St. Teresa of Ávila Catholic Community

Reverend Kate Lehman, Pastor

Weekly Mass

Saturdays at 5:00 PM
Shadow Rock UCC
Education Building Chapel
12861 N. 8th Avenue Phoenix, AZ

A Message for May

Remembering Mother’s Day and Remembering Mom by Rev. Ed Walsh, ECC Minister, Chaplain and Grief Recovery Specialist

The movie Mommy Dearest (1981) presents a less than flattering image of mother. Many who see this movie (based on the 1978 book of the same name) will never view metal clothes hangers in the same way.

I would imagine that many of you reading this would have different
and beautiful memories of Mother. Mother’s Day can be a painful reminder of loss if mom has died. How can we remember, celebrate, grieve the person who has fulfilled for us this laudable vocation?

Acknowledge the complex feelings. The person who was always there for you, when you need her one more time, is no longer physically present. This can changeour daily routine and affect us in ways we never would have anticipated. Complex and even conflicting feelingsare normal and natural.
Tell the stories… The funny stories, the powerfully impacting stories, the gracious stories. In my family, the kids used to make mom breakfast each year. Sheate the soggy cereal, the burnt toast, and the incredibly sweet tea. She gushed praises because she was remembered and felt loved. A way of keeping the memory alive is to share the legacy.
Honor the memory… Try to imagine how she would like to be remembered. None of us wants to be remembered for our faults, failings and illnesses. How would you like to be remembered?
Reach out to others in your family… Mom was often times the referee between myself and one of my siblings. Being able to connect with other family members is a great way to remember Mom.
Light a candle… A way of celebrating mom’s life is to light a candle while remembering or praying. We used to do this before we left church as we prayed for our beloved.
Apologize for ways in which you may have hurt her… This doesn’t change what has happened, but it does allow us to acknowledge it, and perhaps finally be free from it.
Forgive for ways that you have been hurt by her… Again this doesn’t change anything, but helps you to choose to no longer allow the pain of the past to destroy you in the present and affect you in the future. Actually it does change things; it changes you.
Write a letter telling her what she has meant to you.

For help, support, encouragement, please don’t hesitate to contact Ed Walsh.
480.246.3560 EWalsh@care.info

Social Justice and Service

Credit: Human Rights Watch

Ephesians 2;11-22
'So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God.

At STA, we believe God's mandate to welcome the stranger is a call to action to support comprehensive immigration reform while rising up to support individual immigrants through involvement in the Sanctuary Movement. We join our sisters and brothers at Shadow Rock United Church of Christ as they offer sanctuary and stand up in support of immigrants who are unjustly being targeted for deportation. All are welcome to join us at the following events:

April 30, 2:00 PM: Children's Day March. Meet at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 909 E. Washington Street, Phoenix. Wear a white t-shirt.
May 9, 7:00 PM: Prayer Vigil for Marco Tulio Coss and Misael Perez, Shadow Rock UCC,12861 N 8th Ave, Phoenix.
May 10, 9:00 AM: Accompany Misael Perez to ICE Check-In Appointment, ICE Office, 2501 N. Central Ave. Phoenix.
May 12, 9:00 AM: Accompany Marco Tulio to ICE Check-In Appointment, ICE Office, 2501 N. Central Ave., Phoenix

Marco Tulio Coss was to have an ICE check in on April 12th, but it was postponed for 30 days. Click here for more information on the postponement and the show of solidarity with Marco that was conducted by members of Shadow Rock and others outside of the ICE HQ during his meeting. There is a great need to gather another supportive group to be outside of ICE HQ for Marco's next appointment on May 12. Please email Mary Cox, marygc8181@gmail.com if you plan to attend on either May 10 or May 12, so she can keep you apprised of any changes or (crossing fingers) if there is no need to attend because the work permit has been obtained for either individual.

Click here to view photos of the recent "Journey to the Border" taken by members of Shadow Rock UCC, STA and other faith communities to learn more about border issues and hear the stories of those impacted by them.

St. Teresa of Ávila is united with many other authentic Catholic faith communities as a member of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion (ECC). The ECC is a "community of communities" that share a common theology and liturgical tradition with the Roman Catholic Church, but do not participate in its canon law.

The "ECC Difference" can be seen in the inclusion of all baptized Christians at the Eucharistic table, respect for and recognition that the Spirit is at work in those of other religions, ordination of women and married individuals, offering of the sacrament of marriage to committed LGBT couples and those remarrying after divorce, invitation to follow conscience regarding birth control, and active/equal involvement of the laity in the governance of the Communion.

To learn more, visit the Ecumenical Catholic Communion's website or click on the following topics:
What is the ECC?
What makes the ECC different?
What is the ECC's position on LGBT relationships?
Where can I find other ECC communities?

Marrying at STA

We celebrate the Supreme Court decision on Marriage Equality and invite LGBT couples to celebrate Catholic weddings at STA.

Read the ECC Bishops' complete statement about the Supreme Court's ruling in favor of same-gender marriage here.

St. Teresa of Ávila Catholic Community is committed to providing the Sacrament of Marriage to those who seriously seek it, including gay couples and those denied a Catholic marriage due to a previous divorce.
Couples wishing to be married at STA are requested to contact Rev. Kate Lehman at revklehman@ gmail.com a minimum of three months in advance to initiate the pre-marriage preparation process. Wedding venues are not restricted to the church sanctuary and couples are invited to discuss prospective sites with Rev. Kate.

Meet St. Teresa's Parish Council

From left: Tim Rooney, Kathy Ronan Curry, Rev. Kate Lehman, Nichole Sanders, Mike Sanders, and Gay Samuelson

ECC News

Coming soon...

It's Almost "H2Ordinary" Time!

Keep looking here for more information on STA's summer initiative to provide water to the Valley's homeless.