ALOHA! On Saturday, February 8th from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM we will host our 6th Annual Luau dinner dance and it is always a lot of fun!
Dinner, dancing, beer, wine, beverages and desserts, all for only $25 per person. For more information, please contact JoAnn Holden at the Rectory, 215-946-4040.

We are pleased to announce that the new Lay Ministry Schedule for the period February through May 2020 is now available.  Please access your Ministry Scheduler Pro account to see your scheduled assignments:

MINISTRY SCHEDULER PRO ACCOUNT

If you have any questions, please contact Audrey Wilson at the rectory.  Thank you for your ministry to our Parish Community.

Today, on this 47th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we mourn the many children’s lives ended by abortion and remember in prayer those who suffer the aftermath. The Church comes together today to pray for the protection of all unborn children and to make reparation for abortion, trusting that the Lord hears our prayers.

In the Catholic Church in the United States, January 22nd is designated as a particular day of prayer and penance, called the “Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.” As Catholics, we are called to observe this day through the penitential practices of prayer, fasting, and/or giving alms.

President Donald Trump has also proclaimed this day to be National Sanctity of Human Life Day, 2020: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-national-sanctity-human-life-day-2020/

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, announced today that he has appointed Most Reverend Nelson J. Perez as the 10th Archbishop (14th Bishop) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Archbishop Chaput formally introduced Archbishop-elect Perez at a news conference held at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center this morning. Video of the full press event is available for viewing here https://vimeo.com/catholicphilly/review/386626429/0d8a5f8a2e.

Archbishop Chaput also released a column today, which is an adaptation of his news conference remarks. In the column, Archbishop Chaput said, “This is a moment of great satisfaction and joy for the clergy and people of the Archdiocese, and for me personally. When I first spoke with the nuncio about my retirement and this transition last May, I asked for a successor who would care for and guide our people, speak the truth with conviction, and live a faithful witness to Jesus Christ.  Archbishop Perez is a man who already knows and loves the Church in Philadelphia, and is already known and loved by our priests and people.”

You can read the full text of the column by opening the attached version or visiting www.CatholicPhilly.com.

Please join in prayerfully welcoming Archbishop-elect Perez home as he prepares to assume his new role in service to our local Church.

Dear Friend,

President Donald J. Trump continues to uphold his promise to protect religious liberty. Under the Trump administration, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced it would put an end to an Obama-era attack on faith-based adoption and foster care agencies.

Under President Obama, HHS put in place a rule that required faith-based adoption and foster care groups receiving federal funding to place children in same-sex households and to accept an individual’s professed gender identity.

Although the Trump administration has put an end to this violation of religious liberty, HHS reissued this rule to bring it into compliance with existing law and protect religious liberty, and now the new rule is subject to a public comment period ending December 19.

Contact HHS Secretary Alex Azar urging him to protect religious liberty and protect faith-based adoption and foster care agencies.

People of faith need to act now and contact HHS during this open comment period. Be assured that anti-religious liberty activists will be flooding HHS with comments opposing the regulatory change. Now is not the time to remain silent in anticipation that others will take action in your place.

Don’t sit this one out. Let HHS Secretary Azar know you support the protection of religious liberty for faith-based adoption and foster care agencies.

If our mission resonates with you, please consider supporting our work financially with a tax-deductible donation. The easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure.

Sincerely,

Tim Wildmon, President
American Family Association

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Dear Friend,

I want to share some great news coming from the United States Supreme Court this week.

LifeNews.com is reporting that the Supreme Court has decided not to hear a challenge to a Kentucky law that gives women the opportunity to see an ultrasound of their unborn baby before getting an abortion.

Ultrasounds are usually performed before abortions to determine the age, size, and development of the baby. Abortion clinics normally avoid allowing women to see their baby prior to an abortion because a mother is more likely to change her mind after she sees her child.

The challenge came from abortion activists at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which represents Kentucky’s only abortion clinic – EMW Women’s Surgical Center. The ACLU asked the courts to strike down the law.

The Kentucky Legislature passed the bill in 2017, and a federal judge struck it down almost immediately. Thankfully, Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin appealed the judge’s ruling.

In early 2019, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that the ultrasound law helped provide “pertinent” information to a woman during her decision-making process.

You can read the full story here.

We praise God that the Supreme Court upheld Kentucky’s law that will protect our nation’s most vulnerable and innocent lives.

Please pray that God will continue to lead the hearts of those who rule in matters that guarantee protection for unborn children.

Sincerely,

Tim Wildmon, President
American Family Association

“Not only are burial and cremation more expensive than incineration—the most common practice for medical disposal of human tissue—but the requirement puts the burden on [abortion ] providers …”

That’s what abortion advocates had to say about the Dignity for Aborted Children Act.

The full story is available here:  https://rewire.news/article/2019/12/02/heres-why-fetal-burial-legislation-is-surging-in-the-states/

The reporter, inextricably, ignores the notorious desecrations in Indiana, Pennsylvania and other places that lead to pro-life outcry in the first place. That omission speaks volumes.

Still, dwelling on the negative will not give the unborn the simple dignity every human deserves, but educating more Members of the US Congress and State legislators will.

About a month ago HLA asked you to contact your Members of Congress about the Dignity for Aborted Children Act. Thanks to your actions, US Senators and US Representatives continue to sign on to the bill.

Whether you have already taken action, and especially if you have not, tell your US Senators and US Representative to co-sponsor the Dignity for Aborted Children Act.
You can find if your US Representative or Senators have already co-sponsored the bill here:

US Senate: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/2590/cosponsors?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22s+2590%22%5D%7D&r=1&s=1

US House of Representatives: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/4934/cosponsors?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22HR+4934%22%5D%7D&r=1&s=2

Human Life Action is the official, national grassroots organization of the Catholic Bishops on Life, Law and Regulation.

Due to the anticipated inclement weather and unsafe traveling conditions, all Parish activities scheduled for Monday evening, December 2, including PREP, Pot of Gold and Sodality are cancelled.

Monday night PREP is cancelled.

Pot of Gold is being postponed until Tuesday evening, December 3.

Sodality is cancelled.

Thank you and be safe.