SAINT THOMAS MORE Roman Catholic Church

Transcription

1 SAINT THOMAS MORE Roman Catholic Church Fourth Sunday of Easter ~ April 17, 2005 Prayer for the Papal Conclave Come, Holy Spirit, Guide the minds and hearts of our Cardinals in conclave this week. Inspire them to choose the man who will follow in the footsteps of the popes though the ages all who have done their best to walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Give your candidate courage to accept your will for his life. Help him to be a generous servant of the people of God. Help him to be a herald of your truth and love. Even as we grieve the loss of Pope John Paul II, help us to be open to the leadership of a new pope. Give us all the graces that we need to perform the work of Jesus on this earth, that we may come one day to your kingdom of light, happiness and peace. Amen! 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 Associate Pastor... Reverend Keith M. Virus Deacons... Mr. Joseph Stodola...Dr. Napoleon Tabion Director of Development... Noreen Bickel; Ext. 330 Pastoral Care...Deacon Napoleon Tabion 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 Organist...Mr. John Clodig St. Vincent depaul... Mrs. Sharon Marmalejo SVDP Youth Conference... Lisa Krismanick Vocations Committee... Mrs. Mary Kochis Pastoral Council Joanne Blaesing... Marilyn J. Pajor Allen Blocher... Lynn Tabion Jim D Orazio...Jean M. Thornton, Council Chair Christine I. Greenberg...Jane Teller Kaaren A. Mashura... Barbara Topete Joseph Merlini...Joellen Zegarac 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 ~ myschoolonline.com/in/stthomasmoreschool 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.... Suzanne Lusk 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...Jo Ann Long Stewardship...Mr. Cal Bellamy Parish Organizations Altar & Rosary Society... Debbie Straka Elizabeth Ministry...Kathy Espiritu Holy Name Society...Kevin Cloghessy Senior Citizens... Carol Carollo Respect Life...Alice Wohler Knights of Columbus...Courtland S. Driggs Blue Army...Rose Marie Malburg Finance... Barbara Shaver Planned Giving...Ken Krupinski Building Maintenance... Bob Ray Boy Scouts... Paul Taylor Cub Scouts... Frank Pukoszek Girl Scouts... Jane Surd Catering/Hall Rental...Kathleen Pagorek Mom s Group...Dawn Hein Ushers Club...Jim Marmalejo Youth Group... Pam Ratajack Page 2

3 Fourth Sunday of Easter April 17, 2005 CELEBRANTS Saturday, April 23 5:30 pm Father Keith Virus Sunday, April 24 6:30 am Father Keith Virus 8:00 am Father Keith Virus 10:00 am Father Mike Yadron 12:00 noon Father Mike Yadron Tuesday, April 19 ~ Devotions 6:30 pm H. Pagorek, J. & R. Romano Saturday, April 23 8:30 am D. Owens, S. Rescan 5:30 pm S. Taylor, C. Yothment, G.W. Childs, A. & H. Flores Sunday, April 24 6:30 am D. Ancich, M. & P. Kozlowski 8:00 am T. Yee, E. Rouse, J. Beckman, J. Biscan, M. Blocher 10:00 am K. & M. Hajduch, M. Jerge, P. & C. Kukla 12:00 noon J. & R. Romano, M. Muta SUNDAY, April 17 ~ Fourth Sunday of Easter 6:30 am For Our Parish Family 8:00 am Richard Rudnick (Ann.) by Elizabeth Rudnick 10:00 am James Pavlovich by Joseph & Carole Janusonis 12:00 pm Eleanore Moll by Mr. & Mrs. Michael Popovich MONDAY, April 18 6:30 am Sr. Mary Olympia by Gasiorek Family 8:30 am Bernard Speranza by Family TUESDAY, April 19 6:30 am Christopher Clare by Fies Family 8:30 am Katherine Jurkash (Ann.) by John & Dorothy Jurkash 10:00 am Catherine Jarot by J. R. Hemingway Family (Mass at Med-Inn Cafeteria, Group 1) WEDNESDAY, April 20 6:30 am Leon Siorek (Ann.) by Wife Ruth & Family 8:30 am Alex Konopka (Ann.) by Louis & Marlene Chronowski THURSDAY, April 21 ~ St. Anselm 6:30 am Florence Peiffer by Dr. & Mrs. Jose Mapalad 8:30 am Ed Richter (Ann.) by Wife & Children FRIDAY, April 22 6:30 am Intention of Vincent O Shea Family by Mr. & Mrs. James Pancheri 8:30 am Ernest Fenyes (Ann.) by Family SATURDAY, April 23 ~ St. George, St. Adalbert 8:30 am Antoinette & Jacob Paluch by Marcella Paluch 5:30 pm Robert Weglewski by Family Help Needed at Munster Med-Inn To assist residents attending weekly Rosary Thursdays at 2:15 pm Please call Paul Agnes Martignoni Grace Grant SUNDAY, April 24 ~ Fifth Sunday of Easter 6:30 am For Our Parish Family 8:00 am Eugene Walczak by Jim & Arlene Kender 10:00 am Frederic Ozanam by St. Vincent de Paul Members 12:00 pm Adam Gawlikowski by Wife Mary Readings for the Week of April 17, 2005 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 12:24-13:5a/ 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 Page 3

4 St. Thomas More Parish Munster, Indiana Society of St. Vincent de Paul Please help us restock our pantry with the following items: peanut butter & jelly; jello & puddings; cake mixes; sugar; flour; spaghetti sauce; pork & beans; canned fruit; coffee & tea; fruit juices; toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, laundry soap, dish soap; mayonnaise; ketchup & mustard; pancake mix & syrup; meal helpers; shampoo & toothpaste/toothbrushes. Thanks in advance for caring about the poor and providing the resources to help them. God bless you! P lease pray for the sick of our parish... Santa Agnello Deborah Ancich Rudolph Asanovich Doris Aurelio Maria Aurelio Irene Baker Maxine Bellamy Tom Bernacki Michael Boston Alvina Brazina Stephany Burney Anita Burns Mary Burosh Dorothy Campbell Richard Carlson Carol Carollo Mary Pat Casey Jacqueline Morrow Christian Frank Coman Vincent Corsello Mike Curtain Marian Dale Joanne Ellison John Fetzko Elizabeth Follmer John Forde Phyllis Garber Andrea Garritano William Garzinski Joseph Gasiorek James Gaskey Dorothy Gillespie Marguerite Grothouse Virginia Hale Holy Name News Our next meeting will take place Monday, April 18th in the Solar Room at 7:30 pm. Come early at 7:00 pm to join us in praying the rosary. Following the business meeting, there will be a short movie. Pizza and refreshments conclude the evening. Fr. Corapi s video Paschal Mystery will be featured. All new members are welcome. Amy Hayes Marie Henke Evelyn Hennes Theresa Hester Betty Holt Ray Humpfer Elizabeth Jacob Marian Johnson Jo Jusko Joseph Justynski Debbie Kaczka Madeline Kent Peter Klobuchar Janet Knight Virginia Korpella Ann Krizmis Helen Krull Julia Kukta Jerome Kula Lois Kus Irene Kwiecien Janice Leuser Maria Lovell Horace Lyle Julia Lyle Gregory Mahoney Kathryn McBride Faye Meny Sandi Merlo Olga Mihalo Clarence Miller William Modrock George Moran Robert Mudroncik Ray Mueller Emily Mysliwy Jean Narvid John Narvid Steven Nowaczyk Valerie O Donnell Kathy Orange Audrey Ostroff Marcella Paluch Marciala Perez Gertrude Peters Johanna Petruch Elizabeth Pilones Bernice Rybicki Ann Sardella Mary Sarnowski Mary Ann Sejda Grace Sheridan Ed Sidor Irene Simon Wallace Skierge John Skorupa Joseph M. Smelko Deborah Stareck Georgianne Suto Rose Theis Gerardo Trevino Anthony Ubuane Madeleine Vranken Adele Wall Sally Walters Tammy Wollersheim Lucille Wonnell James Zabrecky SUNDAY, April 17 CSA PLEDGE SUNDAY 9:00 am Adult Ed ~ Deacon Tabion ~ Synoptic Gospels ~ Solar Room 2:00 pm Queen of Peace Cenacle ~ Chapel 6:30 pm STM Youth Group ~ Cornerstone MONDAY, April 18 5:00 pm Spirituality/Worship ~ Conference Room 7:00 pm Adult Ed ~ Fr. Mike ~ Cafeteria 7:00 pm Blue Army ~ Chapel 7:00 pm Holy Name ~ Solar Room 7:00 pm Religious Formation ~ Conference Room TUESDAY, April 19 9:30 am - 6:30 pm Eucharistic Adoration ~ Chapel 1:00 pm Prayer/Vocations ~ Chapel 6:00 pm Divine Mercy Chaplet ~ Chapel 7:00 pm Adult Ed ~ Video Bible ~ Conference Room 7:00 pm RCIA Solar Room WEDNESDAY, April 20 9:30 am Bible Study ~ Conference Room 1:00 pm Senior Citizens ~ Solar Room 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm Religious Education Classes 7:00 pm Elizabeth Ministry ~ Chapel/Conference Room THURSDAY, April 21 9:00 am Moms Group ~ Solar Room 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm Religious Education Classes 7:00 pm Respect Life ~ Conference Room FRIDAY, April 22 6:00 pm 5K Run ~ Cafeteria SATURDAY, April 23 5K RUN ~ COMMUNITY PARK ~ 8:00 AM 7:00 pm STM Youth Group Dance ~ Cornerstone SUNDAY, April 24 Coffee & Rolls after 8:00 & 10:00 am Masses hosted by Ushers and Greeters CSA PLEDGE SUNDAY 9:00 am Adult Ed ~ Deacon Tabion ~ Synoptic Gospels ~ Solar Room 9:00 am New Parishioner Orientation ~ Cafeteria 1:00 pm SVDP Youth Conference ~ Conference Room 2:30 pm St. Anthony s Alzheimer Support ~ Solar Room Bishop Noll Class of 1965 will hold it s 40th reunion on the weekend of July 23, For more information contact Annette Gordon Dorn at or aardorn@yahoo.com Page 4

5 The Pastor s Page April 17, 2005 HOW LONG WILL THE CONCLAVE LAST? The College of Cardinals will begin their conclave, to elect the 265th Pope, on April 18. After a Mass pro eligendo summo Pontifice in the morning, the cardinal-electors will form a solemn procession at 4:30 in the afternoon to enter the Sistine Chapel and begin their deliberations. The conclave begins with an exhortation from a senior prelate-- Cardinal Thomas Spidlik has already been named for that role-- and each cardinal then takes an oath of secrecy. The cardinals may take one vote on Monday, but no more. On subsequent days there are four ballots: two in the morning and two in the evening. The balloting continues until one candidate receives two-thirds of the votes. If all of the 117 eligible cardinal-electors participate in the conclave, then the winner must amass 79 votes. (Cardinals who are not physically present at the conclave cannot vote, and since at least a few cardinal-electors are seriously ill and unable to travel to Rome, the actual number may be slightly lower.) This system of voting has been followed consistently for 9 centuries. But in this year's conclave, an important modification has been introduced. Under the terms of the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, promulgated by Pope John Paul II (bio - news) in 1996, the cardinals may choose to break an extended deadlock by one of two options. If no candidate has reached the required two-thirds majority after 34 ballots, the cardinals may choose either to select the first candidate who gains a simple majority (50% plus one vote), or to hold a run-off election between the two leading candidates. The obvious effect of this majority rule is to make it highly unlikely that the conclave could last beyond the 10th day. However, the rule has an important secondary effect, which could come into play much earlier in the cardinals' deliberations. If one candidate quickly emerges with support of a majority-- but less than two-thirds-- of the electors, his supporters will know that they can win the election eventually, if they persevere. In other words, a determined minority cannot block the election of a majority favorite, and there will be less incentive to search for a compromise candidate. In practice, it seems unlikely that this conclave will be a lengthy one. Since 1831, when the cardinals deliberated for 54 days before electing Pope Gregory XVI, no conclave has gone beyond the 5th day. The last 5 Popes were elected in conclaves lasting either 2 or 3 days. Although the cardinals' vow of secrecy means that the public never knows exactly what happens in a conclave, we do know how many votes were taken, because of the ancient tradition of collecting and burning the ballots after each vote. (In what is now perhaps the bestknown of all the traditions surrounding a papal election, the ballots are sprinkled with water and various chemicals to produce dark smoke if the vote is inconclusive, and burned dry with other chemicals so that white smoke rises from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel when a new Pontiff has been chosen.) Since the start of the 20th century, papal conclaves have generally declined in length: In 1903, Pope Pius X was chosen on the 7th ballot, on the 5th day. (The current system of scheduling 4 votes each day had not yet been adopted.) In 1913, Pope Benedict XV was chosen on the 10th ballot, on the 4th day. In 1922, Pope Pius XI was chosen on the 14th ballot, on the 5th day. In 1939, Pope Pius XII was chosen on the 3 ballot, on the 2nd day. (Actually Pope Pius XII received two-thirds of the votes on the second ballot, but he requested a third vote to confirm the result. Pope Pius XII-- widely perceived as the leading candidate entering the election-- was elected in history's shortest conclave, which lasted less than 26 hours.) In 1958, Pope John XXIII was chosen on the 11th ballot, on the 3rd day. In 1963, Pope Paul VI was chosen on the 6th ballot, on the 3rd day. In 1978 Pope John Paul I was chosen on the 4th ballot, on the 2nd day. Also in 1978, Pope John Paul II was chosen on the 8th ballot, on the 3rd day. (Reproduced from CWNews.com with permission) Page 5 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: April 17: Rev. Frank A. Seimetz (1965) April 19: Rev. Hilary S. Halter, OFM (1983) April 21: Rev. Edwin E. Eisenhardt (1963) April 22: Rev. John F. Bart (1970) JOSEPH J. SOBEK SCHOLARSHIP Last year we inaugurated the Deacon Joseph J. Sobek Scholarship that would grant $1,000 to a graduating high school senior parishioner for his/her first year in college. Because of so much happening this past month (the Footsteps of St. Paul Pilgrimage, Easter, the Pope s death,) I totally lost track of time and forgot to put mention of the scholarship in the bulletin. Any graduating high school senior parishioner who wishes to apply for the scholarship may do so in writing to the parish office: Deacon Joseph J. Sobek Scholarship / 8501 Calumet Avenue / Munster, IN Application deadline is Saturday, May 7, ON THE LIGHTER SIDE A woman was curious when she found two black-andwhite negatives in a drawer while she was doing "Spring Cleaning," and she had them made into prints. She was pleasantly surprised to see that they were of a younger, slimmer her, taken on one of her first dates with her husband. When she showed him the photos, his face lit up. "Wow, look at that!" he said with appreciation. "It's my old Plymouth!"

6 St. Thomas More Parish Munster, Indiana Sacrificial Offering for April 10, 2005 Adults $26, Loose $ Children $31.02 TOTAL $27, Thank you for your generosity! God our Father, you reward all who believe in you. May your servant, John Paul II our Pope, vicar of Peter, and shepherd of your Church, who faithfully administered the mysteries of your forgiveness and love on earth, rejoice with you for ever in heaven. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Remember to give a small amount of time every day to God. You can use that time to pray for those who are living or for those who are deceased. in prayer and reflection. You are invited to attend the Graduate Piano Recital of Angelica Lynn Lorandos Saturday, April 30th, 2005 at 3:00 PM Presented in the Rudolph Ganz Memorial Hall Room 745 at Roosevelt University 430 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL. This recital is given as a conclusion to the Master of Music degree. An encore performance will be given at St. Thomas More Church on May 7th at 7:30 pm. The 4th Sunday of Easter has been designated as World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Let us show fidelity to our beloved, late Pope, who strongly advocated devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and prayers for vocations to the religious life. Dioceses where there are no shortage of priests have programs of unswerving allegiance to the Pope and Magisterial teaching with much prayer. The number of Seminarians today is one-tenth of what it was thirty years ago and with many more Catholics. Where are we headed? St. Thomas More High School Youth Group Raffles DJ Please wear appropriate attire ( no swimsuits) Indoor Beach Bash All proceeds go to the STM/Westminster Habitat for Humanity Project. Saturday, April 23, :00 10:00 pm At the St. Thomas More Cornerstone Center 8635 Calumet Ave. - Munster, IN Dancing Refreshments will be available at no extra charge! anceby participating in this event, legal guardians agree to indemnify, defend, hold harmless and release the Diocese of Gary, the Parish, and the Youth Ministry, and their officers, agents, representatives, employees and volunteers, against and from any and all claims, suits, losses, costs, damages, expenses, and liability arising out of any act or omission or other occurrence, whether or not Admission $5.00 "Our Lady of Grace and STM Elizabeth Ministers will be leading a Luminous Mysteries Rosary at the Providence Statue in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Hammond, May 1, 2005, 6PM (we'll hold the Rosary a the cemetery's chapel in case it rains). All those who wish to pray for life and morn the loss of children through miscarriage or child/infant death are welcome to pray with us. For more information, please call Kathy Espiritu at " Page 6

7 April 17, 2005 Race forms available at all church entrances or in the school or parish offices. Thank you to our generous sponsors: Gold: Bosak Auto Group, Bank Calumet, Citizen s Bank, Sand Ridge Bank Silver: Crystal Light, Martell-Polite Dental, Road I.D., Runner s World Please Help Our Angels We have angel ornaments that need a good, caring home. Can you help? Angels make wonderful gifts throughout the year-mother s Day, Conf ir mation, F ir st Ho ly Communion and Graduation. We have a good selection of large Angels available. Thanks for providing homes for our small angels! All proceeds will benefit the Home & School Assn. Call Tammy Paskewicz at Sold Out St. Thomas More School Fall Registration In Progress. Pre-School thru 8th Grade. For more information call Mary Jo at ext Page 7 Large Angels $4.00 Small Angels $3.00

8 St. Thomas More Parish "Our Soup Kitchen experience at St. Victor's was a great success! Thanks to all the youth, parents and especially Joy McCullough for all your help! Our next outreach to the poor is: Holy Innocence Center Sat. April 23, 2005, Play with the children 8:45-11:15 AM, East Chicago Nazareth Home Sat. May 7, 2005 Cuddle the babies/ toddlers 11AM - 2PM, East Chicago Our Next Planning Meeting: Sun. April 24, 2005, 1PM Parish Conference Room For more information, please call Kathy Espiritu at or Joy McCullough at Munster, Indiana ADULT RELIGIOUS FORMATION SESSIONS MONDAY, APRIL 18 Father Mike Yadron will continue his sessions on The Catechism of the Catholic Church in the Cafeteria from 7:00 8:30 PM. TUESDAY, APRIL 19 Elaine Caco will continue the Video Bible Study in the Conference Room from 7:00 8:30 PM. SUNDAY, APRIL 24 Deacon Napoleon Tabion will continue his sessions on the Synoptic Gospels from 9:00 10:00 AM in the Solar Room. TUESDAY, APRIL 26 Elaine Caco will continue the Video Bible Study in the Conference Room from 7:00 8:30 PM. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27 Father Bill O Toole will have us on the Altar as he celebrates Mass with us in the Church from 7:00 8:30 PM. This will be a very special way of celebrating the Mass, please plan on joining us! St. Thomas More Pastoral Council Nomination Ballot The nomination process begins April 10, 2005 and closes April 17, 2005 at 1:30 PM All nominees will be contacted to verify their acceptance of the nomination. If interested in pursuing the Pastoral Council, nominees are required to attend three Discernment meetings. This Discernment Process consists of three evenings of prayer, education, and faith sharing. Meetings are scheduled on Tuesday, April 26 th, May 3 rd, and May 10 th from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM. On Pentecost Sunday, May 15 th, selection will take place at the 10:00 AM Mass. Nominees must be a practicing Roman Catholic, a registered member of St. Thomas More Parish, at least 18 years of age, and a contributing member to the parish in Time and Talent. The nominees can not be a full time employee of the parish or school. Members of our parish can nominate themselves or others by completing the Nomination Form below: Name of Nominee Phone Number (if known) Nomination Forms should be deposited in the red boxes at the church entranceways or the Parish Office no later than 1:30 PM on April 17, Page 8

9 Fourth Sunday of Easter April 17, 2005 Religious Formation Dear God and Father, your Son was the Good Shepherd. He gave his life that we might have eternal life with you in heaven. Make our hearts willing to give our lives for others and to follow your Son, Jesus, the good shepherd. Amen. Registration for : Thank you for the great response in returning the registration forms for Registration forms are available in the Parish Office or the Religious Formation Office. Please return the form, along with a $25 deposit, as soon as possible. Communion: All First Communicants (both Wednesday and Thursday) are expected to come to class on all four of the following dates: May 11, May 12, May 18 and May 19. First Communion is on Saturday, May 21, at 12:00. Banners are due May 11. Mark your calendars: April 20/21 Class April 27/28 Class May 4/5 Last Class (Except for 3rd Grade) Please join me, Tony Liszewski, a sophomore at Andrean High School, and an Eagle Scout of St. Thomas More s Troop 542, in implementing a service project of mine entitled TLC Travel Lends Care. Many people on vacation or business trips often bring home various hotel toiletries, such as small bars of soap, shampoo and other items. As these unfortunately collect in the back of a cabinet at home and are not used, I am looking to collect these items to make care packages to be given to the St Vincent de Paul Society, and local shelters for distribution. For those who would like to join me with my service project, I will be collecting travel-size toiletries from now until the end of July. Items can be dropped in the marked collection containers that will be located in each of the entries to our Church. If you would like to participate in the TLC project, but are unable to drop off the items at Church, please feel free to contact me at I will be happy to pick them up from you. Also, if anyone has connections to companies or organizations that I can request donated items, please call me. Please, if you have hotel/travel toiletries, or if you are traveling, whether it is on business or for pleasure, please bring home whatever you can to donate to the Travel Lends Care -- TLC Project. AFTER AN ABORTION... What a difficult fact to deal with!! The Diocese of Gary is offering an afterabortion recovery program, a Rachel's Vineyard Retreat. This is an extraordinary opportunity for both women and men who are struggling with the emotional and spiritual pain and regret of a past abortion. It is a weekend of unique process designed to help experience God's unconditional love and forgiveness, in a confidential atmosphere in the company of others feeling very much the same way. Fears of condemnation from the Church are transformed into blessings. Memories of abandonment, pain and confusion are replaced by reconciliation. A therapy for the soul, this process is extremely helpful for those who struggle with forgiving themselves, transforming the pain of the past into hope. A program universal across the United States, individuals of all faiths are welcome. This special retreat will be held in the Gary diocese on April 29, 30, and May 1. For a reservation call Carolyn at For information contact MOTHER'S DAY CARDS It's that time again, when the Respect Life people are offering special Mother's Day cards from you to Mother or Grandmother or someone who has been like a Mother to you. They are available for our schoolchildren, stating that the 8:00 am Mass on Mother's Day will be said for all Mothers' intentions and well being. They are also available in the Parish Office at a cost of $3.00. "THANK YOU to everyone who donated toiletries for NWI family centered charities. Elizabeth Ministry collected several trunk loads of items! The items went to St. Monica's Home, Nazareth Home, Holy Innocence Center and Sojourner Truth House. Our Green Bin is still by the parish office entrance and we'll continue to take donations. THANK YOU AGAIN! If you have any questions, you can call Kathy Espiritu at " Page 9

10 St. Thomas More Parish Munster, Indiana Congratulations to our Confirmation Class 2005 Michael Zachary Adams Colleen Cecilia Anderson Philip Vincent Baker Corey Michael Bandura Tony Francis Belmonte Anthony Joseph Bissonnette Adam Francis Bobeck Richard Matthew Bohling Carli Cecilia Bolanowski Matthew Anthony Boyan Abbey Veronica Brokop Carolyn Elizabeth Brunt Cara Elizabeth Bruzan Ryan Jerome Cardona Alex Paul Cipolla Phoebe Alice Conner Vanessa Rosalia Cordova John Thomas Crisman Allison Catherine DeGeorge Samantha Rose Denny Mark Mark Dye Lisa Angela Ebel Tess Mary Edvardsen Ashley Monica Eiland Adrian Xavier Eloisa Lorien Hedwig Estes Erik Francis Etter Jeffrey Charles Feliszak Powers Erick Francis Ferrer Kaitlyn Perpetua Flores Michael James Galullo Danny Charles Gardner Matt Michael Gaskey Matthew Stephen Gehrig Joseph Sebastian Gill Matthew Vincent Gonzalez Gannon Michael Grimmer David Michael Gromek Terence Andrew Grunewald Linda Maria Gutierrez Kimberly Margaret Hajduch Lindsay Elizabeth Hayes Grace Rafael Heaney Thomas Anthony Hecimovich Israel Gregory Hernandez William Charles Heuer Laura Clare Horsley Jordan David Huckaby Bradley Nicholas Kalina Laura Therese Kinser Jessica Anne Kitchell Timothy Anthony Klawitter Katie Elizabeth Kocsis Sophie Margaret Mary Koufos Kyle Joseph Kovach Michael Matthew Kozlowski Brianna Catherine Krajewski Sara Joan Krolak Scott Thomas Kucharski Gregory John Lautz Kurt Michael Leeney Katelin Margaret Lewandowski Jamie Veronica Lissy Joseph Michael Longawa Brandon Andrew Lopez Andrew Mark Mack Jillian Cecilia Magsaysay Kristin Lucy Malinowski Michael Peter Malinowski Andrea Angela Manchak Patricia Bernadette Martin Adam John Mayer Tessa Maria Mc Guan Ian Michael McIntyre Michael James McIntyre Ryan John McIntyre Gregory Zachary Meyer Jordan Wolfgang Milne Stephanie Elizabeth Mirabelli Erin Lucy Moss Evan George Mudroncik Justin John Mulesa Megan Therese Muta Eric Ralph Neiner Matthew Gabriel Nelson Kevin Anthony Nossem Nicholas Christopher Nowaczyk Matthew John Noworyta Kenneth George O'Drobinak Obinna James Okolocha Federico Gabriel Olaosebikan Stephan Matthew Orosco Erin Kateri O'Shea Hilary Agnes Pagorek Ann Cecilia Perz Nicholas Anthony Quillin Roberta Mary Ricchio Elliott Bernadette Rice Steven John Riley John Thomas Rogowski Jessica Frances Rosiak Brianne Anne Rubesha Jason Francis Rutkowski Rachel Monica Rutkowski Mary Theresa Sandrick Tiffany Bernadette Schneider Stephanie Maria Sepiol Sam Nicholas Shaner Keith Francis Shaw Matthew Andrew Shreve Matthew Michael Siorek Joshua Michael Skalka Stephanie Elizabeth Skertich Molly Joan Sliwa Emilee May Smith Patrick William Speranza Curtis Paul Spicer Andrew Anthony Spolnik Elizabeth Clare Stone Brett Anthony Strohl Nathan Francis Szany Shelby Elizabeth Taylor Steven John Taylor Dakota Patrick Thompson Sean Paul Tomazin Rachel Barbara Trotman Chad Bartholomew Van Deursen Lauren Frances Van Dommelen Katherine Mary Verkruyse Amy Anne Vogel Allison Therese Welch Adam Matthew Wible Page 10