Category: Parish News

A Special Message from Father Bob
October 18, 2026

Regarding the hostilities that have been shown towards the Catholic Church in Lebanon, with the desecration of our statues and the street preachers who have shown up at St. Mary’s and over at St. Cecilia’s, I’ve advised Bishop Senior and Monsignor Quinlan, the Vicar General, and our Diocesan Attorney of the situation.

If the street preachers show up again outside on the sidewalk, basically what they do is simply tell us we’re wrong, and they have a right to do that. So simply ignore them.

Jesus said, if they’re going to hate Me, they’re going to hate you as well. As long as they are preaching and acting within their constitutional rights, they have the right to do that.

If they step out of line and become more aggressive, then we will take some legal action. But the bishop is aware of some of the hostilities that are going on here in Lebanon, and we are monitoring the situation very carefully.

I don’t think those are hostilities that endanger any of us. It’s just showing animus in this world in which we live—animus towards the Catholic Church.

We’re about the last castle to be conquered. And so be a good, strong, courageous missionary out there.

—Father Bob

📣 Parish Announcements

Parish Announcements · Sunday, November 8, 2026

From Deacon Wentzel

Thank You for Supporting the Christmas Bazaar
Thank you to everyone who helped make the Council of Catholic Women’s Christmas Bazaar a success! Basket raffle tickets will be available until the drawing after Mass this morning.

CCW Christmas Dinner · Wednesday, December 2
The Council of Catholic Women’s Christmas dinner will be held in Frederick Hall. Tickets are $25 and are available from the parish office.

Diocesan Youth Conference · Saturday, November 21
Students in grades 7–12 are encouraged to attend the annual Diocesan Youth Conference. Bus transportation will be provided to and from the conference. See the bulletin for details, and invite a friend!

Parents, please encourage your teens to attend. Our parish’s formal religious education program runs through eighth grade, and the conference gives high school students an opportunity to grow in their Catholic faith alongside other teens.

LCCM Food Collection · November 14–15
Our next food collection for Lebanon County Christian Ministries will take place the weekend of November 14–15.

Diocesan Annual Campaign
Our parish still needs $10,000 to reach this year’s goal of $74,300. First-time donors can pick up campaign materials in the narthex. If you give through a coupon book, please consider making an extra payment to help us reach our goal.

Ignite Campaign Update from Father Bob
Father Bob explained that our parish’s $810,000 Ignite Campaign goal is a fundraising target. All gifts are voluntary, and the parish faces no penalty if we fall short. The campaign will help strengthen the diocese’s financial future.

Father Bob will attend an Ignite Campaign dinner in Harrisburg this week and share more information when he returns.

PRINT a black and white copy here ⬇️

Interested in Becoming Catholic? ✝️

Have you been thinking about becoming Catholic—or completing the Sacraments you began earlier in life?

St. Mary’s offers OCIA (formerly RCIA) for adults who are:
• Seeking Baptism
• Already baptized in another Christian tradition and interested in becoming Catholic
• Baptized Catholic but wishing to complete their Sacraments of Initiation

We also offer Religious Education for children and young people, helping prepare them for the Sacraments, including First Holy Communion and Confirmation, while growing in their understanding of Scripture, prayer, and our Catholic faith.

Perhaps you’ve been thinking about it for a while. This may be the time to take that next step.

For information or to ask questions, please contact our Director of Religious Education through the parish office at 717-272-5674.

Please share this post—you never know who may be waiting for an invitation. ❤️

There is always room for one more heart in prayer. ❤️

We are blessed to offer Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday at St. Mary’s, beginning immediately after the 8:00 AM Mass and concluding with the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and Benediction at 10:30 AM.

We are looking for parishioners who are able to spend some time with Our Lord on Wednesday mornings. During Eucharistic Adoration, the Blessed Sacrament may never be left unattended, so having faithful adorers throughout the morning is an important ministry in the life of our parish.

Whether you can stay for the entire morning or just part of the time, your presence makes a difference. Even one hour—or a portion of an hour—helps ensure that someone is always there in prayer before the Lord.

If your schedule allows, please consider stopping by to spend some quiet time with Jesus.

Eucharistic Adoration
🗓 Wednesdays
⛪ Immediately following the 8:00 AM Mass
🙏 Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet & Benediction at 10:30 AM

“Could you not watch with me one hour?” — Matthew 26:40

Download and print Father Bob’s homilies for prayer, reflection, or sharing with others. Behind each link to the printable homily is a link to the appropriate gospel reading. Click any homily title below to download the printable PDF

You’re Invited to Grow in Faith & Friendship ✨

Looking for encouragement, connection, and time to grow spiritually with other women of faith?

Join us!

Women of Faith – St. Mary’s Parish

EVERY Tuesday

🕘 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

🌙 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

(Come to the time that works best for you!)

Women Sharing Faith – Our Lady of Fatima

📅 First and Third Saturday of each month

🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon

These gatherings are a beautiful opportunity to pray together, reflect on Scripture, share life’s joys and challenges, and strengthen one another in Christ.

“Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” — Matthew 18:20

To add or remove a name from this list, please call Diane in the parish office at 717-272-5674. Thank you and God bless you.