Introducing Our New Parish Pastoral Plan
As we prepare to begin another liturgical year – Advent begins in two weeks - I want to introduce you to our new Parish Pastoral Plan. It may be hard to believe that it’s already five years since our last Pastoral Plan was initiated! But, after working closely with our Parish Pastoral Council over the past year, I am now happy to present to you our new Parish Pastoral Plan. After a careful review of our parish and its various purposes, organizations and initiatives, as well as an evaluation of [...]
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Annual Appeal
If you receive the Philadelphia Inquirer on Sunday, you most likely saw the front page article entitled “Failure at the Top” in last Sunday’s edition. This article, spread out over five pages, outlined how some bishops in our country have failed in their response to sexual misconduct among the clergy over the past few decades. It is a very disturbing account of mismanagement and disregard for the victims of this abuse. Again, I ask you to join me in praying for all of the victims, that they may find healing [...]
Adopt-a-Family, Christmas Food Basket, Mercy Hospice Giving Tree
Hope you are enjoying our long-awaited fall; it finally arrived.. And, Christmas is only eight weeks away! We have several parish initiatives that will allow you to give to those in need as you celebrate God’s great gift of his Son, Jesus. For those of you not familiar with them or who would benefit from a little refresher, allow me toexplain each of these excellent programs: Adopt-a-Family, Christmas Food Basket and Mercy Hospice Giving Tree. Adopt-a-Family For the past 26 years, a small group of parishioners have coordinated this program [...]
Stewardship – Parish Giving Receptions
STEWARDSHIP – PARISH GIVING RECEPTIONS this weekend After the 5:00pm Mass and between the 9:30 and 11:30am Masses Stewardship is what you do after you say “I believe!” If you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God who became the son of Mary to show us God’s love in person, then you are called to stewardship. Jesus taught us about God and God’s Kingdom. He taught us how to pray and worship God. He taught that the most important commandments were to love God and love our neighbor. [...]
Annual Visit to St. Martin de Porres Parish
Next Sunday, 21 October, I will celebrate the Sunday Mass at St. Martin de Porres, our sister parish. It is always a pleasure to take part in their lively celebration and I invite you to join me there! This year will be special because it is the 25th anniversary of this parish. Don’t be fooled, though; the parish has a long history - almost as long as ours. Allow me to explain. The church was originally called St. Columba, founded in 1895 (two years after our parish was founded) by [...]