SAINT THOMAS OF VILLANOVA CHURCH An Augustinian, Roman Catholic Parish 1229 E Lancaster Ave., Rosemont, PA 19010 www.stthomasofvillanova.org Office Telephone: 610-525-4801 Preschool: 610-525-7554 Fax: 610-525-6041 A Stewardship Community - Sharing our Time, Talent and Treasure Pastoral Staff: TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Fr. Joseph A. Genito, O.S.A. SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 Pastor #210 [email protected] Fr. Michael J. Hughes, O.S.A. Parochial Vicar #206 [email protected] Fr. Bill Gabriel, O.S.A. Parochial Vicar #207 [email protected] Deacon Donald DiCarlo, Jr. [email protected] Janine Bowers Administrative Assistant #211 [email protected] Karen Farley Business Manager #202 [email protected] Lauren Finore Dir. Of Confirmation #205 [email protected] Patty Greenhalgh Director of Weddings #217 [email protected] Mary Kurek Preschool Director [email protected] Ted Latham Music Director #223 [email protected] Jeanmarie Lorello Marketing Coordinator #208 [email protected] Maria Luby #225 Dir. of Family Life & Youth Min. SACRAMENTAL INFORMATION [email protected] Mary Kate McCauley Matrimony: Please call the Parish Center to make arrangements to meet with a Parish Nurse #209 parish priest at least 8 months prior to the wedding date. [email protected] Alice Obarski Reconciliation: Saturday after the 9:00am Liturgy in Rosemont Chapel, First Director of Liturgy #203 Fridays after 12:05 Mass or call the Parish Center to make an appointment. [email protected] Tara Penza #204 Anointing of the Sick: We are happy to offer many support services to the sick Director of Religious Education and homebound. Visits are made by the Pastoral Staff and Eucharistic Ministers to [email protected] homes and hospital care facilities. Call the Parish Center to make arrangements. Kathy Roethlein Administrative Assistant #200 Baptism: Baptisms are celebrated each month, except during Lent. Call the Parish [email protected] Center to make arrangements and to receive materials. Cathy Van Kula Christian Service Director #221 R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation): Please contact us for information on [email protected] becoming a Catholic or completing your Sacraments. We can be reached at [email protected]. MASS SCHEDULE PARISH CENTER SCHEDULE Villanova Church Sunday: 7:30am, 10:30am MONDAY — THURSDAY Rosemont Chapel Saturday: 9:00am Vigil Mass: 5:00pm 9:00am - 4:30pm Sunday: 9:00am FRIDAY HOURS are 9:00am-1:00pm. Daily Mass: Mon–Fri: 12:05pm The Parish Center is closed from Legal Holiday Mass: 9:00am 12:00pm-1:00pm; Monday-Thursday. TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 Scripture Reflection…. The scene in this Sunday’s Gospel picks up where we left off last week in Mark. As Jesus continues to unpack what it means to be his follower, where greatness lies not in status but in service, the disciples misread the mission…again. This time it’s not arrogance or pride, but jealousy. This week we find the disciple John approach Jesus with insecurity. An unknown exorcist is driving out demons in Jesus’ name, but does not follow Jesus. So, the disciples try to prevent this exorcist. Why? Previously, Jesus gave them the power to drive out demons (Mk 3:15, 6:7) and the idea that someone else is doing so is unacceptable to the disciples. That task belongs to them, not non- followers. However, once again Jesus calls them into a deeper understanding: “whoever is not against us is for us” (9:40). In today’s terms, this unknown exorcist may call to mind those who call themselves Christians, but do not practice the faith and Sacraments. Jesus challenges us to welcome their goodness and acts of kindness and healing in the world, not to respond with condemnation or judgement. Who in our lives are we inviting or discouraging from practicing their faith? Finally, Jesus calls those who do follow him to encourage others in faith, not to become obstacles for them. The Greek word in this passage for “sin” connotes “stumbling.” His metaphorical speech vividly drives home the point: “if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off” (9:43). Such is Jesus’ invitation: how much more important is it for us who practice our faith to truly live it, and by doing so, inspire others to live theirs more fully. As disciples, are our lives stumbling blocks or conduits to another person’s experience of God’s love and mercy? COLLECTION FOR VICTIMS OF HURRICANE IDA The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has asked dioceses around the country to encourage parishes to take up a collection to help address the tremendous needs in the United States following the devastation and destruction caused by Hurricane Ida. During the weekend of September 25th and 26th, we will be taking up a collection here at St. Thomas. Please put your donation in an envelope marked for “Hurricane Ida Collection” and make all checks payable to St. Thomas of Villanova, with “Hurricane Ida” noted on the memo line. Thank you in advance for your generosity. Stewardship Thought for the Week Thank you for your generosity for the “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you weekend of September 18 and 19, 2021: belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.” MARK 9:41 Number of Envelopes 226 Envelope Amount $13,325.00 We are made in God’s image and likeness. We tend to Loose Cash $210.00 forget this. When you look at others, do you see the face of Electronic Offerings $7,346.32 Jesus in them? When others look at you, do they see the Other $195.90 face of Jesus in you? When we realize that all lives matter Total $21,077.22 to God, then gratitude and generosity become easier. 10% Tithe $2,107.72 Why? Because that’s the way we are made! We are one September 20, 2020 $16,900.33 Body of Christ; when one of us is hurting, all of us feel the pain. 1-180 St. Thomas of Villanova Our Hearts & Doors Are Open! We invite you to come home to the in-person celebration of Mass. All of us know instinctively that nothing compares to "being there" in person. Come to Mass in person to experience anew all that God longs to share - the peace, joy and help that flows into our lives because of our participation at Mass. Save the Date! 10/3 Welcome Back Feast Day Celebration after the 10:30 Mass, outdoors on the Villanova Campus. The parish has begun its “Our Hearts & Doors Are Open” welcome back to Mass campaign. Please join us!! Would you like to attend an Outdoor Mass this Fall? Outdoor Mass Interest Survey Due to the increasing incidence of Covid variants, St. Thomas of Villanova Church would like to get your feedback on the need for an Outdoor Mass this fall, especially for those that may have concerns about risks associated with an indoor Mass. Mass would be celebrated outside of the Rosemont Chapel. To complete the survey, please go to our website or you may can find it here via the a weblink: https://forms.office.com/r/A55dvqJnwm CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES (CRS) WORKS TO ASSIST THOSE AFFECTED BY THE EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI "It is not from your own possessions that you are bestowing alms on the poor, you are but restoring to them what is theirs by right. For what was given to everyone for the use of all, you have taken for your exclusive use. The earth belongs not to the rich, but BECOMING CATHOLIC/ to everyone. Thus, far from giving lavishly, you are COMPLETING SACRAMENTS but paying part of your debt." ~ St. Ambrose Recently, CRS has been organizing deliveries Do you or someone you know have of shelter supplies and hygiene items to more than 500 questions about the Catholic faith, families in a rural village in Nippes Department in Haiti. are interested in becoming a Catholic, Every day, CRS is working to provide critical relief to or completing Sacraments (Confirmation people affected by the Haiti Earthquake. & Eucharist)? Contact us at Visit www.crs.org for more information. [email protected] If you are interested in getting involved here at to share your questions and learn St. Thomas, please contact Cathy Van Kula at more about our vibrant and dynamic faith. [email protected] to learn more about our new CRS Chapter. 2-180 St. Thomas of Villanova Schedule of Events for the week of: September 26, 2021 Recitation of the Rosary after the daily Liturgy. Monday, September 27, 2021 Mon., Sept. 27th Saint Vincent de Paul Daily Mass-RMCH 9:00AM 12:05PM-RMCH Dr. Henry J. Faragalli Teen Music Ministry - RMCH 6:00PM Tues., Sept. 28th Weekday; Saint Wencelaus; Saint Stewardship Meeting - PC1 7:00PM Lawrence Ruiz and Companions; Blaze - Begins 7:00PM Blesseds Peter de Zuniga and REP Parent Meeting 7:00PM Thomas of St. Augustine and Companions Tuesday, September 28, 2021 12:05PM-RMCH Henry & Mary Soehnlein - Daily Mass-RMCH 12:05PM Kelleher Family Staff Meeting 1:00PM Wed., Sept. 29th Saints Michael, Gabriel & Raphael Book Club Meeting - Aud or Zoom 7:00PM 12:05PM-RMCH Dr. Charles Mauriello - Mauriello Family Wednesday, September 29, 2021 Thurs., Sept. 30th Saint Jerome Exercise Classes - Aud 10:00AM 12:05PM-RMCH Toni Campbell (1st Anniversary) Daily Mass-RMCH 12:05PM Fri., Oct. 1st Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Religion Education Starts (Virtual) 4:45PM 12:05PM-RMCH In Thanksgiving to our Guardian Family Support Group - Aud 7:00PM Angels - Petrizzo Family Sat., Oct. 2nd The Holy Guardian Angels Thursday, September 30, 2021 9:00AM-RMCH Mary DiPietrae - Annette DiPietrae Daily Mass-RMCH 12:05PM 5:00PM-RMCH James & Anne Hennessy - Bell Choir Practice-RMCH 7:15PM James & Joan Hennessy Sun., Oct.