ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH

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1 ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH 2510 So. Fremont Avenue, Alhambra, CA (626) Website: stmcatholicalhambra.org Fifth Sunday of Easter PARISH STAFF Fr. Erasmus Soriano, Administrator (ext. 16) Rev. Jeremiah O Neill, Pastor Emeritus Deacon Couple - Rogelio and Emilia Garcia rogelio.emilia@hotmail.com (626) Sr. Margaret Devlin, SSC - Pastoral Associate, LMFT/Counseling (ext. 12) mdevlin_stm@hotmail.com Safeguard the Children Contact: Mae Ho, Director of Religious Education (ext. 39) or (626) stmdrealhambra@gmail.com Sr. Andrea Johnson, Liturgy & Music Coordinator (ext. 37) stmmusiclit@gmail.com Lucy Lai, Accounting Manager (ext. 10) acct_stm@yahoo.com Francisco Ramos, Youth Ministry & Confirmation Coordinator Gabriella Ramos, Assistant Coordinator (ext. 35) Confirmation & Youth Ministry - stmlifeteenymc@gmail.com Tess Waters, Parish Secretary (ext. 41) stm_secretary@live.com Alex Lopez, Bulletin Editor (ext. 15) bulletineditor_stm@ yahoo.com 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 Mision 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. SCHOOL STAFF School Office: (626) Fax: (626) Judy Jones, Admin. Team (ext. 28) Veronica Rodriguez, Admin. Team (ext. 28) Mary Helen Lazo, Secretary (ext. 29) School Website: stthomasmorealhambra.org School stthomasmore@earthlink.net EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATIONS WEEKLY LITURGIES Monday-Saturday Mass 8:30 a.m. Saturday Vigil Mass 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses (English) 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., & 12:30 p.m. Sunday Mass (Spanish) 10:45 a.m. Holy Day Masses 8:30 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Reconciliation (English )- Saturday 4:00-4:45 p.m. Arrangements Regarding: Baptisms, Sacrament of Matrimony, and Funerals Please contact the Parish Office for information 9:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Friday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Saturday Office: (626) Fax: (626)

2 Administrator s Corner On connectivity and fruitfulness. ( 5th Sunday of Easter) Our gospel for this Sunday of Easter speaks about the need to be connected with Jesus. To describe this connectivity, Jesus used a common but rich image of the vine when he said: I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5) The image of a vine is most common to Israel since the land grows with grapevines. Two things we can draw from these words of Jesus: Connectivity and fruitfulness (productivity). We are a society of productivity. Our lives are mostly centered on production. Economy, in order to survive must be productive. We need to produce results. Almost in all aspects of life, we are drawn toward productivity. Careers, promotions and success are based on productiveness. In education, students who achieve good grades are recognized and rewarded. An employee who is productive in his/her work gets promoted. And those who are not productive are phased out, terminated or left behind. People are driven by the mentality of productivity. People are convinced that productivity is the only way to survive. Is this also what the gospel is telling us? Every branch of mine that bears no fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit,he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (John 15:2) Not so. Maybe, some of us have this understanding that the pruned branches are rewarded or go to heaven and those who do not go to hell, burned and punished. This misunderstanding about fruitfulness and productivity seem to have molded our minds in our spiritual life. We need to appease God, by producing good fruits in our lives, lest we be punished. We are tempted to categorize each one into fruit bearing or non-fruit bearing. I believe that this is not the main message of our gospel for this Sunday. Jesus is not demanding productivity or fruitfulness. There is a deeper need other than being productive. Before speaking about producing fruits, Jesus speaks first of our connectedness with him. Abide in me and I in you. Before one becomes fruitful, one has to be connected, attached intimately with Jesus who is the vine, the source. Productivity does not create abiding and intimate relationship. The question: Am I bearing good fruits in my life? should lead us to a deeper question of why I am not. Fruitfulness is the consequence of being connected. This is seen in long-term friendships, marriages or community relationship. Fruitfulness or lack thereof is a manifestation of interior life and health. It reveals whether we are living connected or disconnected lives. Bearing fruits is the result of being connected with Jesus. I believe this is what Jesus means when he said: Apart from me, you can do nothing. Jesus is not after our fruitfulness. First of all, He offers connectivity, relationship, and intimacy. He offers a relationship of union so intimate as that of a branch to the vine. We become one with him, sharing his life, love and holiness. In order to participate and live fully with him, he asks us, invites us: I am the vine, will you be my branches? Sobre la conec vidad y la fecundidad. Nuestro Evangelio de este Domingo de Pascua nos habla de la necesidad de estar conectados con Jesús. Para describir esta conec vidad, Jesús usó de una imagen común pero rico de la vid cuando dijo: "Yo soy la vid, ustedes son las ramas. El que permanece en mí, y yo en él, da mucho fruto, porque separados de mí nada podéis hacer "(Juan 15: 5). La imagen de una vid es más común a Israel desde la erra crece con vides. Hay dos cosas que podemos sacar de estas palabras de Jesús: Conec vidad y fecundidad (produc vidad). Somos una sociedad de la produc vidad. Nuestras vidas se centran principalmente en la producción. Economía, para sobrevivir debe ser produc vo. Necesitamos producir resultados. Casi en todos los aspectos de la vida, nos sen mos atraídos hacia la produc vidad. Carreras profesionales, promociones y éxito se basan en la produc vidad. En la educación, los estudiantes que logran buenas calificaciones son reconocidos y recompensados. Un empleado que es produc vo en su trabajo es ascendido. Y los que no son produc vas se hayan re rado, finalizado o quedaron atrás. Las personas son impulsadas por la mentalidad de la produc vidad. La gente está convencida de que la produc vidad es la única manera de sobrevivir. Es esto también lo que el Evangelio nos está diciendo ""Toda rama que en mí no da fruto, lo corta, y todo el que da fruto, lo limpia, para que dé más fruto." (Juan 15: 2) No es así. Tal vez, algunos de nosotros tenemos este comprensión de que las ramas podadas son recompensados o van al cielo y los que no van al infierno, quemados y cas gados. Este malentendido sobre la fecundidad y la produc vidad parecen haber moldeado nuestras mentes en nuestra vida espiritual. Debemos aplacar a Dios mediante la producción de buenos frutos en nuestras vidas, para que no seamos cas gados. Estamos tentados a categorizar cada uno sea como dar fruto o no produce fruto. Yo creo que esto no es el mensaje principal de nuestro evangelio de este Domingo. Jesús no está exigiendo la produc vidad o la fecundidad. Hay una necesidad más profunda, aparte de ser produc va. Antes de hablar de la producción de frutas, Jesús habla primero de nuestra conexión con él. "Permaneced en mí y yo en ustedes. "Antes uno se vuelve fecunda, uno ene que estar conectado, unido ín- mamente con Jesús que es la vid, la fuente. La produc vidad no crea permanente y relación ín ma. La pregunta: " Estoy teniendo buenos frutos en mi vida " debe conducirnos a una pregunta más profunda de por qué no lo soy La fecundidad es la consecuencia de estar conectado. Esto se observa en la amistad a largo plazo, los matrimonios o relaciones con la comunidad. La fecundidad o la falta del mismo es una manifestación de la vida y la salud interior. Nos revela si estamos viviendo conectados o desconectados vidas. Teniendo frutas es el resultado de estar conectado con Jesús. Creo que esto es lo que Jesús quiere decir cuando dijo: "Separados de mí, nada podéis hacer". Jesús no está buscando nuestra fecundidad. En primer lugar, Él ofrece conec vidad, la relación y la in midad. Él ofrece una relación de unión tan ín ma como la de una rama a la vid. Somos uno con él, compar endo su vida, el amor y la san dad. Para par cipar y vivir plenamente con él, nos pide, nos invita: Yo soy la vid, va a ser mis ramas

3 5th Sunday of Easter May 3rd, 2015 Page 3 TODAY S READINGS First Reading Barnabas reported to the apostles how Saul had seen the Lord on the way (Acts 9:26-31). Psalm I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people (Psalm 22). Second Reading This is God s commandment: that we may believe and love (1 John 3:18-24). Gospel I am the true vine; whoever remains in me will bear much fruit (John 15:1-8). READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Acts 14:5-18; Ps 115:1-4, 15-16; Jn 14:21-26 Tuesday: Acts 14:19-28; Ps 145:10-13ab, 21; Jn 14:27-31a Wednesday: Acts 15:1-6; Ps 122:1-5; Jn 15:1-8 Thursday: Acts 15:7-21; Ps 96:1-3, 10; Jn 15:9-11 Friday: Acts 15:22-31; Ps 57:8-10, 12; Jn 15:12-17 Saturday: Acts 16:1-10; Ps 100:1b-3, 5; Jn 15:18-21 Sunday: Acts 10:25-36, 34-35, 44-48; Ps 98:1-4; 1 Jn 4:7-10 or 1 Jn 4:11-16; Jn 15:9-17 or Jn 17:11b-19 LECTURAS DE HOY Primera lectura Bernabé explica a los discípulos en Jerusalén la conversión de Pablo (Hechos 9:26-31). Salmo Bendito sea el Señor. Aleluya (Salmo 22 [21]). Segunda lectura Dios nos ordena que creamos en el nombre de Jesucristo y que nos amemos como él nos ama (1 Juan 3:18-24). Evangelio Los que viven en Jesús y Jesús vive en ellos producen mucho fruto (Juan 15:1-8). LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Lunes: Hch 14:5-18; Sal 115 (114):1-4, 15-16; Jn 14:21-26 Martes: Hch 14:19-28; Sal 145 (144):10-13ab, 21; Jn 14:27-31a Miércoles: Hch 15:1-6; Sal 122 (121):1-5; Jn 15:1-8 Jueves: Hch 15:7-21; Sal 96 (95):1-3, 10; Jn 15:9-11 Viernes: Hch 15:22-31; Sal 57 (56):8-10, 12; Jn 15:12-17 Sábado: Hch 16:1-10; Sal 100 (99):1b-3, 5; Jn 15:18-21 Domingo: Hch 10:25-36, 34-35, 44-48; Sal 98 (97):1-4; 1 Jn 4:7-10 o 1 Jn 4:11-16; Jn 15:9-17 o Jn 17:11b-19 Please Pray for the Sick Fr. O Neill, Bob Schmidt Jr., Arturo Tellez, Dean Smith, Olivia Murillo, Rosy Salcedo, Adan Gonzalez, Monica Judita, Natalie Giron, Frank Durazo, Roger Meehan Jr., Margarita Fortin, David Fernandez, Alicia Flores, Joselito Cavestany, Theresa Gonzalez, Elionor Martinez, Ryan Diaz, Joan Schlaifer, W. Joan Cook-Loth, Selvia Inado, Barbara Montague, Gloria Serafin, Jean Miceli, Sisi Shum, Leon Casino, Zenaida Sandoval, Dan Garcia, Yee See Lipsun, Elizabeth Hernandez, Albert Pelaez Jr., Jose Mario Gramajo, Carolina Vandergeld, Delilah Gonzalez, Zoriah Gonzalez, Nolan Guthrie, Molly Duarte, Maria Zepeda, Tony Pagliotti, Nemesia Baniña, Dorothy Bauer, Ernesto Velasquez, Clara Sanchez, Ryan Diaz, Mario Nieto, Sonia Gonzalez Deltoro, Lisa Trejo, Jose Vindell, Lucy Maldonado, Ruben Madrid, Adria Garcia, Virginia Sanchez, Elizabeth Campitiello, Jose Luis Sauceda, Kristen Schmidt, Carmenza Ramos, Joan Diskin, Louis Sanchez, Dolores Ramirez, Layla Perez, Antonio Hilario, Jose Martin Becerra, Lucy Guinto, Ricardo Villegas, Felicidad Villegas, Corina Ramirez, Memo Herrera, John Garcia, Martha Cuellar, Joseph Power, Nanette Magsino, Rosa Astacio, Rowena Cameron, Elias Esobedo, Margaret McWorter, Mariano Aoanan, Nayeli Gonzalez, Conchi Jorge, Ava Bond, Ernie Cagungun, Debbie Diaz, Debra Redo, Emilia Rodriguez, Dolores Natividad, Edgardo Marin, Robert Schmidt, Rick Jonaitis, Mary Lollino, Vera Lira, Ramon Ramos, Gerardo Luna, Leopoldo Hernandez, Roger Jones, Mariann Nolan Hector Oviedo, Rafael Luna, Otilia Lopez, Hector Rios, S. CanoDominga Mondragon, Lucy Rivas, Domenic Rizzi, Jose Gonzalez, Marianita Delatorre, Gustavo Adolfo Delatorre, Jesus Saldaña, Juan Antonio Garcia, Mary Campitielo, Rita Campanella and Ramon Lai. Collections / Colecta From Sunday April 19th 7:00 p.m. Mass $ :30 a.m. Mass :00 a.m. Mass 2, :45 a.m. Mass :30 p.m. Mass By Mail/Online Bldg Fund Special Projects Fund Total $6, Julia Fajardo, Socorro Alvarez Montoya, Manuel Jaurez, Bessie Rodriguez, Aihley Ybarra, Margaret Manocchio, Edward Moresco, Alicia Gutierrez, Mariana Delatorre, Arturo Jimenez, Michael Messina, Antonio Renteria de Alva, Telma Alejos, Estela Amazan, Arturo Reyes, Joseph Sanchez, Joan Schlaifer, and Antonino Soriano

4 4th Page Sunday 4 of Easter May September 3rd, , th Sunday Page in Ordi- 4 STM Youth Ministry and Confirmation needs your help! We are seeking donors to help with the cost of our Steubenville conference in July. During the weekend conference, teens will enjoy workshops, mass, praise, worship and adoration. It is a great way for teens to develop in their relationship with God while connecting with teens their own age. The cost is $250 per teen. No donation is too big or too small. For more information call the Youth Office at (626) Ext. 35 Sunday Breakfast Please join us in the hall for Pork ribs in green sauce, eggs and chorizo, huevos rancheros, menudo, coffee and donuts after all masses. Hosted by the Youth Group Blessings, Frank Ramos Coordinator of Youth Ministry and Confirmation Gabriella Ramos Assistant Coordinator of Youth Ministry and Confirmation PARENTS-HELPING-PARENTS Do this in Rememberance of Me JOIN US every 2nd and 4th Thursday FROM 6:30pm-8:00pm in the Hall Share or learn new, proactive parenting skills in an atmosphere of respect, love and compassion. We will encourage and motivate each other and provide opportunities for problem solving, networking, friendship and personal empowerment. Daily Rosary in May! Please join us to pray the rosary every morning Monday thru Saturday at 8am in the glass enclosed room by the Altar. HOLY FAMILY ADOPTION & FOSTER CARE 2 nd ANNUAL DINNER AND A SHOW Come enjoy an evening of good food, entertainment and fellowship on Sunday May 17th, 2015 from 4pm-6pm in the Parish Hall. Tickets are $10 each. Children 12 and under are free Tickets Includes: Pasta, salad, bread dessert, beverage & live entertainment Sponsored by St. Thomas More Youth Ministry *All funds are to help with the cost of Steubenville Conference* Contact Youth Office for more Info (626) Ex. 35 WILL BE HERE VISITING OUR CHURCH on May 2nd and 3rd Holy Family Services, is a state-licensed 501 (c)(3) agency established in 1949 that provides full adoption services for adoptive and birth parents. HFS has free counseling and adoption services for women and teens in unplanned pregnancies. HFS is currently in need of adoptive parents for infants, older children and foster parents. Please call for Orientation times, at If not you, then who? Thank you for thinking of Holy Family Services, Adoption & Foster Care, when you care enough to consider adoption! THE TIDINGS SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL It is time to renew our parish subscription to the free catholic publication The Tidings, which is currently being shipped to the homes of subscribing parishioners. Before we renew the subscription, we would like to update our list of subscribers in order to prevent anyone from receiving the publication who does not wish to receive it, and also to add new recipients. If you wish to receive The Tidings at your home, please call the rectory to submit your name and address by May 22nd, The deadline for renewals is also on this date. Thank you for your help!

5 MASS SCHEDULE Saturday, May 2,2015 8:30 a.m. Fr. Hoan For the intentions of Magdalen Vu 4:00-4:45p.m. Fr. Eras Confession 5:00 p.m. Fr. Era Mary Pastor 7:30 a.m. Fr. Hoan Peter Phan 9:00 a.m. Fr. Eras Margaret Manocchio 10:45 a.m. Fr. Ruiz The intentions of Genoveva Herrera 12:30 p.m. Fr. Eras Happy Birthday Emilio Zuniga Sr. Monday, May 4, :30 a.m. Fr. Eras Rodolfo Sanchez Tuesday, May 5, :30 a.m. Fr. Hoan Maria Jung Soon Choi Wednesday, May 6, :30a.m. Fr. Eras Michael Toh Thursday, May 7, :30 a.m. Fr. Harold Martin, Maria, Josefina, Manuel Elizondo and Pedro Lujan Friday, May 8, :30 a.m. Fr. Eras The intentions of the Razo Family Saturday, May 9,2015 8:30 a.m. Fr. Harold For the intentions of STM parishioners 4:00-4:45p.m. Fr. Hoan Confession 5:00 p.m. Fr. Hoan For the health of Rita Campanella Sunday, May 10, :30 a.m. Fr. Eras Peter Phan 9:00 a.m. Fr. Eras Barbara Ok Soon Min and Maria Jung Choi 10:45 a.m. Fr. Ruiz Rafael Garcia, Sr. 12:30 p.m. Fr. Harold Maria Guadalupe, Martha Moreno and Maria De Jesus De la Torre CURRENT EVENTS Saturday, May 2, :00p.m. Holy Family Adoption & Foster Care 6:00p.m Confirmation Class 8:00a.m. Holy Family Adoption & Foster Care 8:00a.m. Breakfast hosted by the Youth Group Monday, May 4, :30 a.m. Legion of Mary, Ministry Center Tuesday, May 5, :00 a.m. Our Lady of Wisdom Prayer Group, Church 7:00p.m. Grupo de Oracion, Ministry Center 7:30 p.m. English Choir Practice, Church Wednesday, May 6, :00 p.m. Bible Study, Ministry Center Thursday, May 7, :00 p.m. Youth Band Practice, Church 6:30 p.m. Youth Nights, Ministry Center 8:00p.m. Spanish Choir Practice, Church Friday, May 8, :00 a.m. Adoration, Church 7:00pm Altar Server Meeting, Church Saturday, May 9, :00p.m Confirmation Class Sunday, May 10, 2015 STM SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE! Cardinal McIntyre Fund On Sunday, May 3rd, there will be a second collection to help support the Cardinal McIntyre Fund. The goal of the Cardinal McIntyre Fund for Charity is service to the neediest of the needy, those for whom no other resources exist. Its highest priority is the provision of food, shelter. One-time assistance to families in crises: such as assistance with medical or funeral expenses, are appropriate as funds allow and as recommended by those who are familiar with the area/persons. Your contributions to the Cardinal McIntyre Fund for Charity make you a sharer in our parishes' works of mercy, and in their rewards of grace. 100% of your tax deductible contribution goes directly toward helping the poorest of the poor. For personal donations and tax purposes please visit: St. Thomas More will be hosting an Open House on Wednesday, May 13 from 5-7 pm. Please come join us and meet the teachers, students, parents and administrators. Information packets for enrollment and tuition assistance will be available in the school office. For more information, visit our website: or call (626) 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 Phone: Cell Phone: