parishhandbook.htm

Liturgical Lay Ministry

The purpose of this book is to cordially welcome and inform our new parishioners but additionally to reacquaint all of our parishioners, with the many spiritual, social and educational groups and activities that are available at our parish. As we look forward to the beginning of the next century, here at St. Isaac's, we pause to give thanks to the Lord, Our God, for all the blessings received during our years together as a parish family. With God's help and with the cooperation of all of us who make up this faith community, I trust that the goodness of the Lord will continue to shine upon us in the years to come.

Whether you're a new member at St. Isaac's or if you've been here as a parishioner since the very beginning, let us give thanks to God for all that's been and all that is yet to come.

The Parish Pastoral Council of St. Isaac Jogues, on behalf of the whole parish, would like to extend a heartfelt welcome to our new parishioners and express sincere thanks to all parishioners for everything they do and have done to make St. Isaac's the vital, active parish it is today.

As you read through this handbook, you will find a variety of Parish ministries, social and spiritual gatherings all designed to allow our faith to deepen and to experience the love of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

We encourage you to become active members of our Parish community. Whether you are single, married, with young children or empty-nesters, we invite you to experience your religion in whatever area that brings meaning to you personally.

A Parish Pastoral Council fosters participation of the entire parish in the life and mission of the Church. The Council as a consultative body, advises and assists the pastor in areas of pastoral concern. It develops and recommends parish pastoral plans through consensus in an atmosphere of prayerful reflection. The pastor of the parish is the chairperson. Members of the Pastoral Council are to be representative of the entire parish recognizing and reflecting the parish's diversity. The Pastoral Council needs to collaborate and cooperate with the parish staff, committees, groups and parishioners.

Membership of the Pastoral Council includes the Pastor as Chair, three ex officio members, Parish Business Manager, Parish Services Director and Religious Education Director, three appointed lay representatives and six elected lay representatives. Each elected lay representative serves a term of three years.

Nominations to the Pastoral Council take place annually in April and early May. Elections are held in May by secret ballot. Two representatives are elected annually to each serve a three year term.

On June 3, 1970, St. Isaac Jogues Parish was founded by decree of John Cardinal Krol, Archbishop of Philadelphia. Reverend Thomas J. Lawlor was designated founding pastor, and parishioners were drawn from the parishes of St. Monica, St. Ann, St. Norbert, St. Teresa of Avila and Our Lady of the Assumption.

The first parish meeting was held in the auditorium of St. Monica's in Berwyn, where Father Lawlor had taken temporary residence. A program of home Masses was initiated enabling the new pastor and parishioners to meet and pray, and establish a close Christian community.

A warm demonstration of ecumenism was exhibited by surrounding Protestant churches, especially St. Matthew's United Methodist Church, whose pastor, Reverend Menno Good, most generously offered the use of its church facilities. Two Masses each Sunday were celebrated at St. Matthew's through the summer of 1970. At that time the original parish choir, altar guild, acolytes, "treasury men" and ushers groups were formed.

In the Fall of 1970 Masses were then held at the Valley Forge Junior High School and a house within the St. Isaac's boundaries was rented to serve as a rectory. A plea to parishioners produced all the accoutrements of a comfortable residence.

Plans for a church and rectory buildings were announced in February of 1971 with the official groundbreaking held on March 21, 1971. The rectory was completed in October and Father Lawlor moved in on November 1, 1971, the feast of All Saints. Once again with great dedication, parishioners donated their time and talents to facilitate this move.

In late December the church was ready for the joyous celebration of the Christmas Midnight Mass. Replete with carols and poinsettias, the church's beauty was exceeded only by the thanksgiving and elation of its people.

On September 23, 1972, St. Isaac Jogues was solemnly dedicated by Cardinal Krol. C.C.D. classes were held in the rectory and the church and the children showed true Christian generosity by initiating the custom of the "Giving Tree" at Christmas that is still carried on today.

Parish Social development was overseen by the "Ladies of St. Isaac's," with their first social event in October 1970. This was followed by parties for Christmas, St. Patrick's Day, and covered dish suppers became enormously popular events.

Spiritual events became established traditions with retreats for men at St. Joseph-in-the-Hills, days of recollection, a spring Communion breakfast, Penance services, parish renewals and the observation of the Forty Hours Devotion.

The church also had to accept its incidents of tragedy. On Sunday, October 27, 1974, Father Lawlor finished his last homily with the words of St. Paul: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Moments later he was stricken and late that night Father Lawlor died. Those final words of Father Lawlor to his people symbolized the life of a good man, loved by all.

Cardinal Krol then appointed Rev. Hugh J. Nolan as pastor of St. Isaac Jogues effective November 29, 1974. Father Nolan came to us from Immaculata College where he had taught for many years. A scholar and church historian of note, he was chaplain of St. Mary of Providence in Elverson, a school for special children.

Father Nolan's special interest in education and evangelization have always been evident. The C.C.D. program flourished, Bible Study, pre-school and summer programs were introduced. In order to provide facilities for the growing parish enrollment, a new church annex was erected in 1979. This building has served to house all the religious education of the parish including youth, teenage and adult education.

In September 1980, a new chapel and administrative offices were provided due to the tremendous growth experienced with the advent of the Chesterbrook community. Daily Adoration in the chapel began at this time.

In 1989 Father Nolan (later to become Monsignor Nolan) retired. On February 19, 1989 Monsignor Joseph C. Cunningham was installed the third pastor of St. Isaac Jogues, after having been appointed January 16, 1989 by Cardinal Bevilaqua. Monsignor Cunningham had served the Archdiocese for over fifteen years at the Archdiocesan Offices in Philadelphia. He held the position of Vicar for Financial Affairs and Archdiocesan Controller prior to his appointment to St. Isaac's.

Monsignor Cunningham has continued to direct the parish's spiritual growth with the gift of Perpetual Adoration so loved by our parishioners as well as those from surrounding parishes. In addition, the new pastor committed himself to keeping alive the various programs initiated by Fathers Lawlor and Nolan and has added many new ministries, programs and activities, so that the people of St. Isaac's could have every opportunity to be fully involved spiritually, educationally and socially.

With his light-hearted yet serious disposition, Monsignor Cunningham will continue to lead the Parish on toward the 21st century, hoping that like himself ". . . we might all have a song in our hearts. "

Meetings are held every Monday evening in St. Isaac Jogues' Parish Hall from 8:30-9:30 P.M. It is an open meeting and visitors are welcome. This group is one of many that meet in the Suburban Philadelphia area.

The Red Cross holds a Blood Drive twice a year (September and April) at St. Isaac's in the Parish Hall. Sign up sheets are available at the church entrances at the time of the drive. The usual hours for the drive are 1:00 to 6:30 P.M. however occasionally times may vary.

The Social Action Committee coordinates a two-part program to assist the unemployed and underemployed of the parish:

· Parishioners are asked to support this program by advertising in the Parish Bulletin (at no cost) job opportunities of which they may be aware. · Those who are unemployed may submit a skills summary to be published periodically in the bulletin. After reviewing the candidate's summary, parishioners aware of open positions requiring the identified skills are asked to call with their information. It will be passed on to the candidate for follow-up.

All information is handled confidentially and in accordance with the submitter's request.

Catholic Charities is an opportunity for St. Isaac Jogues Parish to work with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to provide the resources required for a number of charitable agencies, institutions, services, and programs that assist God's needy. Over 100 parishioners volunteer to collect once each year for the Catholic Charities door to door solicitation. This unselfish giving of their time is an important way for every parishioner to directly participate in doing God's work. The needs of the appeal are met only because so many of our parishioners are willing to become involved and serve the Lord.

These volunteers work one to one and a half hours a week, in teams of five or six. They accomplish the counting and recording of the Sunday collections under the supervision of the Parish Business Manager.

The Finance Committee assists the Pastor in studying and reviewing the financial needs of the Parish and makes periodic reviews of the giving habits of the Parish.

Genuardi Supermarket register tapes are turned into cash for the many ministries of St. Isaac Jogues Parish. These tapes generate approximately $5,000 of income for the parish in a typical year. Parishioners need only drop the tapes in any collection basket, or at the Rectory Office, and the committee will organize, sort, tabulate and turn them into Genuardi's. St. Isaac's receives 1% of the face value of all tapes turned in.

Merchandise certificates may be used at Acme, Genuardi, and SuperFresh. Whether you call them, Merchandise Coupons Gift Certificates . . . every time you use them 5% comes back to St. Isaac's to be used in our Pro-Life and social service programs such as Mom's House. They cost you nothing extra, they are safer than cash, and easy to use. Available in denominations of $5, $10, $20 and $50.

For your convenience, coupons are now available: · Sunday in the Parish Hall · Weekdays at the Rectory Office (business hours) · With a call in advance to arrange pick up

Mother Theresa's Sisters (Missionary Sisters of Charity) offer a temporary shelter in Norristown for 30-35 women and children and also provide a daily soup kitchen. Volunteers are welcome. Volunteer drivers are needed for occasional pick-ups and deliveries to Norristown. Donations of food are always appreciated.

Operation Food Pantry is an on-going project of the Social Action Committee. Non-perishable food is collected before and after all Masses the first weekend of every month. Acme and SuperFresh gift certificates can be purchased and donated to the Food Pantry.

The food and certificates are delivered and distributed to needy families at our sister parish in Philadelphia, St. Malachy. Contributions are welcomed and we encourage all parishioners to participate. There is a special need for drivers who are available on weekdays between 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. to deliver the collected food to St. Malachy.

Refreshments are served each Sunday morning in the Parish Hall, immediately following 10:30 Mass. All parishioners and guests are welcome to enjoy a cup of coffee and a visit with old friends as well as new! New hosts are always welcome. (Coffees are not held on major holydays, holidays and most summer weekends.

Various St. Isaac social events are held in the Parish Hall throughout the year.

Nominations to the Pastoral Council take place annually in April and early May. Elections are held in May by secret ballot. Two representatives are elected annually to each serve a three year term.

A Catholic approach to healing abortion's pain can be found with Project Rachel. Project Rachel links psychological counseling with the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The Center for Post Abortion Healing offers individual, family, marital and support group counseling. A 15 week support group provides a safe and caring environment with other women who have experienced the pain, emptiness and heartache which so soften follow an abortion. Under the guidance of a professional therapist, women can end the isolation by sharing their stories and begin the journey toward healing. This includes looking back on her decision, her support system, her family and relationships to explore the areas which may have been damaged. We work on anger, repressed grief, forgiveness of others and acceptance of God's forgiveness. The Center for Post Abortion Healing also offers Rachel's Vineyard Weekend Retreats.

Parishioners over fifty-five years of age are invited to join our Seniors Group. Social events, day trips and Christian social service events are enjoyed while our members build a sense of community among our parishioners.

Monthly meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month. Please refer to the Parish Bulletin for meeting times and special activities. A schedule of events is available upon request.

Social Action volunteers provide our parish community with and opportunity to share its talents, skills and time with others. This group's goal is to provide assistance and service to fellow parishioners as well as to a handful of area social service agencies.

Assistance is available in a variety of areas including babysitting, companionship, driving, form preparation, legal and financial planning assistance, shopping, cooking, yard work among others. The time commitment is minimal and new volunteers are always welcome. By putting the words, "They will know we are Christians by our love," into action, we gain some sense of fulfillment and reward. Please contact us if you have any questions. If you have a personal need of your own, know where help is needed or can give help, please don't hesitate to call!

The Hospice, located in Philadelphia, provides housing for 35 men each night and breakfast and dinner for about 400 men and women daily. We participate in the Hospice Hot Casserole Program by preparing casseroles in the months which have 5 Mondays (about 4 times a year). Pans and recipes are available in the rear of the church as announced and frozen casseroles are to be brought to the Parish Hall on the designated days. Also, clean men's clothing accepted anytime for delivery.

St. Malachy is our sister parish located at 1429 North 11th Street in Philadelphia. Throughout the year we assist St. Malachy spiritually, financially and materially. Each year Thanksgiving dinners, donated by our parishioners, are delivered. Each year up to 15 cars and vans are filled to capacity with Christmas gifts from our Advent Giving Tree and distributed among the families of St. Malachy's. Under the auspices of the Social Action Committee the Food Pantry is replenished on the first Sunday of each month.

All women of the Parish are cordially invited to join St. Isaac Jogues Women's Club. Monthly meetings are the first Tuesday of each month in the Parish Hall. A monthly activity is planned for each meeting as well as a Fall and Spring special event fundraiser. Events are designed to meet the social, spiritual and charitable needs of the group as well as the community.

YASKI - Young Adults of St. Kathaine's and St. Isaac's

The mission of the Young Adults of St. Katharine's and St. Isaac's (YASKI) is to strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ and develop a personal relationship with God within a Christian community of single and married adults in their twenties and thirties+. Our desire is to develop friendship and together grow in faith through fellowship, service, prayer, and fun! YASJI's activities include Bible Studies, Mass, retreats, service projects, day rips, happy hours, spring events and more!

St. Isaac's seventh through twelfth grade students have the opportunity to grow in faith and understanding of their Church through this group. Programs touch on all areas of growth for young people - spiritual, athletic, social, cultural, and service. The emphasis of the group is to enable and empower youth to be a "person for others."

St. Isaac Jogues Altar Servers assist at Eucharist and other special liturgies on a rotating basis according to a schedule issued monthly. A training course is held in preparation for this ministry of service. Any boy or girl in fourth grade or above who wants to be more involved in the parish and is ready to assume this responsibility may apply.

Members of the Altar Society assist, on a rotating basis, providing care of the altar linens and the preparation of the Sanctuary throughout the Liturgical seasons. We are in need of volunteers who can spare an hour or two each month.

Our Parish Choir is under the direction of the Music Director. Men and women of all voice ranges enhance the Liturgy regularly by singing at the 10:30 Sunday Masses from September through June. The Choir meets each Tuesday evening for practice and welcomes anyone who enjoys singing.

Eucharistic Ministers are commissioned by the Diocese to distribute the Holy Eucharist on Sundays and whenever the Parish Priests need assistance. The Eucharistic Ministers also make Communion calls to the sick and shut-ins in the parish.

A new ministry at St. Isaac Jogues, our greeters provide a warm and friendly atmosphere for parishioners as they enter weekend Mass. We are in need of volunteers. Can you be at church fifteen minutes before Mass, smile and say good morning? No training is necessary. Name tags are provided.

Our lectors proclaim the Word to us through the readings at Eucharistic celebrations and Penitential Services. They serve on a rotating basis, reading approximately once every three to four weeks. We would like to expand participation in this important Ministry, particularly encouraging youth involvement (over 18 <-!><-"><-+>please). If you have a good speaking voice and a call to this Ministry pleases call for an audition and training session.

As a part of the worshipping community, ushers are men and women called to render a special service to the parish. The pleasant demeanor and open cordiality of the usher who is sincerely glad that worshippers have come is a major part in setting the tone for a beautiful liturgy. The service of our ushers is a real blessing. Ushers are needed on a regular and substitute basis.

Adult religious education has as its goal to help the faith of adults become "living, conscious and active," through the light of instruction. It takes place within the context of the faith community and allows for active participation while employing diverse methods suitable to the adult learning process.

Your baby's Baptism is a time for celebration and joy. It is the initiation into the family of God and the beginning of a life of faith for your baby. The Pre-Jordan class helps you to prepare for your baby's Baptism in the best possible way. Parents are expected to attend instruction prior to their first child's Baptism. The instruction class will give couples an understanding of the theology of Baptism, explain to them the ritual and their responsibilities and share with them some of the practical information regarding Baptism at the Parish. Godparents are also welcome.

This program is designed for children from five years through grade four. At the time of the Liturgy of the Word during the 10:30 A.M. Sunday Mass, the children are gathered, blessed and dismissed by the Celebrant. They are then led to the classrooms where they are taught the day's readings at their level of comprehension.

Booklets, drawings, music and other instruction materials are used. When it is time for the Presentation of the Gifts, the children are led back to their families. Children from pre-school are encouraged to participate.

Our pre-school program for 3 and 4 year olds is held during the 9:00 A.M. Mass every Sunday from October to May in the Parish Religious Education Building. Children must be registered to attend and are expected to come every Sunday. Capable teachers assist the children in learning about people, sacred symbols, God's love, holidays, family and the liturgical year.

RCIA is a process through which adults are fully initiated into the Catholic Church. This process is for the unbaptized who wish to become Catholic, those baptized in another faith who wish to become Catholic as well as Catholics who have not been fully initiated or catechized. The four stages: Pre-Catechumenate, Catechumenate, Purification/Enlightenment, and Mystagogia are separated by major liturgical rites.

Unlike other parish programs, RCIA requires a firm commitment on the part of the entire parish. There are many ministries in the RCIA process - prayer partners, director, coordinator, hospitality, evangelization, discernment, social events, catechists, sponsors, sponsor coordinator, ministers of private prayer and many more. Anyone interested in the conversion of souls, witnessing to your faith or learning more about your faith, please contact us. Religious Education

The Religious Education Program provides education in the Catholic faith and sacramental training for children who attend Non-Catholic schools from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Our program welcomes adult volunteers to serve as teachers, teacher aides, and office aides.

Our youth group is open to junior high and high school students, grades 7 through 12, regardless of the school attending. Public, private and Catholic school students are all invited. The program is designed to help youth discover the realness of God's presence within and around them. This is done through religious education, community building, leadership development, peer ministry, guidance, justice, service, prayer and worship.

The Society promotes prayer before the Blessed Sacrament exposed in the Parish Adoration Chapel. Exposition is around the clock. Members are any persons who commit to an hour of adoration each week during one of the four divisions: morning ( 6 A.M. to Noon), afternoon (Noon to 6 P.M.) , evening (6 P.M. to Midnight), and night ( Midnight to 6 A.M.) and those who sign the register in the chapel foyer to help maintain attendance at all hours. The Society also sponsors holy hours (Thursday before each First Friday at 8 P.M.) and the Forty Hours Devotion each October, provides reading materials in the chapel foyer to assist in adoration, and maintains a Book of Petitions and Book of Favors Received and Thanksgiving, also located in the chapel foyer, as a means of assistance in prayer and giving glory to God. The Society's executive committee meets quarterly or as necessary to encourage weekly commitments.

Members of the Legion of Mary give glory to God through Mary in their spiritual and corporal works of mercy. For example, our members visit our homebound parishioners, as well as the sick in nursing homes. Meeting are held each Monday afternoon in the Religious Education Building.

There are wedding gifts you haven't unwrapped yet! Make a Marriage Encounter Weekend and discover the hidden treasures in your relationship. Designed to make good marriages even better, the weekend offers you a chance to get away from all your cares and concerns to just spend time with each other. Marriage Encounter Weekends are offered regularly in this area.

The N.C.C.'s meet bi-weekly in the neighborhoods, in the evening. Led by neighborhood leaders, community members gather together, discuss Sunday's Scripture reading and its relationship to their personal lives, all the while building a sense of community. Refer to the Parish Bulletin for the next meeting near you.

Perpetual Adoration is the devotion of adoration and other prayer before the Blessed Sacrament perpetually exposed in the St. Isaac Jogues Adoration Chapel.

The specific way Our Lord has requested to be loved in the Blessed Sacrament is for each of us to be willing to spend a quiet hour with Him each week. Christ said: "Where your treasure is, there is your heart." . . . "I, Myself am the Living Bread come down from Heaven." . . . "Could you not watch one hour with Me?"

Adoration is appreciation of the gift of God's total presence among us in the Holy Eucharist. Adoration is being present to Him, who is present to us. Adoration is drawing close to Him, who has drawn so close to us.

This hour that he wants you to spend with Him is spent any way you want. THIS IS YOUR HOUR WITH JESUS. You may want to go to the chapel and bring your own prayer books, or use the prayer pamphlets that are there. You may want to read and pray with Scripture, or pray the Rosary, or do both. You may want to speak with Jesus heart-to-Heart, as one does with a friend.

Our Perpetual Adoration Chapel is open 7 days a week and is located directly across the driveway from the Church.

Prayer Power members throughout the Delaware Valley pray before the Blessed Sacrament for vocations to the priesthood and religious life and for family peace and unity. Tuesday is the day set aside at St. Isaac Jogues for this purpose. More than one hundred parishioners have committed to pray in Adoration for these intentions one Tuesday per month for one-half to one full hour. Our Adoration chapel is located in the Rectory building (directly across from the church). Join the Prayer Power!

Rosary Devotions are held after every Daily Mass, every Miraculous Medal Novena Mass in our chapel on Monday evening to fulfill Our Lady's request at Fatima.

The St. Isaac Jogues Memorial Fund was established as a means to help fund projects that aim to beautify or improve the Church and Chapel furnishings, equipment or facilities.

Money donated to the Memorial Fund is designated for the Church and Chapel and these funds are accounted for separately from routine parish collections. These donations are used to fund non-routine maintenance, replacement and improvement expenses.

Over the years, contributions to the Memorial Fund have enabled St. Isaac's to purchase: new ciboria; new altar cloths; the Stations of the Cross; stained glass windows; improvements to the Choir Loft; pamphlet racks; to name a few items. These projects are undertaken to keep our worship facilities in top condition for the continued use and benefit of our parishioners and the many welcomed guests who join us from time to time.

There are many things we would like to do to make our Church and Chapel more efficient, useful and visually appealing. The generosity of our donors enables us to accomplish these goals.

Donations of any amount are welcome for the Memorial Fund, which is a great way to remember the living and the deceased in the ongoing work of the Lord. Memorial plates are mounted on our Memorial Plaque in the main vestibule of the Church for donations of $1,000 or more. Periodic Masses are also celebrated for all those who contribute to, and who are remembered by, the Memorial Fund.

The St. Isaac Jogues Memorial Fund -- what a beautiful way to say "I love you".