2018-19 Annual Stewardship Report

This year, we are trying to conserve paper and reduce printing and postage expenses by e-mailing our 2018-19 Annual Stewardship Report.  Anyone who prefers a hard-copy of this report, may obtain one on the information table in the Connector.

To download the Annual Report [Click Here]

Thank you!

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Genisis To Jesus Book Study

What is the Bible, where does it come from, and what is its purpose? How are Catholics supposed to read the Bible and what story does it tell? These are the ever-important questions answered in Genesis to Jesus. Join us on Mondays starting September 9th at 9:00am or 6:30pm in the Lighthouse for a 12-week study to learn the basic Catholic principles for reading Scripture, and to survey the broad outlines of the books of the Bible and their place in the story of salvation. To register electronically go to EpiphanyCatholicChurch.org/GenesisToJesus 

or email: billc9936@gmail.com, or Joan.coleman@bellsouth.net.

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GUEST SPEAKER COMING TO EPIPHANY!

Saturday, August 10, Dave Baranowski, Director of Parish Stewardship and Leadership Formation for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, will be coming to Epiphany!  Join us as we embark on a “Grateful and Generous Workshop!” We will begin at 9am and conclude at noon.  Breakfast casserole, fruit and assorted pastries will be provided starting at 8:30am. Please join us! Register [Here] or sign up in the Connector.   

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What is Family?

One of the goals from our Parish Discernment process under the category of Family Life, was to develop a project to explore and define what family means. In response to this, we will be creating and presenting “What is Family,” a video designed and edited here at Epiphany, starring our parish families. If you would be interested in participating in this video (single, married, widowed, friends, parent/child/grandchild, etc.) please let us know! While we would love to accommodate all families interested, there are only a limited number of spaces available. Please click the link below to sign up and Jordan Wheatley, our Communications Coordinator, will be in touch soon!

To sign up [Click Here]

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Happy Mothers Day!

“Mothers are the strongest antidote to our individualistic and egotistic tendencies, to our lack of openness and our indifference. A society without mothers would not only be a cold society, but a society that has lost its heart, lost the “feel of home.” … I have learned much from those mothers whose children are in prison, or lying in hospital beds, or in bondage to drugs, yet, come cold or heat, rain or draught, never stop fighting for what is best for them. Or those mothers who in refugee camps, or even the midst of war, unfailingly embrace and support their children’s sufferings. … Where there is a mother, there is unity, there is belonging, belonging as children.” Pope Francis, January 1, 2017

Prayer for Mothers: 

God of tenderness, we honor all women who cooperate with you in bringing life to the world, and all women who nurture life in so many ways.  We remember especially our mothers, including those mothers who have passed from this life and now rest in eternal life with you.  We also remember our grandmothers, godmothers, aunts, stepmothers, and women mentors who have loved, supported and guided us.  Bless these special women for their countless sacrifices and self-emptying love. May they savor the fulfillment that comes from giving life and love to their children, and to all who seek their care, for it is a participation in your abundant love. Sustain them in compassion, and entrust them with the power of your love that bears the fullness of life. Amen. 

Actions – Links

Mother’s Day

• In the United States, Julia Ward Howe suggested the idea of Mother’s Day in 1872. Howe, who wrote the words to the Battle Hymn of the Republic, saw Mother’s Day as a day dedicated to peace after having lived through the horrors of the United States’ Civil War. She saw it as a world-wide protest of women against the cruelties of war. See: http://bit.ly/1TjKyHo.

Women Thrive

• The Women Thrive Alliance is a global network of 230 member organizations located in over 50 countries. These organizations are led by local change-makers who believe that women and girls should live free from violence, enjoy quality education, and achieve economic empowerment.  They believe that by challenging the status quo, they can achieve greater equality for all. For more info, go to: http://www.womenthrive.org.

All Girls Count

• Right now, 130 million girls around the world are being denied an education — and, because of that, the chance to reach their full potential. Speak up to the G20 nations about this issue and that all girls count at: http://bit.ly/2qAk80Z.

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Greg Tichenor's 2019 Jim Flynn Award Acceptance Speech

It is so humbling to be standing here to receive this award this evening. Thank you to everyone for being here to celebrate this occasion with me. As a few of you know, hearing the testimony from past award winners has been some of the most spiritually nourishing experiences I’ve had at Epiphany. The messages have inspired me to go forth and make a difference in this world through action and I hope my words today will inspire others to do the same... To read the rest of the speech [Click Here]

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Lenten Sacrifice: A Short reflection

Lent has always been a time of prayerful reflection for me. As a single mom, there’s not a whole lot of quiet in my world, but during Lent somehow I force quiet into the hustle and bustle.  Recently, I’ve been reflecting on what my Lenten sacrifice will be.  I began talking with my daughter about Lent and Easter in the car last week. In traditional Lydia style, she started rambling on about everything she knows about Lent.  I could tell that the conversations from school were fresh on her mind.  When we reached the topic of Lenten sacrifices, she was quick to share with me, “Mommy, I’m going to give up blankie this year.”  “Wow, Lydia!  That’s a big sacrifice!  You sleep with blankie every night!”  She responds, “Mommy, Jesus gave up everything for me, surely I can give up blankie.” 

Isn’t it funny how children can put us in our place so quickly?  That sometimes children understand faith better than adults.

Seven years old and fully prepared to give up something deeply close to her heart, for the sake of our Lord.  Her decision to give up blankie made my thoughts of giving up sodas quite lame.  Perhaps we should think deeper this Lent.  Perhaps we should find our seven year old faith, and sacrifice accordingly.

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Retreats: Why You Should Take Advantage of a Retreat

Stress: We all experience stress in our lives and find many ways to cope with it. Did you know, according to a study by the National Institute of Mental health, one-third of teens report feeling anxiety, while 62% of college students feel “overwhelming anxiety”, a survey states from the American College Health Association. Factors of stress often derive from conflict in relationships, classwork, and thinking about the future (what will I do after I graduate?). Our teens are busier than ever before!

Retreats are a wonderful opportunity to take time to escape for a short time from the loudness of our world, to grow in relationship with Christ and others in community, to listen prayerfully to God, and find peace and clarity. Let’s encourage our youth to dedicate time with our Lord, to release our worries, stress, and fears, and receive wisdom, peace, and Christ Himself through the various retreats that are coming up for our high school students and young adults. Need more information and registration forms? Contact Tasha Gordon at tasha@epiphanycatholicchurch.org or 502-245-9722 ex.19.

CHAOS Transformed Retreat - Who:Open to 9th-10th grade students - When: January 11-13th 2019 - Where: Mount Saint Francis, Indiana - Cost: $125 (Scholarships available through Epiphany Youth Ministry)

Together Encountering Christ Retreat - Who: Juniors & Seniors in High School, and young adults ages 18-25 - When: February 16-18th, 2019 - Where: Flaget Center, Louisville - Cost: $125  (Scholarships available through Epiphany Youth Ministry)

Christian Awakening Retreat - Who: 11th-12th grade youth - When: March 15-17th, 2019 - Where: Flaget Center, Louisville - Cost: $125  (Scholarships available through Epiphany Youth Ministry)

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