Scott was received into the Catholic Church at this year's Easter Vigil, through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist This is the witness he gave to the community the following week.

My journey of faith has taken different paths throughout my life with a few detours along the way. I have always believed and have tried to live a good life, but something always seemed to be missing. Through the RCIA process, I have discovered that what was missing was a deeper understanding and a true commitment to faith --- that it is much more than just believing in God. I was first introduced to the Catholic church many years ago and always felt more comfortable and more at peace with the Catholic tradition than with any other faith tradition to which I had been exposed. I had been interested in becoming Catholic for a long time, but for whatever reason just had not taken that step.

My son, Alexander, was baptized here at Epiphany by Father Randy shortly after his arrival as pastor. I believe that the joy and excitement I experienced though his baptism was the spark I needed to make that commitment myself. I remember meeting Sister Mary for the first time and discussing my intentions and the calling I felt to begin RCIA. I was a little apprehensive as our weekly meetings began, as I am typically a very quiet, introverted person and the idea of opening up and sharing with a group was a little outside my comfort zone. However, I found a group of people with whom I was quickly comfortable and who I have come to call friends.

Faith-filled Dissent:
A Place at the Table

Recommended Reading

Collected by the Epiphany Women’s Concerns Committee

• Ken Trainor in US Catholic on the prophetic voice of the lowerarchy Blog posting
• Richard McClory: “Catholic Dissent: When wrong turns out to be right” How dissenters from Galileo to John Courtney Murray have helped the Church to see more clearly. US Catholic 1999
• Richard McClory: Faithful Dissenters: Stories of Men and Women Who Loved and Changed the Church

My Mission – In My Own Words by Kathy Thistleton

Honduras Mission trip? Me? Should I do this? I was 64 then. Why not? My friends think I’m nuts? My family
thinks it’s cool. It’s too dangerous?

 Sitting in church about three years ago I overheard a conversation about an upcoming mission trip to Honduras? Where was Honduras? The person who was talking about the trip was telling another person how much she would like to go, but giving a number of reasons for not being able to make the trip. Uh oh!, the first seed was planted. I scooted over next to my husband and I remember telling him, “you know, I always thought about going to some far off place to help people but never took myself up on it. Maybe I should inquire about this Honduras trip"? My husband was immediately supportive and said, well why don’t you just do it?

That being said, I attended a trip planning meeting a few weeks later. I got all excited about all of the stuff that I could participate in to help “fix” the problems of the Hondurans. Needless to say, I got the wind knocked out of my sails early on after Sr. Larraine gave us a book to read, “The Great Omission” by Steve Saint. Basically, it was how to do missions the right way, not the North American way. Wow, the book was powerful and spot on. Fact number one, I wasn’t going to “fix” anything. My purpose was “ to be in relationship with”, connecting, becoming one with the people.” I really didn’t understand that yet, but I do now.

Free Webinar -- 7 Keys to Spiritual Wellness

What: A webinar by catechist and author Joe Paprocki, D.Min. (Sponsored by Loyola Press)
When: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 -- 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. (EDT)

The “7 Keys to Spiritual Wellness” is a webinar based on Paprocki's new book. Participants will explore key ways in which we can be renewed by God's grace.

The Beloved Community and the Spiritual Challenge of Faith-filled Dissent

L Lauter OSU

As we journey from Easter to Pentecost with the first Christians, we are drawn by our Scripture readings at Eucharist to reflect on the lived experience of the early Church, but not as historical exercise. Rather, we look to the first Beloved Community of disciples of Jesus, to gain insight into what it means to be the Beloved Community of Epiphany. What does our Teacher really ask of us? What is implied in all his words that are addressed directly to his first disciples, especially in his last conversation with them? (See Jesus’ last discourse, Gospel of John.) Perhaps these words are somehow directly related to the meaning of his Eucharistic action--saying, in effect, “this sharing of bread and cup is deeply connected to your love for one another, everything I am and everything I announce for this world depends on your love for one another.” He gives “a new commandment--you must love one another.” This is the highpoint of Jesus’ teaching, the final launch stage of his movement to redeem and restore “the world” to the original form of creation that God intended.

Mary Lorraine Zavist, 88, passed away Sunday, March 25, 2012. She was born in Chicago, IL, and was a daughter of the late James Harold and Mary Smith Martin. She had resided in Erwin, TN, for the last 3 1/2 years at the home of her daughter, Mary Moughon.

Mrs. Zavist lived a full life raising four children. She served her country as a postal clerk in the U.S. Navy during World War II, graduated from Chicago Teacher's College and then taught as an elementary school teacher in Schenectady, NY, before moving to Louisville, KY. She most recently volunteered as a docent at the J. B. Speed Art Museum in Louisville. Mrs. Zavist was a member of the Church of the Epiphany, Louisville, KY. She transferred her membership to St. Mary's Catholic Church, Johnson City, TN and then attended the Catholic Community of Unicoi County.

YOU CAN BE A PART OF OUR PARISH EASTER GARDEN

If you've been to Epiphany during the Easter season, you've seen the beautiful garden that community members create and maintain in the altar area. We rely on the generosity of the community for our Easter Garden. Please bring plants for our garden by Friday evening or very early Holy Saturday morning, during the week any time during the Easter season (Apr 8 - May 25). Remember that larger, shade-loving plants have a better chance to thrive. For suggestions and photos of particular plants that do well, please click here. Consider “loaning” a potted plant that you can later place in your own garden – just make sure your name is on the pot so you can claim it.