Saint Thomas A Becket Roman Catholic Church A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust 139 Gill Hall Road, Jefferson Hills, PA 15025 MAY 11, 2014 DEVOTION: Infant of Prague Novena: Tuesday after Mass. Our Lady 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. 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. Saturday Sunday Daily Holy Days 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 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 PARISH OFFICE HOURS Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 412-655-2885 FAX 412-655-0615 Convent 412-655-4122 Coffee Shoppe 412-655-9966 Diocese of Pittsburgh Abuse Hotline: 1-888-808-1235 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, August and October. Please call the Parish for the date and time of the Session. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE: The Sacrament of Marriage is celebrated on Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. 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 May 11, 2014 It is a Holy and Wholesome Thought to Pray for the Dead. Saturday, May 10 5:00 PM... For All Living & Deceased Mothers Sunday, May 11, Fourth Sunday of Easter 8:00 AM... For All Living & Deceased Mothers 10:15 AM... For All Living & Deceased Mothers 12:00 NN... For All Living & Deceased Mothers Monday, May 12 9:00 AM... Tom Corso (Wife, Theresa) Tuesday, May 13 9:00 AM... Deceased Members of Flavin Family (Peggy Flavin) Wednesday, May 14, St. Matthias, Apostle 9:00 AM...Deceased Members of Freker Family (Elinsky Family) Thursday, May 15 9:00 AM... Dolores Elinsky (Elinsky Family) Friday, May 16 9:00 AM... Ernie Clayton (Ladies of Charity) Saturday, May 17 5:00 PM.. George Steinmiller (George & Lisa Steinmiller) Sunday, May 18, Fifth Sunday of Easter 8:00 AM... Tom Corso (Theresa & Family) 10:15 AM... For Our Dear Parents (Ed & Carol Hlad) 12:00 NN... For the People of the Parish STEWARDSHIP OF THE LORD S TREASURE Date Total Offertory 5/4/14 Collected at Masses $13,301.67 $ 1,523.00 Liturgical Ministers May 18, 2014 Lectors: Sat. 5:00 p.m. N. Salopek Sun. 8:00 a.m. P. Adams Sun. 10:15 a.m. S. Gardiner Sun. 12:00 p.m. D. Lepiane Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Sat. 5:00 p.m. Sr. Judith-F. Kanonik-J. LaFrankie Sun. 8:00 a.m. Deacon Gerry-P. Gamble-C. Peternel Sun. 10:15 a.m. M. Gardiner-M. Pawlesh-M. Zumbo Sun. 12:00 p.m. S. Baughman-D. Ging-L. Michaels Acolytes: Sat. 5:00 p.m. L. Good-Z. Good-J. Martinis Sun. 8:00 a.m. J. Adams-Z. Adams-M. Campano Sun. 10:15 a.m. A. Fullard-J. Fullard-N. Palmer Sun. 12:00 p.m. M. Cathell-A. Plasynski-J. Plasynski
From Fr. Dan. In our Gospel this Sunday, Jesus teaches us that he came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) That is, in fact, at the heart of why we even exist God wants to share abundant life with us! He brought us into being so that we could share in His love! In divine wisdom, though, God chose to bring each of us into being through an earthly mother, and God nurtures and cares for us through those who serve in that earthly role of motherhood. All of our lives have been deeply touched in one way or another by those women who have cooperated with that creative love of God and those who have taken on that noble vocation of Motherhood. This weekend we honor and celebrate mothers! Following are a few prayers that may be helpful in our prayer and reflection. PRAYER OF MOTHERS Father in heaven, grant me the grace to appreciate the dignity which you have conferred on me. Let me realize that not even the Angels have been blessed with such a privilege to share in your creative miracle and bring new saints to heaven. Make me a good mother to all my children after the example of Mary, the Mother of your Son. Through the intercession of Jesus and Mary I ask your continued blessings on my family. Let us all be dedicated to your service on earth and attain the eternal happiness of your kingdom in heaven. Amen. PRAYER FOR MOTHERS God our creator, we come before You and lift up in prayer all mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers and mothers to be who gave the gift of life. We give you thanks for their presence, talents and gifts which they share in our church, society and world. May all mothers know of Your loving and gentle presence and may they always turn towards You in times of joy, sorrow and glory. We ask this in Your Name. Amen. Some SAINTS who were Mothers: St. Monica (332-387) - Patron Saint of Mothers she prayed for the conversion of her son, Augustine, for 30 years. He became a great saint. St. Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373) St. Bathild (died 680) St. Macrina the Elder (died 304) St. Perpetua (died 203) - martyr for the Faith. St. Felicity (died 203, along side of St. Perpetua) St. Margaret of Scotland (1045-1092) St. Clotilda (died 545) St. Cecilia Yu So-sa (1761-1839) - Korean martyr St. Angela of Foligno (1248-1309) St. Matilda (895-968) St. Barbara Choe Young-I (1819-1840) - Korean martyr PRAYER FOR MOTHERS Heavenly Father, you have been pleased to give all human beings the joy of having a mother, one who works with you to give them life and bring them to human adulthood. You have given followers of your Son the added joy of a Christian mother, who works with you to give supernatural life to a child and to bring up that child to Christian adulthood. Over the centuries there have been countless such mothers heroic, courageous, loving, dedicated, and unconquerable. They have given us the Christian Ages and Christian Saints and in the final analysis the Christian Faith. Without them, there would be no Church, no religious vocation, and no Christian influence in the world. Most of these mothers are unsung in the eyes of the world; they must be content with little things: a smile, a thank you, and a token remembrance. In your eyes, however, they are of inestimable worth. Your Word in the Bible uses a mother's love to describe your overwhelming love for your people, and Jesus uses the image of a mother bird to indicate his love for his people. Most of all, when he wants to convey an idea of the joy of those in heaven he does so by using the image of a mother's pure joy in bringing a child into the world. Dear Lord, let me honor my mother if she is living and remember her in prayer if she is dead. Pour down your grace on her and on all mothers on this day dedicated to them. Amen. St. Hedwig (1174-1243) St. Margaret Clitherow (1556-1586) executed in England on account of her Catholic Faith St. Elizabeth of Portugal (1271-1336) St. Frances of Rome (1384-1440) St. Crispina (died 304) - martyr for the Faith St. Olga of Kiev (879-969) - convert to Christianity St. Zdislava Berka (1220-1252) St. Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231) St. Gianna Beretta Molla (1922-1962) St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821)
ST. THOMAS A BECKET SECOND COLLECTION NEXT WEEKEND There will be a 2nd Collection at all Masses next weekend, to support the work of Catholic Relief Services (on behalf of the Church in Latin America, the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, and the Church in Africa). Thank you in advance for your kind support. PRESCHOOL CLASSES Preschool classes will not be in session on Friday, May 16. This is Kennywood Picnic Day. MANY THANKS TO OUR KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS They provided a delightful Fly a Kite Day for our four year old preschool students this past Monday. The weather was great, snacks were delicious and the kites were flying high and the children were enjoying the fun! Thank you Knights of Columbus for all you do for the church and the children. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Mark your calendars for St. Thomas A Becket Vacation Bible School scheduled for the week of July 7 to July 11, 2014. Children ages 4 years to the 4th grade are invited to attend: Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12 Noon. Sonwest Roundup will be a week of excitement and adventure. Students will learn how God provided for His people in scripture and how Jesus provides for us every day, in every way! VBS VOLUNTEERS WILL BE NEEDED: Students in grades 6 through adults are invited to help. If interested please call Leah Payne at 412-714-3654. Diocesan clearances are required for any adults who are 18 years and older who work with children. ATTENTION PARISH VOLUNTEERS Please be reminded that the Diocese of Pittsburgh requires that any parish volunteer over 18 years of age needs to obtain the following: Go to Diocesan Website (www.diopitt.org) and fill out a volunteer application Attend a Protecting God s Children s Workshop Through this process a criminal background check and a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance will be done. This process is mandatory for anyone who volunteers on a regular basis for church activities. If you have questions or need assistance, please call Lynette at the parish office at 412-655-2885. JEFFERSON HILLS, PA JUST A REMINDER 2014 FESTIVAL DATES Please mark your calendar for our Festival dates: June 26, June 27 and June 28 SKY JUMPERS ARE BACK!!! They will help kick off our festival by dropping in on opening night, Thursday, June 26 at 7:00 p.m. The tickets are on sale ($10.00 each) for the prizes of $250, $500 & $1,000. Tickets may be purchased in the Parish Office Monday through Friday. We need your help to make this a success. Could you sell some Sky Jump tickets to your friends and relatives? If so, please call Sister M. Judith at 412-655-2885 ext. 303. Thanks and God bless you. FESTIVAL RAFFLE TICKETS You should have received your packet of tickets by mail. We are very grateful to all of you who sold or purchased these tickets last year. We hope and pray that each family will do the same this year. PIC-A-TIC GIFT BASKETS NEEDED FOR THE FESTIVAL We are most grateful to the families or individuals who made the beautiful baskets for the 2013 Festival. We look forward to having the same for this year s Festival. There will be flyers on the table in the church narthex, if you are interested in contributing to this booth. Just pick one up. Baskets may be brought to the School Building after Memorial Day. Thank you! FESTIVAL BOOTH SPONSORS Another important part of the success of the Festival is the business people and parishioners who become BOOTH SPONSORS by making a contribution of $150.00 to help defray the cost of the gifts, etc. in the booths. If you are interested in making such a donation, please contact Sister M. Judith at 412-655-2885 ext. 303. Thank you. VOLUNTEERS WILL BE NEEDED As in the past, our 2013 Festival was a great success because of the dedication of so many people. We look forward to another Festival with the help of those youth and adults who will volunteer. Please mark the festival dates on your calendar: Thursday, June 26, Friday, June 27 and Saturday June 28 from 6:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. Any time that you can give will be greatly appreciated and will make our Festival truly a success.
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER MAY 11, 2014 Our Sunday Visitor is our Online Giving provider. They have the highest security standards and most flexible capabilities for Online Giving. Some of the benefits to our parishioners are: No need for checks. Allows you to give even if you are unable to attend parish services. Contribution amount is easily adjusted. Credit card option allows you to take advantage of any benefits such as airline mileage or cash bonuses. Use On-line Giving in conjunction with your offering envelopes. No need to share confidential account information with parish staff; enter it directly into the On-line secure site. On-line Giving is not intended to replace the traditional act of Sunday offertory, rather it is meant to enhance it. Visit the parish website at www.saintthomasabecket.com to sign up. For questions about OSV Online giving, please call 1-800-348-2886, ext. 4. THANK YOU TO OUR BULLETIN ADVERTISERS We are most thankful to the businesses that advertise on the back of our bulletin each week. Through their advertisements, our bulletin is furnished to the parish without charge. Please support their establishments. We invite our parishioners who own a business, to place and ad in our bulletin. If interested in placing an ad, please contact, Mike McAleer at 1-800-477-4574 ext. 6307. SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS TO Mr. and Mrs. John Bean upon the baptism of their daughter, Morgan Vivian. We wish the Bean family all of God s blessings. HOME WITH THE LORD Heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Maria Salvador, mother of Kelsey Salvador of our Parish. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed be embraced by the Heavenly Father unto everlasting life. May Maria rest in the peace of the Lord. ROSARY FOR: MARIE PUKANSKY MAY 13 ANNA MITALA MAY 20 The Rosary will be recited for the repost of the souls of Marie and Anna on the above dates. This will be at 8:40 a.m. before the 9:00 a.m. Mass. We invite you to join us in this act of charity. May Marie and Anna rest in the peace of the Lord. The Vigil Light at the Tabernacle in the Church will burn this week in Thanks and Gratitude from the RCIA Class. PARISH SHARE 2014 Christ s teachings point out that we, His followers, need to share our material blessings with others. Through Parish Share, we are able to support the works of Catholic Charities, the good works arm of the diocese that serves in all of our six counties, as well as youth and young adult ministries, respect life ministry, hospital chaplains, and Pre-Cana preparation programs, our Catholic Schools and all Diocesan Catechism programs to name just a few. REMEMBER if we exceed our PSP goal, we can use the excess funds to support our own parish projects and ministries. Help us surpass our goal and build up our parish savings assessment-free. Whatever you can do will be greatly appreciated. Thank you! Our Assessed Goal: $124,078.00 Monies received so far: $ 46,801.00 Amount Still Needed: $ 77,277.00 The beautiful flowers at the Blessed Mother this week are in loving memory of Ray Baum, from Baum Children. The beautiful flower vases at the Tabernacle in Church are in loving memory of Ray Krystek, from Amy & Josh. The beautiful flowers at the feet of St. Joseph are in loving memory of Ray Baum & Ray Krystek, from their Families.