A Word from Father Stokely
St. Paul urges the Ephesians (and us too!) to practice the Christian virtues of humility, gentleness and patience. Humility: to know our true value in relation to God and others. Gentleness: to exercise strength with kindness and restraint. Patience: to wait in serenity for the good we desire.
There are countless virtues that enable us to become better disciples, but these three are an excellent start. Just imagine if we saw a bit more humility, gentleness, and patience on TV, social media, at work, or at home… the sincere practice of these virtues would radically transform the world (for the better!) from how we see it today. Fr. John Stokely
Congratulations, Father Chambers
Our longtime weekend pastoral assistant, Father Francis Chambers, OSA, is celebrating the gift of the priesthood at the 11:30 AM Mass this weekend, as he marks the fortieth anniversary of his priestly ordination. All are welcome to a simple reception in the social hall immediately following the 11:30 AM Mass. May God continue to bless Fr. Chambers and his pastoral ministry, both at Villanova University and here at Saint Elizabeth Church!
Liturgical Ministry- A Call to Serve
Have you thought about it? Have you prayed about it? Are you ready to commit to becoming a liturgical minister? We have a place for everyone! Will you respond to this call? We need more stewardship volunteers for every liturgical ministry. We can accommodate your family schedules, too!
An added bonus is a special presentation by Fr. Stephen Thorne on Saturday morning, September 8, directed to both veteran and new liturgical ministers. Fr. Thorne will address the importance of what all the liturgical ministers do at Mass.
So please pick up a liturgical ministry availability form in the narthex, fill it out and turn it in to the parish office. For more information contact Gen Miceli (610-646-6550 or
Don't just go to church, be the church!
Mass Intentions for the Week
July 28-29: 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saturday, 5:30 PM- J. Bradford Moser
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Frank Tyas
Sunday, 9:30 AM- Ed & Joanne Musuras
(58th Wed. Ann)
Sunday, 11:30 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Monday, 7:30 AM- Joseph Dimino
Tuesday, 7:30 AM- Julia Cabacungan
Wednesday,7:30 AM- Martha Mathis
Thursday, 7:30 AM- Gladys Godfrey
Friday, 7:30 AM- Regina Black
Saturday, 8:30- Parish Memorial Mass
William Amarant, Sr.; Anthony Bisaccia; Thomas Guertin; Rosemary Magee; Mary Jane Mc Bratnie; Judy Mitchell; Lisa Mullen; Daniel Mullin; Lillian Schieman; Edward Vasoli and Gerard Weber.
August 4-5: 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saturday, 5:30 PM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Duffy, Fox & De Cicco Families
Sunday, 9:30 AM- Margaret & Patrick Cooney
Sunday, 11:30 AM- Grace Ferraro (10th Ann)
Readings: Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15; Psalm78; Ephesians 4:17, 20-24; John 6:24-35
Sacramental Confession: Individual confessions are heard in the daily Mass chapel on Saturday mornings at 9:00 AM. You can also make a personal appointment for confession by calling the parish ministry center (610-321-1200).
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Please note that between now and August 27, Exposition will close at 4:30 PM on Monday afternoons.
Prayer Corner
Please pray for all those who are ill, including Lawrence Brescia; Janice Buus; Katharine Buzin; Paul Carachilo; Daphne Cooper; John Cruice; Chiara Scotto DiMarco; Stephen Gray; Christine Harding; Bryson Johnson; Linda Malgieri; Catherine Micucci; Daniel Patterson; Pietro Sano; Diane Schell; Josephine Sugg and Nora Wagner.
We also remember those who have died, including Lillian Schieman, sister-in-law of Robert Schieman.
2019 Mass Intention Book
Beginning on Tuesday, August 7, personal intentions may be arranged for Masses to be celebrated at Saint Elizabeth throughout 2019. One Mass each Sunday and holy day is reserved for the people of the parish. Unannounced intentions may be arranged at the parish office for Masses celebrated by retired priests.
To make arrangements for personal intentions, please stop in the parish ministry center during regular office hours (8:00 AM-4:00 PM weekdays; 8:45 AM-12:45 PM Sundays). A free will offering is requested when making arrangements. Deceased parishioners and benefactors of Saint Elizabeth are remembered at all parish Masses throughout the year.
Parish School News
Check out what families have to say about our parish school by going online to the school website: http:// www.stelizabethparishschool.org/family-testimonials. Here's one sample from the Schaeffer Family:
"We wanted to raise our six boys in a structured environment that would build a solid foundation with a strong emphasis on Catholic values. Saint Elizabeth has taught our boys to live as Jesus would; to have unconditional love, respect, and an intimate relationship with the Lord."
The application period for next year remains open for all grade levels. Contact Liz Oulton at eoulton@ stelizabethparish.org or 610-646-6540. Visit our website at www.stelizabethparishschool.org.
Elementary Faith Formation
Registration for 2018-2019: Online registration is open for children in grades K-6. We also have special sessions for middle school and high school youth who have not yet received First Holy Communion and/or Confirmation. Go to the parish website (www.stelizabethparish. org) and follow the links under "Education" or contact Beth Riordan (
Stewardship Call: Get involved in an amazing ministry- join the EFF Team! All gifts and talents are needed for positions from car line attendant to catechist (teacher). We also welcome teens in grades 7-12 to serve as classroom aides. Those interested in applying should contact Beth Riordan (
Pre-Cana Program
The next Pre-Cana programs for engaged couples will be held on Friday-Saturday, September 21-22, 2018, and on Friday-Saturday, January 25-26, 2019. To register for either program, go to the parish website (www.stelizabethparish.org) and click on Parish.. sacraments..marriage..Pre-Cana program registration.
If you would like to become part of the Pre-Cana team or if you have questions, contact Gen Miceli in the parish services office (610-646-6550).
Baptism News
The next presentation of Pre-Jordan II: A Call to Christian Parenting will be held on Saturday, August 11, and the next presentation of Pre-Jordan I: Your Baby’s Baptism will be held on Saturday, September 8. Both programs begin at 10:30 AM. To register for a Pre-Jordan Program and/or to arrange for a baptism, call the parish office (610-321-1200).
RCIA News
RCIA Inquiry: "One thing I ask of the Lord, this I seek: to dwell in the Lord's house all the days of my life" (Psalm 27:4). All those seeking to learn more about the Catholic faith are welcome to our inquiry sessions. For more information, contact Beth Riordan (
FORMED
Don’t take a vacation from your vocation. Stay connected to your faith through family movies, audio dramas (for road trips) and much more! To sign up for your free parish Formed membership, go to STE.Formed.org and "register now." Enter your name, email address, create a password and you're in! Be sure to check out the “community” page to see what we are posting for you.
Family Life Ministry-Chosen Fathers
Being a good dad day-in and day-out is not an easy task. Yet raising children with special needs can make fatherhood even more challenging. At Saint Elizabeth, there is a group for fathers of children of all ages with special needs in all their many shapes, forms and sizes. The Chosen Fathers group invites fathers of children with physical, mental, sensory, or emotional challenges to their meetings aimed at enabling dads to follow Christ’s example of love, patience, mercy and service in raising and supporting their children. Come on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:30 - 8:45 PM to St. Luke Conference Room in the Mullin Ministry Center. For questions or more information, contact Joe Howard (
Joseph’s People
If you are unemployed, underemployed or in transition, you are welcome to attend Joseph's People. The next meeting will be held on Monday, August 20, at 7:00 PM in St. Luke. All are welcome. For more information contact Dan Winand (
Pastoral Outreach Events
Sharing Our Bounty: The response to the needs of those less fortunate is always overwhelming at Saint Elizabeth. The next opportunity to give is our school supply collection. The commercials are on TV and the school supplies are in the stores. The sales are on! Are you shopping for your children? grandchildren? yourself? The Sharing Our Bounty Committee will be sponsoring a collection of school supplies on the weekend of August 11-12 for needy students in our area. Please consider picking up some extra supplies to help students who struggle to have the supplies they need. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Youth Ministry News
Save the Dates: Middle school & high school youth are welcome to participate in a day trip to Hawk Mountain on Wednesday, August 1, and/or a day trip to Philadelphia on Wednesday, August 15. For more info, check the parish website (www.stelizabethparish.org) or contact Ryan Schwalm (rschwalm@stelizabeth parish.org).
High School Youth Group: meets weekly on Tuesday nights, 7:00-8:30 PM in the CLC.
2018 High School Mission Trip: Welcome home to the high school teens and adult leaders who participated in a week-long mission trip in Pittsburgh this past week. Thanks to Ryan Schwalm and the entire mission group for their good example of concern for the needy!
United Way
If you intend to make a United Way donation, please consider Saint Elizabeth CYO. The money you donate is used to help purchase equipment and uniforms for our sports teams. Our Athletic Ministry (SEAM) sponsors volleyball, baseball, soccer, cross country, softball, cheerleading, basketball, track and field.
The United Way numbers for Saint Elizabeth are: ·Chester County 174276
.UW of Greater Philadelphia and Southern NJ 3600863
·Delaware 2945608
·Capital Region (Harrisburg) 279826
·EWAY 066822
Thank you to all who have designated Saint Elizabeth CYO for their past United Way contributions, too!
SEAM
CYO Cheer: Registration is open on the SEAM website (check the parish website for the link), now through August 31. Cheer is a 2-season sport, running from September through February. The mini-squad is open to grades 3-4; the varsity team is open to grades 5-8. All pertinent information and important dates are on the SEAM website under the Cheer tab.
Girls Fall CYO Volleyball: Registration is open now through August 10! Girls in grades 4-7 can now register online by going to the parish website and follow the "link" to Saint Elizabeth Athletic Ministry. Practices start before school starts, so register now. Coaches and parents needed! To volunteer, contact Craig Bauhaus (
Financial Corner
Thank you for your consistent financial support of our parish community throughout the year.
Regular Collection for July 14-15, 2018
Weekend Contributions: $19,174.57
[Amount of Loose Cash: $ 968.76]
Midweek & Auto-Giving: $20,009.50
Total Regular Collection: $39,184.07
Number of adult envelope contributions: 609
The Mission Cooperation Collection will be taken up on the weekend of August 11-12. This year we will welcome Brother Dennis Lee, FSC, the newly-elected provincial of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.
The annual appeal to support the Catholic University will be taken up on the weekend of August 18-19.
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.