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Fr. Bob's Corner June 11, 2023

Posted on June 07, 2023 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner June 11, 2023

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, or The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. This feast has been celebrated in the Church for almost a thousand years and points us to the “source and summit” of our faith - the Holy Eucharist and the Precious Blood of our Lord. We celebr...

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Fr. Bob's Corner (Sorta) June 4, 2023

Posted on June 02, 2023 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner (Sorta) June 4, 2023

Today is Trinity Sunday. Our faith tells us there is but one God, and in thy one God there are three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The three persons are really distinct: the Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Father, and the Holy Spirit is neither the Father nor the Son. ...

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Fr. Bob's Corner May 28, 2023

Posted on May 25, 2023 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner May 28, 2023

This weekend, the Church celebrates Pentecost, one of the most important feast days of the year that concludes the Easter season and celebrates the beginning of the Church. Here's what you need to know about the feast day: 1. Pentecost always occurs 50 days after the death and resurr...

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Fr. Bob's Corner May 21, 2023

Posted on May 18, 2023 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner May 21, 2023

We come this weekend closer to the end of the Easter Season and are given a well-known Gospel passage from John. It is well known, but not very easily understood. In no other faith do we get an “inside look” at the communication of God (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Here, we have Je...

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Fr. Bob's Corner May 14, 2023

Posted on May 12, 2023 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner May 14, 2023

Happy Mother’s Day! What a beautiful time of year to celebrate our mothers. They are so very special to us and rightly so. They sacrifice so much of themselves so as to bring joy and love into our lives. Our parish is named after our Blessed Mother, and so, we are under her protection; we a...

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Invitation!

Posted on April 28, 2023 in: Pastor

Invitation!

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Fr. Bob's Corner April 23, 2023

Posted on April 21, 2023 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner April 23, 2023

True belief and relationship with our Lord is difficult. We are very good at memorizing and reciting. But to have a relationship with Him whom you can’t physically see is very difficult. Last weekend, Jesus said to Thomas after Thomas placed his hand into Jesus’ side, “Blessed a...

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Fr. Bob's Corner April 16, 2023

Posted on April 12, 2023 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner April 16, 2023

Happy Easter! It was a beautiful Holy Week full of a tremendous amount of grace at Visitation. Thank you to our cantors, choirs, altar servers, staff and volunteers who generously gave of their time and talent to set up the church. What a blessing to make the week truly beautiful. In the early 20...

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Fr. Bob's Corner April 9, 2023

Posted on April 05, 2023 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner April 9, 2023

He is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Happy Easter to you and your families! We celebrate the high point of our faith this weekend. The Passion and Resurrection of our Lord is what makes us who we are. It gives us our identity. It gives us our worth. Today I would like us to th...

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Fr. Bob's Corner April 2, 2023

Posted on March 30, 2023 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner April 2, 2023

Growing up, I loved and disliked this weekend all at the same time. It was cool because we got these palm things and at the same time I begged my mother to be able to sit down during the Gospel because I wasn’t going to survive standing for that long. She never let me sit down. Mean mom. It...

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Fr. Bob's Corner March 26, 2023

Posted on March 23, 2023 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner March 26, 2023

I like movies. A good action movie is always good (go see Top Gun 2 if you haven’t), but I can also watch a great romcom like Notting Hill. Movies can lift our spirits and entertain. The best movies are the ones that “close the loop” of the narrative. I’m not talking about lo...

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Fr. Bob's Corner March 19, 2023

Posted on March 16, 2023 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner March 19, 2023

Saint Paul writes in our second reading this weekend to the people of Ephesus, “Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.” It’s a striking lesson. How often do we think about what is pleasing to God? What makes Him joyful? I think more often than not the attention is focused on us...

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Fr. Bob's Corner March 12, 2023

Posted on March 08, 2023 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner March 12, 2023

We come this weekend to the third Sunday of Lent. When looking at the life of Jesus, His mission was to go to Jerusalem. In the Gospel of Mark, the author says that He “sets His face” towards it. What does that mean? It means intent. Jesus was fixated on Jerusalem. It is the purpose for ...

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Fr. Bob's Corner March 5, 2023

Posted on March 03, 2023 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner March 5, 2023

We had a funeral this past week for a beautiful soul, 94 year old Loretta DiLeonardo. Surrounded by her family and friends, she was given back to her Father in heaven. About 15 minutes before the Funeral Mass, I went down to school to drop off the dog. While I was down there, the s...

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Fr. Bob's Corner February 26, 2023

Posted on February 23, 2023 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner February 26, 2023

Happy First Sunday of Lent! This is such a grace-filled time of year for us. Each year, the Church gives us this sacred time to grow closer to our Father by praying with the sacrifice of the Son. The Passion of Christ is at the very heart of our faith. It is everything. I remember years ago my gr...

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Fr. Bob's Corner February 19, 2023

Posted on February 16, 2023 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner February 19, 2023

FAST & ABSTINENCE DURING LENT Per the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. For members of the Catholic Church, the ...

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Fr. Bob's Corner February 12, 2023

Posted on February 09, 2023 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner February 12, 2023

Five years ago, a bunch of us young priests were out to dinner and were talking about how awesome it would be if the Eagles made the Super Bowl. It was early January and the Eagles were yet to make the NFC championship game against the Vikings. All of the guys were saying that if we made...

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From the Deac, February 5, 2023

Posted on February 02, 2023 in: Pastor

From the Deac, February 5, 2023

From the Deac The readings for this the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time focus on evangelization and service. The first reading from the Prophet Isaiah begins “Thus say the Lord, Share your bread with the hungry; shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them. He tell...

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From The Deac, January 29, 2023

Posted on January 27, 2023 in: Pastor

From The Deac, January 29, 2023

This past summer I had the opportunity to be the officiant at the wedding of my nephew, Sam and his bride, Rachel. I say officiant, because Matrimony is the only sacrament that is not administered by the Bishop or his designate (Priest or Deacon). According to the Catechism of the Catholic Chu...

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Fr. Bob's Corner January 22, 2023

Posted on January 20, 2023 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner January 22, 2023

Recently, our Holy Father Pope Francis declared the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time as a weekend to celebrate the Word of God. As a lifelong Catholic, Scripture was never really stressed in my family’s life. We didn’t pray together with it. We didn’t study it or really talk about it....

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Fr. Bob's Corner January 15, 2023

Posted on January 12, 2023 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner January 15, 2023

The Christmas Season has ended and now we have a few weeks until we enter upon the Lenten and Easter Season. Time to take a breath and enjoy the ordinary of Ordinary Time. I’d like to provide some updates on the goings on around campus, seeing as we haven’t done that in a while: 1....

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Fr. Bob's Corner January 8, 2023

Posted on January 04, 2023 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner January 8, 2023

This weekend we celebrate the Epiphany of Our Lord, a Christian feast. The word “epiphany” comes from the Greek epiphainen, a verb that means "to shine upon," "to manifest," or “to make known.” Thus, the feast of the Epiphany celebrates the many ways that ...

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Fr. Bob's Corner December 25, 2022

Posted on December 23, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner December 25, 2022

Merry Christmas!!! On behalf of the school, PREP, staff, Fr. Mulranen, and our Deacons, we wish you and your family a very Holy and joyful Christmas Season. Our parish family comes together this Christmas with grateful and humble hearts before the newborn savior. We celebrate Christmas every year to...

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Fr. Bob's Corner December 18, 2022

Posted on December 16, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner December 18, 2022

Happy Fourth Sunday of Advent. There is just one short week until the joy of Christmas! Our first reading this weekend from the Book of Isaiah involves King Ahaz and the prophet Isaiah. King Ahaz is a young King of Judah, that is to say, the southern Kingdom. During the rule ...

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Fr. Bob's Corner December 4, 2022

Posted on December 01, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner December 4, 2022

One of the first prayers of Mass is called the “collect”. It is in the very beginning of the liturgy right after the priest says “let us pray”. Some of these “collects” are quite cumbersome since the new translation came a little more than a decade ago...

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Fr. Bob's Corner November 27, 2022

Posted on November 22, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner November 27, 2022

Advent is a season of waiting and expectation for Christmas – the birth of Christ, the Nativity of Our Lord. We prepare our homes and hearts for four weeks before Christmas. Advent is also the beginning of a new liturgical season. It concludes a long period of Ordinary Time and leads us ...

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Fr. Bob's Corner October 16, 2022

Posted on October 12, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner October 16, 2022

Happy Sunday! As I write this, the Phillies and Yankees are about to play their first game in their respective playoff series. Best of luck to the Phillies as they face the Braves. Remember - Yogi is not named after a cartoon bear. He is named after Yogi Berra, a famous Yankee catcher. S...

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Fr. Bob's Corner October 9, 2022

Posted on October 06, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner October 9, 2022

I received an interesting call this week from the Office for Nutritional Services from the Archdiocese. This office is a part of Catholic Social Services and they were wondering about our “No Greater Love Garden”. They were amazed at how our parish can come together in such a...

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Fr. Bob's Corner September 18, 2022

Posted on September 15, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner September 18, 2022

“You cannot serve both God and mammon.” Jesus’ final words in today’s Gospel Reading—“You cannot serve both God and mammon”—are sometimes falsely interpreted. They’re taken to mean that you cannot have both God and money in your life.&nb...

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Fr. Bob's Corner September 11, 2022

Posted on September 10, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner September 11, 2022

The story of God with His people is full of ups and downs. God loves His people, they love Him back. The next second, they forget Him and He lets them fall. They realize they need His love and then come back to Him, and we come back to God loving His people and His people loving H...

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Fr. Bob's Corner September 4, 2022

Posted on September 02, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner September 4, 2022

Welcome back from Summer break to our school and PREP students and families!!! Yogi has missed you tremendously. Fr. Mulranen and I as well, but we know who the boss is. It is great to have you back and while some might walk into a new school year with heads low because the summer ...

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Fr. Bob's Corner August 28, 2022

Posted on August 28, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner August 28, 2022

Humility. This weekend's readings are all about humility. It is a virtue we all must pray for everyday. It starts with knowing that there is a God and we are not Him. We must stay humble before our God, always bowing before His Will. If we stay humble before our God then we may...

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Fr. Bob's Corner August 21, 2022

Posted on August 21, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner August 21, 2022

On behalf of Father Mulranen and myself, we pray that you and your families have had a restful and joyful summer. It’s almost time to go back to school and Yogi can’t wait to see the kids. He walks by school and shakes his tail but gets disappointed every time we keep on walking.&n...

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The Deac

Posted on July 27, 2022 in: Pastor

The Deac

Let’s begin with thank you. Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes I have received after my picture was plastered all over the cover of the Parish Bulletin announcing my 70th year of birth. I want to especially thank my wife Patty for sending that picture to Mary Pat. Wondering why I wo...

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Fr. Bob's Corner July 10, 2022

Posted on July 06, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner July 10, 2022

I pray everyone had a wonderful 4th of July and is having a relaxing summer! This weekend, we celebrate the 15th week of Ordinary Time and the Church gives us readings revolving around God’s laws. These laws are not meant to be overpowering and cumbersome, rather, they are meant to...

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Fr. Bob's Corner July 3, 2022

Posted on July 01, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner July 3, 2022

Visitation’s garden grows with love, service to area’s hungry “It was a grassy field in March,” said Jim Ermer, parishioner at Visitation B.V.M. Parish in Norristown, of a field behind the church building, now a verdant organic ...

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Fr. Bob's Corner June 26, 2022

Posted on June 23, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner June 26, 2022

Dear Parishioner, May the Lord give you Peace and His Love! Our good Lord has blessed our Parish at Visitation with great faith and tradition. I am pleased to report that our parish is doing very well. Our school and PREP program have just finished for the year and are heading t...

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Fr. Bob's Corner June 5, 2022

Posted on June 02, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner June 5, 2022

Happy Pentecost Sunday! As the summer is upon us and we begin to wrap up the Season of Easter, we are given this great solemnity to remind us of the gift of the Holy Spirit our Lord gave to the Apostles and to us. In our Gospel this weekend, Jesus appears to His disciples after He has...

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Fr. Bob's Corner May 29, 2022

Posted on May 26, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner May 29, 2022

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ Let the hearer say, ‘Come.’ Let the one who thirsts come forward, and the one who wants it receive the gift of life-giving water” (Rev. 22:17). This comes from our second reading this weekend from the Book of R...

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Fr. Bob's Corner May 15, 2022

Posted on May 12, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner May 15, 2022

Earlier this week, most of the priests in the Archdiocese met in Hershey, PA for our annual convocation with our Archbishop Perez. It is usually a good time for all of us to get together, pray together, and have conversations about how we can better our parishes and Archdiocese. It is a ...

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Fr. Bob's Corner April 22, 2022

Posted on April 21, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner April 22, 2022

Happy Easter! This is a great article about the Sunday we celebrate this weekend - Divine Mercy Sunday. I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to make worship of our Lord on Easter so beautiful - the musicians, sacristans, those who set up the church with flowers and beauty, t...

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Fr. Bob's Corner April 17, 2022

Posted on April 15, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner April 17, 2022

Happy Easter! He has risen! He has Risen indeed! Easter is the very heart of our faith. It is the reason why Jesus was sent by the Father - to die for us and rise again. This mission of Jesus was to ultimately show us how much we are loved by the Father. Our Father wants to s...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - April 10, 2022

Posted on April 07, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - April 10, 2022

Happy Palm Sunday!!! This is always a beautiful weekend. The weather is starting to change and we get to receive palms at Mass and celebrate the Lord’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Jesus has entered into the final stage of His ministry and everything He has ever done has ...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - April 10, 2022

Posted on April 07, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - April 10, 2022

Happy Palm Sunday!!! This is always a beautiful weekend. The weather is starting to change and we get to receive palms at Mass and celebrate the Lord’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Jesus has entered into the final stage of His ministry and everything He has ever done has ...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - April 3, 2022

Posted on March 30, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - April 3, 2022

In the narrative of the Gospels, Jesus is often seen going to and from Jerusalem. He is a faithful Jewish man and was required by the Jewish faith to travel to Jerusalem at least 3 times a year for the 3 main feasts in the Jewish year. His whole earthly life, really, His mission, was to ...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - March 27, 2022

Posted on March 23, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - March 27, 2022

Happy Laetare Sunday! We have reached the Fourth Sunday of Lent and are rapidly approaching the holiest of days - Easter. The reason why we are able to celebrate this Season of Lent and Easter is because of the faith of our dear loved ones who have gone before us. They have imprint...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - March 20, 2022

Posted on March 16, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - March 20, 2022

This week we celebrate the Third Sunday of Lent and what a beautiful Gospel reading we have today. It is so important to the Church that we meditate on the beauty of this reading. We hear of Jesus coming to a well around noontime and meeting a Samaritan woman who is alone collecting water.&...

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The DEAC

Posted on March 01, 2022 in: Pastor

The DEAC

The Deac Growing up in the 50s, I had a different look on Lent and especially fasting and abstinence. I can remember that we were not allowed to eat meat on All Fridays of the year. My mom learned to improvise. One week we would have eggs and mac & cheese. The next week we would have grilled ...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - February 27, 2022

Posted on February 25, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - February 27, 2022

The Holy Season of Lent is upon us. It is the start of the great celebration of our faith. It is certainly a time of year for us to take our faith a little more seriously - to try to deepen our relationship with our Lord. I ran across this great article on some simple ideas of how do do so as ...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - February 20, 2022

Posted on February 19, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - February 20, 2022

Growing up, I can remember my parents trying to instill in me the ideals that would hopefully make a good man out of me later in life. For some reason or another, I can remember a lot of my dad’s words of wisdom. This is not to say that my mom didn’t have words of wisdom or that I didn&r...

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Not Fr. Bob's Corner February 13, 2022

Posted on February 10, 2022 in: Pastor

Not Fr. Bob's Corner February 13, 2022

On April 18th, 1995, my Dad went to Presbyterian Hospital in Philadelphia to have surgery to remove a blockage from his heart. During the operation, a small flake of calcium broke away and caused him to have a stroke. He ended up in a coma and it did not look good for him to survive. A frie...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - February 6, 2022

Posted on February 04, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - February 6, 2022

This weekend, we have the beautiful readings in our first reading from Isaiah and the account of Jesus calling Peter to be a “fisher of men” in the Gospel of Luke. Both readings involve faithful people who encounter God in a powerful way and both react very similarly. In the first rea...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - January 29, 2022

Posted on January 27, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - January 29, 2022

Last week’s corner set up our Gospel this weekend very nicely for the fourth Sunday of Ordinary time. If you haven’t had a chance, go back and read the corner from last week because it gives context to our Gospel today. Jesus has begun his public ministry in the Gospel of Luke a...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - January 23, 2022

Posted on January 20, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - January 23, 2022

Our first reading this weekend is vital to us understanding all of our scriptural readings in this, the third Sunday of Ordinary Time. It comes to us from the book of Nehemiah and occurs sometime in the 5th or 6th century B.C. The Israelite people have been conquered in 587 B.C. and exil...

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Fr. Bob's Corner January 16, 2022

Posted on January 15, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner January 16, 2022

Christmas has now come to an end and we enter into “Ordinary Time”. Ordinary time. What feels ordinary today? I would like to submit that almost nothing feels ordinary to us, to the way of life we lived 2 years ago. We should rename this season of the Church &ldqu...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - January 9, 2022

Posted on January 06, 2022 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - January 9, 2022

Happy Sunday! I read this article the other day and thought it looks at the Baptism of Our Lord in a slightly different light. You can almost feel the excitement of the author: Today we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, which marks the official end of the Christmas season. It’s...

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Fr. Bob's Corner SORTA - January 2, 2022

Posted on December 30, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner SORTA - January 2, 2022

Fr. Bob’s Corner - SORTA YOU ARE GOOD because God created you. He loves you without strings attached. In a world saturated with criticism and competition, our hearts yearn for acceptance and affirmation. We seek to be loved not just in our doing or having, but in our being. Yet, be...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - December 26, 2021

Posted on December 23, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - December 26, 2021

This weekend we celebrate the Holy Family, which is so appropriate for us to celebrate this time of year. It is in and through this Family that we learn how to be a true family of faith. We get together with our families during Christmas season and enjoy each other’s company and ar...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - December 19, 2021

Posted on December 17, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - December 19, 2021

This weekend’s readings are all about God’s will. They are special readings for us at Visitation because the Gospel is that of the Visitation. Mary has already submitted her will to the will of God in the Annunciation, ‘Be it done unto me according t...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - December 12, 2021

Posted on December 12, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - December 12, 2021

What is special about the Third Sunday of Advent? For much of the Church’s history, this Sunday had a special name: “Gaudete” Sunday. The traditions surrounding this Sunday go back as far as the fourth or fifth century, as does the season of Advent itself. Advent, our preparation f...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - November 28, 2021

Posted on November 25, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - November 28, 2021

Happy first Sunday of Advent! It is a beautiful time of year with all of the lights and the trees but it is fundamentally a preparation for our souls and those of our family for the coming of Jesus into the world. We do this year after year because it makes us stop and slow down and focu...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - November 21, 2021

Posted on November 17, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - November 21, 2021

Understanding WHO God is is a very difficult thing to do. Anyone who says, “I know exactly who God is,” is not right. Yes, we can have a relationship with the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And it is probably the easiest to have a relationship and understand the most about Jes...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - November 14, 2021

Posted on November 10, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - November 14, 2021

I was ordained 7 years ago and was immediately struck with the awesomeness of the ability to celebrate Mass. In the seminary, you learn about Mass in a more detailed way and even practice celebrating Mass, video taping yourself and learning your style of celebrating Mass (no those videos are n...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - October 3, 2021

Posted on September 29, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - October 3, 2021

Fr. Bob’s Corner The story of creation is an allegorical story meant to teach a lesson of God’s great love for the world through His benevolent act of creation. The story of God creating the world in 6 days and resting on the 7th and the story of Adam and Eve are not supposed to be in...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - September 26, 2021

Posted on September 21, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - September 26, 2021

I want to say thank you to all of our parishioners who have been so generous with their time and talents to make the Installation this past weekend such a beautiful day. When I walked Bishop Deliman to his car when he was leaving I told him it was a good homily he gave and that he was a little...

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Parish Leadership Huddle / Meeting

Posted on September 15, 2021 in: Pastor

Parish Leadership Huddle / Meeting

Visitation BVM Parish REVIVE *** RENEW *** REJOICE Fr. Bob invites ALL parish leaders to the Visitation Parish Leadership Huddle / Meeting Date: Tuesday, September 21st, 2021 Time: 7:00 PM Where: School Gym We need to hear from you as we draw up our parish’s game plan for gr...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - September 12, 2021

Posted on September 10, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - September 12, 2021

Our Gospel this weekend contains one of the most striking contrasts in all of the New Testament. Jesus asks Peter who he thinks He is and Peter says, “You are the Christ”. Peter has it. He understands who Jesus is. Right? Unfortunately, Peter does not understand Jesus&rsqu...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - August 29, 2021

Posted on August 27, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - August 29, 2021

The sentence that every teacher hates to hear: “Summer is almost over”. And Yogi says “Thank God” because he hates this heat. He’s very excited to see the kids down at school. Which reminds me I made a mistake in one of the art...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - August 22, 2021

Posted on August 19, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - August 22, 2021

Happy Summering!!! Growing up in New York, my grandmother and mother would, when I was very little, take me over to the votive candle area in church to light a candle for someone. In all honesty, I had no clue what they were doing. We would kneel there for a little bit and then get...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - August 8, 2021

Posted on August 05, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - August 8, 2021

Happy Summering!!! It has been so nice to see everyone enjoying their summer break with their family and friends. I’d like to provide a couple of updates with things going around the parish: 1. The school staff is ramping up their efforts to ...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - August 01, 2021

Posted on July 28, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - August 01, 2021

We are in the 18th Sunday in Ordinary time currently and the Church wants us to focus our attention on Jesus as the “true bread” that comes from heaven. Last weekend was the feeding of the 5 thousand people with the loaves and the fishes and next weekend is the Jewish hierarchy complaini...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - July 18, 2021

Posted on July 16, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - July 18, 2021

Summer is in full swing and isn’t it sweet? Families going on vacations and spending time with each other and just being with one another. Often during funerals, I tell people that the word for compassion, literally in Latin, means to suffer with another person. It’s the reason ...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - July 11, 2021

Posted on July 08, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - July 11, 2021

When I was about done with my time in the seminary, we were driving on our way back from downtown and decided to stop at Wendy’s on the way home for a quick bite. (Wendy’s is the best by the way). As we were in the drive-thru, we noticed the car behind us and it was Archbishop Chaput. We...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - July 4, 2021

Posted on July 01, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - July 4, 2021

It is a humbling fact that God chooses the weak to shame the strong. It’s always been that way. In our first reading today, Elijah, a humble man, is chosen to be the mouthpiece of God and go to His chosen people and tell them to amend their ways. One man is chosen to go to hundreds of thousand...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - June 27, 2021

Posted on June 24, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - June 27, 2021

I would like to extend a heartfelt welcome to Fr. Mulranen as he re-joins our parish family. It is such a blessing to have him here with us to minister to the great people we have. It’s also a great blessing to have him here personally. I look forward to learning from Father Muhlranen&rsquo...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - June 20, 2021

Posted on June 18, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - June 20, 2021

Fr. Bob’s Corner I love watching videos of soldiers coming home and surprising their loved ones. It’s just heartwarming and awesome to see people’s reactions to something so great as seeing their loved one when they had no idea of when they would see them again. So much joy and ...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - June 6, 2021

Posted on June 03, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - June 6, 2021

This week our beloved school ends a year unlike any other. We have much to be thankful for. Our awesome new principal, along with the administration, teachers, and staff have done a remarkable job. In the midst of a pandemic, they have continued to te...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - May 30, 2021

Posted on May 26, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - May 30, 2021

This weekend, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity - reminding us of the three-fold personhood of God. When we pray, we do not shout into a void of nothingness and hope for an echo that resembles some sort of god. No, we have relationship with the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.Bei...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - May 23, 2021

Posted on May 20, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - May 23, 2021

I would like to provide for a few updates around the parish: 1) We received great news that Father Frank Mulranen will be re-joining the parish family beginning on June 21. Please welcome him back to Visitation when you see him. I know a lot of people are excited to have h...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - May 16, 2021

Posted on May 12, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - May 16, 2021

This weekend follows Ascension Thursday, where Jesus returns home to the Father after spending time with His disciples after He rises from the dead. He ascends to the Father because that is where He belongs - the Father and the Son together. We can look to our own father’s as a confirmat...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - May 09, 2021

Posted on May 06, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - May 09, 2021

At almost every wedding, you will hear a reading from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, “Love is patient, love is kind....”. I imagine that couples pick this reading because it sounds very nice and it exhibits traits of a good marriage - kindness and patience and not je...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - April 18, 2021

Posted on April 14, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - April 18, 2021

The season of Easter exists so that we can reflect more deeply on the great mystery of the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Even the apostles had an incredibly hard time understanding seeing the risen Lord in front of their faces. It was only when Jesus broke open the Scriptures and ...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - April 11, 2021

Posted on April 11, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - April 11, 2021

DIVINE MERCY From Creation, God has revealed his nature as love itself, in Sacred Scripture and most perfectly in the life, Passion, death and Resurrection of his Son, Jesus. Saints have also borne witness to God’s unfathomable love, e.g., in the writings of...

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Divine Mercy

Posted on April 08, 2021 in: Pastor

Divine Mercy

DIVINE MERCY From Creation, God has revealed his nature as love itself, in Sacred Scripture and most perfectly in the life, Passion, death and Resurrection of his Son, Jesus. Saints have also borne witness to God’s unfathomable love, e.g., in the writings o...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - April 4, 2021

Posted on March 31, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - April 4, 2021

Happy Easter! We celebrate the very high point of human history today. Our Lord Jesus rises from the dead as the sacrifice offered by the Father in expiation for the sins of the world now conquers death and opens the gates of heaven for us. Eternal life with our Father is possible....

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Fr. Bob's Corner - March 28, 2021

Posted on March 25, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - March 28, 2021

Happy Palm Sunday! Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. It is this moment that He has come for. As droves of Jewish people flood Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover, Jesus, too, enters into the holy city as people lay palm branches before Him to honor Him and the things...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - March 21, 2021

Posted on March 19, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner - March 21, 2021

The Jewish people, before and during the time of Jesus, were required to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem three times a year. Once in the spring for Passover (remembering the time God led his people out of Egypt), once in the summer for Shavuot (remembering the time God gave his law on Mount Sin...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - March 14, 2021

Posted on March 12, 2021 in: Pastor

John 3:16. Athletes have recently been putting this on their cleats, eye-black, and even getting tattoos of it. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son”. It is a very popular quote and we find it in today’s Gospel of John. The author of John is in the ...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - March 7, 2021

Posted on March 06, 2021 in: Pastor

Don’t ask why, but the game Jenga popped in my head the other day. It was a fun game of strategy of pulling wooden blocks out of a stack in turns with a group of people. Whoever made the stack tip over and fall lost. Come to think of it, far too many people win at Jenga. ...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - February 28, 2021

Posted on February 26, 2021 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob’s Corner This weekend’s readings are humbling. God asks Abraham to sacrifice the very best of himself - his beloved son Isaac. Abraham doesn’t question God or argue with Him or say “Heck no!” to God. Abraham has a beautiful, singular heart t...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - February 21, 2021

Posted on February 19, 2021 in: Pastor

This is my favorite time of year. Lent. Not the bright lights of Christmas and the cheer and the big red guy. My favorite time of year is Lent. It is when the bleakness of winter begins to give way to the newness of spring. Golf season starts. But absolutely most of all - it’s the time o...

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Fr. Bob's Corner

Posted on February 12, 2021 in: Pastor

The response for the psalm for the weekend reads, “I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.” It reminds me of the Beatles song “Let it Be”. “When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me, speaking ...

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Alpha

Posted on February 01, 2021 in: Pastor

Does it seem like a good time to spend some time getting to know or grow deeper in a relationship with the one who deeply loves you, created you, formed you? The ALPHA program will be offered Thursday evenings via Zoom at 7:30pm. February 11th, 7:30pm! Sign-up here: https://...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - January 31, 2021

Posted on January 29, 2021 in: Pastor

I’ve always found that the truest friends are the ones who challenge us to be better people. The ones who are there during the tough times, sure. But the ones who also aren’t afraid to tell us how it is and help us to change for the ...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - January 24, 2021

Posted on January 22, 2021 in: Pastor

Jonah is one of the worst prophets in all of the Old Testament. God asks him to be a prophet. He says no. He tries to escape God (hilariously) and goes on a voyage. He then is thrown overboard after the crew mates on the ship he is on discover that the reason why they are hav...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - January 17, 2021

Posted on January 15, 2021 in: Pastor

God speaks to us. He does! It’s an undeniable truth. The incredible volume of this world and it’s problems makes it nearly impossible to hear Him. Notice where Samuel is when God calls to him. He’s sleeping in the Temple. We can all sympathize with ...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - January 10, 2021

Posted on January 09, 2021 in: Pastor

This weekend we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord. His Baptism was not like the one John the Baptism was performing. Our Lord was Baptized so that we could see the difference between the two - John the Baptism Baptizing for repentance and Jesus’ was a Baptism in the Holy Spirit, wh...

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COVID-19 Update - January 3, 2021

Posted on January 03, 2021 in: Pastor

Please click on this link to view Fr. Bob 's message: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffpNiBREmSg&feature=youtu.be We have discovered that one of our administrators have tested positive for COVID 19 using a rapid test. Based upon this information and out of an abundance of cau...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - January 3, 2020

Posted on December 30, 2020 in: Pastor

Happy New Year! I pray this year brings abundant blessings to you and your family. I’d like to simply share a prayer with you that was given to me years ago by a priest mentor that is a wonderful prayer. Maybe this can be our theme this year - abandonment into the arms of God.&nbs...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - January 3, 2021

Posted on December 30, 2020 in: Pastor

Happy New Year! I pray this year brings abundant blessings to you and your family. I’d like to simply share a prayer with you that was given to me years ago by a priest mentor that is a wonderful prayer. Maybe this can be our theme this year - abandonment into the arms of God.&nbs...

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Fr. Bob's Corner (Sorta) December 27, 2020

Posted on December 25, 2020 in: Pastor

This Christmas season, let’s remember that we are called to be a people of Hope. Our hope is in our Lord. He made heaven and earth. Of course, our hope is in our Lord. It has to be, otherwise we couldn’t make it through our days. It ...

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Fr. Bob's Corner December 20, 2020

Posted on December 16, 2020 in: Pastor

Christmas is just a few short days away! Exciting. LOVE the first reading this week. It comes to us from the second book of Samuel. David has unified the people of Israel. It is the high point of the entire Old Testament. They have settled in the Holy Land, at peace, and numer...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - Dec 13

Posted on December 15, 2020 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob's Corner: Rejoice! It is Gaudete Sunday - the third Sunday of Advent. It marks a time when we know that the coming of the Lord is near. When I was growing up, I remember waking our parents up with my brother and sister on Christmas Day and waiting at the top of the s...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - December 6, 2020

Posted on December 03, 2020 in: Pastor

Happy Second Sunday of Advent!!! Today, we are going to do a little bit of a “deep dive” into the Scriptures for this weekend. So hold on to your hats: Our first reading today from the Old Testament, from the second of three parts in the Book of Isaiah, we hear the first tim...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - November 29, 2020

Posted on November 27, 2020 in: Pastor

Happy Advent! It might surprise you but Advent is actually a “penitential” season of the Church. It may be tough to see through the Christmas trees and bright lights and presents and the large man with the white beard dressed in red - but it is “But Father, hasn’t...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - November 22, 2020

Posted on November 19, 2020 in: Pastor

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King - the weekend before we enter into the sacred time of Advent, where we prepare for His coming at Christmas. The reason why the Church gives us this Solemnity is to point us towards that glorious day in December. It guides us as the star guide...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - November 15, 2020

Posted on November 12, 2020 in: Pastor

Did you know…Town Bell Given to Church In Trooper - article written-up in a local newspaper. The bell in the steeple of the Mt. Vernon Christian Center which has been torn down at Umbria and Wright Sts., has found a new home. It was known as the Old Town Bell of Manayu...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - November 08, 2020

Posted on November 06, 2020 in: Pastor

One of my favorite memories at my first assignment as a priest was a phone call to the rectory about an hour before the Saturday Vigil Mass. There were two priests at the parish at the time - Father Dooner, the pastor and a great mentor, and myself. I picked up the phone and a parishioner on the oth...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - November 01, 2020

Posted on October 30, 2020 in: Pastor

This weekend and Monday we celebrate two special days in the Church - All Saints Day and All Souls Day. It is a reminder to all of us that our home, our true home, is in heaven with our Father. It points us towards and fixes our gaze on the One who calls us to Himself. “Our hearts are restless...

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Fr. Bob's Corner (Sorta) - October 25, 2020

Posted on October 22, 2020 in: Pastor

This weekend’s readings….It's all about LOVE! AND WE KNOW GOD IS LOVE! “You must love your neighbor as yourself”—is lifted from Leviticus (Lev 19:18). We are brothers and sisters in Christ in the family of our faith, in the family of Visitation. S...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - October 18, 2020

Posted on October 15, 2020 in: Pastor

To borrow a phrase from our southern friends, “gosh golly almighty” fall is beautiful. The color of the leaves and the cool fall air. Great time for a nice fire pit at night. One of the best times all year. “He arranges the times and the seasons”. ...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - October 11, 2020

Posted on October 08, 2020 in: Pastor

Love our second reading from Saint Paul today. He is most likely writing this letter from jail for spreading the Good news and writing to the people of Philippi. He has every right to be down on the world around him but isn’t. He writes: ‘I know how to live in humble circumstances; &n...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - October 4, 2020

Posted on October 01, 2020 in: Pastor

Golf is such a great game. In the words of Bagger Vance, it’s a game that “can’t be won, only played.” It always amazes me that sometimes you can prepare to the best of your ability - you can stretch and practice and feel great on the range - but the second you st...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - September 27, 2020

Posted on September 24, 2020 in: Pastor

We are not God’s equal. It is a simple truth - but something that we need to remind ourselves of. He is infinite - we are finite. So we are constantly relying on the infinite. We are constantly trying to understand the infinite using our finite minds. It goes nice...

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Book & Prayer...from Fr. Bob's homily this weekend 9/20

Posted on September 20, 2020 in: Pastor

Fr. Bob mentioned the following book and prayer: Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence, The Secret of Peace and Happiness, By Fr. Jean Baptiste Saint-Jure. S.J. & Blessed Claude de la Colombiere, S.J. PRAYER OF ABANDONMENT Father, I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you ...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - September 20, 2020

Posted on September 18, 2020 in: Pastor

I had a spiritual director (a priest you would meet with and discuss where God is in your life and your spiritual practices and such) who was this young, Italian priest who really challenged you to apply yourself in your spiritual practices. One week, I really applied myself to all my spiritua...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - September 13, 2020

Posted on September 11, 2020 in: Pastor

I honestly laughed when I read the opening lines from the first reading today. It’s from the Book of Sirach which is in the Old Testament. It is written during a time period of Israel’s history where they are under occupation and are trying to find ways to hold onto their fai...

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Fr. Bob's Corner - September 6, 2020

Posted on September 02, 2020 in: Pastor

“If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” In my parents’ house on Long Island, my mother has this little 4 inch framed sign on the island countertop in the kitchen. It reads, “Good morning. This is God. I’ll be taking care of all your w...

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August 30, 2020 - A message from Fr. Bob

Posted on August 27, 2020 in: Pastor

I told my 91 year old grandmother (who, by the way, still walks to church everyday up on Long Island) about two weeks ago or so that the Archdiocese was assigning me to be the parochial administrator of Visitation Parish in Trooper. She was so excited and said, “Oh! The Visitation of our...

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Goodbye, Farewell, auf Wiedersehen, Adieu & Ciao!

Posted on August 10, 2020 in: Pastor

Goodbye, Farewell, auf Wiedersehen, Adieu, & Ciao! Dear Friends: I write to inform you of my impending departure as the Pastor of Visitation, BVM parish & of my reassignment as a Parochial Vicar with the status of Senior Priest. This means that I will join Msgr. Tom Murray as a Past...

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How About a Yellow-Green Phase?

Posted on July 04, 2020 in: Pastor

How About a Yellow-Green Phase?: Some clarification is in order after I mentioned earlier that we would return, schedule wise, ‘full tilt’ upon our entering the Green phase. After some conversation, we decided to proceed but with continued caution, hence the blending of the 2 color...

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Message from our Pastor June 16, 2020

Posted on June 16, 2020 in: Pastor

Dear Friends, Our due diligence has been rewarded with our progressing to the Yellow Phase, which allows for us the opportunity to gather for Mass once again, albeit with full face masks & the practice of social distancing—except for immediate families together. There is even exciting t...

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Celebration of Sacred Liturgy during Pennsylvania Yellow Phase

Posted on June 01, 2020 in: Pastor

Celebration of Sacred Liturgy during Pennsylvania Yellow Phase Archbishop Perez has announced that parishes of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will be able to resume public Masses the weekend of June 6th & 7th. Our weekend Mass schedule will be as follows: 5:15pm (Vigil), 8:30am &...

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Letter from our Pastor - May 11, 2020

Posted on May 10, 2020 in: Pastor

Dear Friends, I hope this note finds you bearing well under the ongoing strain of social distancing & interpersonal isolation which goes with our attempting to flatten the curve of the dreaded Coronavirus that has turned our lives upside down lately. I’m using some of the abundance o...

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Civic Duty--Vote

Posted on April 27, 2020 in: Pastor

As the June 2 primary approaches, we are all reminded of the importance of performing our civic duty by voting. This year, the State of Pennsylvania is encouraging people to vote safely by mail. To start the process of signing up for “Vote by Mail” go to www.votespa.com&...

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Message from our Pastor

Posted on April 26, 2020 in: Pastor

Dear Friends, We are not yet out of the woods in terms of ‘flattening the curve’ of this deadly Coronavirus, but the results of so many of us practicing social distancing is noticed as having a positive effect: so we must keep up our good efforts & not slack off too soon, el...

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Further Updated Planning for Holy Week/Triduum Liturgies

Posted on April 02, 2020 in: Pastor

Dear Friends, I am offering a sort of ‘heads up’ blurb of information to let you know that we are working on planning for our Catholic High Holy Days liturgies: those of Holy Week & the Sacred Triduum. I invite you & your family to join us, united in prayer. For...

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Holy Week/Triduum Liturgical Update - March 31, 2020

Posted on March 31, 2020 in: Pastor

Holy Week/Triduum Liturgical Update, March 31, 2020 Dear Friends, The evolving situation with the spread of the pandemic requires of us enormous flexibility to shift & pivot as circumstances require. There is some alarm as to distributing blest palm branches & also food for the E...

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Visitation BVM Family

Posted on March 28, 2020 in: Pastor

Dear Friends, After celebrating & recording Mass for the 5th Sunday of Lent on Friday afternoon, I returned to the rectory which has been closed for some time now, to discover one of our receptionists in the front office, retrieving some needed information. The weather was beautifully sunny, ...

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Updated Planning for Holy Week/Triduum Liturgies

Posted on March 26, 2020 in: Pastor

Updated Planning for Holy Week/Triduum Liturgies Dear Friends, I am offering a sort of ‘heads up’ blurb of information to let you know that we are working on planning for our Catholic High Holy Days liturgies: those of Holy Week & the Sacred Triduum. I invite you &a...

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Update 3/23/20

Posted on March 23, 2020 in: Pastor

Dear Friends, We are living in unprecedented times with the potentially life threatening Coronavirus, & I hope that you are taking every precaution possible to keep yourself & your family members healthy & safe! Please be assured that I am praying for us, asking our dear Lord &a...

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Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Moving to the Lower Church

Posted on March 21, 2020 in: Pastor

Dear Friends, We are living in unprecedented times with the potentially life threatening Coronavirus, & I hope that you are taking every precaution possible to keep yourself & your family members healthy & safe! Please be assured that I am praying for us, asking our de...

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Update from our Archbishop 3/18/20

Posted on March 18, 2020 in: Pastor

Dear Brother Priests and Deacons, The pastoral and temporal response of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to evolve as this public health matter develops. During these uncertain and anxious times, all of us remain committed to fulfilling the mission ...

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Update as of 3/17/20

Posted on March 17, 2020 in: Pastor

Dear Friends: Mass and all non-sacramental activities & gatherings within our parish have been suspended indefinitely, per our Archbishop and as is being advised by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in order to try to prevent further spread of the Coronavirus. It is very important, e...

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Suspension of All Non-Sacramental Parish Events/Gatherings

Posted on March 16, 2020 in: Pastor

Dear Friends: As of today, I am suspending indefinitely all non-sacramental activities & gatherings within our parish, as is being advised by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in order to try to prevent further spread of the Coronavirus. It is very important, especially for...

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Some Minor Changes

Posted on March 03, 2020 in: Pastor

St. John Henry Newman, who was canonized last year by Pope Francis, was an English poet & theologian who converted to Catholicism from the Anglican tradition; & who once wisely observed, “To live is to change, & to live long is to have changed oven.” I recently attempted to c...

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Directives for the Celebration of Mass in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Posted on March 03, 2020 in: Pastor

DIRECTIVES FOR THE CELEBRATION OF MASS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA IN RESPONSE TO THE POTENTIONAL SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) The potential spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States and locally at this point requires a pastoral response that impacts the celebration...

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New School Board & Vocations

Posted on January 21, 2020 in: Pastor

NEW VISI SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS TO BE INSTALLED: Next weekend, January 17th at the 10:15 am Mass, the members of the brand-new Visitation BVM School Board will be introduced and installed during the liturgy. At all other Masses next weekend, a board member will be speaking after Communion to share new...

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Gratitude, Support & Understanding

Posted on October 26, 2019 in: Pastor

My Gratitude for Your Support & Understanding: I am edified & thankful with so many of you expressing sympathy at our diminishment in terms of losing our parish vicar. Please continue to pray that we will receive another priest, or if it becomes apparent that will not happe...

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STRIVE

Posted on September 26, 2019 in: Pastor

A Message from Archbishop Chaput Dear Friends in Christ, We all know that pornography is a silent epidemic, tearing apart countless marriages and families. I’m writing to let you know about a powerful new tool designed to help Catholic men who are struggling in this area. S...

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On Being ‘Home Alone,’ & Fears of Missing the Mark:

Posted on September 11, 2019 in: Pastor

On Being ‘Home Alone,’ & Fears of Missing the Mark: The iconic photo of the young boy Kevin McAllister (from the Christmas movie Home Alone) pictures Macaulay Culkin with both hands clasping his cheeks—wide-eyed & mouth agape at discovering bungling burglars try...

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On Being ‘Home Alone,’ & Fears of Missing the Mark:

Posted on September 11, 2019 in: Pastor

On Being ‘Home Alone,’ & Fears of Missing the Mark: The iconic photo of the young boy Kevin McAllister (from the Christmas movie Home Alone) pictures Macaulay Culkin with both hands clasping his cheeks—wide-eyed & mouth agape at discovering bungling burglars try...

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Mother's Day and Parish Center

Posted on May 10, 2019 in: Pastor

On this blessed Mother’s Day weekend I hope we all take the time to honor our Mothers this day and throughout the course of our daily activities. Our namesake, the Blessed Virgin Mary, gives us the highest example of grace to live by, and it is through her intervention that we are remind...

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"A Most Fitting Honor & Celebration/Christmas Bazaar/Fr. DiGregorio, OSA"

Posted on December 17, 2018 in: Pastor

A Most Fitting Honor & Celebration: Our Visitation BVM school community is greatly blest by the dedication & commitment of so many—among whom Mrs. Theresa Conte shines like the Star of Bethlehem! Mrs. Conte recently received very well-deserved recognition for her 43 years o...

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Papa Francesco is Right (& Extreme Right-Wing Catholics Are Not!):

Posted on November 19, 2018 in: Pastor

PAPA FRANCESCO IS RIGHT (& EXTREME RIGHT-WING CATHOLICS ARE NOT!): There are multiple & competing narratives raging around the Catholic world as to the etiology of the clergy sexual abuse scandal & its consequent cover-ups. Some of them are red herring tales (but beloved o...

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Keeping the Faith in Tough Times

Posted on October 24, 2018 in: Pastor

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK ON KEEPING THE FAITH IN TOUGH TIMES: As I look around at all of the empty pews each weekend here at Visi, & as I observe the downward spiral of contributions that enable our parish to function, I’m quite aware that a great many of our people are very s...

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Welcome Seminarians

Posted on October 24, 2018 in: Pastor

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK Some Good News & Warm Welcome!: Amid all of the ugly news erupting within our church, I am happy to share with you something good. St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, which prepares our own seminarians as well as those from several other dioceses & reli...

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From Our Pastor

Posted on September 10, 2018 in: Pastor

Clergy Abuse—Separating Factual Data from Emotional Hysteria: Please do not think, for a millisecond, that I am speaking defensively about the current crises in our church around clerical abuse & Episcopal cover-ups—for there is absolutely no defending horrific crimes against t...

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From Our Pastor - Aug 19th

Posted on September 09, 2018 in: Pastor

This article was printed in the August 19th bulletin. “It’s like déjà vu all over again!”: This line is attributed to the late, great Yogi Berra; & it comes to mind upon the recent release of the grand jury report that investigated clergy sexual abuse & its consequ...

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Statement from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Posted on August 16, 2018 in: Pastor

STATEMENT FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA REGARDING THE RELEASE OF THE REPORT OF THE 40TH STATEWIDE GRAND JURY The Attorney General’s investigation and subsequent grand jury report involving six Catholic dioceses in Pennsylvania has been broad and the content has been difficult to read...

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Job Opening: Parish/School Business Manager

Posted on July 26, 2017 in: Pastor

Visitation BVM is looking to hire a full time Business Manager for our parish and school. Click here for details.

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Charles Weik, Sr.

Posted on July 18, 2017 in: Pastor

Fr. Terry's father, Charles E. Weik, Sr. passed away Monday evening, July 17th. Funeral arrangements are as follows: Viewing will be held on Friday, July 21, 2017, 7-9 pm and a second viewing will be held Saturday, July 22nd 9-10:30 am. The viewing for both Friday and Saturday...

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A Message from the Pastor - Sunday Parking & Timeliness

Posted on March 28, 2017 in: Pastor

A Message from the Pastor - Sunday Parking & Timeliness The additon of 24 handicapped marked spaces near the entrance of the Lower Church appears to be working well. These spaces are for anyone who truly needs to use them: either because you use a cane or walker or if you’re bringing so...

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Message from the Pastor On Where We Are Going

Posted on March 28, 2017 in: Pastor

Message from the Pastor On Where We Are Going: My recent message of March 12th, outlining where we are heading, is provoking some good questions - a couple of which I want to clarify here. The Pastoral Leadership Plan created by the cohesive Leadership Team is a revisiting of our mission, purpose...

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Message from the Pastor - DISCIPLE MAKER INDEX SURVEY

Posted on February 25, 2017 in: Pastor

Message from the Pastor - DISCIPLE MAKER INDEX SURVEY Here is a wonderful opportunity for you to proactively offer your feedback that will eventually combine with others to help shape & form future directions within our parish; & it will only require about 15 minutes of your me & ener...

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Changers and Complainers

Posted on December 11, 2016 in: Pastor

Changes and Complainers - December 11,2016 Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman knew a thing or two about change—his high profile conversion to Catholicism as one of the leading voices of the Oxford Movement caused a great deal of consternation within the Church of England. I paraphrase ...

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Christmas Bazaar a Huge Success!

Posted on December 11, 2016 in: Pastor

Christmas Bazaar a Huge Success! - December 11, 2016 Many thanks to everyone who came out & made our 60th Annual Christmas Bazaar such an enjoyable affair. It was my first experience of the bazaar here at Visitation, & I am more than quite impressed—so much preparation & coordin...

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