1-180 St. Thomas of Villanova

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH DECEMBER 28, 2014

A Note from Fr. Joe…. Christmas Day is now a memory, but the Christmas Season is just underway, lasting until the Baptism of the Lord on Sunday, January 11

th. This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and

Joseph. It’s a reminder that God came among us, became one of us as part of a family. Jesus understands that love and relationships not only are a critical part of being human, but also require effort. We call his family “Holy” not because their life was perfect and without challenges, but because they remind us of our own call to holiness, through the good times and the bad. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph provide a real and profound model of what it means to trust in God and in one another, echoed in the story of Hannah and her son Samuel in this Sunday’s 1

st Reading

and in the 2nd

Reading, where John assures us that “we are God’s children,” part of Jesus’ extended family. So on this Feast of the Holy Family, as we continue our celebration of the Christmas Season, let’s pray and give thanks for our families. Let’s also remember all those who’ve lost a family member or who’ve experienced the pain of separation or divorce. In honor of the Feast and, as we look toward the World Meeting of Families in September 2015 here in Philadelphia, we’ll be praying together, before all the Masses this weekend, the official prayer. We repeat it below for your use at home throughout the upcoming year. On behalf of the Augustinians and the Parish Staff a very Happy, Healthy New Year! We look forward to continuing to minister with you – and to sharing in many special, faith-filled occasions, not the least of which is Pope Francis’ planned visit! God Bless! Fr. Joe

A Prayer for the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015

God and Father of us all,

in Jesus, your Son and our Savior, you have made us

your sons, and daughters in the family of the Church.

May your grace and love

help our families in every part of the world be united to one another in fidelity to the Gospel.

May the example of the Holy Family,

with the aid of your Holy Spirit, guide all families,

especially those most troubled, to be homes of communion and prayer

and to always seek your truth and live in your love.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

pray for us!

2-180 St. Thomas of Villanova

Schedule of Events for the week of: December 28, 2014

Recitation of the Rosary after the daily Liturgy.

Monday, December 29, 2014 Preschool Closed Golden Living Ministry 10:15AM Art Class - PC-1 11:00AM Food Addicts in Recovery - Café 7:00PM Tuesday, December 30, 2014 Preschool Closed Wednesday, December 31, 2014—NEW YEARS EVE Preschool Closed Daily Mass - RMCH 12:05PM Vigil Mass—RMCH 5:30PM Thursday, January 1, 2015 - SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD Holyday Mass - RMCH 9:00AM Friday, January 2, 2015 Parish Office Closed Preschool Closed Saturday, January 3, 2015 Sunday, January 4, 2015 No Religious Education Program Rosemont Village Eucharistic Prayer Service 10:30AM RCIA 11:45AM

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Mon., Dec. 29th Fifth Day Within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord; St. Thomas Becket 12:05PM-RMCH Patricia Campbell Hordyke - Tharp Family Tues., Dec. 30th Sixth Day Within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord; St. Sylvester I 12:05PM-RMCH Michael Seeds - Family Wed., Dec. 31st Seventh Day Within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord 12:05PM-RMCH Stephen J. Doro - Family 5:30PM-RMCH DeSanto Family - Josephine DeSanto Thurs., Jan. 1st Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother Of God 9:00AM-RMCH In Thanksgiving to the Blessed Virgin Mary Fri., Jan. 2nd Saints Basil the Great & Gregory

Nazianzen 12:05PM-RMCH Beatrice, Anne & Thomas Kane –

Family Sat., Jan. 3rd Christmas Weekday; The Most Holy Name of Jesus 9:00AM-RMCH 5:00PM-RMCH Petrizzo, Lotito & Reagan Families Petrizzo Family Sun., Jan. 4th The Epiphany of the Lord 7:30AM-VNCH Ed Barrow - Mary Ann Barrow 9:00AM-RMCH For the Parishioners of St. Thomas 10:30AM-VNCH Marino Masse - Minutella Family

Stewardship Thought for the Week

“… as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive.” Colossians 3:13 Forgiveness - one of the hardest things for people to do. It’s amazing how long we can hold a grudge or be angry with someone. As we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family, take this opportunity to give the gift of forgiveness to someone - maybe someone in your family, maybe a friend, maybe a co-worker, a neighbor or, maybe yourself. Pick up the phone or text someone right now.

“Masses in Interpreted American Sign Language”

We have an American Sign Language Interpreter at the 9:00am Mass in the Rosemont Chapel on the Second and Fourth Sunday of each month. The interpreter will be here

on January 11 and 25, 2015.

Thank you for your generosity for the following week of December 13 and 14, 2014: Number of Envelopes 326 Envelope Amount $14,243.00 Loose Cash: $2,621.28 Electronic Offerings: $1,152.88 Other $115.00 Total $18,132.16 10% Tithe $1,813.22 Income for December 15, 2013 $18,776.88

3-180 St. Thomas of Villanova

We extend a warm welcome to the newest members of our parish: Brittany Dahl of Villanova Felix & Maria Gutierrez Narvaez & Family of Bryn Mawr Resting in Peace: Mr. Joseph Foley Remember those in need of our prayers, especially: Julia Barlow, Peggy Caulfield, Mary Ann Dadourian, Bob Ellison, Jack Geraghty, Patricia Ann Harley, Bridget Kelly, Joseph Maiorana, Garrett P. McAleer (baby), Ellen McFadden (Dalton), Madeleine O’Callaghan, Julia Boland Paparella, Alice Rogers, and Annie Sears.

Please pray for our soldiers assigned in Afghanistan and in other parts of the world. Please also pray for the

soldiers who are returning from their assignments, especially the wounded soldiers.

CHRISTIAN SERVICE PRAYERLINE The parish prayerline is waiting for your prayer request. This week call Mary Ann Barrow at 610-525-4164 to activate the parish prayer-line. Two parish teams are available for your special intentions. PROJECT HOPE This is a transportation ministry for our Parish. If you need a ride to your medical appointments or to food shop this week, please call Anne Hennessy at 610-525-2112. Please give at least 3 days notice. DINNERS TO THE DOORSTEP This ministry is for parish families who are in crisis or for parish couples welcoming a new baby. Home-made dinners are delivered. Two parish coordinators keep a list of volunteers who are called as needed. If you are in need of this delicious community support, please call Sarah Breck at 610-527-3556. ST. FRANCIS INN We are forming a parish work group to serve the midday meal at the St. Francis Inn in Kensington on Sunday, January 18th. The Inn tries to meet the immediate daily needs of the poor and homeless people they serve with food, clothing and hospitality. This ministry is open to anyone 16 years or older. For more information and to sign up, contact our parish coordinator, Sheila Holst at 610-659-5828 or hagan1126@verizon.net. FEED THE HUNGRY MINISTRY Feed the Hungry Ministry will be serving dinner on Saturday night, January 3, 2015 at the Life Center in Upper Darby. Your food donations are greatly appreciated. If you can prepare a meatloaf, potatoes, vegetable, salad, dessert and deliver it to the Steele’s home in Villanova on January 3rd, contact Dennis Steele at steelecreativity@gmail.com or call Denise at 484-343-4473.

ST. THOMAS PRESCHOOL NEWS:

Happy Winter and Happy New Year…

The Preschool will reopen on

Monday, January 4, 2015.

STV Toddler Two’s still has open spaces for the Wednesday morning class which begins on

Wednesday, January 7, 2015.

Please call the Preschool Office at 610-525-7554 for an application or visit the school website at

www.stvpreschool.org.

Congratulations to our Honor Student: CARDINAL O’HARA HIGH SCHOOL First Honors: Sabrina Lee Barbella ‘15

4-180 St. Thomas of Villanova

Stewardship Council Corner - December Meeting

Monthly Meeting on December 15th opened with Prayer of St. Teresa and closed with the World Meeting of Families Prayer

The Council remembered Deni Zodda, our Co-Chair, who passed away in November. Deni will be remembered most fondly by us for his good spirit, his intellect, his passion for living, and his commitment to the parish

The Council was updated on the Innkeeper Ministry, which Anne Murphy is organizing.

Discussion of Lent, which starts February 18th this year. Theme for Lent will be: Almsgiving.

Parish Retreat is planned immediately before Lent begins, featuring Fr. Tom McCarthy, OSA. Topic for the retreat will be The Sacraments. The retreat will take place over three days, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Feb 9-11, 2015 (after the 12:05pm Mass and each evening at 7:00pm).

One member recommended The Spiritual Gifts workshop, as a possible Lenten activity for the parish.

The Annual Speaker Event will be with Jim Ziolkowski, author of Walk in Their Shoes, Thursday, March 19, 2015, 7:00pm in the Villanova Church. His website is www.buildOn.org . This talk is sponsored by our parish, Villanova University, and Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish.

Council discussed possible future speakers at our meetings: past or future grant applicants about whom we can learn more from a presentation and who are local.

FIRST FRIDAY

SOLEMN EXPOSITION

OF THE BLESSED

SACRAMENT

Friday, January 2, 2015

The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for one hour following the 12:05 Mass in the Rosemont Chapel of St. Thomas of Villanova. Benediction will follow the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The solemn exposition of the Holy Eucharist offers the opportunity to the people of God for prayerful reflection on our call to a deeper devotion to the Holy Eucharist and a more faithful living of the Christian Life.

We will have Reconciliation after the 12:05 Mass. Please join us.

ELECTRONIC STEWARDSHIP Why give electronically? The people who give find this a consistent and convenient method of donating to the church. Is there a minimum amount that I have to give? No, there is no minimum amount. Are electronic contributions risky? No. It is safer than writing a check. All electronic transactions are governed by strict rules. No one can deduct money from your account automatically unless you specifically authorize it. What do I do with my weekly envelopes? Continue using, just check the box in the middle of the envelope that says “I have given electronically/monthly/etc.” Who do I contact if I have additional questions or I need to update my information? Please contact Karen Farley at 610-525-4801, ext. 202, or email bizmgr@stvparish.org.

Make your donation more powerful - Use Electronic Giving!

5-180 St. Thomas of Villanova

READINGS FOR THE WEEK: Monday: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Lk 2:22-35 Tuesday: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Lk 2:36-40 Wednesday: 1 Jn 2:18-21; Jn 1:1-18 Thursday: Nm 6:22-27; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21 Friday: 1 Jn 2:22-28; Jn 1:19-28 Saturday: 1 Jn 2:29-3:6—4:6; Jn 1:29-34 Sunday: Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12

THE LANGUAGE OF CONSECRATED LIFE

The consecrated life is a remarkably diverse phenomenon within the Catholic Church. Because of the various kinds of communities, vocations, and charisms that we find in consecrated life it can sometimes be a challenge to understand terminology that describes this way of life. In our upcoming bulletins, we will provide a glossary that you may find helpful.

D.

Deacon: An ordained minister within the Catholic Church. Among other things, Deacons proclaim the Gospel, assist with the celebration of the Mass and baptize. Diocese: A collection of parishes/churches under the leadership of a bishop. Discalced: Originally meaning “without shoes,” this term now applies to certain communities of consecrated men and women who wear sandals or who may even go barefoot. (This glossary was developed by the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM).

Prayer for the Year of Consecrated Life

O God, throughout the ages you have called women and men to pursue lives of perfect charity through the evangelical counsels of

poverty, chastity, and obedience. During this Year of Consecrated Life, we give you thanks for these courageous witnesses of Faith and Models of inspiration. Their pursuit of holy

lives teaches us to make a more perfect offering of ourselves to you. Continue to enrich your

church by calling forth sons and daughters who, having found the pearl of great price, treasure

the Kingdom of Heaven above all things. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,

forever and ever. Amen.

World Meeting of Families is coming to Philadelphia in September 2015! Learn about the World Meeting of

Families, how to prepare your parish, get involved, or get your copy of the

official Catechesis on our new website WorldMeeting2015.org

You can text “World” to 51555 for updates

or text “Pray” to 80888 with your prayer intentions to make a $10 donation.

Like us on Facebook at

“World Meeting of Families 2015” & Follow us on Twitter @WMF2015

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CATHOLIC FAITH?

Saint Thomas of Villanova Parish offers year round opportunities for people seeking more information about the Catholic Faith, the Sacraments and living the Christian Life. These opportunities are for adults who would like to inquire about following Jesus and becoming a member of the Catholic Church, or, if you are already a baptized Christian, would like to become a Catholic, or, if you are already a baptized Catholic, would like to receive Confirmation and Holy Communion. There are many people like yourself inquiring and we are ready to answer your questions. Please contact the Parish Office at 610-525-4801 for more information.

6-180 St. Thomas of Villanova

MONDAY - JANUARY 19,

2015 Sponsored by

St. Thomas of Villanova &

Our Mother of Good Counsel Parishes

Global Gift Fair St. Thomas of Villanova Auditorium

10:00am to 11:00am

Pre-school and early elementary school Children and parents join hands to create

Practical gifts for children served by:

Ronald McDonald House St. Agnes Day Center (serves

children from Mexico) Amigos de Jesus Orphanage in

Hondoras Life Center in 69th Street (feeding

center for the poor) St. Francis Inn in Kensington We need help at the craft tables. Contact Dorren McDermott: 610-527-1392 or 5mcdermott@verizon.net

Aid for Friends Meal Making and other Stewardship Projects

Our Mother of Good Counsel Gym

10:00am to 2:00pm

For Middle School Teens and

Parents. We will assemble

single trays of balanced

meals. Bring a cooked main

entrée, e.g.

meatloaf, ham or chicken.

Afternoon will include a

variety of service activities.

Contact Joe and Karen Carey

610-525-0147, ext 258 or

Email: kcarey@omgcparish.net

Outreach projects are available for middle school, high school

and adults. Access “Outreach Trips” on the parish website at

www.stthomasofvillanova.org. Early RSVP a MUST!!

In case of

Inclement weather

check the Website.

7-180 St. Thomas of Villanova

Cradles to Crayons in West Conshohocken provides the essentials to children from birth thru 12 years who live in low income households. We will be packing clothing and fixing toys to be distributed. We will leave the Rosemont Auditorium at 9:30am and travel by bus and will return at 12:15pm to Rosemont. You must be Middle school age or older and wear closed toe shoes.

OUTREACH TRIPS

Day of Service

Martin Luther King, Jr.

EARLY RSVP A MUST!!

Please call Anne Murphy at St. Thomas—610-525-4801 or

Email service@stvparish.org to save a spot.

In case of Inclement weather check the Website. www.stthomasofvillanova.org

St. John’s Hospice is a Philadelphia community grounded in faith where homeless men find dignity. We will prepare and serve lunch and do all the cleanup work. We will leave the Rosemont Auditorium at 9:30am, travel by bus and return to Rosemont by 2:00pm. You must be high school age or older and must wear closed toe shoes.

MONDAY - JANUARY 19, 2015

8-180 St. Thomas of Villanova

STV PARISH NURSE WELLNESS TIP

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, which is part of the National Institute of Health, considers meditation a “mind-body method”, a category of complementary and alternative medicine that includes interventions that use a variety of techniques to boost the minds capacity to affect bodily functions and symptoms. What does meditation mean? It can mean many things to many people. No matter what the meditation style or technique, during meditation people sit quietly, witnessing internal thoughts and external stimuli without getting caught up in them. Some of the practice forms are ancient and they come from numerous sources. Findings from modern science shed new light on the power of meditation to make a measurable difference in our experience of the world. The scientific studies show that new options for self-healing may be possible through meditation. Mindfulness meditation uses a process of intentionally paying attention to what is happening in the present moment, both internally and externally, without being distracted by what has already happened or might happen. Mindfulness trains the participant to be an observer without passing judgment. Herbert Benson, MD, a pioneer in studying the effects of relaxation and medication techniques has shown that the response includes decreases in C02 consumption, carbon dioxide elimination, respiratory rate and volume, heart rate, muscle tension, and blood pressure, especially in hypertensive people. Relaxation and meditation have been shown to be beneficial in treatment of many diseases because they improve psychological and physical health. The website www.ineedmeditation lists 100 benefits of meditations. Here are just a few you might be interested in: * Decreases muscle tension * Helps in chronic diseases like allergies, arthritis, etc. * Helps in post-operative healing * Enhances the immune system * Helps with weight loss * Drop in cholesterol levels, lowers risk of cardiovascular disease * Decreases the aging process * Increases serotonin level, influences mood and behavior * Helps with focus and concentration * Increased creativity * Increased productivity * Develop will power * Higher intelligence growth rate * Increases self-actualization * Increased compassion * Growing wisdom * Brings body, mind and spirit in harmony With the stress that unfortunately comes with the season, it might be a good time to take time. Find a quiet space with no distractions. Light an candle, say your favorite prayer, or listen to some quiet music to get you in the mood. Have few expectations, choose your mantra. I like Marantha (Come, Jesus, Come) and wait for the Peace. It will come.

MAIN LINE SINGLES DINNER CLUB (AGES 52-64) CATHOLIC men and women are cordially invited to join "The Main Line Singles Dinner Club" to share common interests & dine together 2 times a month. Our next scheduled events are: (Sat) Jan 10, 2015 - 6:15 P.M. "Post Christmas/New Year’s House Party"@ a member's home in Broomall, PA. — (Sun) Jan. 25, 2015 - 6:15 P.M. Restaurant Event @ "Bourbon Blue" located @ 2 Rector St., Manayunk District, Phila, PA. 19128

9-180 St. Thomas of Villanova

“The Footsteps of St. Patrick” Tour of Ireland with

Fr. Stephen Curry, O.S.A. July 21 — August 1, 2015

Your 10 Night Tour in Ireland Includes: - Hotels in Dublin, Waterford, Kerry, Limerick, Ballina and an Irish Castle. - 10 Full Irish Breakfasts daily (not including morning of arrival but morning of departure) - 6 dinners Sightseeing includes: St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dunbrody Famine Ship, Viking City of Waterford, House of Waterford Crystal, Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry, Ferry across the River Shannon, Cliffs of Moher, Galway City, Knock, Museum of Country Life, cruise with tea and scones on the River Shannon, Ballintubber Abbey, special evening at the Emigrants Tale Show

Luxury air conditioned motorcoach

Professional Irish Driver/Guide

Hotel Taxes, service fees and porterage (1 bag)

Roundtrip Airport transfers

Roundtrip air transportation JFK/DUBLIN/JFK with Aer Lingus

Package Price (including airfare): $3,795 per person

(single supplement—$599.00) (Gratuities to Driver/Guide not included)

$110 per person discount if full tour price is paid by check only no later than March 16, 2105.

To reserve please contact Fr. Stephen Curry, O.S.A.,

610-519-8693 or frscurry@gmail.com

The Office for Mission & Ministry and the Journal of Catholic Social Thought

Catholic Social Teaching and the Financial Crisis

Please join us for our Lecture on The Economy of Grace and the Church of the Poor: Papal Responses to the Financial Crisis on January 27, 2015. Speaker: Charles Clark St. John’s University Date and Time: January 27, 2015 at 4:30pm Place: Connelly Center - Radnor Room Villanova University

For more information, contact Marcy Bray at marcella.bray@villanova.edu

DO YOU KNOW YOUR

TRIBUNAL?

The Tribunal is a group of specially qualified Catholics whose responsibility is to come to the help of people who have experienced divorce and who may wish to remarry in the Catholic Church. When a divorce occurs, the Catholic Church always seeks to balance two realities. One is the unbreakableness of the bond of marriage. This is God’s law. It cannot be broken by human intervention. On the other hand, the Church is concerned about the spiritual welfare of the people involved. Was this a true marriage? Even though a Catholic marriage was celebrated, was there perhaps some deficiency in the consent of the parties involved? The annulment procedure addresses this problem. If you are divorced and want to marry in the Church or remarried outside the Catholic Church, please telephone the Tribunal Office.

THE TRIBUNAL 222 North 17th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103 Telephone: 215-587-3750

CATHOLIC CLINICAL CONSULTANTS Catholic Clinical Consultants, the behavioral health company of Catholic Healthcare Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, provides individual, couples, and family counseling in a welcoming and supportive environment. Our staff includes psychologists and Master’s level professional psychotherapists. Day and evening hours are available. We are a Medicare provider and we accept most health insurance. We have offices in Levittown, East Norriton, Northeast Philadelphia, South Philadelphia and Springfield, Delaware County. To schedule an appointment at the nearest office, please call: 855-518-2223.