26th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME September 27, 2015

Saturday, September 26 4:30PM James Dougherty Sr. Stephen Kosek Sunday, September 27 7:30AM Anthony Timbario

9:30AM Joseph Fritz 11:30AM Anthony Timbario Monday, September 28 8:15AM Lillian Hooper Tuesday, September 29 8:15AM Stephen Opiela Wednesday, September 30 8:15AM Michael Moore, Annie & Louis Moore Sr. Thursday, October 1 8:15AM Peg McEntee Friday, October 2 8:15AM Helen Schank (4th Anniversary) Cecile Jordan & Johany Monteliano Family Saturday, October 3 4:30PM Michael P. Kilgallon Mary & John Mastrangelo Sunday, October 4 7:30AM Sr. Rita Helen Rogers

9:30AM Living & Dec’d Members Class of 56 11:30AM Thomas Smith

Tom Tone, David Talone,JoAnn LaSorsa, Marie Carney, Greg Atkinson, Sophie Grabowski, Anthony Bonanno, Joanne Toth, Theresa Lenczewski, Rev. Msgr. Robert Grudowski, Florence

Zapien, Luke Birkhead, Rose Kiger, Erik Kozlowski, Edmund Opielski, Bozena Orzechowski, Marlene Salkowski, Roselie Partenheimer, John Walski, Carl Reiff, Joseph Blaszczak, Patrick Kelly, Sean McGonagle, Mary Pierce, Brian Dunlevy, Sr. Jean Streibig, Stephanie Hathaway, Ken Waszena, Charles Streibig, Theresa McGrath, Kylie Reiff, John McCann, Nikki Dolan, Joseph Rozecki, Betty DiCola, Brother James Riley, Shawn Gallen, Eduardo Gloria, Molly Glick, Deb Smith, Ann Campbell, Francina Capolingua, Cathy Pierlott, Lynn Bowman, Anne Gallagher, James Sousa, James Gauger, Emilia Bello Jones, Rita Van Buskirk, Joan Nasielski, Stephen Greene, Caroline Smerecki, Joan Pierce, Kevin Miller, Mike Ancin, Alfred Zisk, Cynthia Allen, Rylan Borys, Susan Minnick, Ann Greco, Denise Kavanaugh, Michael Fox, Anthony Frabezio, Nick Falcone, Renee Marinelli.

Pray for the deceased: Frank Walski Staff Sgt Daniel Furtak, Lt. Michelle R.

McNally, SSKC Terence J. McNally Jr., Sgt. Robert Bonneau, Andrew Midgett, Jonathan Staats, Col. Shawn McGinley, 108

th Wing McGuire AFB, Matthew

Horning, 1st Lt. Stanley J. Reimer III, SR Brett Pellicciotti, PFC Thomas Mazzochetti, Staff Sgt. Michael Alfonse, Robert Catapano U.S. Army 101

st

Airborne, Paul Brown, Marines, Corporal Andrew Teitjen, Tech Sgt Eric Zweiback

CELEBRANTS MASS SCHEDULE 9/26 4:30 Fr. Heron 9/27 7:30 Fr. Genovese 9:30 Msgr. Owens 11:30 Fr. Ryan 10/3 4:30 Fr. Genovese 10/4 7:30 Fr. Ryan 9:30 Msgr. Owens 11:30 Fr. Heron 10/10 4:30 Msgr. Owens 10/11 7:30 Fr. Heron 9:30 Fr Genovese 11:30 Msgr. Owens 10/17 4:30 Fr. Heron 10/18 7:30 Msgr. Owens 9:30 Fr. Ryan 11:30 Fr. Genovese 10/24 4:30 Msgr. Owens 10/25 7:30 Fr. Genovese 9:30 Fr. Heron11:30 Fr. Ryan 10/31 4:30 Fr. Ryan

Parish Council Meeting: September 30, 2015 at 7PM in the Rectory.

Pre-Jordan Instructions (Sacrament of Baptism) The Sacrament of Baptism is administered in church on the first three Sundays of each month following the 11:30 A.M. Mass. In preparation for having a child Baptized, parents are required to attend “Pre-Jordan Instructions.” Classes are the first Tuesday of each month. (Exception) The next class will be Tuesday, October 13 at 7PM in church. You will be required to attend a class if this is the Baptism of your first child. Please call the rectory at 610-828-0424 press 4 for the office to register for the class.

Prepare for Next Sunday Scripture – October 4, 2015

Genesis 2:18 – 24 Hebrews 2:9 – 11

Mark 10:2 – 16 “It’s not good for man to be alone.” “If there were such a thing as a loneliness which could no longer be penetrated and transformed by the word of another... Then we should all have a real, total loneliness and frightfulness, what theology calls ‘Hell’” (Pope Benedict XVI). “What God has joined together, no human being must separate.” The sacrament of marriage is Christ’s answer to hell. If we have experienced a companionship that has moved our hearts to an otherwise impossible union with Jesus Christ, then our first task is to remain faithful to it with the same tenacity that little children cling to their parents.

ST. MATTHEW SENIOR GROUP: Our next meeting will be held on October 21st at 12:30pm, at the convent. We will have a short business meeting and lunch. All Seniors are welcome, please come and join us.

This following Monday evening the Youth Group will meet in SSCD Hall for a planning/activity session. See you there! 2015-2016 PREP/CCD Calendar and other sacramental information is available on our website. Simply click the tab Parish Organizations and select PREP. Classes are 6:30 – 7:45pm Monday evenings September thru March. Tuition fee: one child $110.00, two children $165.00, three or more $195.00. Classes will be held again at Early Childhood School and SS Cosmas and Damian Hall. Any questions please call the rectory at 610-828-0424 ext6.

St. Matthews will celebrate the sacraments of First Penance on March 14, 2016, and First Eucharist on April 30, 2016. Liturgy of the Word for Children takes place every

Sunday at the 9:30AM Mass. All children are invited from the altar to the sacristy to share in a child-like presentation of the Readings of the

Day. They return after the Prayer of the Faithful. Parents and older siblings are encouraged to accompany younger children. JOB OPPORTUNITY: Conshohocken Catholic Early

Childhood Program is seeking a nurturing, loving individual to help care for infants and young toddlers daily from 7am-1pm in a newly formed daycare room. The

position requires previous experience, an enthusiasm for working with young children and the ability to lift 30lbs. Any interested candidates are asked to call Michelle at 610-828-0755 or email cceccdaycare@gmail.com for more information or to set up an interview. FOUNDATION FOR BABIES (ALEXANDRA PIERCE

ANGEL FUND) we are having our 3rd Annual Diaper Drive from October 1st – October 31st. Once again this year our Foundation for Babies Diaper Drive will be partnering with Cradles to Crayons. We are pleased to announce that over the past three

years we have brought in over 300,000 diapers to the Delaware Valley. This drive will benefit struggling parents who cannot afford adequate supply of diapers for their family. There will be boxes in the back of the church for your donations. Thank you in advance for all of your support. Bill & Nicole Pierce 610-405-3725 or 267-882-5573.

Are you interested in learning more about the Catholic faith? Do you or

does someone you know wish to become Catholic? Are you a baptized Catholic but never have been confirmed or received First Eucharist? Are you curious about some aspects of our faith or tradition? The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the place for you! Every year, adults are welcomed into the Catholic Community through RCIA. It is a learning and loving process in which conversion of the heart brings you to Jesus Christ! Interested?? Please call the rectory 610-828-0424 with any questions or for more information. (No obligation!) First Session will begin Monday, September 28th at 6:30PM. ST. MARY’S GOLDEN AGE CLUB: Meets every Thursday at St. Mary’s Church Hall. Three dollar fee. Play Cards 9:00 AM Snacks 10 AM Lunch 11 AM Play Bingo 12 – 2:30 PM. Dues for members due 2015 is $10.00 for the year. GOLDEN AGE CLUB of St Mary’s News: Casino Trips are scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month: October 13 & November 10. Bus leaves 9:00 AM from 11th & Fayette, 9:15 AM from 3rd & Fayette, and at 9:30 AM from St. Mary’s. Please call Joe (610-825-4596).

St. Matthew Prayer Shawl Ministry: We most ‘warmly’ invite you to be a part of this Ministry by meeting with us in the St. Vincent DePaul room Tuesday, October 13

th at

7PM. If you know of someone who might like to receive a shawl, please let us know-or make one yourself for someone special to you. For Information contact Alice O’Connor acaoc@verizon.net RESPECT LIFE SUNDAY:

The Pro-Life Union is dedicated to building and fostering a Culture of Life by promoting the sanctity of all human life. This critical mission is possible only with your help and support. Your contributions allow the

Pro-Life Union to assist women in need, to support pregnancy homes, to provide outreach, prayers, education, alternate services, and public policy activities. The generosity of our parish has always been outstanding. As our Pro-Life Committee prepares for the upcoming Respect Life Sunday, we ask for your support in promoting this important weekend and we appeal to the generosity of the parish community. The Respect Life Collection will be held before and after each Mass on October 3-4, 2015. The 2015 Pro-Life Summer Raffle: The Pro-Life Summer Raffle offers a maximum of 2,500 tickets at $25 each on ten prizes totaling $7,500. 1

st prize $5,000, 2

nd prize

$1,000, 3rd

prize $500, 4th prizes $250, 5

th prizes $100.

The drawing for this Raffle will occur on Saturday, October 3, 2015 and the proceeds will benefit the Pro-Life Legal Fund for Southeast Pennsylvania. Please contact Diane at 610-828-8041 to purchase tickets. Please make checks payable to the “Pro-Life Legal Fund”.

September 20, 2015 WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR

YOUR OFFERTORY GIFTS LAST WEEKEND:

$14,086.50 Electronic giving $2,239.50 + $11,847 = $14,086.50 ELECTRONIC GIVING:

We invite you to consider our new electronic giving program as a way to automate your regular weekly or monthly offerings. Parish Giving is

convenient for you and there is NO COST for you to participate. Contact Deacon Mike Kubiak at deacon.mike.kubiak@comcast.net to register www.parishgiving.org or www.stmatthewparish.com The following forms and schedules can be found on our website at www.stmatthewparish.com

Parish Registration Prep/CCD Registration Schedule a Baptism Schedule a Wedding Eucharistic Minister Schedules

Lector Schedules Altar Servers Schedules Youth Ministry Registration

Ladies - Curious about Walking with Purpose? Please join us for coffee and dessert on

Wednesday, Sept 30th at St. Matthews Convent (51 E 3rd Ave, Conshohocken, PA 19428). 6:30 – 8:15 PM. Feel free to come alone or bring a friend. We’re a very welcoming group. No RSVP necessary, but please contact Judy Kukowski if you have any questions: JAKukowski@verizon.net or 610-331-2147.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE: The Food Cupboard will only be open twice a month starting in September on the 2nd &

3rd Fridays of the month at 1 PM. Food Pantry Needs: tuna fish, boxes of mashed potatoes, stew, canned fruits, peanut butter and jelly. TRIVIA NIGHT: Conshohocken Fire Company No.2 Saturday, October 17

th

Doors open at 6:30 question rounds start at 7 PM $20 per person Food, Beer, and soda included. 8 rounds of fun trivia, raffles and prizes. Gather your friends and see how many questions you can answer Contact the fire house 610-828-4090 or Elizabeth Costello 610-828-7154.

Reflections from my Rocking Chair Dear friends, As of this Sunday we reach the climax of Pope Francis’ visit to the United States. I think it’s fair to say that the Holy Father is the most prominent figure in Christianity today. He is the 266

th

successor to the Chair of Peter. Some have been saints and some scoundrels. It

is a great gift to live in the church today with the integrity of Peter’s Chair secure. What must our 21

st century

secularists think of all this? The fundamentalist Christian churches criticize the papacy as having no biblical foundation. We beg to differ! In the Catechism of the Catholic Church {CCC} (#880) we read, “When Christ instituted the Twelve, he constituted them in the form of a college or permanent assembly, at the head of which he placed Peter, chosen from among them.” Clearly, Scripture places Peter as the first apostle of the Twelve; Peter is the first to preach, Peter receives the keys of the kingdom, Peter is called “rock” by Jesus a foundation stone for his church, Peter is the first to preach the resurrection, Peter renders the decision of the Twelve regarding the admission of Gentiles into the church community. The earliest tradition tells us that Peter journeyed to the city of Rome and was its elder, bishop (Episcopal in the Greek) and died a martyr. The Bishop of Rome is recognized as first among the college of Apostles. The CCC states, “The office of binding and loosing, which was given to Peter, was also assigned to the college of Apostles united to its head. This pastoral office of Peter and the other apostles belongs to the church as its very foundation and is continued by the bishops under the primacy of the Pope.” When the CCC describes the Pope as the “visible source and foundation of both the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful”, you can see Pope Francis as an embodiment of that ministry. He is renewing our church and winning the hearts of many. It is a bold claim to say that the Holy Father is the Vicar of Christ. A vicar is one who stands in the place of – in the case of the Bishop of Rome - the person of Jesus Christ himself. Always a sinner the Pope teaches in a voice particularly authoritative, “You are Peter …” It is the Pope’s task to hold the rudder and guide the ark through turbulent seas. To indicate the immensely important office that is bestowed upon a man called to be Pope, he takes a new name. The Holy Father chose the name of one of Catholicism’s most revered saints, Francis of Assisi. No other Pope has taken Francis, perhaps because St. Francis burned so brightly of self-surrender. The Saint was a lover of poverty, a beggar for Christ. As a Jesuit provincial and as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, the Holy Father joyfully embraces the simple life and gives great evidence of his love for the poor and marginalized. Pope Francis leads with love. As teacher he changes no doctrine but he stands as shepherd with arms wide open to embrace everyone. He reminds me of the axiom of St. John the Cross: “Where there is no love, put love, and love will follow”. Be sure to watch and listen. God is breaking through... Blessings, Msgr. Tom Owens (stmatt2014@gmail.com)

Fr. Tom Heron’s Weekly Reflection

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Jesus,Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Jesus,Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Jesus,Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Jesus,

Welcome!Welcome!Welcome!Welcome!

I rejoice in your presence with the Saint Matthew faith I rejoice in your presence with the Saint Matthew faith I rejoice in your presence with the Saint Matthew faith I rejoice in your presence with the Saint Matthew faith

worshiping communityworshiping communityworshiping communityworshiping community as we participate in the Liturgy for as we participate in the Liturgy for as we participate in the Liturgy for as we participate in the Liturgy for

the 2the 2the 2the 26666thththth Sunday in OrdSunday in OrdSunday in OrdSunday in Ordinary Time. inary Time. inary Time. inary Time. We are blessed by your We are blessed by your We are blessed by your We are blessed by your

desire to give thanks to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, both desire to give thanks to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, both desire to give thanks to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, both desire to give thanks to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, both

parishioners and guests. May you be renewed in mind, heart parishioners and guests. May you be renewed in mind, heart parishioners and guests. May you be renewed in mind, heart parishioners and guests. May you be renewed in mind, heart

and spirit through the Word and Eucharist we share. and spirit through the Word and Eucharist we share. and spirit through the Word and Eucharist we share. and spirit through the Word and Eucharist we share.

Thanks for joining us!Thanks for joining us!Thanks for joining us!Thanks for joining us!

Numbers 11:25-29 Psalm 19 James 5:1-6 Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

In 1939, a coast guard vessel was cruising the Canadian Arctic when the men spotted a polar bear stranded on an ice floe. It was quite a novelty for the seamen, who threw the bear salami, peanut butter, and chocolate bars. Then they ran out of the food. Unfortunately, the polar bear hadn’t run out of appetite, so he proceeded to board their vessel. The men on the ship were terrified and opened the fire hoses on the bear. The polar bear loved it and raised his paws in the air to get the water under his armpits. We don’t know how they did it, but eventually they forced the bear to return to his ice pad – but not before teaching these seamen a horrifying lesson about feeding polar bears. Some people make the same mistake with sin that these sailors nearly made with the polar bear. They begin feeding it – a little at a time without thinking through the consequences. “It says something about our times,” writes Willard D. Ferrell, “that we rarely use the word SINFUL except to describe a really good dessert.” Let’s talk about “sin” for just a few minutes today, even though it is less and less fashionable to do so. There are some things about sin we need to know. Jesus was probably the most tolerant man who ever lived. Notice in our lesson for today: one of His disciples, John, told Him, “Teacher, we saw a man driving out demons in Your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” Now that makes sense. What we have here is a clear copyright infringement. A man who was not a member of a recognized church was using Jesus’ name to cast out demons. If something wasn’t done he would soon be putting up a tent on the outskirts of town – The First Liturgical, Pentecostal, Evangelical, Reformed Church of the Triune God. We can’t have such riff-raff representing Christ. No wonder the disciples were alarmed. But Jesus said, “Do not stop him. No one who does a miracle in My name can in the next moment say anything bad about Me, for whoever is not against us is for us. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in My name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.” Jesus had no use for theological litmus tests. The proof was in the pudding, as we say. You will know a follower of Christ by his actions. No more, no less. Political candidates talk about big tents – making the party tent big enough to draw in as broad a constituency as possible.

Jesus has the biggest tent of all. If you are not against Him, you are for Him. All who will may come. Jesus was the most tolerant man who ever lived. But there were limits. Listen to Mark 9:42: “And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck.” Not much tolerance there. And it gets worse: “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell...” (NIV) Those are not tolerant words at all. That was one area where Jesus showed no tolerance. It was the area of sin. Sinners He loved; sin He despised. There were some things about sin Jesus wanted to say to us without equivocation. The first is, avoid sin. That’s pretty simple, isn’t it? Avoid sin! If you are in the presence of evil, get out of there. If you are being tempted, flee! If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. You can cozy up to temptation for only so long. Before you know it, it will have you in its snare. It is tempting to go along with the tide or to become so used to society’s ways that nothing shocks us anymore. But as Christians, as Catholics, we cannot retreat from the world. In fact, Our Lord has called us to be a light to the world. But we cannot be a light to the world if we passively embrace the world’s ways, or if we allow our moral sensibilities to become dulled by exposure to counterfeit values. It is precisely in times such as these that each of us must honestly look at what we have done and what we have failed to do. We must ask ourselves: what should we be doing to protect and enhance human life in our society?

End of Bulletin