ST. THOMAS AQUINAS. Learning, Living and Sharing the Good News SCRIPTURE REFLECTION. Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John The Baptist - June 24, 2018

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1 ST. THOMAS AQUINAS Roman Catholic Church 8320 Old C.R. #54 New Port Richey, FL Phone Web Page: Pastor: Rev. Eric Peters Associate Pastor: Rev. George P. Varkey Deacon: Rev. Mr. Melvin Dunphy STA Early Childhood Center: ; Bishop Larkin Catholic School (K-8): ; Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School: Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John The Baptist - June 24, 2018 SCRIPTURE REFLECTION USUALLY, when the Church celebrates the feast day of a saint, we are celebrating the day of the saint s death recalling their entrance into heaven. But the Church also celebrates the days of birth of three people. Jesus (Christmas / The Nativity of the Lord), the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8), and Saint John the Baptist (June 24 six months before Christmas Eve). Today s celebration helps us to see just how close John was with his cousin Jesus. It should also help us to want to be more like John. Imitating him, may we be the voices who speak the gospel of Christ to others. In receiving the Eucharist, we are called to imitate Christ through love and sacrifice for others. Voices who speak like John, hearts who serve like Jesus. What a great combination to emulate! Learning, Living and Sharing the Good News

2 SAVE THE DATE FOR THE FAMILY FAITH FEST OCTOBER 27, 2018 Mark your calendar to join Bishop Gregory Parkes for the Family Faith Fest at Al Lopez Park in Tampa on Saturday, Oct. 27, To celebrate our 50th anniversary, the Diocese of St. Petersburg is hosting a music and faith festival that includes Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, and the celebration of Mass. Two stages will feature live music and entertainment, plus much more! This is a free event, open to all. BayCare is a presenting sponsor. Thank you so much to our Monday Evening Prayer Group, who graciously donated a new Sunday lectionary for the church. Ours was well used, well worn and ready for retirement. We are grateful for this beautiful book from which God's Word will be proclaimed! Readings for the Week of June 24, 2018 Sunday: Vigil: Jer 1:4-10/Ps 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15, 17/ 1 Pt 1:8-12/Lk 1:5-17 Day: Is 49:1-6/Ps 139:1b-3, 13-14ab, 14c-15/ Acts 13:22-26/Lk 1:57-66, 80 Monday: 2 Kgs 17:5-8, 13-15a, 18/Ps 60:7b/Mt 7:1-5 Tuesday: 2 Kgs 19:9b-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36/Ps 48:9d/ Mt 7:6, Wed: 2 Kgs 22:8-13; 23:1-3/Ps 119:33a/Mt 7:15-20 (Opt. 2 Tim 4:1-5/Ps 89:2/Mt 5:13-19) Thursday: 2 Kgs 24:8-17/Ps 79:9/Mt 7:21-29 (Opt. 2 Tim 2:22b-26/Ps 37:30a/Jn 17:20-26) Friday: Acts 12:1-11/Ps 34:5/2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18/Mt 16:13-19 Saturday: Lam 2:2, 10-14, 18-19/Ps 74:19b/Mt 8:5-17 (Opt. Rom 8:31b-39/Ps 124:7/Mt 24:4-13) Next Sunday: Wis 1:13-15; 2:23-24/Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13/2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15/Mk 5:21-43 or 5:21-24, 35b-43 Weekend Readings are at (727) Mass Intentions Monday 8:00 a.m. Hilda and Tom LaTour, Sr. Tuesday 8:00 a.m. Claudia Marques Wednesday 8:00 a.m. Vocations Thursday 8:00 a.m. Casimer Kondziolka Friday 8:00 a.m. Charles J. Sheehan Saturday 4:00 p.m. Robert Cloud 6:00 p.m. Richard J. Slatowski Sunday 7:00 a.m. Nicolo Troina 8:30 a.m. Peter Kinghorn 10:30 a.m. Carmela and Attilio Dente 5:00 p.m. Parish Family YOUTH VIDEO CONTEST The Diocese of St. Petersburg celebrates its 50th Anniversary during Teens have an opportunity to learn about the history of their local Church through a video contest that answers the question Why I love the Church. The best videos will be featured on the diocesan website and played at the Family Faith Fest on October 27, Find full contest details and rules at ARTS, CRAFTS AND AUTHORS SAVE THE DATE St. Thomas Aquinas Fall Festival November 2-4, 2018 Anyone interested in participating, call , ext. 116 and we will provide more information.

3 Mon. 06/25 Tues. 06/26 Parish Calendar 7PM Gospel Choir Rehearsal 9AM Ladies Guild Rosary Makers; 10AM Bereavement Wed. 06/27 9AM Legion of Mary Thurs. 06/28 7PM Bible Study Fri. 06/29 Sat. 06/30 8PM AA Sun. 07/01 5PM Mass Life Teen Offertory - June 16th and 17th $12, , Online Giving $14, Total CATHOLICS ARE STILL IN CLIMATE DECLARATION The Catholic Climate Covenant has developed a Catholics are Still In Declaration (see Declaration at this link: in solidarity with the We Are Still In campaign, a U.S. civil society response to the Administration s announced U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Sign on in order to express the U.S. Catholic community s commitment to pray for, and act towards a thriving future with our family and the gift of God s creation. Mass and Devotions Schedule Saturday Vigil: 4:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. Sunday: 7:00 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. (Contemporary) and 5:00 p.m. (LifeTeen ) Daily Mass: 8:00 a.m. Monday-Friday Healing Mass: 7:00 p.m. Monday (September - June) Holy Rosary after 8:00 a.m. Mass, Mon-Fri, in Blessed Sacrament Chapel Marian Novena after 8:00 a.m. Mass on Tuesdays Benediction & Adoration: 1st Fridays 8:30 10:00 a.m. (September May) Reconciliation: Saturday 2:30-3:30 p.m. or by appt. Parish Information Office hours 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. Monday-Friday, Sunday mornings. Call for information. Phone: (727) Fax: (727) Website: Prayer Line: (727) Emergency Number for Anointing of the Sick: Nights & Weekends (727) Administration Business Office Fax: (727) Pastoral Ministries Coordinator: Mary Miller Ext 111 Parish Bookkeeper: Cherise Amundson Ext. 115 Bulletin Editor: Kate Ext. 113 Parish Ministry Faith Formation Team Leader Sue Sferra Ext. 132 Faith Formation Assistant Denise Santos Ext. 112 Middle School (Edge) Sue Sferra Ext. 132 High School (Life Teen) - Beth DeBella and Cliff Stodden Ext. 131 RCIA Sue Sferra Ext. 132 Music - Dan O Hara Ext. 128 Parish Nurse, Ministry to the Sick & Homebound Betty West Ext. 116 Sacristan - JoAnn McVeigh Ext. 129 Stewardship Mary Ellen Taylor Ext. 144 St. Vincent de Paul Society Ext. 142 STA Early Childhood Center Alicia Mumma, Director (727) Food Pantry: Monday & Thursday 9:30-11:00am & 1:30-3:30pm Gift Store: Open before/after 4 pm Saturday and 10:30 am Sunday Masses Parish Library: Open during office hours

4 Diocese Documents 50 Year Impact on the Community IMPACT ON WORKERS In 1969, after sanitation workers began to strike to protest unfair treatment, Bishop Charles McLaughlin helped to form Religious United in Action for Community (RUAC) and was elected the first chairman. The goal was to help workers have better working conditions and to unite in expression of our concern for the moral and physical welfare of all citizens. IMPACT ON RADIO In 1986, Bishop Larkin established WBVM 90.5, a radio station that serves the community with the largest signal allowed by the FCC: 100,000 watts. The station, now known as Spirit FM 90.5, provides hopeful and positive music, inspiring messages, weather alerts, community and event information to people of all faiths. Spirit FM currently reaches approximately 100,000 people each week. IMPACT ON RACE RELATIONS In the late 1990s, the community of St. Joseph Parish in St. Petersburg helped to form CUCA Congregations United for Community Action. The group marched against illicit drug use and governmental neglect while marching in favor of racial and religious reconciliation. Father Bill Mason, pastor of St. Joseph at the time, was one of the earliest co-leaders of CUCA. He remembered one meeting that seemed to capture St. Joseph s role in getting the group off the ground. We d had a huge meeting at the Church of God in Christ, he said. At the end of the meeting, they would usually have people from each church stand up. When they called St. Joseph s, there were so many of us that we overwhelmed even the home parish. IMPACT ON THE ELDERLY Our commitment to providing affordable housing started with a focus on serving the elderly who were most in need of quality, affordable housing. The majority were widows who were living in squalor in retirement. By partnering with the Federal government s Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), we have been able to assist the elderly. The first affordable housing property to be built for seniors located in the five counties of the Diocese of St. Petersburg is called King s Manor. It was built at Christ the King Parish in Tampa in Criteria for selection by HUD included financial need, location, demographics, and strength of sponsor. Sponsors had to show they are responsible members of the community, stable and not fly by night. We ve been around 2,000 years, said James Sebesta, director of the diocesan real estate office, in The Diocese started with 99 housing units in one facility for the elderly in 1983 and has since grown to 1,019 units in 14 facilities today.

5 Knight s Korner Knights of Columbus Council #11497 Knights of Council #11497, join us for our first business meeting of the new Fraternal Year! We will be welcoming the new leadership and setting the agenda for the next year. We need your input and involvement to be successful. Thanks. July 5 th July Business Interested in becoming a Knight? Visit and contact our recruitment coordinator Bob Neider (614) to find out more. Peter s Pence Collection Next week, we will take the Peter s Pence Collection, which provides Pope Francis with the funds he needs to carry out his charitable works around the world. The proceeds benefit our brothers and sisters on the margins of society, including victims of war, oppression, and disasters. Please be generous. For more information, visit: CATHOLIC COMMUNITY RESPONDS TO GUATEMALA VOLCANO DISASTER Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is responding to the June 3 volcano eruption in Guatemala, which left entire communities buried in ash. The death toll from the volcano is expected to climb into the hundreds as rescuers make their way to villages devastated by the mixtures of hot gas and rock known as pyroclastic flows -- that swept down the volcano s slopes. The impacted areas of Guatemala include Chimaltenango, Escuintla, and Sacatepéquez districts. CRS has an emergency coordinator on the ground in Escuintla who is coordinating with the government and local authorities, including the Church, which has opened three shelters and is providing food, water, and other necessities to those displaced. Below, please find communication resources about the Guatemala disaster. Attached, you will also find factsheets about the situation in Guatemala and Nicaragua (English/Spanish) and the Catholic response. STORY Abortion is NOT Family Planning! - Show your support for the "Protect Life Rule" The Trump Administration just proposed new regulations to help ensure that abortion is separated from the federal Title X family planning program. Cardinal Dolan, chair of the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities said, "Most Americans recognize that abortion is distinct from family planning and has no place in a taxpayer-funded family planning program. For too long, Title X has been used to subsidize the abortion industry. " The Administration has opened a 60-day comment period ending on July 31, 2018 and is accepting comments on the proposed rule. For more information and/or to submit a comment, visit

6 Shipwrecked: Rescued By Jesus! Vacation Bible School JULY :45AM-Noon Registration is filling up fast! Forms online stanpr.org - in church narthex - at the front desk of parish office during office hours Tuition: $40 for the 1 st child, $15 for each additional child *NO ONE turned away due to inability to pay* Campers Pre-K 4 through Grade 5 fall 18 Grade 6+ needed as Island Anchors (aka camp counselors) VBS SUPPLIES NEEDED!!! Will you consider donating??? Donations may be dropped at front desk Bottled Water (individual size), Sodas, Powdered Drink Mix (large) Snack Foods (non perishable) - individual chips bags, packaged cookies, crackers, granola bars, etc. Baby Wipes and Clorox disinfecting wipes Kleenex / Tissues Markers / Crayons / Pencils / Pens Multi Color Construction Paper Gift Cards to Walmart, Publix, etc. for VBS supply shopping YOUR PRAYERS FOR A FAITH-FILLED, JOYOUS WEEK!!!

7 Faith Formation For All! Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist I praise you, for I am wonderfully made. From Psalm 139 Nativity of Saint John the Baptist June 24 Elizabeth gives her son the name John, which means God has been gracious. This name sets John apart in a special way: it was normally the father's responsibility to name a child, and the name was usually a family name. The unusual nature of John's naming suggests to everyone that this is a special child. As a Family talk about your names. Names have special meanings. In our families, some people are named after parents or other relatives and ancestors. Sometimes peoples' names are symbolic, suggesting something unique about the person or recalling an event or experience related to that person's birth. What is the story behind your name? No matter where your name came from, remember - you came from God. And that makes you very very special! St. John the Baptist is patron of builders, tailors, printers, baptism, conversion of faith and more! As you recall your own baptism, think of your favorite symbol (s) may their meaning renew yours! Baptismal Symbols & Meaning: the sign of the cross traced (mystery of our faith), pouring on of water (dying to sin, rising to new life), words of baptism (in the name of Father, Son, Holy Spirit - the trinity), anointing with sacred oils (catechumen to strengthen and chrism to commission a life as priest / prophet / king), white garment (putting on Christ), baptismal candle (receiving the light of Christ and sharing that light with others). Next Baptism Enrichment Session: Sunday July 8th 9:00AM register with Sue via sue@stanpr.org While weekly formation sessions have concluded for the year, remember formation continues forever! Registration for the Formation Year is NOW OPEN online, in church narthex and at parish office front reception desk. St. Thomas Aquinas Summer VBS will be July 9-13th! Filling Up Fast register now!!! Forms found online, in church narthex & at front reception desk during office hours VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS NEEDED AND GREATLY VALUED! Contact Denise