Church of Saint Philip Neri,

Pennsburg, PA 18073

April 12, 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 PRASE CHRIST TOGETHER

On Easter Sunday, we will gather to pray, celebrate and feast. In my reading, I came across the religious meaning of the Easter Foods. You might find this interesting; so I would like to share this with you.

The foods traditionally blessed for Easter, the feast of the Lord’s Passover from death to life, are the foods which God prescribed for the ancient Passover meal: lamb, bread, wine and bitter herbs.

The lamb, either meat or a symbolic lamb in the form of cake or butter, is the ancient Passover food by whose blood the Israelites were saved. Jesus is our Paschal (Passover) Lamb by whose blood we are saved.

Ham, celebrates the freedom of the New Law which came into effect through Jesus’ resurrection, in distinction to the Old Law which forbade certain meats. Sausage is an ethnic addition to enhance the celebration; its links remind us of the chains of death which were broken when Jesus arose.

Bread reminds us of Jesus, the risen Lord, who in the Eucharist is the food of our earthly journey and the true bread of everlasting life.

Eggs are a sign of hope and resurrection. Jesus comes forth from the tomb as the chick breaks the shell at birth. Because of the special meaning, it is fitting that the eggs to be blessed be decorated with symbols of Easter, Alleluia, and so forth.

Horseradish represents the bitter herbs prescribed in the original Passover meal as a reminder of the bitterness and harshness of life in Egypt. It reminds us of the bitterness of Jesus’ Passion by which he entered into glory.

Wine is the drink of the Passover meal and the Last Supper. Its sparkle reminds us of the glory of Easter. Wine gladdens our hearts and helps us enter into the joy of the resurrection.

As you gather for your Easter dinner and enjoy the blessings of the table set before you, remember all this is a blessing from the Lord and Give Thanks and Praise. May the risen Christ bring you eternal joy and hope every day of your life! As Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, “Never let anything so fill you with sorrow that you forget the Joy of Christ Risen”. Blessed Easter!

Praise Be Jesus Christ….Now and Forever!

Fr. Roncase

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

Sunday - April 19, 2009

We will celebrate in Church at 3:00 pm with prayers, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Adoration and Benediction.

The Image of TheDivine Mercy

On the first Sunday of Lent, February 22, 1931, Our Lord Jesus Christ is reported to have granted a vision of Himself to Blessed Faustina Kowalska of the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in the city of Plock in Poland.

She saw him clothed in an ankle-length white garment. His right hand was raised in blessing; the left was touching His garment at the bosom where, from beneath the garment slightly drawn aside, two large rays were coming forth as though from His heart. The ray to the left of the onlooker was red in color; the ray to the right was pale, that is, colorless, like clear crystal.

After Blessed Faustina had gazed intently at the vision for awhile with emotions of deep reverence and great joy, Jesus gave here these instructions:

Paint an image according to the pattern you see with the inscription: Jesus, I trust in You! I desire that this image be venerated first in your chapel and (then) throughout the world.

I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I also promise victory over (its) enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I Myself will defend it as My own glory.

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 $397,159; 55% of our goal thus far.

The Campaign continues for two more months!

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.

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.

Serving at Mass April 19

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

Divine Mercy Sunday

5:00 pm – Alice Swift Ed Tryon

LaRue Emmell

Priest

John Burke

Teri Boone

Dave Boone

7:30 am – Lori Brozena Pete Frank

Dina Corrado E. Quatrani

Priest

Michele Martin

Peter D’Amico

Trish Dornisch

9:30 am – Christine Adelsberger Larry Concio

Stephan Adelsberger Matt Horvath

Priest

Deacon

Priest

Mary Godshall

Stephanie Greczek

Jenny Josko

Bill Gurgick

Lisa Gurgick

Christine Kemp

Lester Kemp

11:00 am – Sarah Franks D. McCausland

Bill Orr M. Charlton

Priest

Deacon

Priest

Marlene Leidy

Kevin Charlton

Maryanne Charlton

Amanda Charlton

Mary Goodfellow

Joshua Hewitt

Lillian Hewitt

Serving at Mass April 26

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Bob Talbot Mark Meinzer

Kathryn Talbot

Priest

Deacon

Jim Camarata

Linda Benko

Dianne Kennedy

Patrick Kennedy

Jim Quigley

Annemarie Quigley

Lisa Edleman

Michael Edleman

7:30 am – Paul Moser J. Sakalouckas

Maureen Moser Michael Lynch

Priest

Keith Greczek

Mike Heveran

Jim Michels

9:30 am – Rose Anderson Sue DiMarco

Mary Ellen Paulk M. Gehringer

Priest

Michael Sledgen

Bob Brennan

Eleanor Brennan

11:00 am - Bob Schwind Adam Canigiani

Barbara Schwind Jim Brinckman

Priest

Anita Weilnau

Linda DiTondo

Doug DiTondo

LITURGICAL MINISTERS SCHEDULE

Second Quarter 2009

Liturgical Ministers who do not have computers or web capability, paper copies are now available in the back of the church for pick up. Please be sure to pick up your copy.

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, Hilda Stine, Donald Abramo Sr., James Abramo & Christine Erb.

For those who have died, grant them eternal rest and peace.

GREETER SCHEDULES

The second quarter schedule is now available. Those with computer capability can go the website; paper copies can be picked up in the small room off of the vestibule.

MASS BOOK – 2010

The Mass Book for 2010 will open Friday, May 1^st, between 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Each person will be allowed five (5) weekday Masses and two (2) Sunday Masses. If there are any additional Masses available in July, you may call the office and make your request. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

EASTER SUNDAY

The Resurrection of the Lord

April 12, 2009

Monday, April 13

8:00 am – William & Teresa Harvey, (Bob & Elaine Roncase)

Tuesday, April 14

8:00 am – Lila & Paul Smith, (Estate)

Wednesday, April 15

7:00 pm – Gordon Heckler, (Paul & Vera Fronheiser)

Thursday, April 16

8:00 am – Bill Veach, (Rita & Henry Tokarski)

Friday, April 17

8:00 am – Margaret Kanya, (Bob & Pat Kanya)

Saturday, April 18

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

5:00 pm – Martin Homan, (Maureen Homan)

Sunday, April 19

7:30 am – James Engle, (Catherine Wlazelek)

9:30 am – For the living & deceased Members of the Parish.

11:00 am – Katherine Cress, (John & Theresa Gilmore)

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 Gregory Stump, requested by:

Wife, Florence Stump

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

ACTIVITIES - *BINGO*

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

Working Thursday – April 16th – Team #3

All regular games pay $50

FINAL COVER – ALL SPECIAL PAYS: $500

Attention: Volunteers needed at Bingo once or twice a month to sell the Nevada Pull-tab tickets on Thursday evenings from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm.

Call Shirley at the rectory office if interested.

SUNDAY COLLECTIONS

Because of the Easter Holy Days, the Blletin had to go the printers ahead of normal schedule.

The Sunday collections for Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday will be published in the April 19^th Bulletin.

MEETINGS & EVENTS THIS WEEK

Sunday, April 12^th – No Little Church, No Children’s Liturgy of the Word, and no Men’s Basketball. Enjoy Easter with your families and friends!

Monday, April 13^th – No School

Monday, April 13^th – SPN Quilting – gym – 1:00 pm

Tuesday, April 14^th – Garden Club – Church Grounds – 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Tuesday, April 14^th – Choir & Cantor practice – Church – 6:30 pm

Tuesday, April 14^th – Boy Scouts – gym – 7:00 pm

Tuesday, April 14^th – Elizabeth Ministry Meeting – Neri Center – 7:00 pm

Wednesday, April 15^th – PREP (Religious Education) – school – 6:00 pm

Wednesday, April 15^th – Cub Scout Parent Meeting – Neri Center – 6:00 pm

Wednesday, April 15^th – Home & School Board Meeting – rectory – 7:00 pm

Thursday, April 16^th – Bingo – gym – 6:30 pm

Thursday, April 16^th – Cub Scout Meeting – Neri Center – 6:45 pm

Thursday, April 16^th – Diocesan Capital Campaign Meeting – rectory – 7:30 pm

Friday, April 17^th – SPN Quilting – gym – 1:00 pm

Sunday, April 19^th – Little Church – gym – 9:30 am

Sunday, April 19^th – Children’s Liturgy of the Word – Church – during the 9:30 am Mass

Sunday, April 19^th – Divine Mercy Sunday – Prayers & Adoration in Church – 3:00 pm

Sunday, April 19^th – Youth Ministry – gym – 5:00 – 8:00 pm

Sunday, April 19^th – Knights of Columbus – General Meeting – rectory – 7:30 pm

Sunday, April 19^th – Men’s 30 and over Basketball – 8:00 pm

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Liturgy Committee Meeting – Monday, April 20^th – 7:00 pm – rectory

Pastoral Council Meeting – Tuesday, April 21^st – 7:00 pm – rectory

Blue Knights Catholic Boys Club – Tuesday, April 21^st – Neri Center – 6:30 pm

Car Show Committee Meeting – Wednesday, April 22^nd – rectory – 7:00 pm

Carnival Committee Meeting – Monday, April 27^th – 7:00 pm – rectory

H.O.P.E. General Meeting – Monday, April 27^th – gym – 7pm

Pre-Jordan Baptismal Class – Monday, May 4^th – rectory – 7:30 pm

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

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

SCHOOL REGISTRATION – 2009 - 2010

Don’t miss out on a great opportunity to provide your son or daughter with a Catholic School education at St. Philip Neri School! Our school provides a safe, nurturing value-centered learning environment for students in Preschool through Eighth Grade. The Hop Ahead Preschool has a program Tuesdays and Thursdays for 3 year olds and Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for 4 year olds from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Our Kindergarten program is a full day program along with our First through Eighth Grade which begins at 7:45 a.m. and ends at 2:25 p.m.

An after school program, C.A.R.E.S., is also available for students in Kindergarten through Eighth Grade.

If you would like any additional information on our school or would like to register your child for the 2009-2010 school year, please call the school office at 215-679-7481. When registering your child for Preschool, please have a copy of your child’s immunization records. If registering for Grades K through 8, please have the following at registration: original birth certificate, copy of baptismal certificate, and current immunization record as required by the State of PA at the time of registration. School begins on September 8, for Grades 1 to 8.

SCHOOL NEWS

Week of: March 30^th

Preschool – We talked about Palm Sunday and Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem. The children made stained glass crucifixes for Holy Week.

Kindergarten – The Kindergarten began learning about butterflies. We read “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and made beautiful butterflies to decorate the room. Welcome Spring!

1st – In First Grade we read a story about bees. Students will learn many interesting facts about them. We also started to learn about place value in Math. The class has started to add two-digit numbers!

2nd – The Second Grade children joined together with the parish Religious Education children for a special First Communion Retreat Day. Through several activities they reflected on the meaning of meeting Jesus in the Eucharist.

3rd – The Third Grade went to the Capital building in Harrisburg. This was a perfect field trip for our class because we are learning about our state and federal government. In Reading we are learning about historical fiction. Students demonstrated they are able to identify the sequencing, plot and characters in the story.

4th – The state government of PA came alive as 4th graders toured the state capitol in Harrisburg. Senator Wonderling and Representative Mesch personally escorted us to the House & Senate chambers where they talked to us about their jobs as well as the history of the ornate rooms we visited.

5th – Our class went to DeSales University to a chemistry demonstration with the 7th Grade. They were excited to see all of the reactions. We are also preparing for Holy Week. The students are going to journal what it would be like to be with Jesus during Holy Week.

6th – The Sixth Grade students have finished their first Literature Circle novel. All of the students did an excellent job. The students are 50 books away from their 300 Book Challenge. For their writing piece, the students are creating their own Myth.

7th – The Seventh Grade students just finished a Stations of the Cross project in which they had to take on the role of a reporter at the scene as the events happened. They are currently writing about a setting for a science fiction story. In Math, they are learning about geometry.

8th – The Eighth Grade has entered the Jazz Age in Social Studies. In Religion, we are preparing for the observance of Holy Week.

HOME & SCHOOL NEWS

The Texas Hold’em Event scheduled for Saturday, April 18^th, has been cancelled. The Home & School is truly sorry that we cannot run the Event as planned and apologizes for any inconvenience this causes you. In place of the Event, we have planned a Family Fest. Please consider bringing your children to the social hall on April 18^th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. There will be bingo, prizes, board games and crafts. We will have food and drinks for sale during the fest. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

PARISH NEWS

FROM THE PARISH OUTREACH OFFICE

FRIENDLY VISITOR UPDATE

A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure. Sirach 6:14. Are you willing to be of service to one of God’s people by lending a listening ear and making small conversation in order to lift spirits? You would be developing a valuable friendship with another parishioner who is lonely and homebound. The rewards are immeasurable. Call Shirley at the rectory: 215-679-9275, or Sister Patricia Kelly at the Outreach Office: 215-679-2282. Speak slowly, please.

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

Sharing our love through positive action; an Elizabeth Minister makes a commitment to celebrate new life, to support families with young children, to encourage those trying to become new parents and to comfort those in crisis and death circumstances. The role of Elizabeth Ministers is not to do the extraordinary, but to engage the ordinary with an extraordinary degree of love.

Our next meeting is Tuesday, April 14, 2009, in the Neri Center at 7:00 pm. Come meet us.

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.

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 1pm.

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: May 5^th & June 2^nd. 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 - 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.

CHICKEN BARBQUE & BAKE SALE

St. Philip Neri Social Hall

Saturday – May 2, 2009

3:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Advanced tickets available for purchase by calling Rita: 215-679-7009, Connie: 610-287-9829 or Joan: 215-234-4813.

FLYER Insert to follow in the next week or so.

Sponsored by the SPN Craft Guild

SILVER SPIRIT SOCIAL

On Sunday, May 3^rd, at 1:00 pm in the parish Social Hall, we invite you to attend a social hour to share ides and thoughts as to where you would like to travel to; whether it be a Dinner Show or a Broadway Show or even a Sports Event. We have collected lots of information to share with you; so please bring your ideas to this meeting and we can see where the bus goes next! Light refreshments will be served.

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#: _________________________________________

PARISH GARAGE SALE

Our Parish Garage Sale will be held from 9:00 am to noon on Wednesday, May 6^th, Saturday, May 9^th, Wednesday, May 13^th, Saturday, May 16^th, Wednesday, May 20^th and Saturday, May 23^rd; and during the Carnival: May 27^th through May 31^st.

DONATIONS are needed; so start gathering those unused items and bring them to the garage behind the church between 9:00 am and 12 noon on the following Saturday’s: April 4^th, 11^th, 18^th & 25^th.

NO DONATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER 4/25!

The following items will not be accepted: clothing, computers, exercise equipment, furniture, large appliances, outdated books (i.e. encyclopedias, medical books) televisions or stuffed animals.

PARISH CARNIVAL

WED MAY 27th – SAT MAY 30th 6-10 PM

SUNDAY MAY 31^st 1-6 PM

ADVANCED FOOD TICKETS can be purchased May 2 thru May 23rd the SCRIP table or at the rectory until May 22^rd. For every $5 purchased, you receive $6 in food tickets.

CARNIVAL SET UP - Help is needed with setting up pop-up tents, roping off areas, moving tables and getting the grounds ready for the carnival. If you can help either call Shirley at 215-679-9275 or just come to the church grounds on Sunday, May 24^th at 2 pm.

CHANCES – chances for our grand prize drawing should arrive in the mail. Returns made before May 18, e placed for a special Early Bird Drawing on this day!

More tickets can be picked up at the rectory.

LAWN SIGNS - Do you have a good place to put up a lawn sign advertising the carnival? If so, please call Dawn at 215-679-2160 or e mail Doris at gmomdecker@yahoo.com. Signs will be available for pick up after Mass the weekend of May 9/10.

RIDE BRACELETS - We will be selling discount bracelets for carnival rides on (3) three days this year. Wednesday, May 27^thThursday May 28 and Sunday, May 31st. Cost of the bracelet per day is $15.00. Individual ride tickets will also be available.

ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS

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.

SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY –

ANNUAL APPEAL

As you know, November is the month designated for the Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Annual Appeal; however, it concludes on June 30, 2009. Please consider supporting the Seminary, and, if possible, increasing your gift over what you gave last year.

The Seminary community is grateful to you for your faithful support. Your tax-deductible gift helps to enhance the many resources needed for priestly training and enables the Church to form holy, educated, and dedicated priests.

PLEASE SEND YOUR DONATION TO:

Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary

Office for Development

100 E. Wynnewood Road

Wynnewood, PA 19096

If you would like to make a donation online, please visit: www.scs.edu.

Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook – Thinking about a summer conference or spiritual retreat? Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary is offering a new summer program that combines learning the faith with spiritual reflection. Summer Academic Retreats begin in July.

To learn more and download a registration form, visit www.StudyCatholicTheology.com.

Undergraduate certificates and a Master of Arts in Theology program are also available. Apply now for summer session.

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA –

Vocation Office for the Diocesan Priesthood

Have you ever considered being a priest? What an awesome life it is! Do not be afraid to HEED THE CALL of Christ. This overnight Friday and Saturday, April 24-25, at St. Charles Seminary will provide an opportunity for you to come and see those who are considering the call to priesthood. For more information, please see our website www.HeedTheCall.org or call: 610-667-5778 for more information. Registration is required.

Creighton Model Fertility Care System Seminar:

Too many Catholic couples dealing with infertility have been convinced that their only hope of having a child together is through harmful artificial reproductive technology.

NaPro Technology, a new women’s health science developed through research at the Pope Paul VI Institute, has been assisting infertile couples for over 30 years.

There will be a seminar on NaPro Technology and the Creighton Model Fertility Care System on May 4^th through the Holy Redeemer Hospital Community Health Education department. There is a cost of $10, but an anonymous donor has offered to pay for those struggling in these economic times.

For more information regarding registration for the class and the monetary assistance, please call Barbara Rose, RN, Fertility Care Practitioner at: 215-884-2922 or email savor@verizon.net.

Bishops Launch Follow-up E-mail Campaign –

against FOCA: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has launched a nationwide email campaign to urge Congress to maintain widely-supported pro-life policies and to oppose the federal funding and promotion of abortion. The email campaign augments the massive national postcard campaign launched in late January and gives more people an opportunity to participate. A recommended email message may be found by visiting the website of the USCCB’s partner organization, the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment at www.nchla.org and clicking on the red button marked “email Congress” under the Fight FOCA heading.

Thank you for your ongoing support of these initiatives.

Email Senator Casey:

http://casey.senate.gov/contact

Email Senator Specter:

http://specter.senate.gov/contact/

Find representatives’ email addresses at:

www.congress.org

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.

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). Call Dawn Ellis 215-679-2160 to register.

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

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Solemnity of the Resurrection of the Lord

The Lord’s Day

“On this day, the first of days” is the opening line of a hymn to be sung on Sunday, the first day of the week. It’s called the first day by Christians because, as the Catechism says, the resurrection recalls the first creation. Even better than Sunday, we think of it as “The Lord’s Day.” Each Sunday is a “little Easter” when Christians worldwide celebrate the Paschal Mystery. And just as Christ’s resurrection makes him the first of many brothers and sisters, so also Resurrection Day was the first of countless Easters. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed and among us! And we will alleluia all the way home!

Today’s readings: Acts 10:34a, 37-42; Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8;

John 20:1-9 or Mark 16:1-7

“When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.”

Monday, April 13

Solemnity of Monday in the Octave of Easter

So what’s an octave?

Ever attend a party that lasted eight days? Probably not, unless you’ve been with a college sorority or fraternity on spring break. But back in the early centuries of Christianity, eight-day liturgical celebrations, such as the one we’re in now, were fairly common. The eighth day or “octave” represented a kind of new beginning beyond the regular week of seven days. The liturgy for each day of the octave would contain the whole enchilada of cool stuff for the solemnity: Gloria, Creed, and a double alleluia at the end. By the 20th century there were way too many of these repeated liturgies. So Pope Pius XII reduced the number of octaves to the big three: Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. This week, then, is the octave of Easter. Party hearty.

Today’s readings: Acts 2:14, 22-33;

Matthew 28:8-15

“This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.”

Tuesday, April 14

Solemnity of Tuesday in the Octave of Easter

Mary, Mary, quite contrary to popular opinion

Mary of Magdala, or Mary Magadalene, is called the apostle to the apostles because in John’s gospel she is the first to witness and proclaim the risen Lord. Despite the fact that she is considered a saint, over the centuries she came to be identified as a sinful woman and a prostitute. Though the church now rejects this identification (made in the sixth century by a pope, among others), it continues to be propagated in culture and the arts. Examples include Martin Scorsese’s film adaptation of Nikos Kazantzakis’ novel The Last Temptation of Christ, José Saramago’s The Gospel According to Jesus Christ, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar, and Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ. The gospel offers a more faithful portrait.

Today’s readings: Acts 2:36-41; John 20:11-18

“Mary went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord,’ and then reported what he had told her.”

Wednesday, April 15

Solemnity of Wednesday in the Octave of Easter

Mind and body

Jesus offered his disciples two forms of knowledge, one through his words and the other through experience of his physical presence. When walking the road to Emmaus two of his disciples shared with a stranger the story of Christ’s resurrection. These were two who had learned from the words of Christ. But not until they invited the stranger into their home did they see the physical presence of Christ. We are told that it was “made known to them in the breaking of the bread.” Every Mass has two parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Together these parts offer total knowledge that includes mind and body.

Today’s readings: Acts 3:1-10;

Luke 24:13-35

“They told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.”

Thursday, April 16

Solemnity of Thursday in the Octave of Easter

No ghosts

In James Thurber’s short story The Night the Ghost Got In, the narrator recalls an evening in his family home in Ohio when he hears somebody—or something—walking around the dining room table downstairs. Suspecting a burglar, the whole house is awakened, the police arrive and turn the place upside-down. Only later does the narrator realize it might have been a ghost. When the disciples encountered the risen Jesus they, too, thought they were seeing a ghost, so Jesus went to great lengths to show he was there in body, eating and asking them to touch him. Jesus rose in a body and he continues to be present in our bodies, the bodies of others, especially those in need, the body of the church, and in the Eucharist: ready to be seen, touched, met.

Today’s readings: Acts 3:11-26;

Luke 24:35-48

“Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself.”

Friday, April 17

Solemnity of Friday in the Octave of Easter

Look for the Spirit

During a session on the sacrament of Confirmation, a candidate in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults commented, “Although I would not have known what to call it, I do know that I have felt the Holy Spirit with me ever since I can remember. I have always felt ‘watched over.’ For me it’s the security of knowing that everything is going to be all right. I never called it the Holy Spirit until recently.” Someone once observed that the Holy Spirit, like the wind, is invisible—it can only be seen in the people it moves. Have you ever felt inspired? Encouraged? Comforted? Had the right words to say at the right time? That’s the Holy Spirit.

Today’s readings: Acts 4:1-12; John 21:1-14

“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘. . . there is salvation in no one else.’ ”

Saturday, April 18

Solemnity of Saturday in the Octave of Easter

News from beyond

Jimmy was about 4 or 5, and his mom and dad had done their best to teach him to know and love Jesus. All seemed well until the Easter when Mom and Dad tried to explain the resurrection. They hit a wall. Jimmy insisted, “Nope! When you’re dead, you’re dead.” While they had no idea where their son had picked up his fatalism, they lovingly assured him that they themselves believed that Jesus had returned from the dead. Little by little, it seemed to sink in, until all of a sudden Jimmy bolted from the room. They followed and found him making a phone call. “Who are you calling, Jim?” “Grandpa!” the little guy said. “He’s gotta hear about this!” The first impulse for those convinced of good news is to tell everyone. The joy is irrepressible. How could we not share it? Or as the hymn says, “How can we keep from singing?”

Today’s readings: Acts 4:13-21;

Mark 16: 9-15

“We cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.”