November 19, 2006
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Parish

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

We all remember the controversy that was stirred up in the international press over the remarks that were made by our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, in an academic lecture he gave at the University of Regensburg during his pilgrimage to his homeland, Germany, this summer. Starting on November 28th, the Pope will be making a Pastoral Visit to Turkey, a predominantly Muslim country, and there were those in the Muslim world who called for the Pope to be killed in response to the lecture he gave.

The Knights of Columbus are promoting a “Spiritual Pilgrimage” for the Catholic faithful to accompany Pope Benedict XVI with our prayers during this delicate diplomatic mission to Turkey, prayers for his personal safety, prayers for dialogue between faiths and among all people of good will. A special prayer has been composed by Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport, CT, who is the Supreme Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus. I want to ask our parishioners to take part in this “Spiritual Pilgrimage” and to accompany our Holy Father with our prayers, until he is safely back home from his trip to Turkey.

fr Brian, OP

Heavenly Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name, we humbly ask that you sustain, inspire, and protect your servant, Pope Benedict XVI, as he goes on pilgrimage to Turkey -- a land to which St Paul brought the Gospel of your Son; a land where the Mother of your Son, the Seat of Wisdom, dwelt; a land where faith in your Son’s true divinity was definitively professed. Bless our Holy Father, who comes as a messenger of truth and love to all people of faith and good will dwelling in this land so rich in history. In the power of the Holy Spirit, may this visit of the Holy Father bring about closer ties of understanding, cooperation and peace among Roman Catholics, the Orthodox, and those who profess Islam. May the prayers and events of these historic days greatly contribute both to greater accord among those who worship you, the living and true God, and also to peace in our world so often torn apart by war and sectarian violence.

We also ask, O Heavenly Father, that you watch over and protect Pope Benedict and entrust him to the loving care of Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Fatima, a title cherished both by Catholics and Muslims. Through her prayers and maternal love, may Pope Benedict be kept safe from all harm as he prays, bears witness to the Gospel, and invites all peoples to a dialogue of faith, reason, and love. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

Parish Activities

Giving Tree: It’s that wonderful time of year once again! Yes, the season of Advent and Christmas is just around the corner and, once more, we will have the opportunity to help our less fortunate brothers and sisters in the community by providing gifts. The Giving Tree will be set up in St. Thomas Hall on Sun., Nov. 25. We ask that you and your family take time after or before Mass to take an ornament home with you. Please see next week's bulletin for further information concerning deadlines.

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.

Volunteer Breakfast: On Sat, Dec 2, after the 8:30AM Mass there will be a thank you breakfast for our St. Thomas volunteers. If you are a volunteer and plan to attend please call the parish office. We need a head count.

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.

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

EE/EDGE/LT: NO Classes this week Nov. 19. No classes for grades K-5 on Nov. 26. EDGE and LifeTeen will meet on the 26th.

EDGE: MS youth may bring canned goods for the Food Bank and/or book money for St. Michael in Haiti to class on Nov. 19, 26, Dec. 3,and 10.

LifeTeen & EDGE Hangout Time: this Sunday, Nov. 19, 6:30-8:30 PM, in the Youth Ministry Room. Dinner followed by video games and movies.

ADULT EDUCATION

Theology & Donuts: Next talk Dec 3, 10:20-11:10AM, topic: The Role of the Laity in the 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 in order to be confirmed in the spring. Please come to RCIA class on Wed. Nov 29, 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.

Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD When we hear that 37 million Americans live in poverty, are we overwhelmed? We can make a difference. We can give a hand to people struggling to change their lives and communities. CCHD supports self-help projects of poor and low-income people working together to break the cycle of poverty. In C’ville, CCHD grant recipients include the Public Housing Assoc. of Residents (PHAR), IMPACT (Interfaith Movement Promoting Action by Congregations Together) and Quality Community Council (QCC). To learn more visit the table in the link. Please give generously to today’s collection.

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

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

Theology on Tap: “The Voice of God or Undigested Cheese? Making Sense of Private Revelations,” a talk given on Mon, Nov. 27, 7:30 PM, by Father Luke at a different location: the Biltmore Grill (16 Elliewood Ave on The Corner). We’ll meet in the front sunroom. For young adults between the ages of 21-35 only.

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. If interested in helping, contact Beth at eab7f@virginia.edu

Charlottesville Catholic School

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

Community Meetings, Retreats, Etc.

Christmas Cards For Wounded Soldiers: Hello, my name is Anna Smutny. I am a 6th grader at CCS. I need your help! Help me send warm wishes and positive encouragement to our wounded soldiers recovering from battle wounds at Walter Reed Military Hospital. These brave men and women offered all of us their support overseas and now they need our support here at home. Let's help make their Christmas one of the warmest ever by filling it with hope, joy and love. It only takes a minute of your time to bring a smile to their faces. See me at Table 4 after each Mass on Sunday and show them that they are in our prayers. Thank You.

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.

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.

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart: celebrates its Centennial Year with a series of Art Exhibits. “Awaiting,” an exhibit reflecting the Advent season’s anticipation, opens Fri, Dec 1, 6-8 PM, in Cathedral Hall, 823 Park Avenue. The public is invited to view the art, meet the artists and enjoy the reception. Among the exhibitors are: Sidney Caldwell, Brooks Cross, Kay Darling, Martha Harper, Jayne Hushen, Kathleen Markowitz, Serafina Nankervis, Mara Goldman-Polumbo and Amy Sullivan. The exhibit runs through Dec 30. As a follow-up to the opening, Serafina Nankervis, nationally known sculptor, will speak on the “Birthing of Sculpture” on Sun, Dec 3, 10 AM in Cathedral Hall.

Business Manager/Bookkeeper: Charlottesville Catholic School is seeking applicants with strong customer service skills, attention to detail, proficiency in Excel and accounting software. Will be responsible for bookkeeping, AP/AR, payroll, employee benefits, school/business contracts, tuition collections, and budgeting process. Submit a cover letter and resume by fax to (434) 964-1373, by e-mail to ayost@cvillecatholic.org, or by mail to Attn: Business Manager Position, CCS, 1205 Pen Park Road, 22901.

Readings for the Week of November 19, 2006