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THE MOST HOLY TRINITY June 15, 2014

A Note from Fr. Joe …. We’ve been learning about God since we were little – and, more than likely, our images of God have evolved over the years, as we continue to wrestle with the question – “Who is God?” This Sunday, as Catholic Christians, we celebrate an answer to that question; the one we profess as our faith, the incredible mystery of the Trinity – one God in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And, as we consider that mystery today, we probably can relate to the words of our own St. Augustine that he uses to open one of his famous works, De Trinitate or On the Trinity. He writes, “I now begin to speak of a mystery, which is altogether above the power of any human being (including myself) to express in words. Indeed, when I begin to reflect on the triune God, I am conscious of the distance between my mind and the God of whom it is thinking.” That didn’t stop Augustine from then going on for over 400 pages exploring the Trinity! Like him, don’t we too have the desire to continue to grasp God? What we come to discover though, as did Augustine, is that the mystery of the Trinity is more than some theological thought or concept; it reveals one very significant thing that we all can appreciate – the depth of God’s love, echoed throughout this Sunday’s Readings. Not just a sign in a football end zone, John 3:16, which begins our Gospel passage, powerfully proclaims, “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” Through Christ, we are God’s beloved. Through this Spirit of loving, we’re called to reflect the Trinity in our lives. We’re made in the image and likeness of God, “a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity,” as revealed to Moses. And what does our own personal experience tell us? Do we ever run out of things about which to marvel when it comes to God? How many times have we been forgiven? How often have we felt a stirring inside when we look around at creation? Magnificent sunsets. Long sandy beaches. New babies’ smiles. So what do we do with that? How do we image God to others? The answer, I believe, is in the mystery of the Trinity, the mystery of a community of Divine Person, a community of love. We reflect the triune God when we live as a community of grace and reconciliation – ‘encouraging one another, living in peace;’ when we allow God’s love to overflow in the sharing of our time, talent, and treasure. We so love the world, when we give as our God gives. It’s as simple and as profound as that. The words by which we were baptized, by which we sign ourselves, perhaps sometimes even without thinking – “+In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” – bless us and challenge us always. This Sunday we also have the privilege of honoring those special men in our lives who have the vocation of father – those who have listened to and guided us; those who genuinely have reflected the triune God to us. A Happy Father’s Day to all our Dads and those who take the role of fathers! We remember too those fathers who have gone before us. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you! Fr. Joe

IMPORTANT NOTICE!

Running through early August, Villanova University will be undertaking a construction project – the laying of chilled water underground piping – that ultimately, among other things, will assist in the updating of air conditioning for the Villanova Church. For the remainder of the project, from June 16

th through early August, the Fedigan Gate will remain open for access to the

Church – but, again, follow the instructions of the guards and any signs that may be posted. In addition, we will have a link on our parish website to maps detailing the various phases of the project. As always, remember that the preferred primary option for Church parking is the lot directly across Lancaster Avenue. The only parishioners coming onto campus for Sunday Mass or other services should be those with different mobility needs. Please keep this in mind, especially during the project, and be respectful of the parking for Augustinian residents around the Monastery. Thank you for your cooperation! Fr. Joe

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Schedule of Events for the week of: June 15, 2014 Recitation of the Rosary after the daily Liturgy.

Monday, June 16, 2014 Walking With Purpose Charism Workshop –PC2 10:00AM Golden Living Ministry 10:30AM Art Class - PC1 11:00AM Food Addicts in Recovery - Café 7:00PM Stewardship Council Meeting - PC1 7:00PM Tuesday, June 17, 2014 BP Screening after 12:05 Mass Staff Meeting 1:00PM Eldernet - Aud 1:00PM Wednesday, June 18, 2014 Exercise - Aud 10:00AM “The Trip Takers” Brainstorming Session - PC-1 10:00AM Honickman Ministry 10:45AM Thursday, June 19, 2014 Men’s Gathering - RMCH and Aud 6:30AM Rosemont Presbyterian Mass 9:00AM Bereavement Evening with Fr. Joe - PC-1 7:00PM Friday, June 20, 2014 Saturday, June 21, 2014 Summer Kickoff - Young Adult Gathering 6:00PM Sunday, June 22, 2014 Rosemont Village Eucharistic Prayer Service 10:30AM Baptism—VNCH 12:00PM

Mon., June 16th Weekday 12:05PM-RMCH Father’s Day Tridiuum Tues., June 17th Weekday 12:05PM-RMCH Father’s Day Tridiuum Wed., June 18th Weekday 12:05PM-RMCH PFC Edward Gallagher—Jim & Anne Hennessy. Thurs., June 19th Weekday; St. Romuald 12:05PM-RMCH Deceased Members & Benefactors of O.S.A. Fri., June 20th Weekday 12:05PM-RMCH Gerald Mitz - Levinsky Family Sat., June 21st St. Aloysius Gonzaga 9:00AM-RMCH Tom Chuckra, Jr. 5:00PM-RMCH Alice McCullough - Anne Evangelisti Sun., June 22nd The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ 7:30AM-VNCH For the Parishioners of St. Thomas 9:00AM-RMCH Margaret & Martin McKeone - Jim & Anne Hennessy 10:30AM-VNCH Florence Cellucci - Lisa Pastore

Stewardship Thought for the Week “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…” John 3:16 If your love conditional? Is there a price others have to pay to receive your love? Are you generous with your time, money and possessions? If you give someone something, do you expect something in return? Do you give your time freely or do you “fit it in” when it’s convenient for you?

“Masses in Interpreted American Sign Language” Although we usually have an American Sign Language Interpreter at the 9:00am Mass in the Rosemont Chapel on the Second and Fourth Sunday of each month, unfortunately, the interpreter will not be here on June 22nd this month.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK: Monday: 1 Kgs 21:1-16; Mt 5:38-42 Tuesday: 1 Kgs 21:17-29; Mt 5:43-48 Wednesday: 2 Kgs 2:1, 6-14; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 Thursday: Sir 48:1-14; Mt 6:7-15 Friday: 2 Kgs 11:1-4, 9-18, 20; Mt 6:19-23 Saturday: 2 Chr 24:17-25; Mt 6:24-34 Sunday: Dt 8:2-3, 14b-16a; 1 Cor 10:16-17; Jn 6:51-58

STV PARISH REMINDERS: There is only a 7:00pm Mass in the Villanova Church on Sunday evenings. The 5:30pm and 9:00pm Masses will resume on Sunday, August 31st.

POSITION AVAILABLE

Director of Religious Education

and Youth Ministry

Full time position available at St. Thomas of Villanova Parish, Bryn Mawr, PA. The dynamic individual must have a Bachelor’s degree in Theology or Education, Master’s degree preferred, and three to five years’ of related experience; must be available to work evenings and weekends. To review the full job description, go to www.stthomasofvillanova.org. Please submit resume and cover letter with salary requirements via fax to 610-525-6041 or email to office@stvparish.org; no calls please.

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We extend a warm welcome to the newest member of our parish: Dorothy Ferrara of Rosemont Joseph Ferrara of Rosemont Congratulations to the newly Baptized members of our parish: Penelope Jane, daughter of Mark & Maureen Gatenby Hadley Rose, daughter of Steve & Lydia Heying Mia Patricia, daughter of John & Patricia Johnson Olivia Susan, daughter of Tim and Christina Muntz Resting in Peace: Miss Margaret Dolan Mrs. Adeline O’Neill Mrs. Loretta Prisco, Mother of Francesca Molinari Remember those in need of our prayers, especially: Julia Barlow, Peggy Caulfield, Mary Ann Dadourian, Bob Ellison, Jack Geraghty, Patricia Ann Harley, Bridget Kelly, Garrett P. McAleer (baby), Madeleine O’Callaghan, Rita O’Connor, Julia Boland Paparella, Alice Rogers, Annie Sears and Michael Seeds.

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

especially 1st Lt. Christopher Giuliano, Army, who is currently serving in Afghanistan.

CHRISTIAN SERVICE PRAYERLINE The parish prayerline is waiting for your prayer request. This week call Mary Ann Barrow at 610-525-4164 or email mabstv@verizon.net to activate the parish prayerline. 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. Homemade 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 Maria Gunn at 610-291-7205. ST. FRANCIS INN We are forming a parish work group to serve the midday meal at the St. Francis Inn in Kensington on Sunday, July 20th. 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, Ruth Reeder at 610-662-2055 or villanovaruth@aol.com. FEED THE HUNGRY MINISTRY Feed the Hungry Ministry will be serving dinner on Saturday night, July 5th, 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 July 5th, contact Dennis Steele at steelecreativity@gmail.com or call Denise at 484-343-4473.

Thank you for your generosity for the following week of June 7 and 8, 2014: Number of Envelopes 276 Envelope Amount $15,883.00 Loose Cash: $2,016.85 Electronic Offerings: $3,577.88 Other $210.00 Total $21,687.73 10% Tithe $2,168.77 Income for June 9, 2013 $19,045.88

Share the Harvest

Our parish has the opportunity to help needy individuals in the area this summer by donating fresh fruits and vegetables to ElderNet of Lower Merion. Whether you have a large garden, or just a sunny spot in your yard, consider adding a few extra plants (tomatoes, beans, peppers, etc.) to contribute to this worthy cause...OR, buy a few extra apples, oranges or other fruit when you do grocery shopping — what better way to set a Christian example for your children or grandchildren than to grow and/or share nutritious food with those who are less fortunate. Can you help or do you have questions, contact the Gollins at bcmggoll@yahoo.com.

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Religious Education Program for 2014-2015 Our Religious Education Program begins again on Sunday, September 7

th.

Registrations are being accepted for new students who will attend our parish religious education program for grades K-6 and Jr high in September. We offer two sessions: 10:10am on Sundays for grades K-6 and Jr high and 4:30pm on Wednesdays for grades 1-6. Both sessions are 75 minutes long and are filled on a first come basis. Information and forms can be obtained from the parish website or by contacting Dr. Sherretta at 610-525-4801, ext 204 or at rel.ed@stvparish.org - All registrations should be completed as soon as possible. First Eucharist for 2015 All parish children in grade 2 as of September 2014 who attend religious education classes here or who attend another parish parochial school are expected to celebrate the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist for the first time in 2015. Parents are required to complete a Sacrament Registration Form to begin the preparation process. Information and forms can be obtained from the parish website, or by contacting Dr. Sherretta at 610-525-4801 ext 204 or at rel.ed@stvparish.org. All registrations should be completed by Sept. 7

th.

Confirmation for 2015

All parish children in grade 6 as of September 2014 (regardless of which school they attend) are invited to celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation. (Date to be announced). Parents are required to complete a Sacrament Registration Form to begin the preparation process. Information and forms can be obtained from the parish website, or by contacting Dr. Sherretta at 610-525-4801 ext 204 or at rel.ed@stvparish.org

All registrations should be completed by Sept. 7th.

Confirmation is usually celebrated during the Easter season each year however the preparation ceremonies and parent meeting are scheduled for the Fall. REP students in grade 6 are automatically registered for this sacrament. Teens and adults who have not completed their Christian initiation and wish to celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation should contact Deacon Don DiCarlo at the parish center.

Calling All Men! Guys – please plan on coming to our final Men’s Gathering, before the summer, this Thursday, June 19th. We’ll celebrate Mass in the Rosemont Chapel at 6:30am, in memory of our brother Dan Schultz, whose second anniversary of passing is on the 22

nd.

Then we’ll head down to the Auditorium for some refreshments, fellowship, and an opportunity to reflect on the year. Believe it or not, this also marks two years for our gatherings, which will resume on the third Thursday of September, the 18

th. As

always, feel free to invite a friend from the parish – or otherwise!

Volunteers needed for Religious Education Program 2014-2015

Catechist- (Adults) positions available: grades 2,3 4 on Sundays grades 1 and 4 on Wednesdays.

Responsibilities: This position requires an adult to prepare and teach a lesson to a group of 12-15 students and enable them to learn about the Catholic Faith. Materials and training are provided. Qualifications: This person must be a practicing Catholic

and share it with others. They should have an ability to communicate with and manage a group of students. Attendance at training sessions, catechist meetings and positive PA background checks are required.

Commitment: Sundays from 10:10am – 11:25am or Wednesdays from 4:30pm–5:45pm September to April and at least one hour of preparation each week, for at least one year. Classroom Aide - (Adults and Teens) - All grades Responsibilities: This position requires a person to assist the catechist in the classroom and at times in their own home preparing activities or correcting papers. The aide records attendance, distributes and collects papers, assists individual students and helps to supervise the classroom. Qualifications: This person should have the ability to

establish a good rapport with students while maintaining a low profile as they assist the catechist. Organizational, clerical and creative skills are an asset. Orientation training sessions and positive PA background checks are required.

Commitment: Sundays from 10:10am – 11:25am or Wednesdays from 4:30pm– 5:45pm September to April Those interested in volunteering should call 610- 525-4801 ext. 204 or email: rel.ed@stvparish.org

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Anyone who has lost a loved one,

whether buried from St. Thomas of Villanova or not, is invited to join

Fr. Joe for a

Bereavement Evening of Prayer

Thursday Evening June 19th

7:00pm in the Rosemont Parish Center

Everyone is welcome.

Any questions, call Anne Murphy at 610-525-4801

or email service@stvparish.org

Fall Sports Program Registration Notice

We hope everyone is having a great spring and wanted to take the opportunity to introduce St. Katharine’s Fall Sports Program to you. As a member of St. Thomas of Villanova parish and registered in Religious Education classes, you are eligible to participate in our CYO Fall Program. In addition to the offered sports listed below, we also provide service opportunities for the children to participate in,as well as a special fall Mass where we as a community come together to celebrate. The Fall Sports program is an excellent way for kids and their families to make new friends and meet other Catholic families in the surrounding community and build friendships and bonds that can hopefully last a lifetime.

Registration for Fall Sports will open May 15th and close on June 30th.

We offer: Boys & Girls Flag Football (1

st thru 4

th grade)

Co-Ed Soccer (5th thru 8

th)

Cross Country (1st thru 8

th grade)

Girls Volleyball (5

th thru 8

th grade)

Field Hockey (5th thru 8

th grade) with clinic programs

possible for 3rd

& 4th grade

Boys Tackle Football (5

th thru 8

th grade)

Please take a moment to visit www.skscyo.com for information regarding the individual sports listed above. In addition, please take the opportunity to create an account and join our mailing list to receive email updates regarding important notices as well as all the wonderful things SKS CYO does throughout the year. If you have any questions at all about the SKS CYO Program or the individual sports, please reach out to us. We would love to hear from you. Ed King – Fall Sports Coordinator; fallsports@sksparish.org; 610-517-8295 Dan Dilella – Athletic Director; ad@sksparish.org Leslie Flick – Communication Director; communications@sksparish.org

NEWS FROM ST. THOMAS OF

VILLANOVA PRESCHOOL September 2014 begins our 34

th year of

Preschool Classes for 2, 3, 4 and 5 year old children. If interested, please contact Mary Kurek, at 610-525-7554 or email stv.maryshouse1@gmail.com for an application or additional information. We will also be offering “Me and You Toddler Twos” again this coming school year. Children must be 2 by October 1

st for the first session which begins

October 8th. All children will need to be accompanied

by a parent or caregiver. The classes will be held on Wednesdays from 9:30am to 10:30am.

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The Peace and Justice Committee

of St. Thomas of Villanova and Our Mother of Good Counsel

Presents: Stories of Peacemakers

SUMMER FILM SERIES 2014

“Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

JUNE 24 - LEADING THE WAY TO PEACE The story of women from conflict affected countries of Sierra Leone, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Guatemala, tracing their personal stories of peacemaking, courage and hope.

JULY 14 - “Coexist” About Rwanda 20 years later. Film consists of low-key but Powerful Interviews with participants in the genocide and survivors of it.

AUGUST 6 - HOLY LAND: COMMON GROUND Tells the story of a growing movement of Israelis and Palestinians who live as neighbors in peace on the West Bank and Gaza.

Films start at 7:00pm in the STV Rosemont Auditorium. Each film runs 60 minutes. Please join us!

Pizza and drinks are provided at 6:30pm.

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All Young Adults who worship at

St. Thomas of Villanova Parish Community

are invited to Celebrate Summer!

Saturday, June 21st After the 5:00pm Mass

“Cocktails on the Terrace” Rosemont Chapel, 1229 E Lancaster Avenue

Rosemont, PA 19010

RSVP: office@stvparish.org or 610-525-4801

If you cannot attend but wish to join our email list, contact Parish Coordinators Mary Helen and Tim McCulloch at mary.helenmcculloch@gmail.com or

tim.mcculloch@gmail.com.

Life is just A Trip!!

STV “DAYTRIPPERS” GATHERING

June 18th at 10:00am in the Parish Center

Come and brainstorm about day trips and

long distance trips for parishioners.

Refreshments will be served!

Father’s Day Prayer

Let us praise those fathers who have striven to balance the demands of work, marriage, and children with an honest awareness of both joy and

sacrifice.

Let us praise those fathers who, lacking a good model for a father, have worked to become a good father.

Let us praise those fathers who by their own account were not always there for their children, but who continue to offer those children, now

grown, their love and support.

Let us pray for those fathers who have been wounded by the neglect and hostility of their children.

Let us praise those fathers who, despite divorce, have remained in their children's lives.

Let us praise those fathers whose children are adopted, and whose love and support has offered healing.

Let us praise those fathers who, as stepfathers, freely choose the obligation of fatherhood and earned their step children's love and respect.

Let us praise those fathers who have lost a child to death, and continue to hold the child in their heart.

Let us praise those men who have no children, but cherish the next generation as if they were their own.

Let us praise those men who have "fathered" us in their role as mentors and guides.

Let us praise those men who are about to become fathers; may they openly delight in their children.

And let us praise those fathers who have died, but live on in our memory and whose love continues to nurture us.

Kirk Loadman

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Feedback from Young Adults in our Parish During the last part of February invitations were sent to all registered Young Adults in our parish between the ages of 25-35 years to attend a Focus Group facilitated by Parishioner and former Chair of the Stewardship Council Sara Wallace. Fr. Joe, Joan Hawley from Parish Council and Anne Murphy from the staff attended the two Focus Groups. As a result of your input a Celebrate Summer Gathering has been planned. Thank you to the Young Adults who took time to work with Sara Wallace around key questions. Here is the Synopsis of the Focus Groups:

Young Adult Focus Group Synopsis - March 2014

What attracted you to STV Parish and Why did you register? Sacraments were the gateway – Marriage, RCIA and Baptism of children Villanova connection Augustinians are forward thinking; good homilists Welcoming Church – Engaging and open liturgies Less rigid; more progressive (meaning inclusive) Parish has young adults in the pews What is missing for you at STV Parish? Social opportunities to meet other young adults Follow up retreats with newly married Events where connections can be formed with other young adults Engaging Peers – What barriers do your peers encounter with connecting and engaging with the church. Lack of time and commitment Greater Church perceived as “fire and brimstone” and rigid Hard to make friends in a parish Do not have “connect” factor (i.e. children are natural connections) Interfaith relationships – partner not of the faith Why is it important to be a part of a parish community Growing in faith together, same belief system, learn from each other Parish is extension of family Sense of belonging to a community Community so helpful in times of crisis Community serves the greater good Memories of great connections made in family of origin parish Hopes for the Future of the Church Pope Francis a plus – people are proud to be Catholic again Progressive – forward thinking; leave some old traditions behind and create new ones More committed laity Future faith community for my children Open, accepting, welcoming Strong, unified, vibrant Willing to change with the time and continue to evolve Stay in touch: Best way to communicate Email and snail mail (personal invitation is important, more communication is desired) Social networking (Facebook, LinkedIn) Young adult speaking at Mass prior to first event

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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.

Mary Mother of Captives A support group for families coping with a loved one in prison meets on Thursdays at 7:00pm at St. Charles Borromeo in Drexel Hill and at St. Cyprian and St. Francis de Sales in Philadelphia.

All Attendees Remain Anonymous.

Be a Pal. Become a Pen Pal! MMOC / ADROP Pen Pal Program In prison sometimes the only contact with the outside world is in the form of letters. Mail Call is better when you receive a warm and friendly letter from the outside world. Pen Pal Writers are needed to write to the poorest of the poor. For meeting days and Pen Pal information, please call 610-259-3178 or email: Susan M0C@comcast.net. Please pray for all those in prison.

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!

One night a father overheard his son pray….

“Dear God, make me the kind of man my Daddy is.” Later that night the father prayed….

“Dear God, make me the kind of man my son wants me to be.” Author Unknown