My Brothers and Sisters, As we celebrate this Sixth Sunday of Easter, we hear in today s scriptures two particular verses that in my opinion should be permanently etched in the minds and hearts of each of us. The first comes from our second (epistle) reading: God is love [1 John 4: 8b], and the second from today s Gospel: I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete [John 15:11]. What uplifting, reassuring words these are! And these words have been part of Sacred Scripture from the very beginnings of Christianity they are not the result of some teaching of the Second Vatican Council or of Pope Francis (though both the Council and the Holy Father have in so many ways reaffirmed these fundamental teachings of our Catholic Christian faith). Yet, it truly amazes me to encounter Catholics who continue to think of God primarily as a wrathful judge who is on the alert for any misstep of ours, and that we are certainly not worthy of God s love unless we try to merit it by living lives of near-perfection (this is actually a heresy known as Jansenism: that we have to do something to merit God s love). When St. John reminds us that God is love, he is reinforcing the fact that God is the very definition of love; it is impossible for God to be un-loving. God takes the initiative and loves us, just the way we are and invites us to respond to that divine initiative by loving God in return and loving our neighbor as ourselves. Lest I inadvertently give the impression that we can do no wrong as far as God is concerned, let s remember that any loving parent calls his or her children to accountability and holds that child accountable for his/her actions. So, there are consequences for how we act: good consequences when we act in accordance with God's plan, negative consequences when we ignore God s plan and act out of selfish motivations. Jesus reiterates the notion of a loving God when he states: As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete. Clearly, the Risen Christ wants us to experience joy and fulfillment not just in the life to come, but in our lives here-and-now. How could our loving God want any less for his daughters and sons? (This is a stark contrast to those who feel that their job is to suffer in this life, to slog through this vale of tears, seeing creation as nothing but a place of trouble and sorrow in order to come to happiness in eternal life). As we continue to revel in the Easter mysteries, we celebrate and give thanks to our God who truly does love us, more than we can imagine! Peace and joy in the Risen Christ, Rev. Charles G. Kieffer Pastor A Reminder Next Sunday, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord in lieu of the Seventh Sunday of Easter. The Dioceses of the Western U.S., along with Catholics in many other parts of the world, have transferred the observance of the Lord s Ascension from Ascension Thursday (the fortieth day of Easter) to the following Sunday so that more Catholics can experience this great Solemnity. This coming Thursday, then, is a regular weekday of the Easter Season and not a holy day of obligation. ++ Ascension takes place of 7 th Sunday of Easter
SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER PARISH NEWS VBS Volunteer Meeting!!! TOMORROW, May 7th at 6PM in the Parish Office Conference Room. We can't do this alone: We need high school, college and parent involvement to volunteer. Children of parent volunteers attend free, and students can earn service hours. If you have any questions please contact Gina Keating in the Parish Office @ 602-840-0850. 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. 2018 CDA Thank you to all who have already participated in the 2018 CDA... Please help us help others in need in our Diocese and greater Phoenix community. If you have not yet had a chance to participate, please consider how you can help us meet our goal. Thank you for being the love that gives hope to so many! 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! 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! A limited number of discount tickets for this event are currently available online at DynamicCatholic.com/Phoenix or call 859-980-7900.
Attention: St. Theresa Parish & School Parents of Eighth Graders! 2018 St. Theresa Parish Perpetual Fund Scholarship Opportunities to a Catholic High School The St. Theresa Parish Perpetual Endowment Fund has exciting news for graduating 8th graders who attend St. Theresa Catholic School and St. Theresa Parish 8th graders who are active in our Middle School EDGE Program----you are eligible to apply for one of (2) scholarships of $2,000 a year for four years toward a Catholic High School education beginning in Fall 2018. This amounts to a total scholarship award opportunity of $8,000 per student over the four years of high school! Scholarship applications and the accompanying guidelines can be picked up in the Parish Office. The deadline for submitting application materials to the Parish Office is May 7, 2018. Call Cheryl Lienau @ 602-359-0570 for more information. 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 any questions, please contact Maureen Schaaf in the Parish Office @ 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) 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. Pray For Those... Who Have Died: Robert Eldridge Who Are Sick: Richard Stratz 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.
SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Every Thursday in the Convent Chapel 9:00AM ~ 7:00PM SCHOOL NEWS 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 Friday, May 11th. 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 during school hours (Monday-Thursday: 8AM- 3PM, Friday: 8AM-12PM). Thank you for helping the homeless in our community! DIOCESAN NEWS St. Joseph's Youth Camp Founded by Arizona members of the Knights of Columbus in 1948. Managed by St. Joseph's Youth Camp, Inc. Generously supported by the AZ Council of the Knights of Columbus. Horseback Riding, Kayaking, Hiking, Archery, Telescope & Campfire Nights, Food, Lodging, Camp T-shirt, DVD of the week's activities and much more! Campers: ages 8-12 - June 17th-June 23rd Campers: ages 8-12 - June 24th-June 30th TEENS: ages 13-15 - July 1st-July 7th TEENS ages 15-17: June 10th-16th can train to be Camp Counselors. Training includes CPR, Safe Environment, and Camp Environment programs. Opportunities available to earn community service hours. Visit www.sjycaz.com, click on Register Now and follow the prompts or contact us at admin@sjycaz.com or 480-449-0848. Next Week, Our Second Collection Is For The Catholic Communication Campaign This campaign connects people with Christ, here and around the world in developing countries, 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. Your support helps spread the Gospel message! To learn more visit dphx.org/ccc. Tears Speak But Spirits Soar This support group, for mothers who have suffered the loss of a child to abortion, will meet next on May 8th and June 12th (Tuesdays) at 7PM at Mount Claret, 4633 North 54 th Street in Phoenix (Pope Paul II Center). Please call Patty/Tears Speak at 480.838.7474 (Church of the Holy Spirit) with any questions, or for confidential discussion. Please join us on your healing journey. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. ~Psalm 32:7 Catholic Pilgrimages To The Shrines Of Spain And The Holy Land Spain, September 10th-21st, 2018, $4,049.00 per person including air from Phoenix. Holy Land, November 7th-17th, 2018, $4,049.00 per person including air from Phoenix. Most meals included. Holy Mass daily at the Shrines. For a Flyer or more detailed information please call Cathie or Michael Milano at 1-800-773-2660. Multi-Parish Singles Our mission is to work as a team to provide options for individual growth and development in a healthy, down-to-earth, Singles fellowship environment. We offer affordable, cultural, educational, recreational, spiritual, and events to all Singles (includes never-married, single parents, divorced and widowed) age 21 and older (NO dues!). Activities allowing us to meet new faces and see new places in a non-threatening atmosphere, are numerous and varied. For a list of activities, visit www.multiparishsingles.org. Bring A Miracle Into A Child s Life! Has it crossed your mind to welcome a child into your family? Have you wondered how your gifts can bring joy to a child for a moment or for a life time? Catholic Charities Foster Care and Adoption Program provide informational sessions to answer any questions you may have. To find the closest informational session near you, call Sandy Gramke @ 602-934-3843. Bring your questions and an open heart! To read stories about our families go to www.catholiccharitiesaz.org.
Mass Intentions (MAY 7TH-MAY 13TH) MONDAY, MAY 7TH 6:30AM ANNA MUNNINGER, SPECIAL INT.-FR. JC TUESDAY, MAY 8TH 6:30AM +BELEN BARTNING DE AGUIRRE-FR. CHUCK WEDNESDAY, MAY 9TH 6:30AM +BELEN BARTNING DE AGUIRRE-FR. CHUCK 8:30AM +MARY LOU ANTON-FR. JC THURSDAY, MAY 10TH 6:30AM ED CISZCZON, SPECIAL INT.-FR. JC FRIDAY, MAY 11TH 6:30AM DAVE WOOD, SPECIAL INT.-FR. JC SATURDAY, APRIL 12TH 8:00AM +RITA ROBERSON-FR. JC 4:00PM FOR THE PARISHIONERS-FR. JOACHIM SUNDAY, APRIL 13TH 7:30AM +MARY K (JO) MURPHY-FR. CHUCK 9:00AM +GERI ARRIOLA-FR. JOACHIM 11:00AM +RITA MCBRIDE-FR. JC 5:00PM +JOHN MCNAUGHTON-FR. PAUL The Priest scheduled to celebrate the Mass IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. ~Readings ~ Week of May 6, 2018 Sunday Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48; Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4; 1 Jn 4:7-10; Jn 15:9-17 Monday Acts 16:11-15; Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b; Jn 15:26 16:4a Tuesday Acts 16:22-34; Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8; Jn 16:5-11 Wednesday Acts 17:15, 22 18:1; Ps 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14; Jn 16:12-15 Thursday Acts 18:1-8; Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4; Jn 16:16-20 Friday Acts 18:9-18; Ps 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7; Jn 16:20-23 Saturday Acts 18:23-28; Ps 47:2-3, 8-9, 10; Jn 16:23b-28 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 Sunday 10:30AM RE Classes (School Classrooms) 1:00PM Infant Baptisms (Church) 6:00PM Life Teen (Life Teen Rm) Monday 6:00PM VBS Volunteer Mtg. (Parish Conference Rm) 6:30PM Edge (Life Teen Rm) 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) 6:00PM Adult Choir Rehearsal (Church) 6:30PM Rosary (Convent Chapel) Thursday 9:00AM Adoration (Convent Chapel) 6:30PM Communion & Liberation Mtg. (Convent Upper Rm) 7:00PM Infant Baptism Orientation (Parish Conference Rm) Kevin Saunders Spring Bible Study (Fr. Feeney Hall) Friday 10:00AM Funeral - Robert Eldridge (Church) Saturday 8:00PM Al Anon (Classroom 16) Alcoholics Anonymous (Classroom 17)