News

There will be one priest hearing confessions at 8:00 a.m, and the same priest will say the 9:00 a.m. Mass; one priest will be hearing confessions at 4:00 p.m. and the same priest will say the 5:00 p.m. Vigil Mass. Time and again, we are most grateful for your support and understanding. Confession may also be arranged at the Rectory to meet your schedule.

HOORAY - Vacation Bible Camp Registration is full!! WE ARE TURNING OUR CAMPUS INTO THE MIGHTY FORTRESS. WITH THE MESSAGE “IN JESUS, VICTORY IS WON!!!” WANTED…..MORE ADULT VOLUNTEERS FOR CAMP DAYS!!! AND WE NEED MOVERS AND GROOVERS…Helping hands TO GET THE SHOW ON THE ROAD...camp set-up plus decorating for the kids - Tuesday, June 20 and Wednesday, June 21 at 6:30 pm in school. Volunteers please contact Candy at the Rectory Office for Safe Environment information at 610.696.3624. CLICK ON THE LINK TO ACCESS THE REGISTRATION FORM!

Children's Liturgy of the Word will suspend for the summer beginning on June 18, 2017. It will resume on September 10, 2017. What a blessing it has been to the children of this parish. A tremendous THANK YOU to all the leaders and helpers that make this ministry possible! If you are interested in helping next year, please contact the Rectory Office at 610-696-3624. We encourage all families to attend Mass and read the scriptures all year long!

Administrative Assistant: Saints Simon and Jude School is looking to hire an administrative assistant. This is a full-time position and requires a person who is confidential, friendly, and has the ability to multi-task. Computer skills are essential. Please send resume to Sister Regina Elinich, IHM, Saints Simon and Jude School, 6 Cavanaugh Court, West Chester, PA. 19382 or srelinich@simonandjude.org.

Each year dioceses around the country arrange special events to highlight the importance of defending religious freedom. The Fortnight for Freedom is from June 21 to July 4, Independence Day. Let us take a few moments each day from June 21 - July 4 to pray, reflect, and take action on religious liberty, both here in this country and abroad. For more information, click the link above.

Those folks who are feeling the loss of someone they loved are invited to our bereavement session on Wednesday evening, June 28th, at 7:00 pm, in the Welcome Center. It helps to share stories and see how God is with us even in the times of sorrow.

Can you prepare and extra serving of your dinner and put it in a meal tin, then freeze it and bring it to the Aid for Friends freezer at church? You will be helping someone who is homebound and cannot prepare a meal for themselves. Meal tins are above the freezers behind the large wooden doors across from the rest rooms to the right of the main entrance of church. Please fill the tin with a protein, starch and vegetable. Cover it with tin foil and enclose the filled meal tin in the plastic bag provided. Freeze the meal at home and then return it to the freezer at church. Your simple act of kindness is greatly appreciated!! More information on Aid for Friends can be found at aidforfriends.org.

Saints Simon and Jude has been granted exclusive access to stream an episode from CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players directly on the parish website! Courtesy of a partnership between eCatholic and Bishop Robert Barron's Word on Fire ministry, you are encouraged to visit https://simonandjude.org/catholic-links to view the free hour-long film on St. Francis of Assisi. CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players is a multi-part film series that delves into the lives of figures who shaped the Church and changed the world. Check out the free episode today!

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Performing at the HUGHES PERFORMING ARTS, In Ocean City, NJ Depart 9:30 am via deluxe Motorcoach. Arrive in time for a boardwalk stroll or shop the boutiques along Asbury Ave. Lunch on your own. Doors to theatre open 1:30 pm. Dinner 5-6:30pm at the lovely Greate Bay Country Club, Somers Point (3 meal options). Return 8:45pm (approx.). Price: $110.00 member - $115.00 non-member - Contact: Ruth Ayres 610.692.3891 for reservation.

Click the link above to visit: http://www.redcrossblood.org/make-donation and search by sponsor code West Chester to schedule an appointment. Please contact tedra.farrell@redcross.org if you experience issues scheduling donor appointments. Donor Eligibility Guidelines: Click Link or call 1 800 RED CROSS.

Visit the Shrine of Saint Katharine Drexel. This beautiful Shrine will be closing at the end of the year so this is a wonderful opportunity to visit the Shrine again or for the first time. There will be a video presentation, self-guided museum tour, visit to the Shrine's beautiful chapel and Saint Katherine's tomb. There is also a gift shop. www.katharinedrexel.org. Followed by a stop at Peddlers' Village to enjoy the Peach Festival Events, Summer Sidewalk Sale, Entertainment and more. www.peddlersvillage.com. You can attend SS. Simon & Jude Mass at 5 pm if desired. Cost: $40 includes coach transportation, donation to the Shrine ($8) and tip for the driver. Bottled water, ice, cups, fruit and cookies will be provided. For reservations, call Mary Ann McCarry 610 431 7979.

If you or someone you know is interested in discovering what it means to be Catholic then the RCIA process is for you. It begins with a time of Inquiry. There is no commitment on your part. It is a time for meeting other interested persons like yourself, having some of your questions answered, and – most especially – getting to know how Jesus Christ is working in your life. Our first meeting will be Tuesday evening, August 29th, at 7 pm, in the Meehan Center. Think about it. For further information, please email Sr. Mary Beth Coyle at smcoyle@simonandjude.org.

Keeping our parish grounds beautiful is a way to serve the parish as an individual, family or group, on your own schedule and pace. Anyone who would like to help with cleaning up, weeding and watering our grounds, please call the Rectory Office at 610-696-3624 or email@simonandjude.org. Thank you for your kindness!

Casseroles will be collected the third Sunday of the month from 8:15 to 11:00 am. Please drop off your FROZEN casseroles in the kitchen in Monihan Hall. If you would like to make a casserole for the homeless, stop by the Rectory and pick up recipes and a container.

Our group of 29 people are getting ready for the trip to Ashland, KY in July to help repair homes for low income families who need help. This year we have 14 young men and 7 young women from local high schools. And we have 2 men (Ray Mazza and John Hendricks) and 6 women (Maryanne Brignola, Toby Spinelli, Pat Inglesby, Joan Hayes, Lisa Redding, and Annette Glaudel) as Group Leaders. We need one additional male leader to help us guide and supervise our youth. No home repair experience is needed but it is always appreciated. Please contact Annette Glaudel at alglaudel@aol.com or 610-431-9566.

Thank you very much to our volunteers and very generous sponsors for supporting SSJ's Monday Funday and Little Explorers Preschool! The event was a huge success! Please click the link to view a list of our very generous sponsors.

2017-2018 School Registration Registration is now open for students entering kindergarten through grade 8. There are also limited spots available in our new preschool 3’s and 4’s programs. Registration packets are available in the school office or you can download forms from the school website at https://school.simonandjude.org/admission-forms. If you would like more information about Saints Simon and Jude School, please contact our advancement director, Jenn Appaneal at (610) 696-5249, ext. 241 or advancement@simonandjude.org.

Enriching the lives of our young children is such a rewarding ministry...plan to TEACH, AIDE, VOLUNTEER for PREP Saints Simon and Jude Parish Religious Education Program. Please call Sr. Barbara Jude at the PREP Office - 610.692.3118 or email sbarbarajude@simonandjude.org .

Want quick access to a Sunday bulletin or to stay up to date with Catholic News? Need some daily encouragement and inspiration or need prayers? You can communicate directly with the Parish and School with your Apple or Android mobile device. Link to social media platforms, the websites, CYO information, holy day and holiday Mass schedules, calendars, daily scriptures and much more. Read the Sunday Bulletin, use the How-To Guide to Confession, view a video of Daily Mass from Catholic TV, hear homilies by Bishop Robert Barron, set Mass reminders, have the Parish and School Directory information in your phone, keep up with Catholic World News, listen to inspirational speakers, read daily gospel Reflections for Moms and others. You can choose to stay connected with instant notifications sent directly to your phone if you wish, reply to messages, set up online donations, quickly share messages via Facebook or Twitter, set reminders to silence your phone before Mass, participate in group discussions and more. Download the app today at MyParishapp.com, then search for Simon.