December 17, 2006
Third Sunday in Advent

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

Parish

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

On this Gaudete (“Rejoice!”) Sunday, a great big “THANK YOU!” goes out to all of you who participated with your usual incredible generosity in our “Giving Tree” project. I know you made a lot of families happy this year, with a whole lot of joy to be unwrapped under the Christmas tree in homes throughout our community! Don’t forget that at our 4 PM Children’s Mass on Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec 24th, we’ll be accepting unwrapped baby items “to welcome the Baby Jesus”, which your children can place at the Crib in front of the altar at the start of the Offertory. All of these items will eventually be brought to the Pregnancy Centers of Central Virginia.

Speaking of Christmas this year...I don’t want to be a Scrooge or anything, but here’s a gentle reminder that because Christmas falls on a Monday this year, you have to attend Mass on both Sunday and Monday: once for the 4th Sunday of Advent and once for Christmas. Of course, you could go to Mass on Saturday, Dec 23rd at 5:15 PM for the 4th Sunday of Advent, and then come to one of our Christmas Eve Masses on Sunday, Dec 24th at 4 PM or 6:30 PM or at Midnight, Dec 25th. Your last chance for Christmas Mass here at St Thomas will be at 11 AM on Christmas Day, Monday, December 25th.

Getting back to Advent for a moment, a parishioner asked me last week to explain to the parish the significance of those blue banners we have hanging in the vestibule during the Advent Season. You’re all familiar with the hymn we sing often at this time of year, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” That hymn is derived from the traditional “O Antiphons” the Church sings in her liturgies during the final week of Advent, and on the banners, we have the various titles or invocations of Our Lord Jesus Christ, taken from each of the “O Antiphons” or from the various verses of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”. Now you know!


fr Brian, OP

The parish offices will be closed Fri., Dec. 22 through Mon., Jan. 1.

Christmas Mass Schedule
Sunday, December 24
3:30 PM Music and 4 PM Children's Mass
6:30 PM Life Teen Mass
12:00 Midnight Mass
Monday, December 25
11:00 AM Christmas Day Mass

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 Katarzyna Claudia Cotter, Samantha Leslee Fischbeck and Ella Claire Pinto who through Baptism were received into our faith community.

Parish Activities

Our Giving Tree: was a great success once again, and we would like to thank each and every one of you for your kind generosity! We also want to thank all of you who volunteered to sort and deliver the gifts.

Fresh GREENERY :is available for sale, if you forgot to order or would like more. We have door swags ($18), centerpieces ($15), and garland ($20) available after all Masses this weekend. Stop by the Youth Ministry
table in the Link OR contact the parish office this week.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

EE Parents: All Parents of EE students should have received a flyer entitled “Upcoming Sunday Celebrations” either through your child’s folder or in an email from the catechists. If, not please pick up extras from the RE table. This flyer contains ideas to help celebrate and learn together while we do not have religious education classes.

Family Epiphany Celebration: JOIN US! We will be having a family Epiphany lesson and celebration on Sunday, Jan. 7th during normal religious education time, 10:10-11:10am. Sign up your family on the religious education table by Jan. 3rd so we will know for how many to prepare. Sign up or email Trish, reled@cstone.net if you are able to help either in planning on Jan 4th and/or in implementing the celebration on Jan 7th. The event will have to be canceled if we do not have enough families sign up or enough volunteers. All ideas welcome! This is an effort to celebrate this important day as a parish and educate our children, even though our college student catechists will be out of town.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Parents: Our atrium meetings for our CGS children will resume the week of January 7th.

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 . 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.

Trim the Tree & Celebrate the Last Day of School: Come hangout in the Youth Ministry room and decorate our Christmas tree. Lots of games, fun, and eggnog. Thursday, Dec. 21st at 7:00 pm in the Youth Ministry Room. Open to ALL middle & high schoolers.

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

ADULT EDUCATION

Theology & Donuts: 10:20-11:10AM, in St. Thomas Hall. Next Date TBA.

RCIA: meets Wed, 7:30 PM, in St. Thomas Hall. Contact Fr. Dominic for details at frdominic@stauva.org. Next class Jan. 17, topic: “Sin & Grace”.

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

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

The Pregnancy Centers of Central Virginia: gratefully acknowledge a $2,500.00 donation from the Respect Life Fund of the Diocese of Richmond. We thank the parishioners of St Thomas for their contributions to the annual Respect Life Fund collection. The Centers will reach over 2,000 appointments helping young women and their babies in our C’ville community this yr. Thank you!

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

Salvation Army: Volunteers needed to prepare & serve dinner on Wed.,Dec. 20, 5-6:30 PM. Contact Ann at 293-9808 for info.

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.

Save the Date! Sun., Jan. 21, 2007, YAM Planning Meeting and Lunch! We'll meet after the 11:30 Mass in the link, by the Sacristy - come out and meet other cool YAM folks, as we plan YAM events for the spring semester!! Your input would be greatly appreciated.

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.

Meals on Wheels: needs volunteer drivers to deliver hot, lunch-time meals to the homebound. Drivers needed for, once-a-week commitments & on a substitute basis. Just an hour or two, once-a-week, can make a big difference. Please call (434) 293-4364 for more information.

Give the GIFT of TIME to Your Spouse!!! Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend, Feb 2-4, Virginia Beach. Contact Rick & Denise Long: longsbaseball@comcast.net for flyer, (804-550-1010) Space is limited...hurry!

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.

Ch’ville Catholic School's Choir: will be performing Christmas carols at Barracks Road Shopping Center, Wed, Dec 13, from 4:30-5:15 PM, between Cassella's Pizza and Panera Bread. You can catch a second performance at Fashion Square Mall, where the CCS choir has been asked to sing, on Tues, Dec. 19, from 5-6 PM.

Christmas Shopping: Let your fingers do the shopping by visiting Ch’ville Catholic School's online mall at www.ccsmall.org. You'll find many of your favorite stores through this secure website. You pay the same prices you would ordinarily, but a percentage of each purchase you make goes to CCS--at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Church of the Incarnation Festival Choir Presents: An Evening of Music for Advent and Christmas on Sun, Dec. 17, 6 PM. Begins with sung Advent Evening Prayer in the Worship Center. Please join them for this special musical event. Childcare will be available.

The Pregnancy Centers: has an immediate job opening for an Assistant Manager of Support Services. The 20 hour per week position requires good typing, Microsoft Word and Excel skills, a love for people, attention to detail, and ability to multi-task. Please call Ron Schneider or Cyndi at 979-4516, or fax your resume to 434-220-1010. This is a job-share position.

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 17, 2006