CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY

Transcription

1 CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY MASSES Monday-Friday Saturday Saturday Vigil Sunday 6:30 & 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 5:30 PM 8:00, 9:30, & 11:00 AM 12:30* & 6:00 PM (*Spanish) April 1, 2018 Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Monday-Friday Thursdays ROSARY Daily 7:00-8:00 AM & 8:30-9:30 AM 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM 7:40 AM SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Saturdays at 4:30 PM Monsignor Jude O Doherty, Pastor Father Alex Rivera, Associate Pastor Father Thomas Seweryn Ph.D., in Residence Deacon Don Livingstone Deacon Norman Ruíz-Castañeda Deacon Thomas V. Eagan Deacon Marcos Pérez Deacon Eduardo Smith SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Call the Parish Office two months in advance. SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY Call the Parish Office one year in advance. CHURCH ADDRESS 8235 S.W. 57 Avenue Miami, Florida RECTORY/MAILING ADDRESS 8081 S.W. 54 Court Miami, Florida Telephone: Fax: info@epiphanycatholicchurch.com epiphanycatholicchurch.com MINISTRY OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION & PASTORAL SERVICES Mrs. Isabel Prellezo, Director Telephone: MINISTRY OF MUSIC Mr. Thomas Schuster, Organist Mr. Georgi Danchev, Choirmaster Mr. Eddie Valdéz, Cantor Telephone: SCHOOL Sister Margaret Fagan, IHM, Principal Ms. Ana Oliva, Vice Principal 5557 S.W. 84 Street Miami, Florida Telephone: Fax: epiphanycatholicschool.com CONVENT Sister Carmen Teresa, IHM, Superior Telephone:

2 PASTOR S PEN On the third day after His death, Christ Jesus rose gloriously from the dead. This is our faith, and we are proud to profess it. Now the witnesses... First, Mary, not the Mother of Christ, but Mary Magdalene, the special friend of our Lord who was so loyal to Him all the way to Calvary. She was the first human to see the Risen Christ and to announce that He had come back to life. From the Scriptures, she seems to have no hesitancy in announcing this to the Apostles and other disciples of Christ. There s a certain excitement in her soul that inspires credibility in her witnessing. No wonder, for after Peter and John had left, she stayed around the tomb, in tears and confusion, until Jesus, risen and glorious, appeared to her. But she had to go through a little test because when she told the others, they did not at first believe her. Not for long, however. Jesus began appearing to them, and very soon the woman, Mary of Magdala, was vindicated. She was the first witness. Peter s witnessing to the resurrection of Christ is fascinating. In announcing it to the general public, he received a severe rebuke from the civil authorities--so much so that he was arrested for it. Yes, the first arrest of a follower of Christ resulted from proclaiming His resurrection. Peter went to the slammer for this. Yet, it did not stop him from a perennial publishing of this Good News. In all of his writings, he brings up the resurrection of Jesus and binds us to it, so that there is no doubt in our minds that our goal in this life is a lively preparation for our own resurrection in the coming life. also. Just as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will come to life again! Reason can put up a pretty good argument that a divine and loving Creator ought to provide a new life for us beyond this life. That s what drove the ancient Egyptians and other civilized peoples to bind up their dead with wrappings to preserve bodies. A person might want to use that body again in a new life. But Jesus in His resurrection broke loose from the wrappings: money and power, beauty and mascara, flesh and pleasure, houses and palaces, cars and boats, jobs and hobbies, designer shirts and jeans, to mention a few. All of these things add spice to our lives, no doubt. And it is true that all are innocent in their own way, but, still, they re only the wrappings of life, earthly life, and like the wrappings that Jesus shed as He rose from the dead, our wrappings, too, will have to bid us farewell when our dear God calls us to our own resurrection. He has something far, far greater in mind. Meanwhile, we might ask ourselves from time to time these questions, haunting and irrepressible: Do our lives only witness to the wrappings and trappings of earthly life? Or do our lives really give witness to life forever in Christ Jesus our Risen Lord? And now, to Paul, the first real theologian of the Resurrection. In his thorough instruction to the Corinthians, he is emphatic: If our hopes in Christ are limited to His life only, we are the most pitiable of men. If Christ was not raised, your faith is worthless, and you are still in your sins, and those who have fallen asleep in Christ are the deadest of the dead. But as it is, Christ is raised from the dead... Death came through a man; hence, the resurrection comes through a man

3 EASTER To read John's account of the resurrection of our Lord is to come away with the inescapable impression that it was written by an eyewitness. There is no labored attempt at proof, just one man's version of what happened. And the details are so graphic that it could only be told by someone who was there. John, speaking of himself in the third person, says, "He saw and believed." This would seem to suggest that his was the first resurrection faith. Some people find it easier to believe than others. John was one of those people. He had not yet seen the Risen Lord nor talked with anyone who had. He did not even understand the Scriptures that prophesied His rising. All he had was an empty tomb and some abandoned grave clothes; yet, "He saw and believed." Wrapped up in that little four-word sentence is a world of meaning. It speaks of more than a conviction concerning the resurrection. John, obviously, is saying that standing there in that empty tomb, he arrived at the conclusion that Jesus had risen from the dead, but that is not the total story. For John to believe in Jesus was nothing new. At one point in his life, he had believed in Him so strongly that he forsook everything in order to follow Him. Then across the weeks and months, he had come to believe in Him more and more. The way that He lived seemed right. The things that He taught made sense. The man that He was seemed the most real thing in all the world. John's total conviction about God, about life, and about himself had come to revolve around Jesus. In Him was the rhyme, the reason, the reality of everything. Then that day on Calvary, his faith had been dealt a mortal blow. Jesus was more than just a friend. He was truth in the midst of confusion. He was light in the vast sea of darkness. He was the eternal life of God surrounded by human mortality. When He died, everything John believed in was shaken to the core. Jesus was validated and renewed. All of the things that he had hoped for and believed in came rushing back. Life turned right side up again. He had not been misled after all. We need this Easter Sunday morning, not simply to believe in the objective truth of the resurrection, but to have our faith in Jesus and the things for which He stands renewed. This world has a way of playing havoc with the principles in which we try to believe. As one of our Christmas carols puts it, "Hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, goodwill toward men." How can one keep on believing in Christ in the kind of rat race that modern life represents? Everything that He stands for gets shoved aside, trampled on, crucified almost every day that we live. Let's face it, most of the time we are afraid to really trust Him, lest we make fools of ourselves in the process. He talked about loving our enemies, turning the other cheek, going the second mile. Where is the place for that kind of thing in this kind of world? The only thing that really applies here is the survival of the fittest. Try turning the other cheek in a business deal and see how far it gets you. This is a dog-eat-dog kind of world; and those who do not face that fact either get run over or left behind. Isn't that how we really think most of the time? This world did to Christ the very worst that it could, rejected His truth and nailed Him to a cross. But on the third day, He overcame it all, even death. John saw and believed. That's what we need this Easter Sunday, a renewal of our faith in God and our fellow man. Then, standing there in that empty tomb, "He saw and believed." John is telling us that his faith in

4 MASS INTENTIONS Date Time Mass Intentions Requested by Saturday Mar. 31 Sunday Apr. 1 7:30 PM EASTER VIGIL 8:00 AM PEOPLE OF EPIPHANY 9:30 AM PEOPLE OF EPIPHANY 11:00 AM PEOPLE OF EPIPHANY 12:30 PM PEOPLE OF EPIPHANY 6:00 PM PEOPLE OF EPIPHANY Monday Apr. 2 6:30 AM 8:00 AM Samuel Tolon Hugo E. Rams Ken Williams Fernando Miranda Tolon & Gallinal Families Williams Wife Tuesday Apr. 3 6:30 AM 8:00 AM Special Intentions Humberto Gonzalez, Jr. Alex Carrion Luis Daniel Gomez Pistorino Tejera-Avila Wednesday Apr. 4 6:30 AM 8:00 AM The United States of America Holy Souls in Purgatory Alicia Aixala Danny Martinez Yolanda Lopez Pistorino Ely Fleites Maria Leonor Ruiz Ray Lopez Thursday Apr. 5 6:30 AM 8:00 AM Alicia Aixala Alicia Aixala Alicia Aixala Johnathon Perez Rosi Maza-Saez Pistorino Friday Apr. 6 6:30 AM Ben Villalba & Special Intention 8:00 AM Deceased Epiphany Parishioners Manuel Jorge & Eduardo Cutillas Pistorino Friend Wilson Saturday Apr. 7 8:00 AM David Rowe Eulalia Rico Pistorino Moas Saturday Apr. 7 (Sunday Vigil) 5:30 PM Sister Marita Thomas, IHM Maria Amalia Perez Teresa Azrack Sunday Apr. 8 8:00 AM Betty Delacluyse Ricardo Karakadze 9:30 AM Carlos A. Urueta Maria Elena Jaldin 11:00 AM PEOPLE OF EPIPHANY 12:30 PM Sante De Leo Natalia Andrade Isacio Albir 6:00 PM Octavio Adolfo Hernandez Lourdes Corao Irene Metzger Karakadze Richard & Annamaria Sacher Marta Rosales Hernandez, Tolon & Gallinal Families Hernandez-Zambrano

5 MASS SCHEDULES Extraordinary Ministers Apr. 7/8 Lectors Altar Servers Of Holy Communion L Rosabal C Kathy Moorman C Tsaoussis 1 Kathy Moorman C Isom 2 John Moorman Sat 5:30 PM Alina Plasencia E Aguirre 3 Rolando Montoya Msgr. O'Doherty Debra Menegay J Alvarez 4 Maria Iglesias A Arguello 5 Gloria Garity E Castro 6 Carl Lowell A Cruz-Bustillo 7 Beatriz Lowell C Chuck Broyard 1 Amanda Rodriguez Sun 8:00 AM Lourdes Boue V Sordo 2 Chuck Broyard Fr. Rivera Henry Pujol T Valcarcel 3 Tom Beier 4 Juan Farach 5 Martha Osorio C Maria Juncadella 1 Maria Juncadella T Pozo 2 Nydia Gonzalez Sun 9:30 AM Mike Herold D Suarez 3 Charbel Heshema Msgr. O'Doherty Pat Parker V Wolff 4 Monica Perez V Acosta 5 Alfie Perez 6 Suzanne Renfrow 7 Michael Renfrow C Haydee Martinez I Penin 1 Haydee Martinez N Pentenero 2 Gerry Wood Sun 11:00 AM Peter Avenarius J Pracitto 3 Gloria Barbier Msgr. O'Doherty Gloria De La Osa V Quimper 4 Janet Armstrong W Recuset 5 Cesar Armstrong N Roza 6 Pam Bunge A Santana 7 Alfred Bunge A Socarras 8 Roland Martinez C Frank Varona 1 Carmen Ruiz-Castaneda 2 Frank Varona Sun 12:30 PM Adriana Giuffredi C Delgado 3 Claudia Viso Fr. Rivera Gisela Cacciamani I Gurdian 4 Raul Rosell 5 Titi Pujals-Rosell 6 Gloria Acevedo 7 Plinio Gonzalez D Aguilar C Georgina Angones V Alonso 1 Georgina Angones O Alvarez 2 Frank Angones Sun 6:00 PM Bob Dickinson A Baboun 3 Eileen Velikopoljski Fr. Rivera Margaret Gidel P Blanco 4 Diana Yidi O Borroto 5 William Yidi L Diaz-Silveira 6 Mercedes Cardenal J Diez 7 Juan Cardenal

6 ANNOUNCEMENTS HOLD ON TO YOUR FAITH / HAPPY EASTER Jesus was born in a stable; He was the child of a peasant woman; He worked in a carpentry shop until he was thirty years old. Then, He left to preach: He did not go to college; He had no credentials but Himself. He was only thirty-three when public opinion turned against Him. His friends ran way; He was turned over to His enemies and went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves and while He was dying His executioners gambled for His clothing. He was laid in a borrowed grave. Yet, twenty centuries have come and gone, and today, Jesus still is the central figure in the human race. All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned have not affected the life of humankind on the earth as much as the life of Jesus Christ. Christ s death, however, was a devastating blow to the Apostles. They truly were lost, and after the tragedy of the Cross, their faith weakened. When the women who first visited the tomb brought the news of His rising, the Apostles did not believe. The Risen Christ had to appear to them, and even then, they thought they were seeing a ghost. Many of us are just like the Apostles. There probably have been times in our lives when doubt crept up about our faith and belief in God. It was only our strong faith that helped us and the words spoken to Thomas by Jesus Blessed are those who do not see me and touch me, and yet believe. Today is Easter Sunday. The Church celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus with great happiness and jubilation. Christ s Resurrection is the divine seal of approval on Himself and His message. Through His Resurrection, He delivered us from the fear of death and brought hope and joy to our lives. The Resurrection of Jesus, therefore, not only confirms the Church s faith, but also the central mystery that God calls us to eternal life, if we are faithful. So, when you gather with your family to celebrate Easter, thank God for your faith, and remember one day you will see the Risen Lord as long as you hold on to your faith. Happy Easter! We celebrate DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY Next Sunday, April 8 Our Lord made a great promise to all those souls who would go to Confession and then receive Him in Holy Communion on the Feast of His Mercy, that they shall obtain the complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. We encourage everyone to take advantage of this incredible promise on the great Feast of Mercy, Divine Mercy Sunday. On Divine Mercy Sunday, April 8, the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for Adoration from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM in the Church. During that this time, we will pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3:00 PM and Benediction will conclude the period of Adoration at 4:00 PM. WELCOME TO EPIPHANY CHURCH Whether you are visiting or new in the area, we extend to you the hospitality of Christ. If you would like more information about our parish, or wish to join our Faith Community, please call or stop by the Rectory. We also invite you to visit our website and become familiar with the many activities of our parish community. May the Glory of this Easter morning shatter the darkness of the Culture of Death and transform the world with God's victorious light.

7 ANNOUNCEMENTS Congratulations to the families whose children were baptized during the month of March: Andrea Carolina Aguiar Child of Jose & Carolina Aguiar Audrey Rose Blanco Child of Alexander & Aymee Blanco Isabela Aliz Yanez Child of Juan & Carolina Yanez Derek Anthony Llorente Child of Daniel & Jennifer Llorente Congratulations to those who were married during the month of March: Jorge Salazar & Michele De Maria Carlos Alvarez & Natalia Giraldo Carlos Gonzalez & Lydia Masud We invite all women, who have done the Emmaus retreat, to join us at our Weekly Emmaus Gathering. Next gathering will be on April 13, 20 & 27 from 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM at the Parish Center. Contemplative Cenacle of the Divine Mercy Monday, April 9 at 7:30 PM Our next game will be on Saturday, April 7 at 9:30 AM. For more information, please contact Carl Lowell at (cell), (home), or by at carlvlowell@aol.com. COME JOIN US FOR THE 3RD ANNUAL EPIPHANY FISHING TOURNAMENT Saturday, May 5th, 2018 Shake-a-Leg 2620 Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, FL $400 per boat entry (4 anglers) before April 1, 2018 $450 per boat entry (4 anglers) after April 1, 2018 Includes entry to the Main Event on-site Captain's Meeting to take place May 2nd, 2018 in Epiphany Parish Center Fish all day & then join us for the Main Event & Awards Ceremony includes: music, games, rides, food and drinks for all 2:00-7:00PM, $20 Adults & $15 Children Please go to for boat entry, ticket purchases and further information or contact: epiphanyfishing@gmaii.com Parish Pilgrim Virgin Ministry During the week April 1 the Parish Pilgrim Virgin will be in the home of: Roberto and Kathy De Leo Patty Suarez For more information, please call Luis & Patricia Siman at PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE ILL: Rosa Maria Alvarez; German Alvarez; Michael Bier; Jeannette Conner; Pat Clarke; Ana Alicia Fernandez; Robert Germroth; Stephen Hohauser; Cesar Izique; Paige Klekner; Margarita J. Lopez; Daniel Manichello; Lucia Salas; Edmund Onorati; Esther Suarez; Paulina Tawil; Francesco Torres; Virginia Walden; Teodula Wong. PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED: Isacio Albir; Corina Basulto; Raquel Garcia; Harry Goebel; Ignacy Grocholski; Jose Herrera; Elvira Moreira; Mayra Pina; Maria Dominga Ruiz; Byron Truax, Jr.; Payton Young.

8 Each time we love again after having our love rejected, we share in the power of the resurrection. Each time we trust again after having our trust betrayed, we share in the resurrection. Each time we hope again, after having our hope smashed into pieces, we share in the resurrection. Each time we pick up the pieces, wipe our tears, face the sun, and start again, we share in the power of the resurrection. The message of Easter is that nothing can destroy us anymore not pain, not sin, not rejection, not death. The message of Easter is that Christ has conquered all, if we put our faith in Him.