The "Iron Chefs" rocked the NCA picnic.

The "Iron Chefs" rocked the NCA picnic at Gorgas Park. The burgers and dogs were flowing. Nobody left hungry. Special thanks go out to Kathy, JoAnne, Keith, Tom, Lee "The Burger King", Joey "The Cheese man" Lamont and Don for keeping that seat warm. It was a beautiful day.

Summer Drawing to A Close- Mary Breithaupt

As summer draws to a close, some of us are crazy enough to joyfully anticipate falling temperatures, falling leaves, and the return to routine. Summer camp, vacations, short getaways, among other summer activities begin to wind down. School supplies, football games, earlier wake up times again become a reality. I find myself writing this while we are listening to the Gospel lessons of John during our Sunday Liturgies. More specifically, in St. John’s Bread of Life discourse, we hear Jesus say that He is the living bread come down from Heaven. This brings to mind Holy Triduum of Holy Week. For ‘at the Last Supper, on the night He was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharist sacrifice of His Body and Blood.’ (1 Cor 11:23-26). He did this in order to perpetuate the Sacrifice on the Cross throughout the centuries until He should come again. He has left us the Church, a memorial of His death and resurrection, the Eucharist.
As Pope John Paul II states, “To contemplate Christ involves being able to recognize Him wherever He manifests Himself, in His many forms of presence, but above all in the living Sacrament of His Body and Blood. The Church draws her life from Christ in the Eucharist.” How awesome to know that just by coming to Sunday Mass and responding whole-heartedly, singing hymns and praying together, we can feel Christ’s presence among us. But I also see how Christ manifests Himself here at St. Mary’s through the Extraordinary Ministers. These lay men and women assist by distributing Holy Communion both here at the parish and among the sick and homebound. Your continued commitment demonstrates a common vision of purpose and ministry. Thank you to all of you who are part of our Liturgical Ministries here at St. Mary’s It is our hope that everyone who reads this newsletter will be moved to fully participate in the parish!
-Mary Breithaupt mbreithaupt@stmarymanayunk.com

Laura Friday on Small Groups at St. Mary's

Over three years ago I was drawn to Saint Mary’s by the overwhelming welcoming spirit of the parish community. As a new parishioner and a new resident of Philadelphia I was looking for something to make this area seem as close to my western Pennsylvania roots as possible.

One evening at Mass I asked for more information on small groups by completing a handout at the end of my pew. That single card has changed my life more than I could ever have imagined.
My Tuesday nights are now filled of laughter, love, good discussions, and friendship. My cell phone doesn’t ring, work gets put to the side, and my e-mails aren’t answered during this time. Instead, you can find me sitting around a table with multiple generations of ladies. Each woman comes from a background that is more interesting than the next and is filled with wisdom that you can only gain through living life to the fullest. Our personalities are unique, our ages are varied, and our backgrounds are different. However, we have one thing in common; we can’t wait to discuss the past week and the happenings in our latest book. I consider myself lucky to be at this table every week and couldn’t imagine my life without this group of fabulous females.

Tuesday nights are reserved for the small woman’s small faith sharing group that is run out of a parishioner’s dining room. We have a weekly reading goal and are never short for words or opinions on the topics we’ve read about. Recently, we studied a book called “The New Eve” which talked about how to live as a Christian woman. I was always amazed at the topics that we discussed and how each person’s background changed their views of the roles that women play. My personal favorite topic that we have discussed in the past is the book of Esther. Through discussion, the biblical topics that we study are often updated to today’s world and it encourages us, as women, to live as the Bible instructs. After the summer passes I am excited to start our new book, “Having a Mary Spirit” as well as looking into the book of Ruth.

Through Saint Mary’s small group I have been made to feel like I am part of a large family. I now know the dynamic stories of people who I used to consider strangers at Mass. I am now part of a group that I hope can continue for years to come. This group has helped me realize that I no longer need to search for things to make Philadelphia seem like home as it now is the place I call home. I encourage all the women of the parish to think about joining a group like the Tuesday night small woman’s group to enrich their experience as a member of this genuine parish.

Life groups are starting this fall. If you are interested in joining a small group contact Don Musacchio at extension 11 or at dmusacchio@stmarymanayunk.com.

Tribute to John Hughes

John Hughes, 1950-2009

"Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off was and is one of the best movies I have seen. It certainly defined my late high school and early college years.

Hughes paints a picture of the life of adolescents as vacuous and inane. It is followed only by adult life which is even more vacuous and inane. We cannot completely escape from these worlds, but Hughes wants to make sure that we remember to take a “day off” every once and a while to stop and look around. Let’s make sure we do not miss the important things.

"The Shack"

Just finished listening to book "The Shack". It's a seven cd audio set. It was awesome. Run out today and buy it or get the book. It's a life changing read. You will walk away feeling closer to the Trinity. More than you could ever imagine.