Parish Bulletin

Next Sunday, September 16^th, our parish will begin the annual RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) class. Classes will meet on Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Parish Center. Babysitting is available with advance notice. One of the primary missions of the Church is Evangelization, spreading the message of the Gospel. Many of us know someone in the neighborhood, at work or even in our families who could benefit from this experience. I encourage you to consider extending an invitation, hopefully it will be accepted, or we could even be planting the seed that will eventually grow.

Along with the Archdiocese we will celebrate Catechetical Sunday on September 16^th. Teachers, administrators and staff from our parish school, and our Religious Education Programs will be recognized with a special blessing at each Mass during the weekend. I am deeply grateful for their dedication and witness to the mission of handing on the Faith. Please keep all who serve our parish in the various ministries in your prayers.

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 1-2 a.m., & 3–4 p.m., & Sunday 8-9 a.m.& 6 to 7 p.m. 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… Henry Seibel, Phyllis Manger, Kathleen Colley, Phyllis Speelman, Nesbit Fisher, Marie McCurdy, Kathleen Adcock, Marie Martochio, Betty Affleck, Deacon Bob Malinowski.

WE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE of Evelyn K. Rebhan, Marietta Gaudio, Ann Joram, and Anna Blankenship and for their families and friends.

BAPTISMS: Congratulations and welcome to Juan Pablo Jimenez, Jr., and Yuliana Paola Jimenez, son and daughter of Griselda Chavarrin and Juan Jimenez.

Amount collected in August from the 5^th Sunday of the month

Envelope Program………………………… $5,364.31

School Calendar

Sept. 9 – Catholic High School Fair – 3-5 p.m. UMBC

Sept. 10 – School Closed – Professional Day

Sept. 13 – PTF Board Meeting – 7 p.m. Teacher’s Lounge

Sept. 14 – Liturgy – 9:30 a.m. – Grades 1-8

PTF Fun Night – 7-8:30 p.m. – Cafeteria

Sept. 16 - Catholic HS Fair –3-5 College of Notre Dame

Sept. 17 - Back to School Night – 7 p.m. - Portico

PTF FAMILY FUN NIGHTS…Friday, September 14 Make plans to bring the whole family out for this year's PTF Family Fun Nights. Get together with your friends, parents of your children's friends, teachers, and more. This month, we've got an ice cream social planned for September 14th. It's a Friday, so no school in the morning! Have dinner and come by later for ice cream, music, and good family-friendly fun! There is no charge for the family fun nights.

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

HELP INVEST IN OUR CHILDREN'S CATHOLIC EDUCATION…Help the St. John Community by supporting our children's future with a solid Catholic education while attending our school! This year's PTF Fundraisers include Innisbrook Gifts, Market Days, Entertainment Books, the Silent & Live Auction, and the Walk-A-Thon. Proceeds go to support Catholic Education. For more info, visit the St. John School/PTF on the St. John Church web site at www.sjwest.org. Thanks for your support!

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. Gift cards are available for purchase 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. Registration forms are available in the narthex of the church. We ask that everyone who participated in the spring register for this session.

Religious Education Assistants needed!!! We are still in need of assistants for our Religious Education Program. Please contact Religious Ed at 410-848-8443 if you can help!

HOMESCHOOL PARENTS: If you have a child who will be preparing for 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 & 6:45 p.m. we will have a class for young people with special needs. Call Religious Ed Office or stop in for the registration form.

BABYSITTERS NEEDED…Religious Ed is looking for people who are willing to baby-sit children during Thursday Religious Ed class times between 4:30-5:45 & 6:45-8:00 p.m. Service hours are available for any teenager interested. Call Tina at 443-375-2334.

CONFIRMATION REGISTRATION IS PAST DUE! If you want to register your teen for this year’s Confirmation program, you need to call the Religious Ed Office NOW at 410-848-8443. Some classes are already filled! Parent Meeting is in October, and classes begin in November.

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

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

Oct. 5 - RELAY GAMES & ice breaker night – The fun never ends with these activities, games, food, fun and PRIZES!!! Join us.

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. Sign-up 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!!

Oct. 14 – RELAY GAMES, ice cream and maybe even laser tag! This night will exceed the very definition of FUN! Oh…and have you ever bowled with a pumpkin???

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 hope you’ve missed coming to Life Teen because we’ve sure missed doing Life Nights for everyone! We hope you’re able to come out and join our first night of the semester as we play a classic game with a new twist. Join us for Krazy Kickball!!

Join the Sisters of the Good Shepherd for a retreat and take a deeper look at the call to religious life, the steps of discernment and the skills needed to live religious life well. There is no charge for lodging or food for this retreat! Call Sr. Debbie Drago at 732-946-7877 x 422 or e-mail srdebbie@optonline.net

What better way to kick off a new semester of Life Teen than with a fall kick off! The theme for our Kick Off is a LUAU! Come for the Food! Come for the Music! But, really come for the Fun!!

Matt Maher is coming back to Maryland and we’re going to see him! We’ll be leaving St. John at 5:15 p.m.-return time & total cost is still being worked out. Registration Deadline is Sept. 30!

It’s a long way from winter! But, Life Teen is planning on going on retreat from December 14-16^th. Mark your calendars. Cost is still being determined.

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:

Join the Knights at the Portico for a great 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. Please continue to join us on the 1^st Sunday of each month.

Sodality will meet for Mass and Rosary at 9:15 a.m. A meeting will follow in the Parish Center. All women of the parish are invited. For information call Carolyn Keiner at 410-848-4563.

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!!

St. John Pack 420 will begin meeting at 6:30 at St. John School activity field (cafeteria if bad weather). If you are a boy in 1^st grade through 5^th please join us and find out where all the fun is. Adults are always welcome and will have fun too. For info contact Carey Scott at 410-239-6179. It’s never too late to join scouts!

Our next meeting will be held at 1:00 p.m. in the St. Therese Room of the Parish Center. All Health Care Ministers are encouraged to attend and anyone interested in learning about this ministry is welcome to attend.

Committee chairpersons are requested to attend a meeting on either Tuesday, Sept. 18 OR Thursday, Sept. 20. Both meetings will be at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Center. It is only necessary to attend one of these meetings.

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED…If you would like to volunteer your time to work on one of the Christmas Bazaar Committee’s, please come to one of the meetings on Sept. 18 or Sept. 20^th at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Center. A committee chairperson is needed for the Basket and Linen room and also needed is a Bazaar Co-Chairperson. Call Jim Diggs at 410-346-6576 if you are interested.

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.

Basketball players in Grades 4-8 interested in representing the St. John Eagles throughout the Baltimore Archdiocese, please find listed below the current schedule for tryouts. Tryouts will be held at the St. John gym beginning September 24th thru October 5^th (see schedule listing times)c. If anyone is interested in volunteering in the St. John travel CYO league, contact Lisa Hurley at 443-277-3983 or email at lwhurley@hurleyir.com

4^th – 10/1 & 10/2 –5:30 -7 pm 10/2 – 3:30 –5 p.m. & 10/5– 5:30–7 pm

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.

WISDOM CLUB RETREAT at BON SECOURS…Thurs., Oct. 11 – Join us for this retreat from 9:00 a.m.– 3:00 p.m. Msgr. Art will be the Moderator. The cost is $33.00 and is due at our meeting on Sept. 27^. Call Irene Wheeler at 410-848-0489 for info.

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

We need new and used religious articles for the Christmas Bazaar. Check your closets, attics, basements, drawers for statues, pictures, medals, rosaries, bibles, crucifixes, angels, etc. For information call Irene at 410-848-0489.

THE MARKET PLACE (Christmas Bazaar) will be accepting saleable/useable donations beginning Tuesday, Sept. 10^th up until Thursday, Nov. 22^nd. We need household goods, toys, games, linens, glassware, baskets, tins, lamps, pictures, puzzles, small appliances, yard items, small furniture, tools, seasonal items, candles, riding toys and bikes, etc., SORRY, NO CLOTHES OR SHOES. Drop off donations Tuesday or Wednesday in the school basement from 6:30-8:30 p.m. For daytime drop off contact Al Wilder at 410-596-3608. For info call Regina Sell 410-876-6170.

Please continue to help minister to the poor in Carroll County by remembering that next Saturday and Sunday, the 3^rd weekend of the month is Food Sunday. Please bring your donations of non-perishable food to church and place in the baskets by the doors of the church. We especially need, canned meats, stews, spaghetti sauce, canned pasta meals, jelly, peanut butter, powdered milk, canned fruit and bottled juices. We also need paper goods, such as toilet paper, baby diapers, paper towels, etc.

To all members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society: We will celebrate St. Vincent de Paul’s feast day on Sunday, Sept. 23 at the 9:15 a.m. Mass, followed by breakfast in the school cafeteria. Please plan to attend.

LOAVES and FISHES OUP KITCHEN is updating its volunteer and contributor listings for the period October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008. If you will not be participating, please leave a message with Mike Radov at 410-857-9528.

St. Peter’s Pro Life Event… Friday, Sept. 14

Join us Friday morning for the 9 a.m. Mass and Holy Hour at the Parish Center at St. Peter’s Libertytown for renown pro-life speaker, Randall Terry, and his inspiring talk. Fellowship and light refreshments will follow. For info call 301-898-5111.

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.

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.

VOCATIONAL RETREATS… see dates below

The following religious communities are offering free live-in vocational retreats. Learn about these exciting vocations firsthand. These retreats are very popular so make your reservations soon. There is no cost but space is limited:

The Portico Books + Gifts: Browse our Catholic books and find books on topics such as Saints, John Paul II Books, Prayer Books, Catholic Bibles, 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! New gifts and 'holy reminders' arriving weekly. Plus, we will have a special sale table for the month of September.