St. John Angel Team (Gabriel Network)
The Gabriel Network empowers a committed network of Christian churches to accompany pregnant mothers and families in need by providing practical, emotional, and spiritual support through pregnancy and beyond. It realizes this mission through three programs: a helpline, a church-based ministry, and a housing ministry. The St. John Angel Team has worked with the Gabriel Network for nine years, and currently serves mothers and families in Carroll County and in surrounding counties.
PRISON MINISTRY
FUNERAL MINISTRY
Aaron & Hur Ministry Prayer Support
This group intentionally prays for St. John’s entire parish and school: priests, staff, ministry leaders, teachers—by name—as well as ministry volunteers, those they serve, and all parish events listed in the bulletin. We are a prayer support helping to “hold up” the arms of those doing our parish’s work.
We meet virtually once a month to pray together and learn about a prayer or spiritual tradition. Meetings are optional. During the month, each volunteer prays on their own time for assigned ministries. Because we work remotely and members pray on their own schedule, this ministry is a great way to be involved in the life of the parish even if you cannot travel or attend in-person activities.
Catholic War Veterans
Catholic War Veterans Sargent Shriver Post 2016 meets on Wednesdays at 7pm at the Westminster American Legion Meeting Hall (2 Sycamore St., Westminster, MD 21157). They 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.
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 1pm – 3pm.
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.
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 year-round on the last Tuesday of the month (except for November and December) from 10:15am – 11:30am. Contact Janet Tenney for more information!
St. Vincent de Paul 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.
Healthcare Ministry
A team of volunteers, coordinated by a St. John staff member. The mission of Healthcare 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:
- Healthcare 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.
- Healthcare 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.