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ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH
2510 So. Fremont Avenue, Alhambra, CA 91803
(626) 284-8333 Website: stmcatholicalhambra.org
Sunday, January 24, 2016
EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATIONS WEEKLY LITURGIES
Saturday Vigil
5:00PM
Reconciliation
Saturday: 4:00-4:45PM
Sunday
7:30AM, 9:00AM, 12:30PM
10:45AM Spanish
English
Daily: Mon-Sat
8:30AM
Holy Day Masses
8:30AM, 7:00PM
Please contact the Parish Office for arrangements regarding
Baptisms, Sacrament of Matrimony, and Funerals
PARISH OFFICE HOURS
Monday-Thursday 9:00AM - 7:30PM
Friday
9:00AM - 7:00PM
Saturday
9:00AM - 1:00PM
Closed 1:00 - 2:00PM
Closed 1:00 - 2:00PM
PARISH STAFF
Office: (626) 284-8333 Fax: (626) 282-4459
Mission Statement
We, the faith community of Saint Thomas More
Catholic church are called by God the Father,
through the guidance of the Holy Spirit to live lives
inspired by Jesus Christ.
We aspire to be a welcoming community with
full, active, and joyful participation in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. We are dedicated to
grow in spirituality, to nurture and guide our children and youth, to reach out and address the needs
of other communities around us.
Nuestra Misión
Nosotros, la comunidad de fe de la iglesia Católica Saint Thomas More estamos llamados por Dios
Padre, por medio de la guía del Espíritu Santo, a vivir
vidas inspiradas en Jesucristo.
Aspiramos a ser una comunidad acogedora y que
participa de forma plena, activa, y gozosa en la celebración de la Santa Eucaristía. Estamos dedicados a
crecer en espiritualidad, a educar y guiar a nuestros
niños y jóvenes, y a reconocer y atender las necesidades de otras comunidades a nuestro alrededor.
Administrator: Fr . Er asmus Sor iano
(ext. 116) [email protected]
Pastor Emeritus: Rev. J er emiah O’Neill
Deacon Couple: Rogelio and Emilia Gar cia
[email protected] (626) 705-1072
Pastoral Associate: Sr . Mar gar et Devlin, SSC
LMFT/Counseling (ext. 112) [email protected]
Safeguard the Children Contact: Mae Ho
(ext. 139) or (626) 457-5302 [email protected]
Director of Religious Education: Mae Ho
(ext. 139) or (626) 457-5302 [email protected]
Liturgy & Music Coordinator: Sr . Andr ea J ohnson
(ext. 137) [email protected]
Accounting Manager: Lucy Lai
(ext. 110) [email protected]
Youth Ministry & Confirmation Coordinator: Fr ancisco Ramos
[email protected]
Assistant Coordinator: Gabr iella Ramos (ext. 135)
Parish Secretary: Tess Water s
(ext. 141) [email protected]
Parish Receptionist: Mimi Lewis
SCHOOL STAFF
School Office: (626) 284-5778 Fax: (626) 284-3303
Admin. Team: J udy J ones and Ver onica Rodr iguez, (ext. 28)
Secretary: Mar y Helen Lazo, (ext. 29)
School Website: stthomasmor ealhambr a.or g
School Email: stthomasmor e@ear thlink.net
Third Sunday in Ordinary Times
January 24, 2016
Page 2
Administrator’s Corner
The time is now!
Third Sunday in Ordinary Times
The first reading for this Sunday is from the
Book of Nehemiah. It is an emotional scene about
the rebuilding of the Jewish community. The Jews,
at that time, were coming from exile. After having been captives of
the Babylonians, the people of Israel returned to their homeland. They
were starting to rebuild their lives, their community. Most of the people have lost hope and are encountering difficulties. How will they
start to rebuild again? Where will they start? Ezra, the priest and Nehemiah, the servant of the Persian king, were chosen by God to inspire
the people of Israel and reconnect them with their Jewish faith. In
front of the people, Ezra, the priest, read and interpreted the book of
the law from daybreak until, midday. The scene is the public proclamation of the law of God on which the life of the community was
based/ founded. He reminded the people of their covenant with the
Lord. If the people start to rebuild their community, they must first be
reconnected with their faith. After the destruction and captivity of
Israel, the people had the opportunity again to listen to the word of
God freely. Some of them were weeping as they were listening to the
word of God being proclaimed. Nehemiah instructed the people that
this day is a feast and must be celebrated with rejoicing, not weeping; “Today is holy to the LORD your God. Do not be sad, and do not
weep. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the LORD must
be your strength!”
Our Gospel reading tells us also of the same scene. Jesus returned
to his hometown Nazareth and in the synagogue, before the people,
read the scroll written by the prophet Isaiah. The Spirit of the Lord is
upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the
poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of
sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year
acceptable to the Lord. And he concluded his reading by his
words: “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”
By reading the prophecy of Isaiah, Jesus has proclaimed to the
hearers that the he is the fulfillment of God’s promises. Jesus takes to
himself this mission of proclaiming the good news to God’s people.
He reminded his hearers that God has not abandoned their cries, their
hopes, and their dreams. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus
fulfills the long prophecy of Isaiah. He is bringing glad tidings, liberation, healing and restoration to the people of Israel.
“Today, this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” The
important word here is “Today”. Today speaks about the urgency or
exigency of the matter. The action is now, not later, not tomorrow. It
cannot be delayed or postponed. The gospel reading tells us the urgency of proclaiming God’s word of goodness. It calls the involvement of
every Christian. Every baptized Christian must take up to himself this
mission of Christ. His mission must continue and be spread. Together,
as members of Christ’s mystical body, we, too, are anointed to proclaim, to witness and be instruments of the fulfillment of God’s reign.
In the second reading, St. Paul reminds us of the importance of
community. We need the church. We need to belong to the church
because we are parts of the body of Christ. We cannot separate ourselves from one another. As a community, we need to share our faith,
our spiritual gifts God has given us. We share the task of building and
rebuilding our Christian community. Our readings are invitations to
every member of our community to share in this noble task/mission of
rebuilding the foundations of our Christian faith.
Allow me to express my gratitude and appreciation to our community volunteers (in the different ministries and organizations) who
have served as co-workers in rebuilding our community each day.
Blessings upon you! I also invite the many, other members of our
community. May this gospel remind and impel you to get involved in
our parish. The time is NOW.
¡El tiempo es ahora!
Tercer Domingo en Tiempo ordinario
La primera lectura de este Domingo es del libro de Nehemías. Es
una escena emocional sobre la reconstrucción de la comunidad judía.
Los Judíos, en ese momento venían del exilio. Después de haber sido
cautivos de los Babilonios, los hijos de Israel volvieron a su tierra natal.
Estaban empezando a reconstruir sus vidas, su comunidad. La mayoría
de la gente ha perdido la esperanza y están encontrando dificultades.
¿Cómo van a empezar a reconstruir de nuevo? Dónde estarán empezar?
Esdras, el sacerdote y Nehemías, el siervo del rey de Persia fueron
escogidos por Dios para inspirar a la gente de Israel y reconecte con su
fe judía. Delante de la gente, Esdras, el sacerdote, leer e interpretar el
libro de la ley desde el amanecer hasta que, al mediodía. La escena es la
proclamación pública de la ley de Dios en el que la vida de la comunidad
fue basado / fundado. Recordó a las personas acerca de su pacto con el
Señor. Si la gente va a empezar a reconstruir su comunidad, primero
deberán volver a conectarse con su fe. Después de la destrucción y la
cautividad de Israel, el pueblo tuvo la oportunidad de nuevo a escuchar
libremente la palabra de Dios. Algunos de ellos lloraban mientras
escuchaban la palabra de Dios siendo proclamado. Nehemías instruyó a
la gente que este día es una fiesta y debe ser celebrado con regocijo, no
llora; " Éste es un día consagrado al Señor, nuestro Dios. No estén
ustedes tristes ni lloren. No estén tristes, porque celebrar al Señor es
nuestra fuerza”.
Nuestra lectura del Evangelio nos dice también de la misma escena.
Jesús volvió a su ciudad natal de Nazaret y en la sinagoga, ante el
pueblo, leyó el libro escrito por el profeta Isaías. El espíritu del Señor
está sobre mí, porque me ha ungido para llevar a los pobres la buena
nueva, para anunciar la liberación a los cautivos y la curación a los
ciegos, para dar libertad a los oprimidos y proclamar el año de gracia
del Señor.
Y concluyó su lectura con sus palabras: “Hoy mismo este pasaje de la
Escritura se ha cumplido que acaban de oír”.
Al leer la profecía de Isaías, Jesús ha proclamado a los oyentes que él
es el cumplimiento de las promesas de Dios. Jesús toma a sí mismo la
misión de proclamar la buena noticia al pueblo de Dios. Recordó a sus
oyentes que Dios no ha abandonado sus gritos, sus esperanzas, sus
sueños. A través del poder del Espíritu Santo, Jesús cumple la larga
profecía de Isaías. Él está trayendo Buenas Noticias, liberación, curación
y la restauración para el pueblo de Israel.
“Hoy mismo este pasaje de la Escritura se ha cumplido que acaban
de oír”. La palabra importante aquí es "Hoy". Hoy habla de la urgencia o
la exigencia de la cuestión. La acción es ahora, no después, no mañana.
No se puede retrasar o posponer. La lectura del Evangelio nos dice la
urgencia de proclamar la palabra de la bondad de Dios. Exhorta a la
participación de cada Cristiano. Cada Cristiano bautizado debe asumir a
sí mismo la misión de Cristo. Su misión debe continuar y extenderse.
Juntos, como miembros del cuerpo místico de Cristo, también somos
ungidos para proclamar, dar testimonio y ser instrumentos de la
realización del reino de Dios.
En la segunda lectura, San Pablo nos recuerda la importancia de la
comunidad. Necesitamos la iglesia. Tenemos que pertenecen a la iglesia,
porque somos los partes del cuerpo de Cristo. No podemos separarnos de
unos de los otros. Como una comunidad, tenemos que compartir nuestra
fe, nuestros dones espirituales que Dios nos ha dado. Compartimos la
tarea de construir y reconstruir nuestra comunidad Cristiana. Nuestras
lecturas son invitaciones a todos los miembros de nuestra comunidad a
compartir en esta noble tarea de la reconstrucción de los fundamentos de
nuestra fe Cristiana.
Permítanme expresar mi gratitud y reconocimiento a nuestros
voluntarios de la comunidad (en los diferentes ministerios y
organizaciones) que han servido como compañeros de trabajo en la
reconstrucción de nuestra comunidad cada día. Bendiciones sobre
ustedes! Invito también a los muchos, otros miembros de nuestra
comunidad. Que este evangelio les recordará y impulsará a participar en
nuestra parroquia. El tiempo es ahora.
Third Sunday in Ordinary Times
January 24, 2016
First Reading — Ezra read from the book of the law of God to the assembled people. They understood and accepted the law (Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6,
8-10).
Psalm — Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life (Psalm 19).
Second Reading — As the body with its many parts is still one body, so it
is with Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-30 [12-14, 27]).
Gospel — While attending worship in the Nazarean synagogue, Jesus reads
from the prophet Isaiah and declares himself to be the fulfillment of the
prophecy (Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21).
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday:
Acts 22:3-16 or 9:1-22; Ps 117:1bc, 2;
Mk 16:15-18
Tuesday:
2 Tm 1:1-18 or 9:1-22; Ps 24:7-10;
Mk 3:31-35
Wednesday:
2 Sm 7:4-17; Ps 89:4-5, 27-30; Mk 4:1-20
Thursday:
2 Sm 7:18-19, 24-29; Ps 132:1-5, 11-14;
Mk 4:21-25
Friday:
2 Sm 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17;
Ps 51:3-7, 10-11; Mk 4:26-34
Saturday:
2 Sm 12:1-7a, 10-17; Ps 51:12-17;
Mk 4:35-41
Sunday:
Jer 1:4-5, 17-19; Ps 71:1-6, 15, 17;
1 Cor 12:31 — 13:13 [13:4-13]; Lk 4:21-30
LECTURAS DE HOY
Primera lectura — Esdras leyó el libro de la ley de Dios ante la asamblea
reunida. El pueblo entendió y aceptó la ley (Nehemías 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10).
Salmo — Tú tienes, Señor, palabras de vida eterna (Salmo 19 [18]).
Segunda lectura — Del mismo modo que el cuerpo con sus muchas partes
forma un solo cuerpo, así también Cristo (1 Corintios 12:12-30 [12-14,
27]).
Evangelio — Jesús, participando del culto en la sinagoga de Nazaret, leyó
del profeta Isaías y declara que en su propia persona se cumple la profecía
(Lucas 1:1-4; 4:14-21).
LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA
Lunes:
Martes:
Miércoles:
Jueves:
Viernes:
Sábado:
Domingo:
Hch 22:3-16 o 9:1-22; Sal 117 (116):1bc, 2;
Mc 16:15-18
2 Tim 1:1-18 o 9:1-22; Sal 24 (23):7-10;
Mc 3:31-35
2 Sm 7:4-17; Sal 89 (88):4-5, 27-30;
Mc 4:1-20
2 Sm 7:18-19, 24-29; Sal 132 (131):1-5,
11-14; Mc 4:21-25
2 Sm 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17;
Ps 51 (50):3-7, 10-11; Mc 4:26-34
2 Sm 12:1-7a, 10-17; Sal 51 (50):12-17;
Mc 4:35-41
Jer 1:4-5, 17-19; Sal 71 (70):1-6, 15, 17;
1 Cor 12:31 — 13:13 [13:4-13]; Lc 4:21-30
Arnie Acosta
Ernesto Cagungun
Patricia Gatto
Jerica Alaine Harris
Robert Hernandez
John Lambert
Art Lopez
Francisco Mendoza
Rodolfo Moralda
Emma Perez
Rebecca Purruganan
Placido Rod Rodriguez
Antonino Soriano
Joseph Thomas
Page 3
Please Pray for the Sick
TODAY’S READINGS
Fr. O’Neill
Bishop Rodolfo Beltran
A
Anita Alderete
Mary Helen Andrade
Dory and Mariano Aoanan
Rosa Astacio
B
Nemesia Baniña
Dorothy Bauer
Carlos Bernal
Patricia Bernal
Ava Bond
Lourdes Brizuela
Steven Brown
Tod and Rose Marie Brown
C
Esther Camacho
Rowena Cameron
Mary Campitiello
S. Cano
Leon Casino
Dennis del Castillo
Jessica Cerda
W. Joan Cook-Loth
Isabel Cucci
Martha Cuellar
D
Gustavo Adolfo Delatorre
Sonia Gonzalez Deltoro
Debbie Diaz
Ryan Diaz
Joan Diskin
Molly Duarte
E
Elias Esobedo
F
Glorioso Fajardo
David Fernandez
Alicia Flores
David Foster
G
Adria Garcia
Dan Garcia
Daniela Garcia de la Rosa
Dolores Garcia
John Garcia
Juan Antonio Garcia
Natalie Giron
Rosa Gomez
Jose Gonzalez
Theresa Gonzalez
Nolan Guthrie
Isaiah Gutierrez
H
Elizabeth Hernandez
Leopoldo Hernandez
Memo Herrera
Antonio Hilario
Andi Holister
Carmen Hopping
I
Selvia Inado
Evelyn Ibarra
Hector Ibarra
J
Darwin Jenkins
Jimenez family
Monica Judita
K
L
Pat La Spina
Ramon Lai
Lillian Lee
Yee See Lipsun
Eleanor Lopez
Otilia Lopez
Mauricio Luna
Rafael and Gerardo Luna
Candice Lyman
M
Henry Machuca
Ruben Madrid
Cely Magpantay
Nanette Magsino
Lucy Maldonado
Sylvia Manalang
Edgardo Marin
Bob Marino
Elionor Martinez
Margaret McWorter
John Meis
Jean Miceli
Monica Monreal
Barbara Montague
Efren and Bertha Moreno
Olivia Murillo
N
Dolores Natividad
Gisela Newson
Mario Nieto
O
Maria Oei
Seminarian Luis Olivares
Barbara Ornelas
Hector Oviedo
P
Tony Pagliotti
Albert Pelaez Jr.
Layla Perez
Joseph Power
Q
R
Corina Ramirez
Esperanza, Marta, and Diomira
Ramirez
Carmenza Ramos
Ramon Ramos
Debra Redo
Jean Reyes Williams
Lucy Rivas
Luz Rodriguez
Emilia Rodriguez
Virginia Rosales
S
Rosy Salcedo
Louis Sanchez
Virginia Sanchez
Zenaida Sandoval
Aurora Santos
Ronald Santos
Jose Luis Sauceda
Kristen Schmidt
Robert Schmidt
Gloria Serafin
Sisi Shum
Uldarica Sison
Dean Smith
Annie Steidl
Mary Stone
T
Jovita Tagle
Lisa Trejo
U
V
Carolina Vandergeld
Ernesto Velasquez
Escefania Verendia
Ricardo Villegas
Felicidad Villegas
Christopher Vindell
W
X
Y
Z
Maria Zepeda
Fariz Ziedan
"Though we are many, we are one.”
This Sunday, January 24, 2016, is Commitment Sunday
for our archdiocese's annual Together in Mission appeal. Let us
renew our commitment of support for our brothers and sisters in
parishes and schools that are in need of financial help. Please
renew your Pledge to Together in mission.
Third Sunday in Ordinary Times
January 24, 2016
Page 4
Some things you might want to know about
the extraordinary Jubilee of God’s Mercy
THE EXTRAORDINARY JUBILEE OF MERCY
Why did the Pope call the extraordinary Jubilee?
The Pope announced the Jubilee of Mercy in March and
made the decision official when he read the Bull of Indiction
in April. At the time, he explained his rationale.
"Why a Jubilee of Mercy now? Simply because the Church at
this moment of great historical changes, is called to offer
with greater intensity the signs and presence of God's closeness. This is not a time for distractions.”
-POPE FRANCIS, April 11, 2015
"It should make us understand that the fundamental meaning
of this anniversary is to return to ourselves understanding
that we have a deep need for God.”
The Jubilee announcement had been made on the second
anniversary of the election of Pope Francis, during his homily for the penitential liturgy with which the Holy Father
opened the “24 Hours for the Lord”. This initiative, proposed by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the
New Evangelization, promotes throughout the world the
opening of churches for an extended period of time for the
purpose of inviting people to the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The theme for this year has been
taken from the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians, “God rich
in mercy” (Eph 2:4).
How long will this Holy Year last?
Holy Years may not always be 365 days. The Jubilee of
Mercy will be less than a year long. It begins on December
8, 2015, and ends on November 20, 2016.
Sunday Breakfast
Please join us in the hall for
December 8, 2015 - November 20, 2016
Please visit the Year of Mercy website at seekmercy.org

WELCOME TO OUR PARISH
If you are a newcomer to the parish and would like to register,
please complete the information below. Please clip this form and
bring to the parish office or deposit in the Sunday collection.
Current Parishioners, help us update our files by submitting
address and phone number changes with this form.
Name: ___________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________
City: __________________________________ Zip ______________
8:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
Phone: ____________________ Cell Phone: ____________________
Sponsored by Grupo de Oración
TOGETHER IN MISSION
Though We are Many, We are One
Once again we ask you to renew your commitment to Together in Mission. During all masses this weekend
(January 23-24), we will conduct the in-pew process for the collection of gifts & pledges to this year’s appeal.
January is the month of a new beginning. We are given a fresh start of another year; a new beginning, new goals. For
the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, January is the month to start with our Annual Campaign of TOGETHER IN MISSION.
Together in Mission is an opportunity for us to renew our solidarity, an opportunity to reach out to other communities
who are in need of financial support. The funds collected will directly benefit more than 250,000 of our Catholic brethren and ensure our parishes and schools remain centers of faith and hope for the surrounding communities. Our archdiocese is grateful to all who participated and had given to Together in Mission last year.
This year’s theme is taken from the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians 12:12-30 –
“ Though we are many, we are one.” Though our church is large, our strength lies not in our members but in our compassion and ability to respond. Every gift, regardless of the size, amount, matters, so long as we give what we can and
answer the calling of our faith.
Today, God calls upon each one of us to share our gifts with our brothers and sisters in Christ who are in need.
Through Together in Mission, we can share our mighty deeds and give healing and faith to communities that simply
would not be here without our help.
God Bless you for your generous response and support.
Third Sunday in Ordinary Times
MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Dennis Del Castillo (Healing)
4:00 PM Fr. Eras
Confessions
5:00 PM Fr. Eras
Manuel and Bertha Sifuentes †
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Orlando Villarreal †
9:00 AM GP
Raymundo Villanueva †
10:45 AM Fr. Ruiz
Marco and Zoila Umana and Rosa
12:30 PM Fr. Eras
Frank Lo Monaco and Antonio
Armellini †
Monday, January 25, 2016
Vu Family
9:30 AM
Legion of Mary
Ministry Center
7:30 PM
Youth Band Practice
Church
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Our Lady of Wisdom
Prayer Group
Church
Hall
English Choir Practice Church
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Hoang Family
7:00 PM
Bible Study
Ministry Center
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Saturday, January 30, 2016
8:30 AM Fr. Eras
4:00 PM GP
Felicidad Santamaria †
Confessions
5:00 PM GP
Dennis del Castillo (Healing of Eyes)
Sunday, January 31, 2016
7:30 AM Fr. Eras
Anna Tran †
9:00 AM Fr. Eras
Anna Zenzola †
12:30 PM GP
Hall
Monday, January 25, 2016
6:45 PM
Frank Luchetta †
Fr. Ruiz
Sunday Breakfast
11:30 AM Bingo
Friday, January 29, 2016
10:45 AM
Sunday, January 24, 2016
John Baptist Hoang †
Thursday, January 28, 2016
8:30 AM GP
Confirmation Class
9:00 AM
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
8:30 AM Fr. Donovan
6:00 PM
Fr. John Brennan †
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
8:30 AM Fr. Eras
CURRENT EVENTS
8:30 AM
7:30 AM Fr. Eras
8:30 AM GP
Page 5
Saturday, January 23, 2016
8:30 AM Fr. Hoan
8:30 AM Fr. Eras
January 24, 2016
6:30 PM
Youth Nights
8:00 PM
Spanish Choir Practice Church
Friday, January 29, 2016
9:00 AM
Eucharistic Adoration
7:30 PM
Ultreya Group
Sunday, January 31, 2016
James Ho † and Marian Ho (health)
8:30 AM
5:00 PM
$854.00
7:30 AM
$671.00
9:00 AM
$1,565.00
10:45 AM
$585.00
12:30 PM
$640.00
By mail/online
$724.00
Bldg Fund
$686.00
Altar Society
$20.00
Special Projects Fund
Total
$203.00
$5,948.00
www.facebook.com/StThomasMoreAlhambra
Church
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Rafael Garcia, Jr.†and Juan Antonio
Garcia (health)
Collections for January 17, 2016
Ministry Center
Sunday Breakfast
Ministry Center
Hall
Safeguard the Children
Setting boundaries fosters healthy relationships
We create boundaries to keep our lives in order, for example many
adults separate personal and professional relationships. Trusted
adults can help teach children to do the same. Boundaries are essential in the foundation of relationships, and children should be comfortable expressing where they draw their own lines. “No means no”
is easy to say in theory, but it should be respected in practice by your
kids and their friends, teachers and other adults. Teach your kids how
to explore their own comfort zones and give them time to tell you
about their experiences. Open communication helps them understand
that setting boundaries is part of life. For a copy of the Virtus® article “Good Boundaries Yield Healthy Relationships”
email [email protected].