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. 24 – Christmas Eve 4:00 p.m. Christmas Memorials 7:00 p.m. Christmas Memorials 10:00 p.m. Christmas Memorials TUESDAY, DEC. 25 – Christmas Day 9:00 a.m. Christmas Memorials WEDNESDAY, DEC. 26 – St. Stephen 8:00 a.m. NO MASS TODAY THURSDAY, DEC. 27 – St. John 7:00 p.m. Matthew Roman FRIDAY, DEC. 28 – The Holy Innocents 8:00 a.m. Louise Brown THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29 4:00 p.m. Deceased Members of the Bodner Family SUNDAY, DEC. 30 8:30 a.m. Lombardo & Fura Families 10:30 a.m. People of the Parish

St. John Baptist de la Salle December 23rd 2018 www.stjohnsfamilyoffaith.com Fourth 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 12/23-29: In loving memory of Kim Manning (requested by

parents, Jean & Bernard Manning)

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, 29 - 4:00PM Lector: Tony Farina Cantor: Deb Brooks Servers: Rosie, Ben & Jack Makosch EM: J.Ambrose, M/R.Favinger, T/S.Yoder, L.Katzaman, B.Yohn SUNDAY, 30 -8:30AM Lector: Ed Lawrence Cantor: Sue Gallen Servers: Lauren & Paige Hagan SUNDAY, 30 - 10:30AM Lector: Craig Turnbaugh Cantor: Scott Tice Servers: Amie Wickel, Molly Yohn EM: C.Yochimowitz, J.Buckley, K.Roché, T.Cannon, S.Artz, J.Hutchko, V.Sottosanti

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.

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: st.jbdls@verizon.net

Weekly Stewardship SUNDAY 12/9- $11,949.

Upcoming Events Sunday, Dec. 23 6:30 pm NO Rel. Ed Classes (classes resume

1/6/19)

Today's Readings First Reading: Micah 5:1-4a Micah speaks of the ruler who will come from Bethlehem. He discusses how the people of Israel will be saved from corruption and live in peace. Second Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10 Paul describes to the Hebrews how Jesus came into the world and offered to do God's will. We were saved through his sacrifice, the only offering sufficient for the sins of the world. Gospel: Luke 1:39-45 Mary paid a visit to Elizabeth, whose baby stirred in her womb upon hearing Mary's greeting. Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." Elizabeth was deeply overjoyed that the words God had spoken to Mary had now been fulfilled.

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE Christmas Eve, December 24th

4:00pm 7:00pm

10:00pm Christmas Day, December 25th

9:00am

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Parish Happenings

PRIME TIMERS NEWS

YOUTH GROUP -Our next meeting will be on January 6th from 6:15-7:45 in the LaSalle cafe. We thank

everyone for their support of the youth group in 2018, and we look forward to another great year as we welcome new members. We wish everyone a blessed and safe Christmas! For more youth group updates and information, 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 • 12/27/18- 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

January & February 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

Parish Penance Service will be this Sunday evening at 7 pm. We will have guest priests helping. This is the last chance to go to confession before Christmas.

Faith Sharing for Women Wednesday, January 2, 2019 Attention women in the parish: Begin 2019 with the resolve to join other women in our family of faith, once a month, for an hour and a half of faith-filled reflection. This non-threatening group will welcome you as a companion on a joint spiritual journey. Faith Sharing for Women will meet on Wednesday, January 2 at 7:30 pm in the Father Lyons Room. This time of sacred sharing and Spirit filled conversation will explore our awareness of our own emptiness and total dependence on God. Bring a bible, journal, pen and an eagerness to enter into this New Year with greater inner peace. For more information contact Arlene Seeber (484.794.8027 or arleneseeber@icloud.com).

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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.

Journey on a 10 Day Pilgrimage with Sacred Heart Parish to Portugal and Spain Visiting Lisbon, Santeram, Fatima, Coimbra, Porto, Braga, Pontevedra and Santiago de Compostela. Departing October 10th and returning October 19th. Price is $2,999 per person based on two people in a room. Included in the price: Roundtrip Air from Newark, Superior 3 and 4 star hotels, porterage for one suitcase, breakfast and dinner daily, Wine Tasting in Porto, tour Escort from beginning to end, Deluxe Motor Coach and Driver, Local Guides where needed. All sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary, Daily Mass, All overseas transfers airports and hotels and All Assistance at overseas airports and hotels. $100 Discount if deposit received before January 10, 2019. If that date is missed $50 discount if deposit received before March 15, 2019. Please contact Bonnie at the rectory for a brochure and more information. Lucille Ferrara will present the trip on Friday, January 4th at 7 PM in the Wachter Room. Come and explore what a pilgrimage to add to your spiritual life!

OppShop Sends “THANK YOU” For Successful Santa Saturday! JAM’s participation in Santa Saturday at Opp Shop brought

joy filled smiles to the children from low-income neighborhoods that came to shop at Opp Shop on December 8. Our volunteers encouraged shy and eager shoppers alike to accept Buddy the Elf’s invitation to share with him their wish list from Santa’s workshop. With cookies in great supply and punch to quench thirsty lips JAM volunteers filled tiny tummies with the sweet taste of human kindness. With over 100 goodie bags filled with donated treats from our parishioners, the children at Opp Shop and their parents witnessed the love of God in a hardy dose of Christmas spirit. Opp Shop, Opportunity House and Justice in Action Ministry say, “Thank You!” for your support and donations. We could not have done it without you.

ST. JOHN’S PRIMETIMERS INVITES PARISHIONERS 50 YEARS AND OLDER TO JOIN US AT OUR GENERAL MEETINGS HELD ON THE FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH SEPTEMER THROUGH JUNE AT NOON IN THE FR. LYONS ROOM. Come and see what our fun loving group of people is all about! During the year you can enjoy great dinner plays, fascinating one day and 3 day trips, including an adventurous Mystery Trip, as well as monthly casinos trips. Each month the entertainment varies, there are delicious goodies to savor and we’re always celebrating our friendships! Our next General Meeting will be at NOON Tuesday, January 8, 2019, so if you’re interested, come and check us out…you’ll find it a wonderful way to start your New Year!! For more Membership information, please call Judy Peters 610.775.8965

Ladies Tea Come in from the cold, relax and enjoy friendly conversation and beautiful violin

selections. Tea sandwiches, sweets and a wonderful array of flavored teas will be tastefully served. Sunday January 20th at 2:00 PM in the Father Lyons room. Snow date will be 2/24 at 2:00PM $5.00 Donation requested.

Please complete the form below and put it in

the collection basket by January 13th . Please make checks payable to St John Baptist

R.C.C. NAME_______________________________ PHONE NUMBER _____________________________

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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

What the Nativity Reveals to People of Faith

Christmas is a season of forgiveness. The nativity opens our eyes to this.

Most of us are familiar with the Nativity of Jesus, the story that chronicles the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 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. But the Nativity of Jesus is far more than a timeline leading up to the Lord’s birth. God offers us a significant gift: a gift of complete forgiveness. Christmas is a season of forgiveness and the nativity opens our eyes to this In 'A Rare Nativity' author Sam Beeson combines two classis Christmas Icons –“The Twelve Days of Christmas” song and the nativity scene – to share a powerful message about the true meaning of Christmas. The story’s narrator holds a bitter grudge as he sends his enemy crude and discarded gifts. The opening lines of the book make this clear: “On the first night of Christmas, I gave my enemy a briar from a tanglewood tree. On the second night of Christmas, I gave my enemy two rotten eggs.”

These gifts begin to pile up night after night –rusty rough-hewn nails, shards of glass, broken tools –along with messages of revenge against the enemy. The night that followed the twelfth day, the narrator wallows in his sallow state against his enemy. He dreams his enemy convulses. He dreams his enemy gags. He dreams his enemy swears. But his dreams are suddenly disrupted when he receives a knock at his front door and a gift on the ground. Little does the narrator know that all of these ordinary objects of trash would be sent back from his enemy, assembled into a traditional nativity crèche and an unexpected request from the enemy: Forgiveness. Each of these odious gifts is nothing less than a Christmas miracle and the narrator’s heart turns. The closing lines reflect this “He turned the other check and made my ugliness a gem. And by doing so, pointed me to lovely Bethlehem.” We see the narrator’s heart transform upon the enemy’s request for forgiveness. The story reminds us that Christmas isn’t about holiday stress, how many gifts are sitting under the tree or holding grudges. Christmas is about forgiveness.

We’ve all been where the enemy in this story has been. When we are hurt by someone and allow hate, as opposed to love live in our hearts, it’s especially hard to forgive. Our pride is injured and our self-esteem destroyed. We want to retaliate and there are resistances that block our motivation to forgive. You may even experience emotions outside of yourself, and dark thoughts you wouldn’t want others to know you’re feeling. We start telling ourselves, “They don’t deserve forgiveness”, “If they want me to forgive them, they need to apologize to me”, “I won’t forgive them unless they accept responsibility for what they’ve done to me”, “I’m too hurt to forgive”, or simply “I don’t want to be the bigger person here”. These thoughts represent the ego and our constant need to be right. But even though we desperately want forgiveness to be about us, it isn’t. The ability to forgive others is rooted in being forgiven ourselves. The Bible tells us that God loved the world so much that he sent His only son so that we would be forgiven. God provides a way for us to be forgiven, through Jesus’ birth. God’s plan of salvation is seen through this beautiful nativity story. He sent Jesus into the world as a sacrifice for our sins. God wasn’t in His head about it. He offered us one of the greatest gifts because He truly loves us.

On top of the beautiful gift of salvation and forgiveness offered through Jesus’ birth, the Bible states that when someone hurts us, we have an obligation to God to forgive that person. This point is made clear by Jesus “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others of their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Refusing to forgive is a sin and if we don’t open our hearts to forgiving others, we are missing the significance of Christ’s birth.

Matthew 5:43-44 tells us “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” As Beeson brings these verses from the Gospel of Matthew to life with 'A Rare Nativity,' we too are invited to grant open-hearted forgiveness with others. If you’re holding a grudge, or simply have trouble forgiving someone in your life, let it go. While forgiveness is a decision of the will, remember that God commands us to forgive. There are numerous verses in the Bible that remind us of the commandment to “forgive one another” and though we can’t turn everyone’s heart towards forgiveness, God still desires that we possess a forgiving spirit. Why? Because in Christ, God forgave. Ephesians 4:32 reminds us of this “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” To forgive is one of the greatest gifts we can offer this Christmas.

sourced: Lesli White: www.beliefnet.com

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