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 facial mask and safe distancing is required. The sacrament of Confession is 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 Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The readings contrast Job’s cry of hopelessness with those who put all their trust in Jesus who heals the brokenhearted and binds their wounds.

The Parish Finance Committee will meet Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. in the Parish Center following all CDC guidelines. Also, Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Class will be held Feb. 8 at 1 p.m. in the parish center.

St. John Neumann Home and School Association will meet Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. All school parents are encouraged to participate.

Feb. 1, is the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Pope John Paull II had designated this feast day as “World Day of the Sick,” a special time of prayer and sharing of one’s own sufferings to remind us of the suffering and death of our brothers and sisters. As we are in the midst of a pandemic, this day is a wonderful opportunity to root ourselves in prayer.

Please call the Rectory Office if you need a 2020 contribution tax statement.

With the announcement of Dr. Girard’s retirement as Parish Director of Religious Education effective July 1, Father Bill is looking to fill this position. If interested in learning more about the part-time position, please contact Father Bill at 610-826-2335.

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