St. Thomas Aquinas Iglesia Católica Romana 1501 South Atlantic Boulevard Monterey Park, California 91754 Fear and Faith: Holy week 2017 On this Palm Sunday the gospel describes fear among all those who were involved in the life of Jesus. It was fear that drove the disciples apart as soon as Jesus was arrested. They all ran away. Pilate was also afraid of losing his power, so he handed Jesus over. Religious leaders were also afraid of losing their positions. They gave in to the demands of the crowds. Judas, seeing that his action was leading to the death of his master, became afraid, and his fear drove him to the point of self-destruction. The other followers of Jesus were also afraid of going against public opinion. Fear paralyzed all of these people. Jesus was the only one who was not afraid. He stood to his word. He trusted and had faith that even when his friends abandoned him, his Father would not leave him alone. As we go through Holy Week let us reflect on the fear that sometimes influences our behavior. The fear that drives us from standing on our own feet and instead follow the majority because of being afraid of being alone, considered weak or left out. Fear destroys the presence of Christ among us and in one another. If we rely on the Lord our God, we shall not be overcome by the fear that is always around us. On Holy Thursday we shall celebrate Palm Sunday April 9, 2017 From the Desk of Our Pastor the Mass of the Lord s Supper. At this celebration we encounter Jesus in a new way of reconciling the sinner with the Love of God. He gives us the Eucharist and asks us to do what he has done for us. To wash the feet of those we encounter. Jesus not only washes our feet, he also washes away our fear. We shall end the Mass at the altar of repose in the parish hall where we shall spend time in the presence of the Lord who came to show us his mercy. On Good Friday we shall join the Passion of Christ, and journey with him to the ultimate sacrifice of his death on the cross. But our faith does not end in death. On Saturday at the Easter Vigil we shall enter the paschal mystery of the resurrection and new life. We shall encounter Jesus who conquered fear and gave us life. It is through the resurrection that the fear that has overtaken the disciples of Jesus was washed away and in its place, a new church was born. A new church will be born on Easter Vigil with the baptism of new members of our church here at St. Thomas Aquinas. We welcome them with great joy. It is their great faith that has washed away their fear. Let us journey through Holy Week and enter a new relationship with our God, who came to take away our fears and to give us faith in Jesus Christ our Lord. Fr. John, Pastor
April: Prevent Child Abuse Month Upcoming VIRTUS Training Classes Our Safeguard the Children committee is committed to ensuring that our parish offers everyone the opportunity to participate in the required VIRTUS training and Fingerprinting. Our goal is to provide this training to all adults who work with children so we can work together as a more effective community to prevent child sexual abuse. This program is mandated for all adults who work with or around children or youth on a regular basis. Following is the schedule for this year: Sunday, June 25, 2017 @ 11 AM - VIRTUS Recertification Saturday, September 9, 2017 @ 10 AM VIRTUS Protecting God s Children Saturday, October 14, 2017 - Fingerprinting Classes are offered throughout the year at Archdiocese parishes. To register for these classes go to www.la-archdiocese. org, hit Protecting Children tab, on next page scroll to "Safeguard the Children" paragraph and hit "learn more", on next page go to Education and Training, scroll down to VIRTUS On-Line Upcoming Sessions and follow detailed directions. Operation Rice Bowl We hope that you have been saving all your change and placing it in your Rice Bowl. Rice bowls should be returned by Easter Sunday. Please place your Rice Bowl in the basket in front of the Altar. Every cent collected is sent to the Relief Fund set up by the American Bishop s Conference. Special Collection Easter Flowers and Environment This Weekend This weekend, our parish will be taking up a second collection for our Easter flowers and environment. Your past generosity has made our church a place of beauty during the Easter season. We ask for and appreciate your continued support. Earth Day Clean Up Saturday, April 22nd 8 AM - noon STA is having a four hour Earth Day clean-up for the and School Grounds. With all the recent rains our hillside slopes have grown quite unsightly and need some clearance and removal. Also, we have other areas of the church and school grounds that need attention. We are asking all parishioners to come join us for a 4 hour clean up! We need not only your help but your equipment from home. We would like to get 5-6 weed wackers/trimmers and other tools such as rakes, shovels, gloves, large brooms, trash cans, hand tools, etc. We also need donations of water and snack items. Please sign up on the registration sheet located by the baptismal font or in the hospitality court or contact the parish office at (323) 264-4447. This event will go well with a good showing! Please help and be of service to the church. Students who show up for the full 4 hours will get service credits.
School News You are invited! Two Special Performances Save the Date Spring BBQ May 21 st, 2017 Save the date for our Annual Spring BBQ on Sunday, May 21 st. It will be the second year we are having this event right here on parish grounds. More information will be provided in the upcoming weeks. Senior Gathering Wednesday, April 12 10:30 AM Parish Hall St. Thomas Aquinas School invites you to join us for a live performance of the life of Jesus according to Matthew, which will be presented by our very own students from grades first through fourth. It will be a musical performance that will bring peace, love, and joy. This memorable evening will take place during Holy Week. Please join us on Tuesday, April 11th, 2017 at 6 PM in the church. Our 8th grade students will be performing the Passion Play on Holy Thursday, April 13th at 11:00 AM in the church. All are invited to attend both performances. We look forward to seeing you there! All are invited to join us at our next seniors gathering on Wednesday, April 12th. We will have an Easter theme with games, brain teasers and a delicious luncheon. Holy Land Collection On Good Friday, April 14th we will be taking up the annual Holy Land Collection. Please give generously. Thank you for your continued support. Chrism Mass to be held at Cathedral Monday, April 10th 7:00 PM The Chrism Mass is a special service at which the Holy Oils will be blessed for this year. It is a celebration of the sacramental life of our Archdiocese. All clergy are obligated to attend this mass, parishioners are invited to join them. Schedule 4/13 Holy Thursday Washing of the Feet Trilingual @ 7 PM 4/14 Good Friday- 3 PM Eng./Span. After 3 PM service: Stations of the Cross in Spanish 7 PM English/Chinese 4/15 Easter Vigil Mass - 7:30 PM English/Chinese 4/16 Easter Sunday Alleluia! Alleluia! Return Rice Bowls
READ & REFLECT ON THE SCRIPTURES APRIL 9-APRIL 16 Sunday: Mt 21:1-11 (procession); Is 50:4-7; Ps 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24; Phil 2:6-11; Mt 26:14 27:66 [27:11-54] Monday: Is 42:1-7; Ps 27:1-3, 13-14; Jn 12:1-11 Tuesday: Is 49:1-6; Ps 71:1-6, 15, 17; Jn 13:21-33, 36-38 Wednesday: Is 50:4-9a; Ps 69:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34; Mt 26:14-25 Thursday: Lord s Supper: Ex 12:1-8, 11-14;Ps 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18; 1 Cor 11:23-26; Jn 13:1-15 Friday: Is 52:13 53:12; Ps 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25; Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9; Jn 18:1 19:42 Saturday: a) Gn 1:1 2:2 [1:1, 26-31a]; Ps 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 13-14, 24, 35; or Ps 33:4-7, 12-13, 20-22; b) Gn 22:1-18 [1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18]; Ps 16: 5, 8-11; c) Ex 14:15 15:1; Ex 15:1-6, 17-18; d) Is 54:5-14; Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-13; e) Is 55:1-11; Is 12:2-6; f) Bar 3:9-15, 32 4:4; Ps 19:8-11; g) Ez 36:16-17a, 18-28; Ps 42:3, 5; 43:3-4 or Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6 or Ps 51:12-15, 18-19; h) Rom 6:3-11; i) Mt 28:1-10 Sunday: Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5: 6b-8; Jn 20:1-9 or Mt 28:1-10 or (at an afternoon or evening Mass) Lk 24:13-35 KEEP IN PRAYER Guadalupe Galvez Dolores Garcia Tristan Garcia Jean Genera Jaime Germain Eric Giambalvo Eliseo Gonzalez Elizabeth Gonzalez Sal Gonzalez Jr. Emma Gonzalez Ellie Govea Henry Guerrero Alice Gust Vivian Hamilton Maria Ibarra Peggy Jasso Richard Jerome Enrique Juarez Rudy La Ferla Yvonne Lau Celia Leyva Becky Lim MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2017 5:30 PM For the health OF Nenita Chiu-Ong SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 2017 8:00 AM For the continued health of Alice Gust and Sr. Mary Jean Gust, requested by Tim Gust 11:30 AM In memory of Camilo Caballero, requested by Sara Caballero In memory of Lilia Villajin, requested by Carmela Villajin 1:30 PM In memory of Rosalba Castillo, requested by Salvador & Family TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2017 THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017 FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2017 7:00 PM For all STA Parishioners SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 2017 7:00 PM EASTER VIGIL MASS WEEKLY SCHEDULE Sunday, April 9th 9 AM Religious Ed-All Clsrm 9 AM Confirmation-Hall 10 AM-RCIA-Dining Rm 11 AM Chn. Choir-Dining Rm 11 AM Joy Bible-Copy Rm 11 AM-RCIA-Hall Mtg Rm 11 AM-Chinese Rel. Ed-All rms 2:30 PM-Spanish Retreat-Hall 3 PM RCIA Monday, April 10th 5:30 PM-ELAC Citizenship- 7 PM Hispanic Min.-Cenaculo Tuesday, April 11th 7 PM Hispanic Min.-Cenaculo 7 PM Ping Pong-Hall Wednesday, April 12th 10:30 AM-Seniors Group-Hall 7 PM English Bible Study- 7:30 PM Folk Dance-Hall Thursday, April 13th 8 AM-Holy Thursday Décor-Hall 11:30 AM-School Passion Play- Friday, April 14th 5:30 PM-Girl Scouts-Hall 7 PM-Ignite Group-Cenaculo 8 PM-Cantonese Legion of Mary-copy rm. 8 PM Chn. Bible Study-Dining Rm. Saturday, April 15th 9:30 AM-Tutoring Program-Cl K 10 AM Mandarin Legion of Mary-Dining Rm. 10 AM-Spn Bible Study-CL4 11 AM- Décor- 4 PM-RCIA-
SAFEGUARD THE CHILDREN DID YOU KNOW? You can support the Archdiocese Keep Kids Safe Campaign April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Archdiocese is providing all parishes and schools with the 2017 Prevent Child Abuse Resource Packet. Included, this year, is the Keeping Kids Safe pinwheel stickers, decorations and children s activities, which are a symbol of childhood and represents every child s right for a life filled with hope, health and happiness. Through this campaign, we provide another opportunity to transform awareness into action. For more information on how to have your parish, school or family be a part of this important campaign, visit la-archdiocese.org/org/protecting/ safeguard/pages/capm.aspx. Parish Information Parish Office: (323) 264-4447 Chinese Ministry Office: (323) 264-4448 General Email: sta91754@gmail.com Parish Website: STAMPK.ORG Fax: (323) 264-2524 Hall Rental: (323) 264-4447 ext. 102 Parish Staff Fr. John Kyebasuuta Pastor stapastor@gmail.com Ext. 108 Fr. Peter Wei Cao Associate Pastor sta.assocpastor@gmail.com Ext. 106 Lorraine Melendez General Manager stamanager1@gmail.com Ext. 103 Linda Almaguer Parish Secretary sta91754@gmail.com Ext. 102 Sherry Hsu Chinese Ministry Staff stachinese@gmail.com Ext. 104 IN GRATITUDE TO ALL WHO SUPPORTED OUR PARISH with your contributions on: April 1st/2nd: See next week s bulletin Faith Direct-Online Giving Link: membership.faithdirect.net/ca779 Mass Schedule Saturday Vigil 5:30 PM (English) Sunday 8:00 AM (English) 9:30 AM (Chinese) 11:30 AM (English) 1:30 PM (Spanish) Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 8:00 AM Friday Reconciliation 7:00 PM Saturday at 4:00 PM Jessie Wang Chinese Ministry Staff stachinese@gmail.com Ext. 105 Safeguard The Children Carmen Austria 626-993-4933 School Information School Office: (323) 261-6583 Gloria Castillo Principal Email: principal@stampkschool.org General Email: info@stampkschool.org Website: stampkschool.org Religious Education Information Office: (323) 264-1338 Sr. Rocio Nieto DRE Email: stareligioused@gmail.com