February 12, 2017 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings on p. 1107

Transcription

1 Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston 1530 Norwalk Drive Katy, Texas Telephone: Fax: Office Hours: Monday Thursday 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Masses: Monday Friday: 9:00 a.m. Saturday (Vigil): 5:30 p.m. Sunday: 8:00 a.m., 9:45 a.m.*, 11:30 a.m.*, 5:30 p.m. *Nursery available Reconciliation: Saturday 4:00 5:00 p.m.; or appointment with a priest Eucharistic Adoration: Tuesday after 9:00 a.m. Mass until 7:30 p.m. St. Vincent de Paul Society: February 12, 2017 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings on p

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 Craig Shemon Gerry Broussard, Misha Gabriel, Dan Stamps, Mary Tran Religious Education LouAnn Svoboda, Director Dave Clark, Charlotte Fulton, Sarah Karchunas, Maria Laiseca Youth Ministry Joey Harvey, Director 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 Kirk Harris 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 A Reflection by Pope Francis I n remarks to the gathered faithful, the Holy Father reflected on the newness of the Gospel as Good News, and as a bringer of New Things that frees the person who believes it from slavery to automa c legalism, and opens the heart to the new commandment: love. The Gospel tells the story of the Scribes, who badgered Jesus about the behavior of His disciples, by poin ng out that they did not as the disciples of John the Bap st regularly did fast and offer prayers. The Lord would not let Himself be provoked, however: New wine, new wineskins: the novelty of the Gospel and what does the Gospel bring us? Joy and renewal. These Doctors of the Law were hidebound by their commandments, their rules. St. Paul, speaking of them, tells us that, before faith came that is, Jesus we were all kept in custody, as prisoners under the Law. This Law, of this people, was not bad: they were cared for, but they were prisoners, awai ng the advent of faith that faith, which would be revealed in Christ, itself. Pope Francis went on to observe that the People had both the Mosaic Law and a host of customs and smaller legal requirements that the Doctors of the Law had codified. The Law, said Pope Francis, cared for the people, albeit as prisoners are cared-for, and the people were awai ng liberty that ul mate liberty that God would give to His people through His son. : One of you might say to me: But Father, don t Chris ans have laws? Yes. Jesus said: I do not come to [abolish the Law], but to fulfil it. and the Bea tudes, for example the law of love total love as Jesus loved us, are the fullness of the Law. Jesus, when he reproves these Doctors of the Law, is taking them to task for not caring for the people with the Law, but making them slaves to so many li le laws, so many li le things that had to be done. Pope Francis went on to explain that all these li le things that had to be done, had to be done without the freedom that Jesus brings to us with the new law, which He promulgated with His blood. This, he said, is precisely the ransom that the people were awai ng, while they were, under the guardianship of the Law, however as prisoners. The Holy Father also explained that another central lesson of this reading is that the Lord wants us not to be afraid of changing things according to the law of the Gospel: St. Paul clearly dis nguishes the children of the law from the children of faith: new wine in new wineskins and this is why the Church asks all of us to change certain things. She asks us to let go of decadent structures they are useless and to take up new wineskins, those of the Gospel. One cannot understand the mentality of these Doctors of the Law for example these Pharisaical teachers : the style of the Gospel is a different style, that brings the fullness of the Law yes - but in a new way: it is the new wine in new wineskins. Pope Francis concluded, saying once again that the Gospel is something new, something that brings joy, something that can only be lived fully by a heart that is joyful and renewed, and prayed that God give everyone the grace to keep the new commandment of love, and the joy of that freedom, which the Good News brings. 2

3 Events & Meetings This Week SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12 Blood Drive Sign-up After all Masses 9:45 & 11:30 AM, Nursery 0-5 years 3:30 PM, Gift of Marriage: Outreach 3:30 PM, Children s Faith Formation 3:30 PM, Jr. High Faith Formation 7:00 PM, HSFF & Confirmation: PAC MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13 9:00 AM, ESL 4: Outreach Center 9:30 AM, Ladies Club Board Meeting: 404 1:00 PM, Rummikub: Outreach Center 7:00 PM, High School Bible Study: Upper Room 7:00 PM, Scout Troop 1146: Rooms 204, 205/206, 207/212 7:00 PM, Pivotal Players: Epiphany Room 7:00 PM, Job Networking: Rec Room TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14 9:00 AM, ESL 4, Outreach Center 9:30 AM 7:00 PM, Adoration: Chapel 9:30 AM, Quilters: Room 411 9:45 AM, St. Vincent de Paul Meeting: Outreach Center 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 Rosary for Vocations: Chapel 4:45 PM, Children s Faith Formation 4:45 PM, Jr. High Faith Formation 7:00 PM, Rosary: Chapel 7:00 PM, Scout Troop 1288: Rec Room 7:00 PM, RCIA: Epiphany Room 7:30 PM, Evening Prayer: Chapel WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15 9:30 AM, Called to be Mom: Family Ctr. 10:00 AM, Acts: The Spread of the Kingdom: Den 4:45 PM, Children s Faith Formation 5:30 PM, Children s Choir: Music Room 5:30 PM, Contemporary Choir: Church 6:30 PM, Children s Faith Formation 6:30 PM, Jr. High Faith Formation 6:30 PM, HSFF & Confirmation: PAC 7:00 PM, Adult Choir: Music Room THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16 9:00 AM, ESL 4: Outreach Center 9:45 AM, Just Faith: Outreach Center 12:30 PM, ELC Knitting Group: Room 404 6:30 PM, Financial Peace University: Den 6:30 PM, Spanish Bible Study: PAC 7:00 PM, Line Dancing: Great Room 7:00 PM, Walking Through Grief: Outreach Conference Room FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17 11:30 AM, Forever Young: Family Center 7:30 PM, Bingo: Family Center SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18 No Events Scheduled SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19 COFFEE & DONUTS, FAMILY CENTER 8:00 AM-1:00 PM, Blood Drive: PAC A True Love Feast Let s reclaim this Valentine s Day as a true love feast. Mend a broken relationship. Forgive an enemy. End a grudge. Extend welcome to a stranger in the church. Help someone in need. When the flowers have wilted and the cards hit the recycle bin, these true acts of love will still be vibrantly alive, in the hearts and minds of those we have touched. 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 Joan McManamy Forever Young Barbara Hajjar, Clare Snow 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, February 11 Vigil-Sixth Sunday in O. T. 5:30 PM Jane Judd Sunday, February 12 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 AM Harold R. Thielen 9:45 AM For the People 11:30 AM Alvin Parker 5:30 PM Nkeiru Onono Monday, February 13 Weekday 9:00 AM Lorraine Huber Tuesday, February 14 Sts. Cyril, Monk, and Methodius 9:00 AM Ascension Salazar Wednesday, February 15 Weekday 9:00 AM Jose Garcia Thursday, February 16 Weekday 9:00 AM Dana A. Nash Thompson Friday, February 17 Weekday 9:00 AM Walter Borkowski Saturday, February 18 Vigil-Seventh Sunday in O. T. 5:30 PM Gerri Flynn Sunday, February 19 Seventh Ordinary Sunday 8:00 AM Oliver Gonzales 9:45 AM For the People 11:30 AM Rose Torres 5:30 PM Roland Manuel READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Gn 4:1-15, 25; Ps 50:1, 8, 16bc-17, 20-21; Mk 8:11-13 Tuesday: Gn 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10; Ps 29:1a, 2, 3ac-4, 3b, 9c-10; Mk 8:14-21 Wednesday: Gn 8:6-13, 20-22; Ps 116:12-15, 18-19; Mk 8:22-26 Thursday: Gn 9:1-13; Ps 102:16-21, 29, 22-23; Mk 8:27-33 Friday: Gn 11:1-9; Ps 33:10-15; Mk 8:34 9:1 Saturday: Heb 11:1-7; Ps 145:2-5, 10-11; Mk 9:2-13 Sunday: Lv 19:1-2, 17-18; Ps 103:1-4, 8, 10, 12-13; 1 Cor 3:16-23; Mt 5:38-48 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: Joseph Douglas Cope, Caylee Alexis Crocker, Carson Edmund Crocker, Maribella Joan Figueroa, Henry Thomas Frazee, Claire Adeline Fresquez, Emily Agnes May- Widaski, Presley Ann Reynolds, Annabel Jane Schueth. 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, Hailey Williams, Betty Long, Brianna McRee, Maria Mercedes Enriquez, Janet Cuccia, Chester Bourgeois, Ginny Radike, Everly Joy Gonzalez, Theresa McCluskey, Steve Chambers, Gabriela Laiseca, Jackie Alfonso, Mary Laverock, Colette Johnecheck, Celia Tovar. 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. 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 We welcome into our community: Joseph & Shaun Lesniewicz, Michael & Cristina Nicoletta, Thomas & Julie Pradel, Khellys & Olga Puentes- Gomez, Irving & Linda Schneider, Kyle & Katie Schumacher, Sunil & Sravanthi Singareddy, Robert & Anabel Stacks, Timothy & Erin Tureau, Camilo & Angelica Villota, Jordan & Joanna Watwood, Sue Werner. FOREVER YOUNG invites you to join us on Friday, February 17th at 11:30 am in the Family Center for a covered dish lunch. Our entertainment to be decided. The Forever Young group offers monthly entertainment and interesting trips "for the over 55" - new to the parish or not. For more information please call the parish office at Respect Life Bulletin Board The Respect for Life Committee is pleased to sponsor a 2-part Theology of the Body workshop for junior high students. Discovering God s Plan for Love and Life Session is open to all 7 th and 8 th grades. Part 1. Sunday February 26, :00pm 5:00pm Part 2. Sunday March 5, :00pm 5:00pm This takes the place of normal SUNDAY Faith Formation. To register go to epiphanycatholic.org/tob This DVD series curriculum is based on Saint John Paul II s Theology of the Body, which gives a very positive message of the gift of sexuality as a good and essential part of love and life. It is revolutionizing the way parents and educators teach morality and chastity to youth, as it provides the whys behind the whats. For more details contact Tammy Rusher at or visit TOBforTeens.com. The next Respect for Life Meeting is February 23 at 7:00 pm in the Outreach Conference Room. Music Ministry OPEN LOFT for 5:30 p.m. Sunday Contemporary Choir Are you inspired by the music at Mass and have considered becoming a part of a music community? The Epiphany Music Ministry OPEN LOFT Event is for you! The Contemporary Choir (5:30pm Sunday Mass) invites all adult singers, ages 18+, to sample our ministry on Wednesday, February 15 th at 6 p.m. in the church. Our singers have many different backgrounds and levels of music experience -- All you have to do is show up and try! If you have any questions, contact Adrienne Copeland at adrienne@epiphanycatholic.org. EPIPHANY YOUNG ADULTS: Join our growing ministry by attending on of our upcoming events (including Bible Study, Service and Fellowship). Check us out on Facebook (@EpiphanyoftheLordYoungAdults) for more info and a schedule of upcoming events! 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: Kathy Konter, Parish Consultant, for J.S. Paluch Company at

6 Our Stewardship Stewardship February 4/5 Sunday Offering $39, St. Vincent de Paul Society $5, Registered Households 6,660 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. MATTHEW 5:20 The scribes and Pharisees lived according to the letter of the law and they used this to elevate themselves above the other people. Jesus is clear it s the love that you have in your heart that will get you to heaven. Simply following church rules out of obligation, not love, does not put you on the path to heaven. Attending Mass on Sunday and then gossiping about a fellow parishioner on the parking lot is an example of a modern day Pharisee. If you are busy and have a long to do list, then let Epiphany s on-line giving program make your life easier! Faith Direct is our parish s e-giving program. Just enroll and your regular offerings to Epiphany are automa cally 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 collec ons and dona ons 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 any me, anywhere! Thank you for your con nued support of our parish family! GO MAKE DISCIPLES 2017 DIOCESAN SERVICES FUND I f you have not already offered your pledge in this year s Diocesan Services Fund (DSF), please do so today. DSF 2017 is focused on us, the Church, as we Go Make Disciples with your gifts, which will benefit ministries that serve thousands and thousands of our brothers and sisters in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Through your generous support of DSF, we bring Christ s comfort and care to the many pressing needs that cannot be addressed individually or by one parish alone. Our parish goal for 2017 is $398,000. With every parish family s full participation, we will surely exceed this amount and do our share to help so many in need, advancing the work of the church in our community. To give online, please visit For those of you who have already responded with a gift, please accept our sincere gratitude. 6

7 Around the Archdiocese EPIPHANY BINGO As a result of the dedicated work of all the Bingo volunteers and the tremendous support of the players in 2016, net proceeds from the year in excess of $60,000 have and will be distributed and split between local charitable organizations, Epiphany outreach, and to the catholic school capital campaign. We invite all parishioners to come join us again for Bingo in Friday night Bingo has started again. As always MAXIMUM CASH PRIZES of $2500, allowed by state law, are given away at EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT BINGO. This includes a $750 final game jackpot prize each night. What a great way to spend an evening with friends or family, and at the same time help to provide funds to many local charitable organizations. The bingo window and concessions open at 7:00 and the games begin at 7:30 with 4 earlybird games and 8:00 for the regular games. We have increased the prize amounts for the earlybird games, so come early. The Bingo volunteer group still has a need for a few more volunteer members on each team, including for the concession area. Check out the Bingo link on the Epiphany website for the bingo calendar, and more information on games, concessions, and how to join our volunteer team. KSHJ 1430 AM English Catholic radio in Houston, TX. Tune in for intelligent talk, catechesis, apologetics, a Catholic perspective on news and current events, great fun, and lots of advice on living the faith in our relationships and sharing the faith with our friends and family. Listen on air at AM 1430, online at GRNonline.com, or on your mobile device both IOS and Android. TV Mass for the Homebound Now on KUBE channel 57 at 10:30 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 GOD KNOWS BEST God s creative wisdom was at its best when making humans. There are four holes in the head for information to go in, and only one for it to go out. Anonymous 7

8 Outreach Ministry Outreach Events in February: Regular Meetings: Mon. Epiphany Job Networking at 7 p.m. in the PAC; Tues. Respect Life Rosary at 10 a.m. in the Chapel. February 12: Gift of Marriage February 16: Just Faith February 16: Walking Through Grief February 16: Financial Peace February 19: Blood Drive See for details. Who needs the heat on when we have our own fire blazing at the hottest Job Fair in town! We are delighted to report that we had over 1,310 applicants and 49 employers attend Epiphany s Job Fair on January 26. Both applicants and employers raved about the event! Let's remember everyone looking for jobs in our prayers and count our blessings. Kudos to everyone who contributed in making the Job Fair successful, especially the Job Seekers Network Coordinator, Ed Conner. Volunteer to teach ESL Resolve to make a difference in someone's life! Become a volunteer tutor with Literacy Council of Fort Bend County here at Epiphany and help others learn to read and/or speak English. Training will be provided and you can decided if you want to teach one hour a week or up to three hours a week. Training is at the Literacy Center, Emily Ct, Sugar Land. For information, call Nadi Nikparvar at BLOOD DRIVE February 19 Sign-up Today at tables outside church or online at Give Blood Save a Life It s as easy as that! If you can, please donate at this Blood Drive. If you will not be here, please donate at another location and remember Epiphany s Donor Group # is As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God s varied grace. 1 Peter 4:10 TRANSPORTATION MINISTRY Drivers needed for Transportation Ministry! Our Transportation Ministry provides an invaluable service to many in the community who have no other means of getting to doctor s appointments. Each driver determines their own availability. To join this ministry, or for more details, Contact Sharon at weber.sharonj@g.mail.com. The Gift of Marriage Starts Today February 12 Marriage need a boost, or can you share what s worked for yours? Then, experience The Gift of Marriage on Sunday afternoons from 3:30 to 4:45 pm in the Outreach Conference room with other married parishioners, including the facilitator, Richard Yohr, LPC. Call Outreach at with questions. 8

9 Adult Faith Formation CALLED TO BE MOM On Wednesday, February 15, LouAnn Svoboda will offer information on Spiritual Direction for the Called To Be Mom group. She will answer questions such as: What is the purpose of spiritual direction? What does a Spiritual Direction session look like? What are the benefits? Who can participate? WOMEN of Epiphany! What is it like to make a retreat in contemplative silence? Do you ever get time to deepen your relationship with Jesus? Come and join us for the annual Epiphany Women s Retreat at the Cenacle Retreat House March 17-19, 2017 for In the Footsteps of Francis: Saint and Pope led by Rev. Keith Hosey. For information contact: Nancy Ducker at or Ashlea Walther at CTBM meets from 9:30 11:30 a.m. on Wednesdays in the Family Center. For more information contact: dave@epiphanycatholic.org. VIRTUS (Protecting God s Children) focuses on educating teachers, parents, and other adults who interact with children about sexual abuse and providing them with information to help prevent abuse. This takes place in awareness sessions led by trained facilitators. The awareness sessions consist of videos, worksheets, and discussions. All adults who interact with children must take the Protecting God s Children workshop before they begin working with children. The goal for Epiphany of the Lord parish is to train every adult volunteer in the parish no matter what their ministry, in order to provide the safest environment possible for our precious children. For location information and to register, go online to Upcoming VIRTUS session dates: Keeping the Promise Alive Refresher course: Thursday, March 23 from 7:00 8:30 p.m. VIRTUS: Protecting God s Children original course: Saturday, April 8 from 9:00 a.m. Noon AND Saturday June 3 from 9:00 a.m. - Noon If you choose you can keep the commandments, Sirach tells us. God has set before you fire and water; to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand (Sirach 15:15, 16). This is a great mystery: God does not control us so completely that we cannot choose our own path. We have certain boundaries, of course, but no one but we can choose our way within those boundaries. In today s reading from Matthew s Gospel, Jesus reminds us of our freedom and our responsibility for our lives. He calls us to look beyond the words of the commandments, all the way to their meaning. Look beyond the adultery to the selfishness that poisons our love. Look beyond the murder to the anger that eats away at our compassion. Look beyond the perjured testimony to the lies and deception that drive our behavior. Our vocation is to choose life for ourselves, and to choose a path through our part of the world that helps make life possible and more abundant for others as well. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. 9

10 Children s Faith Formation Epiphany Youth Ministry We begin this event with a waffle and bacon dinner followed by a Mardi Gras celebration. We ll close the night with a special time of prayer and burning of palms to use for Ash Wednesday services. This event is for the whole family. 2nd grade faith formation will be working on a craft project toward the end of March that requires empty, solid color, plastic Easter eggs. They also need empty egg cartons that hold a dozen eggs. Please bring donations to the parish office or send with your student to their faith formation class. Thanks in advance! Please stop by, or call ( ),or click (epiphanycatholic.org/epiphanic), to find out how you can get involved! Registration is open on our website! Take advantage of early registration of $175! 3,000+ students take over Houston for an AWESOME weekend! 8th Grade Retreat! March 31st through April 2nd! Forest Glen Camps Prepare your heart, mind, and soul for high school! Registration is open on our website and is $125 until March 20th. Theology of the Body 7th and 8th grade students are invited to a special 2 part series on St. John Paul II s TOB. Discover God s plan for Love and Life! Feb. 26th and March 5th. Register at EpiphanyCatholic.org/TOB 10