Church of Saint Philip Neri,

Pennsburg

December 7, 2008

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

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

OUR PARISH MISSION STATEMENT

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

WE PROCLAIM GOD’S HOPE AND LOVE TO ALL.

Ask deacon mike

By the time you read this we will already be into the 2^nd week of Advent. As the days grow shorter and the temperature drop we start to “dig in” for the long winter to come. There is something almost haunting about this time of year. I even sense it in our music at Mass. Back home I used to really hate to see winter come. It seemed like forever before spring and warm weather would return. I was always bolstered a little when my Burpee seed catalogue would come in January. There was some hope!

That is what Advent is like, too. Some days life seems long and difficult. Our sufferings and frustrations and anxieties seem to never end. But there is hope. Jesus, though the mystery of the Father’s love, promised He would come back for us. That is what we look forward to in Advent – His return. It is a promise Jesus will keep. but to us it is still a mystery, which brings me to the question upon which I wish to focus.

About a month or so ago I was with our RCIA candidate and catechumens when one of them asked me a question that no one had ever asked me before. In fact, I never asked anyone this question, either. The person who asked this question is very bright and inquisitive and just happens to be the youngest person in the group. We were talking about some of the great mysteries of the Church: the Incarnation, the Eucharist, etc. The question was: Why does everything with God have to be a mystery?

Did you ever ask that question before? I know I have always wondered about it, too. But, I never asked anyone for a reason. I was honestly surprised by it. The room became very quiet and I knew all eyes were on me as the group waited for an answer.

I though about it a few seconds then responded by saying that God does not want us to know everything right now. If we did, we would have nothing to live for. Then I explained that all we have to do is look at rich celebrities who ruin their lives with drugs and alcohol because they are bored. They have so much money that they don’t need to work everyday like you or me. If we understood all of the mysteries that surround God then we would have no use for God for we would be like gods, ourselves. God created us to discover Him, to seek and depend on His love and mercy and desire to be one with Him. That is the purpose of our life here on earth.

Everyone accepted this answer. However, this question still haunts me. I keep asking myself if I really gave a good answer. I think it was. but was it really good enough? I have continued to think about it and I realize that the question is really an Advent question. In fact it sums up what Advent is all about.

We know why God sent His Son to live with us and be one of us – because God loves us. But why and how God loves us and how God shows His love to us is the real mystery. The mystery is not how the Divine and the human occupy one being or how bread becomes the Body of Christ. Surely they are mysteries and they cannot be explained in physical terms. It takes faith. It takes faith to accept as true that Jesus is present in the Eucharist. It takes faith to accept that the little baby in Bethlehem is the Son of God, born of a virgin.

The real answer to why is everything about God a mystery is that it takes faith, an acceptance of something intangible, an act of our own will to know God. If God was not a mystery then we would regard Him no more than the sun coming up in the morning or cold weather coming in winter – it just happens. God wants more than that in our relationship with Him.

God wants our relationship with Him to be so strong that physical evidence is not needed for it to flourish. God wants our relationship to go beyond the physical. In fact, nothing physical can truly have a bearing on this relationship. While we express our worship in physical ways with churches and songs and bread and wine, God expresses His love through ways that only faith can make sense of.

If God and the things about God were not a mystery we would not need faith. Without faith, there would be no union of our self with God. Without that union, life would have no purpose. So, the purpose of our existence is to unlock the mystery of God. Step one begins here in this life through our recognition and acceptance of God through faith. Step two is the unfolding of the mystery when we pass from this life to the next.

If you have any questions concerning the Church or sacraments or our Catholic faith that you would like addressed please send them to me by dropping a note in the collection basked, by sending your inquiry to the rectory or by sending me an e-mail at deaconmikefranks@comcast.net. Your identity will be kept confidential.

As we continue our journey through Advent, always looking forward to the coming of our Messiah, I pray that you find hope and peace in Jesus’ great promise: For I am with you always, even to the end of time. God bless you and I love you all! Deacon Mike Franks.

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.

Holy Day of Obligation

Feast of the Immaculate Conception – December 8

This Feast is a Holy Day with the obligation to attend Mass. (Even though it falls on a Monday, this is a holy day that always in the United States is a holy day that has the obligation to attend Mass). The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is our national Patroness.

Vigil Mass: Sunday evening at 5:00 pm.

Masses on December 8^th (Monday):

8:00 am; 9:30 am; & 7:30 pm

ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE - CONFESSIONS

On Tuesday evening December 16^th, we will have our Advent Penance Service in Church at 7:00 pm. There will be 8 priests available for Confession. Prepare for Christmas by receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

DECORATING THE CHURCH FOR CHRISTMAS

We will be decorating Church for the Christmas Season on Sunday, December 21^st at 2:00 pm. As always, much help is needed. Please come and join in the work and fun!

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

Serving at Mass December 14

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Dave Moser Bob Ellis

Trudy Moser

Priest

Priest

Lisa Edleman

Michael Edleman

7:30 am – Mary R. Giambrone John Gilmore

Michael Duka

Priest

Lori Brozena

Michele Martin

Peter D’Amico

9:30 am – Jeff Daley Ed Tryon

Michael Sledgen

Priest

Deacon

Sharon Shaak

Kathy Raubertas

Irene Novelli

Keith Greczyk

Ken Mayer

Marilynn Mayer

Christine Kemp

Lester Kemp

11:00 am – Bob Schwind Donna Tarantino

Barbara Schwind

Priest

Priest

Tony Shellaway

Sandy Shellaway

Serving at Mass December 21

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Janet Kendra Larry Concio

Lee Johnson

Priest

Claire Holcombe

Annemarie Quigley

Jim Quigley

7:30 am – Joan Varallo J. Sakelouckas

Wally Varallo

Priest

Denise Guckin

Jim Michels

Dina Corrado

9:30 am - Jenny Josko Matthew Horvath

Mary Godshall

Priest

Deacon

Joshua Hewitt

Lillian Hewitt

Bill Gurgick

Lisa Gurgick

Andrew Souder

Mary Weber

Marianne Peters

Michael Dougherty

11:00 am – Sarah Franks Luke Verna

Anna Kells

Priest

Deacon

Bob Hermley

Jeanne Hermley

Dana Orr

Amanda Charlton

Maryanne Charlton

Kevin Charlton

Tinamarie Evans

Mary Goodfellow

Second Sunday of Advent

December 7, 2008

Monday – December 8, Immaculate Conception

of the Blessed Virgin Mary

8:00 am – Mass in Church – Stephen Fogel, Sr.

(Pete & Peg Duklis)

9:30 am – Mass in Church – Anthony Parrott,

(Mother Renee Martin & Grandmother Ruth Wunder)

7:30 pm – Mass in Church – Joseph Josko,

(Cecilia Emerle & Richard Smith)

Tuesday – December 9, Juan Diego

8:00 am – Fifth Anniversary, James Dykie,

(Wife Anne & children)

Wednesday – December 10

7:00 pm – Joseph Josko, (Debbie Wanzia & Cynthia Yanchus)

Thursday – December 11, Damasus I, pope

8:00 am – Millie Seachrist, (Anthony & Barbara Parestis)

Friday – December 12, Our Lady of Guadalupe

8:00 am – Ralph Bolognese, (Anthony & Shirley Bolognese)

Saturday – December 13

8:00 am – For all those enrolled in the Memorial Society

5:00 pm – Tenth Anniversary, Caroline Dornisch,

(Daughter Trish Dornisch)

Sunday – December 14, Third Sunday of Advent

7:30 am – Jean Pulli, (Luanne & Joe Pulli)

9:30 am – Joseph Josko, (Pamela Emerle)

11:00 am – For the living & deceased members of the Parish

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, Jack Conlen, Mary Conover, Barbara Duklis, Olga Durco, Jake Kriebel, Baby Owen Gilbreath & Betty Watkins.

For those who have died, and in particular for Kathryn Hovanec, Louis Koch & Richard Whitney, grant them eternal rest and peace.

Please note: Every first week of the month, the names on our Prayer of the Faithful – Ill, will be removed. Anyone wishing to add a name or have a name removed from the Prayer of the Faithful – Ill, please call the rectory office between 10:00 am – 2:00 pm; or email to: spnofc@comcast.net

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:

Joe & Viola Kavacky.

In memory of Katherine Cress, requested by:

Bill & Rosealie Benedict.

In memory of Ken Avery, requested by,

Nancy & Tom Brogan, and Sarah Greiss.

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

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 at: 610-754-6541.

Cub Scouts – Thursday evenings in the 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 at: 215-679-5481.

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

SUNDAY COLLECTIONS

November 25, 2007 November 23, 2008

Envelopes $ 8,599.00 $ 8,744.00

Loose 929.00 1,109.00

Children 46.00 63.00

Total: $ 9,574.00 $ 9,916.00

December 2, 2007 November 30, 2008

Envelopes $ 8,379.00 $ 8,377.00

Loose 1,388.00 1,233.00

Children 55.30 70.00

Total: $ 9,822.30 $ 9,680.00

ACTIVITIES - *BINGO*

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

Working Thursday – December 11^th – Team #1

All regular games pay $50

FINAL COVER – ALL SPECIAL PAYS: $500

Bingo: November 20, 2008

Players: 62

Games: $229.00 – Kitchen - $ 263.40

Total: $492.40

MEETINGS and EVENTS THIS WEEK

Sunday, December 7^th – Little Church – gym – 9:30 am

Sunday, December 7^th – Children’s Liturgy of the Word – Church during the 9:30 am Mass

Sunday, December 7^th – CYO Sports – gym – 12pm-8pm

Sunday, December 7^th – Holy Day Vigil Mass – Church – 5pm

Sunday, December 7^th – Youth Ministry – gym – 5pm-8pm

Sunday, December 7^th – Men’s 30 & over Basketball – 8pm

Monday, December 8^th – No School

Monday, December 8^th – Holy Day of Obligation – Masses in Church: 8:00 am; 9:30 am; and 7:30 pm.

Monday, December 8^th – CYO Sports – gym – 5-10 pm

Tuesday, December 9^th – No School – Parent-Teacher Conferences

Tuesday, December 9^th – CYO Sports – gym – 5-10 pm

Tuesday, December 9^th – Choir & Cantor Practice – Church – 6:30 pm

Tuesday, December 9^th- Boy Scouts – gym – 7:00 pm

Wednesday, December 10^th – CYO Sports – gym – 5-9 pm

Wednesday, December 10^th – ALPHA – gym – 6:30 pm

Wednesday, December 10^th – PREP – Religious Education – School – 6:00 pm

Wednesday, December 10^th – Home & School Board Meeting – rectory – 7:00 pm

Thursday, December 11^th – Pennsburg Nursing Home Mass – 10:00 am

Thursday, December 11^th – Bingo – gym – 6:30 pm

Thursday, December 11^th – Cub Scouts – Neri Center – 6:45 pm

Thursday, December 11^th – RCIA – rectory – 7:00 pm

Friday, December 12^th – CYO Sports – gym – 5-10 pm

Saturday, December 13^th – Cub Scout Training Meeting – Neri Center – 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

Saturday, December 13^th – Breakfast w/Santa set-up – gym

Saturday, December 13^th – Anointing of the Sick & Elderly at the 5:00 pm Mass

Sunday, December 14th – Anointing of the Sick & Elderly at all Sunday Masses

Sunday, December 14^th – No Little Church

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

Sunday, December 14^th – Children’s Liturgy of the Word – Church – during the 9:30 am Mass

Sunday, December 14^th – Knights of Columbus General Meeting – rectory – 7:30 pm

Sunday, December 14^th – Men’s 30 & over basketball – 8pm

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Grade School Christmas Concert – Monday, December 15^th – gym – 7:00 pm

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

Decorating the Church for Christmas – Sunday, December 21^st – Church – 2:00 pm

St. Philip Neri New Year’s Eve Party – Wednesday, December 31^st – gym – 9:00 pm to 1:00 am

SCHOOL NEWS

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:

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

March 4 – class

March 11 – class

March 16 – First Penance Prayer Service – in Church at 7:00 pm

March 18 – class

March 25 – NO CLASS – Parish Mission – Church

March 31 – First Communion Retreat – Social Hall/Church

Congratulations to the following students who have received the FALL DISCIPLE AWARD.

1A – Trevor Cairns, Brianna Miller

1B – Lindsey Collins, Patrick McHale

2A – Nathan Shaak, Madison Modugno

2B – Mary Camuso, David Flecther

3A – Kaylee Heimes, Christopher, Rynn

3B – Nicholas Guzman, Meghan Grove

4A – Eric Aaron, Amy Ma

5A - Keith Brough, Morgon Rynn

5B - Denise Hernandez, Justin Weber

6A - Alysandra Licopoli, Bridget Carlin

This award which is presented three times a year (Fall, Winter, Spring) to two or more PREP Students who best exemplify the Christian values of a follower of Our Lord. The recipients of this honor, who are selected by their Catechists, have consistently displayed courteous behavior in the classroom toward their teachers and classmates; have faithfully attended weekly classes; and have advanced in love and in knowledge of their Faith.

The Award consist of a certificate, Holy Spirit Pin and a Holy Trader Card, which features a saint as a Christian role model and spiritual guide.

We would like to extend a “Thank You” to the Father Leo Letterhouse Council #6614 of the Knights of Columbus for sponsoring this award.

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:

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.

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.

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

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.

Congratulations to the Baptized during the month of November:

Sadie Elizabeth Hanish Ryann Julia Sanselice

Nivenna Maria Conklin Casey Rose Schuler

Joycelyn Elizabeth Sledgen Andrew Joseph Dusko

Deborah Anne Orr Cecilia Grace Abramo

Ciena Rose Platt

MARCH FOR LIFE

Join Father Roncase as he leads our parish on the “March for Life” in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, January 22, 2009. The bus will leave from St. Philip Neri parking lot after the 7:30 am Mass. Cost is $25 per person (includes dinner and metro pass). $20 per student (dinner and metro pass inclusive also)

On this, the 36th Anniversary of the infamous Roe vs. Wade decision which legalized abortion, we ask you to join THOUSANDS from across our great land, in our nation’s capitol to discourage our new president from fulfilling his campaign promises, to abolish all existing laws that protect unborn children.

We will park at RFK Stadium.

STAND UP AND BE COUNTED!

Sponsored by: Our Parish

Call Joe at: 215-679-3637 for more information, to make payment and to reserve your seat!

Based on FIRST COME-FIRST SERVED!

NO TRESPASSING NOTICES

No doubt you have noticed the new signs stating “NO TRESSPASSING”.

These signs have been installed to limit our liability in the event of an accident due to negligence occurring during any NON-PARISH activity.

It has come to our attention there are members of the public using our property for non-parish related activities. While the church welcomes use of the property and its facilities for parish-sponsored activities, our parish should not be held legally responsible for non-parish related activities, especially an accident occurring during a non-parish activity, such as skateboarding, playing ball or Driver’s Education practice.

Thank you for your understanding.

MARKET DAY

There is still time to get your MARKET DAY order in and help us earn extra profit! December Bonus Days are back with ten high quality cookie dough varieties that taste great and also help us reach our fundraising goals!

Order online at: www.marketday.com until noon, December 10. The Market Day Flyers are located in the back of the church in the vestibule.

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please call Lisa Vetter at: 215-538-2308.

We appreciate your support and we look forward to seeing you at our Market Day Sale!

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

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Second Sunday of Advent

The prophet in uniform

Ever bump into your parish priest in the supermarket? You may not have recognized him at first because he was “out of uniform” and out of the context of the church. That’s why the gospel takes pains to describe John the Baptist. It was important to know that John was a prophet, an “official” one who dressed and lived and even ate like the prophets of old. Somebody with credentials had to introduce Jesus. After all, the Lord was plain and ordinary, just like everybody else. “Isn’t he the carpenter?” people would ask later on in the story. It would be hard to imagine that a construction guy could put together a whole new world.

Today’s readings: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; 2

Peter 3:8-14;

Mark 1:1-8

“A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’ ”

Monday, December 8

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the BVM

Full of grace

What is grace? One way to think of it is anything that comes from God. We can think of it in terms of what we give to God: prayer and worship, service to others, doing God’s will. Or what God sends to us: the gift of creation, love, inspiration, consolation, help, and many more graces. Mary had grace in abundance—both what she gave and received. Make today a day of prayer to her—who was full of grace—to intercede for us and inspire us to give and receive God’s grace.

Today’s readings: Genesis 3:9-15, 20; Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12; Luke 1:26-38

“The angel Gabriel came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.’ ”

Tuesday, December 9

Feast of Juan Diego, hermit

Be comforted

When Juan Diego (1474-1548) was canonized in 2002, he became the first Native American saint of the Catholic Church. The farmer and mat-weaver was in his 40s when Hernán Cortés led the conquest of Spain in 1521, and within three years the first wave of Franciscan monks arrived near Juan’s village. Juan and his wife were among the first of the indigenous residents to accept baptism. Despite their age, the couple opened their hearts to a new beginning and readily uprooted themselves to move closer to the missionaries in Mexico City. It’s never too late to make a new beginning in your faith.

Today’s readings: Isaiah 40:1-11;

Matthew 18:12-14

“Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.”

Wednesday, December 10

Advent Weekday

On the wings of eagles

Asked what liturgical song most fostered and nourished their spiritual life, the majority of respondents in a 2006 online poll cited “On Eagle’s Wings” by Father Michael Joncas. The song, inspired by Isaiah’s prophecy and Psalm 91, contains the beautifully crafted refrain:

And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings,

Bear you on the breath of dawn,

Make you to shine like the sun,

And hold you in the palm of His Hand.

Remember those words of solace whenever your burden feels too great.

Today’s readings: Isaiah 40:25-31;

Matthew 11:28-30

“Those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles.”

Thursday, December 11

Feast of Damasus I, pope

The Bible tells us so

The pontificate of Damasus (A.D. 366-384) occurred during a tumultuous period in the early church, with controversies, schisms, and heresies on all sides. Perhaps Damasus’ greatest contribution was his insight that a standardized version of the Bible was desperately needed to clear the air. In 382 he commissioned a highly respected scholar named Jerome to revise the Bible into a more accurate and updated Latin version, working directly from the original Greek (New Testament) and Hebrew (Old Testament) versions. Saint Jerome’s monumental effort came to be known as the Vulgate, meaning “translated into a native language.” Even though Latin long ago stopped being a language of everyday use, the Vulgate still holds an honored position in the church.

Today’s readings: Isaiah 41:13-20;

Matthew 11:11-15

“From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.”

Friday, December 12

Our Lady of Guadalupe; Patronal Day of Mexico and America

Ironing and thinking

Los Angeles-based artist J. Michael Walker has produced one of the most memorable and insightful portrayals of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In his 1996 painting, Ironing, Thinking, we see Mary doing just that: busying herself with domestic chores with a slightly careworn expression on her face. In this not-ready-for-prime-time look at Our Lady, she irons her famous cloak of stars while balancing her crown on her head with simple dignity. Our Lady of Guadalupe did indeed come to represent hardworking folk with worn hands. Support the dignity of all who labor.

Today’s readings: Zechariah 2:14-17 or Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab;

Luke 1:39-47

“A great portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.”

Saturday, December 13

Feast of Lucy, virgin, martyr

To see you is to love you

One quality that many, if not all, saints share is the capacity to look beyond the sometimes horrific circumstances of their lives and see the presence of God. They see with their heart. Saint Lucy is certainly among those saints with this ability. Tradition tells us that she was raped then tortured and murdered for being a Christian. Her feast day comes at a good time. Now midway through Advent, we might be feeling the pressures, tensions, and expectations of ourselves and others to conjure up the “perfect Christmas.” Today take a moment to pause and adjust your spiritual lenses. Take your eyes off of the glitz of Christmas and focus on the love that came into the world and continues to sustain us all.

Today’s readings: Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11; Matthew 17:9a, 10-13

“Happy are those who saw you and were adorned with your love! For we also shall surely live.”