February11, 2007
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

Parish

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

A new Season of Lent will be upon us in just 10 days! Ash Wednesday is February 21st this year. We’ll have four opportunities to come to Mass and receive blessed ashes here at St Thomas: 8 AM, 12:10 PM, 5:15 PM, and your very last chance -- 9 PM. One of us will also be celebrating Mass and distributing ashes at St George’s in Scottsville at 7 PM that day.

Attendance at our two daily Masses always picks up during Lent, but there’s always room for more! If you’ve never gotten into the habit of daily Mass, why not “try it on for size” this Lent? It’s probably the singular best thing you can do to give your spiritual life a boost. Our daily Masses here at St Thomas are, of course, at 8 AM and 5:15 PM, M-F, and at 8:30 AM on Saturday mornings. And just a reminder -- just one daily Mass is sufficient. No need to go to both!

Sometimes during Lent we can concoct all sorts of penances for ourselves, or elaborate schemes of what we’re going to “give up.” How about just trying to live our Catholic faith more intensely, making sure that we get in the daily time for prayer, picking up once again devotions we may have set aside, like the Rosary or the Stations of the Cross? And don’t forget about Eucharistic Adoration -- we have 24 hours of Adoration every week from Wednesday morning until Thursday morning in the Chapel of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and then on Fridays at 4 PM we have a Holy Hour in church. As our Lord asked His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane: “Can you not watch with Me one Hour?”


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

Learn about Lent together! Join us for Generations of Faith: Lent –Sat. March 3, 9:30-11:30AM. SIGN-UP in the LINK Feb. 18 & 25. All parishioners are invited to gather to prepare each person for the Season of Lent. Gen. of Faith is for everyone of all ages! As a community we will share breakfast, learn about Lent, break into smaller learning groups by age, close together, and leave with materials to help everyone dive deeper into Lent in their own homes. Meet someone new, do something together as a family, or learn a new way to grow close to Christ this Lent. Join us! Interested in helping? Contact: Trish, Julie, or Mike.

Parish Directories: If you had your picture taken please pick your directory up in the office, M-F, between the hours of 9&4.

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

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

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/Lifeteen

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: meeting today 10:15 am in the Church.

EE/ EDGE/LT: this weekend 2/11.

Summer trips - Save the dates! Life Teen Camp (Covecrest): June 25-30. Service trip to Cincinnati, Ohio: July 8-14, Steubenville Atlanta: July 20-22. Vacation Bible School & Middle School Camp: July 30-Aug. 3.

Monday Night Live: Take a break and hang out in the youth room on Mon, Feb 12 and Mon, Feb 26 from 7-9PM.

Monday Night Live at the Movies: Join us for Night at the Museum at 4:45pm on Mon, Feb 19. We'll meet in the lobby of the Regal Seminole Square Cinema at 4:30pm. Cost is $6 for children and $6.50 for adults.

Oklahoma! comes to STAB: Come support our friends at STAB and join us for the musical Oklahoma! on Sat, Feb 24. We'll meet in front of the auditorium at 6:45pm. RSVP to Nate Smith at ngsmit@gmail.com.

Relay for Life: All High School and Middle School youth are invited to join the St. Thomas Relay for Life team. Relay for Life will be held on May 12-13 and is a great opportunity to make a difference in the fight to find a cure for cancer. For details, or to register, contact Nate : ngsmit@gmail.com.

ADULT EDUCATION

Theology and Pizza: talk being given on Feb. 11, the title for the talk is: “Men in Black, No, White: Catholic Religious Life and Why the St. Thomas Priests Wear White.” The location is the Catholic Student Ministry (CSM) room. Pizza and drinks will be provided.

Interested in becoming Catholic? Know a non-Catholic who would be interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith? Contact Fr. Dominic (frdominic@stauva.org) for further information.

RCIA: meets Wed, 7:30 PM, in St. Thomas Hall. Next class Feb. 14, Marriage & Sexual Morality. All are welcome to attend. Also, Sun, Feb 25, 9 AM Mass: Rite of Sending and 2 PM: Rite of Election at the Cathedral.

Adult Confirmation: Are you baptized Catholic but never received the Sacrament of Confirmation? Contact Fr. Dominic (frdominic@stauva.org) for information about confirmation for adults.

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.

Justice & Peace
Contact Mary Kirwan-295-1885 W, 295-7950 H kirwanm@adelphia.net
Bridget Davis-964-1127 bnfdavis@cstone.net

Haiti Solidarity Week Ends on Sunday: Welcome three of our parishioners who have just returned from Saltadere. They are eager to share their experiences with you. Visit the Haiti Table in the Link after Mass, new pictures and wonderful stories. Keep praying for the people of Saltadere.

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!

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

PRO-LIFE

Pray to End Abortion: in front of Planned Parenthood on Hydraulic Rd, Wed.- Sat., the days when abortions take place. Contact Nicole: nicole@verners.com or Scarlett at 296-8070.

Campus Ministry

UNDERGRADUATES(CSM)

Kevin Simowitz: kjs5e@virginia.edu
Fr. Luke Clark: lukeop2828@hotmail.com

Welcoming All Newcomers: Tuesday Supper! 6PM in St. Thomas Hall. We would especially like to invite all college-aged members of the community who have not or have rarely been able to join us. Please see a CSM Team member after Mass in the link with any questions.

Fireside: At 9:00 PM on Thursday, we will be having our weekly small, joyful student Mass in the Student Center, which is downstairs from the main part of St. Thomas. We have a great Eucharistic Celebration and plenty of time to socialize and meet new people!

Spring Break Trips: Catholicism, Service Work, and Social Justice: Come on a CSM Spring Break Trip! Email Nikola at nikola@virginia.edu for info. Locations include: Hurley, VA, Camden, NJ and our very own C’ville.

YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY

A ministry for young professionals & graduate students ages 21-35 Contact: Rhoda Hernandez - rhodahernandez@gmail.com

Bible Study: We are starting a Bible Study again this semester, contact Rhoda if you are interested.

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, contact Beth at eab7f@virginia.edu.

Theology on Tap: Mon, Feb 19, 7:30pm, Dr. Karen Poehailos will speak about "Artificial Steroids: Bad for Men but Good for Women? What you need to know about the Birth Control Pill." We will be meeting at the Biltmore Grill (on Elliewood Avenue, on the Corner) in the back room. Sponsored by the St. Luke's Society.

Young Adult Symposium: Fr. John Cusick and Ms. Kate DeVries from Chicago are coming to Richmond on March 10. Teams of young adults from parishes are invited to this symposium on young adult ministry. Meet people from around the diocese, and learn new ideas for how to organize and sustain YAM in your parish. Contact Rhoda if you want to go.

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.

Commonwealth Catholic Charities: needs volunteers to assist staff with a variety of administrative activities in the CCC main office located at 1512 Willow Lawn Drive. Contact Stuart, at 545-5944 with t or email Stuart_smith@cccofva.org. Volunteers are also needed to assist he CCC Debt Management Program. Contact Barbara at 545-5931 or email Barbara_mcEntyre@cccofva.org.

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).

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.

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.

The St. Anselm Institute: for Catholic Thought is pleased to present the third lecture of the 2006-2007 Speaker Series: John Cavadini, University of Notre Dame, Augustine’s City of God and Political Realism Tues, Feb, 20, 5 PM, MacLeod 2014. For more information, please visit our website: www.StAnselmInstitute.org

CCS: wishes to thank all of our friends at St. Thomas for your support during Catholic Schools Week and throughout the year. We are truly grateful to be a part of your community!

CCS: is now accepting sponsorships for the Gene Corrigan Golf Tournament, May 7, at Spring Creek Golf Club. There are a variety of benefits to choose from with sponsorships starting as low as $50. All proceeds will benefit CCS and will help keep tuition affordable for CCS students. For more info, visit cvillecatholic.org or call the CCS Development Office at 964-0400, ext. 301.

Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat: will be held March 2-4, at the Benedictine Abbey in Richmond. This weekend is open to any woman or man who is hurting from their abortion experience. The retreat offers a path to healing and reconciliation during this engaging process of Scriptural Meditations and Prayer Exercises. Call confidentially Post Abortion Healing Facilitators, Kay Marie & Joe Geiger (804) 330-3137 or Molly Smith at Epiphany Parish, (804) 794-0222. Learn more at rachelsvineyard.org

Day of Reflection: in the Stone Chapel at Incarnation on Sat., Mar 17, 10-3PM. for anyone who has experienced miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death. Prayer, guest speakers and group support will be the focus of this day. Lunch and all materials will be provided. There is no cost to attend the day, but registration is required. Please contact Kathleen Olowin at 434-975-3605 or olowin@firstva.com for more info or to register.

Infant Memorial Mass: for anyone who has lost a child through miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death will be held on Wed, Mar 28, 7:30pm in the Daily Mass Chapel at Incarnation. Each baby will be remembered by name and families will have the opportunity to light a candle in memory of each child. Please RSVP to Kathleen Olowin at 434-975-3605 or olowin@firstva.com.

Readings for the Week of February 11, 2007