Church of Saint Philip Neri

Pennsburg, PA 18073

March 7, 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.

Serving at Mass: March 7

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Dawn Ellis Bob Ellis

Linda Franks Larry Concio

Priest

Deacon

Lisa Edleman

Michael Edleman

7:30 am – Joan Varallo John Guckin

Wally Varallo Michael Lynch

Priest

Deacon

Denise Guckin

Pat Scheerbaum

9:30 am – Lisa Gurgick Wendy Benner

Bill Gurgick Terry Benner

Priest

Joshua Hewitt

Lillian Hewitt

11:00 am – Tony Shellaway Luke Verna

Sandy Shellaway Bob Piccone

Priest

Linda DiTondo

Doug DiTondo

Serving at Mass: March 14

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Jim Quigley S. Hunsberger

Annemarie Quigley Mark Meinzer

Priest

Dave Boone

Teri Boone

7:30 am – Michael Duka John Gilmore

Peter D’Amico Theresa Gilmore

Priest

Dina Corrado

Lori Brozena

Immaculata Barndt

9:30 am – Alicia Tryon Matthew Horvath

Ed Tryon Joe Cassarella

Priest

Michael Dougherty

Rose Anderson

Mary Ellen Paulk

11:00 am – Sarah Franks Eileen Davis

Anita Weilnau D. McCausland

Priest

Deacon

Tinamarie Evans

Mary Goodfellow

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

March 7, 2010

Monday, March 8 – Saint John of God

8:00 am – Patricia Cody, (Catherine Cressman)

Tuesday, March 9 – St. Frances of Rome

8:00 am – Raymond Ginkiewicz, (Anna Bogdon)

Wednesday, March 10

12:10 pm – Catherine Burke, (Georgianna Leister)

7:00 pm – Elizabeth Campaglia, (Carol & John Johnson)

Thursday, March 11

8:00 am – Jennie & John Virus, (Estate)

Friday, March 12

8:00 am – For the Intention of Joseph Cassarella

7:00 pm – Stations of the Cross

Saturday, March 13

8:00 am – Wayne Brinckman,

(Lon & Rosemary Brinckman)

5:00 pm – Jennie Virus, (Stella Rozanski)

FOURTH SUNDARY OF LENT

March 14, 2010

7:30 am – In Thanksgiving to the Blessed Mother

9:30 am – For the living & deceased members

of the Parish.

11:00 am – Dr. Oscar & Maria Gonzalez,

(Gloria Martell)

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, John Brazuk, Evelyn Dixon, Thomas Zappala, Adam Canigiani, Jr., Jo Maturo & Elsie Connelly.

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

PARISH BREAKFAST

Our parish Breakfast was held on Sunday, February 28th. Thank you so much to those who came out and worked hard to make the Breakfast fun and successful. We served 577 people with a profit of $2,926.00! Our next parish Breakfast is March 28^th. Save the date!

SUNDAY COLLECTIONS

March 1, 2009 February 28, 2010

Envelopes: $ 9,608.00 $ 9,244.00

Loose: 923.00 1,530.00

Children: 68.00 89.00

Total: $10,599.00 $10,863.00

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 Raymond Frank, requested by:

Peter & Linda Frank.

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

In Honor of Don Lammers on his 80^th Birthday, requested by: Daughters: Trish, Linda, Missy and their Families.

ACTIVITIES - *BINGO*

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

Working Thursday – March 11th – Team #2

All regular games pay $50

FINAL COVER – ALL SPECIAL PAYS: $500

MEETINGS AND EVENTS THIS WEEK

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

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

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

Monday, March 8^th – SPN Quilting – Gym – 1:00 pm

Monday, March 8^th – Holy Rosary – Chapel – 1:00 pm

Monday, March 8^th – Pastoral Council Meeting – Rectory – 7:00 pm

Monday, March 8^th – Bible Timeline Study – Rectory – 7:00 pm

Monday, March 8^th – Pre-Jordan – Rectory Meeting Room – 7:30 pm

Monday, March 8^th – Charismatic Prayer Group – Chapel – 7:00 pm

Tuesday, March 9^th – Choir & Cantor Practice – Church – 6:00 pm

Tuesday, March 9^th – Car Show Committee Meeting – Rectory – 7:00 pm (note date change)

Tuesday, March 9^th – Welcome Committee Meeting – Rectory – 7:00 pm

Tuesday, March 9^th – Boy Scouts – Gym – 7:00 pm

Wednesday, March 10^th – Lenten Mass – Church – 12:10 pm

Wednesday, March 10^th – Grade School Stations of the Cross – Church – 1:00 pm

Wednesday, March 10^th – Home & School Board Meeting – Rectory – 7:00 pm

Wednesday, March 10^th – PREP – Religious Ed – School – 6:00 pm

Wednesday, March 10^th – ALPHA – Rectory Meeting Room – 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Thursday, March 11^th – Bingo – Gym – 6:30 pm

Thursday, March 11^th – Pennsburg Manor Nursing Home Mass – 10:00 am

Thursday, March 11^th – Cub Scouts – at the School – 6:45 pm

Friday, March 12^th – Parish Lenten Fish Fry – gym – 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Friday, March 12^th – Bible Timeline Study – Rectory Meeting Room – 9:00 am

Friday, March 12^th – SPN Quilting – gym – 1:00 pm

Friday, March 12^th – Home & School Silent Auction – set-up in the gym

Saturday, March 12^th – Home & School Silent Auction – gym – 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Sunday, March 14^th – Children’s Liturgy of the Word – at the 9:30 am Mass

Sunday, March 14^th – Little Church – gym – 9:30 am

Sunday, March 14^th – Knights of Columbus Meeting – Rectory – 7:30 pm

Sunday, March 14^th – Youth Ministry – gym: The EDGE (Grade School) 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm; Teens Living in Christ (High School) 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Sunday, March 14^th – Men’s 30 & Over Basketball – gym – 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Liturgy Committee Meeting – Monday, March 15^th – rectory – 7:00 pm

Bible Timeline Study – Monday, March 15^th – rectory – 7:00 pm

Charismatic Prayer Group – Monday, March 15^th – Chapel – 1:00 pm

Choir & Cantor Practice – Tuesday, March 16^th – in Church at 6:00 pm

Boy Scouts – Tuesday, March 16^th – gym – 7:00 pm

Lenten Mass – Wednesday, March 17^th – in Church – 12:10 pm

PREP – Religious Ed – Wednesday, March 17^th – at the School – 6:00 pm

Elizabeth Ministry Meeting – Wednesday, March 17^th – gym – 7:00 pm

Respect Life Ministry Meeting – Wednesday, March 17^th – rectory – 7:30 pm

NO ALPHA – Wednesday, March 17^th

Bingo – Thursday, March 18^th – gym – 6:30 pm

SPN Home & School Rollerskating – Thursday, March 18^th

Cub Scouts – Thursday, March 18^th – at the School – 6:45 pm

Parish Lenten Fish Fry – Friday, March 19^th – Gym – 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

No School – Faculty Retreat – Friday, March 19^th

Bible Timeline Study – Friday, March 19^th – Rectory Meeting Room – 9:00 am

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

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

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

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

March 10^th – classes

March 17^th – classes

March 23^rd – First Communion Retreat 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, Church 10:00 am

April 28^th – last class

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

SCHOOL NEWS

Congratulations to one of our Eighth Grade Students, Philip Myers! Philip is a member of the 2010 Archdiocesan Honors Band. As a member in the Archdiocesan Boy Choir as well as the Honors Band, music is a very important element in Philip’s life. Philip depicted his feelings and love of music in the Music Scholarship Essay Contest sponsored by the Archdiocesan Honors Band in which he won Honorable Mention. Way to go Philip!

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 – March 8^th.

CAR SHOW COMMITTEE MEETING:

DATE CHANGE

Please note that the Car Show Committee Meeting has been changed from Monday, March 8^th to Tuesday, March 9^th, at the rectory – 7:00 pm.

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? Go to: www.heretohelp.pa.gov. If you see something that will be helpful to you, you can apply for it online.

ELIZABETH MINISTRY UPDATE

Can you remember when a brief conversation with your mom, sister or friend left you feeling energized and encouraged? The support of women for women is essential during the childbearing years--we all want to know that someone else understands our joys and sorrows and that someone does care.

The Elizabeth Ministry at St. Philip Neri Parish reaches out to women in our parish to celebrate the expectancy, birth or adoption of a child, to console and comfort a woman experiencing the frustration of infertility, the pain of miscarriage or child death and the confusion of raising a child with special needs.

Our next meeting is Wednesday, March 17, 2010 starting at 7:00 PM in the meeting room of the Social Hall.

All are welcome. Mark your calendar and plan to attend.

MARTHA MINISTERS REMINDER:

There will be a meeting of the Martha Ministers on March 11, 2010 at 7:00 pm in the Parish Outreach Office. We need your input, so your attendance is necessary.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP

Jesus wants to continue to heal you and comfort you on the death of your loved one. One of the ways He uses is our Bi-Annual Bereavement Support Group.

Our next Bereavement Support Group will be held for six (6) consecutive Tuesday evenings, beginning March 16^th and ending on April 20^th. Meetings begin at 7:00 pm in the Parish Outreach Office in the rectory building.

By attending our Bereavement Support Group, you can help yourself and others in the grieving process.

If you plan to attend, please call Sister Patricia Kelly, M.S.B.T. at the Parish Outreach Office: 215-679-2282*. If no answer, please leave your name and telephone number. Please say the number slowly.

*Before March 12^th

ST. PHILIP NERI CHURCH

HOAGIE SALE PICK-UP

TUESDAY – MARCH 9, 2010

12:00 NOON – 6:00 PM

St. Philip Neri Social Hall

PARISH GARAGE SALE

Our Parish Garage Sale will be held from 9 am to 1 pm on Wed. May 12; Sat. May 15; Sun. May 16; Wed. May 19; Sun. May 23; Wed. May 26; Sat. May 29 and June 2^nd through June 6^th during the carnival.

DONATIONS are needed, so start gathering those unused items and bring them to the garage behind the church between 9 am and 1 pm on Sat. April 10; Sat. April17; Sat. April 24 and Sunday, April 25.

The following items will not be accepted: clothing, computers, exercise equipment, outdated books (i.e. encyclopedias, medical books) televisions, stuffed animals or large furniture (small furniture items such as end tables or coffee tables are acceptable).

GARAGE SALE VOLUNTEERS – To volunteer please call Shirley at 215-679-9275 (9am to 3 pm), Rich at 215-679-8256 or you may e-mail Rich at richnruthrod@enter.net.

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN ALPHA!

WEDNESDAY EVENINGS:

IN RECTORY MEETING ROOM

6:30 PM TO 8:30 PM

COME TO OUR MARCH 10^TH SESSION:

“JESUS THE MAN”

COME AND SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

QUESTIONS? CALL SUE DIMARCO: 679-7193

Life in the Spirit Seminars at SPN Chapel

7:00 PM

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.

PARISH YOUTH GROUP EASTER CANDY SALE

The Parish Youth Group will be selling Gertrude Hawk Candy after all Masses this weekend. The funds from the Easter Candy Sale will go directly towards lowering the costs for the students to attend the High School Conference in June.

ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS

“Come after me and I will make you fishers of men.” Jesus speaks these words today. Have you considered being a priest? Be a Fisher of Men. 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.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM

Protecting God’s Children for Adults Awareness Sessions

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

www.virtus.org or call: 215-587-2466 to register.

3.11.10 – Assumption B.V.M. in Feasterville

3.15.10 – Archdiocesan Office Center, 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 - Philadelphia – 6:30 pm

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

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)

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. 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

PRE-8^TH GRADE

SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

FOR BOYS AND GIRLS

June 28 – July 28

8:45 am – 1:00 pm

St. Joseph’s Preparatory School

1733 Girard Avenue – Philadelphia

Spend part of your summer at the PREP and participate in the Pre-8^th Grade Summer Enrichment Program!

PROGRAM TOPICS INCLUDE:

Algebra

Athletics

Computer Science

Creative Writing

Drama

Transportation is available in Philadelphia, New Jersey and the Five County area.

For more information, call the Summer School Office at: 215-978-1954 or visit our website: WWW.SJPREP.ORG/PRE8

TV MASS

2010 Sunday Missals now available

The Archdiocesan Office for Communications has copies of the 2010 Sunday Missal available for homebound parishioners who view the TV Mass on WPVI-TV, every Sunday at 5:30 am. To receive a missal (FREE OF CHARGE) call: 215-587-3747 OR communof@adphila.org

THE SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL

Put your old wheels to work!

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Philadelphia welcomes any vehicle donation 1993 or newer – cars, trucks, vans, boats or motorcycles – working or not! All you need to do is provide the vehicles title, and we will do the rest!

WE PROVIDE FREE TOWING!

WE DO ALL THE PAPER WORK!

You receive a receipt that makes your donation tax-deductible. (Consult your tax preparer for details). Call today: 215-288-8160

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 about becoming a foster parent, please call: 215-587-3960.

AREA PARISH NEWS

Novena of Prayer to St. Peregrine for Healing

Corpus Christi Parish in Lansdale will have its Annual Nine Week Novena of Prayer for Healing to St. Peregrine, Patron Saint of Cancer Patients, every Wednesday evening in the Chapel from March 3^rd through April 28^th. The Novena will immediately follow Benediction which will begin at 6:30 pm. There is also Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every Wednesday – 8:30 am to 6:30 pm. On April 28^th, the last night of the Novena, there will be a Mass of Anointing of the Sick at 7:30 pm in Church. The Main Celebrant will be Father Pio Mandato. For more information, please call: 215-855-1311.

SAINTS TO LEAN ON:

Spiritual Companions for Illness & Disability

Meet eleven different members of the communion of the saints and how they cope 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.,

AREA NEWS

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

(FOCUSING ON CAMEROON)

SUNDAY – MARCH 7^TH

3:00 PM

HOSTED BY: PALM SCHWENKFELDER CHURCH

Refreshments to be served following Service.

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!

GRANDVIEW HOSPITAL HOSPICE –

VOLUNTEER TRAINING COURSE

The Hospice Program at Grand View Hospital is committed to meeting the needs of terminally ill patients and their families with skill, caring, and compassion.

We are looking for caring people willing to share their time and presence in this important ministry. Training includes instruction in Hospice philosophy, listening and communication skills, the experience of death, dying, and grief, and practical information needed to assist patients and their families.

Our next Training Session will start the beginning of May.

If you are interested in this rewarding work, please call Volunteer Coordinator, Michele Bongiovanni, R.N. at 215-453-4149 to registed and schedule an interview. Deadline for registration is March 30^th.

BINGO VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We are in need of Bingo Volunteers for BOTH the kitchen, and working the floor, checking winning Bingo cards.

You only work one each month on Thursday evenings. We have 4 teams for both the kitchen and floor and are in need of help on each team.

CAN YOU HELP?

NOT EVERY WEEK –

JUST ONE WEEK, ONCE A MONTH!

If you can help, please check the area you are interested in.

PLEASE PRINT AND RETURN IN THE COLLECTION BASKET OR TO THE RECTORY.

_____BAKED GOODS

_____KITCHEN

_____FLOOR WORKER

Name: _________________________

Phone:_________________________

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:

Donate baked goods:

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 – 12noon

___12noon – 2:00 pm

Washing Trays Dessert table, coffee

___8am-10am ___7:00 am – 9:00 am

___10am – 12noon ___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, March 7, 2010

Third Sunday of Lent

The sweet smell of prayer

We tend to pray for the people we like. Or at least we pray for family and friends, even—or especially—if they’re troublesome. Maybe for Lent we should try praying for the people we don’t like, those at work or school or in the neighborhood who just rub us the wrong way. They are like the unfruitful trees in the gospel story: We encounter them hoping for something sweet, but we get something sour. Our prayers for them are like . . . well, fertilizer. A season of prayer would do them—and us—a world of good.

Today’s readings: Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12; Luke 13:1-9

“Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.”

Monday, March 8

Feast of John of God, religious

Love first and ask questions later

Saint John of God (1495-1550) had a habit of jumping in to help whenever he saw the need. During a hospital stay he got up to care for the other patients around him. On another occasion, when the same hospital was on fire, he dropped what he was doing, raced to the scene, and rushed into the burning building to carry out patients on his back and then again to try to save the structure. A prayer to John says: “Saint John, help us to act out of love as soon as we feel the promptings of the Holy Spirit.” Have you ever held back when you could have helped? Promise yourself you’ll leap at future chances to do something good.

Today’s readings: 2 Kings 5:1-15b;

Luke 4:24-30

“Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean.”

Tuesday, March 9

Feast of Frances of Rome, religious

Give it up for Frances

Frances was born in Rome in 1384 to wealthy parents. At an early age she wanted to be a nun, but her parents arranged a marriage instead. She would lose two children to the plague, which sensitized her to the needs of the less fortunate. With her sister she visited the poor and took care of the sick, inspiring other wealthy women to do the same. Frances can serve as our inspiration to practice a little good-old-fashioned Lenten almsgiving.

Today’s readings: Daniel 3:25, 34-43; Matthew 18:21-35

“Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?”

Wednesday, March 10

Lenten weekday

Each one, teach one

God bless those who take the time and trouble to teach! The neighbor who shares the secret to flaky pie crust; the guy at the hardware store who explains the mysteries of doorknob mechanisms; and the high school history teacher who opens up a love for the treasures of the past—all give us something wonderful for the road ahead. The greatest teachers are those who instruct us not only in how-to-do but who-to-be: loving, compassionate, responsible, and just children of God. Consider the best lessons you’ve been taught and pass them along.

Today’s readings: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9; Matthew 5:17-19

“Whoever [keeps these commandments] and teaches others to do the same, will be great in the Kingdom of heaven.”

Thursday, March 11

Lenten weekday

It’s up to you

Lent’s traditional fasting, prayer, and almsgiving can help us slow down and consider whether the thousands of choices we make in a day are in tune with God. In prayer we listen in silence for God’s perspective on how to live. Fasting prods us to abandon quick, self-indulgent answers to life’s questions and problems. Almsgiving asks what we value and whether we are generous. Tuned in to our often automatic decision-making, we may realize how much each choice matters. The amazing ability of a computer is actually the result of myriad “switches,” each set at either one or zero. Change only one, and the result changes. So also we, by paying attention to our choices, may choose to undo some of our scatteredness, our noisiness, our sadness—and soften a stony heart.

Today’s readings: Jeremiah 7:23-28;

Luke 11:14-23

“Whoever is not with me is against me.”

Friday, March 12

Lenten weekday

Now hear this

When challenged by the scribes to name the most important of the commandments, Jesus begins by quoting the prayer that is known as the Shema Yisrael for its opening words: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.” To this day observant Jews consider the Shema their most important prayer, reciting it twice daily, and it is traditional for Jews to recite it as their last words. If we want to understand the life and times of Jesus, a good place to start is to learn about Judaism. Study up today!

Today’s readings: Hosea 14:2-10;

Mark 12:28-34

“You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other.’ ”

Saturday, March 13

Lenten weekday

Lent, here and now

How’s Lent going for you? Has it been easy to enter into this year, or has it not even been on your radar screen? Wherever you are, it’s OK. Today is a new day. If you’re having difficulty, look to the prophet Hosea. Hosea gives us two things on which to focus our attention and efforts. First, he calls us to be persons of steadfast love. We can express steadfast love by attending a Lenten celebration with our parish community, reaching out to someone in need, or doing something especially considerate for our loved ones. Second, Hosea calls us to knowledge of God; not simply to know about God but to know God, to be in relationship with God. We can do that by being aware, right now, that we are in God’s presence.

Today’s readings: Hosea 6:1-6;

Luke 18:9-14

“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”