Masses and Prayer Services
St. Joan of Arc Church, Hershey, will host a quarterly Sensory-Friendly Mass for persons with sensory sensitivity or other disabilities. Dimmer lighting, no music, and a shorter homily, among other adaptations, are included in this Mass to promote a fully inclusive environment. Masses are planned on the following Sundays starting at 2 p.m.: Easter: May 15, 2022; Fall: October 9, 2022; Advent: December 11, 2022. Every effort will be made to accommodate all in attendance, and all behaviors are welcome. Families are encouraged to bring materials that can assist with comfort during the liturgy (i.e. noise-canceling headphones, wiggle seats, weighted blankets, fidgets, etc.) For more information, contact the Parish Office at 717-533-7168 or Office@stjoanhershey.org. All are welcome to attend.
Knights of Columbus Council 2314 will sponsor a Festival of Praise event at St. Joseph Church in Danville on Friday, May 6. The event will include Eucharistic Adoration and contemporary Christian music. The festival will also include music by Christopher Wood, director of young adult ministry at St. John the Baptist Parish in New Freedom. The event is scheduled from 7:30-9 p.m., with doors opening at 7:15 p.m. There will be light refreshments and additional contemporary Christian music in the St. Joseph School cafeteria following the time of Eucharistic Adoration.
Pax Christi Harrisburg will hold its annual Walking Way of the Cross in downtown Harrisburg on Good Friday, April 15, at 10 a.m. Participants should gather at 9:45 a.m. at Front & Market Streets by the Dauphin County Courthouse. This event connects Jesus’ journey to the cross with current day themes of peace and justice. The walk takes approximately one and half hours and will occur rain or shine. For more information, call 717-991-4204.
St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Hanover will have Divine Mercy Sunday Adoration and Prayers on April 24 from 2-4 p.m. in the church. Plenty of parking spaces behind the church building.
Were you married in 1972? In honor of your 50th wedding anniversary, the Diocese of Harrisburg will have a special Mass and reception on Sunday, July 10 at 2 p.m. at Good Shepherd Church in Camp Hill. Bishop Ronald Gainer will be the celebrant. To receive an invitation, please contact your parish office.
A Charismatic Mass with prayers for healing will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 5 at 7 p.m. at St. Theresa Church in New Cumberland. Father William C. Forrey, Pastor of Holy Infant Parish in Manchester, Diocesan Secretary for Clergy and Diocesan Vicar General, will be the celebrant. For information, call Mary Ann at 717-512-3628 or Vicki at 717-364-6260.
The next Caelorum at St. Joan of Arc Church in Hershey will be April 6 at 7 p.m. Join your brothers and sisters in Christ as we come together to adore, praise and worship our Lord and Savior. Feel the power of his presence and never-failing love as he attends to your needs and strengthens and blesses you with his abundant Mercy. For more information, call 717-215-4175.
St. Monica Parish in Sunbury will have Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent at 7 p.m. in the church, except for Good Friday, when Stations will be at noon.
The Harrisburg Diocesan Council of Catholic Women invites everyone to pray Mary’s Way of the Cross every Wednesday at 7 p.m. during Lent. In these Stations, we see and feel through Mary’s perspective on what Jesus was going through on the way to Calvary. Join via Zoom or phone, using the same meeting ID and passcode for either way you connect. Meeting ID: 87594642343. Passcode: 198785. Join via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87594642343?pwd=cXhKTjhpZ21vQTdsaUVTdjJGL2NzQT09 or, join by phone at 1-301-715-8592. If you have a problem connecting, please contact Alycia at 570-590-1116.
Education & Enrichment
The Harrisburg Diocesan Council of Catholic Women invites all women of the Diocese to its 96th Annual Convention, “Be God’s Hands on Earth.” The convention will take place Saturday, April 23 at the Diocesan Center in Harrisburg. The keynote speaker will be Emily Jaminet, executive director of the Sacred Heart Enthronement Network and coauthor of Divine Mercy for Moms, The Friendship Project, Pray Fully, and Our Friend Faustina. She offers a daily segment called A Mother’s Moment on St. Gabriel Catholic Radio and Mater Dei Radio and has spoken to several women’s groups and conferences. Jaminet has appeared on EWTN’s At Home with Jim and Joy and a number of Catholic radio programs and is a contributor to www.CatholicMom.com. The convention will include Mass celebrated by Bishop Ronald Gainer, workshop sessions, lunch and vendors. More details and registration is available at https://hdccw.webs.com/hdccw-convention.
Good Shepherd Parish in Camp Hill will offer the Grieving with Great Hope program, every Wednesday evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m., beginning May 4 and concluding June 1. The program will take place in the parish hall. All are welcome to attend. Anyone interested in the program should contact Sister Donna Marie Kemberling, SCC, pastoral associate, at sdmkemberling@thegoodshep.org or 717-980-3610.
A Lenten Reflection hosted by the Notre Dame Club of Gettysburg will take place April 2 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Parish Hall (in the basement). Father Michael Reid, club chaplain, will offer a reflection “On Charity”. Plenty of parking spaces behind the church building.
St. Patrick Parish in Carlisle is hosting a “Soup and Scripture” series on Fridays in Lent from noon-1 p.m. in the Parish Activity Center. Remaining dates are March 31, when Father Don Bender will take on the origins of the Messiah, and April 8, when Bishop William Waltershied, Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh, will speak on the Passion of the Lord. Find more information at www.saintpatrickchurch.org.
An adult Lenten series presented by Diocesan seminarians from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., will take place at St. Aloysius Parish hall in Littlestown, Thursday evenings from 6-7 p.m. Remaining schedule and presenters are: Clark Stiteler, March 31, on St. Joseph of Arimathea; and Deacon Matthew Smith, April 7, on the Resurrection of the Body. Childcare will be offered. For information, contact the parish at 717-359-4513.
Women of Grace one-day conference featuring Johnnette Benkovic Williams will take place April 2 at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Harrisburg. She will offer presentations on “Faith, Fortitude and Femininity.” The conference will include Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and lunch. A separate retreat for teenage girls will take place the same day from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with interactive activities, music, speakers, Mass and prayer. For information, contact Chris Arnold at carnold@womenofgrace.com or 717-379-6041.
Retreats & Pilgrimages
A Beginning Experience Weekend for those suffering the loss of a spouse through death, divorce or separation will take place at Camp Kirchenwald in Lebanon County, May 13-15, 2022. The ecumenical Beginning Experience weekends are an approved program of the Church. Hundreds of persons have been helped to move towards successful, productive, happy lives by attending one of these weekends. The weekend is led by persons who have lost a spouse through death or divorce and are trained in facilitating a weekend. Beginning Experience is the Church at work to provide help, healing and spiritual restoration. For information, visit www.hbgdiocese.org/marriage-and-family or www.beginningexperience.org. Information can also be obtained by contacting the Harrisburg Beginning Experience Team at 717-379-0800 or jpennat_58@comcast.net. All CDC recommendations will be followed during the retreat weekend. The number of attendees may be limited due to current COVID regulations. The program could be cancelled pending changing pandemic circumstances.
Rachel’s Vineyard Weekend Retreats, a safe place to renew, rebuild and redeem hearts broken by abortion, will be May 27-29, July 15-17, September 23-25 and November 4-6. If you or someone you know needs healing after an abortion, please call 717-788-4959 or contact Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats at www.undefeatedcourage.org.
Rachel’s Vineyard Ministries will host a Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat for Healing after Abortion the weekend of June 24-26 at the Mariawald Retreat Center in Reading, Pa., sponsored by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Allentown. The retreat is an opportunity for any person who struggles with emotional and spiritual pain of past abortion(s). For more information or to register, call Carol at 610-435-1541, ext. 373 or email carolswavely@ptd.net. All requests are strictly confidential.
Events & Fundraisers
National radio host Dr. David Anders will be the keynote speaker at the annual Holy Family Radio Benefit Dinner on Friday, April 29. Dr. Anders is host of ‘Called to Communion’ on EWTN Radio. The dinner will be at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Mechanicsburg. Tickets are $100 each. This dinner is an important source of funds for the listener-supported local radio ministry. A Meet & Greet will begin at 6 p.m. with Dr. Anders, Bishop Ronald Gainer and Tom Russell of CBS21. The dinner starts at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.720whyf.com or by sending reservations and payment to Holy Family Radio, P.O. Box 6028, Lancaster, PA 17607-6028. Call 717-525-8110 with questions.
Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Lancaster will host “Adult Recess,” an evening of music, food and fun for adults, on May 20 from 6-9 p.m. Enjoy delicious “grown-up” versions of favorite cafeteria foods and play yard games with friends. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at https://www.accelevents.com/e/recess-in-the-courtyard. An online auction begins May 19 at 6 p.m. and concludes May 20 at 8 p.m.
St. Margaret Mary School in Harrisburg will have its 15th annual 5K Run and Walk on May 14 at 8:30 a.m. at the school. The professionally-timed event will have prizes for the top three in male and female age groups, plus the overall male and female finishers. Proceeds benefit the school. For more information and to register, visit stmm5k.webs.com.
Learn how to afford Catholic education without impacting your monthly budget on Wednesday, April 6, from 7-8 p.m. at York Catholic. Registration for the program is required by April 1 at https://yorkcatholic.org/creative-ways-to-afford-catholic-education/.
Morning Star Pregnancy Services is celebrating 50 years of saving lives! Join us on Thursday, April 28, at the Penn Harris Hotel for Morning Star’s 2022 Annual Life Saving Banquet and 50th anniversary celebration. Grammy Award-nominated singer and songwriter Nicole C. Mullen will be our keynote speaker. Learn more and register online at www.SupportMorningStar.com, or contact Steph Diecidue at 717-734-4630.
Mother Cabrini Parish, Shamokin, announces its “Beef ‘n Brew Bash” raffle just in time for the 2022 picnic season. One lucky winner will receive a $300 gift certificate to Irish Isle Provision and a $200 gift certificate to Irish Isle Beer Distributor. Tickets are $5 each. Buy five tickets and get one free. Drawing will be held on Monday, May 9. Tickets are now available at the parish office.
A spring yard sale will take place at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Hanover on April 2 from 8 a.m.-noon. The event will be in the parish auditorium, located at 65 South Street in Hanover.
The 33rd annual Mechanicsburg Area Ecumenical Choir Concert will perform on May 15 at 3 p.m. at St. Joseph Church in Mechanicsburg. The choir features 52 voices from 23 area churches.
The Notre Dame Club of Harrisburg is hosting a free performance of the Notre Dame Chorale, May 16 at 7 p.m. at St. Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg. The event is free but donations will gratefully be accepted.
St. John the Baptist School in New Freedom will host a dinner and auction fundraiser this spring. An online auction will be March 30-April 6 at www.tinyurl.com/SJBAuction20220. On April 23, a dinner and live auction will take place from 6-10 p.m. in the Capitani Social Hall. Early bird tickets to the April 23 event are $55-$60 (regular price $65-$70). Tickets can be purchased at www.tinyurl.com/SJBFiestaTickets or by calling the school at 717-235-3525.
The Council of Catholic Women of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish in Lykens is holding a meat gift certificates raffle on Monday, April 4. The prizes are $200, $150, $100, $75 and $50. Winners can pick up their prize from Bob’s Custom Cuts Meats at Crossroads Sale & Market (Gratz Auction). Tickets are $2 each and can be purchased from any member of the CCW or by calling the parish office at 717-453-7895. Winners will be contacted by phone the evening of the drawing.
Lancaster Catholic High School’s Fine and Performing Arts (FPA) Department will host a Fine & Performing Arts Middle School Workshop on Saturday, June 4 from 9 a.m.-noon. The workshop will be free to all middle school students, grades 5-8. LCHS will offer five different mini-workshops throughout that morning with interested students choosing one track for the day. The options include chorus, band, guitar, art and acting. Students must currently be taking instrumental music (any length of time) and supply their own instrument for the band track. Students who chose guitar must supply their own instrument, but no experience is necessary to participate. All other workshops need no previous experience or study. Students will break into their workshop groups and create and play with LCHS faculty and current students beginning at 9 a.m. At 11:45 a.m., parents, guardians and guests are welcome to a special performance by the students in the choral, band, guitar and drama workshops. Students who participate in the art workshop will have a gallery of their work displayed for all to see. For more information about the workshop and to register, please visit www.lchsyes.org/fpaworkshop/. Questions? Contact Lancaster Catholic’s Fine & Performing Arts Director, Tony Brill, at tbrill@lchsyes.org or call 717-509-0315.
Lancaster Catholic High School’s Fine & Performing Arts Department presents its three-part concert series, The George R. Schreck ‘47 and Barbara A. Schober ‘72 Memorial Community Outreach Concert Series, “The Jamanis Family & Friends.” The series will take place over the course of April and May featuring Dr. Michael T. Jamanis, violin, and his parents, pianists. The first concert, “Six Centuries spanning 5 continents: A Celebration of Community” will be on Saturday, April 2 at 6 p.m. at the New Creation United Methodist Church – Bilingual, located on 10 W. Farnum Street in Lancaster. The second concert, “An Evening with the Classics,” will be a private event for Willow Valley residents on April 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Willow Valley Lakes Auditorium. The final concert, “Breathing with Bach,” will be on Sunday, May 15 at 6 p.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Lancaster. All concerts in this series are free to the public. Donations accepted for Music for Everyone by the Lancaster Catholic High School Tri-M Music Honor Society. Performances will also be livestreamed on The Jamanis Project YouTube channel, which can be found by visiting www.michaeljamanis.com. For more information, contact Tony Brill at tbrill@lchsyes.org or call 717-509-0315.
Knights of Columbus Council #6353 will host a fraternal benefits program at St. Joseph Parish in York on April 3. The event is open to everyone. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. for light refreshments, and the program will begin at 1 p.m. Presentations will focus on Catholic teachings for funerals/burials; long-term care and estate planning; options for income in retirement; protecting one’s family if health fails; and the importance of legal documents, i.e., will, trust, durable Power of Attorney, and advanced directives. Several excellent speakers will be presenting. Contact Bob Karotko at 717-428-6647 or bobandcarolk@comcast.net to register or with any questions.
St. Teresa of Calcutta School will host a basketball game fundraiser between students and priests/seminarians, April 8 from 6-8 p.m. in the Conewago Campus gym. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The game will be between the eighth-grade Alley-Oops and The God Squad, with religious Sisters as cheerleaders. Event includes a halftime show, foul-shot contest, raffles, and the Food Adventures food truck with meatless options. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children.
Mother Cabrini Parish in Shamokin is selling Easter eggs. Delicious milk chocolate covered peanut butter and coconut Easter eggs are 90 cents each, $5.40 per half dozen and $10.80 per dozen. Easter eggs are available at the parish office, 214 N. Shamokin Street, Shamokin during office hours. To place an order, please call the parish office at 570-648-4512, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Seven Sorrows Catholic Church in Middletown is selling melt-in-your-mouth candy eggs through Easter (or as long as supplies last). The eggs are available in peanut butter, coconut, or butter cream coated in either milk chocolate or dark chocolate. Each 2.8-ounce hand-dipped egg sells for $2. Orders may be placed via the printable form found online at bit.ly/7SorrowsEggs. Orders will be available after all weekend Masses, at the parish’s weekly drive-thru fish fry, and the Egg Store, open Monday through Thursday in the church parking lot, 280 N. Race St., Middletown. Please enter via Race Street for the safety of our school children. The Egg Store will be open Monday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., weather permitting and while supplies last. Please note that eggs will not be sold out of either the parish or school office this year. All eggs are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis while quantities last. Visit https://www.ssbvm.org/ for Mass times and fish fry dates and hours of operation.
Ballroom dancing, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus of St. Aloysius Parish in Littlestown, will take place April 20 and May 14 from 7-10 p.m. in the parish hall. Evenings begin with a one-hour lesson at 7 p.m., followed by open dancing from 8-10 p.m. Please wear modest dress clothing. Cost is $8 per person, $40 maximum per family. Contact Jen Danieley at jennifereakle@hotmail.com for more information.
The Oxford Hall shop is featuring items for First Holy Communion. The shop, located at 233 Bridge Street in New Cumberland, will have in-stock and special-order dresses, veils, suits, gifts and accessories. Families can visit www.oxfordhall.com for select items beginning in January. Oxford Hall can also work with parishes’ dress and suit requirements to use as a guide with customers. The shop is open seven days a week, and available for appointments on select evenings for individuals or small groups. For information, or to receive a promotional flyer, call 717-774-8789 or e-mail oxfordhall@aol.com.
Job Openings
The Diocese of Harrisburg is seeking principals for the following Catholic schools for the 2022-2023 school year: Harrisburg Catholic Elementary School (www.hbgcathelem.org); St. Teresa of Calcutta School, McSherrystown (www.stck8school.org); St. Theresa School, New Cumberland (www.sainttheresaschool.org); St. John the Baptist School, New Freedom (www.sjbnf.org); St. Rose of Lima School in Thomasville (www.stroseschoolpa.org); and St. Leo the Great School in Rohrerstown (www.stleoschool.org). Minimum qualifications: practicing, knowledgeable Catholic; thorough understanding of Catholic School Philosophy; commitment to modeling the values of Catholic Educational Leadership; PA Administrators Certificate (or in process); Catechetical Certification (or in process) and 5 years of teaching experience. For more information see the employment listings at www.hbgdiocese.org/careers. Send résumé and letter of interest by April 4 to Ann Everest, Department of Education, Diocese of Harrisburg, 4800 Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111-3710 or by e-mail to aeverest@hbgdiocese.org.
Catholic Campus Ministry at Shippensburg University is seeking an Associate Director of Catholic Campus Ministry, a full-time, ten-month (equivalent) professional position to assist the Director of Catholic Campus Ministry in leading our Christ-centered Catholic Campus Ministry. Responsibilities include creating innovative ways to bring people together; responding to inquiries about the Catholic faith; providing opportunities for young adult faith formation; attending weekly CCM Mass; providing pastoral care to students; coordinating retreats; mentoring individual students; overseeing organizational and financial responsibilities; and guiding the student Leadership Team. We offer competitive salary and benefits. You must be a practicing Roman Catholic possessing the ability to respect, promote, accommodate, and not be in conflict with the mission, moral and social teachings, doctrines, and laws of the Roman Catholic faith and must be a Catholic in good standing with the Church. Preferred candidates will have previous experience in youth/young adult ministry and a strong academic background in a related field. All interested applicants should submit a résumé and cover letter by April 30, 2022, to FrBDunkelberger@hbgdiocese.org.
The Diocese of Harrisburg has a full time vacancy for Cemetery Maintenance and Service at Resurrection Cemetery in Harrisburg. Applicants must have skills in grounds maintenance. The ability to operate a backhoe is desirable but training will be given. Other equipment that will be used: tractor, pickup, mowers and a variety of small equipment related to cemetery maintenance and operation. Must be a good team player who is able to take direction and demonstrate tact, courtesy and diplomacy. Applicants must have a valid, clean Pennsylvania driver’s license. Work is performed both indoors and outdoors. This is a manual position requiring physical fitness with the ability to lift (up to 50 lbs regularly), bend, stoop, climb and be mobile (on your feet) for most of the day. Applicants must be able to work in all weather conditions to tight deadlines. Applicants must pass Diocesan background checks. Applicants should send résumé and cover letter to Tshanabrook@hbgdiocese.org. Please visit www.hbgdiocese.org/careers for the full job description.
The Diocese of Harrisburg has a full time vacancy for Cemetery Maintenance and Service at Holy Savior Cemetery, York. Applicants must have skills in grounds maintenance. The ability to operate a backhoe is highly desirable but training will be given. Other equipment that will be used: tractor, pickup, mowers and a variety of small equipment related to cemetery maintenance and operation. Must be a good team player who is able to take direction and demonstrate tact, courtesy and diplomacy. Applicants must have a valid, clean Pennsylvania driver’s license. Work is performed both indoors and outdoors. This is a manual position requiring physical fitness with the ability to lift (up to 50 lbs regularly), bend, stoop, climb and be mobile (on your feet) for most of the day. Applicants must be able to work in all weather conditions to tight deadlines. Applicants must pass Diocesan background checks. Applicants should send résumé and cover letter to JBrlansky@hbgdiocse.org. Please visit www.hbgdiocese.org/careers for the full job description.
Saint Joseph Parish, Mechanicsburg, has two vacancies: a full time Administrative Assistant and a full time Administrative Assistant / Bulletin Coordinator. Candidates must have excellent and professional customer service, communication, interpersonal, writing and computer skills, with the ability to maintain confidentiality. We are seeking enthusiastic, collaborative individuals to help us in a busy team environment and also be able to work independently. Please submit resume and letter of intent to Brenda Perry, officemanager@stjosephmech.org. Two year college degree or higher desired or equivalent level of work experience required and must be able to qualify for Diocesan Youth Protection Clearances.
St. Joseph Parish in York is accepting applications for a full-time Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. The director will be part of the pastoral staff team, reporting directly to the Pastor. Interested applicants will be responsible for growing the parish’s current youth and young adult ministries. Highlights of the position are the Middle School SPARKS program, the High School IGNITE program including the Fan the Fire Youth Rally, and Young Adult Ministry. Candidates must have the ability to interact successfully with the public, with parents and with fellow employees. Individuals must have a minimum of three years related work experience. Applicants should send résumé and cover letter to St. Joseph Parish, Attn: Mrs. Erin Maiolino, Parish Manager at Maiolino@sjy.org.
Sacred Heart Parish and School in Lancaster are seeking a full-time custodian. Tasks include cleaning, sanitizing, and vacuuming on a regular basis, routine maintenance including testing, monitoring, and upkeep of emergency systems, and seasonal duties such as stripping and waxing floors, and light grounds maintenance. The position includes a competitive wage and benefits. If you are interested in being part of a passionate, Christ-centered team working in a lively, elementary school environment, view more details on the parish website at www.sacredheartlanc.org and contact the rectory (Mon.–Thurs., 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) at 717-394-0757 or shparish@sacredheartsch.org.
Immaculate Conception BVM Parish in York is looking for a full-time Parish Administrative Manager. This mature, responsible individual should possess an in-depth understanding of business and human resources. The position requires excellent communication, organizational, human relations, managerial and problem solving skills. Must have a working knowledge of Church teaching and an understanding of the mission/vision/philosophy of a Roman Catholic parish. A professional demeanor is essential in interacting with persons at many levels. The position requires computer experience. A bachelor’s degree is required as well as a minimum of three years of experience in business administration and personnel supervision. Experience with parish operations is preferred. Interested applicants may submit their cover letter and résumé to Father John Kuchinski at frkuchinski@stmarysyork.org.
Morning Star Pregnancy Services is hiring! Do you have a heart for Life? For supporting families unprepared for pregnancy? Morning Star is seeking a full-time Client Services Director to oversee client programs at our three Central PA clinics. We also have openings for a part-time ultrasound tech and part-time and full-time counselor advocates. To learn more about these opportunities, visit www.SupportMorningStar.com/get-involved/job-openings.
