January 7, 2007
Epiphany of the Lord

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

Parish

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

I’d like to direct your attention down below the “Pastor’s Corner” this week, to the financial figures for the past several weeks. With the most sincere and heartfelt gratitude, I want to thank you, the parishioners of St Thomas Aquinas University Parish, for your overwhelming generosity at Christmastime and with the start of a New Year. Because of you, with our December payment towards the principal of the mortgage, we dipped under the $1 million mark, and as I promised back in September when I spoke to the parish about finances, we will indeed have a party when that occurs! I’m meeting with the parish Finance Council in about a week’s time, and we’ll decide when and where that party is going to be! And the truly great news is that our January mortgage payment is going to be able to be more than twice what we were able to pay in December, again all because of your incredible commitment to the future of this wonderful parish!

When we receive such blessings from the Lord, we have to be mindful of passing on those blessings to our brothers and sisters. In this past year, you responded outstandingly for the need to build a new parish school in our twin parish of St Michel in Saltadere, Haiti. We have a small group of parishioners who are going down to Saltadere in a couple weeks time, and I’m happy to tell you that I will be traveling down there myself, with another small group, at the end of February for the dedication of the new school that your generosity helped build. I promise to come back with lots of pictures! For 2007, what if we, as a parish community, committed to build another “Habitat for Humanity” house here in our own community, just like the parish did back in 2001-2002? We’ll keep you posted...


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 Harrison Tyler Greenhoe, Sophia Meredythe Owens and Robert Lee Watson Wingate who through Baptism were received into our faith community.

Parish Activities

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.

Christmas Cards: the K of C wishes to thank all who purchased cards and ornaments. A contribution of $572.36 has been made to both St. Mary of the Springs & the Deserving Poor Boys for Dominican Vocations.

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.

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

The Fraternity of St. Dominic: (Dominican Laity), St. Thomas Aquinas Chapter, will meet on Sat, Jan.13. 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.

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).

New Choir Forming: of high school students, college students, and other interested adults. The Choir will sing at either the Saturday 5:15PM Mass or the Sunday 9AM Mass. We will pick the most popular Mass time indicated by your interest. The new choir will sing a varied repertoire of Classical, Renaissance, Twentieth Century, and modern works just to name a few. If interested please contact Brian Sousa and let him know which Mass time interests you most.

Holy Week Choir: A Choir to sing on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and Easter Day (April 5-8) is being formed. Rehearsals will only be once a month, with more if needed. Each person in the choir must be available for all the aforementioned days in order to participate in the choir. Rehearsals will start in late January or early February with dates and times to be discussed. If you’re interested please contact Brian Sousa.

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: canceled due to lack of interest.

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!

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

EE/EDGE/LT: Will resume Jan 21

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. You can take classes in order to be confirmed in the spring. Please come to RCIA class on Wed, Jan. 24, 7:30 PM, in St. Thomas Hall. Contact Fr. Dominic at frdominic@stauva.org for details.

Catholicism 101: A study group on the Catechism of the Catholic Church with video presentations by Fr John Corapi meets selected Saturdays at 10 AM in the Community Room. The next sessions will be “The Church Part II”, 20 January and "The Last Lines of the Creed" on 3 February. For info contact sackandpam@comcast.net.

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

January Food Collection we are collecting for the Food Pantry at Holy Comforter Catholic Church. Needed items are: canned vegetables, soup, beans, fruit, chicken, tuna, and peanut butter. Thank you!

Thank You: for the Advent collection of food to the emergency food bank, your generosity was appreciated!

Books for Prisoners – We are continuing to collect magazines, dictionaries, religious material and good books of fiction for local and state prisons. Collection boxes are located in the Catholic Student Ministry Room. Thank you for your support!

January is Poverty in America Awareness Month as designated by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD). To learn more please visit: www.usccb.org/cchd/povertyusa/index.htm.

PRO-LIFE

March for Life ( Jan 22): Please sign up for the March for Life in DC this year. There are a limited # of seats on the bus from Ch’ville. Cost is $15 per adult and $10 per child/student. We ask that you pay in advance. Addressed envelopes for your payment are provided in the Link and are due by Wed, Jan 17.

The Pregnancy Centers: Need men and women counselors. Training classes run from 6-9 PM, Jan 29, Feb 1,2,5,8,9 and 12. A $25 fee covers materials. Call 979-4516 to sign up.

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 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: a tri-parish support group to spiritually nurture & support Catholic men & women going through the process of separation or divorce. Meetings will be held the first and third Mon. of every month, at Incarnation, 7 PM, room # 9. 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!

Parents of Rising Middle Schoolers: Learn what Ch’ville Catholic School has to offer your child during an information night for prospective parents on Thurs., Jan. 11, at 7:00 PM. Please call CCS if you would like a 6:00 PM tour of the school prior to the meeting: 964-0400.

Catholic Scripture Study: Gospel of Matthew 7-8:30 PM, Room 7 at Incarnation each Wed. unless otherwise noted. For more 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).

The Order of Carmel, Discalced Seculars: are lay people inspired by the Holy Spirit to answer the call to holiness through prayer, study and apostolic works of charity. Their formation is founded on the writings and teachings of the Carmelite Saints. They meet at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Staunton, the second Sunday of each month from 11:30 AM – 4 PM. For info pick up a brochure in the link or call Patricia at 286-4055.

Two 7-Night Cruises to Bermuda: One departs from Norfolk, 7/14 cost $1,190. The second departs from Bayonne, NJ, 8/11, cost $1,111. Also, 15-day cruise to Panama Canal departs from San Diego, 10/2, price $2,695. See flyer on bulletin board. Call Tammy 800-318-4919 or John 989-2746. Last year St. Thomas received a check for $600 from the cruise company that was a part of their profit.

Readings for the Week of January 7, 2007