I have had a busy week. I have a lot to learn, but I am learning. I also have a lot to do. I appreciate Father John Daya's hard work as I try my best to serve as pastor of Saint John's.

I am happy to be here and every day I thank God to be at Saint John's. Pray for me and know that I have been praying for the people of Saint John's since I left my work as provincial minister in late May and began preparing for my move to Philadelphia.

2022 Catholic Charities Appeal — Archbishop Nelson Perez is asking us to take up another collection for the 2022 Catholic Charities Appeal. Saint John's has collected only 32% of our 2022 $21,739 goal. Catholic Charitable appeals have suffered because fewer people are at Mass since the 2020 Covid shut down.
I know that Saint John Church is also in need of your support and that Saint John's is eminently worthy of help. But I believe (and my 30+ years as a priest have borne this out!) that a parish that is generous to the poor and the other missions of the Church will be blessed by God and thrive. It is not a contest between Saint John's and Catholic Charities. If we support Catholic Charities, God will bless us.
I am well acquainted with the work of Catholic Charities agencies in Philadelphia. We Catholics should be proud of the good work that Catholic Charities does and we ought to support it. In our own neighborhood we have Saint John's Hospice and Mercy Hospice. But throughout the city and region there is much more good work being done in our name.
There will be a second collection next weekend, September 24-25 at all Masses. You can also mail or bring a donation for Catholic Charities to the parish office. Please be generous.

Feast of Padre Pio, September 23 — This Friday, September 23, is the feast of the famous Capuchin saint, Padre Pio. We will have our usual three Masses with an opportunity to venerate the glove of Padre Pio after each Mass. I believe that Padre Pio has a special charism for intercession and I know that many people have been blessed through his prayers. Plan to be at one of our Masses on the feast of Padre Pio.

RCIA — Do you know someone who wants to learn about our Catholic faith, perhaps prepare for baptism or reception into the Church? Please invite that person to join our RCIA program. I have been meeting with a team and we are planning for this year a mostly online Zoom program. We hope to begin in early October. I ask everyone reading these words to invite one person to join our RCIA. If you or anyone you know is interested, please email me below:

Transitus of Saint Francis — As has been the custom at Saint John's for many years, we Capuchins and the Secular Franciscan Order will mark in prayer the death of Saint Francis, his "transitus" to eternal life, on October 3 at 6 PM. Please mark your calendars and join us in prayer in the upper church.

Christ in the City — Perhaps you have noticed a group of young people attending our noon Mass on many weekdays. This year a new program has begun in Philadelphia, Christ in the City, founded in Denver and now present in Philadelphia. There are 13 young Catholic missionaries in Philadelphia seeking out and serving the homeless. I am inspired by these young adults and their faith and their desire to serve the most despised and abandoned folks among us. These young missionaries are holding their first annual celebration and fundraiser on October 1 at 5:30 PM at the Penn Newman Center Lounge. I plan to attend this event. You can learn more at christinthecity.org/annualcelebration. On behalf of Saint John Parish, I welcome this new Catholic outreach to the homeless and I urge you to get to know our missionaries and their work.

Marijuana Conviction Pardons — Governor Tom Wolf has announced a new Pennsylvania Marijuana Pardon project that is only available for the month of September 2022! This important initiative is to pardon individuals with a marijuana conviction. Please visit
https://www.pa.gov/guides/mj-pardon/#WhoIsEligible
to find out more information and to submit your application. If you know anyone for whom this pardon opportunity would be helpful, please pass on this information.