December 6, 2015 Second Sunday of Advent Readings on p. 996

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1 Epiphany of t he L ord Catholic Community Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston 1530 Norwalk Drive Katy, Texas Telephone: Fax: Office Hours: Monday Thursday 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Masses: Monday Friday: 9:00 a.m. Saturday (Vigil): 5:30 p.m. Sunday: 8:00 a.m., 9:45 a.m.*, 11:30 a.m.*, 5:30 p.m. *Nursery available Reconciliation: Saturday 4:00 5:00 p.m.; or appointment with a priest Eucharistic Adoration: Tuesday after 9:00 a.m. Mass until 7:30 p.m. St. Vincent de Paul Society: December 6, 2015 Second Sunday of Advent Readings on p

2 PARISH CLERGY Rev. Tom Lam Administrator Rev. Thomas Joseph Parochial Vicar Deacon John Evanoff Pastoral Associate Deacon Don Kish PARISH STAFF Business Manager Craig Shemon Gerry Broussard, Verna Goertz, Dan Stamps, Mary Tran Religious Education LouAnn Svoboda, Director Beth Harvey, Charlotte Fulton, Maria Laiseca Youth Ministry Dave Clark, Director Joey Harvey Music Ministry Spencer Schuyler, Director Merle Vahlkamp Liturgy Ministry Dominick Aquila, Director Outreach Ministry Schottsie Hill, Director Lisa Gilkeson Facilities Manager Kirk Harris Young Kim, Karim Valdez COMMUNITY LIFE Nursery Coordinator: Anne Salazar Bingo: Friday at 7:30 p.m More information about our parish can be found at: Advent Reflection by Pope Francis [As] we begin a new liturgical year; that is, a new journey of the People of God with Jesus Christ, our Shepherd, who guides us through history toward the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God. Therefore, this day has a special charm, it makes us experience deeply the meaning of history. We rediscover the beauty of all being on a journey: the Church, with her vocation and mission, and all humanity, peoples, civilizations, cultures, all on a journey across the paths of time. This journey never comes to an end. Just as in each of our lives we always need to begin again, to get up again, to rediscover the meaning of the goal of our lives, so also for the great human family it is always necessary to rediscover the common horizon toward which we are journeying. The horizon of hope! This is the horizon that makes for a good journey. The season of Advent restores this horizon of hope, a hope which does not disappoint for it is founded on God s Word. A hope which does not disappoint, simply because the Lord never disappoints! He is faithful! He does not disappoint! Let us think about and feel this beauty. Advent does not change God. Advent deepens our longing and anticipation that God will do what prophets and the anointed have promised. We pray that God will yield to our need to see and feel the promise of salvation here and now. During this time of longing and waiting for the Lord, we are invited to pray and to ponder the Word of God, but most of all, to become a reflection of the light of Christ, indeed of Christ himself. For what or for whom are we waiting in life? What virtues or gifts are we praying to receive this year? Do we long for healing and reconciliation in broken relationships? What meaning and understanding do we desire to have in the midst of our own darkness, sadness, and mystery? Many times, the things, qualities, gifts, or people we await give us great insights into who we really are. Then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger once wrote about Advent: The purpose of the Church s year is continually to rehearse her great history of memories, to awaken the heart s memory so that it can discern the star of hope. It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us, memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope. As Christians enter this blessed season of patient longing and joyful expectation of the Lord Jesus, I leave you with a reflection from the Parochial and Plain Sermons of the great English Cardinal Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman: They watch for Christ who are sensitive, eager, apprehensive in mind, who are awake, alive, quick-sighted, zealous in honoring him, who look for him in all that happens, and who would not be surprised, who would not be over-agitated or overwhelmed, if they found that he was coming at once This then is to watch: to be detached from what is present, and to live in what is unseen; to live in the thought of Christ as he came once, and as he will come again; to desire his second coming, from our affectionate and grateful remembrance of his first. Happy Advent to all! 2

3 Events & Meetings This Week SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6 Food Drive Angel Tree Drop Off KC Tamale Sale after all Masses Coffee & Donuts: Family Center 8:00 AM 1:00 PM, Blood Drive: Rec Room 9:45 & 11:30 AM, Nursery: 0-5 years Room 214 3:30 PM, Children s Faith Formation 3:30 PM, Jr. High Faith Formation 7:00 PM, HS Faith Formation & Confirmation: PAC MONDAY, DECEMBER 7 9:00 AM, ESL 4 Conversation: Room :30 PM, Rummikub: Room 507 6:00 PM, Vigil Mass: Church 7:00 PM, KC s General Meeting: KC s Room 7:00 PM, HS Bible Study: Upper Room 7:00 PM, Bereavement Support: 303 7:00 PM, Job Networking: Rec Room 7:00 PM, Scout Troop 1146: Room 204, ,207,212 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8 9:00 AM, Mass: Church Immaculate Conception 9:00 AM, ESL 1: Room 303 9:00 AM, ESL 4: Room 304 9:30 AM, Quilters: Room 411 9:30 AM 4:00 PM, Adoration: Chapel 10:00 AM, Scripture Study: Den 10:00 AM, Holy Hour Rosary: Chapel 1:00 PM, ESL 2: Room 301 4:00 PM, Holy Hour Rosary for Vocations: Chapel 7:00 PM, RCIA: Epiphany Room 7:00 PM, Scout Troop 1288: Rec Room, 301/303 5:00 PM, Mass: Church 7:00 PM, Mass: Church Second Sunday of Advent WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9 9:00 AM, ESL 4: Room 307 9:00 AM, ESL 4: Room 301 9:00 AM, ESL 3: Room 308 9:30 AM, Called to be Mom: Rec Rm. 10:00 AM, Matthew: The King and His Kingdom: Den 5:30 PM, Advent Family Session: Great Room 7:00 PM, Adult Choir Practice: Music Room THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10 9:00 AM, ESL 1: Room 303 9:00 AM, ESL 4 Conversation: :00 AM, Caregivers Support Group: Room :00 AM, Gathering Place: Rec Room 6:30 PM, Spanish Bible Study: Rec Room 7:00 PM, Line Dancing: Family Center 7:00 PM, Vocation Committee: Main Conference Room FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 9:30 AM, Ladies Club: Family Center No Bingo SATURDAY. DECEMBER 12 9:00 AM, Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass: Church 9:00 AM, Career Search Seminar: Rec Room 10:00 AM, Our Lady of Guadalupe Presentation: Family Center KC Tamale Sale Nursery Closed SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13 KC Tamale Sale after all Masses 9:45 & 11:30 AM, Nursery: 0-5 years Room 214 1:00 PM, Baptisms: Narthex 7:30 PM, Annual Christmas Concert: Church 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 Steve Zoeller, Grand Knight kccouncil9759/default.asp St. Vincent de Paul Society Cynthia Viator Ladies Club Joan McManamy Forever Young Barbara Hajjar, Clare Snow 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, December 5 Vigil-Second Sunday of Advent 5:30 PM Nat Fasone Sunday, December 6 Second Sunday of Advent 8:00 AM Zita Briksnis 9:45 AM For the People 11:30 AM Maria Nguyen Thi Bau 5:30 PM Georgette Touma Monday, December 7 St. Ambrose 9:00 AM Hans A. Wagner Monday, December 7 Vigil-The Immaculate Conception 6:00 PM Ou A. Ho Tuesday, December 8 The Immaculate Conception 9:00 AM Lawrence Gochioco 5:00 PM The Ho Family 7:00 PM For the People Wednesday, December 9 Advent Weekday 9:00 AM Robert Bolks Thursday, December 10 Advent Weekday 9:00 AM Antonio Ruiz Friday, December 11 Advent Weekday 9:00 AM Deloris Matsko Saturday, December 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe 9:00 AM Sebatian J. Jr. Subby Ricceri Saturday, December 12 Vigil-Third Sunday of Advent 5:30 PM Patti Paetow Sunday, December 13 Third Sunday of Advent 8:00 AM Vincent Pellegrino 9:45 AM For the People 11:30 AM Steve Earnest 5:30 PM Kathy & Brandon Starks READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9-14; Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday: Gn 3:9-15, 20; Ps 98:1-4; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38 Wednesday: Is 40:25-31; Ps 103:1-4, 8, 10; Mt 11:28-30 Thursday: Is 41:13-20; Ps 145:1, 9-13ab; Mt 11:11-15 Friday: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47, or any readings from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, nos Sunday: Zep 3:14-18a; Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6; Phil 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18 Please pray for our military men and women. Through the waters of Baptism the following infants now have begun their journey of faith in the Christian Community: Olive Ewuradwoa Asaa Amaning, Ethan Nana Kwesi Amaning, Kylie Brielle Cogliandro, Katelyn Ann Coleman, Cade Matthew Collins, Bianca Marie Florida, Katherine Forero, Stephen Oliver Furtado, Genevieve Isabella Gomez, John Farris Hafner, Kaylah Audrina Hernandez, Jade Kim Hernandez, Noah James Malacon, Ethan Kum Sing O Connor, Delia Chinakwu Uwasomba, John Pablo Vercher, Christopher Gabriel Weeks, Asher Ezekiel Wiafe. 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, Andrew Bencivengo, Jackie Alfonso, Madison Schenk, Jakob Olague, Michael Matt Patrick Ryan, Christelle Ateba, Sandrine Baroung, Laure Ngo-Nlend, Solange Ngo-Nlend, Igid Houndegla, Valerie Nlend, Mary Jagielski, Joan Rushing, Anthony Wiley, Theresa McCluskey, Marie McDougle, Shawn Sell, Eugene Patsko, Roseanne Ramos, Catherine Pixton. 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. Please Remember In Prayer Our Deceased Ou A. Ho, father of Mark Ho 4

5 We welcome into our community: Kimberly Andaya, Zinsser & Melody Baliang, Steven & Erin Daugherty, John & Melinda Gerschefski, Jose & Brenda Gonzalez, Derek & Jessica Guignard, Daniel Healey, Felix & Naomi Iyoha, Cesar & Noelle Ordonez, Stephane & Sara Smith, Stephen & Cheryl Winters. Epiphany Nursery is accepting applications for two positions. Hours guaranteed on Sunday s from 9:15 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. Occasional hours during the week; mornings and evenings. Applicant must be 18 years of age, have their own transportation, and speak and write English. Experience with infants and children is required. Please visit the church office Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Friday 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. News in the Parish The Epiphany of Our Lord Catholic Church and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, join forces again for the 22 nd year. The LDS Katy Texas Stake building and Epiphany Church are just across the street from each other in Katy. The leaders of these churches 22 years ago got together with an idea of singing a Christmas concert together for the community. Though directors and leaders might have rotated, the special long time tradition continues all the same. Two faiths come together as one voice to praise the birth of Jesus Christ. The current leadership of the two congregations: Reverend Tom Lam at Epiphany and President Tim Morris of the Mormon congregation. Concert: Sunday, December 13 th, 7:30 p.m. at Epiphany Catholic Church. Scout Troop 1146 & Scout Troop 1288 wreath pickup/ distribution this weekend. Epiphany is looking for a fulltime maintenance employee to add to our staff. Position includes benefits. Experience is a must! Please resume and references to Craig Shemon at: craig@epiphanycatholic.org The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary A Holy Day of Obligation Monday, December 7 Vigil-Mass 6:00 PM Tuesday, December 8 Masses: 9:00 AM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM 5

6 Our Stewardship Stewardship November 28/29 Sunday Offering $31, St. Vincent de Paul $2, Registered Households 6,787 And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value (PHILIPPIANS 1:9-10) Glittery holiday ads can blind us to our stewardship values and distort our needs and wants. It is important that during this season of endless buying we remember that each of us also has the need to give back to God and to those that are in need. Stewardship November 21/22 Sunday Offering $55, Campaign for Human Development $8, St. Vincent de Paul $4, Community Life The Epiphany Ladies Club invites you to attend our meeting on Friday, December 11 at 9:30 AM in the Family Center. We will be kicking off the Christmas season with a performance by the Cinco Ranch Bravo Ensemble Vocal Group, directed by Dorothy Wilson. Also Marie Mormile will give us a behind the scenes cooking demonstration. Any questions, please contact ephiphanyladiesclub@gmail.com. Like Us on Facebook to keep up with all the fun! FOREVER YOUNG Come and join us on Friday December 18th at 11:30 a.m. for our annual catered luncheon in the Family center. The "Decibels" will be joining us again this year. New members are always welcomed to join. Annual dues are $5.00 per person. For information please call the parish office at The Purpose of a Catholic School Epiphany of the Lord s capital campaign seeks to build the first Catholic elementary and middle school in Katy. Over the next six months, the parish will approach every parish household and invite parishioners to make a sacrificial and meaningful gi to the campaign. The following is the mission statement for Catholic schools found on the archdiocesan web site: Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Galveston Houston call young people to holiness and prepare them to live and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In collabora on with families, we teach the values of our faith and tradi on, serve our community, and ensure academic excellence. Our schools are commi ed to the evangelizing mission of the church to educate and form witnesses who transform the world. Please pray for our parish and our capital campaign effort. With your help, we will educate, evangelize and transform the world. Vocations Corner Have you thought what God has planned for your life? Do you like to help others? Are you interested in learning more about religious life? Plan to attend one of these opportunities. Visit for more information. Discover the Road Less Traveled-6:30 pm. For men ages December 10 Women Seeking the Road Less Traveled- 6:30 pm-for women ages December 10 Sponsored by the Vocations Committee 6

7 Saturday December :00am to 2:00pm Celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe The Patroness of the Americas 9:00am Mass Main Church 10:00am Serenade of Our Lady Main Church 10:30am Rosary Main Church With flower offering by the faithful 12:00pm Presentation Family Center with Refreshments Science and History of Our Lady of Guadalupe s apparition Speaker: Magdalena Ambriz 9:00am Misa Iglesia 10:00am Serenata a la Virgen Iglesia 10:30am Rosario Iglesia Ofrecimiento de flores por los fieles 12:00pm Presentación Centro Familiar con Bebidas y Galletas Historia y Ciencia sobre las Apariciones de la Virgen de Guadalupe Presentadora: Magdalena Ambriz We invite you to learn in depth about: The evangelization of America started by the Spanish missionaries and consummated by Our Lady of Guadalupe. The six miraculous apparitions. Most important scientific analysis done on the Guadalupe ayate starting in

8 Outreach Ministry Outreach Events in December: Standing Meetings: Mon. Epiphany Job Networking at 7 p.m. in the PAC; Tues. Respect Life Rosary at 10 a.m. in the Chapel. 7th: Bereavement Support Group 9th: Advent gift wrap session 10th: Gathering Place 10th: Caregiver s Support Group 12th: Career Search 15th: Second Family 15th: Gift of Marriage See for details. Advent Family Session December 9 th in the PAC bring tape, scissors and wrapping paper to help wrap presents. BLOOD DRIVE Today December 6 th in the PAC - Rec Room Give the Gift of Life Walk-ins Welcome If you are not able to donate at this Blood Drive, please donate at another location and remember Epiphany s Donor Group # is BEREAVEMENT MEETING December 7 th When a loved one dies, our lives change. Sometimes we take on new roles, ones our loved one used to fill. Our new identity may make us feel alone, and perhaps helpless at times. The support of others who have had similar experiences can help us adjust to these difficult changes. Please join us for our next gathering on Monday, December 7th, 7:00 p.m. in the PAC. If you cannot attend but want information, call Lisa at or epiphanychurchhelp2grieve@gmail.com. FOOD DRIVE December 6 We need food for our Food Closet especially canned Chili and Soup. If you forgot to bring something, food donations may be dropped off in the loggia food bin anytime. Thank you for your assistance! Career Search Seminar Are you looking for a new career? Want to improve your resume writing, networking, interviewing and other successful career search skills? SATURDAY DECEMBER 12, 2015 Pre-register by 12/09/15 via to seminarejn@gmail.com If you have any question please call Lisa in Outreach at Needed all Angel Tree Gifts Return to the PAC today after all Masses Return no later than 1:00 p.m. Monday Call Lisa at if cannot make the deadline. Thank you for your generosity and making a special Christmas for our friends in need. 8

9 Adult Faith Formation CALLED TO BE MOM Join us on December 9 for our Christmas party! We meet in the Rec Room (PAC) from 9:30 11:30 a.m. each Wednesday. Contact ctbm.epiphany@gmail.com or call LouAnn at , ext. 283 for more information. Jubilee Year of Mercy Second Sunday of Advent This Tuesday, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis will open the Holy Door in Saint Peter s Basilica, symbolically opening the Jubilee Year of Mercy. In today s scriptures, Baruch confidently anticipates God s healing of the brokenness of humanity, and Paul sees God bringing our discernment, knowledge, and love to fulfillment. Our experience of life and of ourselves can make such prophecies seem wildly optimistic, even hopelessly naïve. Pope Francis challenges us to live this Jubilee Year as a graced time, when God s mercy reawakens our enthusiasm to live our baptismal call as gospel people, our hope renewed and ourselves recommitted to selfless charity. Notice that in Luke s Gospel today, God bypasses the religious elite and politically powerful to speak to a humble believer in the barren desert the saving word that will transform history. So God s mercy continues to accomplish humanity s salvation in and through ordinary, flawed, and least likely instruments even us. Peter Scagnelli, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. Treasures from our Tradition By now, trees are beginning to appear in living rooms throughout the parish. To a complete outsider to our culture, it must seem an odd thing indeed. The roots of this custom are in liturgical drama: religious plays performed in the churches and town squares of medieval Europe. The favorite theme for this time of year was the Paradise Play, a dramatic history of the human race from the Garden of Eden to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. The language and music varied from place to place, but one feature was always in place: a great tree decorated with apples. As a prop, it provided lots of material for the actors: the temptation, shelter for the manger, and a reminder of the wood of the cross. Soon people began to bring paradise trees into their homes, decorating them with gifts and lighted candles. Many Germans give credit to Martin Luther for transforming the Paradise Tree into the evergreen Christmas tree. Walking home on a starry Advent night, he was so awed by the beauty of the night that he hauled a pine tree inside and decorated it with lighted candles. Americans were holdouts. It took until 1856 for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to decriminalize Christmas decorations, the old Puritan dislikes falling before the waves of Irish and German immigrants with traditions firmly in hand! Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. 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. 9

10 Children s Faith Formation Epiphany Youth Ministry Let s celebrate the Seasons of Advent and Christmas with a party during regular Faith Formation Class. TODAY, Sunday, December 6, we are asking the children to bring a canned good for the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. Parents, we are asking you to supply our party with cupcakes or cookies. A flyer went home in your child s take home folder. For questions and concerns about allergies please contact the Faith Formation Office or Beth Harvey at bharvey@epiphanycatholic.org. Family Advent Session: Join us as we wrap the gifts for our Outreach Angel Tree Project on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 in the PAC. We begin with dinner at 5:30 PM in the Rec Room. Prayer begins at 6:15 PM in the Epiphany Room. Instructions for wrapping will be given immediately following the prayer. Bring your family (all children must be accompanied by an adult), seasonal wrapping paper, scissors, tape, bow, etc. We ll supply hot chocolate, cookies and a surprise for the children. For more information send an to Beth Harvey at bharvey@epiphanycatholic.org or call the Faith Formation office at Almost 100 Junior High Students will be on retreat next weekend at Forest Glen! Please join us in praying for them! We could use a few more VIRTUS trained adults to help behind the scene. To volunteer, please or call Joey Harvey Children s Liturgy of the Word during the Sunday morning Masses (9:45 & 11:30) will return after the Advent and Christmas Seasons on January 10, Interested in joining the CLW team contact the Faith Formation Office by ing Beth Harvey at bharvey@epiphanycatholic.org. 10