Parish Update

June 16, 2021

St. John Francis Regis,  S.J., Priest  [1597-1640 ]

Dear Parishioners, John Francis Regis is the saint the Church honors today.   Born into a wealthy family, St. John entered the Society of Jesus [Jesuits] at age 18. Despite his rigorous academic schedule, he spent many hours in chapel, often to the dismay of fellow seminarians who were concerned about his health. Following his ordination to the priesthood, St. John took up missionary work in many French towns.  It was a time of  great indifference toward religion and in many cases, people were deprived of the sacraments.  His plain-spoken sermons attracted people of all classes.   During his ministry, St. John served the poor, visited prisons and hospitals and spent many hours in the confessional. His outreach, especially through parish missions succeeded in bringing many back to the practice of their faith. 

Though St, John longed to work as a missionary among the Native Americans in Canada, he was to live out his days working for the Lord in his native France. He died on December 31, 1640 having spent the day with his eyes fixed on the crucifix.   In the autumn of 1640, St. John sensed that his days were coming to a conclusion. His final words were: “Into thy hands I commend my spirit.”

School News

Tomorrow June 17, our parish school will begin its summer recess! We thank our principal, Maureen Tuohy, teachers, and staff who have been our students’ sure guides and their parents for their love and support.  They have weathered very well yet another unusual year under pandemic restrictions!

A  Priestly Vocations BBQ

Teen and young men between the ages of 15 to 40 are invited to a Vocations BBQ on Tuesday, June 29 at St. John the Baptist Church, Allentown. Holy Mass celebrated by Bishop David O’Connell will precede the BBQ which includes games and discernment reflections. Those who may be considering a priestly vocation and would like to participate should contact Fr. Jason Parzynski (609) 480-9243 or visit www.GodisCallingYou.org

Expanded Mass & Confession Schedule

We are pleased to announce that in May, two Masses were returned to our schedule in addition to those already scheduled:, as well as additional confession times at OLS.
 

Additions or reductions in the Mass schedule are subject to attendance.

We shall continue to monitor attendance in the hope of reinstating the 8:00 AM Sunday Mass at OLS.

Note that the 9:00 AM weekday and Saturday morning Mass remain at OLS, as do the confessions after the 9:00 AM Mass.

For Your Information

Every June the parish receives a bill from the Diocese for the annual Assessment and Property/Casualty Insurance for the 2021-22 fiscal year. Last year our Assessment bill, based on regular collections and school subsidy was $154,224. This year our bill is $143,653. Last year, our Property/Casualty premium was $259,810. In the coming year this will increase to $319,992. The parish will take advantage of a 3% discount offered by the diocese on both bills that will save the parish, $13,910. In the past we have been able to satisfy these obligations. With your continued generosity, we can do it again!  Many thanks! 
                                                                                                      
It is a great delight to see the return of many parishioners to church to celebrate Mass “in person!”  May I also express my thanks to so many who have not forgotten the needs and obligations of the parish by generously contributing now what they would have contributing during their long stay at home! This is a tremendous help!  Thanks!

Friday Summer Office Hours

Effective June 4, throughout the summer, the parish office will close at 12:00 pm on Fridays.  Regular Friday hours will resume the Friday after Labor Day. 


 

Updated Protocols for our Parish

As of May 28, masks are no longer mandatory, however, wearing a mask remains an option for those who wish to do so. Social distancing is no longer mandated, andn the "blue tape" pew barriers will be removed prior to the Sunday Masses of June 5-6. See the Mass & Confession Times page for the updated protocols approved by Bishop O'Connell for the resumption of parish life.
 

Bringing Your Marriage "Into" the Church

If you were married by a civil official or a non-Catholic minister, I invite you to contact our office to “convalidate” your marriage in the Catholic Church. As a  civilly married couple, you have already made a commitment to one another. There are many reasons couples marry “outside” the Church,  but I encourage you to take your marriage to the next level by inviting you to receive the graces that flow from the Sacrament of Marriage. Our priests and deacons will be delighted to guide you on this path.


 

When Should We "Call the Priest?"

Among the seven sacraments, there is one especially intended to strengthen those who are ill—the Anointing of the Sick. Over the centuries this sacrament was conferred more and more exclusively on those at the point of death and as a result it received the name “Extreme Unction.” Consequently, hospital workers and family members would summon a priest in the very last moments of a person’s life—very often when he or she was unconscious. Even if a priest responded to the call immediately, he might arrive moments after the person died. The person would not have had the opportunity to confess, receive the Apostolic Pardon, Holy Communion, and Anointing—the greatest spiritual comfort the Church can offer at such a decisive time!  Consider how beneficial it is for a person to be aware of Lord's Presence and receive his holy gifts! At times, family members feel that the arrival of a priest would alarm or upset their sick loved one. Not unaware of such a concern, a priest strives to place the sick person at ease. The prayers of the ritual also help with their comforting words.  

While the Sacrament of Anointing serves to comfort the dying, it is not only for those at the point of death. It is intended to help those who are chronically ill and the elderly who are in a weakened condition. People of all ages, including children who suffer from a serious illness or facing major surgery can be anointed. It is a sacrament that can be received more than once even if during the same illness, a person’s condition become more serious. 

For the past few years, our parish has offered a communal celebration of the Anointing of the Sick within Mass, twice annually: Spring and Autumn. These Masses have been well-attended, and we hope to continue offering this opportunity. It is fitting to be anointed before undergoing a serious operation. Please feel free to request the sacrament prior to being admitted to the hospital. This can be done after Mass or by a visit to the parish office. The relatives of the sick at home, should not wait until the last moments of a person’s life before contacting a priest for anointing.
 

With affection and thanks...
 

Msgr. Gervasio

 

Dear Parishioners,

On this first day of summer, our nation honors the vocation of fatherhood and we offer to all fathers our best wishes and prayers. When the actor Michael Douglas remarked, “I don’t mind looking into the mirror and seeing my father.” Somehow, I don’t think he was referring only to their physical similarity. The influence of a father is enduring. The responsibilities and sacrifices are great, the measure of love and devotion incalculable! St. John XXIII remarked, “It is easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father.”

Let today and every day be a time to offer our thanks our fathers for their love! May our prayers always accompany and sustain them as they live out their vocation. May the Lord welcome into heaven our fathers who have gone before us.

Happy Father's Day!
Msgr. Gervasio

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Chè Pawasyen-m yo,

The scammers are at it again! If you receive an email message like the one below

Let me know if you are not occupied at the moment, I need you to do me a favor real quick. Email me back immediately you receive this message.

(or anything similar), purportedly from Monsignor Gervasio, Fr. Joseph (or any other OLS-SA staff member), please do not respond to it. Instead, report it to the Hamilton Township police.