In his most recent column Archbishop Chaput writes, “Exactly 100 years ago this Saturday, May 13, three young children in Fatima, Portugal, had the first of six apparitions of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Church is very wary of claimed apparitions for good reason. Many turn out to be natural phenomena, or innocent imaginings, or even outright frauds. The Church thus investigates and reflects carefully on claimed apparitions for years before acknowledging the authenticity of events like Lourdes or Fatima…

But there’s no doubt today that Mary’s presence at Fatima, and her predictions about the crises and sufferings of the 20th century, were real…

What links Lourdes and Fatima is this: In both places, Mary appeared not to Church leaders, or intellectuals, or celebrities, or the wealthy, or the socially connected, or the politically skilled, but to the lowly; children who were poor and humble. Their simplicity made them sane enough to see and believe the miracle before them and hear the messages that Mary brought – messages ultimately about our need for conversion and trust in God, even in the face of crushing trials.”

You can read the complete column and the Archbishop’s reflections on these two anniversaries by opening the attached document or visiting www.CatholicPhilly.com.  Thank you.

Dear Friend,

By now you may have heard the news that a Presidential Executive Order on Religious Liberty is widely anticipated to be released tomorrow on the National Day of Prayer.

I have just come from a meeting on Capitol Hill where we learned that the final language is still being worked out and that it could be helpful to hear from defenders of religious liberty like you right now.

Please take a moment to let the Administration know what we expect. A quick click does the trick.

Thanks for raising your voice. Together we will be heard!

Amy McInerny
Executive Director

Registration for Camp Cabrini 2017 is now OPEN!

Click HERE to register your family, or print out this form and return it to the Rectory.

Mother’s Day is coming up on May 14th, if you need ideas, be sure to shop at www.smile.amazon.com and Amazon will donate to Saint Frances Cabrini Catholic Church. Amazon has a large variety of gifts that are perfect for Mother’s Day including electronics, jewelry, clothing, and more.

Tune to EWTN for Canonization and special 100th Anniversary programming from Fatima!

EWTN Global Catholic Network is airing the most extensive coverage of the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Fatima, including the historic canonization by Pope Francis of Fatima visionaries Francisco and Jacinta Marto!  For a full list of EWTN’s Fatima programming, go to:ewtn.com/fatima/programming.asp.  Use EWTN’s Channelfinder at ewtn.com to find the companies that provide EWTN programming in your community.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York and Chair of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, has released a statement in reaction to an announcement by the Democratic National Committee’s Chair that pledged support only for pro-abortion candidates. The full text of Cardinal Dolan’s statement can be found below and is being provided at the request of Archbishop Chaput. Cardinal Dolan Calls Pro-Abortion DNC Pledge Extreme, Disturbing, Intolerant April 26, 2017   “The recent pledge by the Democratic National Committee chair to support only candidates who embrace the radical unrestricted abortion license is very disturbing. The Democratic Party platform already endorses abortion throughout the nine months of pregnancy, even forcing taxpayers to fund it; and now the DNC says that to be a Democrat–indeed to be an American–requires supporting that extreme agenda.   True solidarity with pregnant women and their children transcends all party lines. Abortion doesn’t empower women. Indeed, women deserve better than abortion.   In the name of diversity and inclusion, pro-life and pro-‘choice’ Democrats, alike, should challenge their leadership to recant this intolerant position.”

The Vocation Office for the Diocesan Priesthood is sponsoring a 9-day Novena, beginning on Saturday, April 29th, to promote and encourage vocations to the priesthood and religious life. I will be praying the first day of the Novena via Facebook Live on Saturday, April 29th, at Noon (www.facebook.com/phillypriest). Prayers for each subsequent day of the Novena will be led by seminarians and the videos posted at Noonon the Vocation Office Facebook Page. I ask that you share these videos on your personal/parish Facebook pages, and encourage your parishioners to like our page and participate in this Novena. Prayers for the Novena will be posted on our website at www.heedthecall.org.

I am sharing information regarding the presentation of the relics of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina on the occasion of the 130th anniversary of his birth. The Saint Pio Foundation in collaboration with the Capuchin Friars of Pietrelcina have organized a first-time tour of his relics in the United States, with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as the first stop on this tour.

The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul will display for veneration the relics of Saint Pio during the weekend of May 6 – 8 with opportunities for penance and reconciliation.

Please see below and the attached flyer for additional information.

PRESENTATION OF THE RELICS

OF SAINT PIO OF PIETRELCINA

TO THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

ON THE OCCASION OF THE 130^TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH

The Saint Pio Foundation in collaboration with the Capuchin Friars of Pietrelcina have organized a first-time tour of the relics of Padre Pio here in the United States with the Archdiocese as the first place for this tour. 

SCHEDULE FOR THE PRESENTATION AND VENERATION

OF THE RELICS OF PADRE PIO

SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2017

4:15 PM          Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

5:15 PM          Anticipated Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Easter

6:15 PM          Reception of the Relics of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

6:30 PM          Public Veneration of the Relics of Saint Pio fo Pietrelcina

                        7:00 PM Reception for Honored Guests (Archdiocesan Pastoral Center)

10:00 PM        Night Prayer and Blessing with the Relics of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

SUNDAY, MAY 7, 2017

8:00 AM Mass, 9:30 AM Mass, 11:00 AM Solemn Mass,

and 12:30 PM Mass in Spanish

9:00 AM         Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

2:00 PM          Archdiocesan May Procession

3:00 PM          Public Veneration of the Relics of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

5:30 PM          Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

6:30 PM          Mass (Archbishop Chaput)

8:00 PM          Public Veneration of the Relics of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

10:00 PM        Night Prayer and Blessing with the Relics of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

MONDAY, MAY 8, 2017

7:15 AM         Mass

9:00 AM         Public Veneration of the Relics of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

11: 30 AM      Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

12: 05 PM       Mass

7:30 PM          Mass of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

                        Conclusion of the Presentation of the Relics of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

OTHER POINTS

• The Presentation and Veneration of the Relics will take place in conjunction with the liturgical schedule already in place at the Cathedral Basilica.
  • There will be an additional Mass on Monday, May 8, 2017, to conclude the veneration of the relics.
  • Additional Confession times will be scheduled on Sunday and Monday, May 7 and 8, 2017.
  • A special invitation will be directed to high schools and elementary schools to venerate the Relics on Monday, May 8, 2017.

• The Office for Divine Worship will provide for the liturgical celebrations for the Reception of the Relics, the Night Prayers and Blessings with the Relics and the Mass on Monday evening at 7:00 on May 8, 2017.

• Information on the Presentation and Veneration of the Relics will be promoted electronically to all parishes and institutions in the Archdiocese through the Office Communications and Social Media. This promotion will include catechesis on relics and their veneration.

• The Cathedral Ambassadors will coordinate the veneration periods.

• The Saint Pio foundation will be responsible for security for the Relics.

• Books and other information on Padre Pio will be available for purchase through the Saint Pio Foundation on both days of the veneration of the Relics.