A Word from Father Stokely
Have you introduced anyone to Jesus lately? In today's Gospel, Andrew brings his brother, Peter, to meet Jesus. The rest, we could say, is history.
We learn from this story that we can make an incredible impact on the lives of our family and friends when we bring them closer to Jesus. For those times that we feel it is difficult to invite others to meet Jesus, we should pray to Saint Andrew for his intercession: that we are never embarrassed to show our love for Christ and excited to bring our loved ones closer to Him.
Fr. John Stokely
First Penance/Reconciliation
All are welcome to attend the celebration of First Penance this Saturday, January 20, at 11:00 AM. The children and their families will meet in the narthex no later than 10:45 AM. Parents and guests are encouraged to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance as well. Some 120 girls and boys are making their first confession as they continue to prepare to receive Holy Communion during the Easter season. May God bless them all!
Exton-Lionville Ministerium News
All are invited to participate in the annual Prayer Service for Christian Unity next Sunday, January 21, at 7:00 PM in the Exton Community Baptist Church. Rev.
Gary Jacabella, pastor of the Exton United Methodist Church, will preach on the 2018 theme: Your Right Hand, O Lord, Glorious in Power (Exodus 15:6). To ensure enough refreshments, please sign up at the bulletin board outside the daily Mass chapel today. Walk-ins are most welcome, too!
Respect Life News: March for Life
This Friday, January 19, the Respect Life Committee and the St. Elizabeth Council, K of C, will jointly sponsor a bus to Washington, D.C., for the annual March for Life. The bus will depart from the church parking lot after the 7:30 AM Mass. The cost is $20.00 per adult and $10.00 per child. Register online with a credit card at www.kofc13141.org or call Chuck Reimer (610-212-9156) ASAP to reserve a seat on the bus.
Interfaith Action Community
Our parishioners are invited to attend an Interfaith Unity Shabbat this Friday, January 19, at 7:30 PM in the Beth Israel synagogue on Pottstown Pike. Join members of local Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Muslim communities to celebrate our common heritage as Americans and speak to the value and dignity of the human spirit. For more info, call 610-458-8550.
Mass Intentions for the Week
January13-14: Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saturday, 5:30 PM- Diane Kovaleski
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Harold Gibson, Jr.
Sunday, 9:30 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Sunday, 11:30 AM- Felix Paradiso
Monday, 7:30 AM- James Joseph Mackrell
Tuesday, 7:30 AM- Intentions of Paul Gebhard
Wednesday, 7:30 AM- Margaret Burke
Thursday, 7:30 AM- Ben Valocchi
Friday, 7:30 AM- Dorothy Vandemeulebroeke
Saturday, 8:30 AM- Lloyd Insetta (10th Ann)
January20-21: Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saturday, 5:30 PM- Carmen Costa, Sr.
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Matthew Haggerty
Sunday, 9:30 AM- Priests of St. Elizabeth Parish
Sunday, 11:30 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Readings: Jonah 3/1-5, 10; Psalm 25;1 Corinthians 7/29-31; Mark 1/14-20
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 Laurence Brescia; James Calista; JoAnn Colletti; Sheila Flynn; Stephen Guminski; Leah Hoopes; Joanne Kovaleski; Marinell Lamkin; Nguyen Lan; Linda Malgieri; Marian Norton; Trinh Phan; Lloyd Shepps and Tammy Swan.
We also remember those who have died, including Eugene Daly, father of Marianne Solenberger; Fiorentino “Pat” Cerullo, husband of Cathy Lewis Cerullo; and Regina Murphy, sister-in-law of Linda Condron. May all our departed loved ones rest in peace!
Welcome New Parishioners
Saint Elizabeth parish warmly welcomes the following individuals, couples and families who registered during December: John & Marianne Drossos; Michael & Julia Ebright, Sr.; Kevin & Dena McGuigan; George & Janet Schneider; Thomas & Janice Seifert. Welcome to all!
Parish School News
Open House for Catholic Schools Week: All are welcome to tour our school on Sunday, January 28, 12:30-2:00 PM. Check out the special insert in today's parish bulletin for more information about the parish school and the application process for new students.
Reminder about Re-Registration: The deadline for re-registration of current students and early application for incoming siblings is Thursday, January 25.
Financial Aid: Financial aid applications are currently available through FACTS Grant & Aid. Late applications must be submitted by March 31. The application link is available on the parish school website, on the Archdiocesan BLOCS website and at https://online. factsmgt.com/aid.
Baptism News
The next session of Pre-Jordan II: A Call to Christian Parenting, will be held on Saturday, February 10 and the next session of Pre-Jordan I: Preparing for Your Child’s Baptism will be held on Saturday, March 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.
Confirmation News
Bishop John McIntyre will celebrate Confirmation at Saint Elizabeth on Saturday, April 28, at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. The rehearsals for Confirmation will be held on Wednesday, April 25, at 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM. The Confirmation retreats for candidates and parents will be held on Saturdays, March 10 and 17. Registration forms and sponsor forms are now past due!
Pastoral Outreach: Advent Giving Tree
Here are some comments received from gift recipients: "We are blessed to have this special relationship with the people of Saint Elizabeth Parish ... thoughtful gifts... beautifully wrapped ... so many smiles and so much thankfulness ... blown away by your generosity ... appreciate the thought you put into them ... praise the Lord!" Thanks to all who participated this year!
Elementary Faith Formation
There are no regular EFF classes this Monday January 15. However, second graders who missed Fr. Mullin’s special presentation on Reconciliation last week are welcome to attend a make-up class this Monday at 4:45 PM or 6:30 PM in church. Parents are most welcome to attend the presentation with their children.
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 January, we are praying the Our Father. Check the parish website and Facebook page for weekly posts on this prayer.
Middle School Faith Formation: Seventh & eighth graders are invited to a study series entitled: Theology of the Body for Teens, Middle School Edition on Monday evenings, January 22 through March 19, 6:30- 7:45 PM. Details and registration are on the parish website. For more info, contact DRE Beth Riordan (610-646-6545 or
Adult Faith Formation
Adult Bible Study: All are invited to a special 8-week series entitled Mary, A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother. The series begins on Tuesday, January 23, either at 9:30-11:00 AM or at 7:00-8:30 PM. Each session includes small group prayer & discussion and a DVD lecture with Dr. Edward Sri from Ascension Press. The cost is $23 for the study guide. Register online by this Tuesday, January 16, at goo.gl/4ZcwZY or call Donna Skinner (610-873-0508).
Family Life Ministry
Enrichment Workshop for Married & Engaged Couples:
Treat yourselves to a special program entitled: The Five Languages of Love on Saturday, February 10, with Mass at 8:30 AM, followed by an interactive workshop, 9:00 AM-Noon, in the social hall. Parishioners Mary and Tom Dominiecki will lead a discussion on how to discover more about each other. Light food and drink will be provided. RSVP by Monday, February 5, to Gen Miceli (
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 learn more about the RCIA by contacting DRE Beth Riordan at 610-646-6545 or
2018 Stewardship Day of Service
As you make plans for 2018, please hold Saturday, April 14, for the Saint Elizabeth Stewardship Day of Service. This is an opportunity for parishioners of all ages to participate in a wonderful service event to help communities in our local area. Why not join us? More details will follow in upcoming parish bulletins.
Senior Adult Ministry
Game Day is back on Thursday, January 25! Fight the winter doldrums and come out and play! Game Day is held in the parish ministry center and starts at 10:30 AM. All are invited - bring a friend!
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): The next meetings will be this Wednesday, January 17, 5:30-7:00 PM in the St. John the Baptist Room.
Elementary Youth Group (Grades K-5): Our next Group Freeplay Night is scheduled for Saturday, January 20, 2018, 6:30-8:30 PM in the parish gym.
Pack 61 Cub Scouts: The next den meetings are this Wednesday, January 17, at 6:00 PM in the CLC.
Weather Notice: ALL youth groups & sports activities are cancelled on same day/night that school is closed or EFF is cancelled. Check the website for updated info.
SEAM
Think Spring and Baseball: CYO baseball registration is open now through February 17. Go to www.stelizabethparish.org; Links; Saint Elizabeth Athletic Ministry (Seam) for registration information.
Knights of Columbus
K of C Free Throw Contest: It’s not too late to register for the 2018 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Competition on Sunday, January 28, 5:15 PM in the parish gym. All boys and girls ages 9-14 are invited to participate in the local level of competition. Go online to www.kofc13141.org and follow the link for Free Throw Championship.
Financial Corner
Thank you for your consistent financial support of our parish community throughout the year.
Regular Collection for December 30-31, 2017
Weekend Contributions: $20,871.84
[Amount of Loose Cash: $1,158.00]
Midweek & Auto-Giving: $22,457.09
Total Regular Collection: $43,328.93
Number of adult envelope contributions: 571
Christmas Collection: To date we have received a total of $141,802.49 from 1,020 donors. For comparison’s sake, last year’s final total for the Christmas collection amounted to $130,326.98 from 1,022 donors. Thank you all for your support of Saint Elizabeth Church!
Auto-Giving: Thanks to the 298 families now participating in Auto-Giving to ensure a consistent financial support to the parish throughout the year. To enroll in Auto-Giving, contact Sam Venuti (610-646-6515 or svenuti @stelizabethparish.org).
Special Collection: The annual collection to support Catholic Relief Services will be taken up at all Masses next weekend. Please use the special collection envelope provided for the appeal and drop your contribution into the basket at church next weekend or send directly to the ministry center during the week.
Tax Statements for 2017: 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 2017 donations are welcome to contact the parish office (610-321-1200) and a statement will be mailed out to you promptly.
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.