NEWS AND EVENTS

Notices

Prayer Service For Those Lost To Or Are Recovering From Addictions
Our parish is hosting this prayerful gathering on Wednesday, November 28 at 7:00 PM. The pain of addiction affects many individuals in our parish and in our larger community, and this is why our parish is offering this basic means of support for our brothers and sisters. We know faith in God and prayer are not magic; prayer connects us to God who strengthens us. All are welcome. For more information, call Bernard at (267) 567-3094, or Father Mike at (215) 357-1221.

Thanksgiving Food Baskets & Christmas Love Tree Project
If you know of a family (or if you are a family) that needs help for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas, please contact Susanne Brooks at the rectory, 215-357-1221. Please check with the family first before giving us their name. Please be assured that confidentiality is maintained. Our teens will be in the back of church after Masses on November 17/18 accepting monetary donations for the food baskets.

Message from Fr. Mike

Msgr. Marine, Ms. Laura Clark, and I had the privilege of receiving the National Blue Ribbon Schools Plaque on November 8. “Our school,” St. Katharine Drexel Elementary School, was among the 349 schools in our nation to be recognized in 2018 for our excellence in forming our students in creative and engaging ways. During a presentation, “After Blue Ribbon”, I discovered two keys statistics, namely, Blue Ribbon recognition is awarded to less than 1% of schools in the United States and the District of Columbia, and 2% of our population willingly moves out of “comfort zones” in growing and developing their schools. We can be truly thankful for “our school,” and for each individual who contributes to its success, under the leadership of Ms. Clark, our Principal. I am proud to report the fact that “our school” received Blue Ribbon recognition after its existence for 6 years, a first time eligibility condition, based largely on our students’ national test scores. Please continue to support our school, as we celebrate its national recognition for excellence. Please feel free to contact Danny Clifton, Advancement Director, for more information about our school and for a tour. As the Annual Appeal has begun as of last Tuesday, please feel free to contribute to our school’s continued work of providing a Catholic education, which leads its students to live the Catholic faith, and moves them from the classroom to the pew.

Bulletin Insert

There are two Inserts to the Sunday November 18th Bulletin. The first one .  Each is three pages and too long to put on the website Home Page.  If you want to read the full text pick up a copy of the Bulletin at Church or the Rectoryor visit websites listed.  The first Insert is from Archbisop Charles J. Chaput and can be viewed on Catholic Philly.com and is titled Reconciliation, Reparations, and a Means to Both and is addressed To the people and clergy of the Church in Philadelphia. The first paragraph reads "As many of you will remember, less than two months ago each of the Catholic bishops of Pennsylvania pledged to offer substantial new sources of support for survivors of clergy sexual abuse. In the weeks since then, we've worked zealously to keep that promise. Today in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, we are honoring that pledge, with a special concern for victims burdened by time-barred claims."
The second Insert is from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office for Communications.  This Insert can be viewed at commof@archphila.org or www.archphila.org and is titled ANNOUNCES ESTABLISHMENT OF INDEPENDENT RECONCILIATION AND REPARATIONS PROGRAM TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS OF CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE.  Today's announcement follows a pledge made by Archbishop Chaput in September to spearhead a program administered independently of Church leadership or influence that will provide financial compensation and support for those sexually abused as minors.

First Friday Night of Reparation

A Night of Reparation is a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary which promotes the four pillars of our Catholic faith (CARE): confession, adoration, rosary, and the
Eucharist. The Night of Reparation will be celebrated at our parish on Friday, December 7th at 7:30 PM. The evening begins with confessions and rosaries followed by Mass at 8:30 PM, and goes through to 2:30 AM. Eucharistic Adoration and the Divine Office of the Angels are prayed throughout the night. Mass to the Immaculate Heart of Mary begins at 12:00 midnight.