Weekly Update October 1, 2023

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October 4 festive Mass at 12:05 PM

We will have our usual three weekday Masses on the feast of Saint Francis. However, we will have music at our 12:05 Mass. Also, Father Hyacinth, OP, pastor of Saint Patrick Church will preach. There is an old tradition that on the feast of Saint Dominic, a Franciscan preaches in Dominican churches; and on the feast of Saint Francis, a Dominican preaches in Franciscan churches. On August 8, 2023, I preached at Saint Patrick Church for the feast of Saint Dominic. Now, on October 4, a Dominican will preach on the Feast of Saint Francis.

We Philadelphia Franciscans and Dominicans are reviving and old tradition!

 

Blessed Carlo Acutis

Carlo Acutis died in 2016 at the age of 16. For a boy so young, he had a remarkable faith. He is the Church’s first millennialsaint and is popular among young Catholics. We plan to celebrate a novena of prayer in honor of Blessed Carlo from October 7-15. After each Mass during the novena, we will recite a prayer in honor of Blessed Carlo and we will have information on his life on display in the back of church.

Jack’s Yacs

All young adults (20s and 30s) are invited to the parish center for a film on the life of Blessed Carlo Acutis on Saturday, October 7, after the 5:15 vigil Mass. Pizza and beer will be served.

 

Boot Up Philly

Saint John’s Hospice is holding its annual Boot Up Philly campaign with the goal of purchasing winter boots, underwear, socks coats and other cold-weather items to assist more than 1000 homeless men and women across Philadelphia. From September 15 to the end of October, all donations to our church Poor Box will be sent to Saint John’s Hospice for the Boot Up Philly campaign.

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)

We will begin our weekly zoom classes on Monday, October 8 at 7 PM. These classes are for adults who are considering joining the Catholic Church through baptism or confirmation (for those who are already baptized). However, those who wish to update and expand their knowledge of the faith are also invited. If you wish to receive email invitations to our RCIA classes, email Fr. Tom:

Email Fr. Tom

    Eucharistic Procession

    The Catholic Church in the USA is in the midst of a “Year of Eucharistic Revival”. Our bishops ask us Catholics to learn about and celebrate the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. We are planning a Eucharistic procession from Holy Redeemer Churc to Saint John Church on Sunday, October 15. There will be 11:15 AM Mass at Holy Redeemer followed by a procession through the streets of Center City to Saint John’s where we will conclude with prayer and Benediction. Refreshments will follow in the Saint John’s Parish Center.

    Second Collection for Saint John’s Debt Reduction

    Saint John’s still has a $700,000 debt. Please help us to pay this debt by a generous offering in the second collection this weekend, September 30 and October 1.

    Mission Sunday, October 21-22 

    The annual Mission Sunday collection is one of the most important for the universal church. Every mission diocese in the world receives a basic subsidy from this collection. The mission subsidy is the basic support for the Catholic Church in poor countries and it is essential to the church’s flourishing. The word “catholic” means universal and our Catholic Church is universal. The Archdiocese has arranged for Father Dermot Roache, a priest of the Society of African Missions, to speak at all Masses on the weekend of October 14-15 on behalf of the Mission Sunday collection. The collection will be on the following weekend, October 21-22 and I urge you to make an extra generous donation.

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    From the Pastor's Desk