saint thomas more2005/12/18 · saint thomas more roman catholic church december 18, 2005 mission...

SAINT THOMAS MORE Roman Catholic Church

December 18, 2005 Mission Statement: With the grace and

guidance of the Holy Spirit, and through Sacred Scripture and

Tradition, the Saint Thomas More Parish Family

welcomes all to join us on our journey in

faith and celebration as we

proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ,

especially in loving service to those in

need. As part of the

Universal Church, we witness to the dignity of every

person. All this we do to

give glory and honor to God.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS CHRISTMAS TREE SALE When the bulletin was transmitted, there were still a few trees left in the lot. By the time Sunday comes around, they may be gone. If there are any left, this will be the last week that you can purchase your Christmas tree. The trees will be on sale Monday-Friday, 4 to 8 pm, or until the trees are sold out.

Sacramental Information Confessions Saturdays ................................................................ 3:30-5:00 p.m. First Friday ..............................1/2 hour before the 6:30 a.m. Mass Baptisms .............................. First and Third Sundays at 1:00 p.m. Pre Baptism Class .....................................2nd Tuesday 7:00 p.m. Parents must call the Parish Office to schedule class and/or Baptism. Marriage ............... Contact a priest at least six months in advance

Communion calls and visits to Hospitals and Homebound. Call Parish Office for Sacraments at hospital or at home.

Welcome to St. Thomas More Parish . . .

Pastoral Staff Pastor ........................................ Reverend Michael J. Yadron; Ext. 312

[email protected] Associate Pastor .....................Reverend Michael J. Hoffman; Ext. 314

[email protected] Pastoral Associate ............................. Mr. Mark T. Kurowski; Ext. 313

[email protected] Deacons ................................................................... Mr. Joseph Stodola ..............................................................................Dr. Napoleon Tabion Director of Development ................................ Noreen Bickel; Ext. 330 Pastoral Care .................................Deacon Napoleon Tabion; Ext. 315 Dir. Religious Formation ... Sister Marilyn Hettinger, O.S.B.; Ext. 332

Parish Office Staff Office Hours:M-F 8:00 ~ 8:00 / Sat. 8:00 a.m. ~ 4:00 p.m. Web Site www.stm-church.com E-mail address is: [email protected] Office Phone………. 836-8610 Office Fax ........... 836-9185 Bulletin Editor ............................................. Mrs. Candy Ally; Ext. 311 E-mail address for bulletin is: [email protected] Bookkeeper .........................................Mrs. Barbara Gondeck Ext. 307 Daytime Receptionist .................................Mrs. Susan Strain; Ext. 310 Evening Receptionist ..............................Ms. Veronica Brtos; Ext. 310

Pastoral Ministries Circle of Prayer .........................................Mary Jo Humpfer 836-5002 Environment & Art ...........................................Jo Ann Long 836-8610 Eucharistic Ministers ...................................Mr. Jerry Reach 322-5754 Hospitality Ministry .........................................Jim D’Orazio 838-9343 Lectors .................................................Paulette Paquette 708-895-7646 Music Ministry ......................Ms. Angie Lorandos 836-8610, Ext. 338 Nursery ................................................... Kaaren A. Mashura 836-5079 St. Vincent dePaul ........................... Mrs. Sharon Marmalejo 836-8610 SVDP Youth Conference ............................ Lisa Krismanick 836-8610 Vocations Committee .............................. Mrs. Mary Kochis 322-7262

Pastoral Council Allen Blocher ...............................................................Nancy Klawitter Wendy Depa ............................................................Kaaren A. Mashura Jim D’Orazio ....................................... Marilyn J. Pajor, Council Chair Patrick Feeney ................................................................... Lynn Tabion Jorge Fernandez ....................................................................Jane Teller David Kapala

St. Thomas More School Pre-School through 8th Grade Office Hours: M-F 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. School web site ~ www.stm-school.com School Phone .......... 836-9151 School Fax .......................... 836-0982 Principal ................................................ Mrs. Stacey Atwood; Ext. 322 Dir. of Religious Formation ....Sr. Marilyn Hettinger, O.S.B.; Ext. 332 School Administrative Assistant ........ Ms. Jennifer Gonzalez; Ext. 328 School Reception & Office Associate ...Ms. Mary Jo Biscan; Ext. 329 Dir. of Student Special Services .................. Ms. Tina Boyle; Ext. 323 Home & School Association. .........................Jane Surd 708-418-0910 Parish & School Offices Associate ...........Ms. Pam Wadycki; Ext. 339

St. Thomas More Religious Formation Pre-Kindergarten through 8th Grade Office Hours:M-F 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Formation Phone ............................................................................. 836-8610 Director .......................................Sister Marilyn Hettinger, O.S.B.; Ext. 332 Administrative Assistant ..................................Mrs. Audrey Frigo; Ext. 336 Grades K through 8 ~ Wed. & Thurs. 4:30 ~ 6:00 p.m.

Pastoral Commissions Chairpersons Formation/Education ...................Sister Marilyn Hettinger, O.S.B.; Ext 332 Parish Life ........................................................................ Ms. Jean Thornton Peace & Social Justice ....................................................Ms. Barbara Shaver Spirituality & Worship ..................................................... Ms. Joyce Stodola Stewardship ..........................................................................Mr. Cal Bellamy

Parish Organizations Altar & Rosary Society ...............................................Ruth Banas 836-5387 Elizabeth Ministry ............................................Kathy Dominguez 924-9212 Holy Name Society .............................................Kevin Cloghessy 934-0601 Senior Citizens ..................................................Eleanor Schveiger 836-2025 Respect Life ..............................................................Alice Wohler 836-5337 Knights of Columbus ...................................................... Hal Lusk 972-9639 Blue Army ....................................................Rose Marie Malburg 836-8779 Finance .................................................................. Barbara Shaver 838-9200 Planned Giving .......................................................................Ken Krupinski Building Maintenance ..................................................... Bob Ray 924-6472 Boy Scouts .................................................................. Paul Taylor 922-1473 Cub Scouts ..................................................................Curt Anglin 844-2178 Girl Scouts ...............................................................Cheryl Meyer 922-9237 Catering/Hall Rental ..........................................Kathleen Pagorek 972-0539 Mom’s Group .....................................................Deanna Mc Dunn 922-9459 Ushers Club ...........................................................Jim Marmalejo 836-8607 Youth Group ............................................................ Pam Ratajack 923-2031

Cornerstone Center 8635 Calumet Avenue ~ Munster, IN 46321 Phone 836-2660 Fax 836-2655

New Parishioner Registration To make it as convenient as possible for you, new parishioners may register at any time in the Parish Office.

New Parishioner Orientation New parishioners are invited to attend a New Parishioner Orienta-tion at 9:00 a.m. in the Solar Room on the last Sunday of every month. If you have not yet registered and want more information about our parish, you are welcome to attend the orientation.

St. Thomas More Parish Munster, Indiana

Tuesday, December 20 ~ Devotions 6:30 pm B. Warner, D. Straka, J. Biscan Thursday, December 22 8:30 am M. Blocher, C. Lowry Friday, December 23 8:30 am D. Kretz, M. Peters Saturday, December 24 ~ Christmas Eve 8:30 am T. Klawitter, C. Mitchell 5:30 pm G.W. Childs, A. & M. Flores, A. Gonzalez, J. Matz Sunday, December 25 ~ Christmas Day Midnight Volunteers ~ Please call Mrs. Burke (322-6462) before Dec. 19th ~ Mandatory practice ~ December 24th ~ 10:00 am 6:30 am A. Gianopolus, A. Jurich, B. Meyer, G. Moya, M. Saucedo 8:00 am M. & M. Pukoszek, J. Ratajack, E. Rouse, M. Yaeger 10:00 am C. Mateja, B. & E. O’Neill, E. Secviar, S. O’Sullivan 12:00 noon T. Muta, J. & R. Romano, Ka. O’Brien, M. Crabtree

SUNDAY, December 18 ~ Third Sunday of Advent 6:30 am For Our Parish Family 8:00 am Clarenze Mazur by Family 10:00 am Mary Kruger by Brother & Nieces 12:00 pm Eugene Burkat (Ann.) by Wife & Children MONDAY, December 19 6:30 am Virginia Henderlong (Ann.) by Family 8:30 am Walter Florczak by Wife & Children TUESDAY, December 20 6:30 am John Titak III by Joan & Robert Berger 8:30 am Albert Brusca (Ann.) by Rita & Flavio Vega 10:00 am Ann Krizmis by STM Altar & Rosary Society (Mass at Med-Inn Cafeteria, Group 4) WEDNESDAY, December 21 ~ St. Peter Canisius 6:30 am Raymond Basanda (Ann.) by Wife Elizabeth 8:30 am Katherine Jurkash (Ann.) by John & Dorothy Jurkash THURSDAY, December 22 6:30 am Robert Hart III by Bob & Hallie Hart 8:30 am Carolina Alvarado by Garcia Family FRIDAY, December 23 ~ St. John of Kanty 6:30 am Joseph & Angeline Szpielka by Val Rudakas 8:30 am Pamela Curtis (Ann.) by Mother SATURDAY, December 24 ~ Christmas Eve 8:30 am Nikola Butkovic (Ann.) by Maria & Zvonko Jugovic & Family 5:30 pm For Our Parish Family, Living and Deceased Midnight For Our Parish Family, Living and Deceased SUNDAY, December 25 ~ Nativity of the Lord 6:30 am For Our Parish Family, Living and Deceased 8:00 am For Our Parish Family, Living and Deceased 10:00 am For Our Parish Family, Living and Deceased 12:00 pm For Our Parish Family, Living and Deceased

CELEBRANTS Saturday, December 24 5:30 pm Father Mike Yadron Sunday, December 25 Midnight Father Michael Hoffman 6:30 am Father Mike Yadron 8:00 am Father Mike Yadron 10:00 am Father Michael Hoffman 12:00 noon Father Michael Hoffman

ALL BULLETIN ARTICLES FOR THE JANUARY 1st BULLETIN ARE DUE BY

11:00 AM ON DECEMBER 22nd! THANK YOU!!

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2005

Tony Lopiccolo

Confirmation Date: Confirmation for the 8th grade students will be Saturday, April 8, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. There will be a practice for sponsors and candidates on Friday, April 7, 2006, at 7:00 p.m.


SUNDAY, December 18 6:00 pm Advent Evening Prayer ~ Church 6:30 pm STMS Youth Group ~ Cornerstone MONDAY, December 19 5:00 pm Spirituality/Worship ~ Conference Room 7:00 pm ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE ~ CHURCH 7:00 pm Blue Army ~ Chapel 7:00 pm Holy Name ~ Cafeteria TUESDAY, December 20 9:15 am - 6:30 pm Eucharistic Adoration ~ Chapel 1:00 pm Prayer/Vocations ~ Chapel 6:00 pm Divine Mercy Chaplet ~ Chapel 7:00 pm RCIA ~ Solar Room 7:00 pm Video Bible ~ Conference Room WEDNESDAY, December 21 9:30 am Bible Study ~ Conference Room 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm ~ Religious Education Classes 7:00 pm Elizabeth Ministry ~ Teachers’ Lounge 7:00 pm Men’s Prayer Group ~ Church THURSDAY, December 22 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm ~ Religious Education Classes 7:00 pm SVDP ~ Conference Room FRIDAY, December 23 PARISH OFFICE CLOSED SATURDAY, December 24 CHRISTMAS EVE MASSES ~ 8:30 am, 5:30 pm & Midnight PARISH OFFICE CLOSED SUNDAY, December 18 MERRY CHRISTMAS ~ MASSES ~ 6:30, 8:00 and 10:00 am & 12:00 Noon PARISH OFFICE CLOSED

P lease pray for the sick of our parish....

Virginia Hale Amy Hayes Marie Henke Evelyn Hennes Theresa Hester Ray Humpfer Phillip Imoisi Elizabeth Jacob Marian Johnson Jo Jusko Joseph Justynski Debbie Kaczka Robert Kalka Madeline Kent Peter Klobuchar Janet Knight Helen Krull Julia Kukta Jerome Kula Lois Kus Irene Kwiecien Janice Leuser Maria Lovell Horace Lyle Julia Lyle Dale Madsen Gregory Mahoney Kathryn McBride Faye Meny Sandi Merlo Olga Mihalo Clarence Miller William Modrock Gerald Moran Robert Mudroncik Emily Mysliwy Jean Narvid John Narvid

Steven Nowaczyk Valerie O’Donnell Kathy Orange Audrey Ostroff Marciala Perez Gertrude Peters Johanna Petruch Elizabeth Pilones Julia Radde Irene Rompola Helen Rutkowski Ted Rutkowski Bernice Rybicki Ann Sardella Mary Sarnowski Jean Schultz Mary Ann Sejda Grace Sheridan Grace Sicinski Ed Sidor Wallace Skierge Joseph M. Smelko Dorie Sperl Deborah Stareck Georgianne Suto Rose Theis Gerardo Trevino Anthony Ubuane Madeleine Vranken Adele Wall Sally Walters Annette Wilson Tammy Wollersheim Lucille Wonnell James Zabrecky

Santa Agnello Deborah Ancich Rudolph Asanovich Doris Aurelio Maria Aurelio Irene Baker Maxine Bellamy Tom Bernacki Michael Boston Alvina Brazina Stephany Burney Mary Burosh Dorothy Campbell James Campbell Richard Carlson Al Carollo Carol Carollo Socarro Casas Mary “Pat” Casey Kathleen Cecil Jacqueline Morrow Christian Frank Coman Vincent Corsello Mike Curtain Marian Dale Joanne Ellison John Fetzko Elizabeth Follmer John Forde Phyllis Garber Andrea Garritano William Garzinski Joseph Gasiorek James Gaskey Dorothy Gillespie Marguerite Grothouse James Grunewald

Readings for the Week of December 18, 2005 Sunday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/ Rom 16:25-27/ Lk 1:26-38 Monday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a/ Lk 1:5-25 Tuesday: Is 7:10-14/ Lk 1:26-38 Wednesday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a/ Lk 1:39-45 Thursday: 1 Sm 1:24-28/ Lk 1:46-56 Friday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24/ Lk 1:57-66 Saturday: Morning: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/ Lk 1:67-79 Next Sunday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5/ Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/ Mt 1:1-25 or 1:18-25 Midnight: Is 9:1-6/ Ti 2:11-14/ Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12/ Ti 3:4-7/ Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10/ Heb 1:1-6/ Jn 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14

Fourth Sunday of Advent Recently a friend of ours stopped by for a visit. We hadn’t seen her very often since her wedding, and it was good to catch up on all of her news. She and her husband had moved into their new townhouse and were finally settling in. After a while, she reached into her purse and handed us two candy bars. On the first, the wrapper read “It’s A Boy!” and the second, “It’s A Girl!” She had just learned she was expecting, and wanted to share her joy with us. Today, Luke tells us of the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary with his good news. “You have found favor with God,” he tells her, and you will bear a son.” Not only that, Gabriel tells her that Jesus is the Son of God, and a throne in heaven awaits him. What joyful news! Mary accepted the news, and further learned that her cousin Elizabeth was expecting as well. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Mary went to Elizabeth, eager to share her joy. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that only faith can embrace the mysterious ways of God’s almighty power. The Virgin Mary is the supreme model of this faith, for she believed that “nothing will be impossible with God.” (CCC 273) As we prepare for the celebration of Christmas, let us allow our faith to guide us as it did Mary, and let us be as eager to the joy that is coming of Jesus Christ.

The Pastor’s Page December 18, 2005 IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

Throughout this week, our church will be transformed into a beautiful and dignified Christmas environment with the placing and decorating of trees, the constructing of our Nativity, and the decorating of the altar and sanctuary space with poinsettias. All of that is done to enhance our celebration of Christmas — a feast with a dual purpose: the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ and the reminder that He will come again. The decorating of the church may not be an easy task — just ask any member of the Environment Committee — it is a LOT easier than the other preparation that needs to be done: the preparation of our souls. I think that, given the choice, any of us would choose the material over the spiritual to prepare since it is that much easier. But the construction of the “perfect” Nativity scene, the baking of the “perfect” Christmas cookies, or the writing of the “perfect” Christmas card will not gain us entry to eternal life. Rather, what we do with our lives is what prepares us for eternity. It seems to me that so many people either do not know that or they simply ignore that. It seems that many people think that as long as they “decorate” their lives correctly, they’ve got it made. God is not interested in window dressing. He does not look at the external. He looks deep inside each and every one of us. Do we have lovely Nativity sets at home but yet not have a place worthy of Christ dwelling in our selves? If so, there is still time. Use this final week of Advent to prepare for the coming of the Lord. Go to confession. Say some extra daily prayers. Take out your bible and read and reflect upon the Christmas narrative. After all, what a wonderful gift the Incarnation is. To think that an all-powerful, all-knowing God would deign to cloak Himself in human skin is just mind-boggling. And yet, that is exactly what the Christmas narratives tell us: God became one of us, so much did He love us. “And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” The perfect gift? The perfect cookie? The perfect vacation spot? Those do not do anything for us. On the other hand, perfect love, the kind of love that God had for us to become one of us, that is beyond cost. We celebrate that at Christmas!

Priests and deacons have served the Diocese of Gary for a number of years now. Others have served in the territory that is now the Diocese of Gary. Please pray for those men who have been called to God and whose anniversaries of death are this week: December 18: Rev. Andrew C. Topor (1993) December 19: Msgr. Alfred Reinig (1963) December 21: Msgr. Albert Van Nevel (2000) December 22: Rev. Conrad Stoll (1956) December 24: Rev. John Bargielski (2002)

PROVE IT! — PART TWO Last week, we reflected upon “proving” that we were Christians by living a proper life in Christ. This week, as a final reminder for this Advent season in preparation for Christmas next Sunday, I ask you another question: Are you sorry for your sins? Prove it! So many times we “forgive” ourselves. Truly penitent people, however, go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. You have several opportunities this week to go to confession before Christmas. Tomorrow, Monday, December 19th, there will be a Communal Penance Service at 7:00 p.m. in the church. There should be several priests available to hear your confession. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week, Fr. Michael and I will hear confessions at 7:00 p.m. until finished. Please come early (preferably on Monday when we have a lot of help.) Remember, there will be NO confessions heard this coming Saturday as that day is Christmas Eve and we will be busy enough getting prepared for the evening Mass.

ANOTHER EAGLE SCOUT We are VERY fortunate at St. Thomas More Church to see so many of our Boy Scouts become Eagle Scouts. A minority of scouts usually attain the rank of eagle, yet our parish’s troop turns out eagle after eagle after eagle. That is certainly a credit to our Scout Leaders and to all who volunteer to help our scouts. Thank you to all who are involved in the formation of our youth. And congratulations to Stephen M. Gorman, Troop 542’s newest Eagle Scout.

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE A woman went to the post office to buy stamps for her Christmas cards. She asked the clerk, "May I have 50 Christmas stamps?" The clerk replied, "What denomination?" The woman said in surprise, "God help us. Has it come to this? Give me 6 Catholic, 12 Presbyterian, 10 Lutheran and 22 Baptist."

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Sacrificial Offering for December 11, 2005

Adults $26,386.00 Loose $1,122.00 Children $48.16 TOTAL $27,556.16

Thank you for your generosity!

Religious Formation

Jesus, help me to trust God’s plan for me. December 21/22 are the last classes before Christmas break. Classes resume on January 11/12, 2006. Confirmation Date: Confirmation for the 8th grade students will be Saturday, April 8, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. There will be a practice for sponsors and candidates on Friday, April 7, 2006, at 7:00 p.m.. First Reconciliation and Communion: There will be a parent meeting on Thursday, January 12, at 7:00 p.m. in the gym. Mark your calendars: Dec. 21/22 Class Dec. 28/29 No Class—Christmas Break Jan. 4/5 No Class—Christmas Break Jan. 11/12 Class Jan. 12 Parent Mtg.—1st Reconciliation & Communion Jan. 18/19 Class Jan. 25/26 Class

Mrs. Strain’s Thursday 4th Grade made an Advent wreath

Holiday

Spending

Halloween is the second highest-grossing money maker for business in the U.S. (Christmas is the first). When is comes to seasonal candy sales, Halloween ranks number one with $2 billion. In 2003, the average American spent $835 on Christmas, up from $722. A 2003 survey found that Americans spend an average of $102.76 to celebrate Easter. A 2004 survey found that the average consumer spent $99.24 on Valentine’s Day, up from $80.44 in 2003. The following parable is similar to a parable in Matthew, although there are major differences. (Luke’s version is never read on a Sunday.) While they were listening to him speak, he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the kingdom of God would appear there immediately. So he said, “A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’” (Lk 19:11-13) You know the rest of the story. Luke is primarily dealing with the delay in the second coming of Christ who is represented here as a nobleman who goes to a distant country. He entrusts his servants with some of his goods and asks them to use them well on his behalf. Actually, it’s a story about stewardship. Everything we have has been given to us by God and we are to use all of it in this time between Jesus’ first and second coming to help in the great work of preparing for the Reign of God. When we go to the Lord, we will be called to account as to how well we used these gifts for this purpose. One servant simply wraps the coins in a cloth and keeps it to himself. He is criticized, and the gold coin is taken from him and given to another. He didn’t steal, cheat, gamble is away. He simply didn’t use it for the purpose intended. Imagine, at death, coming before the Lord. He welcomes me and then says, “How well did you use the abilities, time, and material goods that I gave you to make the world a better place?”

How do I respond?

That calls for some thinking and a heart-to heart talk with the Lord.

Spend some quiet time with the Lord

Please take the time to read and reflect upon the daily entries in “The Little Burgundy Book” that was sent to you.

Reprinted with permission from “The Little Burgundy Book “

by Bishop Ken Untener, Diocese of Saginaw

SIX MINUTES PER DAY TO GOD IN PRAYER

Final Chance!! Shop After Masses

Today Are you looking for last minute stocking stuffers, holiday gifts

for teachers, bus drivers and babysitters?

The Home & School

Association will be selling Angels and Gift Certificates at the back of church. Finish your Christmas

shopping while supporting your Parish School!

December 18, 2005

Rosie The Reindeer Visits The Cornerstone Center Catholic Schools Week & Open House

Catholic Schools Week will be celebrated the week of January 29-February 3, 2006. This week allows us to celebrate the important role Catholic schools play in providing values-added education to our children. The annual Open House will be on Sunday, January 29th and Special Persons Day will be Tuesday, January 31st. Please notify your ‘Special Person’ (i.e., grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc.) of this date. Further information will follow closer to the week of celebration. We are looking for volunteers to help in planning this special week. If you would like to help, please contact Laura Doctor (923-6256).

St. Thomas More School

Thursday, December 22, 2005

4-7 P.M. (Dine-in, Carry-out or Delivery

Munster Pizza Hut—815 Ridge Road

836-0920

Rosie the reindeer visited the children at the Cornerstone Center on Wednesday, December 7th. Her visit concluded the Kindergarteners’ reindeer unit. Rosie had been neglected and was rescued several years ago by Bill Shofroth, a farm owner from unincorporated St. John Township. Bill now brings Rosie to schools, where he teaches the students about reindeers and then he allows the students to pet and feed her.


St Vincent de Paul Youth

St Vincent de Paul Youth Conference December Service Activities. Come join us in spreading Christ's love in preparation for

Christmas! Please call Joy or Clare McCullough at 838-4104 if you have any questions or want to join us. Christmas Caroling Sun., Dec 18, 2005 Carol with the residents 2:00 PM, Med Inn Holy Innocence Play Day Fri., Dec 23, 2005 Christmas Party ~ Carmelite Home ~ Leave St. Thomas More at 12:30 pm and return at 3:30 pm Holy Innocence Sledding Wed., Dec 28, 2005 Christmas Party Depending on Snow Nazareth Home Cuddling Sat., Jan 7, 2006 Cuddle with the babies TBD Planning Meeting Sun., Jan 8, 2006 Plan our Service Activities 1:00 PM, STM Teacher’s Lounge

And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy “Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.”

LK 1:35

"THE NURSERY WILL BE OPEN FOR THE 10:00 AM MASS ON

CHRISTMAS DAY"

STM - YOUTH MINISTRY CORNE R

The Youth Ministry is open to ALL high school youth.

Please join us at any meeting or event that you can or email us at:

[email protected] Upcoming Events

Sunday, December 18th 3:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. We will meet at the Cornerstone Center and then travel to the Munster Med-Inn for Christmas Caroling. Afterwards, we will return to the Cornerstone Center for our Christmas Party. Don’t forget your “White Elephant” gift! Find something in your home that you no longer want. The funnier the better!!

Fri, Dec. 23rd & Tues, Jan. 3rd. - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Help at the St. Joe’s Soup Kitchen. Space is limited. Contact Noreen for more information. 836-8610 ext. 330.

Thursday, December 29th 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. We will leave from the Cornerstone Center and take the train to Chicago. We plan to skate at Millennium Park, have lunch and walk around. Bring your own money for lunch (?), skate rental ($7), and the train ($9.10). Permission slips available in the Parish Office.

If you have any questions, please contact

Pam Ratajack at 923-2031.

Incentives For Additional Donations Through December 31, 2005

Did you know that the Hurricane Katrina relief bill has made changes to U.S. Federal tax law designed to encourage certain outright gifts of cash made during the period of August 28, 2005 through December 31, 2005. Congress has temporarily suspended limits on deductions for gifts of cash to St. Thomas More Church and School and to other qualified charities. Thus, donors may deduct qualified charitable gifts in amounts up to 100% of their AGI, if so desired. Other limits that can reduce the value of itemized deductions by 3% for some higher income taxpayers have also been suspended for qualified contributions made before the end of the year. These changes mean that cash gift donors have the opportunity to support St. Thomas More and other qualified charities with far larger gifts than usual, while enjoying the full benefit of charitable deductions from contributions. Please consult your tax advisor for more information.

Holy Name News Our next meeting will take place on Monday December 19th in the Cafeteria. The meeting starts at 7:30 pm. Come early at 7:00 pm for the praying of the Rosary. Food and refreshments will follow. Our Christmas party will substitute the video.

Getting to Know You One week to go. The time is near. Are you ready? In our Christmas preparation let us not leave out the reason for the celebration. Many of you have Christmas traditions, but do you have a Christmas prayer or Christmas story as part of your tradition. Have you thought of blessing your tree or your manger set? Parents, grandparents, have you thought of blessing your children, your grandchildren? Children have you thought of blessing your parents, your grandparents? You can be imaginative and create your own prayer or blessing and start a new tradition or here are a few suggestions. Biblical readings are the following. The traditional story of Christ’s birth is told only in Luke 2:1-20. This is a wonderful reading for mealtime, for the blessing of the manger set, sitting around the fireplace or all cuddled up on a couch viewing the Christmas tree. The Prologue of the Gospel of John 1:1-18 tells of Jesus’ destiny from the beginning of time to be our savior. The first letter of John (1John 4:7-14) tells us God loved us so much that He sent us His Son. And Isaiah 9:6-7 tells us of the prince of peace. We forget that we can all ask for God’s blessing on our family and on us and on our house. A suggested way for blessing the tree is to gather around and start with the sign of the cross. A beginning may be: Blessed be the name of the Lord, now and for ever. Prayer: Look at the beauty of your tree and thank God for all the beauty He has given us throughout the world. Praise God for his goodness. The tree reminds us not only of the abundance of goodness in the world, but also of the wood of the cross from which Christ hung to bring about our salvation. Then you may read a verse from scripture such as Paul’s letter to Titus 3:4-7 or Psalm 96:11-13. You may end by asking for God’s blessing upon all who are gathered around the tree. There is a blessing for a tree, what can you do for the manger? What mealtime blessing can you write? How will you make this Christmas a Blessed Christmas?

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2005

CHRISTMAS FLOWER MEMORIALS

Donations for Christmas Flower Memorials will be taken in the Parish Office until December 18th. Please return this form (or envelope in your packet) with donation. Extra forms will be available in the office. One memorial per $10.00 IN MEMORY OF: DONATED BY: AMOUNT ENCLOSED: MEMORIALS ARE $10.00 EACH


BISHOP WHO LED COMMISSION ON CONTROVERSIAL MINISTRY DOCUMENT

TO SPEAK IN MUNSTER

The “Real Men” of Saint Thomas More Parish, the largest Catholic Church in the Diocese of Gary, IN, will welcome Bishop Dale Melczek

who will speak at the Church, located at 8501 Calumet Ave., Munster, IN on Wednesday, December 21, 2005 at 7 p.m..

“Real Men Pray”, an initiative which seeks to bolster the identity of men as Catholic Christians in a modern culture, features speakers who are Catholic men making a difference in the world. Bishop Dale Melczek is the Bishop of the Diocese of Gary, IN. Bishop Melczek most recently presented the document “Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord,” which gave guidelines to the Catholic Church in America on lay ecclesial ministry. Lay ecclesial ministry is the practice

of having non ordained persons active in church ministry staff positions in a local church. The document created a controversy when the Committee on the Laity, which Melczek heads, used the term “ministry” to apply to the work of non-ordained persons in the Church. The split was largely along geographic lines with 49 bishops from the East Coast rejecting the term for lay persons. The controversy was overcome on November 19 when Avery Cardinal Dulles, a well respected theologian in the Church, supported the document. In addition to his work with the laity document, Bishop Melczek is known for his tireless relief work all over the world. He has worked in Myanmar, Cambodia, Republic of Congo and Tanzania. “Real Men Pray” has been attended by over 100 men each week since its inception. It is quickly becoming known for its quality of speakers and its return to the chanted prayer of the Gregorian Fathers. Saint Thomas More Catholic Church is the largest parish in the Diocese of Gary, IN. It has over 9,600 members, five Masses on the weekends and a school. For more information call Mark Kurowski, Pastoral Associate, at (219) 836-8610, ext. 313 or at (219) 798-3331 (cell phone).

saint thomas more2005/12/18 · saint thomas more roman catholic church december 18, 2005 mission...

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