We, the St. John Neumann community, experience the Father's love by welcoming all. Inspired by the Holy Spirit through prayer, scripture and the sacraments, we live the life of Jesus through faith and service.
Discover Our Community
The parish of St. John Neumann in Lancaster, Pennsylvania was dedicated on Sunday, June 19, 1977 and, on the same day in Rome, Bishop John Neumann was canonized a saint. The actual church was established on December 16, 1978. The new church was blessed by then Msgr. William H. Keeler who also performed the dedication. Fr. John Acri, who led the new parish until May, 1980, was named the first pastor.
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Fr. Acri was succeeded as pastor by Fr. Patrick Devine and in 1982 the new rectory was dedicated by Bishop Keeler. Demonstrating the rapid growth of the parish, a new addition to the original facility was built in 1990. On June 15, 1994, Msgr. Richard A. Youtz became the third pastor of St. John Neumann Church and a library dedicated for the use of the parish family was blessed on April 2, 1995.
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The parish’s growth and resulting spatial needs was further manifested when, on Sunday, June 9, 2013, ground was broken for the first phase of the construction of a Religious Education Center to be dedicated to the soon-to-be named Saint, Pope John XXIII. Msgr. Youtz blessed the site with water from Lourdes, France and spoke of the youth who would benefit from this structure.
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The patron of this Education Center, Pope John XXIII, was a surprising pope and, over 50 years after his death, he is still popular as an authentic image of the Good Shepherd. He carried out the Christian duties of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy and his warmth, good humor, and kindness captured the world’s affections. President Lyndon B. Johnson posthumously awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian award.
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On Sunday, April 27, 2014 Phase I of this facility was dedicated by Bishop Ronald Gainer, Diocese of Harrisburg, on Divine Mercy Sunday and the day that the patron of the building and Pope St. John Paul II were canonized. By the end of the following month, Msgr. Youtz had retired and our fourth pastor, Fr. David L. Danneker, Ph.D. had taken up residence. On June 19, 2016, Fr. Daniel Powell became our Pastor. We pray that God will continue to guide us as we move forward in faith.
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As is apparent, in a very short period of time St. John Neumann Church has had a tremendous impact on the community it is committed to service. Many of its 2400 families are involved in at least one of the ministries covered in this booklet and we encourage more of you to become involved.
