Current News and Events!

Adult Faith Formation Lenten Series

Thursday, February 25th's, Lenten Series is postponed until next Thursday, March 4th. See details below!

What is Adult Faith Formation?

Adult Faith Formation is any experience by which people consciously grow in the life of Christ. These experiences include, but are not limited to, opportunities for study and discussion, prayer and reflection, fellowship and mutual support. Through baptism, we are gifted by God to know and live out faith. Adult Catholics must be mature in faith and well equipped to share the Gospel, promoting it in every family circle, in every church gathering, in every place of work, and in every public forum. In answer to our baptismal call to holiness, we are challenged to growth in discipleship and to be women and men of prayer whose faith is alive and vital, grounded in a loving relationship with Jesus. Each month, St. Richard Parish will offer an opportunity for such enrichment as part of our Adult Faith Formation Program. Listed below are the offerings for this year. These programs are free so reserve the date on your calendars now! More information about particular offerings will be made available as the dates draw near. No registration is necessary.

Gathered at the Table – An Exploration into the History of the Mass
Rescheduled Dates: February 18, March 4, 11, 25, & April 8, 2010

Ever wonder how a simple Passover meal shared between Jesus and his Apostles developed into what we know and experience as the Mass today? How did churches come to look the way they do today? Why are some so very different from “traditional” churches? Ever wonder what your role in Mass is or how to get the most from your experience of Eucharist? Why do we do and say what we do during Mass? This mini lecture series will explore the answers to these and many more questions? Gathered at the Table will take participants on an in depth journey into the history of the Mass, and how it is designed to foster and enhance our worship experience. Our journey will include an exploration of the Liturgy’s Jewish roots, the Liturgy’s development throughout the centuries, an in depth and insightful look into the Liturgy of the Mass including its prayers, acclamations, and our role so that we may approach the sacrament more enthusiastically and realize just how important our role at Mass is. Participants will come away from the seminar with a fuller understanding of the historical development of the Mass and why certain changes have taken place since Vatican II. More importantly, participants will have an opportunity to deepen their appreciation of and love for the Mass.

For details on what each week of the seminar will cover click here.

St. Richard School Classes of 1974 & 1975 Reunion

The 1974-1975 8th grade graduating classes of St. Richards School are planning a reunion for all the grads, and any former classmates. The reunion will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2010, at Vitale's Italian Bistro in South Jersey. Cost is $25.00 per person. For more details, contact George Hatton III at 215-336-5881.

The Catholic Church Celebrates the
Year of the Priest

Pope Benedict XVI has proclaimed this year, beginning June 19, 2009 to June 19, 2010, as the Year of the Priest. The goal of this special year is to encourage growth in holiness for all priests, to play greater emphasis on the essential role of the priests, and to increase priestly vocations. Cardinal Justin Rigali's announces the Year of the Priest:

With these words, holy priests for a holy people, I am pleased to announce the observance of the Year of the Priest in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has called for this year of grace for the whole Church as a new opportunity for priests to grow in holiness and live more fully united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and for all the members of the Church to recall the essential role of priests among us and in society.

As Archbishop of Philadelphia, I invite everyone in the Archdiocese, all priests and all the faithful, in solemnity with our Holy Father, to observe the Year of the Priest as a splendid opportunity to reflect on the gift of the priesthood of Jesus shared with his priests. This gift belongs to the whole Church and is for the whole Church. I ask of you, sharers and benefactors of this gift from Jesus, to participate wholeheartedly in this Year of the Priest here in Philadelphia.

May our observance of this Year of the Priest truly provide the Archdiocese of Philadelphia with holy priests for a holy people!

You can read Cardinal Rigali's letter to the faithful concerning the Year of the Priest here.

A complete listing of events for the year as well as information and articles on the priesthood can be found on our Year of the Priest webpage.

School Alumni Directory

Attention Alumni of St. Richard School! The Home and School Association of St. Richard School is in the process of compiling an alumni directory for graduates of St. Richard grade school. The directory will enable us to share special events, news, and happenings at St. Richard School with our alumni and give our alumni a chance to share their news and successes with us. The Directory will also serve as a great networking resource for alumni as well as allow alumni to reconnect with former classmates. If you're a former graduate of St. Richard School complete the online information form here.

Our hope is to create and Alumni webpage as part of our school website, which is currently under development, but should be up and running this fall. This will give us plenty of time to compile the directory. We'll be sure to keep you posted with regular updates as we continue to work on this project. Stay tuned!