SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS

Transcription

1 DIOCESE OF PHOENIX SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS Catholic Church & School JANUARY 13TH, 2019 THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD And a voice came from heaven, You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased. LUKE 3: 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 - 5:00 pm (closed 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Tuesday closed 11:30-1:00 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 :00 am 9:00 am 10:45 am 5:00 pm Richard Brennan Rosemary Dolores Hayes McNeil Intentions of the Parish Antonio Milallos Christiaan Anten Intentions of Carol Gorgen Intentions of Barbara Klita Roy Anten 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 18 Araceli Oca 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 19 5:00 pm COMPLETE MY JOY In a major new document written for Catholics of the Diocese of Phoenix, Bishop Olmsted urges fathers and mothers to commit themselves and their families to a deeper relationship with Christ. Read and share this exciting new Apostolic Exhortation to families: family.dphx.org Everita M. Deleon Edward Graham 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. 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 THE ANOINTING: SCOTT HAHN REFLECTS ON THE FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD Readings: Isaiah 42:1 4, 6 7 Psalm 29:1 4, 9 10 Luke 3:15 16, The Liturgy last week revealed the mystery of God s plan that in Jesus all peoples, symbolized by the Magi, have been made co-heirs to the blessings promised Israel. This week, we re shown how we claim our inheritance. Jesus doesn t submit to John s baptism as a sinner in need of purification. He humbles Himself to pass through Jordan s waters in order to lead a new exodus opening up the promised land of heaven so that all peoples can hear the words pronounced over Jesus today, words once reserved only for Israel and its king: that each of us is a beloved son or daughter of God (see Genesis 22:2; Exodus 4:22; Psalm 2:7). Jesus is the chosen servant Isaiah prophesies in today s First Reading, anointed with the Spirit to make things right and just on earth. God puts His Spirit upon Jesus to make Him a covenant of the people, the liberator of the captives, the light to the nations. Jesus, today s Second Reading tells us, is the One long expected in Israel, anointed... with the Holy Spirit and power. Baptism of Christ, Gerard David, c The word messiah means one anointed with God s Spirit. King David was the anointed of the God of Jacob (see 2 Samuel 23:1 17; Psalm 18:51; 132:10, 17). The prophets taught Israel to await a royal offshoot of David, upon whom the Spirit would rest (see Isaiah 11:1 2; Daniel 9:25). That s why the crowds are so anxious at the start of today s Gospel. But it isn t John they re looking for. God confirms with His own voice what the angel earlier told Mary: Jesus is the Son of the Most High, come to claim the throne of David forever (see Luke 1:32 33). In the Baptism that He brings, the voice of God will hover over the waters as fiery flame, as we sing in today s Psalm. He has sanctified the waters, made them a passageway to healing and freedom a fountain of new birth and everlasting life. source: THE NEXT INTERNATIONAL WORLD YOUTH DAY: PANAMA JANUARY 22-27, 2019 WYD Panama 2019 will be a chance for pilgrims around the world to come together with the many young people from the peripheries in Latin America to pray, worship, and celebrate the Catholic faith. As we prepare for Panama 2019, keep in mind the Blessed Virgin Mary who is at the heart of the themes for the upcoming WYD: 34th World Youth Day, 2019: I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:38) Keep World Youth Day 2019 in your prayers!

5 THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Baptism of Our Lord. This brings to an end the season of Christmas. The Church recalls Our Lord s second manifestation or epiphany which occurred on the occasion of His baptism in the Jordan. Jesus descended into the River to sanctify its waters and to give them the power to beget sons of God. The event takes on the importance of a second creation in which the entire Trinity intervenes. In the Eastern Church this feast is called Theophany because at the baptism of Christ in the River Jordan God appeared in three persons. The baptism of John was a sort of sacramental preparatory for the Baptism of Christ. It moved men to sentiments of repentance and induced them to confess their sins. Christ did not need the baptism of John. Although He appeared in the substance of our flesh and was recognized outwardly like unto ourselves, He was absolutely sinless and impeccable. He conferred upon the water the power of the true Baptism which would remove all the sins of the world: Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him Who takes away the sin of the world. Many of the incidents which accompanied Christ s baptism are symbolical of what happened at our Baptism. At Christ s baptism the Holy Spirit descended upon Him; at our Baptism the Trinity took its abode in our soul. At His baptism Christ was proclaimed the Beloved Son of the Father; at our Baptism we become the adopted sons of God. At Christ s baptism the heavens were opened; at our Baptism heaven was opened to us. At His baptism Jesus prayed; after our Baptism we must pray to avoid actual sin. Excerpted from Msgr. Rudolph G. Bandas The mystery of Christ s baptism in the Jordan by St John, the Precursor, proposes the contemplation of an already adult Jesus. This mystery is infinitely linked to the Solemnities of the Lord s birth and the Epiphany that we have just celebrated, as in some ways it takes up and represents their significance to us. At Christmas we have contemplated the human birth of the Word incarnate by the Virgin Mary. In the 4th century, the Fathers of the Church deepened the understanding of the faith with regard to the Christmas mystery in the light of Jesus Humanity. They spoke of the Incarnation of the Word already working like the Christification of that humanity that he had assumed from His mother. Or put in simpler terms: Jesus is the Christ from the first instant of conception in Mary s spotless womb because He Himself, with His Divine Power, consecrated, anointed and Christified that human nature with which He became incarnate. In the mystery of the Epiphany, we then meditated on Christ s manifestation to all nations that was represented by the Magi, the wise men from the East, who came to adore the Child. Now, in the mystery of Christ s Baptism in the Jordan River, we again encounter and represent the truth of the Lord s incarnation and His manifestation as the Christ. Jesus Baptism is in fact His definitive manifestation as the Messiah or Christ to Israel, and as the Son of the Father to the entire world. Here we find the dimension of the Epiphany which was His manifestation to all nations. The Father s voice from heaven shows that Jesus of Nazareth is the eternal Son and the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove shows the Trinitarian nature of the Christian God. The true and unique God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, shows Himself in Christ, through Him, with Him and in Him. The Baptism in the Jordan returns to the great Christmas theme of Christification, Jesus of Nazareth s spiritual anointing, His presentation as the Anointed One par excellence, the Messiah or the One sent by the Father for the salvation of mankind. The Spirit that descended on Jesus shows and seals in an incontrovertible way the Christification of Jesus humanity that the Word had already fulfilled from the first moment of His miraculous conception by Mary. Jesus, from the very beginning, was always the Lord s Christ, He was always God. Yet, His one, true humanity, that which is perfect in every way, as the Gospel records, constantly grew in natural and supernatural perfection. And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and with men (Lk2:52). In Israel at 30 years of age, one reached full maturity and therefore could become a master. Jesus came of age and the Spirit, descending and remaining on Him, definitively consecrated His whole being as the Christ. The same Spirit, that descended on the water of the River Jordan wafted over the waters during the first creation (Gen 1:2). Therefore, the Baptism in the Jordan presents yet another truth: that Jesus has started a new creation. He is the second man (1 Cor 15:47) or the last Adam (1 Cor 15:45), that comes to repair the first Adam s guilt. He does this as the Lamb of God that takes away our sins. Looking at the events in light of the Cross and Resurrection, the Christian people realised what happened: Jesus loaded the burden of all mankind s guilt upon His shoulders; he bore it down into the depths of the Jordan. He inaugurated his public activity by stepping into the place of sinners (Joseph Ratzinger, Jesus of Nazareth, Bloomsbury 2007, p 18). - Excerpted from the Congregation for the Clergy

6 Saint Luke Productions Presents Saint Luke Productions Presents Performed Live by Jim Coleman Performed Live by Jim Coleman Friday,. 18 at 1pm (Free-Will Offering) (JPII Students Only) Friday,. 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+) 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,. 18 at 1pm Friday,. 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 WHO: Boys & Girls Ages 9-14 WHAT: Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship Holy Family Council #11675 WHEN: Sunday, uary 27th TIME: 10 am 12:30 pm WHERE: Saint Thomas Aquinas School - Basketball Court CONTACT: Matt Farmer VALENTINE DINNER AND DANCE Saturday, February 9th (Knight s of Columbus Annual Steak Dinner/Dance) Appetizers and bar opens at 5:30 pm, dinner starts at 6:30 pm, and dancing goes to 10 pm. Ticket price is $25.00 for a cooked to order steak dinner with all the trimmings. This is a quick sellout and tickets are available now. For tickets please contact: terrancedonegan@cox.net. CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAS Court # 2708, St. Mary Magdalene, will hold their monthly meeting on Saturday. uary 19th at 1:30 in the Teen Room. All members are encouraged to attend. All Catholic women are invited as well. If you are not yet a member we would like to welcome you! Call or for more information. 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. RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION of ADULTS (RCIA) Starting uary 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 uary 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 uary 9th. For questions please contact Deacon Ken at dcnken@stacc.net (preferred) or leave a message for him at the parish office. EGIVING DURING 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 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 uary 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 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 BIBLE STUDIES Revelation, The Kingdom Yet to Come - Unpack the Mysteries of Revelation. Tuesdays ( 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.

8 CLEANING ANGELS MINISTRY - Help Wanted! Our beautiful church needs YOUR help to stay clean! We rely on volunteers known as the Cleaning Angels. This special ministry is in need of men and women willing to volunteer - with the option of coming whenever and however you re able, one-two days a week, Wednesdays and Thursdays after the morning mass from 8:30-10:30am. Please consider helping us keep our Church beautiful - if interested, contact Selena Rivas in the parish office. SOCIETY OF SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL UNBELIEVEABLE!! FANTASTIC!! EXTRAORDINARY!! How can we begin to thank you for your outstanding generosity to the mission of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish?? We thank you for your participation in the Angel Tree & Adopt a Family initiatives. We also extend our thanks for our Fifth Sunday Collection on December 29th- 30th was $12,663.89!!! This will help more families than you can imagine as we continue our service to the poor among us in THANK YOU is not enough but please accept our humble and grateful thanks for your generosity!! God bless all our giving parish family! COUPLES MARRIED DECEMBER 2018 Congratulations to the following couples on entering into the sacrament of marriage: Mary Bonasera & Anthony Werner Mary Schmidt & Richard Hofacker Jennifer Lopez & Jordan Wagner BAPTISMS DECEMBER 2018 DECEMBER 1st Isaac Escobedo Sophia Escobedo Julian Escobedo Penelope Escobedo Valentina Olvera-Garcia Allison Raya DECEMBER 16th Mariane Lorne Briones Eli Fernandez Kalilah Hernandez Kamilah Hernandez Cambrie McCarthy DECEMBER 30th Paul Maitra Mason Marquez Nathan Velasquez

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