A Word from Father Mullin
Imagine yourself standing before the pearly gates. Jesus and Peter are standing just inside the gates greeting new arrivals. What will you say to the Lord, and more importantly, what will the Lord say to you?
Jesus has already told us how we will be measured when we face him at the hour of our death: “Whatsoever you have done for the least of my brothers and sisters, that you did for me.” Jesus will not be asking how much money we earned or saved in an IRA, nor how much property and possessions we have left to our heirs, nor how many Twitter followers or Facebook friends we have. He will simply reveal to each of us how generously we have cared for the least among us. So ask yourself today: Am I a sheep or a goat?????
Father Tom Mullin
Advent Giving Tree
The Giving Tree will be going up next weekend, December 2-3. Please take a tag from the tree and buy a gift for those in need. Gifts must be returned on or before December 17. Thank you for your generosity!
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary will be celebrated on Friday, December 8. This feast is a holy day of obligation for all Catholic believers. Here at Saint Elizabeth, we will have a Mass for the holy day at 7:30 AM, at 12 Noon and at 7:00 PM.
Annual Appeal for St. Charles Seminary
The annual appeal in support of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary is being conducted through the end of November. Appeal brochures and gift envelopes are available in the church narthex for those who have not yet made a contribution. Thank you for your support.
RCIA Inquiry
Do you know someone who is searching for life's meaning, for community? Or someone who has asked about the Catholic faith? Please invite them to connect with fellow seekers through the RCIA. Contact DRE Beth Riordan at
Mass Intentions for the Week
November 25-26: Christ the King
Saturday, 5:30 PM- John Mullen
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Peter Caruso, Sr.
Sunday, 9:30 AM- Bernard Comber, Sr.
Sunday, 11:30 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Monday, 7:30 AM- Susan Jiannino
Tuesday, 7:30 AM- John & Kathleen Kilgallen
Wednesday, 7:30 AM- Robert Naylor
Thursday, 7:30 AM- Patricia Djuhadi (1st Ann)
Friday, 7:30 AM- Martha Mathis
Saturday, 8:30 AM- Parish Memorial Mass
Eugene Brady; James Hamsher; Thomas Hughes; George James; Jeanne LaRosa; Joan Lawrence; Mary Elizabeth Mickulik; Victoria Moon; James Shanahan and John Welch Tunnell.
December 2-3: First Sunday of Advent
Saturday, 5:30 PM- Carolanne Morgenthaler
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Peter Pienciak (15th Ann)
Sunday, 9:30 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Sunday, 11:30 AM- Eric Thornton
Readings: Isaiah 63/16b-17, 19b; 64/2-7 Psalm 80; 1 Corinthians 1/3-9; Mark 13/33-37
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: All are welcome to Exposition in the daily Mass chapel on Mondays between 8:00 AM and 8:30 PM.
Prayer Corner
Please pray for all those who are ill, including Trevor Ferraro; Sheila Flynn; James Ford; Stephen Griminski; Joseph Janzer; Ginny Klimek; Mimi Rogge; Jared Steczak; Leonard Szyper and Kerri Zagari.
We also remember those who have died, including Margaret Ann Raspa, mother of John Raspa, and all our loved ones whose names are listed in the 2017 Book of Remembrance. May they rest in peace!
Liturgical Music Ministry
The Parish Music Ministry needs YOU! No Music experience required. Minimal/convenient rehearsal times for most parish music groups. Please contact Louise Shanley (
Parish School News
Neumann Scholar: Congratulations to eighth grader, Anna Bellafante, who has been named a 2018 Neumann Scholar. This honor entitles the winners to a four-year tuition scholarship to an Archdiocesan high school of their choice. The scholarship winners are among the most academically talented students in the Archdiocese, selected from among 907 students who sat for the scholarship examination this year.
PSAC Meeting: The next meeting of the Parish School Advisory Council will be held on Wednesday, November 29, at 7:00 PM in the St. Luke room.
School Musical: Come out for Shrek - The Musical (Junior Version) this Friday, December 1, or this Saturday, December 2, at 7:00 PM in the gym. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10/adult and $7/student.
Elementary Faith Formation
2017-2018 Theme: Our theme for this year is Family Prayer. Each month families will pray and go deeper into the meaning of a Catholic prayer. Our November prayer is Grace Before Meals, to help us prepare for our celebration of Thanksgiving. Check the parish website and Facebook page for a special Advent Prayer for December, too!
Advent Family Prayer Service: EFF students and their families will gather for an Advent Prayer Service at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, December 5; at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, December 6, and also at 5:00 PM on Monday, December 11. Please plan to attend one of these sessions. Note: There will be no 4:45 PM EFF classes that Tuesday (12/5) nor 6:30 PM classes that Monday (12/11).
Stewardship opportunities: Join our amazing team! An adult catechist assistant is needed for a small kindergarten class on Wednesday afternoons, 4:45-6:00 PM. We also need several teaching assistants, car line attendants and office helpers for other sessions. To volunteer, please call 610-646-6545.
Adult Faith Formation
Women’s Advent by Candlelight: Come prepare your hearts for Jesus' birth! Join us Wednesday, December 6, at 7:00 PM in the social hall. Experience an evening of Advent preparation focused on the true meaning of Christmas. For more info, contact Maria Fraser at
Reconciliation Opportunities in Advent
All are encouraged to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance in preparation for Christmas. Confessions are heard in chapel on Saturday mornings at 9:00 AM.
A Communal Celebration of Penance with Individual Confessions will be held at Saint Elizabeth on Tuesday, December 19, at 7:00 PM in church. On Saturday, December 23, we will have an extended period for confessions (9:00-11:00 AM). A number of visiting confessors will be on hand on both occasions.
Baptism News
The next session of Pre-Jordan II: A Call to Christian Parenting, will be held on Saturday, December 9 and the next session of Pre-Jordan I: Preparing for Your Child’s Baptism will be held on Saturday, January 13. Both programs begin at 10:30 AM in the ministry center. To register for a Pre-Jordan Program and/or to arrange for a baptism, call 610-321-1200.
Safe Environment Program
All adults who volunteer in any activity where children are present are required to have on file at the parish services office all PA state requirements and all requirements from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for the protection of youth before any service can begin.
For specific information regarding requirements, go to www.stelizabethparish.org and use the drop down "Get Involved" and then click on "Volunteers - Safe Environment Requirements.”
The Protecting God's Children training class will be offered at Saint Elizabeth on December 7, 2017, and March 15, 2018. Classes fill up quickly, so go online now to register at www.virtusonline.org.
Pastoral Outreach News
Casserole Program: The next casserole collection is on the weekend of December 9-10. Saint John's Hospice was grateful for the 121 casseroles sent this month, along with the 20 boxes of Halloween candy. Your acts of kindness are greatly appreciated and help to provide a hot meal and a special treat for many! If you (and your family) would like to help collect casseroles before a Mass or if you have any questions about the program, please contact Jen Bauhaus (
Poor Box Program: We exceeded our goal! In addition to parishioners’ generous support of the two special appeals to assist recovery efforts from recent hurricanes and wild fires, many people have also contributed to the poor boxes in support of the people of Burkina Faso. Donations topped $7,000.00, which will allow us to make 14,000 meals!
Burkina Faso Food Packaging Project: Please see the insert in today’s bulletin for information about this project this Saturday, December 2, beginning with 8:30 AM Mass in church.
Social Fellowship News
All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast: Come out to the social hall next Sunday, December 3, 8:30-11:00 AM, for a special family breakfast. The cost is $5.00 per adult, $3.00 per child (3 to 12 years old); children under 3 eat for free! The menu will include pancakes (plain or chocolate chip), sausage, coffee, tea and milk. Special activities will be held for children during breakfast, too. No advance tickets are needed - simply pay at the door.
Senior Adult Ministry: Pot Luck Lunch
Are you coming to the noon holy day Mass on Friday, December 8? Are you old enough to be called a senior? - That’s 60+ years old! SAM invites all seniors to join us for lunch and fellowship after the noon Mass. All it takes is your favorite side dish, salad or dessert and a phone call. Register by contacting Gen Miceli (
Youth Ministry News
Register now for Saint Elizabeth Youth Ministry! Go to the front page of the parish website www.stelizabeth parish.org or email Ryan Schwalm at rschwalm @stelizabethparish.org to get involved!
High School Youth Group (Grades 9-12): Meets weekly on Tuesday nights in the CLC, 7:00-8:30 PM.
Help Needed: We are looking for an additional team leader for our High School Youth Group. We hope to find a leader 20-25 years old who feels called to help at our Tuesday night meetings by leading small groups and activities. If you or someone you know can fill this opening, contact
Eighth Grade Youth Group: Meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday night each month, 5:30-7:00 PM. The next meeting is this Wednesday, November 29.
Middle School Youth Group (Grades 6-7): Meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday night each month, 5:30-7:00 PM. Join the group this Wednesday, November 29!
Elementary Youth Group (Grades K-5): Our next Free Play Night will be on Saturday, December 16, 6:30-8:30 PM in the gym.
Financial Corner
Thank you for your consistent financial support of our parish community throughout the year.
Regular Collection for Sunday, November 12, 2017
Weekend Contributions: $23,208.19
[Amount of Loose Cash: $1,171.01]
Midweek & Auto-Giving: $16,731.50
Total Regular Collection: $39,939.69
Number of adult envelope contributions: 642
Religious Retirement Collection: The annual collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious Priests, Sisters & Brothers will be taken up at all Masses next weekend. Contributions may be dropped into the regular collection basket at Mass or sent directly to the parish ministry center during the week. Thank you.
2016-2017 Parish Financial Report: The financial report for fiscal 2016-2017 is being mailed this week. Questions about the financial report should be directed to Fr. Mullin or Sam Venuti at 610-321-1200. Thank you for your commitment to a generous stewardship of treasure all year long!
Upcoming Meetings & Activities
For a complete schedule of upcoming meetings, parish activities and other events, check out the online parish bulletin at www.stelizabethparish.org.
2018 Breaking Bread Hymnals
The 2018 Breaking Bread hymnals are being distributed around the church and chapel pews this coming week. Please do not remove the protective covers from the hymnals.
Note: The ordinary parts of the Mass are provided on pages 3-30, including the Gloria (page 6), the Profession of Faith (page 9), and the Eucharistic Prayers (pages 12-26). Next time you are sitting in the pews, take a few minutes to become more familiar with the liturgical sections of the hymnals.
Happy Thanksgiving to One and All!