CHURCH OF ST. THOMAS MORE GLENDALE, AZ November 15, 2015 Time Liturgy What is the one topic we talk about more than anything else? The weather? Nope, not even close. We are much more focused on time. Hey, do you have a minute? I ve got to get this done by 5:00 pm today. I m running a little late. I can meet you for lunch at 12:30. You ve got us working on Advent music already? It seems like just yesterday that we put the Christmas decorations away. And the most frustrating of all for me: We can send someone to repair that between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm Thursday. (Like I have 3 hours to wait for a repairman!) Where did the time go? Some of us look in the mirror and wonder where our lives have gone. That s why today s Gospel hits so close to home: it s about time. Specifically the end time. And how time is running out, but we don t know the day or the hour. 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. According to the Social Security actuarial tables, I have just entered the final one-third of my life expectancy. The FINAL third! But sometimes the math is wrong, and life comes to an abrupt end. We don t always get the time we think is coming to us. As Father Jim said in a recent funeral homily, Death always comes too soon. So, all those plans we have, all those things we re going to do when we get around to it, all that we keep putting off, we better do them because we re running out of time. Now before you accuse me of being one of those doomand-gloom-sayers you see on the TV news shows, and talk back at your bulletin with questions like Isn t the Gospel supposed to be the Good News? This sounds like Bad News to me. I want to point out that to the early Christians, who were suffering under persecution from Rome and being rejected by the Jewish religious leaders, things coming to an end WAS Good News. They couldn t wait for the Son of Man to come in glory. But what of us, almost 2000 years later? What does this Gospel say about our time? Perhaps this is not a warning of the end of time, but a lesson about living in the present time. That while we should do everything we possibly can to prepare for Christ s coming, we should not miss his presence in our lives right now! Maybe this is a challenge that ANY time is the RIGHT time to start doing those things we ve put off, like reconciling with a loved one we ve wronged, spending some time each day in prayer, or volunteering our time to help others. In the words of Rabbi Hillel the Elder, who lived 100 years before Jesus, If not now, when? Steve Raml Liturgy & Music Director Coming in January! Faith, Hope and Love in Action through an engaging small-group process of prayer, reflection, and action. Watch for more details! A NIGHT OF EXTRAVAGANT WORSHIP 3 Monday, November 16, 7:00-8:00 p.m. St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Avondale Join with members of St. Thomas More and area parishes for a night of worship through music. BOURGADE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Students and families are invited to the Bourgade Catholic High School OPEN HOUSE Sunday, November 22, Noon - 3 p.m This is your opportunity to speak with current students, faculty and coaches, learn about their college prep curriculum and ask questions of the Admissions Team. Tours of the campus will be held Noon - 2 p.m., refreshments, entertainment and raffles. For additional information, contact bburgoz@bourgadecatholic.org. Buy your Sunday Arizona Republic here and support the teens.
Adult Formation GIVING OUR LIVES AWAY As the poet says: Is there a leaf upon the tree the Father does not see? Leaves fall, so do we all return to earth, to sod. Sparrows and kings, and all manner of things fall, Fall, fall into the hands of the living God She has fallen. She has been caught. I was moved by the readings of this week, to look at death. It is this season of leaves falling that make me think of the season of letting go. I kept asking myself: What is the final stage of our lives meant to look like? I have come to believe that living out our final years is so death is part of our gift to others. There are three major stages of discipleship: the struggle to get our lives together, the struggle to give our lives away and ultimately, the final stage is the struggle to give our deaths away. I believe the last concept is foreign to us. Henri Nouwen in the last years of his life began to focus on how our death is to be our last and greatest gift to our loved ones. He started to see that the question is no longer: How can I live now so that my life still makes a contribution? But, rather: How can I live now so that when I die, my death is an optimal blessing to my family, friends, the church, and the world? To answer this we need to turn to the passion and death of Jesus. A death we understand as redemptive, as pouring out life-giving blood and water onto the entire planet, and a death we understand precisely as Jesus last and greatest gift to us. These Scriptures of the last days are not about fear, but teaching us the meaning of love, forgiveness and hope. It is not a time of doing, but a time of being that leads us into Advent to learn to wait on the Lord and in Him. We are just a few weeks away from entering into the Jubilee of Mercy. Let us rest in faith to find Jesus with open arms welcoming us to the Peace of Christ. And being caught. Mary Ann Ronan THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME THANKSGIVING MASS Wednesday, November 25 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. 2016 St. Joseph Sunday Missal Available after all masses $3.00 CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT (CCHD) Special Collection, Sunday November 22 Next week s collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) needs your help. CCHD is the official national anti-poverty program of the bishops in the United States. It was founded to end the cycle of poverty in the United States by funding organizations that help individuals help themselves. The CCHD is governed and overseen by the bishops, accountable to the bishops, and operates in fidelity to Church teaching, integrity and transparency. Your contribution will defend human and reach out to those living on the margins. During the month of November you may bring your photographs of deceased loved ones to be displayed around the font for remembrance throughout the month. CFS (Christian Fellowship & Study) Thursday, November 19, 6:30 p.m. Parish Hall, Classrooms 6 & 7 Adult singles and couples: are you looking to grow in your faith, meet other parishioners, and have fun? Join with us as we facilitate small group discussions on the Sunday Scripture readings and how they relate to our lives. In addition to spiritual enrichment, there are social outings and service projects. Contact Janelle, 623-518-4658 or jmb24t@yahoo.com for more information. Have Your Blood Pressure Checked Sunday, November 22 After All Masses
Youth Ministry Grades 6-12 The youth ministry calendar is available in the Parish Office or email Kari Beth kbpaulk@stmglendale.org. FIRE (6th - 8th grades) Sunday sessions will meet in the Parish Hall: November 15, 4:00-5:30 p.m. November 22, 4:00-5:30 p.m. Wednesday session will meet in the Parish Hall: November 18, 6:00-7:30 p.m. t.u.f. (9th - 12th grades) Parish Hall: Sunday, November 15, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Sunday, November 22, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Mark 13:31 Pray for the Deceased Robert Altamirano, Francesco Coppola Flora Gennarelli, Jordan Kube Richard Lynch, Angelo Migliara Martha Nelson, Jean Riddle GROWING IN FAITH, ACTING IN LOVE Faith Formation 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. Nov. 16 and 17 Class Nov. 23 and 24 No Class Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 Class Dec. 7 and 8 Class All communication to Faith Formation families is sent via email. Please contact Ann in the Parish Office if your information has changed. First Reconciliation Parent Meeting Monday, November 30 or Tuesday, December 1 4:45-6:00 and 6:30-7:45 p.m. Parents are required to attend a meeting. The meetings are held during regular Faith Formation class. Parents attend a meeting while their children are in class. Late Night Catechist Enrichment CLOW Catechist Meeting Monday, November16 6:00 p.m. Sacrament Catechists Meeting Wednesday, November 18 6:00 p.m. CONGRATULATIONS to the following Xavier College Prep students from St. Thomas More that achieved the following Honor Roll status: The Gospel predicts end times; our challenge though is to live faithfully now. When we live in conformity to the Word, hearing Jesus words and living them out, the future holds no fear for us. Reminder: Sunday, November 29, we will take up the Fifth Sunday collection for St. Vincent de Paul. Know that you are hearing the words of Jesus and living them out. First Honors: Nsomma Alilonu, Ogadimma Alilonu, Kelly Champeau, Kaitlyn Flick, Cierra Flood, Calista Kistler, Allison Klein, Emily Klein, Kaela Liddle, Elysia Mamola, Hayley Nash Second Honors: Alexis Allard, Bernadette Avila, Julia Blunck, Anna Castro, Alexis Kistler, Camaryn Schroeder. For information on our local St. John Fisher Council visit www.kofc12856.org.
NOVEMBER Parish Outreach ST. VINCENT DE PAUL THANKSGIVING OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES 21 & 22 Food Drive Collection Weekend 25 Thanksgiving Mass and final collection day of food for Food Drive ANDRÉ HOUSE Thanksgiving Dinner Brown and serve rolls and PIES will be collected: Saturday, November 21: Sunday, November 22: ADVENT GIVING TREES NOVEMBER 21 & 22 4:00-6:00 p.m. After All Masses 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. 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 continued support. BLANKETS FOR THE HOMELESS ANDRÉ HOUSE Throughout the month of November 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. Thank You. ST. VINCENT DE PAUL Adopt A Family 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 5 and 6 for sign-up. Contact Sherry (aprilmoon821@gmail.com) for information. Given in Gratitude for God s Blessings The plate collection for Sunday, November 8, was $35,814. Thank you for your faithful support. The total offertory for the month of October was $140,534. This is an average weekly of $35,133. Thanks to Our Advertisers 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. St. Joseph the Worker offers services to low-income and homeless individuals in the Phoenix area seeking employment. Contact Candace Sherwood, 602-417-9854 or www.sjwjobs.org, for volunteer information. ANDRÉ HOUSE has volunteer opportunities available. To sign up online visit www.signupgenius.com/ go/70a044fa8a72f4-andre4. 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 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.
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, November 16 4:45 pm Faith Formation Session A 6:00 pm Clow Catechists Meeting 6:30 pm Faith Formation Session B 6:30 pm Bible Study Tuesday, November 17 4:45 pm Faith Formation Session C 6:30 pm Faith Formation Session D 4:45 pm RCIC Wednesday, November 18 6:00 pm Sacrament Catechist Meeting 6:00 pm FIRE Youth Group Thursday, November 19 9:15 am Morning Bible Study 6:30 pm CFS 7:00 pm RCIA Friday, November 20 Saturday, November 21 8:00 am Bible Study St. Thomas More www.stmglendale.org Assistive hearing devices are available at the sound booth. Please see the sound tech - they will be happy to help you. Sunday, November 22 After All Sunday Masses - Blood Pressure Checks 4:00 pm FIRE Youth Group 6:00 pm tuf Youth Group Readings for the Week November 15, 2015 Sunday Dn 12:1-3; Ps 16; Heb 10:11-14, 18; Mk 13:24-32 Monday Saint Margaret of Scotland; Saint Gertrude, Virgin 1 Mc 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63; Ps 119; Lk 18:35-43 Tuesday Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Religious 2 Mc 6:18-31; Ps 3; Lk 19:1-10 Wednesday The Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles; Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, Virgin 2 Mc 7:1, 20-31; Ps 17; Lk 19:11-28 Thursday 1 Mc 2:15-29; Ps 50; Lk 19:41-44 Friday 1 Mc 4:36-37, 52-59; 1 Chr 29; Lk 19:45-48 Saturday The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1 Mc 6:1-13; Ps 9; Lk 20:27-40 Sunday Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe Dn 7:13-14; Ps 93; Rv 1:5-8; Jn 18:33b-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. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14 5:00 pm +Alexander DeLucia SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15 7:30 am +Robert Orkwiszewski 9:00 am Parishioners of St. Thomas More 11:00 am +Ann Panaccione TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17 8:30 am +Emmannel Antonio Banzon WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 8:30 am +Joseph Galvano THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19 8:30 am +Gayle Myers FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20 8:30 am +Deceased Mbrs Cunti Family SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21 5:00 pm +Bob Reynolds SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22 7:30 am +Jay Shelp 9:00 am +Nicholas Puco 11:00 am Parishioners of St. Thomas More Prayer List * Don Adams * Linda Blanchard * Mary Maier * * Elijah Nicholson * 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.