A Word from Father Mullin
In today’s Gospel narrative (John 11), Jesus rather bluntly challenges the faith of his good friend, Martha, right when she is grieving for her dead brother, Lazarus: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live. ... Do you believe this?”
In response, Martha offers a profound affirmation of her faith in Jesus: “Yes, Lord, I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God ....”
May all of us, even in the face of the death of our loved ones, be inspired by the faith of Martha and trust the power of God in Jesus Christ to bring life out of death! For this is exactly what we celebrate at Easter. Fr. Tom Mullin
Special Lenten Activities
Reconciliation Opportunities: A Communal Penance Service with Individual Confessions will be held this Wednesday, April 5, at 7:00 PM. We will also have an extended period of confessions this Saturday, April 8, 9:00-11:00 AM. If you have not yet gone to confession this Lent, now is a good time to be reconciled to God!
Our parishioners are also welcome to attend a Penance Service with Individual Confessions at area parishes (all at 7:00 PM): Monday, April 10, at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, West Chester; Tuesday, April 11, at St. Joseph Church, Downingtown; and Wednesday, April 12, at SS. Philip & James Church, Exton.
Living Stations of the Cross: This Friday, April 7, the eighth graders of the parish school will present a Living Stations of the Cross at 1:30 PM and again at 7:00 PM in church. All are invited to join our parish school children and their families at either presentation.
Note for Palm Sunday: April 8-9
As in past years, the ushers and greeters will distribute strands of palm to all as they come into the church for Mass next weekend. Please hold up the palm during the opening blessing and entrance procession, and then take the palm home with you after Mass. If you would like more palm for home use, you may pick up extra strands as you leave church.
Mass Intentions for the Week
April 1-2: Fifth Sunday of Lent
Saturday, 5:30 PM- David Powers
Sunday, 8:00 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Sunday, 9:30 AM- John Kilty
Sunday, 11:30 AM- Philip H. Carson
Monday, 7:30 AM- Dennis Cooney
Tuesday, 7:30 AM- Margaret Clark
Wednesday, 7:30 AM- Int. of Anne Wynne
Thursday, 7:30 AM- Barbara Smith
Friday, 7:30 AM- Joseph Pasquini
Saturday, 8:30 AM- Christopher Siemann (1st Ann)
April 8-9: Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Saturday, 5:30 PM- John & Dorothy Killen
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Mary Ann Forrest
Sunday, 9:30 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Sunday, 11:30 AM- Michael J. Lynch (9th Ann)
Readings: Isaiah 50/4-7; Psalm 22; Philippians 2/6-11; Matthew 26/14-27/66
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Mondays between 8:00 AM and 8:30 PM in the chapel. Please note that this Monday, April 3, Exposition will close at 6:30 PM to accommodate the RCIA in chapel.
Marian Devotions: Join us for novena prayers to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal on Saturday mornings at 7:50 AM, followed by a Rosary for Life at 8:00 AM.
Prayer Corner
Please remember in prayer all those who are ill, including: Evelyn Barnes; Kelly Cahill; Larry Childers; Joseph Conwell; Reynold Forgione, Sr.; Clare Greene; Roger Groves; Lindsay Hamilton; William Hare; Susan Jiannino; Bernard Kowal; Jacob Lefebvre; Brian McGinley; John McLaughlin; Mae Mollure; Laurie Olseski; Nancy Smith; Jacqueline Tassone; Alan Virtue; Julia Wrobel and Elizabeth Young.
We also remember those who have died, including Boris Gorelik, father of Alexandra Rose, and Donald Schmitz, brother of William Schmitz. May all our departed loved ones rest in peace!
Liturgical Life News
Attention: Parish altar servers and those boys and girls who are receiving First Holy Communion and/or Confirmation this year! We invite you to attend the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 13, at 7:30 PM and to participate in the Eucharistic Procession at the end of Mass. Please wear your
Confirmation or First Communion outfits or your best Sunday clothes. Participating altar servers are asked to meet in the chapel at 7:00 PM. If you would like to join us on Holy Thursday, please RSVP to Gen Miceli (
Family Life Ministry
Spirituality and Addiction: On Wednesday, April 19, at 7:00 PM in the parish social hall, Dr. Thomas Legere will present a talk titled: Spirituality: The Golden Key to Recovery. Please extend an invitation to anyone you know who may be troubled by addiction or have a family member or friend who is burdened with addiction. All are welcome and encouraged to come and find out how spirituality can help recovery and aid in everyday life. For more info, contact Gen Miceli in the parish services office (610-646-6550).
Committee for the New Evangelization
Christ Renews His Parish-Women’s Renewal: Registration is now open for the next women’s overnight renewal on Friday-Saturday, May 5-6. The retreat is designed for all women of the parish (21 or older). It provides time to experience personal growth in your faith in a relaxed welcoming environment. For more info, contact Marie Hellgoth (484-341-8762 or
Confirmation News
Bishop Timothy Senior will celebrate Confirmation on Saturday, April 22, at 10:00 AM for candidates with last names A-J, and at 2:00 PM for candidates with last names K-Z. Candidates and their sponsors must arrive forty-five minutes in advance of each ceremony.
Confirmation rehearsals for candidates (not their sponsors) will be held on Thursday, April 20, at 6:00 PM for the 10:00 AM Confirmation liturgy, and at 7:30 PM for the 2:00 PM liturgy. Rehearsals begin in the social hall and conclude in the church. Questions about the Confirmation liturgies may be directed to Gen Miceli at 610-646-6550.
Saint Elizabeth Parish School News
2017-2018 School Year: We are accepting applications for the new school year. Please contact Mrs. Liz Oulton (610-646-6540) to find out more about our school, what sort of financial aid is available, and how to get application materials.
Sneak-a-Peek: Our recent events have been so successful that we are adding some additional days. Stop by this Wednesday, April 5, or on Tuesday, April 18, between 9:30-11:30 AM to get a sneak peek of our teachers and students in action! You will also be able to pick up application materials for the 2017-2018 school year.
Part-Time Help Needed for Cares Program: We need your help! With hours between 2:45 & 6:00 PM, this is a perfect opportunity for those looking for part-time work and enjoy working with school-age children. Schedules are flexible and “occasional” help is also welcome. For more info, please contact Cathy Kemery (
2017 Stewardship Day of Service
Over 100 people have registered for the Stewardship Day of Service on Saturday, April 29. We still need many more volunteers to serve area agencies. On line registration remains open: to register yourself and other family members, go to www.stelizabethparish.org and click on the Stewardship Day of Service link to complete an online registration. For more information and/or help in registering, contact Gen Miceli (610646-6550 or
Pastoral Outreach
Casserole Collection: Thanks for the 100 casseroles collected in March. The next collection is next weekend, April 8-9. All donations are much needed and gratefully received! If you have any questions about the program, please contact Jen Bauhaus (
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Poor Box Program: The recipient of poor box donations during March and April is the Aquinas Center, sponsored by St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in South Philadelphia. The center is an innovative church and community-backed venture in welcoming and supporting local immigrants. For more info go to staquinas.com/aquinascenter/. Thanks for your support through donation to the poor box this month.
RCIA News
Would you like to explore the Catholic Faith? Our weekly inquiry group meets at 7:00 PM on Mondays in the education center conference room. For more info, contact DRE Beth Riordan at 610-646-6545.
Elementary Faith Formation
Scheduling Note: No EFF Sessions will be held on Tuesday, April 11; Wednesday, April 12, and Monday, April 17, in observance of Holy Week and Easter.
Baptism News
Saint Elizabeth parish warmly welcomes into the Body of Christ the following children baptized in March: Hayley Mae King; Abigail Marisa Whitaker; Fisher Ennis Hennigan; Chloe Rose Levin and Mackenzie Rose Murray. Congratulations to their families, too!
The next session of Pre-Jordan I: Preparing for Your Child’s Baptism will be held this Saturday, April 8, and the next session of Pre-Jordan II: A Call to Christian Parenting will be held on Saturday, May 13. Both sessions are held at 10:30 AM in the parish ministry center. To register for the Pre-Jordan Program and/or to arrange for a baptism, please call 610-321-1200.
Senior Adult Ministry (SAM)
Lunch N Learn: If you are 60+, join us for a special Lenten “Lunch N Learn” this Thursday, April 6, at 10:30 AM in the chapel. Fr. John Stokely will take us on a scriptural pilgrimage through the Holy Land entitled In the Footsteps of Our Lord, followed by a simple lunch in the ministry center. Please let us know that you are coming by contacting Gen Miceli at 610646-6550 or
Youth Ministry News
Thank you to everyone who attended Saint Elizabeth Youth Ministry's presentation of the Stations of the Cross on Friday, March 24. And special thanks to our teenagers for their wonderful presentation, too!
8th Grade Youth Group: We meet this Wednesday, April 5, 6:30-8:00 PM in the Gym.
Elementary School Youth Group: Our next Free Play Night is this Saturday, April 8, 6:30-8:30 PM in the gym. The cost is $5 per child.
Middle School Youth Group: Our next meeting is this Friday, April 7, 6:00-7:30 PM in the gym. The night will include dinner, activities, and discussion.
High School Youth Group: We meet every Tuesday night at 7:00 PM in the CLC next to the social hall.
High School Bible Study meets on every other Monday night in the CLC, 8:00-9:00 PM. The next session is on Monday, April 10.
For more info on any of these St. Elizabeth Parish Youth Ministry opportunities, contact Ryan Schwalm at
Elizabeth Youth-Ministry on Facebook and @st.es_youthgroup on Instagram.
Saint Elizabeth Athletic Ministry (SEAM)
Saint Elizabeth CYO soccer offers high quality practice and competition, without the full year commitment or high price of club soccer. There is summer training that flows into the season, which begins in September and wraps up at the end of October. Registration opens May 1 and closes July 15. Go to seamcyo.com for more information and to register. If you have questions or would like to help coach, email
Knights of Columbus News
Fish Dinner: Don’t miss the annual K of C Fish Dinner this Friday, April 7, 2017, 5:00-7:00 PM in the social hall. Eat in and take out meals are both available! Tickets are on sale in the ministry center after Masses this weekend and online at kofc13141.org until noon this Sunday. No tickets will be sold at the door. After dinner, plan to attend the Living Stations of the Cross in church at 7:00 PM, too!
Financial Corner
Thank you for your consistent financial support of our parish community throughout the year.
Regular Collection for Sunday, March 19, 2017
Weekend Contributions: $22,734.51
[Amount of Loose Cash: $1,301.01]
Midweek & Auto-Giving: $ 8,715.01
Total Regular Collection: $31,449.52
Number of adult envelope contributions: 695
Special Collection: The annual Good Friday collection is used to support Catholic churches and shrines in the Holy Land. Those not attending the Good Friday service may drop their special contribution envelope into the regular collection basket at Mass. Thank you for your generosity.