ST. THERESA PARISH – PHOENIX, AZ SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 2019

Is This Meant For Me?

After last weekend’s Gospel where the disciples ask, “Lord, teach us to pray...” I was reading online (!) where Pope Francis had remarked that social media was creating a “Culture of Insults”.

The Pope speaking in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican said, the more we use social media, the less social we are becoming.” The Holy Father decried the increased use of social media as creating a “culture of insults.”

“Nowadays it is fashionable to hurl adjectives and, sadly, even insults,” Pope Francis said. The Pope also said that social media is creating a gap in real social interaction. Pope Francis said that in “the age of the computer, distances are increasing.”

I thought that he is totally correct! However, I thought his pronouncements were just going to fall on deaf ears. It would take a lot more to have the world turn away from social media. I really didn’t want to give up my intersec-tions on the net, I’m not ready to do that. There are advantages to texting. It can be a quick way to communicate to many at one time. I thought of an experiment that I wanted to try. At the “Midnight Mass” on Monday morning I asked those gathered, to begin to change the world. I said we need to change the world! I received the usual blank stares. I went on to say it was possible. We could change the world one person at a time. I included the Pope’s words in my homily and asked those gathered to use their devices (the ones to which we have become so addict-ed ) for good. To pick one person out of the blue and send to that person something nice or encouraging.

I asked if sending Oscar Wilde’s quote, “every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future” might be interpreted as a backhanded compliment? Mass concluded and a young man came to the sacristy and said he had always liked that quote and asked if he might go to confession. Hummmmm... Maybe, just maybe, something I said had been heard. I sent the quote when I was back at the rectory to several people. After all it is easy and fast to do. I immedi-ately received back the replies to my texts, “True”, and “So True”, along with “Some more than others, Right JC?” Well, maybe I provoked a bit of thought. I had asked the folks at mass to lift the spirits of another, so perhaps a bet-ter quote was needed or something more from the heart? I then sent “♥ To my eyes and many others… YOU are definitely one of the most remarkable people here! ♥”

I received, “I am not sure this was meant for me?” “Are you doing what I did last week and accidentally send this to me when it was meant for another?” and “Oh my goodness . If you meant this for me I’m deeply touched thank you , if this was meant for someone else ... I still thank you for lifting my spirits after a very long day.” and “That means the world - having a little rough spell and trying to just trust in His plan...” Most people thought it could not have been meant for them! They thought it was a mistake. A few with some trials and obstacles in their lives were thankful. Changing the world was not going to be as easy as I thought. I was now not going to give up. I was going to keep sending positive thoughts and lift people’s spirits. Later that day, I read that Pope Francis said that rather than responding to insulting words and trolls on social media with further insults, he suggested to instead respond “to malice with goodness, to shouting with silence, to gossip with prayer, to defeatism with encouragement.”

Ok, I still believe that we can change the world one person at a time using social media & technology. I know now that before pressing the send button I should actually pray for that person. I know that His will be done. He is in charge.

And, YES, IT IS MEANT FOR YOU! Why? Well, because ♥ To my eyes and many others… YOU are definite-ly one of the most remarkable people here! ♥!

-Fr. JC

EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

PARISH NEWS

2019 Annual Online Safe Environment Training “SET” Renewal Instructions

This is for all current volunteers who wish to continue

serving at St. Theresa Parish.

1. Go to: phoenix.cmgconnect.org

2. Click on the Green “Sign In Here” (in the upper right corner of the home page). DO NOT CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT UNDER ANY CIRCIMSTANC-ES, rather, please contact the Parish Office if you need help.

3. Your USERNAME is: FirstName.LastName.dop

4. Your PASSWORD is: 1234 (after you enter this password, you will be prompted to change your pass-word and continue).

5. Under “Required Training Curriculums” you will see 2 boxes. You want this one: Click: START CURRICULUM under the 2019 Annu-al Online Renewal Training: “Renewing Our Commit-ment” - Phoenix.

6. Complete all pages with the training. Each box will be marked DONE as you complete each section.

If you have any other questions or concerns before you log in, please contact

Rita Laguna in the Parish Office @ 602-586-7426.

Thank you for your cooperation as we build our new “SET” database.

Our Parish Youth Choir... kicks off its new season with its first rehearsal on Monday, Au-gust 12th, from 5:30-6:15PM in the Church. Look for registra-

tion forms in the south vestibule with details and a draft schedule. Completed forms are due no later than Wednesday, August 7th.

Eucharistic Minister Training Our next training for new Eucharis-tic Ministers is on its way! Join us on Thursday, September 12th, at 6:00PM, or on Saturday, Septem-ber, 14th, at 9:00AM. Look for reg-istration forms coming soon!

Calling All Young People Of The Parish, Grade 4 And Up… we need you as an Altar Server! Join us for new Server training on Saturday, October 5th, at 9AM, or on our resched-

uled date of Thursday, October 10th, at 6PM. (Please note that a parent/guardian must also be able to attend.) Look for registration forms coming soon!

Vitalant, Formerly Known As United Blood Services Thanks St. Theresa Par-

ish... for organizing the recent blood drive. Your drive will help to assure that blood is available for pa-tients in need. 13 lifesaving donors stepped up to do-nate, resulting in 12 procedures for our community and reaching 75% of your blood drive goal. The efforts and support of St. Theresa Parish are greatly appreciated and will go a long was toward assuring a strong blood supply, and ultimately saving lives.

Volunteers Needed For Sunday Hospitality

Consider joining this wonderful ministry of Hospitality serving do-nuts and coffee after Sunday morn-ing Masses. We are in need of fami-lies to assist after 7:30AM, 9AM & 11AM Masses. Assistance is need-

ed only once a month between September and May. This is a great way to provide service of hospitali-ty to our parishioners and community. If interested, please email Shannon Braccio in the Parish Office @ sbraccio@sttheresaphx.org.

ST. THERESA PARISH – PHOENIX, AZ SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 2019

BUNCO: Monday, August 19th at 1:45PM in Fr Feeney Hall. NO PRIOR BUNCO EXPERIENCE IS NECES-SARY! Come make new friends, and have a laugh or two. For more infor-mation please call Patti Iannucci @ 602-952-0802. $7 is collected and goes toward cash prizes.

Grief Group Dates for September Contact Maureen for more information or to register.

Grief Recovery Method ~ Mondays ~ September 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th. October 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th.

New Day Journal ~ Tuesdays ~ September 10th, 17th, 24th.

October 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th.

Are You Called To The Corporal Work Of Mercy, Burying The Dead?

Pastoral Care is in need of a few more committed individuals with these qualities, 1. Flexible schedules 2. Detail oriented 3. Able to move furnishings as needed 4. Able to ascend and descend steps safely 5. Help direct funeral attendees at Com-

munion time, to help provide beautiful and meaningful funeral liturgies, which St. Theresa Parish is known. If you think you may be called to serve in this way please contact Maureen Schaaf in the Parish Office @ 602-586-7429 or mschaaf@stphx.org.

Parishioners Who Are Sick or Home-bound… please call Maureen Schaaf in the Parish Office @ 602-586-7429 to re-quest Holy Communion. Appointments may also be scheduled for Confession and Anointing of the Sick. When the Church cares for the sick, it serves Christ himself in the suffering members of his Mystical Body…the Church shows this solicitude not only by visiting those who are in poor health but also by raising them up through the sacrament of anointing and by nourishing them with the Eucharist during their illness and when they are in danger of death. (Decree of the Sacred Con-gregation for Divine Worship, 7 December 1972)

Pray For Those... Who Are Sick: Allen Tucker

Who Have Died: Felix Castellanos & Tom Doyle

The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Thursday, August 15 6:30am, 8:30am (with School Community),

and 6:00pm The Solemnity of the Assumption, a holy day of obligation for Catholics, is one of three solemnities that our Church celebrates to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary’s special role in salvation history. What is the Assumption of Mary, and why do we celebrate it? The Assumption is, in some ways, a consequence of Mary’s Im-maculate Conception by her mother, St. Anne, which we celebrate in December. Mary was preserved from original sin and fully integrated with the divine by being the mother of Jesus, and the Church teaches that the remained sinless throughout her life. Because of this, Mary was afforded the honor of being “assumed” (taken up) into heaven in both body and soul, thus not permitting her body to know the decay of physical death. Her special place in heaven becomes a sign of hope for us who believe in eternal life and the resurrection of the dead.

Back To School Shoes: Families are still in need of back to school help with school shoes. Gift cards to Pay-less, Famous Footwear, Walmart, or checks made out to our St. Vincent de Paul conference would be greatly ap-preciated (please note “shoes”). Your donation can be dropped off in the Parish Office. Every child needs school and gym shoes! Thank you!

PASTORAL CARE

Alzheimer Support Group Meets… the last Tues-day of each month. Our next meeting will be on Tues-day, August 27th at 4:00 PM in the Parish Office Conference Room. If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia and need the support of others please come by and see if this is the group for you.

EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

What is Eucharistic Adoration? Simply, Eucharistic Adoration is adoring (feeling or expressing deep affection, love or admiration) the body, blood, soul and divinity of Je-sus Christ truly present in the Eu-

charist. During Eucharistic Adoration we remain silent, in His presence. We may sit and adore, pray for ourselves and others, thank Jesus for all His blessings, or just sit and open ourselves to His graces which flow from the Eucharist. By worshipping the Eucharistic Jesus, the Lord draws us to Himself and gently transforms us. Come Give Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament a try!

Every Thursday in the Convent Chapel From 9:00AM-7:00PM

Mark Your Calendars!!!!! Seniors and Friends Luncheon

Wednesday, September 4th RSVP to Andrea Myton at 602-214-0553 (please leave a message if you get Andrea’s voicemail). RSVP and/or pay online on the Parish website (www.sttheresaphx.org) and click on “Senior Luncheon Registration”. $10.00 per person. RSVP deadline Friday, August 30th.

At the September Luncheon, we will be collecting supplies for the Teachers at St. Theresa Catholic School.

They are in need of Post-It Notes, standard staples, paper clips, #2 pencils, Dry Erase Markers, Hi-lighters,

Sheet Protectors, Binder clips, Adult scissors, Blue Painters Tape and Copy Paper.

DIOCESAN NEWS

A Huge Thank You Goes Out To All Parish Families Who

Have Already Made A Pledge Towards This Campaign ---

we are very grateful for your support of the many Diocesan-

wide efforts funded by this Campaign including the monies that will come back to directly help fund our own Parish projects. We currently have over $1,000,000 pledged towards our goal of $1,576,000. Thank you again for your ongoing support. Pledge in-formation for this Campaign can be found at the doors of the church.

Together in Holiness Marriage Conference Saturday, September 28th 10:30AM to 6:00PM

Two Locations: St. Thomas Aquinas in Avondale, and St. Andrew the Apostle in Chandler

National Speakers: Damon & Melanie Owens and Patty Schneier LIVE at both locations

Eucharistic Adoration|Reconciliation|On-site Childcare Cost: $59/couple or $35/individual

Early Bird discount available until August 5; scholarships are also available upon request

On-site childcare (2-12yrs): $5/child; pre-registration For more information, visit togetherinholiness.org

or email Susie Lopez at susie@forlifeandfamily.org Together in Holiness™ is an initiative of the St. John

Paul II Foundation and is presented in collaboration the Diocese of Phoenix Office of Marriage & Respect Life.

Adult Faith Formation Orientation begins Sunday September 8th following the 11AM Liturgy at noon in the Convent Upper Room.

Inquiry sessions are designed for anyone seeking more information about the Catholic Church. All are welcome "Come and See," Jn 1:39

~ If you are an adult who wants to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church (Baptized, Confirmed & Receive Eucharist), attend all sessions. Explore our Catholic Faith Tradition.

~ If you are an adult Baptized in another Christian Faith and wish to become Catholic, attend sessions through October, and continue as you like. Explore our Catholic Faith Tradition. ~ If you are a Baptized Catholic Adult and desire to receive First Communion/Confirmation, at-tend the first segment… and continue as you like. Explore your Catholic Faith Tradition. ~ If you are already fully initiated in the Catholic Church and registered at St. Theresa Par-ish (Baptized, Confirmed with Eucharist) we welcome you to attend any or all of the sessions. Ex-plore your Catholic Faith Tradition.

EXPLORE OUR CATHOLIC FAITH TRADITION Adult Registration Forms are available in the Parish Office or online at St. Theresa Parish Website.

Special arrangements will be made to accommodate work schedules. For more information regarding the 2019/2020 RCIA Process, contact Patty & David Pettit at

(602) 840-0850 or email pdpettit@sttheresaphx.org.

ST. THERESA PARISH – PHOENIX, AZ SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 2019

Sunday Monday 10:00AM Funeral - Jodi Shrock (Church) Tuesday 10:00AM Funeral - Felix Castellanos (Church) 6:30PM SVDP Mtg. (Convent Conference Rm) Cub Scout Pack 147 Planning Mtg. (PJP Rm) 7:00PM Boy Scout Troop 147 Mtg. (PJP Rm) Wednesday 9:30AM Centering Prayer (Convent Chapel) 5:00PM Reconciliation (Church) 6:00PM Adult Choir Rehearsal (Church) 6:30PM Rosary (Convent Chapel) Thursday 9:00AM Adoration (Convent Chapel) 7:00PM Kevin Saunders Bible Study (Fr. Feeney Hall) Friday Saturday 9:00AM Reconciliation (Church) 8:00PM Al Anon (Classroom 16) Alcoholics Anonymous (Classroom 17)

Readings ~ Week of August 4, 2019 Sunday Ecc 1:2; 2:21-23; Ps 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and 17; Col 3:1-5, 9-11; Lk 12:13-21

Monday Nm 11:4b-15; Ps 81:12-13, 14-15, 16-17; Mt 14:13-21 Tuesday Dn 7:9-10, 13-14; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 9; 2 Pt 1:16-19; Lk 9:28b-36

Wednesday Nm 13:1-2, 25—14:1, 26a-29a, 34-35; Ps 106:6-7ab, 13-14, 21-22, 23; Mt 15:21-28 Thursday Nm 20:1-13; Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9; Mt 16:13-23

Friday Dt 4:32-40; Ps 77:12-13, 14-15, 16 and 21; Mt 16:24-28 Saturday 2 Cor 9:6-10; Ps 112:1-2, 5-6, 7-8, 9; Jn 12:24-26

Sunday Wis 18:6-9; Ps 33:1, 12, 18-19, 20-22; Heb 11:1-2, 8-19 or Heb 11:1-2, 8-12; Lk 12:32-48 or Lk 12:35-40

Mass Intentions &

Celebrants (August 5th-11th)

MONDAY, AUGUST 5TH 6:30AM +ROSA FAVOR SO-FR. JOACHIM

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6TH 6:30AM +ST. MICHAEL-FR. JOACHIM

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7TH 6:30AM +ST. MICHAEL-FR. JOACHIM

8:30AM +PAYTON GEORGE-FR. CHUCK THURSDAY, AUGUST 8TH

6:30AM +FELIX CASTELLANOS-FR. CHUCK FRIDAY, AUGUST 9TH

6:30AM TANZER & MICHELLE VAZ, SPECIAL INT. -FR. JOACHIM

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10TH 8:00AM +CASSANDRA ALLEN-FR. JOACHIM

4:00PM FOR THE PARISHIONERS-FR. JOACHIM SUNDAY, AUGUST 11TH

7:30AM TONY LONGO, SPECIAL INT.-FR. CHUCK 9:00AM +WALLY KELLY-FR. JC

11:00AM +RITA MCBRIDE-FR. PAUL 5:00PM +JODI SHROCK-FR. CHUCK

The Priest scheduled to celebrate the Mass IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.