He lay down and fell asleep under the broom tree, but then an angel touched him and ordered him to get up and eat. 1 Kgs 19:4-5

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1 Elijah went a day's journey into the desert, until he came to a broom tree and sat beneath it. He prayed for death saying: This is enough, O LORD! Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers. He lay down and fell asleep under the broom tree, but then an angel touched him and ordered him to get up and eat. 1 Kgs 19:4-5 On the wall of the Chapel Blessed of Sacrament Elijah in the Page St. Church Meinrad of Archabbey the Stella Maris - Haifa, Israel

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, KHS; Ext. 312 myadron@stm-church.com Associate Pastor... Reverend Benjamin J. Ross; Ext. 314 bross@stm-church.com Deacons... Mr. David Kapala, KHS... Mr. Joseph Stodola, KHS... Dr. Napoleon Tabion... Mr. Daniel Zurawski, KHS Stewardship Director... Noreen Bickel; Ext. 330 Pastoral Care Coordinator... Deacon Napoleon Tabion; Ext. 315 Director of Religious Formation... Mrs. Sandra Morgan; Ext. 332 Parish Office Staff Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am-8:00 pm Saturday 8:00 am-4:00 pm Web Site address... parish.office@stm-church.com address for bulletin... bulletin@stm-church.com Office Phone Office Fax Bulletin Editor... Mrs. Pam Pasyk; Ext. 309 Daytime Receptionist... Mrs. Susan Strain; Ext. 310 Evening Receptionist... Ms. Veronica Brtos; Ext. 310 Pastoral Ministries Circle of Prayer... Mary Jo Humpfer Environment & Art... Jean Bados Eucharistic Ministers... Carole Mackey Hospitality Ministry... Ann D Orazio Lectors... William McDunn Music Ministry... Angie Lorandos , Ext. 338 Nursery... Kaaren A. Mashura St. Vincent de Paul... Mrs. Bernadine Barrett Vocations Committee... Mrs. Mary Kochis Pastoral Council Members Daniel Buksa... Timothy Etter John Kovach... Mary Kretz Paul Liszewski... Bill McDunn Andrea Mazerik...Krystal Quagliara Susan Rousseau, Chairperson... Linda Stefanich Joann Wleklinski... Ruth Yothment St. Thomas More School Pre-School through 8th Grade Office Hours: Monday Friday ~ 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Web Site... School Phone School Fax Principal... Mr. Chet Nordyke, KHS; Ext. 328 Assistant Principal....Mrs. Tina Boyle; Ext. 328 School Administrative Assistant.Mrs. Jennifer Gonzalez; Ext. 328 School Reception & Office Associate..Mrs. Sandra Steele; Ext. 329 Home & School Association.Mrs. Mary Beth Ginalski; Parish & School Offices Associate Mrs. Mary Jo Biscan; Ext. 311 Parish & School Offices Associate... Mrs. Pam Wadycki; Ext. 339 School Admissions....Mrs. Pam Pasyk; Ext. 309 Weis Center 8635 Calumet Avenue ~ Munster, IN Phone Fax 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... Carolyn McGill; Ext. 336 Grades K through 8 ~ Wednesday or Thursday from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. Pastoral Commissions Chairpersons Formation/Education... Mrs. Barbara Topete Parish Life... Mrs. Elaine Herrmann Peace & Social Justice...Ms. Mary Silvasi Spirituality & Worship... Mrs. Kaaren Mashura Stewardship... Mrs. Noreen Bickel Parish Organizations Altar & Rosary Society... Cindy Keilman Blue Army... Rose Marie Malburg Boy Scouts... Roger Jachna Building Maintenance... Bob Ray Catering/Hall Rental... Kathleen Pagorek Cub Scouts... Chris Bedenk Career Networking Group Christine Spencer Elizabeth Ministry... Pam Domasica Finance... Barbara Shaver Gabriel Project... Kathy Trotman Girl Scouts... Julie Buksa Holy Name Society... Joe Adams Knights of Columbus... Stan Lewandowski K of C Columbian Squires...Richard Alvarado Moms Group... Leticia Kotso Planned Giving... Ken Krupinski Respect Life... Alice Wohler Senior Citizens... Joan Klein The Travelers Club..Lois Quinn Ushers Club... Jim Marmalejo Page 2 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. Please remember St. Thomas More in your Will and Estate Planning

3 Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time August 12, 2012 Saturday, August 18 5:30 p.m. Fr. Mike Yadron Sunday, August 19 6:30 a.m. Fr. Mike Yadron 8:00 a.m. Fr. Mike Yadron 10:00 a.m. Fr. Ben Ross 12:00 Noon Fr. Ben Ross MONDAY, August 13 8:30 am Nate Anglin, D. Dy TUESDAY, August 14 8:30 am C. Burzynski, E. Long 5:30 pm E. & S. Johnson, M,, N. & S. Szala MC ~ Steven WEDNESDAY, August 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 9:00 am D. Straka, M. Nahnsen, B., J. & M. Peters MC ~ Lauren 5:00 pm T. Muta, M., G. & T. O Brien, M. Reynolds MC ~ Nick 7:00 pm D. Urbaniak, M. & T. Zabrecky, M. Osmulski, B. Sikora/ MC ~ Greg SATURDAY, August 18 8:30 am S. Donovan, C. Erickson 5:30 pm C., E. & F. Beckman, R. Caraher, M. Childs MC ~ Joe O./Mike SUNDAY, August 19 6:30 am A. & A. Chronowski, J. Surd 8:00 am M. Pukoszek, K. Yaeger, E. & V. Zaczyk, A. Zajakowski/ MC ~ Noah 10:00 am D., E. & S. Trivunovic, A. Berkley, S. Cloghessy/ MC ~ Joey 12:00 pm K. & M. O Brien, S. Becker-Toro MC ~ Alyssa Sacrificial Offerings for August 5th Adult $ 23, Loose $ 3, Children $ TOTAL $ 27, SUNDAY, August 12 Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 6:30 am For Our Parish Family Living and Deceased 8:00 am Stephen Rousseau by Wife Susan 10:00 am Joseph Justynski (Ann.) by Ed & Carolyn Smiley 12:00 pm Mary Krawczyk (Ann.) by Family MONDAY, August 13 St. Pontian & St. Hippolytus 6:30 am All Souls Day Intentions 8:30 am Barbara Jean Cak by Ann Kuczek TUESDAY, August 14 St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe 6:30 am Joan & Ed Wolak by Biedron Family 8:30 am Patricia Dublak by Bill & Dorothy O Brien 10:00 am Robert Eschenbach by STM Holy Name Society (MASS AT MED-INN CHAPEL, Group 4) 5:30 pm Frances Gauthier by William & Nancy Gauthier WEDNESDAY, August 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 6:30 am For Our Parish Family Living and Deceased 9:00 am William Kaminsky by Wife & Family 5:00 pm Living & Deceased Members of Boblink Family by Donna O Connor 7:00 pm Tim Kish (Ann.) by Mother Pat & Family THURSDAY, August 16 St. Stephen of Hungary 6:30 am Joanna Bartkus by Family 9:00 am Martin P. Juricic (Ann.) by Family FRIDAY, August 17 6:30 am Denis Buksa by Wife Judy 8:30 am Patricia Dublak by Joe & Carole Janusonis SATURDAY, August 18 Bless Virgin Mary-Mother of Mercy 8:30 am Agnes Kaspar (Ann.) by Agnes & Dimitre Adich 2:00 pm Madsen/Mislan Nuptials 2:00 pm Soja/Misner Nuptials (Chapel) 5:30 pm Donald Slack Jr. (Ann.) by Mother & Sisters SUNDAY, August 19 Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time 6:30 am For Our Parish Family Living and Deceased 8:00 am Rita & Chris Florek by Gene Florek 10:00 am William Dorcey McDunn (Ann.) by Mr. & Mrs. William K. McDunn 12:00 pm Joseph Sharpe (Ann.) by Wife Jean Thank you for your generosity. Alfred J. Brocious Page 3 Madeline Anne Daughter of John & Jill Bochenek Ailey Kaye Daughter of Todd & Kelly Sobieck Olivia Lynn Daughter of Michael & Stephanie Helfen Jackson Robert Son of Adam & Megan Noel

4 Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Every group has its complainers. While these people might exasperate the "let's all go forward together" crowd, the complainers sometimes serve a useful function. Because they may point out the weakness in a position, or raise objections that might otherwise be overlooked, oftentimes the complainers actually help strengthen the overall final resolution by forcing proponents to refine their thoughts in ways that can reasonably counter opposition. In John's Gospel the dialogue between Jesus and those who object to what he says (whether it be his followers, the Jews, the crowd, or someone such as Nicodemus) advance the theological concepts that John has Jesus expounding. Every time someone raises an objection in a discourse in John, Jesus counters with a deeper exposition of his thought. Last week the crowd thought that Jesus was going to give them free bread, like the manna that was given by Moses in the desert. In this week's Gospel, when he says that he is the bread that came down from heaven, the Jews object, saying that they know who he is: the son of Joseph. This gives Jesus the opportunity to deepen the meaning by stating that instead of being the son of Joseph, his Father is God. In accepting Jesus, who comes from the Father, one accepts God, and so has eternal life. Our church community may not be perfect (indeed, it never will be while we are on earth). There will always be complainers. But as a community of faith we must recognize that we have but one Father who is revealed to us by the Son. As Jesus tells us in the Gospel, when we see the Son we have seen the Father. And we see the Son in those who believe, those who have accepted Christ along with us. Maybe we're a complainer, or may we're the one who is often complained about. Either way, we should be able to find Christ in the other. c Coleen Alexander Margaret Amatulli Doris Aurelio Maria Aurelio Irene Baker John Baker Antonio Belmonte Tom Bernacke Michael Berry Michael Blazevich Laverne Blumka Michael Boston Cheryl Bostrom Stephany Burney Dorothy Campbell James Campbell Thomas Cak Al Carollo Carol Carollo Joseph Cwiok Jacqueline Morrow Christian Frank Coman Vincent Corsello Mike Curtain Margaret Demkovich Lucille Detterline Irene Dettmer Ann DeVoy MaryPat Devoy Irene Dickey Jeanine Doescher Alex Eiland John L. Estrada Sherlon Evans Virginia Fitzgerald John Forde Phyllis Garber Andrea Garritano Dorothy Gillespie Margaret Good Howard Gralewski James Grunewald Eileen Hasse lease pray for the sick of our parish... Amy Hayes Eleanore Heggi Marie Henke Evelyn Hennes Ray Humpfer Steve Izzo Dennis Jablonski Elizabeth Jacob Barbara Jamrose Stanley Jayjack Rosemary Jerzak-Staszel Debbie Kaczka Robert Kalka Margaret A. Kapala Jim Kaspar Carol Keilman Patricia Kerr Rev. Matthew Kish Josephine Knesek Janet Knight Alice Kolember Miller Krizmanic Jerome Kula Roland Kwasny Debbie Le Monier Gene Leahy Mary Leahy Jo Lisiniewicz Edward Liskiewicz Stanley Liskiewicz Maria Lovell Carole Mackey Charlene Madura Gregory Mahoney Mary Manchak Brady Martin Alex Mau Joseph McShane Faye Meny Sandi Merlo Stephanie Mueller Olga Mihalo Andrew Moll Elissa Moll David Moll Jean Narvid Donna Nichols Steven Nowaczyk Valerie O Donnell Danny Ogren Emily Orosco Irene Orzel Audrey Ostroff Johanna Petruch Patricia Phipps Andrew Pieczyrak Elizabeth Pilones Sylvester Porras Timothy Ribble Kristen Rubin Anthony Saklaczynski Ann Sardella George Sauer Marie Schultz Marianne Schwartz William Schwartz Zachery Scriff James Secviar Jim Seul Renee Shehan Nick Skinner Lydia Skorupa Carolyn Smiley Leilani Suchanuk Deborah Stareck Florence Stevens Georgianne Suto Celine Szczepaniak Rose Theis Gerardo Trevino Anthony Ubuane Julia Vrbanich Pam Wadycki Adele Wall Sue Wass Cecilia Ziegler Page 4 MONDAY, August 13 9:30 am Kindergarten Orientation ~ Main Building 7:00 pm Blue Army ~ Chapel 7:30 pm Knights of Columbus ~ Solar Room TUESDAY, August 14 Market Day Pick-Up in the Gym from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. 9:15 am Eucharistic Adoration (until 5:00 p.m.) ~ Chapel 1:00 pm Prayer/Vocation ~ Chapel 5:00 pm Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament 5:30 pm Vigil Mass- Assumption of the Blessed Virgin 7:00 pm Baptism Preparation ~ Conference Room WEDNESDAY, August 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Masses at 6:30 & 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 & 7:00 p.m. THURSDAY, August 16 STMS First Day of School for K-8/ No Buses 9:30 am Preschool Orientation (Full & Half Day) Weis Center 7:00 pm Career Networking Group ~ Weis Center FRIDAY, August 17 8:30 am All School Mass 9:30 am PreK Orientation (Full &Half Day) ~Weis Center 6:00 pm STMS Pool Party ~ Munster Community Pool SUNDAY, August 19 6:00 pm Taize Prayer Service ~ Church My Two Cents Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time The saints and other heroes of faith are meant to inspire and encourage us on the path of discipleship. Let your discipleship bear fruit as the stewardship of your time, abilities, and resources, given freely and regularly. Readings for the Week of August 12th Sunday: 1 Kgs 19:4-8/Eph 4:30--5:2/Jn 6:41-51 Monday: Ez 1:2-5, 24-28c/Mt 17:22-27 Tuesday: Ez 2:8--3:4/Mt 18:1-5, 10, Wednesday: Vigil: 1 Chr 15:3-4, 15-16; 16:1-2/1 Cor 15:54b- 5Lk 11:27-28 Day: Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab/1 Cor 15:20-27/Lk 1:39-56 Thursday: Ez 12:1-12/Mt 18:21--19:1 Friday: Ez 16:1-15, 60, 63 or 16:59-63/Mt 19:3-12 Saturday: Ez 18:1-10, 13b, 30-32/Mt 19:13-15 Next Sunday: Prv 9:1-6/Eph 5:15-20/Jn 6:51-58 III Mark Madsen & Kara Mislan III Richard Misner & Jennifer Soja

5 The Pastor s Page ASSUMPTION: AN UNLIMITED HARVEST If the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. (1 Cor 15:16-20) In the Hebrew Scriptures, grateful farmers brought the first part of their harvest of fruit and vegetables to the Temple to offer it in thanksgiving to God. In this passage from his First Letter to the Corinthians, Saint Paul also sees the resurrection of the dead as a harvest offered in gratitude. The first to rise from the dead is Christ; Jesus becomes a temple offering of gratitude we make to God the Father for the gift of the resurrection. Isn't that what we do in the Mass? Don't we call the Mass the Eucharist, a Greek word which means "thanksgiving"? We celebrate Jesus' Resurrection in every Mass. Mary also is one who has been snatched from death. We Catholics believe that practically at the moment she closed her eyes in death, God lifted her body and soul back to life and took her into heaven. Somehow, the flesh by which God took flesh was not allowed to be corrupted. Saint Paul says that if we can say that Jesus rose from the dead, then we should rejoice because we too shall rise from the dead. He goes on to say that "As all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:22). Jesus' Resurrection and Mary's Assumption do not represent a harvest that is limited. God does not raise up only two people. As the event of Adam and Eve's sin affected all the members of the human family, so the salvation we celebrate in the new Adam and shared by the new Eve, that is, Jesus and Mary, means redemption for all God's new family. As Paul says in another place, "Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24-25) 1994, Liguori Publications / Used with permission THANK YOU! Angie Lorandos and Tony Jurich coordinated a wonderful production of Moses and the burning within this summer. The musical version of the life of Moses was very moving and was also well-received by all who watched it. Thank you, Angie and Tony, for all the hard work that you put into the musical. And thank you, as well, to the many talented parishioners in the cast, in the pit, or on the stage crew who worked hours and hours to pull it off. You were FANTASTIC and the show was great! Assumed into Heaven I know the mysteries, little Susie said one evening as the family sat around the table for the recitation of the Rosary. And so, the six-year-old sang out the glorious story of our Lord's and our Lady's earthly and heavenly triumphs. With a little help she mastered Resurrection, Ascension, and even Holy Spirit came down... But on the fourth mystery there was no hesitation. Susie confidently proclaimed, Mary zoomed into heaven! ON THE LIGHTER SIDE EXERCISE FOR PEOPLE OVER 50 Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side. With a 5-lb potato bag in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, and then relax. Each day you'll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer. After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-lb potato bags. Then try 20-lb potato bags. Eventually, try to get to the point where you can lift a 50- lb potato bag in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute. After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each bag. THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Do not forget that this coming Wednesday, August 15th, is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses are 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. PLEASE REMEMBER THEM Please pray for the priests and deacons who have served the Diocese of Gary so faithfully 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 A Thousand Thanks Each year, the seminarians of the Diocese of Gary are assigned to a different parish throughout the area for the summer. The purpose of these assignments for us is simply to observe the community so that we can get to know the parishes and the people within them. Everything else that we learn flows from this purpose. As the years go by, we are able to see the great diversity within our diocese and, yet, the great unity that binds us all together in the one faith of Catholicism. We come to meet people from every single walk of life. We come to understand their background and their story. Our own lives become intertwined with theirs and it sets us on a new journey through change, perspective, and transformation. Truly, we are molded and formed by our experiences within the community. It is for this reason that I want you to know how grateful I am that you have been placed in my life to help me grow into the priest that God wants me to be. It has been a great joy for me to be here within the community of St. Thomas More. It is always difficult to enter into a new community because you never know what to expect or how you are going to be received. First and foremost, I am so thankful to you because from the very first moment I felt extremely welcomed by the entire community. All of you have been very welcoming to me and I appreciate how generous you have been. I want to encourage you to continue strengthening your sense of community because it is a very valuable asset. The hospitality that you have shown me is written on my heart in such a way that it gives me the motivation to build up the communities in which I find myself. I would like to thank Fr. Mike, Fr. Rick, and Fr. Ben, as well as all the staff members, for their great hospitality and kindness toward me. Whenever I had questions or concerns, they were always willing to take the time to give me an answer. Furthermore, I am very grateful for their support and the support of this community in any and all pursuits or events that I wanted to offer. I was extremely pleased to see everybody work as a team for the success of these pursuits. Finally, I am most grateful for the friendships that have been formed this summer. It is a great joy for me to share in the lives of others and allow them to share in mine. We are all on this journey that we call life and it is very encouraging to know that I am not taking that journey alone. I rejoice in the thought that there are so many people who are walking that path with me. I ask that you continue to pray for me and all of our seminarians, and know that we will continue to pray for you, as well. May the Lord bless and protect you always in all that you do. To Jesus through Mary, Christopher Stanish Please feel free to contact me at school at any time: Christopher Stanish Sacred Heart Major Seminary 2701 Chicago Blvd. Detroit, MI stanish.christopher@shms.edu Pastoral Care Ministry If a friend or loved one would like to receive Communion at home, call the Pastoral Care Office at , #315. CAN YOU HELP? We desperately need some moms to help launder the altar server albs. This is a very easy volunteer project. For more information contact Susan Strain or Susan Burke Wanted: Digital Cameras St. Thomas More School is starting a Journalism Club and is in need of digital cameras for our middle school students to use. If you have upgraded your camera and have an older model collecting dust, we would love to have it! Please include computer cord, AC charger & manuals, if possible. Drop-off box in the Parish Office. Questions? Contact Joann Hajduch at jhajduch@stm-school.com Circle of Prayer Our Circle of Prayer ministry is in need of your help to pray for those in need in our community. If you are interested in becoming a part of this very important ministry, please contact Mary Jo Humpfer at (219) New Evening Bible Study Group Little Rock Bible Study The Gospel According to Matthew All adult parishioners are invited to join our new Evening Bible Study Group. Each session will include a short audio or video instruction, group and individual exercises, prayer and discussion. We will be using a program from Little Rock Scripture Study which lights the way to understanding the message of the Bible, developing a more personal relationship with God and a deeper relationship with others in your faith community. Our study will focus on the Gospel According to Matthew: Matthew presents Jesus of Nazareth as a great teacher and Son of God, emphasizing that he is Emmanuel ("God with us") and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. The extensive teaching sections of this Gospel were used to instruct Christians in the early centuries of the church. This study will reacquaint you with the Master Teacher. Join us for 10 Weekly Sessions: September 5th through November 14th (No meeting on Halloween, October 31st) 6:30 to 8:00 pm in the Parish Conference Room The cost of the program is $15.00 to cover the study materials. To register, please call or Carolyn McGill at x 332, cmcgill@stm-church.com no later than August 29th so that we can order your materials. You may pay the registration fee the first evening of study. Golf Outing Join in the fun! The Annual Catholic Charities Golf Outing Golf for a Cause Will be played on Monday, August 27th at Briar Ridge Country Club in Schererville. The cost is $150 per person. Help others while enjoying a day on the course with your friends. Tee time is at 9:00 a.m. shamble format. Call Catholic Charities to purchase a ticket at (219) NOTICE: All bulletin articles must be submitted at least two weeks in advance to accommodate summer holidays and vacations until September 15, Thank you. Page 6

7 August 12, 2012 St. Thomas More School Don t forget! The Parent Association s is going on now Saturday, August 11th until 7:00 p.m. Many, many thanks to all of the parents (grandparents and friends, too) who continually contribute their time to volunteer at our school. Because you so generously give of yourself, your treasure and your talent, we are able to continue to offer an outstanding education and a myriad of programs to the wonderful students of St. Thomas More School. We couldn t do without you! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Sunday, August 12 th 9:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 13th 7:00 9:00 p.m. Pick-up your child s classroom assignment! In order to find out your child s teacher, you must pay your Parent Association dues & party fees & fill out a volunteer form. Pre-ordered gym shirts can be picked up (or purchase one at the Fair first come, first served) Spirit wear can also be purchased. Talk with members of our Athletic Department, too! P.A. Dues $15.00/ Family Party Fees $8.00/ Child Gym Shirts $5.00 Each Gym Sweatshirts with Embroidered Crest $17.00 ($19.00 For XXLG) Spirit Wear Various Prices If you cannot attend the Fair, you may drop off your volunteer form and payment for your dues and party fees (checks payable to STM HSA) at the school office. Cash or Checks Only First Day of School is Thursday, August 16th for K-8. No Buses! Page 7

8 Religious Education Religious Education classes begin on September 5th/6th. See the 2012/2013 schedule on the website. Late registrations for Religious Education K thru 8 will be accepted until August 17th on Monday thru Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Religious Education Office. Children Per Family Parishioner After May 1, 2012 Non-Parishioner After May 1, 2012 One Child Two Children Three Children Four Children Additional Sacramental Fees Confirmation Fee.... $ First Penance & First Holy Communion...$ 5.00 American Bible (4th Grade & up).$ 8.00 Catechists and Hall Monitors are needed for the school year. If you can help your parish by being a part of the Religious Education Ministry, please contact our office to learn more. All homeschool work needs to be turned into the office by August 15th, unless you have made special arrangements with the Director. Special needs children who are at least 7 years old and interested in homeschool preparation for First Holy Communion please call the Religious Education Office. Students entering 8th grade for school year can earn service project hours over the summer months. Virtus training will be held on Saturday, September 15th from 10 a.m. to 1:00 pm. in the Solar Room. Catechetical Sunday is being celebrated at the 10:00 a.m. Mass Sunday, September 16th. To learn more, please call the Religious Education office. Mrs. Sandi Morgan Director of Religious Education (219) , ext. 332 Mrs. Carolyn McGill (ext. 336) Administrative Assistant Holy Name Society Please join us for our next meeting on August 20, 2012 in the Solar Room Pray the Rosary at 7:00 p.m., followed by our regular meeting and refreshments at 7:30 p.m. We will be discussing the election of new officers & our annual Evening of Reflection Retreat to be held on Tuesday, September 25th at the Carmelite Shrine in Munster beginning at 6:00 p.m. Our retreat leader will be Fr. Stephen Kosinski, Pastor of All Saints Church in Hammond. Our regular meetings will resume on August 20th. As always, new members are always welcome to join us. St. Vincent De Paul Requests Our shelves are nearly bare and we are urgently in need donations. Our most immediate needs include: Noodles & Boxed Pasta Macaroni & Cheese Canned Fruit Peanut Butter & Jelly Laundry Soap & Bar Soap Pork & Beans Meal Helpers Cookies & Crackers Jello Pancake Mix & Syrup Cereal Tuna & Canned Meats Spaghetti & Sauce Personal Hygiene Items Donations can be dropped off in bins outside of the Parish Office. Please check expiration dates on items used from your own pantry. Your immediate attention is greatly appreciated. Lectors for the Week of August 12 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary August 14th 5:30 p.m. Vigil Mass Richard Lasky & Phil McIntosh August 15th 5:00 p.m. Mass Marilyn Pajor & Sue Wilson 7:00 p.m. Mass Keesha Hardaway & Michael Skurka 5:30 pm Mass Ann Harkenrider & Mike McIntyre 6:30 am Mass Loretta Krawczyk & Micki Richter Masses for August 18th & 19th 8:00 am Mass Paul Liszewski & Linda Stefanich 10:00 am Mass John Kovach & Theresa Kowalski 12:00 Noon Christopher Balbo & Michael Wadas Travelers Club Lake Michigan Cruise on Thursday, August 30th Our bus will leave St. Thomas More promptly at 9:15 a.m. and will return at approximately 4:30 p.m. Our Lake Michigan cruise on the Odyssey Entertainment Cruise Line will embark from Navy Pier and give our Travelers a scenic trip along the lake shore. The trip includes transportation to Navy Pier, a cruise aboard the elegant Odyssey, and a plated lunch. Your check confirmed your reservation. Please park in the south lot along the perimeter of the parking lot. Page 8

9 Respect Life Corner The Fourth Glorious Mystery The Assumption of Mary into Heaven We pray for the protection and strengthening of every pro-life and moral law now in existence...we pray that more strong new pro-life and moral laws be enacted. We plead for these prayers to be assumed into Heaven, to be granted by you O Lord. Vocations Committee Do the strengths in our family outweigh the weaknesses regarding promoting vocations to the priesthood? Taizé Prayer Service Take time out of your hectic life to attend our next Taizé Prayer Service on Sunday, August 19th at 6:00 p.m. in the Church Let this calm, reflective and quiet service recharge you! Men s Prison Release Needs These items are needed for male inmates soon to be released: Men s Clothing of All Types Men s Belts Shoes Gym Bags/Backpacks Monetary donations are also accepted to purchase underwear and other miscellaneous needs. Please contact Deacon Dan Zurawski at (219) or danrxman@msn.com for drop-off info. STM Career Networking Group 80% of Jobs are Unadvertised 70% of Jobs are Found through Networking 15% Find Jobs through a Search Firm 4% Create their Own Jobs 2% Find Jobs through Blindly Sent Resumes Thursday, August 16th from 7:00 9:00 p.m. Becoming the CEO of YOU, Inc. Guest Speaker: HelenMarie Harmon Assistant Director, School of Business & Economics IUN A Myers-Briggs Type-Indicator Practitioner and a Certified Toastmasters International Speaker What is Personal Branding? Why is Personal Branding Important? Hints on creating a Personal Brand & Managing the Impression Created Where: St. Thomas More Weis Center 8635 Calumet Avenue, Munster, IN When: 3rd Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. STMCareerGroup@gmail.com Free! Open to All! For those who are unemployed (in transition), new to the job market, employed or who can offer employment opportunities through their current professional connections. We also welcome new graduates and those looking to change positions or careers. Have your Cover Letter, Resume or Thank You Note critiqued by a professional. Attention All Parishioners! The St. Thomas More Parish Life Commission is sponsoring an Old-Fashioned Family Picnic for the entire St. Thomas More Parish Family. Enjoy a delicious food buffet of pulled pork, hamburgers, hot dogs and all the accompaniments from Philippe s Catering. Live Band Games for the Kids Watch the Bear s Game on an Outdoor TV for Bear s Fan Our picnic is on Grandparents Day, so all Grandmas and Grandpas of the parish will be recognized! Sunday, September 9, :00 to 4:00 p.m. It s going to be lots of fun! Don t miss it! Please respond no later than Tuesday, September 4th. Responses can be mailed or dropped off at the Parish Office or placed in the Sunday collection basket. Family Name Number of Adults Number of Children Page 9

10 St. Thomas More Music Ministry Please join us as our Ministry grows. We can t do it without the participation of our talented parishioners. Here are many ways for you to get involved: Schola Cantorum Schola Cantorum is a choral chamber group focused on singing sacred music for the Liturgy, ranging from motets to music from both Renaissance and modern-day composers. Membership to this group is by audition and is open to those who are high school age and older. Schola Cantorum will rehearse on Monday evenings, and will sing at the Noon Mass every other week. Exultation Exultation is a choral group focused on singing modern liturgical music. This group will be dedicated to singing several different styles of modern music for the Liturgy. Membership to this group is open to all who are high school age and older. Exultation will also rehearse on Monday evenings, and will alternate singing at the Noon Mass with Schola Cantorum. Handbells Choir We are privileged to add this beautiful instrument to our music ministry. Once you pick up a bell and play it, you will be hooked! Youth of our parish in grades 6-12 should consider joining our inaugural bell choir. Only eleven openings are available. The handbell choir will play once a month at the 5:30pm Mass, on Christmas Eve, Easter, and other special liturgies. Practices will be on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-7:30pm. No previous music experience is necessary. Keep watching the bulletin for information on our preview night, where you can try playing the bells, and hear how beautiful they are when ringing together. For questions about the handbell choir, please contact Laura Javorka at ljavorka@stm-school.com. Student Choir ALL parish students in grades 3 and higher are invited to join the student choir to sing twice a month at the Saturday 5:30 p.m. Mass. Rehearsals take place at 4:30 p.m. in the Conference Room immediately preceding the Mass. Our next date to sing is August 25. Cantor Ministry All interested in being part of the Cantor Ministry, leading the assembly in singing and proclaiming the Word of God in psalm and song, should contact Angie Lorandos to schedule an audition. Instrumentalists Instrumentalists at our parish are encouraged to contact us so we can see where best we can utilize your gifts and talents. Funeral Choir The Funeral Choir is a group of volunteers that help aid families in their time of grief by singing at our parish funerals. The ability to read music is not necessary, and there are no rehearsals for this group. Chorale The Chorale leads the singing at the 10:00 am Sunday Mass. While the ability to read music is helpful, it is not necessary. This choral ensemble rehearses on Thursdays at 7:00 pm. Rehearsals will begin on September 6th. Those interested are invited to attend that evening. For further information on any of these music opportunities, please contact Angie Lorandos at alorandos@stm-church.com or (219) , x338. DIOCESAN YEAR OF FAITH CONFERENCE The door of faith is always open for us. ushering us into the life of communion with God, and offering entry into his Church. It is possible to cross that threshold when the word of God is proclaimed and the heart allows itself to be shaped by transforming grace. To enter through that door is to set out on a journey that lasts a lifetime. In order to celebrate this Year in a worthy and fruitful manner, Bishop Melczek, and members of his Priest Council, have planned a special Conference on two different weekends in September at two different locations: September 21 & 22 at St. Thomas More Parish, & September 28 & 29 at St. Paul Parish, Valparaiso All parishioners are invited to attend one of these two weekends. The Conference will provide tools for us to better understand and live our faith with renewed conviction. Keynote speakers will share their insights on the Second Vatican Council, and the breakout sessions will focus on the Catholic Catechism and the Creed all are tools to help us live our faith. For additional information, a complete brochure can be found in the vestibule of our church or you may go to for full information and registration. Please note there is no fee for the Conference, only a $10 fee for lunch. Contact , ext. 280, for additional information. St. Mary Church Western Days Hurry and come to St. Mary s in Griffith for their annual Western Days Festival on August 16th -19th on the parish grounds at 525 N. Broad Street. Ride all the rides for one low price with a MegaPass. Bingo, Talent Fest, car raffle, homemade chicken dinner, fireworks display on Sunday and lots of food! More info: call (219) St. Joseph Carmelite Guild The St. Joseph Carmelite Guild presents its fundraiser, Cheers to You September 19, 2012 at Villa Cesare. Browse our Bubbly Boutiques and enjoy Party Hearty Punch at 4:30 p.m. with supper beginning at 6:30 p.m. Featuring Jim Bulanda, fashions by Alexis of Highland & jewelry by Albert s (will buy your old gold & silver). Contact Mary Kretz for tickets or information at (219) or mtkretz@gmail.com National Alliance on Mental Illness The Lake County NAMI is conducting support group meetings on the second and fourth Fridays each month from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Regional Mental Health Center at 8555 Taft Street in Merrillville. There are separate groups for those who are ill and those who are caregivers. To learn more, please call (219) Polish Heritage Festival A Polish Heritage Festival will be held on September 16th at the International Friendship Gardens, just outside of Michigan City. For more information, please contact Mark at (219) or George at (219) Page 10