December 28, 2014 - Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Community

EPIPHANY OF THE LORD CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston – www.archgh.org
1530 Norwalk Drive
Telephone: 281-578-0707
Katy, Texas 77450
Fax: 281-578-9161;
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday - 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
www.epiphanycatholic.org
Masses:
Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM
Saturday: *5:30 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM, *9:45 AM, *11:30 AM, 5:30 PM
*Nursery Available
Reconciliation: Saturday 4:00 – 5:00 PM; or appointment with a priest
Anointing of the Sick: First Thursday of the month at 9:00 AM Mass
Eucharistic Adoration: Tuesday after 9:00 AM Mass until 7:30 PM
St. Vincent de Paul Society: 281-578-3845
December 28, 2014 – The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph – Page 1007
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PARISH CLERGY
Rev. Tom Lam
Administrator
Rev. Thomas Joseph
Parochial Vicar
Deacon John Evanoff
Pastoral Associate
Deacon Don Kish
PARISH STAFF
Business Manager
Craig Shemon
Gerry Broussard, Verna Goertz,
Iris Orellana, Dan Stamps
Religious Education
LouAnn Svoboda, Director
Beth Harvey, Glenna Carrell,
Charlotte Fulton, Maria Laiseca
Youth Ministry
Dave Clark, Director
Joey Harvey
Music Ministry
Spencer Schuyler
Merle Vahlkamp
Outreach Ministry
Schottsie Hill, Director
Lisa Gilkeson
Facilities Manager
Kirk Harris
Young Kim
COMMUNITY LIFE
Nursery Coordinator:
Anne Salazar
Child’s Play: Alyce Gabrysch
281-578-9332
Bingo: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
281-578-3905
Welcome Newcomers
If you would like more
information on our Parish
Community,
please
visit
www.epiphanycatholic.org.
A Note from the Pastor
O
ver the rolling plains outside the city of Judah, amid their deep
and dreamless sleep, a group of unexpectant shepherds was
startled by the hark of an angel who shines upon them with the
blinding glory of God, and they are very much afraid. The tremendous, unearthly radiance shows that the angel is a messenger of heaven and is
clothed with the incontrovertible authority of God on high. And with this authority,
he commands them not to be afraid but to embrace the great joy he is announcing to
them. And while the angel is speaking thus to these poor frightened shepherds, he
is joined by a vast number of others, who unite in a “Gloria,” praising God in
heaven’s heights and announcing the peace of God’s goodwill to men on earth.
Then we read, “the angels went away from them into heaven.” In all probability, the singing was very beautiful, divine even, and the shepherds doubtlessly
were sorry to see the concert end and the performers disappear behind heaven’s
curtain. Probably they were a little disappointed as well when the unwonted light
of divine glory faded to a dim and they found themselves once more in their familiar earthly darkness. But the strange thing was that the intimidating glory of the
heavenly realm, which had now vanished, left behind a human glow of joy in their
souls, reinforcing the angel’s words and causing them to set out for Bethlehem.
You see, the whole epiphany of the heavenly glory was only the starting
point—the initial spark leading to what was really intended. All that was needed
was the tiny seed of the word that had been planted in their hearts, which starts to
grow in them in the form of expectation and hope: Let us go over to Bethlehem and
see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.
So they set off, heaven behind them and the earthly sign before them. But
what they found was not remotely corresponding to the heavenly glory of the heralding angels. The destination of the shepherds’ nightly journey is the most ordinary scene. It is decidedly disappointing to the blind eye—something entirely human and ordinary and in no way distinguished except for the fact that it is the promised sign and it fits. Why does it fit? Because the Lord, the High God, has taken
the same path as we have. He has left his glory behind him and entered into the
dark world, into the child’s apparent insignificance, into the unfreedom of the human form, and into the poverty of the crib of the manger.
What they find is a very modest confirmation of the fact that the fulfillment
of these promises was already taking place: They found Mary and Joseph and the
Child, which was lying in the manger. There, in this stall exposed to all the winds
of human indifference and disdain, they encounter these persons and that is to be
enough for them. God’s Word has referred the shepherds to this sign, and they
must have had enough humility and faith in order to perceive in this sign of the
Child wrapped in swaddling clothes.
Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you Good News of a great joy. This day
is born the Savior—that is, He who, as the Son of God, has traveled the path that
leads away from the Father and into the darkness of the world. He took with him
the unceasing prayer that the Father’s will be done on the dark earth as it is in the
brightness of heaven. He took with him his rejoicing that the Father had hidden
these things from the wise and revealed them to babes—to the simple and the poor.
I am the Way, He would later reveal, and this Way is the Truth for you, and along
this way you will find “the Life.” Along the way that I AM you will learn to lose
your life in order to find it; you will learn to grow beyond yourselves and your observance of the truth that is greater than you are. That is the sight, the ability to see
with our eyes of faith, that we hope for during the season of Christmas.
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Events & Meetings This Week
THURSDAY, JANUARY 1
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28
Nursery Closed
Parish Offices Closed
MONDAY, DECEMBER 29
9:30 AM, ESL Level 1/2: Room 310
7:00 PM, Scout Troop 1146: Rooms
204/205/206/207/212
7:00 PM, Job Networking: Rec Room
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30
9:30 AM – 4:00 PM, Adoration:
(Note time change) Chapel
10:00 AM, Holy Hour Rosary for
Respect Life: Chapel
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31
Parish Offices Closed
5:30 PM, Mass: Church
9:00 AM, Mass: Church
11:00 AM, Mass: Church
FRIDAY, JANUARY 2
6:00 PM, Rehearsal: Chapel
7:30 PM, Bingo: Family Center
SATURDAY, JANUARY 3
2:00 PM, Wedding: Chapel
Food Drive
Nursery Closed
SUNDAY, JANUARY 4
Coffee & Donuts
Food Drive
Nursery Closed
9:45 & 11:30 AM, Children’s Liturgy of
the Word: Grade 1
Holyday of Obligation
The church celebrates
Mary, the Holy Mother of God, on Thursday, January 1.
Mass Times
Wednesday, December 31
Vigil: 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 1
9:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
The Parish Offices will be closed
December 31 and
January 1 to allow for staff members to
spend time with their families.
They will reopen Friday, January
2 at 8:30 a.m.
The staff wishes each of you a
Happy New Year.
Baptisms
Please contact parish office
for preparation classes.
Baptism Session for Parents
2nd Saturday of February,
May, August, November
10:00 AM – Noon
To register call
LouAnn Svoboda
(281-578-8271)
Rite of Christian Initiation of
Adults (RCIA)
For information call
LouAnn Svoboda
(281-578-8271)
Sacrament of Marriage
Must be a registered, active
member of the parish at least
six months. Contact parish
office eight months before
wedding to begin preparation.
Finance Council Chair
Denny Dellinger
Knights of Columbus
Terren Roark, Grand Knight
www.kccouncil9759.com
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Cynthia Viator
Ladies Club
Ann Hoar
Forever Young
Barbara Hajjar, Clare Snow
Bulletin Deadline
The deadline for article
submission is Thursday at noon
(ten days before publication).
Your article can be sent to
[email protected].
Check our website for
Liturgical, Youth Usher & Faith
Formation Schedules.
[email protected]
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Liturgy & Prayer
ANOINTING OF THE SICK AND ELDERLY:
LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK
SPECIAL REMEMBRANCES
Saturday, December 27
5:30 PM
Sunday, December 28
8:00 AM
9:45 AM
11:30 AM
5:30 PM
Monday, December 29
9:00 AM
Tuesday, December 30
9:00 AM
Wednesday, December 31
5:30 PM
Thursday, January 1
9:00 AM
11:00 AM
Friday, January 2
9:00 AM
Saturday, January 3
5:30 PM
Sunday, January 4
8:00 AM
9:45 AM
11:30 AM
5:30 PM
Vigil-Feast of the Holy Family
†Rosalind Tan
Feast of the Holy Family
End to abortion; All aborted babies
For the People
†Raul Correa, Sr.
†Marcela Villabroza
Fifth Day within the Octave of the
Nativity of the Lord
†Clara Kim
Sixth Day within the Octave of
the Nativity of the Lord
†David Mooney
Vigil-Mary, Holy Mother of God
The Marinho Family
Mary, the Holy Mother of God
†John N. Bowden
For the People
Saints Basil the Great and
Gregory Nazianzen
†Leo & Kathleen Farnan
Vigil-The Epiphany of the Lord
†Suong Lam
The Epiphany of the Lord
†Gisella Rios Jamilosa
For the People
†Josephine Marinho
†Buenaventura Gapuz
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
Sunday:
1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-3, 5b-6; Lk 2:22-35
1 Jn 2:12-17; Ps 96:7-10; Lk 2:36-40
1 Jn 2:18-21; Ps 96:1-2, 11-13; Jn 1:1-18
Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gal 4:4-7;
Lk 2:16-21
1 Jn 2:22-28; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 1:19-28
1 Jn 2:29 — 3:6; Ps 98:1, 3cd-6; Jn 1:29-34
Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13;
Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12
Flowers in the church:
Harold
and Mary Boone have donated flowers
in the Church this weekend in honor of
their wedding anniversary.
The Sacrament of Anointing of the
Sick will be celebrated on Thursday, January 8 and every First
Thursday of the month during the
9:00 A.M. Mass. The Sacrament of Anointing is
for the strengthening of those who are ill, or who
are aging. We celebrate the sacrament best in
the community setting so that we can support you
with prayer.
PRAYER LIST FOR THE SICK
Please keep the following people
in your thoughts and prayers this
week as we wish them a return to
good health:
Linda Doucette, Christine Bencivengo, Eva Lazarich, Nancy Dore Hall, Jason Sides, Margaret Hoffman, Mary Reuter, Nicholas Delheim, John Brown, Lois Fingleman, Patricia
Givens, Janet Cuccia, Donny Hughes, Donald
Miller, Raymond Muhs.
To make a request for someone to be on our
prayer list, please call the parish office at 281578-0707. Your loved one’s name will appear on
our prayer list for six consecutive Sundays. If a
longer period of time is needed, please call the
parish office to renew your request.
Please Remember In Prayer
Our Deceased
Reed Bond, husband of Sylvia
John Chiang, father of Victor
Al Kallus, husband of Ellie
Thomas Morris, father of
Karen Kauffman
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News in the Parish
eGiving with Faith Direct
Join us on a parish pilgrimage to
Rome, Italy on Oct. 25-Nov. 5, 2015.
Travel to Venice, Florence,
Assisi and the Eternal City of Rome to
experience the rich culture and deep
spirituality of the Church.
Only 50 places available for parishioners of Epiphany. If interested, please
contact Craig Shemon at
[email protected]
Our Stewardship
Stewardship – December 13/14
Sunday Offering
Religious Retirement Fund
St. Vincent de Paul
Registered Households
$72,942.84
$19,023.00
$6,684.00
6,737
“...as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must
forgive.”
—Colossians 3:13
Forgiveness – one of the hardest things for people to
do. It’s amazing how long we can hold a grudge or
be angry with someone. As we celebrate the feast of
the Holy Family, take this opportunity to give the
gift of forgiveness to someone – maybe someone in
your family, maybe a friend, maybe a co-worker or
neighbor or, maybe yourself. Pick up the phone or
text someone right now.
During your holiday travels of Advent and Christmas,
please consider signing up with Faith Direct, the electronic giving program here at Epiphany of the Lord.
Even if you are traveling on business or for vacation,
you can make all of your generous contributions to the
parish through Faith Direct by way of automatic payment from your checking account or credit card, just
as you may do now with your mortgage, household
bills, and other monthly payments. It is a great way to
simplify your giving, and it is the most cost-effective,
environmentally-friendly way for the parish to receive
your gifts.
Faith Direct is the leading eGiving program for Catholic churches in the Archdiocese as well as in dioceses
across the country. You can visit their website at
www.faithdirect.net to learn more about how to enroll
securely online. Please note, our parish code is
TX613. Faith Direct also offers your family personalized offertory cards to replace your envelopes to be
placed in the collection basket on Sundays.
I would like to take this opportunity as well to express
my deepest gratitude for your generosity throughout
the year. It is wonderful to be a part of a faith community that so graciously supports the parish and the important ministries that the Church provides. I hope
that you find that this new program makes it more
convenient for you to continue to offer your gifts to
Epiphany of the Lord.
Expressing the assurances of my prayerful remembrance of you and your family during the grace-filled
seasons of Advent and Christmas, I remain
Devotedly yours in Christ,
Fr. Tom Lam
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Outreach Ministry – 281-578-0707
Outreach Events in Dec/Jan:
Standing Meetings: Mon.—Epiphany
Job Networking at 7:00 p.m. in the
PAC; Tues.—Respect Life Rosary at
10:00 a.m.
Jan 1st: Happy New Years Day
3 & 4th: Food Drive
5th: Bereavement @ 7pm.
FOOD DRIVE – JANUARY 4th
Boy Scouts are collecting
non-perishable food and personal care items for Epiphany Food Closet. Items can
be brought to either parking
lot after morning Masses, January 4 We
are especially in need of peanut butter,
jelly, canned meat and canned fruit.
6th: Respect Life Meeting @ 7 pm
8th: Gathering Place @ 10 am.
See www.epiphanycatholic.org for
details.
BEREAVEMENT MEETING
January 5
The holidays may have been
a particularly tough time for
those who lost a loved one.
Consider attending the next
Bereavement meeting on
Monday, January 5 at 7:00
pm in room 303, where there are devoted
volunteers who have been through the grieving process. It is possible to begin the New
Year with the support of others. If you cannot
attend but want information, contact Michelle
at [email protected]
Gathering Place
Thursday, January 8
Lunch, light exercise, singing, crafts &
games, wonderful care for the beloved elderly person you take care of daily...oh,
and respite for you - this is what’s offered
monthly by the Gathering Place! Feel free
to bring your loved one that you’re caring
for to our next event on Thursday, January 8th from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For
questions, please call Alice at 281-6935268
or
email
[email protected].
Walking through Grief
Whether your loss is recent or
in the past we will walk the grief
journey with you. This nine
week support ministry with topics that are DVD lead and independent of each other starts
Jan. 13th at 7pm to 9pm in the Den of the
PAC. Contact Michelle at
[email protected].
Resolutions…
It’s that time of year...time to start thinking
about what we may want to better in the upcoming year. As you begin this process, be
prayerful and reflect on whether any volunteer opportunities are calling you. Thank you
and God Bless!
Happy New Year
From all the
Staff and
Volunteers in
Outreach.
Have a safe and
Happy New Year.
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Respect for Life Bulletin Board
Vocations Corner
SAVE THE DATE: January 22, 2015 is the
anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. 42 years ago in 1973
the Supreme Court ruled that women have a constitutional right to abortion, and that this right is
based on an implied right to personal
privacy emanation from the Ninth and
Fourteenth Amendments. The court said
that the fetus is not a person but
"potential life" and thus does not have
constitutional rights of its own. In response to this Anniversary the Respect
for Life Committee is planning a Day of Adora-
This year is dedicated to Consecrated
Life. Let us pray to our recently
tion and Prayer for the Legal Protection of
Unborn Children on Thursday January 22, 2015
after morning Mass until 7:00 p.m. We will have
prayer and adoration. Starting in January there will
be a sign up sheet to cover this special day of prayer. What a great way to start the New Year!
Intercessions for Life
Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
For all families: That they may foster a loving
environment that welcomes new life;
We pray to the Lord:
canonized saints – St. Pope John
XXIII and St. Pope John Paul II
for their intercession to grow in
a deeper love of Christ. All are
invited to attend the Vocations Committee meeting
on Thursday, January 8, 2015 in room 307 at 7:00
pm. Sponsored by the Vocations Committee
Wake up the World! Our Pope Francis proclaimed a
Year of Consecrated Life for the Church
from now until February 2, 2016. Let us
pray in thanksgiving for our men and
women who have devoted their lives to
bring Christ to the world. And let us
pray for our young men and women to
listen for His “call” to become a priest or
brother or nun and continue to serve the Church!
“It is not enough to discover Christ—you must bring
Him to others! The world today is one great mission
land, even in countries of long-standing Christian
tradition.” St. Pope John Paul II
Pray for Peace
EPIPHANY BINGO - Come join us again for Bingo in 2015. Bingo will start up again
on Friday January 2nd. As always MAXIMUM CASH PRIZES of $2500, allowed by state
law, are given away at EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT BINGO. This includes a $750 final
game jackpot prize. We invite all parishioners to come make it a fun night out.
Net proceeds are distributed primarily to local organizations through Epiphany Outreach Ministries. As a result of the dedicated work of all the Bingo volunteers and the tremendous support of the players, Bingo distributed just under $50,000 for the year to local
charitable organizations in 2014. In 2015, net proceeds from the 2nd Friday of each month
will be contributed to St Faustina Catholic Church.
What a great way to spend an evening with friends or family, and at the same time help to provide
funds to local charitable organizations. Games begin at 7:30 with 4 earlybird games and 8:00 for the regular
games.
With the new year starting, we have a real need of a few more volunteer members for each team.
Check out the Bingo link on the Epiphany website for more information on games, concessions, and how to
join our volunteer team.
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Faith Formation
BAPTISM PREPARATION SESSION
The session for parents and
godparents to prepare for the
baptism of their infants will be
held Saturday, February 14,
2015 from 10:00 a.m. until
Noon in the Family Center. This
preparation session is required
before parents can schedule the Sacrament of
Baptism for their infants. Parents and godparents are encouraged to attend this session before the birth of the child. Call 281-578-8271
to register for this session. Childcare is available at a small fee with advance reservation by
emailing [email protected] with
parent’s name, ages of children needing nursery
and name/date of event. The next opportunity
to attend a baptism class will be on Saturday,
May 9, 2015.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word will return for
the Feast of Epiphany on January 4, 2015. If you
are interested in being a part of our team, please
contact Beth Harvey. We will prepare our Winter/Spring calendar on January 11, 2015. Call 281
-578-8271 for more information or email [email protected]. All adult volunteers (18
years and older) working with children must be
VIRTUS trained.
Epiphany Youth Ministry
281-578-0770
We pray you have a Merry
Christmas break and look
forward to seeing you in
the New Year!
Confirmation Reminders:
 Retreat is January 9-11, 2015
 We meet at 5pm at Epiphany Jan
9th for bus ride to Pine Cove in
Columbus
Seniors! Join us in the Upper Room on Monday
nights from 7-8:30 p.m. as
we share scripture. Come
and pray with us!
Catechists echo the Faith to all our parish. Are
you interested in learning more about this inspiring ministry? Call the Faith Formation Office and
ask for Beth Harvey (281-578-8271) or email her
([email protected]) to find out how
to become a catechist for elementary aged students.
Happy, Blessed New Year---2015!
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INFORMATION SHEET
CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS
515137: Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Community
1530 Norwalk Dr., Katy, TX 77450
PHONE
281-578-0707
CONTACT PERSON
Gerry Broussard #1 email: [email protected]
#2 email: [email protected]
SOFTWARE
Microsoft Publisher®2003
Adobe Acrobat 6.0® Professional
Windows XP Professional® Service Pack Three
PRINTER
HP LJ300-400 color M351-M451 PCL6
NUMBER OF PAGES SENT
1 through 9
SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION
December 28, 2014
TRANSMISSION TIME
Tuesday, 12 PM
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
Our parish offices will be closed Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of Christmas week. Please deliver
them by Tuesday afternoon. Thanks.
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