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 our Risen Lord!

 

October is Respect Life Month!

For a special letter from Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, Bishop of Allentown, please click HERE.

And for a special view on the development of sacred human life in the womb, check out this beautiful link at: Window to the Womb!

Special Collection for Victims of Hurricane Helene

There will be a special diocesan collection for the relief of those suffering the effects of Hurricane Helene.  There will be no special envelope.  Our parish will have a free-will offering basket in the gathering area until October 20.  Checks should be made out to “St. Mary’s” – we will gather all donations and send the parish contribution.

To contribute via the Online Giving portal, you may use the fund “Special Diocesan Collection,” which will be open through October 20.  Thank you for your generosity to our suffering brothers and sisters!

 

Eucharistic Rosary Congress for Berks County!

The Catholic parishes of Berks County will unite for a special time of adoration of the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, united in prayer to God with Our Lady of the Rosary!

From Saturday Oct 5 to Friday, October 11, Holy Guardian Angels will provide their side chapel for all of our parishes, as we join in Perpetual Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament throughout the week!

Together with Sacred Heart West Reading & Holy Rosary in Reading, St Mary’s Parish in Kutztown has been entrusted with the filling time-slots on Sunday, October 6 (all day). That is, from 11:59pm Saturday night until 11:59 pm Sunday night. The location is safe and secure. We are seeking multiple people for each slot.

See the table in the gathering area to sign up. Signing up can also be done at the following website: https://adorationpro.org/hgareading

Join together in prayer with the Blessed Mother and all the faithful in Berks before our Eucharistic Lord. He will bless all those willing to spend this intimate time with Him!  The rosary will be recited every hour on the hour. For more information on the national movement, go to www.rosarycongressusa.org.

 

Holiday Bazaar – November 2!

The 2024 Holiday Bazaar is just around the corner!  Saturday, November 2 from 8:30 to 2:30pm.  All the details can be found HERE!

 

Voting Resources

With election day coming up on Tuesday, November 5.  It’s important for Catholics to participate and exercise their right to vote.  For a reliable source on the issues and the candidates, the Diocese of Allentown has provided helpful resources.  All the details can be found HERE!

 

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time – October 6, 2024

Our readings for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time speak to God’s plan for the unique creatures made in His own image, man and woman.
In Genesis 2, we have a glimpse into the profound mystery at the heart of God’s creation: the complementarity of male and female in marriage, whereby the two become one. This order was envisioned from the beginning, for the health, blessing and flourishing of His human family. And yet, objections and resistance arise in every generation – even when Jesus walked the earth.
In the Gospel, the Incarnate Lord responds to the trap questions of the Pharisees. Jesus does not nuance or idealize the plan for marriage, but fortifies the ancient teaching, and emphasizes the indissolubility of Christian marriage between male and female.
Notice that immediately after expressing His teaching, He speaks of the beauty of children. “Let the children come to me!” We live in a time where dominant belief of the secular mainstream is opposed to this teaching of Christ, seeking to redefine marriage and even the biological reality of male and female! Meanwhile, those who promote abortion are becoming bolder still. As followers of Christ, we must be clear in Who it is we follow – Christ or the secular culture.
Let us go to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – the One who gave us this teaching, the One who fortified it and went to the cross for love of us, and the One who has guided His Church – to renew us in confidence in His beautiful plan, to enlighten us and strengthen us as we strive to live and share His truth in love!

Miracles of the Holy Eucharist

In Father John’s homily on June 2, he made reference to Blessed Carlo Acutis and miracles of the Holy Eucharist.  For more information on these works of God, click HERE!

“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” – John 6:54-56

For another site with Eucharistic miracles, go HERE!