Masses for the Week
AnnouncementsAn ever increasing concern of our Archdiocese is the availability of a sufficient number of priests to serve the needs of our Parishes, in light of fewer young men entering the seminary. In response to this, our Cluster of Parishes is sponsoring a Holy Hour of Prayer for Vocations this Sunday, December 14th, at 3:00pm, in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. Father Joseph Devlin, Director of the Office for Vocations to the Diocesan Priesthood, will be guest homilist. Please come and lift up to God in prayer a cause which so gravely affects us and the entire Archdiocese. Hearty congratulations to Ann Cigas, the members of the Women's Club and their helpers whose long hours and hard work were rewarded with a most successful, enjoyable Christmas Bazaar last Sunday! Great numbers attended throughout the morning and early afternoon, and we are certainly grateful for their patronage. Thank you to all for an enterprise well done! A special Christmas mailing will be making its way to your homes this week. For now, however, kindly note that Mass will be offered on Christmas Eve at 9:30pm preceded by a medley of holiday carols at 9:00pm, and also Mass will be offered on Christmas Day at 10:30am. Confessions will be heard on Saturday, December 20th, from 9:30 until 10:30am, and from 5:15 until 6:15pm. Also, all are welcome to participate in an Advent Communal Penance Service with the individual hearing of confessions on Monday, December 22nd, at 7:00pm, in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. Several priests will be available then. This weekend's Second Collection benefits the Retirement Fund Appeal for Religious Sisters, Brothers and Priests. It is a gesture of our thanks for their lifetime of service. God love you for your generosity! We are grateful to Andy Reczek, our master carpenter, whose skill and effort produced a handsome, sturdy stable for our outdoor Nativity display. The attractive statues of the Holy Family were made possible by your donations to the "Trees of Love" Campaign. Thank you for the cooperation and response of so many donors to this project! The Music Department of Bishop Shanahan High School, West Chester, will present its Choral, Instrumental and Dance Ensembles in Concert on Thursday, December 18th, at 8:00pm. All are cordially invited to experience the spirit of Christmas through the performing arts. Admission is free. Brandywine Home Healthcare and Hospice will present "Grief and the Holidays: An Opportunity to Cherish Old Memories and Create New Ones" on Wednesday, December 17th, 7:00 to 8:30pm. This admission-free program will be conducted in the Spackman Education Building of Brandywine Hospital and is open to all in the community. It is the first in a series of programs on managing loss, grief and change. To register, call The Professionals at 1-800-325-WELL by December 15th. 1998 Spring Semester
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A Family PerspectiveIn today's first reading, the Lord asks David, "Should you build me a house to dwell in? All of our homes are houses the Lord dwells in. They are made holy by the presence of God that we see in our love for each other and in the most routine of activities done for "the least of his little ones". Host Families NeededCatholic Host Families are needed to help spread a little sunshine around the world as they open their homes to a rainbow of international teenage exchange students. Catholic students 15-18 years old, are hoping to secure Catholic host families for second semester or school year. One of these students is waiting for your family to extend to them a warm welcome allowing them to share your home, joys, and love. As a host family you can become enriched with a wealth of knowledge about another language and culture while making a lifetime friendship. Say YES and explore the hosting experience of becoming an International Family. Please call 1-800-848-2121 ext 12. Women's Club NewsThe Christmas Bazaar last Sunday was a great success. Thank you to all our parishioners and friends who made it so. A special "thank you" to the ladies and a few men of the parish, who worked so hard making the stuffed cabbage. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. Thank you also to all the members of the Women's Club who manned the various tables, made crafts, baked nut rolls and other goodies, and all who made donations of any kind. We are extremely grateful. May God bless you for your generosity! The various winners are as follows:
Congratulations to all our winners. Enjoy your prizes!
Missionaries of PeaceWe will be collecting canned and non-perishable foods for the Missionaries of Peace at Christmas at St. Joe's. If you forgot, please bring them to church next weekend. Thank you. |