July 7, 2026
- 22 minutes ago
- 7 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
Destructive Summer Storm!
Today, we offer prayers for our neighbors, relatives, friends, parishioners, and all affected by the devastating storm that passed through our area on the Fourth of July. We pray for all the crews working to clean up and repair all the damage, for all the volunteers working around the clock to get us back to "normal."
We thank God for keeping us safe and protecting us from harm. While our losses are traumatic, we still have God. While we can be impatient and prone to taking matters into our own hands, there is a lesson to be learned. That lesson is to lean on God. In our times of need and struggle, He is our strength. He will get us through.
If you are still without power, air conditioning, or just want to get away from it all... our doors are open. Come sit with Him and talk with Him. Come hang out in our Social Hall and cool off. You are always welcome!
Diocesan News & Events
If you are interested in helping for the week, or even a few days, please email Beth at vbslancastercatholicparishes@gmail.com
A Message from Rachel A. Bryson, Secretary (Executive Director) of Public Relations, Diocese of Harrisburg: Please ask your PA State Representative and Senator to oppose House Bill 2632, a measure put forth by Democrats in the State House, which would have a devastating effect on Catholic Education across Pennsylvania.
HB 2632 seeks to end the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program and attempts to recreate it in a way that harms students by establishing a series of bureaucratic administrative procedures while cutting $102 million in funding. Needy students would see their education interrupted with the closing of several Catholic schools. Only the wealthy would have opportunities to select the best educational choice for their child. Pennsylvanian families in every county have been leveraging scholarships averaging under $3,000 per student with private money to receive an education in an environment that is best suited to the needs of their children. Please remember these children as you consider HB 2632. Thank you in advance for opposing HB 2632 that seeks to rob our children of their ability to succeed in an educational environment that is best for them.
The 2026 Pennsylvania March for Life will be Monday, September 21, 2026, in Harrisburg. Eucharistic Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will be offered prior to the March at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick starting on Sunday, September 20, at 1:30 p.m., lasting overnight and ending at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, September 21. Please commit to one hour (or more) by signing up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4BADAC29A2FECF8-63560295-pamarch
Sunday, September 20 – Monday, September 21, 2026:
1:30 p.m. – 9:00 a.m. – Overnight Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at the Cathedral of St Patrick (212 State Street, Harrisburg). Street parking is free on Sunday and overnight until 8:00 a.m.
9:00 a.m. – Benediction, Cathedral of St. Patrick
9:30 a.m. – March for Life Opening Mass, Cathedral of St. Patrick
11:00 a.m. – March for Life Rally, State Capitol steps
12:00 p.m. – March for Life
1:30 p.m. – March for Life Closing Mass, Cathedral of St. Patrick
For more information, please visit https://marchforlife.org/pennsylvania/
For questions or if your parish is offering bus transportation, please contact Marianne Weltmer at mweltmer@hbgdiocese.org or 717-657-4804, ext. 322.
Are You a Licensed Mental Health Professional?
The Diocese of Harrisburg is developing a new listing of Licensed Mental Health Professionals who are practicing Catholics. Licensed clinicians are invited to apply for inclusion in this resource, which is intended to assist Catholic individuals and families seeking mental health care that aligns with and respects Catholic beliefs and values.
To be considered for inclusion in the diocesan listing, applicants are asked to submit the following as part of the vetting process:
Current professional license information
Proof of professional liability insurance
Curriculum vitae or résumé
A letter of good standing from his or her pastor (and, if applicable, other Catholic ministry leaders)
Practice location(s)
Mental health professionals who offer services in languages other than English are encouraged to also indicate this information.
Once finalized, this active listing will be made available on the diocesan website as an available resource. For questions or more information, please contact Brenda Estremera-Garay at BEstremeragaray@hbgdiocese.org or 717-657-4804 ext. 303.
Hallow
In Sunday's Gospel, Jesus invited everyone who is weary to come to Him and find rest. This invitation asks us to loosen our grip, to stop fighting for control, and to surrender our work into hands we know are good. We invite you to pray:
Lord Jesus, we surrender this week to You, and we do it with joy, because we know who You are. You are good, You are trustworthy, and You love the people in our parishes even more than we do. Teach us the freedom of Your easy yoke and the peace of Your humble heart. And may everyone in our communities come to know the joy of handing their lives over to a God who can be trusted with them. Amen.
This week, we invite you to pray the Surrender Novena on Hallow, a nine-day prayer written by Servant of God Fr. DolindoRuotolo built around one simple line: "O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything." It pairs beautifully with this past Sunday's Gospel, and it is a favorite among many parish communities.
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
Faith Formation
More Than a Game
by Erin Houser
The excitement of the FIFA World Cup has captured the attention of millions around the globe. Families are gathering to cheer for their favorite teams, children are dreaming of scoring the winning goal, and athletes are showcasing years of dedication, practice, and perseverance.
Watching these incredible players reminds us that the things we value most in life don't happen by accident. Champions aren't made overnight. They are formed through commitment, encouragement, and showing up day after day. The same is true of our faith.
As parents, grandparents, and parish families, we have the incredible privilege of helping our children grow into disciples of Jesus Christ. Just as young athletes learn and grow through practice and the guidance of good coaches, our children grow in faith through prayer, the Sacraments, learning, and the example of the people who love them most. Now is the perfect time to make faith part of your family's game plan. Registration for the 2026–2027 Faith Formation year is open, and we look forward to journeying with your family as we explore the beauty of our Catholic faith together.
After all, while trophies eventually gather dust, a life rooted in Christ is a victory that lasts forever. We invite you to lead your family on a journey of faith with Family Faith Formation 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. Registration for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is full (closed).
Parish Health Ministry (PHM)
Pope Leo’s Prayer Intent:
This month, the Pope’s prayer intention is for respect for human life. People who live with a mental illness can lead lives of faith and courage. But all too often the lives of people who are struggling with a serious mental illness are not valued and shown respect. The value of a person’s life is not diminished because they live with a serious mental illness. Christ always loves people who are frail and vulnerable and gives them hope. Pope Leo XIV said to a woman who lived with serious depression and survived a suicide attempt, “through contact with Jesus, even those who feel lost regain confidence in life … they can rise to live again.” The Holy Father reminds us that “Life is a gift…even in the midst of pain and suffering. Let us pray for the respect and protection of human life in all its stages, recognizing it as a gift from God.
St. John Neumann Catholic School
