“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.”
Mt 7:24-25
Kalambaka, Greece
Page 2
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
[email protected] Associate Pastor .......................... Reverend Richard C. Holy; Ext. 314
[email protected] Deacons .................................................................. 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: Monday ~ Friday 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Saturday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Web Site www.stm-church.com E-mail address is: [email protected] Office Phone………. 836-8610 Office Fax............ 836-9185 Bulletin Editor ............................................. Mrs. Pam Pasyk; Ext. 309 E-mail address for bulletin is: [email protected] 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 .................................... Carole Mackey 923-8816 Hospitality Ministry ....................................... Ann D’Orazio 838-9343 Lectors ..................................................... William McDunn 922-9459 Music Ministry .................... Miss Angie Lorandos 836-8610, Ext. 338 Nursery ................................................. Kaaren A. Mashura 836-5079 St. Vincent de Paul ........................... Mrs. Bernadine Barrett 836-8610 Vocations Committee .............................. Mrs. Mary Kochis 322-7262
2010-2011 Pastoral Council Tom Alexander, Co-Chair .................... Kevin Cloghessy, Chairperson Timothy Etter .................................................................. Don Kopenec Jackie Kovach ................................................................ Phil McIntosh Dwight Reed ............................................................... Susan Rousseau James Secviar .............................................................. Linda Stefanich Joyce Stodola ............................................................ Joann Wleklinski
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 Assistant Principal…………………….…...Mrs. Tina Boyle; Ext. 328 School Administrative Assistant….Mrs. Jennifer Gonzalez; Ext. 328 School Reception & Office Associate…..Mrs. Sandra Steele; Ext. 329 Home & School Association. ..... ...Mrs. Mary Beth Ginalski 864-0941 Parish & School Offices Associate……Mrs. Mary Jo Biscan, Ext. 311 Parish & School Offices Associate ........ Mrs. Pam Wadycki; Ext. 339
Weis Center 8635 Calumet Avenue ~ Munster, IN 46321 Phone .................................................................................... 836-2660 Fax ........................................................................................ 836-2655
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. Barbara Topete Parish Life ................................................................. Mrs. Elaine Herrmann Peace & Social Justice ...................................................... Ms. Mary Silvasi Spirituality & Worship ................................................ Mrs. Margot Blocher Stewardship .................................................................. Mrs. Noreen Bickel
Parish Organizations Altar & Rosary Society ........................................ Cindy Keilman 923-9862 Elizabeth Ministry ................................................ Pam Domasica 838-7940 Holy Name Society ..................................................... Joe Adams 865-3566 Senior Citizens ....................................................... Tina Candella 922-7814 Respect Life ............................................................ Alice Wohler 836-5337 Knights of Columbus .................................. Gregg Blocher (219) 902-1171 Blue Army .................................................. Rose Marie Malburg 836-8779 Finance ................................................................ Barbara Shaver 838-9200 Planned Giving ..................................................................... Ken Krupinski Building Maintenance .................................................... Bob Ray 924-6472 Boy Scouts .............................................................. Roger Jachna 322-0769 Cub Scouts ............................................................... Steve Hrinda 923-6438 Girl Scouts ......................................................... Barbara Jamrose 922-3783 Catering/Hall Rental ........................................ Kathleen Pagorek 972-0539 Moms’ Group ......................................................... Leticia Kotso 924-5732 Ushers Club ......................................................... Jim Marmalejo 836-1463 Gabriel Project ..................................................... Kathy Trotman 836-4329 The Travelers Club…………………………………..Lois Quinn 836-7902
St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church 8501 Calumet Avenue, Munster, IN 46321
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 at-tending 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.
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 Orientation 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 par-ish, you are welcome to attend the orientation.
Please remember St. Thomas More in your Will and Estate Planning
Page 3
Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time March 6, 2011
WEDNESDAY, March 9 ~ Ash Wednesday 5:00 pm D. Owens, B. Riebe, C. Speranza, M. Szala, M. Boyd / MC ~ Lauren 7:00 pm S. Cloghessy, A., S. & W. McDunn, E. O’Neill / MC ~ Ryan
FRIDAY, March 11 ~ Stations of the Cross 7:00 pm M. Pukoszek, N. Szala, M. Zabrecky
SATURDAY, March 12 8:30 am S. Kenning, B. Seligman 5:30 pm T. & T. Pappas, C., E. & F. Beckman MC ~ Joe
SUNDAY, March 13 6:30 am S. Hasse, M. Lee, M. McGrath 8:00 am J. & M. Peters, E. & V. Zaczyk, A. Zajakowski / MC ~ Caleb 10:00 am AJ. & M. Argamasilla, M. Doherty, C. Lusk, M. Osmulski / MC ~ Nick 12:00 noon K. & M. O’Brien, M. Reynolds / MC ~ Ted
Saturday, March 12 5:30 p.m. Fr. Mike Yadron
Sunday, March 13 6:30 a.m. Fr. Mike Yadron 8:00 a.m. Fr. Mike Yadron 10:00 a.m. Fr. Rick Holy 12:00 Noon Fr. Rick Holy
SUNDAY, March 6— Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Times 6:30 am For Our Parish Family Living and Deceased 8:00 am Gene Barker (Ann.) by Family 10:00 am Richard Wilson (Ann.) by Wife Mary & Family 12:00 pm Cyril Moran (Ann.) by Wife & Daughters
MONDAY, March 7—St. Perpetua & St. Felicity 6:30 am David Melchor by Kimberly & Haley Mize 8:30 am Jo Ryan Smith by Charlotte Herr & Mary Jo Biscan
TUESDAY, March 8—St. John of God 6:30 am John Holka by Msgr Connelly Council of Knights of Columbus 8:30 am Anthony A. Forszt Jr. by Wife, Children & Grandchildren 10:00 am Nancy Pat Lewis Smith by Perry & Barbara Hatfield (MASS AT MED-INN CHAPEL, Group 1)
WEDNESDAY, March 9— Ash Wednesday 6:30 am For Our Parish Family Living and Deceased 9:00 am Deceased Members of the Terranova Family 5:00 pm Don Smith by Dave & Jane Teller 7:00 pm Dorothy Jurkash by Dorothy Winsky
THURSDAY, March 10 6:30 am William E. Campbell by Rene & Barbara Sintes 9:00 am Charlotte Madajczyk (Ann.) by Family
FRIDAY, March 11 6:30 am Harry & Margaret Kender by Jim & Arlene Kender 8:30 am Lorraine Capparelli by Tom, Mike & Holly Duffy
SATURDAY, March 12 8:30 am Jose F. Serrano Sr. (Ann.) by Serrano Family 5:30 pm Joseph Sharpe by Wife Jean
SUNDAY, March 13— First Sunday of Lent 6:30 am For Our Parish Family Living and Deceased 8:00 am Stella Cieslak (Ann.) by Jerry & Bernie Paucak 10:00 am Marguerite & Leonard Grothouse by Family 12:00 pm Sally Pospychala (Ann.) by John & Claudia Pellar
Pastoral Care Ministry
Please contact our Pastoral Care Office at 836-8610, #315 if you would like Communion brought to a relative or friend
who is sick or shut-in and cannot make it to Mass.
Sacrificial Offerings February 27, 2011
TIME, TALENT & TREASURE
Adult $ 26,966.00 Loose $ 1,409.00 Children $ 172.37
TOTAL $ 28,547.37
Thank you for your generosity.
Bann I—Kevin Sean Smosna & Jessica Kammholz
Donald Robling • Colleen Garcia
If you’ve thought about seeking counseling for yourself or your family, Catholic Charities can help you. Licensed
professional counselors will meet with you to discuss your situation and help resolve conflicts in your life. Call 844-
4883 for more information and to schedule an appointment.
Page 4
Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Prayer for Christian Education
God, who created all things and sustains them in being, you established the world in all its wonder and gave humankind the
intellect to uncover the mysteries that abound in your wondrous work. Give teachers and professors the wisdom to open the minds of their
students to the beauty that lies in knowing what you have made. Give students the insight to understand that, as they uncover more of the
world and learn more of history and human progress, they may find you at the heart of all that is and see the tracings of your actions each day. Fill all learners with the knowledge of your truth, and guide them
on the eternal path to you. Amen.
lease pray for the sick of our parish... c Coleen Alexander Margaret Amatulli Doris Aurelio Maria Aurelio Irene Baker Cody Baldwin Antonio Belmonte Tom Bernacke Michael Berry Michael Blazevich Michael Boston Cheryl Bostrom Stephany Burney Dorothy Campbell James Campbell Barbara Cak Thomas Cak Al Carollo Carol Carollo Kathleen Cecil Jeff Chastain Joseph Cwiok Jacqueline Morrow Christian Frank Coman Vincent Corsello John Costa Mike Curtain Irene Dettmer MaryPat Devoy Irene Dickey Jeanine Doescher David Drewniak Debra Dunn Alex Eiland John L. Estrada Sherlon Evans Elizabeth Follmer John Forde Phyllis Garber Andrea Garritano Dorothy Gillespie Margaret Good Howard Gralewski James Grunewald
Ceil Guziar Eileen Hasse Amy Hayes Chuck Heggi Eleanore Heggi Marie Henke Evelyn Hennes Ray Humpfer Steve Izzo Dennis Jablonski Elizabeth Jacob Barbara Jamrose Stanley Jayjack Rosemary Jerzak-Staszel Emery Johns Debbie Kaczka Robert Kalka Margaret A. Kapala Carol Keilman Patricia Kerr Rev. Matthew Kish Josephine Knesek Janet Knight Alice Kolember Dorothy Kovach Miller Krizmanic Rose Krizmanic Julia Kukta Jerome Kula Debbie Le Monier Mary Leahy Jo Lisiniewicz Edward Liskiewicz Stanley Liskiewicz Maria Lovell Carole Mackey Gregory Mahoney Mary Manchak Brady Martin Alex Mau Joseph McShane Faye Meny Sandi Merlo Stephanie Mueller Olga Mihalo
Andrew Moll David Moll Jean Narvid Donna Nichols Steven Nowaczyk Valerie O’Donnell Danny Ogren Ruth Ospalski Audrey Ostroff Johanna Petruch Andrew Pieczyrak Elizabeth Pilones Genevieve Platek Sylvester Porras Adam Potapczak Eileen Puskedra Kristen Rubin Anthony Saklaczynski Ed Sandrick Ann Sardella George Sauer Marie Schultz Marianne Schwartz William Schwartz Zachery Scriff James Secviar Renee Shehan Nick Skinner Lydia Skorupa Carolyn Smiley Deborah Stareck Charles Stevens Florence Stevens Carolyn Sutley Georgianne Suto Rose Theis Gerardo Trevino Anthony Ubuane Julia Vrbanich Adele Wall Sally Walters Sue Wass Lucille Wonnell John Zajac Cecilia Ziegler
Readings for the Week of March 6, 2011
Sunday: Dt 11:18, 26-28, 32/Rom 3:21-25, 28/Mt 7:21-27 Monday: Tb 1:3; 2:1b-8/Mk 12:1-12 Tuesday: Tb 2:9-14/Mk 12:13-17 Wednesday: Jl 2:12-18/2 Cor 5:20---6:2/Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 Thursday: Dt 30:15-20/Lk 9:22-25 Friday: Is 58:1-9a/Mt 9:14-15 Saturday: Is 58:9b-14/Lk 5:27-32 Next Sunday: Gn 2:7-9; 3:1-7/Rom 5:12-19 or 5:12, 17-19/Mt 4:1-11
MONDAY, March 7 Market Day Pick-Up ~ Gym ~ 5:00-6:00 p.m. 7:00 pm Blue Army ~ Chapel 7:00 pm Parish Life ~ Conference Room 7:00 pm Vocation Committee ~ Sacristy
TUESDAY, March 8 9:15 am Eucharistic Adoration (until 6:30 pm) ~ Chapel 1:00 pm Prayer/Vocations ~ Chapel 6:00 pm Divine Mercy Chaplet ~ Chapel 7:00 pm RCIA ~ Conference Room 7:00 pm Baptism Preparation Class ~ Teachers’ Lounge 7:00 pm Festival Committee ~ Solar Room
WEDNESDAY, March 9 Ash Wednesday ~ Masses at 6:30 & 9:00 am /5:00 & 7:00 pm No Religious Education Classes 9:30 am Bible Study ~ Conference Room 6:30 pm St. Vincent De Paul Society ~ Conference Room THURSDAY, March 10 No Religious Education Classes 7:00 pm All Seasons Chorale ~ Church 7:00 pm Video Bible ~ Conference Room
FRIDAY, March 11 Knights of Columbus Fish Fry ~ 4:30-8:00 p.m. ~ Gym 2:15 pm School Stations of the Cross ~ Church 7:00 pm Stations of the Cross ~ Church
SATURDAY, March 12 9:30 am Gabriel Project ~ Solar Room 10:00 am Oblates ~ Conference Room
SUNDAY, March 13 Girl Scout Sunday ~ 10:00 am Mass 1:00 pm SVDP Youth Group ~ Teachers’ Lounge 1:30 pm Padre Pio Cenacle ~ Chapel
Y or those condemned to die, and for the families they have wounded...for healing, patient endurance and the grace of mercy...we pray to the Lord...
Respect Life
�
Share YOUR thoughts at: [email protected]
My Two Cents Thoughts on Living Stewardship
Ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time Today’s readings are about faith and works, or more precisely, faith in action. Moses reminds God’s people that it is crucial to follow the
commandments. The Gospel focuses on the necessity of putting Christ’s teaching into action. In the parable we are told that the wise man who both hears and acts on Jesus’ words is like someone who builds his house on the firm foundation of rock. The person who
hears but does not act has built his house on sand. What is the connection between faith and works in your life? If someone
observed you for a week, would your actions proclaim your faith?
Page 5
The Pastor’s Page
PLEASE REMEMBER THEM Priests and deacons have served the Diocese of Gary for 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:
March 8: Rev. Patrick A. Meehan (1969) March 9: Rev. Rocco J. Guerriero (1968)
THREE-MINUTE LITURGICAL CATECHESIS Article 8: Listen Up: This is Important!
What would happen if Jesus came to church next Sunday? I mean, if he showed up in his first-century garb—robe, sandals, beard—and walked up to the ambo and began to speak. What would you do? How would you react? I suspect it's a safe bet that all of us would have our eyes fixed on him and our ears alert to every word he would speak. Of course, somebody would probably be on a cell phone alerting the media to this miraculous event! Such an event should not strike us as so unusual, however. Though he does not appear in first-century dress, Jesus comes here every Sunday to speak to us. That's what the Catholic tradition teaches—that when the word of God is proclaimed in our midst, Christ speaks to us today. He comes in disguise, we might say, speaking through the lectors and deacons and priests who proclaim the readings. The Second Vatican Council put it this way in 1963: “[Christ] is present in his word, since it is he himself who speaks when the holy Scriptures are read in the Church” (CSL, # 7). This is the third way that Christ reveals his presence during the Eucharist. Every time we gather in his name, Christ has something to say to us. Reverence for Christ present in his word calls us to attentive listening. Formed in the time when the Mass was in Latin and we had to read along, many Catholics still have a habit of reading the texts as they are proclaimed. The proper response is to put down the books and listen with open ears and open hearts to what the Lord is saying to us. Listening does not mean being passive, however. Truly listening is a very active response when someone speaks to us. We show respect for anyone who talks with us by looking at the person and concentrating on what he or she is saying. That takes effort on our part, not allowing other thoughts or external distractions to claim our attention. It may be helpful to realize, however, that our primary task is not to get every word that is spoken, but to listen carefully for whatever word the Lord wants each of us to hear that day. That will vary from person to person, but Christ offers each of us the message that we really need to hear. It's a good idea to read the readings at home before you come to Mass; that's why most parishes print the Bible references in the bulletin each week so that you can look them up. Then when the word is proclaimed, you can allow Christ to speak directly to you through the readings and the homily. If you are touched deeply by one word or phrase or idea every Sunday, and if you nurture that word in your heart through the week, then God's word will be effective in your life. In the silence after the readings and after the homily, you might ask yourself two simple questions: What did you hear Christ say? And how will you live that word this week? The answers to those questions can change your life! © 2004 Lawrence E. Mick. Revised 2006. This series was originally written by Fr. Mick for the Worship Office of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Distributed by the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC) 415 Michigan Avenue, NE, Suite 70, Washington DC 20017. www.fdlc.org; email: [email protected]; voice: 202-635-6990; fax:202-529-2452. FDLC #4300.
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. Then when you do criticize that person, you'll be a mile away and have his shoes.
LENT BEGINS THIS WEEK This Wednesday, March 9th, begins the season of Lent. Masses on Ash Wednesday are at 6:30 & 9:00 a.m. as well as 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation, though many choose to attend that day.
Ash Wednesday is a day of Fast and Abstinence.
Fast: Allows for only one full meal to be taken during the day. Two smaller meals are permitted, if necessary, to maintain strength according to one's needs. Eating solid foods between meals is not permitted. Fasting is to be observed by all Catholics who are 18 years of age through to those who have not yet celebrated their 59th birthday.
Abstinence: The practice of refraining from meat and meat products. Abstinence is to be practiced by all who are 14 years of age and older. Additionally, throughout the season of Lent, we give an opportunity on a couple of weeknights for the faithful to come to church, either for Mass or for Stations of the Cross. Lenten Masses are Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross are Fridays at 7:00 p.m. The school students also do Stations of the Cross on Fridays at 2:15 p.m. (except on March 25th due to spring break). Remember, Fridays in Lent are days of Abstinence.
Page 6
Religious Education
March 9/10 No Classes ~ Ash Wednesday 16/17 Class ~ All School Lenten Prayer Service at 5:30 p.m. in the Church 23/24 No Classes—Spring Break 30/31 Class April 6/7 Class 13/14 Class—All School Stations of the Cross in Church at 4:40 p.m. 20 Class (Wednesday only) this week 21 No Class—Holy Thursday 22 Good Friday 24 Easter Sunday 27/28 Class Beginning February 23, 2011 from 4:00-6:30 p.m. on class days, we
will begin accepting registrations for the Fall 2011/2012 School Sessions. We will have a table outside of the school office where you may register. In an attempt to continue our lower tuition rates we are requesting early registration and full payment at registration. Mailing of bills creates a strain on our budget with paper, envelopes, ink and postage. If you are unable to pay the full tuition you may set up a
payment plan. • Tuition rates will remain current if students are registered by
May 1, 2011. The rate is $80 for the first student and an additional $25 for each additional family member.
• Tuition after May 1, 2011 will increase to $105 for the first student and $30 for each additional family member.
• There is a Sacramental fee of $5.00 for First Penance and First Holy Communion and a $25.00 fee for Confirmation.
A Roman Catholic baptismal certificate is required to accompany the registration form for new students. Registration will not be accepted
without a baptismal certificate. If your child was baptized at St. Thomas More you only need to indicate this on the registration and
we will verify the baptism within the office.
Religious Education
10:00 am Mass Main: The Flesewski Family
Chapel: Marge Szafranski Choir: The Miller Family
12:00 pm Mass Main: Diane Gralewski Chapel: Dominique &
Angelique Mercier Choir: Pat Batchelder
Greeters for March 12 & 13, 2011
5:30 pm Mass Main: Karen & Jack Markos Chapel: Tom & Linda Brady
Choir: Lisa, Megan & Emily Dato
6:30 am Mass Chapel: Val Rudakas
8:00 am Mass Main: James & Nancy Kaczka
Chapel: Carol & Al Carollo Choir: Dagmar Reay
Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat If the emotional and spiritual wounds
of abortion have been sapping faith, virtue and joy from your life, enter a spiritual
process for healing that can change your life. Reach out; we can help.
Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat Weekend—April 8-10, 2011
All calls are confidential. Contact [email protected] or call (219) 558-0625.
www.rachelsvineyard.org
Holy Name Society Our next meeting will be on
Monday, March 21, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the solar Room
Join us for the praying of the Rosary, followed by the regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. New members are always welcome. We will
be discussing the Annual fish Fry. Don’t Forget:
The Holy Name Fish Fry is on Friday, March 25th!
Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Monsignor Weis Council
Friday, March 11, 2011 4:30—8:00 p.m. in the STM Gym
Enjoy a delicious dinner of Lake Perch & Shrimp
Dinner includes: French Fries, Cole Slaw, Three Bean Salad, French Bread, Coffee and Mac & Cheese for the Children.
Adults—$9 • Children—$4 For more information, call (219) 836-8610.
Save the date for the Knights of Columbus 20th Anniversary Dinner on April 30, 2011.
Save these dates for upcoming Fish Fries:
Friday, March 18th—Watch future bulletins for details. Friday, March 25th—Holy Name Society Fish Fry
Friday, April 8th—8th Graders for Washington, DC Fish Fry
Adult Beverages Available
Desserts Available,
Too!
TAPT Returns to Camp Lawrence High school teens are invited to attend TAPT, a Diocesan
Catholic weekend retreat, held April 8-10 at Camp Lawrence. Retreat activities include: talks, discussions, prayer, recreation, Reconciliation and Eucharist. TAPT is designed to bring teens into a more intimate encounter with the Incarnate Jesus Christ. Cost: $65. For complete details contact Kevin Driscoll at (219)
769-9292 at the Diocese or visit garytapt.com.
Page 7
St. Thomas More School March 6, 2011
The Fun Takes Place in the St. Thomas More School Library
Take a peek at our boardwalk of books and find that reading is a
great roller coaster for the mind, heart and soul.
So come on down and purchase your own Ticket to Read!
Our Carnival Opens Sunday, March 13th after the 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. and Noon Masses.
Everyone is Welcome! Or visit the Carnival
Monday, March 14th through Friday, March 18th from 8:30 a.m.—3:00 p.m.
Questions? Contact: Amy Osmulski at 923-8240 • Anita Hemingway at 972-1123
Anthony Forszt 836-1810
8th Grade Bake Sale Saturday, March 12th & Sunday, March 13th
after all Masses Look for us in the hallway near the school entrance.
Take home some delicious treats and help sponsor the 8th Grade Class Field Trip to Chicago in May!
Page 8
Northwest Indiana Catholic It is now National Catholic Press Month and
the perfect time to consider the value of receiving a Catholic publication into your
home for an annual rate of only $26. Subscribe now through your parish by
dropping a check or money order into the collection basket, now through March 13 or subscribe with
your credit or debit card at www.nwicatholic.com.Subscribe to the Northwest Indiana Catholic newspaper today!
Immigration Myths and Facts
Perceived Myth: Immigrants don’t want to learn English
Known Fact: The development of English proficiency among non-English
speaking immigrants today mirrors that of Nineteenth and early Twentieth century immigration, when masses of Italian, German, and Eastern European immigrants came to America. While first generation, non-English speaking immigrants predictably have lower rates of English proficiency than native speakers, 91% of second generation immigrants are fluent or near fluent English
speakers. By the third generation, 97% speak English fluently or near fluently. (Source: Shirin Hakimzadeh and D’Vera Cohn, “English Usage Among Hispanics in the United States,” Pew Hispanic Forum, Dec. 6, 2007. http://pewhispanic.org/reports/report.php?ReportID=82; Janet Murguia and Cecilia Muñoz,
“From Immigrant to Citizen,” The American Prospect (Oct. 23, 2005), http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?articleId=10487)
For the series of Eight Myths/Facts, you may go to: https:
filemanager.capwiz.com/filemanager/file-mgr/indianacc/3_Perceived_Myths_2011_bulletin_version.pdf
f{tÜ|Çz THE JOY OF
fàxãtÜwá{|Ñ
b ur giving to the Church should not be about giving to the needs of the Church. It should be about what we as Christian stewards need to give. As we know, all that we are and all that we have are gifts from God. These gifts are given to us for a
purpose. We are the caretakers of all the gifts He has given us.
Often we are tempted to put our Church offering at the bottom of the pile of bills to be paid. Our contributions come from what is
remaining, rather than what is first. How much do we spend monthly on gourmet coffee, cable, dining out, cell phone
packages, etc.? If all of these items come first, we give to God from our leftovers. By putting our donation to the church first,
we are acknowledging that everything we have is a gift from God and we are returning a portion to Him with gratitude.
Have you returned your Sacrificial Giving Card yet?
We are looking for
100% Parish Participation. Please return your card to the Parish Office or place it in the
collection basket at Mass. Thank you.
Vocations Committee Our next meeting will be on
Monday, March 7th at 7:00 p.m. in the Sacristy.
Rejoice that God may be calling you to the priesthood or reli-gious life. Do not be afraid to make your decision today.
You have been chosen to make a difference in the history of our Church and in our world. Be generous with the Lord!
Travelers Club Join us for the first trip of 2011 on Thursday, March 31st!
Our destination will be Lindenwood Retreat House and Conference Center in Donaldson, IN. The Center is the
Motherhouse of the Sisters of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. Sister Coletta Wrasman, PHJC will be giving a Lenten
talk on the Eucharist, followed by Mass in the Chapel. A wonderful lunch, prepared in the Motherhouse kitchen will follow. Sister Marguerite Niessen will give us a guided tour of the Chapel when lunch concludes and then we’ll take a
short ride to Plymouth, IN where the Sisters operate the Greenworks store, shopping stop for fresh, homemade
breads, rolls, cookies and ancilla beef products ,as well as specially crafted
jewelry. Our trip home will allow for a stop at Albanese Candy Factory in
Merrillville to stretch our legs and find some delicious candy confections for the ride home.
The cost is $40 per person, which includes transportation, lunch and gratuities.
Please sign up at the parish office. Your check, made out to “The Travelers”, will confirm your reservation.
Deadline for reservations is March 25th, so don’t delay. The bus will depart at 8:00 a.m. and
return to STM by 4:30 p.m.
Altar and Rosary Society Save the Dates:
Sunday, April 10 8:00 a.m. Mass and Breakfast following.
Make your reservation through the Parish Office
Wednesday, May, 11 at 6:30 p.m. Spring Ethnic Pot Luck in the Solar Room
Page 9
Career Networking
Group
Guest Speaker: Don Pelka
Project Management Professional
Topic: The Value of Certification
Credentials Six Sigma, Project Management
(PMP)
Six Sigma originated as a set of practices designed to improve manufacturing processes and eliminate defects, although its
application was subsequently extended to other types of business processes as well. In Six Sigma, a defect is defined as any process
output that does not meet customer specifications, or that could lead to creating an output that does not meet customer
specification. Project Management positions often require or prefer PMP
certification. Learn the significance of Six Sigma certification, earning a Green Belt or Black Belt, and the importance of PMP
certification.
Where: St. Thomas More Weis Center 8635 Calumet Avenue, Munster, IN When: The 3rd Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m.� E-Mail: [email protected].
Free. Open to All. For those who are unemployed (in transition), new to the job
market, employed or who can offer employment opportunities through their current professional connections. Have your Cover Letter, Resume or Thank You Note critiqued by a professional.
Mary’s Way of the Cross Everyone is Welcome! Bring your Friends!
Come journey with Mary on her “Way of the Cross.” Relive that journey to Calvary with Mary’s assistance. Let us walk
Jesus’ last steps with his Mother. Let our faith deepen and allow Jesus to rise once more in our life.
We will meet on Thursdays during Lent at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas More Church • 8501 Calumet Avenue in Munster
March 10th, March 17th, March 24th, March 31st, April 7th & April 14th.
Emmaus Program Spring Series: “Understanding the Mass Through
the Lens of the Missal” The classes will examine and renew our celebration of the
Eucharistic Liturgy that stands at the heart of Christian life, by looking at the new revised text and how it brings us closer to the “full, conscious, and active participation” in the liturgy.
Thursday Evenings at Our Lady of Consolation, Merrillville March 24 & 31 and April 7 & 14
Fr. Bill Vollmer, Presenter Liturgist & Associate Pastor, St. Norbert in Northbrook
Registration Form
Name____________________________________________
Address__________________________________________
City_________________ State________ Zip____________
Phone____________________________________________
E-mail____________________________________________
I will be attending: Site_______________________________
Dates__________________ Instructor___________________
Fee: $20 for the four-week session. Return to: Emmaus Program, 9292 Broadway, Merrillville, IN 46410 or
e-mail [email protected]. For info call 769-9292, #280.
Sands of Time Fashion Show Presented by the Andrean Parents Club
Sunday, March 13, 2011 Halls of St. George• Schererville
Doors Open at 11:30 a.m. • $40 • Cash Bar Contact: Stacie Reardon at (219) 322-2402
Bakery • Basket Raffle • Boutique
Wanted: Individuals who are willing to work long hours for great pay! The
festival committee is looking for a few folks to be committee chairpersons. If
you are interested, please contact Bill or Susan Burke at (219) 322-6462.
What about the great pay? It is your eternal reward.
Join us for our next meeting on Thursday, March 17
at 7:00 p.m.
See if the “Luck of the Irish” can change your future career path.
To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, we’ll be serving mini corned beef
sandwiches and Irish Soda Bread at our meeting.
Next week we will take up the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, where great needs remain. This
collection provides support for the basic pastoral programs and makes scholarships available for students studying to serve their
local church. These students become vital participants in the renewal of the Church in the region.
Visit www.usccb.org/nationalcollections to learn more and please be generous in next week’s Collection.
Page 10
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We are recommended by the Roman Catholic & Latin Patriarchs of Jerusalem, and by many other leaders of the Catholic faith.
The Olivewood handicrafts industry started in the Holy Land around the 4th century following the construction of the Nativity Church in Bethlehem. Since then, carvings became of great importance to the local Christians of the Holy Land, who rely on it for their livelihood.
Right around the turn of the last century, Palestinian Christian immigration started to increase dramatically. Once more than 63% of the population, Christians are now less than 1% of the people who lives in the Holy Land.
Due to the violence that keeps erupting in the Holy Land, the tourism industry keeps dwindling, along with the Christian population. In the year of 2000 the last cycle of violence broke in that area and the tourism industry came to a never before low percentage leaving the Christians struggling with no other industry to rely on.
Mr. Qumseya, and through his great experience as a master carver and sales person, was chosen by his people and by the Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem, Michel Sabbah, to come to the United States with a noble mission and in an effort to help and preserve the very last of the Christian population in the Land of our Lord.
Since the start of its mission, Blest Art has helped hundreds of these struggling families by assisting several community programs such as schools, elderly centers, churches, and clinics.
We would like to invite you to come and take a look at the beautiful artwork. If you like anything, please consider purchasing it because the people who chose to stay in the Holy Land to protect our holy sites deserve your help and support. Please, anything that you can do makes a difference.
We gladly accept cash, checks, and all major credit cards. Please notice that we do not ask for nor accept any donations.
Sincerely your Brother in Christ, Jeryes Qumseya
Rosaries
Crucifixes
Christmas Ornaments
Our Lady of Grace
Nativity Sets Noah’s Ark
Please visit our display after all Masses on Saturday & Sunday
March 19th and 20th at St. Thomas More Church
Page 11
This Spring, from March 9 to April 17, our
community is uniting with hundreds of other cities around the world for the
largest and longest coordinated pro-life mobilization in history: the 40 days for Life campaign. Recognizing that “with God all things are possible,” people of faith are praying that this effort will help bring an end to the tragedy of
abortion.
40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life campaign that has already mobilized over 400,000 people worldwide, saved more than 3,500 lives from abortion, led to the conversion of 43 abortion workers, and seen nine abortion facilities close. 40 Days for Life is made up of three components: • Prayer and Fasting: believers throughout our country are invited to join
together for 40 days of fervent prayer and fasting for an end to abortion.
• Peaceful Vigil: stand (or sit ) for life during a 40-day peaceful public witness outside the Planned Parenthood at 8645 Connecticut in Merrill-ville, IN for one hour (or more), Monday mornings through Saturdays at noon.
• Community Outreach: help take a positive, upbeat pro-life message to every corner of our county through media efforts, advocacy, and public visibility.
Living a Life of Stewardship: Mission Trip Preparation
Two young St. Thomas More parishioners will soon be traveling abroad to help those in some of the world’s poorest areas. If you would like to help defray the costs of their upcoming mission trips, your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Allison Bickel is a 2003 graduate of St. Thomas More School and will be graduating in June with a
degree in Secondary Education from Indiana University. She will be traveling in June to
Tanzania with Child Reach International as a member of their volunteer team, working to
improve the education and healthcare for children in rural communities there. Funds are needed for children’s
healthcare items, books and building supplies for school renovations. To learn more about, or to donate to, Ali’s trip go to: http://www.active.com/donate/FuturebuildingTZ/ABickel3
Sarah Sikora is a 2006 graduate of St. Thomas More School and is currently a freshman at Saint Louis University. She will be traveling in March
to the Toledo district of Belize to work in conjunction with members of the local St. Peter Claver Parish, assisting Mayan villagers there.
Funds are needed to offset her travel costs and for much needed supplies and building materials
needed to complete construction projects. Donations can be sent to: Sarah Sikora,1002 Treadway, Munster, IN 46321. Contact: [email protected] or (219) 512-0494.
Page 12
Prom Dress Resale Are you wondering what to do with all those Prom and Special
Occasion Dresses you have hanging in your closet? The Hammond Chapter of Tri Kappa is sponsoring its 10th
Annual Prom Dress Resale Event at Purdue Calumet’s Alumni Hall on Saturday, March 12, 2010. Donated dresses will be sold
at a nominal price to area high school students to help make Prom more affordable, and you can receive a tax deduction
(donation slips are available at the drop off locations). Bring your dresses to be donated to one of the following area libraries: Hammond Public Library at 564 State Street in Hammond
Lake County Public Library at 1919 W. 81st Ave.in Merrillville or Munster Public Library at 8701 Calumet Avenue in Munster
no later than Wednesday, March 9th. For more information, contact Kathy Pagorek at (219) 972-0539
or Marilyn Jones at (219) 845-2096.
Calumet College of St. Joseph Lenten Social Justice Film Series
“The Lemon Tree” (2008) will be presented on Tuesday, March 29th at 3:30 in Room 300. A Palestinian widow fights to keep her lemon grove from being uprooted when Israeli security forces declare it a threat to the Israeli defense minister next door. Teaming with a young lawyer, the widow takes her case to the Israeli Supreme Court. The minister’s wife forms a special bond with the widow even though they never meet.
“Invictus” (2009) will be presented on Thursday, March 31st at 7 p.m. in Room 300. Promoting forgiveness and reconciliation,
newly elected president, Nelson Mandela, focuses on winning the 1995 World Cup in rugby, a sport traditionally hated by blacks, as a way to unify the racially divided populace of South Africa.
“Gasland” (2010) will be presented on Monday, April 4th in Room 208. In this Oscar-nominated documentary, director Josh Fox journeys across America to examine the negative effects of natural gas drilling, from poisoned water sources to unhealthy
animals and people. His inquiries lead him to an apparent conspiracy of secrets and lies that threaten the safety of the New
York Watershed. All are welcome and admission is free. For further information, please contact Walter Skiba, (219) 473-4270
or [email protected]. 2400 New York Avenue in Hammond.
Friendship Tea “Spring Fling” is the theme of this year’s Calumet College
Friendship Tea, which raises funds for education scholarships. The tea will be held on Sunday, March 13th at
1:00 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon of tea, savories, sweets,
basket raffles, door prizes and good
friends. Donation is $25 each or reserved tables
of 8 for $200. Call (219) 473-4318 or email: [email protected]
for reservations.
Share Spring Luncheon Gather your friends for another wonderful afternoon to
celebrate the coming of spring. Enjoy food, fellowship and fun while supporting the residential/camp programs for the
other abled at Sharing Meadows in Rolling Prairie, IN. Tables with seating of 8-10 people can be arranged. Save
Wednesday, April 13 at the Halls of St. George in Schererville to attend. You can call or contact the following
people for tickets: Joan Collins at (219) 972-2158, Bea Pullard at (219) 836-5313 or Pat Fischer at (219) 836-0152
“Polonia” Bus Trip to Chicago March 16th trip to St. Michael the Archangel & St. Adalbert
churches, lunch at Mabenka Restaurant and shopping at Bobak Sausage Company. Bus departs Nativity in Portage at
8:30 a.m. & All Saints Church in Hammond at 9:00 a.m. returning by 4:30/5:00 p.m. $52 (includes lunch).
Reservations due immediately. Contact Dorothy at (219) 947-7037 or (219) 678-0133 for more information.
Bishop Noll Adds Bus Service
To meet the growing interest communicated by families, Bishop Noll Institute will be offering morning bus service to
South Lake County students beginning in the 2011-2012 school year. Because more than 70 percent of the student
body participates in extra-curricular activities after classes, only morning service will be offered. Exact pick-up spots
and costs (not to exceed $50 per month) will be announced once the locations and volume is determined. For more
information on the bus service at Bishop Noll Institute, call Admission Director, Drew Trost at (219) 932-9058.
Come and See Weekends
Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand, IN March 18-20, 2011 For single, Catholic woman between the ages of 18 to 40. Get to know our Benedictine sisters, share in our community life and prayer, and meet other women
who are considering religious life - no pressure, no commitment! For more information or to register online, visit www.thedome.org/vocations, call Sister Michelle
Sinkhorn at 800-734-9999, or email [email protected].
Sisters of St. Benedict in Beech Grove, IN Do you have questions about what God is calling you to do
with your life? Come and See Weekend – March 25-27. Sisters of St. Benedict of Our Lady of Grace Monastery,
Beech Grove, IN. For single, Catholic women ages 18 – 44. No strings attached, just a weekend to experience the Benedictine ways of life and explore your questions.
For more information contact: Sister Jennifer Mechtild Horner, OSB at(317) 787-3287, ext. 3032 or
Chaplaincy for Lay People Healthcare ministries in hospitals, long-term care facilities and hospice centers are increasingly looking for lay people
to serve as certified chaplains. Loyola University in Chicago is offering a certification workshop on Saturday, March 19 from 9:00 am—5:00 pm. Contact Susann Ozuk at (312)
915-7400 or e-mail: [email protected] for more info.
