Bulletin - March 31, 2019

Article Index

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Walking with Purpose I: Monday (4/1), 7:00 PM, Holy Family

RCIA & Inquiry: Monday (4/1), 7:00 PM, St. John the Baptist

Adult Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30 AM & 7:00 PM, St. Matthew

Parish Staff Lenten Recollection Day: Tuesday (4/2), 12:00-3:00 PM, St. Matthew & chapel

Pastoral Plan Implementation Committee (PPIC): Tuesday (4/2), 7:00 PM, Good Shepherd

Divorced & Separated Program: Tuesday (4/2), 7:00 PM, Holy Family

High School Youth Group: Tuesdays (4/2 & 4/9), 7:00 PM, CLC

Advisory Council for Evangelization (ACE): Tuesday (4/2), 7:00 PM, St. Luke

Knights of Columbus: Tuesday (4/2), 7:30 PM, St. Matthew

Legion of Mary: Wednesdays (4/3 & 4/10), 6:00 PM, holy hour, church + 7:00 PM, Holy Family

Lenten Confessions: Wednesday (4/3), 6:30-7:00 PM + Saturday (4/6), 9:00-10:00 AM, chapel

PreK4 & K Meet and Greet for Parish School: Wednesday (4/3), 7:00 PM, social hall

Women at the Well: Thursdays, 7:00 PM, and Fridays 9:00 AM, St. Mark

Parish School Lenten Mass: Friday (4/5), 11:15 AM, church

Queen of Peace Marian Prayer Group: Fridays, 1:00 PM, chapel

Stations of the Cross & Benediction: Friday (4/5), 7:00 PM, church

Stewardship Day of Service: Saturday (4/6), 8:30 AM Mass, church + 9:00 AM, social hall

Casserole Collection: Saturday/Sunday (4/6-7), before all Masses, social hall kitchen

Easter Food Collection: Saturday/Sunday (4/6-7), before all Masses, Holy Family

RCIA Holy Week Rehearsal: Monday (4/8), 7:00 PM, Holy Family & church

Walking With Purpose I- Coffee Connect: Monday (4/8), 7:00 PM, St. Matthew

Workshop on Palm Braiding: Tuesday (4/9), 6:00 PM, Holy Family

Stewardship Council: Tuesday (4/9), 7:00 PM, St. Luke

Divorced & Separated Program: Tuesday (4/9), 7:00 PM. St. Mark

Bereavement Team: Wednesday (4/10), 9:00 AM, St. Mark

Lenten Penance Service: Wednesday (4/10), 7:00 PM, church

SDOS Planning Team: Wednesday (4/10), 7:00 PM, St. Mark

Girl Scout Leaders Local Troops: Wednesday (4/10), 7:00 PM, social hall

SAM Lunch & Learn: Thursday (4/11), 10:30 AM, St. Matthew & St. Mark

Adult/Men’s Choirs Rehearsal: Thursday (4/11), 7:00 PM, church

Elizabeth Ministry Play Date: Friday (4/12), 10:00 AM, St. Matthew

Living Stations of the Cross: Friday (4/12), 1:30 PM & 7:00 PM, church

Knights of Columbus Fish Fry: Friday (4/12), 5:00 PM, social hall

Pre-Jordan II: Saturday (4/13), 10:30 AM, St. Matthew

Walking with Purpose I: Monday (4/15), 7:00 PM, St. Mark

Joseph’s People: Monday (4/15), 7:00 PM, St. Luke

Sister Parish Planning Team: Monday (4/15), 7:00 PM, St. Matthew

RCIA Church Tour: Monday (4/15), 7:00 PM, church

Divorced & Separated: Tuesdays (4/16 & 4/23), 7:00 PM, Holy Family

High School Youth Group: Tuesdays, 7:00 PM, CLC

Chosen Fathers: Tuesday (4/16), 7:30 PM, St. Luke

Cub Scout Den Meeting & Blue & Gold Dinner: Wednesday (4/17), 6:30 PM, social hall, CLC

CRHP Continuation Committee: Wednesday (4/17), 7:00 PM, St. Matthew

Interfaith Action Committee: Wednesday (4/17), 7:00 PM, St. Luke

Liturgical Schedule for Holy Week and Easter

Palm Sunday, April 13-14: regular weekend Mass schedule, with Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:30 PM and Mass on Sunday at 8:00, 9:30 and 11:30 AM. Palm will be blessed within the Eucharistic Liturgy and distributed by the ushers and greeters.

Holy Thursday, April 18: Mass of the Lord’s Supper in church at 7:30 PM with Solemn Procession & Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel between 9:00 PM and Midnight.

Good Friday, April 19: Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 3:00 PM; Holy Communion is distributed only at this service.

Holy Saturday, April 20: Blessing of Easter Food in the social hall at 11:00 AM.

Easter Vigil, April 20: Mass at 8:00 PM with Sacramental Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion) and Reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church.

Easter Sunday, April 21: regular Sunday morning Mass schedule (8:00, 9:30 & 11:30 AM).

OTHER ACTIVITIES OF INTEREST

Help Wanted: Somerset Nursery, Glenmoore, has openings for nursery workers. Positions require lifting up to 50 lbs and some loading and unloading of customers cars and unloading trucks with plant deliveries. We are also in need of a driver to deliver bulk mulch. For more information and/or to apply contact Jeffrey Schwartz (610-469-7500 at the Nursery; 484-678-7863-cell).

Help Wanted: Saint Joseph parish, Downingtown, is looking for a part-time cook to prepare dinners for the priests at the rectory. The ideal candidate must like to cook, have culinary experience or is a cooking professional interested in some additional hours. This position has a flexible schedule, approximately 8 hours per week. If interested, email Allan Anderson, Business Manager, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Help Wanted: Malvern Retreat House has an immediate full time position open for a Cook/Utility Worker. The work schedule is 6:30 AM-2:00 PM, weekends required. Please contact Jim Hall, Director of Hospitality at 484-321-2541, for more information and/or to apply.

Help Wanted: St. Mary of Providence Center, Elverson, is looking for PT/FT lifeguards for their pool, especially evenings and weekends. For more information call Kathy (610-942-4168).

Help Wanted: Guiding Star Ministries, a maternity home in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, is seeking candidates to serve as Live-in Resident Assistants in our Maternity Home in Philadelphia. Responsibilities include: support of the residents and overseeing the home. Assistants may work or attend school during the day. Free housing and stipend for live-in position. Forward resume to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Help Wanted: Care-giver needed for two children (ages 2 & 5) beginning in August; Monday-Thursday, 6:30-7:30 AM on a regular basis. If interested email Danielle at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or text her at 619-990-0477.

Vigil for Life: Pray as a volunteer Helper of God’s Precious Infants on Saturday, April 6, 8:00 AM Mass at St. Agnes in West Chester, followed by a Rosary Pilgrimage to Planned Parenthood.

Remain in My Love: This Archdiocesan Initiative to reinvigorate marriage and the family is in its third year and is directed to everyone in the Archdiocese, especially married couples and families. Sessions are planned throughout the Archdiocese to look at marriage as created by God, and what is good about marriage and the family as the domestic church. Visit the Remain in My Love Website at http://archphila.org/remain/, to learn all about the opportunities for you during 2019 and register for the sessions in your area.

Catholic Charities Appeal: Are you ready to start volunteering? The impact you can make on others through volunteering is incredible and you will create a lasting legacy of charity that will be remembered and celebrated for years to come. Visit CatholicCharitiesAppeal.org to learn more about volunteering at various CCC beneficiary sites.

Holy Martyrs, Oreland: All are invited to pray in the presence of more than 100 Sacred Relics on Tuesday, April 9 from 8:30 AM (Mass) until 6:30 PM. For more information call 215-884-8575, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit our website at www.holymartyrschurch.org.

Volunteer English Program of Chester County: Our next 3-session training workshop for those who wish to tutor English as a new language to an adult immigrant or refugee will be held at Phoenixville Hospital Medical Office Building (MOB) II, Conference Center Rooms A & B, 3rd floor (behind elevator) on Tuesday, April 2; Wednesday, April 3 and Wednesday, April 17. Each session runs from 6:00-9:00 PM. For more information and/or to register for this workshop contact Donna Dello Buono at 610-918-8222, ext. 4 or visit the website at www.volunteerenglish.org to register directly. A one-year commitment of approximately 3 hours per week is requested.

St. Peter Parish, West Brandywine: Please join us on Tuesday, April 2, 7:00-8:30 PM in our Celebration Center, for a seminar on NaPro Technology, a new science for Women’s Natural Reproductive Health Care. The film, “NaPro: A Quiet Revolution” will explain the viable alternative to birth control pills to treat women’s health problems and a far superior treatment for infertility than in-vitro fertilization. Dr. Delia Larrauri, a NaPro trained doctor will be the speaker. The seminar will provide information and resources to help couples struggling with infertility, having difficulty conceiving or just looking for a reliable and morally acceptable method of birth control. You will also learn how NaPro can help with numerous other gynecological problems. For more information, contact Marie at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Bishop Shanahan High School: Spring Open House - All are Invited! Thursday, April 4 - 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Featuring tours; academic presentation; classroom demonstrations; Q&A with department chairs, teachers and coaches and refreshments. Seventh Grade practice scholarship test, Saturday, April 6 - 8:00 AM to Noon. Visit shanahan.org/whybshs to register and for more information on either event.

Roman Catholic High School: The 7^th grade Practice Entrance Scholarship Test will be held on Saturday, April 6, from 9:00 AM-12 noon. This is an opportunity for 7^th graders to prepare for the test required in Fall of 2019.

Romauction 2019: Roman Catholic H.S. proudly announces its 2019 Premier Gala and major fundraising event on Saturday, April 13 at the high school. Plan to join us for an entertaining evening featuring a lavish buffet, raffle items, games of chance and silent and live auction. For more information about tickets, sponsorships and advertisements, please call 215-627-1270, ext. 221 or visit our website at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Villa Maria Academy High School: VMA is offering Preview Breakfasts for 6^th & 7^th grade families on April 8 & 10. This will offer a “sneak peek” at Villa Maria’s high school life. 7^th grade Visit Villa Days will be offered on May 13 & 14. Visitors will receive a preview of our school community by attending classes and having lunch with current students. For more information, please contact the Admissions Office at 610-644-2551 or register online at www.vmahs.org.

St. Mary of the Assumption, Phoenixville: All engaged couples planning to marry are invited to our Pre-Cana Program on Saturday, April 13. Program begins at 9:00 AM and ends with 4:00 PM Mass. The day includes talks, lunch, snacks and an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This one-day program meets all the requirements of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. A certificate is provided upon completion of the day. Call 610-933-2526 or visit www.stmaryassumption.org - click on Forms/PRE-CANA for more information and to register

A Baby’s Breath Run for Life 2019: Come out on Saturday, April 13, at Norristown Farm Park-9:00 AM Fun Run; 9:30 AM 5K Run; Awards 10:30 AM. Come run, walk or wheel! A fun Spring morning for the entire family! Pre-register at http://www.ababysbreath.org/events/NOR_RFL.html. Proceeds benefit moms and their babies at A Baby’s Breath Jeffersonville Center. For more info, contact Dorothy Swedkowski, Race Director at 610-316-6281 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Malvern Retreat House: Consider joining us for a Holy Week Quiet Retreat (for men and women), Monday April 15-Easter Sunday, directed by Fr. James McGuinn. The theme is “Divine Transformation: Becoming the Person You Really Want to Be!” Individuals may choose a day, several days or the entire week as part of the “Holy Week Quiet” retreat with or without a meal package. The amenities vary according to the desire of the retreatant. All details are available online at www.malvernretreat.com/events/holy-week-quiet-retreat/&nbsp. Register directly by telephone to Joanne Bouvier (484-321-2535). Limited enrollment for this unique retreat. Also please check our website (malvernretreat.com) for many upcoming events including: Father & Daughter Evening of Reflection, Sunday, June 2, 5:00-9:00 PM; a retreat for men and women, June 7-9, conducted by the “Dynamic Deacon”, Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers. The theme is “Encountering the Joy of the Lord”; FLOURISH, a retreat for women, June 7-9, presented by Sarah Christmyer and Heather Makowicz on the theme “I Have Chosen You to go and Bear Fruit”; Dr. Mary Healy Healing Retreat for Men and Women, June 21-23. The theme of this powerful retreat is “Healing: Bringing the Gift of God’s Mercy to the World”.

St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Glenmoore: Join us for a Spring Concert on Friday, April 26 at 7:30 PM as the St. Andrew’s Choral Scholars perform Classical, Opera and Broadway music in solos and duos. Admission by free-will donation. For more info visit www.standrewswv.org or call 610-458-5277.

Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul, Philadelphia: Join us for a Mass in support of those suffering from addiction, on Saturday, April 27 at 12:00 noon. Parking lot open, rear of cathedral. All are invited! Celebrant is Rev. Gerald Dennis Gill, Rector & Pastor. Addiction has touched far too many families and taken away far too many of our loved ones. Join us that we may draw strength from one another in the power of our faith. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13.

Bishop Shanahan High School: All middle school students are invited to an Ignite retreat! Experience faith, friends and fun! All are welcome. The next Ignite retreat will be held on April 27, 2019. For more information and/or to register visit shanahan.org/ignite or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Saints Philip & James, Exton: Will you join us for a night of fellowship, reflection and prayer to support each other and help heal our Catholic Communities and our Church? If you are in need of renewal in light of the priest scandals, please join us on Tuesday, April 30, 7:00-9:00 PM in the Rectory Meeting Room. RSVP (helpful but not necessary) or direct any questions to Eileen Hughes (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Noel Stranen (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Mothers of Children with Disabilities Retreat: Join us on Wednesday, May 1, at Malvern Retreat House for a retreat for mothers and grandmothers who are raising children with disabilities and also those who have adult children with disabilities. For a flyer or registration information, visit www. opdarchphilly.org, call 215-587-3530 or contact Malvern Retreat House directly at 610-644-0400.

Save the Date: Join us at Whitemarsh Valley Country Club on Tuesday, May 21, for our 11^Th Annual Malvern Retreat House Golf Classic, benefitting The Malvern Cares Program. For more information contact Tara (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 484-321-2534).

John W. Hallahan H.S. Alumnae Association: Join us at our Annual 50 Years & Beyond luncheon on Wednesday, May 1 at Connstater Volkfest-Verein, 9130 Academy Road, Philadelphia for graduates of Hallahan for 50+ years. $35/person - $25 for religious. Please contact Marge West Kiefski ‘66 (215-913-4482) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information and/or tickets.

Save the Date: Daylesford Abbey welcomes back Don Bisson, FMS, for “Healing the Hole in the Heart”, on Saturday, May 5, 2019, 9:00 AM-3:30 PM. General Admission-$60; Religious & Clergy-$45; Students-$15, includes conference & lunch. For more information and/or to register call 610-646-2530, ext. 133 or visit www.daylesfordabbey.org.

You Are Made New Ministry: Calling Catholic women of all ages to a Women’s Healing Retreat with Father Steve DeLacy and De Yarrison from May 31-June 1 at Mariawald Renewal Center. Open to women of all ages seeking a deeper relationship with the Lord, authentic connection with other Catholic women, and freedom from habitual patterns such as anxiety, negativity and feelings of unworthiness. Retreat includes Mass, teaching on the 5 Keys to Freedom in Christ, healing prayer, personal coaching, reflection, sisterhood and adoration. Come, as we call upon the Holy Spirit and give Him permission to change our lives! Registration required. For more information and to register visit www.YouAreMadeNew.com/healing-retreats or contact De Yarrison at 610-287-2989.

Reading Fightin Phils: Join us for one of our 2019 “Celebrate Your Faith Nights” at First Energy Stadium. After each game your group will have the unique opportunity to hear from Fightin Phils players as they discuss how their faith has impacted their life. “Celebrate Your Faith Nights” will be held on Thursday, June 13, Sunday, July 21 and Sunday, August 4. The ballpark has three distinctive buffet areas that provide a two-and-a-half hour all you can eat buffet and group seating. For more information and to book your outing please call 610-406-4573.

West Chester Basketball Summer League: We will be hosting Summer League Basketball from June 10 through July 31. There will be 10 games in 8 weeks. There are divisions for boys and girls from 4^th grade through high school. There will also be two men’s divisions: Ages 18-35 and 35+. For more information and to register visit VictoryEventSeries.com/Summer-League. Cost is $115 per player or $1100 per team. Games are held at the Westtown School.

Retrouvaille: Is your marriage hurting? Do you feel helpless? Hopeless? Retrouvaille (retro-VIE) can help and offers hope for a better relationship. Retrouvaille can help heal your marriage. For more information, or to register for one of our weekends, visit www.HelpOurMarriage.org or call 1-800-470-2230. All inquiries are kept strictly confidential. There will be upcoming programs in April and August.

Archdiocesan Vocation Office: Calling High School Men-Spend the summer with the Vocation Office! Consider one or all three of these unique and energizing camps full of prayer, friendship, recreation and so much more. Quo Vadis Days, June 24-27, Annual 4-day camp for 9^th through 12^th graders, held at Black Rock Retreat Center, Quarryville, PA; Philadelphia Catholic Scholars, July 8-18, a 10-day college accredited residential integrated intellectual and spiritual journey for juniors and seniors held at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary; Going Deeper, July 28-August 1, a 4-day camp for juniors and seniors to encounter Jesus through serving others, held at the Spiritual Year House, Conshohocken. For more information and/or to register for these programs call 610-667-5778 or visit heedthecall.org/summer.

Marianist Family Retreat Center, Cape May Point, NJ: The Retreat Center will have Summer Week-long Catholic Family Retreats, which will start each Monday beginning June 29 through the end of August. There will be a Special Single-Parent Family Week on July 15-20. For more information contact Anthony Fucci, Center Director at 609-884-3829 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also visit our website at www.capemaymarianists.org.

Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne: We invite women (ages 19-45) who are discerning a religious vocation to join us for a weekend of sharing in our life of prayer and apostolate. 2019 weekends will be held in Atlanta, GA, on May 24-26 and September 20-22 and in Hawthorne, NY on July 26-28 and November 15-17. Reservations are required. For information and/or reservations please contact Sr. Catherine Marie (845-745-1319 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Daughters of Mary, Mediatrix of Mercy: We are in the process of forming a new congregation of teaching Sisters, who, by God’s grace, will serve within those Catholic primary and secondary schools that implement a classical curriculum. If you would like more information concerning a vocation of the Daughters of Mary, Mediatrix of Mercy, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit our website at www.marymediatrixofmercy.org.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish: All are welcome to join us for a Catholic Pilgrimage to Italy, June 2-14, 2019. We will be visiting Venice, Florence, Bologna, Siena, Assisi, San Giovanni Rotondo and Rome. Holy Mass will be held daily. Cost is $4,199 per person which include air from Philadelphia and breakfast and dinner daily. For a flyer or more detailed information, please call Cathie or Michael Milano (1-800-773-2660).

The Saint Elizabeth Sharing Our Bounty Committee
FOOD COLLECTION

Saturday, April 6
Sunday, April 7
(at all Masses)

Donations will go to:
St. Agnes Day Room, West Chester for their Easter Baskets
Lord’s Pantry in Downingtown