A Word from Father Stokely
This week our country celebrates Independence Day. It is an occasion for us to give thanks to God for the many blessings and freedoms we enjoy. We also remember the many sacrifices made to achieve all the good things we have today - especially the men and women who gave their lives in service to the United States of America.
Father John Stokely
Independence Day Holiday
Please note that all parish offices will be closed this Tuesday, July 4, for the Independence Day holiday. At Mass on Tuesday morning at 9:00 AM, we will remember in particular those parishioners and family members of parishioners who are currently serving in the Armed Forces. May the Lord protect all our loved ones who are serving in the military. Happy Fourth!
Knights of Columbus
Patriotic Rosary: Please join the St. Elizabeth Council, Knights of Columbus, this Tuesday, July 4, at 8:15 AM in the daily Mass chapel as we pray the rosary for our nation and its leaders to celebrate our many blessings and freedoms.
Special Youth Mass on Sunday, July 16
All are invited to a special Youth Mass at 9:30 AM on Sunday, July 16, in which members of our parish youth groups will offer their stewardship service as liturgical ministers, with liturgical music provided by the newly- formed high school music ministry. We will also have a special blessing for the teens and adults going on a week-long mission trip on July 16-23. Come out to join our youth at the 9:30 AM Mass on Sunday, July 16!
Legion of Mary
Rosary on the Green: Please join the Legion of Mary for the "Rosary on the Green" on Thursday, July 13, at 6:00 PM in front of Saint Elizabeth Church as a public witness to the message of Fatima and in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the third apparition. This devotion will continue on the 13th of every month until October. Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!
Mass Intentions for the Week
July 1-2: Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saturday, 5:30 PM- Genevieve Mulherin (22nd Ann)
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Alice Nelson
Sunday, 9:30 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Sunday, 11:30 AM- Adelynn McAllister
Monday, 7:30 AM- Edward Pilcicki
Tuesday, 9:00 AM- Kamri Blaire Thomas
Wednesday,7:30AM- William Peffley
Thursday, 7:30 AM- Theresa Lucidon
Friday, 7:30 AM- Nolan Robison (2nd Ann)
Saturday, 8:30 AM- Clifford Niles Beeson
July 8-9: Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saturday, 5:30 AM- Thomas Froio
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Deceased of Bogush Family
Sunday, 9:30 AM- Bettina De Micco
Sunday, 11:30 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Readings: Zechariah 9/9-10; Psalm 145; Romans 8/9, 11-13; Matthew 11/25-30
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Now through August 28, Exposition is normally held in chapel on Mondays after the 7:30 AM Mass and concludes at 4:30 PM. Please note that there is no Exposition on Labor Day, September 4.
Prayer Corner
Please remember in prayer all those who are ill, including: David Beideman; Patrick Cerullo; Richard Doherty; Joseph Gallagher; Ralph Grosso; Laura Melvin; Sandra Nicoletti; Steven Rinaldi; Lorraine Ruggeri; Anna Sano and Matthew Ternowchek.
We also remember those who have died, especially those who have given their lives in service to our country during the past year. May God grant all our loved ones eternal rest.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW)
Now through Sunday, August 27, CLOW will be conducted for both age groups (pre-K & K and grades 1-4) during the 9:30 AM Mass only (not at the 11:30 AM Mass). Thanks to all who offer their service to CLOW throughout the year!
Happy Anniversary, Saint Elizabeth Parish
As we begin our eighteenth year together as a parish community, may the Lord continue to guide us and bring many blessings upon all our parishioners and their families. Happy Anniversary to one and all!
Saint Elizabeth Parish School News
2017-2018 School Year: Have you been considering enrolling your child in our parish school? There are openings for new students on all grade levels. For more info and application materials, contact Liz Oulton (
Adult Faith Formation
One Parish, One Book Club: Looking for a good book this summer? Consider reading Run by Ann Patchett. Set over a period of twenty-four hours, Run shows us how worlds of privilege and poverty can coexist only blocks apart from each other, and how family can include people you've never even met.
The Book Club will meet to discuss Run on Wednesday, July 26, at 7:00 PM in the ministry center. All are welcome! To sign up, please contact Beth Riordan at
Elementary Faith Formation
EFF Registration: The registration of returning and new students for the 2017-2018 EFF year is underway. Forms are available at www.stelizabethparish.org under “Education, Elementary Faith Formation.” If you are new to the parish or have children that will be new to the EFF program, please contact DRE Beth Riordan (
Stewardship: Join our EFF team! Catechists and teaching assistants, teen aides and car-line volunteers are needed for 2017-2018. To volunteer, contact DRE Beth Riordan. You can find more info on the website.
Family Life Ministry Team
What can we do for your family? It doesn't matter what your family looks like - we are all members of a family. The goal of the Family Life Ministry Team at Saint Elizabeth is to coordinate activities intended to nourish and strengthen family life. Do you have some good ideas? Would you be willing to come to six meetings a year to share your ideas? Contact Gen Miceli (
Stewardship Call for Liturgical Ministers
Every year we experience a turnover of liturgical ministers. This year, we are looking for 20 parishioners to volunteer to be trained as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (18+ years old and a high school graduate). We are looking for 10 parishioners to volunteer to be trained as Readers of the Word (16+ years old). Is the Lord calling you to liturgical service?
We need many more parishioners to step up to be parish greeters or hospitality ministers, ushers or members of our Children's Liturgy of the Word team. You will be trained for the ministry you choose. Please consider this stewardship opportunity prayerfully. Our scheduling program is family friendly and allows for vacation or away times, families being scheduled at the same Mass and even one parent scheduled at a time.
If you have served in the past and have taken some time off from liturgical ministry, please consider offering your stewardship service once again. For more information contact Gen Miceli (610-646-6550 or
Pastoral Outreach
Casserole Collection: It's casserole collection time again! Break out the recipes and please help especially during the summer months when donations are down. Your casseroles will be collected in the social hall kitchen before Mass next weekend, July 8-9. You can also drop off casseroles at the parish office on Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM. Pans are available in the narthex. Use a suggested recipe or make your favorite!
Sister Parish Update: On the weekend of July 15-16, the Sister Parish Planning Team is conducting a non-perishable food collection for the food cupboard at our sister-parish, Visitation BVM church in the Kensington section of Philadelphia. Manna bags will be available at church exits next weekend (July 8-9). Please take home a manna bag to fill with non- perishable food items and return the bag on July 15-16.
RCIA Inquiry
Weekly sessions of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults will resume on Monday evenings this Fall. If you have a non-Catholic spouse, another relative, friend or neighbor who might be interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith, please contact DRE Beth Riordan at
Baptism News
Saint Elizabeth parish warmly welcomes into the Body of Christ two children baptized in June: Brian James Dixon, Jr. and Violet Josephine Urbanavich.
Congratulations to their parents and godparents!
The next session of Pre-Jordan II: A Call to Christian Parenting will be held this Saturday, July 8, and the next session of Pre-Jordan I: Preparing for Your Child’s Baptism will be held on Saturday, August 12. Both sessions begin 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.
Youth Ministry News
Mission Trip Sunday! Are you aware that each summer a number of our high school youth group members travel to a different site and spend a week serving the local community? This year the mission group is going to Jamaica, Queens, NY. After working all week, they wrap up the mission trip with a weekend at Steubenville NYC Youth Conference.
Sports and Spirituality Summer Camp: Don’t miss the all-new morning summer camp during the week of July 31-August 4 for all children entering grades 3 through 6. For more info & registration, contact Ryan Schwalm at
High School Music Ministry: The high school music ministry is open to all youth of the parish and welcomes anyone interested in joining this new ministry group. Contact Ryan Schwalm for more info.
High School Youth Group: We meet every Tuesday night at 7:00 PM in the CLC. Beyond our regular Tuesday meetings, stay tuned for summer event announcements.
Summer Programming: While our full schedule will resume in the fall, we have some exciting summer programming. For more information, keep your eyes on your email. Not on our mailing list? Sign up by emailing Ryan at
For info on St. Elizabeth Parish Youth Ministry opportunities, contact Ryan Schwalm or follow us at St. Elizabeth Youth-Ministry on Facebook and @st.es_youthgroup on Instagram.
Saint Elizabeth Athletic Ministry (SEAM)
The SEAM Board sets the direction for CYO athletics at the parish. We now have an opening for an assistant athletic director. The job entails shadowing the athletic director and helping as needed in program maintenance and attending the monthly SEAM board meeting. SEAM's mission is to foster Catholic values in our young parishioners' sports activities. You do not need to have a child in the program to apply. If you have questions or are interested, please contact Bob Ferraro at 609-218-3843 or
Financial Corner
Thank you for your consistent financial support of our parish community throughout the year.
Regular Collection for Sunday, June 18, 2017
Weekend Contributions: $17,558.38
[Amount of Loose Cash:$1,059]
Midweek & Auto-Giving: $15,574.50
Total Regular Collection: $33,132.88
Number of adult envelope contributions: 568
The annual Campaign for Human Development collection will be taken up at all the Masses next weekend. Please use the special collection envelopes provided for this appeal and drop your contribution into the regular collection basket at Mass. Those who will be away are most welcome to send their contributions directly to the parish ministry center.
We encourage parishioners who are out of town on vacation weekends to continue their financial support of Saint Elizabeth during the summer months. Why not consider Auto-Giving all year long? For info, call Sam Venuti at 610-646-6515.
Upcoming Meetings & Events
Joseph’s People: Monday (7/3), 7:00 PM, St. Luke
High School Music Ministry: Mondays (7/3 & 7/10) 7:00 PM, CLC
Legion of Mary: Wednesdays, 7:00 PM, St. Matthew
Pre-Jordan II: Saturday (7/8), 10:30 AM, St. Matthew
Casserole Collection: Saturday/Sunday (7/8-9), before all Masses, social hall kitchen
Senior Adult Ministry (SAM): Monday (7/10), 3:00 PM, St. Luke
Parish Youth Council: Monday (7/10), 6:00 PM, St. Mark
SEAM Board: Monday (7/10), 7:00 PM, St. Luke
Happy Summer to One and All!