epiphany of our lord catholic church · can choose the other path – the path of christ. think of...
TRANSCRIPT
First Sunday of Lent February 22, 2015
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First Sunday of LentFirst Sunday of LentFirst Sunday of Lent February 22, 2015February 22, 2015February 22, 2015
Phone: 314-781-1199 Fax: 314-645-8760 www.epiphanystl.org
Epiphany of Our LordEpiphany of Our LordEpiphany of Our Lord
Catholic ChurchCatholic ChurchCatholic Church
6596 Smiley Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63139
Pastor
Rev. Thomas M. Pastorius
Deacon
James Tetreault
Pastoral Associate
Michael Rennier
Music Director
Elizabeth Svancarek
Plant Manager
John Ellison
Parish Secretary
Trish Nerviani
STAFF
MASS & SACRAMENTS
Sunday Masses: 7:00, 9:00 & 11:00 am
Weekday Masses Monday, Wednesday
Thursday, Friday & Saturdays: 8:00 am
Tuesday Morning Prayer: 8:00 am
Tuesday Mass: 5:30 pm
Saturday Masses 8:00 am and 5:00 pm
Sacrament of Penance: Saturday,
7:00-7:50 am or by appointment.
Tuesdays, 5-5:20 pm
Baptisms: Meeting first Thursday of the
month. Preregistration required.
Marriages: Contact the priest at least 9
months prior to the wedding date.
Funerals: To be arranged by contacting
the Parish Office.
Change of Address or Telephone
Number: Please call the Parish Office.
Bulletin Deadline: 4:00 pm Monday.
First Sunday of Lent 2 February 22, 2015
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From the Desk of Fr. Pastorius, 1. Special Parish Meeting – Tuesday February 24, 2015 @ 7 pm : Archbishop Carlson has challenged each parish to take a moment to ask itself: “How can we become a more dynamic parish?” I hope that many of you have been reading the book that you received at Christmas: The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic by Mathew Kelly. We will be using this book to focus on ways in which we at Epiphany can grow in Prayer, Study, Generosity, and Evangelization. At this first meeting, I have invited David Baranowski, the Archdiocese Director of Stewardship to speak to us about the importance of developing a good and stable stewardship program for our parish. I have also invited John Schwob, the Archdiocesan Di-rector of Planning, to speak to us about the particular challenges that Epiphany of Our Lord faces because of our de-mographics. I want to make it clear from the beginning this meeting has nothing to do with closing our parish but rather it has everything to do with how can we make this best parish it possibly can be. Mathew Kelly’s book reminds us that if we could engage just 1% more of our parishioners we can change the world and so I invite you to come to help us change the world. (If you are in need of childcare, we will provide it. Please contact the office.) 2. Funeral Lunch Help Needed: It is becoming harder for us as a parish to provide funeral lunches for people who have
recently lost a loved one. Can you help remedy this problem? We are asking people to volunteer to make a side dish eve-ry once in a while and drop it off at Church for these lunches. Please contact Trish in the parish office if you can. 314.781.1199 3. Intentions for Mass: One of the ways that we can help our loved ones who have died is to have a parish Mass offered for them. A person may also set aside a Mass intention for a particular cause like a healthy pregnancy, a successful sur-gery, etc. It is the Archdiocesan policy to ask for a $5 donation for each Mass intention as a sign of a sacrifice you are willing to make for your intention. If you would like to get a Mass intention please contact Trish, John, or Kathleen at the parish office. 4. Saint Louis Life Teen: If you are a teen or have a teen that did not participate in our Luke 18 retreat weekend at DuBourg high school, you have no idea what you missed. Everyone who participated had fun, created new friends, and deepened their relationship with the Lord. Don’t miss out any more. Attend St. Louis Life Teen on Wednesday at Du-Bourg at 7 PM. I am so confident in our program that I am going to put my money where my mouth is - Any Epiphany teen that attends four events between now and June 1st will be entered into a raffle. I will pull one name out of the hat and that person will receive a $100 gift card to Amazon, ITunes, or for gas. 5. Fish Fry: What is the difference between a piano and a fish? You can tune a piano but you cannot tuna fish. The food
is way better than my fish jokes. Fish Frys are held from 4:30-7:00 pm in the gym on the following Fridays during Lent: February 27th, and March 6th, 13th, 20th, & 27th. Click on the picture to see our menu. 6. Graphic Artists Needed: I am looking for someone who can help the parish design special logos for our Faith and Family Programming which includes Blue Knights, Little Flowers, and Young Disciples. If you can help please call 314.781.1199 or e-mail me at [email protected] 7. Financial Assistance for School Families: Epiphany of Our Lord Parish offers financial assistance to families who wish to attend a Catholic School. The tuition assistance that we can offer depends upon the needs of the family and the number of families that apply. Any family wishing to receive financial assistance will need to participate in our School Covenant Program. Part of this program is a meeting with Father Pastorius and two other parishioners. Times are set aside on 3/12, 4/14. 5/14. 6/30, 7/16 & 8/11. Please call Fr. Pastorius at the rectory to set up an appointment for one of those days. 314.781.1199 9. Planning for a Special Day: Pope Francis has declared this year to be a special time of thanksgiving for those mem-bers of our Church who have dedicated themselves to the Lord as Consecrated Religious. Epiphany has had a long tradi-tion of both being served by religious sisters and in producing religious vocations. We are hoping to host a special gather-
ing on May 17th to celebrate these great blessings. I therefore ask you to do three things. The first is mark May 17th from 1-4PM on your calendars. Second send any addresses that you have of religious that you have kept in contact with to Epiphany so that we can send them a personal invitation and finally let others (like grade school classmates, former pa-rishioners, etc) about the event. More information will becoming soon.
God bless,
Fr. Tom
LIVING OUR FAITH
First Sunday of Lent 3 February 22, 2015
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LIVING OUR FAITH
Spiritual Ponderings St. Peter’s Fall and Reconciliation Talk about timing, as the month of February comes to an end, we find ourselves on the Feast of The Chair of St. Peter. For the last three weeks we have been reflecting on what led St. Peter to deny Christ and today we will look at the steps that led St. Peter to reconcile with Jesus. Quotes from Fulton Sheen’s book: Characters of the Passion: Lessons on Faith and Trust will be in bold and my work will be in the normal font. So if these are the steps away from faith, what are the steps back to its embrace? 1. Disillusionment. Since pride is a capital sin, it follows that a first condition of conversion is humility: The ego must decrease, God must increase. This humiliation most often comes by a profound realization that sin does not pay, that it never keeps its promises, that just as a violation of the laws of health produces sickness, so a violation of the laws of God produces unhappiness. The division between the world and Jesus basically comes down to the idea of two paths. Each promises that their path will lead a person to happiness. A person on a worldly path must first come to the conclusion that the things that the
world promises would lead to happiness (money, sex, violence, etc.) do not actually lead to happiness. It is then that we can choose the other path – the path of Christ. Think of the Prodigal Son story. 2. Response to Grace. The next step in the return to God after the awakening of conscience through the disillu-sionment of sin is on God’s part. As soon as we empty ourselves , or are disillusioned, He comes to fill the void. “… No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). And Saint Luke tells us, “And the Lord turning looked on Peter” (Luke 22:61). It is not enough to feel sorry for your sins, you must accept the opportunity for reconciliation. The difference between Judas and Peter is that Judas continued to do things his way and Peter turned to the Lord. Judas kept going down the path that he laid out before him and Peter turned off of his own path and took the Lord’s path. 3. Amendment. As sin begins with the abandonment of mortification, so conversion implies return to it. The king in Hamlet asked, “Can one be forgiven and retain the offense?” There are such things as occasions of sin, namely, those persons, places, and circumstances that dry rot the soul. Peter’s conversion would not be complete unless he left that arena where maidservants, slaves, and human respect combined to make him deny the Master. No longer will he warm himself by firs, nor sit passively while his Judge is judged. The Scripture records his amendment or purgation in the simple words, “And going forth.” All the
trappings of sin, the ill-gotten goods, the human respect he won, all these are now trampled underfoot, as “he goes out.” Peter no longer cares about physical comfort or what others think of him. He is too full of grief and grace. His emotions show forth how much he loved Jesus and he does not care what others are thinking of him, a grown man crying. Peter will eventually be crucified also as a sign of his unwillingness to deny Christ again. 4. Sorrow. But this leaving of the tabernacles of sin would not be enough were there not sorrow. Some leave sin only because they find it disgusting. There is no real conversion until that sin is related to an offense against the Person of God. “Against Thee have I sinned,” says Scripture, not against “Space-time,” or the “Cosmic Universe,” or the “Power Beyond.” Have a sorrow that regrets offending God because He is all good and deserving of all our love, and you have salvation. – Peter is sorry that he has hurt someone else and not because he has been caught or because he receives some political gain. He is sorry because he has hurt the one he loves. Fittingly, therefore do the evangelists write, “And Peter going out, wept bitterly” (Luke 22:62). His heart was bro-
ken into a thousand pieces, and his eyes that looked into the eyes of Christ, now turn into fountains. Moses struck a rock, and water came forth. Christ looked on a rock and tears came forth. Tradition has it that Peter wept so much for his sins that his cheeks were furrowed with their penitential streams.
DUC IN ALTUM PRE-MASS TALKS Please join us 15 minutes before either the 9 or 11am mass for a short talk on a
subject of interest. This Sunday’s Topic: “St. Polycarp: How the Church Got Bishops.” Past talks are also posted in writ-ten form on our website and our Facebook page. Next Sunday: “The History of the Stations of the Cross”
First Sunday of Lent 4 February 22, 2015
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LITURGIES & SCHEDULES
Sunday, February 22
10:00 am - Bible Study, CMR
11:00 am - Liturgy with Children, RBB
6:00 pm - Marriage Preparation, CMR
Sunday, February 22 First Sunday of Lent
7:00 am Parishioners 9:00 am John Jankowski 11:00 am David Hemenway
Monday, February 23 8:00 am Enrollees & Benefactors of Epiphany Memorial Fund
Tuesday, February 24 8:00 am Morning Prayer 5:30 pm Carmen Real Castro
Wednesday, February 25 8:00 am Mary Jo Lotspeich
Thursday, February 26 8:00 am Pauline Fischer
Friday, February 27
8:00 am Leo & AnnBereswill
Saturday, February 28 8:00 am Brother Bernard Zacheis 5:00 pm Katie Bach
Sunday, March 1 Second Sunday of Lent 7:00 am Parishioners 9:00 am William & Dolores Meyer 11:00 am Christine Dresch (Speedy Recovery)
READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 22, 2015
Prolife “Catholics hold that marriage is a vocation, a
“call.” It is a way of life that offers continual opportunities to be in loving service to the other.” — Life Matters: Mar-riage, the Sanctuary of Life, 2012 USCCB Respect Life
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
Monday, February 23
7:00 am - 5:00 pm - GSA, Msgr. Sullivan Field
7:00 am - 5:00 pm - GSA, Gym
5:30 pm - Fit Factor, UH
7:00 pm - Boy Scouts, Upper Hall
Sunday, March 1
10:00 am - Bible Study, CMR
11:00 am - Liturgy with Children, RBB
6:00 pm - Marriage Preparation, CMR
Tuesday, February 24
7:00 am - 5:00 pm - GSA, Msgr. Sullivan Field
7:00 am - 5:00 pm - GSA, Gym
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm - GSA, Msgr. Sullivan Field
7:00 pm - Special Parish Meeting, Church
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm - Confirmation Class - Chosen, UH
Wednesday, February 25
7:00 am - 5:00 pm - GSA, Msgr. Sullivan Field
7:00 am - 5:00 pm - GSA, Gym
11:30 am - Ladies Guild Meeting, AR
5:30 pm - Fit Factor, UH
6:30 pm - Bells Practice, Church
7:30 pm - Choir Practice, Church
Thursday, February 26
7:00 am - 5:00 pm - GSA, Msgr. Sullivan Field
7:00 am - 5:00 pm - GSA, Gym
6:00 pm - Scout Den Meeting, UH
7:00 pm - Youth Group, UH
7:30 pm - Prayer Group, Church
Friday, February 27
7:00 am - 5:00 pm - GSA, Msgr. Sullivan Field
7:00 am - 5:00 pm - GSA, Gym
3:30-6:30 pm - Dance, UH
7:00 pm - Stations of the Cross, Church
Saturday, February 28
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HOMEBOUND & SICK OF OUR PARISH
OUR OFFERING FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 14-15, 2015
Sunday: Gn 9:8-15/1 Pt 3:18-22/Mk 1:12-15
Monday: Lv 19:1-2, 11-18/Mt 25:31-46 Tuesday: Is 55:10-11/Mt 6:7-15 Wednesday: Jon 3:1-10/Lk 11:29-32 Thursday: Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25/Mt 7:7-12 Friday: Ez 18:21-28/Mt 5:20-26 Saturday: Dt 26:16-19/Mt 5:43-48 Next Sunday: Gn 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18/Rom 8:31b-34/ Mk 9:2-10
Monday - Saturday, February 22-March 1
7:30 am - Rosary, Church
Online Donations General Fund ............. $514.00 Maintenance & Repair .... $25.00 Sunday Collection Envelope ................ $3,478.00 Loose ...................... $571.07 Total ................... $4,049.07
Candlemas .................. $20.00 Easter Flower ............... $5.00 First Offering............... $20.00 Maintenance & Repair .... $55.00 St. Vincent DePaul ...... $200.00 Votive ....................... $64.20 Debt ......................... $60.00 ..... $1,906.00(YTD) Tuition Assistance ............... $ ..... $1,036.00(YTD) Endowment Fund ................ $ .... $10,804.00(YTD)
Jim Przada Dominic Caputa Kathy Kennebeck
Mary Hipskind Kathy Hatfield Rosalie Heuing
Gloria Murabito Baby Ezekiel Miller Ethan Sonderman
Sheryl McPherson Edward Joganik Pat Campbell
Matthew Joganik Christine Weber Dave Hanneken
First Sunday of Lent 5 February 22, 2015
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PARISH COMMUNITY NEWS, NOTES & EVENTS
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS
We are excited to be offering a Vacation Bible School this summer! If you are a parent, save the date on your calen-dar for the week of July 13-17! Would you also consider volunteering a morning or two of your time as a volunteer? We are in need of 8-10 volunteers to help make VBS a faith-building, fun experience. Not sure you would be a great teacher? No problem! Help with snacks or games or craft time! We are particularly hoping for help from parents and teens, but anyone is welcome to participate. If you are
interested or have further questions, please contact Kathy: [email protected] , or call Michael in the Church office: 781.1199. Because we have not had a VBS in a while, we need to begin early this year with a volunteer meeting ASAP to plan everything, so don’t hesitate!
Ladies Guild News Our regular meeting will be held
on Wednesday, February 25th at 11:30 am in the Assump-tion Room. Lunch, drinks and desserts will be provided. $2.00 admission at the door. This is our birthday month. We will honor birthdays for January, February and March. Please bring a $1.00 gift (wrapped) and we will play the game “Rob your neighbor”.
Attention High Schoolers! Join us Wednesday,
Feb. 25th from 7-9pm at Bishop DuBourg High School for FOUNDUE & FUN! We will be having a game night and en-joying different kinds of fondue. Questions? Contact Lauren at 314.288.8873 or [email protected].
Lectionary: 23 Gospel Mk 1:12-15 Spiritual Reflection: Mark’s description about Jesus’ temptation is very short. We know that He was tempted, it was a dangerous time (among wild beast) and that God provided for Him (angels ministered to Him). How can Jesus’ example of being tempted teach us about life? Spiritual Questions: 1. How can Jesus example of being tempted teach us about life? 2. What is the difference between temptation and sin? 3. Why did temptation have to be a part of Jesus’ life? 4. How did rely on God help Jesus overcome temptation? 5. How did His experience of temptation prepare Him for ministry?
Congratulations to our February Alpha Square Winners:
$100 Jeff O’Fallon (016) $25 Alan Ruby (015) $25 Jeff O’Fallon (017) $25 Chris Schulze (N16) $25 Mark Palardy (P16)
Fish Fry As we prepare our souls this Lenten season
to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice we can also help support the parish by attending our Fish Frys. Mark your calendars with the following dates: Fridays: Feb. 27th & March 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th
The hours for each Fish Fry are: 4:30pm—7:00pm
Rice Bowl HUNGERING FO THE JOURNEY Join our parish
community—and more and 13,000 Catholic communities across the United States - in a life-changing Lenten jour-ney with CRS Rice Bowl. Pick up your family’s rice bowl from the tables near the entrance of church. Remember your Lenten sacrifices change lives.
Church in Central and Eastern Europe Next
week we will take up the collection for the Church in Cen-tral and Eastern Europe. The collection supports Catholic organizations that provide affordable shelter and train seminarians in a region that still struggles from the effects of Soviet rule. By providing pastoral care, catechesis, and funding for building renovations, your donations help to restore the church and rebuild the future in the region. Please give generously to the collection next week. Visit www.usssb.org (see “Church in Central and Eastern Eu-rope”) to learn more.
The Annual Peregrine Society Trivia Night will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at Electrician's Hall, 5850 Elizabeth al Hampton Avenue (63110). All pro-ceeds benefit Peregrine's service programs for area can-cer patients including our Branson trip for pediatric can-cer patients and their families. Doors open at 6:15 pm and play begins at 7:00 pm. Cost is $25 per person or $200 for a table of 8. Beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks are included in the admission price. Cash prizes will be awarded. For reservations, call 314-781-6775 or visit our website - www.percgrine3Qc.org.
Good Friday Retreat Day, April 3rd: “What can
we learn about sorrow and suffering as we reflect on the suffering of Jesus”. This is the theme of the annual Good Friday Retreat at The Marianist Retreat Center in Eureka, presented by Father Jose Ramirez, SM and Sister Paulette Patritti, OP. The day begins with breakfast at 8:30 am and concludes with Good Friday services beginning at 3:00 pm. $40 includes lunch. Call the Retreat Center for reserva-tions: (636) 938-5390.
Fried Chicken Dinner St. John the Baptist in Villa
Ridge, MO is hosting their 50th Annual Chicken Dinner on Sunday, March 8, 2015. The meal is served family style by the men of the of the parish from 10:30 am to 6:00 pm. The price of the dinner is $13 per adult, $5 per child, un-der 12 years and preschool children are FREE. The pro-ceeds from this dinner is used to help keep our school go-ing. So if anyone is looking for a good meal, and all you can eat, this it the place to go.
Covenant Network Are you looking for a simple way
to make this your best Lent ever? Try setting your radio on our local Catholic station in the car, at work and at home. Tune in to AM 1080 WRYT. It’s life changing!