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All Saints' Day, Halloween and All Souls' Day: What's the difference? This brief video and article explains the difference between All Saints' Day, Halloween, and All Souls' Day... 
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 Thirty years ago, Monsignor Bierster made a commitment of prayers and financial help to St. Joan of Arc School in Tarasse, Haiti. This school is part of Our Lady of Lourdes parish. Successive pastors have faithfully supported this school in Haiti. But it was only this past August that the Pastoral Council of the parish officially (and unanimously) sanctioned Our Lady of Lourdes parish as our “sister-parish”. The money we send each year ($20,000) pays for the salaries of ALL the teachers at the school and also provides a meal (usually of rice and beans) to the children of the school three times a week. (Can you imagine doing all of that in the United States for $20,000!) But after being there and seeing the real poverty AND the real Christian joy in the lives of these, our brothers and sisters, I know that we can do more! There are many needs and it could possibly be overwhelming but if we simply take one step at a time we will be able to truly BE PART OF A NOBLE CAUSE! This is how we will start:
• Organize a HAITI COMMITTEE of concerned St. Joan of Arc parishioners whose hearts are moved with compassion to help. I will authorize this committee to do fundraisers and to make our parishioners aware of the many needs. • Initiate a SECOND COLLECTION once a year to provide additional funds to our sister-parish. (I think a good time to take up the collection would be the Ash Wednesday Collection to connect our giving with the Season of Lent.) • Pray for the SPECIFIC NEEDS of the parish in Haiti. I have already asked Father Mario, the pastor, to provide me with monthly intercessions from Our Lady of Lourdes and I will provide intercessions to him from St. Joan of Arc. Sounds pretty simple, doesn’t it? But, of course, I want us to be creative and think of ways for us to come to know - and not just help - the good people of Haiti. We can learn from them and vice versa. I am excited about our future with Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and St. Joan of Arc School. Won’t you share my excitement? God bless and thank you in advance for the great things we will do together! Father Al  All Saint's Day: November 1st
Mass Schedule: Oct. 31 - Vigil of Holy Day: 6:00pm Nov. 1 - Holy Day: 6:45am, 9:00am, 7:00pm  Preparing for the Nov. 8th Election In keeping with its mission, the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference (PCC) aims to educate and inform Catholics about a wide range of issues. To that end, they have compiled a series of resources to help to educate you about some of the issues and topics of import to Catholics. You can view this information on their website here “We need to participate for the common good. Sometimes we hear: a good Catholic is not interested in politics. This is not true: good Catholics immerse themselves in politics by offering the best of themselves so that the leader can govern.” -Pope Francis PRINTABLE RESOURCES: Click Here 
 One of the issues that is a major problem in the United States is addiction. It seems as if more and more people (especially young people) are caught up in the vicious cycle of addictive behavior, whether it be drugs (heroin is an especially virulent problem here in Pennsylvania), alcohol (always a problem), and pornography. The latter is especially widespread because of the ease in which pornographic material is available through computers and cell phones. This is not something only the Church is worried about. Even secular society is recognizing how detrimental pornography can be, especially to children. This past week on the Priests’ Continuing Education Workshop, we had a wonderful speaker on this subject. Did you know that the average age in which a child is first exposed to pornography is seven years old? Unbelievable. There is an excellent workshop being held in our diocese on November 12th at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Mechanicsburg that will address the problem of pornography in our society. Called INTEGRITY RESTORED, it will address this problem head on and give very practical ways to deal with it. More information will be forthcoming in the bulletin and through flyers and pulpit announcements. Pornography can ruin lives, families and relationships. Think about attending this workshop. It may be the best thing you do this year! Father Al  For more information on this event, or to register: Click Here
 The Interfaith Shelter for Homeless Families (located in suburban Harrisburg) is in need of the following donations: silverware (especially teaspoons), laundry detergent, blankets (twin size), towels and washcloths, personal care products, and air mattresses (or small cots). If you can help, please contact Yvette Dick, Interfaith Shelter House Manager at 717-652-8740. Thank you for your generosity! *A very generous parishioner has offered to transport any items collected at our parish to the shelter. If you would like to donate items, you may bring them to the lobby area outside of the parish office door. Please be careful to place them in the bin marked “Interfaith Shelter” to ensure they are not mistakenly placed with items being collected for the Annual CCW Christmas Bazaar. The Knights of Columbus extend a sincere "Thank You" for your support of this year's Oktoberfest.   MASS INTENTIONS: 2017 Mass Intentions may be scheduled beginning Tuesday, November 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the parish office. NOTE: Up to 4 intentions may be scheduled.
CALENDARS: Parish Calendars for 2017 are available at the back of the church. ALL SOULS ENVELOPES: Please return your envelopes to the parish office by Thursday, October 27. REP TEACHERS NEEDED: We are seeking two catechists for Sunday mornings in grades 1 and 2. Grade 1 needs a replacement (or two who can share the class); grade 2 needs a partner who can alternate weeks. If you love your faith and desire to share it with our youngsters, please contact Marcie for more information at mwarner@stjoanhershey.org or 533-7168 Ext 112.  The Knights of Columbus will hold a Rosary Prayer Service following the 5:15 Mass on Saturday October 29th. Come out and help pray for Pro-Life in our world.
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