Holy Week 2017 Schedule

April 9, 2017 – Palm Sunday
10am Mass at Saint Joseph Church with a Solemn Entrance Procession

Monday, April 10, 2017
9:30am Mass at Saint Joseph Church

Wednesday, April 12, 2017
9:30am Mass at Saint Joseph Church
7pm-8pm Sacrament of Reconciliation at Presentation B.V.M. Church

Holy Thursday, April 13, 2017
5pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper at Saint Joseph Church
Saint Joseph Church will remain open until 9pm
(Holy Thursday Mass at Presentation B.V.M. Church at 7:30pm)

Good Friday, April 14, 2017
Saint Joseph Church will open at 12 noon for private prayer.
7:30pm Solemn Service of the Lord’s Passion at Saint Joseph Church
(Solemn Service of the Lord’s Passion at Presentation B.V.M. Church at 3pm)

Holy Saturday, April 15, 2017
4pm-5pm Sacrament of Reconciliation at Presentation B.V.M. Church
5pm Blessing of Easter Foods at Presentation B.V.M. Church
8pm Solemn Easter Vigil at Presentation B.V.M. Church

Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017
10am Mass at Saint Joseph Church
(Mass at Presentation B.V.M. Church at 8:30am and 11:30am)

Sunday, April 23, 2017: Parish Retreat

Saint Joseph and Presentation B.V.M. Parishes are invited to our Spring Retreat to be held at the Basilian Spirituality Center, 710 Fox Chase Rd. on Sunday, April 23, 2017 from 2pm-6pm. The cost is $20 per person (payable at the retreat), which includes a hoagie meal. Please note that you must arrange your own transportation. If attending, please fill out the form shown below by Tuesday, April 18.

Please plan on joining us for this afternoon of prayer, reflection and Mass.

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Solemnity of Saint Joseph

By Mfsad (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons

Since March 19, 2017 is the Third Sunday of Lent, the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and our parish patron, is transferred to the following Monday, March 20.

“Saint Joseph is a man of great spirit. He is great in faith, not because he speaks his own words, but above all because he listens to the words of the Living God. He listens in silence. And his heart ceaselessly perseveres in the readiness to accept the Truth contained in the word of the Living God.” (St. John Paul II)

“I have great love for Saint Joseph, because he is a man of silence and strength. On my table I have an image of Saint Joseph sleeping. Even when he is asleep, he is taking care of the Church!” (Pope Francis)

St. Joseph, patron of the Universal Church and our parish patron, pray for us.

Sunday Video: Consoling the Heart of Jesus

Series begins Sunday, March 19
after the 10am Mass
in the Parish Community Room

33 Days to Morning Glory led us to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Stage One, Part I.

In Part II, Consoling the Heart of Jesus, we will learn about God’s infinite mercy and how we can give him joy, consoling his heart, by accepting his love and trusting in him completely. We’ll discover how suffering can actually help us grow spiritually closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Funeral Notice: Rosemary McDonnell

Clocks Spring Forward this Saturday

Image: Daniel Irmler, churchhacks.com

Daylight Saving Time begins this weekend. Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour this Saturday night, March 11, 2017. We wouldn’t want anyone to be late for church!

Saint Joseph Novena Prayer

St Joseph Cover Please join us for the Saint Joseph Novena Prayer beginning Saturday, March 11 in preparation for our parish’s patron feast day on Sunday, March 19.

The novena prayer will be prayed together at Saint Joseph Church on Sunday, March 19 at 9:40am, prior to the 10am Mass.

You are invited to pray the novena prayer privately at home during the other eight days. Click here for the novena prayer.

Sunday Video: Powers and Dominions

Sundays, March 5 and 12 after the 10am Mass
in the Parish Community Room

In all of God’s creation we see such splendor and beauty, mystery and wonder. Within this creation there are beings with intellect and free will: humans and angels.

From the creation of the world, the realm of the angels and the world of men have interacted. This interaction is not always a positive one.

Powers and Dominions: Angels, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare explores the spiritual world, that very real but unseen realm: God, the human soul, angels, demons (fallen angels), spiritual warfare, the reality of demonic possession and exorcism, the dangers of the new age movement and the occult, and much more.

Featuring well-known speakers and authors Steve Ray, Fr. Andrew Pinsent, Fr. Marcus Holden, Joanna Bogle, Fr. Jeremy Davies and Fr. Behruz Rafat, this film offers an insightful and sobering presentation about the reality of the powers and dominions of the spiritual world. Inspirational music, beautiful artwork and imagery are used throughout the film.

Poor Man’s Supper

We will have a Poor Man’s Supper in our Parish Community Room on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at 6pm. A simple meal of soup and bread will be served. There is no cost – however, all those attending will be asked to make a donation to CRS Rice Bowl for the poor.

Everyone is invited to partake in this symbolic meal! If you plan to attend, please put your name on the sign-up board in the gym or use the form below to sign-up by Sunday, March 5:

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Lent Begins Wednesday!

The penitential season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 1, 2017 and lasts until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 13, 2017.

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 9:30am Mass at St. Joseph Church and at the 6:30am and 7:30pm Mass at 1:30pm Scripture Service at Presentation BVM Church.

On Sundays during Lent, 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.

Sunday Video: The Wild Goose, Part 3

the-wild-goose

The Wild Goose
After Sunday Mass on February 26, 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.

40 Days for Life

40-days-for-life This 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

Gifts 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-anthony Over 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 flanking We 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!