A Reflection by Pope Francis

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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 Facilities Manager Vince DeBonis Young Kim, Alex Trejo 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 A Reflection by Pope Francis Draw near to those who suffer Compassion, drawing near, to restore. At the morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis prayed to the Lord, that He might give us the grace to have compassion for all those who are suffering; to draw near to these people in order to take them by the hand to restore them to the place of dignity that God wills for them. The Holy Father was reflecting on the Gospel, from St Luke, which tells how Jesus raised the son of the widow of Naim from the dead. He explained how, in the Old Testament, the poorest of the slaves were precisely the widows, the orphans, the strangers and the foreigners. And the recurring invitation is to care for them, to ensure that they are inserted into and are part of society. Jesus is able to see the details, because He sees with the heart; He has compassion. Compassion is a sentiment that gets involved, it is a sentiment of the heart, of the viscera, it involves the whole person. It s not the same as pain, or of [saying] How sad, poor people! : No, it s not the same. Compassion gets involved. It is suffering with. This is compassion. The Lord is involved in the lives of a widow, of an orphan. But say there [people might say] You have a whole crowd here, why don t you talk to the crowd? Leave them Life is like that Those are tragedies that just happen No. For Him, that widow and that dead orphan were more important than the crowds He was speaking to and that were following Him. The Lord, with His compassion, was involved in this case. He had compassion. Compassion, then, pushes us to draw near, the Pope said: you can sometimes see many things, without necessarily drawing near to them. But, he said: Drawing near is touching the reality. Touching. Not looking at it from a distance. He had compassion the first word. He drew near the second word. Then He performs the miracle. Jesus does not say, So long, I m continuing on my way. No. He takes the child, and what does it say? He restored him to his mother. To restore: the third word. Jesus performs miracles to restore, to return people to their proper place. And that is what He did with the redemption. He had compassion God had compassion He drew near to us in His Son, and He restored all of us to the dignity of children of God. He has re-created all of us. The exhortation is to do likewise, following the example of Christ, to draw near to the needy, not to help them from a distance because they might be dirty, or need a shower, or smell bad : So often we see the news on TV, or the cover of the paper, the tragedies But look, in that country the children don t have enough to eat; in that country the children are forced to be soldiers; in that country women are enslaved; in that country Oh, what a calamity! Poor people Many pages are written in the novel, in the TV shows that come after. And this is not Christian. And the question I ask now, looking at everyone, including myself, is, Am I able to have compassion? To pray? When I see these things, that they bring to me at home, through the media am I moved in the depths of my being? Does my heart suffer with those people; or do I feel pain, do I say, Poor people, and the like? And if you can t have compassion, ask for the grace: Lord, give me the grace of compassion. With prayers of intercession, with our work as Christians, we must be able to help those who suffer, so that they can be restored to society, to the life of the family, to work: to daily life. 2

3 Events & Meetings This Week SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 Bake Sale for MOTSY 9:45 & 11:30 AM, Nursery: 2 5 years; PAC 3:30 PM, Marriage Support Group: Outreach Center 3:30 PM, Elementary Faith Formation 3:30 PM, Junior High Faith Formation MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 1:00 PM, Rummikub: Outreach Center 6:30 PM, Handbell Choir Rehearsal: Church 7:00 PM, Scout Troop 1146: Great Room 7:00 PM, James, Pearls of Wisdom: Epiphany Room 7:00 PM, Job Networking: Rec Room TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 9:30 AM, Quilters: Room 411 9:40 AM 7:30 PM, Adoration: Chapel 9:45 AM, Second Family: Room :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 4:45 PM, Elementary Faith Formation 4:45 PM, Junior High Faith Formation 7:00 PM, Rosary: Chapel 7:00 PM, Scout Troup 1288: PAC 7:00 PM, Newcomers Gathering: Family Center 7:00 PM, RCIA: Epiphany Room 7:30 PM, Vespers & Benediction: Chapel Frostyfest 2017 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 10:00 AM, Revelation Bible Study: Den 4:45 PM, Elementary Faith Formation 5:30 PM, Contemporary Music Rehearsal: Church 5:30 PM, Children s Choir Parent Meeting: Church 6:30 PM, Elementary Faith Formation 6:30 PM, Junior High Faith Formation 6:30 PM, High School FF/Confirmation 7:00 PM, Adult Choir Practice: Church 8:00 PM, Young Adult Bible Study: Room 403 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 6:30 PM, Spanish Bible Study: PAC 6:30 PM, Men s Food & Faith: Room 412 7:00 PM, Walking Through Grief: Outreach Center 7:00 PM, Parent Sacrament Meeting: Epiphany Room 7:00 PM, Respect Life: Outreach Center 7:00 PM, Line Dancing: Great Room FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 7:30 PM, Bingo: Family Center SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 9:00 AM, Protecting God s Children: Epiphany Room SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1 Coffee & Donuts, Family Center 9:45 & 11:30 AM, Nursery: 2 5 years; PAC 3:30 PM, Marriage Support Group: Outreach Center 3:30 PM, Elementary Faith Formation 3:30 PM, Junior High Faith Formation 7:00 PM, High School FF/Confirmation Booths are still available for the Frostyfest Craft Show to be held Saturday, December 2, All items for the show must be hand made by the vendor. For an application and rules please visit epiphanycatholic.org. For additional information, please contact the parish office at 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, September 23 Vigil-25th Sunday in O. T. 5:30 PM Charles Watts Sunday, September 24 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 AM Weldon Riley 9:45 AM For the People 11:30 AM Jeff Thaler 5:30 PM John Beaumier Monday, September 25 Weekday 9:00 AM Cindy Slebodnik Tuesday, September 26 Weekday 9:00 AM Kenneth Champagne Wednesday, September 27 St. Vincent de Paul 9:00 AM Brian Zapalac Thursday, September 28 Weekday 9:00 AM Freddy Perone Friday, September 29 Sts. Michael, Gabriel & Raphael 9:00 AM Mary Dellinger Saturday, September 30 Vigil-26th Sunday in O. T. 5:30 PM Sydney Roberts Sunday, October 1 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 AM Richard Romershauser 9:45 AM For the People 11:30 AM Margaret Uennewald 5:30 PM Stella Walsh READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Ezr 1:1-6; Ps 126:1b-6; Lk 8:16-18 Tuesday: Ezr 6:7-8, 12b, 14-20; Ps 122:1-5; Lk 8:19-21 Wednesday: Ezr 9:5-9; Tb:13:2, 3-4abefghn, 7-8; Lk 9:1-6 Thursday: Hg 1:1-8; Ps 149:1b-6a, 9b; Lk 9:7-9 Friday: Dn 7:9-10, or Rv 12:7-12a; Ps 138:1-5; Jn 1:47-51 Saturday: Zec 2:5-9, 14-15a; Jer 31:10-12ab, 13; Lk 9:43b-45 Sunday: Ez 18:25-28; Ps 25:4-9; Phil 2:1-11 [1-5]; Mt 21:28-32 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, Lionel Rivas, Margaret Braun, David Braun, Bob Hague, Chester Bourgeois, Will McKenzie, Hector Segura, Sr., Glenda Garnett, Mary Stier, Bill Weber, Neil Siedel. 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 Mary Banke, wife of Don Banke Hilda Maria Gotera, mother of Osvaldo Gotera Men s Retreat Got to get off the beaten track for a few days? Renew yourself at a men's weekend retreat at Holy Name Retreat Center. A weekend of rest, quiet and relaxation is available to you on Oct Join other men from your parish community and refresh your body and your soul! For insight into one of our weekends please contact Deacon Don Kish at or go to to register. 4

5 Parish Life This month s theme is Family Feud. Dinner begins at 6:30pm and the feud begins around 7pm in the PAC. There will be a movie in the Epiphany Room and a special play area for the littler ones. A suggested donation of $5 per family covers the cost of all activities and dinner. 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. 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. Men s Faith & Food Please consider joining other men of the parish every Thursday evening for Pizza and DVD- Based Faith Formation/ Discussion. Topics will be relevant to issues faced by Catholic men. We meet in Room 412 of the PAC, at 6:45 p.m. each Thursday. The Epiphany Ladies Club (ELC) invites you to attend our meeting on October 13 at 9:30 a.m. in the Family Life Center. DJ Mormile - VP & Sr. Customer Representative of Genworth, Long Term Care, will speak to us on the importance of Long Term Care. We are always accepting new members and look forward to meeting you. Please come and join one or more of our sub-clubs. They include Knitting, Book Club, Bunco, Cooking, Couples, Quilting, Baptismal Bibs, Movies as well as lunches and outings. "Like" Us on Facebook to keep up with all the fun 5

6 Our Stewardship Stewardship September 16/17 Sunday Offering $63, Catholic University/St. Thomas $1, St. Vincent de Paul Society $8, Registered Households 6,679 So the last will be first and the first last - MATTHEW 20:16 You ve heard the saying it s not where you start, but how you finish. This certainly applies to this Bible passage. We have a responsibility not only for our own lives, but for the lives of others as well. We are called to generously share our gifts with others, not hoard them for our own use. Our gratitude and generosity helps us live God-centered lives and not self-centered lives. Respect Life Bulletin Board Bake Sale! Today is the Bake Sale sponsored by the Respect for Life Committee. Our high school students are raising funds for the March of the Surviving Youth (MOTSY) which is a diocese wide pro-life event on October 14, Please stop by the tables near the entrances of the church to pick up a yummy treat and make a donation to help our youth! Life Chain!! Stand with thousands of prolife individuals throughout the USA and Canada in honor of millions of babies whose lives have been lost to abortion. Sunday October 1, 2017, 2pm to 3pm on Mason and I-10 (in front of Jason s Deli). Attention 7 th and 8 th graders! You are invited to participate in a 2 part series on Saint John Paul II s Theology of the Body from 1 to 5 pm on October 15 and October 22 in the PAC. (Takes the place of regular Faith Formation class). To register, go to For more details contact Youth FF Office at DSF REPORT Parish Goal $398, Amount Pledged $295, Amount Paid $258, Number of Pledges 702 Mission Appeal On the weekend of October 7/8, a missionary priest, Fr. Gerry Kelly, of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers will conduct a mission appeal at our parish. He will share his experience serving in the missions of South America. You will be invited to par cipate spiritually and financially in the Church s mission that brings the Good News of Jesus to all people. 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 6

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8 Outreach Ministry Outreach Events in September Regular Meetings: Mon. Epiphany Job Networking at 7 p.m. in the PAC; Tues. Respect Life Rosary at 10 a.m. in the Chapel. Sept 24: Gift of Marriage Sept 28: Respect Life Sept 28: Walking through Grief Oct. 1: Gift of Marriage Oct 2: Loss Support Group Oct 5: Walking through Grief Oct 8: Food Drive See for details. The Gift of Marriage Going to the chapel, and we re gonna get married...what happens after that? Learn how to put the song back into your marriage, or share your tips of the trade with others by attending The Gift of Marriage, a ministry which offers support for married couples. Join Richard Yohr LPC, CART, as he leads the group on Sundays from 3:45 to 5:00 pm. If your spouse cannot attend, principles can be taught to you! For more details, call the Outreach Office at Harvey Help Parishioners, do you work in the Construction or service Industry? We are creating a resource list for our Parishioners that have been affected by Harvey. Please send your Name, Company, contact information and skill area (plumber, painter, sheet rocker etc.) to Laundry Service Are you displaced from your home? We have parishioners willing to pick up and do your laundry. Outreach wants to help Please outreach office at outreach@epiphanycatholic or call to let us know if you were affected by the flood. We want to see what we can do for you in addition to praying. We are praying for you that have experienced flooding. Please call Outreach and let us know of ways we can be of assistance. Thank you! Walking through Grief Grief is a normal human reaction to loss and change. A healthy expression of grief is one that acknowledges the pain that accompanies loss and allows it to happen. Avoiding the bad feelings anger, sadness, guilt, etc. does not make them go away, even over time. Support of others with similar experiences can help us to be more understanding and patient with ourselves as we go through our time of grief. Walking through Grief is a nine week support ministry with topics that are DVD lead and independent of each other will continue this Thursday at 7pm in the Conference room of the Outreach Center. For more information please call Outreach at

9 Adult Faith Formation Sacrament Preparation Preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion takes place during student s second consecutive year of faith formation or Catholic school. Second grade is the earliest students can prepare to receive these sacraments. Registration and required parent meeting are the first steps. Call A Parent (only) Sacrament Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 28 or October 5, in the Family Center from 7-9 p.m. Reserve childcare during this meeting by ing nursery@epiphanycatholic.org with date/time/event and names/ages of children. Space is limited to 10 children. Nursery is located in the PAC. Learned at Home The mind of Christ is to be learned in the family. Strength of character may be acquired at work, but beauty of character is learned at home. Henry Drummond Catechist Modules empower catechists to be knowledgeable and successful: Catechetical Framework Monday, October 9 7:00-9:00 p.m. and Assessment Strategies Monday, October 30 7:00-9:00 p.m. Parish Activity Center RSVP to louann@epiphanycatholic.org - Maximum attendance is 35 people. 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. VIRTUS: Protecting God s Children - Original training session will be held at Epiphany Saturday, September 30, from 9:00 Noon in the Parish Activity Center (PAC). Pre-registration is mandatory at A valid identification must be presented at check-in. No late admittance is allowed. If you are over 18 and active in ministry at Epiphany, you must be VIRTUS trained. All adult parishioners, ESPECIALLY PARENTS, are encouraged to be VIRTUS trained! Questions? Need assistance with the registration process? Call the Faith Formation Office at No walk-ins! 9

10 Children s Faith Formation Epiphany Youth Ministry There will be a parent meeting for students enrolled in our home based faith formation program on October 3rd in the Family Center. It will begin at 7pm. We are implementing the Cardinal s new Lifelong Catechetical Framework so there will be plenty of new information and materials to pick-up. Registration is officially open for our 9th and 10th grade retreat November 17-19! You can register online at Thursday, September 28, 2017, 7-9 PM in the Family Center or Thursday, October 5, 2017, 7-9 PM in the Family Center Tuesday and Wednesday classes have begun and Sunday classes begin today at 3:30pm. If you haven t signed up yet or have questions, please call and someone will be able to assist you. Classes are fairly full so new students might have to take advantage of our home based program. ACCOUNTABLE It is not only what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are held accountable. Molière 10