Saint Philip Parish Est. 1839 September 13,2015 Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time 50 West Crafton Avenue Pittsburgh PA 15205 STAFF Rev. Walter W. Dworak, Pastor School Principal Geri Marr, S.C.....412-928-2742 ext.# 4 gmarr@spsangelway.org; Coordinator of Religious Education Walter Schulte.......412-922-6300 ext. #6 stphilipreled@gmail.com Director of Music Tim Ignatz... 412-922-6300 ext.#7 Pastoral Council sppastoralcouncil@gmail.com (email will be responded to on a monthly basis) Parish Office PHONE: 412-922-6300 FAX: 412-920-7310 parishoffice@saintphilipchurch.org Church Website: www.saintphilipchurch.org School Website: www.spsangelway.org St. Vincent de Paul Society..412-922-6300ext. #2 Mass Schedule Saturday Evening: 4:00 P.M. Sunday:7:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M.-12:00 Noon Daily Mass: 8:30 A.M. Holy Days: Anticipated Mass 4:00 P.M. 8:30 A.M. 12:00 Noon 7:00 P.M. (except Christmas and New Year s Day) Devotions Sunday: 3:00 P.M. Rosary & Devotions Daily: 9:00 A.M. Rosary, Prayers and Chaplet Tuesday: 8:25 A.M. Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Novena Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday between 12:30-1:00 P.M. and after the Saturday evening anticipated Mass. Appointments can be made for private reconciliation by calling the Parish Office. Mission Statement Both as a community of the Body of Christ and as individuals who are attempting to follow and obey Him, we do so by reflecting the Light of Christ through the prism and life of our beloved Apostle Saint Philip. Like him, we, too, are working to bring others to Christ as did he, saying, come and see Jesus of Nazareth along with us (John 1:43 ff). We also are present and at work in our community ministering as did Saint Philip who helped to feed the hungry multitudes (John 6:5ff). And most important of all, we gather for worship, prayer, and celebration of the Eucharist as did Saint Philip when he met with the risen Christ and his disciples in the Upper Room in Jerusalem (Acts 1:13ff).
St. Philip Parish St. Philip School: Under the guidance of the Sisters of Charity and includes Pre-school through 8 th Grade. Students experience a superior education along with Fine Arts, technology integration and broad curriculum activities. Students learn traditional Catholic prayer, worship, doctrine and how to follow Jesus the Angelway. Instructions in the Faith: The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and the Initiation of Children (CIC) is offered for those interested in the Catholic faith. For information, please contact the Religious Education Office. Ministry to the Sick & Shut-ins: Arrangements for home visitation for the Sacraments of Eucharist, Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick may be made by contacting the Parish Office. Eucharistic Ministers are available on Sundays for distribution of the Eucharist. Prayer Ministry: If you would like to request prayers for a special intention, family concern or illness, please write your request in the books, which are located at the end of the communion rail or call Rosemary Mulkerrin at 412-922-6727. We will remember your request in our daily prayers. Religious Education: For Public school students in Kindergarten through grade 8 takes place on Sunday mornings from 8:15 to 9:30 A.M.. mid-september through April of the following year. Contact the Religious Education Office. Children s Liturgy of the Word: Children, Kindergarten through 5th Grade, are invited to attend the Children s Liturgy of the Word which is held most Sundays at the 10:00 a.m. Mass. Sacrament of Marriage: Weddings: Saturdays 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Diocesan guidelines require participation in a Marriage Preparation program. Engaged couples are to contact the Parish Office at least six months prior to the anticipated wedding. Church Envelopes: All members of the parish community should be registered as parishioners. If you are new to the area, or if you do not receive envelopes, please call the Parish Office. Music Ministry - St. Philip Music Ministry consists of Adult Choir, Cantors, Seasonal Children's Choir, Instrumentalists and Youth Handbell Choir. Adult choir rehearsals are Thursdays, 7-9:00 p.m., and the other choirs are as scheduled. All are welcome! Please contact the Music Director for more details. Sacrament of Baptism: Baptism is celebrated on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. Parents who are expecting their first child are required by the Diocese of Pittsburgh to attend a Baptismal Preparation class prior to the baptism of the child. Session are held in the Hope House at 1:15 P.M. by appointment on the fourth Sunday of month most months of the year. Please contact the Parish Office to schedule an appointment at 412-922-6300, ext. 5. For baptism of children who are not infants and adults, contact the Religious Education Office for more information. Sanctuary Light Burns this week for: Patricia Bookser Requested by: Family Sat./Sun., Sept. 12/Sept. 13: Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:00 P.M Richard Lonsinger (Carol Solt) 7:00 A.M Dorothy Phillips (family) 10:00 A.M. John Sebesta (Virginia Sebesta 12:00 Noon Aida M. Junsay (family) Monday, Sept. 14: The Exaltation of the Holy Cross 8:30 A.M. Jim Glazer (Dr. Bornyas ) Tuesday, Sept. 15: Our Lady of Sorrows 8:30 A.M. Mary Rita Rouch 10:00 A.M. Crafton Towers Special Intention (moved from last week) Wednesday, Sept. 16: St. Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs 8:30 A.M. Eileen Balzer (Jack Cherry) Thursday, Sept. 17: Weekday 8:30 A.M. Darla Field (Uncle) Friday, Sept. 18: Weekday 8:30 A.M. Henry Digiulio (Amy Digiulio) Saturday, Sept. 19: Weekday 8:30 A.M. Daniel Brannan (family) 12:30 P.M - 1:00 P.M. Confessions Sat./Sun., Sept. 20/Sept. 21: Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:00 P.M Eleanor Midgley (Jim & Lorraine McMullen ) 7:00 A.M Jim Nickel (Joan & Ed Goyke) 10:00 A.M. Intentions of the Catechists 12:00 Noon Derrick O Toole (Dad & O Toole family)
Saint Philip parishioners are used to change. In the last century, our parish witnessed a period of remarkable growth. The current church was built. Our school was not only erected, but added on to twice. A convent and rectory were also constructed. And, of course, the number of parishioners increased dramatically. At one time, there were 1,600 students at Saint Philip School. Our parish used to have three priests, sometimes even four when a priest-in-residence was assigned here. With the loss of manufacturing in our area and movement of people to the suburbs, we witnessed a reversal of that growth. The population in small towns like Crafton and in the city of Pittsburgh has declined. Our school is still vibrant and alive. But the days of trying to squeeze over 1,000 children into the buildings are over. Three priests became two, and then finally one (for example, yours truly). When I first arrived here nearly 16 years ago, the Sunday Mass schedule had been reduced from five Masses to four. One daily Mass was scheduled (and still is) instead of the two that were celebrated each day before my arrival here. Long-time parishioners remember when Masses were celebrated simultaneously in both the church and in Fr. Kelty Hall. Those days are long gone. We have experienced in the last few decades a decline in vocations to religious life, priesthood, and lay ministry in the Church. Fortunately, more and more men are answering the call to diaconate. Many years ago, when Bishop Wuerl began a reorganization of our Diocese, he said that there were enough priests for the people, but not enough for the buildings. There are fewer priests today, and the average age of the clergy in our Diocese is higher. There is also a need to reflect once again on how to make our parishes vibrant and strong. That is the reason Bishop Zubik began his program On Mission for the Church Alive. Changes will be taking place throughout our Diocese, as well as here at Saint Philip Parish. The assignment, transfer and retirement of priests all bring change to the parishes affected. It is inevitable. Today, these changes need to be seen within the context of the changes that will take place through the entire Diocese. And Saint Philip is not immune to those changes. With my retirement in October, some things will certainly be different in the future. But Saint Philip parishioners are used to change. They have been so for the past 175 years. That s because they kept their sight on the one thing that never changes our faith in Jesus Christ. I know that the faith of our current generation of parishioners, together with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, will sustain us as we meet the changes that come our way in our journey together into the future.
Sunday Collection (9-6) $ 8,220 Parish Share (9-6) $ TBA Thank you for your generous donation. During the past 3 months the St. Philip Conference of the Society of the St. Vincent de Paul received donations of $6,496.06. The conference spent $7,218.76 for food, Giant Ealge Certificates, Rent utilities and other expenditures to help those in need. Than you for your continued support. MEN S RETREAT The annual St. Philip Parish Men s Retreat will be held Friday, September 25 thru Sunday, September 27 at St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center, South Side. For information or reservations, please call Al Bannon at 412-921-8667. Festival Meeting Monday, September 14, 2015 at 7:00 P.M. in the parish center. All parishioners are invited. 40 DAYS FOR LIFE Christians throughout the Pittsburgh area are invited to take part in the national 40 Days for Life campaign from September 23 to November 1. Its mission is to unite the Body of Christ in the spiritual battle to end abortion. Join us for 40 days of prayer and fasting, a peaceful vigil held every day from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. in front of Planned Parenthood at 933 Liberty Avenue. To find out more and to sign up to receive the daily devotional prayers via email, go to www.40daysforlife.com/ pittsburgh, or www.40daysforlifepittsburgh.com, or contact Nikki Bruni at nbruni@40daysforlifepgh.com. Join us for our kick-off event on Tuesday, September 22 from 7:00 to 8:30 P.M. in St. Paul Cathedral s Synod Hall, corner of 5 th Avenue and Dithridge. (Parking is available in lots.) Speakers include Fr. Joe Freedy of the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese and the Rev. Adam Stump, Pastor of Creekside United Methodist Church. Please remember in your prayers Tonna Pawlos and Mary Orlandini who entered eternal life recently. May they rest in peace. PARISH EVENTS THIS WEEK Monday, Sept. 14: 7:00 P.M. Festival Meeting (Parish Center) Tuesday, Sept. 15: 6:45 P.M. St. Vincent de Paul Society (Kelty Hall) 7:00 P.M. Legion of Mary (Parish Center) Wednesday, Sept. 16: 7:00 P.M. Men s Fellowship (Parish Center) ST. PHILIP LITURGICAL MINISTRY SCHEDULE Sat. Sept. 19/Sun. Sept. 20 Altar Servers 4:00 P.M Alec, Jake & Katelyn Gamble 7:00 A.M. Adult Server 10:00 A.M. Audrey Robb, Adam Anderson, Sarah Pallus 12:00 Noon Anastasia Bergstedt, Evan & Michael Seitz Lectors 4:00 P.M. Jeff Gamble 7:00 A.M. John Cherry 10:00 A.M Rosemary Anderson 12:00 Noon Sylvia Bergstedt Eucharistic Ministers 4:00 P.M. Art Bannon, Caren Surlow, Dan Welsh 7:00 A.M. Geri Allen, Dian Perkins, Walter Schulte 10:00 A.M Jim Kerns, Mary & Ron Stacy, Terry & Tom Stacy 12:00 Noon Marie Kelly, Dorothy & Tom Koger, Mary Jane Roth, Nicole Seitz BINGO-Every Wednesday night at 7:00 P.M. at the Knights of Columbus Hall.
GREAT BEGINNINGS LAST A LIFETIME GRACE Program:. The September GRACE program will be celebrated on September 14 th at 12:25 P.M. and. enrollments made during the summer will be remembered in September. Everyone is invited to come and pray with the children. Cross Country St. Philip runners participated in their first Cross Country Meet of the year. Results are as follows: Boys Varsity- Out of 20 varsity boys, Julian Paul placed 7th. Girls Varsity - Out of 27 varsity girls, Abby Aiello placed 11th and Arabella Sargent placed 19th. Girls JV-Out of 55 JV girls these girls placed: Meghan McCoy 4, Malley Aiello 14, Zoe Paul 15, Gianna Marino 19,Katarina Komoroski 37. Boys JV - Out of 45 JV boys, these boys placed: Jacob Kaltz 11, Will Stickman 14, Everett Sargent 21, Dashiell Sargent 35, Max Gillen 39. Sarris Candy Sale Begins Sarris Candies are world renowned for good reason! Once again, the students of St. Philip School are proudly offering delicious Sarris products for your holiday entertaining and gift giving needs. The Sarris name is synonymous with quality and value. From Sarris' premier chocolates to peanut brittle, chocolate covered pretzels and sugar-free candy, there is something to meet every tastebud and wallet. Our Sarris Christmas candy sale will begin on September 30th with final orders due by November 10th. Students will be working towards several levels of prizes such as a GoPro camera, Sony headphones, a tablet, Carnegie Science Center passes, Sarris Ice Cream Parlor certificates, and more. Order forms are available in the school office for free delivery to the school on December 9th. In addition, to make your holiday shopping even easier, online orders are being taken for those who wish to ship their orders out of town, directly to the recipient. Watch for fliers in church making ordering convenient. Please consider supporting this year's sale with your order. Any amount is appreciated. All proceeds from the sales of the Christmas candy directly benefit our students.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS BY WALTER SCHULTE Gospel Reflection As often as I hear the reading of Mark s Gospel today, I never tire of hearing it. Jesus says, Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. (Mark 8:34) We are aware of times in our lives when we must deny ourselves something that we want to do to help our spouse, our job, our friend, our child, etc. This is also true with the spiritual life and following God. As much as we all like to think that we pray as much as we should, we know that there are times that we need to deny ourselves some enjoyment to spend time with our Lord or take time to read the Sacred Scriptures. Perhaps one of the things that our modern day has a difficulty denying ourselves is the noise that we are surrounded by and so used too and allowing ourselves to be still and silent. Let us take some time this week to practice denying ourselves some pleasure and take up our cross. (What is interesting is that this reading happens to occur in the same week that the Church celebrates the feast of the Exultation of the Cross, September 14. This feast serves as a reminder that it is by the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus, especially by His suffering on the cross, that we are saved from sin and death. (Image from: http://bustedhalo.com/features/contemplating-the-crucifix) CCD Registration CCD begins this Sunday, September 13, 2015 at 8:15 A.M. in the Church. If you have not yet registered your children, it is still not too late to register them for classes. Forms may also be found on the parish website as well as at all the exits to the Church. CCD at Saint Philip s runs from September to April; there are catechists for grades kindergarten through eighth grade. If you have any questions, please contact Walter Schulte at 412-922-6300, ext. 6, or via email at stphilipreled@gmail.com. Please note that if the time on Sundays does not work for your family, homeschooling is an option. Confirmation Meeting Attention parents and students who are in eighth grade: There will be an important informational meeting for both candidates and their parent(s) this Wednesday, September 16 from 7-8 P.M. in Father Kelty Hall for all who plan on receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Spring. If you are not able to attend this meeting, please contact the Religious Education Office. R.C.I.A. In addition to CCD, our R.C.I.A. program has begun. R.C.I.A. stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and is the process for those who want to join the Catholic Church or complete the Sacraments of Initiation. Do you know somebody who could benefit from a relationship with Jesus? Consider inviting them to come and see what the Catholic Church has to offer. Sessions meet on Sundays from 11 A.M. to 12:15 P.M. Please contact the Religious Education Office for more information. Adult Faith Formation Did you ever wonder about the moral teaching of the Catholic Church? Many of us have at different points in our lives. Saint Philip will be offering the course called Morality: Life in Christ on Wednesday nights from 6:30-9:30 P.M. from September 23-November 4 and is $40/person. This course is for all interested adults. If you are interested in attending, please contact Walter Schulte. Baptismal Preparation Class The next Baptismal Preparation class will be held on Sunday, September 27 at 1:15 P.M. in the Hope House. This class is required for all parents who are having their first child baptized. Please contact the Religious Education Office for more information.