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| We are a dynamic and growing Faith community located in the Northwestern suburbs of Philadelphia and proud to be a part of that historic Archdiocese. We hope that this page, and the links provided will be a doorway to helpful knowledge in the pursuit of the Truth which is Christ Jesus Our Lord. Father Leonard N. Peterson, Pastor |
Hatfield, Pennsylvania 19440 Rev. Leonard N. Peterson, Pastor Rev. Khoa Nguyen, Parochial Vicar Rectory Phone: (215) 721-0199 Fax: (215) 721-4320 |
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| We, the faithful of St. Maria Goretti Roman Catholic Parish, come together to give thanks and praise to God for His many blessings, and for our salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. We seek to proclaim the message of Christ through the celebration of the Eucharist and the Sacraments of the Church. Through lives of prayer and service to all our brothers and sisters, we reflect the presence of Christ to the world, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. |
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Formation |
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| John Cardinal O'Hara the then Archbishop of Philadelphia, founded St. Maria Goretti Parish in 1953. The first pastor was Father Thomas F. Doyle. On June 14 of that year, the first Mass was celebrated at the Hatfield Fire Hall. Soon afterwards, Masses were celebrated at Hen's restaurant (presently Finn McCool's) on the Hatfield-Souderton Pike. Ground was broken on December 27, 1953, for a church-school combination building and a convent for the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The school opened in September 1954. As early as 1960, a small social hall and gym were added. However, the Palm Sunday Holy Week celebrations began in these rooms in 1961. These rooms were to remain the Parish Church for the next 34 years. On May 15, 1994, ground was broken again. This time, however, it was for the present Church. By July 1995, the building was ready for partial use. Finally, after 34 years in the temporary church, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua dedicated the new church on Sunday, November 19, 1995. As the growth of the parish has been phenomenal since those early days in the mid-century, an expanded school facility may mark the future, in terms of building. Notwithstanding, the parish is blessed with many good families who take their Faith seriously enough to want to be involved in parish life as much as they can. This is the real treasure of the parish. That fact outweighs in importance the buildings we have constructed, the priests, the sisters, and lay staff who has served the parish; and all the tales, tall or true, that could be written here. |
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St. Maria Goretti |
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