Church
of Saint Philip Neri
Pennsburg, PA 18073
November 15,
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: 6th & 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 6th & Washington Streets East Greenville, PA 18041 ROSARY: Prayed in the Chapel Every Saturday after the 8:00 AM Mass Every 2nd 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 2nd & 3rd Sundays of each
month. Please
call the Rectory to schedule. 2nd Sunday
Baptisms are held at the 11:00 AM Mass 3rd Sunday
Baptisms are held at 12:30 PM PRE-JORDAN
CLASSES 1st
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
1st 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
God does work in mysterious ways.
Over the previous months, the Parish Pastoral Council and I have been discussing the possibility of a
second Parish Mission. As you remember,
last Lent we welcomed Fr. Daniel Sullivan to St. Philip Neri and we were
blessed and lifted up by the Word and Love of God. Knowing that a Parish Mission is a great undertaking, the Parish
Council and I decided that a Mission should be celebrated at least every two
years. Of course if it were God’s will
and in His providence, a unique situation occurred, we would always acquiescent
God’s gift. Well this has
occurred. On a recent visit to St.
Aloysius parish in Pottstown, I met Father Donald Miniscalco, a Redemptorist
Priest who has been giving Missions here and abroad for many years. We had met a few times previously. Father and I had a great conversation and he
expressed an interest in coming to St. Philip Neri. He stated he heard good things about our parish and would love to
come and give a Mission here. As it
literally turned out, I had the telephone in my hand and was getting ready to
call another Priest to see if we could arrange a Parish Mission for Lent of
2011. Shirley buzzed me before I could
dial and said Fr. Miniscalco was on the phone.
I took the call and Father and I had a good conversation and he informed
me that a week in Lent had just opened in his schedule, was I interested. Yes, of course I said…a part of me believes
God had a hand in this. I couldn’t say
no! I am pleased to announce that we at
St. Philip Neri will have a second Parish Mission this Lent of 2010. The Mission will be held Sunday, February 28th
to Wednesday, March 3rd. We
will begin planning in January; please mark off these days. It promises to be a time, a great grace for
each of us and the parish. When God
comes knocking, we should always open the door!
Praise Be Jesus Christ…Now and Forever!
Fr. Roncase
PARISH ADVENT
WREATH
Once again
we invite families, friends or organizations to pick a Saturday evening or
Sunday morning Mass in Advent and light the Parish Advent Wreath, and say the
prayer at the beginning of Mass. The
same individuals will bring the gifts to the Altar at the Offertory Procession.
The sign-up
Poster is in the Church Vestibule.
Ministerium
Thanksgiving Eve Prayer Service
This year
the Ministerium Thanksgiving Service will be at Lighthouse Christian Fellowship
on Route 663. The Service begins at
7:30 pm on Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 25th.
PARISH
THANKSGIVING MASS
Thanksgiving
Day Mass, Thursday, November 26th, will be celebrated in Church at
9:00 am. At this Mass, our Youth
Ministry will distribute blessed bread to share with your family during your
Thanksgiving Prayer before meals.
Serving at Mass November
15
Extraordinary Ministers Lectors
5:00 pm – John
Nash Bob
Piccone
Monica Nash
Priest
Trish Dornisch
Jim Quigley
Annemarie Quigley
7:30 am – Michele
Martin John
Gilmore
Pat Scheerbaum Theresa
Gilmore
Priest
Lori Brozena
Paul Moser
Maureen Moser
9:30 am – Mary
Souder Larry
Concio
Stephanie Greczek Sue
DiMarco
Priest
Deacon
Priest
9:30 am – Jenny
Josko
Ken Mayer
Marilynn Mayer
Irene Novelli
Marianne Peters
Mary Ellen Paulk
Rose Anderson
11:00 am – Lillian
Hewitt Joe
Cassarella
Joshua Hewitt Eileen
Davis
Priest
Deacon
Priest
Sarah Franks
Linda DiTondo
Doug DiTondo
Anita Weilnau
Michael Dougherty
Sandy Shellaway
Tony Shellaway
Serving at Mass November
22
Extraordinary Ministers Lectors
5:00 pm – Catherine Cahill Ed Tryon
LaRue Emmell
Priest
Priest
Claire Holcombe
Lee Johnson
7:30 am – Dina Corrado Michael Lynch
Peter D’Amico Pete Frank
Priest
Michael Duka
Mary R. Giambrone
Mike Heveran
9:30 am – Bill Orr M.
Gehringer
Sharon Shaak Eileen
Koch
Priest
Judy Sledgen
Andy Souder
Linda Benko
11:00 am –
Tinamarie Evans Luke
Verna
Amanda Charlton Adam
Canigiani
Priest
Deacon
Kevin Charlton
Maryanne Charlton
Mary Goodfellow
Mary Lavin
Marlene Leidy
Anita Weilnau
Ken Mayer
Marilynn Mayer
THIRTY THIRD WEEK
IN ORDINARY TIME
November 15, 2009
Monday, November 16, Margaret of Scotland
8:00 am – Noreen Bauer, (Craig & Mary
Schuster)
Tuesday, November 17, Elizabeth of Hungary
8:00 am – Clifford Rothenberger,
(KOC Archbishop Sheen Assembly)
Wednesday, November 18, dedication of the
Basilicas
of Peter & Paul,
apostles
7:00 pm – Walter Pondo, (Rich & Barbara
Grochowski)
Thursday, November 19
8:00 am – William & Mary Bradley,
(Joan & Anthony Pongia)
Friday, November 20
8:00 am – George Dykie, (Sara Shellaway)
Saturday, November 21, Presentation of the
Blessed Virgin Mary
8:00
am – Matthew Wong, (Sung & Sun He Suh)
5:00 pm – Andreas Nicolaou, (Leonette
Nicolaou)
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST THE KING
November 22, 2009
7:30 am – In Honor of Francis & Delia Grim
on their
Fifty-Eighth Wedding Anniversary
9:30 am – For all the names of the deceased on
the Altar
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, Baby Robert John Riegel Jr., Robert Rukstalis, Kathy Rukstalis, Mary
Ann Bencie, Frances Cannon, 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, Carla Kozak, Bill Kulp,
Janice Minnich, Al Kornak, Michael Sinisko, Jr. Bob McCarty, Christine Keer,
Christine Erb, Jean Kosich & Patrick Malloy.
For those who have died, grant them eternal rest and peace.
SUNDAY COLLECTIONS
November 9, 2008 November 8,
2009
Envelope: $ 9,759.00 $ 9,085.50
Loose: 1,050.00
1,695.00
Children: 58.00 101.96
Total: $
10,867.00 $10,882.46
CENSUS (BLOCK) Collection: year-to-date
$ 21,177.44
OCTOBER MONTHLY
EXPENSES
Salaries: $ 46,217.00
Oil: 2,476.98
Electric: 2,206.35
Telephone: 402.94
Insurance: Parish
Insurance: Medical 7,094.72
Trash: 557.08
Maintenance/Supplies: 5,710.04
Water/Sewer -
(East Greenville)
Total: $ 64,665.11
ACTIVITIES -
*BINGO*
Kitchen
opens 5:00 pm – Bingo – 6:30 pm
Working
Thursday – November 19th – Team #2All regular games pay $50
FINAL
COVER – ALL SPECIAL PAYS: $500
Bingo: November 5th – will be posted
next week
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.
MEETINGS AND EVENTS THIS WEEK
Sunday, November 15th – Children’s
Liturgy of the Word – at the 9:30 am Mass
Sunday, November 15th – Little Church –
Gym – in the Gym – 9:30 am
Sunday, November 15th – Men’s 30 &
Over Basketball – in the gym – 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sunday, November 15th – Cub Scouts
Continental District National Jamboree – Neri Center – 5pm-9pm
Monday, November 16th – Pre-Cana – at
the Neri Center – 7:30 pm
Monday, November 16th – Friendly
Visitors Meeting – Rectory Meeting Room – 7:00 pm
Monday, November 16th- CYO Sports – gym
– 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Monday, November 16th – Charismatic
Prayer Group – Chapel – 7:00 pm
Tuesday, November 17th – Choir &
Cantor Practice – Church – 6:00 pm
Tuesday, November 17th – SPN Craft
Guild-gym-1pm
Tuesday, November 17th – Boy Scouts –
gym – 7pm
Tuesday, November 17th – CYO Sports –
gym – 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Wednesday, November 18th – PREP –
Religious Ed – School – 6:00 pm
Wednesday, November 18th – Respect Life
Ministry Meeting – rectory – 7:30 pm
Wednesday, November 18th
– CYO Sports – gym – 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Thursday, November 19th
– Bingo-gym-6:30 pm
Thursday, November 19th
– Cub Scouts – at the School – 6:45 pm
Friday, November 20th
– SPN Quilting – gym – Meeting Room – 1:00 pm
Friday, November 20th
– Respect Life Ministry – Food PREP for the Homeless – rectory – 5:15pm
Friday, November 20th
– CYO Sports – gym – 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Saturday, November 21st
– Gift of Love Tree Tags – at all Masses
Saturday, November 21st
– CYO Sports – gym – 8:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday, November 22nd
– Children’s Liturgy of the Word – at the 9:30 am Mass
Sunday, November 22nd
– Little Church-gym-9:30am
Sunday, November 22nd
– Gift of Love Tree Tags – at all the Masses
Sunday, November 22nd
– CYO Sports – gym – 12:00 noon – 8:00 pm
Sunday, November 22nd
– Youth Ministry – gym – Grade School (EDGE) – 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm;
High School (Teens
Living in Christ) – 7:30pm-9pm
Sunday, November 22nd
– Men’s 30 & Over Basketball – gym – 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
UPCOMING
MEETINGS
Liturgy Committee
Meeting – Monday, November 23 – at the rectory – 7:00 pm
CYO Sports – Monday,
November 23 – gym – 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Choir & Cantor
Practice – Tuesday, November 24 – in Church – 6:00 pm
SPN Home & School
General Meeting – Tuesday, November 24 – Neri Center – 7:00 pm
Boy Scouts – Tuesday,
November 24 – gym – 7 pm
CYO Sports – Tuesday,
November 24 – gym – 5-10pm
Ministerium
Thanksgiving Service – Wednesday, November 25 – Lighthouse Christian
Fellowship Church – 7:30 pm
NO PREP – Religious Ed
– Wednesday, November 25
CYO Sports – Wednesday,
November 25 – gym – 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
SPN School Noon
Dismissal – Wednesday, Nov. 25
NO SCHOOL – Thursday,
November 26
NO BINGO – Thursday,
November 26
Thanksgiving Mass –
Thursday, November 26 – in Church – 9:00 am
NO SCHOOL – Friday,
November 27
Christmas Craft Bazaar –
gym – Friday, November 27 – 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Christmas Craft Bazaar
– gym – Saturday, Nov. 28 – gym – 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
CYO Sports – Saturday,
November 28 – gym – 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Gift of Love Tree –
Gifts returned to the Gift of Love Tree – Saturday, November 28
Gift of Love Tree –
Gifts returned to the Give of Love Tree – Sunday, November 29
Children’s Liturgy of
the Word – Sunday, November 29 – at the 9:30 am Mass
Little Church – Sunday,
November 29 – gym-9:30am
Parish Advent
Celebration – Sunday, November 29 – in Church at 7:00 pm
CYO Sports – Sunday,
November 29 – gym – 12:00 noon to 8:00 pm
Men’s 30 & Over
Basketball – Sunday, November 29 – gym – 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
PREP SCHEDULE
November
2009:
November
18th – classes
November
25th – NO CLASSES
December
2009:
December
2nd – classes
December
9th – classes
December
16th – PREP Advent Prayer Service – Social in Gym at 7:00 pm
December
23rd – NO CLASSES
December
30th – NO CLASSES
January
2010:
January
6th – classes resume – Happy New Year
January
13th – classes
January
20th – classes
January
20th – First Communion Parent Meeting – 6:10 pm – MANDATORY
MEETING
January
25th – First Penance Prayer Service –
7:00
pm in Church
January
27th – First Penance Prayer Service –
(SNOW
DATE)
February
2010:
February
3rd – Classes
February
3rd – First Communion Parent Meeting – 6:10 pm – Mandatory Meeting (SNOW
DATE)
February
10th – classes
February
17th – NO CLASSES
February
24th – classes
March
2010:
March
3rd – classes
March
10th – classes
March
17th – classes
March
23rd – First Communion Retreat – Social Hall/Church
March
24th – classes
March
31st – classes
April
2010:
April
4th – Easter Sunday
April
7th – classes
April
14th – classes
April
21st – classes
April
22nd – First Communion Practice – Church – 6:00 pm
April
24th – First Holy Communion – in Church at 10:00 am
April 28th – last class
May 2010:
May 11th – Marian May Procession – in
Church at 7:00 pm
SCHOOL
NEWS
Preschool – We read the book “Thanks for
Thanksgiving” by Julie Markes. The
children strung beads and made a thankful bracelet. The colorful beads on the bracelet stood for someone or something
they are thankful for.
Kindergarten – This week we learned all about
our five senses. We tested our senses
by seeing, smelling, touching, hearing and tasting different items! We also thanked God for giving us these
special gifts.
1st – This week we will learn to spell words
with the short vowel sound U. The first
graders also will write prayers of thankfulness to share with their families on
Thanksgiving.
2nd – The students met had a fantastic time
making their woodland habitats for Science.
They used recycled 2 liter bottles, added some stones, dirt, plants and
other outdoor items. The highlight was
the addition of all sorts of bugs.
There were crickets, salamanders, slugs and worms to name a few.
3rd – This week the students have started
reading “Charlotte’s Web.” We have been
doing various activities to go with the story.
Students will be creating alpha squares to go with what they read this
week.
4th – Haiku Poem by R. LaSpina: Cold weather coming, Frost on the grass and
the trees, No plants are growing.
5th – We are busy observing the moon, studying
the saints and Confirmation.
6th – The students are continuing their novel
study on “Number the Stars”. They are
finishing their Diamante Poems and publishing them.
7th – The students are continuing to read “A
Christmas Carol”. In Social Studies
they are working on a colonial times project to try and convince people from
England to settle in their assigned colonial region.
8th – The students in grades 8, 7 and 6 are
looking forward to our field trip to Gettysburg.
PARISH NEWS
LITURGY COMMITTEE MEETING
Just
a reminder that the Liturgy Committee Meeting scheduled for Monday, November 16th,
has been changed to: Monday, November 23rd, 7:00 pm at the rectory.
SPN ROSARY SOCIETY
Come and pray the Rosary every 2nd
Monday of each month at 1:00 pm in the Chapel.
Our next prayer gathering is Monday – December 14th.
FROM THE PARISH OUTREACH OFFICE
Eli
Elizabeth Ministry is based on Mary’s visit to
her cousin Elizabeth (Luke: 39-55). With Jesus in her womb she hastened to
Elizabeth’s home so she could share her joy and awe at the power of God. Elizabeth’s pure and simple response must
have brought great comfort to her. The
Elizabeth Ministry hopes to support women in our parish who are expecting a
child or have recently given birth, too.
We seek to emulate Mary, our Mother, by sharing with other women in the
joys, challenges and sorrows of the childbearing years. If you or someone you know is expecting a
child or has given birth, please call us to share in your joy and receive
support in the challenges of motherhood.
We are willing listeners and can provide caring companionship, as Mary
offered to Elizabeth.
Call the rectory at (215)679-9275 or LaRue
Emmell at (215)679-3086.
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.
ATTENTION: FRIENDLY VISITORS
Friendly Visitors will meet Monday evening, November 16, 2009, at 7:00
pm in the Rectory Meeting Room.
Please do your best to attend.
What is Our Lord calling you to do for others
through your Baptismal call to service? After Jesus washed the feet of the Apostles,
He said: “What I have done for you, you must do for others”. What are you doing for others?
INFORMATION –
IMPORTANT
Do you need help in obtaining low-cost prescription medications?
Contact the RX Support Program to obtain assistance.
The phone number is:
1-877-747-7257.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
LIHEAP=Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program Applications will be available for first
time requestors at Open Line on November 2, 2009. If a family has had LIHEAP previously, an
application will be sent directly to the home.
Note: There will be a few LIHEAP applications in
the Parish Outreach Office. Call
215-679-2282. Speak slowly if leaving a
message.
THE GIFT OF LOVE
TREE
The “Gift
of Love” Tree will once again be set up on the sanctuary of the Church.
If you wish
to participate, take a tag from the tree, purchase the item described, affix
tag, and return it as soon as possible.
All gifts should be returned by Sunday, December 13th. Please attach the tag to the gift and do not wrap the Present!
The gifts
will benefit Birthright in Pottstown, St. Mary’s Franciscan Shelter and
Catholic Social Services.
For more
information, please call the rectory office at 215-679-9275.
Sponsored by the SPN Respect Life Ministry
YOUTH MINISTRY
Thanks to
all who purchased Soft pretzels. It was
a successful venture, and we really appreciate your generosity! We will have another sale of pretzels for
Super Bowl Sunday!
The
weekends of November 21/22 and 28/29, we will again offer the parish an Advent
Wreath Sale.
Our next
EDGE Meeting is November 22nd.
We will talk about Christ the King Sunday and Advent. We will also discuss our Christmas Party
that will be held on December 6th.
Our next
Teens Living in Christ Meeting is also November 22nd. We will present Chapter One in Theology of
the Body. If you haven’t already sent
in permission slips, please do so prior to this meeting. Also, if you are a Highschooler and haven’t
received your books, please call Mrs. Daley ASAP. We will also quickly discuss our December 6th
Christmas Gathering.
If you
haven’t come to one of our nights, please join us.
If you have
any questions, please call Mrs. Daley at: 215-541-1716.
BAKERS NEEDED
The Home
& School is sponsoring the Craft Show at the Social Hall on Friday,
November 27th and Saturday, November 28th. The kitchen will be open both days and baked
goods will be needed. If you can help,
please drop off your baked goods after 2:00 on Friday and after 7:00 am on
Saturday at the Social Hall. If there
are any questions, please call Agnes at 267-923-8635 or the rectory office,
679-9275.
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
PA CareerLink and PerkUp Present Career Transition
Workshops at:
UPPER PERKIOMEN
VALLEY LIBRARY
350 Main Street,
Red Hill
Career Link will
offer Workshops for UNEMPLOYED and UNDEREMPLOYED.
Unemployed? Underemployed?
Need new job skills?
Maybe Careerlinks can help, at NO COST
Registration is
required.
Contact Michele Fillippo at: 215-679-3336
or email to:
PA CAREERLINK AND
PERKUP CAREER
TRANSITION WORKSHOPS
SCHEDULES:
Wednesday, November 18, 2009:
9:30 am –
10:00 am – CareerLink Orientation
10:00 am
-12:00 noon – Transferable Skills
12:30 pm-
2:00 pm – Job Search
Thursday, November 19, 2009:
10:00 am –
12:00 pm – Resume Writing
12:30 –
2:00 pm – Interviewing Skills
Wednesday, December 2, 2009:
9:30 am –
10:00 am – CareerLink Orientation
10:00 am –
12:00 pm – Transferable Skills
12:30 pm –
2:00 pm – Job Search
Thursday, December 3, 2009
10:00 am –
12:00 pm – Resume Writing
12:30 pm –
2:00 pm – Interviewing Skills
Please note:
the December 7th Schedule will be posted in next weeks
Bulletin.
Saint Philip Neri Annual
Breakfast
with Santa
Sunday, December 6, 2009
7:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Adults: $7.00
Children (4-11) $4.00
Children 3 and Under Free
Join us for a holiday celebration:
**
Pictures with Santa **
**
Secret Santa Shop **
** 50/50 Raffle **
Saint
Philip Neri Social Hall
1325
Klinerd Road
Pennsburg,
PA 18073
Please
note that Santa arrives at 9:00 AM!
KNIGHTS
OF COLUMBUS
THANKSGIVING
300 SPECIAL
ON
SALE NOW!
AT
CHURCH ENTRANCES,
CONTACT
ANY KNIGHT, OR
JOE
CASSARELLA: 215-679-3637
$10
DONATION
One
winner for every 5 tickets sold
TOP
PRIZE - $500
Total
of $2000 in cash prizes
DRAWING:
Sunday
– November 29th
AFTER
ADVENT SERVICE
ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS
LITURGICAL ARTS EVENT – Open
to the Public
The
Archdiocese of Philadelphia will sponsor a Liturgical
Arts Event on Saturday, November 21st from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
at the Archdiocesan Office Center (222 N. 17th
Street, Philadelphia). This Event,
which is open to the public, will provide an opportunity for individuals to
acquire paintings and prints that have been restored and preserved, as well as 19th century
religious engravings. A limited number
of stained glass remnants will also be
available. For additional information,
contact the Office for Special Projects at 215-587-3996.
Office
of the Cardinal
November
1, 2009
Dear
Monsignor/Father
I am writing to tell you about an
important family event to be held on Sunday, December 6th at 11:00
am in the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. This Mass for the Second Sunday of Advent
will be followed by the fifth annual Bless the Baby Jesus devotion, and will be
a wonderful opportunity for families to grow in faith as the “domestic
church”. Pope Benedict XVI has said,
“May all families strive to imitate [the Holy Family’s] faith, hope, and
charity, so as to bear greater witness to the singular importance of the
‘domestic church’ for the life of the universal Church and for society.”
The Family Life Office and Catholic
Social Services are planning this Event with great care, to providing a morning
of prayer in the spirit of the Advent Season.
This year, instead of a prayer service, the Event will be celebrated
flowing from the Mass at the Cathedral’s regular 11:00 am Mass time. This will allow more people and families to
attend and to celebrate the Eucharist together.
At the conclusion of Mass, I will bless
the statues and images of the Baby Jesus that families bring. Families can then carry the image of Jesus
back home, to inspire their prayers and to contemplate His birth.
This occasion will also be an
opportunity to attend this celebration of Bless the Baby Jesus. May God’s blessing be upon you and your
parish for the coming Advent season.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Cardinal Justin Rigali
CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES
Catholic Social Services is looking for single
or married adults to become foster parents to children of all ages and
races. There is a special need for
families who can provide care to Teenagers
– a population that needs love, guidance, and support as they move into
adulthood.
To
learn more about becoming a foster parent, please call us at: 215-587-3960!
SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY
ANNUAL APPEAL
Please generously
support
The Annual
Seminary Appeal!
The Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Annual Appeal
kicks off during the month of November.
Please consider supporting the Seminary, and, if possible, increasing
your gift over what you gave last year.
The Seminary community is grateful to you for your
faithful support. Your tax-deductible
gift helps to enhance the many resources needed for priestly training and
enables the Church to form holy, educated, and dedicates priests.
PLEASE SEND YOUR DONATION TO:
Saint Charles Borromeo
Seminary
Office for Development
100 E. Wynnewood Road
Wynnewood, PA 19096
or:
make your donation online by
visiting:
www.scs.edu
SECOND ANNUAL GALA
FOR THE SCHOOLS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
The Executive Board of the Stewards Alliance
cordially invites you attend its Second Annual Santa Soiree. Guests will enjoy a cocktail reception that
features a silent auction, live entertainment and a sampling of food from some
of Philadelphia’s finest restaurants.
The Event is scheduled for Thursday, December 3, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm –
Philopratrian Literary Institute – 1923 Walnut Street – Philadelphia, PA
19103. Registration for this Event is
$50 pp for non-members, $35 for members, non profit non-members, government
employees, and teachers. To register,
please call Joanne White, Office for Development at 215-587-3651; mail a check
payable to Stewards Alliance – 222 N. 17th Street – Philadelphia, PA
19103 or register online at: www.stewardsalliance-phl.org.
AREA PARISH NEWS
Saint Maria Goretti Parish
Catholic Book & Media Exhibit
Saturday – November 28
Sunday – November 29
In the church narthex following all Masses
(Saturday 5pm, Sunday 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30 am)
The best
in books, music CD’s, software, videos and DVD’s will be available for
purchase. Cash, checks, and credit
cards accepted.
Sponsored
by the Daughters of Saint Paul of Pauline Books and Media.
Invest just five minutes a day, and your faith will deepen
and grow—a day at a time.
Sunday,
November 15, 2009
Thirty-third
Sunday in Ordinary Time
With you even if the stars fall from the sky
Some of the stories in the Bible
read like a science-fiction thriller or horror drama. In the apocalyptic
literature, such as the book of Daniel, we read of the sun and moon darkening,
stars falling out of the sky, and the very “powers in the heavens” shaken at
their core. In his stories the author used strong, vivid images his community
could relate to. They were women and men who were under immense stress and
oppression and who worried for their safety and the safety of their children.
They needed to know that no matter what, even if the sun should cease to give
light, God would continue to be with them. What would your story look like?
What word of encouragement would you seek from God?
Today’s readings: Daniel 12:1-3; Hebrews 10:11-14, 18; Mark 13:24-32
“Know that he
is near.”
Monday,
November 16
Feast of
Gertrude, virgin
Corrective lenses
Sometimes we need a little help
seeing clearly. Various devices aid our focus, from eyeglasses and contact
lenses to microscopes and telescopes. For Saint Gertrude (the only female saint
to earn the title “the Great”), correcting her vision came about by changing
the direction she was facing. A brilliant young Benedictine sister, she
excelled in the study of philosophy and literature. Then she received a vision
of Jesus, urging her to trade in her pursuit of the humanities for divinity
studies. Gertrude’s heart was ignited with a new flame, and she became a
profound mystic. Sometimes seeing clearly means shifting our perspective, too.
Today’s readings: 1 Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63; Luke 18:35-43
“Lord, let me
see again.”
Tuesday,
November 17
Feast of
Elizabeth of Hungary, religious
Give it your all
Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231)
lived a short 24 years, but somehow in that time she was able to understand and
practice the virtue of generosity at a level few have matched before or since.
She was a queen who spent her wealth on the poor. She established hospitals and
helped care for the sick, much to the shock and chagrin of her in-laws. After
her beloved husband’s death, Elizabeth became a member of the Third Order of
St. Francis and continued living out the truth of Saint Francis of Assisi’s
prayer: “For it is in giving that we receive.” For an inspiring, contemporary
story of the physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits of giving, visit the
website www.29gifts.org.
Today’s readings: 2 Maccabees 6:18-31; Luke 19:1-10
“Look, half
of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor.”
Wednesday,
November 18
Feast of Rose Philippine Duchesne, virgin
Worth the trip
Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne
(1769-1852), born in France, traveled all the way to St. Charles, Missouri to
bring the Society of the Sacred Heart religious congregation to the U.S. Today
the Society has 21 schools in the U.S. and is found in 44 countries around the
world. Sacred Heart sisters focus on educating young women and emphasize in
their curriculum the need for global awareness and building a more just world.
How far are you willing to go in your own life in order to bring Good News to
others? Start in your own neighborhood, parish, office, home, and see how far
the intention carries you.
Today’s readings: 2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31; Luke 19:11-28
“Well done,
good servant!”
Thursday,
November 19
Getting away from it all
Gone on a retreat lately? Most
areas have places to make retreats, frequently run by religious orders or
dioceses. Retreats come in all shapes and sizes: individual or group,
programmed or unstructured, a day or a weekend or a week. You can use them to
get back in touch with what’s most important spiritually or just to get some
rest. Going on a retreat, though, doesn’t have to mean blocking out time,
making a reservation, and hitting the road. One retreat you can always make is
the one in the silence of your heart. “For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from him,” says Psalm 62:5. Wherever you are, you can take a few
minutes each day to stop what you’re doing, clear your mind, and place yourself
in the silence of God.
Today’s readings: 1 Maccabees 2:15-29; Luke 19:41-44
“Many who
were seeking righteousness and justice went down to the wilderness to live
there.”
Friday,
November 20
What do you call holy?
Human beings seem to have a
natural desire to build, to raise monuments and dwellings, even for God. The
trouble is that building a house for what is sacred may suggest having
domesticated what is boundless. Once we believed we’ve “tamed” the holy, we
have reversed the roles of Creator and creature. This presumption obviously
troubled Jesus because all four gospels tell the story of him losing his temper
and forcefully expelling those who had turned temple into marketplace. On the
other hand, in American culture the marketplace seems to have become our
temple, and the simple, practical business of buying and selling a sacred
ritual conducted in templelike malls and churchlike banks. We do well to
consider what we have enshrined as sacred in our lives.
Today’s readings: 1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59; Luke 19:45-48
“My house
shall be a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of robbers.”
Saturday,
November 21
Feast of the
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Bear with her
If asked to whom the title Theotokos
refers, many Roman Catholics would be at a loss. Not so in Eastern Orthodox
Churches, where the term—literally “God-bearer” in Greek—is widely familiar as
a reference to Mary, the mother of God. The term has a long pedigree, going
back to the First Council of Ephesus in 431. It is fitting that today’s Marian
feast is celebrated by both the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches, and it
offers a unique opportunity for each of us to do some bridge-building between
the two traditions. Tip your hat or give a nod toward the East today!
Today’s readings: 1 Maccabees 6:1-13; Luke 20:27-40
“Teacher, you
have spoken well.”