Church of Saint Philip Neri Pennsburg, PA Feb. 22, 2015

Transcription

1 Church of Saint Philip Neri Pennsburg, PA Feb. 22, 2015 Rev. Robert A. Roncase, Pastor Rev. Raymond W. Smart, retired; resident Deacon Michael J. Franks Deacon Mark J. Meinzer, Business Manager Rev. Edmond J. Speitel, Pastor Emeritus Rev. John J. Scarcia, Retired Pastor Shirley Misiak, Office Manager Catherine E. Faust, Director of Music Wendy Benner, Coordinator of PREP/Religious ED Tom Dewees, Director Catholic Family Life Center Diane Cunningham, Adm. Assistant CFLC Anita Fuhs, Youth Minister Sister Patricia Kelly, M.S.B.T., Parish Outreach Parish Phone Numbers: Rectory Youth Ministry Religious Education/PREP Catholic Family Life Center Parish Hall Parish Outreach Neri Center Fax Numbers: Rectory Religious Education/PREP Catholic Family Life Center Church & Rectory Address: 1325 Klinerd Rd; Pennsburg Hours: 9:00 AM 4:00 PM Address: Website Address: Religious Education Office address & hours: 26 E. Sixth Street, East Greenville, PA Monday & Friday: Offices are closed Tuesday & Thursday: 8:00 am 4:00 pm Wednesday: 12:00 pm 8:00 pm address: Neri Center Address 575 Main Street, East Greenville, PA Catholic Family Life Center Address 26 E. Sixth Street, East Greenville, PA address: Website Address: Youth Ministry Office hours: (East Greenville) Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Wednesday: 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm address: spnym@comcast.net ROSARY: Prayed in the Chapel Saturday after the 9:00 AM Mass Monday at 1:00 PM EUCHARISTIC ADORATION 1 st Friday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM in the Chapel, followed by Benediction. FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS For a floral arrangement to be placed at the altar, please call the rectory. SUNDAY MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil Mass 5:00 PM Sunday 7:30, 9:30, 11:00 AM Holy Day Masses as announced WEEKDAY MASS SCHEDULE - St. Anne Chapel The Chapel is open Monday thru Saturday until 7:00 PM for your visits to the Blessed Sacrament. Daily Mass is celebrated in the Chapel attached to the rectory: Monday - 5:00 PM Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday - 8:00 AM Saturday - 9:00 AM CONFESSIONS Saturdays: 4:00 4:45 PM or: at the Rectory BY APPOINTMENT anytime. BAPTISMS: Please call the Rectory to schedule 2 nd Sunday Baptisms are held at the 11 AM Mass 3 rd Sunday Baptisms are held at 12:30 PM SPONSORS: Sponsors for Baptism and Confirmation need to be at least 16 years of age, to be confirmed, attend Mass weekly, and if married, be in a valid marriage. PRE-JORDAN CLASSES 1 st Monday of every month at 7:00 PM in the Rectory meeting room. MARRIAGES Arrangements should be made at least SIX MONTHS before the date of the wedding. NEW PARISHIONERS Welcome to your new home! Please stop by or call the rectory between 9:00 am - 4:00 pm to fill out a registration card. SHUT-INS Please call the Parish Outreach Office. SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK Please call the Rectory. 059-St. Philip Neri, page 1

2 OUR PARISH MISSION STATEMENT WE ARE THE CATHOLIC PARISH COMMUNITY OF ST. PHILIP NERI, ANSWERING CHRIST S CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP THROUGH WORD, SACRAMENT AND SERVICE. WE PROCLAIM GOD S HOPE AND LOVE TO ALL. LENTEN COMMUNION SERVICE Beginning Monday, February 23, 2015, every morning during Lent, there will be a brief Communion Service in St. Anne Chapel at 6:30 am. The Chapel is our daily Mass Chapel attached to the rectory. The service will take place Monday thru Friday at 6:30 am and will take approximately fifteen (15) minutes. It will afford everyone who needs to be at work early the opportunity to receive communion. The Service will be conducted by one of our Deacons. It consists of the Opening Prayer, Scripture Reading from the daily Mass, a brief Homily (two minutes), the Our Father, Communion, the concluding Prayer and Blessing. Depending on scheduling once each week, the 6:30 am Communion Service will be replaced by a 6:30 am Mass. Mass will last approximately twenty (20) minutes. Those attending will be on their way to work before 7:00 am. God Bless you on your Lenten Spiritual Journey. PARISH LENTEN CONFESSIONS: Sunday: March 1, 2015: 10:30 am - 10:55 am in Church Sunday: March 8, 2015: 10:30 am - 10:55 am in Church Sunday: March 15, 2015: 10:30 am - 10:55 am in Church Monday: March 16, :00 pm - in the Chapel Sunday: March 22, 2015: 10:30 am - 10:55 am in Church Monday: March 23, :00 pm in the Chapel Monday: March 30, :00 pm in the Chapel Tuesday: March 31, :00 pm - 8:30 pm in Church; NO Service STATIONS OF THE CROSS Wednesday: February 25 7:00 pm in Church Wednesday: March 4 7:00 pm in Church Wednesday: March 11 7:00 pm in Church Wednesday: March 18 7:00 pm in Church Wednesday: March 25 7:00 pm in Church Serving at Mass March 1 Extraordinary Ministers Lectors 5:00 pm - Dawn Ellis Bob Ellis Priest Pete Frank Deacon Linda Franks Jim Quigley Annemarie Quigley Bill Gurgick Lisa Gurgick Dave Moser Trudy Moser 7:30 am - Steve Adelsberger A. Canigiani Christine Adelsberger Mike Lynch Priest Deacon Keith Greczek Stephanie Greczek 9:30 am - Rita Tokarski M. Gehringer Michelle Martin R. Degrassi Priest Deacon Mary Weber Sharon Shaak 11:00 am - Mike Dougherty Ed Tryon Marlene Leidy Eileen Davis Priest Deacon Bob Hermley Jeanne Hermley FIRST FRIDAY Friday, March 6 is First Friday. Mass is in Church at 9:00 AM. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in Chapel from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM followed by Benediction. Please commit to spend some time with Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. 059-St. Philip Neri, page 2

3 FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT February 22, 2015 Monday, February 23, St. Polycarp 6:30 am - Lenten Communion Service in Chapel 5:00 pm - Lorraine Egan, (Albie & Rosalie Gennarelli) Tuesday, February 24 6:30 am - Lenten Communion Service in Chapel 8:00 am - 13th Anniversary, Ernest Greiss, (Nancy Greiss-Brogan & Sarah & Tony Seimes and family) Wednesday, February 25 6:30 am - Lenten Communion Service in Chapel 8:00 am - Beverly Latshaw, (Theresa Thayer) 7:00 pm - Stations of the Cross in Church Thursday, February 26 6:30 am - Lenten Communion Service in Chapel 8:00 am - Rita Sagan, (Rita & Henry Tokarski) Friday, February 27 6:30 am - 8:00 am - Marie Kimes, (Tony & Barbara Parestis) Saturday, February 28 9:00 am John Dzurenda, (Mary Godshall) 5:00 pm - 16th Anniversary, Albert McArdle (Joan & Ed Lampart) SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT March 1, :30 am - For all living and deceased Parishioners. 9:30 am - Stephanie Yanchus, (Jenny M. Josko) 11:00 am - 1st Anniversary, Mildred Moyer (Gail & Don Fillman) For those who have died, and in particular for Stephen Fininez, Michael Goc & Salvatore Sarbocca, grant them eternal rest and peace. Due to the circumstances in the Middle East, we will pray for all the Military, but their names will not be published. FEBRUARY /MARCH 2015: THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE Sunday, February 22 Parish Breakfast 7:00 am - 12:30 pm Parish Hall Children's Liturgy of the Word at the 9:30 am Mass NO Little Church Men's Basketball 8:00 pm Parish Hall SPN Catholic Family Life Center Special Event: "Give Up Worrying for Lent" 2:00 pm Church Youth Ministry 5:30 pm Parish Hall Monday February 23 Holy Rosary Hour 1:00 pm Chapel Parish Council Meeting 7:00 pm Parish Hall SPN Quilting 1:30 pm Parish Hall Boy Scouts RCIA Tuesday February 24 7:00 pm Parish Hall 7:00 pm Chapel Wednesday February 25 PREP/Religious Education: 6:30 pm SPNCFLC Stations of the Cross 7:00 pm Church Thursday, February 26 Bible Study 7:00 pm Neri Center Men's Basketball 8:00 pm Parish Hall WE INVITE YOUR PRAYERS For the sick, those in hospitals, nursing homes, and also for their caregivers. Please pray in particular for: Reverend John J. Scarcia, Florence Anders, Terry Aston, Charlotte Azarovich, Frances Cannon, Dottie Cappelli, Joe Cassarella, Susan Crain, Sue Ann Creamer, Helen Crouthamel, Jennifer Diascro, Lois Diephaus, Amy DiGirolamo, Sondra Dykie, Charles Eberle, Karen Freed, Steven Gebhardt, Stephanie Gebhardt, Fran Jacobs, Bob Kanya, Janet Keeley, Ed Lampart, Dottie Mccaa, John McArdle, Annie Moran, Rosalie Nelson, Bernard Nichols, Sophie Nunan, Emil Ondra, Tom Paul, Virginia Piechocki, Sister Ann Regis. M.S.B.T, Anthony Sammartino, Mary Schmidt, Alexis Semler, Beverly Slifer, Sean Stefanowicz, Evelyn Steffenino, Anna Tedesco, Bill Tersine, Kathleen Tew, Susan Tew, Christine Troll, Ralph UpDegrove, Martin Waldenberger, Ian Walker, Sarah Werkley, & Larry Wood. 059-St. Philip Neri, page 3 Friday February 27 Bible Study 9:00 am Neri Center Frontier Girls 6:30 pm Parish Hall Parish Lenten Fish Fry Luncheon: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Parish Hall Parish Lenten Fish Fry Dinner: 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm Parish Hall SPNCFLC Movie Night 7:00 pm Neri Center NO activities Saturday February 28 Sunday March 1 Bingo 1:00 pm Parish Hall Children's Liturgy of the Word at the 9:30 am Mass Little Church 9:30 am Parish Hall Men's Basketball 8:00 pm Parish Hall UPCOMING MEETINGS Holy Rosary Hour - Monday, March 2-1:00 pm in the Chapel Pre-Jordan Baptismal Class - Monday, March 2-7:00 pm- Rectory Meeting Room Boy Scouts - Tuesday, March 3-7:00 pm - Parish Hall

4 Hoagie Sale - Tuesday, March 3-12:00 noon - 6:00 pm in Parish Hall RCIA - Tuesday, March 3-7:00 pm - Chapel PREP/Religious Education - Wednesday, March 4-6:30 pm at the CFLC; Confessions 3rd - 6th grade in East Greenville Stations of the Cross - Wednesday, March 4-7:00 pm in Church Bible Study - Thursday, March 5-7pm Neri Center Men's Basketball - Thursday, March 5-8:00 pm in the Parish Hall Bible Study - Friday, March 6-10am Neri Center First Friday Mass - March 6-9:00 am in Church; Adoration in the Chapel from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm in Chapel w/benediction and Prayer Frontier Girls - Friday, March 6-6:30 pm in Parish Hall SPN Lenten Fish Fry Lunch: Friday, March 6-11:00 am - 2:00 pm in Parish Hall SPN Lenten Fish Fry Dinner: Friday, March 6-4:30 pm - 6:30 pm in Parish Hall Charismatic Prayer Group - Saturday, March 7-10:00 am in the Chapel Children's Liturgy of the Word - Sunday, March 8 at the 9:30 am Mass Knights of Columbus Meeting - Sunday, March 8-7:30 pm in Rectory Meeting Room Little Church - Sunday, March 8-9:30 am - Parish Hall Men's Basketball - Sunday, March 8-8:00 pm - Parish Hall Youth Ministry - Sunday, March 8-5:30 pm in Parish Hall PARISH NEWS Saint Philip Neri Parish Council Members-at- Large welcome any questions or comments you may have. Names/ addresses: Tony Bauer: carbonero@peoplepc.com Ed Felix: ef4405@desales.edu Matthew Fuhs: matthew.fuhs@comcast.net Dave Klauder: stickman@enter.net Dawn McCausland: bd4mc@comcast.net Theresa Walker: cheg1978@comcast.net SUNDAY COLLECTIONS February 16, 2014 February 15, 2015 Envelopes: $ 4, $ 4, Online: 1, , Loose: Children's: Total $ 6, $ 6, Special Second Collections: February 2015 For those who do not receive Sunday collection envelopes or if you are an On-Line giver, the following second collections are: Ash Wednesday, Care of Aging/Ill Priests, Parish Debt 3rd Quarter, and Sharing Our Blessings. ONLINE GIVING Go green with St. Philip Neri Church by signing up for Online Giving. You have the option to keep receiving your regular offering envelope packets if you wish. ( CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS Any parishioner requesting a copy of their contribution statement for 2014, is asked to call the rectory office between 10am-4:30 pm or to spnofc@comcast.net. Give a St. Philip Neri Memorial Gift! For a donation of $35 or more, there is a beautiful Folder recording the gift and donor to be presented to the family. A Mass is offered each month. In memory of John Dzurenda; requested by: Marie Fretz; Charles & Linda Fries Jr. We also have "Living Memorials" for those special occasions in life. PARISH OUTREACH SPN SENIOR CLUB Attention Seniors age 60 and over...march 25, 2015 is the first meeting of the SPN Senior Club. Mark the date! We will meet from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm in the Parish Hall. There will be lunch and an activity. We will ask for a $2.00 donation for lunch. WATCH THE BULLETIN for more information. 059-St. Philip Neri, page 4

5 H.O.P.E. NOTICE Anyone needing a H.O.P.E. ride for the first two weeks of March, please call Sister Patricia at LENTEN FISH FRY ST. PHILIP NERI PARISH HALL EAT-IN OR TAKE-OUT EVERY FRIDAY DURING LENT February 18 - April 3-11:00 AM 2:00 PM Orders taken during Fry Hours: 5 EVENING EAT IN or TAKE-OUT DATES: February 27; March 6, 13, 20, & 27 4:30 pm 6:30 pm ST. PHILIP NERI CHURCH HOAGIE SALE CHEESE, HAM, ITALIAN or TURKEY TUESDAY March 3 12:00 PM 6:00 PM COST: $5.00 Place orders no later than: Sunday, March 1 Call Rita: or Pat: CAR SHOW COMMITTEE MEETING There is a Car Show Committee Meeting on Tuesday, March 10 at 7:00 pm in the Rectory Meeting Room. If you would like to be a member of this committee, call Pete Frank at: RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY There is a Respect Life Ministry Meeting on Wednesday, March 11 at 7:00 pm in the Rectory Meeting Room. If you would like to be part of this Ministry, call Mark Nunan at: COME-N-GO BINGO St. Philip Neri Parish Hall Saturday March 14, 2015 Doors open at 6:00 pm Games begin at 6:30 pm Cost: $.25/game Menu: hotdogs, barbeque & drinks. If you bring a non-perishable item to benefit Open Link, you play two free games of Bingo! Sponsored by: Knights of Columbus Council 6614 EASTER EGG HUNT Ages 1 to 11 years at: St. Philip Neri Parish Hall Saturday March 28 10:00 AM SHARP! RAIN or SHINE! sponsored by: Knights of Columbus A reminder to all parents: You are responsible to bring and pick up your children. SPN CATHOLIC FAMILY LIFE CENTER Movie Night returns to the CFLC on Friday evening, February 27 beginning at 7:00 pm. We will be featuring the film "God's Not Dead". College student Josh Wheaton attends a philosophy class where the uncompromising Professor Radisson requires all students to agree in writing that the Christian God is "dead". When Josh refuses on account of his Christianity, the Professor challenges him to defend his position that his God is real, which leads to a series of confrontational presentations by himself and the Professor in turn, each making their case in front of the class, before a final debate. Movie rated PG. Join us for complimentary pizza, popcorn, drinks and other goodies! 059-St. Philip Neri, page 5

6 SPN CATHOLIC FAMILY CENTER On Monday, March 9 at 7:00 pm, Dr. Joshua Schulz (DeSales University) and his wife Christine will be presenting "Creating the Future" one of the catechetical themes in preparation for the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia from September The Schulz's are teachers in the Diocese of Allentown Marriage PREP Program. The presentation will include discussion on "raising your children Catholic" and "bringing your Children to Mass". Register online at: or call Tom Dewees at: ST. PHILIP NERI, EAST GREENVILLE Students excel at: Pope John Paul II High School Our parish recently received notification of the performance of our High School students on the First Semester Report. We are particularly proud of those who demonstrated academic excellence: Students who achieved First Honors include: Allison McCausland '15 and Richard Smith '16 Among those earning Second Honors were the following students from our Parish: Jared Filer '16 and Matthew Souder '17 ST. PHILIP NERI, EAST GREENVILLE Students excel at: Lansdale Catholic High School Our parish recently received notification of the performance of our High School students on the First Semester Report. We are particularly proud of those who demonstrated academic excellence: Keira Koch '15 achieved Second Honors ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS Vocation Office for Diocesan Priesthood Some calls are meant to be answered. CATHOLIC PHILLY.COM Stay informed, educated and inspired by visiting Catholic.Philly.com every day. Discover Catholic news, photos, videos and columns on Catholic life and spirituality. Help CatholicPhilly.com spread the Good News by becoming our fan on Facebook and following us on Twitter. World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 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, 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 & "Light a Candle" with your intentions. Designate your United Way gift to help make it possible! The World Meeting of Families Philadelphia 2015 code is Like us on Facebook at "World Meeting of Families 2015" & follow us on WMF2015. World Meeting of Families - Philadelphia 2015 Registration for the World Meeting of Families is now open! To register for the World Meeting, September 22-25, 2015 or to learn more, visit WorldMeeting2015.org and go the "Register" page. 059-St. Philip Neri, page 6

7 AREA PARISH NEWS SHROUD OF TURIN PRESENTATION "SHROUD ENCOUNTER" will be coming to Sacred Heart Parish in Royersford on Monday, March 16, 2015 at 7:00 pm and will be presented by Russ Breault, international expert on this subject. Shroud Encounter is a production of the Shroud of Turin Education Project, Inc. The presentation is a fast moving, big-screen experience using over 200 images covering all aspects of Shroud research. Mr. Breault has been featured in several national documentaries seen on CBS, History Channel and Discovery. He was interviewed last year for Good Morning America to discuss the latest research. A free will offering will be accepted. Please join us in our gymnasium for this presentation. SAINT ALOYSIUS CEMETERY NOTICE A Word of Caution: Family and friends of those interred in Saint Aloysius Cemetery, be so advised that no Memorial, Monument, or Headstone company or its agents have any exclusive contract with Saint Aloysius Parish. It has come to our attention that someone or company(s) may contact you and represent themselves as agents of Saint Aloysius Parish. This is NOT the case. Please use vendors of your choosing and shop wisely. Contact the Saint Aloysius Cemetery Office at with any questions. Do be advised that ALL work in Saint Aloysius Cemeteries requires prior approval and authorization by the Cemetery Office. This includes and is not limited to an application, sketches and other supporting documents. ALL flowers must be removed from the cemetery in preparation for Easter by Sunday, March 1, Any flowers NOT removed are subject to removal by our cemetery crew. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. IHM SISTER'S NIGHT Sister's Night Friday - March 13, :00 PM - 9:00 PM Villa Maria House of Studies Young women are invited to share informally with the IHM Sisters. This is for those years of age. The evening offers the opportunity for sharing a meal, enjoying social time and praying together. Call ext 1974 or go to: ihmvoc@gmail.com. Invest just five minutes a day, and your faith will deepen and grow a day at a time. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT What s the point? What do you ask of God s church? Faith. What does faith offer you? Eternal life. These two brief questionand-answer exchanges are part of the Rite of Acceptance celebrated in all parishes receiving new members this year at the Easter Vigil. Cradle Catholics seldom consider what they hope to get out of church membership, or what the purpose of a life of faith is. Faith isn t a set of rules to believe, and eternal life isn t something that awaits us in the afterlife. Faith means trusting in God. The everlasting returns on that trust begin immediately! 059-St. Philip Neri, page 7

8 TODAY S READINGS: Genesis 9:8-15; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:12-15 (23). I will recall the covenant I have made between me and you and all living things. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23 word and your soul will be healed. Enough said. TODAY S READINGS: Isaiah 55:10-11; Matthew 6:7-15 (225). One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. LENTEN WEEKDAY Keep it simple Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy. What if the secret to life boils down to this simple instruction that God gave to Moses? Lent, with its focus on prayer, fast, and almsgiving, is a perfect time to try your hand at holy living. But don t complicate things. The journey toward holiness really is as simple as feeding the hungry and giving drink to the thirsty whether physically or spiritually. It s all good, and it s all part of God s holy plan. TODAY S READINGS: Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18; Matthew 25:31-46 (224). Lord, when did we see you... and not minister to your needs? TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24 LENTEN WEEKDAY God would like a word with you Listening to God s word may sound like a difficult and mysterious task. But actually it is quite simple. God is a being of few words. In fact, the only word God ever utters is love now and forever. Live that WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25 LENTEN WEEKDAY One week in how we doing? Staying focused is one of the great challenges of our multi-tasking, multiplex lives. Lent is a week old and perhaps already forgotten in the rush to stay connected. Take 15 minutes tonight to completely disconnect from all devices and shut off all screens. Turn off the lights and sit in the dark and imagine yourself in Jesus sandals a few weeks before Good Friday, knowing this life was nearing its end yet determined to stay focused on the mission. Would you be up to the challenge? Probably not but that is why you have a savior. Thank him quietly in the dark for going the distance so you could see the light. TODAY S READINGS: Jonah 3:1-10; Luke 11:29-32 (226). No sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26 LENTEN WEEKDAY 059-St. Philip Neri, page 8

9 Call your mother Among the many titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary is Our Mother of Perpetual Help, bestowed by Pope Pius IX in the 19th century and associated with a famous, 15th-century Byzantine icon of the same name. The icon, depicting Mary s motherly love for the Child Jesus, is enshrined in Rome. Redemptorist priests are entrusted with both care of the icon and propagating devotion to Mary under this title. Our Mother of Perpetual Help is always there for you, as is your Heavenly Father, waiting to hear from you, waiting to answer your prayers. TODAY S READINGS: Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25; Matthew 7:7-12 (227). Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27 LENTEN WEEKDAY; DAY OF ABSTINENCE The sum of Christianity What is the joy of God? It is to forgive! Pope Francis told pilgrims gathered in St. Peter s Square for the Angelus. In this teaching, is the whole Gospel; it is all of Christianity! Take time during these weeks of Lent leading up to the glory of Easter to reconcile with God and others. Begin with a simple: Bless me, Father, for I have sinned, in a Confessional, and then offer the gift of forgiveness to others. The benefits will be immediate and lasting. TODAY S READINGS: Ezekiel 18:21-28; Matthew 5:20-26 (228). Leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 LENTEN WEEKDAY Thank heaven for God s peculiar ways We are to be a people peculiarly God s own, according to Moses (Deut. 26:18). Peculiar seems an odd choice of words. But, in fact, it is quite peculiar that God calls us flawed humans to be his sacred people. Generation after generation has fallen short on God s commandments, particularly the call to forgive, which is the centerpiece of Jesus mission and ministry. Luckily for us, God, the master of forgiveness, never tires of forgiving us as Pope Francis says in Evangelii Gaudium. Despite our shortcomings, we face each day knowing that God will be perfect in the love and mercy he shows us. How perfectly wonderful! TODAY S READINGS: Deuteronomy 26:16-19; Matthew 5:43-48 (229). So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect. 059-St. Philip Neri, page 9

10 ST. PHILIP NERI SUNDAY BINGO March 1, 2015 Working Team #3 Bingo begins at 1PM; Doors open at 12 NOON Parish Hall 1325 Klinerd Rd Pennsburg All Regular Games Prize is $50 Final Cover All-Special Prize is $500 Great food available in Parish Hall Kitchen 059-St. Philip Neri, page 1