LEAD Technologies Inc. V1.01 Church of Saint Philip Neri

Pennsburg, PA 18073

February 5, 2012

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 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 – 5:00 PM

HOLY DAYS:

8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 7:00 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 or:

at the Rectory BY APPOINTMENT anytime.

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 7:00 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 6:00 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 February 5

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Alice Swift Linda Franks

Marci Jaman Larry Concio

Priest

Deacon

Dave Boone

Teri Boone

John Burke

Catherine Cahill

Trish Dornisch

LaRue Emmell

Michael Edleman

Lisa Edleman

7:30 am – Mike Heveran Pete Frank

Jim Michels Ernie Quatrani

Priest

Deacon

Maureen Moser

Paul Moser

9:30 am – Andrew Souder Jack Nash

Michael Dougherty Monica Nash

Priest

Mark Meinzer

Rose Anderson

Mary Ellen Paulk

11:00 am – Bob Schwind Luke Verna

Barbara Schwind

Priest

Mark Meinzer

Joshua Hewitt

Lillian Hewitt

Serving at Mass February 5

Extraordinary Ministers Lectors

5:00 pm – Dawn Ellis Bob Ellis

Claire Holcombe

Priest

Mark Meinzer

Lee Johnson

Janet Kendra

7:30 am – Dina Corrado John Guckin

Michael Duka Paul Leese

Priest

Mark Meinzer

Mary R. Giambrone

Chuck Rodgers

9:30 am – Christine Adelsberger Wendy Benner

Steve Adelsberger Terry Benner

Priest

Deacon

Eleanor Brennan

Bob Brennan

11:00 am – Patrick Kennedy Sue DiMarco

Dianne Kennedy

Priest

Deacon

Tony Shellaway

Sandy Shellaway

Kevin Charlton

Maryanne Charlton

Amanda Charlton

Mary Lavin

Jeanne Hermley

Bob Hermley

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

February 5, 2012

Monday, February 6, St. Paul Miki & companions

8:00 am – James Kilkenny,

(Jim & Ann Michels)

Tuesday, February 7

8:00 am – Barbara Browning,

(Anna Shoop & family)

Wednesday, February 8, St. Jerome Emiliani &

St. Josephine Bakhita

5:00 pm – Fr. James Close,

(Rita & Henry Tokarski)

Thursday, February 9

8:00 am – Bauer & Mallon families,

(Tony Bauer)

Friday, February 10, St. Scholastica

8:00 am – Erin Garrity,

(Souder family)

Saturday, February 11, Our Lady of Lourdes

8:00 am – Dolores Misiak, (Rita & Henry Tokarski)

5:00 pm – Fifteenth Anniversary, Peter Risko,

(Betty Risko)

SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

February 12, 2012

7:30 am – Kathrine Kerivel,

(Catherine Cressman)

9:30 am – Joseph Josko Jr., (Family)

11:00 am – For the living and 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, Frances Cannon, Baby Lucy Littlefield, Baby Peter, Charlotte Azarovich, George Bradford, Rick DeStefano, Baby Olivia Enriquez, Adam Canigiani, Jr., Jo Maturo, Colleen McMillar, Grace Guckin, Steven Gebhardt, Mildred Moyer, Helga Camasso, Lily Morgitan, John Brazuk, Irene Maggs, Peter Szczybek, Christine Keer, Kathleen Tew, Robert Tana, Rosalie Nelson, Michelle Fillman, Cranford Coulter, Nellie Siemienski, Phyllis Lossino, Jane Boyle, Timothy Byrne, Betty Geppert, Laura Barber, Patricia Pickford, Aaron Smith, Carol Wildermuth, Patty Perry, Kristi Hertzog, Tavario Brunson, Janice Kolb, Frannie T., Marie Mancini, Karl Heebner, Larry Spacek, Katharina Dickmann, Ruth Wunder, James Wunder, Jr., Matt Horvath, Joni Rembisz, Wayne Cherry, Jane Cassidy, Dawn Parents, Laura Peterson, Peter Preston, Kathy Rafferty, Steven Thayer, Michael Colfer, Howard Proffit, Rodney Proffit, Francis Burgert, Tracey Delaney, Kevin Fox, Frank Grim, Baby Haslett, Carl Kramer, Dorothy Smith, Ryland Zdebel, Sharon Snyder, Wyatt Kilhefner, Martha Edwards, Diane Edwards, Louis Miraglia, Anna Uhl, Anne Koch, Jessica Lepera, Maryann Hoffman, Joan Lampart, Rachel Henry & Felicia Iski.

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

FEBRUARY:

THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE

Sunday, February 5

Children’s Liturgy of the Word 9:30 am Church

Little Church 9:30 am Hall

SPN Bingo 1:00 pm Hall

Men’s 30 & Over Basketball 8:00 pm Hall

Monday, February 6

Holy Rosary Hour 1:00 pm Chapel

SPN Quilting 1:30 pm Hall

CYO Sports 6:00 pm Hall

Pre-Jordan Baptismal Class 7:00 pm Rectory

Tuesday, February 7

Boy Scouts 7:00 pm Hall

CYO Sports 6:30 pm Hall

Wednesday, February 8

PREP/Religious Education 6:00 pm School

Bible Study 7:00 pm –

in the Social Hall Meeting Rooms

CYO Sports 7:00 pm Hall

Thursday, February 9

Cub Scouts 6:30 pm School

Cub Scouts Parent Committee Mtg. 6:30 pm Neri Ctr.

CYO Sports 6:00 pm Hall

Pennsburg Manor Nursing Home Mass at 10:00 am

Friday, February 10

Bible Study 9:00 am –

in the Social Hall Meeting Rooms

SPN Quilting 1:00 pm Hall

CYO Sports 6:30 pm Hall

Brownie/Girl Scouts at the Neri Center 2:30 pm

Daisy Girl Scouts at Pre-School 2:30 pm

Saturday, February 11

FREE DAY – no activities planned

Sunday, February 12

Children’s Liturgy of the Word 9:30 am Church

Little Church 9:30 am Hall

Knights of Columbus Meeting 7:30 pm Rectory

6^th/7^th PREP Class & EDGE 6:00 pm Hall

CYO Sports 1:00 pm Hall

Men’s 30 & Over Basketball 8:00 pm Hall

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Holy Rosary Hour –Monday – February 13^th – 1:00 pm in the Chapel

Pastoral Council Meeting – Monday – February 13^th – 7:00 pm in the Rectory

Prayer Shawl Ministry – Monday – February 13^th -7:00 pm at the Old Rectory

SPN Quilting – Monday – February 13^th – 1:30 pm in the Hall

Boy Scouts – Tuesday – February 14^th – 7:00 – Hall

Car Show Committee Mtg. – Tuesday – February 14^th – 7:00 pm in the Rectory Meeting Room

Bible Study – Wednesday – February 15^th – 7:00 pm in the Social Hall Meeting Rooms

PREP/Religious Education – Wednesday – February 15^th – 6:00 pm in the School

Boy Scouts Committee Meeting – Thursday – February 16^th – 7:00 pm at the Neri Center

Cub Scouts – Thursday – February 16^th – 6:30 pm at the School

SPN Quilting – Friday – February 17^th – 1:00 pm – Hall

Brownie/Girl Scouts – Friday – February 17^th – 2:30 pm at the Neri Center

Daisy/Girl Scouts – Friday – February 17^th – 2:30 pm at the Pre-School

Cub Scouts Pinewood Derby Set-up – Friday – February 17^th – 6:30 pm in the Social Hall

Charismatic Prayer Group – Saturday –February 18^th – 12:00 noon in the Chapel

Cub Scouts Pinewood Derby – Saturday – February 18^th – 8:00 am- 2:00 pm in the Social Hall

Cub Scouts Pack Meeting – Saturday – February 18^th -12:00 noon in the Hall

Children’s Liturgy of the Word –Sunday – February 19^th – at the 9:30 am Mass

Little Church – Sunday – February 19^th – 9:30 am in the Social Hall

Men’s 30 & Over Basketball – Sunday – February 19^th – 8:00 pm in the Social Hall

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

02.08.12 – Classes

02.12.12 – 6^th/7^th PREP class & EDGE: 6pm- 7:30pm

02.15.12 – Classes

02.22.12 – NO Classes – Ash Wednesday – or:

Snow makeup

02.29.12 – Classes

03.07.12 – Classes

03.11.12 – 6^th/7^th PREP Class & EDGE (6-7:30 pm)

03.14.12 – Classes

03.21.12 – Classes

03.27.12 – First Communion Retreat:

in Social Hall – 8:00 am – 2:00 pm

03.28.12 – Classes

04.04.12 – NO classes or (snow makeup)

04.08.12 – NO EDGE

04.11.12 – Class

04.18.12 – Class

04.25.12 – Class

04.26.12 – First Communion practice in Church: 6pm

04.28.12 – First Holy Communion – 10:00 am in Church

05.02.12 – Last night of class (6-8pm) School

05.02.12 – Marian May Procession in School; Social will be held in the Neri Center.

SCHOOL NEWS

Through our thoughts and actions, we strive to respect all God has given us. We recognize and accept each others’ unique qualities and talents. St. Philip Neri Elementary School is accepting 2012-13 Pre-School Registrations. Any questions, please call the school office at: 215.679.7481.

PARISH NEWS

Saint Philip Neri Parish Council Members-at-Large welcome any questions or comments you may have.

Jim Brinckman

jrybrinckman2003@yahoo.com

Keith Greczek

KSG1600@verizon.net

James Giuffrida

jgiuffrida@comcast.net

ADULT ALTAR SERVERS

The Adult Altar Servers are looking for a few good men and women to assist with serving at the Lord’s Table. Training will be provided.

For more information, please call Pete Frank at: 215.679.6942 or Trish Dornisch: 215.208.2913.

SCRIP SELLERS NEEDED

We are in need of SCRIP Sellers at all of our Masses. If you can help at any of them, please call the rectory office: 215.679.9275 or Trish Dornisch at: 215.208.2913 or email: tdornisch@verizon.net.

Needed Youth Altar Servers:

If you are a boy or girl who has made your First Holy Communion and are in the fourth grade or higher we would like you to consider joining our group of Youth Altar Servers. Parents, please encourage your son or daughter to become an altar server. Information will be sent home in the next two weeks giving you further information. We will try our best to accommodate your Mass time preferences. New servers will be required to attend two of three practices. Those dates and times are:

· Saturday February 18: 11:00 AM in the church

· Wednesday February 22: 7:00 PM in the church

· Saturday February 25: 2:00 PM in the church

Further information will be sent home with the children in PREP classes and also in our parish school. If you do not receive this information or, if you have questions, please send an e-mail to Deacon Mike at: deaconmikefranks@verizon.net.

Needed Adult Lectors for Weekend Masses:

We are in need of additional men and women who are of high school age or older to become Lectors for our weekend Masses. If you are interested please send an e-mail to Deacon Mike at: deaconmikefranks@verizon.net.

Please include your name, phone number and e-mail address. New Lectors will be placed on the next schedule which will go into effect in April, 2012.

CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS

Any parishioner wishing to receive their Contribution Statements for 2011, please call the rectory office between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:30 pm; email to Shirley at: spnofc@comcast.net or drop off request in the collection basket. All statements will be mailed out by request only. Your cooperation is deeply appreciated.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Nominations are being accepted for a

Parish Council At-Large Representative

SPN Parish Council is pleased to announce that nominations are now being accepted for any parishioner who may be interested in serving on Parish Council as an At-Large Representative.

This is for a one (1) year term, beginning on September 1, 2012.

To nominate a parishioner or submit your own name for consideration, please send a writing to include your name, address and phone number with your nomination choice to the Chairman of the Nominating Committee, Attorney Gerald J. Mullaney at gjmesq@enter.net or by placing your writing in the collection basket or dropping it off at the rectory. If you have any questions, please call Jerry Mullaney at (215) 679-7931. The deadline for receiving all nominations is February 5, 2012.

The At-Large Representative’s main duties involve fostering and strengthening communications within the Parish community. Representatives will be expected to attend all Parish Council meetings which usually occur on the 2^nd Monday of each month starting in September and ending in June of each year.

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Calling All Hands

Are you computer savvy? Do you have skills in MS Office Suite, the web, social media, and database?
We are looking for 5 to 10 committed people to help on a Technical Committee with various projects around the parish. These include but are not limited to revising the CENSUS Database, building and maintaining a parish website, and using technology to reach into the community.

If interested please call Bill or Lisa Gurgick at 215-234-8981 or, email us at gurgick@yahoo.com.

You can also contact call Jim Giuffrida @ jgiuffrida@comcast.net

LENTEN CONFESSIONS

Wednesdays of Lent:

March 7, March 14, March 21 & March 28

Confessions: 5:45 pm – 6:15 pm in the Chapel

Penance of Holy Week:

Tuesday – April 3

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm in Church

ONLINE GIVING

Go green with St. Philip Neri Church by signing up for Online Giving. If you have not yet signed up, please consider doing so.

You will have the option to keep receiving your regular offering envelope packets if you wish. Visit our parish website to sign up: www.spnparish.org.

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 Paul & Maria Vargo, requested by:

Joshua & Lillian Hewitt.

In memory of Elsie Connelly, requested by: Joe Pulli and Luanne Pulli.

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

SUNDAY COLLECTIONS

January 30, 2011:

Envelopes: $ 7,378.00

Online: 707.00

Loose: 1,576.00

Children: 83.00

Total: $ 9,744.00

January 29, 2012:

Envelopes: $ 7,842.00

Online: 949.00

Loose: 585.00

Children: 108.00

Total: $ 9,484.00

LENTEN FISH FRY

ST. PHILIP NERI SOCIAL HALL

EAT-IN OR TAKE-OUT

EVERY FRIDAY DURING LENT

February 24 – April 6

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Fish & clam chowders, breaded fried shrimp, crab, fish patties/sandwiches, tuna hoagies, macaroni & cheese, cabbage & noodles, French fries, pierogies, stewed tomatoes, pepper cabbage and coleslaw, dessert, ice cream, coffee, soda, tea or milk.

Orders taken during Fry Hours: 215.679.8116

3 EVENING TAKE-OUT DATES:

March 16, 23 & 30

4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

ST. PHILIP NERI CHURCH

HOAGIE SALE

CHEESE, ITALIAN or TURKEY

TUESDAY – March 6, 2012

12:00 NOON – 6:00 PM

COST: $5.00

All orders due by: Monday – February 27

Call Rita: 215.679.7009 or

Pat: 215.679.5675

COME-N-GO BINGO

St. Philip Neri Social Hall

Saturday – March 10, 2012

Doors open at 6:00 pm

Games begin at 6:30 pm

Cost: $.25/game

Menu: hotdogs, barbeque & drinks.

If you bring a non-perishable item to benefit Open Line, you play two free games of Bingo!

Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus

PARISH BREAKFAST

Our next Breakfast is Sunday – February 26^th from 7:00 am – 12:30 pm. Save the date!

Help will be needed; if you are interested in helping, please call Rita: 215.679.7009.

Thank you from Catholic Social Services

Dear Father Roncase,

On behalf of the clients we serve, Catholic Social Services would like to thank you and your parishioners for your very generous donations this past Christmas. Through your generosity, our Agency was able to provide Christmas gifts for needy families in Montgomery County. Your donations helped to brighten Christmas for needy families who are experiencing financial hardship. The families who received your gifts are very grateful. We especially wish to thank Sister Patricia Kelly, M.S.B.T. for her part. We are grateful and inspired by your parishioner’s faith and selflessness shown by their continued acts of generosity in sharing with the less fortunate. Catholic Social Services would not be able to fulfill our mission without your support. May the blessings of Christmas be with you and your parishioners throughout the year. God bless you.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Peteraf, MA

Program Manager

ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS

SAFE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM

Office for Child & Youth Protection

02.06.12: Archdiocesan Office Center in Philadelphia at 6:30 pm

02.08.12: SS Simon & Jude, West Chester – 5:30 pm

02.29.12: St. Elizabeth, Uwchlan – 7:00 pm

03.14.12: Sacred Heart, Oxford – 6:30 pm

03.17.12: St. Joseph, Downingtown – 9:30 am

03.26.12: St. Albert the Great, Huntingdon Valley – 7pm

To register: those with internet access should visit the website: www.virtus.org.

SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT de PAUL

Clothing Drive

Saturday – February 11, 2012

9:00 am – 2:00 pm

St. Mary Delphi – Schwenksville

No baby equipment – only clothing. For furniture pick-ups, please call: 215.288.8160.

SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT de PAUL

Clothing Drive

Saturday – February 18, 2012

9:00 am – 2:00 pm

St. Eleanor Church – Collegeville

Office of the Archbishop

February 1, 2012

Dear friends in Christ,

The United States Department of Health and Human Services announced on January 20 that almost all employers, including Catholic employers, will be forced to offer their employees health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception. Almost all health insurers will be forced to include those “services” in the health policies they write; and almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as a part of their policies. In so ruling, the current Administration has undermined both the principle of religious conscience and the First Amendment to the Constitution in an unprecedented way. Unless the ruling is overturned, faithful Catholics will be forced either to violate our consciences, or to drop health coverage for our employees and suffer the penalties for doing so. The Administration’s only concession was to give our institutions a one-year delay to comply. This is not merely inadequate. It is dangerous. And it betrays the good faith of many Catholics who – until now – have supported the current Administration with an honest will.

Bishops and lay Catholic leaders across the United States have made it clear that we cannot comply with this unjust law without compromising our convictions and undermining the Catholic identity of many of our service ministries. This is not just another important issue among the many we need to be concerned about. This ruling is different. This ruling interferes with the basic right of Catholic citizens to organize and work for the common good as Catholics in the public square.

Today, I ask of you two things. First, we need to pray for our country, for our Church, and for our own right to work freely as a believing community through our ministries in the public square. Second, we need to act. Please visit the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference website at: www.pacatholic.org to learn how to contact your federal Representative and Senators. Write them, call them, visit them - and help them understand the deep resistance of Pennsylvania Catholics to this dangerous ruling. Please also visit www.usccb.org/conscience, to learn more about this attack on religious conscience, and how to work to reverse the Administration’s decision. Your action on this issue matters – not just today but for many years to come; and in ways that will shape the ability of the Church to witness the Gospel publicly through her ministries well into the future. Please know that you have my gratitude and daily prayers. And please remember me in your prayers as well.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.

MEALS ON WHEELS DRIVERS/

DELIVERY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

As we reflect on the recent MLK holiday, some of us may wonder how can I give back or serve my community? One way would be to become a Meals On Wheels volunteer here in the Upper Perkiomen Valley. We have an immediate need for drivers / delivery volunteers to join our team. The position can be performed once a week, every other week or even once a month if that is all the time your schedule permits. Training is provided and we have various days available for new volunteers. Please call the center at 215-679-6550 and speak with Paula to set up a time to meet and discuss this great opportunity. Keeping active is a great way to beat the winter blues and volunteering is a great way to stay active.

PREVENTING WOMEN’S HEART DISEASE

February is American Heart Month and the UPSC is having a special educational program for the community. The program is free, but registration is required. You can register by calling the center at 215-679-6550.

On Tuesday February 21, 2012 at 12:15 p.m. we will be hosting a program entitled "Preventing Woman's Heart Disease" and it will be presented by Jeannine McKeogh from the CAROL for Heart organization. CAROL for HEART is a nonprofit based in Horsham that provides free heart programs for adults. CAROL for Heart began when Carol died. Thirty years of undiagnosed heart disease caused 10 heart attacks she never knew she had. How is that possible? How do you NOT know you are having a heart attack? Too often symptoms of a heart attack are ignored or easily confused with something else. In Carol's memory, CAROL for Heart was started to provide education about how to prevent this disease. The website for the organization is www.CarolForHeart.org

The presentation will last about an hour and will include tips on symptoms, how to talk to your doctor, risk factors, and how to make small changes that make a big impact on your heart. Learn the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and how the differ between men and women. Learn some easy exercises that everyone can do, even from a chair. Learn easy substitutions you can make in your diet that benefit your heart and won't make you feel like you are dieting. Our presenter, Jeannine McKeogh, is one of Carol's daughters and a founder of CAROL for Heart. She brings a wealth of experience in the sciences and gerontology and knows firsthand what heart disease can do to a family. Carol's family founded the organization Carol for Heart to let everyone know how they can help to prevent this disease. In addition, Terry Krause RN, BSN from Buxmont Cardiology will also be at the center to participate in the program. She will be providing free blood pressure checks and will have educational materials available.

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

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time; World Day
for Consecrated Life

Dear sisters and brothers: Thank you!

Today we pray for and give thanks to the men and women who publicly profess to live the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Monks, hermits, contemplatives, and religious priests, sisters, and brothers represent the diversity of consecrated life recognized by the church. Those who choose this life are committed to imitating Christ, engaging in his ministries of spreading the Good News, and showing that “the world can be transfigured with the spirit of the beatitudes” (Catechism 932). Their witness reminds all of us that our lives have purpose and meaning beyond this age, so we’d better choose how we live our present days wisely.

Today’s readings: Job 7:1-4, 6-7;

1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23; Mark 1:29-39 (74)

“All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it.”

Monday, February 6

Feast of Paul Miki, martyr, and companions, martyrs

Keep the story alive

Christianity came to Japan with the arrival of Saint Francis Xavier in 1549. In fewer than 50 years, however, all foreign missionaries had been expelled and 26 Christians were condemned to die, including Paul Miki, a Japanese-born Jesuit priest. The story does not end there. In the 1860s new missionaries to Japan were astonished to discover a hidden but thriving Christian community numbering in the tens of thousands. They had managed to pass along the faith informally for 200 years! Such is the power of the Christian narrative. What is your favorite story from the life of Jesus? Why? In what ways has it influenced your life? How can you pass it along?

Today’s readings: 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13;

Mark 6:53-56 (329)

“As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him.”

Tuesday, February 7

May God rest in peace!

Talk about holy sites: the Temple Mount, where King Solomon is said to have built Israel’s First Temple around 3,000 years ago, has been considered a sacred location by at least four religious traditions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and even Roman paganism. Competing claims on the site, and on the area known as East Jerusalem where it is located, are a central element of Arab-Israeli conflict in the region. Surely we can find a way to bring lasting peace to the place where tradition says the Divine Presence rested after creating the world and then gathered the dust to form the first human beings. Add your voice to those calling for a negotiated peace in God’s backyard.

Today’s readings: 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30; Mark 7:1-13 (330)

“May your eyes watch night and day over this temple.”

Wednesday, February 8

Don’t be late to break-fast

With the season of Lent and its practice of fasting arriving in a couple of weeks, it’s a little puzzling to remember that Jesus was a great breaker of fasts and violator of religious food rules—that was one thing that got him into trouble with the authorities. His followers gathered grain on the Sabbath because they were starving. He ate with sinners and outcasts. He simply did not follow the rules, but for a purpose: to show how the rules should not control but rather serve to bring a person into a more loving relationship with God and neighbor. What makes a person holy is not external observance but internal faith and love, which leads to right behavior.

Today’s readings: 1 Kings 10:1-10;

Mark 7:14-23 (331)

“Everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile . . . . But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles.”

Thursday, February 9

What do you choose?

Being chosen by God seems attractive, but God’s choice is less entitlement to special favors and more being selected for a commission—given a job to do. Further, we find that God does not usually choose as we might. We find God picking, for example, David, the runt of the litter; Mary, an unknown girl from Nazareth; the sinner over the holy man. Try to be aware of how you make choices: how you will treat a troublesome fellow-worker or that driver who is tailgating or how scrupulously honest you will be. Like God, who chose you to be one in Christ, make decisions based not on the obvious but on what is inside the other—and who dwells within you.

Today’s readings: 1 Kings 11:4-13;

Mark 7:24-30 (332)

“When Solomon was old his wives had turned his heart to strange gods.”

Friday, February 10

Feast of Scholastica, virgin

What’s between your life’s bookends?

We know few facts about Saint Scholastica: She lived in Italy in the fifth and sixth centuries, was the sister of Saint Benedict, became a nun and a prioress, and helped found Benedictine monasticism. Yet, thanks to two brief comments by Saint Gregory the Great, we know volumes about how she lived her life. Of her childhood Gregory wrote: “She was devoted to God from a very early age,” and a few paragraphs later he added that when she died “her soul ascended into heaven in the likeness of a dove.” Though seemingly innocuous, these comments are like bookends of Scholastica’s existence and give us a sense of the rich content of her biography. As you think about your life’s journey, what do your bookends look like?

Today’s readings: 1 Kings 11:29-32; 12:19; Mark 7:31-37 (333)

“He has done all things well.”

Saturday, February 11

Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes; World Day of the Sick

God is bigger than our needs

In an hour of crisis it may be impossible to imagine that help will arrive in time, or that your great need might be met with sufficient comfort to make a difference. Yet Jesus once faced a hungry multitude and fed them with next to nothing—and no one went away in want. Today the church remembers those who are sick: all who carry the cross of chronic problems like diabetes, AIDS, or mental illness as well as those struck with a diagnosis of an illness like cancer, heart disease, or stroke. We and our loved ones are not forgotten. Jesus comes to fulfill every need. And his mother Mary’s arms are wide enough for all of us.

Today’s readings: 1 Kings 12:26-32, 13:33-34; Mark 8:1-10 (334)

“They ate and were satisfied.”