ST. THOMAS AQUINAS Roman Catholic Church 8320 Old C.R. #54 New Port Richey, FL 34653 Phone 727-372-8600 Web Page: www.stanpr.org Pastor: Rev. Eric Peters Associate Pastor: Rev. George P. Varkey Deacon: Rev. Mr. Melvin Dunphy STA Early Childhood Center: 376-2330; Bishop Larkin Catholic School (K-8): 862-6981; Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School: 857-2600 Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time - October 7, 2018 SCRIPTURE REFLECTION At first glance, the final part of today s Gospel doesn t seem connected to the previous teaching about divorce. But when we read it together, we can see how the passages actually present a strong picture of Jesus teaching on the importance of family. Among the many purposes of marriage is the raising of children. By welcoming children and fostering their relationship with God, parents and families bear witness to the Kingdom of God. At the end of today s Gospel, the people were bringing their children to Jesus, and again Jesus disciples show that they just don t get it. Recall that in the Gospel for each of the past two Sundays, Jesus has taught his disciples the value and importance of these little ones in the Kingdom of God. In today s Gospel, the disciples try to prevent people from bringing their children to Jesus. Jesus reprimands his disciples and welcomes these children. Once again, Jesus offers these children as an example of the kind of complete trust and dependence upon God that should be the attitude of all believers. Learning, Living and Sharing the Good News
A MESSAGE FROM FATHER ERIC Readings for the Week of October 7, 2018 As you read this, I will be away for the remainder of my annual vacation time from October 3rd through the 16th and will return to work on Wednesday, October 17th (I think I ve mentioned to you before that for years now I ve split up my vacation time between two weeks in June and two weeks in October). So, please enjoy your vacation from Father Eric! Secondly, I m happy to report that the plans for the festival are moving along nicely, and I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have already volunteered to help out! Like all festivals, our festival is open to anyone who wishes to come, whether they be Catholic, non-catholic, fallen-away Catholic or whatever, so it s a great opportunity to display to the world what we are about here in our parish. So, what can you do to help? You can help by being a festival promoter and just by telling people your family, friends and neighbors about the festival and inviting them to come! Also, if you would like flyers to promote the festival, please contact the parish office and the staff will be happy to supply you with some. Thanks for all you do for our Lord and for our parish you re the greatest! In His love, Father Eric Sunday: Gn 2:18-24/Ps 128:1-6/Heb 2:9-11/ Mk 10:2-16 or 10:2-12 Monday: Gal 1:6-12/Ps 111:1-2, 7-10/Lk 10:25-37 Tuesday: Gal 1:13-24/Ps 139:1-3, 13-15/ Lk 10:38-42 Wednesday: Gal 2:1-2, 7-14/Ps 117:1-2/Lk 11:1-4 Thursday: Gal 3:1-5/Lk 1:69-75/Lk 11:5-13 (Opt. Ez 34:11-16/Ps 23:1-3a, 4-6/John 21:15-17) Friday: Gal 3:7-14/Ps 111:1-6/Lk 11:15-26 Saturday: Gal 3:22-29/Ps 105:2-7/Lk 11:27-28 Next Sunday: Wis 7:7-11/Ps 90:12-17/ Heb 4:12-13/Mk 10:17-30 or 10:17-27 Weekend Readings are at (727) 372-8600 Mass Intentions Monday 8:00 a.m. Jeannett C. Cullum Tuesday 8:00 a.m. John Sessa Wednesday 8:00 a.m. Vocations Thursday 8:00 a.m. Isabelle M. Doyle Friday 8:00 a.m. Isabelle M. Doyle Saturday 4:00 p.m. Jean and Frank Malatesta 6:00 p.m. Nicolo Troina Sunday 7:00 a.m. Parish Family 8:30 a.m. Ann Malinconico 10:30 a.m. Blanche Patterson 5:00 p.m. Frank Wiedemann The monthly collection for the St. Vincent de Paul Society will be following every Mass next weekend, October 13 th and 14th, 2018 During the month of September, 3,652 pounds of food has fed 123 families and 386 people. The Pantry is open Monday and Thursdays, 9:30 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 3:30 p.m. Your kindness and generosity provides help to the needy! God Bless you!
Parish Calendar Mon. 10/08 6PM Scouts; 7PM Prayer Group Tues. 10/09 9AM Rosary Makers; 10AM Bereavement; 12PM Ladies Guild Baby Shower; 6PM Girl Scouts; 6:30PM Boy Scouts; 7PM Contemporary Choir Wed. 10/10 9AM Legion of Mary; 2PM Women s Faith Discussion; 5:15PM FF K-8; 7PM Traditional Choir Thurs. 10/11 1PM Catholic Daughters; 4PM Girl Scouts; 6PM Girl Scouts; 7PM Bible Study Fri. 10/12 Sat. 10/13 Sun. 10/14 12PM America Needs Fatima Rosary 8AM Pancake Breakfast; 5PM Mass Life Teen Offertory - September 29th and 30th $13,106.25 1,063.00-Online Giving $14,169.25-Total Sing a New Song Unto the Lord at the Free Family Faith Fest Our headline artist at the Family Faith Fest is one of the best known Christian music artists - Jeremy Camp. Also performing at the Family Faith Fest will be faithfilled artists Colton Dixon, Sarah Hart, ValLimar Jansen and Ivan Díaz. Gathering together as a community of faith, we will raise our voices and sing about God s great love, mercy and forgiveness and most of all, the hope that we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ. Bishop Gregory Parkes invites you to the Family Faith Fest, the Diocese of St. Petersburg s 50th Anniversary celebration, Saturday Oct. 27 from 10 am to 6 pm at Al Lopez Park in Tampa. To learn about the exciting lineup and to register for your free tickets visit www.familyfaithfest.org. Mass and Devotions Schedule Saturday Vigil: 4:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. Sunday: 7:00 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. (Contemporary) and 5:00 p.m. (LifeTeen ) Daily Mass: 8:00 a.m. Monday-Friday Healing Mass: 7:00 p.m. Monday (September - June) Holy Rosary after 8:00 a.m. Mass, Mon-Fri, in Blessed Sacrament Chapel Marian Novena after 8:00 a.m. Mass on Tuesdays Benediction & Adoration: 1st Fridays 8:30 10:00 a.m. (September May) Reconciliation: Saturday 2:30-3:30 p.m. or by appt. Parish Information Office hours 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. Monday-Friday, Sunday mornings. Call for information. Phone: (727) 372-8600 Website: www.stanpr.org Prayer Line: (727) 372-8600 Emergency Number for Anointing of the Sick: Nights & Weekends (727) 836-3211 Administration Business Office Fax: (727) 376-7204 Pastoral Ministries Coordinator: Mary Miller Ext 111 Parish Bookkeeper: Cherise Amundson Ext. 115 Bulletin Editor: Kate Ext. 113 Parish Ministry Faith Formation Team Leader Sue Sferra Ext. 132 Middle School (Edge) Sue Sferra Ext. 132 High School (Life Teen) - Beth DeBella and Cliff Stodden Ext. 131 RCIA Sue Sferra Ext. 132 Music - Dan O Hara Ext. 128 Parish Nurse, Ministry to the Sick & Homebound Betty West Ext. 116 Sacristan - JoAnn McVeigh Ext. 129 Stewardship Mary Ellen Taylor Ext. 144 St. Vincent de Paul Society Ext. 142 STA Early Childhood Center Alicia Mumma, Director (727) 376-2330 www.staecc.org Food Pantry: Monday and Thursday 9:30am until 11:00am and 1:30pm until 3:30pm Gift Store: Open before/after 4pm Saturday and 10:30am Sunday Masses Parish Library: Open during office hours
Father Gerard E. Powers Knights of Columbus Assembly 2882 Presents Fall Fling SATURDAY OCTOBER 13, 2018 TICKETS $20 OLQP Msgr Foynes Hall 5340 High St. New Port Richey MUSIC BY DJ LEWIS Doors Open at 5pm / Roast Port Dinner at 6pm For ticket information, please call: Charles P. Hope Faithful Navigator Fr. Gerard E. Powers Assembly 2882 727-494-2345
Florida Catholic Advocacy Network (FLCAN) Sign-Up Catholic social teaching invites us to love and pursue justice for our neighbors; to protect the sacredness and uphold the dignity of human life at every stage of development; to seek peace and promote the common good. Through the Florida Catholic Advocacy Network (FLCAN), Catholics across Florida can stay informed and take action on important public policy issues. Postcards will be available in the pews for you to complete next week. Please drop your postcard in the collection basket. You can also text FLCAN to 50457 to receive FLCAN notifications via text. You can join online at www.flaccb.org as well. Join the Rosary Coast to Coast Campaign, Sunday, October 7th at 4pm at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Americans across the country and around the world will pray the rosary at the same time for the intention of healing our country and restoring it to holiness. Visit RosaryCoastToCoast.com for more info. STA LADIES GUILD is hosting their Annual Baby Shower for SOLVE at their October 9th Meeting at NOON Refreshments will be Served. Any Parish Members wishing to Donate an Unwrapped Gift of Clothing (Size Newborn to 6X), Diapers or Monetary Contribution, can drop them off at the Parish Office from September 24th to October 8th. Let s Demonstrate the Love & Support our STA Catholic Family provides to Children within our Community! OLIVE WOOD ART On October 13-14, 2018, after all masses, a representative from nonprofit organization Bethlehem Christian Family will be selling crucifixes, religious art work and rosaries made of olive wood which is native to Israel and Bethlehem. Since tourism has greatly depleted, Christian families in the Holy land, who depend on tourists have been greatly affected. The goal of this mission is to build a charitable hospital in Bethlehem and help the poor and needy families in Bethlehem and Jerusalem. St. Thomas Fall Festival November 2nd, 3rd and 4th Help us advertise our event by sharing the flyers available in the narthex. Parishioners are respectfully asked to donate a case of canned soda or 2L bottles and a case of 16 oz. bottled water. Your donations can be dropped off at the church office or in the Narthex after masses on Saturday and Sunday, October 27th and 28th. Please donate: Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Diet Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew, Sprite, and 7-Up or store-bought cupcakes. Come and bring your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers! Help us make this a great success!
Faith Formation For All! Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time "Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it." From Mark 10 THIS Sunday October 7 = First Holy Communion Family Preparation Session I (following 10:30AM Mass - please gather in the Parish Center Hall). The Entire family is welcome, but at least one parent / adult must accompany child. For ALL families preparing child for sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist this formation year. A few of our second year Communion Preparation students from Mrs. Mumma & Mrs. Glenny s class understanding the presence and the love of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament chapel.! Faith Formation is in FULL SWING! Don t miss the enriching fun Contact the office for more info and to register. We are here to serve you in faith! Sunday 9AM- 10:15AM = K-6 The Adult RCIA meets weekly, Wednesdays at 6:30PM. The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is a process for the unbaptized (catechumen) and those baptized in another Christian faith, or the Catholic faith (candidates) who are seeking full communion in the Catholic Church. For more information, or to consider serving in this ministry, join us Wednesday in the parish hall. Sunday following 5PM Life Teen Mass = High School Youth Ministry OUR NEXT BAPTISM PREPARATION SESSION (for parents, godparents and any adult in the faith life of an infant child you are preparing for baptism) will be THIS WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 10th 6:30PM. Please contact Sue to register. Wednesday 5:15-6:30 = K-8 (which includes Middle School Edge) sue@stanpr.org
Knight s Korner Knights of Columbus Council #11497 October 14 th Pancake Breakfast following morning masses October 18 th Monthly Social @7PM (Adoration before @6PM) November 1 st Business Meeting @7PM (Adoration before @6PM) Did you know that you can become a Knight s of Columbus emember right now by going to KofC.org and pressing Join Us? Be sure to select Council 11497 and we do the rest! Further questions contact our Grand Knight Maurice A. Batista at (813) 493-4534. FREE CLASSES HAVE BEGUN IN ENGLISH AND AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP If you would like to attend, please come to our class rooms every Tuesday at 6:45pm to register and begin your studies. You may also contact the parish office of Our Lady Queen of Peace at 727-849-7521 Monday through Friday. Everyone is welcome and registration of $5.00 covers all materials. VOLUNTEER HELP NEEDED NOW If you can give 1 ½ hours a week helping someone to speak English or to apply for their American citizenship, please call the parish office at 727 849 7521.Training is provided. Office help is also needed. Call today and be a blessing to someone. ALTAR SERVER TRAINING Serving the faith from the altar is a privileged and needed ministry. If your child is in 3rd grade or older and has received First Holy Communion, contact Jo Ann McVeigh for info! She will be conducting a training session OCTOBER 20th FROM 9AM- NOON for new servers. Please pick up a registration form in the Altar Servers Room or at the Receptionist s desk. Please return form by Wednesday, October 10th. Adults are also needed for funerals on an as available basis. THANK YOU! You can reach Jo Ann at 727-372-8600 ext. 129 or email: jmcveighsta@live.com America Needs Fatima Please join the 2018 Public Square Rosary Crusade. Our nation is in great need of public prayer, repentance and conversion. We ask God to save America through the Rosary of His Most Holy Mother. Please join us in praying for our nation on October 13, 2018 at 12:00 noon. The local Public Square Rosary will take place in front of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, on the grounds of Via Dolorosa, 8320 Old County Road 54. For your comfort, if you feel you cannot stand for the rosary, feel free to bring a lawn chair. Please contact: Terri Connery at 727-376-8808 for more information.