My Brothers and Sisters, This Third Sunday of Advent was known for hundreds of years in the Church as Gaudete Sunday gaudete is the Latin word for rejoice a title taken from the Latin Introit verse (Philippians 4:4-5) of today s Mass which reads, in English: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. This theme of rejoicing is carried out visibly in our celebration of the Mass: the rose-colored candle on the Advent wreath is lit on this Third Sunday of Advent and the priest is permitted to wear rose-colored vestments all of which helps set a tone of joyful expectation for the Lord s Second Coming and prepares us to begin the second phase of Advent, where we ready ourselves to joyfully celebrate the first coming of Christ at Christmas. This year, the calendar in a sense deprives us of the opportunity to fully enjoy the Christmas-centered Advent preparations that begin on December 17 th because this year, the Fourth Sunday (and indeed the Fourth Week of Advent) is only a few hours long! That s because the Fourth Sunday of Advent falls on December 24 th in 2017, which also happens to be Christmas Eve. So, admittedly, the schedule for next weekend is going to give all of us pause for thought. In a nutshell, we will be celebrating the Fourth Sunday of Advent on Saturday at 4PM (the usual Vigil Mass time) and then Sunday morning at 7:30 and 9:00AM ONLY. There will be no 11:00AM Mass next Sunday, and the usual 5PM Sunday evening Mass will drop from the schedule in favor of our five Christmas Eve Masses being celebrated at 4:00, 4:15 (in Father Feeney Hall), 6:00, 8:00 and 10:00PM. On Monday, Christmas Day, Masses will be celebrated at 8:00 and 10:00AM. Anytime there is a liturgical overlap of this sort of a Sunday with Christmas Eve, the inevitable question arises: Can I go to a Christmas Eve Mass which takes place on a Sunday and fulfill my obligation for both Sunday Mass and Christmas Mass all at once? Well, no. The Church asks us to participate in a Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Advent as well as to participate in a Mass for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord: Christmas. The reason is, quite simply, these are two very distinct and important celebrations and worth our while to celebrate individually so that we can have the advantage of entering into all four Sundays of Advent, leading us up to the celebration of God s entry into the world s history in human flesh that we celebrate at Christmas. We continue to stay awake and prepare, to await in joyful expectation the coming of Christ into our lives at the end of time while we also prepare to celebrate Christ s first coming into the world in the manger of Bethlehem, two thousand years ago. What a wonderful time this is to rejoice and drink deeply of God s love for each of us! Advent joy and peace, Rev. Charles G. Kieffer Pastor
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT PARISH NEWS Mass Schedule Change December 23th/24th Because the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve are the same day this year, there will be no 11AM Mass and no 5PM Mass on Sunday, December 24th. (The 4PM vigil, 7:30AM, and 9:00AM Masses will be celebrated as regularly scheduled.) Our normal Christmas Eve schedule will then begin with the Children s Mass at 4PM. Thank you for your understanding! 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. Submission deadline for ALL names will be TODAY, December 17th!!! Families For Caring Thanks to each and every one of you for sharing the hope and joy of Christmas with our less fortunate neighbors. If you still have a gift please leave it by the tree this weekend or bring it to the Parish Office. If you still have an ornament, you may toss it and rest assured all of the needs were met. This is the wonder of the fish and loaves which multiply within a parish of love and hope. Merry Christmas! Newspaper Recycling Drop-Off The students of St. Theresa Catholic School appreciate parishioner support for their paper recycling program, but they request that parishioners NOT drop off papers during school hours, since opening the security gates during the school day and vehicle traffic around the Msgr. McMahon Center Gym causes some safety concerns for our students. Please drop off recycling when you come to weekend Mass, or on weekdays between 3 & 5PM when security gates are open and the recycling bins are accessible. Thank You! Friends Of St. Vincent De Paul we are looking for a desk! There is limited space so the dimensions shouldn t be much greater than 50 inches wide and 26 inches deep. If you have one but are not using it, we would appreciate you donating this for our St. Vincent de Paul office or perhaps selling it for a bargain price. In responding, please leave a message by calling 602-840-0850 ext. 333. Thank you. Many Hands Make Light Work! Christmas is fast approaching, and we need about 20 people to decorate the Church and Fr. Feeney Hall on Friday, December 22nd, starting at 9AM. (We ll especially need some hearty individuals to help with the ladder work.) Visit our parish website for a link to get more information and sign up online. All ages are welcome, and service hours will be verified upon request. A pizza lunch will be provided, and you re also welcome to bring a holiday favorite to share if you like so let your holiday spirit shine and come join us! Congratulations To Troop 147 Boy Scouts! Rank Advancements: Max Birmingham, Nico Cheke, Patrick Cheke, Diego Guevara, Carson Herding, Asher Martin, Milo Sheridan, Isaiah Tallabas & Roberto Aponte Merit Badges: Max Birmingham, Nico Cheke, Patrick Cheke, Matthew Goines, Diego Guevara, Carson Herding, Aiden Hinz, Asher Martin, Luis Munoz, Michael Rhoads, Milo Sheridan, Angel Tallabas, Isaiah Tallaba & AJ Tucker Troop 147 Boy Scouts Have Firewood! 1/2 truckload $100, full truckload $200. Local delivery included. Please contact Gina @ 480-332-3714 to arrange delivery. PRAISE FOR PARENTS Be sure to mark your calendars now for our upcoming Spring 2018 Sessions - January 22nd, February 5th, March 5th, April 16th & May 7th.
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 Carrie in the Parish Office @ 602-840- 0850 for more details. Parishioner Address/Email/ Phone Changes If you have had an address/email/phone number change within the past year, please call Carrie Vinesky in the Parish Office @ 602-840-0850. We can update your record as well as make any additional changes you may have. We appreciate your help in cutting our postage costs! 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 the certificate request is for a minor, the legal guardian will need to provide a photo ID and fill out the request form. For questions, please contact Carrie Vinesky in the Parish Office @ 602-840-0850. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION It s NOT Too Late!!!!!! There is still room in our Elementary Religious Education Program (3 years old - 5th grade). For more information please contact Rita Laguna @ 602-840-0850 or by email at Rlaguna@sttheresaphx.org. Pray For Those... Who Have Died: Chris Noderer PASTORAL CARE 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) 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. 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. REMINDER: There is no Senior Luncheon in January. Have a blessed Christmas Season and we look forward to everyone gathering again on February 7th!!!
THIRD 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 6-7PM in the Convent Chapel December Bunco... will take place THIS 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. Looking for Poinsettia Plants for the Homebound!!! This year Pastoral Care is asking for donations of Poinsettia Plants to give as a gift to our homebound parishioners. If you would like to help out please drop off a plant (or two) in the Parish Office by Wednesday, December 20th. December Alzheimer s Support Group Meeting will be at Panera Bread (7145 E Indian School Road) in Scottsdale on Tuesday, December 26th at 4PM. SCHOOL NEWS
Mass Intentions & Celebrants (DECEMBER 18TH-DECEMBER 24TH) MONDAY, DECEMBER 18TH 6:30AM +CHARLOTTE LOOKER-FR. CHUCK TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19TH 6:30AM +ROSE RASINS-FR. JOACHIM WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20TH 6:30AM +JOHN FRANKLIN BURNS-FR. CHUCK 8:30AM +GEORGIANA AILEEN STRATE-FR. JOACHIM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21ST 6:30AM +CHRIS NODERER-FR. CHUCK FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22ND 6:30AM +MARY SIGNORE & FAMILY-FR. CHUCK SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23RD 8:00AM +THERESA RYAN-FR. CHUCK 4:00PM FOR THE PARISHIONERS-FR. JC SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24TH 7:30AM +ED MUSENBROCK-FR. CHUCK 9:00AM +AL MUCKENTHALER-FR. JOACHIM 4:00PM +GEORGIANA AILEEN STRATE-FR. CHUCK 4:15PM NODERER FAMILY, SPECIAL INT.-FR. JC 6:00PM +LARRY SCHMITT & THOMAS BLAKE -FR. JOACHIM 8:00PM SYDNEY FRANCIES, SPECIAL INT.-FR. JC 10:00PM BORUNDA FAMILY, SPECIAL INT.-FR. CHUCK The Priest scheduled to celebrate the Mass IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Sunday 9:00AM RCIA (Convent Upper Rm) 10:30AM RE Christmas Party (Msgr. McMahon Gym) 1:00PM Infant Baptisms (Church) 6:00PM Life Teen (Life Teen Rm) Monday 1:45PM Bunco (Fr. Feeney Hall) 6:30PM Edge (Life Rm/Msgr. McMahon Gym) Tuesday 6:00PM Adult Basketball (Msgr. McMahon Gym) 6:30PM SVDP Mtg. (Convent Conference Rm) STCS Advent Program (Church) 7:00PM Boy Scout Troop 147 Mtg. (PJP Rm) Wednesday 9:30AM Centering Prayer (Convent Chapel) 3:30PM Youth Choir Rehearsal (Church) 5:00PM Reconciliation (Church) 6:30PM Rosary (Convent Chapel) 6:00PM Adult Choir Rehearsal (Church) Thursday 9:00AM Adoration (Convent Chapel) 6:30PM Communion & Liberation Mtg. (Convent Conference Rm) Friday Saturday 9:00AM Reconciliation (Church) 8:00PM Al Anon (Classroom 16) Alcoholics Anonymous (Classroom 17) ~Readings ~ Week of December 17, 2017 Sunday Is 61:1-2a, 10-11; Lk 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54; 1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 19-28 Monday Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19; Mt 1:18-25 Tuesday Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17; Lk 1:5-25 Wednesday Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6; Lk 1:26-38 Thursday Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Lk 1:39-45 Friday 1 Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd; Lk 1:46-56 Saturday Mal 3:1-4, 23-24; Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14; Lk 1:57-66 Sunday 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29; Rom 16:25-27; Lk 1:26-38 Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 9; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 or Mt 1:18-25