Good News from Our Lady of Grace!

There is much to celebrate at Our Lady of Grace Parish!

~ Our Pastor Emeritus, Father William B. Dooner, celebrated his 50th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood on Saturday, May 16, 2020.

~ Ignite High School Youth Group Alumna, Maria Gonzalez, entered the Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth on Sunday, May 17, 2020.

~ Our Pastor, Monsignor Joseph G. Prior, celebrated his 30th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood on Tuesday, May 19, 2020.

~ Parishioner and Our Lady of Grace Catholic School Alumna, Stephanie McBeth, was named Valedictorian of Conwell Egan Catholic High School, Class of 2020. Stephanie was also presented with the St. Timothy Award at a Sunday Mass in June. This is a national award offered to a Catholic youth who demonstrates "Christian discipleship, a witness to the faith, Gospel values through service to others, and Christian leadership in the parish, school, and/or community." Congratulations Stephanie!

~ Chris Massaro, II Theology at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, is joining us at Our Lady of Grace Parish for his summer assignment from Saturday, June 6 to Sunday, August 2, 2020. He will return in the Fall for the Thursday Apostolate as well. Join Chris in the church or via live-stream for his "Presentations on our Faith" series at 7:00 PM on Tuesdays in July! Click here for more details.

~ Father Wilmer Chirino, who was on assignment at Our Lady of Grace Parish throughout his diaconate year, was ordained a Priest on Saturday, June 20, 2020 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia. God bless Father Wilmer Chirino and the other 4 men ordained to the Priesthood that day, including Fr. Cesar Izaguirre, our new Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Grace!

~ Our Pastoral Services Director, Sister Mary Ellen Diehl, IHM, has accepted a position as Regional Superior for the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This is a great blessing for the community and an honor for Sister Mary Ellen. We are grateful for the outstanding service she has given to Our Lady of Grace. A note from Sister Mary Ellen:
 

"The IHM community has asked me to take on a leadership position as what we call a Regional Superior. This ministry involves me visiting our IHM sisters where they live in local convents and I will also visit where each sister works. So, this necessitates me leaving Our Lady of Grace Parish to begin this ministry to the IHM community. I will remain at Our Lady of Grace until June 30, 2020.

These last almost-two years have been a joy and privilege for me to minister with you. Please know that you will remain in my heart and prayers as I move on!"

~ The clerical changes announced by Archbishop Perez took effect on July 8, 2020. Father Flores has been assigned to Saint Stanislaus Parish in Lansdale. Father arrived here as a newly ordained two years ago and has offered faithful service to Our Lady of Grace these past two years. Please keep him in your prayers as he ministers at Saint Stanislaus. One of the newly ordained priests, Father Cesar Izaguirre, has been assigned to Our Lady of Grace. Please also keep Father Cesar in your prayers as he begins his priestly service at Our Lady of Grace Parish.  Read more about Fr. Cesar here!

~ Congratulations to Sara K., a member of the Our Lady of Grace Praise Choir, who received one of five awards as an 8th grade student who is actively involved in their Parish music program. The award is from the Association of Church Musicians of Philadelphia. Sara often serves as the psalmist for the Praise Choir Masses and volunteers to cantor for Masses as well. Praise Choir members Lucy D. and Emily R. received honorable mentions, as well as Stephanie M., who received an honorable mention as a candidate for the Peter Lamana scholarship. We are so proud of them and all of their service and dedication to our parish's music ministry!

Please keep the Our Lady of Grace Parish family in your prayers, and continue to check this article for updates about more news to celebrate!