ST. THERESA PARISH PHOENIX, AZ SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2018

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1 My Brothers and Sisters, Once again this weekend, the St. Theresa Community celebrates the completion of Christian Initiation of many of our young people through their reception of the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion. Most of these (now) fully-initiated Catholic Christians are in the third grade; a few of them are older. These young people are confirmed and receive their First Eucharist during the course of a single Mass; we celebrated that Mass here at St. Theresa at 11:00AM on Saturday. This approach to administering these final two Sacraments of Initiation (the first, of course, is Baptism) continues to come as a bit of jolt to many Catholics who were used to children receiving First Holy Communion in the second or third grade and then waiting until high school to be receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. What s going on here? Why the change on timeline? For those of you who have participated in the Easter Vigil celebration, the First Mass of Easter on Holy Saturday night, you ll recall that among other things adult catechumens are baptized, confirmed and receive the Eucharist for the first time. They receive all three Sacraments of Christian Initiation in the span of under two hours, all within the context of the Easter Vigil Mass and in the order described above. This order, or progression, of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, followed by Confirmation and completed by the reception of Holy Communion) is the order that was practiced from the earliest days of Christianity: the order in which Christians were initiated into the Church beginning nearly two millennia ago! In 2005, Bishop Olmsted after considerable consultation determined that the Diocese of Phoenix would join a growing number of dioceses both in the United States and internationally that would follow the restored order of the sacraments: the order that was followed by the early Church. So, we continue to baptize infants (as well as children and adults), but only in the case of infant baptism is Confirmation and First Holy Communion celebrated at a later time and in that order (once the child reaches the age of reason ). Those who are to be baptized as children at or above the age of reason and adults receive all three sacraments at one liturgy. You might be thinking How can a third-grader make a commitment to the Church in order to be confirmed? Well, that s not the point of confirmation! For years, the theology of the Sacrament of Confirmation was somehow skewed to make it seem like the young person (e.g., in high school) was confirming his/her faith in God and the Church: committing themselves to live as adult Catholics. But that s a fundamental misunderstanding of what Confirmation truly is all about: it s about God confirming his love for us by pouring forth the fullness of the gifts of the Holy Spirit so that we can receive the full strength of our Christian faith and the life of God s Spirit within us so as to be able to face the challenges of living as a disciple of the Risen Christ. We re not confirming our commitment to God in this sacrament; rather God is confirming the Divine commitment to us as his chosen daughter or son. The restored Order of the Sacraments of Initiation is a great gift to our Church as well as to our young people who receive God s manifold graces and gifts as they prepare to move into adolescence and beyond! Easter peace and joy, Rev. Charles G. Kieffer Pastor

2 FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER PARISH NEWS Congratulations to AJ Tucker for Receiving the Pillars of Faith Award! This is awarded to scouts who earn all 4 (Light of Christ, Parvuli Dei, Ad Altare Dei, and Pope Pius XII) religious emblems by the Catholic Committee for Scouting in Colorado Springs. Each of the 4 pillars has the name of one of the emblems on it. The Light of Christ and Parvuli Dei are earned as a Cub Scout and the Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius XII are earned as a boy Scout. Each medal takes months of work to earn so this is an outstanding accomplishment that only a select few Catholic Scouts earn. VBS Volunteer Meeting!!! Monday, May 7th at 6PM in the Parish Office Conference Room. We can't do this alone: We need high school, college and parent involvement to volunteer. Children of parent volunteers attend free, and students can earn service hours. If you have any questions please contact Gina Keating in the Parish Prithee, Everyone, Save The Date For This Nonce: Vacation Bible School s A Midsummer Night s Dream with Jesus will be rockin Shakespeare on June 18-22, 9 a.m. to Noon. The fee is $30 per child, ages 4 years old through 5 th grade. Students from 7 th grade college are especially needed to be camp counselors, training is provided. The program also needs adult volunteers for the week. Thank thou and we desire thou wilt holp. Clepe Mrs. Gina Keating at CDA Thank you to all who have already participated in the 2018 CDA... Please help us help others in need in our Diocese and greater Phoenix community. If you have not yet had a chance to participate, please consider how you can help us meet our goal. Thank you for being the love that gives hope to so many! Parishioner Updates Name/ /Phone/Address/Birth If you have had a name, , phone, address, new birth, etc. change within the past year, please call the Parish We appreciate your help in keeping our database up to date and helping us cut our postage costs! Newspaper Recycling Drop-Off Students of STCS deeply appreciate parishioner support for their paper recycling program.! Please drop off recycling when you come to weekend Mass, or on weekdays between 3 & 5PM when security gates are open and the recycling bins are accessible. Thank You! St. Theresa Parish Community Mark your Calendars Because We are Having a Cookout! Parish BBQ social Saturday April 28, 2018 after the 4pm Mass. Fr. Feeney Hall Guadalupe Courtyard

3 Attention All Parishioners! Matthew Kelly, with Dynamic Catholic, will be coming to Phoenix on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 7PM to present a special event... Living Every Day With Passion & Purpose. This event is an incredible opportunity to re-energize your faith and help you become the best version of yourself! A limited number of discount tickets for this event are currently available online at DynamicCatholic.com/Phoenix or call Discount tickets will also be available after Masses NEXT weekend, April 28th and 29th. PASTORAL CARE BUNCO DATE CORRECTION April Bunco will be on Monday the 23rdin Fr. Feeney Hall at 1:45PM. Come roll the die, make some new friends, and have a laugh or two! For more information please contact Patti St. Theresa Kitchen Angels The New Evangelization is a task of apostolic (or pastoral) action. Authentic apostolic action is nothing other than acts of true love done for the love of God and for our brothers and sisters. Pastoral Care is always looking for Kitchen Angels to help with Senior Luncheons and Funeral Receptions. If you feel called to serve in this capacity or have any questions, please contact Maureen Schaaf in the Parish or mschaaf@sttheresaphx.org. Congratulations to the Third Grade Children and Teens Who Received the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist April 21st! You and Your Families are in Our Prayers as You Walk in Love Throughout Your Lifetime! Diego Agredano, JT Allen, Alejandro Ballesteros, Ari Banuelos, Cara Battis, Caroline Bushard, Nancy Cagle, Mary Kate Cardenas, Gianna Catton, Elliott Chan, Araceli Correa, Eliana Cecilia Correa, Nayeli Elena Correa, Greyson Crandall, Brody Crowder, Brooke Dean, Antoinette Dreier, Lucille Dreier, Camila Espinosa, Emma Ferguson, Cooper Fitzgerald, Isabella Franchini, Santiago Gomez, Andrea Segura-Gonzalez, Rawley John Gottfurcht, Gracie Graf, Vivienne Green, John Mary Ibrahim Habbaba, Lila Iles, Reagan Jackson, Sam Koch, Zach Koch, Madeline Koger, Harrison Ladner, Brady Lauer, Emily Marie Lemus (Calixto), Leslie Judith Lemus (Calixto), Rosalie Lozier-Servin, Sean MacBan, Catalina Marcus, Makayla Martinez, Hallie Merrill, Michael Messenger, Macy Moore, Lucianna Isabella Portillo Moran, Charles Murphy, Kennedy Marie Murphy, Allison Noderer, Ava Pace, Giovanni Patchett III, Kamryn Reeg, Sawyer Reithinger, Luis Reyes, Riley Rochford, Jose Alejandro B. Rodriguez, James Roll, Gabriella Russo, Alice Scott, Erin Seoane, Maeve Shanahan, Scarlette Shapiro, Caroline Siekmann, Maddan Somal, Sam Spiekerman, Michael Swenson, Aeriana Timmerman, Matthew Torrez, Jordan Ulrich, Morgan LePage Webber and Thomas Sargent Webber. Confirmation Only Ariadana Selina Flores Aguilar, Ashlyn Claire Campisi, Briony Grace Campisi, Angela Franchini, Scott Franchini and Amy Koch.

4 FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER Parishioners Who Are Sick, Hospitalized, Or Homebound please call Maureen to request Holy Communion. Appointments may also be scheduled for Confession and Anointing of the Sick. When the Church cares for the sick, it serves Christ himself in the suffering members of his Mystical Body the Church shows this solicitude not only by visiting those who are in poor health but also by raising them up through the sacrament of anointing and by nourishing them with the Eucharist during their illness and when they are in danger of death. (Decree of the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship, 7 December 1972) Alzheimer s Support Group: Tuesday, 24th April at 4PM in the Parish Office Conference Room. If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer s or dementia and need the support of others please come by and see if this is the group for you. Prayer Intentions: If you or someone you know needs prayer, place a request at the Prayer Table near the statue of St. Theresa in the South Vestibule. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Every Thursday in the Convent Chapel 9:00AM ~ 7:00PM Intercession Is Prayer That Pleads With God For Your Needs And The Needs Of Others If you wish to be an Intercessor for the St. Theresa Parish Community, please or call Maureen Schaaf at or mschaaf@sttheresaphx.org to be added to our blast (or if you don t use we will mail the intentions for the week to your home). SCHOOL NEWS St. Theresa Catholic School proudly presents Friday, May 4th 7:00pm Saturday, May 5th 2:00pm Saturday, May 5th 7:00pm Tickets available through Eventbrite and at the door 30 minutes before show time. Come see the best show in town and support our amazing students! DIOCESAN NEWS St. Joseph's Youth Camp Founded by Arizona members of the Knights of Columbus in Managed by St. Joseph's Youth Camp, Inc. Generously supported by the Arizona State Council of the Knights of Columbus Kids Love Summer Camp Fun! 6 days and 6 nights to enjoy the great outdoors! Horseback Riding, Kayaking, Hiking, Archery, Shelter Building, Telescope & Campfire Nights, Food, Lodging, Camp T-shirt, DVD of the week's activities and much more! Campers: ages June 17th-June 23rd Campers: ages June 24th-June 30th TEENS: ages July 1st-July 7th TEENS ages 15-17: June 10th-16th can train to be Camp Counselors. Training includes CPR, Safe Environment, and Camp Environment programs. Opportunities available to earn Community Service Hours. Go to: and click on Register Now and follow the prompts or contact us at admin@sjycaz.com or call

5 Mass Intentions (APRIL 23RD-APRIL 29TH) MONDAY, APRIL 23RD 6:30AM BRIDGET CAFAZZA, SP. INT.-FR. JOACHIM TUESDAY, APRIL 24TH 6:30AM JOHN PAUL CAFAZZA, SP. INT.-FR. JOACHIM WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25TH 6:30AM +MARIE & ALBERT FLEMING-FR. JOACHIM 8:30AM +ALFREDO B. TAM-FR. JC THURSDAY, APRIL 26TH 6:30AM +PAUL & LESLIE LILLIS-FR. JC FRIDAY, APRIL 27TH 6:30AM +REV. ALONSO DE BLAS OFM-FR. JOACHIM SATURDAY, APRIL 28TH 8:00AM DAN KERESTES, SPECIAL INT.-FR. JOACHIM 4:00PM FOR THE PARISHIONERS-FR. JC SUNDAY, APRIL 29TH 7:30AM +JULIE BUROVAC BREGY-FR. JOACHIM 9:00AM +JEFF VANBRUNT-FR. CHUCK 11:00AM +ROBERT & JEAN FORCUM-FR. PAUL 5:00PM +GERI ARRIOLA-FR. JC The Priest scheduled to celebrate the Mass IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. ~Readings ~ Week of April 22, 2018 Sunday Acts 4:8-12; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29; 1 Jn 3:1-2; Jn 10:11-18 Monday Acts 11:1-18; Ps 42:2-3; 43:3-4; Jn 10:1-10 Tuesday Acts 11:19-26; Ps 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7; Jn 10:22-30 Wednesday 1 Pt 5:5b-14; Ps 89:2-3, 6-7, 16-17; Mk 16:15-20 Thursday Acts 13:13-25; Ps 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 and 27; Jn 13:16-20 Friday Acts 13:26-33; Ps 2:6-7, 8-9, 10-11ab; Jn 14:1-6 Saturday Acts 13:44-52; Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4; Jn 14:7-14 Sunday Acts 9:26-31; Ps 22:26-27, 28, 30, 31-32; 1 Jn 3:18-24; Jn 15:1-8 Sunday 10:30AM 6:00PM Monday 1:45PM 6:30PM Tuesday 4:00PM RE Classes (School Classrooms) Life Teen (Life Teen Rm) Bunco (Fr. Feeney Hall) Edge (Life Rm & Msgr. McMahon Gym) Alzheimer Support Group (Parish Conference Rm) SVDP Mtg. (Convent Conference Rm) Boy Scout Troop 147 Mtg. (PJP Rm) 7:00PM Wednesday 9:30AM Centering Prayer (Convent Chapel) 3:30PM Youth Choir Rehearsal (Church) 5:00PM Reconciliation (Church) 6:00PM Adult Choir Rehearsal (Church) 6:30PM Rosary (Convent Chapel) Thursday 9:00AM Adoration (Convent Chapel) 6:30PM Communion & Liberation Mtg. (Convent Conference Rm) 7:00PM Kevin Saunders Spring Bible Study (Fr. Feeney Hall) Friday Saturday 5:00PM Parish BBQ Social (Fr. Feeney Hall) 8:00PM Al Anon (Classroom 16) Alcoholics Anonymous (Classroom 17)