About St. Mary Magdalen Parish
Our Mission Statement
We, the faithful of St. Mary Magdalen Parish, are a Catholic, Christian Community committed to the gospel message that Jesus Christ is our Savior. Therefore, our mission is to spread the Good News of Salvation. We strive to accomplish this mission by; welcoming all to be a part of our worshiping community through prayer and the Eucharistic celebration and the other sacraments; witnessing to the Truth in word and deed, by teaching and proclaiming God's Word; loving our brothers and sisters; healing those in need; serving the poor. We pray to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through the intercession of Mary, our Mother and Saint Mary Magdalen, to grace and guide us.
Parish Goals
To implement our parish goals, we as a parish strive:
- To deepen our understanding of and commitment to our faith.
- To stimulate a greater awareness of the needs of the human family and to discover new ways to respond to those needs.
- To encourage broader participation of our parishioners in parish life.
- To engender a spirit of unity among all our ministries and organizations.
- To empower the youth and young adults of our parish to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.
Parish History
Historical notes
Jesus Christ transformed Mary Magdalen from a sinner into a saint. Since 1963, St. Mary Magdalen Parish continues to develop a family of faith in Jesus Christ through Catholic worship, education, and charity. Since its humble beginnings with 143 families from Nativity BVM in Media and 13 families from St. Anastasia in Newtown Square, the parish family has grown to 1500 families in this third millennium.
The founding pastor, Rev. Gilbert J. McDevitt celebrated the first masses in a barn chapel. On January 23, 1966, our faith community began to worship in the new combination chapel and school building. Msgr. Richard J. Simons succeeded Fr. McDevitt after his death in 1967. A growing parish made the construction of our second church necessary. The first mass was offered on Christmas Day of 1970. In 1973 Rev. John J. Walsh became the third pastor, and Rev. Joseph S. Rodgers succeeded him. In 1981, Rev. James F. Hughes was named pastor. Under his guidance, the parish center was built in 1985, Maria Hall in 1991, and Sister Kathleen Hall in 1998. Upon the retirement of Fr. Hughes, Rev. Ralph J. Chieffo was appointed pastor in June 2000. Our third and current church was constructed under the guidance of Fr. Chieffo. The dedication mass was offered April 12, 2008 with Cardinal Justin Rigali.
Click here or more on our new SMM Church
Jesus Christ transformed Mary Magdalen from a sinner into a saint. Since 1963, St. Mary Magdalen Parish continues to develop a family of faith in Jesus Christ through Catholic worship, education, and charity. Since its humble beginnings with 143 families from Nativity BVM in Media and 13 families from St. Anastasia in Newtown Square, the parish family has grown to 1500 families in this third millennium.
The founding pastor, Rev. Gilbert J. McDevitt celebrated the first masses in a barn chapel. On January 23, 1966, our faith community began to worship in the new combination chapel and school building. Msgr. Richard J. Simons succeeded Fr. McDevitt after his death in 1967. A growing parish made the construction of our second church necessary. The first mass was offered on Christmas Day of 1970. In 1973 Rev. John J. Walsh became the third pastor, and Rev. Joseph S. Rodgers succeeded him. In 1981, Rev. James F. Hughes was named pastor. Under his guidance, the parish center was built in 1985, Maria Hall in 1991, and Sister Kathleen Hall in 1998. Upon the retirement of Fr. Hughes, Rev. Ralph J. Chieffo was appointed pastor in June 2000. Our third and current church was constructed under the guidance of Fr. Chieffo. The dedication mass was offered April 12, 2008 with Cardinal Justin Rigali.
Click here or more on our new SMM Church
The Stained Glass
Old Church's Stained Glass Windows
The stained glass windows from our old church were placed within the new daily chapel along with our old altar, tabernacle, statues of the Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, and the Stations of the Cross. Designed by Mr. F. Bolton Morris and produced in 1970 by The Willet Stained Glass Studio under the loving direction of Msgr. Richard J. Simons. The theme that gives a vital unity to the various scenes depicted in our stained glass windows is one that runs through the entire Bible: the story of our salvation. The story really begins with the creation of the universe and of man. We take it up with the entrance of sin into our world.
I — Our First Parents
II — The Call of Abraham
III — The Law
IV — Prophets
V — The Word of God
VI — Man
VII — The Lion
VIII — The Annunciation
IX — The Nativity
X — The Last Supper
XI — Mary, Mother of the Church
XII — The Sacrificial Bull
XIII — The Eagle
XIV — The Crucifixion
XV — The Resurrection
XVI — The Ascension
XVII — The Descent of the Holy Spirit
XVIII — The Last Day
The stained glass windows from our old church were placed within the new daily chapel along with our old altar, tabernacle, statues of the Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, and the Stations of the Cross. Designed by Mr. F. Bolton Morris and produced in 1970 by The Willet Stained Glass Studio under the loving direction of Msgr. Richard J. Simons. The theme that gives a vital unity to the various scenes depicted in our stained glass windows is one that runs through the entire Bible: the story of our salvation. The story really begins with the creation of the universe and of man. We take it up with the entrance of sin into our world.
I — Our First Parents
II — The Call of Abraham
III — The Law
IV — Prophets
V — The Word of God
VI — Man
VII — The Lion
VIII — The Annunciation
IX — The Nativity
X — The Last Supper
XI — Mary, Mother of the Church
XII — The Sacrificial Bull
XIII — The Eagle
XIV — The Crucifixion
XV — The Resurrection
XVI — The Ascension
XVII — The Descent of the Holy Spirit
XVIII — The Last Day