55+ Club
The 55+ Club is an organization of parishioners who are 55 years of age or older, who would like to be involved in social activities and trips. It provides the elderly of the parish with a meeting place for sharing friendship, spiritual, social, and economic concerns and opportunities for an array of activities. They meet on the first Monday and third Thursday of the month.
President: Louis Rogacs
Adult Choir
The Adult Choir leads the congregation in the worship of Our Lord through the ministry of music and singing during the Christmas Vespers, the liturgies on Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Eve, Holy Week, and other special celebrations that arise in addition to the weekly 10:30 Sunday masses from September to May. This music ministry is open to men, women and young adults who wish to use their gift of song and music to honor God at these special Liturgical Services. Choir Rehearsals are held from September to May every Monday at 7:15 – 9:00 PM in the Choir Loft.
Director: Michael Horvath
Adult Funeral Servers
These are men and women who assist the priest at funeral masses.
Altar Servers
Boys and girls who have received their First Holy Communion, are members of our parish and are in fifth to eighth grade, are eligible to become servers. They learn to assist the priest at Mass and other liturgical services.
Coordinator: Richard Kanaskie
Rectory: 610–866–4371
Boy Scouts of America
Scouting at Notre Dame has over 80 male youths involved in the programs of leadership development and character education. These programs develop boys spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally. Boys build self-confidence by participating in fun activities and accomplishing objectives for themselves, with the support of trained adults. They learn teamwork, leadership skills, self-reliance and self-confidence. Religious Emblems programs are available for all Scouts.
Cub Scouting is for boys in the 1st through 5th grades or 7 to 10 years of age.
Cubmaster: Darren Oliver
Boy Scouting is for boys who have completed the 5th grade and are at least 10 years old, but not yet 18 years old.
Scoutmaster: Mike Caffrey
Buildings and Grounds
A group of adults committed to the upkeep and maintenance of Notre Dame Parish.
Cantors
Cantors lead the congregation in singing and prayer during liturgical celebrations. This music ministry is open to men, women and young adults who are confident singers and wish to share their gift of song at our weekend Liturgies, Novenas and Funeral Masses. Training is available and rehearsals are held on the second Monday of the month at 6:30 –7:15 PM between September and May and at 7:00 – 9:00 PM between June and August.
Director: Michael Horvath
Coordinator: Carolina McCluskey
Rectory: 610–866–4371
Carnival Committee
Each year for two consecutive days on the first or second Friday and Saturday of June, the Parish Carnival is held. The main objective of the carnival is to foster community spirit, while offering an opportunity for individual parishioners to work together as a parish family. It also aims to raise some much needed funds for the operation of the parish and the school. The Carnival Committee meets monthly from January to May on a day determined most convenient for its committee members. The committee is responsible for planning, setting–up, running, cleaning–up, and tearing–down of the Notre Dame Annual Carnival.
Chair: James Foley
Catholic Youth Organization
The Catholic Youth Organization or CYO promotes spiritual, cultural, social and athletic activities of the children of the parish, regardless of where they go to school. They engage in a variety of sports, cross–country running, cultural events, talent shows, oratorical competitions, spelling bees, plays, academic bowl.
Charismatic Prayer Group
The Charismatic Prayer Group's objective is to praise and worship God through songs, scripture, sharing answered prayers, and intercessory prayers for those who are sick or in need. Requests for intercessory prayers may be dropped anytime in the prayer box located in the vestibule of the Church near the Chapel of Our Lady. They also meet with the Holy Family Prayer Group in Nazareth.
Children's Choir
This music ministry is open to children in grades 4 to 8 who wish to use their gift of song to honor God at our Children's School Liturgies and Special Children's Services, and at the Christmas Eve afternoon Liturgy. Rehearsals are announced and normally held on Friday afternoons.
Children's Liturgy of the Word
The Children's Liturgy of the Word aims to make the Liturgy of the Word more meaningful for children and young people (K–6) of the parish.
Clean Team
The Clean Team help to keep the House of God clean. The Church is cleaned 8 times a month: first 4 Mondays (9:30 – 11:00 AM) of the month by housewives and retired parishioners, first and third Saturdays mornings and second and fourth Thursdays evening by working parishioners and students earnings credits for Confirmation.
Contemporary Group
This music ministry is open to men, women and young adults who wish to use their gift of music, song and instrument, to honor God at the 9:00 AM Mass on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month from September through May. Rehearsals are held Wednesdays from 7:00 - 9:00 PM in Church choir loft. Additional instruments, especially guitars are always welcome.
Director: Michael Horvath
Cursillo
The purpose of the Cursillo is to evangelize the communities we live in. Several three day weekends for adults are held consisting of a series of 15 talks including grace, piety, day–to–day study, how to put Christianity into action, given by a team of specially trained priests and lay people. Ultreya, which are meetings or gatherings are held on Monday evenings. It is open to trained and previous adult participants of the Cursillo.
Decoration Team
The Decoration Committee help to make the Church to be more condusive to worship and prayer by appropriately decorating the church according to the liturgical season.
Dominican Laity
The Dominican Laity afford its members to learn and practice the Dominican Spirituality of study, prayer, apostolate of preaching mainly through holiness in life and to maintain community life within the chapter and family for salvation of souls.
Ecumenical Soup Kitchen
The Ecumenical Soup Kitchen prepares and serves midday meals to the poor of the Allentown area every Friday through Sunday, year round. Monetary donations and volunteers are always welcome.
Engaged Encounter
The Engaged Encounter is sponsored by the Family Life Bureau through the Catholic Charities Appeal to give couples the opportunity to dialogue privately about their prospective lives together. Diocesan sponsored weekends are held eleven times a year where a series of presentations are made by a trained team of married couples and a priest.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
This ministry is open to men and women, who are at least 18 years of age. It is for those who wish to draw closer to Jesus, helping the priests of our parish distribute Holy Communion to shut–ins, in hospitals (such as Lehigh Valley Hospital Muhlenberg and St. Luke's Hospital), nursing homes (such as Manor Care I and Manor Care II and Lutheran Manor), and assisted living facilities (such as Atria Assisted Living). New training classes are held as needed.
Msgr. Thomas Baddick
Coordinator: Carolina McCluskey
Rectory: 610–866–4371
Extended Care
Faith In Active Teens
The Youth Group presents the high school youth of the parish with the richness of their faith, provide opportunities of growth and help them express the truth allowing them to grow socially, intellectually, and most importantly spiritually. They meet at 7:00 PM on Sundays in the St. Joseph's Room and engages in a variety of youth activities in a Catholic Christian environment, be it spiritual, intellectual, or physical, including a full weekend retreat in March, Speaker's Night, and Parent–Teen Night.
Heather Strohm
Timothy & DeLee Ripper
Foragers for the Needy
The Foragers for the Needy supports the Food Bank operated by the Southeast Neighborhood Center at 700–702 Evans Street in the southside of Bethlehem, Northeast Ministry at 119–121 Marvine Street, and the Catholic Social Agency at Union Boulevard in Allentown. They feed some 250 individuals monthly, most of whom are our hispanic brothers and sisters. Although any non–perishable food is always welcome, certain items are always in short supply such as rice, kernel corn, cooking oil, sugar, salt, pepper, spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, jelly, canned meat, canned fish, canned juices, baby food, desserts, coffee, dried beans. Monetary and food donations dropped off in any of the bins located at the entrance foyers at Notre Dame are collected monthly and brought to the center.
Garage Sale Committee
A parish garage sale is held on a weekend of July or August to help raise funds for the needs of the Church and School while fostering community spirit within the parish.
Girl Scouts: Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes
Involvement in the Girl Scouts by female youth develop their potential and build their self–confidence with the support and guidance of trained adults. The program includes Daisies (Kindergarten), Brownies (Grades 1 to 3), Juniors (Grades 4 to 6), and Cadettes (Grades 7 & 8). Each troop meets at the convenience of the leader and availability of space. Meeting times are subject to change every September. The children engage in arts and crafts, field trips, outdoor activities, community service, information activities. Religious Medal Award are available for Grades 3 – 6 involving a four month program.
Green Team
The Green Team maintains a beautiful surrounding of the parish grounds. They maintain the bushes in the parish grounds and plants and cares for the flowers in the summer months.
Grief Ministry
Pray of Parish Outreach with Catholic Charities. Will provide sympathy cards & follow-up phone call to grieving families, workshops & remembrance masses.
Holy Name Society
The Holy Name Society is open to men of the parish in good standing, who would like to pray, have a devotion and give honor to the Holy Name of Jesus, and be involved in their social activities. Some of their activities include monthly participation in the Eucharistic Celebration as a community and in the adoration before the Blessed Sacrament during Easter, assist in keeping the kitchen and Church Hall refurbished, sponsor a Parish Breakfast in December, prepare the manger, hold the Golden Oldies in January, organize a golf tournament in early spring and a bowling tournament in late spring, and lend support to all the parish activities.
Home & School Association
Home & School Association or HSA promotes the interest of children. This association serves the children by assisting the Pastor, Principal and Faculty in providing a Christian Catholic educational environment for those attending the parish parochial school. They aim to provide the children of Notre Dame with the essential enhancements in their education and to be part of our children's academic lives and maintain their spirit of enthusiasm toward their own spiritual, intellectual, and moral education. Executive Board Meetings are held on the first Mondays of the month at 7:00 PM in the School Library. General Meetings are held twice a year.
Hot Lunch Program
The Hot Lunch Program provides hot lunch for Notre Dame students during the schoolyear over three shifts of lunch period.
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.
Launder Church Linens
The members of this group launder church linens weekly on rotation and replace worn out pieces.
Lectors
This ministry is open to men, women and young adults who wish to proclaim with devotion and clarity the Word of God at weekend Liturgies, in particular the First and Second Readings, and the Responsorial Psalm if it is not sang.
Coordinator: Carolina McCluskey
Rectory: 610–866–4371
Liturgy Committee
The Liturgy Committee assist the parish community to full and active participation in liturgical celebrations. The committee meets monthly to plan and coordinate parish liturgical celebrations and to engage in the study of liturgy.
Marriage Encounter
The Marriage Encounter is a Diocesan program that offers couples an opportunity to explore their relationships with each other, with God and with others. Encounters are held monthly on weekends where a series of talks emphasizing loving commnication techniques are presented by a team of trained married couples and a priest.
Marriage Preparation Dialogue
Marriage Preparation Dialogue is a Diocesan sponsored program necessary for preparation for the Sacrament of Marriage. It helps engaged couples prepare for the shared life ahead of them. Diocesan sponsored three evening workshops held at Notre Dame in March and October. Discussion topics include communication, sexuality, finances, and spirituality.
Michael & Karen Horvath
Mary's Helpers
Mary's Helpers' objective is to evangelize. They meet on Mondays at 3:30 PM in the Faculty Lounge, holds group prayer on Tuesday, visits the sick at Lehigh Valley Hospital Muhlenberg, St. Luke's Hospital, Manor Nursing Homes I and II giving out rosaries and miraculous medals, taking the sick to the chapel for mass or rosary, or saying the rosary with the sick in their room.
Notre Dame Dollars
Notre Dame Dollars is a cost free program used to raise funds for the parish by selling gift certificates from neighboring stores. The parish receives 5% of the total sale where 2% may be designated toward the tuition payment for any of the parish children. Volunteers sell Notre Dame $ after weekend masses, in the school office during designated days and times, and in the rectory at designated mornings during the summer months.
Pat Rasmuson
Rectory: 610–866–4371
Organists & Instrumentalists
Organists accompany cantors during the Liturgy of the Eucharist and occasionally the Music Ministry need a variety of instruments to enhance the worship at Liturgies. This ministry is open to all who are willing to offer their instrumental talent in praise of the Lord.
Director: Michael Horvath
Parish Advisory Council
The Parish Advisory Council provides primary structure for dialogue between the pastor and those who represent the parishioners. Through dialogue the council members shall share responsibility for parish life, exercising their concern in mature freedom, initiative and dignity. An agenda meeting is scheduled once a month, followed the following week by a general council meeting. Its members consist of elected parishioners, priests and deacons of the parish, School Principal, Director of Religious Education, and Liturgy Coordinator.
Parish Assembly
The Parish Assembly help to disseminate planned activities and provide opportunities for collaboration. It consists of representatives of the various parish ministries.
Parish Finance Committee
The Parish Finance Committee help provide financial guidance to the parish.
Parish Religious Education Program
Parish Religious Education Program or PREP is an inclusive program beginning with Kindergarten through Eight grade. It prepares school students of Notre Dame Parish who attend public school in doctrine and the ways of faith to fully initiate them as members of the Catholic Church. Its purpose is to help them lead and live good Catholic Christian lives.
Director of Religious Education Program: Stephanie Kalavoda
Religous Education Office: 610–821–1418
Pilgrim Mary
To promote the devotion to Our Blessed Virgin Mary.
Stephen & Dorothy Dashe
Pinoy & Friends
PINOY & FRIENDS is Filipino community based at Notre Dame of Bethlehem in Pennsylvania.
It is a community open to Filipinos in the Lehigh Valley, whether born in the Philippines, here in the USA, or
anywhere in the world and regardless of one's faith.
As a community, PINOY & FRIENDS aim to celebrate Filipino ethnicity and maintain their identity through the
observance of some of its cultural events while striving to successfully assimilate in the American milieu.
Rooted in Christianity, its community members strive to be the very best they can be in whatever circumstances
they find themselves in.
PINOY & FRIENDS celebrate with a Eucharistic Celebration followed by fellowship the Philippine Independence Day
on June 12, the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz on September 28, and Simbang Gabi on December 15-23.
San Lorenzo Ruiz is the first Filipino canonized saint.
Simbang Gabi
is an Advent novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary, a tradition that dates back to the Spanish colonization days
over 300 years ago.
Spiritual Director: Fr. Achilles "Ely" Ayaton
Pre–School Sunday School
To care for children between the ages of 3 and 5.5 while their parents attend 9:00 a.m. Sunday mass.
Pro–Life Committee
The Pro–Life Committee promotes the protection of all life. A Mass for the Helpers of God's Precious Infants is celebrated on the second Saturday of the month at 8:00 AM.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults or RCIA is first and foremost a journey of faith, a journey
of the spirit, soul and body, which brings one to a greater knowledge of the goodness of God.
It is for those who wish to come into full communion with the Christian Catholic Church.
It is for those who were never baptized or for those who were baptized in a Christian church other than the
Catholic Church.
It is also for Catholics who may not have received any of the additional sacraments of Reconciliation,
Eucharist, and / or Confirmation.
Preparatory sessions for full communion with the Catholic Church are held every Monday at 7:00 – 9:00 PM from
September to Easter followed by a period of Mystagogy for continuing formation lasting through May.
A day long retreat prior to Easter is conducted whereby the candidates receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation
for the first time.
The sessions consist of presentations on different doctrinal topics and aspects of the Catholic faith and
breaking open the Word of God given by a team of clergy and lay persons.
RCIA Program Director: Carolina McCluskey
Rectory: 610–866–4371
Serra Club
The Serra Club is open to men and women in good standing with the Catholic Church, who want to pray and work for Vocations to the Priesthood, Sisterhood, Brotherhood, and Permanent Deaconate. The Serra Club of Bethlehem meets twice a month. It is "the lay vocation arm of the Church". It is also an International Organization whose chief purpose is to pray and work for Religious Vocations.
Single Parents Support Group
Single Parents Support Group meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 7:00 to 9:00 PM in the Rectory basement. We discuss topics relating to the problems encountered by single parents. All are welcome.
Sherry LaCesa
Rectory: 610–866–4371
Sodality of Our Lady
The Sodality of Our Lady is open to women and young girls of our parish who are in good standing, who like to pray, have a devotion to Our Lady, and want to be involved in its social activities.
Spirituality Committee
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
United under the standard of St. Vincent de Paul, and forming only one body and one soul in the common spirit of the apostolate of charity, the members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul dedicate and consecrate themselves to the divine person of the Scared Heart of Jesus, to this our Council (or Conference), and to the poor whom we visit in His name. The Conference seeks to serve and help all those who are in need and suffering, in a spirit of justice and charity, by the personal involvement of its members. It makes available emergency financial assistance, respite care, single parent support, transportation for the elderly to and from doctor's appointments, short term assistance with prepared meals for those unable to provide for themselves, and various help your neighbor projects. Major projects understaken in the past included support for refugee families. Its Board of Directors hold bi–monthly meetings and are open to all.
Ushers
This ministry is open to men, women and young adults who wish to welcome people to liturgical services by greeting them, ushering them to their seats, passing the collection basket, and handing out the Sunday bulletin.
Vacation Bible School
During the month of July, Vacation Bible School provides a week long opportunity for children to study the bible and engage in art, music, recreation, and worship centered on stories from the Old and New Testament.
Welcoming Committee
The Welcoming Committee welcomes all newly registered parishioners within six months of their arrival.
Click here to submit revisions to this page.