Welcome to St. Mary’s!

Welcome to the online home of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Kutztown!  Whether you are a long-time Catholic, new to the area, considering the Catholic faith or just passing through….  Please join us, as we strive to follow Jesus Christ – the way, the Truth and the Life!   He has risen from the tomb!  The world will never be the same! YOU will never be the same.

 

Scripture Reflection – May 25 – Sixth Sunday of Easter
Our readings for the 6th Sunday of Easter provide insight into the Lord’s plan for His Church — in that first generation following His resurrection, in every generation, and even a peak into eternity.
In our Gospel, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to remind them of all He had taught them and to guide His Church.  In Acts, we see that promise fulfilled, as the apostles were faced with the huge question of whether Christians of the new covenant were required to follow all the regulations of the old covenant.  We see the Church coming together to pray and issue its ruling at the Council of Jerusalem – the first “ecumenical council” of the Church.
The Lord did not leave us orphans, but founded a Church to sanctify and teach, to deliberate and apply timeless teaching to new issues that arise in each generation. She has always included saints and sinners, yet the Church remains the Lord’s Bride, founded to teach with His authority, and destined to be united with Him in heaven.
Praise God for the gift of His Church, and our place within it. Please pray for the shepherds of the Church – for Pope Leo XIV, Bishop Schlert and all the bishops!  That they may be faithful, vibrant and worthy successors of the apostles!

 

Our new Holy Father Pope Leo XIV!

Bishop Schlert Asks for Prayers for Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church:

Along with the priests, deacons, consecrated religious, seminarians, and lay men and women of the Diocese of Allentown, I rejoice at the election of the 267th Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV.

With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the cardinal electors selected him from among themselves Cardinal Robert Prevost, O.S.A., who took the name Leo XIV.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Pope Leo XIV, 69, most recently served the Church as Prefect, Dicastery for Bishop.

Please join me in thanking God for a new shepherd, and in praying that he would receive the grace and wisdom to lead the Catholic Church with determination, humility, and strength.

O God, shepherd and ruler of all the faithful,
look favorably on your servant Pope Leo XIV,
whom you have set at the head of your Church as her shepherd;
grant, we pray, that by word and example
he may be of service to those over whom he presides
so that, together with the flock entrusted to his care,
he may come to everlasting life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, D.D., J.C.L.
Bishop of Allentown

 

 

Safe Haven from Pornography

In his March 9 homily, Father John spoke of the dangers of pornography.  In that week’s bulletin, there was an insert about this problem, with links to helpful resources.  That letter can be accessed by clicking HERE.

 

Disciple Maker Index Survey

In Spring of 2024, parishes throughout the Diocese of Allentown conducted a survey of parishioners about parish life.  A summary of our parish results can be accessed by clicking HERE.

In 2025, we have begun to identify plans and priorities for our parish family, along the lines of the Parish Experience, Faith Formation and Evangelization.  For an explanation of our goals and the next phase of our plan, click HERE.