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This weekend, the Catholic Church throughout the world observes Mission Sunday. On Mission Sunday, every church is required to take a second collection to support Catholic Missions through the Society for the Propagation of the Faith throughout the world. The Society for the Propagation of the Faith was begun by a French laywoman, Pauline Jaricot, in 1822 to assist Catholic missions throughout the world, though a particular focus in 1822 was on missions in Louisiana and throughout the United States. The USA was then a mission country! The Mission Sunday collection was established one hundred years ago in 1826.

The Mission Sunday collection and the Society for the Propagation of the Faith provide a subsidy, basic support, for more than 1000 dioceses and jurisdictions in new churches and missions. This collection makes it possible for the Catholic Church to be present in many poor places.

We have also recently celebrated the beatification of Fulton Sheen. The generation older than me remembers Fulton Sheen as a powerful and much watched TV Catholic preacher. His TV shows were wildly popular, especially in the 1950s. Before TV, Fulton Sheen had a popular radio program from 1930-1950. In 1950, Sheen's popularity soared as he hosted a popular TV program until 1968. However, Fulton Sheen's most well known TV program ended around 1957.

Fulton Sheen is remembered most for his radio and TV ministries. However, from 1950 until 1966, Sheen was also the national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. During those years, he raised over $200 Million for the missions of the Church and in addition he donated $10 Million of his own money that he had earned from his TV shows. Fulton Sheen made the Society for the Propagation of the Faith successful. The Mission Sunday collection supports the work that Sheen dedicated much of his life to sustain.

The beatification of Fulton Sheen was a major event in Saint Louis, drawing more than 80,000 people. Lots of young people, who were not old enough to remember his TV programs, attended the beatification.

Catholic missions were very successful in the last quarter of the 20th Century due in part to the many zealous missionaries—priests, Sisters and religious Brothers who worked in Africa, Asia and elsewhere in the 20th century. Credit is also due to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith which raised money for the missions.

Fulton Sheen was the best American fundraiser that Catholic missions have ever seen. Please be generous to the Mission Sunday collection on October 17-18.

It is important to support the work of the Church in Philadelphia through the Catholic Charities Collection, Saint John's Church also needs and deserves your help. But we also need to support the universal church. We belong to the worldwide Catholic church and it is our obligation and our joy to help the Church everywhere.

Red Mass

The Red Mass is an annual Mass for lawyers, judges and those who work in the legal profession.  It is a prayer to the Holy Spirit for wisdom for those whose work is to administer justice.  It is held in October at the beginning of the new judicial year.  The Red Mass will be held on Monday, October 19 at 5:15 PM at Saint John’s.

Help Holy Redeemer School

The EITC (Educational Improvement Tax Credit) allows taxpayers to pay part of the taxes that they would pay to the State of Pennsylvania (not federal or local, only state taxes) to Catholic schools to assist poor families with tuition. The tax payer gets 90% of the donation back in the form of a tax credit (credit, not deduction). Thus the donor really only pays from his or her own funds, 10% of what is given. The actual cost to the donor is not large, but the assistance to a Catholic school is huge!

The EITC program allows a Pennsylvania taxpayer to help a Catholic School at little cost to the taxpayer. The taxpayer/donor can give it to Catholic Schools in general or to a particular Catholic School. I humbly ask that you consider making such a contribution to Holy Redeemer School. For information on how to make an EITC tax credit donation, please contact Father Tom:

Sanctuary Guild Masses

Each week we offer a Mass for those enrolled in the Sanctuary Guild. Saint John's commits to a weekly Mass in perpetuity for those enrolled. If you enroll someone in the Sanctuary Guild, that individual will not be remembered at one Mass only, but in 52 Masses year after year. We have attractive padded enrollment certificates. We ask for a donation of $50 for each enrollment.

Eucharist Procession and Devotions

On Sunday, October 18, after the 11:15 Mass at Holy Redeemer, the Holy Redeemer congregation will process through the streets of Center City with the monstrance and the Blessed Sacrament, arriving at Saint John's as the 12:30 Mass is concluding. There will be a short prayer service when the procession arrives at Saint John's. Saint John's parishioners are welcome to join the Holy Redeemer Mass and procession. If you don't go to Holy Redeemer for the procession, I encourage you to attend the 12:30 Mass and to stay after Mass for devotions and prayers.

Website: Holy Redeemer Chinese Catholic Church
Google Map: 915 Vine St Philadelphia, PA 19107

Resources for older people in Philadelphia

Cary Gottlieb, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, will lead a discussion about resources available to care for our elderly brothers and sisters. The program will provide useful information for senior citizens and also for those who care for or care about an elderly relative or friend. The program will be after the 10:30 Mass on Sunday, November 1. All are welcome and there will be coffee, tea and refreshments.

This week ...

From the Pastor' Desk