Coffee and Donuts - All are invited to the Social Hall today after the 10:00AM Mass for coffee and donuts. Access through door via the side alley.
Laws of Fast and Abstinence - At the back of the church are the traditional and current laws of fast and abstinence. Please take one. Note that under the current laws of the Church, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of Fast and Abstinence. Additionally, every Friday in Lent is a day of Abstinence.
Stations of the Cross - Stations of the Cross will be said in the church every Friday during Lent.
Lenten Silent Retreats - We will offer two day long silent retreats during Lent.
Each retreat will begin at 8:00am with Adoration / Mass and will include conferences given by Fr. Eichman, Confession, Stations of the Cross and periods of time for silent prayer. This will be a silent retreat, so leave your phones at home. Arrangements are being made for breakfast and lunch. Registration will be held Sunday, February 21st after the 8AM and 10AM Masses in the Vestibule. Please indicate on registration form if you will be bringing a dish to share, or instead paying a registration fee of $15 per person. The retreat is open to people 18 or older. If any persons under 18 would like to attend please contact Fr. Eichman.
Annual Lenten Appeal - The Bishop's Annual Lenten Appeal will begin today, Sunday February 21st. The pledge cards are in the back of the Church on the piano. There are blank pledge cards available for those who do not have a printed card. Please fill out the pledge card and place it in the Collection basket or mail it to the Office. Our Diocesan Assessment this year is $10,000. The community must cover this amount. Anything in excess remains with Mater Dei.
Parish Registration Forms - If you are not a registered member of Mater Dei and would like to become one, registration forms are located in the church entrance, or on our website. Being registered makes one a more full recipient of the graces of the Masses (such as the “Pro Populo” Mass which is offered for the community members each Sunday) and prayers offered by the priests every day. Also remember that the chaplain and assistant chaplain have the grace of state to guide in particular those who are their parishioners.
2015 IRS Tax Letter - If you would like a 2015 tax letter please contact the office and we will mail you one.
Young Adult Gathering - On Saturday, February 27th, there will be a get-together 6 - 9pm open to all young adults, single and married, ages 19 – 35. This is a way the young adults of the community can socialize and grow in holiness. The evening will consist in praying the Stations of the Cross, a talk by one of the priests, and time for snacks and to socialize. For more information contact Brittany Stewart at (717) 571 – 6453 or bvasilak816@gmail.com or the Mater Dei office at contact@materdeipa.com
Youth Group Evening - Our next Youth Group event will be on Saturday, February 27th from 6PM - 9PM. The Youth Group is open to young people ages 13 - 18. For more information contact us at youthgroup@materdeipa.com
First Communicants - Important Dates:
Saturday, April 16th -1st Confessions
Sunday, May 22nd - 1st Communions at 10AM Mass
Please contact Fr. Eichman or the office if you have a child who is preparing to receive their First Communion this year. Fr. Eichman will be interviewing each child in the weeks prior to 1st Confession, and again prior to their 1st Communion.
Sacramentals for Expectant Mothers - There are certain Sacramentals in the Roman Ritual through which we request God’s blessing that an expecting mother can have a safe delivery and also the grace of having her child baptized. The priests would be happy to provide the following to any expecting lady at her request. Please do not hesitate to ask.
Can be given at any time during pregnancy.
To be taken home and burned, and especially when the time of delivery approaches.
Special Holy Water which can be sprinkled, used to bless oneself, drunk, or used in small amounts in cooking.
Hand Missals For Sale - In two weeks, the 1962 Daily Hand Missals will be available for $60.00 in the church office. We will offer the Missal published in 2008 by Baronius Press in association with the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter.