Germantown Brickyard
Don't know if you heard or not, but St Francis Church will be closing on June 24th. It will be merging with St. Vincent's. There are some folks trying to have a last mass in the upper church on Sunday June 24th, see notice below. The pastor said if they got a few hundred to come he would have the service in the upper church for all to see if one more time, so they are trying to spread the word and get a number of how many would attend.
If you are on facebook you can search for Alumni of St. Francis of Assisi Germantown Philadelphia and read all the post.
This is it folks, last call. Established in 1899 and constructed in 1924, Germantown's St. Francis of Assisi parish will hold its FINAL MASS ever on Sunday, June 24th, 2012. For the moment, it looks as if the mass will be held in the lower church, but if the word is spread and Alumni will commit themselves to attend, by virtue of the number in attendance, it may be held in the upper church. This is a rally cry for Alumni to gather ONE FINAL time in the halls of our beloved Alma mater. Spread the word and post your reply. Include how many plan to attend with you. What else can I say, this is it. One. Last.Time. Amen.
The Final Mass will be Sunday June 24th at 10AM
That is awesome! If you have facebook you can go to the Alumni of St Francis of Assisi Germantown Philadelphia page and you will see all the postings. Ed McMahon is keeping a total of all who will attend.
I will also let him know that there will be an additional 19 attending.
Thanks!
If you are planning to attend the final mass at St. Francis on June 24th at 10am, please let Ed McMahon know via email at - efm@hendercon.com
Ed is trying to get a count of how many will be attending, to date there are over 200 past alumni attending.
Great News! I just spoke with Father Sheridan at St. Francis. I told him we currently have 264 people going to the last mass on June 24th. I explained that count could be light since many folks didn't indicate how many are coming with them. He agreed to have the mass in the upper church!
Now we need to work out the rest of the details for this memorable event. Our issues, at least as I see them are: Parking, Security and the details for the liturgy. The "school yard" only holds about 60 cars or so.
I am going to visit the office complex at Manheim and Wissahickon and maybe the Germantown Cricket Club to discuss remote parking at their properties. I am also going to explore shuttle buses to take people from these relatively secure locations to the church and back again.
I have relatives in the Philadelphia Police Department who I'm sure can arrange security for reasons I'll leave unsaid.
Anyone who wishes to get involved in the details of the rest of this are appreciated.
contact Ed McMahon at efm@hendercon.com
I finally meet with Mike Garvey at my place last night and he suggested that after the mass we meet at Katie O'Donnell's to get together and talk about the re-union.
I have off street parking for 250 cars plus the Raymour & Flannigan parking lot plus an outdoor patio including a bar.
I know everyone goes to the American Legion post as I meet there once a month with my 101st Airborne Division paratrooper members. I was a 19 year old Vietnam combat vet and served with the 327th combat infantry & recon group while with the 101st.
The web site is www.katieos.com and has pictures, menu and all our activities. A great mature crowd goes there and we have great food.
My cell number is 267-253-7460 should you want to call me.
A lot of the "Brickyard" gang has been there and we have fun talking about the old times.
I appreciate your consideration as to meeting there after Mass to have fun and talk about a re-union.
Thanks,
Ed
Parking and shuttle buses for the last mass have been resolved. LaSalle University has graciously allowed us to park in their lot that is part of a shopping center named "The Shoppes at LaSalle".
The center is located at Chew Ave. and Wister Street. We are permitted to use the lot from 9 AM to Noon on June 24th. They request that we park close to the Security and Safety Headquarters building which is on the southeast corner of the center, and not close to the stores.
Shuttle buses will run from the parking area to and from St. Francis. The buses are essentially school buses. I suggest that anyone who cannot easily board a bus be taken to church and then the driver take the vehicle to LaSalle. The buses are from a company named Tropiano and shouldn't be confused with the LaSalle buses that are also in the parking lot.
The buses will run on roughly a 15 minute cycle with the last bus leaving St. Francis about 11:45
Please pass the word about the parking. I look forward to seeing everyone on the 24th.
I think I will park on Manheim St and walk to church like we did when we lived there.
HaHa, No problem I think the gangsters will still be sleeping.