The Epiphany of the Lord

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2 Epiphany The Epiphany of the Lord We all know that Epiphany means 'manifestation'. The Second Person of the Holy Trinity, the Word made flesh, makes himself manifest to the world. He makes Himself manifest to those who come from abroad and travel to meet him. Those who in their life make the journey of faith leaving everything behind to meet Jesus and adore Him. Jesus guided them with His light, the Star of Bethlehem. The three Magi obeyed, trusted and followed Jesus' light. The journey of faith has to be informed by an unconditional obedience and trust in God. In the same way that the Angel announced to the Blessed Virgin Mary that she was going to be the Mother of God. She did not question, she did not ask for scientific proof. She just expressed her condition 'I am a virgin' and stated her intention 'I want to remain a Virgin'; so 'how is it going to happen?' As soon as the Angel explained, her faith made Her ready to saying an unconditional Yes to the most difficult job ever accepted in the history of mankind: being the Mother of God, the Mother of Jesus. Her Yes changed our existence by giving us the opportunity to participate in Jesus' plan of Salvation for us. We 'manifest' our Faith when we say Yes to God, 'Yes' to follow His will without questioning nor rationalizing our response. Yes, to 'whatever you want God', like Mary did. Yes to making our journey from a life far away from His grace to being surrounded by his light and grace as the Magi did. Happy Epiphany, Happy New Year Rev. Estanislao Mikalonis, Parochial Vicar Mass Intentions Sunday, January 3: Epiphany 7:30 am STA...Joseph Koo 9:00 am SAG...Tsung Chai Koo 10:30 am STA...Deborah Bushnell Readings: Micah 5:1-4a/Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19/Hebrews 10:5-10/Luke 1:39-45 Monday, January 4: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 12:15 pm STA...Deceased Benefactors of St. Elizabeth Seton School Readings: 1 John 3:22-4:6/Psalm 2:7bc-8, 10-12a/Matthew 4:12-17, Tuesday, January 5: St. John Neumann 8:30 am OLR...All Souls Readings: 1 John 4:7-10/Psalm 72:1-2, 3-4, 7-8/Mark 6: Wednesday, January 6: Andre Bessette 7:15 am STA...All Souls Readings: 1 John 4:11-18/Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13/Mark 6:45-52 Thursday, January 7: St. Raymond of Penyafort 12:15 pm STA.. All Souls Readings: 1 John 4:19-5:4/Psalm 72:1-2, 14 and 15bc, 17/Luke 4:14-22 Sign-up for New Online Giving Program Now at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish you can automate your weekly donation. You can sign-up online by visiting and click the Online Giving icon on the homepage. Your Sunday Offertory donations, as well as gifts to our Second Collections, will be automatically transferred from either your checking or savings account. Or use your credit card! A one-time enrollment will allow you to regularly contribute to St. Thomas Aquinas without remembering the extra step of writing a check and finding your envelopes. Online Giving is safe, easy and convenient for you and it helps us! Questions, call Cathy Miller (650) ext. 24. Z z Please Pray For the Sick & Homebound Fr. Thierry Geris, Terry Flynn, Jen Kush, Tina Reyes, Andrea Binger, Desmond Fitzgerald, Raissa Foka, Lydia Li, Della Scott, Joan Copenhagen, Tom Bednar, Renee Thompson, Leonard Jurgensen, Rosamila Agluba, Rodialo J. Nardo, Romulo de Grano, Maria Merlitti, Helene McKelvey, Msgr. Eugene Boyle, Stephen Lee, John Bertussi, Hanadi Pratt, Scott Simon For the Recently Deceased Gearailt Cummins, Kay Donahoo, Alice Lundin, Ed Olsen, Ron Bednar, Juan A. de Leon, Carmen Santa Gadea, Henrietta Ferry, Clem Duerr, Kathy Gibbs, Ed Lam, Jerry Feeley, Fred Carelli, Kate Church, Gary Stelle, Sr., Anne-Marie Kroeger, Jean Galvin, Gloria Carmichael, Alice McCarty, Marie Kieraldo, John Nittler Pray For Lists guidelines: Have permission from the person to be listed. Go through the Pastoral Home Ministry to list the names. Names will be on the list for 3 months and then be removed. Can request names to be continued after 3 months. Contact the Pastoral Home Ministry x22 or fongmt@hotmail.com Friday, January 8 8:30 am OLR...All Souls Readings: 1 John 5:5-13/Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20/Luke 5:12-16 Saturday, January 9 Readings: 1 John 5:14-21/Psalm 149:1-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b/John 3:22-30 Sunday, January 10: Baptism of the Lord 7:30 am STA...Joseph Koo 9:00 am SAG...Tsung Chai Koo 10:30 am STA...Deborah Bushnell Readings: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7/Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10/Acts of the Apostles 10:34-38/ Luke 3:15-16, Giving Trees Many, many thanks to all the generous, caring parishioners who donated toys and gift cards for the children in East Palo Alto. These gifts made it possible for many children to have a happy, joyful Christmas.

3 St. Thomas Aquinas Parish This Week s Highlights Sunday, January 3 NO CLASSES Monday, January 4 7:00 pm...rcia (SAGH) 7:00 pm...lectors Mtg & Practice (OLR) Tuesday, January 5 4:00 pm... St. Vincent de Paul (PC1st) 7:00 pm...hispanic Prayer Group (DC) Wednesday, January 6 4:00 pm...ysop (OLRH) 6:00 pm...rcia Children (DC) 6:00 pm... S.O.U.P. (OLRH) 7:00 pm...community Life (PC1st) 7:15 pm...catechist Gathering (DC) 7:30 pm...sta Site Committee (THLib) Thursday, January 7 10:00 am...prayer Group (SAGH) 7:00 pm...1st & 2nd First Communion Catechesis (PC1st) Friday, January 8 5:00 pm...rehearsal (STA) 7:30 pm...young Adult Meeting (KC) Saturday, January 9 9:00 am...liturgical Ministers Gathering (St. Simon, Los Altos) 11:00 am...cantonese Scripture (PC2nd) 11:00 am...memorial Mass John Nittler (OLR) 4:30 pm...wedding (STA) Presider Schedule Baptism of the Lord January 10, 2015 St. Albert the Great 1095 Channing Ave. Sat 5:00 pm... Fr. Mikalonis Sun 9:00 am... Fr. Stanley Sun 11:00 am (Byzantine) Fr. Hernandez St. Thomas Aquinas 751 Waverley St. Sun 7:30 am... Fr. Hester Sun 8:45 am Msgr. Sandersfeld Sun 10:30 am Fr. Stanley Sun 12:00 pm... TBD Our Lady of the Rosary 3233 Cowper St. Sun 9:00 am (Spanish)... Fr. Mikalonis Sun 10:30 am Fr. Mikalonis Epiphany Proclamation My sisters and brothers, the glory of the Lord Jesus has been made manifest and will continue to be revealed in our midst until he comes again. In the rhythms and alternations of time, let us recall and live the mysteries of our salvation. Central to the entire liturgical year is our celebration of the TRIDUUM OF THE LORD, crucified, died and risen, which culminates on EASTER SUNDAY, the 27th of March. Every SUNDAY, when we recall this Paschal Mystery, holy Church makes present this great event in which Christ has conquered sin and death. From Easter derive all our other celebrations: ASH WEDNESDAY, the beginning of the season of Lent, the 10th of February; the ASCENSION OF THE LORD, the 8th of May, PENTECOST, the 15th of May; and the FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT, the 27th of November. Likewise, in the feasts of the holy Mother of God, of the apostles and saints, and in the commemoration of all the faithful departed, the Church, in her pilgrimage here on earth, proclaims the Paschal Mystery of the Lord. To Christ who is, who was, and who is to come, the Lord of all time and history: be endless praise now and forever! Amen. Commissioning Liturgical Ministers - January 10th Next weekend, on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we will commission for another year those who seek to serve the community - to be present to the community in a special way - as liturgical ministers: Ministers of Hospitality, Lectors, Ministers of Music, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, Ministers of Environment & Art and of Altar & Linen Care. Let us both recognize the special role these people play in contributing to our experience of worship at St. Thomas Aquinas and, if we are not among them, assess our own call to serve the community in some way. Widows & Widowers Dinner The W (Wild Bunch) Widows and Widowers will dine in the back room at Harry's Hofbrau in Redwood City on January 14th, the second Thursday of the month. Hospitality Time from 5:00 and Dinner from 5:30 'til 7:30. Need a ride? Call Roland at For reservations, Helen Short at helen5576@att.net Day of Reflection on Social Justice Join us for our tenth annual Day of Reflection on Social Justice on Saturday, February 20, Fumi Tosu, M.Div, leader of the Catholic Worker House in San Jose, will be our keynote speaker. Six workshops will be offered focusing on different aspects of the social justice teachings of the church, from our environment to peace and justice to dignity of life. Cost of the day is $15 for registration in advance ($20 at the door). Registration forms are available on the parish website and in the vestibule of the church. For more information, contact Susan at suolsen@dsj.org.

4 January 3, 2016 Weekly Stewardship Report Thank you for your generosity in this year's Christmas collection. Although we are not yet able to give you a complete report of the size of your gift given in that collection, we assure you that the love which these gifts represent will enable us to continue the work which we must undertake here at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Thank you for All Liturgical Ministers Invited All Liturgical Ministers are invited to a gathering with renowned Liturgist, Composer, and Catechist, Janet Sullivan-Whittaker on January 9 from 9am-11:30am at St. Simon, 1860 Grant Rd, Los Altos. Please RSVP to Nora Lundin, nlundin@dsj.org or , ext. 14. Echoes of Worth Retreat Month of December 2015 December 20, 2015: $10,904 Weekly Goal: $11,500 Retired Religious: $6,000 sharing God s Gifts! Looking for a teen retreat experience but can't wait long enough for summer camp? Register for the upcoming Echoes of Worth retreat for the weekend of January 15-17, 2016! This popular event is for High School teens and is expected to sell out in the coming weeks. Don't wait. As of December 12th, regular pre-registration is closed, but info.eow@gmail.com if you are interested in attending. Vocation Discernment Retreat St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park will host a Vocation Discernment Retreat, Jan , This retreat helps men to reflect on God's calling to the priesthood. The requirements are: baptized Catholic, years old, minimum associates degree preferably bachelor's degree, and a referral from a priest in our diocese. The seminary is sponsoring the retreat and there is no cost to the participants. If you are interested, or someone else might be interested, please contact one of our parish priests for referral. Corpus Christi Monastery Retreat The Dominican Nuns of Corpus Christi Monastery, located at 215 Oak Grove Avenue in Menlo Park, CA, will host a Discernment Day for single Catholic women ages on January 16th.

5 Welcome new parishioners to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish! We encourage you to register as members of our growing family. Please your name, address, and phone to Current members please contact the Pastoral Center to update your information. KEY REFERENCES DC... Dermody Center DCCh Dermody Center Chapel OLR.. Our Lady of the Rosary Church OLRH OLR Church Hall KC... OLR Kerry s Corner PC... Pastoral Center SAG.. St. Albert the Great Church SAGH SAG Hospitality Ctr. HOLY SACRAMENTS Please contact the Pastoral Center at for more information. Anointing of the Sick: By request or every first Monday of the month after the 7:15 am Mass. Every first Friday at the 8:30 am and 12:15pm Mass. Christian Initiation: Become a Catholic or renew your Catholic faith (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation) as an adult, youth or child. Funeral: Arrange for a Funeral, Memorial Mass or graveside service for a loved one. Infant Baptism: Preparation may begin before or after the birth of your child. Marriage: Arrangements need to be made at least six months prior to the proposed marriage date. ADMINISTRATION, OFFICE STAFF, & COMMITTEES Main Phone: (650) Business & Operations Manager: Chuck Tully ext. 20 ctully@dsj.org Admin Assts: Cathy Miller ext. 24, camiller@dsj.org; Ron Aranha, raranha@dsj.org Pastoral Stewardship Council: (every 2nd Wed. 7:00 pm OLRH) Chair: Steve Carter (SCarter@ aslcpa.com); Vice-Chair: Anne Morrison (ahbert55@aol. com); Secretary: Gabe Kralik (gabekralik@thujaglobal.com) SESS.. St. Elizabeth Seton School SESA. SES Auditorium STA... St. Thomas Aquinas Church THB.. STA - Thomas House Basement THD.. STA - Thomas House Dining Room THL.. STA - Thomas House Library Community Life: Anne Morrison (650) Green Committee: Katia Reeves (katia.reeves@sbcglobal.net) Human Concerns Committee: Chair: Paul Chestnut (650) St. Vincent de Paul Society: (650) For truck donation pickup (650) Parish Site Committees: STA: Kay Williams ; OLR: Chris Lundin clundin@stanford.edu; SAG: Pat Briggs (650) ; Kathleen Hart (650) ; St. Elizabeth Seton School (Daughters of Charity): 1095 Channing Avenue (650) Principal: Evelyn Rosa Advancement Director: Danielle Ambler (650) STA Photography: (650) , photography@ paloaltocatholic.org PALOALTOPHOTOG/SpecialR1 Stanford Hospital Chaplaincy: Catholic Chaplain: Fr. Robert McKay (650) rmckay@ stanfordhealthcare.org Lucile Packard Children s Hospital Chaplaincy: Rev. Diana Brady (650) Widows/Widowers Group: Lorraine Dabney (650)