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. First Sunday of Advent December 2, 2018

First Sunday of Advent December 2, 2108

Phone: 314-781-1199 www.epiphanystl.org

Epiphany of Our Lord

Catholic Church 6596 Smiley Avenue

St. Louis, Missouri 63139

Pastor The Rev. Michael Rennier michaelrennier@gmail.com

Music Director Elizabeth Wildman

Plant Manager John Ellison johnellison11@aol.com

Parish Secretary Trish Nerviani trishnerviani@aol.com

Staff

Mass & Sacraments

Sunday Masses: 8:00 & 10:30 am

Weekday Masses

Monday through Friday: 8:00 am

Tuesday Evening Mass: 6:30 pm

Saturday Masses 8:00 am and 4:00

pm

Sacrament of Penance:

Saturday, 7:30-7:50 am

Sundays, 10-10:20 am

Tuesdays, 6-6:20 pm OR by appointment

Baptisms: Meeting first Thursday of the

month. Preregistration required.

Marriages: Contact the priest at least 9

months prior to the wedding date.

Funerals: To be arranged by contacting

the Parish Office.

Change of Address or Telephone

Number: Please call the Parish Office.

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. First Sunday of Advent 2 December 2, 2018

LIVING OUR FAITH

Thank you to everyone who helped with Thanksgiving meals. It took a lot of effort and planning, but it really made the holiday special for a lot of people. I talked to one parishioner last week who is in rehab and she was sad she was missing her thanksgiving meal from Epiphany! If you left a picture of a loved one here for our altar of remembrance, you may now pick it up from the blue table in the back of Church. Stewardship Newsletters are still available. If you'd like to see all the great things going on at Epiphany and exactly what your offertory contributions are making possible, grab one and check it out. They aren't being mailed out, so if you have a neighbor or friend who doesn't make it to Mass but would like to see one, take one to share. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception this year is on a Saturday, but our regular 4 pm Mass is required to remain a Sunday in Advent. So our Mass times for Immaculate Conception are 7 pm, Friday Dec 7 and 8 am, Saturday Dec 8. I hope to see you all this Sunday night for our Advent Evening of Reflection at 7 pm We'll have a spiritual talk, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and an opportunity for Confession. It will be a great way to get into the Advent spirit and pre-pare for Christmas. Our Rorate Caeli Mass and St. Lucy Procession is coming up soon! This year it will be 6:30 pm, Tue, December 18. Last year, this was one of the highlights on our liturgical calendar. The Rorate Caeli is a votive Mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin. It is conducted entirely by candlelight and our choir has been working very hard to sing it beautifully. After the Mass, we hold a procession in honor of St. Lucy, whose feast day is Dec 13. We celebrate by nominating one of our Little Flowers to be "St. Lucy" and leading us in a candlelight procession to our Advent Party. Everyone is encouraged to come celebrate with us. Mass Explanations – The Sanctus 8. The Sanctus, pt 1 In the Latin, the Sanctus reveals how profound it really is. The word Sanctus means, “Holy.” We sing Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus...three times. We do this because when the prophet Isaiah went to heaven, he says, “I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne high and elevated: and his train filled the temple. Upon it stood the seraphims: the one had six wings, and the other had six wings: with two they covered his face, and with two they covered his feet, and with two they hew. And they cried one to another, and said: Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God of hosts, all the earth is full of his glory.” The Sera-phim are the highest order of angels, those who are most glorious, and they say Sanctus three times to show that God is not just holy, but he is the Most Holy. If you've ever heard the English word “sanctity,” or the theological word, “sanctification” it means to be holy. “Dominus Deus Sabaoth” is interesting. It means Lord God of hosts. What do we mean by hosts? We mean the heavenly armies of Angels. God is not only glorious but he is strong and powerful. We also say, “pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua,” which means “heaven and earth are full of his glory” The word “pleni,” means “full.” If you have a “plenitude” or “plenty” of something it means you have more than enough. The universe has a plenitude of God's glory - the air we breathe, the sunshine, the night sky, every single part of the universe is overflowing with his presence. Father Ronald Knox says that singing the Sanctus is like sneaking up to a door and peering through the keyhole and on the other side is God and all his angels. So we sing a bit to announce that we are there, and the door is opened and we step through a doorway into heaven, and as we sing all of the angels and saints gather around and join us. This is why the priest bows and whispers the prayer quietly to himself, because God is so great and he is so small. Have you ever wondered what it is like to be in the presence of God? Well, each time you worship with the Church, you are already here. This is a subtle distinction but I think an important one, God does not just come down to us in the mass, we ascend up to him. We join him in his throne room and we worship him. That is why we work so hard to learn how to sing the Sanctus so beautifully.

Fr. Michael

FROM THE DESK OF FR. MICHAEL

Please pardon the mistake...It seems that the figures printed in our 2018 Newsletter were actually our 2017 statistics. These are the corrected numbers. Please call Trish at the parish office with any questions, 314-781-1199.

Registered Parish Households……………...613

New Families…………………………………..18

Total Number of Catholics………………...1,470

Contributors…………………………………..275

Baptisms……..…..14

First Communions …………………………...13

Confirmations.……Ø

Deaths…………….19

Marriages………...12

Christian Initiation …………………………….Ø (Current Year)

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. First Sunday of Advent 3 December 2, 2018

LIVING OUR FAITH

Attention EOL Women In Faith: The next Second Tuesday of the Month Faith Sharing is December 11, 2018. We will meet in the Rectory at 7:15 PM (after 6:30 PM Mass) till 8:45 PM. We discuss a differ-ent topic each month and rely on the Bible and the Cate-chism of the Catholic Church (CCC) as resources for our Wisdom, Insight and Understanding. Topic for DEC: Anger vs Forgiveness. Please come and join us in our discussion. For additional information, please call Mary Jo Martin at 314-324-7224.

What is Pro Life? Are we sure we are 100% Pro Life? – Part III The Church teaches that all life is sacred and must be cherished and protected from conception to natural death. By keeping this guiding principle in mind in reviewing all the following moral issues of today, we can quickly see what it means to be 100% Pro Life, no exceptions. Cloning: This is the sucking out of the nucleus of a cell and replacing it with the nucleus of another cell from the person you are trying to reproduce. Why can we not try to create a better person, without any inherited traits and disabilities we consider undesirable? We cannot recreate what God has created. He has given each person their own soul, in-

dividuality and purpose. We cannot determine what qualities are valuable, and what are not. That is genocide. Pro Life is the trusting acceptance of the life that God has created, not what we think is the best for them, society or our-selves. If you believe that Cloning is wrong, then you are Pro Life on this issue.

Joan Murray - Lucas Texas

Join LASM’s Stephen Minister Training Class! Lindenwood Area Senior Ministry is expand-ing its Stephen Ministry, a program that trains volunteers to provide one-to-one Christian care for older adults experiencing a difficult time. We are seeking individuals to serve as Stephen Ministers to provide this care. Stephen Ministers work alongside the LASM Director and our pastor to care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support to seniors who are going through a difficult time, such as grief, hospitalization, loneliness, chronic illness, or isolation. Stephen Minister training will begin on Sunday, January 6th. Training sessions will be held on Sunday afternoons from 12:30-2:30pm and a few Saturdays. This is

a wonderful opportunity for you to grow in faith, develop stronger relational skills, and bring Christ's love into the lives of hurting people. Contact the LASM Office at 647-4591 for an application or email Katie at lasmdirector@gmail.com.

LASM’s Stephen Ministry Training

Collection of Toiletries Mary Stahl will be collecting toiletries for Kasey Paige Christmas party. There will be a box in back of church marked for these items. Mary will collect them until mid-December. There will be NO calendars collected. Thank you for your contributions in the past and for any items you will contribute for this year's event.

An Evening For The Divorced & Separated

FINDING COMFORT & PEACE DURING THE HOLIDAYS: An evening for the divorced and separated will be held on Thursday evening, December 13, 2018, 6:30-8:30 PM at the Cardi-nal Rigali Center, 20 Archbishop May Dr., 63119. Greg DeNeal, a licensed professional counselor, will be speaking on Finding Comfort and Peace During the Holidays. This is a free event. Please RSVP to melissakeat-ing@archstl.org or 314.792.7173. Sponsored by the Office of Marriage and Family Life.

Dynamic Catholic, Alive! – “Be Vigilant at all Times” This phrase from the Gospel is another instance of the Lord calling us to be prepared for His visitation of the world. He is talking about His Second Coming, but we can also consider our preparation for the celebration of His Incarnation and Nativity as we journey through the season of Advent. The gospel discusses how we are often tempt-ed to be involved in earthly affairs and to be consumed by the anxieties of daily life. We certainly must take care of the mundane tasks each day and provide for our families and ourselves. However, we must also constantly watch for the daily revelations of God in our lives. Every mo-ment can be a moment of grace, in which we recognize the presence of God in another person, situation, or activi-ty. As we begin the holy season of Advent, let our prayer be centered on being in the world but not of it. Let us challenge ourselves to wait with eager expectation for the coming of the Lord in the midst of difficulties and tri-als. Let us take concrete steps each day to be ready when our Savior comes to us in the vulnerable form of a little child. Life Teen Attention All Highschoolers! Please join us

this Wednesday, Dec. 5 from 7-9pm at Bishop DuBourg High School (please use Clifton Ave. entrance). We will be kicking off our Advent series and diving into what it means to wait well. We hope you'll join us! See saintlouislifeteen.org for more information.

Stewardship “But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” LUKE 21:28 We celebrate Advent each year in preparation of the birth of Jesus, His first coming, as we await his second coming. In this Advent season, use the sacrament of Reconciliation to strengthen your rela-tionship with Jesus. It’s never too late.

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. First Sunday of Advent 4 December 2, 2018

LITURGIES & SCHEDULES

Sunday, December 2

• 9:00 am - Bible Study, CMR

• 10:30 am - Liturgy with Children, RBB

• Breakfast with Santa, Gym

First Sunday of Advent, December 2 8:00 am Marian Kroll 10:30 am Parishioners

Monday, December 3 8:00 am Frank Randazzo

Tuesday, December 4 8:00 am Maryann Morrow (Good Health) 6:30 pm Deceased Members of the Class of ‘70

Wednesday, December 5 8:00 am Mary Heuing

Thursday, December 6 8:00 am Cecilia Stochla

Friday, December 7 8:00 am Otto Busch Immaculate Conception Vigil 7:00 pm Parishioners

Saturday, December 8 Immaculate Conception 8 am Mass only 8:00 am Sean & Don Welby 4:00 pm Stephen Eichorn

Second Sunday of Advent, December 9 8:00 am Parishioners 10:30 am Mary Heuing

Mass Intentions For The Week Our Parish This Week

Monday, December 3

• 7:30 am - 5:00 pm - GSA,

• 7:30 am -- 5:00 pm - GSA, Gym

• 7:00 pm - Boy Scouts, Upper Hall

Saturday, December 8

Tuesday, December 4

• 7:30 am - 5:00 pm - GSA,

• 7:30 am -- 5:00 pm - GSA, Gym

• 6:30 pm - PSR, Church, AR & UH

• 7:30 pm - First Confession, Church

Wednesday, December 5

• 7:30 am - 5:00 pm - GSA,

• 7:30 am -- 5:00 pm - GSA, Gym

Thursday, December 6

• 7:30 am - 5:00 pm - GSA,

• 7:30 am -- 5:00 pm - GSA, Gym

Friday, December 7

• 7:30 am - 5:00 pm - GSA,

• 7:30 am -- 5:00 pm - GSA, Gym

• 3:30-6:30 pm - Dance, UH

Sunday, December 9

• 9:00 am - Bible Study, CMR

• 10:30 am - Liturgy with Children, RBB

Monday - Saturday December 3-8

• 7:30 am - Rosary, Church

Readings for the week of Dec. 2, 2018

Our Offering For the Week Of August 4-5, 2018

Sunday Collection General Fund ........... $3,388.00 General Fund Loose ..... $127.26 General Fund Online .. $1,347.00 Total ................... $4,862.26

Christmas ................... $70.00 Christmas Flowers ....... $147.00 Immaculate Conception .. $25.00 Kenrick Seminary .......... $55.00 Maintenance & Repair $56.00 M&R Online ................. $10.00 Retired Religious .......... $26.00 SVDP .................... $2,269.00 SVDP Online ................ $15.00 Solemnity of Mary ......... $70.00 Votive ....................... $28.00 Tuition Assistance ......... $5.00 Tuition Assist Online ...... $15.00 ........ $564.00(YTD)

In your kindness, please pray for the repose of the soul of Russelyne Geujen, mother of Mary (Rod) Brown. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.

Our Dearly Departed

Please Pray For the Homebound & Sick Of Our Parish

Toni Berberich Joyce Kuhl Tracy Limpert

Jack McPherson Sheryl McPherson Nannette McPherson

Maryann Morrow Dorothy Kaup Joan Huelsmann

Ken Wisniewski Karen Glanz Daniel Barr

Sunday: Jer 33:14-16/Ps 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14 [1b]/ 1 Thes 3:12—4:2/Lk 21:25-28, 34-36 Monday: Is 2:1-5/Ps 122:1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9/ Mt 8:5-11 Tuesday: Is 11:1-10/Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 [cf. 7]/ Lk 10:21-24 Weds.: Is 25:6-10a/Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 [6cd]/ Mt 15:29-37 Thursday: Is 26:1-6/Ps 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a [26a]/Mt 7:21, 24-27 Friday: Is 29:17-24/Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14 [1a]/Mt 9:27-31 Saturday: Gn 3:9-15, 20/Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 [1]/ Eph 1:3-6, 11-12/Lk 1:26-38 Next Sunday: Bar 5:1-9/Ps 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6 [3]/ Phil 1:4-6, 8-11/Lk 3:1-6

Marriage Encounter Resolve to make your marriage even better in 2019! Attend a Marriage Encounter weekend and your good marriage will become even better. Just ask a couple who has attended the weekend. Apply for the week-end you deserve either on Jan. 19-20, 2019 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Lawrenceville, IL (no hotel provided); or Feb 8-10 at the Courtyard Marriott in St. Peters, MO. To apply or get more info, go to https://stl-wwme.org/schedule.php or call 314.649.7317.

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. First Sunday of Advent 5 December 2, 2018

PARISH COMMUNITY NEWS, NOTES & EVENTS

A big THANK YOU to all who helped in the kitchen, cooked turkeys, provided pies, dressing and canned goods, also to the drivers that delivered the meals on Thanks-giving day. A special thanks to EFF and the Men’s Club. Without all of you this project

would not have happened. 137 meals were provided to individuals and families who would not have enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

God bless, Lynn and Bill Kloecker.

Kasey Paige Adopt-A-Person Thank you to all that have adopted someone from Kasey Paige. We have a handful of residents left that need adopting. Please look for someone after the Masses this weekend if you still haven't had a chance to adopt some-one, or call Kris Ranciglio at 314-210-0916 to adopt someone. Gifts need to be wrapped with the resident's name on the package. Drop off will be Thursday night De-cember 20th from 6-8pm in the Assumption Room, or oth-er arrangements can be made if that doesn't work. Thank you!

It’s hard to believe that Christmas will soon be here, but it is just 3 short weeks away. This can be a stressful time of

year for some families, trying to figure out how to provide presents and food for their families during the holidays. Please consider helping by adopting a family for Christmas. Contact St. Vincent DePaul through the parish business office, 314-781-1199 to adopt a family or to place your name or the name of someone in need of assistance on the adoption list.

St. Vincent DePaul Adopt-A-Family For Christmas

Christmas Cards Remembering those who cannot make it to church or are in nursing homes at Christmas. There will be Christmas cards in the vestibule of church with a list of known individuals in nursing homes or confined to their home with addresses. You are invited to address and sign a card(s), there will be a basket for you to place the card in. Don’t worry about postage as we will mail the cards. Epiphany has not forgotten our friends. If you know someone who is not on the list feel free to add them to the list along with their address.

Scout Christmas Tree Lot Boy Scout Troop 336 of St. Michael’s Parish in Shrewsbury will be selling Christ-mas trees from their lot in the Mackenzie Pointe Shopping Center starting the Friday after Thanksgiving. Hours are from 6 to 9 pm Monday through Friday and 9 am to 9 pm Saturday and Sunday. We will also be open from 9 AM to 9 PM on Black Friday. Your patronage is appreciated by our scouts.

Mark your calendar Please plan to join us for our annual Christmas church cleaning on Thursday, December 13th immediate-ly following the 8 am Mass. We will serve light refreshments in the as-sumption room immediately follow-ing. All are welcome to join. More information to come.

Ring In the New Year With Us! WHAT: 7th annual New Year’s Eve Dinner Dance WHEN: Monday, December 31, 2018 6:30 PM - Doors Open 7:30 PM - Dinner is Served 8:30 pm – 12:30 am - the music of:

THE SCOTT LAYTHAM and

KARL “Trickee” HOLMES DUO For your listening and dancing pleasure!!!

WHERE: The St. Matthias Parish Center, 800 Buckley Rd. COST: $30 per person - includes dinner, favors, snacks, set-ups, champagne toast. BYOB or beer and wine available at $2.00 per drink. For tickets or further information call: Sandy (314)544-2162 after 3 pm or the Parish Office (314)892-7500 Or email smaevents2017@yahoo.com

Tickets now on sale!

After much anticipation, the holiday season is here again! You’re busy with holiday gift shopping, meal planning and preparation, and making time to see your family and friends at gatherings and parties. You don’t need to add “fundraising” to your list of to-do’s. Shop with scrip for all of your holiday needs so you can earn money for Epiphany and love the holidays! See the list below for our current in-stock certificates. Don’t’ see what you need? No problem, place your order by Monday at noon and we will have it ready for pick up by Friday! Happy Shopping!

Amazon Bass Pro Bath & Body

Biggie’s Chili’s Chris’ Pancakes

CVS Dierberg’s El Paisano

Jack in the Box Joey B’s Kohl’s

Krispy Kreme Panera Pietro’s

Pizza Hut Starbucks Steak –N-Shake

Subway Taco Bell Target

Walgreens Walmart Wendys