Upcoming Meetings & Events
Social Fellowship- Pancake Breakfast: Sunday (4/28), 8:30-11:00 AM, social hall
Divine Mercy Holy Hour: Sunday (4/28), 2:30-3:30 PM, chapel
RCIA & Inquiry: Mondays, 7:00 PM, education center conference room
Catholics Coming Home: Mondays (through 5/20), 7:00 PM, Holy Family
Walking With Purpose I: Mondays (4/29, 5/6 & 5/13), 7:00 PM, St. Matthew
Youth Ministry Team: Monday (4/29), 7:00 PM, St. Luke
High School Youth Group: Tuesdays, 7:00 PM, CLC
Evening Bible Study: Tuesday (4/30), 7:00 PM, St. Mark
Legion of Mary: Wednesdays, 6:00 PM, holy hour, chapel + 7:00 PM, meeting, Holy Family
Pastoral Council: Wednesday (5/1), 7:00 PM, St. Luke
Women at the Well: Thursday (5/2), 7:00 PM & Fridays, 9:00 AM, St. Mark
Parish School Mass & May Crowning: Friday (5/3), 11:00 AM, church
Queen of Peace Marian Prayer Group: Fridays, 1:00 PM, chapel
Knights of Columbus Communion Breakfast: Sunday (5/5), 8:00 AM Mass, church + 9:00 AM breakfast, social hall
Pastoral Plan Implementation Committee (PPIC): Monday (5/6), 7:00 PM, St. Luke
Social Fellowship Committee: Monday (5/6), 7:00 PM, St. Mark
Liturgical Life Committee: Tuesday (5/7), 7:00 PM, St. Luke
Advisory Council for Evangelization (ACE): Tuesday (5/7), 7:00 PM, St. Mark
Knights of Columbus Council Meeting: Tuesday (5/7), 7:30 PM, St. Matthew
Bereavement Ministry Team: Wednesday (5/8), 9:00 AM, St. Luke
SDOS Planning Team: Wednesday (5/8), 7:00 PM, St. Mark
Girl Scout Leaders Local Troops: Wednesday (5/8), 7:00 PM, social hall
SAM Lunch and Learn: Thursday (5/9), 10:30 AM, St Matthew & St. Mark
Women at the Well: Thursday (5/9), 7:00 PM, St. Mark & Friday (5/10), 9:00 AM, holy hour, chapel +10:00 AM, meeting, St. Mark
Memorial Mass for Mothers & Grandmothers: Saturday (5/11), 8:30 AM, church
Pre-Jordan I: Saturday (5/11), 10:30 AM, ministry center
Casserole Collection: Sat./Sun. (5/11-12), before all Masses, social hall kitchen
Senior Adult Ministry Team (SAM): Monday (5/13), 3:00 PM, St. Luke
EFF Closing Mass & May Crowning: Monday (5/13), 5:00 PM & Tuesday (5/14), 6:30 PM, church
Pastoral Outreach Committee: Tuesday (5/14), 7:00 PM, St. Luke
EFF Staff Meeting & Dinner: Wednesday (5/15), 6:00 PM, social hall
OTHER ACTIVITIES OF INTEREST
Help Wanted: Camilla Hall Nursing Home has the following positions available: Nursing Assistants FT/PT-All shifts (current Nursing Students are welcome to apply for summer positions); Food Service Workers FT/PT-hours vary (great opportunity for high school and college students). Complete online application at www.camillahall.org or call 484-321-5630.
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. The position is part-time, approximately three hours on Monday through Thursday evenings (during dinner hours), and approximately 3 hours on Monday afternoon for shopping. If interested, email Allan Anderson, Business Manager, at
Bishop Shanahan High School Fine Arts Department: Come out and enjoy beautiful music as the BSHS Instrumental Department presents their Spring Instrumental Concert featuring the Jazz Band and Concert Band on Sunday, April 28, 2:00 PM.
Our Lady’s Missionaries of the Eucharist, Birdsboro: Join us on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 28, from 11:00 AM-2:30 PM for Holy Mass followed by a conference presented by Sister Joan Noreen. For more information and/or to register email
St. Mary’s Franciscan Shelter, Phoenixville: All are cordially invited to a Brunch on Sunday, April 28, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM to celebrate our 33 years of serving homeless families. See the new kitchen and family room and learn more about our services. RSVP to Mary Ann Bursich-Raden (610-933-0277).
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 (
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 11Th Annual Malvern Retreat House Golf Classic, benefitting The Malvern Cares Program. For more information contact Tara (
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
Vigil for Life: Join Rev. James Hutchins as a Volunteer Helper of God’s Precious Infants in a Vigil for Life on Saturday, May 4, 8:00 AM Mass at St. Agnes, West Chester, followed by a Rosary Pilgrimage to Planned Parenthood.
IHM Nun Run: Join the IHM Sisters for their annual 5K Run/Walk, Sunday, June 1, 8:00 AM start time. Proceeds benefit Camilla Hall. Registration closes on May 3rd! For more information visit www.ihmnunrun.org.
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.
SS. Peter & Paul, West Chester: All are invited to join us on Tuesday, May 14, 7:00 PM, for a special presentation on End of Life Issues by Deacon Alfred Mauriello II, M.D. Topics will include assisted suicide, living wills, pain management and hospice care. Dr. Mauriello has served on hospital-based medical ethics committees and has completed training in Catholic Health Care Ethics under the sponsorship of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Representatives from Surrey Services, Compassionate Care Hospice, elder law services and caregiver/bereavement support programs will also be present. If you are a senior or are caring for an elderly parent, you won’t want to miss this opportunity! For more information contact Judy Magee (484-473-8205).
Saint Gianna Beretta Molla 15th Canonization Anniversary Mass: Join us on Thursday, May 16, at the Philadelphia Archdiocesan Shrine of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla located in Nativity of Our Lord parish in Westminster. Rosary Recitation at 6:30 PM, followed by Holy Mass at 7:00 PM. First-Class & Second-Class Relic Veneration after Mass. Light refreshments will be served in the downstairs Church Hall after the Mass & Veneration. For additional information, please call 215-657-3101 or email
Ursuline Academy, Wilmington, DE: All are invited to register for the 23rd Annual Ursuline Academy Jim Keegan Golf Classic and Tennis Tournament on Monday, May 20, 2019! Located on the beautiful grounds of the DuPont Country Club, this event includes something for everyone. Sign up to play 18 holes of golf, participate in a round-robin tennis tournament, enjoy a BBQ Buffet dinner, participate in our Golf Ball Drop 50/50 or bid on silent auction and raffle items, all to benefit Tuition Assistance for Ursuline Academy. You do not need to be affiliated with Ursuline to participate in this event. To register, visit birdeasepro.com/ursulinegolfandtennis.
Save the Date: IHM Sisters Donor Education Event, Wednesday, June 5, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM at SEI, 1 Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456. For more information and to receive a formal invitation, please email
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.
Honor Flight Philadelphia: Welcome Home our Vietnam Veterans! Join us on Sunday, June 2, 6:15 PM at The Porch at The Lamb Tavern, 865 W. Springfield Road, Springfield, PA, as we welcome home over 250 Vietnam Veterans from their “Tour of Honor” in Washington, DC. For more information contact Jo Dean (610-627-1494 or
Saints Philip & James, Exton: We will be having a Grief Sharing Program on Mondays June 17 and July 15 and Tuesday, August 20 from 7:00-8:30 PM in the Rectory Meeting Room. Come to talk, share fellowship or just listen in these summer evening sessions dedicated to helping to heal the wounds of grief through discussion. Come on one or as many as you like and feel free to bring anyone with you. Light refreshments will be served. For more information and/or to register contact Theresa Ferrari (
Living Bridges: We will be hosting our 27th Annual Camp Guadalupe at St. Francis of Assisi, Springfield, June 24-28 and at Malvern Retreat House, July 15-19. All children ages 4-12 are invited to join this week-long celebration of Catholic Faith, art music and rich cultural traditions. The theme for this year is “I Believe!” Please register on line at www.livingbridges.org and pay with Paypal. Early registration by June 1 to ensure your spot in camp. Questions: Contact Living Bridges (610-525-4770 or
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 includes 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).
Malvern Retreat House: 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”; Fr. Larry Richards & Jesse Romero will be directing a retreat, June 28-30. The theme is “The Life Changing Power of Doing God’s Will” and “Letting Jesus Set You Free”. A dynamic, two for one retreat.
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 4th 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.
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.
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 9th through 12th 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
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 an upcoming program in August.
St. Jude Shop: The DiCocco Family St. Jude Shop of Havertown invites you to visit their location in Chester County! We are located on the south side of Our Lady’s Hall at the Malvern Retreat House in Malvern. The store offers a beautiful selection of religious gifts for First Communion, Confirmation and other events. Contact the store at 484-321-2537 for directions and store hours.
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
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
Sister Parishes: Saint Elizabeth and Visitation BVM
Truly Living as a Universal Church
Join Us!
Sunday, May 19, 2019 for the 10:00 AM
Spanish Mass at Visitation BVM in Philadelphia
Father John Olenik, C.Ss.R., Pastor of Visitation, BVM, and
Father Thomas Mullin will concelebrate the Mass.
The Saint Elizabeth Guitar Group will join the Visitation BVM Celestial Choir in providing liturgical music for Mass.
Bus transportation will be provided and will depart from the
Saint Elizabeth parking lot at 8:30 AM and return by 1:30 PM.
All parishioners are invited to attend the Mass
(travel with us or on your own)! After Mass, enjoy light refreshments
in the VBVM Community Center before heading home.
TO REGISTER: go to the parish website www.stelizabethparish.org
and look for the May 19 Sister Parish Mass information and the link to register or call Parish Services at 610-646-6550.
For questions or more information, please contact Susan Brennan at:
Saint Elizabeth Poor Box Recipient
May and June
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
“What can we do? … We can offer what little we have. We certainly have a few hours of time, some talent, some expertise.”- Pope Francis (July 26, 2015)
Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization, leads women and men to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, and patron, St. Vincent de Paul. As a reflection of the whole family of God, members, who are known as Vincentians, are drawn from every ethnic and cultural background, age group, and economic level.
Operating within, but independent of, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, through local parish groups called Conferences, the St. Vincent de Paul Society helps those in need with material, moral, and spiritual support. Currently, more than 500 volunteers are involved throughout the Delaware Valley. Conference activity is defined by the needs of the local community. Home visitation is performed across the board. Additional good works can include transportation for elderly/shut-ins; bereavement support; nursing home visitation; holiday dinner/gift drives, etc.
The essential elements of an SVdeP volunteer are spirituality, friendship and service to the poor in the area. We encourage anyone who would like to participate in the Saint Vincent de Paul Society to contact St. Joseph’s branch of SvdeP (