Your people awaited the salvation of the just and the destruction of their foes. Wis 18:7

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1 Your people awaited the salvation of the just and the destruction of their foes. Wis 18:7 Ruins of Philippi, Macedonia Photo by Rev. Michael J. Yadron, 2005

2 St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church 8501 Calumet Avenue, Munster, IN 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. Pastoral Staff Pastor... Reverend Michael J. Yadron; Ext. 312 myadron@stm-church.com Associate Pastor...Reverend Michael J. Hoffman; Ext. 314 mhoffman@stm-church.com 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...Jean Bados Eucharistic Ministers...Mr. Jerry Reach Hospitality Ministry...Jim D Orazio Lectors...Jo Ann Long Music Ministry... Miss Angie Lorandos , Ext. 338 Nursery... Kaaren A. Mashura St. Vincent depaul... Mrs. Sharon Marmalejo SVDP Youth Conference...Clare McCullough Vocations Committee... Mrs. Mary Kochis Pastoral Council Margot Blocher... Margaret Canady Catherine Caruso... Cathy Delgado Wendy Depa... Patrick Feeney, Council Chair Elaine Herrmann...Nancy Klawitter Lucy Perz...Paul Propson Virgil Ramirez...Christine Spencer 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...Mr. Chet Nordyke; Ext. 328 Dir. of Religious Formation...Sr. Marilyn Hettinger, O.S.B.; Ext. 332 School Administrative Assistant...Mrs. Jennifer Gonzalez; Ext. 328 School Reception & Office Associate..Mrs. Mary Jo Biscan; Ext. 329 Dir. of Student Special Services...Mrs. Tina Boyle; Ext. 323 Home & School Association.... Mrs. Chris O Brien Parish & School Offices Associate... Mrs. 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. 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 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...Mrs. Marilyn Pajor Peace & Social Justice...Mr. David Kapala Spirituality & Worship...Mrs. Joyce Stodola Stewardship...Diane Houser Parish Organizations Altar & Rosary Society...Kaaren Mashura Elizabeth Ministry...Kathy Dominguez Holy Name Society...Joe Adams Senior Citizens...Mary Wilson Respect Life...Alice Wohler Knights of Columbus...David Trotman 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... Jo Ann Froehlke Ushers Club...Jim Marmalejo Page 2

3 Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time August 12, 2007 CELEBRANTS Saturday, August 18 5:30 pm Father Barry Evers Sunday, August 19 6:30 am Father Barry Evers 8:00 am Father Barry Evers 10:00 am Father Mike Yadron 12:00 noon Father Mike Yadron Monday, August 13 8:30 am V. Foster, M. Childs Tuesday, August 14 ~ Feast of the Assumption Vigil Mass 8:30 am V. Foster, W. McDunn 5:30 pm J. & J. Beckman, GW & M. Childs, C. Kennedy Wednesday, August 15 ~ Feast of the Assumption 9:00 am A. & N. Anglin, E. & R. Jachna, T. Muta 5:00 pm C. & T. Speranza, C. & E. Lusk, M. Doherty 7:00 pm J. & V. Foster, J., N. & S. Smith Thursday, August 16 8:30 am N. Smith, C. Lusk Friday, August 17 8:30 am N. Smith, C. Lusk Saturday, August 18 8:30 am T. Speranza, J. Beckman 5:30 pm B. Warner, J. Zemkewicz, J. Beckman, S. Caraher, GW. Childs Sunday, August 19 6:30 am C. Slivka, S. Whelan, T. Wieser 8:00 am A. Zaleski, C. & E. Beckman, M. & M. Blocher 10:00 am A. Sikora, E. Secviar, J. & S. Smith, J. Surd 12:00 noon K., K. & M. O Brien SUNDAY, August 12 ~ Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 6:30 am For Our Parish Family 8:00 am Stephen Rousseau by Wife Susan 10:00 am Joanne Babusiak (Ann.) by Ann Teliga & Family 12:00 noon James Whelan by Wife Josephine MONDAY, August 13 ~ St. Pontian & St. Hippolytus 6:30 am John Zato (Ann.) by John & Claudia Pellar 8:30 am Mary Krawczyk (Ann.) by Daughter Jean TUESDAY, August 14 ~ St. Maximillian Mary Kolbe 6:30 am All Souls Day Intentions 8:30 am Deceased Members of Linzer Family by Al & Carol Carollo 10:00 am Dante Chechi by STM Holy Name Society (MASS AT MED-INN CAFETERIA, Group 3) 5:30 pm Parents of Maria & Zvonko Jugovic WEDNESDAY, August 15 ~ Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 6:30 am For Our Parish Family 9:00 am Clara Waszak by Jan Meier & Family 5:00 pm Dr. Juan Tan by Julian Oblon 7:00 pm Edward Krakowiak (Ann.) by Powers Family THURSDAY, August 16 ~ St. Stephen, King of Hungary 6:30 am Joanna Bartkus by Family 8:30 am Numeriano & Angela Fernando by Jimenez Family FRIDAY, August 17 6:30 am Mary Heinzl by Family 8:30 am Agnes Kaspar (Ann.) by Agnes & Dimitre Adich SATURDAY, August 18 ~ St. Jane Frances de Chantal 8:30 am David Walter by Phyllis Krakowiak 5:30 pm Joseph Sharpe (Ann.) by Wife Jean SUNDAY, August 19 ~ Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time 6:30 am For Our Parish Family 8:00 am Deceased Members of STM Ushers by STM Ushers 10:00 am Francis Moran by Gerald Moran 12:00 noon Donald Slack Jr. (Ann.) by Mother & Sisters Help needed to launder and iron altar linens. Please call the Parish Office at Clarence J. Miller Patricia Buchi Marjorie Eurley Page 3

4 Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time We once had a young pup that needed surgery. The veterinary school near us would do the operation as a teaching procedure; our only requirement was to leave her there for a few days while in recovery. The night we dropped her off, I noticed a sign above the receptionist's desk that read "Be as faithful and responsible a person as your dog thinks you are!" We are a society of procrastinators. Whether we just don't want to do the difficult things in life or we are afraid of failure, we have a tendency to say "I'll do it later." What, if anything, could be more easy or guaranteed successful than to love the Lord with all of our heart for all of our lives? Today's Gospel again reminds us that of all that we are given in knowledge, we do not know when we will be called to account for our lives. We may be troubled with the sins of our past, which may prevent us from turning to God in preparation for the final hour. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that in the grand scheme, God is needful of our true repentance, for which all will be forgiven and we will be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven. (CCC 1847) There is nothing more urgent in your life today than to cleanse your heart and pray for God's forgiveness. SUNDAY, August 12 2:30 pm Padre Pio Cenacle ~ Chapel MONDAY, August 13 7:00 pm Blue Army ~ Chapel 7:30 pm K of C ~ Solar Room TUESDAY, August 14 9:15 am - 6:30 pm ~ Eucharistic Adoration ~ Chapel 1:00 pm Prayer/Vocations ~ Chapel 5:30 pm Eve of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mass 7:00 pm Baptism Prep Class ~ Conference Room WEDNESDAY, August 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ Holyday of Obligation ~ Masses 6:30 & 9:00 am, 5:00 & 7:00 pm THURSDAY, August 16 FRIDAY, August 17 SATURDAY, August 18 SUNDAY, August 19 8:00 am - 1:00 pm ~ Blood Drive ~ Gym 2:00 pm Queen of Peace Cenacle ~ Chapel P lease pray for the sick of our parish... Coleen Alexander Deborah Ancich Rudolph Asanovich Doris Aurelio Maria Aurelio Irene Baker Maxine Bellamy Antonio Belmonte Tom Bernacki Michael Boston Stephany Burney Dorothy Campbell James Campbell Al Carollo Carol Carollo Kathleen Cecil Jacqueline Morrow Christian Frank Coman Vincent Corsello Mike Curtain Garrett De Vries Clarena Della Rocco Irene Dickey Eugene Dobkowski David Drewniak Margaret Dubczak John Fetzko Sr. Beatrice Flahaven Elizabeth Follmer John Forde Phyllis Garber Andrea Garritano Joseph Gasiorek James Gaskey Dorothy Gillespie James Grunewald Virginia Hale Amy Hayes Eleanore Heggi Marie Henke Evelyn Hennes Theresa Hester Ray Humpfer Steve Izzo Elizabeth Jacob Jo Jusko Joseph Justynski Debbie Kaczka Robert Kalka Carol Keilman Rev. Matthew Kish Josephine Knesek Janet Knight Ken Kors Helen Krull Julia Kukta Jerome Kula Lois Kus Irene Kwiecien Stefan Kwiecien Maria Lovell Horace Lyle Julia Lyle Gregory Mahoney Kathryn McBride Faye Meny Sandi Merlo Olga Mihalo Gerald Moran Robert Mudroncik Jean Narvid Steven Nowaczyk Valerie O Donnell Audrey Ostroff Marciala Perez Gertrude Peters Johanna Petruch Elizabeth Pilones Irene Rompola Ted Rutkowski Bernice Rybicki Ann Sardella Mary Sarnowski George Sauer Jean Schultz Marie Schultz Zachery Scriff James Secviar Grace Sheridan Ed Sidor Wallace Skierge Joseph M. Smelko Carolyn Smiley Deborah Stareck Jean Strych Carolyn Sutley Georgianne Suto Rose Theis Gerardo Trevino Anthony Ubuane Madeleine Vranken Adele Wall Sally Walters Margaret Wegrzyn Annette Wilson Tammy Wollersheim Lucille Wonnell Bill Wyherek Cecilia Ziegler Page 4 Readings for the Week of August 12, 2007 Sunday: Wis 18:6-9/Heb 11:1-2, 8-19 or 11:1-2, 8-12/ Lk 12:32-48 or 12:35-40 Monday: Dt 10:12-22/Mt 17:22-27 Tuesday: Dt 31:1-8/Mt 18:1-5, 10, Wednesday: Vigil: 1 Chr 15:3-4, 15-16; 16:1-2/1 Cor 15:54b-57/ Lk 11:27-28 Day: Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab/1 Cor 15:20-27/ Lk 1:39-56 Thursday: Jos 3:7-10a, 11, 13-17/Mt 18:21-19:1 Friday: Jos 24:1-13/Mt 19:3-12 Saturday: Jos 24:14-29/Mt 19:13-15 Next Sunday: Jer 38:4-6, 8-10/Heb 12:1-4/Lk 12:49-53 Wouldn t you wear something modest in the presence of God? Remember, when you are in church, you are in the presence of God. The Respect Life Committee

5 The Pastor s Page WHY DO CATHOLICS ADORE MARY? Did I catch you? You know that was a trick question, right? Catholics do not adore Mary. Adoration is reserved for God and God alone. Catholics honor Mary. We cherish Mary. We hope to emulate Mary. But we do not adore her. To do so would be to set her in the place of God Himself. That is one of the biggest sticking points between Catholics and non-catholics. I cannot begin to tell you the number of times through the years that non-catholics who came into the RCIA program asked the question, Why do Catholics adore Mary? It was a cause of great concern for them. When they found out that we believe adoration is for God alone, they were joy-filled as well as relieved. I bring this up, of course, because this coming Wednesday is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As Catholics, we believe that Mary, at the end of her days, was assumed body and soul into heaven. Why was she accorded this special honor when our bodies will be placed in a grave and become subject to decay? It is because it flows from our belief that Mary, at the time of her conception, was conceived without the stain of original sin. As you may remember from your religion classes, the consequences of original sin were suffering, death, and corruption. Without the stain of original sin, Mary s body would not undergo corruption. That made Mary special. However, the rest of Mary was the same as you and me. Just because she was preserved from the stain of original sin does not mean that she could not commit sin and/or turn herself away from God. She had choices to make daily. And she made them just as we make them: by exercising her free will. She chose to accept God each day of her life. She chose to accept God s will to become the mother of Jesus. She chose to raise her Son in the faith handed down to her. She chose to be faithful to her Son. She chose to stand by his side, even at the foot of the cross. And because of that, we choose to honor her by struggling to become more like her: completely open to the will of God. In honor of Mary, let us choose God this day! HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION Please note that this coming Wednesday, August 15th, is a Holy Day of Obligation. All Catholics have a most serious obligation to attend Mass for that day. The Feast of the Assumption celebrates that moment when Mary was taken up Body and Soul to heaven at the end of her days on earth. The Mass schedule is Tuesday evening at 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday at 6:30 and 9:00 a.m. as well as 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. Tradition holds that this is the house that Mary lived in with St. John caring for her until the end of her days on earth. It is located in Ephesus. ON THE LIGHTER SIDE Inner Strength If you can start the day without caffeine, If you can get going without pep pills, If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains, If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles, If you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful for it, If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time, If you can take criticism and blame without resentment If you can ignore a friend's limited education and never correct him, If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend, If you can conquer tension without medical help, If you can relax without liquor, If you can sleep without the aid of drugs, If you can do all of that, you are probably the family dog! Priests and deacons have served the Diocese of Gary 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: August 12: Rev. Joseph Horvath (1998) August 13: Msgr. Paul S. Haney (1989) Msgr. Paul J. Schmid (1991) Page 5

6 On Stewardship Give More At No Cost Here is how you can give more without it costing a cent. Give some thought to putting your talents to work for God. All of us have talents. Show Him what you can do! He will be pleased. VIRTUS: Any volunteer directly involved or in contact with children is required to attend a VIRTUS training session. There will be a VIRTUS training session in the Solar Room on Tuesday, September 4, at 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday, September 15, at 9:00 a.m. Seating is limited so please call Sr. Marilyn at , ext. 332, for reservations. Henry Sullivan, son of Gregory & Sara Adams William Feliciano, son of John & Jeanette Jimenez Carson Thomas, son of Scott & Stephanie Poludniak Sacrificial Offering for August 5, 2007 Adults $25, Loose $3, Children $2.00 TOTAL $28, Thank you for your generosity! CONTINUING THE JOURNEY This summer is a nostalgic season for me. People I know, good friends, not older people, but people I knew when I was in high school (BNI 1960) are celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary and quite a few more are planning to celebrate them in the next few years. There was a time when old people celebrated these special occasions, now they are friends. Does that mean I am getting old, too? I am also looking at an planning a retreat from a fellow classmate from Mundelein Seminary (2005) who was ordained last year for the Archdiocese of Chicago and a wedding invitation for a daughter of a classmate from Notre Dame (1965). How my life has changed in that span of years. But what is interesting is the face of the church and how it will change even more in the next fifty years. The is to seven of us out of forty who started out. Over thirty of us were ordained but this is the Magnificent Seven, well we need a name and the name fits if you think of us as a bunch of rough, rustic rowdy cowboys. I am the grandpa of the group, the rest are thirty-something kids. They are in the Dioceses of Chicago, Phoenix, Green Bay, and of course Gary. Four from the USA, one each from Viet Nam, Columbia and Tanzania. That is our Church today, more than ever a universal Church. The growth of the Church is from Africa, Asia and South America. In the Archdiocese of Chicago for the past few years the vast majority of the new priests ordained are foreign born. So the Church in the United States is changing but that is only a reflection of the universal Church. Western Europe has influenced the customs for so long. How will Asia, Africa, South America influence our customs in the future? What will be our devotions, our art? Of course the emergence of Asia, Africa and South America as centers of art, literature and industry is influencing the whole world and will stretch us all. The Church will be on the leading edge because our vocations are coming from these countries in such great numbers. Will we be leaders? As the face of the Church changes, will we gain a greater understanding of who God is? Will the words created in the image and likeness of God help us to grow in understanding of who we are? When we see the face of Christ as Asian, as African, as Hispanic do we grow? What does it mean to us? The art of David Csicksko from Hessville reflects this change. He has studied folk art from all over the world and his portrayals of the saints open a new world to us. The Gardens of Saints blooms with beautiful new images for us to marvel, to enjoy, and to understand. They help us TO GROW IN CHRIST not to remain stagnant. Page 6

7 August 12, 2007 Something New For The Fall TRIVIA NIGHT Mark your Calendars for September 29th at 7 p.m. This adult only event will provide lots of fun and excitement while testing your Trivia Knowledge. More details to follow! 5% Back to Schools Program Help St. Thomas More School get credit for FREE SUPPLIES! Our school will get credits equal to 5% of the qualifying purchases to use for free supplies. You can credit the school throughout the year! When you shop at Office Depot, remember to give our school ID# every time you make a purchase. At any store in the U.S. or Canada At in the U.S. or in Canada When calling GO-DEPOT Any questions? Please go to and click on the 5% Back to Schools Program link. * Limited to Pre-K-12th grade. 5% of qualifying school supply purchases made during each program period will be offered to the participating school designated by each customer quarterly in the form of an Office Depot Merchandise Card (computers, TV s, all technology items including personal digital assistants [PDA's], all furniture items and accessories, some bulk packaged products, ink & toner cartridges, Gift Cards and purchases made to contract business accounts are not qualifying purchases). Credits are not available to schools with less than $10 in tallied credits per quarter. Unaccepted/ declined credits are void. Other restrictions apply, visit your local Office Depot for details. Office Depot will honor up to $10 million in total credits to the designated schools that opt to participate. BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION ORIENTATION Pre-School (3 year olds) August 22nd at 9:30 a.m. Pre Kindergarteners (4 year olds) August 23rd at 9:30 a.m. Kindergarten August 24th 9:30 a.m. FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL - MONDAY, AUGUST 27TH BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT FOR PARENTS Come meet your child s teacher and learn about the school year. Tuesday, August 29 th, Grades 1-4, 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, August 30 th, Grades 5-8, 7:00 P.M. The Home & School Association is sponsoring the Second Annual SCHOOL FAMILY POOL PARTY!!! On FRIDAY, AUGUST 24 TH AT MUNSTER POOL 7:00-9:00 P.M. Save this day -- It will be a SPLASH! Details to follow on EDLINE Classroom Assignments will be posted after the 5:30 pm Mass on Saturday, August 25th. Remember to watch Edline for important school news. Currently, you can find the Updated School Calendar and the Current Supply List. Registration for the 2007/2008 school year is in progress. For more information or to schedule a personal tour please call Page 7

8 Religious Formation "Lord, you are faithful even when I fail. Help me to remain faithful to you and to not shrink back when I encounter difficulties. Make me diligent in the exercise of my responsibilities and wise and prudent in the use of my gifts, time and resources." September 9, 2007 Mark Your Calendar: August 29/30 is the first class for Registration-2007/08: Please return the registration form with a deposit of $25, which will be applied to your family s tuition, as soon as possible. Checks should be made payable to St. Thomas More. There will be a $10 late fee charged for registrations received after July 1. Registration forms are also available on Help Needed: Please consider helping in the Religious Formation program as a catechist, substitute or hall monitor. If you are interested, please contact Sr. Marilyn at ext. 332 or mhettinger@stmchurch.com for more information. Training is provided. VIRTUS: Any volunteer directly involved or in contact with children is required to attend a VIRTUS training session. There will be a VIRTUS training session in the Solar Room on Tuesday, September 4, at 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday, September 15, at 9:00 a.m. Seating is limited so please call Sr. Marilyn at , ext. 332, for reservations. FRIENDS FOR LIFE CAMP Lake County Right to Life is offering ten scholarships to Friends for Life Camp, featuring special pro-life speakers and activities for young people, high school and college age. The Camp will be held on August 24 and 25, in Albion, IN, which is northwest of Fort Wayne. If YOU are interested, you are encouraged to register as soon as possible. For complete information and scholarship opportunity, call the LCRTL office at If any of your family or your friends are sick and cannot come to Mass, please call our Pastoral Care Office at ext. 315 and we will be glad to bring them communion. Just for Grandparents! In 1978, President Jimmy Carter proclaimed National Grandparents Day would be celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day. Please join us Sunday, September 9 th in the Parish Social Center for a special Grandparents Brunch after the 10:00 a.m. Mass in celebration of all Grandparents at St. Thomas More Parish. More details in the coming weeks. BLESSED THE PEOPLE THE LORD HAS CHOSEN TO BE HIS OWN Have you and your spouse chosen to live a Christ-centered marriage? Come away on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend, where you can learn the tools to better make this choice on a daily basis. The next weekends will be September or November 2-4. For reservations or information, consult our website at or call Mark & Mary at (800) Hear this! A very small group of our parishioners take the subject of vocations to the priesthood and religious life so seriously that they have met for one hour every Tuesday at 1:00 pm for nine years to pray for an increase of these vocations and for their own personal needs. Will you join them? They just had a joyful celebration in gratitude for the inspiration and ability to do this. Page 8