Updated April 21, 2024
LITURGICAL SCHEDULE - WEEK OF April 21.
Monday, April 22 – Hadewijch of Brabant, Poet and Mystic, thirteenth century
• Morning Prayer at 9 a.m. & Evening Prayer at 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 23 – Toyohiko Kagawa, Social Reformer, 1960
• Morning Prayer at 9 a.m. & Evening Prayer at 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 24 – Easter Feria
• Morning Prayer at 9 a.m. & Evening Prayer at 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 25 – St. Mark the Evangelist (Major Holy Day)
• Morning Prayer at 9 a.m. & Evening Prayer at 5:30 p.m.
• Low Mass at 6 p.m.
Friday, April 26 – Easter Feria
• Low Mass at 8 a.m.
• Morning Prayer at 9 a.m. & Evening Prayer at 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 27 – Zita of Tuscany, Worker of Charity, 1271
• Morning Prayer at 9 a.m.
Rosemont Community Retreat House
Marvelously Made: A Retreat for LGBTQ+ Persons of Faith
For centuries, LGBTQ + persons of faith have either had to keep their sexuality private, try to lead double lives, or risk being persecuted within and outside the Church for being honest. Thankfully, in many corners of the Church this is changing. But years of secrecy and lingering suspicions can make it difficult to be an LGBTQ + person of faith. This retreat will offer a time for intentional prayer, reflection, and fellowship with others who have had similar experiences trying to live authentically and honestly within the fold of the Church. Our time together will include conversation, lectio divina, and praying the daily round of prayer in the Church of the Good Shepherd, Rosemont. Register here.
Help Needed with Food for Upcoming Retreats
Our retreat house ministry has flourished in its first full year of operation. It has proved to be a vital means of connecting this parish with the wider Church, and it has been a place of prayer and respite for people from across the country. But we need your help in continuing to sustain this valuable ministry! Would you consider making food for one of our upcoming day retreats or program retreats? If so, please contact Father Kyle. We will provide the recipes and reimburse you for food costs.
You can visit the link to our new online booking engine to view our rooms and availability.
To sustain this new ministry at Good Shepherd, we will need help with a variety of tasks, including keeping our pantries and refrigerators well-stocked, providing meals for Hosts for Hospital guests (which can be prepared and frozen ahead of time), and welcoming guests. This is one way in which we can serve as Christ’s hands and feet to the local community and offer a true ministry of hospitality. Are you interested in helping? If so, please contact Chris Wittrock.
PARISH LIFE
The Book of Common Prayer expects that Mass will be offered on all Major Holy Days.
Low Mass on the Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist
Please join us on Thursday, April 25, at 6 p.m. for Low (Said) Mass on the Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist.
Low Mass on the Feast of The Apostles St. Philip and St. James
Please join us on Wednesday, May 1, at 6 p.m. for Low (Said) Mass on the Feast of the Apostles St. Philip and St. James.
Retreat House Benefit Concert with Ruth Cunningham – Friday, May 3 at 7 p.m.
Come and celebrate the month of Mary with a concert entitled “In Praise of Mary: Chants and Improvisations” performed by Ruth Cunningham, formerly of the renowned women’s vocal ensemble Anonymous 4. The program will feature music based on Marian texts, including chants by Hildegard of Bingen, as well as improvisations based on medieval chants and some newly composed chants and improvisations, all in praise of Mary. All donations collected at the door will support the Rosemont Community Retreat House, a ministry of Good Shepherd, Rosemont.
Main Line Early Music Concert - Sunday, May 5 at 3 p.m.
Our next concert features La Bernardinia and guest erhu virtuoso Qin Qian, who will present a program featuring traditional Chinese melodies and music by Teodorico Pedrici, priest, musician, composer, and missionary at the Imperial Court of China in the 18th century. Purchase tickets online or at the door.
Procession & Sung Mass on Ascension Day, Thursday, May 9 at 7 p.m., followed by a potluck supper.
Young Adult Bible Study & Lunch, Saturday, May 11 at 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. (retreat house)
Purse for Chris Wittrock
Chris Wittrock, our wonderful Parish Administrator, will be relocating to New York State with her husband Bob in June. Her last day in the office will be May 31. We will celebrate Chris’s time with us over the past four years with a reception following Sung Mass on Sunday, May 26. To contribute to a purse as a thank you for Chris, please make checks payable to Church of the Good Shepherd, with “purse for Chris Wittrock” in the memo line, or click this link and choose the dropdown option “Gifts for Chris.” Thank you!
Join us for Compline
All are welcome to join the Good Shepherd Compline group on Mondays at 8:30 p.m. Please e-mail Ellen Charry, ellencharry@ptsem.edu, for the Zoom details.
Interested in Becoming a Member of Good Shepherd?
In the Episcopal Church, membership is defined as follows: “All persons who have received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism with water in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, whether in this Church or in another Christian Church, and whose Baptisms have been duly recorded in this Church, are members thereof.” One’s Baptism is to be recorded in the parish register to be counted as an active baptized member. And to vote in parish elections, one must be an active baptized member and have worshiped regularly at Good Shepherd for at least a year. If you have previously been a member of another Episcopal parish, please ask that parish to transfer your “letter of membership” to Good Shepherd. If you were baptized in another denomination, you can simply let us know that you want your baptism recorded here at Good Shepherd, and we can record that. Please contact Father Kyle if you have any questions. If you are new to the Episcopal Church and Good Shepherd, you are encouraged to participate in our Pilgrims in Christ class (below).
Ask Your Theologian!
Theology explores the meaning of Christianity. It is complex, varied, and at times confusing. “Ask your Theologian” is an open online conversational opportunity to ask hard questions about God, Christianity, the Bible, religion in general, and other religions. It is also an invitation to seek clarification or background about aspects of worship, Christian history, and doctrine that warrant probing. Submit your questions to Dr. Ellen Charry, Theologian-in-Residence.
Mindfulness and Contemplative Prayer Group
Every Wednesday, this new prayer group meets from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Rosemont Community Retreat House, guided by parishioner Dr. Donald McCown. Join us for an hour of quiet reflection and contemplation. Our time together will include guided mindfulness practice, centering prayer, and short readings for learning and reflection. A light supper will be served. Our readings will come from a diverse range of sources, from the Desert Fathers and Mothers to Contemporary Zen teachers, from Julian of Norwich to Thomas Merton.
formation
Join us on Sunday, May 12 after Mass for coffee, conversation, and our next Adult Formation opportunity: What Is Theology Anyway?, with Ellen Charry.
MUSIC
Now Recruiting – The Good Shepherd Chorister Program
Through the leadership of our new Organist and Director of Music, Robert McCormick, we’re now planning for new chorister program to start in the fall! This program will provide children and youth ages 7 and above with outstanding professional choral training, music theory, leadership development, and abundant performance opportunities. Each chorister will be paid a stipend to underscore the seriousness of the training we offer. No previous musical experience is required, only an eagerness to learn, age-appropriate reading proficiency, and the ability to match pitch. We welcome a diverse array of choristers from all walks of life and varied backgrounds, and of any religious tradition or none. If you know of a child who might be interested in joining, please contact Robert McCormick (rmccormick@goodshepherdrosemont.com).
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Arts and Music Summer Camp for Children – August 19–23
Registration is now open for our Arts and Music Summer Camp for children ages four and older. This fun week will include Bible stories, art and crafts, games, music, snacks, and choir. Children ages 7 and above will receive professional instruction in singing along with Robert McCormick, our new Organist and Director of Music. Registration is limited. If you have further questions, please contact Father Kyle (kbabin@goodshepherdrosemont.com).
OUTREACH
Serving Those in Need through the Ardmore Food Pantry
The Ardmore Food Pantry is a ministry based at St. Mary’s Church (Episcopal) in Ardmore. The Food Pantry is entirely funded by individuals, congregations, and a few grants and receives no government funding, which enables the Pantry to serve guests without having to collect sensitive information like address or income. Gifts of any size are welcome at any time of year. The parish address is 36 Ardmore Avenue, Ardmore, PA 19003. There is also a basket at the back of the church where you can drop off shelf-stable food items for delivery to the Pantry.
PRAYER LIST
Those who serve in the Church and in government:
For Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury; Michael our Presiding Bishop; Daniel our Bishop; Barry, the Dean of Merion; Kyle, our priest; our vestry and staff; Joseph, the President; Josh, the Governor; Scott, Commissioner; the Members of the State Legislature; the Congress, the Senate, and Judges and Justices.
For those in need, especially for John, Geoffrey, Peter, Rebecca, Peggy, Lindsay, August, Mitos, Jill, Diane, Renee, Margot, Audrey, Nicola, Haviland, Julie, Sofia, Molly, Colleen, Gokhan, Holly, Caroline, Clare, Charlotte, David, Ida, Bill, Anne, Jerome, Stacee, Lola Jeane, Carol, Dave, Alexander, Joanne, Claudia, The Busch Family, Michael, Peter, Leslie, Steve, Lois, David, Alex, Bob, Gottfried, Joe, Dave, Carolyn, Brandon, Bob, Chris, John, Gary, John, Odile, Ernest, Sue, André, Liliane, Kathe-rine, Clarice, Thelma, Nanette, Julia, Lisa, Pat, Justice, Jim, Deidre, Guy, and Sandra
For the departed: For the repose of the soul of Lola Jeane.
In our parish cycle of prayer: Trevor Sidlauskas (Monday); Tommy Allen, Agata Opechowska, Lilly Allen, Wynn Allen (Tuesday); Kit Apostolacus (Wednesday); Tim, Sarah, Iris, and Caedmon Austen (Thursday); Fr. Kyle Babin & Robert McCormick (Friday); and Gary and Nanette Babin (Saturday).
In our Friends of Good Shepherd cycle of prayer: In our Friends of Good Shepherd cycle of prayer: Bob & Sharon Gray (Monday); Doug Bowman (Tuesday); Christopher Hart (Wednesday); Fr. Stephen Morris (Thursday); John Wallace (Friday); and Jerome Wells & Douglas King (Saturday).
To add names and requests to the prayer list, please email office@goodshepherdrosemont.com.