Masses and Prayer Services
The annual Diocesan Respect Life Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Ronald Gainer on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 4 p.m. at Holy Spirit Church, Palmyra. This Mass is celebrated every year to commemorate the lives lost to abortion since 1973 and to pray for a culture of life in our nation from conception to natural death. For additional information, please contact the Office for Life & Dignity at 717-657-4804, ext. 322, or email mweltmer@hbgdiocese.org.
Catholic Family Connection of Lancaster is hosting a Holy Hour and potluck dinner, Sunday, January 15, at 5 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Adoration Chapel in Lancaster. Come for all or part of the guided Holy Hour at 5 p.m., followed by the dinner at 6 p.m. Bring a dish or dessert to share. RSVP via e-mail to catholic.families.lanc@gmail.com.
The Epiphany Italian Mass/Epifania del Nostro Signore will be Sunday, January 8 at 12:15 p.m. at St. Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg, celebrated by Bishop Ronald Gainer. The Italian Apostolate Ministry Committee will provide a reception after Mass. For more information, contact Mariella Amato at 717-278-9420 or Maria DiSanto at 717-554-5698 or disanto1@comcast.net.
St. Joseph Parish in York and Father Steve Fernandes, OFM, Cap., invites York area churches to join in celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on Wednesday, January 18 at 7 p.m. Stephen Falencki, Coordinator of Music at St. Joseph Parish, is recruiting choir members and musicians from the various churches to lead the service in song and praise. If interested in joining this Combined Church Choir, please contact Stephen at 717-755-7503, ext. 248, or falencki@sjy.org.
Tuesday Evening Prayer Devotions resume at St. Patrick Church in Carlisle, Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. Join others in praying the Rosary for an end to abortion, The Chaplet of Divine Mercy for the clergy of the Diocese, and novena prayers to Our Mother of Perpetual Help for vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life. Devotions are every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at St. Patrick Church on Pomfret Street in Carlisle, except during inclement weather and during 40 Hours. The devotions began in May of 1994 and are returning after a hiatus since the start of the pandemic. For information, contact Henry Treffinger at 717-701-5676 or flyboy323@comcast.net.
Education & Enrichment
The Diocese of Harrisburg will host its annual Men’s Conference, Saturday, March 18, at the Diocesan Center in Harrisburg. Marcel LeJeune, President and Founder of Catholic Missionary Disciples will offer the keynote address. Breakout session presenters include Marcel LeJeune, Bishop Ronald Gainer, Father Ryan Fischer, Deacon Armando Torres, and Deacon Virgilio Centenera. Mass celebrated by Bishop Gainer, Confession, and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament are all part of this annual event. For more details, visit https://www.hbgdiocese.org/men.
The Harrisburg Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will have their 97th annual convention, “Live in the Love of Christ,” on Saturday, April 15 at the Diocesan Center in Harrisburg. Virtual and in-person options. The keynote speaker is Liz Kelly, a retreat leader and the award-winning author of ten books, including “Reasons I Love Being Catholic,” which won the Catholic Press Association’s First Place award for Best Popular Presentation of the Faith in 2007, and “Jesus Approaches, What Contemporary Women Can Learn about Healing, Freedom & Joy from the Women of the New Testament,” which has won several awards, including Best Book in the Religion/Christianity category for 2017-2019. For more about Liz, please visit: https://www.lizk.org/. Registration and continental breakfast begin at 8 a.m., with closing prayer at 2:30 p.m. For more information about the convention, visit https://hdccw.webs.com/hdccw-convention.
St. Francis Xavier Parish in Gettysburg will host “Practical, Pro-Active, Pro-Life,” a presentation by Dr. Joshua Hochschild, professor at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Md., on January 14 at noon at Xavier Center on Table Rock Road. The presentation will discuss what we do now after the Dobbs decision, and what Catholics can do, practically, to promote life and dignity in today’s culture. Join us for pizza and a talk, ask questions and learn how to put Catholic teaching into practice.
The Harrisburg Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (HDCCW) invites girls in grades 9-12 in the Diocese of Harrisburg to enter an art contest. Design the cover for the 97th Annual HDCCW Convention on Saturday, April 15, 2023. The artwork should be an original drawing or painting for a 9×12 folder and based on the convention theme, “Live in the Love of Christ.” The grand prize is $150, second prize is $75 and third prize is $50. The deadline to enter is January 23, 2023. For complete details and contest guidelines, please refer to the HDCCW website http://hdccw.webs.com where the flyer is available. You may also contact Kathy at 717-352-7354 or email hdccwartcontest@gmail.com with questions.
2023 Catholic Daughters of the Americas National Education Contest – Court Queen of Peace #1023, Lancaster, PA, of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas invites all youth in grades 4-12 from all schools to enter the 2023 National Education Contest. 2023 themes are: “We walk by faith, not by sight” 2 Corinthians: 5:7, and “When do I have to lean on my faith more than sight?” Enter one or more contests via art, essay, computer art, music and photography. Go to http://www.catholicdaughters.org/, then select “forms,” and go to “contests” for contest rules and details in English or Spanish, or click here. Entries must be received by Margaret T. Giordano, Education Contest Chairman, 1530 Hollywood Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601 no later than February 1, 2023. All first-place local winners will be entered in the state education contest, and first-place state winners will be entered at the national level. An awards ceremony with monetary awards for first, second and third place local winners will be planned for early June 2023. Leave a voice message at 717-390-9035 with questions.
Retrouvaille offers a welcoming and loving space to couples who have been living with the misery of a failing marriage. Retrouvaille offers hope: hope that it is not too late, hope of a different and better marriage. Retrouvaille helps couples show each other mercy through the opportunities it provides to listen, to forgive, to be reconciled and to move into their futures believing that God loves them and with His help and their efforts, their marriages can be healed and restored. Retrouvaille provides help for marriage problems/difficulties/crises. The next Retrouvaille weekend is in Mechanicsburg, January 13-15. For more information about an upcoming Retrouvaille Weekend program for couples, contact the registration team at 717-356-2185 or visit www.HelpOurMarriage.org.
Upcoming Women of Grace Events – Save the date, April 1, 2023, at the Diocesan Conference Center, for “Welcome Women of Grace: The Grace of the Prayerful Woman.” A morning event will be offered for the Spanish-speaking community, “Bienvenidas Mujeres de Gracia: La Gracia de la Mujer Orante.” For more information, contact Chris Arnold, Regional Coordinator, at 717-379-6041 or carnold@womenofgrace.com.
Calling all young adults (20s and 30’s) – A young adult Catholics group is forming in Franklin County. Open to young adults from local parishes, including St. Andrew the Apostle, St. Rita, Immaculate Conception, St. Mark, Corpus Christi and Our Lady of the Visitation. Please join our Facebook group for more information, or reach out to the co-leaders with any questions or ideas. Find Franklin County PA Young Adult Catholics on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/568131137998438, or email Rachel Little at littlerach2011@gmail.com or Anissa Freeman at afreeman9159@gmail.com.
The Mental Health Ministry at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Mechanicsburg is offering two types of spiritual support groups: a group for individuals who are experiencing mental illness, and a group for family members and friends of those experiencing mental illness. Meetings are now being held on the second and fourth Wednesday evenings of each month. We will gather in the Bayley Conference Room for open discussion, and then move to separate locations for the Spiritual Support Group meetings. Participants are welcome to either join us for open discussion at 7 p.m., or arrive at 7:30 p.m. for the small group meetings, which will meet separately until 9 p.m. Contact Pastoral Assistant Donna Nebistinsky for more information at donna@steas.net or 717-697-6929.
Are you looking for like-minded folks for prayer, discussion, and fun? Join the Companions of Pauline for quarterly meetings in the convent at Penn State Holy Spirit Hospital in Camp Hill. The group meets from 2-4 p.m. for prayer, discussion, and fun, in-person or via Zoom as we follow the charism and spirituality of Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt, foundress of the Sisters of Christian Charity. Vespers follow in the hospital chapel. Text or call Sister Donna Marie, S.C.C. at 570-335-3586 or e-mail sdmkemb@gmail.com.
Retreats & Pilgrimages
Save the Date for MOUNT2000: Back after a hiatus due to COVID, all teens are invited to join us for MOUNT2000, “Kenosis: Make Room for God.” This weekend retreat includes Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Confession, exciting nationally known speakers and musicians, and breakout sessions led by seminarians. MOUNT2000 will be February 3-5, 2023, at Mount Saint Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Md. Make plans to join us for this inspirational event.
Events & Fundraisers
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton will host its’ annual Solidarity Day on Friday, January 20, 2023. This will be a full day of prayerful support for those participating in the March for Life in Washington, D.C. The day will begin with Mass at 9:00 am, followed by a light breakfast. A Respect Life movie will be shown and a light lunch will also be provided. At 12:00 p.m. participants will be able to view the March for Life and speeches live on EWTN. At 1:00 p.m. the group will move to the Divine Mercy Chapel for the recitation of the rosary and Respect Life prayers. The day will conclude at approximately 3:00 pm. Participants are invited to attend for the day or part of the day. For further information, please contact Pete Fludovich at 717-697-9678.
St. Joan of Arc School in Hershey will hold its Annual PTO Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, February 4, in the school gym. The evening will be filled with live entertainment, themed basket raffles, delicious food and fellowship. Dinner includes a tossed salad, bread, spaghetti and meatballs, dessert and choice of beverage. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $5 for children (under 6). Dine-in (4-8 p.m.) or take-out (4-7 p.m.). Purchase tickets online at http://school.stjoanhershey.org/spaghetti-dinner.html, via e-mail to Christine Bromfield at sjaspaghettidinner@gmail.com or at the door the night of the event.
Knights of Columbus Council 6810 of St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Millersville will hold a Free Throw Championship, Sunday, January 29 from 1-5 p.m. at the parish. All boys and girls ages 9-14 are invited and participate by showing proof of age (e.g., copy of birth certificate) and written parental consent. A participant’s age category is based on their age as of January 1. Contestants register at the door by filling in a brief entry form. Contestants receive a Certificate of Participation. Winners receive a Winner’s Certificate and wall plaque or trophy, and move on to district, regional and state competition. International champs are named by Knights of Columbus Headquarters based on scores from state-level contests. For more information, call or text George Elko at 717-203-6210 or email gmelko@comcast.net.
York Catholic High School’s Athletic Booster Club is inducting seven new members into its Sports Hall of Fame. The inductees will be introduced Saturday, January 21, prior to the start of the girls’ varsity basketball game versus Trinity scheduled for a 4 p.m. tip-off. After the game, the inductees will be honored with a reception in the cafeteria at 5 p.m. The Sports Hall of Fame honors former coaches and student athletes, administrators, and volunteers. Those being inducted include: Mike Hoffman ’59 (service), Charlene “Missy” Dearborn Doll Macko ’79 (basketball), John Daniels ’81 (coach), Teresa Strausbaugh DeGuzman ’81 (basketball), Nicholas Krall ’95 (administration), Kady Schrann ’11 (basketball/cross country), and Rachel Forjan Eckert ’12 (basketball).
York Catholic’s Athletic Booster Club will host a “Night at the Races” on Saturday, February 4. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Race post time is at 6:15 p.m. The event includes simulcast horse races, silent auction, raffles, rip tickets, and all you can eat food and beverages for $40. Tickets are on sale by visiting https://yorkcatholic.org/night-at-the-races/ or calling 717-846-8871, ext. 1322. Dress is casual. This event is for ages 21 and older.
Holy Spirit Parish’s Right to Life Committee and Knights of Columbus Council 10502 will participate in a local Right to Life March to coincide with the National March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Friday, January 20. The local event will take place at Holy Spirit Church in Palmyra. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., with a livestream of the National March for Life Rally and pro-life speakers at noon. A local, one-mile march to the square in Palmyra for a prayer will begin at 1:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served after the march. For information, please contact Art Bond at 717-383-8583 or abond702@comcast.net.
Boys and girls ages 9-14 are invited to the annual Free Throw Shooting Championship hosted by Knights of Columbus Council 10502 of Holy Spirit Parish in Palmyra, January 29 in the Palmyra High School gym. This is a free, annually sponsored event, with winners progressing through local, district and state competitions. All boys and girls 9-14 years old are eligible to participate and will compete in their respective age divisions. Participants are required to furnish proof of age and written parental consent. For additional information or an entry form, contact Jim Albus at jalbus350@comcast.net.
The Flower of Carmel Hermitage, Inc., is seeking volunteers to assist in the development of funding and construction of a Laura in the Diocese of Harrisburg. If you are interested in helping with this important project, learn more and contact the hermitage via its website, https://flowerofcarmelhermitage.org/ or e-mail sisterhermitess@gmail.com.
Job Openings
The Diocese of Harrisburg has an exciting opportunity for a part-time Video Specialist to join our Communications Office. This person should be a passionate storyteller with experience in video production. The Specialist will be involved in all aspects of the video production process, including planning, shooting and editing. This is a part-time position with a flexible schedule; however, as a member of the communications team, this position will require availability for evenings, weekends, holidays and holydays. Travel throughout the Diocese is also required. This position will work in a fast paced, deadline driven team environment. To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume and links to at least three completed video projects to employment@hbgdiocese.org. For best consideration, please submit all materials by February 3, 2023. For more details, please see the full job description at www.hbgdiocese.org/careers.
The Diocese of Harrisburg is seeking a full-time Help Desk Technician. This position is the primary contact for Help Desk requests, performing a variety of computer/network problem analysis and monitoring tasks for the Information Technology Department. Candidates must have superior telephone etiquette skills in answering phone and initiating phone calls; strong customer service skills and a working knowledge of IT departmental procedures; ability to take initiative and be assertive to solve problems; ability to organize work in an efficient manner and work with more than one project/responsibility at a time; strong problem-solving skills and inherent decision-making ability; and the ability to work well under stress and time pressures to meet deadlines. This position requires a year of experience with computer operations, network communication systems or in a setting with high exposure to personal computers to become familiar with a variety of software and hardware. This position requires communication and analytical skills normally acquired through two years of post-secondary education in computer science or a related field, or equivalent technical training in a computer-related field. To apply, please send your cover letter & resumé to employment@hbgdiocese.org. The full job description can be found at www.hbgdiocese.org/careers.
School President position open at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School in Coal Township. The school serves over 400 students in grades PreK-12 with a devout faculty and school community. The school president is a new position for Our Lady of Lourdes and we are searching for someone with a strong Catholic identity and leadership skills. Minimum qualifications: practicing, knowledgeable Catholic; thorough understanding of Catholic School Communities; demonstrable strategic vision and management skills; experience in business and fundraising; bachelor’s or master’s degree in finance, business or education. Position starts immediately after approval. For more information and to fill out the online application, go to https://tinyurl.com/OLLPresident. Send any questions to Karen Luckie at kluckie@hbgdiocese.org or call 717-657-4804, ext. 229.
The Diocese of Allentown is seeking a Communications Director to work with the Office of the Bishop in advancing the mission of the Diocese through effective communications in diocesan publications, electronic media, social media, and the news media. See www.AllentownDiocese.org/about/employment/ for a full description of this opportunity.
The Diocesan Secretariat for Education is seeking a full-time Administrative Assistant. This confident individual with superior organizational and administrative skills will work as part of an administrative team in the Department of Education. Successful candidates will share a passion for Catholic education, possess high levels of verbal, interpersonal and written communication skills with the ability to use some independent initiative and judgment. An ability to maintain good public relations is essential. A high level of proficiency in all MS Office applications is essential with a thorough working knowledge of database management and Excel spreadsheets. An experience of working in Catholic schools or a parish CCD program would be helpful but not essential. Knowledge of Diocesan parish /school structures would be beneficial. Competitive salary and benefits. Please send résumé and cover letter to: employment@hbgdiocese.org.
The Diocese of Harrisburg is seeking a part-time kitchen cook at the Priests’ Retirement Home in Harrisburg, for Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Candidate should have a friendly disposition and provide weekend food services to the priests living in the Retirement Home, an independent living facility of 15 apartments. The cook works independently and without close supervision, and must have an excellent knowledge of food hygiene and food preparation. The weekend cook is responsible for providing lunch and dinner to a pre-set menu. Must be able to stand and walk continuously throughout the working day; reach, stoop, bend, lift and carry up to 50 lbs.; manipulate various food products, dietary supplies and equipment; have visual acuity and color discrimination for examining cooked and stored food; have taste and smell discrimination in determining nutritional quality and palatability of foods; have ability to work with chemicals and cleaning agents; and tolerate exposure to temperature and humidity changes as in entering refrigerated storage areas, working at ovens, ranges, dish-washing machines, and at steam tables. Required to have (or will be given the opportunity to obtain) ServSafe Certification. Please send résumé to employment@hbgdiocese.org or via mail to Human Resources, Diocese of Harrisburg, 4800 Union Deposit Rd., Harrisburg, PA 17111.
Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Harrisburg is seeking to employ a full-time Administrative Assistant. Position is responsible for the daily operation of the parish office, including clerical work and minor administrative details. Responsibilities include greeting visitors, answering phones and responding to emails, preparing deposits, preparing the weekly bulletin and updating the parish website. Overall knowledge of general office procedure, familiarity with office equipment and proficiency in Microsoft Office programs is required. For more information or to submit your resumé, please contact 717-652-4211 or holynameofjesusparishharrisburg@hbgdiocese.org.
St. James Parish in Lititz is seeking a Pastoral Musician. This position is responsible for planning, coordinating and executing the music program as it relates to the celebration of parish liturgies. This position requires a mature, professional, responsible, committed individual with excellent communication, organizational, administrative, managerial and interpersonal skills. Must have a working knowledge of Church teaching, Catholic sacramental theology, current liturgical norms and practices of the Church and Diocese. Should be accomplished in one or more of the following areas: organ, piano (or other keyboard), voice, choral direction or guitar. Bachelor’s Degree in Liturgy, Theology, Music or Church Music or a Certificate in Liturgy or Liturgical Music preferred; or a certificate from a lay ministry formation program. Please contact the parish at 717-626-6680 or Father Fischer at frrfischer@hbgdiocese.org if interested in this position.
The Sisters of Saints Cyril & Methodius in Danville are looking to fill the following positions: two full-time housekeepers, one full-time cook, one full-time dishwasher and one part-time 3rd shift nurses’ aide. Please contact their HR Department for more information at 570-275-3581, ext. 156, or e-mail scole@sscm.org.
St. Theresa Parish in New Cumberland has an opening for a maintenance/custodian position. The expectation for this position is to have a functional knowledge of electrical, mechanical, plumbing, painting, carpentry, roofing, or HVAC and cabling processes. The position requires trouble-shooting ability and immediate response to problems and emergency situations. The individual should be versed in basic home repairs and be knowledgeable in the use of hand and power tools and the operation of cleaning equipment. This person must be a versatile, skilled individual. It is essential that this person be adaptable, flexible and have the ability to work without supervision. Responsible for the maintenance needs of the entire campus. Must maintain a high degree of confidentiality, be pleasant and have a helpful attitude. Two to three years of related work experience and/or certificates of completion for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, wiring classes required. Full-time position, $17/hour plus benefits. Contact Randy Meholick at 717-829-6176 or stsmaintenance@sainttheresaschool.org.
St. Theresa Parish in New Cumberland is seeking a cook/housekeeper responsible for keeping the residence clean, orderly, and presentable at all times; for the day-to-day operation of the kitchen and dining area; and for preparing, cooking and serving meals for the priest(s) in residence. This individual is responsible for planning and executing a cleaning schedule for a parish rectory that may have multiple occupants. The position requires varying degrees of physical exertion, to include lifting (at least 50 lbs.) stretching, bending, climbing stairs and operating cleaning equipment. This individual should possess adequate cooking skills and a working knowledge of hygiene, and proper food handling. Creativity in menu planning and knowledge or interest in basic nutritional requirements would be helpful. Organizational skills, a working knowledge of home safety procedures, adaptability, flexibility, dependability and the ability to take instructions and meet deadlines for scheduled meals, as well as work without supervision, are essential. Absolute trustworthiness and the willingness to maintain confidentiality are essential. Position is 20 hours a week, $18 per hour. Contact Elaine Herald at 717-774-5918 or eherald@sainttheresaparish.org.
Do you have a heart for life, supporting families and educating the youth of our community? Morning Star Pregnancy Services has openings for a Client Services Director and community educators. To learn more about these opportunities, visit www.SupportMorningStar.com.
