News

We invite all to join us as we pray the Rosary lead by Saints Simon and Jude Youth Ministry, this Sunday, following the 6:00 pm evening Mass. You may attend In person or view lived streamed on our parish Facebook page - www.facebook.com/simonandjude/live/.

Casseroles will be collected every third Sunday 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. Thank you!

Saints Simon and Jude will Celebrate First Penance Next Saturday, January 23, 2021 We will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time with the boys and girls on Saturday, January 23rd. Times are 10:00 and 12:00 noon. We appreciate the time and efforts made in helping these boys and girls receive the Lord's mercy. Please keep all our children in your prayers.

Please join our lifesaving mission and schedule an appointment today! CLICK THE LINK TO REGISTER! Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds and most of us will need blood in our lifetime. Thank you for supporting the American Red Cross blood program! Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App on the App Store, Google Play or text BLOODAPP to 90999. Schedule appointments, view your blood type and results of your mini-physical, and track your donations.

The next scheduled meeting is Monday evening January 25, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Welcome Center.

Theology of the Body Retreat for High School Girls - February 5th - 7th. Previous retreats have been extremely well received by those who attended and their parents. Please see attached for more information.

Catholics around the world rejoice over the Holy Father's proclamation of the Holy Year of St. Joseph, which began on December 8, 2020 and ends December 8, 2021. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will begin its official observance of this holy year after the New Year. The entire Archdiocese of Philadelphia is encouraged to spend this year growing closer to St. Joseph, honoring him, imitating his virtues and asking for his intercession. May this be a year of great grace for all of us as we grow closer to our spiritual father! A website has been set up with resources and events for our Archdiocesan observance of the Year of St. Joseph. Check it out and come back often for updates at: archphila.org/joseph. CLICK THE LINK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS YEAR OF SAINT JOSEPH!

Tens of thousands of couples have healed their marriages through Retrouvaille; pronounced Retro-vy. If you know anyone who could benefit from this program, please pass this on. Couples learn to build communication skills and to increase intimacy. It provides help for marriage problems, difficulties or crises. The next program begins the weekend of February 12 - 14, 2021 at the Family Life Center in Malvern, PA. For more information, or to register,www.HelpOurMarriage.org or call 215-766-3944 or 800-470-2230. All inquiries are strictly confidential.

Attention All Engaged Couples! Join Us for Saints Simon and Jude Music Ministry Wedding Workshop on Thursday, February 18 at 7:30PM in Church. Saints Simon and Jude Music Ministry is offering a Wedding Workshop to assist you in planning your wedding liturgy. Musical options will be presented by various musicians. Our next workshop will be held on Thursday, February 18th at 7:30 PM, with a snow date of February 25th. Registration is required. For additional information and registration, please contact Valerie Ludovico, vludovico@simonandjude.org, or Ellie Berry, ellie429@gmail.com. All COVID protocols will be followed.

Registration is now open for the fall of 2021-2022. As of now, we are assuming that Covid-19 restrictions will be in place for the fall and class sizes may be limited. For more information on the school and availability, email Jenn Appaneal at advancement@simonandjude.org. Also, remember that financial aid is available for all K to 8 families who qualify. Thanks to our generous donors, over $207,000 was awarded this school year. For general information about the school, visit our website at school.simonandjude.org. OUR BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL OFFERS Little Explorers Preschool & Kindergarten Plus CARES before and after school programs for SSJ Students

Happy New Year 2021 The Dawn has approached and is here. Dear Parishioners of Saints Simon and Jude, West Chester, Pennsylvania. “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again, rejoice”! Everyone ought to see the strength and determination of you the people of God. We look forward and are grateful for the blessings of this day. Our glass is not only half-full, but in the face of every burden our glass is overflowing in hope. We mourn all the lives of those who died in 2020; We mourn the very real difficulties that attempt division; Yet we are confident and constant: our elderly are very, very wise; our adults are not silenced; our youth have vision and with incredible energy the little ones dance with abandon. We stand strong and willing to make this year yet another opportunity to Give God the glory. We courageously reflect on our beautiful United States of America and move forward as a Constitutional people. We meditate on our Catholic faith that is founded by Christ, rooted in sacred scripture and nurtured by the seven sacraments. We have daily and eternal purpose. We are a 2000 year Eucharistic Community determined and dutifully celebrating beauty and goodness. We leave 2020 behind as a memory to be healed and lessons learned. We embrace 2021 as an “adventure, for in the Lord, the voyage never ends”. Have no doubt, in the Lord there is glory and the fullness of redemption. This is a call to pray at home, safely come to Church, open our society and love our families. May our Parish church be called a house of prayer and a home of forgiveness. In Jesus, Mary and Saint Joseph, Fr. Michael J. Gerlach My brother priests, deacons, Sisters of the IHM, and our entire Staff.

Saints Simon and Jude Annual Baby Formula Collection will end on February 14. The newborn babies are not able to say “thank you” but please know their mothers and fathers are very grateful.

Please save the dates for our next Lent Mission scheduled for February 21, 22 and 23 with Father Michael Callaghan, CM Associate Director of the Miraculous Medal Shrine in Philadelphia. This will be a great chance to deepen your faith!! Look for more details to come soon!

Notes from talk on December 2020

Want to learn a new skill? Need something extra to add to your resume or school service projects? Looking for volunteers to serve in the Media ministry. Take your pick: Use a laptop and sound board, run a camera, edit video or design graphics. Help out when your schedule allows. Training provided. No experience necessary. Contact Marty at mharris@simonandjude.org with Media Ministry in the subject line or call 610-696-3624.

The AmazonSmile Foundation recently surpassed $200 million in donations to charities worldwide! Thanks to all our parishioners, school parents, grandparents, and friends who support SSJ through this program! If you shop on Amazon, but have not designated a charity on AmazonSmile, the process is easy. You can help support “Saints Simon Jude Church & School” by clicking on the above link. Thank you!

The Pastoral Council is seeking nominations for the coming term! Pastoral Council is group that advises the Pastor on pastoral issues in the parish. Nominees must be registered Catholics in good standing. If you would like to nominate someone or yourself, please click here for a nomination form or email the name of a member you would like to nominate to email@simonandjude.org with "Pastoral Council" in the subject line. Please contact the Rectory Office at 610-696-3624 with any questions. Forms can be sent to the Rectory Office or dropped in the collection basket at Mass. CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR VIDEO

Are you, or do you know anyone who might like to explore the possibility of becoming a Catholic? The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, usually known as the R.C.I.A., is the normal way that adults become full, active, participating members of the Catholic Church. If you would like to learn more, please email or call Sister Mary Agnes, IHM. smaryan@simonandjude.org or 610.696.3624.

Grandparents! You have a great influence for evangelizing the family. A Catholic Grandparents ministry is being organized to support other Grandparents and to pray for our children and grandchildren. Please join us to learn how you can help build a vibrant Grandparents ministry and become equipped to pass on the faith. Our meetings are currently taking place via Zoom due to COVID-19. Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13 7pm to 8:30pm. For more information contact Lidia Manieri @ 610-350-7232 or email: lidia@mmanieri.com or Paul and Mary Kay Dunne 610-724-6534.

Are you interested in teamwork, camping, outdoors, rocket building, hiking, archery, building derby cars, service and more?? Sign up now and your scout will receive free admission to our upcoming Treehouse World event OR Longwood Gardens AND a free Pack 168 t-shirt. For more information, contact Kristin at kmolavoque@molavoquelaw.com or register on line at www.beascout.scouting.org.