Church of Saint Philip Neri,

Pennsburg

November 23, 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

Today, the Church throughout the world celebrates the last Sunday of the Church Year. This last Sunday is always the Feast of Christ the King. The Church Liturgical Year does not begin on January 1^st; but it begins with the 1^st Sunday of Advent, this year, Sunday, November 30^th. But this is jumping a week ahead. Today, we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. You might ask why this Feast on the final, concluding Sunday of our Church Year. Well the Church intentionally places this Feast on this last Sunday. During our year, we have celebrated Sunday after Sunday the many Feasts of Christ. His birth, His death, His resurrection, His ascension. We have celebrated with great joy the many other events in the life of Christ. The Gospel proclamations have been told and refold. We’ve heard the words of Jesus calling us to discipleship and faith. The many miracles of Jesus have been told and retold. The only conclusion that anyone can make at this point is that Jesus is Lord. Hence, Christ the King of Heaven and Earth. If we have walked with Jesus this past year, the only logical conclusion at the end of the journey this last Sunday, can be that Jesus is King! The Lord Jesus is our Shepherd. At the end, at His coming, He will hand over the kingdom to His Father. He will “judge between one sheep and another, between rams and goats”, between those who have lived their lives for others, and those who have lived for themselves.

Christ is King!

Praise Be Jesus Christ…now and forever!

Fr. Roncase

Ministerium Thanksgiving Eve Service

Wednesday – November 26^th at 7:30 pm

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Pennsburg

Please bring canned goods for Open Line.

Parish Thanksgiving Day Mass

Mass on Thanksgiving Day will be at 9:00 am in Church. Our Youth Ministry will give out blessed bread that we ask you share at your thanksgiving meal. (Take home one or two rolls that you share at your Thanksgiving table).

Parish School Holiday

School will be dismissed on Wednesday, November 26^th at 12:00 noon. No school on Thursday, November 27^th (Thanksgiving) and Friday, November 28^th.

First Friday

1^st Friday Mass in Church, Friday – December 5^th at 9:00 am.

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 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

Serving at Mass December 7

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Linda Franks Bob Piccone

LaRue Emmell

Priest

Deacon

Trish Dornisch

Lee Johnson

Marci Jaman

Alice Swift

Bob Talbot

Kathryn Talbot

Pat Meinzer

Mark Meinzer

7:30 am – Anna Murphy John Guckin

Gerald Murphy

Priest

Deacon

John McHale

Immaculata Barndt

Wally Varallo

Joan Varallo

Stephan Adelsberger

Christine Adelsberger

Denise Guckin

Pat Scheerbaum

9:30 am – Jack Nash M. Gehringer

Monica Nash

Priest

Priest

Bob Brennan

Eleanor Brennan

11:00 am – Dana Orr D. McCausland

Amanda Charlton

Priest

Priest

Kevin Charlton

Maryanne Charlton

Our Lord Jesus Christ the King

November 23, 2008

Monday – November 24, Andrew Dung-Lac, priest

8:00 am – Edward Dobrzynski, (Anthony & Anna Bogdon)

Tuesday – November 25, Catherine of Alexandria

8:00 am – Millie Seachrist, (Larry & Anna Parestis)

Wednesday – November 26

8:00 am – Edward Dobrzynski, (Stan & Betty Mikanowicz)

Thursday – November 27, Thanksgiving Day

9:00 am – Mass in Church

Joseph Josko, (Emily Bloch)

Friday – November 28

8:00 am – Ralph Bolognese, (Lena Billitto)

Saturday – November 29

8:00 am – Helen Szostkiewicz, (Anthony & Anna Bogdon)

5:00 pm – Joseph Josko, (Cecilia Emerle & Richard Smith)

Sunday – November 30, First Sunday of Advent

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

9:30 am – Mary Stefancik, (Niece Marguerite DiBartolo)

11:00 am – A special Intention, (Tony & Noreen Bauer)

FLOWERS/ROSES

The floral arrangement on the center altar is in memory of Andreas Nicolaou, requested by Leonette Nicolaou.

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 Gordon Heckler, requested by:

Catherine Wlazelek, Jerry & Joan McMahon, and Wayne & Elizabeth Brinckman.

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 and Bill & Pat Cody.

For those who have died, and in particular for, Melva Albowicz, 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.

Note: no meetings in the month of December.

Our next meeting will be: Tuesday, January 6, 2009.

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 18, 2007 November 16, 2008

Envelopes $ 8,092.00 Envelopes $ 7,972.00

Loose 915.00 Loose 1,469.00

Children 41.00 Children 58.80

Total $ 9,048.00 Total $ 9,499.80

Special collection – Snow Removal:

$1,364.00

Paper recycling:

September – 2.37 tons: 11.83

October - 3.58 tons: 17.93

ACTIVITIES - *BINGO*

No Bingo next Thursday, November 27^th!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving

See you next week!

Bingo: November 13th

Players: 76 players

Games: $ 690.00

Kitchen: $ 132.65

Total: $ 822.65

MEETINGS and EVENTS THIS WEEK

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

Monday, November 24^th - SPN Quilting – gym – 1:00 pm

Monday, November 24^th – CYO Sports – gym – 5-10 pm

Tuesday, November 25^th – CYO Sports – gym – 5-10 pm

Tuesday, November 25^th- Choir & Cantor Practice – in Church – 6:30 pm

Tuesday, November 25^th – Boy Scouts – gym – 7:00 pm

Wedesday, November 26^th – School – noon dismissal

Wednesday, November 26^th – No PREP (Religious Education)

Wednesday, November 26^th – CYO Sports – gym – 5-9 pm

Wednesday, November 26^th – AlPHA – gym – 6:30 pm

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

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

Friday, November 28^th – No School

Friday, November 28^th – SPN Quilting – gym – 1:00 pm

Friday, November 28^th – CYO Sports – gym – 5-10 pm

Saturday, November 29^th – CYO Sports – gym – 8am-8pm

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

Sunday, November 30^th – CYO Sports – gym – 12pm-8pm

Sunday, November 30^th – Parish Advent Prayer Celebration in Church at 7:00 pm

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

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Parish Advent Prayer Service – Sunday, November 30^th – Church – 7:00 pm

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 – 2:00 pm.

Parish Penance Service (Confessions) – Tuesday, December 16^th – in Church at 7:00 pm

SCHOOL NEWS

Week of November 17th

Preschool – The children enjoyed having Tom Turkey (a puppet) tell them about the first Thanksgiving. Tom is hiding out in our classroom until after Thanksgiving. They also enjoyed making thankful bracelets. The various colored beads on the bracelet stand for someone or something they are thankful for.

Kindergarten – Our Kindergarten is busy discussing what they are thankful for and the many gifts God gave us! They are also doing many thanksgiving activities including making paper plate turkeys! Gobble, gobble!

1st – This week the 1st graders will learn about the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving. The students will write about what they are thankful for and understand that these special gifts come from God.

2nd – After observing the rooting of a half of yam in water last May and enjoying the beautiful growth of leafy vines throughout the Summer and early Fall, the Second and Third Grade children observed the uprooting of yam plants.

3rd – In our classroom, we are going to learn more about using a calendar. Students will be able to explain what a leap year is and what decades and centuries are. We thought about how we can be just and merciful individuals on a daily basis. In Social Studies, students are learning more about maps. Students will be able to identify latitude and longitude.

4th – What time is it? We’re talking about units of time, converting units and elapsed time. We’re also practicing reading and writing Roman Numerals.

5th – The students are anxious to investigate electricity, to make circuits, to see why a balloon sticks to the wall and to see what causes your hair to stand up when you go down the slide.

6th – The class has finished their novel, Number the Stars. We will be completing a Paper Bag Book Report and a Diamante Poem. They are very excited about what novel is next. They love reading!

7th – We are wrapping up our study of Colonial Settlements with a group project. Each group had to choose a settlement and design a tourist attraction where people could go and learn about life in that particular settlement. They will present their projects next week.

8th – With this being the Thanksgiving season, it is appropriate that the 7th and 8th grade Religion classes are learning about our duties and responsibilities as servants of the Church. We are studying the Beatitudes and the Corporal Works of Mercy as examples of what we are called to do as witnesses to the Kingdom of God.

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 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

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 HERE!

The “Giving Tree” has been 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

The Giving Tree is Here! – 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.

MUSIC MINISTRY

Can you help?

November 30^th begins the first week of Advent and is the first Sunday of our new Liturgical Year. Commit to a more active role in the Music Ministry of St. Philip Neri as your New Year’s resolution. With more musicians, cantors and choir members, there are so many more options to enhance our liturgies with music. We would like to form a day choir to sing at Lenten mid-day Masses and funerals, a bell chime choir, a contemporary group, an acappella group and some musical ensembles to enrich our worship. The music program is very flexible; some of our current cantors and musicians are only able to serve the community with their talents once or twice a month. But even that is a significant and appreciated contribution.

Contact the music ministry on the music notes link (www.spnparish.org) (parish website), download a musician’s information form, email it back, drop in collection basket or call the rectory with contact information. God gave us all special talents – let yours shine for all to hear!

PARISH ADVENT PRAYER SERVICE

How are you preparing for Christmas?

Our parish will begin the season of Advent with an evening of celebration of St. Andrew with prayer and reflection on Sunday, November 30^th in Church at 7:00 pm.

We invite you to come and begin this sacred time with prayer. Hot cocoa and cookies following in the hall!

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 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 2:00 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.

Anointing of the Sick and Elderly

Anointing of the sick and elderly will take place at all the Masses on the weekend of December 13/14.

Adult Altar Servers

We will be putting together a practice for any interested adult who would like to serve funerals and holy day Masses where student altar servers are not available.

If you are interested, please call the rectory and leave your name and phone number and Deacon Mike will contact you.

We welcome men and women, husband and wife teams and teams of friends who would like to serve together. We will discuss scheduling at the practice.

Please call this week so we can get started as soon as possible. Practice has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 7:30 pm in the Church.

FREE THROW CONTEST

St. Philip Neri Social Hall

Monday – January 19, 2009

Registrations begin at 6:30 pm.

This contest is for boys and girls ages ten (10) years old thru fourteen (14) years old.

Questions? Call Bernie at: 215-679-8275.

Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus

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 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

2008 Day of Sanctification for Priests

In response to our Holy Father’s call to grow in holiness, the priests of the Archdiocese gather each year for a day of prayer and reflection on the priesthood. This year, our priests will gather with Cardinal Rigali at Saint Charles Seminary on Monday, November 24^th for the 2008 Day of Sanctification for Priests. I, your Pastor, ask you to remember me and all the priests of the Archdiocese in your daily prayers, by saying the following Prayer for Priests once each day throughout the season of Advent.

A Prayer for Priests

Risen Lord, Jesus, You love priests with all your priestly heart. Hear my heart-felt prayer for all our priests. I pray for faithful and fervent priests, for unfaithful and tepid priests; for priests who labor at home and abroad, for lonely and desolate priests; for young and old priests; for sick and dying priests; for the souls of priests in Purgatory.

Merciful Heart of Jesus, remember all our priests: Give them a deep faith, a bright and firm hope, and a burning love. I ask that in their loneliness, You comfort them; in their sorrow, You strengthen them; in their frustration, You show them that it is through suffering that the soul is purified.

Eternal High Priest, keep all priests close to your Sacred Heart and bless them abundantly in time and eternity. Amen.

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.

AREA NEWS

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.

DEPRESSION SUPPORT GROUP

Dayspring Counseling Center, a program of Penn Foundation, is now offering a Depression Support Group for those individuals who either struggle with depression themselves or have a family member who struggles with depression. This is not a therapy group, but a support group. The cost is free. The Depression Support Group will meet on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at Dayspring Counseling Center beginning Wednesday, December 3^rd.

If interested in participating of if you have any questions, please call Donna Massey at 215-257-6551 at ext. 345.

St. Pius X High School Fund Raisers

Mark your calendars now for the 4^th Annual Festival of Food and 14^th Annual Live and Silent Auction planned in the Spring of 2009 at St. Pius X High School. The Festival of Food is slated for Sunday, January 25, 2009 from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm and will feature local restaurants and caterers spotlighting their delicacies.

The Auction – “By the Sea” is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2009 beginning at 6:00 pm and will feature items in both a silent and live auction as well as gourmet food stations. Both of these events are to be enjoyed by attendees 21 years of age and older. You can reserve your tickets now. They also make great Christmas gifts for the “hard to buy for” individual.

Call 610-326-8990, ext. 31 or email to: development@stipushs.org.

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

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King

What if . . . ?

The quote from today’s gospel that begins “just as you did it to one of the least of these . . .” is surely one of the most recognized in scripture. It’s also one of the most misunderstood. If we really understood what Jesus was saying—that Christ is in every single person, including ourselves—and acted accordingly, then our world would be a very different place, to understate the obvious. Instead, we read this passage and mentally nod our heads. But we don’t really believe it, and we certainly don’t act on it with any regularity. What if every person who reads these words spent the next 24 hours behaving as if this were true: that Christ dwells within everyone, no exceptions. What might happen?

Today’s readings: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17;

1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28; Matthew 25:31-46

“‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ ”

Monday, November 24

Feast of Andrew Dung-Lac, priest, martyr, and his companions, martyrs

By patient endurance save your lives

Vietnam for most Americans will always be associated with the long and anguished war in which so many lives were lost. Few people would have associated that beleaguered land with a thriving Catholic faith rooted there since the 17th century, a faith so strong that it produced 117 Vietnamese martyrs whom we remember today, all beatified and canonized between 1900 and 1951. In 1989 three American archbishops visited that country and said upon their return that in spite of the horrors of the war “the church in Vietnam is alive and vigorous . . . living out the gospel in a difficult and complex situation with remarkable persistence and strength.” Holding to the faith even in peaceful times is a challenge; we may learn from Saint Andrew and his many companions what it means to live in patient endurance.

Today’s readings: Revelation 14:1-3, 4b-5; Luke 21:1-4

“No one could learn that song except the one hundred forty-four thousand who have been redeemed from the earth.”

Tuesday, November 25

More than meets the eye

We’re nearing the end of the liturgical year, so a fair number of lectionary scripture passages this month urge us to see with the eyes of faith. We are to look beyond what is right in front of us and know this: What we see with our eyes and hear with our ears is only part of reality—and not necessarily the most interesting or important part at that. Storms may come, but they are not what we should give our attention to; rather we are encouraged to keep our eyes on heaven and our thoughts on Christ within. Only then will we begin the work of creating heaven on earth. Not with bricks and mortar, but with love and compassion and forgiveness, for ourselves and others.

Today’s readings: Revelation 14:14-19;

Luke 21:5-11

“As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”

Wednesday, November 26

You alone are the holy one

We sing the Gloria at Mass out of pure joy in God. The hymn begins with the words of the angels announcing Jesus’ birth: “Glory to God in the highest.” Other texts were added over time, including one from today’s reading from Revelation, “For you alone are holy,” to which we add “you alone are the Lord, you alone are the most high, Jesus Christ.” The beauty and exaltation of this hymn reminds us that one of the four kinds of prayer is praise, sometimes obscured by prayers of petition and intercession, which flow so naturally. But praise for one’s beloved is as old as love itself. While God welcomes our prayers of “gimme, gimme,” are we not also so overwhelmed by God’s goodness that we can say with the old spiritual, “How can I keep from singing?”

Today’s readings: Revelation 15:1-4;

Luke 21:12-19

“Lord, who will not fear and glorify your name? For you alone are holy.”

Thursday, November 27

Thanksgiving Day

Pilgrims one and all

Despite the rosy-colored rendition in childhood schoolbooks, not all was peaceful among the first settlers of Plymouth Colony. The passengers aboard the Mayflower were divided into camps based on differences over religion. Knowing they would face a test of survival upon landing, the rival groups were able to patch things up well enough by signing the Mayflower Compact in 1620 and adopting a common identity as Pilgrims. A year later they gave thanks to God and the local Native Americans for helping them survive. This holiday season look for a way to patch up whatever differences might divide you from others around the Thanksgiving table.

Today’s readings: Revelation 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9a; Luke 21:20-28

“Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

Friday, November 28

Believing is how you see

Every age has its own particular mindset through which the people view their world. Our 21st-century perspective could be called “scientific.” Whatever we can see with our eyes and measure with our instruments, we believe. Eight hundred years ago the prevailing attitude was “wonder.” In the Middle Ages all of creation was viewed as a symbol. It was a book in which every living thing was a word charged with meaning. The faithful were called to look through the visible to the invisible and, by reading nature, read the thoughts of God. Our amazing and helpful advances in science have sometimes come at the expense of wonder. Today, pray to the Holy Spirit for the lost gift of wonder and awe.

Today’s readings: Revelation 20:1-4, 11-21:2; Luke 21:29-33

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words not pass away.”

Saturday, November 29

Waiting in joyful hope

There’s that part of the Mass during the “Our Father” when the priest says, “ . . . As we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.” Does it ever occur to us that the “coming of our Savior” is the moment when we die? When our lives end and our world passes away, all that will be left is the eternal, the presence of Jesus Christ. If we live as though there is only this present life, then the Lord’s coming will catch us by surprise, and it will be a freak-out. But if we’re waiting in joyful hope, the day of the Lord’s coming will mean lasting fulfillment. Are you ready?

Today’s readings: Revelation 22:1-7;

Luke 21:34-36

“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with . . . the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap.”