December 8, 2019 2nd Sunday of Advent The mission of the St. Thomas More Parish community is to become the real The mission of the St. Thomas More Parish community is to become the real The mission of the St. Thomas More Parish community is to become the real The mission of the St. Thomas More Parish community is to become the real presence of Christ through prayer, education, worship and service. presence of Christ through prayer, education, worship and service. presence of Christ through prayer, education, worship and service. presence of Christ through prayer, education, worship and service. St. Thomas More Parish St. Thomas More Parish St. Thomas More Parish St. Thomas More Parish 6511 176th St SW, Lynnwood WA 98037 |Ph: 425-743-2929 | Website: www.stmp.org Parish Office Hours: 9am-5pm M-Th, Friday 9am-1pm School Office Hours: 8am-4pm M-F | Ph: 425-743-4242, Fax: 425-745-8367 | Website: www.stms.org GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE What does it mean to be worthy? There are a few different ways to approach this question. Today’s Gospel highlights two: the way of the Pharisees and the way of John the Baptist. Our faith values good works and discipleship. Perhaps, then, we “earn” our worth by adhering to the right doctrines and following the right pious practice. The Pharisees thought they were worthy. Due to their religious pedigree and proper procedures, they were self-satisfied. John the Baptist’s words to them are strong. “Do not resume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’” Of course, Jesus (and John) don’t omit the responsibility for moral behavior. John gives the Pharisees quite a strong warning in that regard. “Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance … every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” It’s a question of attitude. Of disposition. It’s a matter of the heart. If anyone would be worthy in this scenario, it’s John the Baptist. Jesus himself will name him the greatest of prophets and a great man. John, however, recognizes his own lowly place in the grand scheme of things. “The one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals.” The Pharisees take pride in being “better” than others. John embraces humility in Christ being “better” than him. We don’t self-generate our own worthiness. We receive it as a gift from God. In a few short weeks, we’ll celebrate the birth of Christ. Bishop Ven. Fulton Sheen wrote about the Nativity in his “Life of Christ”: “Because [Jesus] was born in a cave, all who wish to see Him must stoop. To stoop is the mark of humility. The proud refuse to stoop and, therefore, they miss divinity.” God invites us to prepare our hearts this Ad- vent. When you consider your own life, where are you looking for your worth? This Christmas, are you prepared to stoop?
Transcript
December 8, 2019
2nd Sunday of Advent
The mission of the St. Thomas More Parish community is to become the real The mission of the St. Thomas More Parish community is to become the real The mission of the St. Thomas More Parish community is to become the real The mission of the St. Thomas More Parish community is to become the real
presence of Christ through prayer, education, worship and service.presence of Christ through prayer, education, worship and service.presence of Christ through prayer, education, worship and service.presence of Christ through prayer, education, worship and service.
St. Thomas More ParishSt. Thomas More ParishSt. Thomas More ParishSt. Thomas More Parish
6511 176th St SW, Lynnwood WA 98037 |Ph: 425-743-2929 | Website: www.stmp.org
GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE
What does it mean to be worthy? There are a few different ways to approach this question. Today’s Gospel highlights two: the way of the Pharisees and the way of John the Baptist. Our faith values good works and discipleship. Perhaps, then, we “earn” our worth by adhering to the right doctrines and following the right pious practice. The Pharisees thought they were worthy. Due to their religious pedigree and proper procedures, they were self-satisfied. John the Baptist’s words to them are strong. “Do not resume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’” Of course, Jesus (and John) don’t omit the responsibility for moral behavior. John gives the Pharisees quite a strong warning in that regard. “Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance … every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
It’s a question of attitude. Of disposition. It’s a matter of the heart. If anyone would be worthy in this scenario, it’s John the Baptist. Jesus himself will name him the greatest of prophets and a great man. John, however, recognizes his own lowly place in the grand scheme of things. “The one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals.” The Pharisees take pride in being “better” than others. John embraces humility in Christ being “better” than him. We don’t self-generate our own worthiness. We receive it as a gift from God.
In a few short weeks, we’ll celebrate the birth of Christ. Bishop Ven. Fulton Sheen wrote about the Nativity in his “Life of Christ”: “Because [Jesus] was born in a cave, all who wish to see Him must stoop. To stoop is the mark of humility. The proud refuse to stoop and, therefore, they miss divinity.” God invites us to prepare our hearts this Ad-vent. When you consider your own life, where are you looking for your worth? This Christmas, are you prepared to stoop?
December 8, 2019
2nd Sunday of Advent
Liturgies and Sacraments:
Mass Schedule: Saturday Vigil: 5 pm, Sunday: 8:30 am, 10:30 am Weekdays: 9 am T-F,8:30 am– Wed (Sept– mid June) Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturday 3:30-
4:30 pm or by appointment Sacrament of Baptism: held dur ing Mass, 5 times a year, contact Sharon Guerrero in the Parish Office for information. Sacrament of Marriage or Anniversary Celebrations: to ar range date and begin your preparation, contact Violeta Juzon in the Parish Office at least 6 mos. prior to the date. Sacrament of the Sick: This Sacrament is celebrated with those who are seriously ill, injured or preparing for surgery. Contact Parish Office
Communion to the Sick and Homebound: If you have a loved one who is homebound and would like to receive Communion at home on a weekly basis, please contact the Parish Office or email [email protected] to arrange for an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion visit. Funerals: Contact, Cathy Bellande in the Par ish office to schedule. Catholic Cemetery: Holyrood Cemetery, 205 NE 205th St, Seattle, Ph. 206-363-
8404
Welcome! Whether you’re just visiting us for a brief time,
looking for a new parish home, returning to the practice of
your Catholic faith or interested in finding out more about
the Catholic Church, we’re delighted to have you here.
Our parish is a community of diverse believers who are
supportive and loving. We encourage you to explore and get
to know our community. We hope that you’ll find our
parish to be your source of your spiritual growth, to put your
faith in action, and to use your gifts of time and talent as
disciples of Christ. We look forward to answering any
questions you may have. Check our website for registration
KofC Sponsored Santa Breakfast-Dalton Hall 9:30am-Faith Formation Class
BULLETIN SPONSOR
We thank the very generous sponsors who advertise on the back of our bulletin. This week we recognize: Edwin T. Malijan, RPT.
Catholic Community Services Appeal
The Catholic Community Services Appeal for the Poor is this weekend, December 7th-8th. This Appeal for the Poor is a tangible way you can partner with CCS to provide essential, life-sustaining services to families in need. Please know that your gifts can translate into innovative housing solutions for the homeless, basic need items such as food, clothing and hygiene supplies, recovery and mental health counseling and support for veterans, farmworkers, youth, the elderly, and those living with disabilities. Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services serve people of all beliefs and offer more than 175 programs and services nearly 100,000 people in need each year-and it’s all because of your generosity. We ask you to prayerfully consider making a financial gift to the CCS Appeal for the Poor in support of our mission of compassion. To donate go to http://www.ccsww.org, or use one of the envelopes in the pews.
IN OUR PRAYERS
Loving God, we join with others of your people here at St. Thomas More asking you to hold in Your hands all your people in need of your care: Jeff Leichleiter, husband of Ann
Bobby Miketinas, brother of John
RC Cayetano-RIP, son o Ross and Rory
Maria Notarte-RIP, mother of Babes Canziani Father John Renggli-RIP, former Pastor of STM
Carol Dodge-RIP, Step-Mother of Kyle
Tues. Dec. 10th: John Kunthara Sr & Er linda and Theodore Oden
Wed. Dec. 11th: Binlourdo and Edmoncita and Bebmar Frasco
Thurs. Dec. 12th:Ar ica Talamayan & Corlita Dimacali Fri. Dec. 13th:Tereda On Tran & Alex Encila
December 8, 2019
2nd Sunday of Advent
YOUTH PROGRAMS
The Youth Ministry and Children’s Faith Formation families are invited to the annual Advent Potluck Party on Wednesday, December 18th from 6-7:30pm in the Renggli Room. Please bring a $5 ornament for the White Elephant gift exchange and a favorite dish to share.
Everyone is invited to come sing in celebration, join the youth for Christmas Caroling on Saturday, December 14th after the Youth Mass at 5pm. There will be pizza and cocoa. Please RSVP to [email protected].
SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
All are invited to the School Christmas Program which will take place on Thursday, December 19th at 7:00 pm in the Church.
THE SAINTS OF DECEMBER
St. Nicholas was a kindly bishop who ministered in Asia Minor. He is noted for having tossed three bags of gold through the window of three young but poverty stricken girls. In a time when unmarried women had no value the gold made them wealthy and enabled them to
marry. As an unnamed giver of gifts he became the model for the gentleman we know as Santa Claus. His feast day is December 6th. St. Juan Diego, canonized in 2002, was the native who met Our Lady and pled her cause with the bishop. The fourth time this simple man presented himself to the bishop he carried roses which mysteriously bloomed where she appeared. When he open his clock to reveal the roses her image was there and is now on display in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. His feast day is December 9th. St. Stephen was a disciple of Jesus and was one of seven ordained to the diaconate to care for the needs of the new Christian community. He was stoned to death for preaching and healing. His feast day is December 26th.
FEASTS OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION AND
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception will be celebrated on Monday, December 9th at 9:00am and 7pm. This day celebrates Mary, born without original sin. The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, December 12th at 1:00pm.
SIMBANG GABI
This year we will celebrate the Filipino traditional Simbang Gabi on Saturday, December 21st at 5pm. This is a wonderful way to help us, with Mary, prepare for and wait for the birth of her son, Jesus. When understood from this perspective, Simbang Gabi transcends cultural barriers. After the December 21st
Mass, there will be a reception in Dalton Hall.
CHILDREN’S NATIVITY PRESENTATION
Calling all children from ages 4-5th grade who want to be an angel, Roman soldier, barn animal or a shepherd. Celebrate and be a part of our annual Parish Nativity Presentation on Tuesday, December 24th at the 5pm Mass. Please contact Sharon in the Parish Office for more information, or to participate. Sign-up forms are in the Faith Formation and Parish Office or on the Parish website: stmp.org.
BLESSING OF CHRISTMAS CARDS BEFORE MAILING
God of the universe, in the beginning, you transformed the dark abyss into light by speaking your word, and in the fullness of time, you sent your Son, Jesus, your Word Made Flesh, to transform our death into life. Change, then, the flesh of our lives into words of life, written upon these Christmas cards we
will send. Take the stories and events of this year, and make them glimpses of your grace. Break the walls of separation, and unite us through the simple gifts of a written note. As we remember the birth of your Son, bless the words and greetings we will share and those who will read them so that the life-giving word you have brought to birth in us may bring new life to the ends of the earth. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
December 8, 2019
2nd Sunday of Advent
THE GIVING TREE
The Giving Tree is in the Narthex starting the weekend of Nov. 30th-Dec. 1st. Please take a tag, provide new items, do not wrap the items, attach the tag and place them back under the tree by the weekend of December 14th-15th.
All items are going to the Catholic Community Services.
ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE
Our Advent Penance Service will be held on Wednesday, December 11th at 7:00pm in the Church. There will be additional priests available for individual confessions.
ADVENT & CHRISTMAS BOOKS
This Advent and Christmas season we will have “Daily Reflections for Advent & Christmas Waiting in Joyful Hope” books by Daniel Groody. They will be available in the Narthex for a suggested $1.50 donation. This book includes the Scripture reading for the day, a reflection, and questions from the beginning of Advent through Christmas Day.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses
Christmas Eve: Children’s Mass—5 pm
Fr. Okumu Presiding
Children’s Choir
Evening Mass—8 pm
Fr. Okumu Presiding Mission Choir-caroling at 7:30pm
Midnight Mass—10:30 pm Fr. Okumu Presiding
St. Francis Choir-caroling at 10:00pm
Christmas Day Mass—10:00 am Fr. Okumu Presiding
One Voice/Teen Choirs
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God-January 1st-9:00 am
Fr. Okumu Presiding
8:30am Choir
Donations for Christmas Flowers
Advent will soon be here and so that means that Christmas will be here before we know it. The special envelopes are in the pews again this year until Dec. 15th for donations in the name of a deceased loved one, or your own name for the purchase of Christmas
flowers and decorations. The envelopes can be put in the regular collection basket, or dropped off at the parish office.
December 8, 2019
2nd Sunday of Advent
Page 4
CatholicFaithDevelopmentParishOf�ice(425)743-2929
Baptisms for babies and young children will be the weekends of February 10th and April 26th . Parents and godparents must take one 4 hour class to prepare for raising children in the Catholic Faith. At least one godparent must be a practicing Catholic who has been Confirmed. Call Sharon for more information.
Becoming Catholic Those who would like to explore becoming Catholic are invited to join the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The classes will start again in September. Contact Sharon for more information.
In accordance with the Archdiocese of Seattle, children who are in second grade (at least 7 yrs of age) or older are eligible to prepare and celebrate their 1st Sacraments. Whether your child attends our parish school, any other Catholic school, or attends our Children’s Faith Formation program, your child MUST have completed a minimum of one full year of catechesis experience prior to receiving their Sacraments of 1st Reconciliation and 1st Communion in their second year. Parents are the primary teachers and so they are expected to be committed and involved in partnering with our program’s catechists. thank you to all who participated.
Youth News
Have you joined youth group yet? It’s not too late! We have programs for Jr., Sr. High and Youth Mass for ALL! Check out our website: https://stmp.org/87 for more information.
Our Jr. High Confirmation program is ongoing. Contact Kelly Orozco for more information. [email protected].
Faith Formation Class Attendance Policy
Given an hour of Faith Formation class every week is not enough and so weekly attendance is IMPORTANT in order for our program to provide the best faith formation possible. Our Children’s Faith Formation is blessed with dedicated volunteer catechists who share their stewardship of time and passion in teaching the Word of God to our children. As parents, we need your support and commitment to taking them to class regularly throughout the year. We do understand that some absences occur due to illness, family events, etc. However, it’ll be much appreciated if you notify your child’s catechist or Sharon at [email protected] in case of absence. Children’s Christmas Eve Nativity Presentation
All children ages 4 and older are invited to participate in the Nativity presentation on Tuesday, Dec. 24th at the 5pm Mass, As we prepare to celebrate the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ, the children will dress up like the people and animals from the very first Christmas. They can also participate as readers and narrators, play an instrument or join the choir. Come and be a part of our annual parish liturgical event to honor the birth of Jesus. Sign up online under the Children’s Faith Formation tab or get a sign up sheet, which will be available soon, in the Narthex, Faith Formation and Parish Offices.
This Week at STM Parish School
Please join us for the Immaculate Conception Mass on Monday, December 9th at 9:00am
Students will not be attending daily Mass on Wednesday, December 11th. Report Cards for the first trimester go home with students on Wednesday, December 11th. Students will enjoy an Ice Cream Treat from Parents Club to celebrate their hard work! Thank you Parents Club!! Students will be attending the Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass on Thursday, December 12th at 1:15. Students will be shopping at the Pixie Gift Shop on Friday, December 13th. Please watch for more information. There is a hot lunch fundraiser on Friday, December 13th. The STM Christmas Concert is Thursday,
December 19th at 7:00pm in the church. This is a
dress-up event for students.
Immaculate Conception
"Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing!" December 8th is one of our feasts celebrating Mary - the
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. From the beginnings of the Church, spiritual writers and theologians have acknowledged the innocence and holiness of Mary. St. Irenaeus called her the "new Eve." Both faced with the pure freedom to accept or reject God, Mary began with work of redemption with her yes to Christ! The Church began to celebrate the feast of Mary's conception in the early Middle Ages. In 1854, Pope Pius IX infallibly declared that Mary was free of original sin from the first moment of her conception. On this feast day, we celebrate the beauty and goodness of Our Lady!
December 8, 2019
2nd Sunday of Advent
Page 5
EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP -
My wife and I have three children. Each time we realized we would be having a child, thoughts ran through our minds about what this child would be like. Who would they become when they grew older? What would they like and dislike in this world? Would they grow in faith or struggle with truth?
As parents we were entrusted with these three gifts from God. We became stewards of these precious ones since they always truly belonged to him. We were able to help mold them and shape their lives, but we could not live their lives for them.
I bet the parents of Mary had many of the same concerns and dreams for their child. Yes, being born without original sin would give her a head start, I am sure, but she would still need to live her own life. No one could live it for her. Each decision would change her life’s path, even if just a little. In the end, we certainly know how important her decision to say yes was when it came her turn to be a parent.Mary is a profound example of good stewardship living. As we live each day, we can look to her for inspiration. Her strength of character, her devotion to God, and her courage in the face of the unknown helped her to be the best steward possible of the gift of above all gifts, Jesus. As parents, look to Mary. As disciples, we need to look to her Son. As everyday stewards, we are called to say yes to all the rich gifts God has given us.
—Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS
Electronic Giving
To help save the Parish some money, if you make your Stewardship pledge electronically and still receive a packet of envelopes in the mail monthly, please contact Cathy Bellande in the Parish Office to have their delivery stopped.
Parish Stewardship-On-line Giving
How do you sign up for online giving?
Scan this QR code OR
1. Visit the parish website at www.stmp.org
2. Click on the DONATE ON-LINE link on the bottom right of the webpage.
3. Complete the on-line registration form.
Financial Report to the Parish
Community
1st Quarter of the Fiscal Year 07/01/19-
09/30/19
Be er
This Year Last Year (Worse)
Parish Income (3 Mo)
$229,813
$223,798
$(3,985)
Parish Expenses (3
Mo)
$292,498
$244,994
$(47,504
3 Mo Surplus (Deficit)
$(62,685)
$(11.196)
&
(51,489)
Sept 2019 Income
$72,675
$70,190
$2,485
Sept 2019 Expenses
$90,233
$87,269
$(2,964)
Sept Surplus (Deficit)
$(17,558)
$(17,079)
$(479)
The income for the quarter was $20,876 less than
budget and $3,985 less than last year. Expenses are
on budget but worse than last year only because
we paid our Assessment of $51,149 in August this
year rather than December last year. A breakeven
budget has been projected for this Fiscal year. Ex-
traordinary expenses for the roof repair and kitch-
Thank you to all who have returned their Parish Stewardship commitment cards. Everyone else please prayerfully evaluate your giving to the parish and community. After praying, please fill out a commitment card and return it as soon as possible. How will you know you have pledged the right amount? You will feel comfortable and at peace with the size of the gift. There are still cards in the pews, or you can also make your pledge on our website at www.stmp.org and click on the Stewardship of Treasure icon on the Homepage. You can also give online by clicking on the Donate On-Line on our homepage.
