Epiphany of Our Lord Church

Transcription

1 Epiphany of Our Lord Church Third Sunday of Advent December 13, 2014 Epiphany of Our Lord Church - December 6, 2015 Second Sunday of Advent Page 1

2 Christmas Schedule Confessions Saturday, Dec. 19, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Masses Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24 Vigil Masses: 4 p.m. & 6 p.m. Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25 7:30, 9:30, & 11:30 a.m. New Year s Schedule Confessions Saturday, Dec. 26, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Masses Friday, Jan. 1, is the Solemnity of Mary The Holy Mother of God and a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses will be celebrated on Thursday, Dec. 31, at 5 p.m.; and Friday, Jan. 1, at 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Advent When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming. By celebrating the precursor s birth and martyrdom, the Church unites herself to his desire: He must increase, but I must decrease (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 524). Serve Our Neighbor Christmas Giving Tree The Giving Tree will be on display in the Church vestibule beginning this weekend Nov The tags on the tree will be gifts for Project H.O.M.E. 's After School Program in North Philadelphia and gifts for the St. Elizabeth's Shelter for homeless men. Gifts purchased should be placed in gift bags (with the tag attached) and placed under the tree no later than the 11:30 a.m. Mass thissunday, Dec. 13. For more information, contact Kathy at (610) Advent Wreath Lighting At each Sunday Mass during Advent, a family will be invited to light the Advent Wreath, and carry the gifts in the Offertory Procession. If your family would like to participate, you may contact Rosemary Barton at (610) or crrbarton@comcast.net. Rosary and Morning Prayer During Advent, the daily recitation of the Rosary will begin at 7:50 a.m. followed by Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours, and Mass at 8:30 a.m. Christmas Volunteers Needed Please contact Anna Ferry at (610) if you can help decorate the Church for Christmas. March For Life The annual March For Life in Washington, D.C. is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 22. Epiphany of Our Lord Parish will be providing a bus for transportation. Cost per adult is $20. Cost per student (elementary, high school, or college) is $5. To sign up or if you have questions, contact Bernie Toth at (610) High School and Junior High Youth Group The Christmas white elephant party is Dec. 27 at 6 p.m. in the parish center. Bring a wrapped present of $5. Thanksgiving Turkey Drive! Thank you Epiphany parishioners for another successful Thanksgiving Turkey Drive! Our parish provided 165 full turkey family dinners for those less fortunate than us in Philadelphia and Norristown. Thanks to everyone for their generosity! Opening of the Holy Door Mass Special permission has been granted to the Miraculous Medal Shrine, 500 E. Chelten Ave., Phila., to open a Holy Door for the Extraordinary Jubilee along with the principal Holy Door of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Phila. Passage through a Jubilee Holy Door is an effective sign of our decision to enter into the life of Jesus Christ and make passage from sin to grace. All are invited to respond to the Jubilee invitation to conversion of heart by passing through the holy door! Monday, Dec.14, at 12:05 p.m. Rev. Carl L. Pieber, C.M., Principal Celebrant. Epiphany of Our Lord Church - December 6, 2015 Second Sunday of Advent Page 2

3 Gaudeamus Music Ministry Presents 24 th Annual Candelight Christmas Concert Sunday,Dec.13 7:30 p.m. Epiphany of Our Lord Church, Plymouth Meeting Admission is free and open to the public. A free will donation will benefit the charitable works of Angel Flight East. Join us for an uplifting and spiritual concert, featuring traditional, sacred, and classical music of the season! Constance Steuer, Piano Sarah Agnew, Soprano Kelly Brobson, Soprano Thomas Rudolph, Trumpet Luigi Mazzochi, Violin Maria Mazzochi, Viola Thomas Meany, Flute Michael Simmons, Guitar For additional information, please call (610) Epiphany of Our Lord Church - December 6, 2015 Second Sunday of Advent Page 3

4 The Holy See Misericordiae Vultus BULL OF INDICTION OF THE EXTRAORDINARY JUBILEE OF MERCY FRANCIS BISHOP OF ROME SERVANT OF THE SERVANTS OF GOD TO ALL WHO READ THIS LETTER GRACE, MERCY, AND PEACE Excerpts Jesus Christ is the face of the Father s mercy. These words might well sum up the mystery of the Christian faith. Mercy has become living and visible in Jesus of Nazareth, reaching its culmination in him. We need constantly to contemplate the mystery of mercy. It is a wellspring of joy, serenity, and peace. Our salvation depends on it. Mercy: the word reveals the very mystery of the Most Holy Trinity. Mercy: the ultimate and supreme act by which God comes to meet us. Mercy: the fundamental law that dwells in the heart of every person who looks sincerely into the eyes of his brothers and sisters on the path of life. Mercy: the bridge that connects God and man, opening our hearts to the hope of being loved forever despite our sinfulness. For this reason I have proclaimed an Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy as a special time for the Church, a time when the witness of believers might grow stronger and more effective. I have chosen the date of 8 December because of its rich meaning in the recent history of the Church. In fact, I will open the Holy Door on the fiftieth anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council. The Church feels a great need to keep this event alive. With the Council, the Church entered a new phase of her history. The Council Fathers strongly perceived, as a true breath of the Holy Spirit, a need to talk about God to men and women of their time in a more accessible way. We recall the poignant words of Saint John XXIII when, opening the Council, he indicated the path to follow: Now the Bride of Christ wishes to use the medicine of mercy rather than taking up arms of severity The Catholic Church, as she holds high the torch of Catholic truth at this Ecumenical Council, wants to show herself a loving mother to all; patient, kind, moved by compassion and goodness toward her separated children. The Jubilee year will close with the liturgical Solemnity of Christ the King on 20 November On that day, as we seal the Holy Door, we shall be filled, above all, with a sense of gratitude and thanksgiving to the Most Holy Trinity for having granted us an extraordinary time of grace. How much I desire that the year to come will be steeped in mercy, so that we can go out to every man and woman, bringing the goodness and tenderness of God! May the balm of mercy reach everyone, both believers and those far away, as a sign that the Kingdom of God is already present in our midst! In short, the mercy of God is not an abstract idea, but a concrete reality with which he reveals his love as of that of a father or a mother, moved to the very depths out of love for their child. It is hardly an exaggeration to say that this is a visceral love. It gushes forth from the depths naturally, full of tenderness and compassion, indulgence and mercy. Epiphany of Our Lord Church - December 6, 2015 Second Sunday of Advent Page 4

5 The mission Jesus received from the Father was that of revealing the mystery of divine love in its fullness This love has now been made visible and tangible in Jesus entire life. The signs he works, especially in favour of sinners, the poor, the marginalized, the sick, and the suffering, are all meant to teach mercy. Everything in him speaks of mercy. Nothing in him is devoid of compassion. In short, we are called to show mercy because mercy has first been shown to us. Pardoning offences becomes the clearest expression of merciful love, and for us Christians it is an imperative from which we cannot excuse ourselves. At times how hard it seems to forgive! And yet pardon is the instrument placed into our fragile hands to attain serenity of heart. To let go of anger, wrath, violence, and revenge are necessary conditions to living joyfully. Mercy is the very foundation of the Church s life. All of her pastoral activity should be caught up in the tenderness she makes present to believers; nothing in her preaching and in her witness to the world can be lacking in mercy. The Church s very credibility is seen in how she shows merciful and compassionate love. Merciful like the Father, therefore, is the motto of this Holy Year. In mercy, we find proof of how God loves us. In this Holy Year, we look forward to the experience of opening our hearts to those living on the outermost fringes of society: fringes which modern society itself creates. How many uncertain and painful situations there are in the world today! How many are the wounds borne by the flesh of those who have no voice because their cry is muffled and drowned out by the indifference of the rich! During this Jubilee, the Church will be called even more to heal these wounds, to assuage them with the oil of consolation, to bind them with mercy and cure them with solidarity and vigilant care. Let us open our eyes and see the misery of the world, the wounds of our brothers and sisters who are denied their dignity, and let us recognize that we are compelled to heed their cry for help! May we reach out to them and support them so they can feel the warmth of our presence, our friendship, and our fraternity! It is my burning desire that, during this Jubilee, the Christian people may reflect on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Jesus introduces us to these works of mercy in his preaching so that we can know whether or not we are living as his disciples. Let us rediscover these corporal works of mercy: to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, heal the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead. And let us not forget the spiritual works of mercy: to counsel the doubtful, instruct the ignorant, admonish sinners, comfort the afflicted, forgive offences, bear patiently those who do us ill, and pray for the living and the dead. There is an aspect of mercy that goes beyond the confines of the Church. It relates us to Judaism and Islam, both of which consider mercy to be one of God s most important attributes. Israel was the first to receive this revelation which continues in history as the source of an inexhaustible richness meant to be shared with all mankind. As we have seen, the pages of the Old Testament are steeped in mercy, because they narrate the works that the Lord performed in favour of his people at the most trying moments of their history. Among the privileged names that Islam attributes to the Creator are Merciful and Kind. This invocation is often on the lips of faithful Muslims who feel themselves accompanied and sustained by mercy in their daily weakness. They too believe that no one can place a limit on divine mercy because its doors are always open. I trust that this Jubilee year celebrating the mercy of God will foster an encounter with these religions and with other noble religious traditions; may it open us to even more fervent dialogue so that we might know and understand one another better; may it eliminate every form of closed mindedness and disrespect, and drive out every form of violence and discrimination. My thoughts now turn to the Mother of Mercy. No one has penetrated the profound mystery of the incarnation like Mary. Her entire life was patterned after the presence of mercy made flesh. Chosen to be the Mother of the Son of God, Mary, from the outset, was prepared by the love of God to be the Ark of the Covenant between God and man. She treasured divine mercy in her heart in perfect harmony with her Son Jesus. I present, therefore, this Extraordinary Jubilee Year dedicated to living out in our daily lives the mercy which the Father constantly extends to all of us. In this Jubilee Year, let us allow God to surprise us. He never tires of casting open the doors of his heart and of repeating that he loves us and wants to share his love with us. In this Jubilee Year, may the Church echo the word of God that resounds strong and clear as a message and a sign of pardon, strength, aid, and love. May she never tire of extending mercy, and be ever patient in offering compassion and comfort. Given in Rome, at Saint Peter s, on 11 April, the Vigil of the Second Sunday of Easter, or the Sunday of Divine Mercy, in the year of our Lord 2015, the third of my Pontificate. Epiphany of Our Lord Church - December 6, 2015 Second Sunday of Advent Page 5

6 MASS INTENTIONS Monday, Dec. 14 8:30 a.m. Joseph Steuer Tuesday, Dec. 15 8:30 a.m. Anthony & Connie Manifesta Wednesday, Dec. 16 8:30 a.m. John Butterworth 8th Anniversary Thursday, Dec. 17 8:30 a.m. Rita Haarmeyer Friday, Dec. 18 8:30 a.m. Lillian Macrina Saturday, Dec. 19 8:30 a.m. Silvia & Rosario Condo Stewardship is a way of life. Tithing is God s Plan for Giving. Our Sunday Offering $18,241 Our Sunday Offering (Last Year) $16,389 Children s Sunday Offering $ Thank you for your continued support! Holiness is always a bit mad by earthly standards. Leonard Foley, O.F.M. From the Pastor: Thank you to Chairperson Karen Conte, the Committee and all the volunteers who worked so diligently to make the fourth annual Holy Rosary Regional Catholic School Craft Show a success. W e are very grateful to the crafters, visitors, sponsors and all who participated for their efforts to support the Craft Show. From the Children: Surprised Nana by putting up her Christmas Tree. Helped mom. I was nice to my friends. Helped decorate. Made my bed. Stewardship Sunday Appeal $ 37,462 Retirement Fund for Religious $ 2,962 Why Poinsettias? Dec. 12 marked the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, as well as National Poinsettia Day. Legend has it that a poor young Mexican girl wanted to bring a gift to the Christ Child in her church, yet had no money. She picked some simple leaves, and when she reached the church, they had turned to beautiful red. When we give out of love, God makes even our most simple gifts special. Please Pray For The Sick Miriam Beaumont* Bartholomew Cahan Maureen Cahan Stacy Callahan, 8yrs old Barbara Diehl Aubrey Fells Dolores R. Gallagher* Esperanza Galshack* Christopher Greuters, 7yrs old The Respect Life Roses are in Loving Memory of Bill Keenan Ann S. Conti The roses will remain on the Altar in front of The Blessed Mother Please Remember in our Prayers Robert S. Guzek Who died Dec. 2 Husband of Marjorie Guzeck Father of Christine & Robert Guzek, Jr. Parish Office Closed at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 24, until 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 28; and, at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31, until 8:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 4. Steven Hedricks Barbara Jean Kathy Kane* John P. Kelly* Helen Miller* Mary Mirabile* Mike McCullough Sybil Nahrgang* Janet O Connor* In Loving Memory Mary Pizzico* Jill Ramos Margaret Reinehr Gloria Scandale* Katty Tucker Daniel White* *Parishioner

7 Epiphany of Our Lord Church Tel (610) Fax (610) Walton Rd, Plymouth Meeting, PA Pastoral Staff Rev. Joseph J. Quindlen, Pastor Rev. James J. Kelly, In Residence (Retired) Permanent Deacons Emil J. Wernert, Michael Pascarella, Jr. Kenneth P. Clancy (Retired) Joel M. Ziff, (Retired) Parish Staff Business Manager, Paul Harvitz part-time Director of Music, Constance M. Steuer Business Secretary, Lydia Hayward Administrative Assistants* *JoAnn O Connor *Cecilia T. Dadario, part-time Information Technology Coordinator, Nicole Zimmerman, part-time Maintenance Supervisor Anthony R. Mashaintonio Church Sacristan, John F. Phipps, part-time Religious Education (215) rep@eol.comcastbiz.net Stephanie Quigley, Coordinator, part-time Carla Manno, Adm. Assistant, part-time Youth Ministry (215) ymmin@eol.comcastbiz.net Gail Toto, Coordinator, part-time Holy Rosary Regional Catholic School (610) Walton Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA Lisa S. Hoban: Principal lhoban@holyrosaryregional.com Beth Sheldon, Administrative Assistant bsheldon@holyrosaryregional.com Mass Schedule Saturday 5 p.m. Vigil (fulfills the Sunday Obligation) Sunday 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., & 11:30 a.m. Daily 8:30 a.m. Monday to Saturday Holydays 7 p.m. Vigil, 8:30 a.m., 12:05 & 7 p.m. Confessions Saturday 3:30-4:30 p.m. & by appointment Parish Office Hours Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. After 4:30 p.m. by appointment only Closed for lunch: 12 p.m.-1 p.m. Saturday By appointment only Sunday By appointment only A mail slot is located in the rectory front door. Dec. 13 Gloria Leidig 90th Birthday Perpetual Adoration Chapel In order to keep our Perpetual Adoration Chapel open 24/7, we need your help. Please ask a family member or friend to consider spending time with our Eucharistic Lord Jesus. You can come to HIM, to praise and adore HIM or to pour out one s heart to HIM, to ask for inspiration, to be consoled and comforted, to ask for favors and guidance, and to give thanks. Please call Elaine Thorpe at (610) If you can commit to any of the following Open Hours: SUNDAY: MONDAY: TUESDAY: WEDNESDAY: THURSDAY: FRIDAY: SATURDAY: Parish Office Requests To register in the parish, arrange for a baptism, or request a Certificate of Eligibility for sponsorship at Baptism or Confirmation, contact the rectory Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. ( is preferable). Also, please advise our office staff of any change of address, telephone number or family status. Anointing of the Sick First Saturday of the month during 8:30 a.m. Mass or by special request. Please notify the rectory as soon as possible when any parishioner becomes seriously ill or is admitted to the hospital. Baptism Baptisms are celebrated after the 11:30 a.m. Mass every Sunday, with the option of Adoration Chapel Votive Candles are Dedicated for: Nov. 213 Dr. Albert D Alonzo 12th Anniversary Dec. 13 Craig L. Smith In Memory Dec. 13 Jane News In Memory 5-6AM, 12-1 PM,1-2PM, 3-4PM, 8-9PM 5-6AM, 11AM-12PM, 4-5PM 5-6 AM, 11AM-12PM 2-3PM, 4-5PM, 9-10PM 4-5PM, 5-6 PM 6-7PM, 7-8PM, 10-11PM 5-6 PM, 3-4PM, 6-7PM, 7-8PM, 9-10PM, 10-11PM 11AM-12PM, 12-1PM, 1-2PM, 3-4PM, 7-8PM, 9-10PM Baptism during the 11:30 a.m. Mass on the fifth Sunday of the month. Both first-time parents must attend a Pre-Jordan class, which is held the first Wednesday of every month. Pre-Registration for the class is required by contacting the rectory. Sponsors not from Epiphany are required to submit a Certificate of Eligibility from their parish two weeks prior to the Baptism. Marriage Notify the priest of your intention to marry at least six months before the date of the wedding to assure sufficient preparation and to arrange for Pre-Cana sessions. Miraculous Medal Perpetual Novena After 8:30 a.m. Mass every Saturday. Healing Mass 1st Saturday of the month at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 13 Ann S. Conti In Memory Nov. 13 David DiPietro In Memory NOTE: We are asking the men of the parish to cover the early morning times. Please do not leave any religious articles in the chapel, ie, books, magazines, metals, prayer cards, rosaries, etc. Epiphany of Our Lord Church - December 6, 2015 Second Sunday of Advent Page 7

8 Mike Devlin s BABYAK LANDSCAPING INC An Excellent Choice for Epiphany of Our Lord Families William A. Moore FUNERAL HOME Parocial Hair Cuts Fades Senior Discounts Tree Work Mulching Backhoe Service Snow Plowing Grading Seeding Monday: 8:30-6 p.m. Tues. - Fri.: 8:30-7 p.m. Saturday: 7:30-5 p.m Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, PA at RT. 73 & Complete Design & Maintenance 70th Anniversary Michael Babyak, Parishioner W. Ridge Pike Conshohocken Cell Over 50 Years of Service For All of Your Plumbing & Heating Needs RAYS (7297) Richard Harrison / President 520 Wood St., Conshohocken, PA Chris LaPenta, Parishioner Elizabeth V. Moore, FD ( ) Robert W. Moore, FD Adam R. Moore, FD Come for a Personal Visit! 708 Fayette St Serving With Old Fashioned Dependability MASCIANTONIO PLUMBING 300 E. Germantown Pike Serving NJ, PA & DE Brian or Sally, coordinators East Norriton, PA an Official Travel Agency of AOS-USA STAIRLIFTS Sales Rentals Service New Refurbished Servicing Bucks, Montgomery SPECIALIZING IN BASEMENT WATERPROOFING & MOLD REMEDIATION SINCE 1984 and Philadelphia counties DRAINAGE SYSTEMS PUMPS COATINGS FOUNDATION REPAIR OUTSIDE WATER MANAGEMENT EMERGENCY SERVICE FREE INSPECTIONS LICENSED & INSURED CHECK OUT OUR REVIEWS ON: Barber Shop We have the Greatest Respect for your thoughts, =feelings and wishes FREE HOME EVALUATIONS Diocese member owned & operated Follow us on: Parishioners of St. Philip Neri HANDY HOME REPAIR SPECIALISTS Lafayette Hill, PA LICENSED INSURED CARPETING HARDWOOD CERAMIC TILE NO WAX FLOORS WINDOW TREATMENTS FREE SHOP AT HOME SERVICE Michael Schelkun, MD, DDS Mark P. Kienle, MD, DMD 180 S. MAIN ST., AMBLER (215) Wisdom Teeth, Dental Implants and Facial Reconstructive Surgery Warminster Newtown Fort Washington Butler Pike Ste 100 Plymouth Meeting, PA Family Owned & Operated Collision Repair Center Since Butler Pike Plymouth Meeting, PA Abbey Plumbing & Heating Quality Service Since 1976 Free Estimates Bonded & Insured 24 Hour Emergency Service When you're ready to buy or sell a home, talk to me! Frani Morrione Associate Broker Office: Cell: BLUE BELL franimorrione@aol.com ,2012, 2013 & 2014 PHILA. MAGAZINE 5 STAR AWARD WINNER BOB MARCINEK Neat & Reliable Epiphany of Our Lord Church Prompt Professional Service Patricia Skiba WALLPAPERING Nothing Decorates Like Wallpaper Bathroom Renovations PLUMBING HEATING AIR CONDITIONING WATER HEATER BOILER REPLACEMENT Realtor 30+ years of full time experience in residential Real Estate in Montgomery County Multiple Listing Service Conshohocken East Norriton, Trappe (610) Donald E. Moore, Supervisor For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc