MASS SCHEDULE MONDAY, September 4, 2017 9:00am Jeanine & Francois Emmanuel TUESDAY, September 5, 2017 9:00am Thanksgiving to Our Lord Jesus Christ WEDNESDAY, September 6, 2017 9:00am Mary Varca THURSDAY, September 7, 2017 9:00am Ida & Alfred Scerbo FRIDAY, September 8, 2017 9:00am Dr. Diana Oquendo SATURDAY, September 9, 2017 9:00am Mariantonia Tambasco 5:30pm Bertrand Destin SUNDAY, September 10, 2017 8:00am Purgatorial Society, People of the Parish, In Thanksgiving 11:30am Brian Charles Khan 5:30pm Roselyn Ross & Chisholm Ross Sick: Rosaline Peiters, Annette Petti, Monroe Okola, Ed Rossnagel, Paul Peridon Sr., Isidro Padilla, Ann Dormody, Jean Chenet, Rosemary Podesta, Louis Cardiello Martin Ewald, Anthony Boffa, Ellen Lahane, Julien Dolisca, Frank Incorvaia, Patricia Farrow Chin, Jim Polloicino, Patricia Watson, Ingrid Velinskie, Grace Lipani, Carissa D Alba, Kimberly Palmo, Edwin Walsh, Dorothy Lasher, Isidoros Binikos, Dr Vijay Anand, Carol Melo, Antoinette Casconi For those who have died: Madeline Keutsen MEMORIAL GIFTS Altar Bread and Wine-In memory of Ian Bubb donated by Veronica Bubb Those in the Armed Services in these difficult times, let us lift up in prayer for our brave men and women who fight for our freedom all over the world. May God bless them and keep them safe. A MESSAGE FROM FR. DWAYNE Dear Parishioners, Hope you had a great summer. I would like to wish all the young people who are returning back to school great success in the new school year. We are excited here at St. Thomas Aquinas to begin our new pastoral year. As you know in 2015 our late beloved pastor Msgr. Brown commissioned our parish trustee and artist Mr. Christopher Spinelli to create a sketch for the painting of our parish sanctuary. The sketch was presented to the parish later that fall, which still sits at the back of the Church. Msgr. Brown began working on the center piece of the sanctuary that fall. It is my hope to complete this project this fall. Beginning the week of September 10th, 2017 for about two to three weeks we will be completing the painting of the sanctuary. All parish masses and activities will continue as scheduled. I am sorry for any inconvenience this might cause. After its completion we will dedicate the sanctuary to Msgr. Brown and all the priests who have served us here at St. Thomas Aquinas. If you wish to make a donation to this project, please contact the rectory. As we begin the new pastoral and school year let us continue to pray for each other and those most need of our prayers. At your service and His Fr. Dwayne
MEMORIAL GIFTS A Memorial gifts is another way you can honor a loved one who has died. Altar Bread and Wine, Altar Candles and the Sanctuary Lamp. Each one is $25.00 for the week. ROSARY SOCIETY ATLANTIC CITY TRIP The Rosary Society of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish runs a trip to Resorts Casino in Atlantic City on the FIRST THURSDAY of every month. The bus leaves from in front of St. Thomas Aquinas Church ( 1550 Hendrickson St. between Flatlands Ave. and Ave. P.) at 8:30AM. The cost is $40.00, which includes a bagel for breakfast and a $30.00 bonus from the Casino. The next trip is scheduled for Thursday, September 7, 2017 For further details or to sign up for the trip, please call Noreen at (718) 253-7824 MASS SCHEDULE TO RESUME Beginning on Monday September 11th 2017 we will resume the following Mass Schedule: Monday at Noon Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 6:30am and Noon Friday at Noon Saturday at 8:30am and 5:30pm (Vigil) Sunday at 8:00am; 11:30am and 5:30pm Tuesday, September 19 th, 2017- Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Meeting 7:30PM in the Church Sunday, September 24 th, 2017- St. Thomas Aquinas Grandparent Day, Celebration 11:30AM Mass Following Fellowship Sunday in our School Cafeteria. Tuesday, September 26 th, 2017- Lectors Meeting 7:30pm Church Tuesday, October 3 rd, 2017- Ministers of Hospitality/Usher Meeting 7:00PM in the Church. CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to our 50/50 winner for the month of July M/M H Rendon We had 80 people who participated so the winner received $400.00. Our next drawing is September 3, 2017 at the 11:30am Mass. Good Luck to all! (Due to an oversight, this was not put in the bulletin, last month.)
KNITTING AND CROCHETING AT ST. THOMAS AQUINAS Join the parishioners of St. Thomas Aquinas this Fall in the STA Knit Pit and Crochet Crew Group to learn how to make great knit and crochet projects. Rosemary Murphy, Marie Gedeon, Eva Charles, Florence Mau, led by Marie Valcin (far left) and Zelma Baez (far right), have already completed scarves, hats, decorative pillow case covers, baskets and booties since the group started in June 2017. If you are interested in joining the STA Knit Pit and Crochet Crew Group that meets on Saturdays at 11:00 am in the Aquinas Center, please text or call Mary-Cassandra Odenat at 917-922-3312. COMMUNION TO THE HOMEBOUND If you know of a parishioner who is unable to attend mass on the weekend, or are unable to attend yourself, please contact Fr. Clifford at 1-718-253-4404. Fr. Clifford will arrange a visit and then assign an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion to visit on a regular basis. Homebound parishioners are very grateful to be able to receive communion in their homes. Please keep our homebound members in your prayers. OFFICE HOURS Please be aware of the rectory office hours: Monday Thursday 9am-12pm & 1pm-8pm Friday- 9am 12pm Saturday & Sunday -9am-2pm Please conduct all parish business during these office hours only CARRIBEAN NIGHT DINNER DANCE Come and Join the tastes and sounds of the Caribbean St. Thomas Aquinas Msgr. King Hall Saturday September 30, 2017 7pm Midnight Donation in advance $25.00 At the Door $30.00 Tickets on Sale in the Rectory Office Wear the attire of your favorite Caribbean Island and be a part of our Presentation of Countries and Colors Fashion Show. Contact Mary-Cassandra via text at 917-922-3312 for questions and to register for our fashion show
ST.THOMAS AQUINAS PARISH PILGRIMAGE to The National Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima In Washington, New Jersey As we Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Fatima Saturday, October 28th, 2017 Busses depart from St. Thomas Aquinas at 7:30am Sharp 1550 Hendrickson Street (between Avenue P and Flatlands Avenue) $40.00 Per Person Ministers of Hospitality/Ushers Needed The Ministers of Hospitality offer service and bring order to the Sunday Liturgies and other special events. They are a friendly face to whomever visit our parish family whether it s their first time visiting our faith community or a long time parishioners. Ministers of hospitality help to greet parishioners, as worshipers enter the church. They offer the bulletin at the end of Mass. Ministers of Hospitality also are charged with collecting the Sunday tithe, assist those with special needs, and assist those who volunteer to carry the gifts to the altar. If you are a parishioner and would like to assist us as part of our Ministry of Hospitality at the weekend Masses: Saturday: 5:30PM and Sunday: 8AM, 11:30AM and 5:30PM, please call the rectory and leave your name and phone number or see Mr. TJ Chin or Mr. Joseph Pasqua or any of our Ministers of Hospitality.
CALLING ALL YOUNG ADULTS 18-30 We are opening our doors to Young Adults, who either reside in our Parish, or simply want to use this opportunity to connect, discuss, enrich themselves and spend some quality time. No, this is not a prayer group, although the issue of prayer, faith and morality will be touched upon many times. Young adults are people from 18 to 30 s, married & single, who very seriously know the realities of life, yet still live out the joys of their youth. The meetings are not classes, where attendance is taken or sign-up is mandatory. Rather, it is a gathering of young people, friends if you will, very informal and laid back. Come as you are. You don t have to be Catholic in order to join. Be sure to become familiar with us both online and in person. We guarantee that these gatherings will be very fulfilling. You will not waste your time with us. The Young Adult group will meet on the Second Saturday of each month after the 5:30PM Mass. Calling all Youth in Junior High & High School St. Thomas Aquinas Youth Group meets every First, Third and Fifth Friday of the month from 6:30-8:30 pm in the Aquinas Center. In the world we are living today, there is a great need for teenager to have a place where he or she can feel safe in expressing their faith as well as to have fun among other Catholic teens their age. All are welcome to come, so please invite your friends! Our Next meeting will be on Friday, September 15 Join St. Thomas Aquinas Family and Friends on a trip to the National Museum of African American History and Culture Washington, D.C SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2017 6:30 am departure from St. Thomas Aquinas 1550 Hendrickson Street between Avenue P and Flatlands Avenue 5:30 pm departure from Washington D.C. ADULTS: $110 UNDER 12 YRS OLD: $85 Includes Deluxe Motorcoach Transportation All You Can Eat Buffet Luncheon at Golden Corral Self guided tour of the museum Call the Rectory Office, 718-253 -4404, to reserve your seat. $30 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your seat.
Year of Vocation Fr. Dwayne, visit with parish families for prayer and House Blessing. Dear Parishioners, I pray that you and your family are having a relaxing summer. Bishop DiMarzio has declared August 4, 2017-August 4, 2018 to be a Year of Vocation throughout the Diocese of Brooklyn. I would like to invite us, as a parish family, to do our part in praying for vocations and following our universal call to Holiness. Now, more than ever, we pray for good and Holy Catholic families to continue in the mission of striving to be Holy as our Heavenly Father is Holy because priests come from families like ours. Let us also pray for the grace to see God s will for us and encourage our young people to be courageous. Each week we will invite a different family to take home our traveling chalice and to pray for vocations to priesthood, religious and married life. I will visit the family who has signed up that week for prayer and a house blessing. I truly believe in the old saying:"a Family that prays together stays together". I am excited about this new venture. -Here is a great opportunity to have the presence of your parish administrator in your family during your Family Prayer, to pray with you and bless you and your house. -Our main intention behind this new venture is to strengthen the family ties in the Catholic tradition leading to a successful, happy and peaceful life, putting Jesus in the center of the family, after the model of the Holy Family. -To create an awareness about vocations to the priesthood, religious and married life. -Hopefully, this will also provide an opportunity for you to get to know me and vice versa; especially for me to get to know you, all the members of your family, particularly the young, the sick and the elderly, sharing your joys and sorrows. -Family, as we know, is the "domestic church"(lumen Gentium) and when each family is spiritually empowered, our Big Parish Family will be blessed, and ultimately, the whole Catholic Church as "light" and "salt" to the whole world. - Following Pope Francis call for priests to be shepherds with the smell of sheep. "Family with parents and children living together in love is the prototype of Heaven (St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara). Just a reminder that no family should feel obligated to participate, however all are welcome to participate. During the Month of September someone from the vocation committee will be at the back of the Church to allow families to sign up. You may also sign up at rectory office during office hours. Let us continue to pray for each other as we journey heavenwards. At your service and His Fr. Dwayne
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable to teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of Good May be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3: 16-17). On Wednesday s at 7:00pm September 20th & 27th, 2017 October 4th, 11th, 18th, & 25th 2017 We will cover :Texts and Versions of the Bible Interpreting the Scriptures ( Hermeneutics) The Different kinds of literature in the Bible The Old Testaments The New Testaments
FAITH FORMATION CORNER Registration, and Re-Registration for our Sunday Faith Formation Classes is now ongoing. Please stop by the Rectory Office during office hours to register your 6 year old, and older child/ren for religious instruction so that they can be prepared to receive First Holy Communion and Confirmation with their age group. The registration fee is $100 per child and $50 for each additional child. For new registrations, please also bring your child/ren's baptism certificate. If you are transferring your child/ren from another Faith Formation program, please provide a transfer letter or proof of attendance in that parish's Faith Formation program. We are also offering on-line Faith Formation instruction for non-sacramental students (those NOT immediately preparing to receive First Holy Communion and Confirmation). Parent/Guardians of children with Special Needs: St. Thomas Aquinas has classes for special needs children. Please call the Rectory Office to discuss the matter so that your child can be placed in the program according to his or her needs. Adults: If you have been considering joining the Catholic faith, or if you did not receive the sacraments of First Holy Communion and/or Confirmation, please call the Rectory Office and indicate your interest in obtaining information on the RCIA (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) Program. RCIA is a program which forms Catholics and aids those in the program to receive the sacraments.