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Creating the Church of Tomorrow
(Composed by Archbishop Oscar Romero who was martyred in San Salvador in 1980)
It helps now and then, to step back and take the long view.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision. We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work.
Nothing we do is complete, which is another way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection, no pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the church’s mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about: We plant seeds that one day will grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise. We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces effects far beyond our capability.
We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not the master builders; ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own.
Amen |
MEALS MINISTRY: This ministry coordinates and hosts funeral receptions held at Epiphany. It also provides meals to individuals or families in time of illness, hospitalization, or a death in the family. Members serve on an “as needed” basis.
CARD MINISTRY: This ministry sends cards and notes of encouragement, congratulations, or get-well wishes to parishioners, as well as their families and friends, to let them know someone is thinking about them. Members of this ministry can work from home, in the evening, or whenever they have a few spare moments. Requests to have a card sent to someone are made through the parish office.
SECOND FAMILY CARE TEAM: This ministry serves as a "second family" to the frail elderly, ill, and disabled in our community. Its primary mission is to provide in-home care and support to these individuals and their families so they can remain in their homes as long as possible.
SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DEPAUL: This ministry provides temporary, emergency assistance to area residents in need with rent, utilities, food or medicine. Professional services, such as medical and dental, legal, vehicle or home repair are always needed. The direct phone number is 281-578-3845.
THE GATHERING PLACE: This ministry provides monthly social activities for people with dementia, stroke, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, etc. Offers primary caregivers respite, a time to renew themselves, take care of errands, or go see their own doctor.
TRANSPORTATION MINISTRY: This ministry provides occasional transportation for those in our local community who need a ride to and from the doctor, grocery store, church, etc.
FUNERAL AID MINISTRY : At the time of a funeral, ministers are often needed to provide hospitality, to lector, and to serve as Eucharistic ministers or altar servers. These ministers help on an ''as needed" basis.
HOMEBOUND MINISTRY : Eucharistic Ministers visit the homebound and bring Communion to them on a regularly scheduled or temporary basis. They pray together, provide spiritual reading materials, and offer fellowship.
PRAYER MINISTRY : This ministry consists of parishioners committed to offering some time each day, individually, in prayer for special intentions and for specific parishioner, community, or world needs.
BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY: This ministry extends comfort to those who have lost loved ones through death. Support is offered through monthly letters, telephone calls, resource materials, and an annual Remembering Service. Monthly meetings are held on the first Monday at 7:00 pm.
JOB SEEKERS NETWORK: This ministry offers assistance with resumes, networking strategy and interviewing skills. It also hosts Job Fairs for professional level positions. Regular meetings are held every Monday at 7:00 pm.
MINISTRY TO WOMEN WITH CANCER: This group offers discussion, prayer, and emotional support for women with cancer. Telephone support is also available. Monthly meetings are held the 4th Tuesday at 7:00 pm.
GULF COAST REGIONAL BLOOD CENTER-Blood Drives: Epiphany participates in a Donor Group Blood Plan with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center. Our Donor Group Number is 2340. Donors can sign up online at www.eblooddrive.org. Extra hands are always needed to help with sign-up, reminder calls, and on drive days. Click here for a list of Blood Drive dates.
KCM FOOD PANTRY-Food Drives: Boy Scout Troop 1146 and the Knights of Columbus collect non-perishable food, personal care items, diapers, baby food and formula each month and deliver them to the Food Pantry at Katy Christian Ministries. Drop off sites are located in each parking lot. Click here for a list of Food Drive dates.
BREATH OF LIFE CHILDREN CENTER CLINIC : A low cost medical clinic which provides basic health care to the uninsured. It also coordinates school immunization programs with KCM and local hospitals/health fairs. (www.boflife.com)
CAN CARE - CANCER SUPPORT NETWORK: Information and emotional support can be a powerful tool when dealing with a cancer diagnosis. Epiphany is a member congregation of CanCare, a Houston based, interfaith cancer support network. CanCare trains cancer survivors and family members to provide one-on-one, long-term emotional support to those experiencing cancer. For more information about CanCare’s free support services, call CanCare at (713) 461-0028 or visit www.cancare.org.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES AIDS MINISTRY (713-874-6624): A program of the Community Outreach Division of Catholic Charities, this ministry was founded to affirm a compassionate response to persons with HIV and AIDS, their families and loved ones. (www.catholiccharities.org)
CHRIST CLINIC (281-391-0190): A charity clinic sponsored by Memorial Lutheran Church in Katy which provides healthcare to the uninsured.
CHRISTUS ST. CATHERINE HOSPITAL (281-599-5700): Whether working directly with patients and families, or in administrative areas, CHRISTUS St. Catherine Hospital needs your help. Volunteers represent a diverse selection of the community, including retirees, professionals, homemakers and youth. (www.christusstcatherine.org)
HOME DELIVERED MEALS (281-733-2037): Organized through the Society of St. Stephen at First United Methodist Church in Katy, volunteers deliver hot meals 5 days per week to the elderly, physically disabled, or those in our community who are unable to cook for themselves.
INTERFAITH CARE PARTNERS (713-682-5995): This organization provides training and support for our Second Family Care Team and The Gathering Place Ministry. A coordinator assists the Second Family Care Team and The Gathering Place Ministry in its organization, specialized training and resources. (www.interfaithcarepartners.org)
KATY CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES (281-391-5261): KCM is a coalition of thirty-three area churches, including Epiphany, which provides social services in the Katy Independent School District area. It operates two Resale Stores, a Domestic Abuse Center, GED/ESL programs, a Social Services office, and a Food Pantry. As a covenant member, Epiphany directly supports KCM’s efforts through monthly tithing, Food Drives, School Supplies Drives, Christmas gifts programs, and KCM fundraising events. (www.ktcm.org)
PREGNANCY HELP CENTER (281-578-0078): This non-profit organization provides support, counseling by trained laypersons, information, referrals for community services and maternal/infant goods, if necessary, to those experiencing an unexpected pregnancy or recovering from an abortion. Epiphany directly supports their efforts through monthly tithing, the annual Walk for Life, and by promoting their fund raising efforts. (www.phckaty.org)
“The center of the Church's social teaching is the life, dignity, and rights of the human person. We are called in a special way to serve the poor and vulnerable; to build bridges of solidarity among peoples of differing races and nations, language and ability, gender and culture. Family life and work have special places in Catholic social teaching; the rights of the unborn, families, workers, immigrants, and the poor deserve special protection. Our tradition also calls us to show our respect for the Creator by our care for creation and our commitment to work for environmental justice. This vital tradition is an essential resource for parish life. It offers a framework and direction for our social ministry, calling us to concrete works of charity, justice, and peacemaking.”
U.S. Catholic Bishops, Communities of Salt and Light. |
Catholic Social Teaching/Social Justice Websites
Office for Social Justice – Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis - Comprehensive treatment of Catholic Social Teaching including church documents, reading list, Q&As, teaching tools, explanation of social justice issues and legislative advocacy, links to other CST resources. Excellent website! http://www.osjspm.org/catholic_social_teaching.aspx
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops – Office of Social Development and World Peace - Extensive information on broad range of specific social justice issues and Catholic Social Teaching. http://www.usccb.org [Click on Social Justice Issues on left side of page]
Catholic Charities – Parish Social Ministry Certificate Program - Series of courses designed to provide parish-based social ministers with the knowledge and skills required to identify and respond to the needs of their communities. Includes the theology of social ministry, understanding the modern family, counseling and case management, organizing and administering pastoral programs, multicultural ministries, and community organizing. Open to all qualified and interested people; you need not be Catholic to attend. http://www.catholiccharities.org/ccabout.html
NETWORK A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby - A Catholic leader in the global movement for justice and peace—educates, organizes and lobbies for economic and social transformation. Congressional locator by zip code; voting records of elected officials; analysis of issues as to whether they comport with Catholic Social Teaching or not; educational resources. http://www.networklobby.org/
Center of Concern - Analyzes global issues and social structures – hunger, poverty, environmental decline, injustice etc. - from an ethical perspective based on Catholic Social Teaching. Develops strategies and projects that promote the good of the entire global community and the integrity of every individual. Goal is to provide individuals and organizations with basic tools to address these universal questions: What are the root causes of human suffering in the world today? How can we change the system to increase social justice and offer hope? http://www.coc.org/
Catholic Relief Services - Official Catholic international relief organization. Education, advocacy, and great projects for parishes to remove causes of poverty and promote social justice. Has an online “Project Catalog”. Fair Trade and Work of Human Hands programs would be great projects for parish groups. http://www.crs.org/ http://www.crs.org/get_involved/at_church/index.cfm
Co-op America’s Responsible Shopper - Provides information on hundreds of companies regarding issues such as Sweatshops, Pollution, Ethics, Discrimination etc. Can search their database by company name, brand, or type of product. http://www.responsibleshopper.org/
Co-op America - The stated mission of Coop America is to harness economic power – the strength of consumers, investors, and businesses – to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society. http://www.coopamerica.org
The following lists are updated frequently. Please contact the parish office at (281) 578-0707 or the Outreach office at outreach@epiphanycatholic.org to obtain a current list.
Counselors
Divorce Support Groups
Donations – Locations to Drop Off or Arrange Pick-Up
Employment
Health and Medicine Resources
Senior Housing
Worker List – persons seeking work as an adult sitter, housecleaner, or yard worker |
