Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

My Dear Parishioners,

Last week we welcomed my friend, Fr. Raju Pilla to speak to us about the Missions in his home diocese of Trivandrum, India. Thank you for your generous support of the Missions. Next week we will have another mission collection. I realize that it is awkward running two mission collections so close together but we can only work with the schedule that the Archdiocese and the Pontifical Mission Society provide us. So next week will be another important second collection, for the Black and Indian Missions.

Now is also the time to think about adults who might be interested in learning more about our faith. If you know someone who you think might be interested, please have them give me a call. The RCIA or Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a program offered by the church to instruct those that are not of our faith. In addition, we have combined these classes with those who may have been baptized in the Catholic faith, but never completed their catechesis. We are always looking for new team members willing to share their faith and walk with others on their journey. If you can help us, please contact me. RCIA Night of Inquiry is Wed. Sept. 20^th at 7:00 p.m. Please call the rectory to register.

Archbishop Pérez has asked that the following letter be communicated to all the parishes.

God Bless you,
Fr. Bordonaro

September 2023

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Thank you for your generous support of the Black and Indian Mission Collection each year! This fundraising initiative was established as the first national collection for the Catholic Church in the United States in 1874. Since that time, it has proven itself to be a successful vehicle for sharing the resources of the Church’s members to provide for the unique cultural, pastoral, and temporal needs of our African American, Native American, and Alaskan Native sisters and brothers.

Pope Francis reminds us that all are called to evangelize with the zealous heart of a Missionary Disciple. As we embark on another year of evangelization in the communities benefitting from this endeavor, I invite you to make a difference by offering prayers and a financial contribution to support these missions.

Your support provides the presence of missionaries here in African American, Native American, and Alaskan Native missions, parishes, schools, religious education programs and the many, many diocesan programs and projects that strengthen the work of the Gospel. Your partnership places Bibles and catechetical materials in the hands of priests, consecrated men and women, and lay leaders. Your sacrifice impacts pastoral work across the country and addresses the need to train catechists, permanent deacons, and seminarians for future generations here in many of our neighborhoods and backyards.

Please consider a gift to the 2023 National Black and Indian Mission Collection. You can learn more about the good works it supports by visiting www.blackandindianmission.org. Thank you for your consideration of this request.

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