Saint Thomas A Becket Roman Catholic Church A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust 139 Gill Hall Road, Jefferson Hills, PA 15025 WELCOME SEPTEMBER 21, 2014 If you are new to our area we invite you to share fully in our parish life. Your presence brings new gifts to our community. Please take a moment to register. Forms are available at the Parish office. MISSION STATEMENT We, the faith community of Saint Thomas A Becket are a suburban family-oriented parish founded in 1957 that continues to grow in spiritual gifts and blessings. These blessings are inherited through our baptism and empowered by the Holy Spirit to share, to witness and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. Enriched by the Sacraments, rooted in the Eucharist, we humbly seek to support the foundations of family and faith in our parish and surrounding community, particularly, serving those most in need so that Christ s love might be more abundant in all our lives. DEVOTION: Infant of Prague Novena: Tuesday after Mass. Our Mother of Perpetual Help Novena: Thursday after Mass. SACRAMENT OF PENANCE: Saturday 4:00 p.m., or anytime by appointment. SACRAMENT OF THE SICK: Available to the chronically or seriously ill. Call the Parish office. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: Baptism is celebrated on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. Parents are required to participate in one Baptism Preparation Session offered during the months of January, April, July and October. Please call the Parish for the date and time of the Session. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE: Couples must meet with a priest at least six months prior to their wedding date. No date can be confirmed until this meeting. Couples are required to attend an approved pre-cana preparation program. (RCIA) RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS: The Easter Season welcomes new Catholics or those adult Catholics who wish to complete their Sacrament of Initiation (Holy Communion, Confirmation) into full communion with the church. This is a process of prayer, study and decision. Any adult wishing to inquire further should contact the Parish office. SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS: Please call the Pastor if you feel you might be called to the Priesthood or diaconate.
ST. THOMAS A BECKET JEFFERSON HILLS, PA For the Week of September 21, 2014 It is a Holy and Wholesome Thought to Pray for the Dead. Saturday, September 20 5:00 PM... Ted & Anna Radosz (Kulish Family) *Sunday, September 21, Anniversary of Church Dedication (25th Sunday in Ordinary Time) 8:00 AM... Our Deceased Family Members (Kingsley & Lynette Baldwin) 10:15 AM... Joe & Hilda Schilling (Sons & Daughters) 12:00 NN... For the People of the Parish Monday, September 22 9:00 AM... Virginia Pecora (John Dolfi) *Tuesday, September 23, 2nd Anniversary of the Dedication of the new Saint Thomas A Becket Church 9:00 AM... James O Halek (Pat & Family) Wednesday, September 24 9:00 AM... June Buechel (Lois Breisinger) Thursday, September 25 9:00 AM... Al Stock (Alberta Sherman) Friday, September 26 9:00 AM... Father Thomas Ferris (M/M Fred Lipa) Saturday, September 27 2:30 PM... Kresley & Swartele Nuptials 5:00 PM... Tom Weldon (St. Thomas A Becket Preschool) Sunday, September 28, 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 AM... For the People of the Parish 10:15 AM... Ariana Rose Tuite (Bragano Family) 12:00 NN... Charles Jester (Wife, Dorothy) Readings for the Week of September 21, 2014 Sunday: Is 55:6-9/Phil 1:20c-24, 27a/Mt 20:1-16a Monday: Prv 3:27-34/Lk 8:16-18 Tuesday: Prv 21:1-6, 10-13/Lk 8:19-21 Wednesday: Prv 30:5-9/Lk 9:1-6 Thursday: Eccl 1:2-11/Lk 9:7-9 Friday: Eccl 3:1-11/Lk 9:18-22 Saturday: Eccl 11:9--12:8/Lk 9:43b-45 Next Sunday: Ez 18:25-28/Phil 2:1-11 or 2:1-5/Mt 21:28-32 Liturgical Publications Inc Saturday Sunday Daily Holy Days The beautiful flowers at the Blessed Mother this week are in loving memory of Rita Balas, from Son, Bill. The Vigil Light at the Tabernacle in the Church will burn this week in loving memory of George & Marie Lamars, from Sparta Family. The Vigil Light in the Chapel will burn this week in loving memory of Bernard J. Porzucek, from Beverly & Greg Schechter. STEWARDSHIP OF THE LORD S TREASURE Date MASS SCHEDULE 5:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m., 10:15 a.m. & 12:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday 9:00 a.m. See Schedule in Bulletin PARISH STAFF Pastor Reverend Daniel J. Maurer 412-655-2885 Deacon, Gerard Como 412-655-2885 D.R.E. & Pre-School Sister Dolores Ann, SCN 412-653-4322 Social Service Minister Sister Mary Judith, SCN 412-655-2885 Minister of Music, Carol Accetta 412-655-2885 PARISH OFFICE HOURS Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. PHONE 412-655-2885 FAX 412-655-0615 Diocese of Pittsburgh Abuse Hotline: 1-888-808-1235 Parish Website: www.saintthomasabecket.com Total Offertory 9/14/14 Collected at Masses $8,462.2 5 On-line Giving $1,371.00 Bishop s Education $1,066.00
From Fr. Dan. Happy SECOND Birthday to St. Thomas A Becket s New Church Building!!! September 23, 2012, was the day of the beautiful dedication liturgy for the new church. Although I was not yet the pastor here, and was not present for the liturgy, I ve watched the DVD of it, plus I know from past experience how beautiful, solemn and powerful the dedication liturgy for a new church is: ceremonially unlocking the doors and entering the new church for the first, official time; hundreds of people gathered in celebration; wonderful music and song; etc All the different aspects of that elaborate liturgy help us to appreciate the significance of sacred space: sprinkling holy water; anointing the walls with Sacred Chrism (candles are lit at those places of anointing each year to remind us); Sacred Chrism poured over the altar; and clouds of incense drifting throughout. Because of the prominence of a church building in the life of a parish faith community, the day of dedication becomes a solemnity within a parish community and is to be commemorated each year with special joy and celebration! Although the actual day is Tuesday, we celebrate it at this weekend s Masses, with special readings, music and prayers. We continually get compliments from visitors to our church (e.g. people from other parishes, from out-of-town or those from all different places who attend weddings and funerals here). Repeatedly I hear what a beautiful church you have here! That is certainly something that the people of St. Thomas A Becket Parish can be proud of, as it took the hard work and sacrifice of so many to make it a reality! While the Church is so much more than steel, glass, marble, bricks, mortar, etc, the physical building stands as the visible, spiritual heart of a local manifestation of the Body of Christ. What we celebrate in our church building is the source and summit of who we are as a Catholic Christian people. Our regular celebration of the Eucharist draws us together and nourishes us in Christ! Hopefully, each of us, as we enter our church time and again, pass that baptismal font, and prepare to celebrate Communion, are reminded that we are part of something we belong to the Body of Christ. That Body is far bigger and can achieve far more than any one of us alone. Being mindfull of that helps us have a different and better perspective on being connected and involved in our Sunday liturgies (and our weekday liturgies if possible); and on giving of our time, talent and treasure to enrich the life and work of this parish. To paraphrase St. Paul, the Body needs all its members working together to be strong and healthy. We have many dedicated people who make this parish a success and that has been the case throughout it s 57 year history. Celebrating a new phase in our parish history, marked prominently with a new church building, will hopefully help each of us to reflect on our involvment (or potential involvement) in this parish and, even though the physical church building is (almost) done (there is that matter of a yet-to-becompleted social hall on the lower level of the new building), hopefully we will each pariticpate actively and fully in the continued building of the Church, the Body of Christ! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * This TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, (the actual anniversary of the dedication of our new church) we will have, appropriately, an extended period of Eucharistic Adoration in the main church. Since this beautiful House of God was built as a place to encounter our Lord in the Sacraments, what better way to celebrate than spending time with the Sacramental presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist! Following the 9:00 AM Mass that day (which will take place in the main church, not the Day Chapel), the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the Altar and will remain there throughout the day. Stop in any time during the day to spend time in prayer before our Lord and/or join us at 6:30 PM to honor our Blessed Mother by praying the Rosary, and then receive a blessing directly from Christ as we celebrate the Rite of Benediction! Since the Blessed Sacrament should never be exposed without people present for adoration, there is a sing-up sheet in the narthex (entry-way) of the church. If you know you can commit to a specific period of prayer, please put your name down. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * This weekend, throughout the Church, Catechetical Sunday is celebrated. This is a day dedicated to the important work of Catechesis, which is a major part of the mission of the Church, and involves the entire process of helping people to be formed as disciples of Christ. This happens on many different levels (spiritually, intellectually, socially, etc.) and in many different ways: parents (and Godparents) teaching children; religious ed. classes (C.C.D.); adult education; liturgy; R.C.I.A.; bible study, etc. It fits perfectly with the dedication of our new Church, because just as the literal building of a church takes a lot of effort and sacrifice, the figurative building of the Church (The Body of Christ) also takes a lot of work and dedication. Today we recognize, bless and thank those who have offered their time and talents to the effort of teaching others the Faith. SPECIAL THANKS GO OUT TO THOSE WHO HAVE VOLUNTEERED AS CATECHISTS IN OUR RELIGIOUS ED. CLASSES; OUR RCIA TEAM; DEACON GERRY; AND ESPECIALLY, SR. DOLORES ANN, WHO ORGANIZES, OVERSEES, AND IS INVOLVED IN THE MANY ASPECTS OF CATECHESIS IN THIS PARISH! THANK YOU!! AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU IN YOUR EFFORTS!
TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SEPTEMBER 21, 2014 WEDDING BANNS BANNS III Bryan Kresley & Amy Swartelle CATHETICAL SUNDAY 2014 Today, the Church celebrates Catechetical Sunday, and focuses on the theme Teaching About God s Gift of Forgiveness. Those whom the community has designated to serve as catechists are called forth to be commissioned for their ministry. Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the gospel. ROSARY FOR: ANNA MITUSKI SEPTEMBER 30 WILLIAM VOELKER OCTOBER 7 The Rosary will be recited on the above Tuesdays for Anna and William. This will be at 8:40 a.m. before the 9:00 a.m. Mass. May Anna and William rest in the peace of the Lord. Today is an opportunity for all to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith. St. Thomas A Becket Faith Formation Program is proud to announce the following catechists who will be serving this parish: Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 High School Stephanie Martinis-Mary Rosgony Beth Salimbene Michelle Gardiner-Sherrie Kearns Carrie Lekse Charmaine Bragano-Melanie Burcin Jason Oechslein Chuck LoPresti-Leah Payne-Joyce Scott Chuck Heiry-Chris Holtz-Alan Michael Rosemarie Bonacchi-Sally Cathell Juanita Lichalk Toni Aceto-Michael Adams Doreen Bennett Pat Gamble-Danielle Kolcun Sue Weber Ryan Alderson-Carole Good-Ron Good Chad Succop GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU AND THOSE Heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Gloria Grunsky, sister of Howard Brandt and Robert Alderson, brother of David Alderson of our parish. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed be embraced by the Heavenly Father unto everlasting life. May Gloria and Robert rest in the peace of the Lord. GRIEF SUPPORT SESSIONS The opportunity is here. We invite you to join the sessions which will begin on Wednesday, October 15 and continue for six weeks. These sessions will be held at St. Thomas A Becket on Wednesdays beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the School Building. For more information or to register, please call Sister M. Judith at 412-655-2885 ext. 303. There is no charge to attend. SINGERS NEEDED FOR ADULT CHOIR We have openings for both men and women in our Choir, which sings each Sunday at the 10:15 Mass. Interested singers, please see Carol Accetta after the weekend Masses or email her at sevengirls@comcast.net. JOE CORBI S PIZZA FUNDRAISER The Preschool children and the Religious Education students will get their information packet on this fundraiser. Flyers will also be available on the table in the back of Church. Please complete your order, return it with your check in the envelope provided no later than Thursday, October 9, 2014.
SAINT THOMAS A BECKET SEPTEMBER 21, 2014 Liturgical Ministers for September 28, 2014 Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Sat. 5:00 p.m. Deacon Gerry-Carole Good-Ron Good Sun. 8:00 a.m. Deacon Gerry-Pat Bohonak-Mike Franczak Sun. 10:15 a.m. Deacon Gerry-Rita Dischner-Leah Payne Sun. 12:00 p.m. Deacon Gerry-Bob Limegrover-Linda Michaels Lectors: Sat. 5:00 p.m. Mary Grace Reynolds Sun. 8:00 a.m. Pam Adams Sun. 10:15 a.m. Kay Dryer Sun. 12:00 p.m. Joe Maola Acolytes: Sat. 5:00 p.m. James Martinie-Ian McVicker-Victoria Smith Sun. 8:00 a.m. Josh Adams-Chuck LoPresti-Jeremy Wasik Sun. 10:15 a.m. Rachel Aul-Lance Lesutis-Zachary Lesutis Sun. 12:00 p.m. Anthony Aceto-Sam Limegrover-Domenic Pearson It couldn t get any easier! Representatives from RITE-AID will be here at our parish to provide flu-shots. WHEN? Tuesday, Sept. 30, 9:30 AM to Noon. WHERE? In the Coffee Shop (lower-level of school building) WHAT S THE COST? FREE, with almost any insurance ($25 without insurance) OR, you could just skip it and hope for the best... COMMUNITY EVENTS HOMEMADE APPLE DUMPLINGS Jefferson United Methodist Church, 310 Gill Hall Road will have their annual Apple Dumpling sale. These apple dumplings are available for $3.00. Order forms available on the table as you exit the Church. ANNUAL FALL FLEA MARKET Come join us on Saturday, October 4 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Gym on Route 51 in Pleasant Hills. Free admission & free parking. To reserve a table, call Therese at 412-653-4857. Proceeds benefit the St. Elizabeth Respect Life Group. 20TH ANNUAL FALL CRAFT/VENDOR SHOW St. Michael s Christian Mothers & Women s Guild are planning this event which will be held on Sunday, October 5, 2014 in Archangel Hall from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Crafters/Vendors are still needed! For more information, please call Roseanne at 412-751-4263. ST. THOMAS A` BECKET 8 TH ANNUAL GOLF OUTING St. Thomas A` Becket Parish is sponsoring their 8th Annual Golf Outing at South Hills Country Club on Monday, October 13, 2014. The registration fee will include range balls, golf, cart, lunch, cocktails, dinner and prizes. Golf packages are: $190.00 Single or $760.00 for a Foursome. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Non-golfers are welcome to attend the dinner only for $45.00 and table reservations can be made for up to 10 guests through Debbie Madden at 412-655-9335. There will be live entertainment during the cocktail hour and the hilarious Pittsburgh Dad, Curt Wootton, will be the MC. Registration information can be found on the St Thomas A` Becket website (www.saintthomasabecket.com) or by contacting Ben Huber at 412-650-1505. Come and be part of an event to build our parish community!
Tickets are $35 per person Seating limited to the first 400 ADULT guests. Reservation and payment must be received in the Parish Office by October 1, 2014. No. of tickets requested: