125th Anniversary

UPDATE

 

Almost ¾ through!

Just for reference, in parish years that would put us around 1979! Here’s what we’ve been up to and what’s ahead.

Not just about water-ice

In May we celebrated St. Rita’s triduum with Fr. Gus Esposito, OSA giving three days of reflections, capped by a closing Mass complete with beautiful red roses. What do they have to do with St. Rita? You’ll just have to catch the next triduum!

And not just for ants

In June some 60-70 parishioners picnicked on what might have been the hottest Sunday of the year, sharing the hot dogs and hamburgers Peter Greenhalgh flipped, and the salads and desserts the parishioners contributed - which turned out to be somewhat of a recipe exchange!

The kids played in the park and joined Fr. Jim in a water balloon tournament, which helped cool off the day.

Let the sun shine!

In July, our Church Art Tour, carefully timed to feature the Church’s magnificent windows at maximum illumination, coincided with a tremendous thunderstorm that soaked the outside and darkened the inside. Yet this failed to darken or dampen the spirits of some 70 attendees. In a display of his prodigious memory, Fr. Jim spoke for over an hour about the windows without a single note (“The windows were my notes” he explained later.) As he spoke, the sun gradually returned and by the end, all could retire comfortably to the wine and cheese outside under the tent or continue to admire the art inside, aided by a new, illustrated guide to the windows.

Stepping out to music

August has seen 3 weeks of “Jazz on the Grass”, following the 5 pm Liturgy. Joanne Crystle, our accompanist, was joined by Jo-Anne Stigliano playing violin (1st week) as well as Dave Turanski playing bass (2nd and 3rd). Not the least remarkable is Joanne’s ability to zip from the front of the church for the last hymn to the outside in time to play as people emerged!

All who were able to stay enjoyed the wine, cheese, infectious spirit, and most of all the magnificent music (witness the lawn chairs that sprung up).

Family fun for all

On the feast of the Assumption, we enjoyed both a reprise of Fr. Jim’s window- ‐tour and a fun afternoon with spin art, water slide, moon bounce, snow cones, and refreshments.


And coming up:


Welcome Back Weekend

On September 19 we have a truly broad range of events planned. It’s Catechetical Sunday. The ever popular stewardship tent will be back. Fr. Joe Nolan, a liturgical pioneer and highly sought-after speaker, will preside at the 11:15 liturgy in preparation for his parish mission on Building a Resurrection Faith. And at 4 pm we’ll have a piano concert by our own astoundingly talented Marcantonio Barone. (And we’re not just talking about ushering!) He has been a soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, as well as the St. Louis, Houston, Moscow and Birmingham Symphony Orchestras; he is on the faculty of Swarthmore and the Bryn Mawr Conservatory where he heads the Piano Department. The concert will be followed by a reception. Then Monday and Tuesday we will follow up with Fr Nolan’s reflections. Wednesday we all collapse.

The Big Blowout

Saturday October 9 will be our anniversary liturgy, with Cardinal Justin Regali presiding, followed by a dinner dance. Watch for invitations. (Note that since space is limited, a timely response will be worthwhile!)

And there’s more!

Did you think we’d forget November and December? Watch for those events too.!

And as always,

Super Omnia Caritas --- Above all, love