A Word from Father Mullin
Jeremiah’s message (today’s first reading) is quite timely for these final two weeks of Lent:
All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the Lord, for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sins no more.
Do you get it? When we experience forgiveness for our sins, we come to know more fully who God really is!
It’s not too late to experience God’s merciful forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Come out for confession this Wednesday, March 21, at 7:00 PM, or this Saturday, March 24, 9:00-11:00 AM. A number of visiting confessors will be available on both occasions.
Fr. Tom Mullin
Special Lenten Activities
Living Stations of the Cross: This Friday, March 23, the eighth graders of the parish school will present a Living Stations of the Cross at 1:30 PM and again at 7:00 PM. All are most welcome to attend this Lenten service, as well as the K of C Fish Fry in the social hall, 5:00-7:00 PM. Check out the insert in today’s bulletin.
Reconciliation Opportunities at Area Parishes: Our parishioners are welcome to attend a Penance Service with Individual Confessions at these local parishes: on Tuesday, March 20, at SS. Peter & Paul Church in West Chester; on Wednesday, March 21, at SS. Simon & Jude Church in West Chester; on Monday, March 26, at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church in West Chester; and at St. Patrick Church in Malvern; on Tuesday, March 27, at St. Joseph Church in Downingtown; and on Wednesday, March 28, at SS. Philip & James Church in Exton. All these services begin at 7:00 PM.
Pastoral Council Elections
We are now accepting nominations for four vacancies on the pastoral council. If you or someone you know in the parish may be interested in offering stewardship service to the pastoral council, please pick up a nomination form on the table in the narthex after Mass. Self-nominations are most welcome! The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, April 4.
Mass Intentions for the Week
March 17-18: Fifth Sunday of Lent
Saturday, 5:30 PM- Albert & Nellie Riviezzo
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Rose Caruso (4th Ann)
Sunday, 9:30 AM- Agnes & Edward Mc Namara
Sunday, 11:30 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Monday, 7:30 AM- Josephine Spino & Gloria San Giacomo (1st Ann)
Tuesday, 7:30 AM- Edward Szabla
Wednesday, 7:30 AM- Regina Black
Thursday, 7:30 AM- Martha Mathis (1st Ann)
Friday, 7:30 AM- Paul Taraschi
Saturday, 8:30 AM- Catherine Dougherty
March 24-25: Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Saturday, 5:30 PM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Eleanor Angstadt
Sunday, 9:30 AM- John & Irene Palumbo
Sunday, 11:30 AM- Eric Fieo
Readings: Isaiah 50/4-7; Psalm 22; Philippians 2/6-11; Mark 14/1-15/47
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 normally held in the daily Mass chapel on Mondays between 8:00 AM and 8:30 PM. This Monday, March 19, Exposition will close at 6:30 PM to accommodate the RCIA session in the chapel that evening.
Prayer Corner
Please pray for all those who are ill, including Amy Armstrong; John Ausilio; Cecile Bachmann; John Collins; Chiara Scotto Di Marco; James Donahue; Sheila Flynn; Lori Gladnick; Sara Grozinski; Frieda Hoffmann; Helen Jankowski; Ellwood Kirk; Elizabeth Lien; Sandra Martin; Daniel Patterson; Patricia Planchak; Jane Rolen; Anne Thomas; Catherine Tyas and Raymond Whitehead.
We also remember those who have died, including Donald Capuano, father of David Capuano. May all our departed loved ones rest in peace!
Dramatic Gospel Presentation
Emmy award winning actor, Frank Runyeon, will bring to life the famous parables from Luke’s travel narrative during his performance of Luke: Stories on the Road. Don’t miss this special evening that is both entertaining and eye-opening!
Frank will take us on a journey from Nazareth to Jerusalem while weaving in stories from his own life in order to help us hear the parables that relate to our own lives. Plan now to come out for this unique and very special presentation on Sunday, April 22, at 7:00 PM in the church. Bring your family and friends, too - this is a free performance!
2018 Stewardship Day of Service
The deadline to register for the 2018 Stewardship Day of Service is fast approaching! Please don’t delay - sign up before Easter Sunday, April 1, so that we can make plans for the day! Go to www.stelizabethparish.org and follow the Stewardship Day of Service link for more details and to complete online registration. If you have any questions or need help with registration, contact Parish Services Director, Gen Miceli (610-646-6550).
Respect Life Committee
40 Days for Life: Chester County's Pro Life Coalition will take part in 40 Days for Life. The parish Respect Life Committee and the Saint Elizabeth Council, Knights of Columbus, have arranged for Saturday, March 24, to be our day to stand as a community. If you wish to participate with other members of the parish for all or any part of the day, register at www.kofc 13141.org or contact Chuck Reimer (610-212-9156 or
Pastoral Outreach
Casserole Collection: Thank you to all who prepared casseroles this month; a total of 96 casseroles were sent to St. John's Hospice. The next collection is on the weekend of April 7-8. If you have any questions about the program, please contact Jen Bauhaus (
Easter Food Collection: Another big thank you to all who contributed a ham and food for the Easter food baskets. The baskets will be distributed through St. Agnes Day Room in West Chester and the Lord's Pantry in Downingtown. Thanks to one and all!
Liturgical Environment Committee
The committee is looking for some new stewardship volunteers to serve on the Church Decorating Team. The team has a very busy schedule during the Easter Season and we would love to have you join us. Every level of experience is welcome and no past experience is required! For more info, call Maria Jacobs 610-246-4900.
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 (
Parish School News
Odyssey of the Mind: Congratulations to our Odyssey of the Mind teams who competed in the Regional Competition at Millersville University this past weekend. Two of our teams are moving on to the State Competition on April 7. The 8th Grade team, coached by Melissa Miller, placed 1st in the competition, while the mixed grade team (grades 5, 6 & 7- all novices this year!), coached by Maureen Bellafante, won 2nd place. Kudos to one and all!
Applications for 2018-2019: We are already planning for a great 2018-2019 school year, and we would like your family to be a part of it! Please contact Mrs. Liz Oulton (610-646-6540) to arrange for a tour and to pick up application materials.
Parish School Facebook Page: To see the latest photos and videos of what our students have been up to, please visit www.facebook.com/SaintElizabethParishSchool. It’s another great way to stay informed!
Adult Faith Formation: FORMED
Have you signed up for FORMED? The parish has purchased a subscription for this online portal, a kind of Catholic Netflix, that offers videos, books, children's materials and more. To sign up for your free parish membership, go to STE.Formed.org and "register now." Enter your name, email address, create a password and you're in! Explore the movies under “Watch” and/or have a look around and enjoy all that FORMED offers!
Elementary Faith Formation
Teen Aides Needed: Students in grades 7-12 are invited to join our EFF team. Get great experience working with children and developing leadership skills. Contact DRE Beth Riordan (briordan@ stelizabethparish.org or 610-646-6545) to volunteer.
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 March we are praying the Act of Contrition. Why not pray this prayer together each night through the month of March?
Baptism News
The next session of Pre-Jordan II: A Call to Christian Parenting, will be held on Saturday, April 14 and the next session of Pre-Jordan I: Your Baby’s Baptism will be held on Saturday, May 12. 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.
Youth Ministry News
Register now! Go to the front page of the parish website (www.stelizabethparish.org) or email 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.
Kairos Retreat: Please remember in prayer the teens and adult leaders who are making a Kairos retreat this Thursday-Sunday, March 22-25.
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
Basketball: Now that basketball season has come to an end, it is time to thank many people: Greg Grant and Vince O'Connell, our elementary and high school basketball commissioners; all the volunteer coaches and parents who supported the program; and the players who represented Saint Elizabeth on our 17 teams and 2 basketball clinics (with over 225 youth playing).
Thanks to our Athletic Director, Bob Ferraro, for all his time in leading the SEAM program. A special shout out to the JV Boy's Parish Team, coached by Marty Drury, who won the championship of their bracket! For more information about CYO sports at Saint Elizabeth follow the link from the parish website to SEAM (Saint Elizabeth Athletic Ministry).
St. Basil the Great CYO Co-Ed H.S. Volleyball: High School students (9th-12th graders) are welcome to join the St. Basil Co-Ed Volleyball team. The team is forming now with practices 1-2 nights per week and matches on Sunday nights. For more info and questions, contact Jim Foster (
Knights of Columbus
The April 21 bus trip to the Saint John Paul II Shrine and the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, has been cancelled due to an insufficient number of participants. All monies paid by those who already signed up will be refunded in the near future. Thank you to all who signed up.
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 March 3-4
Weekend Contributions: $22,468.25
[Amount of Loose Cash: $1,059.75]
Midweek & Auto-Giving: $22,149.50
Total Regular Collection: $44,617.75
Number of adult envelope contributions: 713
Special Collections: Thanks for your support of this weekend’s special collection to support the Catholic Church in Africa. The annual collection in support of Catholic churches and shrines in the Holy Land will be taken up on Good Friday, March 30.
Full-Time Nanny Position
A parish family in the Downingtown area is looking for a full-time nanny with their own transportation, Monday thru Friday. The family has three children (5, 4 and 1); the older two are attending K and pre-K programs until 3:00 PM. If interested please call/text Carolina at 617- 913-8453.
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.