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40 Days for Life

40-days-for-lifeThis important campaign will begin on Wednesday March 1, 2017 and continue through Sunday, April 9, 2017.   “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.  We have the opportunity to participate at three local locations:

  • Center City Philadelphia – Philadelphia Planned Parenthood (12th and Locust Streets).  Vigil hours: Monday – Friday from 8am to 5pm, Saturday from 8am to 3pm.  Please contact Mary Schott (215-635-3172) or Monique Rubero (469-231-9084 or e-mail) for additional information and to sign up.  Thank you for your support.
  • Center City Philadelphia – Philadelphia Women’s Center (777 Appletree Street – just off 8th Street between Arch and Cherry Streets.  Vigil hours: Tuesday – Saturday from 8am to 5pm.  Please contact Mary Schott (215-635-3172) or Bob Reynolds (267-733-2737 or e-mail) for additional information and to sign up.  Thank you for your support.
  • Northeast Philadelphia – Northeast Medical Center (2751 Comly Road).  Vigil hours: Monday – Saturday from   7am to 3pm.  Please contact Anita Flynn (267-456-4582 or e-mail) for additional information and to sign up.  Thank you for your support.

You can also sign up directly on the Forty Days for Life web site. Follow the prompts.  Eventually you will be asked to set up a login account.  Just make sure you input your correct e-mail and remember your password.  If you are not able to participate in the vigil, please pray and fast.

2017 Catholic Charities Appeal

2017-catholic-charities-logo-bannerGifts made to the 2017 Catholic Charities Appeal will provide support needed to tens of thousands of people through countless organizations, programs and ministries throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The beneficiaries are grouped into five key areas:

  • Education
  • Social Services
  • Evangelization, Parish and Spiritual Life
  • Clergy
  • Local Mission Activities

Last year, our parish raised 92% of its assigned goal.  With your help, we could get to 100% of this year’s assigned goal!  To donate, or for further information, visit the Catholic Charities website.

Sunday Video: Finding Saint Anthony

Sunday, February 12 and 19, 2017
after the 10am Mass
in the Parish Community Room

finding-st-anthonyOver the centuries, Saint Anthony of Padua has been acclaimed as a great example of holiness through countless works of art, sculpture and books.  Many Catholics, and even non-Catholics, think of Saint Anthony as the first one to turn to when something is lost. Yet amid this widespread veneration and devotion, we may miss the story of a man who began his life like all of us.

This film reveals the journey of Fernando Martins de Bulhões, a 13th century Christian whom we know today as Saint Anthony.  Here, we discover a young man who was often “lost” and searching for direction in his life.  He wanted to make a difference in the world of his time.  As we encounter his humanity, we find someone we can relate to, someone who struggled in life, someone we could have easily called a friend.

Shot on historic locations in Portugal and Italy, Finding St. Anthony: A Story of Loss & Light is a documentary film that focuses on the experiences of Fernando (Anthony) in his search for the life God is calling him to lead.  And as we look closely at the journey of St. Anthony, what we find may surprise us: a reflection of ourselves.  His story gives us insight and inspiration for our own spiritual journey.

This Sunday: Souper Bowl of Caring

SBoC TH flankingWe continue to collect nonperishable goods for the Food Bank at St. Helena Parish.  This coming Sunday, February 5, 2017 is Souper Bowl Sunday.  We are asking everyone to bring one can of soup to church this Sunday.  There will be a table in the gym where you can drop off your donation.  Thank you for your love of neighbor!

In Loving Memory: Msgr. Richard J. Skelly

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Please pray for the soul of Rev. Msgr. Richard J. Skelly, the third pastor of Saint Joseph Church, Cheltenham (1981-1987).  Msgr. Skelly passed away on Thursday, January 25, 2017.

The Reception of the Body will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Morton, on Thursday, February 2, 2017 at 4pm followed by a viewing.  A parish Mass will be held at 7pm.

Most Rev. Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will celebrate a Funeral Mass for Msgr. Skelly at Saint Joseph Church, Aston (Delaware County), on Friday, February 3, 2017 at 11am.  A viewing will be held beginning at 9am.

Msgr. Skelly will always be remembered for his great love for the people of Saint Joseph Parish and his great love of sports (he had been Athletics Director at Bishop McDevitt High School for 23 years prior to his assignment at our parish).  Many parishioners fondly remember Msgr. (then Father) Skelly behind the wheel of the tractor cutting the parish field or behind the wheel of the parish school bus transporting students to various extracurricular activities.

Eternal rest grant to Msgr. Skelly, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him.  May he rest in peace.  My his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.  Amen.

 

Last Call: Collection for Homeless Veterans

eagle-scoutThis Sunday, January 29, 2017 is the final Sunday that Eagle Scout candidate Justin Convery will be collecting clothing and toiletries for six shelters for Homeless Veterans.  We are looking for any new or gently used men’s clothing and toiletries.  Sizes can range from medium to 2XL.

If you have any questions, please call him at (484) 362-9733.  Thank you!

Archbishop Chaput’s New Book – pre-order today

archbishop-chaputThe Archdiocese of Philadelphia is proud to announce that Archbishop Chaput’s latest book, Strangers in a Strange Land: Living the Catholic Faith in a Post-Christian World, will be released by Henry Holt and Co. on February 17, 2017.
Throughout his text, the Archbishop offers guidance on how Christians, and particularly Catholics, can live their life vigorously within the challenging context of today’s public square. You can learn more about the book, see endorsements, and pre-order your copy here: http://us.macmillan.com/static/holt/strangersinastrangeland/.

Missionaries of Mercy – A Gift That Will Continue

In his Apostolic letter Misericordia et misera, Pope Francis extended the faculties of the specially-appointed priests, known as Missionaries of Mercy, beyond the Jubilee Year of Mercy  as “a concrete sign that the grace of the Jubilee remains alive and effective the world over” (MM 9).

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia rejoices to have one of her own priests appointed to this ministry, Msgr. George Majoros, Pastor of St. Charles Borromeo in Drexel Hill and Sacred Heart in Clifton Heights.  To learn more about Msgr. Majoros’ extended Missionary of Mercy ministry, click here.

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

love-lifeApproximately 60 million abortions since the 1973 decisions of Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton reflect with heartbreaking magnitude what Pope Francis means by a “throwaway culture.”  However, we have great trust in God’s providence.  We are reminded time and again in Scripture to seek the Lord’s help, and as people of faith, we believe that our prayers are heard.

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), no. 373, designates January 22 as a particular day of prayer and penance, called the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children: “In all the Dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when January 22 falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion.”

As individuals, we are called to observe this day through the penitential practices of prayer, fasting and/or giving alms. Another way to take part is through participating in special events to observe the anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

For further resources, visit the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Upcoming Respect Life Activities

respect-lifeToday, January 22, 2017, is the 44th anniversary of the infamous legalization of abortion in the United States.  Since that day, close to 60 million children have lost their lives. You are invited to the following events marking this anniversary:

  • January 27: March for Life, Washington DC.  Immaculate Conception Parish in Jenkintown invites you to join their bus! Bus will leave immediately following the 7am Mass at Immaculate Conception and will return at approximately 7:30pm.  To register ($25 per adult; $10 per student), visit their website: iccjenkintown.org
  • January 27: The Respect Life Committee of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish will sponsor “A Memorial for the Unborn Innocents” at Planned Parenthood, 610 Louis Dr., Warminster at 12 noon.
  • January 27: Rosary for Life followed by Benediction at  St. William Church, 6200 Rising Sun Ave., Philadelphia at 7pm. The Rosary will be prayed in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole and Urdu.
  • January 28: Witness for Life at PP in Center City Philadelphia. Join us from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. with the Pro-Life Union and pilgrims from the Diocese of Omaha for this public prayer event. Groups will gather beforehand at the 7:45am Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church, 21 S. 13th St. (below Market St.), Philadelphia.

Sunday Videos: The Wild Goose

Sunday videos are back!

the-wild-goose

The Wild Goose
After Sunday Mass on January 22 &  29 & February 5, 2017
in the Parish Community Room

Unleash the Holy Spirit in Your Life
In this professionally filmed and cinematographically stunning series, Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR will lead you on an unforgettable journey around the world and into the very heart of God. Discover the immense power and beauty of the unconditional Love of God that is the Holy Spirit.

Why the Name: “The Wild Goose”
The “Wild Goose” was a term that the ancient Celts had for the Holy Spirit. Yes, there is a wildness to the Holy Spirit. The dominant images of the Holy Spirit are a meek dove or a flickering flame of a candle, both of which are in one way accurate. But the Holy Spirit is far more than that.

About the Presenter
Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR, is a nationally known author and speaker dedicated to helping others come to know God’s love for them through preaching and writing. Fr. Dave has held several ministry positions at Franciscan University of Steubenville and is actively involved in the highly successful summer conferences program. He is the author of the new book Breath of God – Living a life led by the Holy Spirit.

About the Series
The Wild Goose series is fourteen independent segments dealing with different experiences of the Holy Spirit. For the most part, each segment stands on its own so you do not have to watch them in any particular order. However, the first three segments give a type of foundation to the others, so it is suggested that you start with these. After that, ask the Spirit to lead you in what to watch next and go with that.

The Giving Tree Thank You

Giving TreeThank you to everyone who participated in Saint Joseph Parish’s Giving Tree this year.  Your generosity was overwhelming.  We brought all of our gifts to Guiding Star Ministries, a home for soon-to-be mothers and mothers with babies.   Edel Finnegan, Executive Director of the Pro-Life Union, accepted our gifts and was very grateful for all of our donations.

I have a dream…

i-have-a-dreamToday would have been the 88th birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  In his “I Have a Dream” speech, he stated, “I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

Dr. King’s call for racial equality is echoed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC). “Created in the image of the one God and equally endowed with rational souls, all men have the same nature and the same origin.  Redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ, all are called to participate in the same divine beatitude: all therefore enjoy an equal dignity.” (CCC 1934).

Congratulations, Ruth, Alan and Elaine!

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Elaine Potalivo, Ruth Nocero and Alan Duque (photo courtesy of Alberto Duque)

Congratulations to our CCD catechists, Ruth Nocero and Alan Duque, who received the St. Pius X Award at the Mass for Catechists at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul on Saturday, January 14, 2017.  The St. Pius X Award is a national catechetical award presented to those who have given ten years of service to parish religious education.  Thank you, Ruth and Alan, for your dedicated service to the children of our parish!

At the same Mass, our organist, Elaine Potalivo, received the St. Katharine Drexel Award.  The St. Katharine Drexel Award is an archdiocesan catechetical award presented to those who have served for ten years as a parish Director of Religious Education (DRE).  Elaine is currently the DRE at St. Ambrose Parish, Philadelphia.  Thank you, Elaine, for your loyal service to our parish and our Archdiocese!