February 4, 2007
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Parish

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

We had an unfortunate incident last weekend at the Saturday 5:15 PM Vigil Mass, in which a parishioner tripped and fell while getting back into her pew because the kneelers were down, making it difficult to negotiate the space. Obviously, when I put the kneelers in church last October, my intention wasn’t to cause injuries or traffic jams! So maybe a little “kneeler etiquette” would be in order.

Catholics, on first coming into church, have traditionally genuflected towards the Tabernacle (not the Altar -- the Tabernacle) and then in going into their pew, spent a few moments of prayer kneeling, before sitting back on their pew. As others come to sit in the pew, as a courtesy, the kneelers should be up for them, so that they can easily get by you. The kneelers should stay up all the way through the Liturgy of the Word, until the “Holy, holy, holy” (The Sanctus) is sung or said. During the singing of the Sanctus, one can gently put the kneeler down (or pull it out) so as to be ready to kneel at the end of the singing of the “Holy, holy, holy.”

When the Eucharistic Prayer is over and we sing or say the Great “Amen,” and everyone stands for the “Our Father”, put the kneeler gently back up, so that you have a little more room to move around or if anyone needs to get out of the pew at that time (to serve as an Extraordinary Minister of Communion) and for the Sign of Peace. As the “Lamb of God” (the Agnus Dei) begins to be sung or said, you put the kneeler down again so as to be ready to kneel at the end of the “Lamb of God.” When it comes time for your row to get up to go to Communion, please put the kneeler up so that everyone can exit the pew easily. On returning to your pew, as a courtesy, sit back on the pew and wait for the other people in your row to return to their seats before lowering the kneelers and making your Thanksgiving to God. As we stand for the Prayer After Communion, the kneelers can be gently raised and stay that way until everyone has exited the pew at the end of Mass.


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

Parish Activities

Scout Sunday: will be celebrated at St. Thomas this Sunday at the 9 AM Mass. Congratulations to Patrick & Stephen Poehailos who will receive their Parvuli Dei religious emblem at this Mass.

Pancake Breakfast: The K of C will host a pancake breakfast for all parishioners on Sun., Feb 11 following the 9 AM Mass in St. Thomas Hall. Cost $5/person or $12 per family. Individually prepared omelets available for an extra donation. All are welcome!

Parish Directories: have arrived! If you had your picture taken please pick your directory up at the Mardi Gras table this weekend.

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!

Closed Circuit TV: in St. Thomas Hall. We will soon have a system allowing parents to watch Mass while attending to their children! Funding is nearly complete- only $2300 more is 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

Altar Flowers: : given in loving memory of Carol Lamb in remembrance of her birthday.

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

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

American Legion Post 74: will hold a memorial service in remembrance of the Four Army Chaplains who went down with the USAT Dorchester in the North Atlantic just 150 miles from Greenland. Join us Sun, Feb 4, at 2PM to learn the story about these great men and what they did for their fellowmen. The speaker will be LTC William Opperman, USAF retired.

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).

9AM Sunday Choir: This recently formed choir will rehearse on Saturdays at 1PM in the Music Room. Interested people, depending on their comfort level, are welcome at any rehearsal to sit and observe or to participate.

Music Lessons: Anyone interested in taking piano, organ, or voice lessons is encouraged to contact Brian Sousa for more details.

Music PR Group Needed: Brian Sousa is looking for a group of willing individuals to join a PR group to help advertise special events such as the upcoming concert series. If you can give a little time or more than a little you’re encouraged to join this very important necessary group. If interested contact Brian as soon as possible.

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!

1st Communion Parents: Mandatory Parent meeting Feb. 11 at 10:15 in the Church for all parents of students preparing for their 1st Communion. Email Trish if you will be unable to attend. Bring your child’s baptismal certificate if you haven’t already!

Attn Elementary Parents: When picking up your children from religious education, do NOT park or wait in handicap parking spaces especially the spaces along Alderman Rd. Parishioners needing handicap access have not been able to park for the 11:30 AM Mass due to RE families. As was described in the Sept letter sent home and parents meeting, all children should be exiting by the main doors by the Meditation Garden. If you have concerns or suggestions regarding student pick-up, contact Trish.

EE: this weekend 2/4.

EDGE/LT: Middle & HS Super Bowl Party in St. Thomas Hall at 6:15 PM.

ADULT EDUCATION

Theology & Pizza: Sun, Feb 11, 6:30-8 PM, Fr Dominic will speak on Religious Life in the Church: Monks, Nuns, and why the priests at St Thomas wear those fashionable & trendy white outfits! St. Thomas location TBA.

RCIA: meets Wed, 7:30 PM, in St. Thomas Hall. Contact Fr. Dominic for details at frdominic@stauva.org. Next class Jan. 31, St. Thomas Lecture.

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, Feb 14, Topic: Marriage & Sexual Morality 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 Liturgy", 17 Feb and "Intro to the Sacraments", 3 March. 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 winter studying the Book of Isaiah. 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 Solidarity Week: What does "solidarity" mean? UNITY based on our common faith. Pick up a Solidarity Week Calendar on the Haiti Table. Borrow a book on Haiti. Next Weekend: Visit the Haiti Display in the Link and talk with Anne & Mike Knasel and John Stack to learn about their recent trip.

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!

Save the Date! Sister Helen Prejean, renowned speaker on the death penalty will be at St Thomas Aquinas Church on Thursday, April 26 at 7:30 PM. Her talk is entitled “Dead Man Walking…the Journey Continues”. Mark your calendars!

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!

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.

Valentine’s Day Scone Sale: to benefit the Books Behind Bars program that sends books to inmates. Send yourself or someone special a dozen, homemade, heart shaped, fair trade chocolate chip scones on Feb 14th with a handmade batik card. Bike delivery in city of Charlottesville or pick up at Quest Bookshop 11-2PM W. Main St. A $10-15 donation is requested. Please call 882-1516 to place your order today

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

PRO-LIFE

Meeting: Join us Tues, Feb 6 at 11 AM in Room 5a (downstairs). Contact Nicole for more info: nicole@nicoleflusche.com.

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

Saturday Mass & Breakfast: On Sat. Feb 10, join us for Mass at 8:30AM, followed by breakfast in the community room!

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.

National Day of Prayer: for the African American Family. The Diocesan Celebration will be Sun, Feb 4, 2PM at Holy Rosary Church in Richmond.

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.

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.

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).

St. Thomas Aquinas Tuition Assistance Fund: The purpose of this fund is to offer CCS tuition assistance to families of our parish demonstrating financial need, so that they may afford a Catholic education for their children. Your generosity will keep our Catholic school diverse and available to members of our parish. Please take an envelope from your pew home, so that you may prayerfully consider your contribution and return it in the weeks ahead. Thank You!

Commonwealth Catholic Charities: will teach anger management group counseling classes for teens and their primary caregivers in Charlottesville. The six-week course is designed for juvenile domestic violence offenders and those who want to learn anger management skills. Classes will be held Thurs evenings beginning Feb 22 at Incarnation. Classes are $30/family per class. For info contact Rhonie Butler at 800-974-4494 or email Rhonie_Butler@cccofva.org. CCC also provides counseling for individuals and families in C’ville and assistance with issues of grief, trauma and post-traumatic stress. Programs include a batterer’s intervention group course. Call Rhonie or go to cccofva.org for info.

The Notre Dame Club: of C’ville invites Friends, Parents & Alumni to a Mass and Wine & Hors de oeuvre Reception for Father "Monk" Molloy, former President of the University of Notre Dame, on Thurs, Feb 8 at 5:30, at CCS. Tickets $15 per person or $25 per couple. Checks, made payable to the N. D. Club of Greater C’ville, must be received by Feb 5. Mail to 1085 Blackburn Bluff, C'ville 22901. Questions, call 975-5995

Valley Cursillo: will hold an Ultreya on Fri, Feb, 9 at 7 PM at St. John’s, Waynesboro. An Ultreya is a get-together of all Cursillistas, group reunions, and people who are interested in learning more about Cursillo. Come for an after-dinner snack, listen to a short spiritual talk.

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.

Daffodil Days Are Here: Your purchase of daffodils during the American Cancer Society's Daffodil Days is a Gift of Hope in the fight against cancer. Brighten someone's day by purchasing a bouquet of daffodils. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society. Deadline to order is Feb 20. To order please contact Debi Smutny at 973-7151. Hope is contagious.

Women’s Cursillo Retreat Weekend: May 17-20. The purpose of Cursillo is to support people in living out their faith in their everyday lives. The retreat will be led by a team of Catholic women. Msgr. Chet Michael and Fr. Dan Bain will serve as spiritual directors. Mass and prayers will be held each day, along with talks on specific issues of Christian living. Cost $30 For info and applications, visit the Valley Cursillo at valleycursillo.com or call 293-5253.

Readings for the Week of February 4, 2007