St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. Naperville IL nd Sunday in Advent

Transcription

1 St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. Naperville IL nd Sunday in Advent

2 St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville, IL (Main Office) Visit us on the internet at (Religious Education) (Facsimilie) Parish Staff Rev. Joel Fortier Pastor, Rev. Rodolphe Arty, Associate Pastor, x 103, rarty@stapostle.org Rev. Bob Colaresi, O. Carm. Weekend Associate Fr. Pat Brennan, Weekend Associate, pbrennan@theclareatwatertower.com Rev. Mr. William Worden, D. Min. Deacon, x105 Rev. Mr. Chuck Lane Deacon, x220, chucklane2@juno.com Rev. Mr. Jim Breen Deacon, , jimb4853@yahoo.com Rev. Mr. Larry Kearney Deacon, x225, lrkearney@comcast.net Rev. Mr. Michael Barrett Deacon, x220, meabarrett@att.net Liturgy Kate Cuddy Director of Music and Liturgy, x112, kcuddy@stapostle.org Jessi Allured Asst. Director of Music and Liturgy, x111, jallured@stapostle.org Lori Culberson Liturgy Coordinator, x120, lculberson@stapostle.org Angie Tuttle Liturgy Office Assistant, x110, atuttle@stapostle.org Theresa Sheliga* Sacristan Coordinator, x116 Faith Formation Sandy Renehan, Principal at All Saints Catholic Academy Chari Rosales Director of Adult Education & RCIA x138, crosales@stapostle.org Kevin Pranaitis Director of High School Youth Ministry, x123, ym@stapostle.org Brett Adams Coordinator of Middle School Faith Formation, x117, Patti Dougherty Director of Religious Education, x109, pdougherty@stapostle.org Nancy Cirmo Religious Education Assistant, x118, ncirmo@stapostle.org Marge Coronado Religious Education Assistant, x219, mcoronado@stapostle.org Anne Schultz Adult Faith Formation Assistant, x113, aschultz@stapostle.org Lynne Vehlewald* Librarian, x125, library@stapostle.org Outreach and Social Justice Michael Ryder Director of Outreach & Social Justice, x121, mryder@stapostle.org Anne Schultz OSJ Partner, x113, aschultz@stapostle.org Sally Meno* OSJ Financial, x137, smeno@stapostle.org Pastoral Care Jan Olah Director of Pastoral Care, x124 Felicia Lawlor*, M.S., R.N. Faith Community Nurse, x104, flawlor@stapostle.org Rose Grumbine*, R.N., Faith Community Nurse, x104, rgrumbine@stapostle.org Administration Janet Simmons Finance/Business Officer, x106, jsimmons@stapostle.org Diane McQueen Gen Office Administrative Asst, x101, dmcqueen@stapostle.org Kathy Ferguson Gen Office Administrative Asst, x100, mainoffice@stapostle.org Marilyn DeMeo* Database Coordinator (T/Th), x107, mdemeo@stapostle.org Pat Berkhout Evening/Saturday Receptionist, x119, nitecrew@stapostle.org Angie Tuttle Bulletin Editor, Graphic Design, x110, atuttle@stapostle.org Susan Francesconi* Communications Coordinator, x108, sfrancesconi@stapostle.org Bob Hartmann Facility Manager, x133, facility@stapostle.org Pastoral Leadership Community John Ball Christine Berta Pam Foster Commission Facilitators Charles Haydon Nick Furibondo Richard Strassburger Worship Kate Cuddy Parish Life Faith Formation Chris Baker Administration Charles Haydon Service Carol Healy Sacrament of Reconciliation Reconciliation is available Saturday, 3:30 to 4:15 p.m., or after the 4:30 p.m. Mass in the Reconciliation Room of the Chapel. Fr. Joel is 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/eucharist from a priest, deacon or Minister of Care. Baptism Baptisms are usually celebrated 2-3 Sundays each month at a 12:30 p.m. service. On selected dates, Baptisms are celebrated at weekend Masses. Parents are required to attend an awareness and renewal evening 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 (walking) to four at the 9 & 10:45 a.m. Mass. For more information call the church office. Liturgy Schedule Daily (Monday Friday) Communion Service 6:30 a.m. Rosary 8:10 a.m. Mass 8:30 a.m. (Saturday) Communion Service 8:30 a.m. Weekend Saturday Vigil 4:30 p.m. Sunday 7:30, 9:00, 10:45 a.m., and 6:30 p.m. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every first Friday, 9:00 9:30 a.m. *indicates part-time staff

3 Dear Friends, Wow, the second Sunday of Advent, Christmas is almost behind us! At this rate we ll be in the New Year before we know it! Ha ha. But we are already are in a new year, a new Liturgical Year, a new year and season of grace. We are called to a bright and beautiful future of grace and peace; it has already begun! The gospel today talks about bearing good fruit, the fruit of the Spirit: Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. The way to produce that fruit is repentance, at the beginning of today s gospel we hear the Baptist s call: Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand! Wow, that is good news! It s here and now, this new time has begun already. We only have to engage it. We engage it through repentance and reconciliation. In the first reading we hear of the tree that produces the good fruit, the shoot from the stump of Jesse, which becomes a wonderful tree that blossoms and produces healing fruit. The healing and reconciliation that comes from Jesus. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit It sounds like the Lord is about Social Justice, would you say? of wisdom and understanding...he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land s afflicted. It sounds like the Lord is about Social Justice, would you say? So when we hear the call to Social Justice we realize it is constitutive of the gospel, constitutive of repentance and reconciliation, constitutive of the Kingdom of God: Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips. Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, And the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, With a little child to guide them. The cow and the bear shall be neighbors, Together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like the ox. The baby shall play by the cobra s den, And the child lay his hand on the adder s lair. Second Sunday of Advent December 5, 2010 The earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord, as water covers the sea. Isaiah 11:9 Welcome Guests and Visitors! We re so glad you re here and invite you to walk the path of faith with us. The community of St. Thomas strives to grow closer to Christ in all that we do. We care about each other and, with Christ, are Companions on the Journey. Would you like to become a Parishioner? Join us in the gym for Welcome Sunday after the following Masses: TODAY! Sunday, Dec 5: 9:00 and 10:45am Next time Sunday, Jan 9: 9:00 and 10:45am That is the vision we are given, if we heed the call of the Baptist, the call of Advent, to repent. Are you willing to engage it this Advent? Are you willing to make peace and work for justice, to produce that good fruit as evidence of our repentance? Happy Advent! With love,

4 Worship Commission Welcome in Advent With Fr. Pat Advent is a time of joy of understanding our faithful beginnings, about celebrating our Lord s coming. Come celebrate the Beginning of Advent with Fr. Pat Brennan! Father Pat will be speaking on the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, as well as insight into St. Paul and Romans. You won t want to miss this opportunity! Join the lector ministry on December 7, at 7 p.m. in the St. Thomas Lighthouse. St. Thomas Celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe Sunday, December 12 is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. St. Thomas will have a Mass with St. Nicholas. Please join us at the 6:30 pm Mass to join in the celebration! Presider s Schedule Dec 11/12 Saturday 4:30 4:30 Fr. Pat Brennan Sunday 7:30 Fr. Bob Colaresi 9:00 Fr. Dof Arty 10:45 Fr. Joel Fortier 6:30 Fr. Joel Fortier * Presider schedule is subject to change. Thank You! We d like to thank the many hands that helped decorate the Sanctuary for this Advent Season. Your work and dedication to our environment always enhances our celebrations here at church. Thanks! The Liturgy Office Dec 5, 2010 Page 4

5 Pray For Our Parish for the sick David English, nephew of Sue & Perry Grove 1st Sunday in Advent Grandfather, Look at our brokenness. We know that in all creation Only the human family Has strayed from the Sacred Way. We know that we are the ones Who must come back together To walk in the Sacred Way. Grandfather, Sacred One, Teach us love, compassion and honor That we may heal the earth and heal each other. Amen -a prayer from the Ojibwa tradition Today s Readings First Reading He shall bring justice for the afflicted; the earth shall overflow with the knowledge of the LORD (Isaiah 11:1-10). Psalm Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever (Psalm 72). Second Reading Glorify God by living in harmony with one another, welcoming each other as Christ welcomed you (Romans 15:4-9). Gospel Produce good fruit worthy of your baptism; repent, for the reign of God is near (Matthew 3:1-12). Readings for the Week Mon: Is 35:1-10; Lk 5:17-26 Tues: Is 40:1-11; Mt 18:12-14 Wed: Gn 3:9-15, 20; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38 Thurs: Is 41:13-20; Mt 11:11-15 Fri: Is 48:17-19; Mt 11:16-19 Sat: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Mt 17:9a, Sun: Is 35:1-6a, 10; Ps 146; Jas 5:7-10; Mt 11:2-11 for the deceased Jacob Storey, son of Natalie and Kurtis Sheryl Lapka, wife of Jess, mother of Jacob, daughter of Beverly Garrett Roselyn Carbonaro, sister of Pauline Vandy Keith Pasch, friend of Sue & Perry Grove Blanche Gallagher, friend of Dee Welsh Mass Intentions Monday, December 6, :30 John Easton, by Audrey Easton Amos Bartoli, by The Poydence Family Tuesday, December 7, :30 John Spevacek, by Joan & Family Frank C. Kessman, by Barb & Roman Plichta Wednesday, December 8, :30 Tony Conte, by Jay Poydence Melissa Dirksen Herrick, by George & Diane Dirksen Thursday, December 9, :30 David Petesch and Denny Olah, by Jan & Ed Olah Friday, December 10, :30 Mildred Forsberg, by Frank & Mary Ellen Niederman Saturday, December 11, :30 Francis Kempinger, by The Kaste Family Joan Pojman, by Kathy & Robert Updike Sunday, December 12, :30 Carl A. Johnson, by Mary & Robert Malone Stella Wiejaczka, by Tom Diedrich 9:00 Rosa De Rosa, by Deborah & Isabella Jeff Lindeen, by The Mandolini Family 10:45 Mike Heller, by Gerald De neen Mary Segina, by Fran Burazen 6:30 For the People of St. Thomas Page 5 Dec 5, 2010

6 Faith and Spiritual Formation Commission Soul Searchers Meet December 11 Soul Searchers will meet once a month to explore and discover truths in Edith Stein s The Science of the Cross: it is only by beginning with God that it is possible to understand what spirit is; however, that means that spirit is a mystery that constantly attracts us because it is the mystery of our own being. Born in 1891 to a German Jewish family, she received a doctorate in philosophy, supported women s issues and wrote several books. She converted to Catholicism in 1922 and entered the Carmelite Convent of Cologne in 1934 to become Sister Teresa Benedicta. This book, a tribute to St. John of the Cross, remained unfinished because the Gestapo arrested her in 1942 and transported her to Auschwitz where she was gassed to death. Stein was beatified in 1987 as a martyr. We will discuss chapters 7-8, pp The next meeting of Soul Searchers is Saturday, December 11 from 9:15 to 10:30 am in the Rectory Basement. The text is available at the Carmelite Center in Darien and on the website: Deacon Will and Mary Maloney are group leaders. Come whenever your schedule allows and enjoy a thought provoking experience. All are welcome to attend this monthly discussion group. Men s 13th Annual Retreat Jan , 2011 Servant Kings: Transformed in God s Truth King energy unites, integrates and uplifts the challenges and opportunities of life. Come join your brothers in exploring and celebrating our identity as sons of God. CHECK IT OUT at the St. Thomas Resource Center As we continue on our journey into the Advent Season, please take a moment to stop by and check out the bookrack in the Gathering Area. We have some great selections for both children and adults. For the children, we have books and videos: The Story of Baby Jesus They Followed A Bright Star I Am Christmas The First Christmas Tree Miracle In A Shoe Box Santa and the Christ Child The Gift of the Magi A Night the Stars Danced for Joy The Candy Maker s Christmas (video) The Best Present Of All (video) The Savior is Born (video) Miracle on 34 th Street (video) For adults, we have: Biblical Meditations for Advent/Christmas Season Celebrate the Wonder: A Family Christmas Treasury Your Prayerful Journal for Advent Seven Stories of Christmas Love Unplug the Christmas Machine The Merriest Christmas Book Have a joyous holiday season! Lynne Follow The Star Christ is Coming Starlight Approaching Christmas C.A.R.E. CORNER The early Church wrestled with their beliefs about Mary. Marian theology began forming around the turn of the first century as a result of the writings in John s gospel and the Book of Revelation. By the third century, it had already become common to honor Mary by venerating images of her, especially in the forms of Madonna and queen. In 431, the Council of Ephesus declared Mary to be the Mother of God. By the mid 600 s, the church in Rome was already observing 5 Marian feast days, though they were not yet officially recognized by the universal Church. This week we will celebrate one of those feast days devoted to Mary. Instituted by Pope Pius IX in 1854, we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception annually on December 8 th. Many of us misunderstand what that means. The Immaculate Conception does not refer to the sexless conception of Jesus in Mary s womb. It was Mary who was called the Immaculate Conception, holy and sinless from the time of her own conception in her mother s womb. By God s grace, Mary was chosen and redeemed from the very first moment of her own life. Becoming the mother of the Savior required someone worthy of such an honor. Therefore, God enriched Mary with the appropriate gifts necessary to be holy and blameless. This is why the angel Gabriel addressed Mary as a favored one whom the Lord was with (Luke 1:28). Dec 5, 2010 Page 6

7 You are invited to make a donation toward Christmas flowers in recognition of a loved one. The names of these individuals will be on a display board at the Christmas Masses. A suggested donation of $10 should be sent in with the attached order form, or you may fill out an order envelope in the church office. Orders must be received by Sunday, Dec I would like to make a contribution towards Christmas flowers. In Honor Of Please print By: Phone # Amount enclosed Please return this form or fill out an order envelope in the church office by Sunday, December 19. Page 7 Dec 5, 2010

8 Religious Education Help Needed for Liturgy of the Word with Children A leader is needed at the 10:45 mass to lead the pre-kindergarteners during Liturgy of the Word. In addition, an adult is needed at the 10:45 mass to help walk the children out and then back into Mass. Please contact Patti Dougherty in the Religious Education Office ext. 109 for more information. Pictures with Santa T On Sunday, December 5 Santa will be visiting St. Thomas during Donut Sunday! Bring your camera or for a nominal fee have a picture taken by professional photographer and parishioner, Rick Zimmermann. Rick took pictures last year and they were beautiful! We hope you can stop by, visit with Santa and enjoy fellowship with other parishioners. Attention 4 th and 5 th Graders Families: Take some time to discuss and reflect on the readings of the week. Dec 5 Question? of the Week... Who has helped me to change? DAY 5 th Grade Celebrates Advent This Advent we await the birth of Jesus, God s greatest gift to us. Fifth Grade Religious Education classes will meet in the St. Thomas Ministry Center during their regularly scheduled R.E. class times on Saturday, December 4, 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. or 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. and will meet on Tuesday, December 7, 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. They will begin with Advent Prayer led by a Deacon and then they will be making and hanging the ornaments for the trees in the St. Thomas gym for the Christmas Eve 4:10 mass. All Saints 5 th graders are invited to help decorate these trees too by bringing handmade decorations to the Religious Education Office by the above dates. Together we will gift our parish by creating a beautiful environment to celebrate the gift of Jesus. 4 th Graders and Family Service Opportunity Deacon Chuck Lane will speak to St. Thomas 4th graders at Religious Education classes December 4/7 about his call to ministry with the Warrenville Youth Correctional Center. This correctional facility is for girls, age 11 to 18. The families of 4th graders (R.E. or All Saints) are invited to bake cookies for these girls and bring them to Church where they will be packaged for the Warrenville Youth Center s Christmas Party. Cookies must be dropped off at St. Thomas church by Noon on Wednesday, December 15. Companions on The Journey Eucharist nourishes us, Christ s Disciples, for The Journey to God. We are companions on that journey; together we are the Body and Blood of Christ. See the back hallway by the gym, which has many Religious Education Companions on The Journey. Throughout the year, we hope to add more of our Companions. Dec 5, 2010 Page 8

9 Children s Activity Sat, Dec 18, 9:30 11:30 a.m. St. Thomas Ministry Center Would you like a couple of hours to finish up some Christmas preparations? Children, Grade 1 and older, may be dropped off at St. Thomas to make a Christmas Rosary for gift giving. As we make the Rosary, we will pray the joyful mysteries. Snack and short movie included. Come a few minutes early to fill out a permission form. A small donation is appreciated to help cover the costs. Registration helpful by ing Patti Dougherty pdougherty@stapostle.org or by calling church ext Christmas Songs Children in the Elementary Religious Education Program are singing Christmas songs in class. The students have received a paper with the words to the following songs: The Little Drummer Boy (Pre-K), Away in a Manager (K), Silent Night (1 st ), Hark The Herald Angels (2 nd ), We Three Kings (3 rd ), O Little Town of Bethlehem (4 th ) and Angels We Have Heard on High (5 th ). Please use their song sheet at home to sing and prepare for the birth of Jesus! NEWS from All Saints Catholic Academy ASCA "Forward in Faith" Campaign Update Thanks to the generosity of many supporters, four classrooms were added to the second floor of All Saints Catholic Academy this summer. Two of the new rooms are now open, with junior high religion, English, and Spanish instructions taking place there. The Facilities Committee is planning a stellar science complex for the two unfinished rooms. There was a recent meeting with Benedictine University and Benet Academy staff to help us plan the space that will serve our students, and enhance and elevate our already outstanding science/math curriculum. Work on the completion of these two classrooms will begin shortly. As our enrollment continues to grow, this space will be completely utilized soon. For more information on the campaign, contact Peggy Kobe, pkobe@ascacademy.org or by phone at High School Youth Ministry News from Kevin Phew! It s been an action packed year so far and as Advent approaches I need to remind myself to take deep breaths and add sacred silence to my schedule. We just finished Sleep-Out Saturday and Harvest Sunday, and I am still moved by those experiences. A quote from Rachel Smith continues to echo in my mind. I m quoting from memory, but she said at a prayer service for Sleep Out Saturday Some of my friends and I were talking about our mission trip [to New Mexico] and about going back but I m realizing that it is just as important, and possibly more important, that I am just nicer to my family. Wow. What wisdom. It called to mind the Good Samaritan story. The priest and Levite, as I see it, are good people, dedicated to helping others, but they were so focused on where they were going that day, they didn t pay attention to the bleeding at their feet. Rachel Smith gets this. I wonder if I do? A few weeks ago, in Luke s Gospel we heard the person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones. It is easy, I find, to focus on the great matters how many bags we collect at Harvest Sunday or the number of mission trips I have a year. However, is being present to one another our families, the cashier, the driver in front of us any less important and possibly even more important? Given Thanksgiving, are we similarly to be grateful for only the great matters or the small? As I watch my daughter light up and appreciate the mere sight of me entering her site, I am humbled. Do I, too, look around at God s creation with such wonder, excitement, joy, anticipation, and thankfulness? Am I as attentive as she is? As I prepare myself to enter the Advent season, waiting in anticipation for the Lord s coming, I challenge myself to not focus as much on the mountaintop experiences of my life and job. Taking Rachel Smith s insights, I am going to work to be more present to my wife, my daughter, and the stranger I meet at Wal-Mart. I tried it last week. In a rush to buy something at Wal-Mart for a retreat, I passed a gentlemen staring at his cart and a large box. I asked him if he needed help, we loaded it into his cart, and he said quite plainly, Thank you, I never expected someone to stop and help. I wonder how many others I ve just passed by, not even seeing them. Page 9 Dec 5, 2010

10 Service Commission Outreach & Social Justice Lakota Indians Winter Clothing Collection Last year we sent 119 large garbage bags of winter clothing to the Lakota Indian reservation in South Dakota. Last month, Ed Young Man Afraid of His Horses, visited us. He recounted his feelings as he unpacked the truck with each coat he visualized the adult or child that would wear it. He told us his visit to St. Thomas was to complete the Lakota Circle of Life. We will strengthen that circle by again collecting winter clothing for the Lakota Indians between now and January 16. If you can help, please deliver new and gently used donations (winter coats, hats, gloves, boots) to the collection bin in the Gathering Area Kyle, South Dakota (population ~2,000) is in the center of the Pine Ridge Reservation. The reservation covers 3,500 square miles and has a population of 40,000. The level of poverty in and around the area is significant. The winters in South Dakota are brutal. Pictured left to right: Jenni Wesolowski, Emily Wesolowski, Jenna McGill, Jack McGill, Vincent (friend of Jack), John Wesolowski. Haiti Twinning and the Art Fair Partnership Haiti Twinning and the St. Thomas Art Fair Committee partnered again this year. The Twinning Committee staffed the raffle table. The proceeds from the Art Fair went to the Haiti Healthcare Clinic --- that amounted to $1,100! We would like to thank Don Castro and the other Art Fair volunteers for their good work and for the opportunity to work with them. Wesolowski Family Tradition Continues Autumn Food Drive The Jennifer and John Wesolowski family conducted their 16th annual food collection in November. With the help of their three children (Ashley, Emily, Isabelle) and 6 or 7 extended family members and friends, they collected 47 bags of food and delivered it to the St. Thomas Care Pantry. They ask friends and neighbors to help in the three Naperville sub-divisions in which they have lived. We thank them very much for putting their faith into action. St. Thomas Care Pantry K of C Pro-Life Rosary The Knights of Columbus (Assembly 3044) will conduct a pro life rosary beginning Saturday, December 18 at 9:00 am in front of the Planned Parenthood clinic located at 3051 E. New York Street in Aurora. This is an ongoing event the third Saturday of every month. In addition, there is a Pro Life Rosary held there every Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 pm. Dec 5, 2010 Page 10

11 St. Thomas Cares Outreach Justice Action St. Thomas Cares is our emergency outreach that provides food through the Care Pantry, as well other services like rent & utilities, auto repair, and medical and prescription support. We also help with counseling costs in partnership with our Pastoral Care Office. We know Randy. We see him every couple of years. He travels from place to place across the country. He has a minor psychiatric disorder. Last week he called us because none of the churches in the area where he is staying for the moment would help him. We gave him a gas card and a food card. He was very grateful, with tears in his eyes as we said a prayer with him. Two days later, we received the following. Dear St. Thomas Catholic Church I am and always will be thankful and grateful for the Church s kindness and help. May God bless St. Thomas and its priests, workers, and members. Sincerely in Christ Randy Normally during Advent, we ask for gift cards for gas, food, and clothing. We have a good supply remaining from last year, so this year, instead of gift cards, we are asking you to consider a $25 dollar donation (or whatever you can afford) that will be used in emergency situations, for parishioners and others in the local area. Checks can be made to St. Thomas OSJ with Cares on the memo line and placed in the collection basket or brought to the Main Office. Thank You!! Haiti Sponsor-a-Child Christmas Card Social Justice Action Did you realize that Sponsor-a-Child Christmas card is a social justice action? The proceeds help pay the salaries of quality teachers in Duchity. Educating children is affecting a systemic change in Duchity. Members of our first high school graduating class formed a young adult organization dedicated to making things better in the village. They have requested and received a grant from Save the Children for a number of computers that will be used by the students and others in the village. Our Sponsor-a-Child program is at about 60% of our goal to complete the school year for the three schools we support. Haiti Gift Cards (including a picture of a Duchity student) will be available throughout December. The front of the card is a Haitian Nativity scene. The inside indicates to the receiver of the card that a donation has been made in their name to sponsor education in Duchity, Haiti. The requested donation is $50, but whatever you can afford will be accepted with grateful thanks and blessings. Car Donations-Special Christmas Gift Are you considering buying a new car for Christmas? Please consider donating your old car. The Blue Book value can be claimed as a deduction on your income tax. We have two families in need of reliable transportation: One to allow a single mother to work. One to allow a mother (husband & grown son disabled) to get other children to college classes and to get to store. The vehicle doesn t need to be in perfect condition. We will have the car inspected and any necessary repairs will be made by St. Thomas Cares. Page 11 Dec 5, 2010

12 Pastoral Care Another reason to WASH YOUR HANDS You hear it from nurses all the time, and we ll tell you again. An ugly beastie is going around our schools and neighborhoods. Norovirus causes gastroenteritis, also known as stomach flu. We usually see an increase in cases in late Fall and Winter. This virus is especially contagious and some area schools are seeing a large portion of their students out with the illness. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Those who catch the virus also may have lethargy, achiness, and lowgrade fever. People are usually sick for 1-2 days. The biggest concern is dehydration. Electrolyte replacement drinks, such as Gatorade, should be given in small amounts. If the sick person can keep fluids down, try the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. Only in rare cases is the illness bad enough to require medical attention. If someone shows signs of severe dehydration (no urine, very lethargic, dry mouth, crying without tears), call your doctor. Antibiotics will not fight the virus and our immune system will fight off the bug in a day or two. Prevention is the best medicine, so wash your hands! Use soap and warm water. Sing the ABCs- It takes about that amount of time to thoroughly clean your hands. Alcohol gels are not very effective at killing this particular bug. During this time of year full of illness, our wish for you is health and happiness. So WASH YOUR HANDS! Prayer Companions will be at the Blessed Mother statue after all the masses this weekend and throughout Advent. Come share your prayers of sorrow, hope or thanksgiving for physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness with a member of the Prayer Ministry. A meditation for Advent Peace be still and know that I am God. Peace be still and know that I am. Peace be still and know. Peace be still. Peace be. Peace Peace Peace Peace Pilgrim Beginning in St. Thomas: FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS. Hope for the caretakers/family members of loved ones afflicted with Mental Illness. Drop-in support meetings twice-monthly. Watch the bulletin and website for further details. Dec 5, 2010 Page 12

13 Stewardship: It s a way of Life Today's readings remind us that through Christ, God fulfilled the promise he made to His people to bring them salvation. This came about through Christ's death and Resurrection, opening the way to eternal life for all who believe, both Jew and Gentile. In gratitude for this great gift, let us serve Christ with undivided hearts as His stewards. St. Thomas the Apostle Music Makers Invite you to... Last Weekend s stewardship of financial gifts... Weekly Sunday Offertory Nov 28, 2010 (week 22) 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 7/1/10 to date: Offertory Goal Year to Date Over/short of goal to date: Goal for Fiscal Year 7/1 to 6/30 Remaining for Fiscal Year goal Diocesan Appeal Updated Results Parish Appeal Goal: Pledges Received: % of Goal pledged to date: Remaining amount to goal Number of Donors: $21,505 n/a $3,530 $25,035 $754,473 $34,294 $786,258 ($31,785) $1,858,400 $1,103,927 $142,782 $102, % $40, THIS WEEKEND Sunday, Dec 5 5:00 pm St. Thomas the Apostle Church Annual, seasonal prayer concert featuring our St. Thomas music groups, lectors, dancers, Admission to the concert is a non-perishable food item for the St. Thomas Food Pantry. Page 13 Dec 5, 2010

14 Administration Commission Jobs Ministry Weekly Networking Meeting Friday mornings at 9:30 a.m. (after the 8:30 a.m. Liturgy) Gym DECEMBER KEYNOTE SPEAKER NIGHT PRESENTATION Wed, Dec 15, 7:00 p.m.: The Balancing Act - Being AND Doing presented by Deborah Leoni Deborah's presentation will support you in gaining clarity around the significance of who you are being in the world versus all that you are doing and how it affects what you are manifesting. Our society tends to place value on production, taking pride in multitasking, which is resulting in stress and disease, leaving one to feel out of balance and unable to achieve the life of their dreams. Everyone will benefit from this presentation as it will bring individual awareness around the choices you are making and how those choices are affecting yourself and everyone around you. You will leave this presentation with clarity, a sense of balance, hope and a heightened awareness of a bigger vision for your life. Bring your spouse as this will bring these benefits to both of you and is our way of gifting you during this holiday season! Deborah Leoni, owner of Insight Out Life Coaching, is a motivational speaker, life coach and meditation instructor. Her mission is to offer a safe space to explore truth, to discover and express one's authentic self, and to assist clients in taking dramatic actions to foster transformation to make a difference by creating the life of their dreams. Thurs, Dec 9, 9:30 am: Larry New will present, "What's that Noise", a LinkedIn training session. This will be a high level demonstration of specific tools used in LinkedIn and networking do's and don'ts. Larry is a Senior Network Engineer who has worked for major companies in the area, including Amoco, BP, MCI, WorldCom, McDonalds, and most recently, the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Larry has led LinkedIn training sessions in the past and has always been both entertaining and highly informative. Don't miss this LinkedIn session. Wed, Dec 15, 7 pm: Speaker Night-Deborah Leoni will present, "The Balancing Act-Being and Doing". See above article NO more meetings in December. Next scheduled meeting Fri, Jan 7. Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Quanza nand Happy New Year! THE WEEK AHEAD Monday, Dec. 6 4:15 5:15 p.m. Youth Choir, Church 7:00 9:30 p.m. Coed Volleyball, Gym 7:30 9:30 p.m. Haiti Twinning, Lighthouse 7:00 9:00 p.m. Women s Retreat Planning, Judea Tuesday, Dec. 7 10:00 11:00 a.m. Care Pantry, Gym 4:30 5:45 p.m. R. E. Classes at Brookdale School 4:30 5:45 p.m. 5th Grade R. E. Activity, Gym 7:00 9:00 p.m. Adult Basketball, Gym 7:00 9:00 p.m. Lectors, Lighthouse 7:00 9:00 p.m. RCIA Team, Senior Center West 7:00 9:00 p.m. Voices of Faith, Church 7:00 9:00 p.m. Charismatic Prayer Group, Judea Wednesday, Dec. 8 6:30 8:30 p.m. AuthenticLife, Lighthouse 7:00 9:30 p.m. Sojourners Rehearsal, Senior Center West 7:30 9:00 p.m. Pro-Life, Resource Center 7:30 p.m. Immaculate Conception Mass, Church Thursday, Dec. 9 9:!5am 12:00 p.m. Jobs Ministry, Gym 9:15 11:15 a.m. Spread the Word Bible Study, Emmaus & Galilee 4:15 5:30 p.m. Jammers, Church 6:00 7:15 p.m. Journey Praise, Church 7:30 9:00 p.m. Spread the Word Bible Study, Senior Center Friday, Dec. 10 9:00 11:30 a.m. Bible Study, Rectory Basement Saturday, Dec. 11 8:30 11:45 a.m. R. E. Classes at All Saints Academy 8:30-11:00 a.m. Ensemble Rehearsal, Church 9:00 10:30 a.m. Men s Saturday Sharing, Deacon s Office 9:30am-12:00 p.m. Care Pantry Christmas Party, Ministry Center 9:!5 10:30 a.m. Soul Searchers, Rectory Basement Sunday, Dec. 12 9:00am-11:45 a.m. Liturgy of the Word with Children, Ministry Center 10:15am-12:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal, Lighthouse 12:30 1:30 p.m. Baptism, Church 6:00 9:00 p.m. RCIA, Senior Center West 6:30 7:30 p.m. Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass, Church Dec 5, 2010 Page 14