Church of Saint Philip Neri

Pennsburg, PA 18073

September 20, 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.

LET US PRAISE CHRIST TOGETHER

Last week Allison Davis shared some of her memories of her three summers in Israel. She continues today with more of her reflection in The Holy Land.

While looking at the readings for this Sunday, I noticed a theme that may not be so overt: peace. Many people have made remarks about my safety whenever I head over to Israel, all related to the current conflicts in the Middle East. What people do not realize is how much people truly want peace in the Holy Lands. I am proud to say that the lovely people I have worked with for the past three years with the Tel Gezer Excavation Project are promoters of peace. We also help support peace by staying at a particular guest house: Neve Shalom - Wahat al-Salaam - Oasis of Peace.

It is a beautiful, tiny village located on the hill next to the well-known Latrun Trappist Monastery, a 30 minute Sabbath drive from Jerusalem (because the drive to Jerusalem any other day of the week takes at least an hour with the traffic). The village began during the Zionist movement right after World War II as one of the first cooperative villages between Jews and Arabs, called a kibbutz. It is now a leading center for national peace movements in Israel. If anyone would like to know more about it, please visit their website: www. nswas.org. The guest house absolutely adores having the Gezer Project stay with them and we appreciate their tremendous hospitality (which sometimes includes serving us some regional delicacies – mmm, fish heads). They even have a small place for worship, a round domed building.

The Tel Gezer project is mostly southern Baptist affiliated, but they highly encourage international students and non-students to participate. Some volunteers have included: graduate students from Denmark, a retired couple from Canada looking for something new, English majors, seminary students, a father and son who regularly visit their Jewish relatives in Israel, and a Palestinian Muslim archaeology student. The only quarrels have been results of conflicting archaeological theories or between strong personalities, never because of someone’s religion or race.

However, this does not mean that violence never occurred while I was in Israel. My first year there I received a frantic call from my mother when she heard about a Hamas uprising in the West Bank on the day my tour group left for the Dead Sea – no one in our group had heard about it. My second summer everyone was shaken to see BBC local news reports on bulldozer attacks in Jerusalem by disgruntled Palestinian workers, forced by their Israeli supervisors to tear down Palestinian housing in the city. This past year there were large protests from Hasidic Jews in Jerusalem against Arab construction companies who worked on the Sabbath – none of the workers were Jewish. Despite all this I have seen mostly people who are just trying to get along and get by. They do not like disturbances to the peace because it disrupts their way of living.

I have also seen tremendous teamwork between Americans, Israelis, and Palestinians on the excavation. I have noticed that when there is a common interest and a common goal, there is no reason why peaceful living is not possible. Everyone who was a part of the project was there to have a new experience, learn archaeology, make new discoveries, meet people of a different background, and see the Holy Lands (whether Christian, Jew, or Muslim). The people I have met there have changed my life and I love them all for that. Everyone has managed to stay good friends and keep in touch – we’d better, after living in very close contact together in a foreign country for five weeks.

For anyone looking to visit the Holy Lands, I highly encourage you to look up Neve Shalom-Wahat al-Salaam and/or go as a volunteer on an archaeological project. I have only had good experiences and am looking for my next opportunity to go back! Shalom, Peace to all.

Allison Davis

Praise Be Jesus Christ…Now and Forever!

Fr. Roncase

FIRST FRIDAY MASS

First Friday is October 2^nd. Mass is in Church at 9:00 am, followed by Adoration until evening Prayer at 7:00 pm.

Serving at Mass Sept. 27^th

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Lisa Edleman Mark Meinzer

Mike Edleman

Claire Holcombe

Priest

Bob Talbot

Kathryn Talbot

7:30 am – Wally Varallo John Guckin

JoanVarallo Pete Frank

Deacon

Priest

Maureen Moser

Paul Moser

Denise Guckin

Anna Murphy

Gerald Murphy

Michael Duka

Peter D’Amico

Lori Brozena

9:30 am – Ed Tryon M. Gehringer

Alicia Tryon Susan DiMarco

Jenny Josko

Priest

Joshua Hewitt

Lillian Hewitt

11:00 am – Bob Schwind Adam Canigiani

Barbara Schwind D. McCausland

Anna Kells

Priest

Sandy Shellaway

Tony Shellaway

TWENTY-FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Monday, September 21, Matthew, apostle & evangelist

8:00 am – Helen Stubits,

(SPN Elem. Grade School, Faculty & Staff)

Tuesday, September 22

8:00 am – Helen Archut, (Ann & Al Smart)

Wednesday, September 23, Pio of Pietrelcina

7:00 pm – Marianne Huseman, (Rich & Barbara Grochowski)

Thursday, September 24

8:00 am – Albert Anderson, (Wife Nancy and Family)

Friday, September 25

8:00 am – Hubert Boles,

(SPN Elem. Grade School, classrooms & staff)

Saturday, September 26, Cosmas & St. Damian

8:00 am – Jeanmarie Siedlecki-Moyer, (Mom & Family)

5:00 pm – William Bradley, (Joan & Anthony Pongia)

TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Sunday, September 27

7:30 am – Fifth Anniversary, Eugene Cressman,

(Wife Catherine & Children)

9:30 am – Noreen Bauer, (Claude & Pat Balduzzi)

11:00 am – For the living & deceased members of the Parish.

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, Betty Risko, Christine Keer, Hilda Stine, Joe Johnson, Baby Lucy Littlefield, Charlotte Azarovich, George Bradford, Margie Shelley, Matthew Melcher, Rick DeStefano, Catherine Wlazelek, Debbie Proffit, Mark & Margaret Clark, Bill Engle, Carrie Desetto, Anthony Bodgon, Jean Miller, Kathrine Kerivel, Herman Adam, Tommy Slattery, Neal Lester, Ruth Wunder, Baby Olivia Enriquez & Elizabeth Brinckman.

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

SUNDAY COLLECTIONS

September 14, 2008 September 13, 2009

Envelope: $ 8,748.10 $ 8,604.50

Loose: 1,267.00 1,655.00

Children: 92.40 65.74

Total: $10,107.50 $10,325.24

Special: Black and Native Americans

$ 884.00

PARISH BREAKFAST

Our next breakfast is Sunday – September 27^th in the social hall gym from 7:00 am – 12:30 pm; save the date and mark your calendars!

ACTIVITIES - *BINGO*

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

Working Thursday – September 24th – Team #2

All regular games pay $50

FINAL COVER – ALL SPECIAL PAYS: $500

Bingo: September 10th – 64 players

Games: $ 114.55

Kitchen: 21.20

Total: $ 135.75

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.

In Honor of all my Friends at St. Philip Neri Church, and especially to my Chapel & Bingo Friends, requested by Catherine Koestel.

MEETINGS AND EVENTS THIS WEEK

Sunday, Sept. 20^th – Children’s Liturgy of the Word – at the 9:30 am Mass

Sunday, Sept. 20^th – Parish Picnic – Church Grounds – 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Sunday, Sept. 20^th – Men’s 30 & Over Basketball – gym – 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Monday, September 21^st – TOSCO Day

Monday, September 21^st – Liturgy Committee Meeting – rectory – 7:00 pm

Monday, September 21^st – Bible Timeline Study – rectory – 7:00 pm

Tuesday, September 22^nd – Choir & Cantor Practice – in Church at 6:00 pm

Tuesday, September 22^nd – Boy Scouts – gym – 7pm

Wednesday, September 23^rd – BETA Program – rectory – 10:00 am

Wednesday, September 23^rd – Safe Environment Workshops – Neri Center – 9:00 am – 11:30 am and 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm (there are two Workshops)

Wednesday, September 23^rd – PREP – Religious Ed – at the School -6:00 pm

Thursday, September 24^th – Rosary at Pennsburg Manor – 1:15 pm

Thursday, September 24^th – Bingo – gym – 6:30 pm

Thursday, September 24^th – Respect Life – Food PREP for the Homeless – rectory – 5:15 pm

Thursday, September 24^th – Cub Scouts – at the Neri Center – 6:45 pm

Friday, September 25^th – Bible Timeline Study – rectory – 9:00 am

Friday, September 25^th – SPN Quilting – gym - Meeting Room – 1:00 pm

Saturday, September 26^th – Parish Breakfast set-up in the gym

Sunday, September 27^th – Parish Breakfast – gym – 7:00 am -12:30 pm

Sunday, September 27^th – Children’s Liturgy of the Word – at the 9:30 am Mass.

Sunday, September 27^th – Parish Youth Ministry – EDGE (Grade School) 6pm – 8pm, and Teens Living in Christ (High School) – at the rectory – 7:30 pm-9pm

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Pre-Cana Team Committee Meeting – Monday, September 28^th – rectory – 7:00 pm

Bible Timeline Study – Monday, September 28^th – rectory – 7:00 pm

Charismatic Prayer Group – Monday, September 28^th – Chapel – 7:00 pm

Choir & Cantor Practice – Tuesday, September 29^th – Church – 6:00 pm

BETA Program – Wednesday, September 30^th – rectory – 10:00 am

PREP – Religious Education – Wednesday, September 30^th – School – 6:00 pm

Cub Scouts – Thursday, October 1st – Neri Center – 6:45 pm

First Friday – Friday, October 2^nd – Mass in Church at 9:00 am; Adoration in Church – 10:00 am – 7:00 pm

Energy Committee Meeting – Saturday, October 3^rd – Social Hall – 10:00 am

Children’s Liturgy of the Word – Sunday, October 4^th – in Church at the 9:30 am Mass.

Respect Life Sunday – Sunday, October 4^th – at all Masses, donations for a “Rose for Life” – sponsored by the Knights of Columbus

Little Church – Sunday, October 4^th – gym – 9:30 am

Blessing of Animals – Sunday, October 4^th – Church – at 1:00 pm

Parish Youth Ministry – Sunday, October 4^th – at St. Titus Church in East Norriton (Stir Up Your Soul) – 11:00 am – 8:00 pm

Men’s 30 & over Basketball – Sunday, October 4^th – gym – 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

PREP SCHEDULE

September 2009:

September 23^rd – classes

September 30^th – classes

October 2009:

October 4^th – Little Church begins – 9:30 am – gym

October 7^th – Marion Prayer Service – Church

(School & PREP)

October 14^th – classes

October 14^th – First Penance Parent Meeting –

6:10 pm – mandatory Meeting – Neri Center

October 21^st – classes

October 28^th – classes

November 2009:

November 4^th – classes

November 11^th – classes

November 18^th – classes

November 25^th – NO CLASSES

December 2009:

December 2^nd – classes

December 9^th – classes

December 16^th – PREP Advent Prayer Service – Social in Gym at 7:00 pm

December 23^rd – NO CLASSES

December 30^th – NO CLASSES

PARISH NEWS

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 – October 12^th.

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.

ELIZABETH MINISTRY

The mission of Elizabeth Ministry is to support women of childbearing age. We support women emotionally and spiritually through various means.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP

The Fall Bereavement Support Group will begin on Tuesday evening, September 29^th at 7:00 pm in the Parish Outreach Office. This Bereavement Support Group will meet every Tuesday evening from September 29^th thru November 10^th. We will end meetings by participating in the Remembrance Mass, in Church, on November 10^th. Mass will be followed by refreshments in the Parish Hall Meeting room.

Please come to the Bereavement Support Group; let God heal you of your loss, and let God use you to help others through their loss.

If you want to register, please phone the Parish Outreach Office at 215-679-2282, by September 22^nd.

WELCOME COMMITTEE

Reminder: The Welcome Committee Meeting will meet on Tuesday, October 6th – 7:00 pm at the rectory. (the meeting had been originally scheduled on September 15^th)

CONFIRMATION NOTIFICATION

We (Saint Philip Neri Parish) have been notified from the Bishop’s office that the students will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation during their 6^th and 7^th grades in the School and PREP Program.

This change will affect the present 4^th and 5^th grade students. With this change and transition, we are not scheduled to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation until Fall, 2011. During their Faith Formation process and preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation, the child is required to be enrolled in our Parish School or Parish Religious Education Program up to and including the 7^th grade.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mr. Jeff Daley, DRE at: 215-541-3120 or email to: egneri@comcast.net.

CUB SCOUT PACK 591 CAR WASH

St. Philip Neri Center

Saturday – September 26^th

12:00 noon – 5:00 pm

$5.00/car

Please contact Scott Klugh for more information at: 267-374-6469.

RESPECT LIFE SUNDAY

October 4^th is Respect Life Sunday!

At all the Masses on October 3^rd and 4^th, the Knights of Columbus will be asking for donations for a Rose for Life, a symbol of the Pro-Life Movement. Remember, you are not “buying a rose”, but offering financial support to Birthright, A Baby’s Breath (both being local “all volunteer” crisis Pregnancy Center, “Priests for Life”, and other Respect Life activities.

Please take a “Rose for Life” before or after Mass, and make a “Pro-Life type donation” in our collective effort to fight on the local level against the 4,000 + abortions each day that occur in our United States of America.

We THANK YOU, for your generous support.

RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY

“USED” Clothing & Food Collection for Homeless

On the weekends of September 20^th & 27^th, the Respect Life Ministry will be conducting a Fall & Winter Clothing & Food Drive to benefit the homeless in the Philadelphia area.

We are requesting your help in supplying the following “used” items of clothing:

Blankets, coats, sweaters, socks, shirts, scarves, gloves, sweatshirts, hats and pants.

We are also asking for the following food and personal items in “travel size”:

Juice boxes, granola bars (soft texture), crackers (cheese/wheat or peanutbutter), raisins (box), homemade cookies, soap/deodorant, shampoo, toothbrush/paste, shaving gel or cream and after shave.

Donations are always welcome and greatly appreciated. *Monetary gifts will be used to purchase food.

If you wish to donate any of the above items, please drop them in the box in the vestibule, located in the back of the Church. Thank you for your generosity in the past, and know that you will be giving comfort to those in dire need.

May God bless you!

COME-N-GO BINGO

St. Philip Neri Social Hall

Saturday – October 10, 2009

Doors open at 6:00 pm

Games begin at 6:30 pm

Cost: $.25/game

Menu: hotdogs, barbeque & 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

FAMILY RETREAT

Are you looking for an opportunity for your family to take a vacation with God? At a Malvern Family Retreat, you will experience activities focused on fun and spiritual growth for all ages! Friday, October 16^th thru Sunday, October 18^th: Our Lady of the Rosary Retreat.

For more information, contact Bill & Dana Orr: 215-679-8223 or dana@goodnews4health.net.

SAINT PHILIP NERI PICNIC

SUNDAY, SEPTEMER 20, 2009

2:00 TO 8:00 PM

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

1:30 – 3:00 Candy Contest Registration

2:00 – 8:00 Food & Drinks

2:00 – 8:00 Football on Large Screen TV in Hall

2:00 – 8:00 Moon Bounce

2:00 – 4:00 Children’s Games

3:00 – 4:00 Music by the:

St. Philip Neri School Band

3:00 – 5:00 Bingo

3:30 Candy Contest Judging

4:00 – 6:00 Face Painting

4:15 Candy Contest Winner Announced

4:30 – 7:30 Music by RED

BLUE KNIGHTS CATHOLIC CLUB

The Blue Knights Catholic Club is a boys’ club aimed at teaching the truths of the Catholic faith to boys through Scripture, saints’, biographies, sports/games, crafts and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

This program developed by Major Dan McGuire maps out nine virtues for boys ages 5 and up in the first year, and then follows up with three years covering nine catechetical lessons each.

The boys keep track of their progress by earning badges that form shields to proudly display on their Crusader breastplates. Each year also has its own colored cape (blue, red, green or gold) to mark your Blue Knight’s advancement through the program.

If you are interested in this program, please contact Bill Orr at 215-679-8223 or email to: dana@goodnewshealth.net.

ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS

RESPECT LIFE BULLETIN BRIEFS

“Cloning is not wrong because cloned human beings would lack human dignity – it is wrong because they have human dignity and are being brought into the world in a way that fails to respect that dignity.”

(Richard Doerflinger -

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)

SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY –

A Year of the Priest

The Catechetical Institute, an Adult Catechesis Program at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, is celebrating The Year of the Priest with a special two-part series on What is Catholic Priesthood?, on October 3^rd and October 17^th.

Other Fall courses include Overview of the Old Testament, Sacraments of Initiation, Sacraments of Healing and Vocation, Foundations of the Church and Christian Anthropology. Classes begin in October.

For a Schedule and Registration Form, visit: www.studycatholictheology.com.

AREA PARISH NEWS

Calix is coming to Saint Eleanor

What is Calix? The Calix Society is men and women suffering from addiction, helping each other get through the next 24 hours. Using the principles of twelve-step recovery and Catholic spirituality, Calix can help you recover from addictions to alcohol, drugs, food, gambling, sex or work. Whatever your addiction, let the Calix Society help. THROUGH FAITH AND CHARITY, RECOVER YOUR HOPE!!!

First meeting: September 27^th – 8:00 pm at the Vianney Hall (lower level of St. Eleanor Rectory). For more information, call Joe: 215-872-5570, Eileen: 484-368-2633 or Pat: 484-685-8769.

Protecting God’s Children Awareness Session

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta will be hosting a Protecting God’s Children Awareness Session on October 14^th at 6:00 pm. To pre-register, go to www.virtus.org. or call Maureen Mochwart at: 610-287-2525 ext. 104.

POLISH/SLOVAK DINNER

St. Gabriel Church

Howard & Jefferson Streets

Stowe, PA

Saturday – September 26^th

Church Social Hall

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Cost: $8.00

(includes holubky, halusky,

pirohy & kielbasa)

A la carte & take out available

PARISH MISSION SERVICE

Everyone is INVITED to attend

SAINT ALOYSIUS CHURCH

223 BEECH STREET

POTTSTOWN, PA

Monday – September 28^th to:

Thursday – October 1^st

7:00 PM

Service each evening will last about one hour.

Dynamic Speaker:

Fr. Donald Miniscalco, C.S.S.R.

Any questions, please call Cathy Remick at: 610-326-5877, ext. 323

AREA NEWS

FORTY DAYS FOR LIFE

This fall, join the hundreds of thousands of people participating in 40 Days for Life across North America and internationally.

40 Days for Life saves lives through: Prayer and Fasting for an end to abortion, Peaceful Vigil outside the abortion facility at Planned Parenthood, 644 High Street and Community Outreach to spread the message that life is sacred.

Learn how you can help save lives here in (Pottstown) by contacting Marie Deterinidad at: 484-363-2376 or by visiting: www.40daysforlife.com/cityname

APEX LEARNING SAT PREP CLASS

Sponsored by:

St. Pius X High School

Pottstown, PA

All classes start:

September 28^th to November 4^th

Classes are held:

Monday and Wednesday

6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

SAT Book is included

For more information, and pre-registration, please call Mrs. Sedlock: 610-326-8990 x37.

HOPE FOR FAMILIES FACING FRUSTRATION

the awareness continues…

next Event:

Tuesday – October 6^th – 7:00 pm

“YOUTH SCENE INVESTIGATION”

Can you find the evidence?

AN EYE OPENING TEEN BEDROOM SIMULATION EXHIBIT DESIGNED TO PROVIDE PARENTS WITH FACTS ABOUT TEENAGE DRUG & ALCOHOL USE. THE EVENT INCLUDES A PRESENTATION ABOUT CURRENT TRENDS OF USE, AND IS INTENDED TO OPEN DIALOGUES BETWEEN ADULTS & YOUTH. PRESENTED BY THE COMMUNITY PREVENTION PARTNERSHIP OF BERKS COUNTY.

UPSD Education Center (Old Embassy Skating Rink) – Buck Road – Pennsburg.

SPONSORED BY:

Nate Clemens Fund for Substance Recovery

Youth & Family Services

Montgomery County Office of:

Drug & Alcohol Programs

UPPER PERKIOMEN MINISTERIUM

For information call: 215-234-9372

PARENTS ONLY – NO CHILDREN

IHM SISTERS’ NIGHT

Young women (18+) are invited to share informally with the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Immaculata, PA, on Friday, September 25^th.

For more information, please contact Sister Carmen Teresa at 610-889-1553, ext. 532 or email to: ihmvoc2@aol.com.

2009 – 2010

Montgomery County Health Department

Free Influenza/Pneumococcal Immunizations

Seasonal Influenza Vaccination only

NOT Novel H1N1 (Swine Flu) Pandemic Influenza Vaccine. As updates are available on Swine Flu Vaccine, the Health Department will be alerting residents through Ready Notify. Sign-up at: http://www.readynotifypa.org

Provided to:

Montgomery County residents aged 50 years and older, children and adolescents aged 6 months through 18 years, pregnant women, household contacts and caregivers of high-risk individuals and of infants less than 6 months of age, and people who have a long-term health problem such as: Heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, diabetes, neuromuscular disorders, anemia, asthma, weakened immune system due to steroid use, cancer treatment, HIV/AIDS.

SAVE TIME! Pre-register at:

http://health.montcopa.org

Medicare participants:

Please bring your Medicare card!

Listed below are the dates, times and sites for the month of October only:

Date: Time: Location:

10/3 10am-1pm Upper Perk High School

Pennsburg

10/8 10am-1pm Congregation Beth Or

239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen

10/15 10am-1pm Fairview Village Church

of Nazarene

3044 W. Germantown Pike

Eagleville

10/17 10am-1pm Abington Sr. High School

900 Highland Av., Abington

10/20 10am-1pm Central Schwenkfelder Church

2111 Val. Forge Rd., Worcester

10/27 10am-1pm Franconia Mennonite Church

613 Harleysville Pk., Telford

10/29 10am-1pm Plymouth Meeting Mall –

(Church on the Mall)

500 W. Germantown Pike

Plymouth Meeting

10/30 10am-1pm Upper Salford Fire Station

782 Old Skippack Rd., Salford

11/05 10am-1pm Norristown Public Library

1001 Powell Street

Norristown

11/09 9:30 am to

11:30 am St. Luke’s UCC Church

200 W. Main Street

Trappe

11/12 10:00 am to

12:00 pm The Fellowship House –

of Conshohocken

515 Harry Street

Conshohocken

11/13 9am-3pm Pottstown Health Center

364 King Street

Pottstown

11/17 9am-3pm Montgomery County

Human Services Center

1430 DeKalb Street

Norristown

11/19 9am-3pm Eastern Court House Annex

102 York Road

Suite 401

Willow Grove

ST. LUKE’S HOSPITAL – QUAKERTOWN

GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION OF:

The New St. Luke’s Upper Perk Outpatient Center at 663 and Geryville Pike on Saturday, October 10^th and Sunday, October 11^th from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. Free screenings, tour of facility, and many fun, family focused activities such as a pumpkin patch and face painting will be featured. Services include a family practice, walk in lab testing, radiology, physical therapy and more. The Center opened August 24, 2009.

A THANK YOU FROM

Birthright of Pottstown

Dear Father Roncase,

Please thank all your parishioners for their response to the “Diaper Drive”. We were down to NO large diapers; so the timing was perfect.

People also donate clothing and maternity clothing – also much needed.

We can be a Pro-Life presence helping mothers and babies only because you care enough to help.

Gratefully,

Betty Ann Daily

Director

ORGAN RECITAL

By: Wesley Parrott

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church

Pennsburg, PA

(directions available on website:

www.stmarkspennsburg.com

The Recital will feature works by:

Mendelssohn, Bach, Widor, Howells & others

A free-will offering will be taken.

Reception following recital.

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

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Great expectations

It is perhaps a coincidence (or the work of an unknown editor) that in Mark’s gospel the story of the disciples arguing over “who was the greatest” directly follows Jesus’ revelation of his impending death. But looked at another way, squabbling that follows immediately upon news of a death is an all-too-common pattern when someone dies and his or her heirs quarrel over who deserves the greatest share. Humans often instinctively react to a shock by “looking out for number one.” Jesus, however, instructs his disciples to rise above their ego-preserving instinct and instead devote themselves to selfless service. Are we up to the challenge?

Today’s readings: Wisdom 2:12, 17-20; James 3:16-4:3; Mark 9:30-37

“What were you arguing about on the way?”

Monday, September 21
Feast of Matthew, apostle, evangelist

Disciple—who, me?

We can presume Jesus had no illusions about who Matthew was. The dude was sitting right at the booth where taxes were gathered for the Roman occupiers. A traitor! A man willing to compromise plenty to make sure he and his family didn’t go under in tough times, even if his friends and neighbors weren’t so lucky. Yet when Jesus looked at Matthew, he saw beyond all that. Jesus saw a disciple in the making. Where does Jesus find you? And what do you suppose he sees?

Today’s readings: Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13; Matthew 9:9-13

“[Jesus] saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ ”

Tuesday, September 22

Family first

People like to say that the most important thing in life is family. That may be true for some people. But for others, family is their worst nightmare. We’re not all graced with perfect parents. And our relationships with relatives can be much more problematic than our dealings with friends. That is why, in Christ, we have a Heavenly Father, a Blessed Mother, and countless brothers and sisters both on earth and in heaven. That is real family we can truly rely upon for understanding, support, and help in times of trouble. When it comes to family, God knows what is most important.

Today’s readings: Ezra 6:7-8, 12b, 14-20; Luke 8:19-21

“Jesus said to them, ‘My mother and my brothers are those who hear the Word of God and do it.’ ”

Wednesday, September 23
Feast of Pio of Pietrelcina, priest

Car talk

A few years ago Padre Pio’s old car came up for auction at a major European auto show. Pio—the Capuchin monk famous for hearing confessions, miracles, and bearing the wounds of Jesus—had received the 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190 D as a gift. The padre didn’t drive. In fact, he rarely left the monastery. When he did get in a car, someone else would be behind the wheel and it was usually to go a little ways up the hill to inspect the state-of-the-art charity hospital Pio was building. While for many of us cars are something of a necessity, the Ex Padre Pio Mercedes, as it became known at the car show, which spent part of its life sitting in a monastery garage, testifies to the fact that most of us probably need much less than we have.

Today’s readings: Ezra 9:5-9; Luke 9:1-6

“Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money.”

Thursday, September 24

Harvest of shame

The people of Israel, it seems, had more important things to do than rebuild the temple of the Lord—there was wealth to be made, food and drink and fine clothes aplenty, and comfortable homes to build. Sort of reminds you of recent economic history, where fortunes were being amassed hand over fist while basic ethical practices fell to the wayside. Prosperity has a way of undermining core values and making people forget the promises they have made—to their God and to one another as a society. Will economic recovery bring moral recovery this time around? Not unless we attend to the things that matter most to God.

Today’s readings: Haggai 1:1-8;

Luke 9:7-9

“You have sown much, but have brought in little.”

Friday, September 25

Words at work

Considering the enormous flow of words we can encounter with nothing more than the movement of a finger, it is difficult to imagine the ordeal required for a library in the Middle Ages to acquire even a single new book. Monks would often spend their entire careers travelling between monasteries and at each stop transcribing by hand whatever text their home library was in want of. The English monk Saint Ceolfrith (642-716) was renowned in his time for his tortuous travels and prolific transcribing efforts. His protégé, the famous Saint Bede, writes that Ceolfrith alone doubled the holdings of their monastery’s library, which was already considered sizeable. How can you treasure the written word?

Today’s readings: Haggai 2:1-9;

Luke 9:18-22

“Take courage, all you people of the land, says the Lord; work, for I am with you.”

Saturday, September 26
Feast of Cosmas and Damian, martyrs

Medical drama

In the national discussion about health care policy, doctors, health care corporations, insurance companies, politicians, and the businesses and ordinary people who pay the bills wrangle over how services are provided and where the money goes. Seventeen centuries earlier the twin brother-physicians Saints Cosmas and Damian traveled Syria, sharing the good news of Christ by treating the ill for free. What would happen if into the health care debate walked Drs. Cosmas and Damian, known as “the penniless ones,” who without regard for payment or liability put sick people ahead of everything else?

Today’s readings: Zechariah 2:5-9, 14-15a; Luke 9:43b-45

“I looked up and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand.”