Parish Staff, Ministry Directory, and Contact Information

Parish Staff & Mailing AddressParish Mailing Address420 Holland Street, Shillington, PA 19607PastorRev. Richard Clement: 610.777.1365DeaconDeacon F. Joseph Lombardo: 610.777.1697Principal of La Salle AcademyMr. Stephen Mickulik: 610.777.7392Parish SecretaryBernadette Yohn: 610.777.1697Parish Communications CoordinatorSarah Capato: 610.850.4978Director of Religious EducationBernadette Yohn: 610.777.1697

Comprehensive Catholic EducationLa Salle Academy: Preschool, Pre Kindergarten, K-8th GradeMr. Stephen Mickulik, Principal: 610.777.7392Berks Catholic High School: 9th-12th GradeMr. Tony Balistrere, Principal: 610.374.8361Parish Religious Education Program: 1st-8th GradeMrs. Bernadette Yohn, DRE: 610.777.1697RCIA: Age 18+Mrs. Bernadette Yohn, DRE: 610.777.1697

Scheduling Use of Parish FacilitiesFor those interested in using the Father Lyons room for a meeting or special event, please contact the Parish Office at 610.777.1697

WorshipEucharistic AdorationFirst Fridays of each month from 8:30AM-12:00PMAltar ServersStudents from Grade 4 to Seniors in High SchoolContact: Parish Office at 610.777.1697Adult Funeral ServersContact: Parish Office at 610.777.1697Children’s Liturgy of the Word: Sunday’s at 10:30AM Mass, between September and May Contact: Parish Office at 610.777.1697Eucharistic MinistersContact: Lorna Pfeiffenberger at 610.777.4822LectorsContact: Deacon Joe Lombardo at 610.777.2542Ministers of HospitalityContact: Deacon Joe Lombardo at 610.777.2542Liturgical Music Contact: Christopher Hoster at 610.334.1188CantorsContact: Christopher Hoster at 610.334.1188Baptismal PrepContact: Parish Office at 610.777.1697Baptismal BibsContact: Parish Office at 610.777.1697SacristansContact: Elaine Strick at 610.856.7264Youth GroupContact: Ashlee Hess at 610.944.4862

Outreach & Parish MinistriesCulture of LifeContact: Bob Peters at 610.775.8965Bereavement MinistryContact: Roseann Kumor at 610.775.7431Justice in Action MinistryContact: Arlene Seeber at 484.794.8027Breaking Bread Social CommitteeContact: Lois Lombardo at 610.777.2542Prayer Shawl MinistryContact: Elaine Strick at 484.824.1577Nursing Home Visitors for Rosary & MassContact: Billie & Mike Resch at 610.775.3927Food Pantry / Emergency MealsContact: Lois Carrier at 610.777.6947Advocacy for Persons with DisabilitiesContact: Kathleen Roche at 610.777.4792Parish Nurse MinistryContact: Sharon Shingler at 610.775.9998St. Paul Street EvangelizationContact: Gina Aldi at 484.769.5346Divorce MinistryContact: Deb Seidl at 610.763.6528

Spiritual GrowthRCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)Contact: Parish Office at 610.777.1697Adult Education (Seasonal)Contact: Parish Office at 610.777.1697Faith Sharing for WomenContact: Arlene Seeber at 484.794.8027Parish Prayer LineContact: Judy Peters at 610.775.8965Charismatic Prayer GroupContact: Amelia “Midge” Biancone at 610.777.2215

OrganizationsPrime TimersContact: Nick Bentz at 610.777.8864Boy ScoutsContact: Dan Giesen at 610.777.4387Girl ScoutsContact: Britt Kobularcik at 484.256.1782 Daisy: Grade K-1, Brownies: Grade 2/3, Juniors: Grade 4/5Cub ScoutsContact: Mitzi Ziolkowski at 610.856.0708Knights of Columbus Contact: Jim Stallone at 610.406.8543Altar SocietyContact: Carol Bensing at 610.777.9360Men’s Recreational Basketball ClubContact: Russ Baver at 610.507.0627CYO (Christian Youth Organization)Contact: Rock Witmer at 610.775.2176Parish GardenersContact: Chris Hofmann at 610.777.2523

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Mass Intentions for the Week MONDAY, MAY 29 – Easter Weekday 9:00 a.m. Robert Mc Laughlin TUESDAY, MAY 30 – Easter Weekday 7:00 p.m. Deceased members of the Anuszewski Family WEDNESDAY, MAY 31- Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 8:00 a.m. Nicholas Cunderi THURSDAY, JUNE 1 – St. Justin 7:00 p.m. Joseph Troy FRIDAY, JUNE 2 – SS. Marcellinius & Peter 8:00 a.m. Memorial Society Members PENTECOST SUNDAY SATURDAY, JUNE 3 4:00 p.m. Intentions for the Becker & Dugan Families SUNDAY, JUNE 4 8:30 a.m. People of the Parish 10:30 a.m. Joseph Sottosanti

St. John Baptist de la Salle May 28th 2017 www.stjohnsfamilyoffaith.com Seventh Sunday of Easter

Away from home? Find a Mass wherever you are at www.masstimes.org

Upcoming Liturgical Ministers SATURDAY, JUNE 3 - 4:00PM Lector: Leslie Curran Cantor: TBA Servers: Kayla Davis, Sonia & Rahul Mannepuli EM: T.Seidel, T.Cuba, C/G.Legezdh, J.Ambrose, L.Katzaman, M.Melniczek, K.Becker SUNDAY, JUNE 4 - 8:30AM Lector: John LaManna Cantor: TBA Servers: Catherine Maher, Isabella & Rosie Makosch SUNDAY, JUNE 4 - 10:30AM Lector: Nancy Faust Cantor: TBA Servers: Andrew Stout, Luke Bennethum, Matt Brown EM: D.Cannon, C.Bensing, N.Bentz, J.Stephan, S.Artz, M.Kochen, MB.Kakos, L.Kellenberger

Upcoming Events Monday, May 28 • Parish Office is Closed (will reopen Tues. 5/30) • La Salle Academy Closed (classes resume Tues. 5/30) Tuesday, May 29 • 1:00 pm Prime Timers Board Mtg. • 7:30 pm Charismatic Group Friday, June 2 • 8:30 am Adoration of Blessed Sacrament • 12 Noon Benediction

Please direct all bulletin and website inquiries to the Parish Communications Coordinator, Sarah Capato at 610.850.4978 or sarah@stjohnsfamilyoffaith.com.

Bulletin submissions are due Thursday, ten days prior to the Sunday of publication.

Weekly Stewardship SUNDAY 5/14: 11,530.00

EASTER: $24,385.00

Todays Readings First Reading: Acts 1:12‑14 After Jesus ascended into heaven, the eleven apostles returned to Jerusalem and prayed in the upstairs room. With them were some women and Mary, the mother of Jesus. Second Reading: 1 Peter 4:13‑16 Christians are exhorted to rejoice in suffering because through suffering, they share in the life of Christ. Gospel: John 17:1‑11a This is a continuation of Jesus’ prayer at the Last Supper. He tells the Father that he has made his name known, that he has finished the work his Father has given him, and that he wishes now to share in the glory at his side.

Sanctuary Candle for the week of 5/21-27: In loving memory of Vincent Madonna (requested

by his wife Rose Madonna)

Altar Wine for the month of April: In loving memory of John Lombardo (requested by Jennie Lombardo)

Altar Bread for the month of May: In loving memory of Elizabeth Taubitz & Hilda

Kellenberger (requested by Louise & George

Kellenberger)

*Please take Note: Monday’s Mass is at 9 AM due to Memorial Day.*

First Friday Adoration: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place on June 2 at 8:30 AM and close with Benediction at Noon. Please come and spend some quiet time with our Lord.

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Parish Happenings

PRIME TIMERS NEWS

All Welcome to Prime Timers Annual Picnic! Tuesday, June 6th at Kauffman’s BBQ. Members are $15- Non members are $20. Picnic Buffet. For reservations please contact Len and Pat Miller at 610 .670.2914 or 2506 Joshua Dr. Sinking Spring 19608, Checks payable to St John's Prime Timers.

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED- "AnB Education is looking for host families for our international students attending Berks Catholic High School. A generous monthly stipend is provided. Call AnB Education 267.263.2481 or email hostfamily@anbeducation.com"

We invite all 8th-12th graders to our next meeting! It will be taking place from 6:15-7:45 in the

Father Lyons Room this Sunday, May 28. We hope to see you there!

BASKETBALL, CHEERLEADING, DANCE CAMPS 3 Great Camps: Berks Catholic will be hosting Saints Boys’ Basketball, Cheerleading, and Dance Camps for grades 1-8, June 12th-16th. For more information contact Tony Balistrere at 610.374.8361, ext 224 or tbalistrere@berkscatholic.org. For camp information and registration forms go to www.berkscatholic.org.

Attention young men and women! Are you wondering what to do with your life? Have you asked the question, "What am I

looking for?” If so, you are not alone. You are in good company because people like Saint Andrew and Saint John the Evangelist had these same questions and then found the answers in a man who was baptized by John the Baptist and called them to be "fishers of men." We invite you to join the seminarians of the Diocese of Allentown and Sisters from various women's religious communities at the 2017 Quo Vadis or Fiat Days at DeSales University from Sunday, July 16 to Thursday, July 20. Quo Vadis and Fiat Days are open to young men and women from ages 14 to 18 (including the newly graduated). This five-day event will include time for personal and group prayer, Mass and other Catholic devotions, talks by priests and religious sisters, and sports and other activities. Registration is now open. Registration materials are available at www.allentowndiocese.org. Click on the vocations information link. Spaces are limited so act fast.Registrations must be received by Friday, June 30, 2017.

CYO Winter Sign-ups are now open. Any parents interested in volunteering to assist or coach Cross Country, Volleyball, or Golf should contact Athletic Director, Rock Witmer (rasawitmer@gmail.com). Fall sports are open to all children in good standing within the parish. Cross country is open to girls and boys in grades K-8. Volleyball is open to girls in grades 4-8. Golf is open to girls and boys in grades 6-8. Registration forms can be found on the La Salle Academy website at the following www.lsabear.org / School Community / CYO / Diocese of Allentown CYO Permission. Completed form and payment of $25 needs to be submitted to the below address NO LATER THAN June 2nd in order to ensure participation. Checks can be made payable to La Salle CYO: La Salle Academy Attn: CYO Secretary - Tony Cannon 440 Holland St. Shillington, PA 19607

Save a Date - Fireworks with the Diocese!! The Diocese of Allentown will be sponsoring the fireworks show after the Reading Fightins home baseball

game on Saturday, July 22 at 6:35 PM. Tickets will go on sale in June.

Watch for more details in upcoming bulletins.

SAVE THE DATE PICNIC NEWS Our parish picnic is scheduled for Sunday September 10th at the Mohnton playground. More details will follow in the bulletin closer to time over the summer. The first meeting of the Picnic committee will take place on Saturday June 10th at 2:45 PM in the Father Lyons room. This meeting will be short so we can make the 4 PM mass afterwards. The committee welcomes new members to join in!

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The Parish Nurses Ministry will be taking blood pressure screenings after all Masses, this weekend JUNE 3/4 in the Father Lyons Room.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE If a Prenatal Diagnosis identifies a possible disability…You are not alone. There is help. The Diocese of Allentown has a network of concerned parents and professionals who have experienced or worked closely with issues surrounding a poor prenatal diagnosis. For support, contact: Sr. Janice Marie Johnson at 610.289.8900x42 or jjohnson@allentowndiocese.org

GUIDELINES FOR THOSE WHO ARE HOSPITAL BOUND: • If you are scheduled for a hospital visit and know in advance, please see Father Rich before or after mass and he will anoint you and bless you. • When being admitted to the Reading Hospital please advise the admitting staff person you are Catholic and a member of St. John Baptist de LaSalle. Should you want Communion while you are hospitalized please tell them you want Communion either daily or weekly and your name will be added to list of the Eucharistic Ministers who serve at the hospital. If you have any questions about this procedure see Deacon Joe Lombardo.

HGA SCHOOL POSITIONS AVAILABLE Holy Guardian Angels Regional Catholic School is accepting applications for part-time nurse and teacher openings for the 2017-2018 school year. Teacher candidates must hold or be eligible for PA certification. Please send letter of intent, resume, copies of certification and transcripts, along with your clearances and references to Mrs. Maureen Wallin, 3125 Kutztown Road, Reading, PA 19605.

Dear Parents: Send your kids on an imaginative, impacting adventure!

At Maker Fun Factory VBS, kids will discover not only that God made them the way they are, but for a purpose too. Our days will

be filled with incredible Bible-learning experiences kids see, hear, touch and even taste! We will have fun crafts, team-building games,

cool Bible songs and tasty treats. So mark these dates on your calendar: June 19-23, 2017. The fun starts at 9 am and will end at 11:30 am. All activities will be held at La Salle Academy. This program is geared for children ages 4 and up. For more information or to obtain a registration form please call the Parish Office, 610.777.1697 or email us at st.jbdls@verizon.net.

La Salle Academy Annual Fund Update As of May 17th, over 200 families from La Salle Academy, St. Benedict’s and St. John’s parishes contributed $50,740 to La

Salle Academy’s 9th Annual Fund. This continues to demonstrate the commitment from our La Salle families and our parish communities to our regional Catholic Grade School. The Annual Fund has successfully tackled the “big ticket” items such as a new roof and new gym floor as well as other capital improvements to the school. This year we are continuing our efforts in raising funds for Air Conditioning throughout the school, replacing our twenty-five year old heating system and also technology, which is an ever-growing need in every school. We are still in need of additional contributions to meet our goal. Please prayerfully consider a gift. Donations may be sent to the school office, La Salle Academy Annual Fund, 440 Holland Street, Shillington, PA 19607.

WINNERS OF THE COUNTY DECLAMATION CONTEST. CONGRATULAIONS! GIRLS 7th GRADE 1st Place Anyeli Torres, St Peter’s 2nd Place: Mollie Helstrom St. Catharine 3rd Place: Anna Schlegel, Immaculate Conception

GIRLS 8th GRADE 1st Place: Jadilyz Baez, St Peters 2nd Place: Sidney Wolf, Immaculate Conception 3rd Place: Mariella Frisina, LaSalle Academy BOYS 7th GRADE 1st Place: Matthew Gramley, St Ignatius 2nd Place: Yair Tinoco, St Peter’s 3rd Place: Robert Silver, LaSalle Academy BOYS 8th GRADE 1st Place: Pablo Zavala, St Peter’s 2nd Place: James Stelluti, St Ignatius 3rd Place: Jacob Kasperowicz, Immaculate Conception GRAND CHAMPIONS 7th Grade: Anyeli Torres, St Peter’s 8th Grade: Pablo Zavala, St Peter’s

• Both were 1st place winners at the Diocesan Competition.

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St. John Baptist de la Salle Family of Faith

MARK YOUR CALENDARS DIOCESE of ALLENTOWN PRESENTS...

88th MEN'S WEEKEND THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12 - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15

88th WOMEN'S WEEKEND THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19 - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22

St Francis Center for Renewal Monocacy Manor - Bethlehem, Pa.

A once in a lifetime opportunity for Catholics!

Piety – Study - Action

Cursillo (pronounced cur see o) is a worldwide lay movement within the Catholic Church dedicated to the renewal of the faith and Christian service to our communities. Cursillo has been active in the

Allentown Diocese since 1970 and is open to all adult Catholics in good standing. For more information contact

Lisa Ianni – 610.223.2123 - llianni@verizon.net or Kathy Green – 610.698.4089 - oma904@hotmail.com

Or talk with your pastor or local priest

Make a friend Be a friend Bring your friend to Christ

Veteran-to-Veteran Volunteer Program

Heartland Hospice offers a special program of end-of-life care to local patients who have served our country. The Vet-to-Vet program strives to match a hospice patient who is a Veteran with a volunteer who also is a Veteran, or active military personnel. Volunteers offer compassionate listening and grateful acknowledgement at a time when it is needed most. Comprehensive volunteer training is offered and can be suited to meet your scheduling needs. Only 2-4 hours a month can make a world of difference to someone who would otherwise be alone. If you are a Veteran or active military personnel and would like more information please call Gail Champlin, MS Ed., Volunteer Coordinator 610-373-6898 or 1-888-800-0224.

Prayer For Memorial Day

God of power and mercy, you destroy war and put down

earthly pride. Banish violence from our midst and wipe away our tears, that we may all deserve to be called your sons and daughters. Keep in your mercy those men and women who have died in the cause of freedom and bring them safely into your kingdom of justice and peace. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. R/. Amen —from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, USCCB

Faith Sharing for Women Unfortunately, Faith Sharing for Women will not meet in the month of June. Look for a future announcement of the next session, most likely in early July.

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The Healthy Family 2017 New for 2017 we began a series of articles, at least once monthly, to encourage healthy marriages and family life. Too often couples and/or families fall into a rut within daily living and aren’t sure where to turn for advice. The Catholic Church celebrates the sanctity of life, marriage and families and there is a plethora of knowledge to be had, right at our fingertips. We will feature different material from many sources; some weeks peaking your interest greatly and others you may not feel pertain to you now, but could in the future. The series will also be kept on our parish website (stjohnsfamilyoffaith.com), for reference, along with many more articles too long for the bulletin. We hope this series will find you rejuvenated in your personal life and struggles, with your faith right beside to assist. Happy 2017 to "The Healthy Family"!

5 Steps for Trusting in God’s Plan During Difficult Times We all face hardships in life, but we never have to walk through them alone.

By Dawn Demers When navigating through some of life’s darkest moments often all that we can hold onto is our faith in God. Our faith is what sustains us, what gets us through challenging times when we, ourselves, cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. It is in those times that through our faith we trust that God must have a plan, that there must be a greater purpose to our suffering. Without that belief, without that faith, we would have nothing to hold onto, nothing to get us through the dark night of the soul. Faith and trusting in God means believing in God’s divine timing and believing that God has the interest of our greater good at heart, even when we cannot see it in the moment. There is always a reason. It just may not be a reason that we can comprehend with our current level of understanding. As we move through any struggle however, there are certain steps we can take to align with our faith to support us in navigating the storm as efficiently and smoothly as possible. Accept where you are. One of the most challenging things when facing difficulty is accepting where you are. You may not be in the ideal situation to face this calamity. You may not like the cards that you have been dealt or understand why they have been dealt to you. However going into a space of denial and resistance regarding your current situation will not help matters. In fact, what you resist persists. The more you fight against the very situation are facing, the longer you will have to endure it. You may not deserve it. It may not be your fault but this is where you are. This is what you are facing. Accept it so you can start moving through it. This is your starting point. Give up any preconceived notions about how things should have gone and accept that this is where you are today. Once you can come to grips with your current situation, then you’re able to surrender it to God and begin to move forward. Surrender it to God. As anyone who has been through tough times knows, while you are in the middle of a struggle it is often not possible to even comprehend why it is happening to you, let alone how you will survive the challenge physically, mentally and emotionally. Common advice during these times is to just “Let go and let God.” It is such an easy thing to say and yet is it really so simple? Our faith in God is not a magic pill. It does not make all of our struggles, all of our difficulties, disappear. It is through our faith that we come to understand that there is a bigger plan which can only be seen from a much higher perspective. We must trust that from that higher perspective sometimes what is in our long-term best interest cannot be seen from our short term perspective. We may be feeling the flames from the fire and wanting to jump out but we are unable to see that if we jump at this moment we will only be moving into a situation that is even worse. Once you have accepted your current situation, surrender it to God. Know that there is a greater purpose, a greater plan. Your prayer might sound something like this, “God, I accept the situation that I am in. I am ready to change it. I release it to you God. I pray God for you to guide me. I submit to your greater power to lead me through this.” Pray from a place of power. Prayer is an important healing practice that helps us not only to connect with the divine but also to focus on our end goal. What is the end result that you are seeking? Define it, imagine it, visualize it and pray powerfully for it every day. Utilize your daily prayer time as a demonstration of your faith. Pray from a place of power as if your prayers have already been answered. Use the power of your word to state your goal in the present tense, as if it has already come to pass. Give thanks in each prayer deeply and from the heart, overflowing with the gratitude for the blessings that have been bestowed on you in the past, in the present and that you know will be in the future. Pray from a place of power knowing that all things are part of a greater plan which has your best and highest interests at heart. Be open to receive guidance. Pay attention and be aware. Notice any intuitive nudges or any repetitive messages that you may encounter during your day. This is spirit speaking to you. Notice it. Be open to it. Do not discount it. Many have heard the story of a man who arrived in heaven after having drowned in a flood. The man asked God, “Lord, why did you not save me? I waited for you!” To which God replied, “I sent you three boats!” Couched in humor, the message is to be open to assistance arriving in all forms. Do not discount something just because it is not what you expect. Sometimes the greatest blessings, the most amazing gifts, come in the most unusual packages. Take guided action. Even the most amazing stories of angelic intervention involve the individual taking some type of action even if it is small. You must not only be open to receiving guidance but then you must take action. Develop an action plan. Pray daily on that plan for guidance and for the success of the plan. Take guided action daily, even a small step each day toward your goal is a demonstration of your faith. Action is a demonstration of your faith in the ability of God to work great miracles in your life, but you must be a participant. Respond to the intuitive guidance that you receive through your actions and your behaviors. Take responsibility for working with God and through God to create the change you need to see in your life.