Saint Francis of Assisi Parish
600 Hamilton Street, Norristown, PA 19401
SACRAMENTS AND DEVOTIONS
Baptism: Usually the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month
at 1:15 PM. Pre-Jordan class is the third Monday of odd
- numbered months. Pre-Jordan must be attended by all
parents expecting their first child. Please call the rectory
to schedule your Pre-Jordan.
Marriage: Initial arrangements must be made at least
six months prior to your wedding date. Please call the
rectory and set up an appointment with the pastor.
Communion Calls: Holy Communion is brought by the
deacon and Extraordinary Ministers on a monthly basis
to elderly and ill parishioners who are unable to attend
Mass. Please notify the Rectory to arrange a visit.
MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday Evening - 5:30 PM
Sunday - 7:00 AM, 9:30 AM,12:00 and 5:30 PM
Monday thru Saturday - 8:30 AM
Eve of Holydays - 5:30 PM
Holydays of Obligation –8:30 AM, 12:00 and 7:00 PM
(except Christmas and Easter)
CONFESSION SCHEDULE
Saturday: After 8:30 AM Mass & 4:00 PM—5:00 PM
(other times by appointment)
RECTORY OFFICE HOURS
Monday through Thursday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
(closed between 12:00 and 1:00 PM)
Friday hours until 4:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
New Parishioners—Welcome to SFA! Please call the
Rectory to arrange a time to register in our parish.
Hospitals: Pastoral care for Catholic patients in area
hospitals is shared by the local parishes. When you or a
loved one is admitted please inform the hospital that you
are a Catholic so that you will receive Holy Communion
and the Sacrament of the Sick from the parish responsible for the hospital that day.
Devotions:
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament—Mon 9:00 AM to
4:00 PM. The church is accessible by the handicap door
after the 8:30 AM Mass until 4:00 PM (Sept.-May)
Rosary – Monday thru Saturday at 8:00 AM
Divine Mercy Chaplet—Tues after the 8:30 AM Mass.
Infant of Prague Novena- Wed after the 8:30 AM Mass.
Sacred Heart Devotions—Fri after the 8:30 AM Mass.
Miraculous Medal Novena-Sat after the 8:30 AM Mass.
Visits to the Blessed Sacrament—Tuesday through
Saturday after the 8:30 AM Mass until 4 PM—Stop at
the rectory for the keypad code.
CLERGY AND STAFF
Rev. James E. Goerner, M.Div., Pastor
Deacon James Mahar, Permanent Deacon
Rev. Augustine Esposito, OSA., Weekend Assistant
Rev. Jack Mc Atee, OSA., Weekend Assistant
Mr. Edward Scott, Business Manager
Miss Nancy Sanchez, Coordinator of Religious Education
Miss Bridget Tigue, School Principal
Mrs. Erica Gonzalez, Director, Early Learning Center
Mrs. Elizabeth Nacarelli, Parish Secretary
Mrs. Dolores Landis, Office Manager
BULLETIN DEADLINE – Monday 12 Noon
CONTACT INFORMATION
Rectory: Phone 610-272-0402, Fax 610-272-1794
Email: [email protected] Website: stfrancisnorristown.com
School: Phone 610-272-0501, Fax 610-272-8011
Email: [email protected] Website: sfacatholic.org
Early Learning Center: Phone 610-757-1523, Fax 484-231-8646
Email: [email protected] Website sfacatholic.org/SFELC
Prayer Request Line: 610-757-4070
THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
OCTOBER 26, 2014
Monday, October 27th
Tuesday, October 28th
Wednesday, October 29th
Thursday, October 30th
Friday, October 31st
Saturday, November 1st
Sunday, November 2nd
8:30
8:30
8:30
8:30
8:30
8:30
5:30
7:00
9:30
12:00
5:30
Peter Pellechia—Theresa Rose
Noel Moloney—Diane Marotta
Prayer Service
Anne Lucier—Nancy Collier and Family
Reverend Vincent F. Welsh—Bridget Tigue and SFA School Faculty & Staff
Reverend Kevin C. Trautner—Sis and Ryan
Larry and Angie Gausch—Sister, Jane Weidamoyer
For the Parishioners
Edward Bani—Ciss Donovan
Deceased Members of St. Francis of Assisi Parish 11/02/2013 to 11/02/2014
Patrick Rigg—Robert and Suzanne Morgan and Family
ALTAR SERVERS—NOVEMBER 1/2
5:30 PM Angela Barrigan, Manuel Barrigan
7:00 AM Amanda Guzik, Kaleigh Byrnes
9:30 AM Millie Collins, Camillo Ciccipio
12:00 PM Maddie Skaw, Esteban Cano
5:30 PM Ryan O’Donnell, Analiese Boubert
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS—NOVEMBER 1/2
5:30 PM Ann Marie Collins, Barbara Calhoun
7:00 AM Denise Branca, B.J. Mumford
9:30 AM Catherine Ivester, Trish Lynch
12:00 PM Tony Antunes, Fernanda Antunes
5:30 PM Tony Barbato, Jim Gallagher
LECTORS—NOVEMBER 1/2
5:30 PM Peter Collins
7:00 AM Linda Steppe
9:30 AM Joseph Lynch
12:00 PM Gerald McLaughlin
5:30 PM Lisa Hallihan
SUNDAY CONBTRIBUTIONS—OCTOBER 19, 2014
Sunday Collection ……………………………..….. $ 8,909
Sunday Collection One Year Ago……….………… $10,122
Change from Last Year………………………… - $ 1,213
Thank you very much for your contributions! Please
remember to use your envelopes! Please consider
remembering St. Francis of Assisi Parish in your will!
FAMILY REGISTER
We are glad to welcome into our parish community:
Jose Quinonez and Family
Mary Lou Lubin and Family
Brian Olenek and Family
We mourn those who have gone before us in death and
commend them to the Lord and the communion of saints:
John Gragilla
BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASS (PRE JORDAN)
The next class in English will be held on Monday, November
17, 2014 at 7:00 PM. The next class in Spanish will be held
on Monday, December 15, 2014 at 7:00 PM. Pre Jordan
classes are held in the Parish Meeting House Room 1.
Please contact the rectory to register.
PARISH CALENDAR OF EVENTS
ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT EVERY
MONDAY BEGINNING FROM 9 AM TO 4 PM
Monday
1:00 Ladies Craft (MHB)
2:30 Cheerleading (G)
4:00 Teen PREP (R)
7:00 Pastoral Council (MH2)
Thursday
6:30 Follow Christ (MH1,2,K)
6:30 Cub Scouts (S)
7:00 Legion of Mary (R)
Tuesday
4:00 RCIA Teens (R)
7:00 RCIA Adults (MH2)
Saturday Nov. 1—All Saints
Please note All Saints Day is
not a holy day of obligation
when it falls on a Saturday
Wednesday
6:00 Volleyball (G)
6:30 Choir (C)
6:30 Girl Scouts (S)
Sunday
10:30 PREP (S)
1:00 All Souls Refreshments (MH)
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK
The sick list will be updated monthly. We
will be glad to keep the name of your loved
one on the list for one month. If you want to
extend a request for prayers beyond that time,
please call the Rectory to let us know so we
do not remove your loved one’s name from
the list. Please remember only the names of
the seriously ill should be placed on our sick
Stephen Buckley
Joe Byrnes
Michael Cantello
Jack Char
Nicholas Ciccarella
Brian DeCarlo
Vincent DeCarlo
Daniel Enz
Fr. Dominick Finn
Ed Howard
Nancy Kazmierczak
Joseph Marchese
Rose Marinari
Charlotte Mateja
Bethann McElroy
John Moore
Edward O’Brien
Harriet Paravati
Blanche Petko
Kathleen Stephens
Joseph Steuer
Sissy Undercuffler
Charles Wood
Paul Wright
Flowers on the main altar this weekend are in
memory of Warren and Anna Caglia, requested by
Robert and Louise.
Page001-031
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Upcoming Special Liturgies
MASS FOR RECENTLY DECEASED
Nov 2nd @ Noon
FORTY HOURS
Nov 2, 3 & 4 @ 7:00 PM
FAMILY MASS
Nov 16th @ Noon
THANKSGIVING DAY MASS
Nov 27th @ 9:00 AM
ROSARY FOR THE FAMILY
October is the month dedicated to the rosary. As the
Church prepares for the World Meeting of Families next
September in Philadelphia we are all called to pray for our
families and families all over the world. Following the
traditional form of the Rosary, these special intentions can
be added to the individual decades. The Joyful Mysteries of
the Rosary are particularly fitting for these family centered
intentions.
The rosary…
Prayed as a family
Decade 1: For our marriage
(Single parents: For my personal holiness)
Decade 2: For our children
Decade 3: For our extended family
Decade 4: For those who have died in our family
Decade 5: For our family to grow in our mission of love and
for the grace to become fully alive as a family
The rosary…
Prayed by a single person
Decade 1: For my parents
Decade 2: For my brothers and sisters
Decade 3: For my extended family
Decade 4: For those who have died in my family
Decade 5: For my own vocation to holiness
The rosary…
Prayed in the parish or prayer group setting
Decade 1: For married couples
Decade 2: For parents and grandparents
Decade 3: For children
Decade 4: For those who are not married
Decade 5: That society would protect and foster family life
and recognize the unique dignity of the family as the fundamental cell of human society
Forty Hours Devotion
November 2, 3 and 4, 2014
This year we are blessed to
have Rev. Kevin O’Neil, CSsR
as our homilist for our Forty
Hours.
Rev. Kevin O’Neil, CSsR
has been a Redemptorist priest
since 1981. Fr. O’Neil spent most of his priestly ministry in education. He received his doctorate in moral theology from Alphonsian Academy in 1989 and taught at
the Washington Theological Union until 2012. With Fr.
Peter Black, he is co-author of The Essential Moral
Handbook (Revised edition 2006) and Life, Death, and
Catholic Medical Choices: 50 Questions from the
Pews (2011). Fr. O’Neil is currently a member of the
retreat staff at San Alfonso Retreat House in Long
Branch, NJ.
Below is our schedule of liturgies for Forty Hours:
Sunday, Nov. 2 – Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
at the conclusion of the 5:30 PM Mass.
7:00 PM Fr. Kevin O’Neil will lead us in prayer and
meditation concluding with Benediction.
Monday, Nov. 3 – 8:30 AM Mass will conclude with
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed all day for private prayer and
meditation.
7:00 PM – Holy Hour preached by Fr. O’Neil concluding with Benediction.
Tuesday, Nov. 4 – 8:30 AM Mass will conclude with
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed all day for private prayer and
meditation.
7:00 PM – Holy Hour preached by Fr. O’Neil concluding with a Eucharistic Procession through church and
Benediction.
UNITED WAY HELPS SFA
When choosing your United Way payroll deductions/
contributions, please consider our CYO and/or our Early
Learning Center. The United Way number for our CYO is
4350 and the Early Learning Center number is 10841.
Your donations are greatly appreciated!
SAVE THE DATE
Upcoming Events
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
Nov 7th 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Nov 8th 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
School Gym
Page 2—031
Calling All Bakers
If anyone would like to bake for the Ladies of Saint Francis
Christmas Bazaar please drop off your baked goods at the
gym on Thursday, November 6th from 2:00 to 6:00pm, Friday
November 7th between 12:00 and 2:00pm or during the Bazaar
Friday night from 6:00 to 9:00pm or Saturday morning November 8th at 9:00am. Thank you for your continued support to St.
Francis Parish. God bless!
Attention Crocheters and Knitters:
The Ladies of St. Francis are in need of knitted or crocheted scarves, mittens, sweaters,
baby sweaters, booties and blankets for our Christmas Bazaar.
Items can be dropped off at the rectory
during normal business hours up until November 2nd. Thank you for your continued
support of The Ladies of St. Francis.
Cheerleaders – Please support the SFA Cheerleaders
with their Applebee’s Pancake Breakfast.
When: Saturday, November 1, 2014
Time: 8:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M.
Location: Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar
555 South Trooper Road
Norristown, PA 19403
Cost: $7.00 per person
$5.00 for children
Thank you for your support!
Cub Scout Pack 268—Any boy in 1st thru 4th grade who
would like to join the Cubs should stop by any Thursday at
6:45 in the Library at the school or email Liz Parker at [email protected].
CatholicPhilly.com
Where can you learn about parish and school activities, evangelization programs and archdiocesan news? Where can you
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newsletter sent by email twice a week at
www.catholicphilly.com/newsletter.
CYO CORNER
The CYO basketball program is seeking coaches for the
Boys JV and Varsity teams. Anyone interested in coaching
those teams should contact Jim Riehman at 610-635-0899
or Vince Corropolese at 610-721--6763. Registration for
boys and girls basketball teams are now being accepted
through October 30. Registration forms can be obtained in
the rectory or on the St Francis of Assisi school website.
Basketball Open Gyms—Basketball registrations will be
accepted during informal shoot-arounds at the gym on
Sunday, Oct. 26 and Sunday, Nov. 2 from 6:30 to 7:30pm
for girls and 7:30 to 8:30pm for boys.
The Saint Francis of Assisi School
Canticle Where Service, Faith, &
Academics Come Together
WE VALUE . . .
CATHOLIC EDUCATION
Catholic Education
2nd Grade News
In second grade we are very busy! At the beginning of the
month, our class led the Outdoor Rosary, in which we honored Mary by praying the rosary (Sorrowful Mysteries) together as a school on Tuesday, October 7th. In Religion
class, we learned about the Joyful Mysteries as well. We are
working very hard in our Math class. We will begin making
our own math board games. In our Social Studies class we
are learning about different landforms and bodies of water.
We love to talk about the ocean. Our class loves to work in
the brand new Science Lab! We are currently working on the
CELL, “Weight and Volume”. We used beam balances and pan
balances so far. As we get closer to entering the month of
November, we begin to think about all of the many things we
are thankful for in our lives – especially our family, friends,
and the fun times we have in 2nd Grade at SFA School!
Here’s a look at the week ahead:
Monday, October 27th, 2014
 Band Lessons for 3rd – 8th Grades in the Gym
 FUN Program visits Pre-K through 2nd Grade
 Philadelphia Union Soccer Clinic for 4th Grade, 5th
Grade, & 6th Grade @ 12:45 P.M.
 Cheerleading Practice from 2:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. in
the Gym
Tuesday, October 28th, 2014
 Pizza Orders due
 Archbishop Carroll High School visits 8th Grade @
1:45 P.M.
Wednesday, October 29th, 2014
 Pizza Day
 Facenda Whitaker Bowling Club from 2:40 P.M. – 5:00
P.M.
 Girl Scout Meeting @ 6:30 P.M. in 2nd Grade classroom
Thursday, October 30th, 2014
 Halloween Happenings – Weather permitting, Halloween Parade @ 10:45 A.M.
 Scout Meeting beginning at 6:30 P.M. in the Library,
Kindergarten, 1st Grade, & 2nd Grade
Friday, October 31st, 2014 – Happy Halloween!
 NO SCHOOL – Faculty Professional Development Day
with Archbishop Chaput
Saturday, November 1st, 2014 – All Saints’ Day
 Cheerleaders Spirit Morning @ Applebee’s Restaurant
in Trooper from 8:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M.
Sunday, November 2nd, 2014
 Daylight Savings
 Vocation Awareness Week
Page 3—031
 40 Hours
PARISH ACTIVITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
Aid For Friends
Lynn Trombetta
Altar Servers (Schedule) Lillian Aguilar
Bereavement Committee Fr. James Goerner
Cantors
Michael Maresca
Carnival Committee
Tom O’Donnell
Choir—Adult
Michael Maresca
Contemporary Music Group Anne Korkus
Cub Scouts
John Moore
Deaf Apostolate
Fr. Anthony Russo
Eucharistic Adoration Group Liz Nacarelli
Extraordinary Ministers
Tony Barbato
Evangelization Group
Adel Herge
Finance Council
Fr. James Goerner
Greeters
John Bilella
Ladies of St. Francis
Linda Steppe
Lectors
Tony Barbato
Legion of Mary
Virginia Chernick
Liturgy Committee
Fr. James Goerner
Men of St. Francis
Charles Wood
Musicians
Michael Maresca
Pastoral Council
Fr. James Goerner
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Kay Boyce
Pre-Jordan
Nancy Sanchez
Prayer Line Volunteers
Nancy DeKok
P.R.E.P. (C.C.D.)
Nancy Sanchez
Pro-Life Group
Joseph Aquilani, Jr.
RCIA
Nancy Sanchez
Senior Citizens
Ann Filon
St. Vincent dePaul
Tony Antunes
Ushers
John Bilella
215-464-2224
717-514-7035
610-272-0402
610-539-7597
610-476-3050
610-539-7597
610-539-7854
610-272-3324
215-423-9547
610-272-0402
484-576-3161
610-547-5935
610-272-0402
610-279-1058
610-539-7917
484-576-3161
610-630-6950
610-272-0402
267-438-2572
610-539-7597
610-272-0402
610-539-1876
610-272-0402
610-277-1344
610-272-0402
610-539-0592
610-272-0402
610-539-5055
610-272-0402
610-279-1058
PASTORAL COUNCIL MEMBERS
Millie Cooper, Nancy DeKok, Rev. James E. Goerner, Deacon Jim
Mahar, Kay McDonald, Lillian O’Donnell, Patricia Perna, Nancy Sanchez, Linda Steppe, Bridget Tigue
FINANCE COUNCIL MEMBERS
Patricia Bader, Jim Busciacco, Rev. James E.
Goerner, Patricia Perna, Felicia Riehman, Mary Anne Serosky,
Edward Shaw, Edward Scott
Oct. 26, 2014—Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reflection by Rev. Leonard N. Peterson
First Reading: Exodus 22:20-26
In Old Testament times, foreigners who lived with a
group for a considerable time were often considered as
needing protection, just as did widows and orphans. So
this became an obligation for the base community.
Second Reading: I Thessalonians 1:5c-10
Paul first expresses his affection for the Thessalonian
community and then declares that their conversion to
Christianity was a powerful witness to the peoples of
Macedonia and Achaia.
Gospel: Matthew 22:34-40
Jesus answers his lawyer questioner with what was later
defined as “the great commandment.” He sees all laws as
a unity, based upon and supported by love of God.
MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
Over the past few months we had several of our Ministers at Mass retire completely, move to a warmer climate for the winter or have had to take extended leaves
of absence because of medical conditions.
The ministry of Lector and/or Extraordinary Minister is
an excellent opportunity to get involved in your parish.
You’re already coming to Mass; why not participate in
one of these ministries once or twice a month. Lectors
and Extraordinary Ministers should be at least 16 years
of age.
If you are interested in participating in one of these ministries or would like some additional information please
contact me at [email protected] and put the word
LECTOR or EM in the subject line.
LECTORS: The parish is in need of at least six (6) lectors for weekend Masses. You would only be scheduled
once or twice a month. We are also in need of an additional person to lector 2 or 3 mornings at the daily
morning Mass at 8:30 AM.
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS: The parish is in
need of at least six (6) additional Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. We are especially in need of
Ministers for the Saturday vigil Mass at 5:30 PM and
the Sunday evening Mass at 5:30 PM. We are also in
need of help with taking Holy Communion to the homebound once a month and also to help with the distribution of Holy Communion the 4th Sunday of every month
at Einstein Hospital.
Training class for both Lectors and EMs will be held
here in the parish. Dates and times will be announced
once I see what kind of response we get.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Goerner
JOB OPPORTUNITY
A part-time custodian position is available at Blessed Teresa of
Calcutta Church 2-3 evenings per week (M-F), occasional Saturday.
Please submit resume to Tammy Brock at
[email protected] or mail to 256 Swamp Pike,
Schwenksville, PA 19473.
VOLUNTEER FOR PRO-LIFE!
Volunteers are needed to help with raising money for the culture of life cause. Volunteers are only needed for one Mass
twice a year (usually in May or October). Essentially, Pro-Life
supports women who need help financially, spiritually, and
emotionally. Women (and children) receive help in places
such as the Guiding Star Home, the Handicapped Children's
Home and the Women's Health Pregnancy Hotline. Monies are
also used for Pro-Life brochures, church prayer cards, voting
information and Mother's Day Respect Life bulletins. If you
wish to volunteer call Joe Aquilani 610-539-0592. Page 4-031