News

The last regular season SSJ Football game will be held on Saturday, October 26 - SSJ at St. Anastasia. We hope you can join us! Stay tuned for information on playoff games.

Join over 1300 Catholic women from the greater Philadelphia area for a day of fun, friendship, faith formation and prayer at the Catholic Women’s Conference. The 2019 theme is “Unique and Unrepeatable: Your Mission as a Catholic Woman,” in which we explore the amazing truth that God has given each one of us a personal and unique mission, a share in His plan to save the world. Speakers include: Meghan Cokeley, De Yarrison, Dr. Monique Ruberu, Gloria Purvis, Sue Brinkmann and the Sisters of Life. Saturday, October 26, 2019, 9am-4:30pm, at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA. Talks will be offered in English and Spanish. A mid-September sellout is expected. Register today at: www.catholicwomensconference.org.

All parents and children preparing for Confirmation, First Penance and First Communion must attend Family Faith and Fun Day celebrated in Church and the Meehan Center. Attend either of the following times: Attend Mass at 12:30 with activities ending at 3:00 pm OR attend activities at 4:30 and end with 6:00 pm Mass.

The Saints Simon & Jude Knights of Columbus Council #11564 would like you to join in celebrating the Italian-American Heritage in Saints Simon & Jude Parish! Featuring traditional Italian cuisine: Porchetta, Pasta w/ Meatballs and/or Sausage, and Eggplant with wine, Peroni beer, soft drinks and Live Entertainment for the adults and other entertainment for the children. Proceeds of this event to benefit the Saints Simon & Jude School, Church, and other charitable causes of the Knights of Columbus. PLEASE CLICK THE LINK FOR MORE DETAILS AND FLYER!

Please give blood and help save lives!! The Red Cross Blood Drive will be held on Monday, November 4 from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm in The Meehan Center. To schedule an appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org and enter Sponsor Code: westchester.

Teens and parents, are you looking for answers? JASON EVERT HAS BROUGHT HIS MESSAGE TO OVER A MILLION TEENAGERS ON SIX CONTINENTS. Plan to attend this family-based event for parents and teens ages 13+ to learn about God’s plan for human sexuality. Jason Evert will give a presentation followed by a time of praise and worship, adoration and the sacrament of reconciliation for those who desire it. Free resources will be distributed to every attendee. This kind of opportunity does not come along often so spread the word and get your tickets soon! WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING ABOUT PURIFIED? TEENAGERS: “What you had to say was the answer to all the questions I had been praying about. Thank you again for helping me... You truly are an angel in disguise.” PARENTS: “We heard you speak last night, and my 16-year-old son–though dragged there sighing and rolling his eyes–was blown away by your talk. Thanks.” LOCATION: Saints Simon and Jude Church, 8 Cavanaugh Court (Rt. 3 and 352), West Chester, PA 19382 GET TICKETS by clicking on the title or go to: https://bit.ly/2GnwNLq QUESTIONS: email@simonandjude.org.

The Fall program for Women's Bible Study begins in the Welcome Center of the Church Vestibule on Wednesday, October 2nd from 1:00-2:30 pm. We meet to share God's word and how it applies to our lives through the Sunday Readings. ALL ARE WELCOME! For information contact Kathy Bond at 610-316-3979

Divorce is never easy. Tensions run deep; there is a sense of betrayal; lawyers; and lots of other issues with which to deal. Where can a person find peace in the midst of such turmoil? Rose Sweet, a Catholic national speaker and author on the subject suggests that Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is the answer. Join us at SS. Simon and Jude Meehan Center on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 7 pm for support and explore Rose’s program: Catholics Surviving Divorce.

Did you know we have a Prayer Shawl Ministry right here in our church. No experience necessary to join us. We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. The shawls for the sick are in a box in the narthex for anyone who is sick. They are blessed and prayed on. When you take one please sign the book so we can continue to pray for your loved one. Contact Sue 610-431-3025.

The Music Ministry of Saints Simon & Jude is pleased to announce an open invitation to share in our ministry as cantors, choir members, instrumentalists and accompanists. Our family of musicians is a vibrant ministry that serves to awaken deeper levels of liturgical spirituality. No formal music training is needed. We seek only joyful participants! The time commitment is minimal. For additional information please contact Mrs. Marge Campbell, Music Director. 610-405.6934 "To Sing is to Pray Twice" St. Augustine

Meetings: First Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at St. Cyprian Parish in the Community Hall Second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Drexel Hill in the church hall. All attendees remain confidential. Become a Pen Pal to the imprisoned In prison sometimes the only contact with the outside world is in the form of letters. Mail Call is better when you receive a warm and friendly letter from the outside world. Pen Pal Writers are needed to write to the poorest of the por. For more Meeting and Pen Pal Information, please call 610-259-3178 or email: MaryMotherOf Captives@Augustinian.org Please pray for all those in our prisons.

The IHM congregation came from Monroe, Michigan to the Susquehanna, Reading, and Philadelphia areas in the late 19th century at the invitation of St. John Neumann? Sister Helene Thomas Connolly has the awesome and exciting task of preserving the IHM past while maintaining new information of value. This includes documents, letters, photographs, audio and video recordings.  Information must be accessible and understandable.  Sister Helene will tap into her analytical and organizational skills to make sure that the record of IHM life in North and South America is preserved for years to come. Thank you Sister Helene for all you do!

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: email@simonandjude.org. Thank you for your kindness!

We are looking for a Custodian/Janitor who has a positive, cooperative and friendly manner to work in our parish and school buildings. This is a full-time position for an individual who has successful work experience following a cleaning plan for a facility. Most tasks are well defined, but with considerable variation and may require independent action. Salary based on previous experience. Please email a resume or letter with your qualifications to Ron Avellino at ron@simonandjude.org or mail to: Saints Simon and Jude Rectory - Attn: Ron Avellino - 8 Cavanaugh Court - West Chester, PA 19382.

Bishop’s Tuition Transfer Grants are available for students who transfer to SSJ entering grades 2 to 7 who attend a public or other non-Catholic school. Recipients will receive a two-year grant totaling $1,500 ($1,000 in the first year – 2019- 2020 and $500 in the second year – 2020-2021). If you receive a transfer grant, you may also qualify for additional, need-based financial aid.

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!

The Pastoral Council acts in an advisory role to the Pastor to help him identify parish needs, define parish policies, and develop and evaluate parish programs and activities. Eligibility: Any person who has attained the age of 18, is a practicing member of the Catholic Church, and has been a registered member of SS. Simon and Jude parish for at least two years is eligible to be nominated to the Pastoral Council. The Pastoral Council meets once a month from September to June and members are expected to make a reasonable effort to attend meetings. The forms are available in the Church Narthex. Please email your signed form to email@simonandjude.org with "pastoral council" in the subject line or return your form to the Rectory Office or place in the collection basket at Mass. Questions? Email email@simonandjude.org or call Marty at 610-696-3624.

PLEASE CLICK THE LINK FOR TRIP DETAILS OR TO BOOK YOUR DEPOSIT ON-LINE.

Do you know what you can do on the SSJ Mobile App? Check Mass times at SSJ and other parishes when you travel. Watch a video of Mass. Read or listen to Homilies, Daily Scripture, Prayers, Family Devotions and more. See the Sunday Bulletin on line. Send in Prayer Requests, Reply to Messages. Communicate with other members in a parish group discussion. Keep up with Catholic News from around the world. Set up online donations, quickly share messages via Facebook, set reminders to silence your phone before Mass, and more. Access Parish and School Directory information. Stay informed on events in the Church, School, PREP, CYO, Ministry Groups, and more. Download the app today at MyParishapp.com, then search for Sts. Simon OR Text App to 88202.

Do you have a new phone number or email or address? Have the members of your home changed? Is there a new child since you first registered? Student that has moved away? Death in the family? We are counting on you to complete our 2019 on-line Parish Census to help update the parish records. That way we can better assist you in a time of need and keep you informed on what is going on in the parish. All information is kept confidential and is for church use only. Independent adult children (over 21) should register on their own by coming in to the Rectory Office to complete a Registration Form. If you have any questions or need help completing the form, please do not hesitate to call the Rectory Office at 610-696-3624. Please note the Census cannot be used for registering to join Saints Simon and Jude Parish. To register please visit the Rectory Office…we would love to meet you!  PLEASE CLICK THE LINK TO COMPLETE THE CENSUS FORM.