SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME FEBRUARY 19, 2017

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1 SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME FEBRUARY 19, 2017 A Note from Fr. Michael. For the Last few Sundays, we have been reading Mathew s account of the Sermon on the Mount. This inaugural sermon of Jesus contains the heart of his ethical teaching. Jesus clearly stated at the outset that he did not come to destroy the Law but to fulfill it. Today s passage contains the last two of six antithetical statements begun in last Sunday s Gospel reading. Jesus presents his teaching by first quoting from the Old Testament Law, and then he reveals the heart of true meaning of the Law. Jesus is thus presented by Matthew as the true interpreter of the Law. The first law Jesus refers to is the law of retaliation an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Simply put, this law was intended to limit retaliation. If someone blackens your eye you can blacken his in return, but only one eye not two. The law was intended as an instrument to prevent escalation of violence. How easy it is for things to get out of hand. A case in point here could be that of road rage, where simply cutting someone off could result in a deadly accident. Jesus teaches that for his followers there can be no retaliation at all for injury or offenses. We are challenged to turn the other cheek; nonresistance shames an enemy and opens the way to peace. Jesus is not asking us to allow others to take advantage of us and walk all over us. On the contrary, what he advocates is the breaking of the vicious cycle of violence. After the teaching on nonviolence, we have the most difficult of Jesus commands: the love not only of one s neighbors, as the Law requires, but to love and do good even to one s enemies. Ancient Israel constantly faced the threat of either assimilation or compromise from their gentile enemies who surrounded them on every side. With this in mind circling the wagons seemed to make sense. For Jesus followers the standard is much higher; it is none other than imitation of God. The reason for such behavior is rooted in the Old Testament; the pattern for righteous behavior is God s own way of acting, so Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect. This degree of Christian love is possible to the degree that we are prayerfully united to the Lord and as a result we are united to one another. Stewardship Thought for the Week But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44 Love your enemies, easier said than done, no doubt. But, remember, the foundation of stewardship is prayer. When we are in close communication with God, it opens our heart and it turns our attention away from me and moves it towards God and others. It allows us to have a little more empathy for our enemy. When we pray for others, even our enemies, maybe it softens their hearts as well. Thank you for generosity for the following weekend of February 11 and 12, 2017: Number of Envelopes 327 Envelope Amount $14, Loose Cash $1, Electronic Offerings $2, Other Total $17, % Tithe $1, February 14, 2016 $16, St. Thomas of Villanova

2 Mon., Feb. 20th Weekday - President s Day 9:00AM-RMCH For All Presidents, Past and Present Tues., Feb. 21st Weekday; Saint Peter Damian 12:05PM-RMCH Caroline Scioli Wed., Feb. 22nd Chair of Saint Peter 12:05PM-RMCH All Intentions in our Prayer Request Book Thurs., Feb. 23rd Saint Polycarp 12:05PM-RMCH Peggy Collins - Corrado Family Fri., Feb. 24th Weekday 12:05PM-RMCH David Burton - Gladys Pincus Sat., Feb. 25th Weekday 9:00AM-RMCH 5:00PM-RMCH Kathleen Rodden, Husband Pete Sun., Feb. 26th Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time 7:30AM-VNCH For the Parishioners of St. Thomas 9:00AM-RMCH Kenneth Austin - Kathleen Minutella 10:30AM-VNCH Peter & Marisa DiSanto - Josephine DiSanto Calling All Men! Schedule of Events for the week of: February 19, 2017 Recitation of the Rosary after the daily Liturgy. Monday, February 20, President s Day Parish Office Closed STV Preschool Closed Centering Prayer RMCH Daily Mass - RMCH Golden Living Ministry Food Addicts in Recovery - Cafe Tuesday, February 21, 2017 BP Screening after 12:05 Mass Red Cross Blood Drive Aud Wednesday, February 22, 2017 Women s 11th Step Spirituality - PC1 Food Addicts in Recovery - Café Exercise - Aud Honickman Religious Education Program Peace & Justice Committee - PC1 7:30AM 9:00AM 10:15AM 7:00PM 2:00-7:00PM 6:00AM 9:30AM 10:00AM 10:15AM 4:45PM 7:30PM Please plan to join us at our 4 th Annual Mardi Gras Men s Gathering to be held this year at the new craft brew pub Tin Lizard Brewing Co W. Lancaster Ave. in Bryn Mawr on Tuesday, February 28 th at 7pm. Come share in some pre-lenten fellowship and hear an inspirational talk by Andy Talley, retiring, long-time Villanova Head Football Coach and major supporter of the National Bone Marrow Foundation. We re hoping for a good turnout at this event, so make the effort to join us, even if you haven t had the chance before and feel free to invite a friend from the parish or otherwise. Thursday, February 23, 2017 Lenten Staff Retreat Day OFFICE CLOSED PRESCHOOL CLOSED Walking with Purpose - Aud Walking with Purpose - Aud Friday, February 24, 2017 Saturday, February 25, 2017 Young Adult Social at Gullifty s Sunday, February 26, 2017 Word of God Religious Education Program Rosemont Presbyterian Village Service Baptism-VNCH Baptism-VNCH 9:00AM 7:00PM 6:00PM 9:00AM 10:10AM 10:30AM 12:00PM 1:00PM READINGS FOR THE WEEK: Monday: Sir 1:1-10; Mk 9:14-29 Tuesday: Sir 2:1-11; Mk 9:30-37 Wednesday 1 Pt 5:1-4; Mt 16:13-19 Thursday Sir 5:1-8; Mk 9:41-50 Friday: Sir 6:5-17; Mk 10:1-12 Saturday: Sir 17:1-15; Mk 10:13-16 Sunday: Is 49:14-15; 1 Cor 4:1-5; Mt 6:24-34 Monday, February 20th is PRESIDENT S DAY. The Daily Mass is at 9:00am in the Rosemont Chapel. The Parish Office and STV Preschool are closed on President s Day. We are having a Staff Retreat Day on Thursday, February 23th. The Parish Office and STV Preschool are Closed St. Thomas of Villanova

3 Welcome to our Parish! We wish a warm welcome to the newest members of our parish: Douglas & Elizabeth Krugler & Family of Bryn Mawr Raymond F. Regan of Villanova Congratulations to the newly Baptized member of our parish: Hannah Claire, daughter of Christopher & Natalie Soltis Resting in Peace: Mr. Serafino (Joe) Ciambella Remember those in need of our prayers, especially: Julia Barlow, The Beston Family, Katherine Breck, Eileen Gillen, Ray Hill, Patricia Ann Harley, Bridget Kelly, Angele Kuchukian, Jerry O Connor, Bert Rodgers, Marie Scenna, Annie Sears, Bob Vernot 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. FEED THE HUNGRY MINISTRY - MARCH 4TH The Life Center of Delaware County is a residence for the homeless but it opens it s doors every day to anyone who comes off the street in need of a meal. Our parish serves dinner six times a year on the first Saturday of the odd numbered month. As a general rule, STV fills between 150 to 200 dinner plates each time we go. The next St. Thomas Night at the Life Center is on March 4th, so if you can provide any of the following: cooked meatloaf, roasted potato (The recipe on the back of the Lipton Onion Soup box is ideal.), green beans (not a casserole), dinner salad (no dressing needed), drinks, desserts and pre-made wrapped sandwiches. If you can help prepare an entrée or buy any of the above on Saturday, March 4th, and deliver it to the Steele s home in Villanova, we can truly use your help. Contact Dennis Steele - steelecreativity@gmail.com ******************************* Did you know that the average age of a homeless person in the U.S. is 9 years old? Our parish is a host Church for the Interfaith Hospitality Network ( We will be hosting homeless families in our Parish Center the week of March 5th. Contact Anne Murphy at service@stvparish.org and learn how you can help families break the cycle of homelessness. CHRISTIAN SERVICE 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 Murphy at or service@stvparish.org. 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, March 19th. 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. HELP AT HOME MINISTRY Do you have a small household repair that you need done? A bigger job that needs assessment? General repairs such as: Plumbing (faucet / toilet repairs); Electric (fix a light); Mechanical (AC and heat, appliance); Structural and cosmetic (threshold, window repair, patching) Are you unable to physically perform the job? Not sure where to begin? Cannot afford to get it fixed? Contact: Parish Coordinator, Jim and Ann Colizzo Jim at jcolizzo@gmail.com; Ann at annortenzi@comcast.net or Anne Murphy, Parish Staff at , CENTERING PRAYER ROSEMONT CHAPEL Centering Prayer is held on Monday mornings at 7:30am in the Rosemont Chapel. All are welcome even if you have never been in a Centering Prayer group St. Thomas of Villanova

4 ST. THOMAS OF VILLANOVA PARISH HEAR YE! HEAR YE! St. Thomas of Villanova is pleased to introduce Enhancing Stewardship through Electronic Funds Transfer. We have partnered with Parish Giving to offer this program to all of our parishioners. It s Simple Log on to our website and click on the Parish Giving Logo and follow the easy registration instructions. It s Secure Parish Giving is Payment Card Industry compliant and uses the strongest TLS (Transport Layer Security) encryption technology available. We are pleased to announce that Livestream Masses from St. Thomas of Villanova will be available for our homebound parishioners beginning the weekend of February 25 and 26, Instructions to view the Live Stream Parish Mass are: Log on to St. Thomas of Villanova Parish Website: Scroll down and on the left hand side of the home page you will see... It s Convenient No more searching for the checkbook or Sunday morning stops at the ATM machine. Tax Benefits You will be able to print out a report detailing your contributions for the year. To get started log on to: and click on the Parish Giving Logo and follow the easy registration steps. AUGUSTINIAN VOCATIONS If you are interested in learning more about the Augus nian Order and what it means to be an Augus nian, please visit our website: nianvoca ons.org. Parishioners, If you have multiple rosaries you would like to donate for use by patients in local nursing homes, please drop them off at the Parish Center. Thank you. BIBLE SHARING Please join us for Bible Sharing on Tuesdays. We have a 10:00am session and a 7:00pm session. Both sessions will be conducted in PC2 in the Parish Center. We prayerfully discuss the Sunday scripture readings for the coming week at these sessions. Mark your calendar and bring a friend. Double Click on the Orange S to view the 5:00pm Saturday Vigil Mass or the 9:00am Sunday Mass. If you have any questions, Anne Murphy at service@stvparish.org or call the Parish Center at Congratulations to our Honor Students: COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL OF SACRED HEART Highest Honors: Molly Elizabeth Murphy Grade 10 Madeleine Delaney Fitzhenry Grade 8 Anastasia Sophia Giuntoli Grade 6 High Honors: Joan Marie Costello Grade 11 Boglarka Klaudia Kearney Grade 11 Caroline Murray Hayden Grade 5 Honors: Anya Alexandra McDonnell Grade 9 Isabella Anne Casale Grade 8 LA SALLE COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Academic Excellence Award: Macallan Martin Bibeau Grade 12 Martin Theodore Manion Grade St. Thomas of Villanova

5 Stewardship Summer Camp Join us for a week of Service and Fun at STV Stewardship Summer Camps! Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00am to 2:00pm each day Week of June 26-30, For those entering 6th, 7th and 8th Grades in September Week of July 10-14, For those entering 3rd, 4th and 5th Grades in September Cost: $100 (Same cost for either camp) Pre-register online at STV Family Life Webpage or Maria Luby at fl-youth@stvparish.org We also need High School age camp counselors!! Please volunteer your time. Register soon! Space is limited!! YOU ARE INVITED TO A BROWN BAG LUNCH MONDAY - February 27TH at 12:45pm in the Rosemont Auditorium Topic: What are Your LEGS and FEET Telling You? Presenter: Dr. Francis P. Day Dr. Day is an Interventional Cardiologist in the Main Line Health System. He is Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease and by the American Board of Internal Medicine Interventional Cardiology. Dr. Day will speak on Vascular Disease of our lower extremities. Bring your Lunch! Dessert and drinks available! Mercy: The bridge that connects God and man, opening our hearts to the hope of being loved forever despite our sinfulness. Pope Francis YOU ARE INVITED TO A LENTEN BROWN BAG LUNCH MONDAY - MARCH 20TH at 12:45pm in the Rosemont Auditorium A Cradles to Crayons Parish team is needed to roll up their sleeves and work at the Giving Factory at 30 Clipper Road, Conshohocken, PA On Tuesday, March 21st 6:00-8:00pm We will sort clothing, clean and repair toys, prepare gift bags for needy children all over the Delaware Valley. Middle school students and older are welcome. RSVP to: Cheryl Gibson at 8gibson@comcast.net Topic: Discovering the Origin and History of the Stations of the Cross: Through the Lens of Great Artists Presenter: Sr. Kathleen Szpila, SSJ Professor of Art History at Chestnut Hill College Enrich your experience of the Stations of the Cross a beloved Christian ritual and prayer. This talk will examine the origins of this devotion and the ways artist have interpreted each station over time. Bring your Lunch! Dessert and drinks available St. Thomas of Villanova

6 ENCOUNTER OURSELVES. ENCOUNTER OUR NEIGHBORS. ENCOUNTER OUR GOD. ENCOUNTER LENT. Lent is a time of encounter. THROUGH PRAYER, we encounter Christ, present in the face of every member of our human family. THROUGH FASTING, we encounter the obstacles that prevent us from loving God and neighbor. THROUGH ALMSGIVING, we encounter our brothers and sisters around the world, sharing God s gifts with others. Week of Lent Country or U.S. Diocese Catholic Social Teaching Development Sector Mar India Option for the Poor Providing kitchen gardens and better seeds for planting. Mar Zambia Sacredness and Dignity of The Human Person Mar El Salvador Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers Mar. 26-Apr. 1 Mexico Call to Community, Family And Participation Teaching mothers good nutrition For their children Training young people for business development Supporting greenhouses for Economic development Apr Ethiopia Care for Creation Providing business training for Farming families Apr Diocese of Honolulu Solidarity Illustrating the local impact of CRS Rice Bowl s 25% RADNOR TOWNSHIP PROUDLY ANNOUNCES CITIZEN S POLICE ACADEMY The Citizen s Police Academy is a program designed to provide neighbors with a working knowledge of their Township Police Department. This FREE program (for volunteers) will include: * Eight Instructional Sessions/Graduation on the 9th week * Classroom Instruction * Practical Field Exercises Residents within this program will learn more about the issues that affect law enforcement in Radnor Township and will have the opportunity to work with the new Radnor Community Police Organization upon completion of this program! Interested? Contact citizenspoliceacademy@radnor.org. Any questions? Contact Lt. Chris Flanagan: , ext St. Thomas of Villanova

7 SAINT THOMAS OF VILLANOVA BLOOD DRIVE The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Please give Blood!! Tuesday, February 21, :00pm to 7:00pm in the St. Thomas of Villanova Rosemont Auditorium To make an appointment, please contact Carol Grace at Or visit and enter sponsor keyword: St. Thomas Rosemont WALK INS ARE WELCOME! For questions about eligibility: call RED-CROSS UPDATE A SPECIAL NOTE FROM FR. JOE Please note that new, beautifully constructed Ithan Parking Garage is now open at Villanova University. It features 5 levels of parking, designated ADA spots on each level, elevators, multiple stairwells, and electric vehicle charging stations. It can be accessed from Ithan Avenue or from Lancaster Avenue via a driveway that runs along Pike Field. As a result, the Main Parking Lot is now closed for the next phase of construction in the University s transformation of Lancaster Avenue project. In terms of Villanova Church parking, particularly for Sunday Masses, the preferred option is that you turn right at the top of St. Thomas Way and head to the spaces behind Moriarty Hall or beyond (designated as L-2 parking). Please be sure to use the crosswalk and follow the pedestrian signals at the St. Thomas Way intersection. This is the only safe way to cross Lancaster Avenue in that vicinity. A new temporary walkway leads up to the Church from the St. Thomas Way crosswalk. As always, if you have special mobility needs, you can park on campus near the Church but please be respectful of spaces near the Monastery reserved for the friars who live there. As of now, the anticipated construction start date for the Pedestrian Bridge remains March 2017 and will last through much of the year. The Bridge will extend from the plaza in front of the Church to the parking across Lancaster Avenue. As part of the process, the old walkway will be removed. The old Visitors Lot will reopen after the Pedestrian Bridge project is completed perhaps in time for Christmas For the most up to date information, visit A link is available on our parish website. MERCY MINISTRY Women s 11 th step meditation each Wednesday from 6am to 6:45am in the Parish Center Step 11 Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. Join us, even if you are not part of program, for a great way to start our day as we ask God to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest or selfseeking motives. Page 86 of AA Big Book St. Thomas of Villanova

8 ST. THOMAS OF VILLANOVA YOUTH MINISTRY Wednesday, March 8th at 7:30pm Villanova Church Volunteer to be a Reader - Walk alongside Christ on the journey of his passion and remember our brothers & sisters around the world who experience suffering and poverty each day. Saturday, April 1 1 Day Lenten Retreat 9:00am 7:00pm (including 5:00pm Mass) Foodfast - Enough is Enough? A Catholic Relief Services Retreat. Explore issues on Hunger through fasting, art, video, social media, reflection, games and prayer. Adult volunteers needed. For more information contact: Maria Luby at fl-youth@stvparish.org. MERCY MINISTRY NEWS A Scary Movie Night like never Before Havertown s Opioid Addition Crisis TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH AT 7:30PM at Haverford High School Auditorium Moms, Dads, bring your Teens See the Film.Then hear our Havertown Stories CHASING THE DRAGON Immediately following the movie will be a panel discussion to discuss how this epidemic is affecting our community. Come and learn from the parent of an addict, a young person in recovery, and leading experts in the field, including Dr. Aviva Fohrer. Sponsored by the Haverford Alliance for Drug Awareness and the Rotary Club of Haverford. CATHOLIC CHARITIES APPEAL 2017 Giving Hope to All. The Catholic Charities Appeal is the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's single most important annual fundraising initiative and we re counting on your support. This year, the Catholic Charities Appeal will be a channel of hope for tens of thousands of people through countless organizations and ministries in the Archdiocese, and a positive source for good in all facets of the Church in Philadelphia. We ask you to look deep in your heart and be as generous as you can to help us reach our $12.5 million goal. So many people are counting on us. So we re counting on you to give hope this year to those who need it the most. Gifts made to the Catholic Charities Appeal will provide support needed to tens of thousands of people through countless organizations, programs and ministries in the Archdiocese. The beneficiaries are grouped into five key areas: * Education * Social Services * Evangelization, Parish and Spiritual Life * Clergy * Local Mission Activities To see a full listing of 2017 Catholic Charities Appeal beneficiaries, visit catholiccharitiesappeal.org. THANK YOU LETTER Monumental Baptist Church 50th and Locust Streets Philadelphia, PA February 1, 2017 Dear Youth Ministry Volunteers: On behalf of Monumental Baptist Church, and our beloved Pastor, Rev. J. Wendell Mapson, Jr., I would like to thank each and every one of your for volunteering to help with our annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of (clean up) Service. Sharing your time and energy was greatly appreciated. It was such a joy to see your youth interaction with our youth. Dr. King once stated We must learn to live together as brothers or perish as fools. In that spirit, I pray the event was as memorable for each of you as it will always be for us. Sincerely, Again, thank you! B. Renee Graham Martin Luther King Jr, Day of Service Coordinator Monumental Baptist Church St. Thomas of Villanova

9 WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE AN AUGUSTINIAN VOLUNTEER? Are you a recent or soon-to-be college graduate looking for an experience that will change your life? So you want to spend a year living with your peers, serving those in need, growing in your faith and learning more about yourself? This might be just what you are looking for! Villanova Men's Basketball Coach, Jay Wright will release his book, Attitude, on February 28, Coach Wright highlights how the Augustinian charism and values have influenced his team on and off the court. If you'd like to order a copy, visit: How do Augustinian Volunteers serve? Volunteers serve in parochial schools as teachers, coaches, tutors, mentors and teacher aids, in high schools and colleges as campus ministers, and in social services as case managers, legal aids, advocates, nurses and a variety of other roles. 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. Length of service: Domestic volunteers serve onsite from August 2017 through June International volunteers serve on-site from January 2018 through Mid-December Are you ready for more? Visit our website or get in touch: osavol@gmail.com , ext. 291, 214 Ashwood Road, Villanova PA IHM CONFERENCE CENTER WINTER OFFERINGS: Saturday, February 25 - Resilience: Working through Desires, Challenges, Feelings Sister Patricia Mengel, IHM, 9:30am 2:30pm Stipend $40.00 (Day includes light breakfast, dinner and Mass. Tuesday, March 7 - Ageless in the Lord Sister Cheryl Murphy, IHM - (9:30am 2:30pm Stipend $40 (Day includes light breakfast, dinner and Mass) To reserve a place, please call or ihmconferencecenter.org. SS. COLMAN-JOHN NEUMANN SCHOOL THEATRE PROGRAM PRESENTS: Friday, March 3 at 7:00pm Saturday, March 4 at 2:30pm Sunday, March 5 at 2:30pm SCJN Parish Center Tickets Sold at the Door Adults $8; Children $5 Question: Saint Rita Shrine Philadelphia France Pilgrimage (October 6th October 15th) Join our pilgrimage trip to Lourdes, Nevers (St. Bernadette), Lisieux (St. Therese the Little Flower), Paris (Notre Dame Cathedral and Chapel of the Miraculous Medal), La Salette (Our Lady of La Salette), and Ars-sur-Formans (St. John Vianney). Ticket is only $3,089*. For more information, call or send us an (snetwork@saintritashrine.org <mailto:snetwork@saintritashrine.org> ). Reserve now as we only have 30 seats available. 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. COZZI JEWELERS Custom Designs Locates at the Shoppes at Edgmont Square Center 4910 West Chester Pike Newtown Square, PA St. Thomas of Villanova