Catholic Church Pastor Fr. Frank T. Dicristina Deacon Couple Deacon Paul and Elsie Ann Myers Parish Office Hours Monday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Closed during lunch 11:30-12:30p.m. (951) 689-1131 Facebook.com/StThomasRiversideCA Maria Cordeiro... Ext. 221 Secretary Rebecca Barragán... Ext. 225 Communications Coordinator / Bulletin Valerie Doran... Ext. 224 Funeral Coordinator Arcelia Maldonado-López... Ext. 239 Office Manager Elizabeth Méndez... Ext. 229 Bookkeeper Gary Owens... Ext. 221 Music Director Maricela Michel... Ext. 231 Wedding Coordinator Deanna Rice... Ext. 236 Liturgical Assistant Catechesis Staff Dana Robles... Ext. 240 Catechetical Coordinator Marisol Aceves... Ext. 227 Spanish Ministry / Catechesis Coordinator Lisa Upattiya... Ext. 240 Youth Ministry Office Geraldine Delafosse... Ext. 232 and Grace Fernandez RCIA Coordinators St. Thomas the Apostle School 9136 Magnolia Avenue Riverside, CA 92503 (951) 689-1981 www.stasriverside.com Facebook.com /stthomastheapostleschool Dr. Dian Pizurie Jeanette Morrow Martha Sepúlveda Ochoa Principal Vice Principal Secretary We the Parishioners of St. Thomas the Apostle strive to live like 23 rd Sunday of Ordinary Time September 9, 2018 J.S.Paluch Co., Inc. Schedule of Masses Vigil: 5:00 p.m. English, 6:30 p.m. Spanish Sunday: 7:00, 9:00, 11:00 a.m., 5:00 p.m. - English Weekday: 8:00 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. Communion Service: Thursday and Friday - English Devotion: Novena to St. Anthony, Tuesday after 8:00 a.m. Mass Adoration: 3 rd Friday of each month in the children s worship room 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Enter through Parish Office Anointing of the Sick: 2 nd Saturday of each month at 4:00 p.m. in the Church. Sacrament of Reconciliation Confession English on 1 st, 3 rd, and 4 th Saturday of the month, arrive at 9:00 a.m. in the Church.
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Vigésimo Tercer Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario Be Compassionate as our Heavenly Father is Compassionate!! Compassion literally means to suffer with. To be compassionate towards one another means we need to learn how to enter into the life of another, their joys and sorrows, their suffering and their hope. If we can learn how to do this we can become more accepting of them as persons because we have worked at feeling with them rather than just judging them. One group I am having a difficult time to be compassionate towards are the White Nationalists. I believe that what is at the heart of their being White Nationalists is the fear of being a minority. I have felt that at times when I have heard the reports for the future of those who are from European heritage. Families from Asia, Africa, South and Central America are outnumbering us which is a totally new experience for us. When I was in school 99.9% of those who were in my classes were all of European decent. I remember only one African American boy in all of my classes throughout grammar and high school. I was very used to seeing faces that looked like mine. Now, at times I am the minority in a gathering. This can be disconcerting. Most of the time I don t think about it because it is OK that we are a more diverse country. It takes more effort for us to mix together and learn from others how they see life and approach its joys and sorrows. Why is this change happening? I have heard different reasons for this new make-up of our society. One of course is that the immigrants coming into our country today are primarily from Asia or the Central and South Americas. But there has been a different reason that is contributing to this change and that is that those of European decent are not having children. Most young couples of this background are having only one or two children which barely replaces their parents in the make-up of the society. Many are also not having children at all due to the focus on careers and making money and having the freedom to do what they want when they want. Being parents is no longer a priority for them and so we have less and less children being born to those of European decent. This is part of the reality here in the USA but also in Europe and other industrialized countries. This is a big change for us to deal with as Americans. Our norm for the first 200 years as a country was all about being of European heritage. When my grandparents and great grandparents came they were not of White Anglo backgrounds and faced a great deal of prejudice. Italians were considered black because of their olive skin. They were called WAPS, without papers, because of their immigrations status. Only northern Europeans with Lily White skin were acceptable. These were those from the England, Scotland, Ireland, the Netherlands, those from Germany, and Austria. WASPS were the ones on the top of the social structure. White Anglo Saxon Protestants is what wasp referred to. Life has changed a great deal with the influx of the rest of Europeans and now people from Asian, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas. It has changed life in our country. Actually it has become better but it frightens those who want to go back to the way things were. About 10 years ago a book was published called: Who Moved MY Cheese. It speaks to what happens when things change and how people deal or don t deal with it. Whenever a change happens we have to adjust our way of thinking and acting. In the book 2 characters who realize the cheese they ate was not being replenished they began to plan where to look for new cheese. The other 2 characters just kept hoping the cheese would return and they didn t bother looking for a new source of cheese. Because they refused to change they were becoming tired, lacked nourishment and began dying. One finally started looking for a new source of cheese but the other one refused. The cheese would come back. The first 2 found the new source of cheese and continued to live well. The other one sought out the cheese and found it. The last one died because of not changing. We can always hope things would return to the way we liked them but most of the time they don t. We must adjust our ways and find new ways of living so we can continue prospering. If those of European heritage change and begin having 4 or more children, then those of that background may regain the numbers they have lost. Most who are studying this phenomenon don t believe this will happen. So we must adjust to the make-up of our country as it is and will continue to be. We need to see the new immigrants as our sisters and brothers and get to know them and work with them. Many of us are already doing it and it is a good thing. For those who refuse to accept this new reality they may only grow more bitter and angry that their cheese has moved. We have to pray for them and help them to grow in their understanding of life, change and what the Gospel is calling us to. I have listened to news reports, findings of those studying the changes in the make-up of our country and European countries, and reflecting on what I have heard and witnessed. We need the Lord to help us with this new reality and to compassionately assist those who we may help to find the new cheese. This will be a difficult process but one that will bring new life and hope to all of the world. We can also help those coming to this county to understand the way of life here in the US and help them adjust and prosper here. Fr. Frank T. Dicristina Pastor
Page 3 September 9, 2018 Mass Intentions Saturday/Sabado, September 8 th 5:00 p.m. Richard Stadelbacher 6:30 p.m. Franny Avila Sunday/Domingo, September 9 th 7:00 a.m. Fr. Joe Felker 9:00 a.m. Raymond Magnon 11:00 a.m. Jess Martinez 5:00 p.m. Joe & Maria-Elena Ramirez Monday/Lunes, September 10 th 8:00 a.m. Glenn Scott Tuesday/Martes, September 11 th 8:00 a.m. Dcn. Mike Cruz Wednesday/Miercoles, September 12 th 8:00 a.m. Steven Allaire Thursday/Jueves, September 13 th 8:00 a.m. Enrique Ocampo Friday/Viernes, September 14 th 8:00 a.m. Ryan Garrett Alguire Responsorial Psalm: The Lord is kind and merciful Prayers for the Deceased We pray for all the faithful departed, especially Emmett Reeves, Danny Arellano, MaryAnn Korson, Ruben Acosta, Maximina Asperas, Virginia Belken, Carlos Dias, Ana Roybal, Emily Roe, Stephen Brennen, Stephen Zelechoski, George Sepulveda, Glenn Scott, Enrique Ocampo, and Steven Allaire. May the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen. Prayers for the sick We pray for Mayanne van Rassel, Jim Reed, Mary Celestine, Richard Ybarra, Fr. Ed Cardoza, Dcn. Paul Myers, Robert Smith, Alex Vasquez, Joanne DeGeorge, Randy Akes, Gerda VandenRaadt, Bertha Macias, Michael Santa Maria, Odette Balajadia, Joaquin Chavez, Elise Renner, Luz Maldonado, and Vickie Poff. May they feel the healing power of prayer. Amen. Sanctuary Ints. Blessed Virgin Ints. Blessed Virgin Ints. St. Joseph St. Joseph Monday: Lunes: Tuesday: Martes: Wedesday: Miercoles: Thursday: Jueves: Friday: Viernes: Saturday: Sabado: Sunday: Domingo: Ints. Ints. Richard Ybarra Carolyn Judkins Mateo Family Mayanne van Rassel Any and All Abuse Victims Readings for the week 1 Cor 5:1-8; Ps 5:5-7, 12; Lk 6:6-11 1 Cor 6:1-11; Ps 149:1b-6a, 9b; Lk 6:12-19 1 Cor 7:25-31; Ps 45:11-12, 14-17; Lk 6:20-26 1 Cor 8:1b-7, 11-13; Ps 139:1b-3, 13-14ab, 23-24; Lk 6:27-38 Nm 21:4b-9; Ps 78:1bc-2, 34-38; Phil 2:6-11; Jn 3:13-17 1 Cor 10:14-22; Ps 116:12-13, 17-18; Jn 19:25-27 or Lk 2:33-35 Is 50:5-9a; Ps 116:1-6, 8-9; Jas 2:14-18; Mk 8:27-35 Regular office hours have resumed: Monday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Closed 11:30-12:30 p.m. daily for lunch Please come and join us on Saturday, September 15 th at 11:30 a.m. in the KDC as we gather in a rosary prayer for our Nation, respect for life, the sanctity of marriage and the world. Thursday Morning Bible Study Join us every Thursday morning starting September 13 th. We are in the KDC, room 2 at 9:00-10:00 a.m. Our next Adoration will be held on Friday, September 21 st 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Please enter through the Parish Office. Thank you for your love offering to the poor box!
Page 4 September 9, 2018 St. Thomas School News SAVE THE DATE FOR: ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE SCHOOL CAR SHOW - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2018 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. CARS, MOTOR CYCLES, BIKES. Keep an eye out in the bulletin or call us at: School phone number (Martha Ochoa) : (951)689-1981 SAL - salvador575@sbcglobal.net St. Thomas School Holiday Gift Wrap & Gourmet Collection fundraiser will be from September 20 th through October 3 rd. Please help the school in their fundraising efforts. Catalogs will be available in the Church Office and in the back of the church. Items ordered will be delivered the first week of November. From Belize, with love! Thank you to everyone who supported me and prayed for my mission to Belize. We led Summer camps for the kids. We did things like give talks, discuss in small groups, have adoration, prayer groups, and praise and worship every day. In addition to these camps we did every day, we also did numerous other tasks to help the Sisters there such as feed the poor and go on home visits in the poor areas of Belize. It was truly a success and many lives were greatly affected including my own. If you have any questions about how it went, you can contact me at jake.wandro@yahoo.com. Thank you! God Bless. Jake Wandro
Page 5 September 9, 2018 Youth Ministry - 7 th - 12 th grade Let s Talk starts Sunday, September 16 th 6:15-8:15 p.m. in the Bosco House. Join the conversation and grow in your faith in a fun casual setting. Get regular Youth Ministry updates Text @99k9gf to 81010 For more information, contact Lisa Upattiya: lupattiya@sbdiocese.org Faith Formation News: To All Who Serve in Catechetical Ministry: Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not swerve from it. Proverbs 22:6 Welcome to a new year illed with opportunity to share our Catholic faith with the families of St. Thomas the Apostle! You have answered the call to serve Christ by being an example of Christian love to the families of St Thomas. Did you know the root of Catechist comes for the Greek word to echo? We are here to keep the ECHO of our faith strong! The Faith Formation Ministry is one of prayer, team work, and lexibility! We strive to follow these three tenets when passing on the faith to the children of the parish: 1) Be pastoral in ALL situations with children and parents! And now faith, hope and love abide; and the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor. 13:13 2) The parents are the irst and life-long catechists, let s empower them! Family catechesis precedes, accompanies and enriches other forms of instruction in the faith. Catechism of the Catholic Church 2226 3) The experience of church is extremely important to foster community. When children and parents feel they BELONG, they are more likely to strengthen BELIEF! September 16 th is Catechetical Sunday, all those who serve in this ministry are remembered in Mass intentions at parishes across the country. YOU, dear Catechists, are a valued and treasured part of St. Thomas the Apostle parish! Let us lift each other in prayer each week. You are a blessing to our community let s continue the ECHO! Your sister in Christ, Dana Robles English- Dana Robles, Coordinator of Catechesis at (951) 689-1131, ext. 240 drobles@sbdiocese.org Español - Bertha Muñoz (951)689-1131 ext. 235 bamunozmarquez@sbdiocese.org
Page 8 September 9, 2018 Our Lady of Sorrows Rosary Makers will meet on the 2 nd Tuesday of the month starting September 11 th in the KDC 6:00-8:00 p.m. Come make rosaries for world missions in poverty. People who have the least in life appreciate rosary prayer the most. Supplies and teaching provided. Parent meeting Sunday, September 16 th at 10:00am in the KDC (online registration must be completed before this meeting) For registration go to our website: http://www.st-thomas-riverside.com/rcia-ac For questions and to set up your consultation contact Mrs. Delafosse at: gdelafosse@sbdiocese.org or call 951.689.1131 x232. Somos bilinguales / We are bilingual! SPARK - Catholic Young Adult Community (Formerly ELEVATE) Are you looking to grow in your Catholic faith with other young adults that share your faith? Whether you're coming back into the faith after being gone for awhile, looking to explore your faith deeper, or anywhere in between you're more than welcome here at SPARK. SPARK Catholic Young Adult Community is for all young adults from the ages of 18 to 39. We meet every 2 nd and 4 th Thursdays of the month at St. Catherine's or St. Thomas here in Riverside. To stay updated with all of our upcoming events make sure to follow us on Instagram @spark_ya. Hope to see you soon! Fellowship of Catholic Christian Women will be studying the book of Acts for the 2018-2019 year. Join us as we gather together in the Spirit to grow closer to Jesus and each other. We meet the 2 nd and 4 th Wednesday from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the KDC. Our orientation night begins September 26 th RSVP to Monica Jackson at jon4mon@gmail.com or Veronica Vargas at (951)452-9143 RCIA and RCIA-AC would like to thank the following Catechists who answered God s call to ministry: Greg Doran Raul Michel Melissa Gibson John Buckley Carlos Avila Orest Stetkevich Geraldine Omega Melissa Lewandoski St. Augustine speaks of separated Christian communities: 'Whether they like it or not, they are our brothers; and they will only cease to be so when they no longer say Our Father." Monday, September 10 th at Madison Street Church (3991 Madison St.) will host Taize prayer, (7:00-8:00 p.m.) an hour of quiet prayer together asking our Lord and Savior to heal the divisions among us that interfere with the worldwide proclamation of the gospel. Please join us in prayer. Senior Luncheon will be Wednesday, September 19 th. Welcome Doors open at 11:00 a.m. Back! and lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. We will be serving Chicken. Please bring a side dish to share. We look forward to seeing you there! Most of us do not need the TV news to tell us that the price of groceries is going up. The results at the checkout counter give plenty of evidence. For those with limited and low income this is a cause for concern. The Acts of the Apostles: 2:44-45 tells us that "All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them according to each one's needs." This may be an ideal exaggeration of the early church's commitment to care for the for those in need, but the call to share what we possess for those who have less than basic human needs remains loud and clear for those who follow Christ. St. Thomas parish will conduct another food drive on the weekend of September 22-23 rd at the beginning of all the masses. Please mark the date on your calendar and make this weekend special as we attempt to share according to each one's needs. We also accept Stater Bros Scrip.