Brief History

What is common today was innovative in the 1970s. Since the founding day of our parish on June 16, 1971, the Catholic Community of Epiphany has been built on the vision of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965).
 
The co-founders, Fr. Jim Flynn and Fr. Dick Fowler, together with 200 families, envisioned a community that would reflect the spirit and theology of Vatican II. Their understanding of church as an institution was transformed by reading documents from the Council. Their new understanding was that a faith community is called to be more actively involved in the daily life and spiritual growth of individual members as well as in the coexisting journey with society and the world.
 
One day the two priests were surveying some property for a new Church community. Fr. Fowler realized that it was the Feast of Epiphany—January 6, 1971, and hoped that would be the name of the new parish. The Greek noun “Epiphaneia” (Ἐπιφανεία) means “manifestation,” “unveiling,” “revealing,” “showing,” or “appearance.” Since the early days of Christianity, the Feast of Epiphany is celebrated by the Church as the day in which God manifested himself in the person of Jesus Christ who was born as an infant. In subsequent centuries, Christians began to celebrate Christmas on December 25. Yet, the manifestation that God revealed the birth of Christ to the three Magi in the Gospel of Matthew (Matt 2:1–12) continues to be celebrated on around January 6—known today as the Feast of Epiphany. For this reason, the two priests agreed that Epiphany would be the name of the new Catholic community.
 
Soon after the establishment and foundation of Epiphany as a Catholic community, working committees and ministries blossomed. Epiphany is now an active, spirit-filled, welcoming community of 1,100+ families of mixed ethnic origins who gather to celebrate God in our midst. Members serve one another and also the needs of others, especially the marginalized. They strive to work for social justice. From the beginning of the community, the unanimous agreement is that ten percent (10%) of our income was designated to support local, national, and global agencies that work to help those most in need. Surrounded by many other Catholic parishes that focus on building Catholic schools for young children, Epiphany is unique in that its faith community is committed to lifelong formation and education for all members and to strive to be socially responsible and just in our daily lives.
 
Epiphany has much to offer and share. In its understanding of God’s manifestation to people of all faiths, for instance, members of Epiphany have engaged in ecumenical dialogue and interaction. Our liturgies are creative with a feeling of warmth and hospitality which encourage full and active participation. Our commitment to liturgical excellence is manifested in our music and the proclamation of Scriptures. Our unique worship space with its unfinished appearance and glass walls reminds us that our own journeys are unfinished, and that the Gospel message invites us to focus outwards to participate in and to impact the wider world. Each year we rededicate ourselves to our core values which are the cornerstone of our commitment to God’s ongoing creative world. A small manifestation of these core values is that Epiphany’s picturesque campus with trees, grass, families of deer and foxes, and many other creatures reveals God in nature.
 
What lies ahead? The future is always a mystery, but we, members of Epiphany Catholic Community, realize we are constantly evolving. We firmly believe that, guided by the Spirit of God, we will continue to strive to be aware that we are part of something larger than ourselves.