Church of St. Philip the Apostle est. 1898 Diocese of Charlotte

P.O. Box 882 525 Camden Drive

Statesville, North Carolina 28677

Office/Fax Phone (704) 872-2579 Rectory Phone (704) 681-4860

E-mail: stphilipapostle@bellsouth.net

Website: http://stphilipapostle.com

Rev. Fr. Thomas J. Kessler, Pastor

Rev. Mr. Charles Brantley, Deacon Mrs. Paula Coleman, Secretary

Mrs. Mary Brown, Faith Formation Director Mrs. Norma Echevarria, Faith Formation

Mrs. Raquel Swierczewski, R.C.I.A

Marriage - Baptism Call the church office. Marriages, call at least 6 months in advance. Reconciliation

:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. on Saturday or by appointment. Pastoral Council Meetings are 2nd Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. September thru May except National Holidays.

Religious Education Children, grades 1-Confirmation, are required to attend religious education classes. Call the office to register your children. Adult classes also available. Parish Registration We welcome new parishioners to the parish and we ask them to register as soon as possible. Parish registration is important and necessary. Also, if you move away from the Parish please notify the office. Thank you.

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Saturday, February 15th 5:00 p.m. Kathleen Eames† by Paula Coleman Sunday, February 16th 8:00 a.m. Philip Vaglica† by Mr. & Mrs. Vaglica 10:30 a.m. Alfredo Maulini† by Maulini Family 12:30 p.m. Intentions of our Pastor by Jack & Rosemary Kelley Monday, February 17th 9:00 a.m. No Daily Mass Wednesday, February 19th 6:00 p.m. No Daily Mass Thursday, February 20th 9:00 a.m. No Daily Mass Friday, February 21st 9:00 a.m. No Daily Mass Saturday, February 22nd 5:00 p.m. Denny Johnson† by Pat & Ed Johnson Sunday, February 23rd 8:00 a.m. Dawn McGinn by Our Parishioners 10:30 a.m. John & Josephine Ortiz†† by Linda Ortiz 12:30 p.m. Angelina Jimenez† by Espinola Jimenez Family READERS February 22nd 5:00 p.m. Joseph Coleman February 23rd 8:00 a.m. Pat Petrozza 10:30 a.m. Heather Bradford 12:30 p.m. Lupe Vargas

February 22nd 5:00 p.m. C. Ries (H), B. Scales, A. Simons, B. McGinn, B. Myers February 23rd 8:00 a.m. C. DiFulvio, J. Archibald., B. Papandrea 10:30 a.m. J. Watkins (HM), C. Bennett (HA), J. Bennett (HC), T. Bradford, B. Stickle, A. Sadowski, S. Soltysiak 12:30 p.m. Raúl E. (H), Bertha V., Angélica G., Mary G., Eduardo G. ALTAR SERVERS February 22nd 5:00 p.m. Analiese P., Reagan L. February 23rd 8:00 a.m. Cayden C., Emily S. 10:30 a.m. Alyssa J., June A. 12:30 p.m. Dionicio, Guadalupe

From the pastor… The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Political Instability verses Spiritual Instability. Anarchy is defined as a state of lawlessness or political disorder; an absence or denial of any authority or established order. Political instabil-ity or anarchy can be seen as a serious threat to our democracy. Depending on which news network we may listen to, they all seem to be concerned about a peaceful transition of power. Hopefully, we all wish to live in a nation of law and order. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church we see that the Church is in favor of laws because they are suppose to be for the good of so-cial order. Laws should be respected. St. Thomas Aquinas (+1274) listed 4 characteristics of a good law. 1. A law must be reasonable, 2. A law must contribute to the common good, 3. Competent authority must make the law, 4. The law must be promulgated (announced/made known to the people). Good laws should be respected. Not all laws in our country are good laws, such as those denying life to the unborn. As Catholics and Citizens we are responsible to vote and use our voices to assist our legislators to enact good laws. It is good to study the Constitution of the United States of America and to take an interest in the law of our land. In the Book of Sirach, the word of God says “Before mankind are life and death, good and evil, whichever he chooses shall be given him.” Pope John Paul II once told us from the tarmac at the airport in Washington, D.C. – “America, choose life.” Sirach also says “If you choose, you can keep the commandments, they will save you.” 1st Corinthians says “Brothers and Sisters: We speak a wisdom to those who are mature, not a wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away.” And in today’s Gospel of Matthew reading, Jesus says “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law.” The US Constitution is interesting, however the Commandments; the laws of God are essential and far more important in our lives. Political anarchy and instability may be a threat to our democra-cy, but Spiritual anarchy and instability are a threat to our eternal life and happiness. First and foremost, may we choose and es-tablish law and order in our spiritual life. A CHANGE IN THE DAILY MASS SCHEDULE THIS WEEK – there will be no daily Masses this week – Monday - Friday. Father will be away. We are sorry for any inconven-ience. Next Sunday is the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Read-ings at Mass will be: Leviticus 19: 1-2, 17-18; 1 Corinthians 3:16-23; Matthew 5:38-48. The Diocesan Support Appeal was kicked off last weekend.. The theme is year is “Our Faith in Action – be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Our parish goal is $46,932. Do what you can. Thanks so very much for your continued generous support. This Sunday, February 16th, in the new Social Hall from 3 – 6 p.m., The Knights of Columbus will sponsor a Spaghetti Din-ner. Hope to see you there. The Planning & Building Committee – will meet next Mon-day, February 24th at 6:30 p.m. The Parish Council – has presented an accepted recommenda-tion that we resume our Parish Food Closet after the completion of the Activity & Education Center. We will continue to share all of the monthly contributions with the Food Closets of the local Christian Ministries in our community.

Happy Birthday 2/16/2020 to 2/22/2020 2/16 Elizabeth Degraff, Mabel Pouritica Feijoo, Ellie Joensen, Nancy Lepiarz, Minerva Rosas Vasquez, Carl Scatena, Michael Trinka, 2/17 Paula Coleman, Javier Cuanas, Kimberly Ken-nedy, Kelly Long, Miguel Lopez, Matthew Meluch, Alejandro Rodriguez, Ramiro Sanchez Rosas, 2/18 Patty Bodes, Michelle Hanna, Judith Kelley Pam Klaene Fabian Omar Vallejo, Guada-lupe Osorio Avellanedo, Thomas Williams, 2/19 Monica Charles, Oscar Guadarrama, Nikolas Redfearn, Luis Torres Gomez, 2/20 John Doyle, Karissa Hayes, Leah Webber, 2/21 Jazmine Barreras, Norma Gassett, Amy Portillo, Mindy Rine-himer, Melda Showfety, 2/22 Margarito Manzano Gonzalez, Claudia Moreno, James Robinette, Randy Ruggles Happy Anniversary 2/16/2020 to 2/22/2020

2/17 Mr. & Mrs. William McEvilly, Mr. & Mrs. Ruperto Santibanez, Mr. & Mrs. Carl DiFulvio, 2/18 Mr. & Mrs. Faustino Vargas

Mrs. Mary Brown: If you need to contact Mrs. Brown, Faith Formation Director, please call or text 704-929-0152 or email her at faithformationdir@att.net or if you need to contact Mrs. Norma Echevarria please call the office at 704-872-2579 or email her at echevarria_norma@yahoo.com. Bad Weather: Please text Mary Brown at 704 929-0152 and/or watch WSOC-TV for information about any Faith Formation class cancellations. If Iredell-Statesville Schools cancels school on a Wednesday, there will be no Faith Formation classes that Wednesday. Mal tiempo: Por favor envíe un mensaje de texto a Mary Brown al 704 929-0152, o email Norma al echevar-ria_norma@yahoo.com y/o vea WSOC-TV para obtener infor-mación sobre cualquier cancelación de clase de Formación de Fe. Si las Escuelas Iredell-Statesville cancelan la escuela un miércoles, no habrá clases de Formación de Fe ese miércoles. Confirmation Retreat is Fr iday February 28th from 5-9 and Saturday, February 29th from 8-6:00 p.m. All candidates are required to attend. El Retiro de Confirmación será el viernes 28 de febrero de 5-9 y el sábado 29 de febrero de 8-6:00 p.m. Todos los candida-tos deben asistir. First Reconciliation is Saturday, March 21st at 10:00 a.m. All children who plan on making their First Communion this spring must attend First Reconciliation on March 21st. La primera reconciliación será el sábado 21 de marzo a las 10:00 a.m. Todos los niños que planean hacer su Primera Co-munión en Mayo deben asistir a la Primera Reconciliación el 21 de marzo. Confirmation is Wednesday, May 13th at 6:00 p.m. La confirmación será el miércoles 13 de mayo a las 6:00 p.m.

Collections as of Sunday Regular 5:00 p.m…..……...…...……..………………………..$1,906.00 8:00 a.m………………………………………………$1,635.00 10:30 a.m…….….....…………………………………$1,794.50 12:30 p.m……………………………………………….$993.57 Total…………………………………………………$6,329.07 Food Closet ……..........................................................$.25.00 Diocesan Support Appeal…………………………..$2,463.00 Forward With Christ* Total (includes pledged funds received)….………...$6,366.00 Collections as of Sunday

Last year This Year Regular $248,054.83..............................................$232,102.74 Food Closet $11,191.50…….................................... $10,077.85 DSA 2020 Goal $46,932.00 ………………………...$2,663.00 Forward With Christ Phase 2* Phase 2 Funds Received ……………………….. $869,384.70 Phase 2 Remaining Pledges……………………. $795,044.23 Total………………………………………... $1,664,428.93

* Forward with Christ totals through 2/6/2020 Thank you for returning some of God’s gifts

to you to His Church.

February 16, 2020 PARISH SUPPORT

CHURCH YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2020

Saturday, February 15th 6:00 p.m. Bingo Food 7:00 BINGO Sunday, February 16th

9:00 a.m. Faith Formation 11:30 a.m. Spanish Faith Formation 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Knights of Columbus Spaghetti Dinner Monday, February 17th 9:30 a.m. Rosary Tuesday, February 18h 9:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m Catholic Daughters Sewing Wednesday, February 19th 11:15 a.m. Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Faith Formation 6:45 p.m. RCIA Thursday, February 20th Friday, February 21st Saturday, February 22nd Sunday, February 23rd 9:00 a.m. Faith Formation 11:30 a.m. Spanish Faith Formation 5:00 p.m. Adult Dinner Group

At home...Lillian Alvey, Anna Eisele Shingleton, Jessica Allison, Jessica Crosso, Andrew Gulley, Jackie Mejia, Angela Moreno, Howard Stewart, Alan Eisele, Joe Stallings, Marion Weber, Joan Chiodo, Nelson & Dottie LaClair, Jim Reilly, Jim Carbone, Dawn McGinn, Jack Kelley Autumn Care… Brenda Kelley, Brookdale E. Broad...Dianne Robin-son.,Brookdale Peachtree Alzheimer's Care..Deacon Charles Brantley, Richard Homola, Bryan Center ...Marion Kelly Cull-er..Please pray for the intentions on Our Prayer Tree. To place a name on the Prayer Tree, please sign the Prayer Book in the Lobby .

St. Philip Adult Dinner get together will be held on Sunday, February 23, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. in our NEW SOCIAL HALL. The theme will be “Mardi Gras” or your favorites. All parishioners invited. Call Patti Camp-bell at 704-929-3286 or 704-539-4326 to RSVP.

THE WEEK AHEAD

The Wednesday 11:15 a.m.—12:45 p.m. Bible Study Group mourn the passing of our friend, Mrs. Linda Fitzgerald. The Study group will go on with the help of Stephen Reber, leading and guiding our study of this most complex book of the Bible. Our study is from the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible aided by commentary by Scott Hahn., Curtis Mitch and questions by Den-nis Walters. Will you consider joining us as we seek out the eter-nal truths and comforts that are contained in Revelations? If so please contact Steve Reber at 704-871-0272 for information. The present Study Group will continue until May 29th when we begin our Spring Break.

FYI: There will be no Daily Masses Monday through Friday of this week.

St Philip Book Group will meet on Monday, February 24, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. for book discussion of “After This” by Alice McDermott. ALL PARISHIONS WECOME! Call Norma Gassett at 843-339-1956 or e-mail @ budgas-sett@aol.com for location and book availability.