CHURCH OF ST. THOMAS MORE GLENDALE, AZ JANUARY 31, 2016 Cliffhanger Liturgy I wrote about last week s Gospel as being a cliffhanger, but that might be more appropriate for this week s selection from Luke! Last week s Gospel left off with the exact same sentence that begins this weeks: Today, this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing. As you recall, Jesus had read a passage about the Messiah. Messiah is the Hebrew word for the anointed one, which in Greek is Christos, from which we get Christ. That gives you an idea of what that line would mean. Jesus is saying, I am the fulfillment of the Scripture you just heard. And we get the crowd s reaction. It takes a moment to sink in, as if they were thinking, Did Jesus just say what I thought he said? At first they were amazed and all spoke highly of him, but then they start asking, Isn t this the son of Joseph? We know this guy, he grew up here, how can someone like this, like us, say these things? Jesus summed up their reaction with the line: no prophet is accepted in his own native place. And he compares himself with Elijah, the prophet so great he s still expected to return. Their response? They wanted to throw him off a cliff! Lest we fall into the trap of thinking, Oh those people of Nazareth - they just don t get it, we might want to take inventory of our own attitudes towards Jesus message: Do I take the attitude that God should be taking care of my problems, solving my crises? Or do I pray for the well-being of others, especially the poor, the powerless, the oppressed? Do I not only pray for them, but act to make a difference in their lives? Do I stop to listen to the Lord, to hear what he may be calling me to be and to do for the sake of his kingdom and his people? When I can answer all these questions in a way that shows that I have totally accepted the mission of Jesus, that is, to live my life for others, to draw them into God s love, then maybe I can scoff at the people of Nazareth for not getting the point. If you are like me, it will take you a lifetime to do this. So, I won t be judging those Nazoreans any time soon! But, with God s help, I won t keep thinking like them, either. Steve Raml Director of Liturgy & Music Welcome to the Parish Prayer of St. Thomas More: Give us, good Lord, the grace to work for the things we pray for. Our warmest welcome to all who worship with our parish family, whether long time registered or newly arrived in the parish. If you are not registered, please stop by the Parish Office and pick up a registration form. For your convenience a drop box is located outside the Parish Office front doors if you wish to leave paperwork when the office is closed. Please do not leave checks or cash. GRAZIE!!!! The Family Pasta Dinner was a great success! The Pastor s Pasta was fabulous thanks to Fr. Jim. Thank you parish volunteers we couldn t have done this without you. We are blessed to have parishioners that when called upon, say YES, without question! YEAR END GIVING STATEMENTS Please log into our Parish Portal (www.stmglendale.org) to download a copy of your end of the year Giving Statement. Current end of the year giving can be viewed at Year End Contribution Statement. PARISH OFFICE EVENING RECEPTIONIST Monday - Thursday, 5:00-8:00 p.m. The evening receptionist position in the Parish Office will become available early February. He or she will act as a minister of hospitality for the parish, answer the telephone, perform a variety of support services for staff persons, parish committees, and will also be responsible for the lock up and alarming of campus buildings. Those interested may pick up an application, complete and return to the Parish Office by 1:00 p.m., Friday, February 12. SOUPER Bowl of Caring Collection FEBRUARY 6 & 7 Look for the teens after all masses!
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME Adult Formation WHAT S IN A HOME TOWN Religion can be like a hometown: familiar, traditional, unchanging, a constant in a chaotic, fast-moving world. We want religion to stay the same, to look as it looked when we were children. We want to sing hymns with tunes we know and be able to follow the Mass without looking. We can wrap religion around us like a homemade quilt, assured that God is in heaven and all s right with the world. It seemed all right in Nazareth when Jesus read, And all spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words that came from his mouth. This scroll from the prophet Isaiah was familiar to them and most knew it by heart. Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. It didn t sink in that Jesus was talking about himself. Did that ever occur to them? After all, this was Joseph s son, their hometown boy. But something happened that day, something that moved those who knew him from delight to rage. In just seven verses the mood changes from all spoke well of him to all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. They tried to kill the one they thought they knew. So what happened? Jesus had stripped away their guilt. The ancient guilt, worn and familiar, had assured them of God s favor. There were many widows in Israel, Jesus said, but Elijah was sent to a widow in Sidon. There were lepers in Israel, Jesus continued, but Elisha cleansed only Nathan, the Syrian. They all knew these stories, even Jesus had learned them as a boy, a teenager, now an adult. Perhaps they had not heard them, any more than they had heard the prophet Isaiah: good news for the poor and liberty for the oppressed. For this prophecy to come true, things would have to change! The boundaries around the chosen people would be broken down. The hometown would have to extend hospitality to sojourners and strangers, tax collectors and sinners. Jesus would not let them stay the same. Jesus would not allow God s love and mercy to be so small. All of a sudden the quilt is slipping off our shoulders. Frantically we grasp the edges, desperate to know if God loves us in the midst of strangers. Then if we stay, an odd thing happens. We feel the quilt grow larger, still around us, it is also around the one we called outcast. It is not the same hometown, but it is a lot more like the Body of Christ. Mary Ann Ronan FIRST FRIDAY ADORATION FEBRUARY 5, 2016 9:00 a.m. Let us rediscover these corporal works of mercy: to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, heal the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead. And let us not forget the spiritual works of mercy: to counsel the doubtful, instruct the ignorant, admonish sinners, comfort the afflicted, forgive offences, bear patiently those who do us ill, and pray for the living and the dead. Pope Francis The annual Charity and Development Appeal will kick off February 6 and 7. The CDA plays an important role in supporting and nurturing the faith of all those in our Diocese. The CDA is love and faith in action. A gift of $120 or $12 per month can help feed a family of 4 for a week and provide an expectant mother a first look at her baby through an ultrasound. The impact of your gift can reach more people through CDA. Help support the more than 70 programs and organizations across the Diocese. With your gift to the CDA, you heed the Pope s call to be an instrument of God s mercy. More information can be found at dphx.org/cda. Ash Wednesday is February 10 and ashes will be distributed at all of the following services: 6:30 a.m. Word Service 8:30 a.m. Mass 12:15 p.m. Word Service 5:15 p.m. Word Service 7:00 p.m. Mass FRIDAYS IN LENT 6:30 p.m. Beginning February 12 Share the journey in prayer and song with fellow parishioners. FRIDAYS IN LENT 5:00-7:00 p.m., Parish Hall Beginning February 12 Cost: $7 per person Your choice of baked or fried fish, Cole slaw, French fries and beverage. Come early for dinner then stay to pray the Stations of the Cross at 6:30 p.m.
Youth Ministry Grades 6-12 GROWING IN FAITH, ACTING IN LOVE Faith Formation Grades K- 5 The youth ministry calendar is available in the Parish Office or email Kari Beth kbpaulk@stmglendale.org. FIRE (6th - 8th grades) Sessions meet in the Parish Hall Sunday, January 31, 4:00-5:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 3, 6:00-7:30 p.m. t.u.f. (9th - 12th grades) Sessions meet in the Parish Hall Sunday, January 31, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Sunday, February 14, 6:00-7:30 p.m. PLEASE NOTE: As always, you are welcome to bring a friend or two. The door is open to all registered or not. Come check us out! Classes will be held at 7:00 p.m., Thursdays, April 14 - May 19, for all baptized Catholic adults considering receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. Please call Wade McFall in the Parish Office for information. In the Gospel today, Jesus shows us that we are called to place gospel values before any other values and to be willing to put our lives on the line for them. Taking care of God s poor is indeed living gospel values. In the month of January, through your gifts, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was able to assist families with utility and rent bills and providing food. Thank you for your generous support of this ministry. K - 5 FAITH FORMATION Calendar / Class Times / Days Session A Monday: 4:45-6:00 p.m. Session B Monday: 6:30-7:45 p.m. Session C Tuesday: 4:45-6:00 p.m. Session D Tuesday: 6:30-7:45 p.m. February 1 and 2 Class February 8 and 9 Class February 15 and 16 No Class February 22 and 23 Class February 29 and March 1 No Class FIRST RECONCILIATION PARENT AND CHILD CLASSES Saturday, February 6 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Attendance at both class dates is required. CATECHISTS MEETINGS Catechist Enrichment Saturday, Saturday, February 13 6:00-9:00 p.m. Topic: Sin Contact Ann to sign up Parish Lenten Mission February 29-March 1, 7:00 p.m. Dinner served 5:00-6:30 p.m. Lighten Up! with Doug Brummel We welcome Doug Brummel and his cast of characters back to St. Thomas More for our parish mission. Through his characters, we will be inspired and rejuvenated to renew our call to ministry. Be sure to save the dates! This experience is for the entire family and these two nights will be substituted for Faith Formation classes. We will be offering a fish and chips and beverage for $5.00 - come early and enjoy fellowship before the mission.
SISTERS MEETING Monday, February 8, 7:00 p.m. Biblical Heritage of Essential Oils Oils are referenced numerous times in the Bible. Come and join with us for an evening of exploring the facts through scripture. Parishioner, Bob Miksovsky, will be our guest speaker. Bob has a wealth of knowledge to share. All are welcome and bring a friend to share in fellowship. SISTERS ANNUAL RETREAT March 11-13, Lake Pleasant Regional Center "Resting in the Lord" Bring your slippers for this weekend of renewal. The $125.00 registration includes lodging and all meals. Look for the tables in the courtyard February 6 and 7 after all masses. YES Young Enthusiastic Seniors 60+ Monthly Potluck/Social February 10, 12:00 Noon, Parish Hall Shelly McBride, STM s Pastoral Care Coordinator, will be the guest presenter. All are invited to bring a friend and a dish to share. CFS MEETING (Christian Fellowship & Study) Thursday, February 4, 6:30 p.m. Parish Hall Adult singles and couples: are you looking to grow in your faith, meet other parishioners and have fun? Join with fellow parishioners for small group discussion and fellowship. Contact Janelle, 623-518-4658 for more information. JOURNEY MONTHLY SOCIAL/POTLUCK Thursday, February 11 6:30 p.m., Modular Building Friendship and fellowship for single parishioners 40+ provides an opportunity for singles to meet, socialize, and support each other in a spirit of camaraderie and purpose. The monthly social and potluck is Thursday, February 11, 6:30 p.m. in the modular building. Bring your favorite dish to share and hear our guest speaker, Mary Ann Ronan. If you would like more information or have any questions, please contact Tina tja2919@gmail.com or 623.628.4629. Given in Gratitude for God s Blessings The plate collection for Sunday, January 24, was $30,382. Thank you for your faithful support. The total offertory for the month of December was $292,038. This is an average weekly of $50,509. Thanks to Our Advertisers PARISH HALL RENTAL Please patronize our advertisers and thank them for supporting our bulletin when using their products and services. The Parish Hall is available to rent for private functions. Please see the parish website under FAQ s or stop by the Parish Office for an information sheet. ANDRÉ HOUSE has volunteer opportunities available. To sign up online visit www.signupgenius.com/ go/70a044fa8a72f4-andre4. Please checkout the newest location of St. Joseph the Worker at the Maryvale Community Success Center, 6850 W. Indian School, 602-316-3501. Volunteers are needed. Call today to volunteer! Remember any donations for the Homeless to St. Joseph the Worker, Andre House or St. Vincent de Paul is a tax credit. We thank you for your support. FAITH COMMUNITY NURSING RN s from this ministry are available to speak with parishioners. You may call the Parish Office and leave a message and one of the nurses will contact you. COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS ALBERTSONS COMMUNITY PARTNERS PROGRAM - Cards in the Parish Office. FRY S COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM - Enrollment in this rewards program is done online by each family. Registration forms in Parish Office.
PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS Tina Gantner, Joan Graham Karen Kozlowski, Simon Lam Don Sandefur, Lloyd Singer, Joanne Spiek Questions, comments or concerns, please call the Parish Office. St. Thomas More is on Facebook! Search in Facebook Church of St. Thomas More or link to us on the parish website www.stmglendale.org. Monday, February 1 4:45 pm Session A Christian Formation 6:30 pm Session B Christian Formation 6:30 pm Bible Study 7:00 pm Knights of Columbus Tuesday, February 2 4:45 pm Session C Christian Formation 6:30 pm Session D Christian Formation Wednesday, February 3 6:00 pm FIRE Thursday, February 4 9:15 am Bible Study 6:30 pm CFS 7:00 pm RCIA 7:00 pm Stephen Ministry Training Friday, February 5 9:00 am First Friday Adoration Saturday, February 6 8:00 am Bible Study 9:00 am Reconciliation Preparation Sunday, February 7 4:00 pm FIRE 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. Masses - CLOW St. Thomas More www.stmglendale.org Buy your Sunday Arizona Republic here and support the teens. A mere $2.00, like everywhere else, but you re helping the STM teens. FEBRUARY Readings for the Week January 31, 2016 Sunday Jer 1:4-5, 17-19; Ps 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15, 17; 1 Cor 12:31 13:13 ; Lk 4:21-30 Monday 2 Sm 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13; Ps 3:2-3, 4-5, 6-7;Mk 5:1-20 Tuesday The Presentation of the Lord Mal 3:1-4; Ps 24:7, 8, 9, 10; Heb 2:14-18; Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32 Wednesday Saint Blaise, Bishop and Martyr; Saint Ansgar, Bishop Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 2 Sm 24:2, 9-17; Ps 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7; Mk 6:1-6 1 Kgs 2:1-4, 10-12; 1 Chr 29:10, 11ab, 11d12a,12bcd; Mk 6:7-13 Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr Sir 47:2-11; Ps 18:31, 47, and 50, 51; Mk 6:14-29 Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs 1 Kgs 3:4-13; Ps 119:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14; Mk 6:30-34 Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Is 6:1-2a, 3-8; Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8; 1 Cor 15:1-11; Lk 5:1-11 SATURDAY, JANUARY 30 5:00 pm +Gilbert Holquin SUNDAY, JANUARY 31 7:30 am +Jack Hornung 9:00 am +Anna Santucci 11:00 am Parishioners of St. Thomas More TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2 8:30 am +Flora Gennarelli WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3 8:30 am +Joan Allegra THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4 8:30 am +Mary Bird FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5 8:30 am +Deceased Mbrs. Przyard Family SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8 5:00 pm +Alexander DeLucia SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7 7:30 am +Armando Rocha +Concetta Lombardo 9:00 am Parishioners of St. Thomas More 11:00 am +Gregory Hidden Prayer List * June Antosz * Linda Blanchard * Sal Gianforte * Ron Heyn * * Judy Holsinger * Chris McIntier * Victoria Megill * * Elijah S. Nicholson * Bob Smith* Names will be kept on the prayer list for two weeks, at which time you will need to call the Parish Office to update. Thank you.