Sacred Heart Parish, Lafayette Avenue, Palmerton, will celebrate weekend Masses on Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Sunday’s Mass will be livestreamed on the parish Facebook page.

Please note: Most COVID restrictions in the diocese have been lifted except for sharing the cup during the Eucharist and offering the sign of peace. The bishops of Pennsylvania have removed the dispensation for nonattendance at Mass effective Aug. 15. All Catholics, without a significant reason, are obliged to Sunday worship. We look forward to having all our parish families return.

This weekend we celebrate the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Old Testament reading reminds us how God provided Elijah with cake and water to strengthen him on his journey. Our Gospel reading reminds us that Jesus gives Himself to us as the Bread of Life to nourish us on our earthly pilgrimage.

At Masses this weekend Nancy Matsko, our director of religious education, will speak after communion to introduce herself to our parish family.

Anyone interested in becoming a Catholic or in need of instruction for Eucharist and/or Confirmation should plan on being part of this year’s Rite of Christian Education Program.

For more information, please call the rectory office at 610-826-2335. Program will start in September.

Last week Father Bill and 18 parishioners completed the Stop the Bleed instruction presented by Andrea Nesfeder and associates of St. Luke’s Trauma Team. The Parish Safety, Security and Maintenance Committee continues to look for ways to have the best and safest worship environment possible.

Registration for St. John Neumann Regional School continues for the upcoming 2021-22 school year. For information please call the school office at 610-826-2354.

Sign-up sheets for the Palmerton Festival for our stand and kitchen are available at the writing desks in the church. Parishioners are asked to volunteer. The second collection next weekend will be taken up to help defray the startup costs for the festival. Any questions regarding our parish participation in the festival can be directed to Cass Chies at 610-826-3298.

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.