Keeping Safe at Mass
November 12, 2020
Dear Friends,
Over the past few weeks, we have gradually seen an increase in the number of people coming to Mass. We are delighted to see this.
At the same time, we are very aware that the number of new cases of COVID-19 continues to rise. Because of this, we are redoubling our efforts to make in-person participation at Mass as safe as possible. Two weeks ago in this space, I mentioned that we were considering changing the arrangement of our pews from every third pew to every other pew being open. In light of the latest numbers, we are going to stick with every third pew.
Instead, we are going to promote the use of the Social Center as an overflow worship space. We have prepared this every week since we began in-person worship back in July. We have never needed to use it, but as the number of people coming to Mass increases, I think that using that space will become necessary. We have set up that space with socially distanced seats. There's a large-screen television where we will live-stream the Mass. A priest will bring communion at the appropriate time.
Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation. Our top priority is to keep everybody safe.
By the way, the 11:15 Mass attendance remains well below 50 if you are looking for more social distancing. Last week we welcomed 35 people to that Mass.
Please continue to pray for Arjun Bedi as he prepares to receive his sacraments of initiation at the 11:15 Mass on Sunday, November 29. Father David Cregan will be the principal celebrant of that Mass and will confer the sacraments on Arjun.
You may have heard us pray for Fr. Jim Martinez. He was in the hospital for a short while and is now in a rehab facility. He is feeling quite well and expects to be home to St. Thomas Monastery in a day or too. He appreciates our continued prayers.
Next week, I will be away on retreat. Joe Carey will take my place writing the newsletter. He will get us up to speed on the bridge and the roof and other things that are going on. Please pray for me while I'm on retreat. I certainly will be praying for all of you every day.
Please let's also pray for our fellow parishioners. More than a few among us are faced with extremely difficult challenges and burdens.
Christ’s peace,
Friar Liam
Thanksgiving Evening Prayer
Please mark your calendars!
Our Parish Thanksgiving Evening Prayer is on Sunday, November 22,
beginning at 4:00 PM.
Join us in person at the church or virtually on OMGCparish.net
All are welcome!
CYO Basketball Registration Now Open:
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has made a decision that there will be no CYO basketball until January. There is still a possibility that CYO basketball will take place, however a final decision has not been made. All registered parishioners in grades 5-8, attending our religious education program or Catholic school, are eligible for CYO sports. If interested, please register online in order for us to prepare for a season should it happen after January. Our registration is now open WITHOUT any registration fees.
The link is below - please register your child if you are interested. We have a merged program with St. Thomas of Villanova.
The link is below - please register your child if you are interested. We have a merged program with St. Thomas of Villanova.
To register:
Please note that you will be asked to create an account if you do not have one.
- Boys & Girls JV: 5th & 6th Gr
- Boys & Girls V: 7th & 8th Gr
Youth Ministry
Sunday, November 15, 5 PM - 7 PM In Social Center of School Building All Youth in Grades 6-12 Invited!
Join us as we put together food baskets for those in need this Thanksgiving. We will also be planning for our Drive through Breakfast with Santa! All youth are needed to pull this off! Pizza will be provided. Masks must be worn. RSVP is a must. Email kcarey@omgcparish.net or text 610-864-8538 to respond.
Breakfast with Santa - All Youth!
Sunday-November 29, 7:30 am - 12:30 pm
We need lots of hands to make this Drive Through Breakfast with Santa work! Consider joining us to help take orders, deliver orders, take pictures and have fun!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
November 29, ANNUAL BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Our Breakfast with Santa will look a bit different this year. We are encouraging everyone to participate who is able! We will ask you to complete activities at home, bring them to the gym, and receive your take out breakfast! Activities to complete at home:
1- Create a Gingerbread house! That's right, we will still have our contest! Please create your Gingerbread house at home and drop it off at the gym on Saturday evening, November 28 between 5 and 7 PM.
2 - Go to www.omgcparish.net and click on the Breakfast with Santa tab in the drop down menu under Events.
3 - Complete the form with your breakfast order and which activities you will participate in.
4 - Submit the form.
5 - Come by the gym on Sunday morning anytime from 8 AM until 11 AM. There, you can vote for the Gingerbread House, pick up anything you need for the activities you chose, take a Social Distance Picture with Santa, and of course, take home your breakfast order.
DON'T MISS OUT!!!!!
SPECIAL FOOD COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND ONLY!
The Youth Group will be putting Thanksgiving Baskets together for families in need. This weekend, we ask those who are able to specifically donate foods for a Thanksgiving meal.
Potatoes, green beans, soup, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, and any other items you think would brighten a basket.
If you have a turkey, or coupon for a turkey, that you will not be using, please let Karen know at kcarey@omgcparish.net. Please bring your donations with you to Mass this weekend. We are very grateful.
Advent Retreat
Friday Dec 4, 11, and 18 - 7 PM- 8 PM on Zoom
Friday Dec 4, 11, and 18 - 7 PM- 8 PM on Zoom
Hoping for some quiet time for reflection in Advent? Grab a cup of your favorite winter beverage and plan to join us virtually from 7 to 8 PM on Friday, December 4, 11 and 18. You are welcome to come to just one, or all three of the evenings. Each evening will be held through Zoom or by phoning in and feature a short reading from scripture, time to reflect on it with a small group, and followed by a musical reflection. Register ahead of time to get the Zoom information and materials by clicking here, or by calling the parish office (610-525-0147).
For more information contact Roger Pisani (rpisani@omgcparish.net 610-525-0147 x234), Michelle Francl-Donnay (mfrancldonnay@gmail.com) or Karen Carey (KCarey@omgcparish.net 610-525-0147 x258)
Want to join us, but don't have a computer or are not tech-savvy? Call the parish office or Michelle Francl-Donnay (484-380-1408) for easy instructions on how to join us by phone!
Join the OMGC Ringers
Are your ears ringing?
Maybe it’s because someone’s been saying you’d make a great handbell ringer.
We are seeking to re-build our handbell choir.
Maybe it’s because someone’s been saying you’d make a great handbell ringer.
We are seeking to re-build our handbell choir.
During this time of pandemic, handbells can be played safely and effectively even while the players are masked and socially distanced. No prior musical experience is required.
Don’t let the ringing stop with your ears! Join us and make your hands ring out praise!
For more information, contact Roger Pisani: rpisani@omgcparish.net or (610) 525-0147 x234
Don’t let the ringing stop with your ears! Join us and make your hands ring out praise!
For more information, contact Roger Pisani: rpisani@omgcparish.net or (610) 525-0147 x234
Augustinian Vocation Awareness Week
This week is Augustinian Vocation Awareness Week. Father Joe Narog, former pastor of St Thomas of Villanova and presently Director of Vocations for the Villanova province, will be with us the weekend of November 14th and 15th to introduce us to one or two Augustinian seminarians and to speak to us about Augustinian vocations. Please join me in welcoming them to our parish. Please pray for an increase in the number of young men who desire to give their lives to Christ as in Augustinian friar.
Click here to find out more about the Augustinians and our young men in formation. Next time you are in church, please pick up our annual Augustinian Vocations poster. You can tape it to your refrigerator or closet door and pray for the seminarians from time to time. Or you can download a copy of the poster here.
AUGUSTINIAN Magazine
The Fall 2020 edition of the AUGUSTINIAN Magazine contains articles by Fr. David Cregan and Fr. Michael DiGregorio, some profiles information about the new Augustinian app, and other interesting articles about things going on in the province.
It is available at the church or in the parish office.
Confirmation
Saturday, December 5 PM Mass
Saturday, December 5 PM Mass
Archbishop Nelson Jesús Pérez will visit OMGC on the first Saturday of December to confirm our young people. This will be his first visit to OMGC! We welcome him with much joy.
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, we regret that we must limit the attendance at that Mass to a small number of the family members of the confirmandi.
If the Saturday 5 PM Mass is your regular Mass, we ask you to join us for one of our Sunday morning Masses that weekend.
Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Please pray for our young people preparing for this sacrament.
Donate Smartphones, Computers, for Immigrants and Refugees
If you have old electronic devices, please consider donating them. For more than 3 years, retired philosophy professor, Joe Betz (joseph.betz@villanova.edu, H (610-525-4499) has been receiving them or picking them up from donors. Joe is the middleman between you donors of electronic devices, a kindly retired Augustinian techie who reconditions the device, and needy immigrants, refugees, poor urbanites, and those released from prison. Frequently the item goes to children for their use in school. Needed and appreciated are laptops, tablets, desktops, smartphones, iPhones, and all the accessories that go with these. If you are donating Apple or Android phones, please contact Joe on how to sign out of the device so that it can be reset for another owner.
God bless you for your generosity!
You can leave the device at the OMGC parish office.
God is Mercy
November 28th and 29th, On-Line Event:
“God is Mercy” On-line Conference with SmartCatholics featuring Over 40 Catholic Speakers.
“God is Mercy” On-line Conference with SmartCatholics featuring Over 40 Catholic Speakers.
“Real stories of lives utterly changed by God’s love to help you renew your faith and be witness to God’s faithfulness.”
Hosted by the St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation for Freedom, Family, and Faith through Smart Catholics On-line. Catholic Authors, Speakers, Priests, Religious and Passionate Catholics will be presenters. Free Registration.
Location: On-line at www.SmartCatholics.com/god-is-mercy/
Location: On-line at www.SmartCatholics.com/god-is-mercy/
Speakers: 40+ Speakers including: Fr. Christopher Walsh, Fr. Stephen Delacy, Friars of the Mercedarian Religious Order and more! See website above for list of speakers.
RCIA
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
At times like these, we tend to pay attention to the more important things in life.
We may become deeply aware of questions about life, faith and God.
If such reflection leads you or someone you know to consider becoming part of the Catholic Church, you might be interested in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). This process of spiritual apprenticeship and formation in discipleship is tailored to the individual's needs and can begin at any time.
To find out more, contact Roger Pisani, Pastoral Associate, at rpisani@omgcparish.net or (610) 525-0147 x.234.
Our thanks to all who so generously support our parish even during this time of quarantine.