Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
059-St. Philip Neri, page 1
Church of Saint Philip Neri Pennsburg, PA 18073
April 19, 2015 Rev. Robert A. Roncase, Pastor
Rev. Raymond W. Smart, retired; resident
Deacon Michael J. Franks
Deacon Mark J. Meinzer, Business Manager
Rev. Edmond J. Speitel, Pastor Emeritus Rev. John J. Scarcia, Retired Pastor
Shirley Misiak, Office Manager
Catherine E. Faust, Director of Music
Wendy Benner, Coordinator of PREP/Religious ED
Tom Dewees, Director Catholic Family Life Center
Diane Cunningham, Adm. Assistant CFLC Anita Fuhs, Youth Minister
Sister Patricia Kelly, M.S.B.T., Parish Outreach
Parish Phone Numbers: Rectory 215.679.9275 Youth Ministry 267.733.2572 Religious Education/PREP 215.679.7839 Catholic Family Life Center 215.679.2237 Parish Hall 215.679.8116 Parish Outreach 215.679.2282 Neri Center 215.679.6490
Fax Numbers: Rectory 215.679.0386 Religious Education/PREP 215.679.8370 Catholic Family Life Center 215.679.8370
Church & Rectory Address: 1325 Klinerd Rd; Pennsburg 18073 Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Email Address: [email protected]
Website Address: www.spnparish.org
Religious Education Office address & hours: 26 E. Sixth Street, East Greenville, PA 18041 Monday & Friday: Offices are closed Tuesday & Thursday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Wednesday: 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm Email address: [email protected]
Neri Center Address 575 Main Street, East Greenville, PA 18041
Catholic Family Life Center Address 26 E. Sixth Street, East Greenville, PA 18041 Email address: [email protected] Website Address: www.catholicfamilylifecenter.com
Youth Ministry Office hours: (East Greenville) Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Wednesday: 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm Email address: [email protected]
ROSARY: Prayed in the Chapel Saturday after the 9:00 AM Mass Monday at 1:00 PM
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION 1st Friday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM in the Chapel,
followed by Benediction.
FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS For a floral arrangement to be placed at the altar,
please call the rectory.
SUNDAY MASS SCHEDULE Saturday – Vigil Mass – 5:00 PM
Sunday – 7:30, 9:30, 11:00 AM
Holy Day Masses as announced
WEEKDAY MASS SCHEDULE - St. Anne Chapel The Chapel is open Monday thru Saturday until 7:00 PM for your visits to the Blessed Sacrament.
Daily Mass is celebrated in the
Chapel attached to the rectory:
Monday - 5:00 PM
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday - 8:00 AM
Saturday - 9:00 AM
CONFESSIONS Saturdays: 4:00 – 4:45 PM or: at the Rectory BY APPOINTMENT anytime.
BAPTISMS: Please call the Rectory to schedule 2nd Sunday Baptisms are held at the 11 AM Mass
3rd Sunday Baptisms are held at 12:30 PM
SPONSORS: Sponsors for Baptism and Confirmation
need to be at least 16 years of age, to be confirmed,
attend Mass weekly, and if married, be in a valid
marriage.
PRE-JORDAN CLASSES 1st Monday of every month at 7:00 PM in the
Rectory meeting room.
MARRIAGES Arrangements should be made at least SIX
MONTHS before the date of the wedding.
NEW PARISHIONERS Welcome to your new home!
Please stop by or call the rectory between 9:00 am -
4:00 pm to fill out a registration card.
SHUT-INS Please call the Parish Outreach Office.
SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK Please call the Rectory.
059-St. Philip Neri, page 2
OUR PARISH MISSION STATEMENT WE ARE THE CATHOLIC PARISH COMMUNITY
OF ST. PHILIP NERI, ANSWERING CHRIST’S
CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP THROUGH WORD,
SACRAMENT AND SERVICE.
WE PROCLAIM GOD’S HOPE AND LOVE TO ALL.
Serving at Mass April 26
Extraordinary Ministers Lectors
5:00 pm - Diane Kennedy Bob Piccone Patrick Kennedy C. Highleyman Priest Deacon Dave Moser Trudy Moser Annemarie Quigley Jim Quigley Janet Kendra
Alice Swift Marci Jaman Claire Holcombe 7:30 am - Christine Adelsberger Ernie Quatrani Stephan Adelsberger Priest Deacon Keith Greczek Stephanie Greczek 9:30 am - Marianne Peters Hank Brodlo
John McHale M. Brodlo Priest Deacon Jack Nash Monica Nash 11:00 am - Amanda Charlton Luke Verna Kevin Charlton D. McCausland Priest Deacon Maryanne Charlton LaRue Emmell
Third Sunday of Easter
April 19, 2015
Monday, April 20 5:00 pm - Leo & Fran Dougherty, (Mary Ann & John Poslosky)
Tuesday, April 21, St. Anselm 8:00 am - Joe Cassarella, (Terry & Wendy Benner & daughters) Wednesday, April 22 8:00 am - John Poslosky III, (Mary Ann & John Poslosky) Thursday, April 23, St. George; St. Adalbert 8:00 am - Mary Sailer, (Ray & Rose Anderson) Friday, April 24, St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen 8:00 am - Michael Mikanowicz, (Stan & Betty Mikanowicz)
Saturday, April 25, St. Mark, Evangelist 9:00 am - Jesus Santiago, (Elizabeth Hotz) 5:00 pm - Tom & Edna Zappala, (Family)
Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 26, 2015
7:30 am - For all living and deceased Parishioners. 9:30 am - For all those enrolled in Memorial Society 11:00 am - Salvatore Sarbocca, (Bob & Barbara Schwind)
WE INVITE YOUR PRAYERS For the sick, those in hospitals, nursing homes, and also for their caregivers.
Please pray in particular for:
Reverend John J. Scarcia, Florence Anders, Terry
Aston, Charlotte Azarovich, Terry Brooks, Frances Cannon, Dottie Cappelli, Danny Carr, Sue Ann
Creamer, Helen Crouthamel, Jennifer Diascro, Lois
Diephaus, Amy DiGirolamo, Ron & Joanne
DiGirolamo, Sondra Dykie, Charles Eberle, Karen
Freed, Steven Gebhardt, Stephanie Gebhardt, Fran
Jacobs, Bob Kanya, Mara Maginnis, John McArdle, Annie Moran, Rosalie Nelson, Bernard Nichols,
Tom Paul, Virginia Piechocki, Helen Pownall,
James Rosso,Anthony Sammartino, Alexis Semler,
Beverly Slifer, Sean Stefanowicz, Evelyn Steffenino,
Bob Talbot, Anna Tedesco, Bill Tersine, Kathleen Tew, Susan Tew, Margaret Tocci, Christine Troll,
Ralph UpDegrove, Martin Waldenberger, Ian
Walker, Sarah Werkley, Vincent Wixted & Larry
Wood.
For those who have died, grant them eternal rest and peace.
APRIL 2015:
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
Sunday - April 19 Children's Liturgy of the Word at the 9:30 am Mass Little Church 9:30 am Parish Hall Men's Basketball 8:00 pm Parish Hall
Monday – April 20 Holy Rosary Hour 1:00 pm Chapel
Tuesday – April 21 Boy Scouts 7:00 pm Parish Hall Historical Committee Meeting 7:00 pm CFLC SPN Craft Guild 1:00 pm Parish Hall
Wednesday – April 22 PREP/Religious Education: 6:30 pm SPNCFLC Garden Club (Church ground) 5:00 pm
Thursday - April 23 First Holy Communion Practice 6:00 pm Church
059-St. Philip Neri, page 3
Friday – April 24 Frontier Girls 6:30 pm Parish Hall SPN Quilting 1:00 pm Parish Hall
Saturday – April 25
Breakfast setup 1:00 pm Parish Hall First Holy Communion 10:00 am Church
Sunday - April 26 Parish Breakfast 7:00 am - 12:30 pm Parish Hall Children's Liturgy of the Word at the 9:3 am Mass Little Church 9:30 am Parish Hall Men's Basketball 8:00 pm Parish Hall Youth Ministry 5:30 pm Parish Hall
UPCOMING MEETINGS Holy Rosary Hour - Monday, April 27 - 1pm - Chapel Respect Life Ministry Meeting - Monday, April 27 - 7:00 pm in Parish Hall Meeting Rooms SPN CFLC Meeting - Monday, April 27- 7pm - CFLC
SPN Quilting - Monday, April 27 - 1:30 pm - Parish Hall Boy Scouts - Tuesday, April 28 - Parish Hall Friendly Visitors Meeting - Wednesday, April 29 - 1:00 pm in Rectory Meeting Room Garden Club - Wednesday, April 29 - 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm - Church grounds PREP/Religious Education - Wednesday, April 29 - 6:30 pm at the Catholic Family Life Center (Last class) Men's Basketball - Thursday, April 30 - 8pm - 10pm - Parish Hall First Friday - May 1 - Mass in Church at 9:00 am; Adoration 10:00 am - 3:00 pm in Chapel; followed by Benediction & Prayer at 3:00 pm Frontier Girls - Friday - May 1 - 6:30 pm - Parish Hall SPN Quilting - Friday - May 1 - 1pm - Parish Hall Charismatic Prayer Group - Saturday, May 2 - 10:00 am - 12:00 pm in Chapel Children's Liturgy of the Word - Sunday - May 3 at the 9:30 am Mass Confirmation - Sunday, May 3 - 3:00 pm in Church NO Bingo - Sunday, May 3 Men's Basketball - Sunday, May 3 - 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm in Parish Hall
PARISH NEWS
Saint Philip Neri Parish Council Members-at-Large welcome any questions or comments you may have. Names/email addresses: Tony Bauer: [email protected]
Matthew Fuhs: [email protected]
Dave Klauder: [email protected]
Marlene Leidy: [email protected]
Ed Tryon: [email protected]
Theresa Walker: [email protected]
SUNDAY COLLECTIONS Sunday Sunday
April 27, 2014 April 12, 2015
Envelopes: $ 6,100.50 $ 6,533.00
Online: 2,352.00 2,015.00 Loose: 996.00 626.00
Children: 32.00 32.00
Total: $9,480.50 $9,206.00
Special Second Collections:
April, 2015
For those who do not receive Sunday collection envelopes or if you are an On-Line giver, the following second collections are: Holy Land Good Friday; Easter, Catholic Home Missions and Sharing Our Blessings
100th Anniversary.
ONLINE GIVING Go green with St. Philip Neri Church by signing up for Online Giving. You have the option to keep receiving your regular offering envelope packets if you wish.
(www.spnparish.org)
HISTORICAL COMMITTEE MEETING The Historical Committee will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, April 21 at 7:00 pm at the SPN Catholic Family Life Center. If anyone is interested in being a part of this committee, email Doris: [email protected] or
Eileen at: [email protected].
PARISH BREAKFAST Our parish Breakfast is Sunday, April 26 from 7:00 am - 12:30 pm in the Parish Hall. Save the date! **************************************************** If anyone is able to spare a few hours/month to help out, call Rita: 215.679.7009. Breakfast is the fourth Sunday of each month
from January thru October. There are NO breakfasts in November and December.
RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY The Respect Life Ministry of SPN will hold their next meeting on Monday, April 27 in the Parish Hall Meeting Rooms at 6:00 pm. If you would like to be part of this Ministry, email Mark at: [email protected].
059-St. Philip Neri, page 4
SPN CATHOLIC FAMILY LIFE CENTER New Evangelization: On Monday, April 27th, beginning at 7:00 pm, the SPNCFLC will sponsor a Presentation on the topic of "Door to Door Evangelization" by Mr. Don Taggart - a member of the Legion of Mary. This talk is open to everyone in the parish. Call Tom Dewees at 215.679.2237 if you are interested in attending or have any
further questions.
SPN CATHOLIC FAMILY LIFE CENTER Faustina: Messenger of Divine Mercy, the
moving, live production performed by actress Maria Vargo and directed by Leonard DeFilippis of St. Luke Productions, will be presented at St. Philip Neri Parish Hall on Sunday, May 17 at 7:00 pm. The event is sponsored by the CFLC. Experience firsthand the life and message of Saint Faustina whose personal encounters with Jesus have inspired a world-wide devotion to Christ's Divine Mercy. This drama also brings audiences a riveting modern story that makes Divine Mercy remarkably relevant and urgent for our world today. The program is filled with all the elements of professional theater, runs 90 minutes and is suitable for ages 13 and up. Admission is $10 for adults; $5 for youth ages 6-15; $25 for families of 4 or more and children under 5 are free. Call Tom Dewees: 215.679.2237; [email protected] or visit
www.catholicfamilylifecenter.com.
A Divine Mercy Moment “When you approach the confessional, know this, that I Myself am waiting there for you. Here the misery of the soul meets the God of mercy. Tell souls that from this fount of mercy souls draw graces solely with the vessel of trust. If their trust is great, there is no limit to My generosity.”
– Jesus to St. Faustina (Diary 1602)
Live Theatrical Drama Coming
Sunday, May 17 - 7:00 p.m. St. Philip Neri Parish Hall, Pennsburg
More info: DivineMercyDrama.com
Give a St. Philip Neri Memorial Gift! For a donation of $35 or more, there is a beautiful Folder recording the gift and donor to be presented to the family. In memory of Steve P. Panzer; requested by: The Stroman Family. We also have "Living Memorials" for those
special occasions in life.
PARISH OUTREACH H.O.P.E. - During the First Quarter of 2015, H.O.P.E. Ministry gave 28 hours of service providing 19 trips to doctors, grocery stores, etc. Friendly Visitors will meet on Wednesday, April 29 at 1:00 pm in the Rectory Meeting Room. Bereavement Support Group is scheduled to meet each Thursday morning from 10:00 am to 11:30 am from April 23 to May 29 in the Parish Outreach Office. SPN Senior Club had 110 attendees at its first Gathering. The next meeting is Wednesday, April 22 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm in the Parish Hall. Martha Ministry continues to be a caring
comfort to those who have lost a loved one.
SPNCFLC PRESENTS: A "Royal Mother's Day Tea"
Sunday - May 3
2:00 pm in the Neri Center
Join us for a very special day! We will play tea party games, have a lesson on etiquette, a story time, make a craft and of course drink some tea! Don't forget to come dressed as
your favorite Prince or Princess. The cost is $5.00/person. To reserve tickets, go to www.catholicfamilylifecenter.com or call 215.679.2237 for more details. Tickets will also be available a the will call table on the day of this Event. Registrations
due by April 30.
059-St. Philip Neri, page 5
CAR SHOW SIGNS A few Car Show signs were not returned after the 2014 Car Show. If you have a sign, please return it as soon as possible. Signs may be dropped off in the small room off the vestibule of the Church or at the Rectory.
DISCOUNT DORNEY PARK TICKETS
Dorney Park will open its regular season on May 23 thru September 7; weekends only from September 8 thru November 1. You can pre-order & pre-pay for your tickets. Tickets are good for any one regular admission; all age groups to both Dorney Park & Wild Water Kingdom. Tickets are NOW available for purchase! The cost is $28; a savings of $26 per ticket. Order forms are available anywhere SCRIP is sold: at Church after each Mass or call the rectory office: 215.679.9275 between 10:00 am & 4:00 pm. Payment by cash or check only; if paying by check: make payable to St. Philip Neri Church. A limited number of tickets will be available on a first come first serve basis. Once purchased, tickets cannot be returned. The tickets are sold as a courtesy and is not a Fund Raising Event.
ST. PHILIP NERI CHURCH
HOAGIE SALE
CHEESE, HAM, ITALIAN or TURKEY
TUESDAY – May 5
12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
COST: $5.00
Place orders no later than: Tuesday - April 28
Call Rita: 215.679.7009 or
Pat: 215.679.5675
COME-N-GO BINGO
St. Philip Neri Parish Hall
Saturday – May 16, 2015
Doors open at 6:00 pm
Games begin at 6:30 pm
Cost: $.25/game
Menu: hotdogs, barbeque & drinks.
If you bring a non-perishable item to benefit Open Link, you play two free games of Bingo!
Sponsored by:
Knights of Columbus Council 6614
ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS
World Meeting of Families - 2015
Philadelphia Transportation Are YOU going to the WMOF? Help us plan for this exciting Event by taking our quick online survey about how you are getting to the WMOF! Visit worldmeeting2015.org on our
Transportation page to take the Survey.
MARCH for MARRIAGE Every child deserves a Mom & Dad!
April 25, 2015 JOIN A BUS!
Come with the Archdiocese to the Marriage March in Washington DC on Saturday, April 25, 2015. Bus Captain information: Philadelphia: Cathedral Basilica SS Peter & Paul Bus Captain: Arleen: [email protected] Bucks County: St. Andrew, Newtown Bus Captain: Peg: [email protected] Delaware County: St. Pius X, Broomall Bus Captain: John: [email protected] Chester County: SS. Simon & Jude, West Chester Bus Captain:
Marty: [email protected]
059-St. Philip Neri, page 6
SAVE THE DATE
Archdiocesan May Procession
Sunday, May 3, 2015
2:00 PM
Mary, The Mother of Families
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul
18th Street & Ben Franklin Parkway Philadelphia, PA 19103
Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate in this May Procession.
The Liturgy of the Word will take place in the Basilica followed by an outdoor Procession and Crowning of Our Blessed Mother. More information will follow on an invitation to individuals and families to submit a brief essay, Why my family calls upon Mary?, to help with the selection of Mary's Court for her Crowning.
Protecting God's Children For Adults Awareness Sessions
Spring 2015: 4.20.15 Mary, Mother of the Redeemer N.Wales 6:30 pm 4.23.15 St. Elizabeth Uwchlan 7:00 pm 5.07.15 SS Simon & Jude West Chester 6:30 pm 5.21.15 Archdiocesan Pastoral Center Phila 6:30 pm
Sessions are approximately 2.5 hours. To register: Those with internet access should visit the Virtus website: www.virtus.org; all
others can call: 215.587.2466.
Mothers of Children with Disabilities
Retreat: Monday, May 4 at Malvern Retreat House.
Bishop Timothy Senior will direct a retreat for mothers who are raising children with disabilities and also those who have adult children with disabilities. There will be time to pray, reflect, and chat with other mothers. To register or for more information, contact the Malvern Retreat House at: 610.644.0400; malvernrtreat.com, Sr. Kathleen Schipani at
215.587.3530 or [email protected].
AREA SCHOOL NEWS
LANSDALE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Congratulations to Keira Koch '15 on being honored for her Exemplary Volunteer Service with a President's Volunteer Service Award. The award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country, was granted by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Program on behalf of President Barack Obama. Lansdale Catholic nominated Keira for National Honors this Fall in recognition of her volunteer service. Keira will attend
Gettysburg College this Fall.
AREA NEWS
ARE YOU A BUSINESS OWNER OR
SENIOR EXECUTIVE? If so, you may be
eligible for membership in Legatus, a unique, international Catholic Association of Business Leaders. Legatus is an organization of practicing Catholic Lay women and men from the business and professional community. Legatus membership is comprised of CEO's; presidents; managing partners; and business owners who, with their spouses, meet on a monthly basis to strengthen their faith. Legatus was founded in 1998 and has provided a rich environment for members to become "ambassadors" (legates) for the Catholic Faith. Philadelphia is blessed to have its own chapter, which has a strong membership base from throughout the region. During our monthly dinners, members listen to lively and engaging speakers on a variety of topics relevant to faith, family, and business. Legatus members also have access to "Legatus Forums" which are private business peer groups (similar to Vistage and YPO), where members can benefit from the wisdom of other business owners. To learn more about Legatus, plan to attend a free information breakfast on Monday, April 20 at the Malvern Retreat House. If unable to attend, but still want to learn more, contact Theresa Murtagh at: [email protected] or
610.496.7390.
059-St. Philip Neri, page 7
Invest just five minutes a day, and your faith will
deepen and grow—a day at a time.
SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015
THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
Every step of the way
In Luke’s gospel, an effect of the Resurrection is
that the Risen One opens the eyes of his
disciples to see how the scripture they’d always
known had all along been pointing to Jesus and
his Resurrection. For Jesus and the early
believers, what we know as the Hebrew
scriptures were the only texts they knew. But
now, having come to believe in what God had
done in Christ, those scriptures take on new
richness and meaning. Having walked closely
with Jesus since Ash Wednesday, have you felt
yourself drawn deeper into your own life by the
ancient stories of Lent and Easter? Have you
come to see how God has been with you every
step of the way? How does the Resurrection
continue to change you?
TODAY’S READINGS: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; 1
John 2:1-5a; Luke 24:35-48 (47). “Peace
be with you.”
MONDAY, APRIL 20
What’s your sign? Love.
Have you ever asked God for a sign? In the
midst of big decisions or distress, a sign of God’s
presence can bolster your faith. But faith is
based on more than signs and wonders, it comes
from experiencing a boundless love that fills and
fulfills your soul. In that experience, you are fed
and called to go feed others, in body and in
spirit. Love as you have been loved, and in a
world that is hungry and longs to be fed, you
can be the sign of God’s presence that people
need.
TODAY’S READINGS: Acts 6:8-15; John 6:22-
29 (273). “Do not work for food that
perishes but for the food that endures for
eternal life.”
TUESDAY, APRIL 21
FEAST OF ANSELM, BISHOP, DOCTOR OF THE
CHURCH; EASTER WEEKDAY
Growing old with grace
Ask most Catholics who were the big thinkers in
church history, and two names come easily to
mind: Augustine and Thomas Aquinas. Most
theologians add a third name without hesitation:
Anselm. A great defender of the faith through
reason, Anselm had a high estimation of the
human mind’s capacity to discover God. And the
older the mind, the better: “As the flesh fails, the
soul advances; out of the body’s infirmity
springs the soul’s health.” Got time on your
hands in retirement? Seek wisdom through the
power of the Holy Spirit.
TODAY’S READINGS: Acts 7:51-8:1a; John
6:30-35 (274). “I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me will never hunger.”
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22
EASTER WEEKDAY
Sustainable spirit
Pope Francis has made many strong statements
about stewardship of the environment,
including, “You are called to care for creation not
only as responsible citizens, but also as
followers of Christ!” His message is clear:
Catholics must protect what he calls “a gracious
gift” with efforts “set at the service of our
brothers and sisters, including future
generations.” Use today’s annual Earth Day to
commit to what you can do to help the
environment—through supporting causes and in
059-St. Philip Neri, page 8
your daily routine—all year long, and encourage
others to do the same.
TODAY’S READINGS: Acts 8:1b-8; John
6:35-40 (275). “I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me will never
hunger, and whoever believes in me
will never thirst.”
THURSDAY, APRIL 23
FEAST OF ADALBERT, BISHOP, MARTYR
Take a stand
Back in the year 983, a young man of 27 named
Adalbert was thrust into the role of bishop of
Prague at a time of controversy and strife
between the newly baptized and those who did
not accept Christianity. Adalbert opposed the
slave trade and the polygamy common among
the people, making him unpopular. After
unsuccessfully attempting to protect a woman
convicted of adultery from a mob, he responded
by excommunicating the murderers. He was
forced into exile for standing up for his beliefs,
but he created ethical standards that later
generations could point to and take as their
own. It takes courage sometimes to stick to your
beliefs. But you have role models!
TODAY’S READINGS: Acts 8:26-40;
John 6:44-51 (276). “It is written in the
prophets: ‘They shall all be taught by
God.’ ”
FRIDAY, APRIL 24 FEAST OF FIDELIS OF
SIGMARINGEN, PRIEST, MARTYR
Imagine, if you can
Before Fidelis of Sigmaringen (b. 1577) became a
Capuchin friar in 1612 he studied and practiced
law. He was known as “the poor man’s lawyer”
for his willingness to advocate for those who had
no advocate. Pro bono (no charge) legal service
has a long history in western nations. Lawyers
in the U.S. are urged under American Bar
Association ethical rules to contribute at least
50 hours of pro bono service each year, an idea
worthy of being adopted by all professions and
walks of life. If we each gave some of our time
and skills to those who can’t afford to pay, we
would all be rewarded. Imagine a pro bono
world!
TODAY’S READINGS: Acts 9:1-20; John 6:52-
59 (277). “Whoever eats this bread will
live forever.”
SATURDAY, APRIL 25
FEAST OF MARK, EVANGELIST
Write the gospel of your life
Saint Mark the evangelist was one of the first 70
disciples. He is believed to have written the
Gospel of Mark, our earliest gospel. But he
didn’t stop there. He also founded the Church of
Alexandria in Egypt back in the year 42, a scant
few years after Jesus’ death. Alexandria became
one of the great centers of early Christianity.
Today three churches claim to be the direct
heirs of the original Church of Alexandra: Coptic
Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, and Coptic
Catholic. Saint Mark looms large behind them
all, a giant of our tradition. Take him as your
inspiration as you write your own “gospel” by
living your faith in the world.
TODAY’S READINGS: 1 Peter 5:5b-14; Mark
16:15-20 (555). “Go into the whole world
and proclaim the gospel to every creature.”
059-St. Philip Neri, page 1
059-St. Philip Neri, page 2
