Saint Matthias Parish
128 Bryn Mawr Avenue
Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania 19004
Website: www.saintmatthias.org
Email: [email protected]
Founded 1906
Rectory: 610-664-0207

Fax: 610-664-3559
Parish Religious Education Office and Youth Office: 610 -664-1942
Mass Schedule
Saturday Vigil: 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 8:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 7:00 p.m.
Monday – Friday: 7:30 a.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m.
Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions): Saturdays at 4:15 PM, also by appointment
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Reverend Monsignor Gerard C. Mesure, Pastor
Reverend Charles E. Gormley, Retired Priest
Reverend John A. McGinnis, Retired Priest
Deacon Thomas P. Quinn
Brandon M. Artman, Seminarian
Parish Business Manager: John Yura
Director of Parish Outreach: Peggy Haley
Director of Liturgical Music: Berthilla Wiscount
Coordinator of Religious Education: Peggy Haley
Director of Youth/Young Adult Ministry: Katie Bryson
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEW PARISHIONERS: Welcome to Saint Matthias Parish! Please see
Monsignor and register at the Rectory after any weekend Mass. Additional
information about registering at Saint Matthias Parish may be found on our
website.
RECTORY OFFICE HOURS: The office staff is available for business matters
Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. APPOINTMENTS: You
are asked to arrange an appointment in advance by telephone with the
Priest you wish to see.
SICK CALLS: Emergencies – Please call the Rectory. Hospital Visitation –
The Parish Priests will be happy to visit any Parishioner who is hospitalized.
Please contact the Rectory, since hospitals do not contact the Rectory.
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: The Sacrament of Baptism is administered most
Sundays at 11:30 a.m. Arrangements are made in advance at the Rectory.
Sponsors must provide proof of eligibility by a letter from their respective
Pastors. First time parents attend a Pre-Jordan Meeting prior to Baptism,
which is arranged at a mutually convenient time.
SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE: Arrangements must be made with the Pastor
at least six months before the date of the Wedding. Pre-Cana instructions are
required. Weddings may be scheduled on Saturdays between 10:00 a.m. and
2:00 p.m., or on Friday evenings.
.
Sunday, April 19:
 Farewell Reception for Father Gormley
After 10:30 a.m. Mass in the Parish Center

Youth Group Meeting
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Center
Monday, April 20:
 St. John’s Hospice Casserole Collection
Drop off in Gym vestibule in morning
Friday, April 24:
 Family Basketball Night
6:00 – 7:30 PM in the Gym
April 19, 2015
Third Sunday of Easter
Saturday, April 18, 2015 – Vigil, Third Sunday of Easter
5:00
For Our Parishioners
Sunday, April 19, 2015 – Third Sunday of Easter
8:30
Dalpha Volpi
10:30 Happy Repose of the Souls of the
Buccino/Talarico/Mollinedo Families
7:00
Kevin O’Brien
Monday, April 20, 2015 – Easter Weekday
7:30
Anna Mullan
Tuesday, April 21, 2015 – Easter Weekday/St. Anselm
7:30
William Lukasiewicz
Wednesday, April 22, 2015 – Easter Weekday
7:30
Elizabeth Ann Wilson
Thursday, April 23, 2015 – Easter Weekday/St. George/
7:30
Antoinette Butler
St. Adalbert
Friday, April 24, 2015 – Easter Weekday/St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen
*7:30 Intentions of the William A. Richardson
Family
Saturday, April 25, 2015 – St. Mark, Evangelist
8:00
Marian Mullahy
5:00
Elizabeth Hunter
Sunday, April 26, 2015 – Fourth Sunday of Easter
8:30
Dec’d Members of the Carney & Diskin Families
10:30 Emmett Fitzpatrick, Esq.
7:00
For Our Parishioners
H.O.P.E. – Helping Other People Enthusiastically
H.O.P.E. volunteers assist fellow Parishioners by
providing transportation to doctors’ offices, banks and
supermarkets. The Captain for April 20 – 26: Marge &
Ed Kiefski: 215-913-4482.
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK: Carmel Bane,
Joseph Butler, Tom Hennessey, Jr., Marie D.
Fratini, Martha Eckert, Richard Knorr,
Stephen Williams, Ryan Williams, Wyn
Marino, Thomas Liciardella, Jeanne Glick,
Nita Dransfield, Anthony Massini, Louise
Rascioli, Paul Snyder, Joe Casino, Irma Bates, Mary
Takacs, John Lynch, Dorothy Rubincam, Eugene Scotti,
Catherine O’Connor, Tom Klemick, Alec Boult, Frank
Diebold, Louise Grato, Bernie, Katherine, Jordan Damas,
John DiVivo, Ernest Augustine, Baby Michael Anthony
Siniscalchi, Mary Rowland, Joan Grzeskowiak, Gerry
Gregory, Roger & Lelene Lifleur, Josette Brun, Eleanor
Kuhl, Joe Campopiano, Fran Cravereo, Jim Cassalia,
Hannah D’Agosta, Jacqueline Gregory, Christine
Ambrose, Lorraine Beaulieu, Dr. Joan Hurlock, Theresa
Jandrositz, Raymond Sullivan, Rev. Thomas Wheeler, SJ,
Thomas Melone, Maryhelen Hogan, Thomas O’Connor,
Jr., Dante Scott, Gerard Hilard, and Gabriel Minders. We
also pray for those served by our Parish in Inglis House
and Bala Nursing Home. If you wish to have someone’s name
added to our prayer list, please call the Rectory. Kindly notify the
Rectory when names should be removed from the Sick List.
MEMBERS OF THE PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL:
Heidi Anderson, Pat Black, Ethan Boldt, Tom Bruner,
Katherine Bryson (ex-officio), Maggie Duffy, Peggy Haley
(ex-officio), Ross Holgado, Ray Nepomuceno, Mark Rooney,
Peggy Saeger (Secretary), John Yura (ex-officio), H. Nelson
Keyser III (Finance Council representative), Mike Utkus,
Berthilla Wiscount (ex-officio).
*Extraordinary support through the Saint Matthias Day Program
Priest Celebrant Schedule for April 25/26
5:00
Monsignor Mesure
8:30
Father Gormley
10:30 Monsignor Mesure
7:00
Monsignor Mesure
*Schedule subject to change
Sacrificial Giving ~ Stewardship
LIVING LIGHTS: In the Sanctuary near the
statue of the Sacred Heart three candles burn for
special intentions. If you wish to have one burning
for your intention, ask one of the Priests to put your
name on the list in the Sacristy. The Donation for
these candles is $10. This week’s candles are lit for:
Our Youth, Marriage & the Family, and Special
Intention.
Easter Collection: $ 19,544 (as of April 13, 2015)
April 11/12: $ 7,275
Holy Land Collection (Good Friday): $ 1,549
Catholic Charities Appeal Goal: $ 41,832
Catholic Charities Appeal: $ 30,532 (to date) – (68% of goal!)
(This CCA total includes monies sent directly to the Archdiocese)
Thank you for your continued sacrificial generosity!
075 Saint Matthias - 2
A Special Announcement from Father Gormley
To the Parishioners of Saint Matthias Parish,
After much thought and prayer, I have
decided it is time for me to leave Saint Matthias and
retire to the Villa St. Joseph, the very fine
Archdiocesan retirement home in Darby, PA.
I have been here almost 18 very happy and
wonderful years, but I don’t feel myself getting any
younger. I shall be leaving at the end of April.
I cannot express in words how happy and
blessed I have been in being able to serve you all
these years.
At the Villa, I will be among 45 or so priests,
many of whom I was with as a student at St. Charles
They were startled and terrified and thought that they were
seeing a ghost. Then Jesus said to them, “Why are you
troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?
Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.
Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh
and bones as you can see I have.”
Seminary. It is the right place for me now.
All the priests I have been with here and the
members of the Rectory staff have been extremely
good to me, and I thank them sincerely.
What else can I say, except to ask for your
prayers that I be faithful to the will of the Father. This
is primary.
Finally, I ask you to remember me in your
prayers and I shall continue to do so in mine.
God bless you!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Farewell Reception for
Father Charles Gormley
TODAY – Sunday, April 19th
After the 10:30AM Mass
Saint Matthias Parish Center
Pre-School Survey
We are considering starting a pre-school for four and five
year olds here at Saint Matthias Parish. The possible
opening date would be September 2016. If you are the
primary caregiver for a child born since 2005, please
help us by completing a survey on what you look for in a
pre-school. The survey can be found on our parish web
page: www.saintmatthias.org. Thank you.
September 22-27, 2015
REGISTRATION: Register early for the World
Meeting of Families! Early registration pricing
discounts for the World Meeting of Families end April
30. Register your family today! The Basic Package is the
most affordable pricing option ($125/adult; $95/child
for a 4-day ticket until April 30). Visit the website to
learn more and register: WorldMeeting2015.org, or call
215-587-3661.
TRANSPORTATION: Are YOU going to the World
Meeting of Families? Help us plan for this exciting event
by taking our quick online survey about how you are
getting to the World Meeting of Families! Please visit
the Transportation page on the WMOF website,
WorldMeeting2015.org, to take the survey. Completing
the Transportation Survey will help WMOF planners as
they finalize transportation plans.
HOSTING FAMILIES: Two million visitors from all
over the world are expected to visit Philadelphia for
the World Meeting of Families. Local residents in the
Philadelphia region and Tri-State area are being asked to
sign up as host families for the event and welcome visitors
into their homes during the celebrations. More
information at http://www.worldmeeting2015.org/getinvolved/host-a-family.
075 Saint Matthias - 3
FAMILY BASKETBALL NIGHT!
April 24
April 28
May 2
May 3
May 5
May 10
May 13
May 14
May 19
May 31
Family Basketball Night – Gym
Blood Drive – Gym
St. Vincent DePaul Clothing Drive
First Holy Communion
All-Day Eucharistic Adoration
May Procession – 10:30 AM Mass
Knitters’ Group – Parish Center; 1 PM
Friday nights, April 10, 17, and 24,
at St. Matthias Gym, 6:00-7:30 PM.
All are welcome! Parents must
stay and supervise their own
children (and sign a waiver). We
will play pick-up basketball games
with a mix of adults and children.
Ascension Thursday / Anointing Mass
Primary Election Day
Sisters of Mercy Appreciation Day
SECOND COLLECTION ENVELOPE
Next Weekend: Catholic Education - This collection is
used to support the various educational projects of the
Parish, in particular, it underwrites the costs of our PREP
program and the subsidies we as a Parish provide for our
children attending Catholic grade schools. These envelopes
should be placed in the main collection at the time of the offertory of
the Mass. Thank you.
CASSEROLES FOR SAINT JOHN’S HOSPICE
We are grateful to those who make a casserole, freeze it
in a foil pan (pans & recipes available in the church
vestibules), then place it in the gym lobby in the
morning of the third Monday of each month. The next
pickup will be tomorrow – Monday, April 20. Saint
John's Hospice seeks to be a community grounded in
faith and service where homeless persons find dignity,
respect, nourishment, and opportunities for new
beginning. The hospice is in need of additional
casseroles each month as the number of homeless men
served has increased over the past few years. Will you
lend a hand and help feed the hungry? Many thanks to
those who exercise this Corporal Work of Mercy to
ensure the homeless of Philadelphia have a hot meal at
Saint John’s.
St. Matthias Parish will be hosting a clothing drive to
benefit The Society of St. Vincent de Paul on Saturday,
May 2 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. The Society of St.
Vincent de Paul will be using the services of GreenDrop
to support their clothing drive. Look for the GreenDrop
truck in the church parking lot where an attendant will be
available to assist you with your donations. Please place
your donations of usable men's, women's and children's
clothing in plastic bags or boxes. Household items such
as: kitchenware, games/toys, small appliances under 50
pounds, electronics, sporting goods, books, CDs & videos
are also accepted. Unfortunately, furniture, large
appliances, TVs or computer monitors cannot be
accepted. For a full list of acceptable items visit
www.gogreendrop.com.
On June 19 and 20, the National Catholic Bible Conference
will return to the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in
Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
The theme of this year’s
conference is “Scripture and the Family of God.” There,
you will discover how God is calling you to do more than
just believe in him. He is calling you to a life-changing and
life-giving relationship with him. You will also learn how
you can live out your calling as a witness to the Father’s
unfailing love for each and every person in your life. You
will also have the unique opportunity to glean insight and
encouragement from gifted Catholic speakers and biblical
Blood Drive at Saint Matthias
Tuesday, April 28, 1:00 - 6:00 pm in the Gym
Give the Gift of Life! For an appointment, please call
Katie Bryson at 610-664-0207 or register online at
redcrossblood.org.
scholars, including Jeff Cavins, Mark Hart, Mary Healy,
and Edward Sri, Sarah Christmyer, and more! Early-bird
registration specials are available until April 24. For more
information, please visit CatholicBibleConference.com or
call 1-888-842-2853.
075 Saint Matthias - 4
May Procession Invitation
The children of the parish, grades K through 12,
are invited to process from the Parish Center
to Church on Sunday, May 10 in honor of
For information on vocations to the Sacred Priesthood in
the
Archdiocese
of
Philadelphia,
please
visit
www.HeedTheCall.org, or call the Archdiocesan
Priesthood Vocations Office at 610-667-5778.
Please
continue to pray for Brandon Artman, our Seminarian, and
for all Seminarians, for those currently discerning a
vocation, and for an increase in vocations to the Sacred
Priesthood. Without the priest, there is no Eucharist; without
the Eucharist, there is no Church.
Are You Called to Be a Permanent Deacon?
While all the Baptized are called to share in
the mission of Jesus Christ according to the
gifts of the Holy Spirit, those who are
ordained also offer service in a way proper to the
Sacrament of Holy Orders. A deacon’s ministry entails
proclaiming, preaching and teaching God’s Word, assisting
the bishop and priest at the Liturgy, assisting at funerals,
ministering to the sick and dying, leading the community
in prayer and in sacramental liturgies, baptizing,
witnessing marriages, and exercising administrative
leadership in the Church. A permanent deacon, who may
be married, is a member of the clergy and shares in the
hierarchy of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Through the
Sacrament of Holy Orders, the deacon is configured to
Christ the Servant. It is Christ the Servant who acts
through the ministry of the deacon. For more information,
please email Laura Nimmons at [email protected].
For more information on Vocations
to the Consecrated Life, please
contact the Archdiocesan Vocation
Office for Consecrated Life at
www.archphila.org/vocation/voc.
Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament is on the first
Tuesday of each month. Exposition of the Blessed
Sacrament begins at the end of the 7:30 AM Mass and
continues until 7:00 PM Benediction. Come and spend
some quiet time with Jesus in His Eucharistic presence.
Please join us on Tuesday, May 5.
Our Blessed Mother
Crowning of Mary will take place
at the 10:30 AM Mass.
Please be in the Parish Center by 10:15 AM.
We will sit as a group in church. Hope you will join us!
The annual Catholic Charities Appeal for 2015 ~
Giving Hope ~ is in full swing. This is a very special appeal,
as you know. Your generosity provides special education
students the tools to succeed; gives the homeless a safe
place to eat, sleep and get back on their feet; provides
students in rough neighborhoods a safe place to learn;
helps retired priests to receive needed medical attention in
their final years. For hundreds of thousands, your
generosity Gives Hope.
In addition to the envelope in your packet from
the parish, the Archdiocese also sent out information and
envelopes which you may use directly. You may also
contribute on-line at www.catholiccharitiesappeal.org. Be
sure to use the pull down menu to designate Saint Matthias
as your parish. All donations are placed in a separate
501c(3) Catholic Charities fund and cannot be used for any
other purpose. You can also place your envelope in any
collection at Saint Matthias, making sure your name and
Catholic Charities Appeal is clearly marked on it.
THANK YOU!!!
075 Saint Matthias - 5
In order to help us prepare
for the World Meeting of
Families and the visit from
Pope Francis, a catechism on
family life entitled, Love is
Our Mission: The Family
Fully Alive, has been
prepared. Copies of this book were distributed at Christmas as
a gift from Saint Matthias Parish. Extra copies are still
available at the Church doors. Our parish will reflect on the
chapters from this catechism from now until September.
Chapter 5: Creating the Future
Sexual intimacy between a man and a woman raises the
possibility of children. There are many other honorable
relationships which include degrees of commitment and
affection, but marriage has a unique mission: to integrate
the fertility of male and female with the fidelity of God’s
covenant. Catholic parenting relies on the same rationale
as sacramental marriage: love in the shape of service,
sacrifice, trust, and openness to God’s will. If and when
a marriage is blessed with children, love orients parents
to their children’s education and spiritual formation.
Jesus said to his disciples “Let the children come unto
me,” and it is the responsibility of all Catholic adults to
shepherd children into a relationship with God and the
people of God. The whole parish should be involved in
supporting marriages, families and children. We build
the future of our society child by child, family by family.
Vatican II called the family a “domestic church,” and the
little church of the family takes its orientation from the
faith and mission of the larger Church. It is a mother’s
and a father’s responsibility to be with children at home
and in church, and to pray together regularly. Children
will learn the faith only when they are taught. The way a
family responds to adversity, or gathers for meals, or
makes financial decisions and sets priorities - these and
many other aspects of “home economics” shape the
values and identities of our children. “Love is our
mission” because even in the middle of our humble daily
routines, Catholics live with a bold and glorious purpose.
~ Dr. Christopher C. Roberts, editor, Love is Our
Mission Preparatory Catechism
Employment Opportunities at Merion Mercy Academy:
 College Counselor (full-time) assists students and
parents with the college process. Priority will be given
to those with experience as a college counselor and/or
experience working in a selective college admission
office, with a minimum of three years’ experience
post-Bachelor’s.
 Literature/Writing Teacher (full-time). Degree and
certification required. Experience preferred.
Please submit a resume to Mary Ann Danovich at
[email protected] by April 20th. Merion
Mercy Academy is an independent, all girls Catholic High
School sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy.
Religious Freedom Lecture Series presented by The John
Cardinal Krol Chair of Moral Theology at St. Charles
Borromeo Seminary.
Archbishop William E. Lori,
Archbishop of Baltimore, will speak this Tuesday, April
21st. Lecture takes place at 7:00 PM in Vianney Hall
Auditorium, and is free and open to the public.
Information: scs.edu/krol-chair-moral-theology.
Our Mother of Consolation Parish proudly presents
Mark’s Gospel LIVE. Performed solo by Rev. Joseph
Morris on April 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Our Mother of
Consolation Parish, 9 East Chestnut Hill Ave.,
Philadelphia. Approximately 2 hours, with intermission.
March for Marriage: April 25. The Archdiocese of
Philadelphia Office for Life and Family is sending buses
from four locations in the Archdiocese to the Marriage
March in Washington, D.C. For more information about
the schedule, bus locations, and registration, visit
PhillyCatholicLife.org.
Archdiocesan May Procession – Sunday, May 3 at
2:00 PM at the Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul.
Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate! The
Liturgy of the Word will take place in the Basilica, followed
by an outdoor Procession and Crowning of our Blessed
Mother.
Mothers of Children with Disabilities Retreat.
Monday, May 4 at Malvern Retreat House. Bishop Timothy
Senior will direct a retreat for mothers who are raising
children with disabilities and also those who have adult
children with disabilities. There will be time to pray,
reflect, and chat with other mothers. To register or for
more information, please call 610-644-0400, visit
malvernretreat.com, or contact Sr. Kathleen Schipani at
215-587-3330 or [email protected].
Marriage and Family Lecture - Reviving Marriage:
The Commitment Factor. Tuesday, May 5 at 7 PM at
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary (Vianney Hall
Auditorium). Free and open to the public. Presented by
Dr. Hilary Towers, Catholic author and developmental
psychologist. In response to the global crisis in marriage,
Pope Francis has challenged us to “find concrete solutions
to so many difficulties and innumerable challenges that
families must confront.” Information: 215-587-0500 or
phillyevang.org/lectures.
Pope Francis’ April Intentions
Universal: That people may learn to respect creation
and care for it as a gift of God.
Evangelization: That persecuted Christians may feel the
consoling presence of the Risen Lord and the solidarity
of all the Church.
075 Saint Matthias - 6