A Word from Father Mullin
As we conclude the Advent Season this week and celebrate the great feast of Christmas, Fr. John Stokely and I would like to express our deep gratitude and appreciation to all the people of our wonderful parish community. Your active involvement, generous support and prayerful example have been a great inspiration to both of us and to so many others over the years.
May the Lord Jesus bring gifts of good health, deep faith and family peace to all the faithful of Saint Elizabeth parish throughout the New Year 2017!
Father Tom Mullin
Reconciliation Opportunities in Advent
All are encouraged to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance this week in preparation for Christmas. We will have twelve priests on hand for our Communal Celebration of Penance with Individual Confessions this Tuesday, December 20, at 7:00 PM. Please note that there are no confessions here on Saturday morning, December 24 (Christmas Eve).
A Penance Service with Individual Confessions is also being held at several area parishes at 7:00 PM this week, including: on Monday, 12/19, at SS. Philip & James Church and at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church; and on Wednesday, 12/21, at St. Joseph Church.
Christmas Mass Schedule
Please 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!
Masses of Christmas: December 24-25
Christmas Eve: 4:30 PM and 7:30 PM
Christmas Day: 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM
Remember: Seating in church is on a first come-first served basis; the church is usually full by 3:45 for the 4:30 Mass! Please do not try to reserve seats with coats, etc. for those coming later. Ushers have been directed to fill in all seats and chairs immediately as people arrive. Thank you for your cooperation!
Prior to the Christmas Eve Masses, the choirs will provide a 30 minute musical prelude. In the midst of holiday excitement, the volume of conversational noise in church can sometimes escalate above our choirs and musicians. So if you are exchanging holiday greetings with others, please do so out in the narthex and keep an attentive quiet in the main church itself. Thank you!
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 and 12:00 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
Mass Intentions for the Week
December 17-18: Fourth Sunday of Advent
Saturday, 5:30 PM- Ronald Klass
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Peter & Rose Caruso
Sunday, 9:30 AM- Teresa McCormick
Sunday, 11:30 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Monday, 7:30 AM- Joan & Peter Rehill
Tuesday, 7:30 AM- Liem The Nguyen
Wednesday, 7:30 AM- William Pettigrove
Thursday, 7:30 AM- James Hay
Friday, 7:30 AM- Thomas Rzucidlo (33rd Ann)
Saturday, 8:30 AM- Constanza Geigel
December 24-25: Christmas Eve/Christmas Day
Saturday, 4:30 PM- Stokely Family
Saturday, 7:30 PM- Mullin-Heath Family
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Chambers Family
Sunday, 9:30 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Sunday, 11:30 AM- Intentions of Fr. Stokely
Readings: Isaiah 9/1-6; Psalm 96; Titus 2/11-14 or 3/4-7; Luke 2/1-14.
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: John Batt; Harry Bellwoar; Barbara Cox; Lynn Cugini; Mary Dominiecki; Elizabeth Kelly; Catherine Klimek; Peter Lubin; Charles Mallon; William Marconi; Joseph McAvoy; Denise Millane; Gerald Murphy; James Myers; Mary Supple and Frank Tyas.
We pray also for those who have died, including parishioner Joseph Ringhoffer, husband of Denise Ringhoffer; parishioner John Cossa, husband of Arlene Cossa and father of Corene Rossi; Thomas Froio, father of Gregory Froio; Catherine Zarus Krepelka, grandmother of John Krepelka; and William Farrell, father of Gregory Farrell. May they rest in peace!
Baptism News
The next session of Pre-Jordan II: A Call to Christian Parenting will be held on Saturday, January 14, and the next session of Pre-Jordan I: Preparing for Your Child’s Baptism will be held on Saturday, February 11, 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.
Pastoral Outreach
Advent Giving Tree: Thank you to all who participated in this year’s Advent Giving Tree. Nearly 2,000 gifts have been donated to area social service agencies for their client families, along with supermarket gift cards for needy families. Thanks to Kim Slattery and her team of “elves” from the Sharing our Bounty Committee for their stewardship service on this project.
Casserole Collection: Thank you to those who prepared a total of 133 casseroles for Saint John’s Hospice this month! Each casserole feeds eight homeless people, so when the family is home for the holidays, please consider making a casserole or two for Saint John’s Hospice. Upcoming winter collection dates are January 7-8, February 11-12 and March 11-12. If you have any questions about the program, please contact Jen Bauhaus (
Liturgical Life Note
Low Gluten Communion Hosts: To accommodate the health needs of some parishioners and guests, low gluten Communion hosts are available at weekend & daily Mass. For more info, please contact Gen Miceli at
Pastoral Planing News
All adult & young adult parishioners are encouraged to participate in an Open Town Meeting on Thursday, January 19, at 7:00 PM in the social hall. You can register online at the parish web site (stelizabeth parish.org). Even if you did not attend the first Open Town Meeting back in November, you are most welcome to join us on January 19. At this meeting we will have a brief review of the first November planning meeting and then work together to develop concrete objectives for each of the six goals in the newly-formulated 2017-2020 Pastoral Plan.
This pastoral plan includes a Vision Statement, an updated Mission Statement, a set of Core Parish Values and a set of six Pastoral Goals. Concrete objectives for each goal will be finalized early in 2017.
To review the current version of the pastoral plan and to offer your feedback and comments on the plan, go to the parish website and follow the links: “Our Parish” and “Pastoral Plan.” While you are there, register for the January 19 meeting, too!
The final 2017-2020 Pastoral Plan will provide direction for the commitment of resources in personnel, facilities, time and money to existing and proposed parish activities.
Committee for the New Evangelization
Christ Renews His Parish-Men’s Renewal: Join us on Friday-Saturday, January 20-21, for the next men’s overnight renewal. The retreat is designed for all men of the parish (21 or older). It provides an opportunity to experience personal growth in your faith in a relaxed welcoming environment.
Registration is now open online at the parish website, stelizabethparish.org. Registration forms are also available in the narthex. Questions? - contact Leo Shanley at
Elementary Faith Formation News
Schedule Notes: Regular EFF sessions are being held this week. There are no EFF sessions on December 26-27-28 and January 2-3-4. Regular classes will resume on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, January 9-10-11. Happy Christmas to all!
Reminder for Sacramental Candidates: Registration, Photo Banner and Sponsor Eligibility paperwork should be returned no later than January 13, 2017.
Adult Faith Formation
One Parish, One Book Club: Are you looking for something good to read by the fire on these cold winter days/nights? Try A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. It is an American classic about a young girl’s coming of age at the turn of the century. It is a poignant and moving tale filled with compassion and cruelty, laughter and heartache. Our book club discussion will be on Wednesday, January 18, at 7:00 PM in the ministry center. Let us know you are coming by email:
Saint Elizabeth Parish School News
Congratulations to all the students recognized earlier this month for the way they exhibit the virtue of honesty. And kudos to Isabelle Mesiarik who was awarded a Villa Maria High School Merit Scholarship. Thank you to the students who provided a wonderful evening of Christmas entertainment at our Band and Harmonium Concert this past Wednesday, too.
Advent Prayer Service: All are welcome to join us this Thursday, December 22, at 2:00 PM in the church for a prayer service as we finish classes for 2016 and get ready to celebrate Christmas!
Financial Aid: Applications for financial aid for the 2017-2018 school year are available at www. smartaidforparents.com. For info, call 800-360-8027.
RCIA News
Want to explore the Catholic Faith? Join our inquiry group on Mondays at 7:00 PM in St. John the Baptist Room. For more info, contact DRE Beth Riordan at
Youth Ministry News
Weather Notice: ALL youth events will be cancelled on same day/night that school is closed or EFF is cancelled. Check the website for most updated information.
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: Catholic young adults, ages 18 to 26, are invited to contact Ryan Schwalm about a newly-forming young adult group at Saint Elizabeth.
St. Elizabeth Athletic Ministry (SEAM):
Basketball: All practices and games are subject to cancellation due to weather. If school or EFF is closed for bad weather, all practices are cancelled. Coaches will contact teams if weekend games or practices are cancelled. Please use your best judgment in bad weather before coming out to the gym!
Words from the Pastor
Even though you are out of town or away on vacation, you can still listen to our pastor’s weekend homilies. Go to the parish website (stelizabethparish.org) and scroll down the home page for “Words from our Pastor.” Check the website for current and back issues of the quarterly parish newsletter, The Spirit, too!
Financial Corner
Thank you for your consistent financial support of our parish community throughout the year.
Regular Collection for Sunday, December 3-4
Weekend Contributions: $22,305.86
[Amount of Loose Cash: $1,282.86]
Midweek & Auto-Giving: $23,388.00
Total Regular Collection: $45,693.86
Number of adult envelope contributions: 764
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
While you are sitting in church, take a few moments to look over the liturgical sections of the 2017 Breaking Bread hymnal. Note that 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). Please do not remove the protective covers from the hymnals.
Happy Christmas to One and All!