A Reflection by Pope Francis

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2 PARISH CLERGY Rev. Tom Lam Administrator Rev. Martins Emeh, J.C.L. Parochial Vicar Deacon John Evanoff Pastoral Associate Deacon Don Kish PARISH STAFF Business Manager Lu Hill 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 A Reflection by Pope Francis God s consola on leads to peace L et us ask the Lord to help us recognize true consola on and to conserve it. That was Pope Francis message at morning Mass this past Monday (Sept. 25) in the Casa Santa Marta. Reflec ng on the First Reading (Ezra 1:1-6) in his homily, Pope Francis said the Lord visited His people and returned them to Jerusalem. The word visited, he explained, is important in salva on history, because every act of redemp on by God is a visita on. When the Lord visits us He gives us joy, that is, He places us in a state of consola on You have seeded in tears, but now the Lord consoles us and gives us spiritual consola on. Consola on happens not only in a certain moment in me but is a state in the spiritual life of every Chris an. The en re Bible teaches us this. The Holy Father went on to exhort those present to wait for the Lord s visita on. Some moments are stronger than others, but the Lord will help us to sense His presence with spiritual consola on. He said the Chris an must recognize consola on, because there are false prophets who seem to console us but are, in fact, tricking us. The Lord s consola on moves you and makes you increase in charity, love, and hope, also making you weep for your sins. When we observe Jesus and his Passion, we weep with Jesus You elevate your soul to the things of Heaven and of God, and your soul is quieted in the peace of God. This is true consola on. In conclusion, Pope Francis reminded all to thank the Lord in prayer, that He may pass by to visit us, helping us to go forward, in hope, to carry our Cross. Conserve these traces of consola on in your memory, just as God s people remembered its libera on Wait for consola on, recognize it, and conserve it. And, what remains from this passing moment? Peace, for peace is the highest level of consola on. 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 Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Have in you the same a tude that is also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5 2

3 Events & Meetings This Week SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1 Coffee & Donuts, Family Center 9:45 & 11:30 AM, Nursery: 2 5 years; PAC 3:30 PM, Marriage Support Group: Outreach Center 3:30 PM, Elementary Faith Formation 3:30 PM, Junior High Faith Formation 7:00 PM, High School FF/Confirmation MONDAY, OCTOBER 2 1:00 PM, Rummikub: Outreach Center 6:30 PM, Handbell Choir Rehearsal: Church 6:30 PM, Bereavement Support: Den 6:30 PM, KC s Meeting: PAC 7:00 PM, Scout Troop 1146: Great Room 7:00 PM, James, Pearls of Wisdom: Epiphany Room 7:00 PM, Job Networking: Rec Room TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3 9:00 AM, ESL Class: Outreach Center 9:30 AM, Quilters: Room 411 9:40 AM 7:30 PM, Adoration: Chapel 9:45 AM, Angel Tree Meeting: Outreach Ctr. 10:00 AM, Holy Hour Rosary for Respect Life: Chapel 10:00 AM, Scripture Study: Den 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 High Faith Formation 7:00 PM, Home Based Parent Mtg.: Fam Ctr 7:00 PM, Rosary: Chapel 7:00 PM, Scout Troup 1288: PAC 7:00 PM, RCIA: Epiphany Room 7:30 PM, Vespers & Benediction: Chapel WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4 10:00 AM, Revelation Bible Study: Den 4:45 PM, Elementary Faith Formation 5:30 PM, Contemporary Music Rehearsal: Church 5:30 PM, Children s Choir: Music Room 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 8:00 PM, Young Adult Bible Study: Den THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5 9:00 AM, Anointing of the Sick within Mass: Chapel 9:00 AM, ESL Class: Outreach Center 10:00 AM, Women s Endow Group: 409 2:00 PM, Citizenship Class: Outreach Ctr. 6:30 PM, Spanish Bible Study: PAC 6:30 PM, Men s Food & Faith: Room 412 7:00 PM, Walking Through Grief: Outreach Center 7:00 PM, Parent Sacrament Meeting: Family Center 7:00 PM, Line Dancing: Great Room FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6 10:00 AM, Women s Endow Group: 409 7:30 PM, Bingo: Family Center SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 9:00 AM, Pet Blessing: Softball Field 5:30 PM, Mission Appeal Weekend 6:30 PM, Family Night: PAC SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8 Mission Appeal Weekend Food Drive 9:45 & 11:30 AM, Nursery: 2 5 years; PAC Men s Retreat Imagine a full weekend of time to reflect, read, pray and think without interruption. Holy Name Retreat Center is offering you that opportunity at one of our men's retreat weekends on October You are invited to contact Deacon Don Kish at for more information or go to to register. 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 Cynthia Viator 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, September 30 Vigil-26th Sunday in O. T. 5:30 PM Sydney Roberts Sunday, October 1 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 AM Richard Romershauser 9:45 AM For the People 11:30 AM Margaret Uennewald 5:30 PM Stella Walsh Monday, October 2 The Holy Guardian Angels 9:00 AM Jon & Wanda Evanoff Tuesday, October 3 Weekday 9:00 AM Leovegario Villabroza Wednesday, October 4 St. Francis of Assisi 9:00 AM Betty Long Thursday, October 5 Weekday 9:00 AM Sydney Roberts Friday, October 6 Weekday 9:00 AM Zita Briksnis Saturday, October 7 Vigil-27th Sunday in O. T. 5:30 PM Sang-Hee Andrew Han Sunday, October 8 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 AM Jeff Thaler 9:45 AM For the People 11:30 AM Collin Buteaux 5:30 PM Barrera Barajas Family READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Zec 8:1-8; Ps 102:16-21, 29, 22-23; Mt 18:1-5, 10 Tuesday: Zec 8:20-23; Ps 87:1b-7; Lk 9:51-56 Wednesday: Neh 2:1-8; Ps 137:1-6; Lk 9:57-62 Thursday: Neh 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12; Ps 19:8-11; Lk 10:1-12 Friday: Bar 1:15-22; Ps 79:1b-5, 8-9; Lk 10:13-16 Saturday: Bar 4:5-12, 27-29; Ps 69:33-37; Lk 10:17-24 Sunday: Is 5:1-7; Ps 80:9, 12-16, 19-20; Phil 4:6-9; Mt 21:33-43 ANOINTING OF THE SICK AND ELDERLY The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick will be celebrated on Thursday, October 5 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. Through the waters of Baptism the following infants now have begun their journey of faith in the Christian Community: Isabella Sinachi Anyanwu, Joseph Michael Blake, Noah Patrick Blake, Thomas Augustus De- Felice, Emma Jade Forero, Penelope Jolie Foster, Frederick Joseph Gill, Christopher Campbell Meyers, John Philippe Najm II, Ifebuche Callister Ofordu, Julien Leo Smith, Cecilia Marie Taylor. 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, Lionel Rivas, Margaret Braun, David Braun, Bob Hague, Chester Bourgeois, Will McKenzie, Hector Segura, Sr., Glenda Garnett, Mary Stier, Neil Siedel, Bill Weber, Sr., Gildardo Jimenez. Please pray for our military men and women. Please Remember In Prayer Our Deceased Bill Weber, brother of Bernie Weber 4

5 Parish Life This month s theme is Family Feud. Dinner begins at 6:30pm and the feud begins around 7pm in the PAC. There will be a movie in the Epiphany Room and a special play area for the littler ones. A suggested donation of $5 per family covers the cost of all activities and dinner. Our young adult Bible study continues this week on Wednesday at 8pm upstairs in the PAC. This week we are looking at the book of James. October 1 Knights of Columbus Membership Drive in the Family Center a er Sunday morning Masses Monday, October 2 General Mee ng 6:30 pm in the PAC SAVE THE DATE! We are soliciting Silent Auction donations of vacation homes, hotel stays, sporting events or theater tickets, and retail or restaurant gift cards. Donation forms can be found online. Casino-Night The Epiphany Ladies Club (ELC) invites you to attend our meeting on October 13 at 9:30 a.m. in the Family Life Center. DJ Mormile - VP & Sr. Customer Representative of Genworth, Long Term Care, will speak to us on the importance of Long Term Care. We are always accepting new members and look forward to meeting you. Please come and join one or more of our sub-clubs. They include Knitting, Book Club, Bunco, Cooking, Couples, Quilting, Baptismal Bibs, Movies as well as lunches and outings. "Like" Us on Facebook to keep up with all the fun 5

6 Our Stewardship Stewardship September 23/24 Sunday Offering $35, St. Vincent de Paul Society $ Registered Households 6,679 Do nothing out of selfishness; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves Philippians 2:3 Pride and ego are hard things to control. We see how others act or dress and think we are superior to them. We idolize our own self-image. But, if we truly believe everything is a gift from God, we recognize all the people that God has put in our lives as gifts! We are grateful for how they enrich our lives. Pray every day for the people in your life. Mission Appeal On the weekend of October 7/8, a missionary priest, Fr. Gerry Kelly, of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers will conduct a mission appeal at our parish. He will share his experience serving in the missions of South America. You will be invited to par cipate spiritually and financially in the Church s mission that brings the Good News of Jesus to all people. Altar Server Info Night Rescheduled October 5th Parish Office Conference RM October 12th Family Center Both Nights are 6:30pm-8:00pm Please attend 1 OR the other night Open to those in 5th grade & above Registration Required online: epiphanycatholic.org/ministry-training-events Questions: Cwalker@epiphanycatholic.org Respect Life Bulletin Board OCTOBER IS RESPECT FOR LIFE MONTH -Life Chain Today! Stand with thousands of pro-life individuals throughout the USA and Canada in honor of millions of babies whose lives have been lost to abortion. Today, from 2pm to 3pm on Mason and I 10 in front of Jason s Deli. -High School students are invited to attend MOTSY (March of the Surviving Youth) October 14 th which is an annual event sponsored by the Archdiocese of Galveston- Houston Pro-Life Activities Office. The event begins with Mass at 8:30am at the Catholic Charismatic Center celebrated by Bishop Sheltz followed by a 1-mile walk and prayer in front of Planned Parenthood. Go to highschool<http.epiphanycatholic.org/highschool> and click on Sign Up! to ride the bus from Epiphany to the event. Families are also welcome! -7 th and 8 th graders are invited to participate in a 2 part series on Saint Pope John Paul II s Theology of the Body from 1-5pm on October 15 th and October 22 in the PAC. (Takes place of regular Faith Formation class). To Register, go to: For questions about either of these activities contact the office at Day of Prayer and Adoration is Thursday October 26, Sign up in the narthex to spend an hour with the Blessed Sacrament to pray for the end of abortion and creating a culture of Life! Music Ministry Children s Choir The Epiphany Children s Choir is in full swing for its season. The choir is made up of students from 4 th to 8 th grade, and they rehearse on Wednesday 5:30 p.m. in the Church. If you would like more information about joining the choir, Kathleen Aldrup- Kathleen@epiphanycatholic.org. Adult Choir The Adult Mixed choir is seeking new members as we prepare for the Advent and Christmas seasons. The choir sings at 9:45 a.m. and consists of male and female voices. If you love music and have some choir experience, please consider being a part of this growing group or if you are new to choir and would like to try out, please contact Christian Mondragon- christian@epiphanycatholic.org,

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8 Outreach Ministry Harvey Relief Goes On In some way our whole church community has been affected by Harvey. Some of our parishioners have lost everything. While others in our parish have spent countless hours helping others by cleaning out houses, calling parishioners, dona ng financially or with supplies and sor ng supplies. We would like to con nue helping our Church community by offering the following services and supplies. Please call Outreach if you have any ques ons We have the following supplies ready to be picked up. Non perishable food Personal care items Diapers and baby food Cleaning supplies Not sure who to call for certain jobs? We have a list of contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc. Do you need some laundry done? We would like to offer a free laundry service to our parishioners. For more informa on, please contact the Outreach Center at outreach@epiphanycatholic.org. Loss Support Group Please join us Monday October 2 at 6:30 pm in the PAC. Financial Assistance Call our St. Vincent de Paul Society for an appointment Donations Needed Dona ons of money, gi cards and items (food, paper products, cleaning supplies) are s ll appreciated. Bring to the Outreach Center or make the dona on to Epiphany Outreach Hurricane Relief. Thank you and blessings abound! Outreach Events in October: Regular Meetings: Mon. Epiphany Job Networking at 7 p.m. in the PAC; Tues. Respect Life Rosary at 10 a.m. in the Chapel. Oct. 1: Gift of Marriage Oct 2: Loss Support Group Oct 5: Walking through Grief Oct 8: Food Drive Oct 12: Gathering Place Oct 12: Caregivers Support Group Oct 12: Walking through Grief Oct 15: Gift of Marriage See for details. FOOD DRIVE today Boy Scouts are collecting non-perishable food today and we are especially in need of Chili and Macaroni and cheese. At this time we have plenty of canned vegetables. Items can be brought to either parking lot after morning Masses, today. Please place your monetary contributions in the Sunday collection, but please write in food donation on the memo line. If you forgot to bring something, food donations may be dropped off in the loggia food bin anytime. Thank you for your assistance! Walking through Grief Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4. In a church community, no one should mourn alone. Walking through Grief is on Thursday nights at 7pm in the Conference Room of the Outreach Center. For more information please call Outreach at

9 Adult Faith Formation Sacrament Preparation Preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion takes place during student s second consecutive year of faith formation or Catholic school. Second grade is the earliest students can prepare to receive these sacraments. Registration and required parent meeting are the first steps. Call A Parent (only) Sacrament Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 5, in the Family Center from 7-9 p.m. Reserve childcare during this meeting by ing nursery@epiphanycatholic.org with date/ time/event and names/ages of children. Space is limited to 10 children. Nursery is located in the PAC. PEACEFUL HEART While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart. St. Francis of Assisi Catechist Modules empower catechists to be knowledgeable and successful: Catechetical Framework Monday, October 9 7:00-9:00 p.m. and Assessment Strategies Monday, October 30 7:00-9:00 p.m. Parish Activity Center RSVP to louann@epiphanycatholic.org - Maximum attendance is 35 people. INFANT BAPTISM PREPARATION A Baptism Preparation Session for parents and godparents will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. until Noon in the Family Center. Parents must attend a baptism preparation session before scheduling their child s baptism. Call to register for this preparation session. The next opportunity to attend a baptism class at Epiphany will be on Saturday, February 10, Eucharistic Prayer IV is, like Eucharistic Prayer III, a fresh composition from the 1960s, based on a prayer from the tradition of the ancient church of Alexandria. It has an interesting structural feature. The new prayers all nod toward the East with the epiclesis, or calling down of the Spirit, over the gifts. In this prayer the Spirit is asked to come down again, after the consecration, to make holy the communicants who partake of this one Bread and one Chalice that, gathered into one body by the Holy Spirit, they may truly become a living sacrifice in Christ to the praise of your glory. This beautiful phrase is well worth meditating on. What is the goal of your reception of Holy Communion today? The preface for this Eucharistic Prayer is firmly attached to the prayer, and the directives for using the prayer anchor it to Ordinary Time. It is not intended to be an option if the Mass has a proper preface of its own, like a funeral, a Lenten weekday, or a great feast. It is not often used these days, in part because of these limitations. At first, it was suggested that this prayer was better suited to small groups of people who were well educated in scripture. This was kind of an odd stipulation, especially since its images are so beautiful and worthy of attention. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. 9

10 Elementary Faith Formation Epiphany Youth Ministry There will be a parent meeting for students enrolled in our home based faith formation program on October 3rd in the Family Center. It will begin at 7pm. We are implementing the Cardinal s new Lifelong Catechetical Framework so there will be plenty of new information and materials to pick-up. Registration is officially open for our 9th and 10th grade retreat November 17-19! You can register online at Thursday, October 5, 2017, 7-9 PM in the Family Center Students are studying Who is Jesus Christ? This week they will learn the answer to this Essential Question: What does Jesus Christ teach you about God? We encourage parents to ask their students this question during the week to help reinforce what they experienced in class. Altar Server Info Night Rescheduled October 5th Parish Office Conference RM October 12th Family Center Both Nights are 6:30pm-8:00pm Please attend 1 OR the other night Open to those in 5th grade & above Registration Required online: epiphanycatholic.org/ministrytraining-events Questions: Cwalker@epiphanycatholic.org 10