April 30, 206

Heavenly Father, we come to you with humble hearts, asking for your mercy upon all mankind. Let your peace flow through nations, across borders, and into every home. Calm the storms of hatred, silence the drums of war, and replace pride with compassion.

Heal our broken world. Let us not grow tired of praying, hoping and believing. May we, in our little ways, be instruments of your peace and love.

Amen.
~ St. Padre Pio


Dear Parishioners,

The Farewell Discourse in John’s Gospel, Jesus offers words of comfort to his disciples as he prepares for his arrest and crucifixion. Jesus invites them to trust in God and to look forward to the day when they will be reunited in the Father’s house. In ancient times when a group required accommodation for the night, one member would often be sent ahead to reserve a place at the nearest inn. But what Jesus offers them is not just an inn but an eternal dwelling place in his Father’s house. 

And yet the disciples are confused, even puzzled by his words. Thomas, speaking for the others, asks the obvious questions: Where is Jesus going? How will they know the way to follow him? To these questions Jesus responds with one of the great I AM sayings in John’s Gospel: I am the way and the truth and the life. Jesus declares himself to be the only way to God and that to have known him is to have known the Father. 

But this declaration too raises questions in the disciples’ minds; this time, it is Philip who speaks. For him and presumably the others, it would be enough just to see the Father. 

Like the disciples, we bring our own questions to the Lord. When we’re not certain where the Lord is leading us, in our prayer, we often ask for clarity, sometimes even for certainty. “Show us the Father” is disciple-speak for “Lord, please reveal yourself fully so that we know where we’re headed.”

Jesus responds to Philip by saying, Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. God has revealed himself fully to us. Jesus is the Word of the Father who has taken on flesh and dwelt among us. In him and through his presence the very glory of God has come into the world and is now visible to all who recognize him with the eyes of faith.

When we find ourselves asking the Lord for clarity in prayer, let us remember that he has already revealed the answer: Jesus. All the answers to the questions we ask of God can be found in the One who is the way, the truth, and the life.

God Love Ya!
Fr. Reilly


The Responsorial Psalm is to be proclaimed from the Ambo (Pulpit). Why? It is a part of the Word of God. It comes from Scripture and is almost always a translation from the book of Psalms. It is not just a musical interlude between the first and second readings. It is God's Word set to music. What is our task? To Listen not just with our ears, but with our hearts. We are part of that listening response when we sing the refrain to the Psalm. As part of our call to listen, an extended period of silence follows the first and second readings. The purpose of that silence is to let the Word become part of us and settle in our hearts. The psalm should be an extension of the silence, a time to reflect, ponder, and meditate on the meaning of God's Word in our lives. The music is meant to help us do just that.



Internationally known speaker and author Chris Stefanick will be at St. Elizabeth’s on Tuesday, May 12 at 7:00 PM. Our parish as well as surrounding parishes are collaborating on this event to help you rediscover God and rediscover the life you were made for. Tickets are available at:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/reallifecatholic/1785111

This event is for all over the age of 12, young and old alike! Get your tickets before they sell out!










April 23, 2026                

STATEMENT FROM ARCHBISHOP NELSON J. PÉREZ FOLLOWING THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA’S RULING  ON THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDING FOR ABORTION

As Metropolitan Archbishop of Philadelphia, I am deeply disturbed and saddened by the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania’s recent ruling overturning our state’s ban on the utilization of public funding for elective abortions. In effect, the court is forcing all taxpayers to fund abortions and proclaiming a constitutional right to end the life of an unborn child.

As Catholics, we believe that life is God’s most precious gift and that we share a responsibility to uphold its sanctity for all people from conception to natural death.

The Church’s strong commitment in this regard is a holistic one. We advocate strongly for the unborn, who cannot speak for themselves. At the same time, we work tirelessly to care for the needs of the hungry, the poor, the sick, the immigrant, the elderly, the oppressed, and all those who are marginalized with dignity and grace.

It is my hope and prayer that immediate action will be taken to reinstate the ban on public funding for abortions, and that all Pennsylvanians will work to sustain a true culture of respect for life.

Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, D.D. Archbishop of Philadelphia