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2506 Gulf Gate Dr. Sarasota, FL 34231 | 941-923-1691 | stthomasmoresrq.orgNovember 29, 2015

St. thomaS moreCatholiC ChurCh | SaraSota

In out-of-the-way places of the heart,Where your thoughts never think to wander, This beginning has been quietly forming, Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your desire, Feeling the emptiness growing inside you, Noticing how you willed yourself on,Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with the seduction of safety And the gray promises that sameness whispered, Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent, Wondered would you always live like this.

Then the delight, when your courage kindled, And out you stepped onto new ground,Your eyes young again with energy and dream, A path of plenitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not yet clear You can trust the promise of this opening; Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning That is at one with your life’s desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure;Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk; Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

~ John O'Donohue

Advent -

A Time of Prayer and Waiting

The Parish Office is located in the Chelsea Center: 2506 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota, FL 34231

Office Hours 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday-Friday

Contact us 941-923-1691 or info@stthomasmoresrq.org

Website stthomasmoresrq.org

Confessions 3:00pm (Saturday, in the Chapel)

Saturday 8:00am & 4:00pm Masses

Sunday 8:00am Mass 9:45am Mass (Traditional choir) 11:30am Mass (Contemporary choir)

Weekdays 8:00am Mass

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Tuesday, December 8 8:00 am, 11:00 am

and 7:00 pm Masses

Anointing of the Sick Saturday, December 12

11:00 am

Advent Penance Service Wednesday, December 16

7:00 pm

Fr. Michal SzySzka Parochial Vicar

CHURCH STAFF

Sr. Judy BaldinoPastoral Associate

rev. Mr. BoB GaitenSDeacon

rev. Mr. kevin MonahanDeacon

alex dilanOrganist & Music Director

chuck lynchSacristan

leiland theriotInterim Director of Youth Ministry

carolann loveJoy-JeSSupExecutive Assistant

david FelicianoParish Accountant

Mary MaxwellParish Secretary

SuSan JacoBSFront Office Coordinator

Joanne tararaChelsea Coordinator

raMon alveroMaintenance/Set up

John driScollMaintenance/Set up

Fr. Joe cliFFordPastor

Remember/Honor Loved OnesOne of the highlights of our Christmas decorations is

the 7 foot poinsettia tree, containing 70 poinsettias and 50 candles, on display in the Gathering Area.

It will be a memorial tree, giving parishioners an opportunity to remember or honor a loved one through sponsoring of a poinsettia. We will publish a list of all who made a $20 contribution, and the names of those to be remembered or honored.

Mail/drop off your donation: St. Thomas More Church, 2506 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota, FL 34231.

Checks are to be made payable to St. Thomas More Church. Please include, clearly printed and on a separate sheet, the name(s) of the person(s) you wish to remember or honor.

We need your help!It is time to decorate the church, Chelsea Center and Spirit Center for the Christmas season. We could use EXTRA help on the following dates:

Monday, Nov. 30 - Put up trees at the Chelsea Center - 8:30 - 10:30 am (MEN especially needed) Monday, Dec. 21 - Put up trees, wreaths and roping in church - 8:30-10:30 am (MEN especially needed)Call the Chelsea Center 941-923-1691 to volunteer for Dec. 21. For Nov. 30 - just show up! Thank you!

Fun & Son - Christmas Concert

Choir Director Alex Dilan leading our Choirs & Bell Ensemble

The concerts will take place in the Chelesea Center.

Reserved $20/General $10 Tickets on sale after all Masses and

in the Parish Office, weekdays. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus

Friday, December 11 - 7:00 pm

Saturday, December 12 - 7:00 pm

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store

Grat ‘i’ tude--a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation. The state of being grateful.

As St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store nears the completion of our second month in business, we are in a state of being grateful for the generosity of St. Thomas More parishioners. Whether it is someone donating a bag or box of household items or someone coming into the store to shop for a treasure or someone putting on their blue apron to start their volunteer shift, it is all greatly appreciated. For all you have done and continue to do to help us be success-ful, all of us at St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store are in the state of being grateful. We couldn’t do it without your help. Thank you.

The store is located at 2711 Mall Drive (in Gulf Gate). Call 941-444-9343 for days & times of operation and donation drop off/pick up.

Youth Ministry at St. Thomas More will meet on Wednesday, December 2

6:30-8:00 pm in the Spirit Center. See you then!!Youth Ministry leader: Leiland Theriot

youth@stthomasmoresrq.org

The Quilters of St. Thomas MoreThe Quilters would like to thank all who bought items during our sales this year. Many thanks to those who helped us set up and take down the displays.

Thank you to everyone who contributed baby items for our layette shower, held in April. At the April shower, we gave the items to representatives from Our Mothers’ House in Venice and Catholic Charities in Arcadia. We also have presented

checks to Fr. Joe for CFA: Andie from Catholic Charities in Arcadia; Rita and Mary from Our Mothers’ House in Venice and Deacon Kevin from Bethesda House in Sarasota.

This was all possible due to your support of our efforts by making purchases at our sales as well as personal yarn and monetary donations. Thank you.

PS, DON’T FORGET: Next weekend is our sale! We will have quilts, placemats, table runners, bibs and seasonal craft items for sale. Stop by a table before/after Mass and see the wonderful handmade items. Purchases can be made with cash or check.

Centering Contemplative Prayer Thursdays @ 10:30 am in the Bavaria Room

Spirit of Love Prayer Group 2nd Monday @ 2:00 pm in the chapel

Rosary Weekdays @ 7:30 am in the Church

Women at the Well & Micah’s Men 1st & 3rd Wednesdays @ 6:30 pm in the Chelsea Garden Room

Join us for Prayer

The Board of Directors of

The Men of St. Thomas More Invite you to their

Christmas Gathering Monday, December 7th at 6:00 P.M.

Featuring:

Kathy Howard

Charlie O’Donnell

On Project Tanzania http://projecttanzania.com/

Spiral Ham and all the “fixins” you’d find

at Mom’s Including strawberry/rhubarb pie a’la mode

Guests $15.00

Reservations are a must!! Limited seating available

Members are asked to brighten the Christmas of children of women prison inmates by bringing an unwrapped toy with a $15 to $25 value. Sponsored by the St. Thomas More Women’s Prison Ministry

For all reservations email

Roger@greniergroup.com This will be a sell out so book early.

Reservations will be required!!!

Terry Houlihan

Stan Muessle

The Board of Directors of

The Men of St. Thomas More Invite you to their

Christmas Gathering Monday, December 7th at 6:00 P.M.

Featuring:

Kathy Howard

Charlie O’Donnell

On Project Tanzania http://projecttanzania.com/

Spiral Ham and all the “fixins” you’d find

at Mom’s Including strawberry/rhubarb pie a’la mode

Guests $15.00

Reservations are a must!! Limited seating available

Members are asked to brighten the Christmas of children of women prison inmates by bringing an unwrapped toy with a $15 to $25 value. Sponsored by the St. Thomas More Women’s Prison Ministry

For all reservations email

Roger@greniergroup.com This will be a sell out so book early.

Reservations will be required!!!

Terry Houlihan

Stan Muessle

Catholic Professionals NetworkThe Catholic Professionals of STM are business leaders providing a support community to come together with a dedication to help each other grow and prosper.

We meet the second Tuesday monthly. We will provide food for the body: 7-7:30 am and food for the mind: 7:30-9:00 am. Join us in the Chelsea Center Garden Room on Tuesday, December 8 @ 7:00 am.Get involved! Contact: Jon Lemole at 941-445-3087 or follow @CPofSTM

Thank you to one and all!Our cornucopia was filled to overflowing for the weekend and Thanksgiving Day Masses, because of the generosity of so many parishioners. In fact, you were so generous, we could not use all the food donated! We had to call All Faiths Food Bank for an early pick up of all the extra food items.

Liturgical MinistriesIf you are an Altar Server, Lector, or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and will be away, contact Joanne Tarara: tarjmt1@verizon.net; or if you are a Hospitality Minister, contact Charles Ballschmieder: cjball01@verizon.net and let either person know your away dates. You do not want to be scheduled while you are gone!

Written notice of your changes is required the 1st of each month. If you are scheduled and cannot make it, you are asked to find a replacement from our list.

Jesuit University Alumni Take Note! Xavier University and Edgecliff College (Cincinnati, Ohio) Sarasota-Bradenton chapter of the National Alumni Association invites you to celebrate Xavier’s spiritual heritage. Friends and family of Xavier, Edgecliff, and any Jesuit University are invited to join us for our annual Communion Sunday in observance of the feast day of St. Francis Xavier during the 11:30 am Mass on Sunday December 6. After Mass we will gather at a nearby restaurant for lunch. Call Steve Schwalbe, Chapter President, at 941-923-0130 for more information and to R.S.V.P.

Sunday Fr. Joe 8:00am +Vera Tesla +Marion Cannelongo In thanksgiving - Art & Carol Haefner’s 62nd Anniversary

Fr. Michal 9:45am +Patrick Andrews +John Shumsky +Robert Sochurek

Fr. Michal 11:30am +Nate & Joanne Galfo +Howard Boxley

Monday Fr. Michal 8:00am House & Hanna Families, Living & Deceased +Michael Banovich

Tuesday 8:00am +Linda Corrado +Connie De Angelis

Wednesday 8:00am +Roberto Valenzuela +Rita Ebner Caste

Thursday 8:00am +Frank Odrowski +Luis Felipe McCluskey

Friday 8:00am +Justine Morreale +Jack Baker

Saturday 8:00am +Sandy Krieg

4:00pm +Rosemarie Ross +Ted Czapla Murphy Family, Living & Deceased +Pacita & Jose Cabaltica

Sunday 8:00am +Anita Savoy +Filomena Nardulli

9:45am +Faust Canino +Michael Falco

11:30am +Marie E. Barillo +Eugenia Dziech

PRAYER INTENTIONS November 29 - December 6

Sanctuary Candle Lighted in memory of Rita Ebner Caste

- Janet Ebner

Purple is the Color of Advent

Purple has traditionally been the primary color of Advent, symbolizing repentance and fasting. Purple is also the color of royalty, demonstrating the anticipation and reception of the coming King - Jesus Christ.

Pink (or rose) is the color used during the third week of Advent. It represents joy or rejoicing and reveals a shift in the season away from repentance and toward celebration. A pink candle is lighted in the church Advent wreath at the beginning of the weekend Masses and pink vestments are also worn.

this week’s CALENDAR Sunday, November 29

Christmas Concert Ticket Sales and K of C Magnet Sale8:00am, 9:45am, 11:30 am Masses - Church8:00pm N.A. Meeting - Spirit Center8:00pm Nar-Anon Meeting - Spirit Center

Monday, November 307:30am Pray the Rosary - Church8:00am Mass - Chapel8:30am Decorate the Chelsea Center for Christmas Vi Klee 941-993-843210:00am Quilters of St. Thomas More - Spirit Charity Rm. Bonnie Lagner 941-921-12615:30pm AA - Chelsea Bavaria Rm.6:00pm Social Justice Committee - Chelsea Garden Rm. Sue Morusiewicz 941-922-1257; morusiewicz@verizon.net6:00pm Cub/Boy Scouts - Spirit Center Michelle Dunn 941-806-8133; Javier Aristimuño 941-232-80737:00pm Al-Anon - Chelsea Bavaria Rm.7:00pm Traditional Choir Rehearsal - Church Alex Dilan 941-923-1691

Tuesday, December 17:30am Pray the Rosary - Church 8:00am Mass - Chapel3:00pm Advance Handbell Choir - Church Alex Dilan 941-923-16915:15pm Youth Choir - Church Alex Dilan 941-923-16916:00pm Faith Formation - Chelsea & Spirit Centers Sr. Judy Baldino 941-923-1691; sjbaldino@aol.com

Wednesday, December 27:30am Pray the Rosary - Church8:00am Mass - Chapel9:30am Mothers’ Circle - Spirit Center Natalie Lelyo 215-620-1184 1:30pm Prayer Shawl Ministry - Chelsea Garden Rm. Pat Lucke 941-927-3419; pblucke@comcast.net; Marie Scott 941-927-53526:00pm Youth Group- Spirit Center Leiland Theriot youth@stthomasmoresrq.org6:00pm Just Faith - Chelsea Westminster Rm. Sue Morusiewicz 941-922-1257; morusiewicz@verizon.net6:00pm AA - Chelsea Bavaria Rm.6:30pm Micah’s Men & Women at the Well - Chelsea Garden Rm. Roger Grenier 941-993-2908; roger.grenier@sothebysrealty.com7:00pm Knights of Columbus Officers - Chelsea Lancaster Rm. Dan Bulinski 941-556-9673; danb6002@comcast.net

Thursday, December 37:30am Pray the Rosary - Church8:00am Mass - Chapel9:30am Crafty Ladies - Spirit Center Faith Rm. Mary Hautanen 941-922-889210:00am Quilters of St. Thomas More - Spirit Charity Rm. Bonnie Lagner 941-921-126110:30am Contemplative Prayer - Chelsea Bavaria Rm. Ed Savoy 941-923-5706 6:00pm Girl Scouts - Chelsea Center Jill Crabill girlscouts780@gmail.com6:30pm Women’s Club - Chelsea Chancellor Rm. Rita Toole 631-786-18517:00pm R.C.I.A. - Chelsea Westminster Rm. Sr. Judy Baldino 941-923-1691; sjbaldino@aol.com7:00pm Contemporary Choir Rehearsal - Church Alex Dilan 941-923-1691

Friday, December 47:30am Pray the Rosary - Church8:00am Mass - Chapel9:30am Bible Study - Chelsea Westminster Rm. Mary Jo Dranttel 941-343-052210:00am Social Justice Cookie Jar Assembly - Spirit Center Sue Morusiewicz 941-922-1257; morusiewicz@verizon.net1:00pm Card Ladies/Mah Jongg - Chelsea Lancaster Rm.6:00pm AA Meeting - Chelsea Bavaria Rm.6:00pm Wedding Rehearsal - Chapel

Saturday, December 5Quilt & Craft Sale and Cookie Dough Sale7:30am Pray the Rosary - Church 8:00am Mass - Chapel4:00pm Mass - Church6:00pm Wedding - Chapel

Sunday, December 6Quilt & Craft Sale and Cookie Dough Sale8:00am, 9:45am, 11:30 am Masses - Church8:00pm N.A. Meeting - Spirit Center8:00pm Nar-Anon Meeting - Spirit Center

1:30pm Women’s Club Board - Chelsea Lancaster Rm. Rita Toole 631-786-1851

Our Giving Tree: Assisting the Salvation Army with Gifts for the NeedyThank you for your continued support of this yearly event. We are known in the community for our generosity. Please have UNWRAPPED gifts back by Thursday, December 10, or you can bring them in earlier. LABEL all packages with the tag you picked from the tree. Instructions will be provided.

Consider giving a year-end tax-deductible donation to the Catholic Faith Appeal. You may use a designated pledge card and accompanying envelope, found in each pew.

WHY IS IT SO DIFFICULT TO ENTER INTO ADVENT? It happens every year, as predictably as drawing up a shopping list, decorating the tree and planning the Christmas Dinner. Every year we think, “Now THIS is the year when I really will enter into Advent.” And there it stays. Nothing happens. We know in our hearts that Advent can be more than a "pre-Christmas" season, more than those four weeks of getting ready for the Big Day on December 25th. We sit in Church and hear the different readings, the darkness and the promise of hope. We ponder in our hearts: Our lives are full, our families are good, our homes beautiful. We have everything, simply everything we could want. But in the quiet darkness, we are aware of something stirring in our hearts, a longing we can't name. Something that no trip to the store, no decorations, Christmas dishes or new ornaments can fill. The longing might be risky, even dangerous, so we push it away — quickly — and busy ourselves again. There is so much to do in these weeks. The stirring returns. What is this promise for us? What does it mean for us in our comfortable, complicated and messy lives? We want to be better people, and our lives are not perfect. We don't want to delve into our relationships at home because we don't want to upset the way things are. We are so often impatient with our children, unreasonable with our spouses and we might even admit, disappointed in our lives. We echo the disciples' confusion and disappointment after the crucifixion: “We had thought it would be different." But we have everything we could want. What else is there? What if this Advent, we allow ourselves to imagine a life that is different? What if our hearts were at peace and our lives more satisfying? That longing in the most hidden corners of our hearts is something holy, a Holy Longing, a desire for a deeper relationship with God. We might squirm at that and stammer all of the excuses we know: "Not now. I'm really busy. I'm not a very holy person. I'm going to get to a serious relationship with God as soon as my kids are gone... when I don't have to care for my parents; when I get the promotion at work; when we move to a new house." There are dozens of ways we can evade the issue, but still, that longing is there for something more. Advent is a time to recognize both our holy longing and the healing love God has for us, despite the many barriers we put up between ourselves and God. We can start simply and just rest at the edge of our beds in the mornings, open our hands and whisper, "Come, Lord Jesus!" If we let ourselves feel what is in our hearts, we know they are filled with love. We can carry that experience with us as we go through even the busiest of our days. We may not know exactly where to begin or how to fill this longing in our hearts but it is simple. God waits with infinite love and with arms outstretched to meet us. The words we say don't matter. We can speak as if God is a friend we have not seen in a long time, but one with whom we can sit in a comfortable silence.

It's just about taking the first step. Even if we are fearful about this next step, we can say to God what is in our hearts. In this Advent season, it's time to risk, to make the first step, to find our way back home. Loving God, I don't have the right words. I'm not sure where to begin, but I know you are the hope and promise of the peace to come in my life. Be with me this day. Let me look at my life and my day today and open my heart completely as I begin, "Come, Lord Jesus." As we begin Advent, we light one candle in the midst of all the darkness in our lives and in the world, symbolizing our longing, our desire, and our hope. Three “advents” or “comings” shape our desire: Jesus’s coming in Bethlehem; in the daily events of our lives; the second coming.

Joyful Anticipation

When we wake up, each day this week, light your “inner candle” taking a few moments to focus. Who among us doesn't have time to pause for a moment? “Lord, the light I choose to let into my life today is based on my trust in you. It is a weak flame, but I so much desire that it dispel a bit more darkness today. Today, I just want to taste the longing I have for you as I go to the meeting this morning, carry out the responsibilities of my work, face the frustration of some difficult relationships Each morning this week, that momentary prayer might get more specific, as it prepares us for the day we will face.

as we head to work, walk to a meeting, rush through lunch, take care of errands, meet with people, pick up the phone to

return some calls, answer e-mail,

MAKE AN ADVENT WREATH Each night, reflect back on your day Get in touch with the longing within. How did I prepare today? How am I or my family being invited to trust more deeply? How much more do we long for his coming to us, in the midst of the darkness in our world? Transform your evening meal with some kind of conversation together that lights a candle of anticipation in your lives. Don't worry if everyone isn't “good at” this kind of conversation at first. Remember, “Everything we do teaches.” And every night this week, Be aware! Give thanks! Be grateful! Grow in your desire! “Taken from Praying Advent, on Creighton University's Online Ministries web site: http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html Used with permission.”

Meetings are confidential and all are welcome.

Alcoholics Anonymous • 5:30 pm Mondays, Bavaria Room

Al-Anon (Family groups) • 7:00 pm Mondays, Bavaria Room

Alcoholics Anonymous • 6:00 pm Wednesdays, Bavaria Room

Alcoholics Anonymous • 6:00 pm Fridays, Bavaria Room

Narcotics Anonymous & Nar Anon • 8:00 pm Sundays, Spirit Center, Gathering Room

AA & N-A Support Groups

Offertory&

Catholic Faith AppealDue to early holiday printing, the financial figures for both the offertory and CFA were not available for publication. We will have them listed in next week’s bulletin.Consider giving a year-end tax-deduct-ible donation to the Catholic Faith Appeal. You may use a designated pledge card and accompanying envelope, found in each pew.

The 14th Annual Catholic Charities Christmas Appeal is underway and

needs your support! This year's goal is to raise $550,000.

A gift provides funding for the many

Catholic Charities programs and services available throughout

Southwest Florida.

Your generosity enables us to serve those seeking help all year long.

To donate visit

www.catholiccharitiesdov.org.

The 14th Annual Catholic Charities Christmas Appeal is underway and

needs your support! This year's goal is to raise $550,000.

A gift provides funding for the many

Catholic Charities programs and services available throughout

Southwest Florida.

Your generosity enables us to serve those seeking help all year long.

To donate visit

www.catholiccharitiesdov.org.

Cookies in a Jar!After all the Masses next weekend, the Social Justice Ministry will be selling all the ingredients you will need to make a batch of yummy Christmas cookies.

It will make a great hostess gift for all your holiday parties!

Check out our website:stthomasmoresrq.org

Find out what we are all about!

Saturday Mass ScheduleThe Saturday Masses will change in January. At that time, we will begin the 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm Masses.

Televised MASS on Sundays 9:30 am on the CW NetworkBradenton (Brighthouse Network) Channel 4Northport (Comcast Northport) Channel 9Sarasota (Comcast Cable) Channel 9Venice (Comcast Cable) Channel 9DirecTV Channel 44Dish Network Channel 44

Volunteers NeededThe Programs Office/Chaplain's Office at the Sarasota County Jail is in need of volunteers to assist with answering inmates’ requests for Bibles, rosaries, devotionals, eye glasses and books.

All requests are done through computerized kiosk in the inmate units and are processed in the Programs/Chaplain's Office. Basic computer and office skills are required. The office is open 7-3 Monday through Friday. Contact Ms. Connie Lonie, Assistant Programs Director 941-861-4671.

Advent Retreat Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center, Venice invites the public to an Advent Retreat Tuesday, Dec. 8, begining at 9:00 am and concluding Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 1:00 pm.

Prepare your heart for Jesus. Cost is $140 for single room occupancy, $115 for double room occupancy and $75 for commuter rate. For information: Nancy Gazo, 941-486-0233 or gazo@olph-retreat.org.

Marriage Encounter Weekend Join Worldwide Marriage Encounter and discover God's plan for joy and romance in your marriage at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice, Friday, Dec. 4 - Sunday, Dec. 6.

Call 813-270-7832 or apply online at www.wwme.org.

Sponsored by Diocese of Venice Respect Life Office

1000 Pinebrook Road Venice, FL 34285

941-441-1101 www.dioceseofvenice.org/respectlife

project rachelPeace starts here

H PEAFTER ABORTION

One-day Retreat

For confidential information call:

Fonda at 239-719-7210 (cell) e-mail:

Fonda.rachel@gmail.com or

project.rachel@dioceseofvenice.org

www.hopeafterabortion.com

Sunday, January 24, 2016