Church of Saint Philip Neri,

Pennsburg

November 16, 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 Saturday night I went out for dinner. Driving through the neighborhood we passed a home lit up for Christmas. Wow, a little early I thought, and probably so, but the Season for the preparation of Christmas Advent is just a few weeks away. Next Sunday we will celebrate the last Sunday of the Church Year, the Feast of Christ the King; then, November 30^th – the first Sunday of Advent. I encourage all of us to enter into this Season, reflecting on the meaning of the Incarnation. In the prayer, the Angelus, one of the invocations “And the word became flesh…and dwelt among us.” Does this reality have an effect on our lives? This is a question we should reflect on during this Holy Season. Christ coming into the human experience to touch our lives so deeply; God walking among us; the same Christ still present in the Eucharist. Are we allowing Jesus to walk with us? When Christ came into our world, we were forever changed. The love of God has been revealed. What is our response to this love?

A prayer…a daily prayer that I recommend during this Season of Advent is the Angelus. Here is the prayer; try making it an Advent Daily Prayer. A simple preparation for the celebration of Christmas. The Angelus (Latin for Angel) is a Christian devotion in memory of Incarnation. The name Angelus is derived from the opening words: Angelus Domini nuntiavit Marioe and is practiced by reciting as versicle and response three Biblical verses describing the mystery; alternating with the salutation “Hail Mary!” The devotion was traditionally recited in Catholic churches, convents, and monasteries three times daily:

6:00 am, noon and 6:00 pm (many churches still follow the devotion and some practice it at home).

The Angelus

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.

R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary …

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.

R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.

Hail Mary …

V. And the Word was made Flesh.

R. And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary …

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth we beseech thee, O Lord, thy grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ, our Lord, Amen.

or

Let us pray:

Lord, fill our hearts with Your love, and as You revealed to us by an angel, the coming of Your Son as man. So lead us through His suffering and death to glory of His resurrection, for He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Advent Celebrations happening in the Parish

Sunday night, November 30^th. Our Parish Advent celebration in Church at 7:00 pm. An evening of prayer at the beginning of the Advent Season.

Saturday, December 6^th – A Christmas Concert in Church at 7:30 pm. John McNally an Irish tenor. Tickets can be purchased at the rectory or at the door.

Sunday, December 7^th – Hometown Christmas downtown. St. Philip Neri will be participating. Our Neri Center will be open, Christmas caroling, crafts for the children, free cookies and hot cocoa and a live Nativity.

Sunday, December 14^th – Breakfast with Santa in our gym from 7:00 am to 12:30 pm.

At every Sunday Mass, a family or organization is invited to light the Advent Wreath in Church. The sign-up poster is in the Church vestibule.

Let us all pray…Come Lord Jesus.

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 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

Serving at Mass November 30

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Jim Camarata Ernie Quatrani

Catherine Cahill

Priest

Priest

Teri Boone

Dave Boone

7:30 am – Lori Brozena Theresa Gilmore

Dina Corrado

Priest

Deacon

Peter D’Amico

Michael Duka

Mary R. Giambrone

Michele Martin

Jim Michels

Amy Rodgers

Chuck Rodgers

Maria Rodgers

9:30 am – Mary Weber Wendy Benner

Colleen Daley

Priest

Stephanie Greczek

Mary Godshall

Cecilia Kirkwood

11:00 am – Bill Orr Jim Brinckman

Tinamarie Evans

Priest

Michael Dougherty

Sandy Williams

DJ Williams

Thirty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time

November 16, 2008

Monday – November 17, Elizabeth of Hungary

8:00 am – Jenny Hurys, (Edward Hurys)

Tuesday – November 18, dedication of the Basilicas of

Ss. Peter & Paul in Rome

8:00 am – John McManus, (Irene Leister)

Wednesday – November 19

7:00 pm – Jesse Fonda, (Janet & Frank Kendra)

Thursday – November 20

8:00 am – Matthew Wong, (Sung & Sun He Suh)

Friday – November 21, Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

8:00 am – Anthony Elderhorst, (Knights of Columbus #6614)

Saturday – November 22

8:00 am – Dr. & Mrs. Oscar Gonzalez, (daughter Gloria)

5:00 pm – For the living & deceased members of the Parish)

Sunday – November 23

7:30 am – Stephen Fogel, Sr., (Tom & Jackie Shewell)

9:30 am – Andreas Nicolaou, (Leonette Nicolaou)

11:00 am – Susan Miley, (Joan (Buckley) Going & family)

FLOWERS/ROSES

The red roses placed on the Blessed Mother and Sacred Heart Altars are in loving memory of Richard and Marie Wieder, requested by Joan Wieder.

The floral arrangement on the center altar is in memory of Marie & Harry Herd, requested by the Digirolamo 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 Lois Highland, requested by:

Rosalie Nelson.

In memory of Gordon Heckler, requested by:

Pete & Linda Frank, Clifford & Connie Marks,

Catherine Cressman & Family, Ken & Rita Latshaw

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, Jennie Virus, Lily Dusza, Jeremy Kircher, Edward Azarovich, Robert Rukstalis, Stanley Piontkowski, Michael O’Leary, Darrell Joslin, Theodore Martin, David Nunan, Mary Ellen Paulk, Ken Ruck, Jack Cahill, Kelly Conolly, Baby Owen Gilbreath, & Sue Smith.

For those who have died, and in particular for, Gordon Heckler, 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.

Cub Scouts – Thursday evenings in Neri Center, East Greenville.

Join our Cub Scouts by calling Alicia Tryon at: 215-679-4193 or email to: Cubpack591@yahoo.com.

________________________________________________________

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 11, 2007 November 2, 2008

Envelopes $ 8,774.00 Envelopes $ 9,759.00

Loose 1,136.00 Loose 1,050.00

Children 46.00 Children 58.00

Total $ 9,956.00 Total $10,867.00

Census to date: $ 23,392.00

ACTIVITIES - *BINGO*

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

Working Thursday – November 20th – Team #2

All regular games pay $50

FINAL COVER – ALL SPECIAL PAYS: $500

Bingo: November 6th

Players: 69 players

Games: $ 693.65 – Kitchen - $ 301.00 Total - $ 994.65

MEETINGS and EVENTS THIS WEEK

Sunday, November 16^th – Little Church – gym – 9:30 am

Sunday, November 16^th – Children’s Liturgy of the Word during the 9:30 am Mass

Sunday, November 16^th – CYO sports – gym – 12noon-8pm

Sunday, November 16^th – Men’s 30 & over basketball – 8pm

Monday, November 17^th – CYO sports – gym – 5-10 pm

Monday, November 17^th – Liturgy Committee Meeting – rectory – 7:00 pm

Monday, November 17^th – Friendly Visitors General Meeting – gym – 7:00 pm

Tuesday, November 18^th – CYO sports – gym – 5-10 pm

Tuesday, November 18^th – Choir & Cantor practice – Church – 6:30 pm

Tuesday, November 18^th – Boy Scouts – gym – 7:00 pm

Tuesday, November 18^th – Welcome Committee Meeting – rectory – 7:00 pm

Wednesday, November 19^th – CYO sports – gym – 5-9 pm

Wednesday, November 19^th – Cub Scout Parent Meeting – Neri Center – 6:00 pm

Wednesday, November 19^th – PREP (Religious Education) – school – 6:00 pm

Wednesday, November 19^th – ALPHA – gym – 6:30 pm

Thursday, November 20^th – Bingo – gym – 6:30 pm

Thursday, November 20^th – Cub Scout Pack Meeting – Neri Center – 6:45 pm

Thursday, November 20^th – RCIA – rectory – 7:00 pm

Friday, November 21^st – SPN Quilting – gym – 1:00 pm

Friday, November 21^st – CYO sports – gym – 5-10 pm

Saturday, November 22^nd – CYO sports – gym – 8am-8pm

Sunday, November 23^rd – Little Church – gym – 9:30 am

Sunday, November 23^rd – Children’s Liturgy of the Word – during the 9:30 am Mass.

Sunday, November 23^rd – CYO sports – 12 noon – 8 pm

Sunday, November 23^rd – Youth Ministry Mtg. – gym – 5pm

Sunday, November 23^rd – Men’s 30 & over basketball – 8pm

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Parish Giving Tree – Church – beginning Sunday, November 23rd

Ministerium Thanksgiving Eve Service – Wednesday, November 26^th – St. Mark’s Lutheran Church – Pennsburg – 7:30 pm

Parish Thanksgiving Day Mass – Thursday, November 27^th – Church – 9:00 am

Knights of Columbus Thanksgiving 300 Special – Sunday, November 30^th – gym - after Advent Service

Eucharistic Ministers Meeting – Monday, December 1^st – Church – 7:00 pm

Pre-Jordan Baptismal Class – Monday, December 1^st – rectory – 7:30 pm

Christmas Concert – “John McNally” – Saturday, December 6^th – Church – 7:00 pm

Hometown Christmas – Sunday, December 7^th – Neri Center – 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Breakfast w/Santa – Sunday, December 14^th – gym – 7:00 am -12:30 pm

SCHOOL NEWS

Week of November 10th

Preschool – The children enjoyed hearing the voyage of a ship’s apprentice and a passenger girl on the Mayflower. They delighted in batiking fall leaves and sorting and classifying them in Math class.

Kindergarten – This Kindergarten started to talk about Thanksgiving and what they are thankful for. They discussed being grateful for all that God has given us and saying thank you everyday!

1st – This week the First Grade will read the story “Where Do Frogs Come From?” They will learn about the life cycle of a frog and be able to correctly identify the changes that occur.

2nd – The Second Grade children have been talking about the importance of loving God and one another and when they do something kind for someone, they are doing it for Jesus. During each season this year, they are drawing pictures to send to our parish shut-ins to cheer them up along with letters written by their prayer partners. In fact, this is an ongoing service of the entire school.

3rd – In Religion class this week, we are learning about justice and mercy. To lead in example, we read and learned about Saint Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac. We thought about how we can be just and merciful individuals on a daily basis.

4th – The Fourth Grade will celebrate the Liturgy together as a Class. On Thursday, in our school chapel, we will give thanks to God for all He has done for us. We have division on our minds as we use variables to solve expressions and write stories to explain number sentences.

5th – We are learning about the Bible and reading the story of creation. We have so much to be thankful for. In Science, we are investigating energy. We are making water wheels and using sun and wind energy to make observations about its strength.

6th – We are finishing our novel this week. The class is so into the book. They will be working on a Diamante Poem about a character from the story.

7th – We are reading a dramatized version of “A Christmas Carol.” In Social Studies, we are wrapping up our study of Colonial America.

8th – The students are learning to plot graphs on a coordinate plane and to realize how these graphs can be used.

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

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

PREP SCHEDULE:

November 19^th – class

November 26^th – NO CLASSES

December 3 – class

December 10 – class

December 17 – PREP Mass/Social in Hall – 7pm

December 24 – no class

December 31 – no class

January 7 – classes resume – Happy New Year

January 14 – class

January 21 – class

January 28 – class

February 4 – class &

First Communion Parent Meeting – 6:10 pm – Mandatory Meeting

February 11 – class

First Communion Parent Meeting – 6:10 pm – Mandatory Meeting (SNOW DATE)

February 18 – class

February 25 – Ash Wednesday –no class

February 27 – Stations of the Cross – 7:00 pm

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 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, 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 6^th, 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 30^th and at the Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner on November 15^th. 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 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 24^th

Please call:

Rita: 679-7009 or Pat: 679-5675

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 14^th. Any gift not returned by December 14^th, can be dropped off at the Social Hall on Monday, December 22^nd 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

CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES – GIVING TREE TAGS

Coming! The Giving Tree – Catholic Social Services

If you choose to take a tag marked Catholic Social Services (C.S.S.), it will be for a specific needy family. Those gifts MUST BE RETURNED by December 14, 2008 or they WILL NOT BE USED! Anything coming in after December 14^th will be put in storage until next year! Please notice how different this is from the other tags. Catholic Social Services has to have the gifts ON OR BEFORE December 14^th. We distribute on December 18^th, but no one will be here to collect any late gifts after December 14^th.

BREAKFAST with SANTA

Sunday, December 14^th in our parish Gym from 7:00 am to 12:30 pm.

St. Philip Neri Christmas Concert

with John McNally

Saint Philip Neri Parish is pleased to present a Christmas Concert featuring John McNally on Saturday, December 6^th at 7:30 pm in the church. Tickets are $15 and children 10 and under are free. For tickets you may contact the rectory at 215-679-9275 or call committee members at 215-541-1048, 610-754-7185 or 215-679-3086.

The following is some bio information on our guest performer.

John McNally:

“I can never remember a time when I did not sing,” John McNally said when asked about his international singing career. He won his first award as a young man of eleven in his native Dublin, Ireland. His professional career includes cabaret and musical comedy in Ireland and England. In Australia, he hosted his own television show for three years. His many recordings have earned him four gold and two platinum records.

John’s tours of America have included performances in Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York. He has appeared in Las Vegas at the Sahara Hilton and Flamingo hotels. His American television appearances include “Nashville Now” and the Regis Philbin show.

In 2007, John completed another successful appearance at Ireland’s National Concert Hall which was followed by an invitation to the residence of the President of Ireland, Dr. Mary McAleese, who has been a long time admirer of John’s work.

Area music lovers will remember John’s frequent appearances at the Valley Forge Music Fair and with the Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey. More recently, John completed another successful tour of Australia. He will be performing in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Massachusetts before returning to Ireland for Christmas, 2008.

PRE-CANA WORKSHOP

The St. Philip Neri Pre-Cana Team will be offering a Workshop for couples preparing to marry in 2009.

The Workshop dates are all Monday evenings on:

January 12, 2009

January 26, 2009

February 2, 2009

February 9, 2009 &

February 16, 2009.

You are required to attend all five (5) evenings to complete the Workshop.

Please call the rectory to register for this Pre-Cana Workshop.

Parish Bulletin Transmission Schedule

Announcements for the November 30^th bulletin must be submitted to Shirley by Wednesday, November 19^th. No exceptions will be made.

Announcements for the December 21^st bulletin must be submitted to Shirley by Thursday, December 11^th. No exceptions will be made.

Announcements for the December 28^th bulletin must be submitted to Shirley by Wednesday, December 17^th. No exceptions will be made.

Announcements for the January 4^th bulletin must be submitted to Shirley by Friday, December 19^th. No exceptions will be made.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter!

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 20^th.

Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Annual Appeal

Please generously support the Annual Seminary Appeal!

The Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Annual Appeal kicks off during the month of November 2008. Please consider supporting the Seminary, and if possible, increasing your gift over what you gave last year.

The Seminary community is grateful to you for your faithful support. Your tax-deductible gift helps to enhance the many resources needed for priestly training and enables the Church to form holy, educated and dedicated priests.

Please send your donation to:

St. Charles Borromeo Seminary

Office for Development

100 E. Wynnewood Rd. – Wynnewood, PA 19096

Or if you would like to make a donation online – please visit: www.scs.edu.

A CHOIR FESTIVAL

In celebration of the Fortieth Anniversary of

The Association of Church Musicians

in Philadelphia (ACMP)

and in honor of St. Cecilia

Cathedral-Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul

Sunday – November 23, 2008

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Guest speaker – Dr. Elaine Rendler-McQueeney

Cathedral-Basilica Choir, Brass, Tympani

All choir/music ministers in the Archdiocese

are invited to participate.

The festival is free and open to the public.

Information - Cally Welsh: 610-525-7745 or

email Cally at: callywelsh@msn.com

Together, Let Us

Make a Joyful Noise unto the Lord!

Vocation Office for Diocesan Priesthood

The priests of tomorrow are in our midst.

They are members of this parish.

They are members of our own families.

Encourage Vocations, pray for the gift.

www.HeedTheCall.org.

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 21^st thru November 23^rd. 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

LANSDALE CATHOLIC SCHOOL NEWS

Lansdale Catholic FREE Activity Pass for Jr. High Students – All 7^th & 8^th 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.

Palm Schwenkfelder Church

Route 29 – Palm

HOLIDAY BAZAAR

November 22, 2008

9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Featuring:

Country & Victorian crafts, ceramics

woodwork, jewelry, ornaments, needlework, hand painted items and polish pottery

holiday baked goods, oodles of cookies,

jellies, jams, and our famous Chow-chow

Light lunch also available!

RETROUVAILLE OF DELAWARE VALLEY

Marriage Help – Retrouvaille is a Catholic based program to help marriages that are stressed or in trouble. Retrouvaille has helped countless married couples in all stages of disillusionment or misery in their marriage.

Retrouvaille can help your marriage, too. The next Program will be held at St. Joseph in the Hills Malvern Retreat Center – Malvern – February 13^th thru February 15^th. All calls are confidential.

For more information:

Call: 1-800-470-2230, 302-832-8044 or visit the website at www.HelpOurMarriage.com.

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

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

The gift of responsibility

Any gift from God is an occasion for our greatest praise. Christ, however, often reminds us that praise merely begins our acceptance of God’s grace. What follows is responsibility. The act of giving not only displays God’s love, but also God’s trust. Booker T. Washington touched upon the complex nature of this gift when he said, “Few things can help an individual more than to place responsibility on him, and to let him know that you trust him.” By taking responsibility for the gifts God has given us, we confirm both our faith in God and God’s faith in us. Look at the particular gifts you have been given and how you can use them to move the world toward God.

Today’s readings: Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6;

Matthew 25:14-30

“‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ ”

Monday, November 17

Feast of Elizabeth of Hungary, religious

Let them eat bread

Not too many princesses looked beyond the walls of their palaces to notice the poor—the people who more than likely made up most of those in her realm. But Elizabeth of Hungary did. Married in 1221 to Louis of Thuringia, a pious husband, she lived simply and devoted herself to works of mercy even though she was the wife of a ruler. After the death of her husband in battle, she left court, arranged for the care of her three children, and associated herself with the Franciscans. She established a hospital and cared for the sick until her early death at the age of 24. The symbols of her sainthood include bread and a pitcher. How do you reach out to give bread and pour the pitcher of charity to those in need?

Today’s readings: Revelation 1:1-4; 2:1-5; Luke 18:35-43

“The blind beggar shouted even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ ”

Tuesday, November 18

Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul in Rome

Christ is at the door

Today is one of those few occasions when we celebrate a building instead of a saint—or, in this case, two buildings. The Emperor Constantine built the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul back in the fourth century, and they are believed to mark the burial sites of the saints whose names they bear. It seems appropriate, then, that in the gospel Jesus uses an architectural image, a door, to tell us where he is in our lives. Is your doorbell ringing? If it’s the door of your house, it may be the Jehovah’s Witnesses. If it’s the door of your heart, it’s Jesus!

Today’s readings: Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22; Luke 19:1-10

“Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking.”

Wednesday, November 19

Scenes of coming attractions?

Today the term apocalypse has come to call up images of earth’s demise, a violent upheaval, fear and trembling. In the Greek, apocalypse literally meant a “lifting of the veil,” revealing the truth from obscurity. As it was understood at the time the Book of Revelation was written, the apocalypse did not mean some force coming from without; instead it was an exiting of our barrier to God. Rather than fearing this revelation, Christians are called to wait in hope for the departure of darkness. What veils keep you from seeing God’s vision for your life?

Today’s readings: Revelation 4:1-11;

Luke 19:41-44

“I, John, had a vision of an open door to heaven, and I heard a voice saying, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.’ ”

Thursday, November 20

No gamble here

Seven is considered a “lucky” number to those who roll the dice for their fortune. Christians rely on grace, not luck, of course. Yet for early Christians the number seven represented perfection. It’s composed of two other significant numbers, four and three. Four is traditionally the number of completeness or fullness, as in the totality of four directions. Three is the Christian designation for divinity: Think Trinity. Seven, then, suggests perfect goodness, as with the Lamb of Revelation or the Spirit’s seven gifts. It’s also the source of “perfect” evil, as with the Capital or Deadly Sins. Choose your sevens wisely!

Today’s readings: Revelation 5:1-10;

Luke 19:41-44

“I saw a Lamb having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.”

Friday, November 21

The joy of contemplation

It’s amazing when you think of all the men and women in this country who enter religious life. Why would they forsake all the cool stuff that a career in business or medicine or the legal profession would afford them? Today we recognize that there is a reason: There’s something to be gained in the contemplative life. Pro Orantibus Day (for those who pray) celebrates the deep spiritual joy and fulfillment that comes from a life of prayer. Those who listened to the words of Jesus in the gospel were amazed by what they heard. Those who share a lifelong conversation with him experience the ultimate happiness.

Today’s readings: Revelation 10:8-11;

Luke 19:45-48

“All the people were spellbound by what they heard.”

Saturday, November 22

Feast of Cecilia, virgin, martyr

Angels at work

Legend has it that Saint Cecilia (d. 117) wanted to dedicate her life to Christ as a virgin, but her parents married her to a Roman nobleman. She eventually converted her husband, Valerian, and his brother to Christianity by her belief in angels. “There is an angel who watches over me,” she is said to have confided to her husband. When he asked to see the angel, Cecilia replied that he must be baptized first. Once baptized, Valerian witnessed an angel holding crowns of roses and lilies while Cecilia prayed. When Valerian’s brother later inquired about the flowers, he, too, desired to be baptized, and the brothers and Cecilia ministered to martyred Christians until their own martyrdom.

Do you believe in angels? If so, you’re not alone. According to a recent Baylor University study, 55 percent of respondents answered yes to the statement: “I was protected from harm by a guardian angel.”

Today’s readings: Revelation 11:4-12;

Luke 20:27-40

“They cannot die anymore, because they are like angels, and are children of God, being children of the resurrection.”