Bulletin - November 27, 2016

A Word from Father Stokely

As we begin a new liturgical year, the prayers at Mass encourage us both to “run forth to meet Christ” and to “walk amid passing things...” So, which is it: Run ...walk...go fast...slow down?

Perhaps the best way to hasten toward our Lord is actually by slowing down. Spiritual growth can happen rapidly in stillness and quiet.

It is too easy to become overwhelmed by busy schedules

and the frenzy of the holiday season. It takes a lot of strength and grace to slow down or even STOP in order to take notice of God’s action and Divine Presence in the ordinary moments of life.

What might be some real ways to slow down and notice Christ? If you have any practical tips, I would be very interested in your response! I pray that you have a great Advent season as you race slowly to meet Christ.

Father John Stokely

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary will be celebrated on Thursday, December 8. This feast is a holy day of obligation for all Catholic believers. Here at Saint Elizabeth, we will have a Mass for the holy day at 7:30 AM, at 12 Noon and at 7:00 PM.

Advent Giving Tree

The Advent Giving Tree is now standing in the church narthex with lots of gift tags for the taking. Please take a tag from the tree and buy a gift for those in need. Gifts may be returned the weekends of December 3-4 and December 10-11, or as indicated on the individual gift tags. Thank you once again for your generosity!

Reconciliation Opportunities in Advent

All are encouraged to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance in preparation for Christmas. Confesions are heard on Saturday mornings at 9:00 AM.

On Saturday, December 17, we will have an extended period for confessions (9:00-11:00 AM). A Communal Celebration of Penance with Individual Confessions will be held at Saint Elizabeth on Tuesday, ­December 20, at 7:00 PM in church.

Mass Intentions for the Week

November 26-27: First Sunday of Advent

Saturday, 5:30 PM- People of Saint Elizabeth

Sunday, 8:00 AM- Theresa Rodner

Sunday, 9:30 AM- Edward Carney

Sunday, 11:30 AM- Gerald Woltman

Monday, 7:30 AM- John & Kathleen Kilgallen

Tuesday, 7:30 AM- Robert Naylor

Wednesday, 7:30 AM- Kathleen Mc Groarty (1st Ann)

Thursday, 7:30 AM- Marilyn Saeger

Friday, 7:30 AM- Teresa Mc Cormick (1st Ann)

Parish School Mass,11:15 AM- Joseph Epifanio

Saturday, 8:30 AM- Parish Memorial Mass

Mathilda Bohr; George Carey; Philip Carson; Joan Crowley; Sean Donnelly; Frank Falcone; Bonnie Gail Hatt; Catherine Janowicz; Bernie Kuchinskas; Carol Mullen; Rheanna Mc Glensey; Grace Mc Grew and Dolores Nyman

December 3-4: Second Sunday of Advent

Saturday, 5:30 PM- Peter Pienciak

Sunday, 8:00 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth

Sunday, 9:30 AM- Irene Plower

Sunday, 11:30 AM- Michael Bilko

Readings: Isaiah 11/1-10; Psalm 72; Romans 15/4-9; Matthew 3/1-12

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: on Mondays after the morning Mass until 8:30 PM. Please note that there is no Exposition on the Monday after Christmas, December 26, when all parish offices are closed.

Prayer Corner

Please remember all those who are ill, including: Lynn Cugini; Boris Gorelik; William Hartman; Cherianne Johnson; Denise Kweeder; Virginia Luteran; Madeline Mitchell; James Myers; William & Helen Shea; Cindy Tocci and Rebecca Wagner.

We pray also for those who have died, including Joseph Ursini, father of Kathleen Allan and Anna Mae Lynch, mother of Charles Lynch. May all our departed loved ones, especially those whose names are inscribed in the 2016 Book of Remembrance, truly rest in peace!

A Call for Priestly Vocations

Deanery 4- St. Andrew Dinner: Deanery 4 parishes are sponsoring a Saint Andrew Dinner for young men (ages 16-22) who are open to the call of the priesthood. The evening consists of Evening Prayer, dinner and conversation with priests and seminarians. It will be held on Monday, December 12, 6:30 PM, at Saint Joseph Parish in Downingtown.

St. Andrew Dinners are named after the apostle, who, in the Gospel according to John, brought his brother Simon Peter to meet Jesus. This dinner is an opportunity for young men in our deanery to come together to meet with one another and with area priests to discern the call to priesthood. Please RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Baptism News

The next session of Pre-Jordan I: Preparing for Your Child’s Baptism will be held on Saturday, December 10, and the next session of Pre-Jordan II: A Call to Christian Parenting will be held on Saturday, January 14, both at 10:30 AM in the ministry center. To register for the Pre-Jordan Program and/or to arrange for a baptism, please call 610-321-1200.

Elementary Faith Formation News

Advent Family Prayer Service: EFF students and their families will gather for an Advent Prayer Service at 5:00 PM on Monday & Wednesday, December 5 & 7, and at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, December 6. Please plan to attend one of these sessions. Note: No sessions on Monday evening nor on Tuesday afternoon that week.

We are still looking for pianists and vocalists to provide music for the three services. To offer your service, contact Anne at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Get Involved: Catechist Aides and Substitutes especially needed during our Tuesday evening session 6:30 - 7:45. If you are available to assist, contact Beth Riordan at 610-646-6545.

Saint Elizabeth Parish School News

First Friday Mass: All are welcome to join us this Friday, December 2, for Mass at 11:15 AM.

Christmas Concert: Come out to the gym on Wednesday, December 14, at 1:30 PM or 7:00 PM for our Christmas Band and Harmonium concert.

Financial Aid: Applications for financial aid for the 2017-2018 school year are available at www. smartaidforparents.com. For info, call 800-360-8027.

Adult Faith Formation News

Advent Resources: This weekend there is a resource table in the narthex sponsored by the Family Life Ministry Team and the Adult Faith Formation Committee. Please stop by to pick up some resources to help with your celebration of the Advent season. All materials are free. There is also a list of apps that will enhance your daily prayer life during Advent.

Do You Hear What I Hear? A Christmas program for all ages! Be sure to come on Sunday, December 11, 4:30-6:30 PM in church. Find out what Christmas song was written in the heart of Philadelphia in 1868 and other interesting facts. Join in singing Christmas carols! Free admission; RSVP to 610-646-6550 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so that we have enough refreshments prepared. Please contact Pat Kasper (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) with any questions.

Advent by Candlelight: We are almost full to the brim with more than 200 women signed up for the event this Wednesday, November 30. Several hostesses do have a few seats open at their tables, so any woman still interested in participating may contact Maria Fraser ASAP at 484-888-2224 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Senior Adult Ministry (SAM)

SAM will be holding their annual Pot Luck Luncheon on Thursday, December 8, after the noon Mass for the holy day of the Immaculate Conception. Please join other seniors in the ministry center for an enjoyable lunch, fellowship and fun. Bring a favorite dish to share (to serve 8-10 people). Make new friends and enjoy some delicious cuisine. To RSVP, call 610-646-6550 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Pastoral Outreach-Sharing Our Bounty

Thanksgiving Dinners: Thank you to all who generously donated a Thanksgiving meal to our fellow community members at our sister parish, Visitation BVM, the Sisters of St. Joseph Welcome Center, and several other parishes around the Archdiocese. We truly have shared our bounty! Thank you also to all the volunteers who made this outreach a success.

Casserole Program: The next collection for St. John’s Hospice will be on the weekend of December 10-11. Thank you for your generous support of this ministry. If you have any questions about the program, please contact Jen Bauhaus (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Angie Fiore (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Social Fellowship & Family Life News

All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast: Sunday, December 4, 8:30-11:00 AM in the social hall. The cost is $5.00 per adult, $3.00 per child (3 to 12 years old); children under 3 eat for free! The menu will include pancakes (plain or chocolate chip), sausage, coffee, tea, milk and juice. No tickets are needed - pay at the door!

After you eat your pancakes take time to visit “Angels and Ornaments” in the CLC. The Elementary Family Life Team will have activities and ornaments for school age children to make for their Christmas tree. Make an ornament that will become a family heirloom. Cost is $3.00 per child.

Youth Ministry News

For info on any youth ministry activities, contact Ryan Schwalm at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or follow us at St. Elizabeth Youth Ministry on Facebook and @st.es_youthgroup on Instagram.

High School Youth Group: Every Tuesday night at 7:00 PM in the CLC next to the social hall. And Bible Study every other Monday night at 8:00 PM, too!

8th Grade Youth Group: Our next meeting is this Wednesday, November 30, 6:30-8:00 PM in the CLC.

Middle School Youth Group: Our next meeting is this Friday, December 2, 6:00-7:30 in the gym. The group meets every first and third Friday night.

Elementary School Youth Group: Come out this Saturday, December 3, 6:00-8:00 PM in the social hall.

Parish Young Adults: We are forming a new group for Catholic Young Adults ages 18 to 26. If you want to help us create this new program, contact Ryan Schwalm (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Financial Corner

Thank you for your consistent financial support of our parish community throughout the year.

Regular Collection for Sunday, November 12-13

Weekend Contributions: $22,959.75

[Amount of Loose Cash: $1,165.75]

Midweek & Auto-Giving: $16,685.00

Total Regular Collection: $39,644.75

Number of adult envelope contributions: 652

Religious Retirement Collection: The annual collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious Priests, Sisters & Brothers will be taken up at all Masses next weekend. Contributions may be dropped into the regular collection basket at Mass or sent directly to the parish ministry center during the week. Thank you.

Auto-Giving: There are now 258 parish families making auto­matic contri­butions on a monthly or weekly basis. In this way, parishioners can provide consistent financial support to the parish throughout the year, including when they are out of town visiting family or away on vacation. Why not consider using Auto-Giving for your regular collection contributions? To receive an electronic copy of the authorization form and/or if you have questions about Auto-Giving, contact Sam Venuti at 610-646-6515 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Upcoming Events & Meetings

RCIA & Inquiry: Mondays, 7:00 PM, St. John the Baptist & conference room

CRHP-Women: Monday (11/28), 7:00 PM, Holy Family Room

Bible Study: Tuesday (11/29), 9:30 AM & 7:00 PM, St. Matthew

Liturgical Life Committee: Tuesday (11/29), 7:00 PM, St. Luke

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

Legion of Mary: Wednesdays, 7:00 PM, Holy Family Room

8th Grade Youth Group: Wednesday (11/30), 6:30 PM, CLC

Men’s CRHP Team: Thursdays, 7:00 PM, St. John the Baptist

Women at the Well: Thursdays, 7:00 PM & Fridays, 9:00 AM, St. Luke

Middle School Youth Group: Friday (12/2), 6:00 PM, gym

2017 Breaking Bread Hymnals

With thanks to the daily Mass goers who assisted with the changeover, the 2017 Breaking Bread hymnals have now been distributed around the church and chapel pews. Please do not remove the protective covers from the hymnals.

Note: The ordinary parts of the Mass are provided on pages 3-30, including the Gloria (page 6), the Profession of Faith (page 9), and the Eucharistic Prayers (pages 12-26). Next time you are sitting in the pews, take a few minutes to become more familiar with the liturgical sections of the hymnals.

Saint Elizabeth Roman Catholic Church

Insert to the Parish Bulletin for Sunday, November 27, 2016

Schedule for Sacramental Reconciliation in preparation for Christmas

All are encouraged to celebrate the sacrament of Penance in preparation for Christmas. Here at Saint Elizabeth, we will have an extended period of confessions (9:00-11:00 AM) on Saturday, December 17 and a Communal Reconciliation Service with individual confessions at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, December 20. A number of visiting priests will be on hand for both occasions.

There are also Penance Services in area parishes, as follows: on Thursday, December 15, at Saint Patrick Church in Malvern and at SS. Simon & Jude Church in West Chester; on Monday, December 19, at SS. Philip & James Church in Exton and at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church in West Chester; and on Wednesday, December 21, ­at St. Joseph Church in Downingtown. All begin at 7:00 PM.

Christmas Mass Schedule

Note: Because of the severe over-crowding at the first Mass on Christmas Eve each year, we encourage our regular parishioners, if at all possible, to plan to celebrate Mass at 7:30 PM on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day itself. Thank you for your cooperation!

Schedule of Christmas Eve Masses at Area Parishes

St. Basil, Kimberton: 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM and 12:00 Midnight

St. Joseph, Downingtown: 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 8:00 PM and12:00 Midnight

St. Peter, West Brandywine: 4:00 PM, 6:30 PM, 9:00 PM

SS. Philip & James, Exton: 4:00 PM, 7:30 PM and 10:00 PM

St. Thomas More, Pottstown: 5:30 PM and 9:00 PM

Greetings to you and to your loved ones from all of us on the parish staff at Saint Elizabeth. May you and your extended family have a wonderful Christmas, and may the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph bring blessings of health, happiness and peace ­to all the individuals and families of Saint Elizabeth Church throughout the New Year 2017!

Let us all rejoice in the Lord, for our Savior has been born in the world.

Today true peace has come down to us from heaven.

Entrance Antiphon, Christmas Mass at Night