Word from Father John
Our parish community is pleased to welcome Deacon Carson Kain from the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska. Deacon Kain is a transitional deacon, which means that he is in the final stage of seminary formation before being ordained to the priesthood in the Spring. We look forward to having Deacon Kain assisting at the altar at weekend Masses now through May.
In addition, two seminarians from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary have been assigned to our parish for their Field Education Apostolate this year. Mr. Timothy Courtney, from the Diocese of Arlington, VA, and Mr. Ross Williams, from the Diocese of Raleigh, NC, will be coming to the parish on Thursdays to teach in school, visit the sick and learn more about parish life.
We are delighted to have Tim, Ross and Deacon Kain with us this year! Let's keep them in our prayers on their journey toward ordination, so that they may one day serve God’s People as good and holy priests.
Fr. John Stokely
Parish Open Town Meeting
In the weeks since the release of the PA Grand Jury Report on the sexual abuse of minors by clergy, a number of parishioners have expressed their disheartened, troubled and often angry response over this terrible scandal within the Church.
On Sunday, September 30, at 7:00 PM, we will hold an open town meeting in the parish social hall for those adult or young adult parishioners of Saint Elizabeth who would like to share their concerns in the wake of the grand jury report. The meeting will include a short prayer service and an informal discussion among the participants. If you would like to attend, please call the parish ministry center (610-321-1200) by Wednesday, September 26, so that adequate materials and refreshments may be prepared for the meeting.
Christ Renews His Parish Renewal
Please check out the insert in today’s parish bulletin for registration information about the next women’s overnight renewal on September 28-29, and the next men’s overnight renewal on October 19-20, 2018.
Mass Intentions for the Week
September 15-16: 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saturday, 5:30 PM- Rita Cooke (1st Ann)
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Angie Sciaretti
Sunday, 9:30 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Sunday, 11:30 AM- Glenn & Ann Marie Kowalski (25th Wedding Ann)
Monday, 7:30 AM- Helen O’Driscoll
Tuesday, 7:30 AM- Rita Chambers
Wednesday,7:30 AM- Mariann Venuti (1st Ann)
Thursday, 7:30 AM- Marinell Lamkin
Friday, 7:30 AM- Edward & Susan Schmitz
Saturday, 8:30 AM- Nicholas Marino
September 22-23: 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saturday, 5:30 PM- Kelsey Kramer
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Harold Gibson, Jr.
Sunday, 9:30 AM- Charles Boyle (14th Ann)
Sunday, 11:30 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Readings: Wisdom 2/12, 17-20; Psalm 54; James 3/16-4/3; Mark 9/30-37
Prayer Corner
Please pray for all those who are ill, including Lucian Antonucci; Joseph Brova; Phyllis Dippold; Sonny Drouilhet; Peter Ferraro; Paul Geary; Barbara Hieber; Gloria Makoid; Frank McClatchy; Daniel Patterson; William Sepple and Judy Tomarelli.
We also remember those who have died, including parishioner Edward Musuras, husband of Joanne Musuras. May our departed loved ones rest in peace!
Interfaith Action Committee
The parish Interfaith Action Committee invites all to a panel discussion at the Lionville Community YMCA on Thursday, September 27, at 7:00 PM. Father Mullin will join religious leaders from the Beth Israel Congregation (Jewish), the Islamic Society of Chester County (Muslim) and the Hari Om Mandir (Hindu) to discuss the use of Sacred Texts in each religious tradition. There will be potluck refreshments for sharing - please list all ingredients on a card with your platter. RSVP to Melissa Schleyer (mschleyer@ ymcagbw.org or 610-363-9622).
RCIA Inquiry
If you have a non-Catholic spouse, another relative, friend or neighbor who might be interested in learning about the Catholic Faith by participating in the RCIA, please encourage them to contact Deacon Kevin Mead (
Baptism News
The next presentation of Pre-Jordan II: A Call to Christian Parenting will be held on Saturday, October 13, and the next presentation of Pre-Jordan I: Your Baby’s Baptism will be held on Saturday, November 10. 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).
Stewardship Service as Liturgical Ministers
Call for New Ministers: Many of our current liturgical ministers are completing their terms of service next month. We are looking for parishioners to step up to be extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, lectors, parish greeters or hospitality ministers, ushers or sound techs, and team members for the Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW). To offer your stewardship service and/or for more info, stop by the information station in the church narthex or contact Gen Miceli (610-646-6550;
Elementary Faith Formation
The new EFF year has now begun, thanks to the 130+ volunteers! We are still in need of catechists for 3rd and 4th grade on Tuesday afternoons (4:45 to 6:00 PM), a teacher aide for 4th grade on Monday afternoons, and car-line support for each session. Car-line only requires 20 minutes of your week! No experience necessary. Training is provided! To volunteer, email DRE Beth Riordan (
It's not too late to register! Online registration is open for children in grades K-6. Go to stelizabethparish.org and click on "Education." If you are new to the parish or have children that are new to the EFF program, please contact Beth Riordan directly (610-646-6545 or
Teenage RCIA: Teens in need of the Sacraments are encouraged to join our engaging formation group. Contact Beth Riordan (
Middle School Faith Formation
It can be quite challenging when your middle-school child asks, “Why do I have to go to Mass?” How do we instill in our children an appreciation and enthusiasm for the Mass?
Altaration: The Mystery of the Mass Revealed is a new five-part study on the Mass for 7th and 8th graders. The study features powerful cinematography, inspiring presenters and engaging workbook resources.
Altaration uses humor, stories and small group discussion to capture your teen's attention and instill in them a deep and lasting love for the Mass. The program will be held in the CLC on Monday evenings, 6:30-7:45 PM, October 15 thru November 19. For more info, please call Beth Riordan (610-646-6545).
Blessing of the Animals
The Blessing of the Animals in honor of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 10:30 AM in the school bus loop/back parking lot, rain or shine. All house pets and their owners are welcome to receive a blessing. Make sure all pets are leashed or in a carrier. For more info, email gilda.
Called & Gifted Program
Have you ever thought about what the Lord is calling you to do? Attending this workshop series is a great way to discover your gifts and respond to the Lord’s call. The four-part series continues in the St. Luke Conference Room, 7:00-9:00 PM, on Mondays, September 24, October 8 and October 22. Sign up at www.stelizabethparish.org; for more info, contact Chris Hill (
Saint Elizabeth Parish School News
Social Media: Be sure to like or follow us on our social media pages: www.facebook.com/SaintElizabethParish School, www.twitter.com/StEParishSchool and www. instagram.com/stelizabethparishschool.
FORMED
Don't let the new school year take away your family time. Watch a movie together through Formed! To sign up for your free parish membership, go to STE.Formed.org and "register now." Enter your name and email address, create a password and you're in! Be sure to click "Community."
Adult Faith Formation
Fall Bible Study: Wisdom- God’s Vision for Life- This eight-part study starts this Tuesday, September 18, with a morning session (9:30-11:00 AM) and an evening session (7:00-8:30 PM). Drawing on four books of Old Testament wisdom literature (Proverbs, Wisdom, Ben Sirach and Ecclesiastes), this series will teach you how to actively seek out sound guidance and increase your sense of peace in navigating life. Cost is $20 for the study guide. For more information and to register, please call Donna Skinner (610-873-0508).
Walking With Purpose: Through personal bible study and small group discussions, Walking With Purpose (WWP) helps to link women's everyday challenges with solutions given through Scripture and the teachings of the Catholic Church. Programs begin on Mondays and Wednesdays in October. To learn more, stop by the WWP Open House on Monday, September 24, 7:00-8:00 PM in the social hall. To register, go to: www.goo.gl/idRSeS or email Ginny Swiatek (
Special Presentation: Would you like to live more blessed than stressed? Join presenter Paul Fisher for The Little Way of St. Therese, "A Simple Path to the Heart of God for a Stressed Out World”, Thursday, October 11, at 7:00 PM in the minstry center. To learn more about our speaker, go to the parish website or to StThereseoftheChildJesus.com. All are welcome!
Elizabeth Ministry
Calling all mothers, grandmothers, and soon to be moms: The Elizabeth Ministry is hosting a Fall Fellowship Kickoff on Thursday, September 20, 7:30- 9:00 PM in Saint Matthew Conference Room in the ministry center. Come out and join us for an evening of fellowship. For more information or to RSVP to this event, please contact: Aimee Cyran (
Pastoral Outreach
The Sharing Our Bounty committee will be collecting food and household items next weekend before all Masses. The food you bring will be gratefully accepted by the Lord's Pantry. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Thanks also to the parishioners who brought their casseroles to church last weekend. We sent 70 casseroles to Saint John's Hospice on Monday. As usual, they were very grateful. The next casserole collection will be on the weekend of October 6-7.
A special thanks to the men and women who collect food and casseroles before the weekend Masses. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact the parish services office (
Knights of Columbus News
Give the Gift of Life: The K of C Council 13141 is conducting its annual blood drive for the American Red Cross on Saturday, October 6, 7:00 AM-12:00 PM, in the parish social hall. All parishioners over the age of 16 who are eligible to donate are asked to sign up after Mass on the weekends of September 22-23 or September 29-30. You may also register at www.kofc 13141.org or www.redcrossblood.org. If you have questions about eligibility for donating, please call Matthew Ward (610-873-0275).
Youth Ministry News
For information about parish youth group events for 2018-2019, check the parish website or contact Ryan Schwalm (
Financial Corner
Thank you for your consistent financial support of our parish community throughout the year.
Regular Collection for September 1-2, 2018
Weekend Contributions: $17,147.00
[Amount of Loose Cash: $1,129.00]
Midweek & Auto-Giving: $23,251.90
Total Regular Collection: $40,398.90
Number of adult envelope contributions: 622
Auto-Giving: Some 314 parishioners are contributing to the regular collection on a weekly or monthly basis through Auto-Giving. To enroll, call Sam Venuti in the parish business office (610-646-6515).
Thank you to the 144 donors who have donated a total of $2,829 to this year’s appeal in support of the Church's missions among African-American and Native-American peoples. Additional donations may be sent to the parish office anytime during the week.
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.