CHURCH OF ST. THOMAS MORE GLENDALE, AZ JANUARY 4, 2015 Liturgy Epiphany Changes Everything An Epiphany is not simply an idea. Writer D.H. Lawrence wrote that people can do anything they want with an idea, but a truly new experience changes everything; before you can do anything with it, it does something with you. The Magi, whom we recall on this feast of the Epiphany, experienced Jesus personally. While we have two centuries of teachings, reflections, arguments and writings about the experience of knowing Jesus, they came face to face with the Christ. That had to change them; the experience had to do something with them. The last line of today s Gospel tells us they went home by another route. I have to wonder if the route was all that was changed. Were those Magi not changed, too? After a personal encounter with Jesus, can you ever be the same? Epiphany is the manifestation or shining forth of Jesus: the revelation of who Jesus really is. The Church s Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation makes very clear in the first chapter that revelation is not about God revealing ideas or dogmas, but God s very self: In His goodness and wisdom, God chose to reveal Himself and make known to us the hidden purpose of His will by which through Christ, the Word made flesh, man might in the Holy Spirit have access to the Father and come to share in the divine nature. (Dei Verbum #2) What does today s Gospel reveal about Jesus? The answer lies partly in the gifts of the Magi: gold, frankincense and myrrh. Each in their own way, the gifts reveal who Jesus is and who he will be gold for a king, frankincense burnt in the worship of God, and myrrh, an ointment used to bury the dead. Welcome to the Parish 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. THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY This study group is on Christmas break and will resume Thursday, January 8, 2015, 9:20 a.m. PERMANENT DIACONATE INQUIRY EVENINGS Men and their wives are invited to attend one of the Inquiry meetings to find out about the requirements for ordination, the application procedure and the life and ministry of the Deacon. Meetings have been scheduled for: Tuesday, January 13, 6:30-9:00 p.m. St. Bernadette, Scottsdale Saturday, February 7, 9:00 a.m. - Noon OLPH, Glendale Tuesday, February 10, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Holy Cross, Mesa Saturday, February 28, 9:00 a.m. - Noon Immaculate Conception, Cottonwood And what about that star? We re told the Magi followed it from the East. Perhaps here, Matthew s point is that at Jesus birth there was a sign but it was Gentiles rather than Jews that saw it. Christ is revealed to the whole world; a manifestation that we must also experience today. We must make the encounter with Christ a personal experience. Let us pray that this Epiphany, this experience, does something with us! Steve Raml Director of Liturgy & Music YES (Young Enthusiastic Seniors) Wednesday, January 14, 12:00 Noon Our guest presenter, Joe McCaigue, will speak about taxes and be available for questions. If time permits, we will play Left, Right, and Center, which is always a favorite. Bring a dish to share and friend. Upcoming: January 28 The YES Group will take the Light Rail to Tempe for lunch and shopping. Details will be provided at the January 14 potluck.
Adult Formation SHOWING UP AMONG US This day of the Magi or Three Kings is celebrated in the Western Church as Epiphany. The word means the revelation of Christ to the whole world. We are celebrating God s showing up among us as human. God sent his Son among us to tell us we have not been left in darkness. Jesus is the light for our world. But what does that mean? It does not mean that Jesus is the light at the end of the tunnel. It does not mean what the song claims: If everyone would light just one candle, what a bright world this would be. It does not mean what the couplet says: How far that little candle throws its beam, so shines a good deed in a naughty world. Jesus is not a dim glow, or a signal, or a guide through the darkness, or a light on a question, or a ray in the dark. Jesus IS radiating, life-sustaining light who comes in glory like the sun bursting over the eastern horizon. This Jesus who is both human and divine is permanently present. Jesus is light for the world because he reveals the very heart of God. Jesus is the light for the world because we see the fullness of the Father s love given to us at his birth and beyond. Jesus is light for the world because when we see Jesus, we see the Father. Jesus is the light for the world pouring his mercy through every crack and crevice, every wounded and broken heart, every lost and abandoned soul, every dark place of drugs, alcohol sex addiction, every abused woman, man or child. This is what showing up among us is all about. Pope Benedict XVI expressed the meaning of God who mercifully suffers with us: Man is worth so much to God that he himself became man in order to suffer with man hence in all human suffering we are joined by one who experiences and carries suffering with us; hence consolato is present in all suffering, the consolation of God s compassionate love and so the star of hope rises. The Encyclical Spe Salvi. Mary Ann Ronan For information on our local St. John Fisher Council visit www.kofc12856.org. THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD The Family Pasta Dinner, an annual tradition and family favorite event, will be held Saturday, January 24, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. (dinner served until 7:30 p.m.) In keeping with tradition, this event is a FUN RAISER for the entire family. Cost is $5 per person or $25 for family of 5 or more. Tickets will be available in the Parish Office Thursday, January 8. BLOOD DRIVE 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Save the date for the first blood drive of 2015! We ve been very successful in our donations and look forward to another great year. Look for sign up tables in the courtyard or register online at United Blood Services. ORGAN DONATION PRESENTATION 10:15 a.m., Donate Life AZ is a federally designated organ procurement organization for the State of Arizona. Donate Arizona saves and heals the lives of Arizonans through work to provide organs to save lives, tissue to heal lives, and corneas to restore sight. The Catholic Church accepts the transplanting of human organs and recognizes the donation of organs and blood to those in need as acts of charity and therefore commendable. You can register to be an organ donor at www.donatelifeaz.org. SATURDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY The Saturday Bible Study will begin again January 10 at 8:00 a.m. We will be studying David (Ancient- Future Bible Study) by Stephen Binz. This series incorporates study of the Bible with the most ancient way of reading Scripture, lectio divina. It is an exciting approach and we invite any one interested to join. Books for this study can be purchased through Amazon.
Youth Ministry Grades 6-12 GROWING IN FAITH, ACTING IN LOVE Christian Formation Grades K - 5 ELEMENTARY FAITH FORMATION Calendar / Class Times / Days: December 22 January 6 No Class Classes resume on January 12 and 13 FIRE (6-8 grades) Wed., January 7 Sun., January 11 6:30-8:00 p.m. 4:00-5:30 p.m. 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. t.u.f.(9-12 grades) Sun., January 11 6:00-7:30 p.m. Please note: the time for t.u.f. It is important to arrive by 6:00 p.m. and we finish at 7:30 p.m. Permission Slips for the Winter Retreat will be emailed to parents and available at t.u.f. meetings CHILDREN S LITURGY OF THE WORD (CLOW) Children in Kindergarten through third grade are invited to participate in the Children s Liturgy of the Word parallel liturgy during the 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Masses. CLOW is held the first three Sundays of the month. CLOW will not meet December 28 - January 4. Normal schedule resumes January 11. LIVE IN THE NOW/Spiritual Vitality Seasons of Spirituality Tuesday, January 6, 9:15 a.m. The blessing of the present is that it brings us to understand the fleetingness of time live with the spirit in full bloom. Joan Chittister in the Gift of Years The topic for January is LIVE IN THE NOW. Too often we live in the past and we are afraid of the future. Living in the now is our friend as it gives us space and time to realize that without the past, we could not possibly live in this present moment and the future is out of our control anyway so live in the now. Today we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany, where the Magi find the newborn king and offer him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. In the spirit of the Magi, by your gift to St. Vincent de Paul, know that comfort and peace can once again be given to a newborn child. FAITH FORMATION CATECHISTS Meeting January 5 and 6 at 6:00 p.m. Please attend on your regular Faith Formation class day. St. Mary s Schools All Class Reunion Celebrating St. Mary s Basilica Centennial Year Saturday, January 24, 2015 Mass at 5:00 p.m. Hors d oeuvre Reception Following All Alumni of the classes of St. Mary s Elementary and High School are invited to this exciting reunion celebration. ST. JOAN OF ARC RESPECT LIFE Concert for Life with Chris Muglia January 18, 4:00 p.m. St Joan of Arc is located at 3801 E Greenway Rd, Phoenix. Tickets are $10 Adults, 12 and Under $5 and may be purchased at the door or by calling Deb at SJA at 602-867-9171. This concert is a kick-off event for a series of informative and challenging talks in support of life from conception to natural death. All are invited to attend and to learn more!
STEPHEN MINISTRY Pastoral Care Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3 Through Abraham s faith, God gave him and his wife a son in their old age. The family thus becomes the sign of the faith of human beings and the love of God. As members of the community of St. Thomas More Parish, we are called to care for one another as God has cared for us. You may still register for the session beginning January 8, 2015. Please contact Linda McDowell in the Parish Office. The Stephen Ministry will be meeting on Monday, January 12, and Monday, January 26, at 7:00 p.m. POTLUCK/GENERAL MEETING Thursday, January 8, 6:00 p.m. Modular Building Friendship and fellowship for single parishioners 40+ provides an opportunity for singles to meet and socialize. All are invited to the monthly potluck/social meeting. Contact Richard at azcoyner@q.com for information or view the website at www.stmglendale.org under Ministries/ Adult/Journey. HEALING OILS OF THE BIBLE, 10:30 a.m. We will be studying verses in the Bible where it talks about oils essential oils distilled from plants. These oils were used for anointing, healing, joy, gladness, embalming, etc., both in the Old and New Testaments. Please RSVP to Robert at 602-573- 2258. SISTERS JANUARY MEETING Monday, January 12, 7:00 p.m. Modular Building The subject will be Women's Health and presented by: Dr. Jennifer Bush-Hernandez D.C and Dr. Brittany Baer D.C. of AFC Physical Medicine & Chiropractic Centers Desert Ridge. Start out the new year by hearing healthy tips for your body. All women are invited for fun, fellowship, and food. Given in Gratitude for God s Blessings The plate collection for: Sunday, December 21, was $35,223, Christmas was $71,260, and Sunday, December 28, was $27,844. The collection for Sunday, January 4 will be reported on. Thank you for your faithful support. Thanks to Our Advertisers COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Stop by or call the Parish Office to learn more about.. 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. SAFEWAY - sign up by picking up a registration form in the Parish Office or visiting www.escrip.com, select group (St. Thomas More, ID# 9605052). ANDRÉ HOUSE has volunteer opportunities available. To sign up online visit www.signupgenius.com/ go/70a044fa8a72f4-andre2/. 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. PARISH HALL RENTAL Please patronize our advertisers and thank them for supporting our bulletin when using their products and services. The is available to rent for private functions. Please see the parish web site under FAQ s or stop by the Parish Office for an information sheet.
PARISH COUNCIL Ques ons, comments or concerns, please call the Parish Office Sunday, February 8 STM teens will present Suspect Hollywood. A hilarious Murder Mystery Dinner Theater. Tickets will go on sale later this month. Buy your Sunday Arizona Republic here and support the teens. A mere $2.00, like everywhere else, but you re helping the STM teens. Thank you for your support of our youth group in their fund raising efforts. Monday, January 5 6:00 pm Faith Formation Catechists Meeting Tuesday, January 6 9:00 am Seasons of Spirituality 6:00 pm Faith formation Catechists Meeting Wednesday, January 7 6:30 pm FIRE Thursday, January 8 9:20 am Bible Study 6:00 pm Journey Monthly Potluck Meeting 6:30 pm Evening Rosary 7:00 pm Men s Ministry Friday, January 9 Saturday, January 10 8:00 am Bible Study January 8:00 am Blood Drive 10:15 am Presentation on Organ Donation 10:30 am Sacred Oils of the Bible 4:00 pm Fire 6:00 pm tuf Readings for the Week January 4, 2015 Sunday The Epiphany of the Lord Is 60:1-6; Ps 72; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12 Monday Saint John Neumann, Bishop 1 Jn 3:22-4:6; Ps 2; Mt 4:12-17, 23-25 Tuesday Saint André Bessette, Religious 1 Jn 4:7-10; Ps 72; Mk 6:34-44 Wednesday Saint Raymond of Penyafort, Priest 1 Jn 4:11-18; Ps 72; Mk 6:45-52 Thursday 1 Jn 4:19-5:4; Ps 72; Lk 4:14-22a Friday 1 Jn 5:5-13; Ps 147; Lk 5:12-16 Saturday 1 Jn 5:14-21; Ps 149; Jn 3:22-30 Sunday The Baptism of the Lord Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Is 55:1-11; Ps 29 Acts 10:34-38 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, JANUARY 3 5:00pm +Priscilla Gamban SUNDAY, JANUARY 4 7:30am +Raymond Nauman 9:00am +Rose Frascetto 11:00am +Parishioners of St. Thomas More TUESDAY, JANUARY 6 8:30am +Terri Lyn Schumacher WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7 8:30 am +Parishioners of St. Thomas More THURSDAY, JANUARY 8 8:30 am +Cindy Laveny FRIDAY, JANUARY 9 8:30am +Gina Svarovsky SATURDAY, JANUARY 10 5:00pm Nory Ramus SUNDAY, JANUARY 11 7:30am +Barbara Kockert 9:00am Parishioners of St. Thomas More 11:00am +Charlotte Stemrich Prayer List * Genaro Acuna * Linda Blanchard * Sharon DiCosmo * * Steve Jeselson * Jordyn Kube * Ruth McComber * 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.