Sacred Heart Parish, Lafayette Avenue, Palmerton, celebrates weekend Mass at 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9:30 a.m. Sunday, following all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Allentown Diocesan directives. All worshippers for weekend Mass are asked to call the rectory office at: 610-826-2335 indicating the Mass time and how many will be attending. Daily Mass, Monday through Friday, is celebrated at noon. The church remains open after daily Mass until 3 p.m. for private prayer. Sunday 9:30 a.m. Mass is livestreamed on Facebook for all who are unable to join us in person.

Seating capacity continues to be limited to 160 worshippers at each Mass. Wearing a face mask and safe distancing is required. The Sacrament of Confession continues to be offered by appointment only. Please call the Rectory Office to schedule. All other parish and diocesan news can be found at www.shcpalmerton.org.

This weekend we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Easter. The readings remind us that “Jesus is the stone rejected by the builders which has become the cornerstone.” He is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for us. For this reason this Sunday is often referred to as “Good Shepherd Sunday.” We are asked this weekend to especially pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, religious life and diaconate.

Our second envelope this weekend is our offering to defray the cost of the AD Times, the diocesan newspaper. Any registered parishioner not receiving this bimonthly publication should call the rectory office.

St. John Neumann Regional School will be selling homemade haluski. Preorders only. All orders are due by April 26. $7 per quart. Call or text 484-560-2744 to order. Pick up April 30, St. John Neumann School Gym 3 to 6 p.m.

The Diocesan Annual Campaign “Because We Are Catholic” is now underway. Parishioners are encouraged to support this campaign which funds a variety of services and needs throughout our five county diocese.

Part-time job opportunity for a Director of Religious Program to begin July 1. If interested in learning more about this position, please call Father Campion at: 610-826-2335.

First Holy Communion will be celebrated May 1 at 10 a.m. Please keep these children in prayer as they look forward to receiving this Sacrament - the Real Presence of Jesus.

Father Bill continues to ask for prayers, through the intercession of Father Walter Ciszek whose cause for canonization to Sainthood is under study, that God will bless us with a cure for COVID-19 and restore the physical, spiritual, emotional and financial health to our global family.