Church of Saint Philip Neri

Pennsburg, PA 18073

May 10, 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

May seems to be one of our busiest months! Activities galore! Eucharistic devotion, May Procession, our Feast Day, School Spring Concert, and the list goes on. We can’t forget also about our Parish Carnival at the end of the month. This has been in the planning for some six (6) months. Five days of work and fun beginning May 27^th and ending May 31^st. Lots of help is needed during these five (5) days. Please consider becoming involved. It is not simply a major Fundraiser, but a time spent working together. We become family by sharing life with one another. Praying together, worshiping together, socializing with each other and working together. In all this, we encounter each other and the Christ in each other.

The Volunteer Form for the Carnival can be found in the last few pages of the parish Bulletin.

Thank you for all you do, and the love you share with one another.

Praise Be Jesus Christ…Now and forever!

Fr. Roncase

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

Serving at Mass May 21st

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

The Ascension of the Lord

5:00 pm – JimQuigley Pete Frank

Annemarie Quigley

John Burke

Priest

Claire Holcombe

Marci Jaman

8:00 am – Immaculata Barndt Joe Cassarella

LaRue Emmell

Jim Michels

Priest

Kathryn Talbot

Bob Talbot

9:30 am – Cecilia Kirkwood George Kirkwood

Tina Evans

Mary Souder

Priest

Gerald Murphy

Anna Murphy

7:30 pm – Lee Johnson M. Gehringer

Catherine Cahill

Deacon

Priest

Dianne Kennedy

Pat Kennedy

Serving at Mass May 24

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Anna Murphy Bob Ellis

Gerald Murphy

Priest

Deacon

Priest

John Burke

Teri Boone

Dave Boone

Jim Camarata

Catherine Cahill

Jim Quigley

Annemarie Quigley

7:30 am – Peter D’Amico J. Sakalouckas

Michael Duka Ernie Quatrani

Priest

Michele Martin

Immaculata Barndt

Keith Greczek

9:30 am – Mary Godshall Matt Horvath

Jenny Josko Sue DiMarco

Priest

Bill Orr

Jack Nash

Monica Nash

11:00 am – Mary Goodfellow Eileen Davis

Tina Evans Luke Verna

Priest

Amanda Charlton

Kevin Charlton

Maryanne Charlton

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, and in particular for, Elizabeth Ventresca, grant them eternal rest and peace.

FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

May 10, 2009

Monday, May 11

8:00 am- Tony Martello, (Dennis Mikanowicz & family)

Tuesday, May 12, Nereus & Achilleus

8:00 am – Harriet Donnelly, (Larry Donnelly)

Wednesday, May 13, Our Lady of Fatima

7:00 pm – Ruth Wojciechowski, (Bob & Pat Kanya)

Thursday, May 14, Matthias, apostle

8:00 am – Gordon Heckler, (Claude & Pat Balduzzi)

Friday, May 15, Isidore

8:00 am – Theodore & Josephine Mikanowiz,

(Stanley & Betty Mikanowicz)

Saturday, May 16

8:00 am – Lila & Paul Smith (Estate)

5:00 pm – Second Anniversary, Mary Jean Mikanowicz,

(Edward Mikanowicz)

Sunday, May 17

7:30 am – For the living & deceased members of the parish

9:30 am – Twenty-Fourth Anniversary, Janet Brogan,

(Russell & Mary Godshall)

11:00 am – Peggy Mellon, (Barbara, Kathy & Andrea)

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.

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 14^th – Team #3

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: 59 players – 4/30/09

Kitchen: $ 254.30

Games: 134.20

Total: $ 388.50

SUNDAY COLLECTIONS

May 4, 2008

Envelopes: $ 9,303.00

Loose 951.00

Children 50.00

Total: $10,304.00

May 3, 2009

Envelopes: $10,319.00

Loose 1,211.00

Children 75.50

Total: $11,530.00

MEETINGS AND EVENTS THIS WEEK

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

Monday, May 11^th – Rosary group – lunch & movie at 11:15 am – Rosary at 1:00 pm – rectory & chapel

Monday, May 11^th – SPN Quilting – gym – 1:00 pm

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

Tuesday, May 12^th– Hoagie Sale – gym

Tuesday, May 12^th – Garden Club – Church grounds – 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Tuesday, May 12^th – Choir & Cantor Practice – Church – 6:30 pm

Tuesday, May 12^th – Boy Scouts – gym – 7:00 pm

Tuesday, May 12^th – Home & School General Meeting & Elections – Neri Center – 7:00 pm

Wednesday – May 13^th – SPN Charismatic Prayer Group – 7:30 pm in Chapel

Thursday, May 14^th – Pennsburg Nursing Home Mass – 10am

Thursday, May 14^th – Bingo – gym – 6:30 pm

Thursday, May 14^th – Cub Scout Den Meeting – Neri Center – 6:45 pm

Friday, May 15^th – SPN Quilting – gym – 1:00 pm

Saturday, May 16^th – setting up of the stage for the Carnival – Church parking lot – 9:00 am

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

Sunday, May 17^th- Children’s Liturgy of the Word – Church – during the 9:30 am Mass

Sunday, May 17^th – Youth Ministry – gym – 5:00 pm

Sunday, May 17^th – Carnival Gambling Practice – (BlackJack & Poker) for Dealers – rectory – 7:00 pm

Sunday, May 17^th – Men’s 30 & over Basketball – 8:00 pm

UPCOMING MEETINGS

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

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

New Altar Server Practice – Saturday’s – May 23^rd, May 30^th & June 6^th in Church at 1:00 pm

Usher’s Meeting - Monday – June 1^st – Church – 7:00 pm

Pre-Jordan Baptismal Class – Monday – June 1^st – rectory – 7:30 pm

Welcome Committee Meeting – Tuesday, June 9^th – 7pm

Elizabeth Ministry Meeting – Tuesday – June 16^th – Neri Center – 7:00 pm

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.

2009 Science Fair Winners

4^th and 5^th Grade

The 4^th and 5^th Grade St. Philip Neri School Science Fair was a huge success. We commend all of the participants for their hard work and we thank Mrs. Voelker for her dedication in inspiring our young scientists. Congratulations!

4^th Grade

1^st Place	Tommy Beck	Solar Supper
2^nd Place	Kate Ferdock	Grease, Grease & More Grease!
3^rd Place	Matthew Souder	Amazing Magnets
Honorable Mention	Nora Myers Madison Wood Liam Daley Meghan McCausland Zackary Schneider	Rocking Rock Candy Chinese Dwarf Hamsters Soggy Cereal… Are Permanent Markers Permanent? Worms and Composting

5^th Grade

1^st Place	Cooper Wright	Tune Into Science
2^nd Place	Richard Smith	And the Winner Is…
3^rd Place	Kelsey Gallagher	Bye, Bye Red Eye
Honorable Mention	Hannah Mattaliano	Caffeine: What Does It Mean?

“MAY PLAY DATE”

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.

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 are now available at the rectory during regular business hours. The cost is $12.00/book.

Monday – May 18^th:

1. Who was Paul the Apostle?

2. What do we learn from Paul’s letters?

Monday – June 1^st:

3. What do we learn from Later Pauline Letters?

4. How might we interpret A Pauline Text Today?

5. What can we learn from Paul today?

General questions to think about each week:

Did I read something that was new information or a new idea?

Did I read something that affirmed what I presently think or believe?

Did I learn something that surprised me?

Did I read something that made me think in a different way?

Did I read something that had me wondering what others thought?

SPN CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP

(CHANGE OF DAY!)

Beginning Monday, May 18^th, the SPN Charismatic Prayer Group will begin meeting in the Chapel at 7:00 pm. The Charismatic Prayer Group will meet every Monday in the Chapel at 7:00 pm. Everyone is welcome!

Congratulations to our newest members

We wish to congratulate the following individuals who were formally received into the Catholic Church at this past Easter Vigil: Rene DiGrassi, Caitlin Siegfried and Tiffany (Spiese) Pagnotta were baptized, confirmed and given their 1^st Holy Communion. The following Friday Tiffany and Rocky Pagnotta were married at Corpus Christ Church in Lansdale.

Taylor Horvath received her 1^st Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil. She will be confirmed at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia on May 31, 2009.

Also being confirmed on May 31, 2009 at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia will be Glen Davis and Jennifer Reiner.

Congratulations and welcome to you all. May your Easter joy sustain you as you grow in love and service to our Lord.

EAGLE SCOUT CEREMONY

Saint Philip Neri Boy Scout Troop 591 will be holding an Eagle Court of Honor on Sunday, May 17^th for Matthew D’Ippolito.

Members of the parish and community are invited to attend this special Event honoring Matthew for achieving the highest rank in Boy Scouts – that of Eagle Scout.

The Ceremony will take place at 1:00 pm in the St. Philip Neri Parish Social Hall. Refreshments will follow.

NEWLY REGISTERED FAMILIES

April 2009

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

The Brownell Family The Keating Family

The Chiaro Family The Reiner Family

The Dimmig Family The Shewell Family

The Fazio Family The Watson Family

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.

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.

B I N G O

EVERY SECOND THURSDAY

OF THE MONTH

FREE MEAL WITH ADMISSION

NEXT Thursday:

May 14, 2009

Meal includes:

PORK SANDWICHES,

PICKLES & CHIPS

(Other food available for purchase)

MAY WE BORROW YOUR OLD PHOTOS?

If anyone in the parish has old photos of the Church, Rectory, School or Parish Social Events, please call the rectory or email to: gmomdecker@yahoo.com no later than May 11^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.

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

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 be arriving at anytime. Returns made before May 19^th will be placed for an Early Bird Drawing on this day! More tickets can be picked up at the rectory. AS YOU ARE AWARE, NOBODY HAS RECEIVED THEIR CARNIVAL CHANCES FOR THE EARLY BIRD DRAWING; THEREFORE, THE EARLY BIRD DRAWING WILL NOW BE HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY 19^th, AT THE CARIVAL MEETING. THE WINNER WILL BE CONTACTED.

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.

WANTED!! WANTED!! WANTED!!

DUNKIN’ DONORS

IF YOU HAVE EVER HAD A DREAM OF SITTING ON A METAL SEAT ABOUT 4-5 FEET OVER WATER WITH PEOPLE THROWING BASEBALLS AT A TARGET TO ‘DUNK’ YOU IN THE WATER,

WE WANT YOU! WE NEED YOU!

The carnival is in need of individuals who would like nothing more than to ‘DONATE” their time and help out “in” our dunk tank. We are looking for adult volunteers (ages 16 or older) for Friday – May 29^th: 6:00 – 10:00 pm; Saturday, May 30^th: 6:00 – 10:00 pm; and, Sunday, May 31^st: 1:00 – 6:00 pm.

YOU MAY WANT TO CALL ASAP SINCE WE KNOW THERE WILL BE A WAITING LIST.

Please call the rectory at 215-679-9275 OR e-mail Doris Decker at gmomdecker@yahoo.com

DORNEY PARK TICKETS

The Dorney Park tickets are SOLD OUT. We are waiting to hear back from them to see if we can increase our order or resubmit a new order.

If there are any questions regarding orders that were placed after May 1^st, you must contact Mrs. Agnes O’Connor at: 267-923-8635.

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.

SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY

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 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, May 15^th & 16^th 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.

LO0KING FOR FOSTER PARENTS

Catholic Social Services is looking for single or married adults to become foster parents to children of all ages and races. There is a special need for families who can provide care to Teenagers – a population that needs love, guidance, and support as they move into adulthood.

To learn more about becoming a foster parent, please call Melissa at: 215-587-2458!

AREA PARISH NEWS

Spring Carnival at St. Gabriel Church located in Stowe on Wednesday, May 13^th to Saturday, May 16^th. Times: Wednesday to Friday: 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm; Saturday: 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm. St. Gabriel Food Stands open at 5:00 pm every evening.

Rides, Games of Chance, food, baked goods, and indoor bingo (4 sessions each evening) – fun for the whole family.

Advance sale ride tickets for Wednesday, May 13^th (Wrist Band Night) are available at St. Gabriel Parish Office, Monday thru Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Cost is $15 in advance; $20 if purchased at the Carnival on May 13^th.

For further information, please call 610-326-5127.

BINGO VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

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

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

CAN YOU HELP?

NOT EVERY WEEK –

JUST ONE WEEK, ONCE A MONTH!

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

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

_____KITCHEN

_____FLOOR WORKER

Name: _________________________

Phone:_________________________

Breakfast Volunteers NEEDED

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

CAN YOU HELP?

Not the entire morning…

but only a few hours each month!

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

Cooks: Line Servers:

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

___9am-11am ___9:00 am – 11:00 am

___11am-1pm ___11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Dishwashers: Cleaning the gym:

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

___10:00 am – 12noon

___12noon – 2:00 pm

Washing Trays Dessert table, coffee

___8am-10am ___7:00 am – 9:00 am

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

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

Name: _________________________

Phone: ________________________

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

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Develop a high tolerance

The history of world religions is filled with treasures of wisdom and inspiration. Sadly it is also filled with strife, division, intolerance, and bloodshed. Before his famous conversion, Saint Paul, formerly known as Saul, had been a zealous persecutor of the early followers of Jesus. Helping Paul find acceptance among the apostles, Barnabas performed a great act in the service of interfaith dialogue and inclusiveness. The God we worship is beyond all denominational and doctrinal differences and disputes. The Creator of all must by logic be the God of all. In some small way today, reach out to a follower of another tradition in tolerance, and help heal the wounds that still exist.

Today’s readings: Acts 9:26-31; 1 John 3:18-24; John 15:1-8

“Does God belong to Jews alone? Does he not belong to Gentiles, too?”

Monday, May 11

Easter weekday

The commandments: God’s GPS

“Why do we need sex education?” a student asked his religion teacher. “We already know all the answers are no!” Commandments, moral and ethical codes, rules and regulations get a bad rap. They’re seen as punitive and stifling, when in fact the best commandments—the ones our faith tradition tells us God gave us—were meant to bring us joy. God so loved us that he gave us free will and then offered us guidelines—the commandments—on how to make life-giving choices. There is no coercion. We’re free to follow any path. The commandments simply help you know which road leads to love.

Today’s readings: Acts 14:5-18;

John 14:21-26

“They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me.”

Tuesday, May 12

Feasts of Nereus and Achilleus, martyrs; Pancras, martyr

Death? Life? Take your pick

Today’s saints, Nereus and Achilleus, were soldiers of the Roman army. They became Christian and would no longer participate in the violence of warfare. In consequence they were executed for their disobedience. Pancras was just 14 years old when he was put to death for refusing to worship false gods, even when offered power and riches. Saint Paul, the hero of the Acts of the Apostles, took some pretty heavy licks before he was finally martyred. Every day we are called to choose between violence and peace, worldly wealth and charity, power and humility. Which we choose is a pretty good indication of what spirit we embrace: that of our dying selves or that of the Risen Christ.

Today’s readings: Acts 14:19-28; John 14: 27-31a

“They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.”

Wednesday, May 13

“Oh, won’t you stay . . .”

Children, thoroughly enjoying play with relatives or friends, often fuss when it’s time to leave—“I want to stay.” We recall the disciples at Emmaus with a similarly urgent “stay with us, Lord. The hour is late.” And when some new disciples asked Jesus where he lived, he invited them to “come and see,” and they “remained” with him. Jesus’ image of himself as the vine and us as the branches implies not only an intimate relationship but a lasting one. At times we seem dormant, at others flowering and bearing fruit, but we are always one with the vine. Like some incredibly gnarled and ancient grapevines one sees in Mediterranean countries or the Middle East, we branches—even when pruned—are never separated from the vine.

Today’s readings: Acts 15:1-6; John 15:1-8

“I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.”

Thursday, May 14

Feast of Matthias, apostle

The “replacement apostle”

In the early days after the Ascension of Jesus, the disciples decided they had to replace Judas who, though a betrayer, had held down a spot as an original apostle. But how to choose? Peter stood up, as he was wont to do, and announced the new guy would have to be one who had known Jesus before his death and also had been with the disciples through the Resurrection. Everyone prayed and cast lots and Matthias got the nod. For disciples of Jesus it’s important to recognize in our lives both the earthly Jesus and the risen Christ, our brother and our Lord.

Today’s readings: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26;

John 15:9-17

“So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time . . . one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.”

Friday, May 15

Feast of Isidore

Extraordinary ordinariness

One of the hallmarks of our age is a subtle but pervasive dissatisfaction with life as it is. We wish our lives were more like a movie—exciting, fast-paced, dramatic—preferably with all the “ordinary” scenes deleted. Saint Isidore, whose feast we celebrate today, lived a life that was remarkable mainly for its ordinariness. He was a farm worker who worked the same plot of land his entire life. Yet his labor was imbued with such compassion and generosity that it is remembered hundreds of years later. What can we learn from this quiet saint? That there is no such thing as an ordinary life. That holiness and beauty come disguised as our daily lives. That any deed, if performed with love, endures forever.

Today’s readings: Acts 15:22-31;

John 15:12-17

“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.”

Saturday, May 16

Easter weekday

Offer a mixed blessing

What used to be called “mixed marriages” still continue to face many challenges. Parents of one or the other partner may object. Organizing the marriage ceremony can bring tension and misunderstanding. And raising children will present unique challenges. Having said all that, “Couples in interfaith marriages don’t like to see their marriages treated like problems,” says Father George Kilcourse, professor of theology at Bellarmine College in Louisville, Kentucky and author of Ecumenical Marriage. “The problem is not their marriage, but the division between the churches into which they’ve been baptized.” Be supportive of an interchurch or interfaith couple you know.

Today’s readings: Acts 16:1-10;

John 15:18-21

“Timothy [was] the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek.”