Getting to Heaven requires more than just an effort to be a "good person" or to lead a "good life." To be with He who is Holy requires holiness itself.
Each of us is "predestined to be conformed into the image of His Son" (Rom 8:29) because living a life rooted in Christ Jesus is the path to holiness.
Holiness is rooted in humility, trust, and sacrifical love, which enables us to use the gifts, talents, and grace God has given us to model our life after
the life of Christ, so that we may become the saints God has called and created us to be.
"God is Love" (1 Jn 4:8). Love isn't something God does. It is the essence of who He is. Everytime we love, or experience love, we experience the Kingdom
of Heaven here on Earth. Knowing that God is love and that we are loved beyond measure is a game changer. It has radical implications for how we see ourselves
and others. Love transforms. Divine Love is trying to transform us into the saints we have been called and created to be, and our love for others and ourselves
when lived genuinely can transform the world. Check out our parish newszine - The Way, The Truth, and the Life - and this issue's focus, which is on the
God, who is Love.
Each year on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil, thousands are baptized into the Catholic Church. Parishes
welcome these new Catholics through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). RCIA also welcomes individuals
into full communion with the Catholic Church! This includes those who were baptized Catholic as a child, but have not
received the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. If you are interested in becoming Catholic or entering into full
communion with the Church, contact Christine Regan at 215-947-3500 or
mrsregan@satg1.org
Free Subscription to FORMED.org
St. Albert the Great parishioners have free access to this exciting new website which provides the best programs, movies, audio talks, and eBooks on the Catholic faith. It offers amazing Faith Formation in an engaging style with the best Catholic teachers, authors, and speakers, on-demand 24/7. From prayer and formation, to family and children's movies, FORMED.org has it all in one place.
Obligation to Attend Sunday Mass
Reinstated Effective August 15, 2021
Statement of Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez Regarding Reinstating the Obligation to Attend Sunday Mass
“We have all felt the impact of COVID-19 as individuals and families. It has been a time of acute hardship and struggle, of separation and isolation. It has also had an impact on our lives of faith. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, has been with us throughout this challenging period and is most especially near to us when we encounter him in the Eucharist. The Eucharist offers us His healing and peace, His mercy and reconciliation. It is now time for everyone to return to the Eucharist with renewed faith and joy.
As many aspects of life are now returning to normalcy, each Catholic Bishop in Pennsylvania will reinstate the obligation to attend Mass in person on Sundays and Holy Days beginning on Sunday, August 15, 2021, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Bishops previously jointly decided to dispense the faithful from this obligation in March of 2020 in order to provide for the common good given concerns over the developing pandemic. Now, with the impact of the pandemic considerably reduced, it is again possible for the faithful to assemble for the Eucharist. It is time to lift the dispensation from the obligation.
The obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days comes from our Baptism as Christians. Baptism compels Christians to unite themselves with Christ at the altar in his saving Sacrifice of the Cross. Participation in the communal celebration of the Sunday Eucharist is a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and to his Church (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2182). This is the foundation for the law of the Church that binds Catholics to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days (Code of Canon Law, canon 1247) and the Christian way fully to observe the Third Commandment, to keep holy the Lord’s Day (Deuteronomy 5: 12; Exodus 31: 15; Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 2180-2181).
This obligation, as is always the case, does not apply to those who are seriously ill, have a serious health risk, as well as those who have serious anxiety about being a part of large groups at this time. Likewise, the obligation does not apply to those who care for those who cannot attend Mass in person (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2181). Those who are legitimately excused from Mass on Sundays and Holy Days are encouraged to spend time in prayer, meditating on the Death and Resurrection of the Lord, reading the Sacred Scriptures, and uniting themselves to Christ in his worship of the Father of us all. Those who are legitimately excused are also encouraged to view a broadcast of the Mass which is intended for those who cannot participate in person.
As Bishops, we welcome this moment of the reinstatement of the obligation for all Catholics in Pennsylvania. This is a moment to thank God anew for the great gift of the Mass and the Real Presence of Jesus to us in his Holy Body and Blood as well as the joy of gathering together as people of faith.”
Most Reverend Nelson Pérez
Archbishop of Philadelphia
Current Directives for the
Public Celebration of Mass at St. Albert
UPDATED 7/15
Dear Parishioners,
Archbishop Perez has announced that the obligation of the faithful to attend Sunday Mass will be reinstated on August 15, 2021.
The Commonwealth of PA has lifted all building sanitation, distancing, and capacity restrictions. The CDC still advises those not fully vaccinated and those
unvaccinated who are over the age of two to continue to wear a mask while indoors.
Mass Schedule
We are operating under our normal weekend and daily Mass schedules.
The church chapel is open for Sunday Mass with live video feed of Mass.
The 8 AM Daily Mass will permanently remain in the main church.
The sacristy will remain closed to the public. Only the clergy, lectors, and altar servers will be permitted in the sacristy at this time.
The sacristy restroom will remain closed to the public.
The 10 AM Sunday Mass will be permanently livestreamed moving forward for the
benefit of our sick and homebound parishioners.
Confessions
Tuesday evening confessions have been suspended for the summer months.
Saturday confessions are conducted in the chapel from 4:00 – 4:45 PM.
Arriving for Mass
All church entrances are open and accessible.
The hand sanitizing dispensers will remain available at entrances of the church.
Wearing Masks
Please note that the CDC guidelines on the use of face coverings and masks apply differently to those vaccinated and those unvaccinated.
Those fully vaccinated are not required to wear masks/face coverings.
Those not fully vaccinated and those unvaccinated who are over the age of two are strongly encouraged to continue to wear a mask/face covering.
In the spirit of Christian Charity, we ask all parishioners to be respectful of a person’s choice to wear or not to wear a face covering.
There will be no mandates for vaccination of the faithful by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia or St. Albert the Great Parish out of respect for individual conscience.
Seating
In accord with CDC Guidelines we are now operating at 100% seating capacity.
The Celebration of Mass
The offertory procession will resume at the usual time during Mass.
The weekly collection will resume at the usual time during Mass.
The Sign of Peace will continue to be suspended until further notice.
Reception of Holy Communion
Distribution of the Precious Blood continues to be suspended.
Holy Communion may now be received in the hand or on the tongue.
Ministers of Holy Communion will continue to sanitize prior to the distribution of Holy Communion.
Sanitation
Doors will continue to be sanitized by sacristans between Masses.
Should I Attend Mass?
While the Archbishop has reinstated the obligation to attend Mass for the faithful effective August 15, 2021, it is important to note that even when the
obligation is restored, this obligation, as is always the case, does not apply to those who are seriously ill, have a serious health risk, as well as those
who have serious anxiety about being a part of large groups at this time. Likewise, the obligation does not apply to those who care for those who cannot attend
Mass in person (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2181). Those who are legitimately excused from Mass on Sundays and Holy Days are encouraged to spend time in prayer,
meditating on the Death and Resurrection of the Lord, reading the Sacred Scriptures, and uniting themselves to Christ in his worship of the Father of us all.
Those who are legitimately excused are also encouraged to view a broadcast of the Mass which is intended for those who cannot participate in person.
Final Word
Again, we are eagerly looking forward to your return to worship the Lord with us.
Saint Albert the Great, pray for us!
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us!
What is NOT available at this time?Updated: 5/21
Friday morning adoration in the rectory chapel remains suspended until further notice.
All meetings and events at the parish remain cancelled/suspended until further notice.
The rectory chapel remains closed until further notice.
O Mary,
You shine continuously on our journey
as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who, at the foot of the cross,
were united with Jesus’ suffering,
and persevered in your faith.
“Protectress of the Roman people”,
you know our needs,
and we know that you will provide,
so that, as at Cana in Galilee,
joy and celebration may return
after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform ourselves to the will of the Father
and to do what Jesus tells us.
For he took upon himself our suffering,
and burdened himself with our sorrows
to bring us, through the cross,
to the joy of the Resurrection.
Amen.
We fly to your protection,
O Holy Mother of God;
Do not despise our petitions
in our necessities,
but deliver us always
from every danger,
O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.
Making an Act of Spiritual Communion
The most common occasion for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when we cannot fulfill
our obligation to attend Mass on a Sunday or Holy Day of Obligation, whether because of illness or
bad weather, or some other reason outside of our control.
You can make an Acts of Spiritual Communion at any time and make multiple times a day—even on
days when we have been able to receive the Eucharist.
Each Act of Spiritual Communion that we make increases our desire to receive sacramental
Communion, and protects us until we can receive Holy Communion sacramentally again.
ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION (St. Alphonsus Ligouri)
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if
You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Parish News & Events
Statement on the Latin Mass
Please see Archbishop Pérez's statement regarding Pope Francis' July 16, 2021, motu proprio,
Traditionis custodes, and it's implication for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
See Photos of Our New Rosary Garden
We are pleased to announce that Archbishop Perez will bless our new Rosary Garden on Saturday, October 30, at 10 AM. Please note the date on your calendar and more information
will be forthcoming. A gallery has been posted documenting the creation of the garden from start to finish. The gallery can be accessed here.
Welcome Tom Kuchler!
Tom Kuchler is joining our Pastoral Staff as the new Director of Parish Music. He is in his 5th year as the Director of Performing Arts at Conwell-Egan
Catholic High School in Fairless Hills, PA, where he directs the school choirs, band, and theatre program, as well as coordinates music for school liturgies.
Tom received his Bachelor of Music from the University of Delaware in 2016, and has also traveled to Aix-en-Provence, France, with the Delaware Choral Academy
to study music and conducting. Tom has been involved in parish liturgical music his whole life, growing up in Presentation BVM Parish in Cheltenham, and most
recently as a cantor and pianist at St. William Parish in Lawncrest. We welcome Tom to the parish community of St. Albert and look forward to him using his
God-given gifts to lead us in praise and worship.
Nothing Compares to Being There
Archbishop Pérez has introduced a new Archdiocesan initiative, Nothing Compares to Being There. The purpose of this invitation is to help everyone
recognize more profoundly the irreplaceable need to be in person for the celebration of Sunday Mass. Much ground work will be done over the course of the summer to prepare for
this initiative at the parish and Archdiocesan level with an official kick-off slated for this September. Click here to read
Archbishop Pérez's announcement.
CCD Registration Now Open!
Deadline to register quickly approaching! Registration for the 2021 - 2022 program year is now underway. The program is for students who will be entering into 1 through 7 grade this September 2021.
Click here to register and submit payment online.
Our parish program has several learning options to choose from, including a traditional weekly program, a monthly family program, and a home-schooling option.
Details about these options can be found on our CCD Page. We plan to hold in-person instruction this fall, and will not be
offering a virtual option.
CCD Fees for 2021 – 2022 are as follows:
$155.00 for one child
$75.00 for each additional child
Max per family: $305
Please see our Registration FAQ Sheet for additional information and dates. If you have any questions, or require additional information, please contact Dennis M. Mueller at 215-947-3641 or via email.
Joseph's People
Joseph’s People is a non-denominational and ecumenical non-profit group that serves unemployed and underemployed people. Since 1995, we have helped more than 5,000 people
to recover from job loss. We have more than 1,800 members, with chapters in the Philadelphia area. We are run entirely by volunteers and have no paid staff. All meetings
and events are FREE.
For additional details, please see the Joseph's People brochure.
Novena to St. Joseph
The Archdiocesan Novena to Saint Joseph can be prayed in any setting, especially before or after Holy Mass but not as a part of the Mass, at parish meetings, in the
classroom and in the family home. The praying of this Novena is to unite everyone in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on the 19th of each month, from March through
November 2021, in single petition of confident prayer to the Lord through the heavenly intercession of Saint Joseph. Please keep in mind the monthly Archdiocesan
intentions.
The Seven Sorrows of St. Joseph
How to celebrate the year of Saint Joseph:
Meditate for at least 30 minutes on the Our Father
Participate in a spiritual retreat of at least one day that includes meditation on Saint Joseph
Perform a corporal or spiritual work of mercy
Recite the holy rosary in families and between the husband and wife
Entrust your work daily to the protection of Saint Joseph and to all believers who invoke with their prayers the intercession of the worker of Nazareth
Pray the litany of Saint Joseph
Pray any lawfully approved prayer or act of piety in honor of Saint Joseph on:
The 19th day of every month
Every Wednesday (a day dedicated to the memorial of the Saint according to the Latin tradition)
The Catholic Charities Appeal brings hope where hope is needed most. From center city, to the suburbs, from the suburban communities to our most distressed communities, almost a million people each year receive hope through the Catholic Charities Appeal.
When you support the Catholic Charities Appeal you are helping:
Over 100 Catholic Social Services and Nutritional Development Services organizations and programs. Last year, 8.8 million meals were provided to those most in need.
Over 100 students in the Schools of Special Education within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia receive tuition assistance and support.
The 18 Programs and Offices that are providing Evangelization, Parish & Spiritual Life to our community.
158 Retired Priests who need care and support.
17 Mission Parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia revitalize and sustain their parishes. This includes ministering to over 36,000 parishioners.
Check out this week's selection of movies, audios, and formaton programs on FORMED.org.
Don't have your free account yet? Sign up today!
Parish Stewardship!
Shop Amazon Smile!
Use the image to the right and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Saint Albert the Great. AmazonSmile is the same
great Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service!
St. Albert Scrip Program
Scrip is an amazingly successful fundraising program that benefits St. Albert the Great Parish and
helps parish families pay tuition for Catholic education. Scrip turns everyday shopping into cash for
our parish when families use retail gifts certificates for everyday purchases (like gas and groceries)
instead of their credit/debit cards or cash. For more information on how Scrip works and the Gift Cards available for purchase, click the image to the left.
Parish Giving
Our parish offers the convenience of online giving. For details click the image to the right.
Mass Schedule
The Lord's Day
Saturday Vigil: 5 pm
Sundays 8 am, 10 am, & 12 pm
Youth & Young Adult Mass:
2nd & 4th Saturday of the month at 5 pm
September through June
Family Mass:
1st Sunday of the month at 10 am
Followed by 1st Sunday Coffee in the auditorium
October through June
Daily Mass
8 am Monday through Saturday
Holy Days of Obligation
Vigil Mass: 7 pm
Holy Day 6:30 am & 10 am
November 1:
6:30 am, 10 am, 12 pm & 7 pm
No Vigil Mass on October 31
Confessions
Saturdays 4:00 - 4:45 pm - church chapel
Prayer & Devotion
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Tuesdays: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm - church chapel
Charismatic Prayer Group
Wednesdays at 7:00 pm - church chapel
Divine Mercy Chaplet
Wednesdays following the 8 am Mass - main church
Miraculous Medal Novena
Mondays following the 8 am Mass - main church
Rosary
Saturdays following the 8 am Mass - main church
Rectory Office Hours
Mon - Wed: 8:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Thurs & Fri: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sat: 9:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Sun: 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Scrip Sale Hours
Scrip is sold in the rectory office.
Mon - Fri: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Mon - Wed: 5 - 8 PM
Sat: 10 AM - 6 PM
Sun: 9 AM - 1 PM.
Hours subject to change. Please contact the rectory at 215-947-3500 to verify hours, especially during holidays.
Parish Mission Statement
Saint Albert the Great Parish is a Catholic Community united in our Lord Jesus Christ. As the Body of Christ, we are committed to building a
vibrant parish family where the Word of God is proclaimed, studied, and integrated into daily living. Our worship, in Word and Sacrament,
celebrates the presence of God in our midst. We witness the Gospel through our actions of care and concerns for those around us. We take the
time to discuss the gifts and needs of our parish and develop lay leadership accordingly.
