November 12, 2006
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Parish
Worship
Christian Formation
Campus Ministry
Justice & Peace
Community Meetings, Retreats, Etc.
Finances
Readings

Parish

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

When the armistice which put an end to the hostilities of World War I was signed at the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” back in 1918, that global conflict was seen as the “war to end all wars.” If only that had been true.... We all know that rest of the history of the 20th century, and thus far, the 21st century doesn’t seem to be unfolding any differently.

Here in the United States, we now celebrate “Armistice Day” as “Veterans’ Day”, while over in England and other European countries, it’s celebrated as “Remembrance Day.” We do indeed owe a huge debt of gratitude to the men and women who have served in our Armed Forces down through the decades, and we as a society are now facing the reality of a whole new generation of veterans of the current “War on Terrorism” and our obligation to let these men and women know how much we appreciate them for the sacrifices they have made. We must never forget.

Here at St Thomas, we have quite a few families and parishioners who have loved ones currently serving in harm’s way, and next to our Milagros in the link, we keep our special book of petitions for those serving in our Armed Forces. This weekend, take the time to thank a veteran for his or her service to our country, and join all veterans, who know the horrors of war firsthand, in praying fervently for peace in our day.

fr Brian, OP

All of the names on our prayer list are now posted on the Milagros. If you would like to add or take off a name, please call the Parish Office.

Finances

Parish Center Debt Elimination Campaign

We welcome Connor Davis Stovall Nunnally and Chloe Jane Whaley who through Baptism were received into our faith community.

Parish Activities

Congratulations! to the winners of this year’s Parish Council election: Julie Zackrisson, Ron Golden, Dan Breen, Peggy Lee, Helen-Marie Molnar, Charlie Burns and Barbara Brodie! Thanks to all parishioners who took part in this year’s nomination and election process, particularly the eight very strong and dedicated candidates who ran.

Religious Christmas Cards: will be sold by the K of C at the Alternative Christmas Fair this Sunday and in the Link until Christmas all the other weekends. Profits from the sales will go to Dominican vocations.

2nd Annual Alternative Christmas Fair: will be held Nov. 11-12 after each Mass. We will have fair trade handicrafts from South America, Africa, Asia, and the U.S. By purchasing fair trade items you are helping to ensure fair wages and good employment opportunities to economically disadvantaged artisans and farmers worldwide.

Joy and Light: ATTENTION SINGERS, CSM is organizing the holiday Joy and Light program for December 9th. This year’s format is lessons and carols. We are seeking participation of all members of the parish and would really like to see graduate students, undergraduate students, and high schoolers. An organizational meeting will be held November 9th at 7pm in the music room. Come meet the new music director. Contact Mark Hopke at msh3u@virginia.edu.

Closed Circuit TV: in St. Thomas Hall. There is interest in a system allowing parents to watch Mass while attending to their children. Funding is still needed. Please earmark your donation NURSERY PROJECT.

ALL parishioners invited to Generations of Faith: An Evening on Prayer During Advent – Join us for a dinner and an educational session for all members of the parish on Fri, Nov 17 from 6-8:30pm. Grow closer to God, learn new ways to deepen your prayer life, enjoy a meal with members of our community, have fun, and more! Look for sign-up sheets and more details in the link next weekend. If interested in helping, please contact Trish Madden.

Best of Ch’ville Coupon Books: now available for 2007. Coupons are good now until December 31, 2007. These Attractions books have GREAT deals from local restaurants and retailers and are only $25. Contact the parish office if you want one. Proceeds support youth ministry.

Are You in Need of a Babysitter? CSM will provide a responsible student. Whether you are looking for a few hours a week, a dinner out, or a one-time commitment, there are many students willing to help. For info contact Katie Hildreth: kmh7f@virginia.edu. Families set the rates/hours.

All New Parish Members: please stop by the welcome display in the Link to pick up your new parishioner packet.

Worship

Contact Marta - lbrannon@cstone.net 293-8081x18

24-Hour Eucharistic Adoration: Every Wed. in Our Lady’s Chapel. We are in urgent need of people to fill the following commitment times: Wed, 11PM-Midnight and Thurs. Midnight-1AM. If you can commit to one of these hours or would be willing to alternate with someone contact Lori Donlon (293-3873/lorianned@aol.com) for more information.

Instrumentalists for 4PM Christmas Eve Mass: If your child would like to play an instrument for the musical prelude before the 4PM Mass on Christmas Eve, please contact Karen at 293-5428 or kpoehailos@adelphia.net. The selection must be either a Religious Hymn or a piece of Classical Repertoire for the instrument. No plastic recorders or popular music please.

Religious Education/Youth Ministry

RE Contact Trish Madden – 293-8081 reled@cstone.net
YM Contact Mike School 293 8081x16 youth@cstone.net

www.st-thomas-aquinas.org/Youth..htm

Children’s Liturgy of the Word: for grades K-3 at 9 AM Sunday Mass.

Pre-K: Spots are still available in our Tues 1-3pm session of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, our religious education program based on Montessori methods for 3-4 year olds. Contact Trish, ASAP.

All High Schoolers: Join us for our very first LifeTeen Retreat “OVERFLOW” Nov. 10-12th. The cost is FREE and forms are available in the link under the YM bulletin board.

Schedule Change: There will be NO LifeTeen Life Night on Sun, Nov. 12 There will be an EDGE night, however.

Confirmation students: Be sure to get your sponsor forms and baptismal certificates in ASAP. They are PAST DUE!

EDGE/LIFE TEEN: Classes this week Nov. 12.

ADULT EDUCATION

Theology & Donuts: “Outside the Church there is no salvation?,” a talk on Sun, Nov. 12, 10:20-11:10 AM, by Fr. Dominic, in the CSM Room downstairs. “Theology & Donuts” is an adult education opportunity while the children are at RE classes. Fr. Francis spoke last month on ecumenism. We’ll continue discussing the topic of the Church this semester. Come learn about an important and controversial dogma of our Catholic Faith. In so doing, we’ll discuss what we mean when we say in the Creed that we believe in “One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.”

RCIA: Are you interested in becoming a Catholic or learning more about the Catholic faith? The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) meets Wed, 7:30 PM, in St. Thomas Hall. Contact Fr. Dominic for details at frdominic@stauva.org. This week’s topic: “prayer and the Our Father”.
Adult Confirmation: Did you receive First Communion but miss Confirmation? You can take classes here at St. Thomas in order to be confirmed in the spring. Please come to RCIA class on Wed., 7:30 PM, in St. Thomas Hall. Contact Fr. Dominic at frdominic@stauva.org for details.

Adult Confirmation: Did you receive First Communion but miss Confirmation? You can take classes here at St. Thomas in order to be confirmed in the spring. Please come to RCIA class on Wed., 7:30 PM, in St. Thomas Hall. Contact Fr. Dominic at frdominic@stauva.org for details.

Catholicism 101 Christmas Season Schedule: A video series with presentations by Fr John Corapi, sponsored by the K of C, meets selected Saturdays at 10 AM in the Community Room. The next sessions will be “The Holy Spirit”, Dec 2; “The Church Part I”, Jan 6; and “The Church Part II”, Jan 20. For info contact sackandpam@adelphia.com

Women's Little Rock Scripture Study combines personal study, group discussion and prayer to facilitate growth in the Spirit. Please join us this fall for a 10-week session studying the Acts of the Apostles. We meet Tues, 9-11AM in the Community Room at St. Thomas. Childcare can be made available for a fee. Please call Patty Gazewood 973-6802 or gazewood@earthlink.net if you have any questions.

Sunday Evening Scripture Study: we meet Sunday evenings when RE is in session and are using the Little Rock Scripture Study for an Introduction to the Bible. Join us after the 5:15 Mass.

Justice & Peace
Contact Mary Kirwan-295-1885 W, 295-7950 H kirwanm@adelphia.net
Bridget Davis-964-1127 bnfdavis@cstone.net

The Parish Advocate for Catholics with Disabilities: for St. Thomas is Lauryn Mathena-Armstrong. Her role is to act on behalf of persons with disabilities to ensure that all are invited to share fully in the life of the parish, liturgically, socially, and educationally. The advocate is a volunteer who serves as liaison between persons with disabilities and their parish and the Office for Catholics with Disabilities, Diocese of Richmond. A disability is defined as difficulty seeing or hearing, moving the body, or understanding everything quickly. It is a physical or mental impairment, which limits a person’s life activities It is the goal of the church to offer the same respect and opportunities in worship life to all people. Please feel free to contact: Lauryn@incarnationparish.org or 964-1111 with any needs or concerns. Lauryn is also on the Diocese’s Disability Advisory Commission, which meets quarterly.

Stand Up Ch’ville for Darfur Benefit on Sunday Nov. 12, 7-10PM at the Martin Luther King Performing Arts Center. All proceeds will go to Doctors Without Borders to further their work in Darfur aiding its displaced and endangered citizens. Advance $15/20+ tickets, through Music Today at http://mlkpac.tickets.musictoday.com or at the door. The benefit will launch a series of events at UVA, entitled Darfur Awareness Week, which will culminate Thurs. Nov. 16 in a Speaker's Night at McLeod Auditiorium.

Holy Comforter Food Pantry: Needed items are: canned tuna, peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, vegetarian beans, canned pork & beans, soup, pasta, soap and shampoo. Place your donations in the wicker baskets up or downstairs. Thank You!

Books for Prisoners: Fluvanna Women’s Correctional Facility is accepting religious books and prayer cards until mid Nov. We are also collecting dictionaries, good books of fiction and magazines for the local and state prisons. Collection boxes are located in the CSM Room. Thank You!

PRO-LIFE

Rosary for Life: Pray for the protection of all life in front of Planned Parenthood (Hydraulic Road) from 9-10:30 AM on Thurs, Nov. 16. Contact nicole@verners.com for more details and parking info.

CVFF Prayer Group: Join us for prayer and reflection at Word of Faith Church (Hydraulic Road next to Albemarle HS). We meet from 10-11 AM every Thurs. Contact nicole@verners.com for more info.

Campus Ministry

UNDERGRADUATES(CSM)

Kevin Simowitz: kjs5e@virginia.edu
Fr. Luke Clark: lukeop2828@hotmail.com

YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY

A ministry for young professionals & graduate students ages 21-35 Contact: Rhoda Hernandez - rhodahernandez@gmail.com

YAM Lunch: After the 11:30AM Mass, Sun, Nov. 12.

Salvation Army Food Bank: Needs help organizing its food bank. Our group will go on Sat. mornings from 10:30-12:30; other times are also
available. Contact Beth at eab7f@virginia.edu

Salvation Army: Volunteers needed to prepare & serve dinner on Wed, Nov 15, 5-6:30 PM. Contact Ann at 293-9808 for info.

Charlottesville Catholic School

Phone: 964-0400. Web site at www.cvillecatholic.com

Community Meetings, Retreats, Etc.

Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception: in Norfolk Sat, Nov 11. The Welcome at 11 AM. The Theme of the event is “Our Cup Overflows”. There will be opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Tours of the Basilica, Scriptural Reflection/Recitation of the Rosary, Quiet Meditation time, Social time and time for Vendors. Lunch available, cost $7. Celebration of the Eucharist at 5 PM with the Most Reverend Frances X. DiLorenzo as the Presider and Homilist.

Haiti, A Difficult Journey: Djaloki Dessables will peer deeply into Haiti’s history & culture, her problems & prospects on Mon, Nov.13, 7:30pm at St Michael’s, 4491 Springfield Rd., Glen Allen. For info call 804-364-4106.

Separated /or Divorced Catholics: interested in forming a tri-parish support group to spiritually nurture & support Catholic men & women going through the process of separation /or divorce are asked to contact Lauryn Mathena-Armstrong, Outreach Coordinator at Incarnation, at 973-4381 X 112 or lauryn@incarnationparish.org All inquiries will be kept confidential.

The St. Anselm Institute: Lecture by Gary Anderson, Professor at Notre Dame, on Thurs, Nov 16, 5PM Minor Hall, Room 125. Topic: “The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Old Testament”. Also Wed, Nov 15, 5 PM Clark Hall, room 107, a symposium on: Benedict XVI on “Faith, Reason and the University” The Regensburg Address in Context Participants will include: James Ceaser, Abdulaziz Sachedina, Jorge Secada, Robert Wilken, William R. Kenan, Jr. For info visit StAnselmInstitute.org.

Commonwealth Catholic Charities: Holiday Festival of Music, Mon, Nov. 27, 7 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. The Richmond Symphony and Cathedral Choir will perform the sounds of the season. Tickets $30. each. Proceeds benefit CCC. For tickets call 545-5909 or visit CCC on the web at www.cccofva.org.

Catholic Scripture Study: the Gospel of Matthew begins on Wed, Nov. 29, 7-8:30pm, Room 7 at Incarnation and continues each Wed unless otherwise noted. For additional info and registration, contact Ralph Barnett preferably by e-mail, ralphbarnett@e-soupministry.com, or by phone, 847 606-0854, or contact Incarnation Office (973-4381).

Parish Bus Pilgrimage: Come see the new 25million dollar renovation of Baltimore’s Basilica, America’s First Cathedral. Nov 29, with Fr. Brian. Includes Mass, a tour of the Basilica, lunch at Copra Restaurant, & a tour of the Walters Museum, which has special religious exhibits. For reservations, send $55 to Julie Zackrisson, 2616 Cardinal Ridge Road, C’ville, VA 22901, or call 296-4615.

Readings for the Week of November 12, 2006