My Brothers and Sisters, Most of us are aware of the fact that the majority of the earth is covered with water in fact, 71% altogether. Water is essential for the existence and survival of all living things; because of this, we can say that water becomes synonymous with life as God s gift to all creation. Today s readings focus us on the essential characteristics of water as something that s crucial not only for life but for salvation. The readings for the Third, Fourth and Fifth Sundays of Lent in Cycle A of the Lectionary are particularly tailored for the Elect those catechumens who are preparing for rebirth by water and the Holy Spirit (baptism) at the Easter Vigil. This particular set of readings is used every year at the Masses of Scrutiny for the Elect; this year since we happen to be in Cycle A these readings are heard at all of our Sunday Masses, and can help each of us appreciate more fully the gift and mystery and of our own baptism. Our Old Testament reading from the Book of Exodus (Ex. 17:3-7) portrays a thirsty, angry group of Israelites ready to rebel against Moses. Their journey to the Promised Land is not going well; it has not met their expectations. And now they find themselves stranded in the desert without water they appear to be destined for death rather than the land flowing with milk and honey. In desperation, Moses cries out to God and God tells Moses to strike the rock in Horeb, miraculously bringing forth water for all to drink. Moses uses the same staff to strike the rock that he used to part the waters of the Red Sea when leading the lead the people out of slavery and away from the pursuing Egyptian armies. God is with the Chosen People always, both when leading them safely through a body of water and when providing water for them in their thirst. Water becomes a sign of salvation for these people. Then, we hear the wonderful and lengthy Gospel (Jn. 5: 5-42) of the Samaritan woman s encounter with Jesus at the well of Sychar. It s an extraordinary story, in fact one of the most stunning passages in all the New Testament, for a number of reasons. The encounter takes place in Samaria a place reviled by the Jews, due to the perception that the Samaritans practice a form of Judaism that could be considered heretical. Then, in his thirst, Jesus speaks to a Samaritan who happens to be a woman asking her for a drink. This shatters all social precedents: for a Jewish man to have a conversation with a Samaritan woman was unheard of. Yet Jesus does this and does so respectfully and attentively. Jesus is showing us once again that he reaches out to all of his Father s children, no matter where they are (or aren t) on the social ladder. As their conversation progresses, amazing things happen. What began with Jesus need for water becomes an opportunity to reveal to the woman of Samaria the gift of living water that he comes to bring living water that will quench all thirst and sustain eternal life in all those who drink it in faith. Again, we hear that water means life. As a result of their dialogue, the woman becomes an evangelist a bringer of the God News of Jesus Christ as she runs to tell the whole town that she has encountered the Messiah. She has moved from the isolation of shame (due to her state of life with five husbands ) to faith to being a missionary! Today s scriptures remind us that God sustains us in love as we journey through life with all its challenges and joys. God s loving generosity will not let us down, just as it did not let the Israelites in the desert down or disappoint the woman (who was thirsty in ways she didn t realize) at the well. God is just as amazing, loving and thirst-quenching in the lives of the Elect and in each our lives as God was in lives of our spiritual ancestors! Lenten peace, Rev. Charles G. Kieffer Pastor
THIRD 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! Many Hands Make Light Work! It s not too early to be thinking about Easter, and we need about 20 people to decorate the Church and School Courtyard on Saturday, April 15th, starting at 9:00AM Visit our parish website for a link to get more information and sign up online. All ages are welcome, and service hours will be verified upon request and we ll have pizza available for lunch so start your Resurrection celebration early and come join us! 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 20 ~ Blessed John Henry Newman-The Convert March 27 ~ G.K. Chesterton-The Evangelist April 10 ~ Michelangelo -The Artist You won't want to miss this incredible Lenten Journey! 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. Save The Date: "Harry Potter and the Prince of Peace" (June 19th-23rd, 9AM-Noon) will begin registering campers in April. Forms will be available in the church, school and parish office for 80 campers ages 4-years-old through third/fourth grade. Fee is $30 per camper. Register early, once it fills it will be closed. Other students in 6th-grade through college are encouraged to apply as camp counselors and CITs (counselors in training). We need help NOW painting signs, prepping the crafts and gathering materials for the June VBS program. We can't do this alone: We need high school, college and parent involvement to volunteer at Hogwarts International School of Muggles. Children of parent volunteers attend free, and students earn service hours. Please contact Gina Keating via Owl Post, or gkeating@sttheresaphx.org and say, I Want To Volunteer at Hogwarts! 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) 950-9952 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.
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! 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 call Rita Laguna in the Parish Office @ 602-586-7426 or by email at Rlaguna@sttheresaphx.org. Pray For Those... Who Have Died: Manuel Hernandez Who Are Sick: Patricia Gavin & Patricia Nichols PASTORAL CARE Pastoral Care will be leading the Stations of the Cross on Friday, March 31st. If you are interested in participating please contact Maureen Schaaf @ 602-586-7429 or by email at mschaaf@sttheresaphx.org. BUNCO Monday, March 20th 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 Patti @ 602-952-0802. 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 Office @ 602-586- 7429 or by email 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 Schaaf @ 602-586-7429 or by email at mschaaf@sttheresaphx.org).
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT Help us meet our 2017 Charity and Development Appeal parish goal! SCHOOL NEWS Thank you for supporting the works of mercy in our Diocesan Community! The April Senior Luncheon will be on Wednesday, April 5th. Come celebrate Spring with a great group of people. Please RSVP to Margi Hubbard @ 602-8402715. 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 602274-5022 for more information on volunteering. "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the ages. (Matthew 28:20) Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place in the Convent Chapel every Thursday from 9AM 8:30PM. Come and spend an hour with Jesus. Hour of Prayer for Peace: Thursday evenings from 6-7PM in the Convent Chapel. ~ Readings ~ Week of March 19, 2017 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 Monday 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29; Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22; Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Lk 2:4151a Tuesday Dn 3:25, 34-43; Ps 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9; Mt 18:21-35 Wednesday Dt 4:1, 5-9; Ps 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20; Mt 5:17-19 Thursday Jer 7:23-28; Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9; Lk 11:14-23 Friday Hos 14:2-10; Ps 81:6c-8a, 8bc-9, 10-11ab, 14 and 17; Mk 12:28-34 Saturday Is 7:10-14; 8:10; Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38
Mass Intentions (MARCH 20TH-MARCH 26TH) MONDAY, MARCH 20TH 8:30AM NICK ADAMSON, SPECIAL INTENTION- FR. JC TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22ND THURSDAY, MARCH 23RD 6:30AM BETH VIQUESNEY- FR. CHUCK FRIDAY, MARCH 24TH 6:30AM MANUEL HERNANDEZ- FR. JOACHIM SATURDAY, MARCH 25TH 8:00AM PATRICIA GAVIN, SPECIAL INT.- FR. JOACHIM 4:00PM FOR THE PARISHIONERS - FR. PAUL PERI SUNDAY, MARCH 26TH 7:30AM MARY STRATZ-CHRISTENSEN- FR. JOACHIM 9:00AM WM WISE- FR. JC 11:00AM BILL RUSIEWICZ- FR. CHUCK 5:00PM PATRICIA NICHOLS, SPECIAL INTENTION- FR. JC 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 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 www.sttheresaphx.org, in the church at all exits or in the Parish Office. Credit cards are accepted. Sunday 10:00AM RCIA (Convent Upper Rm) 10:30AM RE Classes (School Classrooms) 6:00PM Life Night (Life Teen Rm) Monday 9:00AM Lenten Journey w/ Fr. JC (Church) 1:45PM Bunco (Fr. Feeney Hall) 2:30PM Grief Support Group (Parish Conference Rm) 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 6:30PM Choir Rehearsal (Church) Fr. Michael Gaitley Study Program (Convent Upper Rm) Rosary (Convent Chapel) Thursday 9:00AM Adoration (Convent Chapel) 7:00PM 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)