Parish Lenten Confessions - Tuesday, March 24
Parish Lenten Confessions
Tuesday, March 24
As we continue our Lenten journey, all are invited to encounter God’s mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
🕊 Confession Times:
• 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
• 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Take time to pause, reflect, and receive God’s grace this Lent.
All are welcome.
Lenten Appeal Update
St. Eleanor Apparel Sale
We’re excited to share that St. Eleanor will begin selling apparel starting March 15, featuring our brand‑new logo!
You’ll find a great selection of items: Quarter Zips, Polos, Sweaters and more. Show your parish spirit and support our community, be sure to place your order!
Shop here: https://stecatholicchurch26.itemorder.com/shop/sale/
Archdiocese of Philadephia
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
The Catholic Charities Appeal (CCA) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia drives our mission to love and care for others in the likeness of Jesus. It supports and sustains more than 100 vital charitable ministries and programs that bring Christ’s love to those in need. They touch every corner of the five-county metropolitan area. CCA provides food, shelter, education, and care, bringing tangible hope to those most in need.
This year, I invite you to join me in Giving Hope to All. Hope flows from Christ’s gift of Himself in the Eucharist. Your support of CCA today becomes one such act, a sacred way of extending His care to individuals seeking the compassion of the Church.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, D.D.
Archbishop of Philadelphia
The Life of St Antony- The First Monk Thursday, March 26 7:00 pm
The Life of St Antony- The First Monk Thursday, March 26 7:00pm in Church it will be live streamed.
Explore one of the greatest Christian classics from the 4th century and reflect on the radical faith and courage of Saint Antony of Egypt, the Father of Monasticism and the first hermit. This series draws deeply from The Life of St. Antony, written by Athanasius of Alexandria, a foundational spiritual work that has inspired Christians for centuries.
You do not need the book to enjoy or fully participate in this series; however, if you would like to read along, you can purchase it through Amazon or your local bookstore.
Through Saint Antony’s powerful witness, this series offers a profound Lenten reflection on what it means to surrender fully to God and pursue a life of holiness.
Link to Series 1 Video - Thursday, Feb 26
Link to Series 2 and 3 Video -Wednesday, March 11
Family Rosary Tonight, February 24 6:00pm
Family Rosary Tonight
Join us this evening, Tuesday, February 24 at 6:00 PM in the Church for a special time of prayer with your family. All are welcome!
Family Noisy Holy 1/2 Hour - Friday, February 20
We’ll begin with uplifting worship music in the chapel, led by our talented teens, followed by a pizza dinner in Vianney Hall.
Lenten Appeal
A Lenten Invitation to Care for our Parish Home
Dear Parishioner,
Over the past eight months, it has been an amazing blessing to serve as your pastor here at Saint Eleanor. I am deeply grateful for your warm welcome and for the vibrant spirit of faith, generosity, and trust that thrives in our parish. Together, we continue the mission entrusted to us by Jesus.
As part of my responsibility, I have been working closely with our Finance Council to better learn and understand the practical needs of our parish. Together, we have identified several significant priorities that require immediate attention:
- Deferred maintenance projects are essential to the safety, functionality, upkeep, and long-term care of our parish campus. These needs were not included in our current operating budget, yet most are time-sensitive and cannot be delayed
- A notable deficit in Sunday collections due to snowstorms (Dec. 13-14; Jan. 17-18; and Jan. 25) has left a considerable gap in parish income.
The total cost of high-priority items is $111,500.00. (See below).
Lent is a season that calls us to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving – a time to renew our trust in the Lord and our commitment to one another. In that spirit, I invite you to participate in our Lenten Appeal to help us meet these important needs. This appeal is not about obligation, but about shared stewardship and love for the parish we call home.
I ask you to prayerfully consider how you might support this effort, according to your ability and in whatever way God leads you. Every gift, no matter the size, is meaningful, and all contributions will go directly to these necessary needs. Any surplus will be held in reserve for the prospective installation of a new audio system for the Church.
To make a gift please use the enclosed envelope that was sent to homes and deposit it in the basket on Sunday, click the link below or scan the QR Code:
Most of all, I ask your prayers for our parish, our shared mission, and for our listening to God’s call.
Thank you for your dedication to our amazing parish, and your trust. May this Lenten Season draw us closer to Christ and to one another.
Gratefully in Christ,
Msgr. J. Brian Bransfield
Pastor
Critical Deferred Maintenance Projects:
- Repairs and drain work for our parking lots: $25,800.00.
- New fire alarm system for the Church and the parish office buildings: $18,000.00.
- Outside lighting to illuminate a section of our parish roadway that intersects two critical crosswalks: $8,300.00.
- Painting the Sacristy, Music Room, and Machinery Room: $7,000.00.
- Installation of stair railings on either side of the main altar: $2,500.00
- Two defibrillators, with child paddles, one for Vianney Hall and one for Kateri Hall: $2,400.
- Snow removal costs that have exceeded our current budget: $10,400.00.
- Preventative removal of dead trees and removal of fallen trees (With so many beautiful woods around our campus we are probably the only Church in the Archdiocese that needs a separate budget line for trees!): $5,000.00.
- Other miscellaneous deferred maintenance for security, operations, and special cleaning: $9,400.00.
Deficit in Sunday Collections due to Snowstorms:
- Snow affected attendance at Mass, which impacted three separate Sunday Collections (Dec. 13-14; Jan. 17-18; and January 25) for a total of $22,700 in decreased donations compared to proximate Sundays.
2025- Tax Record Request
Please contact the St. Eleanor Parish office to request that a copy of your 2025 tax records be emailed to you. These documents will not be mailed out automatically this year.
Ash Wednesday Mass Schedule
Ash Wednesday Masses , February 18, 2026:
Celebrating Our Dedicated PREP Catechists!
On Saturday, Archbishop Nelson Pérez celebrated the Mass for Religious Education and presided over the Presentation of Anniversary Awards at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia. This annual Mass, organized by the Office for Catechetical Formation of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, honors the incredible ministry of our Directors, Coordinators, and Catechists who serve in Parish Religious Education programs.
We are proud to recognize our own catechists for their years of faithful service in Confirmation and OCIA youth programs:
- Michael Petr – 5 years
- Geraldine Petr – 5 years
- Laura Jusko – Director of Religious Education
- Dan Jusko – 5 years
- Elizabeth Rieg – 10 years
- Michael Rieg – 35 years
Your dedication is an extraordinary gift to the Church and to all those you accompany on their journey of faith. May God bless you abundantly!
For more information, visit: https://phillyocf.org
Youth Group is Growing & Needs Volunteers!
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