Parish Bulletin

This Sunday our parish school is hosting an open house from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. We can be justly proud of our parish elementary school, which was started in 1866. Recognized for its strong Catholic identity, fully accredited by Middle States and part of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, St. John School is an essential component of our parish. Our students are our most effective ambassadors. If you would like more information about our school please: come to the Open House today, visit our website, call and make and appointment, and/or come to Mass with the school children on Friday mornings at 9:30 during the school year. Thanks to the strong support of our parish and the leadership of the School Board, the support of the PTF (Parents, Teachers and Friends), and the generosity of our loyal alumni, the Tuition Assistance Program exists to ensure parents in our parish that enrolling their children in our school is always possible. Thank you for your continued prayers and support of our parish school.

WE ASK YOUR PRAYERS for all who are homebound or in nursing homes and for all the sick, especially…Mary Chubb, Jordan Bode, Kimberly Smith, Bud McMillan, Elwood Goines, Shirley Drell, Glenn Clark, Jr., Philip Loveland, Estelle Jordon, Warren Drell, Jr., Elizabeth Morris, Keith Floyd, Jr., Helen Crawford, Kathleen Adcock, Phyllis Speelman, Patricia Callahan, Fr. Andy Mohl and Anthony Colodonato.

WE PRAY FOR THE REPOSE of James McKernan, Gary Lucas, Pauline Drawbaugh, Jobita Perez Diaz, and Howard C. Kavanaugh, Sr. and for their families and friends.

BAPTISMS: Congratulations and welcome to Cecilia Grace Coco, daughter of Stephen and Erica Coco; Tao Andrew Ton, son of Tai and Mary Ton; Jace Michael Tsakanikas, son of Michael and Jamie Tsakanikas; Bridgette Love Urish, daughter of Walter and Paula Urish;

FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR this weekend were donated in celebration of the wedding of Jon and Ruth Rice.

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

Envelope Program………………………… $4,790.00

THANK YOU to all who contributed to the Propagation of the Faith collection. The total amount collected was $7,190.54.

School Calendar

Nov. 11 – Open House 10:00 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Nov. 14 - 3^rd Grade Field Trip 10-1 p.m.

Nov. 15 – First Reconciliation at 4:30 & 6:45 p.m.

School Board Meeting – 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 16 – All school liturgy – Gr. 1-8

Chick-Fil-A- Family Night - 4-7 p.m.

Nov. 19-23 - School closed for Thanksgiving Holiday

Nov. 26 – Market Day Order Forms due back (pick-up 12/4)

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. Gift cards are available for purchase in the school office, the 1^st and 3^rd Sundays at the Portico or by calling the parish office.

The school also participates in the grocery bonus programs for Giant, Martin’s and Safeway. Forms are located at the entrances of the Church. Take a flyer for the appropriate store and fill it out and place it in the collection basket or drop off at school. Any questions, call Darlene at 410-876-7031.

Please join us from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to meet the teachers and staff, tour the facility, review textbooks, ask any questions and learn more about our school. Our school serves students in Kindergarten through Grade 8. Light refreshments will be served.

WHY CATHOLIC: This week, our Why Catholic groups will be completing our second session of the program. The theme this week is “We Believe in Life Everlasting” and we will be discussing how the way we live our lives today will effect how we spend eternity.

A big thanks to all those who have signed up for the College Freshmen Retreat on December 21-22. The response has been so favorable that we have moved to a larger retreat house, in order to accommodate anyone else who would like to join us. The theme is “Thirsty?” based on Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan Woman in John’s Gospel. Fr. Jerry Francik, Vocations Director for the Archdiocese will be leading the retreat. The cost is $40, and there are a few more spots open. To sign up, or get more information, please contact Paul Gallagher in the Religious Ed. Office.

Reconciliation Services for 2^nd graders will be on Thurs., Nov. 15^th at 4:30 and 6:45 p.m. and Tuesday, Nov. 27^th at 4:30 and 6:45 p.m.

NOTICE: There will be no Religious Ed classes on Tuesday, Nov. 20^th and Thursday, Nov. 22^nd.

Fri., Nov. 16 – TURKEY BOWLING with a little kick of Thanksgiving treats. Yum, Yum. S’mores and more, lots more. Music and some turkey games! Be sure to join us for a fun night!

We meet every 2^nd Sunday and every 4^th Friday in the Cafeteria/Gym from 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Sun., Nov. 11 – PISA NIGHT… This night is a follow-up with the ‘ON LOCATION’ night held at the Portico the previous week!

Fri., Nov. 23 – TURKEY BOWLING & A CAMPFIRE!! If you love S’mores, friends and the game of soccer—well, this night includes all of this and more.

LENTEN RETREAT will be Feb. 22-23 and will go even longer! Watch the bulletin for more detail!

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 we meet in the Portico at 7:15. Newcomers are welcome!

Nov. 11 – “IN-SENSE, INC.”: Have you ever been sitting at Mass and wish you understood the readings a little better? This week we’ve got a night prepared that’s going to help you understand some ways you can better understand Scripture and how Scripture really is relevant to your life! Oh, and did we mention that we’re going to play dodge ball too?

Nov. 17- SPIRITUAL RE-CHARGE: Feel like you need a spiritual recharge and don’t want to wait until the Life Teen winter retreat? We’re going to the “Fan the Fire” rally in York, PA on Nov. 17th! It’s a miniature Steubenville retreat packed into one day! We’ll be leaving St. John at 8:00 a.m. returning by 10 p.m. The cost is $40. The price includes transportation, dinner and event admission. You will need a bag lunch for the day.

Nov. 18 – LIFE TEEN TALENT SHOW: We are having a COLD coffee house. So whether you sing, play guitar or can do a back flip, you want to make sure you come to this night! All acts need to email Kenn by Nov. 15^th to sign up! Did we mention we’re bringing in a professional magician to kick off the night!

December 14-16 – FULFILLED RETREAT: Are you looking to be fulfilled by God? Life Teen is going on retreat to Bellarmine Retreat Center in Blue Ridge Summit, PA on Dec. 14-16. The cost is $95. Any Confirmation student or high school student is invited! Just email Kenn at kdemoll@sjwest.org or call him at 410-848-8443 for more information.

THANK YOU to all who attended or volunteered and helped at the recent Celebration Commemorating the 50^th Anniversary of the Laying of the Cornerstone of St. John High School! It was a lovely evening and we especially thank Ralph Arnold for chairing the event! It was great to see so many of you back on campus!

We will begin our gift-wrapping project for shut-ins from 9 a.m. to noon and will continue each Monday until Christmas. If you can help out, join us on any Monday.

Donations of the following items are needed for our communion call shut-ins: band aids, large boxes of Kleenex, dish detergent (small), scotch tape, post-it-notes, hand cream, wet wipes, baby powder, shampoo, socks, Vaseline, disinfectant hand soap, and Christmas wrapping paper. Chap stick and paper towels are especially needed. Drop off donations at the Parish Center.

HEALTH CARE MINISTRY has a number of assistive devices available for loan, such as wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs and bedside commodes. A parishioner also has a motorized hospital bed available to someone in need. Please call the Health Care Ministry office at 410-876-2248 x220 to make arrangements for whatever you need.

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.

All parishioners are invited to the open house from 10:00 am-1:00 pm. Stop by after Mass and see the good news of St. John School in action! Tour the school; meet the teachers & staff and enjoy refreshments!

The next meeting will be at 1:00 p.m. in the St. Therese Room of the Parish Center. Our guest speaker will be from Meals on Wheels. All Health Care Ministers are encouraged to attend and all interested parishioners are welcome to join us.

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday our next meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Center. Contact Dawn Welsh at 410-876-0250.

Join us for Mass at Noon, followed by lunch and meeting in the Portico. Bring your brown bag lunch. Desserts and beverages will be provided. New members are always welcome. Money will be collected for those attending our Christmas Party at Martins. For details contact Eleanor (410-875-3336) or Bonnie 410-795-0786.

Join us for a night out for some fun, relaxation and dancing from 7-11 p.m. at the Portico. Adults $5.00 per person, includes chips, pretzels and soft drink, cash bar of beer and wine. Proceeds benefit St. John Church Building Fund. For tickets contact Anne Messina at 410-751-9844 or Tom Tulley 410-346-6777.

Following Mass, representatives of World Vision will be available to distribute information concerning sponsorship of children in Spanish-speaking countries. World Vision is an ecumenical organization that tends to the immediate needs and future self-sufficiency of children around the world. Sponsors develop personal relationships with the children through regular correspondence and progress reports. This event is offered on behalf of our Hispanic parishioners.

ST. JOHN PARISH COOKBOOK is ready for sale/pickup at Hospitality Sunday at the Portico on Nov.18. The cost is $15.00.

Kristen Witte from the Archdiocesan Youth Ministry Office will be here from 12-4 p.m. in the St. Therese Room to provide some specialized training for all youth ministry volunteers. Msgr. Art has asked that all those who help in any capacity with this ministry attend this training. Anyone attending will receive Archdiocesan Certification in Youth Ministry. Please RSVP to the Religious Ed Office if you plan to attend.

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR- Saturday, Dec. 1

BAZAAR 50/50 RAFFLE-MINIMUM $2,500 GRAND PRIZE Return your tickets to the Parish Center, the school or by mail. Additional tickets are available from the school, Parish Center or call Betsy Diggs at 410-346-6576. Tickets are $1.00 each.

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED… If you would like to volunteer to work on one of the Christmas Bazaar Committees contact Jim Diggs at 410-346-6576.

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.

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 or Nina Price at 410-635-6422.

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. Call Nora at 410-812-4374 for questions or to help.

ANGELS, INC. MINI MALL needs donations of trinkets, keepsakes, knick-knacks, small gift items, jewelry and jewelry boxes, items geared for men, toiletries, scented candles, candy, small toys, dollar store items to help make baskets and goody bags.

For information or questions call Christine at 410-876-5627. Volunteers also needed. Service hours are awarded.

STUFFED ANIMALS NEEDED FOR BAZAAR…Clean, stuffed animals, dolls and doll clothes needed, same drop off as market place. For questions, call Cathy Hoos at 410-876-2442.

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.

NORTH POLE CANDY…Donations of candy, left over Halloween and similar items are needed for the North Pole booth. Containers will be provided at the church, parish center or the school for any donations.

COOKIES, COOKIES, COOKIES…the cookie table needs your help! Hundreds of cookies are needed to make the Christmas Bazaar a success. If you can bake any kind of cookies, contact Mary Mussari at 410-848-3354. Also if you can donate any time on Saturday, December 1^st to help work the table, please call.

HOMEMADE CANDY AND FUDGE…The “Fudge Table” needs donations of sugar, chocolate chips and Kraft marshmallow crème. We would also accept grocery store gift cards, peanut butter and nuts. If you have a favorite candy recipe, consider making some to donate to the bazaar! We DESPERATELY need donations this year! There are boxes where you can leave your donations in the back of the church, St. John school office or at the Parish Center. Questions, call Diane Miller at 410-876-8239.

Join Filiae Mariae at 6:30 p.m. in the Portico to celebrate the coming of our Lord through stories, customs, sing-a-longs and a special guest appearance from recording tenor, Patrick Mulhern. Special selection of finger foods. Tickets are $12 and are available at the Portico Bookstore. For more info call Dawn Walsh at 410-876-0250 or Joanne Sebeck at 443-324-0311.

Bring the family to hear Catholic artist Martin Doman for a grace-filled Christmas concert to prepare our hearts to welcome Christ, the Light of the World at 7 p.m. at the Portico. A free will offering is asked.

BLANKET OF LOVE…St. John Respect Life Committee invites you to create a square for a Blanket of Love to remember your child who died prior to birth, either through miscarriage, stillbirth or abortion. Program information and confidential request forms are displayed in the narthex of the church.

RANGER ROSARY MINISTRY…A group has formed to make Ranger Rosaries to send to the armed forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. We are collecting donations to support this project after Mass at the Knight's breakfast and on Hospitality Sunday in the Portico. For information call Carolyn Peters at 410-876-8268.

The Shepherds Staff Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be held at St. John’s on November 22nd from 12-2 p.m. Please help us provide the canned vegetables (101 ounce cans) for this dinner. The vegetables needed are: green beans, whole kernel corn, sauerkraut, applesauce, cranberry sauce and instant mashed potatoes. Items can be brought to the school cafeteria any weekday starting Nov.1^st - Nov. 20th between 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and on Nov. 21^st from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. For questions call Joe Wade (410-876-2785). To request delivery of the meals to the homebound or for emergency transportation to the dinner, call Shepherds Staff at 410-857-5944. This holiday meal has been created to bring together those who wish to share the blessings of feasting and fellowship on Thanksgiving Day. There is no charge and all are welcome.

The Little Sisters of the Poor will hold their annual Christmas Ceramic Bazaar and bake sale at St. Martin’s Home, 601 Maiden Choice Lane, Catonsville from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more details call 410-744-9367.

Everyone is invited to hear Pope Benedict’s emissary, Cardinal-elect Paul Josef Cordes speak at 7 p.m. in the Knott Auditorium about Pope Benedict XVI charitable activities in the world

PORTICO BOOKS + GIFTS: Fr. Leo's cookbook is in stock and available at the Portico Books + Gifts. New inspirational inscribed ceramic tableware just arrived, lots of new items and limited supply. Buy your St. John Christmas Cards early and save $$$.

THE PORTICO OF ST. JOHN is a full banquet facility available for wedding receptions, anniversary dinners, rehearsal dinners, birthday parties, baptismal and communion celebrations. With Wi-Fi capabilities you can host your next business meeting in The Portico of St. John. We are still booking holiday parties. To learn more about hosting your next party in The Portico of St. John contact Teresa Richardson at 410-848-4744 x227.