Welcome to the Parish

Transcription

1 CHURCH OF ST. THOMAS MORE GLENDALE, AZ May 24, 2015 The Week of Weeks Liturgy The earliest Christians saw the 50 days of the Easter season as a week of weeks. In the Creation story, the seven-day week was a sign of God s fullness, of completeness. So seven weeks of seven days would be an even greater sign of God s goodness the new Creation. I was always bad at math, but even I know that seven weeks of seven days would be 49 not 50. But with God s goodness, there is always more than we can calculate; more than we can count. So our Easter season is not only 49 days, but seven times seven PLUS ONE MORE to make 50 days. Today, we celebrate that fiftieth day Pentecost. The name itself means fiftieth. Pentecost was originally an Old Testament festival, calculated as beginning on the fiftieth day after the beginning of Passover. It was an agricultural festival celebrating and giving thanks for the "first fruits" of the season. Even in early New Testament times, Pentecost gradually lost its association with agriculture and became associated with the celebration of God s creation of His people and their religious history. By the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, the festival focused exclusively on God s gift of the Torah (the "Law") on Mount Sinai. It continues to be celebrated in this manner in modern Judaism. Welcome to the Parish Prayer of St. Thomas More: Give us, good Lord, the grace to work for the things we pray for. Our warmest welcome to all who worship with our parish family, whether long time registered or newly arrived in the parish. If you are not registered, please stop by the Parish Office and pick up a registration form. For your convenience a drop box is located outside the Parish Office front doors if you wish to leave paperwork when the office is closed. Please do not leave checks or cash. The Parish Office will be closed Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend. Beginning Monday, June 1, the Parish Office will be observing Summer hours as follows: When we think of Pentecost, the most significant image is found in today s First Reading from the second chapter of Acts, with the familiar scene of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples in the "upper room." So in these 50 days, we make a pilgrimage from empty tomb to upper room. Both involve fear. On Easter, we heard that the women did not stay at the tomb, but fled in fear. Today, the Gospel tells us the disciples were huddled in the upper room out of fear. Yet in both cases, an encounter with the Risen Christ dispels the fear and compels people to go forth. On Easter, the angel tells the women to go to the apostles and tell them the Good News. In today s Gospel, Jesus greets his disciples with peace, breathes on them and bestows on them the gift of the Holy Spirit. As we know from Acts, the Holy Spirit bursts into the upper room and completely fills the disciples, compelling them out to share the Good News with all the languages of the world. Steve Raml Liturgy & Music Director Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Closed Friday and Saturday Sunday: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Catechists Are The Heart Beat Of The Christian Formation Program! Become a catechist, the rewards are fantastic! Enjoy sharing your faith and talents with the children Witness the conversion of the children as they grow in faith Prepare children to receive the sacraments: Reconciliation and Confirmation/ First Communion Enjoy the fellowship of the catechist teams Catechist faith formation, materials, and support are provided Contact Maria or Ann in the Parish Office for more information.

2 PENTECOST SUNDAY Adult Formation I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT The Holy Spirit empowers us to: think more clearly, feel more deeply, listen more insightfully, speak more truthfully, love more extravagantly, care more ardently, serve more creatively, encourage more lovingly, live more fully, teach more eloquently, pray more faithfully, worship more deeply and celebrate more joyfully. It is often said that the Holy Spirit is the forgotten person of the Holy Trinity. The more I think about it, especially reflecting on the nudging of the Holy Spirit among us listed above, I don t think that is exactly the situation. Perhaps it is that there is so much about the Holy Spirit we don t know how to put it into words. The word spirit is a translation of the Hebrew word for breath, air, or wind, suggesting the vital role the Holy Spirit plays in our lives. This invisible spirit is: life-giving, life-sustaining, fresh, creative, mysterious, unpredictable, and uncontainable. The Holy Spirit is the Giver of Life, the breath of God s life, as essential as air is for our physical life. She looks into our hearts and finds a river of living water, flowing from the heart of the One who faces night and death on the cross with us and never lets us go. Each of us know it is the Holy Spirit who enlivens this community, all who gather around this table to receive into our hands and hearts the very promise of God. We all know it is the Spirit, who enables each of us to speak to others in their own language, in the language of our own unique experiences of struggle, despair and hope. In all the languages of each and every heart, the Spirit speaks the same word; love until the Babel of alienation finds healing in the river of living water that flowed from the body of our Savior. It is fitting that Pope Francis called for the Canonization of Oscar Romero on this weekend. While San Salvador is still controlled by a corrupt government and gangs seem to have power Romero being called a Saint in these times of alienation calls us to stand for the truth even when our lives are at stake as they are now. His imploring words to the soldiers on the streets and countryside to stop the killing of their own people. He signed his own death warrant they had long ago gotten over killing the priests, they were ready to kill a bishop, even one who was standing before the altar. Romero said in a homily shortly before this; I want to be a bishop with the heart of Jesus. He was murdered while celebrating Mass. The crowd who gathered for his funeral liturgy were attacked and 40 killed and hundreds were wounded. Saint Oscar Romero pray for us. Mary Ann Ronan Children in our Faith Formation Program will begin their preparation for Confirmation and First Eucharist this week. Please keep them in your prayers throughout their journey. They will receive their sacraments on Saturday, June 6. Parish Outreach REFUGEE MINISTRY June 20 is World Refugee Day. To raise awareness of the plight and suffering of refugees, St. Thomas More Refugee Ministry will hand out information about Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Ministry the weekend of June 13 and 14. In addition, volunteers will hand out a list of needed items so that Welcome Baskets can be made for newly arriving refugee families. You may drop off your donated items the weekend of June 20 and 21. Items to be collected include: laundry supplies, household cleansers, personal toiletries, stationery, first aid supplies, light bulbs, pots and pans, and linens. A training session will be held Tuesday, June 30, 6:00 p.m. in the modular building for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer. To learn more, contact Sophia at BACKPACKS FOR LESS FORTUNATE BACKS The end of another school year is upon us. Please help support those in need served by the downtown Phoenix St. Vincent de Paul Watkins facility by donating your gently used or new backpacks, as well as new or gently used sneakers for the homeless. As hotter temps approach here in the Valley, these items are greatly appreciated. Drop boxes for donations will be in the back of the church the weekend of May 30 for your convenience. Thank you for supporting this worthy cause. For further information, please call Allison or Emily at ANDRÉ HOUSE SUMMER COLLECTION Donations of bottled water and powdered Gatorade are being accepted. Donations may be left in the gathering space of the church. A listing of other needs will be forthcoming. THANK YOU!!!!

3 Youth Ministry Grades 6-12 Registration for 2015/2016 youth ministry programs is taking place and registration forms are available in the Parish Office. Please contact Gaby in the Parish Office with questions about the program. STEVE RAML PRESENTS: SUMMER ENRICHMENT SERIES SESSION TWO SAVE THE DATE St. Thomas More Liturgical Ministers invite everyone to explore the Mass in a different way with a Summer Enrichment Series. In case you missed the first presentation, we ll take a look at the way our various ministries serve the Mass. Liturgy & Music Director, Steve Raml, will present the second session will be on Tuesday June 16. Look for more information in future bulletins. GROWING IN FAITH, ACTING IN LOVE Faith Formation Grades K - 5 ELEMENTARY FAITH FORMATION Calendar / Class Times / Days Available: Session A Monday: 4:45-6:00 p.m. CLOSED Session B Monday: 6:30-7:45 p.m. Session C Tuesday: 4:45-6:00 p.m. Session D Tuesday: 6:30-7:45 p.m. Will Your Child Begin Kindergarten Or First Grade Next Year? Now is the time for them to start their faith journey too! Registration for Christian Formation for all grades is taking place at the Parish Office. St. Joseph s Youth Camp Founded by the Knights of Columbus Located Just 23 Miles SE of Flagstaff Six days and 6 nights to enjoy the great outdoors! Horseback riding, kayaking, hiking, biking, archery, telescope and campfire nights, all food, cabin lodging, camp T-shirt, DVD of the week s activities and much more! ARE YOU AN ALUM OF ST. LOUIS THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL? St. Louis the King Catholic School in Glendale will be celebrating 50 years of service to families in the Diocese of Phoenix. They would like to collect recent contact information for alumni. If you, or someone you know graduated from St. Louis the King Catholic School, they would appreciate if you would provide contact information (name, (maiden), address, phone/ and year graduated) to St. Louis the King Catholic School, 4331 W. Maryland Ave., Glendale, AZ or your contact information to development@slkschool.com. Thank you. Pray for the Deceased Campers ages 8-12: July Campers ages 13-15: June 28 July 4 $548 includes R/T transportation from Tempe. Teens ages: can train to be a Camp Counselor. Training includes CPR, Safe Environment and all materials - $198. Learn how to earn community service hours at this camp! Space is limited. Go to: and click on REGISTER NOW and follow the prompts or admin@sjycaz.com or call Buy your Sunday Arizona Republic here and support the teens. Margaret Bryan, Pam Cass, Lois Cronk, Sharon DiCosmo, Gabriel Garcia, Emilie Gilboy, Narcisa Pati, Tom Schwoerer, Vivian Travisano, Michael Winney, Maria Villalba

4 Update Your Parish Registration Information Have you had a baby recently? Has a child gone off to college, gotten married or just moved from your home? Do you have a new address? Keeping our database up to date helps us in planning ministries, education opportunities and even social events. If something has changed in your household that should be noted in your parish information, let us know. We are also relying more on to communicate with you. Please contact the Parish Office or kpropati@stmglendale.org with any update to your information including a current address. SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE Once again, we are happy to announce that we will award a $1,000 scholarship to students from our parish entering a Catholic High School in the Fall of this year. The scholarships are available to students whose families are registered, active and participating at St. Thomas More. Part of the definition of active and participating is that we can track consistent envelope usage. The family must also participate in ministry at St. Thomas More. The student must participate in Youth Ministry or another ministry in the parish. The scholarships are based on merit. Applicants must have a 3.0 gpa and meet additional criteria as outlined in the Scholarship Policy. The scholarship will be awarded each year of high school provided the student maintains the established criteria and the family and student remain active in the parish. For more information, please pick up an information sheet and application in the Parish Office or online at our website Deadline to apply is Friday, May 29. Today as we celebrate Pentecost, the Holy Spirit wants to make us advocates of God s presence to bring new life to others, especially those who do not know the love of God in their lives. Next Sunday we will take up the Fifth Sunday second collection for St. Vincent de Paul. Envelopes have been included in your packet. Your gift will help those in need to believe in the mystery of God s love for them. Given in Gratitude for God s Blessings The plate collection for Sunday, May 17, was $36,031. Thank you for your faithful support. Thanks to Our Advertisers COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Stop by or call the Parish Office to learn more about.. ALBERTSONS COMMUNITY PARTNERS PROGRAM - Cards in the Parish Office. FRY S COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM - Enrollment in this rewards program is done online by each family. Registration forms in Parish Office. SAFEWAY - sign up by picking up a registration form in the Parish Office or visiting select group (St. Thomas More, ID# ). FAITH COMMUNITY NURSING RN s from this ministry are available to speak with parishioners. You may call the Parish Office and leave a message and one of the nurses will contact you. PARISH HALL RENTAL Please patronize our advertisers and thank them for supporting our bulletin when using their products and services CDA CHARITY AND DEVELOPMENT APPEAL Our parish has raised $135,228 representing 670 gifts towards our CDA goal of $147,000 and 100% participation. Thank you to families that have made their pledge. We ask that if you have not made your pledge, you take the time to prayerfully consider making one. The diocesan agencies supported and families assisted by this appeal appreciate your gift and prayers. The Parish Hall is available to rent for private functions. Please see the parish web site under FAQ s or stop by the Parish Office for an information sheet.

5 PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS Tina Gantner, Joan Graham Karen Kozlowski, Simon Lam Don Sandefur, Lloyd Singer, Joanne Spiek Questions, comments or concerns, please call the Parish Office. St. Thomas More is on Facebook! Search in Facebook Church of St. Thomas More or link to us on the parish website Monday, May 25 - Memorial Day Parish Office Closed Tuesday, May 26 7:00 pm Bethany Bereavement Group Wednesday, May 27 Thursday, May 28 6:30 pm Evening Rosary 7:00 pm Adult Confirmation Class 7:00 pm Men s Ministry Friday, May 29 Saturday, May 30 9:00 am Confirmation and First Eucharist Preparation Sunday, May 31 St. Thomas More First Friday Adoration June 5, 2015, 9:00 a.m. BETHANY GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP will meet Tuesday, May 26, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Parlor of the Church We invite you to come as often as you need or want. There is no registration required. This group meets monthly the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month. For more information, contact Linda in the Parish Office. MAY Sunday Monday Tuesday Readings for the Week May 24, 2015 Pentecost Sunday Acts 2:1-11; Ps 104; 1 Cor 12:3b-7, Jn 20:19- Saint Bede the Venerable, Priest and Doctor of the Church; Saint Gregory VII, Pope; Saint Mary Magdalene de Pazzi, Virgin Sir 17:20-24; Ps 32; Mk 10:17-27 Saint Philip Neri, Priest Sir 35:1-12; Ps 50; Mk 10:28-31 Wednesday Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop Sir 36:1, 4-5a, 10-17; Ps 79; Mk 10:32-45 Thursday Sir 42:15-25; Ps 33; Mk 10:46-52 Friday Sir 44:1, 9-13; Ps 149; Mk 11:11-26 Saturday Sir 51:12cd-20; Ps 19; Mk 11:27-33 Sunday The Most Holy Trinity Dt 4:32-34, 39-40; Ps 33; Rom 8:14-17; Mt 28:16-20 Please come to Mass early enough not to disrupt. Leave late enough not to insult. Worship reverently enough not to distract. AND dress proudly enough not to offend. SATURDAY, MAY 23 5:00 pm +Al Carbone SUNDAY, MAY 24 7:30 am Joseph D. Kovalesky 9:00 am +Marianne & +Jerry Small 11:00 am Parishioners of St. Thomas More TUESDAY, MAY 26 8:30 am +Richard Sinay WEDNESDAY, MAY 27 8:30 am +Sharon DiCosmo THURSDAY, MAY 28 8:30 am +Joan Allegra FRIDAY, MAY 29 8:30 am +Eduardo Sales SATURDAY, MAY 30 5:00 pm Juanita Cooper SUNDAY, MAY 31 7:30 am +Nicholas Billings 9:00 am Parishioners of St. Thomas More 11:00 am +Perry Juergensen Prayer List * Don Adams * Linda Blanchard * * Harold Huffman * Jordyn Kube * Russ Rehnke * * Derrick Sandoval * Alex Spartz * Names will be kept on the prayer list for two weeks, at which time you will need to call the Parish Office to update. Thank you.