Pastors Corner

Fr. Michael Olivere

Dear Friends,

Our Advent journey continues as we celebrate this second Sunday of the season, with the figure of John the Baptist reminding us to “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The person of John is a reminder to make sure our priorities are aligned with those of God, not only during these frenetic days leading up to the great feast of Christmas, but always.

            On Monday, December 5, Tuesday, December 6, and Wednesday, December 7, we will be celebrating a Solemn Triduum in Honor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. The Miraculous Medal Novena has a rich tradition in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, since the Central Association and Shrine to the Miraculous Medal is located in the Germantown section of the city. Here at Saint Timothy’s, we pray the Novena prayers every Saturday morning at the end of the 8:30 Mass. Our Solemn Triduum this week is a perfect way for us to prepare for the great feast of Our Lady’s Immaculate Conception on December 8, and is a beautiful way for us to focus on Mary during the season of Advent. Each evening of the Triduum at 7:00 we will pray the Novena Prayers, have a homily, and celebrate Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. At the end of each evening’s devotions you will also have the opportunity to venerate the relic of Saint Catherine Laboure, the great saint to whom the Miraculous Medal was revealed by Our Lady herself. Please join us, and bring a friend!

This year, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on this Thursday, December 8^th. This is a very important feast for us as Americans, since under this title, Our Lady is honored as the patroness of the United States. On the feast day itself, Masses will be celebrated at Saint Timothy at 6:30 A.M. in the lower church and at 8:30 A.M., 12:05 Noon, and 7:00 P.M. in the upper church. Mass will be celebrated at Saint Bartholomew at 10:00 A.M.

On Sunday, December 18^th, at 7:00 P.M., we will be celebrating the ceremony of Lessons and Carols in Saint Timothy’s upper church. This beautiful liturgy, which will feature our music ministry, is a wonderful way for us to celebrate the Advent season. This evening will be a fine opportunity for us to gather as a parish family, to sing carols, and to get into the spirit of the season. Please attend with your family members and neighbors!

Please remember our shut-ins and those who are in need during this Advent season by taking note of our giving trees, which are located at the front of Saint Bartholomew Church and Saint Timothy Upper Church. Details about the Elf Patrol and Giving Tree are explained elsewhere in this bulletin.

Available to you at the church entrances are the Little Blue Books for the Advent and Christmas seasons, which contain a short thought for each day of the season.  Please take a book home with you, and feel free to take one for a shut-in or neighbor who cannot come to church.

I remind you that the annual Saint Charles Seminary Appeal is taking place at this time. You should have received a direct mailing from the seminary for the appeal, and may use the envelope enclosed in your mailing to send your contribution directly to the seminary, which is the preferred method. For those of you who didn’t receive this mailing from the seminary, or misplaced it, there are extra envelopes available at the entrances of the church for your convenience. Thank you for your generosity to this important annual campaign.

I remind our lectors that your new Workbooks for Lectors and Gospel Readers are available in the sacristy. Please stop in after Mass to take yours.

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

                                                                                    Love and prayers,
                                                                                    Father Olivere