33 Conwell Drive Maple Glen, PA 19002 (215) 646-4600 • (215) 646-0180 (Fax)
rectory@stalphonsusparish.org ———————————— Rev. Msgr. Brian P. Hennessy, Pastor Most Rev. Timothy C. Senior, Assisting
Rev. Keith Chylinski, Assisting Deacon John Mischler Deacon James (JT) Toth
Mary Frances Kelly Parish Services Director
Sandra Lowery Business Manager
Michele Gordon Director of Religious Education mgordon@stalphonsusparish.org
P.R.E.P. (215) 643-7938 Jeffrey Clements Director of Communications & IT
Fran La Noce Parish Faith Director
Frank Stieber Director of Music Ministry
(215) 542-8319 ————————————
PARISH OFFICE HOURS Monday–Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm;
MASS SCHEDULES Saturday Vigil 5:00 pm Sunday 8:00 am, 10:15 am, 12 Noon
Tuesday–Friday 9:00 am (Chapel) Saturday morning 9:00 am (Chapel)
BAPTISMS Second and fourth Sundays
Contact the Rectory CONFESSIONS Saturday morning following 9:00 am Mass Saturday afternoon 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
————————————
OUR LADY OF MERCY REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL
29 Conwell Drive Maple Glen, PA 19002
January 10th, 2021
Baptism of the Lord
Page 2 Bulletin notices are due no later than Monday noon to rectory@stalphonsusparish.org
A Message from Monsignor Hennessy
Dear Parishioners,
As we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord and so conclude the Christmas season, I wanted to
take a moment to thank all of our volunteers who helped us to celebrate these sacred days so well.
When we began planning for our Christmas Masses, there were so many variables that it made it
diffi-cult to anticipate what our real need would be. But our goal was simple – to allow for any and all who
wished to celebrate in-person at church to do so. This required preparing the parish center in addition
to the church for the celebration of Mass, including music, decorations and the large number of
volun-teers needed to assist with ushering, in addition to cantors and musicians, altar servers, lectors and
cleaners.
Thank you to all who volunteered, some even for multiple Masses on both Christmas Eve and
Christmas Day, for your dedication and great generosity to me and to our parish. You helped us to
celebrate safely and worthily this Christmas, with many of you taking up the new ministry of ushering
for the first time! In a special way, I want also to thank Frank Stieber, our Director of Music Ministry,
for perfectly preparing music for 10 Christmas Masses and Suzanne Pacitti, our coordinator of church
decorations, for beautifully decorating our church and parish center. To them and to all who assisted
them, know of my deep gratitude.
I want to thank all of you as well for your generous support of our parish this Christmas season,
and throughout this past year. We support our parish, above all, when we pray together, especially by
celebrating Mass, in-person but also virtually, and when we participate in the activities of our parish.
But a real and necessary support is also financial, and you have been extraordinary in this regard. I
know there are so many demands on you for the support of many worthy causes, especially at this
time of year. I am forever grateful that you believe our parish to be worthy of your support. Without
your contributions, small and large, we would not be able to serve our community as we do – to serve
you.
As we continue in this new year, may we remain united in hope for a year of health and safety,
a year that will allow us to again gather with family and friends and as a parish community, a year of
deepening trust in the Lord and of ever-greater love for him and his Church. Like Mary and Joseph,
may we continue to adore Jesus and know that he remains with us always!
Sincerely in Christ,
Monsignor Hennessy
READINGS FOR NEXT WEEK Reading I: Isaiah 42: 1-4, 6-7, or 55: 1-11
God speaks as He would to a heavenly court, and promises that He will give His Spirit to the coming Messiah. We also learn about the power of God‘s Word, which never goes unfulfilled. The Messiah will be ―a light to all nations.‖
Reading II: Acts 10: 34-38, or I John 5: 1-9
This letter of John joins obedience to love. It is incumbent on us to believe that Jesus is the Son of the Father, and that His death for sin brings us eternal life.
The Gospel: Mark 1: 7-11
John the Baptist again exhibits his humility before Jesus, as he declares himself unworthy to do what was normally a slave‘s task: loosening Jesus‘ sandal straps. ―Wind and fire‖ describe the coming of the king-dom and precede the proclamation of Our Lord‘s true identity.
ACT OF SPIRITUAL
COMMUNION
(St. Alphonsus Ligouri)
My Jesus, I believe that You are
pre-sent in the Most Holy Sacrament. I
love You above all things, and I
de-sire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
re-ceive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually
into my heart. Iembrace You as if You were
al-ready there and unite myself wholly to You.
PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS Austin Schultz, 2nd Lt., Captain Colleen McIntyre Osborne, Captain Andrew O‘Grady, Sgt. Kyle J. Mullen, 2nd Lt. Gregory J. Fry, Major Matthew Miller, 1st Lt. Ryan A. Schieber, Andrew J. Urban, Captain Christopher Smith, Ensign Justin Price USN, Sgt. Michael Hiltwine, Captain Sean Milde, Daniel R. Plefka, USAF, Cpl. Mat-thew S. Leonardo, Lt. Christopher M. Boss, Capt. Thomas Nell, USMC, Eric Burns, Anthony Szczurek, Tania Szczurek, Matthew Trimborn, Major Gabriel J. Zinni, Ryan Greene, Michael McDonald, Col. John Sul-livan, Lt. Commander Thomas Luft, Lt. James D. Voter, USN, Commander Frank Walter, Commander J. Milo Sewards, USN, Captain Andrew O‘Grady, USA, Harry Kilpatrick, IV, USMC, Pvt. Joseph T. Donohue, USA Together as a parish we pray for their safety. Contact John Cavanaugh if you would like to add a name or for more information at jjcav@comcast.net or 215-643-3299.
The Sanctuary Light burns
bright in memory of
Isabelle Peszka
from the Peszka Family
Deceased Relatives and FriendsThomas Finnegan, Maria DeGirolamo, Joseph Kalkbrenner, Jr., James Hansen,
Gregory N. Klemick, Mary Sigg Laurence Finnegan III, Martin Brennan Jr.,
George Freeman, Frederick Browne, Rosemary Thompson, Florence Finley
& John J. Bunkle
Sick Relatives, Friends and the Homebound
Marin Baumer Marguerite Bradley Johanna Brown Cathy & Angelo Caggiano Leah Carsello
Ellie Chang Matt Cirillo Colleen Coll David Coroniti Anne Marie Davine Donnelley Family Mary Eidenshink Louis Farren Annette Feola Joseph Ferla Laura Giampa Joe Gisondi Connor Gravelle Arthur Huie Margaret Jones Mickey Kavanagh Michael & Elizabeth Leddy Edward Lieber
Irma MacKenzie Bishop Robert P. Maginnis Patrick Maholland Donald Mahon Fr. Wilfred Maloney Barbara McAleer Julie McCauley Elisabeth McLaughlin Timothy Morgan Edward Morris Jeffrey Moyer Patrick Murphy Bet Nardello Elizabeth Anne Noll Mary Parkinson Michael Rafter Pat Reigle Michael Rockwood Joan Schmitt Lisa Shanahan Gerard Taddei Nate Williams
If you would like someone added, returned, or taken off this list, please contact the rectory.
Mass Intentions for the Week Saturday, January 9th:
Readings: 1 Jn 2:22-28; Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4; Jn 1:19-28
9:00 AM: Thomas Campbell—Joe Young & Family 5:00 PM: Robert J. Schaefer—Mary Frances &
Patrick Kelly Sunday, January 10th:
Readings: Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12
8:00 AM: Vincent Walters—Warren & Nancy Voter
10:15 AM: Theresa ―Terry‖ Scott—Charles & Roseanne Hofmann
12:00 PM: People of the Parish Monday, January 11th: Readings: Heb 1:1-6; Ps 97:1, 2b, 6, 7c, 9; Mk 1:21-28 9:00 AM: No Mass Tuesday, January 12th:
Readings: Heb 2:5-12; Ps 8:2ab, 5, 6-9; Mk 28
9:00 AM: Mary Jo McNamara—Carolyn Gretzinger Wednesday, January 13th:
Readings: Heb 2:14-18; Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9; Mk 1:29-39
9:00 AM: Spencer Taddei—Joe & Margie Gilbert
Thursday, January 14th:
Readings: Heb 4:1-5, 11; Ps 78:3, 8-9, 10-11; Mk 1:40-45
9:00 AM: Debbie Hobbs —Jill Susui Friday, January 15th:
Readings: Heb 4:1-5, 11; Ps 78:3, 4bc, 6c-7, 8; Mk 2:1-12
9:00 AM: Vince Walters—McDonald Family Saturday, January 16th:
Readings: Heb 4:12-16; Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15; Mk 2:13-17
9:00 AM: In Honor of Gerry & Nancy McDonald‘s 50th Wedding Anniversary—Nancy McDonald
5:00 PM: People of the Parish Sunday, January 17th:
Readings: 1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19; Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8a, 9, 10; 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20; Jn 42
8:00 AM: Thomas Murphy—Bonnie Murphy & Family
10:15 AM: Annie John—Jaya Kallukaran 12:00 PM: Peter Waters—The O‘Kane Family
Next Sunday’s Celebrants
Page 4 Bulletin notices are due no later than Monday noon to rectory@stalphonsusparish.org
January 16th and January 17th
5:00 PM: Father Keith Chylinkski 8:00 AM: Father Keith Chylinkski 10:15 AM: Monsignor Brian Hennessy 12:00 PM: Monsignor Brian Hennessy
Celebrants subject to change
YOUR WILL
Please remember our parish in your bequests.
Stewardship Report
For the Week Ending: Dec, 19, 2020 Dec 21, 2019 Sunday Collection $13, 112 $17,666 Parish Giving (net of
fees) 5,414 4,881
Total Weekly Collections* $18,526 $22,547 Fiscal YTD Collections* $442,206 $462,409
The generosity and support of our parishioners is greatly appreciated during these challenging times.
Parish Office Hours
Until further notice there will be NO in person
business done in the parish office.
Please call the office at 215-646-4600 or
rectory@stalphonsusparish.org
with any
re-quest for forms, Mass cards and any other
busi-ness. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Prayer Minus the Pizza!
This virtual and in-person gathering will resume on Thursday evening, February 4, at 6:30,
when Monsignor will discuss our Christ-mas gift book, The Search. There will be no Prayer Minus Pizza in January.
Saint Alphonsus Census
Please remember to mail back your 2020 census form with the provided return envelope. If you have not received a census or have any questions, please contact the rectory.
A New Year Suggestion: Join BSG! What is BSG? It is the Tuesday Morning Bible Study Group. Why join BSG: because it is an opportunity to learn the scriptures without leaving the warmth of your own home. Why now? Two reasons: it is the
beginning of a new year and BSG is beginning a new Catholic Bible Study program, First Corinthians: ―The Church and the Christian Community.‖ First Corinthians is an eleven session Ascension Press program that tells of the conflicts of the early Christians that in many ways resemble our struggles today. The message of St. Paul to the early Christian community in Corinth that guides and encourages them amid their problems with divisions, immorality and persecution is a much-needed message for our own times.
Our sessions are in-person at 6:30 AM on Tuesday mornings (worth the sacrifice) in the Narthex and remotely on Zoom. For information call Dave White (215-601-3424) (dpwhite5@verizon.net).
RETROUVAILLE: REDISCOVER THE LOVE IN YOUR MARRIAGE
Metanoia is an active community of Catholic young adults in western Montgomery County, PA. The group supports Catholics in their 20s and 30s who are looking to deepen their faith and meet fellow Catholics in the area. Our upcoming events are listed below and begin at 7:30pm on most Tuesdays unless otherwise noted. The next Retrouvaille program will be held in person February 12 - 14 at the Malvern Retreat House.
As the current gathering restrictions in our area are frequently changing, please be sure you are sub-scribed to our newsletter to receive access to our virtual meetings and our latest information by head-ing to http://www.metanoiayoungadults.org. Questions?
Contact metanoiayoungadults@gmail.com for more in-formation, or visit our Facebook Page
(www.facebook.com/users/metanoiayoungadults).
Novena to St. Anthony to restore that which we
have lost due to the pandemic
We will be praying a Novena to St. Anthony, Patron of the Lost for 9 days beginning January 11. The Novena will be live streamed at 9:00 AM each day or you are invited to live participate in our sanctuary.
Please visit www.saintanthonyparish.org and click on the Vimeo-Livestream link on our homepage to partici-pate online. St. Anthony of Padua Parish. 259 Forest Ave. Ambler, PA 19002 215-646-4742 for more infor-mation.
Event: Philadelphia March for Life (first-ever!) Saturday, January 23, 2021 - 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM With the Annual March for Life in Washington, DC be-ing extremely limited by COVID restrictions, join us instead for a March for Life in Philadelphia. Come and give joy-filled witness to the dignity and sanctity of hu-man life from conception to natural death!
Schedule: 9:00 AM Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul followed by a March, ending with a rally on Independence Mall. Event will conclude at 1:00 PM.
FORMED—Now Easier Than Ever!
Now Register Easily for FORMED Using a One-step Process: Go to stalphonsusparish.formed.org on any mobile device or computer. No parish code is neces-sary, and no fee is required. Take advantage of the many rich resources available to nurture your faith!
Simplify another thing in your life and sign up for automated Parish Giving. To sign up, go to our website,
www.stalphonsusparish.org, and click on the Parish Giving Icon on the sidebar. Have your bank account or credit card information available when you sign up. The program also includes holy days and second collections. Please feel free to call the rectory if you need any help.
Prep News
Confirmation preparation begins in grade 6. If you have a child in a private school who is in 6th grade, please contact Michele Gordon as soon as possible
at mgordon@stalphonsusparish.org in order to receive
important Confirmation information.
For families with pre-school aged children, if you would like to receive weekly Shining Stars materials to do at home with your children, please contact Michele Gordon at mgordon@stalphonsusparish.org.
The Holy Family:
An Exemplary Model for Living a Life of Faith
Catholic Updates from Liguori Publications are concise, readable, four-page articles on topics of interest in the Church today. Please take a copy from the wall rack on the right as you leave the church. Look for new up-dates each month.
Come Share the Word with us!
Join us virtually for an opportunity to grow in faith as we share the readings of the upcoming weekend and talk with one another about the meaning and message of those readings in our daily lives. We meet on Tuesday afternoons from 3:30 to 5:00. To receive a Zoom link, contact Mauri McKee at irelond@msn.com
St. A.’s Knit and Pray
Experienced knitters and beginners alike are invited to come together on Wednesday afternoons in the Parish Center (school gym) for prayer, fellowship, and expert instruction from our Parish Services Director, Mary Frances Kelly. This Winter, we will meet at 4:30 ra-ther than 4:00 in the Saint Alphonsus Parish Center (gym). New members are always welcome! There is an initial $15 charge to cover the cost of supplies and the book, Knit, Purl, Pray: 52 Devotions for the Creative Soul by Lisa Bogart. To register, call Fran La Noce at the parish office, 215-646-4600.
Young Adult Retreat
February 5 - 7, 2021 Marianist Family Retreat Center
Cape May Point, NJ 08212
Come join other young adults (ages 22-35) married or single, to take a step back from our busy lives. This will be a time to examine your personal faith and your rela-tionship with God, your family members and yourself. Our time will be filled with prayer experiences, peer group discussions, Eucharist and lots of fun!
Cost: $140 per person, single occupancy only due to Covid restrictions
Register at: www.capemaymarianists.org or call 609-884-3829
Some financial aid is available
Online Discernment Retreat
Are you discerning religious life? The Missionary Serv-ants of the Most Blessed Trinity will be hosting a virtual discernment retreat January 29th and 30th for single women, ages 18+ that are considering religious life. Join MSBT sisters in prayer, reflection and hear MSBT sisters share their stories on mission. To register go to http://www.msbt.org/rise-up-journey-with-jesus-2021/ or for more information email voc@msbt.org
Martin Saints Classical High School
Admissions Open House: January 31, 2021 @ 11am 7th Grade Visitation: March 30, 2021
Guest Student Visit: Contact our admissions counselor, Ms. Lindmeier, to schedule a visit
during the school day.
Location: On the campus of Holy Martyrs Church, 120 Allison Road, Oreland PA 19075.
www.whymsc.org Come be ―fully alive‖ with us!
Any questions?
Contact: Ms. Laura Lindmeier to RSVP (lindmeier@martinsaintsclassical.org)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith
Prayer Service Monday, January 18, 2020 - 6:00 PM
Sponsored by the Office for Black Catholics of the Arch-diocese of Philadelphia; Join us in person or via livestream.Location: St. Dorothy Catholic Church; 4910
Township Line Road; Drexel Hill, PA Presiders: Archbishop Nelson J Pérez; Rev. Edward
Sparkman; Rabbi Jeremy Gerber More details and livestream info: Visit our Website
Rite of Acceptance for RCIA Candidates
Monsignor Hennessy will celebrate the Rite of Ac-ceptance with our candidates for full communion with the Catholic Church this Sunday, January 10, at the 10:15 Mass. Our community welcomes them and ex-presses our support and they continue to investigate our Catholic Faith. The candidates are: Drew Phillips, Amanda Murphy, Paul Kingston, and Mark and Heather Norman.
Page 6 Bulletin notices are due no later than Monday noon to rectory@stalphonsusparish.org Our Lady of Mercy
Regional Catholic School 29 Conwell Drive,
Maple Glen 215-646-0150 ―OLM Rooted in God…. And growing in Mercy.‖
21-22 OLM Enrollment
NOW Open!
Enrollment for the 21-22 School Year is NOW
Open for grades K to 8th. Seats are very limited.
Due to COVID19 restrictions, we are unable to
conduct personal tours, however, we can put you
in touch with a current family to ask questions or
you can contact Julie Bebey for more information
or to receive an application.
Julie can be reached at OLM at
jbebey@OLMrcs.com or
at school, 215-646-0150 x113.
We look forward to speaking with you!
OLM in Search of Prayer Angels
Inviting Parish Members and Friends to be an
OLM Prayer Angel
THANK YOU to those that said YES to being an
OLM Prayer Angel. We just passed the one month
mark of our school opening. We know that your
prayers are keeping us safe. During the school
year we are saying Pope Francis‘s COVID Prayer
each day. We would like to invite members of the
parish to be an OLM Prayer Angel and recite the
prayer each day to keep the OLM family safe and
healthy. We have printed prayer cards to anyone
who wants to join this prayer chain. To join, please
call OLM and speak with Julie Bebey at (215)
646-0150 x113 or email jbebey@OLMrcs and Julie will
send you a prayer card. #weareinthistogether
Martin Saints Classical High School
Open House: November 10, 2020 at 7 PM 8th Grade Visitation: November 17, 2020
7th Grade Visitation: March 30, 2021
Guest Student Visit: Contact our admissions counselor, Ms. Lindmeier, to schedule a visit during the day. Location: On the campus of Holy Martyrs Church,
120 Allison Road, Oreland PA 19075. www.whymsc.org
Come be ―fully alive‖ with us! Any questions? Contact Ms. Laura Lindmeier, Admissions Counselor at
lindmei-er@martinsaintsclassical.org or Mr. Adam Dickerson, Headmaster at adickerson@martinsaintsclassical.org
Support OLM when You Shop At Amazon
Are You Shopping on Amazon? Please Partici-pate in the AmazonSmile Program. It’s simple and OLM will receive a % back to support school programs.If you are not already an AmazonSmile member,
sign up on your web browser at https://
smile.amazon.com. Simply select OLMrcs to start
generating donations at no cost to you. New this
year: You can now support OLM on iPhone &
An-droid phones too! Open the app
and find ‗Settings‘ in the Main
Menu. Tap on ‗Amazon Smile‘
and follow the on-screen
in-structions to turn on
Ama-zonSmile on your phone. OLM
thanks you!
Visit the OLM Christmas
Light Display!
OLM wishes to send a heartfelt thanks to
Ken-ny‘s Christmas Trees & Acteon Light Up A Life
for making possible the wonderful Christmas
display at OLM. Your generosity brought Joy &
Smiles to so many.