Saint Katharine Drexel Catholic Church
1920 Providence Ave. Chester, PA 19013 http://www.stkatharinedrexelparish.org/
Phone (610) 872-3731
Food Cupboard (484) 490-5079 Fax (610) 872-0545 [email protected]
Pastor/Párroco
Parochial Vicar:
Director of Religious Education/Director de Catequésis
Deacons / Diáconos
Fr. Thomas P. Whittingham
Fr. Thomas J. Dunleavy
Mr. José Martín
Dcn. John J. Pileggi
Dcn. Michael J. Finn (retired)
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
MAY 14, 2017
FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
First Reading: Acts 6:1-7
Second ReaDING: 1 PEtER 2:4-9
Gospel: JOHn 14:1-12
WELCOME TO ST. KATHARINE DREXEL!
MASS SCHEDULE / HORARIO DE MISAS
Vigil Mass: Saturday at 4:00 PM
Sunday: 8:30 AM and
10:30 AM (with Gospel Choir)
Misa en Español: Domingo 12:15 PM
Weekdays 8:00 AM Monday to Saturday
CONFESSIONS / CONFESIONES
Saturday / Sábado:
3:15 to 3:45 PM
First Friday/Primer Viernes:
7:15 to 7:45 AM
or by appointment
St. Katharine Drexel Parish warmly welcomes visitors and new members at all times. If
you are not worshiping with another parish community or you are new to the area, we
encourage you to fill out a registration form available at the entrance of church. Perhaps
you are not Catholic and are interested in learning more about the Catholic Church; all
you have to do is ask or call us. Don’t put off what your heart is telling you to do. Jesus
left the Church behind to continue His work here on earth and we are all called to be His
disciples and to follow him together.
FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
May 14th, 2017
MASS INTENTIONS
4:00 PM Vigil Parishioners of St. Katharine Drexel
8:30 AM
Mothers Living and Deceased
10:30 AM
Mothers Living and Deceased
12:15 PM
Mothers Living and Deceased
Mon., May 15
Saint Isidore
8:00 AM
Carmen Pinto
Tues., May 16
8:00 AM
Diane Lavella
Wed., May 17
8:00 AM
Francis G. Pileggi (1st Anniversary)
Thurs., May 18
Pope Saint John I
8:00 AM
Deceased members of the Izzo Family
Friday, May 19
8:00 AM
Fr. Whittingham and Class of 2012
Sat., May 20
Saint Bernardine of Siena
8:00 AM
For the Philadelphia Ordinandi
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
All the Masses this weekend are being
offered for each of our mothers and those
women who have shown us a mother’s
love, both living and deceased. We ask
our Blessed Mother to pray for our dear
moms and we thank God for them, because without
them we would not have the gift of life.
Thank you mothers for all that you do!
MINISTRY SCHEDULE
May 20th and 21st, 2017
VIGIL MASS: 4:00 PM
Extraordinary Ministers: Liz Benson, Irene Tucker,
Maxine Graves (Alternate)
Lector: Sue Ramberg
Ushers: Ed Larkin, Tom Tucker, Dwight Williams,
James Ianni
8:30 AM
Extraordinary Ministers: Sandra Edwards, Clarice
Mendonca, Mary Stock (Alternate)
Lectors: Christa Brawley, Theresa Brawley
Ushers: Mike Galczynski, Walter Manchin
Greeter: Sandra Edwards
10:30 AM
Extraordinary Ministers: Gail Brown, Dorothy
Murphy, Rick Dennis (Alternate)
Lector: Gus Lugay
Ushers: Marlin Hunter, Rick Dennis, Dan Kennedy,
Gus Lugay
Greeters: Paulette Fuller, Sue Kennedy
CROWNING OF MARY
This weekend we will have the crowning in the
church, of the Blessed Virgin Mary statue during
our Masses: 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM and 12:15 PM (in
Spanish) .
THE CENTENNIAL OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA: MARY CONTINUES TO SPEAK TO THE CHURCH
Beginning this May, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia joins with the Universal Church to celebrate the
100th Anniversary of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Fatima, Portugal. Our Lady’s appearances
and the messages that she gave were a means by which God called man to prayer, sacrifice, and devotion to
the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
God’s Revelation, begun in the Old Testament, was brought to fulfilment in the Life of Christ and the witness
born to Him by the Apostles and the New Testament. In this public revelation, God has spoken all that He
desires to communicate to man. The apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima are examples of private revelation. Private revelations are helps that God grants to His Church to enable it to live more fully by Christ’s definitive revelation in a particular period of history.
“God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart.” In Fatima, Our Lady asked specifically for the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart, but she also promised that Christians who
would turn to her in prayer, especially through the recitation of the rosary, would be granted the grace they
need to overcome sin and would be led by her Immaculate Heart to God.
The Practice of Reparation on the First Saturdays. Our Lady of Fatima asked for this devotion specifically to
prevent God’s punishment upon the sins of the world, and for the conversion of Russia. The First Saturday
devotion makes reparation for the offenses committed against Mary’s honor by those who reject her Immaculate Conception, Perpetual Virginity, and Divine Motherhood. It also offers reparation for those who reject
her spiritual maternity or who outrage her in holy images.
“In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph.” The unique message of Our Lady of Fatima continues to
shape the lives of Christian believers. She promises peace to the world and salvation to sinners through
prayer and through the sacrifices that Christians offer to God. The prayers of the children of Fatima are simple yet profound pleas for the conversion of the world that all of us are invited to integrate into our daily
prayer life.
To join in the Archdiocesan Fatima celebrations, visit archphila.org/fatima.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK OF THE PARISH
Ruth Mullen, Bernie Brill, Olivia Weatherly, Mildred
Robinson, Jeannette Platt, Pat McGarvey, Patty
Hackett, Alice Walton, The King Family, Emily Ochrymowicz, Patricia Brown, Sandra Bonner, Paula DiMaio-Reczek, Mary Ann Vail-Etzler, Ralph Langdale,
Carmen London, Julie Forcielli, Patricia Jones, Brielle
Barbara, Nancy Dunkin, Catherine Kimes, John A.
Smith, Linda Garcia, Christine, Gordon Sookrae, Aiyanna Fredericks, James Robinson, Yoselin Rivera,
Matthew Woods, Gabby Dillon, Francis Seeley, Julie
White, June Maguire, Elizabeth A. Young, Robert
McFarland, Regan Kauf, Cassidy Jane Johnson, Hernán García, June Fitts, Jack Klotz, Pearlina Taylor,
Emma Clare M., Madeline Divinny, Andrew Perkins,
Bill Epp, Peggy Diggins, Roberto Rivera, Luis A. Martínez, Allean Johnson, Clara Mifflin, Charles Bryant,
Maria Polilli, Michael & Kathy Murphy.
MASS INTENTIONS AVAILABLE
Our 2017 Mass Intention book has openings available. If you have deceased loved ones you would like
to request a Mass for, living loved ones who would
appreciate a Mass said for their intentions, or any
other special intention on your heart, please contact the Parish Office to schedule your Mass Intentions.
A donation of $10 is requested for each Intention.
RECENTLY DECEASED
May eternal rest be granted to
Kathleen R. Ferrante.
Let perpetual light shine upon her.
A NOTE FROM OUR PASTOR...
Raising Daughters Like St. Elizabeth of Hungary in a Disney Princess World
Excerpts from an article by Constance Hull, catholicexchange.com
On November 17, the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. St. Elizabeth was born on July 7, 1207 as the
daughter of Hungarian King and Queen. Elizabeth married Ludwig IV in 1221. She deeply loved her husband and the couple
had three children. St. Elizabeth was greatly influenced by the
Franciscan friars who arrived in her kingdom around 1223. She
took up their austere practices in dressing simply and feeding
hundreds of the poor bread daily. Both she and her husband
were known for their great dedication to the poor in their kingdom. Elizabeth also treated the sick when illness ravaged the
kingdom. Her husband was struck with an illness and died in
1227. After her husband’s death, Elizabeth devoted her life to
celibacy and lived a life mirrored after a nun. She spent the rest
of her days in ardent love and service of God and neighbor.
St. Elizabeth is one of many saints who was a member of royalty. Most parents of daughters discover very quickly the female
fascination with princesses and queens. Disney has spent decades marketing off of this interest among young girls. Beauty,
gowns, crowns, princes, and castles dazzle young girls as they
twirl around their homes decked out in their finest. I remember
being quite astonished at how quickly my daughter became
enamored with Disney princesses at 2 years of age and she still
is to some extent at 5 years old.
As a Catholic mother, I would watch Disney movies with a keen
eye and notice the failings of such stories. I was struck by their
superficiality and, unfortunately, parents have to be on guard
these days as secular norms slowly make their way into Disney
productions. What I find wanting in these movies is the lack of
authentic heroism and role models. My job is to lead my daughter to Heaven and show her the path to sainthood. I have no
problem with her interest with beauty, royalty, married love, or
fights of good versus evil, but I would rather my daughter want
to emulate the saints over Elsa.
Romance and married love are inherent goods. Marriage is a
Sacrament of the Church and a tremendous blessing from God,
but it is not the meaning or end to our lives. Marriage is a reflection of the communion of the Divine Persons and the self-giving
love within the Most Holy Trinity. We are called to lead our
spouses and children to Heaven. That is the purpose of marriage and the meaning of life. Our ultimate happiness dwells in
God, not our spouse. Our spouse and children teach us how to
love, sacrifice, and detach from worldliness so that we can become like Christ.
Disney princesses do often point towards the good of marriage,
but in way that implies romantic love is the meaning of life. Not
to mention that the words “And they lived happily ever after” is
an oversimplification of married life. It gives our daughters a
false understanding of marriage and happiness. Love is sacrifice,
work, and a holy endeavor. It is filled with joys and sorrows. In
marriage, we must be firmly rooted in Christ and our mission of
holiness. This is why the example of St. Elizabeth of Hungary is
perfect for Catholic daughters enamored with the princess ideal. She lived married life to its fullest, but God always took precedence over everything else in her life.
St. Elizabeth was royalty. She had a position of power, beauty,
and prestige in ruling alongside her husband and the other rulers of her kingdom, but she lived the radical call of Christ. The
example of St. Elizabeth turns the Disney understanding on its
head. She had everything a young girl could possibly dream of,
but she knew that all she had came from God. She took her position of power and rather than sit in her castle with her attendants, she went out to the poor and delivered food for them daily. She devoted long hours to prayer. She lived the life of a
Christian disciple, even in a position of privilege.
She is an example to our daughters of what truly matters in this
life. We are given gifts, goods, and money for our own comfort,
but in reality, these must always be ordered to the common
good, not purely our ease. Once our basic needs are met, we
are called to serve others and give away our abundance. We are
stewards of our wealth and St. Elizabeth shows us how to be a
good steward. In a culture consumed with materialism, St. Elizabeth shows our daughters how to live a life of detachment,
even while surrounded by riches and abundance. She points our
daughters towards the real meaning of their lives: sainthood.
In all of her work with the poor and in service of her kingdom,
St. Elizabeth remained centered in prayer. It is impossible to be
a disciple of Christ without prayer. The same goes for our
daughters. There is no mention of prayer or God in Disney movies, which is to be expected since they are secular in nature, but
it is to miss the most important task of any young woman. To
show our daughters the beauty of a real princess, there must be
an emphasis in prayer. Holiness is beautiful in nature and holiness begins in prayer. A princess is fully alive when she lives as
Christ lived.
My daughter has gone through her Disney phase, but I found
myself wanting more for her as her mother. I wanted her to
befriend the royal members of the Communion of Saints; to see
what real beauty, love, and service looks like. One of the ways
we help our daughters on the path to holiness is by turning
them towards true heroines and princesses to guide them on
the journey. The Communion of Saints is full of men and women
who are fully alive in Christ in Heaven and long to be our friends
and guides towards the Beatific Vision. We must introduce our
daughters and sons to these men and women at an early age,
so that life-long friendships can develop. Our children need all
of the help they can get in a Fallen world. In a world of Disney
princesses, let’s help our daughters to be like St. Elizabeth of
Hungary. Let’s help our daughters to become saints.
We at Saint Katharine Drexel
Catholic Church pray and worship God as a community of faith
through the celebration of the
Eucharist and the Sacraments of
the Church. Our purpose is to
nourish our Christian community
with Gospel values and works of
charity. We dedicate our efforts
to proclaim the good news
through evangelization, teach the message of
Christ through education and formation, and to
serve the needs of all people in our community.
We ask God to guide and bless our efforts
through the intercession of Mary, Joseph, Saint
Katharine Drexel, and all the Saints.
MAY HAPPENINGS
MAY FLOWERS
During the Month of May, we honor our
Blessed Mother in a special way. You
are invited to bring flowers to help to
decorate our Blessed Mother’s Altar.
SENIORS’ MEETING
SKD Seniors will meet Tuesday, May 16th
at 11 AM, in the school hall. Brown bag
lunch!
CONCERT FOR HAITI
On Saturday, May 20th at 7:00 PM, a Concert for
Haiti will be held at St. Katharine Drexel Gymnasium. All proceeds will benefit the building of a Catholic school run by the Brothers of St. Alphonsus Liguori. Our parishioner Duyen de Gain plans to return
to Haiti in July 2017.
THURSDAY, MAY 25:
SOLEMNITY OF THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD
A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION
Forty days after his Resurrection our Lord ascended
to his Father in heaven. We celebrate this glorious
mystery of our faith on Thursday with Masses at:
*7 PM (Vigil on May 24)
*12 PM
*8 AM
*7 PM in Spanish
FOOD PANTRY
SKD APRIL 2017 FOOD PANTRY REPORT
Many heartfelt thanks to those who were able to
contribute to our SKD Food Pantry in April, and anytime in the past! God bless you for your charity in
feeding the hungry. We received:
8194 pounds of food from the generosity of our
parishioners/donors, Acme, and Philabundance.
We served:
200 adults
184 children
127 elderly
511 individuals, 187 households
If you're interested and can commit to regularly assisting us please contact Pantry Director, Katie
Leamy at 484-490-5079, or
[email protected].
TAKE ACTION SUNDAY
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will participate in Take Action
Sunday next weekend, May 20th-21st. The goal of Take Action
Sunday is straightforward. We hope to generate many grassroots messages from the Faithful to Congress urging support
for the Conscience Protection Act.
Passage of the Conscience Protection Act (CPA) continues to
be a top legislative priority for USCCB Committee for Pro Life
Activities. It will write into permanent law the core policy of
the Weldon Amendment, which protects those who decline
to perform, pay for, refer for, or provide coverage for abortion.
The National Committee for a Human Life Amendment has an
initiative called Human Life Action (HLA) that mobilizes grassroots support for the US Bishops’ pro-life legislative agenda.
Through the website, www.humanlife.action.org, you can
easily send an email to your legislative leaders in support of
the Conscience Protection Act.
*************************************************
Be a Voice for the Voiceless! The Human Life Action Center
makes it easy to advocate for good federal laws that defend
life and liberty. Get federal legislative action alerts right to
your email inbox by going to HumanLifeAction.org and clicking on the “Join Us” button on the home page. It’s that easy!
We will alert you when action is needed to contact Congress
to advocate for pro-life policy in federal law. We make it easy
for you by matching you with your elected officials and preparing email messages that you can personalize and send.
HumanLifeAction.org
Twitter: @HumanLifeAction