St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Parish

Transcription

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2 St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Parish 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville, IL (Main Office) Visit us on the internet at (Religious Education) (Facsimilie) Pastoral Staff Full Time Rev. Joel Fortier Pastor, Rev. Mark Cote Associate Pastor, Rev. Bob Colaresi, O. Carm. Weekend Assistant Rev. Charles Gemskie, in residence Rev. Mr. William Worden, D. Min. Deacon, ext. 105 Rev. Mr. Chuck Lane Deacon, ext. 220, Rev. Mr. Jim Breen Deacon, , Rev. Mr. Larry Kearney Deacon, Chari Rosales Director of Adult Education & RCIA ext. 138, Gerry Czerak Business Manager, ext. 106, Patti Dougherty Director of Religious Education, ext. 109, Julie Frazier Liturgy and Music, ext. 111, Robert Frazier Liturgy and Music, ext. 112, Ginny Lucado Director of Outreach, ext. 121, Jim Melton Director of High School Ministry, ext. 123, Jan Olah Director of Pastoral Care, ext. 124 Pauline Vandy Director of Junior High Youth Ministry, ext. 117, Pastoral Care Staff Part Time Audrey Casey, BSN, Parish Nurse volunteer, ext 104, Susan Kearney, Pastoral Care Assistant volunteer, ext. 124 Felicia Lawlor, M.S., R.N.,Parish Nurse volunteer, ext 104, Support Staff Full Time Nancy Cirmo Religious Education Assistant, ext. 118, Lori Culberson Liturgical Assistant, ext. 120, Kathy Ferguson - Receptionist, ext. 100, mainoffice@stapostle.org Diane McQueen Parish Assistant, ext. 101, dmcqueen@stapostle.org Anne Schultz Outreach & Adult Faith Formation Assistant, ext. 113, aschultz@stapostle.org Angela Tuttle Liturgy Assistant & Communications Coordinator, ext. 110, atuttle@stapostle.org Support Staff Part Time Pat Berkhout Evening/Saturday Receptionist, ext. 119, nitecrew@stapostle.org Marge Coronado Evening Receptionist, ext. 119, nitecrew@stapostle.org Marilyn DeMeo Database Coordinator (T/Th), ext. 107, mdemeo@stapostle.org Jorge Gonzalez Custodian Louise Leonard - Care Pantry Coordinator, stthomascarepantry@comcast.net Sue Sportiello Accounts Payable (M/W), ext. 107, ssportiello@stapostle.org Ted McKeown - Facility Coordinator, ext. 133, facility@stapostle.org Theresa Sheliga Sacristan Coordinator, ext. 116 Lynne Vehlewald Librarian, ext. 125, library@stapostle.org Pastoral Leadership Community Bob Bohanek Ivan Deatsch Pam Foster Guy Francesconi Julee Gard Commission Facilitators Worship Parish Life Faith Formation Administration Service Stewardship Mary Johnson Rosemary Krol Carolyn Lowrie Ray Vogt Glenn Weir Gwen Wells Pam Foster Susan Cornell-Ohl Dave Otto Phil Meno Steve Obendorf Doug & Maureen Johnson Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday reconciliation is available after 8:30 a.m. Mass, 3:30 to 4:15 p.m., or after the 4:30 p.m. Mass in the Reconciliation Room of the Chapel. Fr. Joel and Fr. Mark are available during the week by appointment. Communal Penance services are held occasionally throughout the year. Sick and Home Bound Call the Church Office to receive prayer and Eucharist from one of the priests or deacons or a Minister of Care. Baptism Baptisms are usually celebrated two Sundays each month at a 1:45 p.m. service. On selected dates, Baptisms are celebrated at weekend Masses. Parents are required to attend a two-part awareness and renewal program prior to the Baptism. Call the Church Office a few months in advance to make arrangements. Matrimony A couple planning on being married at St. Thomas should contact the church six months in advance. One year is preferred. Either the bride or groom, or their parents, must be a registered parishioner for at least three months prior to calling to set a date. Religious Education Call the to register. RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) Any person wanting to learn more about the Catholic Faith, or to join our Catholic community should call the church at Counseling Service Call Samarian Interfaith or Jan Olah, Pastoral Care x 124. Sunday Nursery Nursery care is available for your child age one (must be walking) to four at the 9 & 10:45 a.m. Mass. For more information call the church office. Liturgy Schedule Daily (Monday Friday) Rosary 8:10 a.m. Mass 6:30 & 8:30 a.m. (Saturday) Mass 8:30 a.m. Weekend Saturday Vigil 4:30 p.m. Sunday 7:30, 9:00, 10:45 a.m., & 12:15 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Liturgy at All Saints Academy Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every first Friday of the month 9 a.m. Noon.

3 Dear Friends, The wonderful gift of life! That s what it s all about. It is a gift sometimes we just have to step back to appreciate it. That precious gift of life and its meaning is summed up in today s gospel. The whole meaning of Jesus life, death, and resurrection and ours is summed up with the simplest example of a grain of wheat, which any person of the earth can understand. Jesus tells us that if you put a grain of wheat in a mason jar on a shelf somewhere, it stays just a grain of wheat, but if you plant it into the earth, where it mingles with the elements, disintegrates and dies, then it produces much fruit. Jesus uses that as the Are you willing to leap with me into the arms of love? metaphor of his own life and ours. People, like Jesus, who live for others, ( where I am there will my servant be... ), who mingle with the elements, investing themselves in life and love with, and for, others not trying to save themselves in a mason jar on a shelf somewhere but sharing themselves, will find and preserve their lives to eternal life. It is the process of dying and rising, of coming to life, that we are all called to share and invest ourselves in. The person who serves me, Jesus says, the Father will honor. God honored the sacrifice of Jesus and raised him up, and God will honor and be glorified in that same investment of our own lives by raising us up as well. Through death comes life! It is the core truth of our faith. It is part of the wonderful gift of life. It is the way to life, it is the way of Jesus, it is the way of the cross. Jesus didn t try to save himself, and he tells us to take the same leap of faith he did and we will find eternal life. That is an exciting offer and the possibilities are astounding. Dare I believe it with Jesus, he s gone before me, so why not? What should I say, Father save me from this hour?, but it was for this that I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name! Then a voice came and said, I have glorified it, and will glorify it again! Wow, what lies ahead for me. Are you willing to leap with me into the arms of love, even though you can t see or feel them right now? It is the leap of faith we are asked to make, not only for this Lent, but of our lives. Our whole life depends on it. A grain of wheat...where and what do you want to be, in a mason jar on a shelf somewhere, or a whole new creation bearing the fruit of the Spirit? Fifth Sunday of Lent April 2, 2006 I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Jeremiah 31:33 Leaping in and loving life with you, P.S. Please see the article on page seven of today s bulletin for information about Pastoral Position openings. Thank you for your prayer for wisdom as we fill these two positions, as well as for Pauline and Ginny as they prepare to end their formal ministries at St. Thomas

4 Worship Commission John Angotti at Triduum Liturgies John Angotti, singer, pianist and composer of contemporary religious music will be with us at all of our Triduum liturgies. He will join our music ministry at the Holy Thursday evening Mass, both Good Friday services, the Easter Vigil, and the 9:00, 10:45 and 12:15 Easter Sunday Masses in the Church. Many of his songs will be used at our liturgies including several new, and still unpublished works. As the line in one of this songs states: Come and gather at the foot of the cross. / Come and worship Christ the Lord. Get ready to worship the Lord with full voice, heart, and spirit! Pilgrims, Palms, Processions Next Sunday is Palm Sunday, and we will meet outside of our normal place of worship to hear about how Jesus entered Jerusalem in triumph before his passion, death and resurrection. Then we will bless palm branchesbranches carried by us as pilgrims. And like the children of Jerusalem we will walk and sing in procession. The gospel that we have been listening to all year long now has been leading us to this journey to Jerusalem, this procession to the supper table, the cross and the tomb. When we accept the palm branches next week, we promise to live as pilgrims, to move through this life with and to Jesus. Like the Israelites in the desert, we are only passing through. Like Christ himself, we go about carrying good news, even when we walk the way of tears. Come prepared next week to walk and sing together as fellow travelers. We will walk behind our cross to our holy tablejerusalem, in our own neighborhood. And this procession will be practice for an even more awesome journey that we will make in two weeksthe Easter Vigils procession to the font of baptismthat place where we die to sin and rise in love to life everlasting. Copyright 2001 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago IL ; ; Text by David Philippart. Art by Steve Erspamer, SM. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Weather permitting, we will begin the Palm Sunday 4:30 and 12:15 liturgies just outside the Narthex on the landing for the blessing of the palms. Then we will process into the Church. April 2, 2006 Page 4 Holy Week Schedule See the Lent bulletin (extra copies are available in the Narthex), the flyers posted around the Church, or the web site ( for the Holy Week schedule. In addition to all of the Holy Mass times, the web site also lists the scheduled Priests and musicians for each Triduum liturgy. Welcome Card The Worship Commission has developed a welcome card for anyone to leave a comment or question. They will be available on the wire racks at the entry ways and the wall rack just outside the Main Office. Any question, request or comment left in the box by the office will receive follow up. New Art in Lighthouse This is a picture of an original sculpture that was recently donated to St. Thomas by Dick and Judy Marshall. It has been placed in our Lighthouse Room. The title of this piece is Holy Family. A relief depicting Jesus, Mary and Joseph is visible in the upper panel. The artist is Brother Mel Meyer, S.M. from St. Louis. He is a well known artist who has been creating mostly sacred art in a variety of media for over 35 years. We are most grateful to Dick and Judy for this generous gift which further enhances our Church complex as a beautiful and holy place. Stop by the Lighthouse when you have a chance to see this wonderful new addition.

5 Pray For Our Parish Fifth Sunday of Lent Year B Readings Deep within our hearts, O God, you have written your law, and high upon the cross you have lifted up our salvation, the Savior made perfect in suffering. From the death of that single grain sown in the weary earth, bring forth in this lenten springtime a rich harvest of life. As the hour of his passion draws near, glorify your name, and in our baptismal renewal, let it be glorified again. We ask this through Christ, the pioneer and perfector of our faith, the Lord who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Fifth Sunday of Lent Year A Readings (3rd Scrutiny) O God of eternal life, whose glory is the human person fully alive, in the tears that Jesus shed for Lazarus his friend we see the living incarnation of your tenderness and compassion. Graciously behold the distress of your church, which mourns and prays as a mother for her children whose sins have brought them death. By the power of your Spirit, call them back to life, unbind them and let them go free. Mass Intentions Friday, April 7 8:30 Florence Worden, by Family Sunday, April 9 7:30 John Easton, by Audrey Easton Thomas Troy 9:00 Richard McCarthy, by MaryLou Pierson Jean Mullen, by St. Thomas Staff 10:45 For the People of St. Thomas 12:15 Raymond Meyer, by The Soria Family Today s Readings First Reading I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts. (Jeremiah 31:31-34). Psalm Create a clean heart in me, O God (Psalm 51). Second Reading Christ became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him (Hebrews 5:7-9). Gospel Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be (John 12:20-33). Readings for the Week Monday: Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, [41c-62]; Jn 8:1-11 Tuesday: Nm 21:4-9; Jn 8:21-30 Wednesday: Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Jn 8:31-42 Thursday: Gn 17:3-9; Jn 8:51-59 Friday: Jer 20:10-13; Jn 10:31-42 Saturday: Ez 37:21-28; Jn 11:45-56 Sunday: Mk 11:1-10 or Jn 12:12-16 (procession); Is 50:4-7; Ps 22; Phil 2:6-11; Mk 14:1 15:47 [15:1-39] We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen From Prayers for Sundays and Seasons, Page 5 April 2, 2006

6 Faith and Spiritual Formation Commission Soul Searchers Karl Rahner, 20 th century Jesuit priest and theologian has been called a mystic of everyday life. Rahner wrote that, a Christian today means to adore God, to love him, to entrust oneself to God s incomprehensibility. Refocus your spiritual life with a group discussion centered on The Great Church Year by Rahner, a collection of homilies, sermons and meditations. This month s reading is #54-60 (pp ). The book may be ordered at Borders or Wheaton Religious Bookstore. Handouts are available in the pick-up drawer under S. Group leaders are Deacon Will and Mary Maloney. The next meeting of Soul Searchers will be Saturday, April 8 from 9:15 to10:30 a.m. in the Rectory Basement. All are welcome to attend. C.A.R.E. CORNER Baptism is one of the three sacraments that we refer to as Sacraments of Initiation. The other two are Confirmation and Eucharist. Each of these three sacraments introduces us to fuller membership into the church and Christian life. It is baptism through which we become a member of the church the body of Christ. As we enter into our Christian community, we are given companions for the journey. Our parents and extended family members help introduce us to the ways of Christ. Our parents choose Godparents to journey that faith walk with us. And the entire church community welcomes us with great joy and willingness to witness to us and guide our path. At the very end of Matthew s Gospel (Chapter 28, verse 19), Jesus sets His expectation for the future of the practice of baptism and it s relationship to the church community. Jesus tells His disciples Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Baptism is a necessary first step toward true discipleship. Monday Evening Meditation Open your heart and unclutter your mind to lead a peace-filled life through meditation. St. Thomas has a guided meditation group that meets on Monday evenings in the chapel at St. Patrick's Residence. The group uses the book Your Mind, Your Best Friend by Sri Sri Shuddanandaa Brahmachari, "BABA," and practices pranayama (breathing) in order to lead stress-free lives and develop positive energy. All are welcome to come from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. to the chapel at St. Patrick's Residence (next door to St. Thomas.) For more information call: Joanne Wade: (parishioner) or Chari Rosales: Adult Confirmation Are you a Catholic over the age of 18 who has not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation? Come and be filled with the Holy Spirit! A six-week series of preparatory sessions will be held after the 10:45 Mass on Sundays, beginning April 23. Participants will then be confirmed at a parish liturgy on June 4, the feast of Pentecost. If you would like to take part, please call Chari Rosales in the Adult Faith Formation Office at x138. Holy Week Taizé Prayer There will be a Taizé style prayer service on Monday, April 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lighthouse. The prayer will also include the symbolic handing on of the Lord s Prayer to the Elect who will be fully initiated at the Easter Vigil. Come join in this hour of meditative prayer. It will help you to begin Holy Week in a prayerful, reflective, and peaceful way. Enrich Your Lenten Journey The St. Elizabeth Seton Pope John Paul II Adoration Chapel is open 24/7. Drop for a visit whenever you can. The chapel is located on the southwest corner of the church property at 87 th Street and Lisson Road. For more information or to sign up for your very own hour with Jesus, chapel@sesnaperville.org April 2, 2006 Page 6

7 St. Thomas the Apostle Celebration of the Arts Presents SAINT PETER AND THE VATICAN Saturday, April 8 8:30 a.m. 5 p.m. (approx time) Tour Escort: Jeff Mishur of Art Excursions Inc. Explore the Vatican's extraordinary collections of art and historical objects, many never publicly displayed. Trace 2,000 years of church leadership from Saint Peter to Pope Benedict XVI. The exhibition brings together more than 300 works of art from the permanent collections of the Vatican museums. Historic sculptures, paintings and other objects tell the story of the 265 popes who have headed the Roman Catholic Church, impacted world history and influenced Western civilizations. PASTORAL POSITION OPENINGS ANNOUNCED We want to announce at this time two openings in our Parish Pastoral Staff that will occur at the end of June. First, Pauline Vandy is retiring as our Junior High Religious Education Director after 15 years of wonderful service to our parish. Secondly, Ginny Lucado has decided to resign for personal reasons as Director of our Parish Outreach Services after six years of wonderful service in that office. We will have more to say in appreciation about each of them as their farewell approaches in June. They will both be greatly missed by our parish. Anyone interested in applying for either of these positions should send a letter with resume to Fr. Joel by April 17 at the parish office. Cost: $65 (Includes ticket to exhibit, transportation and a gourmet box lunch. Pick up a flyer in the Gathering Area to register! Page 7 April 2, 2006

8 Religious Education Scripture Safari Registration Registrations for Scripture Safari, the St. Thomas Vacation Bible School from June 19-23, will be available in the Gathering Area during the month of April. Spaces are limited and will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. Forms will also be available in the Religious Education Office until May 15 if there are still openings. Scripture Safari is for children entering Kindergarten through 4 th grade. Youth entering 5 th grade or older may sign up to be helpers at Scripture Safari, also on a first come, first serve basis. Contact the R.E. Office with questions, Stations of the Cross for Families Families are invited to come to church between 9:30 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 8 to walk through The Stations of the Cross. A prayer guide will be available in the Narthex for you to borrow, noting each station with a leader part, followed by a children s response. So stop by, either before or after Religious Education classes, for a 20 minute walk through the stations. Junior High Lenten Reconciliation Service On Monday, April 3, during regular Religious Education class time, all junior high youth will be celebrating a Lenten Reconciliation Prayer Service at St. Thomas Church. This prayer service has been planned in conjunction with the class discussion of Lent and the understanding of Lent as an opportunity to better our relationship with God by changing certain behaviors and reconciling ourselves with our God. At the prayer service, every youth will have the opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation with one of several priests in attendance. Parents are invited to attend the prayer service with their junior high youth and leave when their child is finished with reconciliation and private prayer time. The prayer service will begin at 7:15 p.m. Please plan on arriving at St. Thomas between 7:00 and 7:10. TREC - High School Youth Ministry I am troubled now. Yet, what should I say, Father, save me from this hour? (John 12:20-33) Life is tough sometimes, no doubt about it. Things come our way that are hard to deal with. Sometimes we just have to suck it up. Jesus gives us the ultimate example of sucking it up in today s gospel. He didn t want to go through what he did, but he did for each of us. Thinking of Jesus sucking it up helps remind me that I can get through whatever I have to. We ll talk about Jesus example tonight at Mass at 6:30 at All Saints Academy. After Mass it s Survivor Night at 7:30. Next week s Mass is Remembering the Passion-A True Love Story. After Mass there is Quest. Also, remember that APEX meets at 7:30 in the Cabin on Wednesdays. And one more, Slurpee Mission forms for our summer mission trip are out. Pick one up after Mass. If you need more information or just want to check out the best website in youth ministry, go to In our TREC highlights, the All Americans led by Ben Coulter are the 2006 TREC Hoops League Champs. First Communicants Church Visit First Communicants have a church visit scheduled on Saturday, April 22 at either 8:30 10:00 or 10:30 12:00 p.m. Students will practice their songs and receiving the Eucharist. Students will meet their catechists and aides in the church s narthex at their usual class time except for Tuesday classes which have been assigned as follows: Catechist: April 16 time: Kathy Ferguson 8:30 Sue Bennington 8:30 Tricia Serna 10:30 Missy Julifs 10:30 Julie Knox 10:30 Please note that class time runs 15 minutes longer than usual. Older First Communicants or those attending ASCA should call the Religious Education Office with desired time of visit. Questions may also be directed to the Religious Education Office at April 2, 2006 Page 8

9 Excellence Grounded in Faith New sections open! Due to the high demand for 4 th and 6 th grade, we have added another classroom in each grade. Half-day and full day kindergarten spots also available. Would your child prefer a more intimate setting for Junior High? Check us out! Tours every Thursday at 4:00 Our school features: Challenging Curriculum that Exceeds State and Diocesan Standards Integration of Catholic Doctrine, Faith Formation and Moral Development Daily Prayer, Weekly Mass, Special Liturgies Expanded School Day Special Needs and Gifted Programs Small Class Size 15 to 17 in Pre-K and K; 26 in Grades 1 through 8 Intensive World Language and Cultural Study Highly Qualified and Experienced Faculty One of the Largest Gymnasium/Worship Spaces in Diocese of Joliet 21 Acre Campus near Downtown Naperville Extensive Scholarship Program And so much more! Call (630) for more information Page 9 April 2, 2006

10 Service Commission Outreach Help Needed at Hesed House PADS HESED HOUSE PADS is in urgent need of second shift help (11p.m. to 3 a.m.) the first Thursday of each month. Three men and one woman is needed. This is not an every month commitment. Please contact Marcia Hartmann (parishioner) St. Joseph Table/Soup & Bread Night Thank you, thank you! The Outreach Ministries are extremely grateful to all the wonderful organizers and volunteers who worked so hard to put on two memorable events at St. Thomas St. Joseph Table and Soup and Bread Night! Thanks and appreciation is also extended to all parishioners who attended these Lenten gatherings and for your monetary and food donations. Our Outreach Ministries St. Vincent de Paul, Care Pantry, Transitional Housing, and PADS (Naperville and Hesed House) have been blessed by your support in prayer, presence, food and finances. Thank you especially to the St. Joseph Table Team: Nick and Anne Polizzi, Paul & Joann Guarneri, Brad Tangeman, Carol Ann Fisher, Frank Leonard, John and Eleanor McNicolas, Fr. Bob Colaresi, Larry Hjorth, Carol and Pauline Vandy, and Wayne Puccin (Amici Club Naperville Italian/ American Club) for the many hours of labor of love in planning, preparing and cooking the delicious Italian feast. All were welcomed at this table of love. The net monetary donation (after expenses) which was donated to the Outreach Ministries was $3,500! This will help many people who are in need of assistance at this time in their lives. Another special thank you to Lisa Gierczak and Dave Maloney for spearheading the Lenten Soup and Bread Night which is sponsored by our Lectors and Commentators. The delicious soups and breads which were homemade and donated by our lectors and commentators warmed the hearts and tummies of many, many people! Thank you to the musicians, Anne Schultz, Kay Agustin, Jean and Julie Gerken, for their inspirational prayer service. The food collected for our Care Pantry and the monetary donations of $862 will help with the needs of people who are served by St. Vincent de Paul at St. Thomas. Thank you everyone for supporting the Outreach Ministries. Our many clients have felt God s love through you. May you continue to be blessed by God s presence in your lives. April 2, 2006 Page 10 Easter Ham Collection Palm Sunday Weekend-April 8-9 We will be collecting hams for our Food Pantry Clients and for Marie Wilkinson s Food Pantry (in Aurora) Palm Sunday Weekend (April 8-9). There will be volunteers in front of the church to receive the ham and put it into the delivery truck. If you would like to make a monetary donation before then for us to purchase hams in advance, please feel free to drop off your monetary donation to the Outreach Office. Checks can be made payable to St. Thomas Care Pantry.please put ham drive in the memo section. The Notre Dame Club of Greater DuPage invites you to join us for No Man is an Island A presentation by Fr. Thomas G. Streit, C.S.C. Fr. Tom Streit will speak about his unique experiences as a priest and scientist ministering to the people of Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Come join us for a dynamic presentation Fr. Tom s passion for using science to benefit humanity and his love for the people of Haiti will certainly inspire you! Wednesday, April 5 All Saints Catholic Academy 1155 Aurora Avenue, Naperville McSherry Hall 7:00 p.m. About the speaker: Fr. Tom Streit, son of St. Margaret Mary parishioner Dorothy Streit, is the Director of the University of Notre Dame s Haiti Program, an internationally recognized leader in the effort to use modern science to solve Third World health problems. The Haiti Program, funded in part by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, draws upon the University's expertise in a wide range of topics, including the biology of disease transmission, small business development, water management, and neighborhood design in a hands-on approach to eradicate diseases and raise the quality of life in this deeply impoverished country. A University of Notre Dame Hesburgh Lecture Co-Sponsored by the St. Margaret Mary Parish, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, and All Saints Academy

11 Pastoral Care Parish Nurse Notes GOOD HEALTH HABITS Especially during Flu Season! Good health habits need to be learned, followed and taught. Consistent healthy habits can protect everyone from contact with germs at home, work, church, or school. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too. Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes when in group contact or when in contact with sick people. If possible, stay home from work, school, church, and errands when you are sick. You will help protect others from catching your illness. Cover your mouth and nose with tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands. Always dispose of used tissue. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based gel (like Purell) to clean hands. CLEAN HANDS SAVES LIVES! When washing hands with soap and water: wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap; rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces; continue rubbing hands together for 20 seconds (imagine singing happy birthday twice); rinse hands well under running water; dry your hands using a paper towel; use the towel to turn off the faucet and open the door; dispose of the paper towel. When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer: apply the product to the palm of one hand; rub hands together; rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry. SPECIAL HANDWSHING TIMES: before preparing or eating food after going to the bathroom after changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom before and after tending to someone who is sick after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing after handling an animal or animal waste after handling garbage before and after treating a cut for wound. Day of Renewal Mark your calendars! Attention: all Pastoral Care; Outreach and Social Justice Ministries... Our day of Renewal is scheduled for Saturday, April 29. Come join us for a fulfilling day! Breakfast at 9:00 a.m. followed by spiritual nourishment. Jill Bates, D. Min. will be the presenter of the day. Father Joel will celebrate Mass at 11:45 am. Any questions, contact Diane in the Parish Office, or Ginny Lucado, Outreach Office, or Jan Olah, Pastoral Care Office In the hospital? Call the parish office and one of our parish nurses or ministers of care will visit, bring Eucharist or assist you with your needs! Reference: Center for Disease Control and Prevention- Health and Safety Topics Page 11 April 2, 2006

12 Stewardship Commission Baptism is one of the three sacraments that we refer to as Sacraments of Initiation. The other two are Confirmation and Eucharist. Each of these three sacraments introduces us to fuller membership into the church and Christian life. It is baptism through which we become a member of the church the body of Christ. As we enter into our Christian community, we are given companions for the journey. Our parents and extended family members help introduce us to the ways of Christ. Our parents choose Godparents to journey that faith walk with us. And the entire church community welcomes us with great joy and willingness to witness to us and guide our path. At the very end of Matthew s Gospel (Chapter 28, verse 19), Jesus sets His expectation for the future of the practice of baptism and it s relationship to the church community. Jesus tells His disciples Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Baptism is a necessary first step toward true discipleship. Used by permission of St. Anthony Messenger Press Stewardship A Way of Life Last Weekend s stewardship of financial gifts... Weekly Sunday Offertory (week 39) Envelopes 18,537 Loose 3,606 Automatic Direct Debit Mailed in & stock donations Total for week *Based on Collection Counters Reports Fiscal Year (7/1 to 6/30) to date: Weekly Average 7/1/05 to date: % of Annual Sunday Offertory Goal Sunday Offertory Goal for YTD Goal for Fiscal Year 7/1 to 6/30 $22,143 $11,108 $3,121 $36,372 $1,290,789 $33,097 73% $1,326,000 $1,768,000 All Are Welcome Advisory Committee: Designated Seating in the Sanctuary The spaces with the handicap logo on the floor in the main church are designated for individuals who use wheel chairs. These spaces are not intended to be occupied by the chairs with armrests but left open for wheelchairs. The adjacent seats with the logo sticker on the back are intended for the partner of the person in the wheelchair. Please leave these locations available if you do not have a disability. The chairs with armrests have been strategically located throughout the church for people with physical challenges who need help of the armrests. Please, these chairs should not be moved from their assigned locations. Each person is created in God s image, yet there are variations in individual abilities. Positive recognition of these differences discourages discrimination and enhances the unity within the Body of Christ. Welcome and Justice for Persons with Disabilities #2 April 2, 2006 Page 12

13 Parish Life Commission If you are 50 or over, you are cordially invited to join our group. We always welcome fresh ideas and new friends. Couples and singles are welcome. Upcoming meetings and activities include: Wed, Apr 5, 1 p.m., Lunch at House of Emperor (75 th and Naper Blvd.). Call Ann by Monday, April 3 if you plan to attend. Wed, Apr 19, 7 p.m., Monthly Meeting in the Lighthouse. Topic: How to Avoid Identity Theft. Sun, Apr 23, 7:30 a.m. Mass for Deceased Members There s no better time than NOW to join 50 and Holding. If interested, call Bill Huff (parishioner). Hope to see you! Current Young Adult Ministry We re looking to expand our Leadership Team! If you are interested in becoming a core member of the largest young adult ministry in the Joliet Diocese, contact Jim Melton at X123. Our next event is the ever popular Happy Hour on April 7 th at George s Bar and Grill. Contact Kris at for more details. If you want information on this or any of the other things going on in Current, check out or call Jim at X123 and he d love to send you a brochure. Did You Know? The purpose of Catholic Daughters organization is to participate in the religious, charitable and educational apostolate of the Church. We invite all Catholic women to join us at our "Cook's Luncheon Out" which will be our April meeting and membership drive. This will give all an opportunity to meet members, ask questions, and see how we can help each other and support the Church. We will meet at Wilma's Cafe 1224 West Ogden Avenue, Naperville, Illinois on Thursday April 20,at 11 a.m. For more information please call Mary Jane Springborn at or Posey Young at Mark your calendars! Mass celebrated for CDA living members: April 23,2006, 10:30 a.m. At St. Patrick's Residence, 1400 Brookdale Road, Naperville, Illinois. See you there! S.A.M. - Single Adult Ministry is a community for all Christian single adults 45 and over. The ministry promotes balance in single life through spiritual, service and social functions. It offers singles an opportunity to celebrate life. Fri, Apr 28, 6 p.m. Get together for dinner at the Grand Mandarin, 3099 Ogden, Lisle. Call Jack Sun, May 7, 3 p.m. Chinese acrobats at the Paramount in Aurora. Tickets $25. Call Betty Mon, May 29, 3 p.m., Memorial Day picnic at Betty Kost s. Our group will join with the Community Singles. Call Betty Lenten Fish Frys March 24, Satisfied Frog; 29W012 Butterfield Rd., Warrenville; Call Jo March 31, Rayme's; 4801 Rt. 53, Lisle; Call Jack April 7, Hugo's Frog Bar; 55 S. Main, Naperville; Call Ann Hospitality Volunteers Needed for Weekdays St. Thomas is in need of additional volunteers who have an aptitude for friendly greeting to help staff the reception desk in the Lobby of the Ministry Center during the weekdays. If you like to make people feel welcomed and be of service to visitors and parishioners alike, you can staff the desk during one or two time slots per week, each from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. You would greet, answer phones, give directions, interact with staff, under the direction of Kathy Ferguson, General Office receptionist. Page 13 April 2, 2006

14 Administration Commission April 2, 2006 Page 14 Jobs Ministry Weekly Networking Meeting Friday mornings at 9:30 a.m. (after the 8:30 a.m. Liturgy) Lighthouse The April St. Thomas Jobs Ministry Nite-of- Networking meeting will be held Thursday evening April 27 at 7 p.m. at the Church, where employed Job Ministry Volunteer parishioners will share information with Job Seekers about: Their company and position How they landed their position Their company website How to approach their company when inquiring about positions Open positions, if available, within their company Opportunities in their area of expertise and what the future looks like Many other topics of interest to assist your efforts to full employment We will host 2 rounds of structured networking, starting with assigned tables of cross- functional networking, followed by functional networking. Functional areas include: Human Resources Finance/Accounting Supply Chain/Operations Project Management Sales/Marketing Information Systems We will also be hosting a 1 hour session, Networking # 101, starting at 6 p.m., to assist people recently displaced or new to the job search process. During this session you will be learning about: handbills, resumes, business cards, web sites, other resources. We will use this hour to acquaint you all about how to start your job search process. You will join the rest of the group at 7 p.m. in the gym for the Nite-of-Networking. Please bring 30 Handbills and business cards to share. Please plan to attend this very informative meeting so that with everyone working together, we can bring meaningful employment to the Job Seekers Contact Jim Breen at jimb4853@yahoo.com for more info. THE WEEK AHEAD... Monday, Apr. 3 8:30am 12:30 p.m. Gathering Place Café, Gathering Area 4:15 5:15 p.m. Youth Choir, Church 7:00 8:30 p.m. RCIA, Youth Center 7:00 8:30 p.m. Jr. High Reconciliation Service, Church 7:00 8:30 p.m. Katrina Ministry, Senior Center 7:15 9:00 p.m. Hispanic Ministry, Resource Center 7:30 9:00 p.m. Charismatic Prayer, Meeting Room 4 7:30 9:00 p.m. S.A.M. Meeting, Meeting Room 2 7:30 9:00 p.m. Meditation, St. Patrick s Chapel Tuesday, Apr. 4 8:00 8:45 a.m. Wholistic Practices, Gym 4:30 5:45 p.m. R.E. Classes at Brookdale School 5:00 6:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross Practice, Church 7:00 9:30 p.m. Adult Basketball, Gym 7:00 9:00 p.m. Women s Retreat Review, Rectory Basement 7:30 9:30 p.m. Adult Choir Rehearsal, Church Wednesday, Apr. 5 8:30am-12:30 p.m. Gathering Place Café, Gathering Area 8:45 11:30 a.m. Bible Study, Senior Center 11:30am-3:00 p.m. Parish Nurse Meeting, Lighthouse 4:15-5:30 p.m. Joyful Jammers, Church & Senior Center 7:00 9:00 p.m. Apex, Youth Center 7:00 9:30 p.m. Coed Volleyball, Gym 7:00 9:30 p.m. Pax Christi St. Thomas, Resource Center 7:30 9:30 p.m. Grief Support, Rectory Basement 7:30 9:00 p.m. St. Vincent de Paul, Senior Center Thursday, Apr. 6 8:30am-12:30 p.m. Gathering Place Café, Gathering Area 2:00 3:30 p.m. All Are Welcome Advisory, Meeting Room 4 5:00 6:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross Practice, Church 7:30 9:00 p.m. All Are Welcome Advisory, Lounge 7:30 9:30 p.m. Genesis Rehearsal, Lighthouse 7:30 9:00 p.m. Marriage Enrich. Steering, Meeting Room 4 7:30 9:00 p.m. Jubilate Rehearsal, Church 7:30 9:00 p.m. Technology Committee, Meeting Room 2 Friday, Apr. 7 8:30am--12:30 p.m. Gathering Place Café, Gathering Area 9:30 11:30 a.m. Jobs Ministry, Lighthouse 7:30 9:00 p.m. Jr. High Open Gym, Gym & Youth Center 7:30 8:15 p.m. Stations of the Cross, Church Saturday, April 8 8:00am-10:00 p.m. Emmaus Retreat, Ministry Center 8:30 11:45 a.m. R.E. Classes at All Saints Academy 9:00 10:30 a.m. Men s Christian Fellowship, Resource Center 9:15 10:30 a.m. Soul Searchers, Rectory Basement 9:30 10:30 a.m. Family Stations of the Cross, Church 1:00 3:00 p.m. Good Friday Rehearsal, Church 2:00 4:15 p.m. Library Hours, Resource Center 7:00 111:00 p.m. Show, Gym Sunday, April 9 9:00am-12:00 p.m. L.O.W. for children, Ministry Center 10:15 11:45 a.m. Choir Rehearsal, Lighthouse 9:00 11:00 a.m. RCIA, Senior Center 10:00am-1:30 p.m. Welcome Sunday, Gym 10:15 11:45 a.m. Choir Rehearsal, Lighthouse 10:00am-2:00p.m. RCIA Retreat, Rectory Basement 12:00 1:00 p.m. Quest Choir, Lighthouse