Pastor Rev. Jerome A. Johnson, Pastor Msgr. John Szymanski, P.A., Emeritus Parochial Vicars Rev. Frank W. Fellrath Rev. Gerard B. Paderon Deacons Robert Bonfante, Sr. Patrick W. Hearty Joseph Tobin Scott Titmas Business Administrator Michael Luczkow Education 333 Rte. 18, Old Bridge, NJ 08857 Joanne Kowit, M. Ed. STA Parish School, Principal Tel: 732-251-4000 x8229 Fax: 732-251-5315 Debbie Yesis PREP (CCD), Director Tel: 732-251-1660 Fax: 732-251-1193 Welcome! New Parishioners—Please register at the Pastoral Center. Ordinarily, new parishioners should live within the geographical boundaries estab- lished by the Diocese. Also, as a mem- ber of our Parish Community, please use Parish envelopes. This is our means of identifying you as an active Parishioner; it is important for testi- monial letters regarding sponsorship for the Sacraments. Parish Office Monday/Friday: 9:00am—12:15pm 12:45pm—4:00pm Tues./Wed./Thurs: 9:00am-12:15pm 12:45pm-8:00pm Saturday-Sunday: 11am—1:30pm Kristine Yuhas, Secretary Michelle Loney, Receptionist and Bingo Coordinator Justine Durstewitz, Bulletin Sacred Music Justin Connors, Director Rachel Gavin, Family Choir Social Ministries Deacon Patrick W. Hearty, Director Youth Ministry Cassandra Serrano, Director “JESUSCHRIST: Yesterday... Today... and Forever” (Heb 13:8) Whatever your status in the Church, whatever your family/marital situation, whatever your religious affiliation, whatever your personal history, age, background, race or color, sexual orientation, you are invited, welcomed, accepted, loved and respected at our Catholic Community of Saint Thomas the Apostle. August 13, 2017 Celebration of Mass Weekend - Church Saturday Vigil: 4:00 and 5:30pm Sunday: 7:30, 9:00 and 10:30am, 12:00 Noon Weekday - Chapel (Pastoral Center) Monday - Friday: 8:15am, 7:00pm* Saturday: 8:15am *Monday: celebrated in church with Miraculous Medal Novena. Holy Days / Holidays - See schedule. Lent - all Masses and Stations of the Cross are celebrated in church. (See schedule.) Contact Information: Website: www.saintthomasob.com www.facebook.com/pages/St- Thomas-the-Apostle-Church- Old-Bridge-NJ Parish: One St. Thomas Plaza Old Bridge, NJ 08857 Tel: 732-251-4000 Fax: 732-251-4946 Family Mass Twice monthly: during the school year, families with children are invited to Liturgy of the Word with Children (LWC) - Sunday 9:00am Mass (more frequently during Lent/Advent). After the Opening Prayer, children (K-8) are dismissed to the Pastoral Center for readings/reflections on their own level. Sacrament of Reconciliation/Penance Individual confessions: most Saturdays, 12:30pm and immediately following the 5:30pm Mass. Communal Penance Ser- vices are held during Lent/Advent with visiting clergy present. Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish Welcomes YOU
day and Saturday. Registration takes place in June. Information:
PREP Office (732-251-1660).
BINGO: (Including Progressive). All proceeds support Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish School. Sun-
day—5:00pm; Tuesday and Thursday—11:30am; Friday—9:00pm
and Midnight.
LITURGY OF THE WORD ...
...will resume in October. At the 9am Mass, after the Opening
Prayer, children go to the Pastoral Center to hear the readings on
their own level and share a reflection and Prayers of the Faithful
(Grades K-4: Parish Room, Grades 5-8: Chapel). The children are
well-supervised and return to their families during the Presentation
hymn for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time August 13, 2017
SATURDAY AUGUST 12 - St. Jane Frances de Chantal
8:15am Jacob Pruiksma r/o Brian/Mary Ellen Wilson VIGIL
4:00pm Mario Genito Family r/o Maryann Dorio
5:30pm Kathy Donnelly r/o Pat and Joan Carragher SUNDAY AUGUST 13 – Nineteenth Sunday Ord. Time 7:30am Alice Fallon r/o Water, Stacey, Keith, Lisa Tier 9:00am Helen/Joseph Malkiewicz r/o Irene and Eleanor 10:30am Mary K. Olender r/o Her Children 12:00pm Int. of the Donnelly Family r/o Larry and Joan
MONDAY* AUGUST 14 - St. Maximillan Kolbe, Priest
8:15am Mark McCoy, Vincent Barry. Gerard Flynn r/o Elaine Clarkin 7:00pm Richard Kerian r/o Mr./Mrs. Edwin Kolbeck
WEDNESDAY* AUGUST 16 - Saint Stephen of Hungary
8:15am Robert Badillo r/o Wife and Children 7:00pm Peter Connolly r/o Rosemarie Chimienti THURSDAY* AUGUST 17 8:15am Mary Parker r/o Behrend Family 7:00pm Rosalie Cleary r/o Mr. and Dr. Fleming
FRIDAY * AUGUST 18
8:15am Craig Robert Lawson r/o Marie Gi Bilisco 7:00pm Peter Toner r/o Butch Moreno SATURDAY AUGUST 19 - Saint John Eudes, Priest
8:15am Brenden Luke r/o Madeline and William Luke VIGIL
4:00pm Vito and Mary Balsamo r/o Linda Piccolomini 5:30pm Elena McCarron r/o Nellie and Marty Moran SUNDAY AUGUST 20 - Twentieth Sunday in Ord. Time 7:30am For Parishioners, Living and Deceased 9:00am Gina Roselli r/o Lipinski and Snyder Families 10:30am Deacon John Fitzsimmons r/o George/Noreen 12:00pm Dec. Mem. of DeLuca/Sanseverino/Parla Fam. *All Masses in Church
REMEMBERING LOVED ONES . . .
◊ Sanctuary Candle/Mary Candle, (lit for one week in church/chapel, available during daytime in Pastoral Center).
◊ Memorials of Honor …. Gifts of $25+ entered in Journal (courtyard lobby). Envelopes: Pastoral Center.
This Week in Memory of…
Amelia Homza r/o Homza Family
(Sanctuary Candle in Church)
Vito and Mary Balsamo
r/o Granddaughter, Linda Piccolomini
(Mary Candle in Church)
FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION
TUESDAY AUGUST 15
8:15am Helen and Stanley Rojek r/o Family 12:10pm Jonathan Yuhas r/o Janet and Tom Liposky 7:00pm For Parishioners, Living and Deceased
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AUGUST 13, 2017
Eucharistic Adoration will
resume in September.
Parish Support
Here at STA we encourage you to be Christian Stewards, using everything God has given us—time, talent, treasure—to serve Him gratefully.
Last week’s Collections: $14,064 (‘16: $11,816)
Offering for the Poor: $650
Online Giving! Visit our website to get started :
www.saintthomasob.com. “Online giving—it’s so easy!” Shirley.
DECEASED LOVED ONES
Charles Donnelly, Pamela Kane, Arlene Thomas, Grace Gambino,
Edward Murphy and Stanley J. Bialowasz
PREP REGISTRATION
Registration is still available (with limited open-ings). Visit our website and register as soon as
possible: www.saintthomasob.com (under the Religious Education tab) Ques-
tions? PREP: 732.251.1660 • Level 6 and 7 classes are closed on Tuesday and
Thursday. There are openings for Level 6 and 7 on Saturday mornings from 10am-11:30am.
Space rental—1 for $15 or 2 for $25
Table rental—$5 each
Contact: Charlotte Guarino (732-257-0721)
27th Annual Giant Flea Market
Sponsored by St. Thomas Rosary Society
Saturday, August 19
(rain date: Saturday, August 26)
Time: 8:00am to 2:30pm STA Church Parking Lot • No refunds • All trash must be removed
• No selling of food/drink concessions permitted
PLEASE NOTE…The Parish Office is closed on Fridays
during the summer.
SILVER / GOLD
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION! Celebrate your 25th or 50th Anniversary with the Church of Metuchen. Renew your marriage
vows with Bishop James F. Checchio at a Special Evening Prayer Service in the Cathedral, Metuchen: Sunday, September 17, 4pm Application forms available at the Pastoral Center. Forms must be signed by clergy. Deadline: Friday, September 1.
USHERS NEEDED…
Would you like to join the Ushers Ministry? We can use your help...especially for the 4pm and 5:30pm Masses on Saturday or any Mass which you attend! Please fill out the form below and drop it off in the Parish Office:
Name:___________________________
Age:________
Phone number:____________________
Email:___________________________
HOLY NAME SOCIETY sponsoring
CASINO TRIP
Monday, August 21, 9:30am-7pm
Join us for a fun trip to Sands Casino in Bethlehem PA.
Cost: $40 per person (getting back $20 Casino and $5 food voucher.) Bus is leaving parking lot 9:30am. Info: George 732.238.5743 or John 732.763.3280.
“TABLE AT STA”
Reminder: The next meal will be September 9, 12pm-
2pm. Our thanks to parishioners for providing non-perishable food donations in our continuing effort to pro-mote Christ-centered charity. Info: Chris Doyle (cdoyle167 @optimum. net or 732-257-0994).
Save - the - Date MIRACULOUS ROSE PETALS…
...Healing Mass with Brother Carmelo Cortez, Wednes-
day, August 23, 7pm, St. Thomas Church. More info to follow.
THE CHURCH CELEBRATES…
...the Feast of Mary’s Assumption into heaven at the end of her earthly life, Tuesday,
August 15. Masses: 8:15am, 12:10pm and
7pm (Church).
Mary, assumed to heaven, Pray for us!
MANY THANKS…
St. Thomas Parish and St. Thomas Knights of Columbus #4815 wish to thank all those who assisted with our Annual Parish Summer Blood Drive. We especially thank those who came out to donate at the Drive. Through your efforts, we were cred-ited with 87 units of blood. We are also very grateful to the Texas Roadhouse, Rte 9 Old Bridge for its donation of gift certificates as donor door prizes. Please plan on donating at our Winter Blood Drive January, 2018.
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NINETEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
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ROSARY INTENTIONS
August 12 For those displaced from their
homes
13 For those who have no one to
pray for them
14 For those affected by natural disasters
15 For greater devotion to our Blessed Mother
16 For couples preparing for marriage
17 For the poor and homeless
18 For an end to racism and prejudice
SAINT THOMAS THE APOSTLE CHURCH, OLD BRIDGE, NJ
BAPTISMAL PREPARATION
All parents must participate in a Baptismal Preparation Program (if possible before the birth of your child). Sessions are held monthly in the Parish Room. Next session: Tuesday, August
22, 7:30pm. Registration required. Remember, the Sac-rament of Baptism is a sacred event regulated by Church (Canon) law. Do not plan any activity until dates are con-firmed (See page 2, top). Questions? 732.251.4000.
St. Thomas the Apostle Parish School
Pre–K - 8th Grade
For Tours and Information:
Phone Admissions Office:
732-251-4000 ext. 8253
333 Highway 18, Old Bridge, NJ 08857
www.sttaob.com
CALLING ALL YOUNG ADULTS !!! (18-35) Join our Young Adult group on the third Sunday of the month to meet new friends, forge relationships and stay connected to the Church! Our next gathering: Sunday, Au-
Men of our parish (any age) are invited to join for a morning hour of prayer, readings and dis-cussion: Monday’s 6am-7am (Pastoral Center). With St. Joseph as our role model, this group hopes to inspire a more faith-focused approach
to the workweek and our paternal roles by inviting God in. Info: Deacon Joe: [email protected].
CAREGIVER HELP AVAILABLE
Interfaith Network of Care, Inc. currently has openings in the Respite program. Phone: 732.247.1655 for more info.
HS STUDENTS CONSIDER…
...there is a great way to be of service here at STA. PREP enables you to assist our Catechists in sharing our faith with younger students. Volunteering in PREP will help you with your community service requirements for high school. Remember by your witness, experience, talents and service you can positively change the lives of others! It’s time to “Pay it Forward!” Info: 732.251.1660.
Educating Minds - - and Hearts.
Full Day Kindergarten Learning centers for Language Arts and Math
Interactive Whiteboards—Wonders Reading and Go Math
Spanish—Art-Music
Leader in Me Program—Emphasis on Faith & Leadership
Exciting Pre-K Programs
BOOK DISCUSSION
Join in a discussion of Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult - a novel that tackles issues of racism and discrimination. It challenges read-ers to consider their own beliefs about the issues. It is not a requirement to read the book in advance. Two separate discussions will be held: • Tuesday, September 19, 10am, St. Thomas (in the
Pastoral Ctr. ) or; • Thursday, September 21, 7pm, at St. Bartholomew
Church, EB. Info: Alice 732.238.4703.
CLOTHING NEEDED…
Preferred Care of Old Bridge is looking for donations of gently used or new clothing to be used for a Gala being celebrated in mid September. Dresses, pants and tops for men and women. Size medium to xlarge. Anyone wishing to donate please bring to the Parish Office, attention Dea-con Pat. Thank you!
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SAINT THOMAS THE APOSTLE CHURCH, OLD BRIDGE, NJ
PRAY FOR THE SICK
Anonymously Recommended, Mothers of Kathleen Catchpole and of Maria DeCandia; Fathers of Peter Donelan and Rick Guil-iano; Daughter of Kathleen Catchpole; Brother of Joe Pasqua; Brother-in-Law of Dennis Francy; Sister of Buddy Arriola; Paula Allen, Pat Barabas, Christina Blumstein, Barbara and George Bollhardt, Alvin Breese, Michele Brunner, Father Kevin Casey, Angela Ceccere, Rosemarie Chimenti, Anne Collins, Domenica Compolattaro, Bryan Connolly, Joyce Curley, Mafalda Decleva, Arlene Delisandro, Josephine DiGioranni, John D’Mello, John Downes, Marion Donoghue, Nancy Donoghue, Beatrice Esquejo, Margaret Faber, Jim Fealy, Tom Franken, Laurenzo Fusco, Kay Gage, Joseph Gambino, Donna Gatto, Stephanie Gatto, John Grazziano, Mary Haraz, Dolores Higgins, Rich and Fran Hogan, Katie, John Iadevaia, Baby Isabel Elizabeth, Roseann Johnson, Margaret Kearney, Marilyn Ku-laszewski, Deirdre LeBlon, Roy Lerman, Luis Leosala, Sr. Louise, Patricia Morelli, James Moulder, William Murawski, Mafalda Nervegna, Sr. Peggy Noone, Edward Nooney, Jennifer Nooney, John Oghia, Ralph Perez, Sam Pontieri, AnnMarie Puchala, Anna Quilla, Michael Quinlan, Yolanda Ramos, Frank Ranelli, Wyatt Rojewski, Brian Romeo, Carol Rosenberger, Harry Rothlin, Michael Ruffley, Carol Safchinsky, Paul Sachkowsky, Claire Salamon, Rosemary Schiano, Donna Semko, Donna Shenesky, Margaret Sherbert, Carl and Theresa Sicig-nano, Dora Soto, James Stark, Roman Stefano, Julia Talarick, Ruth Tschinkel, Daphe Ulveling, Debbie V., Ray Vaughan, Theresa Veverka, Mary Wojciechowski, Mary Yuhas, Edward and Candida Zglobicki, Garret Zupp. ...Please pray for all the sick. (Names will remain on our sick list for one month after which time
they will be removed, unless we are notified to the contrary.)
••Mount St. Mary House of Prayer Retreats, 1651 U.S. Highway 22, Watchung. Website: msmhope.org (Retreat dates). ••Life Choices Peer Counselor training: Are you a good listener? Life Choices a Pregnancy Help Center assists women faced with an unexpected pregnancy. Carolyn: (732-516-0911) or email [email protected]. ••Spirituality of Knitting Retreat: September 12-15, (3 nights mid week)Marianist Family Retreat Center, Cape May Point. All who knit, crochet or needlecraft with some experience are welcome! Cost: $150. Info: 609.884.3829 ••Sisters of Mercy 23rd Annual Golf Classic, Tuesday, September 26, Spring Lake Golf Club, Fore details on this event, which benefits our retired Sisters, please call Linda Cavallo 908.756.0994 x4006/email: [email protected]. ••Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, Washington, NJ, Friday, September 29, 10am-3pm. Every Rosary Society in the State of New Jersey is invited to a special event for the 100th Anniversary. Please join us for a day of prayer. RSVP by July 15. Phone 908.689.1700. ••Pilgrimage along the California Mission Trail with Father
Tom Walsh, October 9-18, in the footsteps of St. Junipero
Serra! Along the way visit San Diego’s Mission Bay, Christ Cathedral, North Hollywood, Wine country and more. For cost and info: Nellie 732.207.9786.
HOT LINE NUMBERS:
• Alanon/Alateen: 1-888-425-2666
• Narcotics Anonymous: 1-800-992-0401
• Nar-Anon of NJ 1-877-424-4491
• Alcoholics Anonymous: 1-888-568-1112
• Domestic Violence: 1-800-572-7233
• NJ Gamblers Anonymous: 1-855-222-5542
• Suicide/Crisis: 1-800-999-9999
TRAVEL WITH FATHER JAY TO...
Christmas Markets
Austria, France and Germany
November 26 to December 4, 2017
(9 days,7 nights) includes accommodation, sightseeing, meals and airfare from Newark airport. Cost: $2,995. Questions? Father Jay 732.251.4000.
Experience the Magic of Europe’s Christmas markets amongst tall cathedrals and church spires rising into the
night sky of the Old Town and horse drawn carriages pa-
rading around the streets.
A PLAYHOUSE CHRISTMAS
Join Father Jay on Sunday, November 12,
3:00pm, Hunterdon Hills Playhouse for an ensemble cast of multi-talented performers celebrate Christmas in an original holiday song and dance fest featuring traditional carols, classic and contemporary Yuletide compositions, humorous skits, and spectacular dance numbers - all backed by a live onstage orchestra. $100 per ticket includes: show/dinner & bus transportation! Phone: 732.251.4000.
Join Reformed Church Home… CLASSIC CAR CRUISE NIGHT
Tuesday, August 15, 6pm-8:30pm (rain date: August 22)
(On the grounds of Reformed Church Home,
1990 Route 18 N, OB). A great night of Family Fun for the RCH and Old Bridge Community! Music, Games for the kids, Trophies, Snacks! No reg. fee: Richie 732.525.0412
DESIGNER BAG BINGO
Saturday, August 26, 6pm-10pm Old Bridge HS Cafeteria, 4209 Rte 516, Mata-wan, NJ Visit www.TKOB.org today for all the details. Info: Sandra 732.425.1289 or email: TKOBfund- [email protected].
BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL’S
(STATEN ISLAND) 100th ANNIVERSARY! Phone Parish Office for info/reservations: 718.442.1581.
