The Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter & Paul at 18th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103 US - News You Can Use              

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• View the Parkway Museums District brochure
• A Deeper Look at the Sacred Liturgy #18
• Cathedral Basilica Parish Forty Hours Devotion
• Cathedral Basilica Ambassadors
• The Church's Constant Teaching
• Parish Non-fiction Book Club
• Cathedral Basilica and Chapel Update
• Year of the Priest ~ Confessions
• Prayer for Priests
• Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Annual Appeal
• Electronic Contributions Now Possible
• Liturgical arts event—Open to the public
• Around the Archdiocesan High Schools
• Catholic Social Services
• Heed the Call
• Opportunities for Ministry & Service at the Cathedral Basilica
• Thoughts of Saint John Vianney
• Exposition and Holy Hour
• Sanctuary Candles
• Adults Interested in the Catholic Faith / Adults Needing Sacraments
• Charitable Gift Annuity
• Catholic Bishops of PA Issue Flu Season Directives
• Marriage Preparation Schedule Online
• Food Sunday
• What's Happening at the Basilica
• Winter Bus Schedule
• The Easter Vigil — April 4, 2010
• Cathedral Tour Guides & Tours
• Prayer for Our Men and Women in Uniform

“Those who fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and will humble themselves before him” (Sirach 2:17). The Introductory Rites of the Mass prepare us to listen to the Word of God and to enter into the Holy Sacrifice. The Entrance, Greeting, Act of Penitence, Kyrie, Gloria, and Collect are the means by which we cross the threshold, acknowledge the presence of Christ, seek his mercy, praise the glory of the Father, and pray together in the unity of the Holy Spirit.

Only in a context of adoration, humility, supplication, and praise can we hear the Word of God rightly. The Introductory Rites of the Mass provide this context and foster the attention of the listening heart. On certain occasions such as the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd and Palm Sunday, the Introductory Rites are modified or performed in a particular way. The same is true when Mass is preceded by any part of the Liturgy of the Hours.

The Introductory Rites of the Mass are most effective when silence precedes them. “Even before the celebration itself, it is commendable that silence be observed in the church, in the sacristy, in the vesting room, and in adjacent areas, so that all may dispose themselves to carry out the sacred action in a devout and fitting manner” (GIRM, art. 45).

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“Our Lord is hidden in the Blessed Sacrament, waiting for us to come and visit him.... See how good he is! ... If he had appeared before us now in all his glory, we should not have dared to approach him; but he hides himself like one in prison, saying: ‘You do not see me, but that does not matter; ask me for all you want...’” (Eucharistic Meditation 19, Saint John Vianney)

Our annual Forty Hours Devotion will be held the first week of Advent ~ Sunday, November 29 through Tuesday, December 1. The opening will be at the 11 am Mass on Sunday. There will be all day exposition of the Blessed Sacrament each day in the Basilica. Evening devotions will include the 5 pm Mass on Sunday and 5:15 pm Evening Prayer and Benediction on Monday and Tuesday.

Our homilist for the weekend Masses and for the Forty Hours Devotion will be Monsignor John J. McIntyre, Secretary to Cardinal Rigali.

We look forward to this special event and graced time in the life of the parish and on the calendar of the Cathedral. It was Saint John Neumann who introduced this devotion to our Archdiocese and the United States. Be sure to mark your calendars and plan to participate in the devotions as well as to visit during the day to spend some time in prayer before our Eucharistic Lord.

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In this Year of the Priest, our Holy Father has asked us to pray for priests and to be inspired by the exemplary life of Saint John Vianney, the Curé of Ars, Patron Saint of priests. As previously announced, the priests of the Cathedral Parish are happy to offer an additional time and day for the Sacrament of Penance for the convenience of our parishioners and visitors. Confessions will be heard in the Basilica on Sundays at 9:00 am, in addition to our usual daily schedule of times.

All our registered parishioners received a copy of the Prayer for Priests in the recent Census and Block Collection mailing. We hope all will pray it often. May Jesus Christ be praised!

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Ever-living God and Father of us all,
you give to your Church the Priesthood of your Son, Jesus,
and by the power of the Holy Spirit,
you provide holy priests for a holy people.

We pray for all our priests,
who announce the Word of God
and celebrate the Sacraments,
for those who are young and those who are old,
for those who serve in difficult and trying circumstances,
for those who are faithful and those who are faltering, and
for those who have died.

We entrust all our priests to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
and to the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
that they may persevere with fidelity
to you and to your Church.
With Saint John Vianney, patron of priests,
we pray that our priests may never fail to lead us to you.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

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The Non-Fiction Book Club will meet on Wednesday, November 18 at 7:30 PM in the Rectory. The second book that they are going to read and discuss is The Little Chapel on the River by Gwendolyn Bounds. This book tells the story of a Wall Street Journal Reporter who is displaced by the attacks on 9/11 and relocates to Garrison, NY where she rediscovers what is important in life. All are invited to participate! Bring a friend. For more additional information, please contact Charlie Jones at 215-913-7574. This is an outgrowth of the Social Group.

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More and more people are using electronic bill paying and other electronic fund transfer options in their daily lives. When we had asked our parishioners about their interest in such a possibility for making contributions to the Parish, we received much genuine interest.

We are very pleased to announce that we have been able to secure the assistance of Acceptiva.com through the cooperation of the Archdiocese to provide such a service to all our parishioners and visitors. You can make your weekly contribution or other donations on-line, either from your personal checking account or by a credit card. Simply go to our website: sspeterpaulcathedral.catholicweb.com, click on the box-icon “Support the Cathedral Basilica” and follow the simple instructions.

We hope this new service will provide convenience and ease to our parishioners and visitors. Thank you for your truly generous support and for your continued interest in our Parish!

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The Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Annual Appeal kicks off during this month, November 2009. Please consider supporting the Seminary, and , if possible, increasing your gift over what you gave last year.

The Seminary community is grateful to you for your faithful support. Your tax-deductible gift helps to enhance the many resources needed for priestly training and enables the Church to form holy, educated, and dedicated priests.

PLEASE SEND YOUR DONATIONS TO:

Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary,
Office for Development,
100 East Wynnewood Road,
Wynnewood, PA 19096

or if you would like to make your donation online, please visit www.scs.edu.

The Second Collection on the WEEKEND of November 14-15 will also be for the Seminary. You may place your envelope (sent to your home by the Seminary) in that second collection.

Next weekend, Mr. Thomas Higman, a seminarian at Saint Charles Seminary for the Diocese of Ogdensburg, NY will speak at all the Masses. As always, please extend him a warm welcome.

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The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will sponsor a Liturgical Arts Event on Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM at the Archdiocesan Office Center. This event will provide an opportunity for individuals to acquire paintings and prints that have been restored and preserved, as well as 19th century religious engravings. A limited number of stained glass remnants will also be available. For additional information, contact the Office of Special Projects at 215-587-3996.

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Dan LePore and Sons have begun work on Phase I of the Cathedral Basilica’s exterior masonry repairs and restoration, and the emergency repairs to the Cathedral Chapel. This work will continue as long as the outside temperatures will permit. In the Cathedral Basilica attic, the various wood support beams and other necessary work is being accomplished daily, albeit out of sight. The new protective windows for the Clerestory windows of the Cathedral Basilica are being manufactured and may be installed before Christmas.

In the meantime, we await the new Cathedral Chapel organ which will hopefully be in place by Christmas. The new wood doors in the Chapel have been installed and undergone some adjustments. The wood refinisher is completing some minor repairs and touch up as well. There is hope that work on the refurbishment of the Sacristy might begin after the new year.

The Heritage of Faith~Vision of Hope capital campaign continues to meet with success around the Archdiocese. Although the active period of outreach for this important endeavor within the Cathedral Parish has passed, we are still accepting pledges from those who may not have done so yet. Please call Monsignor McCulken to discuss this opportunity to make a vital contribution to the future of our parish and the Archdiocese.

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Humility is to the various virtues what the chain is to the Rosary; take away the chain and the beads are scattered, remove Humility and all virtues vanish.

Maxim

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We are most grateful to those who have responded and continue to seek additional volunteers to serve as Greeters, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Members of our Hospital Teams, Tour Guides and Collection Counters.

We really need your service, time and talent for our Parish community and our visiting guests. Your service will help us and help one another. We will provide the necessary information, training and formation. Please consider offering the gift of your time; in most cases it is only an hour or so monthly. To do so, you can complete this form, call the Rectory Office or email us. Thank you and God bless you!

Please provide the following:

Name
Phone Number
E-Mail

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The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law” (No. 2271).

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While our Ambassadors have been staffing the Cathedral Basilica since March, we recently celebrated the first anniversary of this incredible program of outreach, welcome and information. Bill Mignucci of Di Bruno Brothers catered a delicious meal providing the centerpiece for an evening of celebration and sharing for all our Ambassadors, new and old. Currently we have 75 Ambassadors who welcome and assist visitors to the Cathedral Basilica. They come from all areas of the Archdiocese and are an enthusiastic and joy filled group. Look for them in Church, they will now be sporting new maroon jackets during their time of service. We thank Di Bruno Brothers for donating the initial order of jackets for their use.

Anyone interested in becoming an Ambassador, please call or email the rectory office. We will be happy to provide you with information and the necessary training.

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This Weekend is Food Sunday. Please bring your donations of non-perishable food items and trial size toiletries for St. John's Hospice.

Please bring all items to Mass and leave them in the Sacristy. Anything you donate is very much appreciated!

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These difficult financial times present a particularly good time for the Gift Annuity program. Some parishioners may have sold stock in the last months or weeks, and/or have other funds invested in very low interest money market or savings accounts. You cannot beat an annuity, guaranteed by the Archdiocese, that pays 2-3 times the money market rate! You get to make a gift to the Cathedral Parish and receive a charitable deduction at the same time.

This is a great opportunity for our parishioners’ to help their parish in the future and get a great rate for a life time.

Age	Current Rates
65	5.3%
70	5.7%
75	6.3%
80	7.1%
85	8.1%
90	9.5%

To learn more, contact Bill Boland at 215-587-5650, Planned Giving Coordinator.

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Can you make a place in your family for a Foster Child? Thousands of children need the love and support of a foster family. Catholic Social Services is looking for married or single adults to become foster parents to children of all ages, races and denominations. Homes are also needed for children with special medical or emotional needs and for siblings who wish to live together. Catholic Social Services provides professional training, support, financial reimbursement and catholic school tuition to foster children. For more information about becoming a foster family, call Melissa or Pat at 215-587-3960.

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The priests of tomorrow are in our midst.
They are members of this parish.
They are members of our own families.
Encourage Vocations, pray for the gift.
Visit — www.HeedTheCall.org

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At this solemn Mass, Cardinal Rigali will administer first Sacraments to adults. This includes those requesting Baptism into the Catholic Church, those already validly baptized Christians asking to be received into the Catholic Church, and baptized Catholic adults who have not yet received Confirmation and/or First Holy Communion.

Our parish RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program of instruction in the Catholic Faith begins this Fall. The group meets Thursday evenings (except holidays) from 7 to 8 PM in the rectory, beginning on September 24th.

Inquirers are most welcome. Perhaps YOU who read this notice can pass this invitation along to a relative or friend or neighbor whom the Lord may be calling to these Sacraments of Christian Initiation. For further information, contact Father Burke through the rectory office.

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Donations are accepted for the Sanctuary Candle in the Basilica and in the Cathedral Chapel. This candle burns always as a reminder to all who enter that Jesus is truly present in the Tabernacle. If you wish to make a donation for your personal intentions or for others, please call the rectory (215) 561-1313 for more information and to make arrangements.

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Are you interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith? Would you like to become a Catholic? Are you a baptized Adult Catholic in need of Confirmation? The Cathedral Parish extends an invitation to participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). This is a weekly, one hour program [Thursdays, 7 to 8 PM ,except for holidays] that begins September 24 and runs until Holy Week. Those who are ready will receive their Sacraments from Cardinal Rigali on Holy Saturday evening at the Easter Vigil Service. For more information, contact Father Burke through the rectory office.

Parishioners, be sure to invite your non-Catholic relatives, friends or neighbors to consider becoming a Catholic and joining the RCIA program. Many are waiting for such an invitation to get started.

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November 8 9:00 AM 9:30 AM 2:00 PM	Seminarian Thomas Higman speaks at all Masses this weekend Confessions (an additional time) League of the Sacred Heart Mass Saint Martin de Porres Mass — Cardinal Rigali
November 9 7:00 PM	English as a Second Language Class — New Room
November 10 6:30 PM	Bible Study — New Room
November 11 6:00 PM 7:00 PM	Charismatic Prayer Group — Sacristy English as a Second Language Class — New Room
November 12 7:00 PM	Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Program — New Room
November 14 7:15 PM	Annual Seminary Appeal Collection Catholic Underground — Chapel, Chapel Hall
November 15 9:00 AM	Annual Seminary Appeal Collection Confessions (an additional time)
November 16 6:30 PM	Bible Study — New Room
November 17 6:00 PM 7:00 PM	Charismatic Prayer Group — New Room League of the Sacred Heart Meeting — New Room
November 19 7:00 PM	Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults — New Room
November 22 9:00 AM 9:30 AM	Roman Catholic Alumni Mass — Basilica Parish Mass will be held in the Chapel
November 23 6:30 PM	Bible Study — New Room

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Each Wednesday from 11 AM to Noon, we will have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Cathedral Chapel, providing everyone with the opportunity for private prayer and quiet time with our Eucharistic Lord. We hope that these opportunities will allow many more people to spend quiet time and prayer time with our Eucharistic Lord. Please pass this information along to family, friends and co-workers.

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For the convenience of our parishioners, the Parish sponsors bus service to and from the 9:30 am and the 12:30 pm Masses on Sundays. Please feel free to make use of this service. At the moment, the schedule of pick-up is as follows:

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Catholic Bishops of Pennsylvania encourage the clergy and faithful to observe the necessary standard precautions to protect the health of others during this flu season, and especially with the risks related to H1N1 influenza (swine flu). The Bishops additionally direct the following for the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy and for flu prevention:

• The distribution of the Precious Blood for the faithful is generally suspended. The faith of the Church teaches that Christ, whole and entire, is received even under only one species.

• The exchange of the sign of peace is to be offered without any physical contact. If the priest celebrant chooses to extend the invitation for the sign of peace, the faithful, instead of a handshake, may bow to the persons nearby.

These directives issued by Catholic Bishops of Pennsylvania are effective Sunday, October 18, 2009 until determined otherwise by the local Bishop.

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The Family Life Office is now publishing the Archdiocese’s Marriage Preparation program schedules exclusively on line. Couples can access the schedule and registration form at http://archphila.org/evangelization/famlife/marriage.htm#couples. A partial schedule of dates for 2010 is on line now, including the 4-session program and the Marriage Preparation Retreat at http:/archphila.org/evangelization/famlife/2010archregmarpresess.htm.

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We have a small and very dedicated group of trained Tour Guides for the Cathedral Basilica. We are grateful for the service which they provide to the many interested visitors and tourists that come to visit us. Additional volunteers would be truly welcome. The necessary information and training needed will be provided by our present group. It is not complicated and you will learn a lot in the process. If interested please call the rectory at 215-561-1313. Mr. Nicholas McAllister, our Tour Guide Coordinator, will return your call to answer any questions and to get you started.

Remember, a tour is available after the 11 AM Sunday Mass. Please assemble in the front in the Basilica, at the side altar of the Sacred Heart. Tours can be arranged, during the week, for parish groups by contacting the rectory by letter, e-mail or telephone. We are always glad to welcome visitors to our historic and beautiful Cathedral Basilica.

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As we remember and pray for all our fellow Americans, who gave their lives in battle for freedom and democracy, let us also pray for all who serve courageously now.

O God, You led your servant Abraham from his home and guarded him in all his wanderings. Guide our men and women in uniform, and all who are called upon to defend the right to a life blessed with freedom, justice and peace. Be a refuge in times of loneliness, shade in the heat, shelter in the storm, rest in weariness, protection in trouble and a strong staff in danger. For all our days together, we give you thanks: bind us together now, even though we may be far apart. May your peace rest upon them and us. May we never tire in the effort to become instruments of Your peace and good will for all. Amen.

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