Church of Saint Philip Neri,

Pennsburg, PA 18073

March 22, 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

We warmly welcome Monsignor Dan Sullivan to St. Philip Neri Parish. Father is a gifted and powerful preacher who blends spirituality with everyday experiences. We will all be motivated and feel blessed throughout his three-night Retreat in our Parish.

The theme for our Parish Retreat as we had said is “Faces of Jesus”. Each of the three nights will last about an hour and within that hour all of us will be touched by the Lord. Feel forgiven, be blessed and healed and become a better person in the eyes of the Lord.

Please plan to attend these three nights of grace, blessings, joy, healing and forgiveness.

Feel free to invite your neighbors and friends since all are welcome to attend.

Praise Be Jesus Christ…Now and Forever!

Father Roncase

DIOCESAN CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

The Archdiocesan Capital Campaign continues here at St. Philip Neri. The goal given to us by the Archdiocese is $720,000. To date, we have pledged $303,000; 42% of our goal thus far.

The Campaign continues for two more months!

CONGRATULATIONS

We congratulate our Second Grade Students who received First Penance on Monday, March 16^th! God bless you!

FIRST FRIDAY MASS

First Friday is April 3^rd. Mass is in Church at 9:00 am, followed by adoration until evening prayer at 6:45 pm; Stations of the Cross following at 7:00 pm. The sign-up book for adoration schedule can be found in the Church vestibule beneath the crucifix.

GRADE SCHOOL STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Note: Time change – Wednesday, April 1^st at 10:00 am in the morning. (moved from 1:00 pm)

PALM SUNDAY MASSES

Masses on Palm Sunday:

Vigil Mass: Saturday, April 4^th – 5:00 pm

Palm Sunday: Sunday, April 5^th – 7:30 am;

9:30 am; 11:30 am

Please note: The 11:00 am Mass on Palm Sunday has been moved to 11:30 am! (It is also moved on Easter Sunday!)

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Holy Thursday, April 9^th: No morning Mass

Mass of the Last Supper: 7:30 pm in Church

(Adoration in the Chapel Thursday evening – 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm)

Good Friday, April 10^th: No Mass

Morning prayer in the Chapel at 8:00 am

Adoration in the Chapel from 8:30 am until 3:00 pm

Veneration of the Cross and Communion at 7:30 pm in Church

Holy Saturday, April 11^th: No morning Mass

Morning prayer in the Chapel at 8:00 am

Decorating Church for Easter – 10:00 am

Blessing of Easter Food in Church at 1:00 pm

Easter Vigil Mass: Church – 8:00 pm

Easter Sunday Masses: April 12^th

7:30 am; 9:30 am; 11:30 am

Daily Masses during Easter Week will be in Church

Confessions for Holy Week:

Wednesday, April 8^th – Church – 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm.

Four priests will be available for the sacrament of reconciliation.

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 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 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, Michael Andrusko, Betty Risko, Christine Keer. Anna Rickert, Robert Joseph Drelick, Pat Scheerbaum, George Bradford, James Abramo, Darrell Goslin, Gene & Jenna Parsons & Hilda Stine.

For those who have died, and in particular for Kathleen Gould & Theodore Martin, 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 now filled for Mass Intentions. Unannounced Masses are always available.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

March 22, 2009

Monday, March 23, Toribio de Mogrovejo

8:00 am – First Anniversary, Anna McArdle

(Ed & Joan Lampart)

7:00 pm – Parish Mission Service - in Church

Tuesday, March 24

8:00 am – Dorothy Peters, (Bob & Marianne Peters)

7:00 pm – Parish Mission Service – in Church

Wednesday, March 25, Annunciation of the Lord

8:00 am – Walter Ernst

12:10 pm – Mass in Church

7:00 pm – Parish Mission Service – in Church

Thursday, March 26

8:00 am – Tony Martello, (Stanley Mikanowicz & family)

Friday, March 27

8:00 am – Gordon Heckler,

(Tom & Nancy Brogan, Sarah Greiss)

7:00 pm – Stations of the Cross - Church

Saturday, March 28

8:00 am – Elizabeth G. Linden, (Carol & John Johnson)

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

Sunday, March 29

7:30 am – First Anniversary, John Mensch,

(Wife, Helen Mensch)

9:30 am – James Engle, (Stan & Betty Mikanowicz)

11:00 am – Janice Harvey, (Bob & Elaine Roncase)

ROSE/FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS

The red roses placed on the Blessed Mother altar are in memory of Tom Virus on his Second Anniversary requested by his wife, daughters and granddaughter.

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 Kathleen Gould, requested by:

Jerry & Joan Mullaney.

In memory of Stanley Piontkowski, requested by:

Mr. & Mrs. Ciaciak

In memory of Clifford Rothenberger, requested by: Edgar & Mary Blake Stauffer

In memory of Charles Snyder, requested by:

Bill & Cindy Robinson, Joe & Barbara Henry,

Ann & Joe Moser, & Dave and Trudy Moser.

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 26^th – Team #4

All regular games pay $50

FINAL COVER – ALL SPECIAL PAYS: $500

Bingo: 03/12/09 – 84 players

Kitchen: $ 128.55

Games: 963.00

Total: $1,091.50

Fish Fry: $ 681.05

Hoagie sale: $ 780.50

SUNDAY COLLECTIONS

March 16, 2008 March 15, 2009

Envelopes - $ 9,832.00 $ 9,305.00

Loose - 1,548.00 918.00

Children - 94.00 94.00

Total: $11,474.00 $10,317.00

MEETINGS AND EVENTS THIS WEEK

Sunday, March 22^nd – Parish Breakfast – 7am -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

Monday, March 23^rd – SPN Quilting – gym – 1:00 pm

Monday, March 23^rd – Parish Retreat – Church – 7:00 pm

Tuesday, March 24^th – Parish Retreat – Church – 7:00 pm

Wednesday, March 25^th – ALPHA – gym – 10:00 am

Wednesday, March 25^th – 12:10 pm Lenten Mass - Church

Wednesday, March 25^th – No PREP classes due to the Parish Retreat.

Wednesday, March 25^th – Parish Retreat – Church – 7:00 pm

Thursday, March 26^th – Cub Scout Den Meeting – Neri Center – 6:45 pm

Thursday, March 26^th – Bingo – gym – 6:30 pm

Thursday, March 26^th – RCIA – rectory – 7:00 pm

Thursday, March 26^th – Diocesan Capital Campaign Meeting – rectory – 7:30pm

Friday, March 27^th – Bible Timeline- rectory – 9:00 am

Friday, March 27^th – Lenten Fish Fry – gym – 11 am – 2 pm

Friday, March 27^th – Stations of the Cross – Church – 7 pm

Sunday, March 29^th – Little Church – gym – 9:30am

Sunday, March 29^th – Children’s Liturgy of the Word – Church – during the 9:30 am Mass

Sunday, March 29^th – Men’s 30 and over Basketball – 8pm

UPCOMING MEETINGS

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

Garden Club – Cleaning Church grounds – Tuesday, April 7^th – 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Holy Week Confessions – Wednesday, April 8^th – Church – 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Decorating Church for Easter – Saturday, April 11^th – 10:00 am – everyone welcome.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

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

SCHOOL NEWS

St. Philip Neri School

Honor Roll – March 2009

Grade

Distinguished Honors

First Honors

Second Honors

Matthew Souder

Kate Ferdock

Danilo Perez

Ashley Serafin

Benjamin Tryon

Laura Vetter

Madison Wood

Thomas Beck

Nora Myers

Matthew Radzai

Hayley Martin

Hannah Mattaliano

Sara McMahon

Richard Smith

Cooper Wright

Kelsey Gallagher

Gabrielle Marinelli

Emily Beck

Keira Koch

Patrick Souder

Nicholas Camarata

Allison McCausland

Elizabeth Mullaney

Lauren Serafin

Brynn Shrom

Patrick Vetter

Lauren Pera

Charles Stoll

Morgan Tielemans

Isabel Perez

Joshua Williams

Chris Malantonio

Zachary Washko

Tia Camarata

Jackie Smith

Regina Souder

E.J. Wahl

Leah Williams

Christopher Hillegass

Austin Jaman

Mia Lowe

Catherine Stoll

Rhiannon Domalewski

Starla Lata

Joseph Marinelli

Congratulations to Regina Souder

Regina is the recipient of a Neumann Scholarship. The Neumann Scholars Program honoring the founder of our parochial schools, St. John Neumann, the fourth Bishop of Philadelphia (1852-1860), is an initiative sponsored by the Connelly Foundation. Developed in 1994 to promote and reward academic excellence among students in parish elementary schools, the program provides scholarships in each school district of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to those who excel in an independently administered examination.

The Connelly Foundation awards a total of 45 scholarships within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Students living in Montgomery County are the recipients of 7 of 45 scholarships.

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.

ST. PHILIP NERI CHURCH LENTEN FISH FRY

Attention! In case you forgot, our Lenten Fish Fry began on February 27^th and continues until Good Friday, April 10^th between 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. Eat-in or take out available. Check out the menu listed below as we have a nice variety of foods to choose from.

Clam Chowder, Fish Chowder, Manhattan or New England Chowders, Crab or Crab Patty, Fish or Fish Sandwich, Cheese & Tuna Hoagies, Cabbage & Noodles, Macaroni & Cheese, French Fries, Pierogies w/onion & butter, stewed tomatoes, pepper cabbage, or cole slaw, dessert, ice cream, soda, coffee, tea or milk.

Please call Rita: 679-7009 for prices/questions.

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.

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.

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.

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.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM:

The Parish Outreach Office:

If you are having extreme difficulty paying for your prescriptions, I have the phone numbers of several pharmaceutical companies that will give them to you FREE, if you qualify.

If interested, please call Sister Patricia Kelly, M.S.B.T. at the Parish Outreach Office at: 215-679-2282. If no answer, please speak slowly and leave your name and phone number.

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.

MARKET DAY

Thank you for your MARKET DAY order this month! We’re looking forward to seeing you when you pick up your order on March 24^th between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm. You can find us at the school’s meeting room. If you have any questions, please call Lisa Vetter at: 215-538-2308. Thank you for your continued support!

OUR PARISH BULLETIN NEEDS YOUR HELP!

It is free and provides important revenues to our parish.

Please have your Business, Service or Practice recommend to all our parish families with an AD supporting our Bulletin.

Please call Jim Finnen at your earliest convenience on his cell phone or home phone number:

Cell phone: 610-653-2145

Home phone: 610-838-2238

It is one of the few, inexpensive local advertising opportunities left in our area and your parish thanks you!

SILVER SPIRITS TRAVEL CLUB

“Washington D.C. Trip”

When: Saturday – June 13, 2009

Departure – 7:00 am

Return – approximately 10:30 pm

Price - $60/person

ITINERARY:

7:00 am – depart from SPN Church parking lot. Brief rest stop enroute.

11:00 am – Canal boat ride on “The Georgetown”

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm – free time for browsing; lunch on own.

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm- guided tour of Basilica of the National Shrine with free time after tour to browse gift shop.

4:15 – 6:00 pm- visit National Zoological Park in DC. Fast food stop enroute home.

Please complete the form below. All payments are to be made to “Silver Spirit Travel Club” and are due by May 11^th. (checks will be the only form of payment accepted)

For additional information or questions, please call Kathy Kulp at: 267-923-5173 or Kathy Talbot at: 215-541-0250.

Name(s) _________________________________________

Phone#: _________________________________________

ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS

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.

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:

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

Wedding Anniversary Masses at the Cathedral:

The annual Wedding Anniversary Masses with Cardinal Justin Rigali will be on Sunday, May 3^rd in the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. There are two Masses: 11:00 am for couples celebrating 50 or more years of marriage from Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties; and 2:30 pm, for couples celebrating 50 or more years of marriage from Bucks, Chester and Delaware counties, and couples celebrating 25 or more years of marriage from all counties. For those with disabilities, an access ramp is on the parking lot side of the Cathedral.

Please contact the Family Life Office at: 215-587-3516 if someone will need special help.

VOCATION OFFICE FOR:

THE DIOCESAN PRIESTHOOD

Are you between the ages of 16 and 24? Have you ever thought about being a priest? Does the thought interest you? HEED THE CALL. Come and join others for a weekend: March 27^th, 28^th & 29^th at St. Charles Seminary to explore the call.

For information, please visit our website: www.HeedTheCall.org or call: 610-667-5778 for more information. Registration is required.

DO YOU KNOW YOUR TRIBUNAL?

The Tribunal is a group of specially qualified priests, sisters, and lay persons whose responsibility is to come to the help of people who have experienced divorce.

When a divorce occurs, the Catholic Church always seeks to balance two realities. One is the unbreakableness of the bond of marriage. This is God’s law. It cannot be broken by human intervention. On the other hand, the Church is concerned about the spiritual welfare of the people involved. Was this a true marriage? Even though a Catholic marriage was celebrated, perhaps there was some weakness in the consent of the parties involved? The Annulment Procedure addresses this problem without affixing blame on either party.

If you are divorced or married outside the Catholic Church, please telephone the Tribunal Office. Have no fear. All interviews are private. Please call or write: The Tribunal – 222 N. 17^th Street, Philadelphia, 19103; 215-587-3750.

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:_________________________

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.

Please call Mrs. Kris Cope, Admissions Director at: 215-362-6160 or visit our website:

www.lansdalecatholic.com/admission_faq.htm.

PRESENTATION ON VETERAN BENEFITS

March 31^st – 2:00 pm: Montgomery County Veterans Affairs representative John Novack will hold an informative seminar on federal benefits for veterans and their dependents including disability compensation, pensions, and healthcare. This will take place at the Upper Perkiomen Senior Center.

April 16^th – 9:30 am: As follow up, Veterans Affairs will be available to answer questions and file benefits applications. Open to Veterans of all ages and the public. Programs held at Upper Perkiomen Senior Center – 517 Jefferson Street – East Greenville. For more information or to sign up, call 215-679-6550.

TURKEY DINNER

St. John’s Lutheran Church – Sumneytown

Saturday – March 28^th

3:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Adult: $8.50, Child: $3.50 (ages 4-12)

Take outs: $9.00

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

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Fourth Sunday of Lent; Laetare Sunday

Joy for the sinner

The Fourth Sunday of Lent is known as Laetare Sunday—laetare is Latin for “joy.” In a season of fasting, prayer, and abstinence, it’s easy to forget that one of the liturgical prayers for Lent thanks God, saying, “Each year you give us this joyful season.” The Lenten project recalls the fact that God chooses to restore, heal, forgive, raise up, and save rather than what we might expect: punish for sin. God’s plan is “that the world might be saved through [Christ].” All of Lent, then, is not our making up for the sins of the past (they are forgiven), nor persuading God to love us (we are loved beyond all telling), but a joyful preparation to celebrate and take in the freedom Christ has won for us. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God.” It’s enough to make you want to—prematurely for the season—shout “Alleluia!”

Today’s readings: 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23; Ephesians 2:4-10; John 3:14-21

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”

Monday, March 23

Feast of Toribio de Mogrovejo, bishop

The hardest working man in Latin America

A skilled lawyer and a judge of the dreaded Spanish Inquisition, Saint Toribio (1538-1606) got a surprise when the Spanish king plucked him out of his legal career and made him bishop of Lima in colonial Peru. Undeterred, he set to work, battling priestly corruption and embarking on a difficult visit across his huge diocese that took seven years. In the process he learned indigenous languages, evangelized (eventually baptizing and confirming almost a million people), taught, and defended the rights of the native peoples. The next time you have an opportunity to move out of your comfort zone and do something great, take it and pour yourself into it. You may be surprised at the results—and at yourself.

Today’s readings: Isaiah 65:17-21;

John 4:43-54

“Lo, I am about to create a new heaven and a new earth.”

Tuesday, March 24

Lenten weekday

Jesus the fix-it man

Often we put up with a lot of things in our lives that are broken: a cabinet door that doesn’t close, a chair leg that needs a new foot, a loose handle on a rake that needs tightening. In our lives, too, there are aspects of our personality that don’t work and need to be fixed. There are relationships that are broken and need mending. There are thoughts, words, and deeds that are in need of adjustment. Jesus, the divine fix-it man, is ready, willing, and able to make all the necessary repairs. Give him a call. He’s on your daily prayer speed-dial.

Today’s readings: Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12;

John 5:1-16

“When Jesus saw the man lying there, and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, ‘Do you want to be well?’ ”

Wednesday, March 25

Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

Fear not

In a homily given at the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth in 2000, Pope John Paul II describes similarities between Abraham, our father in faith, and Mary, our mother: “For both Abraham and Mary, the divine promise comes as something completely unexpected. God disrupts the daily course of their lives, overturning its settled rhythms and conventional expectations.” That is why the angel cautions, “Do not be afraid.” Each of us is called to heed that message of courage and hope: Grace thrives amid strange and extraordinary events. Don’t let fear prevent you from experiencing the miraculous love and mercy God has in store for you.

Today’s readings: Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38

“Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.’ ”

Thursday, March 26

Lenten weekday

Idol activities

There are many interpretations of the meaning of the “golden calf” the Israelites constructed during their long exodus. In one way or another, the calf probably represented an idol, or false god, that the Israelites fell into worshipping while in the desert. They wanted their long sojourn to end and had already forgotten the misery of their Egyptian captivity. Like the Israelites we sometimes prefer to worship something shiny and pretty we can see with our eyes rather than wait patiently upon the Lord. Lent is the perfect season in which to conduct an “idol check” in your life. Where are your deepest allegiances? Whom—or what—do you really worship?

Today’s readings: Exodus 32:7-14;

John 5:31-47

“They have soon turned aside from the way I pointed out to them.”

Friday, March 27

Lenten weekday

Time is love

Each year as we pass another birthday or significant milestone, we can be thankful for all the time we’ve been given. Yet making it to this moment doesn’t guarantee us one minute more. We could fret about how our days are numbered, but our faith shows us another way to calculate matters. Christians see time measured in love, and love is everlasting. We don’t need to know the hour or the day of our death, because the love we give and receive stems from a never-ending source which is, was, and ever shall be. As we love, we are already tapping into eternity.

Today’s readings: Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22;

John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

“So they tried to arrest Jesus, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come.”

Saturday, March 28

Lenten weekday

Compelling words

The significance of words seems cheapened in a day when text messaging mangles them so easily, but those who doubt the power of a word need only think of words they wish they’d never uttered. On the other hand, a word of hope or encouragement can change the course of a life. How much more so the Word of God, which Isaiah says is sharp enough to divide bone from marrow. We call Jesus “the Word made flesh,” and apparently when he spoke—simple as his words were—he could prompt a response even from his enemies. Christ has taken root in us when we are judicious in what we say to others (and ourselves). We, too, have the power to build up or devastate others.

Today’s readings: Jeremiah 11:18-20;

John 7:40-53

“The religious leaders asked them, ‘Why did you not bring him?’ The guards answered, ‘Never before has anyone spoken like this man.’ ”