St. Thomas Aquinas Church Iglesia Católica Romana 1501 South Atlantic Boulevard Monterey Park, California 91754 Third Sunday of Easter April 30, 2017 From the Desk of Our Pastor Thank you for your STA Earth Day Participation We thank all who came to clean up our parish grounds on Saturday April 22, 2017. We are so proud of the spirit of service you showed. Great appreciation to those who came on Thursday and Friday before and did their part ahead of time. When the rest of the parishioners came on Saturday the front hillside was already looking very attractive. This project took a lot of people to coordinate. Members of the pastoral council, parish staff, religious education staff and volunteers all coordinated with announcements and reminders. We thank the students and parents from the school, religious education and confirmation program who turned up in big numbers. Some of you who were not able to come provided food, water, and equipment. Regardless of the form of support you gave, your generosity is really appreciated. One of our kindergarten students came with her father and brother. The two siblings sat and watched as their dad and others worked. They were smiling and enjoying the sounds of the machines and all the activities around. It was so nice to see that parents brought these young ones too. I am sure they will not forget that day when they went and watched dad work at the church. They are our new young volunteers. It was also suggested that we should do this parish cleaning twice a year. So please look ahead and keep your ears alert for a future clean up, maybe in October. This is our home. Lets keep it clean. May God bless your continued generosity to our parish family. New Ambry or Olea Sancta for STA I am pleased to share with you that we have received a gift from a friend of mine, Mickey Plante, who is a carpenter. He has made for our church a beautiful Ambry or Olea Sancta; the cabinet you can now see above the baptismal font. He also made for us the stand for the Book of the Gospels that we put on the altar before Sunday Mass. During Holy Week Archbishop Jose Gomez consecrates the Sacred Chrism and blesses the oils for use in the Anointing of the Sick and in the preparation of the Catechumens for Baptism. These oils are now visible when we come to church. May our faith also be visible as we continue our faith journey. Please remember Mickey and his wife Charlotte in your prayers. Both live in Thousand Oaks. Fr. John, Pastor
Save the Date: Spring BBQ May 21 st, 2017 Our Annual Spring BBQ will take place on Sunday, May 21 st from 10:30 AM to 4 PM. This event will feature the best food, drinks, and ice cream! The purpose is for us at STA to come together and celebrate our cultural diversity through food and entertainment. We will also be raising some money to keep our church operations moving forward. Presale tickets for our delicious combo plates will be available for purchase after all Masses this weekend for only $6.00! We are seeking donations of the following items: 3-department plates, napkins, foam cups, forks, spoons, aluminum foil, long grain rice, dry pinto beans, cases of bottled water, and canned soda. Monetary donations are accepted and appreciated. Volunteers are also needed to assist with set up on Saturday, May 20th and various shifts on Sunday, May 21st. Please see our sign up sheet on our BBQ table after Mass this weekend. Please contact the parish office at 323-264-4447 or send an email to Linda, parish secretary, at sta91754@gmail.com by May 16th and let us know about your participation. 1st Friday May 5, 2017 9 AM 6 PM: Eucharistic Adoration 6 PM: Rosary 6:45 PM: Benediction 7 PM: Mass Please sign up to spend an hour with the Blessed Sacrament. Sign up sheet can be found in front of the tabernacle. April: Prevent Child Abuse Month Upcoming VIRTUS Training Classes Our Safeguard the Children committee is committed to ensuring that our parish offers everyone the opportunity to participate in the required VIRTUS training and Fingerprinting. Our goal is to provide this training to all adults who work with children so we can work together as a more effective community to prevent child sexual abuse. This program is mandated for all adults who work with or around children or youth on a regular basis. Following is the schedule for this year: Sunday, June 25, 2017 @ 11 AM - VIRTUS Recertification Saturday, September 9, 2017 @ 10 AM VIR- TUS Protecting God s Children Saturday, October 14, 2017 - Fingerprinting Classes are offered throughout the year at Archdiocese parishes. To register for these classes go to www.la-archdiocese. org, hit Protecting Children tab, on next page scroll to "Safeguard the Children" paragraph and hit "learn more", on next page go to Education and Training, scroll down to VIRTUS On-Line Upcoming Sessions and follow detailed directions. The STA Safeguard the Children Committee Carmen Austria Chairperson Fr. John Kyebasuuta Pastor Gloria Castillo School Principal Esther Hwang Chinese Religious Educ. Lorraine Melendez General Manager Sr. Rocio Nieto Director of Religious Education Maria Rugama STA School Teacher Chinese Ministry Gift Sale Sunday, April 30th This Sunday our Chinese Ministry will be sponsoring a gift sale. Funds raised will go toward our operational budget. You are invited to stop by their table for great value bargains.
Tamale Sale & Boutique Los Guadalupanos are hosting a tamale sale and boutique next Sunday, May 7. Everyone is invited to visit the tamale sale area to buy tasty tamales, sweet bread, and a variety of gift items for Mother's Day. Your support and donations will help us raise funds for the church and community projects. Thank you for your continued support. Mother s Day Spiritual Bouquets Cards Spiritual Bouquet cards are available for anyone wanting a loved one to be remembered in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on Mother s Day. They can be found at our church entrances. Mother s Day Novena starts on Sunday May 14th and continues through Monday, May 22nd. Spiritual Bouquet cards should be returned to the special offering basket in the front of the church by Sunday, May 14 th. National Day of Prayer Thursday, May 4th 12 PM 1 PM Flag Pole in front of Monterey Park City Hall STA is a member of the Monterey Park Ministerial Association, a group of local churches committed to seeking the Kingdom together in the city of Monterey Park. We invite you to join other local believers and pray for our community and nation. Cardinal McIntyre Fund Second Collection 5/6-5/7 Since 1951, the Cardinal McIntyre Fund for Charity has offered hope for those in crisis situations throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Next weekend all parishes in the Archdiocese will take up this Annual Collection. Your contribution goes directly toward emergency needs for children, adults and families and provides one-time emergency help for food, utilities, medical, housing or funeral expenses. The goal of the Cardinal McIntyre Fund for Charity is service to the "neediest of the needy," those for whom no other resources exist. Please be as generous as possible. Designated envelopes are available in pews to use for your donation. Thank you for your support! Happy 70th Anniversary Al & Connie Ortega Last week at our 8 AM Mass, Fr. John gave a special blessing to Al and Connie Ortega in celebration of their 70 th wedding anniversary. Al and Connie are founding members of St. Thomas Aquinas parish. They are active members of our church community; involved in the school and many parish ministries and events throughout the years. We congratulate Al & Connie on such a memorable occasion, they are an inspiration to all married couples. SCHOOL NEWS STA School is now accepting student applications for the 2017-2018 school year. We encourage you to schedule a visit, take a tour, meet the teachers, and consider joining our STA parish school family. We are a small school with a big heart. We look forward to your visit. Schedule your visit today by contacting the school office at (323) 261-6583.
READ & REFLECT ON THE SCRIPTURES APRIL 30-MAY 7 Sunday: Acts 2:14, 22-33; Ps 16:1-2, 5, 7-11; 1 Pt 1:17-21; Lk 24:13-35 Monday: Acts 6:8-15; Ps 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30; Jn 6:22-29 or, for the memorial, Gn 1:26 2:3 or Col 3:14-15, 17, 23-24; Ps 90:2-4, 12-14, 16; Mt 13:54-58 Tuesday: Acts 7:51 8:1a; Ps 31:3cd- 4, 6, 7b, 8a, 17, 21ab; Jn 6:30-35 Wednesday: 1 Cor 15:1-8; Ps 19:2-5; Jn 14:6-14 Thursday: Acts 8:26-40; Ps 66:8-9, 16-17, 20; Jn 6:44-51 Friday: Acts 9:1-20; Ps 117:1bc, 2; Jn 6:52-59 Saturday: Acts 9:31-42; Ps 116:12-17; Jn 6:60-69 Sunday: Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Ps 23:1-6; 1 Pt 2:20b-25; Jn 10:1-10 MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2017 5:30 PM In thanksgiving to the Melendez Family In celebration of Aurora Garcia s Birthday SUNDAY, APRIL 30, 2017 8:00 AM For all STA Parishioners 11:30 AM For all STA Parishioners 1:30 PM In memory of Estella Zia, requested by Carlos Zia TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017 8:00 AM In celebration of Nenita Chiu Ong s birthday THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2017 8:00 AM In memory of Emilio Chiu Sr., requested by Nenita Chiu-Ong FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2017 7:00 PM In celebration of Ronaldo Chiu s Birthday, requested by Nenita Chiu-Ong SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2017 8:00 AM For the deceased members of John & Emma Arroyo s Family WEEKLY SCHEDULE KEEP IN PRAYER Bertha Acuna Esther Aguilar Oscar Alberto Anthony Arroyo Fred Bracco Flor Cantara Dorothea Canzano Rita Cardenas Elvira Chaidez George Chale Leroy Chavez Soya Chavez Rosario Delas Gloria Dolot Cynthia Espinosa Auggie Esquer Debby Ferguson Barbara Frumento Tony Frumento Taylor Gallardo Guadalupe Galvez Dolores Garcia Tristan Garcia Jean Genera Jaime Germain Eric Giambalvo Eliseo Gonzalez Elizabeth Gonzalez Sal Gonzalez Jr. Emma Gonzalez Ellie Govea Henry Guerrero Carmen Gutierrez Alice Gust Sunday, April 30th 9 AM Religious Ed-All Clsrm 9 AM Confirmation-Hall 10 AM-RCIA-Dining Rm 11 AM Chn. Choir-Dining Rm 11 AM Joy Bible-Copy Rm 11 AM-RCIA-Hall Mtg Rm 11 AM-Chinese Rel. Ed-All rms 3:30 PM Fantasy Folk Dance- Hall Tuesday, May 2nd 6 PM-Girl Scout leaders mtg- Dining Rm. 7 PM Ping Pong-Hall Wednesday, May 3rd 7 PM English Bible Study- Church 7:30 PM Folk Dance-Hall Thursday, May 4th 5 PM Arte Workshop- Cenaculo 7 PM-Ping Pong Hall Friday, May 5th 5:30 PM-Girl Scouts-Hall 7 PM-Ignite Group-Cenaculo 7:30 PM-Family Fellowship- MPR 8 PM Chinese Adult Bible Study Dining Rm. Saturday, May 6th 9 AM-Birthday Party Set Up- Hall 9:30 AM-Tutoring Program-Cl K 9:30 AM Cantonese Legion of Mary-Copy Rm. 10 AM Mandarin Legion of Mary-Dining Rm. 10 AM-Spanish Bible Study-CL4 1 PM Birthday Party-Hall
SAFEGUARD THE CHILDREN DID YOU KNOW? Implementing national mandate to protect children 2017 marks 15 years since the establishment of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The Archdiocese has made an ongoing commitment over the past 15 years to implement the Charter by providing education and tools to help protect children and young people from child sexual abuse and other threats to their safety. Since 2002, the Archdiocese has trained 300,000 adults and more than 1.4 million children. For more information, visit www.la-archdiocese.org/org/protecting/ Pages/default.aspx Parish Information Parish Office: (323) 264-4447 Chinese Ministry Office: (323) 264-4448 General Email: sta91754@gmail.com Parish Website: STAMPK.ORG Fax: (323) 264-2524 Hall Rental: (323) 264-4447 ext. 102 Parish Staff Fr. John Kyebasuuta Pastor stapastor@gmail.com Ext. 108 Fr. Peter Wei Cao Associate Pastor sta.assocpastor@gmail.com Ext. 106 Lorraine Melendez General Manager stamanager1@gmail.com Ext. 103 Linda Almaguer Parish Secretary sta91754@gmail.com Ext. 102 Sherry Hsu Chinese Ministry Staff stachinese@gmail.com Ext. 104 Jessie Wang Chinese Ministry Staff stachinese@gmail.com Ext. 105 IN GRATITUDE TO ALL WHO SUPPORTED OUR PARISH with your contributions on: April 22nd/23rd: $6,862.00 Mass Schedule Saturday Vigil 5:30 PM (English) Sunday 8:00 AM (English) 9:30 AM (Chinese) 11:30 AM (English) 1:30 PM (Spanish) Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 8:00 AM Friday Reconciliation 7:00 PM Saturday at 4:00 PM Safeguard The Children Carmen Austria 626-993-4933 School Information School Office: (323) 261-6583 Gloria Castillo Principal Email: principal@stampkschool.org General Email: info@stampkschool.org Website: stampkschool.org Religious Education Information Office: (323) 264-1338 Sr. Rocio Nieto DRE Email: stareligioused@gmail.com