1. Art and Diseño

Saint Francis of Assisi Parish
600 Hamilton Street, Norristown, PA 19401
SACRAMENTS AND DEVOTIONS
Baptism: Usually the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month
at 1:15 PM. Pre-Jordan class is the third Monday of odd
- numbered months. Pre-Jordan must be attended by all
parents expecting their first child. Please call the rectory
to schedule your Pre-Jordan.
Marriage: Initial arrangements must be made at least
six months prior to your wedding date. Please call the
rectory and set up an appointment with the pastor.
Communion Calls: Holy Communion is brought by the
deacon and Extraordinary Ministers on a monthly basis
to elderly and ill parishioners who are unable to attend
Mass. Please notify the Rectory to arrange a visit.
MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday Evening - 5:30 PM
Sunday - 7:00 AM, 9:30 AM,12:00 and 5:30 PM
Monday thru Saturday - 8:30 AM
Eve of Holydays - 5:30 PM
Holydays of Obligation –8:30 AM, 12:00 and 7:00 PM
(except Christmas and Easter)
CONFESSION SCHEDULE
Saturday: After 8:30 AM Mass & 4:00 PM—5:00 PM
(other times by appointment)
RECTORY OFFICE HOURS
Monday through Thursday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
(closed between 12:00 and 1:00 PM)
Friday hours until 4:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
New Parishioners—Welcome to SFA! Please call the
Rectory to arrange a time to register in our parish.
Hospitals: Pastoral care for Catholic patients in area
hospitals is shared by the local parishes. When you or a
loved one is admitted please inform the hospital that you
are a Catholic so that you will receive Holy Communion
and the Sacrament of the Sick from the parish responsible for the hospital that day.
Devotions:
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament—Mon 9:00 AM to
4:00 PM. The church is accessible by the handicap door
after the 8:30 AM Mass until 4:00 PM (Sept.-May)
Rosary – Monday thru Saturday at 8:00 AM
Divine Mercy Chaplet—Tues after the 8:30 AM Mass.
Infant of Prague Novena- Wed after the 8:30 AM Mass.
Sacred Heart Devotions—Fri after the 8:30 AM Mass.
Miraculous Medal Novena-Sat after the 8:30 AM Mass.
Visits to the Blessed Sacrament—Tuesday through
Saturday after the 8:30 AM Mass until 4 PM—Stop at
the rectory for the keypad code.
CLERGY AND STAFF
Rev. James E. Goerner, M.Div., Pastor
Deacon James Mahar, Permanent Deacon
Rev. Augustine Esposito, OSA., Weekend Assistant
Rev. Jack Mc Atee, OSA., Weekend Assistant
Mr. Edward Scott, Business Manager
Miss Nancy Sanchez, Coordinator of Religious Education
Miss Bridget Tigue, School Principal
Mrs. Erica Gonzalez, Director, Early Learning Center
Mrs. Elizabeth Nacarelli, Parish Secretary
Mrs. Dolores Landis, Office Manager
BULLETIN DEADLINE – Monday 12 Noon
CONTACT INFORMATION
Rectory: Phone 610-272-0402, Fax 610-272-1794
Email: [email protected] Website: stfrancisnorristown.com
School: Phone 610-272-0501, Fax 610-272-8011
Email: [email protected] Website: sfacatholic.org
Early Learning Center: Phone 610-757-1523, Fax 484-231-8646
Email: [email protected] Website sfacatholic.org/SFELC
Prayer Request Line: 610-757-4070
FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
FEBRUARY 8, 2015
Monday, February 9th
Tuesday, February 10th
Wednesday, February 11th
Thursday, February 12th
Friday, February 13th
Saturday, February 14th
Sunday, February 15th
8:30
8:30
8:30
8:30
8:30
8:30
5:30
7:00
9:30
12:00
5:30
Mike Palladino—Dee Landis
Nicholas Bengivango 40th Anniversary—Wife, Marie
Prayer Service
Chase Rosato—Lil Gambone
Father Trautner—Zurek Family
Olga O’Bara—Sister, Regina
Robert Frosch—Mother and Family
For the Parishioners
Ronald Creciun—Ladies of Saint Francis
Fulvia Martello—Brother, Mario
Timothy J. Hasson—Lorraine Mancine
ALTAR SERVERS—FEBURARY 14/15
5:30 PM Andrea Lopez, Maddie Skaw
7:00 AM Abbey Martinez, Luis Martinez
9:30 AM Ryan O’Donnell, Rachel Boulger
12:00 PM Anthony Lopez, Jorely Lopez
5:30 PM Kyle Pascavage, Jeanie Salvo
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS—FEBRUARY 14/15
5:30 PM Larry Perna, Pat Perna
7:00 AM Anita DiLucia, Tony Barbato
9:30 AM Lillian O’Donnell, Chris McDonnell
12:00 PM Kathleen McTamney, Jeanne Martens
5:30 PM Tony Antunes, Fernanda Antunes
LECTORS—FEBRUARY 14/15
5:30 PM Nancy DeKok
7:00 AM Dave DiLucia
9:30 AM Lillian Gambone
12:00 PM Gerald McLaughlin
5:30 PM Peter Collins
SUNDAY CONBTRIBUTIONS—FEBRUARY 1, 2015
Sunday Collection ……………………………..….. $10,369
Sunday Collection One Year Ago……….………… $12,760
Change from Last Year………………………… - $ 2,391
Thank you very much for your contributions! Please
remember to use your envelopes! Please consider
remembering St. Francis of Assisi Parish in your will!
FAMILY REGISTER
We are glad to welcome into our parish community:
Olivia Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Johnson
Congratulations and prayers to our newly
Baptized into the Body of Christ:
Savannah Schlachterman, daughter of Joshua and Shannon
We mourn those who have gone before us
In death and commend them to the Lord
And the Communion of Saints:
John Moore
PARISH CALENDAR OF EVENTS
ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT EVERY
MONDAY BEGINNING FROM 9 AM TO 4 PM
Monday
4:00 Teen PREP (R)
6:30 Cub Scout Committee (R)
7:00 Ladies (MH1,K)
Tuesday
4:00 RCIA Teens (R)
7:00 RCIA (MH2)
Thursday
6:30 Cub Scouts (S)
7:00 Legion of Mary (R)
Friday
7-9 Pinewood Derby Setup (G)
Saturday
8-3 Pinewood Derby (G)
Wednesday
6:30 Girl Scouts (S)
6:30 Choir (C)
PLEASE NOTE: IF SCHOOL IS CLOSED or IF SCHOOL
HAS EARLY DISMISSAL BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER,
or IF THE SUNDAY PREP (CCD) PROGRAM IS CANCELLED BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER, THEN ALL
SCHOOL RELATED EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ARE CANCELLED FOR THAT DAY.
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK
The sick list will be updated monthly. We
will be glad to keep the name of your loved
one on the list for one month. If you want to
extend a request for prayers beyond that time,
please call the Rectory to let us know so we do
not remove your loved one’s name from the
list. Please remember only the names of the
seriously ill should be placed on our sick list.
Denise Bauer
Meriann Black
Stephen Buckley
Joe Byrnes
Michael Cantello
Jack Char
Vince DeCarlo
Anthony DelBono
Joseph DeNoble
Fr. Dominick Finn
David Grigsby
Ed Howard
Debbie Lucchese
Donna Marushak
Charlotte Mateja
Bethann McElroy
Edward O’Brien
Blanche Petko
Antonio Santos
Kathleen Stephens
Joseph Steuer
Sissy Undercuffler
Paul Wright
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February 8, 2015—Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reflection by Rev. Leonard N. Peterson
There is something very valuable that we give away free of
charge without thinking twice about it to weather forecasters,
investment counselors, and medical doctors. Call it our trust.
And link that trust to hope. Some people might expand my list to
embrace their astrologer, bartender, or the person who cuts their
hair. We trust such people and freely hope in what they advise.
Only when we are proven mistaken do we feel stung by apparent
gullibility.
Trust in others is not a bad thing. We would never board a plane
if we did not trust the pilot. In the case of true professionals, it
reflects our respect for their expertise and experience. So we do
carry an umbrella when the weather forecaster suggests it. We
get our doctor’s prescription filled simply because he orders us.
We buy into a plan the finance person recommends. As for the
bartender, the barber and all the rest it all depends.
But when we come to trust in our closest friend, we enter a
deeper realm, that of love. If that trust is ever betrayed, we are
decimated, and we join in the melancholy that Job displays.
All of this reflection brings us to the contrast provided by today’s Scripture Readings. First, we hear of Job, a figure of literary creation meant to teach us, as he lets out a cry of hopelessness and lament: “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle.
They come to an end without hope.”
But against that gloomy outlook is the bright hope placed in
Jesus by the people living in the little village of Capernaum,
which we know was St. Peter’s hometown. As the Responsorial
Psalm puts it: “He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their
wounds.” Peter’s mother-in-law and that crowd of the sick find
their hope of healing fulfilled, and it is a joy to learn of it.
In these times of wars and other bad news, we have to resist the
pull of the pessimist. He defines hope the way a little boy once
did when he said: “Hope is wishing for something you know
ain’t gonna happen.”
In 1965, naval aviator James B. Stockdale became one of the
first American pilots to be shot down during the Vietnam War.
As a prisoner of the Vietcong, he spent seven years as a P.O.W.,
during which he was frequently tortured in an attempt to break
him and get him to denounce the U.S. Government in the war.
He was chained for days at a time with his hands above his head
so that he could not even swat the mosquitoes.
Even today, he still cannot bend his left knee and he walks with
a limp from having his leg broken by his captors and never reset.
One of the worst things done to him was that he was held in
isolation away from the other American P.O.W.s and only allowed to see his guards and interrogators.
How could anyone survive seven years of such treatment? As he
looks back on that time, Stockdale says that it was his hope that
kept him alive. Hope of one day going home, that each day
could be the day of his release. Without hope, he knew that he
would die in hopelessness, as others had done.
Such is the power of hope that it can keep one alive when nothing else can. And hope’s best spokesman is the Person who
founded the Catholic Church. Is that who you trust? Is He your
hope?
Flowers on the Blessed Mother side chapel altar this
week are in rememberance of Rick Elliott, Sr.’s birthday, requested by his wife, Roseann and children.
BAKING ITEMS NEEDED
The preparations for our St. Francis Palm Sale are fast
approaching. In preparing for our sale, we are in need of
confectionary sugar, butter and peanut butter that we use
to make our delicious ‘homemade’ Easter Candy. If you
are able to donate, please drop off the items at the rectory
during business hours. Once again we thank you for
your continued support to St. Francis and the success of
our Palm Sale.
You are invited!
St. Katharine Drexel Shrine
NOVENA & NOSH
Sunday, February 22
2 – 4 p.m.
Begin the Novena with
reflection and refreshments!
$5 per person – call 215-244-9900 X380
_____________________________
FEAST DAY MASS
Tuesday, March 3
Noon - St. Elizabeth Chapel
Commissioning of Honor Guards
FEAST DAY CELEBRATION
Sunday, March 8, 2015
9:30 a.m.
Archbishop Charles Chaput O.F.M. Cap.
Music by Holy Ghost Prep
National Justice Award – presented to
Carmen Bermúdez
RSVP to 215-244-9900 ext 380
National Shrine of Saint Katharine Drexel
1663 Bristol Pike, Bensalem, PA
email: [email protected]
www.katharinedrexel.org
Visit our Gift Shop for Religious articles
and handmade items.
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Cub Scout Pack 268—Any boy in 1st thru 4th grade who
would like to join the Cubs should stop by any Thursday at
6:45 in the Library at the school or call Frank Zarrilli at 484326-8212.
COME & SEE WEEKENDS
Come stay at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary
And experience life on Campus
Fri., Feb. 13 to Sun., Feb. 15—High School Weekend
Fri., Feb. 20 to Sun., Feb. 22—Post HS Weekend
Rooms are limited! Call today!
Vocation Office for the Diocesan Priesthood
610-667-5778
www.heedthecall.org
St. Francis Seniors meet the 1st & 3rd Tuesday
of the month at 1pm in the Parish Meetinghouse. All seniors age 55 & over are invited.
Our next meeting is February 17, 2015. This
will be soup and pizza day. Please bring your
soup mug and spoon.
March 16, 2015—Caesar’s Casino in Atlantic City—show
features George Casey. George was burn in a remote seaside
village on the west coast of Ireland legendary for its storytelling. Growing up in a large family, George saw humor everywhere and honed his skills as a comic at the expense of his
brothers & sisters. He has performed at Caesar’s Palace, the
Sahara, & is a regular act at the Rivera Hotel & Casino in Las
Vegas. Package includes $20 slot play, admission to 3 pm
show, all taxes & tips. Cost $55, payment must be received
by Feb. 11. Departure time 9:15 am.
April 20, 2015—Hunterdon Hills Playhouse—”Abies Irish
Rose” is a hilarious comedy classic. Young Abraham Levy
tries to fool his strict Jewish father by introducing his new
bride, Rosemary Murphy as “Rosie Murphyski”. The plan
seems to work at first until Rosemary’s strict Irish-Catholic
father arrives on the scene, and a hilarious tug-of-war erupts.
This show was also on Broadway. Cost $89 includes luncheon w/table service, unlimited desserts, show & all taxes/tips.
There is a gift boutique, bakery & bake shop. In May there
will be a trip to Grounds for Sculpture; ore on this to follow.
September 12 to 19, 2015—Norwegian Cruise Line Round trip from NY. Ship: Norwegian Gem - Departure:
New York. Ports of Call: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Bar
Harbor, Maine, St. John, New Brunswick, Canada - Newport,
Rhode Island. Inside Cabins, Outside Cabins w/window and
Balcony Cabins are presently available $1,249, $1,449,
$1699. Flyer available. Contact Jane Caruso 610-539-1681.
SAVE THE DATE !
Pope John Paul II High will present "Mary Poppins" on March
13,14, 19, 20 & 21 @ 7:00 PM and March 15 @ 1:00 PM.
Tickets will go on sale on February 27 and can be purchased
online @ www.pjphs.org. so, save your "tuppence" and mark
your calendars for a "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" time!
The Saint Francis of Assisi School
Canticle Where Service, Faith, &
Academics Come Together
WE VALUE . . .
CATHOLIC EDUCATION
On Monday, December 22nd, 2014 St. Francis of Assisi
School celebrated Mass for the 4th Week of Advent and
celebrated student achievements from the 1st Trimester.
I am pleased to announce the students who received
awards in the Specialty Areas – Art, Honors Math, Music,
Physical Education, Spanish, & Technology.
Honors Math - Award of Excellence – Cameron Johnson
(6th Grade); Excellent Effort – Andrew Garcia (6th
Grade); Art - Award of Excellence – Sarah Stemple (8th
Grade); Excellent Effort – Taylor Roberto (8th Grade);
Music - Award of Excellence – Maria Montanez (8th
Grade); Excellent Effort – Jillian Pham (6th Grade);
Physical Education - Award of Excellence – DJ Johnson
(5th Grade); Excellent Effort – Jasmina Anderson (6th
Grade); Spanish - Award of Excellence – Kelly Jaquez
(8th Grade); Excellent Effort – Adrianna Wright (7th
Grade); Technology - Award of Excellence – Ezra Palmore (6th Grade); Excellent Effort – James DiTomassi
(6th Grade). Congratulations to all of our students who
earned awards in the 1st Trimester!
Monday, February 9 – Happy 100th Day of School!

Band Lessons for 3rd through 8th Grades

1st Grade Dental Health Lesson 9:45 AM

FUN Program visits Pre-K through 2nd Grade

Cheerleading Practice 2:30 – 4:30 PM
Tuesday, February 10

Pretzel Orders due

ELC uses the Gym 9:00 – 10:30 AM

Garden Club 2:30 – 3:30 PM
Wednesday, February 11

Pretzel Day

Bowling Club @ Facenda Whitaker Lanes 2:40 –
5:00 PM

Girl Scout Meeting @ 6:30 PM
Thursday, February 12

Cub Scout Meeting 6:30 PM
Friday, February 13 – Happy Birthday, Fr. Goerner!

Red & Pink Dress Down Day for Dominican Republic Service Trip ($1 Donation)

Father/Daughter Dance RSVPs due

Classroom Valentine’s Day Celebrations

Student Council delivers Valentine’s Day Flowers

Pinewood Derby Set-up/Gym
Saturday, February 14 – Happy Valentine’s Day!

Cub Scout Pinewood Derby/Gym
Sunday, February 15

Cheerleading Competition @ PJPII High School
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PARISH ACTIVITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
Aid For Friends
Lynn Trombetta
Altar Servers (Schedule) Lillian Aguilar
Bereavement Committee Fr. James Goerner
Cantors
Michael Maresca
Carnival Committee
Tom O’Donnell
Choir—Adult
Michael Maresca
Contemporary Music Group
Cub Scouts
Frank Zarrilli
Deaf Apostolate
Fr. Anthony Russo
Eucharistic Adoration Group Liz Nacarelli
Extraordinary Ministers
Mary Anders
Evangelization Group
Adel Herge
Finance Council
Fr. James Goerner
Girl Scouts
Alysia DiRado Harte
Greeters
John Bilella
Ladies of St. Francis
Linda Steppe
Lectors
Mary Anders
Legion of Mary
Virginia Chernick
Liturgy Committee
Fr. James Goerner
Men of St. Francis
Charles Wood
Musicians
Michael Maresca
Pastoral Council
Fr. James Goerner
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Kay Boyce
Pre-Jordan
Nancy Sanchez
Prayer Line Volunteers
Nancy DeKok
P.R.E.P. (C.C.D.)
Nancy Sanchez
Pro-Life Group
Joseph Aquilani, Jr.
RCIA
Nancy Sanchez
Senior Citizens
Ann Filon
St. Vincent dePaul
Tony Antunes
Ushers
John Bilella
215-464-2224
717-514-7035
610-272-0402
610-539-7597
610-476-3050
610-539-7597
484-326-8212
215-423-9547
610-272-0402
610-635-9476
610-547-5935
610-272-0402
610-350-6762
610-279-1058
610-539-7917
610-635-9476
610-630-6950
610-272-0402
267-438-2572
610-539-7597
610-272-0402
484-322-5466
610-272-0402
610-277-1344
610-272-0402
610-539-0592
610-272-0402
610-539-5055
610-272-0402
610-279-1058
PASTORAL COUNCIL MEMBERS
Millie Cooper, Nancy DeKok, Rev. James E. Goerner, Deacon Jim
Mahar, Kay McDonald, Lillian O’Donnell, Patricia Perna, Nancy Sanchez, Linda Steppe, Bridget Tigue
FINANCE COUNCIL MEMBERS
Patricia Bader, Jim Busciacco, Rev. James E. Goerner, Patricia
Perna, Felicia Riehman, Mary Anne Serosky, Edward Shaw, Edward Scott, Mark Stuart
If you would like a statement of your 2014 donations,
please fill out this coupon and place it in the collection basket, mail, or drop off at the rectory.
____________________________________________
Name
____________________________________________
Address
____________________________________________
City, State and Zip Code
____________________________________________
Phone Number
 Mail statement to name & address above
 Call when ready and I will pick statement up
COME AWAY FOR A LITTLE WHILE
A LENTEN MORNING OF REFLECTION
On February 21, Kay McDonald of our Evangelization Team
will be offering a Lenten Morning of Reflection. We all need
to “come away for awhile” to deepen (or re-ignite) our relationships with the Lord. Remember that it is HE who beckons,
who desires more than we can imagine, to share His life with
us!
We will be using one of the exercises of St. Ignatius, known as
Ignatian Contemplation. The morning will begin at the
meetinghouse at 9:05 AM with donuts and coffee. This will
allow any who wish to begin the day with Mass to do so. Program will end at apx. 12:15 PM.
This experience it really is a different type of exploring the
Gospels which lends itself to great intimacy with not only the
Lord, but Mary and others in the Lenten narratives. We welcome everyone in the parish to attend!
Because of space constraints and food quantities, please register with Kay by February 14. Call 610-635-0588 and leave a
message. Or register by email [email protected].
Come expecting to be touched by the same Spirit who is drawing you! God Bless!
Spring Silk Flowers Needed
It is that time of year where the preparations for St. Francis’ Palm Sale will be starting. Once again we are asking
for your continued support in donating new spring silk
flowers to be used to decorate the crosses that we sell. If
you can’t get out to purchase flowers but want to contribute, cash donations would be greatly appreciated. Items
can be dropped off during business hours at the rectory.
Thank you for your continued support in making St. Francis a thriving parish for all of us. God bless!
BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASS (PRE JORDAN)
The next class in English will be held on Monday, March 16,
2015 at 7:00 PM. The next class in Spanish will be held on
Thursday, February 19 at 7:00 PM. Pre Jordan classes are
held in the Parish Meeting House Room 1. Please contact
the rectory to register.
Calling Young Catholic Adults
If you are in your 20s or 30s and have an interest in walking
your Catholic faith with people in your phase of life, please
consider attending our Faith Sharing group at St. Norbert Parish. We delve into the gospel reading for the upcoming Sunday
as a group and share our faith journey with each other. We
meet every Tuesday evening at 7:30 PM on the campus of St .
Norbert’s at 50 Leopard Road, Paoli, PA on Rt. 252 just off
Route 30. Our meeting room is in the Rectory across from the
church through the middle blue door. Whether you’re seeking,
devout, or just curious, please give us a try. Contact: [email protected] for more information.
UNITED WAY HELPS SFA
When choosing your United Way payroll deductions/
contributions, please consider our CYO and/or our Early
Learning Center. The United Way number for our CYO is
4350 and the Early Learning Center number is 10841.
Your donations are greatly appreciated!
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