If you are Roman Catholic, you will notice nearly no difference in our Liturgy style and practice. We use most of the Roman Missal, with a few changes, and an Old Catholic Sacramentary. If you are of any other Christian demonination, or even any other religion, just grab one of our Mass Missals and feel right at home!
Probably the most noticeable difference from our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters, is that we joyously exchange "the sign of Peace" at the very beginning. Much like when you enter someone's home, hello and hugs are exchanged almost right away. It is how Christ and the Disciples greeted each other. We move about the Sanctuary in loving embrace and everyone is left feeling warm and welcomed! I tend to laughingly call this "the swarm".
Another major difference- and perhaps the most important- we celebrate an OPEN TABLE during Eucharist Communion. No one- no one, is denied the Sacrament. You needn't have made a formal Confession, you can be divorced, non Catholic, gay, lesbian, Jewish- you may not even have been to Church in a hundred years! All the children of God are welcome to receive the gift of forgiveness and love of God through our Eucharistic celebration. That is the important message and difference of the Old Catholic Church- all children of God are welcome!
Our Sunday morning services begin at 730am (for those early risers, and our joggers and "gym rats" eager to get into their workout routine. It is a short half hour simple spoken Mass) Our Family Service at 9am, is full of families and children with music and signing. (This is by far our largest attended Mass, after which fellowship continues in our downstairs Saint Miriam's Cafe. There is coffee and beverages and a delicious prepared food menu which changes weekly.) Our 1030am Mass continues with the same format of singing and celebration, and is tailored to those who just needed that extra time in bed. (LOL)
On Thursdays at 4pm we honor two hours of Eucharistic Adoration.
The Holy Rosary is prayed every Sunday at 830am, led by our Deacon's Devotional Rosary Circle. Our Bishop made a pledge to the Blessed Mother, that we would pray the Rosary if She would bless, protect and build our Parish. (We have continued to show great growth in membership and inspiration, and have moved for the third time to our newest and biggest ten acre campus- complete with an attached school, Franciscan Friary and the historic- Union Cemetery of Whitemarsh. Without question, our Blessed Mother has indeed inspired her Son to bless our Parish. Unlike many other Catholic churches we have seen a membership increase of 35% from 2016 to 2018.)
Our Church also serves as the Pro Cathedral for our Diocese; hosts Pennsylvania Boy Scout Troop 320 of the Washington Crossing Council, the Zion Preschool and the Saint Miriam Academy (Kindergarten and First grade). We are hosts to chapter meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous and also Recovery (a support organization and counseling service for persons recovering from emotional crisis and merging back into society). We are active in community outreach programs and the Ecumenical Council of Churches of Montgomery County PA.
In 2018 Easter Season we joined in partnership with the Montgomery County PA Sheriff's Department, and hosted an Easter Egg Hunt for children with disabilities. Most uniquely, eggs that emitted both an audible chirp and vibration for those children suffering vision and sound limitations. Assisted by BSA Troop 320! It was indeed a fun and memorable day for all! And where did that giant Easter Bunny come from!
Probably the most noticeable difference from our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters, is that we joyously exchange "the sign of Peace" at the very beginning. Much like when you enter someone's home, hello and hugs are exchanged almost right away. It is how Christ and the Disciples greeted each other. We move about the Sanctuary in loving embrace and everyone is left feeling warm and welcomed! I tend to laughingly call this "the swarm".
Another major difference- and perhaps the most important- we celebrate an OPEN TABLE during Eucharist Communion. No one- no one, is denied the Sacrament. You needn't have made a formal Confession, you can be divorced, non Catholic, gay, lesbian, Jewish- you may not even have been to Church in a hundred years! All the children of God are welcome to receive the gift of forgiveness and love of God through our Eucharistic celebration. That is the important message and difference of the Old Catholic Church- all children of God are welcome!
Our Sunday morning services begin at 730am (for those early risers, and our joggers and "gym rats" eager to get into their workout routine. It is a short half hour simple spoken Mass) Our Family Service at 9am, is full of families and children with music and signing. (This is by far our largest attended Mass, after which fellowship continues in our downstairs Saint Miriam's Cafe. There is coffee and beverages and a delicious prepared food menu which changes weekly.) Our 1030am Mass continues with the same format of singing and celebration, and is tailored to those who just needed that extra time in bed. (LOL)
On Thursdays at 4pm we honor two hours of Eucharistic Adoration.
The Holy Rosary is prayed every Sunday at 830am, led by our Deacon's Devotional Rosary Circle. Our Bishop made a pledge to the Blessed Mother, that we would pray the Rosary if She would bless, protect and build our Parish. (We have continued to show great growth in membership and inspiration, and have moved for the third time to our newest and biggest ten acre campus- complete with an attached school, Franciscan Friary and the historic- Union Cemetery of Whitemarsh. Without question, our Blessed Mother has indeed inspired her Son to bless our Parish. Unlike many other Catholic churches we have seen a membership increase of 35% from 2016 to 2018.)
Our Church also serves as the Pro Cathedral for our Diocese; hosts Pennsylvania Boy Scout Troop 320 of the Washington Crossing Council, the Zion Preschool and the Saint Miriam Academy (Kindergarten and First grade). We are hosts to chapter meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous and also Recovery (a support organization and counseling service for persons recovering from emotional crisis and merging back into society). We are active in community outreach programs and the Ecumenical Council of Churches of Montgomery County PA.
In 2018 Easter Season we joined in partnership with the Montgomery County PA Sheriff's Department, and hosted an Easter Egg Hunt for children with disabilities. Most uniquely, eggs that emitted both an audible chirp and vibration for those children suffering vision and sound limitations. Assisted by BSA Troop 320! It was indeed a fun and memorable day for all! And where did that giant Easter Bunny come from!