CHURCH OF ST. THOMAS MORE GLENDALE, AZ JANUARY 18, 2015 Liturgy What Are You Looking For? Jesus doesn t mess around in today s Gospel (John 1: 35-42) - he notices two men following him, spins around to face them and gets right to the point with a direct question: What are you looking for? How would you answer that question? What ARE you looking for? Are you looking for a direction in life? Are you looking for meaning in the midst of a tragedy? Are you looking for happiness? Are you looking for an answer to your prayers? What are you looking for? Are you looking for peace in a troubled world? Are you looking for truth in a culture of false messages? Are you looking for what truly satisfies the hunger of the human heart? What are you looking for? The answer to that question is not as simple as typing in a Google search. Google will give us lots of answers, but not the one to this question. 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. To answer Jesus question, we have to search ourselves. We have to be willing to search deep within ourselves and let God help us discern what it is we are looking for. When the disciples figured out what they were looking for, they answered that they wanted to know where Jesus was staying. Jesus answer to them was a simple and straightforward as his question had been: Come and you will see. Perhaps his answer is the same to each of us, no matter what we are looking for: Come and you will see. Come to Jesus, spend time in prayer, and you ll find what you re looking for. We re told the disciples stayed with him that day. By spending time in his presence, Andrew proclaims they found what they were looking for: the Messiah, Christ. We can have that same experience, finding Christ by spending time in his presence, in prayer. And by doing so, we just might find what we are looking for. Steve Raml Director of Liturgy & Music Monday, January 19 In observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Parish Office will be closed Have a safe weekend. Thank you to the Arts and Environment committee! Your time and talent decorating the church for the Christmas season is greatly appreciated. Thank you to all the parishioners that helped with taking down of the decorations after Christmas. THURSDAY EVENING ROSARY 6:30 p.m., Mary Chapel If you are unable to attend the morning recitation of the rosary, please consider this opportunity to pray with fellow parishioners.
SECOND SUNDAY IN ODINARY TIME Parish Outreach Thank you to all the parishioners that supported our holiday food, clothing and gift drives benefitting the following agencies: Adobe Mountain School, André House, Catholic Social Services Foster Care Program, Deer Valley Elementary Schools, Peoria Elementary Schools and Society of St. Vincent de Paul. In these times of uncertainty, we are blessed to have many parishioners who answered the call to help their neighbor in need. Thank you for your generous support of these programs. 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 are available in the Parish Office. Have Your Blood Pressure Checked After All Masses REFUGEE MINISTRY The St. Thomas More Refugee Ministry was invited to give a presentation at The Immersion into the Human Experience sponsored by Catholic Charities. Immersion experiences offer a real life, face-to-face encounter with vulnerable members of the community to learn from those who suffer poverty and live on the margins of society. Three volunteers from STM Refugee Ministry shared their experience of working with refugees and how their faith impassions their willingness to volunteer with the refugees Following the presentation, a potluck Christmas Party was held with a refugee family from Cuba. The family was presented with gifts donated by Catholic Charities and St. Thomas More. The Refugee Ministry thanks St. Thomas More parishioners for their tremendous support. The ministry will start working with a new refugee family in in the near future. If you d like to join Refugee Ministry, please contact Sophia at 623-869-6848 or email sufuang@msn.com. SPECIAL NEEDS APPEAL The Special Needs Appeal give assistance to the Churches in Latin America, Africa and Eastern Europe. Envelopes are included in your packet. Thank you for your support. SUSPECT HOLLYWOOD MURDER MYSTERY DINNER THEATER SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 4:30 p.m. STM teens are presenting Suspect Hollywood a hilarious Murder Mystery Dinner Theater. The cost of the event is $20 and tickets are available after all weekend masses and in the Parish Office during the week. Tickets will not be sold at the door. The proceeds from the event will be used towards the cost of the teens attending Notre Dame s University Vision program, which will be held this summer. Thank you for your support. SOUPER Bowl of Caring Collection January 31 and February 1 The Super Bowl is just around the corner and you can get involved in another Souper Bowl at the same time that helps fight hunger and poverty in our local communities. The idea for Souper Bowl of Caring came from this prayer: "Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those that do not have a bowl of soup to eat." Teens from our youth group will be in the courtyard after all masses January 31 and February 1 taking donations for this annual event. 100% of funds collected stay in our local community to serve those in need. Thank you for your support.
Youth Ministry Grades 6-12 GROWING IN FAITH, ACTING IN LOVE Christian Formation Grades K - 5 FIRE (6-8 grades) Sun., January 18 & Wed., January 21 No Sessions - MLK Holiday Sun., January 25 4:00 p.m. Wed., January 28 6:30 p.m. t.u.f.(9-12 grades) Sun., January 18 No Session - MLK Holiday Sun., January 25 6:00 pm. 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. We shall steer safely through every storm, so long as our heart is right, our intention fervent, our courage steadfast, and our trust fixed firmly on God. St. Francis de Sales St. Helen Parish in Glendale is holding its third Valentine's wine tasting and silent auction, "An Evening of Wine and Roses," on Saturday, February 7, at 6:30 p.m. Winemakers will offer wines for tasting, and delicious appetizers created by AJ's Fine Foods will be served. Tickets are $25 each and may be purchased at the St. Helen Parish Office, at the gift shop, or online at www.sthelenglendale.org. Dr. Theresa Burke and Fr. Dominic Allain will be at St. Mary's in Chandler on Friday, January 30, 6:30 p.m., to offer a talk on Healing the Family - how healing reveals our dignity and strengthens the body of Christ. A free will collection will be taken. They are also in town for the Grief to Grace Retreat they will be facilitating at Spirit of the Desert Retreat Center, in Carefree, February 1-6, 2015. More information for Grief to Grace can be found at info@grieftograce.org. ELEMENTARY FAITH FORMATION Calendar / Class Times / Days: January 19 and 20 January 26 and 27 February 2 and 3 NO CLASSES Classes Classes 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. CHANGES IN THE CHRISTIAN FORMATION CALENDAR We WILL have Faith Formation class on March 2 and 3. We WILL NOT have classes on March 23 and 24 so families may attend Parish Mission. FIRST RECONCILIATION Parent Meeting January 19 and 20 at 6:30 p.m. Please plan on attending on your scheduled date. Parent attendance is required. CLOW Catechist Meeting Monday, January 26, 6:30 p.m. 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.
FOR ALL WOMEN IN THE PARISH Are you looking for a getaway to have some God time? Are you looking to explore new friendships with women or renew old ones? Are you looking for some time and space to just be by yourself? Have you always wanted to go on a retreat but been afraid to? Given in Gratitude for God s Blessings The plate collection for Sunday, January 11, was $29,433.15. Thank you for your faithful support. Well, mark your calendars! The SISTERS annual retreat is scheduled for March 13-15, 2015. Don't miss out on this chance to renew yourself, your relationship with God and your relationship with other women. Thanks to Our Advertisers Please patronize our advertisers and thank them for supporting our bulletin when using their products and services. More information to follow... MIDWESTERN UNIVERSITY S ANIMAL HEALTH INSTITUTE, COMPANION ANIMAL CLINIC NOW OPEN! The clinic is accepting appointments for the new stateof-the-art Companion Animal Clinic. The clinic will be staffed with faculty from MWU College of Veterinary Medicine. Call 623-806- 7387 for an appointment or visit mwuanimalhealth.com for more information. CONGRATULATIONS a n d welcome to the newly baptized members of the St. Thomas More community: Bryn Glasser, Madeline Gregory, Camden Hammack, Greysen Mehrer, Beckett Staniek, Ryan Wolcott In the Gospel today, Jesus asks What are you looking for? Often we are looking for happiness in very selfish ways, but we find that when we look for ways to make others happy, it is then that we truly become happy. With your donation to St. Vincent de Paul, know that you are a sign of God s love to those who are in need and you give them a reason to believe and to trust. If you wish to donate altar flowers in honor or memory of a loved one, please contact the Parish Office. 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 The Parish Hall 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 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 19 Parish Office Closed 6:30 pm First Reconciliation Parent Meeting Tuesday, January 20 6:30 pm First Reconciliation Parent Meeting Wednesday, January 21 6:30 pm FIRE Thursday, January 22 9:20 am Bible Study 6:30 pm Evening Rosary 6:30 pm Stephen Ministry Training 7:00 pm RCIA 7:00 pm Men s Ministry Friday, January 23 Saturday, January 24 8:00 am Bible Study 5:00 pm Family Pasta Dinner St. Thomas More www.stmglendale.org For information on our local St. John Fisher Council visit www.kofc12856.org. January After All Masses - Blood Pressures Taken 4:00 pm FIRE 6:00 pm tuf Readings for the Week January 18, 2015 Sunday 1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19; Ps 40; 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20; Jn 1:35-42 Monday Heb 5:1-10; Ps 110; Mk 2:18-22 Tuesday Saint Fabian, Pope and Martyr; Saint Sebastian, Martyr Heb 6:10-20; Ps 111; Mk 2:23-28 Wednesday Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr Heb 7:1-3, 15-17; Ps 110; Mk 3:1-6 Thursday Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children Heb 7:25 8:6; Ps 40; Mk 3:7-12 Friday Saint Vincent, Deacon and Martyr; Saint Marianne Cope, Virgin Heb 8:6-13; Ps 85; Mk 3:13-19 Saturday Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church Heb 9:2-3, 11-14; Ps 47; Mk 3:20-21 Sunday Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Jon 3:1-5, 10; Ps 25; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Mk 1:14-20 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 17 5:00pm +Antonnietta Casillo SUNDAY, JANUARY 18 7:30am +Lionel Dupoux 9:00am +Robert Renniger 11:00am Parishioners of St. Thomas More TUESDAY, JANUARY 20 8:30am +Elias Garcia, Jr. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21 8:30 am Parishioners of St. Thomas More THURSDAY, JANUARY 22 8:30 am +Joan Allegra FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 8:30am +Angelo Billings SATURDAY, JANUARY 24 5:00pm +Anthony Edward Vincent SUNDAY, JANUARY 25 7:30am +Anges Britten 9:00am Parishioners of St. Thomas More 11:00am +Antonietta Giurintano Prayer List * Sharon DiCosmo * Deborah Nowak * Ruth McComber * George Sapcoe * Alex Spartz * Dorothy Swingler * Wendy Waller * 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.