Est. May 19, 1822
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Weekly Prayer and Update - March 17
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Our Mission: Love God, love others, proclaim the good news, and make disciples.
Our Vision: A vibrant Catholic community of growing disciples, witnessing the Gospel
and leading all to Jesus Christ.
This Sunday's Gospel Reflection
March 19 - 4th Sunday of Lent
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031923.cfm
Contemplation from Lectio Divina
What conversion of mind, heart, and life is the Lord asking of me?
“Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” — which means Sent —.
Where is God sending me? How am I responding to God’s call?
They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.
How have I failed to see my own sinfulness and God’s grace? How can I open my eyes and heart to God’s love and mercy active in my life?
Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?
How would I describe Jesus to someone who does not know him? How can I come to know Jesus better?
What's New at SJE?
Find Out in the Weekly Bulletin and Our Website!
There's a lot more news than what's highlighted in the weekly Flocknote! Be sure to check out the full Sunday bulletin to stay in the loop. Our website, www.sjehydes.org, is another great resource to stay connected.
Click here for the bulletin, where you'll find all the latest news and information, including information about:- Fr. Pete's Weekly Pastor's Notes
- Religious Education Faith Formation News
- Youth Ministry News
- School News
- Mass Intentions
- Prayers for the Sick/Deceased
- and MORE!
Children's Liturgy of the Word
St. John is so excited to once again offer children ages 5 to 10 an opportunity to hear God’s word in a way that is designed just for them. The children will be called to the Altar for a blessing before being taken to the Church Hall for their own lesson on the day’s readings. The children return to celebrate the rest of the Mass with their families after the Homily.
We will have CLOW at 9 AM Mass on March 19.
For more information or to help serve in this ministry, contact Melanie Hecht at mlhecht927@protonmail.com. It is a great place for adults and teens to serve!
Tech Ministry
We are looking for people to help run the projection screens in the church at our 5:00 PM Saturday and 11:30 AM Sunday Masses. Volunteers must be 14 years or older and Virtus certified. Please help make our Masses more accessible and inclusive for parishioners and visitors! The projection software is simple to use and training will be provided. In addition, we are always looking for more volunteers to run our Sunday livestream. If you are interested in joining our team, please contact Megan Malkus at malkusmn@sjehydes.org or 410-592-6206 ext. 104.
Youth and Young Adult Ministry
Colleen Sisolak 410-592-6206 Ext. 108
youthministry@sjehydes.org
Middle School Earth Day Service
We invite all middle school students to join us for an afternoon of service centered around Earth Day on April 20 from 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM. Please bring $10 to offset the cost of supplies.
Middle School Dance
Put on your dancing shoes and grab all your friends for an evening of fun, food, and dancing! Our middle school dance will be on Saturday, April 22 in the church hall. Please attend the 5:00 PM Mass before the dance.
Young Adult Small Group
College-aged Small group continues to meet on Sundays beginning at 1 PM. Please attend 11:30 AM Mass, then head up the hill to the Koontz House for conversation and fellowship with others your age. (Being a college student is not a requirement to attend, being between the ages of 18-24 is.) Anyone interested in joining this small group, please contact Skylar Ohl at skylarohl@gmail.com
Confirmation 2023
The next Confirmation preparation session will take place on Tuesday, April 4, starting at 6:45 PM in the Koontz House.
Confirmation Retreat
Thank you so much to everyone who lent us trees to make the hall into the perfect campground for last weekend’s retreat!
Also, a special thank you to our Confirmation Leadership Team for all the hard work before, during, and after the retreat.
High School Service Sunday
All high schoolers are welcome to join us for a service project on Sunday, March 26 after 9:00 AM Mass. We will socialize, pray together, and complete a project that will serve our community!
P3
Prayer, Penance, Pub returns on Thursday, April 20. Young adults are invited to St. Joan of Arc in Aberdeen from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM for Adoration and Reconciliation followed by time to socialize with peers.
Young Adult Steubenville Conference
Power & Purpose Conference for young adults will take place from June 9 to 11 in Steubenville, Ohio. Come experience the Holy Spirit’s power and healing. Allow him to reveal the purpose of your life: to live in true freedom and joy of the Spirit. Be uplifted by the witness and fellowship of disciples like you.
Religious Education Faith Formation
Theresa Konitzer 410-592-6206 Ext. 107
konitzermt@sjehydes.org
The schedule for Faith Formation classes for the next four weeks is as follows:
Grades K - 8
Sunday, Mar 19: Classes - School
Tuesday, Mar 21: Reconciliation - 6:15 PM
Sunday, Mar 26: Classes - School
Sunday, Apr 2: Classes - School (Palm Sunday)
Sunday, Apr 9: No Classes - Easter Sunday
CRS Rice Bowl
A STORY OF HOPE FROM KENYA
Turkana, Kenya is hot and dry. Most people in this area raise livestock, and a few are farmers. But climate change is making this work difficult.
Rebecca and her husband, Lotiang, farm and raise goats. They rely on rain and river water, but it is raining less and less in Turkana.
To overcome this challenge, Rebecca and Lotiang participated in a Catholic Relief Services program that installed a solar-powered well in their village. Now they can irrigate their fields regularly and take care of their goats.
Rebecca and Lotiang also learned new farming techniques. Lotiang grows and sells kale, which provides his family with nutritious food and income so his children can attend school.
Rebecca and Lotiang are teaching others in their community what they learned.
Rebecca says, “The CRS program changed my life. I am trying to show my community so they can emulate it for a better future.”
Reflection
Every person has basic rights like food and water, and we have a responsibility to ensure everyone can access these rights.
What is one thing you can do today to help another person live according to their God-given human dignity?
Reconciliation
A special night of Reconciliation for families in the Faith Formation program will be held on Tuesday, March 21, beginning at 6:15 PM. Everyone is welcome to join us in celebrating this sacrament.
Vacation Bible School 2023
St. John the Evangelist presents Hero Hotline, this year’s vacation bible school program.
June 26 - 30, 2023 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Registration and permission forms at https://sjehydes.org/vacation-bible-school
Eucharistic Ministers Needed
You’ve seen us at all Masses helping the priest give Eucharist to the assembly. How many times have you thought about becoming an EM? If you’re a fully-initiated Catholic (having been baptized, received First Communion, and Confirmation)
you’re eligible! All training is done at your convenience after the Mass of your choice. What a perfect time to join all the SJE Ministers of Holy Communion during this year as we strive to be Eucharistic people!
Interested? Contact Christine Longhenry by emailing clonghenry@verizon.net or calling 443 391-3953. You’ll be so glad you did!
Eucharistic Minister Scheduler Needed
We need a Eucharistic Minister Scheduler!
Our wonderful scheduler, Adele Alvather, has decided to “retire” after many years of service to SJE. Will YOU be the one to take her place? You’ll need a heart for serving, Microsoft EXCEL skills(easy to learn because we’ll teach you), and will prepare the schedule only three times annually. Adele will send you all the EM info you need to get started. Will you be the person who takes Adele Alvather’s place as scheduler? Please call the parish office at 410-592-6206 if you’re the one!
Easter Flower Memorials
Our Lent mailing included an envelope for Easter flower donations to honor or remember loved ones at Easter time. Extra envelopes can be found in the parish office. Please return donations by April 7.
Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross will be held in the chapel each Friday during Lent at 7:00 PM.
Outdoor Stations of the Cross is also available for you to pray at your own time and pace. The stations are located near the bell tower, along with a box that contains prayer sheets.
FORMED Suggestions for Lent
Here are some more suggestions for what to watch on FORMED to help you during Lent to prepare for Easter:
Stations of the Cross –If you can’t make it to church on Fridays, there are many options for praying the Stations including one with “Brother Francis” for children as well as information to learn about them.
10 Things You Might Not Know About Lent – a short video (about 3 minutes) that explains some important facts about Lent. Great for adults and kids.
The Triduum: A Spiritual Pilgrimage – a 30-minute contemplative documentary that cinematically walks through the locations of the Holy Week story.
For Holy Week there are many videos to help you through this holiest time of the Christian year. Here are some:
FORMED Now: Understanding Palm Sunday
Bible Study on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary
The Last Supper with Dr. Brant Pitre
The Agony in the Garden with Dr. Tim Gray
The Passion of Christ with Dr. Elizabeth Klein
The Resurrection with Dr. Michael Barber
FORMED Now: Holy Thursday
FORMED Now: Holy Saturday
You can also sign up for daily reflections to be sent to your email to help you with your prayer during this season of penance and reconciliation.
Last year we recommended Forgiven and Presence on the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. If you haven’t watched them, they are still available. If you did watch them, they may deserve a second viewing.
There are many other videos and audio offerings on FORMED that are available to you and your family for free. To gain access to all of FORMED’s content, follow these simple steps:
• Go to https://signup.formed.org/
• Enter our parish’s zip code (21082)
• Enter your name and your email address
That’s it! You’re in. Now you can get the free FORMED app for your phone by searching FORMED Catholic in your app store.
Wedding Anniversary Blessings
The Blessing for those married in the month of June will take place next Sunday, March 19 after the 9:00 AM Mass. Please contact the parish office to register.
Spring Fling Silent Auction
The Spring Fling Committee is currently collecting donations for this year’s Silent Auction.
Do you own a business or have a vacation home?
Work for a generous company or have a friend or neighbor who could donate an item or two? We welcome your donations of gift certificates, event tickets, professional services, vacation spots, and more.
Contact Silent Auction Chair, Dean Manzoni, at deanmanzoni1@gmail.com.
Divine Mercy Sunday
The message of The Divine Mercy is simple. It is that God loves us – all of us. And, He wants us to recognize that His mercy is greater than our sins, so that we will call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it flow through us to others. Thus, all will come to share His joy.
The Divine Mercy message is one we can call to mind simply by remembering ABC:
A - Ask for His Mercy. God wants us to approach Him in prayer constantly, repenting of our sins and asking Him to pour His mercy out upon us and upon the whole world.
B - Be merciful. God wants us to receive His mercy and let it flow through us to others. He wants us to extend love and forgiveness to others just as He does to us.
C - Completely trust in Jesus. God wants us to know that all the graces of His mercy can only be received by our trust. The more we open the door of our hearts and lives to Him with trust, the more we can receive.
This message and devotion to Jesus as The Divine Mercy is based on the writings of Saint Faustina Kowalska. More information on her will be included in next week’s bulletin as we learn more about The Divine Mercy.
The Divine Mercy celebration will take place during the 11:30 AM Mass in the church on Sunday, April 16.
Prayer Ministry Next Weekend
Prayer Ministry consists of teams of trained Prayer Ministers who are able to pray with you and for you regarding specific requests or special intentions.
Prayer Ministers serve as intercessors in the parish community to fulfill the call to pray for one another. After all Masses on the last weekend of each month, Prayer Teams will be stationed around the sides of the church sanctuary. Simply approach a Prayer Team member, tell them your concerns, and allow them to pray with you and for you, knowing that God hears and answers our prayers. Prayer Ministers will be available after all Masses next weekend, March 25/26.
Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries
Sight is easy to take for granted. For the Pharisees in today’s Gospel, the possibility that they might be missing something, despite having sight, authority, and education bothers them: “Surely we are not also blind, are we?” (John 9:40)
The works of God cry out to be accomplished, including the ministries supported by our Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries. We must not delay. Christ is here. He is the daylight only by which we can work. We need him, and we need you. We ask him to guide our efforts throughout the Appeal. Please support our Annual Appeal. We ask him to enlighten your discernment of how to do so. He will not let you walk in darkness when doing the works of God. He will be your light. God bless you abundantly for your gifts and prayers for our Appeal!
Our parish goal for the Appeal for Catholic
Ministries is $82,248. We are about 40% of the way there, with $33,045 given by 70 families. To contribute, visit www.archbalt.org/appeal.
Sunday 9 AM Live-stream on YouTube for the Sick/Homebound
The live-streamed 9 AM Mass continues as a ministry for the sick and homebound.
Those who are sick or homebound are welcome to join us for St. John’s Online Mass on Sundays at 9:00 AM. We will livestream and record Mass on the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church (Hydes, MD) YouTube page. You do not need a Google or YouTube account to watch the livestream. Simply visit our YouTube page (https://bit.ly/StJohnLGVYouTube) and select the "Live" tab.
A link to the livestream will also be posted to our Facebook page each week.
