"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.  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For your convenience, click here for a link to this week's Parish Bulletin: /media/1/112%20George%September120205%2C%202020.pdf  Nothing compares to being there!  Join us for Mass!  Our church is clean, fully sanitized and air-conditioned.  We are just waiting for you!                               Weekly Reflection from Our Pastor                                  Father Leo P. Oswald                                       September 12, 2021         Statement of Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez on the Occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the                                                          September 11th Terrorist Attacks “Twenty years ago, we watched in shock and disbelief as the events in New York City, Washington D.C., and western Pennsylvania unfolded before our eyes. Although two decades have passed, our hearts still ache with sadness. Those evil and unimaginable acts extinguished thousands of innocent lives. We cannot and should not ever forget the magnitude of this tragedy.      It would have been easy to sink into the abyss of fear and despair that day. However, the American spirit prevailed in a time of crisis and shined forth with a resilient and enduring light. In the wake of disaster, our human family stood united in the presence of God.        His love flowed through us and inspired us to encounter one another with tenderness and mercy.     There are many events scheduled to mark the 20th anniversary of September 11th throughout the Philadelphia region and the nation. These commemorations rightly call on us to reflect on a dark moment as well as the fragility of the gift of life. At the same time, they present an opportunity to renew our trust and hope in God.      Please join me in praying for all of those still suffering from the moments that shattered our world 20 years ago. May they find comfort and peace in God. Let us also pray with grateful hearts for the daily sacrifices our service men and women, police, firefighters, and rescue workers. May the Lord wrap them in his mantle of protection now and always.”                                                      Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez                                                        Archbishop of Philadelphia                                                       Confessions are heard on Saturdays from 3:30 PM to 4:15 PM, or by appointment. Please join us.              Biking for Vocations On Wednesday, August 4th, we were honored to have a visit from seminarians from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, who stopped by for respite on their bike route for their annual Biking for Vocations, which raises awareness of the importance of priestly vocations. Parishioners were invited to join the seminarians as they enjoyed popcles, cold water, Gatarade, snacks and use of the facilities for a much needed rest. They asked questions and had the opportunity to mingle with Father Stephen DeLacy and Bishop John McIntyre, who were also present. It was a blessed event, indeed! Please visit our Facebook page for more photographs of this event and pray for these young men as they continue their journey to the priesthood.                                    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 health of all concerned, those who have been vaccinated, as well as those who have not, are asked to wear a Mask in church. 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 to 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 six 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 must be worn and gloves are encouraged, especially if you will be lighting a candle. At this time, Holy water fonts will remain empty.  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------                                                                                      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.
----------------------------------------------------------

      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. 

----------------------------------------------------------

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.
--------------------------------------------------

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.
---------------------------------------------------------------
            

TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED
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.   
-------------------------------------------------------------                       

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
-----------------------------------------------

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. 
----------------------------------------------------------

Legion of Mary
Meetings Temporarily Postponed
The Legion of Mary gathers every Monday evening in St. George Church. 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 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.
 

--------------------------------------------------------------

            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. 
-------------------------------------------------------------

         

     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.