Angel Stained Glass Window at St. Meinrad Archabbey Church, St. Meinrad, Indiana

Transcription

1 All the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They prostrated themselves before the throne, worshiped God, and exclaimed: Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen. Rv 7:11-12 Angel Stained Glass Window at St. Meinrad Archabbey Church, St. Meinrad, Indiana

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... Rev. Mr. Ted Mauch... 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: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... Ruth Banas Hospitality Ministry...Ann D Orazio Lectors...Jim Kaspar Music Ministry... Miss Angie Lorandos , Ext. 338 Nursery... Kaaren A. Mashura St. Vincent depaul... Mrs. Kathy Georgelas SVDP Youth Conference...Janyne Little Vocations Committee... Mrs. Mary Kochis Pastoral Council Tom Alexander... Margaret Canady Kevin Cloghessy...Elaine Herrmann, Chairperson Don Kopenec...Jackie Kovach Phil McIntosh...Lucy Perz Dwight Reed... James Secviar Joyce Stodola...Timothy Rutz 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 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. Vesna Sopcic Parish & School Offices Associate... Mrs. Pam Wadycki; Ext. 339 Cornerstone 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 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 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. Elaine Caco Parish Life...Mrs. Marilyn Pajor Peace & Social Justice...Mr. David Kapala Spirituality & Worship...Mrs. Margot Blocher Stewardship...Diane Houser Parish Organizations Altar & Rosary Society...Cindy Keilman Elizabeth Ministry...Pam Domasica Holy Name Society...Joe Adams Senior Citizens...Mary Wilson Respect Life...Alice Wohler Knights of Columbus...Thomas Alexander Blue Army...Rose Marie Malburg Finance... Barbara Shaver Planned Giving...Ken Krupinski Building Maintenance... Bob Ray Boy Scouts...Paul Liszewski Cub Scouts...Curt Anglin Girl Scouts... Barbara Jamrose Catering/Hall Rental...Kathleen Pagorek Mom s Group...Kim Power Ushers Club...Jim Marmalejo Gabriel Project...Kathy Trotman Page 2

3 Feast of All Saints November 1, 2009 CELEBRANTS Saturday, November 7 5:30 pm Father Mike Yadron Sunday, November 8 6:30 am Father Mike Yadron 8:00 am Father Mike Yadron 10:00 am Father Dennis Blaney 12:00 noon Father Rick Holy Monday, November 2 ~ Mass of Remembrance 7:00 pm B. & S. Caraher, L. Rouse ~ MC ~ Joe & Evan Friday, November 6 8:30 am M. Szala, M. Zabrecky Saturday, November 7 8:30 am K. Alanza, C. Erickson 5:30 pm J. & T. Beckman, GW. & M. Childs, R. Hamill MC ~ Kellie Sunday, November 8 6:30 am B. & E. O Neill, M. Perez 8:00 am A. Bilse, I. & N. Hinojosa, M. Pukoszek, B. Seligman ~ MC ~ Caleb 10:00 am J. & M. Peters, J. Ratajack, A. & B. Sikora MC ~ Patrick 12:00 noon A., N. & N. Anglin ~ MC ~ Ted Ava Rae, daughter of Joseph & Sara Brunetti SUNDAY, November 1 ~ Feast of all Saints 6:30 am Evelyn Alikpala (Ann.) by Tabion Family 8:00 am Robert Wohler (Ann.) by Family 10:00 am For Our Parish Family Living and Deceased 12:00 pm Andrew Norman by Parents & Grandparents MONDAY, November 2 ~ Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed 6:30 am William Wyherek by Phillis Krakowiak 8:30 am Dolores Young by Hajduch Family TUESDAY, November 3 ~ St. Martin de Porres 6:30 am Marcia Etter by Annette Lynch 8:30 am Carleen Kozlowski by Husband Lawrence & Family 10:00 am Aeneas Guiney by Tom & Joan Keilman (MASS AT MED-INN CHAPEL, Group 2) WEDNESDAY, November 4 ~ St. Charles Borromeo 6:30 am Patrick Pollio by Mr. & Mrs. David Little 8:30 am Asuncion F. Serrano (Ann.) by Serrano Family THURSDAY, November 5 6:30 am Michael Kwiatkowski (Ann.) by Mr. & Mrs. John Gryn 9:00 am Richard Wilson by Wife Mary & Family FRIDAY, November 6 ~ First Friday 6:30 am Ed Donnovan by Donna Kelly & Jim Hardy 8:30 am Rosemarie Arent by Family SATURDAY, November 7 ~ First Saturday 8:30 am Edward Holy by Family 5:30 pm John Kenda (Ann.) by Tom & Kathy Bassetto SUNDAY, November 8 ~ Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time 6:30 am For Our Parish Family Living and Deceased 8:00 am Anne Evanich (Ann.) by Vickie Nordyke 10:00 am Joseph Pellar Sr. (Ann.) by John & Claudia Pellar 12:00 pm Michael & Helen Lesko by Eugene & Geraldine Lesko & Family Philomena Ramanna Roseann Tucker If any of your family or your friends are sick at home or in the hospital and cannot come to Mass, please call our Pastoral Care Office at , ext. 315, and we will be glad to bring them Communion. Entertainment Books are available in the Parish Office! $20 Page 3

4 Feast of All Saints in Ordinary Time In a few weeks, we'll be sitting down to a meal and giving thanks for all of our blessings. Some of us may even spend the day at a shelter, preparing dinner for the homeless, and this is a good thing. But we would do well to remember that these shelters are open every day of the year, and just like on a Thursday in November, a meal must be prepared every afternoon. There are those among us who regularly schedule a day or two a week to serve or prepare these meals. They don't do it for recognition or self-fulfillment; they do it because it must be done. They often do such things in total anonymity; they are truly saints of today. Today's Gospel reading from Matthew is Jesus' gift of the beatitudes. They are gifts because the word beatitude means happiness or blessedness. In detailing those who would receive such a gift, Jesus is revealing who really are saints among us: the poor in spirit, the sad, the meek, the hungry and thirsty, the merciful, the pure of heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted. Each of these saints desires joy and happiness for all they encounter. In all needs, we find blessedness in Jesus Christ. We are taught in the Catechism of the Catholic Church that the church is "a communion of saints." This expression is defined first and foremost in the Eucharist, by which the faithful are united in one body. It also refers to all who have suffered in the name of Christ to better our lives (CCC ). Today is the feast of All Saints, in which we recognize and give thanks for those who have gone before us preserving and promoting Christianity, some having paid the ultimate sacrifice for their beliefs. We are called to be saints for today. Will we answer? SUNDAY, November 1 MONDAY, November 2 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm ~ Market Day Pick-up ~ Gym 7:00 pm Liturgy of Remembrance ~ Church 7:00 pm Vocation Committee ~ Conference Room TUESDAY, November 3 9:00 am Moms Group ~ Solar Room 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 RCIA ~ Solar Room 7:00 pm Video Bible ~ Conference Room WEDNESDAY, November 4 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 Parish Life ~ Conference Room THURSDAY, November 5 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm ~ Religious Education Classes 7:00 pm All Seasons Chorale ~ Church P lease pray for the sick of our parish... Coleen Alexander Margaret Amatulli Curt Anglin Doris Aurelio Maria Aurelio Irene Baker Cody Baldwin Antonio Belmonte Tom Bernacke Michael Berry Michael Blazevich Diane Bochnowski Michael Boston Cheryl Bostrom Judy Buksa Stephany Burney Dorothy Campbell James Campbell Lorraine Caparelli Al Carollo Carol Carollo Kathleen Cecil Jacqueline Morrow Christian Frank Coman Vincent Corsello Mike Curtain Irene Dettmer Irene Dickey David Drewniak Madeline Dunn Marian Dzurovsak Sr. Beatrice Flahaven Elizabeth Follmer John Forde Phyllis Garber Andrea Garritano Joseph Gasiorek Karen Gianotti Dorothy Gillespie Howard Gralewski James Grunewald Amy Hayes Eleanore Heggi Marie Henke Evelyn Hennes Robert Hesek Ray Humpfer Steve Izzo Dennis Jablonski Elizabeth Jacob Stanley Jayjack Rosemary Jerzak- Staszel Emery Johns Dorothy Jurkash Debbie Kaczka Robert Kalka Margaret A. Kapala Carol Keilman Rev. Matthew Kish Josephine Knesek Janet Knight Alice Kolember Ken Kors Dorothy Kovach Helen Krull Julia Kukta Jerome Kula Debbie Le Monier Mary Leahy Stanley Liskiewicz Maria Lovell Gregory Mahoney Mary Manchak Brady Martin Kathryn McBride Faye Meny Sandi Merlo Olga Mihalo Andrew Moll David Moll Gerald Moran Jean Narvid Donna Nichols Steven Nowaczyk Bella O Bryan Valerie O Donnell Danny Ogren Audrey Ostroff Johanna Petruch Elizabeth Pilones Adam Potapczak Helen Pukoszek Anthony Saklaczynski Ann Sardella Mary Sarnowski George Sauer Jean Schultz Marie Schultz Marianne Schwartz William Schwartz Zachery Scriff James Secviar Renee Shehan Grace Sheridan Carolyn Smiley Deborah Stareck Carolyn Sutley Georgianne Suto Rose Theis Gerardo Trevino Anthony Ubuane Adele Wall Sally Walters Lucille Wonnell Cecilia Ziegler Page 4 SATURDAY, November 7 9:00 am - 3:00 pm ~ Altar & Rosary Bazaar ~ Gym 6:00 pm Harvest Gala ~ Villa Cesare SUNDAY, November 8 9:00 am - 3:00 pm ~ Altar & Rosary Bazaar ~ Gym 2:30 pm Padre Pio Cenacle ~ Chapel Readings for the Week of November 1, 2009 Sunday: Rv 7:2-4, 9-14/1 Jn 3:1-3/Mt 5:1-12a Monday: Wis 3:1-9/Rom 5:5-11 or 6:3-9/Jn 6:37-40 Tuesday: Rom 12:5-16b/Lk 14:15-24 Wednesday: Rom 13:8-10/Lk 14:25-33 Thursday: Rom 14:7-12/Lk 15:1-10 Friday: Rom 15:14-21/Lk 16:1-8 Saturday: Rom 16:3-9, 16, 22-27/Lk 16:9-15 Next Sunday: 1 Kgs 17:10-16/Heb 9:24-28/Mk 12:38-44 or 12:41-44 FRIDAY, November 6

5 FOR ALL THE SAINTS, WHO FROM THEIR LABORS REST I have always loved that particular hymn. It is so majestic and filled with splendor. It has a great lifting of the voice to God. It fills me with wonder and awe. The saints do that to me as well. I guess that was never a hard concept for me to accept. I know, for many people, that the concept of the Communion of Saints is really hard to consider and accept. The idea that there is a great throng of people surrounding the Lord that can act as intercessors for us is a foreign one. After all, some would say, why bother going to the saints? Why not just cut out the middle man and go straight to the Lord? Well, there is something to be said for that. However, for many of us, we long for that earthly connection in our prayer life and in our spiritual life. We need to touch and feel. We need to think about the witness and example of someone who was of flesh and blood while here on earth. The idea of the saints is a comforting one for us. We think about the people who have gone before us especially the ones that we can put a name to and we feel that much more connected to eternity. We celebrate those people today. All of the souls who walked this earth, remained faithful to God, and have been called to the Lord to live in heaven. Each and everyone one of those souls is a saint. They are our strength. They are our witnesses. They are our inspiration. They are our heroes. Remember, each and every soul who gets to heaven is a saint. That means that, if we remain faithful to God, we, too, have the opportunity to become a saint one day. We are all saints-in-the-making. On this most happy day, I say to you, Happy Feast Day! The Pastor s Page Why were the saints, saints? Because they were cheerful when it was difficult to be cheerful, patient when it was difficult to be patient; and, because they pushed on when they wanted to stand still, and kept silent when they wanted to talk, and were agreeable when they wanted to be disagreeable. That was all. It was quite simple and always will be. ON THE LIGHTER SIDE Sometime after Robert died, his widow, Sally, was finally able to speak about what a thoughtful and wonderful man her late husband had been. "Sidney thought of everything", she told them. "Just before he died, Bob called me to his bedside. He handed me three envelopes." "Sally," he told me, "I have put all my last wishes in these three envelopes. After I am dead, please open them and do exactly as I have instructed. Then I can rest in peace." "What was in the envelopes?" her friends asked. Sally replied, "The first envelope contained $5,000 with a note, 'Please use this money to buy a nice casket'. So I bought a beautiful mahogany casket with such a comfortable lining that I just know Bob is resting very comfortably." "The second envelope contained $10,000 with a note, 'Please use this for a nice funeral'. I purchased a very dignified funeral service for him and bought all his favorite foods for the funeral luncheon." "And the third envelope?" asked her friends. "The third envelope contained $25,000 with a note, 'Please use this to buy a nice stone'. At that point, Sally held up her hand and pointed to her ring finger, on which was a ten carat diamond ring. "So", said Sally, "You like my stone?" 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: November 5: Msgr. Timothy F. Doody (2004) November 7: Msgr. Joseph J. Viater (1996) Page 5

6 Health Care Reform Your involvement needed Congress is reaching a critical time in the debate on health care reform! The U.S. Bishops' Conference has concluded that all committeeapproved bills are seriously deficient on the issues of abortion and conscience protection, as well as on access to health care for immigrants and the poor. Genuine health care reform should protect the life and dignity of all people from the moment of conception until natural death. The bills must be changed during floor consideration. Senator Bayh can be instrumental in making a difference. It is important that he hear from his constituents. How You Can Respond Call Senator Bayh at or at gov Ask him to: 1. Exclude mandated coverage for abortion, and incorporate longstanding policies against abortion funding and in favor of conscience rights. No one should be required to pay for or participate in abortion. No current bill meets this test. 2. Adopt measures that protect and improve people s health care. Reform should make quality health care affordable and accessible to everyone, particularly those who are poor and vulnerable. 3. Include effective measures to safeguard the health of immigrants, their children and all of society. Ensure that legal immigrants and their family members have comprehensive, affordable, and timely access to health care coverage. Maintain an adequate safety net for those who remain uncovered. Be sure to check the Indiana Catholic Conference website for upto-date information and action alerts at Religious Education Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and makes us persevere in a good life. Therefore the servant of God ought always to be in good spirits. ~Saint Philip Neri ( ), Priest Mark your Calendar Nov. 4/5 Class All eighth grade Commitment in the Church 11/12 Class 18/19 Class 28/29 NO CLASS HAPPY THANKSGIVING Dec. 2/3 Class We are in need of Substitutes and Hall Monitors for Religious Education Evenings. Nov. 21 Virtus Training 10:00 a.m. Saint Thomas More Solar Room Call the Religious Education Dept at X 336 to register. Religious Education Office Sandi Morgan Director of Religious Education Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Mt 5: 3, 9 Holy Name News Sacrificial Offering for October 25, 2009 Adults $24, Loose $1, Children $78.71 TOTAL $25, Thank you for your generosity! Our next meeting will take place on Monday, November 16th in the Solar Room. The meeting starts at 7:30 pm. Come early at 7:00 pm for the praying of the rosary. Video and pizza/refreshments will conclude the meeting. New members are welcome! Our discussion will include our next fundraiser, our Annual Lenten Fish Fry and raffle. Please save the date Friday, February 26th, Page 6

7 November 1, 2009 St. Thomas More School Walk-A-Thon 2009 Each year the students of St. Thomas More School raise money for a worthy cause by participating in the October Walk-A-Thon. Last year s funds were added to the Parish Flood Relief Fund. This year the proceeds were deposited into the STMS Angel Scholarship Fund to aid school families who have suffered job loss, reduced hours and salary cuts due to the current economic conditions. Despite a string of inclement days, students were finally able to get outside to walk their many laps to help fellow classmates and their families. Thank you to everyone who has generously donated to assist others. Your kindness is very much appreciated. [tüäxáà ZtÄt Save the Date for this year s STMS musical! Look for committee members selling Bountiful Harvest Raffle Tickets in the Church Narthex. Tickets can be purchased through the school or parish offices or in the church narthex this weekend (October 31st/November 1st). Purchase your raffle tickets to win a variety of cash prizes in our UÉâÇà yâä [tüäxáà etyyäx Grand Prize of $5000 2nd Prize of $1000 3rd Prize of $500 Ticket stubs must be submitted by 9:00 a.m. on Friday, November 6th.. November 19th, 20th and 21st at St. Thomas More School An original play by parishioner, Kristyn Estes Music by STMS alum, Jonathan Alexander Can you help? We are looking for some costume pieces for our play to have donated or to borrow: 1950 s women s hats, fedoras, trench coats, shirt-waist dresses, solid colored A-line skirts and men s or boy s short sleeve, plaid, button-down shirts. Questions? Contact Angie Lorandos at alorandos@stm-church.com or (219) , #338. Page 7

8 Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere and God calls me to work there. This past August, I accompanied a mission group to Haiti and saw children dying, not from any exotic diseases, but simply because they had no access to the barest of necessities: food, shelter, clothing and basic hygiene. Having seen what I saw and knowing what I now know, I cannot live in comfort and excess. Rather than feeling depressed and overwhelmed, I am excited and empowered; for years I have struggled to recognize God's plan for me. Now I know; my eyes and mind have been opened: God wants me to work with the least of His children. However, to fulfill my mission, I need your help. Mr. Michael Fedele, the CEO of Life for the World, informs me that as a long-term volunteer, I must have access to $1000 a month for living expenses. I will use this money to buy food, water, housing, tools, transportation and educational materials. Any excess dollars would support the mission activities such as teaching English, establishing hydroponic farms, and showing the Haitians how to raise chickens and goats as a sustainable food supply. Life for the World has several projects already in place that need staffing and financial support, and a long-term plan of creating a self-sufficient and self-sustaining complex that would address the present needs of the Haitians as well as assisting in improving their standard of living. For now, I need your help to get me and keep me in Haiti for at least six months. Would you help sponsor me? As I write this, I am struck by the irony of the saying that God's ways are not our ways. For here I am, a 28-year-old young man with my own business living a very comfortable life wanting to do a job that I must pay to do! Surely this is the call of the Lord because it doesn't really make a whole lot of sense in human terms! And yet, I can't imagine being anywhere else doing anything else. If you or someone you know is interested in or is able to support my vocation to work and live with our brothers and sisters in Christ, please send what you can and make your check out to Life for the World Inc, P.O. Box 4025, Hammond, IN Any contribution would be appreciated and is tax-deductible. It may also be eligible for corporate matching, for Life for the World is a 501(c) (S) organization (Tax ID No. 74-S0742SS) whose sole purpose is to serve the poor, the widows, and the orphans of Haiti. Please note that one hundred percent of your donation to Life for the World goes directly to the poor. Please help me go where I know God is calling me. Help me be His hands and heart to people who have no chance to survive unless they get some help. May God bless you in your generosity as you, too, serve Jesus in Haiti as we find Him in the most distressing of disguises. The Lord be with you, Aaron Shultz, Volunteer My Two Cents Thoughts on Stewardship of Treasure What I believe about stewardship comes from Romans 12:8 "If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly." Bill Burke Share YOUR thoughts at: mytwocents@stm-church.com SENIOR CITIZENS CLUB NEWS We will have our next meeting on Wednesday November 4 th in the STM Solar Room at 1 p.m After the meeting we will enjoy refreshments & play cards. At this meeting we will be signing up for our Christmas Party December 2 nd at Teibels. This party will be only for members of the Senior Citizens Club. This will be another way for us to celebrate the coming Holiday Season and it gives us an opportunity to wish each other a blessed Christmas. The two co-chairpersons have made many plans to make this another special time for all our members. What a beautiful way for us show our love for the birth of Jesus. ST JOSEPH SOUP KITCHEN MINISTRY You are invited to the 2 ND annual Pot Luck Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 12 th at 6:30 p.m. in the Solar Room. Current members and those interested in joining our ministry, are invited. Please join us and bring your favorite dish. Questions, call Marilyn at Page 8

9 Liturgy of Remembrance November is a special time of year for the Roman Catholic Church. It commemorates those who have gone before us in special ways as it celebrates the Feast of All Saints and All Souls. After the Feast of All Souls (November 2 nd ) the remainder of the month is dedicated to remembering the faithful departed. Remembering our loved ones is so very important to us. When we take the time to bring them to mind, we experience a multitude of feelings that help lead us to come to terms with our grief and to bring us healing. The entire parish community of St. Thomas More invites you to participate in our annual Liturgy of Remembrance on All Souls Day Monday, November 2 nd at 7:00 pm. Following this Liturgy of Remembrance will be a reception for our bereaved families. We ask that our parishioners contribute by bringing some baked finger goods to the Parish Office by 2:00 pm on Monday, November 2 nd. THE MINISTRIES FAIR WAS A HUGE SUCCESS! Thank you to everyone that participated in or attended the ministries fair! Eye catching displays and lively discussions with the members of the current Commissions and Ministries were outstanding! We have over 51 different Ministries at St. Thomas More and it was a great opportunity to see what they have to offer! Over 120 people signed up to work in our ministries. We are truly blessed to have so many dedicated parishioners that give of themselves. THANK YOU! WAIT to CELEBRATE An Advent Reflection What if we broaden our thinking to experience Advent and the sacraments of the Church together? During our time together, we will explore how we understand and experience the Sacraments of the Church as well as Advent. Celebrate an Advent Reflection on Saturday, December 5 th, as St. Thomas More Parish and Our Sunday Visitor Curriculum Division, formerly Harcourt Religion Publishers, welcomes Sr. Jane Marie Osterholt from 8:30-11:30 at St. Thomas More Parish in the Gymnasium. There will be a $10.00 registration fee. Continental Breakfast and check in will be from 8:30-9:15. Sponsored by the Spirituality and Worship Commission. RESPECT LIFE CORNER Forty Days for Life Well, the 40 Days of Prayer has officially ended today. But we encourage you to continue to pray privately, and/or with others for the pro-life cause. And that includes not only abortion, but euthanasia, infanticide, the death penalty as well--all affronts to God's Will for any and all of us here on earth. Our Living Rosary "Celebration" Thanks and God's special blessing to all who participated in our second Living Rosary Prayer together. Surely Mary was pleased to have us observe her Month of the Rosary in such a pleasant, prayerful way for the cause of and the right to life!! Page 9

10 SVDP "YOUTH" CONFERENCE "CAPS FOR KIDS": During the month of November, we will be collecting "NEW" hats, gloves, and scarves for kids of all ages, and also for adult women and men. Boxes are located at each entrance of the church. Sorting will take place at the Chancery on Monday, December 7. St. Thomas More Moms! REMINDER: The next meeting of the STM Moms Group Tuesday, Nov. 3, :00 am to 11:30 am Solar Room Hope to see you there! NOVEMBER NURSERY VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE for the 10:00 am Sunday Mass We are located in the Brides Room. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1 Kaaren Mashura & Nathalie Kauz SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8 Tracy Cole & Marelle Cerven SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15 Tara Hurubean & Allison Mudro SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22 Kim Power & Haley Bolanowski SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29 Eileen & Caleb Hinojosa Welcome to our New Volunteers * Kim Power, * Nathalie Kauz and * Allison Mudro ATTENTION All high school youth, grades 9th-12th! Please come and represent St. Thomas More at Life Ministry s It s About Life Addictions lock-in retreat. Life Ministry is hosting a lockin retreat November 14-15th, Check in is at 6:30 pm and ending after 9:00 am Mass on Sunday. This lock-in will be held at St. James the Less Catholic Church in Highland, Indiana. St. James the Less 9640 Kennedy Ave. Highland, IN You may register at or For more info call Joe Kern or cell. Page 10