A Word from Father Mullin
Lent is upon us yet again! Today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps. 51) combines an honest acknowledgment of our sinful ways and a confident trust in God’s mercy – and that’s a perfect theme to begin another Lenten Season. May your prayer, fasting and almsgiving deepen your sorrow for sin and your gratitude for divine mercy!
Fr. Tom Mullin
Pastoral Council Election News
We are now accepting nominations for four vacancies on the pastoral council. If you or someone you know in the parish may be interested in offering stewardship service to the pastoral council, please pick up a nomination form on the table in the narthex after Mass. Self-nominations are most welcome! The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, March 22, and the election will be held right after Easter.
Pastoral Planning News
Check out the insert in today’s bulletin for a closer look at two of the six core values that guide us in living as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.
Don’t forget to go online to the home page of the parish website (stelizabethparish.org) for information about the 2017-2020 Pastoral Plan and how you can offer your own input into its completion in the weeks ahead.
Confirmation News
The second and final Confirmation Retreat will be held this coming Saturday, March 11, beginning with Mass in church at 8:30 AM and concluding by 12:30 PM.
Bishop Timothy Senior will celebrate Confirmation on Saturday, April 22, at 10:00 AM and at 2:00 PM. The rehearsals for Confirmation will be held on Thursday, April 20, at 6:00 PM & 7:30 PM.
RCIA News
Would you like to explore the Catholic Faith? Our weekly inquiry group meets at 7:00 PM on Mondays in the education center conference room. For more info, contact DRE Beth Riordan at 610-646-6545.
Mass Intentions for the Week
March 4-5: First Sunday of Lent
Saturday, 5:30 PM- Nicholas Sciallo
Sunday, 8:00 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Sunday, 9:30 AM- George Dippold, Sr.
Sunday, 11:30 AM- William Hoffmann
Monday, 7:30 AM- James Donald
Tuesday, 7:30 AM- William Nestel
Wednesday, 7:30 AM- Denny Doyle
Thursday, 7:30 AM- Adelaide Santoleri
Friday, 7:30 AM- Bonnie Gail Hatt
Saturday, 8:30 AM- Elizabeth Mullin (9th Ann)
March 11-12: Second Sunday of Lent
Saturday, 5:30 PM- Kirk Swallow
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Batt & Mutz Families
Sunday, 9:30 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Sunday, 11:30 AM- Robert Talnack, Sr.
Readings: Genesis 12/1-4; Psalm 33; 2 Timothy 1/8-10; Matthew 17/1-9.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Mondays between 8:00 AM and 8:30 PM in the chapel. Please note that this Monday, March 6, Exposition will begin at 11:30 AM and close at 4:30 PM. On March 20 and April 3, Exposition will close at 6:30 PM.
Marian Devotions: Join us for novena prayers to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal on Saturday mornings at 7:50 AM, followed by a Rosary for Life at 8:00 AM.
Prayer Corner
Please remember in prayer all those who are ill, including: Eleanor Angstadt; John Batt; Charlene Buckley; JoAnn Colletti; Joseph Conwell; Jerry Corrado; Stephen Curran; Gary Davila; Stephen Gray; Peter Hare; Perry Hughes; Elizabeth Pescatore; Donald Schmitz; Stephen Strauss; Patricia Subasic; Edward Weed, Sr. and Elizabeth Young.
We also remember those who have died, including parishioner Peter Shields, husband of Christine Shields; Jean Buckley, mother of Mary Winand; Charles Barrett, father of Joan Versaggi; Stella Cizmarik, mother of Joseph Cizmarik and Florence Alvord, grandmother of Melissa Nemic. May all our departed loved ones rest in peace!
Family Life Ministry
Widows’ Group: The Bereavement Ministry Team is introducing a new series entitled A Widow’s Walk: Embracing One Another on Our Journey. The series begins on Wednesday, March 22, at 7:00 PM in St. Matthew Conference Room and will continue on the fourth Wednesday of each month, March through June.
Separated & Divorced Group: The Family Life Ministry Team is pleased to announce a special program for men and women who have suffered from divorce or separation. The program is based upon Rose Sweet’s work, The Catholic’s Divorce Survival Guide, and will be facilitated by parishioner, Dr. Diane Thompson. The group will meet weekly starting on Tuesday, March 21, at 7:00 PM in the Holy Family Room.
If you are interested in attending either group, register by emailing or calling the parish services office. Both groups are looking for parishioners to help facilitate the group discussions, so if you can relate to either group and would like to offer your stewardship service, please contact Gen Miceli at 610-646-6550 or email
Committee for the New Evangelization
Christ Renews His Parish-Women’s Renewal: Save the date now to join us on Friday-Saturday, May 5-6, for the next women’s overnight renewal. The retreat is designed for all women of the parish (21 or older). It provides an opportunity to experience personal growth in your faith in a relaxed welcoming environment. For more information contact Marie Hellgoth (484-341-8762 or
Baptism News
Saint Elizabeth parish warmly welcomes into the Body of Christ the following children baptized in February:
Austin Laurence Dankanich; Jackson Soban Gabrysiak; William Lachlan Moore and Adelaide James Clarke.
We also congratulate Ethan Dharmaraj, who was baptized on January 22; his name was mistakenly omitted in the February 5 parish bulletin.
The next sessions of Pre-Jordan I: Preparing for Your Child’s Baptism and Pre-Jordan II: A Call to Christian Parenting will be held this coming Saturday, March 11, at 10:30 AM in the parish ministry center. To register for the Pre-Jordan Program and/or to arrange for a baptism, please call 610-321-1200.
Elementary Faith Formation
Note: We do have EFF classes this Monday, March 6!
Lenten Stations of the Cross: Don’t miss the special Stations of the Cross for EFF students and their families on Monday, March 13, at 5:00 PM; on Tuesday, March 14, at 6:30 PM; and on Wednesday, March 15, at 5:00 PM. Families of students that normally attend EFF on Mondays at 6:30 PM are asked to attend the service at 6:30 PM on Tuesday. Those that attend EFF on Tuesdays at 4:45 PM are asked to attend the service on Wednesday at 5:00 PM.
Saint Elizabeth Parish School News
EITC Grant Program: We are pleased to announce that WSFS Bank presented the school with a check for $20,000 to be used for tuition assistance to students whose families meet specific residence and income requirements. For more info about EITC, go online to www.aopcatholicschools.org/financial-aid or call St. Elizabeth Parish School (610-646-6540).
Sneak-a-Peek: Curious about a Catholic education for your children? Stop by on Wednesday, March 8, or Thursday, March 16, between 9:30-11:00 AM to get a sneak peek of our teachers and students in action!
Congratulations! To Jane Maguire who was our “Announcer for the Week.” Jane won this honor at our recent Pizza Bingo event and did a great job leading our student body in morning prayers, our Pledge of Allegiance and announcements.
Stewardship Day of Service
Registration is now open for the Stewardship Day of Service on Saturday, April 29. To register, go to the parish website and follow the links to complete the online registration for you and your family members. Parishioners of all ages are welcome to participate (children must be accompanied by a parent). If you do not have internet access, you may register by calling Gen Miceli at 610-646-6550. If you have any questions, stop by the SDOS table in the narthex next weekend to speak with members of the planning team.
Pastoral Outreach News
Casserole Collection: The March collection of casseroles will take place next weekend, March 11-12. You can also drop a casserole at the parish office on Friday, March 10, before 4:30 PM and/or on Monday, March 13, before 9:00 AM. The clients and staff of Saint John’s Hospice are grateful for your generosity!
Poor Box: The recipient of poor box donations during March and April is the Aquinas Center, sponsored by St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in South Philadelphia. The center is an innovative church and community-backed venture in welcoming and supporting local immigrants. For more info about the Aquinas Center, go to staquinas.com/aquinascenter/. Thanks for your support.
Sister Parish Planning Team
Have you ever wanted to visit our sister parish, Visitation BVM, in the Kensington section of Philadelphia? You will have two opportunities in April to visit VBVM with fellow parishioners:
On Saturday, April 8, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM, the planning team is hosting an Easter party for children of VBVM School (Pre-K to Grade 4). Volunteers are needed to assist children with crafts, games and an Easter egg hunt. Sixth graders thru adults are welcome!
On Sunday, April 30, enjoy the combined voices of the St. Elizabeth Guitar Group and VBVM’s Celestial Voices at the 10:00 AM Spanish Mass at Visitation BVM Church. For more info and car pooling, contact Diane Hogan (610-585-5100 or
Social Fellowship: Pizza Social
All are invited to stop in the social hall after the 5:30 PM Mass on Saturday, March 25, to have a piece of pizza on us. Meet some new parishioners while you munch on some delicious pizza. If you’re headed out to dinner, stop by and have a slice as an appetizer!
Senior Adult Ministry (SAM)
Lunch N Learn: If you are 60+, mark your calendars for a special Lenten “Lunch N Learn” on Thursday, April 6, at 10:30 AM in the chapel. Fr. John Stokely will take us on a scriptural pilgrimage through the Holy Land entitled In the Footsteps of Our Lord, followed by a simple lunch in the ministry center. Please let us know you are coming by contacting Gen Miceli (
Game Day: Game Days are held every fourth Thursday of the month in the Ministry Center. Come out for snacks and fun on Thursday, March 23, at 10:30 AM!
Youth Ministry News
For info on any youth ministry activities, contact Ryan Schwalm at
Parish Youth Council: Our Parish Youth Council is in the process of being formed. If you would like to be included on this council, please email Ryan Schwalm. Our next planning meeting is on Saturday, March 18, 8:00-10:00 AM in the St. Luke Conference Room.
High School Youth Group: We meet every Tuesday night at 7:00 PM in the CLC, next to the social hall. Don’t miss High School Bible Study on Monday, March 13, and every other Monday night at 8:00 PM in the CLC.
8th Grade Youth Group: We will meet this Wednesday, March 8, 6:30-8:00 in the gym.
Middle School Youth Group: Our next meeting is this Friday, March 10, 6:00-7:30 PM in the gym. The night will include dinner, activities, and discussion.
Elementary School Youth Group: Our next Free Play Night will be Saturday, March 18, 6:30-8:30 PM in the gym. The cost for the night is $5 per child. Thank you to all who made our February Freeplay Night such a fantastic time.
St. Charles Seminary News
Come and See Weekend: All Chester County high school juniors and seniors are invited to visit Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary for a weekend on March 10-12, 2017. Immerse yourself in life at the Seminary and see if this is something to which the Lord might be calling you! To register for this program, contact Fr. Stephen DeLacy at 610-667-5778. For more info or questions about our Deanery Vocations Committee, please contact Father Rossi at Saint Joseph Parish, Downingtown, at
Financial Corner
Thank you for your consistent financial support of our parish community throughout the year.
Regular Collection for Sunday, February 19, 2017
Weekend Contributions: $19,451.00
[Amount of Loose Cash: $852.50]
Midweek & Auto-Giving: $ 6,049.50
Total Regular Collection: $25,500.50
Number of adult envelope contributions: 600
Auto-Giving: Why not consider using Auto-Giving for your regular collection contributions? There are now a total of 273 families participating in Auto-Giving: To receive an electronic copy of the authorization form and/or if you have questions, contact Sam Venuti at 610-646-6515 or