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 #19
• Cathedral Basilica Parish Forty Hours Devotion
• Cathedral Basilica Ambassadors
• The Church's Constant Teaching
• Giving Tree
• Cathedral Basilica and Chapel Update
• Year of the Priest ~ Confessions
• Prayer for Priests
• Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Annual Appeal
• Electronic Contributions Now Possible
• Sacred Music Concert
• Around the Archdiocesan High Schools
• Catholic Social Services
• Heed the Call
• Opportunities for Ministry & Service at the Cathedral Basilica
• Thoughts of Saint John Vianney
• Saint John Vianney—a Live Dream
• Exposition and Holy Hour
• Sanctuary Candles
• Adults Interested in the Catholic Faith / Adults Needing Sacraments
• Catholic Bishops of PA Issue Flu Season Directives
• Marriage Preparation Schedule Online
• 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

“To you, O God, I lift up my soul” (Psalm 24:1; Entrance Chant of the First Sunday of Advent). The Entrance Chant is like a door opening onto the Mystery. It begins as the priest and other ministers enter the church. The Entrance Chant sets the celebration of Mass in motion; it fosters unity; it expresses something of the feast or season being celebrated. The Entrance Chant accompanies the procession of the priest and ministers into the sanctuary and ends when the priest arrives at the chair.

The choice of the Entrance Chant is determined by the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. It may be the antiphon and psalm given in one of three official liturgical books: the Roman Gradual, the Roman Missal, or the Simple Gradual. The Entrance Chant may also be an antiphon and psalm from another source, or even a suitable liturgical song, provided that these have been approved by the Conference of Bishops or the diocesan bishop (GIRM, art. 48).

Apart from a very few exceptions, the Entrance Chants of the Mass are drawn from the Bible, usually from the Book of Psalms. It is significant that Mass opens with God’s word addressed to us. Already in the Entrance Chant it is God who comes out to meet us.

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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.

Pope Benedict XVI offers us insight into the value and need for our participation in the Forty Hours Devotion. The Holy Father has said, "In modern life, so often noisy and dispersive, it is more than ever important to recover the capacity for inner silence and prayer. Eucharistic adoration enables this to happen, not only around 'me,' but also in the company of the 'you' full of love that is Jesus Christ, 'God close to us'."

Come to the Masses and the Evening Prayers, gathering in faith and in worship before our Eucharistic Lord and in communion with all your fellow believers. Come and make visits during the three days in order to allow silence and stillness to open you to the mystery of Christ present among us. Jesus is our Redeemer and our only Savior. Whatever sacrifice you make to be present, will be richly rewarded by the graces you will receive from Our 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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Celebrate the Year of the Priest by being part of a dramatic event - The Life of Saint John Vianney - a one man show that acts as well as a call to conversation, prayer and action. The inspiring show will be performed at Our Lady of Ransom on December 4 at 7:30 PM. Free will offering. Use this as a rich opportunity to experience the life of a Saint and his relationship with Christ and the Church.

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Our annual Giving Tree has been set up in the Basilica to assist those less fortunate than ourselves. If you wish to participate, please take a tag and drop the gift off at Church no later than December 18th. That will allow time to get the gifts to those in need. You have been most generous in the past and many men, women and children have been assisted through your kindness with Christmas gifts! Thank you!

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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 and this historic Cathedral Basilica.

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The Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Annual Appeal is held 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 This Weekend will also be for the Seminary. You may place your envelope (sent to your home by the Seminary) in that second collection.

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Your are cordially invited on December 12, 2009, 2:00 PM to a concert of sacred music celebrating the seasons of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany with choral, solo and instrumental works from over five centuries. The concert will feature the Cathedral Basilica Choir, Cathedral Brass Quartet and Percussion, as well as vocal and organ solo works. Included will be the singing of traditional carols for all. No tickets required; a free will offering will be accepted.

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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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The priesthood is the love of the Heart of Jesus. When you see the priest, think of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Catechism on the Priesthood

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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 have had a number of our volunteers who can no longer serve for various reasons.

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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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 22 9:00 AM 9:30 AM	Roman Catholic Alumni Mass — Basilica Parish Mass will be held in the Chapel
November 24 6:30 PM	Bible Study — New Room
November 25 8:00 AM 10:00 AM 6:00 PM	Hallahan Catholic High School Liturgy Mass Roman Catholic High School Liturgy Mass Charismatic Prayer Group — New Room
Nov. 29, 30, Dec. 1	Parish Forty Hours Devotions Special Evening Devotions: Sunday 5 PM Mass Monday & Tuesday, 5:15 PM Evening Prayer & Benediction, Monsignor John J. McIntyre
December 3 7:00 PM	Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults — New Room
December 6 11:00 AM	Bless the Baby Jesus — Cardinal Rigali
December 8 Mass Schedule:	Immaculate Conception Holy Day of Obligation 5:15 PM (Vigil Mass), 7:15, 8 AM, 12:35, 5:15 PM in Chapel 12:05 PM in Basilica — Cardinal Rigali

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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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