Church of Saint Philip Neri,

Pennsburg

October 5, 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.

Ask deacon mike

I recently found myself addressing the same question to two different groups. Each group was discussing the Bible and asking questions which dealt with the interpretation of the Sacred Scriptures. As I thought about my responses to each group I began to think that these are issues that most Catholics probably wonder about. So, I would like to use this opportunity to address how we should interpret the Bible.

There are several basic facts that we should never loose sight of when we read the Bible and try to find meaning in its words. 1) Every word of scripture is divinely inspired. The Church emphatically teaches that the writers of the stories, poems, histories, biographies and other writings were inspired by the Holy Spirit. 2) The contents of the Bible cover various writing styles over a period of thousands of years. In fact nearly all of the contents of the Bible evolved from oral traditions that were handed down from one generation to the next over many hundreds, even thousands, of years.

Now, having said that we need to look at how we should interpret the contents of the Bible. Should we take every word literally? Are we free to place our own personal judgments and opinions into what we read? How do we know what we should believe? These are just some of the questions that naturally come to anyone who seriously takes the time to become acquainted with the Sacred Scriptures.

When we sit down to study the Bible, on our own or in a group, we must always do so in a spirit of prayer. We are spending time with the Word of God and therefore we should open our hearts and minds and souls to God’s Spirit so that we can willingly and clearly experience a dialogue with God. God speaks to us in many ways. The Bible is one of the most important means available to us to understand what God wishes to reveal to us.

There are many stories in the Bible that convey certain ideas and principals. The very first book of the Old Testament is one of these. Genesis tells the story of how God created the world and its inhabitants. In fact there are two creation accounts in Genesis. The purpose of these accounts is not to give a list of names or activities. The purpose is to show that God is such a loving Being that He wanted to share His existence with all of us. Was there an apple or a garden? Was the woman’s name really Eve? Did the snake really speak? How do we know? As I said earlier these were stories that were told over and over from one generation to the next for a long time before they were ever written down for posterity. But we should not get hung up with the accuracy of the “facts”. To do so limits in our minds the workings of God. What we need to take from the story is the fact that God created all things. Evil exists along with good and evil always tries to overcome and eliminate all that is good. But through the loving power of God we can overcome evil.

It is the role of the Church to help us understand what God has revealed to us about Himself. We are not free to place our own interpretations on scripture. We must always look to the Church for guidance. For each of us to interpret the Truth to our own liking does not make our interpretations the Truth the actual Truth. Only God determines what Truth is. When Jesus promised to be with us always He gave the Church the power to guide us in His name. While there is only one Truth, there is of course innumerable ways that the Truth can work in humankind.

It is obvious to anyone who takes the time to look at these things that there is a great desire among the faithful to grow closer to God through His Holy Word. The Church supports this movement. Keep in mind that all of our liturgies always contain an element of Scripture. But it is also our personal responsibility to study Scripture. If you have the opportunity, please take advantage of the numerous Bible studies sponsored by the parish.

As always, if you have questions about anything related to the Church please let me know. You can send me a note in several ways: 1) place it in the collection basket at Mass on Sunday, 2) send it to the rectory to my attention or 3) send me an e-mail at deaconmikefranks@comcast.net. God bless you and remember that I love you all.

Deacon Mike Franks

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 October 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

Serving at Mass October 19

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Patrick Kennedy Bob Ellis

Dianne Kennedy

Priest

Marci Jaman

LaRue Emmell

Claire Holcombe

7:30 am – Immaculata Barndt Theresa Gilmore

Lori Brozena

Priest

Andrew Souder

Peter D’Amico

Michael Duka

9:30 am – Jenny Josko Matthew Horvath

Stephanie Greczek

Priest

Deacon

Priest

Linda Benko

Joshua Hewitt

Lillian Hewitt

Bill Gurgick

Lisa Gurgick

Mary Godshall

Michael Dougherty

11:00 am - Bob Schwind Jim Brinckman

Barbara Schwind

Priest

Deacon

Priest

Mary Lavin

Tony Shellaway

Sandy Shellaway

Anita Weilnau

Bill Orr

Rose Anderson

Mary Ellen Paulk

Twenty-Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time

October 5, 2008

Monday – October 6, Bruno, priest, Bl. Marie Rose Durocher

8:00 am – John Virus, (Jennie Virus)

Tuesday – October 7, Our Lady of the Rosary

8:00 am – Stephen Fogel, Sr., (Mary & Lauren Bonar, Joe Rock)

Wednesday – October 8

7:00 pm – Marianne Husman, (Richard & Barbara Grochowski)

Thursday – October 9, Denis, bishop, martyr & companions

8:00 am – Kathryn Reers,

(PBIC Allentown Mechanical & Electrical

Friday – October 10

9:00 am – Mrs. Helen Jones-Delzingaro, (Luanne Pulli)

Saturday – October 11

8:00 am – Tom Krause, (Atea McArel)

5:00 pm – Elsie & Henry Meinzer, Sr., (Mark & Pat Meinzer)

Sunday – October 12

7:30 am – Alice Schmidt, (Mike & Liz Lewinsky)

9:30 am – For the living & deceased members of the Parish.

11:00 am – For all those enrolled in the memorial Society.

FLOWERS/ROSES

The floral arrangement on the altar is in loving memory of Erik Crotzer, requested by The Benner Family.

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, 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, Steven Gebhardt, Mary Finkbeiner, 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 John Bintner, 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 30, 2007 September 28, 2008

Envelopes $ 8,464.00 Envelopes $ 7,772.00

Loose 1,223.00 Loose 1,355.00

Children 54.45 Children 95.00

Total $ 9,741.45 Total $ 9,222.00

ACTIVITIES - *BINGO*

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

Working Thursday – October 9th – Team #4

All regular games pay $50

FINAL COVER – ALL SPECIAL PAYS: $500

Bingo: September 25^th:

Players: 71

Games: 596.20 – Kitchen – 179.05 – Total 775.25

BREAKFAST

Our parish Breakfast was held September 28^th and we had an amazing turnout of 686 people with a profit of $4,094! Thanks to all of our volunteers who came out to help and worked so hard to make this a success. Mark your calendars for the last breakfast of 2008…Sunday, October 26^th!

MEETINGS and EVENTS THIS WEEK

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

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

Monday, October 6^th – Pre-Cana Workshop – Neri Center – 7:30 pm

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

Monday, October 6^th – Bible Timeline – rectory – 7:00 pm

Tuesday, October 7^th – Craft Guild – gym – 1:00 pm

Tuesday, October 7^th – Garden Club – Church grounds – 5pm

Tuesday, October 7^th – Choir & Cantor Practice – Church – 6:30 pm

Tuesday, October 7^th – Little Flowers Girls Club – school library – 6:30 pm

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

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

Wednesday – October 8^th – AlPHA – gym – 6:30 pm

Wednesday, October 8^th – PREP – Religious Education – school – 6:00 pm

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

Thursday, October 9^th – Pennsburg Nursing Home Mass – 10:00 am

Thursday, October 9^th – Bingo – gym – 6:30 pm

Thursday, October 9^th – Cub Scouts – Neri Center – 6:45 pm

Thursday, October 9^th – RCIA – rectory – 7:00 pm

Friday, October 10^th – Bible Timeline – rectory – 7:00 pm

Friday, October 10^th – SPN Quilting – gym – 1:00 pm

Saturday, October 11^th – Fall Clean-up of Church grounds – 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Saturday, October 11^th – Knights of Columbus Come-n-Go Bingo – gym – 6:30 pm

Sunday, October 12^th Knights of Columbus – General Meeting – rectory – 7:30 pm

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

Sunday, October 12^th – Little Church – gym – 9:30 am

Sunday, October 12^th – Men’s 30 & over Basketball – 8pm

UPCOMING MEETINGS

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

Pastoral Council Meeting – Thursday, October 16^th – 7:00 pm - rectory

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 29th

Preschool – We celebrated the Feasts of the Archangels, Guardian Angels, St. Therese of the child Jesus and St. Francis of Assisi in preschool this week. The children are learning the prayer to their Guardian Angel.

Kindergarten – This week the Kindergarten will be starting patterns in Math. They will learn to make patterns with colors, movement, and pictures.

Grade 1 – In Religion, we will learn about St. Francis of Assisi. In Science, we will learn about the changes that occur in the Fall.

Grade 2 – In Religion this week we talked about angels, in particular – Guardian Angels. Guardian Angels happen to be the patron of the second graders. We enjoyed a piece of Angel Food Cake!

Grade 3 – This week in Religion we are learning about Jesus’ Apostles. In particular, we are leaning about how Saul was called to be an apostle. We each had a fish with our name on it and we put them in a bowl of water. This symbolized our call to follow Jesus.

Grade 4- We are becoming mental mathematicians. Students are learning strategies to compute sums and differences. Our Grammar focus is on prefixes, suffixes and roots. We’re looking for these as we read a short biography of Lou Gehrig.

Grade 5 – The fifth graders are learning about the structure of the sum and how important it is for us. Please continue to pray for us as we work hard to prepare for Confirmation.

Grade 6 – The students’ personal narratives are coming along nicely. This week, the class is reading “The Marble Champ.”

Grade 7 – We are wrapping up the Age of Exploration in Social Studies. In Math, we just completed a Group Project where each group made a board game to practice addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of integers.

Grade 8 – The Eighth Grade has settled into their position as school leaders. Many of the students are involved with Student Council, choir, handchimes, youth group and other extracurricular activities. In Science, the students are making mineral gardens to investigate the different properties of minerals. Our “harvest” will be interesting! In light of the upcoming presidential election, the Eighth Grade students will be studying the electoral process and examining the important issues of the election.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

PREP SCHEDULE:

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

THE EDGE, our parish’s middle school youth program had its first event on Sunday evening, September 28^th. We met 24 new friends who are eager to deepen their faith while having fun. We had a parish campus wide Scavenger Hunt (in the drizzle of the rain) and ended on a sweet note…ice cream sundaes.

We want you to join us as well. Our next meeting is October 12^th from 6-8 pm on Sunday night in the Social Hall. Our topic will be one we can all agree – we need to have Jesus at the center of our life. Won’t you step out in faith and come?

WE NEED YOUTH!!!

After the masses October 11^th &12^th, we will be handing out Flyers and bags to the parishioners for our food collection for Open Line. They need our help. This would be an excellent opportunity for service. Please call Mrs. Daley to sign up to help. We will also need more help the following weekend to collect the food and take to Open Line. Thanks for serving others!

Permission slips are due on October 12^th for the Fall Fest that we will be attending on October 26^th. If you did not receive one, please let me know ASAP. Also, I was given permission for sixth graders to be able to attend, despite what the Form says. We will also need a few additional chaperones that night!

It is the youth leader’s prayer that each and every tween/teen build a closer relationship to Christ and His Church.

For more information, please call Mrs. Daley at: 215-541-1716 or email: prolifer53@comcast.net.

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.

The Living Rosary

October is the month when the Church celebrates the rosary. St. Philip Neri will pray the rosary as a faith community on Tuesday, October 14^th in Church at 7:00 pm. This event is mandatory for all PREP students and school students in grades two (2) thru eight (8). Everyone is invited to join us in this parish praying of the rosary!

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:

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.

OCTOBER MARKET DAY

Our next Market Day pickup is Tuesday, October 21^st at the Neri Center. All orders need to be dropped off at St. Philip Neri School no later than Tuesday, October 14^th – 12:00 noon. All internet orders (marketday.com) are due Wednesday, October 15^th at 12:00 noon. Thank you for supporting our Market Day Fundraising Program!

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, please call Dana Orr at: 215-679-8223, email: DANA@GOODNEWS4HEALTH.NET or check the website: WWW.ECCEHOMOPRESS.COM

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 CHRISTMAS CONCERT

We are delighted to announce that the gifted Irish singer John McNally will be performing a Christmas Concert at St. Philip Neri Church on Saturday, December 6^th at 7:30 pm. This is a much-anticipated return engagement for the Dublin native who now resides in Sydney, Australia. His exceptional singing talent will not only provide us with favorite Christmas carols, but also many Irish selections, religious favorites and some of the grand “old” standards. John is relaxed and outgoing with his audience, but he is always the consummate professional musician and performer. The occasion promises to be an enjoyable evening and a wonderful way to begin the Christmas season! Tickets are available now for purchase and cost $15/person. Children ten and under are FREE! Save the date!

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

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

ST. PHILIP NERI CHURCH

is hosting a FREE informational seminar on

“Aging in America,

the confusing issues facing today’s

Retirees and the families trying to help them”

Tuesday – October 21^st

7:00 pm

St. Philip Neri Social Hall

1. What needs to be done regarding your money (and how to protect it)

2. Changes that have occurred regarding nursing home and Medicaid rules.

3. End of life decisions and care restrictions that should be in place (and how to avoid mistakes).

4. Your Estate Planning steps under the new Medicaid Law (protecting your assets)

Sessions will touch on:

*Your money – taxes are going up, interest rates are going down and the market is very ugly; learn how to avoid or eliminate the higher taxes on your income and social security you may face this year as well as investment options that can guarantee your money. Presented by Thomas Rutter, Certified Senior Advisor, Certified Estate Planner.

*Estate Planning – Planning your estate to protect your life’s savings from nursing care expenses. Review of how Medicaid rules have changed significantly. The severe challenges that affect your Powers of Attorney and Living Will. Presented by elder law attorney, Gerald J. Mullaney, Sr., Esquire.

Nursing Home Costs and Contracts – learn the ins and outs of what nursing homes really do cost and what Medicare and Medicaid pay. Presented by Carole Monahan, former nursing home administrator.

Three excellent speakers.

Issues that are important to you and your family.

No cost, but it can save you and you family heartaches and headaches.

Plan on attending!!!

BINGO

EVERY SECOND THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

FREE MEAL WITH ADMISSION

NEXT THURSDAY:

OCTOBER 9^TH

MEAL INCLUDES:

HOT DOGS &

MACARONI & CHEESE

(Other food available for purchase)

Congratulations to the newly baptized in September

Joseph James Carlin, III

Margaret Rose Ferrguio

Rile Jack Kling

Aleksandra Emilia Krukowski

River Joseph Lahr &

Annabella Mary Le Ma

FALL CLEAN-UP OF OUR CHURCH PROPERTY

We will be cleaning up our church grounds on Saturday, October 11^th beginning at 10:00am and continuing until 2:00 pm. Can you join us for an hour or two? Many hands are needed!

ALL DAY SCRAP BOOKING EVENT

Where? – Neri Center

6^th & Washington Streets

East Greenville

When? – Saturday, October 25^th

8:30 am – 6:00 pm

Enjoy a day of fellowship and the opportunity to get away for awhile and work on your scrapbooks.

Please provide your own refreshments.

This is a free Event, but, space is limited – so please register with Wendy Benner: 215-234-0354, ASAP!

CASINO TRIP

Tuesday – December 9^th

Christmas Show Package at the TROPICANA!

Cost: $20.00

you receive a $10.00 coin voucher!

Bus departs SPN Church parking lot at 10AM!

Reservations must be received by November 15th

Call Kathy: 267-923-5173 or

Janet: 215-679-6175

PARISH NEW YEARS’S EVE PARTY

Save the date

Wednesday evening, December 31^st – 8pm to 1am

Dinner dance for those 21 years of age and older!

Tickets will be available soon!

ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS

Vocation Office for the Diocesan Priesthood

Are you between the ages of 16 and 24? Have you ever thought about being a priest? Does the thought interest you? HEED THE CALL. Come and join others for a weekend October 17, 18 & 19 at St. Charles Seminary to explore the call. For more information, please visit our website: www.HeedTheCall.org. or call: 610-667-5778 for more information. Registration is required.

AREA PARISH NEWS

Save the date!

Sacred Heart School, Royersford, is having their 6^th Annual Ladies Basket Raffle on Friday, November 7^th. More details to follow.

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

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

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

They’ll know us by our respect

We know Christians are to love others. Whether it’s Jesus telling people to love God with all their souls, hearts, and minds and their neighbor as themselves or Saint John saying God is love, it’s clear love is at the center of living one’s faith. Love for all is not the intimate love we share with family, spouses, and close friends. No one can love everybody in that way. No, the essence of Christian love is respect for the life and dignity of all human beings. Christians are often ridiculed for such respect, particularly when it concerns vulnerable or marginalized lives, such as babies in the womb; disabled, elderly, and poor people; undocumented workers; prisoners; addicts; or even our sworn enemies. But our love for even the least of our brothers and sisters is what sets Christians apart. Show that love today on Respect Life Sunday, and every day.

Today’s readings: Isaiah 5:1-7; Philippians 4:6-9; Matthew 21:33-43

“This was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes.”

Monday, October 6

Feast of Bruno, priest

Enter the silence

If you haven’t seen the movie Into Great Silence, consider checking it out this week in honor of Saint Bruno. He founded the Carthusian monastery featured in the documentary. But this is no ordinary movie: Forget the popcorn and invite some contemplative-minded friends. Or dare your family to keep silence for three hours along with these monks. (Anyone who speaks puts a “fine” in the jar for the missions.) The Carthusian life is an invitation to dispossess, to be aware, to cultivate patience, and to give up productivity in favor of self-surrender. Take the challenge. Embrace the silence!

Today’s readings: Galatians 1:6-12; Luke 10:25-37

“If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Tuesday, October 7

Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary

Gain a new center of gravity

Appealing to the image of a loom, Pope Paul VI noted that the Hail Mary prayer is the “warp” upon which the rosary weaves its mysteries. Those who neither weave nor pray the rosary may not get it. But we can respect the simplicity of a prayer that honors how the son of Mary is also the Son of God. The prayer hinges on the name Jesus as its center of gravity. Our intercession through Mary is grounded in Jesus just as her own identity through Christian history depends on him. Step away from distraction and pray a Hail Mary daily.

Today’s readings: Galatians 1:13-24; Luke 10:38-42

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing.”

Wednesday, October 8

I have sinned through my own fault

Jesus spoke Aramaic, a language similar to Hebrew. We’re reminded of Christianity’s Jewish roots on Yom Kippur, when the Jewish community sings the Nol Kidre prayer in the original Aramaic. Yom Kippur is a time to ask forgiveness from those one has harmed. The Nol Kidre prayer seeks reconciliation for the ways we fail to live up to our obligations to God. Catholics also seek forgiveness at the beginning of Mass for the way each of us has sinned: “In my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do.” Seek and offer forgiveness readily.

Today’s readings: Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14; Luke 11:1-4

“And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.”

Thursday, October 9

Feast of John Leonardi, priest

The foundation layers

If you went to a public grade school and groaned about having to go to “CCD class” after school, today you can go to the source with any lingering grievance you might have. We celebrate the feast day of Saint John Leonardi (1541-1609), who founded the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD), the origin of those religion classes you had to attend. On the other hand, if your classes were thoughtfully prepared and effectively taught, they helped lay the groundwork for faith that you can build on today. But CCD classes only lay the foundation—it is up to us to build a sturdy home for faith that lasts a lifetime.

Today’s readings: Galatians 3:1-5; Luke 11:5-13

“Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.”

Friday, October 10

The law of love

What difference does it make if we are living according to “the law” or according to our faith? These two ways of life often appear very similar—they can even be identical at times. The difference, of course, becomes apparent in the outcome. Actions motivated by fear of the law may or may not have a positive result, while the same ones carried out in love will always be beneficial. Notice that laws come from outside us, while faith is written on our hearts. Then observe and reflect upon your actions today. Are they guided by a blind allegiance to the law or do they emanate from your faith?

Today’s readings: Galatians 3:7-14; Luke 11:15-26

“Realize then that it is those who have faith who are children of Abraham.”

Saturday, October 11

Bringing Christ to birth

Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A book of meditations from the 1950s, speaking to the reader in the voice of the Lord, gently chided: “Remember, my child, there is no such word as fruitofthywombJesus!”—a caution against rushing through the words of the rosary or the Hail Mary prayer. Yet if we pause over some words, they might make us uncomfortable with their unmistakable earthiness: Jesus is the fruit of the womb of Mary, just as we all are the fruit of our own mothers. But Jesus was not being squeamish when he demurred from a woman in the crowd blessing the breasts and womb of his mother. He is pointing to the even greater joy and blessing of those who put the gospel into practice by fidelity, compassion, forgiveness, and acts of justice. It is they who bring Christ to birth in the world just as truly as Mary did.

Today’s readings: Galatians 3:22-29;

Luke 11:27-28

“But Jesus said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the Word of God and obey it!’ ”