Weekend of March 30-13, 2024

Dear Friends,

With all Christian believers throughout the world, we joyfully proclaim to one another and to everyone on this feast of Easter, “The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed, alleluia!”

The empty tomb to which we are witnesses on this Easter Sunday is a reminder to us that Christ conquered death, and that all of us who are baptized into his death and resurrection will certainly be given a share in the new life that he was the first to claim. His resurrection, simply put, is the guarantee that we will live for ever, and that none of the darknesses and sufferings of this world --- not even death itself --- will have the last word. Alleluia is truly our song!

I offer my deep thanks to all those who made our celebration of Holy Week and the Sacred Triduum here at Saint Timothy and Saint Bartholomew the beautiful and uplifting experience it was for all of us. Special thanks to Father Lane, Father Noone, Father Dalton, Father Jack, and Deacon Jerry McPhillips, as well as all of our liturgical ministers, including our readers, extraordinary ministers, altar servers, ushers and greeters, music ministers, choir, sacristans, those who cleaned and decorated the churches, as well as anyone else who had anything to do with our celebrations during this past week. I would like to single out Anne Coneghen, who works so hard directing the choir and serving as principal organist at Saint Timothy’s, as well as Bill Miller and Barbara Pippet, who serve so faithfully Sunday after Sunday at Saint Bartholomew’s. I also wholeheartedly thank Nick Monica, Francesco Cifoni, Keith Monteiro, Jimmy Feathersmith, and Tom Weicker, for all they did to ensure that our liturgies were carried out to perfection in every way. I gratefully acknowledge Francesco and Nick and all those who collaborated with them for their hard work in helping to decorate the church at Saint Timothy’s, and Deacon Jerry, Keith, and all the others who assisted in decorating Saint Bartholomew’s. I hope all of you know that a very grateful pastor thanks God each day for your commitment and service. I also extend my deepest gratitude to Tom Sullivan, Annmarie Haag, and Rita Hartley for all they do, so often behind the scenes, not only during this time of Holy Week and Easter, but throughout the year.

I thank all of you, our dedicated and faithful parishioners, for being with us on this Easter Sunday and throughout the Sacred Triduum, and for all you do for our great parishes throughout the year. In the end, it is your fidelity to and love for Saint Timothy’s and Saint Bartholomew’s that really makes us great. I am grateful.

To all of our visitors who are here to celebrate with us on this Easter Day, please know that, whoever you are, you are most welcomed, not just on this great Feast of the Resurrection, but always. Our home is your home!  

Please keep in your prayers this week our seventh graders, who will be confirmed this coming Thursday, April 4^th, at the hands of Bishop Michael Fitzgerald, retired Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia.

Happy Easter! Know that you and those you love are daily remembered in my Mass and my prayers.

                                                                                    Love and prayers,
                                                                                    Father Olivere