Yearly Archives: 2017

2017 Christmas Celebration Schedule

Please note that the schedule for Sunday Masses on the weekends of December 23/24 and 30/31 will be the regular schedule in both parishes.

CONFESSIONS
Saturdays, December 23 and 30: 4pm – 4:45pm at Presentation B.V.M. Church.
There will be no confessions Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve.

CHRISTMAS MASSES AT SAINT JOSEPH CHURCH
December 24 – 5pm (Carols begin at 4:30pm)
December 25 – 10am (Carols begin at 9:45am)

CHRISTMAS MASSES AT PRESENTATION B.V.M. CHURCH
December 24 – 7:30pm
December 25 – 8:30am and 11:30am

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD
December 31 – 5pm Mass at Presentation B.V.M. Church
January 1 – 10am Mass at Saint Joseph Church

Immaculate Conception Mass Schedule

This Friday, December 8, 2017 is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation.

The Mass schedule at Saint Joseph Church will be as follows:
Thursday (Vigil) – 7:30pm
Friday – 10am.

The Mass schedule at our twin parish, Presentation BVM Church, will be as follows:
Friday – 6:30am and 7:30pm.

“The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.” (Pius IX, Ineffabilis Deus, 1854)

Pro-Life News

Respect Life Sunday

This Sunday, October 1, is Respect Life Sunday. Members of Saint Joseph’s Respect Life Committee will distribute Pro-Life Union newsletters, lapel roses and bumper stickers and will take up a collection after Mass for the benefit of the Pro-Life Union. Please be generous; their work is of the utmost importance for our society.

Life Chain

The Life Chain will form across from Abington Memorial Hospital on Respect Life Sunday, Sunday October 1. Please join this Chain as we pray for all life. Please meet at the northeast corner of Horace and Old York Roads (across the street from Abington Hospital) at 1:45pm. The chain begins at 2pm and lasts approximately one hour – rain or shine. If you have any questions, please call Mary Schott (215-635-3172).

Baby Bottles for Life

Baby Bottles for Life will be available in the back of church throughout October .- Please take one home, fill it with your loose change and return the filled bottle on Sunday, November 5. Your donation will allow the Pro-Life Union to continue working to build a Culture of Life and offering women alternatives to abortion. Please be generous.

40 Days for Life

This important campaign began on Wednesday September 27 and continue through Sunday, November 5. “40 Days for Life” is an international, community-based campaign that draws attention to the evil of abortion through the use of a three-point program: Prayer and Fasting – Constant Vigil – Community Outreach.

The Center City Philadelphia Vigil locations are at Philadelphia Planned Parenthood (12th and Locust Streets) and Women’s Center (777 Cherry Street – near 8th and Arch Streets). Vigil hours are Monday – Friday from 8am to 5pm, Saturday 8am to 3pm.

Solemnity of the Assumption Mass Schedule

This Tuesday, August 15, is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation.

The Mass schedule at Saint Joseph Church will be as follows:
Monday (Vigil) – 7:30pm
Tuesday – 9:30am.

The Mass schedule at our twin parish, Presentation BVM Church, will be as follows:
Tuesday – 6:30am and 7:30pm.

“Preserved free from all guilt of original sin, the Immaculate Virgin was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory upon the completion of her earthly sojourn. She was exalted by the Lord as Queen of all, in order that she might be more thoroughly conformed to her Son, the Lord of Lords and the conqueror of sin and death.” (Dogmatic Constitution of the Church, 59)

“The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son’s Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 966)

Funeral Notice: Norma Flynn

Please pray for the soul of Norma Flynn. Norma’s viewing will take place at Saint Joseph Church on Saturday, July 29, 2017 at 9am followed by her Funeral Mass at 10am.

Norma Marie Flemming-Flynn, daughter of the late John and Kathryn Josephine Staten – Flemming was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 29,1936. Norma was educated in the Philadelphia Roman Catholic Archdiocese School System, graduating with honors from Hallahan Girls High School in 1955.

Norma later met Clifford Flynn II as a teenager, at a school dance. She married Clifford Flynn II from West Philadelphia in October, 1958 at St. Anthony R.C. Church. Norma was a devoted mother who participated in leadership roles in the Boy Scouts of America and various youth sporting teams. She also volunteered at the annual International Buffet and as a CCD catechist at Saint Joseph’s Church, Cheltenham.

During the 70’s Norma participated in politics, working on voter booths, voting drives and other various civic projects to improve the quality of life for residents of Mt. Airy. Norma worked for the City of Philadelphia in the accounting department. After putting two sons through college, she was inspired to go back to school. At age 64 she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in education from LaSalle University in 2000. After graduating from college, Norma found employment with the Philadelphia Public School System teaching third graders. Norma later retired in 2006. In 2006, she relocated to North Carolina where she became a member of Queen of Apostles Catholic Church, in Belmont. She was an avid doll collector, loved to read mysteries, traveling and loved the beach. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her husband Clifford in 1999, and siblings Patricia Ann Flemming-Strickland and Timothy Flemming. She is survived by her sons, Barry Flynn, Clifford Flynn, daughters-in-laws Nina and Sharon, her sister Carolyn, three brothers Ronald, Brian and Stephen Flemming and seven grandsons Jonathan, Joseph and Jacob, Clifford, Kirkland, Jordan, and Mikhail.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.
May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Funeral Notice: Jennifer Dritsas

Please pray for the soul of Jennifer Dritsas, Saint Joseph School Class of 1980. Click here for the obituary.

International Buffet Photos Are Now Available

Click here to view the photos from our 29th Annual International Buffet held on June 18, 2017.

July 4: Independence Day

Liberty Bell We wish everyone a safe and happy Independence Day! God bless America!

Father of all nations and ages,
we recall the day when our country
claimed its place among the family of nations;
for what has been achieved, we give You thanks,
for the work that still remains, we ask Your help,
and as You have called us from many peoples
to be one nation,
grant that, under Your providence,
our country may share Your blessings
with all the peoples of the earth.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Collect of the Mass for Independence Day

Happy Father’s Day!

Fathers Day We wish all the dads in our Saint Joseph Parish family a very happy Father’s Day.

If you forgot to make plans to celebrate with your dad, it is not too late – our International Buffet takes place on Father’s Day at Presentation B.V.M. Hall from 3pm to 6pm. Tickets may be purchased at the door.

God our Father, in your wisdom and love you made all things. Bless these men, that they may be strengthened as Christian fathers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Book of Blessings
Prepared by International Commission on English in the Liturgy
A Joint Commission of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences,
The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota, 1989

Ascension Thursday Mass Schedule

This Thursday, May 25, 2017, is the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, a Holy Day of Obligation.

The Mass schedule at Saint Joseph Church will be as follows:
Wednesday (Vigil) – 7:30pm
Thursday – 9:30am.

The Mass schedule at our twin parish, Presentation BVM Church, will be as follows:
Thursday – 6:30am and 7:30pm.

…When they had gathered together they asked him,
“Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons
that the Father has established by his own authority.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
throughout Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.”
When he had said this, as they were looking on,
he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going,
suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them.
They said, “Men of Galilee,
why are you standing there looking at the sky?
This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven
will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”
Acts of the Apostles 1:6-11

Happy Mother’s Day!

We wish all the Mothers, Grandmothers, Godmothers and Spiritual Mothers in our
Saint Joseph Parish family a very happy Mother’s Day!

Loving God, as a mother gives life and nourishment to her children, so You watch over Your Church. Bless these women, that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect.

Book of Blessings
by Prepared by International Commission on English in the Liturgy
A Joint Commission of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences,
The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota, 1989

May Crowning This Sunday, May 14

Our parish May Crowning will take place this Sunday, May 14, 2017 at 9:30am with the recitation of the Rosary followed by the crowning and the 10am Mass. All parishioners are invited to participate in this special, time-honored religious tradition.

The rosary and crowning will take place in the Church. Each family is encouraged to bring a small bouquet of flowers for Mary’s altar. Vases will be provided.

Children from our parish who made their First Holy Communion this year are asked to wear their special outfits.

Bake Sale This Sunday!

We are having a BAKE SALE after Mass this Sunday, May 14, 2017 to benefit our parish project:

HELP US HELP HAITI

Donations of baked goods for the sale would be greatly appreciated.

As you know, our parish is working with Food for the Poor to raise money to provide essential resources for a family in Haiti. In addition to this Sunday’s Bake Sale, we are asking our parishioners and friends to make a donation (payable to St. Joseph Church), place it in an envelope marked “Food for the Poor” and drop it in the collection basket by June 4. We will send one check to Food for the Poor.

If you would prefer to donate via credit card, please visit our campaign page on the Food for the Poor website: www.foodforthepoor.org/stjoescheltenham
Please share the above-noted website with your family and friends on social media and ask for their assistance in our parish project. Thank you!

International Buffet: Help and Donations Needed

Globe Saint Joseph’s 29th Annual International Buffet will be held at Presentation B.V.M. Hall on Sunday, June 18, 2017 from 3pm to 6pm.

Please purchase your tickets in advance:
$10 for adults
$5 for children over 6 years old
Free for children under 6 years sold

Please sign-up to help prepare a dish to represent your ethnic heritage. Use the sign-up form at the end of this post.

We would also appreciate donations for the prize baskets that we plan to raffle off during the Buffet. Donations of cheer, gift cards, monetary donations or other new gifts may be dropped off at the sign-up table on Sundays through June 4.

SIGN-UP TO HELP WITH THE INTERNATIONAL BUFFET:

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Congratulations, First Communicants!

Prayerful best wishes are extended to the families of Astrid, Jonathan, Juliette and Travis who received their First Holy Communion at our Church on Sunday, April 23, 2017. May the joy and peace of Jesus present in the Holy Eucharist be with you always!