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 GradeMrs. Alice Einolf, 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 Kelly 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: Jim Stadelmeyer at 610.378.1290Boy 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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Mass Intentions For The Week MONDAY, Oct. 28 – Sts. Simon & Jude 8:00 a.m. Carmela Nigrelli TUESDAY, Oct. 29 - Weekday 7:00 p.m. Philip Symanski WEDNESDAY, Oct. 30 - Weekday 8:00 a.m. John Wells, Jr. THURSDAY, Oct. 31 – Weekday/Vigil Mass 4:00 p.m. Jack Hassler FRIDAY, Nov. 1 – All Saints 9:00 a.m. Memorial Society 7:00 p.m. People of the Parish THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SATURDAY, NOV. 2 4:00 p.m. Vincent Siminitus SUNDAY, NOV. 3 8:30 a.m. Memorial Mass for Knights of

Columbus Council # 7179 10:30 a.m. People of the Parish

St. John Baptist de la Salle October 27th 2019 www.stjohnsfamilyoffaith.com thirtieth 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

Altar Wine for the month of September: In loving memory of Richard & Cecilia Roloff (requested

by daughter, Donna Satz)

Altar Bread for the month of October: In loving memory of “Nana” Ann Beaulieu (requested by Adam,

Teresa and Liliana Krick)

Upcoming Liturgical Ministers SATURDAY, NOV. 2 - 4:00PM Lector: Bernadette Yohn Cantor: Bridget Glass Servers: Lydia & Seth Toal, Amie Wickel EM: J.Ambrose, K/R.Stuber, B.Peters, C.Brahmstadt, S/J.Baddick SUNDAY, NOV. 3 - 8:30AM Lector: Paul Berthinet Cantor: Scott Tice Servers: Luke & Brynn Bennethum SUNDAY, NOV. 3 - 10:30AM Lector: Joe Giles Cantor: Scott Tice Servers: Madison Cannon, Faith & Brynna Bentz EM: S.Artz, T.Cuba, B.Wells, C/K. Worley, C/L. Przydzial

Upcoming Events Sunday, Oct. 27 6:30 pm Rel. Ed Classes Monday, Oct. 28 7:00 pm Confirmation Meeting for Parents/Students for 7th Grade. La Salle Cafeteria (please use the back entrance of the school – upper parking lot) Tuesday, Oct. 29 1:00 pm Prime Timer’s Board Mtg. 7:00 pm RCIA 7:30 pm Charismatic Prayer Group

Today's Readings First Reading: Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18 God is just and does not show favoritism, but hears the prayers of everyone. Anyone who serves God, no matter how lowly his position here on earth, will be heard and answered. Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Paul writes to Timothy that he thinks his mission is near the end, and he is glad his faith is still strong. Paul hopes that all nations will hear the gospel. But, if he is executed as he anticipates, he is sure he will live forever in heaven. Gospel: Luke 18:9-14 Jesus tells a parable about a Pharisee who went to the temple, and offered up a prayer of thanks because he was not a sinner like the tax collector who was also there to pray. The tax collector was far more humble, acknowledging his sins, and asking forgiveness for them. Jesus said the tax collector's prayer would be heard because, "Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, while he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Sanctuary Lamp for the month of October: In loving memory of: George Hlodash, Sr. (requested by Shirley

& Linda Hlodash)

Weekly Stewardship 10/13- $ 9,764.71

PLEASE TAKE NOTE: Due to the Holyday of Obligation – All Saints Day, the Vigil Mass on Thursday, Oct. 31 is at 4 PM (there is NO 7 PM Mass on Thursday) on

Nov. 1, Friday Masses are at 9 AM & 7 PM

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Parish Happenings

Knights of Columbus – Memorial Mass Holy Name Council 7179 will hold their annual Memorial Mass for deceased Brother Knights on Sunday, November 3rd at the 8:30 AM Mass. We invite all members of the parish to join us in remembering those that have gone before us. After Mass, we invite everyone to join us at Mangia’s Restaurant in Mohnton for breakfast and a morning of fellowship. For more information please contact Bill Griffith (cell):484.797.0669.

Breaking Bread will be honoring the Veterans of the parish after the 8:30 and 10;30 AM masses on Sunday,

November 10th at a Coffee Tea and Sweets light breakfast social. Please plan

to join in paying tribute to our Veterans.

Dear Family of Faith, Thirty-Five years ago when I was ordained, not in my wildest dreams would I have thought, that as a priest, I would have to deal with horrendous issues that have faced us in the past few years, both in the church and beyond it. But the reality is... these are the times we live in, and there is now a real need to rethink and live in a different way. Our Diocese wants to establish in each parish a "Safety Team," that can step into immediate action in the event of an active shooter scenario and other safety/security/violence situations in our church or school settings. I for one, believe this is a necessary precaution, that please God... we will never need! And yet that is the one thing you always hear when these atrocities happen: "I didn't think this could happen to us here in our town!" I'm asking for adult volunteers with physical capabilities, who are accustomed to thinking under pressure in emergency situations, such as police officers, fire fighters, EMS personnel, those with military experience, doctors, nurses and guys who are built like the hulk, who could handle such situations and be of help. Parish greeters / ushers would also be needed. There will be a one time, four hour long, morning workshop, on Saturdays starting in January through March in order to cover all the parishes in the diocese, lunch will be provided. The time and location for Berks County will be announced after the priest's convocation. There will be a brief meeting in the church on Sunday, November 3rd after the 10:30 Mass for sign-ups and for some further instructions. With prayerful wishes to all,

Fr. Rich

Father, forgive us for our sins

against life.

Parish Respect Life Cross Prayer Service Next Sunday - To celebrate October as “Respect Life Month” a brief Prayer Service will take place next Sunday, October 27th immediately following the 10:30 Sunday Mass. All those who wish to pray a litany of respect for all forms of life will gather at the foot of our parish Respect Life Cross that recently received landscaping enhancement. Our thanks goes out to Chris Hofmann and Hofmann Landscaping for creating the small rock garden that now surrounds the cross. Cones will block the parking spaces immediately in front of the cross in advance of the 10:30 Mass in order to provide gathering space for this service. All are welcome.

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YOUTH GROUP Our next meeting will be this Sunday, October 27th, from 6:15-7:45. We invite all 8th-12th graders to attend as we discuss upcoming events and play fun games. To see more youth group updates and information, visit our Twitter at StJohn_YG16.

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

PRIME TIMERS NEWS

• PRIMETIMER GENERAL MEETING: The next General Meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at NOON in the Fr. Lyons Room. This will be

our Annual Covered Dish Social, so bring your favorite Potluck Dish to share with the Group. Join us in celebrating our friendships along with enjoying a variety of dishes that will delight your palate!! We look forward to seeing you there!! • St. John’s Prime Timers Christmas Luncheon will be held on December 3, 2019 at the Crown Plaza. Menu: Fruit Cup, Garden Salad, Choice of Roast Beef au Jus or Salmon Piccata. Includes Chef’s selection of seasonal vegetables, starch and dessert. **Vegetarian meals will be available, but need to be ordered in advance. All checks payable to Prime Timers – reservation slips and payment by November 6th meeting. Cost: Members $23 Guests $28. For more information, or questions please contact Nick Bentz 610.777.8864, to mail in your payment: Mr. Nick Bentz, 137 W. Elm St., Shillington, PA 19607 PRIME TIMERS UPCOMING FALL TRIPS • Nov. 7: Hollywood Casino. Cost $30 (money due end of October) bus departs from St. John’s at 10:30 am with a 6 pm approximate return. Anyone interested in more information concerning the trips or to make reservations please call Mary Stadelmeyer at 484.955.9492.

Berks Catholic News • Registration is now open for the 2020-2021 School Year! Please contact Nicky Smith for information on how to Be A Saint and about preparing young men and women to Be College and Life Ready. All inquiries are confidential. nsmith@berkscatholic.org or 60.374.8361 ext. 244 • Berks Catholic Christmas Vespers -Berks Catholic High School invites you to celebrate the Birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ with our Christmas Vesper Prayer Service on Sunday, December 15, 2019 at 4:00 P.M. at Sacred Heart Church, West Reading. Admission is free and

SAVE THE DATE... Breaking Bread will be holding an Advent by Candlelight service and social on Friday December 6th at 7:00 PM in the church. Please watch for details in a future bulletin.

The Central Catholic High School Class of 1953 will be holding a Luncheon at Chef Alan's American Bistro,525 Penn Ave., West Reading, PA 19611 on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at 12 noon. If you are interested, please call Mickey Melniczek at 610.775.3096 by Tuesday, October 29th.

Justice in Action Ministry Meeting JAM (Justice in Action Ministry) will next meet on Saturday morning, November 16 at 9:00 am in the Father Lyons Room. All interested parishioners, (especially those who do not fancy driving at night), are

invited to come join in the discussion of what Catholic Social Teaching tells us about how we can respond locally, nationally, and internationally to the call of particular issues of justice. At this meeting JAM will examine the issue of food hunger and effective ways to respond. Bring your own cup and we will fill it with your choice of hot tea or coffee. For more information, get in touch with Arlene Seeber at 484.794.8027 or arleneseeber@icloud.com.

Faith Sharing for Women Come to Faith Sharing for Women and join in a comfortable discussion on the Scripture readings for the Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time (November 10 readings) on Wednesday, November 6th at 7:30 pm in the Father Lyons Room. Come follow the directives of Lectio Divina, and ponder how your daily life connects with the message contained in the Gospel. Women for all walks of life are welcome to participate. Attendance at previous sessions is not required, just a willingness to listen to others with the ear of your heart and to share in all that surfaces under the influence of the Holy Spirit. For more information contact Arlene Seeber (484.794.8027 or arleneseeber@icloud.com).

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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.

A WORD FROM OUR PASTOR...

If you have received an adverse Prenatal Diagnosis, 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 adverse prenatal diagnosis. For support, contact: Sr. Janice Marie Johnson, jjohnson@allentowndiocese.org or 610.289.8900 x 2280

Mariawald Renewal Center/Precious Blood Convent located in Shillington, is seeking an experienced full time cook to join our team. Flexible schedule including weekends and holidays as needed. Applicant should have food prep skills and initiative, including the maintenance and cleaning of kitchen. Salary and benefits are negotiable. For further information please contact Sr. Nancy Iampietro, CPS or Cris Marabella at 610.777.1624 or pbcpatreas@comcast.net ARE YOU IN NEED OF HELP WITH YARD

WORK? Our parish youth group, St. JAY is looking to help parishioners in need of assistance with their yard work. If you are in need, contact group leader Ashlee Hess at ashleeroseh@gmail.com or 610.944.4862 to set something up.

Grand Market and Christmas Bazaar- Saturday, Nov. 2 from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM and Sunday the 3rd from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the Marciano Hall of St. Peter Church. You can buy clothes, furniture, Christmas decorations and many items for the house, new and used at a reduced price, and surprise for those who earn it. Invite your family and friends. For more information, call the rectory or Kennedy House (610.378.1947).

JOB OPPURTUNITY: Lifeline of Berks County, Inc. (www.lifelineofberks.org) has opportunities for a passionate and compassionate registered nurse to assist us in our mission of providing services and education to women facing an unplanned pregnancy. This position will be part-time or 12-16 hours and is a wonderful way to use your skills in a ministry that has served women with dignity for over 47 years. The successful candidate will learn to perform ultrasound confirmation of pregnancy as part of the Options Education process. This position is perfect for young nurses who wish to add more hours in a less hectic setting or for older nurses who are looking to learning something new and reduce their workload while providing younger women with the benefit of your experience. To access a downloadable application for employment, please go to our website here - https://lifelineofberks.org/make-a-difference/join-our-team/.

The Berks County Catholic Woman's Club will attend Mass on Sat. Nov 9 at 8:00 am at St. Ignatius Church. Refreshments and a meeting will follow. Open to all Catholic women.

JOB OPPURTUNITY: Mary’s Shelter is looking for part-time staff members. This is an entry level position, please contact dani@marysshelter.org for more information.

ANNUAL ADVENT RETREAT: Love Beyond All Telling - December 13-15, 2019 Can we pause in our Christmas preparations and reflect upon the Word of God and our own desire to make a difference in our world? Can we find holiness in our daily comings and goings, nurturing it with “a love beyond all telling” (Advent Preface) as we serve those in need? Come Christmas, can we then go tell it on the mountain that God’s love has taken flesh in Emmanuel and that we, in some small way of self-giving and in deep faith, are witnesses to this Incarnation and are making our world a better place? Let’s come together to share possible ways and sacred answers! Offering: $175 PP SNG OCC $165 PP DBL OCC Deposit: $80 Check In begins December 13 at 6:00 PM, First Session: 7:30 PM. To register or for more information, please call 610.867.8890 or email stfranciscenter@gmail.com Facilitator:Sr. Bridget Haase, OSU St. Francis CEnter for Renewal www.stfrancisctr.org

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kids corner

Finding God in All Things... Lost Luggage

by Vinita Hampton Wright

To begin with, I over-packed. I expected to get all sorts of extra projects done in the “spare time” that would magically materialize during the trip. Also, I couldn’t figure out which clothes to take—why is it so hard to come up with the perfect outfit?

Then one of my bags was lost in transit, and I couldn’t wait for it so continued the trip without it. I had to buy shampoo and some socks. Other than that, I didn’t miss the bag. By the time I headed home, the bag was back in my possession. I set it down in the hallway at home and didn’t open it for a week because I couldn’t remember what was in it. And if I couldn’t remember, then could anything in that bag be so important?

This makes me wonder how much energy I use up, day in and day out, hauling stuff around that isn’t even important. What burdens have I taken upon myself that just take up space and make me tired and anxious?

I don’t think we were meant to live this way—too many bags, and too much weight. I think God wants us to travel light and to enjoy the trip a lot more.