of Our Lord 6596 Smiley Avenue St. Louis, Missouri 63139 Staff Pastor The Rev. Michael Rennier [email protected]

Deacon James Tetreault [email protected]

Music Director Elizabeth Wildman

Plant Manager John Ellison [email protected]

Parish Secretary Trish Nerviani [email protected]

Mass & Sacraments Sunday Masses: 8:00 & 10:30 am

Weekday Masses Monday through Friday: 8:00 am

Tuesday Evening : 6:30 pm

Saturday Masses 8:00 am and 5:00 pm

Sacrament of Penance: Saturday, 7:30-7:50 am Sundays, 10-10:20 am Tuesdays, 6-6:20 pm OR by appointment

Baptisms: Meeting first Thursday of the month. Preregistration required.

Marriages: Contact the priest at least 9 months prior to the wedding date.

Funerals: To be arranged by contacting the Parish Office. Third Sunday of

Change of Address or Telephone December 17, 2017

Number: Please call the Parish Office. Phone: 314-781-1199

www.epiphanystl.org Bulletin Deadline: 4:00 pm Monday. Third Sunday of Advent December 17, 2017

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LIVING OUR FAITH FROM THE DESK OF FR. MICHAEL

Thank you to our Church decorators who are meeting after Mass today to put up all the decorations. Many hands make light work.

Rorate Caeli Mass, St. Lucy , and Advent Celebration everyone is welcome to join in and celebrate a Rorate Caeli Mass at 6:30pm, Tuesday December 19. A Rorate Mass is a to the Blessed Virgin that is offered during Advent only by candlelight. It's a beautiful experience to see the altar lit up by candles and remember that even in the darkest nights of winter Our Lord is the light of the world. I highly encourage everyone to attend!

Directly after the Mass we will have a candlelight procession in honor of St. Lucy, whose feast day is in December, and end with an Advent Party in the Assumption room. If you plan to attend the party, we only ask that you bring a plate of Christmas Cookies before Mass to the Assumption Room.

Breviary Coffee is ready for everyone who pre-ordered. You can pick it up in the back of Church after masses this week- end. Each bag is $7 and the purchase benefits our St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. We may have a few extra bags, too, if the coffee smell is tempting you but you didn't order.

Mass Explanations – Do I have to come to Mass two days in a row at Christmas?

I won't tell you what to do, but...Yes. Kind of. Every seven years the calendar gives us a Christmas, Dec 25 on Monday, which means that the morning of , Dec 24 is the last Sunday of Advent. This means the Sat 5pm Mass on the 23rd and the Sunday morning Masses on the 24th are for the last Sunday of Advent and are not counted for the Christmas . To fulfill that, you'll want to come back the evening of the 24th for the 5pm or 10pm or on Christ- mas morning for the 8am or 10:30am. So, I guess, you could come in the morning and then again the evening of the 24th! Whatever Mass times you prefer, you will end up coming a few times over those few days. I look forward to spending the extra time with you all! Fr. Michael

Attention Epiphany Women of Faith Consider Making a Year-End Please Save The Date for the 2nd Tues of each month Gift to Epiphany (until May)- Our Women's Faith Sharing follows 6:30 PM Mass (7:15PM) until 8:45PM. We meet in the Rectory. Tues., Dec. 12, we will discuss 4-5 questions about As the end of the year approaches, we begin to "Gift" and sharing where it can be found in the Bible reflect upon the many blessings bestowed upon us. and the CCC (Catechism of the Catholic Church) to The end of the year also provides a great oppor- strengthen the foundation of our Catholic Faith. Bring- tunity to thank God for these blessings by gifting to ing the resource books are NOT required to participate Epiphany The benefits of income tax deductions, in the sharing. capital gains savings and other financial bene- Please join us when you can, even if you can't at- fits are significant advantages that provide an in- tend every Faith Gathering. There are new topics each centive to make a gift at the year-end. A gift can month. Looking forward to exploring our Faith Togeth- also help support Epiphany for years to come. er. Please call or text Mary Jo Martin -314-324-7224 for additional information. There are many different ways of contributing a gift. However, two of the easiest and most direct methods to gift are donations of cash and appreci- Epiphany Bell Choir The bell choir ated stock or other investments. You can also is seeking one new member. No experience make other financially advantageous gifts such as is necessary but ability to read music help- real estate, life insurance, charitable remainder ful. Practice is held on Wednesdays from trusts, gift annuities, will/trust bequests and IRA/ 6:30pm to 7:30pm. If interested or would retirement accounts. like more information please call Mary Young at 314-645-0303. For more information on how you can help make a difference by contributing a year-end gift to Epiph- any, please contact our plant manager, John El- Stewardship “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give lison, at the parish office, 314-781-1199 or the Of- thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in fice of Stewardship and the Annual Catholic Ap- Christ Jesus for you” - 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16 -18 peal's Planned Giving Department at 314.792.7680. This scripture reading sums up Stewardship. “Rejoice al- ways” means place your trust in God; He will provide all that you need. “Pray constantly” means prayer should be a running conversation with God throughout the whole day, every day. “Give thanks in all circumstances” means even in bad situations, thank God. Suffering a little bit I & II Lauren Emerson, Epiphany helps build empathy for others in similar situations. and Jason Grant, wedding here at Epiphany on Saturday, De- cember 30th at 2:00 pm.

Third Sunday of Advent 2 December 17, 2017

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LIVING OUR FAITH rolife PRO-LIFE MATTERS

STL Young Adult Pro-Life Holy Hour & Social: Join STLYA and young adults throughout the archdiocese for this annual event on Thursday January 18 to pray for an end to abortion and promote a greater respect for all life. A speaker and social with light refreshments will follow in Boland Hall. E-mail [email protected] or call 314-792-7555 for more information.

PAnnual Memorial Mass: The 2018 Annual Memorial Mass will be Saturday January 27 at 10 AM at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. Please make plans to join us in prayer and remembrance. The mass is a memorial of all the babies who have died and all those whose lives continue to be affected by the effects of abortion and Reo v Wade.

Hope For The Broken-Hearted: Whether you are the mom, dad, grandparent or sibling, abortion can leave a hole in the heart of any family member. Find healing for your heartache at Project Rachel and Project Joseph with free, confiden- tial, professional counseling at 314-792-7565.

Project Rachel For more information contact Marisol 314-792-7451 [email protected] or STLprojectrachel.org. Project Joseph For more information contact Chuck 314-974-6787 [email protected] or STLprojectjoseph.org.

Marriage Encounter Want to give your spouse a gift that says you truly love them and want to make the March for Life 2018 – most of your marriage? Give your spouse a gift certifi- cate for a Marriage Encounter weekend as a Christmas Registration Now Open present! You will never regret these 44 hours of growth. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter week- Missouri Life Caravan is now accepting registrations for ends are February 2-4, 2018 in St. Peters, MO; March 23- our bus trip to the annual March for Life in Washington, 25 in Springfield, IL, Apr. 20-22 in St. Peters, MO. Simply D.C. Thursday- Saturday, Jan. 18- 20, 2018. Join us and click on www.stl-wwme.org or call 314.649.7317. thousands of others from across the U.S. for this huge pro- life gathering in our nation’s capital. This trip is open to anyone ages 7 and up (chaperones not provided). We de- part from several locations in the St. Louis area and we do Attention All Highschoolers! not stay in hotels as we sleep on the buses. The cost if Join us this Wednesday, Dec. 20th from received by Dec. 22 is $190. The cost after Dec. 22 is 7-9pm at Bishop DuBourg High School as $205. For registration and bus information contact us at: we close out our Advent series and pray 314-434-4900 or [email protected]. You can also & prepare for our Lord to come at download our registration form Christmas. See saintlouislifeteen.org for at www.missourilife.org. Registration deadline is Jan. 2, more information. 2018.

Congratulations to St. Mary's High School A huge thank you to all of our Heaven- sophomore, John Hannibal, a parishioner of ly Dusters for cleaning our church for Epiphany, was named the Sophomore Student of the Advent/Christmas Season and all the Month for November for his good deeds both year!. Your time and effort are greatly inside and outside of the classroom. appreciated.

Attention: Separated, Divorced, Widowed or Remar- 19th Annual St. Louis Marian Conference ried of All Ages: You are invited to join us for fun and to to be held on Jan. 12, 13, 14, 2018 at the Renaissance make new friends at the next meeting of the South County Hotel, 9801 Natural Bridge Rd., next to the Airport. Separated, Divorced, Widowed and Remarried Catholics Confirmed speakers are: Bishop Robert Hermann; (SCDC) on Thursday, December 21, 2017 at 7:00 p.m., at Father Charles Becker; John Carpenter; Fr. Joseph the Saint Catherine Laboure parish cafeteria, 9740 Sap- L. Coffey; Fr. Vincent Lampert, Exhorcist; Fr. Mitch pington Road, Sunset Hills, Missouri. Pacwa, SJ, EWTN; Fr. Tom Sullivan; Fr. Robert J. Brockland, CM; Wayne Weible. For additional information We will have a Christmas Mass at the Church beginning at call 314 401-1707 or visit www.stlmarianconference.net. 6 pm and a meeting at 7 pm with snacks, drinks, and EVERYONE WELCOME Christmas music to sing along with.

SCDC is a support group for the separated, divorced, wid- owed and remarried of our community. SCDC offers social Aquinas Institute of Theology's Workshop activities and a support group that provides the opportuni- for Permanent Deacons ty to share your story with caring people.

Workshop for Permanent Deacons - “Spirituality and the For more information please call Pat Lynch at (314) 537- Preacher” - Date: January 27, 2018 - Time: 9:00 – 11:30 5930, Bill DeCoursey at (314) 894-0733, or Jan Inman at am - Cost: $35 (wives welcome at no additional charge) - (314) 892-6933 for our support group. Speaker: Rev. Greg Heille, O.P., Professor of Homiletics To register or for more information see “Bookstore” on the Aquinas website: www.ai.edu or call 314-256-8804.

Third Sunday of Advent 3 December 17, 2017

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LITURGIES & SCHEDULES Mass Intentions For The Week Our Parish This Week Third Sunday of Advent, December 17 Monday - Saturday, December 18 - 23 8:00 am Parishioners  7:30 am - Rosary, Church 10:30 am James Turner Sunday, December 17 Monday, December 18 8:00 am Denny Siedner  Following all Masses, Donut Sunday, Gym

Tuesday, December 19  9:00 am - Bible Study, CMR 8:00 am Keith Kunz  10:30 am - Liturgy with Children, RBB 6:30 pm Special Intention CW Monday, December 18 Wednesday, December 20 8:00 am Dwayne Ohls  7:00 am - 5:00 pm - GSA, Msgr. Sullivan Field

Thursday, December 21  7:00 am - 5:00 pm - GSA, Gym 8:00 am Nancy Govero  10:00 am - Ladies Guild Card Social, AR

Friday, December 22  11:00 am - Pillars of Faith, CMR 8:00 am John Jankowski  7:00 pm - Boy Scouts, Upper Hall

Saturday, December 23 Tuesday, December 19 8:00 am Leona Rankin 5:00 pm Blanche O’Reilly  7:00 am - 5:00 pm - GSA, Msgr. Sullivan Field

Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 24  7:00 am - 5:00 pm - GSA, Gym 8:00 am In Honor of our Christmas Flower contributors  10:00 am - Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, CMR 10:30 am Parishioners  6:30 pm - Blue Knights/Little Flowers, AR & UH Wednesday, December 20 Pleas note our Christmas Mass Schedule  7:00 am - 5:00 pm - GSA, Msgr. Sullivan Field

Christmas Eve  7:00 am - 5:00 pm - GSA, Gym Sunday, December 24 5 & 10:00 PM (Choir 9:45)  6:30 pm - Bells Practice, Church

Christmas Day  7:30 pm - Choir Practice, Church Monday, December 25 8 & 10:30 AM  6-8:00 pm - Kasey Paige Gift Drop Off, AR Thursday, December 21 Please Pray For the Homebound & Sick Of Our Parish Friday, December 22 Korey Tacchi Joan Huelsmann Toni Berberich  3:30-6:30 pm - Dance, UH Daniel Barr Ethan Sonderman Bob Metcalf Saturday, December 23 Jack McPherson Sheryl McPherson Nannette Sunday, December 24 Christmas Eve McPherson  9:00 am - Bible Study, CMR  10:30 am - Liturgy with Children, RBB Readings for the week of Dec 17, 2017 Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11/Lk 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54 Our Offering For the Week Of Dec. 9-10, 2017 [Is 61:10b]/1 Thes 5:16-24/Jn 1:6-8, 19-28 Monday: Jer 23:5-8/Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19 [cf. 7]/ Sunday Collection Mt 1:18-25 General Fund ...... $3,846.00 Tuesday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a/Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17 General Fund Loose ..... $259.50 [cf. 8]/Lk 1:5-25 General Fund Online ... 1,587.00 Total ...... $5,692.50 Wednesday: Is 7:10-14/Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6 [cf. 7c and 10b]/Lk 1:26-38 Christmas ...... $40.00 Thursday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a/Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, Christmas Flower ...... $70.00 20-21 [1a; 3a]/Lk 1:39-45 Kenrick Seminary ...... $100.00 Friday: 1 Sm 1:24-28/1 Sm 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd Immaculate Conception. $205.00 [cf. 1a]/Lk 1:46-56 Maintenance & Repair .... $65.00 Saturday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24/Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and M&$ Online ...... $220.00 14 [cf. Lk 21:28]/Lk 1:57-66 Solemnity of Mary ...... $40.00 Next Sunday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, SVDP Online ...... $45.00 27, 29 [2a]/Rom 16:25-27/Lk 1:26-38 Votive ...... $33.30 Tuition Assistance ...... $11.00 Tuition Assist Online ...... $50.00 ...... $308.00(YTD) Our Dearly Departed Endowment Fund ...... $ ...... $29.00 In your kindness, please pray for the repose of the soul of Larry Albers, cousin of Dianne Mayfield; and Rosita Foshage, our former parishioner. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace. Third Sunday of Advent 4 December 17, 2017

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PARISH COMMUNITY NEWS, NOTES & EVENTS Christmas Cards There will be Christmas cards in the back of church to be sent to our shut-ins. If you would Next Monday is Christmas and if you are anything like like to send a card or note select a me, you are bound to receive at least one well inten- card, address the envelope and place tioned Christmas gift that you know you are never going it in the basket provided on the table. to use. Rather than have the gift go to waste, why not Names and addresses will be there too. We will provide donate it to Epiphany’s Quarter Auction. No item is too the postage and mail the cards. Also, if you know someone big or too small. We will accept anything that is new. that is not on the list you are welcome to add their name Donations may be dropped off to Trish at the parish and address. Thank you. business office. Thank you for your consideration!

And NFC/AFC Playoff Party-Cash Prizes 1st, 2nd, 3rd To be held on Sunday, January 21, 2018; registration is from noon - 1 SUITE SEATS FOR A SWEET CAUSE pm. The cos is $30 per person (includes Cornhole Tournament, food and drink); $20 per Suite Seats for a Sweet Cause Support families choos- person for food and drink only). Individual or team regis- ing to make the loving, and often expensive, choice to tration accepted. Must be 14 years or older to participate. grow their family through adoption AND get or give a Contact, Mike Ruggeri, 314-406-0663; Todd Berta, 314-647 chance to enjoy a 2018 Cardinals game from the Mercy -7023; or Dave Kellar, 314-504-0887. Multiple TV’s, Foot- Suite! Raffle winner receives 10 tickets in Suite 33 ball Squares & More. Registration limited to first 32 (along the 1st base line) at Busch Stadium for a 2018 teams, payment secures tournament entry. Funds Cardinals’ Home Game, $150 of food/drinks and one raised will support St. Raphael athletic programs, parking pass for a mutually agreed upon date. Made available through the generous donation of Mercy. All school activities and other parish needs. proceeds benefit the Archbishop Robert J. Carlson Adoption Fund. Great Holiday Gift! Raffle Tickets can be delivered in a festive gift envelope perfect for the Are you still in need of a person who has everything! For more information: last minute Christmas gift? http://archstl.org/raffleforadoption or 314.997.7576 Well we are here to help! Get your non-stock orders in today and we can Our Lady’s Inn Maternity promise delivery by Christmas Eve. As Homes is having their Annual Trivia usual, we have a huge supply of in th stock certificates ready for pick up Night – Saturday, January 20 at today, including - but not limited to: Chaminade College Prep School (425 S. Dierbergs, Shop-n-Save, Kohls, Panera, Lindbergh). Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and trivia begins at Pietros, Walmart, Target, Bass Pro, Starbucks and 7:00 p.m. Cost is $25 per person and $200 for a table of many, many more. See one of the volunteers near the ten. For more information or to register, vis- baptismal font to place an order or make your pur- it www.ourladysinn.org or call Katrina at 314-736-1544. chase today. Questions, contact Trish at the parish of- fice, 314-781-1199. Our Lady’s Inn provides a loving home and an array of ser- vice supporting pregnant women and their children suffer- ing with homelessness.

Catholic Conference for Men & Women

REGISTER NOW! Limited Seating Available Touhill Performing Arts Center (UMSL)

Catholic Men for Christ Conference – Feb. 3, 2018 Featuring Curtis Martin, Fr. Godwin Olugbami, Dr. Scott Sullivan and Michael Cumbie Visit catholicmenforchrist.org to register.

Catholic Women for Christ Conference - Saturday, March 10, 2018 Featuring Sr. Virginia Joy – Sisters of Life, Mary Beth Bonacci and Gloria Purvis Visit catholicwomenforchrist.org to register.

Questions? Call the Office of Laity & Family Life 314.792.7183.

Third Sunday of Advent 5 December 17, 2017

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