March 4, 2026

Heavenly Father, we come to you with humble hearts, asking for your mercy upon all mankind. Let your peace flow through nations, across borders, and into every home. Calm the storms of hatred, silence the drums of war, and replace pride with compassion.

Heal our broken world. Let us not grow tired of praying, hoping and believing. May we, in our little ways, be instruments of your peace and love.

Amen.
~ St. Padre Pio


Dear Parishioners,

As much as we may be tempted to look back on the Israelites and wonder at their doubt, if any of us have ever been truly thirsty, we will be moved to greater empathy for their plight. There are few things more troubling than not having enough water. We can go some amount of time without food, but water is a very urgent human need. And so, confronted with the horrific reality of being in a desert with no water, wondering if God has abandoned them no longer feels so surprising.

We often grapple with moments we feel spiritually dry and begin to question God’s providence. Especially in our modern context, we, too, are in a desert – not a physical but a spiritual one. We live in a world where sources connecting us to that deeper, richer inner life can feel hard to notice, hard to get to, hard to find.

Sometimes it can seem as though the number of people in our midst who are plagued by spiritual thirst is very high. And in these moments of suffering and longing and need, we may find ourselves asking the same question as the Israelites in our first reading: Is the Lord in our midst or not? 

In this season of Lent, we are invited to bring our spiritual thirst to the Lord. We see in the Gospel that Jesus himself is the source of the living water that satisfies the spiritual thirsts in our lives. Whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst, Jesus says. Just as God provided for the Israelites in the desert, so, too, he provides for us through his Son, Jesus, from whom blood and water poured as a fountain of grace. At Mass, Jesus’ self-offering on the cross becomes real and present to us. In the Eucharist, he continues to pour out his abundant life to refresh our souls.

But Jesus doesn’t only give us himself. He also gives us the gift of his Spirit. Saint Paul reminds us that we will find our peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and in the love of God that has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. When we receive the love of God through the Spirit, we are, to borrow a phrase from Pope Francis, “set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness” (Evangelii Gaudium, 1). Through the gift of the Spirit, we receive life- giving water in abundance. Here in this sacred place, in this sacred time, let us acknowledge our thirst and our need for God. Let us not mask it or hide it with distractions or goods which cannot ultimately satisfy. We are invited today to bring our thirst to God and, like the Samaritan woman, simply ask: Lord, give me this water. 

Just as the Lord was waiting for the woman at the well, Jesus will meet us in our need and provide life-giving water for all our spiritual thirsts

God Love Ya!
Fr. Reilly





What is the function of the gathering song? The gathering song serves to form us into a community, preparing us to worship as a unified body. It is the first formal act of the liturgy that we do together as the Body of Christ gathered for worship. The singing together, even breathing together as we sing, helps us to become the one body that is gathered for worship. It focuses us on what we are about to do. It frequently brings to our awareness the focus of the day’s celebration. Like the homily, the intercessions, and the prayers, the music is chosen to reflect the readings of the day. The gathering song is part of the Introductory Rites that begins our celebration of the liturgy. Only when we have gathered physically and spiritually, can we enter into the important action of the liturgy of listening to the Word of God. The gathering song should help us to become aware of ourselves as a unified community gathered for worship.




Stations of the Cross will be prayed in Church on Wednesday evenings in Lent at 7:00 PM.
Due to the St. Joseph Triduum on March 18, Stations will not take place that evening. Please join us as a family.



Why not take a spiritual health day and join us on Wednesday, April 29 for our annual parish retreat at the Malvern Retreat House from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM? Mary Bea Domico, founder and director of the St. Carlos Acutis Shrine and Eucharistic Encounter at Malvern will be our guest speaker.

* Discover how the Lord revealed His Plan for an expanded mission for Malvern Retreat House centered upon the life and work of Blessed Carlo Acutis.

*Learn about the documented and scientific findings of Eucharistic Miracles from around the world, spanning more than 1,200 years.

* Gain new insights into the extraordinary life of this ordinary boy, and the call to sainthood on each and every life.

*Expand your understanding of Eucharistic Miracles – and more importantly the Miracle of the Eucharist.

* Deepen your personal encounter with the Living Heart of Jesus in the Eucharist.

Cost is $45 and includes a continental breakfast and a hot lunch. Prior registration is necessary no later than April 22. To register, click here




Please keep our parish students in grade 7, in your prayers as they receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on Thursday with Bishop Fitzgerald. Come Holy Spirit, Come!



We invite you to join the Saints Peter and Paul community in honoring the Sacred Heart in Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament on Friday, March 6, at 7:00 PM. Concluding at 8:00 PM, this First Friday Holy Hour will consist of Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Evening Prayer, the Litany of the Eucharist.

In the words of Saint Teresa of Calcutta:
 “When you look at the Crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then, when you look at the Sacred Host, you understand how Jesus loves you."




Fiorenza's Food For Friends (F4), is seeking volunteer drivers to collect food donations from multiple Wawa locations in Exton, Lionville, West Chester, Downingtown, and Chester Springs areas and deliver the donations to multiple non-profit organizations in Coatesville or West Chester.

This is a once a month volunteer opportunity that will take approximately 2 hours to collect and transport food donations on Saturdays or Sundays.

Volunteers will be part of a 4-5 person team that enable you to swap dates each month, if needed.

If you are interested, please contact F4 at: 610.955.7090.

Thank you!

Brenda Russell, CEO
Fiorenza's Food For Friends (F4)

• March 17-19: St. Joseph Triduum. A series of homilies and devotions to honor St. Joseph by Deacon Cross, Deacon Colon and Deacon Cole. 7:00- 8:00 PM in the Church.
• April 10-12 The Malvern Retreat House is hosting a weekend Divine Mercy Retreat with Bishop Efren Esmilla, Fr. DeLacy and Kathleen McCarthy. Please go to www.DivineMercyRetreat.com for details.
• April 15- Presentation by Fr. Chris Walsh: Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit. 7:00-8:00 PM in the Church.
• April 29- Our annual Saints Peter and Paul Parish Retreat at the Malvern Retreat House, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Mary Bea Damico will be presenting on The Life and Work of St. Carlos Acutis. Cost is $45 and includes breakfast and lunch. Please see our parish website to register.
• May 3- Donut Sunday
• May 4 - May Procession

Join Dr. Tim Gray as he helps us explore the Gospel of Mark like never before. We’ll dive into this action-packed narrative, which reflects St. Peter’s firsthand account of Christ’s life and teachings.

We covered the first 7 lessons in the Fall of 2025 but there is still plenty to discover as we complete the final 7 lessons, with no meetings during Holy Week. Each meeting includes a video presentation and group discussion.

Study materials will be ordered as a group. The cost is approximately $25 per person, or $35 if you would like a leader guide that includes answers to the study questions. By ordering through the parish, you will save on sales tax and shipping! If you purchased a study guide in the Fall, you will not need another! You are welcome to check it out without purchasing a study guide, if that appeals to you!

All sessions will be held in the Parish Center (the building between the Church and Boot Road). Choose between two group meeting times: 

 
To reserve your study guide or request more information, by Monday, March 9, please contact Jane Joyce at 610.429.3973 (landline with voicemail) or [email protected].





Looking for a meaningful way to offer your time and talent in our parish? Our baptism volunteers warmly welcome young families to the celebration of this sacrament and assist the priest and sacristan in making everything run smoothly. Please email Judy Magee at [email protected] if you are interested in being a part of this important ministry.




Partner with us to provide Easter outfits for children in need in Chester County. Sign up on SignUpGenius by scanning the QR code below or by visiting www.partnersinoutreach.org/signup.

If you want to select a family, contact us and we can help you. Once on the site, select a child/family, provide your contact information and submit and you will receive an email confirmation. We will send out a reminder the week it is due back.

Please return clothing on hangers labeled with the child’s name and ID code to the Narthex on or before March 15, 2026. 

Recommended items: dresses for girls, khaki pants and collared shirt or polo shirt for boys and no accessories, please.

If you would like us to shop for you or make a donation, mail your contribution to Partners in Outreach, P.O. Box 21, Chester Springs, PA 19425 or donate online at http://www.partnersinoutreach.org.Contact Barb Quinn, [email protected], if you have an questions. Easter blessings to you all.