Parish Bulletin

As one who has received the blessing and benefit of prayer, especially from our parishioners, I encourage you to join Cardinal Keeler and Catholics throughout the Archdiocese and participate in the national 40 Days for Life effort. Through prayer, fasting and witness, our intentions are to uphold the sanctity of human life and to provide healing for broken hearts. You may consider attending a weekday Mass, (Monday through Thursday 7a.m. & 8a.m., Friday 7a.m.& 9:30a.m., Saturday 8a.m.). Additional information is available in this week’s bulletin.

I also remind you that our Perpetual Adoration Chapel, located in the Parish Center is open daily from 9a.m. to 9p.m. There are several openings for an individual(s) to commit to a one hour time period. Please consider this wonderful opportunity to spend an hour per week in quiet prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.

A MESSAGE FROM DEACON BOB: On Aug. 24th I had surgery to remove my cancerous thyroid along with six lymph nodes, three of which were cancerous. At this time I'm having difficulty talking above a whisper. I have an appointment this week with an endocrinologist to discuss further treatments. Also after surgery I came down with shingles. This is complicating my recovery. I will keep you informed periodically as to my development. I wish to thank everyone for their prayers and cards. They have been a great comfort to me.

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… Bill Preston, Michael Coale, Janelyn Moore, Eileen Sovitsky, Chris Wilhelm, Raymond Rolle, Marie McCurdy, Phyllis Speelman, Robert Cushen and Deacon Bob Malinowski.

WE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE of Thomas Kinnamon, Robert C. Hoy, Sr., Robert Lawrence Meyers, Quinto Torretti and Lillian Gately and for their families and friends.

BAPTISMS: Congratulations and welcome to Charles Connor Simons, son of Demi and Colin Simons; and Tyler Nicholas Tucker, son of Chelsea and Casey Tucker.

FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR this weekend were donated in memory of Charles and Evelyn Young by their family.

ELECTRONIC DEBITING CONTRIBUTIONS:

Total September 2007 electronic contributions: $6,461.00

School Calendar

Sept. 25 – Regional High School Fair – 6-9 p.m.- Portico/School

Sept. 28 - Liturgy – Gr. 1-8 at 9:30 a.m.

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!

INNISBROOK ON-GOING FUNDRAISER: Check out the website for gift giving ideas. The school receives 50% of all sales. Shop at www.innisbrook.com. Our school ID is # 122169.

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.

There is still time to join our RCIA classes that began last Sunday. If you or someone you know is interested in joining the Catholic Church, our RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) classes began 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.

IMPORTANT NOTICE for TUES., SEPT. 25: Due to a conflict in scheduling, Religious Education classes for the 6:45 p.m. session ONLY will be cancelled.

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.

NEEDED: Religious Ed is in need of a sign language interpreter to help one of our children during their Religious Ed class on Tuesdays at 6:45 p.m. We will also need someone at our Parent Meeting for Home Study on Wednesday, Sept. 26^th at 6:45 p.m. and our various activities scheduled for Reconciliation and Eucharist. Please call the Religious Ed Office for more details.

— YOUTH ALIVE (Grades 4-5) —

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

Oct. 19 – MUSIC, Food and Fun night…and pumpkin bowling!! – we want to have a campfire, or go to a corn maze, if possible, so watch the bulletin.

Nov. 2 – WELCOME TO PISA! Italian food, a pizza dough throwing contest and much more! This night is a follow-up with the “ON LOCATION” night held in the Portico the previous week!

— THE EDGE (Grades 6, 7 & 8) —

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 (Grades 9 - 12) —

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!

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!!

Do you ever wish you could feel God’s presence more on a daily basis in your life? We know God’s there, but it’s so hard to see Him sometimes. How can we find Him? Come out to this night and we’ll teach you how and explain why “Discover the Sacred” is our fall theme!

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 no later than 11:30 p.m. Ticket cost $12 and includes transportation to and from the event. Registration Deadline is Sept. 30! Call Kenn at 410-848-8443 to sign up!

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.

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED…If you would like to volunteer to work on one of the Christmas Bazaar Committees contact Jim Diggs at 410-346-5576. A committee chairperson is needed for the Basket and Linen room and a Bazaar Co-Chairperson is also needed.

THANKS to all who donated at our recent blood drive. A total of 88 pints were donated. Next drive is Monday, Dec. 3.

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). 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. Contact Dennis Ford at 410-840-0266 or Pat Hogan at 410-840-3407.

The Wisdom Club will meet at noon for Mass celebrated by Msgr. Art, followed by lunch and meeting in The Portico. Bring your brown bag lunch. Desserts and drinks furnished. The program will be “Inside the World of Bees” presented by Steve McDaniel REMINDER: Money due for Bon Secours Retreat. For details call Eleanor Wood at 410-875-3386 or Bonnie Bach at 410-795-0786.

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 (noon to Sunday afternoon). Only donations of clothes, outerwear and shoes will be accepted.

Join the Knights of Columbus Council 1393 for their 3rd annual event being held on St. John parking lot from 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. No rain date. Vendors should 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.

A Welcome 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.

October is Respect Life Month. Join us for this peaceful hour of prayer as we silently pray for an end to abortion from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the intersection of Rt. 140 and Sullivan Road, by the St. John Church sign. No graphic signs are used. For details, call Sallee Love at 410-861-6090.

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.

Come and hear a presentation by Allison West, LCSW-Child Safe Program Manager for the Archdiocese of Baltimore and learn how to talk to your children about healthy sexuality and sexual abuse prevention. Did you know that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused by age 18 and that 95% are abused by trusted adults and older children. This presentation is sponsored by St. John School & Religious Ed Program from 7-8 p.m. in the Portico. Adults Only

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 now and 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.

THE CHRISTMAS ROOM (2^nd year at the Bazaar) is looking for donations of any gently used Christmas decorations. Drop off Tuesday or Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the school basement. If you would like to volunteer to help or have any questions, call Nora at 410-812-4374.

STITCHES AND CRAFTS needs volunteers to complete craft kits. We also have lots of yarn, if you would like to make something for the bazaar. Call Jeanne at 410-596-6280.

ST. JOHN ROSES are accepting donations to send phone cards to the military now serving in Iraq. Local phone cards or your donations can be dropped off at the monthly parish breakfasts in the Portico or call Sharon Bryan at 410-848-7126 for details.

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

BE NOT AFRAID FAMILY HOLY HOURS are held on Monday evenings from 7-8 p.m. in Room B in the Parish Center. All parishioners are welcome to attend. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta once said that abortion could be eliminated from our country if enough families gathered once a week at their parish for a holy hour of prayer. During Respect Life month, we invite your whole family to a “Be Not Afraid Family Hour.” It will include a video with Francis Cardinal Arinze, Blessed Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul II, and a pictorial rosary. Come help make Mother Teresa’s vision a reality!

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.

As the members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society celebrate the feast of St. Vincent de Paul this weekend, we are thankful that his spirit is alive and well because of this parish’s continued generosity and support. God Bless You!

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

Cardinal William H. Keeler encourages all Catholics of the Archdiocese of Baltimore to take part in the national 40 Days for Life effort that begins this Wednesday, September 26, and ends on Sunday, November 4. We are asked to consider committing to a 40-day period of prayer and fasting for the conversion and forgiveness of those who provide or assist in abortions, those who encourage mothers toward abortion, and mothers themselves, so that all may come to respect the dignity of life from the first moment of conception. Please see this week’s bulletin insert for suggestions on how you and your family can participate.

The Daughters of Charity and the family of St. Vincent de Paul invite you to a Mass of Thanksgiving at 9:00 a.m. (followed by brunch) at the Basilica of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Joseph Provincial House, Emmitsburg, MD. Suggested offering: a can of food or monetary donation to benefit Seton Center Outreach & Emmitsburg Food Bank. RSVP to Gwen Topper (301)447-6011 or gtopper@doc.org

HISPANIC MINISTRY CONFERENCE…Wed., October 10

The Archdiocese of Baltimore and Washington invite you to a one-day conference on the theme “Evangelization and Popular Religiosity” for all priests, deacons, religious and lay leaders interested in Hispanic Ministry. The event will take place at Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, Columbia, MD from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Speakers: Jeanette Rodriguez, Ph.D. Prof. and Chair Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Seattle University. Rev. Lawrence J. Hayes, O.F.M. Pastor St. Camillus Parish, Silver Spring. Call Office of Hispanic Ministry 410-547-5423. Registration $30.00

PORTICO BOOKS + GIFTS: Show your support and appreciation for our troops. We are carrying multiple items for our troops such as, Bishop Fulton Sheen’s Wartime Prayer Book, Catholic Prayer Book for the Marine Corps, and Blessing from the Battlefield, various Catholic coins with St. Michael prayer and other prayers and inspirational sayings, a variety of pewter and sterling silver medals for all of our services, prayer cards and much more. Plus, we will be carrying the Ranger Rosaries. If you would like to send any such donations to the Armed Forces, the Portico staff is coordinating all shipments on behalf of the parish to Fr. Tyson Wood. Contact Jean in the bookstore or Teresa Richardson at the Parish Center x 227.

FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR this weekend were donated in memory of Charles and Evelyn Young by their family.

THE CHRISTMAS ROOM (2nd year at the Bazaar) is looking for donations of any gently used Christmas decorations. Drop off Tuesday or Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the school basement. If you would like to volunteer to help or have any questions, call Nora at 410-812-4374.

STITCHES AND CRAFTS needs volunteers to complete craft kits. We also have lots of yarn, if you would like to make something for the bazaar. Call Jeanne at 410-596-6280.

ST. JOHN ROSES are accepting donations to send phone cards to the military now serving in Iraq. Local phone cards or your donations can be dropped off at the monthly parish breakfasts in the Portico or call Sharon Bryan at 410-848-7126 for details.

HISPANIC MINISTRY CONFERENCE…Wed., October 10

THE CHRISTMAS ROOM (2^nd year at the Bazaar) is looking for donations of any gently used Christmas decorations. Drop off Tuesday or Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the school basement. If you would like to volunteer to help or have any questions, call Nora at 410-812-4374.