December 3, 2006
First Sunday in Advent

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

Parish

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

This week’s “Pastor’s Corner” is going to be a sort of “grab bag” of thoughts and things I wanted to bring to your attention.

We had a very nice note from the two Sisters of Mercy who came to the parish at the end of October to make the annual “Mission Cooperative Appeal” for the Diocese of Richmond. This is what Sisters Josepha and Martha wrote: “Dear Father Mulcahy, we received our Mission Coop check from the diocese and we are extremely grateful. Your people were very generous! The people here in the mountains will benefit from your folks’ desire to be a part of the mission here. Be assured of our continued prayers for your parish!” And let me add my own word of thanks to all of you for your regular outstanding generosity in this annual appeal.

On an unrelated topic: one of the wonderful things about our parish community is the number of young families with many young children. Sometimes we baptize up to 5 kids a weekend! A blessing indeed. As you may have seen in the bulletin, a parishioner has given “seed money” for the purchase of a closed circuit TV camera for the church so that the Mass could be televised in St Thomas Hall, so that parents who need to take their squirming little ones out for awhile could continue to follow along with the Mass. As I said, we have the “seed money,” but if you’re willing to help out with this project, just designate that in the memo line of a check made out to St Thomas Aquinas.

I’d also like to see us get the Nursery back up and running with trained and screened “babysitters” for our littlest ones during the 9 AM and possibly 11:30 AM Masses. If there are any moms and dads who would like to spearhead this project, please contact me at the parish offices.


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.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a Holy Day of Obligation. The Masses will be the Vigil on Thurs., Dec. 7, at 5:15 PM and on the Feast Day, Fri., Dec. 8, at 8:00 AM, 12:10 and 5:15 PM.

Advent Penance Services will be at 7:30 PM on Thurs., Dec 7th at St Thomas with visiting priests. Incarnation at 7:30 PM on Thurs. Dec. 14. On Dec. 14th, there will be NO regular Confessions at St. Thomas.

Finances

Parish Center Debt Elimination Campaign

Parish Activities

The Giving Tree: is now set up in St Thomas Hall! Please pick out a tag. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to assist our brothers and sisters. Please note all gifts must be returned, wrapped and with the original tags attached, on Dec. 10 by 5:00 PM. Please place your gifts under the tree. We ask that all gifts be new. Thank you for your generosity!!

Volunteers Needed: to help sort and deliver gifts to the Salvation Army! We will be sorting gifts Dec. 10, 6 PM., and delivering them on Sat., Dec. 16 at 9 AM. If you can help with either, see the sign up sheets in the Link.

Guest Celebrant Next Week: We welcome Fr. Michael Renninger, Vicar of Vocations for the Diocese of Richmond, who will be celebrating our LifeTeen Mass at 5:15 PM and speaking to our youth afterwards. Please come and join us for Mass and his talk in St. Thomas Hall afterwards.

XLT: Tues., Dec. 12 (6:30 – 8:00 PM) in the Chapel. Join us for an evening of preparation during Advent of praise, worship, and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. If you have never been to an XLT before, come and try it out. Open to ALL parishioners.

Carpentry Skills? Please call Fr. Luke if you can help build a large stable for our outdoor nativity.

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.

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.

PINK! GAUDETE! REJOICE!: Join us for our special celebration of the 3rd Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, during our 5:15 PM LifeTeen Mass on Sun., Dec. 17th.

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.

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.

Mardi Gras 2007: is coming! -- Mark your calendar for February 10th!

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

Liturgical Ministers Schedule: for December is now available. Please see our website or pick up a copy in the Coordinators’ Room.

Liturgical Ministers: are needed for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 7/8. Sign-up Sheet is next to the Coordinator’s table.

Lighting of The Advent Wreath: We invite individuals, groups of friends, and families to light the candles of the Advent wreath each week. A sign-up sheet is available in the link.

Christmas Poinsettias: during Advent there will be a sign-up sheet and collection box at a table in the link for monetary donations for our Church poinsettias. Memorial, honorary, and general gifts are welcome.

4 PM Christmas Eve Children’s Liturgy: Children, grades 1-5, can sign up this weekend for gift bearer, collectors and more! We are looking for 2 or 3 families to sing Christmas Carols outside the Church doors before and after Mass.

Gifts for the C'ville Pregnancy Center: (unwrapped), will be collected at the 4 PM Christmas Eve Children's Mass. Please sign up in the link.

The Fraternity of St. Dominic (Dominican Laity), St. Thomas Aquinas Chapter, will meet on Sat, Dec 9. Interested persons are welcome to attend. Join us for 8:30AM Mass, the Rosary and Morning Prayer in Church followed by our meeting and brunch in classroom #2. For more info call Robbie at 963-7952 or email at robbie_oc_gibson@yahoo.com.

Gingerbread Houses: Enjoy a unique treat this Christmas! Our baker-in-residence, Deacon Frank, has 18 homemade gingerbread houses for $25.00 each. Houses will be ready for pick-up after Dec. 16th. Place your reservation by calling the office no later than Dec. 12th.

24-Hour Eucharistic Adoration: Every Wed. in Our Lady's Chapel. We are in urgent need of people to fill the following commitment times: Wednesdays: 12(Noon)-1PM, 5-6 PM and Thursdays 12(Midnight)-1AM. If you can commit to one of these hours, please contact Lori Donlon (293-3873/lorianned@aol.com).

Children Interested: in playing for the instrumental prelude to 4PM Christmas Eve Mass need to attend one of two rehearsals: Sun 12/10 12:30PM in the Music Room, or Sun 12/17 2PM in the Church. Please sign up with Karen at kdpoehailos@adelphia.net or 293-5425 BEFORE coming to either of these rehearsals. Please remember, music needs to be either classical or sacred (as in hymns.)

Christmas Eve Midnight Mass Anyone wishing to sing is asked to email our music director Brian Sousa at: music@stauva.org or call the office: 293-8081 ext. 19. Rehearsals will be scheduled after we see what kind of response there is.

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: EE, EDGE and LifeTeen will meet this weekend and Dec. 10. No class Dec. 17th- come to the Service Project!

Annual Service Project: for ALL children grades K-12 will be on Sunday, Dec. 17th from 6:30–8:00 PM. Join us for a potluck dinner and wrapping of gifts for our adopted family. You will be getting info in the mail soon.

Antioch 2007: is coming soon. Open to ALL high schoolers (grades 9-12) Jan. 12-14. Registration forms will be mailed home this week along with some other important information. Cost is $50. Contact Mike if interested.

Sleep Homes Needed for Antioch. If you are interested, email Mike at youth@cstone.net

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

Reconciliation Parents: Reconciliation children meet in the church at 10:10AM Sunday. All children must be at church at 6:15 on Tuesday, and the service begins at 6:30. Parents should have received an email update from Trish Madden on Nov. 16 with multiple attachments. If you didn’t receive an email or if you have any questions, contact Trish.

ADULT EDUCATION

Theology & Donuts: on Dec 3rd, 10:20-11:10AM, in St. Thomas Hall. The topic is: “Baptismal Grace Transforming the Human Race: The Role of the Catholic Laity”. The topic for Dec 10 is “Ordering Ring Donuts is Not the Only Holey Order: The Role of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons in the Church,” We’ll explore God’s order of sanctification through the use of the Church’s ordained ministers.

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. Next class Dec 6, topic: “The Rosary” and Christmas Party

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. Dec 6, 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 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

Haiti Committee: will meet on Sunday, December 3rd at 1:30 in Room #1 at St. Thomas Aquinas.

PACEM: St. Thomas will be assisting St. Mark Lutheran Church hosting PACEM women on Tues. Dec. 5th. Contact Bridget at 964-1127 or bnfdavis@cstone.net.

Advent Food Collection: we are collecting for the all-volunteer Emergency Food Bank that supplies area hungry with a 3-day supply of food. Needed items: canned juice concentrate, vegetables, soup, beans, fruit, chicken or tuna, peanut butter, cereal & macaroni & cheese. Thanks.

Books for Prisoners – We are continuing to collect magazines, dictionaries, religious material and good fiction books for local & state prisons. Collection boxes are in the Catholic Student Ministry Room.

PRO-LIFE

Meeting: Join us Tues, Dec. 5 at 11 AM at St. Thomas in the classroom downstairs

Rosary for Life: Join us Thurs, Dec. 7 from 10:30 AM–Noon in front of PP (Hydraulic Road).

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

Dinner followed by Lessons & Carols! Join us on Sat, Dec 9, for dinner before the Lessons and Carols at St. Thomas! We will meet at 6:30PM, at the fountain at Barracks Road Shopping Center to go to 5 Guys or Panera (look for Trish, Rhoda, and Fr. Dominic). This is our last big event of the year - come one, come all - bring friends! As always, newcomers welcome! Great chance to meet other Catholic grad students and young professionals, talk with someone you may recognize from Church or Theology-on-Tap, or catch up with old friends. Lessons & Carols is a parish-wide event this year with a professional brass quintet and a choir of St. Thomas Parishioners. Join us to celebrate the Advent Season! Questions, contact Trish Madden, reled@stauva.org.

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.

Separated or Divorced Catholics: First meeting, Mon, Dec. 11, 7 PM, room # 1, for those interested in forming a tri-parish support group to spiritually nurture & support Catholic men & women going through the process of separation or divorce. Contact Lauryn Mathena-Armstrong, Outreach Coordinator at Incarnation, at 973-4381 X 112 or lauryn@incarnationparish.org. All inquiries will be kept confidential.

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.

Catholic Scripture Study: Gospel of Matthew begins on Wed., Nov. 29, 7-8:30 PM, 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).

Readings for the Week of December 3, 2006