A Word from the Priests of St. Elizabeth
On this Christmas weekend, the three of us would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to all the people of our wonderful parish community. Your active involvement, generous support and prayerful example have been a great inspiration to each of us and to so many others over the past sixteen plus years. In Saint Paul’s words: “We give thanks to our God every time we think of you.”
May the Lord Jesus bring gifts of good health, deep faith and family peace to all the faithful of Saint Elizabeth parish throughout the New Year 2017!
And may the Holy Spirit continue to lead us in sustaining a holy and faithful parish community here at Saint Elizabeth, for unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it.
Fr. Mullin, Fr. Stokely & Fr. Chambers
A Word of Appreciation
Thank you to all who have contributed to our liturgical celebrations for Christmas: church cleaners & decorators; maintenance staff and sacristans; liturgical musicians and sound system operators; ushers & greeters; altar servers, readers & extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion; our deacons and an actively participating congregation – all have a significant role in making Christmas at Saint Elizabeth a time of prayerful joy. Sincere thanks to one and all!
Holiday Schedule for Parish Offices
All parish and education center offices will be closed on Monday, December 26, and again on Monday, January 2. In a pastoral emergency, please leave a message both at the parish office (610-321-1200) and at the priests’ residence (610-321-9616) to ensure the call is received.
Liturgical Life Note
Low Gluten Communion Hosts: To accommodate the health needs of some parishioners and guests, low gluten Communion hosts are available at weekend & daily Mass. For more info, please contact Gen Miceli at
Mass Intentions for the Week
December 24-25: Christmas
Saturday, 4:30 PM- Stokely Family
Saturday, 7:30 PM- Mullin-Heath Family
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Chambers Family
Sunday, 9:30 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Sunday, 11:30 AM- Intentions of Fr. Stokely
Monday, 7:30 AM- Peter & Lisa Ruggiero
Tuesday, 7:30 AM- Lawrence Hannigan (1st Ann)
Wednesday, 7:30 AM- Thomas Hoy
Thursday, 7:30 AM- Intentions of Mary Pellegrini
Friday, 7:30 AM- Benjamin Palladino (16th Ann)
Saturday, 8:30 AM- Frank Luteran
December 31-January 1: Mary, Mother of God
Saturday, 5:30 PM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Hugo Ficca
Sunday, 9:30 AM- Kevin Brian Farley (7th Ann)
Sunday, 11:30 AM- Lyn Cliggett
Readings: Numbers 6/22-27; Psalm 67; Galatians 4/4-7; Luke 2/16-21.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Please note that there is no Exposition this Monday, December 26 (an office holiday). Weekly Exposition (8:00 AM-8:30 PM) will resume on Monday, January 2, 2017.
Prayer Corner
Please remember all those who are ill, including: John Batt; Jessica Bonkoski; Clarence Chaney; Lynn Cugini; Mary Dominiecki; Elizabeth Kelly; Catherine Klimek; Denise Kweeder; Peter Lubin; Virginia Luteran; Charles Mallon; Joseph McAvoy; Denise Millane; Gerald Murphy; James Myers; Randall Rosser; Elaine Siegel; Mary Supple and Frank Tyas
We pray also for those who have died, including Lisa Brunschwyler, sister of Mark Brunschwyler. May all our departed loved ones rest in peace!
Baptism News
The next session of Pre-Jordan II: A Call to Christian Parenting will be held on Saturday, January 14, and the next session of Pre-Jordan I: Preparing for Your Child’s Baptism will be held on Saturday, February 11, both at 10:30 AM in the ministry center. To register for the Pre-Jordan Program and/or to arrange for a baptism, please call 610-321-1200.
Pastoral Planing News
All adult & young adult parishioners are encouraged to participate in an Open Town Meeting on Thursday, January 19, at 7:00 PM in the social hall. You can register online at the parish website (stelizabeth parish.org). Even if you did not attend the first Open Town Meeting back in November, you are most welcome to join us on January 19.
At this meeting we will have a brief review of the first November planning meeting and then work together to develop concrete objectives for each of the six goals in the newly-formulated 2017-2020 Pastoral Plan.
This pastoral plan includes a Vision Statement, an updated Mission Statement, a set of Core Parish Values and a set of six Pastoral Goals. Concrete objectives for each goal will be finalized early in 2017.
To review the current version of the pastoral plan and to offer your feedback and comments on the plan, go to the parish website and follow the links: “Our Parish” and “Pastoral Plan.” While you are there, register for the January 19 meeting, too!
The final 2017-2020 Pastoral Plan will provide direction for the commitment of resources in personnel, facilities, time and money to existing and proposed parish activities.
Committee for the New Evangelization
Christ Renews His Parish-Men’s Renewal: Join us on Friday-Saturday, January 20-21, for the next men’s overnight renewal. The retreat is designed for all men of the parish (21 or older). It provides an opportunity to experience personal growth in your faith in a relaxed welcoming environment.
Registration is now open online at the parish website, stelizabethparish.org. Registration forms are also available in the narthex. Questions? - contact Leo Shanley at
RCIA News
Want to explore the Catholic Faith? Join our inquiry group on Mondays at 7:00 PM in St. John the Baptist Room. For more info, contact DRE Beth Riordan at
Elementary Faith Formation News
There are no EFF sessions this week (December 26-27-28) nor next week (January 2-3-4). Regular classes will resume on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, January 9-10-11. Happy New Year to our students and families.
Get Involved: Catechist aides and substitutes are especially needed during our Tuesday evening session, 6:30-7:45 PM. If you are available to assist, please contact Beth Riordan (610-646-6545).
Do you have children in K-6th grade who need religious education? Our EFF program provides classes for children of all abilities. Children with developmental, intellectual, sensory, physical or behavioral disabilities are welcome and encouraged to attend weekly EFF classes. Please contact Beth Riordan, Director of Religious Education at 610-646-6531 or
Reminder: Parents of children planning to receive sacraments in Spring 2017, need to turn in your Registration, Photo Banner and Sponsor paperwork no later than January 13, 2017.
Saint Elizabeth Parish School News
The faculty, staff, and students would like to wish all in our parish a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We would like to take this opportunity to express our thanks for all the support that the parish provides to our school. Regular classes will resume on Tuesday, January 3.
Open House for Catholic Schools Week: All are welcome to tour the parish school on Sunday, January 29, 12:30-2:00 PM. Take a look around and see some of the creative work done by our parish school children! Stop by with a friend or spread the good news to others! Application materials will be available for those who are considering the enrollment of their children for the 2017-2018 school year.
Registration of New Students: The re-registration of current students and the advanced application for incoming siblings begin on Monday, January 9. New student application for parish families begins on Tuesday, January 31, and for non-parish families on Wednesday, February 1. For more info, call Liz at 610-646-6540.
Financial Aid: Applications for financial aid for the 2017-2018 school year are available at www. smartaidforparents.com. For info, call 800-360-8027.
Pastoral Outreach News
Casserole Collection: Thank you to those who prepared a total of 133 casseroles for Saint John’s Hospice this month! Each casserole feeds eight homeless people, so when the family is home for the holidays, please consider making a casserole or two for Saint John’s Hospice.
Upcoming winter collection dates are January 7-8, February 11-12 and March 11-12. Casseroles are collected before weekend Masses. You can also drop off a casserole at the parish office on the Friday before the collection or Monday morning after the collection before 9 AM. If you have any questions about the program, please contact Jen Bauhaus (
Youth Ministry News
Weather Notice: ALL youth events will be cancelled on same day/night that school is closed or EFF is cancelled. Check the website for most updated information.
For info on any youth ministry activities, contact Ryan Schwalm at
High School Youth Group: Every Tuesday night at 7:00 PM in the CLC next to the social hall. And Bible Study every other Monday night at 8:00 PM, too!
Parish Young Adults: Catholic young adults, ages 18 to 26, are invited to contact Ryan Schwalm about a newly-forming young adult group at Saint Elizabeth.
St. Elizabeth Athletic Ministry (SEAM):
CYO Basketball: All practices and games are subject to cancellation due to weather. If school or EFF is closed for bad weather, all practices are cancelled. Coaches will contact teams if weekend games or practices are cancelled. Please use your best judgment in bad weather before coming out to the gym!
Stewardship Day of Service
Save the Date: Mark your 2016 calendars for the next Stewardship Day of Service on Saturday, April 29. Volunteer as a family and help charitable agencies throughout the area. More information will be made available early in the New Year.
Exton-Lionville Ministerium News
All are invited to participate in the annual Prayer Service for Christian Unity on Sunday, January 22, at 7:00 PM here at Saint Elizabeth Church. Rev. Kadin Williams, pastor of the Exton Community Baptist Church, will be the guest preacher preaching upon this year’s theme: Reconciliation- The Love of Christ Compels Us (2 Corinthians 5/14-20). Plan now to come out for prayer and fellowship next month.
Words from the Pastor
When you are out of town or away on vacation, you can still listen to the pastor’s weekend homilies. Go to the parish website (stelizabethparish.org) and scroll down the home page for “Words from our Pastor.” Check the website for current and back issues of the quarterly parish newsletter, The Spirit, too!
Financial Corner
Thank you for your consistent financial support of our parish community throughout the year.
Regular Collection for Sunday, December 10-11
Weekend Contributions: $24,236.62
[Amount of Loose Cash: $858.00]
Midweek & Auto-Giving: $15,345.00
Total Regular Collection: $39,581.62
Number of adult envelope contributions: 724
Auto-Giving: There are now 263 parish families making automatic contributions on a monthly or weekly basis. Why not consider using Auto-Giving for your regular collection contributions? To receive an electronic copy of the authorization form and/or if you have questions about Auto-Giving, contact Sam Venuti at 610-646-6515 or
Tax Statements for 2016: Because so many people now keep their own computer banking records, the parish does not automatically mail out tax statements each year. Parishioners who would like a tax statement for their 2016 donations are welcome to contact the parish office (610-321-1200) sometime after the new year and a statement will be mailed out to you promptly. Thank you all for your continued generosity to Saint Elizabeth Church!
Happy Christmas to One and All!