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Saint Francis of Assisi Parish
600 Hamilton Street, Norristown, PA 19401
SACRAMENTS AND DEVOTIONS
Baptism: Usually the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month
at 1:15 PM. Pre-Jordan class is the third Monday of odd
- numbered months. Pre-Jordan must be attended by all
parents expecting their first child. Please call the rectory
to schedule your Pre-Jordan.
Marriage: Initial arrangements must be made at least
six months prior to your wedding date. Please call the
rectory and set up an appointment with the pastor.
Communion Calls: Holy Communion is brought by the
deacon and Extraordinary Ministers on a monthly basis
to elderly and ill parishioners who are unable to attend
Mass. Please notify the Rectory to arrange a visit.
MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday Evening - 5:30 PM
Sunday - 7:00 AM, 9:30 AM,12:00 and 5:30 PM
Monday thru Saturday - 8:30 AM
Eve of Holydays - 5:30 PM
Holydays of Obligation –8:30 AM, 12:00 and 7:00 PM
(except Christmas and Easter)
CONFESSION SCHEDULE
Saturday: After 8:30 AM Mass & 4:00 PM—5:00 PM
(other times by appointment)
RECTORY OFFICE HOURS
Monday through Thursday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
(closed between 12:00 and 1:00 PM)
Friday hours until 4:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
New Parishioners—Welcome to SFA! Please call the
Rectory to arrange a time to register in our parish.
Hospitals: Pastoral care for Catholic patients in area
hospitals is shared by the local parishes. When you or a
loved one is admitted please inform the hospital that you
are a Catholic so that you will receive Holy Communion
and the Sacrament of the Sick from the parish responsible for the hospital that day.
Devotions:
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament—Mon 9:00 AM to
4:00 PM. The church is accessible by the handicap door
after the 8:30 AM Mass until 4:00 PM (Sept.-May)
Rosary – Monday thru Saturday at 8:00 AM
Divine Mercy Chaplet—Tues after the 8:30 AM Mass.
Infant of Prague Novena- Wed after the 8:30 AM Mass.
Sacred Heart Devotions—Fri after the 8:30 AM Mass.
Miraculous Medal Novena-Sat after the 8:30 AM Mass.
Visits to the Blessed Sacrament—Tuesday through
Saturday after the 8:30 AM Mass until 4 PM—Stop at
the rectory for the keypad code.
CLERGY AND STAFF
Rev. James E. Goerner, M.Div., Pastor
Deacon James Mahar, Permanent Deacon
Rev. Augustine Esposito, OSA., Weekend Assistant
Rev. Jack Mc Atee, OSA., Weekend Assistant
Mr. Edward Scott, Business Manager
Miss Nancy Sanchez, Coordinator of Religious Education
Miss Bridget Tigue, School Principal
Mrs. Erica Gonzalez, Director, Early Learning Center
Mrs. Elizabeth Nacarelli, Parish Secretary
Mrs. Dolores Landis, Office Manager
BULLETIN DEADLINE – Monday 12 Noon
CONTACT INFORMATION
Rectory: Phone 610-272-0402, Fax 610-272-1794
Email: sfarectory@yahoo.com Website: stfrancisnorristown.com
School: Phone 610-272-0501, Fax 610-272-8011
Email: btigue@sfacatholic.org Website: sfacatholic.org
Early Learning Center: Phone 610-757-1523, Fax 484-231-8646
Email: sfachildcare@gmail.com Website sfacatholic.org/SFELC
Prayer Request Line: 610-757-4070
DEDICATION OF THE LATERAN BASILICA
NOVEMBER 9, 2014
Monday, November 10th
Tuesday, November 11th
Wednesday, November 12th
Thursday, November 13th
Friday, November 14th
Saturday, November 15th
Sunday, November 16th
8:30
8:30
8:30
8:30
8:30
8:30
5:30
7:00
9:30
12:00
5:30
Nave and D’Aloia Families—Anna Nave and Family
Alice Williams—Daughter, Sandy
Prayer Service
Reverend Vincent Welsh—Jerry Hopple
Marie Eustis—Husband, Nate
Reverend Vincent F. Welsh—Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Fulmer
Michael and Caroline Wasko—Family and Friends
For the Parishioners
Dieciedue Family Reunion—Dieciedue Family
Joann Zimmerman—Margaret Whiteside and Family
Dolores Faust—Glenn and Eleanor Metzger
ALTAR SERVERS—NOVEMBER 15/16
5:30 PM Andrea Lopez, Sophia Flores
7:00 AM Esteban Cano, Kaleigh Byrnes
9:30 AM Millie Collins, Camillo Ciccipio
12:00 PM Nick Whitley, Olivia Whitley
5:30 PM Russell Boubert, Analiese Boubert
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS—NOVEMBER 15/16
5:30 PM Francis Hahn, Lee McNamara
7:00 AM Anita DiLucia, Tony Barbato
9:30 AM Angie Lindsey, Diana Martens
12:00 PM Tony Antunes, Fernanda Antunes
5:30 PM Lillian O’Donnell, Jim Gallagher
LECTORS—NOVEMBER 15/16
5:30 PM Mary Ellen Hahn
7:00 AM Dave DiLucia
9:30 AM Margaret Caracappa
12:00 PM The Children
5:30 PM Lillian Gambone
SUNDAY CONBTRIBUTIONS—NOVEMBER 2, 2014
Sunday Collection ……………………………..….. $11,362
Sunday Collection One Year Ago……….………… $12,654
Change from Last Year………………………… - $ 1,292
Thank you very much for your contributions! Please
remember to use your envelopes! Please consider
remembering St. Francis of Assisi Parish in your will!
FAMILY REGISTER
We are glad to welcome into our parish community:
Mr. and Mrs. Diego Guerrero and Family
Laura Ortiz and Family
We mourn those who have gone before us in death and
commend them to the Lord and the communion of saints:
Harriet Paravati
BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASS (PRE JORDAN)
The next class in English will be held on Monday, November
17, 2014 at 7:00 PM. The next class in Spanish will be held
on Monday, December 15, 2014 at 7:00 PM. Pre Jordan
classes are held in the Parish Meeting House Room 1.
Please contact the rectory to register.
PARISH CALENDAR OF EVENTS
ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT EVERY
MONDAY BEGINNING FROM 9 AM TO 4 PM
Monday
2:30 Cheerleading (G)
4:00 Teen PREP (R)
6:20 Cub Scouts Committee (R)
Tuesday
4:00 RCIA Teens (R)
7:00 RCIA Adults (MH2)
Thursday
6:30 Cub Scouts (S)
7:00 Legion of Mary (R)
7:00 Liturgy Committee (R)
Friday
School Pictures All Day (G)
Saturday
Wednesday
6:30 Choir (C)
6:30 Girl Scouts (S)
Sunday
10:30 PREP (S)
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK
The sick list will be updated monthly. We
will be glad to keep the name of your loved
one on the list for one month. If you want to
extend a request for prayers beyond that time,
please call the Rectory to let us know so we
do not remove your loved one’s name from
the list. Please remember only the names of
the seriously ill should be placed on our sick
Meriann Black
Stephen Buckley
Joe Byrnes
Michael Cantello
Jack Char
Nicholas Ciccarella
Brian DeCarlo
Vincent DeCarlo
Millie Cooper
Daniel Enz
Fr. Dominick Finn
Ed Howard
Nancy Kazmierczak
Joseph Marchese
Rose Marinari
Charlotte Mateja
Bethann McElroy
John Moore
Edward O’Brien
Blanche Petko
Kathleen Stephens
Joseph Steuer
Sissy Undercuffler
Charles Wood
Paul Wright
2015 ANNOUNCED MASS BOOK
The 2015 announced Mass book is now open. Mass intentions
will be taken during regular rectory business hours: Monday
through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1:00
p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon and from
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. There is a limit of six
Mass intentions per family (two Sunday and four weekday).
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November 9, 2014—Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
Reflection by Rev. Leonard N. Peterson
The calendar has done it again. Just as with last weekend, the
2014 calendar brings to a Sunday a feast usually lost to most
hard-working Christians by occurring on a weekday. It is called
the “Dedication of the Lateran Basilica.” So, in modern parlance, “What’s the deal here?”
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Upcoming Special Liturgies
FAMILY MASS
Nov 16th @ Noon
THANKSGIVING DAY MASS
Nov 27th @ 9:00 AM
If you were to go to the Eternal City you could visit this church,
one of the four so-called “major basilicas” of Rome, and not
know its significance. Some background is necessary. The basilica sits on land donated to the infant Church by the wealthy
Lateran family way back in the fourth century. Such a donation
was only recently possible, as the Church had just been relieved
of official state persecution only a few years by decree of the
newly-converted emperor Constantine, who issued his edict in
313 AD. Eleven years later, on November 9, 324 A.D., Pope St.
Sylvester I dedicated the brand new building. Ever since, this
Church has been honored as the locale of the pope’s official
“seat” (cathedral) as the Bishop of Rome. (It is a mistake to
think this of St. Peter’s basilica.)
According to an inscription placed on the facade of the present
building, Pope Clement XII in the eighteenth century declared
that St. John Lateran is “the mother and head of all the churches
of Rome and the world.” It was the site of five Ecumenical
Councils. Pope Innocent X commissioned the present structure
in 1646, so it was already 130 years old when our country was
formed in Philadelphia.
Beneath the high altar of this church rests the remains of a small
wooden table on which, according to tradition, St. Peter himself
celebrated Mass. The church honors St. John the Baptist.
I hope you find this brief sketch of the building’s history more
for encouragement than education. Sometimes I believe that the
pace of modern life added to its intensifying secularism, can
intimidate us Christians. We might think that we have become
little more than a fringe group with little experience and nothing
to say to the wide world. This ancient building we are honoring
today gives powerful witness to the fact that our calendar pages
embrace centuries not decades. Our worldwide community numbering more than a billion souls has weathered numerous assaults, and has only lasted because of Jesus’ promise of standing
with it and the Holy Spirit’s dwelling within it.
But the real joy for us this day is captured in St. Paul’s Letter.
He tells us that we are the real temple of God. No building, no
matter how historic or splendid in decor can match that of a soul
in love with God. No edifice of material construction is as important to God as the relationship we build with Him each day of
our life.
So, while we remain proud of all the historical markers a great
basilica such as St. John Lateran gives us, there is really only
one mark that counts. It is His signature on our souls.
CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE
Beginning right after Thanksgiving the “Giving Tree” will once
again be set up in the vestibule of
the church. Once again we will
have tags on the tree with suggested gift items to purchase and
return unwrapped under the tree
for distribution.
This year we will again be collecting gifts to give
to our “Shut-Ins”. So often these folks who have
worked their whole lives and given of themselves
to their families and communities are forgotten at
Christmas. Below are some generic gift ideas for
shut-ins and senior citizens. Some of the tags on
the giving tree will have more specific gift suggestions.
WRITING PAPER AND STAMPS
WOMEN’S SCARF AND HAT SET
MEN’S SCARF AND HAT SET
KNIT GLOVES – Men’s or Women’s
WARM SOCKS – Men’s or Women’s
LARGE PRINT BOOKS
(Crossword, Word Find, Readers Digest)
AUDIO BOOKS
TOWEL SET
(1 bath & hand towel and face cloth)
LAP BLANKETS / THROWS
LARGE BUTTON TELEPHONE
LARGE BUTTON REMOTE CONTROLS
BOX OF ASSORTED TEAS OR COFFEES
SNACK BASKET
(Granola bars, nuts, hard candies, juice boxes)
If you are stumped just think of your mother or father, grandmother or grandfather and ask yourself
what they would need or like to have. As I said
more specific suggestions will be on the Giving
Tree beginning in December.
Fr. Goerner
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Cub Scout Pack 268—Any boy in 1st thru 4th grade who
would like to join the Cubs should stop by any Thursday at
6:45 in the Library at the school or email Liz Parker at lizparker9959@gmail.com.
PRAYER LINE
St. Francis of Assisi Prayer Line is open. As a community we
pray for those who are sick and/or in need of prayers for other
reasons. There are two ways to have one included in the Prayer
Line. E-mail and a phone line are available. To e-mail your
request visit our website stfrancisnorristown.com, select
“Prayer Requests” and follow the instructions. You do not
have to include your name unless you desire. Please call 610757-4070 for phone requests and follow the prompts. Each
week the requests are printed and distributed to our Prayer
Group for prayers and a copy placed in the Mass Intention
Book, which is located in the Sacred Heart Chapel. From September until the end of May the Eucharistic Adoration members also pray for your requests after the 8:30 am Monday
Mass until 4:00 pm, and during the summer months after the
8:30 am Monday Mass until 9:30 am. Please consider volunteering for the prayer line Ministry. Prayer is a spiritual work
of Mercy and a powerful healer for all of us. There are many
in need of our prayers because of health problems or those suffering mental anguish of caring for a loved one. Be assured our
Prayer Group wants to pray for your intentions. Thank you and
God Bless you.
The Saint Francis of Assisi School
Canticle Where Service, Faith, &
Academics Come Together
WE VALUE . . .
CATHOLIC EDUCATION
Halloween Happenings
On Thursday, October 30th, Saint Francis of Assisi School celebrated Halloween a day early since the SFA Faculty attended
Archbishop Chaput’s Day for Teachers at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on Friday, October 31st. Our students in Pre-K
through 8th Grade participated in the Halloween Parade at 10:45
A.M. in the Parking Lot. Students walked around the block a few
times and were greeted by a special Halloween visitor, Fr. Goerner,
by the Rectory. Following the parade, the following students were
recognized as winners of the Best Costume Contest: Pre-K—Haley
Spitko as Olaf the Snowman; Kindergarten—Cora Carlin as Toothless the Dragon, Addison Gordon from Chicka Chicka Boom Boom;
1st Grade - Eliana Harvey as a Pirate; 2nd Grade—Finnian Alleborn
as a Volcano; 3rd Grade
- Scott McNamee as a Vending Machine; 4th Grade—Peighton Gordon as a Carnival Game; 5th Grade—
Olivia Whitley as Cotton Candy; 6th Grade—Julianna McNamee as
the Claw Machine; 7th Grade—Tamia Patterson as Wonder Woman;
8th Grade—Maria Montanez as a Cupcake, Tyler Murray as the
Incredible Hulk.
Catholic Clinical Consultants
Catholic Clinical Consultants, the behavioral health company
of Catholic Healthcare Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, provides individual, couples, &family counseling in a
welcoming &supportive environment. Our staff includes psychologists & Master’s level professional psychotherapists.
Day & evening hours are available. We are a Medicare provider & accept most health insurance. We have offices in
Levittown, East Norriton, Northeast Philadelphia, South
Philadelphia & Springfield, Delaware County. To schedule an
appointment call 855-518-2223.
The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul conducts
an evangelization ministry with Cathedral Ambassadors.
This enthusiastic group of trained Ambassadors staffs the
Basilica every day of the week and is comprised of volunteer
parishioners from all over the Archdiocese. They answer
questions, offer assistance and give tours. Cathedral
Ambassadors provide a personal presence in the Basilica, they
put a face on the Church. Cathedral Ambassadors are assigned
4 hour shifts. The schedule is flexible - one day or more a
month. They are provided training and materials to support
their evangelization ministry.
Learn more about our Cathedral Basilica at
www.cathedralphila.org.
For more information on the
Ambassador Program and/or to become an Ambassador,
please contact Nick or Louise Pascale, coordinators of the
Program at npascale@archphila.org.
St. Teresa of Avila Christmas Bazaar, Friday, Nov. 14 from
5 to 10 pm. Food, vendors, basket raffles, silent auction, baked
goods, cookie walk & kids activities. Call for any further info
610-666-5820.
Here’s a look at the week ahead:
Monday, November 10th, 2014
 NO SCHOOL – Faculty Professional Development Day
Tuesday, November 11th, 2014 – Veterans Day
 Pretzel Orders due
 Safe Environment Lessons Pre-K - 8th Grade
Wednesday, November 12th, 2014
 Pretzel Day
 Facenda Whitaker Bowling Club 2:40 – 5:00 PM
 Chick-fil-A Rally Night (East Norriton) 5:00 – 7:30 PM
Thursday, November 13th, 2014
 8th Grade Archdiocesan High School Visitation Day
 Zumba Dance Class for Pre-K - 3rd Grade 2:45 – 3:15 PM
in the Kindergarten classroom
 Cub Scout Meeting 6:30 PM
Friday, November 14th, 2014
 8th Grade Christmas Show Rehearsal (Gym)
Sunday, November 16th, 2014
 Family Mass at Noon Mass – All are welcome!
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PARISH ACTIVITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
Aid For Friends
Lynn Trombetta
Altar Servers (Schedule) Lillian Aguilar
Bereavement Committee Fr. James Goerner
Cantors
Michael Maresca
Carnival Committee
Tom O’Donnell
Choir—Adult
Michael Maresca
Contemporary Music Group Anne Korkus
Cub Scouts
John Moore
Deaf Apostolate
Fr. Anthony Russo
Eucharistic Adoration Group Liz Nacarelli
Extraordinary Ministers
Tony Barbato
Evangelization Group
Adel Herge
Finance Council
Fr. James Goerner
Girl Scouts
Alysia DiRado Harte
Greeters
John Bilella
Ladies of St. Francis
Linda Steppe
Lectors
Tony Barbato
Legion of Mary
Virginia Chernick
Liturgy Committee
Fr. James Goerner
Men of St. Francis
Charles Wood
Musicians
Michael Maresca
Pastoral Council
Fr. James Goerner
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Kay Boyce
Pre-Jordan
Nancy Sanchez
Prayer Line Volunteers
Nancy DeKok
P.R.E.P. (C.C.D.)
Nancy Sanchez
Pro-Life Group
Joseph Aquilani, Jr.
RCIA
Nancy Sanchez
Senior Citizens
Ann Filon
St. Vincent dePaul
Tony Antunes
Ushers
John Bilella
215-464-2224
717-514-7035
610-272-0402
610-539-7597
610-476-3050
610-539-7597
610-539-7854
610-272-3324
215-423-9547
610-272-0402
484-576-3161
610-547-5935
610-272-0402
610-350-6762
610-279-1058
610-539-7917
484-576-3161
610-630-6950
610-272-0402
267-438-2572
610-539-7597
610-272-0402
610-539-1876
610-272-0402
610-277-1344
610-272-0402
610-539-0592
610-272-0402
610-539-5055
610-272-0402
610-279-1058
PASTORAL COUNCIL MEMBERS
Millie Cooper, Nancy DeKok, Rev. James E. Goerner, Deacon Jim
Mahar, Kay McDonald, Lillian O’Donnell, Patricia Perna, Nancy Sanchez, Linda Steppe, Bridget Tigue
FINANCE COUNCIL MEMBERS
Patricia Bader, Jim Busciacco, Rev. James E. Goerner, Patricia
Perna, Felicia Riehman, Mary Anne Serosky, Edward Shaw, Edward Scott
St. Francis Seniors meet the 1st & 3rd Tuesday
of the month at 1pm in the Parish Meetinghouse. All seniors age 55 & over are invited.
Our next meeting is November 18. A speaker
from the Norristown Farm Park, Ruth King,
will be at our November 18 meeting.
December 9—St. Francis Seniors Christmas Luncheon—at
Plymouth Country Club. Please join us! Call Barbara Ruser
for more information 610-831-1063.
December 11—Christmas Outing at The American Music
Theatre. Included is lunch, family style, at Good & Plenty.
There will be a short stop at Rockvale Outlets for some Christmas shopping. Entertainment at this theatre is top notch as
many celebrities perform here. $96 includes tax, gratuity and
show. $20 deposit is required.
September 12 to 19, 2015—Norwegian Cruise Line - Round
trip from NY. Ship: Norwegian Gem - Departure: New York.
Ports of Call: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Bar Harbor,
Maine, St. John, New Brunswick, Canada - Newport, Rhode
Island. Inside Cabins, Outside Cabins w/window and Balcony
Cabins are presently available $1,249, $1,449, $1699. Flyer is
available. If interested contact Jane Caruso 610-539-1681.
The Shrine of the Miraculous Medal will host their Annual
Solemn Novena (Nine Days of Prayer), November 17th to
25th with Fr. Michael Whalen, C.M. The Theme is: “The Hail
Mary: Prayer of Angels, Saints, and Sinners.” Mass, homily
and Novena prayers at 7 am, 9am, & 12pm daily except Sunday. Novena prayers, Homily & Benediction in afternoons and
evenings. Confessions heard on Mondays and Thursday. Free
and secure parking is always available. Visit
www.MiraculousMedal.org for details.
St. Alphonsus Parish, Maple Glen invites you to join us for
an “Olde Fashioned Christmas Bazaar” on Sat., Nov. 22,
9:00 - 3:30.HO-HO-HO!! Start your Christmas buying & enjoy a holiday atmosphere. There will be a food court; a children’s Secret Santa Shoppe; a home-baked goods table; gift
raffles and 50-50 chances plus 40 vendors featuring mostly
handcrafted items. Instead of an entrance fee, we ask that shoppers bring a dry staple or canned good for a local food pantry!
Further info: Ellen Lee (215) 837-0706 or Mary Frances Kelly
(215) 206-9112.
Advent Retreat Day for Women - Journey with Mary
Begin preparations for Christmas with the story of Mary as
you take time to pray with God’s presence in your own story.
This day is designed for Catholic women of all ages seeking to
enter into the season of Advent more reflectively. The day
includes Mass and Lunch.
Sunday, December 7th 9am to 4:30pm
Provincialate of the Sisters of the Holy Redeemer
521 Moredon Road Huntingdon Valley , PA 19006
Space is limited – please RSVP by December 5th. Free will
offering gratefully accepted. Sponsored by the Sisters of the
Holy Redeemer. For more information please contact: Sr.
Ana Dura, CSR or Sr. Katharina Maria
215-9144109; vocations@holyredeemer.com www.sistersholyrede
emer.org
World Meeting of Families-Philadelphia 2015 – Save
the Date!
Mark your family calendar for the 8th World Meeting of
Families! Philadelphia is proud to welcome families from
around the world to this event on September 22-27, 2015.
Families can look forward to speakers, celebrations, activities for kids, and prayer, all of which will bring renewal
and transformation for you, your loved ones, and the
world. Visit the official World Meeting of Families website
at: WorldMeeting2015.org to learn more and to sign up
for regular updates on how you can participate.
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