Church of Saint Philip Neri

Pennsburg, PA 18073

August 2, 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 in the Chapel

Every Saturday after the 8:00 AM Mass

Every 2^nd Monday at 1:00 PM

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

I would like to continue our reflection on the Eucharist by looking at the term Eucharistic Assembly. What does this mean? How does it involve us? What is our response? According to article 1329 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church we are called to be a Eucharistic Assembly because the Eucharist is celebrated amid the assembly of the faithful, the visible expression of the Church.

There have been many definitions of the Church developed over time. My favorite comes from the late US theologian, Cardinal Avery Dulles, who referred to the Church as the people of God. It is the collection of individual members that makes up the Church. That is why the Catechism calls the assembly of the faithful the visible expression of the Church.

One of the best statements on the Church as a Eucharistic Assembly comes from St. Paul in his 1^st Letter to the Corinthians. Paul received reports that people were gathering in individual homes (they did not have churches then and they could not go to the synagogue for Eucharis) to party more than pray. The net result was that some were eating and drinking in excess while poorer members received nothing. Paul clearly condemns this sacrilege for it abuses the very nature of communal worship, coming together as one people to celebrate their union with God and each other. When you meet in one place, then, it is not to eat the Lord's supper, for in eating, each one goes ahead with his own supper, and one goes hungry while another gets drunk. Do you not have houses in which you can eat and drink? Or do you show contempt for the church of God and make those who have nothing feel ashamed? (1 Cor. 11:20-22) What Paul is telling us is that the community should gather to celebrate the Lord’s Supper not some banquet where people over eat and over drink.

In true and open worship of God there is no separation of rich or poor, sated or starving, man or woman, young or old. Being a Eucharistic Assembly means that all initiated (baptized) individuals come together to unite themselves as one people (Church) before God. The Eucharistic Assembly is a sacred assembly where everyone present joins their minds and hearts and voices to give glory and praise to God. Everyone is called to participate. We participate in the prayers and songs. We participate by hearing and pondering the scriptures. As a result we are blessed with the abundant graces that come from hearing the Word of God and being strengthened by Christ’s Body and Blood.

How does this affect you and me? Being part of the Eucharistic Assembly unites us to one another because we have something in common to celebrate. If we come to Mass to celebrate the Eucharist as individuals with no awareness or intention of uniting ourselves with the persons next to us then we miss the mark. If we come to Mass thinking we can unite ourselves to God without uniting ourselves to those in the building with us then we are sadly mistaken. Jesus means what He says when He tells us to love one another as I love you. We cannot love God without loving our neighbor. Eucharist is our sign of love. When we eat this bread and drink this cup we proclaim Your death, Lord Jesus, until You come in glory. We love Jesus for what He has done for us – done for us, not just me or you but all of us.

What does being a Eucharistic Assembly call us to do? When we light a candle we do not put it under a basket so that the light does not illuminate the room. It makes no sense. When we receive a gift we do not put it on a shelf never to look at or use again. That is a waste of the gift and an insult to the one who gives the gift to us. The Eucharistic Assembly takes its gifts and talents and uses them to make the world a better place by taking care of those in need, by accepting everyone as God’s child, by reverencing our world as the beautiful home God created it to be.

Our parish has many programs that can help us do this. Take a look around and you will surely find something that will strengthen your ties to our parish. Rather it is a book discussion or the garden club, a bible study or friendly visitors to the sick and infirmed, singing in the choir or helping with the monthly breakfast all of these activities and many, many more are meant to strengthen our community of faith.

Next month we will continue our reflection on the Eucharist by examining the way the Mass is structured. We will also discuss Benediction and its relationship to the Mass.

If you have questions or comments concerning the Eucharist, sacraments, the Church or anything of a religious nature please send them to me. You can drop your question or comment in the Sunday collection basket or send it to the rectory. Be sure to address it to “Ask Deacon Mike”.

You can also send me an e-mail at deaconmikefranks@verizon.net. God bless you.

I love you all. Deacon Mike.

Serving at Mass August 9^th

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm - Dave Moser Bob Ellis

Trudy Moser

Priest

Alice Swift

Dawn Ellis

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

7:30 am – Paul Moser Ernie Quatrani

Maureen Moser J. Sakalouckas

Pat Scheerbaum

Priest

Chuck Rodgers

Maria Rodgers

9:30 am – John Nash Larry Concio

Monica Nash Matt Horvath

Jenny Josko

Priest

Joshua Hewitt

Lillian Hewitt

11:00 am – Bob Schwind Bob Piccone

Barbara Schwind D. Tarantino

Deacon

Priest

Tina Evans

Sarah Franks

Serving at Mass August 16^th

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Michael Edleman Ed Tryon

Lisa Edleman

LaRue Emmell

Priest

Claire Holcombe

Marci Jaman

7:30 am – Michael Duka Joan Wieder

Mike Heveran Michael Lynch

Jim Michels

Priest

Stephan Adelsberger

Christine Adelsberger

9:30 am – Stephanie Greczek Terry Benner

Priest Wendy Benner

Deacon

Priest

Bill Gurgick

Lisa Gurgick

11:00 am – Anna Kells D. McCausland

Priest Adam Canigiani

Deacon

Priest

Sandy Shellaway

Tony Shellaway

EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

August 2, 2009

Monday, August 3

8:00 am – Walter & Constance Duklis,

(Tony & Anna Bogdon)

Tuesday, August 4, John Mary Vianney, priest

8:00 am – Noreen Bauer, (Calvin & Leanette Jones)

Wednesday, August 5, Dedication of the Basilica

of St. Mary Major in Rome

7:00 pm – Mary Roncase, (Bob & Elaine Roncase)

Thursday, August 6, Transfiguration of the Lord

8:00 am – David Nunan,

(Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Assembly)

Friday, August 7, Sixtus II, pope & martyr;

and his companions, martyrs;

Cajetan, priest

9:00 am – Mass in Church

Gordon Heckler, (Bill & Joan Prussack)

Saturday, August 8

8:00 am – Bona Wong, (Sung & Sun He Suh)

5:00 pm – For the living & deceased members

of the Parish.

Sunday, August 9

7:30 am – Stanley H. Grochowski,

(Rich & Barbara Grochowski)

9:30 am – George Dykie, (Elva Bolognese)

11:00 am – Alicia & Giovanni Gallina, (The Family)

FIRST FRIDAY

1^st Friday is August 7^th. Mass is in Church at 9:00 am. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in Church all day until 7:00 pm with Evening Prayer and Benediction.

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, Mary Conover, Barbara Duklis, Olga Durco, Baby Robert John Riegel, Jr., Kelly Connolly, Robert Rukstalis, Mary Ann Bencie, Frances Cannon, Josh Frumnecht, Steven Gebhardt, Ann Bowdren, Jack Cahill, Dianna Rynkiewicz, Ethel Buck, Gary Lester Keller, Michael Andrusko, Betty Risko, Christine Keer, Robert Joseph Drelick, Hilda Stine, Joe Johnson, Baby Lucy Littlefield, Charlotte Azarovich, George Bradford, Margie Shelley, Matthew Melcher, Rick DeStefano, Catherine Wlazelek, Viola Kavacky, Debbie Proffit, Elizabeth Hardy, Tom Healy, Kathleen Sturgeon, John Zan, Mark & Margaret Clark, Bill Engle & Carrie Desetto.

For those who have died, and in particular for Lloyd Rothenberger, grant them eternal rest and peace.

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 - Our next meeting will be: Tuesday, August 4^th. 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: 484-824-4364.

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.

SUNDAY COLLECTIONS

July 27, 2008 July 19, 2009

Envelope: $ 8,956.00 $ 9,005.50

Loose: 1,367.00 1,732.00

Children: 64.00 56.00

Total: $10,387.50 $10,793.50

ACTIVITIES - *BINGO*

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

Working Thursday – August 6th Team #3

All regular games pay $50

FINAL COVER – ALL SPECIAL PAYS: $500

Bingo: July 23^rd – 60 players

Games: $ 209.35

Kitchen: 247.95

Total: $ 457.30

Paper Recycling:

May – 3.22 tons - $6.07

June - 5.00 tons - $9.44

PARISH BREAKFAST

Our parish Breakfast was held on Sunday, July 26^th. Thank you so much to those who came out and worked hard to make the Breakfast fun and successful. We served 473 people with a $2,361.00 profit.

Our next breakfast is Sunday – August 23^rd. Save the date and mark your calendars!

BAKED GOODS NEEDED

Baked Goods needed weekly for Bingo and monthly for parish Breakfast.

If anyone is willing to donate some goodies for the Bingo and Breakfast, please call Rita at: 215-679-7009 or the rectory office: 215-679-9275.

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 Jennie Virus, requested by:

Judi Virus and Family.

In memory of Nicholas Stielegman, requested by:

Jerry & Joan Mullaney.

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

MEETINGS AND EVENTS THIS WEEK

Sunday, August 2^nd – Children’s Liturgy of the Word – at the 9:30 am Mass.

Sunday, August 2^nd – Men’s 30 and over Basketball – gym- 8:00 pm

Monday, August 3^rd thru August 7^th – Vacation Bible School – gym – 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Monday, August 3^rd – Picnic Committee Meeting – Monday, August 3^rd – Rectory – 7:00 pm

Monday, August 3^rd – Pre-Jordan Baptismal Class – Rectory – 7:30 pm

Tuesday, August 4^th – SPN Craft Guild – gym – Meeting Room A – 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Tuesday, August 4^th – Adult Choir & Choir Practice – in Church at 6:30 pm

Tuesday, August 4^th – Garden Club – Church grounds – 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Tuesday, August 4^th – Wrap-Up Meeting for Carnival – Rectory – 7:00 pm

Thursday, August 6^th – Pennsburg Nursing Home Mass – 10:00 am

Thursday, August 6^th – Bingo – gym – 6:30 pm

Friday, August 7^th – First Friday – Mass in Church at 9:00 am – Adoration – 10:00 am – 7:00 pm – Benediction – 7:00 pm

Friday, August 7^th – SPN Quilting – gym – Meeting Room B – 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Sunday, August 9^th – Children’s Liturgy of the Word at the 9:30 am Mass

Sunday, August 9^th – Knights of Columbus General Meeting – Rectory – 7:30 pm

Sunday, August 9^th – Men’s 30 & Over Basketball – gym – 8:00 pm

SCHOOL NEWS

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, 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.

Hurry, as we need to prepare for the upcoming 2009-2010 school year!

School begins on September 8th for Grades 1 to 8, September 11th for Kindergarten, September 14th for Pre K-4s, and September 15th for Pre K-3’s.

Please check out our website for any information about the 2009-10 school year at: www.spnelementary.com.

SCHOOL NEWS

A used Uniform Sale will be held on Tuesday, August 25th, 2009 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the Old Rectory. (currently Religious Ed office).

You can also use this time to drop off any uniforms you no longer need.

“Back to School" Packets and Volunteer Information will be distributed before or after each Mass on August 22nd - 23rd and August 29th - 30th in the vestibule at church. The packets will also be available at the Used Uniform Sale. If you are a volunteering parishioner, please stop by the vestibule and pick up your Volunteer Information.

SCHOOL NEWS – continued

The following volunteer positions are still open for the upcoming 2009-2010 school year.

Parents and parishioners: If you are interested in volunteering for any of these positions, please complete the Volunteer Form included in this Bulletin (page 12) and return it to the rectory or email Agnes O’Connor at: aoc73156@hotmail.com.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

HOME ROOM PARENTS:

5^th Grade

6^th Grade

7^th Grade

LIBRARY AIDES:

Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday (AM only)

Check books in or out, shelve returned books

LUNCH MONITORS: 11:20 am – 12:40 pm

Monday, Grades K-3; Grades 4-8

Wednesday, Grades 4-8

Thursday, Grades 4-8

Friday, Grades 4-8

PARISH NEWS

RCIA NEWS

Our parish RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) will begin the 2009-2010 instructional year in September. If you or someone you know would like more information about the Catholic Church or are interested in becoming a Catholic please call the rectory at (215) 679-9275. Your name will be given to Deacon Mike Franks who will then contact you with more information. If you were baptized Catholic but never received the other sacraments or if you are a Catholic who has been away from the Church or would like to develop a deeper understanding of the faith then the RCIA is for you, too.

If anyone would like to be a member of our teaching and facilitating team or possibly be a sponsor we would love to have you join us. Just let Deacon Mike Franks know.

FROM THE PARISH OUTREACH OFFICE

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.

H.O.P.E. STATISTICS

January 1, 2009 – June 30, 2009

Dentist: 2 Mass: 8

Errands: 29 Medical: 59

Housekeeping: 1 Podiatrist: 12

Lab: 5 Respite: 1

Total Requests: 117.00

Total Hours: 169.50

Administrative Hours: 30.00

Get Well Cards: 14.00

Sympathy Cards: 19.00

Very impressive and thank you to all of H.O.P.E. Volunteers! God Bless You.

SILVER SPIRITS

CASINO TRIP – August 8^th

The Casino Trip is now filled; however, there will be a “WAITING LIST”. If cancellations are reported, the names on the list will be contacted in the order that they were received.

ALL monies are due now if you have not paid. Remember, reservations will not be confirmed until ALL payments are received.

Any questions, please call Kathy Kulp: 267-923-5173 or Kathy Talbot: 215-541-0250.

PARISH PICNIC COMMITTEE MEETING

There will be a Picnic Committee Meeting on Monday, August 3^rd, 7:00 pm at the rectory.

Everyone is welcome to attend!

BIBLE TIMELINE

Evening session: Monday, August 10^th – 7pm

Day session: Friday, August 14^th – 9am

All sessions held in rectory meeting room

(next to Chapel)

This session will be seven (7) weeks starting with Lesson 18 (Messianic Fulfillment).

For those who have been with us for the entire Bible Timeline, welcome back.

For anyone wishing to join the group, please contact Joan Lampart: 215-529-5686.

Meeting St. Paul Today

ONE NIGHT ONLY!

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.”

Tuesday evening – August 25th – 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 available at the rectory during regular business hours. The cost is $12.00/book.

Tuesday – August 25^th:

1. Who was Paul the Apostle?

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

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?

ST. PHILIP NERI CHURCH

BLOOD DRIVE

It is once again that time of year for our yearly Red Cross Blood Drive. Here is your chance to donate a vital source for life.

Please join us on Monday, August 31^st anytime between 1:30 pm and 7:30 pm in our air conditioned Parish Social Hall.

Refreshments served upon completion of your donation.

For more information on an appointment, please call Pete Frank: 215-679-6942.

ST. PHILIP NERI CHURCH

HOAGIE SALE

CHEESE, ITALIAN or TURKEY

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2009

12:00 NOON – 6:00 PM

St. Philip Neri Social Hall

COST: $4.00

All orders due by:

Monday – August 31st

Please call:

Rita – 679-7009 or Pat – 679-5675

ST. PHILIP NERI PARISH PICNIC

Sunday – September 20^th

2:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Our parish Picnic is scheduled for Sunday, September 20^th from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm on our Church grounds.

Once again, a good time is promised…

Live Music by RED BAND – 4:30 to 7:30 pm

St. Philip Neri Grade School Band Concert, Children’s games, Bingo, Moon Bounce,

Great Food, Beer and Wine

Save the date and see you at the picnic!

TROOP 591 NEWS

Troop 591, established in 1964, is the Boy Scout Troop of St. Philip Neri Parish, open to all boys in the Upper Perkiomen Valley age 11 years and older. Troop 591 strives to teach its scouts leadership, citizenship, personal enrichment and community service.

Troop 591 is looking for adults, young and old, to compliment the Troop’s current adult leadership. These leadership roles are typically held by the parents of past, current and prospective scouts, but the Troop is looking for non-parents to serve in this Parish ministry. We are looking for adults interested in sharing their time and talent with the scouts. Ideal candidates would be former scouts who would like to re-engage with scouting or people with no prior scouting experience who enjoy teaching and guiding young people.

If interested, please contact Andrew Souder, Troop Committee Chairman, at 215-804-0845 or andrew@rafind.com.

Also, Troop 591 is looking for two items: a storage shed, 10’x16’ or larger, in good condition (to store scout gear); and a 10 foot truck trailer (to haul scout gear). If anyone would like to donate such items, please contact the troop.

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

Heritage of Faith – Vision of Hope

Many of you are asking about where to send your payments. The Campaign is run by the Archdiocese and not by the Church.

You will receive from the Archdiocese a thank you letter with your Pledge Information. This will be followed by a letter (about 2-3 months after you receive the thank you) with a request for payment.

This letter should have Pledge Number and your ID Number. If you wish to send a payment to them before you receive your numbers, please use the address below.

Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Office for Accounting Services

P.O. Box 70883

Philadelphia, PA 19176

215-587-3943

Please reference the Parish Number 2280 on your payment.

ALL checks are to be made payable to:

HERITAGE of FAITH – VISION of HOPE

YEAR of the PRIEST

Prayer for Priests

Ever-living God and Father of us all, you give to your Church the Priesthood of your Son, Jesus, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, you provide holy priests for a holy people.

We pray for all our priests, who announce the Word of God and celebrate the Sacraments, for those who are young and those who are old, for those who serve in difficult and trying circumstances, for those who are faithful and those who are faltering, and for those who have died.

We entrust all our priests to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, that they may persevere with fidelity to you and to your Church. With Saint John Vianney, patron of priests, we pray that our priests may never fail to lead us to you.

We ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.

SAINT JOHN MARIE VIANNEY – CURÉ OF ARS

Patron of Priests

John Vianney was born at Dardilly, near Lyons, France on May 8, 1786, son of Matthew and Marie Vianney.In his youth John taught other children catechism. Though he was of average intelligence, his formal knowledge was extremely limited. As he studied for the priesthood, he found the study of Latin excessively difficult. One of his fellow students, Matthias Loras, afterwards the first Bishop of Dubuque, Iowa, assisted him with his Latin lessons. On August 13, 1815, he was ordained a priest.

After serving as a parochial vicar in Ecully, France he was assigned to the parish of Ars-sur-Formans, a tiny village near Lyons.

This parish suffered from lax attendance and little

spiritual activity. The Curé John Vianney began visiting his parishioners, especially the sick and poor, spent days in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, did penance for his parishioners and led his people by example. He had the gifts of discernment of spirits, prophecy and even worked miracles. His life of penance consisted in constant prayer and sacrifice, while just getting 2-3 hours of sleep each night. Crowds came to hear him preach

and went to Confession to him throughout the day because of his reputation for holiness and his loving concern for penitents. By 1855, there were 20,000 pilgrims a year to Ars.

After spending 40 years as the parish priest, John Marie Vianney died on August 4, 1859. He is interred in the Basilica of Ars. Pope Pius XI canonized him on May 31, 1925.

The relic and icon of Saint John Marie Vianney, the patron of Priests, will be here in our Church from August 13^th to August 20^th. You are invited to venerate this relic as you pray for all priests during this Year of the Priest. During the weekdays, it will be in the Chapel.

ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS

RESPECT LIFE BULLETIN BRIEFS

“Some claim that scientists who kill embryos for their stem cells are not actually depriving anyone of life because they are using ‘spare’ or unwanted embryos who will die anyway. This argument is simply invalid. Ultimately, each of us will die – but that gives no one a right to kill us.”

(United States Conference of Catholic Bishops –

June 13, 2008)

FOSTER FAMILIES NEEDED

You can change the future…by becoming a Foster Parent! Foster families provide temporary homes to children of all ages, races and religions whose families are in crisis. The love, service and example of Catholic Social Services foster parents, has a lasting and positive effect on the children whose lives they touch. For more information on how you can become a foster parent, please call Melissa at: 215-587-2458!

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

Office for Child & Youth Protection

SAFE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM

Protecting God’s Children for Adults Awareness Sessions.

Unless otherwise indicated, all sessions begin at 7:00 pm. Sessions are approximately 2.5 hours in length.

Summer 2009:

8/20/09 - St. Joseph – Downingtown

8/24/09 - St. Matthew – Philadelphia

8/26/09 - Archdiocesan Office Center

Philadelphia – (6:30 pm)

8/27/09 - St. Bernadette – Drexel Hill

To register: Those with internet access should visit the Virtus website: www.virtus.org. All others can call the Office for Child and Youth Protection at: 215-587-2466.

SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY –

FALL COURSES

Is God calling you to a deeper knowledge of himself? Take a Theology class at one of the best Seminaries in the country, right here in our own Archdiocese of Philadelphia. This fall, consider a class on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Scared Scripture in the Liturgy, The Life and Thought of Benedict XVI, the History of Black Catholics in the United States, or Spiritual Gifts of African Americans. Can’t travel to the Seminary each week? Consider an online course on An Introduction to Catholic Theology, The Psalms, or the History of Black Catholics in the United States. Classes start August 31^st. Register today at www.StudyCatholicTheology.com

AREA NEWS

FATIMA DAY IN DOYLESTOWN

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa located at Doylestown, invites you to come and pray with us for peace in the world!

Join us on the 13^th of every month from now until October at 7:00 pm. We begin with Holy Mass followed by a candlelight procession, Holy Rosary recited in different languages and Act of Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Your prayers and presence are needed!