You only have to look at the worshipers at our Masses at St. John’s Church to see that a significant portion of those gathering - whether they are members or visitors - are seniors. The same is true in our stores, our places of work, our entertainment venues, and our highways. According to the US Census Bureau, Americans are getting older. As we age our needs change and increase.

Did you know that 1 in 4 people living in Pennsylvania is over the age of 60? In five years that ratio will rise to 1 in 3. In fact, in 2030 there will be more Pennsylvanians over age 60 than under age 20. We currently rank as the US state with the fifth highest number of seniors.

It makes me sad that many of our elderly have unmet needs. Some of these needs are that they cannot access transportation or medical care, that they need assistance with daily tasks and can’t find help. There are some Saint John’s elderly parishioners who face food insecurity at the end of each month, despite having worked their entire lives. Not every working person has a pension, and Social Security is not enough to sustain a dignified life. We have elders among us who bear hardships with quiet dignity.

Our community leaders, from elected officials to managers of health, housing and services agencies, have been studying how to make Pennsylvania age-friendly for seniors and their caregivers. To that end, Governor Shapiro recently released a 10-year Plan on the needs and resources for older adults called, Aging Our Way, PA. Following that same demographic trend, a dozen other US states are preparing similar plans.

Here is how you can learn more about the new plan:

1. Google “Aging Our Way, PA”; and you will be taken to a link that has the 60-page final plan document. This will provide a description of the key services for seniors in 5 priority areas across 8 domains of livability, together with benchmarks that will be tracked and reported year by year.
2. Our local PBS station , WHYY, recently broadcast a 55- minute program, called Aging Together in PA Townhall, that included an introduction by the Governor and a panel of experts discussing elder justice and dignity. The program description says, “We’ll explore the challenges faced by older citizens and their caregivers, what services are currently available in our area, and how we can work together to ensure the safety, dignity and joys of aging in PA.” More programs are coming in the next few months. You can view a recording of the program by going to PBS.org
3. Pennsylvania has two search engines which help to find resources and contact information about specific services that can help to address needs or overcomes obstacles. Go online to www.pa211.org or pa-navigate.com.

The organization in Philadelphia that will answer questions about senior services is the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA). If you are not able to find what you need in the search engines, here are next steps to find help:

Contact the PCA Helpline 215-765-9040 from 8:30 to 5 M-For AskHelpline@pcacares.org

OR

Contact the Helpline Director, Nolan Lawrence, at 215- 510-5096 or nolan.lawrence@pcacares.org

Second Collection for Saint John’s Debt Reduction

This weekend, November 2-3, our second collection will be to help reduce our debt. This parish still owes a large debt, but we make a substantial payment each year. Please help us to continue paying off our debt.

Gospel of Luke Zoom Class

Begins December 4, 7- 8:30 PM. Last year, retired Villanova Scripture Professor Paul Danove, offered a weekly class on the Gospel of Mark. The class was well received. This year, beginning December 4, he will teach the Gospel of Luke. If you wish to receive zoom invitations each week to the class, please email Fr. Tom below.

This week ...

From the Pastor' Desk