Advent is a season of expectant hope, where we can reflect and celebrate together on the promise and restoration we have in the birth of Jesus. Please join us in celebrating this season with prayer, generosity, love and worship.

ADVENT ANGEL SIGNUP. Remember our homebound and bereaved by delivering a small gift (provided by the parish). Pick up Dec. 8; deliver ASAP after that. Contact Peg: [email protected].

 

Join us in serving the needs of hundreds of people across our community: our parish homebound and bereaved, families and individuals in crisis, community children in need, teenagers at risk, and immigrants and refugees. Whatever your time and resources permit, there is an opportunity to help. Get the details here, or make a financial donation, and we will use it for the area of greatest need. Please note St. Nicholas Project on your check, online donation or Venmo @SJC-Church. Thank you!

NOV. 30 - DEC. 1: ADVENT FESTIVAL & FAIR TRADE SALE

Ring in Advent! Our sale (Saturday and Sunday) offers beautiful, unique goods made under certified fair-trade practices. At our Festival (Sunday only), you can pick up a fresh wreath from our Boy Scouts, sign up to deliver a gift to our homebound and bereaved, or just enjoy coffee, doughnuts and the company of the parish family.

DEC. 1: SENSORY-FRIENDLY STORYTIME WITH SANTA
AND SENSORY-FRIENDLY HOLIDAY BINGO!
Join us in the gym for these two very special events!
1 - 2:30 pm STORYTIME features a read-aloud, crafts, goodies, hot chocolate and snacks, and other goodies.
A low-sensory event tor younger children and their families.
3 - 4:30 pm BINGO with the Big Guy! For young adults and adults.
Please RSVP for both events to Nicole: (610) 357-4688 or [email protected].

DEC. 1 - 12: 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS CHEER CALLS

Only at St. John's would we personally wish every single household a Merry Christmas on behalf of the pastor and the parish! Help us make a few calls! A script is provided. Learn more here, or contact Mary at [email protected] to sign up.

DEC. 7 - 8: ANNUAL POINSETTIA SALE

Pick up a gorgeous, fresh poinsettia for a friend or for yourself at a great price! Our Youth Group will be selling after all Masses. Just $20 again this year. Come early for best selection.
All proceeds benefit our Youth Group.

DEC. 8: ST. NICHOLAS PROJECT CONCLUDES. All gifts and donations are due at noon today!

DEC. 8: ADVENT ANGELS PICKUP. See "Happening Now" above.

DEC. 14: ADOPT A FAMILY DROP-OFF in the gym.

DEC. 31: RED CROSS WINTER BLOOD DRIVE. Sign up here (zip code 19086).


MASSES & RECONCILIATION

PARISH PENANCE SERVICE with CONFESSIONS 6 pm Tuesday, Dec. 17

MASS SCHEDULE THROUGH DEC. 22
8 am Tuesday - Friday; 4 pm Saturday Vigil; 8, 9:30 and 11:30 am Sunday
Livestream Schedule: 8 am daily, 4 pm 12/7, 9:30 am 12/1, 12/15, 12/22
American Sign Language: 9:30 am 12/1, 12/15
No 8 am Service or Mass on Dec. 24-25.

FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION - 9 am Monday, Dec. 9
Not a Holy Day of Obligation in 2024

CHRISTMAS EVE - TUESDAY, DEC. 24
4 pm Youth Choir, Livestream (Fr. Hallinan)
6 pm American Sign Language, The Faithful Band (Fr. Mullin)
8 pm Cantor & Accompanist (Fr. Hallinan)

CHRISTMAS DAY - WEDNESDAY, DEC. 25
9 am Cantor & Accompanist (Fr. Mullin)
11 am Adult Choir (Fr. Hallinan)

DEC. 26, 27, 31: 9 am Daily Mass (no 8 am Mass)

TUESDAY, DEC. 31: 4 pm Holy Day Vigil Mass

JAN. 1:  9 am Holy Day Mass: Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

The Adopt A Family Ministry helps to bring hope and joy at Christmas to families beset by illness, disability or financial hardship. We do this by inviting groups of generous individuals (families, co-workers, neighbors, etc.) to adopt the needs of a family referred for assistance by a community organization.


FAQ
How are recipients selected? Families are screened and referred by the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District and local social service providers.

Who adopts the families? Typically, a group -- a family, a coworkers, friends or neighbors -- unites to adopt a family.

How much does adoption cost?  That depends on the recipient's family size and the donor's resources, but keep in mind that these gifts are often the only ones each family receives. We provide information and suggestions for each family member.

If I am cannot adopt a whole family, can I still help? Yes! Join us on drop-off day (the third Saturday in Advent) to check in and sort gifts. Donations of gift cards are also appreciated.

COORDINATORS:
Kim Pizzirusso
Jim & Lynn Paolucci

Contact

Our Advent Angels help us remember our parish homebound and recently bereaved, who can find the holidays an especially difficult and lonely time.

Our Angels donate giftable tea and cookies to the church sanctuary from Nov. 19-Dec. 9, then volunteer to visit one or more parishioners wth a gift basket. Sign up Nov. 27 at the Advent Festival or contact the coordinator below. Pick up your gifts on Dec. 10-11, and deliver any time that week at your convenience.

Contact:
Peg Tareila
[email protected]
(510) 566-4167

A favorite St. John's tradition, the St. Nicholas Project serves hundreds of our homebound, bereaved, and brothers and sisters across our community.

See this year's flyer.

The 2022 St. Nicholas Project is honored to serve:

• The residents and staff of Divine Providence Village and Don Guanella Homes, Archdiocesan homes for women and men with intellectual and physical disabilities

• The homebound and bereaved of St. John Chrysostom Parish

• ACCESS Community Center of Chester

• The Bernardine Center

• Catholic Social Services Family Service Center

• CityTeam of Chester

• St. Katharine Drexel Food Pantry & Clothing Cupboard

  

  Contact:
  Mary Chollet
  [email protected]
  (610) 874-3418 x 106

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