A 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 Reflection by Pope Francis Pope Francis: be merciful towards others to receive mercy from the Lord Do not judge and you will not be judged. Pope Francis repeated Jesus invitation from the Gospel of Luke (6:36-38) in his homily during the celebration of the Liturgy at Casa Santa Marta. Pope Francis reminds us that none of us will be able to escape God s judgment we will all be judged, both personally and universally. This reality helps the Church reflect on its own behavior toward one another and toward God. This call coming during Lent is an invitation to the Church for renewal. God will judge us all Beyond not judging, we are called to forgive one another. Each of us might think: But I never judge, I don t make myself a judge. With this in mind, Pope Francis invites us to examine our consciences. For example, when we have been at a meeting, or during a meal, how many minutes have I spent judging others? we can ask ourselves. Judging others is terrible because the Lord is the only judge, the Pope continues. Humility the key to receive God's mercy The invitation, therefore, is to be merciful with others in the same way the Lord will be merciful to us. We know that God s justice is mercy. In order to receive God s mercy, we must be humble, recognizing that we are sinners. When we meet God s justice with our own shame, that is where we find forgiveness, the Pope says. Third Sunday of Lent I, the L, am your God... You shall not have other gods besides me. Exodus 20:2a, 3 2

3 Events & Meetings This Week 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 MONDAY, MARCH 5 9:00 AM, Daily Mass: Chapel 1:00 PM, Rummikub: Outreach Center 6:30 PM, Bereavement Support: Den 6:30 PM, KC s Officers Meeting: PAC 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, MARCH 6 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 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, RCIA: Epiphany Room 7:00 PM, Scout Troop #1288: PAC 7:00 PM, Solemn Evening Prayer: Chapel WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7 9:00 AM, Daily Mass: Chapel 10:00 AM, James: Pearls for Wise Living: 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 8 9:00 AM, Daily Mass: Chapel 9:00 AM, ESL Class: Room :00 AM, Caregiver s Support: Outreach 10:00 AM, Gathering Place: Family Center 6:30 PM, Spanish Bible Study: PAC 7:00 PM, Line Dancing: Great Room FRIDAY, MARCH 9 9:00 AM, Daily Mass: Chapel 9:30 AM, Ladies Club: Family Center 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 10 No Events Scheduled SUNDAY, MARCH 11 9:45 & 11:30 AM, Nursery: 2 5 years; PAC 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. 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, 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 Monday, March 5 Lenten Weekday 9:00 AM Lorraine Dailey Tuesday, March 6 Lenten Weekday 9:00 AM Robert Van Orden Wednesday, March 7 Lenten Weekday 9:00 AM Dominador Leonida Thursday, March 8 Lenten Weekday 9:00 AM Irene Kaldy Friday, March 9 Lenten Weekday 9:00 AM Fernando Jose Zuniga Y Rivero Saturday, March 10 Vigil-Fourth Sunday of Lent 5:30 PM Nancy Matthews Sunday, March 11 Fourth Sunday of Lent 8:00 AM Harold Hagen 9:45 AM For the People 11:30 AM Dorothy Freedman 5:30 PM Kathleen Jencen READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: 2 Kgs 5:1-15b; Ps 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4; Lk 4:24-30 Tuesday: Dn 3:25, 34-43; Ps 25:4-5ab, 6-7bc, 8-9; Mt 18:21-35 Wednesday: Dt 4:1, 5-9; Ps 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20; Mt 5:17-19 Thursday: Jer 7:23-28; Ps 95:1-2, 6-9; Lk 11:14-23 Friday: Hos 14:2-10; Ps 81:6c-11ab, 14, 17; Mk 12:28-34 Saturday: Hos 6:1-6; Ps 51:3-4, 18-21ab; Lk 18:9-14 Sunday: 2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23; Ps 137:1-6; Eph 2:4-10; Jn 3:14-21 Alternate readings (Year A): 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Ps 23:1-6; Eph 5:8-14; Jn 9:1-41 [1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38] 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: Hunter Everitt Barrios, Landon Michael Cook, Aubree Katalina Gallegos, Patrick Kolbe Richard, John Allen Seefield, Juan David Velez, Kevin Camilo Velez. 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. TV Mass for the Homebound Now on KUBE channel 57 at 9:30 a.m. Cable and Satellite Channels AT&T U-verse channel 57/1057 HD Comcast channel 53/653 HD DirecTV channel 57 Dish TV channel 57 4

5 Parish Life Bible Study will be Wednesday, March 7th, at 8pm, in Room 404 of the PAC. We will be reading and reflecting about Living for a Just Society We will meet for dinner beforehand at Five Guys off of N. Fry and I10 at 6:45. Singer/songwriter and inspirational speaker Kitty Cleveland is well-known to EWTN audiences, having appeared several times as a guest on Life on the Rock with Jeff Cavins, on Backstage, and more recently as a guest of Johnnette Benkovic on Women of Grace during Christmas week. She also appeared on EWTN live from the National Shrine of Divine Mercy on Divine Mercy Sunday, where she shared her family's miracle story. Kitty has appeared multiple times on Catholic TV and radio stations throughout the country. The Epiphany Ladies Club (ELC) invites you to attend our meeting on Friday, March 9 at 9:30 AM in the Family Center. Our own Marie Mormile, will lead and show us Western Dancing. We encourage all to take part and to wear Western Outfits. Come join us. New members are always welcome. Any questions, please contact us at epiphanyladiesclub@gmail.com 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 non-food booth spaces during the event. Arts/craft booths begin at $75. 5

6 Our Stewardship Epiphany Catholic School Stewardship February 24/25 Sunday Offering $33, St. Vincent de Paul Society $1, Registered Households 6,702 You shall not carve idols for yourselves in the shape of anything - EXODUS 20:4 How many gods do you put before God? Idols do not always take the shape of physical things, things we can touch and feel. Those are easy to recognize. Many times they take the form of things we cannot touch and are much harder to spot like pride, power, ego, time, comfort or health. As you discern giving to the church during this Lenten season, please consider using Epiphany s online giving program for your donations. We proudly use Faith Direct. Just enroll and your regular offerings to Epiphany are automatically deducted from your checking account or billed to your credit card. It s secure and easy to use! You can also use Faith Direct for second collections and donations to our new Catholic school. Visit or find their link on Epiphanycatholic.org. Remember Epiphany s parish code is: TX 613 Faith Direct also has a free App for your phone! It is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play for Android users. The App allows parishioners to access their account anytime, anywhere! Thank you for your continued support of our parish family! Epiphany of the Lord would like to let you know that JS Paluch is currently working on our Church Bulletin. If you would like to advertise your business in the Church Bulletin please contact: J.S. Paluch Company at FORGIVENESS If a bad person wrongs you, forgive the person, lest there be two bad people. Anonymous 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. 6

7 Solemn E v ening P rayer Tuesdays in 7PM in the Chapel Tuesday Rosary cancelled throughout Lent Parish Devotions Tuesdays Eucharistic Adoration 9:40 am 7:00 pm Pro-Life Rosary 10:00 am Divine Mercy Chaplet 3:00 pm Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test Vocation Rosary 4:00 pm Solemn Evening Prayer 7:00 pm Lenten Penance Service March 8 at 7:00 pm 7

8 Outreach Ministry Outreach Events in March Regular Meetings: Mon. Epiphany Job Networking at 7 p.m. in the PAC; Tues. Respect Life Rosary at 10 a.m. in the Chapel. Mar 4: Gift of Marriage Mar 4: Food Drive Mar 5: Bereavement Support Group Mar 8: Gathering Place Mar 8: Caregiver s Support Group Mar 22: Respect life Mar 25: Gift of Marriage See for details. Call the Outreach Center at for more information on the various ministries. Caregiver s Support Group March 8 from 10 am to 11am If you are feeling overwhelmed by the demands of caring for someone with an illness or disability you are not alone. Come join us as we share the care giving experience, support one another and develop resources to assist you, the caregiver. MONTHLY FOOD DRIVE TODAY Our monthly Food Drive is today, March 4th We appreciate all of your help in keeping our food pantry well stocked. You may bring items such as Cereal, Canned fruit and Chili. Are you able to give a ride to a fellow parishioner? A parishioner who lives in at Atria Assisted Living Center needs a ride to church, and he would like to attend Saturday 5:30 or 9:45 Sunday. Let us know if you can help. Thank you for your generosity! For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me. (Matthew 25:31-46) THE GATHERING PLACE Come find out why Epiphany s Gathering Place is the model for most churches in the area! If you need a break from taking care of an elderly loved one, it s time for you to utilize the services of The Gathering Place. Come see what all the fuss is about - songs, games, crafts, and lunch in a warm, inviting atmosphere. If you haven t seen our volunteers in action, take a peek during their next FREE event, which is on March 8th from 10 am to 1:30 pm - you will not believe the enthusiasm in the room! There are plenty of helpers, so think about giving yourself the break that you deserve. To sign up or for questions, please call Carmen at We look forward to serving you! BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT Loss of a close family member can be extremely stressful. Conflicts, triggered by stress, may arise and even divide a family. Acknowledging grief is felt by all members of a family, while respecting that each may grieve differently, is important. Our next gathering is Monday, March 5 at 6:30 pm in the PAC. If you cannot attend but want information call us. The Gift of Marriage and Family Relationships Starting March 4th at 3:30 pm 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. What are the Scrutinies? Scrutinies take place on the third, fourth and fifth Sundays of Lent. These [ancient] rites are intended to purify the hearts and minds of the elect [unbaptized], to strengthen them against temptation [and] to help them progress in the love of God. The presider asks the assembly to pray in silence for the elect, then to join in intercessions for them. (RCIA, 931) The Scrutinies will take place after the homily during the 9:45 Sunday Masses on March 4, 11, and 18. Continue to pray for the adults and youth who are preparing to celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation during the Easter Vigil Mass. If your parish is reading from Year B of the Lectionary today, and not Year A, as is normally done when there are elect present for the scrutinies and preparing for Easter baptism, you hear about Jesus driving the money-changers from the temple. If you wished to get as close as possible to this site today, you would in fact be at a Muslim shrine, the Dome of the Rock, built on the ruins of Herod s temple. Archeologists believe that this striking, gold-domed crown of a shrine is set precisely where the Holy of Holies once was. Jews believe that the rock is the exact spot where Abraham was prepared to sacrifice Isaac. It is not a mosque, as some think, but a shrine, the oldest one in the Muslim world. For them, the rock is the place from which the Prophet Mohammed ascended on a visit to heaven. The Crusaders mistook the shrine for the actual Temple of Solomon, and the infamous Knights Templar used it as their headquarters and model for their churches elsewhere. The geometric perfection of the shrine is a mathematician s dream. The inscriptions are not exactly hospitable though, since they encourage Christians to depart from error and declare that Jesus son of Mary was only a messenger of God. In ancient times, those who prayed here after walking around the rock were given a certificate entitling the bearer to admission to paradise. The ticket had to be buried with them. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. 9

10 Children s Faith Formation Epiphany Youth Ministry ENCOUNTER LENT! In Burkina Faso, we encounter Safiata, a mother, grandmother and farmer who relies on the money she makes from her crops to put her children through school. How can our purchases this Lent support farmers and artisans? How can you support those, worldwide, who are forced to flee their homes to find safety or better opportunities? Visit crsricebowl.org for more. Sun. Feb. 25 Tues. Feb. 27 or Wed. Feb. 28. (Gr. 1-5) Unit Three: Assessment "How does Jesus Christ teach us to live a moral life?"( (Gr. 1-5) Unit Four: EQ One How and Why does God call me to follow Jesus Christ? KEEP HOLY THE SABBATH There s no better way to deepen our Lenten practice than to review the Ten Commandments. The first three, having to do with our right relationship to God, get the most ink. The one we busy people probably have the most problem with is keeping holy the Sabbath. If we take this commandment literally, babies will go undiapered and dishes will stay on the table, or perhaps meals will not be served. The sick will go unattended and nothing that has anything to do with physical labor will be done. Is mental labor really work? How about changing that dirty diaper (poor baby!)? We need to depend on God to discern how to observe real Sabbath time in our lives. The point of this commandment is that God has given us a great gift: one whole day per week when we are free to rest, worship God, sing, feast, love, and rejoice. As Psalm 19 proclaims: The law of the LORD is perfect, / refreshing the soul (19:8). Our Sabbath rest is a great gift, to be received from God with joy, not with nitpicking. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. 10