November 4, 2025

kmikulski6
Nov 4
7 min read

Updated: Nov 5

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

This Thursday, November 6 at 6 p.m.

All are welcome

Save the date:

The Giving Tree will begin on the weekend of November 22/23.

Letter from Off The Streets

Dear Friends and Family,

I'm reaching out to you today to share a cause that's close to my heart and ask for your support: Off The Streets Lancaster. This incredible all-volunteer organization has been helping our neighbors experiencing homelessness since 2013, and their impact is vital now more than ever.

On Friday, November 21st, Lancaster County will hold its largest day of online giving, The ExtraGive. Beginning in 2012, “The ExtraGive” has raised over 110 million dollars for over 500 local organizations. Last year, Off The Streets raised over $65,000 in a single day, finishing as one of the top 25 organizations!

Your donation has a direct and immediate impact. It can provide a:

Security deposit for an apartment
Warm bed and essential basic living needs
Fresh start and restore dignity for a person or family who has experienced homelessness in our community

NEW: Donate In Advance and Avoid Fees!

For the first time this year, you can mail a check in advance of the ExtraGive to Off The Streets! These "offline gifts" will still be captured on the ExtraGive platform and will count toward our goal on November 21st, but they are not subject to any additional processing fees.

If you prefer to donate this way, please note the following:

Checks must be received by November 21st
Make payable to: "Off The Streets Lancaster"
Important: You must indicate "ExtraGive" in the memo line to ensure your gift is counted toward our ExtraGive goal
Mail your donation to: Off The Streets Lancaster 601 E. Delp Rd Lancaster, PA 17601

Of course, if online giving is preferred, the Extra Give website is open on November 21st only.

Thank you so much for considering a donation toward our goal of $75,000. I've enclosed a flyer that tells you more about the amazing work Off The Streets is doing.

Let's make this our best ExtraGive yet!

Diocesan News & Events

National Vocation Awareness Week is an annual week-long celebration dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, consecrated life, and marriage through prayer and education. We renew our prayers and support for those who are discerning their vocation.

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day) on November 2, 2025, marked the beginning of National Vocation Awareness Week. "For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day." (John 6:40). As we begin National Vocation Awareness Week, pray for the souls of the departed and more holy vocations. Reflect on whether Christ may be calling you to guide and shepherd the living as a priest or religious brother, or sister. Talk to your priest or reach out to the Vocation Office at (717) 657-4804 x282.
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.
See the flyer below regarding the Catholic Social Teaching Symposium.

See the flyer below regarding the Lutheran-Anglican-Roman Catholic Day of Dialogue on November 11th.

Click below for a flyer for the Catholic Scout Retreat taking place on November 22.

Hallow

Pray with us on Hallow this Advent

You’re invited! Starting December 1st, the St. John Neumann Parish community will journey together through Hallow’s Pray25 Challenge, preparing our hearts for Christmas through daily prayer and reflection.

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 "Saint John Neumann Parish" > Join the parish page. Spell out the word "Saint" when searching for our parish.
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.
1. 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!
1. Open the Hallow app
2. Go to the community (church) tab at the bottom of your screen
3. Select “Join a Church” and search for our parish by typing exactly "Saint John Neumann Parish."
4. 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) Students and 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 Catechist: Dr. Anne Flynn

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Anne Flynn as the new 4th-grade catechist in our parish faith formation program.

Anne grew up in a large Catholic family in Michigan, where her faith was nurtured from an early age. She went on to serve her country and community as a General Surgeon, training and practicing in the U.S. Army before continuing her medical career at Reading Hospital, where she greatly enjoyed her work and her patients.

Nearly two years ago, Anne and her husband John settled in Lititz, bringing along their beloved 12-year-old Irish Setter, Lily. Now retired from medicine, Anne feels blessed to dedicate her time to faith formation and service within the parish. She shares, “I look forward to continuing to get to know my students and pray that we can all grow together in our faith.” Please join us in welcoming Dr. Flynn to our parish catechetical team!

✨ Stay tuned each week as we introduce our amazing catechists who make Faith Formation at St. John Neumann so special.

Check out the flyer below about the Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) Annual National Christmas Artwork Contest. It's a contest for children!

Parish Health Ministry (PHM)

Please note: The Spiritual Support Group scheduled for November 6th has been cancelled.

6 PM MASS OF REMEMBRANCE: HONORING THE PASSING OF OUR LOVED ONES

Recognizing the grief from the separation of a loved one continues long after the funeral, and wanting families to know that they are not alone in their grief and loss, PHM invites all parishioners to attend, support, and celebrate with these families during the Mass of Remembrance on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 6 pm.

SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS: A GRIEF SHARE PRESENTATION

The holiday season is quickly approaching, and with the focus on family, traditions, social events, and cheer, all of which will cause difficult emotions to surface when a loved one’s presence is absent from these celebrations. Whether this is the first, second, or tenth holiday season after your loved one’s death, emotions that may arise in the days ahead can blindside you. Join us on Thursday, November 13^th, at 6:45 pm in the Social Hall for this valuable presentation from Grief Share and Deacon Jupin. Here you will receive encouragement and helpful tips for the days ahead. These tools will help you face the holidays with a measure of peace and assurance. ALL ARE WELCOME.

THANKSGIVING FOOD BASKETS

PHM will be distributing Thanksgiving Food Baskets. If your family or a family you know would benefit from a food basket this holiday, please call PHM at 717 569-8531 x 229 to leave your name, number of family members, and point of contact. Do not hesitate to request a basket. SJN and the PHM understand that this year has had various degrees of impact on all families. We are here to assist. Donations are being accepted for turkey breasts and turkeys. Please donate by Sunday, November 16^th. Thank you in advance for your generous support.