SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS

Transcription

1 DIOCESE OF PHOENIX SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS Catholic Church & School DECEMBER 30TH, 2018 FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH Holy Day of Obligation: Dec 31st or Jan 1st: The Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. LUKE 2: West Thomas Road Avondale, AZ Phone: (623) Fax: (623)

2 MASS TIMES Saturday Vigil 5:00 pm Sunday 7:00 am 9:00 am 10:45 am 5:00 pm DAILY MASS Monday - Saturday RECONCILIATION Saturday 8:30 am 3:30 pm ADORATION Wednesday 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Friday 8:30 am - 2:00 pm PARISH OFFICE Monday - Thursday 8:30 am - 12:00 pm 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Friday 8:30 am - 12:30 pm Saturday 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Sunday 7:30 am - 2:00 pm SCHOOL OFFICE (623) Monday - Thursday 7:30 am - 3:30 pm Friday 7:30 am - 12:00 pm EVANGELIZATION & CATECHESIS OFFICE (623) x214 Monday - Thursday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Friday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm GIFT SHOP (623) x242 Monday - Wednesday 8:30 am - 12:00 pm Thursday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Saturday 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Sunday 7:30 am - 8:30 am 10:00 am - 12:30 pm 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH & SCHOOL PARISH ADMINISTRATION & STAFF Reverend John Muir Pastor Reverend Anwar Zomaya Associate Pastor Reverend Venantius Yikore Associate Pastor Deacons Deacon Ken Porter Senior Deacon Chuck Shaw (Retired) Deacon Edgar Carnecer Deacon Jason Robinson PARISH ADMINISTRATION & STAFF Julie Cipriano, Executive Assistant to the Pastor Jessica Alire, Director of Human Resources & Operations Selena Rivas, Receptionist MaryLina Luna, Coordinator of Safe Environment & Administrative Assistant Nick DeClue, Computer Systems Regina DeSpain, Sacramental & Records Clerk Glenn Biggs, Maintenance Director Glenn Volkenant Jr., Maintenance Ron Shipman, Maintenance Geoff Stricklin, Director of Mission Advancement Delilah Garcia, Coordinator of Liturgical Décor & Funerals Heather Porrell, Coordinator of Sacred Liturgy Ariadna Ruiz, Coordinator of Parishioner Engagement Michael Garibaldi, Coordinator of Family Evangelization & Catechesis Anna Dice, Facilitator of Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation Andrew Starbuck, Coordinator of Youth Ministries Deacon Ken Porter, Coordinator of RCIA Michael Villanueva, Coordinator of Marriage & Family Ministries Jennifer Doyle, Facilitator of Infant Baptism Yuliana Gonzales, Facilitator of Marriage Preparation SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION & STAFF Cynthia Scheller, Principal Margy Eroh, Administrative Assistant Dan Kerestes, Finance Mary Francis Haluska, Senior Education Specialist

3 MASS INTENTIONS Thursday Wednesday Tuesday Monday Sunday Dec 30 Dec 31 Jan 1 Jan 2 Jan 3 7:00 am 9:00 am 10:45 am 5:00 pm 5:30 pm 10:00 am James Naughton Jack Mitiguy Intentions of the Parish Int. of Kristian Ortega Saldavia Angela Misenko Intentions of the Parish M/M Patrick Reardon Anthony Tomassone Intentions of Dennis Fineran Intentions of Cindy Drew BAPTISM The baptism process is three months long and parents within the parish boundaries are asked to be registered and active in the parish community. Families outside the parish boundaries are expected to be registered and active for a minimum of three months prior to the baptismal process. Baptisms are typically celebrated the 4th Sunday of every month. MARRIAGE The Diocese of Phoenix requires couples to participate in an engaging nine month marriage preparation program. Individuals within the parish boundaries are asked to be registered and active in the parish community. Individuals outside the parish boundaries are expected to be registered and active for a minimum of three months prior to beginning marriage preparation. RELGIOUS EDUCATION To register for classes, families within the parish boundaries are asked to visit the Religious Education Office. Families outside the parish boundaries are expected to be registered and active for a minimum of three months prior to registration. PARISH REGISTRATION Registration is the official way we join a parish community, please stop in the Parish Office, during office hours to complete a registration form or register online to become a registered parishioner. To be considered an active registered member of the parish, members are asked to participate in the parish envelope system at least twice a month. Friday Jan 4 M/M Esteban Dael ROSARY & DIVINE MERCY PRAYER To join us in prayer please meet in the cry room after Daily Mass or after the 5:00 pm Mass on Sunday with the Guadalupanos. Saturday Jan 5 5:00 pm Raymond Barns Ronald Villar Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY Please consider volunteering or donating to the St. Vincent de Paul Society that helps those in need, please call CLEANING ANGELS MINISTRY Did you know that our beautiful church is cleaned by faithful volunteers known as the Cleaning Angles? This special ministry is in need of more volunteers. We clean two days a week, Wednesdays and Thursdays after the morning mass from 8:30-10:30am. If you are interested in joining this ministry contact Selena Rivas in the parish office. Mass Times DECEMBER 31st 5:30 pm JANUARY 1st, 10:00 am Office Hours January 1st office closed MARTHA/MARY LINEN MINISTRY Laundering and preparation of Eucharist linens for daily and Sunday Masses. If you would like to help, please contact Elie Suida at MOMS MINISTRY Moms Ministry provides an opportunity for women of all ages and walks of life, to practice their common faith, nurture their spirituality. Please visit for more information. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS If interested in joining, contact Matthew Scheller - Grand Knight #11675 at or matthewscheller1@gmail.com

4 Dear Friend in Christ, ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH & SCHOOL A LETTER FROM OUR PASTOR Does it surprise you that we have a feast of the Holy Family? At times it may seem that a family is the last thing that could become holy. Family life can seem, at best, hum-drum, normal, unimpressive. At worst, it can be a place of shame, blame and violence, much like the first family in the the biblical story. Most of us say, My family? Holy?.how? Because to say holy is to say related to God, transcendence, and majesty. How can that be said of a family? Well, because God came into the world precisely in and through the human family of Mary and Joseph. He could have come any other way. But the family was the locus of his entrance and presence, not just for a few years but for the vast majority of his earthly life. Jesus presence in the family is what makes the family holy. But what does this practically mean for Christian Catholic families today? How do Catholic mothers and fathers actually live in a way that participates in the holiness of God, right in their heart of their family life? Last summer I was in Ireland during the World Meeting of Families. Bishop Robert Barron, my teacher and mentor, gave a splendid keynote address on just that topic that I warmly recommend to you. If you want to better know and speak about and especially live! the Church s vision for the family in this time, then give this talk a listen. To watch the talk on YouTube, go to the site and search for WMOF 2018: Day 3: Presentation by Bishop Robert Barron. To listen to the talk, use whatever podcast platform you wish and search for Word on Fire Show, and then find the talk there under the title WOF 145 The Gospel of the Family (part one) and WOF 146 The Gospel of the Family (part two). If you know anyone who is struggling in their family life and needs some encouragement, share this great talk with them! I can t say it enough: thank you for the sacrifices you make day in and day out in service of the the Church s vision for your family. Thank you for seeking to make your family a school of virtue, especially of love. Thank you for seeking to make your family a temple where God is known, loved, and worshipped. Through our study of the truth of the holy family may all our families become more like, and more truly, His family. Happy Feast of the Holy Family! Fr. Muir The Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God is a Holy Day of Obligation. The Vigil Mass is scheduled for December 31st at 5:30pm. Mass times on January 1st are: 8am, 10:00am. December 31st, the parish office hours are 8:30am to 12pm. The office will be closed January 1st in observance of New Year s Day. Adoration Hours: There will not be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from December 26th - January 4th. Adoration will resume January 9, 2019

5 CHRISTMAS DAY 6: DECEMBER 30TH The devotion to the Holy Family was born in Bethlehem, together with the Baby Jesus. The shepherds went to adore the Child and, at the same time, they gave honor to His family. Later, in a similar way, the three wise men came from the East to adore and give honor to the newborn King with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that would be safeguarded by His family. Feast of the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph We can go further to affirm that in a certain sense Christ, Himself, was the first devotee of His family. He showed His devotion to His mother and foster father by submitting Himself, with infinite humility, to the duty of filial obedience towards them. This is what St Bernard of Clairvaux said in this regard, God, to whom angels submit themselves and who principalities and powers obey, was subject to Mary; and not only to Mary but Joseph also for Mary s sake [.]. God obeyed a human creature; this is humility without precedent. A human creature commands God; it is sublime beyond measure. (First Homily on the Missus Est ). Today s celebration demonstrates Christ s humility and obedience with respect to the fourth commandment, whilst also highlighting the loving care that His parents exercised in His keeping. The servant of God, Pope John Paul II, in 1989, entitled his Apostolic Exhortation, Redemptoris Custos (Guardian of the Redeemer) which was dedicated to the person and the mission of Saint Joseph in the life of Christ and of the Church. After exactly a century, he resumed the teaching of Pope Leo XIII, for who Saint Joseph.. shines among all mankind by the most august dignity, since by divine will, he was the guardian of the Son of God and reputed as His father among men (Encyclical Quamquam Pluries [1889] n. 3). Pope Leo XIII continued,.. Joseph became the guardian, the administrator, and the legal defender of the divine house whose chief he was.[ ] It is, then, natural and worthy that as the Blessed Joseph ministered to all the needs of the family at Nazareth and girt it about with his protection, he should now cover with the cloak of his heavenly patronage and defend the Church of Jesus Christ. Not many years before, blessed Pope Pius IX had proclaimed Saint Joseph, Patron of the Catholic Church (1870) Almost intuitively, one can recognize that the mysterious, exemplary, guardianship enacted by Joseph was conducted firstly, in a yet more intimate way, by Mary. Consequently, the liturgical feast of the Holy Family speaks to us of the fond and loving care that we must render to the Body of Christ. We can understand this in a mystical sense, as guardians of the Church, and also in the Eucharistic sense. Mary and Joseph took great care of Jesus physical body. Following their example, we can and must take great care of His Mystical Body, the Church, and the Eucharist which He has entrusted to us. If Mary was, in some way, the first tabernacle in history (John Paul II Ecclesia de Eucharistia, n. 55) then we the Tabernacle in which Our Lord chose to reside in person, in His Real Presence, was also entrusted to us. We can learn from Mary and Joseph! What would they ever have overlooked in the care of Jesus physical body? Is there something, therefore, that we can withhold for the right and adoring care of His Eucharistic Body? No amount of attention, no sane act of love and adoring respect will ever be too much! On the contrary, our adoration and respect will always be inferior to the great gift that comes to us in the Holy Eucharist. Looking at the Holy Family, we see the love, the protection, and the diligent care that they gave to the Redeemer. We can not fail to feel uneasiness, perhaps a shameful thought, for the times in which we have not rendered the appropriate care and attention to the Blessed Eucharist. We can only ask for forgiveness and do penance for all the sacrilegious acts and the lack of respect that are committed in front of the Blessed Eucharist. We can only ask the Lord, through the intersession of the Holy Family of Nazareth, for a greater love for their Son Incarnate, who has decided to remain here on earth with us every day until the end of time. (From the Congregation for the Clergy) Things to Do: Let us imitate the Holy Family in our Christian families, and our family will be a cell and a prefiguration of the heavenly family. Say a prayer dedicating your family to the Holy Family. Also pray for all families and for our country to uphold the sanctity of the marriage bond which is under attack. Read more about Pope Leo XIII who instituted the Feast of the Holy Family and read his encyclical On Christian Marriage. You can also check out the Vatican s page of Papal documents on the Family.

6 Saint Luke Productions Presents Saint Luke Productions Presents Schedule: Jan 1/2 - No Classes Jan 8/9 - Classes Resume No one, whether shepherd or wise man, can approach God here below except by kneeling before the manger at Bethlehem and adoring him hidden in the weakness of a new-born child. - CCC 563 Performed Live by Jim Coleman Performed Live by Jim Coleman Friday, Jan. 18 at 1pm (Free-Will Offering) (JPII Students Only) Friday, Jan. 18 at 7pm St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church West Thomas Road, Avondale, AZ Admission: Tickets & Info: Michael Garibaldi Adults (18+): $10 Refreshments Following Tickets &(Free-Will InfoOffering) Admission (623) ext. 229 Couples: $15 Performance eventbrite: Adults (18+) $10mgaribaldi@stacc.net Family of 5 or more: $25 St. Thomas Aquinas Youth Catholic Church Suitable for Ages 10 & Up Youth (10-17): $5 (10-17) $5 Friday, Jan. 18 at 1pm Friday, Jan. 18 at 7pm West Thomas Road, Avondale, AZ Admission: & Info: Michael Garibaldi Suitable 10Tickets &High UpSchool Sponsored by St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church & St. Johnfor Paulages II Catholic Adults (18+): $10 623$ ext. 229 Refreshments Following Couples: Performance Family of 5 or more: $25 mgaribaldi@stacc.net Youth (10-17): $5 Michael Garibaldi (623) ext mgaribaldi@stacc.net Suitable for Ages 10 & Up Sponsored by St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church & St. John Paul II Catholic High School Knit Purl Pray Prayer Shawls/Blankets Knit Purl Pray Prayer Shawls/Blankets Knit Purl Pray Prayer Shawls/Blankets u have a family member or friend facing surgery, chemotherapy or Do you have a family member or friend facing surgery, chemotherapy or Dohealth/emotional you have a familyconcern? member or friend facing surgery, chemotherapy or er significant another significant health/emotional concern? another significant health/emotional concern? A prayer shawl/blanket is a symbol of covering them in prayer, warmth, yer shawl/blanket a symbol of covering them in prayer, warmth, and love. iseach blanket includes a prayerful inscription. A prayerincludes shawl/blanket is a symbol of covering them in prayer, warmth, ove. Each blanket a prayerful inscription. We arelove. happy to Each offer prayer blankets to anyoneainprayerful need of warmth and and blanket includes inscription. prayer. Simply come by the parish office to fill out the request form. We provide you with a prayer blanket to deliver in to your family or and to will offer prayer blankets to anyone need of member warmth We are happy to offer prayer blankets to anyone in need of friend. e happy r. Simply come by the parish office to fill out the request form. We warmth and prayer. Simply come by the parish office to fill out the request form. We rovide you with a prayer blanket to deliver to your family member or will provideplease you with a prayer blanket to OFFICE deliver to DROP BY THE PARISH TOyour FILLfamily OUT member or. THE REQUEST FORM. friend. PLEASE DROP BY THE PARISH OFFICE TOOFFICE FILL OUT PLEASE DROP BY THE PARISH TO FILL OUT THE REQUEST FORM. THE REQUEST FORM. blessedisshe.net/retreat

7 RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION of ADULTS (RCIA) Starting January 10th WANT TO BECOME CATHOLIC? NEED TO BE CONFIRMED? Classes for adults desiring to convert to the Catholic Church or needing the sacraments of 1st communion and/ or confirmation begin on January 10th. Please stop by the parish office and complete an application form. There is no cost for the classes and you must become an active registered member of the parish. Your application must be received and approved prior to January 9th. For questions please contact Deacon Ken at (preferred) or leave a message for him at the parish office. BIBLE STUDIES Revelation, The Kingdom Yet to Come Unpack the Mysteries of Revelation. Tuesdays (Jan 8th - March 19th, 2019) in Saint Clare Hall from 8:45-10:15 am. Order your book thru Ascension Press and ask to join our Revelation Study. Info? Call Patty Schoenen After completion of Revelation we will be conducting The Mass - details to come. WE NEED LINEN ANGELS! Do you want to join a ministry without going to meetings? Do you like to keep your hands busy when you watch TV? Why not join the Martha/Mary Linen Ministry. Preparing linens for the altar is a wonderful way to serve our Lord. We need lots of saints to come help this year. Commitment is minimal and rewarding. For more information please text, call or Elie Suida esuida@cox.net EGIVING DURING CHRISTMAS WITH FAITH DIRECT! Many of you are aware and take advantage of the convenience of electronic giving to our parish and we are grateful for that. We believe it is time to upgrade to a more streamlined online provider for our egiving needs through Faith Direct. For those of you who have yet to join us in giving online, I strongly encourage you to do so during this Christmas season. Here s why: Faith Direct enables parishioners to make your Church contributions through either direct debit from your checking/savings account or through your credit/debit card. No more writing checks or searching for envelopes on the way out the door. Now you can apply the convenience of direct debit to your parish offerings in much the same way as you may now use it to make your mortgage, car or tuition payments. Faith Direct also offers you personalized offertory cards to replace your envelopes for the collection basket. Please join me in enrolling by responding to the mailing you will receive or visit to enroll securely online. Our parish code is AZ907. God Bless You! Rev. John Muir WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER Looking for that perfect Christmas gift for your spouse? Consider a gift to each other that will make a beautiful difference in your marriage and family. Set aside some much needed time together to attend the upcoming Marriage Encounter Weekend on January 26 and 27 at Our Lady of Gaudalupe Monastery at 8502 W. Pinchot Ave. Marriage Encounter offers married couples an opportunity to look deeply into your relationship with your spouse, your family and with God. For more information and to register for this upcoming weekend, visit or call ADOPT-A-FAITH FORMATION CHILD I understand that there are several Faith Formation families of our parish that require partial or full scholarship assistance so that their children may receive religious instruction and/or sacrament preparation. I would like to help a Faith Formation family experiencing financial need by providing a scholarship donation. I would like to sponsor Faith Formation child/children and have checked one of the following options. (Please make check payable to St. Thomas Aquinas Faith Formation. Return this form and your donation in an envelope to the Family Evangelization & Catechesis Office or place in the collection basket with attention to Faith Formation Office.) Thank You. YOUR DONATION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE! $55 for 1 child $100 for 2 children $90 sacrament preparation for 1 child $100 per child for Basics of the Faith - Yrs. 1 or 2 Other Amount (used where needed most) Name Phone / Total Amt. Enclosed $ (Area Code)

8 POSTER CONTEST WINNERS The Knights of Columbus Holy Family Council #11675 would like to thank all of the children that participated in this year s contest. The Knights received 64 posters this year. Every participant received a Certificate of Participation and the top three winners of each of the three age groups received a cash prize as well as an engraved plaque documenting their achievement. The winning posters will be on display in the vestibule of the church during the Christmas season. Congratulations to the top three finishers in each age group: HOLY FAMILY He gave power to become children of God. If you think you may be called to share the Father s love as a priest, religious or deacon, contact the Vocations Office at phoenixpriest. org, or the Office of Consecrated Life, dphx.org/ consecrated-life. AGE GROUP ST Place Karol Bueno 2nd Place Augustine Teipen 3rd Place Avanna Anadu AGE GROUP ST Place Arianna Anadu 2nd Place Faustina Teipen 3rd Place Therese Bueno AGE GROUP 5-7 1st Place Mindy Nguyen 2nd Place John Paul Teipen 3rd Place Rocco Lombardo ATTENTION CURRENT VOLUNTEERS If you have already completed a foundation class, please visit the Safe Environment Training at phoenix.setanet.org, click on My Obligations to complete the renewal class Preserving Human Dignity through Virtue Please submit your confirmation notice to your ministry coordinator. ADORATION HOURS Adoration will be cancelled the following days: Jan. 2nd & Jan. 4th. Regular Adoration times will resume for January 9th & 11th, CATHOLIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF PHOENIX: PHYSICIAN ASSISTED SUICIDE - JAN 5, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Please join the growing membership of Catholic medical professionals for an enjoyable morning of worship, fellowship, and formation. The morning begins at 10 a.m. with Adoration and Confessions in the Diocesan Pastoral Center Chapel, followed by 11 a.m. Mass and a light luncheon while listening to world famous speaker Mr. Nik Nikas, Esq. Mr. Nikas will present and examine the topic of Physician Assisted Suicide within the framework necessary for moral decisionmaking. Laws and court decisions will be examined alongside the various supportive roles to patients or loved ones as they go through the natural process of death. Mr. Nikas will help all to examine the responsibility of each person in the light of Church teaching in regards to this topic. Now accepting applications for the school year Apply online: N. 137th Ave. Avondale, AZ ext admissions@jp2catholic.org Now accepting application the school y Apply online: N. 137th Ave. Avondale, AZ ext admissions@jp2catholic.org Now th

9 Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Grade School Our Mission St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Grade School is a partnership of parents, students and parishioners who together nurture the growth of students in faith, knowledge and service. NEW YEARS BLESSING God, thank you for a new year. May everyone in our family be willing to begin anew with a clean slate. We know that you are always ready to forgive us. Help us to be willing to forgive ourselves and to forgive one another. As we begin a new year, remind us of our truest values and our deepest desires. Help us to live in the goodness that comes from doing what you want us to do. Help us to put aside anxiety about the future and the past, so that we might live in peace with you now, one day at a time. May your new year be filled with love and blessings, STA School Families and Staff The CEA campaign is vital to our STA school community and appreciate everyone s participation! 2018 Tax Credit Limits $2,213 married and $1,107 single Visit IT S NOT TOO EARLY TO REDIRECT! CONTACT US School Office Hours Monday - Thursday: 7:30am - 3:30pm Friday: 7:30am - 12:00pm Phone: Fax: meroh@stacc.net Mailing & Physical Address W. Thomas Rd Avondale, AZ Kristi Mack Scrip Chair (623) ext. 273 kmack@stacc.net Adoration for St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Grade School: 9:30-10:45 am on Fridays

10