When the road gets hard
Help & Healing
You are not alone. These are organizations the parish trusts — local first, then diocesan, then national. If something here feels like the right next call, please make it. If you need help finding the right one, call the parish office at (717) 232-1003.
Right now
In a Crisis
If you are in danger or someone you love is, please reach out to one of these first.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Free, confidential support for anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Spanish-speaking counselors available — press 2 or text "AYUDA" to 988.
Apoyo gratuito y confidencial para cualquiera en crisis suicida o angustia emocional. Hay consejeros que hablan español — presione 2 o envíe "AYUDA" al 988.
Pennsylvania Domestic Violence Hotline
The National Domestic Violence Hotline serves PA. Trained advocates help with safety planning, shelter, and legal options. Confidential — no caller ID kept.
La Línea Nacional contra la Violencia Doméstica atiende a Pensilvania. Defensores entrenados ayudan con planes de seguridad, refugio y opciones legales. Confidencial — no se guarda el ID de quien llama.
Dauphin County Crisis Intervention
Mental health emergencies in Dauphin County (Harrisburg). Trained counselors will dispatch a mobile crisis team if needed. The first call when something is breaking, fast.
Emergencias de salud mental en el Condado de Dauphin (Harrisburg). Consejeros entrenados enviarán un equipo móvil de crisis si es necesario. La primera llamada cuando algo se está rompiendo, rápido.
Food
Food & Daily Needs (Allison Hill & Harrisburg)
Soup kitchens, pantries, and basic-needs help right here in the neighborhood.
St. Francis Soup Kitchen
Our own kitchen, run by volunteers, serves a hot lunch six days a week — Mon–Fri 12:00–12:45 dine in (take-out at 12:20), plus Saturday take-out 11 AM–noon. Walk in — no questions, no paperwork, no judgment.
Nuestra propia cocina, dirigida por voluntarios, sirve almuerzo caliente seis días por semana — Lun–Vie 12:00–12:45 en el comedor (para llevar a las 12:20), más sábados para llevar 11 AM–mediodía. Pase — sin preguntas, sin papeleo, sin juicios.
Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
Type your ZIP into their finder and you'll see every food pantry within walking or driving distance, with hours and what's available. Updated weekly.
Escriba su código postal en su buscador y verá cada despensa de comida a poca distancia, con horarios y disponibilidad. Actualizado semanalmente.
Bethesda Mission
Long-trusted Harrisburg shelter for men, women, and children. Free meals, beds, clothing, and recovery programs. Christian but not denominational — they serve everyone.
Refugio de Harrisburg de larga confianza para hombres, mujeres y niños. Comidas gratis, camas, ropa y programas de recuperación. Cristiano pero no denominacional — sirven a todos.
Healing
Addiction & Recovery
These programs work. Many parishioners — and clergy — have walked these rooms and come out free.
Alcoholics Anonymous · South Central PA
Find an AA meeting in Harrisburg by zip, day, or format (in-person, Zoom, men-only, women-only, Spanish). 12 steps, 12 traditions, no fees, no preconditions.
Encuentre una reunión de AA en Harrisburg por código postal, día o formato (en persona, Zoom, solo hombres, solo mujeres, en español). 12 pasos, 12 tradiciones, sin tarifas, sin condiciones.
Al-Anon · Central PA
For the spouse, the parent, the grown child of someone whose drinking is hurting them. The Al-Anon program is its own quiet miracle. Spanish meetings exist locally.
Para el cónyuge, el padre, el hijo adulto de alguien cuya bebida los está hiriendo. El programa Al-Anon es su propio milagro tranquilo. Hay reuniones en español localmente.
Catholic in Recovery
A 12-step framework that integrates the sacraments — confession as a 5th-step sponsor, Eucharist as daily reprieve. Online meetings nightly; podcasts and books too.
Un marco de 12 pasos que integra los sacramentos — la confesión como padrino del 5° paso, la Eucaristía como alivio diario. Reuniones en línea cada noche; también podcasts y libros.
Project Rachel · Diocese of Harrisburg
For mothers, fathers, and family members healing from abortion. The diocese's confidential ministry — staffed by trained priests and counselors who will not judge or report. Bilingual.
Para madres, padres y familiares que sanan después del aborto. El ministerio confidencial de la diócesis — atendido por sacerdotes y consejeros entrenados que no juzgarán ni reportarán. Bilingüe.
After loss
Grief & Bereavement
Grief is not a problem to fix; it is love with nowhere to go. These groups walk with you while you carry it.
Catholic Charities Bereavement Support
The diocesan Catholic Charities runs ongoing grief groups across central PA. Open to anyone, Catholic or not. Spanish-speaking counselors on staff.
Catholic Charities diocesano dirige grupos de duelo continuos en el centro de Pensilvania. Abierto a todos, católicos o no. Hay consejeros que hablan español en el personal.
Hospice Foundation Grief Resources
Practical, gentle, secular grief literature for anyone — losing a parent, a spouse, a child, a friend. Written by clinicians who do this every day.
Literatura sobre el duelo práctica, amable y secular para cualquiera — perder a un padre, cónyuge, hijo o amigo. Escrita por clínicos que hacen esto todos los días.
Funeral planning at St. Francis
Whether the death is anticipated or sudden, the parish will walk you through the funeral Mass, the burial liturgy, and the months that follow. Call us — we are here for this.
Ya sea que la muerte sea anticipada o repentina, la parroquia lo guiará por la Misa exequial, la liturgia del entierro y los meses que siguen. Llámenos — estamos aquí para esto.
For our newer neighbors
Immigration & Legal Aid
Trustworthy, low-cost, parish-vetted legal help for our immigrant brothers and sisters in Allison Hill.
Catholic Charities Immigration Services
The most-trusted Catholic immigration office in central PA. DACA renewals, family petitions, asylum, citizenship — all on a sliding fee scale. Always begin here, never with a "notario."
La oficina católica de inmigración de mayor confianza en el centro de Pensilvania. Renovaciones de DACA, peticiones familiares, asilo, ciudadanía — todo con escala de tarifas variable. Siempre comience aquí, nunca con un "notario".
PA Immigration Resource Center (PIRC)
Pro-bono legal aid for asylum seekers and detained immigrants. They take cases that other lawyers won't. If a family member is in detention, this is the first call.
Ayuda legal pro bono para solicitantes de asilo e inmigrantes detenidos. Aceptan casos que otros abogados no toman. Si un familiar está detenido, esta es la primera llamada.
MidPenn Legal Services
Free civil legal help on housing, eviction, public benefits, and family law for low-income families across the diocese. Not just immigration — everything else legal too.
Ayuda legal civil gratuita en vivienda, desalojo, beneficios públicos y derecho de familia para familias de bajos ingresos en la diócesis. No solo inmigración — también todo lo demás legal.
From the parish bookshelf
Books we recommend
Searching for and Maintaining Peace
A short, gentle book read more than once by people walking through anxiety.
A Grief Observed
Lewis' raw journal after his wife's death. Permission to be angry at God.
The Gift of Peace
A cardinal's last book, written while dying of cancer. Quiet, lucid, unforgettable.
Looking for everyday faith resources — apps, podcasts, books to grow with? Visit Grow in Faith.