Parent Teacher Talk
January 6, 2019
Epiphany of Our Lord
Matthew 2: 1 - 12
In Luke's Gospel we find Mary and Jesus in a house in Bethlehem, no longer in the stable. It is not the night of His birth.
Prostrate is a verb meaning in our languag e,
"lying stretched out on the ground with one's face downward."
This is an action of great humility in most cultures, their culture included. To so indicate that a child of no royal birth was of greater status than they is not a childhood story to simply recall, but begs for pondering. Herod and "all of Jerusalem" were troubled by the magi's searching for the newborn King of the Jews. Herod's worry is understandable, a king is understandably concerned when a successor not of his choosing is announced. More curious is the added text indicating that the Jews of Jerusalem, which would include the high priests and scribes, were also troubled. Why troubled and not elated? This was their Messiah? Were they so content with the status quo that a change threatening their social standing, and perhaps their lives, was felt as a danger they opposed, even if it came from God, Himself?
How often do we find ourselves to change that could draw God more to rule in our lives because it might make us more uncomfortable?
It can be a troubling question for us to answer.
January
Jan 6th................ Epiphany Party after 10:00 am Mass - Free Refreshments & Preschool PSR Caroling
............................ PSR and CLOW Resumes
Jan 10th.............. 8th Grade Confirmation Gathering
Jan 13th.............. First Communion First Gathering after 10:00 am Mass
Jan 16th............... Monthly Rosary - Ask Mary to help you see all for which we should be grateful
Jan 19th.............. Winterfest - Quell those winter blues with dinner and entertainment
Jan 20th........... 7th Confirmation Date Change - MOVED to FEB 3! A parish need
......................... required us to move Parent/Sponsor Meeting from January to Feb 3rd.
Jan 27th.............. Catholic Schools Week begins!
February
Feb 2nd.............. 7th Grade Confirmation: Saturday Retreat, St. Thomas More Parish Dining Hall
Feb 3rd............... 7th Grade Confirmation: Parent/Sponsor Meeting, Parish Dining Hall
Newsy Notes

Join us for the ..... Jesus and the Magi's EPIPHANY PARTY!
This Sunday, after 10:00 am Mass in Parish Dining Hall
Free Refreshments and Caroling by Preschool PSR
Any baby gifts for Baby Jesus will be donated to
A Caring Place Pregnancy Crisis Center
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8th Grade Confirmation Gathers in Parish Dining Hall
at 6:30 pm Thursday, January 10, 2019
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First Communion Preparation begins in Parish Dining Hall
after 10 am Mass, Sunday January 13, 2019
______________

7th Grade: Confirmation Preparation begins in February!
Student Retreat: Saturday, February 2nd
Parent/Sponsor Gathering: Sunday, February 3rd
NEW THIS WEEK! February DATE for First Parent meeting
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WINTERFEST!
Bust those winter blues with food, fellowship, and fun
Saturday, January 19th - See bulletin or website for details
Meditation
"Put yourself in God’s hands; He abandons no one."
-St Andre Bessette
Greetings Parents,

The holy holidays have passed and all the preparation and stress poured into them saw their fruit. Hopefully the time with family and friends passed as well as, or better, than expected. Perhaps a few unexpected events and even a few "Oops, forgot that - consider this an IOU." Despite greater experience with age, these seem always present in our home. Sometimes it is the retailer/shipper fault but, alas, they cannot be blamed for all of it. There are also the anticipated but unavoidable hiccups - a child with fever the night before a birthday gathering... So many good plans for reconnecting with people important to our lives, but so many hurdles to ensure the time together goes smoothly.

Is there a message from God in all of this? Certainly an understanding that I am not in control, regardless of the attempted planning perfection! During uncertain moments with perhaps difficult relatives, our success at remaining quiet when goaded into irritation is a reflection of the Christ, the Prince of Peace. When our uncertainty of a warm welcome doesn't inhibit our joining the gatherings, is a reflection of our unity as children who are ALL loved by God, with all of our positive and negative differences. When we try to be our best and share time and joy with one another, knowing we hold different views and priorities, perhaps the reality of us all feeling we are one big happy family in heaven is a possibility.

There are significant hindrances here too - including society's current promotion of walking away without conversation from those who hold opinions not in agreement with our own. Behind this also is the devil and his fellow demons constantly seeking our eternal demise by sowing disunity and discontent.

Fortunately, prayer can bring God's spiritual aid through the saints and angels; angels battling the demons to reduce temptations and both saints and angels offering their advice, guided by God and drawing from their lived experiences. Knowing our goal is to share heaven with one another and that God provides an army of soldiers and advisors, we can work this year to embrace all we meet in love, while holding fast to God's Truth, perhaps being the light of His Will that will lead them closer to Him.

May God's blessings fill your coming year with insight, consolations, and ever-growing intimacy with our Creator and Father! Hug your saints in progress today and ask for their Guardian Angel's help in raising them. May God bless you and your family abundantly!

- Linda Bader, CRE, St. Thomas More
Articles for Parents
The Epiphany celebrates the arrival of the three wise men's visit to Jesus. Did they arrive Christmas night? Catholics are more likely to answer this question correctly thanks to our Feast of the Epiphany. What else do you know about the Epiphany? Click the button below for a few quick facts that might surprise you.
Archbishop Fulton Sheen captured the hearts of both Catholic and non-Catholic Americans during prime time on television for 20 years! Despite a stern appearance, his wry humor and straightforward faith discussions so endeared him to the nation that he won two Emmy awards! At the link below, watch part of one episode explaining his love for our Blessed Mother - the woman who loved her Son Jesus loves us too!
Many parenting books focus on the ways to be successful in raising our children - but what is success? How do I be a good parent when everything falls apart? What is a Catholic parent to do when the plan for our children meets reality, and fails? The author at the link below is a mom, author, and speaker who looks openly at the messy side of parenting and how to persevere as a Catholic.