Parish Staff, Ministry Directory, and Contact Information

Parish Staff & Mailing AddressParish Mailing Address420 Holland Street, Shillington, PA 19607PastorRev. Richard Clement: 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: 610.777.1697

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 610.777.1697Eucharistic MinistersContact: Bernadette Yohn at 610.777.1697 or 610.777.6297LectorsContact: 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: Ashlee Hess at 610.944.4862

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: Elaine Strick at 484.824.1577Nursing 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 484.769.5346Divorce MinistryContact: Deb Kelly at 610.763.6528

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

OrganizationsPrime TimersContact: Nick Bentz at 610.777.8864Boy ScoutsContact: Dan Giesen at 610.777.4387Cub ScoutsContact: Dan Giesen at 610.777.4387Knights of Columbus Contact: Bill Griffith at 484.797.0669Altar 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, DEC. 17 – Late Advent Weekday 8:00 a.m. Marie Ellmer TUESDAY, DEC. 18 – Late Advent Weekday 7:00 p.m. Frank Kumor WEDNESDAY, DEC. 19 – Late Advent Weekday 8:00 a.m. Richard Lis 10:30 a.m. Rosemarie Intellisano - Mifflin THURSDAY, DEC. 20 – Late Advent Weekday 7:00 p.m. Lewis Anuszewski FRIDAY, DEC. 21 – Late Advent Weekday/ St. Peter Canisius 8:00 a.m. Dr. Henry Bialas FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT SATURDAY, DEC. 22 4:00 p.m. Deacon Cy Simchick SUNDAY, DEC. 23 8:30 a.m. Andrew & Rosella Fedak 10:30 a.m. 1st Lt. Frank A. Young, USMC

St. John Baptist de la Salle December 16th 2018 www.stjohnsfamilyoffaith.com Third Sunday of Advent

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

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.

St. John Baptist de la Salle Family of Faith

Sanctuary Lamp for the week of 12/16-22: In loving memory of George Hlodash, Sr. (requested by Shirley & Linda Hlodash)

Altar Wine for the month of December: In loving memory of Richard & Cecilia Roloff

(requested by Donna Satz)

Altar Bread for the month of November: In loving memory of Joseph, Brian & Edward Bocian (requested

by Eleanore Bocian)

Upcoming Liturgical Ministers SATURDAY, DEC. 22 - 4:PM Lector: Bernadette Yohn Cantor: Scott Tice Servers: Seth & Lydia Toal EM: K/R.Stuber, C.Trygar, J/B.Peters, K.Becker SUNDAY, DEC. 23 - 8:30AM Lector: Amy Dodrer Cantor: Bridget Glass Servers: Sonia & Rahul Mannepuli SUNDAY, DEC. 23 - 10:30AM Lector: Tom Cuba Cantor: Alex Krick Servers: Madison Cannon, Brindley Kobularcik EM: C/K.Worley, MB.Kakos, V.Pinder, A/C. Turnbaugh, M.DePaul

Upcoming Events Sunday, Dec. 16 6:30 pm Rel. Ed classes Monday, Dec. 17 7:30 pm K of C Business Mtg. Tuesday, Dec. 18 7:00 pm RCIA 7:30 pm Charismatic Prayer Group Wednesday, Dec. 19 8:30 am Church cleaning Thursday, Dec. 20 5:30 pm Choir practice 6:30 pm LSA Christmas Show

ATTENTION PARENTS/GUARDIANS & STUDENTS: We have been informed by the Bishop’s Office that Confirmation will take place here at St. John’s on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 4:30 PM, practice will be held on Sunday, November 25, 2018 at 1 PM in the church. Please mark your calendars for this date and inform your Sponsors.

Today's Readings First Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-18a Zephaniah urges the people of Jerusalem to rejoice because the Lord is in their midst. He conveys the message that God will love and protect those who have remained faithful to him. Second Reading: Philippians 4:4-7 Paul encourages the Philippians to be ready for Christ. He tells them not to worry about their concerns, but to instead ask God's help and allow his peace to fill their hearts and minds. Gospel: Luke 3:10-18 John the Baptist answers people who ask him what they should do, leading some to believe he was the Messiah. John clearly states that he will be followed by one so powerful that "I am not fit to loosen his sandal strap."

ATTENTION EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS: New schedules have either been emailed or mailed via the postal service. If you did not receive your schedule please notify the parish office, 610.777.1697 or email:

Weekly Stewardship SUNDAY 12/3- $11,324.01

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Parish Happenings

PRIME TIMERS NEWS

YOUTH GROUP - St. JAY thanks all 8th-12th graders who attended our Christmas party last weekend! We

are very excited to be welcoming the new members of youth group. Our next meeting will be January 6th from 6:15-7:45 in the LaSalle cafe. To see more St. JAY updates, visit our Twitter at StJohn_YG16.

A WORD FROM OUR PASTOR ...

Mary’s Shelter is looking for volunteers for sorting donations. The shelter collects donations daily and is set up for sorting in the gym, anytime Monday through Friday, 9:AM to 3:PM. If you are interested in helping to sort, please email Sue Schulz (sue@marysshelter.org.)

THE ADVENT LIFELINE GIVING TREE is now up and filled with Snowflake ornaments for you to choose throughout Advent. Our Church family is asked to share in the Spirit of Giving that Christmas brings to help Lifeline of Berks County replenish their Pantry of supplies which serves babies, mothers and their families this Christmas and throughout the

year. Please choose a snowflake ornament from the tree which will have a label containing a needed baby item. Bring the NEW UNWRAPPED gift to the Fr. Lyons Room and place it in the BLUE TUB marked Lifeline Giving Tree Gifts. We ask that you return the Snowflake Ornament with your gift so we can reuse it next year. Please place checks (Make out to Lifeline of Berks County) in a sealed envelope marked Lifeline Giving Tree Donation into the collection basket. For more information, please call Bob Peters 610.775.8965. Thank You!

Berks Catholic High School Upcoming Events • 12/16/18 - Christmas Vespers- Berks Catholic invites you to celebrate the Birth of our Savior Jesus Christ with our Christmas Vesper Prayer Service celebrated at 4pm at Sacred Heart Church in West Reading. Admission is Free and open to the public. • 12/27/18- Saints Shoot Out- For Boys and Girls grades K-8 from 8:30am-12pm Offensive moves for guards and forwards, dribbling moves, shooting, shooting off the dribble, shooting off the pass, and shoot out contest. Please visit www.berkscatholic.org for the registration form. • 1/24/19- Step Up Day - 8th graders spend the day at Berks Catholic and get a real feel of what it’s like to Be A Saint, please contact Mrs. Smith for more information. 610.374.8361 ext.244 • 1/27/19- Open House- It’s a great time to Be A Saint! Come see our new John R. Post Learning Center which features a new STEM Lab, expanded, cafeteria, new classrooms, college and career counseling suite and collegiate style learning commons. Come experience the energy of our community. For more information please contact Nicky Smith at 610.374.8361 ext. 244 or nsmith@berkscatholic.org

Knights of Columbus Calendar December (2018)

January & February (2019) December 2018 Sunday, December 9 – Knights at Mass • Rosary 8:00 AM – Mass 8:30 AM • Breakfast with Santa – Mangia’s January 2019 Sunday, January 13 - Knights at Mass • Rosary 10:00 AM – Mass 10:30 PM February 2019 Saturday, February 9 – Knights at Mass • Rosary 3:30 PM – Mass 4:00 PM

Youth Choir Rehearsals will be held on Sunday, Dec. 23 at 9:30 am in church.

La Salle Academy Scholastic Book fair Any last minute Christmas gifts? Books make the perfect present. Join us at the Scholastic Book fair held in the LSA Library today from 11:30am-7pm and Monday-Wednesday from 7:30am-3:30pm. Can't join us in person? Check out the online fair at http://www.scholastic.com/bf/lsabear. All proceeds benefit La Salle Academy.

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The Parish Nurses Ministry will be taking blood pressure screenings after all Masses, this weekend, Sept 8&9 in the Father Lyons Room.

Lifeline of Berks County is in need of Similac Advance formula and wipes. We would greatly appreciate any formula or wipes that you are able to donate to us for our clients. Thank you in advance.

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.

The Canticle – Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Gift Shop provides inspiring and religious gifts for all occasions. Franciscan items – many direct from Assisi, also from places of their ministry: Brazil. Dominican Republic, specialty cards, and a variety of discounted items. Hours: M,T.Thur. 12:30 – 3:30 pm. Wed. 10 am – 1 pm. Sat. 11 am – 2 pm. For directions visit the website: www.bfranciscan.org. Located in the Motherhouse at the McGlinn Conference & Spirituality Center – adjacent to Alvernia University. (Use the entrance with the St. Francis on the outside of the wall.)

The Bernardine Franciscan Sisters are looking for volunteers to help at the Motherhouse Information Desk for a few hours a week, answering the phone and doorbell during the day. For more information, contact Sister Joanne Mary at 610.780.4820.

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“Come Shadow Me” The St. Francis Home in Shillington is up and running with many wonderful volunteers, if you’ve considered being a hospice volunteer, but hesitated, I ask you to consider my invitation to you. My shift is every Friday, from 11 am – 5 pm. Please come shadow me and see what we’re all about. We can meet at Church and you can stay an hour, two hours or all five shadowing me. What – only available at night – we can accommodate any schedule. We look forward to introducing you to our ministry in action. Please call Paula Rhoads at 484-942-7670 for more information. God bless you and please pray for us!

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

5 Ways to Focus on What Really Matters at Christmas How to keep Christ at the center of Christmas.

By Lesli White

The Holiday Season can be very chaotic. Take a look around you. Christmas has become the most commercialized holiday and we have become obsessed with the commercial aspects of it. While our eyes are big and our spirits are high, Christmas can easily become a time in which we put our focus on the wrong things. Our minds are often consumed with thoughts of how many gifts we need to provide or receive. In addition to this, we become stressed thinking about things like how much we will be spending on gifts adding on even more pressure to our pockets. We can easily become distracted by the world instead of focusing on what really matters at Christmas – Jesus. It’s important that we step away from our busy schedules and amplified worries to truly remember what Christmas is all about. Here are five ways to focus on what really matters at Christmas.

Celebrate Advent Advent, which falls four weeks before Christmas is recognized by many Christians as the period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The term comes from the Latin translation of “coming” and many prophecies in the Old Testament pointed to this promise. One way to focus on what really matters at Christmas is to light an Advent wreath each day leading up to Christmas. The Advent wreath demonstrates the contrast between darkness and light. In the Bible, Christ is referred to as the “Light of the World” contrasted with the darkness of sin. You can also find a daily Advent devotional that you can reflect on each day. This is also a great time for introspection. Remind yourself through daily devotion and prayer that in Him, there is no darkness all. Ask yourself where you are in your journey with Christ. If you’re not where you want to be, make it a point to change as the year transitions.

Set Up a Nativity Display We are all familiar with the Nativity of Jesus, the story that chronicles the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. A nativity display is one of the best reminders of the joy of Christ’s birth. Many Christians celebrate Jesus’ birth by setting up a nativity display or reenacting the nativity story as a reminder of the true meaning of the Christmas season. Set up a Nativity in your home and make that scene a focus. Some place them on their mantles or on the entry tables in their home. One fun thing you can do is hide the baby Jesus and have your family “seek” Him before opening any gifts. This will remind your children (and some adults) that the holiday is not our birthday but His.

Bring the Story of Jesus’ Birth to Life A great way to focus on what really matters at Christmas is to bring the story of Jesus’ birth to life. This can go beyond setting up a nativity display. Start off by reading Luke 2:1-20 which tells the story of Jesus’ birth. After you dive into the reading, try locating Bethlehem, the place where Jesus was born, on a biblical map. You can easily find its location from the back of your Bible or a Bible atlas. Another way to encourage your children to bring the story of Jesus’ birth to life is to reenact the story. You can get really creative, even outside of the church play. Try using sheets and blankets to create costumes. You can even enlist your pets, like the family dog as a donkey. If you have older kids in the family, you can ask them to join in the fun by directing the play. This is a great way to focus on the Christmas story, while also bringing the whole family together.

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kids corner

Have a Minimalist Christmas It’s easy to get lost in materialism during the holidays. Retailers and advertisers want you to buy more during Christmas to maximize their profits and too often, we fall into these traps each year. One way to be more minimalistic at Christmas is to not participate in excessive commercialism. While giving and receiving gifts at Christmas is fun, especially when it’s for the kids, participating in excessive commercialism really takes our focus away from Jesus. One reason why we should focus on minimalism is because Jesus was a minimalist. Matthew 8:20 says, “And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.’” Jesus was a minimalist being born in a lowly manger. When Jesus was crucified, He had a handful of material possessions and He could carry everything He owned on Him. Jesus didn’t focus on material possessions and we shouldn’t get lost in them either. Support a Christian Charity During Christmas, we should all make an effort to be more Christ-like. Jesus was a true giver and His giving had no limit. At this time, consider giving to someone in need. There are a number of incredible Christian charities that work to deliver a better Christmas to people in desperate need of help. Some of these charities include but are not limited to Samaritan’s Purse: International Relief, The Salvation Army and World Vision. As Christians we are called to bear fruit. Giving to those in need is a great way to set this example and get into the real spirit of Christmas. When you give back you are being intentional about being an example of God’s unyielding love.

These five things allow us to focus not only on what really matters the Christmas (Jesus) but also focus on the true meaning of Christmas (love). John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love. Giving to others at Christmas has deep meaning. Out of gratitude for what God did for us, we remember His birth by giving each other gifts, worshipping Him and being especially conscious of the poor and those in need. What better way to celebrate Jesus’ birth than doing these things at Christmas?

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