Spiritual Direction, one of St. John's    Pastoral/Spiritual Ministries, is a confidential ministry of compassionate accompaniment and guidance in the spiritual life. The spiritual director "directs" your attention to how God is moving in your life, how He is gifting you, and how you are responding to His call.

​

We are blessed to have a certified Spiritual Director here at St. John the Baptist. 

​

CONTACT:

Mrs. Carol Morel, praisetheholytrinity@verizon.net

​

For more information on Spiritual Direction, CLICK HERE

Individual Unbound Ministry Prayer

Everyone is fighting invisible battles - negative thoughts, secret sins, unhealthy relationships, destructive habits, idols, false identities, resentments, and bitter wounds that never seem to heal. You can reach out and be touched by God's merciful love! Unbound Ministry releases the power of Jesus into wounded hearts.

On the first Saturday (bi-monthly), there are trained teams available to provide a private 90-minute individual prayer session using the Unbound Model of prayer at The Church of the Resurrection School in Ellicott City, Maryland. Unbound Prayer is based on 5 scriptural keys that help you unlock those areas of your life where you want to receive greater freedom, healing, and spiritual growth. There are two sessions: 9:00am - 10:00am and 10:45am - 12:15pm.

If you would like to schedule an appointment or want more information, please contact Dan or Peggy Gahagan at danandpeggy@verizon.net. We ask that you read at least the first 7 chapters of the book Unbound: A Practical Guide to Deliverance (book is available at Amazon or Heart of the Father.)

St. John's Retreats and Pilgrimages come in all shapes and sizes. Men's Retreats, Women's Retreats, Family Retreats, and group Pilgrimages near and far are offered. Opportunities to make a retreat or pilgrimage will be advertised in the Mass and bulletin announcements, "Upcoming Programs" on the Adult Faith Formation main page and St. John's Facebook page.

​

Retreat Resources:

• Annual Diocese of Harrisburg Men's Conference

• St. John's Men's Spirituality Group

• Annual Diocese of Harrisburg Women's Conference

• St. John's Annual Women's Retreat - see Pastoral/Spiritual Ministries

• Adult Retreats at beautiful settings

​

• Family Retreats

  • Apostolate for Family Consecration

  • Catholic Familyland, Ohio

  • Catholic Family Retreat

  • Malvern Retreat House, Malvern, PA

  • Marianist Family Retreat Center, Cape May Point, NJ

  • Make a Retreat at Home:

    • Have a schedule of Prayer, Meals, Activities and Bedtime

    • Learn prayers: Rosary, Chaplet, Guardian Angel Prayer, etc.

    • Learn about and Pray the Angelus (6am, 12 noon, and 6pm)

    • Prayer: Create (ahead of time) a home altar or devotional space where the family will gather to pray, take turns praying there for one another, assign prayer partners

    • Reflect on the Mass readings of the day

    • Attend Daily 9am Mass

    • Spend quiet time at church

    • Tour the parish campus: discuss the Ten Commandments at the monument, learn about Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette while praying at the Lourdes Grotto, Pray the Family Prayer to St. Joseph (patron of families), Silent Prayer time before the Crucifix or at the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel

    • Kneel by your bed or the devotional space and pray bedtime prayers

• Group Pilgrimages: Marian and Saint Pilgrimages are planned and advertised in the parish bulletin. Past and future Shrine Locations:

  • Holy Rosary Church (Diocesan Shrine of Divine Mercy), Baltimore, MD

  • The Shrine of St. Anthony, Ellicott City, MD

  • Shrine of St. Elizabeth Anne Seton, Emmitsburg, MD

  • Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Wash., DC

  • Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, Wash., DC

  • Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown, PA

  • St. Padre Pio Shrine, Barto, PA

  • The National Shrine of Divine Mercy, Stockbridge, MA

"Individualized" and group opportunities abound at St. John's. The Adult Faith Formation Program has resources produced by the Theology of the Body Institute, FORMED, and check out the list of opportunities for couples to grow together in the faith at USCCB Marriage Enrichment Resources.

If time or money is not keeping up with the need to go away on a marriage or family retreat, then make your retreat at home. And remember, moms and dads need to be spiritually strong for their families with these "how-to-make-it-happen" resources.

​

Ten Suggestions for couples and families growing in the Catholic Faith... Together!

1. Go to Daily Mass

2. Visit a shrine or go on a pilgrimage (list of U.S. sites here)

3. Pray the Rosary daily

4. Go on a family retreat

5. Volunteer at our parish (check out our ministries under "Get Involved" on the main menu!)

6. Make friends with other Catholic families

7. Create a sacred space, e.g. a Prayer Garden, in your yard

8. Go to Confession together

9. Attend Vacation Bible School - see "Education Ministries"

10. Be Creative: Choose a theme and make Catholic arts and crafts or write poems or songs

Visit the Men's Spirituality Group Page.

The Evangelization Committee is the outreach Ministry of the Parish Council. Our Mission is to build up the Body of Christ through Prayer, Service, and Hospitality. All are welcome to join, Parish Council membership is not required.

​

CONTACT:

Barb Bittner, barbbhome@comcast.net

Watch...Learn...Share...

​

FORMED is the dynamic online faith formation program featuring inspiring movies, lectures, music, and stories for all ages! The parish FORMED subscription is funded by parishioner contributions.

​

Visit www.formed.org. Click "SIGN UP," then"I Belong to a Parish or Organization." Find our parish by name or zip.  Enter your email - and you're in!

Be Inspired! Be Strengthened! Be Formed!

​

​