Reverend James Rodia, O. Praem.

ST. RICHARD PARISH PHILADELPHIA, PA

Fourth Sunday of Easter

SUNDAY April 17th

8:00 Emello Pilla requested by the Pilla family

10:00 HOLY SPIRIT Genoveffa Colella

requested by Maria and Angela

11:30 Giacomo & Victoria Polo requested by

Bob & Lorraine Terruso

MONDAY April 18th

8:00 Mary Donahue requested by Mary & Eric Smith

TUESDAY April 19th

8:00 2nd Anniversary of Angelina Buonadonna

requested by children

WEDNESDAY April 20th

8:00 D’Antonio Family requested by Family

THURSDAY April 21st

8:00 Ann Schaefer requested by Joan & Bob

FRIDAY April 22nd

8:00 Luigi & Maria requested by children

SATURDAY April 23rd

8:00 Louis DeAngelis requested by wife, Mary

4:30pm George Hatton, Jr requested by wife, Joan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our SANCTUARY CANDLE will be burning this week

In Loving Memory of the 18th Anniversary of Carlo Lioy

requested by wife, Rose, daughter and grandchildren.

VOTIVE CANDLES ILM Angelina Buonadonna requested by her children

ILM Birthdays of Nicholas & Mary Stenta

requested by Maria

ILM Uncle Jerry Lawson requested by Paula & Deana

IMO Mae Grosso requested by Mary Fortunato

FROM MY HOUSE

TO YOURS

Dear Parishioners,

On the first day of kindergarten, parents are usually

more nervous than the children. Parents tell their children how

much fun they will have, how they will make new friends and

do art projects and learn to read. The children usually have

new crayons, backpacks and lunchboxes and can’t wait to see

what comes next. Parents, on the other hand, are often nervous

about letting go. What if my little girl gets sick? What if my

son gets teased? What if she doesn’t do well in reading or

math?

These parents are not overprotective, they are simply

living out their innate role as good shepherds. Parents shelter

their children. They make sure their child does not hunger or

thirst. They keep their children out of danger, and wipe away

every tear from their eyes.

This fourth Sunday of the Easter season is often called

“Good Shepherd Sunday,” from the comforting imagery of

Jesus as the shepherd who will lead his sheep to eternal life.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, protects and provides for his flock,

even to the point of laying down his life so we may live more

abundantly. By his death and resurrection, Jesus Christ

“opened” heaven to us. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus teaches

what we must do to be saved, to join him in the kingdom of

heaven.

This Easter season, inspired by the efforts of the New

Evangelization, I challenge us to respond in three ways to Je-

sus as the Good Shepherd:

First, get to know the voice of Jesus by getting into

the discipline of reading from the Gospels every day. The

peace and comfort you will experience from the words of the

Good Shepherd will surprise you!

Second, pray for those who shepherd the Church. Pray

for our priests, bishops, religious and lay ministers who are

responsible for the pastoral care of the people of God. We

need to be sustained in our ministries by grace.

Finally, do not forget your responsibility to shepherd

others into the kingdom of God. Parents, you love your chil-

dren and shepherd their health, behavior, education and ad-

vancement in maturity. Make sure you provide for their forma-

tion and education as Catholic Christians as well. Every one of

us can make an effort to speak more freely about the person of

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and how he has been a comfort and

a guide to us. As we speak about our faith, we offer others the

opportunity to join that great multitude in the kingdom of

heaven.

God Love Ya!

Fr. Reilly

Fourth Sunday of Easter April 17, 2016

Never Let Go by Jaenel Esker

One of the first things parents of a newborn learn is how

incredibly strong their baby’s grip is. Our daughter, like

most newborns, clenched onto her father’s and my fingers

immediately after birth—and she wouldn’t let go! We

called it her death grip. Yes, it’s a reflex, but it’s one that

reaches into your soul. You realize quickly what a hold this

person has on you—physically and emotionally.

On this Good Shepherd Sunday, Jesus speaks in the Gospel

about not letting anyone take his flock out of his hand. His

hold on us is even tighter than a newborn’s, but it’s cer-

tainly not a death grip. Quite the opposite—it’s a life grip.

No matter how far we scatter or how wide a path we walk,

Jesus always has us in his hands. He offers us life abundant

here on earth and life eternal in heaven.

Parents of newborns have such an emotional response to

their child’s grip because they’ve spent so much time with

this child—feeling her movements in utero, seeing his pic-

ture in ultrasounds, preparing their lives for this new being.

There’s an intimate connection.

Sheep respond loyally to their shepherd’s voice because

they spend so much time together in the fields. The same

must be true for our relationship with our Good Shepherd.

Unless we’re committed to spending significant ti with

him, we can’t expect to benefit from his life grip. He al-ways holds us, but we need to offer him that same devoted

attention and intimacy.

Where can we find more time in our week to behold—and

be held by—our God? †

Setting the Tone for Eucharistic

Adoration By Vandy Brennan Nies

As Catholics, we believe that Jesus is present—both hu-

man and divine, true God and true man. Because our faith

tells us Jesus remains with us in the consecrated host and

that he is the Real Presence on this altar, we come to spend

time and adore him from the depths of our hearts. Adora-

tion is a time for us to share with Jesus in the most intimate

exchange.

Go to the Lord just as you are. Be natural. Turn yourself

over to Jesus totally. Drain yourself of everything else that

was important to you, regardless of how monumental or

how mundane, until you walked into this church.

Now, nothing else matters. He has been waiting patiently

for you to choose this time with him. Give it freely and

fully! Allow him into the deepest recesses of your heart,

even the places that are difficult for you to let him see.

You are invited to fall deeper in love with the Most Holy

Sacrament—to leave here totally immersed in who he is—

with a resolve to share him with each person you meet as

you carry him with you in the tabernacle of your heart.

Accept his bequest graciously and willingly. Allow the

Real Presence in this gift to open your eyes so you may see

his face, open your ears that you may hear his message,

open your heart that you may love him unreservedly turn-

ing

over without hesitation everything you are. Let this meet-

ing with Jesus be a time of healing in mind, body, spirit,

and heart.†From In the Silence: Meditations for Eucharistic

Adoration, © 2010 Liguori Publication

Risen Lord, your resurrection

gives me hope and the promise

of new life. Open my heart to

embrace and share your vision

of love and peace with

ALL people. —

From Hopeful Meditations for Every Day of Easter

Through Pentecost, Rev. Warren J. Savage and Mary

• Where and how

is God leading me this week?

• How is Christ’s resurrection sig-nificant and meaningful to my life?

Fourth Sunday of Easter April 17, 2016

PREP Registration March 1—April 30, 2016

Registration for PREP for the 2016-17 year will continue until April 30th. Saint Richard PREP is a one week, full day, summer program for students in grades 1 through 6. The program will be held June 20-24 from 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. The summer program will be supplemented with five Sunday Family Formation Sessions during the school year along with spiritual and service activities for the family. Participation in ALL aspects is necessary to be in the program. Family must be registered with Saint Richard Parish. Because we no longer offer a weekly program, please inform anyone that you know with an eligible child entering first to sixth grade next September to register for the summer program before April 30, 2016. Registration forms for current PREP families will be mailed home. New registration forms are available online at Www.strichardchurch.org/prep, at the rectory during business hours or by calling Maryellen Carroll at 215-468-4777. For more information, please email Maryellen at dre@strichardchurch.org or call the number above.

Pre-Cana Classes In preparation for the sacrament of Marriage, Pre-Cana

classes are required for all couples. You must register in

advance for this class. For registration and more informa-

tion visit www.philamarriageprep.com .

Pre-Jordan Classes In preparation for Baptism Pre-Jordan classes are held the third Monday of the month at 7:00 pm in the Church. The parents of the child are required to attend the class; godparents are also welcome but not required to attend. Please call the rectory to make arrangements for the Baptism and to attend the class. After you have attended the class and acquired certificates of eligibility for your godparents, you may then call the rectory for an appoint-ment to book the date of your choosing. The next scheduled classes are:

April 18, 2016 May 16, 2016

Sacrament

Calendar

April 23rd Confirmation Retreat

10:30AM-3:30PM

April 26th Confirmation Rehearsal

5:30-6:30 PM in Church

April 30th PREP Registration Concludes To learn more about the Jubilee Year of Mercy in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, visit: http://archphila.org/mercy/liturgy/

The following donations have been made to the

St. Richard Altar Fund:

IMO David Facenda

$25. His family

IMO Catherine DiCicco

$50. Paul & Marie Anzalone $25. Marybeth Scary $25. Raymond & Christine Daniels

IMO Rose Bealer

$20. Eleanor & Leonard Armstrong (neighbor from Stocker St)

CYO NEWS

Family Night @Citizens Bank Park PHILLIES VS Atlanta Braves When: Friday May 20, 2016

Time: 7:05pm Cost: $20.00 per ticket

The Balance of $10.00 PER TICKET is due by April 20 Your money must be enclosed to reserve your tickets. Tickets are limited so don’t delay they will be distributed on a first come first serve basis. For more information please contact Joann at 215-336-2089

Votive Candles are available every week with intentions of IMO in memory of your deceased loved ones, IHO in honor of the living, FGH for good health, or IT in thanksgiving. For a donation of $10. the candles will be lit starting with the Saturday 4:30pm mass and will be lit for the entire week at St. Richard Church. Candle intentions may be obtained at the rectory during regular business hours.

St. Maria Goretti and Bishop Neumann Class of 1966 will have a joint 50

th Reunion, Friday, October 21, 2016.

For detailed information, email bsaffici@bn-smg-66reunion.org or go to

www.millayclub.org/reunions.

Veterans of All Wars are asked to attend

the dedication of All Wars Monument

which will be held on

Friday, May 6, 2016

11:00am at 15th & Moyamensing Ave.

(across from Rite Aid).

“How long has Jesus

been knocking

at the door of

your heart,

waiting to enter?” -St. John Baptist de la Salle

Cardiology

Consultants

of Philadelphia

CARDIOLOGY CONSULTANTS

OF PHILADELPHIA

1703 S. Broad Street215-463-5333

Pasquale M. Procacci, M.D.Mark F. Victor, M.D.

Veronica A. Covalesky, M.D.Dean G. Karalis, M.D.

Santosh Gupta - Bala, M.D.Salvatore P. Girardo, M.D.

Barry A. Bravette, M.D.

1809 - 13 Oregon Avenue215-389-3890

Pasquale F. Nestico, M.D.

1809 - 13 Oregon Ave.2nd Flr.

215-465-3435Howard Rosner, D.O.

FRANK R. LAMANTIA, Supervisor

2501 S. Camac St. (215) 468-1200

FRANK R. LAMANTIA, Supervisor

2501 S. Camac St. (215) 468-1200

1820 West Moyamensing Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19145

Phone: (215) 462-1095 • Fax: (215) 462-7090

Hours: Mon.Fri.: 6:30am-7pm

Sat. & Sun. 8:00am-5:00pm

www.TNhomemadekitchen.com

TN Homemade Kitchen

@tnhomemadekitch

Mingroni’s Rhino Roo"ng !"#$$%&'" !"()*)&'" !"(+)&',)&' 2335 So. 12th Street Phila, Pa 19148

Frank 215-462-4476

Fax 215-551-3956

2531 - 35 S. Broad Street

Philadelphia, PA 19148

215.462.0992

Samuel J. Monti

Founder - Supervisor

Mark J. Rago

Funeral Director

Nicholas A. DiValentino

!"#$%&'()*)+&,

Agent Michael DeCarlo

Home • Life • Auto

215-772-0100www.mikedecarlo.com

For ad info. call 1-800-888-4574 • www.4lpi.com 04-0941

Joseph F. RuffenachFuneral Home

Steven J. Ruffenach F.D

(215) 389-08762101 S. 21st Street • Philadelphia, PA 19145

21st Street & Snyder Avenue

VINCENT GANGEMI FUNERAL HOME, INC.Founded 1937

Vincent C. Gangemi Jr., Supv. • Vincent Gangemi, Founder

James L. Guercio, Dir.

2232-40 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145

215-467-3838 • www.gangemifuneralhome.net

GRASSOFuneral Home & Cremation Services

Raymond E. Grasso • Buddy DoughertyFuneral Directors

GrassoFuneralHome.net 215.462.2889

P&S Ravioli Co.Italian Deli

1722 Oregon Avenue, Phila., PA 19145

215-339-9929CALL AHEAD TO ORDER

918 03

“We take pride in making your meals more enjoyable for over 37 years!”~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Featuring ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Pasta, Hoagies, Chicken Cutlets, Hot Roast Beef, Hot Roast Pork, Party Trays,

Pasta Salads, Lunch Meats, Fresh Cheeses, Fresh Bread, Fresh Mozzarella, BroccoliRabe, Pepper Shooters, Roasted Peppers, Mixed Olives AND SO MUCH MORE...!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We also carry seasonal items during the holidays! Stop by... give us a try!Mon. thru Fri. 8:30 am to 7 pm + Saturday 9 am to 7 pm + Sunday 9 am to 3 pm

“Need a gift sent somewhere? We Ship Anywhere!”Check out our website at www.psravioli.com

We now have gift cards in any denomination...along with gift baskets and other gift ideas

$1.00 OFF any $10.00 Purchase with this ad.

STOLFO FUNERAL HOME

2536-38 South Broad Street

(215) 334-7376

Paul C. Stolfo, Dir. • Marianne Stolfo, Dir.Pre-Arrangement & Trust Specialist

TROAST-SINGLEY INSURANCE AGENCY, LLC

Auto • Home • Business • Life

JOHN MILLER 2700 S. 18th St.,

Philadelphia, PA

19145-4703 215-339-0333 • Fax: 215-339-5303 john@troast-singleyagency.com

yyPhiladelphia Heart

Asif I. Hussain, MDConsultant in Cardiovascular Medicine

1332 W. Ritner Street,Philadelphia, PA 19148

267-319-1939

Mazzotta and Carabello Family Medicine

Dr. Frank Mazzotta

Dr. Rita Carabello

Porter Office1339 W. Porter Street

Philadelphia, PA 19148Phone: 215-551-3325

Fax: 215-551-9979

Jackson Office2201 So. 3rd Street

Philadelphia, PA 19148Phone: 215-550-1799

Fax: 215-550-0152

LET US

PLACE

YOUR AD

HERE.

Ed Arquitola - REALTOR® - Parishioner 338 W. Lancaster Ave., Haverford, PA

Cell: 267-939-4705

O#ce: 610-649-4500 Ed.Arquitola@foxroach.com EdArquitola.foxroach.com

A referral from you is the highest compliment i can receive!

Quick CASH for Your House or Lot(215) 876-0006

! "!#$!%&'!()*+,

! "!-*!(*../++/*0+!*1!()*+/02!(*+3+

Joseph Marano, EsquireAttorney at Law

Pa r i s h i o n e r

215-875-8000 jm@freiwaldlaw.com

Contact Kathy Buck to place an ad today!

KBuck@4LPi.com or (800) 477-4574 x6346

For ad info. call 1-800-888-4574 • www.4lpi.com St. Richards Philadelphia, PA 04-0941