Church of Saint Philip Neri,

Pennsburg. PA 18073

March 15, 2009

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

A few parishioners have asked me recently about the use of stem cells for research. A much debated issued today. In December, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith with the expressed approval of Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has issued an important doctrinal instruction “Dignitas Personae”. This instruction seeks to provide responses to new bioethical questions that have arose as a result of recent bioethical research.

First it begins with a theological vision of the human person.

. Dignitas personae makes explicit appeal to the “integral vision of man” (3) as the basis from which to assert the dignity of all human life. The Instruction thus grounds its teaching in the truth of theological anthropology, much in the method of the magisterium of the Servant of God, Pope John Paul II.

. The Instruction starts squarely from the truth that both right reason and faith assert: the human being, from the first moment of conception, is a union of body and soul and has an eternal vocation.

. The continuity enacted in the first moment of conception, and enduring throughout the entire life span, does not permit anyone to assert a lesser grade of value to the reality of any human being. The human being is thus entitled, from the moment of conception to the respect due every human person.

. Marriage and family are the authentic context for the origin and growth of such an eternal vocation.

The doctrine covers many bioethical questions, and the following is what is taught by the Church concerning stem cells.

The therapeutic use of stem cells

“Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with two basic characteristics: a) the prolonged capability of multiplying themselves while maintaining the undifferentiated state; b) the capability of producing transitory progenitor cells from which fully differentiated cells descend, for example, nerve cells, muscle cells and blood cells. Once it was experimentally verified that when stem cells are transplanted into damaged tissue, they tend to promote cell growth and the regeneration of the tissue, new prospects opened for regenerative medicine, which have been the subject of great interest among researchers throughout the world” (n.3l).

For the ethical evaluation, it is necessary above all to consider the methods of obtaining stem cells.

. “Methods which do not cause serious harm to the subject from whom the stem cells are taken are to be considered licit. This is generally the case when tissues are taken from: a) an adult organism; b) the blood of the umbilical cord at the time of birth; c) fetuses who have died of natural causes” (n. 32).

. “The obtaining of stem cells from a living human embryo…invariably causes the death of the embryo and is consequently gravely illicit…in this case; research…is not truly at the service of humanity. In fact, this research advances through the suppression of human lives that are equal in dignity to the lives of other human individuals and to the lives of the researchers themselves” (n. 32).

Numerous studies however, have shown that adult stem cells give more positive results than embryonic stem cells.

Clearly the Church states that the destruction of one human life to save or enhance the life of another is never morally acceptable. The destruction of an embryo to obtain stem cells is gravely immoral and never acceptable!

Praise Be Jesus Christ…Now and Forever!

Fr. Roncase

WEDNESDAYS OF LENT

During Lent, there will be two (2) Masses each Wednesday; 12:10 pm in Church and 7:00 pm in the Chapel.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Friday’s at 7:00 pm in Church on February 27^th, March 6^th, 13^th, 20^th, 27^th, and April 3^rd.

Grade School Stations of the Cross on Wednesday, April 1^st, has been moved to 10:00 am in Church.

CONFESSIONS ON WEDNESDAY EVENINGS OF LENT

Confessions will be heard on Wednesday evenings of Lent in Church from 7:45 pm – 8:30 pm on Wednesday, March 4^th, 11^th, 18^th, April 1^st & 8^th. Confessions are also heard every Saturday in Church from 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm.

Adult Confirmation

If you are a baptized Catholic adult who has not been confirmed you may be interested in a program which will be offered at St. Philip to prepare adults for this final Initiation Sacrament. Cardinal Rigali will confirm adults at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul on Pentecost Sunday. Details will be forthcoming in a few weeks. If you are interested please contact the parish office and leave your name and phone number. Please mention that you are interested in the Adult Confirmation Program. Deacon Mike Franks will contact you with further information. Watch the bulletin for further announcements concerning this important program.

Serving at Mass March 22nd

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Dave Boone Ed Tryon

Teri Boone

Priest

Mark Meinzer

Pat Meinzer

7:30 am – Joan Varallo Theresa Gilmore

Walery Varalo John Gilmore

Priest

Deacon

Paul Moser

Maureen Moser

Michele Martin

Chuck Rodgers

Mike Heveran

Jim Michels

Trish Dornisch

Keith Greczek

9:30 am – Christine Kemp Joe Cassarella

Lester Kemp Larry Concio

Priest

Deacon

Ken Mayer

Marilynn Mayer

Bill Orr

Mary Ellen Paulk

Marianne Peters

Sharon Shaak

Andrew Souder

Michael Sledgen

11:00 am – Bob Schwind D. McCausland

Barbara Schwind Adam Canigiani

Priest

Anita Weilnau

DJ Williams

Sandy Williams

Serving at Mass March 29

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Jim Quigley Mark Meinzer

Annemarie Quigley

Priest

Deacon

Priest

Linda Franks

Marci Jaman

Linda Benko

Bob Talbot

Kathryn Talbot

Dawn Ellis

LaRue Emmell

7:30 am – Christine Adelsberger Pete Frank

Stephan Adelsberger Ernie Quatrani

Priest

Lori Brozena

Dina Corrado

Peter D’Amico

9:30 am – Joan Pongia Sue DiMarco

Anthony Pongia Matthew Horvath

Priest

Rita Tokarski

Jack Nash

Monica Nash

11:00 am – Kevin Charlton Eileen Davis

Maryanne Charlton Michele Charlton

Priest

Amanda Charlton

Doug DiTondo

Linda DiTondo

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, Betty Watkins, Baby Robert John Riegel, Jr., Kelly Connolly, Jennie Virus, Robert Rukstalis, Mary Ann Bencie, Frances Cannon, Josh Frumnecht, Steven Gebhardt, Ann Bowdren, Jack Cahill, Dianna Rynkiewicz, Ethel Buck, Gary Lester Keller, Mary R. Giambrone, Donna Tarantino, Michael Andrusko, Betty Risko, Christine Keer. Anna Rickert, Robert Joseph Drelick, Pat Scheerbaum, George Bradford, James Abramo, Darrell Goslin, Gene & Jenna Parsons.

For those who have died, and in particular for Hubert Boles, Jake Kriebel, Stanley Piontkowski, Frances Piotrowski, and Charles Snyder, grant them eternal rest and peace.

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.

MASS BOOK

The 2009 Mass Book is open for Mass Intentions. Stop by the rectory or call Shirley at the rectory.

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

March 15, 2009

Monday, March 16

8:00 am – Gordon Heckler, (Mr. & Mrs. Charles Monteleone

Tuesday, March 17, Patrick, bishop

8:00 am – Tom Virus,

(Wife Judi, daughters and granddaughter)

Wednesday, March 18, Cyril of Jerusalem

12:10 pm – Mass in Church

Joseph Swann, (daughter Charlotte)

7:00 pm – Lila & Paul Smith, (Estate)

Thursday, March 19, Joseph – husband of the

Blessed Virgin Mary

8:00 am – Deceased members of Sagan, Tokarski, &

LeGrand families, (Rita & Henry Tokarski)

Friday, March 20

8:00 am –Gordon Heckler, (Stan & Betty Mikanowicz)

7:00 pm –Stations of the Cross - Church

Saturday, March 21

8:00 am – John Wherny, (Jim & Ann Michels)

5:00 pm – James Engle, (Joe & Barbara Henry(

Sunday, March 22

7:30 am – Victoria Piechocki, (Immaculata & Dale Barndt)

9:30 am – Second Anniversary, Fr. Shuhler,

(Tom & Nancy Brogan)

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

ROSE/FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS

The red roses placed on the Blessed Mother and Sacred Heart Altars are in memory of Thomas Virus, requested by His Mother and family.

PARISH ORGANIZATIONS

Knights of Columbus – Fr. Leo J. Letterhouse Council #6614 meets every second Sunday of the month in the Council Meeting Room at the rectory. Consider joining us by calling Duke Doherty at 215-679-0660.

St. Philip Neri Craft Guild meets the first and third Tuesday of each month in the Social Hall Meeting Room from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. For more information, please call Connie Marks: 610-287-9829.

Boy Scouts – Tuesday evenings in Social 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.

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 Noreen Bauer, requested by:

Francis & Marlene Burgert.

In memory of Larry Bokeko, requested by:

Francis & Marlene Burgert.

In memory of Charles Snyder, requested by:

Clark & Barbara Robinson and Pete & Linda Frank

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

ACTIVITIES - *BINGO*

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

Working Thursday – March 19^th – Team #3

All regular games pay $50

FINAL COVER – ALL SPECIAL PAYS: $500

Bingo: 03/05/09 – 73 players

Kitchen: $ 287.00

Games: 1,129.50

Total: $ 1,416.50

Fish Fry Profit: $746.62

SUNDAY COLLECTIONS

March 9, 2008 March 8, 2009

Envelopes - $ 7,672.00 $ 8,930.00

Loose - 1,049.00 1,374.00

Children - 79.00 81.00

Total: $ 8,800.00 $10,385.00

Easter Flowers: $ 287.00

MEETINGS AND EVENTS THIS WEEK

Sunday, March 15^th – Little Church – gym – 9:30 am

Sunday, March 15^th – Children’s Liturgy of the Word – Church – during the 9:30 am Mass

Sunday, March 15^th – Diocesan Capital Campaign Reception – Neri Center – 4:00 pm

Sunday, March 15^th – Men’s 30 and Over Basketball – gym – 8:00 pm

Monday, March 16^th – Bible Timeline – rectory – 7:00 pm

Monday, March 16^th – 1^st Penance – Church – 7:00 pm

Tuesday, March 17^th – SPN Craft Guild – gym – 1:00 pm

Tuesday, March 17^th – Choir & Cantor Practice – Church – 6:30 pm

Tuesday, March 17^th – Boy Scouts – gym -7:00 pm

Tuesday, March 17^th – Finance Council Meeting – rectory – 7:00 pm

Wednesday, March 18^th – ALPHA – gym – 10:00 am

Wednesday, March 18^th – 12:10 pm Lenten Mass – Church

Wednesday, March 18^th – Cub Scout Parent Meeting – Neri Center – 6:00 pm

Wednesday, March 18^th – PREP (Religious Education) – School – 6:00 pm

Wednesday, March 18^th – Respect Life Meeting – rectory – 7:30 pm

Wednesday, March 18^th – Lenten Confessions – Church – 7:45 pm – 8:30 pm

Thursday, March 19^th – Bingo – gym – 6:30 pm

Thursday, March 19^th – Cub Scouts – Den Meeting – Neri Center – 6:45 pm

Thursday, March 19^th – RCIA – rectory – 7:00 pm

Thursday, March 19^th – Diocesan Capital Campaign Meeting – rectory – 7:30 pm

Friday, March 20^th – No School

Friday, March 20^th – Bible Timeline – rectory – 9:00 am

Friday, March 20^th – Parish Lenten Fish Fry – gym – 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Friday, March 20^th – Stations of the Cross – Church – 7pm

Saturday, March 21^st – Parish Breakfast set-up – gym – 7am

Saturday, March 21^st – Scrapbooking – Neri Center – 8:30 am – 6:00 pm

Sunday, March 22^nd – Parish Breakfast – gym – 7:00 am – 12:30 pm

Sunday, March 22^nd – Little Church – gym – 9:30 am

Sunday, March 22^nd – Children’s Liturgy of the Word – Church – during the 9:30 am Mass

Sunday, March 22^nd – Men’s 30 and over Basketball – 8pm

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Parish Mission – Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday – March 23, 24 & 25 – Church – 7:00 pm

Carnival Committee Meeting – Monday – March 30^th – rectory – 7:00 pm

1^st Communion Retreat Day – Tuesday, March 31^st – Church and gym – 8:00 am – 2:00 pm

Knights of Columbus Easter Egg Hunt – Saturday, April 4^th – Church grounds – 10:00 am

Garden Club Spring clean-up – Saturday, April 4^th – Church grounds – 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Pre-Jordan Baptismal Class – Monday, April 6^th – rectory – 7:30 pm

SCHOOL NEWS

Preschool – We talked about the seasonal change of spring. The children were delighted to go outside and witness the rebirth of nature and the warmer weather. The children painted a spring picture in Art, and we talked about outdoor safety in Social Studies.

Kindergarten – The Kindergarten has been counting money all week. We learned the values of a penny, nickel, dime, quarter, and dollar bill. Now we can count our money in our piggy banks!

1st – This week students are reading a science fiction story in their readers about a Robot. They also are writing in their journals about what they would like their robot to do if they had one.

2nd – The second graders have been learning geography skills. Reading a map, using a compass rose for directions, understanding and using a map key or legend, locating countries on a political map, searching for the United States, Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, and even East Greenville are among the activities the children are enthusiastic about doing.

3rd – Students are reading “Romona Forever” this week. Students will be starting their rough drafts for their personal narratives. In Science this week students will be making fossils.

4th– To divide or multiply? Students are analyzing word problems to determine which operation to use.

5th – The Science Fair was full of interesting projects. Congratulations to all of your hard work especially to our winners!

Regina Souder: “Hanging on a Heartbeat”

Jacqueline Smith: “Zip, Zap Magnets Will Attract Change a Liquid to a Solid”

Christopher Hillegass & Joey Marinelli:

“Fantastic Fingerprints”

Joshua & Leah Williams:

“Creamy, Dreamy Chocolate…It melts fast, but how do you make it last?”

Isabel Perez: “Rapid Response”

Zachary Washko: “A Bright Idea to Go Green”

Philip Myers: “Wicked Candles”

Paul Davis: “Rubber Chicken”

Patrick Souder: “Don’t Spoil the Boil”

Keira Koch: “Amazing Memory”

Emily Beck: “Growing in Harmony”

Allison McCausland: “How Fresh Is It?”

Charlie Stoll: “The Bigger the Jar the Bigger the Spark- True or False”

Nicholas Camarata: “Look Out Below”

6th – The sixth graders are learning about Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. We are beginning the writing process for a myth. Students are enjoying their literature circles. All students are sharing their thoughts and ideas about their novels.

7th – The seventh graders are taking Terra Nova tests this week. In Social Studies, we are learning about the history of the country following the Revolutionary war and the creator of the Constitution.

8th – The eighth grade is very excited about the beginning of the last trimester at St. Philip Neri. It will be a time of anticipation and anxiety, of happiness and tears. Most of all, it will be a time for memories made and shared emotions.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

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

April 1 – class

April 8 – no class

April 12 – Easter

April 15 – class

April 22 – class

April 22 – First Communion Practice – Church – 6:15 PM

April 25 – First Holy Communion

April 29 – Last class

May 6 – Marian May Procession

PARISH NEWS

New E-mail addresses for Liturgical Ministers

Please note that the e-mail address for Liturgical Ministers (Lectors, servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion) has changed. The new address is spnlm@verizon.net. This change is effective immediately. Please update your address book.

New E-mail address for “Ask Deacon Mike”

Please change the address for “Ask Deacon Mike” to deaconmikefranks@verizon.net.

EASTER EGG HUNT

Ages 1 to 11 years

At: St. Philip Neri Social Hall

Saturday – April 4, 2009

10:00 AM SHARP!

RAIN or SHINE

Sponsored by: The Knights of Columbus

A reminder to all parents: you are responsible to bring and pick up your child/children.

FROM THE PARISH OUTREACH OFFICE:

FRIENDLY VISITOR MINISTRY

Five parishioners joined this ministry in the Fall of 2008 for a total of fourteen (14). This is a Social Ministry in which care and friendship are extended to people who cannot join the parish at Weekend Liturgy. Friendly Visitors visit on a mutually agreed schedule and listen to them. A good listener is what the shut-ins deeply appreciate. In 2008, these homebound parishioners received 262 home visits with a total of 492.5 hours. Friendly Visitor Ministry can always use more volunteers! Friendly Visitors meet quarterly with guest speakers pertaining to their needs. If you are interested, or have questions, please call Sr. Patricia Kelly at the Outreach Office – 215-679-2282.

Elizabeth Ministry Update

Elizabeth Ministry has many involvement areas. One area that is often overlooked by many is the ability or inability to conceive. We are here for you if you wish to talk about your situation. Below is a special prayer for someone who is experiencing this issue.

Prayer to Conceive or Adopt

Lord God, my desire for a child grows stronger everyday. Cradle me in your love and calm my anxieties. I look to you for insight so I can do my part in making my dream of parenthood a reality. Stir in my heart the desire to follow your will in all my decisions. Give me courage to trust your guiding presence. Help me, Lord, to prepare myself for the day on which I may be blessed with a child. Deepen my trust in your plan for our family. Amen.

If you wish for someone to listen to you, call the Elizabeth Ministry at (215)679-3086.

H.O.P.E.

The H.O.P.E. Ministry is part of Outreach and services our Church Community. H.O.P.E. provides FREE transportation for medical appointments, errands, respite care, light housekeeping and to mass. Our volunteers are parishioners who are willing to serve and answer your needs. Please call Kathy or Bob Talbot –Coordinators - at: 215-541-0250 or the Outreach Office: 215-679-2282.

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.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP

The Parish Outreach Office will offer a Bereavement Support Group beginning on Tuesday morning, April 14, 2009 and ending on Tuesday, May 12, 2009. It will be from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. This is the first time a support group has been offered during the day.

Please join us to help others in their journey through grief, and let others help you through yours.

If our Lord is calling you to meet him in our Bereavement Support Group, call Sister Patricia Kelly, M.S.B.T. at the Parish Outreach Office. If no answer, please speak slowly, and say your phone number twice. Please call on or before Tuesday, April 7, 2009.

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 at: 610-323-1127.

SPN ROSARY SOCIETY

We have just begun a Rosary Society here at St. Philip Neri. Come and pray the Rosary every 2^nd Monday of each month at 1:00 pm in the Chapel. Our next prayer gathering is Monday, April 13th at 1:00 pm.

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 Little Flowers meet at the Neri Center, on the First Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm - April 7th, May 5th, & June 2nd.

For more information, call Dana Orr at: 215-679-8223.

BLUE KNIGHTS

Blue Knights Catholic Boys Club will meet at the Neri Center on Tuesday evenings – once a month from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm - March 31^st, April 21^st, May 19^th & June 30^th.This program maps out virtues for boys ages 5 and up. For more information, call Bill Orr: 215-679-8223.

ST. PHILIP NERI CHURCH FISH FRY

Our Lenten Fish Fry started up on February 27^th and continues until Good Friday – April 10^th, in our parish Social Hall from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm.

Eat-in or take out available.

For more information or questions, please call Rita at: 679-7009.

ATTENTION ALL SCRAPBOOKERS AND CRAFTERS:

Would you like a day to get caught up on some crafts or scrapbooks that you are working on? Let’s get together for a day of crafting/scrapping and fellowship:

Neri Center – 6^th & Washington Streets

East Greenville

Saturday, March 21^st

8:30 am- 6:00 pm

Space is limited; please register with Wendy Benner at: 215-234-0354.

MARKET DAY

There’s still time to get your MARKET DAY order in to help us earn extra dollars this month during Dessert Bonus Days! Don’t forget, you will get a FREE insulated bag when you purchase three (3) qualifying desserts.

Order online at marketday.com until 11:00 pm on March 18^th or MARKET DAY Flyers can be found in the bins where you exit church.

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help, you can call Lisa Vetter: 215-538-2308. With your support, we are looking forward to reaching our fundraising goals of $4,000.00.

NEWLY REGISTERED FAMILIES – 2008

We welcome the following new parishioners into our parish family here at St. Philip Neri!

The Allsman family

The Baker family

The Basta family

The Bayer family

The Boyle family

The Bradley family

The Carnesi family

The Ciesielka family

The Clark family

The Cola family

The Comitalo family

The D’Amico family

The Day family

The DeFinis family

The DePolo family

The Degrassi family

The Donohue family

The M. Dusko family

The J. Dusko family

The Engle family

The Fickert family

The Fijalkowski family

The Frank family

The Fretz family

The Gallagher family

The Ganter family

The Gasda family

The Gerhold family

The Gibson family

Michael Pucci, Stacey Metzinger

The Hanish family

The Hollister family

The M. Jones family

The D. Jones family

The Keeley family

The Kelley family

The Kirby family

The Kirka family

The Knowles family

The Kozminski family

The Larson family

The Laubach family

The Marosek family

The Matlack family

The Mazzie family

The McDaniel family

The McKenney family

The McMullen family

The Miller family

The Minopoli family

The Moatz family

The Montes family

The Moore family

The Nichols family

The Patnotta family

The Patt family

The Peterman family

The Petolati family

The Phillips family

The Platt family

The Polosky family

The Prete family

The Reagan family

The Reiser family

The Rejmaniak family

The Rielli family

The Roche family

The Rooney family

The Rossi family

The Roush family

The Sangston family

The Sanselice family

The Schuler family

The Siegfried family

Christopher Simon, Heather Root

The Sink family

The Slattery family

The Swenk family

The Thackray family

The Toscani family

The Vitacolonna families

The Vogelei family

The Willett family

The Wood family

The Zapf family

ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS

Office of the Cardinal

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In his first encyclical, God is Love (Deus Caritas Est), Pope Benedict XVI writes, “Love is the light-and in the end, the only light – that can always illuminate a world grown dim and give us the courage needed to keep living and working” (no. 39).

You assist in bringing the light of hope to a needy world through your participation in the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. Your donation helps support seminaries, social service programs, youth ministry, pastoral centers, schools and the spreading of the Gospel message through the mass media.

This collection will be taken next weekend. I am grateful, on behalf of the many hope-filled people and communities of Central and Eastern Europe, for your generous sacrifice and prayers.

Sincerely.

Cardinal Justin Rigali

Archbishop of Philadelphia

Office for Child and Youth Protection

Protecting God’s Children for Adults Awareness Sessions. Unless otherwise indicated, all sessions begin at 7:00 pm and are approximately 2.5 hours.

Spring 2009:

3/19/09 - St. Rose of Lima – North Wales – 9:30 am

4/16/09 - St. Maria Goretti – Hatfield

MASS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The Annual Archdiocesan Eucharistic Liturgy with Persons with Disabilities, The Deaf Community, Family, Friends and Caregivers is scheduled for Sunday, March 22^nd at 2:30 pm at the Cathedral Basilica of SS Peter & Paul, Philadelphia. Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will be the principal celebrant and homilist.

There will be a light reception immediately following. All are welcome.

Please contact the Department for Pastoral Care for Persons with Disabilities and the Deaf Apostolate at: 215-587-3530 (voice), 215-587-3913 (v/tty/vp) or email: PCPDDEAF@adphila.org.

AREA PARISH NEWS

St. Eleanor Church

647 Locust Street – Collegeville

610-489-1647

PARISH MISSION

Sunday, March 15 – Thursday, March 19

7:00 pm each evening

Conducted by: Rev. Msgr. George Tomichek

AREA NEWS

WOMEN’S RETREAT

Malvern Retreat House – Malvern, PA

“MEETING JESUS: One is never the Same”

If you are looking for a special “time out” with God, this is your opportunity to renew your personal relationship with God, self and others!

A women’s retreat will be held on May 15^th thru May 17^th at the Family Life Center. The Family Life Center can accommodate 96 women; therefore, it is important to register early. ALL ARE WELCOME! MARK YOUR CALENDAR. The cost of the weekend is $195.00 (a $50 deposit is all that is necessary to hold a reservation). If you wish to register for the weekend of if you have any questions, please contact Dawn Ellis at: 215-679-2160.

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, PA on April 17-19. All calls are confidential.

For more information, call 800-470-2230, 302-832-8044 or visit the website at www.HelpOurMarriage.com.

LANSDALE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL NEWS

Lansdale Catholic Registration for 2009: LC continues to accept registrations to the Class of 2013 as well as transfer students.

You may download an application by visiting www.lansdalecatholic.com/admission_faq.htm or contact Mrs. Kris Cope, Admissions Director at: 215-362-6160, ext. 194.

SPRING CRAFT BAZAAR

Tabor United Methodist Church – Woxall, PA

March 20^th – 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

March 21^st – 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Homemade soups, baked goods, delicious lunch

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

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Third Sunday of Lent

God’s love isn’t a commodity

The story of the cleansing of the Jerusalem Temple is one of the few included in all four gospels. It must have made a real impact on the memory of the disciples that Jesus, this man of peace and gentleness, got so worked up over merchants in the Temple providing services for out-of-towners who came to offer sacrifice. Maybe Jesus didn’t like the implied idea that people had a quid pro quo relationship with God, that God’s graces could be somehow “bought.” Rather, he was zealous for the Temple to be known as a house of prayer for everyone, a sign that God provides for all who ask.

Today’s readings: Exodus 20:1-17;

1 Corinthians 1:22-25; John 2:13-25

“Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.”

Monday, March 16

Lenten weekday

A return to basics

Naaman, a military leader who suffered leprosy, was angry with the prophet Elisha for suggesting something so ordinary as a bath in a river could heal him. He was looking for a more exotic or dramatic cure. But when his attendants prevailed upon him, he followed instructions and found himself healed. We, too, are tempted to hold out for a dramatic moment of spiritual intervention that will suddenly “fix” what needs fixing in our lives. Instead, turn to traditional paths and practices that have worked for generations—prayer, worship, fellowship, spiritual reading, and reflection. Give the tried-and-true a try!

Today’s readings: 2 Kings 5:1-15a;

Luke 4:24-30

“I thought that he would surely come out and stand there to invoke the Lord his God.”

Tuesday, March 17

Feast of Patrick, bishop

Play the numbers game

Until the mid-1800s most Irish immigrants in America were middle-class Protestants, but in 1845 Ireland’s Great Potato Famine forced nearly 1 million of its poor Catholics to flee to America’s shores. Open and hostile anti-Catholicism made it difficult for the new arrivals to find work and be accepted in American society. What helped the Irish Catholics, they soon discovered, was their large population, which when organized gave them political power. There is strength in numbers whether it is fighting prejudice or showing compassion, as Jesus makes clear in today’s gospel. Get yourselves and others organized around a just cause and become a force to be reckoned with.

Today’s readings: Daniel 3:25, 34-43; Matthew 18:21-35

“Jesus answered, ‘I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.’ ”

Wednesday, March 18

Rules of the road

Rules exist for a reason. Yielding the right-of-way in traffic is a good rule to keep cars from colliding in the middle of an intersection. The rule—not always observed—of not interrupting another person allows for conversation and encourages people to listen to each other. Following rules also expresses your connection with the values behind the rules. The “rules” of religion, the signs that a person follows a particular faith, show to others they are in communion with a particular God and the values God represents. Let your actions broadcast your faith to others.

Today’s readings: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9; Matthew 5:17-19

“This will show your wisdom and discernment to the peoples, who . . . will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and discerning people!’ ”

Thursday, March 19

Solemnity of Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A trustworthy witness

Trust—even when risky—is at the heart of any good and lasting close relationship. Saint Joseph chose to trust a messenger from God, and he also chose to trust Mary at a time when many would have walked away claiming infidelity. Joseph too often fades into the background when biblical heroes are held up as role models, but he deserves to be front and center. On this day the Catholic Church puts him there. Take a moment to reflect on how in your own most intimate relationships you can aspire to Joseph’s great level of trust.

Today’s readings: 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22;

Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Luke 2:41-51a

“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.”

Friday, March 20

Lenten weekday

X-treme love

X-treme sports are entering the mainstream sports world—making them less extreme, apparently. There have even been X-Games that feature sports like freestyle motocross, bicycle motocross, skateboarding, snowboarding, and snowmobiling that’s way different than what you used to do up at Uncle Ernie’s farm on weekends. One thing they have in common is pushing the limits. In the game of Christian love, Jesus calls us to total love of God and neighbor. It’s something you have to put your whole self into on a regular basis. So strap on your spiritual monoskier and hit the slopes.

Today’s readings: Hosea 14:2-10;

Mark 12:28-34

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”

Saturday, March 21

Lenten weekday

Go ahead and ask

Overheard in church: “I am not going to the reconciliation service this week because I haven’t sinned since the last one four months ago.” While most of us do not commit obviously grievous sins, we still “miss the mark” regularly in subtle ways, for example, by being angry or self-righteous. Although it is not easy or comfortable to admit that we are not perfect, our spiritual well-being depends upon it. May our prayer today be that we are made aware of the times and ways we have sinned so that we can ask for God’s mercy. For although God doesn’t wait to be asked before forgiving us, we cannot receive that forgiveness if we haven’t acknowledged our need for it.

Today’s readings: Hosea 6:1-6; Luke 18:9-14

“The tax collector prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ ”