January 21, 2007
3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Parish

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

One thing you’ll notice at all the Masses this weekend at St Thomas are a number of our young people in their Charlottesville Catholic School uniforms, serving at Mass, helping out, or simply attending Mass with their families. That’s because we’re observing the start of “Catholic Schools Week” this weekend, and we’ll get a chance to hear various CCS families talk about their love for and commitment to our community’s Catholic school. They’ll also have a table set up in the vestibule, so make sure you stop by!

Another table set up this weekend is the one organized by our Pro-Life Committee here at St Thomas. Monday, January 22 is the Annual March for Life in Washington, DC, marking the sad anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision of the Supreme Court. There are two full buses going from Charlottesville to the March this year, so stop by their table and help support the cause of life.

Finally, next weekend, January 27-28, we will be celebrating the Solemnity of St Thomas Aquinas at all our Masses, because it is the patronal feast of our parish. We’ll be blessed to have Fr Walter Wagner, O.P. and our eight Dominican novices from Cincinnati, OH visiting with us and the novices will have a chance to speak after Communion at all our Masses, asking you to help out with the cost of running our Novitiate, as God continues to bless our Dominican community with fine new vocations.


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 Colin Arthur & Gavin John Attaway, Luke Michael Grant, Anneliese Hope & Sebastian Boris Kolomeisky and Jordan Taylor Henderson who through Baptism were received into our faith community.

Parish Activities

Parish Directories: have arrived! Help is needed for assembly and distribution. Please contact Marta, 293-8081x18 or marta@stauva,org.

Mardi Gras Party! Come Sat, Feb 10, 6:30-10PM in St. Thomas Hall to celebrate. There will be dinner, drinks, dancing, laughter, and fun! The cost is $15 per person or $10 per UVA student. Tickets will be sold after all weekend Masses through Feb 4. Only 150 tickets are available!

St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture: Wed, Jan 31, 7:30 PM. Fr. Joseph Alobaidi, OP will present, “Islam, reasons for violence, reasons for hope”. Fr. Alobaidi is a professor of Sacred Scripture at the Dominican House of Studies and teaches on Semitic religions, including Islam, and on various biblical and Koranic themes. Plan to attend this important lecture.

The American Red Cross: blood drive on Sun, Jan 28, 8:30AM-1:30PM in the CSM room. Blood supplies are currently low. Sign up in the Link.

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 Dec 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 table in the Link to pick up your new parishioner packet.

Worship

Contact Marta - 293-8081x18 marta@stauva.org
Brian Sousa - 293-8081x19 music@stauva.org

Next Baptism Class: will be on Sun, Feb 25, at 3:30PM in the Community Room. Please call the office to sign up.

Sincere Thanks to Ryan Prince: who donated his carpentry skills to build a lovely stable for our outdoor nativity scene this Christmas season.

Solemnity of St. Thomas Aquinas: Sun, Jan 28, our parish's patronal feast day. The Dominican Laity will be in attendance at the 11:30 AM Mass. At 1 PM, eight postulants will be received Into the Fraternities of St. Dominic as novices. All are welcome to attend. Please join us to form a special choir. If interested, contact Brian Sousa. Rehearsal will be Jan 25 at 7:30PM in the music room.

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@stauva.org
YM Contact Mike School 293 8081x16 youth@stauva.org

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.

RCIC: Rite of Christian Initiation for Children. A class will be offered for any youth in grades 3-10 who have not made their First Reconciliation. Parent/child meeting is Feb 1st, 6:30PM in the Community Room. To register contact Trish Madden at reled@stauva.org or Julie Balik at Julebb55@earthlink.net by Jan 29.

EE/EDGE/LT: resumes this weekend!

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. 24, Topic: Sacraments in General, Plus Baptism & Confirmation.

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

Haiti News: Please keep John Stack, Anne and Mike Knasel in your prayers during their visit to Saltadere.

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.

Blind Parishioner Needs a Ride to Sunday Mass: Please call the parish office if you can help.

PRO-LIFE

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.

CCS : invites you to join us in celebrating Catholic Schools Week this year from 1/28-2/3. Visitors are welcome to drop in for group tours of CCS on Fri, 2/2, 10-11:15 AM. Private tours are available throughout the year, however this is the only time of the year when visitors will be able to step inside the classrooms and see them in action. Learn more about CCS and how a Catholic education is making a difference in children's lives. For more info, call 964-0400, e-mail info@cvillecatholic.org, or visit our website at www.cvillecatholic.org.

Benedictine Sisters of Virginia: Monastic Discernment Weekend, for single, Catholic women, Feb. 23-25. For info contact: Sr. Vicki Ix, OSB Director of Vocations Ministry, 703-361-0106 or vocations@osbva.org.

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 21, 2007