Nativity B.V.M. School, Gayley Street

Pre-K 3 through 8^th Grade………………………………………………………………….(S)

Maryann Johnston: Principal……………………………………….610-566-6881

Nativity B.V.M. is a Roman Catholic School educating the whole child…Mind, Body and Spirit.  At Nativity BVM, our children are FORMED in faith. Immersed in a prayerful and academic climate, our students move forward INFORMED about our world.  Journeying together in a sacramental community, we TRANSFORM each other through word and action.

Catholic Youth Organization

John Daly..................................................................................................610-565-8912

CYO provides sporting, social, spiritual, service, and cultural activities for all of our parish youth.  For a child to be involved in CYO, they must enrolled in the parish school or in the PREP.

Home and School Association……………………………………………….2007-08

Roxanne Gariffo…………………………………………………………........610-565-5613

Parents and Teachers meet various times throughout the school year to work together for the good of the school children.

Nativity B.V.M. Dads

Tom Castaldi…………………………………………………………………..610-246-3646

An informal gathering of Nativity Dads who are willing to help with various school and parish projects.  No talent or experience required, just a desire to build up the community of Nativity B.V.M. one dad at time.

PREP (Parish Religious Education Program)

Karen Sica……………………………………………………………………… 610-566-2864

This program is for children in grades 1 through 6 that attend public school and are required to attend religious education and sacramental preparation. The faculty and parent volunteers are dedicated and committed by word, deed and example to bringing Christ’s love to all.  As primary educators, parents have laid the foundation of faith for their children and we are called to build on that foundation. Classes are held on Monday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 in Nativity B.V.M. Parish School located on Gayley Street.

PREP Camp for 1^st graders…………………………………to start summer 08.

Karen Sica………………………………………………………………………610-566-2864

Stay tuned to the parish bulletin for more information….......................

Summer Vacation Bible Camp……………………………...@2^nd week of July

Cookie Magee…………………………………………………………………...610-566-0185

A great opportunity for children ages 3 and up to participate in a Catholic Bible Camp consisting of Bible Lesson, Art N Crafts, Music, Recreation, Snack and many wonderful surprises.

Altar Linen Society

Marie Van Haute…………………………………………………………….610-566-0373

This group of parishioners takes turns cleaning and pressing all the Altar Linens used that week.  A schedule is made up on a weekly basis.

Altar Servers

Tammie Curran………………………………………………………………610-627-9008

Any student in 4^th grade through High school is invited to participate in this ministry of service at the Altar.  This is a great and joyous opportunity for our youth to draw deeper into their faith as they assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Training on how to serve at Sunday, Daily, Funeral and Weddings masses are provided throughout the year.

Altar Society…………………………… Saturday’s after the 8:00 am Mass

Cass Valenti……………………………………………………………………..610-565-0895

A group of parishioners that help prepare the worship space for the weekend liturgies. This involves the cleaning of the sanctuary area, adoration chapel and preparing the materials that will be used for the weekend liturgies.

Cantors:…………………………………………………………………………interim rehearsal

Christiane Manko-Morgan………………………………………….610-459-2899

Cantors provide musical leadership to encourage and invite congregational singing during all liturgies. Cantor rehearsals are scheduled as needed. Individual rehearsal time can be scheduled with the Music Director.

Adult Choir……………………….……...Practice on Thursday’s 7:00 pm (C)

Christiane Manko-Morgan………………………………………….610-459-2899

The choir sings at the 10:15 am Sunday Mass and for special Liturgies.  All are welcome!

Children’s Choir…………………Practice on Monday’s 5:30 pm (MR-S)

Christiane Manko-Morgan………………………………………….610-459-2899

This choir composed of children from the parish sings monthly at the 9:00 am Mass and for special Liturgies. All parish children ages 8 to 16 are welcome!

Contemporary Music Ensemble…..Practice Monday’s 7:00 pm(C) Christiane Manko-Morgan………………………………………….610-459-2899

The ensemble is composed of anyone who can sing and or play an instrument.  If you are interested in creating an innovative and spiritual music worship experience as part of the parish music program, then you are most welcome.  The ensemble plays at the Noon Mass once a month.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word……Sunday’s at the 10:15 am Mass

Cookie Magee…………………………………………………………………610-566-0185

This ministry presents the Sunday’s  Liturgy of the Word as taken from the Children’s Lectionary approved by the Catholic Bishops to be used when children are gathered separately from the main congregation. If you would like to spread the good news to our children, please consider this ministry as a CLOW Leader.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion………

…………………………for Sunday Worship and visiting our home bound.

Alice Pearson………………………………………………………………….610-566-5727

Assist with the distribution of Holy Eucharist at Mass and to the members who are home bound and in the parish nursing home.

Lectors……………………………………………………………………..for Sunday Worship

Mary Ann Dotts…………………………………………………………….610-627-0801

Parishioners who proclaim the Sacred Scripture at the Sunday Mass., and special liturgies..  Lectors are scheduled on a rotating basis, approximately once or twice a month, Training is provided.

Little Church School……..Sunday’s during the 10:15 am Mass (BB)

Mary Brady…………………………………………………………………….610-566-2392

This is for pre-school children who are not quite able to sit through the Mass yet.  Here they learn a Bible lesson, prayers, songs and other activities under the careful supervision of adult leaders.

Ministers of Hospitality/Ushers………………………for Sunday Worship

Tom Flynn………………………………………………………………………….610-565-1966

Members of the parish that welcome people as they enter Nativity for Mass, assist with seating, and taking up the collection.  Ushers also assist with crowd control at special liturgies.

Presentation of the Gifts…………………………for 10:15 am Sunday Mass

Cookie Magee………………………………………………………………….610-566-0185 Parishioners/ families are invited to bring up the gifts during the offertory procession at the 10:15 am Mass on Sunday’s,

and during the special liturgies throughout the year.

Aid for Friends

Cookie Magee…………………………………………………………………...610-566-0185

This ministry is for our elderly and shut-in parishioners who are independent but unable to cook full meals for themselves. All the necessary materials are provided. Your involvement is either as a cook (preparing some trays) or a visitor (bringing the trays to the recipient and spending some time with them). This is a great ministry for families who often have left-overs and do not like to waste food, and for children on how they can help those in need by sharing their food with the elderly and homebound.

Alcoholics Anonymous…

 …………..Friday’s 6:00 – 9:30 pm (BB)

Shyam…………………………………………………………………………………610-891-8479

………Saturday’s 8:00 – 10:00 am (BB)

Andy …………………………………………………………………………………610-909-4224

....……..Saturday’s 6:00 – 9:00 pm (BB)

Joe ………………………………………………………………………………………610-627-9612

Biloxi : “The Hands of Christ”

Karen Sica………………………………………………………………………….610-892-1945

This outreach ministry seeks to do the Corporal Works of Mercy by doing labor on homes for those in need, both in our local  community and those far off affected by disasters such as Hurricane Katrina.  Examples of this outreach are Habitat for Humanity Projects.  All volunteers welcome! We are especially in need of those with construction skills like Carpenters, Plumbers, Electricians, Painters, etc…

Blood Drive…………………………..…………………………………………………….2x a year

Cookie Magee…………………………………………………………………...610-566-0185

The American Red Cross is always in need of people to donate blood. We hold a blood drive in the spring and in the fall and are in need of volunteers to make phone calls to donors to set up appointment times.  All of the necessary information is provided.

Food Collection………………………………………Last weekend of the month

Maggie and Joe Arbuckle……………………………………………610-565-6385

The parish conducts a monthly food collection on the last weekend of the month for the benefit of needy parishioners.  Volunteers collect donations of food and/or money at the Masses.  Other volunteers store the food in the pantry and/or pack up bags to be delivered to the parishioners.  They also accept donations of turkeys and baskets for the holidays.

Giving Tree………………………………………………………………..Christmas Season

Shirley Polk……………………………………………………………………..610-566-6307

This is an opportunity for parishioners to help make those less fortunate; in our parish, from our sister parish in the city, and from the parish nursing home, to have a more joyful and blessed Christmas.

Project H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Everyday)

Valerie Teal……………………………………………………………………..610-892-3712

Volunteers are needed to assist our elderly, sick and home bound parishioners with rides to various doctor appointments and stores.

Sterling Nursing Home

The nursing home facility located in the parish boundaries.  Father Bell says Mass for the residents every month and our Ministers of Holy Communion bring the Eucharist to the Catholic residents every Sunday.  Our school children visit the residents on a regular basis and they are also included on our annual giving tree program.

St. Vincent DePaul Society

Betty and Paul Stromberg……………………………………………610-627-1581

Provides help to the poor of our area.  This help comes in various forms depending upon the persons need. There are also clothing drives scheduled throughout the year.

Calvary Cemetery……………………………………………….Orange Street, Media

Vickie Walsh……………………………………………………..……………..610-566-0185

Calvary Cemetery is located on Orange Street, in Media.  Call Donna if you would like to know more about the cemetery, or would like to purchase a grave.

 Collection Counters……………………………………….Sunday & Monday AM

Ray DeVries………………………………………………………………………610-565-1966

People are needed to assist with counting the collection from the Masses. Counters are needed on Sunday and Monday mornings, @9:00 -11:00 am.

Nativity Scrip Program

Linda Castaldi………………………………………………………………..610-892-7254

SCRIP is where one can purchase supermarket cards: ACME, GIANT and PATHMARK and a certain percentage of that purchase goes to Nativity B.V.M. School,  and a certain percentage goes toward the student’s tuition either in the parish school, the Catholic high school or the PREP.

Nativity Seniors……………………………………….2^nd Tuesday, 12:30 pm (BB)

Carol Kreider…………………………………………………………………….610-565-4770

Men and Women who gather on a monthly basis both socially, spiritually and in the breaking of bread.(brown bag lunches) They have guest speakers come in and they also host bus trips.. All 50+ parishioners are welcome.

Parish Finance Committee

Father Bell…………………………………………………………………………610-566-0185

A group of parishioners that advise the Pastor in the financial matters of the parish. The committee meets regularly throughout the year.

Parish Hospitality Committee…………………………………………….occasional

Stella & Leonard Kavalkovich……………………………………610-565-2878

A group of volunteers who assist with preparing goodies for receptions following special liturgies, monthly welcoming of new parishioners, and other occasions as they arise. All are invited to join this special ministry of welcoming and hospitality.

Parish Pastoral Council

Father Bell…………………………………………………………………………610-566-0185

A group of 12 people, appointed and nominated, who assist the Pastor in identifying the needs of the parish community.

Welcoming Committee

Celine O’Brien…………………………………………………………………610-565-0155

This committee reaches out to our newly registered parishioners with a friendly phone call and a warm welcome.

Anointing of the Sick

Rectory………………………………………………………………………………610-566-0185

Please contact the rectory if you or someone you love is in need of the Sacrament of Anointing.  The graces available from the Sacrament are especially helpful if someone is ill, preparing for surgery or preparing for their final journey home. We also have the Mass of Anointing every fall for all of our elderly, shut-ins, chronically ill parishioners and Catholic Nursing home residents.

Baptism…………………………………………………………3^rd Sunday at 1:00 pm (C)

Rectory…………..…………………………………………………………………610-566-0185

If you are a parishioner and would like to have your child baptized, baptisms are held on the 3^rd Sunday of the month at 1:00 pm.  Parents are required to attend the Pre-Jordan class prior to the baptism.

Pre-Jordan Class……………………………………..2^nd Thursday, 7:00 pm (CR)

Funerals

Rectory…………………………………………………………………………….610-566-0185

A time that is most difficult and emotionally challenging.  As you need to attend to so many details, we offer the chance for the family to come and plan the Funeral liturgy for your loved one.  This involves choosing the readings, songs, and sharing information about the deceased so that the prayers of the faithful can be composed to reflect the life of your loved one in union with the needs of the church. Each year on All Souls Day, we hold a Mass of Remembrance for all families who have lost a loved one in the past year.

Marriage

Rectory……………………………………………………………………….……610-566-0185

If you or your fiancé are members of Nativity B.V.M., and desire to be married here, you must contact the rectory 6 months in advance of your proposed wedding date. Weddings are usually held on Saturday’s at 11:00 & 2:00pm or Friday evenings. The Archdiocese requires that couples complete their FOCCUS Inventory and Pre-Cana if they desire to be married in the Catholic Church.

Pre-Cana               ……………………………………………………….Spring and Fall………(CON)

FOCCUS Inventory

Cookie Magee…………………………………………………………………...610-566-0185

Reconciliation (Confession/Penance)

Rectory…………………………………………………………………………….610-566-0185

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered every Saturday from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in the church or with a priest by appointment.  We also hold Cluster Advent and Lenten Reconciliation Services.  The children in the School and in PREP are also afforded the opportunity to go to the sacrament during the school year.