PARISH NEWS
Updated November 21, 2008
Annunciation BVM - Brookline - Wednesday, October 22nd, co-sponsored a Candidates' Night, during which representatives of the presidential campaigns answered questions about various major topics of concern to Catholics (see Past PAHNU Events).
On the weekend of November 29-30 (opening weekend of Advent), the Holy Name Society will participate in the launching of both the Kiosk Program and the CD of the Month Club of Lighthouse Catholic Media. Announcements will be made at all the Masses, and volunteers with clipboards will be stationed at the church doors.
On Monday, January 5, 2009, the Holy Name Society will coordinate a Red Cross Blood Drive. Donations will be accepted from 1:30 PM - 7:30 PM in the Chursh Hall. Persons wishing to donate should contact John F. Bradley, (610) 312-1657, vze2mv0y@verizon.net
Maternity B.V.M Hall: Father/Son Communion Luncheon:Sunday, November 9th, 2008 after the 12:30 Mass (1-4 PM). Tickets are $12.50 per person or $25.00 for Father and Son. The guest speaker will be Jim Murray, former General Manager of the Philadelphia Eagles and founder of the Philadelphia Chapter of the McDonald’s House. Food will be provided by Liberty Caterers and will include various sandwiches (roast beef, turkey breast, corned beef, ham & cheese), potato salad, macaroni salad, cole slaw, and other garnishes; beverages will be soda, coffee and tea. Please contact Jack Weber at (215)698-7656 or (215)698-2585 for tickets.
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta - Limerick - During Lent, the Society sponsored Stations of the Cross. Also, the Society assisted the parish in setting up the temporary worship area for a Communal Reconciliation Service.
Holy Ghost Byzantine - Philadelphia - In December, the Society sponsored the annual St. Nicholas Day Celebration for parish families. On March 8th, the Society presented a Parish Day of Recollection, led by a pirest-facilitator.
Holy Name of Jesus Parish - Philadelphia - On Sunday, January 13th, the Society participated in the blessing and dedication of a statue of Blessed John of Vercelli, after the 10:45 AM Mass.
Holy Saviour Parish - Norristown - The Society sold carnations on Mother's Day. The funds raised was used to provide monetary awards for 8th Grade "Honors Graduates" from their parochial school.
The Society is also energetically planning additional activities to increase their membership.
MATERNITY BVM - Philadelphia - The Society celebrates a monthly Corporate Communion Mass, and also leads a Parish Rosary one evening a month. They played a prominent role in the Holy Thursday liturgy. On occasions when a bishop comes to the parish for Confirmation, Holy Name men are selected to hold the canopy.
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish - Bridgeport - The Society held its 74th Annual
father and son Communion Breakfast, at SS. Peter and Paul Hall, Bridgeport, on Sunday, March 9, 2008, following the 7:30 AM Mass. Over 180 tickets were sold. The featured speaker was Tommy McDonald, the famous wide receiver from the 1960 Eagles NFL Championship Team. John Bradley represented the PAHNU, and announced that the late Paul Angelilli, from this parish, had received the 2007 John Schaum Memorial Award.
On the second Sunday of November, 2008, the Society will sponsor a Parish Family Breakfast.
Sacred Heart Parish - Swedesburg - The Society held its Annual Wigilia Dinner (a traditional Polish Catholic festival) on Sunday, December 9, 2007.
The Society held a "Night at the Races" on Saturday,, April 12th, at 7:30 PM.
St. Agnes-St. John Nepomucene Parish - Philadelphia - The Society takes leftover food from parish events to St. John's Hospice. The Society also participates in a Clothing
Drive for St. Frances Inn.
St. Denis Parish - Havertown - The Society is evangelizing by promoting the sale of religious educational CDs, published by Lighthouse Catholic Media. These CDs are on display in a kiosk, in the church vestibule, but may also be obtained by contacting John F. Bradley, 307 Bewley Rd., Havertown, PA 19083-1622, (610) 789-1370 (Land Line), (610) 312-1657 (Cell Phone), vze2mv9y@verizon.net
St. George Parish - Glenolden - The Society conducted its Annual Pinochle Tournament, to raise funds for the parish. Approximately 80 players participated. The goal was to raise $4,000.00. Prior to each "Pinochle Night", the members begin with a Mass, honoring the memory of a deceased member.
The Society held its Annual Communion Breakfast in May. After Mass, the members gathered at a local restaurant.
Each year, the Society gives awards to one boy and one girl, for writing the best essays on the topic "What the Catholic Faith Means to Me". The prizes, which are $100 apiece, are presented to the students at their 8th grade graduation. All students who are members of the parish are eligible, regardless of whether they attend -parochial, private or public school.
St. Helena Parish - Philadelphia - The Society is not currently active, but will advise of any future planned activities.
St. Hugh of Cluny Parish - Philadelphia - The Society participated in Outdoor Stations of the Cross during Holy Week. The Society also regularly provides ushers for parish events, both regularly-scheduled Masses, and special events, such as processions. Of special note, the Society operates a van to transport disabled persons to Sunday Mass.
On October 15, 2008, the Society will sponsor a Candidates Night, where representatives of all Presidential candidates with ballot access in Pennsylvania will come to the parish hall to answer questions of concern to Catholics. The event will begin with a Mass at 6:00 PM, with the question and answer session starting at 7:00 PM.
St. Joan of Arc Parish - Philadelphia - The Society does not currently have any activities planned, but stands ready to assist the pastor as requested.
St. John Bosco Parish - Hatboro - The Society distributed Christmas packages to the shut-ins. Contents of the packages included candy, cookies, a Christmas card and a prayer book.
In March, they held a "Night at the Races", around St. Patrick's Day. The Parish President will provide further details, as they become available.
St. John Cantius Parish - The Society will be selling raffle tickets for the parish during the month of July.
St. Josaphat Parish - Philadelphia (Manayunk) - The Society held its Wigilia Dinner, a traditional Polish Cahtolic celebration, on December 16th. Approximately 125 persons were in attendance.
There was a Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, January 12th, after the 5:00 PM Mass, for the benefit of the family of the late Deacon Vince Marco.
Bi-monthly Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournaments are run by the Society.
ST MARTIN OF TOURS - Philadelphia - The Society is planning a joint Membership Drive with the parish Knights of Columbus Council.
St. Mary - Conshohocken - The Society held a Pancake Breakfast, for Sunday, March 16 (Palm Sunday), between 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
St. Mary Magdalen - Media - The Society recently elected Tim Campbell as its new President. Currently, the Society members played a major role in the dedication of the new church, which will occurred in April.
St. Monica Parish - Berwyn - The Society has several recent accomplishments to its credit, as follows:
The Society's Annual Retreat was held at St. Joseph's in the Hills (Malvern Retreat House) on the weekend of February 1-3
The Society recently established the Chris Jones Scholarship, in honor of a young parishioner, who passed away at the untimely age of 18. The Scholarship will assist a St. Monica Parish student who will be attending a Catholic High School
The Society recently paid for, and arranged the lighting of the beautiful Rose Window in the parish church. Now, this religious artwork serves as a method of evangelizing passing motorists and pedestrians during the evening.
The Society took care of the set-up for the Annual Fundraiser for St. Mary's facility for the elderly, on Saturday, February 16th. The fundraiser was Barbecue Dinner.
On March 8th, the Society held its Annual Parish Fundraiser, a Trivia Night. This event is the high point of the social season at St. Monica's.
St. Monica Parish - Philadelphia - The Society held its Annual Communion Breakfast in November, and nearly 200 persons were in attendance.
The Valentine Social, was held in February, after the Saturday Vigil Mass, which included a ceremony for the renewal of marriage vows.
Visitation BVM Parish - Eagleville - The Society has several events planned for the year, as follows:
During Lent), the members attended Stations of the Cross as a group on Fridays;
On Holy Thursday, the Society participated in Eucharistic Adoration;
In May, the Society presented religion awards to graduating 8th graders;
In July, the Society will organize the Parish Cookout;
Finally, in November, the Society will staff the Cheer Booth, at the Parish Fair. They will begin collecting donations of bottles of cheer in September.
NOTE: Events took place, or will take place, in 2008, unless otherwise noted. The PAHNU was, or will be, officially represented at some (although not all) of these events, by either the President or another Archdiocesan Officer, but this fact is not always noted.
We publicize these events for several reasons. First of all, we like to give our Holy Name Brothers (and Sisters, in some parishes) credit for the good works they do. As the Scriptures say "Let your light shine before men". Also, in some cases, if we are given advance notice, we may be able to promote your event to Holy Name colleagues in other parishes. And finally, your society may learn about an interesting activity being performed by another parish which you could also conduct. "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."