A Word from Father Mullin
Christ is risen, Alleluia.
He is risen indeed, Alleluia!
It is with great sadness that I write these words today. The troubling information made public last weekend about the dishonesty and financial mismanagement of my friend and colleague, Msgr. Joseph McLoone, the former pastor of St. Joseph Church in Downingtown, places a painful burden of disappointment, frustration and anger, and deep distrust upon the parishioners there, and upon many other Catholics as well. I encourage you all to remember in prayer today our neighbors in the faith community of Saint Joseph Church!
All too often, we priestly shepherds fall far short in our efforts to represent Jesus, the Good Shepherd, in leading God’s People. Our personal sinfulness and our pastoral failures can seriously undermine the faith of our people.
I myself am made more aware of my own shortcomings as a pastoral leader and humbly ask your forgiveness for the ways I have weakened your faith over the eighteen years I have served as pastor here at St. Elizabeth. In the words of Psalm 69:7: “O Lord, let not the people who hope in you be put to shame through me.”
In this season of Easter hope, may Jesus, the Good Shepherd, bring healing and renewed trust to the people of Saint Joseph Church, and to all who are struggling to believe in the Church and in its pastors.
Fr. Tom Mullin
Dramatic Gospel Presentation
Don’t miss it: Come out tonight, Sunday, April 22, at 7:00 PM for an entertaining and eye-opening evening with Emmy award winning actor Frank Runyeon. He will bring to life the famous parables from Luke's travel narrative during his one-person dramatic performance of Luke: Stories on the Road.
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 as stories about our own lives here in the present. Bring the family and your friends - the presentation and refreshments are free!
Confirmation News
This Saturday, we welcome Bishop John J. McIntyre, who will celebrate Confirmation here at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Candidates and their sponsors should arrive at the church at least 45 minutes in advance of each liturgy. Note that because of the Confirmation liturgies there will be no confessions at 9:00 AM this Saturday.
Confirmation rehearsals: Candidates are reminded of the rehearsals this Wednesday, April 25, at 6:00 PM for the 10:00 AM Confirmation liturgy, and at 7:30 PM for the 2:00 PM liturgy. Rehearsals begin in the social hall and conclude in the church. Questions may be directed to Gen Miceli (610-646-6550).
Mass Intentions for the Week
April 21-22: Fourth Sunday of Easter
Saturday, 5:30 PM- Rev. Kevin Kelly
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Rita Cooke
Sunday, 9:30 AM- Deceased of the Laager Family
Sunday, 11:30 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Monday, 7:30 AM- Paul Taraschi
Tuesday, 7:30 AM- John Tunnell
Wednesday, 7:30 AM- John Lamkin
Thursday, 7:30 AM- Mark Bradlee
Friday, 7:30 AM- Gerald Murphy
Saturday, 8:30 AM- Richard Sylvester
April 28-29: Fifth Sunday of Easter
Saturday, 5:30 PM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Salvatore D’Uva
Sunday, 9:30 AM- Nora Mc Aleer
Sunday, 11:30 AM- Luci Lynch-Murtha & Martin Mattus
Readings: Acts of the Apostles 9/26-31; Psalm 22; 1 John 3/18-24; John 15/1-8
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Exposition is normally held in the daily Mass chapel on Mondays between 8:00 AM and 8:30 PM.
RCIA News
RCIA Inquiry: Do you know someone who may be interested in the Catholic faith? Please invite them to learn more about the RCIA by contacting DRE Beth Riordan (
Prayer Corner
Please pray for all those who are ill, including Millie Butler; Hannah Deese; Chiara Scotto Di Marco; Stephen Gray; Frieda Hoffmann; Karen Johnson; Maren Kaniewski; David Krzywicki; Claire Lang; Paul Logue, Jr.; Geraldine Mc Dowell; Catherine Micucci; Mary Ann Obyc; Janice Prezuhy; Kathryn Shinn and Marie Sminkey.
We also remember those who have died including parishioner Edward Wysocki, husband of Erica Wysocki; parishioner Catherine Tyas, mother of Lynn O’Leary; Lee Layton, father of Joseph Layton; Patricia Ostrowski, mother of Karen Burkey; Joan O’Brien, mother of Joan Viscuso; Joseph & Maureen Kerrigan, parents of Maureen Mack; Joan King, mother of Lori Mulhall. May all our departed loved ones rest in peace!
Stewardship Day of Service
Thanks to the almost 300 parishioners of all ages who participated in the 2018 SDOS last Saturday, April 14. A word of appreciation to all the site leaders, participating service agencies and our planning team! Watch for pictures on the parish website. Thank you all- We Are God's Hands!
Baptism News
The next session of Pre-Jordan I: Your Baby’s Baptism will be held on Saturday, May 12, and the next session of Pre-Jordan II: A Call to Christian Parenting, will be held on Saturday, June 9. Both programs begin at 10:30 AM. To register for a Pre-Jordan Program and/or to arrange for a baptism, call 610-321-1200.
First Holy Communion News
Congratulations to the following children who are receiving First Holy Communion next weekend:
Saturday, 10:00 AM-Owen Hendricks and Grace Howard.
Saturday, 2:00 PM- Hannah Todd; Ryan Walsh and Madeline Yurick.
Sunday, 9:30 AM- Michael Ardoline; Rebecca Blevins; Matthew Colandene; Riley Coulter; Jack Cruice; Andrew DeAnna; Lorella Dougherty; Nicholas Fioravanti; Alex Jones; Madison Mills; Vivienne Moore; Grayson Stottlemyer and Ryleigh Terefenko.
Sunday, 11:30 AM- Lucas Furbee; Brendan and Madeleine Johnson.
Kudos to one and all!
Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW)
Do you ever wonder why our 4 to 7 year olds are invited to join a procession during our 9:30 and 11:30 AM Masses? These little ones participate in Children's Liturgy of the Word. Adult and teen ministers help them to pray, listen, share and respond to God's Word in a language they can understand.
Perhaps you would like to share your gifts with our children so that they may fully celebrate God's presence in their lives. To learn more about this rewarding ministry, please contact Beth Riordan (610-646-6545;
Legion of Mary News
Marian Consecration: Join the Legion of Mary for a presentation by DRE Beth Riordan on the “Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary” this Thursday, April 26, 7:00 PM in the St. Matthew Conference Room. For more information and/or to register contact Janet Van Alstyne (
Walking with Purpose
All adult women are invited to join WWP’s Spring Scripture Study - "Living in the Father's Love." This 6 week study aims to reveal how deeply relevant the Gospels are to our relationships, both with God and with those we love. The study runs on Wednesdays, April 25 to May 30, 7:00-9:00 PM in the St. Matthew conference room. For more info & registration, contact Ginny Swiatek (
Elementary Faith Formation
With just a few weeks remaining of an amazing year, we look forward to several special events:
Mondays, April 30 & May 7: Food collection and assembly of Aid for Friends Breakfast Bags by our 5th and 6th grades. This project benefits the elderly poor, who often cannot afford both medicine and food.
Thursday, May 3: Make up session for those who have missed three or more weekly sessions this term.
Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday, May 14, 15 & 16: Closing Prayer Services for the 2017-2018 EFF year.
We love our EFF volunteers! If you would like to join our EFF team, contact DRE Beth Riordan (briordan @stelizabethparish.org; 610-646-6545).
Family Life Ministry
Evening of Prayer and Addiction Information: All are invited to an evening of prayer, reflection and shared resources on Tuesday, May 1, 7:00 PM, in the church. United in prayer, we will listen and learn what active steps we can take to respond to the opioid crisis and other addictions in our community. For more info about this event, check out the flyer in today’s bulletin and/or call the parish services office (610-646-6550).
Bereavement Ministry
The parish community of Saint Elizabeth along with the Bereavement Ministry invites you and your family to join the celebration of a Mass to honor all our mothers, mothers-in-law and grandmothers who have died. We also invite mothers who have suffered the loss of a child. This liturgy will be celebrated on Saturday, May 12, at 8:30 AM in the church. We will be serving coffee and donuts after Mass and hope to see you there. RSVP to Gen Miceli (
Sister Parish News
All are invited to join the St. Elizabeth Guitar Group for a visit to our sister parish, Visitation BVM, in Philadelphia at the 10:00 AM Mass on Sunday, May 6. For more information, check out the flyer in today’s bulletin and/or contact Susan Brennan at 610-639-1078 or
Senior Adult Ministry (SAM)
Seniors, come out for Game Day this Thursday, April 26, at 10:30 AM in the ministry center. Join your neighbors and friends from Saint Elizabeth this week and/or on the fourth Thursday of each month (May 24, June 28 and July 26). All are invited - bring a friend!
Lunch & Learn: Thank you to all who came to Jim Murray’s presentation on April 12. The next program will be on Thursday, May 17, when guest speaker Catherine Quillman will speak about "Milford Mills: the Lost Village." Learn about the farms and homesteads taken by eminent domain in the 1950's thru 1970's in order to create the present-day Marsh Creek State Park.
Pastoral Council News
As previously announced, four elected members of the current pastoral council are completing their terms this June. Because only four parishioners were nominated, all four have been “elected by acclamation” and will serve a three-year term July 2018 through June 2021.
They include two returning members (David Guthrie and Marie Martini) and new members (Jeffrey Heary and Laurie-Anne Jones). In addition, Alison Cruice and Marie Hellgoth have accepted appointments to the pastoral council as well. Thanks to all the council members for their generous stewardship service to the parish community!
Youth Ministry News
Get Involved Now! For information about youth ministry at Saint Elizabeth, go to the front page of the parish website (www.stelizabethparish.org) or email Ryan Schwalm (
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.
Middle School & 8th Grade Youth Groups: Both groups will meet on Wednesday, May 2, at 5:30 PM.
Financial Corner
Thank you for your consistent financial support of our parish community throughout the year.
Regular Collection for April 7-8:
Weekend Contributions: $23,581.72
[Amount of Loose Cash: $1,840.22]
Midweek & Auto-Giving: $ 6,603.50
Total Regular Collection: $30,185.22
Number of adult envelope contributions: 634
Auto-Giving: Parishioners can contribute to the regular collection on a weekly or monthly basis with direct debits or automatic withdrawals from your checking or savings account. More than 300 parishioners are already using Auto-Giving. To enroll, please call Sam Venuti in the parish business office (610-646-6515).
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.
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.