Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez released video pastoral messages in English and Spanish on the occasion of Easter 2020.
To view the video is English, please click below.
Pastoral Message to the Faithful from Archbishop Pérez on the Occasion of Easter 2020 from Kearns Media Consulting LLC on Vimeo.
To view the video is Spanish, please click below.
Mensaje del arzobispo Nelson J. Pérez a los fieles con motivo del Domingo de Pascua from Kearns Media Consulting LLC on Vimeo.
On Easter Sunday, St. Joseph Church will be open from 9am until noon. In the sanctuary of the Church, you will be able to obtain Holy Water that Father Harrison will have blessed the previous evening at the private Easter Vigil service. (Please bring your own bottle in which to take home the Holy Water.)
The Easter/Pentecost reflection booklets will be available in the gym.
If you bring your offering envelope, please drop it in the mailslot of the Parish Center entrance along Waters Rd. Thank you!
Today, we emailed our first e-Bulletin which contains up-to-date and other useful information not contained in our traditional paper bulletin. You can access the e-Bulletin here.
To receive these e-Bulletins directly in your in-box, you can sign-up at this link.
BLESSED PALM AVAILABLE AT ST. JOE’S
Blessed palm will be available at St. Joseph Church this Sunday, Palm Sunday, April 5 from 10am until noon in the gym.
PARISH BULLETIN
Thanks to our faithful parish bulletin publisher, John Patrick Publishing Company, we are still publishing a weekly online version of our parish bulletin. Looks just like the paper copy that you know and love! You can access it here or by clicking the Bulletin+ logo on the right hand side of this webpage.
FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP OF YOUR PARISH
A message from Father Harrison:
“Needless to say, the parish will be facing financial setbacks in the days ahead. Your weekly contributions are essential for the good of the parish. Your sacrificial giving is of great importance with meeting the costs of many parish programs, employee salaries and benefits, utilities, etc.
“I ask your help in this difficult time to mail in or drop off your weekly offering envelope at the parish office. You may use online banking as an option too. Please prayerfully consider increasing your offering as it may take some time to recoup when the crisis is over.
“From my heart, thank you for everything you do for us at St. Joseph Parish. May Mary, our Lady of Good Health, watch over you and your loved ones.”
ARCHBISHOP PEREZ’S VIRTUAL LENTEN RETREAT
The Archbishop’s Virtual Lenten Retreat continues until Palm Sunday. The 15-minute videos are released daily at 7pm here. You can also view recordings of the videos from the previous days.
LIVE-STREAM OF HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SERVICES FROM THE CATHEDRAL
The Archdiocese has cancelled all public Holy Week and Easter services throughout the parishes. The Archdiocese will have all the private services from the Cathedral live-streamed for all the faithful to participate online at archphila.org. Archbishop Perez will be the celebrant of each service. Click here for the schedule.
ROSARY CAMPAIGN FOR AN END TO THE CORONAVIRUS
The live-streamed campaign will continue nightly at 8pm until we don’t need to pray it anymore! Details for joining the Campaign online or by phone can be found here.
DIVINE MERCY NOVENA
“By this Novena, I will grant every possible grace to souls.” ~Jesus to St. Faustina
Join the priests and seminarians of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary online, by phone or in spirit for one of the most powerful novenas in the Church, the Divine Mercy Novena. Along with the specific intentions of each day, we will also ask for the grace of an end to the coronavirus pandemic.
Schedule: Good Friday, April 10 at 2pm;
Holy Saturday, April 11 through Divine Mercy Sunday, April 19 at 3:30pm.
For log-in information, the prayers of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the promises attached to it, click here.
MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA ONLINE
The Vincentians at the Miraculous Medal Shrine in Germantown continue to offer the Miraculous Medal Novena online each Monday at 9am at their website and Facebook page.
SEAL THE DOORPOSTS WITH THE DIVINE MERCY IMAGE
In this time of calamity, the Marian Fathers invite you to participate in a simple but incredibly powerful act of faith. To protect you and your family, we urge you to post an Image of Divine Mercy on your front doors. To learn more about this movement, click here. To download and print an Image of Divine Mercy for your door, click here.
CATHOLIC CALL TO PRAYER
The Catholic Call to Prayer was started a few years ago by several parishes in the Archdiocese. It continues to be a great resource to allow you to make a phone call and be guided in prayer. In addition to the 6:30am call Monday to Friday, they will be hosting a Call at Noon EVERY day of the week! The calls are 5 to 7 minutes long but assist you in opening up to the grace of God. They pray the Angelus, Psalm 91 and then Intercessory Prayer. Please call TOLL FREE 1 (877) 309-2073 and use Access Code 319-414-445#. Please share this number widely as the Daily Call can be a tremendous vehicle of grace for many people, including those unable to attend Mass at this time.
NOURISH FOR CAREGIVERS “HOUSE CALLS” – offered daily at 11am
During these uncertain times, Nourish For Caregivers will continue to foster community for caregivers in the privacy and safety of your own home through Nourish “House Calls”. Our mission is to bring hope and encouragement to those who feel hopeless and helpless in the face of this viral epidemic. Caregivers may participate via landline, cell phone, or through the use of a computer/tablet device. We hope you will join us as well as share this information with other caregivers who may benefit from these shared experiences. Each call will last approximately one hour depending upon the number of participants. Landline/Cell Phone (not toll free): (312) 626 6799 and enter Meeting ID: 940 374 7100 or Computer/Tablet one touch link: Click here to join by video.
DISCUSSION GROUPS WITH YOU ARE MADE NEW MINISTRIES
You Are Made New Ministry is now offering a daily Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3pm along with a weekly women’s support group and a discussion group for men and women. View the schedule and log-in information here.
MORNING PRAYER WITH FR. MATT GUCKIN – DAILY AT 7AM
Join Fr. Matt Guckin from St. Francis de Sales parish in West Philadelphia for live-streamed Morning Prayer each morning at 7am. Two ways to join in: via their parish website or via Facebook Live.
GET FREE ACCESS TO CATHOLIC VIDEOS, BOOKS, MOVIES AND MORE
Content is available in English and Spanish for adults and children. Access FORMED for free. If you do not already have a FREE account, here is how to get one:
1. Visit https://formed.org/signup
2. Type “Presentation Blessed Virgin Mary” in the search box and click on the listing that has “100 Old Soldiers Rd, Cheltenham PA”
3. Enter your info and click SignUp
4. Enjoy!
MORE SPIRITUAL RESOURCES
Many more resources can be found on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Spiritual Resource webpage.
PASTORAL AND TEMPORAL RESPONSE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
Visit the Archdiocese’s Covid-19 webpage for a variety of resources.
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP
Our Lady, Help of the Sick, pray for us!
St. Joseph, Protector of the Holy Family, pray for us!
Please pray for the soul of Art Pabustan, husband of Marcy, who passed away on March 30, 2020.
There will be a viewing on Friday, April 3, 2020 from 6pm to 8pm at Geitner-Givnish, 6230 N. 5th St., Philadelphia, and on Saturday, April 4, 2020 from 9am to 11am at Our Lady of Hope Church, Philadelphia, followed by the funeral Mass at Our Lady of Hope Church at 11am. Click here for the obituary.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Archbishop Perez has issued a statement that suspends public Masses in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia until further notice.
Sunday remains the Lord’s Day and you are encouraged to:
You are encouraged to visit this website and our Facebook page on a regular basis for further updates.
Please pray for the soul of Vera Halper, who passed away on March 10, 2020. Vera was our parish secretary for almost three decades; she retired in June 2016.
There will be a visitation on Friday, March 13, 2020 at 9:30am at Our Lady of Consolation Church, in the Tacony section of Philadelphia, followed by the funeral Mass at 10:30am. Click here for the obituary.
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.
The penitential season of Lent begins this Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, February 26, 2020 and lasts until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 9, 2020.
The bishops of the United States prescribe, as minimal obligation, that all persons over 14 years of age are gravely obliged to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent. All persons over 18 years of age and up to the beginning of their 60th year are gravely obliged to fast by limiting themselves to a single full meal on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, while the other two meals are to be light.
All the faithful are encouraged at attend Mass and to receive the Most Holy Eucharist daily, to use frequently the Sacrament of Penance, to undertake spiritual reading, especially the study of the Sacred Scriptures, and to attend parish Lenten devotions and Lenten educational programs.
Ashes will be distributed on Ash Wednesday at the 10am Mass at St. Joseph Church and at the 6:30am and 7:30pm Mass and 1:30pm Scripture Service at Presentation BVM Church.
On Sundays, we will pray the Stations of the Cross at 9:30am at St. Joseph Church. A video will be shown in the Parish Community Room following the 10am Mass each Sunday.
All are encouraged to participate in the annual CRS Rice Bowl, which has aided countless hungry persons here in our Archdiocese and throughout the world.
You can sign up for daily Lenten reflections at the following sites:
FORMED Daily Lenten Reflections
Dynamic Catholic’s Best Lent Ever!
Vincentians/Miraculous Medal Shrine “Amazing Grace this Lent”
Please pray for the soul of Jean Lembach, who passed away on February 10, 2020.
There will be a visitation on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 9am at Saint Joseph Church, followed by the funeral Mass at 10am. Click here for the obituary.
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.
This week is Catholic Schools Week which is an annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. We thank God for the many people who dedicate their lives in service to our Catholic Schools and for the parents and benefactors who have given support and witness to the importance of Catholic education. We pray that God will continue to bless their efforts and that our Catholic Schools students will continue to grow in faith, knowledge and service of others.
Although our own parish school, Saint Joseph School, closed in 2004, we are blessed that a number of our parish children attend our twinned parish’s school, Presentation BVM School. Registrations for the 2019-2020 academic year for grades K through 8, as well as the full day Preschool 3 and Pre-Kindergarten 4 programs, are now being accepted. Call the school at (215) 379-3798 to reserve a time to visit and tour the school. They look forward to meeting you and sharing their Pres Pride!
The 100% Volunteer Cheltenham Fire Company is excited to announce that it is teaming with NBC10 for a screening of a new episode of the hit series: CHICAGO FIRE. The event will be held at Presentation BVM Church Hall,100 Old Soldiers Rd., Cheltenham from 6pm to 8pm on January 22, 2020.
This will be a very exciting evening! NBC10 will be on-site with Harry Hairston to emcee the event. There will be NBC10 give-aways and light refreshments. The Cheltenham Fire Company will be featured on Philly Live as well as on additional segments of the news, and the StormRanger10 Mobile Weather Vehicle may be parked at the event with potential live coverage (weather dependent).
Enjoy snacks, fun and surprises while learning how to help your local fire house!
The Epiphany Home Blessing is an ancient blessing in the Catholic tradition that transcends cultures and continents. Legend holds that the letters correspond to the initials for the names of the Three Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. More importantly, these letters abbreviate the Latin phrase “Christus Mansionem Benedicat” – “May Christ bless this house”.
The year “2020” is divided by this phrase as a reminder to keep Jesus at the center of our lives and our relationships, wherever we go. The four crosses signify the four corners of the world to which we the Baptized are commissioned to proclaim the Gospel. The crosses also remind us that in the Year of Faith that we are called to:
Traditionally this blessing is done on Epiphany but it can be done at any time. The chalking ritual below is as a way to encourage every household of faith to begin the New Year in faith. This is a simple and versatile way to include family members of varied Christian denominations. The short prayer that follows can be shared at the main entrance of the home.
Chalking Entranceway Prayer
Begin by singing a refrain of familiar a Christmas song (e.g. “What Child is This?”)
Leader: The Lord be with you;
ALL: And with your spirit.
Leader: May Christ dwell in this house and bestow peace to all its inhabitants!
ALL: And all who enter it!
Leader: Let us pray. O God, you once used a star to lead wise ones and all people of good will to your Son. May the light of Christ guide us to recognize him in the epiphanies of our lives, each and every day. As we cross this threshold each day for work, study or play remind us of our true purpose – to love your people, do your will and lead others to you just as did the wise men of old. May all who enter here find your gracious hospitality in our company and may all who dwell here seek you in the face of every guest.
ALL: Christ bless this house.
Invite each person present to chalk the door way with the phrase: 20 + C + M + B + 20. Provide a step ladder and assistance so that younger family members can participate. If possible, conclude by singing another song (“O Come All Ye Faithful” or “We Three Kings”)
Leader: May Christ dwell with us, keep us from harm and make us one in mind and heart, now and forever We pray for this and all good things in the name of your son, Jesus Christ.
ALL: Come, Lord Jesus, into our homes and our hearts and remain with us now and always.
Please pray for the soul of Sr. Margaret Gavaghan, SSJ, who passed away on December 24, 2019. Sister Margaret lived at our convent for the past 15 years.
There will be a visitation on Monday, December 30, 2019 at 1pm at Saint Joseph Villa, 110 W. Wissahickon Ave., Flourtown, followed by the funeral Mass at 3pm. Click here for the obituary.
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.
Please note that the schedule for Sunday Masses on the weekends of December 21/22 and 28/29 will be the regular schedule in both parishes.
CONFESSIONS
Saturdays, December 21: 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 (Carols begin at 7pm)
December 25 – 8:30am and 11:30am
SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD- Holy Day of Obligation
December 31 – 5pm Mass at Saint Joseph Church
January 1 – 10am Mass at Presentation B.V.M. Church (No 6:30am Mass)
Congratulations to the family of Francis Michael Duffy IV who was baptized at our Church this morning, December 8, 2019. Welcome to the Catholic Church, Francis!
