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Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, affectionately known as "St. John's" by its parishioners, warmly welcomes you to our website.

We are located in the heart of Center City, providing spiritual enrichment for local residents, daily commuters, and visitors to our city of brotherly love.

St. John the Evangelist has been bringing the Good News to Philadelphia for 179 years. Two canonized saints have ties to St. John's: St. John Neumann and St. Katharine Drexel.

In 1941, St. John's established Holy Redeemer Chinese Catholic Church as a mission chapel. Twenty years later we opened St. John's Hospice to serve the homeless.

Our parish is a community of communities. There is a group for everyone -- from young adults, to healthcare professionals to the musically inclined. Stop by anytime. We'd love to see you!

News
St. John's T-Shirts Are In! Print

Our latest edition of the St. John the Evangelist Tee Shirt is ready for sale. Be the first on your block to sport these fab T’s and everyone will know that you are a real “fashionista”. Most importantly, you will be spreading the good news of St. John’s. And you will be supporting the restoration of our historic graveyard stations. The stations depict the history of the world from creation to the birth of Christ and the mission of  St. Johns in Philadelphia. The donation for the shirts is $20.00. We have all sizes….and even shirts for infants. They make great Christmas gifts and part of the donation may be tax deductible.
 
Awaken the Bells Print

“For Bells are the voice of the church; They have tones that
touch and search The hearts of young and old.”

— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow "Bells of San Blas”


The bells at St. John the Evangelist called the faithful to Masses, weddings, and other important and even historic occasions for over one hundred and fifty years. Then suddenly a few years ago they went silent. But now, we hope in time for Christmas, we have a chance to give rebirth to the bells of St. John’s. Will you help us to bring the pealing voice of our parish back? With a little help we can restore our carillon in time to infuse center city with the good news of advent and the glad tidings of Christmas.

Effective on the Feast of St. Nicholas, Monday December 6th, we will be accepting donations in any amount. You can make a special donation in honor of a special anniversary, or in memory of a loved one. Please contact the receptionist in the Friary reception area to make your donation and select a date and time. For a gift of $50.00 we will play the “De Profundus” or Peal the Bell for your intention. If you prefer you may mail your request to the business manager or contact Bill Doyle at 215-563-4145 x11, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
 
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NEW YEAR'S EVE:

Friday, December 31, 2010

Regular Mass Schedule

Confessions:  11:00 AM – 1:00 PM & 3:30 – 5:00 PM

(Exposition and Evening Prayer as usual)


SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD

Saturday, January 1, 2010

9:00 am

There will be no confessions, Exposition, Evening Prayer or Benediction


 

January 1, New Year's Day, celebrates newness. Exactly eight days after Christmas, traditionally it celebrates Mary as the mother of God. The Greek word for Mary's motherhood is "Theotokos" meaning "God-bearer." Becoming official church teaching at the Council of Ephesus in 381, this is one of the most ancient and important titles given to Mary. Chapter VIII of the Vatican II document, Lumen Gentium, which addresses Mary's role in Christian life, refers to her by that title no less than 12 times.

Eight days after the birth of a Jewish male, circumcision was demanded by Jewish law. January 1 also commemorates the circumcision of Jesus. The Gospel reading for the day from Luke recounts the shepherds' visit, the completion of the eight days leading to circumcision, and naming the baby Jesus, according to the angel's direction previous to his conception.

Beginning in 1967, Pope Paul VI requested that this day be set aside as a day of prayer for world peace. For 40 years popes have issued a message encouraging prayer as well as action toward the establishment of world peace.

If we used today to be as loving to others as mothers are to their children, this might be the year that peace becomes a reality. That reality may move us all to renew our commitment to God symbolized by Jesus' circumcision. So maybe these various celebrations do link together. Happy New Year!

-(c) 2006 Liturgical Publications Inc.

 

 

 

Prayer for the New Year

Heavenly Father,

in this time of new beginnings,

we recall how the heavens celebrated the birth of Christ.

We think back to the new kingdom he proclaimed,

and remember the new life we gained in our baptism.

In this time of new beginnings,

and at the beginning of this New Year,

may we always act as good examples

of the new life in you that all Christians have

and be the same for others.

Give us the joy that is ours

as adopted members of God's family. Amen.

 
 
Manna Pie Drive -- Place Your Order Now! E-mail

Consider joining St. John’s as it reaches out to help those in need. For the past five years, St. John’s has participated in the Manna  Project. Manna is a nonprofit organization that improves health by delivering nourishment to people in our area who are coping with life-threatening illnesses.

How  can  you participate? Choose from six delicious pies and cakes ($25.00 each). Place an order through St. John Evangelist RC Church. Bill Doyle is our contact person.

7" Single-Layer Cakes

•Carrot Cake

•Cheesecake with Cherry Topping

•Chocolate Fudge Cake

10" Gourmet Pies

•Harvest Apple Pie

•Southern Pecan Pie

•Pumpkin Pie

>Orders and payment due by Friday, November 12 (Online orders due by noon on Friday, November 19: http://www.mannapies.org/stjohns). Pick up date is November 23, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, here at St. John’s.
 
Meet St. John's Musicians! Print

In August we introduced our parish office staff to you. This month we'd like you to meet the talented women and men who add so much to our Eucharistic celebrations by sharing their musical talents with us.

 

Dr. Annette DiMedio
Dr. Annette DiMedio has served as the Music Director at St. John's since 1984. A full professor at The University of the Arts, Annette has been bringing talented students into the music ministry at St. John's for many years. Annette is also an accomplished concert pianist, having performed this summer in California, Greece and Germany. As the Music Director at St. John's, Annette oversees weddings, the cantors, and the music at nearly all of our weekend Masses. She also serves as the pianist at our 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Masses, as well as the pianist and choir director at the 12:30 p.m. Sunday Mass. Annette directs our annual Christmas concert and the Via Crucis production on Good Friday featuring students from The University of the Arts. Some of Annette's favorite hymns to perform at Mass are "How Great Thou Art" and "Here I Am, Lord."
Matthew Cloran
Matthew Cloran, the cantor at our 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday Masses, celebrates his 20th anniversary as cantor at St. John's this October. A theater teacher at The Haverford School, his "day job" involves music, too, as he works with students to perform plays and musicals. At St. John's, Matthew hopes that he encourages parishioners and visitors to raise their voices in song during the Mass. He notes, "The most beautiful sound in the world is a church full of people singing." Some of Matthew's favorite hymns include "Here I Am, Lord" and "We Are Called." Matthew says that "Getting to sing with Dr. Annette DiMedio and at St. John's is one of the greatest gifts I have ever been blessed with!" We, of course, are the ones who have been blessed to sing along with Matthew for so many years. Perhaps we can thank him by raising our collective voices in song extra loud this October, as he celebrates 20 years leading our community in song.

Michael Scolamiero
Michael Scolamiero, the accompanist at the 5:15 p.m. Saturday Mass, has been a parishioner at St. John's for about fifteen years. Michael has been sharing his talents as a pianist with the St. John's community for about ten of those fifteen years. Some of Michael's favorite hymns include "We Have Been Told" and "Blest Are They." Michael shares, "I enjoy acompanying a great deal; it allows me to contribute to the parish community and get to know different people in the parish. It's musically satisfying to the extent I can fit preparation into my busy schedule. St. John's is a very special place and I am privileged to contribute to the Mass by providing music in partnership with the great singers we have." When he's not sharing his talents with us at St. John's, Michael is the longest serving executive director of the Pennsylvania Ballet.

Kristin Houston

Kristin Houston has been involved at St. John's since March of 2002 when a friend introduced her to JacksYACs. Two weeks later, at the next YAC Mass, she was singing in the choir! A cantor and choir director in high school and college, Kristin now leads the YAC Choir on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at the 6:00 p.m. Mass. She also cantors regularly at the Saturday 5:15 Mass and tries to help out wherever she's needed. Kristin especially enjoys singing hymns that allow the choir to fully harmonize. Some of her favorites include "In the Breaking of the Bread," "Come to the Water," "We Are Called" and Becker's "Litany of the Saints." She notes, "I have been so blessed to be a part of the St. John's community all of these years. I am especially grateful for the opportunities to sing and serve the Church community and visitors. The role of musicians is to enhance the Mass and to encourage the congregation to fully participate in the Celebration by singing so I try to focus on that. St. Augustine said, 'To sing is to pray twice!' which I truly believe." Her musical role at St. John's serves as an interesting contrast to her "day job," where Kristin works at Boeing as the Chief Engineer on the Italy Chinook H-47 helicopter program!


Brother Kip Ledger
Brother Kip Ledger leads the music at every other 6:00 p.m. Sunday Mass. Since arrivi ng in Philadelphia four years ago, he has been involved at St. John's music ministry as well as working with the San Damiano Fellowship (SDF). Although his two "day jobs" as Assistant Postulate Director and Day Services Caseworker at St. John's Hospice don't involve music directly, he has played at various events related to these ministries. We're excited to announce that Brother Kip has a new CD coming out soon! The words for the title song, "We Will Know Ourselves: Only in Christ" were composed by Matthew Palkowski, OFM Cap.; Brother Kip composed the music. When he leads us in song on Sundays, Brother Kip explains, "My favorite songs to play in the Liturgy are any that the people sing loudly!"
 
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Parish Calendar

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S M T W T F S
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12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31 1

This Week:

Mon May 20 @05:00PM -
St. John's Hospice
Mon May 20 @06:00PM -
Medical Professionals Group
Tue May 21 @07:00PM - 08:30PM
The Lily's Voice (Women's Group)
Wed May 22 @05:00PM -
St. John's Hospice
Wed May 22 @07:00PM -
Legion of Mary
Thu May 23 @05:00PM -
St. John's Hospice
Fri May 24 @06:30AM -
Young Adults Prayerful ProLife Vigil
Sat May 25 @09:30AM -
Family in Bethany
Sat May 25 @10:00AM - 11:45AM
King's Men Weekly Meeting
Sun May 26 @06:00PM -
YAC Mass


Mass Schedule

Weekdays: 7:45 a.m. (lower church); 8:30 a.m. (lower church); 12:05 p.m.; 1:05 p.m.; 5:15 p.m.
Saturday: 7:45 a.m. (lower church); 12:05 p.m.; 5:15 p.m. Vigil for Sunday
Sunday: 8:30 a.m.; 10:30 a.m.; 12:30 p.m.; 6:00 p.m.

CONFESSION SCHEDULE

Wednesday-Saturday: 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday before First Friday: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.; 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Vigil of Weekday HolyDays: 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Not available on Holy Days

HOLY DAY MASS SCHEDULE

Vigil of Weekday HolyDays: 5:15 p.m. (upper church)

Weekday Holy Days: 7:45 a.m. (lower church); 8:30 a.m. (lower church); 12:05 p.m. (lower church); 12:30 p.m. (upper church); 1:05 p.m. (lower church); 5:15 p.m. (lower church); 6:00 p.m. (upper church)

 

 

 

Directions & Parking Info

Eastbound I-676 / Vine Street Expressway
(from western PA, from I-76)

Take the Broad Street exit. Bear right at exit ramp, turning onto 15th street. After passing City Hall, turn left onto Chestnut Street. Pass Macy's department store. Turn left onto 13th Street. Saint John's will be on the right.

Westbound I-676 / Vine Street Expressway
(from NJ, from I-95)

Take the Broad Street exit. The exit ramp curves onto 15th street. Continue straight onto 15th steet. After passing City Hall, turn left onto Chestnut Street. Pass Macy's. Turn left onto 13th Street. Saint John's will be on the right.

Parking

Park for just $8 every weekend and weeknight at the Loews Hotel Parking Garage (depending on availability.) Just mention St. John the Evangelist Church. 

Contact Us

Address: 21 S. 13th St. Philadelphia, PA 19107 USA

Parish Office Telephone: 215-563-4145

Schedule of Services (recorded line): 215-563-5432

Parish Office Fax: 215-563-1770

E-mail: secretary@stjohnsphilly.com

Wedding Inquiries: pastor@stjohnsphilly.com

Business Manager: Bill Doyle, manager@stjohnsphilly.com

Parish Secretary: Patricia Rooney

Finance Committee: Kathy Howley, finance@stjohnsphilly.com

Parish Council: John Riley, council@stjohnsphilly.com

RCIA: Kathy Howley, rcia@stjohnsphilly.com

Director of Music: Dr. Annette DiMedio, music@stjohnsphilly.com

Website Inquiries: webmaster@stjohnsphilly.com