“If we truly understood the Mass we would die of Joy”
~St. John Vianney
Sunday readings for September 13, 2026- Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading: Sirach 27:30-28:7
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12
Second Reading: Romans 14:7-9
Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35
Announcements
Fr Tom’s keynote speech
Please click the link below to watch Fr. Tom’s speech presented at the US-China Catholic Association’s 30th Biennial Conference on July 31, 2026. The speech is entitled “Nourishing Trust and Friendship: Chinese Catholics in America Following the Way of Christ.”
https://youtu.be/xVA8-LqSF_8?si=a8AnWGSXMC2vO2hr
Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers
If you are interested in becoming a lector and/or Eucharistic Minister at Holy Redeemer, please respond to this email or speak to Fr. Tom. No previous experience necessary, just a heart to serve the Lord!
World Youth Day- Korea 2027
All youth 14+ are invited to join other Holy Redeemer members to attend World Youth Day in Seoul, Korea in August 2027. This event is a chance to meet other Catholic youth from all around the world and to be in the presence of Pope Leo as he celebrates Mass with the participants. The theme is “Take courage! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Registration will begin in the next few weeks. For more information about the trip, please join the Q&A virtual session on Tuesday September 15th at 7pm. See the link below to join. If you are unable to join but would like more information, you can reply to this email and someone will be in contact with you.
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/215455115775978?p=Erqko2EZ4rZipWuE9g
Meeting ID: 215 455 115 775 978
Passcode: yw92Fg3B
The EITC (Educational Improvement Tax credit)
The EITC (Educational Improvement Tax Credit) allows taxpayers to pay part of the taxes that they would pay to the State of Pennsylvania (not federal or local, only state taxes) to Catholic schools to assist poor families with tuition. The tax payer gets 90% of the donation back in the form of a tax credit (credit, not deduction). Thus the donor really only pays from his or her own funds, 10% of what is given. The actual cost to the donor is not large, but the assistance to a Catholic school is huge!
The EITC program allows a Pennsylvania taxpayer to help a Catholic School at little cost to the taxpayer. The taxpayer/donor can give it to Catholic Schools in general or to a particular Catholic School. I humbly ask that you consider making such a contribution to Holy Redeemer School. For information on how to make an EITC tax credit donation, please contact Father Tom or Principal Susan.
St John Neumann Pryaer Guild for Catholic Education
Bishop Keith J. Chylinski invites Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to become part of an “army of prayer” for our Catholic schools and parish religious education programs. Members commit to praying the St. John Neumann Prayer Guild Daily Prayer each day for our children, young people, families, educators, and catechists.
Anyone who is willing to pray is welcome!
To join the Guild, visit:
Microsoft Forms
USCCB’s Season of Creation Newsletter
Please click the link to read the newsletter from the United State Conference of Catholic Bishops about the Season of Creation:
Second Collections
On Sunday, 13 we will take up a second collection for Catholic Relief Services to assist with their efforts to help the victims of the Nepal flood.
The second collection on September 20th will be for Black and Indian Catholic Missions. This is one of the oldest annual collections, established by the US Catholic Bishops in 1874 to support the work of the Church among African and Native American people. It is still an important work and the collection assists. Please be generous.
HR Banquet Invitations
Invitations and response cards are available at the back of church. Please pick one up if you haven’t received one in the mail and distribute it to those who might be interested in attending.
Book discussion on US Catholicism
US-China Catholic Association Book Circle will meet on Saturday September 19th to discuss the second chapter of Sun Yanfei’s book, Religious Change in Post-Mao China. Titled “Catholicism and Protestantism Compared: Reversal of Fortune,” this chapter explains why Chinese Catholicism has lagged so far behind Protestantism in membership and vitality during the post-Mao decades.
If you are interested in joining or learning more about this book circle, please click on this link- Book Circle Interest Form.
Magnificent Humanity
Here is the link to the Pope Leo’s new encyclical: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html
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.
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-