Church of Saint Philip Neri

Pennsburg, PA 18073

October 4, 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 had planned to conclude my reflection on the Eucharist this month. However, this past Sunday I received a message from someone and I think I should address it as soon as possible. Keep reading and you will understand.

The person wrote: I have been diagnosed with cancer and I have a question. Do I, as a Catholic, have to commit to treatment? What exactly are the Catholic guidelines for preserving life? If I am going to die anyway, why should I prolong my life with treatments that will only delay the inevitable? I want to meet Jesus. Am I committing a sin by NOT taking treatments?

The person actually asks four questions. Let me start with the last one. God, and God alone, is the giver of life. Therefore only God can take life. To deny, prohibit or take a life is a grave sin. The most fundamental moral norm in dealing with end-of-life decisions is that we may never directly take innocent human life, including our own. That has been the Church’s teaching from the beginning. However, these types of issues are never black or white. This is no exception.

In this particular case, I do not have enough information to be specific. However, there are guidelines that cover this. It has to do with the quality of life. I found a very helpful web site that addresses these issues. It is called: A Catholic Guide to End-of-Life Decisions. An Explanation of Church Teaching on Advance Directives, Euthanasia, and Physician Assisted Suicide. It is provided by the National Catholic Bioethics Center and can be found at www.ncbcenter.org/eol.asp.

There is not enough space here to copy the entire pamphlet so I strongly urge this person and anyone else who wants to learn more about these issues to check it out. But let me give you a brief synopsis of what it says. There is a redemptive aspect to suffering. Jesus suffered and died. He accepted this as His Father’s will so that we might be saved from our sins. The key here is that Jesus accepted His sufferings. We are given the same opportunity from God. While it is not God’s will that we develop cancer or other diseases, God does allow us to suffer as a means of growing closer to Him by placing our total dependence on His mercy.

The question becomes: What is morally obligatory and what is morally optional. Generally, a medical procedure that carries with it little hope of benefit and is burdensome is deemed "extraordinary" and is not obligatory. The decision, however, is not in the hands of the patient alone. If the person is competent then they must confer with their physician, their family and their clergy before making this decision. This is the framework from which a Catholic must consider their options. If treatment will not lead to relief, if it will only prolong life with much pain and suffering then the person is not obliged to accept treatments.

As I said before there is not enough information provided to make a clear recommendation. I ask that this person contact Fr. Roncase or me as soon as possible so that we can discuss the situation in a respectful, prayerful manner. We would need to know the opinions of the medical team treating this person, the feelings of the family and most importantly the needs of the patient. We also need to remember that the end of earthly life is not the total end. There is no total end or death. Our Catholic faith teaches us that when we pass from this life we have the hope of eternal life in the glory of God’s Kingdom. That is why God gave us life, so that we might be one with Him in heaven.

I ask all of you who read this to pray for this person and all others who are in similar situations. Ask God to provide wisdom, strength and faith for them that they may know His will. From my personal experience I can share this story with you. I just read today of the death of a 91 year old woman from my parish back home. About 11 years ago she came to me. She was alone, tired, sickly and afraid. She very much wanted to die. At first I did not know what to say to her. Fortunately the Holy Spirit gave me the words. I told her that maybe God had something for her to do before she died. I suggested that it was as simple as devoting her remaining days to praying for all of us. She thought about it and accepted that I could be right. She went to Mass and Holy Communion nearly every day. In doing so she found a new community of support and love. She lived another 11 years with purpose. She was able to put her personal sufferings in perspective and she grew even closer to Our Lord. I know that when she died this past Sunday that it must have been a joyous reunion in heaven.

If you have questions about our Catholic faith, the Church or sacraments please let me know. You can send your questions to me at the parish office or drop them off in the collection on Sunday (as did the person who asked these questions) or you can write to me at deaconmikefranks@verizon.net. May God bless you and always remember that I love you all. Deacon Mike

Serving at Mass October 4^th

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Dianne Kennedy Ernie Quatrani

Pat Kennedy

Priest

Deacon

Mark Meinzer

Pat Meinzer

Anna Murphy

Gerald Murphy

Jim Quigley

Annemarie Quigley

Linda Franks

Marci Jaman

7:30 am – Jim Michels John Gilmore

Pat Scheerbaum Theresa Gilmore

Priest

Deacon

Paul Moser

Maureen Moser

Chuck Rodgers

Maria Rodgers

Immaculata Barndt

Lori Brozena

Trish Dornisch

Mary R. Giambrone

9:30 am – Jack Nash Terry Benner

Monica Nash Wendy Benner

Priest

Jenny Josko

John McHale

11:00 am – Tinamarie Evans Eileen Davis

Amanda Charlton Luke Verna

Priest

Maryanne Charlton

Kevin Charlton

Serving at Mass October 11^th

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Alice Swift Ed Tryon

John Burke

Priest

LaRue Emmell

Claire Holcombe

7:30 am – Dina Corrado Michael Lynch

Mike Heveran Pete Frank

Priest

Michele Martin

Peter D’Amico

Michael Duka

9:30 am – Marilynn Mayer Joe Cassarella

Ken Mayer Larry Concio

Priest

Bill Orr

Bob Brennan

Eleanor Brennan

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

11:00 am – Doug DiTondo Bob Piccone

Linda DiTondo Donna Tarantino

Priest

Deacon

Mary Goodfellow

Anna Kells

Jeanne Hermley

Bob Hermley

Mary Lavin

Marlene Leidy

DJ Williams

Sandy Williams

The 4^th Quarter Liturgical Ministers (Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Youth Altar Servers) schedule is now available. You can find it on the parish web site (www.spnparish.org). Printed copies for those who do not have computer access are available in the little room off the vestibule. The schedule covers the remainder of 2009. Also included is the opportunity to sign up for helping at Christmas Masses.

FOURTH QUARTER GREETER SCHEDULES

The Fourth Quarter Greeter Schedules are available in the vestibule of the Church and on the website.

TWENTY-SEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Monday, October 5

8:00 am – Fifteenth Anniversary, James V. Pulli,

(Joe & Luanne Pulli)

Tuesday, October 6, Bruno

8:00 am – John Virus, (the family)

Wednesday, October 7, Our Lady of the Rosary

7:00 pm – Gordon Heckler,

(Margaret, Debbie, John & Ben Undercoffler)

Thursday, October 8

8:00 am – George Dykie

Friday, October 9, Denis, bishop & martyr

8:00 am – Margeruite Huseman,

(Rich & Barbara Grochowski)

Saturday, October 10

8:00 am – Frances Meyers, (Agnes & Lester Weisel)

5:00 pm – Mary Ellen Mitchell, (Mark & Pat Meinzer)

TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Sunday, October 11

7:30 am –For the living & deceased members

of the Parish.

9:30 am – Erik Crotzer and Anna & Stanley Melcher,

(The Benner Family)

11:00 am – Deceased members of:

The Knights of Columbus Council #6614

FLORAL ARRANGEMENT

The red roses placed on the Blessed Mother and Sacred Heart Altars are in honor of Ted and Ann Rutkowski on their Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary, requested by the Family.

The floral arrangement placed on the altar is in memory of Richard Strelecky on his Thirtieth Anniversary, requested by the Family.

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, Baby Robert John Riegel Jr., Robert Rukstalis, Mary Ann Bencie, Frances Cannon, Josh Frumnecht, Dianna Rynkiewicz, Ethel Buck, Gary Lester Keller, Baby Lucy Littlefield, Charlotte Azarovich, George Bradford, Margie Shelley, Matthew Melcher, Rick DeStefano, Catherine Wlazelek, Mark & Margaret Clark, Bill Engle, Carrie Desetto, Anthony Bodgon, Kathrine Kerivel, Herman Adam, Tommy Slattery, Ruth Wunder, Baby Olivia Enriquez, Elizabeth & Wayne Brinckman, Jim Quigley, Carla Kozak, Bill Kulp & Janice Minnich.

For those who have died, and in particular for Michael Bittenbacker & Paul Burrier, grant them eternal rest and peace.

SUNDAY COLLECTIONS

September 28, 2008 September 27, 2009

Envelope: $ 7,772.00 $ 8,309.00

Loose: 1,355.00 1,094.00

Children: 95.00 81.96

Total: $ 9,222.00 $ 9,484.96

ACTIVITIES - *BINGO*

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

Working Thursday – October 8th – Team #4

All regular games pay $50

FINAL COVER – ALL SPECIAL PAYS: $500

Bingo: September 24th – 66 players

Games: $ 340.10

Kitchen: 164.40

Total: $ 504.50

PARISH BREAKFAST

Our parish Breakfast was held on Sunday, September 27^th. Thank you so much to those who came out and worked hard to make the Breakfast fun and successful. We served 509 people with a $2,480.00 profit! Our next & last breakfast for 2009 is Sunday – October 25th. Save the date and mark your calendars!

BAKED GOODS NEEDED

Donated baked goods are needed for the weekly Bingo and monthly Breakfast.

Call Rita: 679-7009 or the rectory office: 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 Robert Smith, Sr., requested by:

Pete & Linda Frank, Jerry & Joan Mullaney,

Stella Roney, Carol Bradley & Grace White.

In memory of Joseph DeMeo, requested by:

Clifford & Connie Marks.

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

MEETINGS AND EVENTS THIS WEEK

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

Sunday, October 4^th – First day of Little Church – Gym – 9:30 am

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

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

Sunday, October 4^th – Parish Youth Ministry – at St. Titus Church – East Norriton – 11:00 am – 8:00 pm

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

Monday, October 5^th – Pre-Cana Workshop – Neri Center – 7:30 pm

Monday, October 5^th – Pre-Jordan (Baptismal) Class – rectory – 7:30 pm

Monday, October 5^th – Charismatic Prayer Group – Chapel – 7:00 pm

Tuesday, October 6^th – SPN Craft Guild – gym – 1pm

Tuesday, October 6^th – Choir & Cantor Practice – in Church at 6:00 pm

Tuesday, October 6^th – Boy Scouts – gym – 7:00 pm

Tuesday, October 6^th – Welcome Committee Meeting – rectory – 7:00 pm

Wednesday, October 7^th – Marian Devotion; School & PREP – in Church at 7:00 pm

Wednesday, October 7^th – BETA Program – Rectory Meeting Room – 10:00 am

Thursday, October 8^th – Pennsburg Nursing Home Mass – 10:00 am

Thursday, October 8^th – Bingo – gym – 6:30 pm

Thursday, October 8^th – Cub Scouts – St. Philip Neri School – 6:45 pm

Friday, October 9^th – Home & School Golf Outing – Macoby Run Golf Course – 1:00 pm

Friday, October 9^th – SPN Quilting – gym – 1:00 pm

Saturday, October 10^th – KOC Come-n-Go Bingo – in the gym – 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Saturday, October 10^th – Garden Club Fall Clean-up – Church grounds – 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Sunday, October 11^th – Children’s Liturgy of the Word – at the 9:30 am Mass

Sunday, October 11^th – Little Church – 9:30am

Sunday, October 11^th – Youth Ministry – EDGE – gym – 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm; TLIC – 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Sunday, October 11^th – Knights of Columbus Meeting – rectory – 7:30 pm

Sunday, October 11^th – Men’s 30 and Over Basketball – gym – 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Teacher In-Service – Monday, October 12^th – No School

SPN Rosary Society Prayer Gathering – Monday, October 12^th – Chapel – 1:00 pm

Pastoral Council Meeting – Monday, October 12^th – at the rectory – 7:00 pm

Choir & Cantor Practice – Tuesday, October 13^th – in Church at 6:00 pm

Boy Scouts – Tuesday, October 13^th – gym – 7:00 pm

Home & School Board Meeting – Wednesday, October 14^th – Neri Center- 7:30 pm

PREP – Religious Ed – Wednesday, October 14^th – School – 6:00 pm

First Penance Parent Meeting – MANDATORY – Wednesday, October 14^th – Neri Center – 6:10 pm

BETA Program – Wednesday, October 14^th – Rectory Meeting Room – 10:00 am

Cub Scouts – Thursday, October 15^th – St. Philip Neri School – 6:45 pm

Garden Club Fall Clean-up – Saturday, October 17^th – Church grounds – 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Children’s Liturgy of the Word – Sunday, October 18^th – at the 9:30 am Mass

Little Church – Sunday, October 18^th – gym – 9:30am

Men’s 30 & Over Basketball – Sunday, October 18^th – gym – 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

PREP SCHEDULE

October 2009:

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

October 7^th – Marion Prayer Service – Church

(School & PREP) at 7:00 pm

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

SCHOOL NEWS

Preschool – The preschool children thanked God for their families and celebrated the feast of their guardian angel on Oct. 2. We played balloon keep up for our letter B.

Kindergarten – We are learning how to sort objects by color, shape, and size. We even sorted our fall leaves and our classmates!

1st – We are reading and spelling words with short i. We are also finishing the first chapter in math and will have a test this week. In religion, we will learn about creation and all the beautiful gifts God has made for us.

2nd – During Social Studies, we discussed how families live in different kinds of communities and what makes up communities. The children brought in objects that represent our community such as a restaurant menu, the Town & Country newspaper title letters, a Weis bag and an Upper Perkiomen Valley map. These objects were used to create a huge collage.

3rd – The students are role playing various jobs in Social Studies. They are making a poster of the job they want to have some day. In Religion, we will be reading about and discussing St. Francis of Assisi.

4th – We received the sacrament of Penance at school this week. During Math class, we stimulated a store in our classroom to practice making change. Students created Math stories for others to solve.

5th – This week the class started to begin their study of astronomy. They are making lots of activities to make this large topic more real to them.

6th – On Friday, the students will begin Literature Circles. They work in small groups to discuss a novel. Also, they are working on their Personal Narratives.

7th – In Social Studies, we are learning about the Age of Exploration. In Science, we are making mobiles to compare and contrast organisms.

8th – In Math, the students are working on projects that emphasize real world skills. The 6th grade students are acting as party planners, the 7th graders are game designers, and the 8th graders are tracking seasonal temperature changes in a region using both the Fahrenheit and Celsius scales.

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.

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.

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.

MARCH FOR LIFE

Mark your calendars: Friday, January 22, 2010. Bus leaves St. Philip Neri Church parking lot after the 6:30 am Mass. Details to follow. For more information, please call Pat at: 215-234-0124.

THE PARISH HISTORICAL COMMITTEE

A new committee is being formed to catalog and record the Events in our parish. One phase of our task will be to review and catalog the many photos and newspaper articles we already have. We hope to interview many of our long-time parishioners and record all future parish Events. There will be a minimal number of meetings; the majority of work will be done at home.

If you have any questions or would like to be part of this committee, please call Shirley at 215-679-9275, email Doris at: gmomdecker@yahoo.com or come to our Inaugural Meeting on Tuesday, October 13^th at 7:30 pm at the rectory. Everyone is welcome to attend!

SAINT PHILIP NERI CRAFT GUILD

Anyone interested in quilting or would like to learn how to quilt, please consider joining the St. Philip Neri Craft Guild. For more information or questions; call: Connie – 610-287-9829, Rita – 215-679-7009 or the rectory office – 215-679-9275.

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

LITTLE FLOWER GIRLS CLUB

Little Flower Girls Club is a Catholic Program for girls ages 5 and up based on learning Catholic virtues through the lives of Catholic Saints, Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. For more information on the Program, please visit the website: www.eccehomopress.com.

The Club is an informal group that meets the first Thursday of every month beginning in October.

We will be meeting in the Saint Philip Neri School Library in East Greenville, from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm.

If you are interested in this Program, call Joyce Patrick at: joycepatrick@comcast.net or JeanMarinari@yukon1@comcast.net.

ATTENTION MEN – 30 & OVER

Mens’ 30 & Over Basketball, every Sunday night at St. Philip Neri Social Hall from 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm.

ST. PHILIP NERI CHURCH

is hosting a FREE Informational Seminar on:

“Aging in America, the Confusing Legal

and Financial Issues Facing Today’s Retirees

and the Families Trying to Help Them”

As much as $23,396 a year is available for Wartime Veterans and their widows.

What needs to be done regarding your money (and how to protect it)

Changes that have occurred regarding Nursing Home and Medicaid rules.

End-of-life decisions and care restrictions that should be in place (and how to avoid mistakes)

Your Estate Planning Steps under the Medicaid Law (protecting your assets)

Wednesday – October 21, 2009

7:00 pm

St. Philip Neri Social Hall

Sessions will touch on:

Your Money – taxes are going up, interest rates are going down and the market is very ugly; learn how to avoid or eliminate the higher taxes on your income and Social Security you may face this year as well as investment options that can guarantee your money. Presented by Thomas Rutter, Certified Senior Advisor, Certified Estate Planner.

Estate Planning; Elder Law – planning your estate to protect your life’s savings from Nursing Care expenses. Review of how Medicaid rules have changed significantly. The severe changes that affect your Powers of Attorney and Living Will. Presented by Gerald J. Mullaney, Sr., Attorney at Law.

Two Excellent Speakers,

Issues that are important to you and your family,

No cost, but it can save you and your family heartaches and headaches!

Light refreshments will be served

PLAN TO ATTEND!!!

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

CASINO TRIP

Enjoy a visit to the Tropicana Resort & Casino in Atlantic City with Silver Spirits and have a great time!

October 31, 2009 at 10:00 am from St. Philip Neri Church Parking Lot.

Cost: $30.00/person (includes gratuity)

Package includes:

*$25.00 in slot play for all passengers

*Motorcoach transportation

*Pick-up and return to St. Philip Neri Church

Please contact:

Kathy Talbot: 215-541-0250 or:

Kathy Kulp: 267-923-5173

***Payment confirms your reservation***

Reservations and money due by October 11th

OUTLET STORES SHOPPING & CHRISTMAS SHOW

Tuesday, November 17, 2009, a trip to Rockvale Outlets for a morning of shopping and lunch on our own; then we are off to the American Music Theatre to see a Christmas Show that will delight everyone!

The cost to you is $65.00. For more details/information, call Kathy Talbot: 215-541-0250 or Kathy Kulp: 267-923-5173.

Reservations and money due by October 11th

AREA PARISH NEWS

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.

AREA NEWS

ORGAN RECITAL

By: Wesley Parrott

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church

Pennsburg, PA

Sunday, October 4^th – 4:00 pm

(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.

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?

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

For information call: 215-234-9372

PARENTS ONLY – NO CHILDREN

LANSDALE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL NEWS

Lansdale Catholic 8^th Grade Scholarship Exam – LC will hold their annual Scholarship Exam on Saturday, October 17^th at 8:15 am. You must be registered as members of the Class of 2014 to take this Exam.

Students from regional public, private and parochial schools are encouraged to call the Admissions Office at: 215-362-6160, ext 194 for an application.

You may also visit our website by going to:

www.lansdalecatholic.com/admission_faq.htm.

CRAFT SALE

Huff’s Union Church

540 Conrad Rd. – Alburtis

Thursday – October 8^th

2:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Food will be available.

Proceeds will benefit St. Vincent’s Mission in David, Kentucky and People of the Appalachia Region who have made the crafts.

All are welcome. Crafts will be located in the basement of the Chapel, across Conrad Road from the front doors of the Church.

Office number: 610-845-2626

Chapel number: 610-845-2541

“JOIN THE BEST AT CAMILLA’S OKTOBERFEST”

The Camilla Hall Oktoberfest will be held on Saturday, October 10^th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on the grounds of Camilla Hall. A variety of opportunities will be offered that include delicious food, entertainment, children’s games, hay rides, White Elephant sale items, crafts and more. Proceeds benefit Camilla Hall Nursing Home for the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (I.H.M.).

THE END IS COMING…Are you ready?

The Respect Life Committee of St. Maria Goretti Parish in Hatfield is sponsoring an evening with Father Christopher Walsh, speaking about End of Life Issues. In life, there are only a few things that are guaranteed and death is one of them. As some say, nobody gets out of here alive! In modern society, the end of life is often marked by a great variety of medical interventions that often leave people confused and fearful: feeding tubes, ventilators, and dialysis just to name a few. People ask of “Living Wills” and “Assisted Suicide” without really knowing the full impact of these issues. Please join Father Christopher Walsh on October 14^th at 7 pm in Drexel Hall for a Presentation on End of Life Issues and the Catholic Church. There will be time for questions and answers as you gain a better understanding of and appreciation for the Church’s teachings on Medical Ethics. For more information, please contact Nancy & Ron Boak at nancyboak@aol.com or 215-393-3763.

UPPER PERK VALLEY CROP HUNGER WALK

Sunday, October 18^th

(rain date: October 25^th)

Time – noon registration/1:00 pm Walk

Location – 400 Main St., Red Hill (bank lot)

To register as a team walker, call the Open Line at: 215-679-4112.

More details will follow next week!

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

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Divorce the thought

Few New Testament texts have had their meaning debated so vigorously as those in which Jesus discusses divorce. Biblical scholar Raymond F. Collins says there are eight versions of Jesus’ teaching on divorce and no easy way to identify which one reflects his views in their purest form. From the days of the early church to the present, the question continues to provoke debate. What can be said with confidence, however, is that divorce is always painful for those involved or directly touched by it. Hug a friend hurt by divorce today—and give yourself a hug if you are that person!

Today’s readings: Genesis 2:18-24; Hebrews 2:9-11; Mark 10:2-16 or 10:2-12

“Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

Monday, October 5

Up close and personal

Who is my neighbor? A man learned in Israelite law posed this question to Jesus. He asked neither what a neighbor was, nor how to treat a neighbor. The law had taught him that much. Rather he sought to know whom he needed to love. “Love thy neighbor” is a rule easy to understand and accept intellectually. Yet when we are face to face with other people, we are much more prone to excuse ourselves from this obligation. Thus the Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote: “It’s possible to love one’s neighbor abstractly, and even occasionally from a distance, but hardly ever close up.” Try to see your neighbors in those faces most difficult to love.

Today’s readings: Jonah 1:1-2:2, 11;

Luke 10:25-37

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart . . . and your neighbor as yourself.”

Tuesday, October 6
Feast of Bruno, priest; Marie-Rose Durocher, virgin

Education primary

Saints Bruno, born in 1030 in what is now Germany, and Marie-Rose, born in 1811 in Quebec, Canada lived centuries and oceans apart but shared a love of learning and a prayerful spirit. Bruno achieved fame as a professor of theology before leaving it all behind for a life of solitude and prayer that led him to form the first Carthusian monastery. Marie-Rose founded the Sisters of Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, dedicated to Christian education, especially among the poor. What can you learn from their lives?

Today’s readings: Jonah 3:1-10;

Luke 10:38-42

“There is need of only one thing.”

Wednesday, October 7

Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary

Weaving our way to God

Handy with a loom? You don’t need to be when weaving the spiritual tapestry of prayer. Pope Paul VI appealed to the image of a loom in describing the art of praying the rosary. Each “Hail Mary” prayer hinges on the name of Jesus as its center of gravity. All the “Hail Marys” together form the supporting threads across which the drama of the mysteries is interwoven. The 19th-century English cardinal John Henry Newman saw the rosary as a way of “holding in our hands all that we believe.” October is the month of the rosary. Why not try your hand at weaving a few mysteries?

Today’s readings: Jonah 4:1-11;

Luke 11:1-4

“Lord, teach us to pray.”

Thursday, October 8

The perfect parents

Most of us who have children, if we are honest, have regrets about how we are doing or how we did as parents. God knows we tried to be good moms and dads, although we sometimes failed in ways great and small. But at least we knew how to do it right even if at times we did it wrong. Jesus makes the point that being “wicked” doesn’t prevent us from knowing how to be good to our kids, but that even the best of us can’t measure up to how good a parent God is to us. When it comes to asking for the things we need, you can’t beat having a Heavenly Father and a Blessed Mother.

Today’s readings: Malachi 3:13-20b; Luke 11:5-13

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Friday, October 9

Feast of John Leonardi, priest

Pass it on

Quick! What do the initials CCD stand for? Not many people under 50 remember that they stand for “Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.” Even fewer know that this organization of lay religious educators was founded by John Leonardi (1543-1609), a pharmacist-turned-priest who was one of the first to recognize the importance of teaching children the essentials of faith—and to do something about it. May we give thanks today to Saint John for having both the vision and the will to create a structure for religious education that has lasted for 430 years. And let’s not forget the countless adults who during those years have volunteered their time to pass along our faith to children. Surely the church would not be where it is today without them!

Today’s readings: Joel 1:13-15; 2:1-2;

Luke 11:15-26

“Call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land.”

Saturday, October 10

Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Blessed are you

One day a female follower of Jesus, apparently touched by his words, was moved to shout out a blessing on him: “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed,” perhaps wishing that she herself should have such a son. Yet Jesus demurs and turns the blessing back upon her and all like her. While Jesus’ mother and her womb are indeed blessed as we pray in the “Hail Mary,” Jesus takes even greater delight in those of either gender who allow his words to take root in their hearts, their inmost being—those who keep that word alive by nourishing it and sharing it with others. Jesus blesses us for laboring and bringing the Good News to birth today.

Today’s readings: Joel 4:12-21;

Luke 11:27-28

“Blessed rather are those who hear the Word of God and obey it!”