Church of Saint Philip
Neri,
Pennsburg
November 9, 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: 6th & 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 6th & 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 2nd & 3rd Sundays of each
month. Please
call the Rectory to schedule. 2nd Sunday
Baptisms are held at the 11:00 AM Mass 3rd Sunday
Baptisms are held at 12:30 PM PRE-JORDAN
CLASSES 1st
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
1st 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
Rejoice, Rejoice…The Scriptures say…again rejoice. If there is one thing that we can learn from
this month of November, it is the fact that Catholic Christians are called to
rejoice. Rejoice for what? Rejoice for Jesus Christ!
We begin our month of November with two important Feasts, All Saints
and All Souls. The month ends with a
new journey beginning the Season of Advent when we are called to welcome the
one…our true King.
This past week as we celebrated our Cemetery Mass at our parish
Cemetery, I was reminded that in truth, all life begins here. So many times we get caught up in the things
of this world. The money, the
materialism, the worries, what we think we need or believe to be
important. It happened to Martha in the
Scriptures. She goes to Jesus burdened
and upset…tell Mary my sister to help me.
Martha, Martha, Jesus says you are anxious about many things Mary has
chosen correctly. Well Martha hears
Jesus…because later when we meet her in the Gospel, it is Martha who makes a
great statement of Faith. I HAVE COME
TO KNOW AND BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE THE CHRIST…THE ONE TO COME, THE SAVIOR OF THE
WORLD. We look for things, governments,
people to give meaning and purpose to our life, but in fact and truth, it is
only Jesus Christ that does this. The
Feast of All Saints and All Souls reminds us of this fact. True life, true happiness, eternity is found
only in Jesus Christ. Only in loving
and following Him above all else and above everyone will we find purpose and
meaning in life.
The Saints knew this as did the holy ones we remember during this
month. The question we must all ask, a
question we can only answer for our self…who is the one for us, who is the
Savior. Hopefully the Martha in us will
be transformed so that we can say to Christ…You are the one, the only true
Savior of the world. I walk with You
alone. When we can say this, then we
can truly rejoice, rejoice again I say it Rejoice!
Praise Be Jesus Christ…now and forever!
Fr. Roncase
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.
Serving at Mass November 16
Extraordinary Ministers Lectors
5:00 pm – Dianne
Kennedy Bob
Ellis
Patrick Kennedy
Priest
Alice Swift
Mark Meinzer
Pat Meinzer
7:30 am – Maria
Rodgers Michael Lynch
Chuck Rodgers
Priest
Michele Martin
Jim Michels
Amy Rodgers
9:30 am – Anthony
Pongia Susan
DiMarco
Joan Pongia
Priest
Deacon
Priest
Rita Tokarski
John McHale
Mary Souder
Christine Kemp
Lester Kemp
Jenny Josko
Keith Greczek
11:00 am – Sarah Franks Donna Tarantino
Mary Goodfellow
Priest
Deacon
Priest
Mary Lavin
Jeanne Hermley
Bob Hermley
Anna Kells
Marlene Leidy
Dana Orr
Anita Weilnau
Serving at Mass November 23
Extraordinary Ministers Lectors
5:00 pm – Bob Talbot Pete Frank
Kathryn Talbot
Priest
Deacon
Priest
Linda Franks
Dave Moser
Trudy Moser
Jim Quigley
Annemarie Quigley
Linda Benko
John Burke
7:30 am – Wally
Varallo John
Guckin
Joan Varallo
Priest
Denise Guckin
Pat Scheerbaum
Immaculata Barndt
9:30 am – Bill
Gurgick Terry
Benner
Lisa Gurgick
Priest
Judy Sledgen
Lillian Hewitt
Joshua Hewitt
11:00 am – Bob
Schwind Adam
Canigiani
Barbara Schwind
Priest
Tinamarie Evans
Rose Anderson
Mary Ellen Paulk
Dedication of
the Latern Basilica in Rome
November 9,
2008
Monday
– November 10, Leo the Great
8:00
am – Joseph Kehoe, (Richard & Barbara Grochowski)
Tuesday
– November 11, Martin of Tours, bishop
8:00
am – Kathryn Reers, (PBCI – Allen Mechanical & Electrical)
Wednesday
– November 12, Josaphat, bishop
7:00
pm – Joseph Josko, (Cynthia Yanchus)
Thursday – November 13, Frances Xavier Cabrini
8:00 am – First Anniversary – Beulah Windish,
(Mr. & Mrs. Tom Brogan)
Friday – November 14
8:00 am – For all those enrolled in the
Memorial Society
Saturday – November 15
8:00 am – Maryann Moyer, (Jennie Virus)
5:00 pm – Deceased members of the Fuller
Family,
(Mark & Pat Meinzer)
Sunday – November 16
7:30 am – Stanley Grochowski, (Richard &
Barbara Grochowski)
9:30 am – Catherine Burt, (Donna Bernhard)
11:00 am – For the living & deceased
members of the Parish.
FLOWERS/ROSES
The floral arrangement placed on the
center altar is in memory of Maria
Goffredo, requested by The Goffredo 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.
In memory of Joseph Dooley, requested by:
Pete &
Linda Frank.
In memory of John Poslosky, III,
Leo and Ethel Daugherty,
and John Sr. & Anna Poslosky, requested by: John & Mary
Ann Poslosky
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, Bruce Gerhart, Henry Tarver, 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, Edward Azarovich, Robert Rukstalis, Stanley Piontkowski,
Michael O’Leary, Darrell Joslin, Gordon Heckler, Theodore Martin, David Nunan,
Mary Ellen Paulk & Ken Ruck.
For those who have died, and in particular
for, Bertha Simmons, 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.
________________________________________________________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.
________________________________________________________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.
________________________________________________________
CYO Sports – For more
information, please contact Kevin Loose, 215-679-5481.
_____________________________________________________
Parish Youth Ministry – For more
information, please contact Colleen Daley, 215-541-1716.
SUNDAY
COLLECTIONS
November 4, 2007 November 2, 2008
Envelopes $ 10,718.00 Envelopes $ 8,444.00
Loose 1,621.00 Loose 2,010.00
Children 59.75 Children 46.55
Total $ 12,398.75 Total $ 10,500.55
Cemetery: $1,012.00
All Saints: $1,042.00
Census to date: $
21,682
ACTIVITIES - *BINGO*
Kitchen
opens 5:00 pm – Bingo – 6:30 pm
Working
Thursday – November 13th – Team #1
All
regular games pay $50
FINAL
COVER – ALL SPECIAL PAYS: $500
Bingo: October 30th
Players: 83
Games: $1,012.50 – Kitchen - $281.65 Total - $1,384.15
MEETINGS and
EVENTS THIS WEEK
Sunday, November 9th
– Little Church – gym – 9:30am
Sunday, November 9th
– Children’s Liturgy of the Word – during the 9:30 am Mass
Sunday, November 9th
– CYO sports – gym – 12 noon – 8pm
Sunday, November 9th
– Knights of Columbus General Meeting – rectory – 7:30 pm
Sunday, November 9th
– Men’s 30 & over Basketball – 8 pm
Monday, November 10th
– SPN Quilting – gym – 1:00 pm
Monday, November 10th
– CYO sports – gym – 5-10 pm
Monday, November 10th
– Pastoral Council Meeting – rectory – 7:00 pm
Tuesday, November 11th
– SPN Craft Guild – gym – 1:00 pm
Tuesday, November 11th
– CYO sports – gym – 5-10 pm
Tuesday, November 11th
– Boy Scouts – gym – 7:00 pm
Tuesday, November 11th
– “We Remember Mass” – Church – 7:30 pm
Wednesday, November 12th
– CYO sports – gym – 5-9 pm
Wednesday, November 12th
– PREP – Religious Education – School – 6:00 pm
Wednesday, November 12th
– ALPHA – gym – 6:30 pm
Wednesday, November 12th
– Home & School Board Meeting – rectory – 7:00 pm
Wednesday, November 12th
– Charismatic Prayer Meeting – Chapel – 7:30 pm
Thursday, November 13th
– Pennsburg Nursing Home Mass – 10:00 am
Thursday, November 13th
– Bingo – gym – 6:30 pm
Thursday, November 13th
– Cub Scout Den Meeting – Neri Center – 6:45 pm
Thursday, November 13th
– RCIA – rectory – 7:00 pm
Friday, November 14th
– SPN Quilting – gym – 1:00 pm
Friday, November 14th
– CYO sports – gym – 5-10 pm
Saturday, November 15th
– Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner – gym – 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Sunday, November 16th
– Little Church – gym – 9:30 am
Sunday, November 16th
– Children’s Liturgy of the Word during the 9:30 am Mass
Sunday, November 16th
– CYO sports – gym – 12noon-8pm
Sunday, November 16th
– Men’s 30 & over basketball – 8pm
UPCOMING
MEETINGS
Friendly Visitors General
Meeting – Monday, November 17th – gym – 7:00 pm
Liturgy Committee
Meeting – rectory – 7:00 pm
Cub Pack Parent Meeting
– Wednesday, November 19th – Neri Center – 6:00 pm
Respect Life Committee
Meeting – Wednesday, November 19th – rectory – 7:30 pm
Youth Ministry –
Sunday, November 23rd –gym – 5:00 pm
Parish Giving Tree –
Church – beginning Sunday, November 23rd
Ministerium
Thanksgiving Eve Service – Wednesday, November 26th – St. Mark’s
Church – 7:30 pm
Parish Thanksgiving Day
Mass – Thursday, November 27th – Church – 9:00 am
Parish Advent
Celebration – Sunday, November 23rd – Church – 7:00 pm
SCHOOL
NEWS
Week of November 3rd
Preschool – The preschool
talked about farms and the gift of food that comes from the farm. They learned about farm animals and enjoyed
singing “Old MacDonald Had a Farm.”
Kindergarten – This week the
Kindergarten talked about voting. We
discussed why adults voted for a new president and what exactly the president
does. Then the students were able to
have their own election – favorite ice cream flavor!
1st – This week the First
Grade will present their patron saint projects. They are very excited about sharing their wonderful saints with
the class.
2nd – Last week the
children created and presented their Saint Sashes as a way to celebrate all
Hallow’s Eve. They read about a
different saint and shared the information with the class. They did a super job!
3rd – This week we are
going to read the story “Turtle Bay.”
We are going to recognize and discuss the various geographic elements
present in the story.
4th – Fourth grade poets
have learned the form for Haiku poetry.
They have used great descriptions to write about Fall.
5th – This week the students are investigating different forms of energy; solar, wind, electrical and mechanical to see how all of these are useful to us.
6th – Last week, we
visited with our prayer partners. We
had a wonderful time making a craft, playing Bingo and eating a snack. We are continuing to read “Number the
Stars.” This week we are writing a
diamante about the story.
7th – This week Seventh
Grade read a screenplay from the TV series “The Twilight Zone.” We are each writing a sequel for the story.
8th – Eighth grade has
begun studying the Civil War. The
students will be working on a project to learn more about the lives and
conflicts experienced by the people of the time.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
PREP
SCHEDULE:
November 12th – class
November 19th – class
November 26th – NO CLASSES
December 3 – class
December 10 – class
December 17 – PREP Mass/Social in Hall – 7pm
December 24 – no class
December 31 – no class
THE EDGE
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
FROM THE PARISH
OUTREACH OFFICE:
ELIZABETH MINISTRY NEWS
Can you remember
when a brief conversation with your mom, sister or friend left you feeling energized
and encouraged? The support of women
for women is essential during the childbearing years – we all want to know that
someone else understands our joys and sorrows and that someone does care. The Elizabeth Ministry at St. Philip Neri
Parish reaches out to women in our parish to celebrate the expectancy, birth or
adoption of a child, to console and comfort a woman experiencing the
frustration of infertility, the pain of miscarriage or child death and even the
confusion of raising a child with special needs. In following the example of our Blessed Mother as she visited the
expecting St. Elizabeth, we want to sincerely love and support women in their
time of need and happiness.
If you would like to
serve other women in our parish or if you know someone who could use an
understanding friend, please contact LaRue Emmell: 215-679-3086.
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.
Do you need a FREE
ride to appointments, store, bank, phone assurance, light housekeeping? Volunteers are willing to respond to these
needs.
Please call H.O.P.E.
Outreach Office at 215-679-2282 or Kathy & Bob Talbot: 215-541-0250.
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.
CHARISMATIC PRAYER
GROUP
Every
Wednesday at 7:30 pm in the Chapel following the 7:00 pm Mass. 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 information.
LITTLE FLOWER GIRLS
CLUB
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 Little Flowers meet
at the Neri Center, East Greenville, on the First Tuesday of the month at 6:30
pm. The schedule will be as follows:
December 2nd January
6th, February 3rd, March 3rd, April 7th,
May 5th & June 2nd.
If you are
interested in this club, please call Dana Orr at: 215-679-8223, or DANA@GOODNEWS4HEALTH.NET or check
the website: WWW.ECCEHOMOPRESS.COM
ST. PHILIP NERI
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
St. Philip Neri
Parish is proud to announce a Christmas Concert featuring well-known singer and
performer John McNally on Saturday, December 6th, at 7:30 pm in the
Church. This Dublin native’s dynamic
stage personality and glorious voice are reflected in over forty successful
albums, top rated television specials for the TNN network and his many
appearances on stage and TV throughout the US, Canada, Australia and Ireland.
Our upcoming concert
will feature favorite Christmas Carols and also include many Celtic selections,
religious favorites, and some “grand old standards.” An informal reception will follow in the parish hall. Tickets are
priced at $15/person with children 10 and under FREE and are available at the
rectory or through individual sellers by calling: 215-541-1048 or
610-754-7185. You may also purchase
tickets at the October parish Breakfast, at the SCRIP table after all Masses
through November 30th and at the Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner on
November 15th. Checks may be
made payable to SPN Concert Committee.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER –
HELP NEEDED
World Day of Prayer
will be celebrated on Sunday, March 8, 2009, at 3:00 pm at St. Paul’s Lutheran
Church. Planning for this women’s
sponsored Event will begin soon.
If any women from
St. Philip Neri would be interested in the planning of this Ecumenical Event,
please call Shirley at the rectory.
St.
Philip Neri Pork & Sauerkraut Supper
SAVE
THE DATE!
Saturday,
November 15th
4:00
pm – 7:00 pm
Parish
Social Hall
EAT-IN
or TAKE-OUT
Adults
- $8.00
Children
4-10 - $4.00 - Under 4 – FREE
Take-out
- $9.00
For
tickets – call the rectory, 679-9275 or
purchase
at SCRIP table after Masses.
KNIGHTS
OF COLUMBUS
THANKSGIVING
300 SPECIAL
ON
SALE NOW!
AT
CHURCH ENTRANCES OR
CONTACT
ANY KNIGHT
$10
DONATION
One
winner for every 5 tickets sold
TOP
PRIZE - $1000
Total
of $2000 in cash prizes
DRAWING:
Sunday
– November 30th
AFTER
ADVENT SERVICE
ST.
PHILIP NERI CHURCH
HOAGIE SALE
CHEESE,
ITALIAN or TURKEY
TUESDAY
– DECEMBER 2, 2008
12:00
NOON – 6:00 PM
St.
Philip Neri Social Hall
COST: $4.00
All
orders due by Monday – November 24th
Please
call:
Rita:
679-7009 or Pat: 679-5675
CASINO
TRIP
Tuesday
– December 9th
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 31st – 8pm to 1am
Dinner
dance for those 21 years of age and older!
Single:
$45 – Couples: $80
Tickets
will be available soon!
A THANK YOU FROM
BISHOP MCFADDEN
The Confirmation
Class of St. Philip Neri
Dear Boys and Girls,
I wish to thank you
for the warm welcome I received when I visited your parish on October 27 for
Confirmation.
I thoroughly enjoyed
the time I spent with you, your parents and sponsors. The ceremony was beautiful and you were well-prepared to receive
the Holy Spirit. All those responsible
for preparing you for this special event are to be commended for their
dedication and hard work.
In particular, I
wish to thank you for the gift of the spiritual bouquet along with the donation
made in my name to Saint Peter School in Reading. I appreciate your prayerful support and generosity and I know the
students at Saint Peter School will continue to remember you in their prayers
in the coming months.
Know that you and
your families are remembered in my Masses and prayers. May God bless all of;
you with His choicest blessings and fill you with His peace.
With best wishes, I
am
Sincerely yours,
Most Reverend Joseph
P. McFadden
THE GIVING TREE IS
COMING!
The “Giving
Tree” will once again be set up in the sanctuary of the Church.
If you wish to
participate, take a tag from the tree, purchase the item described, wrap the
gift (if you desire), affix tag, and return it as soon as possible. All gifts should be returned by Sunday,
December 14th. Any gift
not returned by December 14th, can be dropped off at the Social Hall
on Monday, December 22nd from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
The gifts will
benefit Birthright in Pottstown, St. Mary’s Franciscan Shelter and Catholic
Social Services.
For more
information, contact Eileen or Pat at: 215-234-0124.
Sponsored by the SPN Respect Life Committee
CONGRATULATIONS TO
OUR 2008 CONFIRMATION CLASS
Thomas ‘PAUL’ Aaron
Somkene
‘MICHAEL’ Akpunonu
Evan
‘PATRICK’ Allsman
Maura ‘BRIDGET ‘ Allsman
Nina ‘ANASTASIA’ Ascoli
Emily ‘KATHERINE’ Beck
Keith ‘JOHN ‘ Brough
Matthew ‘LUKE’ Burgert
Mitchell
‘CHRISTOPHER’ Cairns
Nicholas
‘CHARLES’ Camarata
Bridget ‘MARIE’
Carlin
Paul ‘JOHN’ Chappelle
Renee
‘THERESA’ Charlton
Chiara ‘JOAN’ Chiaro
Lauren ‘MARIA’
Cola
MariaTeresa
‘NATALIA’ Crispo
Dante ‘JOHN’ Debrigida
Sarah
‘SYLVIA’ DeHelian
J'aime
‘DYMPHNA’ Dennis
Jessica
‘BERNADETTE’ DiTondo
John
‘GABRIEL’ Donahue
Shae ‘ALENA’
Duka
Michael
‘JOSEPH’ Eleftheriou
Sienna
‘SOPHIA’ Evans
Michael
‘ANTHONY’ Felix
Hailey
‘TERESA’ Foster
Ethan
‘PATRICK’ Frederick
Nicholas
‘ANTHONY’ Froehlich
Kelsey ‘BRIGID’
Gallagher
Joseph ‘JOHN’ Gallo
Ryan
‘NICHOLAS’ Gehman
Kiera
‘KATHERINE’ Grove
Emily ‘MARIE’
Hasson
Denise
‘THERESE’ Hernandez
Michael
‘JOSEPH’ Himes
James
‘ANTHONY’ Houseknecht
Victoria
‘BERNADETTE’ Hunt
Destiny ‘MARIA’
Jordan
Melissa ‘MARIA’
Kilroy
Keira
‘FELICITY’ Koch
Anthony
‘ANTHONY’ LaNett
Hailey
‘MARGARET’ LaNett
Claire
‘THERESA’ Lepore
Alyssandra
‘KATHERINE’ Licopoli
Julian ‘PAUL’ Liguoro
Grace ‘MARIA”
Lingenfelter
Michael
‘MICHAEL’ Lockhoff
Sabrina
‘MELISSA’ Loheide
Kevin
‘PATRICK’ Loose
Gabrielle
‘GENEVIEVE’ Marinelli
Morgan ‘FAITH’
Marion
Alyssa
‘BARBARA’ Markham
Hayley
‘THERESE’ Martin
Hannah ‘ANN’ Mattaliano
Allison ‘GRACE’
McCausland
Sara ‘ROSE’ McMahon
Wendy
‘FRANCIS’ McStravick
Jason ‘PAUL’ Mercando
Ryan
‘WILLIAM’ Mercando
Sierra ‘KATERI’
Miley
Zachary
‘MICHAEL’ Miller
Gabrielle ‘CLARE’
Molnar
Kyle
‘SEBASTIAN’ Morelli
Regina
‘THERESE’ Moser
Elizabeth ‘CLARE’ Mullaney
Joseph ‘PETER’
Oleksa
Austin ‘JOHN’ Orsini
Lauren
‘BRIDGET’ Pera
Jason ‘SEBASTIAN’ Pirri
Marcus
‘THOMAS’ Privitera
Brian ‘JOHN’ Rejniak
Allison ‘EMILY’
Ritting
Megan
‘ELIZABETH’ Ritting
Julia
‘NICOLE’ Rogers
Samantha ‘MARIA’
Ryan
Morgan ‘MARIE’
Rynn
Matthew ‘JOHN’ Schneider
Kennedy
‘KATHERINE’ Schultz
Lauren ‘MARY’ Serafin
Shawn
‘FRANCIS’ Sherwood
Brynn ‘LUCY’ Shrom
Ryan ‘BERNARD’
Sitko
Richard ‘PAUL’ Smith
Marcus ‘FELIX’
Sobetsky
Patrick
MICHAEL’ Souder
Dustin
‘VINCENT’ Steffenino
Charles “JOHN’ Stoll
Morgan
‘BRIDGET’ Tielemans
Thomas ‘JOHN’ Tryon
Patrick
‘FRANCIS’ Vetter
Olivia
‘GIANNA’ Vogel
Daphne
‘ELIZABETH’ Wanner
Justin
‘THOMAS’ Weber
Alexandra ‘CLARE’ Webster
Trevor ‘LUKE’ Weeks
Cooper ‘PETER’
Wright
ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS
Religious Classes at
St. Charles Seminary
Take a class at St.
Charles Seminary! The Religious Studies
Division announces its Spring 2009 course schedule. Registrations for the Catechetical Institute non-credit adult
catechesis classes, undergraduate courses, and applications for the Master of
Arts program are now being accepted.
To register go to www.scs.edu and click on Religious Studies –
Register for classes. Spring semester
begins January 20th.
AREA PARISH NEWS
Adult Faith Formation
at St. Eleanor Church
Wednesday – November
12th
7:00 pm in Guadalupe
Hall
“What difference
does faith make in a family?” A whole
lot, according to Mai Pham, guest speaker for our family perspective Adult
Faith Formation Series. As a survivor
of the Vietnam War, Ms. Pham will share how her parents strong faith led the
entire family of 10 children through the devastation of war, hunger, separation
and resettlement in their new homeland:
the USA.
Currently Director
of Adult Faith Formation at the Church of St. Andrew in Newtown, Mai Pham
received her M.A. in Systematic Theology from the Catholic University of
America and has been involved in parish work for the last 12 years. Mai also teaches in various Archdiocesan
programs such as the Church Ministry Institute.
There is no
admission for this Event.
Saint Mary Parish
Christmas Bazaar
Please join us for
our annual Christmas Bazaar to be held on Friday, November 14th from
4-8 pm and Saturday, November 15th from 9-3 pm. There are over 50 area crafters, food, Live
Nativity, Children’s chorus and Santa Photos.
There are still a
few tables available for crafters at the bazaar. If you or anyone you know may be interested, please call Judy
Meeks at: 610-513-2245.
AREA
NEWS
WOMEN’S RETREAT
Malvern Retreat House
– Malvern, PA
“What do you want me to
do for you?” Mark 11:51
A women’s retreat
will take place on November 21st thru
November 23rd. Newcomers are more than welcome. The cost is $185. If you wish to register, please contact Linda Woll at:
215-256-4922.
CATHOLIC SOCIAL
SERVICES
Thanksgiving Food
Collection
Donations are needed
for Thanksgiving. Catholic Social
Services will be providing Thanksgiving dinners for 200 needy families in
Montgomery County. We are in need of
frozen turkeys, and all the trimmings needed to provide a dinner and dessert
for a family. We will also accept
donations of grocery store gift cards.
Drop-off dates
are: Friday, November 21, 2008 from
8:30 am to 4:00 pm or Sunday, November 23, 2008, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
If you have any
questions, please call Catholic Social Services at: 610-279-7372. Our address is:
353 E. Johnson
Highway, Norristown, PA 19401
St. Joseph University
Annual McCormick
Lecture
The Status of Stem Cell
Research: Science & Ethics
Fr. Kevin Fitzgerald
November 12, 2008 – 7
pm
McShain Hall, 5th
floor – Haub Executive Center
For questions, please
contact Theresa O’Doherty, Bioethics Institute, Saint Joseph’s University
at: 610-660-3425 or email: todohert@sju.edu – www.sju.edu/bioethics/pages/events.htm.
LANSDALE CATHOLIC
SCHOOL NEWS
Lansdale Catholic 8th Grade
Scholarship Exam – LC will hold their annual Scholarship Exam on
November 15th beginning at 8:15 am.
You must be registered as a member of the class of 2013 to take this
exam. Students from regional public,
private and parochial schools are encouraged to call the Admissions Office at:
215-362-6160, ext. 194 for an application or visit online at: www.lansdalecatholic.com/admission_faq.htm.
Lansdale Catholic FREE Activity Pass for Jr.
High Students – All 7th & 8th graders
can sign up for the FREE pass! This
pass allows you to attend any LC home basketball game, football games, spring
play & more. You must visit www.lansdalecatholic.com or call
Mrs. Cope, Admissions Director at: 215-362-6160 x194.
Invest just five minutes a day, and your faith will deepen
and grow—a day at a time.
Sunday,
November 9, 2008
Feast of the
Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
Living stones
How often, when we speak of church,
we have to clarify whether we mean the faith community or the building where
that community gathers. The fact that the memorial of the dedication of the
Church of St. John Lateran today replaces even the Sunday liturgy reminds us
that our faith reaches into the clay from which we are made. We celebrate this
building—the pope’s own cathedral, the mother of all churches—remembering that
human beings need things that appeal to the senses to remind us of spiritual
values. Saint Augustine says that when the community of faith gathers “they are
hewn out, as it were, from mountains and forests, like stones and timber; but
by catechizing, baptism, and instruction they are . . . shaped, squared, and
planed by the hands of the workers and artisans” and finally are made into a
house for the Lord, “fitted together through love.”
Today’s readings: Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12;
1 Corinthians
3:9c-11, 16-17; John 2:13-22
“Do you not
know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”
Monday,
November 10
Fault finding
It’s a natural reaction to blame
others when things go wrong or get frustrating. But Jesus asks us to be
accountable for our own actions, not passing everything off on others’
shortcomings. Don’t lead others astray; if you do, he warns, “It would be
better for you if a millstone were tied around your neck and you were thrown
into the sea”—in other words, you’d be better off dead. And while he also says
to “rebuke the offender” if that person sins—which may sound like blaming—he
also says that if that person repents, we have to forgive, even if they do
wrong over and over again. So it’s up to us to be a positive influence on
others—and to be even quicker to forgive than to blame.
Today’s readings: Titus 1:1-9; Luke 17:1-6
“If the same
person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times
and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive.”
Tuesday,
November 11
Feast of
Martin of Tours, bishop; Veterans Day
Reporting for duty
If conscientious objectors had a
patron saint, it would be Saint Martin of Tours (316/317-397). Though Martin
was born into a military family and named after Mars, the god of war, his
conversion to Christianity led him to renounce military service and dedicate
his life to the gospel. “I am a soldier of Christ,” he said. “I cannot fight.”
Such a decision, then and now, is never easy for a soldier to make and,
depending on the time or place, could lead to imprisonment (as it did for
Martin), physical punishment, even death. As we rightly honor all those who
have given military service to their country today, let us also remember those
who have chosen to fulfill a different duty.
Today’s readings: Titus 2:1-8, 11-14;
Luke 17:7-10
“When you
have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We have done only what we
ought to have done!’ ”
Wednesday,
November 12
The Law and freedom
Jesus asks a good question in the
story about the 10 lepers: Where were the other nine? We can only imagine they
were off doing exactly what Jesus told them to do: showing themselves to the
priests, a Jewish ritual prescribed for the healing of leprosy. The 10th man, a
Samaritan, wasn’t bound by Jewish law. So he was free to return and thank the
Lord. There’s a fine line between law and true freedom. When it comes to
leading a virtuous life and doing good, it’s always a safe bet to follow the
law. But in order to live our lives in relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ,
we must be free.
Today’s readings: Titus 3:1-7;
Luke 17:11-19
“Were not ten
made clean? But the other nine, where are they?”
Thursday,
November 13
Feast of Frances Xavier Cabrini, virgin
Build on God’s foundation
The word kingdom, found in
the frequently used New Testament phrase “kingdom of God,” comes from the Greek
basileia, meaning “kingdom,” “reign,” or most literally “foundation.”
Jesus laid God’s foundation among us, and Christians continue to build on that
foundation through lives of love and service. Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini
(1850-1917) desired to build her life on Christ: “Convert me, Jesus,” she wrote
in her diary, “for if you do not make me a saint, I will not know how to work
in your vineyard.” God’s kingdom comes each time we do the right thing—fight a
just cause, serve the needs of our community, follow God’s command to forgive
and show mercy. Without a desire to do God’s will, we will, in the words of
Mother Cabrini, “end by betraying God’s interests, instead of rendering them
successful.”
Today’s readings: Philemon 7-20;
Luke 17:20-25
“The kingdom
of God is not coming with things that can be observed; for in fact, the kingdom
of God is among you.”
Friday,
November 14
A short quiz
This week we read from the three
shortest books in the New Testament back-to-back: Philemon yesterday, 2 John
today, and 3 John tomorrow. They’re so brief, they weren’t divided into
chapters. Which is shortest? The Second Letter of John. What’s the shortest
book in the Old Testament? Obadiah. Who’s the most famous short guy in the
gospels? Zacchaeus. Shortest verse in the Bible? John 11:35: “And Jesus wept.”
Shortest papacy? Pope Stephen II, who had a stroke three days after being
elected and died on the fourth. Shortest (almost) saint? Blessed Margaret of
Castello, born dwarfed. Praise the small!
Today’s readings: 2 John 4-9;
Luke 17:26-37
“Let us love
one another.”
Saturday,
November 15
Feast of Albert the Great, bishop, doctor
Peaceful coexistence
As scientists probe ever more
deeply into the mysteries of life, some people of faith feel threatened by the
new terrain being traversed. But rather than retreat from the field, believers
do well to bring their faith and ethics to the dialogue. We can turn to Saint
Albert the Great (1193/1206-1280) for inspiration. Albert was a Dominican friar
and priest famous for his advocacy of the peaceful coexistence of science and
religion. Tutor to Saint Thomas Aquinas, Saint Albert brought Aristotle out of
the shadows of the Dark Ages and ushered in the modern era of scientific
inquiry. If we believe that God is Lord of all creation, we have nothing to
fear from the exploration of the mysteries of that creation.
Today’s readings: 3 John 5-8; Luke 18:1-8
“We ought to
support such people, so that we may become coworkers with the truth.”