St. Robert Bellarmine Parish Celebrate our journey of learning and sharing our faith MARY, STAR OF THE NEW EVANGELIZATION ADULT FAITH FORMATION 2013 2014 2014
Dear Friends, The Year of Faith closes on November 24, 2013. Hopefully the graces of the year will continue to inspire each of us in our role to hand on the faith and be a witness to the Gospel. Discipleship is challenging and Pope Francis, in his first encyclical letter, invites us to turn in prayer to Mary, Mother of the Church and Mother of our Faith: Mother, help our faith! Open our ears to hear God s word and to recognize his voice and call. Awaken in us a desire to follow in his footsteps, to go forth from our own land and to receive his promise. Help us to be touched by his love, that we may touch him in faith. Help us to entrust ourselves fully to him and to believe his love, especially at times of trial, beneath the shadow of the cross, when our faith is called to mature. Sow in our faith the joy of the Risen One. Remind us that those who believe are never alone. Teach us to see all things with the eyes of Jesus, that he may be the light for our path. And may this light of faith always increase in us, until the dawn of that undying day which is Christ himself, your Son, Our Lord! Pope Francis When we love the Lord, the more we want to know about him, grow closer to him. When we learn more about him and our faith, we love the Lord even more deeply and desire to share that love with others! Read through this booklet carefully, join us when possible and PLEASE invite your friends, and neighbors! Joan Fitzpatrick, Director of Adult Faith Formation 215.343.0315 /jfitzaff2@verizon.net
will begin again the week of October 6. All are welcome even if you have never been part of a group! You can signup to be part of a small group up until September 29th. HOW DOES IT WORK? Small group faith sharing sessions will begin the week of October 6, meet once a week for six weeks and for approximately 90 minutes. Some groups will meet at the parish and some will meet in homes. Only cost is for the book $10. Here are the topics for these six sessions: The Public Life of Jesus Jesus asks Andrew and John, What are you looking for? The Paschal Mystery Jesus asked his disciples, But who do you say that I am? The Holy Spirit and the Church Through the Holy Spirit, we are permeated with Love. One Church with Diverse Roles We are called to be the Light of Christ! Mary, Mother of Christ, Mother of the Church How is Mary s yes an inspiration for you? Fr. John Stokely will lead our Young Adult WHY CATHOLIC group on Thursday evenings. Please email: frjpstokely@gmail.com or call the parish office. Forty Hours Devotion Sunday, September 22 through Tuesday, September 24 2013 Exposition and Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament begins at the close of the 11:00 Mass on Sunday, September 23. Our guest homilist this year will be Father Stephen Baker, O.S.A. Fr. Steve is a third year professor at Villanova University where he teaches courses in Education and Liberal Arts. He is also a weekend assistant at St. Agnes in West Chester. Topics for each evening: Sunday: THE EUCHARIST AND THE RESTLESS HEART Monday: THE EUCHARIST AND COMMUNITY Tuesday: THE EUCHARIST AND MISSION There will be perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament throughout the forty hours. Please see the sign-up sheets in the narthex and plan to spend a half hour with Our Lord. Let us adore God from whom all blessings flow! CATHOLICISM: Journey of a Lifetime Join us on the following dates for Fr. Barron s next two DVDs and discussions in the Cranney Center @7:00PM. Monday, October 28: Wednesday, November 20: World Without End: The Last Things The Mystery of the Liturgy / Eucharist
Sacrament Sunday Workshop September 29, 2013 12:30 2:45PM Church and Msgr. Marley Hall This is a workshop for the parents of children receiving the sacraments of First Penance, First Eucharist and Confirmation. However, all parishioners are welcome to come and hear the invited speakers. The Feast of ALL SOULS Saturday, November 2, 2013 A Mass recognizing those parishioners who have died in the past year will take place at 9:00 AM. A reception will follow in Msgr. Marley Hall. MAGNIFICAT DAY Celebrating the Graces of the Year of Faith November 6, 2013 -Philadelphia Convention Center Speakers include: Fr. Robert Barron (Creator and Host of the Catholicism Series) Fr. Peter Cameron, OP (Editor- in- Chief of Magnificat Devotional) For complete details and to register: www.magnificatday.com (Cost: $49) Invitation for Faith Last Advent and Lent almost 850 households were personally visited and invited by fellow parishioners to share in the vibrant life of this parish. On Saturday, November 23, 2013 we will enter our third phase of this parish project, Invitation for Faith. PLEASE consider joining us as we visit another section of the parish and extend the inivitation to the events of Advent and Christmas. Here is the schedule: Light breakfast following the 9AM Mass Door to door delivery of the packets for about an hour and half Return to the hall for lunch (provided) What a wonderful way to celebrate the closing of the YEAR OF FAITH! Contact Joan Fitzpatrick at the parish office or email: jfitzaff2@verizon.net.
Advent Wreath-Making Sunday, December 1, 2013 Following the 11:00 AM Mass Msgr. Marley Hall Come together as a family to create and decorate an Advent wreath for use in your home. Watch the bulletin for more details and registration for this event. Let s get together and start the season with our eyes on Christ! Advent Parish Gathering WHY CATHOLICS READ THE BIBLE Tuesday, December 3, 2013 in Msgr. Marley Hall Watch for more details about time, etc. Let your scripture be my chaste delight O Lord, perfect me and reveal those pages to me! See, your voice is my joy. Give me what I love May the inner secrets of your words be laid open to me when I knock. This I beg by our Lord Jesus Christ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. These are treasures I seek in your books. AMEN (St Augus ne) This evening will be presented by RENEW INTERNATIONAL (Why Catholic) CATHOLIC WOMAN S CONFERENCE The Feminine Genius: Every Woman s Gift Saturday, December 7, 2013 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Philadelphia Convention Center This event is the initiative of Catholic women from various parishes in Philadelphia, hosted by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Endow. For more information and to register go to: www.endowgroups.org (Cost: $60) Live Nativity Thursday, December 12, 2013 Parish Advent Penance Service Monday, December 16 @ 7:00 PM Take this opportunity to prepare your heart once again for Jesus!
Women s Evening of Reflection Wednesday, January 15, 2014 (If it snows Wednesday, January 29, 2014) 6:00 to 8:30 PM Msgr. Marley Hall Presenter: Sister Marie Michelle Donnelly, RSM The holidays are over so give yourself a gift! Come away this cold winter evening to the warm company of those, like yourself, who wish to be renewed and refreshed in God s love. Spend some time allowing the Lord to inspire and equip you for the journey ahead. The evening will begin with a light supper. Watch the bulletin for more details and registration. Cost: $20.00 Morning of Reflection and Formation for Liturgical Ministers Saturday, January 18, 2014 Following the 9:00 Mass until Noon All parish extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, lectors, ushers and all those involved in the music ministry will spend the morning focusing on the spirituality of the role of a liturgical minister. Season 3 CELEBRATE: Sacraments Sign-Up will be in late January. The six sessions begin in late February and end before Holy Week. This a great time to join a group if you haven t already since we will be starting a new book. The Mass and the sacraments are the very heart of our faith. explore how we celebrate our Catholic faith in sacramental liturgy, focus on understanding what we mean by liturgy and sacrament look at the seven individually and how they are connected. SEMINAR ON VATICAN II Thursdays, February 13 and 20, 2014 7:00 9:00PM Location TBA Presenter: Kevin L. Hughes, Ph.D. Kevin is an Associate Professor & Chair of the Humanities Department at Villanova University. He is also the author of a book titled, Church History: Faith Handed On, published by Loyola Press. He has been an adult faith formation speaker on history and spirituality for parishes in Chicago and Philadelphia.
Invitation for Faith Once again we will visit a section of the parish and invite them to join us for our Lent and Easter activities and events. Saturday, March 1, 2014 will enter our fourth phase of this parish project, Invitation for Faith. PLEASE consider joining us as we visit another section of the parish and extend the inivitation to the events of Advent and Christmas. Here is the schedule: Light breakfast following the 9AM Mass Door to door delivery of the packets for about an hour and half Return to the hall for lunch (provided) Lent begins ASH WEDNESDAY, March 5, 2014 The Sacrament of Reconciliation Wednesday (7:00 8:00 PM) during Lent. Extended Eucharistic Adoration Hours Mondays after 9:00 AM until 9:00 PM Old Fashion Lent Family Fish Fry Friday, March 7, 2014 5:30 7:00 PM Once again let s begin this time of fast and prayer with a parish fish fry! Be sure to watch the bulletin for registration and details. MANUP PHILLY 2014 A MEN S SPITITUALITY CONFERENCE March 15, 2014 watch for more details!
PARISH LENTEN MISSION March 16-18, 2014 Presenter: Rev. Thomas R. Betz, O.F. M. Cap. Capuchin Vocation Director for the Province FINDING AND ENCOUNTERING CHRIST May Procession Wednesday, May 7, 2014 7:00 PM Still to be scheduled: Morning / Afternoon Faith Cafe Bible Study Afternoon Tea Always more to come...stay tuned and watch the bulletin and website. Please check the US Bishops website: www.usccb.org for excellent resources including articles, videos, reflections, etc. as well as the parish website: wwwstrobertwarrington.org. for updates. How beautiful it would be if each of you, every evening, could say: Today at school, at home, at work, guided by God, I showed a sign of love towards one of my friends, my parents, an older person! How beautiful! Pope Francis Confirmation Homily