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 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 We will be judged on love I n his Angelus address on Sunday, Pope Francis reflected on the last judgement, the subject of the day s Gospel reading He noted that this is the last Sunday of the liturgical year, the day on which the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe. Christ s kingship, he said, is one of guidance and service, but it is also a kingship that at the end of time will be asserted in judgement. The vision of the second coming of Christ, presented in the Gospel, introduces the final judgment, when all of humanity will appear before Him, and Jesus, exercising His authority, will separate one from another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. Pope Francis recalled the criteria that Jesus says will be the foundation of His judgment: What you did for the least of my brothers, that you did on to me. This sentence, the Pope said, never fails to strike us, because it reveals to us the end to which God is willing to go on account of His love for us. God goes so far as to identify Himself with us, not when we are happy and healthy, but when we are in need. Thus, the Pope said, Jesus reveals the decisive criteria of His judgment, that is, the concrete love for our neighbor in difficulty. Likewise, those who cursed, in the Gospel account, are judged for failing to aid their brothers and sisters in their need. Pope Francis repeated, At the end of our life we will be judged on love, that is, on our concrete commitment to love and to serve Jesus in our smallest and most needy brothers. The Holy Father reminds us that Jesus will come at the end of time to judge all nations; but He also comes to us every day, in so many ways, and asks us to welcome Him. The Pope concluded his reflection with the prayer that the Virgin Mary might help us to encounter Him and to receive Him in His Word and in the Eucharist, and at the same time in our brothers and in our sisters who suffer hunger, illness, oppression, injustice. May our hearts be able to welcome Him in the today of our life, so that we might be welcomed by Him into the eternity of His Kingdom of light and of peace. First Sunday of Advent Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. Mark 13:33 2

3 Events & Meetings This Week SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3 8:00 AM-1:00 PM, Blood Drive: PAC Coffee & Donuts: Family Center Food Drive Troop 1288 Greenery Delivery 9:45 & 11:30 AM, Nursery: 2 5 years; PAC 3:30 PM, Elementary Faith Formation 3:30 PM, Junior High Faith Formation 7:00 PM, High School FF/Confirmation Jason Evert Speaker: Church MONDAY, DECEMBER 4 1:00 PM, Rummikub: Outreach Center 6:30 PM, Bereavement Support: PAC 6:30 PM, KC s Meeting: PAC 6:30 PM, Handbell Choir Rehearsal: Church 7:00 PM, Scout Troop 1146: Family Center 7:00 PM, Job Networking: Rec Room TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5 9:00 AM, ESL Class: Outreach Center 9:30 AM, Quilters: Room 411 9:40 AM 4:00 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 4:45 PM, Elementary Faith Formation 4:45 PM, Junior High Faith Formation 7:00 PM, Advent Penance Service: Church 7:00 PM, Scout Troop 1288: PAC 7:00 PM, RCIA: Epiphany Room WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6 12:45 PM, Women s Endow Group: 409 4:45 PM, Elementary Faith Formation 5:30 PM, Contemporary Music: 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 8:05 PM, Young Adult Bible Study: Upper Room THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7 9:00 AM, Anointing of the Sick within Mass: Chapel 9:00 AM, ESL Class: Outreach Center 6:00 PM, Vigil Mass: Church 6:30 PM, Men s Food & Faith: Room 412 6:30 PM, Spanish Bible Study: PAC 7:00 PM, Genesis 2:18 Prayer & Share: Epiphany Room 7:00 PM, BSA District Mtg.: Family Center 7:00 PM, Line Dancing: Great Room FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8 9:00 AM, Mass: Immaculate Conception 9:30 AM, Ladies Club: Family Center 10:00 AM, Women s Endow: Room 409 5:00 PM, Mass: Immaculate Conception 7:00 PM, Mass: Immaculate Conception No Bingo SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9 9:00 AM, Family Night/Parent s Day Out: PAC SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10 9:45 & 11:30 AM, Nursery: 2 5 years; PAC 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 Feast of the Immaculate Conception Mass Schedule Thursday, December 7th 6:00PM Friday, December 8th: 9:00AM 5:00PM 7:00PM 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, December 2 Vigil-First Sunday of Advent 5:30 PM Robert Kimmell Sunday, December 3 First Sunday of Advent 8:00 AM Lorraine Huber 9:45 AM For the People 11:30 AM Nat Fasone 5:30 PM Stella Walsh Monday, December 4 Advent Weekday 9:00 AM Betty Long Tuesday, December 5 Advent Weekday 9:00 AM Mr. & Mrs. Thi & Suat Nguyen Wednesday, December 6 Advent Weekday 9:00 AM Zita Briksnis Thursday, December 7 St. Ambrose 9:00 AM Karim Ina Thursday, December 7 Vigil-The Immaculate Conception 6:00 PM John Straniero Friday, December 8 Immaculate Conception of BVM 9:00 AM Lawrence Gochioco 5:00 PM For the People 7:00 PM Anthony Thambinayagam Saturday, December 9 Vigil-Second Sunday of Advent 5:30 PM Antonio Ruiz Sunday, December 10 Second Sunday of Advent 8:00 AM John Gennusa 9:45 AM For the People 11:30 AM Robert Bolks 5:30 PM Marcela Villabroza READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 2:1-5; Ps 122:1-9; Mt 8:5-11 Tuesday: Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Lk 10:21-24 Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 15:29-37 Thursday: Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, Friday: Gn 3:9-15, 20; Ps 98:1-4; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38 Saturday: Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Ps 147:1-6; Mt 9:35 10:1, 5a, 6-8 Sunday: Is 40:1-5, 9-11; Ps 85:9-14; 2 Pt 3:8-14; Mk 1:1-8 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, December 7 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, Lola Odedina, Marie Chaplinsky, Lauro Garza, Amapola Garza, Mary Laverock, Linda Hudak, Claire Spedale, Phil Garrod, Evelyne Courtemanche. 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. Advent Reconciliation Service Tuesday, December 5 7:00 PM in the Church Please Remember In Prayer Our Deceased Catalino Flores, father of Gemma Tamula 4

5 Parish Life Families are invited to a pancake breakfast and breakfast with Santa beginning at 9am. At 10am, parents can take advantage of some mommy/daddy time while we take care of the kids. Breakfast will be $5 for the whole family. Childcare with lunch included will be just $10 per child. Proceeds will help support future Family Night activities. EPIPHANY BINGO - As a result of the dedication of all the Bingo volunteers and the tremendous support of the players in 2017, net proceeds from this year will again exceed $50,000; which is distributed between local charitable organizations, Epiphany outreach, and to the catholic school capital campaign. The Bingo program has a serious need for more volunteer members on each team in order to continue these distributions, including the concession area. Volunteers work approximately one Friday every 4 weeks. If you can help, please check out the Bingo link on the Epiphany website for more information on how to join our volunteer team. Knights of Columbus As the leaves start to turn colors and football season is in full swing we all know it is time for the Christmas season. And what goes with the Christmas season? TAMALES! The Knights are selling their famous tamales during the weekend of December 2-3rd and 16-17th. The proceeds this year are going to youth scholarships and the priest retirement home. Cost is $9 / dozen, $20 / 2.5 dozen, and $35 / five dozen. Thank you for your support. ACTS Retreat Have you ever done an ACTS Retreat? Would you like to join our team? The next Men s ACTS Retreat is April 26-29, The Women s ACTS Retreat scheduled for September, 2017 was cancelled due to hurricane flooding. It has been rescheduled for November 1-4, For informa on please contact John Bannon, jamban95@gmail.com or Terri Bray, tmbray@usa.net. The Epiphany Ladies Club (ELC) invites you to attend our meeting on Friday, December 8 at 10:00 AM in the Family Center. Taylor High School Expressions Choir will perform some music from fall revue, some music from Madrigal Dinner and some more popular Christmas music. After the Choir, a fun gift exchange will also occur. If you would like to participate, please bring a wrapped gift valued under $10. Come join us. New members are always welcome. Any questions, please contact us at epiphanyladiesclub@gmail.com 5

6 Our Stewardship Stewardship November 25/26 Sunday Offering $45, Thanksgiving Day $1, St. Vincent de Paul Society $3, Registered Households 6,662 Diocesan Services Fund (DSF) It s not too late to give to DSF. DSF envelopes are in the pews. Stewardship November 18/19 Sunday Offering $30, Campaign for Human Development $5, St. Vincent de Paul Society $1, Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come. - MARK 13:33 We all take things for granted. In particular, we take time for granted. Our lives are so busy, many of us are planning our time - our days, weeks, months, even years in advance. Remember, our time on earth is a gift. None of us knows how long we will be here. Start today and begin thanking God for each and every day. Take time in silence, every day, and listen to what God is saying to you. Gifts of Securities Donating stock to support our parish or the Archdiocese can offer even more tax bene its than writing a check. As stock prices increase, so do the taxes you owe on the long-term capital gain, which are generally charged at a rate of 15 percent. But when you donate publicly traded stock you've owned for more than one year to a quali ied charitable organization such as our parish or the Archdiocese, you enjoy two major tax bene its: You will be exempt from paying capital gains taxes on any increase in value taxes you would pay if you had otherwise sold the securities. You are entitled to a federal income tax deduction based on the current fair market value of the securities, regardless of their original cost. Learn More A tax or legal advisor can provide you with additional information. We would be happy to assist you as well. Simply contact Michael Schillaci from the Archdiocesan Development Department at or mschillaci@archgh.org. DSF REPORT Parish Goal $398, Amount Pledged $329, Amount Paid $313, Number of Pledges 751 With an occasional chill in the air and the holidays approaching our lives are busier than ever! Faith Direct can make your life easier! Faith Direct is Epiphany s on-line giving program. Enroll now and schedule your regular offerings to the parish in minutes! Payments are automatically deducted from your checking account or billed to your credit card. Faith Direct can also be used for Holy Day collections, Second Collections, and Capital Campaign payments for our new Catholic school. It s easy and secure! Visit or find their link on Epiphanycatholic.org Remember Epiphany s parish code is: TX 613 Don t forget Faith Direct also has a free App for your phone! It is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play for Android users. It allows you to access to your account anytime. Thank you for your continued support of Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Community! 6

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8 Outreach Ministry Outreach Events in December: Regular Meetings: Mon. Epiphany Job Networking at 7 p.m. in the PAC; Tues. Respect Life Rosary at 10 a.m. in the Chapel. Dec 3: Food Drive Dec 3: Blood Drive Dec 4: Bereavement Meeting Dec 9/10: Angel Tree gifts return Dec 13: Advent Gift Wrap Dec 14: Gathering Place Dec 14: Caregiver Support Group Dec 16: Job Search Seminar See for details. BLOOD DRIVE TODAY Walk-ins Welcome! PAC Building 9 to 1 pm Eligibility: age 17 years or older and weigh at least 110 lbs. If you won t be here, donate at another location and use Epiphany s Donor Group # FOOD DRIVE today Boy Scout Troop 1146 is collecting non-perishable food and personal care items for Epiphany Food closet. If you forgot to bring something, food donations may be dropped off in the loggia food bin anytime. Thank you for your assistance! BEREAVEMENT MEETING December 4th Our Bereavement Support team offers a supportive environment and invites you to share your memories and feelings with others who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Please join us December 4th at 7:00 pm in the PAC. If you cannot attend but want information, call Outreach at We have a parishioner that needs a ride to Sunday Mass. If you live near South Mason and Kingsland and can give a lady a ride to Mass. Please call Outreach at for more information. Do not forget to drop off your angel tree Christmas gift(s) next weekend. Before or after masses to the Parish Activity Center (PAC). Drive by the side of the building and we will have the side doors open for your quick in and out. If you will not be in town please return them to the office this week. 8

9 ADULT FORMATION Begin 2018 with positive resolutions! Adult Faith Formation MARY: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother Monday evenings, 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the PAC Eight sessions begin January 22, Deadline to register is January 10. Register on our website or in the parish office. JAMES: Pearls for Wise Living Wednesday mornings 10:00 - Noon in the PAC Eight sessions begin January 17, Deadline to register January 10. Register on our website or in the parish office. For additional information contact louann@epiphanycatholic.org or call Advent calendars appear now in many homes, and newfangled formats are even available on line. Children have fun opening the doors and windows keyed to the days counting down to Christmas. Behind each door is a picture related to the Christmas mystery, perhaps a scripture verse or saying, but more and more these days something totally unconnected to religious life, like a small toy or a chocolate treat, appears instead. The Advent calendar is not very old as traditions go. We can trace it back to German-speaking Christians, both Protestant and Catholic. Lutherans might have originated the custom by placing chalk marks on doors starting December 1, lighting candles every day, or placing a new religious picture on the wall each day during Advent. The oldest known hand-made calendar goes back to 1851, and the first printed ones appeared in 1908 in Germany with Bible verses behind the doors. By far the most interesting calendar is a building, the town hall (Rathaus) of Gengenbach in Germany s Black Forest. Every year the townspeople invite an illustrator of children s books to create twenty-four paintings or motifs for each of the twenty-four main windows of the building. Every night the people gather to see a new window opened and illuminated. Very few commercial Advent calendars pay much attention to the core values of our liturgical calendar: the pivotal place of Sunday, the importance of Advent feasts like Saint Lucy and Saint Nicholas, and the clear shift in tone on December 17 from Advent longing and preparation toward imminent hope in Christ s coming. That kind of creativity is left up to you! Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. 9

10 Elementary Faith Formation Epiphany Youth Ministry Sunday Dec. 3rd, Tuesday Dec. 5, or Wednesday Dec. 6 Sunday s classes will be finishing Unit 2 by looking at how do the sacraments help me to know and love Jesus Christ? Weekday classes will be having there Unit 3 assessment activities. Respect Life Bulletin Board Please join us our monthly open meeting of the vocations committee your thoughts are important to us! Did you know that Epiphany has a committee made up of parishioners who meet monthly to encourage vocations within our community? If you are interested in learning how you may be able to assist us in this ministry, please consider coming to our next meeting every second Wednesday of the month. We meet in the main conference room of the parish office from 7:00PM to 8:00PM. Call Deacon John Evanoff at or john@epiphanycatholic.org to find out more. Join us tonight at 7pm in the Church! Jason Evert, nationally known chastity speaker, will present PURIFIED to teens & parents. This will take place during Faith Formation. All students are invited! Parent Only session at 3:30pm in the PAC. 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 Let s remember trusting in Jesus replaces fears and he calls us to live fearlessly. #isaiah41:10 10