Peter’s Pence Collection

My Dear Parishioners,

This week we celebrated graduation from St. Joseph/St. Robert School. Congratulations to all our parish graduates whether you have graduated from Pre-K, Kindergarten, Middle School, Eighth Grade, High School, College, or Post- Graduate studies. We pray for all graduates that they will have God at their side and carry Him with them into whatever the future holds for them. Once again, I take the opportunity to thank Mrs. Jennifer Durkin and all of our wonderful school faculty, administration, and staff. They always do an excellent job of making St. Joseph / St. Robert School a warm and inspiring place to learn and grow. We also pray that our school teachers and staff will have a restful and restorative summer break and that they will return to us renewed and refreshed. Thank you also to all the parents, assistants, volunteers and aides. We could not run such a fine program without the assistance of active and involved parents, your devotion is admirable.

Next Sunday will be my final Sunday at St. Joseph Parish. I am very sad to be leaving. This has been a wonderful home for me over the last 14 years. I am so grateful for all of the prayers and support that I have received and have been pledged. Please know that St. Joseph will always hold a special place in my heart and in my prayers. I will be available after all the masses to say goodbye, but the 11:30 Mass on Sunday, June 16^th will be my “farewell Mass.” Please join us if you can or at least come for the light refreshments after the Mass in the Lower Hall.

The Archdiocese asked the parishes to communicate the following letter in advance of the Peter’s Pence Collection.

God Bless You!
Fr. Bordonaro

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Migrants and refugees from the south and southwest of Asia such as Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh often make their way to Europe in an effort to escape political oppression, war, civil strife, and a vast array of life-threatening hardships we cannot imagine in our country. Frequently, they travel the Balkan route through southeastern Europe. Over the past several years, many have ended up in holding camps for refugees where living conditions present great challenges.

Late in 2020, a fire in one camp in Lipa, Bosnia- Herzegovina, forced 1,500 of these refugees to live outdoors during the cold and snow of winter. Pope Francis responded with a donation to build structures to accommodate these refugee families and unaccompanied minors. That emergency relief was made possible in part through donations from the faithful throughout the Universal Church to the annual Peter’s Pence Collection.

Contributions to Peter’s Pence help fund not only all the activities of the various Dicasteries of the Roman Curia that assist the pope in his ministry, but also make it possible for the Holy See to respond to those in need.

To learn more about how Peter’s Pence supports the Holy Father’s ministries of mercy, please visit www.obolodisanpietro.va/en/cos-e-l-obolo.html (English) or www.obolodisanpietro.va/es/cos-e-l-obolo.html (español).

I ask that you consider supporting this year’s Peter’s Pence Collection as an act of mercy and charity. Please join me and our brothers and sisters in faith from around the globe to help Pope Francis carry out his ministry to the Universal Church and in particular the most marginalized and vulnerable corners of our world.

Please be assured of my prayers for you and your families. May God bless you abundantly.

Sincerely in Christ,

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