Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you cruci ied. Acts 2:36

Transcription

1 Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you cruciied. Acts 2:36

2 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. Margot Blocher 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 2 your Will and Estate Planning

3 Fourth Sunday of Easter May 15, 2011 Saturday, May 21 5:30 p.m. Fr. Rick Holy Sunday, May 22 6:30 a.m. Fr. Rick Holy 8:00 a.m. Fr. Rick Holy 10:00 a.m. Fr. Mike Yadron 12:00 Noon Fr. Mike Yadron SATURDAY, May 21 8:30 am M. Doherty, A. Hajduch 10:00 am STM Religious Formation 1st Communion Volunteer siblings to serve (Mandatory practice at 9:00 a.m. in the Sacristy). K. & M. Yaeger, S. Donovan, B. Nowak, S. Kenning/ MC ~ Lauren 5:30 pm B. Riebe, C. & T. Speranza, J. & T. Beckman MC ~ Joe SUNDAY, May 22 6:30 am E. & V. Zaczyk, C. Lusk 8:00 am A. Zajakowski, A. Zaleski, A. Bilse, M. & M. Blocher/ MC ~ Lauren 10:00 am M. Boyd, S. Cloghessy, S. Hasse, M. Lee, E. O Neill/ MC ~ Ryan 12:00 noon J. Maluncot, G. & M. O Brien MC ~ Ted Mary T. Hajduk Barbara Jarvis Catherine Hoese Emma Petro Therese Adzia Pastoral Care Ministry If you have a friend or family member who would like to receive Communion call the Pastoral Care Office at , #315. Sacrificial Offerings May 8, 2011 Adult $ 28, Loose $ 1, Children $ TOTAL $ 30, TIME, TALENT & TREASURE Thank you for your generosity. SUNDAY, May 15 Fourth Sunday of Easter World Day of Prayer for Vocations 6:30 am Louis Biedron by Family 8:00 am For Our Parish Family Living and Deceased 10:00 am William Dorcey McDunn by Mr. & Mrs. William K. McDunn 12:00 pm Deceased Members of the Knights of Columbus Council #10596 MONDAY, May 16 6:30 am All Souls Day Intentions 8:30 am Intention of Ann Biggerstaff TUESDAY, May 17 6:30 am Denis J. Buksa by Wife & Family 8:30 am Cotaminda L. Serrano (Ann.) by Serrano Family 10:00 am Ann Zeck by All Teliga and Family (MASS AT MED-INN CHAPEL, Group 3) WEDNESDAY, May 18 St. John I 6:30 am Eduardo Vera (Ann.) by Ruby Vera Halum 8:30 am Deceased Members of the Schelfo Family by Rose Terranova THURSDAY, May 19 6:30 am Paz Arnado by Napoleon & Lynn Santos 9:00 am George A. Hawley (Ann.) by Daughter Lois Quinn FRIDAY, May 20 St. Bernardine of Siena 6:30 am Richard Zurawiec by Wife & Family 8:30 am Dorothy Jurkash by Joseph & Carole Janusonis 4:00 pm Garcia/Flores Nuptials SATURDAY, May 21 St. Christopher Magallanes & Companions 8:30 am In Thanksgiving for 62 Years of Marriage of Al & Carol Carollo 5:30 pm Anne Baranowski (Ann.) by Ed & Carolyn Smiley SUNDAY, May 22 Fifth Sunday of Easter 6:30 am For Our Parish Family Living and Deceased 8:00 am Michael Petrick (Ann.) by Daughter Helen Kulczyk 10:00 am Romaine Barberia by Gerald Moran 12:00 pm Constancia M. Lozano by Serrano Family Catholics Coming Home Catholics Coming Home is our ministry serving non-practicing Catholics who wish to return to their faith and the Sacraments. This six week program focuses on the Documents of Vatican II. We meet each Friday at 7:00 p.m. in our Parish Conference Room through June 3rd. Reconnect and rediscover your Catholic faith in a positive group setting. Join us (or tell someone who may be interested in returning to their faith). Contact the Parish Office at (219) to register. Page 3

4 Fourth Sunday of Easter A poem by Sally Pratt McLean Greene ( ) in black dialect from the early twentieth century is considered to be the root of the folk song, "The Master of the Sheepfold." Ms. Greene authored some eleven novels, many reflecting life on Cape Cod in the late 1800s. A libel suit in 1884 hampered her career, but she continued writing, including forays into poetry. She will never be considered a bright light of American literature, but the reworking of her poem into a folk song has become a classic in the repertoire. The song describes the Master's concern for bringing all of the sheep into the sheepfold. As the song goes, "Up through the wind and the rain path, where the long night's rain begins / Came the long lost sheep of the sheepfold, they all come a gatherin' in." In the song and in John 10, the master of the sheepfold is not Jesus. It is God the Father. In this year's selection from John 10, Jesus is the GATE to the sheepfold. Further on in the chapter he is the shepherd. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus opens the way for us to the Father. The imagery of the gate is consistent with other concepts in John's Gospel in which Jesus is the way (next Sunday's Gospel), the lamp that guides, the light that shows the path. Those who come to Jesus (another walking image) will never hunger or thirst. In all of these images there is a movement through Jesus to the Father. At the Last Supper in John's Gospel, Jesus will tell his disciples that he and the Father are one, and that whoever knows him, knows the Father. Walking through the gate (Jesus) into the sheepfold provides safety, security, pasture (nourishment), and salvation. Like the newly baptized of this Easter season, all of us who come to the Father through Jesus "have life and have it more abundantly" (Jn 4:10). P 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 Howard Gralewski James Grunewald Eileen Hasse Amy Hayes lease pray for the sick of our parish... Chuck Heggi 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 4 SUNDAY, May 15 1:30 pm Queen of Peace Cenacle ~ Chapel MONDAY, May 16 5:00 pm Spirituality & Worship ~ Conference Room 7:00 pm Blue Army ~ Chapel 7:00 pm Holy Name Society ~ Solar Room 7:00 pm Religious Formation ~ Teachers Lounge TUESDAY, May 17 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 RCIA ~ Conference Room WEDNESDAY, May 18 9:30 am Bible Study ~ Conference Room 4:30 6:00 pm ~ Religious Education Class-3rd Grade Only 7:00 pm Home & School Association ~Cafeteria THURSDAY, May 19 4:30 6:00 pm ~ Religious Education Class-3rd Grade Only 7:00 pm All Seasons Chorale ~ Church 7:00 pm Career Networking Group ~ Weis Center 7:00 pm Festival Committee ~ Solar Room FRIDAY, May 20 6:30 pm 4-H ~ Solar Room 7:00 pm Catholics Coming Home ~ Conference Room SATURDAY, May 21 10:00 am First Holy Communion for Religious Education Students SUNDAY, May 22 1:00 pm SVDP Youth Group ~ Teachers Lounge 7:00 pm Blue Army May Crowning ~ Church Readings for the Week of May 15, 2011 Sunday: Acts 2:14a, 36-41/1 Pt 2:20b-25/Jn 10:1-10 Monday: Acts 11:1-18/Jn 10:11-18 Tuesday: Acts 11:19-26/Jn 10:22-30 Wednesday: Acts 12: :5a/Jn 12:44-50 Thursday: Acts 13:13-25/Jn 13:16-20 Friday: Acts 13:26-33/Jn 14:1-6 Saturday: Acts 13:44-52/Jn 14:7-14 Next Sunday: Acts 6:1-7/1 Pt 2:4-9/Jn 14:1-12 Pastoral Care Ministry If a friend or family member would like to receive Communion, contact our Pastoral Care Office at , #315. Bann III Roy Flores & Maria Garcia Bann II Lyndsay Langbehn & Rod Oancea Bann I Jeremy Trevino & Tara Betourney

5 THREE-MINUTE LITURGICAL CATECHESIS Article 18: Sharing Christ's Sacrifice Most Catholics are familiar with our tradition of calling the Mass a sacrifice. It is less clear whether most Catholics understand how the Mass is a sacrifice and what it means for us to make that claim. Let's begin with Christ's own sacrifice. His sacrifice has both historical and eternal aspects. The core of his sacrifice was expressed in his prayer in the garden of Gethsemane: "Not my will but yours be done." His sacrifice was his surrender to the Father's will in all things, no matter what that might cost. This commitment led to his death and resurrection, historical events that are not repeated. But his surrender to the Father's will is eternal, and it is that aspect of his sacrifice that we are invited to share. The Eucharistic Prayer is based on Jewish prayer forms. It begins with praise of God and then recalls many reasons we have to be thankful to God. Then it asks God to continue to work wonders in our own time and concludes with a final acclamation of praise. In the Christian versions of this prayer, what God has done for us culminates in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We recall what Jesus did so that we might unite ourselves with his sacrifice. The First Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation prays: "Father, look with love on those you have called to share in the one sacrifice of Christ." To do that means to surrender our wills to the Father's will just as he did. It means being willing to give ourselves for others as he did. It means being willing to accept whatever comes as a result of our faithfulness to the Father's will. For Jesus, that meant death on the cross and resurrection to new life. Most of us will not hang from a wooden cross, but all of us have to embrace the crosses that life brings us. We share in Christ's sacrifice to the extent that we embrace his attitude, his act of will, his relationship with the Father. In this process, we become one with Christ and are caught up in his offering of himself to the Father. Listen to the words of the Second Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation: "We celebrate the memory of his death and resurrection and bring you the gift you have given us, the sacrifice of reconciliation. Therefore, we ask you, Father, to accept us, together with your Son." There is only one acceptable sacrifice in the New Covenant, but by uniting ourselves to Christ we become part of that one sacrifice. Of course, sharing in Christ's sacrificial act here at Mass is not enough. If we join him in his surrender to the Father's will here, then we have to live that out all through the week. The Fourth Eucharistic Prayer asks God to "gather all who share this one bread and one cup into the one body of Christ, a living sacrifice of praise." We are to live as members of Christ, giving constant praise to God by our daily lives. That is the way that we truly share Christ's sacrifice, and it is that kind of faithful living that makes what we do here true and authentic worship Lawrence E. Mick. Rev ised 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; v oice: ; fax: FDLC #4300. The Pastor s Page Page 5 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: May 15: Msgr. Clement M. Mlinarovich (1971) May 17: Rev. Eric A. Schaff (1969) May 18: Rev. Henry A. Smartz (1967) THANKS FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS Well, I went to Community Hospital on Monday, May 9th for a pacemaker/defibrillator implantation and I came home the next day, Tuesday, the 10th. Monday evening was very rough for me as my heart was making many extra beats known as preventicular contractions (PVCs). They increased the medication to slow my heart down more so that it would not race and cause the extra beats. I found out Tuesday that my heart was more damaged than they first thought. As you can imagine, that has really bummed me out. The doctor also told me on Tuesday to go home and rest for a week before returning to any kind of activity, so I cannot be with you for Masse s this weekend as I first hoped. Hopefully that will come next weekend. I will have to monitor my activity and slow down incredibly. Most exertion immediately causes shortness of breath. God bless you all for your kindnesse s to me these past three weeks. Please keep me in your prayers. And God bless Fr. Rick for all the extra work he has done. He s a Godsend to us! ON THE LIGHTER SIDE An angry motorist went back to a garage where he'd purchased an expensive battery for his car six months earlier. Listen, the motorist grumbled to the owner of the garage, when I bought that battery you said it would be the last battery my car would ever need. It died after only six months! Sorry, apologized the garage owner. I didn't think your car would last longer than that.

6 Greeters for May 21 & 22, :30 pm Mass Main: JoAnn & Bill Karr Chapel: Michael & Christopher Korfiatis Choir: Lisa, Megan & Megan Dato 6:30 am Mass Main: Marilynne Ciric Chapel: Joan McLaughlin Choir: Janice Holka 8:00 am Mass Main: Mary Silvasi Chapel: Dagmar Reay Choir: Rosemary Barker 10:00 am Mass Main: Bev & Rich Lasky Chapel: Joan Mucha & Gen Gogolak Choir: Helen & Joe McShane 12:00 pm Mass Main: Diane Gralewski Chapel: The Kreig Family Choir: Pat Batchelder Respect Life Corner Sorry About That! As closely as we can figure, it seems we have omitted/misplaced four names for last week's Mother's Day Card Remembrances: Josefina Antonio*, Laura Krucina, Elizabeth Miskovich* and Mary Babinec Continued blessings all year to all mothers! Living Rosary Today's the day! If you should be reading this before 1:00 pm, please consider joining us after the Noon Mass, in praying a Mary's Month Rosary for Life, walking around our parish grounds and finishing at Our Lady of Fatima statue by the Church choir entrance. Columbian Squires Circle News The Squires Circle 4101 would like to invite all boys between the ages of 10 and 17 to their meeting and pizza party on Thursday May 19th at 7:00pm in the Cafeteria. We will be planning several upcoming outings, including White Sox, Cubs and Railcats games and many other fun activities. Membership in the Squires is open to all boys between the ages of 10 and 17 and you do not need to be the son of Knight of Columbus to join the Squires. Questions about the Squires or Knights of Columbus? Contact Grand Knight Gregg 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 9, 2011 is: Mr. Joseph Lorig Religious Education May 18/19 All Communicants Both Days for Practice 21 First Holy Communion at 10:00 a.m. We are currently accepting registrations during our weekly class times for the Fall 2011/2012 School Sessions. Come to the table outside the school office to register. In an attempt to continue our lower tuition rates we are requesting early registration and 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 rates will remain current if students are registered by May 1, The rate is $80 for the first student and an additional $25 for each additional family member. Tuition after May 1, 2011 will increase to $105 for the first student and $30 for each additional family member. There is a 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. New Altar Server Meeting Interested in becoming an Altar Server? Any St. Thomas More School or Religious Formation Program student, currently in the 4 th grade or higher that is interested in becoming an altar server, and their parent/s are invited to attend an Information/Sign-Up Meeting Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.in the Solar Room. If you have questions you may call Susan Burke at Festival Committee The Festival Committee is still looking for an Assistant Tent Manager to bus tables & coordinate volunteers. Contact Bill Burke at (219) My Two Cents Thoughts on Living Stewardship The Fourth Sunday of Easter Like many who followed Jesus in his lifetime, and the thousands who were baptized in His name following Peter s speech, we are the sheep today who hear and follow the voice of our Shepherd. What are the voices that distract us from hearing Jesus voice today? How might we overcome those voices? How much better would we be, as disciples of Jesus, if we really followed the Good Shepherd? How much stronger would our clergy shepherds be if we supported them, and helped them to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit in their flock? Share YOUR thoughts at: mytwocents@stm-church.com Page 6

7 May 15, 2011 St. Thomas More School Congratulations to the Students of St. Thomas More School Who Celebrated the Sacrament of First Holy Communion On Saturday, May 7th, fifty-five third grade students from St. Thomas More School celebrated their First Holy Communion. Special thanks to our third grade teaching staff for their caring preparation in getting our students ready for this important step in their spiritual journey. Congratulations students and may God Bless You! Page 7

8 C O L L A B O R A T O R S in the Vineyard of the Lord Thank you for your great response to the two Pledge Weekends of the CSA! Every dollar collected over our goal is returned to St. Thomas More and last year, the church parking lot was paved with the CSA dollars that were returned to the parish CSA dollars will be used to fund new sliding entry doors in the church, replacement of one or our parish trucks, new electronic entry doors for the school and replacement of the glass wall/entry doors leading into the gym. There is still time to make a pledge and give to the CSA! We need a response from EVERY parish family regarding your potential donation to the campaign. We understand that times are tough. If you are unable to give this year, just let us know so that we don t have to call you later. Drop your Pledge Envelope in the collection basket or at the Parish Office OR us at csa@stm-church.com with your total pledge amount or let us know that you are unable to give this year. Please include your name, address, and phone number in the . Parishioners that have not submitted a pledge or responded will be contacted by phone during our Call Nights on May 24 th and 26 th. God bless you for your generosity as a Collaborator in the Vineyard of the Lord! Senior Citizens Club Next Regular Meeting Join us for a social gathering at Kish Community Room on Wednesday, May 18th at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 20th Annual Picnic at the Weis Center May Crowning & Farewell to the International Pilgrim Virgin The annual Gary Diocese May Crowning and Farewell to the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue will be on Sunday, May 22nd at 7:00 p.m. at St. Thomas More Church with a candlelight procession. All First Communicants are invited to participate (wear your Communion attire & arrive at 6:30 p.m.) Sponsored by the Blue Army. More info? Call Rose Marie Malburg at (219) Career Networking Group * 80% of Jobs are Unadvertised *75% of Jobs are found through Networking Next Meeting: Thursday, May 19, 2011 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. AARP Guest Speaker: April P. Smith, Project Director If you are 40 or older What you should know about employment $74 million in the State of Indiana available for education Since its inception in 1958, AARP has grown and changed dramatically in response to societal changes, while remaining true to its founding principles: To promote independence, dignity & purpose for older persons To enhance the quality of life for older persons To encourage older people To serve, not to be served. 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 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. Free. Open to All. Vocations Committee In 1963, Pope Paul VI designated this day as the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. God wants us and has asked us to share in the responsibility of providing shepherds to His people and there is no greater life than that! Let us pray daily for this. Petitions for Vocations: 1. That families will strive to make their homes places where children can hear God call them by name. 2. That parents may realize their responsibility to be an example of faith for their children. 3. That those who feel a call to and desire for priesthood or religious life may find the courage to say yes to what God asks of them. 4. That young men and women will listen to the Spirit in their hearts and respond to the cry from deep within. 5. That our parish communities will nurture religious vocations through their lives of prayer and service, giving witness to God s loving action in the world. Page 8

9 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. Mon., July 11 th through Fri., 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 Registration forms can be found on the Church website. Info? Contact: Amy Lee at , Dawn Hein at , Deanna McDunn at or Amy Wiess at STM Pastoral Council Nomination Ballot Would you consider becoming a member or the St. Thomas More Pastoral Council? The Pastoral Council members are parishioner who are willing to participate in prayer and spiritual formation, willing to listen to others and new ideas, understanding and accept the mission of our parish, willing to work as team members, and willing to make a commitment of time and talent to the Council, the Parish and the Church. This is a 3-year commitment. A series of three evenings of prayer, education and faith sharing constitute STM s Discernment Process. The Discernment Sessions give the candidates an opportunity to learn more about the Pastoral Council. These sessions will be held on the following Tuesdays: May 24, May 31 and June 7. On Pentecost Sunday, June 12th, New Council members will be chosen at the 10:00 a.m. Mass. Nominees must be a practicing Roman Catholic, a registered member of St. Thomas More Parish, and be at least 18 years of age. The nominees cannot be a full-time employee of the parish or school. Nominees will be contacted to verify their acceptance of the nomination. Members of our parish can nominate themselves or others by completing the Nomination Form below. Nominee: Phone: Nominee: Phone: Nominee: Phone: Please deposit the Nomination Forms in the Red Ballot Boxes, located at each church entrance. The Nomination period will end on Sunday, May 21 after the 12:00 p.m. Mass. The Travelers Club Find Old World Charm & New World Hospitality during our next trip to Millie s Restaurant on Thursday, May 19,2011 8:00 a.m. 5:30 p.m. We are excited about our next trip to Millie s Restaurant in Delavan, WI. This is a popular destination for many and draws visitors from neighboring states. Millie s offers a unique collection of antique appointments spanning several centuries displayed amongst its five dining rooms, lending to its special quaintness. Millie s also features unusual gifts, furniture, fashion, decorative accessories, gourmet items and much more! Millie s is situated in a beautiful country setting surrounded by lush English gardens. Enjoy a delicious luncheon, followed by a live cabaret show. The cost of $56/person includes transportation, lunch, show & all gratuities. Sign up in the parish office and your check, made out to STM Travelers, will confirm your reservation. Please park in the south parking lot of St. Thomas More Church along the perimeter of the lot. Remember, our trips are for all STM parishioners. Holy Name Society Our next (and final) meeting of the season will take place on Monday, May 16th at 7:00 p.m. in the Solar Room. Join us for the praying of the Rosary, followed by our regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. New members are always welcome. We will be discussing the election of officers for 2011/2012. Please save the following dates for upcoming events: August 18, 2011: Holy Name Society Meeting Men of All Ages Simultaneously retool for a changing work force and earn Garden Club graduate credits. The St. Thomas More College is offering a limited number of all-expens e- paid scholarships to its Graduate School of Continuing Education for qualified men** aged 16 and older wishing to pursue a Master of Philosophy and Maintenance Degree. Required 4-credit courses, complete with hands-on experience include: September 27, 2011: Evening of Reflection at the Carmelite Shrine Classification & Control of Native Flora Aesthetic Landscape Design Wheelbarrow Guidance Control Developing Proficiency in the Use of Hand Tools A wide variety of electives are available to tailor our program to your specific interest, needs and competencies. Applications are available from our Registrar, Professor Kwasny, on Wednesday morning at 9:00 a.m. in the church barn. Bring along two references, in the flesh, if possible. (** as in Alive ) Page 9

10 Events in the Area Statue Consecration & Benediction St. John Evangelist Parish in St. John will join together in prayer to welcome Our Lady of the New Millennium on Sunday, May 22, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. with an outdoor ceremony officiated by Francis Cardinal George of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Bishop Dale Melczek & Rev. Sammie Maletta of St. John Evangelist. Our Lady of Grace Reunion The OLG Class of 1968 is sponsoring an All-Class Reunion on August 5, 2011 at Briar Ridge Country Club in Dyer, IN from 6:00 12:00 p.m. More details to follow. The suggested minimum donation is $50 per person. Contact Mark Neiner at Rob Hanrahan at or Kathy Skertich Wendell at Memorial Day Mass Everyone is invited to the St. John St. Joseph Diocesan Cemetery as it honors the memory of those who faithfully served our nation during its Outdoor Memorial Day Mass. The Mass will take place on Monday, May 30th at 10:30 a.m. on the cemetery lawn next to the office at th Street in Hammond. For additional information, call (219) Come and See Event The Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand, IN will be hosting a Come and See event June 24-30, 2011 for single, Catholic women between the ages of 14 and 40. Get to know our Benedictine sisters, share in our community life and prayer, and meet other women who are considering religious life. No pressure, no commitment! For information or to register on-line, visit call Sister Michelle Sinkhorn at (800) , or vocation@thedome.org. Summer Camps are available for girls in 5th 8th grade. Camps involve campfires, games, crafts and sleeping in tents. Share Foundation Summer Camp Help Share Foundation with the Handicapped is looking for individuals to work at summer camps for developmentally disabled adults. Teachers, nurses, cooks, homemakers, college students, retirees, temporarily unemployed or anyone over 18, wanting to share their time and talents with our special campers are needed. Camp runs for 6 consecutive weeks beginning June 12-17, Weekends off. Come for one week or all six. This experience will change your life! Call Sandy at (219) or sfurman@sharefoundation.org. Mass of Thanksgiving A Mass of Thanksgiving celebrating the life of Pope John Paul II will be held at 2 p.m. May 22nd at All Saints Catholic Church, 570 Sibley Street in Hammond. For more information, call Laudate Concert Series St. John the Evangelist Parish s Music Ministry in St. John, IN is sponsoring Alleluia! Christ Reigns! as part of their Laudate Concert Series on Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Call (219) , #266 or for further information. Catholic Services Appeal I am most grateful to those who have responded so generously to the 2011 Catholic Services Appeal. If you have not yet made your pledge to this year s campaign, you may still do so. Remember, every gift is important and helps us to attain our parish goal. No gift is too small! Marian Pilgrimage Friday, September 23 Tuesday, October 4, 2011 Portugal, France and Spain 12 Day Program Includes: Lisbon, FATIMA, Santiago De Compostela,Covadogna, Santander, LOURDES, LA SALETTE, Nevers, PARIS- $ per person dbl occupancy, round-trip air from Chicago, breakfast & dinner daily, deluxe motor coach & guide, 4-star hotels, tips & taxes included. Visit these famous and cherished shrines of our Blessed Mother! Daily Mass & Devotions under the Spiritual guidance of Fr. Luke Nowak (Carmelite of Munster IN) & Deacon Kosla. Registration- $350 deposit and passport copy. Questions? Mark (847) or Fr. Luke :lucasocdpl@gmail.com or (219) 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. More info? (219) , #280. Make checks payable to Diocese of Gary. Return to: Emmaus Program, 9292 Broadway, Merrillville, IN or averbecke@dcgary.org to register. Page 10