SAINT THOMAS MORE Roman Catholic Church

Transcription

1 SAINT THOMAS MORE Roman Catholic Church 8501 Calumet Avenue - Munster, Indiana Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time November 16, 2003 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 David G. Nowak Associate Pastor... Reverend Keith M. Virus Deacons... Mr. Joseph Sobek... 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. 311 Bookkeeper...Mrs. Barbara Gondeck Ext. 307 Daytime Receptionist...Mrs. Susan Strain; Ext. 337 Evening Receptionist...Ms. Veronica Brtos; Ext. 337 Pastoral Ministries Circle of Prayer...Mary Jo Humpfer Environment & Art...Jo Ann Long Eucharistic Ministers...Mr. Jerry Reach Hospitality Ministry...Jim D Orazio Lectors...Robert Mangus Paulette Paquette Music Ministry...Ms. Angie Lorandos , Ext. 338 Nursery... Kaaren Mashura Organist...Mr. John Clodig St. Vincent depaul... Mrs. Kathy Georgelas Vocations Committee... Mrs. Mary Kochis Pastoral Council Margaret Brooks...Joellen Gulotta Joanne Blaesing... Thomas Keith Huard Allen Blocher... Michael A. Martinelli Ann Chovanec... Marilyn J. Pajor Pamela M. Curtis...Jean M. Thornton Christine I. Greenberg... Barbara Topete 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... Dr. Kevin Zajdel; 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. 203 Home & School Association....Kim Boyd 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. Parents must call the Parish Office to schedule your child s Baptism Pre Baptism Session for Parents...2nd Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. 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 New Parishioners may register on the last Sunday of every month in the Solar Room at 9:30 a.m. Call the Parish Office for more information. 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... Mr. Tom Domasica Peace & Social Justice... Mrs. Sylvia Komyatte Spirituality & Worship...Jo Ann Long Stewardship... Mr. Ken Krupinski Parish Organizations Altar & Rosary Society...Tammy Wollersheim Elizabeth Ministry...Kathy Espiritu Holy Name Society...Kevin Cloghessy Senior Citizens... Joan Mc Caughey Respect Life...Alice Wohler Knights of Columbus...Adam Kocal Blue Army...Rose Marie Malburg Finance... Barbara Shaver Building Maintenance... Bob Ray Boy Scouts...Paul Liszewski Cub Scouts... Frank Pukoszek Girl Scouts... Jane Surd Catering/Hall Rental...Kathleen Pagorek Mom s Group...Patti Austgen Ushers Club...Jim Marmalejo Youth Group... Pam Ratajack Page 2

3 Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time November 16, 2003 Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time A highlight of our week at Scout camp was the night of the mile swim. It was not a race, but a test of endurance to see how far we could swim. We cheered the "greenies" on, the first year campers who were often away from home for the first time. Everyone would be yelling, "Don't quit!" It was all the encouragement needed to swim the distance! As we approach the end of the year, we are in a "don't quit" mode. The readings depict the glory and majesty of the end times, a display of power and vindication for those who complete the race. The faithful who struggle against the forces of evil are strengthened by the assurance that their efforts are not in vain. The permanence of God's Word and his Reign will bring them life and peace forever. Any time of year is good to renew our dedication and determination. But now, as we approach the end of the Church Year, take a personal faith inventory. Resolve now to live your faith in the good race. Persevere in your good intentions, your charity work and your devotion to God through prayer and worship. Don't quit! The end is in sight! P lease pray for the sick of our parish... Father Damian Adugu Santa Agnello Vi Anzur Rudolph Asanovich Doris Aurelio Irene Baker Maxine Bellamy Tom Bernacki Corinne Bjelich Agnes Blocher Elizabeth Boleck Christine Bonchik Edward Bonchik Michael Boston Alvina Brazina Kristina Brent Stephany Burney Mary Burosh Dorothy Campbell Carol Carollo Mary Ann Case Mary Pat Casey Jacqueline Morrow Christian Sarah Condes Vincent Corsello Mike Curtain Marian Dale Cecilia Fary John Fetzko Elizabeth Follmer John Forde Phyllis Garber Darla Garcia Andrea Garritano Joseph Gasiorek James Gaskey Doris Georgas Dorothy Gillespie Grace Grant Marguerite Grothouse Virginia Hale Amy Hayes Virginia Henderlong Evelyn Hennes Irene Holland Betty Holt Ray Humpfer Elizabeth Jacob Marian Johnson Joseph Justynski Debbie Kaczka Madeline Kent Janet Knight Gertrude Kocal Anna Kowalczyk Jerry Klaich Peter Klobuchar Ann Krizmis Helen Krull Julia Kukta Jerome Kula Lois Kus Janice Leuser Maria Lovell Gregory Mahoney Kathryn McBride Faye Meny Sandi Merlo Olga Mihalo Clarence Miller Vernon Miller William Modrock Robert Mudroncik Ray Mueller Emily Mysliwy Jean Narvid John Narvid Steven Nowaczyk Marcella Paluch Kathy Parker Marciala Perez Gertrude Peters Johanna Petruch Elizabeth Pilones William Retseck Bernice Rybicki Tony Saklaczynski Ann Sardella Mary Sarnowski Florence Savage Betty Schwoegler Mary Ann Sejda Grace Sheridan Wallace Skierge Joseph A. Smelko Joseph M. Smelko Joseph Sobek Deborah Stareck Georgianne Suto Gerardo Trevino Andrew Trgovich Anthony Ubuane Charles Ulrich Madeleine Vranken Nancy Wagner Adele Wall Helen Wallo Robert Weglewski James Zabrecky Page 3 SUNDAY, November 16 ~ Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time 6:30 am For Our Parish Family 8:00 am Deceased Members of St. Vincent de Paul Society 10:00 am Ann Traina by Len & Filomena Schmidt 12:00 noon Anita Estrada (Ann.) by Family MONDAY, November 17 ~ St. Elizabeth of Hungary 6:30 am Anna & James McCarron by Thomas & Pat Scully 8:30 am Richard Rudzinski by Jane Hodus TUESDAY, November 18 ~ Dedication of the Basilicas of the Apostles Peter & Paul, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne 6:30 am Yu Am Me & Louenie Rabina by May Yu 8:30 am Jean Hreha (Ann.) by Children 10:00 am John Martis by John & Barbara Spence (Mass at Med-Inn Cafeteria, Group 3) WEDNESDAY, November 19 6:30 am Noni Baldassarri by Michael Mercier & Family 8:30 am Walter Pietraszak by Wife Marguerite THURSDAY, November 20 6:30 am Blanche Wampole (Ann.) by Ramona Burkey & Family 8:30 am Stella Santay by Friend FRIDAY, November 21 ~ Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 6:30 am Virginia Paruszkiewicz (Ann.) by Richard & Margie Paruskiewicz 8:30 am Sophie Campbell by Maureen Campbell SATURDAY, November 22 ~ St. Cecilia 8:30 am Daniel Jugovic (Ann.) by Parents & Family 5:30 pm Richard Grigsby (Ann.) by Grigsby Family SUNDAY, November 23 ~ Feast of Christ the King 6:30 am Cecelia Zuklin by Mr. & Mrs. William Kvasnica 8:00 am Julianna Pavel-Kaspar (Ann.) by Husband James 10:00 am Barbara Ann Hein by Mr. & Mrs. Clyde Brown 12:00 noon For Our Parish Family Richard Smith

4 St. Thomas More Parish Munster, Indiana CELEBRANTS Saturday, November 22 5:30 pm Father Dave Nowak Sunday, November 23 6:30 am Father Dave Nowak 8:00 am Father Keith Virus 10:00 am Father Mike Yadron 12:00 Noon Father Mike Yadron Tuesday, November 18 ~ Devotions 6:30 pm H. & M. Boyan, R. Wilkinson Saturday, November 22 8:30 am B. Padove, M. Beary 5:30 pm H. Flores, A. Gianopolus, K. Flores, K. Hamilton, D. Kish Sunday, November 23 6:30 am J. & P. O Brien, B. O Neill 8:00 am E. McCullough, M. Pukoszek, J. Ratajack, J. Reuter, C. Wadlow 10:00 am S. O Sullivan, A. Scott, E. Secviar, J. Smith, L. Spisak 12:00 noon J. & L. Krismanick, B. Lopez, Ka. O Brien, S. Rodriguez Readings for the Week of November 16, 2003 Dn 12:1-3; Heb 10:11-14, 18; Mk 13:24-32 Monday: 1 Mc 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-64; Lk 18:35-43 Tuesday: 2 Mac 6:18-31; Lk 19:1-10 Wednesday: 2 Mc 7:1, 20-31; Lk 19:11-28 Thursday: 1 Mc 2:15-29; Lk 19:41-44 Friday: 1 Mc 4:36-37, 52-59; Lk 19:45-48 Saturday: 1 Mc 6:1-13; Lk 20:27-40 Next Sunday: Dn 7:13-14; Rv 1:5-8; Jn 18:33b-37 SUNDAY, November 16 ALTAR & ROSARY CRAFTERS BAZAAR ~ SOCIAL CENTER ~ 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM 2:00 pm Queen of Peace Cenacle ~ Chapel 6:30 pm STM Youth Group ~ Cornerstone MONDAY, November 17 4:00 pm Spirituality/Worship ~ Conference Room 7:00 pm Blue Army ~ Chapel 7:00 pm Holy Name ~ Solar Room 7:00 pm Mardi Gras Committee ~ Cafeteria TUESDAY, November 18 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 WEDNESDAY, November 19 9:30 am Bible Study ~ Conference Room 1:00 pm Senior Citizens ~ Solar Room 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm Religious Education Classes 6:15 pm Family Choir Practice ~ Church 7:00 pm Elizabeth Ministry ~ Chapel THURSDAY, November 20 9:00 am Moms Group ~ Solar Room 10:00 am STMS Musical HONK for students 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm Religious Education Classes 7:00 pm Choir Practice ~ Church 7:00 PM STMS MUSICAL HONK!!! ~ Social Center FRIDAY, November 21 10:00 am STMS Musical HONK for visiting students 7:00 PM STMS MUSICAL HONK!!! ~ Social Center SATURDAY, November 22 SUNDAY, November 23 1:00 pm SVDP Youth Conference ~ Conference Room Holy Name News Attention all men of the parish! You are invited to our next meeting, it will take place Monday, November 17th in the Solar Room at 7:30 pm. Come early at 7:00 pm to join us in saying the Rosary. Following the business meeting, there will be a short movie, pizza and refreshments. Remember, you may walk away as the winner of the $100 cash raffle. Please join us! Page 4

5 Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time November 16, 2003 TIME IS QUICKLY PASSING Believe it or not and like it or not, the holidays will soon be upon us. Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years are times when we become even more overextended than usual. For this reason, it might help to make a mental note and/or to mark our calendars for times to pray. Sadly, one of the first things to go during the stress of the holidays is our commitment to prayer (and even to Mass). Please do not let that happen to you this year. Make a special point to pray perhaps even to pray together as a family. Resolve to go to Sunday Mass. If possible, try to resolve to go to Mass once or twice during the week as well if you do not already do so. I think you will be surprised at how calm the holidays can be if and when we adopt an attitude of prayer in our daily lives. A QUICK FINANCE UPDATE As I told you a couple of months ago when I presented the finance report at all the weekend Masses, our budget for the year is based upon the hopes of an average of $26,500 donated through the Sunday offertory. At this point, all I can say is Thank You for the help that you are giving us in meeting all of our goals. We are definitely meeting that hoped-for average. As a matter of fact, three weeks ago I took a check for $100,000 to the diocesan offices to deposit in our parish savings account. (You may remember that we reported that we hoped to return $350,000 to our savings during this fiscal year. The first installment of $100,000 was made possible by all of you who are making good on your pledge to the building drive of a couple of years ago.) At this time, we are well within our projected budget with a definite view of holding down costs while meeting all the needs of our parish family. Again, it is because of your help. Thank you very much. By the way, I was very used to having a top notch team of people working with me on a finance committee the seven years that I was at Queen of All Saints Parish in Michigan City. As you can probably guess, finances can be very scary for pastors especially in big places. For that reason, I want to thank the people who are members of the finance committee at St. Thomas More. They are just as top notch as those who helped me in Michigan City and are a great blessing for our parish! THE HOLIDAYS. HAPPY? NOT ALWAYS! The holidays mean many different things to different people. Take an informal poll among ten friends and you will probably find four to five widely differing statements about what the holiday is all about and what it does to other people. For many, the holidays are extremely stressful. It might be the normal stress of meeting work deadlines so that a vacation can be taken to visit family. For others it might means the stress of preparing the home for visits of family and friends. For still other people, the holidays are stressful because the season is very painful. Those people, more often than not, are deep in the process of grieving the loss of a loved one or loved ones. While it might be a recent loss, grief follows no time lines, so a person may be grieving the loss of someone gone many years. If you or someone you love is experiencing grief, there is a special program that will take place TODAY, Sunday, November 16th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts. The program, Holiday Help A Program for Hope and Healing, is the 16th annual free seminar to help people deal with their grief during the holidays. ON THE LIGHTER SIDE The wise old Mother Superior from county Tipperary was dying. The nuns gathered around her bed trying to make her comfortable. They gave her some warm milk to drink, but she refused it. Then one nun took the glass back to the kitchen. Remembering a bottle of Irish whiskey received as a gift the previous Christmas, she opened it and poured a generous amount into the warm milk. Back at Mother Superior's bed, she held the glass to her lips. Mother drank a little, then a little more. Before they knew it, she drank the whole glass down to the last drop. "Mother," the nuns asked earnestly, "please give us some wisdom before you die." Barely audibly and with a serene look on her face she said, "Don't sell that cow." 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: November 18: Rev. Donald E. Benwitz, CSB (1983) November 19: Rev. John S. Woods (1966) November 20: Deacon John Townsend (1987) Page 5

6 St. Thomas More Parish Munster, Indiana RECEIVING A HUNDRED-FOLD IN RETURN In our modern, fastpaced lives, it is difficult to find the time or energy to give in the name of our faith, especially since it is difficult to know what we can expect in return! We work and receive a salary. If we spend time on a hobby, our reward is pleasure. However, when we give to our faith, it is much harder to define what we get back. It is precisely when we become stewards of our faith that we learn the great paradox of spiritual life. While they are intangible, the rewards from a life of faith are far greater than any we receive from our work or our play. When we donate our time and talents, when we give of our treasure, we sense our faith growing stronger. Our awareness of God's love for us becomes clearer. We feel closer to God than at any other time. And we realize the deep bonds that hold us all together. We cannot explain it, but we know it is true. When we give what we have to our faith, we receive a hundred-fold in return! Religious Formation I cannot see the seeds hidden underground that will become next spring s flowers, but I know they will bloom. I cannot see you, God, but I trust you are there. Please Help: The Religious Formation program is in need of hall monitors on Thursdays. Also, if you are interested in being on our substitute teacher list, please call Sr. Marilyn. We have a large program and much help is needed. Confirmation Retreat: Please note that the Confirmation retreat, which will be held at St. Thomas More, is scheduled for Wednesday, December 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. General information is available in the Confirmation handbook. Details will be made available, as the date gets closer. Mark your calendars: November 19/20 Class November 26/27 No Class Thanksgiving Break December 3/4 Class December 5 Sponsor Certificate Due December 10 Confirmation Retreat December 10/11 Class No class for 8 th Grade December 17/18 Class December 24/25 No Class We all know how hard it is to stay ahead in these difficult economic times. So we can understand the struggle of the 33 million Americans who live in poverty. Join this parish community in support of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. Together we can help to break the cycle of poverty in our country not just for a day, but for a lifetime. Give generously to the CCHD appeal next weekend. Page 6

7 Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time November 16, 2003 Feast of All Saints On November 3rd, eighth grade students assumed the role of saints that they have been studying, and from whom they will take their Confirmation name this spring. Each "saint" made presentations to the lower grades in their classrooms or they answered questions from the children in the upper grades in the gym. The children in the upper grades had to determine who the saint was. Blast Off! The 7th grade science class had great weather when they launched their rockets. The students studied the design and making of rockets with the final phase being "Lift Off!" Page 7

8 St. Thomas More Parish Munster, Indiana STM - YOUTH MINISTRY The Youth Ministry is open to ALL high school youth. Please join us at any meeting or event that you can or us at: STMyouth-owner@yahoogroups.com C O R N E R STM Altar & Rosary Annual Crafters Bazaar Upcoming Events Sunday, November 16th First Annual Thanksgiving Dinner & "Game Night" - 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Cornerstone Center. Bring a side dish to share and a deck of cards or a board game. Also, bring a canned good for the St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry. Saturday/Sunday, November 22nd and 23rd "Discover Retreat" - St. Mary's in Downers Grove, IL has invited our teens to participate in their retreat. Permission slips available at the Parish Office. Completed forms are due back into the Parish Office by Sunday, November 16th or turn in that evening at the Thanksgiving Dinner & Game Night. Please join us for Holiday Happiness on Saturday & Sunday, Nov. 15th and 16th from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm in the parish social center. Mini-raffles, a bake sale and refreshments will be available. We greatly appreciate your donated goodies for our popular bake sale. Please drop off baked goods on Friday evening, Saturday or Sunday at the Bakery Booth in the cafeteria. This is the only fundraiser we have during the year to support various ministries in the parish, including St. Vincent de Paul and Pastoral Care. We will not be having a cash raffle this year, so we really need your support at the bake sale and mini-raffles to help make this bazaar a success. Mark your calendars ~ we cannot do it without you! Welcome New Parishioners Ms. Sarah Ackerman Mrs. Lydia Carrillo Ms. Marla K. Dick Mr. & Mrs. Robert Eschenbach Mr. & Mrs. Donald Froehlke Mr. Mark T. Grala Mr. & Mrs. Robert Kalka Mr. John F. Kruger, Sr. Mr. Edward Martin Mr. & Mrs. Larry Tully Ms. Samantha Wolak Ms. Amy Zajac A SHINING BEACON We are to allow our marriage to shine for others. Does it? When it does, do we immediately thank God for what He has given us? Polish your relationship with a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. Our next weekends are December 5-7, February or April For reservations or information, please call Brian and Debbie at or contact our website at www. wwmechicago-gary.org. For inquiries regarding Marriage Encounter weekends for other faith expressions, or for non-english speaking weekends, please contact LOVE (5683). Page 8