AUGUST 7, 2005 EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME The goal of Saint Ann Parish is that each member grow in Grace through Jesus Christ, and in so doing cooperate with the Holy Spirit in giving glory to God, in experiencing the salvation of their soul, and in building up the Body of Christ. SERVICES FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 7, 2005 SUN Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 7:30 AM Mass in Chapel 9:30 AM Mass in Chapel 11:30 AM Mass in Chapel MON St. Dominic 8:00 AM Communion Service in Church TUES St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross 8:00 AM Mass in Church WED St. Lawrence 8:00 AM Mass in Church THUR St. Clare 8:00 AM Mass in Church FRI Seasonal Weekday 8:00 AM Communion Service in Church SAT Vigil of Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time 5:30 PM Mass in Chapel CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH - This week we invite you to meditate via paragraph 426 in your prayer. REMEMBER OUR SICK Sarah Sasso, Tabytha McLaughlin, Matthew Isanski, Della Eastwood, Charlotte Thayer, Mrs. John DeAngelis, Marion Lamont, Justin Dougherty, Barbara Dougherty, Nancy Alizzo, Angela Lamont, Pat King, Charles Koch, David Jones, Kathy Guinther, Edna Giangrante, Jennifer Roberts, Jimmy White, Joan Benyo, Jack and Phil Garvin, Agnes Pennelli, Stella Opiela, June Campbell, Maryann Belman, Eric D'Ercole, our homebound and our parishioners at Phoenixville Manor & Hospital. Everyone will remain on the sick list for 30 days, unless we are notified. THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURES Sun: 1 Kgs 19:9a,11-13a/Rom 9:1-5/Mt 14:22-33 Mon: DT 10:12-22/Mt 17:22-27 Tues: Dt 31:1-8/Mt 18:1-5,10,12-14 Wed: 2 Cor 9:6-10/Jn 12:24-26 Thurs: Jos 3:7-10a,11,13-17/Mt 18:21-19:1 Fri: Jos 24:1-13/Mt 19:3-12 Sat: Jos 24:14-29/Mt 19:13-15 Next Is 56:1,6-7/Rom 11:13-15,29-32/ Sun: Mt 15:21-28 In the first reading and the Gospel, what makes it difficult for Elijah and the disciples to recognize God? What makes it difficult for me to recognize God? When has prayer helped me overcome doubt? CHURCH OFFERING FOR JULY 31, 2005 Sunday Envelopes 484 $11,803.00 Loose 677.50 Total Sunday Collection $12,480.50 Long Term Debt 9 $346.00 Assumption 1 5.00 Total Other Parish Income $351.00 TOTAL PARISH INCOME $12,831.50 Mission Co-Op 115 $1,657.25 Human Development 1 2.00 Peters Pence 2 8.00 Poor Boxes - The Clinic 107.00 Total Receipts for Others $1,774.25 GRAND TOTAL $14,605.75 Thanks to all those who contributed so generously to our parish collection. FROM THE PASTOR Looking ahead to the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord this Saturday (8/6), I am reminded of these words from Archbishop Oscar Romero who was martyred in El Salvador on March 24, 1980: "This Lent, which we observe amidst blood and sorrow, ought to presage a transfiguration of our people, a resurrection of our nation. The Church invites us to a modern form of penance, of fasting and prayer---perennial Christian practices, but adapted to the circumstances of each person. Feeling in one's own flesh the consequences of sin and injustice, one is stimulated to work for social justice and a genuine love for the poor. Our Lent should awaken a sense of social justice." Thinking of Peter in today's Gospel, may this day's celebration serve to transfigure our faith so that we may keep our eyes and hearts on Jesus in the storms of life. Be sure to stop by our new Centennial Exhibit (near the Blessed Mother statue) for the month of August. If you have any memorabilia or stories related to our upcoming centennial themes, would you please get them to the rectory ASAP? Of course, we can return anything you loan us. The schedule is: September St. Ann Commercial High School October Confirmations November St. Ann Parish Cemetery December St. Ann's Women's Guild THIS WEEK SUNDAY 8:00AM - Noon- Parish Library Open (Parish Center) 9:30 AM - Children's Liturgy (Parish Center) 11:00 AM - Vietnamese Mass (Church) 12:00 PM - Vietnamese Social (Church Hall) CENTENNIAL MINUTE - Treat yourself to the Centennial Exhibit about Fr. Wagner, located near the Blessed Mother statue. MONDAY 7:30 PM - Legion of Mary (Parish Center) TUESDAY 8:30 AM - Confessions (Church) WEDNESDAY 8:30 AM-7:30 PM-Eucharistic Adoration (Church) SATURDAY 4:00 - 4:45 PM - Confessions (Chapel) 5 - 7 PM - Parish Library Open (Parish Center) UPCOMING EVENTS COUPLES - Have you hear of Marriage Encounter? The fact is a Marriage Encounter may be the best gift you ever give each other. Invest in this spirit-filled weekend rediscovering your spouse, yourself, your Sacrament and your God. Upcoming dates include August 19-21, September 23-25, October 21-23 and November 18-20. To register phone 1-800-456-8330 or explore www.wwme.org. VALLEY FORGE MARTIAL ARTS in Audubon is offering a self defense program for women and girls (13 & older) on August 12 from 7 - 9 PM. Cost is $25.00 per person. Forms are on shelves in Chapel. For info call 610-676-0691. PRE-JORDAN BAPTISM PREPARATION class for new and expectant parents will be August 24 in the Parish Center at 7:30 PM. Call Liz at 610-983-3751 to register. PARISH REGISTRATION will take place on August 14 in the Parish Center (next door to Chapel) at 12:30 PM after the 11:30 AM Mass. ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CLOTHING DRIVE on Saturday, August 27 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM in our church parking lot. We will be collecting clothing, bed and bath linens, pots & pans, dishes, cooking utensils, toys, books and small appliances in good working order. No baby equipment, only baby clothing. CASSEROLES FOR ST. JOHN'S HOSPICE - Pans and recipes for an easy to make casserole are available at the Rectory. Please drop your frozen casserole off at the back porch of the Rectory by 10 AM on August 31. RCIA MAY BE FOR YOU IF YOUR ARE.... An adult or child over the age of 7 who would like to become a member of the Catholic Church. A non-Catholic who is married to or marrying a Catholic and wants to learn more about the Catholic faith and Catholic practices. A new group is forming in September. For more information, pick up a flyer from the Chapel shelves or contact Liz Deal at 610-983-3751, adulted@churchofsaintann.org. THE LITURGY COMMITTEE will meet on Thursday, September 1 at 7:30 PM in the Rectory. WEDNESDAY EVENING PRAYER resumes September 14. If you would like to be a prayer leader, please contact Liz at adulted@churchofsaintann.org or 610-983-3751. SIX WEEKS WITH THE MASS - If you want to understand why we celebrate the Mass, the natural place to begin is the Bible. Each week we will read from Scripture to learn about the Mass and explore the connections between what we find in Scripture, our own life experience and our participation in Jesus' sacrifice in the Mass. Registration is Wednesday, September 14 at 9:45 AM in the Parish Center. Book fee: $7.00. For more details, call Liz at 610-983-3751. PRAYER ON THE PARKWAY - Come Celebrate Christ's Eucharistic Presence Cardinal Justin Rigali will lead a Eucharistic Holy Hour and Benediction on September 18 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at Logan Square. For more information call 215-587-0525. ANNUAL PARISH PICNIC - Please note that our Parish Picnic which was scheduled for September 18 at St. Mike's in Mont Clare has been cancelled due to the Prayer on the Parkway Celebration in Philadelphia to end the year of the Eucharist. EVENING SCRIPTURE STUDY begins Thursday, September 22 at 7:30 PM in the Parish Center. This twelve-week study of two of St. Paul's epistles–the Letter to the Romans and the Letter to the Galatians–reminds us that salvation and justification come through faith in Christ, and that faith in Jesus leads to a response from believers. Books cost $10. For more information, call Liz at 610-983-3751, adulted@churchofsaintann.org. ATTENTION GOLFERS - Join us on September 30 for our annual St. Ann's Golf Outing. This year's event will be held at Spring Hollow Golf Course with a shotgun start at 1:00 PM. The cost is $70/person and includes golf, cart, lunch, steak dinner and many prizes. All size groups are welcome. Registration forms are available on shelves in Chapel, in Church and at the Rectory. Come and enjoy the fun. CENTENNIAL TRIP - There are three seats left on the trip to Ireland, October 16 -25. For info call All Seasons Travel at 610-933-2002 or pick up a flyer in Chapel. YOUTH PROGRAMS PARISH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM (PREP) REMINDER: Registration for PREP is due. If your child does not attend a Catholic school to learn and practice the teachings of the Church, the PREP program is the instrument used in our parish to accomplish this. Classes are held on Tuesdays 4:15 to 5:30 and 6:25 to 7:45. Registration for new and current students for the 2005/2006 year is required. Please contact the Youth Education Office at 610-933-2354 for more information or a registration form. CALL FOR CATECHISTS - What is a Catechist? It is a person who practices the Catholic faith and realizes the importance of helping parents of our parish hand on the faith to their children. PREP has openings for Catechists and Aides in both the afternoon and evening sessions. We provide training and on-going assistance to teachers and aides who are new to PREP. We are also looking for two new volunteers to help with the Pre-school children in Sunday School during the 9:30 Mass. Training is provided. For more info call Joanne at 610-933-2354. CONFIRMATION 2005 - The next Confirmation Prep Session will be on August 27 beginning at 8:45 in the Church. CHILDREN'S DISCUSSION QUESTION FOR 19TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME - Matt: 14:22-33 (Do Not Be Afraid) Where might I need to have more trust and faith in my life? CLUSTER 54 HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP will meet this Sunday at 7:00 PM in Sacred Heart Church on Church Street. Anyone attending high school during the 2005/2006 school year is welcome. HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL - The building blocks for a faith-filled future begins in Catholic Schools. At HFS your child will receive an outstanding academic education while being taught the lessons of our faith. This year our monthly school Mass and Prayer Services will be centered around the tremendous gift of The Real Presence, Jesus present to us in the Holy Eucharist. Come and join us and see the difference a faith based education can make. If you are interested in a school where the Gospel values will be part of your child's every day learning, please call 610-933-7562 or visit our website at www.myholyfamilyschool.org. We have openings in our four and five year old afternoon class as well as limited openings in many other grades. HFS 2ND ANNUAL SILENT AUCTION will be held at the Valley Forge Freedom Foundation on November 5. Please help us to raise much needed funds for our school. If you can donate an item (gift certificates, tickets to sporting events, services, etc.) or would like to place an ad in our Auction Catalog – no matter how BIG or small – please call Kelly Dychdala at 610-917-3883. Stay tuned for more information about ticket sales and raffles. OTHER NEWS NEED A RIDE - HOPE volunteers drive parishioners to appointments or on essential errands, Monday thru Friday, 7 AM - 4 PM. Schedule a ride 4 days in advance. Hope Captains August 1-15: Mary Ann Brown - 610-935-6894 August 16-31: Marie Reynolds - 610-933-4078 GIFT CERTIFICATE PROGRAM - Certificates are available at weekend Masses and at the Rectory: Monday - Wednesday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Thursday and Friday 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM and on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM. AID FOR FRIENDS - Please help by donating your leftovers. Supplies are available on the back porch of the Parish Center. Drop off times: Saturday 5-6:30 PM or Sunday 8 - 11:30 AM Questions, call Kate 610-933-3814 or Colleen 610-935-4420 VOLUNTEER(S) NEEDED - Aid for Friends, a program which provides free home cooked meals to the homebound, is in need of a volunteer or two to go out to see potential clients in this area. The program is active here at our Church. Time Commitment: approximately 1-2 hours each week. Requirements: a desire to help those in need. If you can help, please call Tom Wallin at 215-464-2224. OTHER NEWS EMMAUS BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY - If you've lost someone by death and are interested in joining a support group, call Sr. Marie Rose at 610-933-0685. SACRAMENT OF THE SICK (ANOINTING) - We encourage our members to develop the habit of mind to request this Sacrament here in the parish before planned hospital visits and/or surgical procedures. For example, if you notify the Rectory beforehand, you could arrange to be anointed within any of our weekday or weekend Masses throughout the year, and so invite other members of our parish to join their prayers (and their Communion) for you. For those who would not be comfortable receiving this Sacrament in such a public manner, you could arrange to receive this Sacrament after Mass in the Church or Chapel or in the Rectory during the week. ARE YOU SEEKING A LIFE-GIVING AND ENERGIZING way of living out your call to holiness? Are you filled with zeal for God's people, with desire for community, for deeper insertion into the Gospel of Jesus? The answer may be simple, radical, and possible. Learn about religious life for women and men today. Contact Coordinator for Vocations to Religious Life at 215-587-3795 for information about religious life today. CRAFTERS WANTED for St. Ann's Women's Guild Christmas Craft Fair and Bazaar to be held Friday and Saturday, November 4 and 5. Tables available for $20. To reserve a table contact Patti at 610-935-1945 or Karen at 610-933-0874. PRESENTATION OF GIFTS DURING MASS - If you would like to present the gifts during Mass just speak with the Sacristan about 10 minutes before Mass begins and he/she will assist you. STEWARDSHIP - "I will listen for the word of God; surely the Lord will proclaim peace to his people, to the faithful, to those who trust in him." Psalms 85:9 How often do we listen - in the course of our everyday activities? Stewardship is the active conscious choice of living in relationship with God. Anna Jacob turns 93 on August 8 A FAMILY PERSPECTIVE ON THE GOSPEL - How often do we allow ourselves to be terrified by the storms of illnesses, personal hurts and rivalries which crop up in family life? In each Eucharistic celebration we have the opportunity to grow closer to Jesus and to trust more fully what he speaks to us: "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." HOLY FATHER'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR AUGUST 2005 General Intention: For World Youth Day: That this occasion draw young people everywhere to meet Christ and to welcome Him as Lord of their life. Mission Intention: For Students From Mission Churches in Rome: That their studies in the Eternal City be a time of spiritual enrichment. WILL YOU VISIT THE SICK? - Parishioners are needed who are willing to perform this corporal work of mercy by bringing Holy Communion to our brothers and sisters who are unable to attend Mass. Your help is very much needed for this important ministry of immense love. Call Emily ASAP at 610-933-4315. CENTENNIAL THROW - The Centennial Committee is proud to present the beautiful tapestry for sale as a tribute to the first 100 years of St. Ann Parish. The throw is on display in the Chapel behind the St. Joseph Statue for your viewing pleasure. In order to have the throws in time for Christmas, orders must be submitted by September 12, 2005. The cost is $50.00. Order forms are available in Chapel, Church and at the Rectory. TRAVELING - When planning a vacation, or on the road, one number you'll want to remember is 1-800-MASS- TIMES. By using the zip code or area code you can get the name, address, phone number, and Mass times of the 5 nearest Catholic Churches. TEACHINGS - Cardinal Rigali's weekly one-minute spiritual message airs every Sunday evening between 5 & 8 and every Monday morning between 5 & 10 on KYW News Radio, 1060-AM.