Second Sunday in Ordinary Time January 20, 2019
Dear Parishioners of St. Thomas More Parish, Happy New Year! It s hard to believe it s mid-january 2019. When the end of December draws near and we get ready to ring in the new year," many of us reflect on the events of the past year and evaluate how they affected, inspired, and transformed us. As I reflect back on 2018, one of the major events for me was being appointed Director of Stewardship for our parish. In this role, I am responsible for the coordination and management of our various parish ministries and fundraising events and in doing so, encouraging parishioners to share of their time, talent and treasure. As this position is both new to the framework of our parish staff and to me, I expressed an interest to Father Taillon to attend the International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC) conference. The goal was to strengthen my understanding of Stewardship on a personal level, as well as the parish level. The ICSC, in its 56 th year, was held in October and attended by more than 800 individuals consisting of priests, nuns, office managers, stewardship directors, etc. The 3-day conference consisted of presentations, workshops and liturgies. Here is a summary of three of many presentations I attended: Bring Faith to Life through Stewardship of Time and Talent by defining talent as a natural pattern of thinking, feeling, or behaving that can be productively applied discovering what has been there all along. This enables us to identify talents in others and to explore practical ways to help parishioners recognize their own talents. This will enable one to grow in gratitude for all they are and will be, and to live their lives fruitfully as good stewards. Examples of this are regularly seen in our parish through ministries such as the Ladies Guild, the choir and musicians, Knights of Columbus, the festival and hospitality committees just to name a few. Stewardship, Discipleship and Evangelization Stewardship is a grateful response to God s abundant gifts lived in missionary discipleship. This session focused on stewardship as a way of life. Keeping Refreshed, Renewed and Focused on the Mission in this session, we focused on the Gospel account of the Woman at the Well, John 4:4-26 and we reflected on how, in a parish setting, we can make the mission of Jesus central to what we do. The presenters used the same gospel as an inspiration and reflection on how we can stay refreshed, renewed and focused on Jesus in our lives. In closing, I learned so much at each session and feel truly blessed to have represented our parish as well as the Diocese of Providence. I look forward to incorporating various teachings and concepts from the conference into our parish life at St. Thomas More. Blessings in the new year! Lynn Bamford, Director of Stewardship Over 80 different sessions were offered to attendees pertaining to stewardship, evangelization, parish business. Reverend Andrew Kemberling, V.F. Chairman of the Board, ICSC
Mass Intentions for the Week Saturday, January 19th: 5:00 PM: Marriage & Family Life Sunday, January 20th: 10:00AM: For the Soul of Francis O Brien Monday, January 21st: 9:00 AM: Birthday Remembrance ~ G. Edward Martin Tuesday, January 22nd: 9:00AM: Special Intention ~ James & Shirley Anderson (living) Wednesday, January 23rd: 9:00 AM: Anniversary ~ Nora Costello Thursday, January 24th: 9:00 AM: For the Soul of Dr. Everett Federici Friday, January 25th: 9:00 AM: Sanctity of Life Saturday, January 26th: 9:00 AM: Anniversary ~ Henry & Regina Sullivan 5:00 PM: For the Soul of Barbara Ronci Sunday, January 27th: 10:00AM: For the Souls of Members of the Military St. Veronica Chapel Saturday, January 19th: 4:00 PM: Pro Populo Sunday, January 20th: 11:00 AM: Anniversary ~ Barry Mills Sr. & Al Lupo Saturday, January 26th: 4:00 PM: For the Soul of Felisberto Rocha Sunday, January 27th: 11:00 AM: For the Souls of the Delaney & Kirwan Families Second Sunday in Ordinary Time January 20, 2019 Nations shall behold your vindication, and all the kings your glory. -- 1saiah 62:2 Men s Bible Study Our parish has a very active group of men, who for more than 16 years, have met each Saturday at 7:30AM in a "round table" format to discuss the Sunday scripture readings. It is very informal and attended by some scholarly and not-so-scholarly folks. It s rewarding and even some fun. Bring your coffee and come on over to St. Thomas More parish hall! Second Collection The second collection next weekend is for the annual Collection for the Church in Latin America. This year s theme is Share Your Faith. Donations from this collection are distributed to dioceses, parishes, seminaries and other Catholic institutions to assist in the formation of priests, religious, lay ministers, missionaries, catechesis, marriage and family life and youth ministers. In doing so, fellow Catholics in Latin America and the Caribbean who are rich in faith but lacking in material resources are not only able to participate more fully in the life of the Church, but also are able to share it with others as well. The support you give will provide opportunities for the future. Prayer Chain Ministry If you know someone who would like extra needed prayers, please call Jean at 783-3403 and express your request. Volunteers are needed for this important ministry. Please call Jean, if you can volunteer. Office Closed The parish office is closed this Monday, January 21st in observance of Martin Luther King s birthday. Come join us for the 9AM Masses.
A Visible God We find it difficult to convey ideas to people unless we can actually show them something, demonstrate what we mean. God, who is invisible and truly beyond human understanding, apparently faces the same difficulty. People want to see, not just listen to an idea. So God gave us Jesus Christ, God made visible in the world. During these past weeks we have seen how Jesus was revealed as an infant to the shepherds and the magi, and then began his adult public life at his baptism by John. Today s Gospel reading tells us of his first sign, providing wine for the wedding guests at Cana. Of course, even Jesus, God made visible, was not always easily understood in his own day, nor is he even now. So we have to ponder what we see: the poverty and simplicity of his birth, his humility and openness before John the Baptist, his kindness and compassion toward people in their ordinary problems, such as running short of wine at a wedding. Yet it is in coming to know Jesus that we come to know God. Meeting for all missionaries going to the Dominican Republic Sunday, January 27th ~ attend the 10am Mass at St. Thomas More with a meeting to follow in the parish hall. Be prepared to take suitcases which have supplies for the clinic and school. Pray the Rosary The rosary is prayed each weekday after the 9:00AM Mass at St Thomas More and for the special intention of peace in the world and on Saturday mornings at 8:30AM before Mass. Please join us, when ever you are available. The Rhode Island Catholic an annual subscription campaign has begun. Why not receive the news from our diocese, country and around the world!! Subscribe for only $30.00 per year and have the good news delivered to your home. Just drop the specially marked envelope in the budget collection basket no later than Sunday, February 25th or call 272-1010. Please make checks payable to Rhode Island Catholic. With my mouth, God says, I kiss my own chosen creation. I uniquely, lovingly, embrace every image I have made out of the earth s clay. With a fiery spirit I transform it into a body to serve all the world. Hildegard of Bingen
Religious Education Schedule ~ January 2019 Sun. AM: Jan. 27th Grades 1~4: 10:05~10:55AM ~ St. Veronica Mon. PM: Jan. 28th Grades 1~4: 4:00~5PM ~ St. Thomas More Wed. PM: Jan. 23rd & 30th Grades 5 & 6: 4:15~5:15PM ~ St. Veronica Wed. PM: Jan. 23rd & 30th Grades 7 & 8: 5:45~6:45PM ~ St. Veronica Conf. I: Grade 9: Conf. II: Grade10: Jan. 27th 7:00PM ~ 8:15PM ~ St. Veronica Jan. 27th 7:00PM ~ 8:15PM ~ St. Veronica In recognition of our Catholic Schools, we would like to invite any student that attends Catholic School to wear their school uniform to Masses on Jan. 26th and 27th. Fr. Taillon celebrating Mass at Msgr. Clarke School RCIA The next class is on Tuesday, January 29th at 7:30PM at St. Thomas More parish hall. Msgr. Clarke School Open House Sunday, January 27th from 1~3pm Now Enrolling from 18 months to 8th Grade. Come see our facility, meet our teachers, learn about our core values and see what makes us the right choice for you! Have a perspective Kindergarten or Middle School student (6-8th)? Attend a presentation given by the teachers at 12 noon. RSVP: https://conta.cc/2ffgjh1 Visit our website www.monsignorclarkeschool.org or contact Sara Marshall, Dir. of Admissions & Development ~ 789-0860 smarshall@monsignorclarkeschool.org Support for those affected by drugs and alcohol Few lives are untouched by the effects of drug and alcohol problems. Maybe you have a loved one dealing with addiction. St. Matthias provides recovery coaches who work one-to-one with folks seeking recovery. Spiritual guidance is also offered if requested. The ministry is free and available to persons of all faiths throughout the state. For information, contact Peter Magnotta at 421-7833 x 217 or pmagnotta@dioceseofprovidence.org. Free Rosary Repair Bring your broken rosary beads to the parish office, in an envelope with your name & telephone number. We will call you when they have been repaired. Can you help? If you would you like to volunteer to be on a team for our mercy meals, please call the parish office at 789-7682 These meals are for families who are grieving and are offered after the funeral.
Dress a Girl with Love! A group of women from South Kingstown and Narragansett gather weekly to sew bright, colorful dresses to donate to impoverished girls in Third World Nations. We are privileged to donate 30 dresses to St. Thomas More Mission Team. These dresses will travel with the mission team to the Dominican Republic in February. We are thrilled to be part of this wonderful endeavor. If anyone has any cotton fabric that they would like to donate to continue our work, please contact Diane at ian@denelle.com or Susan at sduxbury98@gmail.com. Thank you! St. Gabriel s Call The diocesan outreach ministry for women and families during and beyond pregnancy. You can be part of this essential life-affirming work by becoming a Gabriel Angel volunteer. Put your faith and compassion in action and walk with an expectant mother through difficult decisions and challenges. In a spirit of Christian love and friendship, Gabriel Angel volunteers accept the mother s fears and worries in deepest confidence and find was to alleviate them. Our help can include material items for babies and children up to 4 years of age, referrals to services and access to social services available within the Diocese of Providence. We have 3 locations is in need of volunteers on various days for 2 to 3 hours one day a week. If you are interested in learning more about the ministry and how you can share your God-given time and talent, call Carol Owens at 421-7833 x 218. Choir Invitation ~ Calling All Singers he St Thomas More & St. Veronica choirs are welcoming new singers. Our ever-growing mix of musical selections are drawn from the best of the great old and new lines of liturgical repertoire ~ traditional, classical, as well as contemporary. Practice at St. Thomas More is on Tuesdays at 7PM in the choir loft (enter from the parking lot), and the choir sings at the 10AM Mass on Sundays from September to June. Contact Ed at 323-6323, for more information. Practice at St. Veronica is on Wednesdays at 7PM in the Church. We sing at the 9AM & 11AM Masses all year. Please come and join our choir family. We can always use piano accompanists. Contact Steve at 742-8708 for more information. Second Sunday Ordinary Time Today s first reading from Isaiah arises out of the ordeal of the people of Jerusalem and Judea as they anticipate the end of seventy years of exile in Babylon. Their sufferings and their oppression will end, and they are promised joy like that of a great wedding up on returning to their homeland. Although this passage is probably set in the early sixth century B.C., it is free of historical particulars. Accordingly, the Church has understood its imagery universally, as it proclaims God s promise of healing, hope, and happiness for all peoples, in this world and in the next. When read against this background, the story of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding at Cana becomes a revelation of God s presence in the person of Jesus, making these promises real for us in the here and now, in the transformation of our own lives. Free Tax Assistance Federal & State Income Tax returns will be prepared free of charge at the Community Center, Narragansett. Appointment only ~ 782-0675. Please bring photo ID, SS card, last year s return and this year s supporting documents. Check out our bookracks located at the Church parking lot entrance at St. Thomas More and in the main entrance at St. Veronica Chapel. There are lots of new cd s and pamphlets. Great gift ideas!
M-Sa: 7am-10pm Sun: 7am-8pm From the WLP Vault comes the Bible Story of Christmas featuring 8 Classic Christmas Carols and a reading of the Gospel of Luke 2: 4-20 by Bing Crosby! Also available on vinyl. 800-566-6150 A Better Place To Shop Belmont Shoppers Park Wakefield - 783-4656 PIER LIQUOR 401-783-0333 Separately Owned & Operated Photo Courtesy of Bing Crosby Enterprises Visit WLPmusic.com to purchase your copy - CD $10.00 DO YOU HAVE SALES EXPERIENCE? ARE YOU WELL NETWORKED IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY? J.S. PALUCH COMPANY Enjoy All Your Favorite Songs & Hymns Anytime, Anywhere CLASSICS FOR... FEASTS & SEASONS WORSHIP HYMNS & SONGS PRAISE & HONOR 62 CLASSICS ON 4 DISK BOX SET Now Available! Shipped Directly To Your Home ONLY $39.95 NATIONAL PUBLISHER OF CHURCH BULLETINS Full & Part Time Positions Available with Excellent Earning Potential! Medical Benefits, 401K, Life & AD&D Insurance Available Excellent Commission Compensation Program EARN MONEY! Interested? Call Kay Leane 1.800.621.5197 x2823 DO GOOD! MAKE A or Email Resume to RECRUITING@JSPALUCH.COM POSITIVE IMPACT! www.jspaluch.com Standing on the Rock CD by James Wahl plus shipping, handling, and applicable sales tax FUN AND FAITH-FILLED MUSIC Shop Online www.wlpmusic.com or Call 1-800-566-6150 for little ones, with 10 songs based on Bible stories and the teachings of Jesus. This is a new music collection for preschool children and those who are in early grade school. Blessed Art Thou Mother, Lady, Mystic, Queen Art by Brother Michael O Neill McGrath, OSFS Prayers by Father Richard N. Fragomeni Hardcover book $39.95 $17.00 + S&H 800-566-6150 www.wlp.jspaluch.com/14028.htm 800-566-6150 Please Cut Out This Thank You Ad and Present It The Next Time You Patronize One of Our Advertisers World Library Publications the music and liturgy division of J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. www.wlpmusic.com Medical Alert System $29.95/Mo. billed quarterly Call Today! CLIPPER One Free Month No Long-Term Contract Price Guarantee Easy Self Installation Toll Free 1.877.801.8608 Fagan-Quinn FUNERAL HOME Family Owned Traditional & Cremation Services SEAFOOD Retail Thank you for advertising in our church bulletin. I am patronizing your business because of it! MICHAEL F. QUINN PATRICK J. QUINN JEROME D. QUINN MARIA A. KING Open Daily 825 Boston Neck Road North Kingstown, RI 02852 Fresh Fish, Lobsters, Shellfish Located behind Roch s - Bonnet 401.295.5603 782-8277 www.faganquinnfuneralhome.com 924250 St Thomas More Church (B) www.jspaluch.com For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-524-0263
CATARINA S WILLIAM J. RILEY Plumbing & Heating ITALIAN VILLAGE RESTAURANT OPEN TUES - SUN (Closed Monday) 4 PM - 10 PM 945 BOSTON NECK RD. Bonnett Shores NARRAGANSETT, RI 366 South Pier Road 401-789-1725 COCKTAILS BEER IMPORTED WINES (401) 783-3272 An ideal companion for personal prayer. www.rileyplumbing.com Package Store Narragansett, RI Saint Margaret Sunday Missal 738-1688 O Neil s Beer, Wine & Spirits Mon - Sat 8am - 10pm Sun Noon - 6pm PRIVATE DUTY NURSING HOME AND HOSPITAL 5th Annual Gansett Half Marathon Cathleen Naughton Associates S. Kingston Office Park-G-1 Registration at the North Beach Clubhouse Medicare sea food l sea friends l sea view CALL OR ORDER ONLINE. $39.95 Pizza, Calzones, Pastry www.gansetthalfmarathon.com Private Insurance In Stock & Ready to Order Today. Calvitto s Pizza & Bakery FOR MORE INFO 783-6116 SALT POND SHOPPING CENTER, NARRAGANSETT 40 Ocean Road Narragansett, RI 783-8086 401.789.0700 VILLAGE AT THE COMMONS, WAKEFIELD 782-2285 thecoastguardhouse.com 800-566-6150 www.wlpmusic.com Avery-Storti Funeral Home & Crematory Serving South County Families Since 1863 88 Columbia St., Wakefield - 783-7271 - www.averystortifuneralhome.com Directors, Peter J. Storti, Michael F. Ryan, Joseph A. Notarantonio, Leah M. Scipione, Joshua P. Storti Traditional Cremation Services Monuments On Site Crematory Grow Your Business, Advertise Here. Support Your Church & Bulletin. Free professional ad design & my help! Richard Beaupre, LICSW 35 South County Commons Way, Suite D8 South Kingstown, Rhode Island 02879 www.jspaluch.com email: sales@jspaluch.com Evidence-based therapy from a Catholic faith-based perspective. For Information... Call Tel: (401) 284-2933 richard@journeyllc.com www.journeyllc.com 800.524.0263 NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY Family Owned & Operated Since 1906 1278 PARK AVENUE CRANSTON, RI 02910 Get this 942-1220 1111 BOSTON NECK ROAD NARRAGANSETT, RI 02882 weekly bulletin 789-6300 Robert A. Nardolillo, Jr. David M. Nardolillo Angelo M. Nardolillo, Directors delivered by email - for FREE! Ph. (401) 783-8020 Fax (401) 783-8142 Check out our work at the Church 204 Main St., Wakefield rawlingsfloor1@verizon.net www.rawlingsfloor.com Sign up here: https://www.jspaluch.com/bulletinsubscribe.aspx Barry Mills Courtesy of J.S. Paluch Company, Inc. www.spainri.com bayscape1@verizon.net Landscaping and Nursery 401-783-3330 924250 St Thomas More Church (A) Restaurant Lounge & Patio 1144 Ocean Rd., Narragansett, RI 02882 401.783.9770 Fax 401.782.2838 www.jspaluch.com 933 Boston Neck Road ~ Narragansett For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-524-0263