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 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
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 1pm—3pm in the parish center. This group is currently on summer break. Meetings will resume on Friday, September 13.
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 for two 9-week sessions twice a year in the Parish Center. The next 9-week session runs September 10 – November 5, 2024 on Tuesdays from 10:15am – 11:30am. Contact Janet Tenney for more information!
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.