Parish Bulletin

Parishioners who regularly attend the 9:15 Mass on Sundays are familiar with the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). The candidates for Baptism and for full reception in the Church, along with their sponsors have been meeting for several months. Last Sunday, they along with candidates throughout the Archdiocese met with Cardinal Keeler at the Cathedral. I am deeply grateful to our RCIA team, the sponsors and the parishioners who invited them and to our parishioners who welcome them. Please keep the candidates and their families in your prayers. They are living examples of the evangelization work going on in our parish. With the help of God’s grace, we can do more. Once again, I encourage you to invite someone to our Catholic faith, or perhaps to return to the Church. This Lent let, “Each one invite one.”

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 Rita W. Dossa, Missy Heater, Joseph Cannon, Warren Leister, Myrtle Wilke, Catherine Huber, Stephanie Mettille Dwojewski, Robert Bohn, Sr., Alexandria Kowalczyk, and Patricia Kowalski 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, Andrew Shipton, Katie Marin, Tess Hupfeld, Solomon Hoke, Theresa Gertner, Matt Peeling, Howard Link, Jeffrey McKew, Charles Dukehart, Mary Chubb, Donald Acorn, Mary McManus, Robert Wellbrook, Karen Brown, Baby Nathan Boner and Helen Rotondo.

BAPTISMS: Congratulations and welcome to Trenton David Mulhern, son of Julie and Randall Mulhern.

This year’s budget is based on a weekly offering of $31,500.00. Our current weekly average is $29,675.58. Thank you.

CAMPAIGN UPDATE:

Total Pledged: $ 7,502,162

Paid to Date: 6,973,984

Balance $ 528,178

SPECIAL COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND is for Catholic Relief Services which supports Catholic Church organizations that carry out international relief and solidarity efforts. We thank you for your generosity and support.

ARCHBISHOP’S LENTEN APPEAL…Thank you for prayerfully considering your faithful generosity to this year’s Lenten Appeal. When we make a gift that causes us some meaningful self-sacrifice, then we truly give of ourselves from the heart! That kind of self-giving, especially for the less fortunate, blesses us greatly with a fulfilling sense of purpose and a deep spirit of contentment and joy! Please join us in contributing to this year’s Lenten Appeal!

School Calendar

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

- Archdiocesan High. School Accept. Letters mailed

Feb. 21 – School Board Meeting – 7 p.m.

Feb. 22 - School Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. - Stations at 2 p.m.- Church

Feb. 25 - PTF Board Meeting

Feb. 28 - Parish Penance Service – 7 p.m.

SCHOOL REGISTRATION FOR 2008-2009: St. John School (Grades K-8) will be accepting registration for new students for the 2008-2009 school year the week of March 4 - March 7. Those registering should bring birth and baptismal certificates as well as a $50.00 non-refundable registration fee.

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.

ADULT CONFIRMATION: Classes will begin on Thursday, April 10 and continue to meet from 7-9 pm for four consecutive Thursdays. Those completing the sessions will be Confirmed by Archbishop O’Brien on Pentecost Sunday, May 10^th. Any adult (18+) who wishes to participate must have been baptized and received First Communion. More details available after Easter.

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.

PARENTS of those students preparing for First Holy Communion should have received information this week in the mail regarding our Morning of Preparation. Call the Religious Ed Office if you did not receive this or if you have any questions.

There will be an in-service meeting from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Portico for all Religious Ed teachers and assistants.

RELIGIOUS ED CLASSES will resume on Thursday, Feb. 21 for Pre K-8^th grade classes at normal time schedule.

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.

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. Last chance to register! The cost is $50. Please bring 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 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!

Join us as we play a life-sized version of a game similar to Monopoly! In this game, YOU are the pieces on the board. Roll the big dice and hop around the board! Will you be the big winner? Meet in the Cafeteria!

STEUBENVILLE DONORS STILL NEEDED: To all those who have donated, thank you very much! For the past 12 years, St. John has sent a group of teenagers to Steubenville Ohio for a life changing conference. Unfortunately, the cost of such a retreat is very high. We are still in a need of a few donations for our trip. Any amount is greatly appreciated and is completely tax deductible. To donate, contact Kenn at kdemoll@sjwest.org .

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 Call Patti Spaar for details and for tickets at 410-861-8510.

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.

Due to bad weather we had to reschedule our regular meeting from last week. We hope to see you at 1:00 p.m. at the Parish Center.

Join us every Friday during Lent at the Portico. Fish, shrimp & vegetable lasagna dinners served from 4-7 p.m. For details call Teresa Richardson at 410-848-4744 x227. Service hours available.

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

WELCOME SESSION & REGISTRATION…Sunday, Feb. 24

If you are interested in becoming a member of St. John Parish or just interested in knowing how to get involved in the parish, please attend this session from 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. in the Portico.

The Roses will be hosting a bake sale at this Lenten Fish Fry at the Portico and the desserts will be from recipes in the St. John Parish cookbook, which will also be on sale that evening. Please join us!

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 Westminster 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.

BE NOT AFRAID FAMILY HOUR…every Monday night

During Lent, please consider bringing your family to the “Be Not Afraid” Family Hour from 7-8 p.m. every Monday in the Parish Center. The hour includes a video with a pictorial rosary and our catechism explained by Francis Cardinal Arinze (the topic is purgatory), Blessed Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II. All parishioners are welcome to attend.

Do we listen to Jesus when he asks us to take care of our brothers and sisters who are suffering? Your gift to the poor box will help the poor to celebrate the grace of God’s love this coming Easter.

EASTER BASKET PROJECT…In an effort to provide children with an Easter Message that reflects the true meaning of the Resurrection, we are collecting items so that Shepherd's Staff can assemble "Spiritual Easter Baskets.” These will be distributed to area children whose families use the services of Shepherd's Staff during Holy Week. Items requested are: Christian coloring books, story books, or bookmarks, crayons, puzzles, prayer books, prayer cards, small toys, bubbles, play dough, school supplies, non candy snacks, socks, and personal care products. Please leave these donation items in the Food Baskets by the doors of the church no later then March 9, 2008. If you choose to assemble a finished basket, please deliver them directly to Shepherd's Staff between March 10 and 14. Thank you.

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 fourth weekend (Feb. 23-24) of each month.

LECTURE SERIES by Paul Schenck, Director of the National Pro-Life Action Center on Capitol Hill will be speaking this coming week on ‘Our Journey to the Hill.” On Friday, Feb. 22 at 9:30 a.m. he will be at St. Peter’s Church in Libertytown, following the 9 a.m. Mass. On Friday at 1:00 p.m. he will be at Our Lady’s Center in Ellicott City, following the noon Mass. For more information, visit www.defendlife.org

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.

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. 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.

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, 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.

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.

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.

From the Pastor