ST. THERESA PARISH PHOENIX, AZ SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 2017

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1 My Brothers and Sisters, A few years ago, I came across an insightful meditation about a wonderful sacrament of our Church written by Abbot Jerome Kodell, O.S.B., a Benedictine monk of Subiaco Abbey in Arkansas. Fr. Jerome s words give us some good food for thought as we begin this Second Week of Lent: Compared with reconciliation, forgiveness is a piece of cake. Forgiveness by God is, of course, a great and undeserved blessing. The biblical passages we hear during Lent are full of forgiveness. But forgiveness is different from reconciliation. Forgiveness requires only one, a forgiver. But reconciliation takes at least two, a forgiver and a recipient. God will always forgive us, but we will not always accept the forgiveness. The story of the Prodigal Son does not reveal whether the two sons were reconciled with their father, even though he forgave them both. They may have had festering wounds for years, the younger one because of an inability to forgive himself and the older because of resentment. In the renewal of the sacraments mandated by the Second Vatican Council, the Sacrament of Penance received a new name: Sacrament of Reconciliation. This was not done suddenly but was carefully studied for several years before Pope Paul VI approved the new name in Reconciliation describes more adequately the purpose of the sacrament, which is to reconcile the sinner to God and to the Church, and to set the stage for reconciliation within the person, healing the wounds of sin. This is very different from simple forgiveness. Most of the time, a person entering the confessional has already been forgiven, because God forgives us the moment we turn to Him. There is an initial reconciliation with God at the same moment, but it may be very fragile. There may still be no reconciliation with the Church, the community of faith, and no healing of the fissure that has been opened in the heart by sin. It is like going to the doctor with a tourniquet to stop profuse bleeding so that attention to the cause of bleeding can be addressed and healing from the inside may begin. Sin can be forgiven from the outside, but it has originated from the inside and must be healed from the inside. We may confess a lie, for instance, and it is forgiven. But the lie did not spring up without roots. There was a cause, and the cause was a diseased organ, the heart. It doesn t help much to attend to the mouth that told the lie if there is no attention to the heart that spawned it. During Lent we desire to open ourselves to the reconciliation that reunites us to God and to God s people and brings healing to the heart. Then, the wonderful gift of divine forgiveness will be able to achieve its total purpose in freeing us from our sins. I encourage you to take advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation throughout the year, but especially during this holy and joyful season of Lent. We offer this healing sacrament in church on Wednesday evenings from 5:00 until 6:00PM and on Saturday mornings (excluding Holy Saturday) from 9:00 until 10:00AM as well as by appointment with a priest. Lenten grace and peace! Rev. Charles G. Kieffer Pastor

2 SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT PARISH NEWS A Lenten Invitation From Your Evangelization Team! During Lent there will be the opportunity to learn more and understand the Source and Summit of our faith the MASS. Each Wednesday during our STCS Liturgy at 8:30AM, a different segment of the Eucharistic Liturgy will be highlighted. All are invited! Vacation Bible School SAVE the DATE: Harry Potter and the Prince of Peace, June 19th-23rd, 9AM-Noon, for children 4 through 4th grade. Currently looking for volunteers to begin prepping materials, painting and building sets. Please call Gina Keating in the Parish Adult Volunteers/Older Teens Needed during Vacation Bible School s: Harry Potter and the Prince of Peace. We need dedicated station leaders to help June 19th-23rd, 9AM to Noon. In addition, we need help prepping materials and decorating. Please or call Gina at GKeating@sttheresaphx.org, St. Theresa Parish Lenten Journey 2017 Bishop Robert Barron's Beautiful New Video Series: The Pivotal Players of the Catholic Church Videos Introduced by: Fr. JC Ortiz Plan to join Fr. JC for a morning or evening session that will illuminate a handful of Saints, artists, mystics, and scholars who not only shaped the life of Roman Catholicism but changed the course of civilization. Monday s in the Church from 9:00-10:30AM or 6:30-8:00PM: March 13, 20, 27 ~ April 10 You won't want to miss this incredible Lenten Journey! St. Patrick's Day Dispensation In view of the fact that St. Patrick's Day this year falls on a Friday of Lent, I hereby grant a dispensation from the Church's law of abstinence for all in the Diocese of Phoenix. I also request that all who avail themselves of this dispensation perform some other work of penance, for example: a prayerful visit to Christ in the Blessed Sacrament fasting from watching a television show visiting someone who is sick or in prison We do penance in imitation of Jesus' fast of 40 days in the desert, eager to draw nearer to Him in love. +Thomas J. Olmsted Bishop of Phoenix February 15, 2017 Easter Flower Memorials Our Annual Easter Flower Memorial is a wonderful way to celebrate the memory of your loved one(s). Donations for Easter flowers allow us to beautify the church for the Easter season and throughout the year. To make your gift, use your Easter Flower offering envelope included with your weekly envelopes or place a separate envelope with your donation marked "Easter Flowers" and legibly print the name of your loved one(s). Easter Flower Memorials need to be turned in by Friday, March 31st to be included in the Easter insert. ParishPay, our St. Theresa Parish online giving provider, has been acquired by LPi/WeShare. Your account continues to remain secure and no changes to your account have been made. If you need help with your account please call (800) and press option 1 for WeShare/ParishPay technical support and a customer service representative will be happy to assist you. You can also call Anne Field in our Parish Office at any time for questions and any assistance with your online giving.

3 St. Theresa Parish Community Mark your Calendars We re Having a Cookout! BBQ SoCial Saturday May 20 th, 2017 after the 4pm Mass. In Guadalupe Courtyard ATTENTION!!! Newspaper Recycling Drop-Off The students of St. Theresa Catholic School appreciate parishioner support for their paper recycling program, but they request that parishioners NOT drop off papers during school hours, since opening the security gates during the school day and vehicle traffic around the Msgr. McMahon Center Gym causes some safety concerns for our students. Please drop off papers for recycling when you come to weekend Mass, or on weekdays between 3:00 and 5:00PM when the security gates are open and the recycling bins are accessible. Thank You! Find The HERO In You! Parish Blood Drive TODAY, March 12th from 8:30AM-1PM in the bloodmobile located in the North parking lot on Thomas Road. St. Theresa Parents: Do you have a child in Cub/Boy Scouts, Brownie/ Girl Scouts or American Heritage Girls? Did you know that there are Catholic Religious Emblems that your child can receive? If you would like more information please contact Rita Rlaguna@sttheresaphx.org or Pray For Those... Who Have Died: Manuel Macias, Beth Viquesney & Marge Weigle Who Are Sick: Dorothy Anderson & Walt Tamasankas PASTORAL CARE Pastoral Care will be leading the Stations of the Cross on Friday, 31st March. If you are interested in participating please contact Maureen or by at mschaaf@sttheresaphx.org. BUNCO Tuesday March 21st from 1:45-4PM in Fr. Feeney Hall. Bunco Players: Must know how to toss dice. Must know how to add to 21. Must be able to recognize three of a kind. Must be willing to have a great time. Knowing how to have a good laugh is required. For more information please contact Alzheimer s Support Group: Tuesday, March 28th at 4PM in the Parish Office Conference Room. If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer s or dementia and need support, stop in and see if this is the group for you. The New Evangelization is a Task of Apostolic (or Pastoral) Action. Authentic apostolic action is nothing other than acts of true love done for the love of God and for our brothers and sisters. The Pastoral Care Ministry is always looking for Assistance. We are currently in need of nurses who can take Blood Pressure. If you feel called to serve, please contact Maureen Schaaf in the Parish or by at mschaaf@sttheresaphx.org. Are You Hospitalized or Homebound? If you or a loved one is in need of communion, anointing of the sick or confession please contact the Pastoral Care Office (Maureen or by at mschaaf@sttheresaphx.org).

4 SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT Help us meet our 2017 Charity and Development Appeal parish goal! Thank you for supporting the works of mercy in our Diocesan Community! SCHOOL NEWS The April Senior Luncheon will be on Wednesday, April 5th. Come celebrate Spring with a great group of people. Please RSVP to Margi Please be sure to leave a message if Margie is not at home. No reservations will be accepted after Friday, March 31st. Duet promotes health and well-being through a broad range of services to older adults who need one-on-one support. Volunteers are always needed to provide visits, grocery shopping, and/or transportation to isolated elders. Please call for more information on volunteering. "When the Sisters are exhausted, up to their eyes in work; when all seems to go awry, they spend an hour in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. This practice has never failed to bear fruit: they experience peace and strength," ~St. Teresa of Calcutta Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place in the Convent Chapel every Thursday from 9AM 8:30PM. Come and spend an hour with Jesus. ~ Readings ~ Week of March 12, 2017 Sunday Gn 12:1-4a; Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22; 2 Tm 1:8b- 10; Mt 17:1-9 Monday Dn 9:4b-10; Ps 79:8, 9, 11 and 13; Lk 6:36-38 Tuesday Is 1:10, 16-20; Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21and 23; Mt 23:1-12 Wednesday Jer 18:18-20; Ps 31:5-6, 14, 15-16; Mt 20:17-28 Thursday Jer 17:5-10; Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6; Lk 16:19-31 Friday Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a; Ps 105;16-17, 18-19, 20-21;Mt 21:33-43, Saturday Mi 7:14-15, 18-20; Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12; Lk 15:1-3, Sunday Ex 17:3-7; Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9; Rom 5:1-2, 5-8; Jn 4:5-42 or 4:5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42

5 Mass Intentions (MARCH 13TH-MARCH 19TH) MONDAY, MARCH 13TH 6:30AM JESSE VERGA- FR. JC TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH 6:30AM MARGARET WEIGLE- FR. JC WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15TH 6:30AM NICK ADAMSON, SPECIAL INTENTION- FR. JC 8:30AM BETH VIQUESNEY- FR. JOACHIM THURSDAY, MARCH 16TH 6:30AM BARBARA ISBEL- FR. JC FRIDAY, MARCH 17TH 6:30AM RITA MCBRIDE- FR. JOACHIM SATURDAY, MARCH 18TH 8:00AM BARBARA GORMAN- FR.JC 4:00PM FOR THE PARISHIONERS - FR. JC SUNDAY, MARCH 19TH 7:30AM MARY EMILY CHRISTENSEN- FR. CHUCK 9:00AM WM WISE- FR. JC 11:00AM MARGARET STUBBS- FR. JOACHIM 5:00PM NORMA JEAN LOPICCOLO- FR. CHUCK The Priest scheduled to celebrate the Mass IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Fish & Faith St. Theresa Parish Lenten Fish Fry Every Friday during Lent 5:00-7:00PM in Fr. Feeney Hall March 17th, 24th, 31st & April 7th Stations of the Cross 7PM in the Church All proceeds will go to benefit the Verde Villas on Thomas housing community Welcome Home Fund for new residents. Arts & Crafts Corner for the kids! Look for a complete menu online at in the church at all exits or in the Parish Office. Credit cards are accepted. Sunday 8:30AM Blood Drive (Bloodmobile North Parking Lot) 10:00AM RCIA (Convent Upper Rm) 10:15AM RCIC (Club Rm) 10:30AM 3rd Grade Sacrament Mtg. (Fr. Feeney Hall) RE Classes (School Classrooms) 12:30PM 4th-12th Grade Sacramental Prep (Life Rm) 6:00PM Life Night (Life Teen Rm) Monday 9:00AM Lenten Journey w/ Fr. JC (Church) 6:30PM Edge (Msgr. McMahon Gym) 6:30PM Lenten Journey w/ Fr. JC (Church) Tuesday 1:00PM Pastoral Care Book Club (Parish Conference Rm) 3:30PM Youth Choir Rehearsal (Church) 5:30PM Core Team Mtg. (Life Teen Rm) 6:30PM Boy Scout Mtg. (PJP Rm) SVDP Mtg. (Convent Conference Rm) 7:30PM Adult Basketball (Msgr. McMahon Gym) Wednesday 9:30AM Centering Prayer (Convent Chapel) 1:00PM Fr. Michael Gaitley Study Program (Convent Upper Rm) 5:00PM Reconciliation (Church) 6:00PM Choir Rehearsal (Church) Pastoral Council Mtg. (Club Rm) 6:30PM Fr. Michael Gaitley Study Program (Convent Upper Rm) Rosary (Convent Chapel) Thursday 9:00AM Adoration (Convent Chapel) 7:00PM Infant Baptism Formation (Parish Conference Rm) Kevin Saunders Bible Study (Fr. Feeney Hall) Friday 5:00PM Fish Fry (Fr. Feeney Hall) 7:00PM Stations of the Cross (Church) Saturday 8:00PM Al Anon (Classroom 16) Alcoholics Anonymous (Classroom 17)