"I rejoiced when I heard them say let us go to the house of the Lord." Psalm 122     Welcome to our Parish Website! We are happy you have joined us. Saint George Parish is a welcoming Catholic community called by God to live out the message of Christ in love and service to all people. If you are new to the area, just visiting, or looking to learn more about the Catholic faith, we invite you to join us for Mass and one of our many community events. Come and learn more. Or contact us by phone or Email.  Reverend Leo P. Oswald Pastor If you would like to register online, please click on the Newcomers tab for the Registration Form and fill in the information. Once submittted, you will be contacted by a member of our staff to confirm the information and to let you know that it has been processed. You will also receive a Welcome Packet in the mail. We are happy to welcome new members and look foward to having you join our Parish Community.             Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez has suspended all public Masses in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia effective at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18th and until further notice. The Archbishop dispensed the faithful from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. Both decisions were made in response to the growing concern over the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the directives provided by government and health department officials at the local, state, and national levels. These measures will be re-evaluated pending future developments. Archbishop Pérez said, “As the Archbishop of Philadelphia, my first priority is to ensure the health and welfare of those entrusted to the pastoral and temporal care of our Church. So, in light of the developing Coronavirus pandemic, a decision has been made to suspend the public celebration of all Masses in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for the time being. All of us need to do our part to slow the spread of this illness. Like you, we are monitoring coronavirus developments and look forward to continuing our lives on a more normal basis. While things may look and feel different during these uncertain times, I want to be very clear that the Catholic Church in Philadelphia is not closing down. It is not disappearing and it will not abandon you. Time and again as our history has proven the Church has risen to meet great challenges and provide a beacon of hope and light. As your Shepherd, I promise that the Church remains steadfast and is prepared to walk with you and serve you. Neither the Church nor its charitable works will stop. God is always by our side. He never abandons us. I invite you to join me in prayerful solidarity for the intentions of the sick, suffering, and their caregivers as well as government and health officials. With God’s grace and blessing, we will navigate the difficult waters of this challenge as a united human family, for after all is said and done, we are people of Hope!” Though public Masses are suspended in all churches in the Archdiocese, the right and need of the faithful to hear the Word of God and celebrate the Sacraments is not put aside. Pastors, along with all those who work with them, will be as attentive as possible to all the spiritual, pastoral, and charitable needs of the people they serve. Priests will continue to offer the sacrifice of the Holy Mass during this period and to honor all requested Mass intentions. Churches can remain open as a location for private prayer at the discretion of the pastor. Baptisms, Confessions, Marriages, and Funerals will take place as usual but with due regard for the limitation of participants and reasonable social distancing. In conjunction with directives already in force in hospitals and institutions, all visits to the sick with Holy Communion, including in private homes, by priests, deacons, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are suspended. In such instances, only priests will be available to celebrate the Sacraments for those in immediate danger of death. In all circumstances, government and health agency directives for group size and social distancing are to be observed as the Archdiocese of Philadelphia strives to meet the pastoral and temporal needs of all those in need. On Sunday, March 15th, the Archdiocese featured a live streaming broadcast of the 11:00 a.m. Mass on its website and Archbishop Pérez’s Facebook page for the benefit of those wishing to participate in the liturgy remotely. This broadcast will continue each Sunday on an ongoing basis. Additional information regarding opportunities for prayer and devotions are available on the Archdiocesan website. www.archphila.org.  Also, the Office for the New Evangelization sponsors a nightly rosary (8pm) to end the coronavirus.  “Zoom” into zoom.us/j/494480541 or dial: (646) 558-8656  and enter the Webinar ID: 494 480 541 Tune into the 11am Sunday Mass celebrated by Archbishop Pérez  and livestreamed at: http://archphila.org/ The Archdiocese is sponsoring a virtual Lenten retreat, The Power of Faith and Hope in a Time of Uncertainty. Go to: http://archphila.org/ For your convenience, here is a quick link to this week's Parish Bulletin: /media/1/March%202020.pdf                                              Fasting Obligations During Lent Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.   For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards. Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are to observe the particular law of their own sui iuris Church. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the "paschal fast" to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily his Resurrection.

Over 65 PREP students and their parents joined us on Monday, March 2, for our Mission Childhood Association presentation. Our guest speaker, Alexandria Holden, explained to the students about how this organization of children help other children throughout the world to learn about Jesus thru their prayers, donations and good works. The students made their very own World Mission Rosary, which they had the option to keep or donate to the mission so that children in other countries would receive one and learn how to pray. We are pleased to say that we received many donations of rosaries. The students, their parents, and even some of our littlest ones, enjoyed an afternoon of crafting, learning, praying and singing. Students were given instruments from other countries to play while learning a song in Spanish, and everyone sang along. It was a great afternoon!!! Please pray for the good works of the Mission Childhood Association.                                              Willy Wonka, Jr.  Our young performers are gearing up and practicing for our annual Parish Play, Willy Wonka, Jr. Please join us on April 24 and April 25 at 7:00 PM in the Parish Hall. The kids (and adults) have been working hard and can't wait to perform for you. Refreshments will also be available. Tickets will be $7 a person and go on sale in March. Seating is reserved. Please contact the Rectory Office at 610-237-1633 for details.

       Parish Religious Education Program
Students in our Parish REligous Education Program who are in Level 2 are preparing for their Fist Holy Communion, which will be celebrated on Saturday, May 2, 2020 at the 4:30 PM Mass. They are working on Dioramas (miniture creations) of St. George Church and will be bringing them to the church on their Retreat Day, which is Thursday, April 16, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, to share with our parish community.
     Please keep our young students in your prayers as they continue to prepare to receive Jesus for the very frist time.

Our PREP is for children in grades 1-8 and begins in September and runs thru the first week in May. Classes are held on Monday afternoons from 4:45 PM to 6:00 PM and 6:45 PM to 8:00 PM. Please contact Mrs. Lynda J. Batten, PREP Coordinator, 610-237-1633 for details. 

Children need religious education in their lives to help them know God and to remain grounded in their faith, which will sustain them through their lifetime. Please consider joining us.

The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program is for older students and adults. These sessions are held on Thursday evenings at 6:30 PM. If you are an adult and did not complete your sacraments, if you were never baptized Catholic, or if you would like to learn more about the Catholic faith, please contact Sister Lorraine Muglie, SSJ, Adult Faith Coordinator, for details. 

    New Parish Religious Education Event
                                                    
   Internet Safety Presentation
The Parish Religious Education Program will be sponsoring an Internet Safety Presentation on Monday, October 19, 2020.  All parishioners and friends are welcome to attend as we are presented with some very important details about the importance of internet safety, not only for ourselves but, most importantly, for our young children. The topics will includes we will Inappropriate Content, Online Privacy, Sexting, Online Sexual Solicitations and Cyberbullying. Please mark your calendar and plan on joining us. Note: Postponed from February.

                             Rosary Group
    TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED
Our Rosary Group meets every Thursday in the Chapel at 7:00 PM to pray the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaput. Please join us and pray for your special intentions.
     Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of death. Amen.
Please tune in each night at 8:00 PM to zoom.us/j/494480541 or dial-in to (646) 558-8656, ID#484 480 541, or visit www.phillyevang.org/rosary and join us as we pray the rosary for an end to the Coronavirus.

Adoration of the            Blessed Sacrament
TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED
Adoration is held every Friday, from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM in St. George Chapel. The Eucharist is exposed for Eucharistic Adoration, inviting you to come and spend time with Jesus in quiet prayer. Please take some time to stop by to pray for your intentions and those of your loved ones. This year, we pray most especailly for peace. Prior to Mass, we offer up the following prayer:
                                       For Peace
Mary, Queen of Peace, save us all, who have so much trust in you, from wars, hatred, and oppression. Make us all learn to live in peace and educate ourseles for peace, do what is demanded by justice and respect the rights of every person, so that peace may be firmly established. Amen. 
                                Pope Saint John Paul II

      Check it Out!
To learn more about all the wonderful things we do here at St. George Parish, please make it a point to read our weekly Parish Bulletin.        Included in it you will find a wealth of information about upcoming parish events and youth group activities, as well as local events and numerous articles of interest. If you didn't get a chance to pick one up at Mass, you can find it here on our website. For your convenience, a link has been posted above. Bulletins remain online for a period of three months so you can check out back issues.
     And don't forget to check out the summer articles of interest for both youth and adult activities, interesting places to visit, and the Children's Corner.
     You can also find out more about our Parish functions on Facebook.
     If you have any articles you would like to see included in our Parish Bulletin, please send details by Monday mornings to st.georgesec@rcn.com for consideration.

 

Visit youtube.com using this link: https://youtu.be/jDopKMI_LLw

for a message from our pastor, Father Oswald as it will not work from this page at this time. 

Our Mass Schedule

Saturday: 4:30 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM
Weekdays: Mon-Wed-Fri 4:00 PM, Tues-Thurs-Sat. 8:00 AM
Holidays: 9:00 AM
Holy Days: As Announced
For other Mass times in our area, visit
www.MassTimes.org.
Confession: 3:30-4:15 PM Every Saturday at St. George Church and Mondays during Lent and Advent following the 4:00 PM Mass. Also by appointment.

      Our Rectory Hours

Monday thru Thursday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Summer Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Monday thru Friday
Saturday: 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

Tweets by @StGeorge_PA

If you would like information about our Bereavement Group, please contact the Rectory Office at 610-237-1633. One on one sessions can also be made available if requested. Please don’t hesitate to call with your questions or suggestions. Don’t grieve alone. Discussion is helpful. We are here to help you through your time of loss.
            

Empty casserole pans and suggested casserole recipes are placed at the main (front) doors of the church on the first weekend of every month. Filled, frozen casseroles are then returned directly to the Rectory Office on Saturday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM, and on Sunday between 8:30 AM and 12:30 PM. Casseroles can also be dropped off Monday thru Friday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. All Casseroles are picked up by and delivered to St. John's Hospice in Philadelphia where meals are provided for the homeless.

They are also in need of toiletries for homeless men who come to them for showers and respite. If you would like to donate toiletries such as soap, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, shaving cream, and men's sock, please put your travel size donations in a box or a bag marked "St. John's Hospice" and drop them off to the Rectory Office. Please join us in our efforts to end hunger. God bless you for reaching out to those in need.   
     
                                                                      

Legion of Mary
The Legion of Mary gathers every Monday evening in St. George Rectory. Please consider joining them and learn about the good works they do for our parish and our community. Meetings begin at 6:30 PM with the Most Holy Rosary. All are welcome. For more details about the Legion of Mary, visit www.legionofmary.ie.
 

          Adult Choir

The Adult Choir is on summer vacation, but will return in September.
     Did you know that singing is another form of prayer? We need voices to join our Adult Choir. If you would like to learn more, practice is held every Tuesday evening from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM in the church. Please feel free to join us or contact Mrs. Kathy Lerro at the Rectory Office for details. We especailly need male voices. Don't be shy!!! Come on out and join the fun.
 

    Pinochle League
Men who are interested in joining the Pinochle League, are asked to please contact the Rectory Office for details or join us on First Friday in the Parish Hall at 7:00 PM. Games are played on the First Friday of each month. If you would like to attend Mass on first Friday, Mass is celebrated at 4:00 PM. 

             Weekly Bingo
Weekly Bingo games are held every Wednesday beginning at 5:00 PM and every Sunday beginning at 2:30 PM in our air-condtioned Parish Hall. Please see the Bingo section of our website for more details. 

      Bible Study
   Temporarily Suspended

Bible Study will resume on the second half of the Book of Revelation beginning March 10. The morning group will meet on Tuesdays from 11AM to 12:30 PM on March 10, 17, 24, 31, April 14 and 21. The evening group will meet on Wednesdays from 6:30 PM to 8PM on March 11, 18, 25, April 1, 15 and 22. We will gather in St. Georege Convent. If you would like information about our Bible study program, please contact Sister Lorraine or Mrs. Terry Moller at 610-237-1633. All are welcome. 

              
       Election Prayer for Life
O God, we acknowledge you today as Lord, not only of individuals, but of nations and governments. We thank you for the privilege of being able to organize ourselves politically and of knowing that political loyalty does not have to mean disloyalty to you. We thank you for your law, which our Founding Fathers acknowledged and recognized as higher than any human law. We thank you for the opportunity that this election year puts before us, to exercise our solemn duty not only to vote, but to influence countless others to vote, and to vote correctly. Lord, we pray that your people may be awakened. Let them realize that while politics is not their salvation, their response to you requires that they be politically active. Awaken your people to know that they are not called to be a sect fleeing the world, but rather a community of faith renewing the world. Awaken them that the same hands lifted up to you in prayer are the hands that pull the lever in the voting booth; that the same yes that reads your Word are the eyes that read the names on the ballot, and that they do not cease to be Christians when they enter the voting booth. Awaken your people to a commitment to justice. To the sanctity of marriage and the family, to the dignity of each individual human life, and to the truth that human rights begin when human lives begin, and not one moment later. Lord, we rejoice today that we are citizens of your kingdom. May that make us all the more committed to being faithful citizens on earth. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.