Our Purpose: To form disciples of Jesus Christ who joyfully live out the Gospel!

Check out this weekend's bulletin: http://fataonline.com/bulletin/bulletin-821474482745.pdf

Dear Parish Family,

This weekend is Stewardship Weekend and I am inviting you to join me by commiting to  "Take the Next Step" in your journey as a disciple of Jesus. Last year we spoke of "tithing" (giving 10%) of a full-time work week - that is four hours: an hour for mass, an hour for personal prayer and faith development, an hour of service, and an hour of your earnings.

This year I encourage you to take the next step by increasing your level of giving. I encourage you to consult to giving charts that are inserted in this weekend's bulletin, are in the pews, and can be accessed on the parish homepage: www.stjohnsp.org. We have made many great strides in the past year as a community and look forward to breaking ground for our new Parish Activities Center next month. My dream is that everyone who is part of this parish family will see St. John's as a place where you are loved and accepted as you are, are challenged to grow into the person God has called you to be, and are so filled with joy that you can't help but pass it on! 

Starting next weekend, we are nitiating a Child Care Co-op during the 10:45 AM Mass for children ages 1-4. Families with small children are welcome at St. John's! If you would like to participate in this co-op, contact Stacy Golden, Director of Community Life, at sgolden@stjohnsp.org. We do need families who are committed to make this work, and all Child Protection policies must be folloewed. Our hope is that we will be able to offer this option in the future. Children's Liturgy of the Word for children ages 4-9 is offered most Sundays at the 9 & 10:45 AM Masses. For CLOW, children leave after the Collect (Opening Prayer) for their own LIturgy of the Word and return to the church for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. 

As we are taking the next steps in building - not just the Parish Activities Center, but also our personal relationships with the Lord and a stronger community of welcome, we have chosen to be guided by I Peter 2:5 which says "You are like living stones, being built into a spiritual house." We are learning the song Living Stones by Michael Card. At the end of this blast is an .mp3 file of a recording of the song by our Sunday evening Mass EXALT Praise Group, directed by Mary Remaniak (vocalist). Take a listen - it's really good!

I hope to see you at Mass this weekend! I'll be around at all of them!

Fr. Jim Proffitt, Pastor

• Annual Pet Blessing next Saturday, Oct. 1 at 10 AM outside of church. Bring your pets - leashed or crated, please - as we ask the Lord to bless these, his creatures. 
• Gathering for New Members on Saturday, Oct 1 after 5:15 PM. If you are newly registered, or maybe so new you've not yet registered, join us after the 5:15 PM Mass for an introduction to our community. Contact Stacy Golden: sgolden@stjohnsp.org. 
• St. John Athletic Association Tallgate Party, Saturday, Oct. 8, 7 PM
• Mass and Groundbreaking for our new Parish Activities Center - Sunday, Oct. 30 at 12:30 PM with Archbishop Lori. 
• Festegiammo! - St. John's Gala Auction on Saturday, Nov. 12, 6-10 PM. Check out the video here and learn more about auction items, donationing, and volunteering at www.stjohnspgala.org. It's going to be a great evening as we bring the Eternal City of Rome to Severna Park!