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PARISH NEWS
ST. JOHN, HYDES
Rocket launch takes off
The Long Green Council of the Knights of Columbus is sponsoring a rocket launch June 1 for young St. John the Evangelist, Hydes, parishioners 10 and older. The event helps teach kids about science and physics while they have fun.
Rocket kits were distributed after Masses April 29, and children took them home to build, paint and decorate. The “engines” (launch devices) were not distributed because of safety issues and will be assembled with the rockets on launch day.
The Knights will judge rockets before launch time and award prizes based on decoration and flight patterns.
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ST. LEO
Mary statue moves house to house
During May, parishioners of St. Leo, Little Italy, are welcoming the statue of Our Lady of Fatima into their homes for overnight stays in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s month. While hosting the statue, parishioners are encouraged to invite family and friends to their homes to pray the rosary as many times as they can.
Families keep the 12-inch, decorative statue for a few days before returning it to the parish. It is then given to the next person on the list.
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SHRINE OF THE LITTLE FLOWER
Little Flower alumni group opens doors
The Little Flower Alumni Association of Shrine of the Little Flower, Baltimore, has volunteered to assist the parish by launching a campaign to refinish 10 deteriorating exterior doors to the church that are “badly in need” of varnishing and finishing, said Father Michael J. Orchik, pastor.
“They are a big help to us and enabling us to do things we couldn’t do without them,” he said.
Proceeds from the third annual bull and oyster roast planned for October will absorb some of the project’s cost, estimated to be in the range of $40,000.
The association is soliciting individual donations as well, and the priest said they’ve collected about $30,000 so far “with the help of a few sizable donations from alumni.” People have been donating in memory of deceased loved ones.
The Little Flower Alumni Association is also raising funds to concentrate on additional projects, such as redoing the church’s stained-glass windows and some roof work.
The rectory was built in the late 1940s, and the church was designated in 1952.
“They are expressing gratitude for the years they went to school and church here,” said Father Orchik. “They’re anxious to do it and are very dedicated.”
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ST. JOSEPH, BUCKEYSTOWN
Volunteers rewarded
St. Joseph on Carrollton Manor, Buckeystown, held a volunteer luncheon and announced the winners of its annual volunteer awards. The John Dreessen Award for outstanding service to the parish went to Clare and Norman Braune. The Bob Lapointe Award for distinguished leadership and outstanding service to the parish was presented to Kathleen Noah.
Additionally, The Mary Louise Needham Award was given to Beth Tringali, “a dedicated catechist,” reported the parish office, “who has made every effort to promote the Catholic faith.”
Prior award recipients are listed on plaques in the parish center.
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ST. TIMOTHY
Extreme Makeover: Catholic Edition is a hit with teens
Four high school peer ministers, 30 seventh- and eighth-graders and eight volunteer adult youth ministers of St. Timothy, Walkersville, attended the Extreme Makeover: Catholic Edition retreat at Elizabeth Ann Seton Shrine, Emmitsburg.
Teens were immersed in a spiritual makeover show in which the “studio audience” devised a makeover plan for troubled middle-school-aged youths. Five teams each tackled a portion: prayer, Christian community, life in the sacraments, learning more about faith and keeping faith fresh and fun. Later in the day each teen was challenged to create a personal spiritual makeover plan.
Father Andrew Aaron, pastor, made a surprise visit and brought along a visiting priest from St. Timothy’s sister parish in Haiti. Parishioner Ann Kerns translated as the Haitian priest thanked the youths for their prayers and support of his parish and school.
The remainder of the day included a tour of shrine grounds to study the life of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, an afternoon Mass and an evening at the Allstar Events Complex for food, sports, games and go-carts.
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ST. JOSEPH, PASSIONIST MONASTERY
Husband vows 45th anniversary will come
For more than four years, Jean and Joe Sitar, parishioners of St. Joseph’s Passionist Monastery Church, Irvington, had been receiving Communion together at Future Care where they resided.
Due to Mrs. Sitar’s declining health, it was often necessary for extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion Steve Smith and Tim McCarthy to bless Mrs. Sitar with the Eucharist rather than administer it orally. The two men take turns ministering to a dozen Catholics at the nursing facility.
On their 42nd wedding anniversary in 2005, Jean and Joe Sitar renewed their wedding vows with their pastor, Father William Murphy, C.P. Shortly after the couple’s 44th wedding anniversary, Mr. Sitar announced to his wife, “Baby, we’re gonna celebrate our 45th together!”
After 10 months had passed, Mr. Smith said to Mr. Sitar, “She’s a strong woman, Joe. I think she can do it.”
Jean Sitar died peacefully in her sleep April 26 – 45 years to the day after the couple was married in 1963.
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ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI, FULTON
Young girl wins faith art contest
St. Francis of Assisi, Fulton, parishioner Colleen Simmerly, 5, was named third-place winner in the kindergarten division of the Try Prayer! It Works contest, a national competition that encourages students to express their faith through art, poetry and prose.
Colleen’s artwork of St. Francis of Assisi was selected from more than 3,000 entries (three winners per grade) and more than 50,000 participants in the 13th annual contest with the theme of “Following in the Footsteps of the Saints.”
Besides the U.S. contest, separate competitions are conducted in Mexico, East and West Africa, Bangladesh, Brazil, Peru, Ireland, Chile, Haiti and the Philippines.
Colleen’s favorite subject in school is art.
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ST. FRANCIS DE SALES, ABINGDON
Scouts plan Memorial Day honor garden
Boy Scout Troop 810 of St. Francis de Sales, Abingdon, and The Ronald J. Engle Memorial Scout Foundation are sponsoring On Behalf of a Grateful Nation – A Memorial Day Honor Garden, a community service project dedicated to Americans who keep the nation secure and who have served in conflicts involving the United States.
The troop and foundation are collecting names of people with military backgrounds, especially connected to Harford County, and will place them on plaques positioned on three-foot stakes in a temporary ceremonial garden at Patterson Mill Middle/High School in Bel Air.
Troops from across Harford County have been invited to participate in the May 25 service, dedicated to Navy Petty Officer David S. Roddy, killed in Iraq, whose parents are St. Francis de Sales parishioners. Mr. Roddy had earned Eagle Scout status at St. Stephen School, Bradshaw. The ceremony will honor and remember those in America’s military.
Local community politicians are scheduled to attend, and The Bay Country Gentlemen barbershop chorus will perform patriotic selections.
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OUR LADY OF FIELDS
Prayers for life
As part of the national 40 Days for Life campaign, parishioners of Our Lady of the Fields, Millersville, are holding daily hour-long prayer services before the Blessed Sacrament. The services are led by Father Jon Kightlinger, associate pastor, or Deacon Nick Pitocco and are designed to support a culture of life through prayer. They are held 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 7:45-8:45 p.m. on Sundays.
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