When we’re counting our blessings this season we should be grateful to all the parishioners (regular and weekday) who have contributed to the Campaign for St. John’s. Because of them we have 153 pledges totaling close to $450,000 and non pledged gifts of nearly $60,000. If you love St. John’s and want to express your appreciation in a meaningful way, please join the Campaign with a pledge or a gift. Remember, God is never outdone in generosity.
Please join us in congratulating the following parishioners who have pledged their commitment to the Campaign for St. John’s. If you would like to be added to the Honor Roll, please contact our Parish Office at 215-563-4145, ext. 23 to make your contribution today.
Dear brothers and sisters, may the Lord give you peace!
This weekend is Pentecost Sunday; it is also “Commitment Weekend” for our Campaign for St. John’s. I pray that, like the first disciples of the risen Christ, each of us will experience a new liveliness in our faith and our awareness of the Holy Spirit.
God has brought us to this point in our parish’s history for a reason; the question for each of us now is “how will I respond”? I ask you to give this question and this important project some thought and prayer over these next few days. This coming weekend every person will be asked to make a financial pledge at Mass. We have the opportunity as good stewards of God’s gifts to help secure the future of our community for years to come through this campaign. It is not about raising funds for some far away place, or for people we don’t know. It’s not even about the Catholic Charities Appeal or the Archdiocesan Capital Campaign. This is about us: our community of faith, the community that is St. John the Evangelist parish.
For those who are registered at our parish: By now you should have received a campaign brochure in the mail. Please take the time to read through the materials and to prayerfully make a decision with regard to your participation. If you are in need of a brochure, please call the parish office at 215-563-4145.
For those who may not be registered at our parish but are friends of St. John’s: You are very important to the future of St. John’s too and we want you to have the opportunity to learn more about the campaign. Campaign materials are available at the Church and on this website.
In this Easter season the restoration of our church towers has truly been something to celebrate and to rejoice about, but it is only a beginning. Please pray for the success of our campaign “Rebuild. Renew. Rejoice,” and please bring your pledge cards to Mass this weekend.
Peace to you all,
Fr. Frank
The second annual Firefighters’ Memorial Mass, attended by an estimated 125 people, was held at St. John’s on February 14th. Father Frank Yacobi, OFM Cap., presided and concelebrants were Msgr. Dan Sulliva
n and Msgr. Michael McCulken. The Philadelphia Police and Fire Pipes and Drums led the procession into the church. Enhancing the celebration was the world-class music performed by Dr. Annette DiMedio and Mr. Matthew Cloran.
Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers delivered heartfelt remarks about the vocation of firefighters, who answer the call in a special way. Even 110 years later, we remember the sacrifices of the four who gave their lives in 1899: Hugh Duffy, William Chance, George Steinle and James Shea.
Following the Mass, memorial plaques to each of the four firefighters who died were dedicated and will be placed on church grounds at a later date. Msgr. Sullivan blessed the plaques and remarks were made by Brian McBride and Dave Kearney, President and Recording Secretary, respectively, of Local 22 of the Firefighters’ Union.
Completing the day was a reception hosted by St. John’s Hospitality Committee.
For as long as anyone can remember, there has been scaffolding covering the façade and towers of St. John’s. Actually, it has been only a little over a year since the scaffolding was in place. But it does seem like a very long time. Well, here is some good news! Work on the north tower is completed and scaffolding there is now being removed. Work will soon be finished on the south tower and when that is done, the remaining scaffolding, and the bridge over the sidewalk will be removed. We are looking for all this to be finished by mid-March.
You may not notice any changes in the towers when you see them without their current covering, but much has been done. The top third of each tower was taken apart and re-assembled, stone by stone, with new masonry so that the towers are now straight and true; steel rods were added wherever necessary for additional support; tower roofing was replaced and a new drainage system was constructed. In addition, masonry on the lower portions of the towers was replaced or repaired where needed. And finally, to ensure the future safety of the church, new interior stairways have been installed in each tower so that regular inspections can be made.
Mark your calendars and join us on Saturday, February 14th, 2009 at 10 AM for the second annual Firefighters’ Memorial Mass at St. John’s. At this Mass, we will honor the memory of the four firefighters who died as a result of fighting the great fire of 1899 that destroyed much of St. John’s and several surrounding buildings. We will also remember all firefighters who have been killed in the line of duty and we will pray for those who continue to protect us daily, many of whom will be in attendance.
Also this year, we will dedicate memorial plaques for each of the four who died in 1899. In collaboration with Local 22 of the Firefighters’ Union and through the generosity of donations from last year’s memorial Mass and a grant from Partners for Sacred Places, we have secured funding for these plaques which will be placed on the grounds of the church.
Please turn out and show your support for our firefighters!
A reception will follow the dedication ceremony.
