My Brothers and Sisters, This is the time of year for graduations young people going forth from college, high school or elementary school, matriculating into the next phase of their lives in the academic sphere or the work world. Graduation is always a bit of a bittersweet experience there is the sense of accomplishment of goals that took years to achieve, the excitement of moving on to new things but at the same time, some sense of trepidation and uncertainty as to what the future holds in store. Today, in lieu of the Seventh Sunday of Easter, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Lord s Ascension into heaven. Traditionally this great feast of the Easter Season was celebrated on the fortieth of the Fifty Days of Easter which would have placed it on our calendar this past Thursday. Several years ago, though, there was an understanding among the bishops of the western regions of the United States (and other parts of the world) that, in order for a greater number of Catholics to be able to celebrate the Ascension, the observance of this Solemnity should be transferred from Thursday to the closest Sunday which is today, formerly the Seventh Sunday of Easter. As we reflect on the words of today s Gospel passage (Mark 16:15-20), we hear the words of Jesus to his disciples: Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. These words are along the lines of what one might here at commencement exercises, when graduates are handed their diplomas and sent forth to do great things in the next phase of their lives. Indeed, the disciples had participated in a university of sorts for the previous few years they had sat before their Teacher, learning from him about God s merciful and healing presence in the world. They had accompanied their Professor as he went from place to place, proclaiming the Good News and in doing so, they learned how to preach, heal and bring hope to others. They had experienced the washing of the feet at the Last Supper, as Jesus taught them what it means to serve and then he shared with them his Body and Blood as they gathered around the table. They had endured the wrenching agony of seeing their Teacher, their Master, condemned to death and crucified and then for forty days they had experienced the Risen Christ appearing among them, sharing meals with them and reassuring them. Now it was time for the disciples to graduate. To go forth in Jesus name, as good students of their Teacher, to put in to action what they had learned as Jesus was taken up to heaven to take his place at the Father s right hand. We, too, are part of the graduating class. As present-day disciples of the Risen One, we, like those first disciples, are entrusted and empowered with the ability to proclaim the Gospel to all creation. We are filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit gifts that we will learn more about as we celebrate the Fiftieth Day of Easter next Sunday as we crown the Easter Season with the Solemnity of Pentecost. As we reflect on Christ s Ascension and on the graduation commission of Christians everywhere to proclaim the Good News to all creation we might also want to reflect on words attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: Proclaim the Gospel use words if necessary! Most of the time, we bear witness to Christ and his way of life far more effectively by the way we live our lives and not merely by the words we speak. Grace and peace in the Risen Christ, Rev. Charles G. Kieffer Pastor
THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD PARISH NEWS Boy Scout Thanks! As a thank you to all of the Moms, Grandmothers, Aunts and special role models, the Boy Scouts will be out in the church Ramada handing out flowers after Masses this weekend to the ladies in our parish. 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, a legal guardian will need to provide a photo ID and fill out the request form. For any questions, please contact Carrie Vinesky the Parish Office @ 602-840-0850. Prithee, Everyone, Save The Date For This Nonce: Vacation Bible School s A Midsummer Night s Dream with Jesus will be rockin Shakespeare on June 18-22, 9 a.m. to Noon. The fee is $30 per child, ages 4 years old through 5 th grade. Students from 7 th grade college are especially needed to be camp counselors, training is provided. The program also needs adult volunteers for the week. Thank thou and we desire thou wilt holp. Clepe Mrs. Gina Keating at 602-840-0850. Attention All Parishioners! Matthew Kelly, with Dynamic Catholic, will be coming to Phoenix on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 7PM to present a special event... Living Every Day With Passion & Purpose. This event is an incredible opportunity to re-energize your faith and help you become the best version of yourself! Tickets will be available for purchase after all Masses in the Church Ramada next weekend, May 19th & 20th. Tickets are also available online at DynamicCatholic.com/Phoenix or call 859-980-7900. Covenant of Love Date Night is at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in May! All are invited to our next evening of family enrichment at St. Thomas the Apostle (24th St. & Campbell) Friday, May 18th, from 6:30 8PM. Our May Date Night will include a presentation from Guest Speakers Pam & Andy Lambros, on Catholic Marriage: Mission or Maintenance? The Different Stages of Marriage and Family Life, from no children, to young children, to adult children. The evening is free, and light refreshments will be served. Childcare available for children over a year old. Please RSVP childcare to datenight@staphx.org. Tell your married or engaged friends about this wonderful opportunity to grow in appreciation of our spouses and the covenant of our marriages. And be sure to save the date for our June night! Join us Friday, June 8th at St. Theresa Parish, to hear Tom Mar, a philosophy teacher at Brophy Prep speak on "Humanae Vitae, 50 years later".
Parishioner Updates Name/Email/Phone/Address/Birth If you have had a name, email, phone, address, new birth, etc. change within the past year, please call the Parish Office @ 602-840-0850. We appreciate your help in keeping our database up to date and helping us cut our postage costs! Newspaper Recycling Drop-Off Students of STCS deeply appreciate parishioner support for their paper recycling program.! 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! PASTORAL CARE 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. Pastoral Care is always looking for Kitchen Angels to help with Senior Luncheons and Funeral Receptions. If you feel called to serve in this capacity or have questions, please contact Maureen Schaaf @ 602-586-7429 or mschaaf@sttheresaphx.org. Parishioners Who Are Sick, Hospitalized, Or Homebound please call Maureen Schaaf @ 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) Pray For Those... Who Have Died: Ross Dodenhoff, Ernesto Figueroa, Alice Moore & Joseph Anthony Moore May Bunco will be on Monday, May 14th in Fr. Feeney Hall at 1:45 PM. Come roll the die, make new friends, and have a laugh or two. For more information please call Patti Iannucci @ 602-952-0802. Prayer Intentions: If you or someone you know needs prayer, place a request at the Prayer Table near the statue of St. Theresa in the South Vestibule. Intercession Is Prayer That Pleads With God For Your Needs And The Needs Of Others If you wish to be an Intercessor for the St. Theresa Parish Community, please email or call Maureen Schaaf at 602-840 -0850 or mschaaf@sttheresaphx.org to be added to our email blast (or if you don t use email we will mail the intentions for the week to your home). Are You Grieving The Loss Of A Loved One? Tuesdays, June 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th and July 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st we will offer a Catholic centered, 8 week program for those grieving the loss of a loved one, from 6-8PM in Parish Office Conference Room. For more details or to sign up, please contact Maureen Schaaf at 602-586-7429 or mschaaf@sttheresaphx.org. In order for us to order the correct number of books please sign up by Wednesday, May 30th. Alzheimer s Support Group: Tuesday, 29th May at 4PM in the Parish Office Conference Room. If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer s or dementia and need the support of others please come by and see if this is the group for you. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Every Thursday in the Convent Chapel 9:00AM ~ 7:00PM
THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD DIOCESAN NEWS SCHOOL NEWS Catholic Communication Campaign Second Collection Today, we are taking up the collection for the Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC). Your support helps the CCC connect people to Christ, here and around the world, through the internet, television, radio, and print media. Half of the funds collected remain in our diocese to fund the televised broadcast of the Catholic Mass, which keeps those who are homebound or hospitalized connected with their faith. Be a part of this campaign to spread the Gospel message, and support the collection today! To learn more, visit dphx.org/ccc. Cases Of Water Needed! The St. Theresa Catholic School National Junior Honor Society is sponsoring a water drive for St. Joseph the Worker. Please help those in need during the hot months ahead by bringing in cases of water between now and MONDAY, May 14th. According to St. Joseph, 100 cases of water provides a day of heat relief for 1,200 homeless individuals. Last year STCS collected 20,000 bottles! Any water donations can be dropped off at the School Office TOMORROW. Thank you for helping the homeless in our community! Congratulations STCS Class of 2018!
Mass Intentions & Celebrants (MAY 14TH-MAY 20TH) MONDAY, MAY 14TH 6:30AM +MARY LOU ANTON-FR. JOACHIM TUESDAY, MAY 15TH 6:30AM +CHRISTOPHER NODERER-FR. JOACHIM WEDNESDAY, MAY 16TH 6:30AM AMY AMARI, SPECIAL INT.-FR. CHUCK 8:30AM RICHARD STRATZ, SPECIAL INT.-FR. JOACHIM THURSDAY, MAY 17TH 6:30AM +ROSA FAVOR SO-FR. CHUCK FRIDAY, MAY 18TH 6:30AM +MARY HELEN ESCALANTE-FR. JOACHIM SATURDAY, APRIL 19TH 8:00AM VIRGINIA ANTUNEZ, SP. INT.-FR. JOACHIM 4:00PM FOR THE PARISHIONERS-FR. JC SUNDAY, APRIL 20TH 7:30AM +PAUL WIENAN-FR. JOACHIM 9:00AM +GERI ARRIOLA-FR. JC 11:00AM +MYRNA BOBB-FR. PAUL 5:00PM +MARY LOU ANTON-FR. CHUCK The Priest scheduled to celebrate the Mass IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. ~Readings ~ Week of May 13, 2018 Sunday Acts 1:1-11; Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9; Eph 1:17-23 or Eph 4:1-13 or 4:1-7, 11-13; Mk 16:15-20 Monday Acts 1:15-17, 20-26; Ps 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8; Jn 15:9-17 Tuesday Acts 20:17-27; Ps 68:10-11, 20-21; Jn 17:1-11a Wednesday Acts 20:28-38; Ps 68:29-30, 33-35a, 35bc-36ab; Jn 17:11b-19 Thursday Acts 22:30; 23:6-11; Ps 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10,11; Jn 17:20-26 Friday Acts 25:13b-21; Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab; Jn 21:15-19 Saturday Morning: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31; Ps 11:4, 5 and 7; Jn 21:20-25 Vigil: Gn 11:1-9 or Ex 19:3-8a, 16-20b or Ez 37: 1-14 or Jl 3:1-5; Ps 104:1-2, 24, 35, 27-28, 29-30; Rom 8:22-27; Jn 7:37-39 Extended Vigil: Gn 11:1-9; Ps 33:10-11, 12-13, 14-15; Ex 19:3-8a, 16-20b; Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 or Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11; Ez 37:1-14; Ps 107:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Jl 3:1-5; Ps104:1-2, 24 and 35, 27-28, 29-30; Rom 8:22-27; Jn 7:37-39 Sunday 10:30AM RE Classes (School Classrooms) 6:00PM Life Teen (Life Teen Rm) Monday 1:45PM Bunco (Fr. Feeney Hall) Tuesday 4:00PM SVDP Mtg. (Convent Conference Rm) 7:00PM Boy Scout Troop 147 Mtg. (PJP Rm) Wednesday 9:30AM Centering Prayer (Convent Chapel) 5:00PM Reconciliation (Church) 6:30PM Rosary (Convent Chapel) STCS 8th Grade Graduation (Church) Thursday 9:00AM Adoration (Convent Chapel) 6:30PM Communion & Liberation Mtg. (Convent Upper Rm) 7:00PM Infant Baptism Class (Parish Conference Rm) Kevin Saunders Spring Bible Study (Fr. Feeney Hall) Friday Saturday 8:00PM Al Anon (Classroom 16) Alcoholics Anonymous (Classroom 17) A Mother s Day Blessing Loving God, as a mother gives life, love and nourishment to her children, so you watch over your Church. Bless these women who stand among us, that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their families, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect and love. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.