We are reborn in Christ Jesus,
members of His redeemed community, 
His Holy Catholic Church

We are by baptism members of the body of Christ,  His
redeemed community,united to Jesus Christ 
under the authority He gave to  His
Apostles and to their successors, including our archbishop,
Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, in union with Pope John Paul II,
who is the successor of Peter upon whom Jesus Himself 
bestowed His authority to govern the Church 
and preserve it from error through 
centuries past and to come.

We are Jesus continuing his mission and his work. That is the 
mystery of the Church: where we go, Jesus goes; when we act, Jesus acts. 
We are his living body and real presence on earth. That is why our life, 
like his life, is mission. For us, to live is to be sent.

To be a member of Christ is to be a member of the Church, 
his body on earth. There is no one-on-one, individual salvation that 
is just a relationship "between Jesus and me." Jesus only gives life to 
his body as a whole; that is the only way it can be given. We share in 
his divine life by incorporation into his body 
through membership in the Church.

(By the grace of God, we are 2400 families.)

Father Sal Riccio, Pastor.

This web site is another means of communicating
with each other in the parish. You will find the
latest information here. It is also a way for us
to reach out to the whole world, testifying how
Jesus Christ continues to be with us and touch our lives.
My prayer is that you will be blessed every time you log on.




Parish Mission Statement

(The following Mission Statement was adopted by the 
Parish in 1992 after many months of serious  study.)

We have carefully considered our mission as a community
  of believers in the Lord. Here is how we see ourselves:

Through Baptism and Confirmation, we receive the gift of new life in Jesus Christ. We, the people of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, see ourselves as the Body of Christ, His family. We are committed to:

­ Worship God joyfully, celebrating who we are as a Eucharistic Community;

­ Encourage and nourish each member of our community to grow in faith and to strengthen family life;

­ Proclaim the Good News of Salvation by word and deed, to reach out in love and compassion to all, and to foster a spirit of ecumenism and welcome;

­ Teach the message of Jesus Christ to people of all ages so that all may come to a deeper understanding, commitment, and witness to Christ;

­ Follow the example of Christ and to imitate our patron, St. Francis, by promoting acts of charity and working to attain justice and peace for all.

We pray to God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
through the intercession of Mary, our mother, and Francis, our patron. May the Risen Jesus lead us in our ministry here on earth and welcome us into His heavenly kingdom.

(Father Sal made this computer graphic after the Parish Mission in 1999 when we were invited to approach the Monstrance containing the Precious Body of the Lord and place our hands over Father Sal's hands. We were then invited to address the Lord Himself in the Holy Eucharist.)

   Team and participants in Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, 
           a 1998 program for those who wanted to become Catholics.

I want to learn more
Jesus is with us, drawing us deeper 
into the fullness of His revelation.

  
Want to learn more about the Lord Jesus as He is worshiped 
and proclaimed for 2000 years by the Catholic Church? Jesus is 
as truly alive among us  as He was then, and as He is now at the 
Right Hand of the Father. By the mercy of God, we here 
profess that we know this Jesus, that He is alive and touches   
our hearts every day, especially in the Eucharist. That He 
is the supreme gift of the Father, offered to each of us ­ to you. If 
you feel drawn  to learn more of the Jesus that Catholics adore, read on.

Do you know someone who would like to learn more about 
the Catholic Church? You may be surprised how many people 
have thought about inquiring but did not?  And do you know 
one reason is that no one asked them!

St. Francis of Assisi Parish is prepared to respond to 
anyone you may direct to us to find out more about our 
precious faith in Jesus Christ. Whether the person seeking 
knowledge has never been baptized, or has been baptized a 
non-Catholic or  is a  Catholic returning to the practice of 
the faith - we have dedicated, knowledgeable  people to help.

For those who wish to look more closely at the Church, we 
have a weekly program  called the Rite of Christian Initiation
for  Adults. Lay people like yourself walk inquirers through 
frank discussions about Catholic faith and morals -  to see if 
this is what the person wants for his or her life. If only you 
could see how rewarding this experience is -  based on the 
comments of those who have participated in it.

Why not encourage the spouse or the relative or the friend 
who has indicated an interest in finding out more about the 
faith to call this number: 610 543-1077 or click here to e-mail    
Madelyn McBride, coordinator of religious education. 
She is prepared to answer  questions informally without 
any stress or pressure.  If  someone you know has felt an 
attraction, a stirring in their heart to look into the Catholic 
Church, we are here. See the following for a personal account
of the RCIA process.

My Journey of Faith:
Drawing close to God
by Diane Nugent

I began my faith journey through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) in the Spring of 1997. The journey involves a mix of Catholic education and self-exploration. The process is led by a team of warm and caring people who are genuinely concerned about those who wish to join the Roman Catholic faith.

The journey begins with an introduction of those who have been called to join. At the onset, none of us really felt we had been "called". Our reasons for being there were more along the lines of "my husband is Catholic", "my children attend Catholic school", " I want to marry in the church".

However, we became convinced that God was the reason we were there. He had called us and it was His plan that we go on this journey together.

At each of the weekly meetings we studied scripture, discussed Christianity, morality, the Roman Catholic faith, rites of initiation and we were able to get our questions answered.

The journey actually follows a specific process with different phases and includes numerous rites. Each phase took us deeper into the faith and closer to our goal of being initiated. These periods included inquiry during which we explored the church and our feelings for it and our relationship with God.

From there we went into the catechumenate phase. During this time, we were beyond just inquiring. Instead we were solidly working towards our goal of initiation. During this time we celebrated our rite of election in which we publicly stated our intent. This rite was celebrated at the Cathedral in Philadelphia by Cardinal Bevilacqua. This was a very exciting time because we got a glimpse of hundreds of other candidates and catechumens throughout the archdiocese. The fact that there were so many somehow was a comfort to me and at the same time added a level of excitement.

From that point forward we concentrated on being prepared for the Easter Vigil. During this beautiful Mass, some received the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation. Those who had not been previously baptized received baptism at this time. Since I had been baptized in another Christian church, I did not received this sacrament (a person only need to be baptized once to be cleansed of original sin and become a child of God).

Next at the Vigil Mass came the sacrament of Eucharist. This is the first time we received Jesus' Body and Blood. This was a very special and touching sacrament. I could feel the warmth of Jesus' spirit within me. Also during the Vigil, the catechumens who had received baptism received confirmation.

Those of us who had been previously baptized were invited to receive confirmation by Cardinal Bevilacqua a few weeks after Easter. This was an incredible ceremony in which the archbishop confirmed hundreds and hundreds of new Catholics. The ceremony was held at Villanova University Pavillion, which is one of the few places that would hold such a crowd. There were choirs from many of the churches throughout the archdiocese. Each one of us were individually confirmed and given our confirmation name. This, again, was a beautiful ceremony from which everyone left feeling closer to God.

My experience with RCIA at Saint Francis of Assisi was very positive. I truly believe the team is committed to educating and supporting all of the individuals who are interested in becoming a part of the Catholic church. I strongly recommend it for anyone who is interested in learning more bout the Roman Catholic faith and becoming a member.

Another Journey of Faith

'My Journey Was Over . . . I Belonged'
By Sheila Cook

I was born in England into a nominally Anglican family: My mother would go to church at Easter and Christmas, and my father not even then. For some reason I could not understand, however, I felt drawn to the Catholic Church from an early age.

I used to slip into the local Catholic church whenever I had the opportunity. I would just sit there and think how beautiful it was and how fortunate the Catholics were to worship in such surroundings. Since I realized my parents were very anti-Catholic, I never told them or anyone what I did. But as I grew older, I only felt more drawn toward the Church.

Then I met my husband, an American serviceman (and a Protestant). I fell in love, married him, and came to the U.S. I settled happily in this country, where we raised five wonderful children. Still, I always had the feeling I was not in the church I should be. I nevertheless went faithfully with my husband to the local Protestant church, but even the friendliness I found there did not overcome the fact that I felt I did not belong.

Then, four years ago, my life changed forever when my husband was diagnosed with cancer. The doctors told me he had four months to live, but he lived for 14 months, during which time we traveled to Europe for an extended second honeymoon, drawing closer than we had ever been.

One night toward the end, while sitting at his bedside, I suddenly knew what I would do when he left me. It was as if a voice were telling me where my faith journey was to lead.

My husband died in Jan. 1990. In September of that year, I joined the R.C.I.A. at St. Francis of Assisi. From the very first class, I knew I had made the correct decision. Over the years, I had never confided to family or friends the strong feelings I had about my faith, and they were all amazed at my decision to become a Catholic at this stage of my life. On the whole, however, they were very supportive.

Finally, at the Easter Vigil of 1991 at St. Francis of Assisi, I realized my goal: The Holy Spirit, which I feel has been with me since I was a child, was wholly with me again that night as I joined the one true Church. I felt such peace and contentment after all these years, all these miles and heartbreak. I had finally come home. My journey was over; I belonged.

I have been away. How do I return?

Once you are baptized a Catholic you always remain a Catholic unless you renounce your faith. Therefore, you can always return ­ next Sunday if you wish. To establish your relationship to the parish community, you may want to contact the rectory or Madelyn McBride at (610) 543-0848. (Also see below.)

Landings
How returning Catholics learn about what 
has happened in the believing Community
in their absence and confront apprehensions.

For those who want more help in returning to the believing community, we have a program called Landings. You and about two other returning Catholics meet with a four or five parishioners over an eight - week period once a week  - to share the faith journey. No priest in present; it's just a simple sharing of where we all are in our walk with the Lord. Very low key but very fulfilling. For more information, call Madelyn McBride. at (610 543-0848).

If you or someone you know is considering returning to the active practice of the faith, why not join us in the Landings program?

With Landings, a group of six to eight active Catholics join together to welcome two or three returning Catholics.

The group provides a landing place, a safe spot to touch down, where we will share faith journeys, prayer, and discussion of Catholic spirituality with ordinary Catholics who are trying to live their faith.

The Creed, Prayer, Scripture, their own spiritual autobiographies and concerns set the agenda for the meetings-once a week for eight weeks.

At the conclusion of the process, we will experience the joy and healing of an evening of prayer.

What Landings is:

­ People in solidarity with the returning; who in their own lives have 'returned', and continue to 'return'.

­ Founded on the belief that we do not have to be trained theologians to share what we believe, and to speak honestly about our faith in Jesus, trusting in the Holy Spirit.

The Landings program is not:

­  The 'saved' welcoming the 'sinners'.

­ People pressuring others to return.

­ Full of answers to teach the unenlightened.

­ Blind to the hurt those in the Church may have caused someone.

For more information, call Madelyn McBride. at (610 543-0848).

Welcome new members and those who are considering 
registering with our parish community

You may pick up your welcoming packet (which includes registration) at the Rectory after all Masses on the weekend and Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 8:30 PM. also at the Rectory. Use the office entrance from the parking lot.

If you would like someone to contact you first to answer any questions,
please click here to contact us by e-mail from this site.

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