Church of Saint Philip Neri

Pennsburg, PA 18073

May 3, 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.

Ask Deacon Mike

Every once in a while a child comes up and asks me how they can become an altar server. So, I would like to answer that question this month.

The Code of Cannon Law propagated by the Late Pope John Paul II addresses the role of an altar server in Cannon 1143. It reads: For the purpose of assisting the work of the common priesthood of the faithful, other particular ministries also exist, not consecrated by the sacrament of Holy Orders (bishops, priests, deacons); their functions are determined by the bishops, in accord with liturgical traditions and pastoral needs. “Servers, readers, commentators, and members of the choir also exercise a genuine liturgical function”.

I bring this to your attention to emphasize the importance of servers at Mass. Like our lectors and choirs they hold a special position at Mass which is designed to make the Mass more meaningful to all who participate. In addition, being a server offers the individual many opportunities to interact with the priests and other members of the parish. The server also gains great insight to the liturgy which will be most helpful as they progress through life.

I was a server from the time I was in the 3^rd grade until I graduated high school. During this time I learned what it meant to give some of my time for the sake of others. I learned to love our priests and respect the needs of the church. In my secular life I often saw myself as a servant. As a manager I always felt it was my responsibility to meet the needs of those who worked for me by making sure they had what they needed to do their jobs. I am very proud that my three children were altar servers, also. My daughter, Mindy, was the first girl to serve Mass presided by the bishop of Columbus. (This bishop, James Griffin, would later ordain me to the order of deacon.)

We have been very blessed here at St. Philip to have a fine group of dedicated boys and girls, young men and women and even adults who have stepped forward to fill this important role. I have seen many of our servers continue their tenure all the way through graduation. In fact, this year we have seven servers and a lector who will graduate high school. I have had the opportunity to watch them grow into very responsible young men and women. I will miss them very much as they go on to college or other endeavors. We will honor their service to our parish on Sunday June 7, 2009 at the 9:30 AM Mass. At that same Mass we will also have a special investiture ceremony for new servers.

To be a server a boy or girl must be at least in the 4^th grade. They must have made their 1^st Reconciliation and 1^st Eucharist. They must attend Mass regularly with their families. They must be willing to learn to serve at Mass. In addition they must commit themselves to meeting their assignments. We will not allow a child to serve unless they have the expressed permission and support of parents or guardians.

If you have a child in our parish school or our PREP program they will soon receive a form for them to bring home to consider becoming an altar server. We will have a training session on the following Saturday afternoons at 1:00 PM: May 24, May 30 and June 6. Each prospective server is required to attend two of the three sessions. A parent must also attend. The training sessions will last approximately 1 hour. It is important for parents to attend so that they can hear what we instruct their child thus enabling them to reinforce at home what is said at the training. We ask that the parent not drop off their child then leave.

I hope that you will join me and express your appreciation and gratitude to our altar servers. They do a great job.

If you have any questions about the Church, liturgy, sacraments or other related topics please send them to me. You can send a note to the rectory, drop it off in the collection or you can write me at deaconmikefranks@verizon.com. As always, I will keep your identity anonymous. God bless you and I love you all. Deacon Mike Franks

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 $479,645, 66% 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.

Serving at Mass May 10

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Janet Kendra Mark Meinzer

Marci Jaman

Priest

Chuck Rodgers

Maria Rodgers

7:30 am – Mike Heveran Theresa Gilmore

Jim Michels John Gilmore

Priest

John McHale

Paul Moser

Maureen Moser

9:30 am – Mary Ellen Paulk Joe Cassarella

Rose Anderson Larry Concio

Priest

Marianne Peters

Ed Tryon

Alicia Tryon

11:00 am – Maryanne Charlton Michele Charlton

Kevin Charlton Jim Brinckman

Priest

Deacon

Amanda Charlton

Tina Evans

Sarah Franks

Mary Goodfellow

Jeanne Hermley

Bob Hermley

Anna Kells

Marlene Leidy

Serving at Mass May 17

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Dave Moser Ed Tryon

Trudy Moser

Priest

Alice Swift

Dianne Kennedy

Patrick Kennedy

7:30 am – Joan Varallo Pete Frank

Wally Varallo Michael Lynch

Priest

Pat Scheerbaum

Lori Brozena

Dina Corrado

9:30 am – Sharon Shaak Wendy Benner

Priest Terry Benner

Deacon

Priest

Judy Sledgen

Andrew Souder

Rita Tokarski

Mary Weber

Linda Benko

Colleen Daley

Michael Dougherty

11:00 am – Barbara Schwind Adam Canigiani

Bob Schwind D. McCausland

Priest

Deacon

Priest

Mary Lavin

Sandy Shellaway

Tony Shellaway

Anita Weilnau

Tina Evans

DJ Williams

Sandy Williams

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, Delia Grim, Joe Johnson, Baby Lucy Littlefield, Gesse Liguoro, Charlotte Azarovich & George Bradford.

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

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

May 3, 2009

Monday, May 4

8:00 am- Lila & Paul Smith (Estate)

Tuesday, May 5

8:00 am – Esther Pizza,

(Jessica, Joe & Mia Gillespie)

Wednesday, May 6

7:00 pm – Tom Virus, (Wife Judi, daughters & granddaughter)

Thursday, May 7

8:00 am – Stanley Grochowski, (Rich & Barbara Grochowski)

Friday, May 8

8:00 am – Marcello Suh

Saturday, May 9

8:00 am – Andrew & Ana Kotch, (Catherine Cressman))

5:00 pm – Josephine Mikanowicz, (Ed Mikanowicz)

Sunday, May 10

7:30 am – No Intentions

9:30 am – No Intentions

11:00 am– No Intentions

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 Joe Smith at: 610-754-6316.

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 Stephen Hahn, requested by:

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 – May 7th – Team #2

All regular games pay $50

FINAL COVER – ALL SPECIAL PAYS: $500

Please note:

BROWN BAGS ARE NEEDED FOR BINGO!

Please drop off at Social Hall on Tuesday’s & Thursday’s between 8:00 am & 12:00 pm.

Bingo: 58 players – 4/23/09

Kitchen: $ 244.30

Games: 80.30

Total: $ 324.60

Breakfast profit:

$2,343.00

BREAKFAST – April 26^th

Our parish Breakfast was held on Sunday, April 26^th and 493 people were served. Thank you to our volunteers who came out and worked hard to make the breakfast a success and to those who came and enjoyed a delicious buffet! Our next breakfast is May 24;save the date and see you next month!

SUNDAY COLLECTIONS

April 27, 2008

Envelopes: $ 10,001.00

Loose 1,027.00

Children 103.50

Total: $ 11,131.50

April 26, 2009

Envelopes: $ 8,618.00

Loose 790.00

Children 62.70

Total: $ 9,470.70

Special Collection: Catholic Home Missions –

$ 637.00

MEETINGS AND EVENTS THIS WEEK

Sunday, May 3^rd – Little Church – gym – 9:30 am

Sunday, May 3^rd – Children’s Liturgy of the Word – Church – during the 9:30 am Mass

Sunday, May 3^rd – Men’s 30 & over basketball – 8:00 pm

Monday, May 4^th – Grade School Spring Concert – gym – 7:00 pm

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

Tuesday, May 5^th – Craft Guild – gym – 1:00 pm

Tuesday, May 5^th – Garden Club – Church grounds – 5-7pm

Tuesday, May 5^th – Choir and Cantor Practice – Church – 6:30 pm

Tuesday, May 5^th – Boy Scouts – gym – 7:00 pm

Wednesday, May 6^th – Garage Sale – 9:00 am – 12 noon

Wednesday, May 6^th – Little Flowers Girls Club – Neri Center – 6:30 pm

Wednesday, May 6^th – Parish May Procession: -

(mandatory for Grade School & PREP grades 1 thru 8) in Church at 7:00 pm

Wednesday, May 6^th – Charismatic Prayer Meeting – Chapel – 7:30 pm

Thursday, May 7^th – Forty Hours Eucharist Devotion – begins with 8:00 am in Church and ends at 5:00 pm on Saturday

Thursday, May 7^th – Bingo – gym – 6:30 pm

Thursday, May 7^th – Cub Scouts Den Meeting – Neri Center – 6:45 pm

Friday, May 8^th – SPN Quilting – gym – 1:00 pm

Saturday, May 9^th – Garage Sale – 9:00 am – 12 noon

Saturday, May 9^th – Parish Forty Hours Pot Luck Dinner – gym – 6:00 pm

Sunday, May 10^th – Children’s Liturgy of the Word – Church – during the 9:30 am Mass

Sunday, May 10^th – Knights of Columbus General Meeting – rectory – 7:30 pm

Sunday, May 10^th – Men’s 30 & over basketball – 8:00 pm

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Financial Council Meeting – Monday – May 11^th – rectory – 7:00 pm

Home & School Board Meeting – Tuesday, May 12th – rectory – 7:00 pm

Knights of Columbus Come-n-Go Bingo – Saturday, May 16^th – gym – 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Pastoral Council Meeting – Monday, May 18^th – rectory – 7:00 pm

Friendly Visitors General Meeting – Tuesday, May 19^th – gym – 7:00 pm

Cub Parent Meeting – Wednesday, May 20^th – Neri Center – 6:00 pm

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

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.

Preschool – The children stomped into their week of dinosaur study with a dinosaur egg dig around the large purple dinosaur. Everyone hatched their egg to discover their own rubber dinosaur. We researched facts about each of their dinosaurs. Later in the week, we dug for dinosaur bones in the sand table and put together a model of a TREX. We ended the week with our classroom volcano eruption.

Kindergarten – This week the Kindergarten is continuing their lima beans experiment. They worked in partners and put beans on a wet paper towel and put it in a ziplock bag. We hope to see the sprouts soon!

1st – In First Grade this week we worked on identifying the value of quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies. We also learned about the Holy Spirit and the feast of the Pentecost.

2nd – Our Second Grade class is reading a time appropriate story as families may be planning some summer vacation fun. The story is called, “Dinosaurs Travel.” The story explores in a delightful setting with dinosaurs. It tells the process of preparing for a trip, and the different modes of transportation such as by automobile, airplane, train, etc.

3rd – Students have been learning about fractions. Students poured various amounts of colored water into a cup to display different fractions. In Science, we are starting to learn about simple machines. Students will construct levers and will be able to label the various parts.

4th – Fraction Fever has hit our classroom! We’ll add and subtract, compare and simplify them. What kind of real world connections can we make with fractions? We continued our discussion of the Beatitudes and the Works of Mercy. Students learned what it means to be a child of God.

5th – In Religion, the students are learning about the Kings of the Israelites and about Mary and how she is our Mother, too.

6th – It is hard to believe that there are only a few weeks of school left. The Sixth Grade has completed two literature circle assignments. They are thirty books away from reaching their goal of 300 books for the school year. We are working on a new Unit in Reading: Creative Solutions. The students are completing a group project on coming up with a creative solution to a school problem.

7th – We are enjoying reading “The Outsiders”. Now we are creating Public Service Announcements in small groups. This is a fun and educational project.

8th – The Eighth Grade continues their study of World War II. We had “artifact” day where teacher and students brought in items from WWII. Some of the artifacts were magazines, newspapers, postcards, and letters while others included a uniform worn by one of the student’s grandfather, a video interview with another student’s uncle who had been a POW and some Nazi souvenirs from the liberation of Paris.

PARISH NEWS

HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION

Ascension Thursday – May 21^st

Vigil Mass:

Wednesday, May 20^th – 5:00 pm

Holy Day:

Thursday, May 21^st – 8:00 am; 9:30 am & 7:30 pm

SPN PARISH ADULT EDUCATION

Book Discussion

Meeting St. Paul Today –

Understanding the Man, His Mission, and His Message by Daniel J. Harrington, SJ

“The teachings of the letters of St. Paul permeate just about everything Christians believe and practice, but many of us know very little about this great apostle of the Church.”

Monday nights – May 18^th & June 1^st – 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. For further information, please call Madeleine Gehringer at: 215-679-0737 or email @ mgehringer47@hotmail.com.

Books and schedules will be available at the rectory during regular business hours.

St. Philip Neri Preschool is having a “May Play Date” on Friday, May 15th from 12:30-2:00 p.m. – Children 4 and under are welcome with their parent or guardian. Please call St. Philip Neri School if you plan on attending - #215-679-7481.

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.

HOSPITAL VISITS

Please call the rectory to request a visit when you or a family member is hospitalized. Due to the Privacy Act, a request to have a priest or the hospital minister visit and/or bring Holy Communion can be made only by you or a family member.

CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP

Every Wednesday at 7:30 pm in the Chapel following the 7:00 pm Mass. Come to grow closer to God and experience the power of the Holy Spirit through prayer, praise, song, scripture reading, teaching, witnessing, and use of the charisms.

Discover the love of God in a more profound way.

Call Rich at: 610-323-1127.

SPN ROSARY SOCIETY

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, May 11^th.

ST. PHILIP NERI RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY

On Mother’s Day weekend (May 9^th & 10^th ) after all the Masses, the SPN Respect Life Representatives will be at the exit doors after Mass to accept your donations. Please consider a carnation for your Mom or Grandma. White carnations signify deceased Moms while pink carnations are for those Moms that are still with us. We will also be soliciting donations so that we can continue our efforts to feed and clothe the homeless. Thank you in advance for your generosity. Happy Mother’s Day to all our Mommies! God bless you all!

ST. PHILIP NERI CHURCH

HOAGIE SALE

CHEESE, ITALIAN or TURKEY

TUESDAY - MAY 12, 2009

12:00 NOON – 6:00 PM

St. Philip Neri Social Hall

COST: $4.00

All orders due by:

Monday – May 4th

Please call:

Rita – 679-7009 or Pat – 679-5675

COME-N-GO BINGO

St. Philip Neri Social Hall

Saturday - May 16, 2009

Doors open at 6:00 pm

Games begin at 6:30 pm

Cost: $.25/game

Menu: hotdogs, barbque & drinks.

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

Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus

MAY WE BORROW YOUR OLD PHOTOS?

If anyone in the parish has old photos of the Church, Rectory, or School (i.e. First Holy Communion, Confirmation and Graduation), please call the rectory or email to: gmomdecker@yahoo.com no later than May 5^th.

We would like to borrow these for our Feast of St. Philip Neri Celebration on May 26^th. All photos will be copied and returned within two weeks.

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.

We are no longer accepting donations to the Garage Sale.

PARISH CARNIVAL

WED MAY 27 – SAT MAY 30 6-10 PM

SUNDAY MAY 31 1-6 PM

ADVANCED FOOD TICKETS can be purchased May 2 thru May 24^th at the SCRIP table or at the rectory until May 22^nd. For every $5 purchased, you receive $6 in food tickets.

CARNIVAL SET UP - Help is needed with setting up stands and 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 9^th will be 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 2/3.

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

PARISH CARNIVAL

DUNK TANK

We are looking for adult volunteers (ages 16 or older) for the Dunk Tank during the parish Carnival. Friday – May 29^th,6:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Saturday – May 30^th – 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm, and Sunday – May 31^st – 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm.

Anyone interested, please call the rectory office at 215-679-9275 during business hours, or email to: gmomdecker@yahoo.com.

DISCOUNT DORNEY PARK TICKETS

It's that time of year again! Dorney Park opens for its regular season beginning May 23, 2009 and ending on September 7, 2009. From now until May 1, 2009 you can pre-order and pre-pay for your tickets. The tickets are good for any one regular season admission to both Dorney Park and Wild Water Kingdom. The gate price this year will be $39.99 but we are able to offer them to you at a cost of $21.50 per ticket. That's a savings of $18.49 per ticket. Order forms are available anywhere that SCRIP is sold: at school, after each Mass, and at Religious Education Classes or by calling Agnes O'Connor at 267-923-8635. If paying by check, please make your check payable to St. Philip Neri SCRIP program. A limited number of tickets for direct sell will be available on a first come, first serve basis. To guarantee you get your discount tickets, we strongly suggest that you pre-order and pre-pay. Once purchased, tickets cannot be returned. Discount tickets are sold to our parishioners as a courtesy. This IS NOT a fund raising event. Junior/Senior tickets are not discounted therefore they must be purchased at the gate for $19.99 each. Juniors are defined as age 3 or older and under 48 inches in shoes. Seniors are defined as anyone age 62 or older. Everyone else must have a regular season ticket.

Please detach and return, with payment, anywhere that SCRIP is sold and no later than May 1, 2009.

DORNEY PARK TICKET ORDER FORM

Yes, I would like to purchase discount Regular Season Dorney Park Tickets.

Number of tickets: ____________________ X’s $21.50 = $_______________________

_____________________________________________ (please print) Date

_____________________________________________

Name/phone# Check #

Please tell us how you would like your tickets returned to you: (please circle your choice)

Pick up at Mass SCRIP table

Send home thru school or

Pick up at rectory

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

OUR FIRST COMMUNICANTS

Thank you to the teachers and catechists who have helped to prepare the children for the reception of the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist.

Christina Aron Kelsie McGonigle

Nadya Behrens Austin McMullen

Olivia Benner Mareika McStravick

Erin Boyle Nicholas Medveckus

Mary Camuso Lindsey Miller

Drake Conklin Madison Modugno

Bridgette Creneti Andrew Niziolek

Julia Cupitt Breanna O’Connor

Olivia Dick Dara Orr

Caine Dusza Luke Pagan

Alivia Evans John Panico

David Fletcher Steve Pham

Kelly Friedman Jakob Plessl

Abriana Gatto Tyler Raymond

Thomas Heibeck Jacob Rehrig

Benjamin Himes Dylan Reil

Benjamin Houseknecht Anthony Rutkowski

Andrew Hunsberger Shane Ryan

Naomi Kohler Ryan Scamardi

Gregory Kozminski, Jr. Nathan Shaak

Tyler Lewandowski Adrianne Sherwood

Gabriella Licopoli Michael Sitko

Matthew Lingenfelter Donald States. Jr.

Brianna Lyman Brooke Stempel

Lauren Maginnis Thomas Tedesco

Bailey McCausland Tyler Weber

ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS

The Archdiocesan Boys Choir of Philadelphia presents:

OLIVER! THE MUSICAL

Pickering Valley Elementary School

121 Byers Road

Chester Springs, PA

(just off route 100 by the Turnpike)

Adults: $10, Seniors: $8, Students: $6

Tickets available at the door

Friday – May 15that 8:00 pm

Saturday – May 16th at 8:00 pm

Sunday – May 17th at 3:00 pm

For more information or any questions, please call Alicia at: 215-679-4193.

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

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Fourth Sunday of Easter;

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Wanted: More shepherds

Today the church invites us to pray for vocations. Consider starting with a prayer about your own religious vocation. Have you considered religious life, holy orders, or lay ministry? Living a life of Christian witness carries with it much responsibility, but when practiced with humility and compassion it engenders a life of great joy. The church needs you and your commitment to serve. Be open to unexpected options, and in the words of Pope John Paul II, “Trust Christ, because he trusts you.”

Today’s readings: Acts 4:8-12; 1 John 3:1-2;

John 10:11-18

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Monday, May 4

Easter weekday

Cleanliness and godliness

The notion of what is “clean” and “unclean” is very important in Judaism, especially among Orthodox Jews. Purification rituals are observed for a variety of occasions, and many of them require the ritual washing of the hands, or at times a full immersion. Early Christianity had to struggle with questions of purity as it grew and encountered the Gentile world. Some say that baptism represents a form of ritual purification adapted from Judaism, and that even the dipping of fingertips in holy water upon entering church is part of that tradition. The apostle Peter helped the early church move beyond a narrow definition of purity. Spend some time today reflecting on what helps you feel “clean and pure” spirituality, and then practice it.

Today’s readings: Acts 11:1-18; John 10:1-10

“What God has made clean, you must not call profane.”

Tuesday, May 5

Easter weekday

Do as I do

In Elizabethan England many Catholic priests traveled in secret; if captured, they faced possible death at the hands of the government. At one such execution, of the Jesuit Edmund Campion, a young man standing at the front of the crowd was struck by Campion’s blood. That man, Henry Walpole, became a Jesuit himself and in his time a martyr. At another execution much earlier in the history of the church, that of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, stood another bystander, then a leading persecutor of Christians and later one of its greatest saints: Paul. In these stories the sacrifice of one inspired a life of sacrifice in another. Isn’t that the calling of Christians in all times: to see in Jesus’ sacrifice the model for giving oneself to God and others?

Today’s readings: Acts 11:19-26; John 10:22-30

“Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch.”

Wednesday, May 6

Easter weekday

Your mission, if you choose to accept it

One of the most important questions we can ask ourselves is “What is my mission in life?” Perhaps no question is as critical to living a life of purpose as this one. The author Frederick Buechner wrote, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” So ask yourself, What do I love to do? What feels life-giving, as opposed to life-draining? What would be most helpful to my family, my community, the world? If, after answering these questions, you still don’t know what your mission is, ask God to help you find it. Then prepare to be amazed.

Today’s readings: Acts 12:24-13:5a;

John 12:44-50

“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Thursday, May 7

Easter weekday

“Are you talking to me?”

In the gospels Jesus’ words are often directed to a particular group of people—to the Pharisees and scribes, the crowd, his disciples. Most of us regularly hear the Word of God in a large group, the liturgical assembly where, Vatican II reminds us, the presence of Christ is as real as the Eucharist. But faith can also be enlivened in other gatherings like Bible study groups, small Christian communities, a men’s or women’s group, in the family. Paying attention to what Jesus says when we pray with an open Bible, or with a group of believers, can help to assure that we are becoming more transparent to the Christ within.

Today’s readings: Acts 13:13-25; John 13:16-20

“Whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.”

Friday, May 8

Easter weekday

Help in troubled times

What is troubling your heart today? What causes anxiety? The economy? Keeping a job? A family member or friend in difficulty? Loneliness? In Christ we have the foundation no trouble can shake. Jesus spoke of his troubled heart in the garden before his crucifixion. Yet not even death could keep him from the fulfillment God the Father promised. The disciples worried about their world that came apart when Jesus was arrested and put to death. Even after they encountered the risen Christ, they were fearful. Yet he promised them “another Advocate,” the Spirit that would uphold them and sustain them through hard times—and will support you through any trouble.

Today’s readings: Acts 13:26-33;

John 14:1-6

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.”

Saturday, May 9

Easter weekday

Somebody’s got to do it

Living the gospel can be a thankless job. In fact, it can be downright dangerous. Persecution has been part of the life of Christians since the church began. Paul and the first disciples faced beatings, imprisonment, mockery, and derision. Yet something about their experience of God was so compelling that they couldn’t help but preach and live the good news. Though understandably discouraged at times, and probably even doubtful, the early disciples persevered and, as scripture records, they were “filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.” Today we still face emotional and sometimes physical persecution from folks who don’t quite get the gospel, including those with “high standing” in our lives. Let us pray for the courage of our foremothers and forefathers to resolutely live the gospel.

Today’s readings: Acts 13:44-52; John 14:7-14

“[They] . . . stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their region.”