MASS SCHEDULE:Daily Mass: M-F 9am* | SAT 5pm* | SUN 8am, 10am* & Noon*Live streamed mass.
Kingdom Kids (Children's Liturgy) offered at the 10am Mass on First and Third Sunday through the summer. Worship with us in person or via LIVE STREAM or watch on your own time on YouTube MASS CARDS - Available upon request, please call the Rectory at 856-667-8850. |
Looking Forward from the Feast
Dear Parish Family,
Last week about two hundred people gathered for Mass in the gardens followed by a picnic to celebrate the feast day for our patroness, Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Sure, it was hot, about 90 degrees near 5pm, but a breeze and the setting sun gave us hope for what became a wonderful evening. Thank you to everyone who made the feast day such a success! I am grateful to everyone who pitched in to make our outdoor Mass and picnic possible!
And while I did hear that some stayed away because of the heat, I also heard that folk really enjoyed having the Mass in the grass. Inside we can seat many more people. Inside it is climate controlled. One day we may have to return inside to accommodate more people, but there is something special about being outside. Everyone who passes by Fellowship and Main can see us, there gathered. Outside we are witnessing to what is important to us. With the Eucharist at the heart of our gathering we are making a statement. And that testimony needs to be offered in our world today.
Joyful Devotion for Perpetual Help
Dear Children of Mary,
This weekend we celebrate Our Lady of Perpetual Help, sometimes called Mother of Perpetual Help. When we think of perpetual, words like constant, ceaseless, nonstop, and even timeless come to mind. Antonyms include spotty, erratic, periodic, or occasional. The sun shines constantly while clouds pass periodically. Similarly, the word help calls to mind aid, guidance, support, assistance, in opposition to hinder, block, prevent and even hurt. Over one hundred years ago, the people of Maple Shade and surrounding areas placed themselves under the patronage of Mary with this title. So designated, the constant aid of our Mother Mary is highlighted. We place ourselves under the care and aid of our patroness this weekend, seeking her constant solicitude.
In my first year here, I wrote about the significance and presence of Our Lady under this title in my own life. As a deacon in 2008, I traveled to Rome for the first time with my pastor, mentor and friend, Fr. Sig. He had been there more than fifteen times and took me around. We found the original 15th century icon in the Church of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, around the corner from the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. She is under the custody of the Redemptorists. A lot like our parish church, the church was warm and welcoming, a prayerful place, with friendly people present. After praying before the sacred image, I bought a poster and eventually had it framed.
