Past Events 2008

+A new ministry of prayer in the Independent Catholic Christian Church+

Robert Dabrow, a parishioner at St. Mary of Grace, has a ministry of intercessory prayer that he conducts when saying the office daily in his beautiful chapel in his home. Since September, he has hosted the Third Friday Contemplative Service there, where he shares a short reflection on Carmelite spirituality. He has graciously invited anyone in the Philadelphia area to join him any day for Vespers. So it is with great pleasure to welcome this ministry, the Carmel of the Most Merciful Savior, as an official constituent ministry of the Independent Catholic Christian Church.

There is a register of Prayer Intentions that is permanently kept on the altar in the Chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. If you have a prayer intention please send them to phillbob1@aol.com.

Bob and Hector at Vespers

Eucharist and Vespers at the 3rd Friday Contemplative Vespers service.

Blessed and Merry Christmas!!!!

I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you. -Luke 2:10-11

On December 24, St. Mary of Grace parish joyfully celebrated Christmas with 10pm Matins and Mass. Peace, Blessings, and a Merry Christmas to all!

Merry Christmas from the youngest member of our parish, Gabriel, and his parents,Becki and George! Becki and Gabriel brought up the Christ Child to manger during Mass.

Bp. Tim and Bob, who hosts the 3rd Friday Contemplative Vespers service, share stories and refreshments after Mass.

Marching for Marriage Equality

On Saturday, 15 November, Fr. Joseph, Bp. Timothy, and members of St. Mary of Grace parish joined in the nationwide protest against California's Proposition 8 and in support of Marriage Equality. St. Mary of Grace parish, as part of the Independent Catholic Christian Church, offers the sacrament of marriage to all couples and is committed to Marriage Equality.

Fr. Joseph talks to some fellow marchers.

Bp. Tim and a fellow marcher discussing the position of different churches on marriage equality.

Fall Parish Social at the Philly Art Museum

On Saturday, 25 October, the parish gathered at the Philadelphia Art Museum for an afternoon of fellowship, fun, and art appreciation. The parish community braved the rain to see American quilts, Gothic paintings, Colonial furniture, the inside of a Chinese temple, and a Japanese tea garden! There was even a moment for the famous "Rocky" pose atop museum steps (indoors in this case since it was pouring rain outside).

Rocky would be proud!

Rev. Fran, Fr. Joseph, Liz, and Marian

Liz and Marian take a break---phew, that was a lot of walking!

New Lector Ministry at St. Mary of Grace Parish!

I am happy to announce that Dr. Edward Moore, a Professor of Patristics and Executive Director at the St. Elias School of Theology has agreed to lead our new Lector (Reader) Ministry in the Parish. Ed will coordinate and schedule readers and provide a monthly meeting before Mass for reflection and prayer in this important liturgical ministry. If you are interested in being on the Lector schedule or would like to join in this monthly scripture reflection to ponder this ministry, please contact Ed at his Email: patristics@gmail.com.

Blessings and Grace on the Feast of St. Augustine

"Sing to the Lord a new song"...But make sure that your life does not contradict your words. Sing with your voices, your hearts, your lips and your lives:But you wish to know what praises to sing....The answer is: "His praise is in the assembly of the saints"; it is in the singers themselves. If you desire to praise him, then live what you express...and you yourselves will be his praise.
-St. Augustine, Sermon 34

On Sunday, 24 August, during the Annual Chapter of the Augustinians of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, at the Holy Eucharist of the feast of Our Holy Father, Augustine, The Very Reverend Father Joseph Augustine Menna, AIHM, Prior General of the Order, received the First Profession of Sisters Shari Marie and Lyngine Dominique-Marie, AIHM. Sisters Shari Marie and Lyngine Dominique-Marie are the first female professed members of the Augustinians of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and we rejoice at this historic and blessed occasion for the Order. Also, that morning Joseph Augustine, AIHM and John Bartholomew, AIHM renewed their vows. In recognition that God calls us to constant conversion and to freely respond to God's Grace in our lives, professed members of the AIHM renew their vows every year. Linda, Fran, Carol, and Donald, members of the St. Mary of Grace parish family, attended the event and celebrated with the AIHM at brunch afterwards!

Sr. Lyngine Dominique-Marie, AIHM serves as Pastoral Assistant and Fr. Joseph Augustine, AIHM serves as Pastor of St. Mary of Grace Parish.

Professed members of the Augustinians of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Congratulations to the AIHM Order! (from left to right: Lyngine Dominique-Marie, John Bartholomew, Joseph Augustine, and Shari Marie)

"I baptize you...."

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..." -Matthew 28:19

On June 22, Fr. Joseph baptized two new members into the Body of Christ and the Communion of Saints. Torin Perri and Penelope Wu were welcomed into the Church to the great joy of their families. We were all so happy to celebrate this new life in the Church!

Welcome, Penelope and Torin!

Sharing God's Blessings

"Command the rich of this world not to be haughty in their ideas, nor to have their hopes set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who bestows all things on us abundantly for our enjoyment. Let them be rich in good works, let them be ready to give things away, and to share..." -St. Augustine (Sermon 345)

On Sunday, 22 June, the St. Mary of Grace parish family provided a meal for two homeless families receiving hospitality at the UU Church of Delaware County. Many thanks to Rev. Fran for her continued coordination of our Gospel justice efforts, and to the St. Mary of Grace parish community for all their work in preparing this meal. We are blessed to have had this opportunity to share God's bounty.

Welcome to the newest member of the Body of Christ !

On June 14, Bp. Timothy baptized a new member into the Body of Christ and the Communion of Saints. Angelina was welcomed into the Church and our parish family. Angelina's mother and father (Amanda and Joe), her God parents, their family and friends, and the parish shared in the celebration and the commitment to help Angelina grow in love and light in the Christian faith. We were all so happy to celebrate this new life in the Church with Angelina, her mother and father, God parents, and family.

God Grant Angelina many happy, healthy, and blessed years!

Fr. Joseph and Bp. Tim with Amanda, Joe, and Angelina.

Happy 4th Anniversary to St. Mary of Grace Parish!

On 1 June, the feast of Our Lady of Grace, our parish of St. Mary of Grace celebrated its fourth anniversary. We began with two clerics and an occasional lay visitor. Four years later we have a bishop, three priests, two seminarians, a religious, four couples of mixed orientation, two infants, and half a dozen “now and then” folk.We set out some two years ago to begin a mission statement with the half dozen or so regulars that had formed.
We committed to three basic things: meaningful worship in diversity of tradition, meaningful inclusive community according to orthodox Creedal values, and meaningful commitment to social justice/outreach.

Meaningful worship in diversity: We sing Haugen to Taize with flute, guitar, and Gregorian chant. We use Roman, Anglican, and Byzantine traditions and rituals that allow all to participate in different ways.

Inclusive community: we have done same sex and opposite sex weddings and baptized children from mixed and diverse families arrangements without judgment, and we include all in our sacraments. We spend time together outside of Church in fellowship. One of our new families said today they have never felt this welcome before in a church and look forward to being with us each week.

Social Justice: we have donated both food, clothing, and time to several projects, done letter writing campaigns, and political action in Harrisburg.

By our faithfulness to the responsibilities of God’s Grace among us, may we see a fruitful four more years and beyond. Many Happy and Blessed years!

Our Lady of Grace

Honoring Our Lady of Grace in prayer and song.

Celebrating with an anniversary dinner at a local restaurant.

Spring Parish Picnic

On Saturday, 24 May, the parish family gathered at Ridley State Park for an afternoon of fellowship and fun . The day was filled with wonderful food shared with old and new friends, stories and jokes, games and even a water balloon fight!

Click here for pictures of the day

A special thanks to Marian and Lourdes who coordinate the Fellowship Ministry!

Grill Masters!

What kind of leaf is that anyway?

Waterfight!

Rally for Families, Harrisburg

Bishop Timothy Cravens and Fr. Joseph Augustine, AIHM traveled Monday, 5 May to the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Capitol to join in the rally against proposed legislation to amend the Commonwealth's Constitution to ban anything but opposite sex marriage. As a Church that administers the sacrament of marriage to all couples regardless of gender make-up, this proposed amendment would violate our Federal Constitutional freedom of Religion and separation of Church and State.

Bp. Tim and Fr. Joseph joined about five hundred other people from other church groups and civil rights groups to rally against writing discrimination into the Pennsylvania Constitution. Then they visited the local Senators from the area who represent parish members to lodge our strong feelings. The trip was made possible by several donations from SMoG parishioners. It was truly a witness from the whole parish family.

The rally had a great impact as the sponsor of the bill withdrew his support on Tuesday, the next day after the rally.

Other Philadelphia area Churches were also represented including Philadelphia's MCC with their pastor, Rev. Jeffrey Jordan, and lay delegate John Speers, pictured below.

Equality Forum 2008

On Sunday, 4 May, the parish participated in SundayOut at Equality Forum 2008 . Bishop Timothy and Fr. Joseph along with members of the parish community staffed a table providing information about the parish and the Independent Catholic movement and made new friends. St. Mary of Grace Parish, in justice of the Gospel, offers the sacraments (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick, and Reconcilliation) to ALL.

St. Mary of Grace Parish at Equality Forum 2008

Congratulations, Marian!

On 2 May, during the monthly healing Mass of the Heart of Jesus Healing Ministry, a new ministry in the Independent Catholic Christian Church, Marian Bellus was inducted as a full member of the International Order of St. Luke the Physician. Marian is a seminarian in the ICCC and has been a gracious presence in the St. Mary of Grace parish family, serving as an Acolyte during Sunday Masses and in the Fellowship Ministry.

Anointing of hands

The parish celebrates this special night with Marian.

Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen!

Alleluia!

Easter Joy at St. Mary of Grace Parish!

On Saturday, 22 March 2008, at the Easter Vigil Mass, to the great joy of St. Mary of Grace parish, Bp. Timothy administered the sacrament of Confirmation to Hector Rodriguez. Hector has been a part of St. Mary of Grace parish from its earliest days. He was joined by his sponsor and close friend Bob Dabrow, and the St. Mary of Grace parish family. Hector has chosen Martin as his Confirmation name in honor of St. Martin de Porres.

The parish rejoices as Hector takes this step in deepening his Baptismal promises!

Bp. Timothy administers the sacrament of Confirmation to Hector Martin.

Close friend and sponsor, Bob with newly Confirmed, Hector Martin.

Happy Easter from St. Mary of Grace Parish!

Lenten Almsgiving

This year, as part of the Lenten discipline of almsgiving and as part of its Social Justice ministry, St. Mary of Grace Parish collected non-perishable foods every Sunday during Lent for donation. Just after Palm Sunday, our small parish was happy to donate over 70 pounds of food to the Chester Eastside Ministries food bank!

In addition, St. Mary of Grace Parish was happy to share some Easter joy with the donation of an Easter basket filled with treats for the children of several homeless families who are receiving shelter at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County as part of the Interfaith Hospitality Network.

A special thanks to Rev. Fran for all her hard work in coordinating the food drive and jump starting the Social Justice ministry of St. Mary of Grace Parish!

Congratulations to our ICCC seminarians!!!!

On Saturday, 1 March 2008, seminarians Marian Bellus, Michael Shirk, and Carol Nickolai were advanced through minor orders during the first annual Gathering/Retreat of the Independent Catholic Christian Church. Marian was ordained to the minor order of Acolyte. Michael and Carol were ordained to the minor order of Doorkeeper. Marian serves in the Fellowship Ministry and Carol serves in the Music Ministry at St. Mary of Grace Parish. Michael serves as Music Director in a local parish in his home state of Missouri.

Congratulations to Marian, Michael, and Carol as they take this next step on their journey towards priesthood!

"Dearly beloved, as you are about to take upon yourself the office of Acolyte, ponder what you are undertaking...'Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father Who is in heaven'...Be you, then, earnest in all justice, goodness, and truth, that you may enlighten yourself, and others, and the Church of God."

Bishop Timothy charges Marian with the duties of the Acolyte and gives her the symbols of this office.

"Dearly beloved, as you are about to undertake the office of Doorkeeper, consider what you have to do in the House of God....Endeavour also, as you open and close the visible church with material keys, to close the unseen dwelling of God, to wit, the hearts of believers, by word and example, against the devil, and to open them to God, that they may keep in their hearts and fulfil in their doings the Divine words they have heard."

Bishop Timothy charges Carol and Michael with the duties of the office of the Doorkeeper.

Welcome to the newest member of the Body of Christ !

On January 12, Fr. Joseph baptized a new member into the Body of Christ and the Communion of Saints. Gabriel John Nyce was welcomed into the Church and our parish family. Gabriel's mother and father (Becki and George Nyce), his God parents, their extended family, and the parish shared in the celebration and the commitment to help Gabriel grow in love and light in the Christian faith. We were all so happy to celebrate this new life in the Church with Gabriel, his mother and father, God parents, and family.

God Grant Gabriel many happy, healthy, and blessed years!

Fr. Joseph welcomes Gabriel at the door with the ancient Rite of Exorcism and Tracing of the Cross.

"I baptize you...."

Gabriel, mom and dad, grandmother, God father, and parish family