A Word from Father Mullin
The Second Letter of Saint Peter reassures us:
The Lord is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.... So conduct yourselves in holiness and devotion, waiting for the day of His coming.
I encourage you to make sacramental confession a part of your spiritual preparations for Christmas. Check out the insert in today’s parish bulletin for a listing of Penance Services and confession times at Saint Elizabeth and at several area churches, along with the schedule of Masses for Christmas.
Father Tom Mullin
Advent Giving Tree
Thank you to all who are taking a gift tag or two from the Giving Tree this Advent. Please check the tag itself to see whether the gift should be wrapped or remain unwrapped and be sure to attach the tag to your gift.
Please be sure to return all gifts by next weekend, December 16-17. Many of the gifts are given out at agency Christmas parties before Christmas. A complete list of the agencies distributing this year’s gifts is posted by the Giving Tree in the church narthex.
Catholics Coming Home
A special six-week program, No Greater Love - Catholics Coming Home, begins on Monday, January 8, at 7:00 PM in church. Now through next weekend special referral cards are available in the pews for church-goers to fill out with the names and contact information of a family member, friend or neighbor who might be interested in this program. We will then send them a personal invitation to Catholics Coming Home. Cards may be placed in the collection basket or returned to the parish office by Monday, December 18. It just might be the best Christmas gift you have ever given!
RCIA Inquiry
Do you know someone who has asked about the Catholic faith? Please invite them to learn more about the RCIA by contacting DRE Beth Riordan at 610-646-6545 or
Mass Intentions for the Week
December 9-10: Second Sunday of Advent
Saturday, 5:30 PM- William Maloney
Sunday, 8:00 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Sunday, 9:30 AM- Paul Zadroga
Sunday, 11:30 AM- John Cossa (1st Ann)
Monday, 7:30 AM- Thomas Froio
Tuesday, 7:30 AM- Mass of Thanksgiving
Wednesday, 7:30 AM- Martha Mathis
Thursday, 7:30 AM- Peter Valentine (1st Ann)
Friday, 7:30 AM- Martha Mathis
Saturday, 8:30 AM- Katherine & Joe Morgan
December 16-17: Third Sunday of Advent
Saturday, 5:30 PM- Michael Ardoline, Sr,
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Theresa Rodner
Sunday, 9:30 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Sunday, 11:30 AM- Joan & Peter Reehil
Readings: Isaiah 61/1-2, 10-11; Psalm - Luke 1/46-54; 1 Thessalonians 5/16-24; John 1/6-8, 19-28
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 Marie Altieri; Louise Ardoline; Rita Chambers; Doris Cullen; Trevor Ferraro; Sheila Flynn; James Ford; Stephen Guminski; Steven Kacenjar; Ginny Klimek; Marie Laboranti; Marinell Lamkin; Suzanne Lezoche; Gloria Makoid; Edward Musuras; Larry Shontz; Nazzie Sookiasian; Lurita Soprano and Tammy Swan.
We also remember those who have died, including John DeVito, brother of Angela Wadas; Gertrude Phillips, grandmother of Scott Fraser, and Victoria DiMichael, mother of Dominick DiMichael. May all our departed loved ones 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 (
Welcome New Parishioners
Saint Elizabeth parish warmly welcomes the following individuals, couples and families who registered during November: John & Tina Armenio; Gregory & Theresa Auda; Thomas & Anne Mc Vey; Shaun & Caitlin Murphy; Michael & Amanda Paduano; Nazareth Sookiasian and Michele Tennity. Welcome to all!
Baptism News
The next session of Pre-Jordan I: Preparing for Your Child’s Baptism will be held on Saturday, January 13 and the next session of Pre-Jordan II: A Call to Christian Parenting, will be held on Saturday, February 10. 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.
Adult Faith Formation
Women at the Well: Women of Saint Elizabeth Church- are you looking for ways to Keep Christ in Christmas? Join us this Friday, December 15, 9:00-10:00 AM in the daily Mass chapel for a peace-filled hour with Jesus. Eucharistic Adoration is a special time to simply rest in the presence of Jesus, speaking to him in the silence of your heart, reflecting on the words of Scripture while listening to meditative music. This one, short hour is sure to cut through the clamor of this busy time of year and refocus on the true meaning of Christmas.
Parish School News
Christmas Concert: Please join us for our Christmas Band and Harmonium concert this Wednesday, December 13, at 7:00 PM in the gym.
Financial Aid: Financial aid applications are currently available through FACTS Grant & Aid and due by December 31, 2017. This year your 2017 tax return is the only documentation that all applicants are required to submit by March 31, 2018 or earlier – as soon as your tax return is complete. The link is on our website, on the Archdiocesan BLOCS website and also at https:// online.factsmgt.com/aid.
Advent/Christmas Prayer Service: All are welcome to join our students and faculty in prayer on Thursday, December 21, at 2:00 PM in church.
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. In December, we are praying an Advent Prayer:
Heavenly Father, your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us, a great sign of your love. Help us to live in that love together as a family this Advent. Prepare our hearts for Christmas. Bring us closer to each other and to your son. Give us the grace and strength we need every day. Help us to always trust in you. Come, Lord Jesus, lead all people closer to you. Come and dispel the darkness of our world with the light of your love. Amen.
Check the parish website and Facebook page for weekly posts on this prayer.
Advent Family Prayer Service: All are welcome to join us this Monday, December 11, at 5:00 PM for a Liturgy of the Word, followed by the presentation of the Jesse Tree, enhanced by little angels, shepherds and more!
Reminder: Parents of children preparing to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and/or First Holy Communion this spring are reminded to turn in the required registration form, photo banner permission and sponsor form no later than Friday, January 5, 2018.
Middle School Faith Formation: Our fall bible study was a great success! Our next study will engage 7th and 8th graders with such questions as: Who am I? How do I form good friendships? How does my faith relate to issues like bullying, gossip, peer pressure, etc?
The study is called Theology of the Body for Teens, Middle School Edition. More information and registration forms are on the parish website and in the narthex. Questions may be directed to Beth Riordan (
Pastoral Outreach News
Burkina Faso Food Packaging: Thanks to the parishioners of all ages who came out on Saturday December 2, to unload the truck and package the meals headed to Burkina Faso. We packaged about 14,000 meals provided by the generosity of parishioners.
Senior Adult Ministry: Pot Luck Lunch
Lunch and Learn: Plan now to join us on Thursday, January 11, at 10:30 AM for a presentation by Bruce Mowday, a local author who will speak about the Johnston Brothers, the gang who stole millions of dollars and eventually murdered four teenagers and how the gang was brought to justice! The next Game Day will be on Thursday, January 25.
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 (
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 + Middle School Youth Group (Grades 6-7): Next meetings are on Wednesday, December 20, 5:30-7:00 PM in St. John the Baptist.
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.
St. Elizabeth Athletic Ministry (SEAM):
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!
Financial Corner
Thank you for your consistent financial support of our parish community throughout the year.
Regular Collection for Sunday, November 26, 2017
Weekend Contributions: $20,491.85
[Amount of Loose Cash: $1,321.85]
Midweek & Auto-Giving: $ 9,958.50
Total Regular Collection: $30,450.35
Number of adult envelope contributions: 624
Religious Retirement Collection: Thank you for your support of this weekend’s annual collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious Priests, Sisters & Brothers. So far a total of $4,462 has been donated by 171 donors. Additional contributions may be sent directly to the parish ministry center during the week.
2016-2017 Parish Financial Report: You should have received the financial report for fiscal 2016-2017 in the mail this past 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!
Auto-Giving: A special “thank you” to the 292 families now participating in Auto-Giving to ensure a consistent financial support to the parish throughout the year. These families combined contributions exceed $550, 000, for which we are very grateful. We would like to pass 300 auto-donors by the end of the year! Please consider joining Auto-Giving for 2018! To receive an electronic copy of the authorization form, contact Sam Venuti (
Stars Rewards Sales
Don’t forget to purchase Stars Rewards gift cards for your Christmas shopping. Cards are on sale in the ministry center after weekend Masses throughout the year. Thanks to all who support our parish and parish school families through the Stars Rewards program.
Words from the Pastor
Even though you are out of town or away on vacation, you can still listen to our pastor’s weekend homilies. Go to the parish website (stelizabethparish.org) and scroll down the home page for “Words from our Pastor.” Why not check out the parish website today!
2018 Breaking Bread Hymnals
While you are sitting in church, take a few moments to become more familiar with the liturgical sections of the 2018 Breaking Bread hymnal. Note that the ordinary parts of the Mass are provided on pages 3-30, including the Eucharistic Prayers on pages 12-26. Both the Gloria and the Profession of Faith can be found on the inside front cover of the hymnal itself, while the Parish Stewardship Prayer is inserted inside the vinyl cover. Please do not remove the protective covers from the hymnals and place the hymnals in the pew racks after Mass. Thank you for your cooperation and care!
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.
Saint Elizabeth Roman Catholic Church
Sunday, December 10, 2017
Upcoming Meetings & Events
Casserole Collection: Saturday/Sunday (12/9-10), before all Masses, bay area & social hall
EFF Advent Prayer Service: Monday (12/11), 5:00 PM, Church
RCIA: Mondays, 7:00 PM, St. John the Baptist
RCIA Inquiry: Monday (12/11), 4:30 PM, St. Mark
Tapestry Choir: Monday (12/11), 6:30 PM, church choir room
High School Music Ministry: Mondays, 7:00 PM, CLC
Pastoral Outreach Committee: Monday (12/11), 7:00 PM, St. Luke
Adult Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30 AM, St. Matthew, and 7:00 PM, St. Mark
Pastoral Council: Tuesday (12/12), 7:00 PM, St. Luke
Interfaith Action Committee: Tuesday (12/12), 7:00 PM, St. Mark
High School Youth Group: Tuesdays, 7:00 PM, CLC
Walking With Purpose: Wednesdays, 9:00 AM, St. Matthew & St. Mark
Bereavement Ministry: Wednesday (12/13), 9:00 AM, St. Luke
Stewardship Day of Service Planning Team: Wednesday (12/13), 7:00 PM, St. Mark
Adult Faith Formation: Wednesday (12/13), 7:00 PM, St. John the Baptist
Girl Scouts: Wednesday (12/13), 7:00 PM, CLC
Legion of Mary: Wednesdays, 7:00 PM, Holy Family Room
CRHP Men’s Formation: Thursdays, 7:00 PM, St. John the Baptist
Women at the Well: Thursdays, 7:00 PM and Fridays, 9:00 AM, St. Mark
Church Decorating: Saturday (12/16), 9:00 AM, Outside of Church
Elementary School Youth Group: Saturday (12/16), 6:30 PM, gym
Joseph People: Monday (12/18), 7:00 PM, St. Luke
SEAM: Monday (12/18), 7:00 PM, St. Matthew
Advent Penance Service: Tuesday (12/19), 7:00 PM, church and chapel
Chosen Fathers: Tuesday (12/19), 7:30 PM, St. Mark
Cub Scouts: Wednesday (12/20), 5:30 PM, social hall, clc, faculty lounge
New Evangelization Committee: Wednesday (12/20), 7:15 PM, St. Luke
Church Decorating: Thursday (12/21), 6:00 PM; Friday (12/22), 1:00 PM; Sunday (12/24), 12:30 PM, church, chapel, narthex
Saint Elizabeth Roman Catholic Church
Sunday, December 10, 2017
OTHER ACTIVITIES OF INTEREST
St. Charles Borromeo Seminary Open House & Christmas Concert: All are invited to our Open House from 1:00-4:00 PM today, Sunday, December 10. One-hour campus tours begin at 1:00 PM with the last tour beginning at 3:00 PM. The Christmas Concert begins at 4:00 PM in St. Martin of Tours Chapel. This Christmas Concert features the St. Charles Borremo Seminary choir and musicians. Light refreshments will be served prior to the concert. A free-will offering, to benefit The Sisters of Life at St. Malachy’s parish in Philadelphia, will be collected at intermission.
Saint Elizabeth Christmas Ornaments: A limited number of Saint Elizabeth Christmas Ornaments are available by calling Jeanne Rapp (610-405-4155) for $14 each. A sample ornament is available in the Ministry Center. Jeanne, the former owner of Brandywine Flag Company, has some extra inventory of the ornament.
Bishop Shanahan High School: The BSHS Fine Arts Department will present its annual Christmas Concert and Art Exhibit on Friday, December 15 at 7:00 PM. All are invited. Free will offering will be accepted.
IHM Discernment Retreat: Young women (18-35) are invited to join us for a Discernment Retreat Friday, December 15 (6:00 PM) to Sunday, December 17 (1:00 PM) at the Villa Maria House of Studies. This retreat focuses on the IHM Charism and the importance of listening to God’s call and discovering the many ways that God speaks to us. Time will be included for personal and communal prayer as well as the opportunity to interact with the sisters in Formation. For more info and/or to register, email
Malvern Retreat House: Flame of Love Retreat presented by Fr. James Blount, Society of Our Lady of the Trinity-Georgia Mission, on December 15-17. For more info call 610-644-0400, or to register visit malvernretreat.com/register.
St. Mary of Providence Center, Elverson: Christmas Open House, Saturday, December 16 & Sunday, December 17, 1:00-5:00 PM. Tour the Potts Mansion. Visit with Santa on December 17 only. Snacks included. Cost is $10. For more info call 610-942-4166.
St. Mary’s, Conshohocken: All are invited to a special Mass and Christmas Social on Saturday, December 16 at the church and social hall on Elm & Oak Streets. This event will benefit the St. Mary Polish American Society (a non-profit organization working to promote Polish heritage and culture in Montgomery County). Mass will begin at 11:00 AM followed by a delicious meal in the Polish Christmas Eve tradition of Wigilia. All are invited to attend Mass, tickets for the Wigilia meal are $15 per person. Orders are also being taken for frozen pierogi ($9 per dozen) and cinnamon and cheese babka ($15 each). For tickets, babka & pierogi pre-orders, email
St. Basil the Great, Phoenixville: Are you a parent of a special needs child? Do you need support and ministry from other parents who are also raising a special needs child? St. Basil’s is starting a Ministry & Support Group for parents of special needs children. The groups meets on the third Monday of the month at 7:00 PM in the Parish Center. The next meeting is December 18. If interested or for more info, contact Jim King (
Villa Maria Lower School: Children ages 0-4 and a parent or caregiver are invited to a free “Makin’ Music at Villa Maria Academy” program on Monday, January 22, 2018, at 10:00 AM in the gymnasium. RSVP on our website (www.villamaria.org) or contact Erin (
BSHS Winter-Summer Programs: BSHS and Dr. Richard Fuller offers the most comprehensive 35-hour training experience in PSAT/SAT Program in the area (student-teacher ratio of 8:1 in math). Classes begin January 10, 2018. Information is also available on the summer program which includes: Algebra 1 enrichment program (grades 5-9) and Math Programs in Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus and Calculus (all grades); Critical Thinking and Study Skills program (grades 8-12); and a PSAT/SAT Program. Summer classes begin June 18, 2018. For more info, call Dr. Fuller (610-247-5933) or BSHS (610-518-1300).
Retrouvaille Marriage Program: Rediscover the Love in Your Marriage! Tens of thousands of couples have saved their marriages by attending the Retrouvaille weekend and the six post sessions that follow. The next weekend is February 16-18, 2018, at the Family Life Center in Malvern. For more information, or to register, visit www.HelpOurMarriage.com or call 1-800-470-2230. All inquiries are kept strictly confidential.
REAL: Reading Excites All Learners: Join fellow parishioners and make a REAL impact in the life of a 2nd grade student in Chester County. Reading proficiently by third grade is a prime indicator of success in school and in life, yet many children throughout Chester County are reading below grade level. One Volunteer+One Child+One Hour=REAL Success. The REAL program is administered by Partners in Outreach. For more information on how you can help visit www.RealTutoring.org, email Diane Ward at
Haven Foster Care: We are looking for wonderful homes for many children who are in need of compassionate and loving foster care. If you can give a home to one of these children, or would like more information, please contact Kelly at 215-347-4444, Ext. 9.
Malvern Retreat House: There are many wonderful upcoming retreats scheduled. For more information and a list of upcoming retreats, visit www.malvernretreat.com or call 610-644-0400.
Saint Aloysius Academy/Villa Maria Academy Lower School: All are invited to a free Parent Speaker Series on the following dates: Thursday, February 21-Radnor Police Officers presents “Internet Safety for Parents,” at St. Aloysius Academy’s Katharine Drexel Hall; and on Thursday, April 26, Sr. Patricia McCormack, IHM, presents “Raising Christian Children in Today’s World,” VMA Gymnasium. All events begin at 7:00 PM. For more information, email Erin at
Beth Israel Congregation, Chester Springs: Join our Congregation on a tour to Israel, June 19-29, 2018. For more information contact Ayelet Tours, Ltd (www.ayelet.com or 1-800-237-1517). For full itinerary & online registration visit secure.ayelet.com/JCutler2018.aspx.
Saint Elizabeth Roman Catholic Church
Insert to the Parish Bulletin for Sunday, December 10, 2017
SCHEDULE FOR SACRAMENTAL RECONCILIATION IN PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS
All are encouraged to celebrate the sacrament of Penance in preparation for Christmas. Here at Saint Elizabeth, we will have a Communal Reconciliation Service with individual confessions at 7: 00 PM on Tuesday, December 19, and an extended period of confessions (9:00-11:00 AM) on Saturday, December 23. A number of visiting priests will be on hand for both occasions.
There are also Penance Services in area parishes, as follows: on Monday, December 18, at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church and SS. Simon & Jude Church in West Chester; on Tuesday, December 1 9, at St. Patrick Church in Malvern and SS. Peter & Paul Church in West Chester; on Wednesday, December 20, at St. Joseph Church in Downingtown; and on Thursday, December 21, at SS. Philip & James Church in Exton. All begin at 7:00 PM.
Christmas Mass Schedule
Note: Because of the severe over-crowding at the first Mass on Christmas Eve each year, we encourage our regular parishioners, if at all possible, to plan to celebrate Mass at 7:30 PM on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day itself, Thank you for your cooperation!
| Masses of Christmas | |
| Sunday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) | Vigil Mass at 4:30 PM and 7:30 PM |
| Monday, December 25 (Christmas Day) | Mass at 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 1 1 :30 AM |
|
Feast of the Holy Family - Regular Weekend Schedule Saturday Mass at 5:30 PM + Sunday Mass at 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM & I I AM |
|
| Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (New Year's Day) | |
| Note: Because this feaslfalls on a Monday, it is not an obligatory holy day this year. Monda , Januar l, 2018: Mass at 10:00 AM | |
Schedule of Christmas Eve Masses at Area Parishes
St. Basil the Great, Kimberton - 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM and 12:00 Midnight st. Joseph, Downinglown - 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 8:00 PM and 12:00 Midnight St. Peter, West Brandywine - 4:00 PM, 6:30 PM, 9:00 PM
SS. Philip & James, Exton - 4:00 PM & 5:30 PM (with tickets), 7:30 PM and 10:00 PM St. Thomas More, Pottstown - 5:30 PM and 9:00 PM
Greetings to you and to your loved ones from all ofus on the parish staffat Saint Elizabeth. May you and your extendedfamily have a wonderfid Chri.stmas, and may the Holy Fcnnily q/ Jesus, Mary and Joseph bring blessings of health, happiness and peace 10 all lhe individuals, couples andfamilies ofSaint Elizabeth Church through.out the New Year 2018!
Iproclaim to you good news ofgreat joy: today a Savior is born for us, Christ the Lord. (Luke 2/10-11)
It's Timefor No Greater Love - Catholics Coming Home!
October Count Mass Attendance Report: 2013-2017
Each year during October, the parishes of the archdiocese conduct a count of those attending weekend Masses. Here's the summary of attendance at our parish in the years 2013 through 2017:
| October Count | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
| Monthly Total | 8,425 | 8,413 | 10,482 | 9,663 | 8,850 |
| Average by Weekend | 2,106 | 2,096 | 1,933 | ||
| Average by Mass | 527 | 526 | 524 | 483 | 443 |
| Total Households | 2,835 | 2,836 | 2,878 | 2,880 | 2,900 |
| Total Parishioners | 10,232 | 10,233 | 10,369 | 10,294 | 10,343 |
| Percentage | 20.58% | 20.55% | 20.2% | 18.8% | |
| Note: There were five weekend counts in 2015, 2016 and 2017 | |||||
Sadly, the downward trend reflected above matches the pattern of Mass attendance across the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and around the country. Needless to say, each of us needs to reflect prayerfully upon his/her own consistency in Mass attendance, and also to invite other family members and Catholic neighbors to do the same!
This year, our parish is responding to this downward trend with a new approach to inviting Catholic believers in our community to reconsider their participation in the sacramental life of the Church. We are encouraging our parishioners to give a unique "Christmas gift" to their own family members and Catholic neighbors who have been estranged from the Church for any reason whatever.
We invite you to recormnend them to us, so that we can send them a personal invitation to consider enrolling in a special six-week program called: No Greater Love - Catholics Coming Home. The next series begins on Monday, January 8, at 7:00 PM in church.
Now through next weekend special referral cards are available in the pews for church-goers to fill out with the name and contact information of a family member, friend or neighbor who might be open to a gentle re-entry into a more active practice of their Catholic Faith. Without disclosing the name of the one making the referral, we will send them a personal invitation to Catholics Coming Home here at Saint Elizabeth.
Completed referral cards may be placed in the collection basket or returned to the parish office by Monday, December 18. If you have any questions about this outreach program, please contact Deacon Barry Midwood at 610-321-1200 anytime during the week.
So, please take the time today to complete a referral card for someone you love. It's time for No Greater Love-Catholics Coming Home! And this just might be the best Christmas gift you have ever given!