FROM YOUR CHAPLAIN — Fr. James M. Smith, FSSP
Update: Today is the Last Day to Complete Survey
Thank you to the 169 people who have completed the survey about the future of our Mater Dei Community and the possibility of purchasing this building from the cathedral. I will not publish the partial results now, as I want to give people more chance to complete it (indeed, today is the last chance to complete it), but I will respond to one comment that has been mentioned frequently.
It is true that we do not know the future, and it is difficult to find the path that is most prudent, whether buying or not buying. Virtually everyone who has talked to me about this question has said that the most important thing is to do whatever provides the most security for our community for the future.
I met with Bishop Gainer this week, and he also shares this goal. We are studying all of the options, and with your guidance, we will move forward in the near future with some decisions. I look forward to going into much deeper detail with you when we have something more concrete. As always, I invite your comments and opportunities for conversation about this. Please pray that the Lord blesses this discernment process.
Thank you notes from Seminarians
Dear Parishioners of Mater Dei Community,
I was surprised and deeply moved to learn of your second generous donation to my seminary tuition. It was such a pleasure getting to know you last summer. May God Bless you all and know of my heartfelt thanks. - Stephen Kalinoski
Dear Parishioners of Mater Dei Community,
I want to express my sincere gratitude for your generous donation to my seminary tuition. It paid for the entirety of this upcoming year, plus a little extra for next year. I thoroughly enjoyed my two weeks at the Parish learning from Fr. Eichman and Fr. Killackey. Please pray for me as I begin my third year of seminary formation and I will pray for you. We live in a crazy world but I feel it is because people don’t pray enough. I suppose we are here to pick up the slack. In Christ, - Marshall Harmon
Catechism Class Registration
The final day for registration for this year’s Sunday Catechism program will be today, Sunday, September 19th. Children making their First Holy Communion or 6th/7th graders preparing for Confirmation must be enrolled in the Sunday Catechism program, even homeschoolers. Information on the classes offered can be found on the back of the bulletin.
Sunday Social — Volunteers needed
We are looking for individuals to serve on a committee and coordinate future Sunday Socials. If you can help, please contact the Office at secretary@MaterDeiPa.com
Second Collection
A second collection for the Haitian people and the Church impacted by the earthquake and Tropical Storm Grace will take place on Sunday, September 26. Please place your donation in an envelope marked Haiti 2021. Thank you for your generosity!
ALL SAINTS DAY PARTY- Save the Date!
The All Saints Day party will be held on Saturday, October 30th, beginning at 11 AM. More information and volunteer requests will be forthcoming. If you have any questions, please contact Rebecca Mack at allsaintsparty@materdeipa.com
Pro-Life Banquet
Mater Dei Community will sponsor a table at the Pro-Life Banquet on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021. It will be held at the Radisson Hotel Harrisburg located at 1150 Camp Hill Bypass Camp Hill, Pa. Tickets are 60.00 per person. If you are interested in attending, please contact the Office at secretary@MaterDeiPa.com
Bulletin Deadline
Announcements for the Bulletin should be sent to secretary@MaterDeiPa.com by the Monday -prior to that weeks bulletin by 9am. Thank you.
Expectant Mothers
If you are expecting a child and registered in the Community, please let us know so we can put your expected date in our date book and rejoice with your family! Please notify us at contact@materdeipa.com
Mass Intentions
We are now accepting Public and Private Mass Intentions. Envelopes are located in the vestibule.
Pilgrimage for Restoration 2021
You are invited to take part in the 26th annual Pilgrimage for Restoration -- a walking pilgrimage in the footsteps of the North American Martyrs, in Eastern Pennsylvania from September 24th-26th. If you have any questions, contact mail@pilgrimage-for-restoration.org
Mater Dei Catechism Program Class Offerings 2021-2022
FIRST COMMUNION CLASS (2nd Grade)
All children making their 1st Communions must be a part of this class, even those who homeschool.
There will be two exams with a priest in the spring—one before First Confessions and one before First Communion. More information will be provided at the parent meeting on September 26th.
POST COMMUNION CLASS (3rd-4th Grade)
This class is intended for those children who have recently made their first communion. The material will be geared towards 7 & 8-year-old children. The textbook is the Baltimore Catechism 1.
HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS CLASS (5th-6th Grade)
This class is geared towards 9 & 10-year-old children. The book that is being used is entitled Know Your Mass, by Father Manousos and Father Burbank.
CONFIRMATION CLASS (6th-7th Grade)
This class is intended for those children currently in grades 6 & 7. The book that is being used is entitled Baltimore Catechism III by Seton Press. Confirmation for the older children will take place in the Spring of 2022. The younger children in the class will take the class for two years and will receive Confirmation in the Spring/Summer of 2023. This will ultimately be decided by the Chaplain & Catechism Coordinator. All children who will be making their Confirmation must be a part of this years class, even those who homeschool.
APOLOGETICS CLASS (10th-12th Grade)
St. Peter exhorts us to be "ready always to satisfy everyone that asketh you a reason of that hope which is in you" (1 Pet 3:15). The apologetics course designed for high school students will equip students with the reasons and arguments to defend the teachings of our Catholic Faith and thus be able to share with others the cause of their hope. The main text for the class will be Fr. John Laux's Catholic Apologetics.
Two Monday night classes
The priests of Mater Dei are offering two adult catechism classes. From 6 to 6:55 pm, there will be an Inquiry Class, which is for non-Catholics only. (Please tell your family and friends who might be interested). It is for non-Catholics who have questions and an interest in the Catholic Faith. No commitment is necessary. From 7 to 8 pm, there will be an adult catechism class open to both Catholics and non-Catholics. The priests will alternate the classes, with both priests teaching both classes on an alternating schedule. If you are interested please contact adultcatechism@materdeipa.com