Tag: Mater Dolorosa

Posted on by

Axe Falls on Two Catholic Churches in Frankford

mater web pic

The Frankford community has experienced abandonment before but never has it fallen so heavily in a single blow.  The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced the closing of both Catholic churches in the heart of Frankford at weekend masses.

While the parishioners of both churches were expecting some kind of bad news, there was an expectation that either Mater Dolorosa (Located at Paul and Ruan Sts.) or St. Joachim (Located at Griscom and Church Sts.) would remain to serve the people of Frankford.  The parishes are joachims web picscheduled to merge with Holy Innocents in Juniata Park along with St. Joan of Arc in Harrogate which is also being closed and merged.  The closing will be effective June 30th.

Efforts to retain a Catholic church in the heart of Frankford are underway.  More information is available at this facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/161019060737239/

An online petition has been established at this link: http://tinyurl.com/mxo65jk

Posted on by

Frankford’s Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.! The Promise of Hope!

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Monday morning over 200 people from the Frankford area gathered to remember and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and to continue working towards his dream of all of us joining our hands as “brothers and sisters”. Honoring Dr. King reminds us of our own call to serve, to show “true compassion … and a revolution of values” as we need more than ever, compassion, understanding and justice for each American. This was the 25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast Celebration and this event had taken place at St. Joachim RC Church in previous years. This year, Dr. Ayesha Imani, CEO,Principal, and Founder of Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School, invited the community to use the school’s facility at 4256 Paul St. for the celebration. Besides George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, Dr. King is the only one to be honored by having a federal holiday named after him.  At 8:30 AM, the school’s cafeteria was filled with people from the many different

Dr. Ayesha Imani, Sankofa Freedom Academy

organizations, churches and neighborhood who came for a free, cooked breakfast (by Ken’s Catering) and to participate in a program honoring Dr. King’s life that showcased the many talents of our area youth. There was a feeling of anticipation and excitement as we waited for the program to begin. Sponsored by the Frankford Coalition of Neighbors (FCN) with support from area organizations, this celebration, according to Jennifer Powell-Folks Executive Director of FCN, brings “Frankfordians together to sit with each other and talk with each other”. Jennifer reminded us that “grassroots people can make a difference” and that it is important that elected officials hear our views on what matters most to us. The mission of FCN is “… to improve relations among the diverse religious, economic, racial and ethnic groups in Frankford, while promoting volunteerism and community coalition”. At the end of this article we will provide contact information for two of community groups if you would like to get more involved. Also, be sure to check out the links of the various performances.

The program began with a song entitled “Lift Every Voice and Sing”. The Frankford Friends School Choir sang and played bells to accompany this song. We have links to all the performances at the end of this article. This song is commonly known as “The Negro National Anthem”. We were welcomed by Janet Bernstein, a member of FCN and the Frankford Garden Club, who asked us to reflect what each of us can do to continue Dr. King’s work. The beautiful table centerpieces were provided by the Frankford Garden Club with assistance by the Frankford High School ROTC (FHS ROTC) members. FHS

Jennifer Powell-Folks, Frankford Coalition of Neighbors

ROTC “presented arms” and we listened to the National Anthem. They also treated us to a drill team performance. Reverend Laurie Ann Rookard of the United Methodist Church gave the invocation and blessing. Breakfast was then served – buffet style. Following breakfast, there was an acknowledgement of the local dignitaries in attendance. Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sanchez and state Representative Tony Payton, Jr. were among the notables. Both were thanked for their active support and advocacy for our community.

The poetry performances by Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School students were very, very moving to all. These poets are wise beyond their years and offered us a chance to see the dreams of a life they envisioned for all. Listening to these young people, Dr. King would know his message has not been forgotten. Kimberly Washington, the Northeast EPIC coordinator, explained that her organization needed more involvement from area residents. Many of the civic groups in Frankford participate in this organization but the voices of those of us who live here, the residents, needs to be more vocal and active. The next meeting of the EPIC Stakeholders is Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 5:30 PM at Aria Health – Frankford. Please make sure your presence and voice are there!

A liturgical dance was performed by the Treasures from Heaven of the Campbell AME Church. This Church on Kinsey Street is over 200 years old and the second oldest church in the Philadelphia conference. There was a free will offering to help defray costs of the breakfast. Northeast Boys and Girls Club marched and stepped lively to drums which accompanied the drill team’s performance.

Dr. Imani explained the development of freedom schools (Wikipedia reference which references the Philadelphia Freedom Schools based on the Children’s Defense Fund model). More information is also found here on the Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School web site. Reverend Rookard closed the program with a benediction.

How Can You Get Involved? Bring a Friend! Explore and Use Your Talents for Frankford!

Frankford Coalition of Neighbors
Jennifer Powell-Folks, Executive Director
c/o Campbell AME Church
1661 Kinsey Street
Philadelphia, PA 19124
215.744.9170
email: FrankfordCoalition@Prodigy.net

CORA Services Northeast EPIC Stakeholders
Kimberly Washington, Esq.
email: KWashington@coraservices.org
Next meeting: Thursday, 1/27/11 at 5:30 PM at Aria Health, Frankford

Contributing Organizations besides those already mentioned: Aria Health, Frankford Campus; Fruit of the Vine United Methodist Church; Mater Dolorosa RC Church; Friends of Wissonoming Park

You are able to share in and relive this celebration by clicking on the following links:
MLK Day at Sankofa
Frankford Friends School Choir
Frankford High School ROTC Drill Team
Sankofa Essay and Poetry Readings
Campbell AME Church Liturgical Dance Performance
Northeast Boys and Girls Club Drill Team
Sankofa Freedom Academy “Something Inside So Strong”

Posted on by

Coming Up in Frankford

  • Grand Army of the Republic Museum Open HouseNext Week In Frankford
    When – Sun, October 4, 12pm – 5pm
    Where – 4278 Griscom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – Presentation at 1:30 PM: Civil War Era Entertainment Dr Sid Copel
  • Mater Dolorosa 2nd Annual “Fall Gala”
    When – Sun, October 4, 2:00pm – 7:30pm
    Where – DiPinto’s Caterers, Torresdale & Frankford Ave (map)
    Description – 2 PM to 6 PM. DiPinto’s Caterers, Torresdale & Frankford Ave., Buffet Dinner, Beer, Wine & Soda, DJ, Tickets $35.00 can be purchased at Rectory 215-535-4036 or call Lou Altomari 215- 285-2067.
  • Historical Society of Frankford program
    When – Tue, October 13, 7:30pm – 9:00pm
    Where – 1507 Orthodox St., Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – PLAYING CARDS and the AMERICAN REVOLUTION. Presented by Patricia Coyne. Learn of the evolution and role of playing cards in prompting the American Revolution and enjoy an annotated display of playing cards from last century. Following this brief program and display, attendees will be invited to view some of the cards in the Historical Society of Frankford’s collection, and share their own, personal playing card decks and stories.
  • Overington Park Craft Fair and Fall Fest
    When – Sat, October 17, 9am – 1pm
    Where – Overington Park, Leiper St and Orthodox St. (map)
    Description – Craft fair/ flea market. $5.00 per space, The Frankford Garden Club will be doing a bulb planting demonstration and answering your garden questions. We are also having face painting, a pumpkin patch, and other kid activities. Please come out and take a look, join your neighbors for our Friends Of Overington Park Fall Fest. (rain date of Oct. 24)
  • St. Joachim’s annual Tricky Trays
    When – Sun, October 18, 11:30am – 3:00pm
    Where – St. Joachim’s Church, 1527 Church Street, Phila., PA 19124 (map)
    Description – St. Joachim’s Church located at 1527 Church Street, Phila., PA 19124 is having their annual Tricky Trays (A Giant Tombola) event on Sunday, October 18, 2009 from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM. on Fitzmaurice Hall. Adults are $3.00 and children (4 yrs. to 12 yrs.) are $2.00, this cost includes either a Hot Dog or Chili. Any questions, please call 215-535-0580. Join us for an afternoon of fun!
  • Historical Society’s CENTER FOR NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA HISTORY’s “History Day”
    When – Sun, October 18, 1pm – 5pm
    Where – Holy Family University in the plaza between the Perzel Building and the Library. (map)
    Description – Historical Society’s CENTER FOR NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA HISTORY’s “History Day” is fast approaching. Various Northeast neighborhood, historical, and cultural groups will be setting up exhibits on their history at Holy Family University in the plaza between the Perzel Building and the Library.
  • Innaugural Induction Ceremoines for the Northeast Philadelphia Hall of Fame
    When – Sun, October 18, 1pm – 3pm
    Where – Holy Family University (map)
    Description – The Inaugural Induction Ceremonies for the Northeast Hall of Fame will be held at Holy Family University Perzel Building.
  • Northwood Civic Association Meeting
    When – Tue, October 20, 7pm – 8pm
    Where – St. James Lutheran Church, at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street. (map)
  • Italian Style Family Dinner
    When – Wed, October 21, 4:30pm – 8:00pm
    Where – St. Joachim’s Church, 1527 Church Street, Phila., PA 19124 (map)
    Description – MARK YOUR CALENDAR Every Third Wednesday from September thru May Italian Style Family Dinner The Dinners will be served from 4:30 PM to 8 PM in Fitzmaurice Hall Take-out will be available. COST: $8.00 for Adults, $4.00 for Children. Come Join us!
Posted on by

Coming Up in Frankford

  • Frankford Civic Association MeetingNext Week In Frankford
    When – Thu, October 1, 7pm – 8pm
    Where – Frankford Hospital – 2nd floor conference room (map)
  • Grand Army of the Republic Museum Open House
    When – Sun, October 4, 12pm – 5pm
    Where – 4278 Griscom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – Presentation at 1:30 PM: Civil War Era Entertainment Dr Sid Copel
  • Mater Dolorosa 2nd Annual “Fall Gala”
    When – Sun, October 4, 2:00pm – 7:30pm
    Where – DiPinto’s Caterers, Torresdale & Frankford Ave (map)
    Description – 2 PM to 6 PM. DiPinto’s Caterers, Torresdale & Frankford Ave., Buffet Dinner, Beer, Wine & Soda, DJ, Tickets $35.00 can be purchased at Rectory 215-535-4036 or call Lou Altomari 215- 285-2067.
  • Overington Park Craft Fair and Fall Fest
    When – Sat, October 17, 9am – 1pm
    Where – Overington Park, Leiper St and Orthodox St. (map)
    Description – Craft fair/ flea market. $5.00 per space, The Frankford Garden Club will be doing a bulb planting demonstration and answering your garden questions. We are also having face painting, a pumpkin patch, and other kid activities. Please come out and take a look, join your neighbors for our Friends Of Overington Park Fall Fest. (rain date of Oct. 24)
  • St. Joachim’s annual Tricky Trays
    When – Sun, October 18, 11:30am – 3:00pm
    Where – St. Joachim’s Church, 1527 Church Street, Phila., PA 19124 (map)
    Description – St. Joachim’s Church located at 1527 Church Street, Phila., PA 19124 is having their annual Tricky Trays (A Giant Tombola) event on Sunday, October 18, 2009 from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM. on Fitzmaurice Hall. Adults are $3.00 and children (4 yrs. to 12 yrs.) are $2.00, this cost includes either a Hot Dog or Chili. Any questions, please call 215-535-0580. Join us for an afternoon of fun!
  • Innaugural Induction Ceremoines for the Northeast Philadelphia Hall of Fame
    When – Sun, October 18, 1pm – 3pm
    Where – Holy Family University (map)
  • Northwood Civic Association Meeting
    When – Tue, October 20, 7pm – 8pm
    Where – St. James Lutheran Church, at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street. (map)
  • Italian Style Family Dinner
    When – Wed, October 21, 4:30pm – 8:00pm
    Where – St. Joachim’s Church, 1527 Church Street, Phila., PA 19124 (map)
    Description – MARK YOUR CALENDAR Every Third Wednesday from September thru May Italian Style Family Dinner The Dinners will be served from 4PM to 8PM in Fitzmaurice Hall Take-out will be available. COST: $8.00 for Adults, $4.00 for Children. Come Join us!