THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH DECEMBER 27, A Note from Fr. Joe

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1 THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH DECEMBER 27, 2015 A Note from Fr. Joe Unless you ve attended the 10:30pm Christmas Eve Mass in the Villanova Church over the past few years, you wouldn t know of a little tradition that I started back in It was then, for the first time, that I centered my homily around a Christmas song. The inspiration came while I was driving back from Rosemont Presbyterian Village, after celebrating Mass there the week before Christmas. I turned on the radio and found myself humming along to We Need a Little Christmas. After looking up the history and lyrics, I was convinced that I should use it. In a nutshell, Auntie Mame sings the song, in the hit Broadway Musical Mame, to the children in her family. It s the middle of July and they ve been experiencing some tough times. Her message, that we need a little Christmas, right now, resonates with all of us and reminds us that Christmas is meant to be lived year round. The next Christmas in 2013, I wasn t sure if I would use a song again; it can t be contrived or forced. But then, out of the blue, someone sent me an , not knowing of my potential tradition. In it, they shared the story behind I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. The words were written by none other than the great American poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, during the U.S. Civil War. Near despair after his oldest son was severely wounded, he ultimately finds a reason to hope, as the Christmas bells pealed more loud and deep: God is not dead, nor does He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, goodwill to men. Last year, the inspiration came from a YouTube video forwarded to me by Fr. Michael Bielecki, O.S.A. It was an acapella group, Pentatonix, performing a haunting, moving rendition of Mary, Did You Know? I had never heard of them before that, but since have become hooked. More importantly, the song triggered the thought that the same question could be posed to us. Do we know? Do we really understand the incredible meaning of Christmas? It s the good news of great joy that a savior has been born for us, that in the person of Jesus the Christ, God is revealed to us and becomes one of us! And, now, the drum roll please for this Christmas of 2015 I ve chosen the most recorded and, thus, arguably the most popular Christmas song of all time Silent Night. I actually had shied away from more familiar carols, but I discovered that I really only knew bits and pieces about the history of this beloved hymn. Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht! was heard for the first time, much by accident, on Christmas Eve of 1818 in a village church in Oberndorf, Austria. The associate pastor, Fr. Joseph Mohr, who was responsible for planning the Midnight Mass, discovered hours earlier that the organ wasn t working. He ran to the choir director, Franz Gruber, and handed him a little poem that he had written in 1816 while on a walk to his grandfather s house and asked if Franz could compose a melody. As Mass began, Fr. Joseph played guitar and the two sang the new carol. Though for many years, neither received any credit, their small act continues to have powerful ripple effects to this day. And isn t that what we discover in Christmas? A babe, once placed in a manger, shows us that often out of small things comes that which is great; He reminds us, small and helpless as we may feel at times, how great and marvelous we can become! A people as his own, eager to do what is good. On behalf of the Augustinians and the Parish Staff, welcome to all! A very Merry Christmas to you and yours! May we and our world experience some of the peace expressed so beautifully in the words and melody of Silent Night Fr. Joe Stewardship Thought for the Week See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. 1 John 3:1 During this season of giving, let us remember the most important gift we have received being children of God. As God s children, it s important that we express our love for others as well. Tell your spouse, children and other family and family members and friends that you love them, frequently St. Thomas of Villanova

2 One Solitary Life Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did any of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself. While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against Him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. While He was dying, His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth His coat. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend. Nineteen long centuries have come and gone, and today He is a centerpiece of the human race and leader of the column of progress. I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that were ever built, all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as has that one solitary life. (Anonymous) As we celebrate this joyous Season, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! The Parish Staff of St. Thomas of Villanova Fr. Joe Fr. Art Fr. Allan Janine Bower Karen Farley Brian Fishburn Deacon Don DiCarlo Don Giannella Charlie Gilmore Patty Greenhalgh Joyce Klinck Mary Kurek Jean Marie Lorello Maria Luby Mary Kate McCauley Anne Murphy Alice Obarski Tara Penza Kathy Roethlein St. Thomas of Villanova

3 Schedule of Events for the week of: December 27, 2015 Recitation of the Rosary after the daily Liturgy. Mon., Dec. 28th 12:05PM-RMCH Tues., Dec. 29th 12:05PM-RMCH Wed., Dec. 30th The Holy Innocents Margaret Borden Fifth Day Within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord; Saint Thomas Becket Sixth Day Within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord 12:05PM-RMCH Michael Seeds - Millie & Family Thurs., Dec. 31st Seventh Day Within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord; Saint Sylvester I 12:05PM-RMCH Joseph J. Doro - Family 5:30PM-RMCH In Thanksgiving to the Holy Family - Petrizzo Family Fri., Jan. 1st Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother Of God 9:00AM-RMCH Current & Former Faculty & Students of STV Preschool - Petrizzo Family Sat., Jan. 2nd Saints Basil the Great & Gregory Nazianzen 9:00AM-RMCH Susan Pelot - 95th Birthday 5:00PM-RMCH Petrizzo, Lotito & Reagan Families Sun., Jan. 3rd The Epiphany of the Lord 7:30AM-VNCH Ed Barrow - Wife, Mary Ann 9:00AM-RMCH For the Parishioners of St. Thomas 10:30AM-VNCH Kathleen Slegelmilch - Family Monday, December 28, 2015 Adult Faith Formation, Centering Prayer- RMCH Golden Living Ministry Art Class - PC1 Food Addicts in Recovery - Café Tuesday, December 29, 2015 STV Preschool Closed Wednesday, December 30, 2015 STV Preschool Closed Food Addicts in Recovery - Café No Exercise No Honickman Ministry No Religious Education Classes 7:30AM 10:15AM 11:00AM 7:00PM 9:30AM Thursday, December 31, NEW YEAR S EVE Parish Office Closed at 1:00pm STV Preschool Closed Vigil Mass-RMCH 5:30PM Friday, January 1, NEW YEAR S DAY HOLYDAY MASS-RMCH Saturday, January 2, 2016 Feed the Hungry Ministry - Offsite 9:00AM Sunday, December 3, 2016 Rosemont Village Eucharistic Prayer Service 10:30AM POTENTIAL NEW ADDICTION MINISTRY Are you interested in learning more about what an addiction ministry could look like in our parish and discerning if you might be called to get involved? If so, please mark your calendar for Saturday, January 23rd, We ll meet in the Rosemont Auditorium, around 9:30am, following the 9am Mass in the Rosemont Chapel and hear how others have started such a ministry in their parishes. Let s join together to see how we can be missionaries of mercy, bringing hope and healing to individuals & families struggling with addictions. Refreshments will be served during this morning-long session. Please RSVP to Karen Farley at bizmgr@stvparish.org. 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 January 10 and 24, *** UPDATED SPECIAL NOTICE *** The Visitor Lot is now closed likely until May, when it and additional surface parking is scheduled to reopen. In the meantime, you are asked to park in the Main Parking Lots. As always, if you have special mobility needs, you re welcome to park on campus St. Thomas of Villanova

4 CHRISTIAN SERVICE We wish a warm welcome to the newest members of our parish: Joseph Romello of Royersford Samuel & Roslyn Slike of Havertown Congratulations to the newly Baptized members of our parish: Collin Vaughan, son of Michael & Alison Elger Elyse Katharine, daughter of Peter & Danielle Gilbert Daniel Connor, son of Justin & Katie Pradel Julian Richard, son of Anthony & Emily Wilson Resting in Peace: Mrs. Ella Giordano Mrs. Ellen Heiser Remember those in need of our prayers, especially: Julia Barlow, Katherine Breck, Mary Ann Dadourian, Bob Ellison, Patricia Ann Harley, Joan Hunter, Bridget Kelly, Madeleine O Callaghan, Jerry O Connor, Bert Rodgers. Annie Sears, and Robert J. Wahl. Please pray for our soldiers assigned in Afghanistan and in other parts of the world. Please also pray for the soldiers who are returning from their assignments, especially the wounded soldiers. PRAYERLINE The parish prayerline is waiting for your prayer request. This week call Mary Ann Barrow at or stv1964@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 Anne Hennessy 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 Maria Gunn 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, January 17th. 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 coordinator, Sheila Holst at or hagan1126@verizon.net. FEED THE HUNGRY MINISTRY St. Thomas of Villanova Preschool News Pre-Registrations are now being taken for the School Year Please call the school office at if you would like to register or if you have any questions. The Feed the Hungry Ministry needs help for Saturday, January 2nd. Every other month on the first Saturday, St. Thomas families deliver and serve a meatloaf with potatoes, salad, drinks and desserts for several hundred people at the Life Center in Upper Darby. Can you help? We need pre-made meatloaves, potato casseroles (in disposable tins), salads, soda and drinks delivered before January 2nd to the Steele Family home at 215 Comrie Drive, Villanova, PA. Can you help? Contact Dennis Steele at or St. Thomas of Villanova

5 A Christmas Prayer for You When prayers are said each evening, this happy time of year, Wishes turn to family, friends, and everyone held dear, May your Christmas days be merry And your New Year days be bright--- May peace and goodwill bring you joy And His blessings much delight. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from the Faculty, Staff and Children at St. Thomas of Villanova Preschool Augustine and Culture Seminar Program The Augustinian Institute VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY Interactive App - a sourcebook that brings St. Augustine s Confessions to life Are you looking to deepen your understanding of a classic story of conversion and faith? Villanova University has launched an interactive digital app book that brings St. Augustine s Confessions to life. The author of many books, St. Augustine of Hippo is revered as a great thinker and pastor whose powerful influence on succeeding generations is well know. His Confessions is widely read today, not only a way for many to grow in self-knowledge, but also as a book that is studied across the country and around the world, and used extensively in great books programs and university classrooms. This app book allows users to read and analyze the New City Press/Maria Boulding translation of Augustine s fourth-century work in a variety of new ways, including audio recordings by University faculty; the Villanova President, Fr. Peter, reads book 2. This interactive digital app book has contextual materials, including images, a map, and a timeline of Augustine s life and journeys, and a note-taking faculty for readers to keep personal reflections about the text. It also features explanatory notes, which were the result of collaboration among Villanova professors and Augustine scholars from across the country. Please see for more information and links for purchase. Available for both Apple and Android devices. If you have questions or even suggestions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Fr. Allan St. Thomas of Villanova

6 St. Thomas of Villanova Parish Community will host an Information Night for Prison Ministry on MONDAY, JANUARY 11TH at 7:00pm in the Rosemont Parish Center 1229 E. Lancaster Avenue, 1st Floor, Rosemont, PA Presenter: Parishioner, Michael Stapf Thresholds Volunteer Teacher Thresholds is a non-profit organization that trains volunteers to teach decision making skills to interested teens, men and women in Delaware County prisons. Go to ww.thresholdsdelco.org. You will teach a prisoner, one on one, over a ten week period, once a week (flexible hours). No experience or special background is needed. You qualify by attending one training weekend which are held three times a year. Thresholds is a non-profit organization that has been in existence for 37 years. Through this program Thresholds builds a constructive relationship between the prisoners and the community. You are invited to a Brown Bag Lunch on Wednesday, January 20th at 12:45pm in the Rosemont Auditorium Topic: Plan YOUR OWN Funeral Presenters: Alice Obarski - Director of Liturgy John McConaghy of McConaghy Funeral Home Ted Powers of Stretch Funeral Home This workshop will answer all of your questions about the Mass of Christian Burial, cremation and burials. Liturgy planners will be available for you to complete for distribution to your children or extended family. Bring your lunch! Drinks and dessert will be provided. Please join us!! SAVE THE DATE! January 18, 2016 MARTIN LUTHER KING Service Ministries for All Ages Global Gift Fair Rosemont Auditorium - 10:00am-Noon Geared to pre-school and early elementary school children and parents. We will make. - decorated gift bags for homeless men and women - sandwiches for the Missionary Sisters of Charity Feeding Center in Norristown - decorate coffee cups for HUB of Hope/Project H.O.M.E. - Prepare hygiene bags for the guests of the St. Francis Inn in Kensington - decorate t-shirts for the children in Consuelo, Dominican Republic for the Mission Center of the Grey Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. We need your help at the Global Gift Fair. Contact Kate Horn at kate-horn@yahoo.com or Leslie Selback at 1kramer14@yahoo.com. Outreach Trips: St. John s Hospice to clean and serve lunch (high school juniors and seniors and adults only) Cradles to Crayons to clean and sort clothing (middle school students and adults) Watch the web for details St. Thomas of Villanova

7 AUGUSTINIAN VOLUNTEERS WANTED Are you a recent or soon to be college graduate looking for an experience that will change your life? Do you want to spend a year living with your peers, serving those in need, growing in your faith, and learning more about yourself? The Augustinian Volunteers might be just what you are looking for! Augustinian Volunteers are men and women between the ages of who wish to serve God s people in partnership with the Augustinian Order and others. The service of the volunteers is with established educational, social, and health programs and varies according to the needs of the sponsoring site and the individual volunteer. Applications are currently being accepted for the volunteer year for our sites in Chicago, IL, Lawrence, MA, Philadelphia, PA, San Diego, CA, Ventura, CA and Chulucanas, Peru. If interested, please visit or contact us at osavol@gmail.com EXERCISE PROGRAM AT ST. THOMAS Ageless Exercise, Inc. presents a unique exercise program for the young at heart consisting of range of motion, strength training, weight bearing exercises, balance challenges; all done to upbeat fun music. Therapy bands, hand free weights, and balls are used for strengthening and stretching muscles and attaining range of motion movement. Weight bearing exercises to strengthen bones and the skeletal structure as well as aerobic endurance are included in the weekly class. The class is led by a Certified American Counsel on Exercise (ACE) Instructor. Come join us and learn about your body, have fun, and strengthen muscles and bones. Where: St. Thomas of Villanova Auditorium When: Every Wednesday from 10:00am until 11:00am Cost: $10 a month checks made payable to Ageless Exercise, Inc. READINGS FOR THE WEEK: FINISHED YOUR SUMMER TRAVEL? Your hotel samples are needed to fill hygiene bags on MLK Day of Service on January 18th. Please drop off those miniature soaps, shampoo, conditioners, lotions to the Parish Center. Thank you for generosity for the weekend of December 12-13, 2015: Number of Envelopes 341 Envelope Amount $16, Loose Cash $1, Electronic Offerings $2, Other $ Total $21, % Tithe $2, December 14, 2014 $17, Monday: 1 Jn 1:5-2:2; Mt 2:13-18 Tuesday: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Lk 2:22-35 Wednesday: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Lk 3:36-40 Thursday: 1 Jn 2:18-21; Jn 1:1-18 Friday: Nm 6:22-17; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21 Saturday: 1 Jn 2:22-28; Jn 1:19-28 Sunday: Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12 Men s Gospel Reflection Group Join us for an hour on Thursday mornings in the Parish Center from 6:30AM 7:30AM as we gather to read the coming Sunday s Gospel and reflect on the message that the Holy Spirit is delivering to us. This is not intended to be a bible study but rather an engaging conversation about the Word of God. To receive our weekly Gospel Reflection, stv.mensgathering@gmail.com and type Gospel Reflection in the Subject line. WELCOME VISITORS Thank you for worshiping with us today. If you are visiting our beautiful church or chapel, please know you are most welcome! If you have questions or are interested in joining our parish community, please call the parish office at St. Thomas of Villanova

8 ELECTRONIC STEWARDSHIP Why give electronically? The people who give find this a consistent and convenient method of donating to the church. Is there a minimum amount that I have to give? No, there is no minimum amount. Are electronic contributions risky? No. It is safer than writing a check. All electronic transactions are governed by strict rules. No one can deduct money from your account automatically unless you specifically authorize it. What do I do with my weekly envelopes? Continue using, just check the box in the middle of the envelope that says I have given electronically/ monthly/etc. Who do I contact if I have additional questions or I need to update my information? Please contact Karen Farley at , ext. 202, or bizmgr@stvparish.org. DO YOU KNOW YOUR TRIBUNAL? The Tribunal is a group of specially qualified Catholics whose responsibility is to come to the help of people who have experienced divorce and who may wish to remarry in the Catholic Church. When a divorce occurs, the Catholic Church always seeks to balance two realities. One is the unbreakableness of the bond of marriage. This is God s law. It cannot be broken by human intervention. On the other hand, the Church is concerned about the spiritual welfare of the people involved. Was this a true marriage? Even though a Catholic marriage was celebrated, was there perhaps some deficiency in the consent of the parties involved? The annulment procedure addresses this problem. If you are divorced and want to marry in the Church or remarried outside the Catholic Church, please telephone the Tribunal Office. THE TRIBUNAL 222 North 17th Street Philadelphia, PA Telephone: Are you having difficulty controlling the way you eat? Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA).. Offers a solution for all forms of food addiction. Many people are finding recovery in FA from obesity, undereating, bulimia, and obsession with food. The program is based on the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. FA is FREE and open to all women, men, and teens that want to stop eating addictively. Please join us on Monday nights at 7:00pm or Wednesday mornings at 9:30am in the St. Thomas of Villanova cafeteria located in the Parish Center, Rosemont, PA. Questions? Please contact Liz M. at HISTORIC EXHIBITION: Vatican Splendors makes exclusive East Coast stop in Philadelphia at the Franklin Institute this summer. September 19, 2015 to February 15, 2016 The Franklin Institute, the most visited museum in Pennsylvania, has announced plans to host the exclusive East Coast destination of Vatican Splendors, beginning September 19. The exhibition, explores the historical and cultural impact of the Vatican over the span of 2,000 years through significantly relevant objects straight from the Vatican in Rome, Italy. Every object in the exhibition tells its own story, together forming a great historical mosaic of the Vatican and many of the artifacts have never before been on public view at the Vatican in Rome. Highlights of the nearly 10,000 square foot exhibition include artwork by Michelangelo, including signed documents and a rarely seen bas relief sculpture, and tools used in work on the Sistine Chapel and the Basilica of Saint Peter s; works by masters including Bernini and Guercino, artwork dating back to the first century, venerated remains (bone fragments) of Saints Peter and Paul, relics discovered at the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul, and historical objects from the modern and ancient basilicas of Saint Peter s in Rome St. Thomas of Villanova

9 ATTENTION; MIDDLE AGERS AND SENIORS COMMUNITY WALKING OPPORTUNITY Friday Mornings 9:00am Radnor Trail - West Wayne Ave, Entrance (behind Vic and Deans Pizza) Radnor Township backed, volunteer led local Public Health Initiative. Questions? Please contact Parishioner, Jen DiLella at CRAFTING PRAYER You re invited to a Make and Take Craft Event Initiate a spiritual practice Make and use a Prayer Box Wednesday, January 20, 2016 (snow date January 27th) 10:00am to 1:00pm IHN Conference Center, 401 S Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr, PA Bring yourself, your imagination, and $15.00 for supplies and lunch Call or or Ihmconference@verizon.net to reserve your space! GRIEF CLASSES Life After Loss - This group is geared toward participants who have experienced the loss of a loved one to substance abuse and/or mental illness. The group focuses on surviving and thriving following these profound and unique types of losses. This group is facilitated by Fran Gerstein, LCSW, AN experienced therapist and clinical social work professor, who lost her son in The class meets on Wednesday evenings, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. You can start at any time. Open to the Public, $20 per class or 4 classes for $70. You can pay online or at the group. The New Leaf Club, 1225 Montrose Avenue, Rosemont, PA You can contact us at or on our website: newleafclub.org. A MOVIE WITH MEANING Hachi You are invited IHM Conference Center 401 South Brym Mawr, Ave., Bryn Mawr, PA January 12, 2016 (snow date January 14th) 10:00am to 1:00pm (Lunch included - $15.00 To register, please call or or ihmconference@verizon.net SPONSOR OF THE WEEK We appreciate advertisers who support St. Thomas of Villanova by advertising in our bulletin. Please patronize their business and let them know you saw their ad in our bulletin. CATHOLIC FOUNDATION OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA At the Heart of Charity is Love CatholicFoundationPhila.org Why Advertise in a Church Bulletin? It s inexpensive Advertising It s Effective in Catching New Neighbor s Attention It s Advertising in your Own Neighborhood It Develops Good Community Relationships It s Good for Developing Loyal Customers St. Thomas of Villanova