9933 Midway Road, Dallas, Texas 75220 214-358-1453 • Fax: 214-351-1887 www.stmonicachurch.org
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WELCOME TO ST. MONICA CHURCH!
We are pleased to have visitors join us in worship and we invite you to become active registered parishioners. Registration forms can be found in the vestibule, at the Parish Office, and online. Mass Times Saturday: 5:00 pm Sunday: 8:00 am, 9:30 am, 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm (español), 5:00 pm
Weekday Mass Times 6:45 am, 8:00 am M-F 8:00 am Saturdays First Fridays 5:30 pm Primer viernes del mes 7:00 pm
Childcare for 11:00 am Mass Ages: 12-months to 4-years No Cost Room 114 Family Center St. Monica Women’s Ministry
Reconciliation • Reconciliación Saturday/Sábado 3:30-4:30 pm • 6:30-7:00 pm
Baptism • Bautismo Third Saturday of each month at 10:00 am Parents and godparents are required to attend a preparation class offered on the first Saturday of each month at 10:00 am. Call the Faith Formation Office to register. Tercer sábado de cada mes a las 3:00 pm Padres y Padrinos deben asistir a una clase de preparación que se ofrecen los primeros sábados de mes a la 1:00 pm. Llame a la Oficina de Ministerio Hispano. Marriage • Matrimonio Contact a priest or deacon at least six months before the planned marriage date. Llame a un Sacerdote o Diacono por lo menos seis meses antes de la fecha de la boda.
Helplines • Linea de Ayuda
St. Vincent de Paul serves the poor or distressed on an emergency basis. 972-994-1121 (confidential) Volunteers contact:
[email protected] Stephen Ministry helps those experiencing grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, or another life crisis. 214-290-0803 (confidential)
MARCH 6, 2016
Bulletin Deadline Monday at 12:00 noon • Submit notices in writing to
[email protected].
Fourth Sunday of Lent
March 6, 2016
Parish Staff Fr. Stephen W. Bierschenk Pastor - x 7107 Fr. Iñigo Lopez Parochial Vicar - x 7112 Fr. Edwin Leonard Vocation Director (in residence) Monsignor John F. Meyers Pastor Emeritus Deacons Abel Cortes Larry Lucido
Bob Marrinan Brian Mitchell
St. Monica Church Office Main: (214) 358-1453 • Fax: (214) 351-1887 Hours: M-F 9:00-5:00 • Sunday 10:00-2:00 Parish Secretary............................. x 7453 Faby Gomez Business Manager.......................... x 7176 Debbie Diaz Database Manager.......................... x 7111 Melissa Franks Volunteer Coordinator.................... x 7173 Maria E. Juarez-Plank Safe Environment Director............ x 7144 Shavana Lopez Bookkeeper..................................... x 7102 Jared Wirths Director of Youth Ministry.............. x 7106 Jason Trujillo Director of Communications......... x 7142 Erin Cooper Music Ministry Director of Music............................ x 7101 Jeremy Wirths Director Youth Music...................... x 7103 Emmanuel Espiritu Organist (9:30 & 11:00 Mass) Guillermo “Will” Martinez Faith Formation Main: (214) 357-8549 • Fax: (214) 351-1887 Director of Faith Formation........... x 7132 Mariangela Byrne Administrative Assistant............... x 7549 Eldie Diaz Marriage Ministry Coordinator...... x 7164 Coordinadora de Matriomonios Martha Gonzalez Ministerio Hispano Main: (214) 357-8549 • Fax: (214) 351-1887 Director of Hispanic Ministry........ x 7131 Maria M. Gonzalez-Rocha St. Monica School Main: (214) 351-5688 • Fax: (214) 352-2608 Phil Riley, Principal www.stmonicaschool.org
From the Pastor Joe was known all over town for his bad reputation. One Saturday morning after a three-day binge, he woke up with a killer headache. He looked in a mirror, saw a black eye, and didn’t remember how it happened. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a traffic summons he didn’t remember. He scanned his dirty, ripped-up clothes, and had no recollection of what happened. He said to himself, “That’s it; I’ve got to change my ways.” So he pulled on his coat and stumbled down the street to the Catholic church. Confessions were being heard, and he walked in and sat down. “Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned,” he said. “It’s been twenty years since my last confession.” The old priest immediately recognized his voice and said, “Joe, is that you?” “Yes, Father, it’s me. And I hope you have some time on your hands. I’ve got a lot to confess.” Twenty minutes later, Joe is still reciting all his sins. Drinking, smoking, fighting, running around. He confesses each sin in lurid detail. The priest thinks, “I haven’t heard a confession like this in all my years. I’m going to set a record for penance on this guy. Maybe I’ll give him a hundred Hail Mary’s and a thousand Our Father’s.” Fifteen minutes later, Joe is winding up his list of sins. Joe pauses; the priest says, “Are you done, Joe?” Joe says, “Well, I’ve told you all I remember. Father, I probably deserve a lot of punishment and penance, but I have only one more thing to say before you pronounce judgment on me.” “What’s that?” said the priest. And Joe said, “Remember the Prodigal Son!” There was a long silence. Then the priest sighed and said, “Very well, my child. You are forgiven. Go in peace” With that, old Joe walked out the door. We often think of God as the Great Account Keeper. He created a moral order for the world. He knows who is following the right path, and they will be rewarded. And he knows who is straying, and they better get back on the right path, or there will be trouble. We want to define God by a
type of strict accountability and clear bookkeeping of what is good or bad. The story of the parable in today’s gospel tells us that God is not about punishment, but about forgiveness. Both of the sons were wasteful. One did not appreciate what he was given and threw it all away on frivolous things. The other had it all, but grew bitter and condemning because he worried about what someone else had and didn’t notice his blessings. We know both types of brothers very well. One is wasteful. The other is feeling superior one moment and whining about how unfair life is the next. In the end, the father is the most wasteful of all. He is not content to sit at home waiting for his son to come crawling back home begging for forgiveness. He’s watching for his return, and when he spots his son he runs out to meet him. The rehearsed apology is cut short because his father is already planning the party to celebrate his return. No time for condemnation or placing conditions on the return to the family. And when his older son is jealous and mean-spirited, his father does not leave him off in the corner to sulk. He begs him to be a better person, more generous in his willingness to forgive and move on. Instead of focusing on past grievances, he asks his son to share in his joy that now their family will be back as it should be because his brother has returned. The father shows us how God reacts to our disrupting of the moral order he created as we choose to sin. When we “come to our senses” as the gospel says, as we decide to turn aside from our sin and return home, God runs to welcome us and he wraps us in the warm embrace of his forgiving love. There we will discover that things can be put right again, that the wound in our relationship with God is healed. God created a beautiful moral order in the world, and he is the one who disrupts it most completely, because no matter how we offend, when we return in sorrow, he forgives. And then, the celebration begins! –Fr. Stephen W Bierschenk
Fourth Sunday of Lent
March 6, 2016 Stewardship 03-06-2016 Regular -$38,820 Flowers for the Altar - $4,916 Total Mass Attendance 03-06-2016 3,603
News & Events Lenten Dinners The Knights of Columbus’ Lenten Dinners are held every Friday during Lent from 6:30-8:30 pm in the Family Center Lower Lounge. They’ve expanded the menu on certain nights to include cheese pizza, ceviche, fried shrimp, baked fish, shrimp pasta and fish tacos in addition to fried catfish. Proceeds benefit the Knights of Columbus Scholarship Fund.
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Mass Intentions
Catholic Daughters Monthly Meeting is Tuesday, March 8th at 6:30p.m. in the Lower Lounge of the Family Center. Join us for a Lenten reflection and fellowship. All Catholic women over 18 years old are encouraged to join us. This ministry offers various ways to serve the community and make some lasting friendships along the way. Questions? Contact Mary Louise Ludt at
[email protected] or 214-335-3259.
Sunday, March 6 8:00 am........ Priest’s Intention 9:30 am........ Priest’s Intention 11:00 am....... Priest’s Intention 12:30 pm ..... Priest’s Intention 2:00 pm..........Epitacia Rincon U by Familia Rosas 5:00 pm........ Priest’s Intention
L1FT Youth Ministry is taking a group to the Steubenville Lone Star Conference hosted by Life Teen and featuring Mark Hart, Chris Stefanick, Ike Ndolo, and more! This event is for high school students (including graduating 8th and 12th graders). We have limited space, so sign up ASAP at www. L1FTministry.org.
Monday, March 7 6:45 am........ Florence Bayer U by Florence Crable 8:00 am.......... Willy Haba, Sr. U by Marjorie Haba 5:30 pm..............Angelita Rodriguez U by Kathleen Hickman
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Registration for St. Monica’s annual Vacation Bible School is now open! This year’s VBS, CaveQuest, is geared toward kids from Pre K-4 through entering 5th graders and will be held June 6th through 10th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm in the Family Center. Parent and student volunteers are also needed. Registration for students and volunteers can be completed at stmonicachurch.org/vbs.
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Annual Women’s Lenten Day of Reflection will be on Saturday, March 12, 9:00 am-2:00 pm in the Family Center, lower lounge. Carol Ackels, Director of the Ignatian Spirituality Institute, will facilitate this Lenten day of reflection entitled Pondering Darkness and Light. Among the primary characteristics of Mary’s discipleship is pondering. What is it to ponder like Mary? How might we move through the darkness and light of life with a heart that ponders? Cost is $10 which includes breakfast and lunch. Registration available at www.stmonicachurch.org. Questions? Contact Kristin Buehler at
[email protected] or 214-621-1060.
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The Office of Vocations will host a St. Andrew Dinner for high school age men on Monday, March 14, 2016 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 1801 W. Davis Street in Dallas. The evening will begin with Mass at 6:00 p.m. and dinner to follow at 6:30 p.m. RSVP to the Office of Vocations at 214-379-2860 or visit www.dallasvocations.org. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Contemplative Outreach of Dallas presents a One-Day Conference entitled Dimensions of the Human Condition: The Soul’s Hunger for Intimacy on Saturday, March 19, 2016, from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm in the Family Center Upper Lounge at St Monica Catholic Church. The featured speakers are Fr. Bill Sheehan, OMI, and Kess Frey. Register Online at www.cellofpeace.com/ workshops or call 972-722-6029 for information.
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St. Monica Works Ministry is the Business and Professional Parish Ministry at which parishioners meet and develop business together. Come tell other parishioners about your product, service or profession and learn about theirs. Meet with other faith minded individuals on St. Patrick’s Day, Thursday, March 17th in the Lower Lounge of the Family Center. Arrive between 7:30 am and 8:00 am for coffee, donuts and socializing. Then, stay from 8:00 to 9:00 am for the meeting. Want more information? Call 214-707-3726 or visit www. stmonicaworks.org. Hope to see you there!
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Volunteers are needed for the Cleaning of the Palms on Friday, March 18th in Room 109 of the Family Center. If you would like to volunteer, call Faby at 214-358-1453.
Tuesday, March 8 6:45 am........ For Religious Vocations 8:00 am........ Adrian Felix De los Santos, Jr. U & Blanche De los Santos U by PTO 5:30 pm..............Christopher Wilcox U by Nancy & Ed Mello Wednesday, March 9 6:45 am.............William Devlin by Elizabeth Deveraj 8:00 am.......... Teresa Day U by Terry Day 5:30 pm..............Patricia Harrington U by Pat & Jim Dulac Thursday, March 10 6:45 am..........Francine Myers U by Bill & Betty Horn 8:00 am............In thanksgiving for our bulletin sponsors 5:30 pm...............Susan Cunningham U by Nancy & Ed Mello Friday, March 11 6:45 am...........Maria de los Angeles Gomez U 8:00 am............. Manuel Alberto Pavon U by PTO 5:30 pm.......... Ester & Casimiro Mardomingo U by Muñoz Family Saturday, March 12 8:00 am.............Andy Anderson U by Hazel Anderson 5:00 pm.............Adrian Goh U by Lori McGarry Sanctuary Light This week the Sanctuary Light is burning for all those discerning the priesthood. For Our Sick
To request a name to appear, please contact the parish office or complete a green prayer request card (found on tables at the back of church) and place the card in an offering basket.
Zach3 Lorenzo3 Roberto T. Manriquez2
Joseph Muñoz2 Brian Wolff3 James McKinney, Sr.3
Names will appear for 3 weeks.The numbers after the names begin at 3 and count down and are intended to help those who make requests.
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Fourth Sunday of Lent
Family Vocation Chalice To participate call (214) 368-3640 March 12 at 5:00 pm Chad & Michelle Smithson March 13 at 8:00 am Daryl & Wanda Avery March 13 at 9:30 am Marcia Perlitz March 13 at 11:00 am Hiram & Michelle Aguilar March 13 at 12:30 pm Juliette Akagu March 13 at 5:00 pm Carlos & Monserrat Torres Silva
March 6, 2016
News & Events The Adoration Chapel is in need of adorers for the following times: Friday at 9:00 am; Wednesday at 12 pm; Thursday at 10:00 am and 5:00 pm; and Monday at 11:00 pm. Contact Marge Giangiulio at 214-769-4407 to sign up.
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St. Monica’s Multicultural Group is looking for volunteers to represent their culture and heritage at the second annual Multicultural Day on Sunday, May 16th following the 11:00 am Mass. Volunteers are asked to dress in attire that is appropriate to their native country and bring cuisine to share in the Family Center following Mass. Individuals wishing to perform cultural dances or songs are also welcome. If you would like to volunteer to share your heritage, contact Maria Rocha at 214-358-1453 or
[email protected] or Juliette Akagu at 214-791-4358 or
[email protected]. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Catholic Charities of Dallas is a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program site! This free tax help is for qualifying tax payers, who made less than $53,000 in 2015. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to receive this assistance. VITA is open on Monday through Thursday from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at 9461 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, TX 75243 in Conference Room B. For more information on VITA sites, visit www. DallasTaxCenters.org or call 1-844-382-1040.
Lenten Schedule Weekday Masses Monday through Friday at 6:45 am, 8:00 am, 5:30 pm Saturdays at 8:00 am Confessions Tuesdays: 12-12:30 pm & 5-5:30 pm Saturdays: 3:30 pm-4:30 pm & 6:30 pm-7:00 pm Light is On Confessions March 16 & March 23 from 7-9:00 pm Stations of the Cross Fridays at 6:30 pm Fridays at 7:30 pm (Spanish)
SEVEN CHURCHES. ONE NIGHT. This Holy Thursday, take part in the ancient tradition of visiting 7 churches and their Altars of Repose. St. Monica | St. Rita | All Saints | Christ the King Knayaya Catholic Church Mary Immaculate | St. Andrew Kim Korean Church | San Juan Diego
MARCH 24 | 9 P.M. TO 12:30 A.M.
Tickets are $5.00. Seats are limited. Purchase online at stmonicachurch.org or in the office. For more information or questions, call Mariangela Byrne at: 214.357.8549.
Cuarto Domingo de Cuaresma
Noticias y Eventos
6 de marzo 2016
Cáliz Vocacional Familiar Para llevarse el Cáliz llame al (214) 358-1453
13 de marzo Familia Carias 20 de marzo Familia Mejia 27 de marzo Familia Otero Montañez
Esta Cuaresma:
Verdaderamente Nueva y Gloriosa Misas I 6:45 am, 8 am, & 5:30pm I Iglesia (Todas las Misas son en Ingles)
Reflexión del Vía Crucis Viernes | 7:30pm I Iglesia Confesiones I Martes 12pm a 12:30pm; 5 a 5:30pm | Iglesia La Luz Encendida (confesiones) 16 & 23 de Marzo | 7pm a 9pm I Iglesia
Combate Espiritual con La Misericordia De Dios El Padre Rogelio C. Alcántara de la Arquidiócesis de México estará impartiendo un retiro espiritual para adultos el 12 de Marzo de 9am. a 5pm. Sus enseñanzas se enfocaran en recobrar la paz en medio de las guerras espirituales que enfrentamos día a día, especialmente durante este tiempo de Cuaresma cuando hemos decido vivir en la gracia de Dios. ¡La oración tiene poder! El Retiro se llevara a cabo en la Cafetería de la Escuela. Hay una donación de $10 por Adulto. No habrá cuidado de niños. Para más información llame al 214-653-1515 o las oficinas Parroquiales 214-357-8549. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Caminemos juntos esta Cuaresma Demos vida a las frases del Papa Francisco que han tocado nuestro corazón. Semanalmente, meditemos, reflexionemos y pongámoslas en práctica. La frase de esta semana: “Hay que salir al encuentro de los olvidados”.
Misión de Semana Santa 21 al 23 de Marzo 7pm a 8:30pm I Centro Familiar
Cuarto Domingo de Cuaresma
6 de marzo 2016
De El Pastor
Vía Crucis, todos los viernes de Cuaresma, meditaremos la Vía Dolorosa de Jesús al Calvario. Este viernes se meditara a las 7:30 pm en la Iglesia. El Vía Crucis es una reflexión personal con la pasión de nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Nos lleva a concientizar sobre Su amor que es más grande que cualquier cosa que atormente nuestra paz. Todo es sanado con las llagas amorosas de Su pasión. Jesús ya trazo el camino y nos invita a no desanimarnos sino confiar en su amor misericordioso. ______________________________________________________________
El Ministerio Pro-Vida, te invita a la Cena Anual del Obispo, que se llevara a cabo el 16 de Abril en el Irving Convention Center. El invitado especial es Eduardo Verastigui, actor y productor de películas Bella, y Little Boy. Para más información visita la página próvida www.prolifedallas.org o llama al 972-264-5433. ______________________________________________________________
Cena de Viernes de Cuaresma Todos los Viernes de Cuaresma los Caballeros de Colon están vendiendo comida en el Centro Familiar de 6:30pm. a 8:30pm. Su menú incluye Pizza de queso, Ceviche, camarón empanizado, Pescado empanizado, Pasta con mariscos, Tacos de pescado y pescado a la parrilla. Las ganancias de estas cenas son para el fondo de becas de los Caballeros de Colon. Los esperamos!! ______________________________________________________________
Jornada Familiar Jornada Familiar es un retiro de fin de semana (viernes a domingo) para parejas que buscan vivir su Relación Matrimonial y Familiar en Armonía Cristiana. El mensaje de Jornada Familiar es para todas las parejas, esposos casados por la iglesia o por el civil, parejas viviendo en unión libre y novios que se van a casar. Se recomienda en especial a parejas que están teniendo algún tipo de crisis en su matrimonio. El costo es de $120.00 por pareja. La próxima jornada matrimonial será abril 22 al 24. Para más información comunícate con Esmeralda Castillo 214-763-2269.
José era conocido en todo el pueblo por su mala reputación. Un sábado por la mañana después de tres días de borracheras se despertó con un tremendo dolor de cabeza. Se miró en un espejo y miro que traía el ojo negro, no recordó que le paso. Metió su mano al bolsillo y saco una multa de tráfico, la cual no recordaba. Sacudió su ropa sucia y rota, y no recordaba lo que había pasado. Se dijo a sí mismo, “Ya estuvo bueno, tengo que cambiar.” Se puso su abrigo y tropezando por la calle se fue a una Iglesia Católica. Estaban escuchando confesiones y fue a sentarse. “Perdóneme Padre, porque he pecado,” dijo, “Ha sido más de veinte años desde mi última confesión.” El sacerdote anciano inmediatamente reconoció su voz y le dijo, “¿José eres tú?” “Si, Padre, soy yo. Espero que tenga tiempo, tengo mucho que confesar.” Veinte minutos despues Jose seguía confesando sus pecados. Tomar, beber, peleas, huidas. Confeso cada pecado con lujo de detalle. El sacerdote pensaba, “Por muchos años no había escuchado una confesión así. Voy a poner un record en la penitencia para este hombre. Probablemente le daré cien Aves Marías y mil Padre nuestros.” Después de quince minutos José estaba terminando con su lista de pecados. Hizo una pausa y el sacerdote dijo, “¿Ya terminaste, José?” José dijo, “Bueno, le he dicho todo lo que recuerdo. Padre, probablemente merezco un gran castigo y penitencia, pero solo tengo una cosa que agregar antes que me enjuicie.” “¿Qué es?” dijo el sacerdote. Y dijo José, “¡Recuerda el Hijo Prodigo!” hubo un silencio largo el sacerdote suspiro y dijo, “muy bien hijo mío, estas perdonado, vete en paz.” Con eso, se fue José. A menudo pensamos en Dios como el gran contador. Creó un orden moral para el mundo, sabe quién está siguiendo el camino correcto y serán recompensados. Sabe quién se está perdiendo y debe regresar al camino correcto, o habrá problemas. Queremos definir a Dios por un tipo
de responsabilidad terminante y claro en decir lo que es bueno o malo. La historia de la parábola del Evangelio de hoy nos dice que Dios no castiga, sino perdona. Los dos hijos eran despilfarradores. Uno no agradeció lo que le habían dado y lo gasto en cosas frívolas. El otro lo tenía todo, pero se amargo y se condenó porque se preocupaba por lo que tenían los demás y no se daba cuenta de sus bendiciones. Conocemos muy bien estos dos tipos de hermanos. Uno es despilfarrador y el otro por un momento se siente superior y en otro tiempo reniega por su vida injusta. Al final, el padre es el más derrochador de todos. No se satisface de esperar en casa a que vuelva su hijo gateando implorando perdón. Busca su regreso y cuando le ve corre a su encuentro. Su disculpa ensayada, la corta porque su padre ya está planeando una fiesta por su regreso. No hay tiempo para condenar o poner condiciones para que vuelta a la familia. Y cuando su hijo mayor está celoso y mezquino, su padre no lo deja en la esquina con su mal humor. Le pide que sea una mejor persona, más generosa en su voluntad de perdonar y seguir adelante. En lugar de centrarse en quejas anteriores, le pide a su hijo que comparta la alegría que ahora su familia volverá a ser como debía ser porque su hermano ha vuelto. El padre nos muestra cómo reacciona Dios a nuestras interrupciones del orden moral que creo, al nosotros escoger pecar. Cuando “volvemos a nuestros sentidos” como dice el Evangelio, cuando decidimos poner a lado nuestro pecado y regresar a casa, Dios corre a nuestro encuentro nos envuelve con su perdón amoroso. Ahí descubriremos que podemos enderezar las cosas que las heridas de nuestra relación con Dios han sanado. Dios creo un hermoso orden moral en el mundo y él es quien lo interrumpe más a menudo, porque no importa cuánto le ofendemos, cuando volvemos arrepentidos, nos perdona. ¡Entonces comienza la fiesta! –Fr. Stephen W Bierschenk
