EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD CHURCH

Transcription

1 EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD CHURCH SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME FEBRUARY 12, 2012 Epiphany of Our Lord Church - February 12, 2012, Page 1

2 Epiphany 55 Club There will be a Club meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at 11 a.m., in the parish center. Monthly Vigil for Life This vigil will start with Mass on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 7 a.m. at St. John Evangelist Church, 13 th and Market Sts., Philadelphia, followed by clergy-led prayerful presence at a nearby abortion center. Participants pray the Rosary for the unborn. We will carpool from the Epiphany parking lot leaving at 6:15 am and returning shortly after 10 a.m. Questions please contact Bernie Toth at (610) The Little Black Book Complimentary copies of The Little Black Book for the Lenten Season will be distributed after Mass next weekend, Feb. 19 Remaining books will be available at the Church exits on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22. The Little Black Book, published by the Diocese of Saginaw, offers six-minute reflexions on the Sunday Gospels of Lent (Cycle B). If you are unable to be present at any of the above Masses, you may reserve a book by contacting Joan Purcell at (610) prior to Feb. 18. High School Youth Group Our High School Youth Group will once again be doing service at the Coordinated Homeless Outreach Center in Norristown next Sunday, Feb. 19, at 4 p. m. Please consider donating any of the following items for the teens to bring with them to the shelter. Drop off locations are the back of church after Mass, and the Youth Ministry office. new wash cloths, new socks for male and female adults, new underwear for male and female adults and disposable razors. Any of the following items in travel size or hotel size: soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, body wash, lotion, shaving cream, chapstick, and hand sanitizer. Contact Gail Toto, Parish Youth Minister, at (610) for more information. Extraordinary Ministers Formation Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion will be commissioned on Sunday, Feb. 26, at the 9:30 a.m. Mass. Please contact Mary Sheehan at (610) or Toni Rochow at (610) if you plan to participate. Respect Life Rose Is in Memory of Mary Mack This rose will remain on the Altar in front of The Blessed Mother Baptism We welcome to our Parish Family Alexander Lin Senh Baptized Feb. 5 Adult Faith Formation Will meet in the Parish Center on the following dates: Wednesday, Feb. 29, from 7-9 p.m. Discussion topic is Theology of Suffering. Wednesday, Mar. 21, from 7-9 p. m. Discussion topic is The Saints. A l l are welcome Mass Book Is open for the remainder of the year Stewardship is a way of life. Tithing is God s Plan for Giving. This Week s Tithe $ 20,907 Last Year s Tithe $ 14,816 Children's Tithe $ From the Pastor: Thank you to all who participated in our annual Catholic Schools Week (Jan. 29-Feb. 5) observance. This year s theme Faith. Academics. Service. reflects our own parish elementary school s Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award from the U.S. Department of Education. The pursuit of excellence is our goal in matters of faith and morals as well. From the Pews: My husband lost his job, so I had to find myself a way to get an income to help the situation. Hopefully this is not a permanent situation. We are still tithing, but a smaller amount, and have not stopped going to Church. From the Children: Helped around the house. Helped my brother clean up. I held a door open for a stranger. Helped mom clean up. Helped my friend. Care of Aging and Infirm Priests $ 2,451 Epiphany of Our Lord Church - February 12, 2012, Page 2

3 BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION REPORT JANUARY 2012 parish religious education programs BACKGROUND At this time in the history of the Church in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the increasing number of children receiving catechesis outside of a Catholic school setting underscores the need for strong, sustainable Parish Religious Education Programs. This is an important piece of religious education that must be supported and maintained. The recommendations of the Commission with regard to religious education are based on insights from members along with the advice of experienced Parish Religious Education professionals. The recommendations are intended to support the work of those who exercise leadership, pastors in particular, parents who are the primary educators of their children in the faith, catechists who staff programs, and Catholic school administrators who provide collaboration with the students in the Catholic schools especially in sacramental programs. Since it is the responsibility of each and every Catholic to pass on the faith to future generations, it is absolutely necessary that everyone work together to call forth renewed excellence, energy and enthusiasm for our Parish Religious Education Programs. A Catholic school education is the best way to ensure that children are raised in the Catholic tradition. However, for those children who cannot attend a Catholic school, it is important to have a meaningful and effective Parish Religious Education Program. ENROLLMENT TRENDS Catholic Schools (K-8) 69,549 (39.5%)* 43,145 (31.7%)* Parish Religious Education Programs 53,548 (30.4%)* 49,312 (36.2%)* *Note: Based on estimated children in that age range per baptism numbers and demographics. Epiphany of Our Lord Church - February 12, 2012, Page 3

4 BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION REPORT JANUARY 2012 RECOMMENDATIONS To serve the Catholic schools and the Parish Religious Education Programs, the Commission recommends the following: Establish an Archdiocesan Board for Religious Education composed of clergy, religious and laity with knowledge and experience in pastoral, catechetical and educational areas (especially directors of religious education, school principals, teachers), along with representative parents and professionals. The board will monitor the state of religious education throughout the Archdiocese, offer the Archbishop or his delegate counsel and advice as needed in this area and monitor the implementation of any Archdiocesan changes brought about because of the recommendations in this report. Establish guidelines for the preparation of the reception of the Sacraments of Penance and Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation. The guidelines should indicate that the reception of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion should be celebrated at the same age/grade at every parish in the Archdiocese. Ideally, this should be when the child is in second grade (or in the second year of instruction). There should also be no difference within a parish between the age/ grade when children in the school receive these Sacraments versus when the children in Parish Religious Education Programs receive them. The guidelines should indicate that Confirmation be celebrated at the same age/ grade at every parish in the Archdiocese. It is recommended that the age/grade for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation should be moved to the eighth grade in parishes where Confirmation is celebrated every year, and to seventh & eighth grades in those parishes where it is celebrated every other year. The Parish Religious Education Programs must provide a minimum of 40 hours of instruction per year. The programs must comply with Archdiocesan policies. The parishes should have suitable and appropriate facilities in which to conduct the programs, and therefore, special care should be given when making facility decisions. Faith formation, whether in Catholic schools or Parish Religious Education Programs, is most effective when it takes place in a systematic and ageappropriate manner. Epiphany of Our Lord Church - February 12, 2012, Page 4

5 BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION REPORT JANUARY 2012 parish religious education programs All parishes should assume the responsibility for hiring a director of religious education (DRE) who is a qualified and salaried professional along with staff support as deemed necessary to administer successful and effective religious education programs. All parishes should ensure that catechists are properly certified and that parishes assume the costs of certification. Archdiocesan outreach should be made to St. Charles Seminary, as well as to local Catholic colleges and universities, with the purpose of encouraging one or more to establish undergraduate and graduate programs designed to develop parish DREs and catechists. All Catholic school teachers and Parish Religious Education teachers are expected to comply with Archdiocesan certification policy. The Office for Catechetical Formation to ensure quality control as well as accessibility to these courses should constantly monitor catechist certification, including that of Catholic school teachers. Every pastor in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia should ensure that religious education takes place for children and young people in their parish school and those not enrolled in a Catholic school. In a Catholic school, instruction in the faith should be part of the daily school schedule. Every pastor has an obligation to encourage and support parents and guardians as the first and most important teachers of their children in the faith. Extra efforts should be made to include new immigrants at parishes. These efforts include providing instructions for the parents and guardians in their native languages and also encouraging the development of trained catechists who are members of the particular ethnic community. Children who participate in CYO sports must be enrolled in a Catholic school or a Religious Education Program. Exceptions are made only when the parish does not have a Religious Education Program for any particular age group (e.g., Kindergarten, senior high school). Parish-sponsored sports or social activities should be scheduled at times other than when religious education takes place. Epiphany of Our Lord Church - February 12, 2012, Page 5

6 BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION REPORT JANUARY 2012 Tuition for Religious Education Programs will be set by the parish, keeping in mind the economic situation of the particular parish and neighborhood. No child should be denied religious formation due to finances. The pastor and the DRE can make a judgment with regard to individual situations. The Archdiocese should develop guidelines in this area. Parish Religious Education Programs should continue to take into consideration the particular circumstances of children with special needs when assessing their progress, as well as their readiness to receive sacraments. Establish a clear, consistent policy concerning home-based catechesis. In situations where parents presently home-school children for the reception of first sacraments, it is the responsibility of the pastor, or his delegate, to determine if the child or children in question (is/are) adequately prepared for the sacrament to be received and integrated into the parish celebrations. The religion curriculum in both Catholic schools and Parish Religious Education Programs must follow Archdiocesan guidelines. Curriculum review should occur on a regular basis. Periodic outcomes-based assessments should be a part of any such review; this could include tests, reports, etc. Catholic school teachers and parish catechists are to be encouraged to use 21st century learning techniques as much as possible, especially in the area of technology. The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church identifies basic Catholic doctrinal formulas that every Catholic should know. Consideration should be given to making sure that all of these doctrinal formulas are covered in elementary religious instruction in a manner both comprehensive and repetitive to ensure that every Catholic young person knows these basic doctrinal formulas prior to reaching adulthood. Epiphany of Our Lord Church - February 12, 2012, Page 6

7 Parishioners of St. Philip Neri HANDY HOME REPAIR SPECIALISTS William L. Ciavarelli, FD, Supv. Lafayette Hill, PA Christopher J. Ciavarelli, FD William E. Ciavarelli, FD LICENSED INSURED Andrea M. Ciavarelli, FD Joseph B. Maguire Certified Abstract Co., Inc We have the Greatest Respect for your thoughts, =feelings and wishes 951 E. Butler Pike, Ambler Fayette St., Conshohocken Comfort, Value, Convenience Your Parish Funeral Home An Excellent Choice for Epiphany of Our Lord Families Come for a Personal Visit! Call Brightview East Norriton at marion.dinofa@gmail.com LOWNES Quality at Discount Prices for Over 60 Years 421 W. Ridge Pike Conshohocken FUNERAL HOME Randall K. Lownes Director, Parish Resident Traditional Funerals Cremation Service Pre-Planning Service Memorial Programs RAYS (7297) Chris LaPenta, Parishioner KARCSH FUNERAL HOME, INC. Compassionate and Caring Service for Over 70 Years (610) Arrangements in the Convenience of Your Home We Offer Pre Need Counseling To Assist You Personal, Professional Real Estate Services CONNIE BRADY, Associate Broker Not Just Another Real Estate Agent PAUL J. KARCSH, JR. SUPV PARISHIONER or Connie@ConnieBrady.com Web Site: Preston School of Music Consider Remembering Your Parish in Your Will. For further information, please call the Parish Office. BOB MARCINEK Please Cut Out This Thank You Ad and Present It The Next Time You Patronize One of Our Advertisers WALLPAPERING Nothing Decorates Like Wallpaper Fulfill a Dream! Guitar Bass Piano Drums Serving the Community Over 25 Years Parishioner Tree Work Backhoe Service Mulching Snow Plowing Grading Seeding Complete Design & Maintenance FUNERAL HOME Elizabeth V. Moore, FD ( ) Robert W. Moore, FD Adam R. Moore, FD 300 E. Germantown Pike 708 Fayette St East Norriton, PA Serving With Old Fashioned Dependability Office Mobile William A. Moore Neat & Reliable Thank you for advertising in our church bulletin. I am patronizing your business because of it! Family Owned & Operated for 8 Generations Est FUNERAL HOME, INC. 300 Fayette Street, Conshohocken E. Germantown Pike, East Norriton Thirty-One Bags & Gifts Michael Babyak Over 50 Years of Service MASCIANTONIO PLUMBING For All of Your Plumbing & Heating Needs Richard Harrison / President 520 Wood St., Conshohocken, PA THOMAS E. DEEM FAMILY DENTISTRY Thomas E. Deem, D.M.D., Lisa Poole-Deem, D.M.D., JD Epiphany Parish Member CARPETING HARDWOOD CERAMIC TILE NO WAX FLOORS WINDOW TREATMENTS FREE SHOP AT HOME SERVICE Watertower Office Bldg., Ste. #140 (across from Phil s Tavern) 6198 Butler Pike., Blue Bell, PA 180 S. MAIN ST., AMBLER (215) McGOLDRICK LEASING COMPANY For All Your Leasing Needs Vehicles & Equipment 628 Ridge Pike (610) Abbey Plumbing & Heating Quality Service Since 1976 Free Estimates Bonded & Insured 24 Hour Emergency Service Epiphany of Our Lord Church WHY IS IT A man wakes up after sleeping under an ADVERTISED blanket on an ADVERTISED mattress and pulls off ADVERTISED pajamas bathes in an ADVERTISED shower shaves with an ADVERTISED razor brushes his teeth with ADVERTISED toothpaste washes with ADVERTISED soap puts on ADVERTISED clothes drinks a cup of ADVERTISED coffee drives to work in an ADVERTISED car and then.... refuses to ADVERTISE believing it doesn t pay. Later if business is poor he ADVERTISES it for sale. WHY IS IT? Mike Devlin s Barber Shop Parocial Hair Cuts Fades Senior Discounts 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 & Helping Families Honor a Life Lived 1111 S. Bethlehem Pike Ambler, PA Peter A. Urban, Jr. Gertrude A. Urban Peter H. Gers For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc

8 EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD SCHOOL NEWS 3040 WALTON ROAD, PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA OFFICE PHONE: (610) TOURS AND INFORMATION: (610) WEBSITE: A Note from the Principal We collected over five boxes of soup and canned goods for Souper Bowl Sunday. The children enjoyed dressing down and the Patrician Society is appreciative. We did have a football pool. The winning squares received a Hershey bar and the grand prize winners got either a model rocket or a 3D Empire State Building puzzle. Everyone was thrilled! One generous mom heard that we were collecting soup for the poor. She had leftover notes, candy and quarters from the Chinese New Year celebration, she asked that they be given to the poor children. How kind! I was able to attend the Honors Band Concert at Pope John Paul II High School. The performance was outstanding and the site is beautiful. Congratulations to Teresa Andersen, Olivia Certa and Molly McAndrew! You made us proud. KINDERGARTEN: MRS. KONESKI: In Religion, the kindergarten class is learning that God the Father gave us the best gift of all, His Son Jesus. He is with us always. They made JESUS crowns to celebrate JESUS. They are learning many new sight words and reading them in sentences. They are also making valentine decorations to decorate their classroom. 1ST GRADE: MRS. DUNSMORE: What an exciting time it is to be in first grade at Epiphany of Our Lord School! The children decorated Valentine bags, played Valentine games and sang Valentine songs. The little ones also made puppets which will be used to entertain parents, relatives and the lower grades as the first grade performs the play The Knee-High Man. 2ND GRADE: MRS. MORASCO: The children will learn about celebrating the Liturgy of the Eucharist in religion. The children will be introduced to Geometry and Patterns in math. We will learn about Abraham Lincoln and have a little celebration for Valentine's Day. 3RD GRADE: MS. PALCKO: The class learned about some Feast days and Holy Days of Obligation in Religion. They started to read Ramona Quimby, Age 8. In Social Studies they are reading how families celebrate different holidays with special traditions. 4TH GRADE: MS. CATANIA: In Religion, these young disciples of Christ will learn that throughout the Liturgical Year we remember and celebrate Jesus. In Math, these budding mathematicians will write and evaluate expressions and equations with variables. In Science, this inquisitive crew will create flow charts to study and review the digestive, circulatory, and nervous systems. These friends of the friendly letter will write to our nation's senators to explain to them the value of life and the importance of the First Amendment as proposed by our forefathers in the creation of our United States and its Constitution! 5TH GRADE: MS. MILLER: SOCIAL STUDIES: The fifth graders did a wonderful job on their nursery rhyme news stories. We are learning more about Canada's central and western provinces too. Grade 6 finds out about Egypt and Libya, as Grade 7 discovers the details of the Lewis & Clark expedition. Eighth grade looks into the Latin American policies of Roosevelt, Taft & Wilson. ART: MRS. CRAWFORD: GRADES 6,7,8: Prayer partner projects for Valentine s Day were made with candy canes donated from Wholefoods. COMPUTERS: MRS. CRAWFORD: Grade Pre-K K,1,2,3,4 Pre- K4 is having fun with Grover, K and Grade 1- having fun with the month of February sites. -Grade 3 portaportal Multiplication/division - Grade 4 working with the network and files. Learning new things like borders and page colors - Grades 5 through 8 finishing up their Vocabulary file. Grade 5 created beautiful state brochures they are hanging outside 5 th grade. - Grade 6, 7 & 8 are finishing their brochures on landmarks they will be hanging outside the computer room. ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS: MS. CRAWFORD: ELA GRADE 6,7,8: We are creating award-winning Book Reports! The 8 th grade would like to thank their teachers for a great retreat on Feb. 3. Miss Crawford, Mr. Antonello and Miss Gale (Youth Minister) took them to Malvern Retreat House and prepared fun activities for their retreat as graduates of Thanks to our moms who drove us to/from the retreat house, our moms who had a special breakfast prepared for us and to Mr. Don Moore who had beautiful t- shirt printed and sent them as gifts to our class. GYM: MRS. GILMAN: Pre-4 and Kdg will enjoy scooter play. Grades 1-3 will continue volleyball lead up games with "Stink Bomb" and "Foodleball"- both designed to help with throwing and catching balls over the volleyball net. Grades 4-8 will practice pushups in preparation for Presidential Pushups testing the week of Feb. 20th. They will also work on volleyball skills-serving and bumping-followed by a game-usually boys versus girls! HONORS MATH: MRS. O HAGAN: GRADES 4,5,6,7,8: 4th - Finding the mean, or average, of a set of numbers 5th - Adding and subtracting positive and negative integers 6th - Converting fractions, decimal, and percents 7th - Tree diagrams, permutations, and combinations 8th - Graphing systems of inequalities. MATH: MS. MARIANI: GRADES 5-8: MUSIC: SR. REGINA DOUGHERTY, SSJ- Students have enjoyed singing songs about Groundhog's Day (Phil, Where's My Shadow?) and Valentine's Day (Viva Valentine, Valentine Heart). The younger children especially like to sing One Zero Zero which talks about 100 days of school and all that has happened in those days. They have also enjoyed singing A Walrus Went Waltzing and On the Bus. They will also be singing songs in honor of Presidents Day and African- American History Month. May you always have a song in your heart. SCIENCE: MR. ANTONELLO: GRADES 5,6,7,8: 5th Grade is showing a lot of potential as they move on to Kinetic Energy! 6th Grade is proving equal (but not opposed) to the task of learning Newton s 3rd Law of Motion! 7th Grade is wasting no time learning about the Excretory System. 8th Grade is not letting the quality of their work drop off as they study the Continental Shelf. SPANISH: MRS. CRAWFORD: GRADES 5,6,7,8: Rosetta stone. Epiphany of Our Lord Church - February 12, 2012, Page 7