CHURCH OF ST. THOMAS MORE GLENDALE, AZ Liturgy Thank You The U.S. Department of Agriculture s 1997 regulations on the sale of Cabbage equals 6,228 words. By contrast, the Declaration of Independence is only 1,338 words. The Ten Commandments weigh in with only 179 words and the Lord s Prayer is a mere 66 words. So it's important to be brief! Sometimes just two words, Thank you, are all you need. Those two simple words can be the most effective statement we can ever make. We will gather this Wednesday evening, November 26 at 7pm for our Thanksgiving Eve Mass. An opportunity to say Thank you to God, for the many blessings bestowed on us. NOVEMBER 23, 2014 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. We have every reason to be very grateful: To start with, God woke us up this morning! A wonderfully moving video from filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg ( Gratitude, available as one of the great TED Talks at www.ted.com) reminds us that each day is not just another day, but the ONE day we have been given. To quote an elderly gentleman in the film: We should begin each day by opening our eyes and being thankful that we have eyes to open! Every day is a gift, and when we receive a gift, we say Thank you. God gives us many gifts. God has put food on our table, given us wisdom to raise our children and the means to provide for our families. God has given us the courage to face each tomorrow and the grace to meet our trials head-on. God has been our constant companion when we re lonely; has helped us pull together the broken pieces of our lives when loved ones are taken from us; God has given us the grace sufficient to bear our crosses, so we give thanks even for the bad times in our lives. God has given us life in the waters of Baptism, forgiveness in the Blood of Christ on the Cross, and the gift of Eternal Life through Christ s Resurrection! So join us Wednesday night at 7pm to tell God Thank you for all these amazing gifts! Steve Raml Liturgy & Music Director 2015 St. Joseph Sunday Missal is now available in the Parish Office $3.00
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE Adult Formation FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING This feast has nothing to do with crowns, palaces, and robes. Rather it has to do with the basic question: to whom or to what do we give our allegiance? It deals with how we on an everyday level, act. It is about our daily decisions we make when we leave this church building, decisions that reveal the allegiance we have. Thank you for your financial commitment in support of parish operations and programs and building debt reduction. The 2015 Monthly Pledge Program commitments received to date are: Sunday Offertory: $841,711 Debt Reduction $ 36,009 Your faithful support demonstrates we are a parish growing in faith, acting in love. As I read Matthew s Gospel today, I thought of West Nickel Mines School in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Ten young Amish girls were shot by a man. Revenge or counter violence did not rule here. What did the Amish do? They forgave the man! Not only did they forgive him, but they bought food to his wife and children who lived close to the school. Now I wrote this easily and you may be reading it easily, but did it sink in? I had to put myself in their place. We have rung the doorbell of the family whose husband and father brutally murdered our nine year old daughter and here we are bringing food and forgiveness for them. Could we reach that level of faith as the Amish? They also had asked that the community would give some of the money that had been raised for their grieving families be given to man s wife and children. Would we do that? The Amish are different, aren t they? They live apart from us, living the life they know God wants them to live. They take Jesus at his word when he says we should forgive our enemies as he forgave from the cross. They take Jesus at his word when he said feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the ill, and visited those in prison. They had to go, to reach out and forgive so the family would know Jesus love for them and their dad. The Amish had every right to rant and rage, to blame and yell and lash out. They would not serve the demons of anger and revenge. They serve their king, Jesus. Today on this feast, pray for the courage to add our names to these faithful followers of Christ the King. Next weekend we begin Advent and our new Church Year B. Advent explores two realities; the kingdom NOW and the kingdom YET TO COME. We live in the midst of that tension. We are invited to enter a proactive waiting as we cooperate with God as we do the work of history making. We start anew to see the face of God in all who cross our path and that they may see God s face in us. Mary Ann Ronan The Little Blue Book for Advent is now available. $1.00 ADVENT GIVING TREES This year we are sponsoring Catholic Social Services Foster Care Program, Maggie s Place, Adobe Mountain Detention Center, families from Deer Valley and Peoria Elementary schools. We will have plenty of tags on the trees in the gathering space to select from and the guidelines are on the back of the tags. Please be sure to return gifts by date shown on tag. If you have any questions, please call the Parish Office. Thank you for your support. ST. VINCENT DE PAUL Adopt A Family The Parish Office will be closed: Thursday, November 27 and Daily Mass will be celebrated Have a Blessed Thanksgiving. St. Vincent de Paul is once again sponsoring this program at St. Thomas More. This is a wonderful opportunity for families, organizations or neighborhood groups to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas. Representatives will be available after all Masses December 6 and 7 for sign-up and information. Have Your Blood Pressure Checked After All Masses Sunday, November 23
Youth Ministry Grades 6-12 GROWING IN FAITH, ACTING IN LOVE Christian Formation Grades K - 5 Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration in the blessed company of family and friends. FIRE (6-8 grades) Sun., November 23 4:00-5:30 p.m. Wed., November 26 No Session Happy Thanksgiving! Sun., November 30 No Session Wed., December 3 6:30-8:00 p.m. t.u.f.(9-12 grades) Sun., November 23 Sun., November 30 Sun. December 7 6:00-7:30 p.m. No Session 6:00-7:30 p.m. Please note: the time for t.u.f. It is important to arrive by 6:00 p.m. and we finish at 7:30 p.m. Bishop Thomas Olmsted and The Office of Child & Youth Protection would like to cordially invite you to gather for a Mass of healing and reconciliation for survivors of abuse and their families on Tuesday, December 9, 2014, at 6:30 p.m., at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral (6351 N. 27 th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85017). Questions: Please call the Office of Child and Youth Protection at 602-354-2396. Today as we celebrate Christ the King, we hear Jesus say:...whatever you did for one of the least brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Knowing that we find the face of Christ in those in need, this month, through your gifts St. Vincent de Paul was able to serve families by providing assistance for shelter, food and other needs. Next weekend we will take up the 5th Sunday collection for St. Vincent de Paul. This time of year is especially critical and your support of this collection and other programs sponsored is appreciated. Thank you! ELEMENTARY FAITH FORMATION Calendar / Class Times/Days: No class November 24 /25 Happy Thanksgiving 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. CHRISTIAN FORMATION NOTICES Kindergarten 5th Grades All communication regarding children and their classes is sent through email. Please contact Ann at amaloney@stmglendale.org if your email has changed or if you are not receiving notices. ELEMENTARY FIRST RECONCILIATION PREPARATION There will be an important Parent Meeting for children enrolled in the process during regular Faith Formation class time on December 1 and 2. Attendance at Parent Meeting is a perquisite for child s enrollment in the preparation process. An email was sent to families enrolled in the preparation process. Contact Ann if you did not receive the email. CHILDREN S LITURGY OF THE WORD (CLOW) Children in Kindergarten through third grade are invited to participate in the Children s Liturgy of the Word parallel liturgy during the 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Masses. CLOW is held the first three Sundays of the month, no registration is required and parents are welcome to attend with their children. BLANKETS FOR THE HOMELESS ANDRÉ HOUSE Next Sunday is the final day you may donate new or gently used clean blankets for distribution to the homeless in downtown Phoenix. A container will be available in the gathering space after all weekend Masses for your convenience.
STEPHEN MINISTRY Small Seeds, Mighty Trees Paul wrote, I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow (1 Corinthians 3:6). Is it time to add more water to the seeds of faith that have been planted in you? Consider serving our community as a Stephen Minister. The next training session will begin soon. For more information, contact Linda McDowell in the Parish Office or lmcdowell@stmglendale.org to learn more about this important ministry in our community and how you can get an application. God has plans for you to grow. St. Joseph the Worker offers services to low-income and homeless individuals in the Phoenix area seeking employment. We invite you to learn more about St. Joseph the Worker and how your support can help individuals end homelessness through quality employment. Contact Candace Sherwood for volunteer information or tours at SJW: 602-417-9854 or www.sjwjobs.org There are many ways to help! DUET Honor a Loved One through your Service Has an elder perhaps a grandparent, teacher, or your mom or dad impacted your life? If so, consider helping another elder in honor or memory of your loved one. Duet pairs caring volunteers with homebound neighbors living throughout our neighborhoods. Choose from grocery shopping, rides to doctors, visiting, phoning, home repairs, paperwork assistance, respite, or computer training. Attend a 2 ½ hour Duet orientation to begin. Call 602-274-5022 or visit www.duetaz.org for dates and locations, and to register. Thank you! I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink. Matthew 25:35 THANKSGIVING MASS Wednesday, November 26 7:00 p.m. All families are invited to bring their Thanksgiving bread and wine or other beverage and place them by the altar prior to Mass to be blessed. Given in Gratitude for God s Blessings The plate collection for Sunday, November 16, was $35,678. This does not include ACH and credit card donations. Thank you for your faithful support. OUTREACH COLLECTION UPDATE The amount collected to date is $33,281. You may still donate to this ministry. Thank you for your continued generosity! Thanks to Our Advertisers 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. PARISH HALL RENTAL Please patronize our advertisers and thank them for supporting our bulletin when using their products and services. COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Stop by or call the Parish Office to learn more about.. 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. SAFEWAY - sign up by picking up a registration form in the Parish Office or visiting www.escrip.com, select group (St. Thomas More, ID# 9605052). ANDRÉ HOUSE has volunteer opportunities available. To sign up online visit www.signupgenius.com/ go/70a044fa8a72f4-andre2/. The Parish Hall is available to rent for private functions. Please see the parish web site under FAQ s or stop by the Parish Office for an information sheet.
Tina Karen Joan Don Lloyd PARISH COUNCIL Ques ons, comments or concerns, contact a Council member tgantner@stmglendale.org kkozlowski@stmglendale.org jgraham@stmglendale.org dsandefur@stmglendale.org lsinger@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. Do you have your own St. Thomas More Tumbler? Support the teens by purchasing one anytime in the Parish Office. Tumblers keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold for only $10. Sunday Monday Tuesday Readings for the Week November 23, 2014 Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe Ez 34:11-12, 15-17; Ps 23; 1 Cor 15:20-26, 28; Mt 25:31-46 Saint Andrew Dũng-Lac, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs Rv 14:1-3, 4b-5; Ps 24; Lk 21:1-4 Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr Rv 14:14-19; Ps 96; Lk 21:5-11 Wednesday Rv 15:1-4; Ps 98; Lk 21:12-19 Thursday Rv 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9a; Ps 100; Lk 21: 20-28 Friday Rv 20: 1-4, 11 21:2; Ps 84; Lk 21:29-33 Saturday Rv 22:1-7; Ps 95; Lk 21:34-36 Sunday First Sunday of Advent Is 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7; Ps 80; 1 Cor 1:3-9; Mk 13:33-37 Please come to Mass early enough not to disrupt. Leave late enough not to insult. Worship reverently enough not to distract. AND dress proudly enough not to offend. For information on our local St. John Fisher Council visit www.kofc12856.org. First Friday Adora on December 5, 2014, 9:00 a.m. Monday, November 24 7:00 pm Stephen Ministry Supervision Tuesday, November 25 7:00 pm Bethany Bereavement Group Wednesday, November 26 7:00 pm Thanksgiving Mass Thursday, November 27 HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Parish Office Closed Parish Office Closed Saturday, November 29 8:00 am Saturday Morning Bible Study Sunday, November 30 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22 5:00pm +Joseph O Toole SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23 7:30am +Ann Eunice Flanagan 9:00am +Joan Allegra 11:00am Parishioners of St. Thomas More TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25 8:30am +Josephine Galvano WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26 8:30am +Famorca Brothers 7:00 pm +Albert Attalla THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27 8:30am Thanksgiving Day FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28 8:30am +Emmanuel Antonio Banzon SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29 5:00pm +Marjorie & +Edward Keaton SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30 7:30am +Deceased Members of Alan David Family 9:00am Parishioners of St. Thomas More 11:00am +Wilfredo Pagan Prayer List * Linda Blanchard * Sharon DiCosmo * * Jordyn Kube *Violeta Irarrazabal * Victoria Megill * Albert Mitchell * Ronalto Reyes * Alex Spartz * 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.