Parish Staff, Ministry Directory, and Contact Information

Parish Staff & Mailing AddressParish Mailing Address420 Holland Street, Shillington, PA 19607PastorRev. Richard Clement: 610.777.1365ResidentRev. Gene Ritz: 610.777.1365DeaconDeacon F. Joseph Lombardo: 610.777.1697Principal of La Salle AcademyMr. Stephen Mickulik: 610.777.7392Parish SecretaryBernadette Yohn: 610.777.1697Parish Communications CoordinatorSarah Capato: 610.850.4978Director of Religious EducationBernadette Yohn: 610.777.1697For Bulletin / Website Inquiries or AnnouncementsContact: Sarah Capato at 610.850.4978

Comprehensive Catholic EducationLa Salle Academy: Preschool, Pre Kindergarten, K-8th GradeMr. Stephen Mickulik, Principal: 610.777.7392Berks Catholic High School: 9th-12th GradeMr. Tony Balistrere, Principal: 610.374.8361Parish Religious Education Program: 1st-8th GradeMrs. Bernadette Yohn, DRE: 610.777.1697RCIA: Age 18+Mrs. Bernadette Yohn, DRE: 610.777.1697

Scheduling Use of Parish FacilitiesFor those interested in using the Father Lyons room for a meeting or special event, please contact the Parish Office at 610.777.1697

WorshipEucharistic AdorationFirst Fridays of each month from 8:30AM-12:00PMAltar ServersStudents from Grade 4 to Seniors in High SchoolContact: Parish Office at 610.777.1697Adult Funeral ServersContact: Parish Office at 610.777.1697Children’s Liturgy of the Word: Sunday’s at 10:30AM Mass, between September and May Contact: Parish Office at 610.777.1697Eucharistic MinistersContact: Lorna Pfeiffenberger at 610.777.4822LectorsContact: Deacon Joe Lombardo at 610.777.2542Ministers of HospitalityContact: Deacon Joe Lombardo at 610.777.2542Liturgical Music Contact: Christopher Hoster at 610.334.1188CantorsContact: Christopher Hoster at 610.334.1188Baptismal PrepContact: Parish Office at 610.777.1697Baptismal BibsContact: Parish Office at 610.777.1697SacristansContact: Elaine Strick at 610.856.7264Youth GroupContact: Monica Hess at 484.388.9553

Outreach & Parish MinistriesCulture of LifeContact: Bob Peters at 610.775.8965Bereavement MinistryContact: Roseann Kumor at 610.775.7431Justice in Action MinistryContact: Arlene Seeber at 484.794.8027Breaking Bread Social CommitteeContact: Lois Lombardo at 610.777.2542Prayer Shawl MinistryContact: Joan Yanuskiewicz at 610.777.4646Nursing Home Visitors for Rosary & MassContact: Billie & Mike Resch at 610.775.3927Food Pantry / Emergency MealsContact: Lois Carrier at 610.777.6947Advocacy for Persons with DisabilitiesContact: Kathleen Roche at 610.777.4792Parish Nurse MinistryContact: Sharon Shingler at 610.775.9998St. Paul Street EvangelizationContact: Gina Aldi at 484.769.5346

Spiritual GrowthRCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)Contact: Parish Office at 610.777.1697Adult Education (Seasonal)Contact: Parish Office at 610.777.1697Spiritual DirectionContact: Arlene Seeber at 484.794.8027Faith Sharing for WomenContact: Arlene Seeber at 484.794.8027Parish Prayer LineContact: Judy Peters at 610.775.8965Charismatic Prayer GroupContact: Amelia “Midge” Biancone at 610.777.2215Organizations

Prime TimersContact: Nick Bentz at 610.777.8864Boy ScoutsContact: Dan Giesen at 610.777.4387Girl ScoutsContact: Britt Kobularcik at 484.256.1782 Daisy: Grade K-1, Brownies: Grade 2/3, Juniors: Grade 4/5

Cub ScoutsContact: Mitzi Ziolkowski at 610.856.0708Knights of Columbus Contact: Jim Stallone at 610.406.8543Altar SocietyContact: Carol Bensing at 610.777.9360Men’s Recreational Basketball ClubContact: Russ Baver at 610.507.0627CYO (Christian Youth Organization)Contact: Rock Witmer at 610.775.2176Parish GardenersContact: Chris Hofmann at 610.777.2523

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Mass Intentions for the Week MONDAY, JAN. 9 – Baptism of the Lord 8:00 a.m. Joseph Ziolowski TUESDAY, JAN. 10 - Weekday 7:00 p.m. Noel Murray WEDNESDAY, JAN. 11 - Weekday 8:00 a.m. Mary Domin THURSDAY, JAN. 12 - Weekday 7:00 p.m. Intentions for Nate Woollery FRIDAY, JAN. 13 – St. Hilary 8:00 a.m. Conrad Komaski SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SATURDAY, JAN. 14 4:00 p.m. Florence Milshaw SUNDAY, JAN. 15 8:30 a.m. People of the Parish 10:30 a.m. Intentions for Amy Henneman

St. John Baptist de la Salle January 8th 2016 www.stjohnsfamilyoffaith.com The Epiphany

Away from home? Find a Mass wherever you are at www.masstimes.org

Upcoming Liturgical Ministers SATURDAY, JAN. 14 - 4:00PM Lector: Gretchen Keith Cantor: Alex Krick Servers: Andrew Stout, Sonia & Rahul Mannepuli EM: B/M.Resch, M/R.Favinger, L.Wakefield, G.Unger, J.Ambrose, K.Becker SUNDAY, JAN. 15 - 8:30AM Lector: Stephen Hetzel Cantor: Karla Akemann Servers: Joseph Giesen, Sophia Pienta, Kayla Davis SUNDAY, JAN. 15 - 10:30AM Lector: Cindy Trygar Cantor: Flo Shirk Servers: Catherine Maher, Arianna Monserrate, Chloe Ritter EM: N.O’Leary, C/L.Przydzial, B.Wells, V.Sottosanti, V.Noecker, A.Seeber, B.Yohn

Upcoming Events SUNDAY, JANUARY 8 6:15 pm Youth Group - La Salle Cafe 6:30 pm Rel. Ed classes MONDAY, JANUARY 9 7:00 pm First Reconciliation TUESDAY, JANUARY 10 7:00 pm RCIA 7:30 pm Charismatic Group WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11 8:30 am Church cleaning FRIDAY, JANUARY 13 9:00 am La Salle School Mass

Please direct all bulletin and website inquiries to the Parish Communications Coordinator, Sarah Capato at 610.850.4978 or sarah@stjohnsfamilyoffaith.com.

Bulletin submissions are due Thursday, ten days prior to the Sunday of publication.

Weekly Stewardship 12/25 - $8,178.50

CHRISTMAS - $39,267.85

Todays Readings

Sanctuary Candle for the week of Jan. 8-14: In loving memory of Jerry Keyek (requested by

Bernadine Keyek)

Altar Wine for Month of November: In loving memory of:

Jerry Keyek (requested by

Altar Bread for month of January: In loving memory of Clutch, Bob and Steve Weik (requested by Evelyn Weik)

BAPTISMS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER: Kennedy Rose Boyer

ATTENTION PARISHIONERS: If you wish a tax statement for your contributions for 2016: Write your request on your church envelope (where your name is printed, if you put it anywhere else it may get missed!) email us st.jbdls@verizon.net or call the parish office 610.777.1697.

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Parish Happenings

YOU ARE NOT ALONE If a Prenatal Diagnosis identifies a possible disability…You are not alone. There is help. The Diocese of Allentown has a network of concerned parents and professionals who have experienced or worked closely with issues surrounding a poor prenatal diagnosis. For support, contact: Sr. Janice Marie Johnson at 610.289.8900x42 or jjohnson@allentowndiocese.org

Our international students attending Berks Catholic High School this January 2017 need host families. A generous reimbursement is provided. Call AnB Education 267.263.2481 or email hostfamily@anbeducation.com

BERKS CATHOLIC NEWS • Open House- January 29, 2017 2-4pm: A terrific opportunity to meet faculty, administration and current students. Our clubs and activities are on display to give you a glimpse into what we are about. It’s Open House is an exciting and neat experience seeing our community together.

Justice in Action Ministry Meets January 10

New members are most welcome to join in the discussion and planning for 2017 projects and education topics at the next Justice in Action meeting on Tuesday, January 10 at

7:30 pm at the home of Sue Goodwin (16 Alpine Drive Mohnton 610.777.5827, Volunteer opportunities include service to the homeless through Habitat for Humanity, Family Promise of Berks County, and Opportunity House. Volunteers also offer help to parishioners in need of assistance with routine household tasks and visit residents of local nursing homes and assisted living centers. Come on January 10 to learn how you can become involved. Be sure to look for details on projects in future bulletins. Snow date for this meeting is Tuesday, January 17 same time and same location.

PRIME TIMERS NEWS

SIGN-UP FOR LIFE AD: Sign-ups will be held

in the Fr. Lyons Room after ALL Masses on December 31/January 1 and on January 7/8. This Pro-Life Ad will be published in the Reading Eagle on Sunday, January 22, 2017, the 43rd anniversary of the legalization of abortion in the United States. Sponsors are asked to contribute $6 for Individuals and $12 for Couples & Families. Your names will be displayed in the Ad under our Parish name. Proceeds from the Life Ad support Mary’s Shelter/Home, an alternative to abortion for pregnant women in need of housing and care.

Event Supporting Retired Nuns: The Bernardine Franciscan Sisters in Reading invite you to Bernardine Bonanza on February 18, 2017 from 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm at the McGlinn Conference Center. For more information or to purchase tickets contact Sr. Maria at 484.334.6815 or visit the event website, www.bernardinebonanza.org.

Shelter the Homeless Family Promise of Berks County Volunteer Orientation and Training Workshop Sunday, January 22

Come learn how you can directly help to shelter the homeless in our community at a Family Promise orientation and training workshop on Sunday, January 22 at 12:15 pm at Atonement Lutheran Church, 5 Wyomissing Blvd. Wyomissing. Family Promise is an Interfaith Hospitality Network of people of faith working together to provide homeless families a ‘home’, while in the program, at a different church each week. During the day Family Promise works with the families to find jobs, housing and whatever support they need to bet back on an even keel. Atonement Lutheran Church hosts Family Promise several times a year from Sunday evening through the next Sunday morning. Atonement is scheduled to open its doors as a ‘home’ for homeless families the week of February 5-12. As partners with Atonement Lutheran, Saint John parishioners have the opportunity to volunteer to fill a number of different tasks. Come to the workshop on January 22 and learn about this program and how you can become involved. For more information contact Arlene Seeber. (484.794.8027 or arleneseeber@icloud.com).

PARISH NURSES MINISTRY, will be taking blood pressure screenings the after all Masses the weekend of January 14/15. Visit us in the Father Lyons Room.

2017 Helper's Pilgrimage: Please join Fr. Lamb and the Helpers of God's Precious Infants at a Prayer Pilgrimage for the unborn and all those involved in abortion. The pilgrimage begins with Mass at 8:00 AM at Notre Dame Church of Bethlehem, 1861 Catasauqua Road and continues with The Rosary at the facility located at 31 South Commerce Way in the Bethlehem Industrial Park. The Mission: That through prayer, peaceful presence, and fasting we may be God's instruments in the salvation of souls, so that innocent lives will be saved from abortion. Be part of the call to bring God's everlasting, unconditional love to those involved in abortion that their hearts may be converted and receive God's gift of life with joy. Contact Info: 610.674.4624 email hogpi@hotmail.com

ST. JOHN'S YOUTH GROUP Attention all 8th-12th graders! We hope to see you at our next meeting! It will be held this Sunday, January 8th, at the LaSalle cafe from 6:15 to 7:45. We look forward to seeing you there!

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GUIDELINES FOR THOSE WHO ARE HOSPITAL BOUND: • If you are scheduled for a hospital visit and know in advance, please see Father Rich before or after mass and he will anoint you and bless you. • When being admitted to the Reading Hospital please advise the admitting staff person you are Catholic and a member of St. John Baptist de LaSalle. Should you want Communion while you are hospitalized please tell them you want Communion either daily or weekly and your name will be added to list of the Eucharistic Ministers who serve at the hospital. If you have any questions about this procedure see Deacon Joe Lombardo.

A Ladies Tea is scheduled for Sunday January 22nd in the Father Lyons room. If you gals are bored while the men are watching football come join us for an afternoon tea social. Reservations are needed and there is no cost involved. Please just complete the form below and drop it in the collection basket by Sunday, January 15th

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'll be there for Tea! Name___________________________ Phone ___________________________

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord January 9 Christ's Baptism Foreshadows Our Own At first glance, the Baptism of the Lord might seem an odd feast. Since the Catholic Church teaches that the Sacrament of Baptism is necessary for the remission of sins, particularly Original Sin, why was Christ baptized? After all, He was born without Original Sin, and He lived His entire life without sinning. Therefore, He had no need of the sacrament, as we do. In submitting Himself humbly to the baptism of St. John the Baptist, however, Christ provided the example for the rest of us. If even He should be baptized, though He had no need of it, how much more should the rest of us be thankful for this sacrament, which frees us from the darkness of sin and incorporates us into the Church, the life of Christ on earth! His Baptism,

therefore, was necessary--not for Him, but for us. Many of the Fathers of the Church, as well as the medieval Scholastics, saw Christ's Baptism as the institution of the sacrament. History The Baptism of the Lord has historically been associated with the celebration of Epiphany. Even today, the Eastern Christian feast of Theophany, celebrated on January 6 as a counterpart to the Western feast of Epiphany, focuses primarily on the Baptism of the Lord as the revelation of God to man. After the Nativity of Christ (Christmas) was separated out from Epiphany, the Church in the West continued the process and dedicated a celebration to each of the major epiphanies (revelations) or theophanies (the revelation of God to man): the Birth of Christ at Christmas, which revealed Christ to Israel; the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles, in the visit of the Wise Men at Epiphany; the Baptism of the Lord, which revealed the Trinity; and the miracle at the wedding at Cana, which revealed Christ's transformation of the world. Thus, the Baptism of the Lord began to be celebrated on the octave (eighth day) of Epiphany, with the miracle at Cana celebrated on the Sunday after that. In the current liturgical calendar, the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on the Sunday after January 6, and, a week later, on the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, we hear the Gospel of the Wedding at Cana.

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National Migration Week Creating A Culture of Encounter January 8- 14

A Message from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

For nearly a half century, the Catholic Church in the United States has celebrated National Migration Week, which is an opportunity for the Church to reflect on the circumstances confronting migrants, including immigrants,

refugees, children, and victims and survivors of human trafficking. The theme for National Migration Week 2017 draws attention to Pope Francis’ call to create a culture of encounter, and in doing so to look beyond our own needs and wants to those of others around us. In the homily given at his first Pentecost as pope, he emphasized the importance of encounter in the Christian faith: “For me this word is very important. Encounter with others. Why? Because faith is an encounter with Jesus, and we must do what Jesus does: encounter others.” With respect to migrants, too often in our contemporary culture we fail to encounter them as persons, and instead look at them as others or render them invisible. We do not take the time to engage migrants in a meaningful way, as fellow children of God, but remain aloof to their presence and suspicious of their intentions. During this National Migration Week, let us all take the opportunity to engage migrants as community members and neighbors – all of whom are worthy of our attention and support.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Justice for Immigrants campaign is currently working on behalf of the Bishops to promote humane migration policies towards refugees and immigrants that reflect our Catholic values. Join the U.S. Catholic bishops in support of protecting immigrants and refugees by sending an electronic postcard to Washington, DC asking that lawmakers ensure humane treatment towards migrants and refugees. The postcards may be sent from Justice for Immigrants’ homepage at www.justiceforimmigrants.org More information about the Catholic bishops’ JFI campaign may also be found on the JFI website.

“Closeness to the poor, the refugee, the immigrant, the sick, the exploited, the elderly living alone, prisoners and all God’s other poor, will teach us a different way of resting, one which is more Christian and generous.” – Pope Francis

Prayer for National Migration Week

Merciful and loving Father, we beseech you, open our hearts so that we may provide hospitality and refuge to migrants who are lonely, afraid, and far from their homes. Give us the courage to

welcome every stranger as Christ in our midst, to invite them into our communities as a demonstration of Christ’s love for us. We pray that when we encounter the other, we see in her face the face of your Son, when we meet a stranger, that we take his hand in welcome. Help us to live in solidarity with one another, to seek justice for those who are persecuted and comfort

for those who are suffering. We ask through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

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St. John Baptist de la Salle Family of Faith

The Healthy Family 2017 New for 2017 we will begin a series of articles, at least once monthly, to encourage healthy marriages and family life. Too often couples and/or families fall into a rut within daily living and aren’t sure where to turn for advice. The Catholic Church celebrates the sanctity of life, marriage and families and there is a plethora of knowledge to be had, right at our fingertips. We will feature different material from many sources; some weeks peaking your interest greatly and others you may not feel pertain to you now, but could in the future. The series will also be kept on our parish website (stjohnsfamilyoffaith.com), for reference, along with many more articles too long for the bulletin. We hope this series will find you rejuvenated in your personal life and struggles, with your faith right beside to assist. Happy 2017 to "The Healthy Family"!

New Year’s Resolutions For Couples What can you do for your marriage in 2017? Try making a New Year’s resolution to improve your relationship. Here are some ideas to get started: • “Adopt” a patron saint for the coming year to intercede for you and your family. Throughout the year, read a biography about him or her, attend Mass together on the saint’s feast day, and find litanies, novenas, and other prayers to pray together. • Make a “spiritual New Year’s resolution” together. Choose

one thing to stick to through this year as a family: monthly Confession, praying the Liturgy of the Hours, First Friday Adoration, etc. • Take turns selecting a favorite Scripture passage to pray about each week. Share your reflections with each other. • If you don’t already eat dinner together as a family, try to commit to one night (or more) each week to eat together. • Draw up your 2017 household budget together. Discuss spending priorities, including charitable donations. • Set up a prayer intention board in a common space in your home. Pray together each night for one another’s intentions. • Start saving up for a vacation later in the year, or even a “staycation”. Start planning now to take time off of work to devote to your spouse and kids. It needn’t be extravagant to foster quality time and relaxation. • Is there anything that is causing strain in your marriage? Lack of communication, long job hours, technology dependence, unforgiven hurts? Take time in the new year to make concrete steps toward reconciliation and growth. • Resolve to do a weekly act of love or service for your spouse – a hidden sacrifice, a little surprise, an unprompted chore or errand. • Schedule several “Date Nights” for each month of the year. • Resolve to read at least one book on how to strengthen your relationship. • While it’s important to strengthen the marriage relationship, marriage is also a sacrament of service. It’s true that marriage benefits the couple, but it’s also good for their family, community, and the Church. Resolve to do at least one service activity this year, as a family or a couple. Perhaps it’s bringing canned goods to the local food pantry on a regular basis or helping out with a parish fundraising project. sourced: foryourmarraige.org - An initiative of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops