ST. THOMAS AQUINAS PARISH

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ST. THOMAS AQUINAS PARISH

June 30, 2019

St. Thomas Aquinas

Rev. Bill Devine, Pastor

[email protected] Rev. Jason Giombetti, Parochial Vicar [email protected]

Deacon Leo Donoghue [email protected] Parish Office Staff

Peter Vitagliano, Business Manager [email protected]

Tina Larson, Administrative Assistant [email protected]

Parish Office

Faith Formation Office Staff

Phone | 508. 697.3652

Marie Masaitis Faith Formation Coordinator, Grades 1-6

[email protected]

Kristine Smith, Administrative Assistant [email protected]

St. Basil, The Catholic Center

122 Park Ave., Bridgewater MA 02324 Rev. Jason Giombetti, Campus Chaplain Amber Ezeani, Campus/Youth Minister [email protected]

Phone | 857.400.6554

PARISH INFORMATION

SUNDAY MASS

St. Thomas Aquinas Church

Saturday Vigil | 4:00 pm

Sunday | 7:45 am, 10:00 am, 12:00 pm

St. Basil Chapel

Sunday | 10:00 am

DAILY MASS

St. Thomas Aquinas Church

Monday - Saturday | 9:00 am

CONFESSION

St. Thomas Aquinas Church

Saturday | 9:30 am - 10:15 am Saturday | 3:00 pm - 3:45 pm or by appointment

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When I was young, in order to determine how much attention I paid at Mass, my mother would ask me what vestment color my pastor wore. My answer was usually green and luckily I answered her correctly a few times. Green is the most used color for the Church throughout the liturgical year. Is this a boring color? I don't think so, because green represents the vibrancy and dynamism of life. Green is the universal color of nature. It also is the color of simplicity. The simple lifestyle is the invitation of Jesus for His disciples who want to follow God’s call.

In today's Gospel, St. Luke recounts the story of three people. The first person enthusiastically wishes to follow Christ wherever He goes. Jesus does not hide His precarious circumstance. Accepting Him is to give up all safety and to live as a pilgrim in the world. Following Jesus is to embark on the journey of the Son of God to be human, whose first place is the manger and whose headrest is the Cross. The second person chooses to follow the Lord on the condition that he would bury his newly deceased father. Jesus values his respect for his parent, but He encourages that he gives priority to follow Jesus without the anxiety of home. The third person asks to say farewell to his family first. Jesus said to him: “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Lk 9, 62) Three people in the Gospel wanted to follow as disciples of Jesus. However, they did not fully embrace discipleship. Instead they hesitated, calculated, and postponed it.

How about are you and I? Does that mean all of us should leave Bridgewater and become missionaries in another country like Vietnam? I wish! However, God does not call everyone to serve as missionaries in other countries, and, for that, I am sure Fr. Bill and Fr. Giombetti are happy! The vocation of each individual is the choice of his daily duty. Christian life means seeking the Kingdom of God first. How wonderful it is if we respond to that call with a simple and sincere attitude. Jesus calls us to live normal lives. During His three years of preaching, He did not want to be treated as an earthly king, but humbled Himself as a servant to wash the feet of his disciples, to take care of the poor, and to reach the sinners. Jesus preferred austerity and candor in everyday life. He reminded the disciples to seek the Kingdom as children. Jesus has sown into the world the value of love and service.

During the 13 years of being in prison with extreme conditions, The Venerable, Cardinal Francis Nguyen Van Thuan had received a life of the present moment with an optimistic and trustable attitude. He was ready to live quietly and peacefully with what he had in prison. His hands became the chalice to hold the Body and Blood of Christ when He celebrated daily Mass. He fulfilled his life with love and tolerance even though he was in prison. He wrote in the Road

of Hope, “The hope line is of every hope, the hope of life is of every minute of hope. This dot follows the other dot, ten

thousand dots into a long line. This minute follows the other minute, millions of minutes into a life. Dot each dot correctly, and the road will be beautiful. Live every minute to the good, and your life will be holy.”

In order to become a disciple of God, it is necessary to conform our lives according to the example of Jesus. It is not too hard for us to follow Him since He gives us many chances in everyday life. It is not a harsh request, but an invitation to live simply and sincerely, to live the present moment completely entrusted to Christ, and to fill our hearts with his love. May Almighty God give us strength and courage to embrace our Christian vocations and gratitude to live in response to God's love.

CATHOLIC HEART WORK CAMP YOUTH MISSION TRIP UPDATE

- Hien Vu (our summer seminarian)

After a 17 hour drive to Charleston, our mission trip participants settled in and got right to work! Day 1 of Catholic Heart Work Camp included lots of painting, landscaping and building. They have already helped schools, a homeless shelter, a day care center and churches and have worked on home projects for Habitat for Humanity! Stay tuned to the next bulletin for more from Charleston, SC!

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Faith Formation Happenings

CLASS REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Thank you for your patience while we work to build a new database for the Faith Formation Office. We expect to publish Registration Materials for 2019 -2020 Faith Formation Classes at the beginning of July. More information soon!

TEACHERS NEEDED!!!

Saint Thomas Aquinas is proud to educate over 800

students each year in our Faith Formation program. Sharing our faith and traditions with

younger generations is only possible because of the generosity of many volunteer teachers. We

estimate that next year we will need approximately 70 teachers. Classes are taught to students in

grades 1-10 and we will work with you on grade preference and schedule. Classes run once per week for one hour from mid-September to early May. Training is provided for all volunteer teachers. Interested? Please contact the Faith Formation Office at [email protected].

VACATION

BIBLE CAMP

We are still in need of 4 adults to be station leaders for bible adventures, snacks and the opening and closing music sessions. If you feel called to this ministry,

contact Kim Gibson at [email protected]

or call Marie Masaitis in the Faith Formation office.

CALLING ALL CAMPERS!!!

Camp is fast approaching!

Register now for a fun week!

July 29 - August 2

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Age 4 - entering Grade 6

Cost: $50 per camper, $125 Family Maximum

To register, visit www.stthomasaquinas.com

and download a registration form. Questions?

Contact the Faith Formation office at 508-697-3652.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO ASSIST US

WITH KEEPING THE LOWER CHURCH OPEN AT NIGHT

Part of being a welcoming community, especially for families with busy days, is in making the Church available for them to visit in the evenings. St. Thomas Aquinas Parish would love to keep the doors open late so that they can spend time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, Monday - Friday. But in order to keep the lower church open to 9:00 p.m. for adoration and quiet prayer Monday - Friday, I need different volunteers who would be willing to lock up the church at 9:00 p.m. If we have 5 volunteers, then each night one of them can lock up throughout the year. If you can only commit to part of the year but know of someone who can fill in the gaps, you’re more than welcome to volunteer.

"If we really loved the good God, we should make it our joy and happiness to come and spend a few moments to adore Him, and ask Him for the grace of forgiveness; and we should regard those moments as the happiest of our lives." - St. John Vianney, Patron Saint of parish priests

This is an invitation for the volunteers and everyone to spend quiet time in the evening with the Lord. Can you offer even a few moments once each week to visit the One who gave His life for you?

If you are interested, please contact me via email at [email protected] or call the parish office and leave a voicemail.

God Bless, David

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MANDELA SCHOLAR POTLUCK DINNER

THIS MONDAY, JULY 1, 2019

6:30 p.m. - Parish Center

Last chance to register for this wonderful event!

Bridgewater State University is once again welcoming 25

young African leaders, The Mandela Scholars, for a six-week intensive summer program. While here,

St. Thomas Aquinas Parish is having a potluck dinner to give the Scholars the opportunity to meet

Bridgewater families and share ideas and cultures.

Please visit www.stthomasaquinas.com to register.

Country

Scholar Name

Nashwa Abdelbadie

Sudan

ederlai Mado Carvalho Dassunção

Sao Tome and Principe

Saloum Toure

Mali

Fabrice Mboungou

Congo, Republic

Josué Zabsonre

Burkina Faso

Ishmael Motshabi

Botswana

Khanyisile Lukhele

Eswatini

Patience Saaka

Ghana

Ibrahima Diba

Senegal

Adam Nyende

Uganda

Jacqueline Omol

Kenya

Costa Oguta

Kenya

Nomonde Ndwalaza

South Africa

El Hadji Baity Sene

Senegal

Carolyne Ruth Muro

Tanzania, United Republic of

Zikhona Miso

South Africa

Godfry Shivolo

Namibia

Shaatuna Kalla

Namibia

Chol Duang

South Sudan

Carlos Da Silva

Guinea-Bissau

Doreen Zimba

Zambia

Sarah Adole

Nigeria

Ilori Adebanke Ibukun Ilori

Nigeria

Annie Margaret Ihoreere Wagana

Uganda

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HELP NEEDED AT

MAINSPRING

HOUSE

Help is needed to serve dinner at Mainspring House in Brockton on the following dates:

* Thursday, July 4th from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. * Thursday, Aug. 1st from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Must be 18 or older to serve. Contact Donna Kelly via email at [email protected] or call 508-279-0019 with questions or to volunteer. Thank you!

A NIGHT AT THE

BROCKTON ROX

Tuesday, July 30th 6:30 p.m.

COURTESY OF PROPHETT,

CHAPMAN, COLE & GLEASON

AND PILLSBURY FLORIST

As part of the Prophett - Chapman Cole & Gleason Funeral Home and Pillsbury Florist “Bringing Our Community Together” initiative, we are hosting a night at the Brockton Rox. Come see the Brockton

Rox play the Bristol Blues Tuesday July 30th at 6:30.

Bring the kids. Fun for the whole family!

Tickets can be picked up at Will Call the night of the game. Please R.S.V.P. by July 23rd- 508-697-4332.

Thank you!

Mark, Bill, Rob, Maggie, Denise and Carol

RUMMAGE SALE AND

HOLIDAY BAZAAR DONATIONS

As you are doing your spring and summer cleaning, please save clean and "gently used" items for our Rummage Sale in October and our November Bazaar. Donations may be dropped off in the parish center lobby on Thursdays between 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Thank you for your generosity!

WE WILL ACCEPT:

 Home and holiday decor

 Domestics (please label sizes)

 Kitchenware and Household items

 Sports equipment

 Games/puzzles

 Clean kids toys

 Jewelry, handbags, shoes

 Apparel

 Books, CDs, DVDs

 Small appliances

WE WILL NOT ACCEPT:

 TVs

 Computers, monitors

 Child car seats

 Swimming pool ladders

Volunteers are needed to deliver Meals on Wheels in Bridgewater. If you are interested,

please contact the Bridgewater Senior Center at 508-697-0929. There is a stipend for mileage that will be reimbursed by Old Colony Elder Services.

CANDLELIGHT

ROSARY PROCESSION

July 13th - 7:30 p.m.

St. Thomas Aquinas Parish will host the third of the 2019 season’s Candlelight Rosary Processions on Saturday, July 13, 2019, at 7:30 P.M. The guest speaker will be Reverend Adrian Milik, Parochial Vicar, St. Jude Parish in Waltham.

PARISH OFFICES

CLOSED

JULY 4th and 5th, 2019

In observance of the Independence Day holiday,

parish offices will be closed on Thursday,

July 4th AND Friday, July 5th, 2019.

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WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS

SATURDAY, JUNE 29 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. SUNDAY, JUNE 30 7:45 a.m. 10:00 a.m. St. Basil - 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. THURSDAY, JULY 4 9:00 a.m. FRIDAY, JULY 5 9:00 a.m. SATURDAY, JULY 6 4:00 p.m. SUNDAY, JULY 7 10:00 a.m. St. Basil - 10:00 a.m. Maria Veiga Rose Woronicz Laura Jean Luiz Manuel DaSilva Joan Murray Paulo Torres

No 9:00 a.m. Mass

Joanne Mantia and Marilyn Medeiros Mary Edwards O’Keefe Primile Chiocca Maria Lourdes Loura

WEEKLY DEVOTIONS

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Saturdays 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., lower church

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

1st Saturday of the month 10:00 a.m., lower church DIVINE MERCY HOLY HOUR

Wednesdays 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm, lower church

SACRAMENTS

If you are seeking more information about the Sacraments, or wish to schedule an appointment, please call the parish to speak with a priest at 508-697-9528.

BAPTISM

If you wish to have your child Baptized, or to receive the Sacrament yourself, please call the parish office to request an appointment with a priest or deacon. Baptisms are

ordinarily celebrated each month on the 2nd& 4th

Sunday at 1:30 pm, however PLEASE NOTE THAT JULY

BAPTISMS will be held instead on July 14 and 21 (the 2nd

and 3rd_Sunday).

Baptism Preparation Class is required.

MARRIAGE

If you wish to be married in our parish, please call the parish office to request an appointment with a priest at least eight months in advance. Marriage Preparation

course is required.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK

If you wish to receive the sacraments at home or in the hospital due to illness, handicap or age, please contact the parish office at 508-697-9528.

NEXT BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASS Thursday, July 11, 2019 - 7:00 p.m. St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Center - Adults Only.

“A time to heal…”

Elaine Phaneuf Barbara Prociccini Andrea Proffetty Camden Rivers Olivia Rivers Dan Sante Linda Scopa Sarah Silvia Claire Sullivan Betty Tarentino Anna Vrana Herbert Wolfer Alexis Zutaut Jason and Nicole

Zutaut

PRAYER LIST

“A time to be born…”

“A time to die…”

PFC Christopher Ahl, USA 1st LT. Jeffrey Boyle, USMC

CPT John Costantino, USA GEN Joseph F. Dunford, USMC CAPT Karen Chouinard Holliday,

“A time for peace…”

Edward Albert Carolyn Allen Jean Andrade Jeffery Bean Kim Sweetman-Carmello Kathy Connelly Eric Costa Michael Crowley Sue Dickow Baby Everleigh Peter Farrell Anita Fuller Lee Fuller Joseph Giombetti Bruce Gordon Dr. Francis Gendreau Jonathan Huckvale James Kane Deidre Keane Thomas Keane Gerry Gesner Kaleena McHardy Sean McHardy Steve McLaren Mary McClay Charles Monastere Ray Mouradian Bob O’Hare Chris Perry

SGT Brandon Jamieson, USA CPL D.J. Jamieson, USA PFC Christopher O'Leary, USA

Staff SGT Kelly O'Leary, USA SPC Peter O'Leary, USA MGEN Eric M. Smith USMC

COLLECTION SUMMARY 6/18 - 6/24 ST. THOMAS ST. BASIL TOTAL Weekly Collection $ 5,170 $ 721 $ 5,891

Online Giving - WeShare $ 1,181 $ 605 $ 1,786

TOTAL $ 6,351 $ 1,326 $ 7,677

Special Collection -

Promoting the Gospel $ 1,401 $ 212 $ 1,613

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COLLECTION

THIS WEEK NO SECOND COLLECTION JUNE 29 & 30

NEXT WEEK NO SECOND COLLECTION JULY 6 & 7

Joseph Camara Emmie Comeau Lily Corndell Joseph Herrick, Jr. Phoebe Royer Jakob Sardinha Adeline Quirk

Antonio DeAndrade Gloria Heerman Jacob Labree Jacqueline Hickey

| www.stthomasaquinas.com