A Word from Father Mullin
In his Letter to the Romans, Saint Paul uses a unique and insightful title for God the Father: “The God of endurance and encouragement.” Paul roots Christian hope in the encouragement God provides in the Sacred Scriptures and in the strength God provides to enable us to endure in the face of hardships and struggles.
As we move quickly through another Advent season, don’t forget to include in your oh-so-busy daily schedule at least a few prayerful minutes each day, now through Christmas, to open your heart for God’s gifts of encouragement and endurance in the person of His Son, Our Savior, Jesus Christ!
Father Tom Mullin
Advent Giving Tree
The Advent Giving Tree now stands in the church narthex! Please take a tag or two from the tree and buy a gift for one of the many agencies listed next to the Giving tree. Gifts should be returned on or before the weekend of December 17-18. Please read your tag to see whether the gift should be wrapped or remain unwrapped and be sure to attach the tag to your gift. Last year we provided over 2,000 gifts; the needs remain the same! Thank you again for your generosity!
Reconciliation Opportunities in Advent
All are encouraged to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance in preparation for Christmas.
On Saturday, December 17, we will have an extended period for confessions (9:00-11:00 AM) in the daily Mass chapel. A Communal Celebration of Penance with Individual Confessions will be held in the church on Tuesday, December 20, at 7:00 PM.
A Penance Service with Individual Confessions is also being held at several areas parishes, scheduled as follows: on Thursday, 12/15, at Saint Patrick Church and at SS. Simon & Jude Church; on Monday, 12/19, at SS. Philip & James Church and at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church; and on Wednesday, 12/21, at St. Joseph Church. All begin at 7:00 PM.
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, being celebrated this Thursday, December 8, 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, all in church.
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
At the 9:30 AM Mass this Sunday, we are celebrating the Rite of Entrance into the Catechumenate for several non-baptized individuals who are beginning their formal preparation for the Rites of Christian Initiation at the Easter Vigil., together with a Rite of Welcoming for three women already baptized in another Christian community and are now preparing for reception into the full communion of the Catholic Church and Confirmation this coming spring.
Please remember in your prayers today Jason Wolensky, Tanya, Zach & Rowan Karas; Tina Angles; Katy Bradica; Julie DiProspero and Christine Pearlstein. May God continue to guide them on their spiritual journey to full Christian Initiation!
Mass Intentions for the Week
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
Monday, 7:30 AM- Carolanne Morgenthaler
Tuesday, 7:30 AM- Robert McGonagle, Jr.
Wednesday, 7:30 AM- Andrew Clark
Thursday - Holy Day of the Immaculate Conception
7:30 AM- Margaret Moore
12:00 Noon- Mirta “Millie” Rosado
7:00 PM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Friday, 7:30 AM- Bernard Keenan (1st Ann)
Saturday, 8:30 AM- George & Marie Ciarlone
December 10-11: Third Sunday of Advent
Saturday, 5:30 PM- Albert Riviezzo, Sr.
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Anthony DiFerdinando, Jr.
Sunday, 9:30 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Sunday, 11:30 AM- William Maloney
Readings: Isaiah 35/1-6, 10; Psalm 146; James 5/7-10; Matthew 11/2-11
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: Harry Bellwoar; Lynn Cugini; Mary Dominiecki; Boris Gorelik; William Hartman; Cherianne Johnson; Denise Kweeder; Peter Lubin; Virginia Luteran; Charles Mallon; Madeline Mitchell; James Myers; William & Helen Shea; Elaine Siegel; Cindy Tocci; Frank Tyas and Rebecca Wagner.
We pray also for those who have died, including Dorothy Lauletta, mother of Joseph Lauletta. May our departed loved ones 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 next 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
Baptism News
Saint Elizabeth parish warmly welcomes into the Body of Christ the following children baptized in November:
Noah Stephen Cyran; Riley Elizabeth Norwood; Caden Alexander Grzeskowiak; Owen Felix Seigel; Andrew Nolan Eden; Jack William Kane; Ava Elizabeth Lenahan and Saylor Emory Spinelli.
Congratulations to their parents and godparents!
The next session of Pre-Jordan I: Preparing for Your Child’s Baptism will be held this 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 this Monday & Wednesday, December 5 & 7, and at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, December 6. Please plan to attend one of these sessions. Note: There are no classroom sessions on Monday evening nor on Tuesday afternoon this week.
Reminder: Parents of children planning to receive sacraments in Spring 2017, need to turn in your Registration, Photo Banner and Sponsor paperwork no later than January 13, 2017.
Saint Elizabeth Parish School News
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
Do You Hear What I Hear? A Christmas program for all ages! Be sure to come next Sunday, December 11, 4:30-6:00 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
Senior Adult Ministry (SAM)
SAM will be holding their annual Pot Luck Luncheon this 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
Pastoral Outreach-Sharing Our Bounty
Casserole Program: Don’t forget next weekend’s collection for St. John’s Hospice. Thank you for your generous support of this ministry. If you have any questions about the program, please contact Jen Bauhaus (
Youth Ministry News
For info on any youth ministry activities, contact Ryan Schwalm at
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!
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 (
Financial Corner
Thank you for your consistent financial support of our parish community throughout the year.
Regular Collection for Sunday, November 19-20
Weekend Contributions: $21,744.78
[Amount of Loose Cash: $1,350.78]
Midweek & Auto-Giving: $ 7,779.50
Total Regular Collection: $29,524.28
Number of adult envelope contributions: 633
Religious Retirement Collection: Thank you for your support of this weekend’s annual collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious Priests, Sisters & Brothers. Additional contributions may be dropped into the regular collection basket at Mass next weekend or sent directly to the parish ministry center.
Auto-Giving: There are now 260 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
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.
Upcoming Events & Meetings
EFF Prayer Services: Monday (5:00 PM), Tuesday (6:30 PM) & Wednesday (5:00 PM), church
RCIA & Inquiry: Mondays, 7:00 PM, St. John the Baptist & conference room
CRHP-Women: Mondays, 7:00 PM, Holy Family Room
Called & Gifted: Monday (12/5), 7:00 PM, St. Matthew
Joseph’s People: Monday (12/5), 7:00 PM, St. Luke
Social Fellowship Committee: Monday (12/5), 7:00 PM, St. Mark
HSYG Bible Study: Monday (12/5), 8:00 PM, CLC
Bible Study: Tuesday (12/6), 9:30 AM & 7:00 PM, St. Matthew
High School Youth Group: Tuesdays, 7:00 PM, CLC
Stewardship Council: Tuesday (12/6), 7:00 PM, St. Luke
Spirit Newsletter Staff: Tuesday (12/6), 7:00 PM, Holy Family Room
Knights of Columbus: Tuesday (12/6), 7:30 PM, St. Matthew
Youth for Mary: Wednesday (12/7), 6:00 PM, Holy Family Room
Legion of Mary: Wednesdays, 7:00 PM, Holy Family Room
Senior Adult Ministry (SAM) Potluck: Thursday (12/8), 1:00 PM, ministry center
Men’s CRHP Team: Thursdays, 7:00 PM, St. John the Baptist
Women at the Well: Friday (12/9), 9:00 AM, St. Luke
Pre-Jordan I: Saturday (12/10), 10:30 AM, MMC Conference Rooms
Casserole Collection: Sat./Sun. (12/10 & 11), before all Masses, kitchen
Men’s Choir: Sunday (12/11), 10:30 AM, choir room
Do You Hear What I Hear?: Sunday (12/11), 4:30 PM, church