Bulletin - St. Christopher Parish

FEBRUARY 21 & 22, 2015 FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
MASS INTENTIONS
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PASTOR
Dear Friends in Christ,
On this weekend of the First Sunday of Lent, the Church
urges us to look deep into ourselves and to enhance what we see
in ourselves that is good and to change what we know needs to be
changed. The three pillars on which this season is based are
prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Let’s quickly take a look at each one. Communication is
part of any worthwhile relationship. If we don’t communicate on a
somewhat regular basis, the relationship starts to dry up. The
same is true with our relationship with the Lord. We need to pray
on a regular basis. It just can’t be a spontaneous thing or something we do when we are in dire need. We need to talk to the Lord
daily. It helps if we choose a time and place where we can say our
prayers. If we devote just ten minutes a day in prayer to the Lord,
our lives can be changed. Of course, nothing beats the Eucharist
as a prayer. Most people cannot get to daily Mass. However, during Lent our parish offers an added opportunity at 6:30 pm Monday to Friday to make Mass during Lent an easier thing to do.
Fasting is also something that draws us closer to the Lord.
Most of us have been “giving up” something during Lent for as
long as we can remember. This kind of Lenten sacrifice can make
us aware that material things are not all that is important during
this season. The things of the spirit are much more important.
Finally, almsgiving or making financial contributions to the
poor is the third important element of a good Lenten observance.
We began that as a parish on Ash Wednesday by making a contribution to the Blessed Margaret of Castello Home for Crisis Pregnancies. This is a program supported for many years by our parish. It is a small but important program to help young ladies with
minimum resources to give birth to their babies. When you support a program like this, you are saying yes to the pro-life movement in a very concrete way. You are helping babies to enter this
world who might have ended up as legally aborted children. Thank
God their mothers had a place to go where they could be cared for
and nurtured.
One way that unites all three of the above is Operation
Rice Bowl. Celebrating its 40th year, this program stresses eating a
sacrificial meal once a week, accompanying that meal with weekly
prayer, and using the money saved to give to the poor. I urge you
to take one of the cardboard rice bowls in the rear of the Church.
Although we are having the Lenten collection for Operation Rice
Bowl next weekend for those who do not follow the program but
want to help the hungry poor, you should not feel obligated to contribute to this collection if you are going to follow the program. You
can save your contribution until Lent is over.
Whatever you do for Lent, just make sure you do something! Every Lent brings us closer to eternity. I remember as a
young priest thinking that I would have plenty of Lents ahead for
me to enhance my relationship with the Lord. At age 67, the number of future Lents is not so numerous now. Look at your own
situation, whatever it is. Make this the best Lent ever.
Asking God’s blessings on you as we begin this holy season, I leave you
In the peace of Christ,
- PAGE 2 -
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015
5:00 pm Vigil — Paul & Petronella Aleksinas
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015
7:30 am — Stanley H. Grochowski (10th Anniv.)
9:00 am — Frederick Sylvester (10th Anniv.)
10:30 am — Arthur Murphy
12:00 pm — Thomas Cobey,III
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2015
6:30 am — Rose Figliola
8:30 am — Ronald J. Storey
6:30 pm — Alfreda Kane
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015
6:30 am — Rose Marie Casciano
8:30 am — Rosemary Christian
6:30 pm — Elena Moran-O’Brien
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARAY 25, 2015
6:30 am — Jimmy Zakrzewski (4th Anniv.)
8:30 am — Mary Thompson (Birthday)
6:30 pm — Sean Ludascher
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015
6:30 am — Sandra Pless
8:30 am — Richard Halpin
6:30 pm — Emily Luciano
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015
6:30 am — Salvatore “Chic” Caputo
8:30 am — John Severino, Sr. (Birthday )
6:30 pm — Dorothy Kline
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2015
8:00 am — Salvatore “Chic” Caputo
5:00 pm Vigil — Lena Sweeney (Birthday)
SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2015
7:30 am —
9:00 am —
10:30 am —
12:00 pm —
Bill Hein
Danielle Wallace
Virginia D’Ippolito
Sarah E. Napierkowski (5th Anniv.)
PRIEST CELEBRANT SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2015
5:00 PM – Msgr. Garvin
SUNDAY, M ARCH 1, 2015
7:30 AM – Fr. Sean
9:00 AM – Fr. Michel
10:30 AM – Msgr. Boland
12:00 PM – Msgr. Garvin
THE SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND,
FEBRUARY 21 & 22, 2015, IS FOR THE CARE OF AGING AND
INFIRMED PRIESTS OF THE ARCHDIOCESE
THE SECOND COLLECTIONS NEXT WEEKEND,
FEBRUARY 28 & MARCH 1, 2015 IS FOR
OPERATION RICE BOWL
FEBRUARY 21 & 22, 2015 FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
CRS RICE BOWL
Adult Faith Formation
5 WEEK LENTEN RETREAT
CRS Rice Bowl turns 40 this year! Commemorate this
special milestone by participating in Rice Bowl this year.
This special Lenten journey touches people LOCALLY,
as well as, GLOBALLY! 75% of Rice Bowl supports CRS
projects around the globe. 25% remains local and
supports the work of local food cupboards and soup
kitchens through Nutritional Development Services.
Please take a Rice Bowl home with you to help deepen
your family’s Lenten experience and make a difference in
the lives of the poor.
Do you want to grow in your
relationship with God this Lent?
Do you want to make “giving something up”
for Lent more meaningful?
Plan on joining a five week Lenten Retreat. Video
segments from Fr. Robert Barron's "Seven Deadly
Sins, Seven Lively Virtues" series will guide
discussions on issues affecting Catholic life today,
and how to opt for virtue over sinful habits.
LENTEN MASS SCHEDULE
“Humility and Pride”
Thursday, February 26th
after the 6:30pm Mass in the Parish Meeting Room
Refreshments will be served
And mark your calendars for:
During Lent, in addition to our regular 6:30 am and
8:30am Masses, an evening Mass at 6:30 pm has been
added during the week (Monday to Friday).
Mass Intentions are still available for
weekday Mass times during Lent.
During the weekdays of Lent, the Adoration Chapel will
close at 6:30pm. All are encouraged to honor Our Lord’s
presence by attending the 6:30pm Mass.
March 5, 12, 19, and 26
Faith, Family & Fatherhood
This year’s Philadelphia Men’s Spirituality Conference
(Man UP Philly) is on Saturday March 7th. It will be at
Saint Joseph’s University Hagen Arena. For information,
go to www.manupphilly.com. Any men interested in going
and wanting to arrange a car pool, please call Deacon
Rich at 215-698-9206. Also, any men interested in a Saint
Christopher Men’s Prayer Group, please call Deacon Rich
at the same number.
Bible Study with the Seminarians
Join our Seminarians as they take a look at the readings
that will be proclaimed at the weekend Masses. Each
week will certainly be a time of prayer and insight. Come
as often as you can, and bring your friends
Thursdays at 1:30 pm
in the Parish Office
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
This Lenten devotion will be celebrated on the
Fridays of Lent at 7:00 pm in Church.
(please park in the Trainer Hall parking lot)
FAST & ABSTINENCE AND OTHER
ACTS OF PENANCE FOR LENT
The Bishops of the United States prescribe, as minimal
obligation, that all persons who are:
1. Fourteen years of age and older are bound to abstain
from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, on all Fridays
of Lent and Good Friday.
2. Eighteen years of age and older, up to and including
their 59th birthday, are bound to fast by limiting
themselves to a single full meal
on Ash
Wednesday and on Good Friday, while the other
meals on those days are to be light.
A MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTION
WAS MADE BY
IN
MARYHELEN FRANKS FOR
A SET OF VESTMENTS
MEMORY OF THE FRANKS FAMILY
BEST
LENT
EVER
WHAT ARE YOU
GIVING UP FOR LENT?
Maybe it’s time to try something different. Don’t just give
something up for Lent. Do something. Sign up for the
BEST LENT EVER email program with Matthew Kelly,
America’s best-selling Catholic author.
It’s simple and free. The only cost is your
commitment to live better each day this Lent.
Sign up at BestLentEver.com
- PAGE 3 -
FEBRUARY 21 & 22, 2015 FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
IMPORTANT REMINDER TO SCHOOL
PARENTS REGARDING TUITION PAYMENTS
AND CHURCH CONTRIBUTIONS
SPECIAL ATTENTION
TRACK TEAM REGISTRATION
4TH TO 8TH GRADES
SUNDAY, MARCH 1ST & 8TH AFTER THE 10:30 AM MASS
IN HOLY FAMILY HALL
GIRLS SOFTBALL & BOYS BASEBALL
REGISTRATION
5TH TO 8TH GRADES
SUNDAY, MARCH 1ST AFTER THE 10:30 AM MASS
IN HOLY FAMILY HALL
PLEASE CONTACT MRS. GIAMMARUTI 215-673-5787 EXT.
32 IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION.
FOR REPORT CARDS TO BE ISSUED ON
MARCH 11:
Stewardship families must be up-to-date in their
church contributions, Mass attendance and all monthly
tuition payments must be paid through February.
Please call Lisa Keane, Tuition Manager, at the
Parish Office (215-673-5177) with any questions
or concerns.
WEEKLY COLLECTION
Collection for February 14 & 15, 2015
For families on the monthly payment plan, January
payments should have been paid and February is past
due.
For families at the Stewardship rate, the amount in the
church contribution should be at $700
through March 1.
$13,008
(includes $1,757 from E-Giving)
(ANOTHER BAD WEATHER WEEKEND)
Collection for February 15 & 16, 2014
Sponsor a Needy Student 2015
Sponsor a Needy Student 2014
Children’s Scholarship Information
$17,143
$3,506
$3,597
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR PARISH
BLOCK COLLECION
We need $13,210 to reach our goal of $130,000. We will
continue to post periodic updates of the amount needed.
New Children Scholarship Fund applications for the
2015-2016 school year are now available to be completed on the website, www.csfphiladelphia.org. Scholarship requirements are simple. To be eligible, families
must meet income requirements, be residents of Philadelphia, have a child entering grades K-8th and complete the required essay. The submission deadline is
March 1, 2015. If you have any questions, please feel
free to call Lisa Keane in the Parish Office.
7th Grade Practice Entrance Test
Market Day
Next Sale will be on Tuesday, February 24, 2015
From 6:30—7:30 pm in Holy Family Hall.
Order forms are now available in the back of church, in the
gift card/scrip room, and in the parish office.
Internet orders must be placed by:
Thursday, February 26, 2015 by 11:00 pm.
For additional information please call:
Colleen Ross at 215-677-6927
Next Pick-up date is Thursday, March 5, 2015
Bereavement Support Group
Monday, March 16, 2015
6:00-7:15 p.m.—Parish Meeting Room
Please call Sister Maureen Erdlen, the moderator of the
group, at 215-248-7203 for more information regarding this
support group meeting. If you are dealing with the death of
a loved one, this might be for you. The Parish Meeting
Room is located in the school building right off the Lindsay
Street parking lot.
Please Pray for our Deceased
Christopher Rommel
Marion McNichol
St. Basil Academy
711 Fox Chase Road
Philadelphia, PA 19046
Saturday, March 7, 2015 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
Fee: $30.00
You will find the necessary registration form on our website at http://www.stbasilacademy.org/seventh.htm or
call the admissions office at 214-885-6952
Roman Catholic High School
Saturday, March 14th from 9:00 am to Noon
Details and the registration form are available on
www.romancatholichs.com. For any questions e-mail:
admissions@romancatholichs.com or call 215-627-1270
ext 146 or 159.
Nazareth Academy High School
4001 Grant Avenue
Philadelphia PA 19114
Saturday March 7th from 7:45 am to 12:00 pm
Registration is free this year; however, we require registration by Friday February 27th. Please visit our website
www.nazarethacademyhs.org for registration. For additional information please call Admissions Office at 215268-1026
- PAGE 4
FEBRUARY 21 & 22, 2015 FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK
CATHOLIC CHARITIES APPEAL
THEME FOR 2015
Judy May, Donna Marie Paone, Robert Sullivan
GIVING HOPE
Each registered household will or has received a direct
mailing from the Catholic Charities Appeal Office. Please
make your checks out to: Catholic Charities Appeal and
mail your donation directly back to them at the following
address:
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Catholic Charities Appeal
CL#4710
PO Box 95000
Philadelphia, PA 19195-4710
Dolores Anderson, Lee Blaney, Mary Kay Banks,
Robert Banks, John Bilkins, Regina Carberry,
Jerry Cahill, Mary Ann Daily, Jim DeGardnuer,
Karen DiMezza, Marie Dolhancryk,
Taylor Dworznicki, Bill Ferro, Nancy Finn,
Nora Forgione, Ted Franks, Rosemary Gabriel,
David Griffin, Ronald Gutschall, Joanne Henes,
Patrick Keenan, Patrick Kilcoyne, Robert Kurtz,
Leonard Laurito, Rina Laurito, Lisa MacWilliams,
Jennifer Mariano, Heather McCaffery,
Marie MacDonald, Mary McKeever, Joan Martin,
Paul Martin, George Matwiejczyk, Frances McElroy,
Genevieve McElwee, Elizabeth Morris,
Lee Murphy, Anne Murtha, Mary Lew Nederoski,
Baby Alexander Nolan, Barbara O’Connor,
Thomas Pasquini, Josephine Pickul, Betty Rosa,
John Rudolph, Anna Ryan, Robert Schuster,
Michael Serpiello, Marianna Serpiello, Loretta Shields,
Benny Shirk, Jack Slater, Arden Sukeena,
Larry Sutliff, Jr., Shannon Valotta, Baby Aliana Walker,
Baby London Walker, Walter Zubak
You are invited!
St. Katharine Drexel Shrine
Feast Day Mass
Tuesday, March 3rd Noon
St. Elizabeth Chapel Commissioning of Honor Guards
RSVP to 215-244-9900 ext 380
National Shrine of Saint Katharine Drexel
1663 Bristol Pike, Bensalem, PA
NOTICE ABOUT OUR SICK LIST: If you wish to
place or remove a name from the prayer list, please call
the Parish Office (215-673-5177) during regular hours.
H.O.P.E.
HELPING OTHER PEOPLE IN AN EMERGENCY
When family, friends or neighbors are unavailable and
you have need for local transportation to get to doctor
appointments, shopping, hospital visits or church, call
our H.O.P.E. coordinator. Please leave your name and
phone number and the coordinator will call you back.
TO SCHEDULE A RIDE CALL: 215-947-3769
First-time parents, as well as parents who have not
already done so, must attend a Pre-Jordan class before
scheduling the Baptism. We suggest that you attend
before the birth of your baby. The next class will be on:
Wednesday, February 25, at 7:00 pm
in the Parish Meeting Room.
Please call the Parish Office to register in advance.
Jackson Will Rogers
RECEPTIONIST NEEDED:
Sisters of the order of Saint Basil the Great
5 Days—8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Send resume to province@stbasils.com
ACADEMIC HONORS
The following students from our parish have achieved
Academic Honors for the First Semester of the 20142015 School Year.
We congratulate them on their achievements.
Nazareth Academy High School
FIRST HONORS
Senior: Kelly Bradley, Clare Gervino, Ashley Hunter,
PRE-JORDAN BAPTISM CLASS
Congratulations Newly Baptized
email: skdshrine@comcast.net
www.katharinedrexel.org
Visit our Gift Shop for Religious articles
and handmade items.
Alexis Johncola, Nina Juntereal, Maria Market, Michelle
Nocitra, Marissa Picozzi, Elizabeth Schrenk, Maria
Schuck, Marissa Sylvester, Bridget Temple
Junior: Claudia Candidi, Samantha D’Alfonso, Caitlyn
Heston,,
Sophomore: Maria Diaz, Grace Gervino, Kristen Lichtner, Sarah Schuck, Angela Sylvester
SECOND HONORS
Senior: Mary Harrington
Sophomore: Miranda Candidi, Jessica Loughery,
Lauryn Stride
St. Hubert Catholic High School for Girls
FIRST HONORS
Sophomore: Devon Kelly
- PAGE 5-