News

Another Session of Protecting god's Children will be held in the Meehan Center on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 - Sign in at 5:45 pm; training begins at 6:00 pm sharp. Registration is a must!  Please go to: www.virtusonline.org or call 215.587.2466. For questions on clearances and certificates, contact Candy,  SSJ Safe Environment Coordinator at csavarese@simonandjude.org or 610.696.3624.

During the month of May and through the three-week work schedule to complete the remodeling project, the Welcome Center and Library will be closed from May 9 to June 25. That space will be the temporary office space for the Rectory Staff. We will post signs at the Rectory and Church to direct parishioners and visitors. If you are interested in looking at the office furniture we have for possible use in your home or business, please contact Ron Avellino (610-696-3624). We would ask you to consider a free will offering for any furniture you select. (You provide removal and transportation). The remodeled Rectory Office is scheduled to re-open on Monday June 25. I thank you in advance for your patience and understanding of any inconvenience it may cause.

The annual CYO Mass for athletes and their families will be on Sunday, June 3rd at the 9:00 AM Mass. The Sports Banquet will immediately follow mass in The Meehan Center Presentation of Awards The Karen Wolfe and Cecilia Spiron CYO Scholarships with Award Recognition for all 8th Grade Athletes Plus Recognition of our CYO Teams and their success in Region 17.

Enroll now for the coming school year 2018 - 2019. Click the link to access the forms. Pre-School Classes are offered for children ages 3, 4 and kindergarten on Sunday mornings from 9:00 to 10:00 am. CLICK THE LINK FOR MORE INFORMATION Elementary Levels Level 1 though 6 - Tuesday at 4:15 to 6:00 pm and 6:00 to 7:15 pm ~ Wednesday at 6:00 to 7:15 pm ONLY Level 2 Students - Tuesday nights 6:00 to 7:15 pm ONLY Level 6 Students - Wednesday nights 6:00 to 7:15 pm ONLY Youth Group Students - Levels 7- 8 Sunday nights from 7:00 to 8:30 pm usually twice monthly.

Good Works needs Volunteers to help with home repairs, drywall, minor carpentry, painting and building small decks, etc. We also need those who can share faith and information with homeowners. There is a job for Everyone! For information contact Annette Glaudel at 610.431.9566

This is your time, your chance to make a difference… Be part of the future...be a coach! “Are you ready for some...Football”??? JV Football Head Coach Needed for 5th & 6th Grade JV Football Team. Experience coaching tackle football is required. Please contact Director of SSJ Football Program, Brian Mears at ssjcofootball@gmail.com.

REGISTER NOW FOR SPLASH CANYON - June 25 to June 29 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Ages: must be 4 years old by June and completed 6th grade. To register go to: www.simonandjude.org/vacation-bible-camp. Reminder...space is limited please register asap!! ALL CALL FOR VISUAL DISPLAY HELP… VACATION BIBLE CAMP NEEDS A LOAN! CAN YOU PLEASE LOAN US FOR DISPLAY ONLY from June 18 to 30… Small inflatable rafts - Oars - Vests and Helmets. Please kindly contact “Sr. Row Your Boat” in the PREP Office. at 610.692.3118. With your help, our campers will truly enjoy their “splash experience” thank you!

The annual CYO Mass and Sports Banquet for athletes and their families will be on Sunday, June 3 at the 9:00 am Mass. The Banquet will immediately follow in the Meehan Center. Awards Presentation of the Karen Wolfe and Cecilia Spiron CYO Scholarships Award/Recognition for all 8 Grade Athletes. Recognition of our CYO Teams and their success in Region 17.

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.

Attention High School Students: Looking for a fun experience to strengthen your faith? Join us for the Steubenville - NYC conference this summer. All High School teens are welcome. It’s a weekend road trip to St. John’s University, full of fun, friends, inspiring speakers and awesome music. Send an email to hsyouth@simonandjude.org for more information visit http://lifeteen.com/events/steubenville-nyc/ Space is limited so reserve your space today!

There’s still time to support your parish school & help us meet our goal! This past fall, the Saints Simon and Jude Board launched ‘Lighting the Way’, the first annual fund in support of the school’s many needs and the establishment of a School Endowment. Thanks to the generosity of the people of our parish and school, more than 200 gifts have been received totaling $102,000, 81% of our $125,000 goal. Individual gifts at every level have been received from $25 to $10,000, including a number of corporate matching gifts. We ask you to consider a gift to the annual fund, so we can meet our goal and therefore our objectives for the school - Classroom Technology, Student/Faculty Enrichment, Fine Arts Programs, Instructional Materials, and Financial Aid. All donations received on or before June 30, 2018 will be credited to the 2017/18 fund. Please pick up a “Lighting the Way” brochure and return envelope in the church narthex for more information. If you have questions, please contact Jenn Appaneal in the Advancement Office at 610-696-5249, Ext. 241 or advancement@simonandjude.org. Thank you and God bless!

The Parish Pastoral Council is one of the best models of collaboration within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The Parish Pastoral Council works closely with the Pastor to create and implement a Vision of ongoing Pastoral renewal in each parish. Each Year up to three members of the Pastoral Council finish their three year term. Saints Simon and Jude Parish is fortunate to have a very strong and dedicated Pastoral Council. To learn more about Parish Pastoral Councils go to http://archphila.org/pastplan/INDEX/PPCindex.html Nomination forms are at entrances of Church.

We are in need of additional volunteers to join us in the mission of helping those in need in Central Appalachia. There are so many that need our help in that region of our country. We will help to make their homes warmer, safer, and drier. Please join us as an adult leader or as a high school volunteer. Contact Annette Glaudel at asp@simonandjude.org or 610-431-9566.

The Saint Agnes Dorothy Day Room is looking for a few good cooks to prepare part of a meal for the hungry once a month. The food is prepared at home and brought to the Day Room “ready to serve” by 11:30 a.m. The guests who come to us for a hot meal and companionship count on us for what may be the only meal that they will have that day. If cooking part of a meal once a month seems too daunting to start, we also are in need of substitute cooks to fill in as needed for vacations, illness, etc. Whatever you are able to assist with you will be feeding the hungry Christ in our midst. God bless you for considering this need. Please contact Mary Barcus marebarcus@gmail.com if you are interested or would like more information.

Come with us on a Poland Pilgrimage with 206 Tours, June 18-26, 2018. Follow "In the Footsteps of St. John Paul II & St. Faustina" for 9 days through Warsaw, Czestochowa, Wadowice, Krakow, Auschwitz and more. 2018 marks the 40th Anniversary of Pope St. John Paul II Papal Election -- what better way to commemorate this anniversary year! Contact Denise Booth, Whirlaway Travel and Cruise Consultants, at denisebooth@verizon.net for more information if you are interested.

Saints Simon and Jude School has been selected to participate in the Bishop’s Tuition Transfer Grant Program sponsored by the Foundation for Catholic Education and Connelly Foundation. What does this mean? If you have a student transfer to SSJ entering grades 2 to 7 who attend a public, charter, or other non-Catholic school you will receive a two-year grant totaling $1,500 ($1,000 in the first year – 2018-2019 and $500 in the second year – 2019-2020). If you receive a transfer grant, you may also still qualify for additional, need-based financial aid. For more information, email or call our advancement director, Jenn Appaneal at advancement@simonandjude.org or 610-696-5249, Ext. 241.

Saturday - 5:00 PM Vigil Mass CHANGED TO 4:00 PM during the months of January, February, November and December; Sunday 7:30 AM Mass 9:00 AM Mass 11:00 AM Mass 12:30 PM Mass 6:00 PM Mass; Sunday Baptisms 1:45 p.m.

Learn how to go to CONFESSION!! Click on the CONFESSION button for a HOW TO GUIDE!! Download the app today at MyParishapp.com, then search for Simon. Questions? Contact Marty at 610-696-3624.

Saints Simon and Jude Church and School has been approved as a charity and The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible purchases. Simply log on to smile.amazon.com (not amazon.com). Enter your username and password. You are asked to select a charity and enter Saints Simon and Jude Church and School in the search box. Our parish name will come up. Just click select, then click start shopping. It's that easy and you will help support all the wonderful programs at SSJ. Thank you.

Saints Simon and Jude School’s First Annual Fund will allow us to meet the needs of each student by supporting the many priorities of our school. The Fund will help to bridge the gap between tuition revenue and expenses. Tuition covers approximately 66% of what it costs to educate a student at SSJ. Our goal is to cover the remaining percentage with donations to our Annual Fund and parish support from Sunday collections. Please see below how the funds raised will be allocated. Your commitment to Lighting the Way will help to ensure that Saints Simon and Jude will continue to provide the highest quality Catholic education while developing the hearts and minds of our children. Thank you for supporting our Inaugural Annual Fund and mission of Catholic Education. 2017-2018 Annual Fund Goal: $125,000; Classroom Technology; Student/Faculty Enrichment; Fine Arts Programs; Instructional Materials; Financial Aid. * 10% of funds raised will seed a new School Endowment Fund.