Immaculate Conception Church
Douglassville, PA 19518
October 2014
Dear Parishioners:
In accord with an ancient tradition, The Catechism of the Catholic Church is built around
four pillars. They include the Creed (what we believe), the Sacraments (how we encounter
Christ), the Commandments (the moral dimension of our lives as followers of Jesus Christ) and
prayer (how we nurture our relationship with God). As our parish family of the Immaculate
Conception now begins a new pastoral year, so much of what we do as a community of faith is
centered on the four pillars of the Catechism. For example:
On September 26, 2014 our junior and senior high school Youth Groups had a great
beginning when almost 50 teenagers from our parish gathered together for a barbeque. The
evening also afforded them a wonderful opportunity to pray together and be strengthened in their
Catholic faith. Please pray for the teenagers and young adults of our parish that they may hear
and heed God’s call. God is calling each of them not only to holiness of life but also to a
particular vocation. What are you doing to help your children or grandchildren discover their
vocation? Are you an inspiration (a good role model) to the children in your family?
On Wednesday, October 15, 2014 Bishop Edward Cullen will visit our parish to
administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to 74 of our children in eighth grade. On that
occasion, Bishop Cullen will anoint them with Sacred Chrism and seal them with the gifts of the
Holy Spirit: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the
Lord. Pray for the children of our parish that they may always stand for and witness to the
gospel values of Jesus Christ.
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults began on Monday evening, September 29,
2014 with 15 interested adults and will continue weekly throughout the year. This is the
Church’s perennial invitation to anyone who wants to increase their understanding of and/or
active participation in the Catholic Church. The RCIA offers a supportive means of responding
to the invitation of Jesus to “Come, follow me”. For additional information, please call myself
or Deacon Paul Hiryak at 610-582-2411.
Trusting that God will continue to bless you and your families and with the assurance of
my continued prayers and best wishes, I am
Sincerely yours,
SCRIP
Pile up those savings! Your money
can go so much farther by
purchasing SCRIP to pay for your
groceries, household needs, gifts, and so much more.
Every dollar of SCRIP you purchase earns money
back to support Immaculate Conception Church, and
may substantially reduce your Catholic School tuition or
CCD costs. Buying SCRIP is like buying gift certificates
for things you intend to purchase anyway, with no
additional cost, earning “FREE MONEY” for our
parish and students.
SCRIP is available for Giant, Redner’s Markets, Red
Lobster/Bahama Breeze / Olive Garden / Seasons 52 /
Longhorn Steakhouse. Use SCRIP for your everyday
needs and gift items at Boscov’s and Kohl’s. Uniforms
may be purchased with SCRIP at Flynn and O’hara.
You may also use Boscov’s SCRIP to pay your charge
bill at the East store in Mt. Penn.
For the Christmas gift giving season we will again be
offering SCRIP from even more great merchants such as
American Eagle Outfitters, Dick’s Sporting Goods, The
Gap, Macy’s, Cabela’s and more! SCRIP for these
stores must be preordered, and prepaid. We will have
your gift certificates ready for pick up the following
week. No muss, no fuss shopping. Look for the special
display and order forms in November.
Buying gifts/gift certificates through SCRIP is twice as
nice. You get a gift for that “special someone”, and give
a gift to our church too.
SCRIP is available weekdays in the Parish Office and
before and after all masses on the weekends. Call Nancy
or Rita at 610-582-2411 for more information.
RCIA
RCIA is the Rite of Christian
Initiation of Adults.
Classes are
presented
Monday
evenings
at
7:30pm, in the lower level (rear entrance) of the
Parish Office Building.
RCIA is for anyone who desires a deeper
understanding of the Catholic faith. Nonbaptized persons and non-Catholics who may
wish to become Catholic, and parishioners
(practicing or not) are extended an invitation to
come to RCIA this fall. For more information,
please contact Monsignor McCann at 610-5822411.
Women’s Society
News
It’s Apple Dumpling Time. The
Women’s Society will be making and
selling apple dumplings for $3.75 each
to be picked up at either 5:15 pm Mass on Saturday,
October 25th or any of the Masses on Sunday, October
26th. Dumplings may be ordered by placing the order
sheet (below) along with your payment in the
collection basket.
Please place in an envelope
marked “apple dumplings”. You may also drop your
order sheet and payment at the Parish Office
Building.
Please make checks payable to the
Women’s Society and be sure to include your name,
and phone number, indicating which day you will pick
up. Orders must be placed by Sunday, October 19th.
Join in the fun “making and baking” the dumplings.
No previous experience is required, just a desire to
help out and have some fun. Please see the signup
sheet in the narthex.
We will be making the
dumplings on Friday, October 24rd, at 9am and
Saturday, October 25th at 9am in the social hall. A
light lunch will be provided each day. Donations
toward the purchase of ingredients will be happily and
gratefully accepted. Women’s Society Members who
are unable to help with the preparation and baking
may wish to help in this manner.
Considering joining the Women’s
Society? We have been blessed this year with
some wonderful new members and are eager to
welcome more women of the parish. The group’s
primary function is to raise funds for the needs of the
church, but it’s not all work. Our monthly meetings
include recitation of the Rosary and time to socialize
with other women of the parish getting to know each
other better. Please join us at any meeting held the
third Wednesday of each month September through
May (no meeting in December).
If you have any questions, or wish to join, please feel
free to contact Tracey at 484-645-3714. We look
forward to welcoming you at our next meeting.
Apple Dumpling Order Form
Name
Phone Number
_____________
_______________
Quantity
Total Enclosed ($3.75 ea.)
Pick up (circle one)
Sat. 10/25
Sun. 10/26
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Our Sunday School program began in
September. The program is open to children
from preschool (ages 3 and up) to
Kindergarten. It is held during the 9 am Mass in the
social hall.
Each class begins with a prayer and a song. The song
involves movements, dancing and jumping getting
everyone involved. We break the children up into three
groups based on their age and/or school level. One
teacher is assigned to each group and one coordinator is
present the entire class. The teacher will explain the
lesson of the gospel through stories and games. Small
crafts may also be done. At the end of the class, we join
back together for a final prayer and a song or game.
During the year, we celebrate special holidays with
parties or a craft. We also celebrate Christmas and the
end of the year with a song or two sung by the children
at Mass.
Registration forms are available in the narthex, or you
may register when you drop your child off at Sunday
School.
We have a wonderful group of teachers for Sunday
School, but we always welcome new volunteers. You
can volunteer once a month, twice a month, once in a
while, or whenever your schedule permits. All teaching
material is provided. Feel free to call Linda at 610‐582‐
0835 with any questions concerning the program or
volunteering. Prime Time
Men and women 55 and
older are invited to join the
Prime Time Club.
th
Thursday, October 16 , at 12:00pm
our members will enjoy lunch and fun at the
Reading Country Club.
Thursday, November 20th, at 12:30pm
in the social hall, the Prime Timers will create a
seasonal craft to celebrate Thanksgiving. We will
also enjoy a buffet lunch and fun packed movie
complete with fresh made popcorn!
Come join in the joys of your prime time of life
at ICC.
Youth Group News
ICC Youth Group is open to all teens in 7th
through 12th grade. Our junior high (7th &
8th graders) meet on the first Friday of each
month, and our high school group meets on
the second Friday of each month. Meetings
are held in the lower level of the Parish Office Building
(near the playground) from 7-9pm. Our meetings offer
teens a place where they feel welcomed and able to express
their faith while participating in fun activities, performing
community service, socializing, and playing games.
Check our bulletin board in the narthex of the church to
stay up to date on upcoming events and also to see pictures
of past events.
Over the summer a team of 9 high school students went on
a weeklong mission to the Father Beiting Appalachian
Mission Center in Louisa, KY. While there, they repaired
houses, visited homes, and refurbished transitional housing
for families facing financial hardship. The team attended
Eucharistic adoration and daily Mass.
They shared
reflections at the end of each workday. It was a rewarding
and spiritually fulfilling experience and most certainly an
education on the poverty in the Appalachia region. The
team enjoyed the company of Monsignor McCann who
shared some of the duties for a few of the days.
September was a very busy month for our Youth Group
starting September 6 with the picking of 3,700 pounds of
the potatoes in Kutztown for the Potato Project which
donates it’s entire harvest to local food banks. Nine of our
high school students attended a weekend spiritual retreat at
the Wayside Lodge in Daniel Boone Homestead on
September 12-14. On September 23, our youth group
served dinner to 130 people at the Community Table at the
Birdsboro Food Pantry. We thank everyone who provided
meals/drinks/desserts and/or served at the Community
Table. This is a large undertaking, which could not happen
without the prayers and support of many parishioners. We
wrapped up the month on September 26 with our Welcome
Back Picnic. 35 Junior and senior high students attended.
October/November Events:
Our first junior high meeting was held October 3 and the
high school meeting was on October 10. On Saturday
morning October 25, we will be packing over 1,300 food
totes for low-income senior at the Greater Berks Food Bank
followed by a few games at Laser Quest and some pizza.
The junior high will have our second meeting on November
7 with the senior high group meeting on November 14.
Saturday, November 22 we will be raking leaves for some
of the residents of Valley View Community in Birdsboro
who are unable to care for their properties.
If you are a teenager and have never attended one of our
meetings, we invite you to join us!
Immaculate Conception Academy
It’s back to school for Immaculate
Conception Academy!
Our children
returned to class in late August anxious to catch up
with friends and share stories of summer.
In September, we held two “Back to School
Nights” to give Kindergarten – 8th grade parents and
faculty the opportunity to meet and discuss the
upcoming year. Our Early Education parents also
had an important orientation night to get their little
ones ready to start school.
Student council elections were exciting this fall:
students campaigned with posters and speeches,
created a new voter registration process; voted
electronically on iPads; and a special Mass
concluded with student leader inductions.
Congratulations to those who were elected:
ICA Executive Council
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Vito Gentile, President
Austin Picaso, Vice President
Thomas Beck, Treasurer
Sarah Fronheiser, Secretary
Maddie D’Elia, Public Relations
John Dinnocenti, Mission Representative
Deputy Executive Council
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Jason Carvalho, Deputy President
Hope Schreiber, Deputy Vice President
Alexa Junikiewicz, Deputy Treasurer
Sidney Wolf, Deputy Secretary
Annie Villa, Deputy Public Relations
Alyssa Fontana, Deputy Mission Representative
Classroom Representatives
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Kindergarten: Lauren Conley, Christopher
Cusson, Nathan Leonhardt, Katie Reilly,
Anastasia Moreau (Mission Rep), Emerson
Derrick (Mission Rep)
1st Grade: Nicholas DeFazio, Ava Junikiewicz,
Cole Scarbinsky (Mission Rep)
2nd Grade: Luke Jordan, Molly McFadden,
Samantha Radwanski (Mission Rep)
3rd Grade: Gabriella Gentile, Lucien Kraycik,
Rachel Forkin (Mission Rep)
4th Grade: Griffin McGee, Maggie McFadden,
Bridget Ottinger (Mission Rep)
5th Grade: Gabby Fontana, Andrew Junikiewicz,
Thomas Moreau (Mission Rep)
6th Grade: Madison Femino, Mark McFadden,
Adam Hennessey (Mission Rep)
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7th Grade: Garrett Brennan, Natalie Smith-Poire,
Jordan Yerger (Mission Rep)
Our ICA students have top notch representation!
October brought much activity to ICA. Fire
prevention week was observed during the second
week of the month with truck visits and a “smoke
house” tour.
Eighth graders will be making their Confirmation
on October 15. The class has been very busy with
preparations, retreats and studying the Bishop’s
questions. Picture day will take place on October
22. Our fun ICA/HSO “Trunk Or Treat” event will
be on Saturday, October 25. The All Saints Day
liturgy will find our ICA first graders finishing
October in their patron saints attire on October 31.
This November will find ICA families at the 1st
Annual Fall Fair where we will also host a Walk-AThon on November 2. Then on November 3,
students will begin wearing their winter uniforms.
Our 6th graders will attend a science fair at Berks
Catholic on November 6. Seventh graders have
their inscription mass on November 8. Report cards
will be distributed on November 10, parent
conferences held on November14.
The ICA Open House and Book Fair will be on
November 16 – be sure to visit your parish school
as well as pick up some books for the young readers
in your family!
We will begin our Thanksgiving celebration with a
student liturgy on November 24 and kick off our
fall break with an early dismissal on November 25.
Faculty and staff will attend a special retreat that
afternoon.
On Saturday, December 6th, ICA 8th graders will be
hosting a very delicious and festive Breakfast with
Santa for Immaculate Conception parish families.
Watch the Immaculate Conception Church bulletin
for more info -- children of all ages always have a
jolly time!
Christmas Bazaar & Craft Fair
Saturday, November 22nd, 9am to 3pm
Church Social Hall
Crafts, Gifts, Baked Goods,
and even a visit from that
that Jolly Old Man in the Red Suit!
Sponsored by the
Confirmation 2014
The following individuals from
Immaculate Conception Parish will
receive the Sacrament of Confirmation
bestowed upon them by Bishop Edward P. Cullen
on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at 4:30 pm.
Please join us for this celebration, and please keep
them and their families in your prayers as they put
the final touches on their preparation for this
special event.
CONFIRMATION CLASS OF 2014__
Rafael Eduardo Aidukas
Miller
Sean Francis
Sarah Rose Bauer
Hope Catherine Myer
Kristen Clare Benoit
Noelle Christina
Narvaez
Thomas Pio Beck
Cameron
Seraphina Nicoline
Madison Joan Bickings
Matthew Peter
Okuniewski
Michael Joseph Bishop
Michael Patrick
O’Neill
Michelle Bishop
Faith Elizabeth
Ouimet
Cecelia Catharine Bloom
John Charles
Peterson
Jonathan Brian Boraten
Austin Anthony
Picaso
Adam Mark Brezina
Joshua Francis
Piccaretta
Hailey Veronica Cinege
Ryan Joseph
Quinn
Alexis Catherine Cramer
Sean Joseph
Quinn
Kevin Matthew Creamer
Molly Theresa
Raser
Lilia Cecilia Crew
Adeleine
Theresa Reilly
Simon Peter Crew
Timothy John
Richard
Ryan Thomas Curley
Grace Bridget Richey
Bryan Matthew Cymbalski
Nicholas
Vladimir Ruffing
Madison Christina D’Elia
Logan Charles
Salas
John Sebastian Dinnocenti
Vito Edward
Satiro
Nicholas Anthony Donnelly
Jonathan John
Schaffer
Ryan Michael Duffy
Tyler Michael Schutz
Sarah Lillian Eisenhart
Samantha
Genevieve Scicchitano
Carson Patrick Endy
Hailey Genevieve
Schinski
Brian Dominic Fiato
Savannah Agatha Sell
Quinton Peter Foley
Zachary Anthony
Stolnacker
Vito Benedict Gentile
Elly Collette
Smithson
Rachel Rose Haag
Christopher Matthew
Surkosky
Jennifer Cecilia Hutton
Marina Elmo
Sykes
KamilHerveKarpiak
Samuel Michael
Swestock
Victoria Raphael Kasperowicz
Laura Joan
Taraboletti
Anna Sophia Lambert
Madison Marie
Twaddell
Claire Felicity LeBlanc
Matthew
Joseph Unger
George Michael Leonhardt
Emily Juliana
Wedemeyer
Amanda Kateri Marley
Zachary Patrick
Whelan
Mary Veronica McClelland
Joseph
Christopher Williams
Paige Rose McDonald
Hailey Catherine
Zeigler
Kyra Maureen McEntee
Kelsey
Therese Zeigler
CCD School Year
Our CCD classes began with an opening Mass, and are
fully underway. We have close to 400 students in the
program guided by an excellent staff of volunteers.
These individuals not only bring the Good News to our
children in the classrooms; they bring Jesus to life for
the children in their actions and examples by
volunteering their time to teach, aiding in the
classrooms, and minding the doors and hallways.
We are blessed with a dedicated group of catechists
who are willing to volunteer their time teaching our
parish children. They share the joy of helping the
parents in the education of their children in the
Catholic faith.
We will also be taking two weekly Intentions for the
Sanctuary Lamp (Sunday through Saturday).
Our education team:
Due to the number of Intentions and the limited
number of days in a year, we ask that you limit your
Mass Intention requests to four per person per year
(two daily and two weekend).
Grade 1:
Mrs. Bridget Tokach
Mrs. Jennifer Pizzo
Mrs. Trudy Cymbalski
Grade2:
Mrs. Jenny Hall
Mrs Amy Demberger
Mrs. Roseann Stetina
Grade 3:
Mrs. Dauna Doyle
Mrs. Marisa Serpico
Mrs. Barbara Reis
Grade 4:
Mrs. Patti Duffy
Miss Allison Hoffa
Mrs. Tracey Reitnour
Grade 5:
Mrs. Rose Marie Strock
Ms. Anne Recke
Mrs. Deb Purretta
Grade 6:
Mrs Linda Bradfield
Mrs. Suzanne Dungan
Mr. Karl Filachek
Grade 7:
Mrs. Isabelita Santos
Mrs. Bonnie Kemery
Grade 8:
Mrs. Michele Marley
Mrs. Sue Reilly
Mr. Kevin Creamer
Ms.
Melissa
Smith
www.icbvmccd.org is the website for the CCD
program. You may also access the CCD website through
the parish website, www.icbvm.org. This site offers all
the information needed for the program including all
necessary forms, which can be downloaded. A calendar
of events is displayed, and there are helpful links to
curriculum for practice exercises as well as links to
Catholic sites of interest.
Fall Dates to Remember for CCD Students
October 28, 29, 30 - Masses during regular class time.
Students report to church and are picked up there.
November 8 – 7th grade Confirmation Inscription
Service at the 5:15 pm Mass 7th grade retreat
immediately following Mass in the academy cafeteria
November 10 – 7th grade Confirmation Parent Meeting
at 7:00 pm in the social hall
November 25, 26, 27 – Thanksgiving Break – no CCD
classes
December 6 – 2nd and 3rd grade Parent/Child
Sacramental Year Inscription Service at the 5:15 pm
Mass – students attend with parents
Mass Intention
Book
The Mass Intention Book for 2015
will open on November 11 2014.
Parishioners are invited to come into
the Parish Office Building after 11:00am, to schedule
a Mass or two for their living and deceased loved
ones, special occasions and anniversaries.
The stipend for Mass intentions remains at $10, with
the Intentions for the Sanctuary Lamp at $25.
BAPTISM CLASSES
If you have a new baby, or are awaiting
the blessed event, it’s not too early to
prepare for your child’s baptism.
Information, including Godparent Certification,
must be on file in the Parish Office no later than
two weeks before the scheduled Baptism. Classes
are held in the lower level (rear entrance) of the
Church Office on the first Tuesday of each month at
7pm to help parents prepare for their child’s
Baptism. For more information, or to schedule a
class, call Rita at 610-582-2411.
Thanksgiving Eve
Ecumenical Service
Our parish family of the
Immaculate Conception will host the
community “Thanksgiving Eve Ecumenical
Service” on Wednesday evening,
November 26, 2014 at 7:00pm. Everyone is cordially invited to attend. The
prayer service will be followed by a
reception in the social hall featuring light
refreshments. Plan to attend and invite a
friend or neighbor.
Bereavement
Support Group
If you are grieving the loss of a
loved one, our parish Bereavement Support
Group meets on the third Monday of each
month.
There is a presentation about
different aspects of grieving and a time to
share with each other. Or maybe you need
someone to talk to NOW. Losing a loved
one, whether it happens suddenly, or over an
extended period of time due to an illness, is
a tremendous shock. It may be unlike
anything you have experienced before.
Family and friends are supportive but
sometimes talking to someone who is not
directly involved in our grieving is what is
needed. Whatever your need is, we will do
whatever we can to help you to deal with
this most difficult time. If you would like
more information please call either Pat at
610 775-1892 or Toni at 610 404-1389.
Thursday, November 13th, at 7pm
We will offer our prayers for all our
deceased, but especially the following
parishioners who passed away since November
of 2013.
Antonio Barletta
Gregory Neishloss
Borzillo
Eli Iezzi
Bolonski
Norris
Ketterer
Gloria Gill
Martha Boisson
Frances Schatz
Benjamin Potts
Dunion
Maccarone
Irene Bednowicz
Eric McKeown
Richard Parese
Andrew Rushton
Charles Greaves
Nicolina Kennedy Elaine
Alice Hoffmaster
John Hoffmaster David
Jack Voerman David
Anthony Pugliese Bruce
Sherri Berg
Barbara Ciabattoni
Cedric Goodrich
Mary Terrinoni
Jennie Crosby Aidan
Albert Dungan Anna
Ruth Coccia
John Bradley
Dorothy Newman
Edward Castetter
Marie Noelle Beaulieu
May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.
Fall/Winter 2014
In the Catholic Youth Organization, the athletic and
cultural programs give each participant an opportunity
to grow in character, ability and community while
honoring oneself, as well as one’s family, teammates,
officials and church. Each season our parish youth
participate in the many athletic and cultural programs
offered through the Immaculate Conception Catholic
Youth Organization (IC CYO). To sustain this focus,
the CYO endeavors to help young people be more
Christ-like in the way they live. Each participant,
parent, coach, official and volunteer need to work
together to bring the Catholic vision and values to life
in every aspect of the CYO programs.
The 2014 Immaculate Conception CYO Fall season is
well underway! Delivering another successful season
of fun and competition!
Girls Volleyball- (6th through 8th grade) The
Lady Knights have been practicing very hard, playing
in league games and “spiking” the competition! Under
the spirited Head Coach Pat Mangan, the volleyball
team is well positioned to duel out on the court and
give all they have to help lift their team to victory!
With the number of players that have filled the roster
coupled with the talent of Coach Mangan, they will
sure to deliver great competition and fun this season!
Good luck to the Lady Knights!
Cross Country- (K through 8th- Boys and Girls)It has been exciting to say the least! This is our second
year as a formal team with weekly practices and meets
scheduled in September and October. Under the
leadership of Coach Matt Deviney as well as several
committed parents, our team is challenged weekly!
The Harriers (over 30 runners!) have been putting a
lot of miles out on the Immaculate Conception trails
and other parish tracks as well as setting goals for
personal records! Looking forward to breaking those
records at the Berks County Championships this
October! Good Luck to the Harriers!
Winter Sports Registrations- In a few
weeks, our Basketball and Cheerleading teams will be
front and center. The sounds of basketball sneakers
squeaking and the cheers from the cheerleading
squads will occupy and soon fill our gym.
Preparations are underway in making this season the
best it can be with practices, games, tournaments
filling up our busy winter calendars! Register on-line
for basketball, cheerleading, or both by visiting
CYO’s website ( www.iccyo.com) Registration
sessions will also be scheduled to meet our CYO team
and to ask questions about the program. We look
forward to the upcoming season!
Volunteer your time- Open positions
Volunteering is a very rewarding experience. Please
consider joining in on many of the opportunities that
help push the IC CYO program to new and exciting
initiatives and successes. Also, if you interested in
leadership positions on our Board, we have positions
open on our IC CYO Board to seize the opportunity in
developing our program. Please contact our Board
President, Matt Deviney (610)-404-2245 with
questions and/or interests.
Competing while remaining Christ-like in all that
you say and do is our goal at the IC CYO. All of us
in the IC CYO program hope that you enjoy your
participation in our sports and cultural events and
that we all display and live our mission each day to
help make CYO be the best that it can be.
The members of the Immaculate Conception CYO
Board are grateful for your support and look
forward to having you involved in the Catholic
Youth Organization’s programs at Immaculate
Conception
Yours in Christ,
Matt Deviney-Immaculate Conception CYO Board
President
October is Respect Life Month
Being pro‐life means many things. We must
answer God’s call to love the weak as well as the
strong. We should always uphold the social
teachings of the Church through education,
advocacy and strengthening relationships in our
parishes and communities. You can make an impact. Throughout our
community and parish there are ample
opportunities to put your faith into action
upholding the dignity of all human persons from
conception to natural death. Support the Culture of Life Mary’s Shelter and Home serves the needs of
homeless, pregnant young women providing
temporary housing, while assisting the young
women to coordinate counseling, education
and quality prenatal care. The ultimate
outcome is having a healthy infant born to a
healthy, well‐informed mother. Volunteer to
tutor the residents or perhaps babysit while the
mothers are working or going to school.
Donate nursery items, baby clothing/diapers.
Visit marysshelter.org to learn more. Feed the hungry
You could make food or monetary donations
to our parish food drive or the local food bank
at the Birdsboro Community Table & Food
Life Ad Donation Coupon
Benefits Mary’s Shelter and Mary’s Home
Be counted when we publish the Anti-Abortion/ProLife ad in the Reading Eagle on January 22, 2015.
A donation of $6/person, or $12/couple or family is due by
Thursday, December 30th.
Place this coupon with donation (check made payable to
“Life Ad”) into your Sunday Mass collection or mail to:
Ms. Elizabeth Effinger
1848 W. Schuylkill Road
Douglassville, PA 19518-9101 (610-326-7017)
Parish:__________________________________
Name_______________________________________
Phone #:____________________________
Amount enclosed__________
Bank. Food is collected during specific drives
during the year while financial donations are
received throughout the year. $1 can be
multiplied up to 20 times through the
purchasing power of the food bank network.
For more information you may contact
[email protected].
Shelter and clothe
Donate clothing, personal care items, and
household goods to shelters such as the Kennedy
House, 532 Spruce Street for the Sisters to distribute
in the community. Opportunity House, 430 S. 2nd
Street is a multi‐service organization improving the
quality of life for children, families and adults who
face various obstacles to independent living. You
will find more information and volunteer
opportunities at www.opphouse.org.
Advocate and Educate
You can spend time with the sick and elderly in
your family and community. Support relatives
and friends struggling to hold on to their dignity
in a nursing home situation. Visit them, talk and
laugh with them. Your loving presence is a
reflection of God’s love for them.
With the proper training, you can get involved in
prison ministry spreading the GOOD NEWS.
You could become an active participant in the
Legislative Advocacy Network of the Diocese to
have an impact on a range of issues affecting
human dignity. Learn about and teach others the
gifts persons with disabilities have to offer and
advocate for their rights and dignity. In your home, workplace, school, and family ‐
anywhere, and everywhere ‐ you can be a
witness to Life and the dignity of all human
persons! Do whatever you can ‐ and remember that the
one thing EVERYONE can do is pray! Pray in
private, at Mass, with your family, with other
peaceful witnesses at an abortion clinic, or at
the bedside of the sick and dying.