Parish Bulletin

The weekend of January 11^th through the 13^th was an eventful one for many young people from our parish. More than 140 middle school children along with, 40 adult volunteers went on retreat as part of their preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation. Five additional priests joined Father Patrick and me to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation with the young people. Father Leo celebrated Mass with them on Sunday. I am deeply grateful to Paul Gallagher, Kenn deMoll, Jordan Tippett and the volunteers from our parish Religious Education Program for their leadership, coordination and dedication. Please keep these young people in your prayers as they continue their preparation for Confirmation.

Masses are 7:00 & 9:30 a.m. (attended by St. John School) and 7:00 p.m. Confessions: No morning confessions. 6:15 – 6:45 p.m.

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 this devotion is welcome to join in prayer.

Masses and imposition of ashes will be at 7:00 & 9:30 a.m., 12:00 noon, 5:00, 7:00 and 8:30 p.m. (Spanish Mass). This is a day of Fast and Abstinence.

2:00 p.m. (children’s format) and 7:00 p.m. On First Fridays stations will follow the 7 p.m. Mass.

AS WE APPROACH LENT people ask for clarifications about individual obligations for Lenten Spiritual Practices, especially about fasting. Below are some traditional guidelines to help you enter more deeply into the spirit of Lent.

PENITENTIAL FAST and ABSTINENCE:

All persons who have reached their 14^th birthday and up to their 60^th birthday are bound by the law of abstinence. Good Friday is a day of abstinence from meat and also a day of fast; that is limited to a single full meal. The current canonical discipline of penance for the United States, in addition to the general character of the Lenten season, may be summed up by:

a) Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of abstinence from meat and also days of fast; that is limited to a single full meal.

c) The Fridays of the year outside Lent remain days of penance but each individual may substitute for the traditional abstinence from meat by some other practice of voluntary self-denial or personal penance: this may be physical mortification or temperance or acts of religion, charity or Christian witness.

WE PRAY for the REPOSE of Joseph Ferguson, Rev. Christopher Carney, Royston Schwartz, and Katherine Anne McKindles and for their families and friends.

WE ASK YOUR PRAYERS for all who are homebound or in nursing homes and for all the sick, especially Tess Hupfeld, Andrew Shipton, Robert Wellbrook, Warren Drell, Jr., Donald Acorn, Wendell Vollmer, Thomas Hartman and Mitsuko Armstrong.

BAPTISMS: Congratulations and welcome to Colin Patrick Messier, son of Kathleen and Glen Messier, Jr.

This year’s budget is based on a weekly offering of $31,500.00. Our current weekly average is $29,699.13. Thank you.

ELECTRONIC DEBITING CONTRIBUTIONS:

Total January, 2008 electronic contributions: $6,982.75

School Calendar

Jan. 27- Feb. 1 - Catholic Schools Week

Jan. 28 – School closed – professional day

Jan. 30 - Open House- 8:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Feb. 1 - School Liturgy @ 9:30 a.m. with Bishop Malooly

ST. JOHN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE…Wed., Jan. 30

Attn: Parishioners!! – Did you know next week is National Catholic Schools Week? All over the USA, Catholic School are celebrating the good news of Catholic education! This year the theme “Catholic Schools Light the Way” focuses on the leadership that Catholic Schools provide and the spiritual foundation that Catholic Schools engender. Thank you for your support of our own St. John School over the years. Please know that you are invited to attend our Open House, on Wednesday, January 30^th from 8:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. We keep parishioners in our daily prayers!

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.

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% from all sales. Cards are available in the school office.

ANNULMENT INFORMATION SESSION…Mon., Feb. 25

Fr. Gil Seitz from the Archdiocesan Tribunal will lead an information session regarding marriage annulments. This session will be held in the St. Therese Room from 7:00-8:30 p.m. For the last several years, Fr. Seitz has been coming annually to give this important and helpful presentation, which is open to anyone.

REMINDER: Snow date for Instructional Mass is Saturday, February 2^nd at 9:00 a.m.

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.

Fri., March 7 – St. Patrick’s Day Party – Don’t forget to Wear your green!

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 (Grades 9 -12) —

Life Teen is a High School Youth Ministry that meets every 1^st, and 4^th Sunday at 7:15 p.m. in the Cafeteria. On the 3^rd Sunday we meet in the Portico at 7:15 p.m. Newcomers are welcome!

Life Teen is once again hosting our parish Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tuesday, February 5^th from 4-7 pm in the Portico. We are looking for additional volunteer help, so any young person over 13 looking for service hours should contact Kenn deMoll at kdemoll@sjwest.org.

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!

THANK YOU to all who attended the Lenten Appeal Reception last Thursday evening! It was a very informative evening with Bishop Malooly and guests explaining the good works accomplished through the Lenten Appeal Initiative. Please lend your support to the Lenten Appeal and help us to make this year the year we reach our parish goal! Thanks to all who worked or volunteered at the reception!

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.

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.

PARISHIONERS: Please check the Westminster City Government website for a very special 60-second video describing our very own St. John Church, School and Parish Community! Go to http://www.westgov.com and click on the square logo “Community Videos” – that will bring up an elocal link that shows “St John Catholic Church” in green. Click right onto the St John Church name and enjoy the One-Minute Video highlighting the good news of our St. John parish community!

RANGER ROSARY MINISTRY DONATIONS NEEDED for supplies to make Rosaries to send to the military in Iraq. Thank you to everyone who has been so generous in donating to pay for supplies to make the Rosaries. So far we have shipped about 400 Rosaries. There is still a need for more Rosaries as more troops are deploying each month. We are specifically sending to Fr. Tyson Wood who is serving in the area of Baghdad. Donations can be made at the Knight's Breakfast, on Hospitality Sunday, dropped off at the Parish Center or by contacting Carolyn Peters at 410-876-8268

SPIRITUAL ADOPTION PROGRAM…Thank you to the parishioners and the students of St. John School who have promised to pray daily for an unborn baby. Watch the bulletin for monthly updates on the development of your spiritually adopted baby, as well as monthly thank you notes. If you haven't yet filled out a prayer pledge card, pick one up, (pink or blue,) in the narthex of the church. Please leave the completed card in the basket in front of the statue of Our Blessed Mother. First Month update - Feb. 24th.

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 more information call the parish office.

Join the Knights of Columbus at The Portico for a great breakfast of pancakes, French toast, eggs and more from 8:00-11:30 a.m. Adults- $5.00, Children - $3. The Knights appreciate your support.

Life Teen is hosting their annual “Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper” from 4-8 p.m. in The Portico. Take a break and come enjoy this free “Fat Tuesday Meal” (not fat free)!! Donations are accepted, but not required. We still need volunteers. Call or email Kenn at kdemoll@sjwest.org , if you can help.

Join us every Friday during Lent at the Portico of St. John. Fish and shrimp dinners served from 4-7 p.m. For more information call Teresa Richardson at 410-848-4744 x227. Service hours available.

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 yrs. 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!

Save the date! 4^thannual event at Westminister High School. Don’t miss this free, fun filled evening! More details later.

“Give us this day our daily bread” When we pray the Our Father, we ask God to provide our food. The majority of us receive sufficient food. Others have very little. Your contributions to the poor boxes help us help those who cannot afford some of the basic necessities of life.

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.

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.

“YOURS TRULY: THE POWER OF COMMITMENT FOR LIFE-LONG MARRIAGE”… Thurs., Feb. 14

Married couples and couples contemplating marriage, are invited to enjoy a special dinner together followed by a guided reflection on the meaning of promises to each other and a prayer service of recommitment to one another. Join Lauri and John Przybysz, the president couple of the Christian Family Movement-USA, at Bon Secours Spiritual Center, Marriottsville, from 6:45-8:45 p.m. for Dinner for two: Your Marriage-The Great Adventure. Cost is $60 per couple (includes dinner). For more details or to register call 410-442-1320 or visit: www.bonsecoursspiritualcenter.org

All married couples are invited to join Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien for the special World Marriage Day Mass and Reception at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, February 17, 2008 at 3:00 P.M. Mass will be interpreted for the hearing-impaired.

Join Catholics at the 24th Annual Maryland Catholic Conference Lobby Night in Annapolis. This event is scheduled for Presidents’ Day – a state and federal holiday. Registration begins at 2:45 p.m. at St. Mary’s High School, 111 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, MD 21401. Lobby Night features briefings on legislation under consideration by the Maryland Legislature, face-to-face meetings with state lawmakers and a legislative reception. To register, contact Chris Santo at 410-269-1155 or 301-261-1979 or register online at www.mdcathcon.org.

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 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.