A Word from Father Stokely
Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that, "true happiness is not found in riches or well-being, in human fame or power, or any human achievement…or indeed in any creature, but in God alone, the source of every good and of all love." (#1723)
In other words, God is the ultimate source of joy. Do material things give us joy? Sure. Do positive circumstances in life make us happy? Of course! But we should be honest with ourselves. Does the love of God - or the love of things - fill our hearts? If our happiness is contingent on such things, is that true joy?
Fr. John Stokely
Hurricane Florence Recovery Collection
Special collection envelopes for contributions to the archdiocesan appeal to support the ongoing relief efforts after Hurricane Florence remain available in the rear of the church this weekend. You may also send a donation directly to the parish office. Thank you.
World Mission Sunday
Next weekend we mark the annual observance of World Mission Sunday. This year’s theme is: Together with young people, let us bring the Gospel to all. Please come prepared to make a generous contribution to the Mission Sunday Collection in support of missionaries in 1,108 developing dioceses around the world. Thanks!
Family Life Ministry News
Please check out the insert in today's bulletin for information about three special events: The Eagles Watch Party next Sunday, October 21; the Elizabeth Ministry Trick or Treat with the Saints on Thursday, October 25; and the Halloween candy collection on the weekend of November 3-4.
RCIA/Inquiry into the Catholic Faith
For information about RCIA meetings on Monday evenings, please contact Deacon Kevin Mead (
Mass Intentions for the Week
October 13-14: 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saturday, 5:30 PM- Anthony Phillips
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Larry Bonito
Sunday, 9:30 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Sunday, 11:30 AM- David Cooney, Sr.
Monday, 7:30 AM- Dec. Members of Sheronas Fam.
Tuesday, 7:30 AM- Intentions of Leah Saltzman
Wednesday,7:30 AM- Mathilda Bohr
Thursday, 7:30 AM- Margaret Mullen
Friday, 7:30 AM- Mary Kozda (1st Ann)
Saturday, 8:30 AM- Joseph Gallagher (1st Ann)
October 20-21: 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saturday, 5:30 PM- Patrick Cerullo
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Rose & Peter Caruso
Sunday, 9:30 AM- Members of the Garvine Family
Sunday, 11:30 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Readings: Isaiah 53/10-11; Psalm 33; Hebrews 4/14-16; Mark 10/35-45.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Exposition is normally held in the daily Mass chapel on Mondays between 8:00 AM and 8:30 PM.
Prayer Corner
Please pray for those who are ill, including Paul Altman; Clayton Brown; Fred Clark; Trudy DiNardo; Judith Gibbons; Linda Malgieri; Mark Schmidt; Joseph Smith; Timothy Sullivan and Peter Walter.
We also remember all those who have died including parishioner Edwin Simon, husband of Kristen Simon; John Oulton, father of Jeffrey Oulton; and Daniel O’Connor, brother of Christopher O’Connor. May all our departed loved ones rest in peace!
Welcome New Parishioners
Saint Elizabeth parish warmly welcomes the following individuals, couples and families who registered during September: Kevin & Laura Ashe; Shaju & Sonia Davies; Jesse & Melissa Gutierrez; Evan & Alexandra Hanauer; Arturo & Jacqueline Hernandez; Edward & Pearl Hipp; Daniel & Jessica McKeever; Marge Skalecki; Michael & Mariel Talarico and Ryan & Alison Whitmore. Welcome one and all!
Pastoral Outreach News
Poor Box Program: We are more than half way to our goal of $5,000.00 - the amount needed to make 10,000 meals for the children of Burkina Faso!! The September and October donations in our poor box go to the purchase of a special combination of food and vitamins that will provide nutritious meals that will be packaged during a service project here at the parish on Saturday, December 1. More details about this project to come.
Transportation Ministry: Do you need a ride to church or the doctor? Did you know that the Transportation Committee can provide rides not only to Mass on the weekends, but also to doctor appointments during the week? If you need a ride, please contact Gerry Caggiano (
Baptism News
The next presentation of Pre-Jordan I: Your Baby’s Baptism will be held on Saturday, November 10, and the next presentation of Pre-Jordan II: A Call to Christian Parenting will be held on Saturday, December 15. 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).
Liturgical Life: Altar Server Training
Altar Server Training for boys and girls in grade 6 and up starts on Wednesday, October 24, 6:00-8:00 PM in church. The first night training session is for both interested servers and their parents (the parent meeting will last ½ hour). Four mandatory sessions of training will follow. If you are interested in becoming a server, register for the training classes by contacting the parish services office (
All Souls Day Book of Remembrance
The Bereavement Ministry Team invites all parishioners to fill out a list of departed loved ones to be included in this year's Book of Remembrance. Forms are available at the Hospitality Desk in the church narthex.
All are invited to a Memorial Mass and Reception on Friday, November 2, at 7:00 PM. Immediate family members who have died in the past year will be remembered by name. Please come join your fellow parishioners in remembering your deceased loved ones.
Elementary Faith Formation
Online registration remains open for children in grades K-6. Go to stelizabethparish.org and click on "Education." New students are asked to contact DRE Beth Riordan directly for registration arrangements (610-646-6545 or
We still need a teacher aide for 4th grade on Monday afternoons (4:45-6:00 PM) and an office helper on Tuesday evenings (6:30-7:45 PM). To volunteer, email DRE Beth Riordan.
Teenage RCIA: Teens in need of the Sacraments are encouraged to join our engaging teen formation group. Contact Beth Riordan to learn more about the program.
Middle School Faith Formation
Altaration: The Mystery of the Mass Revealed, is a new five-part study on the Mass for 7th and 8th graders. The program features powerful cinematography, inspiring presenters and engaging workbook resources.
It’s not too late to enroll for the series which begins this Monday, October 15, 6:30-7:45 PM in the CLC, and extends through Monday, November 19. For more information, contact DRE Beth Riordan.
Saint Elizabeth Parish School News
October Rosary: All are welcome to join our students and staff in praying the rosary in church this Wednesday, October 17, 10:30 AM, and/or next Thursday, October 25, 1:15 PM.
The Music Man Jr.: See our talented Saint Elizabeth students star in Meredith Willson's The Music Man Jr. on Friday, November 9, or Saturday, November 10, in the gym. Both shows start at 7:00 PM. Tickets are now on sale at https://the-springer-studio.ticketleap.com. General admission is $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for children and seniors. There is a small service fee to purchase online. Tickets will also be sold at the door.
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.
Annual Forty Hours Devotions
Plan now to participate in the annual Forty Hours Devotions on Sunday evening through Tuesday evening, November 4-5-6. This year's preacher is Father Sean P. English, parochial vicar at Saint Christopher Church in Philadelphia, PA.
FORMED
"Let the Children Come to me" (Matthew 19:14). Rich in instruction and inspiration, Brother Francis: The Mass is a unique way of helping children experience the presence of Christ as they attend Mass. Find this video and other resources on our "Community" page of the FORMED website: Ste.Formed.org. To sign up for your free parish Formed membership, go to STE.Formed.org and "register now."
Women at the Well
This is a weekly gathering of parish women who interested in diving deeper into the scriptures in a relaxed and prayerful environment. Want to learn more about the relevance of the Sunday Mass readings and develop new friendships in Christ? This group meets weekly, but you are welcome to come when you can because each week is a fresh discussion on the upcoming readings. There’s no homework and prior Bible knowledge is not necessary. We gather in the St. Luke conference room on Thursdays at 7:00 PM and on Fridays at 9:00 AM. For more info, contact Leslie Kelso (
Social Fellowship Committee
Craft Beer Garden: There will be fun, friendship, good food and Oom Pah Pah on Saturday, November 3, 7:30- 10:30 PM in the social hall. Sign up now on the parish website or buy your tickets in the ministry center after Masses on the weekends of October 20-21 or 27-28. Tickets cost $25.00 per adult. Montesano Brothers will be providing the food and DJ Bert will provide the music so bring your appetite and dancing shoes!
Senior Adult Ministry (SAM)
Each month the Senior Adult Ministry (60+ years old) holds a game day on the fourth Thursday of the month. Some seniors play canasta, some play poker, some play bridge, all have some good snacks and a good time!
Join us in the ministry center at 10:30 AM on Thursday, October 25. There are no game days on Thanksgiving nor in Christmas week, so mark you calendar now for the fourth Thursday of the month starting on January 24! While your calendar is out, make note of the pot luck luncheon following the holy day Mass at Noon on Saturday, December 8, too! More information on the pot luck luncheon will be provided closer to the event.
SEAM
Basketball: Registration for the 2018-2019 basketball season is under way, now through October 31. Boys and girls from first through eighth grades who are registered Catholic members of Saint Elizabeth are eligible to play on a parish team. High School registration remains open into November. Go to www.seamcyo.com for registration information.
Financial Corner
Thank you for your consistent financial support of our parish community throughout the year.
Regular Collection for September 29-30, 2018
Weekend Contributions: $17,354.00
[Amount of Loose Cash: $1003.50]
Midweek & Auto-Giving: $ 8,678.90
Total Regular Collection: $26,032.90
Number of adult envelope contributions: 556
Auto-Giving: There are now 317 families participating in Auto-Giving for their church donations. To receive an electronic copy of the authorization form, please contact Sam Venuti (
Follow-Up to Parish Open Town Meeting
More than 120 parishioners attended the open town meeting on September 30 to share their concerns in the wake of the PA grand jury report. Possible follow-up steps in addressing the concerns shared at that meeting are being explored as the present time.
In his recent letter to the people of the archdiocese (posted on the parish website), Archbishop Chaput has encouraged the laity and clergy to pray the Prayer to Saint Michael after the dismissal at the end of Mass.
After consultation with the parish administrative staff, the pastor has decided not to have the prayer said aloud at parish Masses, but rather to provide prayer cards in the rear of church and chapel for those parishioners who wish to recite the Prayer to Saint Michael privately, either before or after Mass, and/or at home, as they see fit. A supply of prayer cards that also include Pope Saint John Paul II's Prayer for Peace is now available in the church narthex for those who choose this devotion.
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.