SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS

Transcription

1 DIOCESE OF PHOENIX SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS Catholic Church & School DECEMBER 2ND, 2018 THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT 7th/8th Holy Day of Obligation! See page 2 for details. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory, but when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand. LUKE 21: 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 Joel Morehouse, Director of Sacred Music 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 Saturday Friday Thursday Wednesday Tuesday Monday Sunday :00 am 9:00 am 10:45 am 5:00 pm 5:00 pm Stephen E. Simas Robert Thornton Intentions of the Parish Intentions of Families of STACC Hannah Grace Madden Angela Ross M/M Eduardo Trujillo Jane Katherine Paulino Adolfo Orozco 5:30 pm Ysrael Reynaga 7:00 pm Intentions of the Parish Intentions of Charles Bernardi Estella Moreno Mesa 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. 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. ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY Please consider volunteering or donating to the St. Vincent de Paul Society that helps those in need, please call Holy Day of Obligation Feast of the Immaculate Conception 7th/8th ember 7th 5:30 pm 7:00 pm ember 8th (Note: the 5:00 pm on the 8th is the Vigil for the 2nd Sunday of Advent, not Immaculate Conception) 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. 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 ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH & SCHOOL A LETTER FROM OUR PASTOR Dear Beloved Parishioner of STA, Happy Advent to you! It s one of my favorite seasons because it reminds me of how grateful I am for all the ways that Christ is present in our community. I experience his presence in your joy and encouragement. I experience him in our common proclamation of the Catholic faith, our worship of God, and in all the ways we serve the poor. I experience his presence in the ways you carry your sufferings out of love for God. I thank God. And I thank you. I am thankful for what happens through our Catholic school, and the blessing that our parish school is to so many. The gift of education in our Catholic elementary school is an amazing service to our parents and families, but unfortunately there are many in our community who lack the resources to completely fund their children s school tuition. Thanks why I am SO THANKFUL for the opportunity in AZ for us to REDIRECT OUR TAX DOLLARS to this amazing goal! Will you help me with this opportunity this year? I ll never tire of saying it: it s NOT A DONATION...it s a using your STATE TAXES to help CATHOLIC STUDENTS. (Sorry to yell...it s a big deal though). In this program, Arizona taxpayers are able to make contributions to a School Tuition Organization that helps to fund students tuition at our grade school. The largest one is Catholic Education Arizona (CEA). Here is my request: I ask you to please re-direct your state tax dollars to St. Thomas Aquinas Grade School this year. There is no cost to you and the benefits are remarkable for our entire community. The limits for 2018 for married filers is $2,213. For single filers it is $1,107. Please take a moment and consider what Catholic education means to you and if you are able to assist our needy families by signing up to support Catholic Education Arizona. My dream is that 100% of our parish participates in this easy and quick opportunity to expand the mission of Catholic school education, especially to those most in need. Imagine what we can do together. Gratefully, Fr. Muir ADVENT PREPARATION (ember 2 - ember 24th) FRIST SUNDAY OF ADVENT For us Catholics, the new Liturgical Year commences with the first Sunday of Advent. In this new liturgical year, the Church not only wishes to indicate the beginning of a period, but the beginning of a renewed commitment to the faith by all those who follow Christ, the Lord. This time of prayer and path of penance that is so powerful, rich and intense, endeavors to give us a renewed impetus to truly welcome the message of the One who was incarnated for us. In fact, the entire Liturgy of the Advent season, will spur us to an awakening in our Christian life and will put us in a vigilant disposition, to wait for Our Lord Jesus who is coming: The 1st Sunday of Advent symbolizes Hope Awaken! Remember that God comes! Not yesterday, not tomorrow, but today, now! The one true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, is not a God who is there in Heaven, unconcerned with us and our history, but he is the-god-who-comes. (Pope Benedict XVI, Celebration of First Vespers of Advent, Vatican Basilica, ember 2006) The Season of Advent is therefore a season of vigilant waiting, that prepares us to welcome the mystery of the Word Incarnate, who will give the Light to the womb of the Virgin Mary, but essentially this time prepares us not only to welcome this great event but to incarnate it in our lives. We could say that the true light enters the world through the immaculate womb of Mary but it does not stay there. On the contrary, this light flows out into our dark, obscure, sinful lives to illuminate them, so that we can become the light that illuminates the world. For this reason, let us live this time of waiting not only to celebrate a historical memory but to repeat this memory in our lives and in the service of others. To wait for the Lord who comes, means to wait and to watch so that the Word of Love enters inside us and focuses us every day of our lives. The Christian life style that must not be distracted and indifferent but must be vigilant and recognize even the smallest sign of the Lord s coming because we don t know the hour in which He will arrive (cf. Mt 24:39-44). (excerpted from the website of Congregation for the Clergy).

5 ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH S FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CELEBRATION We invite you to join us Wednesday, ember 12, 2018 to Celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe - 5:45 pm - Processional begins, all children are invited to wear white and bring roses or flowers to participate in the procession. - Prayer of the Rosary to Our Lady of Guadalupe - Los Matachines dancers will explain first hand what the dance signifies to them and why they dance in honor of Our Blessed Mother - 7:00 pm - mass will begin, Fr. Muir will pray for total consecration to Jesus through Mary - Following the mass Mariachi Rodriguez will lead us in singing the Mañanitas Our celebration will conclude with a procession to St. Clare Hall for a Potluck Celebration! VOTING TODAY! VOTE BEFORE DEC 2nd, 11:59PM Voting is open Saturday, 5:00 pm for the vigil mass and closes 11:59PM. 2nd, before midnight. We want to hear from YOU! After going through 350 names, we were able to narrow it down to a top three! Text your vote to this number: A - The Dumb Ox B - Illuminare C - Jacob s Well (simply text YOUR choice, A,B or C, to the number above to cast your vote!)

6 Saint Luke Productions Presents RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION of ADULTS (RCIA) Starting January 10th Friday, Jan 1pm Friday, Jan 18 at 7pm free-will offering Performed Live by at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church Jim Coleman Admission Adults (18+) $10 Youth (10-17) $5 Tickets & Info Michael Garibaldi ext. 229 mgaribaldi@stacc.net Suitable for ages 10 & Up Performed Live by Jim Coleman Friday, Jan. 18 at 1pm (Free-Will Offering) Friday, Jan. 18 at 7pm 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 dcnken@stacc.net (preferred) or leave a message for him at the parish office. St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church Admission: Adults (18+): $10 Couples: $15 Family of 5 or more: $25 Youth (10-17): $ West Thomas Road, Avondale, AZ Refreshments Following Performance Friday, Jan. 18 at 1pm (Free-Will Offering) Tickets & Info: Michael Garibaldi (623) ext. 229 mgaribaldi@stacc.net Suitable for Ages 10 & Up Friday, Jan. 18 at 7pm Sponsored by St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church & St. John Paul II Catholic High School St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church Admission: Adults (18+): $10 Couples: $15 Family of 5 or more: $25 Youth (10-17): $ West Thomas Road, Avondale, AZ Refreshments Following Performance Tickets & Info: Michael Garibaldi (623) ext. 229 mgaribaldi@stacc.net Suitable for Ages 10 & Up Sponsored by St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church & St. John Paul II Catholic High School Christmas Eve Rosary for Life with Bishop Olmsted Monday, ember 24th 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM Planned Parenthood, 5771 W. Eugie Ave., Glendale Christmas Eve Rosary for Life with Bishop Olmsted As we celebrate the eve of Christ s birth, join Bishop Olmsted in praying the rosary outside the Planned Parenthood facility in Glendale. Please park along nearby streets and walk to the site; do not park in local business or medical parking lots. Bring water and shade.

7 KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS POSTER CONTEST Participate in the Knights of Columbus Annual Keep Christ in Christmas poster contest. Contest entrants compete in one of three age groups: ages 5 7, ages 8 10 and (age eligibility is determined by the age of the contestant as of November 1st). The rules for this year s contest are as follows: Poster must reflect the theme of Keep Christ in Christmas. Each poster should be the original work (including concept, layout, slogan and any visual images) of a single person. Poster must be 11X17 inches in size. If pastels, chalk or charcoal are used the poster must be laminated or covered with clear plastic. Child s full name shall be neatly printed on the back of the poster, listing the child s age and a contact phone number. All entries become property of the Knights of Columbus Council #11675 and posters might not be returned. Each participant will receive a certificate of participation. First, second and third place plaques (donated by 3 Crowns Trophy) will be awarded to each of our council s age group winners. The top three winners of each age group will also receive prize awards in the amounts of $25 for first place, $15 for second and $10 for third. Contest opens on November 16th and closes on ember 14th. Please turn completed poster in at the church or school office. For more information contact terrancedonegan@cox.net 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. 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 EGIVING 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. 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 Please join St. Thomas Aquinas MOMS Ministry friends for a casual playdate in the park. This is a great way to meet other moms from the parish and learn about the ministry..park meeting locations and days of the week will change, but the meeting time will always be 9:30am. We hope to see you there! Thursday, ember 13, at 9:30am Turtle Park 675 N. Villa Nueva Drive Litchfield Park Meet at the benches near the play structure STA MOMS member contact: Eva Foster $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 CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS CHRISTMAS QUILT RAFFLE CD of A is raffling a beautiful hand quilted Christmas quilt. We would appreciate your contribution to this fundraiser which will help us to support our charities. Tickets are $5 for 1 or $10 for 3. Please call Carmen at or Mary Ann at 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 SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT de PAUL As we begin Advent, we are called to wait in joyful anticipation for the grace of Christmas to once again bless our lives. Your many gifts allow the St. Vincent de Paul Society to help the poor to celebrate the GRACE of God s love this Christmas and bless their lives. Thank you for: - Calling our SVdP office to Adopt-A-Family for Christmas. What a very special way for your family to bring joy to another family this year. We will be happy to match your family with one of our special families providing gifts for their entire family. ( ) - Taking your Angel Tag from the tree; purchasing a gift for a child and returning the UNWRAPPED GIFT with tag attached back to the tree by Sunday, ember 16th. - Purchasing a gift card (in $25 and $10 denominations) which allows us to provide a Christmas dinner for each family. If you are able to purchase your gift cards through SCRIP at STA School, there is a double benefit. Help our families and help our school! Cards can be turned in at the STA parish office where SVdP has a secure box. - For your prayers for our families in need that God will bless them with hope and peace, especially during the Christmas season. God s blessings on our generous St. Thomas Aquinas parish as we prepare to make others happy and hopeful this year! 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. Bring your children to the Adoration Chapel and join us for a Holy Hour hosted by our STA MOMS Ministry. We create a space for children of all ages to be the primary adorers of Jesus in the Eucharist. We pray, sing, and use the ARRR method of relational/contemplative prayer to create space for conversation with Jesus. This is not a drop-off event; guardians must accopany their children. Please call Michele Tucker at or Kandi Madden at info@ stamoms.com with any questions. Tesday 13th - 12:00pm-1:00pm Thursday 20th - 4:30pm - 5:30pm SEVENTH ANNUAL SACRED MUSIC CONCERT: MARY, STAR OF THE SEA Sun, ember 2, :00 PM 8:30 PM Veritas Preparatory Academy, Lund Center for Performing Arts 3102 N 56th St #100 Phoenix, AZ Featuring chants, motets, and carols in honor of the Blessed Virgin, Solis Camerata and Catholic Phoenix present sacred concert Mary, Star of the Sea. For generations, composers have birthed glorious works inspired by the most beloved and ancient Marian prayers of the Church, principally the Ave Maris Stella, Magnificat, Ave Maria, and Alma Redemptoris Mater. Alongside such masterpieces, this program will include an array of Advent and Christmas carols both fresh and familiar that illumine Mary s essential role in the Incarnation and invite the faithful to expectantly ponder, with the Virgin- Mother, the timeless mystery of Emmanuel: God with us. Refreshments to follow. FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Strengthen your hearts in holiness. Are you being called to grow in holiness as a priest, religious or deacon? Contact the Vocations Office at phoenixpriest.org, or the Office of Consecrated Life, dphx.org/consecrated-life. CHRISTMAS AT AQUINAS BOOKS & GIFTS Stop in and purchase gifts at our gift shop! Find everything from nativity sets to stocking stuffers and many choices in between.

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. Robotics Club We are excited this year to have three groups led by Mrs. DeBattista and Mrs. Dousten. Good luck to our Robotics Club in their Divisional Tournament on ember 8th Go Wildcats!! STA Technocats Kiley Davis JD Hester Sam Linney Natalie Mapili Sophie Reed Xavi Sykes STA Wild Catgineers Jayden Dousten Nathaniel Garcia Vincent Grabiec Gabriel Jauregui Alus (Aleksander) Piatek Michael Puskarczyk Zachary Schroer Isaac Soldari STA WildBots Maddie Kaiser Quinn Rassas Connor Rassas Joseph Silva Ronit Sebastian Derek Silva Grace Webb Isabella Ventura CONTACT US School Office Hours Monday - Thursday: 7:30 am - 3:30 pm Friday: 7:30 am - 12:00 pm Phone: Fax: meroh@stacc.net Mailing & Physical Address W. Thomas Road Avondale, AZ Kristi Mack Scrip Chair (623) ext. 273 kmack@stacc.net The CEA campaign is vital to our STA school community. We raised $520,000 in 2017 and appreciate everyone s participation! 2018 Tax Credit Limits $2,213 married and $1,107 single Visit IT S NOT TOO EARLY TO REDIRECT! Adoration for St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Grade School 9:30-10:45 am on Fridays SCRIP It s the busiest time of the year for Scrip shop early! Tons of vendors available and also new vendors being added all the time including Rubios $25 and Wayfair $100. Have a business? Think about how you can leverage gift cards to pay for holiday parties, employee gifts, etc. Our school will earn a donation from every card you purchase. It costs you nothing extra! Scrip sales are held before school EVERYDAY and after school on Mondays through Fridays. Scrip is also sold after the Sunday 9:00am Mass. You can get it anytime though by contacting the Scrip Chair.

10