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, APR. 16 – Easter Weekday 8:00 a.m. Pamela Mehldau TUESDAY, APR. 17 – Easter Weekday 7:00 p.m. Teresa Centeno WEDNESDAY, APR. 18 – Easter Weekday 8:00 a.m. Wisniewwski & Korczykowski Families THURSDAY, APR. 19 – Easter Weekday 7:00 p.m. John Lombardo FRIDAY, APR. 20 – Easter Weekday 8:00 a.m. Collette Mc Atamney FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER SATURDAY, APRIL 21 4:00 p.m. Joseph Bocian SUNDAY, APRIL 22 8:30 a.m. Catherine Hofmann 10:30 a.m. Frank Lewalski

St. John Baptist de la Salle April 15th 2018 www.stjohnsfamilyoffaith.com third sunday of easter

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

Weekly Stewardship EASTER ENVELOPES - $28,293.50

SUNDAY 4/1 - $6,265.00 SHRINES 3/30 - $1,854.00

Sanctuary Candle for the week of 4/15-20: In loving memory of Jardell W. Yohn, Sr. (requested by the Yohn family)

Altar Bread and Wine for the month of April: In loving memory of

Gabriel “Gibby” Nore (requested by Louise Nore)

Altar Bread for the month of March: In loving memory of “Nana” Betty

Krick (requested by Adam, Teresa & Liliana Krick)

Upcoming Liturgical Ministers SATURDAY, APRIL 21 - 4:00PM Lector: Shayla Carey Cantor: Scott Tice Servers: Hanna Bitting, Lydia & Seth Toal EM: T.Cuba, L.Wakefield, G.Unger, S/T.Yoder, K.Becker SUNDAY, APRIL 22 - 8:30AM Lector: Craig Turnbaugh Cantor: Deb Brooks Servers: Lauren & Paige Hagan, Joseph Kowalski SUNDAY, APRIL 22 - 10:30AM Lector: Tony Farina Cantor: Alex Krick Servers: Amie Wickel, Caitlin & Andrew Stout EM: M.DePaul, S.Artz, V.Pinder, S.Hyneman, B.Wells, D/D.Giesen, J.Buckley

Upcoming Events Sunday, April 15 6:00 pm Bereavement Group 6:15 pm Youth Group 6:30 pm Rel. Ed Classes Monday, April 16 7:30 pm K of C Business Mtg. Tuesday, Apr. 17 7:30 pm Charismatic Prayer Group Wednesday, Apr. 18 10:30 am Prime Timers Bus Trip Friday, Apr. 20 6:00 pm Choir rehearsal Saturday, April 21 11 am – 6 pm LSA Spring Fest: Kid Carnival Day

First Friday Adoration: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place on March 2 at 8:30 AM and close with Benediction at Noon. Please come and spend some quiet time with our Lord. The Nocturnal Adoration Society will be at St. Joseph’s church Reading on March 2nd. One hour Adoration will be from 8:00 PM-9:00 PM

TODAYS READINGS First Reading: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 Peter reminds the people that they allowed Jesus to be killed, and preferred to allow a murderer to be released. But God raised him from the dead as had been prophesied. Therefore, all people should believe and turn to God, that their sins might be forgiven. Second Reading: I John 2:1-5a Jesus was offered up for the sins of the world. The only way to prove true faith in him, is to honor his commandments. Anyone who claims to believe, yet does not keep his word, does not truly believe. Gospel: Luke 24:35-48 Jesus appeared to two disciples, though at first they feared he was a ghost. Jesus ate with them to prove he was not a ghost. He explained that he had fulfilled the prophets words about him. He also explained that in his name they must preach doing penance for the forgiveness of sins.

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LOVE SAVES LIVES 8th Annual Reading/Berks

March for Life Sunday, April 29th

Berks Catholic High School 955 E. Wyomissing Blvd. Reading, Pa

19611

Festival & Expo: 12pm Festival to include: Food, Music, Photo booth,

and representatives from local and national pro-life organizations with resources to help you remain an activist in the pro-life movement

year-round! Keynote Speakers: 2pm

March Begins:3pm Donations of baby items are being collected for

the needy and can be brought along to the school the day of the march.

The Parish Nurses Ministry will be taking blood pressure screenings after all Masses, this weekend, March3/4 in the Father Lyons Room.

Parish Happenings

PRIME TIMERS NEWS

ATTENTION, ATTENTION! There are still some seats available for our great, fun trips in 2018: • May 16 – Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre “Grease” Cost: $87.00. Bus leaves at 10:30, lunch at 11:45 am, show time at 1:15 pm. Approximate return 6 pm. • June 6 – Hunterdon Hills Playhouse “The House is Rockin” cost $89.00, lunch included. Will leave St. John’s at 9 am and approximate return 6 pm. • July 11 – Hollywood Casino, cost $27.00. Bus leaves St. John’s at 10 am with a 6 pm approximate return. Please call Mary Stadelmeyer at 484.955.9492 with questions, or to make reservations.

Holy Name Class of 1968 50th Reunion Save the Date June 2, 2018. Information to follow. Pre registration - call or email to: luciawagner84@ymail.com 610.777.5917

YOUTH GROUP - We invite all 8th-12th graders to our next meeting in the LaSalle cafe on

April 15th from 6:15-7:45. We will discuss upcoming trips as well as service projects and fundraiser ideas. For more youth group information and updates, visit our Twitter at StJohn_YG16.

Experienced Organist needed at Holy Guardian Angels Church for Thursday evening choir rehearsals, weekend masses, funerals, weddings and special events. Please send resume to novakangel@comcast.net. If you should have any questions, please call Sue Swavely at 610.587.7061

Blood Drive The Parish Nurse Ministry with Miller-Keystone Blood Bank are sponsoring a blood drive at St. John’s on Monday April 23rd 2-7pm. Sign up after all Masses on April 14th /15th and 21st/ 22nd. Give a Gift only you can give!

Fun in the Sun Spring Raffle Saint Margaret School is having their first Fun in the Sun Spring Raffle! Only 2,000 tickets will be sold, so don’t miss out on this chance of a lifetime! Tickets are $20 a piece or $100 for six. Our grand prize winner will receive $5,000! Second place winner will receive $1,000 and third place will get $500. Tickets are available for purchase in the Main Office of Saint Margaret School and the St. Margaret’s Parish Rectory. Any questions please contact Nick Coccia in the Development Office at 610.375.1882 ext. 204 or at ncoccia@smsreading.org.

Maria Wald Renewal Center/Precious Blood Convent located in Shillington, PA is seeking an experienced full time cook to join their team. Flexible work schedule including weekends and holidays as needed. Applicant must have food preparation skills, initiative, menu planning, maintaining stock, etc. Salary and benefits are negotiable. For further information contact: Sr. Margaret Terfer, cps at 610.777.1624 or mteufercps@hotmail.com

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St. Catharine of Siena Church, Reading is looking for a qualified individual, lay or religious, to serve as a full-time director/coordinator of religious education. This position is primarily responsible for the administration of religious education and sacramental preparation of programs. College degree in theology or religious studies required; Master Catechist Certification and/or equivalent training preferred. Please send letter of interest and resume with personal and professional references to Search Committee, St. Catharine of Siena Parish, 2427 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, PA 19606. No phone calls please!

DEFENDING THE FAITH CONFERENCE BUS TRIP to Franciscan Univ. Jul 27–29: “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope- 1 Peter 3: 15”. This is a WONDERFUL opportunity to enhance the knowledge of your faith & spiritual growth with over 1,000 other attendees. The conference includes bestselling authors and renowned speakers who not only teach, but also motivate, including EWTN personalities; Scott & Kimberly Hahn, Patrick Madrid, Leah Darrow, Mark Hart, Steve Ray and other familiar Catholic Theologians and Apologists. Also includes: Daily Mass, confession and a joyful bus ride. More info on the conference can be found at: http://steubenvilleconferences.com/adult/dfc/. Previous attendees found this conference to be a significant lift in their spiritual lives. This very popular conference is normally sold out before May. Call Bruce & Alice Swist for information at 610.468.9506 or b@swist.us.

La Salle Academy 2018 Spring Fest Presents: Join us in the La Salle gymnasium on April 22nd for BINGO! Bingo starts at NOON, doors open at 11:00am. Cost: $20 in advance ($25 at door); Students $10. There will be specials, raffles and other FUN!! Detach the following slip and mail or drop off to La Salle Academy at 440 Holland St. Shillington, Pa 19607. Checks payable to: La Salle PTO. Questions can be directed to 610.777.7392 or springfestLSA@gmail .com.

GIFT CARD BINGO!

GIFT CARD BINGO FORM Name___________________________________________ PHONE______________________________EMAIL______________________________________ NO. of Tickets ($20)____________________NO. of Tickets ($10)____________________________ Total Amount Enclosed:_______________________________________

Doors to Heaven Raffle The Knights of Columbus Council 7179 will be sponsoring a 50/50 parish wide raffle during the month of April. Tickets will be sold in the Father Lyons’s Room after the Masses on the weekends of April 14/15, April 21/22, and April 28/29. Tickets will also be sold at the Spring Fest Event at La Salle Academy on Saturday April 21 and Sunday April 22. The drawing will be held at the Breaking Bread - Coffee, Tea & Sweets Gathering on Sunday April 29th after the 10:30 Mass. The cost of the Tickets are $1.00 each or 6 tickets for $5.00.

The proceeds from the raffle will be used to repair or replace damaged or worn doors and locks to the church and Father Lyon’s Room. There will be 3 winners selected for the 50% prize money to be given away. The first place winner will win 50% of the prize money. The second place winner will win 30% of the prize money and the third place winner will receive 20% of the prize. Please support our efforts to help maintain the church!

Greater Reading Immigration Project 2018 Immigration Summit Greater Reading Immigration Project will hold its annual Immigration Summit on Monday, April 23, 2018 from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm in Francis Hall, Alvernia University. Register online at: www.readingGRIP.org by April 13. Cost $25.00 includes lunch.

Holy Guardian Angels Regional School cordially invites you to join us for an evening of dinner, live entertainment, and silent auctions. Date: Saturday, April 28, 2018 Location: Holy Guardian Angels Regional School Cocktails – 6:30 PM / Dinner & Dancing – 7:30 PM Individual Tickets: $50. For reservations, contact HGA’s Advancement Office at 610.929.4124 by April 20, 2018.

DEFENDING THE FAITH CONFERENCE BUS TRIP to Franciscan Univ. Jul 27–29. This is a WONDERFUL opportunity to enhance the knowledge of your faith & spiritual growth with over 1,000 other attendees. The conference includes bestselling authors and renowned speakers who not only teach, but also motivate, including EWTN personalities; Scott & Kimberly Hahn, Patrick Madrid, Leah Darrow, Mark Hart, Steve Ray and other familiar Catholic Theologians and Apologists. Also includes: Daily Mass, confession and a joyful bus ride. More info on the conference can be found at: http://steubenvilleconferences.com/adult/dfc/. Call Bruce & Alice Swist for information at 610.468.9506 or b@swist.us.

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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

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.

Part-Time Office Assistant Needed Our Lady’s Missionaries of the Eucharist, 640 E. Main St., Birdsboro, PA 19508 Our Lady’s Missionaries of the Eucharist is dedicated to the spiritual formation of the laity with communities in PA, NJ, and VA. For more information, please visit our website keeping in mind that it is under reconstruction at this time. www.olme.org. Part-Time Hours: This opportunity is perfect for someone looking for flexibility in their working schedule! 2-3 days a week 8:30 am-3:00 pm. Summer hours 1-2 days a week. Must be proficient in Microsoft Word. Please email resumes to olme2@olme.org

6 Ways to Be a Better Listener at Home Improve communication with your kids In the midst of busy family life, it can be easy to overlook one of a parent’s most effective tools for communicating respect to our children: the art of listening well. Here are a few suggestions that you can put to work immediately:

• Look your children in the eye when they are talking to you. Put down the newspaper or put aside the housework for a moment. Stop, look, and listen. • Repeat without judgment what they’ve said. This shows you’re listening to hear and not to defend or rebut. • Hold your tongue. If you want your children to talk to you, you need to listen, listen, listen! We always want to put our two cents in, to guide them, correct them, or to offer advice. But, speaking too soon can shut off communication rather than furthers it. • Ask open-ended questions (without judgment). Ask to learn more, not to subtly steer their thinking. They’ll spot that trick a mile away! • Share your experience and values rather than just your advice. When it comes time to respond, be open and tell what experience you’ve had with the issue at hand. Then share the values that guide your actions. Kids love to learn more about their parents’ experience and beliefs—as long as it’s not a lecture disguised as conversation. • Pray. This last tip should come first. Remember to say a quick prayer when first approached by your child. Pray for the ability to listen with an open heart and to be an instrument of grace.

God Is in the Overcoming by Vinita Hampton Wright

We like to identify God with a day that goes well, speaking of God’s presence in terms of “blessings.” Sometimes we go so far as to equate God’s presence with our success or happiness. There is some truth to this, but such perceptions of God greatly limit our capacity to recognize holy presence every day.

More often than not, God is in the overcoming, the action we take in order to navigate the constant difficulties of life. When we solve a problem, face the truth, wrestle with a decision, suffer through illness, wait for help, learn to pray, lend a hand, or admit our doubt—these are the situations in which holy energy is powerfully at work. God’s love is not static; it moves and acts within our real circumstances. Holy life is not some pretty scene to admire; God is in the doing, in the living, and the growing.

So as you overcome today’s challenges—in your workplace, in your relationships, and in those problematic regions of the heart—know that God’s love is pulsing through your struggle. Holy wisdom informs your soul as you wonder and ponder. And the grace of God walks right along with you, toward the change you need and the joy you desire.

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kids corner

Poverty and Immigration Did You Know? In the United States, based on the March 2011 Current Population Survey (CPS), 19.9% of immigrants, compared to 13.5 % of those native born, lived in poverty in 2010. In 2010, 16.5% of those in poverty in the country were immigrants. (Source: Center of Immigration Studies analysis of March 2011 CPS public use file)

Greater Reading Immigration Project (GRIP) is a coalition of community volunteers working to raise awareness about immigration issues in Berks

County through education, communication and advocacy. GRIP’s primary focus is to educate the community on the issues facing local youth and their families as they seek to continue their education, research possible paths to citizenship and safely become productive, contributing members of the community. GRIP meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 12:30 pm at the Berks County Community Foundation (237 Court Street, Reading) and is open to anyone who is interested.

What Can You Do? Take time to reflect on: Scripture on Immigration “You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; have the same love for him as for yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt. I, the Lord, am your God.” (Leviticus 19: 34)

Catholic Social Teaching on Immigration “The Catholic Church in the United States is an immigrant Church with a long history of embracing diverse newcomers and providing assistance and pastoral care to immigrants, migrants, refugees, and people on the move. Our Church has responded to Christ’s call for us to “welcome the stranger among us,” for in this encounter with the immigrant, the migrant, and the refugee in our midst, we encounter Christ.” (USCCB)

“The fears associated with encounters between groups are often difficult to overcome precisely because they are unacknowledged or unclear. Some are afraid because they do not know how to behave with others of a different culture. Others—in ignorance, relying on stereotypes—are convinced that those who are different are also somehow inferior: less educated, "dirty," or dangerous. Negative images and derogatory jokes and remarks readily merge with racism, America's "original sin," reinforcing the fear of the unknown in many people's minds by creating stereotypes about people whose facial features or skin color identify them as Asian, Arab, African, or Mexican. In some instances, racism has been so deeply ingrained that an institutional racism prevails. Racist attitudes can linger in subtle ways, even when people get to know one another in parish activities, unless we vigorously educate ourselves about our neighbors, learn to appreciate their heritages, encounter their own images of us, and strive to work with them on behalf of common causes. “ Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity, A Statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops

Justice in Action Ministry will hold a Communion Breakfast on Sunday, April 22 after the 8:30 am Mass at Mangia. Guest Speaker, Will Miller, a former Catholic Charities’ worker who worked with immigrants and refugees in the Reading area, will educate us this ministry. If interested in attending the breakfast, contact Arlene Seeber 484.794.8027)