Church of Saint Philip Neri,

Pennsburg

December 21, 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

It is always a sad time when because of changing demographics a Catholic Church must close or consolidate. This is taking place both in the diocese of Allentown and Trenton. (Pray for the parishioners in these places). Usually when this happens, the religious items of these Churches are removed and new homes (Catholic Church’s) have the opportunity to obtain them. Everything from there churches are saved…statues, stained glass windows, pews, everything! The diocese of Allentown offered her priests and parishes these items. I was fortunate to get permission to obtain a few things also. (even though we do not belong to the diocese of Allentown). For some time, it has bothered me that our Church did not have a statue of Saint Joseph. I began the quest to find one – Mahanoy City upstate was consolidating its churches and I was told a Saint Joseph Statue was available. Two weeks ago, I packed Miracle (my Dalmatian in the car and both of us headed upstate. We found Saint Joseph and brought him back to St. Philip Neri. Soon he will have a place of honor in our Church. While in the Church, I discovered a few other gems! A truly beautiful wooden carved Crucifix; it is about 4 to 5 feet tall. I took this also. (well really made a donation for this and the other items). This Crucifix will be installed in our vestibule. Very soon we will be erecting the shrine with Saint Philip Neri’s relic in the vestibule along with cleaning and making it more presentable. While in Mahanoy City, there were also two chalices. One Silver which we obtained and another which is being appraised, and will possibly come also to St. Philip Neri. Our Church didn’t have a good Chalice, but as of now we have one and will probably have two. All of these purchases have been donated to St. Philip Neri through the generosity of four (4) parishioners who without asking gave the donations for these items.

I am always overwhelmed at the generosity and love that is found here at St. Philip Neri. By the way, the cost of the shrine for the St. Philip Neri Relic and the moving of the Baptismal Font has also been paid for by the kindness of three (3) parishioners, again given without me having to ask.

God Bless you all the faithful and good people of St. Philip Neri. Your love of God, His church and this parish is incredible.

Praise Be Jesus Christ…Now and Forever!

Fr. Roncase

CHRISTMAS MASSES

Christmas Eve; December 24^th:

5:00 pm; 8:00 pm and Midnight

Christmas Day; December 25^th:

8:00 am and 10:00 am

Daily Mass will be held in the Church:

December 26^th, 27^th, 28^th, 29^th, 30^th and 31^st – Christmas Week!

HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION: JANUARY 1st

Thursday, January 1^st is the Feast of Mary the Mother of God. This is a Holy Day with the Obligation to attend Mass!

The Vigil is Wednesday evening, December 31^st at 5:00 pm.

Masses on the Holy Day, January 1^st are at 8:00 am and 10:00 am.

St. Philip Neri Grade School Christmas Break

Our Parish Grade School holiday begins, Tuesday, December 23 with a noon dismissal. School resumes on Monday morning, January 5^th, 2009! Happy New Year.

ST. PHILIP NERI RECTORY CHRISTMAS BREAK

The rectory offices will be closed December 24^th, 25^th & 26^th for the Christmas Holiday.

CHAPEL OPEN FOR VISITS

Our Chap-el 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 Christmas Eve Mass December 24

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Wally Varallo D. McCausland

Joan Varallo Wendy Benner

Priest

Deacon

Jack Nash

Monica Nash

8:00 pm – Kevin Charlton Susan DiMarco

Maryanne Charlton Michele Charlton

Priest

Amanda Charlton

Denise Guckin

Midnight – Kathy Raubertas Pete Frank

Patrick Kennedy

Priest

Deacon

Linda Franks

Sarah Franks

Dave Moser

Trudy Moser

Mary R. Giambrone

Mary Lavin

Serving at Christmas Day Mass December 25

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

8:00 am – Marianne Peters John Gilmore

Mary Goodfellow Theresa Gilmore

Priest

Marlene Leidy

Janet Kendra

LaRue Emmell

10:00 am – Bob Schwind George Kirkwood

Barbara Schwind Ed Tryon

Priest

Deacon

Cecilia Kirkwood

Marlene Leidy

Rita Tokarski

Tina Evans

Marci Jaman

Rita Tokarski

Mark Meinzer

Pat Meinzer

Serving at Mass December 28

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Dave Boone Bob Piccone

Teri Boone

Priest

Jim Camarata

LaRue Emmell

7:30 am – Stephanie Greczek Pete Frank

Amy Rodgers

Priest

Pat Scheerbaum

Maria Rodgers

Chuck Rodgers

9:30 am – Joan Pongia Terry Benner

Anthony Pongia

Priest

Judy Sledgen

Rose Anderson

Mary Ellen Paulk

11:00 am – Barbara Schwind Eileen Davis

Bob Schwind

Priest

Mary Lavin

Marlene Leidy

Anita Weilnau

Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 21, 2008

Monday – December 22

8:00 am – John Virus, (Jennie Virus)

Tuesday – December 23, John of Kanty

8:00 am – Joseph Kulka, Ignatius Sagan,

Francis McWilliams & Alexander LeGrand

(Henry & Rita Tokarski)

Wednesday – December 24, Vigil of Christmas

8:00 am – Charles J. Sailer,

(daughters Mary Ellen & Rose)

5:00 pm – Mass in Church – no intentions

8:00 pm – Mass in Church – no intentions

Midnight- Mass in Church – no intentions

Thursday – December 25, Nativity of the Lord

8:00 am – Mass in Church – no intentions

10:00 am – Mass in Church – no intentions

Friday – December 26, Stephen – first martyr

8:00 am – Mass in Church

Ralph Bolognese

Saturday – December 27

8:00 am – Mass in Church

12^th Anniversary, Anna Nagle,

(Anderson & Rohl families)

5:00 pm – Sue Miley, (Jack & Monica Nash & family)

Sunday – December 28, Holy Family of

Jesus, Mary & Joseph

7:30 am – For the living & deceased members

of the Parish.

9:30 am – Lila Smith, (Faye Hoffman)

11:00 am – Mr. Edward Hurys, (Edward Hurys)

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, Baby Robert John Riegel, Jr., Kelly Conolly, Mary Finkbeiner, Jennie Virus, Robert Rukstalis, Edward Azarovich, Mary Ann Bencie, Frances Cannon, Josh Frumnecht & Steven Gebhardt.

For those who have died, and in particular for Royal Bieber & James Hoover, 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 Henry Douglas, requested by:

Dorothy Douglas.

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. 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

Due to the Christmas holiday schedule, our Sunday collections will be posted as follows:

Sunday, December 14^th will be posted in the bulletin dated December 28^th.

Sunday, December 21^st will be posted in the bulletin dated January 11^th.

Sunday, December 28^th will be posted in the bulletin dated January 11^th.

ACTIVITIES - *BINGO*

No Bingo next Thursday, December 25^th

Have a Merry Christmas!

See you in two weeks!

MEETINGS and EVENTS THIS WEEK

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 21^st – Little Church – gym – 9:30 am

Sunday, December 21^st – Children’s Liturgy of the Word – during the 9:30 am Mass

Sunday, December 21^st – CYO Sports – gym – 12:00 noon – 8:00 pm

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

Sunday, December 21^st – No Parish Youth Ministry

Sunday, December 21^st – Men’s 30 and over basketball – gym – 8:00 pm

Monday, December 22^nd – CYO Sports - gym – 5-10 pm

Tuesday, December 23^rd – Grade School – noon dismissal

Tuesday, December 23^rd – Choir & Cantor Practice – Church – 6:30 pm

Tuesday, December 23^rd – CYO Sports – gym – 5-10 pm

Wednesday, December 24^th – Christmas Eve Masses:

5:00 pm; 8:00 pm; and Midnight

Thursday, December 25^th – Christmas Day Masses:

8:00 am and 10:00 am

Friday, December 26^th – CYO Sports – gym – 10am-10pm

Saturday, December 27^th – CYO Sports – gym – 8am-8pm

Sunday, December 28^th – No Little Church

Sunday, December 28^th – Children’s Liturgy of the Word – Church – during the 9:30 am Mass.

Sunday, December 28^th – CYO Sports – gym – 12:00 noon – 8:00 pm

Sunday, December 28^th – Men’s 30 and over Basketball – gym – 8:00 pm

UPCOMING MEETINGS

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

Pre-Jordan Baptismal Class – Monday, January 5^th – rectory – 7:30 pm

Knights of Columbus Come-n-Go Bingo – Saturday, January 10^th – gym – 6:00 pm

Knights of Columbus General Meeting – Sunday, January 11^th – rectory – 7:30 pm

SPN Pastoral Council Meeting – Monday, January 12^th – rectory – 7:00 pm

SPN Pre-Cana Workshop – Monday, January 12rh – Neri Center – 7:30 pm

Adult Altar Server Practice – Tuesday, January 13^th – Church – 7:30 pm

Elizabeth Ministry Meeting – Tuesday, January 13^th – Neri Center – 7:00 pm

Car Show Committee Meeting – Tuesday, January 13^th – Rectory – 7:00 pm

Liturgy Committee Meeting – Monday – January 19^th – Rectory – 7:00 pm

Respect Life Meeting – Wednesday, January 21^st – rectory – 7:30 pm

Pro-Life March in Washington, D.C. – Thursday, January 22nd

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

PREP SCHEDULE:

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

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 to: prolifer53@comcast.net.

SCHOOL NEWS

The Faculty and Staff members of St. Philip Neri Elementary Grade School would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

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

THE GIVING TREE

Just a reminder…

Any gift that was not returned on December 14^th, can be dropped off at the Social Hall on Monday, December 22^nd from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Thank You from St. Philip Neri Home & School

The Home & School Association would like to thank all of the bakers who made cookies for Hometown Christmas.

They were delicious and the children really enjoyed them.

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 w men, 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.

COME-N-GO BINGO
St. Philip Neri Social Hall

Saturday – January 10, 2009

Doors open at 6:00 pm

Games begin at 6:30 pm

Cost: $.25/game

Menu: hotdogs, bar-b-que & drinks

If you bring a non-perishable item to benefit Open Line, you play two free games of Bingo!

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.

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

THANKYOU FROM SISTER BARBARA BRADLEY

Sister was here for the Retirement Religious Collection. She writes a Thank You to the parish:

Dear Father:

It was a pleasure to be at your parish this past weekend. What a welcoming presence.

I am blessed and enriched by the experience. Many, many thanks for your generous gift to the religious.

All in prayer,

Sincerely,

Sister Barbara Bradley

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

BINGO VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We are in need of Bingo Volunteers for BOTH the kitchen, and working the floor, checking winning Bingo cards.

You only work one each month on Thursday evenings. We have 4 teams for both the kitchen and floor and are in need of help on each team.

CAN YOU HELP?

NOT EVERY WEEK –

JUST ONE WEEK, ONCE A MONTH!

If you can help, please check the area you are interested in.

PLEASE PRINT AND RETURN IN THE COLLECTION BASKET OR TO THE RECTORY.

_____KITCHEN

_____FLOOR WORKER

Name: _________________________

Phone:_________________________

Breakfast Volunteers NEEDED

Our Parish Breakfast is a major fundraiser for our Parish and a tremendous Community and Parish Social Event. We are in need of more parishioners to help with this monthly event. Our breakfast is held the 4^th Sunday of each month (excluding November & December).

CAN YOU HELP?

Not the entire morning…

but only a few hours each month!

Please print and return in collection basket or to the rectory:

Cooks: Line Servers:

___6am-9am ___6:45 am- 9:00 am

___9am-11am ___9:00 am – 11:00 am

___11am-1pm ___11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Dishwashers: Cleaning the gym:

___7:30am-10:00 am ___12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

___10:00 am – 12noon

___12noon – 2:00 pm

Washing Trays Dessert table, coffee

___8am-10am ___7:00 am – 9:00 am

___10am – 12noon ___9:00 am – 11:00 am

___12noon-1:30 pm ___11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Name: _________________________

Phone: ________________________

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.

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.

The Spring Semester begins January 20^th.

AREA NEWS

PERMANENT DIACONATE INFORMATION NIGHT

Monday – January 12, 2009

Corpus Christi Parish Center

Conference Room D

7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Have you ever wondered about the role of Permanent Deacon in the Church or what it takes to become a Permanent Deacon? Have you considered the possibility (even for a moment) of serving the Church in this way? This information night will explore the formation process of the Permanent Diaconate and provide you with the necessary information to assist you in the discernment process.

To register, please contact Deacon Frank Langsdorf at 215-855-1311 or franklangsdorf@aol.com

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

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Dawn’s glorious light

Today we name the Messiah “O Radiant Dawn, Sun of Justice, Splendor of Eternal Light!” Anyone whose morning commute regularly includes a sunrise or who has contrived to rise early for the express purpose of watching the sun come up knows why primitive peoples and even our oh-so-sophisticated selves find godliness in a sunrise. At the Easter Vigil we sang “May the Morning Star which never sets find this flame still burning!” While Christmas lights have been shining for weeks from homes and lampposts, today we can think of them explicitly as a reminder of God’s gift of Light to the waiting world. We remember Gerard Manley Hopkins’ wonderful “Oh!” at this great renewal: “Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs / Because the Holy Ghost over the bent / World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.”

Today’s readings: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38

“O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.”

Monday, December 22

Advent weekday

King of the hill

Remember when we were kids and we used to play king of the hill? It was an important part of our social learning that the strongest among us would dominate and rise to positions of power. The same game would be played out in world politics as nations rose and fell throughout the 20th century. The story of Christmas reminds us that Jesus is the world’s only real superpower, though the nations play their games of supremacy for a time. History reduces all empires to dust, but the reign of God endures forever.

Today’s readings: 1 Samuel 1:24-28;

Luke 1:46-56

“O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.”

Tuesday, December 23

Advent weekday

What’s your heart’s desire?

We end our observance of the O Antiphons today with praise for Emmanuel (God-with-us), the fulfillment of our heart’s desire, our savior. The one who is to come satisfies all of our greatest longings. We need look no further. All our fretting and straining for answers and signs comes to an end with the birth of Christ. Are we ready for such good news? Can we let go of all the things we often think will bring us happiness—companionship, money, recognition, power, beauty, health—and embrace the simple, searing gift of love?

Today’s readings: Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24;

Luke 1:57-66

“O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.”

Wednesday, December 24

Advent weekday

Another child is born

It is no accident that we remember the birth of John the Baptist on the day before we commemorate the birth of Jesus. John represents the culmination of Jewish prophetic hope for the Messiah, and his birth offers a fitting climax to the Advent season. John’s father Zechariah sings praises on the occasion of John’s birth. Zechariah’s song, or canticle (Luke 1:68-79), is treasured and recited daily during the morning prayer of the church’s Liturgy of the Hours. It serves as a lovely closing refrain to the Advent season.

Today’s readings: Morning: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Luke 1:67-79

“And you, child . . . will go before the Lord to prepare his ways . . . .”

Thursday, December 25

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord

So this is Christmas!

Today we celebrate the day God entered God’s own creation by becoming human. How can we authentically honor this day? One way is to notice and truly relish our own experience of being human. So often we hurry through the hours, heedless of the many sensations to be enjoyed. This Christmas may we wake up appreciating the delicious warmth of our beds; our hot shower; our holiday meals; and give our undivided attention to the words and music of Christmas. In other words, may we be childlike. At the end of the day we will know something of what Emily Dickinson meant when she wrote, “To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else.”

Today’s readings: Isaiah 52:7-10;

Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18

“To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Friday, December 26

Feast of Stephen, first martyr

Telling the truth

St. Stephen’s Day is not celebrated on the day after Christmas in all the Christian world. In some places it is marked on December 27 or January 9. That the two days are juxtaposed on our calendar may be a reminder that just as the naked cross looms above the empty tomb, so also its shadow falls across the crib—Jesus’ and our own. We are reminded that it is into human experience that the Christ is born, an experience that knows death, violence, and cruelty but a humanity also capable of love so true as to lay down life for a friend or for faith. In a way Saint Stephen delivers us from sinking into either post-Christmas ennui or exchange-this-for-something-I-really-want overindulgence. We have celebrated God breaking into and taking up residence in our all-too-real world, and for so great a love there is a great price.

Today’s readings: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Matthew 10:17-22

“While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ ”

Saturday, December 27

Feast of John, apostle, evangelist

The joy is in the sharing

When we receive a piece of news—good or bad—often our first impulse is to think, “I can’t wait to tell . . . !” That is because we are social creatures, hardwired to live in community with other people, sharing our sorrows and our joys. Moreover, sharing has mathematical properties: It divides and multiplies. When we share bad news our burden is lessened, and when we share good news our happiness increases a hundredfold. Of course the reverse is also true. When we don’t have someone with whom to share our stories, sorrows increase and joys are diminished. As Mother Theresa observed, “Loneliness is the most terrible poverty.” Look around. Whom do you see that is lonely? What will you do now?

Today’s readings: 1 John 1:1-4;

John 20:1a, 2-8

“We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.”