Prayer of St. Thomas More: Give us, good Lord, the grace to work for the things we pray for.

Transcription

1 CHURCH OF ST. THOMAS MORE GLENDALE, AZ November 22, 2015 BUILDING FUND We have received permission from the diocese to re-constitute our Building Fund to accept designated gifts. Any of you who spend time on campus during the week know well how busy St. Thomas More has become. From Sunday through Thursday evenings practically every inch of space is occupied by Christian Formation classes, Youth Ministry, and various other ministries holding meetings and classes. This is a nice problem to have! We are looking at adding an annex to the office building of approximately 4500 sf., which will contain two large flexible classrooms that can be divided, as well as an additional office or two. This addition will enable us to expand our ministry offerings to touch the lives of more people. There will be more on this at a later date. Regular Building Fund envelopes will be included in the February envelope packet mailing and temporary envelopes are available in the pews or at the entrance to the church. Please make any checks out to St. Thomas More Building Fund. Prayer of St. Thomas More: Give us, good Lord, the grace to work for the things we pray for. Our warmest welcome to all who worship with our parish family, whether long time registered or newly arrived in the parish. If you are not registered, please stop by the Parish Office and pick up a registration form. For your convenience a drop box is located outside the Parish Office front doors if you wish to leave paperwork when the office is closed. Please do not leave checks or cash. Thanks for your continued support. THANKSGIVING MASS Wednesday, November 25 7:00 p.m. All families are invited to bring their Thanksgiving bread and wine or other beverage and place them by the altar prior to Mass to be blessed. The Little Blue Book for Advent is now available. $1.00 The Parish Office will be closed: Thursday, November 26 and Daily Mass will be celebrated Have a Blessed Thanksgiving. Newspapers will not be sold Sunday, November 29. Happy Thanksgiving!

2 Alpha & Omega OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE Liturgy How appropriate that we hear the words the Alpha and the Omega in today s second reading. Because just as the First Sunday of Advent is the Alpha, or start of the Church s liturgical calendar, today, the Feast of Christ the King, is the Omega, the end. Pope Pius XI first set the Feast of Christ the King on the last Sunday of October, It was originally designed as a magnification of the feast of the Ascension, with a stronger focus on Jesus Christ as Lord over all creation. The Ascension could be considered the Alpha or beginning of Christ s reign as heavenly King. The Feast of Christ the King centers on the Omega, or the end times, as we hear in today s first reading, the vision of the prophet Daniel: I saw one like a Son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven. While it shares similar themes with the feast of the Ascension, there are distinct differences. The Church teaches that Christ s heavenly rule between the Ascension (Alpha) and his return in glory (Omega) will be marked by the progressive defeat of the powers of evil. Christ the Lord already reigns through the Church, but all the things of this world are not yet subjected to him. The triumph of Christ's kingdom will not come about without one last assault by the powers of evil. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, article 680) Liturgical scholars felt that having the Feast of Christ the King governed by the secular calendar, as in the last Sunday in October," did not do this feast justice. They felt the feast ought to be fully integrated into the Church year. So, the revised liturgical calendar by Pope Paul VI in 1969, moved the Feast of Christ the King to the last Sunday of the Church year. This current placement sets the feast in a stronger eschatological tone, set up by several weeks of readings about the end time and the day of the Lord. It also brings the church year full circle, from the First Sunday of Advent and our longing for a coming Messiah to the final coming of Christ the King. The Alpha and Omega - the beginning and the end - reflecting Christ himself: I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, the one who is and who was and who is to come. (Revelation 1: 8) Steve Raml Director of Liturgy & Music Adult Formation CHRIST THE KING This gospel is a rich tapestry, fraught with drama and color of two protagonists. Pilate is nervous. Seven times he s in and out of the praetorium, between the people and the prisoner. In his heart he knows Jesus is innocent after all, his wife had a dream about that and in his head he knows he must play the game of politics and from the two he mixes up a compromise: he washes his hands and sends Jesus off to his death. Pilate has come down in history as the great compromiser, the example of all those who compromise their principals and so continue to sentence the Christ to his death to this day. There are also who would not do not compromise. There are those who demonstrate each day in their lives and deaths that, given a chance they cannot wash their hands of others. A story: We are taken back to the West Nickel Mine School in Lancaster, PA. Ten young Amish girls were shot by a mentally ill man, who was not Amish. Revenge and counter violence did not rule. What did the Amish community do? They forgave the man! Not only did they forgive him, but they brought food to his wife and children who lived close to the school. (Please pause for a moment). You are standing with the Amish community at the door of the man who just murdered and maimed your children! You are bringing food and forgiveness to his family. You have gone to the grieving families of the murdered and collected money and goods to bring to his family. The Amish are different, aren t they? They live apart from us, living a life they feel God wants them to live. They take seriously Jesus s words from the cross: Father, forgive them, they know not what they do. They accept a core set of principles. They are a people of peace. They forgive their enemies because they cannot hate anyone. They will not serve the demons of revenge and rage. I know I envy their reputation. Today on this feast let us collectively pray for the courage to add our names to these faithful followers of Christ the King. Mary Ann Ronan

3 Youth Ministry Grades 6-12 The youth ministry calendar is available in the Parish Office or Kari Beth GROWING IN FAITH, ACTING IN LOVE Faith Formation K - 5 FAITH FORMATION Calendar / Class Times / Days Session A Monday: 4:45-6:00 p.m. Session B Monday: 6:30-7:45 p.m. Session C Tuesday: 4:45-6:00 p.m. Session D Tuesday: 6:30-7:45 p.m. Nov. 23 and 24 No Class Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 Class Dec. 7 and 8 Class Dec. 14 and 15 Class FIRE (6th - 8th grades) Sunday session will meet in the Parish Hall: NO Session on November 29 Session - December 6, 4:00 5:30 p.m. Wednesday session will meet in the Parish Hall: NO Session on November 25 Session on December 2, 6:00 7:30 p.m. t.u.f. (9th - 12th grades) Parish Hall: NO Session on November 29 Service Saturday on December 5 NO Session on December 6 As always, you are welcome to bring a friend or two. The door is open to all registered or not. Come check us out! Today as we celebrate Christ the King, may we open the door of our heart so wide that we may listen to the voice of Jesus calling us to help build his kingdom here on earth. Through your gifts, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is able to bring God s love and mercy to our brothers and sisters in their time of need by providing assistance with rent, utilities and other bills. Over the next month, St. Vincent de Paul will see an increase in calls for assistance. Your support of the 5th Sunday Collection next weekend will allow them to serve more of our brothers and sisters during the holiday season. CHILDREN S LITURGY OF THE WORD Children in Kindergarten through third grade are invited to participate in the Children s Liturgy of he World parallel liturgy during the 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Masses: Sunday: December 6, 13 & 20 Parents are welcome to attend with their children. All communication to Faith Formation families is sent via . Please contact Ann in the Parish Office if your information has changed. First Reconciliation Parent Meeting Monday, November 30 or Tuesday, December 1 4:45-6:00 and 6:30-7:45 p.m. Parents are required to attend a meeting. The meetings are held during regular Faith Formation class. Parents attend a meeting while their children are in class. I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty. Revelation 1:8 CONGRATULATIONS and welcome to the recently baptized members of the St. Thomas More community: Paige Brown, Emily Brunk, Amelia Gatica, Brooklynne Kessler, Alfie Lee, Emily Nicoloff, Cooper Robertson

4 Parish Outreach To date, St. Thomas More parishioners have donated $37,790 to the annual Outreach Collection! The ministries benefitting from your support are grateful for your generosity. Thank you Given in Gratitude for God s Blessings The plate collection for Sunday, November 15, was $31,682. Thank you for your faithful support. Thanks to Our Advertisers Please patronize our advertisers and thank them for supporting our bulletin when using their products and services. ADVENT GIVING TREES This year we are sponsoring Catholic Social Services Foster Care Program, Maggie s Place, Adobe Mountain Detention Center, families from Deer Valley and Peoria Elementary schools. Please be sure to return gifts by date shown on tag to the gathering space or the Parish Office. If you have any questions, please call the Parish Office. Thank you for your continued support. ST. VINCENT DE PAUL Adopt A Family St. Vincent de Paul is once again sponsoring this program at St. Thomas More. This is a wonderful opportunity for families, organizations or neighborhood groups to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas. Representatives will be available after all Masses December 5 and 6 for sign-up. Contact Sherry (aprilmoon821@gmail.com) for information. APACHE FAIR TRADE COOPERATIVE (AFTC) AND HARAMBEE CHRISTMAS GIFT AND ART SALE Parish Hall Saturday, December 12, Sunday, December 13 After All Masses This year these two parish sponsored organizations are joining together to bring hand-made crafts and unique gifts for your holiday gift giving. One hundred percent of sales will bring much needed aid to the women of Kenya and the White Mountain Apache families. These are one of a kind items and the pricing will allow you to purchase something truly special for those I don t know what to buy for relatives! If you would like to donate altar flowers in honor or memory of a loved one, please contact the Parish Office. FAITH COMMUNITY NURSING RN s from this ministry are available to speak with parishioners. You may call the Parish Office and leave a message and one of the nurses will contact you. St. Joseph the Worker offers services to low-income and homeless individuals in the Phoenix area seeking employment. Contact Candace Sherwood, or for volunteer information. ANDRÉ HOUSE has volunteer opportunities available. To sign up online visit go/70a044fa8a72f4-andre4. COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS ALBERTSONS COMMUNITY PARTNERS PROGRAM - Cards in the Parish Office. FRY S COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM - Enrollment in this rewards program is done online by each family. Registration forms in Parish Office. PARISH HALL RENTAL The Parish Hall is available to rent for private functions. Please see the parish website under FAQ s or stop by the Parish Office for an information sheet.

5 PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS Tina Gantner, Joan Graham Karen Kozlowski, Simon Lam Don Sandefur, Lloyd Singer, Joanne Spiek Questions, comments or concerns, please call the Parish Office. St. Thomas More is on Facebook! Search in Facebook Church of St. Thomas More or link to us on the parish website Monday, November 23 6:30 pm Stephen Ministry Supervision 6:30 pm Bible Study Tuesday, November 24 7:00 pm Bethany Bereavement Group Wednesday, November 25 7:00 pm Thanksgiving Mass Thursday, November 26 Parish Office Closed Parish Office Closed Saturday, November 28 8:00 am Bible Study Sunday, November 29 St. Thomas More Coming in January! Faith, Hope and Love in Action through an engaging small-group process of prayer, reflection, and action. Watch for more details! Sunday Monday Tuesday Readings for the Week November 22, 2015 Dn 7:13-14; Ps 93; Rv 1:5-8; Jn 18:33b-37 Saint Clement I, Pope and Martyr; Saint Columban, Abbot; Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, Priest and Martyr Dn 1:1-6, 8-20; Dn 3; Lk 21:1-4 Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs Dn 2:31-45; Dn 3; Lk 21:5-11 Wednesday Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr Dn 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28;Dn 3; Lk 21:12-19 Thursday Dn 6:12-28; Dn 3; Lk 21:20-28 Friday Dn 7:2-14; Dn 3; Lk 21:29-33 Saturday Dn 7:15-27; Dn 3; Lk 21:34-36 Sunday First Sunday of Advent Jer 33:14-16; Ps 25; 1 Thes 3:12 4:2; Lk 21:25-28, Please come to Mass early enough not to disrupt. Leave late enough not to insult. Worship reverently enough not to distract. AND dress proudly enough not to offend. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21 5:00 pm +Bob Reynolds SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22 7:30 am +Jay Shelp 9:00 am +Nicholas Puco 11:00 am Parishioners of St. Thomas More TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24 8:30 am +Carolina Arena WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25 8:30 am +Margarita Vasquez 7:00 pm +Michael Warbritton THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26 Thanksgiving Day FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27 8:30 am +Zil Attanasio SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28 5:00 pm +Cleta Lomini SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29 7:30 am +Grace Jasinski 9:00 am Parishioners of St. Thomas More 11:00 am +Sarah Denaro Prayer List * Don Adams * Linda Blanchard * Mary Maier * * Elijah Nicholson * Miriam Schwoerer * Alex Spartz * Names will be kept on the prayer list for two weeks, at which time you will need to call the Parish Office to update. Thank you.