Second Sunday of Easter March 30, 2008

Transcription

1 Second Sunday of Easter March 30, 2008

2 St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Parish 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville, IL (Main Office) Visit us on the internet at (Religious Education) (Facsimilie) Pastoral Staff Full Time Rev. Joel Fortier Pastor, Rev. Mark Cote Associate Pastor, Rev. Bob Colaresi, O. Carm. Weekend Assistant Rev. Mr. William Worden, D. Min. Deacon, ext. 105 Rev. Mr. Chuck Lane Deacon, ext. 220, Rev. Mr. Jim Breen Deacon, , Rev. Mr. Larry Kearney Deacon, ext. 225, Rev. Mr. Michael Barrett Deacon, ext. 220, Jacob Chojnacki, Director of High School Ministry, ext. 123, Gerry Czerak Business Manager, ext. 106, Corinne Seguin-Dart Director of Junior High Youth Ministry, ext. 117, Patti Dougherty Director of Religious Education, ext. 109, Julie Frazier Liturgy and Music, ext. 111, Robert Frazier Liturgy and Music, ext. 112, Jan Olah Director of Pastoral Care, ext. 124 Chari Rosales Director of Adult Education & RCIA ext. 138, Michael Ryder Director of Outreach & Social Justice (OSJ), ext. 121, Pastoral Care Staff Part Time Felicia Lawlor, M.S., R.N., Faith Community Nurse, ext 104, Rose Grumbine, R.N., Faith Community Nurse, ext 104, Support Staff Full Time Nancy Cirmo Religious Education Assistant, ext. 118, Lori Culberson Liturgical Assistant, ext. 120, Kathy Ferguson - Receptionist, ext. 100, mainoffice@stapostle.org Diane McQueen Parish Assistant, ext. 101, dmcqueen@stapostle.org Anne Schultz OSJ Partner & Adult Faith Formation Assistant, ext. 113, aschultz@stapostle.org Angela Tuttle Liturgy Assistant & Communications Coordinator, ext. 110, atuttle@stapostle.org Support Staff Part Time Pat Berkhout Evening/Saturday Receptionist, ext. 119, nitecrew@stapostle.org Marge Coronado Evening Receptionist, ext. 119, nitecrew@stapostle.org Marilyn DeMeo Database Coordinator (T/Th), ext. 107, mdemeo@stapostle.org Susan Francesconi, External Communications, ext. 108, sfrancesconi@stapostle.org Jorge Gonzalez Custodian Sally Meno - OSJ Financial, smeno@stapostle.org Sue Sportiello Accounts Payable (M/W), ext. 107, ssportiello@stapostle.org Ted McKeown - Facility Coordinator, ext. 133, facility@stapostle.org Theresa Sheliga Sacristan Coordinator, ext. 116 Lynne Vehlewald Librarian, ext. 125, library@stapostle.org Pastoral Leadership Community Pam Foster Julee Gard Steven Grumbine Dan O Grady Ray Vogt Commission Facilitators Worship Matt Balda Parish Life Faith Formation Lorraine Katz Administration Dave Otto Service Carol Healy Stewardship Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday reconciliation is available after 8:30 a.m. Mass, 3:30 to 4:15 p.m., or after the 4:30 p.m. Mass in the Reconciliation Room of the Chapel. Fr. Joel and Fr. Mark are available during the week by appointment. Communal Penance services are held occasionally throughout the year. Sick and Home Bound Call the Church Office to receive prayer/eucharist from a priest, deacon or Minister of Care. Baptism Baptisms are usually celebrated 2-3 Sundays each month at a 1:45 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 (must be walking) to four at the 9 & 10:45 a.m. Mass. For more information call the church office. Liturgy Schedule Daily (Monday Friday) Rosary 8:10 a.m. Mass 6:30 & 8:30 a.m. (Saturday) Mass 8:30 a.m. Weekend Saturday Vigil 4:30 p.m. Sunday 7:30, 9:00, 10:45 a.m., & 12:15 p.m. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every first Friday of the month 9 a.m. Noon.

3 Welcome... Second Sunday of Easter March 30, 2008 Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed. John 20:29b Guests and Visitors! We re so glad you are here. The community of St. Thomas strives to grow closer to Christ in all that we do. We care for one another and together with Christ, we make a difference. Join us on the path to faith. Learn more about St. Thomas in the Lighthouse at Welcome Sunday, April 13 after the 9:00 and 10:45 Mass.

4 Worship Commission Exult! At the Easter Vigil last week, all shared the light of the large Easter candle, and the deacon or cantor sang a long prayer. This was the paschal proclamation, called the Exsultet, after the first word of the prayer in Latin, meaning Rejoice! The prayer dates back to the seventh century. Before that, the deacon was expected to make one up and chant it! The Exsultet s music is the finest chant in the Latin liturgy. As a prayer of thanks and praise, the Exsultet shows us that these are days to truly rejoice in all that God has done, in all that God is doing now. And not only us: The Exsultet calls upon all creation to join us in rejoicing: Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! Exult, all creation around God s throne! Why? Jesus Christ our King is risen! Make your plans now to plant your garden even if it s a small flower bed or window box! Pick up litter as you come and go this week. Recycle as much of your garbage as possible. Do what you can to encourage the earth into exultation. Light of Christ! Thanks be to God! Copyright 2002 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago IL ; ; Text by David Philippart. Art by Steve Erspamer, sm. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Wedding Workshop The next music and liturgy workshop to help couples choose music and prepare their wedding mass or ceremony will be held Saturday, April 26, from 10:00 a.m. to Noon in the Church. All couples who will be wed at St. Thomas must attend one of these workshops which are held several times throughout the year. This workshop should not be confused with the Engaged Couples Retreat Day, which couples must also attend. After April 26, the next workshop is scheduled for September 13. Contact Diane in the Main Office at , ext. 101 or dmcqueen@stapostle.org to register. John Angotti s New CD John Angotti has a new CD entitled, Joy Beyond Our Dreams. It is a collection of music for Lent and Easter. We have sung many of the songs from this CD here at St. Thomas these past two years with John. It is currently available from World Library Publications, / Next St. Thomas Prays / Praise Night The next Prays/Praise Night with John Angotti will be Wednesday, April 23 from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. in Church. This will be a wonderful worship and catechetical event during the Easter season. We will explore the meaning of the Mass and who we are as members of the Body of Christ - living stones built up together as the church to make a difference in our world. The service is planned for all ages. This will also be John s final Praise Night with us as his two year commitment is drawing to an end. Final Angotti Concert and Recording We will have a final concert with John Angotti on Friday, May 30 at 8:00 p.m. We will create a new CD from this event to mark the culmination of our two year relationship with John. Save the date and watch for more details about this special event. The Annunciation of the Lord The Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord (celebrating the angel Gabriel telling Mary that she would conceive and give birth to Jesus, Luke 1:26-38), is usually celebrated on March 25, exactly nine months before Christmas. This year that date fell during Holy Week so the church moved the observance of this Feast to Monday, March 31. Pope Paul VI called the Annunciation "a joint feast of Christ and the Blessed Virgin," for it marks the moment when the Son of God became incarnate in Mary's womb. March 30, 2008 Page 4

5 Pray For Our Parish Second Sunday of Easter On this Lord s Day, we come together, O God, to proclaim the Living One, the First and the Last, who was dead but now is forever alive. Open our hearts to the Spirit Jesus breathes on us. Help us, who have not seen, to believe; send us, as you sent Jesus, to greet the world with the Easter word of peace and to share with all the Spirit S new life of forgiveness. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, our Passover and our Peace, who lives and reigns wi th you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen. From: Prayers for Sundays and Seasons, Liturgy Training Publications. For the sick Joan & Ryan McKeown; wife and grandson of Ted Rose Kosick; mother of Laura Cosenza Robert Schmitt; husband of Patricia Neva Mundstock, friend of the Frank Family Agnes Maddalon; mother of Jeanine Mogan Carol & Tim Culbertson; friend of the Grove family Julia Jostes Linda Ray, Marie Zamar; & Chris Bischoff; friends of Jennie Sirois Nolan Patrick & Karl Reid, son & brother of Susan & Eric Donna Grote; friend of Celeste Dempsey Bob Haas Fred Brock; former parishioner Dorothy Kania For the deceased Jim Cliff, husband of Phyllis Mary Uffner, mother of Mike & Joanne Bill Ring, husband of Nancy Jean Mier, mother of Rich Today s Readings First Reading All who believed were devoted to the teachings of the apostles, the communal life, the breaking of the bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42-47). Psalm Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting (Psalm 118). Second Reading God has given us an undiminished inheritance, safeguarded for us in heaven (1 Peter 1:3-9). Gospel The risen Christ comes to his disciples with peace and the Spirit. The absent Thomas doubts (John 20:19-31). Readings for the Week Mon: Is 7:10-14; 8-10; Ps. 40; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38 Tues: Acts 4:32-37; Jn 3:7b-15 Wed: Acts 5:17-26; Jn 3:16-21 Thurs: Acts 5:27-33; Jn 3:31-36 Fri: Acts 5:34-42; Jn 6:1-15 Sat: Acts 6:1-7; Jn 6:16-21 Sun: Acts 2:14, 22-33; Ps 16; 1 Pt 1:17-21; Lk 24:13-35 Mass Intentions Thursday, April 3, :30 Pat Huff, by Bob & Mary Currier Friday, April 4, :30 Greg Disparte, by Jo-Ann Disparte Jim Cliff, by Bruno & Loretta Rejman Saturday, April 5, :30 Stanley Wozniak, by Tim & Helen Swanson Joanna Vesper, by Mark Vesper Sunday, April 6, :30 Rita Gutierrez, by Evelyn & Jerry Mannion Deceased Members of 50+ Holding, By 50+ Holding 10:45 Anthony Rizzi, by Mom Janina Andersohn, by The Talarico Family Page 5 March 30, 2008

6 Faith and Spiritual Formation Commission Men's Annual Prayer Breakfast Saturday Morning April 5, 2008 Mass in the Church at 8:30 AM Breakfast in the Gym at 9:30 AM Speaker: Bishop J. Peter Sartain of the Diocese of Joliet Donation $10 C.A.R.E. CORNER On Easter weekend, we baptized four adults into our faith community. So what happens next? Following Jesus baptism, He formally began what we know to be His ministry. We often hear this word ministry. We hold meetings in our Ministry Center. Some of our staff members hold the titles of Directors of Youth Ministry. Our parish offers more than 100 ministries for us to participate in. So what do we mean by ministry? To minister to someone means to give them aid; o be helpful or useful; to make a contribution; to provide for someone s needs. If Jesus baptism was the gateway to ministry for Him, then it follows that our baptism is our call to ministry as well. Stay with us as we further explore how we are called to minister to one another. Soul Searchers St. Thomas Soul Searchers meet once a month to read, explore, experience, and discover the fathers and a few mothers of the Christian Church from the second to the seventh centuries A.D. as compiled in The Roots of Christian Mysticism by Olivier Clement. In his introduction, Clement states, I have tried to allow the chief witnesses of the undivided Church to speak for themselves Many lived in times of persecution, when society veered between skepticism on one hand and various forms of gnosis on the other. These readings will mine the heart and soul of those who held, and were held by something so amazing and extraordinary that the world was changed by it. Soul Searchers will be looking at the biography notes of early Christian writers in The Roots of Christian Mysticism. The text is available at Borders or Barnes and Noble. Deacon Will and Mary Maloney are group leaders. The next meeting of Soul Searchers is Saturday, April 12 from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. in the Rectory Basement. All are welcome to attend this monthly discussion group. Come whenever your schedule allows and enjoy a wonderful experience. Interested in Becoming a Catholic? Are you, or is someone you, know, interested in becoming a Catholic? In the name of Jesus, this community is waiting to welcome you. Through a process called RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), you will have your questions and concerns addressed, learn about the beliefs and practices of the Church, and meet for discussion and prayer with members of this faith community. For more information about this journey of faith, please contact Chari Rosales in the Adult Faith Formation Office at x138 or crosales@stapostle.org. Every moment of every day, our God is waiting... to love and welcome you! March 30, 2008 Page 6

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8 Religious Education Attention 4 th and 5 th Graders Liturgy of the Word for fourth and fifth graders will be held on Sunday, April 6 during the 9:00 and 10:45 liturgies. Please come out with the other children and go down to the Cabin and Senior Center. NEWS from All Saints Catholic Academy Junior High Open House at All Saints Catholic Academy All Saints Catholic Academy will host an open house for current 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students on Wednesday, April 9, from 4 until 5 p.m. Teachers will be available to discuss curriculum questions. If you wish to explore a Catholic education for your junior high student, this is a great opportunity to see the facility, meet the teachers, and learn more about All Saints Catholic Academy. No sign up is required - enter in the front of the school through Door 1. If you have questions, contact Peggy Kobe, Top This! All Saints Catholic Academy is now saving Box Tops for Education. Please save and put in the box on the Religious Education credenza in the Gathering area. Contact Judy Peters at All Saints Catholic Academy Offers Pre-K Program At St. Elizabeth Seton All Saints Catholic Academy is offering a new Pre-K program for the school year. The program will be Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the St. Elizabeth Seton preschool room. This program is intended for the older four year old who is very comfortable in a school setting and is ready for pre-reading and pre-math instruction. The program provides a stimulating, enriching environment that encourages creativity and self-confidence, as well as critical thinking. Registration is currently taking place for this program. Cost is approximately $3,800. Check the website at for more details. March 30, 2008 Page 8

9 Gathering Place Café Now Wireless, and Fair Trade Stop by our Gathering Place Café some weekday morning or early evening and enjoy a cup of Fair Trade coffee while you tap into the internet at our new wireless access. Thanks to the efforts of our technology committee, most of the ministry center s meeting rooms feature wireless internet access. That s right, now our cozy warm nook is a place you can meet with friends, in person or in cyberspace, and down a free cup of Saint Basil Coffee (freewill donations accepted). Saint Basil Coffee is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization whose revenue from the sale of coffee promotes social justice and provides care for impoverished people in Latin America. You can also purchase the fair trade coffee, regular or decaf, in 16 oz. bags from Come by after the 8:30 a.m. mass, sit and sip with friends, or come in after 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday evenings to warm your toes before your evening activities. We ll keep the lights on for you! John Angotti Seeks Sponsors for World Youth Day Tour John Angotti has been invited to be a presenter at this summer s World Youth Day events in Australia and is seeking financial support to bring three members of his band with him. In his words: I am making this appeal in hopes that you can help me with my international mission of spreading the good news through music and witness. This summer I have been invited to be a part of many events at the World Youth Day in Australia. There are a number of events prior to the days in Sydney in Melbourne and Canberra. The problem that I m having is that I personally have to come up with the funds to bring the other three musicians Dion Clay, JT Brown, and a guitar player to be named later. The people in Australia are having financial difficulties in making this happen but would love to have us. In Australia they are really not up to date with Catholic music from what I am told. So the bigger picture is that I believe that what I can offer the world through music and witness will bring peace and life to the hearts of all those who hear it, and being a part of World Youth Day is a major part of that mission a mission we are all on together as ambassadors for Christ. My dilemma is that I have to come up with about $15,000 to make this happen in Australia where there will be close to a million people in attendance at these events. I am asking for help in two ways. One, of course, is the financial end; but second, is someone who is in banking or foundation work to assist with this so that we are accountable for the monies collected. We can perhaps have a web page off of mine or others to show what we are doing and then all the people involved can take ownership that we are doing this together as community. So I m not asking just for money and then it s gone. I want us to be sent out together to love and serve the Lord. In reality I m asking us to be creative as evangelists to the world so that we become an extension of our Eucharistic celebration. As a matter of fact if we want to make this a full pilgrimage we can look at that option as well. I m sure there will be plenty of work to do over there. If you are interested in helping with this, please contact John at: angotti1@msn.com. Page 9 March 30, 2008

10 Service Commission Outreach & Social Justice March 30, 2008 Page 10 Layette Items & Hats with Visors The next Haiti Medical Team will travel to Duchity April 22 through 30, 2008, and will be providing medical care to the community. There are several ways you can help make a difference! Layette Items - We are collecting items to create small layette sets for new mothers who seek out the prenatal care that so few receive (leading to increased mother and baby mortality). Items include: receiving blankets, newborn knit hats, cloth diapers, infant t-shirts (not onesies), booties, baby washcloths and towels, and sleepers. Hats with visors The people of Haiti suffer many eye and skin problems, due to constant exposure to the intense sunlight. We are collecting all types of new or gently used hats or caps with visors to offer protection from the damaging sunlight. You may bring your donations to the labeled bins in the Narthex or Gathering Area at church before Monday April 14. For information about other donations of medicines, medical supplies, or equipment, please contact Anita Berry at (630) or call the Outreach Office. If you would rather contribute toward purchase of the needed items, write a check to St Thomas the Apostle - OSJ, with Medical Mission-Duchity in the memo line. Thank you for believing in helping our brothers and sisters in Duchity, belonging to this Mission and making a difference in the lives of others who are less fortunate. Hotel Rwanda Hero Speaks at Benedictine University Paul Rusesabagina, hero of the 2004 movie Hotel Rwanda and April Care Pantry Food Collection Next Weekend April 5/6 Here are the items we especially need Juice Tuna Peanut Butter Jelly Dry Soup/Ramen Noodles Canned Fruit Jell-o Bar Soap Feminine Products If you can t bring food to Mass next weekend, bring when convenient place it outside the Outreach Office or in the Gathering Area. Caring is thinking with your heart! APRIL KIDSKARE Please ask if there is a chore you can do during the week-help with Spring Cleaning, perhaps-to earn a can of Fruit to bring to the altar when you come to church Saturday or Sunday. Thank You! recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, will speak at Benedictine University. He and his family heroically saved 1,200 lives from the ethnic conflict in Rwanda in He is a very moving, eloquent speaker, and he will discuss the issues of human rights and genocide. His presentation will be from 6:30-8pm on Wednesday, April 9, in the Dan and Ada Rice Center on the Benedictine University Lisle campus. Admission is free. Dying of Unnatural Causes What s happening to our health? While we pour more and more money into drugs, dietary supplements and new medical technologies, the ground-breaking documentary, Unnatural Causes, crisscrosses the country to investigate the findings that are shaking up conventional understandings of what really makes us healthy or sick. Mounting evidence demonstrates how work, wealth, neighborhood conditions, and lack of access to power and resources can actually get under the skin and disrupt human biology as surely as germs and viruses. But it s not just the poor who are sick so are the middle classes. At each descending rung of the socio-economic ladder, people tend to be sicker and die sooner. Compelling personal stories spanning the country demonstrate how social conditions are as vital to our health as diet, smoking and exercise. As Harvard epidemiologist David Williams points out, investing in our schools, improving housing, integrating neighborhoods, better jobs and wages, giving people more control over their work, these are as much health strategies as smoking diet and exercise. The program will air in 4 parts on PBS WTTW, beginning Sunday, April 6 at 1:00 p.m.

11 Easter Ham Collection Results Our Easter ham collection was way down (-225 hams) this year, from 790 last year to 565 this year. On the plus side, almost exactly $3,000 was collected which allowed us to purchase the 345 hams needed to meet our commitments. 800 went to Aurora for distribution, including Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry and Holy Angels Pantry. We thank everyone that was able to help! Mountain Top Removal A workshop will be held on Saturday April 12 at the St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center addressing Care for God s Creation and environmental issues, with a special focus on mountain top removal. Guest speakers are J.W. Randolph and Russell Oliver of Appalachian Voices. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. and the program is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center is at 402 S. Independence Blvd. Romeoville, Il (Located at the corner of Route 53 and Airport Road, adjacent to Lewis University) Lunch is included ($5 donations). RSVP to Jennilyn Ruhaak by phone (815) or via at jenruh@dioceseofjoliet.org. Thanks to STA Jobs Ministry I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all of your ongoing efforts to support the Jobs Ministry at St. Thomas. When I lost my job last year, it was one of the first 2 places I turned to in order to begin the organization of my job search. In early October, I became aware of a small consulting organization through one of the postings on our Yahoo Group site. I did stay in touch with (them) until the opening occurred for which I was selected. I have gone to one or more meetings with over 20 different job clubs or ministries, and out of all the church-based groups St. Thomas Jobs Ministry does the best job. It provides us with better speakers, more consistently good meetings, and for the most part, a higher caliber of job seeker, so that people have the ability to meet others with similar skills or levels of accomplishment. While I will be delving fully into my new job in just a few days, I hope to be able to be a part of future events in the jobs ministry. Peace WORKS Jesus never asked us to ignore acts of violence but he was clear that responding with violence is not his way. He also knew that the path of peace would be difficult and challenging, much like the passing of a camel through the eye of a needle. We can let violence define us or we can be instruments of peace and search for that needle's eye. Page 11 March 30, 2008

12 Pastoral Care Coping With Brain Disorders Six-Week Course Available The National Alliance for Mental Illness Dupage County will hold NAMI BASICS, a free six-week course for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents coping with brain disorders. Diagnoses discussed include bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, ADD/ADHD, anxiety disorders, OCD and eating disorders. Specially trained facilitators with firsthand experience with the challenges and rewards of raising children with brain disorders lead discussions in the following topics: the biology of mental illness, getting an accurate diagnosis, types of therapy, communication, problem solving, crisis preparation and response, dealing with challenging behavior, impact on family members, record keeping, and the school, juvenile justice and mental health systems. Parents who have completed this course describe its impact as life changing. NAMI BASICS begins Wednesday, April 9 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the NAMI Dupage office. Class size is limited. Call for information and to register. LEHAVREE SERVICE Stewardship Commission Stewardship A Way of Life Last Weekend s stewardship of financial gifts... Weekly Sunday Offertory (week 39) Envelopes Loose 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 7/1/07 to date: % of Annual Sunday Offertory Goal Sunday Offertory Goal YTD Goal for Fiscal Year 7/1 to 6/30 Remaining for Fiscal Year Easter Collection (inc. mail) $12,499 12,499 0 $17,990 $2,918 $33,407 $1,418,860 $36, $1,404,000 $1,872,000 $453,140 $60,649 Prayers for Healing and Support ~ Are you currently journeying with cancer or some other chronic mental, emotional or physical illness or pain? ~ Do you support or companion someone with these issues? ~ Would you like to remember someone who has died from cancer or chronic illness? You are invited to join Bev Phelan & Joanne Shackelford as they gather for an evening of healing and support. There will be prayer, reflection, story, song, and anointing. Come and rest in the presence of the ultimate Healer as we lift our prayers of petition. Monday, April 7 7:30 8:30 p.m. St. Thomas the Apostle Chapel For questions, contact Jan Olah, ext 124 Director of Pastoral Care St. Thomas The Apostle is working with Project12Baskets to benefit the church by donating leftover items of value. These donations help raise significant funds for our church. See the Hot Sellers List and learn more at or contact our Lead Facilitator Colette Young at (630) Please consider donating an item of value this week to assist St. Thomas. Deuteronomy 15:10 instructs us: Give generously to Him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in your work and in everything you put your hand on. March 30, 2008 Page 12

13 Parish Life Commission Wed, April 2, 1:00 p.m., lunch at the View, 5900 S Rt 53 in Lisle. Call Barb Bigus by Monday April 1 to make reservations Nursery Information Just a reminder to those who are interested in Joining the St. Thomas Nursery Co-op that a course entitled Protecting God s Children and a background check are required of any adult who plans on working with youth in the parish. Information is available in the Nursery and on line at Joliet.org. Mark your calendar... Donut Sunday April 13. Spring/Summer Children s Clothing and Toy Sale Sponsored by Brookdale Homeowners Association Saturday, April 12th 8:00a.m.-12:00 p.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Items for sale: Kids clothes (pants, shorts, shirts, PJ s, socks, dresses, jackets, hats, etc) Kids shoes and sandals Kids toys, movies, books, games and puzzles Baby clothes Baby gear/equipment Maternity clothes Please contact Beth Siwicki at if you have any questions. Page 13 March 30, 2008

14 Administration Commission Jobs Ministry Weekly Networking Meeting Friday mornings at 9:30 a.m. (after the 8:30 a.m. Liturgy) Lighthouse Night of Networking April 24 The April St. Thomas Jobs Ministry Nite-of- Networking Meeting will be held on Thursday evening April 24, 2008 at 7:00 pm at the Church, where employed Job Ministry Volunteer parishioners will share information with Job Seekers about: Their company and position How they landed their position Their company website How to approach their company when inquiring about positions Open positions, if available, within their company Opportunities in their area of expertise and what the future looks like Many other topics of interest to assist your efforts to full employment We will host 2 rounds of structured networking, starting with assigned tables of cross-functional networking, followed by functional networking. Functional areas include: Human Resources Finance/Accounting Supply Chain/Operations Project Management Sales/Marketing Information Systems We will also be hosting a one-hour session, Networking # 101, starting at 6:00 p.m., to assist people recently displaced or new to the job search process. During this session you will be learning about: handbills, resumes, business cards, web sites, other resources. We will use this hour to acquaint you all about how to start your job search process. You will join the rest of the group at 7:00 pm in the Gym for the Nite-of-Networking. Bring 30 Handbills and business cards to share. Please plan to attend this very informative meeting so that with everyone working together, we can bring meaningful employment to the Job Seekers Contact Jim Breen at jimb4853@yahoo.com for more info. See the Jobs Ministry testimonial on page 11. THE WEEK AHEAD Monday, Mar. 31 9:00am-12:00 p.m. Gathering Place Café, Gathering Area 9:00am-3:00 p.m. Rock On Basketball Camp, Gym & Youth Center 10:30am-12:00 p.m. Pat-a-Cake Parents & Tots, Meeting Room 1 7:00 9:30 p.m. Just Faith, Resource Center Tuesday, Apr. 1 9:00am-12:00 p.m. Gathering Place Café, Gathering Area 9:00am-3:00 p.m. Rock On Basketball Camp, Gym & Youth Center 10:00 11:00 a.m. Care Pantry, Lighthouse 7:00 9:30 p.m. Adult Basketball, Gym 7:!5 9:30 p.m. Men s Spirituality Group, Rectory Basement 7:30 9:00 p.m. Bible Time Line, Youth Center 7:30 9:30 p.m. Voices of Faith Rehearsal, Church Wednesday, Apr. 2 9:00am-12:00 p.m. Gathering Place Café, Gathering Area 9:00am-3:00 p.m. Rock On Basketball Camp, Gym & Youth Center 5:30 7:30 p.m. High School Worship Rehearsal, Youth Center 7:00 9:30 p.m. Pax Christi, Resource Center 7:00 9:30 p.m. Coed Volleyball, Gym 7:00 9:00 p.m. Baptism Class, Lighthouse 7:30 9:00 p.m. St. Vincent de Paul, Senior Center 7:30 9:00 p.m. APEX, Youth Center Thursday, Apr. 3 9:00am-12:00 p.m. Gathering Place Café, Gathering Area 9:00am-11:00 a.m. Healing the Soul, Youth Center 9:30 11:00 a.m. Catechist Formation, Meeting Room 4 6:00 7:30 p.m. Trec Band, Church 7:00 9:00 p.m. Marriage Enrichment Team, Meeting Room 4 7:00 8:30 p.m. Character Counts The Bridge, Youth Center 7:30 9:00 p.m. Genesis Rehearsal, Lighthouse 7:30 9:00 p.m. Jubilate Rehearsal, Church Friday, Apr. 4 9:00am-12:00 p.m 9:00am-12:00 p.m. Gathering Place Café, Gathering Area Job Ministry, Lighthouse Saturday, Apr. 5 9:00 10:30 a.m. Men s Christian Fellowship, Resource Center 9:15am-12:00 p.m. Men s Prayer Breakfast, Gym Sunday, Apr. 6 9:00am-12:00 p.m. Liturgy of the Word for Children thru 5th grade, Ministry Center 12:00 1:00 p.m. Adult Confirmandi Sessions, Meeting Room 4 2:30 5:00 p.m. High School Worship Practice, Youth Center 6:30 7:30 p.m. Encounter Mass, Church 7:30 9:00 p.m. Quest, Ministry Center March 30, 2008 Page 14