A Reflection by Pope Francis

Transcription

1 1

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 I n the life of a Christian, humility is an indispensable quality that is needed in order to allow the gifts of the Holy Spirit to grow. This was the reflection of Pope Francis in his homily at Mass on the first Tuesday of Advent. Drawing inspiration from the Prophet Isaiah, the Pope said that every Christian is like a small shoot on which the Spirit of the Lord rests, the spirit of wisdom and intelligence, the spirit of counsel and fortitude, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. These, the Pope said, are the gifts of the Holy Spirit which grow from the smallness of the bud to the fullness of the Spirit. This is the promise, this is the Kingdom of God and the life of the Christian. The task of a Christian is to be aware that each of us is a sprout of that root which must grow with the power of the Holy Spirit, to the fullness of the Holy Spirit in us. And our task, he said is to safeguard this sprout, this growth which is the Spirit. The Holy Father said this is done by adopting a lifestyle of a Christian that resembles Christ, which is the path of humility. It takes faith and humility to believe that this bud, this small gift will grow to the fullness of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It takes humility to believe that the Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, as the day s Gospel says, has hidden these things from the wise and the learned and revealed them to the little ones. Humility means to be small, like the sprout that grows little by little to the fullness of life through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Pope further explained that being humble does not mean being polite, courteous or closing one s eyes in prayer. Being humble means being able to accept humiliations. Humility without humiliation is not humility. A humble man or a woman is one who is able to endure humiliations like Jesus whom the Pope described as the great humiliated. Pope Francis recalled the example of many saints who not only accepted humiliations but asked for them in order to resemble Jesus. The Pope concluded his homily urging that the Lord grant us this grace to safeguard this smallness towards the fullness of the Spirit without forgetting the root and by accepting humiliation. 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 Second Sunday of Advent Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Mark 1:3 2

3 Events & Meetings This Week 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 7:30 PM, Christmas Concert: Church MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 1:00 PM, Rummikub: Outreach Center 6:30 PM, Handbell Choir Rehearsal: Church 7:00 PM, Scout Troop 1146: Great Room 7:00 PM, Job Networking: Rec Room TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12 9:00 AM, ESL Class: Outreach Center 9:00 AM, Mass: Our Lady of Guadalupe 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 7:00 PM, Rosary: Chapel 7:00 PM, Scout Troop 1288: PAC 7:30 PM, Vespers & Benediction: Chapel WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13 12:45 PM, Women s Endow Group: 409 5:30 PM, Contemporary Music: Church 5:30 PM, Children s Choir: Music Room 6:00 PM, Advent Family Session: PAC 7:00 PM, Adult Choir Practice: Church 8:05 PM, Young Adult Bible Study: Upper Room THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14 9:00 AM, ESL Class: Outreach Center 10:00 AM, Caregiver s Support Group: Outreach Center 10:00 AM, Gathering Place: Family Center 6:30 PM, Men s Food & Faith: Room 412 7:00 PM, Choir Rehearsal: Church 7:00 PM, Line Dancing: Family Center FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15 10:00 AM, Women s Endow: Room :30 AM, Forever Young: Family Center No Bingo SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 9:00 AM, Job Search Seminar: PAC Lessons & Carols SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17 Coffee & Donuts 9:45 & 11:30 AM, Nursery: 2 5 years; PAC Featuring choirs and orchestras from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church Sunday, December 10 at 7:30 p.m. 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 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 Monday, December 11 Advent Weekday 9:00 AM Deloris Matsko Tuesday, December 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe 9:00 AM Alice Bauer Wednesday, December 13 St. Lucy 9:00 AM Sydney Roberts Thursday, December 14 St. John of the Cross 9:00 AM Marina Alvarez Friday, December 15 Advent Weekday 9:00 AM Julia K. Aycock Saturday, December 16 Vigil-Third Sunday of Advent 5:30 PM Myrtle Noviskie Sunday, December 17 Third Sunday of Advent 8:00 AM Pauline Arguello 9:45 AM For the People 11:30 AM Rosalind Tan 5:30 PM Michael Wayne READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9ab, 10-14; Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday: 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 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: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80:2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19; Mt 17:9a, Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11; Lk 1:46-50, 53-54; 1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 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: Bryn Ann Gentry, Evelyn Rosemarie Harvey, Olivia Rose Hernandez, Seven Loch Linn, Matthew Wesley McGee, Sofia Gabriela Mendez Paz, Emma Katleen Muniz-Huybrechts, Rachel Adanna Nnaji, Gavin Kace Williams. 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, Mary Laverock, Linda Hudak, Claire Spedale, Phil Garrod, Evelyne Courtemanche, John Lazarich. 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 Marina Goria, mother of Roberta Mills You are invited to experience evening prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours each Tuesday evening in the chapel at 7:30 PM. Liturgy of the Hours is the formal prayer the worldwide Church prays daily in response to Christ's statement to "pray always". Please join us and the entire Church around the world each Tuesday evening. 4

5 Parish Life Advent Solemn Vespers The Liturgy of the Hours is the unceasing prayer of the Church, expressed in the singing of the Psalms. It is one of the earliest forms of prayer that Christians have celebrated as a community of believers! December 12th & 6:00PM in the Chapel ~Sing for Joy at the Coming of our Lord!~ 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 jamban95@gmail.com or tmbray@usa.net. 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 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. Forever Young Our Christmas luncheon will be held on Friday, December 15, 2017, at the Family Center at 11:30 a.m. Come early to sign up for theatre trips. All aged 55+ are welcome to enjoy fellowship and music. Please call the parish office at for reserva ons. 5

6 Our Stewardship Diocesan Services Fund (DSF) Stewardship December 2/3 Sunday Offering $39, St. Vincent de Paul Society $5, Registered Households 6,662 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. It s not too late to give to DSF. DSF envelopes are in the pews. DSF REPORT Parish Goal $398, Amount Pledged $336, Amount Paid $321, Number of Pledges 766 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. 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

7 Advent & Christmas 2017 Christmas Concert: Sunday, December 10th 7:30PM in the Church Our Lady of Guadalupe: Tuesday, December 12th 9:00AM in the Church Advent Vespers I: Tuesday, December 12th 6:00PM in the Chapel Advent Vespers II: Tuesday, December 19th 6:00PM in the Chapel 4th Sunday of Advent Saturday, December 23rd 5:30PM Sun. Dec 24th 8:00AM; 9:45AM; 11:30AM; NO 5:30PM Christmas Eve Sunday, December 24th 4:00PM Church 4:00PM Family Center 6:00PM Church 6:00PM Family Center 9:00PM Midnight Christmas Day Monday, December 25th 9:00AM 11:00AM Feast of Holy Family Sunday, December 31st Regular Sunday Schedule Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Monday, January 1st 9:00AM 7

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 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 Dec 25: Merry Christmas See for details. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED SECOND THURSDAY OF THE MONTH The Gathering Place provides social time here at Epiphany for persons with Alzheimer s, Dementia, and Parkinson s. Volunteers are needed from 9:30am to 1:30pm to help seniors do crafts, play games and eat lunch. If you can help once a month please call Carmen at or her at Carmenkaty@sbcglobal.net. Advent Family Session December 13th in the PAC at 6pm. Please bring tape, scissors and wrapping paper to help wrap presents. Angel Tree Presents Drop off this weekend before and after all masses or to the Outreach Center before Tuesday. A parishioner 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 Ministry at Career Search Seminar: Unemployed or interested in getting a new job attend the seminar on Dec. 16th from 9am to 3 pm that covers various topics such as resume and interview techniques. Sign up at seminarejn@gmail.com. Caregiver s Support Group December 14, 10 am to 11am Are you caring for someone with an illness or disability? Join us in the Outreach Center as we share the care giving experience, support one another and develop resources to assist you, the caregiver. 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 Many people think that Saint Francis originated the Christmas crèche, but its origins go far back. The Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome has housed what is said to be relics of the cradle of Jesus since the seventh century. In time, every year during the Christmas season the reliquary (container for relics) was surrounded by an increasingly grand three-dimensional scene of the place of Jesus birth. Rocks and trees, houses, streams, figurines of villagers going about their daily tasks were all included. It was a very dramatic presentation. If you ve ever seen an elaborate model train installation, you get the idea. The proper term for this depiction is presepio, from the Latin word for surround or hedge. Over the centuries, the custom spread first to churches, and then to aristocratic homes. In Italy, whole chapels are often set aside for the presepio, and it is not unusual to have hundreds of figures. It can sometimes be a challenge to locate the Holy Family amid the crowd, almost like a Where s Waldo? children s book. The oldest surviving presepio is in St. Mary Major and dates from the thirteenth century, although many pieces have been broken or lost. Saint Francis of Assisi took a decidedly creative step in 1233 in the village of Greccio, when he directed his followers to fill a manger with hay and tether an ox and ass nearby. He then invited the villagers to attend Mass outdoors near the crib, the worshipers themselves becoming a living presepio. By the seventeenth century, the tradition was wellestablished, particularly in Naples, and had a firm hold in Portugal, Spain, and in the Provence region of France. Today, it is not unusual to find presepios with five hundred figures, a vivid reminder of Emmanuel, God-with-us! Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. 9

10 Elementary Faith Formation Epiphany Youth Ministry Make plans to join us for our annual Advent Family Session where we wrap gifts received from the Angel Tree donors. We begin with a short welcome at 6pm followed by gift wrapping, hot cocoa and cookies. The whole family is invited. Please bring wrapping paper, tape and scissors with you. Let s remember trusting in Jesus replaces fears and he calls us to live fearlessly. #isaiah41:10 Sunday Dec. 9th, Tuesday Dec. 12, or Wednesday Dec. 13 Sunday s classes will be having their Unit 3 assessment activities. Weekday No classes this week, just the Advent session. Create a Jesse Tree: If you have kids, the Jesse Tree (named after the father of King David, the ancestor of Jesus, as mentioned in Isaiah 11) is a fun biblical activity during the Advent season which prepares for the birth of Christ and his mission. It goes through the ancestry of Jesus and how all of his ancestors played a role in salvation history. Once created, it can then be used as a holiday decoration. Check out our website at for a few resources and links for Jesse Tree activities. Our annual international festival to celebrate Epiphany s feast day is scheduled for January 7th, The planning for this event has begun and we want to invite anyone who would like to make sure a specific country is represented to participate. Call Dave in the Parish Life office ( ) or him at: dave@epiphanycatholic.org. 10