Catechetical Sunday September 20, 2009

St. Peter’s, Rome (2004)

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Mission Statement : The Roman Catholic Saint Thomas More Parish Family welcomes and invites every person to join us on our journey in faith and celebration. With the grace and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and through Sacred Scripture and Tradition, we proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all, especially in loving service to those in need. As part of the Universal Church, we affirm the dignity of every person. All this we do to give glory and honor to God.

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

myadron@stm-church.com Associate Pastor .......................... Reverend Richard C. Holy; Ext. 314

rholy@stm-church.com Deacons ................................................................ Rev. Mr. Ted Mauch ................................................................................. Mr. Joseph Stodola ..............................................................................Dr. Napoleon Tabion .............................................................................. Mr. Daniel Zurawski Stewardship Director ...................................... Noreen Bickel; Ext. 330 Pastoral Care Coordinator .............Deacon Napoleon Tabion; Ext. 315 Director of Religious Formation ..........Mrs. Sandra Morgan; 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: parish.office@stm-church.com Office Phone………. 836-8610 Office Fax ........... 836-9185 Bulletin Editor ............................................. Mrs. Candy Ally; Ext. 311 E-mail address for bulletin is: bulletin@stm-church.com 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 ..............................................Jean Bados 836-8610 Eucharistic Ministers .......................................... Ruth Banas 836-5387 Hospitality Ministry ........................................Ann D’Orazio 838-9343 Lectors ..................................................................Jim Kaspar 836-2343 Music Ministry .................... Miss Angie Lorandos 836-8610, Ext. 338 Nursery ................................................... Kaaren A. Mashura 836-5079 St. Vincent dePaul .............................. Mrs. Kathy Georgelas 836-8610 SVDP Youth Conference .................................. Janyne Little 838-0597 Vocations Committee .............................. Mrs. Mary Kochis 322-7262 2009-2010 Pastoral Council Tom Alexander .......................................................... Margaret Canady Kevin Cloghessy ...................................Elaine Herrmann, Chairperson Don Kopenec ...................................................................Jackie Kovach Phil McIntosh .........................................................................Lucy Perz Dwight Reed ................................................................... James Secviar Joyce Stodola ...................................................................Timothy Rutz 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 ....................................................Mr. Chet Nordyke; Ext. 328 School Administrative Assistant .......Mrs. Jennifer Gonzalez; Ext. 328 School Reception & Office Associate ..Mrs. Mary Jo Biscan; Ext. 329 Dir. of Student Special Services .................Mrs. Tina Boyle; Ext. 323 Home & School Association. ................. Mrs. Vesna Sopcic 864-1721 Parish & School Offices Associate ......... Mrs. Pam Wadycki; Ext. 339 Cornerstone Center 8635 Calumet Avenue ~ Munster, IN 46321 Phone ....................................................................................... 836-2660 Fax ........................................................................................... 836-2655

Sacramental Information Confessions Saturdays ............................................................3:30 to 4:30 p.m. First Friday ..............................1/2 hour before the 6:30 a.m. Mass Baptisms .............................. First and Third Sundays at 1:00 p.m.

Parents must be registered parishioners and regularly attending at least six months before the baptism. At least one of the godparents must be a practicing Catholic.

Pre Baptism Class .....................................2nd Tuesday 7:00 p.m. Parents must call the Parish Office to schedule class and/or Baptism. Marriage .............. Must be a registered, practicing member of the parish at least six months before beginning the six month preparation program for marriage.

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

St. Thomas More Religious Education Kindergarten through 8th Grade Office Hours:M-F 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Religious Education Phone ............................................................ 836-8610 Director ......................................................... Mrs. Sandra Morgan; Ext. 332 Administrative Assistant ................................ Mrs. Charlotte Herr; Ext. 336 Grades K through 8 ~ Wed. & Thurs. 4:30 ~ 6:00 p.m.

Pastoral Commissions Chairpersons Formation/Education ..........................................................Mrs. Elaine Caco Parish Life ........................................................................Mrs. Marilyn Pajor Peace & Social Justice .......................................................Mr. David Kapala Spirituality & Worship .................................................Mrs. Margot Blocher Stewardship ...............................................................................Diane Houser

Parish Organizations Altar & Rosary Society .........................................Cindy Keilman 923-9862 Elizabeth Ministry ................................................. Pam Domasica 838-7940 Holy Name Society .......................................................Joe Adams 865-3566 Senior Citizens ..........................................................Mary Wilson 838-9481 Respect Life ..............................................................Alice Wohler 836-5337 Knights of Columbus .......................................Thomas Alexander 922-0686 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 Liszewski 864-1082 Cub Scouts ..................................................................Curt Anglin 844-2178 Girl Scouts .......................................................... Barbara Jamrose 922-3783 Catering/Hall Rental ..........................................Kathleen Pagorek 972-0539 Mom’s Group ...............................................................Dawn Hein 923-6352 Ushers Club ...........................................................Jim Marmalejo 836-8607 Gabriel Project .......................................................Kathy Trotman 836-4329

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 Roman Catholic Church 8501 Calumet Avenue, Munster, IN 46321

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Jennifer R. Evans

Kristen M. Kennedy

Saturday, September 26 8:30 am B. & S. Caraher 5:30 pm K. Alanza, J. & T. Beckman, GW. & M. Childs MC ~ Joe Sunday, September 27 6:30 am M. O’Shea, M. Zabrecky, M. Pukoszek 8:00 am L. Rouse, B. Seligman, C. Slivka, C. Wadlow, V. Zaczyk ~ MC ~ Evan 10:00 am M. Perez, J. & M. Peters, A. & B. Sikora MC ~ Patrick 12:00 noon S. O’Brien, T. Wieser, E. Diaz ~ MC ~ Ted

SUNDAY, September 20 ~ Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time 6:30 am For Our Parish Family Living and Deceased 8:00 am Anastasia Petrick (Ann.) by Daughter Helen Kulczyk 10:00 am Henry & Frances Schumacher by Peter Murphy 12:00 pm Adam Jez by Children MONDAY, September 21 ~ St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist 6:30 am Arthur & June Sampsel by Mr. & Mrs. John Geary 8:30 am Herman & Julia Radde by Family TUESDAY, September 22 6:30 am Irene Domer by Yvette 8:30 am Patrick Quinn by Wife Lois 10:00 am Ronald Bolek by STM Holy Name Society (MASS AT MED-INN CHAPEL, Group 4) WEDNESDAY, September 23 ~ St. Pio of Pietrelcina 6:30 am In Thanksgiving to STM Altar & Rosary Society by Megan Muta 8:30 am Emily Kolbus (Ann.) by Friends THURSDAY, September 24 6:30 am E. Jay Summers by James Wilfinger 9:00 am James Zabrecky by Dorothy Zabrecky FRIDAY, September 25 6:30 am Jeff Vickers by Leslie Dernulc 8:30 am Genevieve Biegel by Bunco Club SATURDAY, September 26 ~ St. Cosmas & St. Damian 8:30 am Intention of Michael Ferrantella by Children 5:30 pm Deceased Members of the Gauthier Family by Russell Revenew SUNDAY, September 27 ~ Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 6:30 am For Our Parish Family Living and Deceased 8:00 am Margaret Sandrick by Husband 10:00 am Lil & Emil Neiner by Family 12:00 pm In Honor of St. Vincent de Paul by STM St. Vincent de Paul Society

CELEBRANTS

Saturday, September 26 5:30 pm Father Mike Yadron

Sunday, September 27 6:30 am Father Mike Yadron 8:00 am Father Mike Yadron 10:00 am Father Rick Holy 12:00 noon Father Rick Holy

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time September 20, 2009

II Joseph Stephen & Jennifer Nellans I Daniel Grady & Kayte Yerga I Todd Sobieck & Kelly Stolgren I Meghan Elizabeth Smosna & Brent A. Coudron

Taking a child he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.” Mk 9:36-37

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Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time It is perhaps one of the most exciting and yet frightening times of a young couple's lives. From the moment they discover that they are expecting a child to the very moment that he or she enters the world, the parents-to-be are filled with joy, but also concern. Will their baby be healthy? Today's doctors can detect health issues long before the baby is born; if something is discovered, how does the young couple receive the news? Are they faced with difficult decisions, or are they bolstered by the message found in today's Gospel? Given the circumstances of today's fast-paced life, it is difficult to imagine the pace of life in Jesus' day. On a journey by foot through Galilee, Jesus and his disciples had many hours to discuss the meaning of life and the role of Christ in their lives. He tried to explain his final days and hours, but even with seemingly all the time in the world, they did not grasp the immense message he was giving them. Perhaps seeking an easier way to say it, he held a small child, telling them that if they accept an innocent child, they are accepting him, and in accepting him, they are accepting God. In praying the Lord's Prayer, we first and foremost proclaim "Our Father." This is done with the intent to remind us that in order to be fully revealed in our hearts, we must appear to God as innocents, children willing to accept his love unconditionally. We are asking for a purification of our hearts (CCC 2779). As Jesus held that small child out to his disciples, he gave absolutely no conditions as to acceptance of a child. As innocents, children are the symbol of the purity of life and the purity of the love Jesus has for us all.

Readings for the Week of September 20, 2009 Sunday: Wis 2:12, 17-20/Jas 3:16---4:3/Mk 9:30-37 Monday: Eph 4:1-7, 11-13/Mt 9:9-13 Tuesday: Ezr 6:7-8, 12b, 14-20/Lk 8:19-21 Wednesday: Ezr 9:5-9/Lk 9:1-6 Thursday: Hg 1:1-8/Lk 9:7-9 Friday: Hg 2:1-9/Lk 9:18-22 Saturday: Zec 2:5-9, 14-15a/Lk 9:43b-45 Next Sunday: Nm 11:25-29/Jas 5:1-6/Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

SUNDAY, September 20 New Beginnings after 8:00 & 10:00 am Masses 10:00 am Mass ~ Catechetical Sunday 1:30 pm Queen of Peace Cenacle ~ Chapel MONDAY, September 21 5:00 pm Spirituality/Worship ~ Conference Room 7:00 pm Blue Army ~ Chapel 7:00 pm Holy Name ~ Solar Room 7:00 pm Religious Formation ~ Conference Room TUESDAY, September 22 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 Inquiry Session ~ Solar Room 7:00 pm Video Bible ~ Conference Room WEDNESDAY, September 23 9:30 am Bible Study ~ Conference Room 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm ~ Religious Education Classes 6:30 pm SVDP ~ Conference Room THURSDAY, September 24 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm ~ Religious Education Classes 7:00 pm All Seasons Chorale ~ Church 7:00 pm Deanery Council ~ Solar Room FRIDAY, September 25 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm ~ K of C Fish Fry ~ Gym SATURDAY, September 26 New Beginnings after 5:30 pm Mass 9:00 am Pastoral Council ~ Conference Room SUNDAY, September 27 New Beginnings after 8:00 & 10:00 am Masses St. Vincent de Paul Food Collection ~ All Masses

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

Joseph Gasiorek Karen Gianotti Dorothy Gillespie Howard Gralewski James Grunewald Amy Hayes Eleanore Heggi Marie Henke Evelyn Hennes Ray Humpfer Steve Izzo Dennis Jablonski Elizabeth Jacob Stanley Jayjack Rosemary Jerzak-Staszel Emery Johns Dorothy Jurkash Debbie Kaczka Robert Kalka Margaret A. Kapala Carol Keilman Rev. Matthew Kish Josephine Knesek Janet Knight Alice Kolember Ken Kors Dorothy Kovach Helen Krull Julia Kukta Jerome Kula Debbie Le Monier Mary Leahy Stanley Liskiewicz Maria Lovell Gregory Mahoney Mary Manchak Brady Martin Kathryn McBride

Faye Meny Sandi Merlo Olga Mihalo Andrew Moll Gerald Moran Jean Narvid Donna Nichols Steven Nowaczyk Bella O’Bryan Valerie O’Donnell Danny Ogren Audrey Ostroff Johanna Petruch Elizabeth Pilones Adam Potapczak Helen Pukoszek Anthony Saklaczynski Ann Sardella Mary Sarnowski George Sauer Jean Schultz Marie Schultz Marianne Schwartz William Schwartz Zachery Scriff James Secviar Renee Shehan Grace Sheridan Carolyn Smiley Deborah Stareck Carolyn Sutley Georgianne Suto Rose Theis Gerardo Trevino Anthony Ubuane Adele Wall Sally Walters Lucille Wonnell Cecilia Ziegler

Coleen Alexander Margaret Amatulli Curt Anglin Doris Aurelio Maria Aurelio Irene Baker Cody Baldwin Antonio Belmonte Tom Bernacke Michael Berry Michael Blazevich Diane Bochnowski Michael Boston Cheryl Bostrom Arthur Branco Judy Buksa Stephany Burney Dorothy Campbell James Campbell Lorraine Caparelli Al Carollo Carol Carollo Kathleen Cecil Jacqueline Morrow Christian Frank Coman Vincent Corsello Mike Curtain Irene Dettmer Irene Dickey David Drewniak Madeline Dunn Marian Dzurovsak John Fetzko Sr. Beatrice Flahaven Elizabeth Follmer John Forde Phyllis Garber Andrea Garritano

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The Pastor’s Page

RCIA INQUIRY SESSION THIS TUESDAY The Rite for Christian Initiation of Adults is the formal and proper way for adults to enter the Roman Catholic Church. It is a series of classes and discernment that helps a person determine whether or not God is calling him or her to become a full member of the Catholic Church. The RCIA classes will run every Tuesday evening from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. (8:30 p.m. is the latest that we go. Often we are finished by 8:00 p.m.) in the Solar Room. The next set of classes will begin with inquiry sessions at 7:00 p.m. this Tuesday (September 22nd) and next week (September 29th). These sessions give you an opportunity to fill out a registration form, telling us about yourself. You also pick up the book and syllabus for the year. You only need to attend one of the two inquiry sessions. The regular sessions begin Tuesday, October 6th. The RCIA is also appropriate for any Catholic who may have been baptized but never had their other Sacraments of Initiation (Eucharist and/or Confirmation). Is God calling you to the Catholic Church? Come find out!

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE A father was reading Bible stories to his young son. He read, "The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city, but his wife looked back and was turned to salt." His son asked, "What happened to the flea?"

CHURCH ETIQUETTE: THE FLU SEASON I am sure that, at first glance, someone could look at the heading of this column and say, “Huh?!” But, think about it. Etiquette, manners, social grace, whatever you may call it, require an action upon our parts that respects others. We are in the midst of a flu season that has the potential to go down in history. We have already heard of several colleges that have reported large numbers of flu and have instructed students upon what to do if they experience flu symptoms. Specifically, they tell the students to rest, take plenty of fluids, avoid physical contact with others, and keep to their rooms until better. Roommates are being encouraged to sleep elsewhere or sleep with masks if they must remain in their rooms. Isolation is definitely one of the best things to prevent the spread of diseases. It seems so contradictory that, in a day and age when so many priests lament the number of people who do not attend Mass, we are reminding you: if you are not well, please do not come to church. Respecting your fellow parishioner means doing what you can do not to put that person at risk. The Church has always been clear in its teaching that if someone is ill and cannot attend Mass, they have no obligation to do so that day. Therefore, they do not commit sin by not coming to Mass. During this flu season, especially, do yourself and your fellow parishioner a great service by staying home and taking care of yourself. We remind our parents of that same rule of respect for all of our children in our grade school and Religious Education program: if your child is sick, keep your child home. Do not risk prolonging your child’s illness or exposing others to what your child has. Additionally, if you are at Mass and someone next to you, ahead of you, behind you, does not shake your hand during the Sign of Peace, please do not be offended. That person may be fearful of the flu that is going around. Remember, our worship together is not personal prayer. It is communal prayer and as such, demands that we take into account the needs of others as well as ourselves. Taking the opportunity to safeguard our fellow parishioners reflects the care and concern we have for them. I hope and pray that the flu season of which so many professionals speak may not affect our parish family unduly. God bless you and your families!

Priests and deacons have served the Diocese of Gary more than fifty years. 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: September 23: Rev. Joseph P. Murphy, SCJ (1977) September 24: Deacon David Brown (1997)

CATECHETICAL SUNDAY “Catechesis and the Proclamation of the Word”

This year’s theme for Catechetical Sunday focuses upon the dignity and importance of proclaiming the Word in our world. We are all called to proclaim the Word of God both by what we say as well as by what we do. Some people are called and commissioned in a special way as they proclaim that Word as Catechists, teachers of the faith. I take this opportunity to thank all of those who instruct our parish children in the faith both in our school as well as our Religious Education program. I also encourage parents, the first teachers of the faith, to continue to provide good examples of faith that their children may follow throughout their lives.

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Sacrificial Offering for September 6, 2009

Adults $23,587.14 Loose $933.00 Children $63.06 TOTAL $24,583.20

Thank you for your generosity!

Religious Education

In a soul united to God It is always springtime.

~St. John Vianney, Patron Saint of Priests

Mark your Calendar Sept. 23/24 Class 30 Class Oct. 1 Class 7/8 Class All School Mass 5 pm 14/15 Class 15 Confirmation Parent Meeting 7:00 p.m. Gymnasium

21/22 Class—Sister Evelyn on Vocations

28/29 NO CLASS FALL BREAK We are in need of Substitutes and Hall Monitors for Religious Education Evenings.

RCIA Inquiry will be September 22, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. and September 29, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at Saint Thomas More in the Solar Room

Religious Education Office—836-8610

Sandi Morgan Director of Religious Education

Reach for the Stars!

Bishop Noll Institute 2009 Fall Raffle

Grand Prize ~ $20,000 Cash 2nd Prize ~ $5,000 Cash or 1 years. Tuition

3rd Prize ~ $2,000 Cash 4th - 7th Prizes ~ $500 Cash

Donation $10.00 Drawing ~ October 21, 2009

All proceeds to benefit Bishop Noll Institute Winner need not be present

For complete rules visit www.bishopnoll.org

You can purchase tickets at the Parish Office!

Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat Abortion touches many lives. Rachel's Vineyard is a weekend retreat for healing after abortion. This retreat held October 9 through October 11, will help those who struggle with grief, guilt and pain. Come and experience the healing love of God in the company of others who understand these feelings. For more information please call 219-558-0625 or visit www.rachelsvineyard.org. Confidentiality is strictly observed.

Entertainment Books are available in the Parish Office! $20

PARISH LIFE PICNIC A big thank you to the good Lord for the beautiful weather, and the many many volunteers that made our picnic a huge success last Sunday. We would like to single out three outstanding helpers – Jim Secviar Kevin Pajor and Allen Blocher – our deepest thanks!

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Harvest Gala Committee

Emilee Biegel Jason Biegel Dan Buksa Julie Buksa Marcie Burzynski Katie Connelly Kevin Connelly Dawn Hein Samantha Francis Kathleen Lulay Cathy Lyons Chris O’Brien Dina O’Brien Catharine Olsen Marcus Olsen Pam Pasyk Kim Power Denise Rusnak Antonietta Scalzo Vesna Sopcic Jane Surd

Dear Friend of St. Thomas More School, August 1, 2009 St. Thomas More School has proudly served Munster and the surrounding community for nearly 60 years. The St. Thomas More Home and School Association (HSA) continues its focus on financial support of our school. HSA fundraising proceeds enable St. Thomas More School to continue the tradition of providing state-of–the-art Catholic education to almost 600 students while minimizing the ever-rising cost of tuition to parents. Plans are currently underway to host our annual STMS Harvest Gala. This adult gala on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at Villa Cesare will feature live and silent auctions, raffles, cocktails, dinner, and dancing. The Harvest Gala will be promoted to school parents, parish members, and the surrounding community with fundraising targeted at $50,000. Please consider supporting our fundraising efforts with contributions of merchandise, gift certificates, services, or cash. Additionally, we are once again offering the opportunity to purchase ads in our auction catalog which will be distributed to the nearly 500 guests and posted on-line. We are also offering, once again, the opportunity for a business or individual to sponsor part of the event. Sponsors will be acknowledged at the event by way of a professional sign and will be highlighted in the auction catalog. Print-ready ad copy and sponsorship prices are noted below. To make a 2009 tax deductible donation, please complete and return the form below to the school or parish office, or call to arrange for a donation pick-up. All of our contributors will be prominently recognized at the Harvest Gala and in our parish bulletin. Thank you for your continued support. Your generosity is greatly appreciated by the students, parents and staff of St. Thomas More School. Sincerely, The St. Thomas More Home and School Association 8435 Calumet Avenue ▪ Munster, IN 46321 (219) 836-9151▪ Harvest Gala Extension #350 St. Thomas More School is a 501C3 Not-for-Profit organization. Check with your accountant for the deductibility of your donation. IN Tax ID# 35-0900733.

Donor/ Advertising/ Sponsorship FormPlease make all checks payable to St. Thomas More Home & School Association

Please return donation intent form along with your camera ready AD copy no later than October 9, 2009

Donor’s Name:_____________________________________________ Donor’s Address:_________________________________________ (as you wish it to appear) Contact Person:_______________________ Phone:_______________ _______________________________________________________ Donation:__________________________________________________________________________ Estimated Value: $__________________

Sponsorship Opportunities

I would like to sponsor a portion of the Harvest Gala Event.

___ $ 500 Sponsorship ____ $1,500 Sponsorship ___ $1,000 Sponsorship ____ $2,000 Sponsorship We will contact you with further information

Print-Ready Ads

____ Full Page (81/2” x 11”) $100

______Half Page (8 1/2” x 5.5”) $75

______Business Card (3’ x 2.5”) $50

(Camera Ready ad copy MUST be enclosed or e-mail the school in order to meet deadlines)

Donor Level

____ Platinum Donor (Cash, Goods, or Services valued at $500 or more) _______ Gold Donor (Cash, goods, or services valued at $250-$499) _____ Silver Donor (Cash, Goods, or services valued at $100 to $249) _____ Friend Donor (Cash, goods, or services valued less than $100)

Can Corporate Gift Matching increase your donation? STMS is eligible to receive corporate matching funds! Just submit a completed gift matching form with your donation.

8435 Calumet Avenue Munster, IN 46321 (219) 836-9151, ext 350 Tax ID# 35-0900733

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Holy Name News

Attention all members! Our next meeting will take place on Monday, September 21st in the Solar Room. The meeting starts at 7:30 pm. Come early at 7:00 pm for the praying of the rosary. Video and pizza/refreshments will conclude the meeting. Fr. John Corapi’s latest video, “Since You Asked” will continue our video series. New members are welcome! Our annual “Evening of Recollection” will take place at the Carmelite Shrine in Munster on Tuesday, September 29th. Our Retreat Master will be Rev. Michael Veneklas OCD. Registration will start at 5:30 pm. A mini tour of the Grottos will then be held, followed with 6:30 pm Mass. After dinner, praying of the rosary, a spiritual talk and benediction will close the evening. A donation of $13 is appreciated. Please RSVP to Chairman, Bob Ray @ 219-924-6472 by Thursday, September 24th. New members are welcome!

My Two Cents Thoughts on Stewardship of Treasure

Mary is our stewardship example. She gave her life, her comfort, her future to the Lord.

Considering all that she did, shouldn’t we be able to share our treasure?

Lillie Beckman

Share YOUR thoughts at: mytwocents@stm-church.com

Respect Life Corner Spiritual Adoption Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Your mother Mary, who bore You with love and through the intercession of St. Joseph, the man of trust who watched over You after birth, we beg You to spare the lives of these unborn children whom we have spiritually adopted and are in danger of abortion. We ask You grant courage and love to the parents, so they may allow these children to live as You Yourself have willed from all eternity. Amen.

“Life Chain” On Sunday, October 4th, 2009, Lake County Right to Life is sponsoring a “Life Chain.” The Chain will begin at Wicker Park (Indianapolis Blvd & Ridge Rd) and head west along Ridge Road into Lansing, IL. Please come join us! Stand with thou-sands of pro-lifers throughout the USA! You’ll be a light in the world as you help put an end to abor-tion through prayer! Bring your whole family. Rain or Shine. Lawn chairs, umbrellas and strollers are welcome. We will stand for life for one hour holding provided signs, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm, and pray that Life will be recognized as sacred and as the first inalienable right of each individual.

“Roses for Life” On Saturday, October 3rd, and Sunday, October 4th, Lake County Right to Life is sponsoring a Rose for Life Sale. Interested churches will distribute fresh roses for a donation of

$1.00 per rose or $10.00 per dozen. This fundraiser will help us cover the cost of our projects, which include an information booth at the Lake County Fair, our Speakers Bureau, Life Chain and pro-life messages through billboards and high school sports brochures. If you would like to assist in this fundraising event, please call Karen at 219-838-1138.

You are in the Right Direction for Something Big!

You now say that you may be interested in being a priest? You meet with a priest to talk! You want to spend more time in prayer.

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Adult & Teen Volunteers needed for the Sunday Morning

Nursery during the 10 AM Mass Call Kaaren Mashura for infomation

836-5079

St. Vincent de Paul Society Friends of the Poor Walk

Saturday, September 26, 2009 Lemon Lake County Park, Lowell at 11 a.m.

Gary Diocese 50th Anniversary Celebratory

Picnic to follow.

Register as a walker, sponsor a walker, or as a corporate donor on-line at

www.svdpfriendsofthepoorwalk.org Contact Judie Ballanco at 922-9773 for paper registration forms and questions

All proceeds will benefit St. Thomas More

Parish SVDP Society directly No registration fee or minimum pledge

40 DAYS FOR LIFE---September 23 to November 1 is a coast to coast pro-life mobilization project, in which 209 cities are joining in praying that this effort will spur an end to abortion. We here can participate in three ways: 1) pray as a group with fellow parishioners during

those 40 days for an end to abortion (call 836-5337) 2) stand with many others for some period of time

during those days at the abortion clinic in Merrillville, in peaceful, prayerful public witness against abortion (call 836-5337)

3) privately make a point to pray and fast for 40 days for an end to abortion

Come on now--you can participate in some way--we all CAN!!

Tatiana in Concert at St. John’s On Sunday, October 11th at 4:00 pm St. John The Baptist Catholic Church, 1849 Lincoln Ave., Whiting, will host a concert by the international singer “Tatiana” who has been touring the USA with her performance of “I Do Believe”. Over the past 9 years she has given over 700 performances of her musical message of hope, trust and love of God.. People of all ages have been moved by this gifted young woman’s profound, spirit-filled message. You are asked to mark your calendars now, and make plans to attend this faith-filled concert to see and hear Tatiana in person. There is no admission charge. A free will collection will be taken. Refreshments and Tatiana’s CDs and DVDs will be available after her performance. This is a concert you won’t want to miss.

SENIOR CITIZENS CLUB MEMBERS

Knights of Columbus Fish Fry

Monsignor Weis Knights of Columbus will be sponsoring its semi-annual fish fry and annual raffle on Friday, Sept. 25th, 2009 from 4:00 – 8:00 pm in the STM cafeteria. We invite our members to meet at 4 pm. and then we can sit together and enjoy a wonderful meal with each other. It is becoming a tradition that we support the various fish frys and this shows we want our parish activities to be successful. Mark your calendars now and we hope to see you at the fish fry at 4:00 pm on September 25th

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If any of your family or your friends are sick at home or in the hospital and cannot come to Mass, please call our Pastoral Care Office at 836-8610, ext. 315, and we will be glad to bring them Communion.

REMEMBERING THE CHILDREN MEMORIAL

PROGRAM Everyone is invited to remember and to acknowledge the lives of children who have died because of miscarriage, stillbirth or early childhood death. Remembering the Children Rosary Prayer Service will take place on Saturday, October 10th at Providence Section of the St. John – St. Joseph Diocesan Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. For more information on how to included a child’s name in the program call Sue Kresich (838-5755); Lisa Anderson (558- 2187) or Jill McNamara (730-9199). This program is sponsored by the Diocese of Gary Office of Pro-Life Activities, and Elizabeth Ministery from Northwest Indiana. In the event of inclement weather, the service will take place in the chapel.

Knights of Columbus Msgr. Weis Council 10596

of Munster, Indiana

Lake Perch Fried

Shrimp FISH FRY

Friday, September 25th 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm

St. Thomas More Social Center 8501 Calumet Ave. Munster, IN Adults: $10.00 Children: $5.00

Dinner includes:

Lake Perch and/or Fried Shrimp, french fries, cole

slaw, beets, French bread, coffee and

condiments.

Adult refreshments, macaroni & cheese and desserts available

CARRY OUTS

For information call 219-836-8610

Artists & Crafters Wanted

for the 23rd Annual Art & Craft Fair

and Holiday Bazaar on November 7 & 8, 2009

held at St. Thomas More

Sponsored by The Altar & Rosary

Society St. Thomas More ,

Munster, IN For Vendor Application

call 219-836-5079