December 9, 2025
- kmikulski6
- Dec 9
- 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
Upcoming Events
These are the local Advent Penance Services in our area. Click on the image to see larger version.
St. John Neumann's Advent and Christmas Mass Schedule. Click on image to enlarge.
Diocesan News & Events
The Diocese of Harrisburg has a full-time opening for the combined position of weekend cook for the Priests’ Retirement Residence and evening facilities maintenance staff member at the Diocesan Center in Harrisburg. This is a full-time position that can be offered as two part-time roles. The Retirement Residence cook is responsible for stocking kitchen products, preparing food and cooking and serving meals, in addition to cleaning the kitchen, dining room and equipment. Weekend hours for this position are 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. The Facilities Maintenance position is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the Diocesan Conference Center, Administrative Offices, Bishop’s Residence and Priests’ Retirement Residence. Duties include maintenance work orders, janitorial needs, setting up and cleaning up events, grounds keeping and reception desk coverage. Evening hours for this position are noon-8 p.m., with flexibility to 10 p.m. for evening events. The full job description with all responsibilities and requirements is available at https://www.hbgdiocese.org/careers/. For information and to apply, contact Curtis Wilson, Campus Facilities Manager, at CWilson@hbgdiocese.org.
On Thursday, January 22, 2026, an afternoon of Eucharistic Adoration will be offered at Saint Patrick Cathedral (212 State St., Harrisburg) to mark the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.
The schedule is:
12:00 pm – Holy Mass (Daily)12:30 pm – Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament12:30-5:30 pm – Eucharistic Adoration5:30 pm – Benediction
You are invited to sign up for an hour (or more) of Eucharistic Adoration by visiting: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4BADAC29A2FECF8-60227394-eucharistic#/
On Friday, January 23, 2026, the National March for Life will occur in Washington, D.C. The goal of the National March for Life is to not only change laws at the state and federal level, but to change our country's culture so that abortion becomes unthinkable. If your parish or group is offering bus transportation to the March for Life, please contact Marianne Weltmer at mweltmer@hbgdiocese.org or 717-657-4804, ext 322 with the details. Thank you.
For more details and new bus updates, visit https://www.hbgdiocese.org/clev/life-and-dignity/march-for-life-public-policy/.
Calling All Soup Makers! Check out this flyer for an opportunity!
See a flyer from Retrouvaille below.
The Diocese of Harrisburg is excited to announce the first Diocesan Catholic Social Teaching Symposium to be held in-person (4800 Union Deposit Rd., Harrisburg) on Saturday, January 31, 2026. This full-day event will emphasize education, action, and advocacy for issues relating to the Catholic Church’s long history of social teaching, with an emphasis on the dignity of the human person. The event will feature expert panel sessions on immigration and healthcare, as well as a variety of breakout sessions to explore other issues. Please plan to attend and look for the registration to open in early December 2025.
A parishioner at OPMH parish is asking for prayers and the help of a truly selfless individual. His wife, Jody, is in need of a living donor kidney transplant. Due to a genetic condition, both her kidneys are slowly failing. If you would like to learn more about the disease or the donation process, please contact her at: kidneyforjody@gmail.com.
Hallow
How do I access SJN's parish page on Hallow?
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:
Download or open the Hallow app on your phone
Join the parish page. Tap “Community” 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!
Did Your $1 Hallow Trial Expire?
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 community (church) tab at the bottom of your screen
Select “Join a Church” and search for our parish by typing exactly "Saint John Neumann Parish."
Start praying with the parish!
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. You may also direct inquiries to Erin Houser at the parish office, ehouser@sjnlancaster.org.
Youth Ministry
As a reminder, YM events are still scheduled. God bless!
Faith Formation
Meet Our Assistant to the DRE:
Erin Houser
Originally from Long Island, New York, Erin Houser graduated from Hofstra University and spent nearly ten years as a federal law enforcement officer before answering a different kind of call: moving to Lancaster to begin family life. After joining St. John Neumann Parish, she quickly found a home here as a volunteer catechist and a grateful participant in the always-welcoming Coffee and Donuts gatherings.
Erin now serves as Assistant to the Director of Religious Education, where she loves helping to shape a Faith Formation program that invites entire families into the richness of the Catholic faith. She is especially passionate about encouraging children and parents to cultivate a living relationship with Jesus and to weave faith naturally into their daily family life.
Outside the office, Erin cherishes time with her husband, Jeff, and their two daughters, Jane and Mary (ages 10 and 12). Her idea of a perfect break involves a quiet corner, a cozy blanket, a glass of wine, and a spiritual book.
✨ Stay tuned each week as we introduce our amazing catechists who make Faith Formation at St. John Neumann so special.
Parish Health Ministry (PHM)
The Mental Health Awareness bookshelf in the Narthex has been updated with Care Notes in reference to the Advent and Christmas Season. Please help yourself to these resources, and if there is a topic you are interested in, please email Mentalhealthministry@sjnlancaster.org.
This month, the Pope’s prayer is for Christians in areas of conflict. The mental health of people who live in areas of conflict can be severely harmed. May mental health ministries in areas of war and conflict, in collaboration with humanitarian organizations and local health authorities, provide spiritual support and accompaniment that integrates mental health care into the life of faith communities to counter stigma and build resilience. We pray with Pope Leo XIV that Christian communities in areas of conflict “might be seeds of peace, reconciliation and hope."
St. John Neumann Catholic School
SJNCS Construction
Each day brings us closer to enjoying our exciting new additions!