Advent Penance Service

Advent is a wonderful time to celebrate the reconciling love and the healing graces our Lord offers us. Like all religious experiences, it takes preparation. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a most natural way to celebrate God’s forgiveness and love.

Monsignor George Majoros, a Missionary of Mercy, will lead us on Thursday, 14 December 2023 at 6:30pm in the parish Church.

You will want to run to the confessional after this outstanding talk from Monsignor Majoros, who truly radiates the Father’s Heart for His children. Several priests will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

As we begin the new liturgical year in the Church we invite all to begin anew with souls nourished from the gift of the divine mercy and forgiveness God has for everyone.

The Nativity of the Lord [Christmas]

Vigil Mass (24 December 2023)

4:00pm (English), 6:00pm (English) and 9:00pm (Español)

Christmas Day, English
12:00am, 8:00am and 10:00am

ScripturesLecturas

“O God, who gladden us year by year
as we wait in hope for our redemption,
grant that, just as we joyfully welcome
your Only Begotten Son as our Redeemer,
we may also merit to face him confidently
when he comes again as our Judge.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Christmas Tree Lighting

To make this beautiful event meaningful on Friday, 15 December 2023 at 6:00pm in the parish Church, I would ask you to bring, if you are able, a battery operated candle for your own personal use.
Then I’m asking, if you like, to bring an ornament to be blessed so that on your return home you may place this blessed ornament on your special Christmas tree.
As you enter the Church, I am also asking, on the night of the Christmas Tree Lighting, if you would bring your own lip-smacking yummy specially baked [label if it contains: nut products, soy or gluten] or store bought cookies for our “little angels”.
The purpose of this favor is so that the children and those young at heart can enjoy these delicious scrumptious cookies after the Christmas event at the entrance of the church. We will then move from the Church to the cafeteria for more fun to come & more surprises to tantalize.

Plarn Sleeping Mats

This is a craft project that is full of heart as well as being community minded! Crocheting a mercy mat with plarn, that is, plastic yarn is a creativity project with specific mission: to care for and to comfort the homeless people in our community.

Please consider donating your bags to to Saint John Bosco Parish for this special project. You can leave the bags in the designated box in the Usher’s Room. It takes approx 500 plastic bags to make a 6-foot-tall mat with two-inch straps & carry handle. Completed plastic mats will be donated to a local ministry that does outreach to our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness. Thank you for your support.

Thanksgiving Day Mass

Thanksgiving Day is an occasion for us to give thanks to God the Father for all the blessings we have received in Jesus Christ through the work and graces of Holy Spirit.

The Saint John Bosco family will gather for the Celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist on 23 November 2023 at 8:45am.

Loaves of bread, to complement your holiday table, will be blessed during Mass and distributed to each family following Mass. All are welcome.

Thanksgiving Prayer Service

It is that time once again when we gather around our tables for Thanksgiving. The Parish Family of Saint John Bosco cordially invites you to a Thanksgiving Prayer Service on Tuesday, 21 November 2023 at 6:30pm in the parish Church.
As you leave Church following the Prayer Service, we invite the children to stop by the Main Lobby and pick up a fun Thanksgiving Gift! We hope you can join us as we gather to give thanks to God for our many blessings.

Worldwide Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace

May weapons be silenced, let us heed the cry for peace (Pope Francis)!

Worldwide Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace Friday, October 27, 2023

At the General Audience in Saint Peter’s Square on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, Pope Francis called for a day of fasting and prayer, a day of penance for the intention of peace in the world, especially in Israel and Palestine. The Holy Father reminds us that “so many war fronts are already open in the world.” So, our prayer for peace includes every part of the world as well, including Ukraine.

Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul 18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

11:30 AM in the Basilica Holy Rosary

Let us turn to Our Lady, Queen of Peace, for her heavenly help to bring peace to the world.

12:05 PM in the Basilica Holy Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice

Archbishop Nelson J. Perez Archbishop of Philadelphia Celebrant and Homilist

Archbishop Borys Gudziak Metropolitan Archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia Concelebrant

All are welcome!

Archbishop Perez exhorts the clergy and the lay faithful throughout the Archdiocese to observe this Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace. All parishes, religious communities and institutions throughout the Archdiocese are asked to announce this Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace beginning this Sunday, October 22, 2023, with local plans for its observance, especially with the praying of the Holy Rosary and the celebration of Holy Mass.

Home

Sunday All Saints Procession

Students and Adults are encouraged to come in costumes depicting their favorite saint! All participants are asked to meet in the Sacristy in costume by 10:45am on Sunday, 29 October 2023. Our Saints Parade will be a part of the Entrance and Recessional Procession! This is a great opportunity for families to spend time talking about the saints. You might choose the saint your child is named after or any other saint you all admire. It is truly a spectacular family faith extravaganza!