Parish StaffParish StaffParish StaffParish Staff Phone: 610-269-8294 Fax: 610-269-2487

www.stjosephrc.org

460 Manor Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335

Rev. Msgr. Joseph C. McLoone Pastor

Rev. Anthony T. Rossi Parochial Vicar

Rev. John E. Donia Resident

Deacon Jim Bogdan Permanent Deacon

Deacon Edward R. Schiappa Permanent Deacon

Ms. Karen Dawson Parish Services Director/

Adult Faith Formation Coordinator

Mrs. Roe DeRitis Parish Secretary

Mrs. Jo-Ann Funkhouser Bookkeeper

Mrs. Dodie Milano Receptionist

Ms. Julie Wiant Business Manager

Ms. Jeannine Zack Parish Secretary

SchoolSchoolSchoolSchool Phone: 610-269-8999 Fax: 610-269-2252

www.stjosephrc.org

Sister Catherine Irene, I.H.M. Principal

Sister Diane Licordare, I.H.M. Vice Principal

Mrs. Julie Fitzgerald Secretary

Parish Religious Education ProgramParish Religious Education ProgramParish Religious Education ProgramParish Religious Education Program Phone: 610-873-8798 Fax: 610-873-5466

www.stjosephrc.org

Mrs. Kathy Thomas Director of Religious Education

Mrs. Mary Ann Korpics Assistant to the D.R.E.

ConventConventConventConvent Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

484-593-4352

Celebration of the Eucharist Saturday: 5:00 p.m. Vigil Sunday: 6:00 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12 noon, 4:00 p.m.

Monday-Friday: 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m. Saturday: 8:00 a.m.

Holy Days of Obligation As Announced

Reconciliation Saturday: 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays: 6:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Anointing of the Sick Any sick or hospitalized parishioner who is in need of the Sacrament of the Sick should contact the Parish Office.

Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Holy Family Chapel in the Holy Family Center.

Morning Prayer Monday—Friday at 6:30 a.m. in Church.

Devotions The Holy Rosary: Recited before the 9:00 a.m. Mass daily.

Miraculous Medal Devotions: Every Tuesday after the 9 a.m. Mass.

Novena to Saint Joseph: Every Wednesday after the 9 a.m. Mass.

Litany to the Sacred Heart: First Friday of the month after the 9 a.m. Mass.

First Saturday Devotions: The First Saturday of each month at 8:30 a.m.

September 4,

2016

The Twenty-Third Sunday

In Ordinary Time

Please remember in your prayers all those who have died:

Francis Hirthler, Josephine Mazzotta and Joseph Solecki, Sr.

Labor DayLabor DayLabor DayLabor Day MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 8:00 AM Lucia Napoleone

ANNOUNCED MASSES

NEXT WEEKEND

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 5:00 PM Eileen Delphais

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 6:00 AM For Our Parishioners

7:30 AM Andrew J. Cozzone (6th Anniv.) 9:00 AM Joseph Koval 10:30 AM For the members of the St. Joseph Memorial Society

12:00 PM Joseph Koval 4:00 PM Florence Williamson

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 7:00 AM William Teti 9:00 AM Jack & Agnes Harris

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 7:00 AM Madeline Kennedy 9:00 AM Carol Purvis

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 7:00 AM Edward Secrest (Vietnam 1968) 9:00 AM Mary Osborne (Living)

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 7:00 AM Carmelo D'Urso 9:00 AM Deceased Members of the

Homitz Family

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 8:00 AM The Wade Twins

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 5:00 PM Bridget McLoone (2nd Anniv.)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 6:00 AM For Our Parishioners

7:30 AM John Meehan 9:00 AM Mary Sandkamp & Family 10:30 AM Tim Larkin 12:00 PM Leonard Francella 4:00 PM Mike Ferguson

Robert J. Bammer, Jr., Katie Castaldi, Martin Kozakowski, John E. Logan, Joseph McLaughlin, Margaret Muller

Josephine Perley & Reverend John C. Wilz

The Sanctuary Candle burns in memory of Andrew J. Cozzone.

The Chapel Sanctuary Candle burns in memory of the Colette & Cote Families)

BAPTISMS

Congratulations to the children baptized last weekend.

ARCHER NASH REGAN AND AMELIA CHRISTINE STANCO

Parents of babies to be baptized are asked to please register for Pre-Jordan, a baptism preparation program at Saint Joseph Parish, recommended by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The next session is October 15 (Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Registration information can be found on our website or in the brochures in the Saint Katharine Drexel Room. For more information, contact Karen Dawson at 610-269-8294 or

KarenD@stjosephrc.org.

MARRIAGE

Congratulations to the following couples married in August.

KELSEY HALE AND ANDREW MCGARRY

LEIGHANN LAMBERT AND DANIEL CASSIDY

Couples planning to marry are asked to meet with their parish priest as soon as possible after their engagement and to enroll in a marriage-prep program (Pre-Cana) at least six months prior to the wedding. Our fall Pre-Cana weekend is November 4 & 5. Registration forms are available on our website and in the St. Katharine Drexel Room in Church. For more info, contact Karen Dawson at 610-269-8294 or karend@stjosephrc.org.

�those who are sick: Sylvia Anderson, Paula Barry, Mina Massimini Bender, Patrick Bonani, Rashid Brooker, Philomena Bruno, Allison Carcella, Judy DiFonzo Cazillo, Bill Cleveland, Dolly Colella, Andrew Collette, Alicia Collins, Anita Conant, John P. Conway, Baby Michael Corrigan, Jason Cozzone, John Cruice, Dominic D’Antonio, Evelyn Dulik, Francis Elko, Lillian Espositio, Edward Fagan, Gladys Felice, Joe Feola, Michael Forrest, Jr., Daniel Ganley, Mark Gottman, Rose Graveno, Carrie Grosso, John Guttman, Phoebe Guyer, Cathie Harper, Ann Hauster, Doreen Hindo, Joseph Huss, Robert & Donna Jones, Mary Kapaun, Mark T. Klimowicz David Kurtz, Ellen Lis, Robert Mancuso, Wendy Martini, Nicholas Massari, Josephine Mazzotta, McBeth Family, Joan McCrea, David McFarland, Joyce McFarland, Pat Melcher,Cathy Newman Menna, Marena Marie Meyers, Wilma Murphy, Sr. Mary O’Connor, Sue Patrick, Mimma Patrono, Florence Popadick, Msgr. Joseph Rauscher, Lynn Reily, Sue Rizzo, David W. Rothhaar, Doreen & Don Sadowski, Christopher Sauk, Karen Sambuco, Margaret Shannon, Aaron Shoop, Laura Shorter, Baby Jessica Shue, Edward Smith, Sister Mary Stanislaus, Geri Talucci, Agnes Timothy, Lisa Ulrich, Ryan Veasey. Reece Gabriel Weeks & Ronald Grant Zimmerman.

...those who are serving our country: Brandon W. A’Hara, Sgt. Steve Anderson, Andrew Bowser, Specialist Andrew Clauhs, Sarah Debarberie, Lt/Cpl. Shane Desiderio, Staff Sgt. Christopher Deutsch, Staff Sgt. Ian Deutsch, Captain Joseph S. DiBerardinis, 2nd. Lt. Mark Edwards, Danny Fuller, Jeffrey Fuller, 1st Lt. Matthew Glisson, Leslie Harkness, 1st Lt. Jonathan M. Harris, Brent Joshua Horrocks, LCPL. Steven Houser, Jacob Hudson, Zachary Kish, Christopher J. Korpics, Mark T. Korpics, Peter Kurtz, Andy Landmesser, Major Paul D. Lang. PFC. Sgt. Christopher Madden, Krzysztof Malarz, Spc. Nicholas Massari, Major J. Kevin McKittrick, Pvt. Francis Misantone, 2nd Lt. Ryan Misero, Rct. Jake Moffitt, Lt. J.G. Brian Muka, Pvt. Ian Donoghue-Neider, PFC Nicholas Odgers, Sgt. Bradley Panichelli, Alex Rozon, Pvt. 1st Class Matthew Scalia, Vincent E. Short, III, Jeremy Solnosky, Ryan Strehl, LTJG Sean Sweeney, Bryan Williams, Josh Woodward and Vincent Yarch.

PLEASE PRAY FOR: Names will be kept on the sick list for 3 months.

Call the parish office to add/remove/re-add names.

TODAY’S READINGS

Readings for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time can be found at #996(C).

A L e t t e r f r o m t h e P a s t o rA L e t t e r f r o m t h e P a s t o rA L e t t e r f r o m t h e P a s t o rA L e t t e r f r o m t h e P a s t o r

September 4, 2016

Dear Friends,

This weekend finds us at the end of the “summer” season and most people gearing up for another school year and all the activities that accompany this time of year. Best Wishes and Blessings to our college students who have probably already begun and to all of our young people settling into another year of academic enrichment. We offer a special wish and prayer for all those beginning at a new school or course of study. We especially welcome all of our new students at St. Joseph School or our PREP program.

This weekend, the Church universal celebrates the Canonization of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She is revered the world over for all she accomplished by her work with the poor and the needy. Her life was marked by a thirst to serve the suffering Christ on the cross by how she met and ministered to those who were suffering in this world and most in need of love. St Theresa of Calcutta once said, “Holiness does not consist in doing extraordinary things. It consists in accepting, with a smile, what Jesus sends us. It consists in accepting and following the will of God. In her simple theology she said that “bringing joy to one unhappy person is worth everything.”

Prayer to St Teresa of Calcutta

You allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you,

and so became the light of His love to all.

Obtain from the heart of Jesus what I am imploring in prayer.

Teach me to allow Jesus to pierce and possess my whole being so

completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen.

As we celebrate Labor Day this Monday let us never forget that the Lord invites us to continue His work of building up the Church He left behind here on earth. In this Jubilee year of mercy may we make it our work and life’s labor to live the spiritual and corporal works of Mercy. In the spirit of St Teresa of Calcutta, what can you and I do to show the world we are Christians? “They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes, they will know we are Christians by our love.”

Saint Joseph, Pray for Us!

Monsignor McLoone Monsignor McLoone Monsignor McLoone Monsignor McLoone Pastor Pastor Pastor Pastor

Parish Office Hours The Parish Office will resume regular office hours starting

on Tuesday, September 6.

Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

If you have an evening event, please make sure to pick up the key

before that time.

Labor Day The Parish Office will be closed on Monday, September 5 in observance of the Labor Day Holiday.

Please note

There will be one Mass at 8 a.m. on Monday, September 5.

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Children’s Liturgy of the Word

(CLOW) Resumes Sunday, September 11

Children leave during the 9:00 Mass before the Liturgy of the Word begins and return as the Prayer of the Faithful ends. They go to the chapel to hear the same readings in language they understand.

If you would like to know more about this delightful ministry, please contact Leif Erickson at leife100@gmail.com.

New Parish Office

Update We are scheduled to move to our new office the week of Sept. 26!

During the move and set-up that week, we will have a receptionist operating out of the St. John Neumann Room in the church from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please be patient with these abbreviated hours and if your request cannot be handled until the following week when we are up and running in the new office.

Watch this space each week for updates on the move! The new office will be open for business on Monday, Oct. 3 at 8 a.m.

Attention Aid For Friends

and Mercy Hospice Casserole Volunteers

As the parish office prepares to move to its new location, please note the changes later this month for the Aid for Friends and Mercy Hospice freezers.

Mercy Hospice: Please bring all September meals to the freezer by 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 15. The freezer will be unavailable from then until Oct. 3.

Aid For Friends: If you are a volunteer cook, please do not bring any more meals to the freezer until Oct. 3. If you are a visitor, please pick up meals by Monday, Sept. 19. Take enough meals to make sure your client has plenty of meals to cover them between Sept. 19 and Oct. 3. If you can store some meals in your own freezers, too, that would be appreciated.

Both freezers will be ready to accept meals again on

Monday, Oct. 3 in the new building behind the rectory. In the new parish office, the freezer will sit in an alcove just inside the front doors.

Thank you for your help during our transition and thank you for your help making meals for those in need!

Adoration Chapel

In order to keep Adoration available during our move, please note an adjusted schedule/location that week. On Monday, Sept. 26 at 6 a.m., Adoration will move to the chapel in church. Adoration will take place every day in that chapel from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. (no overnight hours). On Sunday, Oct. 2, there will be a small procession after the noon Mass to bring the Blessed Sacrament into the new Adoration Chapel, where everything from the current chapel will have been moved.

The chapel will be blessed, the Blessed Sacrament will be placed on the altar, and the new Adoration Chapel will again be open 24/7.

Day of Prayer for Peace in

Our Communities Friday, September 9

Memorial of St. Peter Claver, Priest Archbishop Charles Chaput invites all parishes and communities throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to observe the Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, September 9, as a Day of Prayer for Peace in our communities. This initiative of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) responds to the pressing need for civil dialogue with regard to race relations, restorative justice, mental health, economic opportunity and gun violence. Prayer is a first step in this dialogue. Please join St. Joseph Parish at Mass or in the Adoration Chapel on Friday as

we pray for peace.

P a r i s h N e w sP a r i s h N e w sP a r i s h N e w sP a r i s h N e w s “LIKE” US ON FACEBOOK!

“Like” us on Facebook and keep up with all of

the latest Saint Joseph Parish News! https://www.facebook.com/saintjosephdtown

You may also search on Facebook for St Joseph Parish Downingtown.

Saint Joseph Lottery Calendar 2016-2017

Available in the Parish Office! Cost: $100

August 26 Winner Charles Chiccino Charles Chiccino Charles Chiccino Charles Chiccino ---- $125$125$125$125

For questions and info, call Joan Angiulo at 610-806-2142.

Downingtown Life Chain Mark your calendars for October 2 to attend the

Downingtown Life Chain at 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. More to follow.

Blessing of the Animals The blessing of your pets will take place on the

front patio of the church on Sunday, October 2, at 2 p.m.

Parish Registration

Parish Registration is Sunday, September 25 at 10 a.m.Sunday, September 25 at 10 a.m.Sunday, September 25 at 10 a.m.Sunday, September 25 at 10 a.m. in the Saint John Neumann Room of the Church.

Safe Environment Saturday, October 1 from 9:00-11:30 a.m.

Parish Meeting Center Register online at www.virtus.org.

Parish Religious Education News

Office: 610-873-8798

Become a PREP Catechist today! “Oh, no! They’re asking for catechists again. I keep telling myself that someone else will sign on to teach my children, but they keep asking.” Sound familiar?

I can’t be a catechist because: • I don’t know enough. • I’m not a very organized person. • I can’t keep 15 children attentive and interested in

learning about Jesus. • I can’t do this by myself.

I can be a catechist because: • I can learn more about Jesus and my faith. • I can become better organized. • I can tell children how much Jesus loves them and

wants to know them better so they can know Him better.

• Jesus will be with me every step of the way. How about:

• I’ll give it a try because I am available during the time my children come for classes. I may not be perfect, but I’ll give it a try for Jesus.

• God is not asking for perfection. There is no perfect person, but there is you. You are the one.

• God is calling you to teach His children. So close your eyes, take a deep breath, clasp your fingers to your nose, and dive into the catechist pool. God’s grace will help you with every stroke.

Contact the PREP Office to find out how you can help us bring the children closer to Jesus this year.

PREP

Registration for 2016-2017 is well underway. Register now. Information on registration and helping us as a volunteer can be found through the parish website at www.stjosephrc.org/prep.

Baptism certificates are needed for children new to

PREP.

Home School Families

Home School and Private School families are asked to contact the PREP Office to update your family information with us and let us know if you have children who will receive sacraments during the coming school year.

Sacraments Packets for eligible families will be handed out in early September.

RCIA

Would you like to know more about the Catholic Faith, want to become a Catholic or perhaps learn more about how to complete reception of the Sacraments of Initiation if already baptized a Catholic?

Our program, RCIA, prepares you to become Catholic and deepens your friendship with the Lord. The program focuses on Catholic teaching, preparation to celebrate the sacraments, and fellowship with others. RCIA meets Wednesday evenings, September to May.

If so, contact the PREP Office at 610-873-8798.

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The First Spiritual Exercises Have you ever felt a deep longing for inner peace? Have you looked for calm in financial security, a vacation, or a quiet place?

As Saint Ignatius of Loyola sought ways to deepen his relationship with God, he noticed how his desires drew him into powerful experiences of grace. Desire led to spiritual gifts. For Ignatius, the yearning for God’s unconditional love lead to gratitude. His desire to serve others provided him great energy. His yearning for forgiveness aroused pure wonder, for healing brought divine intimacy, for interior freedom evoked deep reverence and for friendship with Jesus gave deep inner peace. His journal noted his reflections, graces, questions, feelings, favorite Scriptural texts and prayers. This journal became an instruction manual for others who wanted the quiet peace of a close friendship with God.

Please join us as we practice The First Spiritual Exercises on Thursday evenings: October 6, 13, 20 & 27 from 7:00-

8:30 p.m. in the St. John Neumann room in the church.

There will be an information night on Wednesday,

September 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Meeting

Center. Our time together will include refreshments, prayer, discussion of the First Exercises and shared reflections.

To sign up or for more information, please contact Pam Seymour at

484-678-1653 or pseymour@spiritualdirectors.net.

Are you Grieving the Death

of a loved one? Wherever you are on your journey of grief, you don’t have to travel alone. Grief is unique to each person, and journeying through it can be painful, lonely, and confusing, but it can be comforting to share this journey with others. We invite you to take part in our six-week grief support program called “Grieving the Death of a Loved One.”

The group will meet on Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. from October 4 through November 15 (no meeting on November 1) in the Parish Meeting Center (behind the school).

To register, please fill out a form by September 20. They are available on the website, in the St. Katharine Drexel room in church, and in the parish office. Questions: Please contact Karen Dawson at karend@stjosephrc.org

Letter from Archbishop Chaput

2nd Collection

Black and Indian Missions

Next Weekend,

September 10 & 11.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Established in 1884, the Black and Indian Mission Collection is the embodiment of the Catholic Church’s concern for evangelizing the Black, Native American and Indigenous peoples of the United States. Your financial contribution to this fund assists clergy, religious and lay catechists, parishes, schools and catechetical centers for the evangelization of the Black and Native American peoples throughout our country. In 2014 alone, over $8.9 million were collected from the faithful across the United States and every penny was given out in diocesan grants plus a little more.

Pope Francis reminds us that everyone is meant to evangelize. As we embark on another year of evangelization in the Black Catholic, Native American and Alaskan Native communities, everyone is encouraged to make a difference by offering their prayers for the fruitful support of the missions in the United States and to consider expressing concretely their Christian solidarity through sacrificial offerings.

Your support impacts the daily pastoral work of our bishops, consecrated religious women and men, and lay-

leadership who labor on Indian reservations, urban centers, Black Catholic and Alaskan Native parishes, mission schools and the many, many diocesan programs and projects that strengthen the work of the Gospel. Locally, through grants awarded from this collection, a number of parishes within the Archdiocese are able to fund pastoral outreach and evangelization programs. It is only through your continued generosity of this collection that such efforts are realized.

The Collection for the Black and Indian Missions will be held in parishes of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on the weekend of September 10 and 11, 2016.

I ask your continued prayers and generous financial support of this collection.

Sincerely in Christ,

+ Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. + Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. + Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. + Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. Archbishop of Philadelphia

Volunteer with Project Linus Involves knitting or crocheting blankets/quilts for critically ill children and distributing them to hospitals in our area. Want to help? Donate a blanket to your local Project Linus. Blankets must be new, handmade and washable. Call Shirley Miller at 610-269-4702. Please do not bring the blankets to the parish office or church.

Electronic Giving Options

If you need a convenient way to make your contribution, we encourage you to check out our new electronic giving options. To set up a one-time donation, visit us online at http://stjosephrc.org and locate the Online Giving button which can be found under the RESOURCES tab “Give to St. Joseph Parish.”

Helping Other People Everyday

(H.O.P.E.) Rides require 48 hours notice.

HOPE provides rides to doctors’ appointments, the grocery store, the pharmacy, and other necessary errands.

For the week of 9/5, please contact Helen Lyons at 610-873-8041 or

Julia Kehoe at 610-269-9545. For the week of 9/12,

please contact Janine Lill at 610-269-3055 or Karen McManus at 610-269-6979.

For info, contact Helen Lyons at 610-873-8041 or helenmlyons@yahoo.com.

September Mercy Hospice Schedule

Group 1 - Southwest Chicken with Corn & Rice

Group 2 - Stuffing-Crusted Creamy Chicken

*Meals due by Thursday, September 15.* See page 4 for details.

Please call Gail for more info at 610-269-9574.

Poor Box Collection Sunday, August 28

August 28 Total: $572.00

August Total: $1,465.00

The Poor Box for August was for the

I.H.M. Literacy Center.

The Poor Box for September is for the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

S t e w a r d s h i pS t e w a r d s h i pS t e w a r d s h i pS t e w a r d s h i p

At the conclusion of today’s gospel, we hear Jesus tell a “great crowd” that “…anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” A few of Jesus’ immediate disciples, such as Peter, John and James, did just that: They responded to Jesus’ call, renouncing everything to follow him. How do modern disciples of Jesus respond when confronted with this apparently harsh command of Jesus? Surely the renunciation of possessions need not mean literally giving all one’s possessions away, does it? Questions we might ponder this week though: Do our possessions keep us from encountering Christ at Mass? Do they distract us from our parish family? Do our possessions interfere with our relationships? Do they make us insensitive to those less fortunate? (International Catholic Stewardship Council’s September Newsletter)

Sunday, August 28 Collection Total

$33,132.55

Ordinary Income: $24,658.75 (566 envelopes)

Loose Cash: $2,563.05

Weekly EFT: $5,590.75 (202 participants)

Weekly Credit Card: $320.00 (12 participants)

Collection Total: $33,132.55

Sign up with Shopwithscrip and a percentage of your orders can be credited to your school tuition or donated to St. Joseph Parish! Going away on vacation?

Many parishioners plan ahead and order gift cards to use - whether clothing stores for vacation wear or restaurants when dining out! Shopwithscrip.com also offers

ScripNow Shopwithscrip.com also offers ScripNow that allows you to print store gift cards fast! Perfect for last minute gifts and vacations!

Knights of Columbus (William J. Fenerty Council 7208)

This fraternal benefit society welcomes Catholic men ages 18 and older who are dedicated to charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. It upholds and promotes Catholic teaching, and sponsors and provides support for various parish and Knights of Columbus activities throughout the year. Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Parish Meeting Center. Contact Tom Caridi at 484-553-2961 or tmcaridi@verizon.net

St. Joseph Parish Squires

Parents, if you have a son who is entering high school or is currently in high school, please consider having him join our parish Squires group. We meet once a month on a Thursday evening and we pray, perform good works, participate in church activities, and still have time to play some basketball and other activities. If interested or for more information, please contact Father Rossi at frrossi@stjosephrc.org.

The Loaves and Fishes

Project

With the Loaves and Fishes Project, giving is as easy as 1-2-3: • Grab a can of soup, a box of pasta, or any non-

perishable item from your cupboard as you dash out the door to Mass.

• Drop off your donation in the “Loaves and Fishes” closet on your right as you come into church.

• Enter the church with the warm feeling of a nourished soul!

The Loaves and Fishes team will deliver the items to the Lord’s Pantry in Downingtown. Feel free to contribute to this “ongoing food drive” once a week, once a month, or once a year. As a church family, we can make a much appreciated contribution and a significant impact to a charity that helps over 700 families every week.

Please contact Nancy Farrington at nmfarrington@gmail.com or 610-620-3619

for more information.

Bridge of Hope In this ministry, parishioners form teams to sponsor a single mother facing homelessness. The team provides friendship to the woman and her family by taking turns calling her, spending time together, and being a reliable support structure at a time when she most needs

encouragement.

Contact Kathy Lovell at

katherineL@BridgeofHopeLCC.org

Legion of Mary The Legion of Mary meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. in

the Parish Meeting Center. Is Our Blessed Mother calling you? Everyone is welcome. For more information please call Jim McGowan at 610-812-4160.

Charismatic Prayer Group

Charismatic prayer group meets on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. Please join us in the chapel as we deepen our prayer life, deepen our relationship with the Lord, and worship as a community. For info, call Joe McCahon at 610-716-3084.

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King’s Men The next King’s Men meeting will take place on Thursday, September 22 at 8 PM in the Par ish Meeting Center . The King’s Men (18 & over) enjoy authentic fellowship, engage in learning and lively spiritual discussion and are challenged to live a more integrated and full Christian life! Contact Bill Reagan at B_reagan@rocketmail.com.

Prime Timers St. Joseph’s seniors meet in the Parish Meeting Center behind the school from September to June for activities and socialization. We will meet at a local restaurant in December for our holiday luncheon and provide movies during the summer months for those not on vacation. Different activities and club reports are provided at our monthly meetings.

The first meeting for the 2016-2017 period will be Wednesday, September 14 at 2:00 p.m. Please note the time change from the normal starting time and date. Most other months we will meet on the first Wednesday of the month. September is our ‘Bring a Snack or Dessert’ meeting. Members whose name begins with A to L are asked to bring a shared goody. New members are welcome without bringing desert.

Membership is only $15 for the year and begins with the September 14 meeting and is open to all those age 50+. New potential members and visitors are free to enjoy the companionship and socialization. Please call Mary at 610-

269-3650 or Paul at 610-873-2794 for info.

Archdiocese of Philadelphia

News

Holy Hours of Mercy for the Jubilee Year of Mercy During the Jubilee Year of Mercy, take time out to rest in front of Jesus in the Eucharist and experience His mercy! Holy Hours of Mercy are taking place all over the greater Philadelphia area so that all of us have an opportunity to live the Jubilee and experience the tender mercy of God. To find a Holy Hour of Mercy near you, visit archphila.org/mercy/calendar. Upcoming Holy Hour of Mercy: September 14 at 7 p.m. At Holy Cross Church in Spr ingfield

Save the Date: Catholic Women’s Conference

October 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m! at the National Shrine of

Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA. Nine dynamic speakers address all facets of the feminine genius and its influence on the total woman – mind, body and spirit - in creating a heart of mercy. This special day includes something for every woman, married, single and consecrated, featuring a Spanish track, youth track for teen girls and American Sign Language track. Find more information and registration at CatholicWomensConference.org.

CYACC

Young Adults: Multiple Upcoming Events! Please join the Catholic Young Adults of Chester County at one of our upcoming

events! This Wednesday, September 7 we have our monthly Holy Hour at 7:30 p.m. in the lower chapel of St. Agnes in West Chester. Then, we will have our Fall Dance on Saturday, October 1 from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Meehan Center at Ss. Simon and Jude in West Chester! For more info, check us out on Facebook or email us at cyacc1@gmail.com

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3rd Annual AbbeyFest: Faith, Music and Family Saturday, September 24

11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Daylesford Abbey

This faith-filled event features Music bands/Christian artists, Speakers, Mass, Confessions & Eucharistic Adoration. There will also be food, craft vendors/exhibits & games for kids. Keynote Speaker: Jeff Cavins. For info & Tickets visit www.theabbeyfest.com or contact J im or Lia Gorman at 610-296-2330 or jimliagorman@comcast.net.

Bishop Shanahan News Bishop Shanahan High School will host its Tenth Annual College Fair on Wednesday

October 26, 2016 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Over 100 colleges and universities will be in attendance. As before, the students from all the area high schools are invited to attend. Should you have any questions, feel free to contact Mrs. Marie L. Weyback at 610-343-6242. We look forward to seeing you.

Thérèse: The Story of a Soul. On Friday, September 23 at

7:00 p.m., St. Peter Parish on Rt. 82 in West Brandywine is pleased to present a live stage production of

Thérèse: The Story of a Soul.

Acclaimed actress Audrey Ahern will bring us face-to-face with one of our most beloved saints in this one-woman show complete with theatrical lighting, original music, and visual effects that include actual photographs of the Little Flower. Encounter Thérèse as she speaks with humor, joy, and humility about her love of God and her Little Way to heaven, and why she believes we can all be saints. See why Pope St. John Paul II made this 24-year-old saint the youngest Doctor of the Church. Suitable for all ages. Admission is a free-will donation to help defray the cost of bringing the actress and production here. For information, contact Jan at 610-269-1756 or editsmith3@aol.com.

Director/Coordinator of Religious Education & Faith Formation

Saint Elizabeth Church is looking for a capable individual, lay or religious, to serve as a full-time director/coordinator of religious education & faith formation (D/CRE), beginning Fall 2016.

The D/CRE is primarily responsible for the planning and administration of parish religious education programs, including elementary faith formation (EFF), sacramental preparation, the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults & Children (RCIA & RCIC) and the Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW).

The successful candidate must be an active practicing Catholic; hold an undergraduate level and preferably a graduate level degree in Catholic theology, catechetics or a related field; and have at least three years of administrative experience in religious education in a Catholic parish or Catholic school setting. The candidate should possess sound interpersonal communication and organizational skills, an ability to relate effectively with others, and an ability to coordinate the talents and skills of others with varying backgrounds and temperaments for the good of the parish community as a whole. Please send letter of interest and resume with personal references to:

Rev. Thomas M. Mullin, Pastor Saint Elizabeth Parish Office

PO Box 695, Uwchland, PA 19480-0695.

You may also fax a letter and resume to 610-646-6513 or send an email to: tmullin@stelizabethparish.org.