Parish Pastoral Council Elections (Part II)
As I noted two weeks ago, it’s time to elect three new members for the Parish Pastoral Council. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia Rationale, Principles and Guidelines for Parish Pastoral Councils states so well, The purpose of the Parish Pastoral Council is to foster full participation of the entire parish in the life and mission of the parish and the Universal Church. The parish faith community participates in this mission by: Worshiping God; Creating and nourishing Christian Community; Growing in Faith and Holiness; and Serving those in need, especially [...]
Nominations for Our Parish Pastoral Council
The Parish Pastoral Council is one of the natural outcomes of the Second Vatican Council, which states so clearly that “all the laity have the exalted duty of working for the ever greater spread of the divine plan of salvation” (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, #33). This document goes on to state that “[b]y reason of the knowledge, competence or pre-eminence which they have, the laity are empowered – indeed, sometimes obliged – to manifest their opinion on those things which pertain to the good of the Church” (#37). As [...]
Catholic Relief Services Annual Collection
“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40). Next weekend, we will join with all parishes throughout the country in taking up the annual collection for Catholic Relief Services. Founded 76 years ago by the Catholic Bishops of the United States to serve World War II survivors in Europe - many of whom had lost everything in the war - it has since then expanded significantly in size and scope of work. With a staff of [...]
THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
Happy New Year! I hope you have enjoyed this marvelous festive season as we celebrated once again the birth of our Savior at Christmas as well as the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph last Sunday. Gathering together with family and friends is certainly a wonderful way to commemorate our Lord joining our human family so that we could become once again worthy to be part of God’s family! The Christmas season ends with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord next Sunday. As we [...]
Solemnity of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
“As long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the Lord.” (1 Samuel 1:28). As we continue our celebration of the Christmas Octave on this feast of The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, this Sunday we hear readings at Mass that are about just that: family - accented by dedication to the Lord, and faith and trust in God with an openness to His will. In our first reading from 1 Samuel, we hear Hannah, the mother of Samuel, dedicate her only son, whom she bore [...]
IN PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS
Christmas is just two days away and we all get an early peak at the beautiful Christmas decorations in our church today. But, you will notice that the two Christmas trees – one at the St. Joseph Shrine and one in the baptistery – that had been filled with 575 tags for women’s and children’s gifts at Mercy Hospice – are gone; so are all the tags! Over the past few weeks, so many of you have so generously taken the tags and returned with gifts for these needy women [...]