Diversity / Multicultural – Prince of Peace

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

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.

Loving Father, help us to face the challenges of daily life with confidence in your love and protection. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

LITURGICAL SERVICES AND PARISH ACTIVITIES 2026:

NOTE: During the month of October we will pray the Rosary 1/2 hour prior to each weekday and weekend Masses.

Thursday, October 15, 2026: No Morning Mass. Feast of St. Teresa of Jesus

Friday, October 16, 2026: Morning Mass at 7:00pm

Saturday, October 17, 2026: Vigil Mass for 29th. Sunday in Ordinary Time at 4:00pm…World Mission Sunday Second Collection

Sunday, October 18, 2026: 29th. Sunday in Ordinary Time. Mass at 8:30 and 10:30am. World Mission Sunday Second Collection.

Monday, October 19, 2026: No Morning Mass

Tuesday, October 20, 2026: No Morning Mass

Tuesday, October 20, 2026: Mary’s Helpers Food and Clothing Pantry from 10am to 12 noon

Tuesday, October 20, 2026: Religious Education Class in the Library of the Parish Center at 6:15pm

Wednesday, October 21, 2026: No Morning Mass

Wednesday, October 21, 2026: Boscov’s Friends Helping Friends Shopping

Thursday, October 22, 2026: No Morning Mass

Friday, October 23, 2026: No Morning Mass

Friday, October 23, 2026: Prep for Spaghetti Dinner at 10:00am

Saturday, October 24 , 2026: 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Vigil Mass at 4:00pm

Sunday, October 25, 2026: 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Mass at 8:30 and 10:30am.

Sunday, October 25, 2026: Spaghetti on Second Dinner in the Parish Center form 11:30am to 2:00pm.

Monday, October 26, 2026: No Morning Mass

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

Tuesday, October 27, 2026: Mary’s Helpers Food and Clothing Pantry from 4pm to 6pm

Tuesday, October 27, 2026: Religious Ed Class at 6:15pm in the Library of the Parish Center.

Wednesday, October 28, 2026: Morning Mass at 7:00am

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

Thursday, October 29, 2026: Pastoral Council Meeting at 6:00pm

Friday, October 30, 2026: Morning Mass at 7:00am

Saturday, October 31, 2026: Trunk or Treat from 11am to 2pm in front of our Parish complex and in the GYM of the Parish Center.

Saturday, October 31, 2026: Vigil Mass for All Saints at 4:00pm

Sunday, November 1, 2026: Feast of All Saints. Morning Mass at 8:30 and 10:30am.

Monday, November 2, 2026: All Souls Day

Monday, November 2, 2026: No Morning Mass

Monday, November 2, 2026: Mass followed by Remembrance Service to Commemorate our Deceased Parishioners at 6:00pm

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

SEPTEMBER 2026

Tuesday, September 22, 2026 from 10am to 12 noon

Tuesday, September 29, 2026 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm

OCTOBER 2026

Tuesday, October 13, 2026 from 10am to 12 noon

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 from 10am to 12 noon

Tuesday, October 27, 2026 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm

During the month of September we are collecting canned sweet potatoes (yams) and stove top stuffing for the Pantry. You may contact the Pantry or the Parish Office if you wish to donate.

Please contact Mary’s Helpers Pantry at 717-985-1332 or email pop.parish@comcast.net with any questions or concerns.