SAINT THOMAS MORE Roman Catholic Church Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 5, 2006

Transcription

1 SAINT THOMAS MORE Roman Catholic Church Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 5, 2006 Mission Statement: With the grace and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and through Sacred Scripture and Tradition, the Saint Thomas More Parish Family welcomes all to join us on our journey in faith and celebration as we proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, especially in loving service to those in need. As part of the Universal Church, we witness to the dignity of every person. All this we do to give glory and honor to God.

2 St. Thomas More Parish Munster, Indiana Welcome to St. Thomas More Parish... Pastoral Staff Pastor... Reverend Michael J. Yadron; Ext. 312 Associate Pastor...Reverend Michael J. Hoffman; Ext. 314 Pastoral Associate... Mr. Mark T. Kurowski; Ext. 313 Deacons... Mr. Joseph Stodola...Dr. Napoleon Tabion Director of Development... Noreen Bickel; Ext. 330 Pastoral Care...Deacon Napoleon Tabion; Ext. 315 Dir. Religious Formation... Sister Marilyn Hettinger, O.S.B.; Ext. 332 Parish Office Staff Office Hours:M-F 8:00 ~ 8:00 / Sat. 8:00 a.m. ~ 4:00 p.m. Web Site address is: parish.office@stm-church.com Office Phone Office Fax Bulletin Editor... Mrs. Candy Ally; Ext address for bulletin is: bulletin@stm-church.com Bookkeeper...Mrs. Barbara Gondeck Ext. 307 Daytime Receptionist...Mrs. Susan Strain; Ext. 310 Evening Receptionist...Ms. Veronica Brtos; Ext. 310 Pastoral Ministries Circle of Prayer...Mary Jo Humpfer Environment & Art...Jo Ann Long Eucharistic Ministers...Mr. Jerry Reach Hospitality Ministry...Jim D Orazio Lectors...Paulette Paquette Music Ministry...Ms. Angie Lorandos , Ext. 338 Nursery... Kaaren A. Mashura St. Vincent depaul... Mrs. Sharon Marmalejo SVDP Youth Conference... Lisa Krismanick Vocations Committee... Mrs. Mary Kochis Pastoral Council Allen Blocher...Nancy Klawitter Wendy Depa...Kaaren A. Mashura Jim D Orazio... Marilyn J. Pajor, Council Chair Patrick Feeney... Lynn Tabion Jorge Fernandez...Jane Teller David Kapala St. Thomas More School Pre-School through 8th Grade Office Hours: M-F 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. School web site ~ School Phone School Fax Principal... Mrs. Stacey Atwood; Ext. 322 Dir. of Religious Formation...Sr. Marilyn Hettinger, O.S.B.; Ext. 332 School Administrative Assistant... Ms. Jennifer Gonzalez; Ext. 328 School Reception & Office Associate...Ms. Mary Jo Biscan; Ext. 329 Dir. of Student Special Services... Ms. Tina Boyle; Ext. 323 Home & School Association....Jane Surd Parish & School Offices Associate...Ms. Pam Wadycki; Ext. 339 Cornerstone Center 8635 Calumet Avenue ~ Munster, IN Phone Fax Sacramental Information Confessions Saturdays... 3:30-5:00 p.m. First Friday...1/2 hour before the 6:30 a.m. Mass Baptisms... First and Third Sundays at 1:00 p.m. Pre Baptism Class...2nd Tuesday 7:00 p.m. Parents must call the Parish Office to schedule class and/or Baptism. Marriage... Contact a priest at least six months in advance Communion calls and visits to Hospitals and Homebound. Call 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 parishioners 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 Formation Pre-Kindergarten through 8th Grade Office Hours:M-F 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Formation Phone Director...Sister Marilyn Hettinger, O.S.B.; Ext. 332 Administrative Assistant...Mrs. Audrey Frigo; Ext. 336 Grades K through 8 ~ Wed. & Thurs. 4:30 ~ 6:00 p.m. Pastoral Commissions Chairpersons Formation/Education...Sister Marilyn Hettinger, O.S.B.; Ext 332 Parish Life... Ms. Jean Thornton Peace & Social Justice...Ms. Barbara Shaver Spirituality & Worship... Ms. Joyce Stodola Stewardship...Mr. Cal Bellamy Parish Organizations Altar & Rosary Society...Ruth Banas Elizabeth Ministry...Kathy Dominguez Holy Name Society...Kevin Cloghessy Senior Citizens...Eleanor Schveiger Respect Life...Alice Wohler Knights of Columbus... Hal Lusk Blue Army...Rose Marie Malburg Finance... Barbara Shaver Planned Giving...Ken Krupinski Building Maintenance... Bob Ray Boy Scouts...Patrick Gorman Cub Scouts...Curt Anglin Girl Scouts...Cheryl Meyer Catering/Hall Rental...Kathleen Pagorek Mom s Group...Deanna Mc Dunn Ushers Club...Jim Marmalejo Youth Group... Pam Ratajack Page 2

3 Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 5, 2006 CELEBRANTS Saturday, February 11 5:30 pm Father Michael Hoffman Sunday, February 12 6:30 am Father Michael Hoffman 8:00 am Father Michael Hoffman 10:00 am Father Mike Yadron 12:00 noon Father Mike Yadron Tuesday, February 7 Devotions 6:30 pm E. Lusk, B. & E. O Neill Saturday, February 11 8:30 am A. & M. Flores 5:30 pm R. McIntyre, B. Meyer, G. Moya, A. & P. O Shea Sunday, February 12 6:30 am K. Nadratowski, E. Rouse, J. Ratajack 8:00 am J. Biscan, M. Blocher, R. Fink, R. & S. Gorman 10:00 am J. Page, M. Peters, C. Speranza, D. Straka, D. Albanese 12:00 noon B., R. & P. Heuer NEW ALTAR SERVER INFORMATION MEETING Any student currently in the 4 th grade and higher that is interested in becoming an altar server and their parent are invited to attend a Sign-up/information meeting Tuesday, February 7, :00 pm in the Cornerstone Building. If you have any questions you may call Susan Burke at SUNDAY, February 5 ~ Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time 6:30 am For Our Parish Family 8:00 am Richard Smith by Wife Eileen 10:00 am Elvira Ferrara (Ann.) by Daughters Tina & Maria 12:00 noon Sylvia M. Bistrican (Ann.) by Mr. & Mrs. Robert Kroll MONDAY, February 6 ~ St. Paul Miki and Companions 6:30 am Joseph Oblon (Ann.) by Robert & Virginia Gauger 8:30 am Tom Barisic (Ann.) by Maria & Zvonko Jugovic TUESDAY, February 7 6:30 am Dorothy Trudell by JoAnn Titak 8:30 am James Whelan by Wife Josephine 10:00 am Marcella Paluch by STM Altar & Rosary Society (Mass at Med-Inn Cafeteria, Group 3) WEDNESDAY, February 8 ~ St. Jerome Emiliani, St. Josephine Bakhita 6:30 am Jacquelyn Scruggs by Family 8:30 am Florence Badger by Brother, Joseph Geisen THURSDAY, February 9 6:30 am John Sebock by Raymond Mueller Family 8:30 am Intention of Ed & Gerry Lelito by Chris & Mark Michelin FRIDAY, February 10 ~ St. Scholastica 6:30 am Eleanor Stefanich (Ann.) by Charles Heggi Family 8:30 am Sr. Mary Edmund (Ann.) by O Bryan Family SATURDAY, February 11 ~ Our Lady of Lordes 8:30 am Bertha Struble (Ann.) by Daughter Shirley 5:30 pm Joseph & Kenneth Butynski by Family SUNDAY, February 12 ~ Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 6:30 am For Our Parish Family 8:00 am Celia Pospychala (Ann.) by John & Claudia Pellar 10:00 am Frank Miller (Ann.) by Starewicz Family 12:00 noon In Thanksgiving for 54 Years of Marriage of Carmen and Mary Ann Cammarata Readings for the Week of February 5, 2006 Sunday: Jb 7:1-4, 6-7/ 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23/ Mk 1:29-39 Monday: 1 Kgs 8:1-7, 9-13/ Mk 6:53-56 Tuesday: 1 Kgs 8:22-23, 27-30/ Mk 7:1-13 Wednesday: 1 Kgs 10:1-10/ Mk 7:14-23 Thursday: 1 Kgs 11:4-13/ Mk 7:24-30 Friday: 1 Kgs 11:29-32; 12:19/ Mk 7:31-37 Saturday: 1 Kgs 12:26-32; 13:33-34/ Mk 8:1-10 Next Sunday: Lv 13:1-2, 44-46/ 1 Cor 10:31-11:1/ Mk 1:40-45 Page 3

4 St. Thomas More Parish Munster, Indiana A Special Notice to all STM Volunteers Eucharistic Ministers, Pastoral Care, Lectors, Choir Members, Ushers and Greeters, Religious Educators and any others who minister in the name of Jesus. In continuing to put Jesus in the center of all that we do, the Spirituality and Worship Commission invites you to a Morning of Reflection on Saturday, February 11, 2006 at 9:00 am in the school cafeteria. We will be following last year s format with a guest speaker, Mr. David Drown. Mr. Drown is a certified catechist in the Archdiocese of Chicago as well as a teacher and writer. He will share with us humorous moments with his own life and speak on catechesis, sharing the teachings of Jesus Christ, and how it relates to the prayerful lives we need. Join us as we inspire our spirituality and ignite the Holy Spirit within us to rejuvenate and share our talents. Please call the Parish Office by February 7th to respond, Yes and help us all to say, Here I am Lord. P lease pray for the sick of our parish... Santa Agnello Deborah Ancich Rudolph Asanovich Doris Aurelio Maria Aurelio Irene Baker Maxine Bellamy Antonio Belmonte Tom Bernacki Michael Boston Alvina Brazina Stephany Burney Mary Burosh Dorothy Campbell James Campbell Richard Carlson Al Carollo Carol Carollo Socarro Casas Kathleen Cecil Jacqueline Morrow Christian Frank Coman Vincent Corsello Mike Curtain Marian Dale John Fetzko Elizabeth Follmer John Forde Phyllis Garber Andrea Garritano William Garzinski Joseph Gasiorek James Gaskey Dorothy Gillespie Marguerite Grothouse James Grunewald Virginia Hale Amy Hayes Marie Henke Evelyn Hennes Theresa Hester Ray Humpfer Phillip Imoisi Elizabeth Jacob Marian Johnson Jo Jusko Joseph Justynski Debbie Kaczka Robert Kalka Peter Klobuchar Janet Knight Helen Krull Julia Kukta Jerome Kula Lois Kus Irene Kwiecien Janice Leuser Maria Lovell Horace Lyle Julia Lyle Dale Madsen Gregory Mahoney Kathryn McBride Faye Meny Sandi Merlo Olga Mihalo Clarence Miller William Modrock Gerald Moran Robert Mudroncik Emily Mysliwy Jean Narvid John Narvid Steven Nowaczyk Valerie O Donnell Kathy Orange Audrey Ostroff Marciala Perez Gertrude Peters Johanna Petruch Elizabeth Pilones Julia Radde Roberta Richards Irene Rompola Helen Rutkowski Ted Rutkowski Bernice Rybicki Ann Sardella Mary Sarnowski George Sauer Jean Schultz James Secviar Mary Ann Sejda Grace Sheridan Ed Sidor Wallace Skierge Joseph M. Smelko Dorie Sperl Deborah Stareck Georgianne Suto Rose Theis Gerardo Trevino Anthony Ubuane Madeleine Vranken Adele Wall Sally Walters Annette Wilson Tammy Wollersheim Lucille Wonnell James Zabrecky SUNDAY, February 5 MONDAY, February 6 Market Day Pick-up ~ Gym ~ 5:00-6:00 pm 7:00 pm Adult Ed ~ Fr. Mike ~ Solar Room 7:00 pm Blue Army ~ Chapel 7:00 pm Peace/Social Justice ~ Conference Room 7:00 pm Ushers ~ Cafeteria TUESDAY, February 7 9:15 am - 6:30 pm Eucharistic Adoration ~ Chapel 1:00 pm Prayer/Vocations ~ Chapel 6:00 pm Divine Mercy Chaplet ~ Chapel 7:00 pm Faithful Women Pray ~ Church 7:00 pm RCIA ~ Solar Room 7:00 pm Video Bible ~ Conference Room WEDNESDAY, February 8 9:30 am Bible Study ~ Conference Room 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm ~ Religious Education Classes 6:30 pm Altar & Rosary Chili Bingo ~ Solar Room 7:00 pm Real Men Pray ~ Church THURSDAY, February 9 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm ~ Religious Education Classes 7:00 pm Festival Committee ~ Solar Room 7:00 pm Mardi Gras ~ Cafeteria 7:00 pm SVDP ~ Conference Room FRIDAY, February 10 SATURDAY, February 11 MORNING OF REFLECTION ~ 9:00 AM ~ CAFETERIA 10:00 am Oblates ~ Conference Room 7:00 pm Jr. Hi Dance ~ Gym SUNDAY, February 12 1:00 pm SVDP Youth Conference ~ Teachers Lounge 2:30 pm Padre Pio Cenacle ~ Chapel 6:30 pm STM Youth Group ~ Cornerstone Take an active role in promoting world peace! The Irish Children s Fund sponsors 12-year old visitors, both Protestants and Catholics, from Belfast, Northern Ireland for a four-week summer visit to America. The purpose is to expose these children to a culture where people of different religions and political persuasions can co-exist peacefully. The Irish Children s Fund is currently interviewing new host families for our 2006 visitors. It is a fabulous opportunity for your family to positively impact the peace process in Northern Ireland and it s LOTS of fun, too! Call Mary Anne Neiner at for information. Page 4

5 The Pastor s Page February 5, 2006 I DON T WANT TO BE ARRESTED. I DON T WANT TO BE TRIED. I DON T WANT TO GO TO PRISON. After all, who does? However, of all the things for which a person can be arrested, tried, convicted and sent to prison, it just seems like an episode from The Twilight Zone to think that a priest can be tried and convicted for saying that Jesus Christ was a real, historical person. And yet, if you have been following the news lately, that appears to be exactly what is unfolding in Italy. An atheist is attempting to force the Italian government to try a priest for claiming that Jesus Christ was a real person, claiming that, in doing so, the priest is setting up an imposter, and a church, in a position of control over the people. Gosh. I do not know what I am going to do. After all, I spent three years working in the prison system for the Department of Correction in the State of Indiana. I worked at Indiana State Prison which houses death row. I worked at Lakeside Prison, also in Michigan City. As a chaplain, I attended state chaplains meetings at many prisons throughout Indiana. Prisons are not exactly the kind of place I would like to live. Not at all. So, fearing criminal prosecution, I guess I and my brother priests as well should begin to change the way I speak to you in my homilies and in my bulletin articles. Maybe, instead of talking about Jesus as the Son of God and Son of Man, I could get off the hook legally by merely adding the word alleged. Jesus was allegedly born of the allegedly virgin Mary. No. That just does not seem to have the same punch as saying Jesus WAS born of the Virgin Mary. Hmmm. Dilemma. Well, if it is going to mean the difference between being judged by a human court or judged by God, I would rather go with preparing for that heavenly judgment. After all, in the scriptures we are reminded by Jesus Himself not to fear those who can kill the body. Because, in the final analysis, those people can only affect our worldly selves. But, we truly believe in something beyond this world, something after this life, something eternal. That is worth everything. It is even worth the risk of claiming that Jesus Christ is a real, historical man born of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Oops, I ve done it now. So, I may as well be as clear as possible: Jesus Christ is Lord! Priests and deacons have served the Diocese of Gary for a number of years now. 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: February 5: Rev. Vincent E. Eckert (1978) February 8: Msgr. Frederick J. Westendorf (1963) Rev. Robert E. Emmons (1965) February 11: Rev. Louis M. Letko (1981) Page 5 OUR ANNOUNCED PARISH MISSION On and off for the past few weeks I have asked you to hold a series of dates open in your calendar for a parish mission given by John Schweisthal. Just this morning (January 31st), I received a phone call from John s wife stating that John is going to have to cancel our mission as well as several others at this time of the year. John has been fighting cancer for a little while now and they have found that it has emerged further in his system. The doctors believe that they have found the cancer early enough to treat, but it is going to involve immediate, aggressive treatment which has caused the cancellation. So, instead of looking forward to the parish mission, I ask you to join me in prayer for John Schweisthal s health, treatment, and recovery. I truly hope that we will be able to bring him here in the future because he has such a powerful message. ON THE LIGHTER SIDE You've all heard of the Air Force's ultra-high-security, super-secret base in Nevada, known simply as "Area 51?" Well, late one afternoon, the Air Force folks out at Area 51 were very surprised to see a Cessna landing at their "secret" base. They immediately impounded the aircraft and hauled the pilot into an interrogation room. The pilot's story was that he took off from Vegas, got lost, and spotted the Base just as he was about to run out of fuel. The Air Force started a full FBI background check on the pilot and held him overnight during the investigation. By the next day, they were finally convinced that the pilot really was lost and wasn't a spy. They gassed up his airplane, gave him a terrifying "you-did-not-see-a-base" briefing, told him Vegas was that-a-way and sent him on his way. The next day, to the total disbelief of the Air Force, the same Cessna showed up again. Once again, the MP's surrounded the plane. Only this time, there were two people in the plane. The same pilot jumped out and said, "Do anything you want to me, but my wife is in the plane and you have to tell her where I was last night." Gospel Communications International Used By Permission

6 St. Thomas More Parish ON STEWARDSHIP As we begin to get closer to Lent, we thought we would remind you of prayer and other religious books that you can purchase on-line or at local religious book stores. LIVING FAITH: Daily Catholic Devotions provides daily spiritual reflections from such sources as the published works of Fr. Henri J.M. Nouwen, Pope John Paul II, and Mother Teresa, as well as such regular contributors as Sr. Joyce Rupp, Fr. M. Basil Pennington and Elizabeth-Anne Stewart. Drawn from the laity, priests and religious women, LIVING FAITH writers provide a variety of perspectives and insights. Each daily devotion is a personal reflection on a Scripture passage from the day s Mass readings, a format that encourages readers to pray and meditate in spirit with the seasons of the Church year. Living Faith / Daily Catholic Devotions / 1564 Fencorp Drive / Fenton, MO / Phone: (636) On the Internet at MAGNIFICAT: A spiritual guide to help you: develop your prayer life, grow in your spiritual life, find a way to a more profound love for Our Blessed Savior, participate in the Holy Mass with greater fervor. Living a life of prayer with MAGNIFICAT! Every day, MAGNIFICAT offers: beautiful prayers for both morning and evening, drawn from the treasures of the Liturgy of the Hours, the official texts of the daily Mass, meditations written by the renowned Fathers of the Church, and a great variety of spiritual writings, essays on the lives of the Saints of today and the past.magnificat USA: Magnificat Dunwoodie, 201 Seminary Avenue, Yonkers, NY , USA MagnifiKid!: 100 Corporate Parkway, Suite 424, Amherst NY 14226, USA Phone: On the Internet at Bethany House Bookstore Sr. Joyce Diltz, PHJC Bethany Retreat House / 2202 Lituanica Avenue / East Chicago, IN / Boric s Religious Supply, Inc Thiel Street / St. John, IN / This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but it will give you a good start. If you have access to the Internet and simply perform a search for Catholic Reading, you will be provided with many sites to visit. Sacrificial Offering for January 29, 2006 Adults $25, Loose $ Children $58.87 TOTAL $26, Munster, Indiana GETTTING TO KNOW YOU Last Sunday I talked about change and how we all must change. Change is living. Even if we do nothing we change. We continue to grow older. The important thing is how we manage that change. However planned deliberate change is difficult and I was reminded of this shortly after I left church. I was going down White Oak, south of 45 th Street. I travel this road daily. I have watched as a new traffic light was installed at the intersection of White Oak and Poplar. Sunday afternoon I am traveling down the street and see that the red light is flashing. I am thinking to myself that is good. The flashing light is warning us that there is a new light here. It will give us a chance to get use to the light before it is fully functioning. THEN I DRIVE RIGHT THROUGH IT WITHOUT STOPPING. (The expression on the person sitting on Poplar thinking I was going to stop was priceless, she just prayed and I think maybe went home thinking that was the safest thing to do with nuts like me on the road.) Change even when you see it plainly and are conscious of it is hard. The lives of the saints we celebrate in our daily liturgy are full of men and women, who constantly call us to reform, change. We are always in renewal. We always need to change because the world changes and we have to adjust. The road we travel down daily changes regardless of us. Many changes are just neutral. We have to make them to keep going, but we should also make positive changes. Changes to get closer to our God. Changes we consciously make. This is the renewal that many saints call us to make. God is THE constant in our lives. Our approach and way of knowing our God changes as we change. God talks to us constantly and is inviting us each day to get closer and closer to Him. He is putting up traffic lights to help us travel down the expanding road of our life. Do we see them but drive right through or do we see them and heed them? Do we take advantage of the aids God constantly sends us, or do we mindlessly continue down the same road until we have a wreck? Thank you for your generosity! Page 6

7 February 5, 2006 What Is More Important to a Child s Education Than Building Character and Fostering Compassion and Values? That s why a Catholic education has always gone beyond the basics, to encourage every child to become a faith-filled, productive and generous adult. Character. A strong character is at the core of every responsible adult, and helps chart a course through life. At St. Thomas More School, your child will develop a connection with the spiritual that is essential for building a strong and principled character. Compassion. Understanding others and having the desire to serve and contribute only comes with compassion. Catholic schools teach love and compassion, through living examples, and the life of Christ. The result? Students who not only care about themselves, but others... and the world they live in. Values. Strong ethics and values are what ultimately guide us. They determine what we choose for ourselves, and influence how we interact with others. With a sound spiritual base, your child will develop the core values he or she needs for living a successful and meaningful life. STMS Alumni Return to Talk About The Readers Digest National Word Power Challenge For the last several years, a student from St. Thomas More School has qualified to go to the Reader s Digest National Word Challenge. Last year, over 1.6 million students participated in this event. Lorien Estes placed 6th in the nation. In prior years, Eleanor Kennedy and Russell Gonzales both placed 11th in the nation. This is a tremendous accomplishment! These three students returned to talk to the Middle School students about their experience and about how their hard work paid off. In the next few weeks, we will be sending the following four students to the state competition: Joey Navarro, Nick Estes, Luke Gonzalez and Alyssa Heeter. Good luck at state Joey, Nick, Luke and Alyssa! Want to Learn More About the Difference St. Thomas More School Can Make in Your Child s Life? Please Call Mary Jo at ext. 329 for more information or to schedule a visit. Prior St. Thomas More School Reader s Digest Word Challenge Winners with current year St. Thomas More finalists. Calling All St. Thomas More School Alumni We are in the process of updating our alumni database. Please your current information Name, Maiden Name, Year Graduated, Home Address, Home Phone & e- mail address to: STMSAlumni@stm-school.com. Or contact Noreen Bickel at ext The following classes are planning reunions this year. For more information, please contact the alumni listed below. Class of 1981 Class of 1986 Ann Miller Patrich Tina Schmidt McNulty Phone: millerpatridge@yahoo.com shoes029@yahoo.com Diocesan Tuition Assistance Program Now Underway Tuition assistance application forms for the school year are now available in the parish office. Catholic students in any diocesan school, grades 1-12, may apply. Kindergarten and pre-school students are not eligible. A $19 nonrefundable processing fee must accompany the application. Approximately $425,000 is distributed on the basis of need to assist Catholic parents in providing Catholic education and formation to their children. This is $75,000 more than last year. The filing deadline is March 3, This is the date that completed applications must be returned to the parish office. This deadline will be strictly enforced. Parents will be notified of the result in writing by May 31, Page 7

8 St. Thomas More Parish Munster, Indiana Altar & Rosary Society An invitation to the ladies of our parish! Chili Bingo Mark Your Calendars Now! Wednesday February 8, 2006 ~ Cafeteria We will start the Rosary promptly at 6:30 pm. Chili ~ Hot Dogs ~ Dessert ~ Will be served ~ A short general meeting will follow, think about nominating officers for the next year ~ Pat Dublak is the Chili Bingo Chairman Ladies ~ it s time to re-gift those gifts you didn t want or need from Christmas All ladies that attend are asked to bring a new White elephant (unwrapped) for bingo prizes. Make your reservations at the parish office A S A P Tickets are $4.00 per person See All of You There!!! Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time A song on the country music charts a while back made the statement There s gotta be something more. Have you had that feeling? Of course! Even the best of us have looked around and wondered, despite all that we ve accomplished, if there isn t more that we could have done or said or even felt. We feel unfulfilled, even when we think we ve worked harder than ever. Today s reading from Mark tells of the first instance of Jesus healing the sick. One can imagine how quickly word would spread that someone could do what Jesus was accomplishing; soon the whole city had gathered at the door. One morning before sunrise, he left to pray in solitude. Later, he and his disciples went to other villages to preach, because Jesus knew in his heart there was more to his message than performing miracles. The people must believe, they must know of God s love. Similarly, those of us who are called to teach about Christ must also seek to know him in our hearts. We are to realize his love, his sufferings, and his sacrifice if we are ever able to proclaim his message as he wished. As we are taught in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we should be able to apply the mysterious words of Jesus. My teaching is not mine, but God who sent me. (CCC ) Knowing him, we will be truly fulfilled. STM - YOUTH MINISTRY C The Youth Ministry is open to ALL high school youth. Please join us at any meeting or event that you can or us at: STMyouth-owner@yahoogroups.com Upcoming Events Sunday, February 12th, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Cornerstone Center O R N E R Meeting Topic What Has God Done For Me Lately? Sunday, February 19th, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Stardust Lanes in Dyer Bowling with the youth group! Sunday, February 26th & March 12th 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Cornerstone The Passion of the Christ. Permission slips will be available by 2/12 If you have any questions, please contact Pam Ratajack at Page 8

9 Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 5, 2006 Religious Formation Gentle Jesus, help us to turn to you when we hurt or are troubled in any way. Your healing brings true happiness. Amen. Progress Reports: Please remember to return the signed progress report to your child s catechist. Registration for : Please return the registration form with a $25 deposit as soon as possible. Confirmation Date: Confirmation for the 8th grade students will be Saturday, April 8, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. There will be a practice for sponsors and candidates on Friday, April 7, 2006, at 7:00 p.m.. First Reconciliation: First Reconciliation for both school and after-school students will be on Saturday, February 18, at 9:30 a.m. Mark your calendars: Feb. 8/9 Feb. 15/16 Feb. 18 Feb. 22/23 March 1/2 Class Class First Reconciliation 9 :30 a.m. Class No Class Ash Wednesday St Vincent de Paul Youth Are you a Catholic Youth, at least 13 years old? YOU CAN BE A VINCENTIAN TOO! Join Us in Service to the Poor! Dues: Bring a can of non-perishable food for the Pantry. Bunco Sat., Feb 11, 2006 Play bunco with residents 9:45-11:00 AM, Med Inn Planning Meeting Sun., Feb 12, 2006 Plan our Service Activities 1:00 PM, STM Teachers Lounge Bunco Sat., Feb 18, 2006 Play bunco with residents 9:45-11:00 AM, Hartsfield Planning Meeting Sun., Feb 26, 2006 Plan our Service Activities 1:00 PM, STM Teachers Lounge St. Victor s Soup Kitchen Sun., March 5, 2006 Cook & Serve 1:30-5:30 PM, Calumet City Day of Reflection Winter, 2006 Time to reflect on our ministry TBD Christ needs laborers to work in His vineyard as Priests or Religious. Are you being called? Think about it! There is no life more needed, more important. Mrs. D Orazio s Wed. 6th Grade made rosaries. "Birth Choice needs cribs! If you have a gently used, or wish to donate a new crib to Birth Choice, please call Kathy at or Sue at Please donate only cribs that meet current safety standards and are in great shape. Your generosity is appreciated." Page 9

10 St. Thomas More Parish Munster, Indiana Mardi Gras is February 25th! Join friends for a fun adult evening with food, drinks, silent and live auctions, raffles and more! Enjoy the Dixieland jazz of Mark Biegel s DixieDogs Raffle Win a 7 night stay in a luxury Orlando vacation villa, Raffle a B&B weekend, or a new carry-on luggage piece. Tickets and Vacation Raffle tickets are now on sale! Reservations must be made in advance. For ticket information and/or to place an order for tickets please call or Purchase raffle tickets from you favorite STMS student or in the school or parish offices. DONATIONS STILL NEEDED! Do you have a business?.offer a service?.have access to a vacation location, sporting event or theatre tickets, concert tickets, or collectibles?...are you crafty? Mardi Gras is in need of silent and live auction items in ALL price ranges. Want to make a monetary donation? All donations to STMS are tax deductible. STMS is also eligible for corporate matching funds from many employers. If you can help call Kathy ( ) or Pam ( ) to arrange for a pick up, or drop off your donation at the school or parish office by Friday, February 11, Thanks for your support! Real Men Pray and Faithful Women Pray are ministries for men and women, respectively, in the Church and community to come together to pray for our Church, our world and our personal lives. These special "Hour of Power" gatherings are being held weekly from November 2005 through November Following the school calendar, these meetings are not held during vacations, on holidays or on holy days. Real Men Pray meets on Wednesdays from 7-8 pm in the main church. February 8 - Kevin Cloghessy Real Men are Aware of the Holy Spirit February 15 ~ Paul Propson Real Men are Reconciled to God Faithful Women Pray meets on Tuesdays from 7-8 pm in the main church. February 7th ~ To Be Announced February 14th ~ Sr. Joyce Diltz "Faithful Women Embrace the Guidance of the Holy Spirit" Real Men Pray and Faithful Women Pray have prayed for over 800 families (ca. 2,400 people) of Saint Thomas More. If you have questions, please call Mark Kurowski at (219) , x. 313 or him at mkurowski@stm-church.com. Page 10