GOD S BLESSINGS FOR OUR NEW POPE, POPE FRANCIS

Transcription

1 MARCH 17, 2013 FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT GOD S BLESSINGS FOR OUR NEW POPE, POPE FRANCIS St. Patrick s Breastplate Prayer St. Patrick s Breastplate is a popular prayer attributed to Ireland s most beloved patron saint. Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. Prayer to St. Joseph Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interest and desires. Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings, Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. so that having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my Thanksgiving and Homage to the most loving of Fathers. Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, Pray for me. Stewardship Thought for the Week For His sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ Philippians 3:8 Learning to detach ourselves from our material possessions and seeing them as rubbish is an important step in growing closer to Jesus Christ. Then we are able to give more freely and joyfully. Thank you for your participation in God s Plan for Giving. Your generosity for the weekend of March 9 and 10, 2013: Number of Envelopes 317 Envelope Amount $16, Loose Cash $1, Electronic Offerings $3, Other $ Total $21, % Tithe $2, Collection March 12, 2012 $19, St. Thomas of Villanova

2 TRIDUUM 2013 THE HOLIEST OF DAYS HOLY THURSDAY, MARCH 28TH 8:00PM Mass of the Lord s Supper - Villanova Church Solemn Adoration until 11:00PM in Corr Hall Chapel GOOD FRIDAY, MARCH 29TH 3:00PM Celebration of the Lord s Passion Villanova Church HOLY SATURDAY, MARCH 30TH EASTER VIGIL 8:00PM (Villanova Church) EASTER SUNDAY, MARCH 31ST 7:30AM - Villanova Church 9:00AM - Rosemont Chapel * (* American Sign Language Interpreter at Mass) 9:45AM - Villanova Church 11:00AM - Rosemont Chapel 11:30AM Villanova Church FOR SAFETY REASONS OCCUPANCY IS LIMITED IN THE VILLANOVA CHURCH TO 650 PERSONS AND IN THE ROSEMONT CHAPEL TO 550 PERSONS. This will be strictly observed. Parking for the Villanova Church is in the Main Lot on Lancaster Avenue EXCEPT for persons with Special Needs. For your safety and the safety of all, please follow the directions of the Public Safety Officers. Thank you! Evening Prayer in Rosemont Chapel Sundays During Lent March 17th - 6:00pm with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction March 24th - 6:00pm with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction Stations of the Cross 7:30pm Wednesdays at the Villanova Church March 20th March 27th All are welcome! Led by various groups: Living Stations/Liturgical Council (note that Stations will begin and end in the Church, but make their way through the University Campus) Pastoral Council (meaningful reflection from the perspective of Mary) LENT 2013 LOCAL PENANCE SERVICES Sacred Heart Tues., Mar. 19 7:00pm Annunciation BVM Tues., Mar. 19 7:00pm Our Mother of Good Counsel Tues., Mar. 19 7:30pm St. Katharine of Siena Wed., Mar. 20 7:00pm St. Thomas of Villanova Mon., Mar. 25 7:30pm (Villanova Campus) St. Pius X Tues, Mar. 26 7:00pm St. Anastasia Wed., Mar. 27 7:00pm St. Denis Wed., Mar. 27 7:30pm Confessions: St. John Neumann Wednesdays of Lent ADULT FAITH ENRICHMANT 11:45AM St. Thomas of Villanova Parish Center 7:30pm March 17th - The Dynamics of Hope: The Implementation of Vatican II, Tensions within the Church, How are we doing? Speaker: Dr. Bernard P. Prusak, STL, JCD Professor, Theology/Religious Studies at Villanova University Author: The Church Unfinished: Ecclesiology St. Thomas of Villanova

3 Mon., March 18th Lenten Weekday 12:05PM-RMCH Tues., March 19th Saint Joseph 12:05PM-RMCH Deceased Members & Benefactors of O.S.A. Wed., March 20th Lenten Weekday 12:05PM-RMCH Domenica & Ralph Gabriel Thurs., March 21st Lenten Weekday 12:05PM-RMCH Fri., March 22nd Lenten Weekday 12:05PM-RMCH Sat., March 23rd Lenten Weekday 9:00AM-RMCH 5:00PM-RMCH Mary Jane DiCarlo - Gary & Karen Farley Sun., March 24th PALM SUNDAY 7:30AM-VNCH Ann & Jack Keeney 9:00AM-RMCH For the Parishioners of St. Thomas 10:30AM-VNCH Francis X Masse - Minutella Family Masses in Interpreted American Sign Language We have an American Sign Language Interpreter at the 9:00am Mass in the Rosemont Chapel on the Second and Fourth Sunday of each month. The interpreter will be here on March 24, READINGS FOR THE WEEK: Monday: Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, or 13-41c-62; Jn 8:12-20 Tuesday: 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a; Rom 4-13, 16-18, 22; Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Lk 2:41-51a Wednesday: Dn 3:14-20, 91-92; 95; Jn 8:31-42 Thursday: Gn 17:3-9; Jn 8:51-59 Friday: Jer 20:10-13; Jn 10:31-42 Saturday: Ez 37:21-28; Jn 11:45-56 Sunday: Lk 19:28-40; Is 50:4-7; Phil 2:6-11; Lk 22:14 23:56 or 23:1-49 SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION OPPORTUNITIES IN LENT Villanova Church Tuesdays and Wednesdays 3:30pm-4:30pm (except during Holy Week) Wednesdays 6:30pm-7:30pm Rosemont Chapel Fridays after the 12:05pm Liturgy Saturdays after the 9:00am Liturgy Wednesday of Holy Week 6:30pm-7:30pm Communal Reconciliation Service Monday of Holy Week, March 25th Villanova Church 7:30pm St. Thomas of Villanova Monday, March 18, 2013 Art Class - PC1 Food Addicts in Recovery - Café Worship Committee Schedule of Events for the week of: March 17, 2013 Recitation of the Rosary after the daily Liturgy. Tuesday, March 19, 2013 Blood Pressure Screening after 12:05 Mass SFC Mentors Bible Study - Aud Genasis Bells - Aud Choir Practice - VNCH Wednesday, March 20, 2013 Exercise Class Honickman Ministry Brown Bag Lunch Prayer in Later Years Religious Education Classes Reconciliation - VNCH Information Night on El Salvador - Aud Stations of the Cross - VNCH Thursday, March 21, 2013 Men s Gathering - RMCH and Aud Rosemont Presbyterian Mass Walking With Purpose - Aud Bible Study - PC-2 Golden Living Mass Walking With Purpose - Aud Peace & Justice Committee - PC2 Friday, March 22, 2013 Reconciliation after 12:05 Mass Saturday, March 23, 2013 Reconciliation after 9:00AM Mass Sunday, March 24, PALM SUNDAY Word of God Rosemont Presbyterian Prayer Service Evening Prayer-RMCH Calling All Men! Thursday, March 21 at 6:30 AM in the Rosemont Chapel. 11:00AM 7:15PM 2:30PM 7:30PM 10:00AM 10:15AM 12:45PM 4:30PM 6:30PM-7:30PM 7:30PM 6:30AM 9:00AM 9:00AM 10:30AM 2:00PM 7:30PM 9:00AM 10:30AM 6:00PM Please join us as we celebrate a Communion Service this Thursday, March 21 at 6:30am in the Rosemont Chapel. We ll then head down to the Auditorium for some refreshments. Fr. Joe will remain in the Chapel for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Please join us before heading off to work or other responsibilities. Stay for what you can and feel free to invite a friend from the parish or otherwise! We look forward to seeing you!

4 We extend a warm welcome to the newest members of our parish: Robert & Patricia Healy of Wayne Remember those in need of our prayers, especially: Fr. Art, Catherine Casey, Julia Barlow, Rita Burns, Peggy Caulfield, Mary Ann Dadourian, Bob Ellison, Jack Geraghty, Theresa Green, Brendan Glynn, Patricia Ann Harley, Bridget Kelly, Garrett P. McAleer (baby), Rita O Connor, Eugene Prisco, Alice Rogers, Jules Rominger, Michael Seeds, Frannie DeMarco and Elizabeth Wiley Please pray for our soldiers assigned in Afghanistan and in other parts of the world, especially Army Master Sergeant Joseph Reilly who is currently serving in Afghanistan. DRINKING CLEAN WATER IN PAKISTAN This week we focus our prayers, fasting and almsgiving on Pakistan, where poor communities often do not have access to clean water. CRS helps communities build water pumps so they can have clean water nearby for use at home and on their farms. This week, consider fasting from all beverages except for water, and donate what you saved to your Rice Bowl. ARE YOU PLANNING A CHANGE???? If you are making a change in.. Address, parish affiliation, , or phone number, please call the Parish Office. We strive to keep our records up to date. Thank you!! CHRISTIAN SERVICE PRAYERLINE The parish prayerline is waiting for your prayer request. This week call Mary Ann Barrow at or mabstv@verizon.net to activate the parish prayerline. Two parish teams are available for your special intentions. PROJECT HOPE This is a transportation ministry for our Parish. If you need a ride to your medical appointments or to food shop this week, please call Mary Ann Deviney at Please give at least 3 days notice. DINNERS TO THE DOORSTEP This ministry is for parish families who are in crisis or for parish couples welcoming a new baby. Homemade dinners are delivered. Two parish coordinators keep a list of volunteers who are called as needed. If you are in need of this delicious community support, please call Sarah Breck at ST. FRANCIS INN We are forming a parish work group to serve the midday meal at the St. Francis Inn in Kensington on Sunday, April 21st. The Inn tries to meet the immediate daily needs of the poor and homeless people they serve with food, clothing and hospitality. This ministry is open to anyone 16 years or older. For more information and to sign up, contact our parish coordinators, Ruth and Joe Reeder at or villanovaruth@aol.com. Villanova University Campus Ministry, St. Thomas of Villanova Parish, and Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish present Dr. John Sexton, Ph.D. President of New York University Speaking on.. Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 7:00 pm in St. Thomas of Villanova Church In Baseball as a Road to God, Sexton illuminates the surprisingly large number of concepts shared between baseball and religion: faith, doubt, conversion, miracles, and even sacredness. Sexton elegantly demonstrates that baseball is more than a game, or even a national pastime; it can be a road to enlightenment St. Thomas of Villanova

5 ST. THOMAS OF VILLANOVA PARISH COMMUNITY INVITES YOU TO AN INFORMATION SESSSION on Thursday, April 4 th at 12:45pm in the Parish Center to hear how YOU can help THE FAMILY LIFE COMMITTEE of ST. THOMAS OF VILLANOVA PARISH Invites you to the The Joy of Sox is a local non-profit whose mission is simple: to provide socks for the homeless. Parish Volunteers are needed: To make phone calls to local agencies to set up sock delivery To be an administrative assistant To do grant writing To make connections to churches or schools to tell the story Skills needed: Computer competence TIME COMMITMENT: You can decide RSVP and Questions: Parish Coordinator, Tom Costello, at tom@thejoyofsox.org or Anne Murphy at the Parish at service@stv.comcastbiz.net. Find out how much God has given to you and from it take what you need; the remainder is needed by others. St. Augustine SUNDAY, APRIL 7, :00 A.M. ROSEMONT AUDITORIUM ENJOY A DELICIOUS BUFFET Speaker: Jimmy Murray CAPTIVATI NG ABRACADA BRA MAGIC SHOW FOR THE CHILDREN Parishioner, Jimmy Murray, a Villanova alumnus and the former general manager of the Philadelphia Eagles received the Shining Stars Lifetime Achievement Award in January, The award recognizes his numerous charitable efforts, including his role as founder of the Ronald McDonald House. TOPIC: Miracles STILL HAPPEN Please RSVP by April 3rd by calling or office@stv.comcastbiz.net with the number of adults and children attending. YOU ARE INVITED TO A ST. THOMAS OF VILLANOVA PARISH FORUM TOPIC: PRAYER IN OUR LATER YEARS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, :45PM - Rosemont Auditorium Presenter: Sr. Mary Anne Nolan, R.S.M. Sr. Mary Ann has been a Sister of Mercy for over 50 years and adjunct professor of Religious Studies at Gwynedd-Mercy College and co-founder of Mercy Spiritual Ministries. Drinks and desserts are provided. Please join us! Families are invited to participate in a children s Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Moms Group. Join the fun on Saturday, March 30th at 10:00am at Clem Macrone Park in Rosemont. Please bring 10 filled eggs to contribute and your child s Easter basket. RSVP to Tricia at triciacellucci@comcast.net. In case of inclement weather, the Easter Egg Hunt will be held at the Rosemont Auditorium St. Thomas of Villanova

6 STEWARDSHIP THANK YOU LETTER. Project H.O.M.E Fairmount Ave. Philadelphia, PA February 11, 2013 Dear Parishioners of St. Thomas: The support of community members like you is invaluable. We want to thank you for your gift of $ to Project H.O.M.E. Your generosity has helped us change the lives of many men, women and families. Thank you also for the Advent Giving Tree gifts. With your help, we are breaking the cycle of homelessness and poverty with proven methods marks our second year running the Hub of Hope, a storefront in the Suburban Station concourse, that is placing chronically homeless men and women into housing. The uniqueness of this program is that we are able with our public and private partners to provide intake counseling and medical and mental health services to a medically fragile population right where they are. And it has worked. Curtis is just one example of a formerly homeless individual who came into the Hub, now he s volunteering at the Hub, has a permanent home at the James Widener Ray Homes, and is attending classes at the Honickman Learning center and Comcast Technology Labs. Since the Hub of Hope opened this January, the Hub of Hope has provided services to over 200 unique individuals and placed nearly 60 men and women into housing. Together, we will change one person, one family, one block, one neighborhood at a time to end homelessness and poverty in Philadelphia, because None of us are home until all of us are home. Warmest regards, Jacquelyn Williams Manager of Annual Giving & Special Events ******* Dear Parishioners: Thank you so much for your continued generosity and partnership. You have been a critical part of our ability to grow and respond to the needs of people and families who are homeless. We treasure our partnership with you. Gratefully, Sr. Mary Scullion Project H.O.M.E. Here is a picture of the Cardinals at the election of the new Holy Father, as illustrated by Annie Cellucci, a five year old parishioner of St. Thomas of Villanova. ST. THOMAS OF VILLANOVA PARISHIONERS INVITE YOU TO A PRESENTATION ON The Parish Mission to El Salvador Facilitated by: Jose Moreno Wednesday, March 20, :00pm Rosemont Auditorium Refreshments provided! We will be organizing a mission trip to El Salvador for the week of July 19-27th. This presentation will be very helpful to you. HOST FAMILIES NEEDED for International Students at Academy of Notre Dame de Namur We are looking for families to host international students who will be attending Academy of Notre Dame this upcoming fall which starts from September 5 th Host families receive a stipend ($1,050 each month) to cover the student s food, lodge, and transportation (afterschool activities). It s a wonderful opportunity to introduce an international teenager to American life. All candidates are exceptional students with wonderful records of academic and personal achievement. Students speak English, have their own spending money, and are fully covered by insurance. Hosting an International student is very rewarding and a way to experience another culture! The benefits are endless when you open your heart and home to welcome a new daughter into your family. If you d like more information about inviting an international student into your family, please contact Jerry at or info@renashall.com More information can also be found at Renas Hall website St. Thomas of Villanova