My Brothers and Sisters, We celebrate the beginning of a new Liturgical Year this weekend as we observe the First Sunday of Advent. As with the January 1 st start of the secular year, we can look at our new Church year as a time for freshness and new beginnings. Such freshness and progress in the area of our faith and morals is frankly unexpected. We often look at such teaching as being as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Twenty-five years ago, Pope St. John Paul II promulgated the Catechism of the Catholic Church a volume of 2865 paragraphs or entries summarizing the faith of our Catholic Christianity, based on Scripture and two millennia of Church Tradition. It was not by accident that John Paul II chose the thirtieth anniversary of the October 11, 1962 opening of the Second Vatican Council by Pope St. John XXIII as the release date for the Catechism. Very much in the spirit of Vatican II, as he presented the Catechism in 1992, John Paul II said that it should take into account the doctrinal statements which down through the centuries the Holy Spirit has intimated to his Church and it should also help to illumine with the light of faith the new situations and problems which had not yet emerged in the past. In other words, the Catechism was seen from its very inception not as monolithic and changeless but as an evolving document in the way that it presents the truths of our faith. One such area of evolution has been in the Church s teaching on the use of the death penalty in modern societies. In 1992, when John Paul II released the Catechism, paragraph 2226 still admitted the use of the death penalty. Five years later, Pope John Paul II (with the assistance of then-cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the future Benedict XVI) issued a revision ( 2267) substantially restricting the use of the death penalty: it said that, given the possibilities the modern state has of rendering the criminal incapable of doing harm again, the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity are very rare, if not practically non-existent. The Second Edition of the Catechism containing this revision was then released in 1997... affirming the Catechism as a living, evolving document. This past October 11 th in a statement commemorating the 25 th anniversary of the release of the Catechism of the Catholic Church our Holy Father Pope Francis declared to a gathering of cardinals, bishops, clergy, religious and members of the diplomatic corps from many countries that the death penalty is contrary to the Gospel. He said that however grave the crime that may be committed, the death penalty is inadmissible because it attacks the inviolability and the dignity of the person. Francis explained, Here we are not in the presence of any contradiction with past teaching, because the dignity of human life from the first instant of conception to natural death has always found in the church it coherent and authoritative voice. Thus, the Holy Father has taken a greater step than any of his predecessors by declaring publicly on a solemn occasion, directly related to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, that the death penalty is contrary to the Gospel and inadmissible, making clear that the Catechism must address the question in a more complete way. There can now be no doubt that we are a pro-life Church, a Church that reverences the gift of human life from the womb to the tomb a pro-life ethic that is a seamless garment, using the terminology of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin (the late Archbishop of Chicago). We believe that all life is sacred: only God has the power to give it or to take it away. And now the Vicar of Christ, Pope Francis, has affirmed that fact for all Catholics. How blest we are to receive this guidance as we begin a new Year of Grace in our Church! In Christ s peace and hope, Rev. Charles G. Kieffer Pastor
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT PARISH NEWS The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Friday, December 8 NEW SCHEDULE! 6:30am, 8:30am (with School Community), and 6:00pm The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, a holy day of obligation for Catholics, is one of three solemnities that our Church celebrates to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary s special role in salvation history. Why is the Immaculate Conception of Mary important? If we consider sin not merely as a list of things we shouldn t do, but rather as anything that separates us from union with God, we can better understand how sin is an original and inherent part of the human condition. The Church teaches that Mary was conceived by her mother, St. Anne, without original sin because of its importance to Mary s later role as mother of Jesus. Our human state naturally separates us from complete integration with the divine. Mary, on the other hand, would be fully and physically united with God by carrying Jesus in her womb, thus necessitating her preservation from original sin. PRAISE FOR PARENTS Come to the next session of Praise for Parents THIS Monday, December 4th from 8-9AM in the STCS Upper Room. We will continue looking at the holidays which are comprised of their own inherent Happy Madness! Join us in exploring the joyful(?) expectations that are placed upon us, as parents, during the upcoming weeks. Kelly and Fr. JC, along with the group, will continue searching for the way to personal holiness. Previous attendance at a Praise for Parents session is not required! Be sure to mark your calendars now for our upcoming Spring 2018 Sessions - January 22nd, February 5th, March 5th, April 16th & May 7th. Hand Carved In Bethlehem Make sure to stop by the tables of religious wares (nativity sets, rosaries, statues, crucifixes, etc.) after all Masses! Ayman Khair is here once again, representing about 180 Christian families from Bethlehem. These families have been dependent upon sales of their hand carved religious articles to tourists. Due to the conflict in the Middle East, tourism has been cut off. In order to survive, they have turned to Christian communities in the US to purchase their articles. These hand carved religious articles are beyond description. Carved from wood of the sacred Olive tree, this workmanship has been traditional for these families for hundreds of years. It is hoped that through the efforts of Mr. Khair that these families have a little income and are able to stay living in the Holy Land. Thank you! Families For Caring Calling All Angels! Please visit the Christmas trees at all church exits to choose an ornament and support a family in need at Christmas. Here is how you can help: Take an ornament, buy a gift and return the unwrapped gift to the tree by Sunday, December 10 th. Join your fellow parishioners as we wrap gifts on Saturday, December 16th mark your calendar! Volunteer to make a gift delivery, adopt a family or get more involved! Please call Anne Vogel @ 602-315-0130 for any questions or more details. Thank you! Christmas Flowers To help cover the cost of flowers for Christmas, donations are gratefully appreciated. If you wish, you may give in memory or in honor of your loved one(s). Please PRINT the name of the person to be remembered on an envelope marked "Christmas Flowers" or use the envelope provided with your offering envelopes. This year you also have the ability to make these donations with your regular WeShare online giving or as a one-time donation through online giving by going to https://sttheresaphx.churchgiving.com/cflowers. All remembered names will be inserted in a special Christmas bulletin. The submission deadline for ALL names will be on Sunday, December 17th!!!
Spring 2018 Adult Confirmation Are you a practicing Catholic over age 19 who somewhere along the way, missed celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation? Preparation sessions begin Sunday, January 21st and are being offered Sundays after the 11AM Liturgy in the Convent Upper Room at noon. Candidates must be registered members at St. Theresa Parish and must provide a copy of their Baptism Certificate. All registration materials will be provided. All are welcome to join us to learn & celebrate more deeply in our chosen religion. Please call the Parish Office @ 602-840-0850 for more details. Boy Scout Firewood Sales Troop 147 has made several trips to Northern AZ to collect firewood. It is split and ready to be delivered to you. A full cord $200, 1/2 cord $100. Delivery in the local area included. Please contact Gina Keating to place your order @ 480-332- 3714. Thank You! Certificate/Letter Requests We ask that all requests for copies of Sacramental Certificates/letters/forms be given a minimum of 5 business days to be completed. All requests will be processed within 10 business days on a first come/first serve basis. PLEASE NOTE: All Sacramental certificate requests REQUIRE a photo ID and a request form to be filled out. If certificate request is for a minor, legal guardian will need to provide a photo ID and fill out the request form. Questions, contact Carrie Vinesky in the Parish Office @ 602-840-0850. CHILDREN S SACRAMENTAL PREP Third Grade Parents: The sacrament workbook will go home following the mandatory parent meeting THIS Sunday, December 3rd at 10:30AM in Fr. Feeney Hall. Register your child ahead of the meeting at www.sttheresaphx.org. We are looking forward to seeing you there. For questions, please call Gina Keating @ 602-840-0850. Pray For Those... Who Have Died: Janis Cantrell, Mary Jane Laws, Charlotte Looker & Rose Rasins Who Are Sick: Mateo Borunda & Pat Moran PASTORAL CARE Pastoral Care Has Put Together A Group Of Intercessors... who are emailed (at least once a week) with the needs and intentions of the St. Theresa Community. If you would like to become a St. Theresa Prayer Intercessor, please email Maureen Schaaf at mschaaf@sttheresaphx.org. If you don t have email and want to be included please call Maureen Schaaf at 602-586-7429 and a list will be mailed to your home each week. Hospitalized Or Homebound? Parishioners who are sick, hospitalized, or homebound, please call Maureen at 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) 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 our brothers and sisters. Currently Pastoral Care is in need of Kitchen Angels to help with Senior Luncheons and Funeral Receptions. If you feel called to serve in this capacity or you have any questions, please contact Maureen Schaaf in the Pastoral Care Office @ 602-586 -7429 or by email at mschaaf@sttheresaphx.org.
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Every Thursday 9AM-8:30PM in the Convent Chapel. Come spend an hour with Jesus. Hour of Prayer for Peace Every Thursday 6:00-7:00PM in the Convent Chapel Every Year THE DIRTY DRUMMER (2303 North 44th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008) Holds A Food Drive for the St. Theresa Parish Chapter of St. Vincent de Paul. This year it will be held on Wednesday, December 13th beginning at 6PM. Free Buffet at 7PM and 25 cents for your first drink for those who bring canned food donations! December Bunco... will take place on MONDAY, December 18th in Fr. Feeney Hall at 1:45PM. Come join the Holiday Cheer!!! If you would like more information please call Patti Iannucci @ 602-952-0802. DIOCESAN NEWS Save The Date!!! Saturday, January 20, 2018 All St. Mary s High School and Elementary School Alumni are invited to come renew old friendships, tell stories and share pictures. A dinner and social (D.J. included) will follow a 5PM Mass. Please spread the word! Contact information to help with this event or to share e- mails is 602-354-2100. Watch for more details Worldwide Marriage Encounter Yet, O LORD, you are our father; we are the clay and you are the potter: we are all the work of your hands. As we begin the waiting of Advent, let us strive to become the work of his hands by enjoying a Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) weekend with our spouse. The next weekend will be January 26th-28th at the Mount Claret Retreat Center in Phoenix. To apply online, and for upcoming weekend dates, visit www.wwmearizona.com. Multi-Parish Singles (MPS) Our mission is to work as a team to provide options for individual growth and development in a healthy and wholesome, down-toearth, Singles fellowship environment. We offer affordable, quality charitable, cultural, educational, recreational, spiritual, and other fellowship events to all Singles (including those never-married, single parents, divorced and widowed) age 21 and older (NO dues!). For a calendar of MPS and support activities, please visit www.multiparishsingles.org or look for a calendar in the Church vestibule. Give & Get Back And Your Tax Credit Becomes Their Miracles! You can get an Arizona tax credit up to $500 (single) and $1,000 (joint) with Arizona s Foster Care Charitable Giving tax credit when you make a gift to Catholic Charities by the April 15th tax filing date. Any gift to Catholic Charities qualifies for the credit, and you can stack it on top of other credits too (public/private schools, charitable working-poor, etc.) For more information go to www.catholiccharitiesaz.org/taxcredit or call 602-650-4887. ~Readings ~ Week of December 3, 2017 Sunday Is 63:16b-17, 19b, 64:2-7; Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19; 1 Cor 1:3-9; Mk 13:33-37 Monday Is 2:1-5; Ps 122:1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9; Mt 8:5-11 Tuesday Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Lk 10:21-24 Wednesday Is 25:6-10a; Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6; Mt 15:29-37 Thursday Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, 24-27 Friday Gn 3:9-15, 20; Ps 98: 1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38 Saturday Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; Mt 9:35 10:1, 5a, 6-8 Sunday Is 40:1-5, 9-11; Ps 85: 9-10, 11-12, 13-14; 2 Pt 3:8-14; Mk 1:1-8
Mass Intentions & Celebrants (DECEMBER 4TH-DECEMBER 10TH) MONDAY, DECEMBER 4TH 6:30AM +ANITA, JOSE & JOSEFINO MAYORDO -FR. JOACHIM TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5TH 6:30AM SHAUNA STAMP, SPECIAL INT.-FR. JOACHIM WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6TH 6:30AM SHAUNA STAMP, SPECIAL INT.-FR. JOACHIM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7TH 6:30AM SHAUNA STAMP, SPECIAL INT.-FR. CHUCK FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8TH 6:30AM +RITA MCBRIDE-FR. JOACHIM 8:30AM +CHARLES & MARY K. MURPHY-FR. CHUCK 6:00PM +CHARLOTTE LOOKER-FR. JC SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9TH 8:00AM PAT MORAN, SPECIAL INT.-FR. JOACHIM 4:00PM FOR THE PARISHIONERS-FR. PAUL SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10TH 7:30AM +SR. DOLORES SLOSAR OP-FR. CHUCK 9:00AM +JANIS CANTRELL-FR. JC 11:00AM +PETER KUPCIK-FR. JC 5:00PM +MARY JANE LAWS-FR. JOACHIM The Priest scheduled to celebrate the Mass IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Sunday 9:00AM RCIA (Convent Upper Rm) 10:30AM 3rd Grade Sacrament Registration Meeting (Fr. Feeney Hall) RCIC (Club Rm) RE Classes (Msgr. McMahon Gym) 12:30PM 4th-12th Grade Sacrament Prep (Classroom 15) 1:00PM Troop 147 Religious Emblem Class (Club Rm) 6:00PM Life Teen (Life Teen Rm) Monday 6:30PM EDGE (Life Rm/Msgr. McMahon Gym) Tuesday 6:00PM Adult Basketball (Msgr. McMahon Gym) Cub Scout Pack 147 Planning Mtg. (Club Rm) 6:30PM Knights of Columbus Mtg. (Convent Upper Rm) SVDP Mtg. (Convent Conference Rm) Wednesday 9:30AM Centering Prayer (Convent Chapel) 11:30AM Senior Luncheon (Fr. Feeney Hall) 1:00PM 33 Days to Morning Glory (Convent Upper Rm) 3:30PM Youth Choir Rehearsal (Church) 5:00PM Reconciliation (Church) 6:30PM 33 Days to Morning Glory (Convent Upper Rm) Rosary (Convent Chapel) 6:00PM Adult Choir Rehearsal (Church) Thursday 9:00AM Adoration (Convent Chapel) 6:30PM Communion & Liberation Mtg. (Convent Conference Rm) 7:00PM Bible Study w/ Kevin Saunders (Fr. Feeney Hall) Infant Baptism Orientations (Parish Conference Rm) Friday Saturday 9:00AM Reconciliation (Church) 8:00PM Al Anon (Classroom 16) Alcoholics Anonymous (Classroom 17)