A Word from Father Mullin
In these painfully conflicted times for the Church, I invite you to three upcoming events of special interest:
1) The open town meeting for parishioners to share their concerns over the clergy abuse crisis this coming Sunday evening in the social hall (see below).
2) The Interfaith Panel Presentation on Sacred Texts this Thursday, September 27, at the Lionville YMCA.
3) The Ministerium Presentation by Rev. Steve Treat, How to Have Difficult Conversations, on Thursday, October 4, in the social hall.
Check out today’s bulletin insert for more information.
Fr. Tom Mullin
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.
Next 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. 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
Last call for registrations for the Women’s overnight renewal this Friday and Saturday, September 28-29. To sign up, contact Missey Kalucki (484-886-6739) or Carrie Mengel (484-888-3839) ASAP!
The next men's overnight renewal will be held on October 19-20. Online registration is now open at Stelizabethparish.org; registration forms are also available in the church narthex. For more info or questions, men may contact Greg Gatto (484-883-9997) or Matt Poliski (610-662-2568).
Mass Intentions for the Week
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
Monday, 7:30 AM- Thomas Hoy (9th Ann)
Tuesday, 7:30 AM- John Colona (1st Ann)
Wednesday,7:30 AM- Jessica Fratrik
Thursday, 7:30 AM- Clifford Beeson
Friday, 7:30 AM- Rita Chambers
Saturday, 8:30 AM- Nicholas Marino
September 29-30: 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saturday, 5:30 PM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Wiktor Szymanski
Sunday, 9:30 AM- Larry Crowley
Sunday, 11:30 AM- William & Mary Feury
Readings: Numbers 11/25-29; Psalm 19; James 5/1-6; Mark 9/38-43, 45, 47-48
Prayer Corner
Please pray for all those who are ill, including Lucian Antonucci; Charlottee & Veronica Ashe; Joseph Brova; Alison Crowley; Phyllis Dippold; Sonny Drouilhet; Daniel Egan; Tammy Fancher; Rosalie Hetrick; Gloria Makoid; Frank McClatchy; Daniel Patterson; Mark Schmidt and Anna Wadas.
We also remember those who have died, including Barbara Hieber, mother of Melissa Cosgriff and Sheila Cron, mother of Cathryn Sweeney. May all our departed loved ones rest in peace!
Pastoral Outreach- Poor Box Program
Donations to the poor boxes during September and October will help the people of Burkina Faso, West Africa, in a special way. The donated funds will support the purchase of a special combination of food and vitamins that will provide nutritious meals for the people of Burkina Faso. These foodstuffs will be packaged during a service project here at the parish on Saturday, December 1. Look for more details about the food packaging project early next month.
Interfaith and Ecumenical Activities
Check out the insert in this bulletin for information about this Thursday’s interfaith panel presentation on the Use of Sacred Texts at the Lionville Community YMCA and also the Exton-Lionville Ministerium presentation on How to Have Difficult Conversations by Rev. Steve Treat on Thursday, October 4, in the parish social hall.
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).
Elementary Faith Formation
We congratulate and thank our parish catechists who received awards during the 11:30 AM Mass on Sunday, September 16; they are:
St. John Neuman Award (5 Years): Andrea Bell, Stephanie DiMichael, Amanda Jamnicky, Lisa Kelly, Jenine Lawton, Jennifer Ranalli, Debra Rogge and Donna Serfass.
St. Pius X National Award (10 Years): Donna Benik, Toni Brugger and Betty Czernek.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Award (15 Years): George Marshalek, Marie Martini, Kathy Pry, Betty Randzin and Mary Whiteman.
St. Martin de Porres Award (20 Years): Marcella Di Maggio.
St. Charles Borromeo Award (25 Years): Pat Kasper.
The new EFF year has now begun, thanks to the 130+ volunteers! We still need a catechist for 4th grade on Tuesday afternoons (4:45 to 6:00 PM), a teacher aide for 4th grade on Monday afternoons and an office helper on Tuesday evenings (6:30-7:45 PM). No experience necessary. Training is provided! To volunteer, email DRE Beth Riordan (
Online registration remains 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 (briordan@stelizabeth parish.org; 610-646-6545) to set up a personal appointment to learn more about this program.
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).
Bereavement Ministry
Grieving the Death of a Loved One: Wherever you are on your journey, you don't have to travel alone. This is an invitation to come together with others who are also grieving. Join us to feel a renewed sense of hope, healing, and God's loving guidance.
There will be 6 sessions beginning this Tuesday, September 25, 7:00-8:30 PM in the education center library. There is a men's group facilitated by men as well. If you would like to join this series, please contact Parish Services Director, Gen Miceli (
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."
Saint Elizabeth Parish School News
Welcome New Staff: We are happy to welcome six new parish school staff members, including Miss Meghan Hickey (3A); Dr. Mary Gratton (7A, 7 Religion, 7/8 ELA); Mrs. Judy Anderson (Spanish) and Mrs. Ellie Dougherty (KB/2 Teacher Aide). We also welcome part-time nurse, Mrs. Karen Midwood, and welcome back Mrs. Andrea Fowler, who served as the school nurse for six years (2008-2013). Glad to have you all!
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.
Adult Faith Formation
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 Church.
This year, two different courses are being offered here: Mondays, beginning October 1 at 7:00 PM - Opening Your Heart, a foundational Bible study designed for women new to WWP, with or without any prior Bible study experience; and Wednesdays, beginning October 3 at 9:30 AM - Keeping in Balance, an exploration of biblical ways to manage life's pace and pressure while living with calm and steadiness.
To learn more, stop by the WWP Open House this 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 ministry center. To learn more about our speaker, go to the parish website or to StThereseofthe ChildJesus.com. All are welcome!
Respect Life - 40 Days for Life
The Chester County Pro Life Coalition will take part in the 40 Days for Life vigil in front of Planned Parenthood of West Chester. To sign up on your own, simply go to www.40daysforlife.com. The St. Elizabeth Council, K of C, and other parishioners are encouraged to stand as a group on Saturday, September 29. To join this group, go to www.kofc13141.org or contact Chuck Reimer (
Youth Ministry News
For information about parish youth group events for elementary school, middle school, eighth graders and high school teens, check the parish website or contact Ryan Schwalm (
Sister Parish Planning Team
On Sunday, October 14, we will welcome to Saint Elizabeth the Celestial Choir from our sister-parish, Visitation BVM in Philadelphia. They will join our Guitar Group in providing liturgical music at the 11:30 AM Mass. After Mass, all are invited to a Food Sharing Luncheon in the social hall with our guests from Visitation BVM Church. Look for more details on the food luncheon in early October.
Knights of Columbus Blood Drive
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 encouraged to sign up after Mass this weekend (September 22-23) or next weekend (September 29-30). You can also register at www.kofc13141.org or www.redcrossblood.org, too. If you have questions about eligibility for donating, please call Matthew Ward (610-873-0275).
Financial Corner
Thank you for your consistent financial support of our parish community throughout the year.
Regular Collection for September 8-9, 2018
Weekend Contributions: $21,660.65
[Amount of Loose Cash: $1,339.15]
Midweek & Auto-Giving: $ 7,402.40
Total Regular Collection: $29,063.05
Number of adult envelope contributions: 592
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).
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.