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Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

1530 Norwalk Drive • Katy, Texas 77450 Telephone: 281.578.0707 • Fax: 281.578.9161

www.epiphanycatholic.org

Office Hours: Monday – Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Masses: Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. Saturday (Vigil): 5:30 p.m. Sunday: 8:00 a.m., 9:45 a.m.*, 11:30 a.m.*, 5:30 p.m. *Nursery available Reconciliation: Saturday 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.; or appointment with a priest Eucharistic Adoration: Tuesday after 9:00 a.m. Mass until 7:30 p.m. St. Vincent de Paul Society: 281.578.3845

December 18, 2016 • Fourth Sunday of Advent • p. 1000

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PARISH CLERGY

Rev. Tom Lam Administrator

Rev. Martins Emeh, J.C.L. Parochial Vicar

Deacon John Evanoff Pastoral Associate

Deacon Don Kish

PARISH STAFF

Business Manager Craig Shemon

Gerry Broussard, Misha Gabriel, Dan Stamps, Mary Tran

Religious Education LouAnn Svoboda, Director

Charlotte Fulton, Sarah Karchunas, Maria Laiseca

Youth Ministry Dave Clark, Director

Joey Harvey

Music Ministry Christian Mondragon, Director

Adrienne Copeland

Liturgy Ministry Dominick Aquila, Director

Outreach Ministry Schottsie Hill, Director

Lisa Gilkeson

Facilities Manager Kirk Harris

Young Kim, Alex Trejo

COMMUNITY LIFE

Nursery Coordinator: Anne Salazar

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 Homily by Pope Francis

T he faithful continue to rely on God even in the darkest hours, even if sometimes we do not understand how He is working, because he al-ways walks with us in the history of Salvation. God’s will has been to save us in history. Our Salvation is not sterile, as in a laboratory. No!

It’s history. He has walked through history with his people. Therefore, there is no salvation without history. And to get to the point: history goes back a long time.

And so, step by step, history is made. God makes history, we make history; and when we fail, God makes adjustments and sets history back on course, walking with us all the time. If this is not clear to us, we will never understand Christmas! We will never understand the Incarnation of the Word! Never! It’s a story that goes forward in time. Is history over with the story of Christmas? No! The Lord contin-ues to save us in history. And he walks with his people.

In this story, there are those chosen by God to help his people to move forward, like Abraham, Moses, Elijah. For them there are some bad times, dark moments, awkward moments, bothersome moments. Perhaps they are people who just want to live peacefully, but the Lord inconveniences them. The Lord inconven-iences us to make history! So often he puts us on roads that we don’t want to walk. So much so that Moses and Elijah, at a certain point, would rather die, but then they trust in the Lord. The Gospel of the day speaks of another bad moment in the history of salvation, that of Joseph who discovers that his betrothed, Mary, is pregnant. He suffers, he sees the village women chatting in the market; and he suffers. “This is a good one, I know her! She is a woman of God. What has she done to me? It’s not pos-sible!” If he accuses her, she will be stoned. But that is not what he wants to do, even although he does not understand. He knows that Mary is incapable of being unfaithful. In difficult moments such as these, those chosen by God to make history, must take the problem on their shoulders, without understanding. Like that—the Lord makes history.

That’s what Joseph does. The man who in the worst moment of his life, the most obscure, takes the problem upon himself. And he takes the blame in the eyes of others in order to protect his bride. A psychoanalyst could perhaps say that this dream of Joseph’s is the condensation of anxiety, which seeks to be ex-pressed. Let them say what they will. But what did Joseph do? After awaking from the dream he took Mary as his bride. “I do not understand, but the Lord spoke to me and said she will give birth to a son who will appear to be my son!”

To make history with His people, God means to walk with and put his chosen ones to test. In the end He saves them. Let us always remember, with confi-dence, even in the worst moments, even in times of illness, when we realize we have to ask for the Last Rites because there is no way out, to say: Lord, history did not start with me and will not end with me! You go ahead, I am willing to come with you. And to put ourselves in the hands of the Lord.

What then do those who are chosen by God teach us? That God walks with us, that God makes history, that God puts us to the test and that God saves us in the worst moments, because He is our Father. And according to St. Paul, He is our Daddy. May the Lord help us to understand this mystery of Him walking with His people in history, of testing His elected ones, as well as the greatness of their hearts as they take upon themselves the pains, the problems, even the blame for our sins. Let us walk forward with Jesus across history!

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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

Pastoral Council Chair Tom McGeehan

Knights of Columbus C.J. Hattier, Grand Knight http://www.kofc9759.org/

St. Vincent de Paul Society Cynthia Viator

Ladies Club Joan McManamy

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 gerry@epiphanycatholic.org.

Check our website for Liturgical & Faith Formation Schedules. epiphany@epiphanycatholic.org

Events & Meetings This Week SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18 KC’S TAMALE SALE 9:45 & 11:30 AM, Nursery 0-5 years: 1:30 PM, Baptism Service: Narthex

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19 1:00 PM, Rummikub: Outreach Center 7:00 PM, High School Bible Study: Upper Room 7:00 PM, Job Networking: Rec Room 7:15 PM, Hand Bell Choir: Church

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM, Adoration: Chapel 9:30 AM, Quilters: Room 411 10:00 AM, Holy Hour Rosary for Respect Life: Chapel 3:00 PM, Divine Mercy Chaplet: Chapel 4:00 PM, Holy Hour Rosary for Vocations: Chapel 7:00 PM, Rosary: Chapel 7:30 PM, Evening Prayer: Chapel

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21 5:30 PM, Children’s Choir: Music Room 5:30 PM, Contemporary Choir: Church 6:00 PM, Solemn Vespers: Chapel 7:00 PM, Adult Choir Rehearsal: Church

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22 No Events Scheduled

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23 Parish Offices Closed

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24 4:00 PM, Mass: Family Center 4:00 PM, Mass: Church 6:00 PM, Mass: Family Center 6:00 PM, Mass: Church 9:00 PM, Mass: Church 12:00 AM, Mass: Church

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25 NURSERY CLOSED 9:00 AM, Mass: Church 11:00 AM, Mass: Church No 5:30 P.M. Mass

Child’s Play Learning Center, Alyce Gabrysch, Director , 281-578-9332; 281-578-0507 Fax; childsplaykaty.com

The Parish Offices will be closed December 23 and December 26 to allow

for staff members to spend time with their families. They will reopen Tuesday, December 27 at 8:30 a.m. The staff wishes each of

you a joyful and blessed Christmas season.

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LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK

SPECIAL REMEMBRANCES

Saturday, December 17 Vigil-Fourth Sunday of Advent 5:30 PM †Myrtle Noviskie Sunday, December 18 Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:00 AM †Armando Vela, Sr. 9:45 AM For the people 11:30 AM †Oliver Gonzalez 5:30 PM †Stacie Long Monday, December 19 Late Advent Weekday

9:00 AM †Michael Wayne Tuesday, December 20 Late Advent Weekday 9:00 AM †Ainsley Rozario Wednesday, December 21 Late Advent Weekday

9:00 AM †Ricky Tung Nguyen Thursday, December 22 Late Advent Weekday 9:00 AM †Roy Champiomont Friday, December 23 Late Advent Weekday 9:00 AM †Theodore E. Mozer, Jr. Saturday, December 24 Vigil-The Nativity of the Lord 4:00 PM-Family Center †Leo & Kathleen Farnan 4:00 PM-Church †Marina Alvarez 6:00 PM-Family Center †Kendall Gustafson 6:00 PM-Church Delecita Hudson 9:00 PM-Church †David Turner Midnight Mass †Stanley Noviskie Sunday, December 25 The Nativity of the Lord 9:00 AM †Loretta Short 11:00 AM †Rosalind Tan

No 5:30 PM Mass

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17; Lk 1:5-25 Tuesday: Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-4ab, 5-6; Lk 1:26-38 Wednesday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Lk 1:39-45 Thursday: 1 Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1, 4-8abcd; Lk 1:46-56 Friday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-34; Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-10, 14; Lk 1:57-66 Saturday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Lk 1:67-79 Sunday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27 29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25] Night: Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-3, 11-13; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14]

Liturgy & Prayer

Jason Sides, Hailey Williams, Betty Long, Brianna McRee, Maria Mercedes Enriquez, Janet Cuccia, Chester Bourgeois, Nancy Matthews, Dave & Ginny Radike, Gloria Hernandez, Everly Joy Gonzalez, Rose Ann Callegari, Ruth Nestor, Theresa McCluskey, Julia Aycock.

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:

Please pray for our military men and women.

Join us for Solemn Vespers,

the prayer of the Church, expressed in the singing of the Psalms.

Wednesday, December 21 6:00 p.m.

Important Reminder: All Extra Ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, upon entering the church at any given Mass, please go immediately to the Ministers’ Room to see if you are needed to serve at Mass.

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Vocations Corner

Community Life

News in the Parish

The Knights of Columbus at Epiphany would like to extend a very big Thank You to the parishioners for your con-tinued support. The knights are selling their

famous tamales this weekend, December 17-18. The proceeds this year are going to youth scholar-ships and the priest retirement home. Cost is $9 / dozen, $20 / 2.5 dozen, and $35 / five dozen. Thank you for your support.

Women Discerning Vocations?

Opportunity No. 1: Carmelite Monastery Visit January 7, 2017 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

A no-cost visit to a Carmelite Monastery– for young women ages 18 – 35 who want to know more about the contemplative religious life. Participants will visit the Discalced Carmelite Nuns in New Caney, Texas, 10am – 1pm, including visiting, midday prayer, and lunch. Departure from downtown Chancery parking lot at 8:30am; 2:30 return arrival. Space is limited; early registration is recommended.

Details and registration at 713-652-8239 or vocations@archgh.org

Opportunity No. 2: Gathering in the Upper Room January 8, 2017 @ 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

A no-cost gathering for women ages 18 and older who are interested in religious life. What a nice way to spend a Sunday morning – input on discernment, private prayer and reflection, sharing with other women and Sisters, plus Mass and lunch together.

Details and registration at 713-652-8239 vocations@archgh.org

We welcome into our community:

Rodrigo & Norma Ceja, Ernest & Kathleen Cronin, Nicholas & Hayley Ferri, Grace Loboda, Thomas & Fleur Perrin, Tyler & Alyssa Smith.

Parish Mission Statement jx, the Catholic Community of Epiphany of the Lord, established in the love of the Father, with faith in Jesus Christ, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, commit ourselves to living the Word of God by sharing all our gifts both spiritual and temporal, for the well being of all people.

TV Mass for the Homebound Now on KUBE channel 57

at 10:30 a.m.

Cable and Satellite Channels

AT&T U-verse channel 57/1057 HD Comcast channel 53/653 HD

DirecTV channel 57 Dish TV channel 57

Epiphany of the Lord would like to let you know that JS Paluch is currently working on our Church Bulletin.

If you would like to advertise your business in the Church Bulletin please contact: Anthony Brassil, Parish Consultant, for JS Paluch Company at 1-800-833-5941.

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Our Stewardship

Stewardship – December 10/11 Sunday Offering $69,577.52

Feast of the Immaculate Conception $6,014.00

Retirement Fund for Religious $10,610.00

St. Vincent de Paul Society $5,348.00 Registered Households 6,639

“When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.” MATTHEW 1:24

Putting our complete trust in the Lord without expecting anything in return. Striving to put God first in all things and follow Him wherever He may lead us. As we prepare for the birth of our Lord, pray for the strength and courage to be a model of discipleship, just as Joseph was.

DSF REPORT

Parish Goal $398,000.00

Amount Pledged $329,739.53

Amount Paid $308,639.78

Number of Pledges 870

It is still not too late to donate to the Diocesan Services Fund (DSF) W ith an occasional chill in the air and the

holidays approaching our lives are busier than ever! Faith Direct can make your life easier! Faith Direct is Epiphany’s on-line

giving program. Enroll now and schedule your regular offerings to the parish in minutes! Payments are auto-ma cally deducted from your checking account or billed to your credit card. Faith Direct can also be used for Holy Day collec ons, Second Collec ons, and Capital Campaign payments for our new Catholic school. It’s easy and secure! Visit www.faithdirect.net or find their link on Epiphanycatho-lic.org

Remember Epiphany’s parish code is: TX 613

Don’t forget Faith Direct also has a free App for your phone! It is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play for Android users. It allows you to access to your account any me. Thank you for your con nued support of Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Community!

REMINDER: Please remember to put your envelope number on your contribution check if it is not in your church envelope. If you donate cash it must be in an envelope with your envelope number on it to receive credit. If you do not know your number please call Mary at 281-578-0707.

Gi s of Securi es Dona ng stock to support the mission of our parish or the Archdiocese can offer even more tax benefits than wri ng a check. As stock prices increase, so do the tax-es you owe on the long-term capital gain, which are generally charged at a rate of 15 percent. But when you donate publicly traded stock you've owned for more than one year to a qualified charitable organiza on such as our parish or the Archdiocese, you enjoy two major tax benefits: • You will be exempt from paying capital gains taxes on any increase in value—taxes you would pay if you had otherwise sold the securi es. You are en tled to a federal income tax deduc on based on the current fair market value of the securi es, regardless of their original cost. Learn More A tax or legal advisor can provide you with addi onal informa on. We would be happy to assist you as well. Simply contact Michael Schillaci from the Archdiocesan Development Department at 713-652-4418 or mschil-laci@archgh.org.

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Christmas 2016

Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24 Mass Times

Church Family Center

4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.* 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m.* 9:00 p.m. 12:00 a.m. (Midnight Mass)

Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25 Mass Times

9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m.

January 1, 2017 Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

(Holy Day of Obligation)

Regular Weekend Mass Schedule

*No incense will be used at this designated Mass. Hypoallergenic incense will be used at all other Masses. In addition, during the weekends that incense will be used, all of the Masses will have incense except the 8:00 a.m. Sunday Mass.

NO SUNDAY 5:30 P.M. MASS

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Outreach Ministry – 281-578-0707 Outreach Events in December:

Regular Meetings: Mon.—Epiphany Job Net-working at 7 p.m. in the PAC; Tues.—Respect Life Rosary at 10 a.m. in the Chapel.

December 25th: Merry Christmas

See www.epiphanycatholic.org for details.

Financial Peace: This 9-week program is designed to help participants achieve their financial goals, eliminate debt and save for the future. It starts January 12th. Register with Lisa in Outreach for a discount if purchased by January 5th. More information at www.daveramsey.com/fpu or call 832-772-0306.

JOB FAIR JANUARY 26, 2017

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR EMPLOYEES?

The Job Fair is welcoming compa-nies that have salaried positions

opened. We have a few more booth space available! Please contact

Outreach, 832-772-0306 if you’re interested.

Manna House Needs Volunteers The Manna House in Brookshire is distributing over 1,500 gifts to children in the area on De-cember 20th. They need volunteers from 9am to help set up the toys until after 3pm for the children to pick up the gifts Contact Jennifer at 346-333-9175 to let her know you will be there to help.

Coming next Month “Walking through Grief”

March 9th at 7pm in the Conference Room of

The Outreach Center.

For more information please call Lisa in Outreach Ministry,

832-772-0307

Homebound Ministry It is beautiful to provide the Eucharist to someone who is unable to attend Mass.

Thank God for all your blessings and please consider volunteering in the Homebound Min-

istry. For more information email Deacon John at john@epiphanycatholic.org or call

281-578-0707.

THANK YOU December BLOOD DONORS!!!

We had a total of 38 people donate blood at our December drive! A spe-cial thanks to our first time donors and to do-nors who were willing but had to be deferred this time. We appreciate all of you and the dedicated

Blood Drive coordinators & members who make this happen!!!

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Adult Faith Formation

New Beginnings for Adults! Start the New Year with a

commitment to learn more about your faith!

Bishop Robert Barron’s THE PIVOTAL PLAYERS

Explore the lasting influence of saints, artists, mystics, and scholars who not only shaped the life of the Church but changed the course of western civiliza-tion.

This six-week Monday evening series be-gins:

• January 23, 2017 • 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. • Parish Activity Center

Register online at: epiphanycatholic.org/payment or contact 281-578-8271, ext. 283 or louann@epiphanycatholic.org for registration information.

There is a $25.00 fee for the study guide which is due by January 7, 2017 in order to guarantee availability of the guide for the first session.

Visit: www.PivotalPlayers.com for a pre-view.

Contact louann@epiphanycatholic.org or call 832-772-0283 for additional

information on this series.

Epiphany Youth Ministry

High School students are invited to a special Christmas LOFT Party on December 21. Bring a gift no more than $10 if you would like to par-ticipate in the gift exchange. Good food and friends just in time for Christmas!

Students currently enrolled in Confirmation will be on retreat January 13-15, 2017 at Lake Tomahawk. Please keep these students in your prayers!

We pray you have a Merry Christmas Break and look for-ward to seeing you in the New Year!

Interested in helping with the Confirmation Retreat? We need seniors to lead some of the groups games, share their witness talk, and help with our Gift of the Holy Spirit Production : ELF! Please email Joey@Epiphanycatholic.org

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B y now, the first Christmas carols are heard in the home, but usually not yet

in church. What is a “carol” anyway? Originally, a carol was any kind of communal song sung at a fes val such as a harvest. By the thirteenth century or so, carols were as-

sociated with household celebra ons. “Carol” comes from the Old French carula, meaning a circular dance. Carols weren’t for church, since the language of litur-gy was La n and the carols were in the common lan-guage. Their characteris c sound comes from medie-val chord pa erns, and they o en have strong re-frains for everyone to sing. Even in the churches of the Reforma on, carols didn’t make it into church services un l the 1870s or so, since there was a pref-erence for psalms. Anglicans resisted popular carols; most of our beloved carols came via the Methodists, an offshoot of the Church of England. The Catholic Church generally didn’t admit carols to liturgy either, but we didn’t make laws against them.

We are told that the beloved carol “Silent Night” comes from Catholic Austria and a harried parish mu-sic director. Joseph Mohr, the priest of St. Nicholas in Oberndorf, had wri en the words in 1816, but offered them to his music director, Franz Gruber, when the church’s organ broke. Mohr asked him to write a melody that could be played on guitar as a prelude to Mass. Gruber finished the tune just hours before midnight Mass in 1818. The people were shocked to hear a guitar in church, but were charmed by the sweet lullaby. The church was swept away by a flood in the 1990s and the village later relocated, but the townspeople have set up the “Silent Night Memorial Chapel” at the site. Today the carol is in print in some three hundred languages. How wonder-ful that the pipe organ broke on that night! —Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

INTO OUR HOMES Only a few days remain before the world will pause for the celebra on of Christmas. Over the course of the past year we have been nourished at the table of God’s word and feasted on the Gospel of Saint Luke. We have listened to parables, been summoned to take up our crosses and follow Christ, and been schooled in the way of discipleship. Since the beginning of Advent the Church has turned our a en on to Ma hew’s Gospel. Today Ma hew opens the doors of Saint Joseph’s house, as well as his dreams, and tells the story of the events leading up to Jesus’ birth. The final line of today’s Gospel is worth no ng: “When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home” (Ma hew 1:24). Today is a day to consider our devo on to and apprecia on of the Blessed Virgin Mary in our faith lives. Today is a day for us to take her into our homes.

PREPARING A PLACE FOR CHRIST’S BIRTH

Mary stands as a reminder that nothing is impossible with God. This young woman’s life was thrown into confusion when the angel announced that she, although a virgin, would be the mother of God’s Son. She is the one to whom we can look when our lives are thrown into confusion. She gave herself over to the power of God. This did not mean that she would live her life free from fear and pain. We all know the rest of the story—how she would watch her son suffer and die. Mary is a source of comfort for all who have lost children. We can look to her for comfort in mes of grief and pain. How fi ng that we focus on the Virgin Mary on this final Sunday of Advent. When we open the doors of our hearts and welcome Mary into our lives, what we really do is prepare a place where the Lord is born to us again. Today’s Readings: Isaiah 7:10–14; Psalm 24:1–6; Romans 1:1–7; Ma hew 1:18–24 Copyright © 2007, World Library Publica ons. All rights reserved.

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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: gerry@epiphanycatholic.org #2 email: mary@epiphanycatholic.org SOFTWARE Microsoft Publisher®2003 Adobe Acrobat 6.0® Professional Windows XP Professional® Service Pack Three PRINTER HP LJ 300-400 Color M351-M451 PCL6 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT 1 through 11 SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION December 18, 2016 TRANSMISSION TIME Tuesday, 12 PM SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS