narthex of the church or at the bookstore.

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 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, and receive a warm welcome into this large and faith-filled parish. For further information call the parish office.

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.

Registration for St. John’s Boys Intramural Basketball League will be held in the school gym as follows: Saturday, Sept. 8^th from 1-5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 9^th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 15^th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The registration fee is $40 for one child and $60 for two or more children. For more information call:

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!!

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 at 4:00 p.m. Cost of the trip including lunch is $35.00. To sign up contact Dennis Ford at 410-840-0266 or Pat Hogan at 410-840-3407.

Knights of Columbus Council 1393 is looking for vendors for their 3rd annual event being held on St. John parking lot from 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Vendors may set up at 5:30 a.m.) Spaces 17x20 are $35 or 2 for $60. More space can be requested in advance. 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.

Only 8 seats left to Christmas Show – Sight & Sound – call Olive Hall at 410-833-1210 for reservations and information.

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. Call Donna Brown at 410-848-0905 to arrange pick-up or drop-off of items.

The next meeting of SVP will take place on Wednesday, September 5 at 7:00 pm. in the Portico. If you are interested in learning more about our work, join us at this meeting or call Patty Terrano at 410-857-1473.

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 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 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 Carroll County children who have suffered abuse and/or neglect. Race precedes the Fallfest Annual Parade--register at 6:00 p.m., race at 7:00 p.m. For more details see website: http://68.178.177.198/fallfestmile.htm

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. 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, call Cookie at 410-666-9411

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