On Thursday of this week, we welcome Bishop Keith Chylinski, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, as the celebrant for the Sacrament of Confirmation for 36 of our PREP and Notre Dame de Lourdes students. We thank our teachers, catechists, and all who have guided our students for this deepening of their baptismal grace and for preparing them to receive the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Blessings to… Read More »First Sunday of Lent
Lent begins this Wednesday 18 February. Ashes will be blessed and distributed at the three Masses celebrated on Ash Wednesday – 8:30am, and 6:00pm at Our Lady of Peace; and 10:00am at Notre Dame de Lourdes. Our parish school students will join us for the 10:00am Mass. Mardi Gras is Tuesday 17 February. Below is a prayerful way, from Xavier University, to prepare our hearts, minds, and spirits for the approaching forty days and to celebrate… Read More »Lenten Devotions
Wednesday 11 February is the memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes. It has also been designated as World Day of the Sick. World Day of the Sick was established in 1992 by Pope St. John Paul II. It is a day to remember those who are most in need of God’s healing as well as in need of our compassion and the strength and encouragement… Read More »World Day of the Sick
The snow from last Sunday postponed the opening of our Catholic Schools Week celebration and Open House. Today (Sunday 1 February) we will celebrate Catholic education at our 9:30 am mass at Notre Dame de Lourdes with the Open House of our parish school following from 10:30-Noon. Blessings to our students, staff, faculty, and administration at Notre Dame de Lourdes School as we extend our celebration of Catholic Schools Week. Please… Read More »Blessing of the throats
Blessings to our students, staff, faculty, and administration at Notre Dame de Lourdes School as we celebrate Catholic Schools Week. The events of Catholic Schools Week begin today (Sunday 25 January) with an Open House at the School from 10:30 – Noon. Please stop by our parish school and explore the wonderful programs and accomplishments of our students. Whether you are a… Read More »Catholic Schools Week
This weekend we officially welcome Bernadette, Haley, Skyla, Jack, Ryan, and Samuel, the Catechumens and Candidates who are praying, preparing, and studying, for their full initiation into the Roman Catholic Church. This parish-based Rite of Introduction prepares them for the archdiocesan based Rite of Election which they will receive next month at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. In… Read More »Merciful Lord, hear our prayers
This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord. This Solemnity brings the Christmas Season to a close. The celebration of our Lord’s Baptism affords us the opportunity to recall and celebrate our own Baptism. Where were you baptized? Who baptized you? Who are your godparents? The first recoded baptism at Our Lady of Peace was on 27 June 1922. It was the first… Read More »Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord
Welcome to the New Year. I pray, as we have concluded the Jubilee Year of Hope, that 2026 will build upon the grace of hope that has been shared with you and that the peace of Christ will always remain in your heart throughout this year. May you receive abundant blessings throughout this year. This year our nation will celebrate… Read More »Our Nation’s 250th anniversary
Thank you for your generous response to our collection for St. John’s Hospice. Each Advent season you respond so enthusiastically to the needs of St. John’s, and you lovingly open your coffers to share your blessings with others. Thank you for also your generous donations to our Christmas Flower collection. Your tremendous response and thoughtfulness enable our worship spaces to be enriched so wonderfully for the Christmas season. Thanks. Thanks also to Deacon Charlie, our Church decorating… Read More »Prayer of Blessing for the New Year
Last week we looked at the first four of the seven O Antiphons. The O Antiphons introduce the Canticle of Mary (The Magnificat) at Evening Prayer (Vespers) from 17 December through 23 December. The O Antiphons highlight the Old Testament prophecies of the Redeemer and point toward the ever-growing light of the late Advent season. The winter season begins today around 10:00 am, so from this point… Read More »Blessing of the Christmas Tree