“Be at peace with your own soul, then heaven and earth will be at peace with you.”
-ST Jerome
Sunday readings for August 16, 2026- Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading: Isiah 56:1, 6-7
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
Second Reading: Romans 11:13-15, 29-32
Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28
Announcements
HR Staff Update
Philip Cheung, a graduate of Holy Redeemer School and a member of Holy Redeemer Church, will begin employment at Holy Redeemer. He will work half time for Holy Redeemer and half time as campus minister at Saints Peter and Paul High School in Salisbury, Maryland. His job title at Holy Redeemer School will be Coordinator of Religious Programs. His job title at Holy Redeemer Church will be Director of Pastoral Service.
OCIA classes
Holy Redeemer and Saint John’s will offer a program of formation and instruction for:
- People who are not now Catholic, but who are considering becoming Catholic through Baptism or Confirmation
- Catholic adults who would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation
- Anyone who would like to learn about the Catholic faith
Classes will begin in mid-September and end at Easter. Classes are Monday nights by zoom with a recording available for those who miss the class.
If you would like to be added to the invitation list, please email Father Tom at pastor@stjohnsphilly.com or respond to this email.
Assumption of Mary
This Saturday, August 15 is the feast of the Assumption of Mary. It is not a holy day of obligation this year because it occurs on a Saturday. However, it is a good day to honor the Blessed Mother. Father Joseph will have Mass on August 15 at 6:30 PM at Holy Redeemer in Mandarin. There are two Masses at Saint John’s for the feast: 7:45 am and 12:05 pm.
Study of the Gospel of John
Professor Paul Danove, retired professor of Sacred Scripture at Villanova University, will offer an online zoom class on the Gospel of John beginning Wednesday, September 9 and continuing through December. Professor Danove has already presented classes on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Classes are free. Classes are one and a half hour each Wednesday, with recordings available if you miss the class. To be added to the online class list contact Father Tom at pastor@stjohnsphilly.com.
Pilgrimage to Italy- ***updated itinerary
***The trip will now leave from Philadelphia, not Washington DC, and will return to Philadelphia.
Father Tom will offer a pilgrimage to Italy in 2027. Tentative details are given here. The price will be ready in the next few weeks.
Please note that some of the details of the trip within Rome may change slightly. I am proposing that we have free time in the afternoon and that we do our walking tour in the evening when the crowds are smaller. So there may be a slight change of details.
We will stay three nights in Assisi with day trips from Assisi because it is a lovely, medieval and peaceful place.
Day 1: DEPART USA TO ITALY Sunday April 4, 2027
Depart on an overnight flight to Venice from Philadelphia International Airport. Dinner and breakfast are served on the plane. Quotes for add-on flights from different airports, as well as for optional Premium Economy and Business Class upgrades, are available upon request, starting 120 days before departure. Group air restrictions (for ten passengers traveling together) do not permit specific seating requests on flights. If seat confirmation is important to you, we recommend purchasing your own airline tickets and booking the Land Only trip package. Should you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact your trip Account Manager, who will be happy to assist you.
Day 2: WELCOME TO ITALY – PADUA
Upon arrival in Venice, we are greeted by our tour guide and escorted to our motorcoach, which takes us to Padua. We arrive in Padua in the mid-afternoon and settle into our hotel. Then walk over to the Shrine of St. Anthony for a tour of the Basilica and Mass. We visit the magnificent Scrovegni Chapel, dedicated to St. Mary of the Charity, before settling into our hotel for dinner and a good night’s rest. Overnight in Padua. (Dinner with wine)
Day 3: PADUA – VENICE
After breakfast, we are transferred to Venice, the city of mystery and fantasy. We have a walking tour of Venice, including the Bridge of Sighs, St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, and the Doge’s Palace. Visit St. Ambrose Church, where we celebrate Mass. Marvel at the play of light on the city’s canals and the feeling of romance that permeates the air. In the afternoon, we attend the Murano glass-blowing demonstration. Dinner and overnight in Padua. (B.D)
Day 4: PADUA – FLORENCE
In the morning, we drive to Florence and visit the Church of St. Ambrogio, one of the most ancient churches in Florence, where we celebrate Mass. We have a walking tour of Florence that takes us to see the Duomo and the Baptistery next door (from the outside), the Church of the Holy Cross, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, and other notable city highlights. Dinner and overnight in Florence. (B.D)
Day 5: FLORENCE- SIENA – ASSISI
In the morning, we visit the Accademia to see Michelangelo’s beautiful statue of David, before departing for Assisi. En route, we celebrate Mass in Siena and visit the Church of San Domenico to see the relics of St. Catherine. Following Mass, enjoy exploring the city of Siena, famous for its horse races, which take place in the center. We continue to Assisi for dinner and an overnight. (B.D.)
Day 6: ASSISI
This morning, we visit the Basilica of St. Francis, featuring the upper Basilica, which houses Giotto’s frescoes depicting the life of St. Francis. We then proceed to the lower Basilica and the Tomb of St. Francis. Mass will be celebrated at one of the chapels in the Basilica. Proceed to the Basilica of St. Clare and the Chapel of San Damiano, where St. Francis received his call to rebuild the Church and where St. Clare lived and died. Visit St. Carlo Acutis, the first millennial to be beatified in the Catholic Church, dressed in jeans and tennis shoes, through a viewing glass on his tomb. Dinner and overnight in Assisi. (B.D)
Day 7: ASSISI – LORETO – ASSISI
This morning, we see Santa Maria of the Angels Church before we depart for Loreto to see the Holy House of Nazareth, transported here from the Holy Land, as tradition tells us. In it, we view the most reproduced Madonna in the world: the Black Madonna of Loreto. We celebrate Mass in Loreto. After a break for lunch at leisure, we head back to Assisi for the afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight in Assisi. (B.D)
Day 8: ORVIETO – ROME
We stop at the hilltop town of Orvieto to celebrate Mass and visit the Cathedral, which houses the Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena. After visiting the town, we continue to a beautiful local winery and enjoy a wine tasting and a delicious lunch in the Italian countryside. In the afternoon, arrive in Rome and settle into our hotel. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Rome. (B.Special lunch and wine tasting)
Day 9: VATICAN TREASURES
We start the day with Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica (TBC). Then enjoy a tour of the Basilica and the Vatican Museums, including the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel (TBC). In the afternoon, we explore the Scavi Tunnels (TBC) underneath St. Peter’s. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Rome. (B.)
Day 10: CHRISTIAN ROME
This morning, we visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, where we celebrate Mass, and the nearby Tre Fontane Convent, where St. Paul was beheaded. Our visit continues with the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, and the Holy Stairs. Enjoy a farewell dinner with wine at a local restaurant. Overnight in Rome with dinner at leisure. (B.)
Day 11: PAPAL AUDIENCE* (Wednesday)
We depart early this morning for St. Peter’s Square to attend the Papal Audience, where the Holy Father blesses us. In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of Rome’s historic center. Enjoy a walk through Piazza Navona to view the magnificent Four Rivers Fountain by Bernini, then continue to the Pantheon. On this route, we also visit Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, the only true Gothic church in Rome, Gesù Church, and the Trevi Fountain. Dinner is at leisure. Mass will be celebrated. Enjoy a farewell dinner with wine at a local restaurant. Overnight in Rome. (B. L. Special dinner) Father Tom is suggesting that we have a free afternoon and a walking tour of Piazza Navona, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain at night. Father Tom believes that Rome by night is very beautiful.
Day 12: RETURN TO USA. April 15
Today marks the end of our pilgrimage. We say farewell to a country and a trip that will remain in our memories forever as we are transferred to Rome airport for our return flights to Philadelphia. (B)
Holy Redeemer Sunday School Registration
Registration has begun! We welcome children from Kindergarten through Grade 7, including First Holy Communion students.
Classes: Sundays, 12:20–1:20 PM, at Angelus House
First Class: September 13
Registration forms are available at the back of the church. Completed forms may be emailed to Mrs. Emily Man (email on the form) or return the hard copy to Fr. Tom, Fr. Jin, Principal Susan Chan, Vice Principal Linda Leung, or any Sunday School teacher.
Please do not return forms to Holy Redeemer weekday school teachers.
Current Sunday School students do not need to register again and will be automatically promoted to the next grade.
HR School Banquet- Save the Date
Please mark your calendar. The Holy Redeemer School banquet will be on Saturday October 10. There will be a Mandarin language banquet to support the school on Sunday, October 11.