January 14, 2007
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Parish

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

It was brought to my attention at our Parish Council meeting this past Tuesday that I did not express myself very well in last weekend’s bulletin when I said “When we receive such blessings from the Lord, we have to be mindful of passing on those blessings to our brothers and sisters.” Some people took that to mean that I wanted to use some of the money that you generously gave to the parish over Christmas and at the end of the tax year for the building of a “Habitat for Humanity” house. Let me assure you that that is NOT what I meant. No, if you give money for the general upkeep and maintenance of the parish in the weekly collection, it is used for that purpose. If you give money towards our mortgage reduction, it is used for that purpose. All I meant is that when the Lord has blessed our community so abundantly, we, as a community, need to be aware of our obligation to be a blessing to our brothers and sisters as well. One of the ways we might do this as a parish community in the coming year would be for us to take on the commitment of building another “Habitat for Humanity” house from start to finish, as the parish did the year before I arrived here as pastor.

Speaking of Parish Council, during the Spring Semester, for at least the next three months, our monthly Parish Council meeting is going to be on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 PM, rather than our usual first Tuesday of each month. As always, Parish Council meetings are always open to all parishioners.

And speaking of the Spring Semester, welcome back to all our returning students!



fr Brian, OP

The Parish Offices will be closed Monday, Jan 15 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

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

End of the Year Donation Letters - have been sent to all parishioners who receive Offertory envelopes. If there is a discrepancy with your records and the amount in the letter, please call Susie in the Parish Office, 293-8081, extension 13, and she will help you resolve the problem.

We welcome Lisa Emily Kranec 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.

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

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).

The Feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas: will be celebrated Sun, Jan 28. The Dominican Novices from Cincinnati will be in attendance at the 11:30 AM Mass and our Dominican Laity Chapter will make their Profession of promises after Mass. Please join us to form a special choir for the this Mass. If interested, contact Brian Sousa. Rehearsals will be Thurs, Jan 18 & Jan 25 at 7:30PM in the music room and meet there at 10:30AM before the 11:30AM Mass. Please join us in singing on the Feast of our Patron Saint.

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.

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

First Communion Parents: If you are interested in helping with First Communion planning please contact Trish. We will meet at 10:15 on Sun, Jan 28th in the parish office diningroom.

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

Catholic Advocacy Day at the Virginia General Assembly, Richmond: sponsored by the Virginia Catholic Conference on Mon, Jan 29, (snow date Mon, Feb 5). Join fellow Catholics from the Richmond and Arlington dioceses to share views on important issues with our state legislators, first time advocates welcome! Registration $10 (includes briefing materials and lunch); register by mail to VCC by Jan 23. Registration form & maps available in plastic pocket on the wall in the Link. For more info, contact Michèle Skarvelis of the parish Peace & Justice committee, 973-5206, mksprr@msn.com. Visit the VCC website, www.vacatholic.org.

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!

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.

Warmth for Everyone: we will be collecting new, handmade or gently used winter clothes for the Salvation Army at St Thomas the weekends of Feb 3rd and Feb 10th. More details will follow.

PACEM Intake at Holy Comforter: is in need of people to help greet guests every evening this season. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Bridget Davis at 964-1127 or bnfdavis@cstone.net for more information.

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.

Ask me about my feet! Stop by the table in the link to find out about the miracle of life at 10 weeks. Support the most innocent humans by showing off your feet!

Pray for Life: in front of Planned Parenthood (Hydraulic Rd) on Wed, Thurs, Fri, & Sat. These are the DAYS when abortions take place. Families are encouraged to participate. Contact Nicole Flusche, nicole@verners.com or Scarlett, 296-8070.

Is God calling you to minister to women in need? Now is the time to act! Counselor Training for the Pregnancy Centers begins on Jan. 29. Cost is $25 for materials. Call Anna at 979-4516 or Pat at 817-4554 for more info. Stop by the Respect Life table in the link for a class schedule.

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.

Scout Sunday: will be celebrated at St. Thomas on Feb. 4 at the 9AM Mass. All parish scouts (Boy & Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, & Brownies, as well as leaders) are invited to attend. If you wish to help by bringing up the gifts or with the collection, please meet in the link no later than 8:40AM. Also, if any scouts have earned religious emblems during the year and wish to have them presented during Mass, please contact Karen 293-5425 or kdpoehailos@comcast.net no later than Sun., Jan. 21st.

Accountant Sought: The Board of Directors of the diocesan Haitian Healthcare Foundation, Inc., is seeking a volunteer with accounting skills to serve as the Treasurer. Board meetings are held every other month. For more info, or to submit a résumé, contact Patrice Schwermer, at 804-622-5129 or pschwermer@richmonddiocese.org.

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.

CCS Job Opportunity: Assistant for After-Care program needed immediately. Assists After-Care director with a homework/activity program for students in grades K-8 Mon-Fri from 3-6 PM. Applications are available on the CCS website www.cvillecatholic.org. For info contact Sue Dougherty at 964-0400, ext. 304 or sdougherty@cvillecatholic.org.

Commonwealth Catholic Charities: Hosts a Community Service Awards Dinner, Feb 28. Honoring Steward Reid & Genworth Financial. Guest Speaker Adriana Trigiani. At the Sheraton Richmond West Hotel, cost $70 per person, Corporate sponsorships available. For details & reservations call CCC 804-545-5909.

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!

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.

Dominicans to Lead Three Pilgrimages: Frs. Barranger, & DeTemple, OP’s, will lead a Pilgrimage to Italy (March 1-10). Frs. Allen, Dosch & Schommer, OP’s will lead a Pilgrimage to Lourdes (July 1-10). Fr. Allen, OP will lead a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land (April 10-19. For info contact: Catholic Travel Office toll free 1-877-276-7279 or email catholictravel@comcast.net.

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 14, 2007