A Word from Father Stokely
The readings from the Old Testament on the Sundays of Lent provide us with a swift journey through salvation history: from Noah and the Great Flood to the story of Abraham and Isaac; from Moses leading the chosen people out of slavery to the new covenant proclaimed by the Israelite prophets, Jeremiah and Ezekiel.
So what is the common thread? God has made a covenant with his people, and even though we have turned away from God - over and over again - He remains faithful. God desires not the death of sinners, but the conversion of their hearts. May these 40 Days of Lent be a time for us to turn our minds and hearts toward the Lord, and to accept the gift of salvation He has won for us.
Fr. John Stokely
Special Lenten Activities
Stations of the Cross & Benediction: in the main church on Fridays at 7:00 PM. Come out on Friday, March 23, for the annual Living Stations of the Cross presented by the eighth graders of the parish school at 1:30 PM and again at 7:00 PM. And don’t miss the K of C Fish Fry in the social hall, 5:00-7:00 PM, that Friday, too!
Operation Rice Bowl: If your family would like to participate in this Lenten program in solidarity with the poor, rice bowls are available in the church narthex.
Sacramental Reconciliation: Individual confessions are heard in chapel on Saturday mornings at 9:00 AM and on Wednesday evenings, 6:30-7:00 PM. The Lenten Communal Penance Service with Individual Confessions will be held on Wednesday, March 21, at 7:00 PM. There will also be an extended period of confessions (9:00-11:00 AM) on Saturday, March 24. A number of visiting confessors will be on hand for both March 21 and March 24.
2018 Stewardship Day of Service
Sign-up today! Check out the insert in this bulletin for information about the 2018 SDOS on Saturday, April 14. Online registration is now open! If you do not have internet access, you may register by calling the Parish Services office ( 610-646-6550).
Mass Intentions for the Week
February 24-25: Second Sunday of Lent
Saturday, 5:30 PM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Deceased of Mc Avoy family
Sunday, 9:30 AM- William Wiedwald
Sunday, 11:30 AM- Robert Glynn & Gerald Corbin
Monday, 7:30 AM- Edward Weed, Sr. (1st Ann)
Tuesday, 7:30 AM- Peter Shields (1st Ann)
Wednesday, 7:30 AM- Paul Karr
Thursday, 7:30 AM- Ellie Hall
Friday, 7:30 AM- Eleanor Angstadt
11:15 AM- Anne Marie Prendergast
Saturday, 8:30 AM-Parish Memorial Mass
Biaggio Ambrosino; James Calista; Sr. Catherine Carroll; Colette Champagne; Shirley Duffy; Anne Kaufmann; Marinell Lamkin; Margaretta Lonergan; John McGuigan; John McNally; Helen O’Driscoll and Victor Szymanski.
March 3-4: Third Sunday of Lent
Saturday, 5:30 PM- Nicholas Sciallo
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Russell Clark (17th Ann)
Sunday, 9:30 AM- George Dippold
Sunday, 11:30 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Readings: Exodus 20/1-17; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 1/22-25; John 2/13-25.
Miraculous Medal Novena: All are welcome to come 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 in the daily Mass chapel.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Exposition is held in the daily Mass chapel on Mondays between 8:00 AM and 8:30 PM. All are welcome to list the names of their loved ones in the Prayer Ministry Book outside the chapel to have them remembered in prayer.
Prayer Corner
Please pray for all those who are ill, including James Curran; Chiara Scotto Di Marco; James Donahue; Carol Ernste; Rosalie Hetrick; Barbara Hieber; Anne Marie Hulsteine; David Krzywicki; John Mayersk; Thomas Melvin; Sandra Martin; Daniel Pflaum; Patricia Planchak; Brad Rabold; Ed Schmitt and Michael Smith.
We also remember those who have died, including parishioner William Hare; Charles Collins, brother of Mary Davies, and Eugene Minahan, father of Barbara Nawn. May they rest in peace!
RCIA News
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 (
A Lenten Gift for the Whole Parish
Here's a gift for you to use in Lent and the rest of the year! There is no cost to you - only your time! Join your fellow parishioners for a 4-week video-based study that will give you A Lent to Remember. This program is a beautiful presentation of the transforming power of mercy in the Sacrament of Confession. To sign up for the Lenten program and all the other materials available, go to STE.Formed.org and the link for register now. Enter your name, email address and create a password and you're in! Think of FORMED as a Catholic Netflix. Peruse the content under Study, Watch, Listen, Read.
Parish School News
Student Applications for 2018-2019: We are now accepting applications for new students in our parish, as well as students from non-parish families. Re-registration for current students and incoming siblings is ongoing. We welcome the chance to show you the benefits of a Saint Elizabeth Parish School education. Please call Liz Oulton at 610-646-6540 for more information and application materials.
Sneak-a-Peek: We are holding two more Sneak-a-Peek Sessions- this Tuesday, February 27, and Wednesday, March 14, 9:30-11:00 AM. This program is designed for new children entering kindergarten or first grade in the 2018-19 school year. Discover what a school day is like at Saint Elizabeth Parish School. For more information, call the school office (610-646-6540).
Financial Aid: Financial aid applications are currently available through FACTS Grant & Aid. All applications must be submitted by March 31st. 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 https://online.factsmgt.com/aid.
Elementary Faith Formation
EFF Volunteers Needed: Our program relies upon dedicated volunteers to serve as office helpers, classroom assistants, substitutes and car-line attendants. To offer your help, call 610-646-6545.
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 February we are praying a simple prayer inviting Jesus into our hearts:
Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me and dying for me on the cross. Thank you for opening to me the way to heaven. I love you very much. I invite you into my heart and to fill me with your peace. Amen.
Check the parish website and Facebook page for weekly posts on this prayer.
Adult Faith Formation
Save the Date: Join us for a special presentation by Deacon Al Mauriello entitled: Time of Decision: The Catholic Perspective on End of Life Issues, on Thursday, March 8, at 9:00 AM and again at 7:00 PM in the St. Matthew conference room. All are welcome!
Baptism News
The next session of Pre-Jordan I: Preparing for Your Child’s Baptism will be held on Saturday, March 10, and the next session of Pre-Jordan II: A Call to Christian Parenting, will be held on Saturday, April 14. 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. All registration and sponsorship forms are now past due in the EFF office. The Confirmation rehearsals will be held on Wednesday, April 25, at 6:00 PM and at 7:30 PM in the social hall & church.
Confirmation retreats for candidates and parents will be held on Saturdays, March 10 (for those with last names A-L) and on March 17 (for those with last names M-Z). Each program begins with Mass at 8:30 AM in church and will conclude by 12:30 PM. Details are being sent to the candidates’ parents.
Liturgical Life Committee
Book Nook: There is a new addition to the Good Shepherd Room - children's books! Our youngest parishioners now have an opportunity to enjoy a book from our Children's Catholic Library (the Book Nook). Pre-school children will enjoy the lively pictures and stories. We ask that parents feel free to use the books during Mass and replace them on the shelf before you leave church. If you have any suggestions for this project, please contact Gen Miceli (gmiceli@stelizabeth parish.org). A special shout out to the Cub Scouts of Saint Elizabeth who designed and built the bookshelf!
Family Life Ministry
It is not too late! Do you know anyone who is divorced or separated and feels alienated from the Catholic church? In an effort to reach out, the Family Life Ministry Team is sponsoring The Catholic's Divorce Survival Guide, an eight week program led by Dr. Diane Thompson. Reach out to those you may know. Invite them to come to the program. The program begins March 6 at 7:00 PM in the Church Library. If you or someone you know would like to attend, please register (so we have enough material) by calling the Parish Services Office (610-646-6550) or email parishservices @stelizabethparish.org.
Social Fellowship News
Free donuts! Stop in the social hall on Sunday, March 11, between 8:30 and 11:00 AM for a donut and a cup of coffee before or after Mass. Bring the kids, meet your friends, make some new ones, or bring along someone who may not have been to a donut social at the parish before!
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 Music Ministry: Meets weekly on Mondays at 7:00 PM in the CLC.
High School Youth Group (Grades 9-12): Meets weekly on Tuesday nights in the CLC, 7:00-8:30 PM.
Elementary School Youth Group: The next Free Play night is on Saturday, March 10, at 6:30 PM in the gym.
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
Adult League: The adult sports program at Saint Elizabeth includes participation in the Downingtown Area Christian Sports League (DACSL.org). Twenty churches participate in the league. Three sports are offered through the year: Men's Basketball, Coed Volleyball, and Summer Softball. The adult sports program also has a men's open gym night at St. Elizabeth gym on Sunday nights. Contact Dave Kelsey at
Think Spring and Track & Field: Registration for the 2018 Track & Field season is now open. The season begins on March 1. For registration information, please visit www.stelizabethparish.org and follow the links for Saint Elizabeth Athletic Ministry (SEAM).
2018 Catholic Charities Appeal
The 2018 Appeal is being conducted now through May. This year's theme, 60 Years of Giving Hope to All, reflects the broad focus of the Catholic Charities appeal in supporting close to 180 beneficiaries. Brochures and donation envelopes are available in the church narthex.
Financial Corner
Thank you for your consistent financial support of our parish community throughout the year.
Regular Collection for February 10-11
Weekend Contributions: $19,116.00
[Amount of Loose Cash: $960.50]
Midweek & Auto-Giving: $19,372.50
Total Regular Collection: $38,488.50
Number of adult envelope contributions: 669
Auto-Giving: Thanks to the 303 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
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.