January 3, 2021 January 3, 2021 - cloudfront.net
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
January 3, 2021 Page 1 January 3, 2021
Page 2 The Epiphany of the Lord
Thank you! Thank you!
A Note From The people of STM are the best! Your donations to the
Giving Tree Project in these uncertain times were truly
Our Pastor amazing. Thirteen organizations were helped because of
your generosity. The need this year was greater than ever
THE WORD OF LOVE and you stepped forward with gifts, personal checks and
gift cards. The Christian Service Commission thanks
This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. you. May God bless you for your kindness, You made
We are called to celebrate the manifestation of Christ to all Christmas merrier for many!
nations, the Messiah who comes to reveal the love of God
STM Christian Service Commission
to all humankind. The world’s problems of racism, bigotry,
narrow-mindedness, sectarianism, elitism, and
discrimination in all their ugly forms and shadows are the Thank you from STM St. Vincent de Paul
antithesis of the Gospel message. The new-born Christ- The parishioners here at STM are amazing! Your generosity
child, the one whose birth we celebrated a few days ago, is in Christian Service's annual giving tree is always
today, sought by the astrologers. This new-born child is the heartwarming. SVDP just wanted to pass on a few
Word of Love that breaks down the walls of alienation and comments from a couple of the organizations that your
estrangement between peoples. Jesus is the one whom we gifts have helped.
call the Prince of Peace who bridges the boundaries
The Welcome Inn said: The gifts from St. Thomas More are
between nations, and the Light of God who illuminates the
so welcome and needed. They will help keep so many men
long night of despair, hatred, and selfishness.
and women warm, clean and dry. They will feel loved, that
Friends, today’s Feast reminds us that even in the dark someone cared enough to help them. In this time when
times and places of our lives, the light of Christ shines forth everything is so uncertain, they matter. May your church be
to pierce the darkness so that we will not be overwhelmed. filled with love, health and returned blessings. Thank you
To live in that reality is to know Christ’s love for us. A love for being Christmas Angels.
that will be with us always. That we may never be alone or An excerpt from Vista Maria: Vista Maria was extremely
afraid. grateful again this year. It is always fun to see how people
Enjoy this beautiful day of Our Lord’s Epiphany in a take such care in purchasing gifts. There were so many
spirit of peaceful gratitude for the greatest gift of all: The board games, card games, and craft kits...and such nice
Gift of Our Savior. clothes!
I know too that all the members of the Parish Staff join The South Oakland Food Depot is so thankful for the Kroger
me in wishing each and every member of St. Thomas More gift cards to help our neighbors in need, in addition to the
a happy and healthy New Year. Please continue to find a monthly food and grocery donations at the first of each
place for me in your prayers. month. Our conference of St. Vincent de Paul is extremely
Msgr. Tom Rice grateful to our fellow parishioners for their loving hearts
and giving souls. You affect so many lives with your
Christmas donations as well as your monthly support. We
are humbled by your gifts
PARISH MISSION STATEMENT
We the Christian Community of St. Thomas More, Ladies of Charity
in an atmosphere of hospitality, are dedicated to
proclaiming the life, death, and resurrection of I received the most wonderful Christmas gift imaginable, it
Jesus Christ through excellence in worship, education, was from YOU…. the wonderful and generous parishioners
and service to others. of St. Thomas More. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
We believe that the nurturing of the community With your help, the Ladies of Charity SVdP were able to
around the Eucharistic Table is extended provide for 150 families (462 children) this Christmas
through gatherings which further strengthen season. Your continued support is a blessing beyond
and support us. We shall pursue this measure.
mission faithfully through the power Sincerely,
of the Holy Spirit and the gifts and talents Martha Whiting, STM Parishioner
of our members. Lady of Charity, SVdP
January 3, 2021 Page 3
Prayers in our Parish
THIS WEEK’S EUCHARIST INTENTIONS THIS WEEK’S PRAYER INTENTIONS
Saturday January 2 PRAY FOR THE SICK
4:30p For the People of St. Thomas More
Rosanne Bishop Simona Paul
Sunday January 3 Jim & Maurine Brennan Jerome Schroeder
8:30a Ann Henning Bill Budowick Carol Simmons
Sy Orlowski—7th Anniversary Tom Cavanaugh Joe Sokolowski
11:30a William Anderson Lauri Dannemiller Irene Tondera
Colin Jones Tom Lingeman Helen Walczak
Wednesday January 6 Jack McKay Joe & Cis Widina
9:00a For the People of St. Thomas More Lorraine Muller
Saturday January 9
4:30p Sally Ann Bloom PRAY FOR THE DECEASED
Gerald Frawley Our deepest sympathy and prayers to the family of:
Shirley Kucharski
† Sally Ann Bloom
Sunday January 10 † Colin Jones
8:30a Edward and Vivian Lyp † Bill Miles
John and Ann Lyp † Joan R. Miller—mother of Arthur Miller
11:30a Stanley and Julia Dopierala † John Peteuil—husband of Alfreda Peteuil
Raymond and Wanda Kaptur † Clara Sugamele—mother of Teresa Semany
Louis and Genevieve Kawam “Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; Let them rest
from their labors for their good deeds go with them.”
24 Hour Prayer Line
The Nuns of the Monastery of the Blessed Readings for the Week of January 3, 2021
Sacrament have initiated a 24 Hour Prayer Sunday Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
Line. The Sisters are attentive to begin the Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13;
requested prayers promptly—248-626-8253 Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12
or email opnunsfh@sbcglobal.net Monday Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton,
Religious
1 Jn 3:22—4:6; Ps 2:7bc-8, 10-12a; Mt 4:12-17,
23-25
Tuesday Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop
1 Jn 4:7-10; Ps 72:1-2, 3-4, 7-8; Mk 6:34-44
Wednesday Saint André Bessette, Religious
PRAY FOR THE MILITARY 1 Jn 4:11-18; Ps 72:1-2, 10, 12-13; Mk 6:45-52
Thursday Saint Raymond of Penyafort, Priest
Major Matthew Altomari ENS Julia Jermstad 1 Jn 4:19—5:4; Ps 72:1-2, 14 and 15bc, 17;
SSgt. Cory Borders Lt. Christopher Mitek Lk 4:14-22a
Lt. Andrew Boschert OS2 Emily Muhlenbeck Friday 1 Jn 5:5-13; Ps 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20;
Major Phil Brule Airman 1st Class Calen Nido Lk 5:12-16
Sgt. Maj. Patrick Corcoran Senior Airman Grant Pensa Saturday 1 Jn 5:14-21; Ps 149:1-2, 3-4, 5 and 6a and 9b;
Capt. Joel Cortright LTjg. Bradley Pienta
ENS Michael Dwyer Capt. Nick Pollock Jn 3:22-30
Major Charles Evans Spc. Jack Steinhauer Sunday Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
Spc. Evan K. Fowler Sgt. Kyle Stout Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Is 55:1-11; Ps 29:1-2, 3-4, 3,
2nd Lt. Theresa Corsentino Capt. Ben VanHorrick 9-10 or Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6 (3); Acts 10:34-38
SSgt. Daniel F. Jamison Lt. Adam Weisgerber or 1 Jn 5:1-9; Mk 1:7-11
M1st Class Megan Jamison
Page 4 The Epiphany of the Lord
Worship
Christmas 2020
MINISTERS FOR MASS—THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD—JANUARY 9 & 10, 2021
MASS TIME 4:30 PM Saturday 8:30 AM Sunday 11:30 AM Sunday
CELEBRANT Msgr. Tom Rice Msgr. Tom Rice Fr. Bob Spezia
DEACON Don Baross Michael Stach Don Baross
READER Keith Knauss Joan Reddy Leslie Ward
SERVERS Sydni Wood Isela Mulcahy Duarte Bobone
USHERS Jim Hager John Gielniak Zack Azzam
Cary Sheremet Gerry Gostomski George Halter
Ernesto Tuazon Dan Hayden Marvin Olane
Jim Ward Mike Morrison Mark Parent
Mike Tauscher
MASS COORD. Melinda Prucha Larry Jeziorski Marvin Olane
January 3, 2021 Page 5
Unleash the Gospel Stewardship
EVANGELIZATION TIME, TALENT, AND TREASURE
Happy New Year! STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION
By John Hannigan The Epiphany of the Lord
Today, we celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord. The Gospel
We are tempted to think there was never a year we account of the three magi traveling to meet Baby Jesus is
wanted more to go “out with the old” than 2020. Year-end one that we know well. Yet, when we pause to reflect on
retrospectives are filled with the certain declaration that this moment when these men met Christ for the first time,
2020 was the “worst year ever,” pointing to high levels of we recognize that there is much to be said for us still today.
racial conflict, civic unrest, political divisiveness, religious
persecution, as well as illness, death, social isolation, and When the magi entered the house, it says, “they saw the
lost jobs due to COVID-19. But “worst year ever” is bold child with Mary his mother. They
hyperbole. prostrated themselves and did
In 1918, many millions died in battle and from the him homage.” Clearly these men
Spanish Flu. In every year during World War II, many more knew that they were in the
millions died from military action, starvation and atrocity. presence of their King. They also
In the 1800s, 80% of children who contracted small pox came bearing gifts of gold,
died. In the 1300s, the Black Death killed ~50% of frankincense and myrrh, which
Europeans. Comparing awful 2020 to even worse years symbolize Christ’s kingship,
doesn’t vindicate it, but it should give us perspective. divinity and humanity.
However, 2020 may have been the worst year in the Christ is still manifesting Himself to us today. We enter
lives of many people born since 1945. A Gallup survey on God’s house weekly, and we are in His presence. When we
mental health suggests that. Last year the percent of meet Him, do we offer Him our gifts — our time, talent and
Americans describing their mental health as “excellent” treasure? As Christian stewards, we are called to respond
dropped from 43% to 34%. Self-perceived mental health with love, reverence and gratitude.
remained worst among young adults and the poor, but did Let us prepare our hearts to receive Christ’s many
not vary by race. manifestations in our lives. We just need a grateful
There were hidden blessings in 2020. For such a disposition to receive them.
contagious virus, most infected people show mild
symptoms, mortality dropped when treatments were
know, and vaccines were created in record time. Families
spent more time together – a blessing and a challenge.
Babies were born. Many generously helped their neighbors.
We cherished being together and coming to Mass, even if it
was online. All that helped. In fact, the Gallup survey
showed that 46% of people who attended religious services
weekly reported excellent mental health, up from 42% in
2019! It was the only group to buck the downward trends.
It is not that regular worshipers didn’t experience
hardships in 2020 or that only healthier people go to
church. It may well be that church-goers are sustained by Epiphany of the Lord
prayer, strengthened by sacraments, encouraged by The word “epiphany” comes from the Greek epiphainen, a
gratitude, and made resilient by well-founded hope. We verb that means "to shine upon," "to manifest," or “to
have every reason to look forward to 2021, to keep make known.” Thus, the feast of the Epiphany celebrates
attending Mass, and to expect we’ll again see smiles, hug the many ways that Christ has made Himself known to the
friends and visit neighbors without worry. world, mainly the three events that manifested the mission
So ring in the new! By the grace of God, 2021 will be and divinity of Christ: the visit of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-
better! And give thanks to God ahead of time. 12), the baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:9-11), and the miracle at
Comments/Questions? UnleashSTM@gmail.com Cana (John 2:1-11).
St. Thomas More Parish Directory
4580 Adams Rd., Troy, MI 48098
PARISH OFFICES: 248-647-2222
FAX: 248-647-8192
FAITH FORMATION: 248-647-4680
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
Closed for lunch 12:30 to 1:00 pm
inquiry@stmoffice.com
www.stthomasmoretroy.org
MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday, 4:30 pm
Sunday, 8:30 am and 11:30 am
Wednesday, 9:00 am
Holy Days: 9:00 am and 7:00 pm
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturday at 3:00 pm
PASTORAL STAFF FAITH FORMATION
Monsignor Thomas G. Rice, Pastor Josylin Mateus, Director
248-647-2222 x. 1111 248-647-4680 x.5533
josylin@stmoffice.com
Weekend Mass Assistance
Fr. Robert Spezia Ella Prendi, Secretary
248-647-4680 x.5544
Deacon Don Baross ffsecretary@stmoffice.com
248-647-2222 x. 8888
dcndonb@stmoffice.com SOCIAL MEDIA
Debbie Knauss, Website and Facebook
WORSHIP and CHRISTIAN SERVICE stmwebsite@stmoffice.com
Deacon Michael Stach, Pastoral Associate
248-647-2222 x. 5555 MAINTENANCE
dcnmichael@stmoffice.com Ben Olar
Pete Whiting
MUSIC MINISTRY 248 -647-2222 x. 4422
Brian Foos, Director
248 -647-2222 x. 4444
bjfoos@gmail.com
PARISH OFFICE
Lois Sokolowski, Business Manager
248-647-2222 x. 7777
lois@stmoffice.com
Kathy Strong, Parish Secretary/Bulletin
248-647-2222 x. 3311
kathy@stmoffice.com
You can also read
