PARISH INFORMATION
Religious Education Office Staff
Phone | 508. 697. 3652Debbie Hill, Coord. of Religious Ed. Marie Masaitis, Coord. of Religious Ed.
St Basil, The Catholic Center
122 Park Ave. Bridgewater, MA 02324 Hours | Mon - Fri 9 am-9 pm Hours | Sun 9 am-6 pm Phone | 508. 531. 1346 Fax | 508. 531. 6188Chapel Office
Phone | 508. 531. 3011Rev. Jason Giombetti, Campus Chaplain
PARISH INFORMATION
St Thomas Aquinas
Rev. Bill Devine, PastorRev. Jason Giombetti, Parochial Vicar [email protected] Kevin Mossman, Pastoral Associate [email protected] Sr. Deacon Jerry Ryan
Parish Office Staff
Peter Vitagliano, Business Manager Rob Ruth, Administrative Assistant
Parish Office
103 Center St, Bridgewater MA 02324 Hours
|
Monday - Friday|
9 am-5 pm Phone|
508. 697. 9528Fax
|
508. 279. 1859|
[email protected] Website|
www.stthomasaquinas.comMASS SCHEDULE
St Thomas Aquinas Church
Sunday Mass
Saturday Vigil | 4:00 pm
Sunday | 7:45 am, 10:00 am, 12:00 pm
Daily Mass
HOLY HOUR FOR LIFE
The Archdiocese of Boston Holy Hour For Life is held annu-ally in parishes in conjunction with the national observance of a Day of Prayer and Penance marking the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision which legalized in the United States abortion on demand.
The Holy Hour is prayed during the week surrounding the anniversary of Roe v. Wade on January 21st at parishes. A Holy Hour consists of mental and vocal prayer with exposi-tion of the Blessed Sacrament. It draws inspiraexposi-tion from Christ’s words to the Apostles in Gethsemane “Can you watch not one hour with me?”
Sunday, January 21at 1:30 pm
A Holy Hour for Life will be held in the church and will be led by Deacon Jerry Ryan. All those faithful to the inherent dignity of all human life from conception to natural death are encouraged to participate.
ECUMENICAL SERVICE -
Sunday, January 28Sunday, January 28 begins the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement at the Chapel of Our Savior at Westgate Mall, Brockton are a religious community whose charism is to promote ecumenical dialogue among different religions.
They are sponsoring an Ecumenical Celebration on Sunday, January 28 at 3 p.m. Bishop Robert Reed, Auxiliary Bishop
for the Archdiocese of Boston and President of Catholic TV will preside and preach at this ecumenical service.
The theme of the service is "Your Right Hand, O Lord, Glori-ous in Power" (Exodus 15:6). Refreshments will be provided by the Third Order of St. Francis, immediately following the
FEAST OF OUR PATRON
- Sunday, January 28 We will celebrate the feast day of our parish patron, St. Thomas Aquinas during our weekend Masses (January 27 & 28). This celebration will give us a chance to acknowledge our patron saint and pray for his intercession.St. Thomas was a great theologian, whose knowledge and deep contemplation helped shape our understanding of God’s plan, our world, and ourselves. He teaches us the very timely lesson that faith and reason are not opposed, that there is only one truth that we need to search for through all the tools we were given by God, whether they are Scripture, prayer, science, or debate. He also was a man of great prayer, and some of the prayers he wrote continue to be prayed, both spoken and in song, throughout the world. I hope that as we celebrate St. Thomas you will take a moment to thank the Lord for the gift of this great teacher and patron, and that you will try to set aside a bit of time to try to experience that great gift of truth that allows us to know and therefore love our God.
MASS FOR PRAYER AND PENANCE
All Masses for Sunday, February 4th will be offered for Prayer and Penance at the request of Cardinal Sean. The Mass is being held in response to a call from Pope Francis for all episcopal conferences across the world to have a Day or Prayer and Penance in recognition of harm done by clergy sexual abuse within the church. It will be an oppor-tunity to seek repentance for the sins of the church, to pray for all those who were abused, and to pray for continued healing for all those impacted by the abuse including those who were abused, families, members of our church, and the community at large.
So that you can make appropriate decisions for your children, please keep in mind that the topic of the clergy sexual abuse crisis will be addressed during the Mass. If you know of anyone who has stepped away from the church because of the clergy abuse crisis, please let them know about this Mass in case they would like to attend. If you know of anyone who has been sexually abused by clergy or a member of the church, please let them know that the Office of Pastoral Support and Outreach is there to help. To report abuse or get help please call 617-746-5995.
SAVE THE DATE
VALENTINE’S DINNER DANCE SOCIAL
Saturday, February 17, 2018
Oh them dancin' shoes . . . Oh them dancin' shoes . . . Take out those dancing shoes
Put a shine on them and Practice your steps
Select your finery, dressed for success Looking your best
Now practice your moves And get in your groove
YOUTH GROUP
• CATHOLIC HEART WORKCAMP SERVICE TRIP
June 24 - June 30, 2018 Farmington MI
Over the next two weeks all 7th - 10th grade Religious Education classes will be visited by the Youth Group Com-mittee to talk about the upcoming CHWC mission trip. Applications will be passed out to interested campers and they will also be available on the parish website under the youth group. Please check out the video of last years participants and the F.A.Q. sheet under the youth group page on the parish website.
For more information, visit www.heartcamp.com (or)
email Jen Rosher @ [email protected]
• MINUTE TO WIN IT!
A Youth Group Favorite! Sat. Jan. 27, 2018. 6-9 pm For Middle Schoolers (Grades 6-8)
What Can You Do In One Minute? - Enjoy a night of friendly competition, refreshments and fun. You will work as a team to complete crazy tasks like Elephant March and Cookie Face in one minute or less. $5.00 per person. Prizes will be awarded to first and second place teams. Drinks and light refreshments will be provided! See the Youth Ministry page of parish website to sign up. We are also looking for highschool volunteers to help with the games. Service hours will be granted.
• BAGGED LUNCHES FOR MAINSPRING HOUSE
For Grades 6-12 Sun. Feb. 11, 2018 5-6:30pm
Help make sandwiches and pack a bagged lunch to be distributed to the homeless who depend on Mainspring House for food and shelter. Service Hours will be granted. Sign up on Youth Ministry page of parish website.
• BABYSITTERS NEEDED
Valentine’s Dinner Dance Social Event
Saturday, February 17th, 5 pm-9 pm
See Youth Ministry page of parish website to sign up
MISSION TRIP BAKE SALE FUNDRAISER
Molly Geraghty & Jake Howlett, students at Cardinal Spell-man High School, have been chosen to be part of a mission trip to Kingston, Jamaica over their April vacation. There they will work with children and adults with mental and physical disabilities, as well as bring improvements to the places where they reside. In order to offset the cost of the trip, they will be holding a bake sale outside following Masses at St. Thomas on Sunday, February 11th. Baked goods as well as hot chocolate will be for sale.
FLU SEASON
The Office of Worship, in consultation with local health authorities, continues to encourage the clergy and faithful to observe necessary standard precautions to protect the health of others during this flu season. The best way to prevent the spread of contagious diseases is to practice good hygiene. In addition, the Cardinal directs the following for the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy and for flu prevention: While the faithful retain the option of receiving Holy Com-munion on the tongue or in the hand, all ministers of Holy Communion are advised to distribute the consecrated hosts with care, being cautious not to touch the tongue or the hand of the communicant.
Parishioners should be reminded that if they are ill or suspect they are ill with a contagious illness, they are not bound by the Sunday Mass obligation. They should remain at home and return to church when they are well.
If you suspect that you have or may be coming down with a cold, please refrain from receiving the Precious Blood in the chalice.
BIBLE STUDY COURSE
Follow Me: Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John
Being Catholic takes more than simply believing in God or doing what he asks of us. Jesus wants you to be more than just a believer—he wants you to be his disciple and friend. To help you answer this call to deeper friendship with Christ, St Thomas Aquinas Parish will begin Follow Me: Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John on Tuesday, February 13 at 10:30 am in the lower church and again at 7:00 pm at St Basil Chapel. For more information contact Kevin Mossman via phone 508-531-3001, or email [email protected]. You will not only benefit
personally from being part of this study; you will also help us to grow in fellowshipas a parish as we grow closer to Christ together.
Follow Me invites you to experience the joy of a renewed friendship with Christ. You will learn what it takes to follow him. You will experience the joy of divine friendship, and you will see how God— and only God—can satisfy the deepest desires of your heart.
Participants of Follow Me will receive a workbook and will meet every week to view an engaging video presentation followed by a time of lively group discussion and fellow-ship. The eight 30-minute videos, presented by Dr. Edward Sri, will guide you through the Gospel of John. Dr. Sri will explain how Christ’s encounters with others in the Gospel are examples of how he lovingly and persistently calls each of us to a more intimate and life-changing relationship with him.
Registration forms are available in the church and chapel. Please return completed registration on, or before Sunday,
IN WORD & DEED
by Jim Gaffney
Our parish retreats are a time of change. Even years later, people will often remember it as a time of new discoveries and seeing faith in action for the first time. When the week-end is over, life is never quite the same again. The experience of a renewed faith brings a new light and a new hope to our life.
Jesus brings a new message of love to the whole world, a message of God’s providence, peace and forgiveness. That message is renewed each day when we pray, when we serve, when we acknowledge the importance of faith and act on our desire to love. Some will hear it, others will ignore it, and some will doubt it. But the message persists, offering hope and grace to everyone.
God’s calls us in His own time, perhaps at a moment we are least expecting it. He never takes it back. We are always able to respond, to begin again, and to renew our willingness to accept and share the message of love and life, of goodness and grace. Accept the call. Life will never be the same.
~James Gaffney, © 2009 Karides Lic. to St. George Publishing [email protected]
2017 GRAND ANNUAL APPEAL UPDATE
An “Encouraging” Word from our Business Manager
As we begin our New Year, we are coming to the end of our 2017 Grand Annual Appeal. Fr. Bill and I are extremely pleased and humbled with the tremendous response to this year’s collection.
As we have mentioned previously the proceeds from the Grand Annual Appeal help us make up for the short fall when our weekly operational expenses are greater than the weekly income or offertory collection. Because of your generosity we’ve been able to make major improvements such as HVAC for the church and parish offices, repairs and upgrades to our heating systems in the Parish Center and St. Basil chapel as well as a new HC entrance floor and insulation in the church. These funds have enabled us to hire Kevin Mossman, our Pastoral Associate, and to estab-lish a budget to hire a Music Director and Campus/Youth Minister. All these expenses are critical to meet the needs of a growing parish. None of these things could have been accomplished without the generosity of those who contrib-uted to this year’s Appeal.
It’s Not Too Late
For all who have given to the Grand Annual Appeal….THANK YOU! If you have not yet made a contribution and would like to help support our parish and ministries we ask you to consider making a donation in the upcoming weeks. Every donation helps and can be made easily on-line through WeShare which can be found on our parish website sttho-masaquinas.com or you can send or bring your donation to the parish office.
Because many have increased their weekly contributions and have generously contributed to the Grand Annual Appeal we will not be conducting our Growth in Steward-ship Initiative this year. Fr. Bill and I with the support and advice of the Parish Finance Council have made every effort to cut costs wherever possible and be good stewards of the resources that we have been given.
As people become more involved in our parish and take on an active role in moving from “maintenance to mission”, we ask your continued support of time, talent and treasure. Together, we can and will accomplish great things for the Lord and His Church.
Again, thank you to all you have donated or will donate to the Grand Annual Appeal. May the Lord bless and guide our parish now and in the years to come.
FOLLOWING HIM
By Dr. Scott Hahn Readings • Jonah 3:1-5, 10 • Psalm 25:4-9 • 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 • Mark 1:14-20The calling of the brothers in today's Gospel evokes Elisha's commissioning by the prophet Elijah (see 1 Kings 19:19-21). As Elijah comes upon Elisha working on his family's farm, so Jesus sees the brothers working by the seaside. And as Elisha left his mother and father to follow Elijah, so the brothers leave their father to come after Jesus.
Jesus' promise - to make them "fishers of men" - evokes Israel's deepest hopes. The prophet Jeremiah announced a new exodus in which God would send "many fishermen" to restore the Israelites from exile, as once He brought them out of slavery in Egypt (see Jeremiah 16:14-16).
By Jesus' cross and resurrection, this new exodus has begun
(see Luke 9:31). And the apostles are the first of a new people of God, the Church - a new family, based not on blood ties, but on belief in Jesus and a desire to do the Father's will (see John 1:12-13; Matthew 12:46-50).
From now on, even our most important worldly concerns - family relations, occupations, and possessions - must be judged in light of the gospel, Paul says in today's Epistle. The first word of Jesus' gospel - repent - means we must totally change our way of thinking and living, turning from evil, doing all for the love of God.
And we should be consoled by Nineveh's repentance in today's First Reading. Even the wicked Nineveh could repent at Jonah's preaching. And in Jesus we have a greater than Jonah (see Matthew 12:41). We have God come as our savior, to show sinners the way, as we sing in today's Psalm. This should give us hope - that loved ones who remain far from God will find compassion if they turn to Him.
But we, too, must continue along the path of repentance - striving daily to pattern our lives after His.
A service of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology www.SalvationHistory.com
JANUARY 21, 2018 3RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 2
To visitors of our Parish, and to those who have recently moved into the area, and to those comfortable and nour-ished here - Welcome. Regardless of your status in the Church, marital state, your ethnicity, your prior religious experience, your personal history, background, or sexual orientation, we hope that you will continue to worship with us each week.
Welcome
Our Mission is to be a welcoming community of believers continually growing in our faith and in our love of Jesus Christ through worship, education, evangelization and service within our local and broader community.
HOLY HOUR FOR LIFE
The Archdiocese of Boston Holy Hour For Life is held annu-ally in parishes in conjunction with the national observance of a Day of Prayer and Penance marking the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision which legalized in the United States abortion on demand.
The Holy Hour is prayed during the week surrounding the anniversary of Roe v. Wade on January 21st at parishes. A Holy Hour consists of mental and vocal prayer with exposi-tion of the Blessed Sacrament. It draws inspiraexposi-tion from Christ’s words to the Apostles in Gethsemane “Can you watch not one hour with me?”
Sunday, January 21at 1:30 pm
A Holy Hour for Life will be held in the church and will be led by Deacon Jerry Ryan. All those faithful to the inherent dignity of all human life from conception to natural death are encouraged to participate.
ECUMENICAL SERVICE -
Sunday, January 28Sunday, January 28 begins the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement at the Chapel of Our Savior at Westgate Mall, Brockton are a religious community whose charism is to promote ecumenical dialogue among different religions.
They are sponsoring an Ecumenical Celebration on Sunday, January 28 at 3 p.m. Bishop Robert Reed, Auxiliary Bishop
for the Archdiocese of Boston and President of Catholic TV will preside and preach at this ecumenical service.
The theme of the service is "Your Right Hand, O Lord, Glori-ous in Power" (Exodus 15:6). Refreshments will be provided by the Third Order of St. Francis, immediately following the service.
We will celebrate the feast day of our parish patron, St. Thomas Aquinas during our weekend Masses (January 27 & 28). This celebration will give us a chance to acknowledge our patron saint and pray for his intercession.
St. Thomas was a great theologian, whose knowledge and deep contemplation helped shape our understanding of God’s plan, our world, and ourselves. He teaches us the very timely lesson that faith and reason are not opposed, that there is only one truth that we need to search for through all the tools we were given by God, whether they are Scripture, prayer, science, or debate. He also was a man of great prayer, and some of the prayers he wrote continue to be prayed, both spoken and in song, throughout the world. I hope that as we celebrate St. Thomas you will take a moment to thank the Lord for the gift of this great teacher and patron, and that you will try to set aside a bit of time to try to experience that great gift of truth that allows us to know and therefore love our God.
MASS FOR PRAYER AND PENANCE
All Masses for Sunday, February 4th will be offered for Prayer and Penance at the request of Cardinal Sean. The Mass is being held in response to a call from Pope Francis for all episcopal conferences across the world to have a Day or Prayer and Penance in recognition of harm done by clergy sexual abuse within the church. It will be an oppor-tunity to seek repentance for the sins of the church, to pray for all those who were abused, and to pray for continued healing for all those impacted by the abuse including those who were abused, families, members of our church, and the community at large.
So that you can make appropriate decisions for your children, please keep in mind that the topic of the clergy sexual abuse crisis will be addressed during the Mass. If you know of anyone who has stepped away from the church because of the clergy abuse crisis, please let them know about this Mass in case they would like to attend. If you know of anyone who has been sexually abused by clergy or a member of the church, please let them know that the Office of Pastoral Support and Outreach is there to help. To report abuse or get help please call 617-746-5995.
SAVE THE DATE
VALENTINE’S DINNER DANCE SOCIAL
Saturday, February 17, 2018
Oh them dancin' shoes . . . Oh them dancin' shoes . . . Take out those dancing shoes
Put a shine on them and Practice your steps
Select your finery, dressed for success Looking your best
Now practice your moves And get in your groove
Don't miss next week's bulletin for more info
YOUTH GROUP
• CATHOLIC HEART WORKCAMP SERVICE TRIP
June 24 - June 30, 2018 Farmington MI
Over the next two weeks all 7th - 10th grade Religious Education classes will be visited by the Youth Group Com-mittee to talk about the upcoming CHWC mission trip. Applications will be passed out to interested campers and they will also be available on the parish website under the youth group. Please check out the video of last years participants and the F.A.Q. sheet under the youth group page on the parish website.
For more information, visit www.heartcamp.com (or)
email Jen Rosher @ [email protected]
• MINUTE TO WIN IT!
A Youth Group Favorite! Sat. Jan. 27, 2018. 6-9 pm For Middle Schoolers (Grades 6-8)
What Can You Do In One Minute? - Enjoy a night of friendly competition, refreshments and fun. You will work as a team to complete crazy tasks like Elephant March and Cookie Face in one minute or less. $5.00 per person. Prizes will be awarded to first and second place teams. Drinks and light refreshments will be provided! See the Youth Ministry page of parish website to sign up. We are also looking for highschool volunteers to help with the games. Service hours will be granted.
• BAGGED LUNCHES FOR MAINSPRING HOUSE
For Grades 6-12 Sun. Feb. 11, 2018 5-6:30pm
Help make sandwiches and pack a bagged lunch to be distributed to the homeless who depend on Mainspring House for food and shelter. Service Hours will be granted. Sign up on Youth Ministry page of parish website.
• BABYSITTERS NEEDED
Valentine’s Dinner Dance Social Event
Saturday, February 17th, 5 pm-9 pm
See Youth Ministry page of parish website to sign up
MISSION TRIP BAKE SALE FUNDRAISER
Molly Geraghty & Jake Howlett, students at Cardinal Spell-man High School, have been chosen to be part of a mission trip to Kingston, Jamaica over their April vacation. There they will work with children and adults with mental and physical disabilities, as well as bring improvements to the places where they reside. In order to offset the cost of the trip, they will be holding a bake sale outside following Masses at St. Thomas on Sunday, February 11th. Baked goods as well as hot chocolate will be for sale.
FLU SEASON
The Office of Worship, in consultation with local health authorities, continues to encourage the clergy and faithful to observe necessary standard precautions to protect the health of others during this flu season. The best way to prevent the spread of contagious diseases is to practice good hygiene. In addition, the Cardinal directs the following for the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy and for flu prevention: While the faithful retain the option of receiving Holy Com-munion on the tongue or in the hand, all ministers of Holy Communion are advised to distribute the consecrated hosts with care, being cautious not to touch the tongue or the hand of the communicant.
Parishioners should be reminded that if they are ill or suspect they are ill with a contagious illness, they are not bound by the Sunday Mass obligation. They should remain at home and return to church when they are well.
If you suspect that you have or may be coming down with a cold, please refrain from receiving the Precious Blood in the chalice.
BIBLE STUDY COURSE
Follow Me: Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John
Being Catholic takes more than simply believing in God or doing what he asks of us. Jesus wants you to be more than just a believer—he wants you to be his disciple and friend. To help you answer this call to deeper friendship with Christ, St Thomas Aquinas Parish will begin Follow Me: Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John on Tuesday, February 13 at 10:30 am in the lower church and again at 7:00 pm at St Basil Chapel. For more information contact Kevin Mossman via phone 508-531-3001, or email [email protected]. You will not only benefit
personally from being part of this study; you will also help us to grow in fellowshipas a parish as we grow closer to Christ together.
Follow Me invites you to experience the joy of a renewed friendship with Christ. You will learn what it takes to follow him. You will experience the joy of divine friendship, and you will see how God— and only God—can satisfy the deepest desires of your heart.
Participants of Follow Me will receive a workbook and will meet every week to view an engaging video presentation followed by a time of lively group discussion and fellow-ship. The eight 30-minute videos, presented by Dr. Edward Sri, will guide you through the Gospel of John. Dr. Sri will explain how Christ’s encounters with others in the Gospel are examples of how he lovingly and persistently calls each of us to a more intimate and life-changing relationship with him.
Registration forms are available in the church and chapel. Please return completed registration on, or before Sunday, February 4.
IN WORD & DEED
by Jim Gaffney
Our parish retreats are a time of change. Even years later, people will often remember it as a time of new discoveries and seeing faith in action for the first time. When the week-end is over, life is never quite the same again. The experience of a renewed faith brings a new light and a new hope to our life.
Jesus brings a new message of love to the whole world, a message of God’s providence, peace and forgiveness. That message is renewed each day when we pray, when we serve, when we acknowledge the importance of faith and act on our desire to love. Some will hear it, others will ignore it, and some will doubt it. But the message persists, offering hope and grace to everyone.
God’s calls us in His own time, perhaps at a moment we are least expecting it. He never takes it back. We are always able to respond, to begin again, and to renew our willingness to accept and share the message of love and life, of goodness and grace. Accept the call. Life will never be the same.
~James Gaffney, © 2009 Karides Lic. to St. George Publishing [email protected]
2017 GRAND ANNUAL APPEAL UPDATE
An “Encouraging” Word from our Business Manager
As we begin our New Year, we are coming to the end of our 2017 Grand Annual Appeal. Fr. Bill and I are extremely pleased and humbled with the tremendous response to this year’s collection.
As we have mentioned previously the proceeds from the Grand Annual Appeal help us make up for the short fall when our weekly operational expenses are greater than the weekly income or offertory collection. Because of your generosity we’ve been able to make major improvements such as HVAC for the church and parish offices, repairs and upgrades to our heating systems in the Parish Center and St. Basil chapel as well as a new HC entrance floor and insulation in the church. These funds have enabled us to hire Kevin Mossman, our Pastoral Associate, and to estab-lish a budget to hire a Music Director and Campus/Youth Minister. All these expenses are critical to meet the needs of a growing parish. None of these things could have been accomplished without the generosity of those who contrib-uted to this year’s Appeal.
It’s Not Too Late
For all who have given to the Grand Annual Appeal….THANK YOU! If you have not yet made a contribution and would like to help support our parish and ministries we ask you to consider making a donation in the upcoming weeks. Every donation helps and can be made easily on-line through WeShare which can be found on our parish website sttho-masaquinas.com or you can send or bring your donation to the parish office.
Because many have increased their weekly contributions and have generously contributed to the Grand Annual Appeal we will not be conducting our Growth in Steward-ship Initiative this year. Fr. Bill and I with the support and advice of the Parish Finance Council have made every effort to cut costs wherever possible and be good stewards of the resources that we have been given.
As people become more involved in our parish and take on an active role in moving from “maintenance to mission”, we ask your continued support of time, talent and treasure. Together, we can and will accomplish great things for the Lord and His Church.
Again, thank you to all you have donated or will donate to the Grand Annual Appeal. May the Lord bless and guide our parish now and in the years to come.
Peter V.
FOLLOWING HIM
By Dr. Scott Hahn Readings • Jonah 3:1-5, 10 • Psalm 25:4-9 • 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 • Mark 1:14-20The calling of the brothers in today's Gospel evokes Elisha's commissioning by the prophet Elijah (see 1 Kings 19:19-21). As Elijah comes upon Elisha working on his family's farm, so Jesus sees the brothers working by the seaside. And as Elisha left his mother and father to follow Elijah, so the brothers leave their father to come after Jesus.
Jesus' promise - to make them "fishers of men" - evokes Israel's deepest hopes. The prophet Jeremiah announced a new exodus in which God would send "many fishermen" to restore the Israelites from exile, as once He brought them out of slavery in Egypt (see Jeremiah 16:14-16).
By Jesus' cross and resurrection, this new exodus has begun
(see Luke 9:31). And the apostles are the first of a new people of God, the Church - a new family, based not on blood ties, but on belief in Jesus and a desire to do the Father's will (see John 1:12-13; Matthew 12:46-50).
From now on, even our most important worldly concerns - family relations, occupations, and possessions - must be judged in light of the gospel, Paul says in today's Epistle. The first word of Jesus' gospel - repent - means we must totally change our way of thinking and living, turning from evil, doing all for the love of God.
And we should be consoled by Nineveh's repentance in today's First Reading. Even the wicked Nineveh could repent at Jonah's preaching. And in Jesus we have a greater than Jonah (see Matthew 12:41). We have God come as our savior, to show sinners the way, as we sing in today's Psalm. This should give us hope - that loved ones who remain far from God will find compassion if they turn to Him.
But we, too, must continue along the path of repentance - striving daily to pattern our lives after His.
A service of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology www.SalvationHistory.com
CANCELATIONS DUE TO WEATHER
HOLY HOUR FOR LIFE
The Archdiocese of Boston Holy Hour For Life is held annu-ally in parishes in conjunction with the national observance of a Day of Prayer and Penance marking the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision which legalized in the United States abortion on demand.
The Holy Hour is prayed during the week surrounding the anniversary of Roe v. Wade on January 21st at parishes. A Holy Hour consists of mental and vocal prayer with exposi-tion of the Blessed Sacrament. It draws inspiraexposi-tion from Christ’s words to the Apostles in Gethsemane “Can you watch not one hour with me?”
Sunday, January 21at 1:30 pm
A Holy Hour for Life will be held in the church and will be led by Deacon Jerry Ryan. All those faithful to the inherent dignity of all human life from conception to natural death are encouraged to participate.
ECUMENICAL SERVICE -
Sunday, January 28Sunday, January 28 begins the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement at the Chapel of Our Savior at Westgate Mall, Brockton are a religious community whose charism is to promote ecumenical dialogue among different religions.
They are sponsoring an Ecumenical Celebration on Sunday, January 28 at 3 p.m. Bishop Robert Reed, Auxiliary Bishop
for the Archdiocese of Boston and President of Catholic TV will preside and preach at this ecumenical service.
The theme of the service is "Your Right Hand, O Lord, Glori-ous in Power" (Exodus 15:6). Refreshments will be provided by the Third Order of St. Francis, immediately following the
FEAST OF OUR PATRON
- Sunday, January 28 We will celebrate the feast day of our parish patron, St. Thomas Aquinas during our weekend Masses (January 27 & 28). This celebration will give us a chance to acknowledge our patron saint and pray for his intercession.St. Thomas was a great theologian, whose knowledge and deep contemplation helped shape our understanding of God’s plan, our world, and ourselves. He teaches us the very timely lesson that faith and reason are not opposed, that there is only one truth that we need to search for through all the tools we were given by God, whether they are Scripture, prayer, science, or debate. He also was a man of great prayer, and some of the prayers he wrote continue to be prayed, both spoken and in song, throughout the world. I hope that as we celebrate St. Thomas you will take a moment to thank the Lord for the gift of this great teacher and patron, and that you will try to set aside a bit of time to try to experience that great gift of truth that allows us to know and therefore love our God.
MASS FOR PRAYER AND PENANCE
All Masses for Sunday, February 4th will be offered for Prayer and Penance at the request of Cardinal Sean. The Mass is being held in response to a call from Pope Francis for all episcopal conferences across the world to have a Day or Prayer and Penance in recognition of harm done by clergy sexual abuse within the church. It will be an oppor-tunity to seek repentance for the sins of the church, to pray for all those who were abused, and to pray for continued healing for all those impacted by the abuse including those who were abused, families, members of our church, and the community at large.
So that you can make appropriate decisions for your children, please keep in mind that the topic of the clergy sexual abuse crisis will be addressed during the Mass. If you know of anyone who has stepped away from the church because of the clergy abuse crisis, please let them know about this Mass in case they would like to attend. If you know of anyone who has been sexually abused by clergy or a member of the church, please let them know that the Office of Pastoral Support and Outreach is there to help. To report abuse or get help please call 617-746-5995.
SAVE THE DATE
VALENTINE’S DINNER DANCE SOCIAL
Saturday, February 17, 2018
Oh them dancin' shoes . . . Oh them dancin' shoes . . . Take out those dancing shoes
Put a shine on them and Practice your steps
Select your finery, dressed for success Looking your best
Now practice your moves And get in your groove
YOUTH GROUP
• CATHOLIC HEART WORKCAMP SERVICE TRIP
June 24 - June 30, 2018 Farmington MI
Over the next two weeks all 7th - 10th grade Religious Education classes will be visited by the Youth Group Com-mittee to talk about the upcoming CHWC mission trip. Applications will be passed out to interested campers and they will also be available on the parish website under the youth group. Please check out the video of last years participants and the F.A.Q. sheet under the youth group page on the parish website.
For more information, visit www.heartcamp.com (or)
email Jen Rosher @ [email protected]
• MINUTE TO WIN IT!
A Youth Group Favorite! Sat. Jan. 27, 2018. 6-9 pm For Middle Schoolers (Grades 6-8)
What Can You Do In One Minute? - Enjoy a night of friendly competition, refreshments and fun. You will work as a team to complete crazy tasks like Elephant March and Cookie Face in one minute or less. $5.00 per person. Prizes will be awarded to first and second place teams. Drinks and light refreshments will be provided! See the Youth Ministry page of parish website to sign up. We are also looking for highschool volunteers to help with the games. Service hours will be granted.
• BAGGED LUNCHES FOR MAINSPRING HOUSE
For Grades 6-12 Sun. Feb. 11, 2018 5-6:30pm
Help make sandwiches and pack a bagged lunch to be distributed to the homeless who depend on Mainspring House for food and shelter. Service Hours will be granted. Sign up on Youth Ministry page of parish website.
• BABYSITTERS NEEDED
Valentine’s Dinner Dance Social Event
Saturday, February 17th, 5 pm-9 pm
See Youth Ministry page of parish website to sign up
MISSION TRIP BAKE SALE FUNDRAISER
Molly Geraghty & Jake Howlett, students at Cardinal Spell-man High School, have been chosen to be part of a mission trip to Kingston, Jamaica over their April vacation. There they will work with children and adults with mental and physical disabilities, as well as bring improvements to the places where they reside. In order to offset the cost of the trip, they will be holding a bake sale outside following Masses at St. Thomas on Sunday, February 11th. Baked goods as well as hot chocolate will be for sale.
FLU SEASON
The Office of Worship, in consultation with local health authorities, continues to encourage the clergy and faithful to observe necessary standard precautions to protect the health of others during this flu season. The best way to prevent the spread of contagious diseases is to practice good hygiene. In addition, the Cardinal directs the following for the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy and for flu prevention: While the faithful retain the option of receiving Holy Com-munion on the tongue or in the hand, all ministers of Holy Communion are advised to distribute the consecrated hosts with care, being cautious not to touch the tongue or the hand of the communicant.
Parishioners should be reminded that if they are ill or suspect they are ill with a contagious illness, they are not bound by the Sunday Mass obligation. They should remain at home and return to church when they are well.
If you suspect that you have or may be coming down with a cold, please refrain from receiving the Precious Blood in the chalice.
BIBLE STUDY COURSE
Follow Me: Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John
Being Catholic takes more than simply believing in God or doing what he asks of us. Jesus wants you to be more than just a believer—he wants you to be his disciple and friend. To help you answer this call to deeper friendship with Christ, St Thomas Aquinas Parish will begin Follow Me: Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John on Tuesday, February 13 at 10:30 am in the lower church and again at 7:00 pm at St Basil Chapel. For more information contact Kevin Mossman via phone 508-531-3001, or email [email protected]. You will not only benefit
personally from being part of this study; you will also help us to grow in fellowshipas a parish as we grow closer to Christ together.
Follow Me invites you to experience the joy of a renewed friendship with Christ. You will learn what it takes to follow him. You will experience the joy of divine friendship, and you will see how God— and only God—can satisfy the deepest desires of your heart.
Participants of Follow Me will receive a workbook and will meet every week to view an engaging video presentation followed by a time of lively group discussion and fellow-ship. The eight 30-minute videos, presented by Dr. Edward Sri, will guide you through the Gospel of John. Dr. Sri will explain how Christ’s encounters with others in the Gospel are examples of how he lovingly and persistently calls each of us to a more intimate and life-changing relationship with him.
Registration forms are available in the church and chapel. Please return completed registration on, or before Sunday,
IN WORD & DEED
by Jim Gaffney
Our parish retreats are a time of change. Even years later, people will often remember it as a time of new discoveries and seeing faith in action for the first time. When the week-end is over, life is never quite the same again. The experience of a renewed faith brings a new light and a new hope to our life.
Jesus brings a new message of love to the whole world, a message of God’s providence, peace and forgiveness. That message is renewed each day when we pray, when we serve, when we acknowledge the importance of faith and act on our desire to love. Some will hear it, others will ignore it, and some will doubt it. But the message persists, offering hope and grace to everyone.
God’s calls us in His own time, perhaps at a moment we are least expecting it. He never takes it back. We are always able to respond, to begin again, and to renew our willingness to accept and share the message of love and life, of goodness and grace. Accept the call. Life will never be the same.
~James Gaffney, © 2009 Karides Lic. to St. George Publishing [email protected]
2017 GRAND ANNUAL APPEAL UPDATE
An “Encouraging” Word from our Business Manager
As we begin our New Year, we are coming to the end of our 2017 Grand Annual Appeal. Fr. Bill and I are extremely pleased and humbled with the tremendous response to this year’s collection.
As we have mentioned previously the proceeds from the Grand Annual Appeal help us make up for the short fall when our weekly operational expenses are greater than the weekly income or offertory collection. Because of your generosity we’ve been able to make major improvements such as HVAC for the church and parish offices, repairs and upgrades to our heating systems in the Parish Center and St. Basil chapel as well as a new HC entrance floor and insulation in the church. These funds have enabled us to hire Kevin Mossman, our Pastoral Associate, and to estab-lish a budget to hire a Music Director and Campus/Youth Minister. All these expenses are critical to meet the needs of a growing parish. None of these things could have been accomplished without the generosity of those who contrib-uted to this year’s Appeal.
It’s Not Too Late
For all who have given to the Grand Annual Appeal….THANK YOU! If you have not yet made a contribution and would like to help support our parish and ministries we ask you to consider making a donation in the upcoming weeks. Every donation helps and can be made easily on-line through WeShare which can be found on our parish website sttho-masaquinas.com or you can send or bring your donation to the parish office.
Because many have increased their weekly contributions and have generously contributed to the Grand Annual Appeal we will not be conducting our Growth in Steward-ship Initiative this year. Fr. Bill and I with the support and advice of the Parish Finance Council have made every effort to cut costs wherever possible and be good stewards of the resources that we have been given.
As people become more involved in our parish and take on an active role in moving from “maintenance to mission”, we ask your continued support of time, talent and treasure. Together, we can and will accomplish great things for the Lord and His Church.
Again, thank you to all you have donated or will donate to the Grand Annual Appeal. May the Lord bless and guide our parish now and in the years to come.
FOLLOWING HIM
By Dr. Scott Hahn Readings • Jonah 3:1-5, 10 • Psalm 25:4-9 • 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 • Mark 1:14-20The calling of the brothers in today's Gospel evokes Elisha's commissioning by the prophet Elijah (see 1 Kings 19:19-21). As Elijah comes upon Elisha working on his family's farm, so Jesus sees the brothers working by the seaside. And as Elisha left his mother and father to follow Elijah, so the brothers leave their father to come after Jesus.
Jesus' promise - to make them "fishers of men" - evokes Israel's deepest hopes. The prophet Jeremiah announced a new exodus in which God would send "many fishermen" to restore the Israelites from exile, as once He brought them out of slavery in Egypt (see Jeremiah 16:14-16).
By Jesus' cross and resurrection, this new exodus has begun
(see Luke 9:31). And the apostles are the first of a new people of God, the Church - a new family, based not on blood ties, but on belief in Jesus and a desire to do the Father's will (see John 1:12-13; Matthew 12:46-50).
From now on, even our most important worldly concerns - family relations, occupations, and possessions - must be judged in light of the gospel, Paul says in today's Epistle. The first word of Jesus' gospel - repent - means we must totally change our way of thinking and living, turning from evil, doing all for the love of God.
And we should be consoled by Nineveh's repentance in today's First Reading. Even the wicked Nineveh could repent at Jonah's preaching. And in Jesus we have a greater than Jonah (see Matthew 12:41). We have God come as our savior, to show sinners the way, as we sing in today's Psalm. This should give us hope - that loved ones who remain far from God will find compassion if they turn to Him.
But we, too, must continue along the path of repentance - striving daily to pattern our lives after His.
A service of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology www.SalvationHistory.com
SAVE THE DATE
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION SOCIAL
Saturday, February 10, 2018
parish center gymnasium 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
We appreciate all of our parish volunteers.
Every bit of your time, talent and treasure that is shared with the parish makes a difference. It matters not how much you give, but that you are part of a larger community that works together to bring glory to the Kingdom of God.
In thanksgivng for ALL-OF-YOU that serve our parish, we wish to invite you to a
celebration of our appreciation. All parish volunteers are invited to our “Mardi Gras”style Volunteer Appreciation Social
on Saturday, February 10th in the parish center gynasium.
Please come and join us for a festive banquet where good food, drink and company
can be enjoyed together.
Invitations will be mailed out in the coming weeks to all volunteers. If you wish to attend,
please follow the RSVP instructions.
HOLY HOUR FOR LIFE
The Archdiocese of Boston Holy Hour For Life is held annu-ally in parishes in conjunction with the national observance of a Day of Prayer and Penance marking the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision which legalized in the United States abortion on demand.
The Holy Hour is prayed during the week surrounding the anniversary of Roe v. Wade on January 21st at parishes. A Holy Hour consists of mental and vocal prayer with exposi-tion of the Blessed Sacrament. It draws inspiraexposi-tion from Christ’s words to the Apostles in Gethsemane “Can you watch not one hour with me?”
Sunday, January 21at 1:30 pm
A Holy Hour for Life will be held in the church and will be led by Deacon Jerry Ryan. All those faithful to the inherent dignity of all human life from conception to natural death are encouraged to participate.
ECUMENICAL SERVICE -
Sunday, January 28Sunday, January 28 begins the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement at the Chapel of Our Savior at Westgate Mall, Brockton are a religious community whose charism is to promote ecumenical dialogue among different religions.
They are sponsoring an Ecumenical Celebration on Sunday, January 28 at 3 p.m. Bishop Robert Reed, Auxiliary Bishop
for the Archdiocese of Boston and President of Catholic TV will preside and preach at this ecumenical service.
The theme of the service is "Your Right Hand, O Lord, Glori-ous in Power" (Exodus 15:6). Refreshments will be provided by the Third Order of St. Francis, immediately following the service.
We will celebrate the feast day of our parish patron, St. Thomas Aquinas during our weekend Masses (January 27 & 28). This celebration will give us a chance to acknowledge our patron saint and pray for his intercession.
St. Thomas was a great theologian, whose knowledge and deep contemplation helped shape our understanding of God’s plan, our world, and ourselves. He teaches us the very timely lesson that faith and reason are not opposed, that there is only one truth that we need to search for through all the tools we were given by God, whether they are Scripture, prayer, science, or debate. He also was a man of great prayer, and some of the prayers he wrote continue to be prayed, both spoken and in song, throughout the world. I hope that as we celebrate St. Thomas you will take a moment to thank the Lord for the gift of this great teacher and patron, and that you will try to set aside a bit of time to try to experience that great gift of truth that allows us to know and therefore love our God.
MASS FOR PRAYER AND PENANCE
All Masses for Sunday, February 4th will be offered for Prayer and Penance at the request of Cardinal Sean. The Mass is being held in response to a call from Pope Francis for all episcopal conferences across the world to have a Day or Prayer and Penance in recognition of harm done by clergy sexual abuse within the church. It will be an oppor-tunity to seek repentance for the sins of the church, to pray for all those who were abused, and to pray for continued healing for all those impacted by the abuse including those who were abused, families, members of our church, and the community at large.
So that you can make appropriate decisions for your children, please keep in mind that the topic of the clergy sexual abuse crisis will be addressed during the Mass. If you know of anyone who has stepped away from the church because of the clergy abuse crisis, please let them know about this Mass in case they would like to attend. If you know of anyone who has been sexually abused by clergy or a member of the church, please let them know that the Office of Pastoral Support and Outreach is there to help. To report abuse or get help please call 617-746-5995.
SAVE THE DATE
VALENTINE’S DINNER DANCE SOCIAL
Saturday, February 17, 2018
Oh them dancin' shoes . . . Oh them dancin' shoes . . . Take out those dancing shoes
Put a shine on them and Practice your steps
Select your finery, dressed for success Looking your best
Now practice your moves And get in your groove
Don't miss next week's bulletin for more info
YOUTH GROUP
• CATHOLIC HEART WORKCAMP SERVICE TRIP
June 24 - June 30, 2018 Farmington MI
Over the next two weeks all 7th - 10th grade Religious Education classes will be visited by the Youth Group Com-mittee to talk about the upcoming CHWC mission trip. Applications will be passed out to interested campers and they will also be available on the parish website under the youth group. Please check out the video of last years participants and the F.A.Q. sheet under the youth group page on the parish website.
For more information, visit www.heartcamp.com (or)
email Jen Rosher @ [email protected]
• MINUTE TO WIN IT!
A Youth Group Favorite! Sat. Jan. 27, 2018. 6-9 pm For Middle Schoolers (Grades 6-8)
What Can You Do In One Minute? - Enjoy a night of friendly competition, refreshments and fun. You will work as a team to complete crazy tasks like Elephant March and Cookie Face in one minute or less. $5.00 per person. Prizes will be awarded to first and second place teams. Drinks and light refreshments will be provided! See the Youth Ministry page of parish website to sign up. We are also looking for highschool volunteers to help with the games. Service hours will be granted.
• BAGGED LUNCHES FOR MAINSPRING HOUSE
For Grades 6-12 Sun. Feb. 11, 2018 5-6:30pm
Help make sandwiches and pack a bagged lunch to be distributed to the homeless who depend on Mainspring House for food and shelter. Service Hours will be granted. Sign up on Youth Ministry page of parish website.
• BABYSITTERS NEEDED
Valentine’s Dinner Dance Social Event
Saturday, February 17th, 5 pm-9 pm
See Youth Ministry page of parish website to sign up
MISSION TRIP BAKE SALE FUNDRAISER
Molly Geraghty & Jake Howlett, students at Cardinal Spell-man High School, have been chosen to be part of a mission trip to Kingston, Jamaica over their April vacation. There they will work with children and adults with mental and physical disabilities, as well as bring improvements to the places where they reside. In order to offset the cost of the trip, they will be holding a bake sale outside following Masses at St. Thomas on Sunday, February 11th. Baked goods as well as hot chocolate will be for sale.
FLU SEASON
The Office of Worship, in consultation with local health authorities, continues to encourage the clergy and faithful to observe necessary standard precautions to protect the health of others during this flu season. The best way to prevent the spread of contagious diseases is to practice good hygiene. In addition, the Cardinal directs the following for the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy and for flu prevention: While the faithful retain the option of receiving Holy Com-munion on the tongue or in the hand, all ministers of Holy Communion are advised to distribute the consecrated hosts with care, being cautious not to touch the tongue or the hand of the communicant.
Parishioners should be reminded that if they are ill or suspect they are ill with a contagious illness, they are not bound by the Sunday Mass obligation. They should remain at home and return to church when they are well.
If you suspect that you have or may be coming down with a cold, please refrain from receiving the Precious Blood in the chalice.
BIBLE STUDY COURSE
Follow Me: Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John
Being Catholic takes more than simply believing in God or doing what he asks of us. Jesus wants you to be more than just a believer—he wants you to be his disciple and friend. To help you answer this call to deeper friendship with Christ, St Thomas Aquinas Parish will begin Follow Me: Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John on Tuesday, February 13 at 10:30 am in the lower church and again at 7:00 pm at St Basil Chapel. For more information contact Kevin Mossman via phone 508-531-3001, or email [email protected]. You will not only benefit
personally from being part of this study; you will also help us to grow in fellowshipas a parish as we grow closer to Christ together.
Follow Me invites you to experience the joy of a renewed friendship with Christ. You will learn what it takes to follow him. You will experience the joy of divine friendship, and you will see how God— and only God—can satisfy the deepest desires of your heart.
Participants of Follow Me will receive a workbook and will meet every week to view an engaging video presentation followed by a time of lively group discussion and fellow-ship. The eight 30-minute videos, presented by Dr. Edward Sri, will guide you through the Gospel of John. Dr. Sri will explain how Christ’s encounters with others in the Gospel are examples of how he lovingly and persistently calls each of us to a more intimate and life-changing relationship with him.
Registration forms are available in the church and chapel. Please return completed registration on, or before Sunday, February 4.
IN WORD & DEED
by Jim Gaffney
Our parish retreats are a time of change. Even years later, people will often remember it as a time of new discoveries and seeing faith in action for the first time. When the week-end is over, life is never quite the same again. The experience of a renewed faith brings a new light and a new hope to our life.
Jesus brings a new message of love to the whole world, a message of God’s providence, peace and forgiveness. That message is renewed each day when we pray, when we serve, when we acknowledge the importance of faith and act on our desire to love. Some will hear it, others will ignore it, and some will doubt it. But the message persists, offering hope and grace to everyone.
God’s calls us in His own time, perhaps at a moment we are least expecting it. He never takes it back. We are always able to respond, to begin again, and to renew our willingness to accept and share the message of love and life, of goodness and grace. Accept the call. Life will never be the same.
~James Gaffney, © 2009 Karides Lic. to St. George Publishing [email protected]
2017 GRAND ANNUAL APPEAL UPDATE
An “Encouraging” Word from our Business Manager
As we begin our New Year, we are coming to the end of our 2017 Grand Annual Appeal. Fr. Bill and I are extremely pleased and humbled with the tremendous response to this year’s collection.
As we have mentioned previously the proceeds from the Grand Annual Appeal help us make up for the short fall when our weekly operational expenses are greater than the weekly income or offertory collection. Because of your generosity we’ve been able to make major improvements such as HVAC for the church and parish offices, repairs and upgrades to our heating systems in the Parish Center and St. Basil chapel as well as a new HC entrance floor and insulation in the church. These funds have enabled us to hire Kevin Mossman, our Pastoral Associate, and to estab-lish a budget to hire a Music Director and Campus/Youth Minister. All these expenses are critical to meet the needs of a growing parish. None of these things could have been accomplished without the generosity of those who contrib-uted to this year’s Appeal.
It’s Not Too Late
For all who have given to the Grand Annual Appeal….THANK YOU! If you have not yet made a contribution and would like to help support our parish and ministries we ask you to consider making a donation in the upcoming weeks. Every donation helps and can be made easily on-line through WeShare which can be found on our parish website sttho-masaquinas.com or you can send or bring your donation to the parish office.
Because many have increased their weekly contributions and have generously contributed to the Grand Annual Appeal we will not be conducting our Growth in Steward-ship Initiative this year. Fr. Bill and I with the support and advice of the Parish Finance Council have made every effort to cut costs wherever possible and be good stewards of the resources that we have been given.
As people become more involved in our parish and take on an active role in moving from “maintenance to mission”, we ask your continued support of time, talent and treasure. Together, we can and will accomplish great things for the Lord and His Church.
Again, thank you to all you have donated or will donate to the Grand Annual Appeal. May the Lord bless and guide our parish now and in the years to come.
Peter V.
FOLLOWING HIM
By Dr. Scott Hahn Readings • Jonah 3:1-5, 10 • Psalm 25:4-9 • 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 • Mark 1:14-20The calling of the brothers in today's Gospel evokes Elisha's commissioning by the prophet Elijah (see 1 Kings 19:19-21). As Elijah comes upon Elisha working on his family's farm, so Jesus sees the brothers working by the seaside. And as Elisha left his mother and father to follow Elijah, so the brothers leave their father to come after Jesus.
Jesus' promise - to make them "fishers of men" - evokes Israel's deepest hopes. The prophet Jeremiah announced a new exodus in which God would send "many fishermen" to restore the Israelites from exile, as once He brought them out of slavery in Egypt (see Jeremiah 16:14-16).
By Jesus' cross and resurrection, this new exodus has begun
(see Luke 9:31). And the apostles are the first of a new people of God, the Church - a new family, based not on blood ties, but on belief in Jesus and a desire to do the Father's will (see John 1:12-13; Matthew 12:46-50).
From now on, even our most important worldly concerns - family relations, occupations, and possessions - must be judged in light of the gospel, Paul says in today's Epistle. The first word of Jesus' gospel - repent - means we must totally change our way of thinking and living, turning from evil, doing all for the love of God.
And we should be consoled by Nineveh's repentance in today's First Reading. Even the wicked Nineveh could repent at Jonah's preaching. And in Jesus we have a greater than Jonah (see Matthew 12:41). We have God come as our savior, to show sinners the way, as we sing in today's Psalm. This should give us hope - that loved ones who remain far from God will find compassion if they turn to Him.
But we, too, must continue along the path of repentance - striving daily to pattern our lives after His.
A service of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology www.SalvationHistory.com
SUPPORT OF THE CHURCH AROUND THE WORLD
Next week’s second collection will support the Church in those underdeveloped areas of the world. Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the Church in Latin America (CLA), the Church in Africa and in Central and Eastern Europe and three important national Catholic missions: the Military Archdiocese, Home Missions, and the Black and Indian Missions. Your generosity will help fund the spiritual, educational and humanitarian needs of the Church around the world.
Catholic Relief Services
www.usccb.org/crscollection
Black and Indian Missions
https://blackandindianmission.org/
Military Archdiocese
http://www.milarch.org/
Church in Latin America
www.usccb.org/catholicgiving/opportunities-for-giving/ latinamerica/index.cfm
Church in Africa
www.usccb.org/catholicgiving/opportunities-for-giving/ solidarity-fund-forafrica/index.cfm
Church in Central and Eastern Europe
www.usccb.org/catholicgiving/opportunities-for-giving/ centraland-easterneurope/collection/index.cfm
Catholic Home Missions
www.usccb.org/catholicgiving/opportunities-for-giving/ catholichome-missions-appeal/index.cfm
FINANCIAL BLESSINGS
SUMMARY OF COLLECTIONS In-Pew Giving St Thomas1/9 - 1/15
St Basil • WeShare • Weekly Collection $410 $1,889 Online Giving $1,593 $1,183 $6,535 $7,718 Total $2,299 $10,017 $8,424 Grand TotalTHE
2
NDCOLLECTION
This week •
NO 2ND COLLECTION- January 20
th &21
thWEEKLY DEVOTIONS
Held at St Thomas Aquinas in the lower church ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
Every Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY
1st Saturday of the month 10:00 a.m.
DIVINE MERCY HOLY HOUR Wednesdays 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
SACRAMENTS
If you are seeking more information about the Sacraments, or wish to schedule an appointment, please call the parish office 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 508-697-9528 to request
an appointment with a priest. Baptisms are celebrated each month on the 2nd & 4th Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Atten-dance at the Baptism Preparation Class is required.
CONFESSION
Every Saturday (3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.) in the lower
church, or by scheduling an appointment with a priest by calling 508-697-9528.
MARRIAGE
If you wish to be married in our parish, please call
508-697-9528 to request an appointment with a priest at
least eight months in advance. Attendance at the 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.
“A TIME TO BE BORN...”
PRAYER LIST
Kevin O’Neill Ann Paulino Carolyn Perry Elaine Phaneuf Dorothy Pope Maria Presti Andrea Proffetty Adoley Proser Rich Quigley Camden Rivers Ginny Rothwell Matthew Ryan Dan Sante Jayne Sarro Linda Scopa Paul Segreve Sarah Silvia Lori Sloper Deana Spingel Al Sullivan Linda Sullivan Kim Sullivan Donna Sullivan Betty Tarentino Jennifer Tosches Patrice Tuffo Margaret Valeri Anna Vrana Don Weiner Alexis, Jason &Nicole Zutaut
Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, USMC MGen Eric M. Smith USMC CPT. Karen Chouinard Holliday, USMC
2ndLt. Jeffrey Boyle, USMC CPT, John Costantino, USA MAJ, Robert “Dusty” Dossman USAF
SGT, Brandon Jamieson, USA PFC, Christopher Ahl, USA
PFC, Peter O’Leary, USA CPL, Kelly O’Leary, USA CPL, D.J. Jamieson, USA PVT, Christopher O’Leary, USA
“A TIME TO DIE...”
Alice Ferioli, Mary Gauthier, Anne Marie Rich, Paul Phaneuf Kenneth Hughes, Arthur Kullen
Kenneth Hughes, Arthur Kullen
“A TIME TO HEAL...”
“A TIME FOR PEACE...”
Barbara Ahl Olga Cassiani Alberghini
Edward Albert Carolyn J. Allen Ruthaleis Amaro Jean Andrade Christopher Barbosa Jeffrey Bean Loretta Beaulieu Don Bergstrom Michael Botelho Jim & Jean Brennan
Sandra Cable Kim Sweetman Carnello
Teresa Capachione John Conley Jacquie Cordaro Matthew Costantino Michael Costantino Joanna Crabtree Thomas Croall Michael Crowley Jannine Dawicki Mary DeLeon Keith Derbyshire Marty Dickerman Susan Dickow Peter J. Farrell Andrea Fitzgerald Lee Fuller Jesus Galindo Dr. Francis Gendreau Beverly Giuffre Daniel John Tim Johnson Jessica Kamaniski Carol Kelley Ava King Jessica King Debbie Kulick James LaFranchise Fred Laham Kevin Looney Bob Mackey Terri Mackey Sean McCall Mary McClay Taylor McLean Kaleena McHardy Aiden Mitchell Beverly Mitchell Marjorie Mello Charles Monestere Walter Morin Jerry Muller Anna Nakouzi Lloyd Nelson Antonio Nunes Tom O’Donnell Bob O’Hare Mary Edwards O’Keefe
Glenn O’Neil
WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS
SATURDAY, JANUARY 20
4:00 p.m. Marie & Philip Cincotta & Marie & Robert Klaus SUNDAY, JANUARY 21
7:45 a.m. Mass for the People 10:00 a.m. Maria Moura 12:00 p.m. Paulo Torres WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24
7:00 a.m. Stephen Hill (Living) THURSDAY, JANUARY 25
9:00 a.m. Ernie & Anne LaFranchise FRIDAY, JANUARY 26
7:00 a.m. Lucilia Nunes SATURDAY, JANUARY 27
4:00 p.m. Mary E. O’Donnell SUNDAY, JANUARY 28
7:45 a.m. Debbie Pincolini Baroni 10:00 a.m. Guido & Antonio Rea 12:00 p.m. Manuel Fernandes & Family
BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASS
to be determined
St Thomas Aquinas parish center. Adults Only.
Marcus Gabriel LaBree
