Word from Father Mullin
The ancient blessing of Aaron upon the Israelites (in today’s first reading from the Book of Numbers) is well-suited to the beginning of a new calendar year:
May the Lord bless you and keep you! May the Lord let his face shine upon you and be gracious to you! May the Lord look kindly upon you and give you peace!
And may the Lord Jesus bring gifts of good health, deep faith and family peace to all the parishioners of Saint Elizabeth Parish throughout the New Year 2017!
Fr. Tom Mullin
A Word of Appreciation
Thank you to all who have contributed to our liturgical celebrations for Christmas: church cleaners & decorators; maintenance staff and sacristans; liturgical musicians and sound system operators; ushers, greeters & hospitality ministers; altar servers, readers & extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion; our deacons and an actively participating congregation – all had a significant role in making Christmas at Saint Elizabeth a time of prayerful joy. Thanks to all!
Holiday Schedule for Parish Offices
All parish and education center offices will be closed on Monday, January 2. In a pastoral emergency, please leave a message both at the parish office (610-321-1200) and at the priests’ residence (610-321-9616) to ensure the call is received.
Committee for the New Evangelization
Christ Renews His Parish-Men’s Renewal: Join us on Friday-Saturday, January 20-21, for the next men’s overnight renewal. The retreat is designed for all men of the parish (21 or older). It provides an opportunity to experience personal growth in your faith in a relaxed welcoming environment.
Registration remains open online at the parish website, stelizabethparish.org. Registration forms are also available in the narthex. Questions? - contact Leo Shanley at
Mass Intentions for the Week
December 31-January 1: Mary, Mother of God
Saturday, 5:30 PM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Hugo Ficca
Sunday, 9:30 AM- Kevin Brian Farley (7th Ann)
Sunday, 11:30 AM- Lyn Cliggett
Monday, 7:30 AM- Ann Sexton
Tuesday, 7:30 AM- Int. of Susan Harkins (80th BD)
Wednesday, 7:30 AM- Bernard Kuchinskas
Thursday, 7:30 AM- Dorothy Fesen
Friday, 7:30 AM- Dennis Cooney
11:15 AM- Parish School Mass
Saturday, 8:30 AM- Parish Memorial Mass
Lisa Brunchwyler; William Farrell; Thomas Froio; Catherine Zarus Krepelka; Dorothy Lauletta; Anna Mae Lynch; Felicia Rzeznik; DeSales Ross; Mary Jeannette Shope; Ronald Slanga and Joseph Ursini
January 7-8: The Epiphany of the Lord
Saturday, 5:30 PM- Robert Talnack, Sr.
Sunday, 8:00 AM- Walter Hausdorf (12th Ann)
Sunday, 9:30 AM- Edward McLaughlin
Sunday, 11:30 AM- People of Saint Elizabeth
Readings: Isaiah 60/1-6; Psalm 72; Ephesians 3/2-6; Matthew 2/1-12.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Mondays between 8:00 AM and 8:30 PM in the daily Mass chapel.
Miraculous Medal Novena: All are welcome to come 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 in the daily Mass chapel.
Prayer Corner
Please remember all those who are ill, including:
John Batt; Jessica Bonkoski; Clarence Chaney; Barbara Cox; Lynn Cugini; Mary Dominiecki; Elizabeth Kelly; Catherine Klimek; Peter Lubin; Virginia Luteran; William Marconi; Joseph McAvoy; Denise Millane; Gerald Murphy; James Myers; Randall Rosser; Paul Stebner; Mary Supple; Margaret Wittick and Elizabeth Young.
May God grant them renewed health and peace!
Baptism News
Saint Elizabeth parish warmly welcomes into the Body of Christ the following children who were baptized in December:
Giovanna Marie Sassone; Abigail Elizabeth Koons; Jackson William Adams; Amelia Marie Augustyn; Jamie Michael Hughes; Colin Andrew Oustrich; Michael Goodrick; John Terence Regan; Duncan Timothy Giordano; Owen Giacomo Giordano; Charlotte Madeline Pyne; John Francis Barry; Alessandra Rose Di Prospero; Francesca Maria Di Prospero and Benjamin Francis Gervasi. Congratulations to their parents and godparents!
The next session of Pre-Jordan II: A Call to Christian Parenting will be held on Saturday, January 14, and the next session of Pre-Jordan I: Preparing for Your Child’s Baptism will be held on Saturday, February 11, both at 10:30 AM in the ministry center. To register for the Pre-Jordan Program and/or to arrange for a baptism, please call 610-321-1200.
Elementary Faith Formation News
There are no EFF sessions this week (January 2-3-4). Regular classes will resume on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, January 9-10-11. Happy New Year to our students and families.
Do you have children in K-6th grade who need religious education? Our EFF program provides classes for children of all abilities. Children with developmental, intellectual, sensory, physical or behavioral disabilities are welcome and encouraged to attend weekly EFF classes. Please contact DRE Beth Riordan at 610-646-6531 or
Reminder: Parents of children planning to receive sacraments in Spring 2017, need to turn in your Registration, Photo Banner and Sponsor paperwork no later than January 13, 2017.
Pastoral Planning News
All adult & young adult parishioners are encouraged to participate in an Open Town Meeting on Thursday, January 19, at 7:00 PM in the social hall. You can register online at the parish website (stelizabeth parish.org). Even if you did not attend the first Open Town Meeting back in November, you are most welcome to join us on January 19.
At this meeting we will have a brief review of the first November planning meeting and then work together to develop concrete objectives for each of the six goals in the newly-formulated 2017-2020 Pastoral Plan.
This pastoral plan includes a Vision Statement, an updated Mission Statement, a set of Core Parish Values and a set of six Pastoral Goals. Concrete objectives for each goal will be finalized early in 2017.
To review the current version of the pastoral plan and to offer your feedback and comments on the plan, go to the parish website and follow the links: “Our Parish” and “Pastoral Plan.” While you are there, register for the January 19 meeting, too!
The final 2017-2020 Pastoral Plan will provide direction for the commitment of resources in personnel, facilities, time and money to existing and proposed parish activities.
Saint Elizabeth Parish School News
Happy New Year: The faculty, staff and students of Saint Elizabeth Parish School wish all in our parish a very Happy New Year! Thank you for the support with which you continue to bless our school.
Regular classes resume this Tuesday, January 3. All are invited to join us for Mass on Friday, January 6, at 11:15 AM in the church.
Open House for Catholic Schools Week: All are welcome to tour the parish school on Sunday, January 29, 12:30-2:00 PM. Take a look around and see some of the creative work done by our students! Stop by with a friend and spread the good news to others. Application materials will be available for those who are considering the enrollment of their children for the 2017-2018 school year.
Registration of New Students: The re-registration of current students and the advanced application for incoming siblings begin on Monday, January 9. New student application for parish families begins on Tuesday, January 31, and for non-parish families on Wednesday, February 1. For more info, call Liz at 610-646-6540.
Financial Aid: Applications for financial aid for the 2017-2018 school year are available at www. smartaidforparents.com. For info, call 800-360-8027.
RCIA News
Want to explore the Catholic Faith? Join our inquiry group on Mondays at 7:00 PM in St. John the Baptist Room. For more info, contact DRE Beth Riordan at
Respect Life News
Save the Date for the annual March for Life in Washington, DC, on Friday, January 27, 2017. The late date this year is due to the inauguration of the new president on Friday, January 20. More info will follow in the next two weeks.
Pastoral Outreach News
Casserole Collection: The next casserole collection is this coming weekend, January 7-8. Most often, the casserole you provide is the only hot meal of the day for the clients of Saint John’s Hospice. If you have any questions about the program, please contact Jen Bauhaus (
Sharing Our Bounty: The Sharing Our Bounty team is holding a food & toiletries collection on the weekend of January 14-15. Donations go to The Lord’s Pantry and the Coatesville Soup Kitchen. Canned and dry goods are needed to restock shelves and small or travel size toiletries are welcome. Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity.
Exton-Lionville Ministerium News
All are invited to participate in the annual Prayer Service for Christian Unity on Sunday, January 22, at 7:00 PM here at Saint Elizabeth Church. Rev. Kadin Williams, pastor of the Exton Community Baptist Church, will be the guest preacher preaching upon this year’s theme: Reconciliation- The Love of Christ Compels Us (2 Corinthians 5/14-20). Plan now to come out for prayer and fellowship next month.
Stewardship Day of Service
Save the Date: Mark your 2017 calendars for the next Stewardship Day of Service on Saturday, April 29. Volunteer as a family and help charitable agencies throughout the area. More information to follow.
Youth Ministry News
Weather Notice: ALL youth events will be cancelled on same day/night that school is closed or EFF is cancelled. Check the website for most updated information.
For info on any youth ministry activities, contact Ryan Schwalm at
High School Youth Group: Every Tuesday night at 7:00 PM in the CLC next to the social hall.
Middle School Youth Group: Next meeting this Friday, January 6, at 6:00 PM, in the gym.
Parish Young Adults: Catholic young adults, ages 18 to 26, are invited to contact Ryan Schwalm about a newly-forming young adult group at Saint Elizabeth.
St. Elizabeth Athletic Ministry (SEAM):
CYO Basketball: All practices and games are subject to cancellation due to weather. If school or EFF is closed for bad weather, all practices are cancelled. Coaches will contact teams if weekend games or practices are cancelled. Please use your best judgment in bad weather before coming out to the gym!
Financial Corner
Thank you for your consistent financial support of our parish community throughout the year.
Regular Collection for Sunday, December 18-19
Weekend Contributions: $24,821.72
[Amount of Loose Cash: $1,209.72]
Midweek & Auto-Giving: $ 7,796.50
Total Regular Collection: $32,618.22
Number of adult envelope contributions: 702
Tax Statements for 2016: Because so many people now keep their own computer banking records, the parish does not automatically mail out tax statements each year. Parishioners who would like a tax statement for their 2016 donations may contact the parish office (610-321-1200) and a statement will be mailed out to you promptly. Thank you all for your continued generosity to Saint Elizabeth Church!
Upcoming Events & Meetings
RCIA & Inquiry: Mondays, 7:00 PM, St. John the Baptist & conference room
CRHP-Continuation Committee: Tuesday (1/3), 7:00 PM, St. Mark
High School Youth Group: Tuesdays, 7:00 PM, CLC
Knights of Columbus: Tuesday (1/3), 7:30 PM, St. Matthew
Youth for Mary: Wednesday (1/4), 6:00 PM, Holy Family
Pack 61 Cub Scouts: Wednesday (1/4), 6:00 PM, CLC
Legion of Mary: Wednesdays, 7:00 PM, Holy Family
CRHP Men’s Team: Thursdays, 7:00 PM, St. John the Baptist
Pre-Cana Team: Thursday (1/5), 7:00 PM, St. Mark