John Bosco Roman Parish Center Office 215 E. County Line Road

Hatboro, PA 19040 Tel. (215) 672-7280 In emergency, call anytime 24/7.

Otherwise, please call during Office Hours. Faith Formation Office (PREP) Tel. 267-803-0774. St. Vincent de Paul Society Tel. 215-882-2707.

Staff

Rev. Gary J. Kramer, Pastor Rev. Gerald C. Ronan, Parochial Vicar Schedule of Religious Services Sunday Sat. Eve. Vigil Masses: Rev. James E. McVeigh, Weekend Assistant 4:00 pm (English); 7:00 pm (Spanish) Deacon Daniel J. Rouse, Financial Administrator Sun. Morning Masses: 7, 9, & 11 am Mrs. Diane Falchetta, Secretary No afternoon/evening Masses on Sundays. Loretta Ceniviva, Secretary Mon. to Fri. Confession: 8:15-8:35 am. Mrs. Christine Flack, Faith Formation Coordinator Holy Mass: 8:45 am. Mrs. Lisa Quaranto, Music Director & Saturday Confession: 8:30-8:50 am. Youth Ministry Coordinator Mrs. Janet Shepherd, Bulletin Editor : 8:30 am; Holy Mass: 9:00 am Novena: After Mass to Our Lady of the Immaculate Office Hours Conception. Confession: 3-3:30 pm; 6-6:30 pm. Mass Cards/Mail/Messages/Documents/Facility

Parishioners unable to attend confessions at regularly Keys are available only during open Office Hours: scheduled times may request appt. with priest. Mon. to Thurs.: 9 am to 12 noon; 1 to 4:30 pm;

ARRANGING BAPTISM Eve. 6:30 to 8:00 pm by appt. Fri.: 9 am to 12 noon; 1 to 4 pm. Eve. closed. Baptism First (Spanish) and Last (English) Sat./Sun.: Closed. Sundays each month. Call Parish Center to arrange. Before date is confirmed, parents must have/obtain: How to Contact Priest (Emergency)

 Registration in SJB Parish: Within Our Parish Call Parish Tel. (above). Family from another parish must obtain written Parish priest is “on-call” (24 hrs./7 days wk.) for permission from “home” parish for Baptism at SJB. emergencies within our parish area incl. Majestic  Certificate of Eligibility to Serve as Sponsor: Oaks Nursing Home and Hospice Unit at Warminster Each Catholic Sponsor (1 required; 2 preferred) must Jefferson Health Center. obtain Certificate of Eligibility from “home” parish. Outside Our Parish Parishes generally do not issue certificates to persons Other parishes, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabs, have not already registered nor to persons who left the their own priests “on-call. 24/7”. Patients or family at parish more than 6 months previously. any time may ask facility staff to contact assigned  Letter of Pastor for Christian Witness. One Catholic chaplain or local parish. baptized non-Catholic may serve as a Christian Witness and must present Letter of Good Standing Marriage Convalidation Couples in a civil or non- from current Christian pastor. A Catholic not Catholic religious union without our Church’s explicit eligible to Sponsor may not be Christian Witness. permission are not in a valid Catholic marriage. They cannot receive other sacraments or serve as Catholic ARRANGING MARRIAGE Sponsors for Baptism and Confirmation. This Wedding Planning begins with engaged couple’s situation often is easily remedied by “convalidation”, meeting a parish priest here at least six (6) months a simple ceremony popularly called “getting a before desired wedding date. Please do not make marriage blessed”. Call Parish Center to arrange. financial commitments before confirming church date/time. Free Blood Pressure Screening at If a member of the couple were previously married, a Saint John Bosco Declaration of Nullity (Annulment) of the prior 2/18 and 2/19 before and after marriage may be necessary. Please contact parish Mass in the Usher's Room. priest for detailed information. No appointment necessary! Protect your life. Take charge of your health.

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MOST REVEREND MARTIN N. LOHMULLER, RETIRED AUXILIARY BISHOP OF PHILADELPHIA, DIES AT AGE 97

Oldest living U.S. Catholic bishop at the time of death on Tues. Jan. 24. He was our parish’s neighbor during many years of retirement at Nearby St. Church in Jamison, PA. There he celebrated Masses in the regular parish schedule and assisted the archbishop by keeping a busy schedule of confirmations long into his retirement.

(Photo left) Bishop Martin N. Lohmuller in 1970 on the occasion of his episcopal ordination as auxiliary bishop of Phila. and titular bishop of Ramsbury. He died Tuesday, Jan. 24 at age 97. He was the oldest living Roman Catholic bishop in the United States. He died at St. ’s Manor in Meadowbrook, Montgomery County, following a lengthy illness.

Funeral rites for Bishop Lohmuller took place Wednesday, Feb. 1 in the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul. His body lay in state there from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The solemn funeral Mass at 2 p.m. was immediately followed by the Rite of Committal and Interment of his mortal remains in the Cathe- dral crypt under the main altar where cardinals, bishops and high ranking clergy are buried.

Bishop Lohmuller was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on June 3, 1944 by Bishop Hugh L. Lamb. He was named an honorary prelate (monsignor) to then- and now-Saint John XXIII on May 18, 1959. The late Cardinal John Krol ordained him auxiliary bishop on April 2, 1970.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput said, “I was saddened to learn of the death of Bishop Lohmuller. He was a man of great apostolic and personal energy. Through his many good works on behalf of the church and her people, he lived out his episcopal motto of ‘Love, Fidelity, Peace’ each day.” Archbishop Chaput asked the people of the Phila. Arch- diocese to pray for Bishop Lohmuller, and he invited priests “to offer Mass for the happy repose of his soul.” “We are all grateful,” said the archbishop, “for the gift of his life and his selfless service. May God grant him the gift of eternal life and give peace and consolation to all those who mourn his passing.”

Martin N. Lohmuller was born Aug. 21, 1919 to the late Martin and Mary (Doser) Lohmuller. He grew up in the Hunting Park section of Phila. and attended the former St. Henry School in North Phila., then heavily German in character and reflecting his national heritage. After attending Northeast Catholic High School for two years he enrolled at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. After priestly ordination he earned his canon law degree at the Catholic University of America. He then was assigned to the Harrisburg Diocese which was in need of a canon lawyer.

During his years there he was instrumental in forming the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference in 1953 to establish ongoing dialogue between representatives of the church and elected officials in the state capital. Returning in 1970 he was Cardinal Krol’s auxiliary bishop until the cardinal’s 1988 retirement. He oversaw the planning/ construction of the current Archdiocesan Pastoral Center’s central offices which before 1971 were spread out in smaller buildings and converted row homes in Phila.

Bishop Lohmuller played a major role in the successful International Eucharistic Congress in Phila. in 1976 and the 1979 Papal Visit of now Pope St. John Paul II.

Bishop Lohmuller managed the founding of St. Martha Man- or, the first Catholic nursing home in Chester County. He served as pastor of Old St. Mary and Holy Trinity Parishes in Old City Philadelphia. While he officially retired at age 75 in 1994, he maintained a busy confirmation schedule for the next decade. He spent the final years of his retirement in residence at St. Cyril of Jerusalem Parish in Jamison, Bucks County. Source: CatholicPhilly.com Posted January 25, 2017

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Please Pray for Our Faithful Departed MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK 2/6 MON. 8:45 AM Dave Kotlarek Eternal Rest grant unto him, 2/7 TUES. 8:45 AM Paul & Elretha Lannetti O Lord, and let perpetual light 2/8 WED. 8:45 AM Jeanne Rooney shine upon him. May his soul and all 2/9 THURS. 8:45 AM Daniel Parr the souls of the Faithful Departed 2/10 FRI. 8:45 AM George J. Mills through the mercy of God rest in peace.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2017 Amen. 9:00 AM William Crooks 4:00 PM Angelo Ricci PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK AND INFIRM 7:00 PM Pro Populo (For the People) Phil Adamo, Jr. Sean MacDonald SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2017 Patricia Gail Maines 7:00 AM Joseph Tull Judy Baran Lucas McCrea 9:00 AM Ruth Chase Beach Florence McHugh 11:00 AM Carmine Ciardullo Family William J. Brady Rick Obert-Thorn Joseph Campbell Rolene Rose Adoration Chapel Helen Cannon Catherine Sarsfield Regular Schedule resumes tomorrow. Brother Carmen Ciardullo Maddie Swensen Mon.: after 8:45 am Mass to 7 pm. Linda Cunningham Esteban Vera, Sr. Tues. to Fri.: 8 am to 7 pm. Sat. Sun. Louise D’Agostino Mary Vincelli Closed. Please do not come to chapel Ellen Dardis Frank Waltrich after hours due to security concerns. Lois Dudley Jim Wyatt Prayer Intention Candles (6) burn all week Valeria Fetzer How we list: alongside Blessed Sacrament when Chapel is open. Florence Flavell We list sick persons for This week the candles represent these intentions: Rita Garafolo one month at their own or William Avery, Gerald Farrell, Rosemary and Paul William Gaida family member’s request. Gana, George J. Mills, Richard E. Odeitus, th Nancy Alexander Horner To place/extend a listing, Carmen Scalfaro, Sr. 20 Anniv. Tim Keebler please call Parish Center. How We List: Just send your name with intention James Kirk Patrick & offering to ADORATION CANDLE c/o Parish Joseph Kraft Center. Please name one Person, Couple (engaged or Maris Kraft married), Family, Group per request. Candles are available for living or dec’d. Offering: $ 15. The Knights of the Holy Temple is a group specifically to provide young men of high school age an opportunity to contribute to parish life in a meaningful manner. The Knights also afford young men an opportunity to delve more deeply into Truths of the Christian Faith and to attend to their own spiritual formation. Watch this Bulletin space for details. Vocations are alive in Philadelphia! Please like us (Philly Vocations) on Capital Improvements Campaign Facebook! Stay up to date with all the (Yellow Envelopes) latest and greatest happenings at the Vocation Office! Beginning this year you might have noticed on your yellow envelopes “New Church Exterior Doors.”

Our monthly Capital Improvements Collection will

go for our new church doors. The cost of the new Please submit items for Bulletin Sun. issue dates (left) doors is approximately $ 85,000.00 for twelve (12) of by 12 noon on submission dates (right): them. So far we have saved $ 25,000.00 for this  Feb. 26...... Mon., Feb. 6 project. This week the pastor is signing the contract  March 5……………………………...Mon., Feb. 13 for these doors in anticipation that the money will be  March 12…...………………………..Mon., Feb. 20 raised. Again, THANK YOU for your generosity on  March 19...…………………………..Mon., Feb. 27 this project.

Please send info./questions to Bulletin Editor at Periodically we shall update you on the progress of Parish Ctr. Email [email protected]. reaching our goal of $ 85,000.00.

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Sun., Feb. 5, 2017

The Concert

When the houselights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that her child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing."

Then leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child and he added a running obligation. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience.

The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn’t recall what else the great master played, only the classic, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”

Perhaps that’s the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren’t always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life’s work can truly be beautiful.

The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, “Don’t quit. Keep Playing.”

May you feel his arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces.

Remember, God doesn’t seem to call the equipped; rather, he equips “the called.”

Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire. So touch someone by passing this little message along. May God bless you and be with you always!

Join us as we travel to the National of St. Katharine Drexel on Sat., March 18. Bus leaves SJB at 9:15 AM; returns around 3:30 pm. Cost $ 35/person incl. bus, shrine offering, lunch. Limited seating on bus. Please complete form below.

YES. I will attend the Pilgrimage on Sat., March 18.

Name(s): ______

Contact Phone: ______

Number Attending: ____ x Fee $ 35. ea. = $ ______Total Payable.

Please return this form in an envelope marked Pilgrimage together with your check payable to SJB. Just drop envelope in any Collection basket or at Parish Center. Please make check payable to Saint John Bosco. Thank you.

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Because the need for vocations is great, All are invited to a Saint John Bosco is establishing a Lenten Prayer Service & Group Cook Fri., March 3 at 6: 45 PM vocation awareness in Drexel Hall.

program PLEASE BRING VEGETABLE, involving a traveling statue. A statue of the ENTRÉE OR BREAD. of Jesus will travel for one year from Dinners will be put together for Aid for Friends. household to household within our parish beginning What will be the results of your labor…your good 1/8/17. You are invited to bring the statue to your works? There will be many happy, contented shut-ins home for a week. who no longer suffer from malnutrition or go to bed This is a unique opportunity for you to have special hungry…because you care! prayer time. Usually the statue is transferred over the weekend at church. Traveling Craft Like Crazy devotions help keep prayer and spirituality close to Info. 215-718-7841. home for many. If you would like to host the Statue Weekly gathering each Thursday in your home, please fill out and return the following 9:30 to 11:30 AM in Parish Center. Craft, create, chat, form to the Parish Center. You will be contacted with teach’n learn, share’n be inspired. We need old or detailed information. new thread spools for a craft project. Please leave spools in a bag marked craft group in the church Ushers Room. Yes. I wish to host the Sacred Heart of Jesus Statue. Sí. Me interesa alojar la imagen del Sagrado Corazón de

Jesus. Family Name/Apellido: ______

Tel.: ______Drop in any Collection Basket or at Parish Office.

St. John Bosco Parish 2017 Lenten Bible Study Oremus – Let Us Pray The Oremus program teaches the essentials of an effective, fruitful prayer life. Over a course of eight weeks you will discover how God speaks to you, even in the smallest encounters. Following Catholic Church Tradition and the ’ wisdom, you will learn how to express yourself to God in prayer, and how to hear His voice. In Oremus you will:  Become aware of God’s presence in your life  Location Parish Center Library.  Choose evening or morning session.  Discover the simple yet profound steps of Catholic prayer  Tues., 2/21 to 4/11/17, 6:30 to 8 pm.  Learn how to respond to God and express yourself in prayer Wed., 2/22 to 4/12/17, 9:30 to 11 am.  Discover how to hear God’s voice in Scripture, in your heart,  Cost: $ 25 incl. materials. and in ordinary moments.  Learn how to overcome frustrations, distractions, and dryness in prayer.  See that desolation and consolation are a normal part of everyone’s walk with God.  Grow in your relationship with God and those around you. Yes. I am interested in learning how to have a more fruitful prayer life through the Oremus study. Please sign me up for the session days/times checked here:

Tuesday Evenings 6:30 to 8:00 PM from Feb. 21 to April 11, 2017. or Wednesday Mornings 9:30 to11:00 AM from Feb. 22 to April 12, 2017.

Name:______Email: ______

Telephone ______Cost: $ 25.00 (Please enclose check payable to S.J.B.)

Please return coupon to Parish Center Office or in any Collection Basket marked Attn: PREP Office

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Sign up to receive Father Kramer's monthly newsletter. Stay informed of all the great activities at SJB. If you would like to be on the mailing list send your email address to [email protected]! We look forward to sharing the Bosco news with you. Attention Special Anniversary Couples, St. John Bosco Senior Club you are invited as our guests to Pancake Breakfast after 9 am Mass Wed., Feb. 8 ~ 12 Noon Next Sun., Feb. 12. Meatball sandwiches served

Sponsor: Mini Vinnie’s (youth group of St Vincent de Paul) in Questions: Tel. 215-704-7838 Drexel Hall. Family, friends and or email well wishers are most welcome to join the couples and other parishioners. We request a [email protected] Free-ill Offering. Come and help celebrate our Special Anniversary Couples.

The 2017 Men’s Spirituality Conference

“MEN ON A MISSION” Sat., March 4 St. Joseph's University, Hagan Arena 2450 N. 54th St., Phila., PA 19131 “MEN ON A MISSION” Featuring: Sat., March 4 Marcellino D’Ambrosio, For info., go to www.manupphilly.com Ph.D. - New York Times best- selling author, Catholic TV host Damon Clarke Owens - International speaker and evangelist, and Founder/executive director of Joy To Be (joyTOB.org)

Kevin Reilly - Former NFL Player for Mark Forrest - acclaimed Philadelphia Eagles and Irish tenor, whose melodic cancer survivor voice has filled concert halls including Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center and cathedrals worldwide.

www.manupphilly.com www.manupphilly.com

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Here's a Novel Idea: St. VINCENT de PAUL You are invited to SJB’s Conference Volunteers join the Saint John help local persons and families with Bosco Book Club! If financial and food needs. Call Parish you like to read and SVdP Tel. 215-882-2707 to: request are interested in a fun, assistance, volunteer, or make a food/ stimulating discussion cash gift to help others. Food Pantry

group, please join us at SJB needs regular replenishment of these items:

Mon., Feb., 27 Coffee, spaghetti sauce, tea, peanut butter, jelly, 7:00 PM, macaroni and cheese, rice, spaghetti and other pasta, Parish Center Library. canned fruit, hot cereal packets, laundry detergent, liquid dish soap and personal grooming items such as Join us on an adventure through the pages of shampoo, bath soap, toothpaste and toilet paper . THE TURNER HOUSE by Angela Flournoy. This is a great way to meet friends of friends. At our February get together, we'd like to 'fix you up' with a blind date- Annual -with a book of course, after all we ARE a book club! Poor Man’s We'll select a variety of books, wrap them all up in 'oh Supper ~ so secretive' brown paper and you won't know the Thursday 'identity' of your blind date till you get it home! It’s a March 16 fun creative way to try out a new book! Please bring 6:30 PM your own beverage and a snack to share. Hope to see Drexel Hall you there! Happy Reading! Join us for homemade soups, rolls, dessert and conversation. The Poor Man’s Supper is a special Lenten reflection

sponsored by the Conference of the St. Vincent de A Paul Society. The fortunate among us are counting our blessings this year more than ever. Show your solidarity for the many families who are struggling through these difficult times. Join friends and fellow parishioners in giving thanks for the richness of our lives with a simple meal of soup as we reflect on the poor and hungry. fF Featured speaker is Robert McGann, from the LIFELINE FOR MARRIAGES™ Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission. What is a Retrouvaille Program? This group has been in existence for 130 years. Free will offering requested. Retrouvaille™ (pronounced re-tro-vi with a long i.) is a French word meaning rediscovery. The program For info. or to make and donate a pot of homemade offers tools needed to rediscover a loving marriage soup, please call Mary Ann Bush at relationship. Thousands of couples headed for cold, 215-882-2707. Snow date: March 30, 2017. unloving relationships or divorce have successfully overcome their marriage problems by attending the Super Bowl 51 program. It can help get your relationship back on Block Pool! track. Next program begins on the weekend of Today. Feb. 10 at the Family Life Center, Malvern, PA. Chances on sale inside Is your marriage going down the right road . . . or is it Church Main Entrance -- a little off track? Retrouvaille’s peer ministry of $ 5. ea.! Come see how it volunteer couples can help you to learn the tools of works. Easy ‘n Fun! healthy communication, to build intimacy, and to heal just as they have done in their own marriages. Are you a sports fan?? See Five Matchups to Watch

Retrouvaille is Christian-based, Catholic in origin, but at www.upi.com/Sports_News/FL/2017/01/23/Super welcomes couples of all faiths as well as non-religious -Bowl-2017-Patriots-vs-Falcons-Five-matchups-to- couples. Additional weekends will be in April and watch/9641485193375/ August. For more info., or to register for one of our weekends, call 1-800-470-2230 or visit: www.HelpOurMarriage.com or www.retrouvaille.org/ All inquiries are kept strictly confidential.

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Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary: , Mary, Mother of the Blessed Sacrament Praesidium invites you to the th 24 Annual Marian Day Saturday, March 11, 2017, 9:00 am to 4:00 PM. St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, 100 E. Wynnewood Rd., Wynnewood, PA 19096

Mary's Spiritual Motherhood 9:00 AM - Registration 9:30 AM - Conference 1 - Fr. Mark Mary 11:15 AM - Holy Sacrifice of the Mass 12:00 PM - Lunch 1:15 PM - Conference 2 - Fr. Mark Mary 2:45 PM - Holy Hour

RSVP: Before March 1. Please call Tel. 610-785- 6270 or email: [email protected] Please provide your name and number of persons attending with you. $ 10 donation requested at time of registration to cover box lunch. Breakfast and other snacks not provided.

FOR MORE ABOUT THE LEGION OF MARY, PLEASE CONTINUE TO THE NEXT PAGE.

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The Legion of Mary Source: http://www.legionofmary.ie/

The Legion of Mary’s goal is the glory of God through the holiness of its members developed through prayer and active co-operation in Mary’s and the Church’s work -- service. The unit of the Legion of Mary is called a praesidium. St. John Bosco Parish presidium is named “Our Lady of Help of Christians” since St. John had a special devotion to Mary under this title of hers. A praesidim’s weekly meeting intermingles prayer with members’ reports and discussion. Persons who wish to join the Legion must apply for membership in a Praesidium. Please call St. John Bosco’s Parish Center for current contact information for our parish praesidium. The Legion sees as its priority the spiritual and social welfare of each individual. Members participate in the life of the parish through visitation of families, the sick, both in their homes and in hospitals and nursing homes, and through collaboration in every apostolic and missionary undertaking sponsored by the parish. Every legionary is required to carry out a weekly apostolic work (a service task) in the spirit of faith and in union with Mary.

The Legion of Mary is a lay apostolic association of Catholics who, with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of All Graces, serve the Church and their neighbors on a voluntary basis in about 170 countries. The first meeting of the Legion of Mary took place in Myra House, Francis Street, Dublin, , on Sept. 7, 1921. This meeting was to have very beneficial consequences for the mission of the Catholic Church and, in a special way, for millions of members of Christ’s lay faithful who would serve in the Legion and for those who would be served by the legionary apostolate. Many persons outside the Catholic Church would also benefit from that apostolate. With the approval and support of the and a great many Bishops, Priests and Religious, as well as the prayers and efforts of legionaries, the Legion, by the grace of God, has grown into a worldwide organization with several million members.

Drawing inspiration from the by St. Louis Marie de Montfort which profoundly influenced the , Frank Duff, Founder of the Legion, the Legion is at the disposal of Bishops and Priests for the mission of the Church. Essentially a lay association, legionaries look for spiritual and apostolic formation to priests and religious, who, as Legion Spiritual Directors hold an honored place in the Legion system. At St. John Bosco, Fr. Ronan is our praesidium’s Spiritual Director. The Legion requires ecclesiastical approval to work in a diocese or parish. Loyalty to the Magisterium and to Ecclesiastical Authority is a basic legionary principle. The Legion aims to bring Mary to the world as the infallible means of winning the world to Jesus. Legionary service is based on the doctrine of the Mystical Body of Christ so that in fellow members and in those served, legionaries seek the Person of our Lord once again seen and served by Mary, his Mother.

The general and essential means by which the Legion of Mary is achieve its goal is personal service acting under the influence of the Holy Spirit, having Divine Grace as its moving principle and support, and the glory of God and salvation of souls as its final end and purpose. Evangelization, especially seeking conversions to the Church, should be a priority for the Legion. Through home visitation and other means, the Legion as a first principle sets out to establish contact of some sort with every soul everywhere. Seeing and serving Christ in the sick and marginalized is another vital part of the legionary apostolate. While not engaging giving of material relief, legionaries often find opportunities to do works of service for the needy.

The basic unit of the Legion -- a praesidium -- is normally based in a parish. A parish may have more than one praesidium. To be an active member of the Legion it is necessary to apply for membership in a praesidium, which holds a weekly meeting and allocates a weekly apostolic task to members, who generally work in pairs. After a successful period of probation, members are called to make the Legionary Promise directed to the Holy Spirit. Realizing the necessity for a strong support of prayer, the Legion has Auxiliary members, who associate them- selves with the Legion by undertaking a service of prayer in its name. The administration of the Legion is through councils at local, regional and national level. The central council, the Concilium Legionis Mariae, meets monthly in Dublin. Causes for are underway for three legionaries: The Servant of God, Frank Duff (1889-1980), Founder of the Legion, who attended the as a Lay Observer; Venerable Edel Quinn (1907-1944), Legion Envoy to East Africa; and the Servant of God, Alfie Lambe (1932-1959), Legion Envoy to South America.

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The March for Life in Year 44 Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. 1.27.17

Since Inauguration Day critics of Donald Trump have marched, rioted, verbally abused and in some cases viciously assaulted their opponents on a scale previously unseen. Some of the anger is understandable. As I said repeatedly last fall, Mr. Trump’s words and be- havior during the presidential campaign, on immigration and other issues, were deeply troubling. But in one of our history’s darker ironies, Mr. Trump benefited from an opposing candidate who had her own equally, through different, ugly and disqualifying baggage. Mr. Trump is now President Trump, and curiously, some of the harshest, on-going fury directed at him has nothing to do with his personal character. Rather, it’s a very special brand of “progressive” intolerance for the approach his administration may take toward a range of difficult social issues, including abortion. It involves a visceral media and leadership-class contempt for people like the hundreds of thousands of stubbornly good persons who continue to march each January -- peacefully, respectfully and joyfully -- in defense of the unborn child. The contrast with their critics is a lesson in what does, and does not, constitute responsible public witness.

When the Supreme Court’s Roe V. Wade decision legalized permissive abortion 44 years ago this month, abortion supporters argued that abortion was a sad necessity. As such, it needed to be made safe, legal and rare. Now it’s celebrated as a sacred right (button left) that demands veneration from the whole culture, including the millions of ordinary people who see this kind of (above) Vice officially blessed homicide as a gravely evil act. One of the more (above) “Sad neces- Pres. Pence promising signs from the new administration is its apparent sity” has become spoke at 44th sympathy for some key prolife concerns, from the appointment of “sacred right”. Still a March for Life. Supreme Court Justices to the defunding of Planned Parenthood, the homicide and still a nation’s largest abortion provider. “gravely evil act.” Of course, being “prolife” involves a great deal more than a defense of the unborn child, though it certainly needs to start there. Maybe the best way to amplify and elevate President Trump’s understanding of that word “prolife” would be for a premier Catholic university – say, for example, the University of Notre Dame – to invite him to campus to offer its commencement address, to explain his personal evolution on the abortion issue, and to share, listen and learn with a cross-section of students and faculty in a respectful dialogue on the meaning of human dignity. Notre Dame takes pride in its tradition of welcoming to campus U.S. presidents from both parties and with very different views. In that light, the invitation would certainly make sense and might be fruitful in unforeseen ways. God writes straight with crooked lines.

In the meantime, abortion is still with us. As thousands of Catholics and other prolife persons (like those in the photos below - left and right) gather in Washington on Jan. 27 and walk together in the annual March for Life, the time has never been better, nor the need more urgent, to pray for our country, to pray for the end of abortion, and to pray for a conversion in the hearts our leaders.

Forty-four years after Roe, a reverence for the sanctity of human life still burns in the spirit of far too many people to ignore.

Source: Archbishop’s weekly column in Catholicphilly.com Emphases and graphics added at “the Bosco”. Ed.

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