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Welcome to St. John Chrysostom Catholic Church!
We strive to make our parish a beacon for all who seek God's light and warmth, and we want all parishioners and visitors to feel at home here.This page addresses Frequently Asked Questions about our parish. But we don't expect it to answer everything, and we hope to meet you personally. (It's like that with family.)
For any questions or concerns at any time, please contact Barbara Fergone (left), our parish secretary, at (610) 874-3418 ext. 101 or bfergone@sjcparish.org.
Or click here for a complete list of clergy and staff contacts.
Click on any link for more information.
A: We are at 617 S. Providence Road, Wallingford, PA 19086. Click here for a map and directions.
Q: What is your Mass schedule?
A: Weekend Masses are at 5 p.m. Saturday (Vigil) and at 8, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Sunday.
The 11:30 Mass on the first Sunday of the month is our Mass of Welcoming and Inclusion.
Daily Mass is at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday through Friday.
Mass on c ivic holidays (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day and Thanksgiving) is at 9 a.m. only.
All Mass information, including special liturgies, is posted on our parish calendar.
Q: What is your confession schedule?
A: 4 to 4:50 p.m. Saturdays in church or other times by appointment: (610) 874-3418 x 102.
Q: How do I reach the Parish House/Rectory?
A: You may:- Call (610) 874-3418.
- Email us by clicking here; or
- Stop by during regular office hours: 9-5 weekdays
Q: How do I obtain a Mass card or add a name to the parish sick or deceased list?
A: To obtain a Mass card, please stop by the Parish House from 9 to 5 weekdays or 10:40 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays. For complete information on Mass Intentions, please click here. To notify us of a death or add a name to the sick list, please call (610) 874-3418 or email us.
Welcoming and Inclusion
Q: Is St. John's prepared for visitors and parishioners with special needs?
A: Absolutely! St. John's is a welcoming parish family where all belong.
Our church is fully accessible via the front entrance on Providence Road.
That entrance also offers access to the Lower Church Hall via a stairlift through the double doors to the right in the vestibule (narthex). A handicapped-accessible bathroom is on the left.
Low-gluten Hosts, personal listening devices, and Braille worship aids are always available in the Sacristy. Please stop by before Mass for these.
Our ushers and parishioners are happy to assist you. If you have a special need, kindly phone the Parish House ahead of time (610.874.3418) so that we are prepared to welcome you.
Our 11:30 a.m. Mass on the first Sunday of the month is a
Mass of Welcoming and Inclusion, with an ASL interpreter and a few modifications for persons with special needs. We also have ASL interpretation at 11:30 on the third Sunday of each month.
Of course, we welcome all to all of our Masses and events.
Our Ministry with Persons with Disabilities is engaged in liturgies and social events that bring fellowship, the love of Jesus, the Sacraments, and the Eucharist to all. We are also pleased to offer an Adaptive Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) for those with special needs.
Like all St. John's ministries, our Ministry with Persons with Disabilities welcomes new members and inquiries at any time.
Q. I have a vocal toddler and sometimes-fussy baby, and I worry about disrupting Mass. Does the church have a "cry room?"
A: No! Jesus welcomed little children, and so do we! Your little ones are welcome to cry, laugh, chat, use their sippy cups and munch their Cheerios in church. (They may even be recruited for the occasional homily with Fr. Ed, as shown at right.) If you or they need a break, you may step into the vestibule (narthex), where the Mass is broadcast over speakers.
Q: I have not been to church in years for personal reasons, and I'm not even sure that I am welcome or allowed to attend anymore. How do I find out where I stand with the church and my Sacraments?
A: Please do not be concerned. Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, Jesus welcomes you with open arms, and we want to be your parish home. For wherever life takes us, we always remain children of God.
We invite and encourage you to contact our pastor, Fr. Ed Hallinan (610.874.3418 x 102 or ehallinan@sjcparish.org), for a private appointment to share any concerns you may have. Please be assured that you will be welcomed with God's grace, warmth and compassion and in complete confidence.Parish Registration
Q: How do I register with the parish?
A: We're delighted to welcome you! You may:- Register online here;
- Obtain a registration form here to print, complete and drop off in the collection basket or mail to the Parish House (617 S. Providence Rd., Wallingford, PA, 19086, attn: Mary); or
- Register in person at the Parish House during regular hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays or 10:40 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays.
Q: Do I need to live in a certain area to become a parishioner?
A: No. St. John's has no borders. We welcome new parishioners from everywhere. If you are currently registered with another parish, it is a courtesy to advise them of your move.
Q: Why should I register with the parish?
A: St. John's is an active and welcoming parish family. Registration allows you and your family to become full participants in parish life. Once you register, our Welcoming Committee will reach out to you, and you will begin receiving parish communications on events, volunteer opportunities, parishioner funerals and other news. If you have been attending Mass with us, we hope that you will join our family.Sacraments & Religious Education
Q: Where can I find information about weddings, funerals and Sacraments at the parish?
A. All of this information is available under the Mass/Sacraments tab (second from the left) at the top of each page of the website.
Q: Where do I find the paperwork to become a godparent or Confirmation sponsor?
A: Please click here for our parish forms.
Q: Where can I learn about the Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) and Sacraments for my children?
A: St. John's offers three PREP options: an Adaptive Program for youth with special needs, a free pre-K program during the 9:30 a.m. Mass, and a Sacramental preparation program for grades 1-8. Learn more at the PREP tab at the top of the page, or contact Theresa Hedlund, our Director of Religious Education, at thedlund@sjcparish.org or (610) 874-3418 x 105.
Q: How do I learn more about becoming a Catholic or about receiving First Communion or Confirmation as an adult?
A: It is never too late to receive your Sacraments, and we are delighted to assist you. We also welcome those who are interested in exploring the Catholic faith. Please contact our RCIA program, led by Elaine Mott ( emott@sjcparish.org or 610.874.3418 x 107).Parish Mission & Leadership
Q: What is the mission of St. John's parish?
A: Our mission statement is this: The parishioners of St. John Chrysostom are called to live out the mission of Jesus. We serve all our sisters and brothers, particularly the poor and needy, by generous acts of charity and by working together with all people of goodwill for justice and peace. We actively look to help those who are not practicing their faith experience a conversion that will restore
the joy of faith to their hearts and inspire a commitment to the Gospel. We welcome all to gather for worship, service, and community.
But our parish logo (left) expresses it best: As Jesus modeled for us, we are simply here to serve.
Q: What is the parish leadership structure?
A: St. John Chrysostom has been blessed in pastoral leadership since September 2011 by the Rev. Edward J. Hallinan, MDiv. Fr. Ed is supported by a lay Parish Pastoral Council, a lay Parish Finance Council, and by other clergy and staff.
Parish Life
Q: What is parish life like at St. John's?
A: Spirited and busy! We take our mission statement to heart, serving the Lord in our brothers and sisters in many ways (and we have fun doing it!). The heart of our parish life beats throughout our many ministries, which are dedicated to Community Service, Parish Service, Faith Formation, and Worship & Music.
From the youngest to the oldest, there is a place (and usually several) for everyone. Our ministries love new members. We all have gifts to share, and we welcome yours.
For an overview of our ministries, please place your mouse over the Ministries tab (third from the left) at the top of this page. That will give you a "big picture" menu of all our ministries, like this:
Click on any ministry name to visit that page.
Another view is available on our All Ministries page, which you can reach here.
Not sure where to start? Contact the ministry coordinator, Mary Chollet, at 610.874.3418 x 106, or email mchollet@sjcparish.org.
Q: What if I have an idea for a new ministry?
A: Great! Please contact the ministry coordinator, Mary Chollet, at 610.874.3418 x 106, or email mchollet@sjcparish.org to share your thoughts.Keeping Connected
Q: How do I find out what is going on at St. John's?
A: There are many ways to stay connected with parish life.
- Text joinsjc to 22828 to join our email list. You will receive our parish bulletin on Saturday morning, as well as other occasional emails about parishioner deaths and other important news.
- If you are registered with us but not receiving emails, please update your email address with Barbara Fergone, the parish secretary, at bfergone@sjcparish.org or (610) 874-3418 x 101.
- Visit www.sjcparish.org often! That's your best source of information about events, collections, volunteer opportunities, and news from the pastor.
- Pick up the bulletin in church or read it here.
- Keep your eye on the electronic sign on Providence Road!
- Check the parish calendar (on our home page or by clicking here) which is packed with schedules, meetings, events, ministry contacts and more.
For Organizations and Ministries
Q: My parish group or ministry wants to publicize our events and meetings.
What are my options?
A: St. John's wants to spread the word about our events, meetings and activities! There are several channels to do so.
- Bulletin announcements are due at noon Monday before the weekend of publication.
- Bulletin inserts (full-page flyers) must be submitted for approval two weeks before the desired date of publication.
- Parish calendar listings may be submitted at any time and are posted as soon as possible.
- Major items may be sent as a parish eblast or posted to the electronic sign on Providence Road.
Submit items for any of these channels to Mary Chollet, the parish communications director, at mchollet@sjcparish.org or (610) 874-3418 x 106.
- "Like" us and share your news and items on the SJC Facebook page.
Contact Terry Lynch, our Facebook administrator, for questions about the Facebook page.
- Follow us on Twitter @SJC_Parish.
Events at St. John's
Q: How do I reserve a room for a meeting or event at the parish?
A: Parish ministries and organizations should contact Barbara Fergone at (610) 874-3418 or bfergone@sjcparish.org) to check availability for meeting space and to schedule your event.
Q: What meeting/event space is available?
A: Meetings may be held in the following locations:
- The Stevenson Center, in the basement of the Parish House, can accommodate up to about 45 people. Accessibility: Small threshhold, but flat entrance available. ADA bathroom.
- The Lower Church Hall is a large gathering space in the lower level of the church that holds about 160 people. Accessible by single-occupant stair lift off the church narthex. ADA bathrooms.
- The Parish House Conference Room seats six to eight people and is available only during weekday office hours. The Dining Room seats about 10 and is available only during weekday office hours. Access to the Parish House is limited by a large exterior step and very small bathrooms.
- The School Library at Mother of Providence Regional Catholic School is sometimes available. The space is fully accessible and ADA bathrooms are available.
All of the parish facilities are in high demand; please schedule your events as soon as possible.
Q: May non-parish organizations use parish facilities?
A: Our facilities space is extremely limited, but we are sometimes able to accommodate community requests. Please contact Mary Chollet at (610) 874-3418 x 106 or mchollet@sjcparish.org.Other Parish Matters
Q: What are my options for parish giving?
A: Our parish relies heavily on parishioner support. Contribution envelopes are delivered to all registered parishioners. However,
we encourage you to give online through
Parish Giving, the nation's leading online giving program for Catholic parishes.
Parish Giving is easy and safe, and provides total flexibility in managing your giving, whether for regular contributions or for special and second collections. Learn more here, or contact our Business Manager, Rosemary Endres ( rendres@sjcparish.org or 610.874.3418 x 108), with questions.
Q: Um, St. John Who?
A: That's Chrysostom (KRIS-o-stum), from the Greek Chrysostomos, or "golden-mouthed."
Our patron saint (c. 347-407) was a prominent doctor of the Greek Church and an eloquent preacher. His Feast Day is Sept. 13.
Read more about St. John Chrysostom here.
