Fourth Sunday

of

Advent

And they shall name him Emmanuel, which means "God is with us."

A Special Note from Father Joe

PLAN FOR CHRISTMAS MASSES

As we prepare for Christmas, please note that the 4:00 PM Mass at Villanova Church will not allow standing in aisles or doorways. Extra chairs will be added, and once capacity is reached, attendees will be directed to the 4:30 PM Mass at Rosemont Chapel. Harten Hall will also be available for overflow with upgraded livestreaming.

A 5:00 PM Mass at OMGC is also offered. For more details, please see our bulletin.


Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Liturgy Schedule


Wednesday, December 24th

Daily Mass - 9:00 AM in the Rosemont Chapel


Wednesday, December 24th

Vigil Mass

Villanova Church

  • 4:00 PM
  • 6:00 PM
  • 10:30 PM


Rosemont Chapel

  • 4:30 PM


Thursday, December 25th

Villanova Church

  • 10:30 AM


Wednesday and Thursday, December 24–25- The Parish Office will be closed.

Friday, December 26th, the Parish Office will be closed; Mass will be at 9 AM in the Rosemont Chapel.


New Year’s Eve - New Year’s Day (Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God)

Wednesday, December 31st

Vigil Mass

Rosemont Chapel

  • 5:30 PM

Thursday, January 1st

Rosemont Chapel

  • 9:00 AM


Wednesday and Thursday, December 31st and Thursday, January 1st, the Parish Office will be closed.

OMGC Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Liturgy Schedule


Wednesday, December 24th, Christmas Eve

  • 5:00 PM
  • 9:00 PM

Thursday, December 25th, Christmas Day

  • 8:00 AM
  • 10:00 AM



New Year’s Eve - New Year’s Day (Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God)

Wednesday, December 31st:

  • 5:00 PM Vigil Mass

Thursday, January 1st:

  • 10:00 AM

December Events and Highlights


Advent Reconciliation

Reconciliation in Advent is available:

  • Every Tuesday after the 12:05 PM Liturgy (Rosemont Chapel)
  • Every Saturday following the 9:00 AM Liturgy


Sunday, December 21
🎄
Children’s Christmas Play & Sing-Along

The Children’s Christmas Play will take place at 10:30 AM in the Rosemont Chapel.

Drop-off information:

  • All students should be dropped off at 10:10 AM
  • K–5th Grade: Drop off in their classrooms
  • 6th & 7th Grade: Drop off directly at the Rosemont Chapel


Monday, December 22nd

  • Centering Prayer - 8:00 AM in Rosemont Chapel
  • OUR MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL PARISH COMMUNAL CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION:  7 PM
    

Upcoming Parish Happenings


Monday, January 5

🕊️ Centering Prayer 🕗 8:00 AM · Rosemont Chapel

Begin your week with quiet prayer and reflection.


Thursday, January 8

  • 👥 Men’s Gathering 🕡 6:30 AM · Rosemont Chapel


  • The Men of Villanova meet weekly for prayer, fellowship, and faith.

Contact: Kraig Null 📩 stv.mensgathering@gmail.com


  • 💙 Bereavement Support Group

🕡 6:30 PM · Our Mother of Good Counsel

A caring space for healing and hope. Hosted by Fr. John Deary


Sunday, January 11 🕡 2:30–4:30 PM

Teen Ministry 🎶 Music & Small Groups in the STV Parish Youth Room.


Monday, January 19

  • ✊ Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

A day to serve, reflect, and give back. Click here for details.

  • Teen Ministry Day of Service 10 AM - 1 PM at OMGC


Tuesday, January 20, 2026

📖 Fr. Michael’s Weekly Scripture Study resumes

All are welcome!


Monday, January 26th

🌸 New Program for Grandparents 🌸

💛 Pass on faith, hope, and love to the next generation.

Mondays: January 26, February 2, February 9, & February 16

🕥 10:30–11:45 AM📍 Harten Hall Click here for details.


Tuesday, January 27 - Brown Bag Lunch

📚 Fr. Art Peccaro — Author of Building

Join us for an engaging talk and discussion. Click here for details.


🌸 New Program for Grandparents 🌸

💛 Pass on faith, hope, and love to the next generation.

Mondays: January 26, February 2, February 9, & February 16

🕥 10:30–11:45 AM📍 Harten Hall Click here for details.


⛸️ Save the Date! ⛸️

Annual Family Life Skate Party

📅 Saturday, February 28 🕠 5:30–7:30 PM

Fun for the whole family—don’t miss it!



VOLUNTEERS NEEDED


JOIN THE INNKEEPER MINISTRY THIS CHRISTMAS

Please help us welcome parishioners and guests at our Christmas liturgies!

Volunteers are asked to:

  • Please arrive 30 minutes before the Mass they plan to attend
  • Greet people at the doors and assist as needed
  • Optional: Help with parking at the 4:30 PM Rosemont Chapel Mass or directing parishioners at the 4:00 PM Mass (arrive 30 min before; stay ~15 min after)

Serving as an Innkeeper is a wonderful way for individuals and families to share the joy of Christmas.

To volunteer: liturgy@stvparish.org or call 610-525-4801 ext. 203


VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT OUR MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL 

When the temperature feels like freezing, Lower Merion calls it a Code Blue night and 

asks us to open our shelter for homeless men. If you would like to volunteer to help us with this ministry, please go to the Our Mother of Good Counsel website, OMGC and scroll down to Code blue and click on the link.  This will bring you to the schedule with dates and times when we need help.Thank you for your assistance. 

TRIP

Calling all parishioners interested in a spring mission trip with Food for the Poor to Kingston, Jamaica! Spend time rebuilding homes after the hurricane and providing other relief services, as well as beginning and ending each day in spiritual reflection and fellowship. Age 16 and older. Please email parishioner Bill Yoh (bill.yoh@yoh.com) ASAP as date planning will happen shortly.


DINNERS TO DOORSTEPS

Help bring comfort and care through a home-cooked meal. Our parish ministry, Dinners to the Doorstep, is seeking new volunteers to prepare and deliver meals to those in our community facing challenges. If you’re interested in sharing your time and talent, please contact:

Sarah Breck – (610) 733-0536 | sarahbreck@verizon.net.  


ST. JOHN’S CASSEROLES

Want to help out a great nonprofit that serves hot meals to those in need?

St. John’s Hospice is greatly in need of pre-cooked casseroles. Every day, they provide over 350 lunchtime meals to homeless people in Philadelphia near the Convention Center. We are looking for volunteers who can prepare a casserole and bring it to our freezer, located in the room outside the elevator on the lower level of the Rosemont Chapel. Casserole tins are available on the top of the freezers. Any home-cooked casserole must include a protein, such as meat and/or beans. Please label and date your casserole with masking tape. If you have any questions or need recipes for the casseroles, please contact Renee Massaua at service@stvparish.org.        


STV FOOD PANTRY – We Need Your Help!

Every week, our parish food closet collects non-perishable items to support over 300 families at our sister parish, St. Cyprian’s in West Philadelphia.

Most Needed Items:

Powdered milk • Canned fruit & 100% juice • Peanut butter & jelly • Tuna • Canned chicken • Cold cereal • Oatmeal • Pasta & sauce • Rice • Stew • Chili • Soup • Toilet paper • Diapers

Donation Drop-Off Times:

📍 Parish Center:

  • Monday–Thursday: 9:00 AM–4:30 PM
  • Friday: 9:00 AM–1:00 PM

📍 Rosemont Chapel (back entrance):

  • During weekend Mass times

Thank you for making a real difference in the lives of others!

DECEMBER 2025 & JANUARY 2026

Parish Office Hours Update

Beginning Monday, December 1, 2025, and continuing through January 2026, the Parish Office hours will be:

Monday–Thursday: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Friday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

(Previously 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM)

Please note that additional security measures have been added at the Parish Office entrance. You must ring the bell for staff to unlock the door for your entry.

Thank you for your cooperation.

LIVE STREAM LINK VILLANOVA CHURCH Sunday 7:30 AM | 10:30 AM


LIVE STREAM IN THE ROSEMONT CHAPEL Saturday 4:30 PM | Sunday 9 AM


MASS SCHEDULE

Rosemont Chapel: Monday - Friday 12:05 PM | Saturday 9 AM| Vigil 4:30 PM |

Sunday 9 AM - Villanova Church: Sunday 7:30 AM | 10:30 AM

PARISH BULLETIN

For a one time contribution click here

To Donate with Pay Pal Click Here

To Donate with Venmo Click Here

St. Thomas of Villanova Parish

Phone: 610.525.4801 |Fax: 610.525.6041

WEB: stvparish.net

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