• Thursday, December 2, 2021 I Week of Advent   Loaves and Fishes – New!   We had a tremendous donation last Friday, thank you.   We will continue with the two drop-offs per month. We will no longer dedicate drop-offs to either casseroles or lunches. We have enough room to store the casseroles at the PLC so we can collect lunches and casseroles on both dates. The 2022 dates have been loaded into the Ministry Calendar on the parish website.    Deacon Anthony informed us that the Hospice is feeding 300 people per day, including the 60 residents. So, both the lunches and casseroles are needed. Additionally, they could use Chapsticks and disposable razors. Plus gloves and hats this time of year.    Our next drop-off is Tomorrow December 3rd.     The next December date is 17th. January dates are the 7th and 21st.   A lunch consists of a PBJ sandwich, a granola or protein bar, a juice box or water bottle and a small piece of fruit if you can add it, the fruit is optional. Another reminder - to help keep the sandwiches from getting soggy spread the peanut butter on both pieces of bread and then spread the jelly in between.    We can store casseroles in the deep freeze in the PLC kitchen so you can drop-off at times that fit your schedule. A casserole should be of your choice, cooked, then frozen. We included some recipes as that was a popular recommendation from the L & F team. These and other casserole recipes are available on the saintjohnshospice.org website. Also the recipes have been loaded on the St. Cornelius website, look under ministries, catholic relief services, loaves & fishes and you should see casserole recipes. Remember we have casserole pans in the office at the PLC.   If you would like to bring a bag of apples, or oranges, or a box of granola bars those are also accepted and you can drop them off on any of the above dates. One of our members suggested Christmas cookies and/or candies this time of year and I know those are always welcome.   If you prefer to donate baby supplies, we will deliver to YoungMoms in Kennett Square. You can drop-off baby supplies on any of the above dates. Diapers of size 4, 5, and 6 are preferred.   We meet at the PLC between 09:30 - 10:00 on the morning of the drop-off.     If you have a high school student who is helping and need their volunteer hours validated, simply email joburns66@gmail.com for assistance. Loaves & Fishes website: https://www.saintcornelius.org/loaves-fishes   Giving Tree            The Giving Tree now graces the church vestibule. Donations are already coming in, testimony to the generosity of our many parishioners. Check the bulletin for details and directions as to what ought to be donated. You will have received a direct mailing regarding the Giving Tree and what gift cards are needed.    Fair Trade Sale on December 4th and 6th            This weekend, December 4th and 5th, we will be hosting a Fair-Trade Sale in the vestibule after all the Masses. Just in time for Christmas, look over the Batik Christmas Décor and Trees. Each holiday piece is hand decorated, along with seasonal favorites of coffee, tea and olive oil. Through your purchase artisans, producers and small-scale farmers are able to stay on their land and provide for their families. Please, cash pr check only; no credit cards.    First Sunday Coffee Hour New!             The St. Cornelius Council of the Knights of Columbus will be hosting a coffee reception in the Holy Family Portico after the 11:00 Mass on Sunday, December 5. Nick Cappelli of Pronto Catering is again supplying us with the caffeine, cocoa and tea. The women’s and men’s groups Walking With Purpose and That Man is You respectively will be hosting our gathering. Please join us after Mass with your fellow parishioners.   Literary Society             The winner for November/December selection is Travels With My Aunt, by Graham Greene (published first in 1969 and republished multiple times since), grabbing 26 votes. Second place was Three Short Stories from Home For Christmas, by Miriam LeBlanc, who pulled in 17 votes. While Fredrick Bachman’s work titled My Grandmother Told Me to Tell You She is Sorry, picked up 9 votes. A small review below may entice you to pick up and read. Henry Pulling, a retired bank manager, meets his septuagenarian Aunt Augusta for the first time in over fifty years at what he supposes to be his mother's funeral. Soon after, she persuades Henry to abandon Southwood, his dahlias and the Major next door to travel her way, Brighton, Paris, Istanbul, Paraguay. Through Aunt Augusta, a veteran of Europe's hotel bedrooms, Henry joins a shiftless, twilight society: mixing with hippies, war criminals, CIA men; smoking pot, breaking all the currency regulations and eventually coming alive after a dull suburban life. In Travels with my Aunt Graham Greene not only gives us intoxicating entertainment but also confronts us with some of the most perplexing of human dilemmas. Goodreads             A date and time will be determined at a later date. Until then, get your atlas and Baedeker out and follow Henry and his Aunt Augusta as they travel the globe.   Pro-Life Rosary Monday, December 6th, 8am New!             After the 7:30 Mass, the Pro-Life Group is hosting a Holy Hour. We will pray a rosary for the unborn, and an end to abortion. We will also pray the Miraculous Medal Novena for the unborn. There will be time for silent prayer. The hour will close with Benediction at 9 am. Look for this event monthly on the first Monday of the month.   Our Lady of Guadalupe New! Save the Date: Sunday, December 12, noon             Please join our Parish Pro-Life Group as we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the unborn, and call upon Her to help protect the unborn. We will pray the Rosary and the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the unborn and an end to abortion. This Feast Day is particularly powerful. Our prayers are necessary to help end the evil of abortion. This is also a good way during Advent to perform a spiritual work of mercy as a community.   Naamans Creek Country Manor Rosary New!             Naamans Creek Country Manor is now allowing visitors from our Parish to come in to pray the rosary with a select number of residents. The designated time for this is 9:45am on Mondays. All volunteers for this must be fully vaccinated and must show proof upon arrival. The residents enjoyed our coming together before Covid and are happy to finally continue with it. If you are interested in participating in this much needed ministry, please call Mariana and leave your name and number (610) 358-2183. We can provide you with a rosary guide. NCCM is located at 1194 Naamans Creek Rd., Garnet Valley, PA.   Saint Cornelius Early Learning Center Open House New! Sunday, December 5, 2021 11:30 AM to 1:00 pm             Join us on Sunday, December 5th from 11:30 to 1:00 PM for an Open House! We warmly welcome current families and prospective families to stop by and visit our school.             Tell your friends, family, or neighbors to stop by and tour our school and learn more about our Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs!            Our staff will be available to share information about our upcoming 2022-2023 school year and prepare prospective and current families for enrollment for the upcoming year! We hope you can join us!   St. Cornelius Youth Group Time New!             Our Youth Group is excited to combine service and holiday spirit in our first ever Baby Shower for Mary and Joseph of Nazareth. Please join the kids in this celebration this Sunday afternoon, December at 5th from 12:00 to 2:00. Consider bringing gifts of diapers (sizes 4,5,6), wipes, blankets, and clothing items sized 18-24 months for Young Moms. I hope this becomes a new holiday tradition in the parish.   Annual Fall Appeal            With characteristic generosity the response to the Annual Fall Appeal has provided to date, $98,200.00 for the maintenance and operations of the parish. Thank you to all who have contributed to this effort.   The Feast of the Immaculate Conception New!            December 8th is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Patronal Feast Day of the United States. It is a holy day of obligation. The Vigil Mass, Tuesday evening is at 7:00 PM. Masses the next day are at 7:30 AM and 12:00 noon. There is no evening Mass on the 8th.   The Christmas Mass and Confession Schedule The Penance Services are Tuesday December 14th at 11:00 am and 7:00 pm. We celebrate Solemn Vesper each Sunday in Advent at 3:00 pm. Christmas Eve: 4:00 pm Music Provided by Contemporary Ensemble 6:00 pm Music provided by Youth Choir and Young Adult Ensemble 8:00 pm Music provided by adult Choir with Trumpet and Flute 10:00 pm Music provided by Young Adult Quartet and Walnut Street Trio Christmas Day: 8:30 am Music provided by organ and cantor 11:00 am Music provided by Cantor and Walnut Street Trio              It was a week ago today that we gathered for Thanksgiving and now we’ve almost gotten through the first week of Advent. It all goes too, too quickly. I wish I knew a way to slow time down, but I might as well go down the Delaware Bay and try to keep the tide out. Time is racing by and Christmas is coming at us like a train. I am a faithful reader of the funny pages, when I used to get a REAL newspaper. I remember years ago a cartoon with Dennis the Menace. He and his pal Joey are in a department store and Dennis exclaims: Look Joey, the Halloween decorations are up! Christmas can’t be far away.            Slow down. Enjoy the moment. Wait. Watch. Be vigilant. Faithfully, Msgr. Diamond St. Cornelius Website Ministry Calendar