September 8, 2026
- Sep 1
- 7 min read
Updated: 5 hours ago
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 . . .
More Small Catholic Community Groups will be forming this fall at St. John Neumann Church. We are currently accepting new members that will meet monthly in small groups to develop in spirituality, to learn more about scripture, and to make friends with other parishioners. If this sounds like a group you'd like to join, please click the link below to join.
Diocesan News & Events
Spain and Portugal Pilgrimage led by Father Pang Tcheou - MARCH 2-12, 2027
All are welcome to join Father Pang Tcheou on an upcoming pilgrimage to Spain and Portugal! Price per person is $4,199, not including miscellaneous fees, gratuities, etc. Sponsored by NAWAS Travel, we will fly direct from Newark to Lisbon and visit numerous cities in Portugal and Spain, with focus on the holy cities of Fatima and Santiago de Compostela. Daily Holy Masses will be offered. Brochures are available from Father, please email him at fatherpangtcheou@gmail.com for more information. God bless!
In honor of the Jubilee Year proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV, commemorating the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, the Diocese of Harrisburg invites you to participate in a special one-day pilgrimage to Our Lady of Hope Parish, Coal Township, on Sunday, October 4, 2026, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
Traveling by coach bus from the Diocesan Center (4800 Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg), pilgrims will enjoy a day of prayer, reflection, and fellowship. The pilgrimage will include opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass celebrated by Most Reverend Timothy Senior, and a presentation on St. Francis of Assisi and Franciscan spirituality by Reverend Nicholas Spano, OFM Conventual Franciscan, and pastor of Our Lady of Hope, Coal Township; Mother Cabrini, Shamokin; and Saint Patrick, Trevorton.
The bus will depart from the Diocesan Center at 8:00 a.m. and return at approximately 4:00 p.m. A chicken barbecue lunch is included.
The cost is $45 per person. To reserve your seat, please visit https://www.hbgdiocese.org/event/care-for-creation-mass/ For questions please contact Brenda Estremera-Garay at BEstremeragaray@hbgdiocese.org or 717-657-4804, ext. 303.
We hope you will join us for this day of prayer and reflection as we celebrate the life and legacy of St. Francis of Assisi during this Jubilee Year.
The Diocese of Harrisburg’s annual Remembrance Mass for Child Loss will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Seven Sorrows Parish in Middletown. This is an opportunity for families to grieve the loss of their child(ren) and find support and healing with others who share the same cross.
Remembrance Mass for Child Loss
The loss of a child at any age is a devastating cross to bear. Join us at Seven Sorrows Parish for a special Mass of remembrance and prayer, followed by a light reception and information about Red Bird Ministries. If you would like your child’s name remembered during Mass, please include it when registering.
Mass begins at 10:00 AM. To register or learn more, visit www.hbgdiocese.org/event/remembrance-mass-for-child-loss/.
Hallow
Join Emily Wilson, a Catholic author, speaker, wife, and mother, for a 14-day prayer challenge to help you and your family step into the school year. The new year stirs up fresh hopes and worries alike, and new routines have a way of bringing to light everything you carry for your kids. Each day, Emily will lead you in a simple prayer for God’s blessing on your child during the school day. Even when you don’t feel you have the words to pray, this challenge gives you specific, intentional prayers rooted in hope. The challenge has begun, but you can hop in to Day 1 at any time! Learn more about Emily’s ministry here: https://emilywilsonministries.com/.
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
Check back later for updates!
Faith Formation
Our 7th & 8th Graders Begin Their Confirmation Journey
by Erin Houser
We’re excited to welcome our 7th and 8th grade students back to Faith Formation this Sunday! Students will head to their classrooms to meet with their catechists, while parents gather in the school cafeteria for orientation and a look at the year ahead.
We have the honor and privilege of Fr. Gregory teaching our 7th grade class this year. His enthusiasm for the Faith and robust, engaging teaching are sure to make a lasting impact on our students.
We are equally thrilled to welcome back June Smith as our 8th grade catechist. June brings an insightful and faithful approach to catechesis, along with genuine compassion and care for the students in her class. We are so grateful to have both of these wonderful catechists accompanying our young people this year!
Our students will continue with Chosen: Your Journey to Confirmation from Ascension Press, a program created specifically to bring the Catholic faith to life for teens. Featuring fourteen engaging Catholic presenters and filmed in more than fifty locations around the world—from Times Square to St. Peter’s Square—Chosen presents the Faith in ways designed to capture teens’ attention, invite their questions, and challenge them to go deeper. From skydiving to exploring ancient Roman aqueducts, each session gives students a fresh way to encounter the truths of our Faith. Most importantly, Chosen invites our young people to discover that Confirmation is about more than completing a program or receiving a sacrament. It is an invitation to personally choose Christ and a life of faith.
Families wishing to register for Faith Formation may contact Nate Gulya at the parish office: ngulya@sjnlancaster,org, (717) 569-8531 ext. 218.
Parents and caregivers, 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)
GRIEF SHARES FALL SESSION TO BEGIN ON TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 1ST 10-11:30AM.
This 13-week program is a safe place offering a healthy group experience for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one. This Christ- centered support group program is built around a 3-part design. Each session will show a short 20-30-minute video with valuable insight based on the topic of the week from counselors, pastors and personal stories of people who found healing after a loved one’s death. There would then be a small group discussion with opportunity to talk about information shared in the video and/or any challenges you may be experiencing. There is a workbook that follows the 13-week topics and offers support references for the week between sessions.
Registration is required and a $10 fee is collected during first 3 sessions to offset cost of the $25 workbook that is provided to all participants. Call Tonianne at 717 569-8531x229 to register.
St. John Neumann Catholic School
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