1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

COVER SHEET
Church Name:
St. Alphonsus Catholic Church
33 Conwell Drive
Maple Glen, PA 19002
Bulletin Number:
020800
E-Mail Address:
church_bulletin@stalphonsus.com
Contact Person:
Valerie Barbour
Software:
Microsoft Publisher 2010
Adobe Acrobat 9 Standard
Windows XP Professional
Printer:
Sharp MX2610N
Transmission Time:
12:00 Noon Wednesday
Number of pages sent:
9
Sunday Date
of Publication:
March 10, 2013
THANK YOU,
VALERIE BARBOUR-FEATHER
(215) 646-4600
THERE IS AN INSERT: 020800 INSERT 3-10-2013
St. Alphonsus Parish
March 10, 2013
Fourth Sunday of Lent
More than forty-five years serving the people of God
Rev. Msgr. Thomas J. Owens, Pastor
Rev. Quan M. Trinh, Parochial Vicar
Rev. Joseph B. Smits CICM, Weekend Asst.
Deacon Peter H. Burghart
Rev. Wilfred F. Maloney, Pastor Emeritus
RECTORY— (215) 646-4600 FAX— (215) 646-0180
Kathy Morris, Parish Services Director
Nick D’Amico, Parish Business Manager
MUSIC MINISTRY — (215) 654-0129
Mary Lou Lewcun, Music Director
CHOIR — (215) 542-8319
Frank Stieber, Director
Kathleen Dilts, Principal
David Hayden, Vice Principal
www.olmcatholicschool.com
P.R.E.P. — (215) 643-7938
Linda Tonelli, Director of Religious Education
YOUTH MINISTRY—devlinsuzie@gmail.com
Suzie Devlin, Youth Coordinator
PARISH PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
Joseph Carmean
OUR LADY OF MERCY
REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL
A joint ministry of St. Alphonsus,
St. Anthony of Padua & St. Catherine of Siena Parishes
29 Conwell Drive Maple Glen, PA 19002
Located on the campus of
St. Alphonsus Parish
(215) 646-0150
MASS SCHEDULE (IN CHURCH)
Saturday Vigil: 5 PM
Sunday: 8 AM, 10:15 AM and 12:00 Noon
DAILY MASS SCHEDULE (IN CHAPEL)
Monday through Friday: 6:30 AM and 9:00 AM
Saturday: 9:00 AM
PARISH OFFICE HOURS
(Located in the Rectory)
Monday through Friday: 9 AM to 12:30 PM and 1 PM to 4 PM
Saturday (Mass Cards only) 10 AM to 2 PM
Sunday (Mass Cards only) 9 AM to Noon
SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
(In Chapel)
Saturday : After 9 AM Mass; 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM
A proper examination of conscience and the prayers of the rite are
available in the Chapel.
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
The Sacrament of Baptism celebrated on the 2nd & 4th Sundays of
the month at 1:15 PM in the church. Parents are expected to attend
a Pre-Jordan class prior to the baptism. Please call the Rectory to
arrange the baptism ceremony and/or to register for Pre-Jordan
class.
SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK
Those hospitalized, seriously ill or anticipating a hospital procedure are welcome to celebrate the Anointing of the Sick after the
last daily Mass on any weekday. Please contact the Rectory to
indicate your intention to receive the sacrament.
SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY
Couples contemplating marriage must contact one of the priests at
least six months in advance to make an appointment to discuss
marriage plans and preparation.
33 Conwell Drive
Maple Glen PA 19002
Parish Website:
www.stalphonsusparish.com
Parish E-Mail Address:
church_bulletin@stalphonsus.com
Phone (215) 646-4600
Fax (215) 646-0180
Mass Intentions for the Week
Saturday, March 9:
9:00 AM: Robert Logan—The Robins Family
5:00 PM:
For the People of the Parish
Sunday, March 10:
8:00 AM
Barbara & George Monasky—The
Monasky Family
10:15 AM
Angela Serratore—Dolores Serratore
12:00 PM
Margaret Garrity—Jackie & Scott
Smith
Monday, March 11:
6:30 AM:
Wendell W. Young III—Meghan &
Don Coleman
9:00 AM:
Rita A. Gallagher—The McGarvey
Family
Tuesday, March 12:
6:30 AM:
John Anthony Arena—Mary Ellen
Cannon
9:00 AM:
Grant M. Hoffner—Raymond Dispoto
Wednesday, March 13:
6:30 AM
John & Catherine Donnelly—Their
Family
9:00 AM
Barbara & George E. Monasky—Their
Family
Thursday, March 14:
6:30 AM
Albert Visek—Dave & Arlene White
9:00 AM
Mass of Thanksgiving—Deacon &
Marge Burghart
Friday, March 15:
6:30 AM
Catherine Lamoreaux—Kevin & Anne
Galligan
9:00 AM
Richard M. Carroll Jr.—Joan Tomeo
Saturday, March 16:
9:00 AM
Marcy Kelly—John Loftus
5:00 PM
Peter Teleha—Gerry & Mary Ann
Smith
Sunday, March 17:
8:00 AM
For the People of the Parish
10:15 AM
John R. O’Connor—Ethel Wohlhagen
& Family
12:00 PM
Peter Teleha—George & Carol Longo
SICK RELATIVES AND FRIENDS
Pamela Moran
Donald James Carroll
Kristin Murphy
Kara Marie Grainger
Lois McGinty
Michael Thorne
Ann Michels
Marni Brown Passaretti
Mary Curran
Larry DiLuzio
Joe Cirotti
Ethel Cirotti
Grady Hofmann
Sandora Weathers
Rose Mullarkey
Peg McGann
Wolfgang Lackler
Ethel Moses
Michael Getty
Gregory Thompson
Maryjane Payne
YOUR WILL
Please remember our parish in your bequests.
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Kathleen O’Shea
Ella Dierkes
Grace Pierce
Morgan McDonald
Patti Carrier
Charles Irwin
Belinda Loehle
Joseph Loehle Jr.
Winifred Auch
Joseph McNamara
Anne Romberger
Marisa Fabiszewski
Elizabeth Schapperle
Jennifer McDermott
Gerard Taddei
Joan Taddei
Shannon DiGiuseppe
Mary K. Greenwood
Kristen PavlickWeetenkamp
DECEASED RELATIVES AND FRIENDS
Charles McCann, Eileen Greenwood (mother of Tom
Greenwood), Dean Thompson, Dorothy McAuliffe, Gary Gilbert,
and Shirley Ann Burns.
PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS
Lcpl. Patrick Miller, Lieutenant Christopher M. Boss, Lieutenant
Thomas Nell, USMC, Connor Cleary, Sean Dickson,
Eric Burns, Matthew Reed, Joey Lewcun, Anthony
Szczurek, Tania Szczurek, Matthew Trimborn, Major Gabriel J. Zinni, Ryan Greene, Michael McHale,
Michael McDonald, Matthew Morrison, Col. John
Sullivan, Lieutenant Commander Thomas Luft, Bradford Hollingsworth.
Together as a parish we pray for their safety.
Please contact John Cavanaugh if you would like to add a name
or for more information at 215-643-3299 or email at
jjcav@comcast.net.
LITURGY OF THE HOURS/ROSARY
Morning Prayer is Monday through Saturday at 8:40 AM.
The recitation of the Holy Rosary follows our 9 AM Mass.
Next Sunday’s Celebrants
March 16 and 17
5:00 PM
8:00 AM
10:15 AM
12:00 PM
Preaching:
Monsignor Tom Owens
Father Joseph Smits
Father Quan Trinh
Monsignor Tom Owens
Deacon Peter Burghart
Celebrants subject to change.
Music Ministry
Holy Communion for the Sick and Homebound
If you are unable to attend Mass and would like to receive
Holy Communion, please contact Kathy Morris at the rectory (215) 646-4600 or email at Kmorris1000@comcast.net.
Fr. Dennis Billy
Nicole Hayes
Marge Burghart
Leonard Paccione
Kirsten Threlfall
Julie Moor
Joseph Burke
David Dickson IV
Alice Notaris
Luta Lipman
Fred Silverman
Jim Jandrisitz
Michael DiMuzio
David Byrne
Kathleen Finnegan
Carol Stilletto
Barbara Ramsden
Kevin Romano
Grace Marcozzi
Michelle Gossner
Thomas Fisher
5:00 PM
8:00 AM
10:15 AM
12:00 PM
JT Toth, Michelle Toth
Frank Stieber, Mary Lou Lewcun
Revelation
Monica Spadoni-Matthews,
Mary Lou Lewcun
Bulletin notices are due no later than Monday noon to church_bulletin@stalphonsus.com
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY
First Reading — See, I am doing something new! (Isaiah
43:16-21) or Ezekiel 37:12-14.
Psalm — The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled
with joy (Psalm 126) or Psalm 130.
Second Reading — I have been taken possession of by Christ
Jesus (Philippians 3:8-14) or Romans 8:8-11.
Gospel — Go, and from now on do not sin any more (John 8:1
-11) or John 11:1-45 [3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45].
Adoration Corner
Every Wednesday in the Chapel
9:30 AM-6:30 PM
Followed by Evening Prayer and Benediction
Intention:
Dedication:
For Victims of National Disaster
Interfaith Committee
Could you not spend an hour with me?
Meditation
Do You Know Your Tribunal?
On this final Lenten Sunday before Palm Sunday, Christ
looks at us as he looks at the woman caught in adultery.
Her sin, our sin is patent and undeniable. The question is:
How do we look back at Christ? With the self-righteous yet
guilty eyes of the scribes and the Pharisees who drop their
stones but not their murderous intentions (which they now
transfer to Jesus)? Or like the adulteress who remains alone
before Jesus and who accepts with humble confidence the
sentence of Christ: “I do not condemn you?” The woman
gains “the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus” as her
Lord. Thanks to that event, we accept the loss of all things,
considering them as so much rubbish… especially our willfulness, our self-sufficiency, our meanness, our malice, our
self-assertion, and our pride. She and we “remember not the
events of the past” but instead enter upon the path the Event
who is Christ opens in “the mighty waters”: the accumulation of all the tears shed throughout history. The Father
opens a way, not in the sea, but in his Son’s side.
The Tribunal is a group of specially qualified Catholics
whose responsibility is to come to the help of people who
have experienced divorce and who may wish to remarry in
the Catholic Church. When a divorce occurs, the Catholic
Church always seeks to balance two realities. One is the
unbreakableness of the bond of marriage. This is God’s law.
It cannot be broken by human intervention. On the other
hand, the Church is concerned about the spiritual welfare of
the people involved. Was this a true marriage? Even though
a Catholic marriage was concelebrated, was there perhaps
some deficiency in the consent of the parties involved? The
annulment procedure addresses this problem. If you are divorced and want to marry in the Church or remarried outside the Catholic Church, please telephone the Tribunal Office.
The Tribunal,
222 North 17th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Telephone (215) 587-3750
Rachel’s Vineyard
www.stalphonsusparish.com
Have you signed up yet to receive our latest parish web announcements. Just go to our website and give us your email
address. Each time we post a new announcement on our
website, it will be emailed to you. Great way to keep informed. Find us on Facebook too.
Rachel’s Vineyard retreats are for anyone hurting from the
spiritual and emotional pain of an abortion. The weekend
will help you experience the mercy and compassion of God;
grieve your loss; and forgive yourself and others. Retreats
are held at the Spiritual Center in Fraser PA. Call (215) 9066337 for the next retreat date. All contacts are confidential.
This Week at St. Alphonsus
Contact the
Rectory Office
for details
215-646-4600
New Family Registration
All new families are asked to please register at the rectory.
We are eager to greet new members of our parish community. Call for an appointment. (Note: Families moving out of
the Parish should also notify the rectory).
Teller Group #6 March 17 :
Marion Harrer
Dick Ruth
Ed Vasoli
Jim McCoog
March Poor Box: Operation Rice Bowl
Page 3
Sun. March 10: 8:00 PREP Confessions; 8:45 AM PREP;
10:15 AM Little Church School; 7:00 PM Lenten Music
Program; 7:00 PM FUSE Youth Group HS
Mon. March 11: Have a wonderful week!
Tues. March 12: 6:30 AM Morning Bible Study; 9:30 AM
Moms and Tots; 4:00 PM Share the Word; 4:00 PM PREP
Confessions; 4:30 PM PREP; 7:00 PM Pastoral Council
Wed. March 13: Adoration following 9 AM Mass; 7:00 PM
Confessions; 7:30 PM Evening Bible Study
Thurs., March 14: 7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal
Fri., March 15: 6:00 PM FUSE Youth Group MS;
7:30 PM Stations of the Cross
Have a great weekend!
Bulletin notices are due no later than Monday noon to church_bulletin@stalphonsus.com
Willow Grove
Chamber of Commerce
& State Rep. Tom Murt
present
JOB FAIR
What’s Going On
Gwynedd Mercy Academy
High School
Are you interested in GMAHS?
Do you what it means to be a
Gwynedd Girl? Do you want to learn more
about our academics, sports and
extracurricular activities? Now is your chance!
Come visit Gwynedd from 8:15 AM to 10:30 AM and receive a personal tour with the Admissions staff, explore
classrooms, and interact with students and faculty. Space is
limited so please call the Admissions Office at (215) 6468815 ext. 306 to make a reservation. Please visit the website
at www.gmahs.org for more information.
Archbishop Wood High School
655 York Rd. Warminster PA
Spring Open House for 6th & 7th Graders
Thursday, March 21, 2013
7:00 PM—9:00 PM
Seventh Grade Practice Exam
Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 8:30 AM
Deadline to register for exam is Tuesday, April 2nd
Fee is $35, call (215) 672-5050
Attention Runners…
OLM Run for Mercy 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run
Sat., March 16th, 2013 at 9:00 AM
Starts and ends at St. Alphonsus Parish Center
Benefits the educational needs of
Our Lady of Mercy
Sign-up online by clicking on the advancement tab of the
school website: www.olmcatholicschool.com. Entry fee
includes race registration, long sleeve t-shirt, food after the
race, and tons of fun. Also looking for sponsors &
volunteers. Contact Meg Pensabene (215) 628-3008 or
meg.pensabene@verizon.net.
The Holy Redeemer Thrift Store
Donations Needed
The Holy Redeemer Thrift Store is seeking tax deductible
donations of gently used clothing, decorative items and
housewares to stock their store. For large items, please call
their furniture line: (215) 674-1321. If your furniture qualifies, the pick-up is free.
Location: Town & Country Shopping Centre, 473 E. County Line Rd., Hatboro PA 19040, (215) 675-5833
Donation Hours: Mon.– Fri. 10 AM-6 PM; Sat. 9:30 AM 4 PM; Sun. 11 AM-4 PM.
All proceeds from sales benefit Holy Redeemer Women’s
and Children’s Services.
Page 4
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
10:00 AM—3:00 PM
FREE Admission to Job Seekers
Meet with over 30 exhibitors
Williams Banquet Hall
Route 611 & Blairmill Road, Horsham, PA
For more information please visit
www.WGJobFair.com
Inspired by the
Holy Spirit
Communicating Hope!
Pray for our Priests and Our Pope
St. Catherine of Siena Parish
321 Witmer Rd.
Horsham PA
St. Catherine of Siena in Horsham hosts an ongoing Holy
Hour for Priests. Join them the 1st and 3rd Sunday every
month at 7:00 PM in the Chapel. The next dates for the
Holy Hour is March 17th. All are welcome!
Mass for Persons with Disabilities,
The Deaf Community, Family, Friends & Caregivers
Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 10:30 AM
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th & Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Principal celebrant & homilist
Light reception immediately following Mass
All are welcome
For more information, contact the Dept. for Pastoral Care
for Persons with Disabilities (215) 587-3530 (voice), (267)
507-1215 (video phone).
Market Day
A Fundraiser Like No Other
This monthly grocery sale provides a great
variety of healthy, delicious and convenient
food at competitive prices. Also, a percentage of every
purchase will fund important resources for
Our Lady of Mercy.
Order today by visiting marketday.com or fill out the EZ
order forms are found in the Narthex
For questions or order forms please contact
Jocelyn Martone 215-628-2154
Customers save $5.00 on orders of $25.00 or more!
Bulletin notices are due no later than Monday noon to church_bulletin@stalphonsus.com
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus serving your
parish wish to thank you very much for
your support of their Crab Cake Sale. We
hope you enjoyed or will enjoy the cakes,
soup and nuggets, and we welcome your
comments (contact Steven Neyer at
jsandmjn@verizon.net).
Your dollars from the profits will go to support activities in the parish. It gives us great
satisfaction in helping out, and your support
makes that possible. Thank you!
Cultural Heritage Mass
March 16th
Catholic Clinical Consultants
Catholic Clinical Consultants, the behavioral health company of Catholic Healthcare Services of the Archdiocese of
Philadelphia, offers individual, couples, and family counseling in a supportive environment. Our staff includes psychologists and Master’s level professional psychotherapists.
Day and evening hours are available. We are a Medicare
provider and accept most health insurance. We have offices
in West Chester, Levittown, East Norriton, Northeast Philadelphia and Springfield, Delaware County.
To schedule an appointment at the nearest office, please
call 1-855-518-2223.
Father Chuck’s Challenge
Pilgrimage to Nicaragua June 3-8, 2013
Join us on a pilgrimage with Food for the Poor, to the
mountains of Northern Nicaragua. We will visit homes of
some of the 4,500 poor now sheltered by donors to Father
Chuck’s Challenge. We plan to dedicate our two new villages, each with Holy Mass-as well as three newly renovated churches! No physical labor involved!
For details please contact IMMEDIATELY!
Msgr. Francis X. Schmidt at (610) 676-0146 or
email Connie Hunt at corneliahunt3@gmail.com
Holy Redeemer Counseling Center
521 Moredon Rd. Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006
“To Pamper is to Nourish”
Many people often prioritize the needs of others above their
own. It’s important to take care of yourself not just on special occasions, but on a daily basis. This class will teach you
some great tips to help you pamper yourself and restore balance to your life by making a few simple changes and adding certain “lifestyle upgrades” into your daily routine. Registration is required by Friday, March 15th in order to provide adequate seating. Space is limited.
Wednesday, March 20th from 7-9 PM
Cost is $25
Presenter: Rachael Pontillo, AADP CHC, BS, LE
1-800-818-4747
Page 5
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul
18th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway
9:30 AM Procession; 10:00 Mass
Principal Celebrant: Archbishop Charles J. Chaput
Over 20 immigrant/ethnic communities will be attending.
News from Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School
Calling all Seasoned Runners, Wanna-be Runners, and
More...Please join us for the fun:
OLM 5K Run for Mercy
Saturday, March 16th at 9:00am
Registration information and race details are available at
our website:
www.olmcatholicschool.com
Calendar Reminders:
March 16 - OLM 5K Run for Mercy (9am)
March 19 & 21 - Lenten Confession for Students
March 28, 29 and April - NO SCHOOL for the
Easter Triduum and Holiday
April 6 - OLM Trivia Night (6:30pm)
April 15 - Full Day for Students
Now Accepting Registrations for the
2013-2014 School Year.
Please call the school office
215-646-0150
for an appointment.
Check us out on the web:
www.olmcatholicschool.com
www.facebook.com/OLMCS
Bulletin notices are due no later than Monday noon to church_bulletin@stalphonsus.com
Men’s Leadership Training Workshop
St. Gertrude’s Parish
209 Merion Avenue, West Conshohocken, PA
The King’s Men will be hosting a Leader’s Training Workshop Saturday, March 16th at St. Gertrude’s in West Conshohocken from 9 AM-4 PM. The workshop is for any man
interested in leading the men of the parish in an adult men’s
formation and accountability group. This program is designed to engage all men (fathers, husbands, sons, and single men 18+) in a masculine faith experience. For more information, please contact Dave DiNuzzo, TKM Director of
Programming at (719) 231-0922. Sponsored by the Archdiocesan Office for Life, Family and Laity.
Dear Friends in Christ,
On behalf of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput and
the entire community of St. Charles Borromeo
Seminary, I write to express deep gratitude for
the sacrifice that you made through you leadership gift of $1,785 in support of the 2012-2013 St. Charles
Borromeo Seminary Appeal. Your commitment is greatly
appreciated and critically important to meet the formation
needs of our future priests, the deacons who assist the pastors in their parishes and the lay women and men teaching
religious education programs throughout the Archdiocese.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Timothy C. Senior
Rector
The Church in Africa Needs You
Support the Solidarity Fund for the
Church in Africa
Next week our parish will take up the
Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa. While those in the region remain
inspired by the faith, they still face the
challenges of high rates of poverty and
unemployment, illiteracy, and poor
education. The Solidarity Fund supports essential pastoral projects all over
the continent that help educate and provide a solid faith
foundation. The Church in Africa needs you. Please give
generously in next week’s Solidarity Fund appeal.
Neumann Spirituality Day Retreat
Nativity of Our Lord
625 W. Street Road, Warminster, PA
“Between Heaven and Mirth”
Wednesday, March 13th 9:30 AM-2:00 PM
Located in the Parish Center, cost is $15, which includes
Continental Breakfast at 9:30 AM, program from 10 AM - 2
PM. Drinks and desserts provided for Brown Bag Lunch.
Reservation requested but not required. Contact Rosemary
(215) 947-2780.
Page 6
Archdiocesan Boy Choir
Annual Palm Sunday Concert
Sunday, March 24th at 3:00 PM
Our Lady Help of Christians
1500 Marian Rd., Abington PA 19001
Adults: $10
Students/Seniors: $8
Family Ticket: $25 (two parents & children)
This event is certain to put anyone who attends them into
the true Spirit of Holy Week as the sound of the boys’ voices warm the heart and uplift the soul.
St. Alphonsus would like to welcome the
following new members to our
parish community:
Johnathan & Megan Bollard (Finley)
Brian & Kathleen Devlin (Lauren)
Christian & Jennifer DiGennaro
(Olivia & Luca)
Jonathan & Jennifer-Lee Foley
William & Florence McDermott
Suzanne O’Connor (Raeghan, Kane & Reese)
Thomas & Araceli Smid (Thomas Jr. & Alexa)
James & Meredith Stevenson (Annika)
Nathaniel & Sarah Massari (Gabe & Luke)
William & Denise Maher
Richard & Tamara Harris (Audrey & William)
Christopher & Kathleen McCarthy
(Aidan, Emma & Grace)
Margaret Finn
Ian & Denise McVeigh (Jake & Anna)
Daniel & Margaret Marsh
Mass for Hope and Healing
April 12, 2013
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul
18th St. & Benjamin Franklin Parkway
The Mass for Hope and Healing is for those who have lost a
child through abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth, illness or violence. Confessions and individual prayers for healing will be
available following the Mass.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workshop
For Caregivers
This free workshop is open to both family & friends who
are providing care for a loved one.
Come join us for an afternoon or evening workshop where
you will learn mindfulness tools to help reduce stress, increase wellness and cultivate compassion.
Foulkeways at Gwynedd
1120 Meetinghouse Rd, Gwynedd PA
Afternoon Workshop: Wed. March 20th, 2-3 PM
Evening Workshop: Thurs. March 21st, 6:30-8:30 PM
To register for one of the workshops, please contact Andrea
McCabe at (215) 83-7331 or andream@foulkeways.org.
Bulletin notices are due no later than Monday noon to church_bulletin@stalphonsus.com
Parish Anniversary Events
ORGANIZATIONAL NEWS
MS
HS
FUSE Helps Ambler Community Cupboard
March 10th at 6:00 PM bring some Easter goodies to the
Church Hall and make a basket or two for
families in need. March 13th at 3:15 PM,
deliver the parish’s food donations along
with our baskets to Ambler Food Cupboard.
Can you spare 30 minutes for Lent? March 15th at 7:30
PM reading teen Stations of the Cross is back by popular
demand! Email delinsuzie@gmail.com if you can do this.
Ambler YMCA
1325 McKean Rd., Ambler PA 19002
215-628-9950
Earth Service Corps
Go Green! Started in 1989, The YMCA Earth Service Corps
has empowered young people ages 11-17 to be effective,
responsible, global citizens by providing opportunities for
environmental education and action, leadership development and cross-cultural awareness. Those who participate in
the program have the opportunity to plan various service
projects, hike, go on various field trips, and learn the importance of environmental responsibility. For information
please contact Teen Director Mike Miles at ext. 1540.
Casseroles from Group II are due on Thursday, March 14th
by 10:00 AM. Please prepare the food in the pan, bake it,
freeze it then place it into the church freezer. For more information on how to join this ministry or if you have questions, please contact Pat Kane at (215) 674-1394
St. Alphonsus’ Seniors
The Seniors Club will hold their next meeting on Monday,
March 18th at1:30. Our special treat on this occasion will be
our gourmet dessert table. Members are asked to bring a
dessert that serves 8 people. Bingo will follow. Hope to see
you there. New members welcome. Questions, call (215)
646-6473.
St Alphonsus Seniors Group Travel Schedule
Mon., April 29th: Delaware Park Racing/Casino: Cost
$55; $30 free play and lunch. Departure TBA. Leave the
Casino after the last race.
Wed. May 15th: American Music Theater/Shady Maple.
Cost $85; Show- “Now & Forever” Departure TBA.
Contact Eleanor Deon (215) 646-4492 for additional details.
More events to follow!
Page 7
If anyone is interested in volunteering
for any of the events for our parish celebration, please contact Kathy Morris at
the rectory. There are many ways we
could use your help.
Adult Altar Servers Volunteers
We are looking to add to our adult altar server group to assist at our masses, particularly funerals. We especially need
help during the time the school students have testing, special
activities, or during the summer. Please contact Kathy Morris at the Rectory Office or Kmorris1000@comcast.net if
you are interested in this ministry.
Family Portraits
50 Anniversary Book
th
Please be a part of the Parish Directory.
We need YOU to make this book complete!
The session is free and each family will receive a
complimentary 8x10 portrait and directory.
Next Session of Sittings– April 12 and 13th, 2013
These sessions will be in the Parish Center.
Go to the parish website, www.stalphonsus.com
for the link to sign up. Please call the rectory if you
can not go to the site. Other sitting times are also
available until June, just in time for our college students.
Interested in Becoming A Catholic?
The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is the way
people join the Catholic Christian Community. It is the process of instruction, prayer, and community
experience that leads to full membership in
the Catholic Church. The program is for those
never baptized, those married to or marrying
Catholics and wanting to better understand
their partner’s faith, those persons having
never received the Sacrament of Confirmation and Eucharist, or needing some more instruction to help them to an
adult faith. If you or someone you know may want to join
us, contact the Rectory Office or e-mail us at rectory@stalphonsus.com.
Bulletin notices are due no later than Monday noon to church_bulletin@stalphonsus.com
Parish
Lenten Corner
Seeking God in All Things
Take a look at our Lenten road to Calvary
in the Main Church and reflect on this
meditation from an excerpt of writings
by Thomas Merton.
It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I
now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me
and gave himself for me. (Gal 2:20)
Christ living in me is at the same time himself and myself.
From that moment I am united to him “in one spirit” there is
no longer any contradiction implied by the fact that we are
different people. This union is not merely a moral union.
Christ mystically identifies his members with himself by
giving them his Holy Spirit and so he manifests his presence
within us and becomes for us a source of new life.
Symbols of Lent
Symbols of Lent: Light: We are sent
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (John 9:5)
Just as Jesus healed the man born blind, the Lord heals our
blindness so that we may be light for others. We put our
light on a lampstand so it gives light to all in the house.
St. Alphonsus Diaconate Candidate
Congratulations to JT Toth, a candidate in formation for
Holy Orders as a permanent deacon from our parish. JT will
be instituted into the Ministry of Acolyte on Saturday,
March 16th. Our support and prayers are with JT and his
family.
The mission of Catholic Charities agencies is to provide
service to people in need, to advocate for justice in social
structures, and to call the entire church and other people
of good will to do the same.
The Parish goal is $76,250.
By now you should have received your pledge information in the mail. If you have sent in your donation, we
sincerely thank you. Additional donation forms can be
found in the narthex. We ask that you give generously to
this worthwhile appeal.
Page 8
A Word from Monsignor Owens
Dear friends,
As a church community, we are witnesses to an
historic event, the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI as
Bishop of Rome, and as such the supreme pastor of the Roman Catholic Church. Even though the last resignation of a
Pope occurred 600 years ago, there were many such occurrences in the centuries prior to that date.
“Tu es petrus”. Unlike any other Christian See,
Rome can put at least a name to every
Bishop in an unbroken line back to the
first century of the Christian era and to St.
Peter himself as the first Pope. In the first
centuries of the church’s existence many
of the Popes suffered martyrdom, along
with members of the flock. Then comes
the change: in 313 the church conducts a
Council in public view at the request of
the Emperor. Churches are built.
It is at this point that the Bishop of Rome begins to
assert his authority over other bishops granted to him by
Jesus to Peter and to his successors: “I will give you the
keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you forbid on
earth shall be forbidden in heaven and what you allow on
earth shall be allowed in heaven.” As a little guy I thought it
was pretty cool that the Pope would ride out, unarmed, to
meet Attila the Hun and ask that the city of Rome be spared
a sack – and so it was. The history of the Popes has its highs
(Leo the Great and Gregory the Great – one century apart)
and its lows (who can forget the Borgias). Despite it all the
office of Peter remains a distinct mark of Catholicism. John
and Peter hurried to the tomb John arriving first. He looks
inside it does not enter. He waits for Peter, close behind
him.
The magisterium (the teaching office of the church)
gives the church a compass, a discipline, a focus that produces clear teaching. Who does not know that the Catholic
Church opposes abortion? The Holy Father has spent his
whole life as a teacher shedding light on the mystery of
God’s love for us. As I write, the church with some level of
apprehension begins its transition. Prayer, in moments like
these, is anything but quaint.
Carpenters are quietly at work constructing the
conclave, small rooms, eating areas and the Sistine Chapel
for prayer. I imagine there are discreet conversations and
then the voting. Ballots soaked in water give off a black
smoke – no decision. White smoke off dry ballots – the
choice has been made. Shortly, we discover who will lead
us.
I have no inside information that would give me
any edge over you regarding who will be selected. I hope
for a Pope deeply devoted to prayer, humble, able to recognize the signs of the time and a heart that bleeds for those
entrusted to his care.
Blessings, Monsignor Owens
Bulletin notices are due no later than Monday noon to church_bulletin@stalphonsus.com