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

Transcription

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

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 Assistant 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 Lori Culberson Liturgy Coordinator, x120, lculberson@stapostle.org Angie Tuttle Liturgy Office Assistant, x110, atuttle@stapostle.org Benjamin Horvat* Asst. Director of Music, x 111, bhorvat@stapostle.org Jessi Allured* Asst. Director of Music, x111, jallured@stapostle.org Theresa Sheliga* Sacristan Coordinator, x116 Faith Formation 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, 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 Ted McKeown* Facility Coordinator, x133, facility@stapostle.org Jorge Gonzalez* Custodian Pastoral Leadership Community John Ball Christine Berta Julee Gard Steven Grumbine Commission Facilitators John Lawlor Dan O Grady Worship Josh Goralski Parish Life Faith Formation Chris Baker Elaine Scutti Administration Dave Otto 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, The wonder of the Incarnation, of God engaging with us in our common human venture, of God mingling with us so that we may share divinity, is now in full gear! With the celebration of Christmas, and the manifestations of this incredible mystery at the Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord in the Jordan, we now come to a further revelation or epiphany of this action at the wedding feast at Cana. The process advances, and water changes into wine! It is the first public miracle of Jesus, done reluctantly at the urging of His Mother. Jesus comes out, revealing his We are immersed transforming power, beginning his public ministry. Through our baptism in [grace], like we have been engaged in that continuing transformation; the water of rain soaking our lives becomes the wine of the into our bones... Spirit. Remember the words, He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire! It is begun in us, this wonderful venture of coming to share in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity. (That is the prayer the priest says at the mingling of the water with the wine at mass.) This co-mingling is an incredibly wonderful human venture of what God is doing with and in us. It is exciting for me to know and experience what God is doing for me. This vision and perspective of our faith allows us to see every moment as an opportunity of growing in grace. All is grace! We are immersed in it, like rain soaking into our bones, and even as we age, we feel it transforming and enriching our lives. This has been a wonderful Christmas for me and for our parish. Now the clutch is in, we carry on this process, the mission and ministry of Jesus in all the ordinary actions of our lives. In our interaction at every stage of life and with everyone, we experience the cutting edge of grace unfolding in our lives, of this process of coming to share the divine until all becomes all in Christ. We are a new creation and it is our job, as good stewards of all God gives us, to use the gifts we have been given to engage this process, bringing to full revelation the Glory of God. That is the plan that has begun and which we are part of in our own time and place. We celebrate that now in this new year of grace, we take the step of faith with Jesus as our companion, out into the world to transform the insipid water of our lives into the rich wine of the Spirit. Henry David Thoreau once said, The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. We need not! Second Sunday in Ordinary Time January 17, 2010 Nations shall behold your vindication, and all the kings your glory. Isaiah 62:2 Welcome Guests and Visitors! St. Thomas is here to companion you on your faith journey. Come with us as we grow in closeness to Christ through liturgy, music, faith formation, special events, and countless ways to be Companions on the Journey. Would you like to become a Parishioner? Join us at Welcome Sunday after the following Masses this weekend: Sunday, January 24, 9:00 and 10:45 a.m. in the gym with Donuts

4 Worship Commission Confirmation Touches of red to symbolize the fire of the Spirit are frequently used for the celebration of Confirmation. The rite of Confirmation asks a response of faith from the candidates as well as from the parish faith family. We promise to help them to grow in the grace of the sacrament. The candidates say yes to their faith and to the Holy Spirit. But first they should ask for the support of the parish. How can we support them? Our example at Sunday worship, the witness of our individual Christian lives, and our willingness to be people of service to others, can be easily seen. Come, Holy Spirit, fill their lives with the power of your love and renew this community in its call to worship, witness, and service. Copyright 2009 Resource Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Confirmation is scheduled at St. Thomas for Friday January 22 at 7:00 p.m. Bishop Imesch will be the Presider. Afraid! The Gospel of Mark Afraid! A 75 minute dramatization of the text of the Gospel of Mark will be performed by TV and film star Frank Runyeon here on Sunday, January 24, 3:30 to 5:00 pm (doors open at 3 pm) Haugen and Alonso Concert Slated Save the Date! Marty Haugen, Tony Alonso, and friends will present God Is Still Speaking in concert at St. Thomas on Friday, February 5. Marty is a nationally known composer, best known for his Mass of Creation mass setting, and scores of songs with a world music and social justice influence. Tony Alonso is one of the brightest and best new composers for music of our Catholic faith. The pair will follow this concert with a workshop for St. Thomas music makers on Saturday morning. Watch the bulletin for more information; but be sure to circle this date on your calendar for an amazing evening of music and worship. Presider s Schedule Jan 23/24 4:30 Fr. Joel Fortier 7:30 Fr. Joel Fortier 9:00 Fr. Dolphe Arty 10:45 Fr. Pat Brennan 6:30 Fr. Dolphe Arty Occasionally schedules may change. January 17, 2010 Page 4 Ordinary Time: Winter A Sense of the Season What do the words Ordinary Time mean? Dorothy Day said, The words Ordinary Time in our prayer books put me in a state of confusion and irritation. To me, no time is ordinary. She was right. The Ordinary in Ordinary Time refers to ordinal counted time, not to a lack of something to celebrate. The Roman document, General Norms for the Liturgical Year and Calendar, says: Apart from those seasons having their own distinctive character [Advent, Christmastime, Lent, Triduum and Eastertime], 33 or 34 weeks remain in the yearly cycle that do not celebrate a specific aspect of the mystery of Christ. Rather, especially on the Sundays, they are devoted to the mystery of Christ in all its aspects. (#43) How do we celebrate the mystery of Christ in all its aspects? We gather every Sunday. Sunday is our original feast day. Christians have gathered every Sunday the day of Christ s resurrection, the first day of the week ever since there were Christians. Each year there are two blocks of Ordinary Time, one in the winter between Christmastime and Lent, and the other in summer and fall, from Pentecost through Christ the King. When we gather on Sundays in Ordinary Time, as always, we hear the scriptures proclaimed. We systematically read through the gospels. The first readings from the first testament of the Bible were chosen for their relationship to the gospel passages. The second readings come from the various letters of the second testament of the Bible. The mystery of Christ in all its aspects unfolds. What is the heart of our Sunday celebration? We do our eucharist; that is, we do our thanksgiving. We praise and thank God for all creation; we pray for the whole world, as we remember Christ s life, death and resurrection. We share the bread and wine, the body and blood. We are sent forth to be the body and blood of Christ in our homes, our workplaces, our neighborhoods, our towns, our cities, our country, our world. What happens in our churches every Sunday is the fruit of our week. What happens as the fruit of the week past is the beginning of the week to come. Sunday is simultaneously a point of arrival and departure for Christians on their way to the fullness of the kingdom. This is not ordinary at all. This is the fabric of Christian living. (Saint Andrew Bible Missal [Brooklyn: William J. Hirten Co., 1982.]) 1997, Archdiocese of Chicago. Liturgy Training Publications, North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago IL ; Text by G. Thomas Ryan. Art by Luba Lukova.

5 Pray For Our Parish Second Sunday Ordinary Time O God of salvation, the people in whom you delight hasten with joy to the wedding feast. Forsaken no more, we hear a new name; desolate no longer, we taste your new wine. Make us your faithful stewards, ready to do whatever Jesus tells us and eager to share with others the wine he provides. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen. for the sick... Loretto Wellman, mother of David McGuire Fr. Peter Campbell Jean Kuckelman, mother of Richard & Kathleen Allie, Jose & Sylvia Avila Mark Goralski, husband of Peggy for the deceased Brian Heck, nephew of Marge & Mike Meyer Clarella Amend, aunt of the Osterman Family; Pat Fister, friend of Patti & Bill Dougherty Robert Wells Jarboe, father of John Jackie Avila, senior from Waubonsie Valley High School, friend of Caroline Murray Grace Pacer, friend of Patricia Leach Al DeMeo, uncle of Dennis DeMeo From: Prayers for Sundays and Seasons, Liturgy Training Publications. Mass Intentions... Monday, January 18, :30 Jennie Battisto, by Vito Battisto Tuesday, January 19, :30 Gregory Hoctor, by Family Saturday, January 23, :30 Lorrain Kurowski, by The Shonkwiler Family Leteselassie Yohannes, by Mimi Sunday, January 24, :30 Ruth Scott, by Jackie Plourde 9:00 Frank Wittry, by Don & Betty Wampach Charles McCulley, by The Deneen Family 10:45 For the People of St. Thomas Save the Date... St. Thomas Parish Mission Feb. 27-Mar. 2 with world renowned author and storyteller, Megan McKenna. Today s Readings First Reading As a bridegroom rejoices in his bride so shall your God rejoice in you (Isaiah 62:1-5). Psalm Proclaim His marvelous deeds to all the nations (Psalm 96). Second Reading To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). Gospel At a wedding at Cana in Galilee, Jesus revealed His glory, and His disciples began to believe in Him (John 2:1-11). Readings for the Week Mon: Heb 5:1-10; Mk 2:18-22 Tues: Heb 6:10-20; Mk 2:23-28 Wed: Heb 7:1-3, 15-17; Mk 3:1-6 Thurs: Heb 7:25 8:6; Mk 3:7-12 Fri: Heb 8:6-13; Mk 3:13-19 Sat: Heb 9:2-3, 11-14; Mk 3:20-21 Sun: Neh 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10; Ps 19; 1 Cor 12:12-30 [12-14, 27]; Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21 Page 5 January 17, 2010

6 Faith and Spiritual Formation Commission Women of St. Thomas. now that you have taken care of everyone else, it is time for YOU to be served. Please join us and take some time for yourself and the Lord! Come... for a beautiful evening of dinner, presentation, music and conversation honoring Mary, Our Blessed Mother. Featuring Jeanne Leezer, founder of Light of the World, who will give her witness on: Saying Yes, As Mary Did Thursday, January 21 7:00p.m. 9:00 p.m. in the St. Thomas Lighthouse Freewill Offering Jeanne Leezer is one of the authors and founders of Light of the World Evangelization Ministry, which is now in 140 parishes throughout the USA, Canada and Australia. Her ministry focus is on bringing people to a living encounter with Jesus Christ and helping them live out their lives within that decision to follow Him as a committed disciple. Her love for our Blessed Mother has been a part of her life since she was a little girl, as the best example of following God's will. Her goal is to share her journey of faith with you. To register, complete the form below and return to Nancy Cirmo in the Religious Education Office. Call Molly Petersen at with questions. C.A.R.E. CORNER On this second Sunday in Ordinary time, we encounter Jesus performing a miracle at the wedding in Cana. By turning water into choice wine, Jesus brings the presence of God into a very common human experience, which in this case happens to be a wedding ceremony. We all know that today, the concept of marriage referring exclusively to a union between a man and a woman has come under fire. Additionally, every day our news is filled with gossip of broken relationships and marriages on the rocks. Our Church s teachings on marriage stand in sharp contrast to the dispensable viewpoint we see so many take toward marriage today. Our Church teaches that marriage is not just a human institution; it is a part of God s plan in creation. In the eyes of the Church, marriage is both sacramental and covenantal: sacramental in that it is a sign of Christ s presence and covenantal in that it is entered into freely, out of selfgiving love by the two parties involved. The covenant of marriage is intended to mirror the permanent, loving and faithful covenant that exists between Christ and His Church. Fortunately for us, in spite of our human failings, God has forged an unbreakable bond between Himself and us. We can learn some valuable lessons about relationships from God. Yes, I would like to attend the Mary s Way Dinner on January 21! Name: Phone: PLEASE PRINT RETURN TO NANCY CIRMO IN THE ST THOMAS RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE January 17, 2010 Page 6

7 ALPHA A New Beginning Feeling a need to explore, ask questions about, re-connect with, or expand your faith? ALPHA is THE place to meet and talk with others who feel just as you do! Each week during this 11-week experience, you will share a meal, a video, and lively conversation with your tablemates. ALPHA happens in the St. Thomas Lighthouse on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., beginning January 20. There is no charge for these sessions, and child care is available. To make your reservation (or for more info), contact Chari Rosales at x138 or crosales@stapostle.org. ST. THOMAS WOMEN Companions on a Journey Come and bring a friend, sister, daughter to the St. Thomas Women s Weekend! February 19-21, at the Carmelite Spiritual Center. in Darien, Illinois Last year women said they came... to be reconnected spiritually to God and to come together with other women of faith. Another said I came for the food! SAVE THE DATE! WATCH FOR REGISTRATION! JOIN US! World Marriage Day Dinner Dance Come for an evening of dinner and dancing I belong to my love, and his desire is for me. Song of songs 7:10 The weekend of January 29-31, at the Carmelite Spiritual Center is being reserved for YOU...the men of St. Thomas and your friends. The 12th annual Men's Retreat will occur on this weekend and you are strongly encouraged to check your calendar and see if you can attend. This retreat is always a great time to get spiritually renewed and enjoy camaraderie with other men of the parish. Hope you can join us. Reservations will occur during the early part of January, however, if you have any questions, call Ted McKeown, x133 or facility@stapostle.org Saturday, February 13, 6:00 11:00 p.m. Seven Bridges Golf Club One Mulligan Drive Woodridge, IL (Rt 53 and 63rd St.) $65 per Couple (cash bar or $5 cork fee) Make your reservations by Friday Feb 5 Call Gil and Estela Hammond or make checks payable to: Worldwide Marriage Encounter or WWME Mail to: Gil and Estela Hammond 1024 N Eagle St Naperville, IL Page 7 January 17, 2010

8 Religious Education Family Prayer Service for 1 st Eucharist Parents will be presenting their children as candidates for reception of First Communion at the first Family Prayer Service on Wednesday, January 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the church. Please pray for these children as they prepare to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, an event of great joy for them, their families and our whole faith community. First Graders in Religious Education Classes to Visit Church First Graders will have a church visit instead of their regular scheduled Religious Education class. Please make a note that they go to church on Tuesday, January 19 / Saturday, January 23. Students may be dropped off and picked up in the Church narthex. Attention 4 th and 5 th Graders Liturgy of the Word for 4 th & 5 th Graders will be held on Sunday, January 24 during the 9:00 and 10:45 liturgies. Please come out with the other children and go down to the Cabin and Senior Center. Families: Take some time to discuss and reflect on the readings of the week.? Jan 17 Question of the Week... Where can I hear God talking to me? NEWS from All Saints Catholic Academy You are Invited to "Once Upon a Dream Five Years and Growing" St. Thomas parishioners are invited to celebrate the fifth year of All Saints Catholic Academy at the annual Dinner Dance Auction on Saturday, February 20. The event includes raffles, a live and silent auction, sit down dinner, and a band for dancing. This year's event is held at Bobak's Signature Room in Woodridge beginning at 6:00 p.m. Invitations and response cards are available on the website, under Support the School or by calling Peggy Kobe at the school office at Auction items include trips, sports events, concerts, and much more. Tables of ten are available. Hope you can join us. All Saints Football Are you ready for some football? Then mark your calendar for the Open House! If you are a football player and you will be in 4th 8th grade in the 2010/2011 school year you attend All Saints Catholic Academy OR you are a member of the St. Thomas parish you want the challenge and excitement of playing travel football then come and find out more at our information and registration open house event on Sunday, February 28 from Noon to 5:00 p.m. at Ashbury Clubhouse, 3403 Lawrence Drive, Naperville. Stop by and meet the coaches, learn about the program philosophy, learn about the competitive Catholic Grade School Conference of Chicago, and ask any questions you might have about the program, the league, and eligibility. You can register for the 2010 season at the open house. There will be registration forms on hand, so bring your checkbook. For more information, call Frank Ribaudo or info@ascafootball.com. Check out the website at January 17, 2010 Page 8

9 High School Youth Ministry Update Are you looking forward to the next vacation or break already? Ha! The new year has definitely hit full swing, that s for sure. Try to still find moments of peace and quiet. Take the time to listen for God and pray what s on your heart. Christ wants nothing more than to be in your life for you to know that he loves and accepts you. Know you are loved! Upcoming Dates: Last Mission Trip Info Meeting in the Lighthouse January 25 from 7:30pm 8:30pm Quest Resumes Jan 17: Fresh & Soph s meet 5-6:30pm, Juniors have Confirmation rehearsal after mass Bible Study at Caribou (off Route 59 & Brookdale) on Wednesday January 20 at 7pm. Frank Runyeon s Afraid! Gospel of Mark presentation for all Quest families January 24, 3:30pm Feb 26 Ski Trip all day forms are outside my office! Mission Trips: There will be trips to Haiti, Ecuador, and Mississippi (Habitat for Humanity, open to families). Applications are available outside the Youth Ministry office. DUE JANUARY 25. Confirmation: We will have about 100 Juniors receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation on January 22, at 7pm. NOTE: The procession will begin promptly at 6:45pm, so plan to arrive early to see them process in. Rehearsal is January 17 after the 6:30pm mass for the teens, parents, and sponsors (if possible). For family, friends who is planning on arriving, the main sanctuary will fill up quickly. Plan on early arrival. I would like to ask all of you to also pray for our juniors, their families, and those involved with Confirmation. May the Spirit fill them and inspire them to walk in the light of Christ! Survey: We are asking every teen and parent to complete a survey before the end of the month (the sooner the better). We are in the midst of looking at Youth Ministry programs and would like your help to better understand your needs, hopes, etc. It should only take a couple minutes for the 7-8 question surveys. There is a Parent and a Teen survey. Our Youth Ministry Council and I greatly appreciate your time and feedback! So far there have been 100 parent responses and 50 teen, but we are hoping for another 150 responses for each. Thank you to those who have responded so far! Parent Survey: Teen Survey: Thanks! Kevin Kevin Pranaitis TV Star Frank Runyeon in... Sunday, January 24 3:30 5:00pm (doors open at 3pm) ADMISSION IS FREE (bur you need a ticket) Pick up your FREE tickets after Mass FREE post show spaghetti dinner for the first 300 ticketholders at the door. Doors open at 3:00 p.m. Every Christian has wondered what it would have been like: to have been there, in Galilee, and met Jesus AFRAID! is an effort to give you encounter. How? By doing exactly what the evangelist Mark did: by telling the story in the present tense, here and now As Runyeion speaks the words of the Gospel of Mark, it will engage your imagination, surprise you with humor, and drive forward with the dramatic suspense you expect from great theater. Page 9 January 17, 2010

10 Service Commission Outreach & Social Justice Uhaul & FedEx & Jewel & Dominick s For years, FedEx has donated a truck for ourthanksgiving turkey collection. They did again this year. This year U-Haul (Rt. 59 & Ogden) donated the truck for the Christmas ham/turkey collection. Also, a number of Jewel and Dominick stores allowed our youth to collect Harvest Sunday food in front of their stores. Dominick s (Raymond & North Aurora, E New York & Eola Rd) Jewel (Rte. 34 & Aurora, Eola & North Aurora, Rte. 59 & 95th St) We wish to acknowledge these businesses and publicly thank them for their support. Outreach and Social Justice Office St. Thomas Biggest Losers Turn Weight Loss Into a Pledge to Support Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) St. Thomas parishioners Jerry and Estella Hayes are big supporters of the Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB); they re just not as big as they were a few years ago. They are known for their participation on the The Biggest Loser TV program. Now they re helping to help feed hungry people right here in northern Illinois. By teaming up with NIFB as local Challenge Champions they are hoping to get others involved in the Pound for Pound challenge. You can help. You can pledge a targeted weight loss goal. (You don t even have to make it!). For each pound you pledge, General Mills will donate $.14 to Feeding America, the nation s network of food banks. Much of that donation will go straight to our local food bank, NIFB. As a child, our family received a box of food for the holidays. We encourage all people pledging to lose weight to make a difference for someone else without spending a dime. Thank you for stepping forward and making a change for you and helping others a defined Win-Win. Go America! Estella and Jerry Hayes, Biggest Loser Season 7 White Team Our Care Pantry benefits from the NIFB, buying food at very low prices and getting some food at no cost. To pledge pounds, go to the website: Father Dof Needs a Car Father Rodolph (Dof for short) is taking driving lessons and doing well. He will soon need a car to be able to perform his priestly duties for our community. If you have a car you could donate, please contact the Outreach Office ( , x121, mryder@stapostle.org). FATHER DOF "You Give Life" is the theme of the annual Interdenominational Prayer Service for Life sponsored by Naperville Christians for Life. Naperville Congregational Church will sponsor this year's service on Friday, Jan 22, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. (Church is located on the SW corner of Washington and 75th - due to construction, take Swallow North from Bailey). Representatives from many Christian Churches in Naperville will participate. You are invited to join in prayer and song as we remember the victims of abortion over the past 37 years and pray for an end to this tragedy. "You alone are the Lord. You have made the heavens, The heaven of heavens with all their host, The earth and all that is on it, The seas and all that is in them. You give life to all of them, and the heavenly host bows down before You." Nehemiah 9:6 Pro-Life Weekend Diaper Drive Next weekend is Pro-Life Weekend. On that weekend the Pro Life Ministry is having their first quarterly diaper drive of the year. Please bring diapers and/or wipes and leave them in the playpen in the gathering area. Everything collected will be donated to CareNet Crisis Pregnancy Center. Thank you so much once again for your amazing generosity! January 17, 2010 Page 10

11 Sponsor-a-Child Thank You Thank you to all who were able to support the Haiti Twinning Sponsor-a-Child program this school year. Going into the Christmas season, we were a behind our objective. However, so many of you were able to respond to the Haiti Gift card program that we achieved the goal for the year a total of $50,000!! That has been our objective for the past four years. As most of you know, the money goes toward the salaries of some 46 teachers at the four schools we support, from elementary through high school. Each year, as in the US, the cost of education goes up. Teachers ask for raises. The people in the village have been able to provide for those increases as our commitment has remained constant. Thanks to you, we have been able to meet that commitment. Father Fritz, the first Pastor of Ste. Marie- Madeleine, has often said, Education is the key. We thank you for your continuing support. When we began 11 years ago, there was only on elementary school. This year we will have our second high school graduating class the second in the history of Duchity! Thanks so very much!! Haiti Twinning Education Team Transportation Help for Parish Family There is a parish family that will be in need of a ride every week-day for 16 weeks. The idea is to find: 5 people to do once a week or 10 people to do once every two weeks or 15 people to do every three weeks or You get the idea. The husband in the family had a stroke some time ago. His rehab has gotten him back to the point where he is mobile with a cane and is very self-sufficient. But he has plateau d. The goal is to get him back to work. There is a hyperbaric treatment that has some possibility of getting him to that point. However, insurance will not pay. His wife has a job and thinks she will be able to handle the expense. But the treatments are only given on weekdays between the hours of 8 AM 4 PM and those are the hours she needs to work. That is the problem. The treatments are given in Bolingbrook. The distance is about 25 miles. The treatment takes about an hour. A specific time has not yet been set up, but would not begin until the last half of January. At this time, we are identifying potential driver volunteers. If you think you could help, please contact Anne in the OSJ Office ( , aschultz@stapostle.org). Pastoral Care Prayer Shawl Ministry Chemo Caps Are you experiencing medical or chemical hair loss, or know of someone who is, and would be interested in a stylish knit or crocheted cap? (known as a Chemo Cap) to wear while awaiting new growth???? St. Thomas Prayer Shawl Ministry would like to help Those interested in receiving a Chemo Cap or are in need of a pattern for a knitted/crocheted Chemo Cap please contact the Prayer Shawl Ministry through the Parish Nursing Staff at St. Thomas. Chemo Cap patterns are difficult to find and a variety of stylish ones have been found recently that should fit the needs/likes of most individuals. An individualized selection of style and/or color is possible. Please contact Parish Nursing at x 104 or x 140 with questions and for more information. Prayer Shawl Ministry Shares Thanks Tis the Season.at this time of year we are reminded of those we hold fondly within our hearts. We have been very blessed this year with generous donations of time, talent, yarn and the means to provide Prayer Shawls to anyone in need of our comforting arms of God shawls throughout the year. Many hours of work go into each shawl and they are truly a labor of love for the makers. Besides the official members of our Prayer Shawl Ministry, we have been blessed over and over with angel knitters/crocheters who remain anonymous to us by dropping off their finished projects to be gifted away to bring love and comfort to anyone who requests one. All these efforts are truly appreciated. Thank you one and all for such giving of yourselves to those who may be in need. We are all connected like the stitches in our yarn and certainly make for a beautiful Parish graced with love and peace. Prayer Shawl Ministry Page 11 January 17, 2010

12 Have you heard about the National Marrow Donor Program? St. Thomas Hosts Registry Feb 14 and March 14 Be the Match! The Be The Match Registry (operated by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP)) helps people who need a life-saving marrow or blood cell transplant. Since the NMDP began operations in 1987, it has facilitated more than 33,000 marrow or blood cell transplants for patients who do not have matching donors in their family. This is more than 350 transplants each month. The Be The Match Registry connects patients, doctors, and researchers to the resources they need to help more people live longer and healthier lives. To achieve this they: Search their bone marrow donor registry, which is the largest listing of volunteer donors and cord blood units in the world. Support patients and their doctors throughout the transplant process Match patients with the best donor or cord blood unit using innovative science and technology. Every year more than 10,000 men, women and children get life-threatening diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma, and do not have a marrow donor in their family. Only 30% of patients in need of a marrow or blood cell transplant find a match in their family, the rest may turn to the NMDP to search for an unrelated donor or cord blood unit. The other 70% need to find an unrelated marrow donor whose tissue type matches their own, most likely donors of their same race and ethnicity. Patients diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or other blood cancers make up 72% of transplants. The remaining patients undergo a transplant to treat a variety of immune system and inherited disorders You may be the one to give hope to children and adults in need all over our nation without leaving Illinois. If you re ever found to be a match for someone, you d be one of the few people, if not the only person in the world that could save that particular patient. St. Thomas will be hosting a Be the Match Marrow Donor Registry Drive on February 14 and March 14 after the 7:30, 9:00, and 10:45 masses. Healthy individuals 18 to 60 years old, can be tested with a cheek swab after the necessary paper forms are completed. It is approximately a 5-10 minute process. It is necessary for the Be The Match organization to solicit funding to help cover the more than $100 per sample costs incurred in tissue typing the sample and adding member donors to the registry. They do have various sources of funding, but seek to recover a minimum of $25 per new member to offset costs. St. Thomas will be accepting freewill tax-deductible donations to assist the parish and families to defray the costs. Those not eligible due to age or health conditions may consider making a monetary donation to show support and help defray the cost of this Be the Match Donor Registry Drive. St. Thomas parishioner, Jenna McKeown (daughter of Jerry and Amy) and Matthew Furibondo (grandson of Nick and Fran) have used or will use the Registry to find a donor. More information and details are forthcoming. Please call the parish nurse office x104 or 140 with questions. Mark your calendar now for this important event! To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world -Anonymous. Source: National Marrow Donor Program January 17, 2010 Page 12

13 Wed, Feb 3, 1:00 p.m. Lunch at Olive Garden Meeting to follow. Call Barb Bigus with reservations Welcome guests and visitors, we re so glad you are here! Please visit the information areas located at the entrance to the church and in the gathering area before or after Mass. You will find available materials about the Catholic Church and St. Thomas which may be of interest to you. If you have questions or concerns, and would like to speak with Fr. Joel or another member of staff, there are a variety of ways you can make contact, including signing the guest book, leaving a completed comment card in the provided box, or taking home a staff contact list and making the call at your convenience. Whichever way you choose, we look forward to getting to you know you, and hope to see you again soon! St. Thomas the Apostle Advent Lessons and Carols December 6, 2009 AVAILABLE NOW ON DVD! Wed, Mar 3, 1:00 p.m. Lunch at Olive Garden Meeting to follow. Call Barb Bigus with reservations Stewardship A Way of Life Last Weekend s stewardship of financial gifts... Weekly Sunday Offertory Jan 10, 2010 (week 28) 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 7/1/09 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: $25,366 $16,480 $10,227 $52,073 $1,006,383 $35,942 $991,200 $15,183 $1,840,800 $834,417 $146,500 $130, $16, Only $10 Stop the Liturgy Office to pick up an order form Page 13 January 17, 2010

14 Administration Commission Jobs Ministry Weekly Networking Meeting Friday mornings at 9:30 a.m. (after the 8:30 a.m. Liturgy) Lighthouse The January 2010 St. Thomas the Apostle Jobs Ministry Meeting will be held on Wednesday evening January 20, at 7:00 pm in the Gym. Our speaker will be Bob Podgorski, a thirty eight year HR professional at Harper College, where Bob serves as Manager Of Extension Services. Bob s presentation titled The Seven Career Success Attributes will help the Job Seeker at all occupation and business levels, and were identified by speaking to hiring authorities, executives, executive search professionals and career coaches. Bob s presentation will explain what each attribute means and traits that relate to them, that will be important to an interviewer and hiring manager. In 2003, Bob, with a team of fellow Parishioners, formed the St Hubert s job and Networking Ministry. The non denominational Ministry serves the regions unemployed, under employed and career changer. Please plan to attend this very informative presentation by Bob Podgorski as he shares his thoughts in a presentation titled The Seven Career Success Attributes. For more info please contact Jim Breen at jimb4853@yahoo.com St Thomas the Apostle Church 1500 Brookdale Road Naperville, IL Friday meeting format include the speaker, followed by structured networking sessions. Bring business cards, handbills and resumes. Contact Jim Breen at jimb4853@yahoo.com for more info. THE WEEK AHEAD Monday, Jan. 18 Martin Luther King Day All Offices Closed Tuesday, Jan :00 11:00 a.m. Care Pantry, Lighthouse 4:30 5:45 p.m. 1st Grade R. E. Church Visit, Church 4:30 5:45 p.m. R.E. Classes at Brookdale School 7:00 9:00 p.m. Adult Basketball, Gym 7:00 9:00 p.m. Baptism Class, Senior Center 7:00 9:00 p.m. Charismatic Prayer Group, 7:00 9:30 p.m. Voices of Faith, Church 7:30 9:30 p.m. Finance Committee, Judea Wednesday, Jan. 20 4:15 5:15 p.m. Joyful Jammers, Church 6:00 9:30 p.m. ALPHA, Lighthouse 7:00 9:30 p.m. Jobs Ministry, Gym Thursday, Jan :00am-12:00 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry, Cana 6:00 7:15 p.m. Journey Praise, Church 6:30 8:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry, Cana 7:00 9:00 p.m. Mary s Way, Friday, Jan. 22 9:00 11:30 a.m. Bible Study, Senior Center Saturday, Jan. 23 8:30am-12:00 p.m. 1st Grade R. E. Church Visit, Church 8:30 11:45 a.m. R. E. Classes at All Saints Academy 9:00am-12:00 p.m. Art Class, Senior Center 9:00 10:30 a.m. Men s Saturday Sharing, Resource Center 10:00 11:15 a.m. Rainbows, Ministry Center 4:00 7:00 p.m. RCIA, Senior Center Sunday, Jan. 24 7:30am-12:30 p.m. Welcome & Donut Sunday, Gym 9:00 11:40 a.m. Liturgy of the Word with Children, Ministry Center 3:00 5:00 p.m. Gospel Of Mark, Gym Wed Jan 20, 7:00 pm: Bob Podgorski, a 38 year HR professional at Harper College, will be speaking about Bob s Seven Career Success Attributes. The presentation is applicable to all occupations and business levels, and were identified by speaking to hiring authorities, executives, executive search professionals and career coaches. Bob s presentation will explain what each attribute means and traits that relate to them, that will be important to an interviewer and hiring manager. January 17, 2010 Page 14