My Brothers and Sisters, Most of you are aware of the fact that we pray the Stations of the Cross each Friday of Lent at 7:00PM following our Friday Fish Fry, as well as at Noon on Good Friday. Recently I came across a powerful meditation (in the Year of Mercy Companion booklet distributed at the beginning of Advent) that relates the Stations of the Cross to the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. It s good food for thought for us during Lent: First Station: Jesus is Condemned to Death. Bear patiently those who do us ill: You accept injustice so that mercy can set me free. Second Station: Jesus Takes Up His Cross. Admonish sinners: Your acceptance of your cross moves me to reflect, convert, believe. Third Station: Jesus Falls the First Time. Counsel the doubtful: Your fall amends my doubt that humility is key to loving God. Fourth Station: Jesus Meets his Mother. Comfort the afflicted: When Mercy meets the Sorrowful Mother, joy begins to be reborn. Fifth Station: Simon Helps Carry the Cross. Feed the hungry: In the heft of your cross, Simon discovers that he hungers for you. Sixth Station: Jesus Meets Veronica. Give drink to the thirsty: You slake the thirst of one who helps you with the gift of your face. Seventh Station: Jesus Falls a Second Time. Instruct the ignorant: You model that wisdom comes from accepting what befalls us. Eighth Station: Jesus Comforts the Women. Welcome the stranger: Even in your Passion, you are shelter for the afflicted and the homeless. Ninth Station: Jesus Falls a Third Time. Visit the imprisoned: Your fall bespeaks your desire to reach those held captive, the ensnared. Tenth Station: Jesus is Stripped of His Garments. Clothe the naked: the indignity you endure is the promise of my dignity to be restored. Eleventh Station: Jesus is nailed to the Cross. Heal the sick: These wounds are windows revealing the redemptive meaning of suffering. Twelfth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross. Forgive offenses: No inflicted savagery can silence your undying desire for our forgiveness. Thirteenth Station: Jesus Body is taken down. Pray for the living and the dead: Your mission of mercy proclaims life is changed, not ended. Fourteenth Station: Jesus is Laid in the Tomb. Bury the dead: Burial is an act of confiding of looking to the future with hope. May our loving God continue to guide us on our Lenten journey! Grace, mercy and peace, Rev. Charles G. Kieffer Pastor
SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT PARISH NEWS Lenten Collection In an effort to provide year round support for our neighbors of the Verde Villas apartments during this Lenten season of almsgiving we have the opportunity to collect basic home necessities. These home items will be used by the Verde Villas staff to make Welcome Home Baskets for residents as they are moving into their new apartment. Suggested Items Shower curtain; bath or kitchen towels Laundry detergent or dryer sheets Window cleaner or scrubbing cleaner First aid ointment and bans aids Q-tips A personal note with best wishes The full list of items will be posted on the collection boxes in church vestibule through March 6th. Thank you in advance for your continued generosity and support for our Verde Villas neighbors. Easter Flower Memorials Our Annual Easter Flower Memorial is a wonderful way to celebrate the memory of your loved one(s). Your donations for Easter Flowers allow us to beautify the church for the Easter season and throughout the year. To make your gift, please 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). All Easter Flower Memorials need to be turned in by Friday, March 18th to be included in a special Easter insert. For questions, please call Carrie Vinesky in the Parish Office @ 602-840-0850. Crafters, Painters, All-Around Volunteers: We need people to help us prep props and crafts for Vacation Bible School this summer! We re all mad here, about Jesus so don t be late for this very important date! Please call Gina Keating at 602-840-0850 to help. Thank you. Catholic School Tuition Discounts for Registered, Active and Participating Parish Families For many years, it has been the practice of Catholic elementary and high schools of the Diocese of Phoenix to acknowledge parishioners who are active in their parishes by offering them a substantial discount in their children s tuition rate. Typically the school s business office contacts the parish to verify a particular family as being registered, active and participating members of that parish community. This is the time of the year when Catholic Schools are in contact with the parish office to annually ensure that families who are requesting the discounted tuition meet the criteria set by each parish to determine eligibility. Active and participating parish families are offered a break in their tuition rate at a Catholic School as a way of thanking them for their commitment to and support of the works of the parish. Naturally, there are certain objective standards that are set by each parish in order to determine what degree of participation is necessary in order to verify a family as registered, active, and participating. The standards that have been in place since 2007 here at St. Theresa Parish are actually fairly minimal: the parent or guardian must be registered as a St. Theresa parishioner, and there must be some objective evidence of regular attendance at Mass and support for the parish through financial contributions (over the course of the previous calendar year) and/or sharing one s time and talent through involvement in a parish ministry. Every family with school age children has the choice of being involved in the life of the parish community or not. For those who do make the effort who choose to be registered, active, and participating St. Theresa Parish is happy to verify this so that they can qualify for the Catholic elementary or high school tuition discount. May God bless all those families of our community who make the commitment to not only send their children to Catholic School, but to give those children a faith example of being actively involved in and supportive of their parish!
Spiritual Adoption Update: Your spiritually adopted baby in now in the sixth month. This baby can now roll over inside the womb. Oil and sweat glands are functioning. A white filmy layer called vernix covers the baby and protects the delicate skin from the surrounding amniotic fluid. This waxy substance will be quickly absorbed into the skin soon after birth. He or she can now respond to sound. The lungs are fairly well developed, and he or she would stand a good chance of survival if born at this time. Don't forget to pray for your baby. Abortion is legal through all nine months and her mom might still feel pressure to abort. See the bulletin boards in the Church Ramada or in the Church Vestibules for a visual depiction of what your baby looks like right now. Fish & Faith St. Theresa Parish Lenten Fish Fry Every Friday during Lent 5:00-7:00PM in Fr. Feeney Hall February 12th, 19th & 26th March 4th, 11th & 18th $7 Adult Fish Dinner Includes: Baked Fish, Fried Fish, or Fish Tacos; French Fries, Onion Rings, Sweet Potato Fries, or Baked Potato; Coleslaw, Roll, Sherbet and Lemonade/Water $8 Adult Shrimp Dinner Includes: Fried Shrimp; French Fries, Onion Rings, Sweet Potato Fries, or Baked Potato; Coleslaw, Roll, Sherbet and Lemonade/Water $4 Children s Dinner (up to age 12) Includes: Mac & Cheese or Fish, French Fries, Sherbet and Lemonade/Water We accept credit cards! An Arts & Crafts Corner will be available for the kids! Stations of the Cross at 7PM in the Church All proceeds will go to benefit the Verde Villas on Thomas Rd housing community Welcome Home Fund for new residents. Pray For Those... Who Are Sick: Walter Tamasauckas Who Have Died: Madonna Compau, Frank O Niell, Ermes Paolinelli & Robert Taylor SAVE the DATE: Vacation Bible School will present Alice in Wonderland during the week of June 20th-24th from 9AM to 12noon. Fee: $30 per child, 4 years to fourth grade. Children will follow Alice down the rabbit hole to find Jesus, who will help them know which way to go! Registrations will be available the week of February 8th in the Parish Office and in the back of church. For questions, please call Gina Keating in the Parish Office @ 602-840-0850, ext. 111. DON T BE LATE to this very important date! Find The HERO In You! Our next parish blood drive will be Sunday, March 13th from 8:30AM to 1:00PM in the bloodmobile (South end of the parking lot behind the Msgr. McMahon Center Gym.) You can sign up at the table in the Church Ramada after all Masses next weekend, February 27th & 28th, by contacting Laura at LauraThompson8@gmail.com or by visiting www.bloodhero.com (sponsor code: st.theresa). For eligibility questions call 1-800-288-2199 ext. 5497. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Do You Have A Child 3 Years Old - 5th Grade? Do They Attend A Non-Catholic School? If so, we are still taking registrations for Elementary Religious Education Classes (we do not close our registrations). We also offer a Home-School option for families who have a child/children with a Special Need or Special Circumstance. For more information please contact Rita Laguna in the Parish Office at 602-840- 0850 ext. 110 or by email at rlaguna@sttheresaphx.org.
SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT Help us meet our 2016 Charity and Development Appeal parish goal! Thank you for supporting the works of mercy in our diocesan community! CHILDREN S SACRAMENTAL PREP Third Grade Sacramental Preparation Families of third grade children enrolled for sacraments: The Mass for Confirmation/First Eucharist has been moved to Saturday, May 14th, 10AM in the church. The rehearsal and retreat is scheduled for Friday, May 13th, at 5PM in the gymnasium. Sacramental formation classes for children and their parents will begin Sunday, April 17th. The sacrament workbooks will be checked for completion at the first meeting. Please contact Gina Keating in the Parish Office at 602-840-0850, ext. 111 with any questions. PASTORAL CARE Homebound? Call Bobbie Stich in the Pastoral Care Office @ 602-586-7429 if you or a family member is in need of Anointing, Confession, or Holy Communion. Are You Getting New Furniture For Your Home? We have a place for your used furniture!!! Verde Villa is in need of kitchen tables, couches, end tables, etc. Contact Bobbie Stich @ 602-586-7429 if you can help. St. Patrick s Day Senior Luncheon Wednesday, March 2nd in Fr. Feeney Hall Registrations at 11:30AM ~ Cost is $8.00 RSVP by Thursday, February 25th to Margie Hubbard @ 602-840-2715. Please do not wait until the last minute to call in your name because this luncheon fills up fast. Calls after the 25th cannot be accommodated due to a full house. Come with your friends, Irish wit, green fashions and top hat! We will welcome you with hospitality, delicious food, music, jokes and door prizes. SEE YOU THERE! Adoration Every Thursday From 9AM to 8:30PM Come when you can and go when you must enjoy a visit with Jesus. 7-8:30 is a special time for prayers for our country and those who serve. Alzheimer Support Group Tuesday, February 23rd from 4-5PM in the Parish Office Conference Room. We have two professionals, Isabelle from the Arizona Alzheimer Society and Dr. Anna Burk from the Banner Arizona Institute. They are here to listen, guide and support caregivers. This support group becomes like a family and will help bring you knowledge and peace. HEALTH & WELLNESS The Health & Wellness Ministry... has been providing services (blood pressure screens, Flu clinics, wellness screenings, CPR, Health Fairs) for the parish for the past 20 years. As of December, Tillie Chavez, Coordinator for Health & Wellness Ministry retired. THIS Sunday, February 21st free blood pressure screenings will be offered after morning masses in the PJP room. If you are interested in volunteering in the Health & Wellness Ministry, please call Tillie @ 602-305-7679. St. Theresa Parish Lenten Mission Presented by Fr. Gregory Konz Lent and Mercy in the Thought of Pope Francis February 29th & March 1st in the Church 8:30AM (Mass followed by Mission talk at 9:15AM) or 6:30PM (Mission talk, no Mass)
Mass Intentions & Celebrants (FEBRUARY 22ND-FEBRUARY 28TH) MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22ND 6:30AM +LISBETH LAJEWSKI-FR. CHUCK TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23RD 6:30AM +CATHERINE IVES-FR. JOACHIM WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH 6:30AM +ARTURO RODRIGUEZ-FR. CHUCK 8:30AM KYLE HODGE, SPECIAL INT.-FR. JOACHIM THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH 6:30AM RAMIREZ FAMILY, SPECIAL INT.-FR. CHUCK FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH 6:30AM RAMIREZ FAMILY, SPECIAL INT.-FR. CHUCK SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27TH 8:00AM RAMIREZ FAMILY, SPECIAL INT.-FR. CHUCK 4:00PM FOR THE PARISHIONERS-FR. JOACHIM SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH 7:30AM MARIA MADGELENA GOMEZ, SP. INT.-FR. KONZ 9:00AM CHERY BUTLER, SPECIAL INT.-FR. CHUCK 11:00AM +JOHN P. HEALY SR.-FR. KEVIN 5:00PM +MARY ANN WHYTE-FR. JC The Priest scheduled to celebrate the Mass IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. ~ Readings ~ Week of February 21, 2016 Sunday Gn 15:5-12, 17-18; Ps 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14; Phil 3:17 4:1 or 3:20 4:1; Lk 9:28b-36 Monday 1 Pt 5:1-4; Ps 23:1-3a, 4, 5, 6; Mt 16:13-19 Tuesday Is 1:10, 16-20; Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23; Mt 23:1-12 Wednesday Jer 18:18-20; Ps 31:5-6, 14, 15-16; Mt 20:17-28 Thursday Jer 17:5-10; Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4, and 6; Lk 16:19-31 Friday Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a; Ps 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21; Mt 21:33-43, 45-46 Saturday Mi 7:14-15, 18-20; Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12; Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 Sunday Ex 3:1-8a, 13-15; Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11; 1 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12; Lk 13:1-9 Sunday 7:30AM Blood Pressure Checks (PJP Rm) 9:00AM RCIA (Convent Upper Rm) 10:15AM RCIC (Club Rm) 10:30AM RE (School Classrooms) 12:30PM 4th-12th Grade Sacramental Prep (Classroom 17) KOC District Free Throw Contest (Msgr. McMahon Gym) 1:00PM Cub Scout Blue/Gold Banquet (Fr. Feeney Hall) 6:00PM Life Teen (Life Rm) Monday 6:30PM Edge (Life Teen Rm) 7:00PM Boy Scout Troop 147 Mtg. (PJP Rm) Tuesday 1:00PM Pastoral Care Book Club (Parish Conference Rm) 3:30PM Children s Choir Practice (Church) 4:00PM Alzheimer Support Group (Parish Conference Rm) 5:30PM Core Mtg. (Life Teen Rm) 6:30PM SVDP Mtg. (Convent Conference Rm) 7:30PM Adult Basketball (Msgr. McMahon Gym) Wednesday 9:30AM Centering Prayer (Convent Chapel) 1:00PM Consoling The Heart Of Jesus (Convent Upper Rm) 5:00PM Reconciliation (Church) 6:30PM Consoling The Heart Of Jesus (Convent Upper Rm) Rosary (Convent Chapel) Thursday 9:00AM Adoration (Convent Chapel) 7:00PM Kevin Saunders Bible Study (Fr. Feeney Hall) Friday 5:00PM Lenten Fish Fry (Fr. Feeney Hall) 7:00PM Stations of the Cross (Church) Saturday 9:00AM Reconciliation (Church) 8:30PM Al Anon (Classroom 16) Alcoholics Anonymous (Classroom 17) BEST LENT EVER Don t Give Up Chocolate For Lent This Year! BEST LENT EVER is a popular free program that features daily, two-minute videos that will take you through the book, Rediscover Jesus, chapter by chapter. This is the book that was given to St. Theresa parish families this past Christmas and we have gotten a lot of positive feedback about the book from many parishioners. Make these two-minute daily videos part of your Lenten journey this year by visiting http://dynamiccatholic.com/bestlentever/ to register and learn more. Enjoy, it s better than chocolate!