stoccc gazette 0125

january 2025 GAZETTE

3803 Haines Road North, St. Petersburg, Florida

MONTH HIGHLIGHTS: 1 New Year’s Day 20 Martin Luther King Jr. Day

WWW.STOCCC.ORG

LIVE MASS LIVE STREAMING EVERY SUNDAY 10:30 AM

CHURCH CALENDAR Stations of the Cross video is found on the website at: www.stoccc.org

• January 1, Wednesday, New Year’s Day • January 5, Sunday, 9:45 am, First Sunday of the Additional Liturgical Dates for January 1 Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God 2 Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church 4 Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious 5 The Epiphany of the Lord 12 The Baptism of the Lord 17 Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbot 19 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 21 Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr 22 Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children 24 Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church 25 Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle 26 Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 28 Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church 31 Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest

For Readings Visit: https://bible.usccb.org/

Month Rosary Prayer • January 5, Sunday, 10:30 am, The Epiphany of the Lord LIVE STREAM AND MASS • January 5, Sunday, After Mass, Parking Lot Gang

Sorting Party • January 8, Wednesday, 9:00 am, Morning Mass on Saint Teresa of Calcutta Facebook • January 11, Saturday, 8:00 am, PARKING LOT

GANG POPUP • January 12, Sunday, 10:30 am, The Baptism of the Lord LIVE STREAM AND MASS • January 12, Sunday, H.O.M. MEETING AFTER MASS • January 15, Wednesday, 9:00 am, Morning Mass on Saint Teresa of Calcutta Facebook • January 19, Sunday, 10:30 am, Second Sunday in Ordinary Time LIVE STREAM AND MASS • January 22, Wednesday, 9:00 am, Morning Mass on Saint Teresa of Calcutta Facebook • January 26, Sunday, 10:30 am, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time LIVE STREAM AND MASS • January 29, Wednesday, 9:00 am, Morning Mass on Saint Teresa of Calcutta Facebook

FELLOWSHIP AFTER MASS:

We are back up with refreshments in the Teresa Room following Mass.

Coffee and water, cookies or pastries. There is a sign-up sheet on the wall in the Teresa Room just over the fellowship table.

Please write your name on the Sunday for which you want to bring goodies; the church provides drinks.

If you have any questions, please contact Cindy Giddens.

HAPPENINGS FRIDAY

BIRTHDAYS Maria Pia O. Habito 16 Jan

Upcoming Birthday and anniversaries for the month

ANNIVERSARY

UP CO MI NG BIR TH DA Y AN D

What makes St Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Community different?

Unique? What are our distinctives? From the outside, many of our modern churches don’t look too different than the nightclub down the street. What sets us apart?

It can’t be our musical quality. The world has plenty of that.

It can’t be our production. The world has plenty of that.

It can’t be how much fun we have. The world has more than enough of that.

That’s not to say quality, production, and fun is wrong or unimportant. But it’s not enough to justify church. If all we’re doing is entertaining people with amazing music, flashy production, and good times, we’re not fulfilling our mission as the church. That’s the hard truth.

The argument has been made that the church should be the most creative place on the planet. On one hand, I agree with this. We as Christians should have a massive imagination because of the God we serve. He is beyond glorious. But at the same time it’s not enough.

Is there a way to combine crazy creativity and yet still maintain who we are as the gathered church? An important question to answer.

I was recently having a conversation with someone (he shall remain nameless) about using secular songs in church. The church he was talking about literally used a secular song in worship. I know of plenty others that do so as an opener or means of illustrating the message. I don’t have a problem with this, per se, but think we need to be careful.

It begs for a deeper question: Why do we do church? We don’t need a lower quality version of what the world offers.

Sinners who are coming to church aren’t coming because of the cool music, production, or to hear music they hear on the radio. They were either dragged to church by a family member or they are in desperate need of change. They have a vague sense that they “need God” in their lives.

5 Distinctives of the Gathered Church So who are we? What makes us different? Why would people want to come to your church?

1. The Gospel – The Gospel isn’t something you hear once and move on to “greater things”. The Gospel should be the center of every gathering and the centerpiece of our every day. We are prone to wander, prone to forget. We need to be reminded continually that Jesus came, Jesus died, and Jesus rose again. This is what defines us as the people of God. This is the good news that never grows old. If it ever feels like old news, it’s not the Gospel’s fault. It’s our own hearts.

2. The Holy Spirit – What happens when the people of God come together? The Holy Spirit is there. The Holy Spirit is moving, awakening, drawing hearts. He’s healing, speaking, working wonders. This is what sets our gatherings apart. We aren’t just gathering to remember but to experience a fresh outpouring of God’s love and grace through power of the Holy Spirit. Worship Leaders, this is the biggest game changer for you. Stop taking yourself so seriously and get to know the Holy Spirit more.

3. Communion – There’s something about the habit of gathering around the cross and partaking of the Lord’s Supper together as the body of Christ. It may be the most powerful habit in the life of a Christian. This is a distinctive of our gatherings – we’re remembering our true Catholic identity. We’re remembering that apart from the cross we have no hope.

4. Participation – What sets our church service apart from concerts is that everyone has a responsibility. Sure, at a rock show people sing and go crazy, but it’s not their responsibility to. As the church, we are all called to bring something. It’s not simply a place to watch the professionals do their thing and be inspired.

Let’s go a little deeper. Where else in the world do people gather for the purpose of singing together? The church is a gathering of people from all walks of life who come together to sing. We gather to participate.

5. Mission – It’s not our calling to simply have great meetings or to love the message. Or to love the worship. The church gathers so that we can be reminded of our mission. We are called to be sent. We can’t just appreciate the Gospel, we need to share it. If our gatherings lose this sense of mission and “going”, we’ve missed the point.

What would you add to this list? What makes us unique and how do we hit that target each week in our services? This year we will begin to define and then begin to evangelize to our community……

St Teresa pray for us. Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, pray for us.

Fr. Victor Ray, FCM

17 Annual th

Homeless Memorial Service

91 Names On The List. But Not Zane.

The 17th Annual Homeless Memorial Service was held 12/20/24, on the longest Friday Night of the year.

It was a beautiful highlighted by speeches and dignitaries, including Mayor Ken Welch and Good Trouble, Himself, Reverend Andy Oliver. Several spoke of the need for change, the bagpipes played Amazing Grace, and The 91 names of the dead were read.

On the way out of the church, a lady called into the crowd. She was there for the meal; she had not attended the service. “I need the names! Who has the list? I need to see THE LIST!” I had a copy of the names, so I walked over to speak with her. Her name was Colleen. As I pulled the program out of my pocket, she explained that her friend Zane has been missing for 6 months now, and she had to see if he was dead and on the list. After Colleen read the list, finally satisfied that Zane’s name was not on it, she hugged the paper to her chest and started to sob.

Love Shelli Muncy

A video of the complete service is here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7TieCNcqNg

2024 Homeless Memorial + Gone Home to God! Adams, Christopher William Alves, Ronald Alwawi, Kimberlee Benitez, Ileana Jennie Bittinger, Randall Blakemore, Randall Bourbeau, Greg Bowes, Mark Boyer, Jon Broomes, Jonathan Brown, Alfred Burgos, Tommy Burton, Jimmie Campbell, Daniel Cardozo Lozano, Danny Casano, Annette Cervi, Justin Clough, Brian Coker, Troy Alan Cox, Jeffrey Scott Crawley, James Crosta, Robert Davis, Debra De Arce-Reyes, Jesus Dobbins, Joshua Aarron Doster, Douglas D Dowd, Maxim Duffey, Jr. Donald B Flynn, Andrew Fowler, Jeremy Gallagher, Howard Garcia, Silverio Gay, John Henry Giles, Dana Glover, Anthony Graham, Eddie Gummow, Charles Hancock, Lakayla Haney, Robert Hannah-Haas, Marilyn Hannan, Romeral Harr, Winston Hartley, Bret Hatton, Brian Hennosy, Rachael Herman, George

St Teresa pray for us.

Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, pray for us.

Houston, Jeffrey Bernard Hunter, Mark Wayne Huynh, Sanh Kanwischer, Melissa Kloer, John Krasnichan, Joseph Kummer, Andrew Larimore, Robert Laslo, Louis Laws, John Lazio, Thomas Joseph Martin, Rodney Dale McLoughlin, Shawn Mooney, Dustin Mullahey, Joseph Nelsen, Maria O'Callaghan, Thomas Ooten, Angela Palmer, Tiffany Pellino, Thomas Peterson, Charles Pham, Quang The Phelps, Andrew Phillips, Donald Radisic, Zoran Ramnarace, Stephen Raymond, Christine Reiner, Jason Robertson, Francine Robinson, Marvin Shipman, Robert Snyder, Rodney Joseph Starks, Jesse Taylor, David Thomas, Nicholas Keith Touchton, Daniel Velasquez, Andrew Vereb, Dennis Wacker, Amber Watson, III David Woodward Waybright, Richard Westervelt, Marilynne Williams, Leo Terry Wishard, Anthony Wooldridge, Holly

New Year’s DaY In the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Day is the first day of the calendar year, 1 January. Most solar calendars (like the Gregorian and Julian) begin the year regularly at or near the northern winter solstice, while cultures and religions that observe a lunisolar or lunar calendar celebrate their Lunar New Year at less fixed points relative to the solar year.

In pre-Christian Rome under the Julian calendar, the day was dedicated to Janus, god of gateways and beginnings, for whom January is also named.

From Roman times until the middle of the 18th century, the new year was celebrated at various stages and in various parts of Christian Europe on 25 December, on 1 March, on 25 March and on the movable feast of Easter.

In the present day, with most countries now using the Gregorian calendar as their civil calendar, 1 January according to Gregorian calendar is among the most celebrated of public holidays in the world, often observed with fireworks at the stroke of midnight following New Year's Eve as the new year starts in each time zone. Other global New Year's Day traditions include making New Year's resolutions and calling one's friends and family.

The 2025 Jubilee Prayer: May Your Grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.

May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when, with the powers of evil vanquished, Your Glory will shine, eternally.

Amen.

The Pope's Monthly Intentions for 2025 January For the right to an education Let us pray for migrants, refugees, and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected.

Amen

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CHECK IT OUT, I AM CONSTANTLY ADDING NEW MATERIAL!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed on the third Monday of January each year. King was chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which protested racial discrimination in federal and state law and civil society.

Significance: To mark the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which protested racial discrimination in federal and state law.

Date: Monday, January 20, 2025 Observed for: 38 years Also called: MLK Day, King Day, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Type: National day, US Federal holiday

1) Time – Live Mass, Live Stream, or Participation in events (Live or Zoom) 2) Talent – Adding Input to Gazette, Parking Lot Gang, Inspiring Others, etc.

3) Treasures – Ensuring Church Meets Its Needs. Online Giving in Website @ stoccc.org or App @ Saint Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Community

HOUSE OF MINISTRY MEETING NEXT MEETING IN JANUARY 12TH 12:15 TERESA ROOM

Purpose of this Newsletter: One format in which to “Keep the lines of Communication OPEN” and inform the congregation, friends, and guests of Saint Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Community of what is happening.

SAINT TERESA OF CALCUTTA CATHOLIC COMMUNITY STATS: PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 3803 HAINES ROAD NORTH, ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA 33703

MAILING ADDRESS: SAINT TERESA OF CALCUTTA CATHOLIC COMMUNITY

Saint Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Community Existing Ministry Teams: HOUSE OF MINISTRIES Moderator: William Schwartz Assistant Moderator: Dawn Marshall Financial: Jon Laubscher Advertising: Michelle Mazuros Analytical Ministry: Dawn Marshall Card Ministry: Paula Thomas Baker Decorations: Cindy and Dennis Giddens, Susanna Glisson Hospitality: Cindy Giddens, Susanna Glisson Liturgical: Shelli Muncy Liturgical Event Ministry: Tito (Rudy) Martinez Media: William Schwartz Outreach: Cindy Giddens Parking Lot Gang: Shelli Muncy, Frank Matzelle Social Coordinator Guide: Gary Rhodes Welcome: Susanna Glisson Immediate Needed Ministries: Records Keeper Planning Marketing Future Goals Mats Ministry

Pastor: Father Victor Ray HOUSE OF TRUSTEES

P.O. BOX 47921, ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA 33743

PHONE NUMBER IS: 727-245-0102 Line #1 is the Church Office Line #2 is Father Victor Ray Line #3 is Prayer Request Line #4 is Healing Ministry

President: William Schwartz Vice President: Available Treasurer: Jon Laubscher Legal: Catherine E. Blackburn, Esquire If anyone is interested in participating in an Existing Ministry, please contact the Ministry Leader. If anyone is interested in Leading any of the Immediate Needed Ministries, Please contact Father Victor Ray or William Schwartz.

Remember that Saint Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Community follows the principles of: TIME

TALENT

TREASURE

FACEBOOK AT FACEBOOK.COM/ST. TERESA OF CALCUTTA CATHOLIC COMMUNITY YOUTUBE AT SAINT TERESA OF CALCUTTA CATHOLIC COMMUNITY TWITTER AT STOCCC2 INSTAGRAM AT STOCCCLOVE APP AT SAINT TERESA OF CALCUTTA CATHOLIC COMMUNITY You can easily connect to all, on our Website: www.stoccc.org

Bring A Friend!

Live Mass/Live Stream Every Sunday at 10:30 am Chapel at 3803 Haines Road North St. Petersburg, FL 33703 Thank You, as always, for taking time out to read this recent STOCCC Gazette. Please “Pass It On” so that others will find out what we are all about.

This is your Gazette so if there is anything that you would like for me to put in, just let me know! Send all inquiries to: media.stoccc@gmail.com.

Until Next Time, Follow the Holy Spirit and remember what.

Saint Teresa says, “Spread Love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier”!