Parish Bulletin

Next week is the annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week. The theme of this year’s national celebration is, “Catholic Schools Light the Way.” Since its founding in the sacristy of our old church on Main Street in 1865, our parish school has been a light for our parish and for Carroll County. Originally started by a lay administration and faculty, our school was led and served by the School Sisters of Notre Dame for one hundred years. Today, thanks to the leadership of our dedicated staff, faculty, parents, volunteers, students and parish school board, the tradition continues and our light shines brightly.

Bishop Malooly, the Vicar General of the Archdiocese and our Western Vicar will celebrate Mass with our school children on Friday, February 1^st at 9:30 a.m. You are invited to join us. I would also like to note that our school children attend weekly Mass each Friday morning throughout the school year. Thank you for your continued and faithful support of our parish school.

WE ASK YOUR PRAYERS for all who are homebound or in nursing homes and for all the sick, especially…Lois Simering, William Drell, Andrew Shipton, Jeannie Carbo, Regina Hoffman, Marge Matulonis and Charles Dukehart.

BAPTISMS: Congratulations and welcome to James Patrick Davis, son of Paula and James Davis; McKenzie Macyn Eacho, daughter of Jennifer and James Eacho, III; Christopher Joseph Schreck, son of Janet and Matthew Schreck; and Kateri Patricia Benedictis, daughter of Julie and David Benedictis.

SECOND COLLECTION this weekend, January 19-20, will be for the Special Care of Diocesan Priests.

CAMPAIGN UPDATE:

Total Pledged: $ 7,502,162

Paid to Date: 6,952,090

Balance $ 550,072

School Calendar

Jan. 21 – School Closed – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Jan. 23 - Academic Team Mtg.– 3:15- 4pm - Rm 8B

PTF Board Mtg. @ 6 p.m. – Gen. Mtg. @ 7 p.m. - Portico

Jan. 25 - School Liturgy @ 9:30 a.m. – Church

Jan. 26 - First Communion Instructional Mass – 9 am – Church

PTF Live & Silent Auction – 7 pm - Portico

Jan. 27-Feb. 1 – Catholic School Week

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.

ST. JOHN SCHOOL LIGHTS THE WAY…Beginning next Sunday, January 27^th, we will have our annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week. This year’s theme is “Catholic Schools Light the Way” with a stained-glass logo that underscores our faith-based education and the light of knowledge we strive to kindle in our students. Please join us for our Open House on Wednesday, January 30^th from 8:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. and for our Liturgy with Bishop Francis Malooly on Friday, February 1^st at 9:30 a.m. Come and see how St. John School lights the way!

REMINDER: All parents who have a child preparing for First Holy Communion should have received a notice about our Lesson on the Mass (Instructional Mass) which will be held on Saturday, January 26^th at 9 a.m. in the Church. The students will sit with their families. The snowdate is Saturday, February 2^nd.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL… June 23-27

It’s not too early to start planning for our Vacation Bible School which will take place the week of June 23^rd from 9-noon. Please call the Religious Ed Office if you can help as a teacher, classroom assistant, snack person, music, or with crafts. We would also like to form a group that will help with decorations.

Sat., Feb. 16 – McDaniel Pool! We are going to the indoor pool from 3-5 p.m. If you have not filled out a liability form for Youth Alive, please make sure to turn one in so you can go. The cost will be $5 a person. Parents will drop their kids off at the McDaniel pool at 2:30 pm. We will go over some rules, then it’s swimming fun for all! Liability forms can be found online at www.sjwest.org.

We meet every 2^nd Sunday and every 4^th Friday in the Cafeteria/Gym from 7:30-9:00 p.m.

SUMMER CAMP TRIP MEETING… Sun., Jan. 27

We are beginning to plan for a summer camp trip to CoveCrest, Georgia for The Edge. The camp we have chosen to attend will run from July 14-19 and our teens will join others from around the country for an incredible week that challenges their body and spirit as they prepare to take on white-water rapids and the thrilling zip line. We are still working out costs, etc. and we ask that anyone interested in sending their child attend this meeting on Jan. 27^th from 5-5:30 p.m. in the Emmaus Room at the Parish Center.

LENTEN RETREAT will be Feb. 22-23 at Camp Hashawa. Register early! The cost is $50. Please send payment, payable to St. John, to Mandy Komar in the Religious Ed Office. If you have any questions, please email Mandy at mkomar@sjwest.org.

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!

STEUBENVILLE 2008 SPONSORS NEEDED: For the past 12 years, St. John has sent teenagers to the Steubenville Annual Youth Conference. Unfortunately, the cost of the retreat is expensive and many teenagers often cannot afford to come with us. We need you! Any donation you make to this worthy cause is completely tax deductible. Any donation is greatly appreciated!

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. Call the Health Care Ministry office at 410-876-2248 x220 to make arrangements.

For those who missed the recent training we have scheduled training on the following dates and times: Saturday, Jan. 19 from 8:30- 9:30 a.m. and on Wednesday, Jan. 23 from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. You MUST attend one of these sessions. For questions call Jim Diggs at 410-346-6576 or email diggsit@aol.com. Training will be done in the church.

This spiritually based group is for those grieving the loss of a loved one. We meet in the Parish Center from 10:30-noon. No registration required. For details call Janet Tenney - 410-833-1542.

All boys and girls ages 10 - 14 are invited to participate in the local level competition for the 2008 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship. The local competition will be held January 20th, at 5:00pm in the St. John School Gym. All boys and girls will compete in their respective age divisions and can qualify for district and State competition. All contestants and winners will be recognized and winners will be provided with awards. Registration forms can be either picked up at St. John school's office or contact Steve Aquino, 410-635-3474 or email stevenjod@msn.com.

Join us at the Portico from 2:00 PM until ????? Watch the big game on the huge 12-foot theater screen, in a sports bar atmosphere. Plenty of entertainment and games. All you can eat menu includes the famous sausage and subs from Guilianova’s, chili, shrimp, beer and soda at $20 per person. Contact Bill Norton at 410-848-5494, or Louis Stachowiak at 410-635-2583 for tickets and reservations. All over 21 are welcome! Bring your friends and family to this annual event sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.

All parishioners are encouraged to participate in this Spiritual Adoption Program. This is a 9-month pro-life initiative for the purpose of praying for the unborn, providing education about prenatal development and helping mothers in need. Parishioners are asked to pray daily for one unborn child. At the end of the nine months, a baby shower will be given to honor all the babies. Parishioners will be invited to bring gifts to be donated to the St. John Gabriel Project. For more information about this program go to: www.archbalt.org/respect-life/spiritual-adoption/.

The March for Life will take place in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, January 22. Please plan on attending this national event that coincides with the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. Our parish will sponsor two buses. Buses will depart from St. John’s at 9:00 a.m. Please call Surretha Uebel @ 410-871-3217 to reserve your space. You may also sign-up on the sheet posted in the narthex of the church.

Please make plans to join us at the upcoming St. John School Parents, Teachers, Friends (PTF) General Meeting. The meeting is an excellent opportunity to find out what's going on at our school, voice concerns or ideas, and stay involved in your child(ren)'s Catholic values-based academic education. The meeting will start at 7 pm in the Portico. All are welcome and strongly encouraged to attend. Any questions, please contact Dave Issing, PTF President, at daveissing@comcast.net. or at 410-751-6178. We hope to see you there this Wednesday night at 7:00 pm!

You are invited to our Lenten Appeal kickoff reception in the Portico at 7:00 p.m. Bishop Francis Malooly will be on hand to speak with us and we hope you can join us! Light refreshments will be served and a wonderful time will be had by all! Please come and learn more about how the Lenten Appeal helps those in need.

Join us for Mass at noon, celebrated by Msgr. Art, followed by lunch in the Portico. Bring your lunch, drinks and desserts will be provided. The speaker is Mary Kemp of Carroll Community College, who will speak on “Health, Healing and Humor.” For more details call Bonnie-410-795-0786 or Eleanor-410-875-3336.

Our next meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. in the parish center. Please call Dawn Walsh at 410-876-0250 for more information.

Join us at 7 p.m. in the Portico for an evening that promises fun, fellowship and good times with great friends. Tickets are now on sale and are $40, which includes hor’doeurves, buffet style dinner with carving stations, desserts, and open bar of beer, wine, rail drinks, sodas, and coffee. Tickets are available at the school office or call Michele Kirk at 410-795-9632 or Bobbie Planchon at 410-374-0206 for more details or to donate an auction item.

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.

KATRINA RELIEF…The need is still great in the Gulf Coast area. St. John’s is sending a team to Covington, LA to help Habitat for Humanity from March 9^th-March 15^th. Cost: $300 for travel, room & board. St. John’s will help with expenses. Must be 18 years or older. Deadline to sign up is Jan. 31st. Call Fran Rock at 410-876-1795.

Please join Keynote Speaker Judi McLane from Generation Life at the Portico from 3:30-5:30 p.m.! The afternoon begins with a presentation followed by a fashion show for teens. Door prizes and free gift bags will round out this fun day! Light refreshments, tea, and punch will be served. All young ladies in 6th grade and up are invited with their mothers, aunts, and grandmothers, too! Tickets are $5.00 and tables of 10 are available for group purchases. Call Patti Spaar for information and tickets at 410-861-8510. A representative will be selling tickets at the Portico Books + Gifts. See you there!

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 Sundays in the Portico. For information call Carolyn Peters at 410-876-8268.

NEEDED: A sign language interpreter for the 9:15a.m. Mass on Sundays beginning on March 2, 2008. If you know how to sign and would like to become involved in this ministry, please contact Fr. Patrick at the parish center.

LONGEST MARRIED COUPLE…Our parish is again participating in Worldwide Marriage Encounter’s search for the longest married couple in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. One nominee from each parish will be honored during a special Mass celebrated by Archbishop Edwin O’Brien. Please give the names of your candidates, married 50 years or more, to the parish office no later than January 27, 2008. Please include their names, address, telephone number and wedding date.

ST. JOHN ROSES COOKBOOKS…We still have Taste and See Parish Cookbooks for sale. Price $15.00. To purchase call Chris Mort at 410-876-2014.

Save the date! The 6^th annual MIB basketball game is at 7 p.m. at Westminster High School. Don’t miss this free, fun-filled evening. More details to come!

As you place your gift in the St. Vincent de Paul poor box, know that you are a sign of God’s love to those who are suffering, and you give them reason to believe and to trust.

Treat your “love” to an enjoyable Valentine’s evening to benefit St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore. Sample a wide selection of wines from around the world, taste gourmet food, listen to live music, attend educational seminars, and bid on silent auction items featuring jewelry, a painting by Thomas Stiltz and much more! Receive discounts on any wine purchased that evening! The event is being held at The Belvedere, One East Chase Street, Baltimore from 7:00-11:00 p.m. Tickets are $80 per person. For tickets call 410-547-5548 or visit www.vincentbaltimore.org and click on events.

THE DEER PARK LIONS CLUB, will collect used eyeglasses and hearing aids for recycling in developing countries. The eyeglasses/hearing aids will be distributed to those in need by Lion volunteers and other organizations hosting optical missions in developing countries. Look for the Lions Recycle for Sight boxes near the doors of the church on the 4th weekend of each month. (January 26-27).

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUPS…St. Joseph Catholic Community in Eldersburg is offering two bereavement support groups. One group is for parents who have lost a child (Thurs., Jan. 31 from 7-8:30 p.m.) and the other group is for adults who have lost a spouse, parent, or friend (Mon., Jan. 28 from 7-8:30 p.m.). To register call Office of Adult Formation at 443-920-9107.

Fr. Joe Breighner will be the presenter at St. Joseph’s parish retreat, 915 Liberty Road, Eldersburg from 7:30-8:30 p.m. each evening. Babysitting will be provided. For information call 443-920-9191.

A placement test has been scheduled for those 8^th grade students who are interested in attending Delone Catholic High for the 2008-2009 school year. The test will be administered from 8:00 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. at the school, 140 S. Oxford Ave., McSherrystown, PA. For more information please contact Sr. Maria Jude, CSJ at 717-637-5969. All 8^th grader applicants to Delone must take this test.

ALTAR FLOWER MEMORIAL: Our parish invites memorial donations for altar flowers. You may wish to memorialize a deceased loved one, commemorate an anniversary, etc. Your name and the intention will be included in the bulletin the weekend your flowers are placed on the altar. Call the parish office to schedule.

THE ROSARY PRAYED at a FUNERAL HOME for a deceased loved one is a service offered to parishioners of St. John by the Ladies Sodality. Contact the parish office to make request.

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. Call Teresa Richardson at 410-848-4744 x227.

Mass Intentions

From the Pastor

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL… June 23-27

SUMMER CAMP TRIP MEETING… Sun., Jan. 27