275th CALENDAR OF EVENTS

First Sunday of Advent: Vespers/Marian Concert

Sunday, November 30, 2008 ~ 4:00 pm

(This is the last event of our yearlong celebration.)

Those individuals and corporations which are sponsoring our 275th anniversary celebration through their financial gifts include: Voveo Marketing Group, Old Saint Joseph's Historic Preservation Corporation, Kensington Court Assisted Living Community (Tinton Falls NJ), Oppenheimer & Co, Inc. (Joseph Nowak, VP Investments), Judy and Bob Palestini, Joseph Petko, Cozen O'Connor Foundation, Inc., Ristorante Panorama, Fera Donna Inc. T/A The Downtown Club, Ronald Rex Piselli Funeral Chapel, Inc., Coldwell Banker Realty Corp. (Louise Cruz-Vizcaino and George Cahill), The Willings at Independence Park, and Milner + Carr Conservation, LLC.

DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know? Many OSJ pastors have served as Jesuit college presidents. Presidents of Georgetown University include Robert Molyneux, S.J., Leonard Neale, S.J., Stephen Dubuisson, S.J., and James Ryder, S.J. Presidents of the College of the Holy Cross include James Ryder, S.J., Peter Blenkinsop, S.J., Samuel Cahill, S.J., and Michael O'Kane, S. J. Presidents of St. Joseph's University include Felix Barbelin, S.J., James Ryder, S.J., Albert G. Brown, S.J., Thomas J. Love, S.J., and J. Joseph Bluett, S.J. Pastor John A. Morgan, S.J. served as president of Loyola College, Baltimore; and John Scully, S.J., served as president of Fordham College, New York.

Did you know? The parish outreach program to the homeless, begun in 1985, now includes two programs: the Carewalk and the Outreach Center , under the direction of Sr. Mary Small, S.S.J. and a corps of loyal volunteers. Carewalk workers take food to the homeless two nights a week as they "walk" OSJ's neighborhood. The Outreach Center provides dinners three days a week to the homeless and men of low-income. Referrals to appropriate social, medical and legal services are made.

Did you know? In 1976, OSJ was a founding member of Old Philadelphia Congregations, a group of historic churches and synagogues that trace their heritage to William Penn's 1701 Charter of Privileges . The historic signs erected in front of neighborhood houses of worship tell the story of each institution and the early history of religious freedom in Philadelphia .

Did you know? In 1992, Old St. Joseph's Historic Preservation Corporation was formed to strengthen efforts to preserve OSJ's historic buildings and research the history of the site. "It seeks to promote public understanding of the significance of OSJ in shaping America 's religious, intellectual and cultural history since its founding in 1733, including the contributions of the Society of Jesus, through publications, public programs, and preservation of the site." ( Mission Statement)

Did you know? Today, under pastor Dan Ruff, S.J., almost 1,000 parishioners are active lay colleagues of the Jesuits. In addition to its social justice outreach (20% of its annual budget is dedicated to the care of the poor), the parish has developed education, hospitality, faith formation, prayer and spirituality, leadership development, and ecumenical and interfaith programs.