My Brothers and Sisters, Last weekend at the 4:00PM and 9:00AM Masses, I spoke about a wonderful little book that I was exposed to while graduate studies/seminary: it s a short work called The Practice of the Presence of God and is actually a compilation of conversations with and letters of a French Carmelite monk who lived in the early 1600 s and who was known simply as Brother Lawrence. Brother Lawrence was quite an uncomplicated man who, after serving as a soldier and being injured, entered the monastery and spent the rest of his days working in the kitchen and repairing his fellow bothers sandals. He was a simple worker, not known to be a great theologian but he has had quite an impact on me over the years in helping me develop a habit of prayer which I have found to be quite comfortable and natural. My focus on The Practice of the Presence of God in my homily was because of the extraordinarily challenging first verse of last Sunday s Gospel: Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary (Luke 18:1). At first glance, the ideal of praying always seemed to me to be downright impossible, until I read Brother Lawrence s insights. You see, I thought that the Lord s Gospel challenge was virtually impossible because I had thought of prayer in a very narrow, compartmentalized way: prayer was when I prayed the Divine Office, or participated in Mass, or said the Rosary, or attended a prayer meeting. There were specific times in my day for prayer and then there was the rest of the day. Simply put, Brother Lawrence encourages the disciple to weave prayer throughout his or her entire day. This is done first by working on recognizing the presence of God in all things; all around us (and not just when we come into church, or kneel down to say our prayers. Recognizing God all around us, and indeed within us with every breath we take, is something that St. Ignatius of Loyola made the foundation stone of spirituality for his Jesuits, as he encouraged them to find God in all things in his Spiritual Exercises. Once we begin to appreciate the presence of God with us constantly, it becomes natural to converse with God as if we re having a conversation with our best friend or our loving father (because that s exactly who God is!). We share with God our hopes, our dreams, our challenges, our frustrations, our fears in an ongoing conversation throughout the day. This method of prayer has become second nature to me since my days in seminary and has become a great strength to me. It doesn t replace other methods of prayer, or the Mass, or particular devotions but it helps me continue that sense of being in communication and solidarity with God throughout the day. I still have a long way to go in achieving the goal of praying always without becoming weary but Brother Lawrence has certainly been a great help to me in moving along the road toward achieving this goal by practicing the presence of God! For more information of The Practice of the Presence of God (you can even download a copy free of charge) go to http://thepracticeofthepresenceofgod.com/. Grace, mercy and peace, Rev. Charles G. Kieffer Pastor
THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME PARISH NEWS Preparing to Vote? Read: St. Vincent De Paul Our next 5th Sunday collection will be NEXT weekend, October 29th & 30th. We will be at the church exits after all the Masses to accept your donations. Thank you for your continued support and generosity. Go to www.sttheresaphx.org and click on link for download - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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, contact the Parish Office @ 602-840-0850. Families For Caring Will Soon Be Putting Up The Christmas Tree... with requests for refugee children and parish families. One family in particular is struggling with adequate employment for the parents. The family car needs a brake job, which will enable mom and dad to stay employed. What can we do as a parish? Can we crowd-fund the brake job? Anyone have a connection to a reliable vehicle? Send comments and suggestions to Families for Caring via Deacon Colin at josephcmbl@msn.com. Got Paper? Our green paper retriever bins are located behind the Msgr. McMahon Center Gym and are ready to accept your recycled paper. All proceeds go to support Student Council-sponsored activities of St. Theresa Catholic School. PLEASE, paper only... no shredded paper, cans, glass or trash. 4 KEYS FOR PASSING ON THE FAITH IN THE HOME & IN THE COMMUNITY Caring Conversion Rituals and Traditions Devotional Practices Service
Pastoral Council Corner Did You Know? The Parish Pastoral Council continues to present brief explanations of the Communion of Saints Stained Glass Window over the altar. We encourage parishioners to take in the beauty of the window and experience the wisdom of God teaching us through the historical lives of these leaders of Catholic faith. Window: The Communion of Saints Window (when facing the Altar beginning at the far left) Christ The King ~ Panel 7 During the Holy Year of 1925, Pope Pius XI instituted the Feast of Christ the King. It is now celebrated on the last Sunday of the liturgical year (November 20, 2016), summing up our belief that Jesus Christ is King of Heaven and Earth. Pope Pius XI also pointed out that He is King of the hearts of all mankind, because of His love for us and His merciful forgiveness of our sins. The Feast of Christ the King is a yearly reminder that Jesus awaits us in the Kingdom of Heaven, the dwelling-place which God has prepared for our eternal happiness. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ATTENTION: Parents & Guardians of Elementary School-age children who do not attend St. Theresa Catholic School we still have room in our Traditional St. Theresa Parish Elementary Religious Education Program Sunday Classroom RE Program and we always have openings in our Home-School RE Program. Both of the programs are offered to children 3 years-old through 5th grade. If you would like more information contact Rita Laguna in the Parish Office @ 602-840-0850 ext. 110 or by email at Rlaguna@sttheresaphx.org. Reminder: Parents of first grade (this year) RE children, please note that in order for your child to plan to receive their second grade sacrament (next year) of First Reconciliation, they must be registered in and attending a Religious Education Program (either the Traditional Sunday Classroom or the Home-School Program) here at St. Theresa Parish this year. If you have questions, please contact Rita Laguna at the above phone or email. Pray For Those... Who Have Died: Frances Bursi & Alma Wilkinson CHILDREN S SACRAMENTAL PREP Corner Of Grace Parents of 2nd Graders, we have our first parent/child meeting TODAY, October 23rd at 10:30AM in Fr. Feeney Hall. Please have your child come prepared by having completed lessons 1-3 in the sacrament workbook. Also, please bring a copy of your child s baptismal certificate if you have not turned it in. We are looking forward to seeing you soon! God is watching over you, I know because I asked Him to. PASTORAL CARE Arizona Rosary Celebration 2016 Sunday, October 23rd from 2-4:15PM Phoenix Convention Center The Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted Presiding Important! If you will be going to Rosary Sunday, we need to know if you will be joining us on the bus. Please contact Bobbie Stich in the Pastoral Care Office @ 602-586-7429 or @ bstich@sttheresaphx.org. Grief Support Group Monday, October 24th @ 2:30PM in the Parish Office Conference Room. Everyone grieves the death of a loved one in a different way. Through their death, we ourselves, become different people and see the events of our world with different eyes. We become more aware of the suffering, loss, emptiness and isolation that takes place in so many lives that experience such pain. Often there are no words to express these feelings so we become agents of compassion, led by the Holy Spirit to minister to one another. For more information call Bobbie @ 602-615-7987. Serving The Homebound If you have a family member who is homebound and would like visits, communion, anointing, and/or confession, contact Bobbie Stich in the Pastoral Care Ministry Office @ 602-586-7429.
THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY! Pastoral Care is looking for a Coordinator for Adoration. Our dear Mary Ann Gray has coordinated Adoration beautifully for so many years THANK YOU MARY ANN!!! She will be there to show and lead the new person until they feel confident. It does not take a lot of time to oversee this ministry because the Adorers are always eager to spend their hour with the Lord. If interested, please contact Bobbie Stich @ 602-615-7987 or Mary Ann Gray @ 480-994-5579. Beautiful Mass Of Remembrance Monday, November 7th at 7PM Circle your calendar for this special Liturgy to remembrance of your loved one that passed away this year. We already have the names of all those whose funeral took place at St. Theresa Parish. If your loved ones funeral took place somewhere else, please contact the Pastoral Care Office with their name so we can include them in this Liturgy, and invite you to bring a candle forward in their honor. Contact the Pastoral Care Office with your loved ones names @ 602-586 -7429 or by e-mail at bstich@sttheresaphx.org. Adoration Every Thursday 9AM-8:30PM in the Convent Chapel When you take time to visit Jesus on a personal level He becomes front and center in everything you think, do and say. This kind of relationship never lets you down and you know that you are never alone in the trials and difficulties of life. If you need the chapel code for Thursday Adoration, just call the Parish Office @ 602-840-0850. Important Message! Tillie Chavez and her wonderful helpers will only be doing 1 more blood pressure check on Sunday, December 18th in the Pope John Paul Room. After 17 years, Tillie will be retiring so let s give her a really nice good-bye. Pastoral Care will have a brunch in Fr. Feeney Hall following the blood pressure checks on December 18th. Help us show Tillie how much we appreciate all her years of service at St. Theresa Parish. If you plan to attend this Brunch of Thanksgiving contact the Pastoral Care Office @ 602-586- 7429 or bstich@sttheresaphx.org. Circle The Date On Your Calendar! Senior Luncheon Thanksgiving Feast Wednesday, November 9th Be sure to register early as this is always such a popular Holiday Luncheon! Call Margie Hubbard today to register @ 602-840-2715. The Fr. Feeney Hall doors will open at 11AM and we will feast on a traditional Thanksgiving meal. This is a wonderful time to bring a friend and share great food, laughter and door prizes. Cost is $10 per person. Please RSVP no later than Tuesday, November 1st. DIOCESAN NEWS Worldwide Marriage Encounter The one who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens. Let us serve God willingly by strengthening, renewing and rekindling our marriages by participating in a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend November 11th-13th in Phoenix. To apply for the weekend and for other dates please visit www.wwmearizona.com. The Magnificat - Mary's and Yours This retreat will be held at the Franciscan Renewal Center on Saturday, December 10th, 9AM-1PM (lunch included). Speakers will be Fr. Bill Faiella, CSC, Psy. D. and Barbara Gowan, author of Marian books and books of faith for children. Contact the Franciscan Renewal Center to register @ 480-948-7460 or Fr. Bill Faiella, CSC at bfaiella@aol.com or 602-689-8347. Multi-Parish Singles (MPS) Our mission is to work as a team to provide options for individual growth and development in a healthy and wholesome, down-toearth, Singles fellowship environment. We offer affordable, quality charitable, cultural, educational, recreational, spiritual, and other fellowship events to all Singles (includes those 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, as reflected in our monthly calendar. For a list of October-November MPS fellowship and support activities, please visit www.multiparishsingles.org.
Mass Intentions (OCTOBER 24TH-OCTOBER 30TH) MONDAY, OCTOBER 24TH 6:30AM DENNIS TORRALBA CALO-FR. JOACHIM TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25TH 6:30AM JANE WINGFIELD-FR. JOACHIM WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26TH 6:30AM ALMA WILKINSON-FR. JC 8:30AM ALL UNBORN BABIES, SP. INT.-FR. JOACHIM THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27TH 6:30AM HELEN KOOPMAN-FR. CHUCK FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28TH 6:30AM RITA MCBRIDE-FR. JOACHIM SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29TH 8:00AM MARC DACONTA-FR. JOACHIM 4:00PM FOR THE PARISHIONERS-FR. JC SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30TH 7:30AM FRANCES BURSI-FR. JOACHIM 9:00AM JOSEPH BRACCIO-FR. JC 11:00AM ROBERT RUSIEWICZ-BISHOP NEVARES 5:00PM ANGIE GRUBER, SP. INT.-FR. CHUCK The Priest scheduled to celebrate the Mass IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. ~ Readings ~ Week of October 23, 2016 Sunday Sir 35:12-14, 16-18; Ps 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23; 2 Tm 4:6-8, 16-18; Lk 18:9-14 Monday Eph 4:32 5:8; Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4, and 6; Lk 13:10-17 Tuesday Eph 5:21-33 or 5:2a, 25-32; Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5; Lk 13:18-21 Wednesday Eph 6:1-9; Ps 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 13cd- 14; Lk 13:22-30 Thursday Eph 6:10-20; Ps 144:1b, 2, 9-10; Lk 13:31-35 Friday Eph 2:19-22; Ps 19:2-3, 4-5; Lk 6:12-16 Saturday Phil 1:18b-26; Ps 42:2,3,5cdef; Lk 14:1, 7-11 Sunday Wis 11:22 12:2; Ps 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14; 2 Thes 1:11 2:2; Lk 19:1-10 Sunday 10:30AM 2nd Grade Reconciliation Mtg. (Fr. Feeney Hall) Adult Confirmation/RCIA (Convent Upper Rm) RE Classes (School Classrooms) 1:00PM Infant Baptisms (Church) 6:00PM Life Night (Life Teen Rm) Monday 6:30PM Edge (Life Teen Rm) Tuesday 1:00PM Pastoral Care Book Club (Parish Conference Rm) 3:30PM Youth Choir Rehearsal (Church) 4:00PM Alzheimer Support Group (Parish Conference Rm) 5:30PM Core Team Mtg. (Life Teen Rm) 6:30PM Boy Scout Mtg. (PJP Rm) SVDP Mtg. (Convent Conference Rm) 7:30PM Adult Basketball (Msgr. McMahon Gym) Wednesday 9:30AM Centering Prayer (Convent Chapel) 1:00PM 33 Days to Merciful Love (Convent Upper Rm) 5:00PM Reconciliation (Church) 6:00PM 6:30PM Choir Rehearsal (Church) 33 Days to Merciful Love (Convent Upper Rm) Rosary (Convent Chapel) Thursday 9:00AM Adoration w/ Benediction (Convent Chapel) Friday 10:00AM Alma Wilkinson Funeral (Church) 6:00PM STCS Halloween Party (Msgr. McMahon Gym) Saturday 9:00AM Reconciliation (Church) 8:30PM Al Anon (Classroom 16) Alcoholics Anonymous (Classroom 17)