Welcome to Saint George Parish Community!

Archdiocese of Philadelphia Announces Relegation of Worship Site in Delaware County

Holy Spirit Church (Sharon Hill), will no longer serve as a worship site of Saint George Parish (Glenolden) and will close as a Roman Catholic church.

Contextual Background

Holy Spirit Parish Merges with Saint George Parish (July 2014)

In July 2014, Holy Spirit Parish (Sharon Hill) merged with Saint George Parish (Glenolden), as part of the Parish Area Pastoral Planning Initiative.

Both parishes merged at the location and retained the name of Saint George Parish. At the time, the Holy Spirit church building became a worship site of Saint George Parish.

Additional information regarding the merger can be found at the following link:https://archphila.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/2014.html

Today’s Announcements
Today, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced that Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez has approved the relegation of the Holy Spirit church building to profane but not sordid use effective November 15, 2021. This formal, canonical designation means that this building will no longer serve as a worship site of Saint George Parish and will close as a Roman Catholic church.

This information was shared with Saint George parishioners at all Masses during the course of this weekend. A copy of the official canonical decree regarding the relegation can be found at:
https://archphila.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Holy-Spirit-Church-Signed-Decree-of-Relegation.pdf

Further Information Regarding Today’s Announcements
The formal request to close a worship site originated from the pastor of the parish, together with his parish pastoral and finance councils after joint study and consultation. The request was then reviewed by the Archdiocesan Council of Priests and presented to Archbishop Pérez, who, after a careful review of all supporting factors, made the final decision. 

Holy Spirit Church Building, Sharon Hill
The Holy Spirit Church building has not been regularly used for worship since January 2015 due to the condition of the physical plant as well as a significant decrease in the number of people attending scheduled Sunday Mass at that location as parishioners shifted to attending Mass at the main parish church. Further, there have been no requests for the celebration of baptisms, weddings, and funerals at Holy Spirit Church since that time.

Holy Spirit Church is also in serious need of deferred maintenance repairs. The state of the church building factored into the decision to suspend regular worship at the site in 2015. There have been no major improvements since that time. Estimates to restore the church building to a state appropriate for the celebration of liturgy approximate $523,000. Additionally, yearly recurring expenses to maintain the church in a restored state are estimated to approximate $73,000. These expenses cannot be undertaken by Saint George Parish at this time without jeopardizing the financial solvency of the parish itself and impeding its ability to fulfill its primary mission. Due to the pandemic, repairs needed to the Saint George Church building, and the loss of other sources of income, the parish has incurred a significant deficit spending for the past three years. In addition, the parish must undertake expensive repairs of the former Holy Spirit School building, which the parish is currently leasing to a third party.

Holy Spirit Church is located in close proximity to Saint George Church, with just over one mile between the two buildings. An undue burden for the faithful to come to Saint George Church to worship does not exist. Continued worship at Saint George Church will enhance parish unity and sustainability for the long term.

The Holy Spirit Church building is the property of Saint George Parish. The future disposition of this building will be determined by the pastor in consultation with his parish pastoral and finance councils in a manner consistent with providing for continued parish viability and sustainability.

Editor’s Note: For additional information on the Parish Area Pastoral Planning Initiative in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit http://archphila.org/features/parish-planning-initiatives/.


Nothing Compares – Archdiocese of PhiladelphiaSt. George Parish (and the whole Archdiocese of Philadelphia)'s theme for the 2021-2022 year is "Nothing Compares to Being There". This theme serves as an invitation to come home to the in-person celebration of the Mass as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wane. The "Nothing Compares" theme also has a particular focus on the beauty and importance of the Eucharist: the source and summit of our Catholic faith. Stay tuned to this webpage to learn more about the many opportunities and events that St. George Parish will offer throughout the year to accent this exciting theme!

 




Confessions are heard on Saturdays from 3:30 PM to 4:15 PM, or by appointment.

Please join us. 

 



Click here for this week's Parish Bulletin: 
/media/1/112%20George%20October31%2010%2C%202021.pdf 

 Weekly Gospel Reflection
Father Leo P. Oswald
First Sunday of Advent
November 28, 2021

 

                Holiday Bake Sale
           Saturday and Sunday,
          December 11-12, 2021
             Before and After All Masses
Delicious homemade goodies for your holiday celebrations!
Nothing beats fresh, homemade baked goods! 
Sponsored by our Parish Religious Education Department
If you would like to contibute a baked good, please contact the Rectory Office at 610-237-1633 to add you name to the list.  

                                                 
Advent Evening of Scripture and Hymns
Monday Evening, December 13, 7:00 PM
Presented by our First and Second Grade Students in PREP and Catholic School who are preparing for sacraments. This is their gift to you.

Please join us as we enjoy beautiful hymns and the Nativity story, presented by our children. All are welcome!  
 

Our Parish Giving Tree will be placed in the Church on the First Sunday of Advent, November 28, 2021. This year, we will be collecting donations for St. Catherine Drexel Parish in Chester. The tree contains paper ornaments with gift ideas based on what is needed most. Please return your unwrapped gift donation to the church no later than Sunday, December 12th. On behalf of those who will benefit from your generosity, we thank you. 

                                    Church Protocols During Covid19 

The obligation to return to Mass has been reinstated as of the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, which falls on Sunday, August 15, 2021. All of us need to do our part to make sure that our attendance at Mass is a peaceful and safe experience for all. Please take the time to read the instructions below. We ask everyone to follow these guidelines when attending Mass during this time:

     GENERAL POINTS

* Please stay home if you are sick.

* Please stay home if you are at higher risk of severe illness with COVID19.
   If you are uncertain about your risk status, please consult your doctor and
   also the CDC Guidelines at the link below.

*Click here to read the CDC Guidelines for those at higher risk:
  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra- precautions/people-at-higher-risk.html

* Mass will continue to be available via live-stream.

*Live Mass can be found at the Cathedral of Ss. Peter and Paul at
 www.cathedralphila.org,  EWTN at www.ewtn.com, or other local networks.

     ST. GEORGE MASS SCHEDULE

* 4:30 PM Saturday, 8:00 AM Sunday, 10:30 AM Sunday

     BEFORE COMING TO MASS

* Please wash your hands for 20 seconds using soap and water.

* For the greater good of the parish community, those who have not been vaccinated, are asked to wear a Mask in church. It is up to the individual to decide whether or not to wear a mask for those who have been vaccinated. Masks are to be removed prior to receiving Holy Communion and then replaced after receiving Holy Communion. 

* Please do not come to Mass if you are sick or are at higher risk for severe illness
   with COVID19 (see above).

ENTERING THE CHURCH

* Please maintain reverent silence in respect for the Blessed Sacrament and others 
   who are in prayer.

* Hand sanitizers will be available at the Church entrances. Please use the hand
   sanitizer upon entering and exiting the Church.

     SEATING

    *  Pews are no longer restricted. You may sit wherever you like. There is a 
        handicapped section available in front of our Blessed Mother's altar. 

DURING MASS

* There will be no Sign of Peace during Mass. 

* The Precious Blood will not be distributed during Mass. 

* There should be no holding of hands during the Our Father.

RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION

* The faithful are encouraged to receive Holy Communion in the hand, but you
may receive on the tongue at any station if that is your preference. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

St. George will follow the guidelines from the CDC for sanitation as we resume public
Masses. 

* To view the CDC guidelines, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/faith- based.html

* The church will be sanitized after each Mass.

If we all do our best to follow these guidelines, we can continue to keep our parishioners and guests safe from exposure to COVID-19. 

Be safe and keep well.

 

St. George Church Open
for Private Prayer
Good news! St. George Church is open for private prayer from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM weekdays, followed by Mass at 4:00 PM. We ask all visitors to continue social distancing by remaining at least three feet away from others, keeping in mind that the church is a house of prayer and conversations should be limited to outside of the church doors, thus allowing us to maintain the reverence and respect the Eucharist so deserves. Masks should be worn. At this time, Holy water fonts remain empty.

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                                               Mass Cards                                          
If you would like to schedule a Mass for a deceased loved one or friend, please call the Rectory Office at 610-237-1633. We will schedule it for you and then upon receipt of your check, we will mail the card out to you. If you need it right away, please call the Rectory so that we can prepare it ahead of time. You are then welcome to pick it up at the Recory Office during business hours. Our hours are 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday (summer). At this time (June 2021) Masses are still available for 2021 and the 2022 book is also open thru June of 2022. 


       Parish Religious Education Program
 



    Special Announcement

We are happy to announce that as of September 2021 St. George Religious Education Program will be regionalizing with St. Gabriel Parish in Norwood. We are pleased that this new format will allow us to offer students in-person lessons. Lessons will be offfered on Sundays from 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM or Wednesdays from 3:15 PM to 4:45 PM. This is for students in Levels 1-6. Levels 7 & 8 will remain in St. George Church on Mondays from 6:45 PM to 8:00 PM until further notice. Registration forms have been mailed to those who are currently registered in our program. If your child will be joining us in September, we need to know this now so that we can coordinate with St. Gabriel. If you are new to the program, please contact the Rectory Office for details and a Registration form at 610-237-1633. More details will soon follow. 

Our PREP is for children in grades 1-8 and begins in September and runs thru the first week in May. Please see our Parish Bulletin for details or contact the Rectory Office at 610-237-1633. 

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. Our ultimate goal in catechesis is to lead the children to a relationship with Jesus where they will find hope, faith and love. We ask parents to allow us to help you do that and 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. 

                                                                     
                  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.  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.

Going on vacation? Visit https://catholicmasstime.org/ to locate the closest church to your location. 



 

 

 

Our Mass Schedule

Saturday: 4:30 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM
Weekdays: Monday thru Friday
4:00 PM
Legal 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.
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     Thanksgiving Day Mass
                 9:00 AM
No 4:00 PM on Thanksgiving. May God bless you and your family on Thanksgiving and throughout this holiday season. 

      Our Rectory Hours

Regular Hours of Operation
Monday thru Friday:
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Summer) 
For best service, please give us a call before you visit so we can prepare for your needs and ensure someone is available to assist you. 

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#iGiveCatholic Logo

#iGiveCatholic is nationally recognized as the official Catholic Giving Day. It is celebrated annually on #GivingTuesday, which follows Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. For details, visit https://philadelphia.igivecatholic.org. 




We are pleased to announce that we now have online giving. If you would like to make your contribution online, please visit https://www.osvhub.com/
stgeorgeparish
/funds/offertory by clicking here. 
We thank you for your generous support.

     More Ways You Can Help
     Parish Support Initiative 
St. Paul wrote, “May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call.” In difficult times, we must remain hopeful and listen to God’s call. We must always put our faith into action as Jesus reminded his disciples, “I am with you always, until the end of age.”
 
If you are able, please support Saint George Parish through the Parish Support Initiative. This initiative is made possible through a partnership with The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia.

Visit www.SupportMyParish.org and select Saint George Parish from the drop-down menu. Your support will ensure that we can continue our work through these uncertain times.
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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.
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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 during weekday business hours Monday thru Friday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 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.   
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Adoration of the            Blessed Sacrament


Adoration is held on Fridays from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM in St. George Church. 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:     

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 St. John Paul, II
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Marriage Encounter
If you are planning to marry in the Catholic Church and would like information about the Marriage Preparation Experience, please visit www.PhillyCatholicMarriagePrep.com. 
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Legion of Mary
The Legion of Mary gathers every Monday evening in St. George Convent. 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.
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          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 Wednesday 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.
 

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            Bible Study
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. 
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       Praying Hands Stencil - 6 x 8 inch - Reusable Religious Catholic Fish Wall Stencils Template - Use on Paper Projects Scrapbook Journal Walls Floors Fabric Furniture Glass Wood etc.  

     Rosary Group
Our Rosary Group gathers every Thursday in the Church at 7:00 PM to pray the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaput. Please pray the Rosary privately 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.