Fellowship

FAN THE FLAMES

Do you want more of what God wants to give you? Come to Fan the Flames Prayer Group and experience the Love, Joy and Power that God always intended us to have through the Holy Spirit. Please join us on Thursdays at 7pm in the Dining Room in the Parish Center. (Ring the bell for admittance.) For more information call Tom or Irene Burnett at 410-848-1773 or Monica Fisher at 443-928-7311. If you need personal prayer, please call or text Chris Gallagher at 410-596-7081.

Contact: Monica Fisher
Phone:

Hispanic Ministry

The Hispanic Ministry creates community among the Spanish-speaking members of our parish.

Contact: Favian Delgado
Phone: 443-789-4885

Knights of Columbus

Westminster Council #1393 was organized in 1909, bringing together Catholic men, 18 years and older, to promote and support Church, fraternal and civic activities. Meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at The Portico of St. John Church.  Our pastor, Fr. Mark Bialek serves as our spiritual advisor and Chaplain. New members take an exemplification which explains the three principles of our Order – Charity, Unity, and Fraternity. Visit the Knights of Columbus website at http://www.kc1393.org/ to get more information or to join the Knights.

Contact: Deacon Mark Ripper
Phone:

Ladies Sodality

Members (women aged 18 and older) are involved in spiritual works of mercy. Upon request of the family, they will lead the recitation of the Rosary at a funeral home. Each spring, they organize the May Procession in the church. Meetings are held on the second Sunday of the month through the school year. Members attend the 9am Mass, followed by praying a rosary in church, and their monthly meeting in the parish center.

Contact: Kathy Carter
Phone:

Little Flowers Girls Club

This fun, flexible, faith-filled, Catholic club for girls ages 6 – 12 years old teaches virtues through scripture, saintsbiographies and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Girls learn and practice the virtues together! Meetings are two Tuesdays each month from 4pm – 5:30pm in the Parish Center.

Contact: Marjorie Livingston
Phone:

Men’s Ministry

Men’s Ministry is an opportunity for men ages 21+ to enrich their faith.

Contact: Hanael Bianchi
Phone: 443-340-8388

Mom’s Group

St. John’s Moms’ Fellowship Group provides opportunities for mothers and their children to gather together.

Contact: Grace Russo
Phone:

St. John Home School

Contact: Rebecca Barber
Phone:

Well-Read Mom Book Club

Join other moms and women to reflect on great novels and spiritual classics, encouraging personal growth, friendship, and meaningful conversations. The book club meets in the Parish Center on the first Monday of the month at 7pm from September – June. You do not have to be a mother to join; all women are welcome!

Contact: Tiffany Bianchi
Phone:

Women’s Gospel Study

Looking for a way to create community and grow in your faith with other women? Come join this women’s gospel study group on the fourth Thursday of the month in the Parish Center from7pm -9pm. Together, you’ll dive into the gospel reading for the following weekend.

Contact: Beth Puleo
Phone:

Liturgical Ministry

Altar Servers

A ministry for boys and girls, in 4th grade or higher, to serve the Lord by assisting at Masses. Training is required.  We also have an advanced program to allow boys grades nine and higher, to explore vocations, while serving in an Altar Server leadership role.

Contact: Deacon Mark Ripper
Phone:

Art and Environment Committee

The Art & Environment Committee, lovingly called the “Flower Brigade”, decorates the church and sanctuary in preparation for the various liturgical seasons. Activities include ordering flowers, making arrangements for the sanctuary and maintaining plants throughout the church. There are many components to this amazing ministry.

Contact: Blanca Medrano
Phone:

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMC)

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMC) are lay faithful who are answering the call to help distribute communion at Masses.

Click here to open the registration form.

Contact: Terry Street
Phone:

Infant Baptism Ministry

Disciples in this ministry set up for baptisms, assist the deacons and priests and help with baptism prep classes. The sacrament of baptism is administered at 10:30 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month for Spanish-speaking families, and on the second and fourth Saturdays for English-speaking families.

Contact: Marie Bleclic
Phone:

Lectors

Proclaim the Word of God at all Masses—weekends, weekdays and Holydays.  Training is required.

Contact: Rob Nestorick
Phone: 410-363-4812

Marriage Preparation – Pre Cana

The parish supports engaged couples by providing marriage preparation courses assisting them in building a loving, lasting marriage. The parish offers a choice of programs to prepare couples for marriage. Each is organized by trained and certified married couples and clergy staff to help the couples grow in the understanding of marriage as a sacrament of God’s covenant love.

Contact: Rosalie Seeley
Phone: 410-848-2884

Music Ministry

Singers and instrumentalists are always needed to support our congregation in praise and worship through song as well as in outreach and evangelization. Various musical groups serve our parish at Mass, funerals, weddings, and other liturgies!

Contact: Regina McCurdy
Phone: 410-861-5556

Ushers

Welcome people to worship, seat the parishioners, receive the monetary offerings during collections at Mass, direct Communion to those physically challenged and unable to come forward to receive Eucharist, organize the Communion lines, and distribute bulletins.

Contact: Kevin Carter
Phone:

Outreach

Bereavement Ministry

St. John Parish wishes to support you at this most difficult time. This is a spiritually based program led by trained facilitators based on the book A New Day. This group meets the 3rd Sunday of every month at 10 a.m. in the Parish Center.

Contact: Janet Tenney
Phone: 410-833-1542

Catholic War Veterans

Catholic War Veterans Sargent Shriver Post 2016 meets on Wednesdays.  We are always welcoming new members!  Membership in the Catholic War Veterans is open to baptized Catholics who have served on Active Duty for at least 90 days, or in the Reserves, or National Guard, or are currently on Active Duty in any branch of the US Armed Forces.

Contact: Kevin Carter
Phone: 410-861-7788

FUNERAL MINISTRY

Contact: Carmen Rivadeneira
Phone: 410-861-9910

Greeter Ministry

Greeters assist in welcoming parishioners to Mass every Sunday, opening doors and greeting parishioners with a smile.

Contact: Sharon Underkoffler
Phone: 410-517-1035

Health Care Ministry

A team of volunteers, coordinated by a St. John staff member. The mission of Health Care Ministry is to bring “Jesus” to those who are separated from the parish liturgical celebrations because of health issues. Visits are made weekly to Carroll Hospital Center, where we attempt to visit every Catholic patient. The homebound and residents of approximately 14 different care facilities are visited. Extraordinary Ministers of Communion share a time of prayer and bring the Eucharist to the person desiring to be visited. Requests for visits may be made by the individual or their family. Here are some of the wonderful things ministers are involved with:

  • Health Care Ministers visit Catholic mothers of newborns in the Hospital Birthing Center, giving the gift of a Miraculous Medal for the infant.
  • Assistive devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs and bedside commodes are available for loan through Health Care Ministry.
  • Health Care Ministers meet annually, discussing relative issues.

Our greatest need is to be blessed with more volunteers to join us in all we do in this growing parish.

Contact: Judy Dieter
Phone: 410-848-4744 x214

INTERCESSORY PRAYER GROUP

Contact: Corey Wronski
Phone:

Mary/Martha Ministry

An outreach to those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. The members of this ministry offer at charge to prepare and to serve luncheons for families following a funeral, upon request in the Portico based the availability.

Contact: Terry Eckard
Phone: 410-848-1487

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Members share their time & talent to create crocheted and knitted shawls and lap afghans for the benefit of the sick & infirm needing something warm and comforting to support them during a time of need. The handcrafted pieces are blessed prior to distribution. Since its inception in August of 2012, the ministry has created more than 100 shawls, with 70% of these being given to Carroll Hospital Center, and the remainder to St. John parishioners, upon request. The ministry meets in the parish center each Tuesday from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Contact: Eileen Foerester
Phone: 443-289-8624

PRISON MINISTRY

Contact: Bob Andrews
Phone: 443-293-7574

Ranger Rosaries

We support our troops by providing them with specialized Rosaries—Ranger Rosaries—made by hand using specific materials that are non-reflective, lightweight and “sound proofed” to  further protect our soldiers. Since 2007, we have made and shipped more than 111,000 Rosaries to troops in combat zones, at overseas bases and in military hospitals. Chaplains have shared with us the popularity of the Rosaries and the appreciation of the soldiers who have received them. Join the Rosary makers on the 2nd & 4th Fridays of each month from 1:00—3:00 p.m. in the parish center. For more information, call the parish office.

Contact: Carolyn Peters
Phone: 410-876-8268

Respect Life Group

Dedicated to the truth that life is a gift from God beginning at conception and ending at natural death. We are rooted in the conviction that there is much that all of us can do to prevent abortion, the death penalty, and injustices against life, and to conduct pro-life activities with prayer and joy throughout the year to promote awareness of all life issues. The St. John Respect Life Group supports the Pregnancy Support Center of Carroll County in Westminster, the only one of its kind in the county. Together with other Catholic churches in the area, St. John Parish continues to assist and support the center in its work. The group participates in the annual “Life Chain” in October and provides transportation to the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., each January.

Contact: Parish Center
Phone: 410-848-4744

St. Vincent DePaul Society (Helping the Poor in our Community)

The St. Vincent de Paul Society is an international Catholic organization that serves those in need. Through its network of Parish Conferences, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul helps people while leading its members to grow spiritually through service.

Our conference at St. John was established in 1993 assisting those in need in Carroll County.  The St. John Westminster Conference meets regularly to provide for needs in a manner that promotes dignity and respect.  There are no special qualifications other than the desire to join with others in helping those in need of the love of God.  As a group we meet on the first Monday of each month at 10:30 in the Portico, September through June.

How do we serve?

Person to Person Service

Located in the Parish Center, the office is open two hours daily, Tuesday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m..  Volunteers, known as Vincentians, meet with our neighbors who are requesting assistance with various financial needs and circumstances including evictions, medications, and utility shut offs.  We also have a food pantry that is available to all during our business hours or by appointment.

Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen

Our Vincentians prepare and serve a nutritious lunch every Wednesday at The Church of the Ascension, 23 N. Court Street, Westminster.  All are welcome!

Adopt-a-Family Program

For the Christmas season, through a partnership with the Salvation Army, our conference coordinates a gift distribution program.  Names of individuals and families in need are gathered and “adopted” by our parishioners by selecting a card from the Giving Trees in the Church.  Our parishioners provide  toys, clothing, and food based on the needs of the “adoptee.”

All assistance we provide is funded by donations from our parishioners, either through the Poor Box, check, online giving or food for our pantry.  If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities or other ways of supporting the works of your St. Vincent de Paul Society conference, please contact Cathy Hoffman at 410-848-8693 or svdp@sjwest.org.  Your involvement in this important mission is greatly appreciated. Please pray for the works of The St. Vincent de Paul Society and those we serve.

Contact: Cathy Hoffman
Phone: 410-848-8693

Religious Education

Become a Catechist

There is no greater gift we can give than to pass on our faith to others. Faith formation is an essential part of all of our lives as Christians committed to living and sharing God’s Word. We have various times when we offer religious education classes to students K-5; 6-8 and high school.

To be a catechist means that you are willing to echo the Faith to the future church–our young people. As a volunteer-driven ministry, we rely heavily on the Lord moving YOUR heart and calling you into this ministry. You were created for discipleship! We need you! If you want to volunteer as a catechist, assistant, substitute, or even a traffic helper, check the box on the registration form—if there isn’t a box write us a note and tell us what you prefer. Every year we need new people! If you assist—your tuition will be cut in ½. If you teach, your religious education could be FREE!

You might also want to check out our VIRTUS page. You will have to complete VIRTUS in order to volunteer.

Contact: Kenn deMoll
Phone: 410-871-1404

VBS (Vacation Bible School)

Join us for VBS 2024, June 24th-27th!

Want to know when registration opens? Join our Flocknote email group to receive the latest updates. 

Interested in learning about our volunteer opportunities during VBS? We have a Flocknote for that, too!

Contact: Kenn deMoll
Phone: 410-848-4744 ext. 238

Worship

Divine Mercy Devotion

Celebration of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, combined with traditional prayers, hymns and the offering of intentions, takes place on Thursdays at 3:00 p.m. in the Perpetual Adoration Chapel, located in the parish center. Everyone is invited.

Contact: Terry Eckard
Phone: 410-848-1487

Perpetual Adoration

The Adoration Chapel is in the Parish Center. It is a place of quiet and reflection to which we are all called, at times. All are welcome during regularly scheduled Parish Office Hours. If you wish to commit to a particular time each week to pray in adoration, please visit adorationpro.org/johnwestminster or call the Parish Center.

Contact: Parish Center
Phone: 410-848-4744

Youth Ministry

Boy Scouts

Boy Scouts Troop 420 is based here at St. John Westminster. For more information, visit www.troop420md.org.

Contact: Jack Lusby
Phone:

LIFE TEEN (High School Youth Group)

LIFE TEEN is our High School Youth Group that meets on Sunday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m.

Contact: Kenn deMoll
Phone: 410-848-4744 ext. 238

LIFE TEEN Core Team

The LIFE TEEN Core Team is a team of adults who help lead the LIFE TEEN High School Youth Group.

Contact: Kenn deMoll
Phone: 410-848-4744 ext. 238

Peer Ministers

Contact: Parish Center
Phone: 410-848-4744

Summit (Middle School Youth Group)

Summit is our Middle School Youth Group that meets on Thursdays in the Portico from 5:15-6:30 p.m.

Contact: Kenn deMoll
Phone: 410-871-1404

VBS (Vacation Bible School)

Join us for VBS 2024, June 24th-27th!

Want to know when registration opens? Join our Flocknote email group to receive the latest updates. 

Interested in learning about our volunteer opportunities during VBS? We have a Flocknote for that, too!

Contact: Kenn deMoll
Phone: 410-848-4744 ext. 238