Church of Saint Philip Neri,

Pennsburg

September 28, 2008

Rev. Robert A. Roncase, Pastor Deacon Michael J. Franks, Permanent Deacon Rev. Edmond J. Speitel, Pastor Emeritus Rev. John J. Scarcia, Retired Pastor Rev. Raymond W. Smart, Retired, Resident Shirley Misiak, Office Manager Mark J. Meinzer, Business Manager Catherine E. Faust, Director of Music Patricia A. Schleeweiss, School Principal Jeffrey W. Daley, Director of Religious Education Colleen Daley, Parish Youth Minister Sister Patricia Kelly, M.S.B.T., Parish Outreach Rectory Phone 215.679.9275 Rectory Fax 215.679.0386 School Phone 215.679.7481 Religious Education Phone 215.541.3120 Religious Education Fax 215.541.1398 Parish Social Hall Phone 215.679.8116 Parish Outreach Phone 215.679.2282 Neri Center Phone 215-679-6490 Church & Rectory Address: 1325 Klinerd Road Pennsburg, PA 18073 Hours: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Email Address: spnofc@comcast.net Website Address: www.spnparish.org School Address: 6^th & Washington Streets East Greenville, PA 18041 Hours: 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM Website Address: www.spnelementary.com Religious Education Center Address 565 Main Street East Greenville, PA 18041 Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Neri Center Address 6^th & Washington Streets East Greenville, PA 18041 ROSARY: Prayed every Saturday after the 8:00 AM Mass.

SCHEDULE OF MASSES Saturday – Vigil Mass – 5:00 PM Sunday – 7:30, 9:30, 11:00 AM Weekdays – In the Chapel Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday – 8:00 AM Wednesday – 7:00 PM HOLY DAYS: 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 7:30 PM Eve of Holy Days –5:00 PM CHAPEL OPEN FOR VISITS The Chapel will be opened Monday thru Saturday until 7:00 pm for your visits to the Blessed Sacrament. CONFESSIONS Saturdays: 4:00 – 4:45 PM Eve of Holy Days: 4:15 – 4:45 PM BAPTISMS Celebrated the 2^nd & 3^rd Sundays of each month. Please call the Rectory to schedule. 2^nd Sunday Baptisms are held at the 11:00 AM Mass 3^rd Sunday Baptisms are held at 12:30 PM PRE-JORDAN CLASSES 1^st Monday of every month at 7:30 PM in the Rectory meeting room. MARRIAGES Arrangements should be made at least SIX MONTHS before the date of the wedding. NEW PARISHIONERS Welcome to your new home! Please stop by the rectory between 9:00 am - 3:00 pm to fill out a registration card. We are happy to have you in our parish and want to get to know you. SHUT-INS Please call the Parish Outreach Office. SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING Please call the Rectory. EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Every 1^st Friday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM in the church, followed by Benediction. FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS If you wish to have a floral arrangement placed in front of the altar, please call the rectory

OUR PARISH MISSION STATEMENT

WE ARE THE CATHOLIC PARISH COMMUNITY OF ST. PHILIP NERI, ANSWERING CHRIST’S CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP THROUGH WORD, SACRAMENT AND SERVICE.

WE PROCLAIM GOD’S HOPE AND LOVE TO ALL.

LET US PRAISE CHRIST TOGETHER

Last Sunday we celebrated Catechist Sunday. We commissioned the many people involved in the ministries that proclaim, teach and share the word and faith. There are so many individuals who give their time and talent and without your ministry in the Church would be impossible today. In the blessing of Catechists, it states: “For the pastoral activity of the Church, the cooperation of a great many people is needed, so that communities as well as individuals may advance to full maturity in Faith.” This is so true. For all your sharing of Faith, I thank you.

This year new ministries are also beginning here at St. Philip Neri. I am excited about them. In a few weeks, we will begin “Children’s Liturgy of the Word at the 9:30 am Mass.” At this Mass, children in the first thru third grade will go to a specially prepared room in Church for Liturgy of the Word on their level. Many parishioners have already begun preparing to act as homilists and escorts. Cub Pack 591 is being re-instated here at St. Philip Neri. Our hope is that it continues to grow. We are beginning an Adult Mass Server group. These individuals will serve at funerals and other times that our student Altar Servers are not available. Training for Adult Altar Servers will be held in Church on Monday, October 20^th, at 7:00 pm.

Our Concert Committee will be bringing John McNally here to St. Philip Neri on Saturday, December 6^th.

A concert of Christmas music, Irish songs and Inspirational music. So much is happening; thank you all.

God Bless you for sharing faith here at St. Philip Neri.

Praise Be Jesus Christ….Now and forever!

Fr. Roncase

FIRST FRIDAY

This Friday is 1^st Friday. Mass is in Church at 9:00 am. Adoration all day until Evening Prayer and Benediction at 7:00 pm.

BLESSING OF ANIMALS

In honor of the Feast of St. Francis, there will be a Blessing of all animals behind the Church on Sunday, October 5^th at 1:00 pm. All animals are invited – large or small, walking or swimming.

CHAPEL OPEN FOR VISITS

Our Chapel is open Monday thru Saturday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm for visits to the Blessed Sacrament.

2009 MASS BOOK is now open for Mass intentions. Stop by the rectory or call Shirley at the rectory.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY of the WORD

Children’s Liturgy of the Word is coming to St. Philip Neri Parish. It will begin in mid-September. Children in first (1^st) grade through third (3^rd) grade will be eligible to participate. We need adult volunteers to be “homilists” (at least 8 to 10 people) and teen volunteers to be “escorts” for the children. The commitment is on a rotating basis. Anyone interested in being involved in Children’s Liturgy of the Word, please contact 215-541-3120.

Serving at Mass Oct. 5th

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Dave Boone Larry Concio

Teri Boone

Priest

Deacon

Catherine Cahill

Trish Dornisch

Jim Camarata

Janet Kendra

Lisa Edleman

Michael Edleman

Bob Talbot

Kathryn Talbot

7:30 am – Joan Varallo Ernie Quatrani

Wally Varallo

Priest

Deacon

Michael Duka

Jim Michels

Pat Scheerbaum

Mary R. Giambrone

Peter D’Amico

Dina Corrado

Lori Brozena

Immaculata Barndt

9:30 am - Sharon Shaak M. Gehringer

Kathy Raubertas

Priest

Priest

Marianne Peters

Irene Novelli

11:00 am – Kevin Charlton Michelle Charlton

Maryanne Charlton

Priest

Priest

Amanda Charlton

Tinamarie Evans

Serving at Mass Oct. 12

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Annemarie Quigley Bob Piccone

JimQuigley

Priest

Priest

Alice Swift

John Burke

7:30 am – Michele Martin Michael Lynch

Amy Rodgers

Priest

Deacon

Chuck Rodgers

Maria Rodgers

Christine Adelsberger

Stephan Adelsberger

Keith Greczek

Dina Corrado

Anna Murphy

Gerald Murphy

9:30 am – Ken Mayer Edmond Tryon

Marilynn Mayer

Priest

John McHale

Christine Kemp

Lester Kemp

11:00 am – Jeanne Hermley Adam Canigiani

Bob Hermley

Priest

Marlene Leidy

Anna Kells

Mary Goodfellow

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 28, 2008

Monday – September 29, Michael, Gabriel & Raphael, archangels

8:00 am – Marie Adams, (Son Joe, Linda & family)

Tuesday – September 30, Jerome, priest

8:00 am – Joseph F. Josko, (Randy & Kathy Martin)

Wednesday – October 1, Therese of the Child Jesus

7:00 pm – Mary Jean Mikanowicz, (Jennie Virus)

Thursday – October 2, Guardian Angels

8:00 am – Alice McIntyre, (Kathryn Kulp & family)

Friday – October 3, First Friday

9:00 am – Mass in Church

Richard Slowick, (Loretta &Jennifer Slowick)

Saturday – October 4

8:00 am – Christian Lupo, (Papera Family)

5:00 pm – Jonathan Robinson, (Clark & Barbara Robinson)

Sunday – October 5

7:30 am – For the living & deceased members of the Parish.

9:30 am – Erik Crotzer, (Becky &Jerry Wanner)

11:00 am – For the courage to defend and protect,

Our Faith, Our Clergy. (Respect Life Committee)

Offertory Processions at Sunday Masses

A reminder we are also looking for families and friends to bring up the offertory gifts at Saturday evening and Sunday morning Masses.

Remember, there is a sign-up book in the vestibule!

BUILDING MEMORIALS

Give a St. Philip Neri Memorial Gift! For a donation of $25 or more, there is a beautiful folder recording the gift and donor to be presented to the family. A Mass is offered each month.

We also have “Living Memorials” for those special occasions in life.

WE INVITE YOUR PRAYERS

For the sick, those in hospitals, nursing homes and also for their caregivers.

Please pray in particular for:

Rev. John J. Scarcia, Frances Cannon, Josh Fromnecht, Bernadette Hanna, Charles Snyder, Mary Ann Bencie, Madeline Eiser, Lori Thorsen, Jake Kriebel, Kate Nellett, Charlotte Azarovich, Baby Adam Canigiani, Jr., Bruce Gerhart, Henry Tarver, Antoinette Venezia, Orphie Gardian, Mike Wieder, David Albright, Richard Whitney, Elizabeth Campaglia, Cathy Compos, Jim McCaughn, Natalie McNish, Mary Pondo, Cory Ronayne, Kelly Brogan, Marigo Vanim, Neal Hanke, Marcello Suh, Steven Gebhardt, Mary Finkbeiner, Linda Benko, Alan Miller, Peggy Romberger, David & Kim Koch, Baby Tristen Scott, David Leister, Robert Joseph Dreleick, Alice Swift, Jennie Virus, Lily Dusza & Jeremy Kircher.

For those who have died, and in particular for Robert Pinkster, grant them eternal rest and peace.

PARISH ORGANIZATIONS

Knights of Columbus – Fr. Leo J. Letterhouse Council #6614 meets every second Sunday of the month in the Council Meeting Room at the rectory. Consider joining us by calling Duke Doherty at: 215-679-0660.

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St. Philip Neri Craft Guild – Meets the first and third Tuesday of each month in the Social Hall Meeting Room from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. For more information, please call Connie Marks at: 610-287-9829.

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Boy Scouts – Tuesday evenings in parish Hall from 7:00 pm- 8:30 pm. Join our Boy Scouts by calling Mark Walther, 610-754-6541.

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CYO Sports – For more information, please contact Kevin Loose, 215-679-5481.

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Parish Youth Ministry – For more information, please contact Colleen Daley, 215-541-1716.

Bible Timeline Study – Monday evenings – 7:00 pm & Friday mornings – 9:00 am (except 1^st Friday – 10:00 am) in rectory meeting room for the next seven consecutive weeks.

For more information, call the rectory office: 215-679-9275.

SUNDAY COLLECTIONS

September 23, 2007 September 21, 2008

Envelopes $ 7,795.00 Envelopes $ 8,052.00

Loose 1,126.00 Loose 2,733.00

Children 45.00 Children 86.00

Total $ 8,966.00 Total $10,871.00

Vacation Make-up: $ 662.00

Paper Recycling: August – 2367 tons - $11.83

ACTIVITIES - *BINGO*

Kitchen opens 5:00 pm – Bingo – 6:30 pm

Working Thursday – October 2nd – Team #3

All regular games pay $50

FINAL COVER – ALL SPECIAL PAYS: $500

Bingo: September 18^th:

Players: 71

Games: 521.00 – Kitchen – 259.65 – Total 780.65

MEETINGS and EVENTS THIS WEEK

Sunday, September 28^th – Parish Breakfast – gym – 7:00 am – 12:30 pm

Sunday, September 28^th – Little Church – gym – 9:30 am

Sunday, September 28^th – Men’s 30 & over basketball – 8pm

Sunday, September 28^th – Parish Youth Ministry – gym – 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Monday, September 29^th – Lector Training – Church – 7pm

Monday, September 29^th – Bible Timeline – rectory – 7pm

Monday, September 29^th – Pre-Cana Workshop – Neri Center – 7:00 pm

Monday, September 29^th – CYO Sports registration – Parish Hall Lobby – 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Tuesday, September 30^th – Garden Club – Church grounds – 5:00 pm

Tuesday, September 30^th – Adult Choir and Cantor practice – Church – 6:30 pm

Tuesday, September 30^th – Boy Scouts – gym – 7:00 pm

Wednesday, October 1^st – Alpha – gym – 6:30 pm

Wednesday, October 1^st – PREP – Religious Education – school – 6:00 pm

Thursday, October 2^nd – Bingo – gym – 6:30 pm

Thursday, October 2^nd – RCIA – rectory – 7:00 pm

Thursday, October 2^nd – Cub Scouts – Den Meeting – Neri Center – 6:45 pm – 7:45 pm

Friday, October 3^rd – 1^st Friday Mass in Church at 9:00 am. Adoration all day until 7:00 pm – Benediction

Friday, October 3^rd – Bible Timeline Study – rectory – 10am

Friday, October 3^rd – Quilting – gym – 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Sunday, October 5^th – Little Church – gym – 9:30 am

Sunday, October 5^th – Children’s Liturgy of the Word during the 9:30 am Mass

Sunday, October 5^th – Blessing of the Animals – Church grounds at 1:00 pm

Sunday, October 5^th – Men’s 30 & over basketball – 8:00 pm

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Pre-Jordan Baptismal Class – Monday, October 6^th- rectory – 7:30 pm

Home & School General Meeting – Tuesday, October 7^th – Neri Center – 7:00 pm

Little Flowers Girls Club – Tuesday, October 7^th – Neri Center – 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Home & School Board Meeting – Wednesday, October 8^th – rectory – 7:00 pm

Knights of Columbus – Come-n-Go Bingo – Saturday, October 11^th – gym – 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Garden Club Fall Clean-up – Saturday, October 11^th – Church property – 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Knights of Columbus – Communion Breakfast – Sunday, October 12^th – after 11:00 an Mass,

Pastoral Council Meeting – Monday, October 13^th – rectory – 7:00 pm

Living Rosary – Tuesday, October 14^th – Church – 7:00 pm – (Mandatory for PREP and School – grades 2 thru 8).

SPN Charismatic Prayer Group begins Wednesday, October 15^th – Chapel – 7:30 pm

Confirmation Day of Reflection for the Confirmation Class – Thursday, October 16^th – 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Training of Adult Altar Servers – Monday, October 20^th – Church – 7:00 pm

Confirmation Rehearsal – Students & Sponsors – Sunday, October 26^th – Church – 12:15 pm

H.O.P.E. General Meeting – Monday, October 27^th – gym – 7:00 pm

Confirmation – Monday, October 27^th – Church – 4:00 pm

SCHOOL NEWS

Week of September 22^nd:

Preschool – We thanked God for our beautiful season of Autumn. The children decorated paper bag trees with tissue paper leaves and cut out pumpkins. In Math class we reviewed our colors.

Kindergarten – This week the Kindergarten will be learning all about the Bible and God’s Word. We will read the story about Jonah and the Whale.

Grade 1 – This week we will read a story called “A Day at the Apple Orchard.” Students will learn about where apples grow and about different types of apples.

Grade 2 – Our class is reading the story by Cynthia Rylant called “Henry and Mudge Under the Yellow Moon.” As we begin the fall season, the story is so appropriate because it is about a boy and his dog going for walks in the woods during autumn.

Grade 3 – We are reading “Nate the Great, San Francisco Detective.” This story helps students identify with the genre of mystery.

In Science we are learning about living things and the characteristics they share.

Grade 4 – What natural resources can be found in PA? Which ones are renewable? Fourth graders are taking a look at how we can conserve them in our state.

We’ve learned that it was Peter that was given the keys to heaven by Jesus.

We read Scripture often and discuss the Good News in class.

Grade 5 – In Religion class, we are preparing for our Confirmation. Please pray for us. In Science we are studying about the moon and the earth. We are also getting salt water fish in our classroom. We have to wait until the tank is a stable environment.

Grade 6 – In ILA, the sixth grade is exploring the theme Personal Best. As they begin a new school year and prepare to receive their Confirmation, they will put forth their personal best. The students are working on writing a Personal Narrative.

Grade 7 – In Social Studies, we are learning about the roots of American people. We are beginning the Age of explorers. We are reading stories and poems that fall under the theme Independence and Identity. We will be writing lyric poems this week.

Grade 8 – In Religion, the students are working on making themselves more familiar with the Bible and our spiritual “roots”. The Math classes are finishing up Chapter 1 Review Materials and are ready to forge ahead in Math. In Social Studies, the 8^th grade is investigating the causes for the Civil War.

St. Philip Neri Grade School Tuition Assistance

Did you know that tuition assistance is available for your child to attend St. Philip Neri Grade School?

Tuition Assistance is available to those showing a real need. Address your request to:

St. Philip Neri Tuition Assistance Program

1325 Klinerd Road, Pennsburg

You will receive a letter asking for some information and you will be notified of any decision before the school year begins.

GUIDELINES for:

Tuition Assistance Program – Minimal Criteria

1.) Tuition Assistance will apply only to students in grades K-8 who are enrolled at St. Philip Neri Elementary School.

2.) Parent or legal guardian must be a registered parishioner of St. Philip Neri Parish.

3.) Must demonstrate financial need, subject to review and approval of Tuition Committee.

4.) Must be active and volunteer in parish activities.

5.) Tuition Assistance will be applied towards tuition as credit.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

PREP SCHEDULE:

September 28, 2008: Children’s Liturgy of the Word – 9:30 am Mass

October 1^st – class

October 8^th – class

October 14^th – Living Rosary – church – 7:00 pm

October 15^th- class

October 16^th – Confirmation Day of Reflection – 8:00 am – 4:00 pm –

Our Lady of Czestochowa – Doylestown

October 22^nd – class

October 26^th – Confirmation Rehearsals for all Students and Sponsors (Church) – 12:15 pm after 11:am Mass

October 27^th – Sacrament of Confirmation – 4:00 pm

All children are to be at the Social Hall by 3:00 pm

October 29^th – class

THE EDGE

Youth Group starting for Middle School Youth in grades sixth (6^th) thru eighth (8^th) - All are welcome to our first meeting and Ice Cream Social. Come enjoy time with friends – old and new. We can’t wait to meet you! We will be meeting in the Social Hall from 6pm to 8pm. Parents, please drop in for initial beginning to get a heads-up about the year, and also to fill out forms. Thanks!

Thanks to all of our parishioners who help out the Parish Youth Group by praying for the teens, supporting our Mission and saving used ink cartridges for recycling!

If anyone has any questions, please call Mrs. Daley at: 215-541-1716.

PARISH NEWS

R.C.I.A. NEWS

Are you or someone you know, thinking about becoming a member of the Catholic Church? Perhaps you have been baptized but never completed your training in the faith. Or, maybe you have not received all of your initiation sacraments. Are you someone who has never been baptized but feel God calling you to unite your life with him? The R.C.I.A. is the process designed by the Church to bring people just like you into full communion with your family and friends in the Catholic Church. Our process will begin again in September and run through Easter 2009. If you are interested, please contact Deacon Mike Franks by leaving a message at the parish office.

You can contact Deacon Mike directly by sending him an e-mail at: deaconmikefranks@comcast.net. Let us all pray that the Holy Spirit will touch the hearts and souls of all who long for God’s presence in their lives.

NEW LECTORS

We are currently looking for new Lectors. Anyone who would like to proclaim the Word at Mass and other Liturgies, please call the rectory. There will be a training meeting on Monday, September 29^th in Church at 7:00 pm. This meeting is for new and current Lectors.

Looking for Men & Women Altar Servers

Any adult man or woman who would like to serve Funeral Masses….we want you! Training will take place on Monday, October 20^th at 7:00 pm.

If you would like to be a part of this ministry, please cal Shirley at the rectory.

RESPECT LIFE SUNDAY

October 5^th is Respect Life Sunday. At all the Masses on October 4^th & 5^th, the Knights of Columbus will be asking for donations for a Rose for Life, a symbol of the Pro-Life Movement. Remember, you are not “buying a rose”, but offering financial support to Birthright. A Baby’s Breath (both being local “all volunteer” crisis pregnancy centers, “Priests for Life”, and other Respect Life activities.

Please take a “Rose for Life” before or after Mass, and make a “Pro-Life type donation” in our collective effort to fight on the local level against the 4,000+ abortions per day that occur in the United States of America.

We THANK YOU for your generous support.

RESPECT LIFE COMMITTEE

40 DAYS FOR LIFE *** Speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves.

September 24^th – November 2^nd

Forty Days for Life is a focused pro-life campaign with a vision to access God’s power through prayer, fasting and constant vigil at local abortion chambers to end abortion in America. During this time, our community will be uniting with more than 80 cities in 32 states for the largest simultaneous pro-life mobilization in history – the nationwide Forty Days for Life Campaign. We pray that this effort will mark the beginning of the end of Abortion in America.

Prayer is at the center of Forty Days for Life. During the campaign, prayer warriors across the nation fall on their knees before the Lord and ask Him to hear our plea and heal our land. Forty Days for Life promotes fasting from whatever separates us from God and keeps us from contributing to building a culture of life. This fasting can include food, television, and apathy.

CONSTANT VIGIL – The public centerpiece of this Forty Days for Life is a 40-day, 24 hour-a-day prayer vigil outside Planned Parenthood’s abortion chamber in Warminster at 610 Louis Drive. This is a total of 960 hours. Our parish has volunteered for one (1) hour on Saturday, October 18^th, from 10:00 am – 11:00 am. We will be leaving the Church parking lot after the 8:00 am Mass. For more information, or if you can do more, please call Pat at: 215-234-0124, or visit: www.40daysforlife.com.

FROM THE PARISH OUTREACH OFFICE:

Half Day Retreat time – September 29^th, beginning with

8:00 am Mass in our Chapel. It is for Friendly Visitors, H.O.P.E., Elizabeth Ministers, and Bereavement Support Facilitators.

FRIENDLY VISITORS MINISTRY

Are you recently retired? Is God calling you to serve someone in need? “As long as you did it for the least of my brothers, you did it for me.” Friendly Visiting is the ministry for you!

There are only two things required:

1.) a short orientation program,

2.) a willingness to listen.

If you can serve God’s people as a Friendly Visitor, please call the Parish Outreach Office at: 215-679-2282. Leave your name and number. (speak slowly)

Won’t you consider joining us as we serve our parishioners who are in need of a friend?

H.O.P.E.

Beginning in September, H.O.P.E. Ministry is sending Get Well Cards to our parishioners who are placed on the prayer list and Sympathy Cards to parishioners who have lost an immediate family member to show our prayerfully support of St. Philip Neri Faith Community.

ELIZABETH MINISTRY UPDATE

Mom-to-Mom Connection: On the go all the time? Feel like your kids are busier than you are? Worried about how your kids are handling all the stress? Then join us to talk about “Preserving Childhood in a Fast-Paced World” on Sunday, November 2^nd from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm in the SPN social Hall. Bring your ideas, questions, concerns and share them with other moms. Mom-to-Mom Connection is a seasonal gathering of moms sponsored by the Elizabeth Ministry of SPN. Our programs are designed to support and challenge each other in the amazing journey of motherhood. We hope you will join us for this free, informative discussion. Light refreshments will be served.

HOSPITAL VISITS

Please call the rectory to request a visit when you or a family member is hospitalized. Due to the Privacy Act, a request to have a priest or the hospital minister visit and/or bring Holy Communion can be made only by you or a family member.

SPN SCHOOL PARENTS

If you have not turned in your 2008-09 volunteer form and would like to volunteer, please complete and drop it in the collection basket at your earliest convenience.

If you have misplaced the form, please call Agnes O’Connor at the number above or email to at aoc73156@hotmail.com.

BOX TOPS/LABELS/REDNER’S RECEIPTS

Our parish school participants in several programs that benefit our school simply by collecting what would otherwise become trash. Please help us make the most of these programs by saving your Redner’s cash register receipts, Campbell’s soup & product labels and General Mills box tops. Please clip the UPC from Campbell’s products (they no longer require the front label) and the box top coupon from General Mills products.

A collection site is located in the church vestibule. Please remember that Redner’s receipts only qualify if you submit the ENTIRE RECEIPT and present your “Save-a-tape” card when checking out. If you do not have a card, any cashier can provide you with one at check-out time. Please call Agnes O’Connor at 267-923-8635 if you have any questions pertaining to these programs.

PARISH MASS GREETERS

Fourth Quarter Greeter Schedules are available now in the small room off of the vestibule.

We are still in need of more Greeters for the 11:00 am Mass.

Please call Shirley at the rectory: 215-679-9275 or email Doris at: gmomdecker@yahoo.com

CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP

Every Wednesday at 7:30 pm in the Chapel following the 7:00 pm Mass starting October 15^th.Come to grow closer to God and experience the power of the Holy Spirit through prayer, praise, song, scripture reading, teaching, witnessing, and use of the charisms.

Discover the love of God in a more profound way.

Call Rich Grochowski at: 610-323-1127 for more info.

LITTLE FLOWER GIRLS CLUB

Attention Girls ages 5-10 years…Saint Philip Neri Parish will be hosting the Little Flowers Girls’ Club this coming school year…Little Flowers Girls’ Club is a catholic program for girl’s ages 5-10 based on learning catholic virtues through the lives of catholic saints, scripture, and the catechism of the Catholic Church. The club strives to bring the catholic faith alive and inspire the girls to become authentic catholic women. The club will meet monthly to perform a craft/activity, sing songs, learn about saints, and earn badges.

The Little Flowers will meet at the Neri Center, East Greenville, on the First Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm starting in October. The schedule will be as follows:

October 7^th, November 4^th, December 2^nd

January 6^th, February 3^rd, March 3^rd,

April 7^th, May 5^th & June 2^nd.

If you are interested in this club or would like further information, please call Dana Orr at: 215-679-8223, email: DANA@GOODNEWS4HEALTH.NET or check the website: WWW.ECCEHOMOPRESS.COM

CYO NEWS

Registration for CYO will be held on Monday, September 29^th, in the Lobby of the Social Hall from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. This is for any boy or girl in grades fourth thru twelfth. Any questions, please call Kevin at: 215-679-5481.

ST. PHILIP NERI CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Well known singer, John McNally, will be here for a Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 6^th at 7:00 pm. Tickets will be available beginning September 28^th. The cost is $15 per person. Children ten years of age and under are free. Please save the date!

BREAKFAST with SANTA

A planning meeting for Breakfast with Santa is scheduled for Wednesday, October 15^th at 7:00 pm in the rectory.

Anyone who would like to be a part of the committee, please call the rectory.

ST. PHILIP NERI CUB SCOUTS

PACK # 591

BOYS – grades first thru fifth

Cub Scout Pack 591 is underway!

We are looking for boys who want to have fun and adventure. Meetings are every Thursday in the Neri Center (East Greenville) from 6:45 pm – 7:45 pm.

COME JOIN THE FUN!!!

Contact Alicia Tryon at: 215-679-4193 or

Cubpack591@yahoo.com

COME-N-GO BINGO

St. Philip Neri Social Hall

Saturday – October 11, 2008

Doors open at 6:00 pm

Games begin at 6:30 pm

Cost: $.25/game

Menu: hotdogs, bar-b-que & drinks.

If you bring a non-perishable item to benefit Open Line, you play two free games of bingo!

Sponsored by: The Knights of Columbus

BUS TRIP TO BATTLESHIP USS NEW JERSEY

On Saturday, October 25^th, the parish is offering a trip to Camden to tour the Battleship USS New Jersey. Jerry Mullaney, a parishioner, who is a certified tour guide on the ship and his fellow tour guides, will guide us through our visit. This tour is open to seniors, adults and children over age 12. We will meet in the parking lot at Perkiomen Tours – 875 Main Street – Pennsburg. The bus will depart promptly at 8:30 am and is expected to return to Pennsburg at approximately 1:00 pm. The cost, including bus transportation and admission to the ship is $37 for seniors, $40 for adults and children over age 12. If you are interested and wish to make a reservation, please call the rectory: 215-679-9275 by October 10^th. Reservations are required since seating is limited.

Knights of Columbus Communion Breakfast

Father Phillip Chavez – a priest of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity.

Fr. Phillip Chavez will be the guest speaker at the Communion Breakfast on Sunday, October 12^th sponsored by Father Leo J. Letterhouse Council of the Knights of Columbus.

Father will be speaking on the spirituality of Catholic men. The Knight’s are inviting all Knights, families, friends & parishioners to attend the breakfast. Seating is limited to 240 guests; so the tickets will be on first come basis.

Breakfast will be immediately served following the 11:00 am Mass in the parish Social Hall.

A pre-paid ticket is required as seating is limited.

Admission: $10/adult - $5/children ages 8-13, children under 8 years of age are free. For tickets or information, please contact:

Joe Cassarella - 215-679-3637

Duke Doherty - 215-679-0660

Mark Nunan - 610-754-7185

Thank you from Birthright

Dear Parishioners of St. Philip Neri,

We would like to thank each and every one of you for the great diaper drive you had for Birthright. By mid-summer, we run out of so many of the necessities we receive at Christmastime; so this drive really comes when badly needed.

May God bless all of you for your generosity.

Sincerely,

Birthright of Pottstown

AREA PARISH NEWS

DIVINE MERCY CELEBRATION

Corpus Christi Church

Monday – September 29th

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Join us for an inspiring presentation for the entire family. In “Tell All Souls About My Mercy” sacred images, subtle lighting, the spoken word, and beautiful, stirring instrumental pieces of great composers accentuate heartfelt renderings of passages from the Diary of Saint Faustina Kowalska.

The combination of these sights and sounds leads one to a soulful experience like no other. The combination of these sights and sounds leads one to a soulful experience like no other.

The evening concludes with Eucharistic Adoration, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

No tickets are required; however, a free will offering is suggested in order to cover the expenses of this event.

Parish groups are welcome!

Catholic Charismatic Renewal

Jesus lives! Pour out your Spirit anew!

A Day of Renewal in the Year of Saint Paul.

Join us for a day of powerful praise, teachings and empowerment on Saturday, October 4^th – 9:00 am – 4:00 pm – Father Judge High School – 3301 Solly Avenue – Philadelphia.

Most Reverend Robert P. Maginnis, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, will be our main celebrant at Mass. Liturgy begins at 11:15 am. Tickets are $20. Seating is limited. Bring your own lunch and beverage.

For more information, please call 215-535-2962, ext. 424; or email to: phillyspirit@smtparish.org or visit our website at: www.phillyspirit.com.

AREA NEWS

Rachel’s Vineyard Ministries

Healing from the Emotional or Spiritual pain of Abortion – Rachel’s Vineyard retreats are for anyone hurting from the spiritual and emotional pain of an abortion. The weekend will help you experience the compassion of God, grieve your loss, and forgive yourself and others. Held in Immaculata - October 10, 11 & 12. Call 215-906-6337 or 610-399-0890. All contacts are confidential.

National website: www.rachelsvineyard.org. This retreat is sponsored by Rachel’s Vineyard of Greater Philadelphia

M.O.M. (Mary, Our Mother), Heart of the Home

Archdiocesan day of renewal

When: Saturday – October 18

9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Where: St. Charles Seminary – Wynnewood

MainCelebrant: Cardinal Justin Rigali

Keynote

Speaker: Pat Ciarrocchi – News Anchor –CBS 3

Registration fee: $20 (by October 3^rd)

$25 (October 4^th – 10^th)

Moms of all ages, grandmothers, moms-to-be, married, single, divorced and widowed mothers are invited to attend this day of renewal. It is a wonderful opportunity to come together to celebrate our vocation of motherhood and honor Mary, our Mother.

To register, please use the enclosed INSERT or visit the website: www.momheartofthehome.org.

Any questions, please call Dawn Ellis: 215-679-2160 or email: rdellis3@verizon.net

OPEN HOUSE AT ST. PIUS X HIGH SCHOOL

All sixth, seventh, and eighth graders are invited to attend the Saint Pius X High School/Pope John Paul II High School on Sunday, September 28^th, from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm.

Learn more about Pope John Paul II High School (opening Fall 2010). Take a tour of St. Pius X High School. Meet administrators, teachers, coaches and students. We hope to see you there!

ST. PIUS X FUND RAISER

Reminder…St. Pius X is hosting a Ladies Night Out entitled: “Indulge Yourself – an evening of shopping, fashion, beauty and fun” on Friday evening, October 3^rd from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm in Fr. Doyne Hall...Interested participants should call the Office of Institutional Advancement: 610-326-8990 or email development@stpiusxhs.org to receive an information packet.

Invest just five minutes a day, and your faith will deepen and grow—a day at a time.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Please join me

Changing minds and hearts is each Christian’s mission. Sometimes the task requires involved argument and persuasive debate. But more often than not all it takes is a simple invitation: Everyone is welcome. Meet my friends. Participate in this event. Gather at our fundraiser. Join in our liturgy. Please forgive me. And the greatest invitation of all—I love you unconditionally. “Ask and you shall receive” works well with neighbors as well as God. Ask away and see the smallest gesture turn a no into a yes, a maybe into a most definitely!

Today’s readings: Ezekiel 18:25-28;

Philippians 2:1-11; Matthew 21:28-32

“The son answered his father, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went.”

Monday, September 29
Feast of Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels

There are angels, and then there are angels

When God needs to communicate something, God frequently calls on angels to carry the mail. In scripture angels announce important events, help people, and at times do God’s judgment. They are divine beings, or somewhere in between God’s perfection and the material world. In fact this speculation about what they are led in the early church to a hierarchy on which the Archangels, three of whom we celebrate today, are only eighth on the list, just above Angels and one notch below Principalities (the first six, in descending order of wonderfulness, are the Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominations, Virtues, and Powers). The arch—“chief”—angels, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, appear in Jude 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 12:7; Daniel 8:16, 9:21 and 10:13, 21; Luke 1:11, 26; and Tobit 12:15. Take a look and see what they’re up to.

Today’s readings: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 or Revelation 12:7-12a; John 1:47-51

“Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Tuesday, September 30

Feast of Jerome, priest, doctor of the church

Get the message

Saint Jerome (c. 340-c. 420) lived out his famous dictum: “Ignorance of the scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” At the encouragement of the pope he made a new translation of the Old Testament into Latin and revised the existing translation of the New Testament. He also wrote commentaries on biblical books, including the prophets. He knew that the more deeply one explores scripture, the closer to Christ one gets. And to get the message of the Bible makes us messengers ourselves, just like Saint Jerome. What can you do to deepen your knowledge and understanding of scripture—and also of God—and pass that along?

Today’s readings: Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23;

Luke 9:51-56

“When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him.”

Wednesday, October 1

First things first

Jesus didn’t exactly embrace the concept of the traditional family. Rather he preferred to call “family” those who followed him and spread his gospel—in other words, his disciples. For example, when a would-be disciple said he had to first perform the sacred duty of burying his deceased father, Jesus replied, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Harsh words, but it was his way of saying that those who did not completely respond to his call were dead—not physically like the father, but spiritually dead. How can you recommit yourself to Christ?

Today’s readings: Job 9:1-12, 14-16;

Luke 9:57-6“No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Thursday, October 2

Feast of the Guardian Angels

Guard against powerful temptation

Saint Augustine once wrote, “There is a certain greatness in the angels . . . every person desires the power of the angels, but their righteousness every person loves not.” Who wouldn’t want to be able to fly like an angel, perhaps carry a fiery sword or possess magical healing powers? But would we use our supernatural powers to accomplish the will of God, or would we join the swollen ranks of the fallen angels? The temptations of power are many and great; better to let angels take care of the heroics while we keep our feet firmly planted on the ground.

Today’s readings: Job 19:21-27;

Matthew 18:1-5, 10

“Take care not to despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father.”

Friday, October 3

What to do?

When something bad or difficult happens in our lives, we immediately cry to God, “Why has this happened?” and “When will it be over?” And we would like an answer—today if possible; tomorrow at the latest. Unfortunately, our salvation does not lie in quick resolutions. Instead we need to learn to stand silently before life’s great mysteries. We need to learn to hold them without trying to resolve them too quickly. We need to learn to “ponder.” Asking questions, demanding answers, complaining, and generally making noise is what we want to do. Standing silently before God is what we need to do. Next time, what will you do?

Today’s readings: Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5;

Luke 10:13-16

“Behold, I am of little account; what can I answer you? I put my hand over my mouth.”

Saturday, October 4

Feast of Francis of Assisi, religious

Less is (so much) more

Franciscans have been trying to get their man out of the birdbath for years. It’s charming and sweet to picture him swathed in bluebirds, but even as we haul our pets to church to have them blessed, how about remembering Francis’ conviction that amassing things not only damages the planet, it gets in the way of loving God and others? Nearly 40 years ago then-Newsweek religion editor Kenneth Woodward was asked what Franciscans could offer the church today. He said their gift was to teach us all “how to live with less, thereby freeing the spirit from slavery to ‘things’ so that we can concentrate on humanizing (even sacramentalizing) our lives.” Franciscans worldwide are not only men and women religious but an entire order of laypeople, all on the front lines. Woodward said their “example must be strong, humble, practical, a practical wisdom of the spirit. . . . Come in not with answers, but with experiments in living on less for more.”

Today’s readings: Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17;

Luke 10:17-24

“I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.”