April 28, 2026
- Apr 28
- 5 min read
Welcome to the latest news blog for St. John Neumann Parish. This page will be updated weekly with the most recent information to keep you informed. You can also access past blogs by clicking on the links on our blog landing page.
Father Dan's Ski Chair Chat!
Parish News
Diocesan News & Events
Consider opening your heart and home to a foster child. If you can provide a loving home, we will provide the support that you need. Please contact Catholic Charities Specialized Foster Care at (717) 564-7115 or gpfeifer@cchbg.org for more information and to register for our virtual Information/Orientation session on May 7, 2026 at 5:30 pm.
Beginning Experience Weekend: The Harrisburg Diocese Beginning Experience Team will host a Beginning Experience Weekend on May 1–3, 2026, at Camp Kirchenwald, Lebanon, Pa. Beginning Experience is an approved, ecumenical program offering healing, hope, and spiritual restoration for those grieving the loss of a spouse through death, divorce, or separation. Led by trained facilitators who have experienced loss themselves and certified by the International Beginning Experience Organization, these weekends have helped hundreds move toward renewed peace and purpose. For more information, visit https://www.hbgdiocese.org/clev/laity-and-family/navigating-difficulties/, or contact Julie at 717-379-0800.
Hands of Christ – Creating Hope Benefit Dinner
Join Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Harrisburg for an inspiring evening of fellowship, reflection, and impact at our annual charity dinner. Enjoy a cocktail hour, silent auction, plated dinner, and a meaningful program featuring Dr. Anne DeSantis, with Dennis Owens as Master of Ceremonies. Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at the Diocese Center, 4800 Union Deposit Rd, Harrisburg, PA. Individual Tickets: $125. Your support helps provide vital services to individuals and families in need across our community. Reserve your seat today: https://bit.ly/44Vulr0. Together, we are creating hope.
Hallow
To Jesus Through Mary has just begun! Join Sister Miriam, Fr. Pierre Toussaint & Gwen Stefani in asking for Mary’s help to give our hearts completely over to her Son in prayer for the next 33 days. We can’t wait for you to experience this beautiful journey, whether it’s your first consecration or you’re rededicating your heart to Jesus through His Mother. "Mary is a mother who loves us, who is attentive, who is kind, who knows us, who is attuned to what we need. And she receives every single one of us as her children.” - Sister Miriam
I already have a Hallow account. How do I access SJN's parish page?
Everyone is invited to be a part of our parish community page. There, you can create a profile, add friends, share/respond to prayer intentions, and take part in prayer challenges with the parish. The steps are simple:
To join the parish page: Tap “Church” on the menu at the bottom of your screen > Select “Join a Church” > Search for our parish by typing "17601." Hallow has corrected our parish name from "Saint" to "St." when searching by name. However, it is best to search by zip code (17601).
Start praying with us!
I do not have a Hallow account. How do I get a free account and join the SJN page?
Go to hallow.com/parish.
Type in “17601” and click on St. John Neumann Parish.
Click “Join.”
Create an account using phone or email.
Create a password.
You may redeem the $1 offer by clicking “Redeem Offer,” OR click “SKIP” to continue to the basic (free) version of the app.
My $1 Hallow Trial Expired. Now what?
If you currently have a Hallow premium subscription (or $1 trial) and would like to renew, our Hallow Parish Partnership is offering a 25% discount on a premium subscription annually for the duration of our Hallow Parish Partnership. To redeem this, follow these instructions:
Cancel your current Hallow subscription.
Open your Hallow app. Go to the “Me” tab > Settings > Subscription > Cancel my Subscription.
Go to Hallow.com/redeem.
Enter code: GrowthSub25
Follow the steps to get your discount.
Enjoy your Hallow premium subscription, and don’t forget to join our parish page on Hallow!
Open the Hallow app.
Go to the Church tab at the bottom of your screen.
Select “Join a Church” and search for our parish by zip code: 17601.
Start praying with the parish!
If you do not wish to renew, Go to the "Me" tab, click the little wheel in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. Go to "Subscription" and click "Cancel My Subscription." If you were erroneously charged a renewal fee, contact parishsupport@hallow.app to have the charge reversed.
Ministry Team Members
Are you a member of a ministry team at SJN and interested in a premium Hallow account? Reach out to Erin Houser at the parish office or email ehouser@sjnlancaster.org to request access. Premium accounts are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
Faith Formation (Religious Education) and CGS Families
If you are a registered parent or student in our Faith Formation Program and would like to obtain a premium Hallow subscription, please click here to submit your information and get your account started.
Customer Support
If you have any issues getting someone set up on the app, please reach out to parishsupport@hallow.app. Hallow has an incredibly talented support team that responds to parish partners with super high priority.
Youth Ministry
Stay tuned!
Faith Formation
Celebrating First Holy Communion/ Faith Formation Registration Now Open
by Erin Houser
This past Sunday at SJN, nearly 80 children from our parish received their First Holy Communion. Despite the rain, the beauty of the day was unmistakable. Families gathered, children approached the altar with reverence, and our parish celebrated this important step in their faith journey. We are so grateful to the parents, catechists, and our priests and deacons who have helped shape the hearts and minds of these children for Christ. Your dedication and witness make moments like this possible.
As Father Dan shared in his homily this weekend, this sacramental season in the life of the Church is a reminder that the sacraments are precious gifts. It often brings us back to our own first experiences, too, moments we may remember with gratitude and awe.
Please keep these children in your prayers as they continue to grow in their faith. And as we look ahead, we ask you to also pray for those who will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation next Wednesday.
Registration is now open for the 2026–2027 Faith Formation year! We invite you to lead your family on a journey of faith by clicking the link here: Registration Link. To register for Confirmation Preparation, click here: Confirmation Registration Link. If you have any questions, please get in touch with Nate Gulya at ngulya@sjnlancaster.org, or call the parish
office.
Parish Health Ministry (PHM)
This month, the Pope’s prayer intention for April is for priests in crisis. The life of a priest is often filled with joy, but priests can also experience high levels of stress, loneliness, and depression due to heavy workloads, isolation, and high expectations. In an address to a gathering of priests, Pope Leo said, “Above all, I urge you never to close yourselves off: Don’t be afraid to talk to others, even about your fatigue and your crises. We pray that priests in crisis find the mental health care that they need, develop healthy relationships, and that communities support them with understanding and prayer.
The Mental Health Awareness bookshelf in Narthex has updated Care Notes on Cancer. With Devine Mercy Sunday approaching we have added Handouts with suggestions for both Corporal and Spiritual works of Mercy Help yourselves to these resources.
St. John Neumann Catholic School
Comments