"> Parish Happenings – Prince of Peace

Super Bowl Sub Sale

Our Knights of Columbus are sponsoring their annual Super Bowl Sub Sale on Saturday, February 7th. Pick-up is between 10am and 12 noon in our Parish Center at 815 South Second Street.

Our subs are freshly made with Liscio’s rolls, quality meats, cheeses, crisp lettuce, tomato and onion. You have a choice of Italian, Ham or Turkey for $9.00 each. The lettuce, tomato and onion are wrapped separately.

Orders will be taken the weekend of January 24th thru February 1, 2025 by contacting Gary Wright at 717-364-4871, Ron Benkovic at 717-939-9914 or the Parish Office at 717-985-1330.

Sunday, January 18th.

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

To Bear Witness

Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God (John 1:34)

Television cameras often zero in on athletes pounding their chests after a successful play. Less obvious are those who point their finger in the direction of a teammate who made the play possible. These are the ones who exemplify team sports at their best.

When John the Baptist points at Jesus in today’s Gospel, he chooses to draw attention away from himself and toward the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. It sounds too little to say that the forerunner is giving credit where credit is due, for the very substance of John’s being is to bear witness to the One who alone can save.

A couple simple questions for reflection: Does my way of being point unambiguously to the One from whom I draw life? Is my life, fundamentally, an act of bearing witness?

Fr. Dennis Gallagher, A.A. Fr. Dennis is vice president for mission at Assumption University, Worcester, MA.

“Living Faith Daily Catholic Devotions”

“Spaghetti On Second Dinner”

Unfortunately we have cancelled our dinner scheduled for Sunday, January 25th. due to the “SNOWY” Forecast.

We have rescheduled our dinner to Sunday, February 22nd. from 11:30am to 2:00pm in our Parish Center. Join us at Prince of Peace Parish-Assumption of the BVM Church.

If you have reservations or tickets for the dinner we will, of course, honor those at the dinner on February 22nd.

The cost of the dinner which includes a tossed salad, homemade pasta, two large meatballs, two slices of Italian bread and choice of coffee, bottled water or soda is $15.00. Eat in or take out is available for your convenience. If you bring your children, their dinner may be shared as the dinner is adult size.

Desserts will be available for purchasing. Bring your family, friends and neighbors to enjoy our homemade pasta and meatballs. You won’t be disappointed.

Contact the Parish Office at 717-985-1330 for tickets or they may be purchased at the dinner. Thank you for your consideration.

What Does It Mean to Be Catholic?

What Does It Mean To Be Catholic? 

The Catholic Church was founded by Christ and his Apostles.  There are four marks or characteristics of the Church, and we are reminded of them each time we pray the Nicene Creed at Mass.

One:  Means all members are united as the Body of Christ, given life by the one Spirit.  We acknowledge one Lord, one faith, one Baptism.

Holy: Means the Church is centered on God.  It is Christ who, by his sacrifice, makes the Church holy.

Catholic:  Means universal.  The Church is for all times and all people.  The Church is “the fullness” of the means of salvation”. (CCC830)

Apostolic:  Means the Church is built on the foundation of the Apostles.  We teach the doctrine of Jesus as it has been handed down through the apostles and their successors, the pope and bishops.

Each Catholic is called to full and active participation in the life of the Church and has the right and responsibility to:

1.) Attend Mass on Sundays and on Holy Days of Obligation.

2.  Confess your sins, through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a least once a year.

3.  Receive the Eucharist.

4. Observe the days of fasting Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and abstinence on Ash Wednesday in Lent established by the Church.

5. Help to provide for the needs of the Church

Encountering Christ and being a witness to his love means we are called to live like Jesus and work for justice and peace in this world by living the 10 commandments, the Beatitudes, the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy and the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

We are called to stand for the: Life and dignity of the Human Person, Call to Family, Community and Participation, Rights and Responsibilities of the Human Person, Option for the Poor and Vulnerable, Dignity of Work and Rights of workers, Solidarity of the Human Family, Care for God’s Creatures.

 

Infant of Prague

It was a little painted statue and stood a foot and a half high, was dressed in exquisite court dress, and cherished as an heirloom wedding gift. It came from Spain during an early spread of devotion to the Christ Child.

In the 17th century, a Spanish noblewoman named Isabel Manrique gave this little statue to her daughter Marie when Marie married a Czech noble. Marie gave it, in turn, to her own daughter Polyxena when the later married.

Polyxena treasured it for many years, but at last gifted it to the Carmelite monastery of Our Lady of Victory.

Shortly afterward the Czech kingdom was invaded by the Saxons, forcing the Carmelites to flee their monastery. The statue of the Christ Child, damaged and tattered was left behind in the ruins of the church.

Ten years later in 1638, a Carmelite priest found it. He took it to his church in Prague and displayed it by the altar.

Suddenly, as he knelt in prayer before it, the statue spoke, saying: “Have mercy on me and I will have mercy on you. Give Me My hands and I will give you peace. The more you honor Me the more I will bless you.”

After this, many miracles were reported to have been wrought through the statue and devotion to the Christ Child increased all the more.

Many saints, such as Therese of Lisieux and Francis of Assisi, were greatly devoted to the Infant Jesus. Nurture love for the Child Jesus in your own home.

The Catholic Company: Bite-Sized Faith

SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

Spiritual Communion:

     My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.  I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul.  Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.

    I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.

     Never permit me to be separated from You.  Amen.

Blessed Virgin Mary Grotto

Dear Friends

Visit our Grotto at Prince of Peace Parish-Assumption of the BVM Church. Pray to our Blessed  Mother for peace in our country and the world and ask her assistance to bring friends and families who are not practicing their faith to return to her Son, Our Lord Jesus.

Our Blessed Virgin Mary Grotto is the Queen of Peace.

Sacrifice of the Mass

The Sign of the Cross and the Greeting tells us who we are as we gather to enter into the Mystery of Our Lord’s Death and Resurrection.

The Penitential Rite  gives us the opportunity to acknowledge our sinfulness as we approach the Sacrifice of Christ that destroys sin and bring us back into a relationship with God.

The Gloria is a hymn that leads us to praise glorify, adore, thank and ask our Triune God for all we, His sons and daughter, need as we beg His mercy.

The Opening Prayer or “Collect” collects the intentions of the people assembled and presents them to God by the priest who stands in persona Christi (in the person of Christ).

In the Reading of the Old Testament we hear the story of God’s covenant with His chosen people Israel and the revelation of Himself that speaks of His mercy and desire for their salvation.

The Responsorial Psalm is the faithful’s response of praise and thanksgiving to God’s Word in the First Reading . It reminds us that we are not passive listeners to the Word; we are in a relationship of love with the Word of God.

The Second Reading from the New Testament tells us of God’s New and Eternal Covenant forged in the Blood of His Son who is the Word Made Flesh.

The Gospel is a proclamation of an event from the life of Our Savior.  In the readings from Holy Scripture that are not taken from the Gospel, it is God who speaks to His people.  But when the Gospel is proclaimed, it is specifically Christ Jesus, true God and true man, who speaks to us.

The Homily is a vital part of the liturgy of the Mass that explains the Holy Scriptures and instructs us in the Faith.

The Profession of Faith (the Nicene Creed) is the ancient formula of beliefs that unites the people assembled with the Universal Church of all ages in their expression of their Faith in Christ.

General Intercessions or Prayer of the Faithful offers prayers to God for the Church the world, and the need of people both living and dead.

The Preparation Rite is the offering of the bread and wine brought to His altar by the priest on behalf of the people of God assembled.  The people participate in the offering by virtue of their baptism into the priestly people of God.

The Eucharistic Prayer makes present the Mystery of Our Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection.  Christ’s Sacrifice of the Cross, His offering to the Faith of Himself for the salvation of the world is represented on the altar.  At the words of consecration the bread and wine brought to the altar become the Body Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ.  The baptized are called to participate in the sacrifice of Christ that is made present through the ministry of the ordained priest.

The Our Father begins the Rite of Communion.  We are faithful to Jesus’ command to pray in the words He taught us.  The priest prays for deliverance from evil, peace, and freedom from anxiety as we wait for the coming of Christ Our Savior in glory.  The priest extends a greeting of Christ’s peace to all present in the assembly.  The faithful share a sign of peace with one another.  The priest comingles a portion of the Sacred Host that he has broken in the chalice of the Precious Blood. The faithful sing the Agnus Dei. “Lamb of God You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, grant us peace.”

Communion has arrived.  The faithful go forward to receive His Sacred Body.  This reception of the Holy Eucharist effects communion between the individual and God and among the individual members of the Body of Christ.

The priest then blesses the people in the name of the Holy Trinity and dismisses all to go forth to witness to Christ in the world.

No One is a mere spectator at Mass.  All of the baptized are invited to participate in the sacred Mysteries by full, conscious and active participation.  This participation is not limited to eternal expression.  It must also be an external expression of faith and devotion.  The mass is an awesome treasure! It is Christ’s work of salvation active in our midst!

Upcoming Parish Liturgical & Social Events

 Confessions are scheduled every Saturday in our Parish Church from 3 pm to 3:30 pm.  Our Saturday Vigil  Mass at 4:00 pm  and  Sunday Mass at 8:30 am  and 10:30 am will be celebrated in our Parish Church and the doors will open 1/2 hour prior to the start of Mass.

Croatian Masses are scheduled the first Sunday of each month at 5:00pm celebrated by Fr. Maurus Dolcic, TOR.  Confessions in the Croatian language will begin at 4:00pm.  This schedule may change periodically due to Fr. Dolcic’s other liturgical responsibilities.

Mass will be live streamed every Sunday morning at  10:30 am on our Facebook page, MyParish App and on our webpage (popsteelton.org).  For those of you who do not have a computer, you may listen to the Mass on your phone by calling the below toll free number:       1-855-635-1965

    You may tune your radio station to 90.7 FM and listen to the Mass in your car in the back parking lot. You would need to come into our Parish Church to receive the Holy Eucharist.

   Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Son of Man: Come, let us adore him, alleluia!

LITURGICAL SERVICES AND PARISH ACTIVITIES 2025:

Thursday, January 22, 2026: March for Life Mass at 12 noon/Cathedral

12:30pm Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

12:30pm-5:30pm Eucharistic Adoration

5:30pm Benediction

Friday, January 23, 2026: Washington, DC “March for Life”

Friday, January 23, 2026: Morning Mass at 7:00am

Saturday, January 24, 2025: Vigil Mass at 4:00pm Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sunday, January 25, 2026: Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Word of God Sunday. Mass at 8:30 and 10:30am. Catholic Schools Week (Jan 25/Jan. 31, 2026)

Sunday, January 25, 2026: WE HAVE CANCELLED THE DINNER DUE TO THE “SNOWY” forecast. We have rescheduled the dinner to Sunday, February 22nd from 11:30am to 2:00pm in our Parish Center. Eat in or take out is available. Thank you for your consideration. It is greatly appreciated.

Monday, January 26, 2026: No Morning Mass

Tuesday, January 27, 2026: Morning Mass at 7:00am

Tuesday, January 27, 2026: Mary’s Helpers Pantry from 10am to 12 noon

Tuesday, January 27, 2026: Religious Ed Class at 6:000pm in Library of Parish Center

Wednesday, January 28, 2025: Morning Mass at 7:00am

Thursday, January 29, 2026: Morning Mass at 7:00am

Friday, January 30, 2025: Morning Mass at 7:00am

Saturday, January 31, 2026: Vigil Mass 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time at 4:00pm.

Sunday, February 1, 2026: Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Mass at 8:30 and 10:30am.

Sunday, February 1, 2026, Family Gathering in the Parish Center following our 10:30am Mass.

Sunday, February 1, 2026: Croatian Confessions by Fr. Dolcic at 4:00pm

Sunday, February 1, 2026: Mass at 5:00pm in the Croatian Language celebrated by Fr. Maurus Dolcic.

Monday, February 2, 2026: Presentation of the Lord. Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Larlick at 6:00pm. Bring your candles from home to be blessed. There will be candles available in church as well.


Mary’s Helpers Food Pantry

Mary’s Helpers was established in 2008 under the supervision of Sister Sue Ann Steves.  Over the years the Food Pantry has established relationships with PA State Medical Center,  and other charitable organizations. 

The Food Pantry, Mary’s Helpers, purchases their food supplies from the Central PA Food Bank and receives donations from Prince of Peace Parishioners,  Matthew-25 Grants via the Diocese of Harrisburg and the United Way.  PA State Medical Center and the Central PA Food Bank hold classes to assist the needy in the area with dietary needs, blood pressure screenings and “Flu” shots. We rely on our dedicated volunteers to give assistance to the Food Pantry and to our Chairpersons.  Our volunteers are dedicated to the Food Pantry which Sr. Sue Ann Steves established and will continue to be of service to our local community.

Mary’s Helpers Food Pantry and Clothing Store

will be open on the following dates in

JANUARY 2026

Tuesday, January 27, 10am to 12 noon…CANCELLED DUE TO THE WINTRY FORECAST

We are asking for donations of canned soups and canned vegetables for the month of January!!!

FEBRUARY 2026

Tuesday, February 3, from 10am to 12 Noon

Tuesday, February 10, from 10 am to 12 Noon

Tuesday, February 17, from 10am to 12 Noon

Tuesday, February 24, from 4:00 pm to 6:00pm

Please contact the office of Prince of Peace Parish at

                  717-985-1330 with any questions.

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