the sta stewardship committee invites you to a · 07/02/2010 · 5:00 pm in the student...
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The STA Stewardship Committee invites you to a
hor’dourves, snacks, & beverages including World Famous New Orleans HURRICANES!
Friday, February 12 7 to 9 PM
Lower Lounge
In appreciation for parishioners who share time, talent, or treasure with the parish community
No speeches, no agenda, not even a “donation jar”! Come enjoy snacks, drinks (alcoholic & non), but most importantly relaxing time
with committed STA parishioners.
Come dressed festively, in costume if you wish, or just casually.
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 7, 2010
Haiti Relief Thanks for your continued prayers for the people of Haiti—for those who have suffered so much and must rebuild a life
and a country & continue on after great personal losses.
Total contribution from STA to Catholic Relief Services for
relief in Haiti totaled $15,775.00!
5:00 pm in the Student Lounge/Bethany and Newman rooms.
Watch the Saints v. Colts on the big screen, or just come for
the food and games.
Contact Josh Bruecken <[email protected]> or Fr. Dennis
<[email protected]> with questions.
Lean Into the Wind: Divorced & Separated
Support Group
Meets Thursday, Feb. 11, at 5 p.m. for dinner at Legends
American Grill, 200 Stanton Ave. in Ames.
Meeting from 7-8:30 p.m. in St. Catherine Room at STA
Fr. Jon Seda will talk about annulments and share
information on how to begin the annulment process.
To RSVP for dinner or request free childcare by noon on
Wed., Feb.10: Carol 296-2250 / <[email protected]>
Stewardship Rosary—Luminous Mysteries Need to slow down awhile?
Thursdays of Lent in the Chapel
7:15 pm-8:00 pm to join in slow recitation of the mysteries
Thanks to all who brought food and came to our All Parish Potluck to celebrate the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, the "Parisian
Thoroughfares" - very own jazz group and members of the
Parish & Family Life Commission who helped it all happen.
Will there be Soup in Lent lunches? In the past a soup and bread lunch was served after the noon
mass on Mondays of Lent.
Needed to do it again: a mini- committee, a coordinator,
soup makers and bread bakers.
If you are interested please contact Sr. Lorraine <[email protected]>.
You Are Not Alone Grieving a loss ?
On the 1st Sunday of the month at 9:30am in Bethany room
A member of the Bereavement Committee is available in
Bethany room to support anyone coping with loss or grief.
Art & Environment Committee Tuesday the 9th at 7PM, Newman Room
Discussion on organization for Lent and the following
seasons
Newcomers welcome Make a difference in your community or the world!
Nearly 200 programs available world-wide.
Weeks, months or even years available.
Opportunities for high school, college, married, single, senior
citizens.
Contact Catholic Network of Volunteer Services, (CNVS) to
get a free copy of RESPONSE 2010 at 800-543-5046 or
Website: www.cnvs.org
Contact Shari in the parish office for more information.
Share the Love! Valentine’s Day Film Fest at Riverside Manor.
Sunday, February 14, 2-4pm. Meet for rides in the student lounge at 1:30pm.
We will decorate, and watch an old black & white romance film with the residents.
More info? Contact Kendra Kavan: [email protected].
Serve dinner at the Soup Kitchen Monday, February 8, 5-7pm
Meet in the student lounge at 4:45pm for rides.
serve dinner to the guests at Food at First and then clean up.
Dinner and community building provided!
STA cooks 3 times per month on Mondays.
Contact Shari Reilly, [email protected] to sign up.
Volunteer Opportunities
Class Schedule
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Your Donations to CRS & Prayers
for Haiti Relief— Update
Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the official international
humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic Church, has been in
Haiti for more than 55 years. Almost immediately following the
earthquake, CRS began delivering lifesaving supplies, including
food and water, to desperate survivors. The supplies were already
in place in CRS' Port-au-Prince warehouse. Food kits were also
trucked in from Les Cayes. In the first days after the earthquake,
CRS had a staff of 313 on the ground, and more personnel are arriving daily. More supplies are arriving and being distributed. In
the neighboring Dominican Republic, CRS has been preparing
food packages to feed 50,000: the packages are five gallon
buckets loaded with ready-to-eat foods that don't need to be
cooked. CRS is also readying water storage containers and water
purification tablets. "Our staff on the ground say that the needs
are beyond belief," Ken Hackett, CRS President.
Haiti Earthquake Relief Tax Deduction
Congress passed a law that a taxpayer may treat contributions to
earthquake relief, made after January 11, 2010 as if such contribution was made in 2009, and not in 2010. In other words
you can take the tax deduction for your 2009 tax return.
2009 STA giving statements, for tax purposes, have already been
mailed. Parishioners who give to Haiti relief, through STA, and
need verification for tax purposes are asked to request a revised
giving statement - STA will not automatically mail new
statements, but will provide a revised statement upon request.
LITURGY
Have you been fortunate enough to have attended Mass and
experienced one of our youth lectors? Last fall we introduced a
new opportunity for parish youth to serve at the liturgy through
proclaiming the Word. We currently have seven of our youth
participating in the Youth Lector program once a month at the 4:45, 8:30 and 10:30 liturgies. Thanks to Emily Brehm-Stecher,
Kalle Carney, Megan Diesslin, Nia Johnson, Alex Kirstukas,
Allison Kirstukas and Liza Mann. Watch for these talented youth
on the upcoming weekends. For information on the Youth Lector
program contact [email protected]
You are encouraged to sign up for the Iowa Catholic Conference
(ICC) electronic newsletter. The ICC is the official public policy
voice of the Catholic Church in Iowa and is an advocate at the
Iowa legislature for policies that serve the common good. Please
visit www.iowacatholicconference.org and click on "Join the
Network" to receive a newsletter and action alerts.
Iowa Catholic Conference
2010 LENTEN SERIES:
THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF JESUS
(Beginning the Thursday before Ash Wednesday)
A seven-week series of talks based on the 7 last words of
Jesus on the cross.
Thursdays, 7 pm in the Prophets and Martyrs Room
Sponsored by the STA Charismatic Prayer Group
Contact Donna Evans for more info (836-2120 or
Feb. 11 - "Father, forgive them." Feb. 18 - "This day you will be with Me in paradise." Feb. 25 - "Behold your mother; Behold your son." Mar. 4 - "Why have You forsaken Me?"
Mar. 11 - "I thirst." Mar. 18 - "It is finished." Mar. 25 - "Into Your hands I commend My Spirit."
Sun., Feb. 7 8:30-9:30am Pre-K/Kindergarten
10-11:15am Pre-K/Kindergarten, Gr. 1-5
Wed., Feb. 10 5:45-7pm Gr. 1-5
7:15-8:30pm Gr. 6-10
Sun., Feb. 14 8:30-9:30am Pre-K/Kindergarten 10-11:15am Pre-K/Kindergarten, Gr. 1-5
Wed., Feb. 17 7pm Ash Wednesday Mass
middle & high school students do liturgical roles
February Sacramental Preparation
First Communion Parent/Child Session: Sat., Feb. 13, 9-
10:30am, Prophets & Martyrs & Lower Lounge; child care in
Angels Room
Confirmation Candidate Retreat: Sat., Feb. 26-Sun., Feb. 27, YMCA Camp, Boone
Grade 9 Purity Retreat
Will be held on Sun., Feb. 21, 11:30am-8pm at STA; will include
youth from Sts. Peter & Paul, Gilbert, St. Patrick, Nevada, and
St. Cecilia, Ames. For more information, contact
PHOTOS FROM WHOLE PARISH CATECHESIS NOW IN
ONLINE PHOTO GALLERY—www.staparish.net
Prayer Group
Update from Santa Rosa de Copán, Honduras
As many of you may know, last year was a difficult year for
Honduras, with a coup d’etat and other governmental
measures that made life more difficult for the people here. A
new president has been inaugurated, but who knows what this
will mean for the poor.
In the meantime the church here continues to be good news
for the poor.
The parish of Dulce Nombre de Maria is going forward not
only in its formation programs for catechists, other pastoral
workers, and a program for new Eucharistic ministers, but also
in an agricultural program that is helping hundreds of families
improve their production of basic grains (corn and beans) and
begin small family gardens. In addition, more silos are being
made to provide families a way to conserve their crops more
efficiently. Thanks to St. Thomas Aquinas, and especially to
the Vacation Bible School, which has helped in this effort,
supplementing funding from a Spanish aid group.
I am continuing to help in the parish as well as volunteering as
associate director of the diocesan office of Caritas (which is
sort of a combination of Catholic Charities and Catholic Relief
Services). In fact, we now have a project for maternal and
infant health through CRS and may be working more with
them in the future on water and agricultural projects in the
diocese.
My work in Caritas has included writing grant applications.
We recently received a grant from the US bishops’ Committee
on Latin America for a diocesan formation program on
Catholic Social Teaching. I will have a major role in helping
prepare the sessions as well as a manual for use by the church
base communities. If you have ever given to the US bishops
Latin America collection, you have helped us. Thank you.
This month I hope to accompany one of the program staff of
Caritas to Intibucá, the poorest part of the diocese, to
investigate several areas where we plan to work on
agricultural projects, including irrigation. I am really looking
forward to this way to serve those most in need.
I am also looking forward to the spring break group coming
and hope that STA can send other groups to further the
connection, especially with the parish of Dulce Nombre de
Copán.
Thank you for your continuing support of this ministry. Our
bishop, Monseñor Luis Alfonso Santos, sends his thanks for
the donation the Honduras Ministry Committee sent for the
education of seminarians. When I told him the money had
arrived, he said with great joy, ―Thank you,‖ in English.
Thanks and please keep us in your prayers.
John Donaghy
Community Outreach Tithe Grants
January-June 2010
At St. Thomas, we place value in being a community that gives generously to the poor and needy. To that end, we
allocate 7.5% of the annual plate and envelope collection to
support programs that directly serve the needs of the poor
by providing clean water, food, shelter, basic health care and early education. 4% is used in our own Love Your
Neighbor ministry that provides emergency assistance for
rent and utilities here in Story County. The other 3.5% is allocated twice per year.
Available funding for this ½ year: $11,200. Total amount requested: $16,624.02. Of this amount, $1500 per funding
period is allocated to our dues to AMOS community
organizing by the pastoral council. The rest is distributed by the Community Outreach Tithe committee, after
considering all current applications.
Allocations in Ames - $ 5100 Requested Granted
Ames Free Medical Clinic $1000 $ 800
Story Co. Dental Clinic $1000 $ 800
Emergency Residence Project $1000 $ 900
MICA Food Shelf $1000 $ 800
Beyond Welfare $1000 $ 500
Friendship Ark Homes, Ames $800 $ 500
Mustard Seed Community Farm $1000 $ 800
Outside Ames - $4600
Medical Mission Sisters, Ethiopia $1000 $ 700
Presentation Sisters, Bolivia $1000 $ 600
EOS International $1000 $ 700
STA Honduras Ministry Fund $1000 $ 500
Maryknoll Father John Lange $500-$1000 $ 300
Engineers Without Borders-ISU $1324.02 $ 600
Life to Life Global Builders $1000 $ 700
Mazatlan Charity $1000 $ 500
We encourage parishioners to support all of these
organizations. For more information about them, contact
Shari Reilly in the parish office, 515-292-3810, ext. 15 or [email protected]. To read the guidelines for allocations,
check the ―forms‖ page on the parish website. Applications
for the next funding period will be due April 7th at 5:00pm in the parish office. They are also available on the website:
staparish.net > RESOURCES > FORMS
Spiritual Gifts of Spiritual People
As the coordinator of the parish’s Discerning Our Giftedness
program, and as a novice in discerning & celebrating my own
giftedness, I thought I would share a short reflection on spiritual
gifts. Spiritual gifts are hardly a new thing. St. Paul was teaching
about it in the first century to the Corinthians (1Cor12) and the
Ephesians (Eph 4) and others (e.g. Romans 12). But there seems
to be some confusion about charisms and why the parish is
―pushing‖ this.
Some of the most significant gifts that I have received from God
are people: people who encourage, or teach, or challenge, or care,
or reveal God in some other way. I wouldn't say that gifts from
God are exclusively people – they are not - God is much bigger
than that. But it seems that when God wants to speak or act in
someone's life, when God reveals to us our own giftedness, he
prefers to do it with another person.
One question that comes up when speaking of spiritual gifts is
"What is the difference between gifts and talents?" I don't think
this is a very useful question as it focuses too much on the ability,
and too little on it's use. Our questions should be "How can I be a
gift to my church, family and community?" or "How can I
receive, or unwrap, the gifts around me, the people God has
placed in my life?"
The other question that commonly comes up is "What are my
spiritual gifts?" I don't like this question as it suggests that the
gifts are somehow "Mine". They aren't. They are God's. That is
why we call our program here Discerning OUR Giftedness. A
better question is "How am I a blessing to others?" or "What
opportunities do I see around me?" This is where we should focus
our attention. If God is going to "gift" us with some special
ability, he will do it as we step out to serve him, not as we sit back
and pat ourselves on the back.
So let me leave you with a two-fold challenge:
1: You are a gift from God to those around you. How will you be
a gift that is valued? How will God work in and through you?
2: You are surrounded by people who are gifts from God. How
will you unwrap them to allow them to be a blessing to you and
God means them to be?
As you do these things, you might notice God enabling you in ways you had never thought possible, using your specific and
special spiritual gifts. That's fantastic when it happens, but you
may go through life unaware and unconvinced of your giftedness,
unless you spend some time in discernment.
Bobby LeBlanc
There are still openings in the next Discerning Our Giftedness
session—consider putting in the time, prayer and effort this
Lent to get in touch with how God has gifted you—brochures
available in the church or download at:
www.staparish.net > RESOURCES > FORMS
COMMUNITY NOTICES
A Friend Indeed: The Bill Sackter Story February 24, 7:00 pm, ISU Memorial Union, Great Hall
Free Admission Additional Info. Contact: Jay Lettow at The Arc -
515-232-9330 or <[email protected]>
Abandoned in an institution for 44 years, Bill Sackter would
never see his family again. Forgotten and alone, his life changed
through the help and friendship of a young college student, Barry Morrow and several other caring individuals.
With a harmonica, a warm cup of coffee, and an incredible embrace of life, Bill was transformed from a neglected individual
into a national hero for people with disabilities. An inspiring real-
life documentary about hope, compassion, and the power of
friendship.
Learn more at www.BillSackter.com
The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Central Iowa
(NAMI of CI)—offering two classes for persons challenged with
mental illness and their family. Family to Family is a 12 session
course for family members of adults with mental illness,
discussing treatments and skills family need to cope effectively. Meet on Monday evenings beginning Feb. 15. Peer to Peer is a 9
session course on establishing/maintaining wellness for persons
with mental illness. Meet on Sunday afternoons, beginning Feb.
28. classes and materials are free. Registration is required. For
more information contact Deb at 292-9400 or [email protected]
Director of Religious Education/Youth Ministry Team
Leader – Responsibilities include: overseeing faith formation;
open communication within the parish and diocese. Oversees the
budget process. Recruits, trains, and oversee volunteers in the
youth ministry program. Is an active member of the Catholic Church. Work towards completion of the Diocesan Ministry
Formation Program and Youth Ministry Program or its
equivalent required or a bachelor’s degree in a field related to
parish ministry. Salary commensurate with education and
experience. Send resume and 3 professional references
to: Trustees, St. Mary’s Oskaloosa, 301 High Ave E., Oskaloosa,
IA 52577 or email <[email protected]> by March 1st.
Free Tax Preparation Services: Iowa State University
accounting students will be offering free tax preparation services
this season. Taxpayers with household incomes of $57,000 or
less are eligible for basic return preparation services. For more
information about the program, send an e-mail to [email protected]. A full copy of the announcement
will be sent to you by return e-mail.
The Department of Psychology at Iowa State is currently
conducting a study on the effectiveness of counseling groups in
helping individuals overcome interpersonal injuries and is
recruiting subjects for this study. For more information about the
program, send an e-mail to [email protected]. A full copy of the announcement will be sent to you by return e-mail.
2210 Lincoln Way Ames, Iowa 50014
515-292-3810
www.STAparish.net
Pastor, Fr. Jon Seda ................................... x13
[email protected] .................. (h) 292-1192
Associate Pastor, Fr. Dennis Miller ........... x17
[email protected] .........(c) 515-451-4052
Campus Ministry/Charity, Justice, Peace
Shari Reilly ............................................ x15
[email protected]............ (c) 660-441-3400
Campus Ministry, Misty Prater ................. x14 [email protected]………(c) 785-633-5206
Liturgy & Music, Todd Flowerday ........... x24
[email protected] ............ (c) 816-838-6579
Business Manager, Bobby LeBlanc........... x12
[email protected] ................. (c)708-2861
Parish Family Life/RCIA
Lorraine Schmaltz, PBVM ...................... x16
Development & Alumni, Kris Egan .......... x18
Religious Education, Kathy White ............ x29
[email protected].................. (c) 451-3202
Youth Ministry, Megan Sisler
[email protected] ............... 515-720-4060
Marriage Preparation, Brenda Neppel ........ x25
Support Staff Don Alexander, Secretary ......................... x10
Barb Cockshoot, Secretary ........................ x11
Net Larson, Financial Secretary ............... x22 [email protected]
Anne Recker, Librarian ............................ x19
Steve Borton ................................ Maintenance
Phoubane Phommasen.................. Maintenance
PARISH STAFF
Peer Ministers 296-2460
Bridget Horan Community Life [email protected] Jeff Podolski Outreach [email protected] Cory Sents Liturgy [email protected] Kate Hemker Service & Justice [email protected]
Catholic Charities office @ STA Mary Jo Wulf—296-2759
Since 1910, Scouting has helped
mold the future leaders of this
country by combining educational
activities and lifelong values with
fun. The Boy Scouts of America
believes and, through nearly a
century of experience, understands
that helping youth puts us on a
path toward a more conscientious,
responsible, and productive
society. On this Scout Sunday
we thank all our parishioners,
young and old, who have been
part of scouting.
WEEKEND MASSES 4:45 PM Saturday 8:30 & 10:30 AM Sunday 7:00 PM Sunday … when ISU classes on Monday
WEEKDAY MASS 12:00 NOON Monday - Friday 10:00 PM Thursday
RECONCILIATION 8:00 - 9:00 PM Thursday 3:30 PM Saturdays & by appointment
PARISH OFFICE HOURS 8 AM - 5 PM Monday—Friday 6 PM - 8:30 PM Monday—Thursday
STUDENT CENTER Open 8 AM to Midnight … 7 days/week
PARISH COUNCIL www.STAparish.net/parishcouncil
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
ADULTS Where did Peter have to go in his personal life before he could
follow Jesus? When are you on ‘the shore’ and when are you
in ‘the deep?’
CHILDREN How do you follow Jesus?
IN YOUR PRAYERS
Forgiving in the Name of God
We are all wounded people. Who
wounds us? Often those whom we
love and those who love us. When we
feel rejected, abandoned, abused, manipulated, or violated, it is mostly
by people very close to us: our
parents, our friends, our spouses, our
lovers, our children, our neighbors, our teachers, our pastors.
Those who love us wound us too. That's the tragedy of our lives.
This is what makes forgiveness from the heart so difficult. It is
precisely our hearts that are wounded. We cry out, "You, who I
expected to be there for me, you have abandoned me. How can I
ever forgive you for that?"Forgiveness often seems
impossible, but nothing is impossible for God. The God who lives
within us will give us the grace to go beyond our wounded selves
and say, "In the Name of God you are forgiven." Let's pray for that grace.
Masses
Noon 5:15 PM
7:00 PM 10:00 PM
February 17
STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION
In today’s readings, both Isaiah and Peter hear the call of God
and feel themselves unworthy. But, reassured by the Lord, both
answer and follow. Do I hear the Lord asking ―Whom shall I
send?‖ Am I prepared to answer, ―Here I am. Send me!‖
READINGS THIS WEEK
Sunday: Is 6:1-2a, 3-8/Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9/1 Cor 15:1-11
or 15:3-8, 11/Lk 5:1-11
Monday: 1 Kgs 8:1-7, 9-13/Ps132:6-7, 8-10/ Mk 6:53-56
Tuesday: 1 Kgs 8:22-23, 27-30/Ps 84:3, 4, 5 and 10, 11/
Mk 7:1-13 Wednesday: 1 Kgs 10:1-10/Ps 37:5-6, 30-31, 39-40/
Mk 7:14-23
Thursday: 1 Kgs 11:4-13/Ps 106:3-4, 35-36, 37 and 40/
Mk 7:24-30
Friday: 1 Kgs 11:29-32; 12:19/Ps 81:10-11ab, 12-13,
14-15/Mk 7:31-37
Saturday: 1 Kgs 12:26-32; 13:33-34/1Ps 06:6-7ab, 19-20,
21-22 Mk 8:1-10
Next Sunday: Jer 17:5-8/Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6/1 Cor 15:12,
16-20/Lk 6:17, 20-26
Please pray for the repose of the souls of Steve Borton’s mother
(Steve works in parish maintenance); and for peer minister Kate
Hemker’s father.
The Archdiocesan Catholic Charities’ Annual Appeal is being
conducted in all parishes of the Archdiocese the weekend of
February 13 and 14. A letter will be mailed to the homes of
residents asking you to support this worthy cause. You can
contribute by mailing the envelope to Catholic Charities or put it in the parish collection basket and we will forward your donation
to Catholic Charities. Please make checks payable to
CATHOLIC CHARITIES.
Catholic Charities Appeal
The Knights of Columbus wish to extend their thanks for the
generous donations collected at the recent pancake breakfast. The
net proceeds from the event were $896.58. The breakfast was the
single best breakfast in our group's history. We were blessed to
serve over 300 parishioners filling the lower lounge after both Sunday morning masses. This tremendous outpouring of support
is a testament to the strength of faith and commitment to service
of St. Thomas Aquinas parish. These funds will be used to fund
projects for the parish, and to support charitable causes in and
around our community.
Thanks from the Knights