The Pastoral Council serves as an advisory body to the Pastor. Members are elected by the parish. The Council accepts the responsibility with the Pastor of shaping the overall life and mission of St. John Parish.  Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 pm in the Conference Center.  All parishioners are welcome to attend and observe. The Council may be contacted via email at parishcouncil@sjehydes.org.

The Garden Club works in conjunction with the Facilities Committee.  The main focus of this ministry is gardening!  In particular, they do landscape improvement and maintenance of our campus to give it a more cohesive appearance and four-season appeal.  They welcome new members who are willing to donate their time and talents in the beautification of our campus.

The Finance Committee is a standing committee of the Pastoral Council, as mandated by canon law.  It is the responsibility of the finance committee to present each year a budget of income and expenditures over the coming year for the proper running of the parish, in accordance with the direction of the Archbishop of Baltimore.  It is also the responsibility of the committee to provide annual accounting of income and expenditures.

The Long Green Valley Knights of Columbus is a Catholic men’s fraternal organization.  The Knights are the largest Catholic lay service organization in the world, international in scope and devoted to service.  Membership in the local chaper includes over 200 energetic and participating members.  Their mission is to perform charitable works in support of the Church, the parish, and the community.

The Facilities Committee has the important job of overseeing the maintenance of the physical plant and campus for the Church, School, Parish Office, and Rectory, with all their associated buildings.  This committee reviews and addresses immediate physical needs, as well as prepares and plans for the coming years.  Parishioners with expertise in areas related to facilities management are welcome to join this committee.

The Knights’ Ladies is an auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus.  The women assist the Knights in completing their mission (while still having lots of fun!).  The Knights’ Ladies motto is, “Helping Knights Help Others.”  The Knights’ Ladies meet every other week in the Knights of Columbus building on campus, and participate in such activites as helping with the May Procession, making lap robes for veterans, assisting at Oriole Games, and providing hospitality and baked goods to various functions.