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 610.777.1697Eucharistic MinistersContact: Bernadette Yohn at 610.777.1697 or 610.777.6297LectorsContact: 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 610.777.4387Cub ScoutsContact: Dan Giesen at 610.777.4387Knights of Columbus Contact: Bill Griffith at 484.797.0669Altar 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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First Friday Adoration at St. John’s will be held on January 5 at 8:30 am and close with Benediction at Noon. Come, spend some time with our Lord – what a beautiful way to start off a New Year!

Mass Intentions for the Week MONDAY, FEB. 5 – St. Agatha 8:00 a.m. June Fuoti TUESDAY, FEB. 6 – St. Paul Miki & Companions 7:00 p.m. Marguerite & Jerry Mc Dermott WEDNESDAY, FEB. 7 - Weekday 8:00 a.m. Diudonne Deroiser THURSDAY, FEB. 8 – ST. Jerome Emiliani & St. Josephine Bakhita 7:00 p.m. Lori Fischman FRIDAY, FEB. 9 - Weekday 8:00 a.m. Memorial Society Members SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SATURDAY, FEB. 10 4:00 p.m. Donald Stout SUNDAY, FEB. 11 8:30 a.m. 1st Lt. Frank A. Young, USMC 10:30 a.m. Linda Ferraro

St. John Baptist de la Salle February 4th 2018 www.stjohnsfamilyoffaith.com Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

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.

St. John Baptist de la Salle Family of Faith

Weekly Stewardship SUNDAY 1/21: $ 9,070.88 Sanctuary Candle for the week of 2/4-10: In loving

memory of Marlin Rautzhan (requested by Stella Gajewski and Family)

Altar Wine for the month of November: In loving memory of Jerry Keyek (requested by Bernadine

Keyek)

Altar Bread & Wine for the month of February: In loving memory of

George & Virginia “Dinty” Stauffer (requested by the Stauffer Daughters)

Upcoming Liturgical Ministers SATURDAY, FEB. 10 - 4:00PM Lector: Britt Kobularcik Cantor: TBD Servers: Rahul Mannepuli, Brigham & Baylor Kobularcik EM: T.Seidel, J/B.Peters, P.Goodhart, L.Wakefield SUNDAY, FEB. 11 - 8:30AM Lector: Amy Dodrer Cantor: TBD Servers: Joseph Giesen, Ben & Jack Makosch SUNDAY, FEB. 11 - 10:30AM Lector: Joe Giles Cantor: TBD Servers: Grant Kellenberger, Andrew & Caitlin Stout EM: K.Roché, L. Asgari, A.Seeber, V.Pinder, C.Bensing,

Upcoming Events Sunday, Feb. 4 10:30 – 12 Noon Sandwich pick-up NO Rel. Ed. Classes (classes resume Feb. 11) Monday, Feb. 5 7:30 pm Knights of Columbus General Mtg. Tuesday, Feb. 6 12:00 pm Prime Timers General Mtg. 7:00 pm RCIA 7:30 pm Charismatic Prayer Group Wednesday, Feb. 7 8:30 am Church Cleaning 7:30 pm Faith Sharing for Women Friday, Feb. 9 6:00 pm Choir Rehearsal

Todays Readings

First Reading: Job 7:1-4, 6-7 In this passage, Job laments the drudgery and pain all people sometimes experience in life. He talks of troubled days and restless nights. But he does mention that the days move along swiftly, which can remind us that our time here on earth is quite limited and should be well spent. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23 Paul explains to the Corinthians that he has no choice, but must preach the gospel. He tells of making himself all things to all people, in order to save some of them. He reminds them that he does this willingly, in the hope of sharing in the blessings of the gospel. Gospel: Mark 1:29-39 Jesus cured Simon and Andrew’s mother of a fever, then others with illnesses or demons came to see him. He cured those who were ill, and cast out the demons of the others. Then he went off and prayed alone until his followers sought him out. Jesus and his disciples then moved on to other villages to proclaim the good news.

Altar Server News: new schedules were either emailed or mailed out for January – April 2108. If you did not receive your copy please notify us: st.jbdls@verizon.net or call 610.777.1697.

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BAPTISMS: With great JOY we welcome the following little ones into our Parish Family of Faith: Peter Phillip Arthur Stella Rose Cannon Harper Diane Staller

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

Parish Happenings

PRIME TIMERS NEWS

• PRIMETIMER GENERAL MEETING: Our next General Meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at NOON in the Fr. Lyons Room. Our entertainment will be Charlie Adams, morning WEEU radio personality, noted author, speaker and ghost tour escort who will delight you with his legendary and folklore tales. Come join us for a very enjoyable afternoon and tasty treats! • March 20, 2018- Mt. Airy Casino Tribute to Neil Diamond. Money due by Feb. 27. Contact Mary Stadelmeyer with questions at 484.955.9492

Volunteers Needed to help sew baptismal bibs for our little ones who are getting baptized. The pattern for the bib is very simple, and easy to make. For more information please call Carol Bensing at 610.777.9360.

Our next meeting will be held in the LaSalle cafe on February 18th from 6:15-7:45.

All 8th-12th graders are encouraged to attend as we discuss service projects, trips, fundraisers, and our annual Easter egg hunt!

Divorce Survival Group will begin Jan.22 at St. Benedict's Parish from 7:00-8:30. Contact Deb Seidl at 610.763.6528 or dseidl@comcast.net or Joe Boylan 610.781.6415 or joeboylan@berksfoods.com

The Knights of Columbus Super Bowl

sandwich sale pickup Sunday, Feb. 4th between

10:30 and 12:00.

Souper Bowl of Caring - On Sunday, February 4th (Super Bowl Sunday) St John's will again be participating the "Souper Bowl of Caring" collection.

Volunteers will be holding soup pots at the exits of the church after all masses to benefit the Mifflin Community Food Ministry. This is the only monetary collection conducted for the pantry each year, so please be as generous as possible to benefit those less fortunate. Thanks in advance for your continued support of this worthwhile cause!!

Volunteers Needed St. Francis Home for the terminally ill

residents is in need of volunteers to help

with resent care. We are located in

Shillington on Hillside Drive. Our mission is

to provide loving and compassionate care

to our residents regardless of ability to pay.

If you feel you would like to be a part of our

St. Francis Home family, please call Nancy

Schwartz with any questions, at

610.670.1050.

Justice in Action Ministry Justice in Action Ministry will next meet on Tuesday, February 6 at 7:30 pm at the home of Sue Goodwin (16 Alpine Drive, Mohnton). All interested parishioners are welcome to join

in the discussion on Catholic Social Teaching: “The Two Feet of Love in Action”. Plans for upcoming projects at Mary’s Shelter in Kenhorst and serving breakfast at Opportunity House will also be defined. If you need a ride to Sue’s let us know and someone will gladly give you a lift. Contact Arlene Seeber: 484.794.8027 or arleneseeber@icloud.com.

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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

Berks Catholic High School is accepting Applications for the 2018-2019 School Year. Please contact Nicky Smith to schedule a personal tour, receive an Application packet or to schedule a “Saint for a Day” visit. All inquiries are confidential. nsmith@berkscatholic.org or 610.374.8361 ext.244

Holy Name Class of 1968 50th Reunion Save the Date June 2, 2018. Information to follow. Pre registration - call or email to: luciawagner84@ymail.com 610.777.5917

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED "AnB Education is looking for host families for our international students attending Berks Catholic High School. A generous stipend is provided. Call AnB Education 267.263.2481 or email hosting@anbeducation.com. The application is online at www.anbeducation.us."

Nacel Open Door is looking for a family for an 9th grade Korean International Student who will attend Berks Catholic this January. She is an F-1 visa student who speak English, is fully insured, and has her own pocket money for personal expenses. Nacel students will be provided busing to and from school. Host families provide room and board and receive a generous monthly hosting stipend. For more information please contact Angela Gable at 610.698.2647, or agableNOD@gmail.com

LENTENRETREATBreaking Bread will be sponsoring a Lenten retreat to prepare us for Lent on Saturday February 24th at Alvernia University. The Presenter will be Sister Patrice and her topic will be " When Life and Faith Seem to Collide". The cost is $25.00, which includes continental breakfast and lunch. The retreat will begin with a Communion service at 9:15 AM at the McGlinn conference center and end by

3:30 PM so 4:00 PM Mass can be attended at St. John's. Reservations are necessary and the deadline will be February 11th. To enroll in the retreat or address questions, calls may be made to Sharon Brahmstadt at 610.374.6736, or e-mail to fjlo55@hotmail.com or preferably just complete the attached form and drop it along with a check in the collection basket at church. Checks should be made out to St. John Baptist RCC. The retreat facility has several serene locations for your reflective moments. Hope you can spend some quiet time on this worthwhile day with the Lord. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------LentenRetreatNAME______________________________PHONE_________________EMAIL_______________________________

A note from the Mifflin Food Ministry: Dear St. John’s parish families: Thank you for your very generous giving in various ways to the Mifflin Community Food Ministry in 2017. This fall we celebrated 15 years of assisting the families in need in the Mifflin area. We are grateful for your part in making this possible. We served nearly 100 families in November and then in December as we made available holiday meal ingredients in addition to other food items. The Mifflin Community Food Ministry is not affiliated with the Greater Berks Food Bank, therefore, we are especially grateful for any gift. We use all gifts of time, money, food, paper products and other types of donations to serve God and their families in need in our area through this ministry. The Food Ministry is open the third Saturday of every month at Zion EC Church, 57 N. Church St., Mohnton, from 9-11 a.m.

Faith Sharing for Women Come join a small group of women from our family of faith at Faith Sharing for Women on Wednesday, February 7 at 7:30 pm in the Father Lyons Room. This month we will reflect on our compulsive doing and intense desire to meet our expectations of responsibility. Each session is complete itself, so first time and returning participants are most welcome. Attendance at previous sessions is not required. Bring a bible, a journal and pen, and a willingness to enter into sacred sharing with others. For more information contact Arlene Seeber: 484.794.8027 or arleneseeber@icloud.com.

KINGHTS at MASS The Knights of Columbus will be attending Mass as a group for one Mass each month. Prior to that Mass, the Knights will be saying the Rosary. There will

also be two Color Corps members that will act as an Honor Guard during Mass. Our next event will take place on Saturday; February 10th at the 4:00 Mass. The Rosary will start at 3:30. The Knights of Columbus invite all people of the Parish to join us in this endeavor. What a great way to prepare for the beginning of Lent by coming together to pray the Rosary and attend Mass together.

Saturday: February 10 – 3:30 Rosary / 4:00 Mass

May you and your family have a faith filled Lenten Season.

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Our Lady's Missionaries of the Eucharist Invite You To: • A Night of Healing with Father Clifton Bishop & Kathleen McCarthy Tuesday, February 20, 2018: 7- 9 PM The evening includes Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, the Holy Sacrifice of Mass, anointing and prayer over Individuals, and Eucharistic Benediction. Fr. Clifton Bishop was ordained for the Diocese of Allentown in 1998. Father is currently the Associate Pastor of St. Anne Church in Bethlehem, PA. Kathleen McCarthy is the Founder of Morning Star, New Dawn Ministries, and host of the popular weekly radio show, What the World Needs Now. Kathleen, however, would be the first to tell you her greatest gift is her 12 children, and her most important ministry is to her 12 children. • One Day Retreat with Franciscan Friars of the Renewal: Father Terry & Brother Shawn Wednesday, February 28, 2018: 9 - 2 PM The One Day Retreat will include two Conferences, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, and the Holy Sacrifice of Mass. The Community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal was begun in 1987 by eight Capuchin friars desiring to work more definitively for personal and communal reform within the Catholic Church. The life and apostolate of the friars are rooted in the ideals and spirit of the Capuchin reform born in the early 16th century. To register for an event contact: Our Lady’s Missionaries of the Eucharist olme@olme.org 610-582-3333 All are Welcome! Bring a Friend! Your generous donation will be deeply appreciated.

A WORD FROM OUR PARISH NURSES MINISTRY... A HEART ATTACK THAT STRIKES WITHOUT WARNING Women and blacks face a higher risk of death from heart attacks that present no symptoms. This has been shown in a new study by Dr. Edward C. Geehr, CEO of Lifescript. Myocardial lnfarction, also known as a heart attack, has classic symptoms of crushing chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating and lightheadedness. More subtle

presentations of a heart attack include indigestion, jaw pain or fatigue. But most people don’t know that as many as 45% of heart attacks have minor or no symptoms at all. These are known as a silent myocardial infarction or SMI. According to a study in the American Heart Association’s journal, silent heart attacks raise a person’s risk of dying from heart disease by 3 times, compared with persons without a heart attack. Also, women who suffer from SMI are more than twice as likely to die within the next decade. Please remember – call 911 if you are experiencing these symptoms. This goes for men too. Time is muscle. Early treatment will help save heart muscle. Happy and Healthy 2018.

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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.

kids corner

$24,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO BE AWARDED IN 2018 The Polish American Board of Education of Berks County will be awarding $24,000 in scholarships in April of 2018. Scholarship application forms and guidelines are available in the office of the guidance counselor in all Berks County high schools and the Polish American Heritage Association of Berks County Cultural Center in the Goggleworks. Guidelines and application form can also be downloaded from the PABEBC website at www.pabeberks.org. Application forms are due no later than Saturday, March 17, 2018 to scholarship secretary Ronald Savitski, 159 Texter Mountain Road, Wernersville, PA 19565. Questions regarding the scholarship program can be directed to Mr. Savitski by phone at 610.693.9792 or email r.savitski@msn.com. In addition to the PABEBC scholarships, the Polish American Heritage Association of Berks County (PAHABC) will be awarding one (1) scholarship in the amount of $1,000. This scholarship is open to any Berks County high school senior of Polish American decent, not just children or grandchildren of members. For this scholarship, students are asked to submit a project based on Polish history, culture and/or traditions. Application forms and guidelines for this scholarship are also available in all Berks County high school guidance offices or by contacting the PAHABC Scholarship Chair Ms. Sandy Lubas Hummel at sahummel@ptd.net or in the Polish American Cultural Center in the Goggleworks. The application including the project must be received in the PAHABC Cultural Center in the Goggleworks no later than March 4, 2018. Questions regarding the scholarship guidelines may be directed to Ms. Hummel at sahummel@ptd.net. The scholarships will be awarded on Sunday, April 22, 2018, in the Crown Plaza Hotel in Wyomissing, PA.

The Beautiful Hands of a Priest

We need them in life's early morning, We need them again at it's close, We feel their warm clasp of true friendship, We seek them when tasting life's woes, At the altar, each day, we behold them, And the hands of a king on his throne Are not equal to them in their greatness; Their dignity stands all alone; And when we are tempted and wander, To pathways of shame and sin, It's the hand of a priest that will absolve us- Not once, but again and again. And when we are taking life's partner, Other hands may prepare us a feast, But the hand that will bless and unite us- Is the beautiful hand of a priest. God bless them and keep them all holy, For the Host which their fingers caress; When can a poor sinner do better, Than to ask Him to guide thee and bless? When the hour of death comes upon us, May our courage and strength be increased, By seeing raised over us in blessing The beautiful hands of a priest. - a poem shared by one of our Family of Faith members