Pastor's Weekly Email
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Wednesday, November 25, 2020
XXXIV Week in Ordinary Time
On Friday, November 20th. I was notified that having been tested in my Doctor’s office for COVID 19, the result of the test was positive.
Having met with my doctor during the course of my treatment he recognizes that I have made progress.
However, at my doctor’s direction, I am required to remain in quarantine until the middle of next week.
As a result of this necessity, Masses will not be celebrated in our parish until after the weekend of November 28th and 29th.
The church will remain open for visits and private prayer, but no public Masses will be celebrated.
The Parish Life Center will re-open for daily business on Wednesday morning, December 2nd.
This reality for me and for our parish is an unfortunate eventuality but one that cannot be ignored. I believe that this step is necessary in order to ensure that we are continuing the do the best we can in response to the pandemic.St. Cornelius 9th Annual Food Collection Drive – November 21st and 22nd – New!
The people of our parish have responded with characteristic generosity. This year the Annual Food Collection for Neighborhood Mercy Ministries saw an entire van loaded with groceries and over $1,000.00 in gift cards donated. Evidently not even a pandemic can slow the disciples of our parish in fulfilling Jesus’ directive in Matthew 25.
Thank you!
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and The Fair-Trade Sale at St. Cornelius
The CRS Chapter in our parish is going to host another Fair-Trade Sale on the weekend of December 6th. Because of restrictions, the Fair-Trade Sale will take place after the Vigil Mass on Saturday evening, the 9:00 and 11:00 Masses on that Sunday. The last Fair-Trade Sale sponsored by the CRS Chapter was in early October. We were sold out by the 9:00 Mass. Order forms will be distributed prior to the event so that you can drop off the form at the Parish Life Center and pick up the goods as you leave Mass on December 5th and 6th. I am hoping that enough will be ordered so that I can do a wee bit of Christmas shopping! Never too early you know.Food for the Hungry Soul
Looking for additional Cooks from St. Cornelius! A group of parishioners has been cooking a hot lunch for those who need a warm meal and a caring community at the St. Agnes Dorothy Day Room in West Chester. Due to these times, the number of meals served there has increased to 120, Monday through Friday. Join us and sign up to bring a hot casserole, veggies, fruit or dessert to the PLC 5 or 6 times per year. Our next Collection is Monday November 30th beginning at 10:30 in the parking lot of the PLC. Another volunteer then delivers the meal. Please contact Marilyn Gustin at mgustin05@gmail.com or 484-732-8842 for more details. Your commitment can be very flexible. Thank you!
Loaves and Fishes – New!
Last week we had about 1000 lunches and 20 or so large cartons of granola bars. The gents were so happy to greet our drives and eager to help unload the cars. St. Cornelius has a huge giving heart and I, for one thank you for that.
Looking ahead:December 4th we will collect casseroles and lunches, and COOKIES.
December 18th we will collect lunches only.
* Special note - we will have some donated containers of cookie dough available to bake, with the intention of dropping off the baked cookies on December 4th. If you are interested in baking a container’s worth let JoEllen know and we can arrange to drop off the dough at your house or have it at the PLC for pick up. We think we will have ~ 10 containers and each container has enough cookie dough for 3 dozen cookies. The cookies will then be picked up with the casseroles on Dec 4th. Right now, we think we have bakers for 5 containers so we are looking for 5 more.
There are casserole pans available for pick up in the PLC office and you can pick them up anytime the office is open. A regular aluminum 9 x 13 inch pan works well. The casseroles need to be COOKED then FROZEN and delivered FROZEN.
Should you wish to donate baby supplies (diapers, wipes, formula), please feel free to bring to the PLC and we will deliver to Chester County Maternal Child Health Family Center, or Young Moms, as both locations have similar needs. The diaper size most needed is size 6.
We meet at the PLC between 10 and 10:15 on the morning of the drop off.
If you have a high school student who is helping and need their volunteer hours validated we are am happy to help. Simply email JoEllen me the form and she will sign and scan the form back to you.
If anyone needs help with drop off feel free to call or text JoEllen at 484-832-0202.
Have a wonderful weekend and a Happy Thanksgiving!.
JoEllen
484-832-0202
CST 101 – Catholic Social Teaching 101 – New!
Our parish CRS Chapter launched an exciting new program this past Sunday – CST 101 – Catholic Social Teaching 101. The session lasts for about an hour and I encourage interaction, questions and discussion. Sadly, we cannot assign papers and there are no quizzes or exams. Check out the weekly email for more information on the next Session of CST 101.
Thanksgiving Day Mass – New!
Sadly, we cannot gather to celebrate our annual Thanksgiving Mass. Of all the effects of my bout with COVID this is among the most distressing. Thanksgiving is a uniquely American Celebration and I am sorely disappointed that we cannot assemble for the Eucharist on that special day.
Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe! – New!
Save the Date
Saturday, December 12, 2020
The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Mass will be offered at 8 am, followed by:
Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament,
including recitation of the full rosary for peace in our nation and protection of the unborn.9:00 am-Joyful Mysteries
9:30 am-Luminous Mysteries
10:00 am-Sorrowful Mysteries
10:30 am-Glorious Mysteries
11:00 am–BenedictionSt. Cornelius Literary Society
A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote. The votes are in and the next book the St. Cornelius Literary Society will explore is Capote’s A Christmas Memory. It was a run away hit and garnered a massive amount of votes. No need for a recount here. The date of the next meeting will probably be in late December.
Annual Fall Appeal
Please know of my gratitude for all who have responded to the Annual Fall Appeal. As the return envelopes continue to arrive, I ask, if you have not yet done so, that you consider your contribution for our parish.
Giving Tree
So much is different now because of COVID. Our annual Giving Tree has been altered as well. By now you should have received a letter in the mail explaining the process and the needs. There is a snow man in the vestibule, but we ask that the donations be placed in the mail slot of the music office to the left of the front door.The Holy Family Portico
Attached to this email are some photos of the recently completed Holy Family Portico. It turned our even better than I envisioned and when we once again gather as a parish family we will be able to use this beautiful and sacred space for prayer, reflection and socialization.
Thank you!
Please know of my gratitude for your prayers and support during this past week and the next few days. After my last exam this past week, my doctor (for whom I have the greatest love and gratitude) said to me: You’re lucky. I gently offered a corrective. No says I: I’m blessed. Thank you for being the blessing for me and to me that you are.
Faithfully,
Msgr. DiamondSt. Cornelius Website: www.saintcornelius.org