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-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time - September 9, 2018 Bible Study Group Thursday Evenings from 7-8 PM Join us as we explore the seventy-three book library known as the Bible. Learn how the chosen people of God evolved. How sin and forgiveness, death and resurrection has saved all of us the chosen people of God. Learning, Living and Sharing the Good News
AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT from FATHER ERIC First of all, I want to thank those of you who took the time to offer your input on the current crisis in the Church, which included several very well-written letters which Father George and I passed on to the bishop at the meetings which he hosted this past week for all the priests of the diocese. Secondly, I would also like to offer to all of you, the dear people of our parish, the same opportunity that the bishop offered to all of us priests of the diocese, namely, the opportunity for you to meet and discuss this crisis. To that end, I will be hosting an open forum this Wednesday, September 12th at 7:00pm in the parish center, which will be open to any and all who wish to come (and which will also be open to any and all feelings you may wish to express and any thoughts you may have as to what should be done). I hope this open forum may be helpful to you and to our parish family as we seek answers, understanding and God s healing during this difficult time. In His love, Father Eric The monthly collection for the St. Vincent de Paul Society will be following every Mass this weekend, September 8 th and 9 th, 2018. During the month of August, 4,501 pounds of food fed 150 families and 481 people. Effective Monday, July 30 th, our new pantry hours are 9:30 a.m. 3:30 p.m. Monday and Thursday. We are no longer closing for lunch which we hope accommodates our neighbors who are only able to stop by during their lunch hour. God Bless you for your generosity! Readings for the Week of September 9, 2018 Sunday: Is 35:4-7a/Ps 146:7-10/James 2:1-5/ Mk 7:31-37 Monday: 1 Cor 5:1-8/Ps 5, 5-6, 7, 12/Lk 6:6-11 Tuesday: 1 Cor 6:1-11/Ps 149:1-6, 9/Lk 6:12-19 Wednesday: 1 Cor 7:25-31/Ps 45:11-12, 14-17/ Lk 6:20-26 Thursday: 1 Cor 8:1b-7, 11-13/Ps 139:1b-3, 13, 14b, 23-24/Lk 6:27-38 (Opt. Eph 4:1-7, 11-13/Ps 40:8a and 9a/Mk 4:1-10, 13-20 or 4:1-9) Friday: Nm 21:4b-9/Ps 78:1-2, 34-38/Phil 2:6-11/ Jn 3:13-17 Saturday: 1 Cor 10:14-22/Ps 116:12-13, 17-18/Jn 19:25-27 or Lk 2:33-35 Next Sunday: Is 50:5-9a/Ps 116:1-6, 8-9/James 2:14-18/Mk 8:27-35 Weekend Readings are at (727) 372-8600 Mass Intentions Monday 8:00 a.m. Margaret Cusiano Tuesday 8:00 a.m. Bill Schmidt Wednesday 8:00 a.m. Vocations Thursday 8:00 a.m. Bill Schmidt Friday 8:00 a.m. Lee Hy Saturday 4:00 p.m. Jan Zwart 6:00 p.m. William and Rosemary Farrell Sunday 7:00 a.m. Parish Family 8:30 a.m. Pamela Kaplan 10:30 a.m. Linda Ann Rae 5:00 p.m. Irma Kidd Is God calling you to a deeper prayer life? Mary Queen of Carmel Community is seeking those whom God is calling to deepen their prayer life, while living in the secular world. We follow the traditions of Saints Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, and Therese of Lisieux. We are offering an introductory course in Discalced Carmelite Spirituality starting September 23, 2018 at Espiritu Santo Parish in Safety Harbor. For more information, please call Karen at 727-328-4632.
Mon. 09/10 Tues. 09/11 Parish Calendar 6PM Scouts; 7PM Gospel Choir Rehearsal; 7PM Prayer Group 9AM Rosary Makers; 10AM Bereavement; 6:30PM Boy Scouts; 7PM Contemporary Choir Wed. 09/12 9AM Legion of Mary; 5:15PM FF K-8; 7PM Traditional Choir Thurs. 09/13 1PM Catholic Daughters; 4PM Girl Scouts; 6PM Girl Scouts; 7PM Bible Study; 7PM Life Teen Volunteer Mtg. Fri. 09/14 Sat. 09/15 Sun. 09/16 9AM Christian Men s Fellowship Mtg. 8AM Pancake Breakfast; 9AM FF Sunday Sessions; 5PM Mass Life Teen; 6PM Life Teen Offertory - September 1st and 2nd $15,306.32 1,293.00-Online Giving $16,599.32-Total SAVE THE DATE FOR THE FAMILY FAITH FEST OCTOBER 27, 2018 Mark your calendar to join Bishop Gregory Parkes for the Family Faith Fest at Al Lopez Park in Tampa on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. To celebrate our 50th anniversary, the Diocese of St. Petersburg is hosting a music and faith festival that includes Confession, Eucharistic Adoration, and the celebration of Mass. Two stages will feature live music and entertainment, plus much more! This is a free event, open to all. www.familyfaithfest.org. BayCare is a presenting sponsor. The Monday Evening Mass and Prayer Meeting resumes Monday, September 10th. 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 Fax: (727) 372-5712 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 3:30pm Gift Store: Open before/after 4pm Saturday and 10:30am Sunday Masses Parish Library: Open during office hours
We are in need of volunteers, cash donations and the following: Backpacks Lip Balm New White Socks Combs Men s Work Boots Non-prescription eyeglasses Gloves Shaving cream, Razors (esp. 9,9.5,10,10.5) Denture Items Sunscreen Deodorant Tampons Foot Powder Sample size soaps Sample size shampoo New Underwear Sample size body wash Toothpaste/toothbrush (Men/Women including XL and 2XL) Gently Used (men s and women s all sizes): Jackets, Short and Long-Sleeved T-shirts, Jeans, Leather Belts, Towels and Washcloths, Adult bicycles in good working condition (an anonymous donor will match each donation of a bike!) All items need to be clean and free of stains and holes. No dress clothes, please. We are unable to accept donations during the event, but will begin accepting drop-off donations August 14. Deadline for drop-offs is Friday, September 28. To volunteer or donate, visit ocnstanddown.org For info on donated items and/or for drop-off location, contact Mary Miller at mmpt11@aol.com or call: 727-372-8600, ext. 111.
Knight s Korner Knights of Columbus Council #11497 September 16 th Pancake Breakfast following morning masses September 20 th Monthly Social @7PM October 4 th Business Meeting @7PM 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 Batista at (813) 493-4534. Hispanic Mass in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquira All are welcome to celebrate the annual diocesan Hispanic Mass in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquira, patroness of Columbia, with Bishop Gregory L. Parkes on Saturday, October 13th at 10:00 am at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. Two Rewarding Volunteer Opportunities at Gulf Middle School A new incentive program has been implemented to recognize students who exhibit the school s core values: Respect, Responsibility, and Problem Solver. A School Store at which students can exchange earned tokens for prizes needs volunteers Monday through Friday during lunch hour (11 AM to 1 PM). Gulf Middle School will resume tutoring parents of students in English as a second language starting Wednesday, September 12. Tutors work with parents each Wednesday from 6 to 7 PM. No experience is necessary, just a passion for helping others learn a valuable skill. For information contact Liz Kuhns at727.774.8018 or ekuhns@pasco.k12.fl.us. Thank you! Come and See what CDA has to offer you and the women of your community. We are women of service and spirituality. Local Court St. Vincent de Paul #2172 will be hosting a Meet and Greet on Thursday, September 20th at 6:30pm in classroom #3 here at St. Thomas Aquinas. Membership is a blessing. We need You and God needs YOU. There will be light refreshments, door prizes and good company. We hope to see you there and bring a friend! Catholic Daughters of the Americas have been praying, serving and working together in Unity and Charity since 1903. "COME AND YOU WILL SEE"John 1:39 The Women s Faith Discussion Group Books, The Bible, Fellowship The Women s Faith Discussion Group will resume its meetings on September 19, 2018. We meet in the Community Room of the Parish Center on Wednesdays from 2:00-4:00 pm. Newcomers are very welcome! Please join us for fellowship, refreshments and a lively study of faith. This year we will be discussing several books, Revelation, and The Gospel of Luke. Please contact: Tina Risso at 727-846-1250 to register! Many thanks!
Faith Formation For All! Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Ephphatha! that is, Be opened! From Mark 7 WEEKLY FORMATION SESSIONS BEGIN THIS WEEK (according to your registered day / time of class) Weekly Kindergarten Grade 6 sessions are available on Sunday mornings 9:00AM 10:15AM (allowing families to participate in 10:30AM Mass), or Wednesdays from 5:15 6:30PM Weekly Middle School grades 6-8 Edge Youth Ministry sessions are available Wednesdays from 5:15PM 6:30 PM Weekly High School Youth Ministry grades 9-12 sessions (Life Teen model) are available Sundays from 5:00PM Mass (6:30PM fellowship start) Life Teen is part of the Confirmation preparation and curriculum RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) and RCIA adapted for youth sessions are available weekly, with Breaking Open the Word and Catechetical gatherings. NEXT SESSION WEDNESDAY 9/12 at 6:00PM Baptism Preparation for parents / godparents of infant & toddler children is available monthly as scheduled. Parent / Adult Faith Formation enrichment sessions are held on a regular basis as well as whole family sessions in preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation Children s Liturgy of the Word, weekly September May. (10:30AM Mass) NO REGISTRATION NEEDED Open to children after 4-7. After the opening prayer, the children are invited to go with a trained volunteer to a nearby ministry room. There they hear the scripture readings and reflect on its meaning in their lives. The children then explore how they can act on God s Word and live the Gospel. They will rejoin their parents and the adult community for the celebration of the Eucharist during Offertory. 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. 727-372-8600 ext. 129 jmcveighsta@live.com WEEKLY SESSIONS BEGIN THIS WEEK - SEPTEMBER 9th & SEPTEMBER 12th (according to registered day / time of class - see left) If you missed orientations, it s not too late IT S NEVER TOO LATE! Join us this week during the session you d like to register for. We are here to serve you in faith! To all families who will be walking the halls during these first days of faith formation - EXPECT a little CONTROLLED CHAOS happy & controlled! Patience is a virtue. May we all be carriers together!