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:

Saturday, August 15, 2026: Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Patroness of our Parish Church. Mass will be celebrated as 4:00pm.

Sunday, August 16, 2026: Honoring the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sunday Mass at 8:30am and 10:30am.

Monday, August 17, 2026: No Morning Mass

Monday, August 17, 2026: Football Kick-Off Sub orders are being taken by the Knights of Columbus. Italian, Ham & cheese, turkey & cheese for $9.00 each. Pick-up date for the subs is Saturday, September 5th from 10am to 12 noon. Contact any Knight or call the Parish Office at 717-985-1330.

Tuesday, August 18, 2026: Morning Mass at 7:00am

Tuesday, August 18, 2026: Mary’s Helpers Food and Clothing Pantry from 10am to 12 noon.

Wednesday, August 19, 2026: Morning Mass at 7:00am

Thursday, August 20, 2026: Morning Mass at 7:00am

Friday, August 21, 2026: Morning Mass at 7:00am

Saturday, August 22, 2026: Vigil Mass for 21st. Sunday in Ordinary Time at 4:00pm

Sunday, August 23, 2026: 21st. Sunday in Ordinary Time. Mass at 8:30am and 10:30am.

Sunday, August 23, 2026: Knights of Columbus Sub Sale Orders begin

Monday, August 24, 2026: No Morning Mass

Tuesday, August 25, 2026: Morning Mass at 7:00am

Tuesday, August 25, 2006: Mary’s Helpers Food and Clothing Pantry from 4:00pm to 6:00pm

Wednesday, August 26, 2026: Morning Mass at 7:00am

Thursday, August 27, 2026: Morning Mass at 7:00am

Friday. August 28, 2026: Morning Mass at 7:00am

Saturday. August 29, 2026: Knights of Columbus Sub Sale pick-up

Saturday, August 29, 2026: Vigil Mass for 22nd. Sunday in Ordinary time at 4:00pm

Sunday, August 30, 2026: 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Mass at 8:30am and 10:30am.

Monday, August 31, 2026: No Morning Mass

Tuesday, September 1, 2026: Morning Mass at 7:00am

Tuesday, September 1, 2026: 50+ Senior Club Luncheon at 1:00pm in Parish Center

Tuesday, September 1, 2026: Knights of Columbus Meeting at 7:00pm in Parish Office

Wednesday, September 2, 2026: Morning Mass at 7:00am

Thursday, September 3, 2026: Morning Mass at 7:00am

Friday, September 4, 2026: Morning Mass at 7:00am

Saturday, September 5, 2026: Knights of Columbus Sub Order Pick-up between 10am and 12 noon in the GYM of the Parish Center.

Saturday, September 5, 2026: Vigil Mass for 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time at 4:00pm

Sunday, September 6, 2026: 23rd. Sunday in Ordinary Time. Mass at 8:30 and 10:30am.

Monday, September 7, 2026: Happy Labor Day Holiday to all. We will celebrate Mass at 9:00am today.

Monday, September 7, 2026: Parish Office will be closed for the holiday.

Tuesday, September 8, 2026: Morning Mass at 7:00am

Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Morning Mass at 7:00am

Thursday, September 10, 2026: Morning Mass at 7:00am

Friday, September 11, 2026: Morning Mass at 7:00am

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

AUGUST 2026

Tuesday, August 18, 2026 from 10am to 12 noon

Tuesday, August 25, 2026 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm

SEPTEMBER 2026

Tuesday, September 15, 2026 from 10am to 12 noon

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

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

During the month of August we are collecting canned chicken and canned tuna 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.