News

Saints Simon & Jude School is excited to host our first virtual auction online, featuring donations from our many wonderful donors. Mark your calendars! Bidding opens Thursday, April 22nd and ends Sunday, April 25th. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks! There are multiple ways to participate: Bid on our fabulous auction items; Donate directly to the Annual Fund; Buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win $2,500 SSJ Tuition Credit! All proceeds from the auction directly benefit the SSJ Annual Fund, which is used for Classroom Technology, Instructional Materials, Student/Faculty Enrichment, Fine Arts Program, Security and 10% is invested in the SSJ Endowment Fund! Hosted by the SSJ School Board & the SSJ Home and School Association. Questions? Contact Jen Doran Jenniferdoran413@gmail.com.

The World Day of Prayer for Vocations 58th Anniversary will be observed Sunday, April 25 (Good Shepherd Sunday). The purpose of this day is to publicly fulfill the Lord's instruction to, "Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest" (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). Please pray that young men and women hear and respond generously to the Lord's call to the priesthood, diaconate, religious life, societies of apostolic life or secular institutes. Resources for promoting vocations can be found at https://www.usccb.org/search?key=vocations.

Please Donate!! Blood Drive at SSJ in Honor of Keven Culbertson. 1 pm - 6 pm in The Meehan Center. Sign up at www.redcrossblood.org.

Our parish will celebrate another holy Sacrament during the Easter season on Saturday, May 1st. The students will receive the Body of Christ in Holy Eucharist for the first time either at the 10:00 am Mass or the 1:00 pm Mass! We rejoice and are glad with these boys and girls and their teachers who have guided them.

“Journey with Jesus From Jerusalem” is the second part of our spring 2021 adult faith-formation and education program at Saints Simon and Jude parish. In this part of the program, we will watch and discuss the first season of “The Chosen” (8 episodes, available at https://studios.vidangel.com/the-chosen). Classes will take place on Sundays from 10:30 AM to 11:20 AM in The Meehan Center and we will watch and discuss one episode per week. We will meet on April 18 and 25; on May 2, 9, 16, and 23 (no meeting on May 30 for Memorial Day); and on June 6 and 13. The purpose of the program is (1) to provide a context for a greater understanding of how Jesus called his disciples to follow him, and (2) to self-examine how we are called by Christ to be his disciples in the world today. The discussion leader is Dr. Joe Zalot, a Staff Ethicist at the National Catholic Bioethics Center and a parishioner at Saints Simon and Jude.

Vacation Bible Camp - " ROCKY RAILWAY " will be held June 21-28! Attention Parents, Young Adults and Teens: Your help is needed with crafts, music, bible stories, snacks, games, set up and clean up. Our first volunteer meeting is FIRST VOLUNTEER MEETING is scheduled for Thursday, April 22 at 7:00 pm in The Meehan Center. Bring a friend!! Requirements for Volunteers: students entering 7th Grade or above. This work of mercy can be used towards Confirmation Projects for 2022. Volunteers who are 18 years old and older must have safe environment clearances, contact Candy at the Rectory at csavarese@simonandjude.org. If you aren't available during camp hours, there is prep work to do in advance as well. You can help any time prior, for a day during camp or for the entire week. Whatever fits your schedule. Come and meet new people and enjoy in some joy-filled fun! Contact Sr. Barbara Jude @ 610-692-3118 or click the link for more information!

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.

On May 13, SSJ will host the Online Rosary Campaign for an End to the Coronavirus and Renewal in the Church at 8:00 pm “…there is no problem, as difficult as it may be, that we cannot resolve at this time by praying the Holy Rosary.” – Sr. Lucia of Fatima; Join us online, by phone or in spirit as we pray the Rosary asking the miraculous intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary to put an end to the coronavirus and to bring restoration to those most severely impacted by the pandemic. We are also asking Our Lady to obtain a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Church, bringing about our deeper conversion to the heart of Jesus Christ and institutional renewal at every level. For more details and Zoom log-in, visit: http://www.phillyevang.org/rosary

May 22, 2021, is the 60th Anniversary of the founding of Saints Simon and Jude Parish and we are looking to hear your story! Would you kindly take a moment to share a quick story of an experience in the Church/School/PREP/CYO or other ministries? Jot down a thought or two to drop off at the Rectory, School or PREP office with 60th Anniversary on the note, or email them to "email@simonandjude.org" with 60th Anniversary in the subject line, or if you would like to tell us the story over the phone, please call 610-696-3624. Some families have been here for generations, others have left and come back, and others have just discovered our parish and have recently joined. We would like to hear from you all! We will celebrate SSJ's 60 Years at the Pentecost Vigil liturgy on Saturday, May 22, 2021, at 5:00 pm.

To register, just fill out the registration form (page 3), and mail it, along with a check made payable to SS Simon and Jude CYO, to: Simon and Jude CYO, 7 Wellfleet Lane, Glen Mills, PA 19342. Tee Sponsorship ($150) are open to any business, individual, family, team, etc... Any questions at all, don't hesitate to reach out. GO EXPLORERS! Thanks, Bob DelVescovo, SS. Simon & Jude CYO Athletic Director, ssjcyosports@gmail.com - 610-420-1988.

Saints Simon and Jude Parish has a policy that when you are on campus, in any building, in church, in adoration, in a meeting, in school, in PREP, or anywhere else on site where two or more are gathered, masks are to be worn and social distancing is to take place. This can be a sacrifice for some, yet an act of Christian love to help your neighbor and yourself. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated! We pray for an end to this pandemic.

From the beginning of March 2020 through and including today, our lives have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The past ten months have been a time of uncertainty and stress for everyone. I want to thank you for the priority that the Saints Simon and Jude Parish Family has made and continues in its support. We are a parish that has always done its best to help others especially during troubled times. The action of those who have been able help others in need has made a real difference. Whatever the amount of your financial support, it is appreciated. May God bless your financial sacrifice. The financial effects of COVID-19 has had an impact on all of our Parish Family. The difference of contributions during the ten months of March 2020 thru December 31, 2020 compared to the same months in 2019: 2019 - $1,063,604; 2020 - $942,029; -$121,575 (-11.4%). I appreciate your support of our Parish to the best of your financial ability and know that whatever amount you are able to contribute is greatly appreciated. Fr. Mike Gerlach Note: Many companies will also match charitable contributions made by their employees to help double your gift to Saints Simon and Jude. Please check with your employer to see if they have a Matching Gift Program.

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 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! CLICK THE ABOVE LINK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS YEAR OF SAINT JOSEPH AND ALL THE UPCOMING EVENTS!!

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

Please click the link to view the notes from talk on December 2020.

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!

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!

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. For more information contact Lidia Manieri @ 610-350-7232 or email: lidia@mmanieri.com or Paul and Mary Kay Dunne 610-724-6534.

Depressed Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from depression. Meetings are open to all. Just come to the meeting room on the left as you enter the main doors of the church.