Thursday, December 11, 2025

Feast of Pope St. Damasus 

Week of Advent II



Parish Penance Services

On Thursday December 18^th at 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM we will hold our Advent Penance Services. A number of priests will be here to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Frankly going to confession once or twice a year is inadequate. Having said that if that is your practice then it is time to get to confession. If you believe you have no need of confession because you can’t think of any sins, ask your spouse or another relative what they think of that idea.

Solemn Vespers during Advent

The are two Sundays remaining in Advent and we will continue our practice of Advent Solemn Vespers beginning at 3:00 on Sunday afternoon. 

Penance Service * Christmas Schedule * New Year's

 Loaves & Fishes

The remaining schedule for 2025 Loaves & Fishes drop off/pickup is December 19th. We meet from 0930 to 1000 at the PLC.



Our normal collection includes sack lunches, cooked and frozen casseroles, bags of apples and oranges, bottles of water, boxes of protein or granola bars, and chapstick.

A new request - if you can provide warm clothes - coats, jackets, hats, gloves - obviously new or slightly used in good condition. 

We restarted our collection for YoungMoms. Diapers sizes 5,6,7 are the most needed at this time.

A new request - for the Salvation Army in West Chester - blankets.

Any questions contact JoEllen Muntz (joburns66@gmail.com) for assistance.

Thanks for your support.

Mary Hewes, and JoEllen & Steve Muntz

Parish Services

We have some exciting opportunities to gather as a parish this Advent. Parish Services has two programs in the next few weeks before Christmas. One for the younger set, 18-35 and another for families and the children.

Parish Services December flyer

Knights of Columbus Crab Cake Sale

Pick up your Crab Cakes in the PLC tomorrow from 4;00 PM to 7:00 PM and Saturday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Knight of Columbus Poinsettia Sale

Poinsettias can be purchased and picked up after all the Masses this weekend in the PLC - First come First Serve. Supplies are limited, so be prompt.



SAVE THE DATE!

The Brandywine Pops Orchestra will present a free concert Monday, December 15^th, 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Life Center.



In addition to Christmas and Hanukkah music, the Orchestra will also play selections from the Nutcracker Suite and Wizards in Winter from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

We hope to see you there!



St. Cornelius Giving Tree

This is the last weekend of our Giving Tree collection. We will gladly accept gift cards through Sunday's 4pm mass. Our charities have told us the need is significant this year, and they are extremely blessed and grateful for the generosity of our parishioners. Please reference the Giving Tree link below for details on how you can support the charities we sponsor.

Giving Tree

Lessons and Carols

I once again offer my gratitude to the members of the music ministry of our parish. The second annual Lessons and Carols was flawless and uplifting our Advent Spiritual efforts.

Thank you so very much!

The Big Finish

Every Thursday I meet with a group of parishioners who have become emerging Scripture Scholars. I lead the presentation which I begins by asking if there are any questions. Invariably, the questions serve as a launching pad for a lengthy discussion leading to more questions. In a word: I love it. Not because I like the sound of my own voice. I would willingly put my nasal South Philly ladened accent aside to listen to them. I regularly assert that I am much more interested in hearing what others have to say more so than I am interested in them hearing what I have to say.

The Thursday morning group is open to all who are interested in exploring Scripture, so please consider joining. The sessions last an hour and we explore the Liturgy of the Word for the next Sunday.

The semester (I still can’t keep myself from using academic terms) ends with a Christmas gathering. Everyone provides food – there is always A LOT of food! The group generously gives me a gift. Among the gifts was a grill and a year’s supply of car washes. I like to grill, even in the dead of winter and I think that the need for a car wash is clearly in evidence if you just look at the wagon I drive.

I cannot overstate how much I enjoy the weekly hour with the group. Their generosity at Christmas is only surpassed by their year-round goodness to me.

My thanks to all. 

Faithfully,

Msgr. Diamond