Parish Bulletin

Welcome to Lent! This holy season of prayer, fasting and alms giving provides us with many and varied opportunities for grace and growth in the Lord. I encourage you to take advantage of the Lenten experience. Hopefully you have received our parish brochure detailing the scheduled events including: the Parish Mission, the Penance Services, The Stations of the Cross, daily Mass and the Liturgies of Holy Week. We will receive an invitation from Archbishop O’Brien to give alms through the annual Lenten Appeal. This particular charity enables us to respond to real needs in our Archdiocese. Operation Rice Bowl, included in this week’s bulletin reminds us of the mission of the universal Church. Our weekly poor box serves the needs of people in our own community. With so many needs and our limited resources, I am reminded of the reality that we can never out give God. May Our Lord continue to reward you for your goodness and Lenten sacrifices.

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

LENTEN GUIDELINES ON FAST & ABSTINENCE: 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 are bound by the law of abstinence. All adults are bound by the law of fast up to their 60^th year. 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 Sheila Oyer, Herbert Miller, Mary Zabicki,, Mildred Rhodes 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 Joe Colley, Ed Wheatley, Tom Hartman, Josephine Ridge, Jean Davis, Tess Hupfeld, Ginny Graham, Charles Dukehart, Stacy Fehle, Myra Fecteau, Sherrie Griffith, Robert Wellbrook, Katie Marin, Jessie Walters, Andrew Shipton, Christie Mattingly, Mary Chubb, Donald Acorn, Patricia Callahan, Mitsuko Armstrong, Baby Nathan Boner and Mary Ellen Crumbley.

BAPTISMS: Congratulations and welcome to Vincent Giacinto Seppi, son of Jennifer and Perry Seppi.

This year’s budget is based on a weekly offering of $31,500.00. Our current weekly average is $29,671.79. Thank you.

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

Envelope Program………………………… $3,191.81

ARCHBISHOP’S LENTEN APPEAL begins this week! We ask that you prayerfully consider your sacrifice to this year’s Appeal. So many people have been helped or supported through the ministries made possible by the generosity of parishioners who contribute to this Appeal. Please pray for the success of the 2008 Lenten Appeal.

School Calendar

Feb. 11 – Market Day Orders to be picked up at Portico

Feb. 12 – Schools closed for Election Day

Feb. 15 - School Liturgy – 9:30 a.m. Stations at 2 p.m.

Feb. 18 – 19 - School closed - Presidents Day/Professional Day

- Archdiocesan High. School Accept. Letters mailed

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.

IMPORTANT NOTE: There will be NO Religious Ed classes on Tuesday, Feb. 12^th.

REMINDER FOR HOME STUDY STUDENTS…Home study will be meeting on the 2^nd Wednesday of the month of February (February 13^th) because of the Ash Wednesday schedule.

PARENTS OF THURSDAY RELIGIOUS ED STUDENTS GRADES 3 THROUGH 8: There will be a Penance Service for Grades 3-8 on Thursday, Feb. 14^th (both 4:30 and 6:45 p.m.). Please bring your child directly to the Church and they will be sitting with their class.

PARENTS of those students preparing for First Holy Communion: The Religious Education Office has several dresses and suits if anyone is in need of these for your child’s First Holy Communion. Please call the Religious Ed Office.

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.

LENTEN RETREAT will be Feb. 22-23 at Camp Hashawa. Register now! 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.

THE EDGE SUMMER CAMP…July 13-19

That’s right, The Edge is once again heading down to Covecrest, Georgia for a whole week, July 13^th-19^th. During the day, the camp is filled with a variety of adventures on rope courses, frisbee, golf, volleyball, basketball, crafts, even a rafting trip! At night, all are invited to participate in music, talks, skits and other great faith-based activities. As of this date, almost all of our 28 spots are filled—so reserve now. The cost is an unbelievable $435, which includes bus transportation, all meals, activities and lodging. We’ll need to do a few fundraisers, so that everyone can come, regardless of ability to pay. If you would like your 7^th or 8^th grader to participate, email Mandy Komar at mkomar@sjwest.org.

— LIFE TEEN (Grades 9 -12) —

Life Teen is a High School Youth Ministry that meets every 1^st, 2^nd 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!

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!

The Sodality meets for the 9:15 a.m. Mass and Rosary, followed by a meeting in the Parish Center. Call Carolyn Keiner at 410-848-4563.

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.

Our February meeting will be at 1:00 p.m. in the St. Therese Room of the Parish Center.

There will be a final training session at 4 p.m. in the Church for any present altar server who has missed the previous training dates. Any server who does not complete the training will be removed from the next schedule. Any Altar Server who may wish to attend the training to review the new changes is welcome to attend the training class.

Join us for tea, punch and light refreshments and a dynamic talk on chastity by Judi McLane of Generation Life, for girls 11-17, followed by a fashion show at the Portico from 3:30-5:30 p.m.! Door prizes and free gift bags for all girls! Tickets are $5.00 and tables of 10 are available for group purchases. Call Patti Spaar for details and tickets at 410-861-8510. A representative will also be selling tickets at the Portico Books + Gifts. See you there!

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

The next blood drive is from 2- 8 p.m. in the Portico. We received 93 pints at the last drive. Thanks to the many donors. We can still use phone callers. If you can help or to make an appointment call Ted Cook at 410-876-2107. Give the gift of life. DONATE!!

Save the date! 6thannual event at Westminister High School. Don’t miss this free, fun filled evening! More details later.

Save the date! Be sure to join us at 7 p.m. at the Portico for great fun and prizes of Longaberger baskets and Vera Bradley handbags. Proceeds to benefit St. John Building Fund. We still need sponsors for door prizes. Call Anna for details 410-876-2652.

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

Congratulations to the winners! Thank you to all students who participated in the contest. You all did a wonderful job showing your respect for life!!!

BLANKET OF LOVE…It is not too late to request your memorial square for the St. John Blanket of Love. Our Respect Life Committee invites you to create a square to remember your child who died prior to birth, either through miscarriage, stillbirth or abortion. The Blanket of Love reaches out to grieving mothers and fathers, to bring restoration and healing. Program information and confidential request forms are in the narthex of the church.

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

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.

N.T. Wright, the Anglican Bishop of Durham, England and prominent and influential biblical theologian, will deliver the 40^th anniversary lectures at the Ecumenical Institute of Theology on February 25 at 8 p.m. and on February 26 at 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. The series is entitled “The Bible and the Future.” The lectures are free and open to the public and will be held at St. Mary’s campus on Roland Avenue at Northern Parkway in Baltimore. For more details call 410-864-4200 or visit www.stmarys.edu/ei.

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.

WANT TICKETS TO SEE THE HOLY FATHER IN APRIL?

Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, will celebrate Masses in Washington on April 17 and New York on April 20 during his inaugural visit to the United States. The Archdiocese of Baltimore is receiving a limited number of tickets to both Masses. Those requesting tickets may only do so via the Archdiocese’s website, www.archbalt.org, beginning February 6 at 9 a.m. Tickets to each Mass are free, though there is a $53/person charge for those attending the Mass in New York—the fee covers mandatory transportation via bus to and from New York.

“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

COME AND SEE WEEKEND … Feb. 15-18

Come share in the life of the Carmelite Sisters of Baltimore. Open to women ages 18-35. Apply online at www.baltimorecarmel.org.

NEW VOCATIONS WEBSITE: Check out the new Archdiocese of Baltimore Vocation Office website by going to www.becomeapriest.org. Learn more about becoming a priest from the seminarians by viewing their blogs on the seminarian pages. Make sure to click on the updated calendar of events to get involved with discernment activities.

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. 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 go to www.mdcathcon.org.

Join Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien on a pilgrimage to Rome as he receives the pallium (a collar-like vestment conferred on a new metropolitan archbishop that signifies his communion with the Holy Father, successor of St. Peter and shepherd of the universal Church) from Pope Benedict XVI during a special Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. Highlights of the pilgrimage include: Mass at each of the four major Basilicas in Rome, weekly papal audience, Pallium Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel, optional excursions to Assisi and the summer Papal residence. For details, pick up a brochure in the narthex of St. John Church or download a copy at www.archbalt.org. Space is limited so make reservation now.

BAPTISM VIDEO… would whoever borrowed the baptism video from the parish center, please return it to the receptionist at the parish office as soon as possible. We need it for the baptism class. Thank you.

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.

The Portico Books + Gifts: Lent, the season of preparation for Christ’s Resurrection at Easter begins on Ash Wednesday, February 6. During this time we are encouraged to place special focus on the role of repentance, prayer, and renewed spiritual focus. We have all the resources you and your family may need for a richer experience of the 40 days before Easter. Thanks for supporting your parish store.

From the Pastor

LENTEN GUIDELINES ON FAST & ABSTINENCE: Below are some traditional guidelines to help you enter more deeply into the spirit of Lent.

PENITENTIAL FAST and ABSTINENCE:

ANNULMENT INFORMATION SESSION…Mon., Feb. 25

IMPORTANT NOTE: There will be NO Religious Ed classes on Tuesday, Feb. 12^th.

REMINDER FOR HOME STUDY STUDENTS…Home study will be meeting on the 2^nd Wednesday of the month of February (February 13^th) because of the Ash Wednesday schedule.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL… June 23-27

THE EDGE SUMMER CAMP…July 13-19

WANT TICKETS TO SEE THE HOLY FATHER IN APRIL?

COME AND SEE WEEKEND … Feb. 15-18

From the Pastor

LENTEN GUIDELINES ON FAST & ABSTINENCE: Below are some traditional guidelines to help you enter more deeply into the spirit of Lent.

PENITENTIAL FAST and ABSTINENCE:

ANNULMENT INFORMATION SESSION…Mon., Feb. 25

IMPORTANT NOTE: There will be NO Religious Ed classes on Tuesday, Feb. 12th.

REMINDER FOR HOME STUDY STUDENTS…Home study will be meeting on the 2nd Wednesday of the month of February (February 13th) because of the Ash Wednesday schedule.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL… June 23-27

THE EDGE SUMMER CAMP…July 13-19

WANT TICKETS TO SEE THE HOLY FATHER IN APRIL?

COME AND SEE WEEKEND … Feb. 15-18

IMPORTANT NOTE: There will be NO Religious Ed classes on Tuesday, Feb. 12^th.

REMINDER FOR HOME STUDY STUDENTS…Home study will be meeting on the 2^nd Wednesday of the month of February (February 13^th) because of the Ash Wednesday schedule.