As you take the time to explore our website, you can draw a conclusion that we are a very active parish. Assumption BVM is a tight-knit family of faith, dedicated to our Blessed Mother, Mary. We are disciples of Jesus, who worship God and love our neighbor. As you get a “glimpse” of our many activities, I encourage and invite you to experience our family, and enhance our family by sharing your talents and gifts.
NEWS AND EVENTS
Notices
2025 Mass Book Opens on November 6. Call the Rectory during our business hours or e-mail nancyp.abvm@gmail.com to request Mass Intentions for 2025. For the week of November 6th, there will be a 3 Mass request limit per household. Additional Masses may be requested beginning November 11th.
Flame of Love Event
Father Mike is the National Spiritual director for the Flame of Love movement. There will be a Flame of Love event at our parish on Thursday evening, November 21 beginning with confession, the Rosary and special prayers at 6:30pm. There will be a Mass celebrated by Bishop Efren Esmilla at 7:30pm including sacramental anointing of the sick. The evening will conclude with a talk by Father Mike on the joy of the Flame of Love the Divine Wildfire. Come find out how this devotion has the power to blind Satan in these troubling times.
Thanksgiving and Love Tree Projects
We will begin our Thanksgiving Food Baskets and Love Tree projects soon. If you are or you know of a family in need, please call the Rectory at 215-357-1221 Ext 20. Information is kept confidential.
Letter of Eligibility to be a godparent for Baptism or a sponsor for Confirmation
Click here to learn how does one obtain a Letter of Eligibility to be a godparent for Baptism or a sponsor for Confirmation
Holiday Craft and Vendor Fair
Vendors, secure your spot at the event by signing up by sending an email to scoutmaster.troop153g@gmail.com Vendor booth spaces are for sale with all proceeds going to benefit Troop 153 Scouts events and scholarships. Single Booth: $30 - (1) 6 ft space you can bring your own table (we have 10ft round tables to rent for $3, 6ft long for $5 and 10ft long for $10.00 extra) We provide 2 chairs per space (Electric is $5 extra and you must notify us asap). At the end of the fair we will collect any unwanted household items, clothes or shoes for donation. Email: Scoutmaster.troop153g@gmail.com for reservation of booth.
Higher Shelf Book Club
The Higher Shelf Book Club resumes its meetings on December 12th, from 1-2:30 pm in the ABVM rectory meeting room. We will be discussing Kristen Hannah's book The Women, published by Macmillan. We will take a holiday break and resume our regular meeting schedule January 9th; at that time, we will discuss Between Heaven and Mirth, by James Martin, SJ, published by Harper One. As a reminder, the club meets every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 1-2:30 pm. If you have any questions, please text Sharon Koob at 610-585-0212. Holiday Craft and Vendor Event Date: Saturday, November 23, 20
Parish 75th Anniversary Sponsorships
As part of our upcoming 75th Anniversary; the parish is preparing a special Family of Faith Commemorative Book. Along with collecting photos and ABVM current and historical information we are accepting sponsorship donations from businesses and individuals to be listed in the book. There are several Sponsorship donation levels and donations can be made by check or electronically through Parish Giving. Any donations are greatly appreciated! Sponsorships can be listed in memory of a loved one or by an individual business or family name etc. /
Make check donations payable to Assumption BVM, indicate Assumption BVM 75th Commemorative Sponsorship and note the family name or loved one to be listed.
Electronic donations can be made via Parish Giving at https://www.parishgiving.org. Log in (or sign up) and choose Give Now then select category Fund Raising and select 75th Anniversary. . Enter an amount to donate or chose an amount listed. In the memo section indicate the family name and loved one to be listed in memory. Levels of Sponsorship include Platinum, $1000 Gold, $500 Silver, $250 Bronze, $125, and an Other Amount: that is what you can afford to give.
Parish Pastoral Council
The goal of the Parish Pastoral Council is to assist the Pastor in hearing the parishioner's concerns, questions and addressing parish needs. The council meets quarterly. Please forward questions or concerns to the Parish website info.abvm@gmail.com. NOTE: Upcoming Parish Leaders Mass November 9th 10 AM to invite all members of the different Parish groups.
Parish 75th Anniversary Events
Our 75th Anniversary opening Mass is on Sunday, November 3rd at 11am. There will be a social celebration in the hall after the Mass. If you would like to attend the social, please respond by Monday, October 28th. It is a FIRM DEADLINE because we need to submit a count to the caterer. You can respond by filling out the response form located in the bulletin, return it to the rectory during business hours or by slipping it through the mail slot located in the rectory door or call Nancy at 215-357-1221 ext 20.
Catholic Charities Appeal
As a vital collection for our local Church and the hundreds of thousands of our brothers and sisters who truly rely on the services provided by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, I thank you all who have already contributed. As of October 25th, our parish has contributed $23,089, or 57.42% of our goal of $40,213, and I thank you, as the overall contributions from our local Church thus far amount to 6.5 million dollars of the 10 million dollars goal. We all know the financial difficulties due to inflation, and the many charitable requests which we all receive; such appeals are stressful, especially for you on fixed incomes. On behalf of Archbishop Perez and the hundreds of thousands of our needy brothers and sisters who count on our local Church to help them, please make some contribution if you have not yet, and please remember every contribution is necessary and vital. Look for updates in the coming weeks to notice our parish progress in support of the Catholic Charities Appeal 2024. Envelopes will be in the book racks in the pews.
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Institution of the Eucharist: For active participation at Mass, realize that the passion and crucifixion of Jesus over 2,000 years ago brought to the present moment as the words of consecration are spoken by the priest. The bread and wine become the living body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is not a symbol; we are consuming Jesus flesh and blood under the appearance of bread and wine. We immerse ourselves in this moment and enter the sacrifice with him. We then experience an indescribable humility and oneness with Jesus and with one another. Oh Lord; I am not worthy. A Parishioner's Reflections on the Holy Rosary -- The Luminous Mysteries. Years ago, I often wondered why the public life Jesus was not included in the Rosary line up. Thank God St. Pope John Paul II took care of it by its inclusion. So, lets start..
The Baptism of Jesus: For living my Baptismal promises. At Baptism we are anointed into the family of God, as priest, prophet and king. A priest (small p) we are called to be a bridge between God and society, as prophet we are called to be a witness to Christ in all circumstances by attending Mass, and the way we live, speaking the truth, standing up for righteousness and loving our neighbor; as king we have the power to uproot the rule of sin in ourselves and in the world by our self-denial and holiness of life, to change what is wrong in our own lives as a witness to others. Proclamation of the Kingdom: Seeking God's forgiveness. How many times did Jesus say: go, your sins are forgiven or go and sin no more. Keep in mind the love and mercy of Jesus in his ministry. He said you must forgive those who hurt you, notj ust 7 times, but 70. I am sad when I hear someone say I will never forgive helip; how can God forgive us if we do not forgive others.
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Proclamation of the Kingdom: Seeking God's forgiveness. How many times did Jesus say: go, your sins are forgiven or go and sin no more. Keep in mind the love and mercy of Jesus in his ministry. He said you must forgive those who hurt you, notjust 7 times, but 70. I am sad when I hear someone say I will never forgive help; how can God forgive us if we do not forgive others. Descent of the Holy Spirit: The Love of God. The love of Jesus for God the Father; the love of God the Father for Jesus presents the third person of the Holy Trinity. The love of all three persons for each of us has willed that the Holy Spirit dwells in each of us, a gift presented to enable us to be infinitely better than we could be on our own. God desires a personal relationship with each of us individually. Jesus on the cross said He was thirsting for our love and companionship. Let us then quench his thirst by our faithful love.
Crowning of the B.V.M. For eternal happiness. We all want to be happy in this life but think of it, Did Mary have an easy time? Through all her difficulties. she did as God asked with love and grace. When we experience hardships and loss, remember Mary did too and for all this, was rewarded by God to be Queen of heaven and earth. The hope for us and our loved ones is the promise of eternal happiness with God. Assumption of the B.V.M. For devotion to Mary. Mother Mary is the Queen Mother of Jesus who loves us very much. Realizing how much Jesus loves his mother, acknowledge her power of intercession. Do not be afraid to pick up your Rosary and ask our beloved mother to help you. Remember a Cana she told the servant, Do whatever he tells you, and Jesus did as she asked. On the cross he gave his mother to us and when we approach;
her, she always listens and says Do whatever he tells. She never fails us going through something similar. As we grow in patience, little issues don't mean so much anymore as our lives take on a deeper meaning. Crowning of the B.V.M. For eternal happiness. We all want to be happy in this life but think of it, ve an easy time? Through all her difficulties. she did as God asked with love and grace. When we experience hardships and loss, remember Mary did too and for all this, was rewarded by God to be Queen of heaven and earth. A hope for us and our loved ones is the promise of eternal happiness with God..;
Prayer for Eucharistic Revival
Lord, Jesus Christ, you are the Word Made Flesh. You are the Bread of Life. Stir in my heart and mind the redeeming truth of your miraculous, life-giving love, found in the Real Presence in the Eucharist. Awaken in me the knowledge of the power of your Precious Blood, shed for me. Renew me, Lord, with the fire of the Holy Spirit that inspired your Apostles and the early Church to live wholly for you. Help me to enter deeply into the moment of Eucharistic revival with the United States by first being revived by your love for me in the Eucharist. Awaken in me the knowledge of the power of your Precious Blood, shed for me. Renew me, Lord, with the fire of the Holy Spirit that inspired your Apostles and the early Church to live wholly for you. Help me to enter deeply into the moment of Eucharistic revival with the United States by first being revived by your love for me in the Eucharist. Most especially prepare us, the members of your Body, to help others come to know, or reclaim, the joy, wonder and hope of heaven that is found in receiving you in Holy Communion, where you are truly present, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity..
Knights of Columbus News, Rejina Mundi Council #4052:
The Knights of Columbus is an international Order of Catholic men who are called to lead with faith, protect our families, serve others and defend values in a busy changing world. Asumption BVM’s local council #4052 will be holding a membership drive on Sunday, October 20, 2024. Come join us after the 8 AM and 11 AM Masses for light refreshments and find out more
information about joining the Knights of Columbus. Whether you become an individual member or a member of our council you will find that Knights of Columbus membership brings Catholic men
together in a powerful way. If you would like to join today simply go to KofC.org/joinus and enter our council #4052 for local information. You can use the bar code below. Also, you can contact Rich Gathercole @ 267-261-7337 or see one of the Knights after Mass.
Information from the Church Bulletin
Reflective Thoughts from Patty Criniti
In the past I have shared my enjoyment of Country music. There is a Country musician who's songs are inspiring for everyday people, like me. He spent many years in his youth making bad decisions, hurting himself and people who cared for him. He was incarcerated more than a few times. He used alcohol and drugs to cover his pain, and he was going nowhere fast. In hearing his story, St. Augustine came to mind. He also spent his youth in sin. His mother, St. Monica prayed for many years for her son to open his eyes and find God. He did! He became a great saint and doctor of the church. Now what does his story of redemption have to do with this Country musician? Well, he also opened his eyes and embraced the Lord. He has turned his life around and he expresses his enlightenment and conversion through his music. The first song that; caught my attention was God, I need a favor. In this song he realized that he only went to God when things were really bad and he would ask God for a favor to get him out of the latest mess he was in. One of his newest songs he sings, I'm not okay but everything will be alright. I recently / Tahoma"saw an interview with this artist and he explained that he knows in his heart that we all have tough challenges in life but he now understands that on those days when he is not okay, he knows he will be alright. He has tapped into the gift of hope. He now turns to God to get through. He is clean and sober; he has married the love of his life and they have a beautiful child. He's experiencing the gift of joy that he never thought would be his, in his past. He has completely turned his life around and is now trying to help others who have been lost for a long time through his music and through his actions. So, you see that at any time, whether it be a few hundred years ago or right now people can invite Our Lord into their lives at any time and at any age and be filled with God's love and salvation. We need only to ask and be not afraid. In today's Gospel, we hear about the blind man, Bartimaeus, a beggar. He heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, and he boldly called out, Jesus, son of David, have pity on me. Many tried to silence him but his faith forced him to cry out even more to Jesus. Jesus called for him and asked. What do you want me to do for you? He replied, Master, I want to see Jesus told him, t; Go your way; your faith has saved you. Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way. Faith and hope saved all of these men I have written about today, even though their stories are centuries apart. Let us embrace the courage to come to Jesus with our needs. He will never abandon us. Take courage, Jesus is calling. May God continue to bless you and those you love. Amen.
