Upcoming Meetings & Events
EFF Adoration Services: Monday (2/3), 4:45-6:00 PM and 6:30-7:45 PM; Tuesday (2/4), 4:45-6:00 PM; Wednesday (2/5), 4:45-5:45 PM, chapel
RCIA: Mondays (2/3 & 2/10), 7:00 PM, St. John the Baptist
Social Fellowship Committee: Monday (2/3), 7:00 PM, St. Luke
Catholics Coming Home: Monday, (2/3), 7:00 PM, Holy Family Room
Walking With Purpose: Mondays, 7:00 PM, & Wednesdays, 9:30 AM, St. Matthew
Adult Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:00 AM & 7:00 PM, St. Matthew
High School Youth Group: Tuesdays, 7:00 PM, CLC
Knights of Columbus Council Meeting: Tuesday (2/4), 7:00 PM, St. Matthew
Liturgical Music Planners: Tuesday (2/4), 7:00 PM, St. Luke
Elizabeth Ministry Play Date: Wednesday (2/5), 9:30 AM, St. Mark & St. Luke
Cub Scout Pack Meeting: Wednesday (2/5 & 2/19), 6:30 PM, social hall & CLC
Legion of Mary: Wednesdays, holy hour at 6:00 PM in chapel and meeting at 7:00 PM, Holy Family Room
Ignatian Spiritual Exercises: Thursdays, 7:00 PM, Good Shepherd Room
Women at the Well: Thursdays, 7:00 PM + Fridays, 9:00 AM, St. Mark
Queen of Peace Marian Prayer Group: Fridays, 1:00 PM, chapel
First Penance: Saturday (2/8), 11:00 AM, church & chapel
Casserole Collection: Saturday/Sunday (2/8-9), before all Masses, social hall kitchen
Junior High Youth Group: Monday (2/10), 6:00 PM, CLC
Liturgical Ministry Orientation & Training Team: Monday (2/10), 7:00 PM, St. Luke
Parish School Sneak-a-Peek: Tuesday (2/11), 9:30 AM, education center
Vocation Awareness Team: Tuesday (2/11), 4:00 PM, St. Luke
Bereavement Ministry Team: Wednesday (2/12), 9:00 AM, St. Luke
Men’s Spirituality Group: Thursdays (2/13 & 2/27), 7:00 PM, St. Luke
Women at the Well; Friday (2/14), holy hour in chapel, 9:00 AM + meeting in St. Mark, 10:00 AM
Pre-Jordan II: Saturday (2/15), 10:30 AM, ministry center
Joseph’s People: Monday (2/17), 7:00 PM, St. Luke
Parish Stewardship Council: Tuesday (2/18), 7:00 PM, St. Luke
Stewardship Day of Service Team: Tuesday (2/18), 7:00 PM, Holy Family Room
Chosen Father’s: Tuesday (2/18), 7:30 PM, St. Mark
Interfaith Action Committee: Wednesday (2/19), 7:00 PM, Good Shepherd Room
Together-Continuation Committee: Wednesday (2/19), 7:00 PM, St. Mark
Cub Scout Den Meetings: Wednesday (2/19), 6:30 PM, social hall and CLC
Safe Environment- Protecting God’s Children Training: Thursday (2/20), 7:00 PM, St. Matthew
Vocation Awareness & Discernment Program: Thursday (2/20), 7:00 PM social hall
Social Fellowship Pancake Breakfast: Sunday (2/23), 8:30-11:00 AM, social hall
OTHER ACTIVITIES OF INTEREST
Bishop Shanahan High School: BSHS is seeking a Head Field Hockey Coach, Head Girls Track Coach and Assistant Track Coach (throwing events). If interested please send resume to
Worldwide Marriage Encounter: Now that the holiday rush is over, married couples have a great opportunity to refresh their marriage relationship by treating each other to a Marriage Encounter Weekend. Why not give yourselves some special time together without stress? The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends are being offered at Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA on February 7-9, April 17-19, and July 10-12. For more information, visit our website at: https://www.wwme-philly.org/ or contact Al & Mary Liz at Applications @wwme-philly.org or 610-449-1859.
Malvern Retreat House: Seeking full-time Hospitality Coordinator, Monday thru Friday, evening hours including overnights. Responsibilities include serving as host for assigned retreat groups including registration when needed, handling emergency issues with retreatants and property maintenance, working with retreat directors and set up including refreshments when needed. Event set up and break down which includes moving tables, chairs and supplies. Also responsible for setting up for Mass in the chapels and oratories. Candidates should be able to carry up to 40 lbs., be able stand for longer periods of time and be able to walk campus grounds as needed. If interested, please send resume and salary expectations to
Help Wanted: Busy medical office seeks a part-time Medical Receptionist (10-12 hours per week), Mondays 1:00-7:00 PM and Wednesdays 9:00 AM-1:00 PM. Good customer service and people skills a must. Individual must be dependable, able to multitask, be courteous and possess proficient computer skills. Training will be provided for the right candidate. Send resume to
Help Wanted: Immaculate Conception Academy, Douglasville, is seeking a part-time Math Aide and a part-time STEM teacher. If interested, please contact Lisa Forkin at
Pope John Paul II High School, Royersford: We are accepting transfer students for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. All transfer students will receive a $500 grant towards PJP tuition for the 2019-2020 school year and the $200 application fee will be waived! For more information, contact Sara Cooper, Director of Admissions at 484-975-6500, ext. 3033. All 6th, 7th and 8th graders are invited to the PJP Winter Dance on Friday, February 7, 6:00-8:30 PM in the high school cafeteria. $5 entrance fee with on-line registration required at www.pjphs.org. There will be a DJ, photo booth and complimentary refreshments. Our Panther’s Den will be open for purchases of candy, drinks and spiritwear! Join us for lots of fun! Be a Golden Panther! All 8th graders are encouraged to schedule a Shadow Day by contacting pjphs.org or calling 484-975-6500. Registration for the Class of 2025 Seventh Grade Practice Scholarship Test will be open on February 1 and the test will be held on Saturday, April 25 from 9:00 AM-12:00 noon. This is an optional test to prepare students for the Eighth Grade Scholarship Test. There is a $50 fee to take the practice test. For more information and/or to register visit www.pjphs.org.
Flame of Love Movement: While we operate through the generous time & talent of wonderful and numerous volunteers, there still remain numerous fixed costs to maintain Flame of Love operations. If you would like to help in our efforts to continue our movement, please consider making a donation. Checks should be made payable to Flame of Love and mailed to Flame of Love Movement-Office, P.O. Box 201, Haverford, PA 19041.
Decade to Doorways: Experiencing Homelessness? Sleeping outside or in a vehicle? Fleeing domestic violence? At risk of losing your current housing? Call 2-1-1 for assistance! Chester County has services to help. Emergency services information available 24/7. Intake done 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday-Friday. Text your zip code to 898-211. Se habla Espanol. Hearing impaired? Use 7-1-1 relay service to call 2-1-1.
Wonderfully Made: A Theology of the Body Retreat for High School Girls: St. Peter Respect Life Committee is hosting their third Theology of the Body Retreat for High School Girls on Saturday, February 8, 9:00 AM arrival through Sunday, February 9, 11:30 AM departure. Retreat leader is Samantha Kelley of FIERCEAthlete.org and the speaker is Marie DiCecco on”Women’s Health in conformity with Theology of the Body”. The retreat will be held at St. Mary of Providence Center, Elverson. Cost is $75 per person (scholarships available). For more information text Eileen Christian @ 610-716-1840 or email @
e/wonderfully-made-a-theology-of-the-body-retreat-for-high-school-girls-tickets-86880890081.
Catholic Daughters of the Americas: Catholic Daughters Court Our Lady of Fatima #2379 invites all Catholic Women over the age of 18 to join the largest Catholic women’s organization in the world. Under the patronage of the Blessed Mother, our mission includes participation in spiritual, educational and charitable programs. For more information contact Michele Byler (484-832-2683) or Roe Fulmer (484-612-2736) or visit our website (http://cdapa.com/2739/index.html). Regular meetings are held the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 AM at SS. Simon & Jude, West Chester. Next meeting is February 8 at 10:00 AM.
Sacred Heart Academy, Bryn Mawr: Join us on Wednesday, February 12, 4:30-6:30 PM for our Winter Open House. Information and registration is available at SHAbrynmar.org or by calling the admissions office at 610-527-3915, ext. 214.
Catholic Charities Appeal Night with the Sixers: Join us on Thursday, February 20, 8:00 PM, at the Wells Fargo Center as the 76ers take on the Brooklyn Nets. A portion of all tickets sold will go to support the Catholic Charities Appeal. For more information and/or to purchase tickets call 215-587-5650 or visit
Retrouvaille: Rediscover the Love in Your Marriage! 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. The next program in our area is the weekend of February 21-23 at the Family Life Center in Malvern. Another weekend will be held in April. For more information, or to register for one of our weekends, visit www.HelpOurMarriage.org or call 1-800-470-2230 or 215-766-3944. All inquiries are kept strictly confidential.
St. Mary Polish American Society: Join us for our 4th Annual Polish Mardi Gras Polka Party at the TK Club in Conshohocken on Sunday, February 23, 12:00-5:00 PM. Event will feature live Polka music, delicious Polish food, 50/50 drawing and other games of chance, a basket raffle, baked goods for sale and childrens games with plenty of prizes. Admission is $10 in advance, $15 at door, children 6-12 years old $7. Children 6 & under free. You may pre-order frozen potato pierogi for $9 a dozen, and advance homemade golabki orders for $4 each. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, email
IHM Spirituality Center, Malvern: Join us four Wednesdays in Lent, March 4, 11, 18 and April 1, 9:30 AM-2:30 PM, for a prayerful experience. The day will open with mid-morning prayer, followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 AM. You can walk the grounds, pursue our spiritual reading room, find a comfortable chair to read or contemplatively gaze. If you wish to stay for lunch, please bring a bag lunch. Beverages will be provided. The day will conclude with mid-afternoon prayer. Free will donation. Registration required at least two days prior to the event. We are also conducting “Meeting Christ in Prayer”, an 8 week program series to learn and practice Lectio Divina and imaginative prayer. This unique guided prayer experience is modeled on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. The program will be held on Tuesdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 April 21, 28 and May 5. Cost $10/session or $50 entire series. Deposit: $15 which will cover the book cost. Registration required by February 18 (minimum of 4 participants for program to run).
Spirit @ Work - A Retreat for Young Adults in their 20s and 30s: Looking for a Catholic retreat for young adults this spring? Join us for the third annual Philadelphia Charis Ministries retreat at St. Raphaela Retreat Center in Haverford, PA, from Friday, March 6 through Sunday, March 8. Registration is now open through March 1 at straphaelcenter.org. Cost is $180 with a deposit of $100. Financial assistance. Questions? Email
Man UP Philly: Join us for the 12th Annual Man Up Philly Men’s Spirituality Conference, “No Greater Love-Sacrifice Over Self”, on Saturday, March 7, at Neumann University in Aston. For more information and/or to register visit our website at www:manupphilly.com.
St. Joseph, Spring City: Join us for a Mass in support of those suffering from addiction, on Saturday, March 7, 2020, at 11:00 AM.. All are invited! Celebrant is Charles O’Hara, 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.
Rosemont College: Join us on Friday, March 20, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM, for the screening of the powerful documentary film “A Dangerous Idea: Eugenics, Genetics and the American Dream”. The screening will be followed by a panel of scholars who will discuss the themes highlighted in the film. The keynote presentation will be given by Stephanie Welch of Paragon Media, the director, producer and writer of the film. The event is free and open to the public, but we ask that all attendees register via the website: https://www.rosemont.edu/about/the-institute/events/.
SS. Peter & Paul Parish, West Chester: All are invited to join our parish on a bus trip to the St. Katharine Drexel Shrine at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter & Paul in Philadelphia on Thursday, March, 26. We will tour the beautiful cathedral and visit the shrine of St. Katharine Drexel, followed by Mass. Afterwards, we will share a delicious lunch at the City Tap restaurant before heading over to the Barnes Foundation to take in a tour of an incredible display of art exhibits including Picasso, Matisse, Renoir and Cezanne. Cost is $95 and includes round trip transportation, driver’s tip, tour at the cathedral, lunch and admission and guided tour at the Barnes Foundation. For more info or to reserve your seat, please contact Judy Magee (
Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter & Paul, Philadelphia: Join us for a Day of Recollection and Conference entitled “You are Called to Holiness” on Saturday, April 4, 9:00 AM-6:15 PM at the Basilica. There will be several speakers, Eucharistic Adoration and recitation of the Rosary and the presence of the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima. His Eminence Raymond Cardinal Burke will be the principal celebrant at the 5:15 PM, Palm Sunday Vigil Mass in the Cathedral Basilica. The Cathedral Basilica Choir will sing at the Mass. Admission: $65 per person/$20 full time student; no charge for priests, sisters and seminarians. Coffee and donuts during registration. Lunch will be served. Reservations are required. To download a flyer and registration form visit the website (www.stjohnneumannchapter.org). For more information call 215-247-2585.
Spiritual CPR: Retreat for Nurses 2020: Come join us for an afternoon of spiritual reflection and fellowship with other nurses. Join us on Sunday, April 5, 12:00-4:00 PM at the Saint Raphaela Center, 616 Coopertown Road, Haverford. $30 per person, lunch included. For more information and/or to register, please email Theresa Ferrari (
CatholicPhilly.com: Sign up for CatholicPhilly.com’s free newsletter sent to your email in-box twice a week - go to catholicphilly.com/newsletter. Don’t miss our multi-part series, “Our Changing Church,” at www.CatholicPhilly.com/church.
Insert to the Parish Bulletin for Sunday, February 2, 2020
Blessing of Throats
On the occasion of the feast day of Saint Blaise this Monday, February 3, we are having the traditional blessing of throats at the 7:30 AM Mass in the chapel. All are welcome to attend Mass and invoke God’s healing blessing through the intercession of Saint Blaise.
Elementary Faith Formation (EFF) Prayer Services
The students and catechists of our EFF Program will be having short prayer services with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in chapel this Monday (4:45-6:00 PM & 6:30-8:00 PM), Tuesday (4:45-6:00 PM) and Wednesday (4:45-5:45 PM). All are welcome to pray with us!
Parish Census
The Parish Census form remains available in the church narthex and online on the home page of the parish website. If you have not yet filled out a census form, please return the completed form to the parish ministry center as soon as possible. It only takes 3-4 minutes to complete. To date we have received a total of 1,046 census forms from our 2,920 registered households! We need you to take part in the parish census, too! Thank you for your cooperation with this project, a key step in ongoing implementation of the 2017-2021 Parish Pastoral Plan.
Flocknote Messaging System
Our parish is now using the Flocknote messaging system to send parishioners email and text messages directly to their email addresses and/or cell phone numbers (however you’d like to hear from us!). In November, we started producing a Weekly Digest complete with announcements and links about upcoming events, weekly parish bulletin columns, a link to the Sunday scripture readings and a prayer corner. There are already a total of 1,415 subscribers in the parish Flocknote system.
We are also using the Flocknote system for regular communications from the Parish School and from the Youth Ministry Program. Plans are underway to expand the use of Flocknote for other ministries in the coming months!
It’s free to sign up for Flocknote! Go to the “Next Steps” section on the home page of the parish website (www.stelizabethparish.org). If you have any questions about the system or need help signing up, simply contact Sara Richardson, Communications Coordinator, at
Auto-Giving Program
A special “thank you” to the 331 families now participating in Auto-Giving to ensure a consistent financial support to the parish throughout the year. These families’ annual contributions exceed $580,600, for which we are very grateful. We would like to enlist another 25 new auto-donors as we move through this new year! Please consider joining Auto-Giving for 2020! To receive an electronic copy of the authorization form, contact Sam Venuti (
Words from the Pastor
Even though you are out of town or away on vacation, you can still listen to the pastor’s weekend homilies. Go right to the home page of the parish website (stelizabethparish.org). Why not check out the parish website today!
