OTHER ACTIVITIES OF INTEREST
Collections for the Homeless: Several parish families, in cooperation with the Legionaries of Christ, are collecting toiletries, clothing and bagged lunches for the homeless in Center City Philadelphia on Friday afternoons for distribution on Saturday mornings. For more information, to contribute to this project and/or to get personally involved in this outreach to the homeless, please contact Andrea Fiorilla (
Bishop Shanahan High School: BSHS is seeking a JV boys soccer coach and an assistant Varsity boys soccer coach. Interested applicants should email a resume to
Help Wanted: Ascension Press, an Exton-based Catholic publishing company, has several positions now available. Some of the available positions include: General Manager, Marketing Assistant and Accounts Payable Clerk. For more information visit https://study.ascensionpress.com/pages/about_
us/careers.
Archdiocese of Philadelphia Vocation Office News
Quo Vadis Days: Quo Vadis Days for high school men, in danger of being cancelled due to COVID-19, will now be turned into an ONLINE 3-day program, which will be held between Monday, June 29 and Wednesday, July 1 and hosted by Fr. DeLacy, the Seminarians from St. Charles Seminary and the Deacons/Priests of the Archdiocese! There will also be the opportunity for two in-person gatherings (Confession and Eucharistic Procession) using safe distancing protocols. For planning and preparation purposes, the registration deadline is FRIDAY, JUNE 12. The program is open to High school men (incoming freshmen to graduated seniors). Fee is $25 to $75 (which covers the cost of online webinar technology, online interactive games, t-shirts, masks, etc). Please make check payable to The Vocation Office. For more information and/or to register visit our website at Heedthecall.org/QuoVadis or contact Sue Matour, Associate Director (
Weekly Discernment Groups: There are three opportunities for men who are exploring a possible call to the priesthood to attend these online gatherings. Men, high school age and above, are encouraged and invited to attend these gatherings. For more information about these discernment groups, please contact Fr. DeLacy (
Philadelphia Catholic Scholars Program: As a result of the ongoing need for safe distancing due to the potential spread of COVID-19, the 10-day residential Philadelphia Catholic Scholars Program is taking a hiatus this year, but will return in 2021. To continue the opportunity to delve deeper into our faith and learn more about the intellectual and spiritual heritage of the Catholic church - we’ll still be meeting - ONLINE! High school men (incoming juniors to graduated seniors) are invited to gather daily from 3:00 - 5:00 PM between July 13-17 to discover the richness of “The Confessions of St. Augustine”. Discussions will be led by Archbishop Perez as well as invited guest professors. The group will conclude each daily session with Evening Prayer. For more info and or to register, please visit Heedthecall.org/PCSP. Due to the generosity of our donors, there is no registration fee for this program, but registration is limited to the first 25 men. All participants will be mailed a copy of “The Confessions”.
Church Builders: Do you like to build? Do you love God? Are you a young man in Grades 6-8 (incoming or completed)? Then join us for this great event! Junior high boys will gather ONLINE for a great combination of faith, fun and prayer with Fr. DeLacy, some of the Philadelphia Seminarians and invited guests! Expanding on the traditions of St. Francis of Assisi, participants will be challenged to build their own church! This event takes place on Wednesday, July 8. Register today, but no later than June 29, at Heedthecall.org/Church! For questions, contact Sue Matour (
Biking for Vocations: Biking for Vocations returns this summer between August 5-9! During this summer, seminarians studying at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary will traverse the Archdiocese on their bikes! As we continue to practice safe distancing protocols, please follow the seminarians on social media on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Specific details regarding public opportunities to meet and greet the seminarians will be posted on our website (Heedthecall.org/Biking).
Ordinations to the Diaconate & Priesthood: On Saturday, June 13, two Philadelphia seminarians, Mr. Kenneth Cavara and Mr. Mark Tobin; and Mr. Prodip Mrong, from the Diocese of Mymensingh, Bangladesh will be ordained as Transitional Deacons by Archbishop Nelson J. Perez at 10:00 AM. Nine men will also be ordained as Permanent Deacons at this time. On Saturday, June 20, five men: Deacon Wilmer Chirino, Deacon Cesar Izaguirre, Deacon Louis Monica, Deacon Kevin Okafor, and Deacon August Taglianetti, will be ordained as Priests for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Deacon Martin Okwudiba has been studying in Rome at the Pontifical North American College and his ordination date will be announced at a later time. These ordinations will be held at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia. All are invited to join in these liturgical celebrations via livestream on the St. Charles Borromeo Seminary website (www.scs.edu).
Serra Prayer Partners: We are grateful to all the men and women throughout the Archdiocese who have pledged to pray a daily rosary for an increase in vocations to the Diocesan Priesthood and religious life! Your prayer is vital to our ministry! We are also grateful to Ms. Jen Settle for organizing and spearheading this initiative for the Vocation Office. If you are not currently a prayer partner and would like to be, please contact the Vocation Office (610-667-5778).
Padre Pio and Pandemics: Please join a Zoom Meeting on Tuesday, June 16, at 7:00 PM for a discussion on Padre Pio and Pandemics presented by West Chester professor and anthropologist Dr. Michael A. Di Giovine. The discussion will center on the connection between St. Pio’s stigmata, the pressures of his early popularity and the Spanish flu. This program is being sponsored by Saints Peter and Paul parish. To join this Zoom meeting on June 16, please click on the following link: https://wcupa.zoom.us/j/97137281786?pwd=eFBFNzhST1U1bkJMTzNhLzhKT1FqZz09. The meeting ID is 971 3728 1786 and the Password is 593969.
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.
Camilla Hall, Immaculata, PA: The following openings are available at Camilla Hall, the Convent Home/Infirmary for the IHM Sisters: RN/LPN-Full-time, 11:00 PM-7:00 AM; Custodian/ Maintenance-Full-time, 7:30 AM-4:00 PM; CNAs/Nursing Assistants-Full-time/Part-time, all shifts; Food Service Workers-Full-time/Part-time, hours vary. For more information, call 484-321-5630 or complete online application at www.camillahall.org.
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 8:00 AM to 5:00 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.
Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary: National Conference, July 24, 5:00 PM-July 26, 12:00 PM, at Malvern Retreat House. Presenters are Fr. James Blount SOLT and Msgr. Ralph J. Chieffo. Cost is $265 per person (includes accommodations, meals and conference registration). Register online at https://www.malvernretreat.com/events/flame-of-love-2/. For more information, please call 610-644-0400.
Saint Elizabeth Roman Catholic Church
Upper Uwchlan Township, PA
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Dear Saint Elizabeth Parishioners:
Greetings from the parish ministry center! Our parish community rejoices in the reopening of the church for the public celebration of Mass and the opportunity for our parishioners to receive the Holy Eucharist. As Archbishop Perez reminds us in his Pentecost Letter:
“It is Time to Come Home.... Come Home to listen to the Lord’s saving Word. Come Home to be with the Lord at the altar for his redeeming sacrifice... It is time for all to Come Home, renewed by the Holy Spirit.”
Beginning this weekend (June 6-7), we are following our regular weekend Mass schedule: 5:30 PM on Saturday evenings and 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM on Sunday mornings. And beginning on Monday, June 8, we will celebrate daily Mass in the main church at 7:30 AM, Monday-Friday. On Saturday mornings, we will have Mass in church at 8:30 AM, followed by individual confessions (also in church) at 9:00-10:00 AM.
In keeping with the latest CDC directives for houses of worship and archdiocesan liturgical guidelines for the “yellow/restricted phase,” there will be a number of changes and adjustments in how we come together for Mass to ensure the safety and good health of all. Please visit the parish website (stelizabethparish.org) for detailed information about adjusted liturgical practices for Mass at Saint Elizabeth.
Please note that we are having the entire church fully sanitized on a regular basis and that all who come to church are expected to wear a mask upon entering and while inside the church itself, to use the hand sanitizers provided upon entering the church, and to be mindful of social distancing throughout their time inside & outside the church building. All are expected to exit the church immediately after Mass without congregating in the narthex; socializing may be conducted outdoors in the parking area while respecting social distancing regulations.
With pastoral concern for those who are homebound, those who may be medically vulnerable and for parishioners who do not feel comfortable gathering in large settings before an effective vaccine is available, we plan to continue live streaming the 5:30 PM Mass on Saturdays and the 9:30 AM Mass on Sundays. The live-streaming and video-recording of these Masses is accessible on our website and Facebook pages.
Archbishop Perez has extended the dispensation from the obligation to Sunday Mass until further notice, even while public Mass is resumed, so that all who are hesitant to come to church at this time are spiritually at peace in not attending Mass.
As both the local civic community and our own parish community move through the "yellow/restricted phase" into the "green/open phase" in the coming weeks, please check out the parish website and social media pages on a regular basis for the latest information on liturgical practices, access to parish facilities, and the schedule of parish meetings and events, etc.
Thank you for your active cooperation and let us all pray for God's healing blessings for all who are suffering from the COVID-19 infection around the world!
Fr. Thomas Mullin & Fr. Andrew Labatorio
Saint Elizabeth Roman Catholic Church
Upper Uwchlan Township, PA
Parish Liturgical Practices during the “Yellow/Restricted Phase”
June 3, 2020
In keeping with the latest CDC directives for houses of worship and archdiocesan liturgical guidelines for the "yellow/restricted phase," there are a number of changes and adjustments in how we come together for Mass to ensure the safety and good health of all. These notes are being provided to help you know what to do when you come to church and what to expect during Mass. Please review these notes with attention and cooperate with one another for the well-being of all.
Introductory Note
With pastoral concern for those who may be medically vulnerable and for those who do not feel comfortable gathering in large settings before an effective vaccine is available, Archbishop Perez has extended the dispensation from the obligation to Sunday Mass until further notice.
If you are dealing with a chronic illness, if you are not feeling well on a given day, or if you are at higher risk of severe illness with COVID-19 (check this with your primary doctor), please stay home for your own safety and for the good of the community as a whole. And if you do attend Mass and are subsequently diagnosed with COVID-19, please inform the parish office immediately!
Practical Arrangements & Liturgical Practices for Parish Masses
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Everyone over two years of age is required to wear a face mask upon entering and during the entire time they are in the church building; those with a respiratory illness and those who are unable to remove a face covering without assistance are exempted from wearing a face mask at church, provided they show medical documentation upon entering the church (CDC Guidelines).
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Liturgical ministers will not wear a face mask while serving at the altar, but will do so when entering and exiting the church.
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All are expected to be mindful of social distancing (a minimum of six feet between persons of different households) throughout their time inside and outside the church.
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Everyone entering the church is required to use one of the hand sanitizers provided at all the church entrances. After using the hand sanitizer, please go directly into the church and find an open seat without congregating or socializing in the narthex before Mass.
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To guide the flow of people coming into church for Mass, you may only enter through the two front center doors and the chapel side doors; weather permitting, these doors will be left in the open position, to reduce hand contact. The courtyard doors will remain closed and may be used for exit only.
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To ensure proper social distancing, all sections of seating around the church will be accessible, with every other row of pews closed off in each section; signs are posted on the closed rows.
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Members of the same household may sit together as usual; when seated in the same pew with others, please keep six feet apart from those of a different household.
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The two public bathrooms will remain open, with the doors left open and signs posted on the doors to remind people to maintain social distancing and wash their hands before exiting the bathrooms. Parents are expected to accompany children under ten years old to and from the bathroom for their safety and cleanliness.
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All holy water fonts will remain empty until further notice; all the hymnals have been removed from the pews and will not be available in the church or chapel at this time.
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Liturgical music will be provided by an instrumentalist and cantor, without full choir groups.
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You are welcome to use a mobile device to follow the prayers and scripture readings of the Mass; these texts are available at http://usccb.org/calendar/.
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There will be no presentation of the gifts, no handshaking at the Sign of Peace, and no sharing of the Most Precious Blood (except for the celebrant and assisting deacon).
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At least initially, Holy Communion will be distributed only by our priests and deacons, with the ministers wearing a face shield or face mask (but not gloves) during the distribution.
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Communion ministers are required to wash their hands immediately before and immediately after Mass, and to use the hand sanitizer provided on the credence table before and after the distribution of Holy Communion.
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At Communion time, please remain in your pew until invited by an usher to move forward; to facilitate social distancing, ushers will direct the flow of people, beginning with the back rows of each section of pews and following the lines marked on the floor around the church. Those not receiving Holy Communion are asked to step completely out of the pew to allow others seated in the same pew to go up for Holy Communion.
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All communicants are expected to receive Holy Communion only in the hand, not on the tongue; communicants should accept, not take, the Sacred Host from the minister, step to one side, lower your mask to consume the Sacred Host, replace your mask and then return to your pew.
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Those needing a low gluten host and those seeking to receive Holy Communion on the tongue are asked to make individual arrangements with the pastor.
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There will not be an offertory collection during Mass; as you enter church, please drop your offering into one of the collection baskets located at the two church entrances. An usher (with face mask) will monitor each collection basket and carry the basket to the sacristy as the Alleluia verse is sung.
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After the ministers have left the altar area, all are expected to exit the church in an orderly fashion that maintains social distancing and without congregating in the narthex; socializing may be conducted outdoors in the parking area while respecting social distancing regulations.
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Please remove everything from the pew as you leave, out of courtesy and regard for those coming for the following Mass; trash receptacles are located directly outside the church exits.
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Parish bulletins, Auto-Giving cards and other materials will not be distributed by ushers or greeters; as you leave church, please pick up a parish bulletin from the tables at the church exits. You can also read the parish bulletin on the parish website!
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The Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) program is not being offered during the summer months; it will be reconsidered in the fall, pending the latest directives for group gatherings.
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Stars Rewards cards are not being sold on summer weekends. For information about online orders, please contact the parish business office.
Let us all keep our eyes fixed upon the Lord Jesus as we resume the public celebration of Mass together here in Saint Elizabeth Church!
Summer Schedule for Other Liturgical and Devotional Services
∙ Sacramental Confession: Individual confessions are being heard in the church on Saturday mornings at 9:00 AM. Please maintain social distancing while waiting in line for confession and use the hand sanitizer provided on the table in the front of the church before stepping forward for individual confession.
∙ Eucharistic Adoration: During the summer months (June 8-August 31), Exposition is being conducted in the church (not the chapel) on Mondays, beginning after the 7:30 AM daily Mass and closing at 7:00 PM.
∙ Marian Devotions & Rosary for Life: Beginning on Saturday, June 13, all are welcome to gather in church (always mindful of social distancing) for novena prayers to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal at 7:50 AM, followed by a Rosary for Life at 8:00 AM.
Related Information about the Church & Other Parish Facilities
∙ While the maximum number for everyday social gatherings in the “yellow/restricted phase” is 25 persons, houses of worship (churches) are specifically included in the CDC and state governmental directives for essential businesses which allow for 50% capacity for gatherings while maintaining social distancing regulations and wearing face masks, etc. Given the size of our parish church, it is very unlikely that we will reach or exceed that capacity (± 600 people) at any one Mass on summer weekends.
∙ The entire church, narthex, entrances and public bathrooms are being cleaned and sanitized with an electrostatic sprayer on a regular basis during the week and on Saturday afternoons (but not in-between weekend Masses). A bacterial shield is also being applied to all surfaces on a scheduled basis to enhance the sanitation process.
∙ On weekends, the Good Shepherd Room (“cry room”) and its bathroom will ordinarily remain locked; all the children’s books and toys in the room have been placed in storage. The Holy Family Room (with the adult spirituality library) and the parlor will also be locked on weekends.
∙ The chapel will remain closed to public access during the week and on weekends; its use for weddings, funerals and Baptisms will be reconsidered later in the summer.
∙ The parish ministry center remains open on weekdays, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM, during the summer months for essential pastoral appointments, necessary business and mail deliveries, etc. For now, the parish office will not be open on Sunday mornings.
∙ In keeping with current government directives, all those coming to the parish office are required to wear a face mask in order to be admitted into the office, and to practice social distancing once inside the ministry center itself.
∙ During the “yellow phase” all onsite meetings of ministry groups and committees are suspended; committees may conduct their business through electronic means as their chairpersons see fit.
Thank you for your understanding, patience and active cooperation with our joint efforts to ensure the prayerful celebration of Mass while keeping you and all our parishioners and visitors safe and well.
All God’s blessings for the summer months!