The Angelus S T. J O H N C H R Y S O S T O M C A T H O L I C C H U R C H

January 2020

Still Faithful After All These Years By Butch Ward

L et’s start with a rhetorical question: Just how faithful can a band be?

As St. John’s Faithful Band marks 47 years of musical service, such a question seems less and less rhetorical.

It all began on a Sunday evening in March 1973 when, with the blessing of Assistant Pastor Robert Dillon, musi-cians Rick Burns, Jim Brown, Meg Perry and Scott Kinney gathered around a single microphone and introduced the St. John’s congregation to its first “Folk Mass.”

No one in the church that night could have foreseen how long the little group would hang around. But as the years passed and the band welcomed a succession of nearly 60 singers and instrumentalists to its ranks, its impact on the parish’s worship (along with the number of microphones) steadily grew.

Weddings, Baptisms, funerals.

Graduations, First Penance services, First Communions, Confirmations.

Christmas concerts, anniversaries, parish celebrations.

T hink “Lent,” and what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

Right. Giving up.

As in, What are you giving up for Lent this year?

Suggestions abound on that front, should you need them: from the traditional beer and chocolate to newer negatives like Snapchatting strangers, texting and driving, “fake cleaning your room,” and hiding your faith (thank you, Lifeteen).

“Giving up,” or fasting— from bad habits, attitudes or food — is one pillar of Lent, a season of conversion. Small sacrifices help us appreci-ate all we have; big changes help us grow closer to God and to the better selves we’re intended to be. So “giving up” can be a real step toward “going deep.”

But the other, lesser-known pillars of Lent — almsgiving and prayer — also call us to respond. This Lent, SJC will do so with a variety of liturgies, activities and events that

nurture faith, build community, and enrich the Journey to Jerusalem. So whatever you give up, we also invite you to lean in this Lent as we:

Pray. All Catholics know prayers, but many struggle at times to pray without a book or formal prayer in front of them. Finding new ways to pray in any circumstance can refresh the heart and soul, and there’s no better time to explore this than Lent. Join Sr. Maria McCoy, SSJ, Parish Spiritual Director, as she leads us in understand-ing and practicing two well-known types of prayer: “Praying with Our Experiences” (Feb. 29) and “The Examen: A Prayer of Aware-ness” (March 14). Both sessions will be 10 to 11:30 am in church.

Fall-Winter Scrapbook ....... ….2-3 Mid-Year Financial Report ....... 4 End of an Era ............................... 5 Transitions .................................. 7 Mass Schedule ........................... 7 How We Grow ........................... 7 Spring Calendar .......................... 8

Leaning in to Lent with Prayer & Purpose

Rick Burns founded and led The Faithful Band until 2011.

Farewell to an Era

Three generations after the St. John Chrysostom Parish Convent opened its doors to the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1956, the building was razed, ending a longstanding effort to convert it to a Parish Life Center. See story on page 5.

See Music on page 6

See Lent, page 5

INSIDE

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 26. Masses are at 8 am, 1 pm and 7 pm.

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Fall & Winter Scrapbook

E very season has a special feeling at St. John’s. Fall’s is pure energy. Parish life

quickens, the return of religious education renews the faith journey for adults and chil-dren alike, sunny fields and tracks fill with families, and social opportunities bring new and old friends together.

This fall saw the return of many traditional activities and the launch of some new ones.

Above: Casey Conway (L) and Chloe Browne represented SJC CYO Cross-Country at the national level in Indiana. Right: CYO soccer is a fall favorite at St. John’s.

Above: Adaptive PREP, led by Terrie Maisano, is an essential part of our Parish Religious Education Program, which serves over 250 children. Below: Our RCIA team guides adults seeking full mem-bership in the Catholic Church. This year’s participants (at center) are Marjorie Tinsley, Chams Linkpon, and Eric Germiller.

Left: Dinner with Friends for the Blind and other social events for both adults and children are favorite offerings of our Ministry with Persons with Disabilities.

Below: Our Blue Mass on Oct. 27 honored First Responders.

Below: (L-R): Our first Youth Sunday event on Oct. 20 began with a Youth Mass, with young people in every role, followed by Youth Serve, a fun, hands-on, up-close look at Cub Scouts, Altar Servers and the many other ministries and activities available to young people at SJC.

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‘We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone — we find it with another’

CYO Cross Country

CityTeam’s Hope Café is a favorite service opportunity for parishioners. We visited in February.

Thomas Merton

L iturgically, the Christmas Season may not begin until Christmas Eve, but at St. John’s, the unoffi-

cial season starts months before … and doesn’t end until over 1,000 people have received holiday feasts, gifts for their entire families, toys, consoling visits, parties, gift baskets, flowers, financial support … and too many smiles and hugs to count.

This holiday season started even earlier than usual and, thanks to our parishioners’ care and amazing generosity, served more people than ever through our holiday meal ministries, Adopt A Family, St. Nich-olas Project, and Advent Angels.

As always, our efforts were grounded in, and nour-ished by, beautiful Advent and Christmas liturgies filled with faith, music, joy and a welcoming spirit.

The constant generosity of St. John’s parishioners is seldom more evident than at Christmas. This season,

we collected and distributed hundreds of gifts and thousands of dollars in assistance across our

community. Adopt a Family (pictured clockwise from above) served 66 entire families this year.

The Church Environment Ministry, which serves tirelessly behind the scenes year round, shows off the beautiful fruits of its considerable Christmas decorating labors.

The Advent Festival and Fair Trade Sale (above) are popular traditions, thanks to the support of the Justice & Peace Committee, RCIA, Boy Scouts, puppeteer Dave Fiebert, and many others.

Below: Wise Men from the East and North Pole alike received a warm St. John’s welcome at Christmas Mass.

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First Reconciliation (Adaptive PREP)

SEMI-ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT

PARISH GENERAL OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, ANNUAL BUDGET

2018 2019 2019-2020RECEIPTS:

Church Collections 713,344$ 718,096$ 1,301,300$

Interest, Dividends & Other Income 1,474 1,318 6,250

Religious Education Tuition 36,252 36,212 62,000TOTAL RECEIPTS 751,070$ 755,626$ 1,369,550$

EXPENSES:

Pastoral Care, Church & Rectory

Salaries, Health & Pension Benefits 262,618$ 249,058$ 484,461$

Religious Educ./Youth Group 53,550 53,341 115,924

Pastoral Expenses 54,363 40,143 64,500

Office and Other Administrative Costs 20,008 18,794 36,850

Insurance & Real Estate Taxes 17,291 21,828 38,075

Subtotal 407,830$ 383,164$ 739,810$

School

Financial Commitment to Mother of Providence 91,800$ 87,600$ 220,000$

Buildings & Ground

Maintenance & Utilities 52,377$ 65,748$ 123,800$

Charitable Giving & Archdiocesan Assessment

Archdiocesan Assessment 78,150$ 78,600$ 159,700$

Local Charities, net of contributions 10,819 10,880 15,000

Subtotal 88,969$ 89,480$ 174,700$

TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 640,976$ 625,992$ 1,258,310$

OPERATING SURPLUS 110,094$ 129,634$ 111,240$

Capital Contributions/(Expenditures)

Designated Contributions 15,015$ 10,000$

Convent Abatement/Demolition - (120,850)

Net Capital Contributions/(Expenditures) 15,015$ (110,850)$

Upcoming Parish Capital Expenditures during 2020

1. Exterior masonry repair of the Church building (preliminary estimates) 65,000$

2. Sealing and restriping parking lot/access roads (preliminary estimates) 32,000

97,000$

Support SJC to keep us strong and serving.

www.bit.ly/givesjc @SJC-Church

Semi-Annual Financial Report

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SJC Convent: 1956-2019

I n the summer of 1956, St. John’s new convent opened

its doors to four Sisters of St. Joseph, who had arrived the year prior to staff the new school. The SSJ community selflessly served the parish until August 2014, when the last beloved sister left.

In 2015, Fr. Ed Hallinan assem-bled a team of parishioners to study a new vision: transform-ing the old convent into a new Parish Life Center, to provide much-needed space for the parish’s 45 ministries and many events and activities, as well as a fully accessible space for gatherings and administra-tion. The team would spend the next four years deliberating, planning and designing.

Despite numerous plans developed over that time, however, Fr. Ed reluctantly concluded in September 2019 that the much-needed project lacked sufficient parishioner support to make it feasible at that time. Meanwhile, the vacant build-ing presented a growing hazard, liability and cost to the parish. The decision was made to raze it. Stained glass from the convent chapel was removed prior to the October demolition and is being preserved for future use.

The future of the now-grassy site is unknown. In a letter to parishioners, Fr. Ed promised to “continue to explore innovative and practical solutions to the facility needs of our many important and successful parish activities.”

Lent, from page 1

Simplify. What’s in your closet? Shirts ignored, pants outgrown, sweaters unwanted? Now is a good time to shed things you don’t need, and pass them along to someone who does, with our “40 Days, 40 Items” event. Here’s how it works: Pick up a bag Feb. 22-23 in church; put it by your closet at home; and add one item to it each day in Lent. Say a prayer for the recipient. On April 19, bring your filled bag back to church, where a GreenDrop truck will be waiting. All proceeds from our donations benefit the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, supporting local families in crisis. Encounter. Catholic Relief Services’ Rice Bowl program helps us focus on the needs of others and provides critical funds for CRS relief and development efforts at home and around the world. We invite you to keep a Rice Bowl on your dinner table as a reminder to live simply

and to pray for people in need. Make a simple meal with a Rice Bowl recipe, and add the savings to your Bowl; 94 cents of every dollar goes to programs. Return the Bowl to church on Easter.

Gather. Unique and communal, walking and praying the Stations of the Cross can be a revelation to newcomers and is an important Lenten tradition for many. This year’s Stations include both the traditional and new, with perspectives from the Gospel writers, Mary, youth and social justice. Join a variety of leaders from 6 to 6:30 pm Tuesdays in the church.

Reconcile. The Sacrament of Reconciliation frees us from our sins and, in turn, helps us to forgive others. Join us March 25 for a brief service, followed by an opportunity for individual Confession. However long you have been away, you will find a warm welcome.

Celebrate. Our powerful Triduum liturgies, beginning on Holy Thursday, unite us with Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection. Please join us for these unique and moving celebrations. We warmly welcome all and wish all the blessings of this unique and holy season.

Please see our Lenten and Easter schedule on page 8. Check the weekly bulletin and www.sjcparish.org for details and updates.

The Youth Group traditionally carries the Cross on Good Friday.

“40 Days, 40 Items” ends April 19.

SEMI-ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT

PARISH GENERAL OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, ANNUAL BUDGET

2018 2019 2019-2020RECEIPTS:

Church Collections 713,344$ 718,096$ 1,301,300$

Interest, Dividends & Other Income 1,474 1,318 6,250

Religious Education Tuition 36,252 36,212 62,000TOTAL RECEIPTS 751,070$ 755,626$ 1,369,550$

EXPENSES:

Pastoral Care, Church & Rectory

Salaries, Health & Pension Benefits 262,618$ 249,058$ 484,461$

Religious Educ./Youth Group 53,550 53,341 115,924

Pastoral Expenses 54,363 40,143 64,500

Office and Other Administrative Costs 20,008 18,794 36,850

Insurance & Real Estate Taxes 17,291 21,828 38,075

Subtotal 407,830$ 383,164$ 739,810$

School

Financial Commitment to Mother of Providence 91,800$ 87,600$ 220,000$

Buildings & Ground

Maintenance & Utilities 52,377$ 65,748$ 123,800$

Charitable Giving & Archdiocesan Assessment

Archdiocesan Assessment 78,150$ 78,600$ 159,700$

Local Charities, net of contributions 10,819 10,880 15,000

Subtotal 88,969$ 89,480$ 174,700$

TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 640,976$ 625,992$ 1,258,310$

OPERATING SURPLUS 110,094$ 129,634$ 111,240$

Capital Contributions/(Expenditures)

Designated Contributions 15,015$ 10,000$

Convent Abatement/Demolition - (120,850)

Net Capital Contributions/(Expenditures) 15,015$ (110,850)$

Upcoming Parish Capital Expenditures during 2020

1. Exterior masonry repair of the Church building (preliminary estimates) 65,000$

2. Sealing and restriping parking lot/access roads (preliminary estimates) 32,000

97,000$

Support SJC to keep us strong and serving.

www.bit.ly/givesjc @SJC-Church

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Music, from page 1

And week after week (minus, of course, a summer break), Sunday Mass. Pretty near 2,000 of them at this point.

Today, the band is led by Mary Claire and Deacon John Bowie, who took over after the passing of Rick Burns in 2011. They are joined by Peggy Beck, Cathie Browne, Marc Dulberg, Mary Flynn, Lou and Mark Milone, Laura Sicola and Larry DeMarco, Sharon Spillman, Patrick Stanko, Al Talbot, Donna and Butch Ward, and Tony Watson. The group rehearses one evening each week and plays at 9:30 on Sunday mornings from September to June, on all but the last Sunday of the month.

Through it all, from the days of the Family Religious Education Pro-gram to today’s PREP, The Faithful Band has been a fixture at litur-gies specifically designed for the parish’s families. Indeed, children who first heard the band with their parents on a Sunday morning long ago now come to 9:30 Mass with their own kids (and sometimes grandchildren!) in tow.

Such are the fruits of faithfulness.

After 47 years and 2,000 liturgies, The Faithful Band has earned its summers off.

T he Faithful Band is one of several beloved music ministries at St. John’s, where liturgies resound with a 300-year range of

hymns offered by musicians of all ages, united by faith and love of song. Parish Music Director Patti Georges, who leads the Adult Choir (below), offers a musical history.

When St. John’s Church moved from the Garden City Firehouse into the school auditorium in September 1955, Sr. Joseph Catherine knew her first job: Get the Girls’ Choir ready for Christ-

mas Mass. Clearly, music would be a priority for this young parish.

Soon, the entire school was singing the four-hymn repertoire at eve-ry 9:30 liturgy during the school year. With no adult choir then, the Sisters and students kept the parish in song until the late 1960s, when the choir model began to give way to soloists and cantors.

Still, when Jean Howerton and her husband joined St. John’s in the mid–1970s, she was quick to inform Msgr. Stevenson that our parish “needed to sing.” Thus was the Adult Choir born and, except for a few interruptions, has lived on under four directors — including me, as I was asked in the fall of 1996 to “temporarily” step in.

The Children’s Choir has also continued, while evolving over the dec-ades. Today’s Youth Choir (top right) spans grades 2-12, practices weekly, and sings at one Mass a month, as well as on Christmas Eve. Director Marc Dulberg, a Philadelphia music teacher and profession-al violinist, welcomes all young voices to our oldest choir.

As for the Adult Choir, our close-knit and prayerful ministry now has 29 members, from teens to nonagenarians. We normally sing at the

11:30 Mass on the sec-ond and fourth Sun-days and at special litur-gies year round. Yes, some of us are trained vocalists, but most just like to sing, serve God and the parish, and socialize. Please don’t be shy. We need you … and God wants you!

Contact Patti Georges at spigeo@comcast.net or (610) 833-2012.

Contact Marc Dulberg at marcdulberg@yahoo.com or (610) 999-9084.

Joyful Heart Band Formed in 2014 in the wake of our Parish Assemblies, praise band Joyful Heart (right) is the new kid on the SJC music block.

The three-generation band sings at one Vigil Mass a month and “strives to be upbeat, energetic, engaging and, most important, prayerful,” says leader and lead vocalist Ken Margolis. The band’s repertoire includes traditional psalms and hymns refreshed and rearranged by Rod Margolis; con-temporary songs and psalms; and even some original compositions.

New musicians and sound help are always welcome, says Margolis, adding (with a joyful heart): “Thank you, St. John’s, for allowing us to sing and pray with you!” Contact Ken Margolis at ken362@comcast.net or (610) 891-0799.

Rock & Ritual: The Sound of a Parish That ‘Needs to Sing’

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Transitions

Baptisms Margaret Ames (George & Shannon) Cassidy Blair (Patrick & Carolyn) William Brown (Andrew & Dorota) Caden Calderoni (Daniel & Lisa) Thorin Cannon (Beau & Courtney) Ryan Convery (John & Kimberly) Lucas Fahey (Alek & Leah) Henry Harkins (Geoff & Zofia) John Hasson (John & Bernadettte) Susanne Hasson (John & Bernadette) Madison Heavey (Evan & Patricia) Paul Hermany III (Paul & Lindsay) Daniel Kachelries (Thomas & Kelly) Andrew Kopp (David & Bethany) Leo Lazzari (Luke & Gina) Clara Long (Jason & Jessica) Luke McCusker (Patrick & Diana) Conor McKenna (Ryan & Kristen) Kathleen McKenna (Ryan & Kristen) Anita McNamara (Andrew & Jennifer) Adam Monastra (Jesse & Ashley) Jesse Monastra (Jesse & Ashley) Michael Monastra (Jesse & Ashley) Alanna Murray (Shamus & Concetta) Adrian Ngo (Huu & Roseanne) Evangeline Perry (Albert & Christine) Charles Price (Daniel & Catherine) Ryan Robbins (Justin & Katlyn) Owen Schroeder (Matthew & Bridget) Clare Shea (Kevin & Meghan) Graeme Tabb (Timothy & Jamie)

Marriages Nathan Babe & Erin Forrest Matthew Devlin & Lauren Hallinan James Dougherty & Maureen Lelle Francis Falvey Jr. & Joyce Theuer

Mikel Hartsough & Caitlin Ward Nikolin Kordhishti & Lindsay Varzaly Jason Latch & Allison Farrell Joseph Manfre & Ann Swan Daniel Morris & Caitlin Fleming

In Memoriam Fred Alfonsi (Oct. 23) Maria Blessington (Aug. 31) Sr. Nancy Bonshock, SND (Aug. 8) Richard Chominski Sr. (Oct. 20) Mary Ellen Costa (Dec. 3) Luke DeCaro (Dec. 27) Rose Emper (Nov. 25) Regina Flynn (Nov. 14) Samuel V. Gabriele (Aug. 9) Hallie Jackson (Oct. 28) Karl W. “Bill” Johnson (Oct. 3) Maria C. Kaufman (Nov. 6) Elizabeth LaSpada (Sept. 11) Patricia McGee (Sept. 27) Barbara McLaughlin (Aug. 1) Raymond J. Moise (Oct. 1) Carmen J. Mollichella (Sept. 28) Michael Murray (Nov. 15) Tate Roderick (Dec. 5) Jack Silva (Dec. 2) Helen A. Valente (Oct. 13) Juanita Williams (Sept. 5)

New Parishioners Jean Altomari Russell & Jill Benditt (Natalie & Ally) Patricia Benedetto & Benjamin Kell (Maxwell & Quinn) Brittany Blythe Eve Buckley & David Stockman (Henry, Oliver, Casper)

Erin & Ben Cardell (Peter & Madeline)

Vince & Eileen Cardile Andrew DeLuca Katie & Andrew Detzel (Nora, Everett, Oona) Jocelyn Diaz (Azana & Nailah) Michael & Alyse Driscoll (Ryan & Hannah) Julia Dziembowska Joanna Fioravanti Dan Fitzgerald (Justin, Elaina, Miranda, Sebastian) Marie Gabriele Patty Gabriele Kaitlyn & Michael Grant (Evan) Angelina Gubitosi & Andrew Thomas (Aubrey & Andrew) Todd Haggerty (Ethan, Patrick, Maddy, Logan) John & Bernadette Hasson (Clara, Fiona, Susanne, John) Kimberly & Jeremy Herr (James) Erin Huppman Elizabeth Iannacci Janine & Michael Iannacci Barbara Jennings Johnson Kristen Kreamer (Holly, Analise, Alexa Rae, Kayelani) Erin Leavens Jamie Skinner Lindsay (Cecelia, Finnegan) Chams Linkpon Joanelle Hernandez Lopez & David Carroll Stephen Marek Tony & Lara Moretti (Michael & Leah) Karen Pellegrino Lisa Plunkett Sarah Ponzio & John Tharan (Brooks & Tatum) Jim Rau & Kim Logio (Owen & Isabel) Roseanne Rostock & Huu Ngo (Leo & Adrian)Dana Rotandi & Michael Roseboro (Amelia) John & Barbara Sammartino

‘There is a time for everything, a season for every purpose under heaven’ August - December 2019

Mass Schedule

4 pm Saturday Vigil; 8, 9:30, 11:30 am Sunday 8 am Tuesday - Friday American Sign Language Mass: 11:30 am 1st & 3rd Sun Confessions: 3:15-3:45 pm Saturday Accommodations: (inquire in sacristy or ask an usher): Braille readings, Assistive Listening Devices, Low-Gluten Hosts

How We Grow

2018 2019 2020 Baptisms 44 70 1st Communions 65 59 70 Funerals 38 47 Marriages 22 15 16 New Households 79 85

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Non-Profit Organization U. S. POSTAGE

PAID Mineola, NY

Permit No. 70

617 S. Providence Rd. Wallingford, PA 19086

(610) 874-3418 (v) phoffice@sjcparish.org

www.sjcparish.org

Stay connected! Please let us know about changes to your contact information.

Text JOINSJC to 22828 to get parish news.

Printed Jan. 17, 2020

February Feb. 22-23: CRS Rice Bowl, “40 Days, 40 Items” distribution Feb. 26: Ash Wednesday ~ Masses at 8 am, 1 pm, 7 pm Feb. 29: Prayer Series (I): “Praying with Our Experiences” (10 am)

March March 1: Mass of Welcoming & Inclusion (11:30 am) American Sign Language March 3: Stations of the Cross (6 pm) March 10: Stations of the Cross (6 pm) March 14: Prayer Series (II): “The Examen: A Prayer of Awareness” (10 am) March 15: 11:30 Mass ~ American Sign Language March 17: Stations of the Cross (6 pm) March 22: 2021 Mass Book opens (9 am - 1 pm) March 24: Stations of the Cross (6 pm) March 25: Parish Reconciliation Service (7 pm) March 27: Living Stations of the Cross (1:15 pm)

April April 2: Stations of the Cross April 19: GreenDrop pickup for “40 Items” collection April 26: Mass of the Anointing of the Sick (11:30 am)

May May 2: First Holy Communion (10 am) May 3: Mass of Welcoming (ASL ~ 11:30 am) May 14: Confirmation (4 pm ~ Bishop Timothy Senior)

Please check the bulletin and www.sjcparish.org for event details and updates. Calendar is subject to change.

Spring 2020 at St. John Chrysostom

HOLY WEEK & EASTER April 5: Palm Sunday Masses: 4 pm Saturday Vigil Sunday: 8 am , 9:30 am 11:30 am Mass of Welcoming (ASL)

April 9: Holy Thursday 7 pm: Mass of the Lord’s Supper

April 10: Good Friday 9 am - 5 pm: Youth Group Operation Growl 3 pm: Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord 7 pm: Stations of the Cross

April 11: Holy Saturday 1 pm: Blessing of Easter Food (church) 2 pm: Sensory Friendly Easter Egg Hunt 7 pm: Easter Vigil Mass (Service of Light)

April 12: Easter Sunday Masses: 8 am, 9:30 am 11:30 am (American Sign Language)

7 pm Sat Vigil; 8, 9:30, 11:30 am (ASL) Easter Sunday