“Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to Heaven.”
- Pope St. Pius X
Sunday readings for August 23, 2026- Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading: Isaiah 22:19-23
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 138:1-3, 6, 8
Second Reading: Romans 11:33-36
Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20
Announcements
Fr Akolla’s Birthday Celebration– August 30th
All are invited to join a birthday celebration for Father Akolla’s 40th birthday after the English Mass on August 30th. If you’re able, please bring a dish for the potluck meal but if not, please join our community anyway as we wish him a happy birthday and enjoy the food and cake. The gathering will take place in the Teresa Hu cafeteria.
Holy Redeemer Sunday School for Students with Special Needs Registration
The Holy Redeemer CCD class for Students with Special Needs class begins on September 13, 2026 at 10 am -10:50 am in the 7th grade classroom in the Theresa Hu Center. We welcome students of all ages inside and outside our parish.
Registration forms are available at the back of the church. Completed forms may be emailed to Kurt Jung (email on the form) or return the hard copy to Kurt Jung, Fr. Tom, Fr. Jin, Principal Susan Chan, Vice Principal Linda Leung.
Current Sunday School Special Needs students do not need to register.
Magnificent Humanity
There are copies of Pope Leo’s new encyclical in the back of the church. They were purchased by a benefactor and if you would like to read the encyclical, please take a copy home with you.
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.
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
The brochure describing the Italy pilgrimage is ready and it is attached.
The trip will begin with a one way flight from Philadelphia to Venice on the evening of April 4. We anticipate that everyone will be accommodated on this flight.
The trip will end with a flight from Rome to Philadelphia on Thursday, April 15. However, only the first 23 travelers who register for the pilgrimage will get that flight. The rest of the travelers will travel through Chicago. There will be a layover.
The price is the same, but those who sign up first for the trip will have a one way flight from Rome to Philadelphia.
For the registration information, please click the following link-
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.