September 2019 - Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg

Veneration of Padre Pio Relics on Feast Day

NewsBy Miller September 30, 2019

“Pray, hope and don’t worry. Worry is useless. Our Merciful Lord will listen to your prayer.” These words spoken by St. Pio of Pietrelcina, commonly known as Padre Pio, were certainly on the minds of the countless members of the faithful who traveled to St. Peter Church in Elizabethtown on Sept. 23. On the feast day of St. Padre Pio, the parish was blessed to host two relics of this gentle friar who bore the wounds of Christ.

Touched
Catholics throughout the greater Elizabethtown area flocked to St. Peter’s throughout the day, bringing their prayers and petitions and asking for Padre Pio’s intersections. Two relics – a glove and robe – were on display. Following veneration of the relics and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, a Mass with Prayers for Healing was held.

St. Joseph Parish in York Celebrates Capuchins’ 40 Years There

NewsBy Miller September 24, 2019

The people of St. Joseph Parish in York demonstrated their love and gratitude for the Capuchin Franciscan Friars who have served their parish and school for 40 years with an anniversary Mass on Sept. 7.

The celebration extended to nearly 20 Capuchins who have previously served St. Joseph’s, and who returned to the parish to concelebrate Mass with Bishop Ronald Gainer and Father Thomas Betz., OFM Cap., Provincial of the Capuchin Friars’ Province of St. Augustine based in Pittsburgh.

National Conference of Burmese Catholics Returns to Founding Roots in Harrisburg

NewsBy Miller September 23, 2019

The National Conference of Burmese-American Catholics gathered for its tenth annual conference at Trinity High School in Camp Hill, Aug. 31-Sept. 1, returning to the roots of the now-national organization.

The purpose of the NCBAC is to bring together Burmese Catholics living in the United States, and provide opportunities for growth in the faith, prayer, worship and community building. It is under the auspices of the Asian-Pacific Islander Subcommittee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church.

Father Bateman Reflects on Three Years in Rome

NewsBy Miller September 20, 2019

Father John Bateman, a priest of the Diocese of Harrisburg, returned to the Diocese this summer following more than three years in Rome, where he served as Secretary to the Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and earned a degree Canon Law. Currently serving as a Canonical Consultant in the Diocesan Tribunal, Father Bateman offered this reflection on his time of service and study in Rome:

It is SO good to be home! After three-plus years living/working/studying in Rome, I am very happy to be back in the Diocese. My journey to Rome to work for Cardinal O’Brien (who is the Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem), receive my degree in Canon Law and actually become a member of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre was truly led by God. The blessings that God has showered upon me these past three-and-a-half years are clear evidence of the Lord’s presence and direction.

Students Receive Blessings in York Catholic’s Renovations

NewsBy Miller September 19, 2019

Students at York Catholic High School began their year with striking renovations on campus aimed at enhancing their academic and extra-curricular experiences.

Through the efforts of its “Grow Today, Impact Tomorrow” Capital Campaign, York Catholic unveiled a new turf athletic field on Aug. 19 and celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony for renovated classrooms and facility-wide air conditioning on Sept. 5.

Lebanon Catholic Kicks off School Year with Mass and Blessing of Renovated Gym

NewsBy Miller September 17, 2019

The Lebanon Catholic School community of students, families, faculty members, alumni and supporters gathered on Assumption Hill Sept. 1 for a “back to school” Mass that included the blessing of the school’s renovated gym by Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades.

The gym is the hub of activities at Lebanon Catholic, which enrolls students in PreK-12, and the site of the first community-wide liturgy that kicked off the start of a new school year.

Parishes Offer ‘Surviving Divorce’ Program for a Path toward Healing

Faith ForwardBy Miller September 16, 2019

A year ago, Pat Smith was in turmoil.

Her marriage of 40-plus years had just ended in divorce.

“I was totally devastated. I felt ashamed. I left like I was a failure,” she said.

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NewsBy Miller September 15, 2019

Once upon a time, a young person came across a cottage deep within a forest. This cottage was a truly magical abode since it was the home of the Master Builder. Upon approaching the front door, the young person raised their hand to knock. The door opened and a voice said, “Welcome my daughter/son! Come right in!”

As the young person’s eyes adjusted to the room’s lighting, they saw the project on which the Master Builder was working; a life-size crucifix. The Corpus was lying on the table while the cross was propped against the wall.

San Juan Preschool Celebrates 15 years of Early Childhood Development

NewsBy Miller September 13, 2019

September 2 marked the 15th anniversary of San Juan Bautista Preschool in Lancaster, and its commitment to early childhood development. The celebration kicked off this month with a campaign to raise $15,000 in 60 days, with a matching gift, giving the school the potential to raise $30,000.

The anniversary also celebrates the high school graduations of the preschool’s first graduating class 15 years ago.

Marian Pilgrimage Draws Catholics to Centralia

NewsBy Miller September 11, 2019

The annual Marian Pilgrimage at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Centralia drew hundreds of Eastern and Latin Rite Catholics to the near-ghost town in Columbia County on Aug. 25.

The church, with its spotless white bell tower, overlooks the once-flourishing coal town, rendered desolate since the underground mine fires that ignited in 1962. Each August, the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia hosts a Marian pilgrimage on the church grounds, drawing worshipers from along the east coast.

Monthly Archives: September 2019