August 18, 2018

We Stand With You!

"Let me be abundantly clear...we stand with you! This betrayal of trust has been both 'criminal and morally reprehensible.'There is no place within the priesthood for those who harm children or prey on the innocent and vulnerable. There is no place for a shepherd of the Church who has failed to act on credible accusations. We stand with those who have been tragically affected by abuse. Only the Light of truth, transparency and accountability will begin the delicate task of piecing together those lives that have been shattered. We fully commit ourselves to the rebuilding of the Church to ensure that his plague will no longer ravage the Body of Christ." Please read Fr. Mark's full letter HERE.    
August 10, 2018

Little Sisters of the Poor Nun Run

Help the Little Sisters of the Poor in the their ministry to the residents of Saint Martin's Home in Catonsville, MD by participating in this year's Nun Run by joining our parish team, "Blisters for Sisters," on Saturday, September 8th at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. To find our more information or to register, please click HERE.
July 20, 2018

Guppy Gulch Family Trip August 22

GUPPY GULCH WATER PARK NOW OPEN TO FAMILIES (12 & up)!!   August 22 We will be taking a bus to Guppy Gulch and now all family members 12 and older are invited.  Guppy Gulch has a blob for launching people, zipline, waterslides, floating trampoline, floating climbing walls, floating obstacle courses, paddleboards, and much more.  Check it out at guppygulchcamp.com.  Cost will be $35 per youth.  We will leave promptly at 8:00 am (be here at 7:50 am!) by bus (and most likely some car pool) from St. John and return around 6:00pm or a little after.  Everyone should pack a lunch and snacks, but there are some snacks for sale as well.  Modesty is a must, so please wear a conservative one piece bathing suit or dark shirt and shorts.  This is one you don’t want to miss!  For further information and to RSVP as soon as you can please contact me at rgrinstead@sjwest.orgor 410-848-8443 x238.

July 2, 2018

Fr. Mark Establishes our Parish Leadership Team

Fr. Mark has established a Parish Leadership Team model for our parish. While the pastor remains the spiritual leader and executive authority of the parish,  the Parish Leadership Team (PLT) exists to assist the pastor in managing the parish. This involves everything from strategic decisions and people management to operations and finance. The role of leadership team members is to look beyond their areas of expertise or responsibility in order to help the pastor protect the good of the entire parish. A pastor is a better leader when he surrounds himself with good leaders and opens himself to their input and influence. Please watch the video of Pat Lancioni's presentation and go more in depth with The Amazing Parish HERE.
June 12, 2018

Fr. Andrew DeFusco Assigned as Our New Associate Pastor

Fr. Mark is delighted to announce that Archbishop William Lori has assigned Fr. Andrew DeFusco as our new associate pastor effective July 1, 2018. Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 2014, Fr. Andrew has served for the past four years as associate pastor of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. Before ordination, believe it or not, Fr. Andrew served as a seminarian and then deacon at Resurrection of Our Lord in Laurel, Maryland where he served with Fr. Mark from 2012-2014. He also served as a seminarian intern for a summer here at Saint John. For more of Fr. Andrew's biography, please click HERE.

Posted by Mark Bialek on Saturday, May 5, 2018
May 5, 2018

Mr. Rick Grinstead Appointed NEW Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry

OFFICIAL: Fr. Mark has appointed Mr. Rick Grinstead as our new Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry effective June 11, 2018. Rick will accompany and form our high school youth, direct campus ministry at McDaniel College and foster growing support in the faith for our young adults. After 11 years as Youth Minister at Saint Peter Catholic Church in DeLand, Florida we are delighted to welcome Rick, his wife Stephanie and their seven children as the newest members of our Saint John family as we journey in discipleship together. Read more HERE!

In the early hours of Friday morning John, Terri, Jonathan, Hannah and Nicolas Pierce lost their home to a devastating fire. As part of our Saint John parish and school family we have established the “Pierce Family Fund” to help provide for their needs over the coming months as they begin to rebuild. We will be taking a collection at Saint John next weekend, March 17-18th, at all Masses. You can also donate directly here: http://www.givecentral.org/location/508/event/15349Thank you in advance for your generosity and please keep the Pierce’s in your prayers.

Posted by Mark Bialek on Saturday, March 10, 2018
March 10, 2018

Pierce Family Fund Established

In the early hours of Friday morning John, Terri, Jonathan, Hannah and Nicolas Pierce lost their home to a devastating fire. As part of our Saint John parish and school family we have established the “Pierce Family Fund” to help provide for their needs over the coming months as they begin to rebuild. We will be taking a collection at Saint John next weekend, March 17-18th, at all Masses. You can also donate directly here: http://www.givecentral.org/location/508/event/15349 Thank you in advance for your generosity and please keep the Pierce’s in your prayers.

My homily for Ash Wednesday as I called our Saint John parish family to a time of renewal. It's time to have a "burning in our soul!" Ashes are a byproduct of purification and becoming "the best version of ourselves."

Posted by Mark Bialek on Wednesday, February 14, 2018
February 15, 2018

Fr. Mark Calls for Renewal During Ash Wednesday Homily

Fr. Mark called our parish family to renewal during his Ash Wednesday homily. Ashes are a byproduct of purification and we are called to experience a "burning in our soul" as we journey on the path of continuous conversion. Instead settling, its time to become the "best version of ourselves"...NOW! To watch the entire Ash Wednesday liturgy, please click HERE.
February 15, 2018

Archbishop Lori Issues NEW Pastoral Letter

Archbishop William Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore, released his 2nd pastoral letter, in which, he reflects on the enduring principals of Dr. Martin Luther King. We are called to reconcile with our brother and sister, open our hearts to conversion and find nonviolent solutions to the injustices of our time with racism primary among them. The archbishop sits down with Beverley Burke to discuss his pastoral letter in the video. His pastoral letter along with numerous resources can be found here: https://www.archbalt.org/kingpastoral.