December 2017In this issue:
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Advent
Advent has a two-fold character: as a season to prepare us for Christmas when Christ’s first coming to us is remembered; as a season when that remembrance directs the mind and heart to await Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time. Advent is thus a period for devout and joyful expectation. |
Children’s Epiphany Pageant SignupEpiphany Sunday, January 7, 2018 Immediately following the 12:00PM Mass Practice Date: Dress Rehearsal: Please fill out the information below and bring it to the December 16th rehearsal or drop it off to parish center. Child’s Name:______________________ Age: _______ School Grade: ______ I would like to help with the pageant performance: ______ Parent/Guardian Information Name: ______________________________ Phone During Day: _______________________________(cell preferred) Email During Day: _______________________________ |
Simbang Gabi 2017 Mass ScheduleThe Catholic Parishes of Deanery 16 invite you to our Simbang Gabi Novena Masses.
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PhotosClick/tap an image for a larger view |
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School Pictures
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Troop 22 Pictures
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Advent Giving Tree
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Beyond Cornerstone – Soup Kitchen Service- December 3, 2017
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Merry Christmas |
 Our Dear Parishioners and Friends,At Christmas we celebrate, not only the birth of a child, but more importantly we rejoice in the “Incarnation.” In this birth God becomes human like us so that each of us could become more like God and share in the gift of eternal life. We celebrate this truth not just for one day but for the whole Christmas Season.It gives us great joy to wish you, your family, and your loved ones a very Blessed Christmas, and Peace and Happiness through the New Year. Thank you for the support you give to all the staff of St. Thomas the Apostle by your presence and the sharing of your time, talent and treasure.In the Lord, Father Charles Miller and Priests, Deacons, Sisters and Staff |
| Fourth Week of Advent Masses Saturday December 23 at 5:00PM Sunday December 24 at 7:30AM Sunday December 24 at 9:00AM Sunday December 24 at 10:30AM No 12:00PM MassChristmas Eve Masses Herron Hall – Sunday December 24 at 4:00pm Church – Sunday December 24 at 4:00pm Church – Sunday December 24 at 6:00pm Church – Sunday December 24 at 10:30pmChristmas Day Masses Church – Monday December 25 at 8:00am Church – Monday December 25 at 10:00am Church – Monday December 25 at 12:00 Noon |
Christmas Liturgical Season
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St. Frances Xavier CabriniFeast Day December 22nd
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St. John the EvangelistFeast Day: December 27th
St. John was one of the twelve apostles and is referred to as the “disciple whom Jesus loved”. Of all twelve apostles, St. John was the only one who accompanied Jesus all the way to the Cross. Besides his Gospel, St. John wrote several letters and the book of Revelations. According to tradition, St. John died at Ephesus when he was about 94 years old. St. Jerome tells us that as an old man, St. John was too weak to walk or to speak much. However, every day when the community met to share the Eucharist, St. John would insist that he be carried to the meeting place. Once there, he would always say the same thing , “Little children, love one another. ” When someone asked him why he always said the same thing over and over he replied “Because it is the Lord’s teaching and if you do this alone, it is enough.” |
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – Monday January 1st, 2018
The church celebrates that Mary is the Mother of God (Theotokos or more specifically “Bearer of God”). One of the most outstanding |
The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord – January 7, 2018
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The word “epiphany,” which means a shining forth of light, has slipped from its religious use into secular usage to indicate any sudden flash of insight. First used in this sense by the writer James Joyce, the term has degenerated to the point where “Epiphany” is even the name for an integrated suite of customer relations management software. Presumably using this software will give one striking new insights into how to manage one’s customer relations. The distance between the secular usage of the term “epiphany” and what we celebrate on this feast can be seen in the fact that we do not celebrate a flash of insight, but the shining forth of God’s light in our world through the person of Jesus. Pope Benedict XVI wrote that to be a Christian isn’t merely an ethical choice or a noble idea, but the encounter with an event, a person who gives life a new horizon and a definitive direction. The Epiphany is not about an idea occurring to us but about an encounter with a person: Jesus Christ.According to tradition, St. Thomas traveled East after Jesus’ Resurrection and encountered the three wise men. They were then baptized by St. Thomas. |
The Baptism of the Lord – January 14, 2018
All Baptized Christians share in the priestly, prophetic and kingly aspects of Jesus’ ministry: “These faithful are by baptism made one body with Christ and are constituted among the People of God; they are in their own way made sharers in the priestly, prophetical, and kingly functions of Christ; and they carry out for their own part the mission of the whole Christian people in the Church and in the world.” (Lumen Genitum 31). |
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please visit our online calendar or the bulletin online. Click here for the Saint Thomas Online Calendar Click here for the Saint Thomas Online Bulletin |
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Parish Events:Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Masses Boy Scout Wreath Sale Blood Pressure Screening Hospitality in Saint Peter’s Room Bloomfield Parishes’ Reconciliation Service at Sacred Heart Church Santa Breakfast in Herron Hall Volunteers Are Needed for the ShopRite and Stop & Shop Gift Card Sale to Support STA Home & School Eucharistic Adoration and Holy Hour Fourth Week of Advent Masses Christmas Eve Masses Christmas Day Masses New Year’s Day – Parish Center Closed Mass for Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Masses for Solemnity of the Epiphany Children’s Epiphany Pageant Martin Luther King Day – Parish Center Closed Martin Luther King Day Mass Dark Night:. Through darkness and doubt often comes the greatest strengthening of our faith Blood Pressure Screening Hospitality in Saint Peter’s Room |
Ministry Meeting Dates:If you are not part of a ministry but are interested in the group, please feel free to stop by for more information. Friday Night Small Christian Community Children’s Liturgy of the Word at 10:30AM Mass Prayer Shawl Meeting Support Group For Those Grieving the Death of a Loved One September Club Meeting Children’s Liturgy of the Word at 10:30AM Mass September Club Meeting Men’s Scripture Reading & Reflection Children’s Liturgy of the Word at 10:30AM Mass September Club Meeting Rosary Society Meeting Men’s Scripture Reading & Reflection Friday Night Small Christian Community Children’s Liturgy of the Word at 10:30AM Mass Friday Night Small Christian Community Children’s Liturgy of the Word at 10:30AM Mass Prayer Shawl Meeting |
Mass TimesWeekend Masses – Saturday 5:00PM, Sunday 7:30AM, 9:00AM, 10:30AM and 12:00PM |