Our Mother of Consolation Catholic Church in Philadelphia, PA

Growing in Mission... to be the presence of Christ in our world

Parish Mission Prayer
Nourished by the Word and Eucharist, we, the members of Our Mother of Consolation Parish, strive to create a vital, welcoming Catholic faith community that embraces each person. Acknowledging our blessings and supporting one another, we humbly serve the needs of God’s people and work to be the presence of Christ in our world.

Letter from Archbishop Pérez regarding the fire

Click here to read Archbishop Nelson Pérez's letter on our school fire.

Into your hands, O Lord...

I can't help recall the Gospel from the Fourth Sunday of Lent when the disciples upon seeing the man born blind questioned Jesus as to who sinned the blind man or his parents. Recall Jesus' response, "Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him." We may ask why our school building was destroyed by a fire. On these occasions, I always resort to the fact that we (and creation) reflect the perfection of God but are not perfect ourselves. Something happened which the response team will determine. Above all else, we are blessed that there was no loss of life. No one died! The "works of God made visible" can be seen in the endless outpouring of love, prayers, and support in so many and varied ways from near and far. Today, our faculty and administration gathered to plan in class instruction which we will announce once we have a solid, detailed plan in place. Archbishop Pérez called immediately once hearing from our Vicar General, Msgr. Dan Kutys, who along with Bishop Senior (our regional Bishop) pledged their prayers and support. The archdiocesan communications specialist, Ken Gavin, has been most helpful in planning next steps. We have been deluged by educational and faith leaders with the offer of space for our students. Many pastors called to lend their support and encouragement strengthening our faith and spirit. The text messages, emails, food deliveries for our faculty. staff, and parish personnel are all overwhelming. We had to create a list of the various names of people offering assistance along with their expertise. What a blessing! We are not sure if the church building will be deemed "safe" to have Mass this weekend. Once we know, you will know. At present, this is all we know. We are blessed and we pray together, "Into your hands, O Lord, we commend our spirit, our will and our lives."

Growing Our Faith, Building Our Community
Commitment Sunday, begins
March 5th

We celebrate all that is good from God and our community. We look forward with hope for the sustainability and growth of our parish community. Thank you to everyone who has returned their commitment card. We will continue to collect cards through the end of the month. Feel free to mail them in or drop them in the collection baskets.

You may also complete a form online using this link:
https://www.osvhub.com/omcparish/forms/commitment-card
We are so thankful for our many blessings!

A Month with St. Francis de Sales

The Oblates are launching a new reflection series! A Month with a Salesian Saint featuring Saint Francis de Sales is a 30-day brief email reflection series. These short reflections, delivered right to the participant's inbox, take only two minutes to read and help to bring the gentle, humble wisdom of Saint Francis de Sales into daily life! Click here to subscribe.

Lenten Spiritual Programs

Here are a few opportunities to enrich this Lent 2023.
Best Lent Ever: daily video reflections from popular author Matthew Kelly. Sign up here.
Formed: we have a parish subscription where you can register to view a plethora of videos as well as many specific Lenten programs. Browse here or see masthead on top of our webpage.
Take the Laudato Si challenge and watch Fr. Dan Horan, ofm guide you through the encyclical in 14 short videos. Click here.
Our Common Home: purchase Mickey McGrath's pictorial meditation of Laudato Si for only $10.25 through Amazon.
Bishop Barron's Daily Gospel Reflections emailed daily. Access his wisdom here.
"Break Every Chain: A Road to Racial Healing" A Lenten retreat held Saturday, February 25 at the Spark Transformation Center in Huntingdon Valley ($25 fee) sponsored by the Sisters of the Redeemer. Click here for more information

St. Augustine Church Lenten Offerings (Look at our Creed)

Saint Augustine Catholic Church's Lenten series begins Tuesday, February 28, 2023 held via Zoom 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. every Tuesday during Lent.

Tuesday, February 28
“For our sake he was crucified . . .” – Reverend James Paradis, O.S.A., D.Min., Director of Pastoral Services, National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia – Register at the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qcemsqD4sGtFsRYUe7LSfIYWDOHDUfMxw

Tuesday, March 7
“He ascended into heaven . . . He will come again . . .” – Dr. Janet Haggerty, Ph.D.” – Register at the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvdeGtqj8rH9SMqZZhQ9cHpXh5G84rxCRs

Tuesday, March 14
“I believe in the Holy Spirit . . .” - Reverend Jason Buck, MA, M.Div, Dean of Men, College Seminary, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary – Register at the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvcOygqT0iHdFoAR375XgKXEsfe6pAszPh

Tuesday, March 21
“I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church” – Reverend Thomas F. Dailey, O.S.F.S. – Register at the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclcO-hqT4qHdRxtB6UIZ0T7lWYXc7YylFK

Tuesday, March 28
“I confess one baptism . . .” – Dr. Joseph T. Kelley, Ph.D., D.Min., Professor of Religious and Theological Studies, Merrimack College – Register at the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMocO6gpzIrHNOLYxpmyRZndRVkLTkQiZ2C

Tuesday, April 4
“I look forward to the resurrection of the dead . . . “ plus “Wrap up of the 10 sessions on the Creed”
– Reverend G. Dennis Gill, S.L.L., M.Div., Director, Office for Divine Worship and Rector of the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia – Register at the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpceyrqj8iHNY01U6QmfpVjJDoYO9YvU04

Hallow’s Lent Pray40 Community Prayer Challenge for 2023: Imitation of Christ

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas á Kempis, long considered the second most publish work next to the Bible, is offered as a daily meditation for the 40 days of Lent. Learn more here to take this Pray40 challenge.

Break Every Chain: A Road to Racial Healing
A Lenten Retreat sponsored by the Office of Black Catholics and
the Sisters of the Redeemer

This retreat is held on Saturday, February 25 from 8:30-4:00 for a nominal fee of $25. It will feature dynamic speaker presentations, opportunities for prayer, and will conclude with the celebration of Mass. Sign up here. 521 Moredon Rd., Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 (10 miles from OMC)

Catholic Charities Appeal 2023: Giving Hope to All

This year's Catholic Charities Appeal begins with the In-Pew Weekend of May 13-14. Click here to view the annual appeal's video featuring Archbishop Pérez and many beneficiaries of your support for the over 180 programs conducted by Catholic Charities. Our parish goal is $78,762. This is the same as last year. Let's see if we can reach it and help others in need, so that we may continue to be the presence of Christ in the world. Archbishop Pérez notes that "Your gift will feed the hungry, help keep after school programs open, provide pregnancy support for women, educate individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities, support our mission parishes, help care for our retired clergy and so much more." Every little bit helps.

Parish Mission Recorded: Tools for Living Today Well

Click here to view the parish mission held on the Feast of St. Francis de Sales. Here are two articles that complemented the talk.
Preparation of the Day
Present Moment
Salesian Spirituality: Everyday Holiness

Parish Planning

The Parish Pastoral Council, with help from the Finance Council, is tasked with carrying out the Parish Pastoral Plan 2021-2026 that also incorporates the findings from the Disciple Maker Index and input from the many "listening sessions" of the Synod on Synodality. We have placed all three documents here for your consideration. Please let us know your feelings and how you can help make these a lived experience.

Parish Pastoral Plan Disciple Maker Index Condensed Report
Synod on Synodality (three-page report) Synod on Synodality (summary statements)

New Adult Faith Formation Initiative: Third Sundays

Faithful to our new Parish Pastoral Plan, we are pleased to announce THIRD SUNDAYS where various members of the parish will share their faith with us on varied and interesting topics each THIRD SUNDAY after the 9 AM Mass in the parish hall from October '22 to May '23. Click here for topics and presenters.

Year A Homilies to Benefit Those on the Margins: Now Available

Once again, Clear Faith Publishing brings together some of the finest homilists to build a new compilation of homilies and reflections for Cycle A of the Liturgical Year. A Prisoner and You Visited Me breaks open the Sunday and Feast Days readings in order to provide insight, warmth, humor and spiritual food for the reader. Under the moniker ‘Homilists for the Homeless’ the gift of these preachers makes it possible for proceeds from the sale of every book to go toward charities that serve and support those who are living on the margins. Deacon Jim Knipper, editor and publisher, has for the last eight years offered this series to coincide with the eight corporal works of mercy and support corresponding charities. The launch of this new book took place December 1st!! The soft-covered book, the Kindle version and the Apple iBook version will all be available on that day. https://bit.ly/CFPLaunch

MOMS MEET UP is a monthly WWMN gathering at 9 AM on the first Thursday of each month. All Moms are invited to meet at the Market at the Fareway, which is behind the Chestnut Hill Hotel, for mom-to-mom conversation and a cup of your favorite brew. Contact [email protected]

WWMN is also working with The Cenacle at the Padre Pio Center - A community-based family center supporting pregnant women, new parents, caregivers, and families in Frankford, Philadelphia. Here is their current wishlist if you would like to contribute.

Learn more about this ministry by clicking the image above.