My Brothers and Sisters, In today s Gospel (Mark 10:35-45), James and John come across as being very cheeky (to use my grandmother s term) in approaching Jesus and saying to him Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you. Even in today s culture, for a student/disciple to make such a request of a teacher/master would be considered brash, maybe even disrespectful. But, James and John appear to be on a roll and they go on to say to the Lord Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left. These two upstarts are asking for the primary places of honor in the reign of God! I could think of many ways that Jesus could have replied to James and John none of which would be altogether pleasant. But Jesus, as always, takes the high road and patiently addresses their impertinence. Essentially, Jesus reminds James and John (along with each of us who try to live as Christ s disciples) that our focus should never be on having places of honor not only in the life to come, but in this life as well. He points out first that if we are truly Christ s disciples we have to be willing to share in the sufferings of Christ (drinking the cup that Jesus drinks of, being baptized in the baptism with which Jesus has been baptized). Not only that, our focus like the focus of the Lord himself must be on selfless service and never devolve into lording it over others or flaunting authority: Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. I think James, John and the other disciples (who were indignant over the initial request of the two brothers) heard the Lord s message, loud and clear. Of course, this message applies equally to us in the twenty-first century as it did to those firstcentury disciples. It s easy in our world to get caught up in seeking honor and recognition, or even expecting it as an entitlement for who we are or what we do in our careers or social life. Then, when we don t receive the pat on the back, the promotion at work, the applause of a spouse or the upgrade to first class we can feel indignant like the other disciples in today s Gospel story. It s healthy for us (and probably good for our blood pressure!) that Jesus reminds us where the true rewards are: imitating him who came not to be served but to serve, putting others first, trying our best to respond lovingly to the needs of those around us and not seeking or expecting special recognition. In Christ s peace, Rev. Charles G. Kieffer Pastor Some food for thought from a student of St. Theresa Catholic School The Our Father (The Lord s Prayer, Luke 11:1-4) is the center of our Catholic faith. During our school Mass last week I reflected on Father Joachim s homily. Jesus gave this prayer to his disciples to help them pray to God and to help them spread this prayer to the world to also teach others how to pray. God sent Jesus to the world to save us from sin and to lead us into eternal life. Jesus had to die on the cross to save us. As Catholics who accept Jesus Christ as our savior, we are his disciples. The main idea of the Our Father is for us to first ask for forgiveness for our own sins. Just like Jesus, we need to forgive others who have wronged us or sinned. It can be hard to admit our mistakes, but we are humans who are not perfect. It can also be hard to forgive others when we feel hurt. We should pray the Our Father every day so that we can be the best people we can be, focusing on love. ~ A Saint Theresa Junior High Student
TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME PARISH NEWS Praise For Parents WHO ---- Ticketholders to Matthew Kelly Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose Event on October 27, 2018 at Comerica Theatre from 7:00-10:00PM WHAT --- First Come/First Served Opportunity to Purchase Parish Bus Transportation to/from Mathew Kelly event for $5 Round Trip WHERE --- Bus riders will meet in the St. Theresa Parish front (Thomas Rd) parking lot at 5:15PM to depart promptly for Comerica Theatre at 5:30PM. Bus riders will arrive back at the St. Theresa Parish front parking lot at approx. 10:30PM immediately following the closing of the Event (please note: Comerica Theatre does not allow any outside food or beverage products to be brought in. The Theatre will have food & beverages available for purchase.) HOW --- We have 2 buses (45 spaces each) available and you can reserve your space(s) by: calling Carrie Vinesky in the Parish Office at (602) 840-0850 or emailing Carrie in the Parish Office at: cvinesky@sttheresaphx.org. St. Theresa Parish Blood Drive Sunday, November 4, 2018 8:30AM ~ 12:30PM Bloodmobile will be located in the North Parking Lot. Please visit www.bloodhero.com and use Sponsor Code: st.theresa. Sign up today to help save a life! Eligibility questions call 1-800-288-2199 ext.5497 Finding Your True Passion In Life: 1. What puts a smile on your face? Is there a particular event, a particular topic that makes your whole face just lighten up? Whatever it is that makes you smile, and makes you happy whenever you encounter it, this is a sign. 2. What do you find easy? Usually, what we find easy for us to do, will be related to what we are passionate about. It s very hard to hate something that is very easy for us! 3. What sparks your creativity? Think about something in your life where you seem to always expand its horizon, always coming up with new, fun, and exciting ideas relating to that subject. Whatever makes you creative is probably something that you are very passionate about. 4. What would you do for free? Doing what you have a passion for brings out your best, and this leads to greatness. Greatness breezes to success. So think about something that you would just love to do, even if you were not getting paid. Think about something that you look forward to doing, something that you wish you could do all the time. 5. What do you like to talk about? The topics of conversation we have can definitely tell what we are interested in, and this is a good way to find out what we really enjoy in life. 6. What makes you unafraid of failure? When we do what we are passionate about, we have total confidence in our abilities. This makes us not worry about failing, because in our mind, how can we fail when we do what we love? 7. What would you regret not having tried? If you were at the end of your life, what would you regret not having pursued? What would you have liked to do, that you didn t get a chance to? Think about what that might be. Whatever it is that you may experience regret now or later on for not having tried, this is a good chance to be your true passion.
Boy Scout Rosary Sales St. Theresa Parish Troop 147 Boy Scouts will be selling handmade rosaries after all Masses this weekend. Proceeds from the Rosary sales will be used towards scholarships for Boy Scout Summer camp, 2019. Thank you for your support! Newspaper Recycling Drop-Off Students of STCS greatly appreciate parishioner support for their paper recycling program! Due to school security, the recycling bins will only be available for parishioner drop-off during Sunday Mass times. Thank You! The St. Theresa Parish Elementary Religious Education Program Is Collecting... NEW socks & gently used or new (closed toe athletic) shoes for children ages 5-12. We will be collecting these items until December 1st. If you have any questions contact Rita Laguna @ 602-586-7426 or rlaguna@sttheresaphx.org. 3rd Grade Sacrament Preparation Parents of Third Grade Children: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Every Thursday Convent Chapel 9:00AM ~ 7:00PM We are in need of Adorers for the following hours: Noon, 1:00 and 2:00. Please contact Maureen at 602-586-7429 or mschaaf@sttheresaphx.org if you can help. St. Theresa Kitchen Angels 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 all our brothers and sisters. Pastoral Care is in need of MALE Kitchen Angels to help with washing dishes and heavier lifting at Senior Luncheons. You would be needed from about 11:30AM- 1:30PM on those days. If you are able to serve in this manner please contact Maureen Schaaf @ 602-586- 7429 or by email at mschaaf@sttheresaphx.org. The Rehearsal Mass for Third Grade Sacraments will be Friday, May 17th, at 6PM in the church. Children, their sponsors and a parent must attend. The Mass of Confirmation/First Eucharist will be Saturday, May 18th at 11AM in the Church. PASTORAL CARE MASS OF REMEMBRANCE 2018 will be held on Monday, 5th November 2018 at 7:00PM. If you have had a loved one die this year (since November 1st 2017) and their funeral was NOT at St. Theresa Parish, you are invited to contact Maureen Schaaf @ 602-586-7429 or mschaaf@sttheresaphx.org with your loved one s name so they may be remembered in this Mass. The deadline for submitting names is Monday, 29th October at NOON. NOVEMBER SENIOR LUNCHEON: November 7, 2018 at 11:30 AM RSVP to Andrea Myton at 602-214-0553 (Please leave a message if you get Andrea s voicemail). $10.00 per person You can now RSVP and/or pay on line at https://sttheresaphxcatechesis.weshareonline.org/ SeniorLuncheon If you have contributed online or signed up for an event online in the past be sure to click the Login button in the upper right corner and use your email address and password prior to completing your registration/giving. If you can t remember or need a new password, click the Login button and then click on Forgot Password? button and a temporary password will be emailed to you and you can set a new password. RSVP deadline is Friday, November 2nd!!! Please bring non-perishable food items for the St. Vincent de Paul pantry. They are in particular need of Cereal, Peanut Butter, and Jelly. Thank you and God s Blessings.
TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME The Alzheimer s Support Group... group meets on the LAST Tuesday of every month. The October meeting will be on Tuesday, October 30th at 4PM in the Parish Office Conference Room. If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer s or dementia and you need the support of others please come by and see if this is the group for you. Parishioners Who Are Sick, Hospitalized, Or Homebound please call Maureen Schaaf @ 602-586-7429 to request Holy Communion. Appointments may also be scheduled for Confession and Anointing of the Sick. When the Church cares for the sick, it serves Christ himself in the suffering members of his Mystical Body the Church shows this solicitude not only by visiting those who are in poor health but also by raising them up through the sacrament of anointing and by nourishing them with the Eucharist during their illness and when they are in danger of death. (Decree of the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship, 7 December 1972) BUNCO ~ Monday, November 12th at 1:45PM in Fr. Feeney Hall. Come to make new friends, and have a laugh or two. For more information please call Patti Iannucci @ 602-952-0802. SCHOOL NEWS 8th Annual Candy for the Troops Drive through November 9th Help the students of STCS and Saint Theresa Parish community brighten the day of those who serve our country by donating your extra Halloween candy! Collection boxes are in the church vestibule, Parish Office, and in all STCS classrooms. Last year the students of STCS and the parish community donated nearly 1,200 pounds of candy for troops stationed all over the world! Please join the students, teachers and staff of Saint Theresa Catholic School for the ceremony and collection event on Friday, November 9th at 10AM in the McMahon Center. DIOCESAN NEWS Annual Arizona Rosary Celebration, Sunday, October 21st Plan to be at the Phoenix Convention Center, Halls F and G, NE corner of 3 rd St. and Jefferson, TODAY, October 21st. The main program will be from 2-4:15PM. Bishop Thomas Olmsted will be presiding. Bishop Patrick Zurek of Amarillo, Texas, will be the keynote speaker. Beginning at 12 Noon priests will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confessions). Be part of the annual celebration honoring Our Lady in the Month of the Holy Rosary. Admission is free. Discount parking $5 at SE corner of Jefferson and 3rd St. courtesy of Phoenix Sun or Light Rail stop at 3rd St. and Jefferson. For more information visit www.azrosary.net. Pregnant And Don t Know What To Do? Or maybe you don t know how to tell those important to you that you re pregnant? You feel overwhelmed and just have no idea what to do? You re not alone. We can help you create a plan. Call or text us at 1-888-818-4445 and one of our counselors will help you. It s completely free. To learn more about our services and programs, to volunteer, or donate, please call 602-285- 1999 and visit us at www.catholiccharitiesaz.org. Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me. Tears Speak But Spirits Soar Tears Speak is a support group of and for women who have suffered the loss of a child(ren) to abortion - who wish to heal the grief and pain of that loss. This group meets monthly, on the second Tuesday of each month, from 7 8PM at Mount Claret (4633 N 54th Street in Phoenix) in the library. The next two meeting dates are: November 13th and December 11th. Are You Suffering From Domestic Violence? We are here for you. Did you know? One in every four women experiences domestic violence during her lifetime. One in seven men also experiences abuse. For immediate assistance call our 24-hour hotline at 480-821-1024. Catholic Charities has been helping domestic violence survivors flee from abusers for over 30 years. To learn more, to volunteer, or to donate, please call 602-285-1999 or visit www.catholiccharitiesaz.org.
Mass Intentions & Celebrants (OCTOBER 22ND-OCTOBER 28TH) MONDAY, OCTOBER 22ND 6:30AM BABE & DAVID SOLAR, SP. INT.-FR. JOACHIM TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23RD 6:30AM MARIA & BERNARDO GOMEZ, SP. INT. -FR. JOACHIM WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24TH 6:30AM TOMASA AROS, SPECIAL INT.-FR. JOACHIM 8:30AM +CASSANDRA ALLEN-FR. JC THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25TH 6:30AM +HAMILTON VAZ-FR. CHUCK FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26TH 6:30AM BABE & DAVID SOLAR, SP. INT.-FR. JOACHIM SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27TH 8:00AM JOSEPHINE & JIM BONANNO-FR. JOACHIM 4:00PM FOR THE PARISHIONERS-FR. PAUL SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28TH 7:30AM +THERESA DE LA CRUZ-FR. JOACHIM 9:00AM +ST. JUDE-FR. JC 11:00AM +RITA MCBRIDE-FR. CHUCK 5:00PM JOSEPHINE & JIM BONANNO, SP. INT. -FR. JOACHIM The Priest scheduled to celebrate the Mass IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. ~Readings ~ Week of October 21, 2018 Sunday Is 53:10-11; Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22; Heb 4:14-16; Mk 10:35-45 or 10:42-45 Monday Eph 2:1-10; Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 4ab, 4c-5; Lk 12:13-21 Tuesday Eph 2:12-22; Ps 85:9ab-10, 11-12, 13-14; Lk 12:35-38 Wednesday Eph 3:2-12; Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6; Lk 12:39-48 Thursday Eph 3:14-21; Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 11-12, 18-19; Lk 12:49-53 Friday Eph 4:1-6; Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6; Lk 12:54-59 Saturday Eph 4:7-16; Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5; Lk 13:1-9 Sunday Jer 31:7-9; Ps 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6; Heb 5:1-6; Mk 10:46-52 Sunday 9:00AM RCIA (Convent Upper Rm) 10:15AM RCIC (Club Rm) 10:30AM RE Classes (School Classrooms) 6:00PM Life Teen (Life Rm/Msgr. McMahon Gym) Monday 8:00AM Praise For Parents (Convent Upper Rm) 5:30PM Youth Choir Rehearsal (Church) 6:00PM Grief Recovery Method (Parish Conference Rm) 6:30PM Edge Night (Life Rm/Msgr. McMahon Gym) Tuesday 4:00PM SVDP Mtg. (Convent Conference Rm) 6:00PM New Journey Grief Group (Parish Conference Rm) 7:00PM Boy Scout Troop 147 Mtg. (PJP Rm) Wednesday 9:30AM Centering Prayer (Convent Chapel) 1:00PM Divine Mercy Retreat (Convent Upper Rm) 4:00PM Life Teen (Life Rm) 5:00PM Reconciliation (Church) 6:00PM Adult Choir Rehearsal (Church) 6:30PM Divine Mercy Retreat (Convent Upper Rm) Rosary (Convent Chapel) Thursday 9:00AM Adoration (Convent Chapel) 7:00PM Kevin Saunders Fall Bible Study (Fr. Feeney Hall) Friday 10:00AM Frank Marra Funeral (Church) Saturday 9:00AM Reconciliation (Church) 2:00PM Communion & Liberation Group (Convent Upper Rm) 8:00PM Al Anon (Classroom 16) Alcoholics Anonymous (Classroom 17)