Congratulations to two men who were ordained for the Diocese of Gary on Saturday, June 4, 2011.

Transcription

1 Deacon David Kapala Rev. Mr. Ben Ross Congratulations to two men who were ordained for the Diocese of Gary on Saturday, June 4, Deacon David Kapala has been assigned as a deacon at our parish and also to work in the Diocese of Gary s Peace and Social Justice Commission. He and his wife, Kathy, are parishioners. Ben Ross, a parishioner at St. Stephen the Martyr in Merrillville, was ordained as a transitional deacon for the Diocese of Gary. He will spend his summer at St. Thomas More, as well as working in a local hospital. In the fall, he will return to Rome to complete his studies and then be ordained a priest for the Diocese of Gary the summer of Page

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3 St. Thomas More Fun Days June 22 to June 26, 2011 Festival Volunteer Sign-Up ONLY $50 When purchased Before June 17, 2011 MegaPass Order Form $60 (CASH ONLY) When Purchased June 18-26, 2011 MegaPass Good for the Entire Festival June 22-June 26, 2011 All Rides Ride All 5 Days During All Hours of Operation Name Address City State Zip Phone Pass #1 for (Name) Pass #2 for (Name) Pass # 3 for (Name) Pass #4 for (Name) # of Additional Passes CREDIT CARD INFORMATION: Visa MasterCard Name on Card Billing Address City Credit Card # State Zip Exp. Date Signature Page 3 MegaPasses are non-transferable, non-replaceable, and non-refundable. CASH ONLY after pre-sale cut-off date: June 17, 2011 Total # of Passes X ($ Amount) Total Amount Enclosed Make checks payable to: St. Thomas More Festival Mail to: 8501 Calumet Avenue Munster, IN or drop off at the Parish Office. Passes can be picked-up at the St. Thomas More Fun Days. Rider must be present at time of pick-up with either their photo ID or the purchasing adult with photo ID. All MegaPasses will require a photo which will be taken AT THE FESTIVAL!

4 St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church 8501 Calumet Avenue, Munster, IN Mission Statement : The Roman Catholic Saint Thomas More Parish Family welcomes and invites every person to join us on our journey in faith and celebration. With the grace and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and through Sacred Scripture and Tradition, we proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all, especially in loving service to those in need. As part of the Universal Church, we affirm the dignity of every person. All this we do to give glory and honor to God. Pastoral Staff Pastor... Reverend Michael J. Yadron; Ext. 312 myadron@stm-church.com Associate Pastor... Reverend Richard C. Holy; Ext. 314 rholy@stm-church.com Deacons... Mr. Joseph Stodola... Dr. Napoleon Tabion... Mr. Daniel Zurawski Stewardship Director... Noreen Bickel; Ext. 330 Pastoral Care Coordinator... Deacon Napoleon Tabion; Ext. 315 Director of Religious Formation... Mrs. Sandra Morgan; Ext. 332 Parish Office Staff Office Hours: Monday-Friday ~ 8:00 am-8:00 pm Saturday ~ 8:00 am-4:00 pm Web Site address is: parish.office@stm-church.com Office Phone Office Fax Bulletin Editor... Mrs. Pam Pasyk; Ext address for bulletin.bulletin@stm-church.com Daytime Receptionist... Mrs. Susan Strain; Ext. 310 Evening Receptionist... Ms. Veronica Brtos; Ext. 310 Pastoral Ministries Circle of Prayer... Mary Jo Humpfer Environment & Art... Jean Bados Eucharistic Ministers... Carole Mackey Hospitality Ministry... Ann D Orazio Lectors... William McDunn Music Ministry... Miss Angie Lorandos , Ext. 338 Nursery... Kaaren A. Mashura St. Vincent de Paul... Mrs. Bernadine Barrett Vocations Committee... Mrs. Mary Kochis Pastoral Council Tom Alexander, Co-Chair... Kevin Cloghessy, Chairperson Timothy Etter... Don Kopenec Jackie Kovach... Phil McIntosh Dwight Reed... Susan Rousseau James Secviar... Linda Stefanich Joyce Stodola... Joann Wleklinski St. Thomas More School Pre-School through 8th Grade Office Hours: Monday Friday ~ 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. School web site ~ School Phone School Fax Principal... Mr. Chet Nordyke; Ext. 328 Assistant Principal....Mrs. Tina Boyle; Ext. 328 School Administrative Assistant.Mrs. Jennifer Gonzalez; Ext. 328 School Reception & Office Associate..Mrs. Sandra Steele; Ext. 329 Home & School Association Mrs. Mary Beth Ginalski Parish & School Offices Associate Mrs. Mary Jo Biscan, Ext. 311 Parish & School Offices Associate... Mrs. Pam Wadycki; Ext. 339 Weis Center 8635 Calumet Avenue ~ Munster, IN Phone Fax Sacramental Information Confessions Saturdays... 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. First Friday... 1/2 hour before the 6:30 a.m. Mass Baptisms... First and Third Sundays at 1:00 p.m. Parents must be registered parishioners and regularly attending at least six months before the Baptism. At least one of the godparents must be a practicing Catholic. Pre Baptism Class... 2nd Tuesday 7:00 p.m. Parents must call the Parish Office to schedule class and/or Baptism. Marriage... Must be a registered, practicing member of the parish at least six months before beginning the six month preparation program for marriage. Communion calls and visits to Hospitals and Homebound: Call the Parish Office for Sacraments at hospital or at home. New Parishioner Registration To make it as convenient as possible for you, new parishioners may register at any time in the Parish Office. New Parishioner Orientation New members are invited to attend a New Parishioner Orientation at 9:00 a.m. in the Solar Room on the last Sunday of every month. If you have not yet registered and want more information about our parish, you are welcome to attend the orientation. St. Thomas More Religious Education Kindergarten through 8th Grade Office Hours:M-F 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Religious Education Phone Director... Mrs. Sandra Morgan; Ext. 332 Administrative Assistant... Mrs. Charlotte Herr; Ext. 336 Grades K through 8 ~ Wed. & Thurs. 4:30 ~ 6:00 p.m. Pastoral Commissions Chairpersons Formation/Education... Mrs. Barbara Topete Parish Life... Mrs. Elaine Herrmann Peace & Social Justice...Ms. Mary Silvasi Spirituality & Worship... Mrs. Kaaren Mashura Stewardship... Mrs. Noreen Bickel Parish Organizations Altar & Rosary Society... Cindy Keilman Elizabeth Ministry... Pam Domasica Holy Name Society... Joe Adams Senior Citizens... Tina Candella Respect Life... Alice Wohler Knights of Columbus... Gregg Blocher (219) Blue Army... Rose Marie Malburg Finance... Barbara Shaver Planned Giving... Ken Krupinski Building Maintenance... Bob Ray Boy Scouts... Roger Jachna Cub Scouts... Steve Hrinda Girl Scouts... Barbara Jamrose Catering/Hall Rental... Kathleen Pagorek Moms Group... Leticia Kotso Ushers Club... Jim Marmalejo Gabriel Project... Kathy Trotman The Travelers Club..Lois Quinn Please remember St. Thomas More Page in 4 your Will and Estate Planning

5 The Ascension of the Lord June 5, 2011 Saturday, June 11 5:30 p.m. Fr. Joseph Uko Sunday, June 12 6:30 a.m. Fr. Joseph Uko 8:00 a.m. Fr. Joseph Uko 10:00 a.m. Fr. Rick Holy 12:00 Noon Fr. Rick Holy WEDNESDAY, June 8 8:30am M. & K. O Shea THURSDAY, June 9 9:00am T. & T. Pappas FRIDAY, June 10 8:30am A. Pedraza, J. Sarnowski SATURDAY, June 11 Pentecost 8:30am T. Speranza, N. Szala 5:30pm B. Riebe, B. & R. Caraher, M. Childs, C. Erickson/ MC ~ Steven SUNDAY, June 12 Pentecost 6:30am C., E. & F. Beckman 8:00am A. Bilse, I. & N. Hinojosa, B. Seligman, M. Pukoszek/ MC ~ Bill 10:00am L. Adams, AJ. & M. Argamasilla, M. Boyd, S. Cloghessy/ MC ~ Joey T. 12:00pm N. & N. Anglin, N. Brough/ MC ~ Alyssa Bann III Sara Frigo & James Davis Bann II Kelly Florek & Matthew Herbert SUNDAY, June 5 Ascension of the Lord 6:30 am Intention of Deacon David Kapala on his Ordination 8:00 am In Thanksgiving for 25 Years of Marriage of James & MaryAnn Brunt 10:00 am Judy Peoples (Ann.) by Sister 12:00 pm Eugene Marlowe by Wife Wanda & Family MONDAY, June 6 St. Norbert, Bishop 6:30 am Dante Alikpala by Tabion Family 8:30 am Thomas Madigan (Ann.) by Marguerite Pietraszak TUESDAY, June 7 6:30 am Bill McCullum by Cabrera Family 8:30 am Assunta Ferrara (Ann.) by Sisters Tina & Maria 10:00 am Stephen Vargo by Diana Kall (MASS AT MED-INN CHAPEL, Group 2) WEDNESDAY, June 8 6:30 am Antonio Porras, Sr. & J.D. Brown by Sylvester Porras & Family 8:30 am Intention of Gerry & Ed Lelito by Mark & Christine Michelin THURSDAY, June 9 St. Ephrem 6:30 am Ed Sidor (Ann.) by Wife Jean & Family 9:00 am Clarence O Donnell (Ann.) by Wife & Daughter FRIDAY, June 10 6:30 am Donald Robling by Jill Morrison & Joan Steiner 8:30 am Terry Sugrue by Mother Betty SATURDAY, June 11 St. Barnabus, Apostle 8:30 am Bill & Kitty Callahan by Grandchildren 2:00 pm Frigo/Davis Nuptials 5:30 pm Norman Banas by Wife Ruth and Family SUNDAY, June 12 Pentecost Sunday 6:30 am For Our Parish Family Living and Deceased 8:00 am Tony Lopiccolo by Wife Rosemary & Daughter Lisa 10:00 am Lil & Emil Neiner by Ken & Janet Somenzi 12:00 pm Esther Costantino (Ann.) by Michael Mercier & Family John Sipple Sacrificial Offerings May 29, 2011 TIME, TALENT & TREASURE Adult $ 22, Loose $ 1, Children $ TOTAL $ 23, Thank you for your generosity. Page 5 Randall Lee Potts Son of Barrett and Evylee Potts Angelina Marie Maggio Daughter of Michael and Marla Maggio Pastoral Care Ministry If you have a friend or family member who would like to receive Communion call the Pastoral Care Office at , #315.

6 The Ascension of the Lord The Broadway musical, Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark, is filled with high-flying aerial stunts that astounded audiences when they worked correctly. A significant part of the buzz surrounding the production, with its music by Bono and Edge, comes from the fact that the spectacular aerial displays don't always work. Actors have ended up being suspended in midair while stage crews hastened to untangle cables and pulleys. Sometimes, instead of Spiderman flying through the air with the greatest of ease, he ends up hanging helplessly above the stage. From Icarus to NASA, humankind has imagined ways of leaving the earth. Watching birds soar aloft has provoked our imaginations into thinking that we too could one day lift ourselves to the heavens. The Scriptures for the feast of the Ascension leave us with the same vision as Jesus was lifted up in a cloud. Two men in white ask the apostles, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?" Why, indeed? Jesus is no superhero, despite having his own rock musical, Jesus Christ Superstar. Looking to the heavens is not what this feast is about. As the Gospel for today reminds us, we are given a great commission: to make disciples of all nations, baptizing people and teaching them to observe what Jesus has commanded. We are not spectators like the audience at a Broadway musical, looking up to see what might happen. We are, instead, actors, taking our roles in the great story of salvation history. The commission Jesus gives in the Gospel is not only addressed to the eleven disciples who gathered with him on a mountain in Galilee. That commission is given to all of us, to go out into the world and to make disciples. Much of the language during this Easter season has an upward movement. Now Christ has commanded us to lift up others so they may be raised to new life in him. MONDAY, June 6 Market Day Pick-Up in the Gym from 5:00 6:00 p.m. 7:00 pm Blue Army ~ Chapel 7:00 pm Parish Life ~ Conference Room TUESDAY, June 7 9:15 am Eucharistic Adoration (until 6:30 pm) ~ Chapel 1:00 pm Prayer/Vocations ~ Chapel 6:00 pm Divine Mercy Chaplet ~ Chapel 7:00 pm Pastoral Council Discernment ~ Solar Room WEDNESDAY, June 8 6:00 pm Region Choir ~ Church 6:30 pm St. Vincent De Paul ~ Conference Room THURSDAY, June 9 7:00 pm All Seasons Chorale ~ Church SATURDAY, June 11 9:30 am Oblates ~ Conference Room SUNDAY, June 12 1:00 pm SVDP Youth Conference ~ Teachers Lounge 1:30 pm Padre Pio Cenacle ~ Chapel c Coleen Alexander Margaret Amatulli Doris Aurelio Maria Aurelio Irene Baker Cody Baldwin Antonio Belmonte Tom Bernacke Michael Berry Michael Blazevich Michael Boston Cheryl Bostrom Stephany Burney Dorothy Campbell James Campbell Barbara Cak Thomas Cak Al Carollo Carol Carollo Jeff Chastain Joseph Cwiok Jacqueline Morrow Christian Frank Coman Vincent Corsello John Costa Mike Curtain Irene Dettmer MaryPat Devoy Irene Dickey Jeanine Doescher David Drewniak Debra Dunn Alex Eiland John L. Estrada Sherlon Evans John Forde Phyllis Garber Andrea Garritano Dorothy Gillespie Margaret Good Kyle Grady Howard Gralewski James Grunewald Eileen Hasse lease pray for the sick of our parish... Amy Hayes Eleanore Heggi Marie Henke Evelyn Hennes Ray Humpfer Steve Izzo Dennis Jablonski Elizabeth Jacob Barbara Jamrose Stanley Jayjack Rosemary Jerzak-Staszel Emery Johns Debbie Kaczka Robert Kalka Margaret A. Kapala Carol Keilman Patricia Kerr Rev. Matthew Kish Josephine Knesek Janet Knight Alice Kolember Dorothy Kovach Miller Krizmanic Rose Krizmanic Julia Kukta Jerome Kula Debbie Le Monier Mary Leahy Jo Lisiniewicz Edward Liskiewicz Stanley Liskiewicz Maria Lovell Moira McShane Lukas Carole Mackey Gregory Mahoney Mary Manchak Brady Martin Alex Mau Joseph McShane Faye Meny Sandi Merlo Stephanie Mueller Olga Mihalo Andrew Moll Elissa Moll David Moll Jean Narvid Donna Nichols Steven Nowaczyk Valerie O Donnell Danny Ogren Ruth Ospalski Audrey Ostroff Johanna Petruch Andrew Pieczyrak Elizabeth Pilones Genevieve Platek Sylvester Porras Adam Potapczak Kristen Rubin Anthony Saklaczynski Ed Sandrick Ann Sardella George Sauer Marie Schultz Marianne Schwartz William Schwartz Zachery Scriff James Secviar Renee Shehan Nick Skinner Lydia Skorupa Carolyn Smiley Deborah Stareck Charles Stevens Florence Stevens Carolyn Sutley Georgianne Suto Rose Theis Gerardo Trevino Anthony Ubuane Julia Vrbanich Adele Wall Sally Walters Sue Wass Lucille Wonnell John Zajac Cecilia Ziegler Page 6 Readings for the Week of June 5, 2011 Sunday: Acts 1:1-11/Eph 1:17-23/Mt 28:16-20 Monday: Acts 19:1-8/Jn 16:29-33 Tuesday: Acts 20:17-27/Jn 17:1-11a Wednesday: Acts 20:28-38/Jn 17:11b-19 Thursday: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11/Jn 17:20-26 Friday: Acts 25:13b-21/Jn 21:15-19 Saturday: Morning: Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3/Jn 21:20-25 Next Sunday: Vigil: Gn 11:1-9 or Ex 19:3-8a, 16-20b or Ez 37:1-14 or Jl 3:1-5/Rom 8:22-27/Jn 7:37-39 Day: Acts 2:1-11/1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13/Jn 20:19-23 Environment and Art Catch the Spirit! Pentecost is the great feast of the Holy Spirit and to celebrate this day we will fill the church with the color Red! To catch the spirit, the Art and Environment Ministry asks that everyone wear Red to all Masses on June 11 & 12 and bring a Red or White Geranium to be placed on the outer Sanctuary stairs. Pentecost Sunday is also when the final selection is made for our Pastoral Council, which will take place at the 10:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, June 12th. The Garden Club will plant the geraniums on the church grounds so that we can enjoy a visual reminder of the Spirit all summer. Organist/Pianist Needed St. Thomas More Church is seeking a skilled part-time organist/pianist. Responsibilities include playing for a 90 minute rehearsal once a week, as well as for two Masses on Sunday. Interested? Contact Angie Lorandos at STM at (219) , #338 to arrange for an audition/interview.

7 THREE-MINUTE LITURGICAL CATECHESIS Article 21: Sharing the Peace of Christ Hey, Father. Why don't we move the sign of peace to the beginning of Mass so that we would greet each other as we start rather than waiting until Communion time? Many pastors have heard that suggestion over the years. It has this element of truth: We should greet one another as we gather for worship. The body of Christ needs to assemble as one body, and that means we need to be hospitable toward everyone who gathers with us. That is not the purpose of the sign of peace, however. This ancient ritual gesture was restored to our liturgy after the Second Vatican Council. Though it had once found its place after the General Intercessions, for many centuries the Roman Rite has made it part of our preparation for Communion. The earlier spot for this gesture placed it before the presentation of the gifts, linking it to Christ's command: Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift (Matt. 5:23-24). Putting the sign of peace within the Communion Rite serves a similar function. It reminds us that we dare not approach the altar of the Lord for Communion if we are not willing to be reconciled with the other members of Christ's body. Some people have complained that the sign of peace interrupts their preparation for Communion, but this suggests that they really don't understand the meaning of Communion. Communion unites us with every member of Christ's body. Anything that separates us from one another needs to be surrendered before we approach the table. The sign of peace gives us an opportunity to express our unity. This may mean reconciling with someone who is estranged from us, or it may simply mean reminding ourselves that we belong to one another. In both cases, we will be better prepared to enter into Communion with one another in Christ. The peace that we wish for one another is the peace of Christ, the peace that Christ promised those who live in him. The Hebrew word for peace, shalom, means more than the absence of war or conflict. It suggests a state of complete harmony with God, with nature, with others and with ourselves. That's the gift we seek for ourselves and for all our brothers and sisters. Part of the problem in understanding the sign of peace, perhaps, is our custom of using just a handshake for this ritual. This gesture suggests a standard greeting rather than a prayerful wish for Christ's peace. The official books simply say that we should make an appropriate sign of peace according to local custom. Perhaps we might try a twohanded handclasp to remind ourselves that this means more than a simple hello. However you make the gesture, it fulfills its function if it makes us more aware of the love of Christ that binds us to one another. That's what Communion strengthens, and the sign of peace points the way Lawrence E. Mick. Revised This series was originally written by Fr. Mick for the Worship Office of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Distributed by the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC) 415 Michigan Avenue, NE, Suite 70, Washington DC publications@fdlc.org; voice: ; fax: FDLC #4300. The Pastor s Page Page 7 PLEASE REMEMBER THEM Priests and deacons have served the Diocese of Gary for more than fifty years. Others have served in the territory that is now the Diocese of Gary. Please pray for those men who have been called to God and whose anniversaries of death are this week: June 5: Rev. Timothy E. Benante (1988) Msgr. William L. Martin (2006) June 7: Rev. Wencel A. Karp (1970) Rev. George M. Vrabely (2007) June 9: Rev. Louis F. Bozik (1959) June 10: Deacon Melvin Clark (2004) TO ALL OUR GRADUATES You have looked forward to this time in your life for quite a while now. Some of you have waited to graduate from grade school so that you could go on to high school and new experiences. Some have longed for high school graduation so that you could go to college and learn what you needed for a career. Some have made great plans for what they were to do after college graduation: continue to study for advanced degrees, begin a career, move on to another part of the country to begin a new life. All those hopes are realized with your graduation. May your dreams be realized as well. We are proud of you for your accomplishments and wish you the best in the next stage of your life. Congratulations, graduates! ON THE LIGHTER SIDE Seen on church signs: Honk if you love Jesus. Text while driving if you want to meet him. There are some questions that can t be answered by Google. Church Parking Only: Trespassers will be baptized How do we make holy water? We boil the hell out of it. Every day above ground is a good one. What s missing from CH CH? U R! You may party in hell but you will be the barbeque.

8 Greeters for June 11 & 12, :30 am Mass Chapel: Frances & John Plisky 8:00 am Mass Main: Dennis & Lucy Perz Chapel: Karen & Dennis McNeil Choir: Denise & Allison Rusnak 5:30 pm Mass Main: Bill & Chris Retseck Chapel: Tom & Linda Brady Choir: The Szala Family 10:00 am Mass Main: The Fleszewski Family Chapel: The Lusk Family Choir: Bev & Sam Maravilla 12:00 pm Mass Main: Diane Gralewski Chapel: Susan, Alyssa & Nate Anglin Choir: Pat Batchelder Career Networking Group * 80% of Jobs are Unadvertised *75% of Jobs are Found through Networking Next Meeting: Thursday, June 16, :00 9:00 p.m. NiSource Guest Speaker: Ed Melton Manager of Communications & Community Relations Get the inside scoop on what they look for & what opportunities are available! At NiSource, our aspiration is to be America s premier regulated energy company, providing customer-focused energy solutions, investment-driven growth opportunities, and sustainable value for our customers, investors and employees. Underpinning this effort is our unwavering commitment to top-tier safety and reliability, collaborative stakeholder relationships, inclusive and engaging work environments, strong governance and transparency, and forward-looking environmental practices and stewardship. Where: St. Thomas More Weis Center 8635 Calumet Avenue, Munster, IN When: 3rd Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. STMCareerGroup@gmail.com Free. Open to All. For those who are unemployed (in transition), new to the job market, employed or who can offer employment opportunities through their current professional connections. Have your Cover Letter, Resume or Thank You Note critiqued by a professional. Page 8 Religious Education We are still accepting registrations for the Fall 2011/2012 School Sessions. Register in the school office through mid-june. In an attempt to continue our lower tuition rates we are requesting full payment at registration. Mailing of bills creates a strain on our budget with paper, envelopes, ink and postage. If you are unable to pay the full tuition you may set up a payment plan. Tuition is now $105 for the first student and $30 for each additional family member. There is an additional Sacramental fee of $5.00 for First Penance and First Holy Communion and a $25.00 fee for Confirmation. A Roman Catholic baptismal certificate is required to accompany the registration form for new students. Registration will not be accepted without a baptismal certificate. If your child was baptized at St. Thomas More Church, you only need to indicate this on the registration and we will verify the baptism within the office. The Religious Education Department is currently looking for Catechists for the school year and have openings in grades K through 7. For more information, please contact the Director of Religious Education, Sandi Morgan at smorgan@stm-church.com. Respect Life Corner Father's Day Cards Fathers Day cards are available in the Parish Office. Honor your special Dad or Grandpa, living or deceased, by submitting their names for insertion into the Father s Day issue of the church bulletin where all names will be listed. A $3.00 donation per intention is requested by the STM Respect Life Committee no later than Friday, June 10th. Share and Renew OOPS!! We hope no one went to the Our Lady of Consolation Respect Life program, "Share and Renew" on June 4th, because we "goofed" and printed the wrong date!! It WILL take place on June 14th, and we hope that some of you are interested enough in pro-life activity to come around and see, and perhaps consider helping in the efforts being made to stop legal abortion -- all abortion-- once and for all!! Thank you. My Two Cents Thoughts on Living Stewardship The Ascension of the Lord Jesus commissions his disciples to baptize in his name, reminding them that he is always present through his Spirit. Having ascended to his Father, we now are to be his witnesses for we have been gifted with his Spirit of wisdom to be disciples and to serve. Share YOUR thoughts at: mytwocents@stm-church.com

9 June 5, 2011 St. Thomas More School Congratulations Class of 2011! Sixty-three members of the Class of 2011 walked the hallways of St. Thomas More School for a final time on Saturday, May 28th, as they processed into the gymnasium to the traditional Pomp and Circumstance and were seated for their graduation ceremony. After an inspirational message by guest speaker, Brother Hank Hammer, FMS, students were presented with their diplomas and special department awards, symbolizing an end to a grade school career filled with challenging academics, nurturing surroundings, and spiritual growth. Concluding the day s festivities was the traditional hat toss on the church lawn by the graduates. Special thanks to Mr. Rick Mlynarski and the STMS Band for participating in the graduation ceremony. Congratulations graduates and best of luck as you move on to the many adventures of high school. God Bless You! Page 9

10 Emmaus Program Spring Series Understanding the Mass through the Lens of the New Missal The classes will examine and renew our celebration of the Eucharistic Liturgy that stands at the heart of Christian Life, by looking at the new revised text and how it brings us closer to the full, conscious, and active participation in the liturgical action. This program is for all adult parishioners, including catechists and teachers seeking continuing education. Wednesday and Thursday Evening June 8 & 9 and June 22 & 23 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. with Fr. Martin Dobrzynski at Nativity of Our Savior at 2949 Willowcreek Road in Portage. Registration Form Name Parish Address City State Phone I will be attending the class at (site): Instructor: Dates Fee is $20 for four sessions. Call (219) , #280. Make checks payable to Diocese of Gary. Return to: Emmaus Program, 9292 Broadway, Merrillville, IN or averbecke@dcgary.org to register. Catholic Services Appeal Thank you for your generosity! If you have not already done so, please return your CSA envelope immediately or contact the parish office as soon as possible to avoid a reminder phone call. Vocations Committee Petition: In thanksgiving for those priests, sisters and brothers who inspire and strengthen us by the witness of their commitment. Virtus Training Protecting God s Children The next VIRTUS training sessions to be held at St. Thomas More will be on Saturday, August 20, 2011 & Saturday, September 17, 2011 from 9:45 a.m. 12:15 p.m. in the STM Solar Room. All adults interested in volunteering or working with children need to attend a VIRTUS training session and complete the on -line requirements (this includes all school volunteers, field trip/party parents, etc.) Please call the Parish Office to register at (219) St. Thomas More VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Come join the fun at SonSurf Beach Bash VBS This year s program is a week of fun in the Son! Children will participate in fun-filled activities and learn what it means to meet up with Jesus. Monday, July 11 th through Friday, July 15 th 8:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Pre-K (age 4 by August 1 st ) through 5 th Grade Please register at the Parish office by June 27 th Look for Registration Forms, sent home with all Religious Education and St. Thomas More School students, or register in the Parish Office. Register no later than June 27th. Info? Contact: Amy Lee at , Dawn Hein at , Deanna McDunn at or Amy Wiess at Senior Citizens Club Just a reminder to keep Wednesday, July 20th Open on your busy calendars for our annual Picnic at the Weis Center. The activities will occur between 12:00 Noon and 4:00 p.m. Don t miss out on the fun and camaraderie! Special Father s Day Collection Every day this week someone will walk in to a Catholic Charities office in Crown Point, East Chicago, Gary, Hammond, Michigan City or Portage and tell their story. Every day we will respond to the basic needs of your neighbors. To do these works of charity we rely on donation from YOU, the people in the parishes, the people of Northwest Indiana. Please support the Catholic Charities Father s Day Collection on Sunday, June 19th. All money collected is used within our diocese. Festival Early Bird Raffle Get your Festival Raffle Tickets in early to be eligible for our Early Bird Drawings: $100 every Monday until June 20th! Early Bird Winner for May 31, 2011 is: Linda Mavity Page 10