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Saint Peter
Catholic Church 2835 MANOR ROAD
WEST BRANDYWINE, PA 19320 www.saintpeterchurch.net
Phone: 610-380-9045; Fax: 610-380-9049
Parish Office e-mail: [email protected]
December 8, 2019
2nd Sunday of Advent
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Monday, December 9
No Confessions Mass: 8:30 a.m., 12 and 7 p.m.
Not a Holy Day of Obligation
Leadership Commission
REV. MICHAEL J. FITZPATRICK, PASTOR Rev. Emmanuel Iheaka (Chaplain in Residence) Fr. Emmanuel serves at Coatesville Veterans Hospital
Deacon Todd Smith: Permanent Deacon
Commissioned in Service of the Parish: Mrs. Robin Burckhardt: Coordinator of Parish Ministries [email protected] Mr. Austin Flinn: Music Director, Coordinator of Liturgy [email protected] Mr. Michael Field: Coordinator of Youth Ministries [email protected] Mrs. Dorothy Pepe: Business Manager [email protected] Mrs. Susan Kenna: Administrative Assistant [email protected]
Mrs. Debbie Forrest: Safe Environment Coordinator SCRIP [email protected] Mr. Steve Forrest: Buildings and Facilities Mrs. Kathy Hoffman: Parish Organist Mrs. Veronique Hadfield: Adult Choir Director
Commissioners: Serving on the Parish Pastoral Council Outreach: Jim Mulry, Ellen Cerritell, Carol and Chuck Beebe Welcome: Barbara McCleary Witness: Ken Slavik, Chris and Jessica Valentino, Colin Gallagher Worship: Jeff Yoder, Ken and Polly Pratt Education: Tim Perry, Kathy Kelly-Borowski, Lori Johns, Cathy Turpin, Sharon and Ian Bowman
Parish Finance Council: Father Fitzpatrick, Pastor Tom Stern, Phil Moran, Jeff Gilbertson, Natalie Carrozza, Ted Mirenda, Don Courtney, Alicia de la Torre-Yoder, Chuck Mirarchi, Madelyn Wadlinger. (Dottie Pepe, Advisory Member - Business Mgr.)
Our Catholic Education Programs Pope John Paul II Regional Catholic Elementary : Phone: 610-384-5961 Fax: 610-384-5730 Principal: Dr. Sarah Kerins School Web Site: www.popejohnpaul2sch.org
Parish Religious Education Program (PREP): Office and Classes at Pope John Paul II School:
Phone: 610-384-3145 Fax: 610-679-5985 Director: Mrs. Patrice Peterson [email protected]
PREP Advisory Council: Father Fitzpatrick, Pastor, Patrice Peterson, DRE, Debbie Boone, David Duva, Karen Givens, Jen Murphy, Pat O’Brien, Tim Perry, Tracy Philips, Jason Reed, Joe Stubblebine, and Ginny Fennimore.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
THIS WEEK AT SAINT PETER PARISH
Pray the Rosary & the Divine Mercy Chaplet Daily
Sunday December 8 6:30 a.m. Confessions - Shrine Rm 8:30 a.m. Confessions - Shrine Rm 9:15 a.m. PREP - PJPII (5th & 6th going to confession during class) 10:30 a.m. Confessions - Shrine Rm 12:00 p.m. ROCK Youth Ministry - Bethany Lounge 2:30 p.m. Pre-Jordan - Church
Monday December 9 8:30 a.m. Holy Day Mass 10:00 a.m. Caregivers Support - Bethany Lounge 12:00 p.m. Holy Day Mass - Church 7:00 p.m. Holy Day Mass - Church 7:30 p.m. Knights of Columbus - SS. Drexel & Neumann
Tuesday December 10 9:00 a.m. Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament 10:00 a.m. Reserved - Bethany Rm 3:00 p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet - Chapel 6:15 p.m. Confessions - Shrine Rm 6:15 p.m. PREP Classes - PJPII (3,4,5 please drop off and pick up at church) 7:00 p.m. Evening Prayer & Benediction - Chapel 7:00 p.m. The King's Men - Bethany Lounge 7:45 p.m. KEPHAS - Chapel
Wednesday December 11 6:45 p.m. Cantor Practice - Music Rm 7:15 p.m. Choir - Music Rm
Thursday December 12 10:00 a.m. “Walking with Purpose” - SS. Drexel & Neumann 7:00 p.m. Contemporary Music Practice - Church 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts - SS. Drexel & Neumann 8:00 p.m. Serenity Group / AA - Bethany Lounge
Friday December 13 Friday Office & Facility Hours 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m. “Agape” Praise and Worship - Church
Saturday December 14 10:00 a.m. 1st Penance (Last Name Q - Z) - Church 3:30 p.m. Confessions - Shrine Rm
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Register with us, and learn about our Parish, on Sundays in the parish office after the 9 and 11 a.m. Masses, and Monday - Friday at the parish office during business hours.
Our Parish Vision Statement: We are a Vibrant and Prayerful Catholic Community Welcoming you to Worship God in Spirit and Truth.
Enlivening the Vision of Faithful Stewardship, Charitable Outreach and Dynamic Evangelization.
Our Parish Mission Statement: Baptized into the Life of the Holy Trinity and called to
Service in the Name of Jesus Christ, we of Saint Peter Parish strongly desire to be united as a Christian Family.
Together we will make prayer the source and strength of all our actions. As a Spirit-Filled Catholic community, we
commit ourselves to use our individual talents and gifts to reach out to one another in love and friendship.
Saint Peter Parish Apostleship of Prayer
I n your prayers, please remember the sick of our parish including…
Gayle Jacobs, Toni Sharpless, Linda Belmonte, Barbara Schober, Joseph D’Angelo, Jenna Cummings, Tom Sandri, Donna & John Byrne, Walter Tremoglie,
Laurie Flynn, Marianne Lewis, Ed Morris, Richard Kern. Joan Trembecki, Lexi McAlonan, Kathy Reaney,
Cathie McCullagh, Joe Formica, Margaret Gentry, Fr. Andy Lasko, Kathy Przychodzien, Kathy Newell,
Thomas Burckhardt, John Lynch, Thomas Alvord, Barbara Lombardi, Jerry Readon, Jay Algier,
Pat McGarvey, George O. Barber, Franklin Knowles, Delores Leifholt, Mona List, Richard John, Kurt Martin,
Bud Griffin, Michael Morris, Melissa Drake, Julie Ann Kibler, Joe McCullagh, Pat Olsen, Janet Dodds,
Chris Valentino, Bea Thomas, Meredith Olseski, Elizabeth Romano, Rachel Holmes, Kevin T. Moran,
Edward Pristernik, Edna Staiano, Richard Carroll, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Knebel, Meredith Marascio,
Avery Reif Shaefer, John Bracelin, Anne McQuillin, Diane Franzese, Tony Vabre, Andrew Pakerski,
Antonio Cummings, Steven Pennock, Doug Gaston, Marilyn Cimijotti, Sr. Irene Setlow, Ashlie Krejci,
Mark Helak, David Grassey, Butch Franciscus, Frank Laurento, Steve Anthony, Robert Anderson, Jr.,
Alan Reger, Mary R. Chanudet, William Boyd, Erika Coull, Alexandra Ford, Ruth Soto, Dick Harbaugh,
Rosa Pavluk, Gilbert Dillinger, Michael Cervone, Arthur Norek, Barbara Larkin, Anita Kelly, and all the residents of our nursing homes.
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Please join in prayer for those remembered in our Mass Intentions
for the Week of 12/9/2019
8:30 a.m. Sean Magowan ~ 2nd Anniv.
8:30
Wednesday No Mass
Thursday 8:30 a.m. Charles Emery
Friday 8:30 a.m. Marilyn and John Murphy
Saturday 8:30 a.m. Burnetta Gae Barry
Sunday 7:00 a.m. Cliff Casset 9:00 a.m. Deceased members of the Abdala Family 11:00 a.m. Nicholas Vassallo
Also in your prayers please remember: Barry Pignoli, Donna Muha, and Deacon Joel M. Ziff, who have recent-ly died.
The publication of the intention of the Mass in the Parish Bulletin fulfills the obligation to “announce” the intention of the Mass.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR ALL OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE ARMED SERVICES:
Brandon A’Hara, Ron Jon Annaballi, Timothy M. Bruce, Anthony Christof, Sean Douglas Cobourn,
Dillan T. Duvall, Geoffrey Finch, Timothy Givens, Cristin A. Goerlitz, David Honey, Jr., Brendan Kessler,
Brittany Kessler, Mallory Kessler, John Kerstetter, Tim Laurento, Jr., Steve Lentz, Ryan McGuckin,
Molly McGuckin, Garrett C. McKinney, Emmanuel Cristian Millan, Ian Miller, Jeremy Miller,
Brandon Mistretta, Kevin & James Moran, Timothy R. Powledge, Camilo Ramirez,
Zachary Schaeffer, Ryan Stephenson, Bobby Stewart, Mark Thompson, Brandon Twiss, Claudia Twiss, Jason Twiss, Matthew Twiss, Brian Weightman,
Erick Williams, and Jodi & Steve Zellers.
December 2019 PRAYER INTENTIONS OF POPE FRANCIS Universal: The Future of the Very Young: That every country determine to take the
necessary measures to make the future of the very young, especially those who suffer, a priority.
Birthright
helps a mother bring her baby to birth and put her life back together again.
Stewardship Commission
Sunday, November 24 23,406.57
Annual Fund 2,870.80 Annual Fund to date 138,811.47
The practice of tithing provides a regular reminder of your dependence on God. In good times, tithing helps you remember that God is the source of all blessings, and it allows you to demonstrate your gratitude for His care. In hard times, tithing motivates you to re-member God’s faithfulness and enables you to demonstrate trust in God to provide for all of our needs. When you tithe you enable those whom God has called to serve as pastors, ministry personnel, and parish leadership to faithfully build up the church ac-complishing the works of Christ in our parish! Memorial Gifts of $1,000 or more in remembrance of a deceased friend or loved one are acknowledged on the Memorial/Commemoration board in the Narthex. Email the parish office [email protected] for assistance with Memorials and commemorations.
In full compliance with Vatican directives and Archdiocesan guidelines, low-gluten com-munion hosts are offered at each Mass for
those who have special concerns regarding wheat and wheat products. Directions for receiving the low-gluten hosts will be given at the time of the Communion Rite. Page 3 - 0146
“Tithing isn’t a financial issue. It’s a Lordship issue. Do we really know God, and is He really Lord of our lives? Barry Cameron
Worship Commission Celebrations of Holy Mass
DAILY: 8:30 a.m. (except Wednesday)
WEEKEND: Saturday (Vigil) 5 p.m. Sunday 7 a.m., 9 a.m., and 11 a.m. Parish Devotional & Spiritual Formation Ministries: DAILY: Rosary is prayed after the 8:30 a.m. Mass (Sunday after the 7 a.m. Mass for Respect Life intentions)
TUESDAY: Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament (after 8:30 Mass) Divine Mercy prayed at 3 p.m. Gethsemane Holy Hour (6 - 7 p.m.) (Rosary and Intercessory Prayer) Evening Prayer and Benediction at 7:15 p.m.
SATURDAY: Miraculous Medal Novena after 8:30 a.m. Mass
N.B. Chapel is open Mon. thru Fri. during parish office hours
Parish Sacramental Celebrations
Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance) Sundays: 6:30, 8:30, & 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays 6:15 to 7 p.m. / Saturdays, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. / *Vigil of Holy Days 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. unless noted otherwise.
Sacrament Anointing of the Sick: First Saturday of each month during 8:30 a.m. Mass. Please consider receiving this sacrament here at the parish prior to surgery or hospitalization. The Pastor will be happy to anoint you in the church after weekend Masses or by previous arrangement in the Parish Office. The Pastor should be notified as soon as possible when a family member or friend becomes ill, is hospitalized, or is in danger of death.
Sacrament of Baptism: Infant Baptisms are usually celebrated on the first and third Sunday of the month at 2:30 p.m. Prior arrangements for Baptism are made through the parish office at least one month before the celebration of the sacrament.
Sacrament of Marriage. Arrangements for Marriage are made with the parish office at least six months prior to the wedding.
Gathering Song 5 p.m. & 9 a.m. SS134 Come and Set us Free
Awake, O Sleeper
Mass Parts SS34 (Amen, Holy Holy, etc.)
The Penitential Act and the Gloria are found in “SS” pgs. 6 - 8
Responsorial Psalm 5 p.m. & 9 a.m. BB776 Justice Shall Flourish * 11 a.m. BB776 Justice Shall Flourish * * verses 1,2,4,5, only
Profession of Faith is found in “SS” pg. 10
Presentation of Gifts and Preparation of the Altar 5 p.m. 11 a.m. SS144
Communion 5 p.m. & 11 a.m
Sending Forth 5 p.m. & 9 a.m. BB56 Emmanuel 11 a.m Emmanuel
Please Note: “BB” Means Breaking Bread Missal “SS” Means Spirit and Song Missal Page 4 - 0146
Music Ministry
Second Sunday of Advent December 7 & 8, 2019
First Reading Isaiah 11: 1 – 10
On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD. Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he de-cide, but he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land's afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faith-fulness a belt upon his hips. Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them. The cow and the bear shall be neighbors, together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like the ox. The baby shall play by the cobra's den, and the child lay his hand on the adder's lair. There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea. On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious.
Responsorial: Psalm 72 (for 7 a.m. Mass only) R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
Second Reading Romans15: 4 - 9 Brothers and sisters: Whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the en-couragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I say that Christ became a minister of the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, to confirm the promises to the patriarchs, but so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is writ-ten: Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles and sing praises to your name.
Gospel Matthew 3: 1 - 12
John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. John wore clothing made of camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repent-ance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God can raise up chil-dren to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I am bap-tizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is com-ing after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
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The St. Peter Angel Tree is in full swing! The Angel Tree ministry helps families
and children anonymously within our parish and local community. It is our goal to bright-
en the Christmas season for those who need some additional help. Please pray for our
families and children. The tree will be located in the narthex. Simply choose a tag or
tags from the tree, purchase the gifts and return UNWRAPPED, with the tag securely
attached (gift bags may be used).
Please return all gifts to the Parish library no later than 12 noon, THIS Sunday, December 8.
Questions: contact Sharon Perry at [email protected] or 610-466-0250.
For your convenience, SCRIP will be sold THIS Sunday from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Coat Drive Benefitting the Honey Brook Food Pantry Citizens ~ St. Peter Parish Outreach ~
~ Coat Collection ends THIS WEEKEND December 7/8 ~
Last year’s coat collection by our parish was so successful that we want to help out the citizens of the Honey Brook Pantry again this year.
Boxes will be located in the lobby of the Celebration Center.
Winter coats of all sizes are needed.
Witness Commission
Outreach Commission
St. Peter’s Choir will be presenting this beautiful and moving
Christmas Cantata on Sunday, December 15, at 4 p.m. This is a
joint endeavor with the Doe Run Presbyterian Church Choir.
Please join us for what will surely be an inspiring program that
will make your heart ready to receive the coming Messiah! The
world was lost in darkness. Roman oppression weighed
heavily, and God’s people were awaiting a Messiah. There
were astrologers, literally following the light of the heavens
and prophecies of the coming Messiah. But there were other
"Seekers of the Light": Mary and Joseph, simple shepherds
in a field, and the prophets. Then, it happened: the Light of
the World was born. Follow the respective journeys of these "Seekers of the
Light" to learn what we can from their sojourns. May we likewise seek and
find The Light for our journey...and transform our lives with a fresh touch of
God's miraculous grace and gift of love.
A big “Thank You” to everyone who assisted in covering the new Breaking Bread Missals!
- Parish Leadership
Community
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Senior Citizen Christmas Concert Monday, December 16, at 1 p.m. in PJPII's Multi-Purpose Room. All
Senior Citizens are invited to attend this annual concert presented by PJPII's Advanced Band and Choir. Free admission. Refreshments and door prizes for all attendees. Please contact the Advancement office at 610-384-5961 with any questions.
Looking for stocking stuffers? We offer GIFT CARDS (SCRIP) to: Crop’s, Wawa, Sheetz, American Eagle, Kohl’s, Gap, Old Navy, Amazon, iTunes, Boscov’s, Macy’s, TJ Maxx, Marshall’s Home Goods, Wal-Mart, Target, Cabela’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Staples, Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Regal Cinema, Game Stop, Pet Smart, Bath and Body Works, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Barnes & Noble, Applebee's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Olive Garden, Outback, Red Lobster, Shady Maple, and so much more! SCRIP may be purchased in the parish office daily 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday - Thursday, Fridays until 3:30 p.m.
Christmas Schedule
Christmas Eve Mass No Confessions
Tuesday, December 24 4:00, 6:30 & 9:00 p.m.
Christmas Day Mass Wednesday, December 25 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Thursday, December 26 No 8:30 a.m. Mass
Parish Office & Facilities Closed
Friday, December 27 Mass at 8:30 a.m.
Parish Office & Facilities Closed
Saturday, December 28 Mass at 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Sunday, December 29 Mass at 7:00, 9:00, and 11:00 a.m.
Monday, December 30 Mass at 8:30 a.m.
New Year’s Eve Mass Tuesday, December 31
Mass at 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
New Year’s Day Mass Wednesday, January 1
Solemnity of Mary Mass at 8:30 a.m. and 12 Noon
What Can We Do? The Role of the Laity in a Time of Crisis: As the Church undergoes this period of profound crisis, many of us feel helpless as we watch a drama unfold that we can do nothing about. But the truth is that we are not powerless. The history of the Church tells us that lay people have a role to play in the Church’s times of turmoil. Join us Monday, January 27, 7 - 8:30 p.m. at SS. Peter & Paul Parish W.C. for an evening of reflection on the mission of the laity in times of ecclesial crisis and learn what you can do to cooperate with Christ’s action to purify and heal His Church. Speaker: Meghan Cokeley, Office for the New Evangelization; No charge to attend. Please RSVP at phillyevang.org/events or call 484-473-8205.
Handyman: St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Phoenixville, is looking for a multi-skilled experienced handyman for part- time work. Will be responsible for a wide variety of building mainte-
nance tasks, general cleanliness of properties, grass cutting, landscaping, and snow removal for multiple properties. Please contact Fr. John Hutter at 610-933-2526 or [email protected].
The Hiddenness of God. If we can't see Him, does He exist? Join CYACC (Catholic Young Adults of Chester County) at 7:15 p.m. on December 11 at Saints Peter & Paul, W.C. to welcome Dr. Stephen Napier, Associate
Professor of Philosophy at Villanova. He will present on The Divine Hid-denness Argument, and (hopefully) contradict the atheist claim that a loving God cannot exist. We expect this to be an excellent and thought- provoking talk and hope that you can join us. We will meet in the Parish Center at Saints Peter and Paul in West Chester. Look for CYACC signs. For more information check www.cyacc.org, find us on Facebook, or email us at [email protected].
Faithful Stewardship St. Peter PREP (Parish Religious Education Program) Families Monthly Contribution in Support of Saint Peter Parish
June 2019 118 Families July 2019 118 Families
No Contributions 58 Families No Contributions 62 Families
$5 to $59 28 Families $5 to $59 28 Families
$60 or more 32 Families $60 or more 28 Families
Total Stewardship $ 7,827 Total Stewardship $ 6,250
Faithful Stewardship Saint Peter Catholic Elementary School Families at PJPII Monthly Contribution in Support of Saint Peter Parish
June 2019 188 Families July 2019 185 Families
No Contributions 80 Families No Contributions 84 Families
$5. to $59. 38 Families $5. to $59. 35 Families
$60 or more 70 Families $60 or more 66 Families
Total Stewardship $ 10,708 Total Stewardship $ 8, 176
Pope John Paul II Regional Catholic Elementary School www.popejohnpaul2sch.org Phone: 610-384-5961 Fax: 610-384-5730
Dr. Sarah Kerins, Principal Mrs. Patty Tarquinio, Vice Principal
PJPII School Enrollment 622 St. Peter Students 324
Help us create a Legacy Wall to preserve the memories of Coatesville Catholic (CACES), St. Cecilia, St. Stanislaus Kostka, and St. Joseph (Coatesville) schools. If you have any memorabilia you would like to donate toward this project, please drop off at the school's main office between the hours of 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Mon. - Thurs. or beginning Sept. 3 from 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Suggested donations in-clude pennants, photos, news articles, jackets/sweatshirts, etc. Questions? Contact the advancement office at 610-384-5961 or [email protected].
Bishop Shanahan High School www.shanahan.org
Phone: 610-518-1300 Fax: 610-343-6220 Sr. Regina Plunkett IHM, President
Mr. Michael J. McCardle, Principal
12/9 - BSPA Christmas Gathering 7 p.m. 12/11 - Christmas Concert Matinee 12/12 - No School for Students LSI Training for all Teachers 12/13 - Christmas Concert 7 p.m. 12/14 - Downingtown Christmas Parade
PREP - Parish Religious Education Program
This program is for all children who attend Public, Charter Schools, or are Homeschooled.
Classes are held at PJPII School for Grades 1 - 8
Grades 1 - 8 offered at both sessions:
Sunday: 9:15 - 10:45 a.m. Tuesday: 6:15 - 7:45 p.m.
Phone: 610-384-3145 Fax: 610-679-5985
E-mail: [email protected] Director: Mrs. Patrice Peterson
PREP REGISTRATION FOR THIS YEAR for both NEW and Re-REGISTERING Families:
If you have not yet registered, please contact the PREP office at the above number or email for an appointment ASAP.
Parents: If your child misses a PREP Class - please com-plete the lesson they missed at home, please fill in all the pages in the chapter, and come to class the following week 15 minutes early to go over the missed lesson with their Catechist. Thanks!
PREP Outreach For December: Please help us “decorate” our GIVING TREE with hats, scarves, and mittens to help needy children keep warm this winter.
PREP Classes may be cancelled due to inclement weather. For up-to-date information: Call the PREP Office 610-384-3145; message will be on the voice mail. Go to the St. Peter Website on the PREP page, there will be a notice at the top.
In any case, if you feel it is unsafe to drive please do the lesson at home.
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Many thanks to our wonderful volunteers, two of whom are pictured above, Leslie Lockard and Lisa Kane, who bagged up
our Halloween candy for Christmas distribution.
Outreach Commission
The Serenity/AA Group meets every Thursday at 8 p.m. in the Bethany Lounge. “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.”
The Cancer Support Group meets the second Saturday of each month at 11 a.m. in Meeting Rooms SS. Drexel & Neumann. We offer sup-port to anyone diagnosed with cancer, anyone
who is presently undergoing treatment, has completed treatment, is a family member and/or caregiver. Our next meeting is December 14 at 11 a.m.
Caring for Friends! Cooks: Thank you for the overwhelming response to the plea for more meals the last two weeks. You are awe-inspiring! So many of us are blessed with an abundance of food and it is kind of you to share
it with the “Friends” for the Caring for Friends ministry. It is not always easy to put the meals together. Thank you for your willingness to do that and please keep up the good work. Visitors: After having a Caring for Friends Ministry at St. Peter Parish for four years (my mistake saying three in the last announcement), our list of available visitors has reached its limit. If you had volunteered before and were never called upon, it is due to your lack of proximity to those in need. We have not had much request for services in the Elverson area but if you know of someone who may need our help there or elsewhere in our area, please contact Caring for Friends. In addition to people who will visit immediately, there is a need for people who will be on a list to visit as a need arises or who can substitute when visitors cannot get there. A background check is needed in order to be a visitor. Thank you to the new people who have contact-ed me to volunteer this week and last week! To volunteer, please contact [email protected] or call Ellen at 610-384-7160.
Please help feed the hungry
Next Collection December 28 & 29
The Food Drive takes place on the 4th full weekend of each month.
Caregivers Support Group meets the 2nd MONDAY of each month. Our next meeting is December 9 at 10 a.m. in the Bethany Lounge. All caregivers are
welcome to attend. If you are a caretaker or know of a care-taker who cannot attend the meetings but would like or need support, please submit their name by calling Cathy at 484-433-9705 or email at [email protected]. We welcome all.
Good Works: We are St. Peter Parish volun-teers who join many other local Christian church groups in performing home repairs. We reach out in love and friendship to trans-
form substandard houses into warmer, safer, and drier homes, and by doing so, turn despair into hope. The team welcomes new volunteers of all skill levels. For more infor-mation or to be a part of Good Works, contact Jim at 610-496-1393 or [email protected].
Prayer Shawl Ministry: Do you know someone who is suffering, struggling, facing overwhelming challenges, or major life changes? Consider gifting them with a prayer shawl or lap blanket to bring them comfort and let them know people are praying for them, no matter their age, faith, or problem. Our ministry members are knitters and crocheters of all skill levels and others who deliver our handiwork. All of us weave prayers into our handiwork and
pray for all our recipients who live nearby, around the country, and even overseas! If you’d like to join our ministry, our gather-ings are fun, inspirational, and optional. We meet every other Monday at noon as noted in the bulletin calendar. To find out more or select a piece for someone, contact Jan Smith at 610-269-1756 or [email protected]. PLEASE NOTE: We will be taking a break from Friday evening meetings during the winter months.
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In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist urges us to “Prepare the way of the Lord.” This is what Ad-vent is all about, for we are called to help prepare the way of the Lord by making the real meaning of Christmas come alive in our own hearts, in our
family, and to reach out to those in need. Is there a family you know who needs assistance? Please call the Society of St. Vincent de Paul so that together we can help the suffering and poor to celebrate Christmas. Society of St. Vincent de Paul Helpline is 610-470-9090.
Our church garden has been put to rest for the winter. We have pro-duced an abundance of produce for
delivery to area pantries. Gardening will begin again in the spring. If you are interested in volunteering please email Lawrence at [email protected].
Worship Commission
Arts and Environment Committee Is In Great Need of Volunteers! Do you enjoy decorating for the holidays? Do the beautiful flowers on the altar help inspire your prayers? If so, and you have some time to help, the Arts and Environment Committee really needs you! It would involve a few hours just before Christmas and before Easter
to prepare and decorate the church, and some time after the holidays to help water the plants on the altar. Your time and effort bring rewards to our whole congregation by providing a lovely church environment. If interested, please email [email protected], or contact Henry Assetto at 610-383-6753. We will be decorating for Christmas on December 18 & 19 at 1 p.m. Please join us!
Witness Commission
meets every Tuesday at 7:45 p.m. in the Chapel. Please join us this Tuesday!
The Knights of Columbus meet the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in SS. Drexel & Neumann Rms. All men 18 years or older interested in joining the Knights of
Columbus should contact Roy Staszak at [email protected]. Our next meeting is THIS Monday, December 9.
The King’s Men meet every Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Betha-ny Room. This is a group of Catholic men geared towards
coming together for weekly formation and accountability to be strengthened in their roles as leader, protector, and provider. Please join us every Tuesday for pizza and fellowship!
Welcome Commission
Hospitality Committee! What does it involve? Baking goodies or providing other items needed for parish activities. If you are interested, please contact us at [email protected] or [email protected].
SILVER LINING SENIORS: There will be no “regular” meeting on Tuesday, December 10, as our members will enjoy our annual Christmas Luncheon at Whitford Country Club in Exton at NOON. We hope all will
have a blessed Advent and, if you’ve never come to one of our meetings, we hope you’ll will consider joining us in the New Year! Questions??? Call Pat Currie at 610-913-0721.
SCHOLARSHIP Committee has Donuts, Ba-gels, Breakfast Sandwiches & Drinks availa-ble in the Café after Sunday morning Masses from 7 a.m. through 12:30 p.m. Treat yourself
to a little downtime in the Celebration Hall with friends and family. Orders placed ahead will guarantee we have what you like, when you want it. Special orders for do-nuts, bagels, or sandwiches can be placed 5 – 10 days ahead for ministry meetings, parties, or other events – email Lorraine Johns at [email protected]. Come on back and join the fun and fellowship after Mass! Want to be a part of the committee? Contact Pam Rutledge at [email protected]
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Scholarship Committee Christmas Cookie Walk Next Sunday Morning 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Don’t be left without any treats for your guests. Plan on picking out cookies that will make everyone think you spent hours baking. Your selections will be weighed and all items are priced at $8.00 per pound.
If you want to pre-order to ensure you get the kinds and quantities you need for holiday trays, use the form below and drop if off at the Café today, go online using this link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4FA5AF29A7FC1-stpeter4 “or” email Karen @ [email protected] by December 10.
ATTENTION BAKERS: It’s not too late to sign up for helping to bake for this event. Here’s the link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4fa5af29a7fc1-bakers1. Please bring your cookies and drop them off in the Saints Meeting Room in the Celebration Hall on Saturday, December 14, between the hours of 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. or Sunday morning, December 15 no later 9 a.m. The earlier, the better! THANK YOU!
RETREAT FOR HIGH SCHOOL BOYS Saturday, January 11, 2020 starting at 9 a.m. until Sunday, January 12, 2020 at 11 a.m. Saint Mary of Providence in Elverson. For more information or to Sign Up go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/theology-of-the-body-retreat-for-high-school-boys-tickets78198934117; contact Tracy at [email protected]; or 610-220-4346. Sponsored by Saint Peter Parish Respect Life Committee.
