Reflecting on God s Word

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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 Maintenance Associates Young Kim, Alex Trejo COMMUNITY LIFE Nursery Coordinator: Anne Salazar Bingo: Friday at 7:30 p.m Welcome Newcomers If you would like more information on our Parish Community, please visit Reflecting on God s Word T Peter s declara on here are mes when we have an idea of a person s character and do not wish to express it because to do so would seem like a judgment and could be compromising. There is doubt about expressing it due to a fear of ge ng it wrong or the person taking it the wrong way, feeling insulted (if the opinion is nega ve) or fla ered and fake (if it is too posi ve). O en it is very difficult to express what one is really thinking. Surely when Jesus asked his friends what they were saying about who he is, most of them remained silent. Either they had not even thought about it, or they were totally confused by a person who could be the Messiah, yet behaved so different from a powerful poli cal leader. The same would probably happen to us. Because of his impetuous character, Peter responded and Jesus likes his response. He is not mistaken. Peter replied in this manner because he was inspired by God. And it is to this faith that he will entrust the key to the Kingdom, which makes echoes of today s first reading. He had been given custody of the house of God. Perhaps this may seem surprising to us since Peter, an impetuous man, who would deny the Lord, was stubborn and passionate. But he was just a fisherman, how is it that the church was placed in his hands? It was not because of his knowledge or importance, but because of his faith. How would we respond to Jesus if he asked us today? Would it be response of faith or would we try to impress him with our knowledge? If, like Peter, we confess that Jesus is the Messiah, then we have the commitment to follow him. You can not know something and then fail to act, especially if it is declared publicly. Peter s confession led him to be responsible for the reign of God? By defending truth and jus ce, seeking the wellbeing for others, figh ng so that everyone receives what is just, maintain peace and love within and outside of our homes, praying and trus ng that Jesus is always at our side. Like Peter, we surely will have moments of weakness. But it is not weakness that frightens Jesus, but the lack of faith. Throughout the en re history of salva on God does not choose people who are strong or important: Moses stu ered; Jeremiah and Samuel were very young, David was the youngest child in the family; Mary was a young, humble and sheltered woman. God does not call us for what we are worth, but for our knowledge about who He is. And we cannot wait to become more important before we respond. Faith demands an ac ve response. 2

3 Events & Meetings This Week SUNDAY, AUGUST 27 9:45 & 11:30 AM, Nursery: 2 5 years; PAC 1:30 PM, Baptism Service, Narthex 3:00 PM, Parent Sacrament Meeting: Family Center 3:30 PM, Marriage Support Group: Outreach Conference Room 7:00 PM, Confirmation Parent Meeting: Family Center MONDAY, AUGUST 28 1:00 PM, Rummikub: Outreach Center 7:00 PM, Scout Troop 1146: Great Room 7:00 PM, Job Networking: Rec Room TUESDAY, AUGUST 29 9:30 AM, Quilters: Room 411 9:40 AM 7:30 PM, Adoration: Chapel 10:00 AM, Holy Hour Rosary for Respect Life: Chapel 3:00 PM, Divine Mercy Chaplet: Chapel 4:00 PM, Holy Hour for Vocations: Chapel 7:00 PM, Rosary: Chapel 7:00 PM, Scout Troup 1288: PAC 7:30 PM, Vespers & Benediction: Chapel WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30 5:30 PM, Contemporary Music Rehearsal: Church 6:30 PM, Altar Server Information Session: Rec Room 7:00 PM, Adult Choir Practice: Church 7:00 PM, Confirmation Parent Meeting: Family Center 8:00 PM, Young Adult Bible Study: Room 403 THURSDAY, AUGUST 31 6:30 PM, Spanish Bible Study: PAC 7:00 PM, Line Dancing: Great Room FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 No Bingo SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 5:00 PM, Blood Drive Sign-up: Church Entrance SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 Nursery Closed Blood Drive Sign-up: Church Entrance 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 PRAYER LIST FOR THE SICK LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK SPECIAL REMEMBRANCES Saturday, August 26 Vigil-21st Sunday in O. T. 5:30 PM Harold R. Thielen Sunday, August 27 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 AM Leo & Kathleen Farnan 9:45 AM For the People 11:30 AM Elizabeth Lynch 5:30 PM Rosemarie Ayroso Monday, August 28 St. Augustine 9:00 AM Rosemary Pozzi Tuesday, August 29 The Passion of St. John the Baptist 9:00 AM Catherine Dunne Wednesday, August 30 Weekday 9:00 AM Eduarda Gonzalez Thursday, August 31 Weekday 9:00 AM Ken Gilbreath Friday, September 1 Weekday 9:00 AM Irene Kaldy Saturday, September 2 Vigil-22nd Sunday in O. T. 5:30 PM Marc Levine Sunday, September 3 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 AM Lorraine Huber 9:45 AM For the People 11:30 AM Robert Schumacher 5:30 PM Rosemarie Ayroso READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: 1 Thes 1:1-5, 8b-10; Ps 149:1b-6a, 9b; Mt 23:13-22 Tuesday: 1 Thes 2:1-8; Ps 139:1-6; Mk 6:17-29 Wednesday: 1 Thes 2:9-13; Ps 139:7-12ab; Mt 23:27-32 Thursday: 1 Thes 3:7-13; Ps 90:3-5a, 12-14, 17; Mt 24:42-51 Friday: 1 Thes 4:1-8; Ps 97:1, 2b, 5-6, 10-12; Mt 25:1-13 Saturday: 1 Thes 4:9-11; Ps 98:1, 7-9; Mt 25:14-30 Sunday: Jer 20:7-9; Ps 63:2-6, 8-9; Rom 12:1-2; Mt 16:21-27 Please pray for our military men and women. 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, Michael Chaplinsky, Lionel Rivas, Patricia Hablizel, Jonathan Hulme, Margaret Braun, David Braun, Bob Hague, Chester Bourgeois. 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 Rosita Alegre, mother of Jay Garrod Peg Flynn, sister of Pat Conner Men s Retreat When is the last time you devoted a full weekend to yourself, your faith, and the Lord? Holy Name Retreat Center invites you to join other men from your parish and community on the weekend of October for our men's weekend retreat. For more information, please contact Deacon Don Kish at or for registration information. 4

5 Our Stewardship DSF REPORT Stewardship August 19/20 Sunday Offering $32, Feast of the Assumption $6, St. Vincent de Paul Society $1, Registered Households 6,679 St. Paul reminds us of a central fact of stewardship. We cannot give the Lord anything, because God already owns it all. God made everything. All that we can do is return a portion of God s many gifts back to Him. Sincere gratitude for our gifts opens our hearts to joyful generosity! Parish Goal $398, Amount Pledged $293, Amount Paid $252, Number of Pledges 696 REMINDER: Please remember to put your envelope number on your contribution check if it is not in your church envelope. If you donate cash it must be in an envelope with your envelope number on it to receive credit. If you do not know your number please call Mary at Around the Archdiocese Faith Direct is our parish s on-line e-giving program. It s easy and convenient. 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. Don t forget Epiphany while you are away during the summer. You can use Faith Direct for convenient automatic payments from your checking account or credit card. 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! Help support the Houston Coalition for Life and the Blue Blossom Crisis Pregnancy Centers by participating in their annual Run/Walk for Life. WHEN: Saturday, September 23, 2017 WHERE: All Saints Catholic Church 215 E 10TH Street, Houston TX TIME: 8AM-11AM Registration begins August 11, 2017 Please go to HoustonCoalition.Com to register or call

6 Parish Life We are having a newcomer s gathering to officially welcome all of our new, and not so new parishioners. It will be in our Family Center (the building next to the church) at 7pm on September 7th. We ll have some light snacks followed by a short history of the parish. Participants will get to learn about the various ministries of the parish and about ways to make Epiphany not seem like such a huge community. A walking tour of the campus will close the evening for those that would like to see where the different activities and ministries gather. Coffee and donuts begins on September 17th and continues every first and third weekend after all the Sunday morning Masses. Everyone is encouraged to come over to the Family Center and enjoy a donut while getting to know other members of our community. Donations for donuts, coffee and lemonade are appreciated. Volunteers are needed. If you, and/or members of your family would like to be a part of the valuable ministry, please call the office or send an to dave@epiphanycatholic.org. A gathering for people who are Single and over the age of 50. Our next gathering will be Sept. 3rd at 7pm in the PAC. Everyone is encouraged to bring an appetizer to share. 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. The Epiphany Ladies Club would like to invite ALL women new to the parish or not to our Welcome Tea and first meeting of the year. Our meeting will be held Friday, September 8, at 9:30 AM in the Family Center. The ELC offers entertaining monthly programs. We also have a number of subclubs for those interested including Knitting, Book Club, Couples Club and more. Groups also gather each month for lunch and day trips. Come meet some new friends or become re-acquainted with familiar faces and join the fun! Like Us on Facebook. 6

7 Parish Life Come and Serve the Lord! 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. IMPRESSIONABLE When we try to make an impression, that s exactly the impression we make. Anonymous Altar Server Information night: 3 August 30th: 6:30pm-8:00pm in Rec Room Open to those in 5th grade and above who have received First Communion Meet experienced servers Learn what it means to serve at the altar of the Lord Registration Required online: epiphanycatholic.org/ministry-trainingevents Questions: Cwalker@epiphanycatholic.org A C T S Women's ACTS Retreat Cenacle Retreat House September REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! ACTS is a lay retreat that focuses on developing a deeper relationship with our Lord through Adoration, Community, Theology and Service. For more information, please contact Zofia Lombardi zofialombardi@gmail.com or Terri Bray Please see the church website to register online. 7

8 Outreach Ministry Outreach Events in Aug/Sept Regular Meetings: Mon. Epiphany Job Networking at 7 p.m. in the PAC; Tues. Respect Life Rosary at 10 a.m. in the Chapel. Aug 27: Marriage Support Group Sept 2/3: Blood Drive sign up Sept 9/10: Blood Drive sign up Sept 10: Food Drive Sept 11: Bereavement Meeting See for details. SEPTEMBER Events Food Drive Our monthly Food Drive is scheduled for the weekend of September 10th, We appreciate all of your help in keeping our food pantry well stocked. Especially needed is chili, peanut butter and cereal products. We also accept cash and checks as food pantry donations. Bereavement Support Group This group offers a supportive environment for you to share your memories and feelings with others who have experience the loss of a loved one on Sept. 11th at 6:30pm in the PAC. Blood Drive Our next blood drive will be held on September 17th. Please visit our Blood Drive sign up tables after all the masses on September 2nd and 3rd and then on September 9th and 10th. Please give the gift of life and get a free pair of socks. Katy Meals on Wheels Katy Meals on Wheels is in need of volunteer drivers to deliver meals one day a week, Monday - Friday to homebound Seniors. Next training for Volunteers is September 12th from 10:30 to noon, at First United Methodist. For more information call Sue Watson at or suewatsonwu@msn.com Career Search Seminar This career building workshop held on September 16th will help you brush up your resume. Interview skills will be reviewed and practice. Get help jumpstarting your new job placement. For this workshop you must pre-register by 9/13/17 via to: seminarejn@gmail.com Don t ditch it, donate it!.have an old cell phone or electronics just collecting dust? Then donate them and support Catholic Charities! Drop off your unwanted electronics. When: September 9 and 16 9am to 4pm Where: Mamie George Community Center 1111 Collins Rd. Richmond TX Benefiting: Catholic Charities programs and services in Fort Bend County Contact: Chris Gardner at cgardner@renewlogic.com Grieving Join us in the 9 week Walking through Grief session starting on September 14th at 7pm in the Outreach Conference Room. For more information please call the Outreach Center at

9 Adult Faith Formation Adult Bible Studies Offered James: Pearls for Wise Living DVD-based Bible study series for adults hosted by Jeff Cavins begins Monday, September 11 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the PAC. REVELATION: The Kingdom Yet To Come DVD-based Bible study series for adults hosted by Jeff Cavins begins Wednesday, Sept a.m. - Noon in the PAC. ADULT SPANISH BIBLE STUDY returns on Sept. 7, 6:30-9 p.m. Details to come soon! Tuesday morning Scripture Study returns on Sept. 12, 10-Noon in the PAC. Join us as we break open the Word of God for the upcoming Sunday. All are welcome - no registration or fee applies. Contact louann@epiphanycatholic.org or call on adult formation. Faith Formation Registration Contact charlotte@epiphanycatholic.org to request a FF registration form or call: , ext Class placement is dependent upon the number of VIRTUS trained adults who volunteer as catechists to teach the children. THE CATHOLIC FAITH IS ALIVE & GROWING! How do we know? We see it in the eyes of our young people and hear it in their voices when they proclaim their faith and sing their praise! Share in the enthusiasm of our youth by becoming a catechist for Epiphany s Faith Formation Program. Contact louann@epiphanycatholic.org or call Catechetical Framework Module All catechists are invited to attend this class which explains Cardinal DiNardo s Catechetical Framework, how it was developed and plans for implementation. This module counts as credit towards Archdiocesan Catechist Certification. Please rsvp to louann@epiphanycatholic.org Tuesday, September 5, 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the Parish Activity Center. HAPPY PEOPLE The happiest people don t necessarily have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything. Anonymous How Does Faith Grow? Adults from all faith traditions, or no religious background at all, are welcome to join the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). RCIA offers an opportunity to come together in a small group to learn more about our Catholic Faith. Sessions focus on the teachings and experience of Church and prepare adults to celebrate the Sacraments. Sessions begin Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at 7 PM. Contact LouAnn at or louann@epiphanycatholic.org or for more information. 9

10 Children s Faith Formation Sunday, August 27, 2017, 3-5 PM in the Family Center or Thursday, September 28, 2017, 7-9 PM in the Family Center or Thursday, October 5, 2017, 7-9 PM in the Family Center Epiphany Youth Ministry Confirmation Parent Meetings August 27th or 30th at 7:00 p.m. in the Family Center. Please be sure to bring the appropriate paperwork and registration forms. Maria@EpiphanyCatholic.org Call the Faith Formation office to hear about how you can volunteer. Tuesday, Wednesday, Sept. 5: Catechetical Strategies Sept. 6: Assessment Strategies Thursday, Monday, Sept. 14: Catechetical Framework Sept. 18: Assessment Strategies C LW begins again in September. The team could use a few more VIRTUS trained adults who would be willing to help bring the Gospel to life for our children on Sundays. If you are interested, or would like more information, call the parish office at