Church of Saint Philip Neri

Pennsburg, PA 18073

February 21, 2010

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

On behalf of my mother, my family and myself, I thank you all for the many cards, prayers and acts of kindness and love that you expressed to us on the recent loss of my father. Your caring has meant so much to us. The parish community of St. Philip Neri has been and continues to be a blessing to me. I can never express how blessed I have been to have the opportunity to spend my priestly ministry here at St. Philip Neri. I continue to speak to my priestly friends and family about the presence of Christ that is lived here in our Catholic community.

God Bless you for the faith and caring you continue to live and share.

Praise Be Jesus Christ…now and forever!

Father Roncase

LENT

Good Friday is a day of Fast and Abstinence. All Friday’s of Lent are days of Abstinence from meat.

Every Wednesday during Lent there are two (2) Masses: 12:10 pm in Church and 7:00 pm in the Chapel.

Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent at 7:00 pm. Grade School Stations of the Cross on Wednesday, February 24^th;Wednesday, March 10^th; and Wednesday, March 24^th all at 1:00 pm in Church. (Everyone is welcome)

CONFESSIONS DURING LENT

During Lent, Confessions are:

Wednesday evenings: 7:45 pm to 8:30 pm in Church.

Saturday afternoons: 4:00 pm to 4:45 pm in Church.

CONFESSIONS DURING HOLY WEEK

Tuesday, March 30^th: 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm in Church.

Serving at Mass February 21

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – John Burke S. Hunsberger

Catherine Cahill Bob Piccone

Priest

Alice Swift

Janet Kendra

Lee Johnson

7:30 am – Mary R. Giambrone Theresa Gilmore

Michael Duka John Gilmore

Priest

Michele Martin

Dina Corrado

Peter D’Amico

9:30 am – Stephan Adelsberger Matt Horvath

Christine Adelsberger Eileen Koch

Priest

Deacon

Priest

Michael Sledgen

11:00 am – Jeanne Hermley Donna Tarantino

Bob Hermley

Priest

Deacon

Priest

Mary Lavin

Serving at Mass February 28

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Marci Jaman Ed Tryon

Linda Benko Pete Frank

Priest

Patrick Kennedy

Diane Kennedy

7:30 am – Mike Heveran Ernie Quatrani

Jim Michels Mark Meinzer

Priest

Deacon

Maureen Moser

Paul Moser

9:30 am – John Nash J. Sakalouckas

Monica Nash M. Gehringer

Priest

Stephanie Greczek

Bob Brennan

Eleanor Brennan

11:00 am – Bob Schwind Sue DiMarco

Barbara Schwind Adam Canigiani

Priest

Marlene Leidy

D.J.Williams

Sandy Williams

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

February 21, 2010

Monday, February 22, The Chair of St. Peter

8:00 am – Stanley H. Grochowski,

(Rich & Barbara Grochowski)

Tuesday, February 23, St. Polycarp, bishop

8:00 am – Adelaide Yurick, (Pete & Peg Duklis)

Wednesday, February 24

12:10 pm – Giosuelo Liguoro, (Paul & Maureen Moser)

7:00 pm – Raymond Ginkiewicz,

(Mike & Paulette Macenka & Family)

Thursday, February 25

8:00 am – Huldah & Andrew Prussack, (Gloria Heckler)

Friday, February 26

8:00 am – Gabrielle Beres,(Guy & Robin Piza)

7:00 pm – Stations of the Cross

Saturday, February 27

8:00 am – Rose Demyan, (Ray & Shirley Szymkiewicz)

5:00 pm – For the living & deceased members

of the Parish.

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

February 28, 2010

7:30 am – 11^thAnniversary, Albert McArdle,

(Joan & Ed Lampart)

9:30 am – Patricia Cody, (Bill & Pat Coughlin & family)

11:00 am – Robert Smith, Sr.(John & Winnie Kulka)

7:00 pm – Opening Mission Service

FLORAL ARRANGEMENT

The red roses placed on the Blessed Mother and Sacred Heart Altars are in Honor of Walter & Dorothy Kolb on their Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary.

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 Riegel Jr., Robert Rukstalis, Mary Ann Bencie, Frances Cannon, Dianna Rynkiewicz, Ethel Buck, Gary Lester Keller, Baby Lucy Littlefield, Charlotte Azarovich, George Bradford, Rick DeStefano, Catherine Wlazelek, Mark & Margaret Clark, Carrie Desetto, Kathrine Kerivel, Herman Adam, Tommy Slattery, Ruth Wunder, Baby Olivia Enriquez, Elizabeth Brinckman, Carla Kozak, Bill Kulp, Janice Minnich, Al Kornak, Bob McCarty, Christine Keer, Christine Erb, Jean Kosich, Patrick Malloy, Tom Brogan, William McAffee, Delia Grim, Robert Engler, John Brazuk, Evelyn Dixon, Thomas Zappala, Adam Canigiani, Jr., & Jo Maturo.

For those who have died, and in particular for Anthony Bogdon & James Boles, (brother of Mary Souder), grant them eternal rest and peace.

SUNDAY COLLECTIONS

February 15, 2009 February 14, 2010

Envelopes: $ 8,652.50 $ 9,809.00

Loose: 929.00 1,301.00

Children: 81.00 73.00

Total: $ 9,662.50 $11,183.00

Special collection: Aging & Infirmed Priests

$ 1,605.00

BUILDING MEMORIALS

Give a St. Philip Neri Memorial Gift!

For a donation of $35 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 Linda Cooper, requested by: Julia Diehl.

In memory of Anthony Bogdon, requested by: Stella Rozanski, Leonard & Jane, Mike, Bradley & Isabel,

Helen Fogel, Paul & Loretta Wrschka, Jr., Randy & Anne Greenawalt, Pat Howells, Dolores Ramsey, Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Shellaway and family, Robert and Diana Virus, & Ray and Carole Eichler.

In memory of Raymond F. Minnick, requested by: Mike, Helen and Sally Heveran.

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

ACTIVITIES - *BINGO*

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

Working Thursday – February 25^th – Team #4

All regular games pay $50

FINAL COVER – ALL SPECIAL PAYS: $500

No Bingo: February 11^th

PARISH BREAKFAST

Our parish Breakfast is next Sunday, February 28^th, from 7:00 am – 12:30 pm. Save the date!

MEETINGS AND EVENTS THIS WEEK

Sunday, February 21^st – SPN School Open House – 8:00 am to 1:00 pm

Sunday, February 21^st – Children’s Liturgy of the Word – at the 9:30 am Mass

Sunday, February 21^st – Little Church – gym- 9:30 am

Sunday, February 21^st – Men’s 30 & Over Basketball – gym – 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Monday, February 22^nd – Bible Timeline Study – rectory – 7:00 pm

Monday, February 22^nd – SPN Quilting – gym – Meeting Room – 1:00 pm

Monday, February 22^nd – Charismatic Prayer Group – Chapel – 7:00 pm

Tuesday, February 23^rd – Choir & Cantor Practice – Church – 6:00 pm

Tuesday, February 23^rd – Boy Scouts – gym – 7pm

Wednesday, February 24^th – Lenten Mass – Church at 12:10 pm

Wednesday, February 24^th – Grade School Stations of the Cross in Church -1:00 pm

Wednesday, February 24^th – PREP – Religious Ed – School – 6:00 pm

Wednesday, February 24^th – ALPHA – Rectory Meeting Room – 6:30 pm

Thursday, February 25^th – Rosary at Pennsburg Manor – 1:15 pm

Thursday, February 25^th – Bingo – gym – 6:30 pm

Thursday, February 25^th – Respect Life Ministry – Food PREP for the Homeless – rectory – 5:15 pm

Thursday, February 25^th – Cub Scouts – at the School – 6:45 pm

Friday, February 26^th – Parish Fish Fry – gym – 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Friday, February 26^th – Bible Timeline Study – Rectory Meeting Room – 9:00 am

Friday, February 26^th – SPN Quilting – gym – 1:00 pm

Saturday, February 27^th – Parish Breakfast set-up

Sunday, February 28^th – Parish Breakfast – gym – 7:00 am – 12:30 pm

Sunday, February 28^th – Children’s Liturgy of the Word – at the 9:30 am Mass

Sunday, February 28^th – Little Church – gym-9:30 am

Sunday, February 28^th - Opening Parish Mission Service – in Church at 7:00 pm

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Parish Mission Services – Monday, March 1^st– Mass in Church - 9:00 am; Prayer Service – 1:00 pm & Anointing Service – 7:00 pm (all in Church)

Parish Mission Services – Tuesday, March 2^nd – Mass in Church – 9:00 am; Prayer Service – 1:00 pm & General Mission Talk – 7:00 pm (all in Church)

Parish Mission Services – Wednesday, March 3^rd – Mass in Church – 9:00 am; Prayer Service – 1:00 pm & Veneration of the Cross, Penance Service and Confessions – 7:00 pm (all in Church)

Parish Mission Service – Thursday, March 4^th – Mass in Church – 9:00 am; Prayer Service – 1:00 pm & Closing Mass – 7:00 pm (all in Church)

First Friday Mass – Friday, March 5^th – in Church at 9:00 am; Adoration in Church 10:00 am – 7:00 pm

Parish Fish Fry – Friday, March 5^th – gym – 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Bible Timeline Study – Monday, March 5^th – Rectory Meeting Room – 10:00 am

Energy Committee Meeting – Saturday, March 6^th – gym – 10:00 am

Blue & Gold Banquet – Saturday, March 6^th – gym – 9:30 am – 11:30 am

Come-n-Go Bingo – Saturday, March 6^th – gym – 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm (sponsored by Knights of Columbus)

Children’s Liturgy of the Word – Sunday, March 7^th – in Church at the 9:30 am Mass

Little Church – Sunday, March 7^th – gym – 9:30am

Men’s 30 & over Basketball – Sunday, March 7^th – gym – 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

PREP SCHEDULE

February 2010:

February 24^th – classes

March 3^rd – classes

March 10^th – classes

March 17^th – classes

March 23^rd – First Communion Retreat – Social Hall/Church

March 24^th – classes

March 31^st – classes

April 4^th – Easter Sunday

April 7^th – classes

April 14^th – classes

April 21^st – classes

April 22^nd – First Communion Practice–Church – 6pm

April 24^th – First Holy Communion – in Church at 10:00 am

April 28^th – last class

May 11^th – Marian May Procession – Church-6:30 pm

SCHOOL NEWS

Preschool – Our class was filled with Valentine excitement this week. The children made special valentines for family and friends. We learned about President Abraham Lincoln. The children were given a shiny penny to take home and show their parents the portrait of Abraham Lincoln.

Kindergarten – This week we celebrated Valentine’s Day by exchanging Valentines, working on Valentine Math, and leading the school in a prayer service.

1st – We started our third reader this week. We are becoming wonderful readers. We were also busy making Valentines for our friends and family.

2nd – We are identifying the roles of the parish community at Mass. We created a bulletin board display with little triangle people representing each role such as the Priest, Eucharistic Ministers, and the Greeters.

3rd – The students are continuing to explore how animals interact in their ecosystem. They will observe how bids adopt to their environment. They will see this by doing an experiment that displays how different kinds of birds can only eat certain types of food.

4th – We created products (songs, flipbooks, mind maps) to refine our study skills throughout the curriculum. In small groups, we recently wrote lyrics to a familiar tune to teach others about the events leading to the American Revolution.

5th – The students are making simple and parallel circuits. They also are beginning to work on their science fair projects. They were inspired by the 6th-8th grade projects. Come to the Open House at the Neri Center on February 21st from 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. to see the 6th-8th grade scientists’ work.

6th – We just finished reading our assigned literature circle novel. We also began learning more Greek and Latin roots and were taught how to apply them to their vocabulary studies.

7th – In Math, we have just finished fractions. The next chapters take us into ratios and proportions. We will be making scale models.

8th – Along with the seventh graders, we are learning about the parables of Jesus and will be writing our own parables.

PARISH NEWS

HAVE YOU FOUND YOURSELF ON THE

“BEST STRESSED” LIST LATELY?

IT’S TIME FOR A CHANGE –

COME TO THE PARISH MISSION

SAVE THE DATES

Sunday, February 28 to Thursday March 4

“No one who believes in Him

will be put to shame”.

Romans 10: 8-13

Still wondering about inviting your friends to our Parish Mission? Let today’s second reading guide you! Everyone is welcome!

Please see the Insert in this week’s Bulletin.

YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE SOMETHING ELSE TO DO.

YOU WILL NEVER HAVE SOMETHING BETTER.

PARISH MISSION DESSERTS NEEDED

Dessert and coffee will be served at the Social Hall following the close of our Parish Mission on Thursday, March 4^th.

If you can provide a dessert for the occasion, please bring to the Social Hall anytime after 6:00 pm and prior to the start of the Mission at 7:00 pm.

Any questions, please call Shirley at the rectory office: 215-679-9275.

ALPHA

ALPHA will begin on Wednesday, February 24^th.

Come to the first INTRODUCTORY SESSION in the Rectory Meeting Room at 6:30 pm.

For more information or any questions, please call Sue DiMarco: 215-679-7193, or online – WWW.ALPHAUSA.ORG

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 – March 8^th.

FROM THE PARISH OUTREACH OFFICE

H.O.P.E.

HOPE is Helping Other People Enthusiastically. Church volunteers are ready to help our parishioners with free transportation appointments with doctors, errands, etc. Please call us with your needs – Bob & Kathy Talbot: 215-541-0250

A new website to access Social Service Programs:

Did you know that . . . Governor Rendell has launched a new website to access social service programs? The website is: www.heretohelp.pa.gov. If you see something that will be helpful to you, you can apply for it online.

SPRING CASINO TRIP

SHOWBOAT CASINO IN ATLANTIC CITY

Saturday, March 6^th (note new date)

10:00 AM departure from SPN Church

$30 cost w/$25 return in free slot play!

For more information, please call Kathy Kulp at: 267-923-5173.

RSVP’S ARE DUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

ATTENTION -

ALL SCRAPBOOKERS AND CRAFTERS…

Let’s get together for a day of Scrapbooking/Crafting and fellowship.

Where: Neri Center – East Greenville

When: Saturday, February 27^th

Time: 8:30 am – 7:00 pm

Come for the whole day or just a few hours!

Please register with Wendy Benner by calling 215-234-0354 as soon as possible. Space is limited.

CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS - 2009

Any parishioner wishing to receive a copy of their 2009 Contribution Statement is asked to please call the rectory office – 215-679-9275.

COME-N-GO BINGO
St. Philip Neri Social Hall

Saturday – March 6, 2010

Doors open at 6:00 pm

Games begin at 6:30 pm

Cost: $.25/game

Menu: hotdogs, bar-b-que & 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

ST. PHILIP NERI CHURCH

HOAGIE SALE

CHEESE, ITALIAN or TURKEY

TUESDAY – MARCH 9, 2010

12:00 NOON – 6:00 PM

St. Philip Neri Social Hall

COST: $4.00

All orders due by:

Monday – March 1st

Please call:

Rita: 679-7009 or Pat: 679-5675

Life in the Spirit Seminars at SPN Chapel

7:00 PM

Monday – February 22^nd – Salvation

Monday – March 1^st – Parish Mission in Church

Monday – March 8^th – The New Life

Monday – March 15^th – Receiving God’s Gift

Monday – March 22^nd – Baptized in the Spirit

Monday – March 29^th – Growth

Monday – April 5^th – Transformation in Christ

For information and to register, please call Rich Grochowski: 610-323-1127.

ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS

Priesthood: A Call from God; a gift for others. Consider the Priesthood. www.HeedTheCall.org.

ARCHDIOCESE of PHILADELPHIA

Office for Pastoral Care for Migrants & Refugees

13^th Annual National Migration Week Mass

His Eminence, Cardinal Justin Rigali,

Principal Celebrant & Homilist

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Procession of Ethnic Communities – 2:00 pm

Mass – 2:30 pm

Cathedral Basilica of SS Peter & Paul

18^th & Ben Franklin Parkway

For more information, call 215-587-3540.

Annual 25^th & 50^th Wedding Anniversary Masses

with Cardinal Justin Rigali

No registration is required.

Anniversary Masses will be celebrated on Sunday, May 2^nd at 11:0 am and 2:30 pm at the Cathedral Basilica of SS Peter & Paul in Philadelphia. In order to accommodate the large number of couples and their families attending, we ask that you attend the Mass designated for your county.

Couples celebrating 50 or more years of marriage from Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties are invited to the 11:00 am Mass.

Couples celebrating 50 or more years of marriage from Bucks, Chester and Delaware Counties, as well as couples celebrating 25 or more years of marriage from all counties, are invited to the 2:30 pm Mass.

Family members and friends are most welcome and will be seated with the anniversary couple.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Parking: Limited parking is available on the Cathedral parking lot and on the street. Additional parking is available at the Gateway Parking Garage located at 16^th & Vine Streets (fee charged).

Arrival and Seating: Anniversary couples and their families will be seated together on a first come first serve basis; therefore, please allow ample time for arrival and seating. Everyone is asked to be seated 15 minutes before the beginning of the Mass.

Handicapped Access: An access ramp is located from the Cathedral parking lot, chapel side. (limited handicapped parking spaces are available). Please call the Family Life Office if someone will be attending in a wheelchair. (215-587-3516)

SAFE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM

Protecting God’s Children for Adults Awareness Sessions

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

2.22.10 – Archdiocesan Office Center in Philadelphia – 6:30 pm

3.02.10 – Monsignor Bonner High School in Drexel Hill – 6:00 m

3.11.10 – Assumption B.V.M. in Feasterville

3.15.10 – Archdiocesan Office Center in Philadelphia – 6:30 pm

3.22.10 – Sacred Heart in Phoenixville – 6:30 pm

4.06.10 – SS Simon & Jude in West Chester – 6:15pm

4.12.10 – Pope John Paul II School, in W. Brandywine

4.14.10 – Archdiocesan Office Center in Philadelphia – 6:30 pm

5.19.10 – Archdiocesan Office Center in Philadelphia – 6:30 pm

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

YEAR OF THE PRIEST

CONCERT OF SACRED MUSIC

Thursday, March 25^th ~ 7:30 pm

Cathedral – Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

Featuring;
The Philadelphia Priest Singers

The Keystone Boychoir

The All Catholic Secondary Chorus

Celebrate the “Year of the Priest” at a Concert of Sacred Music” featuring the Archdiocesan All Catholic Secondary Chorus, the Keystone Boychoir, and the “Philadelphia Priest Singers” – a group of our Archdiocesan priests singing sacred music from our heritage.

One-time Performance will be held on Thursday, March 25^th in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. Limited tickets are available beginning on February 8^th. For ticket information, call 215-587-3519. Proceeds from the Concert will benefit the Archdiocesan Priest Retirement Fund.

Are you Deaf or know someone who is Deaf?

Contact:

CATHOLIC DEAF APOSTOLATE

Masses in ASL and Interpreted Masses

Religious Education/Preparation for Sacraments

Adult Faith Formation and Socials

Summer Camp for Deaf Children

Interpreters for Catholic Events

PCPDDEAF@adphila.org

215-587-3913 (V) (TTY)

267-507-1215 (VP)

Google: Deaf Apostolate Phila

AREA PARISH NEWS

SAINTS TO LEAN ON:

Spiritual Companions for Illness & Disability

Meet eleven different members of the communion of the saints and how they copes spiritually with their illnesses and disabilities. See how the faith of these saints helped them to deal with such illnesses as terminal illness, stroke, mental illness, addiction, and other difficulties. Copies of Sister Janice’s book of the same title will be available for purchase. To register for this Event, contact corpuschristiaff@yahoo.com or 215-855-1311.

Tuesday, March 23

12:45 pm to 1:30 pm

Corpus Christi Church

Religious Education Room

Guest Presenter: Sister Janice McGrane, S.S.J.,

Spiritual Director and Disability Advocate

SPAGHETTI DINNER

St. Gabriel Church Social Hall

Howard & Jefferson Streets – Stowe

Saturday – February 27^th

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Adults: $8.00

Children 5-12 years: $4.00

Under 5 – FREE

Take-outs available.

BINGO

Saint Aloysius – Begley Hall

Beech & Penn Streets – Pottstown

ALL CASH

Every Monday at 6:30 pm

Large JACKPOTS!

AREA NEWS

DISCERNMENT RETREAT – SISTERS OF IHM

God has a great idea! You could be in the center of it! Young women (18-35) are invited to participate in a Discernment Retreat with the IHM Sisters the weekend of February 26-27 at Villa Maria House of Studies. Please contact Sister Carmen Teresa at ihmvoc2@aol.com or 610-889-1553.

The retreat will provide an opportunity to listen to God’s call, a time for personal and communal prayer and an opportunity to interact with the Sisters in Formation.

40 DAYS FOR LIFE

Christians throughout Collegeville and surrounding communities are invited to take part in the national 40 Days for Life effort from February 17^th through March 28^th. In addition to 40 days of peaceful prayer and fasting for an end to abortion, please consider volunteering to pray outside the Collegeville’s Planned Parenthood on Route 29 across from the Acme Shopping Center during the 40 Days, and spread the word to others about this important life-saving effort.

To get more information, or to volunteer to help, please contact Carolyn Stenger: 215-206-9108 or cjsteng@yahoo.com or you may sign up through the national 40 days for life website at www.40daysforlife.com/collegeville. All welcome!

HUFF’S LUTHERAN CHURCH

250^th Anniversary

ORGAN RECITAL

with:

Philip T.D. Cooper

Sunday – February 21^st

3:00 pm

Followed by Snack Reception

Featuring the 1865 George Krauss Organ

FREE WILL OFFERING WILL BE TAKEN

Breakfast Volunteers NEEDED

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

CAN YOU HELP?

Not the entire morning…

but, only a few hours each month!

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

Cooks: Line Servers:

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

___9am-11am ___9:00 am – 11:00 am

___11am-1pm ___11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Dishwashers: Cleaning the gym:

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

___10:00 am – 12 noon

___12noon – 2:00 pm

Washing Trays Dessert table, coffee

___8am-10am ___7:00 am – 9:00 am

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

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

Name: _________________________

Phone: ________________________

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

Sunday, February 21, 2010

First Sunday of Lent

These 40 days

Fasting for a day can seem an eternity. Imagine doing so for 40! To say Jesus was “famished” at the end of that time is an understatement. Some of us use that phrase to describe how we feel when dinner is late. The lessons Jesus learned in the wilderness stayed with him throughout his ministry. He knew keenly and personally how hunger makes us weak and susceptible to temptation. Is that why he chose the eucharistic feast to share his presence with us? Fast on Fridays. Feast every day.

Today’s readings: Deuteronomy 26:4-10; Romans 10:8-13; Luke 4:1-13

“He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished.”

Monday, February 22

Feast of the Chair of Peter, apostle

Thou art Peter

The church celebrates a couple of feast days for buildings, but today is the only one dedicated to a piece of furniture! Of course the “chair” of Peter is a symbol of the pope’s authority, much like a “chairperson” has charge of a meeting. Peter and his successors, the popes, ensure the unity of the church. Because the pope is the “rock” of Matthew’s gospel, it is he who affirms what is believed. He holds the “keys to the kingdom” in that he teaches the world the way of life that leads to fulfillment.

Today’s readings: 1 Peter 5:1-4;

Matthew 16:13-19

“You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.”

Tuesday, February 23

Feast of Polycarp, bishop, martyr

Living memory

We can be sure that the practice of venerating the relics of saints began very early in the church. The first evidence for it comes from a letter dated around 150 A.D. concerning the martyrdom of Polycarp. The letter relates that following Polycarp’s execution the Romans refused the Christians his body, deciding rather to burn it. The Christians then gathered together his bones, “being more precious than the most exquisite jewels, and more purified than gold.” They put these bones in a place of distinction where they would gather together and revere them, especially on the anniversary of Polycarp’s martyrdom. Remember the sacrifices of Christian martyrs and give yourself wholeheartedly to a life of faith.

Today’s readings: Isaiah 55:10-11;

Matthew 6:7-15

“My word . . . shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

Wednesday, February 24

Lenten weekday

The sign of Jonah

Jesus comparing himself to Jonah may sound a little mysterious to modern ears, but his original audience would have known what he was talking about pretty quickly. You remember Jonah, don’t you? Rescued by God from the belly of a great fish after three days and nights (sound familiar?). Sent by God to read the riot act to the wicked city of Nineveh. Walked around the place crying, “Forty days more, and Nineveh will be overthrown!”—and lo and behold everyone from the king on down repented as fast as they could, and God decided to spare them. Jonah was so spectacularly successful that he got mad—wasn’t this supposed to be harder? Like Jonah, Jesus calls his hearers to change their lives and return to God. Lent could not have a better goal.

Today’s readings: Jonah 3:1-10;

Luke 11:29-32

“The people of Nineveh believed God.”

Thursday, February 25

Lenten weekday

As good as gold

The Golden Rule of “do unto others,” the ethic of reciprocity Jesus summarizes in the gospel, shows up in one form or another in many cultures and religious traditions. Perhaps that happens because it seems to be such a logical and self-evident truth—who among us does not wish to be treated with respect, fairness, dignity, and kindness? Why, then, is it so hard at times to do the same for others? Evidence, perhaps, that each of us is a work in progress. Pray for a generous heart today.

Today’s readings: Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25; Matthew 7:7-12

“In everything do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Friday, February 26

Lenten weekday

Beyond the law

Jesus was a master at turning ideas upside-down and inviting folks to see things from a new perspective. His teaching on reconciliation is a good example. People knew that they should follow the law “you shall not kill.” But Jesus took it further. He urged people to do more than follow laws in order to be free. He urged them to heal divisions, to reconcile with one another so as not to be held captive by anger or vengeance. That can be a very challenging thing to do. It requires us to face the hurt or bad feelings that we have and move forward in our relationships, finding healing and freedom. Consider your own relationships and ask God for the grace to right a broken one.

Today’s readings: Ezekiel 18:21-28; Matthew 5:20-26

“If . . . your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled.”

Saturday, February 27

Lenten weekday

Honk if you love your enemies

Surely Jesus’ most radical command is to love our enemies. But exactly how are we supposed to do that? One way to begin is by learning from the example of others. A man was waiting in his car at the window of a drive-up Starbucks. His order was taking some time and eventually the person behind him began impatiently blowing his horn. Instead of becoming angry himself, the first man paid for the second one’s drink and drove away. With this profoundly simple but powerful act he set off a chain reaction that lasted the entire day. Today may we pray to offer a loving response to anyone who tries to cause us grief.

Today’s readings: Deuteronomy 26:16-19; Matthew 5:43-48

“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?”