Welcome to Holy Martyrs Roman Catholic Church in Oreland, Pennsylvania – Founded 1949
” . . . one of the elders spoke up and said to me, “Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?” I said to him, “My lord, you are the one who knows.” He said to me, “These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” -Revelation 7:13-14
Our Patrons – The Holy Martyrs of the Church of Rome
pictured: The Christian Martyrs Last Prayer by Leon Gerome
Nothing Compares to Being There –
An Advent Invitation from Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez
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Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent
On the first Sunday of Advent, the Church begins a new Liturgical Year, a new journey of faith that on the one hand commemorates the event of Jesus Christ and, on the other, opens to its ultimate fulfilment. It is precisely in this double perspective that she lives the Season of Advent, looking both to the first coming of the Son of God, when He was born of the Virgin Mary, and to His glorious return, when He will come “to judge the living and the dead”, as we say in the Creed. I would now like to focus briefly on this evocative theme of “waiting”, for it touches upon a profoundly human aspect in which the faith becomes, so to speak, completely one with our flesh and our heart.
Expectation or waiting is a dimension that flows through our whole personal, family and social existence. Expectation is present in thousands of situations, from the smallest and most banal to the most important that involve us completely and in our depths. Among these, let us think of waiting for a child, on the part of a husband and wife; of waiting for a relative or friend who is coming from far away to visit us; let us think, for a young person, of waiting to know his results in a crucially important examination or of the outcome of a job interview; in emotional relationships, of waiting to meet the beloved, of waiting for the answer to a letter, or for the acceptance of forgiveness…. One could say that man is alive as long as he waits, as long as hope is alive in his heart. And from his expectations man recognizes himself: our moral and spiritual “stature” can be measured by what we wait for, by what we hope for.
Every one of us, therefore, especially in this Season which prepares us for Christmas, can ask himself: What am I waiting for? What, at this moment of my life, does my heart long for? And this same question can be posed at the level of the family, of the community, of the nation. What are we waiting for together? What unites our aspirations, what brings them together? In the time before Jesus’ birth the expectation of the Messiah was very strong in Israel – that is, the expectation of an Anointed one, a descendant of King David, who would at last set the people free from every form of moral and political slavery and find the Kingdom of God. But no one would ever have imagined that the Messiah could be born of a humble girl like Mary, the betrothed of a righteous man, Joseph. Nor would she have ever thought of it, and yet in her heart the expectation of the Savior was so great, her faith and hope were so ardent, that He was able to find in her a worthy mother. Moreover, God Himself had prepared her before time. There is a mysterious correspondence between the waiting of God and that of Mary, the creature “full of grace”, totally transparent to the loving plan of the Most High. Let us learn from her, the Woman of Advent, how to live our daily actions with a new spirit, with the feeling of profound expectation that only the coming of God can fulfill.
Pope Benedict XVI
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The Saint Andrew Christmas Novena
In keeping with his role as “the first” to follow Jesus the feast of St. Andrew is celebrated near to the beginning of a new liturgical year with the start of the Holy Season of Advent — the Sunday nearest to St. Andrew’s feast day is the first Sunday of Advent.
There are many popular traditions associated with St. Andrew’s feast day, especially in those countries that have him as their patron saint including Scotland and Russia. But perhaps the most popular St. Andrew’s feast day tradition is to begin the Christmas Novena Prayer on St. Andrew’s feast day.
Though it is called a Novena — which would indicate nine days this prayer is traditionally prayed—15 times a day—from today — through all the weeks of Advent —until Christmas Eve.
This prayer is traditionally prayed fifteen times a day from the Feast of St. Andrew, November 30, until Christmas.
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment
in which the Son of God
was born Of the most pure Virgin Mary,
at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold.
In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God,
to hear my prayer and grant my desires
through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ,
and of His blessed Mother.
Amen.
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Annual Eucharistic Devotions
Sunday October 24th – Exposition following 9am Mass – Father Denis Wilde, O.S.A. is the Celebrant and Homilist –
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 11:15am
Monday, October 25th – Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 8:30 am Mass – Benediction at 11:15am
Tuesday, October 26th – Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 8:30 am Mass – Benediction at 11:15am
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Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Appeal 2021-22
All donations must be received by Wednesday, December 8th. Boxes are located on the rectory side porch for your donations.
THANK YOU.
As we are once again able to come together, we are in need of many volunteers. Please contact the Church Office (215-884-8575 or email holymartyrschurch@gmail.com) if you are interested and able to volunteer for any of the following:
ALTAR FLOWER MINISTRY – Volunteers for this ministry provide flowers for the Altar and the Church.
GARDEN / LANDSCAPING – Our dedicated volunteers who care for our grounds and shrines are in need of some assistance.
HOLY DUSTERS – We are in need of people who will help to keep our church swept and clean. You may sign up in teams. Scheduling would be once a month. Supplies are provided.
LITURGICAL MINISTERS – For those called to assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as Readers, Special Ministers of Holy Communion, Cantors, Choir Members, Altar Servers.
CATECHISTS and Teachers for the Parish Religious Education Program.
CONFESSION
Saturdays 3:30-4:00 pm
on the side porch of the Rectory
Patron Saint Relic Prayer Cards available in church near the Sacristy
Offering $5.00
Saint Joseph
True Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Saint Philomena
Saint Francis of Assisi
Saint Benedict
Saint Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa)
Saint Anthony of Padua
Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
Click on the image above to go to the website of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for the Jubilee Year of St. Joseph
Parish Lottery Calendar Fundraiser
Thank you to everyone who is participating in this fundraiser. Congratulations to our winners. Additional Calendars are available in the vestibule after Mass on weekends and in the Parish Office during the week.
Jubilee Year in Honor of St. Joseph
“With a Father’s Heart”
Pope Francis begins his Apostolic Letter Patris Corde (With a Father’s Heart) with these words, “With a Father’s Heart: this is how Joseph loved Jesus, whom all the Gospels call the Son of Joseph.” The letter was published on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the decree Quemadmodum Deus published on December 8, 1870, in which Blessed Pius IX declared Saint Joseph Patron of the Universal Catholic Church. In addition, to assist in the worthy celebration of the anniversary, the Holy Father has also announced a special Jubilee Year in honor of St. Joseph.
Blessed Pius IX wrote in 1870, these timeless words, “As almighty God appointed Joseph, son of the patriarch Jacob, over all the land of Egypt to save grain for the people, so when the fullness of time had come and He was about to send to earth His only-begotten Son, the Savior of the world, He chose another Joseph, of whom the first had been the type, and He made him the lord and chief of His household and possessions, the guardian of His choicest treasures.
“Indeed, he had as his spouse the Immaculate Virgin Mary, of whom was born by the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ our Lord, who deigned to be reputed in the sight of men as the son of Joseph, and was subject to him.
“Him whom countless kings and prophets had desired to see, Joseph not only saw but conversed with, and embraced in paternal affection, and kissed. He most diligently reared Him whom the faithful were to receive as the bread that came down from heaven whereby they might obtain eternal life.
“Because of this sublime dignity which God conferred on his most faithful servant, the Church has always most highly honored and praised blessed Joseph next to his spouse, the Virgin Mother of God, and has besought his intercession in times of trouble.
“And now therefore, when in these most troublesome times the Church is beset by enemies on every side, and is weighed down by calamities so heavy that ungodly men assert that the gates of hell have at length prevailed against her, the venerable prelates of the whole Catholic world have presented to the Sovereign Pontiff their own petitions and those of the faithful committed to their charge, praying that he would deign to constitute St. Joseph Patron of the Church. And this time their prayer and desire was renewed by them even more earnestly at the Sacred Ecumenical Council of the Vatican.”
During this special Jubilee, the faithful will have the opportunity to commit themselves “with prayer and good works, to obtain, with the help of St. Joseph, head of the heavenly Family of Nazareth, comfort and relief from the serious human and social tribulations that besiege the contemporary world today.”
In support of the letter Patris Corde, the Holy Father also promulgated a decree to grant the gift of special indulgences on the occasion of the Year of St. Joseph to all the faithful who will recite any legitimately approved prayer or act of piety in honor of St. Joseph, especially on the recurrences of March 19 and May 1, on the Feast Day of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, on St. Joseph’s Sunday (according to the Byzantine tradition), on the 19th of each month and every Wednesday, the day dedicated by the church to the memory of Saint Joseph.
Year of St. Joseph Indulgences
Granted by the Holy See from December 8, 2020 to December 8, 2021
The PLENARY INDULGENCE is granted under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer according to the intentions of the Holy Father) to the faithful who, with a spirit detached from any sin, participate in the Year of Saint Joseph on the occasions and in the manner indicated by this Apostolic Penitentiary:
• Meditate for at least 30 minutes on the Our Father
• Participate in a spiritual retreat of at least one day that includes a meditation on Saint Joseph
• Perform a corporal or spiritual work of mercy
• Recite the Holy Rosary in families and between the husband and wife
• Entrust their work daily to the protection of Saint Joseph and to all believers who invoke with their prayers the intercession of the worker of Nazareth
• Pray the litany of Saint Joseph (for the Latin tradition), or the Akathistos to Saint Joseph, in its entirety or at least part of it (for the Byzantine tradition), or some other prayer to Saint Joseph, typical of the other liturgical traditions, for the persecuted Church and for the relief of all persecuted Christians
• Pray any lawfully approved prayer or act of piety in honor of Saint Joseph, for example “To you oh blessed Joseph,” especially on:
March 19th (Solemnity of St. Joseph)
May 1st (Feast of St. Joseph the Worker)
December 26th (Feast of the Holy Family)
The Sunday of Saint Joseph (according to the Byzantine tradition)
The 19th day of Every Month
Every Wednesday (a day dedicated to the memory of the Saint according to the Latin tradition
The gift of Plenary Indulgence extends particularly to —
The Elderly, The Sick, The Dying,
All those who for legitimate reasons cannot leave their home and who, with the spirit detached from any sin and with the intention of fulfilling, as soon as possible, the three usual conditions, in your own home or wherever the impediment holds you, pray an act of piety in honor of Saint Joseph, consolation of the sick and patron of good death, confidently offering God the pains and difficulties of his life.
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, Archbishop of San Francisco,
offers Traditional Latin Pontifical Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary
at Holy Martyrs
Visit Our Parish Shrines
Take a walk . . . de-stress . . . take time to pray
and let our parish grounds be a source of peace and comfort for you.
Take advantage of the many outdoor shrines and prayer spaces on our Parish grounds, especially the new Crucifix Shrine at the corner of Allison and Ulmer. The Shrine, which is typical of wayside shrines seen in many European countries, was constructed by Michael Matthews of our parish as his Eagle Scout Project. Landscaping, and the blessing and dedication, will be planned in the Fall.
We are grateful to be the recipients of this beautiful gift.
Monument to the Unborn
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Unborn, pray for us.
The Mary Garden
Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us.
Saint Therese of Lisieux, pray for us.
Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs, pray for us.
WEEKLY E-MAIL NEWSLETTER COMMUNICATIONS
Watch your email for our weekly Newsletter. If you know someone who is not receiving the messages, and would like to, please remind them to send their email address to holymartyrschurch@gmail.com
Please also check in with our parish FACEBOOK pages – Church, Respect Life, and Carnival – for more information and spiritual reflections and prayers.
Also don’t forget to visit our parish website www.holymartyrschurch.org for information and updates. There you can access the weekly digital Parish Bulletin.
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In His Sign Catholic Radio Network WTMR 800AM at 4:00pm
You can also tune on alternating Fridays at 11 AM Eastern for AIM HIGH on Radio Maria www.radiomaria.us hosted by Father Jason Kulczynski.
Radio Maria is available in our area on the website www.radiomaria.us or the Radio Maria App which can be downloaded for free at their website www.radiomaria.us You can also listen to the Archives of most of the broadcasts of shows from the past 8 years.
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RELEVANT RADIO – www.relevantradio.com Also in our area at 640am on the radio
Bringing Christ to the World through the Media
Join all of the hosts who bring news and information, prayers and Devotions throughout the day.
Mass is broadcast daily at 1:00pm Eastern
The Family Rosary Across America at 8:00pm Eastern
You can click on the following image to link to Holy Martyrs Parish E-giving.
PRAYER to Saint Joseph, Protector of the Universal Church
Composed by Pope Leo XIII in 1889
Let us pray
To you, O blessed Joseph,
do we come in our tribulation,
and having implored the help of your most holy Spouse,
we confidently invoke your patronage also.
Through that charity which bound you
to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God
and through the paternal love
with which you embraced the Child Jesus,
we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance
which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood,
and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities.
O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family,
defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ;
O most loving father, ward off from us
every contagion of error and corrupting influence;
O our most mighty protector, be kind to us
and from heaven assist us
in our struggle with the power of darkness.
As once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril,
so now protect God’s Holy Church
from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity;
shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection,
so that, supported by your example and your aid,
we may be able to live piously, to die in holiness,
and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven.
Amen.
Outdoor Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament
on DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY during quarantine!
Please visit the Parish FACEBOOK pages for more information and spiritual reflections.
Click on the image below to register and begin using FORMED.
FORMED is the revolutionary digital platform that gives you access to video-based study programs, feature films, audio presentations, and eBooks from the Church’s foremost presenters . . . At the parish or on the go, FORMED allows you access to the Catholic Faith.
Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs, Pray for us
Traditional Latin Mass – April 5, 2017
Exposition of Sacred Relics
On All Saints Day at Holy Martyrs and other locations
Over 100 relics of the Lord and the Saints were on display on March 29, 2017.
Students from Regina Luminis Academy visit the Exposition of Relics
Included in the collection is a relic of the Cross of our Lord, relics from Mount Calvary and the Birthplace of our Lord. Also included are relics of the Cloak of St. Joseph, St. John the Baptist, St. Philomena, St. Francis, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Charles Borromeo, St. John Neumann, St. Katharine Drexel, St. (Mother) Teresa of Calcutta, St. John Paul II, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, St. Damian of Molokai, St. Therese, Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, Servant of God Fr. Walter Ciszek, and many others.
View the Video of Holy Martyrs Church Groundbreaking Ceremony
The Study of the Sacred Scriptures
Listen to Father Peter Damian on Aim High, on Radio Maria:
Introduction to the Study of Sacred Scripture – Part I
The Study of Sacred Scripture – Part 2
Holy Martyrs Catholic Church is the home of the
National Center of the Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena in the United States
visit our website at www.philomenafamilyusa.com
Visit the following links for News of the Catholic Church and Church Documents
News Agency – The World seen from Rome
Click here for information about Memorial Donations to Holy Martyrs Church
The triumphant Lamb of God, inspiration of the victorious Martyrs.
Tuesday, April 2 — Presentation — Father Michael Shea, C.M. Mary at the Foot of the Cross
Tuesday, March 12 — Lenten Soup Supper with the Sisters of Life
Click on the pictures to link to the Sisters of Life Website
