Church of Saint Thomas More

Transcription

1 Church of Saint Thomas More 65 East 89 th Street (east of Madison Avenue) New York City, New York PARISH OFFICE (212) FAX (212) WEBSITE: FACEBOOK: Church of St. Thomas More CLERGY Rev. Kevin V, Madigan, Pastor Rev. Edwin Diaz, Associate Pastor STAFF Edward Litcher, Business Manager Margaret Peet, Development Sharon McKenna, Sacristan Christopher Candela, Director of Music WEEKDAY MASSES Monday thru Friday: 7:00 am, 8:00 am and 12:15 pm Saturday: 8:00 am and 12:15 pm CONFESSIONS Monday thru Friday 12:00 pm - 12:10 pm (before Mass) Saturday 5:00 5:30 pm BAPTISM 1:30 pm on Sunday (Arrangements must be made in advance) MARRIAGE Arrangements should be made at least six months prior to the wedding VISITS TO HOMEBOUND PARISHIONERS Our clergy are happy to visit. Call the parish office to arrange. Parish Trustees Christopher Baldwin Michael Poulos Parish Council President Elizabeth Williams Finance Council Chairman George Sim Johnston Head Usher John F.R. Smilgin, III October 27, 2013 SUNDAY MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Evening: 5:45 p.m. Sunday Morning: 8:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. (Family Mass) Families and children are encouraged to attend the Family Mass at 10:00 a.m. Sunday Afternoon: Sunday Evening: 12:00 p.m. (Choral Mass) 5:45 p.m.

2 Church of St. Thomas More October 27, 2013 The Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Theme/Call To Worship The readings for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time teach about the importance of humility and persistence in prayer. It is in our prayer life, when approached with sincerity of heart, where we discover a connection and a communion with God. Introduction To The Word Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18: The first reading, taken from the Book of Sirach, takes up the subject of God and prayer. Our Jewish sage makes three important points on this subject. First, while completely impartial, God hears especially the lament of the oppressed, the orphan, and the widow. Second, the one who is obedient and serves God is highly valued; his petition reaches the heavens. Third, the prayer of the lowly is heard and responded to by God. 2 Timothy 4:6-8, : The reading from Paul s Second Letter to Timothy begins by acknowledging that his public ministry to the Gentiles is near its end. Paul s self-assessment is very positive, and he employs the image of an athlete as a metaphor for the struggle for truth. The reading concludes with Paul recollecting moments of doubt and fear, but also highlighting the strength he drew from Christ to carry on his evangelization of the Gentiles. Luke 18:9-14: In today s Gospel, it is the Pharisee, an otherwise respected religious leader of the people, whose prayer is self-righteous, self-serving, and judgmental. By contrast, the tax collector, a known and often despised collaborator with the Roman occupiers of the Jewish homeland, is sincere and sorrowful in prayer, seeking only God s mercy and forgiveness. Like the Jewish sage from the Book of Sirach, Jesus makes the critical connection that regardless of position or station in life, God hears the prayer of people impartially, rewarding those who are humble of heart. Adapted from Liturgical Publications Inc, Connect! Uniting Word & World, Dr. Daniel J. Scholz At St. Thomas More This Week Date: Event: Time: 10/27 Baptism 1:00 pm 10/29 Leisure Club Lunch After 12:15pm Mass A.A. Meeting 6:30 pm 10/30 Christian Meditation 6:00 pm 10/31 A.A. Meeting 6:30 pm 11/01 First Friday Exposition & Benediction after 12:15 Mass A.A. Meeting 6:30 pm 11/02 A.A Meeting 2:00 pm Celebrant / Lector Mass Schedule Oct 27 Celebrant Lector Sat 5:45 pm Fr. Madigan Damley Family Sun 8:30 am Fr. Madigan Mary Ellen McEvily Sun 10:00 am Fr. Linus Morris Family Sun 12:00 pm Fr. Linus Nilsa Santiago Sun 5:45 pm Fr. Diaz Jim Sterling Nov 03 Celebrant Lector Sat 5:45 pm Fr. Linus The Rosses Sun 8:30 am Fr. Linus Louisa Martin Sun 10:00 am Fr. Madigan Branche Family Sun 12:00 pm Fr. Diaz Jacqueline Ackerina Sun 5:45 pm Fr. Madigan Chris Baldwin Making All Things New The goals of the Making All Things New process promoted by Cardinal Dolan include: 1. To enhance the vibrancy of parish life throughout the Archdiocese of New York. 2. To strengthen the presence and ministry of the Church in the urban, suburban and rural areas of the archdiocese. 3. To foster an appreciation for and participation in Sunday Eucharist. 4. To promote new evangelization efforts throughout the archdiocese. 5. To realign parishes within the archdiocese considering the number of priests available to serve, financial resources and changing demographics. 6. To ensure that all parishioners have opportunities for quality lifelong Christian education and formation. 7. To strengthen service to those who are most in need. 8. To promote vocations to the priesthood, religious life, the diaconate and lay ministry. 9. To support new initiatives for youth, young adults and seniors. 10. To build a greater sense of unity among Catholics from all cultures within the local Church 11. To increase collaboration among all entities in the local, national and universal Church.

3 MASS INTENTIONS AND FEAST DAYS AT ST. THOMAS MORE FOR WEEK OF OCTOBER 27 NOVEMBER 02 Mon. October 28 Sts. Simon and Jude 7:00 Mary Crill (L) 8:00 Sheila Butler (L) * 12:15 Christopher Begley (D) Tues. October 29 7:00 Helen Shelley (D) 8:00 Kathy Usiak (D) * 12:15 Francis Ferguson (D) Wed. October 30 7:00 Madeleine & Frank Klabouch (L) 8:00 F. Patrick Crunder (D) * 12:15 Margaret & Joseph Phelan (D) Thurs. October 31 7:00 Dorothea Taylor (D) 8:00 Rose Russo (D) * 12:15 Marcelino Heres (D) Fri. November 01 All Saints Day 7:00 All 8:00 Saints * 12:15 Holy Day 12:40 First Friday Devotion 5:45 All Saints Holy Day Sat. November 02 All Souls Day 8:00 All * 12:15 Souls Day Novena 5:45 Sunday Vigil * Rosary said after the 12:15 Mass The Lord hears the cry of the poor. WEEKDAY BIBLE READING 10/28 Mon: Eph 2:19-22; Lk 6: /29 Tues: Rom 8:18-25; Lk 13: /30 Wed: Rom 8:26-30; Lk 13: /31 Thurs: Rom 8:31b-39; Lk 13: /01 Fri: Rv 7:2-4, 9-14; 1 Jn 3:1-3; Mt 5:1-12a 11/02 Sat: Wis 3:1-9; Rom 5:5-11 or 6:3-9; Jn 6:37-40 Sunday Collection October 20, 2013 Total Regular Collection - $7, Weekly Expenses - $14, Adult Attendance 539 Parish Pay Please consider joining Parish Pay to help you maintain your economic connection to your parish when you are away from home. To join the Parish Pay system, visit the St. Thomas More website and click the Donate button located on our home page. All Souls Mass Remembrance Envelopes and the box for collecting them are available in the back of the Church Making All Things New Survey To provide you with an opportunity to offer your opinion on the present and future direction of our parish, we have prepared a survey to facilitate the process of data collection. The hard copy version of this survey is available in the back of the church and the on-line version is available at the St. Thomas More website: St. Thomas More is seeking dedicated adult acolytes, to serve at the weekly principal (solemn) Sunday Mass. Those interested will receive training and spiritual formation in the art and duties of an acolyte, including the proper functions of a thurifer (incenser), cross bearer, candle bearers, and book bearer. Volunteering for this would be a tremendous act of care and love for our Lord and our parish because a robust and beautiful celebration of the Mass aids our ability to encounter Christ using all of our senses. Could the Lord be calling you? Contact Christopher Candela: StmMusicOffice@gmail.com If you would like to remember someone who has passed away or is just in need of some extra prayers, Mass Intentions are available for many of our weekday Masses. Visit the Parish Office during regular business hours to review our list of available Masses.

4 Sunday Coffee Hour: Volunteer for this important Community Service. We extend our thanks to Elizabeth Williams for hosting this gathering, which is a wonderful way for parishioners to meet and get to know one another as well as to share a sweet and a cup of coffee or apple juice for the children. We look forward to meeting you there after the 10:00am Mass. Postcards (new!) and Note cards Need stationery for a note, thank-you or invitation? New note cards and postcards of our lovely church facade are available for sale at the Parish Office (6 cards for $10). See samples posted at the back of the church. All proceeds to St. Thomas More. Join the St. Thomas More E-Group Send an with your Name and the words Join the E-Group (Currently 212 members) to stmbusiness@gmail.com receive the weekly Bulletin and other important information. The More for Less Fair Saturday October 26 th 10am 5pm Games and Toys China, Crystal and Glassware Household Items Collectibles Jewelry and Accessories Paintings, Prints and Sculpture Designer and Vintage Clothing Silver Adult and Children s Gently Used Clothing Door Prizes and much more Church of St Thomas More 65 East 89 th Street between Park and Madison Admission $3.00 All proceeds to benefit the elderly and disabled of the Parish. HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES MANHATTAN Girls - Marymount School Tuesday, October 29, PM 1026 Fifth Avenue New York, NY Girls - Mother Cabrini HS Saturday, October 26, PM 701 Fort Washington Avenue New York, NY Girls - Notre Dame School Sunday, October 27, PM 327 West 13th Street New York, NY Boys - La Salle Academy Saturday, October AM 1 PM 215 East 6th Street New York, NY Coed - Cristo Rey NY High School Saturday, November 2, PM 112 East 106th Street New York, NY 10029

5 What is Making All Things New? Dear Parishioners, Many of you may already be aware of Making All Things New, the Archdiocesan Pastoral Planning initiative. All parishes in the New York Archdiocese are participating. Beginning this weekend, and for the next few weeks, we will include a bulletin insert outlining Making All Things New and our parish s response. Recognizing the dramatic changes over the years in such vital areas as Mass attendance, the number of available priests, and the places that Catholics live and worship, Cardinal Dolan recognized the importance of initiating a pastoral planning process for the Archdiocese. Making All Things New is the name given to this process. Among its most important goals are the following: To enhance the vibrancy of parish life in the Archdiocese of New York. To foster an appreciation for and participation in Sunday Eucharist. To implement parish planning within the Archdiocese considering the needs of the people, the projected number of priests available to serve, financial resources, and changing demographics. After several years of planning, including an Archdiocesan wide survey that you may recall taking in the spring of 2011, this planning process is now entering a critical phase. Decisions will soon be made to consolidate, merge, or even close some of the Archdiocese s 386 parishes. Cardinal Dolan is inviting an open, transparent process in which every parish will have an opportunity to engage in self-assessment (Phase I), and then work with nearby parishes to discern the best way forward for their particular area (Phase II). In order to assist in this work, every pastor was asked to form a small core team of dedicated parishioners. Our team includes Chris Baldwin (Chair), Sim Johnston, Michael Poulos, Catherine Scalera (Secretary) and Ed Reilly. I am working closely with this group to plan and execute our parish s participation in this extremely important initiative. We have devised three primary tools for Phase I (our self-assessment): a Parish Survey, which will be available online and in paper form beginning Saturday, October 19 th (you will also be able to fill out the questionnaire this weekend after the masses); the opportunity to participate in a Town Hall Meeting, open to all parishioners, Wednesday, November 13 th at 7:00 p.m. in the Rochester Room; and another one on Thursday, November 14 th, at 7:00 p.m., also in the Rochester Room, for those involved in special ministries and/or parish activities (e.g. lectors, Eucharistic ministers, parish council, leisure lunch). While our parish is strong, and hardly in danger of closing, we simply do not know what the final configuration of parishes on the Upper East Side will be. Our open, generous, and prayerful participation in this process will help ensure an outcome that is centered in the Spirit. I encourage you to pray for the success of this much needed initiative. For additional information you can visit With best wishes and gratitude to you for your continued concern and support, Rev. Kevin V. Madigan, Pastor