May 19, 2026
- May 19
- 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
Diocesan News & Events
The Diocesan Camp for Adults with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities is held annually in August at Camp Kirchenwald in Lebanon County. This year’s camp will be Sunday, August 9 through Friday morning, August 14. The cost of $700.00 for the week includes all meals, housing, activities, entertainment, and nursing staff. Campers enjoy five nights in cabins or “daks” – three-sided bunk houses in the woods. Activities include swimming, fishing, canoeing, crafts, faith-sharing, evening entertainment, Mass, karaoke night, and a camper talent show. Trained volunteers assist campers as needed; our loving staff provides support and encouragement so that each camper has a safe, enjoyable experience. For more information, please visit https://www.hbgdiocese.org/clev/life-and-dignity/annual-summer-camp/
To register a camper please visit:
https://hbgdiocese.formstack.com/forms/camp_kirchenwald_camper_application_form
All are invited to attend an End-of-Life Seminar event on Saturday, July 25, from 9 am-1 pm, at the Diocesan Center (4800 Union Deposit Rd., Harrisburg). The seminar will be presented by Dr. Joseph Meaney, PhD, KM, and Mr. Paul T. Schemel, Esq., DSS Law.
Dr. Joseph Meaney is Past President and Senior Ethicist of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, who will share informative guidance to support our understanding and preparation for end-of-life issues. End-of-Life care and decision making are vitally important topics for almost everyone. Catholics frequently have a different ethical perspective from mainstream society and there are real dangers to accepting advanced directive advice from some medical/legal professionals. Preparation for Eternal Life has always been a paramount concern of the Church, and biomedical and legal changes make that more complicated than ever before.
Mr. Paul Schemel will offer a practical discussion of how Theology of the Body can inform our approach to medical powers-of-attorney, advance directives and POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) documents, and how our will can be a means of both evangelizing our Catholic faith and maintaining peace among the family who survive us. Registration deadline: July 20. Cost is $10 to attend. For more information and to register, please visit https://www.hbgdiocese.org/event/a-catholic-perspective-on-end-of-life-care/
Hallow
“No matter what worries are present in our lives right now, we are not defined by them. We are not our worries. They will come and go, but we will remain, and God will always be at our side.” - Fr. Mark-Mary Ames
This is a challenge you do not want to miss. Increase the peace in your life! Join Sister Miriam and Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR, today as we dive into the meaning of detachment with powerful reflections from the book Searching for and Maintaining Peace by Fr. Jacques Philippe.
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
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at SJN: A Four-Part Glimpse into the Atrium
Part 2: The Kingdom of God Grows
by Erin Houser
One of the most beautiful aspects of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is the way it honors the spiritual life already present within the child.
This spring, our Atrium children spent weeks reflecting on the Kingdom Parables: the mustard seed, the leaven, the pearl of great price, the hidden treasure, the Good Shepherd, and finally the Growing Seed. Again and again, they returned to the same wonderings:
How does the Kingdom of God grow?
Does it grow quickly or slowly?
Who helps it grow?
What is precious in the Kingdom of God?
The children explored these mysteries not through lectures, but through tactile experience and contemplation. They kneaded dough and hid yeast within flour. They planted seeds and observed wheat sprouting from what first appeared small and lifeless. They learned that growth often happens quietly and invisibly before it can ever be seen. In one presentation on the Mystery of Life and Death, children examined seeds at different stages of growth: hard seeds, softened seeds beneath the soil, green shoots, and mature wheat stalks heavy with grain. Together they listened to Jesus’ words: “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” (John 12:24)
The children wondered aloud: “Is the seed really gone? Or has it changed into something new?”
These moments are at the heart of CGS. Children are trusted with profound truths because they are naturally drawn to them. The catechist does not rush to provide all the answers. Instead, she helps create space for prayerful reflection and discovery. Over time, the Atrium becomes a place where children begin to recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd for themselves, in Scripture, in prayer, in silence, and in the liturgy of the Church.
Registration is now open for the 2026–2027 Faith Formation year! 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)
MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH:
For resources, go to mhanational.com/may
“Set healthy boundaries”. We hear that advice all the time, whether we’re talking about screen time, work-life balance or relationships. But what does it mean? How do we set healthy boundaries? In a world that constantly demands our time, energy and attention, setting healthy boundaries is essential for protecting our mental wellbeing. But many people don’t know where to start, or even what “boundaries” means. Boundaries are the limits and rules we set for ourselves in relationships, work and daily life. They define what we are comfortable with and how we expect others to treat us. These limits can be physical, emotional, mental or even digital. When we set boundaries, we give ourselves permission to prioritize what matters most, reduce stress and burnout, and create space for healthier relationships — with our friends, coworkers, the office, our phones or a loved one. Without boundaries, it’s easy to become overwhelmed quickly. Constantly saying “yes” when you really mean “no” takes a lot of energy and time, leading to stress, anxiety and burnout. But saying “no” doesn’t sound like a good thing, does it? We want to be helpful and valued, and saying “no” might make us feel guilty or selfish. Still, too much people-pleasing is exhausting, and boundaries give us the space and capacity to be our best self. This text is taken from MHA: Set Boundaries for Mental Wellbeing
HONORING OUR ARMED SERVICE MEN & WOMEN
Please share with PHM the names and information of any of your family members who are also parish members currently serving on active duty or reserve status. PHM maintains a bulletin board acknowledging & honoring individuals who are away from the parish serving our country. We pray for their safety in duty and their eventual safe return. Details to Tonianne Bertel at 717 569-8531x229
St. John Neumann Catholic School
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