A Lenten Reflection by Pope Francis

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2 PARISH CLERGY Rev. Tom Lam Pastor Rev. Martins Emeh, J.C.L. Parochial Vicar Deacon John Evanoff Pastoral Associate Deacon Don Kish PARISH STAFF Business Manager Lars Gustafson Administration Gerry Broussard, Misha Gabriel, Dan Stamps, Mary Tran Religious Education LouAnn Svoboda, Director Dave Clark, Charlotte Fulton, Becca Hammock, Maria Laiseca Youth Ministry Joey Harvey, Director Matt Kiernan Parish Life Ministry Dave Clark, Director Music Ministry Christian Mondragon, Director Adrienne Copeland Liturgy Ministry Dominick Aquila, Director Outreach Ministry Schottsie Hill, Director Lisa Gilkeson Facilities Manager Vince DeBonis Christian Cholico, Young Kim, Alex Trejo COMMUNITY LIFE Nursery Coordinator: Anne Salazar Bingo: Friday at 7:30 p.m Welcome Newcomers For more information about our parish please go to our website A Lenten Reflection by Pope Francis Pope Francis warns against 'fake fasting' during Lent P ope Francis has reminded the faithful to give up something for Lent only if it demonstrates compassion and enriches others. When fasting, Pope Francis said, a true Christian must be consistent, not putting himself on show, never despising others or engaging in quarrels or disagreements. Warning against behavior that is inconsistent with the Lenten spirit, the Pope invited those present to ask themselves how they interact with others. He reflected on the First Reading of the day that highlights how the fasting that is acceptable to the Lord aims to release those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke. Don t pretend to be virtuous. Pope Francis reminded believers that fasting is one of the tasks of Lent, and said that even if you cannot commit to a total fast, the kind that makes you feel hunger in your bones you can still fast humbly and consistently. Isaiah, he said, highlights so many inconsistencies in the practice of virtue, like carrying out your own pursuits, driving all your laborers, and yes, your fast ends in quarreling and fighting. Fasting, the Pope said, is a little like stripping oneself of pride. He said that to thank the Lord and at the same time despise your laborers that are forced to fast because they do not have enough to eat is inconsistent and unchristian. Inviting those present to perform penance in peace, he said you cannot talk to God on the one hand and to the devil on the other. He also warned against the temptation of showing off by fasting: by making a fuss of it and letting people know that we are practicing Catholics and we do penance, so that people think what a good person. This is a trick he said: It s pretending to be virtuous. Fasting with a smile. We must pretend, Francis continued, but with a smile. That is not showing others that we are performing acts of penance. He invited the faithful to fast in order to help others. But always with a smile. Fasting, he said, also involves lowering oneself by reflecting on one s sins and asking forgiveness from the Lord. How ashamed would I be, he continued, if my sin was to become common knowledge through the press? And referring again to the Scripture Reading of the day he invited Christians to release unjust bounds. He exhorted Christians to do penance, to feel a little hunger, to pray more during Lent and to ask themselves how they behave towards the other: Does my fast help others? If it does not it's fake, it's inconsistent and it takes you on the path to a double life, pretending to be a just Christian - like the Pharisees or the Sadducees he said. Let us ask for the grace of consistency he concluded: if I am unable to do something, I will not do it. I will do only what I can with the consistency of a true Christian. 2

3 Events & Meetings This Week SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25 9:45 & 11:30 AM, Nursery: 2 5 years; PAC 12:00 PM, Theology of the Body: Den 1:30 PM, Baptism Service: Narthex 3:30 PM, Elementary Faith Formation 3:30 PM, Junior High Faith Formation 7:00 PM, High School FF/Confirmation MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26 9:00 AM, Daily Mass: Chapel 1:00 PM, Rummikub: Outreach Center 7:00 PM, Mary, a Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother: Epiphany Room 7:00 PM, Scout Troop 1146: PAC 7:00 PM, Job Networking: Rec Room 7:00 PM, Handbell Choir: Church TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27 9:00 AM, Daily Mass: Chapel 9:00 AM, ESL Class: Room 403 9:30 AM, Quilters: Room 411 9:40 AM 7:30 PM, Adoration: Chapel 9:45 AM, Second Family: Outreach Center 10:00 AM, Holy Hour Rosary for Respect Life: Chapel 10:00 AM, Scripture Study: Den 10:30 AM, Speaker on Effective Communication Strategies: Outreach Center 3:00 PM, Divine Mercy Chaplet: Chapel 4:00 PM, Holy Hour for Vocations: Chapel 4:45 PM, Elementary Faith Formation 4:45 PM, Junior Hight Faith Formation 7:00 PM, RCIA: Epiphany Room 7:00 PM, Scout Troop #1288: PAC 7:00 PM, Solemn Evening Prayer: Chapel BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FOR FASHION SHOW SPONSORS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 9:00 AM, Mass: Chapel 10:00 AM, James: Pearls for Wise Living: 1:00 PM, Majong: Room 404 4:45 PM, Elementary Faith Formation 5:30 PM, Contemporary Music: Church 6:30 PM, Elementary Faith Formation 6:30 PM, Junior High Faith Formation 6:30 PM, High School FF/Confirmation 7:00 PM, Adult Choir Practice: Church 8:05 PM, Young Adult Bible Study: Rm.404 THURSDAY, MARCH 1 9:00 AM, Daily Mass: Chapel 9:00 AM, ESL Class: Room 403 6:30 PM, Spanish Bible Study: PAC 7:00 PM, BSA District Mtg.: Family Center 7:00 PM, Line Dancing: Great Room 7:00 PM, Keeping God s Promise Alive: Epiphany Room FRIDAY, MARCH 2 9:00 AM, Daily Mass: Chapel 5:30 PM, KC s Fish Fry: PAC 7:00 PM, Lenten Way of the Cross: Church 7:30 PM, Bingo: Family Center SATURDAY, MARCH 3 9:00 AM, RCIA Lenten Retreat: Epip. Room 6:30 PM, Family Night: Great Room SUNDAY, MARCH 4 Food Drive; Coffee & Donuts 9:45 & 11:30 AM, Nursery: 2 5 years; PAC 12:00 PM, Theology of the Body: Den 1:30 PM, Baptism Service: Narthex 3:30 PM, Elementary Faith Formation 3:30 PM, Junior High Faith Formation 3:30 PM, Marriage Support: Outreach 7:00 PM, High School FF/Confirmation The Epiphany Ladies Club is seeking sponsors for their annual fundraising Luncheon and Fashion Show on April 13 at Falcon Point. Fashion Show proceeds this year are being donated to St. Vincent de Paul Society, Epiphany Catholic School and the Youth Ministry. All sponsors will be recognized in the event program and in the church bulletin. Sponsorships are available at the Platinum ($500), Gold ($25), Silver ($100) and Bronze ($50) levels. Established businesses could generate new customers by being recognized. New businesses will receive exposure to over 6,500 families at a minimal cost. Please make checks payable to the Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church and write Fashion Show on the For line of your check. Questions can be addressed to ELC President Sharon Yohe at smyohe78@gmail.com or Chairperson Terri Bray at tmbray@usa.net. Baptisms Please contact parish office for preparation classes. Baptism Session for Parents 2 nd Saturday of February, May, August, November 10:00 AM Noon To register call LouAnn Svoboda ( ) Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) For information call LouAnn Svoboda ( ) Sacrament of Marriage Must be a registered, active member of the parish at least six months. Contact parish office eight months before wedding to begin preparation. Finance Council Chair Denny Dellinger Pastoral Council Chair Tom McGeehan Knights of Columbus C.J. Hattier, Grand Knight St. Vincent de Paul Society Rebel LeBoeuf Ladies Club Sharon Yohe Forever Young Norma Lopez, Mary Davis Bulletin Deadline The deadline for article submission is Thursday at noon (ten days before publication). Your article can be sent to gerry@epiphanycatholic.org. Check our website for Liturgical & Faith Formation Schedules. epiphany@epiphanycatholic.org Child s Play Learning Center, Alyce Gabrysch, Director, ; Fax; childsplaykaty.com 3

4 Liturgy & Prayer LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK SPECIAL REMEMBRANCES Saturday, February 24 Vigil-Second Sunday of Lent 5:30 PM Robert Schumacher Sunday, February 25 Second Sunday of Lent 8:00 AM Monique Kirkpatrick 9:45 AM For the People 11:30 AM Jon & Wanda Evanoff 5:30 PM Harold Hagen Monday, February 26 Lenten Weekday 9:00 AM Rafael Vides Tuesday, February 27 Lenten Weekday 9:00 AM Betty Long Wednesday, February 28 Lenten Weekday 9:00 AM Frieda Ratsky Thursday, March 1 Lenten Weekday 9:00 AM Christina Leong Friday, March 2 Lenten Weekday 9:00 AM Michael Chkemorkt Saturday, March 3 Vigil-Third Sunday of Lent 5:30 PM John Mann Sunday, March 4 Third Sunday of Lent 8:00 AM Harold Hagen 9:45 AM For the People 11:30 AM Rosalind Tan 5:30 PM Kazimier Spak READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Dn 9:4b-10; Ps 79:8, 9, 11, 13; Lk 6:36-38 Tuesday: Is 1:10, 16-20; Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23; Mt 23:1-12 Wednesday: Jer 18:18-20; Ps 31:5-6, 14-16; Mt 20:17-28 Thursday: Jer 17:5-10; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 16:19-31 Friday: Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a; 17b-28a; Ps 105:16-21; Mt 21:33-43, Saturday: Mi 7:14-15, 18-20; Ps 103:1-4, 9-12; Lk 15:1-3, Sunday: Ex 20:1-17 [1-3, 7-8, 12-17]; Ps 19:8-11; 1 Cor 1:22-25; Jn 2:13-25 Alternate readings (Year A): Ex 17:3-7; Ps 95:1-2, 6-9; Rom 5:1-2, 5-8; Jn 4:5-42 [5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42] Please pray for our military men and women. ANOINTING OF THE SICK AND ELDERLY: The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick will be celebrated on Thursday, March 1 and every First Thursday of the month during the 9:00 AM Mass. The Sacrament of Anointing is for the strengthening of those who are ill, or who are aging. We celebrate the sacrament best in the community setting so that we can support you with prayer. PRAYER LIST FOR THE SICK Please keep the following people in your thoughts and prayers this week as we wish them a return to good health: Jason Sides, Theresa McCluskey, Steve Chambers, Jackie Alfonso, Colette Johnecheck, Marie Chaplinsky, Lauro Garza, Amapola Garza, Linda Hudak, Claire Spedale, Linda Holder, Leonel Rivas, Mike Doa, Tina Filoromo, Mary Laverock, Maria Concepcion Espinosa. To make a request for someone to be on our prayer list, please call the parish office at Your loved one s name will appear on our prayer list for six consecutive Sundays. If a longer period of time is needed, please call the parish office to renew your request. THE LOOK OF LOVE What does love look like? It has feet to go to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of others. St. Augustine 4

5 Parish Life Do you have Mardi Gras beads that you don t know what to do with? Epiphany Faith Formation can use them. We need them for next year s Lenten Family Night. You can bring beads to donate to the parish office or to your child s faith formation class. Support Our Advertisers Thank you to our advertisers for making our bulletins possible. We encourage you to patronize these businesses. Please tell them you saw their ad in our bulletin. The Knights of Columbus have fired up the fryers for their famous fish dinners. This year s menu includes fried and grilled fish, fried, boiled, and spicy shrimp, mac and cheese, pizza, onion rings, and hush puppies. This year s proceeds will be benefi ng Katy area chari es, Seminarian scholarships, and youth ministries. Our previous menu included baked fish. This year it will be grilled fish. In addi on this year we have added Lobster Bisque to the menu. Star ng March 2 nd we will be serving crawfish, in addi on to the other menu items. If you are a Harvey Vic m bring a picture for our Harvey Wall and receive volunteer pricing for meals. Dinner starts at 5:30 p. m. 7:30 p. m. and once again you can dine in at the PAC center or drive-thru at the west end of the PAC center. If you would like to work the event please go to the Knights website and sign up. Thank you for your con nued support and we look forward to cooking for you and your family. This month s Family Night will focus on CRS s Operation Rice Bowl. We ll begin with an international meal featuring food from several countries served by Catholic Relief Services. Next, we ll play a games from those same countries. The cost for this event is simply a donation to our special Family Rice Bowl. The night begins at 6:30pm and ends at 9pm. Would you or your business be interested in sponsoring a booth? Families can sponsor booths for $150. Your family s name will be placed on a sign in front of the activity and a special thanks in the parish bulletin. Business sponsorships start at $250 and include the visibility mentioned above and constant thanks over Epiphany Radio at the event. We are also accepting vendor applications for nonfood booth spaces during the event. Arts/craft booths begin at $75. 5

6 Our Stewardship Epiphany Catholic School Stewardship February 17/18 Sunday Offering $34, Ash Wednesday $18, Black and Indian Missions $6, St. Vincent de Paul Society $1, Registered Households 6,702 Here I am! he answered. - GENESIS 22:11 It is easy to say, Here I am, Lord, when we are kneeling in church. But how easy is it to say Here I am, Lord, when a neighbor needs our help, when we are invited to join a parish ministry, or when we are asked to provide financial support? Often times we are called when it s not convenient for us. Discipleship is not always easy, most of the time it will make us uncomfortable and vulnerable. Solemn E v ening P rayer Tuesdays in 7PM in the Chapel Tuesday Rosary cancelled throughout Lent Lenten Penance Service March 8 at 7:00 pm Parish Devotions Tuesdays Eucharistic Adoration 9:40 am 7:00 pm Pro-Life Rosary 10:00 am Divine Mercy Chaplet 3:00 pm Vocation Rosary 4:00 pm 6

7 Lenten Fish Fry Every Friday during Lent from Feb 16th March 23rd 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm Serving in the PAC center or Drive-thru at the west end of the PAC center Prices: Child s Plate (Fish nuggets, plus fries) $6.00 Small Plate (One Fish Fillet) $8.00 Medium Plate (Two Fish Fillets) $10.00 Large Plate (Three Fish Fillets) $11.00 Grilled Fish (Two Piece) $10.00 Large Fried Shrimp (10 pc) $14.00 Special (Combo 1 pc Fish, 5 shrimp,5 nuggets) $14.00 Fish Taco s (2 tacos - w/sauce, cole slaw, black beans) $9.00 Mac and Cheese Bowl $2.00 Pizza Slice (Cheese only) $2.00 (All small, medium, and large orders include coleslaw & fries. Dine in also includes tea, corn, and green beans) Appetizers Shrimp Cocktail (8 XXL Boiled Shrimp/Cocktail sauce) $8.00 KC Spicy Shrimp (10 pc Fried Shrimp/Spicy Sauce) $9.00 Lobster Bisque $7.00 Hush Puppies (8 pc) $3.00 Onion Rings (8 pc Rings) $6.00 KC spicy nuggets (10 pc Spicy Sauce) $5.00 Jalapeno Poppers (6 pc) $4.00 Crawfish Night - March 2 nd and TBD Proceeds benefit local Katy Charities, Seminarians/Youth, Scholarships MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT ON ALL FRIDAYS! New this year. 7

8 Outreach Ministry Outreach Events in February Regular Meetings: Mon. Epiphany Job Networking at 7 p.m. in the PAC; Tues. Respect Life Rosary at 10 a.m. in the Chapel. Feb 27: Second Family Feb 27: Speaker on Alzheimer's Mar 4: Gift of Marriage Mar 4: Food Drive Mar 5: Bereavement Support Group Mar 8: Gathering Place Mar 8: Caregiver s Support Group See for details. St. Vincent de Paul Annual Statement We would like to thank all you for all of the donations we received in The donations were used to help those affected by Harvey and the assistance we continually give to the Katy community. Provided financial aid to 796 families Provided 727 bags of groceries Provided 48 families with furniture Provided 107 families with financial aid due to Harvey SVDP is a 100% volunteer organization and 100% of your contributions go to our Friends in Need. Operation Rice Bowls will be distributed in our Faith Formation Classes for Lent. If you would like one and do not have Children in Faith Formation, please come by the Outreach Center. ENCOUNTER CESIA We encounter Cesia in Nicaragua, where, despite a lack of economic opportunity, young people pursue their dreams by building businesses to better their lives. How can you work to improve the lives of others this Lent? How can you support those, worldwide, who are forced to flee their homes to find safety or better opportunities? Visit crsricebowl.org for more. Do you have a loved one who has Alzheimer s? Come to hear our Speaker on Effective Communication Strategies When: Tuesday, February 27 at 10:30 am Where: Epiphany Outreach Center Conference Room Questions: Call for more information The Gift of Marriage and Family Relationships Starting March 4th A support and discussion group Lead by a counselor focusing on strengthening your marriage and the relationship with parents and children. Sundays 3:30 to 4:45 pm. Outreach Center Call Outreach at for more information. JOB SEEKERS NETWORK Mondays from 7:00 to 9:00 pm in the PAC. Assists degreed, professional job seekers. 8

9 Adult Confirmation Preparation Adult Faith Formation Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation for Adults will begin with an on-site day retreat on Saturday, April 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by six consecutive Thursday evening classes. Participants must be at least 18 years old, not presently in high school, baptized Catholic and received Holy Communion, also, if married, marriage must be sacramental in the Catholic Church. Registration closes March 20. An initial interview together with an updated baptismal record is required. Contact louann@epiphanycatholic.org or call LouAnn at to schedule your interview. Continue to pray for the adults and youth who are preparing to celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation during the Easter Vigil Mass. VIRTUS REFRESHER Keeping the Promise Alive (Virtus Refresher) will be held on Thursday, March 1 from 7:00 8:30 p.m. in the PAC. A valid ID must be presented at check-in. No Walk-ins! Preregistration is required at Contact louann@epiphanycatholic.org for username, password and registration instructions or call LouAnn at No late admittance! KPA is required for all volunteers who attended the original VIRTUS: Protecting God s Children five years ago. The second Sunday of Lent every year recalls the Transfiguration of the Lord. Since the fourth century, Mount Tabor has been the focus of devotion to this event. As mountains go, it is not particularly lofty, rising about fifteen hundred feet, within view of the Sea of Galilee and very close to Nazareth. Scripture doesn t identify the mountain, but in the year 348 Saint Cyril of Jerusalem said he preferred Mount Tabor to Mount Hermon as the site of the Transfiguration, and his opinion won. It has long been a strategic military site, and ancient fortresses are visible on the heights. Over the centuries, churches and fortified monasteries rose on the mountaintop, only to be destroyed by various invaders. Six hundred years ago, local Christians started to decorate the ruins with flags and banners on the Feast of the Transfiguration. In 1631, the Sultan granted permission to the Franciscans to live on Mount Tabor, and they have been there ever since, discovering the ruins of an old Crusader church and constructing the present church on the site in The top of the mountain is divided into Greek Orthodox and Latin (that s us) zones. At one time, tourists arrived on the summit by bus, but this is no longer permitted. Some ride bicycles up a challenging and winding path, while others take the four thousand three hundred steps constructed for Christian pilgrims in the fourth century. It s hard to imagine the fishermen following Jesus up this craggy mountain without complaint. Visitors will sympathize with Peter s plan to construct booths and stay put with Jesus, Moses, and Elijah for a while, enjoying the view, and planning the trip back down. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. 9

10 Children s Faith Formation Epiphany Youth Ministry ENCOUNTER LENT! This week we encounter Cesia in Nicaragua. Despite a lack of economic opportunity, young people pursue their dreams by building businesses to better their lives. How can you work to improve the lives of others this Lent? How can you support those, worldwide, who are forced to flee their homes to find safety or better opportunities? Visit crsricebowl.org for more. If you missed the one on February 8th, please contact the office to turn in Unit 3 packets and receive Unit 4. The Faith Formation office is open during the week from 8:30am 4:30pm. Sun. Feb. 25 Tues. Feb. 27 or Wed. Feb. 28. (Gr. 1-2) Unit Three: EQ Two "Why and how does Jesus Christ want me to make good choices?" // (Gr. 3-5) Circle of Grace, Part II [EQ 3: "Why and how does Jesus Christ expect me to love and respect myself and others?"] Unit Three: Assessment "How does Jesus Christ teach us to live a moral life?" 10