January 2, 2022 The Epiphany of the Lord

January 2, 2022 – The Epiphany of the Lord

www.sttafw.org Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church www.facebook.com/STTAFW

Mass Intentions Mon/Lun Jan 3 8:00 AM MASS Monday after the Epiphany

1 Jn 3: 22- 4: 6 / Mt 4: 12-17. 23-25 Claude Wachsman

Tues/Mar Jan 4 NO MASS Memorial of St Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious

1 Jn 4: 7-10 / Mk 6: 34-44

Wed/Mie Jan 5 8:00 AM MASS Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop

1 Jn 4: 11-18/ / Mk 6: 45-52 Barbara Patterson

Thu/Jue Jan 6 8:00 AM MASS Thursday after the Epiphany

1 Jn 4: 19-5: 4 / Lk 4: 14-22 Paul Wachsman

Fri/Vie Jan 7 8:00 AM MASS Friday after the Epiphany

1 Jn 5: 5-13 / Lk 5: 12-16 Nguyen Phuong

January 8 & 9, 2022 The Baptism of the Lord

Is 40: 1-5. 9-11 / Ti 2: 11-14; 3: 4-7/ Lk 3: 15-16. 21-22

Saturday Vigil 4:00 PM Silvered Sinsinawa

Sunday 8:00 AM Anita Frerich

Sunday 10:00 AM Matt Necco

Domingo 12:00 PM Idelfonzo Hernandez Felipe Jaime

Prayers for the Sick Hear us for your sick servants O Lord, for whom we pray for good health:

Joyce Helgeson, Jill Pingel, David Garcia and Silberio Martinez, and Martha Castillo

2021 Contribution Statements Pre-printed Year-End Statements will be mailed to the families who donated $1,000 or more in 2021. All other statements are available by request only. If you have any questions, please contact Beverly Oberdorf, Business Manager at 817-624-2184, ext. 107

Parish Office Closed The Parish Office will be closed on Monday, January 17, 2022 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. We will reopen on Tuesday ,January 18, 2022 at normal business hours.

La Oficina Parroquial estará cerrada el lunes 17 de enero en observación de Martin Luther King Jr. Abriremos de nuevo el martes 18 de enero al el horario regular.

Formed Pick of the Week As we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, listen to Dr. Scott Hahn explain the meaning of the Magi and their gifts.

Merciful Mama The Merciful Mama is a one-day retreat for Catholic moms in every season hosted by the Women's Organization of St Thomas the Apostle on Saturday, February 19, 2022 from 8:30am-3:00pm. Featuring guest speaker Lauren Nelson of Gathering Manna. In this retreat learn how to:

• reflect on God's mercy in your parenting• Let go of irritation and anger• become less reactive and more tenderhearted• depend on God to lead you and help you bear "fruit

that will last" (Jn 15:16)Register online at www.sttafw.org and scroll down to the Merciful Mama section and click register.

View this bulletin online at www.DiscoverMass.com



Volunteers Needed We need volunteers on January 10th from 9am-12pm to take down the Christmas decorations. If you are interested in volunteering, please call the parish office to sign-up.

Necesitaríamos voluntarios nuevamente el 10 de enero de 9am a 12pm para quitar las decoraciones navideñas. Si está interesado en ser voluntario, llame a la oficina parroquial para inscribirse.

St Vincent de Paul Society The Society of St Vincent de Paul is grateful to the parishioners of St Thomas the Apostle for your monetary donations that you have shared with the Society of St Vincent the Paul since the St Thomas the Apostle Conference started in 2018. We continue to try and meet the growing needs of families and individuals that call the hotline. Many families are still feeling the economic effects of COVID-19 and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul needs your continued financial support to continue to pay utility bills, prescriptions, rent, and many other necessities families are needing. Please continue to drop your donations in the Poor Boxes located on the walls by the exit doors of the church. You can also drop your donation made out to the Society of St Vincent de Paul at the parish office. Many blessing to you and your family as we go into 2022.

La Sociedad de San Vicente de Paúl está agradecida a los feligreses de Santo Tomás Apóstol por sus donaciones monetarias que han compartido con la Sociedad de San Vicente de Paúl desde que comenzó la Conferencia de Santo Tomás Apóstol en 2018. las crecientes necesidades de las familias y las personas que llaman a la línea directa. Muchas familias todavía sienten los efectos económicos de COVID-19 y la Sociedad de San Vicente de Paul necesita su apoyo financiero continuo para continuar pagando facturas de servicios públicos, recetas médicas, alquiler y muchas otras necesidades que las familias necesitan. Continúe depositando sus donaciones en las Cajas para Pobres ubicadas en las paredes junto a las puertas de salida de la iglesia. También puede dejar su donación a nombre de la Sociedad de San Vicente de Paúl en la oficina parroquial. Muchas bendiciones para usted y su familia de cara al 2022.

Tax Deductible Year-End Giving The requirements for tax deductible year-end giving are:

• In order to be credited as a donation in the 2021tax year, checks must be dated and mailed with apostmark on or before Thursday, December 31,2021.

• Credit card gifts are effective on the date the cardis charged.

• Electronic funds transfer is effective on the date ofthe transfer.

• Stocks transferred electronically are effective onthe date of transfer.

Priest Care Fund Next week, we will take up a collection for the Priest Care Fund. Your support of this collection pays for our priests’ medical and long-term care expenses that are not covered by insurance. “A Lifetime of Service Asks for a Moment of Support.” Please give generously to the Priest Care Fund on January 8-9 at Mass, through our parish online giving, or at https://bit.ly/DioceseSpecialCollections (case sensitive)

La próxima semana, tomaremos una colecta para el Fondo de Cuidado al Sacerdote. Su apoyo a esta colecta para nuestros sacerdotes paga por los gastos médicos y de largo plazo que no están cubiertos por el seguro. “Una Vida de Servicio Require un Momento de Apoyo.” Por favor, aporte generosamente al Fondo de Cuidado al Sacerdote durante las misas del 8 y 9 de enero, a través de las donaciones en línea de nuestra parroquia o en https://bit.ly/DioceseSpecialCollections (distingue entre mayúsculas y minúsculas)




Stewardship Reflection New Year Resolutions: What are your goals to improve your spiritual life this year? As with all things, start small. Maybe you just want to add a blessing before all meals. Or maybe praying nightly with the kids or your spouse or if you are single alone, before bed. Maybe it is just talking to God in the morning as you awake to review your upcoming day. Tell your family what you are planning and ask them to help you keep your resolution.

“As the dawn breaks on a new year, let us give thanks for all we hold dear: our health, our family and our friends. Let us release our grudges, our anger and our pains, for these are nothing but binding chains. Let us live each day in the most loving ways, the God-conscious way. Let us serve all who are in need, regardless of race, color or creed. Let us keep God of our own understanding in our hearts and to chant God's name each day. Let us lead the world from darkness to light, from falsehood to truth and from wrong to right. Let us remember that we are all one, embracing all, discriminating against none. May your year be filled with peace, prosperity and love. May God's blessings shower upon you and bestow upon each of you a bright, healthy, and peaceful new year.” - Rev. Marcy Sheremetta

¿Cuáles son tus metas para mejorar tu vida espiritual este año? Como con todas las cosas, comienza poco a poco. Tal vez solo quieras agregar una bendición antes de todas las comidas. O tal vez orar todas las noches con los niños o su cónyuge o si está soltero solo, antes de acostarse. Tal vez sea solo hablar con Dios por la mañana mientras te despiertas para revisar tu próximo día. Dígale a su familia lo que está planeando y pídales que lo ayuden a mantener su resolución.

"Al amanecer de un nuevo año, demos gracias por todo lo que apreciamos: nuestra salud, nuestra familia y nuestros amigos. Liberemos nuestros rencores, nuestra ira y nuestros dolores, porque estos no son más que cadenas atadas. Vivamos cada día de la manera más amorosa, de la manera consciente de Dios. Sirvamos a todos los necesitados, independientemente de su raza, color o credo. Mantengamos a Dios de nuestro propio entendimiento en nuestros corazones y cantemos el nombre de Dios cada día. Conduzcamos al mundo de la oscuridad a la luz, de la falsedad a la verdad y del mal al bien. Recordemos que todos somos uno, abrazando a todos, discriminando a ninguno. Que tu año esté lleno de paz, prosperidad y amor. Que las bendiciones de Dios caigan sobre ustedes y otorguen a cada uno de ustedes un año nuevo brillante, saludable y pacífico". - Reverenda Marcy Sheremetta

Volunteer Opportunities As we expand the Give & Grow in Christ campaign, we need some help with our communications. We would like to keep the work within our parish family. These are the jobs to be done - someone to write copy, graphic artist, copy writers, videographer, editor, and photographer. If you are interested or have questions, contact Beverly at the Parish Office.

Safe Environment Training If your New Year’s resolutions is to become more involved with your parish, a precondition is to possess a current safe environment certificate. Here is the process:

1. Successful completion of the Virtus Safe EnvironmentTraining.

2. Completion of the necessary forms: (Volunteer MinistryApplication, including the names and contactinformation of 3 (non-family member) references; Signed Authorization for Release of Information form; SignedCode of Conduct Agreement form upon review of theDiocesan Code of Conduct & Behavior Standards for AllClergy, Religious and Lay Ministers.)

3. Completion of the National Criminal Search includingSex Offender background check.

Get registered and attend a Virtus session by visiting the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth website:

1. https://fwdioc.org/ then select the Safe Environment tabat the top.

2. Scroll down and select Awareness Sessions (Adult &Teen Training).

3. Click I Need A Virtus Profile, complete the registrationprocess and find a Virtus session convenient to yourschedule.

Questions? Contact Bruce Mallory, Phone 817-624-2184 x 103 or email at [email protected]

Saint Thomas Come Together Gala Join us on Saturday January 22, 2022 for the Saint Thomas Come Together Gala at the National Hall 3316 Roberts Cut Off Rd. Fort Worth, TX 76114. Tickets are $35 each and this includes appetizers, dinner, and dessert. Tickets will be on sale starting on December 18th. Kid care will be provided at no cost in the Parish Education Building. Drop off starts at 5:00PM and pick up goes until 11:30PM. Let's all Come Together for a great night of fun and fellowship. Let's start 2022 off Together! Tickets can be purchased after all Sunday Masses in the Narthex.




Pastors CornerThe Magi are the central personages in today’s feast of Epiphany. They were pagans who did not know the true God of the Jews. Yet that true God revealed to them that the King he had promised the Jews had come. The expected Prince was born. They came to Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, expecting, of course, to find the city and the whole country rejoicing. Instead, they found suspicion and hatred in the reigning king- a hatred which in a few days turned to murder. Among the religious leaders they found knowledge of their past history, but utter indifference as regards the present and the future. These leaders knew the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, they must have realized that the Magi were very sure of the truth revealed to them – they would not have come such a long journey on a “fool’s errand.” In spite of that, the thought of going to Bethlehem with the Magi never entered their minds. These were the leaders who some years later refused to listen to Christ and in spite of his miracles, refused to admit his claim that he was not only the promised Messiah, but the true Son of God. These were the men who rejected him because he had mercy on sinners and spoke of a future life. What they wanted from their Messiah was political power and earthly freedom and prosperity. Like Herod they ended with murder – the crucifixion of the “King of the Jews.” The pagan king was not much worse than the indifferent Leaders of God’s Chosen People. We too know the true facts concerning Christ, his mission, and his present and future kingdom. Like the leaders of the Jews of his day, we also could become absorbed in the affairs of this life and the quest for wealth, pleasure and power. We could become so totally absorbed in such things as to have neither the interest nor the time to pay our respects to Christ or to welcome him into our homes and our hearts, as our true God. God forbid it should ever be thus with us. Rather let us resolve this to make the Magi our models, to follow them to Bethlehem and offer him all that we have and are. He will accept our offering and we will return by another way, wiser and better men.

Los magos son los personajes centrales de la fiesta de la Epifanía de hoy. Eran paganos que no conocían al verdadero Dios de los judíos. Sin embargo, ese Dios verdadero les reveló que había venido el Rey que había prometido a los judíos. Nació el príncipe esperado. Llegaron a Jerusalén, la capital de Judá, esperando, por supuesto, encontrar la ciudad y todo el país regocijados. En cambio, encontraron sospecha y odio en el rey reinante, un odio que en pocos días se convirtió en asesinato. Entre los líderes religiosos encontraron conocimiento de su historia pasada, pero absoluta indiferencia con respecto al presente y al futuro. Estos líderes sabían que el Mesías nacería en Belén, debieron haberse dado cuenta de que los magos estaban muy seguros de la verdad que les fue revelada; no habrían recorrido un viaje tan largo en una "misión tonta". A pesar de eso, la idea de ir a Belén con los Magos nunca pasó por sus mentes. Estos fueron los líderes que algunos años después se negaron a escuchar a Cristo y, a pesar de sus milagros, se negaron a admitir su afirmación de que él no solo era el Mesías prometido, sino el verdadero Hijo de Dios. Estos fueron los hombres que lo rechazaron porque tuvo misericordia de los pecadores y habló de una vida futura. Lo que querían de su Mesías era poder político y libertad y prosperidad terrenales. Como Herodes, terminaron con el asesinato: la crucifixión del "Rey de los judíos". El rey pagano no era mucho peor que los indiferentes Líderes del Pueblo Elegido de Dios. Nosotros también conocemos los hechos verdaderos acerca de Cristo, su misión y su reino presente y futuro. Como los líderes de los judíos de su época, también podríamos estar absortos en los asuntos de esta vida y la búsqueda de riqueza, placer y poder. Podríamos llegar a estar tan absortos en tales cosas que no tendríamos ni el interés ni el tiempo para presentar nuestros respetos a Cristo o darle la bienvenida en nuestro hogar y en nuestro corazón, como nuestro verdadero Dios. Dios no quiera que sea así con nosotros. Más bien resolvamos esto para hacer de los Magos nuestros modelos, para seguirlos hasta Belén y ofrecerle todo lo que tenemos y somos. Aceptará nuestra ofrenda y volveremos por otro camino, hombres más sabios y mejores.


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January 2, 2022 The Epiphany of the Lord